Happy Stories From our customers

I think fashion resolutions are much more reasonable than the bigger ones (losing weight, quit smoking, etc.) Fashion resolutions can be reasonable changes to integrate into your life. Here are few I found at Yahoo, Lifestyle.

Pretty up in pastels

Bye bye brights, ice creamy pastels are back (see Prada’s spring collection). If you’re worried about looking twee stick to sleek silhouettes, and anchor sugary shades with black tights. Go for warmer pinks if you have sallow skin, and cool blues and greens if you have warmer, pink toned skin. Most of us should leave pastel yellow well alone.

Lighten up

No walk in wardrobe? Next best thing is to light your cupboards properly. Either have your closet fitted with lights, or just angle a lamp so that you can easily see what’s in there. A small change that will make a surprisingly big improvement.

Plan ahead

Do you start everyday thinking: ‘Agh, what to wear?’ There’s a little known object called a valet stand, that’s made for you. Somewhere between a coat hanger and a dressmaker’s dummy, it’s for putting your clothes out on before you go to bed.  Get one on eBay, and wake up feeling smug.

Ditch my platform heels

Excruciatingly high heels are looking distinctly tired. Ditto platform soles. The shoe of now is a mid-height, flat soled pointy court (take a bow, Kate Middleton).  Best of all, you can actually wear them all day. Find yours now at Kurt Geiger.

Banish moths

Thanks to central heating, moths are rife at this time of year. Don’t want them munching through your wardrobe? The first rule is not to put away clothes that aren’t clean, as moths are attracted by sweat. So don’t save your cashmere sweater for best! Next get some non stinky moth repellent (we like Colibri hanging wool protector). If the problem is really bad, you’ll have to put all your woollies in the freezer.

Big up my brows

Strong brows are your fast track to modern looking make up. Have them threaded, invest in a good brow pencil (Shavata products are excellent) and you’ll find you look 5 years younger.

Read more here.

My friend recently wrote me this email (good hint for any men in search of the perfect gift):

“I’ve been dating Mark for close to a year now. He went to Europe for a conference a few months ago and asked me what I wanted. Maybe this is where I went wrong, but I said, “You choose something.” Now, I know we’re still in dating mode but I can tell you I was just a little irked when he brought me back a beer mug! What? I don’t even drink beer that often!

I tried to forget about it that evening. I mean, he can’t read my mind. But finally I broke. “Mark, do you think you could have kicked it up a notch and bought me a pair of earrings or something.” “Oh,” he said. “I thought that would be a bit more of a…serious gift.”

I spent a while explaining to him that an engagement ring would be a “serious gift.” But a pair of earrings, after a year of dating, would have been appropriate. And the thing is (I told him): you don’t have to spend a fortune on a jewelry gift. It’s that thought that resonates for women. Even if we don’t love the piece of jewelry, we learn to love it, because it was given to us.

“Won’t you learn to love the beer mug?”

“No.”

So that’s my jewelry story. If you’ve been dating a woman for a while, guys, don’t think jewelry is that big of a deal. A pair or earrings, a bracelet or a necklace – all sweet and rich with meaning for us!

Here’s a good example of a non beer-mug gift:

Style 10340 Key of Love Necklace with Pave Set Stones “Key of Love” key necklace with pave set stones. For a larger view click here. 1/10ct version measures 17mm tall Other sizes available, call for info

We’ve had a productive and successful year and want to take a moment to thank so many wonderful customers who have graced our presence and shared with us the love of jewelry and the intimacy of sharing special gifts.

Happy holidays and sparkling New Year!

If you’ve visited our blog before, you’ve heard us praise moissanite in countless ways. And apparently, we’re not the only ones touting this eco-friendly diamond alternative. Check out these stars, who are making a statement and a difference!

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Ah, what a great way to start the day! These tips from a 1975 magazine still hit home (though some points might be a tad outdated, like the psychedelic look appealing to teenagers.) Regardless, its fun and interesting to review how business was done decades ago to see what holds true. Thanks JCK magazine!

• Paint your store red, white, and blue; flood it with bright light; and you’ll sell lots of $3.50 liberty bells.




• Texture the walls, roll out a matching carpet, lower the lights, and customers will order up diamonds.




• Customers will be turned off by colors that don’t harmonize. One color must be dominant and the other subordinate in order to achieve a happy balance.




• Red, orange, and yellow are warm colors. Red is a good choice because it has so many complementary colors.




• If you are trying to suggest a feeling of coolness, green, blue, or violet should be your dominant color.




• Too much color can be distracting to your customer.




• Make sure your colors call attention to your merchandise.




• Your colors should make your customers comfortable while they shop.




• Men and older people prefer more subdued shades. They are more serious shoppers and are more interested in merchandise rather than surroundings.




• Female shoppers prefer a more vivid combination of colors. The more sophisticated the shopper, the sharper her appreciation for your décor.




• Teenagers prefer a psychedelic mixture of the brightest shades. They live in a hurry and won’t slow down long enough to absorb a tasteful combination of color.




• Generally, the low price end or mass market prefers brighter, simpler colors. The higher end of the market produces a discriminating shopper who enjoys being different and will appreciate a décor that is unique.




• Color is not limited to the floors and walls. Proper color combination is necessary when displaying gems.




• Displaying rubies on a green mat is very effective. A diamond becomes breathtaking surrounded by black, dark red, or blue.




• A color wheel can be picked up at any art or department store and can be an excellent aid in selecting colors for your store.

As famous in death as in life, Christie’s in New York City was packed to the gill last week, as all attendees watched history in the making.

Its no wonder that this auction would be so successful; Elizabeth Taylor and her jewelry were inextricably linked. Her jewelry became her. And the images of her wearing those magnificent pieces are imprinted in our collective unconscious, along with the wonderful stories behind them. To have the opportunity to own that kind of history was bound to break a record or two!

Like disciples gathering at the altar of their high priestess, the jewelry faithful packed the showroom at Christie’s New York Dec. 13 for an evening sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s “Legendary Jewels,” an epic assortment of 80 lots that earned $115,932,000, setting a world record for the most valuable private collection of jewels sold at auction.

“We knew it would do well, but no one dared dream of $115 million,” said François Curiel, Christie’s international head of jewels. “Probably we will not see another sale like this for many years.”

Nearly every lot sold well above its high estimate, “a testament to the affection for Elizabeth Taylor worldwide as well as to her collecting ability,” said Marc Porter, chairman and president of Christie’s Americas.

Read more at JCK.

 

La Peregrina on diamond, ruby, and cultured pearl necklace by Cartier

 

The 33.19 ct. Elizabeth Taylor Diamond

Gold and multigem charm bracelet

 

The Taj Mahal diamond, on a gold and ruby chain by Cartier, fetched $8.8 million—a world auction record for an Indian jewel.

 

Read more about the back story of these and more pieces.