The summer’s not over yet! We need to embrace the rest of the season before it fades into Fall, so hopefully you still have a holiday in the works, even if its local.
But regardless of where you go, packing jewelry can be a challenge. No one wants to untangle necklaces on vacation or search for the right backing for an earring. The simple tips listed on this travel video show you just how easy packing your jewelry can be.
The emerald cut. Dramatic, classic and just plain eye-catching. But is the cut for you?
Here are some benefits of the emerald cut ring:
More bang for your buck. Emerald cut engagement rings are less expensive than their round or princess-cut diamond counterparts(generally about 15 – 25% less). That’s because this type of cut is generally in less demand, which means more savings for you.
The slenderizing effect. Diamonds (or other gems that are emerald cut) are elongated which gives the illusion of a more slender, longer finger. Perfect for women who are looking for a “whole hand effect” when wearing their prized piece.
More bling appeal. Emerald cut engagement rings simply look larger because of the design of the cut. An average 1 carat emerald cut stone has up to 5% greater surface area than a 1 carat round cut gem. This means the top of the ring looks bigger, hence extra bling appeal for you and all who lay eyes on it!
So is a emerald cut engagement ring for you? Check out the video below for a closer look. Or call us up. Our expert staff can help you decide the best cut for you, your lifestyle and your personality.
Yes, we can custom design belly button rings! But an important step to know beforehand? How to remove a belly button ring, especially your starter.
First, wait until your belly button has healed properly before removal (critical step). Then, unscrew the top ball of the belly button ring. Gently slide the ring into the piercing from bottom to top. Secure the ring by replacing the ball then wipe the area down with a clean saline wipe. It’s that simple!
Need a visual? Watch below!
I came across a story this morning that made me realize the importance of getting a valid, substantiated appraisal of your jewelry’s worth before you purchase. (Afterward, its often too late as this story details.)
The short version: a couple went on a cruise and on one of the stops (Belize City) found a set of tanzanite jewelry they fell in love with. The cruise line recommended the company (Diamonds International) so they thought they were safe when they made a substantial purchase.
But when they returned home, they found out the tanzanite jewelry they purchased was worth a fraction of the value they were quoted by Diamonds International. Luckily they get a portion of their money back (after much wrangling and press attention).
The takeaway? Get your jewelry appraised by a certified jewelry appraiser. And do you due diligence in advance. Research the appraiser for training and reputation.
We like the list of appraisers at the American Gem Society.
According to their website:
“Our certified jewelry appraisers are the best in the business. As a nonprofit dedicated to protecting you, the consumer, we put each appraiser through rigorous training and certification process.”
Jewelry is an investment and needs to be treated as such, with the same care and research. A little homework and the input of an expert is often all it takes to ensure your investment is truly worth its while.
Learn the loupe! Don’t just leave the job to your jeweler. When you’re purchasing something important as an engagement ring or other heirloom, the loupe provides invaluable insight into your new piece of jewelry.
(Loupes aren’t just helpful for a new jewelry purchase. They make an ideal tool for at-home jewelry repairs as well.)
We’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again. A stuck ring on a hand that undergone some changes. Whether you’ve gained weight or deal with arthritis (which can cause joints and surrounding tissue to swell), when a ring becomes stuck, you just want the darn thing off.
Before you start pulling at maniacally, try these simple little tricks we found at ASSH.
a. Slip the thread or floss under the stuck ring with the bulk of it toward the fingertip.
b. Beginning at the top of the ring, snuggly wrap the finger with the thread/floss around and around, compressing the finger, all the way up and over the knuckle.
c. With the end that was under the ring, begin to unwrap the thread or floss with the ring sliding over the knuckle as you go.
If you are still having trouble, the ring can be cut off with a ring cutter in most jewelry stores, fire departments and emergency rooms.
Listen, we don’t advocate piercing your ears at home. It’s so easy to get it done professionally and inexpensively at your local mall (or even some tattoo shops) so why risk infection or added pain?
But we know that some people will roll the dice and try an at-home piercing. This video goes over the basics to keep the process as hygienically sound and safe as possible (but seriously, go get it done professionally!):
No, you can’t wear a trophy around your neck or on your finger, but its made of metal (silver gilt) and certainly makes for a killer adornment.
So as we say goodbye to a blazingly exciting week at Wimbledon, the oldest and most prestigious professional tennis tournament of the world, let’s take a look at the prize trophy for the men (since women receive a dish).
The head of the trophy has a pineapple on the top, which has an interesting and hazy history. According to the Express:
A spokesperson for the Wimbledon Museum told Express.co.uk that there are “very few facts” about the pineapple’s origin, but they believe it dates back to the fruit’s use as a symbol of “honour, welcoming and celebration”.
The spokesperson said: “In the 17th century pineapples were impossible to grow in the UK and they had to be imported, so being presented with one at a feast was seen as a great compliment.
“You might have seen pineapples being used on gateposts of stately homes as you travel around the UK. It’s because of their rarity.
Sure, it still seems odd. Pineapples and tennis? Hmm…well, regardless, it looks awesome on top of one of the most revered trophies in sports history.
We all know the look of it…and its not pretty. Tarnish makes your jewelry appear slightly discolored and just plain dull. But what is tarnish exactly?
Well first off, what tarnish isn’t: it’s not the pure metal itself (silver) but the alloys mixed with the pure metal (mainly copper). It’s the copper that reacts to the sulfur and the moisture in the air, causing pieces made of sterling silver to tarnish.
And its not just moisture that causes silver to tarnish but chemicals like deodorant, hairspray, lotion, etc. that speed up the process. tarnishes faster in areas with high humidity and air pollution.
Here’s a simple video that details the process of bringing the shine back to your sterling silver jewelry.
Losing a beloved piece of jewelry can be extremely painful, often more painful than one would expect it to be. And as jewelers, we know why: jewelry symbolizes more than gems and metal. That special piece represents deeply held feelings of romance, love, family, loyalty and heritage.
So when a piece of jewelry is lost, it can have a profound effect on the wearer, often lasting a long period of time, sometimes years or even a lifetime.
Here are some gems of advice we’ve provided to those who have lost that special piece. Hopefully some of these words can help you on your path:
What the piece symbolized is always yours. A ring is just a thing. What it represented is yours forever. That piece of lost jewelry symbolized something that surpasses its material presence. Spend some time writing down what that lost piece of jewelry meant to you and reflect on the very real fact that that deep and special meaning is never lost.
You can’t take it with you. An old adage, indeed…but it bears repeating. There is no material item that stays with you for eternity. Items in one’s life come and go. And at some point, all material items will become no more. It’s the transience of life and its a beautiful thing. Embrace the “come and go” of all life has to offer, including items of meaning.
Replace (to the best of your ability). No, you’ll never have that pearl bracelet your mother gave you on your wedding day. But you could have a new one made in honor of its meaning to you. This shows how an emotional legacy is encouraged to live on. Nothing will replace the original, we know. But the item in honor of it will have its own special place in your heart.