Happy Stories From our customers

It’s required now, I’ve heard: Once you become a well-known celebrity, you simply must produce your own jewelry or clothing line…or at least a cheap perfume. If not, you’re ex-communicated from Hollywood and forced to co-habitate with the rest of the plebians. Kathy Ireland would not suffer this fate, so she too has created her own jewelry line.

Supermodel-turned-uber-entrepreneur, Kathy Ireland, has partnered with (Jewelry.com retail partner) Fred Meyer Jewelers to offer her line of bridal, fashion diamond and gemstone jewelry – the “kathy ireland Jewelry Collection”.Produced by Kathy Ireland Worldwide and Nikhil and Ela Jhaveri of Elan Luxury Collection, the line includes fine jewelry ranging from $195 to $3995 in a variety of consumer-friendly styles.

Though the collection is also available via KathyIrelandJewelry.com and through regional retailers such as Harry Ritchie’s Jewelry and Morgan Jewelers, Fred Meyer Jewelers says that it is the first retail jeweler with stores nationwide to carry the collection.

The retailer, which operates under the banners of Fred Meyer Jewelers, Littman Jewelers and Barclay Jewelers, will offer the “kathy ireland Jewelry Collection” at nearly 400 Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers stores in 36 states, as well as online at FredMeyerJewelers.com and LittmanJewelers.com.

With a glut of celebrity jewelry lines flooding the market – from Real Housewives to reality stars – Ms. Ireland’s established brand identity in housewares and clothing will certainly serve her well when it comes to establishing her line in the jewelry world.

Source: Jewelry.com

She may be running for president next...who knows?

Are your teeth not as dazzling as you’d like? Tired of wearing bling only on your ears, wrists and neck?

Or maybe you’re the type who wants to break away from the pack. An out of the box fashionista.

Well, here’s the perfect extreme holiday gift for you – a mouthful of diamonds! And no, we’re not talking about those cheesy inserts worn by some hip hop artists. We’re talking diamond teeth, baby!

For those who are aficianados of Kanye West’s permanent diamond “grill” replacing his bottom row of teeth, celebrity dentist Dr. Raymond Frye, aptly nicknamed Dr. Bling, can replicate the look with Swarovski crystals for a mere $5,000.

“That’s not the kind of bling we normally do,” Dr. Frye tells Fox 411. “But we can glue Swarovski on to people’s teeth. It’s not permanent, but if you’re careful with it can last for two years. It doesn’t hurt the teeth and it’s reversible.”

Dr. Frye offered celebrities attending the Grammys last year a $20,000 total mouth makeover. Stars including Kevin Federline’s ex Shar Jackson were flown first class up to Dr. Frye’s office in Portland, Oregon for the VIP treatment.

“Shar was really cute,” Dr. Frye said. “I asked her, ‘What do you want your teeth to look like?’ and she said, ‘I know this sounds really bad, but I want them to look like Britney Spears’!’ We gave Shar a very sexy smile. They were cute before, but now they’re sexy!”

In Kanye’s own words, “there’s just certain stuff that a rock star has to do.”

See what Chris had to say about her ring here:
And, Chris was our 2010 Custom Jewelry Design winner. See her story here:

We wanted to take a moment to share with you the local happenings of our hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, where our studio and office resides. Please feel free to contact us and stop by!

ArtWalk is a free event every Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. ArtWalkers can “chill out” along Main Street, Marshall Way, Stetson and Sixth Avenue and throughout the Downtown Scottsdale Arts District which will be busy with artist demonstrations, gallery show openings, live music, prize drawings, delicious samples from great restaurants and more. There is plenty of nearby free parking, and easy access to local hotels or famed Scottsdale eateries. Click here for more information or visit Scottsdale Galleries .

SPECIAL ARTWALK DATES ARE:
Wearable ArtWalk – November 4, 2010 7-9 pm
Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk – December 30, 2010 7-9 pm
ArtWalk of Champions – January 8, 2011 1-4 pm (Saturday)
Rockin’ ArtWalk – January 15, 2011 1-4 pm (Saturday)
Glass Act ArtWalk – February 10, 2011 7-9 pm
Best of Scottsdale ArtWalk – February 24, 2011 7-9 pm
Native Arts ArtWalk – March 3, 2011 – 7-9 pm

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS – 2010/2011 SEASON begins on July 28, 2010 and continues with wonderful performances and workshps through April 2011. See performers like Steve Martin, John Lithgow, Michael Feinstein, Bernadette Peters and much much more. Call 480-998-ARTS (2787) for more information and to purchase tickets or visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

