Stuller Is Stocked-Up and Ready to Ship as the Holiday Season Nears - Stuller Blog

Stuller Is Stocked-Up and
Ready to Ship as the Holiday
Season Nears

November 1, 2021

Dear Stuller Partners,

The most exciting holiday season in years is upon us, and here
at Stuller, we cannot wait to serve you with a vast selection
of products, manufactured with dependable quality, delivered
just-in-time, with our trademark friendly service.

Our team has worked diligently to meet your every need this
season. We have built deep inventories (literally filling our
bins to capacity), added staffing throughout the plant to meet
manufacturing demand, and increased our ability to take your
order by phone or via Stuller.com.

Like you, we expect the season to be unprecedented, and we
cannot be more thrilled to help you break every record in
sight!

Thank you for your support during these last two difficult and
at the same time, remarkable years.

We wish you and yours much joy and — of course — incredible
business results.

Let the season begin!

Danny Clark

President, Stuller Inc

Click below to shop thousands of in-stock items and discover
on-trend styles in our Holiday 2021 brochure.

2021 Holiday Preparations and
JCK Las Vegas

August 11, 2021

Dear Stuller Customers and Business Partners,

2020 and 2021 have continued to impact all of us in unexpected
ways with challenges and obstacles that seem never-ending at
times. At Stuller, we have been so inspired by your resilience
and agility as you have navigated the unknown with creativity
and imagination that have sustained your business and
delighted your customers.

From day one, Stuller was built to support your every need as
professionals in the jewelry industry with quality products
delivered on time with a touch of south Louisiana hospitality.
It is our joy to serve you, and we take the responsibility to
be ready to respond in all conditions — storms and pandemics
included — very seriously.

Just this week, we have made the decision not to attend this
year’s JCK event in Las Vegas. Stuller has been a long-term
attendee and supporter of JCK, and we are disappointed that we
will not be there to see you this year. With the recent
resurgence of the Covid-19 Delta variant and its concerning
spread rate in the state of Louisiana and beyond, we believe
that we should limit the risk of exposure for both our
associates and our customers at this time. Our focus is to be
ready to serve you.

And we will be ready! In July and August, we have released two
new catalogs — Bridal and Findings — with hundreds of new
styles, and we have made numerous enhancements to Stuller.com

and its search capabilities to make it easier than ever to
find the products you need. We have added additional staff to
all service areas earlier than ever to meet your demands in
manufacturing, customer care, and distribution.

Thanks for your understanding on this difficult choice, and we
wish you a fantastic holiday selling season and the merriest
Christmas ever!

Danny Clark

President, Stuller Inc

3 Fundamentals for Small
Business Saturday Success

The holidays are fast approaching, and customers are looking
for the perfect gifts for those special people in their lives.
This also marks some of the most highly anticipated shopping
events inching closer. While Black Friday may be most talked
about, the following day can bring even more shopping
excitement and meaning.

Ten years ago, Small Business Saturday was created by American
Express to support small businesses in communities across the
U.S.   This year, it falls on November 30, and it’s a huge
opportunity to promote your brand and build your business while
encouraging your community to shop locally.

So, how can you get in on the excitement?
   Here are three focus areas to help
   you achieve Small Business Saturday
                 success!

1.   Get   the  word                        out        with
FREE Marketing Tools
Use Stuller First® to your advantage
If you’re a Stuller First® member, you have exclusive access to

our Marketing Image Portal, a large bank of professional
photos and videos. Use these images in your promotions for the
big day.

Need help accessing the portal?   Click below:

Keep an eye on Stuller’s Facebook page
Liked a photo or video on our Facebook page? It’s yours! Our
social media is YOUR social media. We’re always posting new
products and valuable content to share. Tease your customers
with the latest trends they can find at your store to leave
them wanting more.

Coordinate community efforts
Offer to share promotional posts for your fellow local
businesses and request they do the same for you. When you band
together and support each other, your reach expands
exponentially. Also, the support doesn’t have to be for one
day only. Make it a year-round effort for an added community
bonus!

Use free marketing tools from American
Express
These additional assets will boost your print and digital
marketing efforts. The best part— they’re easily
personalizable for your business! Sign up ASAP and start
promoting your store’s event to jumpstart your Small Business
Saturday success.

