smart jewelry

It’s your big day and the focus should be about you and your sparkling spouse-to-be. Your bridesmaids need to enhance and support your look, not distract (which also means picking smart, classic dresses–not those scary ones never to be worn again after the wedding!)

The bridesmaid jewelry can be worked out simply and easily using these basic rules:

4 simple rules when picking jewelry for the bridesmaids:

1. It has to work for you.

This day is about you and all you desire. You’ll be looking at your bridesmaids the entire day; you want them to reflect your creative choice.

2. When in doubt, pearl it out.

Pearls look great with practically any outfit and on any woman. Plus a nice set of pearls can be affordable!

3. Keep it simple.

A delicate pendant necklace or stud earrings will never distract or overwhelm. Since the day will be full of “big” outfits, why not keep it simple when choosing jewelry for your bridesmaids?

4. Work with the neckline of the bridesmaids dress:

V-Shaped – Y-Shaped necklace

Strapless or Low Neckline – Choker, collar or multi-strand necklace

Sweetheart – Y-Shape or longer necklace

This pendant necklace is a popular bridesmaid choice:

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Style 447M Classic Four Prong Round Moissanite Solitaire Pendant Four prong solitaire pendant with a Charles and Colvard created round moissanite set on an 18″ cable chain.

Where you store your jewelry is as important (okay, almost!) as your jewelry itself. Not only does a smart jewelry box keep your jewelry safe, it keeps it organized.

More on this work of art:

[Borgo’s jewelry box is] a structured carrier that features multiple storage trays, a beveled mirror and lock-and-go key, was modeled after a train case that Borgo’s mother used for travel. Decorated with custom hardware and covered in leather embossed to look like exotic skins — stingray or snake — the box comes in four colorways, including navy with gold metal embellishments (shown here). Inside, compartments accommodate sets of cuffs, smaller pendants, larger collars and necklaces. “For every piece in a modern jewelry collection,” Borgo explains.

For the low, low price of $2000. Read more at The New York Times.

Sitting at the airport, I can’t help but notice jewelry. What do people wear when they’re traveling? What have they brought with them? It got me thinking about some general rules to follow so your trip is stress-free and safe:

1. Choose pendants that can be easily attached, such as those with a magnetic bail.  The magnetic bail makes it a snap (no pun intended) to add and remove the pendant.
2. Take a brooch that can serve double duty as a pendant when it’s not being used as a pin.
3. For flexibility, take necklaces and bracelets in a neutral color.  Pearls are great for this purpose.  They can be worn with almost any color and combined easily with many other necklaces.
4. Select pieces that complement each other.  Look for an element that is common to both such as a specific stone, bead color or style.
5. Take items that can be easily and efficiently packed.  Elasticized cuff bracelets, for example, are great for travel.  They’re comfortable, don’t get in the way as you handle luggage, and can be flattened for packing.
6. Bring a couple of dressy pieces that can be worn in the evening.  For instance, replace a more casual pendant with an elegant one to create an evening look.

Source: My Far & Away Itineraries

Remember: leave your good jewelry at home. Its not worth the risk of possible theft or loss and you can still look good without those precious pearls!

Smart travel pouch for jewelry

At first, I laughed when I saw this product for kids but after some thought, I realized it’s a smart idea. It’s called “chewelry” and its jewelry kids can gnaw on. If you’ve been around any child, you know firsthand how much they love to grab that necklace of yours and pull and bite on it. This has lead to some broken jewelry and upset moms. But chewelry allows kids to safely chew without breaking a real necklace and costing the parents a broken chain or lost stone. And it’s completely safe!

At our jewelry store in Scottsdale, we gets a wide array of requests when it comes to custom jewelry. But interestingly, traditional wedding and engagement rings still remain the top choice among couples. Even more so than ever before.

Why, we ask? Perhaps it’s because people don’t want to take chances with their wedding or engagement rings; they want to play it safe with a tried and true design. But we think it goes beyond that.

When you choose a traditional engagement ring, you are choosing generations worth of smart choices. You want to rely on the heritage of those before you, in love and married for life. Tradition runs deep and carries us all with it. We want that historical undercurrent when we make a purchase. We want the history of love!

Recently online diamond retailer sold a $300,000 diamond via its mobile application. While it may seem like the next wave in jewelry purchasing, darker implications remain. What about sales tax? Or other underhanded sales techniques that could go unnoticed when making a high-end purchase over the phone? Then of course, there’s the practical question: Are people really prepared to make such big ticket purchases via a mobile phone ap?

Blue Nile recently sold a $300,000 diamond via its mobile app, the company confirmed to JCK.

Spokesman John Baird told Internet Retailer: “While an extraordinary purchase, large jewelry purchases, running from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, via smartphones happen quite frequently.”

Blue Nile has said its mobile app drives 25 percent of the company’s traffic.

The large purchase shows the growing power of smartphones in retail. A recent survey said that some two-thirds of smartphone or tablet owners have used their devices to make purchases.

Source: JCK Magazine

Most don’t think of the ways in which jewelry stores give back to the community. This store has a smart plan that makes it easy for the customer to give and get in return:

While it’s experiencing some changes—relocating, closing and opening stores—one thing remains the same, Cartersville Jewelry Exchange continues to raise money for its favorite charity, Canine Assistants.

With its Batteries For Charity program, which began in 2009, the local business introduced a new concept in the jewelry industry—free watch batteries in exchange for charitable donations.

“It’s just something we wanted to do, it’s who we are,” Owner David Harrison said in a press release. “Here’s how it works: Your watch shoots craps, you need a battery, you bring it to us and we put you in a new one no charge, we ask you to contribute to our favorite charity, Canine Assistants. If its within your means dig deep, if not that’s cool, too, the battery is still on us.”

