Date: August 2012

Angelina knows the power of the emerald.

The emerald.  This magnificent gem has been treasured and enjoyed for thousands of years.  The ancient Egyptians circa 3500 B.C. were thought to be the first ones to use emeralds as gemstones as Egypt was the world’s main source.  Interestingly, Elizabeth Taylor, who played Cleopatra on film, was as enamored of emeralds as the Egyptian she portrayed.  She wore fabulous emerald jewelry throughout her life and used the color and popularity of emeralds to launch her perfume.

Big-screen goddess, Angelina Jolie, stole the show at the 2009 Oscars when she sauntered down the red carpet in a super simple black Elie Saab gown and oversized Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings. The teardrop emerald stunners are worth a reported $2.5 million. The publicity Jolie received from her show of red carpet perfection was priceless.

Pliny the Elder (23 A.D. to 79 A.D.) wrote, “We delight in feasting our eyes on the pleasant green grasses and leaves, but the enjoyment of beholding an emerald is incomparably greater, for its green is most soothing.”  The Roman Emperor Nero is said to have watched gladiator fights through emerald glasses for their soothing effect.

Emeralds are part of the Beryl family of gemstones, another being the aquamarine.  Emerald value  is largely based on its color with the deeper more intense green being the most valuable.  Emeralds are very rarely free from eye-visible inclusions but it is these inclusions that give each emerald its unique look.  The French refer to these identifying characteristics as “jardin”, meaning garden, so named because they evoke an image under magnification of a leafy garden.

Today emeralds are rarely found in Egypt.  Columbia and Brazil are primary locations for emerald mining.  Other important sources are the countries of Zambia, Madagascar, Russia, China, and Pakistan.

Visit Argo & Lehne and be captivated by emerald, a fabulous gift of nature.

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of the leaves turning as the heat of summer finally subsides into the cool breezes of fall. Not a moment too soon, right? With the bright leaves and crisp air come the sophisticated, earthy styles marking this fall’s fashion trends. Rich leathers, classic cashmeres, edgy Navajo prints, and soft feather accents are all up for grabs.

It began this summer with droves of celebrities spotted with turquoise and coral statement pieces mixed in with white jeans and simple tees. But, this timeless stone knows no seasonal boundaries. Fall is flush with the “sky stone,” as it’s know among many Southwest Native American tribes. With its natural blue-green hue, turquoise is quite the eye catcher. The metallic veins that can run through a piece of polished turquoise are natural deposits of aluminum and copper. It’s only natural that turquoise studded jewelry is being paired with the coming season’s Native American inspired looks.

Maybe less expected, is the daintier take on turquoise–polished turquoise doesn’t always have a Southwestern look. Keep an eye out for brides mixing chic turquoise pieces into their wedding day ensemble. It is, after all, something blue.

A modern, but ultra-feminine rose gold accessory can soften your favorite black cashmere sweater, or crisp leather jacket. The ladylike pinkish hue of rose gold is created by an increase in the amount of copper in the gold. Colors can range from a pale pink, up to an intense red. Rose gold’s blush tint is sophisticated and looks soft against any skin tone.

Create a slick juxtaposition of materials by pairing a simple rose gold bracelet with trendy woven leather cuffs–sleek against rugged. For a more feminine finish look for a mixed-metal piece, such as a stack ring that layers rose gold with white and yellow metals.

Girlie rose gold and bold turquoise are two of our favorite fall accessory trends. How would you wear the trend? Leave us a comment or a send us a picture showing us your take on this season’s must-haves.

Vintage Turquoise and Pearl Bracelet

Vintage Turquoise Onyx & Coral Cuff

Rose Gold Stacked Ring