Happy Stories From our customers

Hi Joe, I loved the ring as well! Couldn’t have turned out better!  . . . . Again thanks for all of your help, you made this an amazing experience for the both of us.

Customized version of our style #102226 with a cushion cut center stone

I’ll have to admit, many of our team members didn’t know these facts about gold and silver. Thanks to the people at FazeFive for schooling us! (Gold as “excrement of the gods?” Love it!)

GOLD

1. This metal has received the name “gold” for a good reason: the word comes from Old English and it means “ yellow” (and the Aztec word for gold, “teocuitatl” is translated by the Europeans as “excrement of the gods”; the Latin name is “aurum” which is “shining dawn” or “glow of sunrise”).
2. Gold can be found on each of the 7 continents and 80% of it is still buried somewhere underground and 10 billion tons lays in the oceans. Until today, 161 000 tons of it has been mined, 73% of it has been extracted since 1910. And 2/3 of the world’s gold comes come from South Africa and India is the biggest consumer of gold today.
3. Gold can be manufactured so thin that it appears transparent. It is used in some aircraft cockpit windows for de-icing or anti-icing by passing electricity through it. The heat produced by the resistance of the gold is enough to deter ice from forming.

SILVER

1. “Silver” refers to the .925 silver grade emerged in England, in the 13th century, but words for silver and money are the same in at least 14 languages. Silver was even mentioned in the Bible, its name comes from the Old English “seolfor”.
2. Since 700 BC., silver has been coined over and over again: in 2003, in the United Kingdom, there were minted into coins and medals half a million ounces of silver.
3. The largest producers of silver are Mexico, Chile and Peru. Over the years, silver jewellery has been associated with magical powers and people believed that silver can heal, bring good luck and ward the evil spirits away.
4. Silver can be eaten (not advised) and it’s harder than gold.

Read more fun facts about gold and silver.

On this Memorial Day, let us all take some time amidst our festivities to remember those who have fallen for our freedom. In honor of our fine soldiers, take a look at the dog tags used throughout history (thanks to AgileWriter.com). Remember these tags were often the only way a solider could be identified and provide their family with closure.

Civil War Dog Tags

WWI Dog Tag

WWII Dog Tags

From TOP Vietnam Vets:

We’ve been writing and posting about the latest resurgence of gold jewelry so it only stands to reason that a few pointers on how to clean gold jewelry will make sure you look extra dazzling while wearing your gold. (Remember to soak for 15 minutes…we find this really helps.)

Men’s jewelry has seen an incredible renaissance over the last decade. More creative risks are being taken in design and the stigma of men wearing jewelry is slowing becoming a thing of the past. With gay marriages on the rise, more couples are venturing into new and uncharted areas in the custom design realm. This recent NY Times article highlights emerging designers and “men’s jewelry that women want to steal”:

There are no jewelry-specific studies but, according to Euromonitor, the global men’s wear market grew 4.5 percent last year, outpacing women’s at 3.7. And the research company predicts men’s wear sales will grow another $40 billion, to $480 billion, by 2019.

Stores are extending their men’s offerings accordingly, and that includes jewelry. Mr Porter, the male counterpart of the Net-a-Porter online store, has offered jewelry for several years, initially selling entry price point pieces from fashion houses including Alexander McQueen and Bottega Veneta. It has since expanded the category, in response to customer demand, to include fine jewelry from independent designers.

The engagement ring that the London jeweler Hannah Martin created for Tom Fitzgerald to give to his boyfriend Jamie Holloway in March. The signet-style ring has an octagonal-cut sapphire surrounded by emeralds in white gold.