What’s the difference between Antique, Vintage and Estate jewelry?

An “antique” is an object having special value because of its age.  This is especially true of a handcrafted piece that is esteemed for its artistry, beauty or period of origin.  Typically an item was made over 100 years from the present year is considered “antique”.

Accordingly, most experts have decided that the term "vintage," when used in a way similar to the term "antique," refers to items that are over 50 years old, but less than 100. This kind of standard works when dealing with truly old, but not antique, items but falls short when using the term to describe something newer, and from a specific era.

“Estate” is a fancy way to say a piece is pre-owned and can be from any period in history.  The term "estate jewelry" refers to the fact that the antique jewelry is often part of the estate of someone who has passed away.  In some cases, the previous owner just may have decided to sell his or her own items.

Here at The Highlands Gem Shop we feature a great selection of antique, vintage and estate jewelry from many of the classic jewelry periods, as well as contemporary designs.  

Catch sight of Andalusite

Andalusite is a lesser known gemstone named after a Spanish autonomous community where it was first discovered, Andalusia. Andalusite is a strikingly beautiful gem, but it is largely unknown to the general public and considered to be one of the lesser-known gem types in the trade.

Andalusite colors depend on the orientation of the crystal, but it typically occurs in yellow, yellow-green, green, brownish-red, olive and reddish-brown. Most stones exhibit two colors that differ in intensity,also called pleochroism, which results in a mosaic of different colors when viewed from different angles. Often times, colors blend together, which is especially seen in square and round-cut gemstones.

The attraction and new-found appreciation for andalusite is greatly owed to its unmistakable and unique twist on play of color. For many years, andalusite has primarily been a collector's stone, but it has recently gained a lot of attention from many jewelry designers.

What is a Demantoid Garnet?

Demantoid is a brilliant green variety garnet.  It is considered to be the rarest and most valuable member of the garnet group of minerals. Demantoid has an exceptionally high refractive index making it not only the most brilliant garnet but also more brilliant than both ruby and sapphire. Demantoid garnet also has exceptional fire and boasts the highest dispersion rating of any jewelry gemstone available today, even exceeding that of fine diamond. Like most green garnets, it is typically found only in small sizes and specimens over 1-2 carats are very rare. In fact, demantoid garnet is traditionally considered to be one of the rarest colored gemstones today.

Demantoid garnet was first in discovered in 1853 in the Ural Mountains of Russia.  Today, Russian demantoid is considered extremely rare and very valuable. Russian demantoid is highly prized for its distinctive golden 'horsetail' inclusions.

We're in the Spotlight this month.

It's nice to be recognized! The Highlands Chamber Of Commerce made us the Business Spotlight in the August 2015 newsletter.  We are so lucky to be a longstanding Chamber of Commerce member here in Highlands.  Be sure to visit the highlandschamber.org and "recommend us" on our member listing page. 

At the Highlands Gem Shop, we LOVE color.

We have always had a "thing" for colored gemstones.  From the most recognizable - ruby, emerald, sapphire, aquamarine, opal, amethyst and citrine.  To the more unique - alexandrite, tsavorite, kunzite, zircon, sphene and tanzanite. Some are mysterious, some are rarely seen and some you may have never heard of before. Each of these gemstones has their own specific traits that gives them their beauty.  Their depth and variation of color, the size and shape of the stone and its radiance in the light can make these stones truly breathtaking.

If you find yourself intrigued, we may have that special something that you are looking for.
 

Guess whoooo is opening this weekend?

That's right - WE ARE!  We will be opening this Friday and Saturday, April 24th and 25th,  and will be fully open for the season beginning May 1st.  Come in and see us. We are looking forward to a great year!  

We are just full of surprises!

A few weeks ago one of our good customers, Cathy, called and gave me a challenge(and I LOVE a challenge!).  She wanted me to create two special necklaces - one for her and one as a special surprise for her niece, Sparkie. They would be visiting the shop on their next trip here, a first for Sparkie.  Cathy wanted both of these necklaces to be similar, yet different, so that they would both have something to celebrate this shop and their trip here together.  How awesome it that!  We love being a part of special memories!!

At any rate, after trial and error, we have success!  Cathy and her niece came in this week and Cathy was able to surprise Sparkie with her gift.  After tears and tissues between them, I was able to capture their happiness of a visit to The Highlands Gem Shop.

