Custom Jewelry Designs

Custom design jewelry can be a bit of a mystery to some folks. Why not simply purchase a pre-made piece at Tiffany’s? How does one even come up with an idea?

Well, first: you can purchase a pre-made piece at Tiffany’s. So can several million other people. Custom design jewelry insures that your piece is one-of-a-kind. It’s made for and by you. It’s personalized jewelry, so your connection to the piece is deeper. We’ve had several happy customers tell us this very thing. “It’s mine. No one else has a piece like it in the world.”

How do you come up with an idea? There’s several answers to that.

Many see a piece online or in a store and like it, but they want some changes to it. That’s what we call semi-custom design. People will see a piece we have on our website and say, “Joe, love it…but you can make the side stones sapphires instead of diamonds? Can you use rose gold instead of silver? We’re happy to oblige.

Some create an idea from their mind’s eye. They’ve had a piece in mind (some their whole lives!) and can “sketch” it out, with our assistance. If that sounds difficult or too technical for you, not to worry. Our staff is trained to interpret your suggestions, even if it’s “I want something girlie, but not too girlie.” We know how to tease out your idea. And before you commit to the piece, you are shown the possible looks of the piece first – so you don’t have to commit until it fits you exactly.

Others come in with a piece of jewelry they want “made over.” This is a form of custom design as well. Sometimes a piece just feels too dated – or someone gave them an important piece of jewelry…but they never really liked it! (Another reason for custom design – why purchase a high-end piece of jewelry if you’re not exactly sure what the receiver wants?)

Custom design jewelry is what we do best, here in Scottsdale. After 3 generations of creating pieces from all sorts of suggestions, we’re confident in our ability to make your jewelry dream a reality. Check out our custom design page for more details on the process as well as examples.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that reflects you, let us take care of it! Joseph Schubach Jewelers of Scottsdale, Arizona is a third-generation jeweler specializing in custom design jewelry and semi-custom design jewelry. This process helps you genuinely personalize your piece.

Check out our video, which explains just how semi-custom design jewelry is created…and how we can create a custom design piece for you!

We’ve received close to 30 submissions for our Dream it Yourself custom design jewelry contest this year – the most ever! And now, we need your help. Take a moment to review our handcrafted pieces, designed according to each contestant’s exact specifications. Which one catches your eye? Ask your friends and family to vote, too!

“This year, we were truly amazed by the amount of submissions. Our one-of-a-kind jewelry design contest is really catching on! And each and every piece has a story to tell. One common theme among all of the pieces? A genuine sense of play. Everyone was prepared to take some fun and unusual chances. As designers, we were more than happy to oblige!”

– Joe Schubach

When you vote, here are the some points to consider:

1. Originality – does the piece have a distinct mark of individuality to it?

2. Playfulness – does the piece have a fun, personal touch to it?

3. Overall Feeling – how does the piece make you feel? Is it evocative?

Stop by and cast your vote!

I happened upon this Best of Russia site yesterday and was bowled over by several of the pieces – such intricacy and beauty! Following is part history lesson and part dazzling royal Russian jewelry:

In 1719, Emperor Peter I “the Great” (reigned 1682-1725), founded the earliest version of what we now know as the State Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation. Peter I had visited other European nations, and introduced many innovations to Russia, one of which was the creation of a permanent fund to house a collection of jewels which belonged not to the Romanov family, but to the Russian State.

Peter declared that the state holdings were inviolate, and could not be altered, sold, or given away – and he also decreed that each subsequent Emperor or Empress should leave a certain number of pieces acquired during their reign to the State, for the permanent glory of the Russian Empire. Peter left all of the pieces used in the coronation ceremony to the Diamond Fund, as well as many important pieces of 15th, 16th and 17th century jewelry. The pieces were housed in a special secure room in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, first called the Renteria, and subsequently called the Diamond Chamber.

Here is a sampling of some of these magnificent pieces:

(above) The Great Imperial Crown

(above) Imperial Diamond Tiara

(above) Faberge. Snuffbox, Circa 1765, Hermitage Museum

(above) A gold-and silver-mounted diamond-set tiara, signed with initials KF for Carl Faberge

This year, we decided to dig a little deeper for our Valentine’s Day pieces. We wanted pieces of jewelry that did the speaking for you (since some of you guys may have just a little trouble expressing yourself!)

We researched these piece and each holds a particular meaning or deeper symbolism, guaranteed to resonate with you’re loved one.

Take a moment to peruse our collection. We’re offering pieces in a price range guaranteed to fit any budget.

Classic Symbols of Love for Valentine’s Day

Platinum is one of the three precious metals, the strongest, and has the longest shelf-life. The world’s supply of platinum is very limited, making it the most expensive metals. It’s also seeing a substantial resurgence in the jewelry world. According to National Jeweler:

1. Classic Bridal à la Mad Men: Inspired by TV phenomenon Mad Men, classic dressing and classic engagement ring styles from bygone eras, including the 1960s, are back. Who encapsulates the look? Think timeless celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, or their modern equivalents such as Beyoncé or Natalie Portman.

