November Birthstone – Yellow Topaz

Topaz Decorations

Happy Birthday, November babies! Celebrate yourself or a loved one with the official birthstone of November: yellow topaz! Here are five facts about this beautiful golden stone to help you celebrate another year of life:

1. It’s Recognized Across Cultures  

Many different cultures have recognized the power of Topaz to bring people strength and protect them from harm. The Greeks thought it increased strength and could make the wearer invisible, while the Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect themselves from injury.

2. It’s Widespread

Most Topaz is mined in the country of Brazil, but Russia and Pakistan are other common places. To date, Topaz has been found in the United States, Germany,  Sri Lanka, Italy and Mexico.

Topaz

3. No One is Sure How it Got Its Name

Because it is found in so many different places and cultures, it is unclear where the name “topaz” originates. Some say it comes from the Sanskrit word “tapas,” which means fire. Others believe the Romans named the stone after an island in the Red Sea called “topazos,” where the stone was once supposedly found.

Topaz Ring

4.  More Than Just Mellow Yellow

Although yellow topaz is the official stone of November, topaz can be found in a variety of different colors. The rarest of these is a dark red color known as “Imperial Topaz.” Blue is another popular color, and represents December birthdays.

Topaz Decorations

5. It’s Durable

Topaz is ideal for daily wear because of its hardness on the mohs scale. It ranks at an 8, making it resistant to potential damages.

Looking for the perfect birthstone gift for your loved one? Stop by our store and explore our vintage jewelry options.

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October Birthstones

Watermelon Tourmaline

Happy birthday, October babies! You have two birthstone options this month – opal and tourmaline. Learn more about the history and legend of each of these stones with a few fun facts:

Interesting Opal Facts

  • Historically, opals were included in crowns and other royal jewelry as the glittering orbs were thought to protect the ruler who wore them.
  • In 2008, opals were found on Mars! This discovery helped support NASA’s theory that life once existed on mars, as opals are created with water.
  • In Australian aboriginal legend, the opal was born when the creator of the earth stepped down at the base of a rainbow, in order to bring peace and balance to the people below.
  • Unlike other precious stones, an opal is judged primarily for its brilliance, color and clarity, rather than its size.
  • In addition to October birthdays, opals are the gemstone associated with wedding anniversaries for the 14th and 18th years of marriage.

Opal Stones

Interesting Tourmaline Facts

Watermelon Tourmaline

For all of your birthday, anniversary, and other gemstone needs, stop by Gold Unlimited. Our selection of vintage jewelry offers all you need for every occasion.

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September Birthstone: The Sapphire

Beautiful sapphire jewelry

Happy birthday, September babies! This month’s birthstone is the sapphire. Although it’s one of the most popular gemstones out there, there’s a lot that might surprise you about the sapphire. Read on and find out!

Blue not your color?

Although renowned for its brilliant blue color, the sapphire can actually come in a variety of hues, including pink, yellow and green. Sapphire gems can be found in almost every color, except red.

Colorful sapphires

Second Place.

Sapphires are the second hardest substance on the Mohs scale, used for scanners and spacecraft.

Spaceship control board.

 Trust me.

In the Middle Ages, the sapphire represented loyalty, and was meant to keep the wearer and the wearer’s loved ones safe from harm.

 

Beautiful sapphire jewelry

 Royal Approved.

A sapphire sits at the center of the most famous royal engagement ring- Princess Diana’s, that Kate Middleton now wears.

 

kate-middleton-enagement-ring
Photo courtesy of katemiddletonstyle.org

 What color is it?

A rare variety of color-shifting sapphire exists. This special gem is blue in natural light, but appears violet under artificial lighting.

For birthdays and all your special occasions, Gold Unlimited has the vintage and estate jewelry that you need.

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Sources:

http://www.bernardine.com/gemstones/sapphire.htm

http://www.gia.edu/sapphire#.V9LHYT4rJhE

http://www.wixonjewelers.com/education/gemstones/birthstones/

The Perfect Jewelry for Back to School

Diamond stud earrings

Whether you’re a student yourself or looking to celebrate someone heading back into the world of education, we have all the jewelry you need to make it through the school year.

1. Diamond posts

These posts are the perfect everyday look in the classroom. Just as classic as a pearl stud, they’re more durable and require much less careful handling. The student or teacher in your life can take these from the classroom to an outing, without worrying much about a jewelry transition. For the student-athlete in your life, diamond studs can even go from class to practice with little worry about damage or having a more dangly earring in the way.

Diamond stud earrings

2. A classic wristwatch

Let’s face it: being on time for class is half the battle. Give your student a leg up with a simple, classic wristwatch. They’ll be on time to their next period, whether or not the bell rings. Plus, any teacher will admire a student who still wears a watch- it suggests timeliness and a sense of organization.