Thank you Cathy and Sparkie for another great HGS moment!

Find a penny, pick it up...

So there we were in Mountain Fresh waiting on an order and I saw a penny on the floor.  As one does, I bent down and picked it up, all the while saying the little penny ditty.  There was a lovely couple sitting next to me and the gentleman smiled as I did this.  I offered it to him, in case it was his. This resulted in a giggle from us all, then off to work we went. 

A little while later a couple walks in to the shop and the sweet, and very complimentary, lady starts shopping away.  After a few minutes she looks at me and says “Weren’t you in Mountain Fresh earlier?”  “Why, yes.”  I replied.  Her husband then reminded me about trying to give him the penny.  We proceeded to have fun with trying on this and that and she settled on a few items.  She was so excited about her purchases that she wore most of them out of the store along with a very special piece(notice it on her lapel). She said she wanted to make sure everyone knew where her jewelry came from!! Love it!

Just goes to show you that the penny thing can bring you to good luck and great people!!

Happy 4th Of July!!

We would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe Independence Day!  Cheers!!

To Answer Your Question..

Our area of North Carolina has a rich history in gems and minerals.

The Macon County area is known for rubies, sapphires and garnets. Substantial amounts of minerals and other precious stones have been discovered and mined here, such as amethyst, smoky quartz, citrine, emerald and moonstones.

The first commercial mining in Macon County began in 1870.  Tiffany's showed and interest in the area in the 1890s believing that there was a large supply of corundum, the material we know as sapphire and ruby, but eventually ended their search in the early 20th century leaving it open to rock hounds and gem enthusiasts.

Today, numerous old mines have been reopened and adapted to the desires of visitors wishing to mine their own gems. Some of these mines offer digs for native minerals only, while others offer "enriched" stream sediment, which contains minerals from other parts of the state or world. 

The Highlands Gem Shop was founded as a gem cutting and mineral shop.  Even today, we maintain a strong connection to how we began.  We have lots of unique rocks and minerals, a “touching department” for the little ones and our “mini-museum” of local material that was mined in this region.  Come in and see us!

It's Time To Weigh In

That Sloan Woman, Suzanne has been keeping her hands busy.  Check out these funky new bracelets that she has made!  Bold leather, handmade ceramic beads and easy-to-use clasps make them great for both men and women!!

Verdict - THEY ARE OFF THE SCALE!

Get a closer look on the website under "Specialty Jewelry".

Make sure you share us with your friends and give us a "like" on Facebook!

New season, New Stuff...

Welcome back to another great season in Highlands!  Throughout the winter we have been collecting unique pieces that, we believe, are what our shop is all about.  We want you to have the distinctive item that you won't see on everyone else.  Maybe you are looking for alligator skin cuffs or wired up Tahitian pearls.  We have them!  Or maybe you are looking for some sapphire slice dangle earrings or an interesting pearl and gemstone necklace.  We have them!  It doesn't hurt to come by and take a look.  You might just end up treating yourself!

October

Hello,

This is the last month that we are open for this 2013 season.  We open late April and close at the end of October every year.

Matthew goes back to Ft. Lauderdale to work at our other location - Jon Paul Jewelers on Galt Ocean Drive - from November until the first week in May.  That Sloan Woman (Suzanne), stays in Highlands, does the bookkeeping, and works on new "That Sloan Woman" designs for the next season.

You can still buy from our web-site shopping cart, or call if you need more information about a particular piece shown on line, or that we may have in stock. 

Our phone number is 1-828-526-2767.  Since Suzanne works at home during the winter months, she will check phone messages and return your call A.S.A.P.

That Sloan Woman

It has been a good season for That Sloan Woman.  Since May, 82 of her pieces have sold.  If you see any of her creations that you are interested in, don't hesitate, as they are usually one of a kind.

If you're thinking about Christmas, now is the time to consider a piece that is listed on our site whether it's one of Suzanne's pieces or something from our fine jewelry collection.

Welcome to our Shopping Cart!!

We can finally announce that we have added a shopping cart to our website! Now you have two ways to shop!  Visit us in store or online!  Sorry for all the exclamation points, but we are really thrilled about this!