Jewelry Education and Advice

Metal options palladium vs platinum metals compared, metal colors compared, 18kt rose/peach gold

When we posted this image from Corey Egan‘s site on Instagram, people went wild over it.

And we did too. There is absolutely nothing like a side-by-side comparison when it comes to choosing metal for your custom design jewelry.

Why? In a word: subtlety.

Shades can vary by very small amounts and when it comes to something as important as the look of your ring, those subtle variations count. One shade too dark or too light might not highlight the stone as much as another. Or not match your skin tone the way you’d like.

Undoubtedly if you’ve done any diamond shopping, you’ve encountered the term “fire” when it comes to the visuals of a sparkling diamond. But what is it exactly? And what’s the difference between fire and brilliance?

Well simply put, “fire” is the colored sparkle seen when a gemstone is exposed to light. (Diamond fire may also be called “dispersion.”)

Brilliance, on the other hand, is the colorless light that is emitted from the gemstone.

The cut is critical when it comes to both brilliance and fire. If  there are “ideal proportions”, the gemstone will bend and reflect light so the fire and brilliance are maximized and spectacular to behold.

Check out the video below for a great example of fire and brilliance.

Okay, the answer is jewelry! We couldn’t keep it in. But it’s no surprise to you, is it? Jewelry is afterall the icing on the cake and the cherry on top to any style!

This quick and easy video provides some basic advice on how to jazz up the simplest of outfits (actually, it’s the simpler outfits that are most effectively dressed up).

Hint: don’t be afraid to go big!

One thing about buying jewelry: it takes some basic knowledge of jewelry lingo to make the right purchase.

Today’s lesson? Understanding the baguette (and no, not of the delicious French bread variety):

Baguettes are side diamonds that frame your center stone and provide an elegant, sophisticated look. They’re called “baguette” because of their slender look. They’re also one of the most popular types of step-cut diamond (other step-cut rings include emerald and asscher cuts).

Baguettes are often seen in vintage style three-stone engagement rings or Art Deco style engagement rings. These styles were all the rage in the 1920s, before the rise of the round brilliant diamond trend.

We hear it a lot; people love our jewelry shots. And we don’t blame them. We’ve been taking amazing images of jewelry for years so we have the process pretty dialed in.

But for the average Joe or Jane looking for a perfect shot of your wedding rings, this video gives you some quick and easy pointers (we love the mist effect!) to ensure you have the most attractive image of your rings.

What is High Bench Craftsmanship?

High bench craftsmanship is a high-end service we proudly provide that gives your custom design piece even more detail than traditionally finished  pieces. From detailed hand-finishing to exacting prong work, these final touches take your custom design piece to the next level of stunning.

Take a look at our gallery of High Bench pieces:

 https://blog.schubachstore.com/high-bench-craftsmanship/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6OwC3SVc-Q

Still learning about moissanite? Good for you! It’s an ideal diamond alternative, resembling a diamond in nearly every sense. And our very own Radiance Premium moissanite adds even more sparkle, shine and durability.

Is moissanite more durable than diamonds?

When it comes to the moissanite versus diamond battle, test yourself and you will see it is nearly impossible to tell the difference. The second-hardest stone in the world, moissanite is so durable, it’s nearly as hard as a diamond. While a diamond score a 10 on the hardness scale, moissanite comes in just below at 9 1/4. In fact, it’s harder than sapphire or ruby.

More brilliant than a diamond?

It’s true – moissanite actually offers more brilliance and fire than natural diamonds. When light enters a diamond, it bends and refracts back out of the gem. But moissanite goes one step farther. When light enters the stone, it breaks in two, increasing its refraction – so you get more dazzle from your moissanite jewelry.

Moissanite tests positive for diamond on traditional thermal probes, so even expert jewelers were fooled when the stone first came out. While today’s more advanced testing can now detect moissanite, even a trained eye can’t discern it from looks alone. When you buy moissanite jewelry online from Joseph Schubach Jewelers, it’s just between you and us!

You may have heard the phrase “hearts and arrows” in relation to a diamond but probably didn’t know exactly what is meant by it. That’s all right. We’re here to school you!

When a diamond is viewed from the top (or the crown), an ideally cut diamond should display eight symmetrical arrows. When viewed from the bottom, that same diamond should display eight symmetrical hearts.

An extreme level of cutting precision is required for this type of symmetrical patterning and should showcase superior material quality, light performance and precise optical symmetry. But in the real world, a perfectly cut diamond that conform to these exact deadlines rarely exists. Even the top 0.1% of all round brilliant cuts will exhibit some form of minor variations. (Suggestion: always pay more attention to the patterning of the hearts, since it requires super precise facet placement and proportion.

Regardless of what your jeweler tells you about their diamonds, always verify details yourself.

You’ve done it. Your friends are doing it. Even strangers are doing it.

What is it?

Wearing a needless plastic applicator on the back of your earrings. No, that little plastic thingie doesn’t keep your earring more securely in place. And it doesn’t protect you from sagging earlobes. Get this: that plastic thingie is just packaging! This video gives you a quick tutorial on how to remove the packaging and wear your earrings plastic free!

The knife edge design in engagement ring bands is sleek, sophisticated and can be defined this way:

A knife edge band is created with edges that slope and join in the middle to form a minor point on the surface of the ring, giving the ring an angled appearance. It’s often the go-to choice for those who really want to accentuate the gem in their ring.

In the video above, you can see the daring lines of the band and how it brings the gem to the forefront.

If you’re in search of the perfect knife-edge solitaire to show off your killer gem, contact us and we’ll make your jewelry dream a reality!