Happy Stories From our customers

At Joseph Schubach Jewelers, we  like to look back on history for jewelry inspiration. Because strangely, everthing old IS new. There’s undoubtedly a common thread that continues through time, disappearing, reappearing, reinvented into something new.

Today, we take a look at Marie Antoinette and some of her elaborate pieces, including her stunning pearl neckalce:

According to Slate:

Once queen, she steadily ordered the newest looks from Rose Bertin, the leading Paris couturiere—among them the provocative “robe a la polonaise,” with its bosom-enhancing bodice and its billowy, ankle-baring skirts, the whole crowned by a “pouf,” a 3-foot mountain of powdered hair decked with plumes, veils, and other objects arranged as saucy references to current events. All this and more she wore at court and in town, with swiftly contagious effect; and Bertin became known as the Minister of Fashion.

Christie's employee Linda Pyke is dressed with a necklace, made of pearls belonging to Marie Antoinette, at Christie's Auction House in London September 27, 2007. The pearls once belonging to Antoinette and taken to Britain by a friend for safekeeping failed to find a buyer at auction on Wednesday. Credit: Reuters/Luke MacGregor

The history of the necklace:

Now part of a diamond, ruby and pearl necklace, France’s ill-fated queen gave a bag of pearls and diamonds to Lady Sutherland, the British ambassador’s wife, before she fled revolutionary France in 1792, a year before the monarch’s death.

Marie Antoinette, legendary for her extravagance, did not know her fate at the time and would have hoped to be reunited with her treasures one day, according to Christie’s officials.

Christie’s said Sutherland arranged for clothes and linen to be sent to the queen while she was in prison.

“This was reportedly the last gesture of kindness shown to the doomed queen,” the auctioneer said in a statement.

Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine in October 1793.

Source: Reuters

We’re always happy to share great local news when it’s sent our way!

The MJSA Education Foundation recently awarded scholarships to four hard-working students who are pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as gemology diplomas–all to prepare them for a future life in jewelry making and design.

Katie Poterala of Tempe, Arizona, who won $1,800 to help her work toward an MFA in Fine Metals at Arizona State University within the next two years. (Her necklace is pictured at right.) Poterala also received a Foundation scholarship in 2008.

Congratulations, Katie…and great work!

Source: MJSA Up to Date

Katie’s Work on Etsy

Beth,

OMG, I absolutely love it!!!!!!! . . . . it’s perfect! Correction — it’s more than perfect!!!. . . . .

Also, please send along my gratitude and happiness to Joe!!!  You guys are awesome!
Hugs,
Mary

An interesting story about the amazing Cindy Chao (Taiwan) and the induction of her stunning butterfly pin inducted into the National Museum of Natural History:

Amongst the Earth’s rarest and most beautiful creations are precious stones, in which beauty not only remains undiminished with time but accumulates history. Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History features the most significant and famous pieces of gems and minerals in the world; the esteemed collection includes the deep blue Hope Diamond, Napoleon Diamond Necklace, Marie Antoinette’s Earrings, Inquisition Necklace.

The melding of creation – first the natural process that occurred more than a billion years ago that formulated these stones which are then taken and crafted by artisans into a new creation – thickens the layer of history and lore into the precious stones as they pass through human hands.

Cindy Chao’s 2009 Royal Butterfly Brooch perfectly exemplifies this melding of creation, her detailed masterpiece entailing over 2 years time. Heralding a unique usage of rough diamonds, her work representing a breakthrough in the art of jewelry craftsmanship. The annual creation of an iconic butterfly symbolizes the ongoing metamorphosis in the advancement of Cindy Chao’s craftsmanship and techniques in utilizing rare gemstones.

The vibrant “Royal Butterfly,” is balanced by a pair of rough diamonds on the scales; features more than 20 color gradients, precisely 2,318 diamonds, colored diamonds, color-changing sapphires, colored sapphires, rubies, and tsavorites, meticulously set on both the front and back.

In 2010 this classic piece was inducted by the National Museum of Natural History, the world’s largest educational and research museum complex serving as the global beacon for the diffusion of public knowledge. This contemporary art jewel was created not only of the hopes of the artist that this art can be appreciated in a new medium, but will also inspires people to dream and create, always continue to contribute to the evolution of culture and the world around them.

Source: BusinessWire

Buying your jewelry is only half the battle. Maintaining it so it looks great for years takes a little know how. Here’s  what one expert has to say:

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monica_Mo

Fall is upon us. We are officially post Labor Day. (No more white shoes, for the more traditional reader!) Here’s a little sampling from Fashion Week, showing us looks that you’ll be seeing more of this season.

First, the urban warrior look, combining chic with a slight edge. And second, a return to old school glamour, with clean lines and rich fabric.

Urban Warrior:

Conservative Glamour:

When it comes to conservative glamour, we think our Sweetheart Pendant necklace is the perfect accompaniment:

Style 10119-4.5mm (1/3ct)

Classic Sweetheart Pave Necklace

Classic Sweetheart pave necklace with 1/5ct t.w. round brilliant stones set on an 18″ cable chain. Fits a 4.5mm (1/3ct diamond) round center stone. (setting only, does not include center stone).

Moissanite is often unfairly compared with cubic zironia. While cubic zirconia still remains the most popular diamond simulant, moissanite, a relative “newbie” to the market, is gaining ground quickly.

Cubic zirconia is a colorless, lab grown diamond simulan while moissanite is more durable and provides more brilliance.

According to The Moissanite Buyers Guide:

Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite jewels are doubly refractive. This means that light is bent twice as it passes through the moissanite jewel. This double refraction is directly responsible for moissanite’s superior brilliance. You can see this with a 10x loupe. Viewing through the crown or pavilion facets is recommended. Do not look directly through the table of a moissanite stone; the double refraction is less apparent as seen from this angle.

Comparison Chart: Beauty, Durability, Specific Gravity

So if you’re searching for that perfect engagement ring that’s both eco-friendly and still maintains the qualities of a natural diamond, it might be time to give moissanite a try. Because its priced so much better than a mined diamond, you just opened up the possiblities to all sorts of amazing rings, like the one below:

Style 9501M

Tension Set Engagement Ring With Side Diamonds

Tension set ring with .70ct t.w. natural side diamonds (setting only, does not include center stone)