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When it comes to custom jewelry, every finished masterpiece tells a unique story. Today, we have the privilege of unveiling a remarkable creation that not only captures the essence of custom craftsmanship but also pays homage to the allure of fantasy.

Behold, Joseph Schubach’s extraordinary Ring of Barahir with a Natural Unheated Ruby—a piece that transcends jewelry and transforms into a work of art.

The Spark of Inspiration

Every exceptional design begins with a spark of inspiration and this magnificent ring is no exception. Joseph Schubach embarked on this creative journey with a customer with a vision inspired by the “Ring of Barahir.”

For those not familiar with it, the “Ring of Barahir” is a significant magical artifact in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth mythology, worn by Barahir and later his son Beren. This ring features a serpent motif and represents the House of Bëor among Men.

In Tolkien’s legendarium, the Ring of Barahir is a cherished heirloom, embodying courage and the enduring legacy of the Edain, and it remains an iconic element of Middle-earth’s rich history and lore.

The Unearthly Gem

The star of this show is undoubtedly the natural, untreated ruby—an exquisite gem that proved to be as elusive as it is captivating. With its rich, deep red hue, this ruby is more than just a stone; it’s a manifestation of nature’s artistry. The photographs may come close, but as our team attests, words and pictures can scarcely do justice to its radiant beauty.

Craftsmanship Meets Storytelling

The craftsmanship behind this creation is nothing short of exceptional. The ring is a harmonious blend of platinum and 18kt gold, meticulously cast and assembled in multiple pieces to achieve its perfect form.

The true magic, however, lies in the details. Each scale, meticulously hand-engraved, adds a level of crispness and shine that elevates this piece to the realm of wearable art. It’s a testament to the skill, dedication and passion that go into every Joseph Schubach design.

To marry the design with a mythical backstory…well, we couldn’t be more happy to “go there.”

A Priceless Masterpiece

While we cannot put a price tag on artistry, it’s worth noting that the stone alone in this magnificent ring is priced quite high. This sheds light on the rarity and exceptional quality of the natural, untreated ruby gracing this creation. With its interesting back story, this piece of jewelry is more than a wearable treasure—it’s a conversation starter, a symbol of individuality.

We’re super proud of this special piece. It’s a celebration of imagination, beauty and the transformative power of jewelry. In every scale and facet of this ring, we find the embodiment of a dream turned into reality—a dream that transcends the boundaries of fantasy and becomes a tangible, wearable masterpiece.

What wearable story do you want to tell?

Kate Beckinsale wears three rings on her wedding finger to signify her family: herself, husband Len Wiseman and daughter Lily. "It's a cunning way of getting more ice if I have any more children," she told PEOPLE. "It's completely calculated."

When Kate Beckinsale donned these engagement rings, the bridal world went wild. The horizontal setting, the delicate craftsmanship, the simplicity and romance of it…brides wanted rings just like those precious stackable bands.

Well, one of our clients wanted rings reminiscent of Kate’s, with her own personal touches. Here’s what we presented to her:

The keystone setting from east to west is such a unique element that it sets this ring apart from similar pave designs. The stack bands are perfect for mixing, matching and creating extra sparkle.

Do you have a celebrity ring in mind? Let us help you bring your celebrity inspired ring to life!

Reading this over coffee today, I couldn’t help but see how someone with a jewelry background could make the move into the world of psychology. We are our own kind of psychologists. Jewelers don’t just make a product; we create jewelry based on our client’s deepest dreams and wishes surrounding love. You couldn’t ask for a bigger psychological connection than that!

I couldn’t find an image of Cybil’s ring yet but wanted to share this interesting “love found again” story:

CYBILL SHEPHERD will become a therapist’s bride when she’s done playing a politician’s wife. “I’m engaged,” the 62-year-old actress, who is starring in “The Best Man” on Broadway, exclusively told the News’ theater critic Joe Dziemianowicz. “He was a jeweler. Now, he’s a psychologist. He’s Serbian.”

Shepard’s “he” is Andrei Nikolajevic, who still knows his gems, judging by the gorgeous sparkler set in white gold on her left hand. But she said no one has questioned her new jewelry as of yet. “It’s not my job to tell them,” she says. Shepherd, whose ex-husbands include David Ford and Bruce Oppenheim, adds Nikolajevic popped the question a couple weeks ago here in NYC. “It was very romantic and on one knee,” she says of her fiancé, whom she met through friends. “I never thought I’d get married again.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/cybill-shepherd-reveals-engaged-a-jeweler-gave-a-gorgeous-sparkler-a-gem-article-1.1119768#ixzz21XznLido

I stumbled across this moissanite poll in Wedding Bee today and it got me thinking: why are so many people still so resistant to moissanite?

