Happy Stories From our customers

Smack dab in the center of the most exciting tennis match in the world, let’s take a moment to look at the dress code of the Wimbledon players…because it’s strict. And no wonder why: the dress code dates back to the 1800s.

So why all white? For practical reasons. The sight of sweat spots on colored clothing appeared unseemly back in the day, so “tennis whites” became the way to go.

And by white, we’re talking white. The All-England Club takes this rule very seriously:

• “White does not include off-white or cream.”

• “There can only be “a single trim of color no wider than one centimeter.”

• “Any [colored] undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration)” are not allowed.”

Many players have claimed that this rule is too strict. And many have tried to bend and/or break the rules. But most happily adhere in order to be part of such a privileged event.

As far as jewelry? While we can’t find any rules dictating the wearing of jewelry, from what we see, a few female players don a simple pendant necklace (which also looks great against a fashionable all white backdrop!).

Petra Kvitová

Jim Moore, Adam Rapoport, and Glenn O’Brien teach you to break the rules of style when it comes to men wearing jewelry.

The guideline is simple according to award-winning jewelry designer Phil Crangi:

“Anything you wear, you should feel like yourself when you’re wearing it.”

We completely agree. Jewelry should be a natural extension of your personality and fit into your life seamlessly. So men, stop fighting it: a few solid choices of jewelry for your wardrobe enhance your masculinity, not take away from it. We promise. 

There’s a certain unmistakable beauty to a raw diamond. It’s full of possibility and wonder (to designers like us). For others, the raw diamond represents the truest form of the gem, from the earth and beautiful without any adulteration. Apparently, its also set to be a new trend in engagement rings:

According to House Beautiful:

When it comes to engagement rings, more and more brides are looking for designs that are unique and one-of-a-kind. That’s why colorful gems were a huge trend this past year. And now, a new stunning style is taking over: raw diamonds. These rings embrace the rough, natural texture of stones, instead of polishing them down to a smooth surface.

Considering a raw diamond engagement ring? We can make your custom design dream come true! Contact our highly skilled staff, waiting to make an engagement ring with a distinctly raw and natural touch!

In honor of the 4th of July, we’re taking a step back in time to 1776, the birth year of our country. How did people dress hundreds of years ago? What was the prevailing jewelry style? How uncomfortable were mile-high wigs? (We’re guessing a lot.)

First, the fashion. According to Wikipedia:

Women’s clothing styles maintained an emphasis on the conical shape of the torso while the shape of the skirts changed throughout the period. The wide panniers (holding the skirts out at the side) for the most part disappeared by 1780 for all but the most formal court functions, and false rumps (bum-pads or hip-pads) were worn for a time.

Below: Robe à la Polonaise, France, c. 1775, plain-woven silk with supplementary warp- and weft-float patterning. M.70.85 Shown with quilted plain-woven silk petticoat, England, 1780s.

But what about the jewelry in colonial America? What were the jewelry trends of this critical year in history?

According to Lang Antiques, pearls were all the rage. (See? We told you – pearls are always in!)

Pearls and mother-of-pearl were essential to every woman’s wardrobe. Pearls from the Persian Gulf and the Pacific and Indian Oceans were considered the most desirable and beautiful of gems. Whatever the source however, pearls of all types were found in earrings, necklaces, rings, and brooches just as they are today.

What about diamonds?

Trade with India and Brazil during the eighteenth century brought diamonds to Europe and trade with the colonies brought them to America. Rings, earrings, buckles, necklaces, brooches and lockets set with diamonds were sought out by the colonists.

So there you go: a glimpse into the fashionable jewelry and dress during the birth year of our country. Even 200 years ago, jewelry remained a mainstay in the dress of Americans.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

Shown with our new antique cushion cuts

You might guess that just about any necklace would work with a strapless dress, right? Nope…not entirely. The color of the dress makes a big difference (a brightly colored strapless number might not work as well with a big, bold statement necklace, for example).

This video provides some quick and easy pointers when pairing your strapless dress with jewelry. The best part with a strapless dress? You have a wide open canvas to work with…so choose wisely!

Losing a beloved piece of jewelry can be extremely painful, often more painful than one would expect it to be. And as jewelers, we know why: jewelry symbolizes more than gems and metal. That special piece represents deeply held feelings of romance, love, family, loyalty and heritage.

So when a piece of jewelry is lost, it can have a profound effect on the wearer, often lasting a long period of time, sometimes years or even a lifetime.

Here are some gems of advice we’ve provided to those who have lost that special piece. Hopefully some of these words can help you on your path:

What the piece symbolized is always yours. A ring is just a thing. What it represented is yours forever. That piece of lost jewelry symbolized something that surpasses its material presence. Spend some time writing down what that lost piece of jewelry meant to you and reflect on the very real fact that that deep and special meaning is never lost.

You can’t take it with you. An old adage, indeed…but it bears repeating. There is no material item that stays with you for eternity. Items in one’s life come and go. And at some point, all material items will become no more. It’s the transience of life and its a beautiful thing. Embrace the “come and go” of all life has to offer, including items of meaning.

Replace (to the best of your ability). No, you’ll never have that pearl bracelet your mother gave you on your wedding day. But you could have a new one made in honor of its meaning to you. This shows how an emotional legacy is encouraged to live on. Nothing will replace the original, we know. But the item in honor of it will have its own special place in your heart.