Happy Stories From our customers

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why jewelry sales have been slumping these last few years. People are more concerned about meeting expenses, so bling is taking a serious backseat:

Jewelry “sales were down 10 to 20 percent last year — I can’t imagine they won’t be again this year,” said Dione Kenyon, president of the Jewelers Board of Trade, a credit-reporting agency for the industry. “I hear people say, ‘Oh, things will [improve] and go back to the old days.’ You don’t go back to the old days — there is a new order.”

There is a new order…and maybe that’s not such a bad thing. The economy as well as an ever-emerging eco-consciousness is shifting. Jewelry purchases now include non-mined gemstones like Gemesis or moissanite, whose quality is only increasing. These are not “wannabes” gems. They are spectacular stones in their own right, surpassing the diamond in certain areas.

Maybe this new movement isn’t such a bad thing. The consumer still gets his or her “bling thing” for a better price and a greener world.

Stop by our MOISSANITE GALLERY and our GEMESIS GALLERY.

Be part of the new order!

Prong Set Seven Stone Moissanite Wedding Band

Seven stone, prong set wedding band with Charles and Colvard created round moissanite. This ring has the look of an anniversary band without the stones going completely around.

Available Moissanite Total Weight: .35ct-1.75ct

The person who receives this diamond will love it for its beauty and mystique and the joy of wearing it. The person giving it will love the incredible deal and the smiles it brings. However, there’s only one diamond like this, so when it’s gone, it’s gone.

A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

As we are seeing in the current real estate market, unprecedented deals on important gemstones are popping up, where prices are marked significantly below average. We are able to present this rare and beautiful natural pear-shaped diamond for less than it would be wholesale in today’s market and markedly less than its retail price of a year ago.

This diamond weighs 5.01 carats, has a color of F, a clarity of VS2 and is accompanied by a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) diamond grading report. The color places it in the highest “colorless” category according to the GIA diamond grading system. The clarity assures you that there are absolutely no visible inclusions to the eye.

The beauty of this particular diamond lies with the cut, or the way this diamond is proportioned: to reflect the most amount of light that enters the stone. Unlike round diamonds, fancy-shaped diamonds do not have an exact mathematical formula or set of parameters to follow to allow for maximum brilliance. The diamond cutter is the artist, when it comes to creating fancy-shaped diamonds. It is his or her knowledge, expertise and skill that ultimately determine how brilliant and bright the diamond will be.

And brilliance, after all, is what a diamond is all about. Brilliance is what makes a diamond speak to you or what captivates you.

This particular pear-shaped gem has one of the prettiest cuts we’ve seen. It has an elegant, graceful, elongated shape and the radiance this diamond exudes is breathtaking. The color is crystal clear (again, it falls in the top “colorless” category, according to GIA.) These two factors – the fire and the color – assure you that this diamond will be a constant eye-catcher.

To add to its rarity, this is a naturally occurring diamond, found in nature and not man-made. The size and quality of this stone make it even more rare. A search on a leading online diamond dealer shows a similar diamond with one color grade better costing over $100,000.00 more than the price of this diamond. One can only imagine the price this would command from any of the leading national or international jewelry houses.

And again, to assure you of the quality of this diamond, it is accompanied by a Diamond Grading Report from the Gemological Institute of America, the world’s foremost authority on diamonds and diamond grading. A report by the GIA far outweighs any other kind of diamond grading report. The GIA is the final authority when it comes to diamond grading and identification. After all, they are the originators of the grading system and the place gemologists go for their training. Any important diamond sold in the market, whether wholesale, in a retail store or at auction, is accompanied by a GIA report. For more information visit the GIA website.

A diamond of this quality would be stunning in a hand-crafted ring or necklace or would be a great addition to an investment portfolio. In the diamond world, as in real estate, this is a “buyer’s market.” If you can take advantage of this rare opportunity, the time to act is now.

For additional information and pricing, contact Joe Schubach personally at 888-724-8222.

38ct D color, flawless clarity pear-shaped diamond necklace once owned by Christina Onassis

In what the New York Times is calling a “tectonic shift,” luxury goods traditionally auctioned off at houses based in New York City or Geneva are now moving the activities to Asia. This includes the upcoming auction of the bubble-gum 5 carat “Vivid Pink” diamond, which will take place in Hong Kong:

Christie’s and its rival Sotheby’s say that within the past few years, their hub in Asia, in the financial center of Hong Kong, has emerged as a top location for their sales of top-dollar jewelry, gems and fine wines. Asians have also become major buyers of ultraluxury goods at the auction houses’ sales in cities like London, New York and Geneva.

Rolls-Royce, which did not even have dealerships in Asia until 2003, immediately got 20 orders for its new $250,000 Ghost when it presented the car in Hong Kong last month, despite taxes that effectively double that price.

For Christie’s and the others, moving auctions and business to Asia is a calculated decision reflecting the shift in the consumer base.

In May last year, Christie’s sold its clear 101-carat Shizuka diamond in Hong Kong for $6.2 million. That sale and the one coming Dec. 1 of its big pink diamond “are both great examples showing how important this market has become at the very top end,” said Vickie Sek, head of jewelry at Christie’s Asia.