2. Create an Experience

Partner with            local
businesses

It’s important to cross-promote your event. Need ideas?
Perhaps you can join forces with a local bakery to offer a
sweet treat to those who enter your store. Or, partner with a
local nail salon for discounted manicures with ring purchases.
Be creative! These small perks bring more customers into your
store while creating a memorable gesture that goes a long way.

Beef up your visual appeal
Display promotional and new products front and center. Take
liberty in creating unique displays to catch the eyes of
window shoppers and draw them into your store.

Hold promotional contests and drawings
You can do this yourself, or, let this be another excellent
opportunity to partner with local businesses for giveaways,
etc.

3. Stock Up and Pare Down

Get your inventory in check
Stock up on new items for those potential new customers
walking in your door. Did you wait until the last minute? No
worries — we’ve got you covered. Most Stuller items are in
stock and available for next-day delivery. But act fast to
beat the Holiday rush!

Eliminate inventory
Those pieces collecting dust are perfect promotional items for
giveaways, drawings, and contests. Or, pair them with best-
sellers for a one-day-only bundle deal.

These tips are just a few ways to kick off your holiday season
and bring Small Business Saturday success to your store. Right
now, your top objective is to promote, promote, promote on
social media, in print, radio, television, and on your
website.

If you want your customers to show up in droves, make them
aware that something special is in the works.

How do you plan for Small Business Saturday success? Share in

the comments section     below,   and   let’s   make   it   Small
Business Every Day!

 Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November
 16, 2015 and has since been completely revamped for accuracy.

Sell With a Story: Citrine
Gemstones

Affordable and fashionable, Citrine’s warm yellow shades
captivate the viewer. The color reminds us of aspen trees in
the fall — a vivid orange-yellow so intense it takes your
breath away. This is the brilliant, energizing shade of
Citrine we love, as do many other fans of this mesmerizing
gemstone. What better way to celebrate November birthdays than
with a spot of the sun? Citrine gemstones also celebrate the

11th and 13th wedding anniversaries and anyone born under the
Gemini sign.

Shop Citrine gemstones on Stuller.com

Fall for Citrine Gemstones
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that we celebrate such radiance at
a time of year when the sun grows pale and is often obscured.
Or, perhaps you’d like a reminder of rich fall foliage? Choose
Madeira Citrine in shades of deep earthy red — a perfect
complement to neutrals.

Shades of Meaning
The intense orange-yellow of Citrine gemstones remind us of
saffron, a shade holding great meaning in the Eastern
traditions. It has long been associated with spiritual
enlightenment and inner peace. Buddhist and Hindu monks wear
robes this color as part of their spiritual practice. I’m
definitely pursuing inner peace, but I’d rather wear a ring,
pendant, and earrings set with Citrine!

Actually . . .

Citrine is quartz, the second-most abundant mineral in the
earth’s crust, and it’s not usually considered rare. Yet,
natural Citrine is indeed rare. Today, most Citrine is
Amethyst heat-treated to achieve Citrine’s sunny hues. Because
Amethyst and Citrine are both quartz, they can grow together
in the same bi-color crystal we know as Ametrine.

What’s in a name?
For centuries, Citrine was called Topaz because the colors are
similar and they were both found on Topazios, an island in the
Red Sea, off the Egyptian coast. In 1556, German metallurgist
and father of modern mineralogy, Georg Bauer, published an
article referring to Yellow Quartz as “Citrine.” The name
comes from the French word “citron,” which many think means
lemon. At that time, it actually referred to a large fragrant
citrus fruit that was one of the four original citrus fruits.
(The others are pommelo, mandarin, and papeda.) Though
“citron” is not lemon as we know it, its thick bumpy rind
boasts a beautiful rich yellow. While researching, I came
across several alternative names for Citrine. One is the
imaginative “Bohemian Topaz” and the other, “Cairngorm,” is an
ancient Celtic name used in Scotland.

To the point
Thousands of years before it became “Citrine,” these gems
adorned tools, weapons, and jewelry. It was popular during the
Hellenistic period in ancient Greece and can be traced back

further to Egypt and other parts of ancient Europe where it
was often associated with burials. Its popularity grew through

the ages. By the 17th century, it was discovered in Scotland
and quickly found favor with Scottish weapon makers who used
it to adorn dagger handles. Some were so enamored of its
qualities they made the dagger blade from a single large
Citrine crystal.

