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All about gems Inside the industry
Paraiba Tourmaline: Some of My Investment Gems
Yvonne Raley – Jul 2, 2026
Having blogged about investment gems several times this year, I would now like to share with you some of the …
Inside the industry
Buying with Confidence: The AGTA Advantage
Yvonne Raley – Jul 2, 2026
We joined the American Gem Trade Association about a decade ago, but we’ve rarely taken the opportunity to advertise the …
How to value magic Inside the industry
Inside the Rising Market for Colored Gems
Yvonne Raley – May 21, 2026
The secret seems to be out: colored gemstones have made significant progress catching up to the diamond market in the …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Bogota 2026: Emeralds, Investments, Inflation
Yvonne Raley – May 14, 2026
I was actually going on vacation in the Atacama Desert, Chile, on a farewell journey with my gem buddy Jochen …
All about gems Inside the industry
The Other Green Garnet: Mali
Yvonne Raley – Apr 30, 2026
In contrast to the green of emerald or even Paraiba and other tourmaline, green garnets generally have a warmer tone …
All about gems
Demantoid 101: Origin, Color, Value
Yvonne Raley – Mar 25, 2026
Demantoid Garnet is a gorgeous stone, isn’t it? It has such high dispersion that its diamond-like name is perfect for …
All about gems Design with us Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Match as Match Can: Finding a Topaz for a Missing Earring
Yvonne Raley – Mar 25, 2026
It’s not an uncommon demand for a jeweler: “I lost an earring, can you find me a matching gem to …
All about gems Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Our Tucson HAUL: Broke but Happy
Yvonne Raley – Feb 25, 2026
Like so many of us, my expectations for Tucson were fairly “thumbs down”. Tariffs deter vendors from traveling with merchandise …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
Who Pays for My Broken Stone? The Risks and Realities of Gemstone Setting
Yvonne Raley – Feb 25, 2026
Jewelry setting is a precise craft that requires skill, patience and delicacy. Yet even the most experienced setters occasionally crack …
All about gems Design with us
How Many Stones Do I Need?? Calculating Halos – the Nitty Gritty
Yvonne Raley – Feb 24, 2026
I probably get a version of this question once a week: how many 1.5mm stones do I need to go …
Inside the industry
The New Gold Rush: How You can Profit!
Yvonne Raley – Feb 24, 2026
Let’s put this title into perspective first. Gold has gone up 60% in 2025, which is likely to be the …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Tariffs Hit Tucson: Inside the 2026 Gem Shows
Yvonne Raley – Feb 24, 2026
Late January is approaching fast, and so is my Tucson trip. I cannot wait to go as this month its …
Inside the industry
Let the Games Begin: How to Buy Gems Cheaply in a Bargain Culture
– Sep 25, 2025
For most people who are born into a fixed price culture, it is an entirely new experience to make purchases …
All about gems
Lab Grown Gems: The Ups and Downs…
– Jul 31, 2025
Lab grown diamonds are all the rage these days.  In recent years, their market share has increased to 20% of …
Inside the industry
The Unofficial JCK Report: Prepping for the Tariff Hikes
– Jun 19, 2025
This year I went to Las Vegas for 3 days only. A few of my usual vendors decided to sit …
Inside the industry
How Tariffs Affect the Jewelry Industry
– May 8, 2025
As you probably know by now, at CRD we make all our jewelry here in the United States. Each of our manufacturing partners – …
Design with us How to value magic
Dainty is Big: How to Make Jewelry More Affordable
– Apr 17, 2025
Let’s face it. The world economy is totally topsy turvy these days. Gold has become so expensive that making platinum …
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Spring into Bling: A Sneak Peak at our New Collection
– Mar 27, 2025
Finally, spring has sprung, Easter and Mom’s day are around the corner, and we are ready to go with our …
Gem Show Shopping
Out with the Old, in with Tucson 2025
– Jan 23, 2025
Cecile Raley Designs had a fairly busy holiday season and, if you notice our total listing numbers, they have gone …
All about gems How to value magic
Ruby or Sapphire, Emerald or Green Beryl? Borderline Cases and Gem Pricing
– Dec 5, 2024
A few years ago I treated myself to a two carat Merelani mint garnet, a gorgeous pear shaped gemstone that …
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Gifts, Gifts, Gifts: Treat Yourself if Nothing Else!
– Nov 14, 2024
2024 has been a tumultuous year, not just for me but for everyone else too. It’s nearly 80 degrees here …
All about gems
November’s Yellow Gems: How to Make Them Sparkle!
– Oct 31, 2024
While CRD is not particularly known for selling birthstone jewelry, most of our curated gems do fall into a birthstone …
Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Etsy’s Identity Crisis: Fulfilment Center or Meta-Brand?