As you’ll see, 49% of the people polled wouldn’t even consider moissanite, so the poll question didn’t even apply to them. It got me thinking that we still have a lot of work to go. As the moissanite-friendly understand, choosing moissanite is a smart, ecologically and economically sound diamond alternative possessing many of the same qualities as naturally mined diamonds. It’s light years beyond a simulant such as cubic zirconia. Moissanite a lab-created diamond and is difficult for many jewelers to detect the difference.

Are diamonds forever?

Yet we still are so attached to diamonds. Why? Probably because of a very successful ad campaign from the 1930’s that proclaimed that “Diamonds are Forever.” In our collective mind, we deeply associate diamonds with long-lasting love. Unfortunately that’s just not true. Diamonds are also associated with large-scale ecological damage to this planet and the people on it. It’s time to think outside of the “diamond box” and choose something based on the world we live in now.

Moissanite is that choice.

Be the 20%!

Style 9577 Knife Edge Solitaire Engagement Ring Knife edge solitaire engagement ring (setting only, does not include center stone) On Sale! Save an additional 10% with purchase of a moissanite stone and setting. Use coupon code ‘Sale10’ at checkout. Setting Price: $649.00 – $1,815.00

After the craziness that was Kim Kardashian’s brief and wild media-hyped marriage, many questions arose as to who can legally keep the ring after an engagement (or marriage) gone wrong? Well, it varies from state to state and pre-nup to pre-nup. Interestingly, in Kardashian’s case, without a special clause in the prenup, Kim would have been the owner outright – once they became man and wife, the ring would have been Kim’s.

Engagement rings fall under property, contract or family law, and how they are treated varies by state.

In California, it depends on who broke the engagement. For example, if the person who received the ring is the one who is reneging on the engagement, then that person must relinquish the jewelry. In New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee and other states, appellate courts say engagement rings are conditional gifts that must be returned to the gift giver if the condition — namely, the marriage — does not take place, regardless of who broke off the engagement. Kansas and Montana say a gift, once given, cannot be taken back.

Source: CNNLiving

In the last few weeks, we’ve highlighted the economic trends in relation to purchasing engagement rings. Now we have some more specifics. Overall, you’ll see couples moving toward more affordable engagement rings with smaller carat sizes and alternative gems, such as moissanite.

The average American engagement ring costs $5,200. That’s just one of the results of the just-released 2011 Engagement & Jewelry Survey from XO Group Inc., formerly The Knot Inc., and owners of TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. The survey polled more than 10,000 U.S. brides and 1,000 U.S. grooms who were either engaged or married in the past year.

Below are highlights of survey data, featuring average prices, carat weights, and more:

1.		Engagement ring cost: $5,200
2.		Carat size: 1 ct. for center stone; 1.4 cts. t.w.
3.		Most popular diamond shapes: round (53%) and princess (30%)
4.		Most popular engagement ring metal: white gold (73%)
5.		Time it takes for groom to find engagement ring: 3 months
6.		Wedding band cost: $1,126 for brides; $491 for grooms
7.		Most popular wedding band metal: white gold (70% for brides, 34% for grooms)
8.		Luxury ring segment: About 12% of couples spend more than $8,000 on the engagement ring
9.		Luxury engagement ring cost: $13,500
10.		Luxury engagement ring carat size: 1.5 cts. for center stone; more than 2 cts. t.w.
11.		Luxury wedding band cost: $1,560 for brides; $731 for grooms

Other data reveals that just 14 percent of grooms claimed to have scaled down the size and cost of engagement rings purchased due to the economy, while 1 in 4 grooms spent more than he originally budgeted. Buyers are, however, still spending less than they did a few years ago; today, couples are spending just under $5,200 on the ring, compared with $5,800 for engaged couples in 2008.

Read more at JCK.

Style 10214-6.5mm Twisted Shank Engagement Ring With Side Stones Twisted shank engagement ring with just under 2/5ct t.w. pave’ side stones. Fits a 6.5mm (1ct) round center stone. (setting only, does not include center stone)

This story is getting quite a lot of online airplay recently, but we’re not surprised here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers. We see it firsthand: men want to still “wow” their spouse-to-be but how can budget not be an issue in this economy. Of course, our resounding answer is moissanite, where you get more bang for your buck as well choosing something ecologically sound.

Men planning their weddings are cutting back on what they spend on an engagement ring – and their fiancees are not happy. Traditionally, a ring has tended to cost around up to three months’ salary – but now many grooms-to-be are devoting only three weeks’ income to the crucial purchase. Research by home insurance firm LV found that nearly two-thirds of grooms are paying less than a month’s salary.  John O’Roarke, LV’s managing director, said: ‘It’s not surprising to see men tightening their belts in these tough economic times.

