The Oath Journal
Buying guides, gemstone and birthstone guides, gold and silver know-how, and care advice from the Oath team, for choosing and wearing fine jewelry with confidence.
New · Metals & Materials
Compare solid, hollow and semi-hollow gold chains by construction, weight, durability and repairability, with a practical checklist for choosing yours.
Engagement & Diamonds
Metals & Materials
The occasions coming up, and the guide for each.
Meaning, color and the jewelry that suits each stone.
Jan
Garnet
birthstone guide
Feb
Amethyst
birthstone guide
Mar
Aquamarine
birthstone guide
Apr
Diamond
birthstone guide
May
Emerald
birthstone guide
Jun
Pearl
birthstone guide
Jul
Ruby
birthstone guide
Aug
Peridot
birthstone guide
Sep
Sapphire
birthstone guide
Oct
Opal
birthstone guide
Nov
Topaz
birthstone guide
Dec
Turquoise
birthstone guide
Eight cornerstone guides that cover what to know first.
Buying, Style & Craft
Gemstones & Birthstones
Metals & Materials
Gifts & Occasions
Buying, Style & Craft
Buying, Style & Craft
Gem quality, buying guides, real-vs-fake tests and the twelve birthstones.
Gemstones & Birthstones
Learn how to tell if a ruby is real: at-home loupe tests for natural inclusions, the tells of synthetic and simulant stones, and when a G...
Gemstones & Birthstones
Most colored gemstones are treated in some way, from heat to dyeing to oiling. Here is what each does, why disclosure matters, and how ca...
Gemstones & Birthstones
Learn how to tell if a sapphire is real: at-home loupe tests, the difference between natural, heated, and synthetic stones, and when to g...
Choosing the ring, the diamond and the wedding band.
Engagement & Diamonds
A diamond's shape is its outline, such as round or oval. Its cut is how well the facets are proportioned and finished, which decides how ...
Engagement & Diamonds
Carat measures gemstone weight; karat measures gold purity. Learn what 1 carat, 14K and cttw mean, with clear examples, and how to read b...
Engagement & Diamonds
A lab-grown diamond is a diamond: same carbon, crystal, hardness and brilliance. Learn how it is made, how it is identified and why it mu...
Gold karats, sterling silver, platinum and how each metal wears.
Metals & Materials
Platinum, titanium and 18K yellow gold are the best metals for sensitive skin. Learn which metals contain nickel, what to avoid and how t...
Metals & Materials
Learn how to tell if jewelry is real gold: what karat stamps such as 14K and 585 mean, which home tests work, and how a jeweler confirms ...
Metals & Materials
Platinum is naturally white, dense and nickel-free; white gold is lighter and needs rhodium replating every one to three years. Compare u...
Holiday, anniversary and price-tier gift guides.
Gifts & Occasions
Anniversary jewelry gifts by year: the full gemstone and metal list, the milestone years worth planning for, and how to choose a piece th...
Gifts & Occasions
How to choose a Christmas jewelry gift that actually fits: what to give by relationship, which pieces need no size, which gems last, and ...
Gifts & Occasions
How to choose fine jewelry as a gift: reading the recipient's taste, navigating metal and stone decisions, and matching the piece to the ...
Chains, rings, bracelets and how to wear them.
Men's Jewelry
The men's jewelry trends worth following: layering, bold statement chains, black diamonds and dark stones, the signet revival, and person...
Men's Jewelry
How to style men's fine jewelry for a formal event: the black-tie signatures, what pairs with a tuxedo versus a dark suit, coordinating m...
Men's Jewelry
New to jewelry? A guide for men who don't usually wear it: the easiest first pieces, wearing them comfortably, choosing a metal, and buil...
Cleaning, storage and keeping pieces looking new.
Jewelry Care
Small studs, huggies and plain bands are usually fine to sleep in. Dangling earrings, long necklaces, prong rings and pearls should come ...
Jewelry Care
Solid gold and platinum survive the shower, but soap dulls diamonds, and plated pieces, pearls and porous gems suffer. See what to take o...
Jewelry Care
Keep diamond jewelry bright with warm soapy water, a soft brush and separate storage. Learn safe cleaning methods, what to avoid and when...
The questions people ask most, answered in a line.
All 169 guides, by topic, A to Z.
Solid gold, platinum and sterling silver, set with genuine gemstones.
