We are approaching our 70th year of business in 2017! We consider all of our customers, past and present, to be a part of our storied history. We invite you all to share stories of how our jewelry has brightened your lives. Feel free to post or comment below!
- Sydney Rosen Company
David Rosen, GG, CGA
Steven Rosen GG
Jacob Rosen GG, CGA
Storefront on Jeweler's Row in Philadelphia
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Hardness a factor in Colored Stone Engagement Rings
In recent years, it has become rapidly apparent that a Diamond Ring is no longer the only option for men looking to propose to their girlfriends. Many women today are preferring various Colored Stone Engagement Rings as a way to stand out amongst crowd and be unique. For nearly a century Diamond has dominated the engagement ring market. However, recent controversies in the ethical practices of diamond mining, as well as a consumer trend toward colored stones have made led to an increase in demand for gemstones in beautiful Blues, Reds, Yellows etc.
When choosing an alternative to diamond for your engagement ring, one of the most overlooked factors is the HARDNESS of the gemstone. Most women simply decide they like a certain color, and begin to explore their gemstone options in that particular hue. It should be noted that within a certain color category, there are also different DURABILITY considerations that should be made.
Diamond will always be coveted, not just for its sparkle, but for its durability. On the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, diamond is the hardest and most resistant to chips, breaks, and scratches. It is this characteristic of diamond that has always made it the most suitable to be worn on an everyday basis.
I can't think of a single woman who wouldn't want to wear her engagement ring everyday, so it is important to make sure you do not buy your fiance a gemstone that is NOT durable enough to be worn everyday.
Here is a brief rundown of some of the more popular gemstones in today's market and how they compare as far as hardness/durability.
(The Mohs Hardness Scale is a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the hardest and 1 being the softest)
10: Colored Diamond: Fancy Yellow, Blue, Pink etc.
9: Corundum: Ruby, Sapphire, Fancy Color Sapphire
8: Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl, Topaz, Spinel
7: Beryl: Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite
Quartz: Amethyst, Citrine, Lemon Quartz etc.
Tourmaline: Rubellite, Chrome Tourmaline, Paraiba Tourmaline
6: Tanzanite, Iolite, Peridot, Garnet, Zircon, Chalcedony, Jade
5: Opal, Lapis, Diopside, Turquoise
Gemstones softer than a 5 on the Mohs Hardness scale are risky choices for engagement rings. Many jewelers will even warn consumers about wearing Emerald or Tanzanite as engagement rings, as these stones tend to scratch and abrade easily.
Just keep in mind that Sapphire comes in any color of the rainbow, and should be considered as the first choice for a woman looking for a specific colored stone engagement ring!
Your fiance and your jeweler will thank you!
Visit us online at www.sydneyrosen.com to start s
When choosing an alternative to diamond for your engagement ring, one of the most overlooked factors is the HARDNESS of the gemstone. Most women simply decide they like a certain color, and begin to explore their gemstone options in that particular hue. It should be noted that within a certain color category, there are also different DURABILITY considerations that should be made.
Diamond will always be coveted, not just for its sparkle, but for its durability. On the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, diamond is the hardest and most resistant to chips, breaks, and scratches. It is this characteristic of diamond that has always made it the most suitable to be worn on an everyday basis.
I can't think of a single woman who wouldn't want to wear her engagement ring everyday, so it is important to make sure you do not buy your fiance a gemstone that is NOT durable enough to be worn everyday.
Here is a brief rundown of some of the more popular gemstones in today's market and how they compare as far as hardness/durability.
(The Mohs Hardness Scale is a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the hardest and 1 being the softest)
10: Colored Diamond: Fancy Yellow, Blue, Pink etc.
9: Corundum: Ruby, Sapphire, Fancy Color Sapphire
8: Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl, Topaz, Spinel
7: Beryl: Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite
Quartz: Amethyst, Citrine, Lemon Quartz etc.
Tourmaline: Rubellite, Chrome Tourmaline, Paraiba Tourmaline
6: Tanzanite, Iolite, Peridot, Garnet, Zircon, Chalcedony, Jade
5: Opal, Lapis, Diopside, Turquoise
Gemstones softer than a 5 on the Mohs Hardness scale are risky choices for engagement rings. Many jewelers will even warn consumers about wearing Emerald or Tanzanite as engagement rings, as these stones tend to scratch and abrade easily.