In terms of engagement rings, classic options range from a simple polished platinum setting with a solitaire diamond, or a vintage-inspired style with filigree.

“But classic doesn’t have to mean simple,” says Heather Zachary Rogoff, manager of public relations for Platinum Guild International USA in New York. “The recent engagements of Reese Witherspoon and Natalie Portman, both of whom received platinum rings, is a perfect example of two classic women who chose very different, but classic engagement ring styles.”

Portman’s ring exemplifies the popular “halo look,” with a round solitaire surrounded by a double halo of diamonds, while Witherspoon’s classic platinum ring is an Ashoka diamond set in a platinum and diamond band.

“These looks will undoubtedly set a trend for engagement ring styles in 2011,” predicts Zachary Rogoff.

2: Colored Stone Brides: The runways are filled with colorful fabrics featuring exaggerated movement, volume and ruffled detailing, and the fanciful hues in apparel appear poised to captivate the bridal jewelry market. Brides-to-be are seizing the trend with engagement rings set with colored stones such as sapphire, ruby and citrine—and the natural white hue of platinum helps these true jewel tones pop.

3. Full-bloom Engagement Rings: In 2011, expect to see engagement rings with a variety of floral motifs inspired by the 1970s. Whether the design consists of “petals” surrounding the center diamond, or the floral motif is part of the band, much of this intricate detailing can only be accomplished in platinum. This style is ideal for brides-to-be who prefer romantic looks.

Above: Floral-inspired engagement rings, like this one by Mark Schneider, set in platinum, are a budding trend; suggested retail price is $4,200 for the semimount.

4. Tennis bracelet Redux: Popular since the 1980s, “tennis bracelets” set in platinum are hot again among Hollywood’s most fashionable crowd, with actresses Rachel McAdams, Amy Adams, Claire Danes, and Penelope Cruz among those hitting the “courts,” with these classic pieces, which are so easy to dress up or down. Platinum is a choice setting for tennis braclets, because of its durability, its ability to hold gems more securely and its white color, which looks just right with diamonds. Let’s not forget the slimming effect of wearing a symmetrical pattern of diamonds on your wrist. The latest twist: For extra glamour, stars are piling on multiple tennis bracelets with different diamond cuts.

5. Clustered Up: Instead of same-old, same-old diamond studs, one of the latest looks in earrings is diamond clusters, a look favored by A-listers including Demi Moore, Anna Kendrick and Jennifer Garner. The clusters sit right on the ear and feature two or three diamonds: punchier and more elegant than just one.

Tom Cruise proposed to Katie Holmes atop the Eiffel Tower with this five-carat Edwardian style oval cut solitaire diamond ring with pave detail. The ring is set in platinum and rose gold and is estimated to have cost $250,000.

Kate Winslet sparkled in a Tiffany & Co platinum and yellow diamond pendant (19 carats total), platinum and yellow diamond drop earrings (ten carats) and three platinum and yellow diamond bracelets.

Kathy Bates is wearing a platinum and rough diamond necklace (61.48 carats total), platinum and rough diamond earrings (56.59 carats total), and three stacked platinum and rough diamond bangles (54 carats total)

Above: Floral-inspired engagement rings, like this one by Mark Schneider, set in platinum, are a budding trend; suggested retail price is $4,200 for the semimount.

The new generation of diamond tennis bracelets includes this one by Steven Kretchmer, set in platinum, which retails for $30,200.

Yesterday, I read about chandalier earrings and their continuing popularity over the last few years. It got me wondering about the history of chandelier earrings and sure enough, they’ve been around for quite some time. “Everything old is new again” continues to remain true. Chances are, there isn’t a piece of jewelry you possess that doesn’t have a story tell, sometimes reaching back many centuries.

Here’s a little more on chandalier earrings:

Chandelier style, also known as girandole, are characterized by a bow, central stone or circular cluster of stones at the top from which are suspended three gemstone drops. The tops as well as the drops can be from simple to elaborate in execution. This style of earrings, and pendants, is first noted during Roman times, re-emerged during the Renaissance and persisted until the late Victorian period. With the revival of antique style jewelry in the late 20th and early 21st centuries many adaptations of the Chandelier earring are seen.

Source: Antique Jewelry University

Some examples (and remember, if any appeal to you, we’re happy to design a pair with your tastes in mind.)

Cheryl Crow dons pink chandalier earrings

We’re happy to share with you a few of the winning pieces at AGTA’s (American Gem Trade Association), revealed at the AGTA Spectrum Awards in New York City last week. To see all of the winners, check them out here.

This platinum and 18-karat yellow gold Samuel Getz Designs necklace won first place in the "Classical" category of the Spectrum Awards. It features yellow and blue sapphires, red spinel and diamonds.

First-place winners were:

Best of Show
Todd Reed, Todd Reed, Inc.
Palladium cuff bracelet featuring a 22.40-carat aquamarine accented with 6.90 carats of grey diamonds and 2.2 carats of white diamonds.

