CED Blog

Wedding History: Medieval Times

May 18, 2011

Betrothal was common. Brides wore blue because it was the color of purity. There were rings and the kissing of the bride. The maid of honor originated during this time in England.

Wedding History: A Study of Romance

May 6, 2011

I’m sure everyone knows the Disney version of Pocahontas and John Smith’s love story. It’s beautiful and romantic and it was also out of the norm for that day and age. Weddings haven’t always been about love and romance. In the earliest days they were usually to bring about profit, peace or elevate social status.

Passion for Jewelry

March 28, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor died last Wednesday at the age of 79. Along with her glamour, charm, beauty and philanthropist nature, she possessed a passion for jewelry. Taylor was the owner of some of the most famous gems in history;

Women’s History Month

March 9, 2011

March is Women’s History Month. Our history is our strength. It’s not that our history as women differs from our country’s history, or minorities’ history, or political history very much; our history intertwines with all of these.

February’s Birthstone Amethyst

February 16, 2011

Coveted for its color ranging from light purple to deep violet February’s birthstone, Amethyst makes gorgeous jewelry. Associated with spirituality, wisdom, sobriety, and security the name comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “sober

The Jewels of Wallis Simpson

December 8, 2010

The former Duchess of Windsor, the American who stole Prince Edward’s heart and caused him to give up his throne, this is Wallis Simpson. All of the above jewels and more were auctioned off in London late yesterday; all twenty pieces reportedly went for a combined 12.5 million.

Alexandrite’s Changing Colors

October 27, 2010

Linked to the Gemini constellation, alexandrite, with a hardness of 8.5, embodies the duality of its zodiac counterpart; it’s literally an emerald and a ruby! Itwas discovered in the emerald mines of the Ural Mountains. The Russian tsar, Alexander II, was so intrigued by the stone that it was named after him

The Brewery Arts Complex

October 6, 2010

The Brewery Arts Complex, located just down the street from Chinatown and the San Antonio winery, is the world’s largest live-work art colony. It consists of 22 buildings on 23 acres, some of the buildings dating back to 1888. Converted from the Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery

The Oviatt

September 17, 2010

“An art deco castle in the air,” this is one of very favorite buildings in Los Angeles. Finished in 1927, designed by Percy Eisen and Albert Walker, and complete with French marble and over 30 tons of Rene Lalique’s art glass. The Oviatt was originally the home the Alexander and Oviatt, a men’s clothing store;