LOCALMOTION” CULTURAL TROLLEY TOURS CONTINUE Free Cultural Trolley tours of Downtown Scottsdale take place at 10:30 a.m. the second Saturday of every month. The tours begin at the Old Town Farmer’s Market parking lot on the northwest corner of Brown and Second Street. From there attendees tour the Old Mission and then board a trolley for a two-hour guided tour of the arts district, Civic Center campus, Hotel Valley Ho, Southbridge and the Waterfront area. Reservations are required please call Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours at (480) 634-6850

OLD TOWN FARMER’S MARKET – Every Saturday starting October 23, 2010 and will continue through May 2011 at 2nd Street and Brown Avenue. The third year of the market will see it grow with more local growers, demonstrations, an educational component and much more. Hours are 8:30 am to 1 pm. Come see what the market has to offer! For more information visit www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com.

ARTBRIDGE Artisan’s Market – Every Thursday evening from 6-10 pm on the Marshall Way Bridge and Stetson Plaza. Enjoy live artist demonstrations, shop the local artists’ jewelry, art, and more. Enjoy music at the market and entertainment from time to time. Relax along the beautiful waterfront. This is a free event so join the fun at the Waterfront/SouthBridge area.

YOGA AT SUNSET – Thursday, November 11, 2010 – Enjoy yoga at sunset by the Stetson Plaza fountains. This is a free session sponsored by Studio Joy Li 7144 E. Stetson Drive. Check in at the studio at 5:15 p.m. with class beginning at 5:30. RSVP to 480-970-1043

FESTIVAL OF GREECE – Civic Center Mall November 12 – 14, 2010. Downtown Scottsdale will be transformed into a Grecian Village when the Scottsdale Festival of Greece celebrates the culture and ancestry of Greece through entertainment, Greek foods, and other activities for both adults and children. Proceeds benefit the Assumption Greek Orthodox Community and several local and national charities. For more information visit www.azgreekfest.com.

27th ANNUAL GRANITE REEF SENIOR CENTER ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR – November 20, 2010 8:30 am to 3 pm – The FREE event began in 1983 at the Civic Center Senior Center in downtown Scottsdale and provided local seniors with an opportunity to sell their original artwork. Over the past 25 years the fair has evolved into a large community event, with over 125 vendors selling a wide variety homemade crafts, paintings, jewelry, photography, holiday decorations, clothing, live entertainment and much more. The event is a terrific opportunity to get a jump start on holiday shopping. Don’t miss out! Visit the Granite Reef Senior Center at 1700 North Granite Reef Road (Granite Reef and McDowell). For more information go to their website.

CANAL CONCERT SERIES RETURNS – On December 5, 2010 the music will begin on Sundays from 2 to 5 pm at Stetson Plaza. Enjoy dining at a nearby restaurant shopping in the unique stores, or strolling along the waterfront and enjoy the weekly concerts. December’s line-up begins with Peppermint James December 5; Chris & Tony Putrino – December 12; Kenny Love & the Rockerfellas – December 19; and Jeordie & Friend – December 26. Check back for an updated listing of performances. For more information call the Downtown Office at 480-312-7750 or e-mail rlinyard@scottsdaleaz.gov.

ICE SKATING IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE??? – Palavela Home at 4200 N. Marshall Way will provide a rink for your pleasure during the entire month of December. Enjoy this festive winter wonderland event with your friends and family. For more information call 480-946-1006.

HOLIDAY HARMONY “SNOW AND GLOW – Arizona winter is just around the corner, and that means it is time for the annual Holiday Harmony-Snow and Glow! This year’s event is on Saturday, December 11th from 3:30-6:30pm. Holiday Harmony, Scottsdale’s annual holiday tree lighting event, will be held at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 7380 E. Second Street. This is a free family-friendly festival featuring live performances, interactive booths, and fun for all ages. There is no entrance fee, but we will be taking donations for our holiday toy drive. Please bring an unwrapped gift and place it in one of the toy drive boxes located throughout the event. Bring your coats, mittens and beanies!

The event will have a snow play area where you and your family can have fun in this white winter wonderland. There will even be an area for some snow sledding adventure! Additionally this event will include a visit from Santa, live music and entertainment, and activity booths. Bring your creative edge for all of the holiday crafts available. There will even be a cookie decorating area! Vendors will be present selling food and drinks so bring a little cash if you want to enjoy that aspect of the event. The event finale is the Mayor’s tree-lighting at 6:15pm and fireworks. This event has become an annual tradition in Scottsdale and a great kickoff for the holiday season, you don’t want to miss it! For more information call 480-312-0217 or email eterre@ScottsdaleAZ.gov

MIRACLE OF THE ROSES PAGENT @ THE OLD ADOBE MISSION 3821 N. Brown Ave between 1st and 2nd Streets – Saturday, Decmeber 11, 2010 from 4 to 6 pm. Join us in honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe as we reenact the miracle that took place on Tepeyac Hill, Mexico on December 12, 1531. For more information please call Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 480-947-4331

NEW YEAR’S EVEN ULTIMATE BLOCK PARTY – On Craftsman Court, December 31, 2010; gates open at 6 pm. Enjoy this outdoor bash to ring in 2011 with all your friends. Enjoy bands, dj music, food, drink. A VIP entry is available this year with special seating and dining. Check back for more information.

