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Archive for January, 2010

Jewelry Sales – The Upside

January 12, 2010

We’re often asked how our business is faring in a trying economy. And there’s no easy answer to that question. Overall, we’ve maintained because we have a loyal customer base who’ve come to depend on our stellar service and high-tiered craftsmanship.We realize the importance of fostering our relationships with our customers…and after three generations, we think our formula works.

Looking at the jewelry market overall, you’ll find some mixed news, such as this Wall Street Journal piece:

Consumer electronics products were strong sellers in December, rising 7.3%, SpendingPulse said. Luxury merchandise, excluding jewelry, grew 5.5%, turning positive after a 7.3% decline in November, and jewelry sales rose 6.9%, their fourth consecutive monthly gain, SpendingPulse said.Still, high-end items are not capturing the most consumer dollars. Discount mass merchants like Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) and BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. (BJ) are again expected to show the most comparable-store growth for December, at 3.9%, while teen and children’s apparel retailers are pegged for the biggest decline, at 4.3%, Thomson Reuters said.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is part of the mass merchant group, but will not be reporting same-store sales after halting the practice last year. Jefferies Group feels the nation’s biggest retailer had strong December results. Wal-Mart delivered a “clear holiday sales message, combined with more aggressive pricing and easier comparisons” that produced a low-single-digit percentage gain, putting Jefferies’ quarter-to-date estimate toward the upper end of Wal-Mart’s forecast for a 1% gain to a 1% drop.

So we’re seeing a little hope on the horizon, economically speaking. People are beginning to buy again, slowly but surely. At Joseph Schubach Jewelers, we realize budgets are tight and can find you a piece tailor-made to fit your checkbook. You name the price, we name the piece – it’s that simple.

Check out these earrings below. These are a phenomenal deal and a store favorite:

Save 60% Now! Martini Style Moissanite Earrings

Martini style three prong earrings with Charles and Colvard created round moissanite.

SAVE 60% while supplies last.

2.50ct t.w. (dia equiv) Reg. $1649 Now $659.60

Use Coupon Code “Discount60″ at checkout.

Jewelry Lessons for Monday

January 11, 2010

Come on, wake up that groggy brain of yours! It’s Monday. Time to expand your mind, increase your knowledge and get some work done.

Jewelry has a vast and amazing history across the world, signifying so much more than adornment.Here’s some bite-sized pieces of jewelry info so you’re a little more “in the know”:

The word Jewelry is derived from the Latin word jocale, meaning “plaything,” and the word jewel, which was anglicised in the 13th century from the Old French word jouel. The word “jewelry” (spelled Jewellery in European English) is used to describe any piece of precious material (gemstones, noble metals, etc.) used to adorn one’s self.

Jewelry in its most basic form has been used since the dawn of of man’s use of tools and clothing. Researchers believed that the ability to use symbolism did not develop until humans had migrated to Europe 35,000 to 40,000 years ago. Recently discovered mollusk shells that had been perforated to be made into beads are now thought to be some of the oldest known man-made Jewelry.

Used as a symbol of wealth and/or status as well as to protect against harm, ward of evil, and heal ailments, jewelry was used to adorn nearly every part of the body and has been made out of almost every material known to mankind.

Source: The History of Jewelry

How Gold is your Gold?

January 6, 2010

It always important, especially when buying online, to know your seller. A company like ours has 3 generations of service under its belt and an impeccable local and online reputation.

But there are other ways to identify your product and ensure you are getting the real deal. Take gold for instance:

Here’s some information on how to tell if the gold on your bracelet or necklace is really gold. The chlorine in bleach is dangerous to gold jewelry, so it’s best not to test gold in bleach, or else you’ll ruin your jewelry. Stress points like where the metal has been hammered, bent over stones in prongs, formed by chain making machines and the like are the most affected by chlorine. Soldered areas are sometimes affected by chlorine. White gold is most easily damaged but apparently this happens with yellow gold also at stress points in the metal.

Chlorine will cause a darkening on gold, but on yellow gold it looks almost like a very pale gray color. White gold reacts the same way but sometimes goes darker. This is the chlorine reacting to the metals in karat gold. All jewelry metal of 18k, 14k and 10k has other metals in the recipe when the metal is made. Pure gold is mixed with mostly silver and copper (with nickel or palladium with white gold) to make metal strong enough for jewelry.

The karat mark shows how much pure gold is in the mix. For instance, pure gold is called 24k. Now, 10k will have 10 parts pure gold and 14 parts of the other metals, all adding up to 24 part. 18k gold will be 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts other metals, all adding up to 24 parts. That is how it goes with karats.

Yellow gold is not as dangerously affected by chlorine in bleach and a good buffing should make it okay, that is, if it is really gold. The best way to see if it is real karat gold is to have it tested. That means an acid test or a test using one of the newer electronic gold testers some jewelers use.

Girls Disney Snow White Tiara Bracelet

Girls Disney Snow White tiara bracelet with .12ct round brilliant diamonds and .29ct natural pink sapphires, 14kt yellow gold. Bracelet adjusts from 5″ to 51/2″

Fashion Trends in your Own Backyard!

January 5, 2010

To continue our trend on trends, today we take a closer look at the way history affects our fashion choices. It’s no surprise, actually. When it comes to economic climate, we wear it!

According to one expert:

Coco Chanel once said:

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

However far-fetched that may sound to some, there is some truth to it. One can look at jewelry from any given time period and get an idea of what was occurring in that society.

During the Renaissance era, the jewelry was extremely decadent. During the Victorian era, jewelry conveyed a prim and proper delicacy that was considered standard behavior for women.

What will be the mood this season? It seems that a lot of designers are still tapped into the idea of using unconventional materials this season, perhaps filling that need for a little decadence during an uncertain financial time.

Mark Shaw-Editioned Portrait of Coco Chanel#1 , Paris, 1957

Broad, Social Influences Affect Jewelry Trends for 2010

January 4, 2010

In this day and age, trends are becoming more intricately connected to what’s going on in the world around us. The terms being used have more of a socio-political feel and a deeper resonance with the buyer.

Here’s what one expert has to say:

Over the last year, Gem Visions’ international team of trend and jewelry experts explored a broad palette of socio-cultural implications to come up with four distinct “mega trends” that they believe are most likely to influence fine jewelry. For 2010, those trends are: false nudity, oversized games, pure chaos and divine chimeras.

The first features ultra-light, airy designs focusing on light and transparency yet counterbalanced by minute details and rendered in milky pastel colors such as pale olive green, sugar-almond tones, salmon pink and deep powder blue.

Designs in the “oversized games” category feature a theatrical stylization of nature with extravagantly sculptural, playful forms in shocking and acidic colors juxtaposed with cold, concrete neutrals.

Draped materials, layers and random imperfections in stones and metals will be some of the design characteristics for pieces that fall under the “pure chaos” category. A mix of multicolors and monotones will make up the color palette.

Finally, “divine chimera” designs will be expressed through mismatched materials and hot oranges, reds and corals complemented by opaque shades of anthracite and brown. Pieces within the category are meant to unveil personal identity and express fantasy and escapism.