Happy Stories From our customers

While you won’t see any body piercing done at our showroom in Scottsdale, AZ, we’re aware that body jewelry is part of our fashion culture. So here’s a few pointers from experts:

DON’T get any piercing done with a ear-piercing gun or cheap ear studs.

DO verify the piercer uses one-use-only hollow needles, sterilized forceps, latex gloves, and other procedures to prevent infection or disease transmission.

DON’T get a piercing at a convention of any sort. It’s the worst possible situation for the piercer, you, and your piercing.

DO select a time when you are healthy, well-rested, and mentally ready for the piercing. If you aren’t sure, you aren’t ready. Eat a balanced meal 2-4 hours before the piercing. (If you can’t get a meal, tell the piercer so you can be given a soda or juice to boost your blood sugar before the piercing.)

DON’T accept “temporary” or “starter” jewelry. A professional piercer will be honest; if what you need isn’t in stock, he/she will say so. You’ll be happier waiting for the right jewelry than if you “make do.”

DO ask to have each step explained to you. (Before the piercing, if you’d rather not know exactly what’s happening when.)

DON’T fail to tell the piercer if you have any medical conditions, medications, or other health concerns which may affect the piercing procedure or healing. They may make a difference in placement, timing, or aftercare. If you don’t trust the piercer enough to tell him/her the truth, you haven’t found the right piercer. (A professional will keep the information confidential.)

DO obtain and read complete, written aftercare instructions. Ask questions about caring for your specific piercing, if general instructions are given.

DON’T accept the myth that “all piercings get infected.” Piercings shouldn’t get infected. And won’t, if the piercing was done correctly and you take proper care of it.

DO follow the aftercare instructions. If you are instructed to clean the piercing twice a day for six months, do it. Even if the piercing appears fully healed and in good condition. (Navel and nipple piercings, especially, are notorious for “flaring up” if you stop early.)

DON’T remove or replace jewelry earlier than specified. If you must remove it temporarily, use nylon monofilament in the same size as the jewelry gauge to keep the piercing open; replace the original jewelry as soon as possible.

DO call or visit the piercer if you have any questions or concerns about your piercing. If you aren’t comfortable with the quality of the piercer, consider visiting another studio for a “second opinion.”

DON’T hesitate to seek medical help if:

1. The jewelry is pulled out (splitting the skin).

2. The piercing gets seriously infected and doesn’t clear up within a few days of proper care.

3. A nostril or septum piercing becomes infected. (It’s true nose infections can be very serious or even fatal.)

DO replace original jewelry (if desired after fully healed) with body jewelry of equal quality (surgical grade stainless steel, 14K or higher yellow gold, or niobium/titanium). If you absolutely have to wear non-body jewelry, wear it through an “ear thimble” (a.k.a “eyelet”). These are specially made tubes of surgical stainless steel or niobium which will protect your body from the “whatever” you want to wear. Thimbles are available in 12g. and larger (the piercing must be one gauge larger to accommodate the flared ends of the thimble).

And finally,

DO be proud of your body piercing. It’s as special as you are!

Source: Expert Body Piercing

 

When actress and Oscar winner Natalie Portman decided to wed Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied, she insisted on a ring that fit her eco-friendly leanings. She also chose a platinum ring; the exceedingly “in” metal:

The latest A-list bride-to-be on the platinum program is Natalie Portman, whose engagement announcement left her fans with dropped jaws late last year. The low-profile actress has been spotted wearing a stunning vintage-inspired engagement ring in platinum while making the publicity rounds following her best-actress Oscar win for her role in Black Swan.

The film’s choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who is Portman’s fiancé and the man with whom she is also expecting her first child, was reportedly a very careful ring shopper. He made sure he chose a ring that is eco-friendly, in line with the values of the 29-year-old actress, who is also a vegan activist.

According to a report in InStyle, the handmade ring was designed by ballet dancer-turned jewelry designer Jamie Wolf and features an antique stone–an old round old mine-cut diamond- and recycled platinum. The pavé diamonds are certified as conflict-free

Wolf has also made jewelry for a list of Hollywood starlets that includes Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway.

Platinum engagement ring - eco-friendly and vintage dazzling

Colored diamonds and gems seem to do particularly well in Spring. They possess radiant and colorful bursts of color, bound to appeal to anyone desperately wanting a change from a long, dark Winter.

One stunning piece at Christie’s auction last week in NYC was sold while another remained without a home.

Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction realized total sales of $31.8 million April 12 but its top lot, the 10-carat purple-pink diamond (shown below) and estimated to bring in between $12 and $15 million, did not sell.

Overall, the auction sold 80 percent by lot and 71 percent by value.

“While we were disappointed that the 10-carat purple-pink diamond did not find a buyer, top-quality white, blue, pink and yellow diamonds fared very well, with a strong price of $3 million, or $1 million per carat, achieved for a fancy vivid blue diamond,” Rahul Kadakia, head of jewelry for Christie’s Americas, said.

The auction’s top seller was a rectangular-cut 37-carat diamond (below), flanked on either side by three graduated baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum and selling for $4,450,500 to a private collector.

Another lot, a 3-carat, square emerald-cut fancy vivid blue diamond mounted in platinum, sold for $3,666,500, after being estimated to sell for $2 – $3 million. Additionally, a 50-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond ring (below), by Carvin French, estimated to sell for between $2 and $3 million, sold for $2,546,500.

A signed 1959 pear-shaped 16-carat diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels (below), flanked on either side by tapered baguette-cut diamonds and mounted in platinum, sold for $1,082,500.

“In all, five jewels exceeded the $1 million mark, with heavy competition among both trade buyers and private collectors for colorless diamonds, large gemstones and signed jewels,” Kadakia said. Christie’s will be holding three additional jewelry auctions this month, in Amsterdam, London and Dubai.

You might want to stop at the ATM first.

Our breathtaking Gemesis pieces are much more affordable than Christie’s latest offerings, yet still contain that “pow” of Spring color.

Style 9035GM Cultured Diamond Pendant Classic solitaire diamond pendant with a fancy pink, blue, orange or yellow cultured diamond on an 18" cable chain. Available Metal: 14kt White Gold and 14kt Yellow Gold

Source: National Jeweler

Hi Joe,

I just wanted to let you know that I received the rings today an hour ago and I LOVE THEM!! I just absolutely LOVE them, the ladies ring especially is so beautiful, and the quality and sparkle is so so impressive! The gents ring is also incredible and it is just amazing as well. I can’t stop looking at the ladies ring. I am totally in love with the rings!  You guys did such a wonderful job, thank you so much for setting the stone and sizing them so well, and for putting it together so flawlessly! I am such a big fan of your work now, you just don’t find this great quality on the web, so I am just really happy and impressed. I am extremely happy with everything about them, you did such beautiful work and such great service too. Please thank your team for us.

Sincerely,

C