“Both stones would have been offered in New York or Geneva just a few short years ago,” she said.

Hammered by the financial crisis last year, many of the world’s economies are struggling to grow. Billionaires in Russia and the Middle East are taking a hit from lower oil prices. And consumers in the world’s traditional spending powerhouse, the United States, are weighed down by debt and expected to be much more cautious about opening their wallets for quite some time.

Tension rings possess a unique look and offer certain advantages that other rings don’t. For the very active spouse-to-be, the tension ring assures that your stone will most likely stay put because the way the ring is designed.

Tension rings are also chic and have a certain contemporary feel for people who prefer that style.

Here’s what one expert has to say:

Tension Rings

For a more modern twist on the engagement ring, consider a tension ring. Instead of being held in place by clasps and prongs, these elegant alternatives stay in place by the sheer pressure of each end of the ring.

Nothing says they have to be diamond, either. Why not consider getting your birth stone in it, instead, or another gem that means something to you and your betrothed? Because of the high tension involved, however, you will need to make sure your jewel can withstand the pressure, or it might need to be attached with hidden prongs or fasteners for a faux-tension look.

Such a classy look comes with a high price tag, however. Your tension ring will need to be custom made, partly because everyone’s tension levels will differ, but mostly because you need a perfect fit. Because of the physics involved, you’re never going to be able to resize a tension ring without destroying the band.

Our Gallery of Joseph Schubach Jeweler’s Tension Rings.

Style 9500M

Tension Set Round Moissanite Engagement Ring With Diamonds

Tension set ring with .51ct t.w. round diamonds (setting only, does not include center stone)

At Joseph Schubach Jewelers, we pride ourselves in our local community of Scottsdale, Arizona. But of course, we’re an Internet-based business as well, which gives us the opportunity to make global connections.

Take Diane and Simon from France, who ordered two stunning sapphire rings from us:

Dear Beth:

Just a short note to let you know that our rings have arrived safely. We are absolutely thrilled with them. Simon’s ring is unique, elegant, discreet and fits perfectly (of course!) My ring is stunning and the blue colour of the sapphire is amazing. I would never have thought it possible to create something so beautiful. The white moissanite set the sapphire off perfectly. So, we are both extremely happy and send our thanks to you and your team for creating such beautiful jewellery. With our best wishes!

~ Diane & Simon

Some mines have all the luck! Take Petra Diamonds, who just stumbled across this beaut:

JOHANNESBURG — Mining group Petra Diamonds has discovered a 507.55 carat white diamond at South Africa’s Cullinan mine, one of the largest high-quality rough diamonds ever found, the firm said on Tuesday.

“This spectacular gemstone was recovered on Thursday 24 September and is currently with experts for analysis,” said a statement released by the London-listed company which operates mainly in Africa.

Initial examinations of the diamond which weighs just over 100 grams (3.5 ounces), have shown it to be of exceptional colour and clarity.

The diamond is undergoing colour grading, but is believed to be a rare Type II diamond, with very low traces of nitrogen — considered an impurity — making them among the most transparent and colourless of the gems.

“The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond… we now eagerly await the findings of the expert analysis,” said Johan Dippenaar, Petra?s chief executive.

The precious stone was found alongside three other special white gems of similar colour and clarity, a large diamond of 168.00 carats and two other stones of 58.50 and 53.30 carats.

The mine which was previously owned by diamond mining giant De Beers, is renowned for the discovery of the famed Cullinan Diamond in 1905, which is part of the British crown jewels and weighed 3106 carats.

In May 2008, the mine produced a sparkling 101.27 carat diamond, roughly the size of a ping-pong ball.

The Cullinan Diamond Mine is the third richest diamond producing mine in South Africa.

Source: Canada.com

If a weighty diamond is a little out of of your fiscal comfort level, take a look at our Moissanite gallery. Not only is moissanite highly affordable, its quality is unsurpassed and eco-friendly.

Silver is one of the most beloved and versatile metals worldwide and it has been for some time. Silver is never out of fashion and it’s often quite affordable, especially during tough economic times.

The amazing value of silver jewelry has persisted throughout the ages, proving its versatility by adapting to the changing styles and trends of time. Used in tribal ceremonies, eastern and western religions, and department store malls, silver jewelry around the world continues to be a popular choice.

The history of silver jewelry is just as alluring as its beautiful, light-reflecting qualities. Even before 4000 BC, this valuable metal was discovered and mined in Anatolia, known today as Turkey. The groups of people developing in that part of the world began to use and trade items made of silver, and as time passed the metal was mined more intensely.

From these silver mining beginnings, the central hub for extensive silver mining changed from culture to culture, as new improvements and demands developed. At different points in time, China, Greece, and Spain all became main suppliers of silver, sending their silver jewelry around the world.

Today, the statistics show that Mexica and Peru produce the most silver. Mexico in particular supposedly mines 1/5 of all the world’s silver! New and enhanced methods for mining and refining silver have been introduced over the years, and today we have several varieties of silver jewelry with differing levels of durability and shine.

