Happy Stories From our customers

Example of a Semi-Custom Ring

This is a great example of how you can take a standard, stock item and customize it to make an affordable, completely unique, one of a kind item just for you.

Our client came to us with a design idea they found. The original design had an antique style with a pink center stone, pave set side diamonds and rose gold accents. It is made from a white metal, probably platinum. Our customer wanted a ring created that incorporated these main elements – and fit into his budget.

Now we’re not certain what the inspirational ring cost but by looking at the size of the baguette side diamonds alone, we figure it must be well into the tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a beautiful piece but more than likely a little out of range for most people.

This is where our semi-custom jewelry design fits in. We were able to take a standard, stock item and customize it to give the look and feel of our customer’s original idea and fit it into his budget.

For this piece we started with a 14kt white gold casting. We set moissanite stones down the sides of the shank and small diamonds on the halo surrounding the center stone. The white gold prongs were replaced with rose gold prongs. We then opened up the side gallery slightly and added rose gold filigree scrolls for a subtle two tone accent.  To finish the piece, we set a cushion cut lab grown pink sapphire as the main, center stone.

As for the final verdict from the customer?

“Hi Joe, thanks very much for the fantastic job on Cher’s ring.  She absolutely loves it!!!!”

Music to our ears!

Customer Design Idea
Create a ring with an antique style, pave set side diamonds, a pink center stone and rose gold accents.

Inspiration for the Original Design Idea

The Stock Ring We Started With

Semi Finished Casting

The Finished Piece

The Finished Design

The fashion you wear should ultimately flatter and enhance your existing skin, hair and eye color. Most of us can quickly name the colors that we definitely can’t wear. When it comes to jewelry, the same applies.

According to one fashion expert:

Those of you with light-colored eyes will look best in earrings augmented by cool-toned gemstones with a blue or green hue, such as Blue Topaz, Opal, Turquoise, Ocean Sky, Jade, Green Quartz, Aventurine or Peridot.

Those of you with dark eyes will look best in earrings augmented by warm-toned gemstones with a reddish or golden hue, such as the Carnelian, Citrine, Champagne, or even the purplish Amethyst.

Below, a human eye color chart…amazing that there is so much variation!

We’re often asked how our business is faring in a trying economy. And there’s no easy answer to that question. Overall, we’ve maintained because we have a loyal customer base who’ve come to depend on our stellar service and high-tiered craftsmanship.We realize the importance of fostering our relationships with our customers…and after three generations, we think our formula works.

Looking at the jewelry market overall, you’ll find some mixed news, such as this Wall Street Journal piece:

Consumer electronics products were strong sellers in December, rising 7.3%, SpendingPulse said. Luxury merchandise, excluding jewelry, grew 5.5%, turning positive after a 7.3% decline in November, and jewelry sales rose 6.9%, their fourth consecutive monthly gain, SpendingPulse said.Still, high-end items are not capturing the most consumer dollars. Discount mass merchants like Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) and BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. (BJ) are again expected to show the most comparable-store growth for December, at 3.9%, while teen and children’s apparel retailers are pegged for the biggest decline, at 4.3%, Thomson Reuters said.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is part of the mass merchant group, but will not be reporting same-store sales after halting the practice last year. Jefferies Group feels the nation’s biggest retailer had strong December results. Wal-Mart delivered a “clear holiday sales message, combined with more aggressive pricing and easier comparisons” that produced a low-single-digit percentage gain, putting Jefferies’ quarter-to-date estimate toward the upper end of Wal-Mart’s forecast for a 1% gain to a 1% drop.

So we’re seeing a little hope on the horizon, economically speaking. People are beginning to buy again, slowly but surely. At Joseph Schubach Jewelers, we realize budgets are tight and can find you a piece tailor-made to fit your checkbook. You name the price, we name the piece – it’s that simple.

Check out these earrings below. These are a phenomenal deal and a store favorite:

Save 60% Now! Martini Style Moissanite Earrings

Martini style three prong earrings with Charles and Colvard created round moissanite.

SAVE 60% while supplies last.

2.50ct t.w. (dia equiv) Reg. $1649 Now $659.60

Use Coupon Code “Discount60” at checkout.

Come on, wake up that groggy brain of yours! It’s Monday. Time to expand your mind, increase your knowledge and get some work done.

Jewelry has a vast and amazing history across the world, signifying so much more than adornment.Here’s some bite-sized pieces of jewelry info so you’re a little more “in the know”:

The word Jewelry is derived from the Latin word jocale, meaning “plaything,” and the word jewel, which was anglicised in the 13th century from the Old French word jouel. The word “jewelry” (spelled Jewellery in European English) is used to describe any piece of precious material (gemstones, noble metals, etc.) used to adorn one’s self.

