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Jewelry Education and Advice

  • Help for your Earlobes

    You're asking for problems with earrings like this!

     

    As a wearer of long or heavy earrings, you know how it can take its toll. This article offers some very real and practical solutions for droopy earlobes:

    Earring stabilizers are by far the cheapest and easiest way to prevent a droopy earring. Many times, you will see heavy earrings accompanied by these plastic types of backs in stores. They provide for extra strength for heavy accessories as a replacement for traditional jewelry backs. I’ve found these to be helpful with fish-hook style earrings as well. This product can also be found in more “cushion-y” models, further protecting your holes from tears and excess weight.
    Lobe Wonder is a drugstore brand product that assists with pre-existing tearing or drooping AND to prevent those same problems. Per the company website, the undetectable patch is applied to the back of the lobe, bearing most of the weight of the earring itself.
    The most serious (and expensive) solution is plastic surgery, which seemingly repairs the hole itself, allowing women to once again wear earrings without the droop or pulling. Check out this video from The Doctors for intensive info about the out-patient procedure (for exceptionally queasy stomachs, this might not be for you):

     

  • What to Look for in a Jeweler

    I stumbled across this today and, as I read through the criteria, I realized that we pass the “tests” mentioned. Take a look at our eco-friendly jewelry page.

    As third generation jewelers, we realize the importance of taking care of our client and our community.

    We’re old-fashioned jewelers with a new world mindset.

    1. Look for a jeweler with a clear conflict-free diamond policy. Their policy should be both in print and listed on their official website. In addition to ensuring Kimberley Process compliance, the policy should address social and environmental issues. Avoid policies that do not address human rights abuses or environmental impact, or those that rely solely on compliance with the Kimberley Process.

    On top of the printed policy, make sure that your jeweler can answer your questions regarding your gem’s origins. They should be able to identify the name of the mine and provide independent verification of its social and environmental responsibility. They should also be able to tell you how they track their stones from mine to the finished product.

    2. Look for a jeweler that uses recycled metals wherever possible. Much commercial gold comes from mines in developing countries that employ children and adults in inhumane conditions and leave behind massive quantities of toxic waste, including cyanide, mercury, and arsenic. Less than 25% of gold used in jewelry comes from recycled sources when in fact gold and platinum can be endlessly recycled without compromise to their quality and without the environmental impact of newly mined metals.

    3. Look for a jeweler with a wide range of ring designs. Every gal is different, and you’ll want to make sure that your ring design perfectly suits your style and personality.

    4. Look for a jeweler with full custom-design services and capabilities. If a bride can’t find the ring she wants, she should be able to create it – she’s going to wear this ring for the rest of her life, after all!

    5. Look for a jeweler that carries a wide selection of alternative gemstones and metals. Precious colored gemstones create gorgeous accents or a beautiful centerpiece and many jewelers lack broad inventory and expertise with these stones. You may also be interested in alternative metals, such as rose gold and palladium.

    6. Look for a jeweler that never compromises on quality.

    7. Look for a jeweler that provides excellent customer service and convenience. When making one of the biggest purchases of your life, you don’t want any of your questions to go unanswered.

    8. Look for a jeweler with a glowing reputation. A good track record and dazzling customer reviews say it best – you’ll get what you pay for and be thrilled with the results.

    9. Look for a jeweler with an airtight Warranty Policy. If something should go wrong during the manufacturing process or you discover a flaw in your ring, you should be able to return or fix it, no questions asked.

    Source: Brilliant Earth Blog

  • The Fasion Police: On Wearing Gold and Silver Together

    The fashion police reside in all of us (well, at least the better dressed!). So most of us have heard that wearing gold and silver together is the ultimately no-no, a fashion felony. It’s up there with wearing white shoes after Labor Day. But does it really still hold water after all of these years? Here’s what Marie Claire had to say:

    Rules of jewelry etiquette once dictated that silver jewelry be worn with silver, gold be worn with gold, and never the two shall meet. But these rules are changing. While wearing just one metallic element does give you a more traditional look, mixing them isn’t always a no-no. In fact, upscale jewelry designers like David Yurman have been showcasing items that mix the elements within the same piece. You might also try wearing a piece such as a watch in stainless steel with gold detailing to pull your look together. As for your gold wedding band, that’s a special item and an exception to the rule!

     

  • Necklace Clasps – Which One Works for You?

