Throughout most of recorded history, Ruby has been the world’s most valued gemstone.  Even diamond was considered common in comparison to the supreme beauty and value of this glowing red gem. 

Named from the Latin word for its hue, ruber, ruby is the epitome of the boldest of colors: the gem of desire, passion, courage, and emotion.

In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj, or “king of precious stones.”

In the Bible, only wisdom and virtuous women are “more precious than rubies.”   

Early in the eleventh century, Persian sage al-Biruni was only conveying the popular wisdom of the time when he wrote that ruby has “the first place in color, beauty and rank” among all gems.

Those born in July are lucky to have such a powerful gemstone as its birthstone.  Rubies are prized for their color, durability and rarity.  A member of the mineral family Corundum, which also includes sapphires, Ruby has a hardness of 9 second only to diamonds.  Ruby is also extremely tough. As a result, rubies are the most durable of gems. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.

PEARLS

Pearls have a timeless beauty unlike any other gemstone.  They are perfect with a T-shirt and jeans or a little black dress.  Today cultured pearls come in many beautiful colors, from palest cream and white to rose, lilac, green, gold, gray, and black. This new pearl diversity is thanks to new producing countries, new mollusks, and new demand from consumers who have made multicolor strands and new styles of pearl jewelry as popular as traditional strands of white pearls.

For the entire span of human history, mankind admired – even worshipped, pearls. In Persian mythology, they are called “the tears of the gods.” In some Muslim legends, the pearl is God’s first act of creation.  According to ancient Chinese legend, the moon holds the power to create pearls, instilling them with its celestial glow and mystery. The ancient Greeks thought pearls were dew from the moon collected by oysters that opened their shells as they floated on the sea at night.

Pearls are an organic gem, created when a mollusk like an oyster covers a foreign object with beautiful layers of nacre, the mother of pearl. Once occurring only by chance, today most pearls are cultured by man. A shell bead or mantle tissue is placed inside an oyster and the oyster is returned to the water. When the pearl is later harvested, the oyster has covered the bead or tissue with layers of nacre.

The quality of cultured pearls is judged by the orient, which is the soft iridescence caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, and luster, the reflectivity and shine of the surface. Also look for any flaws or spots in the nacre: the best pearls have an even smooth texture. Other factors that affect value are the regularity of the shape, size, and color.

Cultured pearls and natural pearls can be distinguished from imitation pearls by a very simple test. Take a pearl and rub it gently against the edge of a tooth. Cultured and natural pearls will feel slightly rough, like fine sandpaper, because of the texture of natural nacre. Imitations will feel as smooth as glass because the surface is molded or painted on a smooth bead.

Because pearls are organic, they have a relatively low hardness of 2.5 to 3.5 and should be stored away from other jewelry to prevent scratching. Always put on perfume and sprays before you put on pearls, since chemicals may be absorbed into pearls, staining them. Wipe clean with a moist soft cloth.

MOONSTONE

Moonstone mesmerized the ancient Romans who theorized that moonstone, with its unearthly shimmer, was formed from frozen moonlight.

Moonstones come in a variety of colors. The body color can range from colorless to gray, brown, yellow, green, or pink. The clarity ranges from transparent to translucent. The best moonstone has a blue sheen, perfect clarity, and a colorless body color.

Fine moonstone is quite rare and becoming rarer. It is mined in Sri Lanka and Southern India. The rainbow variety can be found in India and Madagascar. Moonstones are usually cut in a smooth-domed oval cabochon shape to maximize the effect. Sometimes they are carved to show a man-in-the-moon face.

Moonstone has a hardness of 6 to 6.5. It should not be stored in contact with your other gemstones to prevent scratching. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.

Alexandrite is a gem variety of the mineral chrysoberyl discovered in 1830 in Czarist Russia. Since the old Russian imperial colors are red and green it was named after Czar Alexander II on the occasion of his coming of age.

How does the color change work? Most gems transmit and absorb light throughout the visible spectrum and we interpret the mixture of the transmitted wavelengths as the gem’s color. Alexandrite transmits light only in two discrete windows of the spectrum, in the blue-green and red regions. The rest of the spectrum is absorbed. When viewed under light sources active in those particular regions of transmission, you see one of the two colors. In daylight, or in artificial light that simulates it, like fluorescent light, light waves in the green region predominate. In candlelight, or artificial light that simulates it like incandescent or tungsten light, light waves in the red region predominate. The gem is displaying changes in the light, not changing itself.

Today, fine alexandrite is most often found in period jewelry since newly-mined gems are extremely rare. The original source in Russia’s Ural Mountains has long since closed after producing for only a few decades and only a few stones can be found on the market today. Material with a certificate of Russian origin is still particularly valued by the trade. Some alexandrite is found in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and Brazil but very little shows a dramatic color change. For many years, alexandrite was almost impossible to find because there was so little available.