Classic wristwatch

3. Something to remind your college student of home

Whether it’s a birthstone, a special piece of heirloom jewelry, or something entirely new just to show you’re proud of them, a gift makes all the difference. Something to take back to school with them let’s your student hold on to a little piece of home, whether it’s their first trip to college or their fourth.

Garnet ring
No matter what your student needs for back-to-school jewelry, Gold Unlimited has a variety of fine earrings, watches, gems, and more to suit your needs. Stop by our store or shop online to find the perfect piece today.

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Read Real Reviews About Gold Unlimted

If you’re thinking about visiting Gold Unlimited for any of your jewelry needs, hear what a few previous customers have to say about our service and selection. Taken straight from a few of our social media accounts and various review sites, these unedited reviews are from satisfied Gold Unlimited clients.

“Love Sam and his shop. We have been going here for years, and the staff are always so kind and courteous. They have been making our family’s jewelry for at least 14 years. I would go nowhere else.” – Deonna

“I am a rolex collector and usually buy and sell on Ebay, but I stopped in Gold Unlimited to see their inventory – it has to be one of the best used inventories I have seen. I usually do not buy locally to avoid paying tax, but the owner made me a deal I couldn’t refuse on a Rolex President. The watch was in great condition and the owner gave me a better deal than I have ever seen on Ebay. Follow up service has been great, I have even taken other Rolexes to them since to have them service them. Very Very reasonably priced. Very secure feeling environment. Excellent customer service. If your a Rolex fan, stop by this place. You’ll be impressed.” – rolofan79

rolex gold unlimited

“If you ever have old or broken gold jewelry, DON’T GO TO A PAWN SHOP, GO here. They offer much better prices than a pawn shop could ever hope to. On top of that, the gentlemen working there couldn’t have been more kind. Highly recommended.” – Paul

“Staff is certainly friendly and helpful… excellent atmosphere to create your custom designs and make your loved ones wishes come true by putting a smile on their face….very true Sam is the man…if he doesn’t have it, you won’t find it anywhere else. All of my repairs were beautifully done in a timely manner. Sam always stays in tune with the newest fashion, and classic pieces are his Forte. He makes your experience remarkable, unforgettable, exciting and ALWAYS FUN” – Briana

group of women jewelry store

“Love this place and Sam is the greatest. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for if Sam doesn’t have it, your not going to find it.” – Evelyn

If you have visited us previously, feel free to leave us a review on Facebook! We love to hear from our clients about our experience. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for announcements and helpful tips.

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Sources

http://www.yellowpages.com/san-antonio-tx/mip/gold-unlimited-9367006

http://www.yelp.com/biz/gold-unlimited-san-antonio?utm_campaign=search_listing&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=yahoo

https://www.facebook.com/GoldUnlimitedSA/reviews/

Coordinating Your Wedding Jewelry, Venue And Theme

wedding jewelry necklace

Crafting the perfect look on your big day means coordinating everything from your hair to your dress and your makeup to your jewelry to compliment the selected venue, colors, theme, etc. If you are planning on tying the knot in San Antonio, there are some beautiful wedding venues to choose from. After selecting the venue, the dress and your theme, it’s time to move on to jewelry.

At Gold Unlimited, we created a few wedding looks that incorporate venues, themes, dresses and pieces of fine jewelry that complete your perfect ensemble.

 

Venue: Hotel Emma

Theme: Vintage

hotel-emma-photo credit the rivard report
Photo courtesy of The Rivard Report
hotel emma food eating wedding
Photo courtesy of thehotelemma.com
lace wedding dress vintage
Photo courtesy of elegantweddinginvites.com
What Jewelry To Wear
aquamarine earrings gold boutique
Gold Unlimited aquamarine earrings

 

Venue: La Cantera Resort and Spa

Theme: Elegant, Romantic

la cantera resort and spa outside
Photo courtesy of expedia.com
LaCantera_Weddings_
Photo courtesy of destinationhotels.com
Stephanie Allin Couture 2016 Wedding Dresses — Love Letters Bridal Collection _ Wedding Inspirasi
Photo courtesy of weddinginspirasi.com
What Jewelry To Wear
gold unlimited jewelry diamond necklace
Gold Unlimited diamond necklace

 

Venue: San Antonio Museum of Art

Theme: Modern, Fun, Quirky

San Antonio Museum of Art wedding reception
Photo courtesy of samuseum.org
san antonio museum of art wedding
Photo courtesy of rebeccamccoy.com
house of mooshki wedding dress modern
Photo courtesy of praisewedding.com
What Jewelry To Wear
blue stone ring gold unlimited
Gold Unlimited ‘something blue’ stone ring

 

As you move closer to your big day, trust that your wedding jewelry will be unique, memorable and of the highest quality. Meet the knowledgeable staff at Gold Unlimited for any of your wedding jewelry needs, and we will choose a unique piece suited specifically for you. If we don’t have the perfect item in store, we can custom create a piece.

