Happy Stories From our customers

Pearls are considered a timeless classic. And for good reason. Pearls have been a form of adornment and status for thousands of years, all around the world.

As early as 2300 BC, pearls were the go-to gift for royalty, symbolizing loyalty (from the giver) and wisdom (of the receiver). In the first century, Julius Caesar even passed a law that declared that pearls should only be worn by the ruling classes.

Meanwhile over in India, pearls were believed to pass on calm to its wearer, attracting both good luck and wealth. The Mahraja Khande Rao Gaekwad of Baroda donned a legendary seven-strand necklace, so much so that the prized necklace gained a name: the Baroda Pearls.

Pearls were also a significant part of trade, especially after they were discovered in Central and South America in the 15th century. This ushered in what was called the Pearl Age.

An obvious form of wealth and status, the demand escalated, especially in Western Europe, where royals and aristocrats wanted to emulate their peers in China, India and Arab states.

And by the 19th century, demand for pearl jewelry became so high that the supply of natural pearls began to dwindle, making natural pearl jewelry prices skyrocket to six or even seven figures at auctions.

Today people can choose more eco-friendly freshwater pearls who use sustainable practices to create the opalescent final product. See below.

Freshwater cultured white pearl necklace, 7.5mm-8mm with .06ct t.w. diamonds on an 18″ cable chain.

Even during a precarious political and economic time world-wise, high-end jewelry brands continue to experience sales growth. Euromonitor International (a leading market research firm) recently reported that 2017 will yield a total of $37.8 billion spent in the luxury jewelry market. Wow.

Many of these established brands have a long history of popularity, with decades worth of marketing behind them. And that’s to say nothing of their amazing craftsmanship.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 DESIGNER JEWELRY BRANDS OF 2017?

1. Tiffany & Co.
2. Harry Winston
3. Cartier
4. Chopard
5. Van Cleef & Arpels
6. Graff
7. David Yurman
8. Buccellati
9. Bvlgari
10. Boucheron

[Source: WP Diamonds]

If there are any of well-known designer pieces that really speak to you, speak to us! We specialize in custom design that takes elements of what you like and combine them into the jewelry of your dreams.

Classic Tiffany style solitaire engagement ring for a square stone (setting only, does not include center stone).

With yellow gold decorative back

Okay, there’s a vast amount of opinion on this topic. Anywhere from “I pierced my daughter’s ears when she was a baby” to “I wouldn’t do it unless my child asked…and even then, she might be too young.” So needless to say, much of it lies in opinion and culture (in Venezuela for instance, there’s a tendency to pierce a child’s ears at a very young age).

But we decided to follow a practical path when deciding: responsibility. A piercing is a serious enough endeavor so your child should be old enough to take care of the new piercings (yes, that eliminates very young children). Just like owning a pet, a child should understand the importance of a new piercing and follow through on all the hygienic steps that are needed. (Ideally you should not be cleaning your child’s ears twice a day!)

Other points to consider (from a jeweler’s point of view): choose earrings made of surgical stainless steel, platinum, titanium or 14K gold. These are the least likely to provoke an allergic reaction.

Go an expert. Some pediatricians will pierce your child’s ears. If not, popular jewelry chains often have a stricter protocol of hygiene and expertise. Do your research first.

Good morning Margie, I cannot thank you and the staff enough for the ring. I proposed this past weekend and my fiancé was overwhelmed with the beautiful ring. Thank you so much again for all the help you gave me.
Thanks, J. H.

When it comes to buying jewelry, men can get quite…exasperated. What kind of jewelry will she like? What expresses how I feel for her without being too over-the-top? What won’t break the bank?

During the early phase of a new relationship, it can be particularly hard to strike the right chord when it comes to gift-giving. This is when we suggest a pendant necklace. It’s subtle, sweet and touches the heart of just about any woman.

What is a pendant necklace exactly?

If a necklace has a charm hanging from it, that charm is known as a pendant. The pendant is generally attached to the necklace (normally a chain of some sort) by a small hoop so it can move freely on the chain, creating a sense of movement and flow. It’s perfect for casual wear.

What pendant you decide upon is completely up to your taste. It can be a heart, a circle, a symbol, an animal shape, the letter of a first name…the choices are practically endless.

But one thing for sure: pendant necklaces are people pleasers. Because of the long history of wearing symbols as a form of protection or sign of love, pendant necklaces feel good to the wearer – like she is wearing a personal message gently sent out to the world.

Here’s one of our staff favorite pendant necklaces:

Currently 30% off!
Oval cluster pendant with approximately 1 1/3ct t.w. (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite set on an 18″ cable chain. Available in 14kt white gold only. Pendant measures approximately 1″ from the top of the bale to the base of the pendant. Each circle moves freely within the bale.
Use coupon “Discount30” at checkout. (Discount will be calculated at checkout)

Hand engraving

What the heck is padparadscha? Is it contagious? Does it bite? Can you get rid of it by using an over-the-counter cream?

While the word sounds exotic (pronounced pad-pah-raj-ah), it is a colored gem that fits in the sapphire family. It’s also one of the rarest colored gems on the planet. Why so rare? No other gem possesses its unique and magical blend of pink and orange.

More on the coloring: a “pad” has a range of hues: from a delicate light to a mid-toned pink orange to an almost salmon shade. While sapphires of deeper, more saturated hues are highly regarded, padparadschas most revered hue is in the mid-saturation range.

Chatham lab grown padparadschas often display a violet and yellow pleochroic colors, which expands its beauty and depth. Take a look at the video below to see the beautiful hues it casts.