THE LITTLE BLACK STONE

Almost daily I have someone ask "What is that little black stone in your showcase?  Is it black onyx or what?"  Most definitely these little & some not so little black stones have come into their own as of late.  Yes, I think "Black Diamonds" are definitely here to stay in fine jewelry fashions.  But I digress...what are black diamonds and where do they come from?

Various global deposits have produced black diamonds going back to diamond mining's glory days in Brazil and later in South Africa.  A particular black diamond of legend is the 33.74 carat pear shaped Amsterdam Black Diamond from the 1970's.  Originally this diamond was destined for industrial use until it was discovered to be tough when it met the diamond saw.  It was later cut into a fetching pear shape that earned $352,000 US when it sold at Christie's Geneva in 2001.  Today the diamond is estimated to be worth millions.

With more & more designs featuring black diamonds, we've incorporated them into our inventory mix here at The Gold Mine with great success!  It seems you our client's enjoy the look and have found that just like "White Diamonds"...their neutral shade goes with most any outfit.

If you're curious about "Black Diamonds" or other colored diamonds in general..give me a buzz at 828-726-1009 or better yet, stop by and we'll show you these shaded beauties!

Until Next Time,

Bill Warren, DDJ (Doctor of Dynamic Jewelry) & Owner

The Gold Mine

www.hudsongoldmine.com 

545 Main St. Hudson, NC 28638

828-726-1009

JUNE HAS THREE BIRTHSTONES!

JUNE BIRTHSTONES

June counts three gems as birthstones, pearl, Alexandrite, and moonstone.

Pearl

Historically, pearls have been used as an adornment for centuries.  They were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age.  Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. In the early 1900s, the first successful commercial culturing of round saltwater pearls began. Since the 1920s, cultured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market.

Alexandrite

A relatively modern gem, Alexandrite, was first discovered in Russia in 1831 during the reign of its namesake, Czar Alexander II, and is an extremely rare chrysoberyl with chameleon-like qualities.  Its color is a lovely green in both daylight and fluorescent light; it changes color to a purplish red in incandescent light.  Due to its rarity, some jewelers stock synthetic versions of this enchanting gemstone.  (Synthetic gemstones are man-made alternatives to the natural material, possessing the same physical, optical, and chemical properties as the natural gemstone.)

Moonstone

The third birthstone for June is the Moonstone.  It was given its name by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone's appearance altered with the phases of the moon — a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century.  A phenomenal gemstone, moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes show either a multirayed star or a cat's eye. Considered a sacred stone in India, moonstones often are displayed on a background of yellow (a sacred color) and are believed to encapsulate within the stone a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune.  Part of the family of minerals called feldspar, moonstone occurs in many igneous and metamorphic rocks and comes in a variety of colors such as green, blue, peach, and champagne. The most prized moonstones are from Sri Lanka; India, Australia, the United States, Mayanmar, and Madagascar are also sources.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the month with three birthstones!

Sincerely,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist

The Gold Mine - Hudson, NC

828-726-1009

www.hudsongoldmine.com

YOU'RE INVITED!

Do You Love Vintage Jewelry?  This is the event for you... Those who love going thru grandma's jewelry box or wearing her jewelry will love this one day only event on Saturday, June 13th from 10 am 'til 4 pm!  We're bringing in over$150,000 of gorgeous estate, period & vintage jewelry at special sale prices!!! Be sure to read on below for an "Extra Special" gift certificate offer just for you...

$50 Event Gift Certificate Bring this certificate good for $50 off any "Estate Jewelry" purchase of $200 or more during this one day only event.  This may not be combined with any other offer.  This certificate offers expires at 4pm, June 13th.

Huge Selection To Choose From Not only will we showcase our own Estate Jewelry at special pricing but thanks to our "Connections" within the jewelry industry, we're bringing in many more jewelry items that you'll on get one opportunity to see...so don't miss out! If you've longed for "Heirloom Quality" jewelry with a history...you'll want to come by because when its gone...it's gone!

A Jeweler's Reflections

I guess the picture of the green rock above is reason I ended up as a jeweler.  What is this green rock?  It's an emerald and I grew up in the small emerald mining town of Hiddenite, NC.  As a matter of fact, my great, great grandfather's farm is the location of the original Hiddenite emerald find and original mine.