                   72122 • Platinum Citrine
                   & Diamond Negative Space
                             Ring

The Queen and Citrine Gemstones
From the early days of her long reign, Queen Victoria had a
passion for gems found within her realm, and she had the means
to make them her own. Considering that her kingdom included
India, she could choose to her heart’s content. Yet of all
these treasures, her favorite was Citrine with its sunny
exuberance.

Perhaps this was because she loved Scotland, and Citrine
deposits had been found there. In 1852, she and her beloved
consort, Prince Albert, built Balmoral Castle in the Scottish
Highlands. She commanded that all visitors to Balmoral wear

full Highland plaid attire that included kilt pins and other
jewelry. And what was the finishing touch? The jewelry had to
be adorned with Citrine, her favorite gemstone.

Emotional Pull
We all know emotion plays a major role in buying jewelry. We
see the beauty and we want it. Yet sometimes we need an extra
impetus to buy. For instance, I already have a lot of jewelry,
but I can come up with amazing justification to buy the next
piece. On more than one occasion, simply hearing about a gem’s
power has tipped the scales to make the purchase. This is
ironic because I’m scientifically oriented and may not
actually believe it. But I believe in the gem’s beauty and the
promise of more is too tantalizing to resist.

                   87092 • Yellow Citrine &
                 Diamond Halo-Style Earrings

Radiant Power
We attribute many gifts to Citrine. Here are a few.

     It protects against a variety of evils from snake venom

to wicked thoughts. This encouraged people to wear or
     carry it.
     It helps heal the heart, kidney, digestive tract, liver
     and muscles.
     It imparts joyfulness, youth, and vitality. Are you
     kidding? We all want this.
     It promotes creativity and enhances personal clarity.
     This is another winner.
     And it eliminates self-destructive tendencies.

In other words, this is one purpose-driven gemstone.

How popular are citrine gemstones in your store? Tell us what
your customers want in the comments section.

Sell With a Story: Rubies

Who can resist the luscious red of Rubies? Their vibrant color
commands attention and garners more than a lingering look.
Those with July birthdays have every reason to celebrate their
special gemstone. And since it is the “King of Precious Gems,”
Ruby enjoys a passionate following from many devotees.

Shop Rubies on Stuller.com

Love, Courage, and Devotion
This sounds like a recipe for a great marriage, yet ruby
symbolizes all this and much more.

Through history, Ruby has embodied all of life’s intensity:
power, passion, and love. Kings, princes, and the wealthy
sought rubies for their exquisite beauty, rarity, and
prestige. In medieval times, many Rubies were not set in
jewelry but simply admired for their intoxicating shade.

Ruby was the very essence of wifely devotion, a fire burning
within enduring challenges and temptation. It also had the
power to warn its owner against danger — perhaps someone was
trying to steal the Ruby!

Ancient warriors implanted Ruby beneath their skin believing
it imparted both courage and invincibility. Not a bad
combination to have on the battlefield. Others thought it
bestowed perfect safety, cured diseases of the blood, and
denoted both integrity and generosity.

Wow! That was a lot of responsibility, even for the King of
Precious Gems.

Today, we’ve toned down our Ruby expectations. It symbolizes

love, romance, and — especially recently — appears as a center
stone in engagements like those featured here.

  123615 • Halo-Style Cushion   123236 • Vintage-Inspired Ruby
      Ruby Engagement Ring             Engagement Ring

Peak Hue
Ruby was first mined about 3000 BCE in the ancient Burmese
region around Mogok. There, the finest Ruby was described as
having the color of pigeon’s blood. This is a vibrant medium
red with secondary purple hues— and those purple hues are very
important. The Burmese set Ruby in pure gold because of its
intense yellow color. This canceled out the blue in the purple
undertones and produced that most rare occurrence: a visually
pure red.

To this day, the “pigeon’s blood” remains the most valuable
Ruby color. So much so that large, transparent Rubies command
higher prices per carat than diamonds of the same weight. Read
on.

Sunrise Ruby
                                th–
Named after a poem by Rumi, a 13 century Sufi poet, the Pigeon
Blood Burmese Sunrise Ruby is an extremely rare 25.596-carat
gem of the finest purity. In May 2015, it set an astounding
record for a colored gemstone, selling for $30 million USD to
an anonymous buyer. This price was three times the previous
record for a Ruby and is the most expensive one sold to date.

Savvy Marketing?
Ruby and Sapphire are both corundum. Color separates them with
Ruby’s hue resulting from trace elements of chromium. In fact,
the more chromium, the deeper the shade. Historically, Ruby
included all shades of red from light rose — a pink — to the
blood red. The lighter hues were once termed Female Rubies
while the darker were Male Rubies.

