Lustig Jewelers

Birthstone: March is Aquamarine

2012-03-06T08:23:00.002-06:00

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March, and represents the 16th and 19th anniversaries.

The blue variety of Beryl, which is the gem family that includes Emerald, Heliodor and Morganite. Color ranges from the palest blue to deep blue and green-blue. The name Aquamarine comes from the Latin for Sea Water.

The lore associated with the stone says this promises a happy marriage and is said to bring the woman who wears it joy and wealth.

Most of the raw crystals for the world market come from the gem rich mines of Brazil. Every now and then, large aquamarine crystals of immaculate transparency are also found with a magnificent colour, a combination which is very unusual in gemstones. Rarely will you find large aquamarine crystals such as the crystal of 110.5 Kg found in 1910 in Minas Gerais, or for example the 'Dom Pedro', cut in Idar-Oberstein in 1992 by the gemstone designer Bernd Munsteiner. The Dom Pedro is the largest single piece of cut aquamarine in the world. The rough stone came from the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil and was named "Dom Pedro" after the two emperors of Brazil: Dom Pedro Primeiro and Dom Pedro Segundo. Weighing 24,875 grams, this blue variety of Beryl known as Aquamarine was 10,363 carats and 23 1/4 inches (59 cm) Tall.

Santa Maria Aquamarine

Some of the highest quality specimens of brilliant blue "Santa Maria" aquamarine come from the Santa Maria de Itabira Mine. Aquamarine from africa that has the same intense blue color is called "Santa Maria Afrique."

Principal aquamarine mines in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais are the Batadal Mine, Papamel Mine, Santa Maria de Itabira. Brazilian aquamarine with a paler blue color are referred to as "Esperito Santo" for the state of the same name.

Today however, aquamarines are also found in other countries, for example Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Enhancements
Most Aquamarine on the market today is heat treated to bring out the greenish-blue color that is characteristic of the stone. Yellowish-brown or yellowish-green stones are heated to 400 to 450 degrees Celsius to bring out a deep blue color. The resulting color change of the aquamarine is permanent and the treatment is difficult to detect.

Stop by to see the Aquamarine jewelry at Lustig Jewelers...

Argentium - the Super Silver!

2012-03-06T07:13:00.001-06:00

"If silver is the new gold... ...Argentium is the new silver"

Argentium's unique formulation enhances the appearance of silver, giving an incredible natural brightness and lustrous beauty that outshines white gold, platinum and other precious metals. Argentium is low maintenace, is easy to care for, is simple to keep clean and is the most tarnish resistant silver on the market today.

BRIGHTER

Argentium silver is brighter than platinum, white gold and traditional sterling. It is the whitest of them all.

LONGER LASTING SHINE

Argentium silver is low maintenance, easy to care for and simple to clean.

RESPONSIBLE SILVER

Argentium guarantees traceability of its raw silver. It is certified that Argentium is produced using only recycled silver.

"We love fine sterling jewelry but we were really astounded by the exceptional quality in the Argentium collection by Taché. There is no substitute for wonderful craftsmanship and style. So we invite you to experience Argentium Super Silver for yourself."

Dan Lustig on the latest line of Argentium Jewelry at Lustig Jewelers

You can see the Argentium collection by Taché on line or stop by to see it in person.

February: Amethyst - the Stone of Sobriety

2012-02-15T15:31:00.002-06:00

Fantasy Gem by award winning lapidary, John Dyer, in his
trademark combination of facet & carved, Dreamscape™

Mineral Variety: Quartz , SiO2
Color: various shades of purple
Refractive Index: 1.544-1.553
Hardness: 7
Cleavage: none
Crystal system: trigonal
Pleochroic: no

From one of the largest and most common variety of Gems - Amethyst is the Purple member of the Quartz family.

"QUARTZ is undoubtedly the single most common mineral in the Earth's crust, ranging from perhaps 12% of continental crust to as much as 50% of oceanic crust, as indicated by the composition of spreading-ridge volcanic lavas. Some estimates place quartz at 21% of the Earth's total lithosphere."quoted from Amethyst Galleries

The birthstone for the month of February and the gem commonly accepted for the 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries.

From the Platina Collection at Lustig Jewelers

Amethyst gets its name from the Greek word "amethystos" meaning "not drunken" and was thought by ancients to prevent intoxication. Today Amethyst is sometimes referred to as the "Stone of Sobriety" and make a great gift for friends and family that may be working through addiction issues...hmmm, I wonder if it will work for my Gemstone Addiction? may have to buy on to find out!!!

The color purple has long been associated with Nobility, Monarchy and Spirituality. Swords, scepters and crowns adorned with Amethysts have been unearthed going back to the Minoan culture, as well as religious icons and crosses. To this day there is stunning example in the collection of the British Crown Jewels.

