If your pulse quickens at the site of an antique Victorian-era cameo, if an Art Nouveau pastel enamel and pearl pendant piques your nostalgic interest, or if a retro 14-karat gold bracelet seems irresistible, then you’re part of the increasing number of those buying estate jewelry. From the bold geometric shapes of Art Deco to the lacy romanticism of the Edwardian style, estate jewelry offers a wide array of choices for the discerning collector.

The June birthstone, the pearl, has a long and rich history. For many young women, pearls are just something you wear when you wanted to look classy and put together. But the unique creation of the pearl, the only gem made from a living creature, tells us that this is an incredibly special little sphere.

May’s birthstone is the brilliant, green emerald. Legends gave the emerald the power to make its wearer more intelligent and quick-witted and its the gemstone for 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries. It was once believed to cure diseases like cholera and malaria, and its color reflects new spring growth, which makes it a perfect choice of a birthstone for the month of May.

Shimmering with an internal fire all its own, diamond is one of the world’s most sought-after and adored gemstones.

The garnet is actually a group of several minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. There are six common garnet minerals – and several other rare species. The most common garnets are  almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope, spessartine and uvarovite The name “garnet” comes from 14th century Middle English word gernet meaning ‘dark red’,

October babies have the pleasure of enjoying two birthstones to commemorate their birthdays – tourmaline and opal. Last time we wrote about pink tourmaline, and now we’re going to share with you about opal.