Jewelry in its most basic form has been used since the dawn of of man’s use of tools and clothing. Researchers believed that the ability to use symbolism did not develop until humans had migrated to Europe 35,000 to 40,000 years ago. Recently discovered mollusk shells that had been perforated to be made into beads are now thought to be some of the oldest known man-made Jewelry.

Used as a symbol of wealth and/or status as well as to protect against harm, ward of evil, and heal ailments, jewelry was used to adorn nearly every part of the body and has been made out of almost every material known to mankind.

Source: The History of Jewelry

It always important, especially when buying online, to know your seller. A company like ours has 3 generations of service under its belt and an impeccable local and online reputation.

But there are other ways to identify your product and ensure you are getting the real deal. Take gold for instance:

Here’s some information on how to tell if the gold on your bracelet or necklace is really gold. The chlorine in bleach is dangerous to gold jewelry, so it’s best not to test gold in bleach, or else you’ll ruin your jewelry. Stress points like where the metal has been hammered, bent over stones in prongs, formed by chain making machines and the like are the most affected by chlorine. Soldered areas are sometimes affected by chlorine. White gold is most easily damaged but apparently this happens with yellow gold also at stress points in the metal.

Chlorine will cause a darkening on gold, but on yellow gold it looks almost like a very pale gray color. White gold reacts the same way but sometimes goes darker. This is the chlorine reacting to the metals in karat gold. All jewelry metal of 18k, 14k and 10k has other metals in the recipe when the metal is made. Pure gold is mixed with mostly silver and copper (with nickel or palladium with white gold) to make metal strong enough for jewelry.

The karat mark shows how much pure gold is in the mix. For instance, pure gold is called 24k. Now, 10k will have 10 parts pure gold and 14 parts of the other metals, all adding up to 24 part. 18k gold will be 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts other metals, all adding up to 24 parts. That is how it goes with karats.

Yellow gold is not as dangerously affected by chlorine in bleach and a good buffing should make it okay, that is, if it is really gold. The best way to see if it is real karat gold is to have it tested. That means an acid test or a test using one of the newer electronic gold testers some jewelers use.

Girls Disney Snow White Tiara Bracelet

Girls Disney Snow White tiara bracelet with .12ct round brilliant diamonds and .29ct natural pink sapphires, 14kt yellow gold. Bracelet adjusts from 5″ to 51/2″

In this day and age, trends are becoming more intricately connected to what’s going on in the world around us. The terms being used have more of a socio-political feel and a deeper resonance with the buyer.

Here’s what one expert has to say:

Over the last year, Gem Visions’ international team of trend and jewelry experts explored a broad palette of socio-cultural implications to come up with four distinct “mega trends” that they believe are most likely to influence fine jewelry. For 2010, those trends are: false nudity, oversized games, pure chaos and divine chimeras.

The first features ultra-light, airy designs focusing on light and transparency yet counterbalanced by minute details and rendered in milky pastel colors such as pale olive green, sugar-almond tones, salmon pink and deep powder blue.

Designs in the “oversized games” category feature a theatrical stylization of nature with extravagantly sculptural, playful forms in shocking and acidic colors juxtaposed with cold, concrete neutrals.

Draped materials, layers and random imperfections in stones and metals will be some of the design characteristics for pieces that fall under the “pure chaos” category. A mix of multicolors and monotones will make up the color palette.

Finally, “divine chimera” designs will be expressed through mismatched materials and hot oranges, reds and corals complemented by opaque shades of anthracite and brown. Pieces within the category are meant to unveil personal identity and express fantasy and escapism.

Woo hoo! It’s time to put the conservative, recession-era mindset in a box for a night. No talk about wise, understated jewelry choices. No sir. It’s New Year’s Eve. It’s time for lavishness. Outlandishness. EXCESS!

This New Year’s Eve, pull out that piece that seems a little too much and wear it, proudly. Trust me, this mentality only works for December 31. So why not overdo it this year?

Pull out the stops, baby!

Style 3366M

Classic Three Stone Anniversary Ring

Classic hand made three stone anniversary ring with hand applied filigree in the galleries. Available in any combination of center and side stone types, sizes or shapes. Shown with a 9 1/4ct radiant center and 4ct t.w. ruby trillion side stones

Okay, boys and girls, time for your weekly jewelry lesson. Sit down…and take that gum out of your mouth!