– Oct 17, 2024
Cecile Raley Designs has been on Etsy since 2009. I didn’t even know what Etsy was back then, but someone …
Gem Show Shopping
Denver Show Report: New Gems, New Cuts, New Prices
– Sep 26, 2024
While sparsely attended by a semi attentive “just looking” crowd (probably due to a new venue and location), for me, …
All about gems
The Perfect Purple: Hunting for the Right Hue
– Jun 6, 2024
Purple is definitely the gemstone color of the year! Although it’s not just one color… I’ve received requests for specific …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
When ‘Rare’ Goes Mainstream: Colored Gems' Market Share
Yvonne Raley – May 15, 2024
In the spring of 2022, everyone wanted to buy emerald cut teal sapphire. This year it is blueish purple and …
Adventures abroad All about gems
Namibia’s Gems and Crystals Today
Yvonne Raley – Apr 17, 2024
If you read my last few blogs, then you know that I traveled to Namibia for a fact finding mission. …
Adventures abroad Life beyond the sparkle
The Inner Working of Hospitals, plus a Safari: A Broken Foot Travels to Germany
Yvonne Raley – Apr 1, 2024
I wake up to the sound of birds chirping, the sun shining onto my cozy comforter in my cushy bed. …
Adventures abroad Gem Show Shopping Life beyond the sparkle
Adventures of a Broken Foot: In the Middle of Nowhere
Yvonne Raley – Mar 25, 2024
As you read in my previous blog (you didn’t? Go back!), a playful dog plowed into my left leg as …
Adventures abroad Life beyond the sparkle
Adventures of a Broken Foot: Namibia
Yvonne Raley – Mar 20, 2024
I didn’t advertise my upcoming trip to Namibia because I had been forewarned. Yes, Namibia has a wealth of minerals …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
The Rise and Fall of Grandidierite
Yvonne Raley – Feb 28, 2024
One of the ten rarest minerals on earth! That’s how grandidierite has been advertised in the last decade or so, …
All about gems Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Tucson Gem Market: What's In and What's Out – February 2024
Yvonne Raley – Feb 12, 2024
For the gem dealer, gems are exactly what the title of this blog suggests: a financial instrument which, if purchased …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
Benitoite: A Rare Prize for Gem Collectors
Yvonne Raley – Jan 22, 2024
Somewhere about half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, along the coast of California, you will find the rolling …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
How We Shop in Tucson on a Budget
Yvonne Raley – Jan 10, 2024
2024 marks my 9th annual trip to Tucson, and there have been a lot of changes since I first started. …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Dedicated to Those Who Left Us
Yvonne Raley – Dec 21, 2023
Sebaj died from metastasized colorectal cancer on November 20th, 2023 at 10 a.m. The 4th Hour Right now, you are …
All about gems Inside the industry
Kornerupine: One of Our Best Kept Secrets!
Yvonne Raley – Dec 18, 2023
Kornerupine is a gem that had a very short heyday, and mostly in my own shop. This tells you a …
All about gems Inside the industry
Cameras are not Eyes: How to Buy Gems Online
Yvonne Raley – Dec 6, 2023
As a fully online seller, you can imagine how often I am asked for more photos and videos of my …
Life beyond the sparkle
Holiday Shopping: Ready, Set, Go!
Yvonne Raley – Nov 1, 2023
I’m actually writing this blog on Halloween. This weekend, purple and orange décor will come down and green and red …
All about gems
Should your Gem Purchase Come with a Certificate of Authenticity?
Yvonne Raley – Sep 25, 2023
Does this gem come with a certificate of authenticity? This is a question we are being asked almost every week, …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry
Buying on Location: Gem Shopping in Sri Lanka
Yvonne Raley – Aug 20, 2023
My clients say this to me all the time: “it’s cheaper to buy on location, right?” And I have heard …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry
From Mining to Markets: Sri Lanka’s Gem Industry
Yvonne Raley – Aug 14, 2023
Gem mining has always been a rugged business. It involves hard and uncomfortable physical labor, high risk of injury, and …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry
Sri Lanka: The Treasure Hunter’s Holy Grail
Yvonne Raley – Aug 9, 2023
For over 2,500 years, Sri Lanka has been known for its wealth of precious gems. In particular, the Ratnapura area …
All about gems Design with us
Cobalt Blue: The Other Jedi Spinel
Yvonne Raley – Jul 5, 2023
They were never cheap, at least not since I have been in this trade. But now the red Jedis, the …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
What Happens in Vegas Doesn’t Stay There!
Yvonne Raley – Jun 14, 2023
This is probably the first question you have and so I will answer it right away: Yes. Prices are up. …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Glamor, Glitz & Gems: JCK Las Vegas
Yvonne Raley – May 15, 2023
I almost decided not to go. Flight and hotel together will run me 2K, never mind food and drink, plus …
All about gems Inside the industry
Gem Hunts and the Law of Diminishing Returns: How and When to Compromise
Yvonne Raley – May 1, 2023
I’m sure you have noticed this too but prices in the gem world have been nuts lately, and while the …
All about gems Design with us
Why Small Gems Rock, No Pun Intended
Yvonne Raley – Apr 17, 2023
Everyone wants big gems. I know this all too well because I get asked for bigger almost every day – …
All about gems Inside the industry
Ethically Sourced Gemstones and Artisanal Mining: A Contradiction?
Yvonne Raley – Apr 5, 2023
Etsy recently implemented a sustainability feature that allows sellers to click on an attribute that marks an item as ‘recycled’ …
All about gems
Fracture Filling in Paraiba Tourmaline: A New(ish) Problem
Yvonne Raley – Mar 22, 2023
With Paraiba tourmaline prices through the roof, more and more clients request that the stones are fully certified by an …
Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Is Etsy Worth it Anymore? A Comparison to Shopify…
Yvonne Raley – Mar 6, 2023
A very long time ago I wrote a blog entitled “Can You Live off Etsy?” It was one of my …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Tucson Treasures 2023: Catch Them if you Can…
Yvonne Raley – Feb 15, 2023
This year I went to Tucson with very low expectations, and a correspondingly low budget. As I’ve previously reported, supply …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
The Art of Sourcing High End Stones: Tips and Pitfalls
Yvonne Raley – Jan 16, 2023
Yes, from the retail perspective, 2022 was a relatively quiet year. People got the message about prices for everything increasing …
Gem Show Shopping
Stay Tuned for Tucson: Gems and Pricing in Spring 2023…
Yvonne Raley – Jan 3, 2023
Do you have any gem related New Year’s resolutions? Are you saving up for that special stone, planning to make …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry
Gemstones Travel the World: New Gems from Madagascar and their Many Adventures!
