This is one of those gemstones that most people have never heard of, and while the paraiba tourmaline stone was recently discovered (circa 1980's), they have become one of the most prized and cherished gemstones available.

The paraiba tourmaline stone comes in rare and magnificent hues of electric greens and blues, which are evocative of the amazing beaches and ocean alongside Paraiba, which is part of Brazil. The unique hues of aquamarine found in this stone is like somehow putting the ocean into solid form.

Can you see what we mean? The second stone pictured above is selling at over $300,000 at Paraiba International, LTD.  While the price tag is huge, it will hold its value because of the rarity of the stone. And it will look fantastic in just about any setting that it is placed in.

Whether you want a new necklace or ring, paraiba will be the highlight of your entire ensemble and obviously the rarest thing that you will be wearing. It will most likely be the rarest piece of jewelry in your jewelry collection.

What are your thoughts about the paraiba gemstone? Do you love it?

This is one of those jewelry heist stories that makes you wonder what the theives were thinking. Of course, diamonds happen to be one of the most sought after jewels, and to mastermind a jewelry heist may sound quite exhilerating. But, theives of this caliber will eventually get caught, especially when they admit to being "stupid"

Mouloud Djennad was part of the 2007 diamond heist that was big enough to be made into a movie. Djennad, along with seven other men, are now on trial for robbing a Harry Winston jewelry store that resides in Paris of $100 million worth of jewelry. He says that he was "Stupid, impressionable" and "lost", regarding his part in the robbery. He also admitted that he was unable to say no to the endeavor.

Djennad had a great position working as a security guard for Harry Winston when he allowed four of his accomplises enter the high-end jewelry store, as well as escape. The four men were dresed like women, adorned with wigs and carrying pocketbooks. Testimony in the trial, which began on February 3, will show the video of the men coming in and leaving the store.

It will be interesting to see what happens to these theives in court.

So, you have your precious collection of jewelry. If you don't inherit your grandmother's jewelry box, there's a good chance that you need something to keep it in.

It used to be that people kept their jewelry in a jewelry box, but lately, more and more creative jewelry organizers have popped up.

There is the jewelry stand. Like a coat stand, only for jewelry. They come in all shapes and forms. Some look like trees and we have even seen one that looks like a Barbie doll body. Some look like big flowers and others have branches with leaves. There are jewelry stands that look like plates stacked on top of each other that you can gently lay each piece in, too. Which ones have you seen that you like?

Then, there are the jewelry organizers that you can hang on the back of a door or in a closet. These are similar to shoe organizers with pockets that even zip to enclose earrings and other precious accessories.

Wooden boxes that look like your grandfather's spoon collection organizer, can be hung on your bedroom wall to hold your jewelry. Then, there are the good old fashioned jewelry boxes.

Which do you have? Which ones are your favorites?

You've probably already heard of swapping parties. Those get-togethers with friends that you bring your used Tupperware or children's clothing to. Why not throw a jewelry swapping party?

It's the same idea, only a little bit different - and everyone goes home with something "new" for their accessory wardrobe.

Just like the other get-together swapping type of parties, simply set a date and time and send out invitations - Facebook is a great way to reach out! Who sends paper mailed invites anymore? You could tell everyone to bring their "gently used" costume jewelry and a snack type of plate or a drink. If you want to "up" the elegance of your party, get some wine and a cheese plate.

Toss around ideas with your friends. Again, Facebook is a great way to toss around ideas for your party.

You will have to come up with a way to organize your jewelry swap. Are you going to do it like a lottery and number the items or would it be better to let people pick what they like on their own?

Most of all, a jewelry party should be fun and full of laughter and good times. Enjoy!

If you are in the same boat with the other Americans who are (impatiently) awaiting their tax return to be direct deposited in their bank accounts or on a prepaid card - or even waiting for that check in the mail, you're probably already spending it in your head.

Jewelry lovers, if you have a little extra left over after paying off bills and other "necessities", have you given a thought to having a custom made piece of jewelry made for yourself? It will, of course, last longer than anything else you spend your money on, plus it will look fabulous with the new clothes and shoes that you plan to buy!

If you're not in the market to buy yourself a gift, you may still have someone else who is special to you to purchase for. Skip the flowers and the chocolates and the other "thought-lesss" gifts that are easy to pick up and drop off. Custom made jewelry is a gift that can be used over and over and over again and it says "thoughtful". It also shows the person how much you know them, their tastes and their style. And, hopefully needless to say, jewelry holds its value, unlike most other things you spend your money on.

Here, at BC Custom Jewelry, we will make sure that your tax return is spent wisely on a custom made jewelry piece that you (or your recipient) will love!

Expecting moms shouldn't be excluded from receiving beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry! Normally, expecting moms receive presents like 3-packs of onesies or burp cloths and matching sets of crib sheets, bumpers and baby blankets.

