Jewelry Education and Advice

Often women (and men) are focused on the “ooh and ahh” factor when purchasing jewelry. They want something stunning and eye-catching. Practicality becomes a distant second…until they start wearing it for a while. Unless you’re buying a piece just for that special event, jewelry needs to pass a strict practicality test. Floridian jeweler Richard Alan has this to say:

A ring that is to be worn 24/7 has to be able to take the wear and tear of every day life. It’s that simple. Or is it? Even something as simple as gravity has to be considered. A ring that is top heavy or bulky will always slip to the left or right if improperly designed. All pendants require first finding the center of gravity to assure they hang correctly on a chain or omega necklace. Naturally rings, bracelets, and even pendants with clusters of stones requiring multitudes of prongs will snag clothing. Prongs also require constant inspection and maintenance. The loss of one prong on four prong settings will result in stone loss.

Designs that incorporate channels or bezels to hold diamonds or gemstones are absolutely snag-proof; there are many ways to hold gemstones in jewelry without the use of prongs.

I’m not saying that I’m totally against using prongs. In many design applications they are required to achieve a certain look. On my contemporary pieces I try to avoid the use of prongs.  As long as the prongs are short, strong, minimal in quantity, and not high up in the air, they are less likely to snag.

One of the worst design mistakes is attaching a pendant directly to a chain or omega. More times that I can count, I face an unhappy new customer with a new expensive pendant (not my design) that refuses to lay flat, or it flops to the left or right, which can be annoying.

Most of the time the problem is with the original designer who failed to address an obviously simple fact… GRAVITY. A pendant on a neck display in a showcase will lie perfectly. On a moving human being it’s another thing. Shape a chain or ome

Read more here.

Below is a great example of a pratical wedding band that doesn’t sacrifice beauty and designs. These comfort fit bands were created for serious wear, as a well-designed wedding band should be.

Platinum Comfort Fit Band With Satin Finish Center And High Polished Sides

This video walks you through quick and easy ways to tell if your pearls are fake. Plus, check out this woman’s amazing akoya pearls. Wow!

This morning, I perused several articles extolling the latest and greatest fashion and jewelry trends for 2013. Geometric shapes, rose gold, color blocking…the list goes on.

It got me thinking: how can you create style resolutions that suits you and not the latest trend?

1. What don’t you like about your current style? We all have “fall-back” fashions–those things we wear that are easy to toss on but not the most flattering. Maybe its time to donate those clothes to charity and move on to clothes that show off the best in you. As a matter of fact, revisit your closet and truly ask yourself if that dress really does suit you or if that blouse fits well. If not, let it go, like 2012.

2. What clothing or jewelry would you like to add? Most of us harbor an inner wish list of fashion items we really want but just haven’t purchased them yet. Maybe it’s a romantic necklace or a pair of sexy boots. This year, allow yourself those purchases. You only go around once!

3. How can you “grow up” your wardrobe? If there are items that represent you ten years ago, what does that say about your personal growth? We often hang on to styles that we’ve outgrown because of nostalgia or just plain laziness. This year, choose fashion that fits the 2013 you.

It’s easy to be lead around by the latest trends, but you have a personal style that is distinctly your own. With that said, even that can be revised and improved not because of external pressure, but just because it will make you feel good this upcoming year.

Our Round Journey Pendant Necklace, perfect for any outfit in 2013. Starting at $725.

We love the way jewelry enhances beauty. Heck, we’ve built a business based on it. But on this last day of the year, let’s talk about the ways you can turn on your inner brilliance. Seriously, these easy steps can re-align you energetically so you simply look more relaxed and naturally beautiful.

1. Breathe. We hear it but don’t take the time to do it. Spend 3 – 5 minutes focusing only on deep, diaphragmatic breaths and full exhalating. Clear your mind of nagging thoughts. Deep breathing is a natural de-stresser and oxygenizes your system, making you look and feel more refreshed.

2. Count your blessings. Most of us are in a constant state of focusing on what we want and what we don’t have. But if you start your day doing a quick inventory of what you do have, your perspective shifts. A positive attitude based in gratitude naturally destresses and allows your inner diamond to shine.

3. Take in the air and light. Even if it’s cold where you are, a quick walk energizes and stimulates your entire system. It also makes you feel more connected with your body. Sunshine (not too much of it) naturally makes you look and feel better as well.

4. Water, water, water. Holidays are often a time of excess. Why not give your body a break? First thing in the morning, before coffee or food, drink a glass of water. Tonight at that party, remember to alternate between your beverage of choice and just plain water. A hydrated body always shows.

