partnership

PreciousGem was born in 1994 when Tasha and Barbara began a partnership in Winnetka, California as an outlet for their jewelry.  Daughter and mother, they work together creating unusual pieces using any and all sparkly, shiny and pretty jewels they can find. Their mission is to make everyone a jewel-a-holic by creating beautiful affordable pieces.

What’s With The Name?

The name precious gem came into existence long before the jewelry did.  As an only child Tasha was the apple of her Mothers’ eye and thus a potential teenage suitor was given the infamous  PreciousGem speech… Picture a scene at the dinner table in a home  like yours and mine, the family and a new boyfriend are finishing a home cooked meal, when Barbara puts down her “good” flatware, looks at her daughters’ potential suitor and says “Tasha is my most precious gem, I hope you realize this and will treat her as such”.  There were several moments of very awkward silence at that dining table before the inevitable “MOM!” Naturally the teen Tasha was immeasurable mortified and NEVER forgot that evening.  That infamous speech became a family joke, and eventually the namesake of their company.

Is It Real?

Yes! Everything we use real. If we describe it as Turquoise, we bought it understanding that it is the real deal. The pearls we use are a combination of freshwater pearls and cultured pearls. The unusual colors are not natural, they are dyed, just like clothing. The color is not like a layer of paint, but more like a stain that seeps into the surface of the pearl. We buy them that way because we like the color, but we also use the natural colored pearls as well.

Will The Silver Tarnish?

Yes. The silver we use is Sterling silver 92.5 pure.  Tarnish, which appears as black or brown streaks and patches on silver, is silver sulfide, a compound formed when silver interacts with sulfur in the air. Sulfur is a byproduct of burning of fossil fuels.

How Do I Clean My PreciousGems?

We use polishing cloths and good old elbow grease. There are many good cleaning materials out there. Read the direction carefully. If you are cleaning Opals, Turquoise and Pearls you need to be especially careful as they are delicate. If the cleaning material smells caustic don’t use on your delicate stones. One method I thought was an old wife’s tale really works, tooth paste and an old toothbrush. Do not clean Turquoise, Opals and Pearls this way! Wet an old toothbrush, dab a bit of toothpaste on (I like the paste rather than the gel) and brush a way. If the tarnish is really black and stubborn, rub the paste directly on and let it sit for a few minutes. The result should be squeaky clean and minty fresh. Pearls actually like the oils from your skin, it keeps their luster high. A damp cloth run over your pearls once in a while should keep them happy and lustrous. Perfume, lotions and hair spray are great for us but bad for our jewelry. Try to avoid direct application on your jewelry.