Lab created Alexandrite is a nice alternative to the natural gem.  It shares all the same properties as a natural Alexandrite, but is grown in a laboratory instead of in nature.  The price of lab created Alexandrite is attractive to many shoppers.  Lab created Alexandrite rivals the finest natural stones for a fraction of the price.

When evaluating alexandrite, pay the most attention to the color change: the more dramatic and complete the shift from red to green, without the bleeding through of brown from one color to the next, the more rare and valuable the stone. The other important value factors are the attractiveness and intensity of the two colors, the clarity, and the cutting quality. Due to rarity, large sizes command very high premiums.

Alexandrite is one of the birthstones for June, along with Pearl and Moonstone.  Alexandrite has a hardness of 8.5 and is suitable for everyday wear.  Clean alexandrite with mild soap and water, scrubbing behind the stone to remove dust.

Sterling Silver Rings with Turquoise Colored Gemstones

Make a statement with a turquoise colored gem in a sterling silver ring!  From left to right: “Sun Ray” by Kameleon with Celestial Blue Topaz CZ & 18kt Gold JewelPop as shown $119;  “The Art of Design” by Frank Reubel with Carribbean Blue Topaz $295; “Filigree” by Kameleon with Desert Sky Turquoise JewelPop as shown $79.

Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Turn heads with these earrings by designer Janice Girardi.  In sterling silver with carved mother of pearl, freshwater pearl, and chalcedony, $165.

"Lauren" in Turquoise Patent Leather

Complete your outfit with this Must-Have by Hobo International.  The “Lauren” wallet doubles as a clutch for those summer nights, $100.

Kameleon Free Gift with Purchase

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Maertens Fine Jewelry & Gifts is offering a free custom compact with the purchase of one piece of Kameleon jewelry and two JewelPops!  For a limited time, Kameleon customer’s will also receive a complimentary Mother’s Day JewelPop.

Kameleon is the first jewelry of its kind!  Choose from over 40 base designs in sterling silver all created to accept small interchangeable inserts called JewelPops.  JewelPops are available in hundreds of colors and designs. 

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Maertens is showcasing new jewelry collections in sterling silver.  Whether your mom likes classic or contemporary designs, Maertens can help you choose a piece she’ll treasure.  Sterling silver looks great and the prices are great too!

Purses & Handbags

Give mom something she’ll use every day!  Shop the Freebird collection by the Sak, which features ec0-friendly handbags in the latest styles.  Freebird handbags have the look of leather but are made using non-leather materials giving you a handbag that’s durable and easy to wear.  Maertens also features leather wallets by Hobo International.  These wallets are a Maertens favorite, available in the hottest colors, they can be used as a traditional wallet or carried as a clutch.

Maertens Fine Jewelry & Gifts is here to help you with all your Mother’s Day needs.  Come see us, Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm, Friday 10am – 7pm, and Saturday 10am – 4pm.

Follow these jewelry cleaning tips to help keep you sparkling.

Tip #1 – Home remedies are not effective, or safe for your jewelry
Don’t be tempted to use toothpaste, glass cleaners or ammonia to clean your jewelry. All are great cleaners but not designed for use on your jewelry. Some products are too abrasive.

Have you heard the one about using vodka to clean your diamonds?  Why waste good vodka!  Save it for your martini.  Use jewelry cleaner for jewelry cleaning!!

Tip #2 – Clean your jewelry like a professional – it’s easy
Many people think jewelry cleaners are too strong for their jewelry.   Maertens carries the Connoisseurs brand of jewelry cleaner which has been used by jewelers for generations. 

Their products are formulated for every type of jewelry, to clean effectively and safely. And most Connoisseurs products carry the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.  This is your assurance that the product is safe to use and will perform well.

Tip #3 – Be sure to choose the right jewelry treatment for gold, silver, pearls, and delicate jewelry 
Maertens recommends having a selection of jewelry treatments on hand to properly clean all the different types of jewelry you may have from gold to silver and diamonds to pearls.  Especially delicate items and antique jewelry can be brought to Maertens for professional cleaning but a majority of jewelry can be cleaned at home using the Connoisseurs brand jewelry cleaners available at Maertens.

Tip #4 – Be sure to read and follow directions carefully on the jewelry cleaners you buy
Proper use of these products will insure that you get maximum performance and appropriate care.  Most liquid jewelry cleaner advises that jewelry be submerged in solution for 15 seconds maximum.  Leaving jewelry in for five minutes won’t make it any cleaner and it may do more harm than good!

Introducing REVV™, a cutting edge jewelry collection for men that combines alternative metals with unforgettable flair.  REVV™ personifies style for today’s man utilizing fresh designs, innovative craftsmanship, and affordable pricing. Titanium has long been known for its strength, durable polish, and hypoallergenic qualities.  Titanium is light and completely corrosion resistant, so it is extremely comfortable to wear and doesn’t tarnish or deform easily. 