Amethyst is mined on almost every continent with important locations being Brazil (large crystals, pale to medium color), Uruguay (medium to dark color, consistent deep saturation, red overtones), and Russia (dark, clear crystals, usually saved for fine gold & platinum mountings).

There have been large examples found in the USA according to the site Grandfather Mountain, the largest is this crystal cluster from North Carolina (see photo). "John White, former curator of Minerals and Gemstones for the Smithsonian, said that the crystal is definitely the finest amethyst cluster ever discovered in North America."

Treatments and Care: The most common treatment to gems in the Quartz family is heat to deepen color. Due to it's relative hardness (7 on the Mohs Scale) Amethyst can be worn often and holds up to most soaps and lotions, but I have to keep repeating...

Your jewelry should be the last thing you put on as you exit the house and the first thing you take off when you come home.

A little warm soapy water and a polishing cloth is all you need to brighten this gem up - but don't forget to bring ALL your fine jewelry in at least twice a year for cleaning and inspection by the trained professionals at Lustig Jewelers!

Luckily, you no longer have to be born a Royal to wear Amethyst, but in this rich purple gem, you will feel like you were born to the throne!!!

Stop by Lustig Jewelers today and let us help you choose the perfect Amethyst gift for your February baby or maybe start a Mother's ring!

Be sure to come over and "LIKE" us on Facebook and if you are on Google+, Lustigs is there too!

Your Jewelry Care No-No's, Tips and Tricks...

2012-02-02T06:57:00.000-06:00

The other night, I was in a hurry to get out the door and stopped at the kitchen sink to put my earrings on...it could have been a disasterous evening. I had to stand on my toes and stretch across the kitchen sink to get close enough to the tiny mirror to see what I was doing.

Standing in this precarious position the inevitable happened...clink...clink...clink. Yes - that was the sound of an 11 carat Kunzite Earring bouncing off the counter and rolling into the sink!!!!

http://www.lustigjewelers.com/products/445-3-35-1/Enhanced-black-diamond-stud-earrings.cfm

I must have let out a shreik because Bobby came running - lucky for me it went down the side with the Garbage Disposal so he was able to retrieve it without much effort. I couldn't beleive it - I had just committed, not one but TWO of the most well known Jewelry Care No No's - I knew better!!!

This is where I need your help! I am going to get this list of Jewelry No-No's, Tips and Tricks started, but I would love to add your tips also.

If you will leave your favorite Jewelry Care Tips in the comments below I will add them to the document as we go. We should end up with a fairly comprehensive reference.

http://www.lustigjewelers.com/products/364-6-33-1/Maksim-stainless-steel-dog-tags.cfm

1. NEVER put jewelry on over a sink! (On the rare occassions that I do get ready in the bathroom, I lay a hand towel across the sink.)

2. Establish a place to put your jewelry on and remove it, in an area that is carpeted - even a diamond will chip if you drop it on a marble floor.

3. See your jeweler at least once a year to have your jewelry inspected for loose prongs, worn mountings, and general wear and tear. Visit your jeweler every six months to have your jewelry professionally cleaned.

4. Keep your jewelry organized - each piece in it's place. Prongs and harder gems can scratch softer pieces if they rub together.

5. DON'T wear rings when doing housework, exercise, swimming (chlorine) or gardening.

http://www.lustigjewelers.com/products/383-3-35-1/Sterling-silver-hoop-earrings-with-enhanced-black-diamonds.cfm

"Valentine Wishes" - Your Favorite Things!

2012-01-26T12:54:00.000-06:00

"Valentine Wishes" - Your Favorite Things!

OK - today we are going to turn the gift giving around...Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we want to know - "What Do YOU want?"

Take a few minutes and scroll through the Lustig's website and choose "Your Favorite Things"!

We are going to post an Album and you never know who might see it and thank you for making their Valentine Gift Giving easier...

So - step one: Scroll through the Lustig website http://www.lustigjewelers.com/collectionData.cfm

When you see something you like save the photo (right click - save image as) remember to save the URL also!

Go to the Lustig Jewelers Facebook page and post your item(s) to the Wall.

Repeat as many times as you would like - we suggest that you make a couple choices in different price ranges (remember the kids would love a hand choosing too).

We will gather your "Wishes" into an album called "Valentine Wishes"!

NEW YEAR - CLEAN JEWELS!

2012-01-06T13:39:00.000-06:00

The weather certainly doesn't say "SPRING" yet but all the other signs are there...

the leaves have fallen...
and the bare branches have that eerie magic...
the kids will be heading back to school soon - if they haven't already!
...and Mom's & Dad's will have a few minutes for themselves!

Everyone at Lustig Jewelers would like to take this moment to remind you to call in and setup some time to get a clean start on the New Year! Most of us are putting our best pieces away and the last thing you want to do is put jewelry away dirty!