For 2013, remember that beauty always starts from the inside. When you feel healthy and stress-free, it shows. You, like our diamonds, simply radiate!

When asking around the office yesterday, only a few knew the story behind the tennis bracelet’s name. (I must confess, I was one of them.) But apparently, it has to do with one famous tennis player and a faulty clasp:

Evert was wearing a George Bedewi-designed bracelet sparkling with an inline string of individually-set diamonds when the clasp snapped, sending the precious piece of jewelry scattering across the court. The six-time U.S. Open champion requested a pause in play to search for it.

The image of the “Ice Maiden” coolly recovering the missing ice on court resonated well beyond the baseline, and since then bracelets containing an inline array of diamonds have been called “tennis bracelets.” Their clasps seem to be more secure these days, as tennis bracelets have spread from the court to the red carpet as an accessory to the stars.

Source: Tennis.com

Here’s our exclusive rose gold tennis bracelet, guaranteed to withstand a good tennis game!

A good example of a cool skin tone complimented by the right jewelry choice.

Most people naturally have a preference for gold or silver–often for life. But certain skin tones are better suited for one metal over the other.

First you need to identify whether you possess a warm or cool tone. This can be done easily enough by looking at the veins on the inside of your arm. If they are blue, you are probably tend toward a cooler skin tone. If the veins are predominantly green, you have a warm skin tone.

So what metal and stone goes with your particular type? According to one source:

Cool skin tones favor silver, platinum, and white gold. Stone colors for cool skin tones are pink, blue, purple, red, and magenta. Warm skin tones favor gold, pewter, brass, and copper. Compliment colors for warm tones are brown, green, orange, yellow, coral, and turquoise.

Of course, fashion rules are occasionally meant to be broken. If you prefer gold and you’re of the cool skin tone variety, don’t let us stop you! What looks best on you is often what you like best.

I must confess: I wrote this blog out of personal necessity and not for our viewing audience per se. The story goes like this: I went on a trip with only one pair of earrings…and forgot the backing for one of them.

The answer, in true Internet fashion, was only a click away:

Step 1

Find a pen or pencil that has a miniature eraser on the end of it.

Step 2

Pull off the eraser and cut or pinch it down to a smaller size.

Step 3

Stick it on the back of your earring in place of the original backing. Push the eraser up tight against the back of the earring to ensure it is properly in place.

Source: Adjuvant

Heirlooms have been passed through generations for generations. It’s a touching way to leave a part of your history to your loved one. But often people make assumptions as to what constitutes an heirloom. Or worse, an heirloom is considered special to one person and perhaps not another. And that can be awkward!

According to one TLC article:

First, figure out whether your children (or whomever you have in mind) will appreciate an heirloom as you’d hoped — or if they’ll simply accept it out of obligation. So ask. And be prepared for the answer. After all, you don’t want your heirloom to become a burden. Unless you’re the passive aggressive type, but that’s a different list altogether.

Estate 14kt white gold  pear shape diamond earring and pendant set.

One of our staff members loves this necklace. She feels like its her good luck charm. She also gave us a little information on the meaning of the symbol:

It’s actually “aum.” “Om” is the way it’s pronounced. “Om” can be used as a calming chant. In theory, it is the sound that was made when creation came into existence. It’s not like that sound was made per se; but the sound is supposed to contain all that is magical, undefinable and indescrible about the Universe we live in.

For me, the necklace gives me a sense of inner peace. It reminds me of the quiet center inside of me, which I can often forget about in these trying times.

The “Om” represents the four divine states of Brahman – metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity).

This article captivated me and I wanted to share it with our readers. In it, the writer describes with greater detail the importance of defining and developing a style for yourself that’s both workable and wise. The great part? Anyone can incorporate these basic tips to create a more refined look:

Choose one core theme

The theme will serve as the central story for your look.  For the purpose of this post lets use texture as our core theme as it is a very subtle yet sophisticated way to create visual interest and a personal favorite of mine.  In order to do this, you have to pay attention to the materials that your clothing and accessories are made of and what effect the materials have on light, color and feel.  Next, decide whether you want your accessories and outfit to highlight a cohesive textural feel or contrast each other to engage the eyes.  The look from Dior below uses the knobby texture of the bracelet to accentuate the grainy weave of the tweed dresses.

Dior Haute Couture F/W 2012/13

Read more at: DeliverMeDiamonds