Pure silver jewelry tarnishes easily, so a new 92.5 % silver metal alloy, called sterling silver, is mixed with nickel, copper, or zinc, to keep the pure shine of silver in a durable, longer lasting manner.

Source: SilverFlake.com

Create your own silver jewelry with the help of our custom design team. Whether it’s a piece you saw on a celebrity or reminiscent of a family heirloom, we can bring your jewelry dream to life. Here are some samples, to whet your appetite. The last two pieces are for men (the dogtag is making a real comeback – great holiday gift for your guy!):

Just when you think just about everyone is pulling their purse strings a little tighter, a new report shows that the wealthiest in the U.S. still consider jewelry a priority and are still spending:

According to JCKOnline.com:

Affluent households, those making $100,000-plus a year, have spent roughly 3 percent of their annual discretionary income on watches and jewelry so far this year. With 20 percent of American households categorized as affluent, 15.1 million affluent adults spent $21 billion on fine watches and jewelry, with almost $16 billion spent on fine jewelry alone, according to the 2009 Mendelsohn Affluent Survey.

Based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s current population surveys, the Mendelsohn Affluent Survey estimates that there are 43.1 million affluent heads of house living in an estimated 23.9 million households. As of the start of 2009, the estimated 20 percent of affluent American households have a total household income of $4.6 trillion; that’s just over half of the $8 trillion the U.S. government estimates is the total household income for all Americans, according the recent survey.

Of that $4.6 trillion, the survey estimates there’s annual discretionary spending of $1.2 trillion spent in 120-plus categories. The top-three discretionary spending categories are “home-related” (19 percent), “personal insurance” (8 percent), and “travel” (16 percent). “Watch and jewelry” purchases account for 3 percent of that discretionary spending pie, which is tied with “personal care and wellness.” Affluent Americans spend 2 percent of their discretionary income on “weddings” and “alcohol” and spend more on “computers and electronics” (5 percent), “leisure, entertainment and dining” (7 percent), and “apparel” (10 percent).

Additionally, the 2009 survey also measures close to 1,000 name-brand products and services (including fashion and apparel brands, watches and jewelry brands, home electronics brands, travel brands, financial service brands, etc.). Of the 43.1 million affluent households that shopped at a store in the past year, 6 percent shopped at Tiffany & Co. with 1.2 percent shopping at Bailey, Banks & Biddle.

The percentage of affluent households that shopped at exclusive jewelry designers and watch shops include Cartier (6 percent), David Yurman (1.3 percent), Tourneau (0.7 percent),Van Cleef & Arpels (0.3 percent), and Harry Winston (0.2 percent).

The results of the 2009 Affluent Survey are based on 13,275 completed questionnaires from male and female heads of house with household incomes of $100,000 or more.

If you’re not of the upper crust, not to worry – jewelry can still be a priority in your life. Tell us what you can afford and we can create a hand-crafted piece of jewelry with your budget in mind. View our custom jewelry designs for inspiration!

We’ve had a long-standing, loyal list of customers that dates way back – sometimes generations.  With each repeat client, we’ve gone through engagements, marriages, graduations, anniversaries, holidays….the works!

People have come to rely on our high level of customer service and our custom design work that goes above and beyond.

Here’s another pleased client:

Hello Beth,

I know you were looking for pictures of the beautiful ring that you made for me, thanks to Paul, the wonderful man I’m going to marry. The pics are attached, and I wanted to personally thank you so much! My ring is exquisite and it looks even more beautiful than I thought it would! I’m thrilled with it!

Now, Paul and I are looking for wedding rings but we’ve hit a snag. I have a particular design in mind and it’s going to be a tough one, I fear.

If you start with your Style 6908WB, we’d like to make certain changes. We love the tri-gold twist along the center of the band, but we’d like the white gold on the inside of the band instead of the yellow. Also, the width would need to be no more than 4mm for my ring.

Is this a possibility??

Thanks again for my wonderful ring, and please give my best to everyone at Schubach!

Best regards,

Joan B.

Joseph Schubach Custom Design Jewelry

The amazing aspect of jewelry is its remained surprisingly unchanged over centuries and centuries. That’s not to say there isn’t a variety of jewelry – but when you look at pieces made hundreds of years ago, there’s a connective thread – a similarity or look that resonates even today.

Take the Celtic Cross:

The Celtic cross (aka “high cross,” or “sun cross”) is a familiar, and iconic motif that is associated with Celtic Christianity, although its origins are pre-Christian, dating back to the Bronze Age in the 3rd millennium BC. As a “sun cross,” the Celtic cross represents both the Solstices and equinoxes. Other interpretations say that the Celtic cross symbolizes the the four elements of air, earth, fire, and water, or perhaps the four quarters of the earth.

The beauty in learning the history of jewelry is that you can create a piece using mythic symbols that span centuries. Symbols are powerful and transformative. Some say grounding or protective. Others simply like the look. Here are some sample to spur your imagination. And remember, if you want a piece rich in historical signficance and fashionably sound, we can create it with you!

And some Celtic pieces from today: