Call for expert help (888) 724-8222

Jewelry Education and Advice

  • Why Wear Jewelry?

    Jewelry isn’t just a fashion accessory. Of course, it possesses a long history of adornment, dating back to ancient times. But there’s something deep inside of us, eons old, that feels the need to wear metals and gems.

    Jewelry used to serve as charms or talismans, guarding us from evil, bad luck, ghosts, magic spells and the like. Sometimes the uses were practical. Tibetan monks, for instance, wore bell anklets as a peaceful method to warn bugs to get out of the way.And even today, most of us will confess to owning something considered a “lucky charm” that we don before special events, trips, etc.

    Today, we wear jewelry to dress up our outfit, for the most part, or to accentuate our face. But we must remember, wearing jewelry has a rich history.

    So when you choose your next piece of jewelry, find a piece that really calls for you. Get in touch with you adorning and ancient roots.

    Ancient Greek Jewelry

     

    Not So Ancient Jewelry designed by Joseph Schubach

    main view of Yellow Gemesis Sun Pendant Style 7380GM

    Yellow Gemesis Sun Pendant

    “Sun” pendant with a 1/3ct Gemesis cultured diamond with fancy yellow or orange color, and .14ct t.w. natural round pave’ set diamonds. The pendant sits on a 16″ black rubber cord with a 14kt gold clasp. Approximately 5/8″ tall.

    Available Metal: 14kt White Gold, Yellow Gold And Platinum
    Available Stone Size: 1/3ct

    Trade Up
    Our Guarantee

    Call For Pricing!

     

     

     

  • Diamond Color Chart – What Does it Mean?

    Most people don’t truly understand how diamonds could possess any color. They’re all colorless, right? Not exactly. Diamonds can possess secondary colors that affect the worth and look of the gem. Here’s a chart that gives you an idea of the different degrees of color a diamond can possess.

    (Stay tuned for our announcement on Forever Brilliant, the latest, greatest moissanite ever created, with an even more amazing color!)

  • Lessons in Black Diamonds

    Yes, Virginia…diamonds come in black, too. Diamonds come in a wide array of colors, including yellow, red and blue. But a black diamond has a mystery and uniqueness like no other. Other than their inky hue, they also possess some other interesting traits:

    According to Black Diamond Jewelry:

    1) They’re porous.

    2) Most of them are very tiny. Larger black diamonds, instead of being one large crystal, have a polycrystalline structure, meaning they’re made up of millions of small crystals which are all stuck together.

    3) They are only almost exclusively in two locations- other types of diamonds are found throughout the world. Furthermore, diamonds are normally found in the mineral kimbertite. Black diamonds are found in newer and different deposits of a sedimentary nature.

    4) They have a different carbon isotope (same chemical element with different atomic weights and physical properties) than other diamonds. These isotopes are commonly found in the earth’s crust, rather than inside the earth (mantle), where other diamonds originated.

    5) Natural black diamonds are black because their unique crystalline structure absorbs light.

    Black diamonds also don’t sparkle like traditional “white” diamonds. They absorb light instead of reflecting it.

     

  • February and the Undrunken Stone, Amethyst

     

    February’s stone is amethyst (purple quartz). Which is quite fitting. Something about its rich purple hues evoke the romance of the month of love. With it’s blue undertones, we are reminded that it’s still winter. Amethysts have a rich history as well.

    Did you know that the word “amethyst” comes from the Greek language meaning “not drunken”? According to legend, the god of wine, Dionysus became angered at a young girl named Amethyst. She cried out for protection to Artemis (Diana) who turned her into a stone of pure quartz. When Dionysus saw her thus, he cried tears into his glass of red wine which then overturned onto the stone, colouring it a wonderful purple, creating the amethyst gemstone. So intertwined with Dionysus the amethyst became known for its ability to keep a drinker sober. Many believed that drinking from an amethyst goblet would render the alcohol incapable of causing intoxication in the drinker. Amethyst rings became popular for those who wished to keep a clear head during a night of revelry.

    So if amethyst is your stone (or you just need to keep a clear mind during your next night of revelry), then contact us and we can create a piece in honor of your birth stone. Amethyst, because of its affordability, gives us all the chance to wear a rich hued gem. And really, is there anything like this purple?

     

    Source: The Jewelry Blog

  • Jewelry – the New Clothing?

    A client of ours had the following advice about fashion that I’d like to share with you. (It’s paraphrased loosely, but you’ll get the gist.)

    I’ve never been able to keep up with fashion. I knew that when I was a teenager. I guess because I was always a comfort queen, so I couldn’t bear clothes that pinched me or felt too tight. But I wanted to be fashionable like everyone else. That’s when my mother suggested a few key pieces of jewelry. Her take? Some nice jewelry pulls an outfit together, whatever you’re wearing. At first I didn’t believe her. I thought I had to keep up with the fashion race.