NATIVE TRAILS – Every January through April the outdoor amphitheater at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, just north of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, comes alive with Native American music, dance, art and traditional food. Visit the website for more information.

SUNDAY A’FAIR – January through April 2011 – Sunday A’Fair is a free afternoon mini-festival that takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Scottsdale Civic Center, adjacent to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The event features concerts and performances by the Valley’s top entertainers, a diverse selection of arts and crafts available for sale, hands-on activities for children and families and free docent-guided tours of the sculptures on the Scottsdale Civic Center. Seating is available on the lawn, and portable chairs and picnic baskets are welcome. Delicious food and beverages from Arcadia Farms are also available for purchase. Visit the website for more information.

We’ve thought we heard them all until I stumbled across this video yesterday.  Jeff assembled a team of 20 animators to create his very own 5 minute animation as a way of proposing to his girlfriend Natasha. When it was finished, he brought her to the Parkway Movie Theatre in Oakland, where they played the animation on the big screen in front of over 100 of their friends and family.

Hope he had a great engagement ring to go with his creative idea. We’d suggest this one. It goes perfectly with animated proposals and movie theaters:

Tension Set Ring With A Round Moissanite And Side Diamonds - Click on for more details

Yesterday, I read about chandalier earrings and their continuing popularity over the last few years. It got me wondering about the history of chandelier earrings and sure enough, they’ve been around for quite some time. “Everything old is new again” continues to remain true. Chances are, there isn’t a piece of jewelry you possess that doesn’t have a story tell, sometimes reaching back many centuries.

Here’s a little more on chandalier earrings:

Chandelier style, also known as girandole, are characterized by a bow, central stone or circular cluster of stones at the top from which are suspended three gemstone drops. The tops as well as the drops can be from simple to elaborate in execution. This style of earrings, and pendants, is first noted during Roman times, re-emerged during the Renaissance and persisted until the late Victorian period. With the revival of antique style jewelry in the late 20th and early 21st centuries many adaptations of the Chandelier earring are seen.

Source: Antique Jewelry University

Some examples (and remember, if any appeal to you, we’re happy to design a pair with your tastes in mind.)

Cheryl Crow dons pink chandalier earrings

In the Client’s words:

Dear Joey and Beth:

I LOVE, LOVE my beautiful new ring. And I thank you both for making it such fun, helping make decisions., etc. You both have a special star in my book!!!

Hugs, Barb  (and Ed, too)

In Joe’s Words:

Using Barb’s existing diamonds, we were able to make a completely new and updated ring! Thanks Barbara, we had a great time, too! Your ring is a knockout!

Barbara's Inspiration

While people love jewelry as a gift, over the years of custom designing jewelry for customers, I can’t help but notice the deeper connection that occurs when someone co-creates a piece with us. In a day where everything is pre-made, custom design allows you to create your own personal “thumbprint” on a piece of jewelry, making it forever yours.

So what is it about custom design that makes it so special?

1. It’s from the heart. Most people who decide on custom design do so for a reason. A couple may have a very particular idea in mind for an engagement ring, for instance. It’s a collaborative idea that empowers the customer and makes them genuinely feel part of their piece. When the piece is completed, it feels like a manifestation of the love they feel – one of a kind.

2. You call the shots. There’s a sense of control a customer feels when they create their own piece. No one is telling them what to wear – no magazine or seasonal trend – he or she is deciding.

3. The sky is the limit. When you custom design a piece of jewelry, you decide on the materials. It could be moissanite or natural diamonds, platinum or white gold, sapphire or rubies – whatever you envision is possible. This includes cost. If you’re looking for something that seems out of your price range, we can design a piece made from matierals that do fit your budget. Again, the possibilities are endless!

So if you’re looking for something special, remember: custom design jewelry has special built right in!

Here are some custom design pieces from our store:

Custom sapphire ring

Custom Rose Gold Engagement Ring

Custom cufflinks

Joe Jewelry Custom Briolet Earrings

Custom Tourmaline Ring