At Lustig Jewelry we offer all of our customers:

"Free professional cleaning and inspections of jewelry purchased at Lustig's or not"

It is easy to let the time get away from you so I like to use the little bit of that extra time that you gain when the kids go back to school to take the important pieces in or that piece that requires special handling that only your jeweler can deliver!

I know you can't believe I am talking Spring already - but with the New Year behind us, there are just days until the Spring Equinox brings us some more daylight! February is a busy month for cleaning due to Valentine events...so get a jump on the crowds and stop in today!

Give us a call or just stop by...

Lustig Jewelers

Aspen Pointe Shopping Center

281 West Townline Rd. Unit 120

Vernon Hills IL. 60061

Phone: 847-680-7300

December Babies Hit the Birthstone Jackpot!

2011-12-11T15:57:00.001-06:00

Bisbee Turquoise Rough

The Birth Stone Lists, as we know them today, were first assembled in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers. This list has historical merit, but substitutions have been made, based on relative availability.

...and no other month has had the changes that December has...

Starlight Blue Zircon

Turquoise is the December Birthstone (and 11th Anniversary Stone) with Blue Zircon being the December Gemstone option...the difficulty of finding quality Blue Zircon has led to the substitution of Sky Blue Topaz (also 4th Anniversary Stone). A gift of turquoise means forget-me-not.

Tanzanite Crystal

December is the only month to have a new gemstone added in recent years. In 2002, the AGTA officially added Tanzanite to the traditional list of birthstones for the month of December (and the 24th Anniversary), building upon the December tradition for beautiful blue gems.

You would never know that Tanzanite was only discovered in 1969, in just that short time span Tanzanite has become, by far, the most popular blue gemstone after sapphire.

Tanzanite, is a variety of zoisite, discovered in the Merelani district of Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro in 1967. So far, all tanzanite discovery has been limited to a six kilometer strip in this area.

All purple and blue varieties of the stone are the result of heat treatment. The stone is a golden-brown color when it is mined, but when heated to between 800-900 degrees Fahrenheit, it becomes that gorgeous violet blue that is used in jewelry. It is somewhat soft (6-7 on Moh's scale of hardness), and has a direction of cleavage, along which it can be easily broken. It is esirable because of its' elegant and opulent color.

At Lustig Jewelers We Are Giving Thanks For You...Our Friends!

2011-11-24T04:47:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Lustig Jewelers

Wishing you warmth, health and that

every chair around the Dining Room table is filled!

Enjoy your time with friends and family!

You know what they say about the best laid plans...when planning this blog post I intended to thank each and everyone of you that wrote a quick Review of Lustig Jewelers on our Facebook page. One day later, Dan asked me what happened to our Reviews Tab?

GONE? ...apparently Facebook removed the Reviews tab from all the Business pages - not really sure why - just GONE!

We are very thankful that you are still with us and the Facebook page just keeps getting better!

It would mean an awful lot to us if you would do it again...if you check out the right hand side of the page, you will see the replacement...Recommendations! Just place your cursor in the box that says "Write a Recommendation" - pretty easy!

So - what are you thankful for?

Designer Profile: Maeve Gillies for MaeVona

2011-11-05T11:44:00.001-05:00

"Every piece of MaeVona Jewelry must feel exquisite when you pick it up; like a beautiful watch or antique jewel, you just know its THE ONE. The details are everything - curves, softness, weight, finish - it must make you feel special, and give confidence that this jewel will last a lifetime."

Maeve Gillies was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the middle of three children to a home that was filled with music, art, poetry and laughter! Always drawing or creating, as a five year old she found herself entranced by her music teacher's harp, recalling, "She came in and played – I was five years old and I still remember it like it was yesterday, because I was absolutely entranced, and fell in love with it. I spent many years taking lessons and doing international competitions, and went to the Mòd and won it like five times when I was like, 11," she bursts out laughing. "I was this crazy overachieving child!"

When she was 15, Maeve was visiting a goldsmith friend and quite literally discovered an all consuming passion that drove her to study Jewelry at Edinburgh College of Art and earned a master’s degree in fashion jewelry from the Royal College of Art in London, winning great praise from her professor, the internationally acclaimed jeweler David Watkins.

During these college years, Maeve got some practical training when working in a family owned retail jeweler. “While studying, I worked in a retail store for three years, where my favorite sale was a diamond engagement ring. That balanced out my art-based education with an understanding of what customers actually want. I knew then that my ambition was to combine the creative with the commercial — to design original jewelry that would also sell." *

After graduating she traveled to New York where she designed fashion jewelry for Express, Old Navy, and Victoria's Secret. It was on this trip she met her future business partner Ken Cowin in a hot-tub in New Paltz, New York. And, following a three year stint as Head of Design at Domino, the largest platinum jewelry manufacturer in Europe, in 2005 they teamed up to form MaeVona.