Today in Asia, these lighter reds are still considered rubies.
In North America and Europe, these light Rubies are called
Pink Sapphire. The change is fairly recent happening the late

19th to the early 20th century. Here’s why: a vibrant medium-red

Ruby is the preferred and most valuable color. This color made
the lighter Rubies less valuable. But these lighter Rubies,
however, are very beautiful and deserve their share of value.
So, by creating Pink Sapphire, there was no need to compare it
to Ruby. Pink Sapphire has its own category and its own
standards. That sounds like savvy marketing to me!

Rubies Hate to Lose Weight
Actually, it’s not the precious gemstone that resists weight
loss. It’s a simple fact that larger Rubies are rare, so gem
cutters are on a mission to preserve weight. The result is an
amazing array of scientific and artistic techniques that
remove as little weight as possible while cutting it
strategically to maximize the color and sparkle.

Did you know?
Because of Ruby’s crystal structure, oval and cushion cuts
show it to greatest advantage. But Rubies are beautiful in
many other shapes. In addition to oval and cushion, our
Stuller Gemstones™ feature round, antique square, emerald,
pear, marquise and heart-shaped Rubies. In other words, you

have wonderful choices.

Ruby Sources
Rubies were originally found in the country we now call
Myanmar, and it remains a major source of the precious stone.
Rubies are also mined in other Asian and African locations,
including Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and
Mozambique.

How popular are Rubies in your store? Do you have a special
sales technique for Rubies? Share your thoughts in the
comments section.

Sell With a Story: How Are
Pearls Formed?

      How are pearls formed?
      Discover pearl’s allure

perfect for June and far
             beyond—

To limit pearls to June birthdays would be a lot like limiting
water to streams and ponds. Pearl beauty, appeal, and style —
whether freshwater or saltwater — finds its way into almost
every woman’s wardrobe. And thanks to cultured pearls,

developed in the early 20 th century, most women can afford
them.

Pearl Personalities
Like most other gemstones, pearls don’t fit neatly into one
particular category. Their subtle, luxurious beauty boasts
multiple personalities to suit the many customers who choose
them.

     Pearls are feminine, fun and flirty, a personality
     typified by trending pearl fashion jewelry. Think of
     Sarah Jessica Parker’s style in Sex in the City.
     Pearls are classic simplicity — the strand and studs
     worn by any woman who appreciates an understated look.
     Think of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Pearls are sophisticated — a long, lush strand of fine
     large pearls looped around the neck or a multi-strand
     necklace perhaps clustered or twisted, with or without a
     diamond or gemstone adornment. Think Audrey Hepburn in
     Breakfast At Tiffany’s.
     And last but not least, pearls are extravagant and
     spectacular. Try one-of-a-kind designer styles accented
     and interwoven with diamonds and gemstones. Think of
     Rihanna draped in strands of pearls or Elizabeth Taylor
     wearing La Peregrina.

A Moment in Time
Imagine that moment millennia ago when mankind first
encountered a small wondrously luminescent object. Was it
round, oval, teardrop or baroque? It had no name, only its
shape, color, and dazzling luster. Was it a stone? It didn’t
look like one. It appeared almost alive. Yes, it was beautiful
and unusual; surely it had some greater purpose.

We can surmise that since that moment, pearls have fascinated
us. One pearl carbon dated to 5,500 BCE — more than 7,500
years ago — was buried with its owner. In all likelihood,
older ones exist and sooner or later someone will find them.

So, How are Pearls Formed?
The story of pearl formation sounds much like a fairytale in
which the heroine is perceived as a threat and shut away from
the world with no obvious possibility of redemption. So, how
are pearls formed? Here’s how the tale unfolds.

Each pearl begins when an irritant somehow enters an oyster or
other bi-valve mollusks. On perceiving the threat, the mollusk
reacts to protect its soft inner tissue. It encapsulates the
irritant with successive translucent layers of nacre,
smoothing its surface so oyster and irritant can coexist. As
far as the oyster knows, the irritant will be there
permanently.

Then miraculously, someone opens the mollusk to find a
treasure of great beauty. The once disdained “irritant”
emerges as a pearl and enters a world of love and appreciation
to live happily ever after. The end.

I don’t think so.

