Using Photo Editing to Design Custom Jewelry
The old adage "A picture is worth a thousand words" couldn't be more true. Customers often contact us to ask if our designs can be customized. Most of the time we can and welcome the opportunity. Collaborating with a jeweler on a custom piece is a great way to see your own ideas come to life. Also, if you've inherited a stone from a family member, finding a modern setting for it can add a little something special to your heirloom.
Sending a photoshopped or annotated image is a great way to convey your ideas.
Here are a few of our favorites:
How to Wear Statement Jewelry
Sometimes we want to go beyond simple studs and wedding bands--way beyond. Whether it's dramatic chandelier earrings, a glittering diamond tennis bracelet, or layers of pearls, we all have a statement jewelry sweet spot. It isn't difficult to find a piece that makes your heart beat a little faster. The real challenge, however, can be figuring out how to make the right statement with your dazzling jewels. Most of us would like to channel "sophisticated with the perfect touch of glamour" rather than "overeager twelve-year-old playing in Mom's jewelry box." It can be a fine line.
Low Impact Sustainable Engagement Ring
When you’ve found the partner you want to spend the rest of your life with, many start thinking about commitment. The engagement ring is the symbol of your commitment to each other and to a future created by the two of you. A custom engagement ring can incorporate ideals important to one or both of you.
In this case, the prospective fiancée is a dedicated vegan and eco conscious, preferring recycled gold and gems rather than newly mined materials. With that as a starting point, the prospective groom went on a journey to find the perfect ring.
Once a budget was set and he had described his partner’s lifestyle and preferences, we discussed the options. Recycled rose gold and a magnificent pre-owned diamond were quickly agreed upon.Nickel Allergy Solutions
Nickel allergies are fairly common—in fact, one in eight people will experience an allergic reaction to white gold alloyed with nickel. Although nickel is non-toxic, the body mistakenly believes it’s a harmful substance. Often inherited, the allergy appears more in women than in men—but this may so because women tend to wear more jewelry than men. Usually, a reaction occurs 12-48 hours after prolonged exposure to the offending metal.
Jewelry Blogs We Love
What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday morning? Perhaps you love getting up with the sun to go for a hike--or maybe sleeping in and waking up just in time for a lazy brunch sounds like the perfect Saturday. For some of us, curling up with a mug of coffee and catching up on inspiring blogs equals weekend bliss.
No style-lover’s blog feed would be complete without a few drool-worthy jewelry blogs. Here are three we’re loving. Peruse these whenever you need a little eye candy or want to fuel your artistic inspiration. (Just be warned--your wish list is about to grow very long!)
If you cherish innovative designs and nonconventional baubles, head over to The Carrotbox. Ring-lover Alice Matsumoto finds unique, modern rings from jewelers all over the world. From fanciful to high-concept, The Carrotbox has something for everyone’s Pinterest board.
Finding the Right Engagement Ring for Your Bride's Style
Looking for the perfect engagement ring but feeling a little overwhelmed? We’re here to help. While there are several factors that go into choosing the right ring, you can start by figuring out what kind of style you want. Once you’ve got this established, you can really narrow down your search and start focusing on other considerations like your budget. After all, it's not about the price--it's about her.
While every bride has a style distinct to her alone, the following style profiles will help you select a style of ring to reflect and emphasize your girlfriend’s unique charm.
Classic: Her Essence: Classic girls are drawn to clean, feminine lines—think tailored, silk button-down blouse. While she may indulge in the occasional trendy piece, she truly values timeless pieces that can be worn season after season. Her style is elegant, charming, and practical. Style Signatures: ballet flats, pearl studs, simple cardigans, her grandmother’s charm bracelet.
Vintage Diamonds - Why They Are So Alluring
Diamonds have been sparkling in jewelry since the days of the Romans. As the hardest crystal on earth, fashioning them to reveal their brilliance has been a technological challenge. From the beginning, diamonds have been valued for their extreme hardness. They were considered divine and thought to impart invincibility. Perfectly formed crystals were very rare and prized above all other possessions.
The earliest known diamonds came from India where they were used as whole uncut crystals. Perfectly symmetrical crystals with lustrous facets were the ideal. It was taboo to cut them.
Over time, as new cutting techniques were developed in Europe, the taboo against cutting diamonds fell away. Stones were cut by eye and hand resulting in idiosyncratic gems with unique shapes and irregular facets. Preservation of carat weight was often the most important consideration. These “old mine” cut diamonds were characterized by fewer and larger facets that reflected light more softly. Light was drawn into the stone and less was reflected back to the eye. The resulting gems were beautiful, lively and unique.
