Happy Stories From our customers

A friend of mine recently attended an Indian wedding. She decided she wanted to wear culture-specific jewelry (even though it wasn’t required). Afterwards she joked that it wasn’t that easy to keep in place, especially the Maang tikka which is worn on the head. 

Interestingly (after the fact, unfortunately) she found this video and shared it with me. Its fun to wear different types of jewelry but as always, consider the practical element so you can have a good time while wearing it!

Mined diamonds vs lab grown diamonds. #1 and #2 are mined diamonds and #3 is the lab grown diamond

Late Bronze Age European Spiral Torque and Ornaments group of jewelry.

Who doesn’t love jewelry? Throughout the history of humankind, bling in various forms have been adored, revered, passed on and taken to the graves.

Most recently, archaeologists in southern Greece discovered an undisturbed tomb (approximately the size of a small house) which belonged to a Bronze Age nobleman with a penchant for jewelry.

According to 1310 News:

Greece’s Culture Ministry says the 3,350-year-old chamber near Orchomenos, an important centre of the Mycenaean era, belonged to a man who was 40 to 50 years old when he died.

The nobleman’s tomb contained pottery vessels sheathed in tin, bronze horse bits, jewelry, bow fittings and arrowheads.

The ministry says jewelry is more typically associated with the burials of Mycenaean women.

So apparently, the man’s love of jewelry rivaled any Mycenaean women!

From Lang Antiques. An exquisite mid-nineteenth century jewel. The graceful undulating design is packed with three concentric rows of bright-white old mine-cut, and a few scattered rose-cut, diamonds glittering around a central antique cushion-cut diamond, all of which are set in silver supported by a yellow gold ring shank. A Georgian/early-Victorian delicacy, not for everyday wear.

The history of jewelry never ceases to amaze. Why? Because every time period had its share of beauty and majesty.

The Georgian period is no exception.

The Georgian period encompasses the reigns of 5 English kings (four were named George, hence the Georgian period). Georgian art refers to the English art and culture created during this time.

And though this period refers to England obviously, jewelry design displayed influences from historical events in France, Germany and Italy as well.

Characteristics of Georgian jewelry include, most notably, intricate metal work. Metals frequently used during the period include: silver for gemstone settings, 18k or higher yellow gold, iron, steel and pinchbeck (83% copper and 17% zinc).

Locating jewelry from this period is very difficult. Georgian jewelers often melted down what was considered “out of date” pieces to make trendier pieces.

You also won’t find authentic Georgian jewelry with stamps since these marks weren’t enforced until the 1900’s.

#1: 1.50ct G, VS1
#2: 1.58ct F, VS2
#3: 1.61ct G, VS2
#4: 1.77ct, G, VS2

As our nation reels from one of the worst natural disasters in our history (Hurricane Harvey) and braces for the Hurricane Irma, we’re taking a moment to share what jewelers around our wounded country are doing to help.

According to JCK:

Jewelers of America, the Diamond Council of America, and National Jeweler

The trio of jewelry organizations has created a GoFundMe page to collect donations for independent jewelers within the Houston area that are hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey. “We are asking the jewelry community to band together and help fellow jewelers in their recovery efforts,” reads the page. “All funds raised will be dispersed equally and directly to independent jewelry stores, regardless of affiliation.”

Texas map charm by Rembrandt Charms

Read about more charitable efforts from jewelers here. 

This collection shows different shapes and colors available in lab grown diamonds.

The wedding band has been around for a long, long time. Back in the time of the Romans, a wedding ring was worn on the left hand ring finger because there was thought to be a vein there (called the “Vena Aromis” or Vein of Love) directly connected to the heart.

Symbolically, a ring is a circle with no beginning or end–a natural representation of infinity. Like eternal love, it goes on and on. There is also a sense of oneness, wholeness to the circle of the ring which reflects another level of meaning.

When a wedding band is custom designed, you decide its symbolism and significance. That means that every aspect of the ring can represent your love in its own unique way. Below is a custom design wedding band with wide floral design and intermittent diamonds (which symbolize faithfulness, love, purity, innocence).