Guest Blog: A traveler's report on the world of gems

Manhattan’s 47th Street rightfully deserves the name “Diamond District": shops for jewelry, precious stones, and all kinds of precious metal products line the street.  The bustle on the sidewalks feels like a foreign bazaar, even if the most exotic clothes are the black suits of the orthodox Jews. For tourists, it may seem superficial....

To read more please visit our website at: https://www.cecileraleydesigns.com/blogs/cecile-raley-designs/a-german-travelers-report-on-the-world-of-gems

 Photo of Diamond District NYC from 6th Avenue

What Does "Recycled Metal" Really Mean?

This blog entry is prompted by a couple of recent questions about working with recycled metals.  Etsy now offers a new category – “recycled” – that I can click on before I publish my listing.  And since the metals I cast in are recycled, I click “yes”.  And now that this category is visible to clients, they want to know what it means. Of course the word “recycled” can be used to describe a variety of processes.....

To read more please visit our website at: https://www.cecileraleydesigns.com/blogs/cecile-raley-designs/what-does-recycled-really-mean-what-we-do-and-don-t-do-when-it-comes-to-recycling

Taba Casting here pouring pure silver metal "beans"

Rare Gemstones - A Seller's Market

Anecdote:  in late summer I got a call for a 4+ carat lagoon tourmaline of a very specific cut and color, not too dark, etc etc.  Unsurprisingly, the potential buyer couldn't find such a stone anywhere.  I asked the buyer if they were serious about the purchase because it would be expensive and hard to find.  I come across about 100 lagoon tourmalines in that size a year at best and I know who imports them and the source.  I know Tiffany likes those stones too and they pay good money for them.  Out of those hundred or so stones, which is probably most of the annual production, 99% are not the specified color and cut.  Well maybe 98%.  But you get the idea.  Anyway I borrowed 5 stones to show to the client that came close.  No luck.  Again another stone, no luck.  It took at least a full day......

To read more please visit our website at: https://www.cecileraleydesigns.com/blogs/cecile-raley-designs/rare-gemstones-a-sellers-market

This Cobalt Oval Spinel is old stock, there's currently almost no production

New Show: Denver and Beyond

I'm exited to introduce a new travel and purchasing trip this year: the gem shows in Denver.  Every September, there are approximately 10 overlapping gem shows: The Intergem show, Denver Coliseum Show, The Denver Fine Mineral Show and the Denver Expo Fine Mineral Show, among others. For a complete show schedule, go here.....

To read more please visit our website at: https://www.cecileraleydesigns.com/blogs/cecile-raley-designs/newest-items-more-hexagons-and-lily-designs

Newest Items: More Hexagons and Lily Designs

It seems that it's time for a somewhat overdue blog entry on some of my new items that have come out and are coming out soon.  It's always tough to stay on top of making new items, pricing them out carefully, adding in options, photos, and publishing them on the blog.....

To read more please visit our website at: https://www.cecileraleydesigns.com/blogs/cecile-raley-designs/newest-items-more-hexagons-and-lily-designs

Opals: Some thoughts on their special allure and their challenges for the jeweler

If you’ve been following my shop for a few years, you will notice that I have never carried a lot of opals – until recently!  You may know of my dislike for Ethiopian opals but if not, here's why.....

To read more please visit our website at: https://www.cecileraleydesigns.com/blogs/cecile-raley-designs/opals-some-thoughts-on-their-special-allure-and-their-challenges-for-the-jeweler

Forgotten Beauties: Some Jewelry Highlights from my Shop

In this blog entry, I want to focus your attention on a few pieces of finished jewelry from the shop that have remained behind in previous sales.  All of these feature gemstones that already are extremely rare or will be in the foreseeable future. 

To read more please visit our website at: https://www.cecileraleydesigns.com/blogs/cecile-raley-designs/forgotten-beauties-some-jewelry-highlights-from-my-shop