Just keep in mind that Sapphire comes in any color of the rainbow, and should be considered as the first choice for a woman looking for a specific colored stone engagement ring!
Visit us online at www.sydneyrosen.com to start s
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
An Easier Way To Buy Online
In the ultra-information age that is 2014, it is becoming increasingly more common for engagement ring shoppers to purchase a diamond online. Whether it is the perceived notion that online prices are lower, or the fear of pushy jewelers pressuring them to buy in the store, the internet has become an increasingly popular marketplace for diamonds.
However, there are cons to purchasing online as well. Mainly, you don't get to see the quality of the product you are purchasing before you purchase it.
We have had many a Blue Nile customer come into our store asking for an appraisal, because they are unsure if they paid for the quality ring that they were delivered. Sure, if you are buying an extremely high quality diamond, the variance in how these stones will look is miniscule. But medium quality stones will vary considerably in their appearance. This is something that a customer will learn if he/she shopped in a store, but that you do not necessarily learn when shopping online.
An appraisal is another thing that most online retailers do not provide. Insurance for your engagement ring is an important point that many brick and mortar jewelers will stress when selling you a diamond. Online retailers will provide the Diamond Grading Certificate but not a retail replacement appraisal should there be a loss or damage to the ring.
Basically, buying online does not provide the services that a physical jeweler will provide for you AFTER the purchase has been made.
Here at Sydney Rosen, we have a different philosophy to buying online. Any customer who makes a purchase on sydneyrosen.com can come into the store for a complimentary appraisal. Furthermore, many of the diamonds listed on our Diamond Search are available to be viewed in our store prior to making a purchase. All diamond prices listed on our website will be honored when purchasing in the store.
Visit us ONLINE at www.sydneyrosen.com to search for your engagement ring today!
Monday, July 7, 2014
What's the deal with Alexandrite?
For all of you June babies, you've probably at one point or another been confused about your birthstone. Pearl and Alexandrite are both consider birthstones for june, but what the heck is an Alexandrite anyway? Well, to get technical, Alexandrite is a rare variety of pleochroic chrysoberyl found mainly in the Ural mountains. Or in layman's terms, a color changing gemstone from Russia.
The gemstone was named for the former Tsar of Russia, Alexander II. It was discovered by a mineralogist in the early 1800's, who initially thought he had discovered a new deposit of Emerald. It was only after the sun went down, and he lit candles in his laboratory that he noticed that the gemstone had turned from a blueish-green hue to a vibrant red.
Gemstone dealers often romanticize Alexandrite with cheesy slogans like "Emerald by day and Ruby by night". However, Alexandrite only shows distinct color change in EXTREMELY fine quality. Most commercial alexandrite displays only very subtle change in color. In fact, genuine alexandrite with noticeable color change is usually far too expensive for common jewelry. Typically a synthetic color changing material is substituted for the real thing in things like mothers rings.
That being said, rare exquisite Alexandrite does still exist in the market place. The example shown below is a 26.75 carat cushion cut stone that is considered one of the rarest cut stones ever discovered with a high level of color change.
Alexandrite of this quality has not be found in decades. Most of the original fine material found in Russia has been mined dry, and only very small or poor quality deposits have been located since. Other color changing stones have been found such as color changing sapphires and garnets, however, none match the exquisite beauty or intense gemological phenomenon as the original Russian' material.
We do not currently have any legitimate alexandrite for sale in our store, and fine quality stones are still hard to come by. We do, however, offer synthetic versions for sale in our Mother's Ring page.
Visit us online at www.sydneyrosen.com to start shopping now!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Apply for Financing at Sydney Rosen!
Our long-standing relationship with the American Gem Society (AGS) has allowed us incredible financing terms through their partners Wells Fargo!
You can now apply for 6-month 0% interest financing applicable to any purchase at Sydney Rosen Company.
Simply follow the link below to get approved today!
Financing with Sydney Rosen
Once approved you will be sent a Platinum Select card with your account information that can be used to purchase Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands or anything else you or your significant other could desire from our store!
Financing options are currently only applicable towards In-Store purchases.
