The Mark Schneider Fine Jewelry Blog

Choosing an engagement ring is a big deal. For many people, it’s one of the most expensive and emotional purchases they’ll ever make. If you already know you want something custom rather than a ready made ring from a display...

Choosing a wedding band sounds simple until you actually start shopping. Suddenly there are curved bands, straight bands, diamond bands, plain metal bands, matching sets, mixed metals, and endless opinions from friends, family, and the internet. The truth is, there’s...

When you start shopping for an engagement ring, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to design something custom or choose a ready made design. A common assumption is that custom automatically means more expensive. After all, custom...

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...

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 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...

Jewelry has always been one of the most intimate art forms. It’s something we wear against our skin, something tied to identity, beliefs, memory, and emotion. Even today, when fashion trends shift faster than ever, there are certain pieces we...

When it comes to buying a diamond, size is often the focus. We’re taught that “bigger” equals “better,” and carat weight usually becomes the deciding factor, especially when budget and bragging rights come into play. But here’s the truth: a...

Jewelry is deeply personal. It marks milestones, celebrates relationships, and gets passed down through generations. When you’re adding a meaningful piece to your collection, like an engagement ring or a push present, you may wonder whether to buy something new,...

If blue is one of your favorite colors, then you’ve undoubtedly been mesmerized by a sparkling blue gemstone before. While sapphire is likely the most popular blue gemstone, that’s not the type of blue we are after today. We want...