Yvonne Raley – Dec 21, 2022
I announced their arrival somewhat prematurely in the fall of 2021, right before all exports from Madagascar stopped because of …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Knowing When to Sell Your Colored Gemstones (& When to Wait!)
Yvonne Raley – Dec 5, 2022
A couple of months ago I asked one of my gem sellers if I could “memo” (i.e. the jewelry trade …
Life beyond the sparkle
CRD's (Non-Jewelry) Gift Ideas for the 2022 Holiday Season!
Yvonne Raley – Nov 21, 2022
Every year I devote a blog to other shops to give you some ideas for your holiday shopping. This year …
Life beyond the sparkle
Winter is Coming… Get Ready to Start Shopping!
Yvonne Raley – Oct 31, 2022
Yep, it’s November, and we are gearing up for you as we speak. If you have any custom orders, please let …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
The Magic of Highly-Skilled Gem Setters
Yvonne Raley – Oct 12, 2022
‘Prong pusher’ is a rather derogatory term and not entirely fair, as 99% of jewelry sold on the mass market …
All about gems Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Sparkling Treasures from Denver: Pinks, Purples, Blues… and Color Changers!
Yvonne Raley – Sep 29, 2022
You might think that Denver’s all about the Rocky Mountains and hiking, right? Not about going to gem shows. However, …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Putting the Color in Colorado: Denver Gem and Mineral Show 2022
Yvonne Raley – Aug 29, 2022
Yes, CRD is travelling again, to Denver this time. The gem shows there in September have become a staple of …
All about gems How to value magic
Precious Gems: Pricing for Propriety and Profit
Yvonne Raley – Aug 18, 2022
During the height of the pandemic, a young woman started purchasing gems from me in the hopes of making a …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Investing in Precious Gems: What You Need to Know
Yvonne Raley – Jul 6, 2022
If you feel the way I do about 2022 so far, then you’ll agree we live in very unpredictable times. …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Desert Treasures: Juicy Gems from Sin City
Yvonne Raley – Jun 23, 2022
This was my first time back in Las Vegas since 2019. In 2020, the JCK and AGTA shows were cancelled, …
All about gems Inside the industry
Return to Emerald City: A Tale of Two Mountains
Yvonne Raley – May 31, 2022
 I really longed to go to Colombia again, even though I didn’t have a pressing reason to spend any more …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
A Cut Above: The Decision Making Behind Colored Gemstone Shapes
Yvonne Raley – May 19, 2022
It’s schizophrenic really, and it’s true of 90% of colored gems; they don’t fit into prefabricated settings, so you end …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
The New “Gold” Rush: Colored Gems
Yvonne Raley – Mar 28, 2022
If you’ve been buying gems in the last few months, you will have noticed that gemstone prices have been sharply …
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The Third C – Using Color in Design
Yvonne Raley – Mar 7, 2022
Finally, let’s get back to talking about color. In this final entry in our discussion about color and gemstones, I …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Show & Tell: 2022 Tucson Treasures Revealed!
Yvonne Raley – Feb 17, 2022
Everyone wants to know about what I saw, how it was, who was there, how busy it was, etc. in …
All about gems Design with us
The C that Really Matters: Judging Gemstones by Color
Yvonne Raley – Jan 22, 2022
So they tell you that you have to judge the value of a gem by the four C’s: Carat, Clarity, …
All about gems Design with us
The Three C’s of CRD: Color, Color, and Color
Yvonne Raley – Jan 19, 2022
What is the one thing, the main thing, that draws people to my shop? I think it’s color.  Any aspect …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Too Soon for Tucson? The Reality of Gem Buying in 2022
Yvonne Raley – Jan 12, 2022
I either have antibodies already, or I am the luckiest person on earth, having traveled to Germany 7x since Covid …
Design with us Life beyond the sparkle
RINGing in the New Year!
