Jewelry News

Everybody is a model during Fashion Week. Of course, you have your runway models but everyone in attendance, such as celebrities, are also fodder for the tabloids and examples of upcoming trends.

According to expert Carly Wickel:

Cross pendants were a common theme at London Fashion Week, with cross styles varying from traditional to contemporary. Chunky necklaces, wide bracelets and large cocktail rings continued to be popular.

Below is a glimpse of Fashion Week at the last London Fashion Week:

Kate Moss wore a modest station necklace and a pair of diamond earrings to the Unique Fashion Show during London Fashion Week.

Mary-Kate Olsen, wearing an ornate cocktail ring on her index finger. Her ring finger holds a narrow style with curved extensions that flow over adjacent fingers.

Jennifer Saunders, wearing a turquoise bracelet and a couple of earthy-looking beaded necklaces. Her daughter wore pretty cocktail rings and slipped on a wide, black bracelet with (what appears to be) turquoise trim.

Liv Tyler wore an extra wide black cuff bracelet to the Burberry show. Emma Watson kept it simple, wearing a couple of classic rings.

Estelle wore gold drop-hoop earrings to the Pringle of Scotland fashion show.

Model and singer Agyness Deyn, wearing an oversize cocktail ring and a cross pendant on a chunky chain.

Auctions seem to exist in a special time and place, where decadence and high bids still reign, despite a daunting economy. According to one expert:

“Gems and jewels have been doing brilliantly at auction for months, as if bidders had never been told that there is a recession,” Souren Melikian writes.

(above) A late 18th-century pair of ear clips with spinels and diamonds, cataloged as “the property of a German Princely and Liechtenstein Ruling Family,” almost quadrupled the high estimate at $105,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva auction.

(above) On Dec. 10, when the mood in London was at an all-time low, Christie’s sold the most expensive jewel ever. The 35.56-carat blue diamond rose to $24.31 million, or to be strictly accurate, £16.39 million, to Laurence Graff of London.

(above) Where aristocratic provenance could be established, jewels soared sky-high. A diadem and necklace made by Cartier in 1912 for Olga Princess Paley, Countess of Hohenfelsen, both doubled their high estimates. The diadem (described as an “aigrette tiara”) set with rose-cut diamonds and two aquamarines, brought $512,014.

Photo: Sotheby’s

Source: The New York Times

Birthstones are a wonderful way to really personalize a piece of jewelry. If you’re giving that certain someone a jewelry gift, adding the “birthstone touch” makes it that much more special. Here’s a great list we found on Buzzle that not only details each month’s birthstone but the meaning behind it.

And remember, any custom designed jewelry we make can include the stone of your choice. Special orders do not upset us!

January Birthstone – Garnet
Garnet is similar to a ruby in appearance and is found in almost all colors except blue. A garnet has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. It has a very high refractive index, which is responsible for its brilliance. Garnet is found in abundance and is a much sought-after gemstone, for making fashion accessories. It is considered to channel faith, consistency and virtue to the people born in January.

February Birthstone – Amethyst
This is an extremely beautiful gemstone with brilliant violet color. It is said to possess miraculous powers and bring good luck during wars or hunts. It is also believed to ward off the evil spirits and keep them at bay. Besides, it also has medicinal and cleaning properties. The color palette of amethyst ranges from pale lilac to deep purple. Amethyst gives sincerity to the people born in February.

March Birthstone – Aquamarine
Aquamarine is found in myriad hues of blue, from pale yellowish blue to deep blue. Aquamarine is very hard and the hardness ranges between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale. The price of aquamarine is directly proportional to its intensity. It fosters feelings like sympathy, trust, harmony, friendship, etc.

April Birthstone – Diamond
Diamond is the most precious and expensive gemstone. It is most desirable as it is extremely luminous and rare. Color, clarity, cut and carat are the properties which rule the appearance and durability of a diamond. Diamonds symbolize true love, commitment and passion.

May Birthstone – Emerald
Emerald is a fascinating green colored gemstone, desirable for the people born in May. A fine quality emerald can be more expensive than a diamond, and hence was favored by kings and monarchs of the past. Emerald enhances clairvoyance, love and commitment. They are also said to possess healing powers.

June Birthstone – Pearl
Pearl is the only gemstone formed as a result of biological activities of living creatures. A pearl is used for making jewelery, since ages, due to its luminance and inner glow. It symbolizes beauty, love, happiness and wealth.

July Birthstone – Ruby
This brilliant gemstone is most famous for its fiery red color. It is responsible for bringing peace and prosperity. It also has certain medicinal and healing powers. It stands for blood, love, romance and passion.

August Birthstone – Peridot
A green gemstone, the peridot is rightly called the ‘evening emerald’, as it resembles emeralds in the glow of lamps. During ancient times, it was taken internally for curing asthma. It is considered as a symbol of power and influence.

September Birthstone – Sapphire
Even though blue is the only color associated with sapphires, they come in various other colors as well. They are one of the hardest, durable minerals. Sapphires render the qualities like clear thinking and wisdom, to the people born in September.

