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The American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Awards is an annual natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl jewelry design competition, considered to be the most respected and prestigious creative award for the jewelry design industry. Launched in 1984, the awards honors, recognizes and promotes designers whose work uses natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design. What follows are some of the top award winners.

(above) Best of Show, Todd Reed - Palladium and 22k gold locket featuring blue moonstones, grey diamonds (24.51ctw.) blue sapphires (17.34 ctw.) and white diamonds opening to reveal a 76.03-ct. Moldavite Buddha.

(above) Best Use of Color, Deirdre Featherstone - Platinum earrings with removable opal enhancers (15.64 ctw.) accented with blue zircons (3.27 ctw.), tanzanites (3.53 ctw.) Paraiba tourmalines (0.40 ctw.)

(above) First Place Winner in Evening Wear, Ion Ionescu - Titled "Pillow for Dreaming," this palladium and black rhodium ring is topped with a 36-ct. carved labradorite accented with paraiba tourmalines

Remember, if there’s a piece that you see on our blog that inspires you, we can recreate it at a fraction of the cost!

Check out more of the winners here.

In case you aren’t “in the know”, red is all the rage this season. And while its obviously a drop-dead, standout color to wear, pairing jewelry is not always the simplest act. Red has a life of its own and the jewelry choice must balance its boldness – not overpower and not underwhelm. Here are a few pointers on how to wear red the right way and what jewelry compliments:

Rachel Bilson’s stylist, Nicole Chavez, shares her tips on wearing brightly colored pants in the September 19, 2011 issue of People, which features a photo of Bilson in the same ensemble that appears in InStyle. Chavez suggests: “Keep it modern. Don’t get too colorful! Wear a bold pant with a neutral top or add a great patterned shirt that coordinates with the color of the pants, as we did with Rachel.” People identifies both the pants and blouse as Erdem.

Rachel Bilson’s look appears a third time in the November 2011 issue of Glamour, which recreates the look with pieces costing under $50 each, including a Timex watch and goldtone drop earrings from Courtney Lee at Accessory Artists.com.

An important exception to the tone-it-down rule for red pants appears in ensembles of head-to-toe red. In this case, a bright punch of gleaming gold or shining silver at the ears, neck, wrist and/or fingers can provide a soothing respite from the intense hue, essentially acting as a visual neutral.

Anne Christensen, executive fashion director for Glamour magazine, writes in the publication’s October 2011 issue: “I’m Loving the Lady in Red Look,” adding, “This fall, clothes are all about standing out. Follow my lead and embrace this bold head-to-toe look.” Her choice of jewelry: a substantial gold (actually goldtone metal) link necklace from Fallon.

The August 2011 issue of Elle pictured a look of solid red except for white ankle boots from Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain. The model wears a leotard from Capezio, Guess jeans, and a knitted fox-fur jacket from Michael Kors Furs. On her American Apparel suspenders she wears a vintage cat head pin from Melet Mercantile. She also wears a Y-shaped feather drop necklace from Isabel Marant, a snake ring from Tom Ford, and an 18k gold ring from Beladora.

A seismic shift in color palette requires a reconsideration of one’s jewelry. When red pants are combined with neutrals, coordinating prints or metallics, one bold, architectural piece of jewelry such as a statement necklace, cuff, or eye-catching earrings will finish the look. Although red pants will be the first thing a viewer notices, jewelry must be visually strong enough to work with the ensemble. With a head-to-toe look of saturated hue, use jewelry liberally to provide a visual counterpoint and add a dash of unique personality. When wearing red, this is no time to be a shrinking violet in your choice of jewelry.

Source: JCK

Sure, we all want a dazzling stunner of a ring. But often comfort is an afterthought…until you start wearing it! And if you’re wearing a wedding band, my friend, you’re wearing it for a looong time (at least we hope!) So here are a few tips to finding a wedding band or engagement ring that fits comfortably and well.

1. The inner shape. A comfortable wedding band usually has soft, rounded edges. There should be a slight curve on the inside ring which increases comfortability. This doesn’t mean that a flatter band always means discomfort – a well-constructed flat band can feel equally comfortable. Hence the importance of trying one of our wedding bands on in our Scottsdale, Arizona showroom!

2. A comfort fit ring. These rings are not lacking in style; they are simply constructed with fit in mind. Comfort fit wedding bands are perfect for people with an active lifestyle or hands-on jobs.

3. A good fitting. When you try on a wedding band, it’s important to keep it on for a while. Often rings feel just fine at first, but as you probably know, your finger sizes change slightly throughout the day. Spend some time with your wedding band. Move your fingers about. Even if you just notice the ring on your finger, it could be a problem for some. It may not hurt per se; it could just feel too weighty or cumbersome. The idea is to find a band that is a natural extension of you and your lifestyle so spending some time wearing it before purchasing is a smart move.

Style 6887WB Yellow Gold Comfort Fit Band With Hammered Center And Polished Sides 14kt yellow gold comfort fit wedding band, hammered center with high polished sides, 8mm wide.

Style 6797WB

Comfort Fit Titanium Band With Satin Finished Center

Titanium comfort fit wedding band with satin finished center, 6mm wide.

Style 6795WB

Black Titanium And 18kt White Gold Comfort Fit Band

Black titanium/18kt white gold comfort fit band, 7mm.

Metal: Black Titanium/18kt White Gold
Ring size: 4 – 13

Style 7129WB

Black Titanium/18kt White Gold Comfort Fit Band With Diamond

Black titanium/18kt white gold comfort fit wedding band with a .16ct tension set diamond, 6mm wide.

