Source: American Gem Trade Association

For those of you who appreciate the finer things in life, it’s time to honor the regal birthstone of February: the amethyst. Through the ages, this dazzling purple member of the quartz family has been used for everything from love charms to symbols of royalty.

Amethyst is available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, including very large sizes. According to the American Gem Trade Association website, the Smithsonian Institution has an amethyst that weighs more than 1,000 carats. It’s no surprise that the very large sizes in rich, deep colors are rare.

Folklore
February’s birthstone is commonly associated with sobriety and spirituality. This beautiful purple stone also stands for wisdom and security. The ancient Egyptians believed amethyst could keep a person from being poisoned. In medieval times, amethyst was often put under the pillow to cure insomnia and bring pleasant dreams. Medieval churchmen used amethyst rings and jewels to promote divine revelations and wisdom, since amethyst was considered a symbol of Christian love and sacrifice. Amethyst also was said to enhance courage and creativity, to promote intuition, psychic development and even self-esteem, to deflect anger, and protect the wearer against evil.

Care
Amethyst is tough and durable and wears well. Make sure to clean your amethyst jewelry with mild dish soap and use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect. Avoid exposure to high heat, which may cause its color to fade. For more jewelry care and cleaning tips, visit Jewelers Mutual’s website at InsureYourJewelry.com or AGTA’s consumer website.

Wear
Designers celebrate amethyst as an ideal gemstone for jewelry because of its royal color, variety of sizes and shapes, affordability, and wide tonal range, from pale lavender to dark purple. Amethyst complements both warm and cool colors so it looks right set in both yellow and white metals and complements almost every color in your wardrobe.

What do you like most about your February birthstone?

 The good
You can’t go wrong with jewelry. Ignite the spark by choosing one of the most popular jewelry picks of the year, including the following:

Hearts On Fire "Amorous Journey" diamond pendant

•  Heart-shaped pendants, like the stunning Hearts On Fire® diamond pendant Jewelers Mutual is giving away for their Show the Love photo contest. By the way, you can vote for your favorite entry starting Monday, Feb 13^th and help determine the lucky winner of this sweet prize.
• Designer watches
• Dangle earrings
• Toggle heart and Swarovski crystal gemstone bracelets
• Vintage jewelry
• Charm bracelets (several brands have special limited-edition Valentine charms)
• Chunky rings

The bad 
Be sure to make the gift personal. This means NO:

• Blenders
• Food processors
• Toasters

 Tips to take to heart:

• Keep your budget in mind. Try and find the gift that says a lot without having to spend a lot.
• Be thoughtful. Ask yourself what this gift will mean to her. Will she wear it after Valentine’s Day?
• Take notice of the jewelry she likes and the items she already owns.  Does she prefer sterling silver, platinum or 14K yellow gold? Petite or bold styles?
• Don’t forget insurance. If you plan to deliver the wow-factor, you’ll want to keep that “wow” properly protected. Visit InsureYourJewelry.com to get a quote, apply for insurance or add the new item to your current Jewelers Mutual policy and keep those precious memories safe.

The key is to follow your heart. Whether it’s a dinner out, a hand-made card or a stunning piece of jewelry, make sure you give with meaning and it will speak volumes about your love. Have a happy Valentine’s Day!

The ugly?
For a good laugh (or cry) check out these “horribly wrong Valentine’s gifts” I came across on ivillage.com. (Plastic flowers? Really?) What were some of your best or worst Valentine’s gifts?

The Green Bay Packers Super Bowl I Ring

This Sunday, I’ll be among the 100 million+ football fans tuning in to watch Super Bowl XLVI. We’ll root for either the New York Giants or the New England Patriots as the teams battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy and go after the honor of being called, “World Champions.”

Shortly after the big game, you’ll see star players reap the benefits of a championship season with instant notoriety, multi-million dollar endorsement deals, boosted salaries, auto dealership spokesman gigs, and so on. Among the many accolades that come with the championship title, one seems to glimmer brighter than the rest. I’m talking about the Super Bowl ring, of course!

