Gift Giving Advice

I was particularly struck by this quote by J. Donald Walters and how it applies to our work. Walters is an internationally known author, lecturer, and composer and considered as one of the world’s foremost authorities on meditation and yoga. A spiritual guru, if you will.

How does a man so seemingly different than a custom design jeweler relate to our work so well? Because yes, custom design has a spiritual element. When we create a piece for a client not only does their heart and soul go into the final product…but so does ours.

Now, people have all sorts of things custom designed. But think about jewelry for instance. Or more specifically, think of wedding jewelry. When else would you want something imbued by the spirit of the wearer and the maker? How could a box store ever compete?

We’re proud of the work that we do in our Scottsdale studio. Three generations strong. And there’s a reason its been the backbone of our family for so long: the spirit of what we do exceeds the final product, like this wise author has touched upon.

If you’re looking for jewelry steeped in spirit and soul, look no further. We can create a piece of jewelry that becomes bigger than the piece of jewelry itself. Contact us for more information. 

With the holidays fast approaching, it’s easy to get swept into the madness of it all and forget that we live on a fragile planet that can’t continue to take all the excess. Luckily, there are quick and crafty approaches that not only personalize your gift but use materials that you already have in-house.

Best part? No sewing required!

As we move toward the end of 2013, I reflected on the jewelry in our collection that represents passages, journeys. Whether its through a challenging year or a relationship, journey jewelry is a way to tell the receiver that you understand her particular path and the various stages she has gone through.

So instead of buying just any jewelry for a loved one, think in terms of its symbolism. Jewelry is a powerful way to honor a woman’s life, with all of its intricate passages.

Here’s one of our finest examples.

Style 10052 Round Journey Pendant Five stone journey pendant with 1ct t.w. round brilliant stones set on an 18″ cable chain.

Price: $725.00 – $2,999.00

Select Side Stones Metal

Often the holidays can feel like a purchasing landslide. You’re swept downhill, as if beyond your control, spending entirely too much money. It is only after the tinsel has faded that you realize the damage you’ve done. You’re in debt.

But you do have a choice–and its an obvious one. Spend less! Or spend within reason.

And that’s where we come in. We have jewelry for every budget. We have a great Sales page but you are also free to call our shop and tell us what you’re looking for so we can find something that fits you finances.

Don’t overspend this holiday. At our store, you don’t have to!

Style 10579 Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace $79 – $199 Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace, 10mm-11mm, 18″ long with a sterling silver clasp. For a larger view click here Available in: White Black Multi Color (dyed color) Chocolate (dyed color)

It happens. Probably more frequently than our little romantic hearts want to believe. A marriage proposal starts off with the best of intentions, a ring is given on bended knee…then something goes wrong.

What are the rules for returning an engagement ring? Well, it’s not as simple as you’d think:

Law trumps etiquette

Engagement rings fall under property, contract or family law, and how they are treated varies by state.

In California, it depends on who broke the engagement. For example, if the person who received the ring is the one who is reneging on the engagement, then that person must relinquish the jewelry.

In New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee and other states, appellate courts say engagement rings are conditional gifts that must be returned to the gift giver if the condition — namely, the marriage — does not take place, regardless of who broke off the engagement.

Kansas and Montana say a gift, once given, cannot be taken back.

Oklahoma has no cases on file governing engagement rings, so guidance would have to be drawn from nearby states, says Katherine Frye, family law specialist at Atkins & Markoff in Oklahoma City. Texas, she says, takes circumstances into account.

Who gets the ring also depends on when it is given. Most courts have found that giving an engagement ring on a birthday or a holiday, such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day, makes the ring a simple gift.

But many people go with what feels right. Conventional wisdom has it that a woman should return the ring if she cancels the wedding, but keep it if her fiancé makes the break. Etiquette maven Emily Post says a ring always should be returned when the engagement is broken.

“There’s a really big difference between culture and the law,” says Joanna Grossman, a professor at Hofstra University School of Law. “What people do is largely dictated by cultural traditions, and many aren’t aware of what the law requires.”

Carrie Coolidge, a writer for “Forbes” magazine, thinks family heirlooms should be returned even if law doesn’t dictate it. After ending her engagement weeks before the wedding in 1991, she handed back the engagement ring, which had belonged to her ex-fiance’s grandmother.

“I didn’t feel like I owned it. It was given to me in honor of our wedding,” she says. “No one should be selling someone else’s family ring.”

Source: CNN.com

 

This one’s a keeper!

Style 102145 Four Prong Engagement Ring With Pave Set Diamonds Four prong engagement ring with double heart ribbon design under-gallery featuring approximately .51ct total weight pave’ set round natural diamonds (setting only, does not include center stone).

Listen, we love romance here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers. It’s the reason we’ve been in business for over 100 years! But we also like to play devil’s advocate occasionally. Guest blogger Beth Mann came up with these 3 reasons not to propose over the holidays.

1. Holidays are stressful enough! Seriously, between overspending, strained family dynamics and your drunken Uncle Harold, do you really want to add popping the question to the mix?

2. Engagements should be their own “holiday.” Why not propose on a day that is meaningful to the two of you, like the day you met or the first time you saw Lord of the Rings together? Or if you truly want it to be a surprise, why not choose an arbitrary day, like, say, Arbor Day?

3. A Christmas memory to forget. And of course, there’s a chance she may say no (even to you, Prince Charming). From that point on, Christmas will be a constant reminder of the day your heart was crushed like a cheap tree ornament.

Of course, we say if you’re inspired to propose over the holidays, go for it. But be aware or it could be very ho, ho, horrible!

A friend of mine recently graduated from nursing school, after many grueling years working and raising a child singlehandedly. She wanted to treat herself but thought this momentous occasion was worthy of more than a nice dinner or a new outfit.

I wanted something to wear on a daily basis that would remind me of my accomplishment. Looking over my life, I realized I had never bought myself a nice piece of jewelry. Sure, I’ve bought a few earrings and a necklace or two…but I just picked those up at a department store. I was ready for something special…and something permanent.

She custom designed a pendant necklace that she wears all of the time now. There’s an inscription on the back that reads: “I’m proud of you.”

 Whenever I’m having a bad day or stressed out, I just touch the pendant for a bit, almost like a lucky charm, and I feel better. It’s become part of me.

What custom design piece awaits you? How can you celebrate an accomplishment or milestone? We’re happy to design a piece of magic with you that will last a lifetime.

Style 5563 High Polished OM Pendant With Bezel Set Diamond High polished “OM” pendant with a bezel set round brilliant diamond on an 18″ cable chain, approx. 5/8″ tall. TRADE UP OUR GUARANTEE

Looking for a creative way to present a beautiful piece of jewelry to your loved one? Here’s one that involves two of our favorite things: jewelry and chocolate. It’s from our prior Current Custom Projects page found here.

We just finished these beauties!  A Schubach.com exclusive available in 14kt/18kt white, yellow or rose gold or in platinum with any gemstone. Shown in 1ct total weight (t.w.) and 2ct t.w. sizes – other sizes and shapes available.