Happy Stories From our customers

We all know the dilemma: cute outfits are a little tougher to sport when the thermometer drops below 30 degrees! Suddenly, your many-layered outfit starts looking a little “linebacker” – which is decidedly not chic!

Here’s some pointers from the Budget Babe, so you can look cool, not cold:

Invest in a heavy wool trench-style coat that hits A) mid-thigh or B) falls at or below the knee so you can wear it with dresses/skirts. This will keep you warm and stylish for a good 6 to 9 months out of the year.

Next, invest in at least one thick, warm cashmere scarf, a cashmere/wool hat that covers the ears, and densely knit gloves or leather gloves lined in cashmere. Chicago winters are bitterly cold and you just can’t fool around with cheap polyester, it will do nothing against the cold wind.

Also, you’ll need tall leather boots with a low heel for walking, if you can afford La Canadienne or Aquatalia, great. Either way, invest in a couple pairs of warm wool socks (I like cashmere or SmartWool, not so itchy) and possibly even silk longjohns from WinterSilks.com (thanks to Sal over at Already Pretty for the tip on those).

Depending on how warm your office is, you can probably get away with long sleeve layering tees and cardigans, wool blazers, or pretty blouses topped with warm shawl collar cardigans. I mostly wear jeans all year round, just stick to dark washes for work. Black pants work well too.

On “warm” days (over 40 degrees) you can have fun with colored or textured tights and dresses or skirts, so long as you have that warm trench to shield you.

Hopefully this should be enough to get you started, then once you’re in the elements you’ll have a better sense of what you need. I always loved people watching while riding the El downtown or the bus (especially north-south routes near the lake). Admittedly, I always choose warmth and practicality over style (I know, blasphemy right) but that’s what growing up in the Midwest can do to a girl. Good luck!

Here’s one of our specialty items, guaranteed to warm up any outfit:

Style 8578CO

Save 30% Now! Maltese Cross Tahitian Pearl And Diamond Pendant

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.

Internet Special: Save 30% now. In stock and ready to ship.

We’re going to brag a little here. Joseph Schubach Jewelers made Phoenix Magazine’s list of the top 130 local businesses in the Phoenix area. Thanks to Kimber @ Local First AZ!

Hopefully you took advantage of our over-the-top moissanite sale, which certainly fits the criteria for the “eco-consciousness” and the pricetag conscious aware this season. But what outfit will you wear your new, dazzling piece with? Here’s a quick look at the fashion trends over the next few months:

Fashion Trend forecast for Fall Winter 2009 2010

In talking with so many people in the industry I realized that pretty much all of it is affected by the recession. The following is discussed from my perspective in the graphic shirts industry but it affect the whole fashion culture.

1. Lower price points. From online shops to brick and mortar stores everyone is lowering their price point. $100 tees or even $60 tees aren’t doing so good. I was told by a couple of big online stores that their lower priced tees are flying out but having difficulties pushing the higher price tag ones. This sentiment was also given to me from a big department store in the US. They are lowering the price points on tees but they are still carrying the big names like Affliction and Ed Hardy but just lower price point.

2. Out with the bling bling. “No one wants to look like they have money,” I was told. People feel guilty when they shop and buy flashy clothing. So the trend is for more subdue and subtle aesthetics. This is not good for Juzd as we are all about the heavy graphics and bling bling. It’s funny, last year before the recession hit I showed the Juzd original to Holt Renfrew and they loved it and it turned out to be their best selling Juzd shirts. Now I design more similar pieces and they are like, “we are moving away from that now.”

3. Cleaner aesthetics. There will always be a demand for graphic shirts, buyers are going for a cleaner aesthetics. Compare to other lines Juzd is is not as busy but buyers still put it in that category. As I have been trying to move to more of a busier all over prints, I am not moving back to the clean stuff.

4. People still want to go shopping. Shopping is like a drug for most women and in our capitalist society there is a sense of gratification when we own something new. Ever notice how complete you feel when you go out shopping and come back with something, anything! It makes you feel like your time wasn’t wasted.

Well people are still shopping and still want to shop, that’s one of the reasons American Apparel is so successful in recent years. Their items are inexpensive and you can easily buy several of the same items in different colors. This makes shopping easy so you’ll feel more productive.