    People often overlook the clasp on a necklace when making a purchase; that is, until they’re struggling with it for 10 minutes while getting ready one evening or worse, potentially losing the piece. Take a quick moment to review the different type of necklace clasps and decide on one that is right for you:

    1. Box Clasp

      • The folded metal spring inserts in the notch of the box housing.

        A box clasp holds one end of a chain with a fitted boxed housing with a notch in it. A lever formed from a flat piece of metal folded over fits into the notch like a tongue when compressed. Releasing the folded metal, once it’s inserted into the notch, secures it inside the box. To release this type of clasp, simply press the two ends of the protruding lever together and pull out of the box.

      Hook and Eye

      • A traditional hook and eye clasp.

        One of the most traditional and easy-to-use clasps is the hook and eye. The hook attached to one end of the bracelet or necklace secures the other end by hooking through the eye. One problem with this type of clasp is the possibility of the hook stretching and coming apart from the eye.

      Lobster

      • Lobster clasp opens by pressing a hinge that opens into a claw.

        The lobster clasp opens by pressing a hinge, which opens a ring into a claw shape. The claw catches a loop or ring on the other end of the chain, securing the two ends together. Used to fasten heavier pieces, a spring-loaded device keeps the clasp secured. With an appearance like its namesake, the lobster claw clasp is one of the most secure choices in jewelry clasps.

      S Hook, S Clasp

      • S Clasp secures at either end.

        Another of the traditional and popular fasteners is the “S” hook and clasp because of its simplicity and ease of use. Both ends are shaped like an “S” and either end may fasten into the ring attached at both ends of the chain.

      Spring Ring

      Toggle

      • Toggle clasp uses a T-bar to insert into an open center.

        A toggle clasp has an open, centered component attached to one end of the chain. This component can be round, square or oval. The other end of the chain fits with a T-bar, which inserts into the hole. The toggle clasp using round or square openings are easier to put on and take off and stay more secure than the one with an oval opening.

  • 8 of the Worst Jewelry Mistakes

    Many of us have fallen victim to these mistakes in the past, but that still doesn’t make them any less visually painful! So before you leave your house today, stop; check yourself for the following:

    Too Much Jewelry

    Perhaps the most common jewelry faux paux is wearing too much jewelry. It can confuse the eye and blend your pieces into the appearance of only one piece of rather gaudy jewelry. A stack of bangles worn with layers of bead and chain necklaces and large dangly earrings and several rings is just too much of a good thing.

    Noisy Jewelry

    Along with too much jewelry, noisy jewelry is usually inappropriate. An arm load of bracelets that clanks or tinkles at your every move is distracting and even irritating.

    Wrong Weight and Size

    Your jewelry should coordinate with the fabrics in your clothing. Heavy shell or wooden beads don’t work with a thin silk blouse. You would be better with several thin chains or a strand of pearls. Pearls are not usually shown at their best with heavy denims or tee shirts. Wear those heavier cork or stone beads with your heavy denims or bulky sweaters. Along the same lines, the length of the necklace should coordinate with your collar. A choker can be worn with a very deep neckline, but if you wear it with a turtle neck or high neck shirt, it looks crowded.

    Incompatible Materials

    Jewelry can be made of anything from gold and silver with pearls and diamonds to copper washers with natural stone beads. The gemstones and materials used in your jewelry should coordinate, not class with each other. A skilled designer can coordinate even seemingly incompatible materials for a unique and striking look.

    Incorrect Size

    If you are a larger sized person, tiny jewelry will get “lost” on you and can make you look even larger. If you wear jewelry in proportion to your body, it helps unify your look. A tiny person in huge jewelry or too much jewelry can look almost like a child playing dress up.

    No Focal Piece

    A large necklace, bangle, earrings and ring eliminates the focal point you need for your ensemble. One piece of jewelry can be the focal point and the others can accessorize that piece. Along the same vein, too many matching pieces is just too “cute” to wear. Earrings that match a bracelet or a necklace and matching bracelet look good. If everything matches exactly as a set, it becomes too predictable and lacking in imagination.

    Earring Problems

    Earrings seem to cause the most frequent faux paux in jewelry. A well-fitted dangling earring calls attention to your shoulders, which is the last feature to age on most women, but a tiny earring on a large woman can give her a “fat-neck” look and long dangling earrings on a woman with long hair can look disorganized and messy. Multiple ear piercings have become fairly common, but the earrings need to be coordinated with each other using the largest in the lowest piercings.

