Laura Stanley Personal Jeweler

Music Friday: Today, an unlucky-in-love Maia Sharp asks the rhetorical question, “How much gold can you find if you never go mining?” in her 2015 release “Underneath.” Sharp uses the gold mining analogy to illustrate her passive approach to romance. She sings, “How much gold can you find if you never go mining / They say the wine gets better if you let it breathe / Oh, the deeper the digging, the sweeter the finding / I want to know what’s underneath / Oh, I want to know what’s underneath.” Check out the story and audio track at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Exactly 100 years ago, pearl diving provided the lifeblood of the Farasan Islands' economy and society. Each year in early May, ship captains and skilled divers would leave their families to embark on a dangerous four-month quest to find natural pearls off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Story continues at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Today we share the wild saga of a jet-lagged and utterly exhausted woman who accidentally swallowed her wedding ring with a handful of vitamins in a Thai hotel room. We've got all the crazy details here... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Just a few of the fun things we’ve done this week. Let’s do you next!

The top prize winner at the 2010 International Pearl Design Competition and now a resident of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, the "South Sea Glow Necklace" provides beautiful examples of June's birthstone. Learn more about the piece at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Strategically located halfway between China and the Mediterranean along the first Silk Road, the ancient Kangju state prospered as a trading center in what is now southern Kazakhstan for nearly 1,000 years between the 5th century BCE and the 4th century CE. Kangju is back in the news, as a team of researchers from Ozbekali Zhanibekov University, along with local government archaeologists, recently unearthed beautifully crafted gold jewelry and valuable household items at a burial site in the rural Karaaspan district of Kazakhstan. The finds illuminate the wealth and cosmopolitan nature of the Kangju society. Story continues at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Music Friday: Singer-songwriter Marc Scibilia celebrates the upcoming season of sun, surf and wanderlust in a catchy singalong that inspires us to “sparkle just like diamonds.” “On the Way” got a big boost when Jeep used the song to promote its "Summer of Jeep" in August of 2017. Scibilia sings, "Journey where this path may lead / And live as big as giants / Summer sun and feeling free / Sparkle just like diamonds." The 37-year-old repeats the hook, “Let your summer guide you, on the way, on the way,” while encouraging the listener to be fearless when discovering new roads. Get the backstory and hear the audio track at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Today’s transformation is from an antique white metal ring to a modern yellow gold ring holding thensame beautiful diamonds. We wanted to raise up the diamonds and show them off!

Model and skincare entrepreneur Hailey Bieber is rocking new diamond engagement ring from her pop star husband, Justin. The couple has had a lot to celebrate recently, and the amped-up 18-carat ring commemorates both the renewal of their wedding vows after five years of marriage and the announcement that they are expecting their first child later this year. Story continues at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

For more than nine years, Lucapa Diamond Company has successfully sourced large, high-value diamonds at its Lulo alluvial mine in Angola. While the alluvial mine has yielded nearly a half billion dollars worth of diamonds — including four larger than 200 carats and one surpassing 400 carats — Lucapa's new chairman, Stuart Brown, has his eye on a bigger prize. Learn more about Angola's Holy Grail at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

A beautifully preserved gold ring set with a red garnet is helping to paint a picture of a prosperous Jerusalem during the early Hellenistic period about 2,300 years ago. Likely gifted to a child, the petite ring — along with other upscale adornments discovered at the dig site called Givati Parking Lot in the City of David — dispels the once-held assumption that the Jerusalem of that era was a small, somewhat provincial, town with very few resources. Story continues at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Long Island Rail Road ticket clerk Nicholas Appel knew something was amiss when he witnessed a commuter at Grand Central Station “panicked, stressed and on the verge of tears" as she rifled through her bag. When he asked if he could help, the woman explained that she lost her engagement ring during her 30-minute commute to Manhattan from the outer borough of Queens. Check out our blog to find out how she got it back... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Music Friday: Chris Lucas and Preston Brust of LoCash pour on the love in their 2016 release, “Ring on Every Finger.” In the song, the country pop duo sets the scene for an over-the-top marriage proposal. Instead of going down on one knee, they promise to go down on two. And instead of offering a single engagement ring, they plan to put a ring on every finger. They sing, “I ain’t gettin’ down on one knee / Girl, I’m gettin’ on two / Might be over the top / But I tell you what I’m gonna do/ I’ll put on a ring on every finger / To show that I’m legit / Gonna try my last name on ya girl / Just to see if it fits.” Backstory and video at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Oh sadness when you have one lone leftover diamond. What to do? Bring it to me and we will find a new home! In this case, her wrist is the new home. How much do we love that bangle bracelet and bezel setting!? So much!!

Another spectacular pink diamond is in the news. Hot on the heels of last week's sale of a 6.21-carat fancy vivid pink oval diamond for $11.9 million at Phillips Geneva, Christie's New York announced that its Magnificent Jewels auction on June 11 will spotlight "The Eden Rose," a 10.20-carat round brilliant-cut fancy intense pink diamond. The presale estimate is $9 million to $12 million. Find out more about this special gem at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Fun stuff that’s come across the appraisal desk lately! Who do you trust with your precious items when you need insurance?

