"Our Family's unwavering commitment to you our customers and friends is to provide you with fine quality Jewellery and exceptional service with the highest of integrity every time you visit one of our locations."
~ Steve & Karol Marshman
Gemstones
Colored Gemstones ... While the diamond is the traditional engagement ring, the ring may be of any precious gemstone or a combination of a diamond and a colored gemstone.
Colored stones have inspired traditions of folklore for centuries. Early civilizations attached special powers to precious gems and eventually matched specific stones to the calendar's months. From this came our popular tradition of the "birthstone".
Month
Colour
Stone
January
Dark Red
Garnet
February
Purple
Amethyst
March
Pale Blue
Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April
White/Clear
Diamond
May
Bright Green
Emerald
June
Alexandrite and Pearl
Moonstone, Pink tourmaline, Smoky Quartz
July
Red
Ruby
August
Pale Green
Peridot, Sardonyx
September
Deep Blue
Sapphire
October
Variegated
Opal or Tourmaline
November
Yellow
Topaz or Citrine
December
Sky Blue
Turquoise Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz and Tanzanite
Pearls
Pearls / The Qualities of Pearls ... Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth shared at least one thing in common...a fascination with pearls. As countless other cultures, they valued pearls as a symbol of both power and love.
Unlike the diamond and other gemstones, the pearl is not created from geology but from a living creature, the lowly oyster. From its beginnings as an irritation to the oyster, a grain of sand can be changed over time to become an iridescent miracle.
Selecting pearls, like diamonds can seem to be a daunting process but at Marshman we will make this a great pleasure.
Exploring the various qualities of pearls can be fascinating. For example, the phrase "cultured pearl" refers to a man -made process which copies the natural events in the development of a pearl. When a pearl farmer inserts a small bead into an oyster, nature can then take over and a beautiful pearl can be created. At Marshman we can show you the several different types of pearls, including the Round Akoya, often used in necklaces, and the distinctive Black Pearl, grown in French Polynesia.
In addition to the various types of pearls, there are six more aspects of pearls that must be considered in evaluating their value. Obviously the pearl's size matters, and in fact, is the most significant factor in determining the value.
The other important characteristics include the shape, color, luster, and the surface. "Matching" a group of pearls, by all of the above factors, in order to create a master set is the final technical consideration in pricing a piece of fine pearl jewellery.
Selecting just the right piece of pearl jewellery for you, however, is where our experts can assist you in personalizing this wonder of nature.
At Marshman, you can try on various lengths and types of pearl necklaces and other fine pearl jewellery and see, and enjoy, the quality first hand.