    Dirty Jewelry

    Dirty jewelry is frequently seen. Earrings and necklaces can be affected by hairspray and cosmetics while cleaning products and lotions can affect rings and bracelets. Keep your jewelry clean by using the cleaning methods recommended for each type of jewelry you wear and your jewelry will create a wonderful accessory for your outfit and your own look.

    Sarah Jessica Parker might want to check out the first mistake.

     

    Source: StreetDirectory.com

  • What to Do with Old Jewelry

    Sometimes its tough rationalizing buying a new piece of jewelry when you have so many pieces that you don’t wear. Well, there’s a way to allay that buyer’s guilt and do something smart for the planet. And remember, we’re happy to buy your old jewelry and make it into something new and magnificent.

    One gold ring creates at least 20 tons of mine waste, so in an effort to decrease this harmful cycle, here are some unique ways to repurpose and reuse those favorite items instead of buying new.

    • Hand down expensive and sentimental jewelry to your children or grandchildren. At least the items will get some wear and maybe even become a family heirloom.

    • Take your old gold to a jeweler to be melted down and turned into something new. What type of ring, necklace or bracelet have you always wanted? Design a customized gift for yourself or a loved one.

    • Donate jewelry to your favorite organization so it can sell it at one of its auctions. This will not only make you feel good since you will be helping to raise money for a charity, but can also get a tax receipt.

    • Sell your gold and silver jewelry pieces to a reputable dealer. You get some cash and prolong the lives of the pieces.

    • Add small pieces of bracelets and charms to decorate picture frames, lampshades, storage boxes, fan blades, chairs, etc.

    • Place vintage clip-on earrings on shoes, shirts or pants to add some glamour.

    • Create multi-strand bracelets with old gold or silver necklaces, or attach the chains to belts or shirts for a punk-rock look.

    • Give old necklaces a new feel and fresh look with different charms.

    • Slip unused rings onto a large safety pin and design your own brooch.

    • Pin various pieces of jewelry onto a coat, scarf, gloves or hat for some flair.

    • Glue random pieces of jewelry on to a corkboard, kitchen message board, school notebook, vases, flower pots, etc. You can never have too much bling!



    Source: 1-800-RECYCLING

  • Body Piercing Do’s and Don’ts

    While you won’t see any body piercing done at our showroom in Scottsdale, AZ, we’re aware that body jewelry is part of our fashion culture. So here’s a few pointers from experts:

    DON’T get any piercing done with a ear-piercing gun or cheap ear studs.

    DO verify the piercer uses one-use-only hollow needles, sterilized forceps, latex gloves, and other procedures to prevent infection or disease transmission.

    DON’T get a piercing at a convention of any sort. It’s the worst possible situation for the piercer, you, and your piercing.

    DO select a time when you are healthy, well-rested, and mentally ready for the piercing. If you aren’t sure, you aren’t ready. Eat a balanced meal 2-4 hours before the piercing. (If you can’t get a meal, tell the piercer so you can be given a soda or juice to boost your blood sugar before the piercing.)

    DON’T accept “temporary” or “starter” jewelry. A professional piercer will be honest; if what you need isn’t in stock, he/she will say so. You’ll be happier waiting for the right jewelry than if you “make do.”

    DO ask to have each step explained to you. (Before the piercing, if you’d rather not know exactly what’s happening when.)

    DON’T fail to tell the piercer if you have any medical conditions, medications, or other health concerns which may affect the piercing procedure or healing. They may make a difference in placement, timing, or aftercare. If you don’t trust the piercer enough to tell him/her the truth, you haven’t found the right piercer. (A professional will keep the information confidential.)

    DO obtain and read complete, written aftercare instructions. Ask questions about caring for your specific piercing, if general instructions are given.

    DON’T accept the myth that “all piercings get infected.” Piercings shouldn’t get infected. And won’t, if the piercing was done correctly and you take proper care of it.

    DO follow the aftercare instructions. If you are instructed to clean the piercing twice a day for six months, do it. Even if the piercing appears fully healed and in good condition. (Navel and nipple piercings, especially, are notorious for “flaring up” if you stop early.)

    DON’T remove or replace jewelry earlier than specified. If you must remove it temporarily, use nylon monofilament in the same size as the jewelry gauge to keep the piercing open; replace the original jewelry as soon as possible.

    DO call or visit the piercer if you have any questions or concerns about your piercing. If you aren’t comfortable with the quality of the piercer, consider visiting another studio for a “second opinion.”