Yvonne Raley – Dec 13, 2021
Something odd happened this fall season, and it gave us a little bit to think about for the year to …
All about gems Inside the industry
Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who is the Rarest of Them All?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 2, 2021
Last week I received a request to make a rare gemstone pendant for a birthday girl. The buyer provided me …
Design with us Life beyond the sparkle
The Early Bird WINS this Holiday Season: Tips and Inspo to Help You Get Started
Yvonne Raley – Nov 10, 2021
Earlier this year – earlier every year – we help you get ready for holiday shopping.  Why earlier this year?  …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Adventures in Emerald City, Part II (Muzo, Cosquez, Guataque & Chivor)
Yvonne Raley – Oct 28, 2021
So here we were, the three of us, in the dark in a small foreign town, just following two total …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
OUT- Adventures in Emerald City, Part II (Muzo, Cosquez, Guataque & Chivor)
Yvonne Raley – Oct 21, 2021
So here we were, the three of us, in the dark in a small foreign town, just following two total …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Adventures in Emerald City: Gem Hunting in Bogota, Part I
Yvonne Raley – Oct 17, 2021
TWO years! That’s how long I had to wait to go to Colombia again. But I did it, and with …
Adventures abroad All about gems
Fifty Shades of Green: Colombian Emerald Origins and Varieties Explained
Yvonne Raley – Oct 8, 2021
This Colombia trip was my first real adventure since COVID hit, but after a few days in Bogota and on …
All about gems Inside the industry
The Hidden Jewels of Afghanistan
Yvonne Raley – Sep 13, 2021
Ravaged by decades of off and on war and religious oppression, Afghanistan is getting a lot of negative attention lately, …
All about gems How to value magic
What You Need to Know Before Buying Gems Overseas
Yvonne Raley – Aug 25, 2021
A couple of weeks ago a new client asked me if “sellers from India have genuine natural gems at low …
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From Start to Finish: Fine Jewelry Production in the Diamond District
Yvonne Raley – Jul 15, 2021
So yes, I operate out of the basement of my house.  I’m the creator, designer, inventor, and owner of Cecile …
All about gems Design with us
Opal Options: What You Need to Know Before Buying
Yvonne Raley – Jul 1, 2021
Though I rarely wear opal jewelry (because I like faceted stones), I find opal to be one of the most …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic
Paraiba Tourmaline: from Beads to Unicorns
Yvonne Raley – Jun 14, 2021
I got into Brazilian Paraiba tourmalines during my first Tucson show in 2015. I had heard all the lore about …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
The Great Padparadscha Debate PLUS Sapphire Tales from Denver
Yvonne Raley – May 27, 2021
The May Denver gem show is actually fairly tiny, even during non-covid times.  But with nothing else big coming up …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Sea Change in the Desert: True Signs of Gem Show Recovery in Tucson
Yvonne Raley – Apr 22, 2021
I really didn’t expect it but Tucson was hoppin’ this year! Yes, there were fewer shows, fewer vendors and virtually …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
A New Year, a New Dawn… And A New Tucson
Yvonne Raley – Mar 30, 2021
Ok so it’s a kind of mini-Tucson.  There will be several shows: 22nd Street Show, Mineral City, Pueblo Show, JOGS, …
Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
How We Source Stuff: Hunting for Gemstone Treasures
Yvonne Raley – Mar 11, 2021
Since Cecile Raley Designs started selling gems on Etsy, the number of shops offering cut stones online has pretty much …
Design with us Inside the industry Our story
How we Make Stuff, Continued: Wax Model, CAD Model, or Hand Fabrication?
Yvonne Raley – Feb 18, 2021
As I briefly discussed in my previous blog, Cecile Raley Designs primarily designs jewelry using CAD.  This is probably the most …
Design with us Inside the industry Our story
Colored Gems are not Diamonds: How We Make Stuff, Differently
Yvonne Raley – Feb 5, 2021
It happens to us at CRD all the time: a client with a low budget asks for raw castings so …
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Loving Lavender Spinel: Where Can You Get That Color?
Yvonne Raley – Jan 21, 2021
Oval Vietnamese Lavender Spinel Surrounded by Afghanistan Lavender Spinel So I announced lavender as one of the colors of 2021, …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
2020 Kicks the Bucket. A New Year, a Fresh Start
Yvonne Raley – Jan 3, 2021
  Well, I can say this much: 2020 has decidedly been the most bizarre year of my entire life. Granted, …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
The Year of the Pod: A Very Different Holiday Season
Yvonne Raley – Dec 10, 2020
Last week I decided to take a stroll up 5th Avenue at the end of my very busy day in …
Life beyond the sparkle
Etsy Holiday Guide: Gift Ideas from Etsy Shops
Yvonne Raley – Nov 19, 2020
Every year I release a blog in which I recommend some other Etsy shops that have nice gifts.  To spice …
Life beyond the sparkle
Tips for Finding the Perfect Holiday Gifts… on Etsy!
Yvonne Raley – Nov 19, 2020
Every year I release a blog in which I make recommendations for holiday shopping.  This year is no exception, with …
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Ho Ho Holiday Sales Alert: Ready, Set, GO!