Titanium and Carbide Dog Tag Nekclace

This provocative collection is ground breaking and features new advances in alternative metals and state-of-the-art technologies.  The collection includes comfort fit bands, pendants, dog tags, bracelets and cufflinks.  REVV™ leaves a refreshing and elegant impression by implementing stunning accents of Diamonds, 14K Yellow and Rose Gold, Sterling Silver, Black Onyx, Stainless Steel, Black Steel and Cable treatments.  REVV™ is popular and appropriate in every fashion venue from casual to couture.

Visit Maertens Fine Jewelry & Gifts to see the REVV™ Jewelry Collection in person and join the REVV™-olution.

These three words capture the timeless appeal that Emeralds have had throughout the ages. Adored by Cleopatra, mummies in ancient Egypt were often buried with an emerald on their necks. Islamic texts describe the Garden of Paradise as carpeted with emeralds. And the Incas had an emerald goddess.

Emeralds are among the rarest of gems. Columbia is still the world’s largest and most famous emerald-producing country, but both Brazil and Zamibia have emerged as major sources, each producing emeralds with their own unique characteristics.

The rich green color of emerald is the color of spring and has long symbolized love and rebirth. As the gem of Venus, it is also thought to aid in fertility.

Emeralds are almost always found with birthmarks, known as inclusions. Some inclusions are expected and do not detract from the value of the stone as much as they can with other gemstones. Emeralds are commonly treated with natural, colorless oil to make the inclusions less visible, but beware of emeralds that have deep inclusions that could weaken the stone enough to break if it were hit accidentally. Also, find out if the emerald has been treated with resin or epoxy, which is often used to improve the color and durability of a gem.

Avoid cleaning emeralds with hot soapy water or steam and never clean an emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner because the oil or resin could be removed or damaged, making inclusions more visible.

Emeralds are durable gemstones with a hardness of 7.5 to 8. However, emeralds with many inclusions should be treated with some care and be protected from blows.

Clean emerald with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.

Auction opens Thursday, April 29 at 10am and closes Saturday, May 1 at 1pm.

Learn about the Arc of Southern Maryland

The Arc of Southern Maryland promotes community involvement, independence and personal success for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As the leading advocate for both children and adults living and working in the Southern Maryland region, The Arc of Southern Maryland provides and array of services from residential housing and employment placement to family advocacy and respite care.

Programs and Services

The Arc of Southern Maryland’s Community Resource Center is a 21st century prototype of community inclusiveness for children and adults, with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The Community Resource Center, located in central Calvert County, is a multi-functional building designed to accommodate and support consumers of the Arc and residents of the greater Southern Maryland Community.

Community Supported Living is a service designed to support the daily needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living independently in their own homes.  Support services and individually customized to meet the needs of the consumer.  Staff supports individuals with their daily chores, personal care, transportation and recreation and community activities.

Residential Services Program: The Arc of Southern Maryland provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with safe and supportive residential housing services.  The Arc operates over 30 residential homes located in neighborhoods throughout Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.  The Arc provides round-the-clock support to ensure that consumers are afforded the opportunity to live in a nurturing environment that promotes personal growth and community inclusion.

Partners in Business is a supported employment program that provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities on-the-job training, placement and support with businesses and organizations throughout the Southern Maryland region.  Consumers work with their job coaches to identify jobs or industries of interest.  Job coaches provide assistance in skill development to ensure a successful relationship between employer and employee.

Day Support Services are designed to provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with meaningful experiences that meet their interests.  Recreational activities are scheduled with individual preferences in mind, and include enjoyable experiences such as music, dance, arts and crafts, boating and fishing, just to name a few.  Consumer also identify organizations that they are interested in supporting through volunteerism.  Many of the activities are made possible in part by the on-going partnerships with local individuals and organizations throughout the Southern Maryland region.

The Family Support and Advocacy Program provides customized services for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabiliiteis.  Family centerd tools and resources are indentified to support the growth and development of the entire family.

Respite Care Program provides families caring for an adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a short term, temporary care options.

View the jewelry in the Maertens Charity Auction to benefit the Arc of Southern Maryland by visiting us on facebook!

The Results:

62% said Blues & Greens

22% said Reds & Purples

and 16% said Yellows & Oranges

Maertens sales manager, Kim Harkins agrees, “Our clients definitely gravitate towards blues and greens!  We have a unique selection of colored gemstones here.  You’ll find Kashmir blue topaz, Tsavorite garnets – which are green, Kunzite – a soft pastel pink, and a whole rainbow of gems that you won’t find in other jewelry stores.”

Let us know what is your favorite gem color?