Interesting facts

Men were the first to wear jewellery as a status symbol and as good luck amulets to aid them in battle.

Aaron, first high priest of the Hebrews, wore 12 gemstones (representing the 12 tribes of Israel) in his silver breastplate.

This is when birthstones originated.

The legendary Croesus was the first King to mint gold coins.

He was the greatest collector of gold in history.

Agnes Sorel, the mistress of King Charles VII of France was the first woman to wear diamonds.

Initially, only one ring was used for an engagement and a wedding. Then in 1477, Maximilian of Austria gave an en- gagement ring to his beloved, Mary of Burgundy starting a tradition.

The value of a diamond depends upon carat weight, color,clarity and cut.

Cutting and polishing, a very limited natural supply and mining operations makes a diamond so costly.

Although the hardest substance known, diamonds can they be chipped. They have a grain line and may be broken by a sharp blow along this line.

The largest diamond ever found was the The Cullinan.

It weighed 3,106 carats, or about one and a third pounds!

The most important quality of a ruby, sapphire or emerald is its clarity of color. A natural or cultured pearl (unlike an imitation or simulated one) rubbed against the edge of one's teeth produces vibrations one can actually hear.

Jewels avoid metal-to-metal contact of watch parts that do the most work.

58.3% of pure gold is an item marked 14k.

About 75% of American brides receive a diamond engagement ring.

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