Recently honored with an invitation from Highland Park to create a special bottle for their oldest whiskey to date, it took roughly one second for the New York-based jeweler to say yes. Given that only 275 bottles of the 50-year-old malt will be released, retailing at £10,000 each, that makes this a genuine collector's item both on the basis of content and container.

"My aesthetic is sexy and feminine. I am also quite influenced by the flowing stylized lines of the art nouveau movement. But, Edinburgh itself is at the base of my creative endeavors; it is a sophisticated soft-spoken city, steeped in ancient history, which is why the collections are named after the landscape and the legends.”*

Today, the MaeVona brand is one of the most popular Engagement Ring line in America. Featuring softly fluid lines reminiscent of the feminine lines of the Art Nouveau period, her Scottish heritage is visible in every piece. Whether it is the Scottish Island Collection or her Scottish Wildflower Collection she breathes a bit of her Celtic influence into each design.

From Harpist to Jewelry Designer to the devotee of the finest single malt whiskies...Maeve Gillies' MaeVona Collection is one to watch!

Next time you stop in to Lustig Jewelers be sure you ask us to show you the MaeVona line.

* from an interview with Beth Bernstein for InStore Magazine

The Jorg Gray Watch Collection…Changing the Way We View Time

2011-10-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

Founded in 1998, Jorg Gray has expanded from an American specialty private-label watch company to a worldwide brand. Revered for its fashionable timepieces, Jorg Gray creates watches that people love not only for design, but also for their high level of quality. Jorg Gray’s visually striking, boldly designed watches combine styling, materials and colors that appeal to today’s men and women, while maintaining a respect for traditional values of precision and attention to detail.

Jorg Gray evolved from a specialty private-label company to a worldwide brand after President Obama received the Jorg Gray 6500 Chronograph for his 46th birthday in 2007. The watch grew in popularity, as the President wore the timepiece at such historic events as his inauguration, the signing of his first presidential proclamation and the G-20 Summit, spurring Jorg Gray to create a Commemorative Edition 6500 available to the public. Committed to combining bold design with traditional precision and attention to detail, the company launched its full line of watches at the annual Industry Tradeshow, JCK Las Vegas in June 2009.

“We do things differently at Jorg Gray and a big part of that is fully supporting our retailers through custom in-store displays, extensive after sales service and personalized marketing programs,” said Mark Gurdus, Vice President of Sales. “Our team takes this commitment very seriously and it shows with the number of doors we’ve opened, from Monterey to Miami, even during a difficult market.”

First widely available in early 2009 - at the very time that most brands were downsizing and Jewelers were shuttering their doors, the Jorg Gray brand sought to establish it's place in the international watch industry!

Combining striking styles with traditional precision and attention to detail, Jorg Gray timepieces are designed for today’s modern man and woman. The line boasts more than 120 watches to fit every occasion and personality. With a wide range of models priced between $200 to $500, tailored marketing programs for retailers, and a passion for both retailer and customer service, Jorg Gray was the brand to watch in 2010 and has carried that reputation through to 2011.

Athletes, Celebrities and even Reality Stars love their Jorg Gray timepieces...ABC Television's ‘Bachelor’, Jason Mesnick, wore his Jorg Gray 6500 on his wedding day!

About Jorg Gray:Founded in 1998, Jorg Gray has expanded from an American specialty private-label watch company to a worldwide brand. Revered for its fashionable timepieces, Jorg Gray creates watches that people love for their design and high level of quality. Jorg Gray’s visually striking, boldly designed watches combine styling, materials and colors that appeal to today’s discerning customer. Info: www.jorggray.com

We invite you to stop into the store - come in early and let us help you choose the perfect timepiece for the "President" in your life!

October Birthstone: The Many Faces of Opal

2011-10-17T05:47:00.000-05:00

Opal is an amorphous form of silica related to quartz, a mineraloid form, but not a mineral, with water comprising 6% to 10% of it's weight. Deposited at a relatively low temperature, opal veins can occur in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, most commonly found with limonite, sandstone, rhyolite and basalt.

Opal is the national gemstone of Australia, which produces 97% of the world's supply. Opal is the birthstone for October and the astrological sign of Scorpio.

Precious opal shows a variable interplay of internal colors due to it's composition of silica spheres in ordered patterns. It is the regularity of the sizes and the packing of these spheres that determines the quality of precious opal.

In the Middle Ages, opal was considered a stone that could provide great luck because it was believed to possess all the virtues of each gemstone whose color was represented in the color spectrum of the opal. And my favorite bit of Lore is that opal was also said to confer the power of invisibility if wrapped in a fresh bay leaf and held in the hand.