Yvonne Raley – Nov 4, 2020
  Yes, seriously. In mid-November, not in early December. And here’s the math behind it: [Covid 19 = (Increased Online …
Life beyond the sparkle
What You Need to Know: Shopping Online for Holiday Gifting in 2020
Yvonne Raley – Oct 25, 2020
I thought I’d spare you this time by not putting “COVID” into a headline, yet again. But it is undeniable; …
Adventures abroad Life beyond the sparkle Our story
The Real Deal: Traveling Internationally During COVID-19
Yvonne Raley – Oct 19, 2020
This will probably be the last COVID-related travel blog for 2020 since it is likely the last time I travel this year …
All about gems Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Fortune Favors the Brave: Treasures Unearthed at The Denver Show During a Pandemic
Yvonne Raley – Oct 1, 2020
Somewhat belatedly, here’s my review from the Denver gem shows: I arrived two days before the shows started because I …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Travel During a Pandemic: How I Got Around the Denver Shows Safely
Yvonne Raley – Sep 16, 2020
Travel certainly has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in certain respects, this has been for the better.  …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
The Shows Must Go On: Heading to Denver Shows During COVID
Yvonne Raley – Aug 28, 2020
Yes, I’m going to actually do this!   I am heading out to Colorado on September 9th for four days to …
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The Small Apple Inside the Big Apple: The Web of Cultures in the Diamond District
Yvonne Raley – Aug 6, 2020
Midtown Manhattan is quiet these days; subway rides are down 85%, restaurants are shuttered, food carts diminished or vanished entirely, …
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Working with Stuller: New Options for Custom Designs
Yvonne Raley – Jul 13, 2020
After many requests we have finally managed to make Stuller settings available for custom options. If you click here, you …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
Spinel Spinel Spinel: Origins and Colors Explained
Yvonne Raley – Jun 18, 2020
I’m not sure if you know, but about two years ago spinel was added to the list of birthstones. It now …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
The Show Must Go On: Vegas in New Jersey
Yvonne Raley – May 20, 2020
As advertised in our previous newsletter, we have decided that even though the Las Vegas show is cancelled, we will …
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Logistics for the Longer Haul: The New Normal at Cecile Raley Designs
Yvonne Raley – Apr 30, 2020
I could probably make this a one-line blog: where we are at right now is where we have been over …
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Buckle Up; It's Going to Be a Bumpy Ride…
Yvonne Raley – Apr 16, 2020
COVID-19 and the International Gem Business As the world continues to be on pause, I’ve checked in with everyone overseas …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Fiction vs. Fact? How to Evaluate What you Read about COVID-19
Yvonne Raley – Mar 30, 2020
Are you overwhelmed by all of the different information you are getting about this pandemic, and not sure what to …
Design with us Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle
What New York City On Pause Looks Like: The Diamond District Shutdown
Yvonne Raley – Mar 26, 2020
Covid-19 Week 2: How the Jewelry Industry is Coping with the Shutdown   A week seems like a lifetime ago.  …
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Keeping Calm and Carrying On Amidst the Chaos of COVID-19
Yvonne Raley – Mar 18, 2020
What’s going on in the world?! And what are we doing here in Jersey City?  Well didn’t I get back just …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Travel or Not? Possible Plans and Some Corona Induced Industry Challenges
Yvonne Raley – Mar 5, 2020
  Ring Featuring Colombian Emerald from Chivor So this was supposed to be a blog about my upcoming trip to …
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Tucson Gem Haul: Find Out What's Coming to the Shop, Before it Gets There!
Yvonne Raley – Feb 13, 2020
My panshir emerald melee is now sorted (see below,) I’ll be offering sizes from 1mm-2mm in small batches.  Some small …
All about gems Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Greetings from Chilly Tucson!
Yvonne Raley – Feb 6, 2020
Hello from frigid Tucson where the last two days have been colder than they are in NJ!  Still we are …
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NEW NEW NEW: Rings, Pendants, & Earrings for Alternate Stone Shapes
Yvonne Raley – Jan 27, 2020
With Tucson around the corner, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what new items I could make that would offer up …
Our story
You may have noticed, the blog looks a little… different?
Yvonne Raley – Jan 23, 2020
Not to worry; all of the good stuff is still here, we’ve just shifted it around a bit so that our …
Adventures abroad Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Pack your Virtual Bags: You’re Coming to Tucson with Us!
Yvonne Raley – Jan 20, 2020
Hooker Emerald Brooch, designed by Tiffany & Co, previously exhibited at Tucson Gem & Mineral Show & worth $5,000,000 USD!!! …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
2019: The Year of the Grey Cat
Yvonne Raley – Dec 28, 2019
Take a moment, and… just… breathe!  Keep in mind while reading this that 2019 is The Year of the Grey Cat. …
Inside the industry Our story
On the Meaning of "Family" in the Gem Trade…
Yvonne Raley – Dec 19, 2019
This is a sort of holiday blog entry because the holidays are when we gather around family to celebrate. It’s …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
A Selfish Guide to Gift Giving
Yvonne Raley – Dec 5, 2019
A Selfish Guide to Gift Giving: A Gift for the Boyfriend, a Gift for Me, One for Mom, One for …
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Unwrapping the Holidays with New Stuff from Cecile Raley Designs
Yvonne Raley – Nov 14, 2019
Holiday season really IS my favorite season.  While I’m not a fan of winter, holiday traditions are the best way …
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The Story of Cecile Raley Designs: Tucson, Africa and Colombia
Yvonne Raley – Nov 6, 2019
The year was 2013. I was driving to work, and just as I turned off the highway, a huge billboard …
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Wish You Were There: Cecile Raley Designs Celebrates 10 years
Yvonne Raley – Oct 7, 2019
It’s odd to have a celebration that has to be virtual as much as physical because most of our clients …
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Ten Years of Cecile Raley Designs, who would have thought?
Yvonne Raley – Sep 26, 2019
So you’ve heard us talk this up for a few weeks now, our ten year anniversary on Etsy, which was …
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Design your Ring with us: which settings for my gem?
Yvonne Raley – Sep 5, 2019
Ok this may not be the most exciting blog entry ever, but I hope it is a very useful one. …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
The Emeralds of Chivor
Yvonne Raley – Aug 7, 2019
On Thursday, our 6th day in Colombia, we got up early with the intention of managing the drive from Muzo …
Adventures abroad All about gems Our story
In the Muzo Emerald Mines: Getting Down and Dirty
Yvonne Raley – Aug 2, 2019
Take a tour with Yvonne of the emerald mines of Muzo, Colombia! It’s interesting to see that the gem trade works …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Colombia Part I. Bogota and Muzo
Yvonne Raley – Jul 28, 2019
A lush countryside, a rich history of gold and conquest, delicate indiginous art, well-preserved ancient Spanish towns, and the lure …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
New Travels Ahead: Emerald Hunting in Colombia
Yvonne Raley – Jul 9, 2019
It’s summer again and I am ready to explore a new location for gems: Colombia.  On Saturday July 13th, I …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry Our story
Setting Secrets Exposed: What Happens to Your Custom Project in Setting
Yvonne Raley – Jun 27, 2019
I don’t know if you have noticed but the diamond district tends to be very secretive about what happens behind …
All about gems How to value magic
Why Buy Gems at Retail Price?
