Happy Stories From our customers

Most of us probably have an amulet or talisman or two in our jewelry box, whether we know it or not. It’s that piece we wear for luck, like a job interview. Or we don for protection, like before going on a long trip.

Some may simply call these powerful pieces lucky charms” but the meaning runs deeper. Amulets and talismans have been around since the beginning of the human race…certainly not a passing trend!

According to Wikipedia:

Amulets and talismans are often considered interchangeable despite their differences. For example, the amulet is an object with natural magical properties, as opposed to a talisman which must be charged with magical powers by a creator. It is this act of consecration or “charging” that gives the talisman its alleged magical powers. The talisman is always made for a definite reason whereas an amulet can be used for generic purposes such as averting evil or attracting good luck.^[2]

The Seal of Solomon, also known as the interlaced triangle is said to have been the emblem by which the wise king ruled the Genii. As a talisman it was believed all-powerful, being the ideal symbol of the absolute, and was worn for protection against all fatalities, threats, and trouble, and to protect its wearer from all evil.

Christian talisman (Breverl), 18th century.

Avert Evil Eye to Ward off Jealousy.

When most of us think Salvador Dali, we think of boldly surreal, flamboyant artwork. But Dali was an incredibly original and prolific jewelry designer as well. His collection currently resides in Dalí-Joies at the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain.

All the pieces in the collection are unique items, and the combination of materials, dimensions and shapes used by Salvador Dalí make this a one-off set in which the artist managed to express in a unique way the wealth of his singular iconography. Gold, platinum, precious stones (diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, aquamarines, topazes, etc.), pearls, corals and other noble materials combine to form hearts, lips, eyes, plant and animal forms, religious and mythological symbols and anthropomorphic forms.

As well as designing the forms of the jewels, Salvador Dalí personally selected each of the materials used, not only for their colours or value but also for their meaning and the symbolic connotations of each and every one of the previous stones and noble metals. Some of the jewels that form part of this collection, such as The Eye of Time (1949), Royal Heart (1953), or The Space Elephant (1961), have become key works and are considered to be as exceptional as some of his paintings.

– Wikipedia

The Bleeding World. 18 karat yellow gold; 18 karat white gold; Diamonds (6), diamond cut (round) of 1.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter, approximately; Natural rubies (corundum) (2), irregular shaped fragments (in the shape of teardrops); Pearls (17), of 3.0 to 3.5 mm in diameter

Tristan and Isolde. Technique: 18 karat yellow gold; Platinum; Diamonds (39), diamond cut (round) and 8/8 (the smallest), of 1.0 to 3.0 mm in diameter, approximately; Almandine garnet (1), triangular cabochon

The Honeycomb Heart. 18 karat yellow gold; On the pin, 13-14 carat yellow gold; Diamonds (13), diamond cut (round) and 8/8, of 1.5 to 3.0 mm in diameter approximately; Natural rubies (corundum), mixed cut (round and oval) of 2.0 to 4.5 mm approximately.

Ruby Lips. 18 karat yellow gold; Natural rubies (corundum), mixed cut (round and oval), of 2.0 to 4.0 mm, approximately; Pearls (13), of 4.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter, approximately.

18 karat yellow gold (on the figure and on the untied ring); 16 karat yellow gold (on the pieces of the necklace); Natural Amethyst (quartz) (1), fantasy cut (oval) of 50.7 x 46.0 x 26.0 mm, approximately; Natural green sapphire (corundum) (70), mixed cut (oval) of 5 to 9 mm, approximately; Diamonds, diamond cut (round, oval and marquise), of 2 to 6 mm, approximately.

What about this look still maintains its chicness and fun after all these decades? The daring haircuts, the Art Deco jewelry…and of course the swing of the short skirt.

What were flappers exactly?

According to Wikipedia:

Flappers were a “new breed” of young Western women in the 1920s who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior. Flappers were seen as brash for wearing excessive makeup, drinking, treating sex in a casual manner, smoking, driving automobiles, and otherwise flouting social and sexual norms.^[1] Flappers had their origins in the liberal period of the Roaring Twenties, the social, political turbulence and increased transatlantic cultural exchange that followed the end of World War I, as well as the export of American jazz culture to Europe.

1929 Louise Brooks, The Canary Murder Case

Longer pearls were fashionable in the early 20’s and became shorter as the decade progressed. Real pearls not necessary.

Violet Romer in a flapper dress.

Actress Norma Talmadge.

http://youtu.be/tUJZzpAGh9E

Storing your jewelry is always a challenge. Jewelry boxes can encourage messiness (who hasn’t had to untangle necklaces) or simply forgetfulness (out of sight jewelry means out of mind). So when we stumbled across this article in the Star Telegram, we couldn’t help but notice not only how practical it is but how it’s an eco-friendly upcycling project that just about anyone can do (meaning you don’t have to be that crafty!).

A new coat of paint — or two — turns this old tool drawer into a handy makeup and jewelry organizer. | Clare Miers Special to the Star-Telegram

We can’t say we’re surprised but we are certainly pleased. Its time that these viable, high quality lab-made diamonds are given their props. Not only are they an eco-friendly gem choice but the quality is equivalent to that of a natural, mined diamond.

At the recent JCK tradeshow in Las Vegas, lab grown diamonds clearly had their place in the spotlight.

Now that millennials are becoming more sophisticated consumers, the time for lab-grown gemstones has clearly arrived. From Pure Grown Diamonds to Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite, the selection of lab-grown products has begun to change the marketplace. It’s no longer a matter of if or when they will become sought after, rather, it’s by whom and how. At the Charles & Colvard booth at the recent JCK Las Vegas show, independent jewelers, e-commerce buyers, and designers were three-deep to view the new colorless moissanite set to debut this fall.

Forever Brilliant Round Brilliant Moissanite Martini Style Earrings Forever Brilliant round moissanite stud earrings featuring low profile three prong martini settings. Includes the Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity and Limited Warranty.

Aren’t you still reeling from last night’s World Cup Soccer game? Nail-biting excitement. And beaming pride for our country.

U – S – A! 

U – S – A!

U – S – A!

Alex Morgan, a pivotal member of the team, is also a bit of fashionista so we’re highlighting some of her fashion and jewelry choices in honor of their smashing victory.

Who is Alex Morgan? According to Wikipedia:

Alex Morgan, is an American soccer player and Olympic gold medalist. She is a forward for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and for the United States women’s national soccer team. At age 22, she was the youngest player on the national team at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In the 2012 London Olympics she scored the game-winning goal in the 123rd minute of the semifinal game against Canada.

At Fashion Week.

The 2013 ESPY Awards Photo credit: Apega / WENN

U.S Soccer player Alex Morgan attends lia sophia celebrates “Social Fashion” and debuts “boudika” Red Carpet Collection at Empire Hotel on September 12, 2011 in New York City.

Alex Morgan kisses her gold medal after the United States beat Japan by a score of 2-1.