The Year of the Goat

Thursday, February 19 marks the start of the Chinese New Year. It coincides with the New Moon phase of the lunar calendar. The multi-day event will be celebrated by approximately one sixth of the world’s population. Red, the color of good fortune, is used for decorating and celebratory clothing. At night, paper lanterns are released into the moonless sky.

Tomorrow, on New Year’s Day, the Year of the Goat begins. It is said that those born under this zodiac are peaceful and helpful people, and their lucky colors are brown, red and purple.

Victorian silver watch pin with ram's head design, at Gray & Davis. 

Victorian 14k or 15k gold sealing ring with carnelian intaglio of a goat, at Gray & Davis. 

To everyone celebrating, we wish you a healthy and happy New Year!

November Birthdays: Charming citrine and tempting topaz

November birthdays are celebrated with topaz and citrine. The warm yellow-orange color palate is perfectly seasonal, and we find it well-compliments yellow gold settings.

Topaz has a tricky history. The range of color found in nature – from clear, to pale blues and pinks, to bright orange – meant that it was sometimes confused for other similarly colored gemstones. In fact, we now know that the gemstone mined on the Greek island of Topazius, for which Topaz is named, was actually chrysolite. 

Georgian yellow topaz and 14k gold link bracelet, at Gray & Davis.

Citrine and topaz were also confused for each other hundreds of years ago. Now, with modern gemology tools, it’s easy for us to determine which is which in our antique pieces. 

Victorian 14k gold and citrine ring with a carved intaglio, available in our online shop.

Victorian 15k gold and mixed cut citrine ring, at Gray & Davis.

Help us warmly celebrate our friends with November birthdays with this warm-hued gemstone!