Yvonne Raley – Jun 13, 2019
Once upon a time – in the not too distant past, in fact – jewelry shopping was so easy and …
Adventures abroad Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
From Venice to The Venetian: CRD Heads to Vegas
Yvonne Raley – May 23, 2019
Still jet lagged from my recent trip to Venice, I am already packing my bags again!  The Las Vegas AGTA …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic
Padparadscha – Lab Certification Roulette
Yvonne Raley – May 9, 2019
Guest Blog by Inken Krause, Enhoerning Jewelry Entire book chapters and countless longish essays have been written about the ideal …
Design with us Inside the industry
Alternative Engagement Rings: Five Reasons to Opt Out of the Diamond Market
Yvonne Raley – Apr 22, 2019
So you may have noticed that we started a bridal section on Etsy where we are in the process of …
All about gems
Hunting for "Diamonds" in Herkimer
Yvonne Raley – Apr 11, 2019
I assume you’ve heard of the Herkimer diamond?  It’s actually quartz and but nicknamed “diamond” because of its shape: double …
Design with us Inside the industry Our story
New Season, New Items, and We Welcome Your Contributions
Yvonne Raley – Mar 28, 2019
So with the spring season under way, we’ve been busy developing new pretties, mainly for your fingers, but also for …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
What’s up with all these “new” Emeralds: Emerald Origins Revisited
Yvonne Raley – Mar 14, 2019
As you may know, emerald is one of my favorite gems.  So, it should be somewhat surprising that I have …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Tucson: The Aftermath
Yvonne Raley – Feb 21, 2019
Initially, it looked like our office had been bombed by dozens of small gem jars, miniature plastic bags holding valuable …
All about gems Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Tucson is ON: Where we are going and what we are buying
Yvonne Raley – Jan 31, 2019
By the time this blog is up, the final countdown is on.  Monday the 3rd we are leaving for our …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry Our story
What's Ahead for 2019?
Yvonne Raley – Jan 10, 2019
Our Newly Minted American Gem Trade Membership, and YES, CRD’s Ten Year Anniversary Bash I hope all of you had …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Our Own Christmas Story
Yvonne Raley – Dec 3, 2018
In the spirit of this season of giving, we would like to dedicate this blog to our friends in Madagascar, …
Life beyond the sparkle
Sparkle the Holiday with a Gift
Yvonne Raley – Nov 13, 2018
Yes, it is that time again.  Are you ready for the holidays?  Our Thanksgiving sale starts this weekend with 10% …
Design with us
Custom Inspirations – Earrings
Yvonne Raley – Oct 17, 2018
Do you realize that, as a retail business, I am already getting holiday advice emails from our industry?  Etsy, Manta, …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Finding New Minerals in Kongwa
Yvonne Raley – Oct 2, 2018
So this is going to be a longer story, and it starts a few billion years ago.  As my geologist …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Gem Buying in Tanzania: Rubies Rubies Rubies
Yvonne Raley – Sep 5, 2018
As promised, let me tell you about the gems I saw, or didn’t see, in Tanzania: on my second day, …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry
Visiting Kenya and Tanzania
Yvonne Raley – Sep 5, 2018
Kenya Our next destination after Madagascar was Nairobi, Kenya, where I planned a long overdue reunion with my friend Doreen.  …
Adventures abroad Inside the industry
A Little Trip (Madagascar Part IV)
Yvonne Raley – Aug 19, 2018
Thursday afternoon two interesting bits of news reached us.  The first: There had been a new find of tourmaline near …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Madagascar Gem Shopping (Part III)
Yvonne Raley – Aug 15, 2018
On my second day gem shopping in Antsirabe, I bought one piece of purple spinel from Ilakaka, 1.1 cts, and a …
Adventures abroad All about gems
Travels to Antsirabe and Local Gem Buying (Part II)
Yvonne Raley – Aug 15, 2018
After a 4:30 a.m. morning rise (for which neither of our alarms rang but Jochen appeared to have an internal …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Madagascar – A New Trip, New Experiences, New Gems (Part I)
Yvonne Raley – Aug 7, 2018
The first destination on my most recent trip to Madagascar was the Island of Nosy Be, slightly to the northwest …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
Africa Revisited – A New Trip
Yvonne Raley – Jul 1, 2018
I can’t believe it came upon me so fast.  This coming Monday I am leaving on my second trip to Africa.  I …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic
Padparadscha Sapphire – What’s the Story?