We can’t just leave this story for pearls. Let’s apply it to
our lives too. After all, don’t our biggest challenges and

”irritants” develop our greatest strengths and bring inner
beauty to light?

Pearls in History
With so many pearls available today, it’s hard for us to
understand the rarity of natural pearls, particularly those of
any size. They are so rare that for millennia they were the
most coveted gems. To have one was to possess beauty of
incomparable value. Only royalty and other wealthy individuals
had any hope of ever owning pearls.

The Hope Pearl
The most famous natural saltwater pearl weighs 1,800 grains —
450 carats — or 4-ounces. It once belonged to the owner of the
Hope Diamond. Currently, it is in the British Museum of
Natural History.

La Peregrina
This one is a perfectly pear-shaped pearl weighing 223.8
grains (55.95 carats). Its famous owners included Prince
Phillip II of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte — who stole it from
Spain, British Marquis of Abercorn, and finally in 1969,
Elizabeth Taylor, gifted to her by Richard Burton.

The Mary Tudor Pearl
Now known as the Pearl of Kuwait, it is often confused with La
Peregrina. They are both pear-shaped. The Mary Tudor Pearl
weighs 258.12 grains or 64.5 carats. It was owned by Isabella
of Portugal; her daughter Joanna of Austria; Joanna’s cousin,
Phillip II of Spain; and Mary Tudor of England.

Read more about famous pearls throughout history here.

Alive With Beauty
Living organisms — bi-valve mollusks — create pearls. As such,
they have a presence, a vitality that attracts the eye with
mesmerizing beauty. Their luster emanates from within, giving
them a spiritual allure.

Some historians have proposed that pearls were first used and
sought after for their spiritual powers and only secondarily
for their value. Perhaps they were, but frankly, I find that
hard to believe. When something combines rarity with beauty,
it’s valuable no matter what the use.

Pearl Power
Both ancient India and China gave rise to astounding pearl
myths of their origins and powers. Vedic texts relate that
pearls were born of Earth’s water and Heaven’s powers, each
fertilized by a lightning strike. Pearls were considered
“daughters of the Moon,” reflecting her luster.

In today’s youth-oriented culture, we would all do well to buy

pearls and lots of them. In 17 th and 18 th century BCE, the
Babylonians believed that pearls had life-giving qualities
including the ability to restore youth.

To Look Their Best
What do pearls have to do to stay beautiful? They need to be
worn often. If stored in a hot, airless environment, they can
dry and crack. Pearls need oil from the skin to enhance their
luster and color and after each wearing, they should be wiped
with a damp cloth to remove hairspray or other damaging
chemicals.

Still can’t get enough pearls? Check out our Pearl Center on
Stuller.com for detailed info on everything you wanted to know
about pearls. And don’t forget to share these stories with
your customers. The more storytelling you can share with them,
the better!

Sell With a Story: Emerald
Gemstones

Let’s go back to the Emerald City of Oz and forget about
clicking the heels of our ruby slippers. Let’s click our
emerald slippers instead as we enter the realm of emerald
beauty. This irresistible force has long exerted a powerful
attraction on the rich and famous, from the rulers of ancient
India to today’s A-List celebrities on the red carpet.

Of all emerald devotees, Cleopatra is probably the most
famous. Her passion led her far beyond jewelry. She wore
emerald encrusted robes — a luxury by any standard. And she
gave loose emeralds as gifts to visiting dignitaries, all of
them men. They, too, appreciated the beauty of
emerald gemstones.

Did You Know?
Emerald gemstones were sold 6,000 years ago — circa 4000 BCE —
in Babylonian markets. Where were they from? We don’t know.
But between 1000 and 3000 BCE, one of the earliest emerald
occurrences was discovered in Upper Egypt near the Red Sea.
This later became known as “Cleopatra’s Mine.”

Shop emerald jewelry on Stuller.com

“The Green of Growing Things”
The name emerald comes to us from the Greek word, smaragdos.
The origin of smaragdos could be either the Hebrew word
izmargad or the Sanskrit word marakata, meaning “the green of
growing things” — fresh, vivid, radiant.

I like the Sanskrit version. It communicates the lush range of
emerald hues from a yellow-green to a deeper blue-green. Think
of the first leaves of spring and follow this verdant trail to
the richer shade of spruce green. Along the way, you embrace a
world of growth that reflects emerald gemstones and their
mesmerizing power.