October Birthstone – Opal
Opal is available in almost every shade of each color. From translucent to transparent and milky white to dark black, opal exhibits all the colors of the rainbow. This vivid-colored birthstone is said to impart hope and harmony, to the people born in October.

November Birthstone – Topaz
Topaz is usually found in shades of yellow and brown. Topaz is believed to offer long life and fidelity to those born in November. It symbolizes beauty, splendor and joy.

December Birthstone – Turquoise
Clear blue Persian turquoise is considered as one of the most expensive and precious stones in the world. Turquoise brings very good fortune and prosperity to those born in the month of December. It also promises good health and peace for these people.

Birthstones are considered as lucky charms by many. Wearing the appropriate traditional birthstones can heal your body and soothe your mind. Birthstones are a great way of harnessing the cosmic power of planets and using it to enhance your living.
By Ashwini Kulkarni

“I have no use for bodyguards, but I have very specific use for two highly trained certified public accountants.”

– Elvis Presley

What can you say about Elvis and fashion? His tastes leaned toward the ostentatious to say the least. Some might say tacky and garish while others would say a perfect for someone billed the King of Rock and Roll.

And for a limited time, you can see the King’s wardrobe up close and personal:

“Elvis Presley: Fashion King.” The display, which opened March 1st, features about 200 of Elvis’ casual suits, customized shirts, hats, scarves, shoes and of course – jewelry.”We wanted to show people what it would be like to look in Elvis’ closet,” said Kevin Kern, public relations director for Elvis Presley Enterprises. “It’s almost like looking through a department store window.”

One stunning piece fans might recognize is the 16-carat diamond “TCB” ring Elvis often wore. The letters stood for his motto, “Taking care of business” and features a huge 11.5-carat diamond solitaire in the middle framed by two diamond lightning bolts. When he wore it while performing, Elvis would have to tape it to prevent fans from stealing it when he shook their hands. It cost about $35,000 in the 1970s, Kern explained to Knoxville.com.

The exhibit also features a multi-stone cross that cradles more than 200 quarter-cut diamonds. It was a gift from girlfriend, Linda Thompson, and has their first names engraved on it as well as garnets and emeralds – their birthstones.

For Elvis fans who want to TCB right on down to Graceland, those storied baubles and many more will be on display until March 2012.

Source: Jewelry.com

Sterling silver is a common alloy used in jewelry making. But a lot of myths surround sterling silver. Some say it tarnishes too quickly or that it’s not high quality.

Truth is, there are many different types of sterling silver and it’s important to know your facts before making a purchase. Sterling silver can be a great, affordable element to your jewelry collection, if you choose wisely.

1. When buying sterling silver, look for .925 silver. It is by far the highest quality of sterling silver you can buy. If it is. 925 silver more than likely you will be told that or it will be advertised as such. If it is not advertised that way, be sure to ask, as more than likely it is not.
2. When buying sterling silver you need to know that it is natural for it to tarnish. The process of air and oxygen exposure to silver tarnishing it is called oxidation. This can be prevented by keeping your silver in a plastic bag (like a sandwich bag), with a small piece of carbon paper enclosed. This will stop the oxidation process.
3. Buying sterling silver is easy and keeping it clean is as well. Be sure to buy a couple of polishing clothes and give it a quick wipe or two before you wear it just to add that extra shine. If you keep it in the bag with the carbon paper though, it should not need much polishing.

De Beers Millennium Diamond

“The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is an object of intrigue and legend, certainly one of the great gemstones of the world. We are thrilled to present this icon of history—and gemology—to the public for the first time since it was displayed at the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.”

– Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem Collection

No, you cannot wear gold ETF – but if you’re lucky, you can buy some really nice gold  jewelry with the profits you make!

First off, a definition, according to Comparing Fashion:

The word ‘ETF gold’ stands for gold exchange traded funds. This is a gold market, just like the stock exchange. This concept was initiated in Toronto, Canada in the early 1990s. The concept was later adopted by the United States of America. Over the passage of years, it has now become a fully developed market of the world.

Gold has always been considered a safe investment, mainly because it’s held its value during economically trying times. There was a time when people owned gold in the form of bars or coins. But of  course, there were obvious problems with this – one good thief could wipe out all of your savings!

Gold exchange traded funds is a facility that has only gold as a standard asset. The exchange traded funds do not give substantial gold bars or coins to any person, but the financier is made a component of gold plagiaristic agreement and receives cash equivalent to the market worth of gold at the exacting time. It is comparable to owning shares in a corporation and receiving returns with the enhancement in their market worth. In a Gold ETF, gold is the only article of trade for trading.

Through Gold ETF, people acquire gold not in the physical intelligence but in terms of gold marketplace worth. A straightforward description of Gold ETF is an exchange traded fund that has stocks and finances in gold and trades on the foundation of these resources.