Yvonne Raley – Jun 20, 2018
Every since Britain’s Princess Eugenie has been sporting a Padparadscha sapphire engagement ring valued at over $130,000, these lotus flower …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Emeralds Revisited – New Arrivals, New Origins and A Word about Treatment
Yvonne Raley – May 24, 2018
I haven’t talked about emeralds for some time and with the Las Vegas Gem Show coming up I should do …
All about gems How to value magic
What is Retail and Wholesale Pricing – Really?  An Unofficial Opinion
Yvonne Raley – Apr 16, 2018
You must have asked yourself this question as well.  What (on earth) does it mean when someone tells you that …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Sapphire Treatments: What Matters and What Doesn’t  (By Yvonne Raley and Inken Krause)
Yvonne Raley – Apr 5, 2018
Every month I give sapphires to my lab to certify that a sapphire is unheated, which is essential for my …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic
What Color is this Gem – really? Commonly Asked Color Questions and Difficult Answers
Yvonne Raley – Mar 15, 2018
Nature doesn’t make it easy, does it?  Is it a ruby or a sapphire?  Is the Paraiba more greenish or …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Gem Lab Reports: Some FAQs
Yvonne Raley – Feb 28, 2018
As you’ve probably noticed, Cecile Raley Designs provides certificates with certain gems, or we offer to provide one upon request.  …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
The Year in Review:  Milestones of 2017 – Good and Bad
Yvonne Raley – Dec 18, 2017
This year has marked an exceptional number of changes, both for Cecile Raley Designs and for me personally.  As many …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
Jewelry Laser Surgery: The Alternative to Solder
Yvonne Raley – Dec 7, 2017
Many of you have heard me talk about lasering jewelry, or laser soldering, over the years.  Time to devote some …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Are you Getting Ready for the Holidays? We Are!
Yvonne Raley – Nov 9, 2017
Yes, it is almost here.  As I am publishing this blog, it is a mere six weeks till Christmas.  I …
Adventures abroad All about gems Inside the industry
A traveler's report on the world of gems
Yvonne Raley – Nov 2, 2017
A German traveler’s report on the world of gems Manhattan’s 47th Street rightfully deserves the name “Diamond District”: shops for …
Design with us Inside the industry
What does “recycled metal” really mean? What we do and don’t do when it comes to recycling
Yvonne Raley – Oct 26, 2017
This blog entry is prompted by a couple of recent questions about working with recycled metals.  Etsy now offers a …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Rare Gemstones – A Seller's Market
Yvonne Raley – Oct 5, 2017
Anecdote:  in late summer I got a call for a 4+ carat lagoon tourmaline of a very specific cut and …
Design with us Our story
Newest Items: More hexagons and Lily Designs
Yvonne Raley – Aug 28, 2017
It seems that it’s time for a somewhat overdue blog entry on some of my new items that have come …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
Opals: Some thoughts on their special allure and their challenges for the jeweler
Yvonne Raley – Aug 17, 2017
Opals:  Some Thoughts on Their Special Allure and their Challenges for the Jeweler If you’ve been following my shop for …
Design with us
Forgotten Beauties: Some Jewelry Highlights from my Shop
Yvonne Raley – Jul 13, 2017
In this blog entry, I want to focus your attention on a few pieces of finished jewelry from the shop …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
Russian Demantoid: What’s the Deal with Horsetail Inclusions?
Yvonne Raley – Jun 26, 2017
As many of you know, I have been selling quite a few Russian demantoids on my site in the last …
Design with us
Earring News: More Ear Wire Options for Exciting New Designs
Yvonne Raley – Apr 27, 2017
You might have seen some of the new leverbacks that I offer in my shop – either as stand alone …
All about gems Design with us Our story
How to Get Inspired
Yvonne Raley – Mar 2, 2017
With spring just around the corner and winter being ridiculously mild this year, it’s time to think about some inspiration …
Design with us Inside the industry
Pave Setting – Hand Set versus Pre Cut
Yvonne Raley – Dec 23, 2016
I thought I’d devote this blog entry to my why my setter Pierre has lost his hair.  Or so he …
All about gems Our story
The story of my emeralds, and how it actually started with a strand of rubies
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I thought I’d begin this blog by going back a bit – back to my first emeralds and how I …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
From Kashmir to Tanzania: How to Pick a Sapphire
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
September is sapphire month, and although I personally think that birthstone jewelry is just a sales trick, I will start …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
A word about natural gemstones
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
So I practically got yelled at. This was by a gemstone dealer at a jewelry show last spring, in response …
All about gems Design with us
I like this color – what’s my gem?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I know a lot of us women (and some men, even) strive to be color coordinated.  And this puts certain …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
On Cutting a Stone: Chronicles of a Tsavorite
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Some of my fellow jewelers have been asked if they cut their own stones.  And a friend of mine once …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
Chronicles of a Tsavorite: Part II
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
In my previous entry, I started to take you through the process of cutting a gemstone.  I picked a Tsavorite …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Dime a Dozen or Hard to Find?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
It really took me a while to get the hang of determining which gemstones are rare and which aren’t.  This …
All about gems Inside the industry
Rubies for the Masses – Glass Filled!
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
You might have heard about glass filled ruby scams on the news, they were a big story last year.  Or you read about them …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
December Birthstones: Is Tanzanite a Good Buy?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
As most of you who read my blog know, I don’t think much of birthstones.  My own birthstone is pearl, …
Our story
New Ideas for a New Year
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
After a first full year on Etsy, I have lots of new ideas, and I want to drop those ideas …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Garnets and the other Garnets
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
January is garnet month, or so the Jeweler’s Association says, at any rate.  And if you are thinking red or …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
Emeralds: Before the Oil, After the Oil, and After That
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
So my gemstone dealer D. and I decided to conduct an experiment.  It was an ancient one, and he’s done …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
The Green Diamond
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
So this is the story as it happened.  I am got permission to write about it, but there will be …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
“Could This Gem be a Little Bigger?” (How Big is Your Wallet?)
