Rebecca Zemans Jewelry Blog

The traditional birthstone for December is the beautiful turquoise. Turquoise has been considered a holy stone for thousands of years, and was worn in ancient times around the neck or hands in order to protect from sudden death--and to bring good luck. The turquoise has played a big role in jewelry and people's lives since as early as 3000 BC, when it was mined and worn by the Egyptians. People would wear turquoise in their turbans surrounded by pearls as a protection against the "evil eye." Turquoise was also often used as talismans or to adorn daggers and sabres. The...

We have been busy preparing for the upcoming One of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart, which will take place December 6 -9. The One of a Kind Show is our biggest show of the year, and we always get very excited during the weeks leading up to it. Because this is always such a benchmark show, we bring out a couple of new styles every year. This year, we have decided to "glam-up" some of the pieces from the Satellite Collection by adding 23 karat gold-leaf to the inside of the satellites. YES, it looks as awesome as...

  In September, the Illinois Artisan Gallery contacted me to submit a design to create a brooch that would serve as an award to honor a woman in Illinois that exemplifies Dawn Clark Netsch. I was extremely honored and excited to win the commission. Not only is Mrs. Netsch a role model for many, it was extra special because my mother worked with her and I had always heard so many wonderful things about Mrs. Netsch growing up.  Mrs. Netsch is a pioneer in education, law, and politics. In addition to being a professor at Northwestern University, she was a...

Topaz, the birthstone of November has been known for being quite the miracle worker. The Greeks believed this gem gave them strength, cooled their tempers, cured asthma, relieved insomnia and even saved them from sudden death. People in India had similar beliefs in this precious gem, and were convinced that a topaz worn above the heart assures a long life, beauty and intelligence. In many of these beliefs the power of the topaz increased or decreased with phases of the moon. People often use this stone to celebrate their sixteenth wedding anniversary. The blue topaz specifically can be used to...

What a wonderful Autumn we are having in Chicago! I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful fall weather as much as I am. I love to see the leaves change and get cozy on my couch with a nice cup of tea after a long day of work. Because this time of year brings a sense of change and reflection, I decided to dedicate this post to everything that is new at Rebecca Zemans Jewelry. Of course if you see something that you like, but you would like to add your own personal touch, then we are, as always, available...