Ice Blog

Dear Leslie,
I just read somewhere that emeralds should never be worn in heat. What does this mean?
Page in Albany

Emeralds are very delicate, and have to be worn with care. This means they should never be exposed to extreme temperatures, either cold or heat. If you are going to be spending the day in the desert or at a pool in direct sunlight, I would leave the emeralds home. Same goes for swimming in a cold ocean or pool or sitting in a hot jacuzzi. Extreme changes in temperature can cause the emerald to crack or shatter.

While all gemstones are sensitive to temperature extremes (and extreme changes in temperature) emeralds are especially sensitive to heat (as are opals and amethysts), which may cause the emerald’s color to fade or cause the gem to crack or become brittle. This does not mean you can’t wear your stone in the summer, but it does mean not to wear it during long exposures to direct sunlight, while baking with a hot oven or while washing with hot water. But then again, you shouldn’t wear emeralds while cleaning in any case, as they can be harmed by any soap containing alcohol.

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

Dear Leslie,
I am definitely a jewelry person, but in the summer some things just feel too hot. How can I indulge my love for jewelry but still stay comfortable?
Anne-Marie in Tennessee

Well, Anne-Marie, in jewelry as in clothing, thin is in when it comes to summer attire. Thin necklaces, like this drop diamond one rather than thick chokers and loose, thin bracelets that don’t cling to your arms are the most comfortable. Many women find that their fingers swell up in the summer and thus rings become a nuisance. If you find this to be true for you, but you have favorite ring, or are engaged or married, I would suggest putting the ring on a chain and wearing it around your neck until the heat passes.

Ankles, like the gold heart toggle anklet pictured below are also nice in the summer, with sandals and short skirts highlighting the legs. Many women also cut their hair for the summer, so drop earring, which highlight the neck become a key accessory as well. I just love these Freshwwater Pearl dangle earrings. A steal for only $50

There are plenty of fun, flirty fashions for summer out there like this adorable sterling silver charm bracelet, a personal favorite. Many feature flower and butterfly designs, reminders that summer is the season to be outdoors.

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

Called the “Rajnapura” or King of Gems, by ancient Hindus, rubies have been prized throughout history. Considered to have magical powers, rubies were often worn by royalty in an attempt to ward off danger. The color of the ruby was said to deepen as a threat approached, thus warning kings and queens of potential assassains.

Ruby, which comes from the Latin word ruber, or red, is found as crystals within metamorphic rock. The main component in a ruby is the mineral corundum, which gives the gems their strength, second only to diamonds. Rubies are part of the sapphire family and only considered rubies if they have a reddish tinge. Large sized rubies are very rare and valuable.

Traditional cultures claim a ruby’s red glow comes from an internal flame that can never be extinguished, and thus a gift of ruby is said to symbolize eternal love. If worn as a ring on the left hand, ruby is said to bring good fortune to its wearer.

There are many stunning pieces to choose from, all of them at affordable prices! This fanciful floralruby and diamond ring pictured above, is a great piece for summer. It will not only bring good fortune to its wearer, but will also be sure to bring plenty of complements. I even found a darling pair of earrings to match the ring, also with a floral theme.

This regal ruby necklace (pictured above, right) hearkens back to ruby’s royal roots, but my personal favorite is this absolutely fabulous gold, ruby and diamond bracelet.

Rubies’ strength make them an appealing stone to men as well, and this men’s ring is sure to set your man’s heart afire.

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

Dear Leslie,
Is there a difference in the way one cleans white gold from the way one cleans yellow gold?
Toby in Wisconsin

Toby, that depends, to some extent, on whether you are referring to white gold or platinum. To the untrained eye, the two may look similar, but they are different and must be cared for differently.

Platinum is one of the strongest and most enduring of all metals, it is also one of the heaviest. The production of platinum requires very complex processing techniques that were not available until the end of the 19th century. Moreover, the high melting points of platinum made it very difficult to work with it. It was only with the development of new refining techniques that platinum was made more widely available.

To create white gold, yellow gold is alloyed with other metals, and therefore the gold will always keep the yellowish shade. To give it the “white” look it is dipped in a rhodium liquid chamber that covers it with a white rhodium coat.

Therefore, to fix scratches and cover up dirt on white gold, often all that is needed is a re-dipping, a process of less than three minutes which can be done at most professional jewelers.

In general, however, you can care for white gold and platinum in the same way you would care for normative yellow gold. Grease can be removed with rubbing alcohol, but I would recomend a commercial cleaners and the soft chamois cloth found in hardware stores.

For certain gold jewelry, an ‘ultrasonic’ cleaning machine, available in retail stores, may be appropriate.

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

Cancer is the fourth sign of the Zodiac. Symbolized by the crab, it is a water sign ruled by the moon and thus associated with silver and pearls, both of which reflect the moon’s glow.

Cancers are very connected to their roots and take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family. Cancers are maternal, domestic and love to nurture others. Like the crab that is their symbol, they are tenacious and strong-willed, and it is sometimes difficult to dig out their emotions. Deeply emotional and intuitive, Cancers’ main concern is their family.

Famous Cancers include Meryl Streep, John Cusak and Ginger Rogers.

A traditional silver bracelet such as this elegant link bracelet or a pair of pearl earrings would make the perfect gift for a Cancer.

Cancers need to be shown love, so this beautiful silver heart bracelet is another great way to show a Cancer they are appreciated.

You can also find necklaces with the Cancer sun sign pendant, which are perfect for younger Cancers.

