smart jewelry

We’ve covered smart jewelry for years here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers. And while we’re amazed by their ever-increasing life-tracking abilities, we’re not often as impressed by their aesthetic appeal. Often bulky or just plain awkward looking, smart jewelry can be the nerd of fashion.

But this comprehensive and well-written article by Ars Technica details the progress smart jewelry has made, not only in relation to its technological capabilities but (for us, as importantly) its appearance. Finally, these pieces are getting smaller, more subtle and (yes, its true!) well designed.

Below, an example:

Bellabeat’s Leaf activity tracker will likely appeal to nature-lovers at first glance. The device’s design mimics a minimalist plant with a metal leaf-shaped case surrounding the activity tracking module.

Some of the tech-related jewelry as of late has hardly been fetching. Until now.

As Paul Williamson, Director of Low Power Wireless at CSR, put it, “If wearable technology is to reach its potential it needs to appeal to more than just technology lovers.”

The pendant shown here is a reference design that highlights CSR’s Bluetooth Smart solution, a tiny chip capable of connecting to your smartphone.

The elegant app built into this ring gives you a UV Index and it also covers forecasts for your location so you know when to take sunscreen, shades, and a hat with you. It can also warn you to take a break from the rays when you’ve had enough.

At first glance, it looks like a locket, but it’s a cleverly designed activity tracker in grey, black, topaz, or champagne matte aluminum.

Many clients have come to us over the years with a similar complaint:

“I don’t know what to get her!”

This has often deterred many purchases. And for good reason. Jewelry can be expensive and people don’t want to buy the wrong item. Here are a few basic pointers this holiday season:

1. Observe, observe, observe. Take a moment to see what your recipient frequently wears. It’s that simple. If she wears big statement necklaces, it’s probably best not to get her a subtle pendant.

2. Go with the classics. There are some pieces that consistently please most women. This could include a string of pearls, stud earrings or a tennis bracelet.

3. Remember, it’s about the heart, not the wallet. Trust us on this one: women (and many men) deeply appreciate the gift of jewelry. Jewelry, more than most gifts, symbolizes love. It’s a very personal gift. So take the chance, regardless of your choice. And remember, there are affordable pieces that speak of love just as easily!

Below is a great example of an across-the-board crowd pleaser.

Jewelry as a form of art and investment is becoming increasingly popular. Read on (and click on image below to enlarge):

What do the following trinkets have in common: Jackie O’s gold handbag; Joan Crawford’s Raymond Yard tennis bracelet; journalist and ambassador Clare Boothe Luce’s gold, diamond, and sapphire necklace; and automobile heiress Bernice Chrysler Garbisch’s Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and ruby earrings? If you guessed they were the inventory of a Hearst heiress’ safe deposit box, you’d be wrong. They’re all, ahem, valuable works of art.

These pieces are included in the Museum of the City of New York’s current “Notorious & Notable: 20th Century Women of Style” show. It’s the latest in a growing number of exhibitions treating vintage jewels and accessories as miniature sculptures and objets d’art.

With the art market still very much in recovery mode, collectors are turning to jewelry not only for its artistic value but also for its investment potential. “Since the start of the recession we’ve seen a growing number of new and established collectors come into the market with particular interest in buying jewels as an alternative asset or as a hedge against inflation,” says Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s head of jewelry.

Feeding the craze, museums and galleries around the world are hosting more historical and thematic exhibitions than ever dedicated to 19th and 20th century jewelry. Last year, Lalique and Cartier curated museum shows that toured the country. Next year, Van Cleef & Arpels will mount a retrospective of its work at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York. “The public’s perception of jewelry has absolutely changed. Clients and collectors now have a greater appreciation for fine jewelry as an art form,” says Kadakia.

To a point. Many savvy collectors are also drawn to such pieces because of the increase in the investment value of diamonds and gold, and recent auction sales have reflected this enthusiasm. Kadakia cites Cartier’s multicolored- gem-encrusted “Tutti Frutti” bracelet as an example of the market’s extraor- dinary growth. The limited-edition designer piece fetched about $300,000 at auction 10 years ago. Today prices consistently exceed $1 million. In April, Sotheby’s sold a gold, platinum, and diamond David Webb panther bracelet for $134,500, nearly three times its pre-sale estimate. That same month, Christie’s sold a diamond and emerald brooch once belonging to Catherine the Great for $1.65 million—$400,000 more than its anticipated price.

More experienced collectors are trending toward unique period jewels and pieces from top-tier jewelry houses. It’s a good strategy, Kadakia says, one that has canny buyers seeing positive returns over the long term. One example of a period piece with currency is the Bulgari Blue Diamond ring, a gold band flanked by two enormous triangular diamonds, which will headline Christie’s New York’s Jewels sale this month. Purchased for $1 million in the 1970s, when it was designed, Christie’s expects it to field more than $12 million this time around.

 

Read more at Bloomberg Business Week

The human race is an interesting lot. Even when our collective wallets are becoming slimmer, we still want comfort and luxury. During our two World Wars, this phenemonon was seen. Our country desired excess in the form of entertainment and fashion, as a form of compensation for the harsh realities.