Kermit Was Wrong — Way Wrong!
Kermit the Frog famously sang “It’s not easy being green.” But
when you’re admiring emerald gemstones, you realize he had it
all wrong. In addition to their famous beauty, extraordinary
powers have been attributed to emeralds through the ages. Read

these and you’ll realize that all of your customers need to
have emerald jewelry. The more the better!

     In 4th century BCE, the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote
     that emerald gemstones increase its owner’s importance
     in presence and speech during business transactions,
     gives victory in trials, and prevents epilepsy.
     Throughout history, many cultures believed emerald
     enhanced fertility and fidelity: not a bad combination.

By the Middle Ages, emerald’s powers had increased.

     Emerald could keep a woman chaste — but not a man!
     They could reveal truth and falsehood.
     They acted as an antidote to spells, enchantments, and
     demons.
     Emeralds could foretell the future if worn on the left
     side — but not the right.
     They made people more intelligent and honest.
     A high-quality emerald would change hues to alert its
     wearer of danger.

The Irish have always had a special relationship to emerald,
too. After all, Ireland is often called the Emerald Isle. And
what did the Irish believe? (Full disclosure: I’m half Irish).
They believed Emerald bestowed good luck and perhaps a pot of
gold at the end of the rainbow.

One of Our Emerald Stories
We keep our Stuller Gemstones™ inventory well stocked with
emerald gemstones in all shapes and sizes you need. But every
now and then, a customer has an unusual request. So our
Special Order experts go to work.

Some time ago, we were asked to find a 7.33ct emerald. No big
deal? Wrong. Because the customer wanted it un-oiled. As you
know, pressurized oiling of emerald is universal as a way to
make standard surface fissures less visible.

The only way to find an emerald that isn’t oiled is to find a
very high-quality emerald with no surface fractures. If the
color is equal to the quality, the price is astronomical. This
one was $25,000 per carat.

So if one of your customers requests an un-oiled emerald or
any shape, size, and quality not in our inventory, trust our
Special Order experts to find it for you.

Learn more about our Special Order
           Services on Stuller.com

The World’s Largest Emeralds
     7,052-carat uncut    emerald    crystal   from     Columbia,
     privately owned
     2,205-carat carved    emerald    vase   in   the   Viennese
     Treasury, Austria
     Claimed world’s largest carved emerald, a 1,558-carat
     emerald named “1492” displayed in the Carnegie Museum of
     Natural History in Pittsburg
     1,965-carat uncut Russian emerald displayed at the Los
     Angeles Museum of Natural History
     1,862-carat uncut, un-named emerald from Hiddenite, N.C.
     privately owned
     1,796-carat emerald crystal store in the Banco Nationale
     de la Republica, Columbia (the largest of five un-named
     emeralds there)
     1,759-carat Guinness Emerald Crystal also in the Banco
     Nationale de la Republica, Columbia

By comparison to these, the world’s most famous emerald — the
1,383.95-carat uncut Duke of Devonshire — seems relatively
modest. It was mined in Columbia and is now in the British
Museum of Natural History.

Shop emerald gemstones on Stuller.com

Have a favorite story about emerald gemstones? Share it with
us by leaving a comment below!

Sell With a Story: Diamond
History

Diamonds remain one of the most fascinating and dynamic
substances on Earth. Their unique molecular structure makes
the hardest materials known to man. And when polished, of
course, their brilliance is beyond compare.

Here’s a bit of diamond history to help
          you sell with a story.

Meet “Lucy”
To help customers understand the heat and pressure required to
create a diamond, consider “Lucy,” a white dwarf star only
5.87 trillion miles, or 50 light years, from Earth. That may
seem like a great distance, but in terms of the universe, Lucy
is actually quite close. After all, she’s in our galaxy.

Discovered in 2004, astronomers playfully named her after the
Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” and you have to
admit that “Lucy” is easier to remember than BPM 37093— her
technical tag.

So what is Lucy? She began as a blazing star like our sun with
a core temperature of approximately 27,000,000°F. She couldn’t
stop shining and over billions of years, she burned herself
out. The result? She’s 5 million-trillion-trillion pounds of
pure crystallized carbon or, from a jeweler’s perspective, a
10 billion-trillion-trillion carat diamond. Lucy is a cosmic
diamond, and for now, at least, the largest in our galaxy.

     Astrophysicists say it would take a loupe the size of

the sun to grade Lucy.
     These days, her surface temperature is only 12,000°F.