Dame Shirley Bassey, who famously sang the title song from the 1971 James Bond/007 blockbuster film "Diamonds Are Forever," soon will be parting with many of her own jewels — but it's all for a good cause. The 87-year-old Welsh singer will be putting more than 80 pieces on the auction block at Sotheby's Paris to benefit her favorite charities. Story continues at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Freda Payne's "Band of Gold" was topping the British singles chart in 1970 when a 22-year-old named Marilyn Birch lost her engagement ring while feeding hay to the cows at her family's farm near Neath Port Talbot, Wales. Check out our blog to find out how she got it back after 54 years... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Featuring 66 culturally priceless heirlooms influenced by hip-hop's biggest stars, "Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry" made its debut at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City this past Thursday. The exhibition spotlights pieces worn by Slick Rick, A$AP Rocky, Nicki Minaj, The Notorious B.I.G., Bad Bunny, Erykah Badu, and many others, and is timed to coincide with The Big Apple's celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary. See our blog for all the details... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Music Friday: Today, we take a closer look at The Rolling Stones' 2023 country ballad, "Dreamy Skies," which tells the story of Mick Jagger's yearning to escape the city's sirens and maddening crowds. And Jagger is not simply looking to book a holiday retreat on some tropical island. He wants to head "way off the grid" where there are no people around for hundreds of miles. Once there, he sings, "I'll be dancing on diamonds, I'll be skating on glass." The song is featured on the group's latest album, "Hackney Diamonds." We've got the full story and a lyric video at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

I have been discussing memorial jewelry lately and thought I should show off a few unique pendants my brilliant custom jeweler has made. Each of these interesting shapes have one thing in common ~ they hold precious ashes from loved ones. If you have an idea for your own commemorative memorial jewelry please call or DM. 💕 ❤️

Billed as only the third yellow diamond larger than 200 carats ever to appear at auction, "The Yellow Rose" could fetch $4.4 million or more as the top lot of Christie's Magnificent Jewels sale at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva on May 15. Learn more about the stone and see the full auction preview at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

In the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in France, luxury jeweler Chaumet and the Paris 2024 Athletes' Commission were tasked with coming up with a medal design that would truly symbolize the City of Light. And their final concept seems to be right out of the playbook of the recent NFL and MLB championship rings, where a piece of Super Bowl turf or World Series game ball leather is actually embedded into the collectible. In this case, every one of the 5,084 medals to be awarded at the Summer Games will include at its center a hexagonal slice of iron from the actual Eiffel Tower. Learn more at our blog... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

A gold watch worn by John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest passenger on the ill-fated Titanic, recently set an auction record as the most expensive piece of Titanic memorabilia. An American private collector paid $1.5 million for the 14-karat gold Waltham pocket watch engraved with the initials "J.J.A." That was nearly 10 times the high estimate established by British auction house Aldridge & Son. Story continues here... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Did you know that Mount Erebus, the world's southernmost active volcano, emits a continuous plume of gas and steam loaded with tiny crystals of metallic gold said to be worth about $6,000 per day, or $2.2 million per year? But before you book your tickets to Antarctica's Ross Island to capture your share of the glittery fortune, understand that the precious particles spewing from the volcano are no larger than 20 micrometers (.02 mm) and are scattered up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from the site. Story continues here... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

One of the most stunning examples of May’s official birthstone is the 75.47-carat Ho**er Emerald, a historic gem that was unearthed in Colombia, transported to Europe by Spanish conquistadors and subsequently mounted onto the belt buckle of an Ottoman sultan. It now resides in Washington, DC, and you'll learn how it got there by clicking this link... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Love was in the air during the LOT Polish Airlines flight 3905 from Warsaw to Kraków last week. In a touching video posted to the airline's Facebook and Instagram pages, we witnessed Captain Konrad Hanc, clutching a bunch of flowers and a ring box as he got down on one knee and popped the question to his flight attendant girlfriend, Paula. Check out our blog to find out what happened next... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com

Coming this Thursday it’s our springtime Permanent Jewelry event. Because it’s ankle season! Come get your own unique anklet or bracelet. We have some new diamond chain options you will love! 💗 💕 ❤️ 💎 dm for details or just drop in Thursday!

Let’s find this girl a home!

Diamond just has one question: "Why hasn't anyone adopted me yet?" We don’t know, but all we can do is sprinkle her days with hope that her perfect match is just around the corner. Please give this sweet girl a chance: www.lastchancear.org

The 9.8mm natural quahog pearl at the center of the engagement ring Ken Steinkamp presented to Sandy Sikorski last summer continues to be a symbol of their love story. The couple just hosted a pearl-themed wedding at the famed Ocean House resort, high on the bluffs of Watch Hill, RI, and "Inside Edition" was on hand to chronicle the festivities. See our blog for the full story... http://lauradiamonds.thejewelerblog.com