Journal · 980 notes
Notes from the bench
Written for buyers rather than for search engines: what a specification actually means, where an order usually goes wrong, and what to ask before you pay a deposit.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Goshenite: The Colorless Beryl You Have Probably Never Heard Of
What is goshenite? The colorless variety of beryl, its history as a diamond simulant, durability, and how jewelers use it today.
Care & after-sales · Sep 2026
A Jewelry Maintenance Schedule That Fits Real Life
Prong checks, rhodium refreshes, and pearl restringing do not share the same calendar. Here is a realistic yearly maintenance checklist.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Carnelian: The Ancient Orange-Red Quartz, Explained
Carnelian is the orange-red chalcedony used since antiquity. Learn its color, common heat treatment, durability, and how to set and care for it.
Care & after-sales · Sep 2026
Jewelry Repair Soldering: What Survives the Torch
Before a repair hits the torch, the bench must protect stones, match alloy, and choose the right solder. Here is how repair soldering works.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Tsavorite Garnet: The Durable Green Alternative to Emerald
Tsavorite is the clean, tough green garnet from East Africa. We cover color, carat ceiling, treatments, and why bench jewelers recommend it.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
A Proposal Planning Checklist, Written by People Who Build the Rings
From ring lead time to the actual question, a bespoke atelier walks you through a calm, complete proposal checklist so the moment belongs to you two alone.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Cabochon vs Faceted Gemstones: Which Cut Is Right?
Faceted stones sparkle; cabochons show color and light play. We explain why opal, turquoise and moonstone are almost never faceted.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Epidote: The Deep Green Mineral With a Glassy Luster
Epidote is a deep green calcium aluminum silicate, sometimes cut as cat's-eye or in clear faceted stones. Learn its properties and value.
Making & process · Sep 2026
Tension Seats: Cutting the Depth That Holds the Stone
A tension seat that is too shallow drops the stone; too deep cracks the girdle. Our seat-depth math and test-set routine for tension-style settings.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
Where to Actually Spend Your Engagement Ring Budget
A bespoke atelier honest breakdown of where your engagement ring money should go, where to save, and how to split a realistic budget without overspending.
Stones & grading · Sep 2026
Turquoise Gemstone Guide: Stabilization, Hardness, and Daily Care
Turquoise is porous, reactive, and deeply personal. Learn what stabilization means, how it affects durability, and how to keep your piece from turning.
Buying guides · Sep 2026
When to Resize a Ring (and When Not To)
Plain bands vs pave, eternity, tungsten, and inlay: the resize decision table and the 16 CFR / FTC rules on re-stamping.