For each Super Bowl, the ring is entirely unique, with the trend calling for bolder and brighter designs each year. The precious metals and stones come together to represent much more than a “blinged-out” piece of jewelry. The one-of-a-kind ring embodies the memories gained through a season of hard work, sacrifice and team effort.

Just as a wedding ring represents the love between a married couple, or as family heirloom jewelry represents history and nostalgia, the Super Bowl ring has its own meaning to each person who wears one. For many, the ring symbolizes the culmination of the highs and lows experienced throughout the championship season, or even throughout an entire career. From the painful bumps, bruises and injuries endured week after week, to the final moment when the confetti is dropped from the sky and the title trophy is lifted in the air. These are all special memories that the players treasure; and what better way to signify those moments than with a piece of jewelry.

Steelers Championship Ring

Packers Championship Ring

Did you know?

• The NFL awards the championship team the first 150 rings, and pays roughly $5,000 for each ring to be made. It‘s up to the team owner to cover the difference if the ring costs more to make. The team owner is also responsible for the costs if extra rings are needed to be distributed throughout the organization.
• The NFL requires every Super Bowl ring design to include the Super Bowl logo. The remaining design elements are chosen by the winning team and its owner. Most designs include the team name and logo, game score, and season record. Rings are also customized for each player with their name and number. Oftentimes, the number of Super Bowl titles is indicated on the ring by how many large diamonds are on the face.
• Some rings can bring over $50,000 on the resale market. The value depends on who wore the ring and the popularity of the Super Bowl game. 
• The Packers’ Super Bowl I ring contained a single, one carat diamond. Since then, designs like the Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXIX ring boasted 124 diamonds and weighed over a quarter pound. 
• The largest Super Bowl ring ever made was a size 23 for the Chicago Bears’ William (Refrigerator) Perry. The average male finger is between a 10 and 12. 
• The national jewelry maker Jostens has made 29 out of the 45 Super Bowl rings to date.

Read more about the story behind the Super Bowl rings here. What Bowl ring is your favorite?

However, in cases where the couple cannot reach an agreement, the decision may be left to the law.  Concerning the topic of engagement rings, the law varies by state and can also change over time. There is no unanimous decision that has been made, so each situation can have a different outcome. 

Courts might generally agree that the engagement ring is considered a gift.  But what type of gift is the question. Below is a breakdown.

Conditional Gift:
There are many states that will determine that the ring was given on condition of a marriage, and that if there is no marriage then the ring should be returned.

Implied Conditional Gift:
 Some courts may consider the ring an implied conditional gift. In this case, if the man is the one to break the engagement, the ring does not have to be returned.

Unconditional Gift:
Other courts may determine the ring is an unconditional gift that does not need to be returned.

Even if states have established what type of gift an engagement ring is, there may be other factors that come in to play that will ultimately determine what the court decides.  What if one of the parents helped to pay for the ring?  Do they have a right to be reimbursed?  What if the ring is a family heirloom?  Even the date the ring was given might play in to the decision as well.  For example, if the ring was given on Christmas, or Valentine’ Day, some courts might consider it a present.

I hope that you’ll never be in this unfortunate position.  But I think we all realize that it’s not worth taking the plunge if the only thing pretty about your relationship is the ring. Listen to your heart!

What do you think should be done if a couple calls the whole thing off–return the ring or keep it?

Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law, information contained in this post may become outdated.  It should not be relied on as legal advice. In no event will Jewelers Mutual be liable for any damages resulting from use of this material.

To enter, all you have to do is finish the phrase “I show my love by…” and then upload a photo that best supports the text submission. Once the entry period is up, Jewelers Mutual will determine the top 20 finalists and then the public gets a chance to vote for their favorite entries to help determine the grand-prize winner. The amazing prize is a heart-shaped pendant beautifully displayed with 10 perfectly cut Hearts On Fire diamonds set in 18-karat white gold – the perfect gift for a special Valentine.

