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The ORLIVET Journal

Stories of fine jewelry, rare gemstones, craftsmanship, and the quiet value behind what we choose to wear.

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The Art of Cutting Topaz: Shape, Light, and Lasting Beauty

Rhonda Piper|

Before a gemstone is set into gold, before it becomes jewelry, it exists as pure potential. Its beauty is not yet visible — only possible. For topaz, more than almost any other gemstone, the final character depends on one crucial decision: the cut. Cutting is not decoration. It is interpretation.

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Jewelry as Self-Reward: Why We Buy for Ourselves in 2026

Rhonda Piper|

For decades, fine jewelry followed a familiar script. Someone gives. Someone receives. A moment is marked. In 2026, that narrative has changed. More people than ever are buying fine jewelry for themselves — not as an exception, but as a conscious choice. This shift is not impulsive. It is cultural, emotional, and deeply personal. Jewelry has become a form of self-reward.

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Why Blue Gemstones Are the Most Desired in 2026

Rhonda Piper|

As we move into 2026, fine jewelry continues to shift away from spectacle and toward meaning.  Buyers are no longer drawn primarily to what shines the loudest — they are choosing what feels stable, intentional, and enduring.

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Why Handcrafted Jewelry Feels More Personal

Rhonda Piper|

Because some things are made — and others are created. The Difference You Can Feel. There is a moment — often subtle — when you pick up a piece of jewelry and sense that it is different. Not louder. Not heavier. Not more decorated. Just… closer.

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Volyn Azure: The Story of Ukraine’s Rare Blue Topaz

Rhonda Piper|

Deep in the northwestern part of Ukraine lies a place few outside gemological circles have ever heard of — the Volyn deposit.    Not a polished tourist destination, not a mass-market mine, but an ancient geological formation where nature spent millions of years shaping something remarkably rare: natural blue topaz with exceptional clarity and color depth.

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ORLIVET Core: Clean Lines, Gold, and a Classic That Endures

Rhonda Piper|

The Quiet Power of Restraint. Some jewelry asks for attention. Others earn it quietly. ORLIVET Core was created for those who value clarity over excess — pieces defined not by decoration, but by proportion, balance, and intention.

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Lab Diamonds vs. Natural Gems: What Modern Buyers Should Know

David Demid|

A New Question in Fine Jewelry. For decades, fine jewelry followed a single narrative: natural stones were the default, alternatives were compromises. Today, that narrative has changed.

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