    DON’T hesitate to seek medical help if:

    1. The jewelry is pulled out (splitting the skin).

    2. The piercing gets seriously infected and doesn’t clear up within a few days of proper care.

    3. A nostril or septum piercing becomes infected. (It’s true nose infections can be very serious or even fatal.)

    DO replace original jewelry (if desired after fully healed) with body jewelry of equal quality (surgical grade stainless steel, 14K or higher yellow gold, or niobium/titanium). If you absolutely have to wear non-body jewelry, wear it through an “ear thimble” (a.k.a “eyelet”). These are specially made tubes of surgical stainless steel or niobium which will protect your body from the “whatever” you want to wear. Thimbles are available in 12g. and larger (the piercing must be one gauge larger to accommodate the flared ends of the thimble).

    And finally,

    DO be proud of your body piercing. It’s as special as you are!

    Source: Expert Body Piercing

     

  • 5 Reasons Why you should Custom Design your Jewelry

    As we officially usher in our annual DIY (Dream it Yourself) Custom Design Jewelry contest, the question pops up: Why custom design a piece when I could simply buy one?

    Here are 5 reasons, created from our team at Joseph Schubach Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona:

    1. Uniqueness – Easily the top reason! You’ll have a piece that’s like no other. In a world of increasing “sameness”, a custom design piece of jewelry says distinctinctly and only you!

    2. Creativity – When you create a piece of jewelry, you have the opportunity to use your imagination. The piece you create is borne out your creative wellspring. Everytime you look at it, you’ll proudly know the mastermind behind it!

    3. Cost – Let’s get practical for a moment, shall we? You not only custom designing your engagment ring or wedding band, you custom design the price, by choosing the metal and the gem.

    4. Heirloomability – Okay, we made that word up. But a true heirloom represents the owner and the generation. When you pass it down, you’ll know the piece represents you and your family.

    5. Emotional connectivity – We have so many couples come in to our showroom who tell us exactly why they want a particular design; how each facet represents an element of their relationship. A custom design ring represents the emotion surrounding the piece. You can’t buy that from Tiffany’s!

    So if you’re ready to custom design your wedding ring or engagement ring or a necklace or a pair of one-of-a-kind earrings, reach out to us! We’re more than just custom design jewelers, we’re dream makers.

    We’re holding our annual custom design jewelry contest. Stop by. See our magic. Vote!

  • White Gold and Titanium – The Difference

    We recently received a question about the difference between white gold and titanium. Since we’re here to educate you so you make the smarteset online jewelry decisions possible, here you go:

     

    White Gold

    White gold engagement ring

    White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. White gold can be 18kt, 14kt, 9kt or any karat.

    White gold engagement rings

    Traditionally nickel was used in white gold, however, nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today as nickel can cause reactions with some people. We do not use nickel in our white gold

    When white gold rings are new they are coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and Rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white color.

    White gold men's wedding rings

    The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look more white. The natural color of white gold is actually a light grey color. The Rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewelers are able to rhodium plate jewelry for a cost effective price.

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    Titanium

    Titanium rings

    Titanium is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 99% pure). Titanium is extremely long wearing. Its natural color is a gray color.

    Titanium is very lightweight, so a titanium ring will feel much lighter than an 18kt gold ring and much lighter than a platinum ring.

    Titanium is also 100% hypoallergenic.

    Titanium rings with gold

    Titanium also has a unique property which allows the titanium to be colored to bright colors such as blue, purple and black.

    Unlike other metals (such as gold, platinum and silver) titanium is a difficult metal to work with from a jewelry perspective. Titanium is a very hard metal which wears down jewelry making tools very quickly. Titanium also cannot be soldered (joined by heat).

    Soldering is used in the manufacture of the majority of traditional jewelry items. Because titanium cannot be soldered, the method of making some jewelry items is restricted when using titanium.For example titanium cannot be used to make a prong setting for an engagement ring. That is why you will see that many titanium rings have parallel bands rather than tapering bands and why you will not see titanium rings with prong settings.

    Titanium engagement ring

    (To cater for our customers wanting a titanium engagement ring, we can add a gold bezel setting to a titanium band.)

    For the metal itself titanium is generally less expensive than 9kt white gold. However, because titanium is difficult to make jewelry with the labor costs of titanium can make the price of a titanium jewelry a little higher. Though white gold will still normally command a higher price than titanium.

    Source: Gilletts Jewelry