The Van Craynest legacy began in 1920 when Roger J. Van Craynest went to work for Shreve & Co., in San Francisco. While he worked for Shreve & Co., he honed his skills to become a master die cutter, designer and engraver. In 1926 Roger ventured out on his own opening his own company, Van […]
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Golconda is an area in the Telangana region of India known for its mines (now closed) that have produced some of the world’s most rare and famous diamonds, including the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope Diamond and the Nassak Diamond. Golconda was the only place in the world for some 2000 years where diamonds were found. Diamonds
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Suffragette movement of the late 1800’s. Throughout the years women have unified to fight for their rights to have equality. The suffragette movement is one of the earliest women’s organizations to promote the right to vote for women worldwide. The colors of the suffragette movement are white, green and purple. Purple symbolizes dignity, Green symbolizes
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While tromping around the Welsh countryside on my most recent trip back home I could not help thinking about the stories of “Welsh gold”. Most famously the British Royal family in 1911 started a tradition of making ceremonial jewelry and wedding bands from gold Mined from Wales. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s wedding ring, from her
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OPAL: THE MYTHS Throughout history you will find several myths and legends that revolve around Opals. As far back as ancient Greece the Opal has had a place history of the culture of the times. It was said that Zeus, King of the Greek gods was so pleased when he defeated the Titans that he
OFF THE CUFF: The cuff link has been a accessory in fashion for over 150 years, no longer are they a bastion of the corporate boardrooms of the past. Today both men and women are linking their French cuffs together with sophisticated elegance. The history of the French cuff and the links that adorn them
The pearl, at the time it was found was the largest ever found. The pearl was found off the coast of Santa Margarita in the Gulf of Panama by an African slave in the mid-16th century. The slave was rewarded with his freedom by Don Pedro de Temez, the administrator of the Spanish colony in
AQUAMARINE, A HISTORY AND LORE: The Birthstone for March The Aquamarine has long been admired by ancient civilizations from the Sumerians, Hebrews and Egyptians and was thought to originate from the treasure chests of Mermaids. The Romans had several beliefs in which the Aquamarine or “Gem of the Sea” played a role. It was believed
Lavalier-A Delicate touch of Beauty: This delicate pendent style necklace was made famous by King Louis XIV of France’s mistress, the Duchesse de la Valliere. Louise was born on August 6th 1644 in Tours. The daughter of an Officer, her father took the name La Valliere’s from an Estate in Amboise. After the death of
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