From the refined Upper East Side to Brooklyn’s haphazard and hip Williamsburg, the city is teeming with jewelry creations in anticipation of spring—call it march madness for jewelry lovers, if you will. Here’s what’s hot in these two contrasting neighborhoods.

Upper East Side

Known for its easy access to Central Park, swanky townhouses and high-end shopping, NYC’s Upper East Side is the go-to location for the jewelry needs of the rich and famous. Madison Avenue is the street to stick to when browsing flagship stores of luxury designers such as Graff Diamonds, Fred Leighton, and Chopard.  

Aquamarine has always symbolized renewal and eternal youth, so it’s a fitting birthstone for those born in March, the month when the long winter gradually gives way to spring.

Derived from the Latin for “water” and “sea,” aquamarines were a popular talisman for sailors who believed a stone engraved with Poseidon would keep them safe. It’s not hard to guess why aquamarine became a popular good luck charm for seafaring types. It embodies the ocean. Aquamarine can range in color from Caribbean blue to steely, icy blue or murky, opaque green.

As the stars filed on to the red carpet at this year’s Academy Awards, social media for the fashion and jewelry industries was buzzing – just as they were for the Golden Globes and Grammies.

Bold jewelry is back in a big way.

It’s that time of year when everyone starts speculating on who will design this year’s Super Bowl rings. Will it be a championship ring specialist such as Jostens, designer of the Ravens’ rings last year, or a big-name retailer such as Tiffany & Co., who designed the New York Giants’ rings in 2012?

Selling unwanted gold jewelry is a great way to earn cash. As gold prices remain above $1,200 an ounce, recycling unwanted gold jewelry into jewelry you love is an also great way to save money.

But there’s another compelling reason to recycle your gold. It’s good for the environment. Gold mining has been identified as a major cause of mercury pollution, particularly small-scale mining in unregulated countries such as Peru.