Lucy’s Earthly Counterparts
Earth’s diamonds are smaller — just a little — but their
formation still requires several billion years of intense heat
and pressure. This is only available 100 miles below Earth’s
surface. There, the carbon molecules bond equally in all
directions to create the hardest substance on Earth.

This is all very impressive, but that’s not why we love them.
We love them for their sheer beauty, extraordinary clarity,
and for their fire embodying those vast years of heat and
pressure. We love them because they sparkle and astonish.

April’s Birthstone
You could say that those with April birthdays hit the jackpot.
The allure and mystique of diamond history casts a legendary
spell.

According to lore, diamond imparts balance, clarity
(naturally), and abundance. It increases inner strength,

provides the wearer with better relationships, and did we
mention it symbolizes eternal love?

More Diamond History
Today, diamonds are mined in Botswana, Angola, South Africa,
Russia, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, and the United States.
But where did they first see the light of day?

We can’t be certain, but the first historical mention of
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diamonds occurs in a Sanskrit text from 4 century BCE India.
Diamonds had been found along the rivers and streams of
ancient central India perhaps 5,000 years ago.

They were called “Hirakamani,” “Heera/Hira” and “Vajramani,”
names that ranged in meaning from “King of Gems” and
“Thunderbolt Lightning” to “indestructible.” Clearly, the
Indian people had the right idea and wasted no time making the
most of their discovery.

The 4th century BCE documents record diamond trading, taxes,
classification, and diamond experts. They knew the value of
this beautiful stone and respected the need for expertise in
selecting the finest.

Fast forward 1,700 years to 14th century Venice. It was here
that gemstone cutters began to develop the art of diamond
cutting and their value soared.

Storied Stones: The Sancy Diamond
Stolen from India in the 14 th century, this 100-carat pale
yellow diamond passed back and forth among Europe’s royalty
for centuries. It was owned by Charles the Bold, Phillip II of
Spain, the King of Portugal, and many more.

At one point, Elizabeth I owned it and secretly pawned the
diamond to finance a Dutch war against Spain. Nicolas Harlay
de Sancy acquired the diamond. Elizabeth I wanted to buy it
back but failed, and it was only when Sancy went bankrupt that
he sold the diamond to James I, Elizabeth’s heir to the
throne. The diamond was pawned multiple times, disappearing at
one point for 25 years. Somewhere along its lengthy path, the
Sancy was re-cut to 55.232 carats. Eventually the wealthy
American, William Astor bought it and it 1976 his family sold
it to the Louvre.

The Sancy Diamond • Image Courtesy of Reuters

Stuller Diamonds
Stuller offers a full range of diamonds to fill virtually any
need you can anticipate. With certified Stuller Diamonds™, you
can provide your customers with the assurance they need for
what might be one of the most important purchases of their
lives. Each serialized stone comes with a grading report that
offers peace of mind. Need something smaller? Our melee
diamonds will fit the bill. And since Stuller uses an

independent GIA® lab, you know that what you’re getting from
Stuller is the real deal.

Shop Stuller Diamonds™ on Stuller.com

Don’t see what you need? Call our diamond sales team today at
1-800-877-7777, extension 540.

Sell With a Story: Aquamarine

  “Aquamarine happens to be one of
 the most popular gemstones of them
               all.”

Most Americans choose blue as their favorite color. So it’s no
surprise that aquamarine exerts a powerful allure that reaches
far beyond its status as March’s birthstone. In
fact, Aquamarine happens to be one of the most popular
gemstones of them all.

All About Aquamarine
Like the seawater for which it is named, the stone’s airy
shade has a dreamy feel that’s cool, calming, and ethereal. In
gemstone lore, aquamarine induces calm in all who wear it.

Could there be a more appropriate stone for today’s woman in
our high-powered world?

Pantone agrees. Check out their color pairing suggestion
above. Pantone’s Under The Sea palette reflects how coral
reefs exude warm, nourishing shelter that embodies a
kaleidoscope of colorful sea life. Luckily for aquamarine
gemstones, they complement Living Coral perfectly and fit
right into the nautical theme. Find more Pantone Color of the
Year Pairings color here.

Necessity              is       the       Mother          of
Invention
Today, most of our aquamarine is mined in Brazil and other
South American countries, but this was not always the case; a
number of Asian countries have large aquamarine deposits,
Afghanistan among them.