Metal: Black Titanium/18kt White Gold
Stone size: .16ct
Ring size: 4 – 13

We recently received a very nice note from a customer. We helped them with a custom engagement ring around the first of the year and they just got engaged. It’s a great story! Click here for the full post. Thanks Matt and Kim!!!!

We’re often asked what is the best way to clean jewelry. Unfortunately, there’s no one answer. It depends on the metal and the stone, the piece of jewelry as a whole, and the setting. But here are some basic pointers to abide by to add some shine to your pieces, thanks to Home Made Simple.

What to Use: For cleaning most jewelry, a soft bristled toothbrush and warm water is the perfect pair. Toothbrushes help you gently clean the surface of your jewelry, while also getting into nooks and crannies of a setting. Warm water helps break down the dirt faster. Jewelry Cleaning Tips:

• Gold: Soak gold for about 15 minutes in a simple solution of warm water and two drops of mild dish liquid. Gently clean using the toothbrush, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Silver: Rinse silver with warm water and clean with a soft cloth. If the silver is tarnished use silver polishing cloths or bottled silver cleaning fluid.
• Diamonds: Soak diamond jewelry in a solution of one-cup warm water and 1/4 cup ammonia for 20 minutes or use the same solution you would for gold. Gently clean with a toothbrush, rinse with warm water and pat with a lint-free cloth.
• Gem Stones: You can use the same solution used for diamonds for most precious gems except for soft, specially treated stones like emeralds or opals. For these stones, use a small amount of warm water and a soft, clean tissue or piece of silk to clean.
• Pearls: Rub pearls individually with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a few drops of mild dish liquid.
• Costume Jewelry: Simply wipe costume jewelry down gently with soft, damp cotton cloth as needed. Don’t over clean, as you may damage the finish.

Tip: To keep inexpensive costume jewelry from tarnishing and rubbing off on your skin, brush clear nail polish on the backs of each piece and let dry before wearing.

We’re happy to be part of Arizona Bride’s 2011 Best of edition! One of our Valina rings was gracefully worn by one of the lovely “desert” models.

Here’s the Valina ring used for the shoot:

Valina designer engagement ring with 1.60ct total weight pave' set natural diamond accents (setting only, does not include center stone). Shown with a 1ct center stone. Matching band available separately.

Diamonds cut with precisely aligned and optimally proportioned facets produce a fascinating pattern called Hearts & Arrows (H&A), a visual phenomenon that appears in the finest Ideal Cut diamonds when viewed through a gemscope.

Diamonds may be forever but forever is a long time; lawsuits happen. As in this case, where the customer didn’t get exactly what she expected.

A Helzberg Diamonds customer is accusing the jewelry chain of deception.

Sara Khaliki of California, in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, alleges she was deceived when she bought jewelry that was part of the Helzberg Diamond Collection.

She said the jewelry was supposed to have used a distinctive hearts and arrows cut for the diamonds, in a pattern of eight symmetrical arrows and hearts that appears under magnification. The cut typically commands a premium price.

The lawsuit contends that from 2005 to 2010 the collection instead used princess diamonds that used a different pattern and proportions that typically require less skill to cut and cost less. Nevertheless, the diamonds in the collection were still sold as having the hearts and arrows pattern, the lawsuit alleges.

The change to the princess cut, according to the lawsuit, was to boost profits.

Helzberg officials did not return calls requesting a response to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and class-action status to represent what it alleges are the “thousands” of people who were victims of the deceptive practice.

The 234-store Helzberg chain, based in North Kansas City, is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/04/2561541/lawsuit-accuses-helzberg-diamonds.html#ixzz1ABOvLuoy

Just when you think you got past one holiday, another is right there! When will it end? Well, soon enough. In the meantime, take a look at these great fashion suggestions at amazing prices:

New Year’s Eve is all about going all in with silver, sequins, pretty dresses and high heels! Here are three party looks under $200 that will make your New Year’s Eve party festive and fun! Which look is the right one for you?

For more New Year’s Eve inspiration take a look at last year’s looks (there is really no need to follow trends to look good on an occasion like this) or these holiday looks inspired by Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf!

PRODUCT INFO

This outfit is for the diva in you. It has the perfect amount of the silvery/icy feel that is perfect for a white winter New Year’s Eve. You are guaranteed to stand out at any party in this outfit that is probably a bit too much any other day of the year! If you’re looking for something that will set you apart from the rest of the group and something that will make you feel like a princess, this is the look for you!

PRODUCT INFO

This sophisticated and elegant, yet glamorous and chic outfit is perfect for any girl who loves elegant dresses! In this outfit you will wow everyone with your classy and feminine look!

PRODUCT INFO

The city chic look is for the rock chicks who like the effortless Kate Moss style. This look is festive, yet casual and and effortless! The sequined pink blouse makes it festive and feminine while the leather -look pants make it edgy and rock n’ roll!

Source: Fashion Style Advice

Here are some perfect pieces to add some extra dazzle to your outfit:

Save 30% Now!! Round Moissanite Oval Cluster Design Earrings Oval cluster earrings with approximately 1 7/8ct t.w. (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite. Available in 14kt white gold only.

Save 30% Now!! Round Moissanite Oval Cluster Design Necklace Oval cluster pendant with approximately 1 1/3ct t.w. (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite set on an 18" cable chain. Available in 14kt white gold only.