Happy Stories From our customers

Is it merely a fashion trend for the summer? Or is an indication of trends to come, where women wear jewelry with more sustainable and ecologically sound implications?

As wood continues to replace heavier metals in fashion jewelry, the reasons for it are varied.

Of course, there’s the obvious: in the summer, jewelry made of wood instead of metal is simply lighter to wear. (We know how annoying heavy metal jewelry can be in a hotter climate. Come visit us in Scottsdale, AZ! )

“We can see it in artisanal crafts going back 6,000 years,” Katey Brunini says. And unlike precious metals and mined stones, it’s naturally renewable: Her sources for woods such as Costa Rican cocobolo follow rules from the Forest Stewardship Council, an international nonprofit which promotes responsible forest management.

As for Brooklyn-based designer Mark Davis, in addition to sustainable American walnut and African blackwood, he says he reclaims timber from old buildings because it’s a “dense wood that lived its life previously.”

When a diamond in an engagement ring or other prized jewelry has a chip, most owners are beside themselves.

“How could this happen? I thought diamonds were the strongest gem on the planet!”

While diamonds (both natural and lab grown) are infinitely hard, they can still experience cracks and chips unfortunately. The good news? There are some workarounds to consider:

Rotate it. If you have a claw setting and the inclusion isn’t too serious, the diamond can be rotated to hide the chip underneath a claw. If the inclusion is more serious, it’s wise to run solder under the claw to fill the empty space left by the chip.

Change it. If the inclusion has moved up to the table of the diamond, try changing the claws to talon claws which can cover up a larger imperfection.

Bezel it. If the inclusion is running around the edge of your diamond, think about a bezel or semi-bezel setting to hide the inclusion.

We know firsthand how upsetting it is when you notice a chip in your diamond ring. But know there are options other than replacing your diamond or contact your insurance provider.

Before, being chosen to take part in a bridal party didn’t always inspire pure joy. Most potential party members realized that they’d have to put out a lot of time, effort and money (on top of wearing a questionably fashionable bridesmaid dress, for the women).

But as more millennials marry, it’s no surprise that they’re choosing smaller bridal parties. (They’re a pragmatic bunch, those 20-somethings. They realize that a smaller bridal party means less hassle and less money.)

According to Martha Stewart Weddings:

In recent years, we’ve seen brides with huge bridal parties. The largest one in 2017 tallied up to thirteen ‘maids! But Kara Delay of Love This Day Events has predicted that brides will choose smaller groups—made up of a single maid of honor or just one or two bridesmaids—in 2018.

There’s also been a trend toward more transparency in the process. Bridal party members are told up front what is expected of them, but not demanded. Members can now participate how they sit, financially and personally. This makes for a more relaxed process…and a more relaxed wedding in the long run.