Happy Stories From our customers

The emerald cut. Dramatic, classic and just plain eye-catching. But is the cut for you?

Here are some benefits of the emerald cut ring:

More bang for your buck. Emerald cut engagement rings are less expensive than their round or princess-cut diamond counterparts(generally about 15 – 25% less). That’s because this type of cut is generally in less demand, which means more savings for you.

The slenderizing effect. Diamonds (or other gems that are emerald cut) are elongated which gives the illusion of a more slender, longer finger. Perfect for women who are looking for a “whole hand effect” when wearing their prized piece.

More bling appeal. Emerald cut engagement rings simply look larger because of the design of the  cut. An average 1 carat emerald cut stone has up to 5% greater surface area than a 1 carat round cut gem. This means the top of the ring looks bigger, hence extra bling appeal for you and all who lay eyes on it!

So is a emerald cut engagement ring for you? Check out the video below for a closer look. Or call us up. Our expert staff can help you decide the best cut for you, your lifestyle and your personality.

Yesterday, as I sat with my friend over coffee, I couldn’t help but notice her dangling silver hoop earrings. As she told an animated story about a recent date gone awry, the earrings swung to and fro and almost seemed to punctuate the tale.

It got me thinking about movement and jewelry. Some pieces are meant to be stationary and don’t benefit from a design that enhances flow. As a matter of fact, most jewelry is meant to stay put.

One could argue that a bracelet or a necklace are built for some movement and benefit from a swing or sway. But no piece of jewelry is enhanced by movement like earrings, especially ones that dangle. When they do, they tend to be real attention grabbers, like my friend’s earrings did.

A conclusion I drew yesterday a.m.? Wear dangling earrings when you want that little boost of attention, like on a date or perhaps during an interview. Of course, you don’t want your swinging accessories to upstage you, but enhance you, like a sparkling spotlight.

We’re especially pleased with the recent custom design earrings below and are sure they’ll highlight the face and energy of the wearer.

Just like clothing, jewelry can either match or clash with the wearer’s underlying skin tone. So before choosing a colored gem (or even degrees of diamond white), it’s critical to define your particular skin tone.

Warm and Cool

Undoubtedly you’ve heard of skin tones being either “warm” or “cool.” But what does that mean exactly? How can you find out what category you fall under?

Simply put, skin with a warm hue has a yellow undertone whereas those with a cool hue have a blue undertone.

Here’s an easy test to find out your color, courtesy of the Daily Mail:

Look in the mirror and hold the white fabric under your chin – then repeat with the cream fabric. Look at the clarity of your eyes and see if you can see them light up.

If you are warm, the cream fabric should give you a warm glow, while the white will make you look drawn. If you are cool, the white fabric should give you a glow, while the cream colour will make you look drawn.

Simple enough, right? Of course, its easy enough to draw a logical conclusion when applying this rule to jewelry and skin tone. Those with a warm skin tone tend to work better with gold jewelry whereas those with a cool skin tone are better suited to silver jewelry.

Of course, these are loose guidelines. If you’re a warm toned gal who simply loves silver jewelry, don’t let these “rules” stop you. Only you know what truly looks and feels best on you…and that’s what matters the most.

Yes, we can custom design belly button rings! But an important step to know beforehand? How to remove a belly button ring, especially your starter.

First, wait until your belly button has healed properly before removal (critical step). Then, unscrew the top ball of the belly button ring. Gently slide the ring into the piercing from bottom to top. Secure the ring by replacing the ball then wipe the area down with a clean saline wipe. It’s that simple!

Need a visual? Watch below!

I came across a story this morning that made me realize the importance of getting a valid, substantiated appraisal of your jewelry’s worth before you purchase. (Afterward, its often too late as this story details.)

The short version: a couple went on a cruise and on one of the stops (Belize City) found a set of tanzanite jewelry they fell in love with. The cruise line recommended the company (Diamonds International) so they thought they were safe when they made a substantial purchase.

But when they returned home, they found out the tanzanite jewelry they purchased was worth a fraction of the value they were quoted by Diamonds International. Luckily they get a portion of their money back (after much wrangling and press attention).

The takeaway? Get your jewelry appraised by a certified jewelry appraiser. And do you due diligence in advance. Research the appraiser for training and reputation.

We like the list of appraisers at the American Gem Society.

According to their website:

“Our certified jewelry appraisers are the best in the business. As a nonprofit dedicated to protecting you, the consumer, we put each appraiser through rigorous training and certification process.”

Jewelry is an investment and needs to be treated as such, with the same care and research. A little homework and the input of an expert is often all it takes to ensure your investment is truly worth its while.

Jewelry has been used as a form of protection since time began. But boy, has it evolved! There are now simple, powerful and wearable devises that can be clipped on women’s clothing or worn as a necklace that can notify someone instantly if you’re in harm’s way.

The Athena Device (from Roar’s collection) is about the size of a half dollar. It’s made of a flexible, durable elastomer material with a lightweight aluminum backing.

Everyday, women face the possibility of harassment, assault and violence. A simple piece of safety jewelry could make all the difference in the world. A shout-out to Roar for ingenuity!