Cartersville Jewelry Exchange recently wrote a check for the $15,500 it raised through the program, and Harrison said it’s not stopping now. “Our goal is specific to raise another $15,500 to sponsor a second dog to donate to a child in need,” he added.

This year, the outlet has made several moves—closing its Jasper store and relocating it to Canton, moving the Cartersville store to another shopping center in town and opening a new location in Rome, while continuing its ongoing operation in Calhoun.

This article is part of Dispatches: The Changing American Dream, our ongoing series about how people in Cartersville are adapting to the challenges of life in the 21st Century. Source: Carterville Patch

Sometimes its tough rationalizing buying a new piece of jewelry when you have so many pieces that you don’t wear. Well, there’s a way to allay that buyer’s guilt and do something smart for the planet. And remember, we’re happy to buy your old jewelry and make it into something new and magnificent.

One gold ring creates at least 20 tons of mine waste, so in an effort to decrease this harmful cycle, here are some unique ways to repurpose and reuse those favorite items instead of buying new.

• Hand down expensive and sentimental jewelry to your children or grandchildren. At least the items will get some wear and maybe even become a family heirloom.




• Take your old gold to a jeweler to be melted down and turned into something new. What type of ring, necklace or bracelet have you always wanted? Design a customized gift for yourself or a loved one.




• Donate jewelry to your favorite organization so it can sell it at one of its auctions. This will not only make you feel good since you will be helping to raise money for a charity, but can also get a tax receipt.




• Sell your gold and silver jewelry pieces to a reputable dealer. You get some cash and prolong the lives of the pieces.




• Add small pieces of bracelets and charms to decorate picture frames, lampshades, storage boxes, fan blades, chairs, etc.




• Place vintage clip-on earrings on shoes, shirts or pants to add some glamour.




• Create multi-strand bracelets with old gold or silver necklaces, or attach the chains to belts or shirts for a punk-rock look.




• Give old necklaces a new feel and fresh look with different charms.




• Slip unused rings onto a large safety pin and design your own brooch.




• Pin various pieces of jewelry onto a coat, scarf, gloves or hat for some flair.




• Glue random pieces of jewelry on to a corkboard, kitchen message board, school notebook, vases, flower pots, etc. You can never have too much bling!

Source: 1-800-RECYCLING

I’m going to go out on a limb here. And I’m sure you’ll send me comments if you disagree. But when it comes to engagement and wedding rings, men don’t care to the same extent that women do. Yes, yes…they care. But they’re a little more flexible. Women often have a very fixed idea of what they want whereas men need a bit more guidance.

It got me thinking of an engaged couple I encountered a few months ago.  They were on a tight budget. She wanted a very specific pear-shaped diamond engagement ring. He wanted…whatever she thought was best. Though he did want a little sparkle. I suggested moissanite for him, diamond for her.

If you’re unfamiliar with moissanite, here’s a good definition:

Moissanite was first identified as a rare natural substance in meteorites. In the late 1800’s, Dr. Henri Moissan discovered the substance associated with a fallen meteor in Arizona. But it is only recently that moissanite was on the market for purchase. Today, moissanite gemstones are synthetically produced for jewelry. Moissanite’s durability and resistance to heat create it straightforward to figure with for jewelers. Many individuals are drawn to the stone’s original “otherworldly” origins, and diamond-like appearance.

Charles & Colvard is the sole manufacturer of moissanite. JC Penney now sells the line, calling it “one among the fastest growing decisions for jewels today.”

Moissanite also come with a lifetime warranty.

In short, it’s an ideal choice for a couple preparing for marriage who are on a tight budget but don’t want to sacrifice quality. The durability factor of moissanite is a real plus for the hard-working guy as well.

Source: DatingRomanceRelationships.com

Buying jewelry online can be a scary prospect. There are a lot of scams out there and due diligence is firmly required. So what can you do to make sure your purchase is smart and secure?

* Research the company. Can you call the company easily? Do they have an easily, identifiable About Us page where you can learn more about them? What do others have to say? Do they have a long history of business or did they just magically appear last week? Do they have a guarantee for their product? A good return policy? Take the time beforehand to understand the company before looking at their product. Find the faces behind the company. Here’s the story of my company, including my father and grandfather, who founded and grew the business.

* Know your jewelry. It’s important to understand the grades, colors and quality of precious metals and stones you’re buying. Do you know the basics when it comes to buying diamonds or gold? This is done easily – most research can be done easily online by reputable sources. Or contact us! We’ll gladly answer any questions. Call (888) 724-8222 and someone will personally help you.

* Look for bargains. The good part about buying jewelry online is that e-commerce retailers have lower overhead and can offer you better prices than you’d find in a local jewelery store. Shop around for a similar piece – price compare for the best savings. Again, this is one of the big perks of buying your jewelry online – take advantage of it! If you’re getting married and you’re on a tight budget, buying online could be a perfect option.

* Ask questions. Send an email to the the jeweler. Ask a question and see the timely way in which it’s answered. It’s a great way to get needed information in addition to seeing the way in which the jewelry responds.

* Understand the return policy. You could do all of the right things and still not like your piece. But guess what? It’s not a big deal if the return policiy is flexible and clear. Often one round of returns is all it takes to correct something you didn’t like, like the length of a necklace for instance.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to purchase online. There are ways to protect yourself and save big.

Take a look at this piece below. You just can’t find prices like this easily in a bricks-and-mortar store:

Style 9505M-

Rose Gold Diamond and Pink Moissanite Ring

Stunning, delicate 14kt rose gold engagement ring set with a 1.0ct (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite color enhanced to spring pink surrounded by 1/3ct t.w. white diamonds. Matching earrings also available.

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MSRP: $2,169.00
Our Price: $1,505.00