In a Gold EFT, gold is the only commodity for trading. Through Gold EFT, people buy gold not in the physical sense but in terms of gold market value. A simple definition of Gold EFT is an exchange traded fund that has stocks and funds in gold and trades on the basis of these funds.

So is gold a good investment for you? Talk to your financial investor first. In the meantime, check out our site for some gold jewelry which we guarantee will have endless amounts of payoff!

Below: Historical Gold chart is provided by Kitco.com

Chart: Central Fund of Canada

Spring and pearls go together like champagne and strawberries.

Pearls add a touch of elegance, sophistication and old-world charm. They also blend flawlessly with so many outfits, from a silky black gown down to a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

And pearls have poetic value:

Robert Frost

(1874–1963), U.S. poet.
“Going for Water.”

A note as from a single place,
A slender tinkling fall that made
Now drops that floated on the pool
Like pearls, and now a silver blade.

The other big perk with freshwater pearls? The price:

.5mm-9.5mm: Now $299
9.5mm-10.5mm: Now $399
10.5mm-11.5mm: Now $499

Single Strand Cultured Freshwater Pearls – 8.5mm – 11.5mm With Free Matching Earrings

Single strand cultured freshwater pearls, 17″ with 14kt yellow gold clasp and free matching earrings.
(each strand sold individually)

As many of you know, our home base is in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our jewelry store has a long, multi-generational history here. This year, we celebrate 100 years in business!

As an online business as well, we don’t really get to share much about our location, so we figured we’d give you a quick virtual tour.

If you want to stop by, please give us a call and we’ll be glad to show you our place.

(888) 724-8222 – Joseph Schubach Jewelers

First a little history, found on this great website, Insider Scottsdale:

Scottsdale is located centrally in the state of Arizona. Smack dab in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, with mountains ringing the city and giant saguaro cactus guarding those mountains.

Scottsdale was first incorporated in 1951 and as such is a relatively new city! And boy has it come a long way baby.  Scottsdale really came into its own when the U.S. Conference of Mayors named Scottsdale as one of the nation’s “Most Livable Cities” in 1993. We have also been named “Number One Resort Community in America” and “A Fabulous Place to Retire”. We’ve been called “The Most Western Town” and in 2002, The Robb Report sited Scottsdale as “America’s Best Place to Live for golf”. And we have a number of chefs listed on the “Ten Best New Chefs in America” listed by Food and Wine.

We know it’s a great place to live, Scottsdale sparkles, everything is clean, manicured and landscaped…and you’ll see no billboards, which totally sets it apart from any other city you might visit! Our building height is regulated, so that no matter where you are, you have at least a peak of a mountain. The Spanish and Western Architecture is very appealing and of course Frank Lloyd Wright has left his mark on our fair city.

And now, some views of our fine city of Scottsdale:

A view of the city from the dessert

The House that Frank Lloyd Wright Built

Camelback Mountains

Our great outdoors

Downtown Scottsdale - Waterfront

Famous Residents (Past & Present)
The following list includes famous people who were born or have lived in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Entertainment

• Sandra Bernhard, actress and comedian, Saguaro High School graduate
• Katrina Carlson, singer-songwriter, 1984 Saguaro High School graduate
• Gabrielle Carteris, actress
• Paul Casey, professional golfer
• Bob Crane, (1928-1978), actor, lived at Winfield Place Apartments
• Hooman Karamian, blogger, also known as Nik Richie
• Katie Lohmann, actress, model and Playboy Playmate
• Stephenie Meyer, author, Twilight series, attended Chaparral High
• Frankie Muniz, actor and professional race car driver
• Dave Mustaine, musician, former member of Metallica
• David Spade, actor, comedian and television personality, 1982 Saguaro High School graduate

Sports

• Charles Barkley, retired professional basketball player
• TJ Beam, professional baseball player, 1999 Saguaro High School graduate
• Darrell Bevell, professional football coach and former pro football player, Chaparall High School graduate
• Wayne Gretzky, retired professional hockey player, former part-owner of Phoenix Coyotes
• Tom Lehman, professional golfer, golf course architect
• Billy Mayfair, professional golfer
• Geoff Ogilvy, professional golfer
• Danica Patrick, professional race car driver and advertising spokeswoman

It’s always a breath of fresh air to discover that the fashion trends for a particular season are accessible, simple to wear and fashionable. No sharp, pointy heels or or studded leather chokers this Spring!

According to Today’s Hot Trends, this Springs offers up ease and sweetness.

White is the key color for your wardrobe this season – and all of its variations. Once you have your whites covered, here’s the other trending colors, according to PANTONE at the Fashion Color Report Spring 2010.

Turquoise, tomato purée, fusion coral, violet, tuscany, aurora, amparo blue, pink champagne, dried herb and eucalyptus will be favorite colors.

Fashion trends include ripped jeans, feminine and frilly dresses, billowy pants and an overall casual, light feel.

Our Keys of Love pendant match perfectly with the relaxed look at a price you can afford. Prices start at $199.

Key of Love Pendant Necklace with Pave Set Stones