Fire Opal in a range of colors from La Rocka Gems & Minerals

Other types of opal include Girasols, or more commonly, fire opals. These tend to be transparent to translucent in a range of warm colors - yellow, orange, orange-yellow or red. Sometimes referred to as Jelly Opals these do not usually show any play of color, although occasionally a stone will exhibit bright green flashes. The most famous source of fire opals is the state of Querétaro in Mexico; these opals are commonly called Mexican fire opals.

Peruvian opal is a semi-opaque to opaque pink or blue-green stone found in Peru which is often cut to include the matrix in the more opaque stones. It does not display pleochroism.

One of the hottest recent finds is the opal from Ethiopia - it ranges from a chocolate body color to the white contra luz with some truly amazing play of color. It tends to be a little more fractured and sometimes softer than its Australian counterpart.

The Queen's Opal

Chosen by the Australian government as the best opal to represent Australia and be presented to Queen Elizabeth II on her first Royal visit to Australia. The opal was then cut and polished by John Altmann. Once cut it weighed 203 carats and displayed a magnificent array of colours including red, blue and green. It was set with diamonds into an 18 carat palladium necklet.

According to the American Gem Trade website:

Opal is softer than many other gems and should be stored carefully to avoid being scratched by other jewelry. It should also be protected from blows, as exposed corners can chip. Opal should not be exposed to heat or acid. To clean, wipe opal with a soft cloth.

Stop in the store today for your birthstone jewelry and lets talk Opal!

Introducing ELLE Jewelry

2011-10-07T13:40:00.000-05:00

ELLE is the largest fashion magazine in the world. ELLE launched in France over 50 years ago and now publishes 42 magazine editions worldwide and has licensed product in more than 80 countries, including over 250 free-standing stores in Europe. ELLE’s global merchandising program has generated over 1 billion dollars in retail stores worldwide.

In North America, ELLE Magazine reaches an audience of 4.9 million readers each month with millions more online who find that ELLE represents style and substance with an independent point of view. ELLE’s merchandising program includes jewelry, watches, footwear, eyewear, hair accessories, travel accessories and ready to wear.

Our philosophy is to bridge the gap between the contemporary and the classic, to merge the modern with the timeless. ELLE Jewelry is meant to be more than just accessories. We believe that ultimately jewelry should be a personal expression, a way of celebrating a woman’s unique and beautiful individuality. Our brand promise is to be fashionably classic, offering affordable luxuries.

The ELLE Jewelry customer is someone who is aware of herself and what she represents. She is a leader and self-purchaser who uses fashion and beauty to express herself in every aspect of her life. She values personal freedom, self expression and the pursuit of individuality. She values the minimalism of our ideas for their thoughtful simplicity.

The ELLE Jewelry Collection is a brand extension to the largest fashion publication in the world, ELLE Magazine. ELLE Jewelry is a high polished sterling silver collection often complemented with colorful gemstones. In addition, each piece is rhodium plated to resist the effects of tarnishing.

Using fashion as benchmark for creative inspiration, ELLE Jewelry designs reflect the most up-to-date and ready-to-wear trends. Like the pages of ELLE magazine, ELLE Jewelry evolves from season to season, as colors and fashion trends change. The ELLE Jewelry collection offers a distinguished look and edge that is chic, modern and bold. Ultimately, we believe accessories should be a personal expression, a way of celebrating a woman’s love of style.

The Mission

To help fashionable women express their individuality.

“Dancing with the Stars” Performer Launches A Jewelry Collection!

2011-10-04T16:59:00.000-05:00

Lustig Jewelers to feature MaksimChmerkovskiy’s NEW Jewelry Line!

Lustig Jewelers CEO, Dan Lustigannounced that “Dancing with the Stars” featured performer MaksimChmerkovskiy’s new Jewelry Collection, MAKSIM will debut at Lustig’s in the Chicago suburb of Vernon Hills.

“We’re so excited to partner withMaks,” said Lustig, “he’s quickly becoming a contemporary style icon!” Lustig’shas devoted one entire page of their Anniversary Catalog to launch the MaksimCollection in mid October.

The broad collection ranges fromedgy to everyday, with many pieces having a unisex appeal. “My jewelry designsare predominantly for men,” said Chmerkovskiy, “but women can certainly wearthem.”

Ukrainian-born, Latin ballroomdance champion, choreographer and instructor, Chmerkovskiy is best known as oneof the professional dancers on the American television series ABC's “Dancing WithThe Stars”, on which he first appeared in season two. Formerly featured on theUkrainian “Bachelor” he currently owns four dance studios in the New York Cityarea.

“We are happy to be carrying this strong, cuttingedge Men’s Line just in time for holiday gift giving!” smiling Dan added, “Theladies at Lustigs are eager to see the Collection. Check in on our Facebook Page (http ://www .facebook .com /lustigjewelers)to see if they think Maksim’s Jewelry Collection is as dynamic as he is on thedance floor!“

Lustig Jewelers, a 62-year old family-ownedcompany now in the hands of the second generation, is a member of Leading Jewelers Guild, a groupof family-owned jewelers that work together to develop strategicadvantages. Fellow Leading JewelersGuild members across the country will be simultaneously launching the Maksimline nationwide.

