We’ve had a long-standing, loyal list of customers that dates way back – sometimes generations.  With each repeat client, we’ve gone through engagements, marriages, graduations, anniversaries, holidays….the works!

People have come to rely on our high level of customer service and our custom design work that goes above and beyond.

Here’s another pleased client:

Hello Beth,

I know you were looking for pictures of the beautiful ring that you made for me, thanks to Paul, the wonderful man I’m going to marry. The pics are attached, and I wanted to personally thank you so much! My ring is exquisite and it looks even more beautiful than I thought it would! I’m thrilled with it!

Now, Paul and I are looking for wedding rings but we’ve hit a snag. I have a particular design in mind and it’s going to be a tough one, I fear.

If you start with your Style 6908WB, we’d like to make certain changes. We love the tri-gold twist along the center of the band, but we’d like the white gold on the inside of the band instead of the yellow. Also, the width would need to be no more than 4mm for my ring.

Is this a possibility??

Thanks again for my wonderful ring, and please give my best to everyone at Schubach!

Best regards,

Joan B.

Joseph Schubach Custom Design Jewelry

Jewelry has existed for eons. It was used in the past not only as a form of adornment but also as a sign of status or religious affiliation or a form of protection. Egyptian jewlery, some believe, is where jewelry making became more relevant and widespread. It’s influences are still felt in jewelry today.

According to one site:

Many consider the period of Egyptian jewelry as the dawning period for our modern form of jewelry. It was during this time that the manufacturing of jewelry became a profession and techniques and skills evolved to create a wide variety of styles and adornments.

Jewelry craftsman began to utilize artistic skill and an increasingly wide variety of materials. While artistic skill was valued the primary purpose of jewelry was to act as amulets and talismans. Gemstone and metal color was of greater importance than any other attribute. Gold was used extensively but this is primarily because it was readily available and very easy to work with. Many expensive gemstones we consider precious today like diamonds were very rarely used simply because they did not exhibit the color or symbolism of other gemstones.

Egyptian beliefs stipulated that every gemstone carried certain mystical powers which would be transferred to the owner when worn as jewelry. Symbols such as the sacred Egyptian scarab also formed an important part of jewelry and were also believed to carry certain powers.

Here are some pieces that still inspire. If you’re looking for a piece with a classic Egyptian feel, consider us. We can custom design a jewelry piece with your classic tastes specifically in mine.

If you’ve recently invested in a fine piece of jewelry, whether its moissanite, Gemesis or natural diamonds or whether it’s platinum or gold, tending to your jewelry ensures a long, brilliant life.

Here are some basic tips to remember to keep the sparkle in your bling!

Diamonds

Soak for 20 minutes in a solution of one cup warm water and 1/4 cup ammonia. Then gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush, getting into the small areas between the diamond and the setting. Rinse with warm water, and lay on a tissue to dry. If your diamonds are set in platinum, this method will also clean the setting.

Pearls

Rub each pearl individually with a soft, clean cotton cloth dampened with a solution of two cups warm water and a few drops of a mild dishwashing liquid, like Joy. (Soaking strands of pearls can cause the string to stretch.) Let air-dry overnight.

Silver

Rinse in warm water and pat dry. If silver is tarnished, use a silver-polishing cloth or a jar of silver-cleaning fluid, such as Goddard’s Silver Dip (available at drugstores). (Silver cleaner won’t harm gold and platinum, but it won’t clean them, either.) For jewelry with intricate designs, use a silver-cleaning paste, which can get into small crevices. (Don’t use toothpaste or other abrasive cleaners, which will scratch.) Wipe with a clean, soft cloth.

Turquoise

Dip in warm water. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with warm water. Let air-dry.

Gold

Soak for 15 minutes in a solution of two cups warm water and a few drops of a mild dishwashing liquid, like Joy. Gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Rinse with warm water, and dry with a soft cloth.

Source: RealSimple.com

14kt Rose Gold Earrings Set With Pink Moissanite And White Diamonds

Beautiful, one of a kind 14kt rose gold earrings with 1.0ct t.w. (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite color enhanced to spring pink, surrounded by 1/3ct t.w. white diamonds.