Regardless of how much a ring is worth, it is still a treasured possession.’ More than half of the women surveyed said they did not how much their engagement ring was worth. But most said they expected their man to spend at least one month’s salary on the ring. Nearly four in ten grooms refused to reveal what they paid, and three per cent admitted that they exaggerated the cost.

Source: GalTime

Cathedral engagement ring with two bezel set round brilliant diamonds. Fits a 6.5mm (1ct) round center stone. (setting only, does not include center stone)

Contemporary Solitaire Engagement Ring Contemporary solitaire engagement ring. Fits a 6.5mm round stone. (setting only, does not included center stone)

Barkev's Engagement Ring And Matching Wedding Band Set With Round Diamonds

We’re very choosy about the jewelry lines we carry at Joseph Schubach Jewelers. But this choice was easy. Barkev’s high quality jewelry certainly falls in that “one of a kind” category without being overly ostentatious. Simply put, its well-crafted, distinctive pieces that has been catching everyone’s eye online and at our jewelry showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona.

According to Barkev’s website:

Since 1981 Barkev’s has been successful in the designing, manufacturing and special orders of engagement rings and fine jewelry. Our continuing efforts enable us to offer to our customers the finest quality of engagement rings and fine jewelry, in a vast selection of styles and designs. Our factory is located in Los Angeles, and we take pride to say that all of our jewelry is designed and manufactured completely in our facilities.

Here’s a sampling, but check here for the full Barkev collection we carry:

Style 10702 Barkev’s Cathedral Style Solitaire Engagement Ring Starting from $1,385.00 Style 10712  Barkev Engagement Ring And Matching Wedding Band Set With Round Diamonds Starting from $1,785.00 Style 10703  Barkev’s Solitaire Engagement Ring Starting from $1,129.00 Style 10707  Barkev’s Solitaire Engagement Ring And Matching Wedding Band Set With Round Diamonds Starting from $1,299.00 Style 10726  Barkev Engagement Ring With Round Diamond Side Stones Starting from $1,459.00 Style 10795  Barkev Curved Design Four Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring Starting from $715.00 Style 10798  Barkev Engagement Ring With Diamond Side Stones Starting from $2,165.00 Style 10769  Barkev Cathedral Engagement Ring And Matching Wedding Band With Diamonds Starting from $2,635.00 Style 10758  Barkev Cathedral Engagement Ring And Mathing Wedding Band With Diamonds

Joseph Schubach Jewelers in Scottsdale, AZ. Joe is a third-generation jeweler and our company creates high-end custom design engagement rings, so we’re highly knowledgeable on ways to save you money for your upcoming wedding.

Here are our top suggestions:

1. Moissanite

We can’t stress this one enough. So many of our clients who couldn’t afford a ring using natural diamonds saw their dreams come true with moissanite. Moissanite is more than a diamond simulant; it’s a lab-created diamond, with parallel properties. It even exceeds diamonds in some areas, such as brilliance.

It’s also an eco-friendly choice. Considering many jewelers can’t tell the difference between moissanite and diamonds, we think this is one of the best ways to save money and choose the ring of your dreams.

2. Custom design it.

When YOU decide on the material and design of your ring, you have much more control regarding the overall cost of the ring. In addition to having a one-of-a-kind ring, you intrinsically feel more connected with the ring, because it’s your brain child with your personal signature. You’ll learn what metals and gems are more affordable than others and base your design accordingly.

3. Ring Makeovers

Many have a family heirloom in their possession but aren’t fond of the design. A ring makeover allows you to use the existing material and upgrade the look according to your style. It’s also an eco-friendly choice, since you’re repurposing an existing piece of jewelry. On top of that, you have a ring with family history imbued in it.

So there you go – ways to save money on engagement rings during trying economic times!

Save 30% Now! Round Moissanite Engagement Ring With Side Stones

When actress and Oscar winner Natalie Portman decided to wed Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied, she insisted on a ring that fit her eco-friendly leanings. She also chose a platinum ring; the exceedingly “in” metal:

The latest A-list bride-to-be on the platinum program is Natalie Portman, whose engagement announcement left her fans with dropped jaws late last year. The low-profile actress has been spotted wearing a stunning vintage-inspired engagement ring in platinum while making the publicity rounds following her best-actress Oscar win for her role in Black Swan.

The film’s choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who is Portman’s fiancé and the man with whom she is also expecting her first child, was reportedly a very careful ring shopper. He made sure he chose a ring that is eco-friendly, in line with the values of the 29-year-old actress, who is also a vegan activist.

According to a report in InStyle, the handmade ring was designed by ballet dancer-turned jewelry designer Jamie Wolf and features an antique stone–an old round old mine-cut diamond- and recycled platinum. The pavé diamonds are certified as conflict-free

Wolf has also made jewelry for a list of Hollywood starlets that includes Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway.

Platinum engagement ring - eco-friendly and vintage dazzling