Go ahead, Mary Jane…ask your question. I can’t hear you. Speak up.

What’s the difference between a mineral and a gem? Well, Mary Jane, since you asked:

Interestingly, there is no geological definition for the word gem, because a gem is a human creation. Minerals are formed by geologic processes in rocks in their natural environment.

When we excavate precious or semiprecious stones, cut, and polish them into specific shapes, they become gems. When a gem is set into metal to be worn on the body it becomes a jewel.

Several key factors determine the value of a gem: To be considered worthy of jewelry, the mineral must have rarity, durability, attractiveness, size, and color.

Okay, class dismissed!

(above) Ocos Mineral Rock

Source: Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

Forewarned is forearmed. Make sure you know the upcoming trends for 2010 before your next purchase. Here’s what one expert has to say:

Warrior princesses, sultry ladies of the early 20th century, and innovative blends of ethnic cultures, are driving jewelry style trends into 2010.

Jaana Jatyri, founder and CEO of Trendstop.com, said at the International Jewelry London (IJL) trade show that Boadicea, fabled warrior queen of the Britons, was a symbol of a new style trend emerging in jewelry for the summer of next year.

“The “Warrior Princess” theme is responding to the strong images of a more masculine trend in women’s fashion,” Jatyri told a seminar at IJL this week.

She highlighted the use of wood with metal, and multiple chain arrangements reflecting the warrior princess style.

Another key theme in jewel design, “Modern Boudoir” — a timeless look with “French chic” — was inspired by stylish women of the Art Deco period, such as Coco Chanel, the subject of two recent movies, and the movie star Marlene Dietrich.

Jatyri outlined other trends including “Nature’s Alchemy — different ways of blending nature and technology; “Organic Anatomy,” the influence of organic structures such as snake skins and bones; and “The Witching Hour” — a dark and mysterious style, reflected in the use of dark crystals, fish hook earrings, and resin-encased insect designs.

Jatyri also referred to a merging of cultures in jewelry design trends.

“There will be more trends that are about mixing cultures, mixing French chic with Indian style or Asian styles,” she told Reuters television in an interview.

“That way we can create something new, like fresh looks that combine different elements from different cultures.”

She said, “By combining different cultures, for example you might have a metal chain with a wooden pendant from India, or even something like Buddhist beads, prayer beads or something like that. And you use them as a necklace.

“So it’s taking elements from different cultures and creating something new and a bit more fashion-based.”

© Copyright (c) Reuters

Much has been said about jewelry. That’s because it means so much to each of us. Whether it’s a fat diamond ring or a handmade bead necklace, jewelry is always so loaded with meaning.

Here’s some quotes about jewelry to get you thinking:

I have always felt a gift diamond shines so much better than one you buy for yourself.  ~Mae West

The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens.  ~Author Unknown

Jewelry takes people’s minds off your wrinkles.  ~Sonja Henie

These gems have life in them:  their colors speak, say what words fail of.  ~George Eliot

There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald – all shining together in incredible union.  Some by their splendor rival the colors of the painters, others the flame of burning sulphur or of fire quickened by oil.  ~Pliny, about the opal

I never worry about diets.  The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.  ~Mae West

There are worlds in an opal.  ~Astrid Alauda

Perhaps time’s definition of coal is the diamond.  ~Kahlil Gibran

As though pure white snow flashed and sparkled with the color of bright ruddy wine, and was overcome by this radiance.  ~Author unknown, about the opal

Don’t ever wear artistic jewelry; it wrecks a woman’s reputation.  ~Colette, Gigi, 1944, translated

No gold-digging for me; I take diamonds!  We may be off the gold standard someday.  ~Mae West

This diamond has so many carats it’s almost a turnip.  ~Richard Burton

I really think that American gentlemen are the best after all, because kissing your hand may make you feel very very good but a diamond and a sapphire bracelet lasts forever.  ~Anita Loos

Gold! gold! gold! gold!
Bright and yellow, hard and cold!
~Thomas Hood

The jeweler allows me to wear the sapphire blue lake on my finger, the emerald green leaves around my neck, and take the citrine sunset with me wherever I go.  Jewelry has become my daytime link to nature in an office with no windows.  And if I have to work late, there’s nothing like diamond stars and a pearl full moon against an onyx night sky.  ~Astrid Alauda, “Office With No Windows”

My husband gave me a necklace.  It’s fake.  I requested fake.  Maybe I’m paranoid, but in this day and age, I don’t want something around my neck that’s worth more than my head.  ~Rita Rudner

Opal is the multi-gem.  ~Astrid Alauda

Source: The Quote Garden