Amorous Journey heart-shaped diamond pendant from Hearts On Fire

The entry period runs through February 6^th, so now’s the time to get creative and get the camera ready! All entries will be judged based on creativity, originality and keeping with the theme.

Think of the ways we show our love to the special people in our lives every day. The gestures may seem simple, but mean a lot – holding hands on an evening stroll, pouring her a glass of wine after a long day’s work (yes, please), or going to a ball game to cheer on his favorite team when you’d rather be at the movies (been there) – they’re all signs of love in their own right.

Go ahead, think of your own, click here to enter the Show the Love photo contest, and take a chance! How better to show your love than with diamonds!

Did you know that garnet gemstones come in every color except blue? It’s true. Let’s explore their kaleidoscope of beauty and benefits…

Red
Red garnets were often worn by soldiers to heal wounds and stop blood flow. They were also said to promote true love, warn of danger by changing color, and protect the wearer’s home from fire and lightning.

Source: American Gem Trade Assocation

Yellow
Yellow garnets were thought to stimulate energy. Check out Grandma’s jewelry box for yellow-green and mid-green stones….it could be a garnet. These hues are mostly found in antique jewelry.

Green
Mothers in medieval Europe used to hang green garnets above their baby’s cradle for good health and sweet dreams. Green gemstones were also said to bring prosperity, calm the nerves, and protect wearers from emotional stress.

Pink
The lighter, sparkling bright pinks can resemble pink sapphires. They were believed to attract romance and cure broken hearts.

Celebrating your second wedding anniversary? Give the gift of garnets, the #2 anniversary gemstone.

Care and cleaning
Though garnets are tough, special care must be taken, as some varieties can chip. If you’re wearing your garnet as a ring, look for a setting that protects the gem with metal. Also avoid steaming, abrupt temperature changes, and acids, which may damage gems. The best advice is to use a mild dish soap and warm water. For more jewelry care and cleaning tips, visit Jewelers Mutual’s website at InsureYourJewelry.com or AGTA’s consumer website.

What’s your favorite garnet hue?

• What is “antique” jewelry?
• When is an antique item worth insuring?
• Can I add an antique item to my insurance policy?

First, some definitions…

• Antique jewelry is a piece that is 100 years old or older.
• Vintage jewelry is anything less than 100 years old, but has an old-world style.
• Estate jewelry is a piece that has been previously owned and is usually obtained from private entities, such as the recent Elizabeth Taylor auction.

How do you know if your antique jewelry is worth insuring? Bring it to your jeweler who’ll be your best reference guide as to the age, history and value of your jewelry.

In order to insure an antique item with Jewelers Mutual, the item must be in good condition. Like with all jewelry you wish to insure, you must supply a recent appraisal, evaluation or detailed description with a current value of the item to add it to your policy. Keep in mind that if your jewelry becomes lost, stolen, damaged or mysteriously disappears, you may not be able to find the original jeweler or get an equal replacement, but you can work with the jeweler of your choice to receive an item of similar style, made with the same quality of materials within your limit of insurance.

There’s nothing more meaningful than bringing a bit of history into the present and feeling connected to your loved ones. When fans on Jewelers Mutual’s Facebook page were recently asked what heirlooms they incorporate into their weddings, it was clear that the items meant far more than visual appeal:

• “A handmade faux pearl bracelet my grandmother made 50 years ago and gave to my mother, who gave to me as my ‘something old’.
• “My late grandmother’s rhinestone hair clips from the 50′s. Also used as my something old.
• I married with my mother’s wedding ring. And the 1942 cake topper that sat atop my parents’ wedding cake more than 50 years before… Both pieces made me feel my parents were there, when they both had passed years before.“

As for the treasures you may discover in your jewelry box, keep them safe and keep the rich history alive for future generations.

