Jewelry Education and Advice

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day yesterday, we decided to focus on our favorite green gem: the emerald. The term emerald was first translated from Sanskrit as “marakata,” meaning “the green of growing things.”

Here’s a few other historical tidbits on this most mesmerizing gem according to Jewelsforme.com:

The Chaldeans believed the stone contained a goddess.

In the Islamic faith, an amulet of an emerald might be engraved with a verse from the Koran.

The ancient Egyptians believed the emerald stood for fertility and rebirth.

In Ancient Rome, Nero supposedly watched gladiator fights through a large transparent emerald as he found the color to be calming.

In some legends of King Arthur, the Holy Grail is described as being fashioned from an emerald.

In China, Thursday was the day for wearing green and emeralds for good luck.

The Romans once considered light-colored Emeralds to be unripe, and believed that an Emerald becomes a darker shade of green as it matures.

It was known that Emerald was a favorite gem of Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, and the Emerald mine in Upper Egypt, rediscovered a hundred years ago near the Red Sea, was one of the earliest Emerald occurrences in the human history.

Legend has it that Hernando Cortes, the conqueror of Mexico, tried to bring huge chunks of Emerald that he took from the Aztecs back home with him. However, one of his ships was shipwrecked, and delicately carved Emeralds in the shape of flowers and fish and other rare Emeralds, including an Emerald the size of a man’s palm, became lost forever.

Necklace chain choice is surprisingly personal. Some actively dislike a herringbone style while others will only wear a traditional cable chain. Of course, the type of pendant you’re wearing with it matters too. Practically, the pendant needs to lay on the wearer’s chest just so, making chain choice that much more important.

Here’s a quick summary of chains…sans the one with the ball at the end of it:

Anchor Chain – This chain originates from the chain used to attach an anchor to a boat.  This is a popular chain and the flat anchor chain style is a sleek variation of this chain.

Bead or Ball Chain – This chain has round beads fixed along the chain, with some distance between each bead or the beads could be strung next to each other, with a tiny space linked in-between.

Box Chain – A box chain is made up of square links square, resembling a box, which are connected. It is a sturdy chain and would look great with a charm or pendant hanging from it.

Byzantine Chain – The Byzantine chain is a intricate group of links intermingling with each other. It is made up of round and oval shaped links, and looks lovely worn by itself, because of it’s detail.

Cable Chain – A cable chain, also known as link chain, is made up of round or oval links of the same size. It is a very popular and is the style that most people pick for a simple necklace with a pendant, or a charm.

Figaro Chain – The Figaro chain, has flattened links and does not have one uniform size links. It usually has 2 or 3 shorter links alternating with a longer link.

Panther Chain – A chain which is flat and has domed alternating links gradually spaced apart.

Popcorn Chain – This chain is rounded and a variation of the Panther Chain. This chain drapes on the neck, quite lovely.. and it’s silky smooth and lightweight too, which makes it a casual everyday wear choice.

Rolo Chain – No, it’s not named after Rolo chocolate candy… but this chain has round links which are connected together that are durable and come in different sizes, as well as designs.

Rope Chain – A rope chain consists of oval links that are linked so that they produce a woven rope like look, in a spiral effect. This chain is one of the most versatile and loved of all the many types of jewelry chains. It is sturdy and has an interwoven look.  This chain is a popular choice for men, because of it’s strength, making it a perfect choice for everyday wear.

Snake Chain – Another name for this chain is the Brazilian chain… The snake chain is not made up of traditional links. It has round wavy smooth metal plate looking links that are joined together forming a flexible chain. It looks like a smooth snake skin, hence it’s name.

Venetian Link Chain – This chain is much like the box chain, which is also made up of square links flattened together.

Wheat Chain – Wheat Chains are normally created with four stands of oval and twisted oval links. The links are braided and woven together to make a lovely looking chain that is quite eye-catching!

Blog post  by ~ Jelene at Jewelry Warehouse

There are many different types of chain necklaces but one major consideration before choosing type is the length. A necklace that fits too snugly around your neck can be plain uncomfortable. Conversely one that hangs too long might “lose” your pendant under necklines of clothes. Here’s a quick guide found in RedEnvelope.com.

16-Inch Choker Length

The 16-inch choker length chain necklace is designed to draw attention to the neck and collarbone and can be worn as a standalone chain or with a small pendant. These necklaces fit snugly against the skin and can be worn with a strapless dress or strapless top, or with a shirt or dress with a deep neckline.

18-Inch Princess Length

The 18-inch princess length chain is the most common length for necklaces, and hangs just at or below the collarbone. They are typically made with very skinny link designs so that they can accommodate a pendant. They usually serve more of a functional purpose than a visual one, and very delicate styles are almost invisible to the eye.

24-Inch Opera Length

The 24-inch opera length chain is among the most dramatic types of necklaces and is typically worn outside of the outfit with a large pendant, or as a set of chains to become the focal point of the ensemble. This type is designed in a variety of link styles, including the classic Figaro, cable, box, herringbone and serpentine.

