Happy Stories From our customers

Um, no. 

That’s the short answer.

The long answer? Even if bathing products feel soft to the touch, they can be abrasive to certain gemstones and metals. There are also products that are straight-up abrasive (think exfoliants) which are obviously more damaging.

Of course, you don’t notice those little scratches at first. Its only over time that those micro-abrasions accumulate and create a dull appearance.

And its not just abrasive components in your bath products; it’s also oils in those same products. Oilsgather over time and dull the finish of your engagement ring.

And let’s not forget the big elephant in the room:

THE DRAIN!

It can happen in an instant and cause you hours worth of pain and expense (call your plumber and ask how much he or she charges for a visit).

Don’t think you ring will slip off that easily? Think again. Fingers change size all the time, even throughout a day. (Did you know your finger is thinner in cold weather? It’s true.)

OUR ADVICE: Take your ring off before every shower. Get in the habit of taking it off in a room other than the bathroom (which has several danger zones for an errant ring). Every time. No exceptions.

Trust us, you’ll be grateful. So will your ring.

Just. Don’t. Do. It.

There’s an order to doing things right. And nowhere is this more true than preparing for your wedding. So what comes first? The wedding gown? The hairdo? The jewelry?

This quick and easy (and helpful) video details the best 1-2-3 method when choosing the best look for your upcoming wedding:

First off, no. Fake pearls are not bad. As a matter of fact, costume jewelry has a place in our fashion repertoire and if you’re a jewelry lover, undoubtedly you have some. (Or like me, a lot.)

And for obvious reasons: we can’t always afford the best of the best. But more than just cost, costume jewelry is a great way of experimenting with a look to see if you’d like to invest in better jewelry in the future, even custom designing the jewelry you’d like to wear.

When it comes to fake pearls, fashion experts have a lot to say on the topic. Some say its a perfectly fine way to dress up an outfit, especially if you’re wearing a three-strand pearl necklace (which could be quite expensive in its “natural” state).

Some wholly disagree. One expert had this to say:

Imitation pearls are made from a shell or glass bead coated with a solution containing fish scales or other iridescent material. They will never have a fine pearl’s lustre and depth, and their iridescence (should they have any), is like poly satin compared to silk charmeuse. Fakes are usually “too-too”: too perfectly matched, too round, too sharply lustrous. The overall effect is like being hit by high-beam lights, and about as soulful.

We laughed in agreement. Because obviously, there’s some truth there. But again, certain outfits and certain occasions would fit nicely with pearls of the non-authentic variety.

Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace, 10mm-11mm, 18″ long with a sterling silver clasp.

Did you know: 

Before she was Coco, Gabrielle Chanel sold wide-brimmed hats, fisherman’s sweaters, and striped beach pajamas on the seaside promenades of Deauville, France?

Outwardly, that might not seem like the chicest job in town but one can be sure: Ms. Chanel brought her own signature style to it. Undoubtedly, even then, detail and quality mattered to her, as much then as it did later in her storied career.

What’s the takeaway message?

Your style, your “chic” quotient, can be part of whatever you do for a living. Whether you’re a bartender, a traffic cop or a grade school teacher, your style can been imprinted in the way you do your work.

Let’s face it: many of us are stuck in jobs we don’t like very much. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have opportunities to showcase who we are stylistically or professionally.

Undoubtedly, Ms. Chanel brought her best game to the table, regardless of the stature of her position. She took her job seriously and saw it as an opportunity to grow and expand artistically and creatively.

How can you highlight the best of yourself at your job, even if its not perfect? What lessons can you learn? What ways can you enhance your burgeoning and evolving self? 

Sure, sometimes it takes some searching. But you’ll soon find, like Ms. Chanel, a job is just another chance to become your best self possible.

Thumb rings are once again rising in popularity. Celebrities such as fashion guru Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie, Vanessa Hudgens, Jessica Alba and Paul Walker can be seen sporting them.

But what do rings worn on the thumb signify and is it a look you’d like to try?

In his book “Mystic’s Musings,” Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev warned women to never wear any rings on their thumbs as it “will lead to attracting occult forms.” We’re not so sure about that. But it can send a message apparently.

According to Spiritual Cookie, thumb rings can signify power and dominance.

By putting a ring of strength on the finger of control, a person with a thumb ring may express a need to have control over things. They may have a strong need to do things their own way. An example of this could be a fashion stylist or designer who enjoys influencing  others regarding what to wear eg. fashion designer Rachel Zoe.

Some say that the placement of the ring signifies sexual preference or relationship status.

But perhaps the best “inner meaning” for wearing a thumb ring according to one wearer?

“I think it means I like thumb rings.”

Two thumbs up for that response!

We’re perfectionists here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers, but mistakes can happen. Custom design jewelry making is a creative process, after all. And like all artists, we need to push the boundaries to get the look we want. It’s those very boundaries that allow us to learn and improve…but its not always seamless.

This video details one student’s process where a mistake becomes just another form of education.

Now if we could only apply that same “it’s good to make mistakes” philosophy to life!