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I get asked the question posed in the title about once a week.  Two out of three times I don’t …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
What is an Old-Mine Gem?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I’d heard the term many times, but couldn’t make much of it initially.  I looked it up online, but the …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
How to Judge a Ceylon
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
It’s been an interesting year for Ceylon sapphires.  Last summer, they were fairly reasonable in price, and I bought one …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
Can You Get a Gem Like This? Some Brief Notes on Odds
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I periodically get questions like these: can you get a 5mm princess cut blue tourmaline?  Or: do you have a …
All about gems How to value magic Inside the industry
Addicted to Spinel
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
You must have wondered: how much more spinel can she list on her Etsy site?  Well, instead you should ask: …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic
Topaz: Worth Having?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Topaz is one of the birthstones of November, aside from Citrine.  But it has kind of gotten a bad rep …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic Inside the industry
The Other Tanzanite
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Last December I pooh-poohed Tanzanite as a bad investment.  I guess I always say what I think, even if it …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Merry Christmas to ME
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Sometimes, you have to think of yourself.  After a very successful Etsy December, and a busy sale still running, I …
All about gems Inside the industry
How to Heat a Zircon
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
My friend Anya and I were buying some stones at a gem dealer friend’s house last weekend.  When we got …
Design with us Inside the industry
How much would it cost in Gold?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
This is a common question, but it has a disappointing answer: too much, for the most part.  14K gold is …
All about gems Design with us
The Story of a Sapphire
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Sapphires seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth.  Literally – because we can’t get very far below …
All about gems Inside the industry
Getting Cheated: How to Avoid Buying Fake Alex
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
It happens; it can even be unintentional.  You buy some alex, you and the seller think it’s real, and then …
Our story
A Typical Day
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I wake up at around 7:30, to Toby’s loud and demanding purr hovering above my head.  My long haired 13 …
All about gems Design with us
Color Change Gems
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Color change is a fascinating phenomenon in gems.  I have seen strong color change phenomena in three stones: alexandrite, garnet …
All about gems Design with us How to value magic
Inclusion or Crack? A Fine Line
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
We’re getting sucked into the lore together, my customers and I.  Once you own a couple of pretty pieces, you …
All about gems
The Fading Beauty of Spodumene
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
With so many interesting and neat gemstones on the market, knowing what’s what can get very confusing.  But some information …
All about gems Inside the industry
Buying Sphene
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I usually try to stay away from the softer gemstones – after too many experiences of them falling apart on …
Design with us Inside the industry
Working with CAD
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Have you ever wondered how it is that some Etsy shops carry designs that look commercial but claim to be …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Hurricanes and Jewels Don’t Mix
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
With much of Jersey City still without power 5 days after Sandy, the Holland Tunnel closed to regular traffic and …
Design with us
Converting an Antique Pin
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I’ve now converted an antique stick or bar pin into a wearable piece of jewelry several times, and I’ve learned …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
Vintage Diamonds
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
If you read my blog, you know that I am infatuated with old stuff.  I like old mine colored gems, …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
The Confusing World of Garnets: Varieties and Availability
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Garnets, to me, are some of the most “disorganized” gems available on the market today.  Their sheer variety, but also …
All about gems How to value magic
How to Sort Through Diamond Prices
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Diamond pricing is tricky business.  You may have noticed this when you browse different listings and you see two stones …
All about gems Design with us Inside the industry
Where does my Tanzanite Come From?
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
It is rare that one gets much insight into the actual method by which gemstones arrive at the gem dealer’s …
All about gems
Gemstone Underdogs: My Favorite Under-Appreciated Gems
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I’ve been buying beads and gems for about six years now, not as long as other addicts, but I buy …
All about gems How to value magic
The Intricacies of Gemstone Pricing
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Gemstone pricing can seem to be all over the place. Quotes on the same stone fluctuate depending on the seller, …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
My New Website
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
As many of you probably know, I will not be going back to Felician College in the fall.  It will …
Our story
If I May Say So Myself: What I Would Buy from My Shop
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
With my semi-annual 15% sale coming up on July 13th, I thought I’d assemble a shortlist of my own favorite …
Design with us Inside the industry
Some Thoughts on the Challenge of Making Custom Quotes
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Now that I have so many gemstones for sale, I get considerably more requests for custom quotes than I did …
Life beyond the sparkle Our story
Cecile Raley Holiday Buying Guide
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
My assistant Debbie actually put me on to this blog entry.  She thought it would be a good idea to …
Design with us
How to Price Custom Earring Projects: Collections & Price Lists
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I have been working on this all month and I am still not done, but given the insane number of …
Our story
My Favorite Etsy Shops
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
As you are looking for holiday gifts, I thought that instead of focusing just on my shop, I’ll tell you …
Our story
Cecile Raley Designs: Behind the Scenes
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Perhaps some of you are wondering how it works. How things get done so fast – sometimes, and then painstakingly …
Design with us Inside the industry
The Trouble with Photos
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
One of the criticisms I hear the most regarding my shop is that my pictures, well – suck.  Ok, nobody …
Our story
Holiday Shopping on Etsy
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
I don’t know how many of you do holiday shopping via Etsy but I do my bit every year to …
Gem Show Shopping Inside the industry
Preparing for Tucson
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Even though right now I am sitting in small hotel in France, sipping red wine and enjoying the holiday markets …
Adventures abroad
Yvonne Goes to Africa
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
Yes, this is really happening, a dream come true.  On August 17th, in just a few days, I’ll be flying …
Adventures abroad
My Trip To Madagascar – Part One
Yvonne Raley – Dec 14, 2016
We arrived safely in Antanarivo, Madagascar, after a few hiccups: baggage not checked through, plane delay, long lines upon arrival …
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