Faberge’s new Pearl Egg, its first Imperial Egg in nearly 100 years, features 139 white pearls and 3,305 diamonds as well as other precious gemstones.

Its design is inspired by the creation of a pearl within an oyster--the mother-of-pearl outside opens to show a unique 12.17-carat gray pearl from the Arabian Gulf. An innovative clasp allows the exterior to rotate on its base, allowing all six sections of the egg to open simultaneously and unveil the pearl within.

The egg currently is on display at the Doha Watch and Jewellery Exhibition, which runs through Feb. 28.

George Washington, the first President of the United States had many pocket watches.  One of his pocket watches was a quarter repeater (chimes every 15 minutes), presumably from 1775.  It is believed to be of Swiss origin as the case has a Neuchâtel hallmark. On the inside movement cover is the engraving: "1775 / G. Washington" in script.  The outside of the watch is engraved "Trenton N.J. / Dec. 10th 1777. / Presented to my Friend / Col. Thos. Johnson of Md. / as a Memento / of my great Esteem. / Geo. Washington."  This watch is in the collection of the New York Historical Society. 
 
  
 

Photos from NAWCC

          

Amethyst is the birthstone for February and is the purple variety of the mineral Quartz.  Amethyst derives its name from the Greek "amethystos", which means "not drunken".   Amethyst was believed to protect and heal.  

OK, now for the technical gemological information:  Amethyst is silicon dioxide SiO2, Crystal System is Trigonal, Uniaxial Positive, Refractive Index is 1.53to 1.56, DR, 0.009, Specific Gravity is 2.60 to 2.65.

Amethyst can occur in huge flawless crystals and gemstones of all sizes have been faceted. The color of Amethyst is most often caused by iron impurities, though it can also be colored by natural radiation exposure.  Amethyst is sometimes heat treated to deepen the color, or to transform it into Citrine. 

Amethyst is a beautiful stone but not very hard, reaching a 7 on the Mohs Scale (same as a hard steel file).  As a result, amethyst can abrade (scratch) fairly easily.  Avoid leaving amethyst in strong light as the color may fade.

                         

A Louisiana man with good timing and a lot of luck found a 2.01 ct. yellow diamond this week at Arkansas’ famed Crater of Diamonds State Park.