Obviously, I grew up around emerald mining and some of my best childhood memories are from hunting rocks in our families garden where we'd often find gemstones of many varieties.  Yes, I had quite the rock collection as a child and I still do.

So what does all this have to do with The Gold Mine?  Rock hounding as a kid sparked my interest enough to not only become a collector but I also learned how to cut gemstones known as "Lapidary Work".  From there I learned the goldsmithing trade as well as watch repair.

Over the course of several years, I came to work for other jewelers including a very large jewelry chain in NC.  After thinking..."Gee, I could do this better"...my wife and I decided to open our very own jewelry store in 1993 in downtown Hudson.  Thus...the Gold Mine was born and here in 2015 is still going very strong thanks to the good Lord and our wonderful friends & clients.

So...should your son or daughter pick up the rock collecting hobby, don't discourage them!  You never know when you might have the next successful jeweler or jewelry chain originating within your own family!

Take care,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist
The Gold Mine
www.hudsongoldmine.com 
828-726-1009

Only 59 Days Until Christmas!!

It's hard to believe that summer has come and gone and now it's only 59 days until Christmas!  Here at The Gold Mine we've been busily preparing for the Christmas season.  You see a jeweler has to start thinking about Christmas around June or July so that we purchase enough stock for the store as well as anticipating what will be this year's hottest jewelry items!

Angie & I of course traveled to several jewelry shows as well as making visits to different vendors this year who could help provide us with the perfect holiday jewelry items at the perfect values!  I even got to visit a wholesaler who was going out of business and was able to pick up some wonderful buys while there.  Already many of our clients have commented on how we seem to have a better jewelry selection than most stores at better prices...so our travels seem to have paid off!

What will be hot this year?  It's our belief that there are a few trends that will be extremely popular this season such as:

The phenom created by "Rhythm of Love" where the diamonds actually vibrate to the beat of her heart is simply amazing and there are so many new styles in this featuring blue diamonds, black diamonds, rose gold, yellow gold & much more.  The price points start at $99 on these beauties and they're breathtaking!!

Another trend we're seeing is in the Lafonn jewelry brand which features the finest Lassaire Gemstones which simulate the look of diamonds set in a patented platinum/sterling silver mounting...a gorgeous piece of fine jewelry at reasonable prices!

Ladies stackable bracelets in silver, rose & yellow gold colors are also very popular with all ages and we carry what you'll discover to be the finest in the "Angelica Bracelet" line with prices starting at $25.  Plus, a portion of each sale of Angelica is donated to "Generation Rescue" which benefits the autistic!!!

Of course, I always invite you to visit our website at:  www.hudsongoldmine.com  which is constantly being updated with our latest products, news and events!

Thanks for taking time to read this blog post...I've been absent for a while and I'll try to keep you updated more often!

Take care,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist

The Gold Mine

545 Main St. Hudson, NC 28638

828-726-1009

goldman86@bellsouth.net 

P.S. -  if you have questions about anything or there is something you'd really like to see us carry..please let us know by clicking on my email link above!!

Christmas in July

For most jewelry store owners, Christmas is really here in the heat of July!  What do I mean?  Simple...I'm already thinking about what items will be hot for the Christmas season and I've been watching what our clients ask for.  I'm making mental notes even now on things that seem to be up and coming.

What are some of the items that are sure to be hot?  The hottest thing going in the jewelry biz right now is most definitely "Rhythm of Love" vibrating pendants and earrings!  The center diamond literally moves with "Her Heartbeat"...it must be seen to be believed.  Click here to get a preview:  http://roldiamonds.com/

Another item that is extremely popular is the new "Angelica" bracelet line.  Angelica uses recycled metals to make bracelets fit for every occasion and they can be stacked on top of each other.  To see them, click here: http://angelicacollection.com/  I also failed to mention that a portion of each sale goes to benefit "Generation Evolution" who works with the autistic!

Other items?  Who knows!! It boggles the imagination to keep up with all the new jewelry lines that are coming out every day but we love to do it...that's why The Gold Mine is well known for offering the latest, "State of the Art" jewelry way ahead of it's competitors.

Got something in mind you'd like to see?  Let us know...we're always glad to lend an ear to your requests.  Thanks for being a great Gold Mine friend & client!

Sincerely,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist

www.hudsongoldmine.com 

828-726-1009

email:  goldman86@bellsouth.net

No Worse Holiday To Forget Than Mother's Day

So True!!! Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11th!!!