Ruby single strand smooth rondelle

Estate Bracelet multi-stone silver

Rhea, do you ever carry bracelets?

Sure, there is a collection in this display case right here.

Those are Son muy bonitos, ¿son caros?

Rhea got up, went into the back, and came back with a canvas role. Jose', when I can, I pick up carefully chosen estate pieces. I can't vouch for the stone, but people don't usually lie about amethyst, though that is a good story, garnet, citrine etc. I can test the metal, so when we say it is sterling silver, that is what it is.

I think they are all beautiful, and since I can sell them as estate, (the code word for used), I can wear them and I do. I think you made a fine choice for your lady and at a reasonable estate.

So  what is the amethyst story?

They used to think it was very rare and valuable. Then they discovered Brazil had it by the cargo ship full. Betting on rare jewels is only slightly safer than BitCoin.

Sapphire multi strand blue dye

Hey Rhea, I bought this string of sapphires on eBay for my girlfriend, what do you think?

Charlie, do the words, "cheap date" mean anything to you? What did you pay, $10.00?

No, it was $12.50, do you think I got gypped?

Nah, you paid $12.50, you got $12.50 worth of jewelry.

OK, OK, but how do you know it isn't worth much?

Well for starters the color of the sapphire's is an unearthly blue and that coupled with the fact they are all exactly the same shade means they are dyed. Perfect matches do not occur in nature. Don't get me wrong, I love blue sapphires, the real ones. Also, look at the stringing. I am guessing this is a trainee piece.  They had to do something with it, put it on an eBay auction and hoped they would get lucky.

And I just happened to come along. What do you suggest I do with it?

Mardi Gras beads?

Seriously, if you are going to give it to her, I would start by laying it on a wet paper towel for ten minutes to see if the dye comes off easily. She will probably scalp you if you turn her blue, ruin her clothes, or give her cancer. Would you like to see the real thing?

Sure.

Here is a multi-strand of blue sapphires,  let's look at it outdoors.

Oh my!

Exactly.

Sapphire multi-color

Rhea, I guess you heard about Mike and the cancer.

Yes, I pray for him and his family every day, family too. I know you must be concerned about your sister Carolyn.

Thank you Rhea. I would like to get her something to cheer her up, to let her know we are rooting for her.

Bubba, you remember that time you bought your wife a chainsaw for Christmas and you were in the doghouse for a month? There is such a thing as an inappropriate gift. Right now she is cataloging her black A line dresses and I already know she has pearls; I helped Mike pick the strand two years ago.

I know Rhea, but I want something cheerful, quality, it says I care, but happy.

Against my better judgement Bubba, for what you want, the is the happiest and least inappropriate item I am stocking.

You know there was a time when only the blue gemstone form of corundum was considered worthy of the name, "sapphire". I really do appreciate the various forms that it comes in. There is a story behind every color. See these red ones? You aren't supposed to call them sapphires, purists say rubies. When they are in a multi-color string like this, I call them sapphires, when they are by themselves, I go with the flow and call them rubies.

Mix micro trio topaz chalcedony moonstone

Rhea, my daughter is getting her yearbook picture taken and I would like to get something for her, said Chester.

I see you and your family in church every Sunday, what about that gold cross she wears?

Rhea, I am very thankful to have a believing child, but I would like to get her something different, something new, a yearbook picture is a rite of passage don't you think.

Chester, do you have any idea what she is going to be wearing? Jewelry is supposed to be an accessory to the person and their outfit, it is not the main event.

Yes, Rhea, I have a picture right here.

Black undershirt eh, well that gives us lots of room to work with. Are you thinking something metal, stone, or a combination?

Well, Bestow is well known for unique gem stone pieces, what about that.

OK, the rule in this case it that it can't take away from the person, something small, but not too small. I have this trio, three different stones all light blue. What do you think? Rhea smiled, topaz chalcedony moonstone, I’m amazed how well they play together. Shall I wrap it?

Sunstone double strand

Rhea, what is your opinion about sunstone?

I don't have one Mercy, there are many grades of sunstone, they are mining gem quality faceted ones in Oregon. That said, most of it runs in the moonstone, labradorite, quality and price. Why do you ask?

I bought a strand of sunstones. I liked them because they are so warm. But they seem to disappear when I wear them, said Mercy.

I get that. Only a tiny fraction of all the sunstone mined exhibits aventurescence, or schiller, that unique glow caused by inclusions in the gem to a large degree. With the more common sunstone, sometimes you can find some large ones 9 mm or so, or randomly shaped large nuggets. Even with less of the schiller effect, the larger pieces often carry the day. Do you have your necklace?

Rhea handled the necklace carefully, watching it in both natural and artificial light. My best suggestion is to consider getting a second strand just like the first and wearing both of them. It will blend in, but not so much that it disappears. I can show you a few samples if you like?