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

Dear Leslie,
My husband and I are about to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary. According to some traditions, pearl is the 12th anniversary gemstone. As it is also my birthstone, I feel this is appropriate. My husband told me that he wanted to buy me a nice strand of pearls as a present but is confused about what each type of pearl means. For instance what is natural and what is cultured? He was embarrassed to write you, so even though the gift is for me, I have agreed to write you.
Laurel in San Francisco

Well pearl certainly is a popular anniversary stone. I have seen it listed as the stone for 1st, 3rd, 12th and 30th wedding anniversaries. And it is the June birthstone as well, according to most opinions.

Now, to answer your question regarding different types of pearls, pearls can be divided into a variety of “types.” The different types of pearls are due to the way in which they were cultivated. As you may know, pearls are made when a lustrous substance, known as nacre, is secreted around a bit of sand or other irritant that finds its way inside the oyster shell. As layer upon layer of nacre coats the irritant, a pearl is formed. This process can take up to seven or eight years.

The most commonly heard of pearl types are natural pearls, made solely by the oyster with no human interference; cultured pearls (like those used in this lovely strand)which are made when a human inserts foreign pearl-forming tissue into a living oyster.

Then there are Freshwater Pearls(used in this stuninng necklace), found in freshwater, as their name implies. These tend to have a less perfect, more natural shape to them.

The other variation is Tahitian Pearls (like this show-stopping graduated necklace), the name given to pearls when the growth in the oyster is gray or black.

Lesser known pearl types include baroque pearls (irregularly-shaped pearls), Biwa pearls (a freshwater pearl from Lake Biwa, Japan), and the unappealingly-named blister pearls which are grown attached to the oyster’s shell.

I hope that your husband finds the perfect pearl for you. Tell him he should write me himself next time, I’ll be kind.

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

As June is the month for weddings, I thought I’d say a few words on wedding bands, perhaps the most important accessory of the day. Gone are the simple, plain gold-bands of yesteryear. In are engraved rings for him and her and tri-colored gold bands tri-colored gold bands like the one seen to the left.

Also hot are almost anything in platinum and two-tone wedding bangs, like the one pictured below.

You will be wearing your wedding ring for the rest of your life, so be sure to choose wisely. If you do not like bulky rings, then be sure to get a thin wedding band. If you wear both gold and silver a two-tone or multi-colored ring would work best for you.

If you would like your names engraved on the inside of the bands, a romantic custom which has become quite popular as of late, make sure the jeweler has the spelling exactly right before he puts it in the ring. This is a very exciting time, so enjoy the process!!!

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

Dear Leslie,
One of my best friend’s birthdays is June 13th. I had to work that night and would like to get her a special gift to make up for it. Suggestions please!
Simone in Syracuse

Well Simone, June birthdays are relatively easy because you have a variety of stones to choose from. You can go with pearl, the traditional June birthstone, or opal and moonstone, the new-age variety. Bracelets are also a good choice for those whose birthday falls within the sgn of Gemini. My personal recommendation would be this beautiful, and affordable, freshwater cultured pearl and silver bracelet, though this cultured pearl three bracelet set is lovely as well (and even more affordable- only $30!).

Although bracelets are the piece of jewelry most preferred by Gemini, I happen to think opals look best in necklaces, and would recommend this sweet opal and pink tourmaline pendant if opal is the gemstone you choose to go with.

If none of those gems seems right for your friend, you may want to check out ice.com’s great new summer collections, Totally Trendy, Very Vintage, Chic and Sleek, or Sweet and Casual. You are sure to find the perfect gift amongst these innovative, personalized collections.

Originally published on Just Ask Leslie

Dear Leslie,
My girlfriend and I are both graduating high school on June 19th. Is it too late to get her something? She’s going to France for the summer and I really want to give her something before she goes. We’re going to different colleges in the fall and I want her to remember me. She has great legs so I was thinking an anklet would be nice.
Trevor in Milwaukee

Don’t worry Trevor, you’re just in time. Ice.com can FedEx your gift in 4-6 business days for only $5.95, but you must act now! Luckily, I have some beautiful anklets I can recommend, like this delicate, feminine anklet with a heart pendent. She’ll be sure to know your heart is with her in France with this beauty!

Flowers may be more her style and ice.com has a stunning daisy anklet as well, perfect for college.

Both of these anklets will fit around a 10 inch ankle. If your girlfriend has particularly thin ankles, you may want to go with this 9 inch anklet, which is adorned with hearts. It is delicate and ladylike, perfect for a young woman about to make the transition to college and a perfect way to show your love.

June babies are lucky enough to have not one, but two birthstones to choose from, Alexandrite and Pearl.

Alexandrite, a gem which varies in color from red to green, was first discovered in the Ural Mountains and is named for the former czar of Russia, Alexander II, as it was supposedly discovered on the day of his birth. Although this gem has a noble history, it was the national stone of tsarist Russia, it is not as popular as the better known June birthstone, Pearl.

Pearl possesses an iridescent quality and has been long regarded as the symbol of nobility. Pearls represent beauty, modesty and purity.

Depending on what ocean they were taken from, pearls can vary in color from white to green to the elusive and hauntingly beautiful black pearl.

Some people even stretch the June birthstone further to include moonstone, another iridescent gem. Moonstones have silvery white sheens and look like the face of the moon. Moonstones are the gift for lovers. Symbolising passion, this stone was believed to bestow the power of clairvoyancy on its wearers.