During the    1980s when Russia and Afghanistan were at war,
aquamarine   prospectors would locate a good site and erect
tents over    it. The Russians would bomb the site, thereby
saving the   miners weeks of digging. How’s that for ingenuity
at work?

The San Pedro Aquamarine
In the late 1980s, three Brazilian prospectors discovered a
meter-long aquamarine of exceptional clarity and color. They
accidentally dropped it, breaking it into two pieces, one of
them two feet long. They sold the pieces, and the two-foot
piece weighing 60 pounds found its way into the hands of
connoisseurs who realized its importance.

Eventually, it was sold to a German Brazilian consortium. One
member was the distinguished gem cutter Bernd Munsteiner. Word
had spread of its existence, and getting it safely out of
Brazil proved a challenge. It finally reached Munsteiner. He
spent four months studying it and six months cutting and
faceting it into 10,363-carat obelisk that is 35 centimeters
tall and 10 centimeters wide at the base.

Today the Dom Pedro, as it is called, sits in the Smithsonian
Institute. It was a gift from collectors Jane Mitchell and her
husband Jeffrey Bland.

Shop our supply of gorgeous aquamarine on
               Stuller.com

Have a favorite way to feature birthstones? A favorite story
about aquamarine? Share it with us by leaving a comment!

Sell With a Story: Amethyst

Uses and Benefits

Amethyst             Uses         |       February’s
Birthstone
When we think about amethyst, its extraordinary color comes to
mind. For February birthdays, that color is purple — a rich,
sumptuous, radiant purple. A royal purple.

From its earliest discovery, amethyst’s sumptuous shade has
cast a spell, one that bewitches even today. Its gorgeous hue
represents royalty, passion, daring, fashion, and dreaminess.

Most amethyst came to Europe all the way from Brazil. It was
scarce, very expensive, and considered a precious stone. At
times, it was even more valuable than diamonds. Then in 1799,
large amethyst deposits were found in Russia’s Ural Mountains,
and amethyst’s price declined. Still, only the wealthy could
afford it.

Today, amethyst is plentiful and modestly priced. Yet, its
allure remains whether featured alone or accented by a wide
array of gems— everything from pink sapphire, emerald, and
diamond to citrine, peridot, and morganite.

Its Name
Though most sources refer to the Greek meaning of amethyst —
“away from drink” or “not drunk,” — both its Arab name, al-
hilma, and its Hebrew name alhama, mean “dream stone.” To wear
one meant you would dream, though it’s unclear whether or not
you had to wear it at night!

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Historically Speaking
Our most ancient amethysts come from Minos, an island in the
Aegean Sea, and they date back to ca. 3100 B.C. They are
polished cabochons set in gold, a combination that remains
popular to this day.

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Amethyst uses and its royal lineage begins in Egypt’s 12
Dynasty. An amethyst and gold heart scarab was discovered in
the tomb of Amenemhet II, 1919-1885 B.C. Amethyst beads were
found in the tomb of King Tut. Cleopatra herself wore an
amethyst ring engraved with the image of the Persian god
Mithras.

England’s oldest Crown Jewel is an amethyst worn in the 11 th
century by Edward the Confessor. Queen Elizabeth I had a
highly prized amethyst necklace, and to this day, superb
amethysts decorate coronation regalia.

Catherine the Great of Russia had a passion for amethyst so
intense that she sent thousands of workers into the Ural
mountains to search for deposits. Fortunately for us, but
unfortunately for her, large deposits were found in 1799,
three years after her death.

The Passion of Purple
Purple is a combination of red and blue in different
proportions to achieve different shades. Making purple
required great skill and was a long, difficult, and costly
process. The stunning result that yielded a wealth of shades
was available only to those who could afford it: kings,
nobles, priest and magistrates around the Mediterranean. Thus,
amethyst uses date back to royalty’s obsession with purple; it
was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Over time, purple became associated with daring change:
women’s suffrage, feminism, counterculture, and free
expression.

Today, purple is for everyone. Stuller offers a large
assortment of genuine and imitation amethyst in a wide variety
of shapes and sizes. You can find the perfect stone for the
customer who appreciates everything that amethyst conveys—

artistic expression,   stunning   sophistication,   and   free-
spirited joyfulness.

          Shop amethyst on Stuller.com

Have a favorite way to feature birthstones? Heard any unusual
stories about amethyst uses and benefits? Share with us by
leaving a comment!