Thank you. You said true gem quality exists...

Yes, I have one in the safe, hand selected the loose rock rock at a gem show, poured the setting myself, it is definitely not for sale.

What I look for at Bestow, are pieces that are good enough quality that you get the glittery, spangled metallic reflections, but I don't try to stock the high end product.

Apatite Bottle Green rondelles

Rhea, my wife's birthday is in August, but she doesn't like peridot, but I would still like to get her something, any suggestions?

Been thinking about: “GREAT ACTORS ALWAYS DEVELOP EVERY POSSIBLE RESOURCE, PERFECTLY SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES TO TRIUMPH" have you?

They say that sardonyx is an alternative to peridot, but I'm guessing you are looking for something green. Jade is very nice.

I was hoping for something that let's more light through, for a glow.

There aren't that many Apatite necklaces made and the beads tend to be smaller, but let me show you what I have. It's what we call bottle green, a lot of Apatite is a turquoise color that I do not personally favor, but I have one of those too; see what you think.

Interesting, I have never heard of  Apatite.

This is another example of a common stone, though gem quality is a bit more rare. It is easily confused with a number of other stones. I don't recommend buying it for collector value, but if you like the piece, or think your lady will, because it is a more palatable shade of green than peridot, then it could be a good purchase.

Quartz with black rutiles, faceted rondelle 18.5 "

How did you know my girlfriend would like it so much, Rhea?


Rhea smiled and answered. I was unpacking. She walked up to the counter, took off her necklace, put it on, looked in the mirror for a while. She looked a bit wistful when she took it off. She knew what it was by the way, didn't have to ask, rutile pieces are always distinctive.

And that's a good thing. Quartz is one of the most common stones. The good news about that is quartz comes in a wide variety of variations, (making it less common).

Rutiles tend to be titanium dixoide. Because of its nature when it includes in other rock, it is often as needles of one color or another.

AAA Quality Gorgeous Black Rutile Quartz Rondelle Gemstone Beads Necklace 7mm-8mm/ Faceted Cut Lobster Lock Necklace 18.5'' Long

Labradorite strand - Nearly universal jewelry

Nothing can be appropriate for any and every occasion, but at the price point, especially if you wear blues, purples, darks, or even white, rondelle labradorite beads are something to consider for everyday wear. That glimmer is called the Schiller effect, something to know to amaze your friends. When we took the cruise to Alaska, this is one of two pieces I took with me. Choose larger beads 9mm unless you want something very subtle.
- Rhea

Ruby single strand

Rhea, when does it make sense to consider a single strand of rubies?

There are really two major applications for a single strand. One is semi-formal or formal, where you might wear pearls. But don't leave your rubies in a drawer waiting for the ball. If you have a colorful busy outfit, they might just be perfect.

This is where the ruby multi-strand, at least more than 3 strands, might be too much and ruby large nuggets, could be on the edge.

Rubies multi-strand 16" - 22"

Rhea, I would like to get my girlfriend a necklace. I looked at this ruby bead necklace, it is pretty expensive at about a thousand and the rubies are heat treated, what do you think?

I think that better be some girlfriend! I don't have anything against heat treated, it makes it possible to give a nice gift at a rational price.

There is an alternative to consider though, smaller beads in a multi-strand necklace. That will actually give your lady more options for wearing the piece, so less time sitting in a drawer, which at that price point is something worth thinking about.

Here is an 8 line necklace with almost the same amount of carats, but it costs 1/3 of the price. They are also heat treated, though, I wouldn't let that be an issue unless I was buying the crown jewels.

Also, you can gently twist them to make a rope shape, that would have a similar impact to the ones that you were looking at, but you are the bestower of the fine gift, it is your call.

I do have ruby nuggets, and single strand as options as well.

Sapphire blue, 3 strand, multi strand blue

Rhea, I have read some of your reviews and I like the emphasis you put on the balance of jewelry that stands out, but is not overly flashy. My wife's birthday is coming up, do you have any suggestions?

Do you have a few photos of her wearing jewelry; can you give me something to go on?

Well, for her birthday I am taking her horseback riding at CJM stables in Poipu, I was hoping to give her something there.

OK, what I have in mind is NOT rough and tumble;  that is a good operation with well behaved horses. I am thinking about a 3 strand of blue sapphires. Most of the stock in the store is multi-colored and they certainly have their place, but when I think about sapphires, I think about blue and when you see them outdoors, I think you will be impressed. Why don't you take these outside of the shop and see for yourself.

What do you mean "NOT rough and tumble," I thought sapphires are tough.

The individual stones, very much so, 9 on the Mohs scale, right up there with diamonds. The string that holds the piece together, not so much.

Do you think these are heat treated?

