1.26ct Natural Emerald

May’s birthstone is the emerald.

The emerald belongs to the beryl family of minerals that include aquamarine (one of March’s birthstones), heliodor, and morganite. Beryl, or beryllium aluminum silicate in chemical jargon, is a six-sided symmetrical crystal. Beryl contains beryllium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen.

Emeralds vary in color from light to deep green. It’s commonly thought that an emerald’s color derives from the presence of chromium and/or vanadium replacing some of the aluminum in the mineral’s structure. The stone can, however, lose its color when heated strongly.

Several famous historical artifacts were made of emeralds. Among them is the Crown of the Andes, said to be made from emeralds worn by Atahualpa, the last Inca (king) of Peru. The crown is set with about 450 emeralds, collectively weighing 10 ounces (1523 carats).

Emeralds are most frequently found inside a form of shale – a fine-grained sedimentary rock. Emerald-bearing shale has undergone recrystallization caused by changes in the physical environment such as pressure and temperature. Colombia produces the largest and highest quality emeralds. They were also discovered, and subsequently mined, in the Ural Mountains of Russia around 1830. In the United States, emeralds can be found in North Carolina. Around the world, they also occur in Zambia, Brazil, Pakistan, Norway, Austria, India, Madagascar, and Australia.

Synthetic manufacture of emeralds was achieved by German chemists shortly before World War II. But growing synthetic stones of fine quality began in the United States in 1946. There are also excellent imitation emeralds on the market made of colored cut glass.

The emerald’s name is indirectly derived from the Greek word “smaragdos,” a term applied to several kinds of green stones. The history of emeralds can be traced back to antiquity. They were worn by royalty in Babylon and Egypt. Tools dating back to 1300 B.C., during the reign of Rameses II, have been found in emerald mines in Egypt. Queen Cleopatra’s emeralds were believed to originate from mines in Southern Egypt, near the Red Sea.

When the conquistadors first arrived in South America from Spain, they saw indigenous rulers wearing emeralds. They took large quantities of emeralds from the Peruvians during the invasion, but the source of the emeralds was not discovered. Then in 1537, the Spaniards found Chivor in Colombia, now the location of an important emerald mine. They also took over the Muzo mine following the defeat of the Muzo Indians. Mining operations at Muzo have continued almost uninterrupted since the Spanish invasion. It is perhaps the most famous emerald mine in Colombia and is said to produce the world’s best emeralds.

There are many myths associated with the emerald. The stone was once believed to prevent epilepsy, stop bleeding, cure dysentery and fever, and protect the wearer from panic. Its magnificent green color was said to rest and relieve the eye. To the ancient Romans, emeralds were dedicated to the goddess Venus because the green emerald symbolized the reproductive forces of nature. Early Christians saw it as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ. In the Middle Ages, emeralds were believed to hold the power to foretell the future.

Decatur Jewelry & Pawn stocks a wide variety of diamonds and gemstones in all sizes, shapes and colors.  If we do not have your choice in stock, our vast network of gemologists, diamond dealers and gemstone brokers are able to locate any gemstone within a short time.

Allow Decatur Jewelry & Pawn to be your source for all your gemstone needs.  We also specialize in mother’s rings, family rings, along with emerald gemstone jewelry.

For more information, please email us here, or call toll free 1-888-877-GEMS (4367)

St. Gaudens $20 Gold Coin $2,075.

The Saint-Gaudens “double eagle” has been widely recognized as a masterpiece and often thought of as the most magnificent and sought-after U.S. coin of the 20th century.

The Saint-Gaudens double eagle is a twenty-dollar gold coin, or double eagle, produced by the United States Mint from 1907 to 1933. The coin is named after its designer, the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed the obverse and reverse. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful of U.S. coins.

In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt sought to beautify American coinage, and proposed Saint-Gaudens as an artist capable of the task. Although the sculptor had poor experiences with the Mint and its chief engraver, Charles E. Barber, Saint-Gaudens accepted Roosevelt’s call. The work was subject to considerable delays, due to Saint-Gaudens’s declining health and difficulties because of the high relief of his design. Saint-Gaudens died in 1907, after designing the eagle and double eagle, but before the designs were finalized for production.