Is it a bracelet you wear while playing tennis for good luck? Or perhaps what an in-step fashionista wears after a game, while sipping a mint iced tea in the tennis club? Or maybe none of the above.

The actual story is rather interesting:

Tennis bracelets got their unusual name from an incident involving professional tennis player Chris Evert during a match in 1987. Evert had been wearing an expensive bracelet featuring an inline string of individually-set diamonds. When the clasp snapped, she asked the officials to stop the match until the jewelry could be found. Since that day, bracelets featuring an inline array of diamonds have been called tennis bracelets.

In the jewelry world, tennis bracelets are the perfect accessory for formal occasions because of their sparkle – an “upscale” bracelet. Individual diamonds (or moissanite or Gemesis) are placed in square settings and then strung into a bracelet held together by a clasp. The settings and support wiring may be constructed from silver or other metal.

The nice part about tennis bracelets are their comfortability. They provide “give” while wearing and glide on the wrist elegantly and smoothly.

Here’s one of our favorite tennis bracelets:

Style 1857M

Bezel Set Moissanite Tennis Bracelet

Bezel set tennis bracelet with Charles and Colvard created round moissanite, standard 7″ length.

Available Moissanite Total Weight: 3.0ct-8.0ct

I don’t know about you, but I heard this one ever since I was a small child: “Don’t mix gold with silver.” This was akin to wearing white after Labor Day or your handbag and shoes not matching. It’s funny how those “rules” get stuck in our head…often needlessly.

Guess what? It’s FINE to mix metals! Mix away. Wearing matching metals is a traditional look, but aren’t you looking for something a little more contemporary?

According to one fashion expert:

The trick is, if you want to mix metals, keep the style of the jewelry the same.

A modern gold cuff won’t look right paired back to dainty, antique platinum and diamond earrings. The “stacking trend” lends itself perfectly to the mixing of metals. Stack square or round rings or bangles in different shapes of gold.

You can even layer gold and silver necklaces for a fashion-forward look.

Sometime rules were meant to be broken!

The beauty of jewelry is that while its always changing, there are elements that stay the same. Looking at a piece of fine jewelry from a hundred years ago doesn’t seem drastically different than something you might see today.

Take Edwardian jewelry for instance:

Edward VII ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, in 1901. He and his wife Alexandra set the tone for the Belle Epoque, a time when elegance and fashion became society’s predominant values. New wealth flourished among the upper and middle classes; the automobile, airplane and movie industries were born.
As for fashion, it took on an almost ethereal lightness, with layers of delicate fabrics, lace and feathers.

Antique Jewelry Online gives us a closer glimpse:

Today, diamond engagement rings from this time period are extremely popular. These engagement rings often feature filigree detail, and contain antique diamonds such as the Old Mine Cut and Old European Cut diamonds.

The rings are typically made of platinum or white gold. Filigree diamond earrings and necklaces, and white gold and platinum wedding bands, are the ideal complement to such engagement rings.

Here are some examples:

De Beers, the world’s leading diamond producer, announced that rough sales in the first half of the year dropped some 57%, to $1.4 billion, 57 per cent lower than the first half of 2008. Net earnings were $3 million for the first half of 2009, compared to $316 million, a 99% drop. That’s right – a 99% drop.

De Beers diamond production fell dramatically as well. Production at its mines was 73 percent lower in the first half of 2009, with a more than 91 percent drop in  the first quarter, the result of production holidays at De Beers’ mines in Canada and Africa. The company anticipates that carat production for 2009 will be half that of 2008.

So what does this all mean to you, the consumer? During difficult economic times, diamond sales drop, for obvious reasons. Who can buy a diamond necklace when your behind on your bills?

But it doesn’t mean that you have to do without either. Diamond alternatives, like moissanite and Gemesis, continue to forge ahead, as more eco-savvy and smart shoppers opt for jewelry that fits their budget and their conscience.

Source: JCKOnline

Here’s a sampling of some of our finest moissanite products:

Custom Designed Cushion Cut Moissanite And Pave’ Diamond Ring

Stunning and unique custom designed platinum ring with a 5.0ct (dia equiv) Charles and colvard created cushion cut moissanite and approx. 1.0ct t.w. round pave’ diamonds.

