I already have an appraisal from the store where I purchased my jewelry....why would I need  another appraisal?

 

A free appraisal received from the jewelry store is really nothing more than a "documentation of purchase", also known as an "estimate to replace".  They are frequently not accepted by insurance companies as they lack critical information, such as a detailed description of the jewelry, gem identification, color, clarity and weight of gemstones, photographs, metal testing, as well as the actual replacement value.  These documents commonly have inflated valuations, making them nothing more than a marketing tool. 
It is always advisable to have a "second opinion" from a qualified unbiased source to confirm the quality and value of your jewelry. This will help you avoid paying excessive insurance premiums and help ensure your jewelry is replaced with a comparable item if you should incur a loss.

 

http://www.negemappraisals.com/FAQ_s.html

 

 



California Couple Finds $10M in Gold Coins Buried in Yard

A Northern California couple out walking their dog on their Gold Country property stumbled across a modern-day bonanza: $10 million in rare, mint-condition gold coins buried in the shadow of an old tree.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-couple-finds-10m-gold-coins-buried-yard-n38471

Babe Ruth’s World Series watch sells for $717K

The pocket watch given to Babe Ruth after the New York Yankees won the World Series in 1923 went for $717,000 at an auction held Saturday in New York City.

The Majestic Color of Ruby

 

Red is the color of our most intense emotions—love and anger, passion and fury. It’s associated with objects of power and desire—like fast cars and red roses. Early cultures treasured rubies for their similarity to the redness of the blood that flowed through their veins, and believed that rubies held the power of life.

A Beautiful Ruby and Diamond Suite



Signet acquiring Zale in $1.4B deal

The companies announced in a joint release issued Wednesday morning that Signet, parent company of Akron, Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers Inc., is paying $21 a share for Zale. The transaction has an enterprise value, including debt, of $1.4 billion.

The transaction is expected to close this year.

The merger of Signet and Zale, which ranked as the No. 1 and No. 4 jewelers respectively in the United States on National Jeweler’s last State of the Majors list, creates a company that will operate some of the most recognizable jewelry brands in the world, including Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Zales and the Piercing Pagoda in the United States, H. Samuel and Ernest Jones in the United Kingdom and Peoples Jewellers in Canada.

Sapphire symbolizes nobility, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. It has decorated the robes of royalty and clergy members for centuries. Its extraordinary color is the standard against which other blue gems—from topaz to tanzanite—are measured.

Jewelry Trends for 2014

Jewelry trends are derived from the three Rs: red carpet, runway, and real life.

Topping the list are Stickpins. Did you see all the lapels in the spring lines? They all serve as ideal perches for slim jewels like stickpins. These are—as the name suggests—slender, making them affordable and easy to place in other spots, such as in the hair, on a hat, shirt, or even a skirt.

Valentine's Day Survey:
Of those in the survey who choose jewelry as a gift choice, 52% of women preferred earrings, necklaces ran a close second place and bracelets were in third. Sixty-seven percent of men who chose jewelry as a Valentine's Day gift selected watches. Engagement rings did not make the top five jewelry choices.

Tale of fake 1,000-carat Sierra Leone diamond.
A substance thought to be a diamond and which has set two Sierra Leonean communities on the warpath, has been officially declared by the government as just a 'stone'.
http://www.africareview.com/News/Tale-of-fake-Sierra-Leone-diamond/-/979180/2197122/-/14uc51kz/-/index.html

 

Fun Facts About The Hope Diamond

 

• The Hope diamond was originally 112 carats before being cut to its present weight of 45.52 carats.

• The Hope diamond is said to be cursed. Although one of its owners, Evalyn McLean believed it to be her good luck charm, her life states otherwise; after possession of the gem, she became a morphine addict, her young son died in a car accident, her husband divorced her and died insane, and her daughter committed suicide.

• The Hope Diamond, perhaps the world’s most legendary gem, arrived at its present home at the Smithsonian in November 1958 via the mail – albeit registered first class!

Most Expensive Cocktail

Siberian ice chills the 'world's most expensive cocktail' costing $50,000, which contained three real diamonds.