What family heirlooms do you hold dear?

Jewelers Mutual received a record number of responses to the eight-week contest – more than 1100 entries! – proving that their policyholders and fans alike are not only incredibly charitable, but love Sarah’s Hope Jewelry as much as I do! Even Sarah Smith, founder of Sarah’s Hope Jewelry and Hope for the Holidays contest partner was sincerely moved…

“After reading the testimonies of others who are thankful and who share of their bounty with others, I am touched, impressed and moved by the stories that have been told.  What an amazing opportunity Jewelers Mutual has created for others to share, and those of us who read, to be inspired by how they intentionally live out their lives.  It is truly amazing.”

I couldn’t agree with Sarah more and am so thankful to have been part of it all. Hope for the Holidays has made me reflect on the true meaning of this season, and I’m sure it has done the same for you, too.

The charities chosen by the winners were:

• Christ’s Haven for Children, $1000 on behalf of grand-prize winner, Natalie Clark
• Make a Wish Foundation, $200 on behalf of finalist, Mike Uylaki
• Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation, $200 on behalf of finalist, Heather Clary
• The Women’s Community Center, $200 on behalf of finalist, Juliana Palmcook
• Homeless Pet Replacement League, $200 on behalf of finalist, Anna Fulbright
• The Salvation Army, $200 on behalf of our Facebook Fan winner, Renee Skoglund

Read the grand-prize winning entry, submitted by Natalie of Ardmore, Okla.:

A Heritage of Generosity
As the youngest of four daughters, I grew up in a small community in rural Michigan. Although we were somewhat poor, my parents created a good family life for us – Dad worked six days a week in a vehicle manufacturing plant, and Mom was a substitute teacher. We grew large vegetable gardens, canned, and traded produce with neighbors… our meals were full of variety! My sisters and I earned money picking strawberries and cucumbers, and babysitting for our parents’ friends. Hard work was part of our upbringing, along with relaxing times spent at our grandpa’s lake cabin. Giving to others when we saw a need was also part of that good family life – and one December night of giving is deeply etched in my memory. Mom and Dad expected us to get good rest for school, and a winter evening shortly before Christmas break was no exception. My sisters and I had been asleep for several hours when my parents quietly shook us awake. They explained that the Wilson farmhouse, a few miles from town, had burned to the ground. Mom passed out empty trash bags and we gathered clothing from our drawers and closets to give to the Wilson daughters. “Here, I bet Marilyn would like this sweater!” “I think Sheila looks good in red, and this dress will probably fit her!” I was the smallest in my family and none of my clothes would fit any of the Wilson girls, so I added toys and stuffed animals to the bags. None of us asked my parents why we were doing this – helping others was a natural activity for us, as natural as getting a drink of water on a hot summer day. We all helped Dad load the car, and he drove off to deliver the bags to the Wilson family. Mom sent us back to bed – after all, we did have school the next day – and I fell asleep listening to her sweet voice in the kitchen as she called friends and neighbors, rallying them to help the Wilsons. Today, my husband and I are raising our own daughters in a large city in Texas. We help them exercise their generosity through giving to food drives, visiting people in the hospital, spending time with elderly friends, donating clothing and toys to a local children’s home – giving whenever we hear of others in need. As I watch my daughters give themselves and their talents to bless others, that winter night in the 1970s – a remembrance of my parents’ heritage of generosity – doesn’t seem so far away!

Natalie was thankful for her three-piece jewelry suite as well as the $1000 donation. As a sign of her amazing generosity, she was initially going to donate her jewelry to her charity as well, but then found out it wasn’t feasible for the organization to use the jewelry as part of a fundraiser. Natalie’s husband said to her, “You should enjoy the jewelry.” I couldn’t agree more, and I hope she does.

To all of you who give unto others during the holidays and whole year through, have a wonderful holiday season. And thank you for visiting the Jewelry Box blog in 2011. It’s been a fun ride that will continue in 2012. I hope you stick around!