Rhea nodded affirmatively, almost certainly. Most natural sapphires are brown, or pale. Heat treating releases their glory. Remember the rule of Bestow, we are here to facilitate giving your love one a fine gift they will wear, or use. If you are trying to add to the Crown Jewels, you need to shop somewhere else. I don't have any sapphires or rubies that aren't heat treated, but I do try to stay away from dyed.

However, I have a strong preference to the more natural lighter blue. Some of the heat treated get such an intense blue that I have to test them for dye.

And if you want more wow factor, add more strands!

Tourmaline, multi-strand, 3 mm faceted

Ohhh Rhea, this is impressive.

Easy there John, some pieces look better in the display case than they do in practice. With tourmalines, you are going to pay roughly what you would for sapphire, emerald, ruby, but you may not get the result you want. Tourmalines, against an all white background and display case lighting, look like they explode with color. But they don't, in terms of bead style jewelry, it is mostly an exercise in brown with lovely sprinkles of color.

That's why I stock multi-strand tourmalines.  The 10 strand you are looking at is big enough to have an impact. There is sparkle and color, up close, but expect them to blend into many outfits as a subtle supporting accessory, not a display piece. That is especially true with 3 strand and 5 strand, here, see?

Tourmaline is actually a fairly generic name, there are three main types, schori, dravite, and elbaite. There is a huge difference between the gem quality top of the line and the material, I try to stock. But if your lady tends to wear the neutral colors, greens, browns, tans, and creams this is something to consider. They can also work well with white, but if she wears a lot of white, pay attention to the direction she is going with her other accessories, earrings, bracelets, purse, belt and so forth. You have a near infinite set of jewelry options for white, but it all has to fit in a package.

But they are really pretty Rhea; I think she will like them.

She will like them as long as she isn't trying to use them as the focus of the outfit, or image, she is trying to project.

Rubies, pink, casual, large stones

Hello Rhea, I'm looking for something that works for casual, isn't flashy, but still holds its own. If it helps, my wife prefers warm colors, she really likes the peach moonstones.

Here is a pink ruby strand, they are ovals, maybe oblongs, hand made stones so there is variance. I got them at a low price that I can pass on to you, but there is a chance these are dyed. We don't have earth to store blockchain accountability with lower priced items.

If you look closely at the piece and they are all exactly the same color, I would avoid it, especially if they are what we call "blood red". However, if you see variance, odds are they are earth mined, perhaps heat treated, which I have no problem with.

Ruby is one of the so called "cardinal gems", stones that have been considered valuable throughout time.


Say, what is the difference between pink sapphires and pink rubies?

When you figure that out, please let me know. They are chemically the same, same hardness, same shades. When they are by themselves I call them rubies, if they are part of a multi-color string, I tend to go with sapphire.

They are nice Rhea and heavy, whatever we call them.

Yes, you are looking at 315 carats, not heavy enough to be bothersome. One thing I really like about this piece is that it holds up well in natural light as well as indoors.

Peach moonstone, layout style

Reah, I find I am a bit conflicted.
How's that Cindy?

I want to have something bold, something that stands out, like that layout necklace, but I don't want to stand out too much. Do you understand?

A little like wearing a short enough skirt to be noticed, but not so they think you are playing the slut card. The wonderful thing about well chosen jewelry, is that you have degrees of subtlety. Judging from your blouse and makeup color, I think I might have something for  you. Do you mind an estate piece, something that isn't new in box?

I don't think I care said Cindy.

I'll be right back. Rhea appeared with a presentation box. Let's open it on the counter, layout jewelry can easily bend or warp, so you have to be careful how you store it. Try this on, here is a mirror.

Rhea, it's beautiful, makes a statement, but is not flashy. It has a glow, not a flash, I like that.

I can make sure your boyfriend knows you appreciate similar things, would that work for you? I know he wants to get you something special.

I promise to be very surprised.

Quartz strawberry 9mm 16"

Rhea, I have a shirt I like to wear on weekends when all the meetings and social events are done. I call it my reading shirt, it is soft and friendly. I can sit out on my chaise lounge on the makai lanai and read while listening to the ocean.

I tried pairing the black pearls you recommended and they were OK, but I was hoping for a cheerier match.

Rhea nodded, black pearls will go with almost anything, but they may not be the best choice for everything. I just got something in, haven't even entered it into the system, let's take a look.

Quartz is one of the most common gemstones, but at Bestow, we celebrate the various forms that it manifests. Strawberry quartz is the result of Iron oxide inclusions, I would call it "rusty quartz", but that probably would not sell, Rhea said mischievously.

Here is a piece in the 9 - 10mm bead range. They are round, not faceted which makes them much more friendly, for a laid back reading day.

Strawberry quartz, 9 - 10mm, intensity of the strawberry color varies which adds interest to the piece.