    Then I finally took her advice in my late 20’s. I scaled down my clothing until I owned a small closetful of key pieces. Then I bought some nice pieces (with my mom’s overlooking eye). It didn’t happen overnight but now, I feel like my wardrobe is simpler and my jewelry does the talking. Plus, I’m so attached to the jewelry – moreso than I’ve felt about clothing for the most part. It’s something I look forward to passing on to my daughters one day.

    So what pieces are your classics? Here’s a great example:

     

    Bracelets

     

    main view of Classic Prong Set Moissanite Tennis Bracelet front view of Classic Prong Set Moissanite Tennis Bracelet


    side view of Classic Prong Set Moissanite Tennis Bracelet

    Style 438M

    Classic Prong Set Moissanite Tennis Bracelet

    Classic prong set tennis bracelet with safety clasp and Charles and Colvard created round moissanite.
    Bookmark and Share
    Trade Up
    Our Guarantee

     

  • Jewelry Resolutions for the New Year

    Who makes jewelry resolutions for the New Year? Well, maybe we’re going to start a trend today. And maybe, these resolutions are just a tad easier than the heavyweights (like quitting alcohol or going on a dreaded diet).

    Here are a few we came up with in the showroom today:

    1. Clean out your jewelry box.

    Often some of our best pieces are buried under some of our worst pieces. Sort out your jewelry. Decide which pieces might be great for a friend or a second-hand store. Untangle those necklaces. Pair up your earrings and get rid of the ones that don’t have a mate. When you open your jewelry box, it should be inviting, like a treasure chest, awaiting your choice.

    2. Choose your color theme this year.

    If you don’t have a color yet, pick one! (Again, easier than quitting smoking, right?) Go through our collection and pick out a piece that either matches or accentuates your color of choice. Gemesis, for instance, is a fantastic vibrant yellow for the new year. Colors can be inspiring, so choose one that seems in alignment with the way you’d like your year to proceed.

    3. Pick your lucky charm.

    As we start the year, we want the best of luck blessing our endeavors and our relationships. Why not choose a piece of existing jewelry or something from our collection, that represents your belief in your self and your special fate this upcoming year? It could be symbolic or a stone that means something special to you.

     

    See? Not so hard. Jewelry resolutions are easy and accessible…and much prettier than a gym membership.

     

    main view of Filigree Diamond Pendant

    A Little Symbolic Sunshine for 2012?

    Choose this dazzling piece.

     

    Filigree Diamond Pendant

    Hand engraved pendant with hand applied scrolls and a 3/4ct Gemesis cultured diamond with fancy yellow or orange color on an 18″ wheat chain. Pendant measures approx. 8mm in diameter.

    Available Metal: 18kt White Gold and Platinum
    Available Stone Size: 3/4ct

  • Fashion New Year’s Resolutions for 2012

    I think fashion resolutions are much more reasonable than the bigger ones (losing weight, quit smoking, etc.) Fashion resolutions can be reasonable changes to integrate into your life. Here are few I found at Yahoo, Lifestyle.

    Pretty up in pastels

    Bye bye brights, ice creamy pastels are back (see Prada’s spring collection). If you’re worried about looking twee stick to sleek silhouettes, and anchor sugary shades with black tights. Go for warmer pinks if you have sallow skin, and cool blues and greens if you have warmer, pink toned skin. Most of us should leave pastel yellow well alone.

    Lighten up

    No walk in wardrobe? Next best thing is to light your cupboards properly. Either have your closet fitted with lights, or just angle a lamp so that you can easily see what’s in there. A small change that will make a surprisingly big improvement.

    Plan ahead

    Do you start everyday thinking: ‘Agh, what to wear?’ There’s a little known object called a valet stand, that’s made for you. Somewhere between a coat hanger and a dressmaker’s dummy, it’s for putting your clothes out on before you go to bed.  Get one on eBay, and wake up feeling smug.

    Ditch my platform heels

    Excruciatingly high heels are looking distinctly tired. Ditto platform soles. The shoe of now is a mid-height, flat soled pointy court (take a bow, Kate Middleton).  Best of all, you can actually wear them all day. Find yours now at Kurt Geiger.

    Banish moths

    Thanks to central heating, moths are rife at this time of year. Don’t want them munching through your wardrobe? The first rule is not to put away clothes that aren’t clean, as moths are attracted by sweat. So don’t save your cashmere sweater for best! Next get some non stinky moth repellent (we like Colibri hanging wool protector). If the problem is really bad, you’ll have to put all your woollies in the freezer.

    Big up my brows

    Strong brows are your fast track to modern looking make up. Have them threaded, invest in a good brow pencil (Shavata products are excellent) and you’ll find you look 5 years younger.

    Read more here.