5. Mix of high end and low end. People are pairing high and low end pieces together. People are dressing up in thousand dollar leather jackets with $300 dollar jeans and $18 American Apparel tee. This may not be caused by the recession and have been happening before the recession but with what is happening, it is surely accelerated the trend.

6. Eco conscious. You hear on the news, the radio, all over the internet and you are reading it here. Eco is not a fad and is here to stay. But those who are doing eco right are the established brands that added elements of eco to their collection. They come from afashion focused approach. Who is doing it wrong? The hippies! Those who want to save the planet with their organic cotton shirts that make you look like a hippie just like them. They are the innovators of the ecofashion movement, that is the reason eco clothing have not caught on.

7. Vintage is in. I read that the inspiration for the current flannel craze originated from thrifty hipsters getting their cheap flannel shirts from second hand stores. Now all the lines are going after that has been and washed up look. While vintage and distressed has always been in vogue, the coming seasons you will see a lot more. The recession have put a lot more emphasis back on used worn out clothing.

This season the eco movement have gain popularity as people are seeing it from a new angle. Instead of being eco to save the planet, people want to be self-sustainable. They are conserving energy and spending less on material goods. Even withfashion they are looking for items that will last and they can wear a longer period of time.

Source: Squidoo

What do these A-list celebrities have in common? No, it’s not their wealth, good looks or propensity to be at the right place at the right  time (or in Lindsay’s case, the wrong time!) They’ve all been burgled by the same ring of thieves!

The Los Angeles police told E! News that they have shut down the sneaky operation that allegedly targeted several young Hollywood stars.

Paris Hilton was the first victim to reach the public’s attention, with a hit that took place back in December of last year, resulting in the loss of nearly $2 million in jewelry. Lindsay Lohan, Audrina Patridge, Orlando Bloom and Rachel Bilson are among the other celebs thought to be targeted by the group.

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department says that 19-year-old Diana Tamayo, 18-year-old Alexis Neiers, 18-year-old Courtney Ames and a man named Roy Lopez were taken into custody last Thursday as part of a sting operation. The suspects were all classmates at the L.A.-area Indian Hills High School with Nicholas Prugo, the 18-year-old collared last month and charged with two counts of felony burglary related to thefts at Lohan and Patridge’s places.

Another woman, 19-year-old Rachel J. Lee was arrested in Clark County, Nevada on charges of possession of stolen property and voluntarily surrendered in the Lohan/Patridge case.

E! News reports that Lee had an obsession with young celebrities and was the mastermind behind the crime spree, planning the hits using info gleaned from Hollywood star maps and public-appearance schedules.

Source: Jewelery.com

We’ve recently added a few more items to our Specialty Items category. This category contains items that are a little more unusual than what’s on the rest of our site. You’ll find one of a kind pieces, items that are available as custom orders, special deals that we run across and other interesting items that we think you’ll like. Some of these items are available for immediate purchase. Others can be used as examples or as a jumping off point for making your idea come to life! As usual, these items can be made using any metal and stone combination and can incorporate your own ideas.

Here are a few recently added pieces. The sapphire pieces and the ruby piece have gorgeous, natural gemstones. They are some of the finest gemstones we’ve seen. The settings are all one of a kind and hand made. The diamond tennis bracelets are also gorgeous with very nice, well proportioned matching diamonds. All of these items are in stock and ready to ship.

Natural Blue Sapphire and Trapeze Diamond Ring

Natural Ruby and Diamond Ring

18ct t.w. Radiant Cut Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Moissanite is the word on everybody’s lips this holiday. Not only do you get all the glamour and fire, its manufactured not mined. As this video points out, stars are realizing the importance of showcasing eco-friendly jewelry while looking fantastic!

Check out our amazing moissanite sale with prices reduced up to 60%. This year, give a gift that dazzles at a cost you can afford.

While we all want to give that perfect gift this holiday, it’s important to do a little research. When it comes to earrings, all are not created equal.

Size, of course, is a big consideration. If you’re buying a pair of earrings for your wife or mother, take a look at the earrings she currently wears. Heavy earrings may not suit your diamond-stud wearing wife!

Here’s a little more basic info on earrings so when you choose a pair, you can choose wisely:

• Chandelier – very popular the last few years. As the name implies this style of earring has multi-level branches that hang down from the earring base. Normally gemstone briolettes (tear drop shaped gems) hang from the branches.