Best Use of Color
Martin Key, Martin Key Co.
22-karat yellow gold “Frame” ring featuring a 1.50-carat blue tourmaline accented with four Mexican fire opal baguettes, total carat weight 1.82.

Best Use of Platinum and Color
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc.
Platinum “Princess of Ratnapura” bracelet featuring nine round sapphires (14 carats total) and 8.48 carats of round diamonds.

Best Use of Pearls
Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design
Sculpture titled “Who Are You” (pictured above) featuring two-tone gold and silver with freshwater baroque pearls, South Sea keshi pearls, akoya seed pearls, demantoid garnets, a 0.20-carat ruby and 0.03 carats of cognac diamonds on a crystal quartz base.

Fashion Forward
Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers
18-karat white and yellow gold earrings featuring a 22-carat lemon chrysoprase accented with 2.38 carats of garnets.

SPECTRUM AWARDS

Bridal Wear
First place:
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc.
Platinum and 18-karat yellow gold ring featuring a 5.55-carat oval tsavorite garnet accented with fancy yellow diamonds.

Business/Day Wear
First place and Best of Show:
Todd Reed, Todd Reed, Inc.
Palladium cuff bracelet (pictured above) featuring a 22.40-carat aquamarine accented with 6.90 carats of grey diamonds and 2.20 carats of white diamonds.

Classical
First place:
Samuel Getz, Samuel Getz Designs
Platinum and 18-karat yellow gold necklace featuring 68.77 carats of yellow sapphires, 24.34 carats of blue sapphires and 24.20 carats of red spinels with 22.38 carats of diamonds.

Evening Wear
First place:
Cynthia Renee Zava, Cynthia Renee Zava
Palladium necklace (pictured above) featuring a suite of green tourmalines, 75.89 carats total.

Men’s Wear
First place:
Mark Lauer, Mark Michael Designs
18-karat yellow gold cufflinks featuring jasper agate and lapis lazuli composite accented with 2-mm spessartite garnets and sapphires.

CUTTING EDGE AWARDS

Classic Cut Gemstones
Open Category Classic Gemstone
First place:
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
8.04-carat pigeon blood ruby.

Open Category All Other Faceted
First place:
Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems, 9.59-carat trillion-cut red spinel.

Phenomenal Gemstones
First place:
Robyn Dufty, DuftyWeis Opals, Inc., 36.73-carat Mexican fire Opal cabochon.

Pairs & Suites
First place:
Clay Zava, Zava Mastercuts
Suite of pastel Cuprian tourmalines, 127.40 carats total weight.

Faceting
First place:
Jeff L. White, J.L. White Fine Gemstones
48.83-carat square, cushion-cut morganite.

Carving
First place:
Joseph August Voss, Joseph August Voss
220.30-carat crystal quartz carving.

Combination
First place:
Thomas Trozzo, Trozzo
66.48-carat square, dimple, concaved, scissor-cut aquamarine.

Take a look at these amazing (and ancient) pieces of jewelry from the Middle East.

Every artifact serves as a symbol of information. Apotropeic emblems, borrowed from everyday life, epos, or myths, and used in the art of jewelry making, carried a certain magical connotation. Popularity of a particular mythological plot line was connected to the very zeitgeist of the given time period, since the jewelry maker lived through it and tended to be deeply involved with the contemporary events. The art reflected the master’s interests in what was currently happening with the society.

The simple-style earrings- as a ring, can be dated precisely by using radioisotope analysis, especially consider the items’ popularity. Earrings of that type are well-known from the images of the Achaemenian era (guards of Persepolis wore a single earring similar to the one in our collection; today youths and young men prefer this type as well). Earrings of this type were produced by casting method followed by polishing.

It is known that diadems were a special sign of a god or royalty. Gold garlands were kept in temples as parts of gold funds and were given as rewards for special achievements. Fragments of diadems were found among the finds of Oxus (see Treasure of Oxus, Dalton, London, 1964), and Tillya-tepe (Bactrian gold, Leningrad, 1985). Characters crowned by similar head jewelry can be found on coins, intaglios, pottery, paintings, frescos and reliefs, which allow us to recognize them as royalty or god-like creatures. Most of diadems were gold. Sometimes they are made by the stamping method. Details and fragments of diadems are made in the shape of leaves, trefoils or rosettes.

Gold earrings, from Jerusalem, represent a miniature nude male figure stamped in thin sheet gold. Each is bent into shape of ring and soldered to the hoop, together forming an earring. The man is wearing a wide headband, which fastens the top of the figure to the hoop. A miniature disk, in the shape of an eight-petal led rosette adorned with granulation, is soldered to the hoop above the figure's head.

Neck adornments were mostly worn by members of high social standing; perhaps this is the reason that the museum collection does not have a lot of samples of neck ornaments.

Source: Kunstpedia

Who doesn’t like Halloween? It’s the most perfect holiday – no stress, just plain weird fun! Today, we’re showcasing some of the stranger, spookier jewelry we’ve come across. Be prepared!

Jewelry made out of human hair!

Don't hate us, PETA!

Eye Jewelry?

Ground Beef Accessory