Stay on top of future announcements - join Twitter, followMaksim Chmerkovskiy (@MaksimC) and Lustig Jewelers, (@lustigjewelers).

Sapphire for September Birthdays...

2011-09-15T12:11:00.000-05:00

The Logan Sapphire, a 422.99ct cushion cut stone
set in a brooch, framed in 16ctw (20 stones) of diamonds.
You can see it at the National Museum of National History.

Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September, aligned with the planets Saturn and Jupiter, day of the week Thursday and the 6th and 45th Anniversaries.

It is the gem quality crystal of the mineral Corundum, an Aluminum Oxide that is the second hardest gem. Sapphire measures a 9 on the Mohs Hardness scale just below Diamonds at 10. This makes it a durable stone for everyday wear and is why the finest watches have a crystal cut from clear Sapphire.

When I say Sapphire - the first thing that comes to mind is the legendary deep velvet blue of a Kashmir Sapphire. But Sapphires come in most colors of the rainbow with the one exception being red - Red Corundum is Ruby.

Made of aluminum and oxygen, pure Corundum is colorless . Impurities of trace elements are responsible for the range of colors that we find Sapphire in - Iron and Titanium give us blues, Chromium makes the pink hues and Color Change Sapphire happens due to the presence of Vanadium.

Sapphires can also show a phenomenon called an asterism caused by intersecting needle-like inclusions. When these needles line up properly they form the appearance of a six-rayed star when viewed in a single overhead light source.

According to Wikipedia:
"The Black Star of Queensland is believed to be the largest star sapphire that has ever been mined, and it weighs 733 carats. The Star of India(weighing 563.4 carats) is thought to be the second-largest star sapphire, and it is currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The 182-carat Star of Bombay, located in the National Museum of Natural History, in Washington, D.C., is an example of a blue star sapphire. The value of a star sapphire, however, depends not only on the weight of the stone but also the body color, visibility and intensity of the asterism."

Sapphire is mined from alluvial deposits (gravel in riverbeds) or underground pit mines...today mining is most common in Kenya, India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Queensland Australia, Madagascar, Montana and North Carolina in the United States.

Gorgeous Padparasha Sapphire was cut
by the Award Winning Cutter, John Dyer.

One of the rarest colors of Sapphire is a pink - orange called Padparasha. Mined originally in Sri Lanka but also found in Africa and Vietnam, the name comes from the Sinhalese word for Lotus Blossom.

Stop into Lustig Jewelers and lets talk about what we have available in your birthstone...

Don't Let the Time Get Away From You - Make Your Holidays Dazzle!

2011-08-29T15:02:00.000-05:00

The weather certainly doesn't say "FALL" yet but all the other signs are there...

the leaves are starting to change
and they have started to fall
the kids will be heading back to school soon - if they haven't already!
...and Mom's & Dad's will have a few minutes for themselves!

Everyone at Lustig Jewelers would like to take this moment to remind you to call in and setup some time to clean those special pieces that you know you will want to have gleaming for the Holidays!

At Lustig Jewelry we offer all of our customers:

"Free professional cleaning and inspections of jewelry purchased at Lustig's or not"

It is easy to let the time get away from you so I like to use the little bit of extra time that you gain when the kids go back to school to take the important pieces in or that special handling that only your can deliver!

I know it doesn't feel that late but Halloween is a month away and you know how the time flies once those Holidays start to roll by... Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's Eve will all be here too soon!

Give us a call or just stop by...

Lustig Jewelers

Aspen Pointe Shopping Center

281 West Townline Rd. Unit 120

Vernon Hills IL. 60061

Phone: 847-680-7300

Introducing...Lustig's Manager of All Things Social!

2011-08-08T13:37:00.000-05:00

"Come in as our customer...leave as our friend"

At Lustig Jewelers we have always considered our customers to be our friends, and we are all reminded of that daily when we come in and see Eleanor's quote on the wall!

"Social" is what we do everyday! So, when we read about the new business trend to "Social Media" we thought lets give it a go...and Danny took on the Facebook page...then opened a Twitter account, and really wanted a blog. But lets face it Danny runs a business and there are only so many hours in a day!

So - let me introduce myself...my name is Robyn Hawk and I will be stepping in for Danny on the social side so he can get back to his first love, and that is providing a stellar customer experience at Lustig Jewelers. This doesn't mean that Danny won't pop in from time to time...in fact he is having a blast learning Twitter this morning!