• Drop – usually one larger gemstone, geometric shape or charm hangs from the earring base normally facing forward. Some drop earrings combine a charm and a gemstone. The basic design of the drop requires the earring to hang in a straight line from base to end.




• Hoop – Angelina Jolie is the queen of the gold hoop earrings. As the name implies this earring is round or slightly oval and runs through the piercing in your ear. Hoops come in many circumferences from quite tiny to shoulder dusting.




• Stud – Round gemstone earring with a post and earnut that goes through the post at the back of your ear to hold the earring on. Diamond studs are a classic look that are appropriate worn with ripped jeans to evening gowns.

Types of earring hangers:

• Fish Hook – this is a type of earring hanger. As the name implies the part that goes through your ear resembles a fish hook




• French Hoop – a rounded hanger that is open at the bottom to allow it to past through your piercing.




• Leverback – made for both pierced and non-pierced earrings. The back of the hanger flips up to press against the back of your ear to hold the earring in place.




• Screw On – non-pierced earring hangers with a terminator that screws up against the back of your ear to hold the earring in place. Rarely seen now except with vintage earrings. Most screw on earrings are extremely uncomfortable to wear for any length of time.

Style 7362M

Save 60% Now! Princess Cut Moissanite Stud Earrings

Classic prong set stud earrings with Charles and Colvard created princess cut moissanite.
On Sale! Save 60% on select items.
Use coupon “Discount60” at checkout. (Discount will be calculated at checkout)
While supplies last

Pearls seem to be the hot item this year. We’re seeing a demand for the finer quality, classic and traditional 6-6.5mm Japanese Akoya cultured pearls to  the larger, more fashionable 9-10mm Chinese freshwater cultured pearls. We’re also doing some items like this triple strand bracelet.

Here’s a deal for you that’s exclusive to anyone reading this blog. Get a free pair of 6-6.5mm matching earrings with purchase of any of these single strands:

8.5mm-9.5mm: Now $299
9.5mm-10.5mm: Now $399
10.5mm-11.5mm: Now $499

You won’t find them on the site so you’ll have to click on them here.

Free Matching Earrings

Sure, we know, we know – the economy is tough. But that’s where some creativity comes into play. According to this expert, the idea is to revisit outfits from previous seasons and “jazz” them up with the ever-popular statement necklace:

In this tough economic climate, people are getting luxe looks for less by downsizing their wardrobes. They are updating their look by accessorizing last season’s outfits with this season’s statement necklaces, rock candy cocktail rings and dazzling Old-Hollywood vintage pave diamond earrings. “A great piece of jewelry can update your wardrobe in an instant,” said Shawn Hakimian, CEO of RomancingDiamonds.com, the world’s leading jewelry store for hot holiday jewelry deals.

From the runways of New York city to the mean streets of Hollywood, blue diamonds are a huge trend this season. Inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Hope diamond, the most famous diamond in the world, blue diamonds are taking the country by storm. Blue is one of the rarest and most desirable colored diamonds. It’s no wonder that blue diamonds are so hot this holiday season. After all, blue is the most popular color in the world.

Cashmere and pearls girls should try a classic strand of pearls. Pearls look oh-so-perfect with skinny jeans, a cashmere sweater and ballet flats. Modern vintage pieces add a touch of art-deco elegance to your retro-chic outfit. Wear classic gemstones new ways, like wearing a baroque pearl bracelet. Experiment with a multi-colored sapphire necklace in candy-colored hues of pink, blue, yellow and green. A blue diamond flower pendant with white diamond accents adds a touch of fun to any outfit.

Diamond jewelry is more than a present; its a quality heirloom that holds its value.

Source: PR Log Free Press Release

Here’s the perfect (and affordable) strand of pearls to go with that holiday cashmere:

Freshwater Pearls – 8.5mm – 11.5mm

Freshwater pearls, 17″ with 14kt yellow gold clasp.

8.5mm-9.5mm: Now $299
9.5mm-10.5mm: Now $399
10.5mm-11.5mm: Now $499

We added a couple of items to our sale page that I’m especially fond of. I’m fond of them because I designed them! Anyway, they’re great pieces, in my opinion anyway, and would make terrific holiday gifts! They’re in stock and ready to ship!

Maltese Cross with Diamonds And Tahitian Pearl

Maltese Cross Earrings with Diamonds and Tahitian Pearls