How do you give back throughout the year?

5. Gift cards. This gift idea is often seen as the easy way out, but for the hard-to-buy-for person on your list, a gift card is a no brainer. I know plenty of people who love to get them, myself included. But if you’re looking to add a personal touch to your gift, this isn’t the best option. However, gift cards could make a good add-on to something you put a little more thought into. 

4. Tools. It’s risky business. While the gift may be practical and well-intentioned, selecting the right tool is difficult unless given proper instructions. So unless you have explicit details on what brand and type of tool to look for, don’t wing it. Besides, it’s often difficult to “show the love” with a hammer or cordless drill.

3. Pots and/or pans. Know your audience!  You may not want to consider this gift unless it’s specifically asked for, especially if the person on your list is currently using her oven as a place to store sweaters. This time of year, even die-hard cooks may want to get away from it all. Think about saving the cookware for a birthday or housewarming gift.

2. Anything that has to do with cleaning. No vacuums, no dusters, no mops, etc. Again, while these gifts may be a sensible choice, they might be best-saved for the recipient to purchase his/herself. How about some good clean fun with a board game instead!

1. Weight-loss related items. No one wants to admit it, but most of us tend to put on a few extra pounds over the holidays. The last thing people want is to be reminded of it. Come New Year’s, we’ll make the resolution to buckle down and resurrect our fitness routine. But for now, let us indulge in eggnog, endless quantities of cookies and festive cheese balls. The treadmill can wait.

What’s the take-away? Choose something that will be special and meaningful for you and the recipient. Check out this perfect example of Jim and Pam’s gift exchange from The Office.

Perhaps a night out to a favorite show or restaurant? A massage at a spa? A new pendant for a charm bracelet (check out Pandora’s helpful gift advisor)? The newest techie gadget like an iPad or a new phone?  What about a watch or necklace (did you know you can easily add holiday jewelry items to your Jewelers Mutual Personal Jewelry Insurance policy)? The opportunities for a memorable holiday season are endless when a little thought is involved. Happy holidays!

What the worst gift you ever received? Please leave us a comment.

Turquoise is one of the oldest and best-known opaque gemstones, and is also one of the first gemstones to be used in jewelry. With its robin’s egg blue hue, turquoise has graced the necks of Egyptian Pharaohs and adorned early Native Americans in their ceremonial dress. Back in the day, soldiers would carry turquoise to keep from falling off their horses. Children in several cultures were given turquoise charms to protect them from harm, prevent nightmares, and to promote restful sleep.

Source: American Gem Trade Association

Zircon can be colorless and was widely used as a diamond imitation in the early 1900s. However, today the most common color on the market is a distinctive greenish blue that’s often called “zircon blue.” As for interesting folklore, zircon was said to aid sleep, bring prosperity, and promote honor and wisdom in its owner. The affordability of zircon’s vibrant greens, sky blues, and pleasing earth tones contributes to its growing popularity.

Source: American Gem Trade Association

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1969, so it never had a chance to be included in the official birthstone list, which was created in 1912. That changed in 2002 when the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) officially added tanzanite to the traditional list of December birthstones.

Tanzanite is brown when taken from the ground, but with gentle heating the blue color emerges. Depending on which direction you’re viewing this gemstone you’ll see blue, purple and bronze too. Today, tanzanite is by far the most popular blue gemstone after sapphire, of course.

Source: American Gem Trade Association

Be careful! Tanzanite jewelry is a little more delicate than other gemstone jewelry. A hard knock could cause the stone to break so handle with care. Also, avoid ultrasonic cleansers and instead use a mild dish soap and warm water. For more jewelry care and cleaning tips, visit Jewelers Mutual’s website at InsureYourJewelry.com or AGTA’s consumer website.

With three beautiful December birthstone choices, everyone should be singing the blues! Which gemstone is your favorite? Leave a comment.