Just briefly - who am I? I am a girl who loves beautiful things and has been fortunate enough to work around Gems & Jewelry for over a decade. I am currently taking courses toward a Gemology Certificate and Colored Gems are my passion! I look forward to getting to know everyone on the Lustig Facebook and Twitter pages and invite you to join me on our new blog. You will find links to everything at the end of this post...please, join the conversation.

This first week has been a whirlwind, I am amazed at all the things going on behind the scenes here at Lustig Jewelers...their commitment to new concepts and technology while at the same time remaining your local Vernon Hills Jeweler is a big step...and we all like to know that our jeweler is keeping up with the times.

If you are on Facebook you may have seen the our NEW "Lustig's Love Stories" Photo Album. This will house the stories and photos of our clients that wish to submit them. We already have the charming story of Denn & Heather and would love to add yours. If you wish to join the fun send a photo of the couple, photo of the rings and a brief story of how you met to custserv@lustigjewelers.com

Lustig Jewelers on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/lustigjewelers
@lustigjewelers on Twitter - http://twitter.com/lustigjewelers
Lustig Jewelers blog - http://lustigjewelers.blogspot.com/

Click comment below to leave any comments or questions and we will get back to you!

Blogging, Blogs and Bloggers!

2011-08-05T08:43:00.001-05:00

BLOG - comes from the blending of the terms "web" and "log" = Weblog. Which soon became Blog and most recently received both noun and verb status.

There are blogs about Celebrity pets - Car Repair - Blogs that make fun of other blogs - Recipe Blogs - Fashion & Trendsetters - Mommy Blogs and now we even have Daddy Blogs!!! Today, it appears...anyone can write a blog!

With that in mind, Lustig Jewelers is launching our new blog...hopefully it won't be as bad as some, and, with your input, we feel it will be better than some and great fun!

Today we are showing some Link Love to some favorite Local Blogs. What are you reading? Leave the name and URL of the blogs you follow in the comments...

Foodie? (Recipes and Restaurant Reviews):
Lottie & Doof is at the top of my short list of Restaurant & Recipe blogs - blogger Tim Mazurek makes you feel like he is welcoming you to a dinner party in his home. http://www.lottieanddoof.com
...and, if "crowdsourcing" is your thing there are Yelp, Urbanspoon and foodieview to name a few.

Sports Enthusiasts?
Sports Fix Chicago - blogger Dan Contilli is never short on opinions http://sportsfixchicago.com/

Fashion (CityCouture - Street Style - Style Savant):
At ChiCityFashion: The Chicago Fashion Blog you'll find blogger Jena Gambaccini knee-deep in everything fashion from Runways in Paris to the little Vintage shop around the corner...oh and shoes, lots of shoes! http://chicityfashion.com/
Menswear blog - The Midwestyle has three young men (Jeff, Seth & Cam) talking everything from Designers and Trends to Street Style and Thrift Store Finds! http://www.themidwestyle.com
...and everybody's favorite style rookie - a 15 yo that already has three years of blogging under her belt. This fashion daredevil is the darling of some of the biggest names in the industry and offers a fresh look at the Industry along with her on-going efforts to rework her bedroom! http://www.thestylerookie.com/

...and if you are trying to decide which movie to catch this weekend there is the brilliant and resiliant Roger Ebert blog for the SunTimes. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/

Did you notice a gaping hole in that list? no Jewelry blogs...we hope that you will stop in here with us for Designer Bios, the latest Industry News, Trade Show Reports, fact sheets for Colored Gemstones, Conflict Free Diamonds and everything Gems & Jewels!

Be sure to let us know what you want to see in this space...

August Spotlight: Peridot the Extraterrestrial Gem

2011-08-04T06:15:00.005-05:00

Carved Peridot by Sherris C. Shank

A little bit like the wallflower at the dance, Peridot isn't particularly glamorous or popular. When I was growing up, the market was flooded with small pale stones and it was hard to find an August baby that was excited about their birthstone! However, in the mid 90's, when vivid, grass-green stones that displayed remarkable clarity were discovered in Pakistan and then at a subsequent Chinese mine, all those preconceived notions changed. ...but I am getting ahead of myself!

Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August, the zodiac sign of Leo and is the traditional gift for a 16th wedding anniversary. It does require special treatment - cleaning should be done gently with warm soapy water - your Peridot jewelry should never be steamed or cleaned ultrasonically.

Rough and Cut from PalaGems

Peridot is the gem quality variety of the mineral Olivine, a magnesium iron silicate whose color is determined by the iron content. Unlike most gemstones which are found in the Earth's crust, Peridot forms in magma in the upper mantle layer. The short, orthohombic crystals are brought to the surface as a result of volcanic action. This violent upheaval coupled with a hardness of only 6.5 on the Mohs' Scale, explains why most gem rough is found as rounded pebbles with well formed crystals being the exception. Prior to finding the deposit in Pakistan, close to 95% of the "commercial" mining production of this gem was done by Apache Indians in the US, on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Ancient documentation records the importance of this stone throughout history. Peridot was actively mined on Serpent Isle (named for the poisonous snakes that inhabited the island), as early as 1500 B.C. Mining continued on the island (now called Zabargad) in Ancient Egypt, for close to 3500 years. It was believed that Cleopatra was quite smitten with this stone and the close proximity of the island mine in the Red Sea, about 35 miles off the Egyptian Coast, leads us to believe that the gems worn by Cleopatra and several Pharoahs came from these mines. The island was discussed in the natural history of Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.) as having been explored in the fourth century B.C.

