Happy Stories From our customers

I had a friend tell me at a party a few nights ago that she only wears silver.

“You mean sterling silver?” I gently directed.

“No. Silver. I don’t like the cheap stuff.”

Well, I didn’t want to embarrass her but it got me thinking that it’s time to clarify a thing or two about sterling silver – what it is and what it isn’t.

Pure silver is too soft for producing jewelry. It is alloyed with another metal to give it strength, generally copper, though other metals are often used as well, such as zinc, geranium and platinum. Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% mined silver and the rest, the chosen alloy. Tarnishing will occur in most sterling silvers because of the alloy ingredient, not because of the silver, which is non-reactive to oxygen.

Sterling silver is marked with a universal stamp at a manufacturing company for authentication purposes (see above photo). It can then be molded into various final products, such as jewelry and flatware. Because sterling silver is an alloy, it can tarnish and needs to be cleaned with silver cleaner.

Genuine silver is mined and comes from countries in South America such as Chile, Mexico and Peru. It can also be found in North America and across the US  (Michigan and Arizona).

Amethyst And Garnet Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings Sterling silver dangle earrings featuring genuine amethyst and Brazilian garnet stones.

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Scanned these from a book we used to use in my Dad’s store. I grew up with this catalog, and several others like it. There are some 800 pages of Fabulous designs here with just this single company! Wild stuff, from broaches to cuff links to charms, etc., styles you won’t find anywhere today!

Thanks, M

Update: August 2011

Kim

I’m going to go out on a limb here. And I’m sure you’ll send me comments if you disagree. But when it comes to engagement and wedding rings, men don’t care to the same extent that women do. Yes, yes…they care. But they’re a little more flexible. Women often have a very fixed idea of what they want whereas men need a bit more guidance.

It got me thinking of an engaged couple I encountered a few months ago.  They were on a tight budget. She wanted a very specific pear-shaped diamond engagement ring. He wanted…whatever she thought was best. Though he did want a little sparkle. I suggested moissanite for him, diamond for her.

If you’re unfamiliar with moissanite, here’s a good definition:

Moissanite was first identified as a rare natural substance in meteorites. In the late 1800’s, Dr. Henri Moissan discovered the substance associated with a fallen meteor in Arizona. But it is only recently that moissanite was on the market for purchase. Today, moissanite gemstones are synthetically produced for jewelry. Moissanite’s durability and resistance to heat create it straightforward to figure with for jewelers. Many individuals are drawn to the stone’s original “otherworldly” origins, and diamond-like appearance.

Charles & Colvard is the sole manufacturer of moissanite. JC Penney now sells the line, calling it “one among the fastest growing decisions for jewels today.”

Moissanite also come with a lifetime warranty.

In short, it’s an ideal choice for a couple preparing for marriage who are on a tight budget but don’t want to sacrifice quality. The durability factor of moissanite is a real plus for the hard-working guy as well.

Source: DatingRomanceRelationships.com

(above) An original design by Joe Schubach. This solid 14kt white gold hand made, hand fabricated pendant features a 15mm natural gray Tahitian pearl along with 1/3ct total weight pave and bezel set natural diamonds. The piece hangs from a 16" black rubber cord with a 14kt white gold clasp.

As we prepare for Valentine’s Day at our shop in Scottsdale, we began uncovering the meaning behind certain pieces of jewelry. Valentine’s Day is loaded with symbolism and often, it’s reflected in the jewelry: hearts, keys, circles, etc.

Today, we wanted to share with you the information we found out about the Maltese Cross, inspiration for one of Joe’s most popular pieces (seen above):

According to one website:

The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.

When a courageous band of crusaders known as The Knights of St. John fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device of war. It brought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the cross.

As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens would hurl a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.

Thus, these men became our first Fire Fighters and the first of a long list of courageous men. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor – a cross similar to the one fire fighters wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.

