The Mark Schneider Fine Jewelry Blog

When shopping for fine jewelry, most people spend their time comparing white gold and platinum. Palladium rarely enters the conversation, and many people have never even heard of it. Most jewelry stores don't carry a large selection of palladium pieces,...

When most people think about wedding jewelry, they imagine a traditional engagement ring and a pair of wedding bands. Those pieces are timeless for a reason, but they're also becoming far more personal than they used to be. Couples today...

Diamonds have earned a reputation for being nearly indestructible, and to a certain extent, that's true. They're the hardest natural material on Earth, ranking a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. But that doesn’t mean diamonds can’t chip...

1. The Product Photos Look Too Perfect Buying jewelry online starts with browsing and paying attention to what images and videos you gravitate towards, and this is usually where people either feel confident or start to get a little uneasy....

Finding the perfect jewelry gift can feel surprisingly difficult. Most of us want to give something meaningful, memorable, and personal, but we also don't want to spend thousands of dollars every time a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or holiday rolls around....

When people shop for fine jewelry, the conversation usually starts and ends with price. White gold seems like the budget friendly option, platinum feels like the premium one, and visually they can look almost identical. But once you consider the...

If you've ever looked at a diamond grading report, you've probably come across some pretty strange terminology. Feathers, clouds, needles, crystals, pinpoints… if you didn't know better, you might assume you're looking at a list of serious flaws. The names...

When shopping for a diamond ring, most people focus on the diamond itself. They compare carat weight, color, clarity, and cut while spending very little time thinking about the setting that will actually hold the stone in place. While the...

The jewelry industry is constantly changing, but one thing never changes: people want pieces that feel personal, meaningful, and worth investing in. While trends continue to move faster thanks to social media, jewelry has been shifting toward a balance of...

When people admire a ring, their eyes usually go straight to the center stone. Whether it's a diamond, sapphire, emerald, or another gemstone, the center stone is designed to be the main focus. But side stones are equally important because...

Jewelry trends come and go, but some design themes have a way of staying relevant no matter how much fashion changes. Jewelry inspired by nature is one of those rare categories that never truly fades away. While certain styles may...

If you've ever walked into a jewelry store looking for an engagement ring, custom piece, repair, or gemstone advice, you've probably heard terms like bench jeweler, jewelry designer, and gemologist. For most people, those titles sound interchangeable, but are they?...