If you want to step outside of that box, think jewelry! You can buy a custom designed piece of jewelry for either mom or baby!

If the baby's name is set in stone (because we all know that baby's name can change all the way up to the time when mom and dad fill out the birth certificate!), you can choose a necklace or bracelet for mom with little feet for the pendant and the baby's initials and the birth date engraved on the front of it. Or, if you want to do something even more special, you can get a teeny-tiny bracelet or anklet designed for baby with his or her name and birth date engraved on it.

Add the birthstone of the baby, and you have a very special mom or baby one-of-a-kind gift that commemorates the birth of that special child.

If you haven't run out and purchased something special for your Valentine this year, your time is running out! It's Valentine's Day and we're here to remind you that it's the little, thoughtful things that count.

So, while we would LOVe for you to visit our website and spend big bucks on jewelry on Valentine's Day, we would actually prefer that you spend time with your Valentine, make them feel loved, do something different today with them. Maybe a nice dinner out - or even a homecooked meal made by you - with some wine to add the air of celebration.

Rent a good movie or plan a trip to the local cinema to watch a new release.

All of the things we suggested above will earn you points this Valentine's Day. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to present a delicately wrapped box containing an exquisite piece of jewelry to your Valentine today. But, don't forget that the little, thoughtful things will earn more points any day.

Everyone needs a hobby. And, while jewelry making is a way to make a living for some people (Like BC Custom Jewelry!), it can also be a great hobby to help you pass the time. But while you may be able to start stringing beads on a string without tools, if you get to more intricate jewelry, you are going to need some tools.

Wire Cutters

Probably one of the most important jewelry making tools, wire cutters will aid in cutting stringing wire, eyepins and headpins. What you do not want to use wire cutters on is memory wire, because it will wreck the cutting edges of your tool, rendering it less useful or even useless. There are actual memory wire cutters.

Round Nose Pliers

Do you need to add loops or other rounded parts to your wire? Round nose pliers is the perfect tool.

Flat Nose Pliers

Having trouble getting a good grip on the wire that you're working with? Flat nosed pliers have the pointy tip that easily holds wire for you as you're creating your masterpieces.

Take a look around! You will probably find at least one of these tools sitting in a tool it or toolbox somewhere in the house.

Even if you rarely wear your jewelry - or if it sits tucked neatly in your jewelry box, it still needs a good cleaning on a regular basis.

If you are like most people, your jewelry, whether it was hand-selected from a vintage sale, passed down through the generations in your family, or highly researched and then bought at a jewelry store, means something to you. The last thing you want is oil buildup from your skin or dust and dirt particles reducing the natural glimmer that it should have.

Truth be told, even if your jewelry doesn't look "dirty", whether you have worn it numerous times or it sits in a special place in your jewelry box, it is still collecting the oils from your skin or the particles of dust in the air.

Here are some home remedies that people swear by will help you clean your jewelry:

1) Alka-Seltzer - the oxidization that occurs in a cup of water that is fizzing with Alka-Selzer will help to clean the residue on your jewelry.

2) Detergent & Aluminum Foil -  The process called "ion exchange" can be used to clean jewelry. Here's how to do it: Use aluminum foil to line a small sized bowl, then add a mixture of hot water and a tablespoon of POWDERED laundry detergent (must be bleach-free. Soak your jewelry in this solution for one minute, rinse it well, and then let it air dry.

3) Baking Soda - This technique has also been used on tarnished silverware. If your silver jewelry is tarnished, simply mix 2 tablespoons of water with 1/4 of baking soda. This should make a thick paste. Using a damp sponge, rub the paste on the tarnished parts until the tarnish comes off. Rinse and buff the jewelry dry.

Of course, if you want a professional to handle the cleaning of your precious jewelry, give BC Custom Jewelry a call and we will restore the original beauty of any piece that you send our way.

Your watch may not be the newest technological gem on the market. As many of you know, old watches tend to carry some comfort - or even some sentimental value. When that beloved and dear watch starts to run poorly - or worse yet, not at all, believe it or not, there are many different solutions for ailing watches.

Also, if you are an avid vintage shopper, keep your eyes peeled for watches that are not in working condition. Not only might you score a precious gem of a vintage watch that is worth something - and quite possibly something that is easily repairable.

Common problems that may not be repairable include: rust and water damage. If a watch has rust, there is a possibility that the rusty parts can be replaced. Keep in mind that parts may or may not be expensive to replace. Obviously, if there is sentimental value or if the watch is vintage and worth a substantial amount of money in working condition, it may be worth the investment.

Repairing a watch could be as simple as replacing the battery, though. This is why, before you throw out your trusty old watch that you have been wearing so long, it feels like part of you, check into whether the performance problems are repairable first. BC Custom Jewelry would be happy to help assess the problem if you are experiencing the blues over a poorly performing - or non-working - watch.