The eight points are said to symbolize the eight points of courage:

• Loyalty
• Piety
• Generosity
• Bravery
• Glory and honor
• Contempt of death
• Helpfulness towards the poor and the sick
• Respect for the church

Platinum is one of the three precious metals, the strongest, and has the longest shelf-life. The world’s supply of platinum is very limited, making it the most expensive metals. It’s also seeing a substantial resurgence in the jewelry world. According to National Jeweler:

1. Classic Bridal à la Mad Men: Inspired by TV phenomenon Mad Men, classic dressing and classic engagement ring styles from bygone eras, including the 1960s, are back. Who encapsulates the look? Think timeless celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, or their modern equivalents such as Beyoncé or Natalie Portman.

In terms of engagement rings, classic options range from a simple polished platinum setting with a solitaire diamond, or a vintage-inspired style with filigree.

“But classic doesn’t have to mean simple,” says Heather Zachary Rogoff, manager of public relations for Platinum Guild International USA in New York. “The recent engagements of Reese Witherspoon and Natalie Portman, both of whom received platinum rings, is a perfect example of two classic women who chose very different, but classic engagement ring styles.”

Portman’s ring exemplifies the popular “halo look,” with a round solitaire surrounded by a double halo of diamonds, while Witherspoon’s classic platinum ring is an Ashoka diamond set in a platinum and diamond band.

“These looks will undoubtedly set a trend for engagement ring styles in 2011,” predicts Zachary Rogoff.

2: Colored Stone Brides: The runways are filled with colorful fabrics featuring exaggerated movement, volume and ruffled detailing, and the fanciful hues in apparel appear poised to captivate the bridal jewelry market. Brides-to-be are seizing the trend with engagement rings set with colored stones such as sapphire, ruby and citrine—and the natural white hue of platinum helps these true jewel tones pop.

3. Full-bloom Engagement Rings: In 2011, expect to see engagement rings with a variety of floral motifs inspired by the 1970s. Whether the design consists of “petals” surrounding the center diamond, or the floral motif is part of the band, much of this intricate detailing can only be accomplished in platinum. This style is ideal for brides-to-be who prefer romantic looks.

Above: Floral-inspired engagement rings, like this one by Mark Schneider, set in platinum, are a budding trend; suggested retail price is $4,200 for the semimount.

4. Tennis bracelet Redux: Popular since the 1980s, “tennis bracelets” set in platinum are hot again among Hollywood’s most fashionable crowd, with actresses Rachel McAdams, Amy Adams, Claire Danes, and Penelope Cruz among those hitting the “courts,” with these classic pieces, which are so easy to dress up or down. Platinum is a choice setting for tennis braclets, because of its durability, its ability to hold gems more securely and its white color, which looks just right with diamonds. Let’s not forget the slimming effect of wearing a symmetrical pattern of diamonds on your wrist. The latest twist: For extra glamour, stars are piling on multiple tennis bracelets with different diamond cuts.

5. Clustered Up: Instead of same-old, same-old diamond studs, one of the latest looks in earrings is diamond clusters, a look favored by A-listers including Demi Moore, Anna Kendrick and Jennifer Garner. The clusters sit right on the ear and feature two or three diamonds: punchier and more elegant than just one.

Tom Cruise proposed to Katie Holmes atop the Eiffel Tower with this five-carat Edwardian style oval cut solitaire diamond ring with pave detail. The ring is set in platinum and rose gold and is estimated to have cost $250,000.

Kate Winslet sparkled in a Tiffany & Co platinum and yellow diamond pendant (19 carats total), platinum and yellow diamond drop earrings (ten carats) and three platinum and yellow diamond bracelets.

Kathy Bates is wearing a platinum and rough diamond necklace (61.48 carats total), platinum and rough diamond earrings (56.59 carats total), and three stacked platinum and rough diamond bangles (54 carats total)

Above: Floral-inspired engagement rings, like this one by Mark Schneider, set in platinum, are a budding trend; suggested retail price is $4,200 for the semimount.

The new generation of diamond tennis bracelets includes this one by Steven Kretchmer, set in platinum, which retails for $30,200.

This is one of the prettiest tanzanites we’ve seen in a long time!

We started with our style 10208 and tried a couple of different shank styles (see the Photoshoped images above) before ending with what you see in the finished piece.

The inspiration