Today, it’s no different. When it comes to jewelry, we still want that special feeling that only sparkly things evoke. It makes us feel rich, even if we may be tightening our purse strings.

Diamond alternatives

Moissanite and Gemesis allow for that luxurious feeling without breaking the bank. In addition, these diamond alternatives are eco-friendly, which is becoming more and more appealing to the average consumer. We want products that are earth-friendly and affordable and high quality.

Here are a few very affordable pieces that we’re proud to showcase:

Style 447MR

Round Moissanite Solitaire Pendant

Four prong solitaire pendant with Charles and Colvard created round moissanite on an 18″ cable chain.

Style 9435M

Martini Style Moissanite Earrings

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

Style 6506

High Polished Om Pendant

High Polished Om pendant on an 18″ snake chain in 14kt white gold.

SOURCE:PINTEREST

Interestingly, many people have never seen the 1963 film Cleopatra but what they do remember: the way star Elizabeth Taylor wore. Her look was so powerful and distinctive, one could venture to guess that most people picture her character first when they think of the actual historical figure.

Spotlight on: The Jewelry in Cleopatra

Every piece for the film Cleopatra were created by Italian jewelry house Bulgari. And that means every piece: including the infamous snake bracelet, the coin necklace and a mirror of yellow gold with turquoise (which apparently Taylor kept after the film was wrapped. She often included jewelry gifts as a signing bonus. Smart woman).

Snakes were a thematic motif for this film, so it’s no surprise it would have found its way into the design of the jewelry. The real Cleopatra wore snake-related accessories as well.

Looking for a snake-related custom design piece? We’re happy to use iconic jewelry from Old Hollywood as an inspiration.

Some people are intimidated by dainty jewelry. Seriously. Because I’m one of them. I’m not a dainty sort of person so bigger pieces seem to match my personality type better.

But then my aunt sent me a beautiful (and very dainty) necklace. Forced to look past my fashion reservations, I paired it perfectly with a floral summer dress I’m quite fond of. Voila…I look pretty darn good wearing dainty jewelry. Who knew?

This video does a smart job of showing how many types of dainty necklaces there are out there (many) and how they can be worn by any woman looking for a sweet and delicate touch to her wardrobe.

Most jewelry lovers have a piece that stays on them no matter what (excluding wedding rings for the married folks). Sometimes its a school ring or a simple but meaningful pendant necklace or smart stud earrings that look good with just about any outfit.

But is it good to wear your jewelry all of the time? Is it hygienically sound? Does constant wear harm your jewelry?

An article in Self has this to say:

According to Marina Peredo, M.D., F.A.A.D, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and founder of Marina I. Peredo, M.D., P.C. Dermatology and Spatique Medical Spa in Smithtown, N.Y., continuously wearing jewelry really isn’t a big deal — as long as you clean it regularly and the materials don’t irritate your skin.

“You can potentially damage your jewelry by constantly wearing it, but there are no major health risks to wearing jewelry every day, which includes sleeping and showering,” she says.

So while it feels right to wear your favorite pieces day in and out, its often important to give your body (and your jewelry) a break. Dirt and bacteria can irritate the skin and constant wear can damage the jewelry.

So take some short holidays from your favorite pieces: take them off and clean them properly. Tend to the skin that’s always covered by your jewelry, whether that means cleaning your piercings well or slathering some moisturizers on skin that hasn’t seen the light of day in a while!

Move over, big and bulky statement necklace. Here comes the classic pendant necklace that works perfectly with just about any outfit.

So what is it about a statement necklace that makes it such a fashionably smart choice?

Good things come in small packages. While statement necklaces love to grab attention, pendant necklaces have a subtler eye-catching effect that gently enhance your fashion du jour.

Create your signature pendant. A good pendant necklace is almost as personal as a wedding ring. It highlights your feminine side with pride. Choose a pendant that truly represents your personality and wear it daily with pride!

Easy to layer. Layering necklaces is all the rage so dare to pair your pendant necklace with other necklaces. (Just make sure the length is varied enough that no necklace is “buried” by another.)

Why not have your own pendant necklace custom designed so you can create your own statement? We take the time to get to know every customer personally, ensuring that each piece fully and genuinely represents you.

The “necklaces” are tiny: beads of animal teeth, shells, and ivory no more than a centimeter long.

Isn’t it an amazing feeling to know that jewelry has been worn throughout the history of humankind? Just like us, they felt compelled to adorn (though jewelry was also likely to be worn to protect and ward off evil).

While there has been much debate regarding the authenticity of these jewelry fragments, proof is now positive: Neanderthals did create jewelry.

Now, a study uses a new method that relies on ancient proteins to identify and directly date Neandertal bone fragments from Grotte du Renne and finds that the connection between the archaic humans and the artifacts is real. Ross Macphee, a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, who has worked with ancient proteins in other studies, calls it “a landmark study” in the burgeoning field of paleoproteomics. And others say it shores up the picture of Neandertals as smart, symbolic humans. [Source: Science Magazine]

If you’re looking for jewelry from the Neanderthal period, we’d love to custom design it for you…but it’s a little too late!