Fine jewelry marks the moments people remember: an engagement, a milestone birthday, a first or fortieth anniversary. Unlike most gifts, a well chosen piece lasts for decades and often passes to the next generation, which is why the choice deserves some care. Charles Schwartz & Son, Washington DC’s oldest jeweler, founded in 1888, has helped families choose milestone pieces for more than 135 years from The Willard Hotel in Washington and the Barlow Building in Chevy Chase, Maryland. This guide explains what makes jewelry truly fine, how birthstones and anniversary gems help you match a piece to the person, and what to consider when you buy fine jewelry in Washington for a moment that matters.
What Makes Jewelry “Fine”
Fine jewelry is made from precious metals and genuine gemstones. In practice that means solid gold, usually 14 or 18 karat, or platinum, set with natural diamonds and colored stones. According to the Gemological Institute of America, the value of a colored stone rests on its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, the same framework used to grade diamonds. Craftsmanship matters too. A well made piece has secure settings, clean finishing, and a hallmark stamped inside that states the metal content. When you are spending for a milestone, those details are what separate a piece that lasts a lifetime from one that does not.
Birthstones: A Gift That Fits the Person
A birthstone is a simple way to make a gift personal, since each month carries its own gem. The list most jewelers follow was standardized in 1912 and updated by the Gemological Institute of America in 2019.
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl, alexandrite, or moonstone
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot or spinel
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal or tourmaline
- November: Topaz or citrine
- December: Turquoise, tanzanite, or blue zircon
Anniversary Gemstones by Year
Anniversaries have their own gemstone tradition, formalized by the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, in 1937. Lists vary slightly between sources, but the milestones below are the ones most widely recognized.
- 1st: Gold
- 5th: Sapphire
- 10th: Diamond
- 15th: Ruby
- 20th: Emerald
- 30th: Pearl
- 40th: Ruby
- 50th: Gold
- 60th: Diamond
These traditions are a helpful starting point rather than a rule.
Choosing Fine Jewelry for Engagements and Big Occasions
For an engagement or a landmark gift, durability is worth as much thought as beauty. A stone worn every day needs hardness and a protective setting. The Gemological Institute of America notes that ruby, sapphire, aquamarine, alexandrite, and spinel all rate 7.5 or higher on the Mohs scale, which makes them practical choices for rings that will see decades of wear. For any significant purchase, ask for an independent gemstone report so you know exactly what you are buying, and consider having the finished piece appraised for insurance.
Where to Buy Fine Jewelry in Washington DC
For fine jewelry, DC and the surrounding area offer many options, but few with a long local record. An established jeweler can guide the choice, explain the quality behind a price, and stand behind the piece long after the occasion. Charles Schwartz & Son has served Washington families, along with visiting dignitaries and collectors, since 1888, and offers fine and estate jewelry, watches, custom work, and appraisals at both the Washington and Chevy Chase locations.
Bring Your Milestone to Charles Schwartz & Son
Whether you are marking a fall wedding, a birthday, or a decades long anniversary, it helps to choose the piece with someone who handles fine jewelry every day. Visit us at The Willard Hotel in Washington or the Barlow Building in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and we will help you find something the recipient will keep for life.
Explore fine jewelry gifts in Washington DC for every milestone
Key Takeaways
- Fine jewelry uses precious metals like gold and platinum with genuine gemstones, and carries a hallmark stating the metal content.
- Birthstones make a gift personal, with July claiming the ruby and summer offering especially wearable stones.
- Anniversary gems follow a tradition set in 1937, from sapphire at five years to diamond at sixty.
- For pieces worn daily, choose durable stones rated 7.5 or higher on the Mohs scale and a protective setting.
- Ask for an independent gemstone report on significant purchases and appraise the finished piece for insurance.
- Charles Schwartz & Son, founded in 1888, offers fine and estate jewelry, watches, custom work, and appraisals at The Willard Hotel and in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as fine jewelry?
Fine jewelry is made from precious metals such as gold and platinum and set with genuine gemstones, rather than plated metals and imitation stones. A hallmark inside the piece states the metal content, and quality shows in secure settings and clean finishing.
What is the birthstone for an October birthday?
October’s birthstone is the Opal.
How do I choose fine jewelry for an anniversary?
Start with the traditional anniversary gem for the year, then adjust to the person. The tradition set by Jewelers of America assigns sapphire to the fifth year, diamond to the tenth, ruby to the fifteenth and fortieth, and diamond again to the sixtieth, but a gem the wearer loves is always a sound choice.
Where can I buy fine jewelry in Washington DC?
Charles Schwartz & Son sells fine and estate jewelry at two locations in the Washington area. You can view pieces and speak with a specialist at The Willard Hotel in Washington or the Barlow Building in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Glossary
- Fine jewelry: jewelry made from precious metals and genuine gemstones, distinct from costume or fashion jewelry.
- Birthstone: a gemstone associated with a calendar month, often given as a personal gift.
- Hallmark: a stamp inside a piece that certifies its metal content, such as 18K or platinum.
- Karat: a measure of gold purity, with 24 karat being pure gold and 18 or 14 karat common in fine jewelry.
- Mohs scale: a scale of mineral hardness used to judge how well a gem will hold up to daily wear.
- Appraisal: a professional assessment of a piece’s identity, quality, and value, often used for insurance.
