The Mark Schneider Fine Jewelry Blog

When shopping for jewelry, most people judge a piece by what they can see right away, like how much it sparkles, color saturation, apparent stone size, and whether the design feels right. Does it flatter your hand or neckline? Does...

When most people shop for jewelry, they focus on the obvious things: sparkle, color, size, and overall style. Does the diamond sparkle in the light? Does it look good on the hand or around the neck? Does it fit the...

Recycled gold is one of those phrases that is used often in jewelry marketing, often associated with words like ethical, sustainable, or eco-friendly. It sounds great, and in many ways it truly is a positive step for the jewelry industry....

If you’ve ever shopped for fine jewelry or looked into having something custom made, you’ve probably heard the terms cast jewelry and hand-fabricated jewelry. They’re often presented as complete opposites, with one framed as clearly better than the other. In...

If you’ve spent time browsing gemstone jewelry, you’ve probably noticed that many pieces mention where the gemstone comes from. A ruby isn’t always labeled simply as a ruby; it might be identified as a Burmese ruby. A sapphire isn’t just...

When you’re shopping for gemstone jewelry, you’ll sometimes see the country of origin listed on the tag. A ruby isn’t just a ruby; it’s a Burmese ruby. A sapphire isn’t just blue; it’s a Sri Lankan sapphire. Some emeralds are...

When it comes to jewelry, value can be a mysterious concept to wrap your mind around. There are so many factors to consider - sparkle, metal and gemstone specifications, craftsmanship, and the emotion behind the purchase. Many shoppers walk into...

When it comes to jewelry, value can feel like a confusing concept because there are so many things to consider. There’s the sparkle, the metal and gemstone details, and the sentiment behind the piece. It’s no wonder people walk into...

Jewelry making is one of those creative hobbies that seems intimidating until you actually try it. From the outside, it’s easy to picture professional jewelers surrounded by flames, tiny tools, and precious stones. And yes, that’s definitely part of it,...

Jewelry making is one of those creative hobbies that seems complicated from the outside but becomes surprisingly doable once you understand a few basic techniques. Many people picture jewelers hunched over benches with dangerous tools, melting metal and setting diamonds,...

Jewelry has always been a unique blend of art and science, and a bit of engineering. It combines imagination with highly technical processes like metal casting, stone cutting, and detailed finishing. For centuries, jewelers created everything by hand, from the...

Jewelry shoppers often hear the terms pearl and mother of pearl used almost interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Both come from mollusks, both have that beautiful natural shine, and both have been used in jewelry for thousands...