Marika Gems

02/06/2024

The sun is peeking out but it is still too early where I am for even hellebores or snowdrops. One can dream… if you’re needing a day brightened or a dose of springtime, it can be found in my shop! 💐

02/02/2024

Hey February babies! 💜 Are you looking for a statement/cocktail birthstone ring? I have the most incredible antique amethyst and gold ring in my shop. This beauty is so special, with lovely rosy yellow gold and a rich, rich violet purple color for which older/antique specimens of this gem are known.

You don’t have to be born in February to wear this piece, of course! I often feel a bit like a broken record with my favorite gem facts, but I’ll share one of those here now anyways: amethyst can carry a bit of a reputation nowadays of being common and ho-hum. (I don’t agree!)

Centuries ago, however, prior to the discovery of large stores of amethyst in South America, this gem was considered to be as rare as emerald, sapphire and ruby! When we see older specimens in jewelry, it is important to bear that in mind.

01/31/2024

Goes-with-everything, chunky black onyx carved hoop earrings, capped in 14 karat gold, currently available in my shop. (Hoop earring lovers: this is just one of many, many pairs I’m offering right now. Have a browse if you’re inclined; I really think there’s something for everyone!)

01/30/2024

08/03/2023

That orange! 🍊 Wulfenite mined from Maricopa County, Arizona. Via .

08/01/2023

I’d rather be resolving interference figures on uniaxial and biaxial gemstones. 🔮

What can I say? Create the nerdy niche bumper stickers you wish to see in the world.

95% through making a Reel demonstrating exactly WTF interference figures are, explaining polariscopes, conoscopes, cross-polarized light and managing to show four beautiful interference figures (micro gem phenomena filmed on an iPhone, not an easy task!) IG shut down on me and the draft was gone.

Fortunately, this magical bit of gem science truly is what I’d rather be doing 99% of the time… subtract documenting the process for social media and I’m in heaven.

I will try again later this week because I really want to show y’all this (as well as more gemological stuff) - it’s more exciting in person but then, what isn’t?

In the meantime, gemologists and gem nerds: I have a small quantity of these stickers for $7 each - if it speaks to you, DM me!

08/01/2023

A stunning and unusual 217.80 carat Colombian emerald, engraved with Arabic script (a prayer) on one side and a flower on the reverse. Originally owned by a high-ranking Mughal during the reign of emperor Aurangzeb, this piece was mined and carved circa 1695-1696 AD. Sold by Christie’s in 2001 for $2.2 million, the emerald is now part of the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar. (Via .)

07/29/2023

A few treasures that landed very briefly in my shop and flew back out ✈️ before I could properly share them. (Any jewelry dealer knows this is the best kind of problem to have!)

These are (or were) part of a lovely collection of new arrivals (still up for grabs) that I’ll be sharing more from in the coming days. Feel free to take a peek at my shop if you’re curious.

Until then, wishing you an out of this world weekend! 🛸

07/27/2023

Gorgeous, gorgeous rings by , via .

07/26/2023

I would be remiss to let July end without sharing two sweet ruby pieces in my shop right now. Ruby, the king of gems and July’s birthstone.

Did you know that ruby and sapphire are both varieties of the same gem material? Corundum exists in nearly ever color of the rainbow; when it is red it gets called ruby, every other color is sapphire (or fancy sapphire) - the birthstone of September.

All of the pieces shown here are available in my shop.

07/22/2023

Concept vs. ex*****on, Cartier-style:

A Cartier London rendering circa 1928, of a diamond sapphire leaf brooch purchased by the Duke of York for his wife, Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth,) side by side with an image of the brooch as it was crafted.

More details, via : “I've written previously about how Jacques Cartier instructed his designers to use Owen Jones Grammar of Ornament as the bible for all design references. The brooch frame, inspired by the Persian leaf design, is set with baguette diamonds, of which Cartier was an originator of this new cut. The layout and organized placement of baguettes are typical of what Hans Nadelhoffer described in Cartier Jewellers Extraordinary as Cartier London's obsession with geometric design. Jacques Cartier had his theory for this design application. However, within the frame is a natural floral element taken from the Indian design chapter in Owen Jones Grammar of Ornament. The sapphires have been described elsewhere as 'Indian-cut Ceylonese, but in all the similar Cartier London jewels of this period have handled, the sapphires would be Kashmir and cut at Cartier's lapidary workshop... During the war, the Queen, as she now was, gave the brooch to her daughter Princess Elizabeth.”

07/22/2023

Gorgeous sculptural earring by , via .