Breastplate of the High Priest - gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron described in the Bible (Exodus 28, 15-30). The breastplate was a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year - Peridot was believed to be one of those stones.

Pele's Tears - Pele the goddess of the volcano, is described in ancient Hawaiian chants as “She-who-shapes-the-sacred-land” and her temper was known to be both as abundant and dangerous as the lava. Peridot is a volcanic gem formed in the deep fires of the earth; on Hawaii, it is treasured as the tears of Pele. An entire beach in Oahu is formed of Peridot sand, worn to fine sand by the constant ocean. Pele’s gift of Peridot is thought by many to have great power to heal, and to bring wealth and growth.

Slice of a Pallasite - Crystal Filled Meteorite
from the Tucson Gem Show.

Pallasites, Gems From Space - with their combination of gleaming metal and translucent olivine crystals, are among the most rare and beautiful of all meteorites. Less than one percent of all known meteorites are pallasites. When newly formed planetary bodies heat and melt, iron and rock-forming minerals separate into a core and mantle. These materials separate like oil and water.

Gem Pallasite Cut by Marty Guptill

So why is iron mixed with the silicate mineral olivine in these stony-iron meteorites? No one really knows. But whatever caused the mixing, the stony-iron meteorites known as pallasites provide a snapshot of this dynamic process at the moment when the mixture solidified.

There are only a few faceters that are taking on the challenge of cutting these outer space gems, Master Cutter Martin Guptil is known for his work with Palladot, a company specializing in gem grade Pallasite.

So - now that you know the real story about the Extreme, Extraterrestrial Gem, Peridot, stop in and let us assist you with all your Peridot needs.
...and Happy Birthday August babies!

Photo Sources: are in the caption of each photo

Reference Sources:

http://www.mauidivers.com/peridot-education

http://www.palagems.com/peridot_buyers_guide.htm

http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/history-peridot.php

Pantone Announces Fashion Colors for Fall 2011

2011-08-03T18:15:00.000-05:00

If you are an artist, designer or the Fashionista in your house...you probably know Pantone. Basically it is a Color company that Designers use to standardize fashion colors seasonally. They introduce the color palette for a season about 12 - 24 months in advance...and...so...why am I telling you all this ;-p

This crazy heat wave and humidity drove me out of the house last weekend - have I mentioned yet just how much I hate it when the air is so thick that I can't catch my breath? I loaded everyone into the car, and with the AC blasting, drove to the Mall. It was great - I was able to get my walk in without worrying that I might drop dead! Well - it was great, until I looked up to see a store dressing a window with...ready...Leather & Wool Coats!!!

Anticipating the inevitable I went home and downloaded the Fall 2011 Color Palette. I have to say I am pleasantly surprised...a wonderful set of neutrals and some really dramatic jewel tones. Perfect for the easy menswear looks I am seeing in the Fashion magazines...just enough color to keep it girlie ♥

So...with out further ado...the top colors for women's fashion for fall 2011 are:

PANTONE 14-0740 Bamboo
PANTONE 17-1547 Emberglow
PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle
PANTONE 19-2820 Phlox
PANTONE 16-0526 Cedar
PANTONE 19-4914 Deep Teal
PANTONE 18-0930 Coffee Liqueúr
PANTONE 16-1320 Nougat
PANTONE 13-3805 Orchid Hush
PANTONE 15-4305 Quarry

“Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art,“ said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Much like a painter's masterpiece, there is a certain romance to this season's palette.“

THOUGHTS? not a big fan of the Bamboo but I LOVE everything else? Do you think you will try to work some of the new colors into your closet? May have to run out and get a little T-shirt in Emberglow...I can always work it into Fall later...

Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, has been the world’s color authority for almost 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers designer-inspired products and services for consumers. More information is available at www.pantone.com.

"Come in as a customer...Leave as our friend."

2010-02-25T11:48:00.000-06:00

Often people are fearful about leaving their jewelry for repair or leaving diamonds pending custom design. At Lustig Jewelers we take that fear factor out. My staff and I will provide you with detailed information and mapping describing your gems before you leave our store. Having this knowledge and knowing your work will be performed on the premises will give you peace of mind. Being a small independent family jeweler since 1949 gives us the advantage over the large national chains to provide the service you deserve, which has become so rare today.