Journal

From the Workbench

How to Safely Clean Vintage and Antique Jewelry

May 5, 2026

How to Safely Clean Vintage and Antique Jewelry

Cleaning vintage and antique jewelry is not the same as cleaning a modern ring. Pieces over 100 years old have fragile settings, degraded metals, and materia...
The Crystal Industry Has a Transparency

May 5, 2026

The Crystal Industry Has a Transparency

The global crystal market is worth roughly $4 billion per year, yet most buyers have no idea where their stones actually come from, who mined them, or what...
Jewelry Organizer vs Jewelry Box vs Tray

May 5, 2026

Jewelry Organizer vs Jewelry Box vs Tray

The three contenders Jewelry boxes, jewelry organizers, and jewelry trays each solve a different problem.. None of them is universally best.
How I Accidentally Bought a $10,000 Herkimer

May 5, 2026

How I Accidentally Bought a $10,000 Herkimer

On a road trip through upstate New York, I walked into a rock shop near Herkimer County and walked out with a $10,000 crystal specimen. It was quartz.
Tungsten vs Titanium vs Cobalt Chrome Wedding

May 5, 2026

Tungsten vs Titanium vs Cobalt Chrome Wedding

Why tungsten, titanium, & cobalt chrome outshine gold & platinum in wedding jewelry? Discover the timeless allure & durability now!
15 Frequently Asked Questions About Crystal

May 5, 2026

15 Frequently Asked Questions About Crystal

Crystal grids look complicated when you see them on social media: elaborate patterns of stones on printed cloths, surrounded by candles and dried flowers.
The Role of Jewelry in Ancient Egypt

May 5, 2026

The Role of Jewelry in Ancient Egypt

The materials: what Egyptian jewelry was actually made from Gold was the foundation of Egyptian jewelry-making, and Egyptians had more of it than almost any oth
The Day I Lost My Favorite Ring and Everything

May 5, 2026

The Day I Lost My Favorite Ring and Everything

I lost my grandmother's silver ring at a public pool, found it bent in the drain, and spent weeks learning about ring sizing, repair costs, and prevention.
14 Surprising Minerals You Thought Were Crystals

May 5, 2026

14 Surprising Minerals You Thought Were Crystals

Walk into any crystal shop and you'll see hundreds of polished stones labeled as crystals.. The word gets thrown around so freely that most people assume.
How to Build a Mixed Metals Jewelry Collection

May 5, 2026

How to Build a Mixed Metals Jewelry Collection

Wearing gold and silver together used to be considered a fashion mistake. It's not anymore, but doing it well requires a few guidelines.
Selling on Etsy vs Shopify vs Your Own Website

May 5, 2026

Selling on Etsy vs Shopify vs Your Own Website

Where should you sell your handmade jewelry online? This comparison breaks down Etsy, Shopify, and a self-hosted website with real fee calculations, traffic...
I Bought a Diamond on Facebook Marketplace

May 5, 2026

I Bought a Diamond on Facebook Marketplace

A real story about buying diamonds online, the red flags I almost missed, and what I wish I knew before meeting a stranger at a coffee shop to look at a...
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