  • Know your Jewelry, Know your History

    Most women don’t think when putting on earrings that they have a long, LONG history. Perhaps even the need to wear jewelry in the first place is in us, somewhere deep, as a connective piece to our shared past. Here’s some additional information about jewelry that you might not know:

    Ancient Egyptian Ear Rings
    A fine example of some ancient Egyptian ear rings, made of pure gold and beads.

    Jewelry:

     Ever since ancient times people of all cultures have used jewelry for personal adornments, badges of social or official rank and as emblems of religious, social, or political affiliation.

    Materials used in ancient jewelry:  Jewelry has been made of many kinds of organic and inorganic materials such as hair, feathers, leather, scales, bones, shells, wood, ceramics, metals and minerals. But today when most people refer to jewelry, we refer to precious or semiprecious stones mounted in attractive metals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper and brass. Gold of course being the favorite.  

    Platinum jewelry is 50 times more rare than gold jewelry.  Platinum is one of the world’s strongest metals. It weighs 60% more than karat gold. Just holding it in your hand, you can feel the difference.   

    Culture of Jewelry

    Current knowledge of ancient jewelry comes largely from the preservation of personal objects in tombs or portraits in surviving paintings and sculptures.

    One of the most notable being the ancient Egyptians, who’s processes of ornamenting metals are still employed today. They produced skillfully, chased, engraved, soldered, repousse and inlaid jewelry, they used commonly gold and silver and inlaid in these metals with semiprecious stones, enamel and glass. The most notable jewelry from ancient Egypt is from the 18th Dynasty

    Other Cultures that are notable cultures in the making of jewelry were Middle Eastern from the 3rd and 2nd millennia that produced techniques in granulation, filigree, inlaid gems, closisonna and champleve enamel. Greek and Roman jewelry, gave way to the art of cameo cutting.   Scythian Jewelry, the Byzantine use of jewels are also notable. A notable Medieval technique was the use of garnet slices into metal cells in the 7th Century. Other notable Jewelry came during the Renaissance times and the 17th and 18th century.

    Source: hatilla_pr.Tripod.com

    ♥♥♥♥♥

    And for some modern day earrings, not made of shells and feathers!

    Style 10587S Diamond And Brazilian Garnet Drop Earrings 14kt White gold drop earrings featuring two Brazilian garnets (10x7mm each) and approximately .025ct t.w. natural diamonds.

  • Katie Holmes as Jewelry Model

    We often don’t think of the “behind the scenes” when it comes to shooting jewelry on models. Good lighting is crucial for instance. But so is the outfit, which can’t overwhelm or compete with the jewelry. This recent shoot with Kate Hudson modeling jewelry is a fine example of what needs to be done in order to make the jewelry the star of the show:

     

    American actress Katie Holmes is mostly known as a movie star. Brilliant. Now, she ventures into new areas as a designer jewelry model for H. Stern for their new Brazilian and Israeli campaigns.

    Katie Holmes Jewelry H SternKatie Holmes for Jewelry Brand H. Stern

    Holmes follows in the footsteps of Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss as the face of jewelry brand H. Stern.

    Katie Holmes Jewelry H. Stern BrazilKatie Holmes for H. Stern

    Holmes posed in subtle makeup and a white shift for the Brazilian ad, which really let the emerald baubles pop.

    While I love her as a jewelry model, I can’t wait to see her starring in Jack and Jill together with Adam Sandler.

    Katie Holmes Jewelry H. SternKatie Holmes for Designer Jewelry Brand H. Stern

    Here’s a nice video from behind the scenes of the H. Stern shootings with Katie Holmes:

     

    Source: Jewelerista

  • More Fun Facts about Jewelry

    Real pearls make a sound when rubbed across teeth!

     

    Back by popular demand, here are some more interesting about jewelry and its history in the fashion world:

    Men were the first to wear jewelry as a status symbol and as good luck amulets to aid them in battle.

    Aaron, first high priest of the Hebrews, wore 12 gemstones (representing the 12 tribes of Israel) in his silver breastplate.
    This is when birthstones originated.

    The legendary Croesus was the first King to mint gold coins. He was the greatest collector of gold in history.

    Agnes Sorel, the mistress of King Charles VII of France was the first woman to wear diamonds.

    Initially, only one ring was used for an engagement and a wedding. Then in 1477, Maximilian of Austria gave an engagement ring to his beloved, Mary of Burgundy starting a tradition.

    Although the hardest substance known, diamonds can they be chipped. They have a grain line and may be broken by a sharp blow along this line.

    The largest diamond ever found was the The Cullinan. It weighed 3,106 carats, or about one and a third pounds!

    The most important quality of a ruby, sapphire or emerald is its clarity of color. A natural or cultured pearl (unlike an imitation or simulated one) rubbed against the edge of one’s teeth produces vibrations one can actually hear.

    58.3% of pure gold is an item marked 14k.

    About 75% of American brides receive a diamond engagement ring.

    Souce: SearchWrap