The Mark Schneider Fine Jewelry Blog

Sapphire is a stunning blue stone known for its beauty and exotic color. Historically, the stone is said to represent nobility, truth and sincerity. Keeping with tradition, sapphire is the truest blue. In fact, the breathtaking blue of sapphire is...

Primarily known for its vast variety of colors, Topaz is a beloved, but often-misunderstood stone. In fact, the name “topaz” comes from the Greek name “Topazios.” Topazios is a small island in the Red Sea and although numerous gemstones were...

Perhaps best known as the birthstone of October, opal is a unique gemstone with a colorful past. Today, opal is renowned for its “play of color,” or ability to display a multitude of colors upon first glance. The most prominent...

Although a gemstone, pearls are different from every other stone. In fact, pearls are not really a stone at all. While other gemstones are mined for and then extracted from the earth, pearls are formed above ground; they are formed...

Known for its rich red hues and renowned beauty, garnets have been considered a prize possession since the Bronze Age. In fact, the oldest dating garnet was found on a man who was buried in 3000 B.C. Although the stone’s...

Citrine boasts beautiful autumn hues that can range from light yellow to bright orange. Often reminiscent of a forest on a crisp fall day, Citrine is appropriately appointed the national birthstone of November. The name “citrine” replaced the standard name...

If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, you may want to consider personalizing it to really “make it your own.” You can personalize a wedding band or engagement ring by having it engraved. But for a more creative touch you...

The British historical drama, Downton Abbey, captivated viewers from the other side of the pond almost immediately. The fourth season finale premiered in February and the fifth season won’t be available to U.S. viewers until winter 2015. With almost a year between...

Traditions are important for establishing community. Practices are passed down from one generation to the next, which forges a bond between the past and the present, and promises the possibility for the future. However, traditions do not always reflect the...

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, the options can feel endless, and unfortunately, that isn’t always a good thing. With so many styles, colors, and cuts from which to choose, the process of choosing a ring can feel...

If you’re the type of gal who watches old Aubrey Hepburn movies and wistfully thinks to yourself, “I was born in the wrong time period,” then you are in luck because vintage styles are coming back in style. There are...

Shopping for friends can be extremely difficult. It is hard to find a gift that the receiver is actually going to use or something that they are actually going to want. It becomes even more difficult to buy a gift...