After several versions of the design for the double eagle proved too difficult to strike, Barber modified Saint-Gaudens’s design, lowering the relief so the coin could be struck with only one blow. When the coins were finally released, they proved controversial as they lacked the words “In God We Trust“, and Congress intervened to require the motto’s use. The coin was minted, primarily for use in international trade, until 1933. The 1933 double eagle is among the most valuable of U.S. coins, with the sole example currently known to be in private hands selling in 2002 for $7,590,020.

OTHER ST. GAUDEN COINS IN STOCK:

• 1924 MS63
• 1924 MS63
  
• 1924 MS63
• 1927 M-63
• 1926 MS64

Decatur Jewelry & Pawn has been one of Central Illinois largest and most reputable places to find that one coin – gold or silver, or the place to buy, sell or trade several coins.

For more information on these, or other, coins, please email us here, or call toll free 1-888-877-GEMS (4367)

SOLD:

ROLEX:

18K GOLD & STAINLESS

SUBMARINER WATCH

$7,995.00

Decatur Jewelry & Pawn is one of Central Illinois’ largest pre-owned Rolex resellers.  We are strong buyers of both ladies and gent’s Rolex watches, paying cash.  No need for an appointment, but is recommended so we can give you our undivided attention and service.  Shop our vast selection online or in person at our Decatur location.  We also provide expert authorized Rolex repairs through our vast network of factory-authorized Rolex Repair Facilities.

Box & Papers

Model 16613

17J Rail Road Pocket Watch

SOLD!

Vintage Official Standard Rail Road 17J Pocket Watch

Official Standard Rail Road

WM. Kendricks & Son, Louisville, KY

18 Size

17J

Lever Set

Porcelain Dial, Excellent Condition.

Strong Runner, Keeps Excellent Time

On Line Price:  $199.95

For More Information, please email plewin@decaturjewelry.com or call toll free, 1-888-877-4367

Silver American Eagle Coin

Silver Up 30% Since Start of 2012

Silver  prices Tuesday surged to  a fresh five-month high, near $37.00 an ounce.  The increase is mostly due to  fresh speculative and technically related buying. Of course, the weaker U.S. dollar  Tuesday is also playing into the  demand for silver. Silver has  the solid overall near-term technical advantage and has gained fresh ground this week. Prices are on  a two-month-old uptrend on the daily  chart. The resistant point in silver’s rally is $37.00.  Analysts predict that once this price point is reached, the demand for silver will increase further.

Decatur Jewelry & Pawn is one of Central Illinois’ longest and most respected silver and gold dealer.  We stock a nice selection of Silver & Gold American Eagle Coins, as well as a host of other popular coins, such as Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars, Kennedy, Franklin and Walking Liberty Half Dollars. The list is to much to list, so please stop in at either of our locations to view our vast selection.

For further information, please email us here or call toll free 1-888-877-GEMS (4367).

• 
• 

• Series 68803
• Quality 14K White
  
• Size SIZE 07.00/ .08 CT TW
  
• Finish Polished
  
• DIAMOND HEART RING
  

68803 / 14K White / SIZE 07.00/ .08 CT TW / Polished / DIAMOND HEART RING

Item #: 68803:100:P

$349.99 (Valentine’s On-Line Special)

To Order, please email plewin@decaturjewelry.com or call toll free 1-888-877-GEMS (4367)

Diamond Stud Earrings

FIND THE PERFECT DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS

Decatur Jewelry & Pawn only  sells only the highest quality Diamond Stud Earrings, backed by our own  guarantees & appraisal.

Choose from our huge selection of Diamond Stud Errings.  All diamonds are hand-picked by our GIA Trained staff and expertly set into the earring settings in house by one of our two master jewelers.

All diamonds are graded SI1, SI2 Clarity, H-I Color, nicely matched.  If you are local, feel free to visit our store and select the diamonds yourself from our stock.  We’ll gladly set these into the stud earrings of your choice: 14k white gold, 14k yellow gold or platinum.

1/4 ct. Total Weight: $249.99

1/2ct. Total Weight:  $499.95

3/4ct. Total Weight: $995.95

1.00ct. Total Weight: $1,299.95

1.50ct. Total Weight: $2,696.99

2.00ct. Total Weight: $6,499.95

To Order, email plewin@decaturjewelry.com or call toll free  1-888-877-GEMS (4367)

To Order, please email plewin@decaturjewelry.com or call toll free 1-888-877-GEMS (4367)

Floating Chocolate & White Diamond Heart

1/4 ct tw Brown & White Diamond Heart Necklace

To order, email plewin@decaturjewelry.com or call 1-888-877-GEMS (4367)