Happy Stories From our customers

We’ve written about the dangers of cadmium in the past. Cadmium is a toxic metal that’s been the subject of many jewelry and toy recalls. Yet with all the media attention this metal has received, it still finds its way into countless pieces of jewelry, sold at popular stores throughout the US. These pieces are frequently found in children’s jewelry and on children’s dresses, as decorative pieces.

“Of 27 pieces of jewelry packaged with dresses the State Department of Ecology randomly purchased last October and tested, five had extraordinarily high levels of cadmium and lead. Ecology purchased the dresses both in brick-and-mortar stores, and online. The dresses are marketed specifically to parents of young children — the very group at the greatest exposure risk, either from swallowing the jewelry, mouthing it or frequent hand-to-mouth contact.”

As we know, young children frequently put jewelry in their mouths, but even hand to mouth contact can cause considerable harm.

What’s is the harm exactly?

Cadmium and lead accumulate in bone and soft tissues in the body and remain for a very long time. Cadmium can lead to cardiovascular, skeletal and kidney damage. Lead affects brain development and damages the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems. Both metals are toxic at very low doses.

It’s time to re-examine those little adornments found on dresses (especially this Easter season) as well as any children’s jewelry. Know your source!

Source: Seattle Times

Hello! Best Ring Guy Ever! . . . . I still can’t believe what an amazing job you did! Thank you so much!

First of all! Everyone LOVES this ring. I honestly suggest no one should do anything but the hand engraving. It really adds so much. Stunning.
S

Hi! He proposed and I am in loooooove with the ring! I cannot believe how beautiful it looks! You did such a good job with it. Thank you so much for putting in the time to work on such a beautiful ring! I’ll send some pictures!

When we talk jewelry, we think of adornment only. Most of us forget that throughout history, jewelry has been used for a wide variety of purposes, from plain old functionality (think cuff links) to protection from evil spirits.

According to a recent piece in the New York Times, a  jewelry exhibition in Italy has one goal in mind: to change the way you look at jewelry.

“You’ll start thinking about what jewelry means to you. And your idea about jewelry will be different after you visit.” promised Alba Cappellieri, director of the Museo del Gioiello.

The museum, which opened in December 2014, features nine rooms focused on different concepts. For example, the “jewelry as function” room has buttons, cufflinks, cloak clasps, tiny bottles meant to hold perfume and little coin pouches, all decorative items with workaday roles. “We have examples from all over the world, from Africa, China, India, America,” said Ms. Cappellieri, professor of jewelry design at Milan Polytechnic, pointing out an Italian Renaissance belt woven of gold.

But not to worry: there’s a section dedicated to jewelry that’s simply about design (pictured below).

A necklace in an 18th century style with a cut-glass pendant designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel’s fall 1983 couture and manufactured by Ugo Correani of Milan. It is a reproduction of a necklace owned by Coco Chanel.

Did you ever notice how amazing you look after a good vacation? Or even after a good nap? When we take that time to break away from our lives and recharge, the effects are not only mental but physical.

Here are 3 easy techniques to employ to naturally hit the reset button.

1. Remember, there’s always a place to hide. Let’s say you’re at a party. The music is too loud, the people are annoying and the chips are stale. You feel your energy being drained. How will you make it through? Find a secret place and retreat. Maybe there’s a porch where you can breathe and gather yourself for a little. Just enough to recharge and deal again. Sometimes we need a safe space in our own home. Where is yours? If you don’t have one, can you create one? (Just remember to turn off the phone and officially disconnect for the full effect.)

2. Take five. (Here comes the dreaded “m” word!) Meditation is a scary prospect for many of us. We all think there is some magic formula that only white bearded yogis and Sting truly understand. But there’s nothing to it. Literally, nothing. It’s just stilling your mind and bringing yourself into the moment. Be. Here. Now. If you take five minutes in the morning then you start your day with a fresh mind and a clean, unfettered spirit—one that’s better prepared to deal with life’s many stressors.

3. Retreat royally. We all need to recharge, especially in today’s challenging times. Give yourself permission to hide out and treat yourself well while doing so. Call it a Self Party. Find your favorite movie, make popcorn, grab your favorite blanket and go inward in style, baby! If you haven’t taken a vacation in a while, make time for it. Nothing cleanses the soul and mind like travel.

We are sensitive people and often forget the very real need to withdraw, process, rest, daydream, escape. In a fast-paced world, it’s almost a must in order to stay healthy and look good. Treat your retreat well. You deserve it!