You can now apply for 6-month 0% interest financing applicable to any purchase at Sydney Rosen Company.
Simply follow the link below to get approved today!
Financing with Sydney Rosen
Once approved you will be sent a Platinum Select card with your account information that can be used to purchase Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands or anything else you or your significant other could desire from our store!
Financing options are currently only applicable towards In-Store purchases.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Saltwater vs Freshwater Pearls
June is just a few days away! With the "unofficial" official first month of summer comes Pearls. Not just the birthstone for June, but a fun beach-themed organic gemstone that looks good with any outfit.
Pearls are no longer just a simple strand necklace to be given for at 16th birthday or college graduation anymore. Freshwater pearls from China and Southeast Asia are inexpensive today, making them a great everyday fashion item.
Pearls are grown in mollusks using varying sized bead nuclei to begin the culturing process. Freshwater pearls start with a larger bead and are grown in rivers and lakes where faster moving water speeds the culturing process making them cheaper to make and therefore less expensive for the end consumer. Saltwater "akoya" pearls are grown using much smaller bead nuclei, and grow for much longer periods of time. This makes their "nacre" or outer layers thicker and more lustrous, and more valuable. Saltwater pearls are also generally rounder as the culturing process is more even in still water.
Many people still prefer to own both varieties of pearls. Valuable saltwater pearls for special occasions, and funky freshwater pearl jewelry for everyday wear. Here at Sydney Rosen, we have a wide array of pearl jewelry to suit any taste or budget. Currently we are stocking tahitian south sea pearls in a variety of darker hues along with our classic white/cream strands.
Visit us online at www.sydneyrosen.com to learn about our store, and stop by to see some pearls this summer!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Gemstone of the Month: Emerald
Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. Not only is emerald one of the "big three" precious gemstones not called diamond (ruby and sapphire are the other two), but "Emerald Green" was the color of the year for 2013!
Emerald is a green to blueish green gemstone in the "beryl" family of minerals. Other gems in the beryl group include aquamarine, morganite, and various other colored stones. The main coloring agent in Emerald is chromium, in fact, beryl which derives it green hue from another element such as vanadium is not considered to be true emerald and is often referred to as "green beryl".
Though treasured throughout history for its rich green hue, Emerald is usually visually imperfect to the naked eye. Dark mineral inclusions are so common that almost all emerald in existence has been "oiled" to improve its appearance. This process makes the eye-visible inclusions in emerald less noticeable. Emerald is also relatively low on the Mohs hardness scale, leaving the stone vulnerable to breaking.
Columbia is most famous for its emeralds, and most of the finest quality material is still mined there today. However, large deposits of good quality material have been found in Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Russia. Many famous artifacts from the Incan empire of Peru, which comprised much of modern day Colombia are carved from solid slabs or Emerald. Below is a famous Emerald carving known as the "Mogul Emerald"
Today the Emerald trade is still going strong. It is a popular gemstone from simple birthstone jewelry to impressive red carpet pieces.
You can shop for emerald jewelry on www.sydneyrosen.com or by clicking the link below:
www.sydneyrosen.com
Emerald is a green to blueish green gemstone in the "beryl" family of minerals. Other gems in the beryl group include aquamarine, morganite, and various other colored stones. The main coloring agent in Emerald is chromium, in fact, beryl which derives it green hue from another element such as vanadium is not considered to be true emerald and is often referred to as "green beryl".
Though treasured throughout history for its rich green hue, Emerald is usually visually imperfect to the naked eye. Dark mineral inclusions are so common that almost all emerald in existence has been "oiled" to improve its appearance. This process makes the eye-visible inclusions in emerald less noticeable. Emerald is also relatively low on the Mohs hardness scale, leaving the stone vulnerable to breaking.
Columbia is most famous for its emeralds, and most of the finest quality material is still mined there today. However, large deposits of good quality material have been found in Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Russia. Many famous artifacts from the Incan empire of Peru, which comprised much of modern day Colombia are carved from solid slabs or Emerald. Below is a famous Emerald carving known as the "Mogul Emerald"
Today the Emerald trade is still going strong. It is a popular gemstone from simple birthstone jewelry to impressive red carpet pieces.
You can shop for emerald jewelry on www.sydneyrosen.com or by clicking the link below:
www.sydneyrosen.com
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