30-Inch Below Bust Line Length

A necklace chain that is between 30 and 36 inches in length hangs just below the bust line and is typically worn over a shirt or blouse. Chain necklaces of this length can be made with a variety of lengths and widths, with link styles including the box, cable, curb, Figaro, foxtail and herringbone. Many chain necklaces of this length are designed with several chains to create a layered look.

36-Inch Navel Length

Chain necklaces that are 36 inches or longer are designed to be worn outside of the outfit and can complement a dress with a very deep plunging neckline, or a blouse or cardigan that is layered with a tank top underneath. These necklaces can be made with larger link designs such as ropes, serpentine, foxtail, snakes and Byzantine styles to serve as the focal point of the outfit.

You can always buy necklaces by the yard (or a specific length not listed above) at our store:

18″ Diamonds by the yard bezel set necklace in either 14kt white, yellow or rose gold in three different diamond total weights. The cable chain is approximately 1.2mm wide and has approximately 1 inch between diamonds. Price $695 – $1695

I heard the scarab mentioned a few days ago in a jewelry blog and had to say I was perplexed…what is a scarab and how is it used in jewelry making? Here’s a quick description and some examples:

The scarab beetle has been a symbolic motif in Egyptian jewelry for thousands of years. The scarab is a symbol of regeneration and rebirth, thus scarab jewelry was thought to bring protection, luck and vitality to the wearer. Egyptian soldiers were given scarabs before going into battle. Women were given scarabs for fertility. Scarab beads and designs were commonly fashioned into bracelets, pendants and rings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3680720

 

Tutanhkamun lapis scarab (J. Bodsworth)

 

We love history here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers. Since we’ve been in business for over 100 years, we’ve seen many styles come and go…then come back again.

Here’s one of the oldest cuts of diamonds: the pointed cut, also referred to as a writing diamond.

Polished with very few facets, almost the entire original eight sided crystal of the diamond is left intact. There are usually four facets which lead to a pyramid shape. Popular in the 15th – 16th centuries, this cut flourished for generations.

Source: GeorgianJewelry.com

Last week we wrote about the devastating effects of losing a prized piece of jewelry. One option to keep in mind is ring insurance, which can be easily added to your homeowner’s policy and provide you with some peace of mind if the worst should happen. And its generally affordable.

Some questions to ask before purchasing engagement or wedding ring insurance:

Questions To Ask Before You Choose a Policy:

* Is the ring covered if you lose it accidentally, or only if it’s stolen?

* How will the company replace the ring — with a check? Or will they require you to purchase a replacement through a specified jeweler?

* What if it’s a vintage ring or other unique piece? How will the quality and size of your diamond — and that of a replacement if needed — be documented?

* Is the ring insured to full cost or a fraction of it?

* How will you need to prove the ring vanished if you make a claim?

* Are there any circumstances that aren’t covered? (What if your ring flies off at the circus and gets trampled by elephants, for example?

Read more at The Knot.

Losing an engagement or wedding ring or any other significant piece of jewelry can be a devastating loss. Many experience immense guilt for being careless and bemoan the loss, often for years. So what can you do to move on, after you’ve lost something so precious to you?

Remember that you’re human. And as such you make mistakes. Instead of internalizing the loss of a favorite piece of jewelry (aka beating yourself up), acknowledge that every one of us makes mistakes. If a friend lost a favorite ring, you wouldn’t think any less of her or him, right? Accept you failabilities and don’t be hard on yourself.

Allow for grief. Most people think of grief only when it comes to the loss of a loved one. But its alright to grieve over an object. Just do it in a healthy manner. Remember what the piece of jewelry signified to you, pour over the memories, cry if you need to. Jewelry can represent a phase of your life; acknowledge that phase with respect.

It’s alright to replace. Nothing will ever completely replace a lost engagement ring but its alright to try! Just as a lost necklace can symbolize old memories, a replacement piece can represent a new phase in your life.

Nothing is easy about a lost piece of jewelry that you love. But remember the most important thing: don’t be angry with yourself. It’s amazing, considering the extensive wear of our favorite pieces, that we’ve kept them this long. Celebrate its presence in your life and move on. Because guess what? You can’t take it with you anyway.

This woman makes an important point that we’ve seen time and time again; often the wearer doesn’t realize that his or her engagement ring has a certain dull look after years of wear. As you’ll see, it only takes a few minutes to give that ring of yours that new sheen.

My friend was in a quandry a few days ago because he handbag had silver accents and she was wearing a gold necklace. The fashion gods were going to strike her down!

I assured her that mixing metals was more than allowed; its encouraged. Colors in metals compliment one another quite nicely whether piled on top of one another or in the same piece.

This article in Getting Jessed Up gives some really great examples of daring metal mixes that obviously work.

Some examples of David Young  jewelry:

Read more tips here.

A client of ours recently told us about her need to find a necklace she could wear frequently, on just about any occasion. It got me thinking about “everyday” jewelery–those pieces that fit the wearer like a favorite pair of jeans or perfectly fitted leather gloves. Comfortable jewelry that simply became part of who you are.

Here’s a piece that definitely fits the bill. It’s not ostentatious nor does it simply fade into the background. Its simply a nice personalized touch for daily wear.

Four Prong Princess Cut Pendant With Round Stone Bale starting at $445.