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Sources

http://www.elegantweddinginvites.com/top-20-vintage-wedding-dresses-for-2015-brides/

https://www.destinationhotels.com/la-cantera-resort-and-spa/photo-gallery

Stephanie Allin Couture 2016 Wedding Dresses

http://www.praisewedding.com/archives/6487

Seeing Green: May’s Birthstone Emerald

emerald stone

Green is the color of life and springtime, but the magnificent green of the emerald has also historically stood for harmony, vigor and love. The precious green gems have been regarded for their healing properties and lucky qualities as well. Fresh and vivid, the emerald was treasured by the Incas and Aztecs of South America, where the best emeralds are still found today.

If you or a loved one is fortunate enough to have been birthed in the month of May, emerald is the birthstone. Read a bit about the gorgeous stone, including its history, mining locations and current uses in modern jewelry settings.

 

Where Emeralds Are Found

emerald stone mining

Colombia continues to be at the top of the list in terms of the countries in which fine emeralds are found. Columbia has about 150 known deposits – the best known names are Muzo and Chivor, where emeralds were mined by the Incas in pre-Columbian times. Approximately three quarters of Colombia’s emerald production now comes from the Coscuez Mine.

Emeralds are also found in other countries such as Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Russia.

The History of Emeralds

The first emerald mines were in Egypt, dating from 330 BC into the 1700s. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emerald, and used it in her royal adornments. When the Spanish explorers invaded the new world, the Incas had already been using emeralds in their jewelry and religious ceremonies for 500 years. The Spanish traded emeralds for precious metals, which opened the eyes of European and Asian royalty to the emerald’s majesty.

Legend states that an emerald was one of the four precious stones given to by God to King Solomon, one of the stones said to have endowed the king with power over all creation.

The gemstone is now the birthstone for the month of may as well as the stone for twentieth and thirty-fifth wedding anniversaries.

 

Modern Emeralds

emerald ring gold unlimited
Emerald ring available at Gold Unlimited

Emeralds are used widely in a variety of jewelry settings including earrings, rings, bracelets and pendants. The durability, rarity and color of emeralds make them one of the most famous and valuable gemstones.

 

Now that you’ve learned a bit about May’s birthstone, emerald, be sure to visit Gold Unlimited to select a piece that’s right for you or your loved one. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Don’t worry. We will work with you to custom design a signature piece that’s just right.

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Sources

http://gemstone.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84:sapphire&catid=1:gem-by-gem&Itemid=14

http://www.multicolour.com/emerald/how-are-emeralds-formed.html

http://www.gia.edu/emerald-history-lore

Wedding Bands For Your Groom

man wedding ring diamonds

You’ve got the diamonds, said yes, chosen your maid of honor and possibly even selected a venue – planning for the big day is well underway. Your hubby-to-be put a tremendous amount of thought, time and effort into choosing your engagement ring. Now, you are faced with the tough task of trying to select a wedding band for him.

If your groom isn’t a regular jewelry wearer, the task may seem difficult – you want to incorporate his personal style while also selecting a timeless piece that he will be proud of for years to come. With the availability of rings spanning a variety of materials, cuts, designs and engraving options, you may need a bit of help narrowing down your selection. At Gold Unlimited, we know just how time intensive this process can be, so we compiled a list of some helpful tips when choosing your man’s band.

 

Metal

Textures and finishes come in a variety of metals, including gold, sterling silver and platinum. Industrial metals such as titanium, stainless steel and tungsten are very durable and offer a masculine appeal.

 

Photo by glamour.com man wedding ring metal
Photo courtesy of glamour.com

Shape

Comfort and fit are the most important factor when choosing a band shape. Comfort-fit wedding bands, for example, are a good choice for men who aren’t used to wearing jewelry. A pipe band, on the other hand, features straight edges and a flat top for a more contemporary look.

Photo by glamour.com man wedding ring
Photo courtesy of glamour.com

 

Stones

Does your groom enjoy the finer things in life? Would he appreciate a bit of sparkle or a few colorful accents in his ring? Men’s wedding bands can include diamonds and gemstones. A row of inlaid diamonds is a popular choice among some grooms, but remember to keep your future husband’s style in mind when considering this option.

man wedding band diamonds rose gold
Photo courtesy of glamour.com

 

Details

Not his father’s wedding band, detailed rings are the right fit for a guy who wants to be noticed. A unique or ornate band features specific detailing like beading, engraving and sculpting to add more of an aesthetic appeal to the classic style.

Photo by glamour.com man wedding ring detailing
Photo courtesy of glamour.com

 

These simple tips can easily help you determine which ring is the perfect selection for your groom on your wedding day . If you feel you need a bit more help though, come into Gold Unlimited’s San Antonio storefront for professional advice and personalized service. Trust Gold Unlimited with this important purchase for your big day.

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Sources

http://www.overstock.com/guides/tips-on-different-types-of-mens-bands

http://www.glamour.com/gallery/15-mens-wedding-bands-your-groom-wont-want-to-take-off