Metal: Platinum
Ring Size: 4 – 8

Style 3366M

Three Stone Moissanite And Ruby Ring

One of a kind 9.25ct (dia equiv) radiant cut moissanite and two genuine recrystalized trillion cut rubies weighing 4.0ct in total, set into a hand made platinum three stone ring with hand applied platinum scrolls.

Metal: Platinum
Stone size: 9.25ct
Ring size: 4 – 8
Call For Pricing

Style 3364M

Oval Shaped Moissanite Dangle Earrings

Custom made 15.50ct t.w. (dia equiva) oval cut moissanite and 3/4ct t.w. (dia equiv) bezel set round moissanite dangle earrings. This one of a kind piece is hand made and has hand applied filigree engraving and scroll work.

Metal: Platinum
Stone size: 15.66ct t.w.
Call For Pricing

You’ve heard the expression, “She’s a fashion victim,”claimed to have been coined by Oscar de la Renta. Buying jewelry that doesn’t suit you but suits a trend is not always in your best interest (unless you can afford to keep up with the constant changes!)

It’s best to find a piece of jewelry that is timeless and adaptable and distinctly you, especially if budget is an issue. The idea to remember is: you should wear it, it shouldn’t wear you!

Here are some other pointers when choosing:

Go easy when going big and bold. If you’re going to wear large bangles or necklaces, don’t wear delicate jewelry as well. Also, try to stick to solid color, simple clothes rather than frills or prints. Big, bold jewelry should be the focal point of your outfit.

Wear only the cocktail ring. If you’re wearing a large cocktail ring, don’t wear other, smaller rings (except for a wedding ring).

Mix metals but not styles. It’s okay to wear gold and silver jewelry together, but keep to the same style. For example, wear two delicate chains rather than one that’s delicate and one that’s thick.

Wear the right length. A necklace that falls just below the collarbone goes better with a plunging neckline than a high one. A necklace that falls below the bust goes with a high neckline. Chokers look great with strapless dresses. Never wear a necklace that falls to the top of the bust with a plunging neckline.

Wear pins anywhere. Pins can go on handbags, belts and even shoes. Attach a scarf to your outfit with a pin. Use pins to hold up the brim of a hat or place several pins around the band. The most ho-hum place to wear a pin is on the shoulder.

Step 6

Go easy at work. For most offices, it’s acceptable to wear your watch and wedding ring, plus one ring on the other hand, one necklace, one bracelet and one set of earrings only. The earrings shouldn’t dangle. Anything more is considered by most employers to be excessive.

Here’s one of our most loved classics. This piece works with practically any outfit and for any occasion:

Classic Sweetheart Pave Necklace

Classic Sweetheart pave necklace with 1/5ct t.w. round brilliant stones set on an 18″ cable chain. Fits a 4.5mm (1/3ct diamond) round center stone. (setting only, does not include center stone).

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.

Sizing your ring finger correctly is key to a happy relationship between you and your new work of art. A ring that doesn’t fit correctly is more likely to fall off or simply be a constant nuisance. Take the time to do it correctly with the tips below:

• Find a piece of string or strip of paper no wider than 3/4 inch. Wrap it around the base of the appropriate ring finger. Use a pen to mark the point on the string/paper where it overlaps, forming a complete circle. With a ruler with millimeters (mm), measure the length from the starting end of the string/paper to the pen mark. This is your ring size in millimeters. Now use the chart below to determine your ring size.

Some more tips?

• • Don’t measure cold fingers, as this is when fingers are their smallest.

• • For the most accurate reading, measure the finger at the end of the day when the finger is the largest.

• • If you’re buying the ring as a surprise, ask your partner’s mother or a friend if they know the finger size.

• • Borrow one of your partners rings and slide it down a tapered candle. Then measure according to the chart above.

And here’s a ring that fits any woman’s heart:

Style 9193MR

Round Moissanite Ring With Two Side Baguettes

This delicately styled, hand made classic has a round Charles and Colvard created moissanite and a .21ct baguette moissanite on each side.

Available Moissanite Total Weight: 1.42ct-2.42ct

Call for Platinum Pricing