Jewelers as Artisans Reemerge

A lot of people have had a very limited experience when it comes to shopping for jewelry. I don’t just mean that they haven’t bought much, but also that when they do go shopping for it, they limit themselves to the stores they find in the mall. I don’t blame anyone for that; the reason we go to a mall is for the convenience of being able to shop for multiple things in the same place. The problem though is that makes people not think of jewelers as artisans but merely salespeople.

It is true that for several decades over the last part of the 20th century, many professional jewelers were just that-salespeople. This wasn't always because they didn't believe in hand crafting fine jewelry. Rather, the market had changed and there was no demand for those kinds of services. People were more interested in purchasing mass produced jewelry that was affordable, and were willing to give up the individualized personality of one-of-a-kind jewelry in order to save a few dollars.

The Pride of a Child: Children’s ID Bracelets

I still remember the first piece of jewelry I ever wore. Granted, as a guy that is probably not as impressive as it would be for a girl, but still, when I think of all the things I don’t remember from back then, it is a pretty good testimony to how much I liked it. At the time, children’s ID bracelets were quite the rage.

Part of the reason I liked it was because my grandfather wore an ID bracelet as well, and it made me feel connected to him. Another reason it made an impression on me was when I got it, it was the first time I went to professional jeweler that had a business downtown. I always walked by the building when we were shopping but I never had the chance to go in. Now with my parents and older brother, I finally got to see all of the fine jewelry that was so intriguing and pick out an affordable bracelet of my own. (I was an easily distracted kid. Why wouldn't I like bright shiny objects?).

I still remember the first day I wore it to school and how proud I was to have it. Getting children’s ID bracelets for your kids can help give them something to cherish and be proud of as well.

The Glitz and Glamour of Diamond Earrings

There are few things that evoke the idea of classic high fashion more than fine jewelry featuring the most revered of stones, diamonds. Diamond earrings, especially, have been associated with the idea of tradition and vintage style, and are still among the most popular forms of diamond jewelry today.

Diamond ear jewelry has been known to come in all kinds of designs. Ear cuffs can feature gemstone designs. More complex shapes, like dewdrops or shoulder sweepers, can also feature diamonds in the main part of their designs. Diamond studs, also extraordinarily popular, are unisex earrings that are highly wearable, interchangeable with many other accessories and fashion statements. This inherent versatility is part of what makes studs one of the most popular types of diamond earrings, in fact one of the most popular jewelry pieces, period.

Diamond earrings, regardless of length, are a great way to frame your face and draw attention to your best features. The subtle glamour of diamonds is all about reflecting your own elegance and taste, making these bobbles a most expressive type of jewelry. They are highly visible, stunning and often breath taking pieces that are often more affordable than you might think and well worth the purchase. Regular cleanings and maintenance can help extend the life of these pieces. Proper care can keep your favorite earrings in tip top condition for years and years.

Time-Tested and True: Diamond Bracelets

Diamond bracelets are elegant jewelry pieces that can add a layer of complexity and class to any outfit. Bracelets are some of the most visible pieces of jewelry, and are often emphasized by hand gestures employed in everyday speech or during presentations at school or work.

When wearing diamonds, it is safe to say that most people want that visibility. Diamonds communicate a lot of things about a person and how they would like to be seen, calling on a tradition of high quality and class ideas about presentation and fashion. Diamonds evoke a sense of pride in appearance and are some of the most precious materials on the face of the earth, so to be seen wearing them also suggests taste and wealth. Diamond bracelets are a great way to communicate a sense of classicstyle, and can easily be tied together with other types of jewelry to bring an outfit to its full aesthetic potential. There are many diverse types of diamond bracelet designs available on the market, from simple designs with diamonds used to accent the form, to more complex studded pieces that really draw the eye. Regardless of style, diamond bracelets are almost always guaranteed to impress.

Diamond Pendants: Beauty and the Beat

Pendants lay close to the heart, much like lockets, which makes them a beautiful and intimate form of jewelry. Diamond pendants are a wonderful way to show off the classic beauty of the diamond in a very visually stunning way. With an endless amount of design combinations, pendants are as unique as the people who wear them. Fine jewelry featuring diamonds has always been immensely popular and pieces incorporating diamonds are now considered to have a vintage, traditional or classic sense of fashion to them no matter what the design actually is. Diamonds call back to older fashion ideas and values, and working with them in jewelry pieces will always give the wearer a sense of alignment with a history of high fashion.

Diamond pendants can come in all kinds of design tips, from pendants that focus entirely on risk taking, avant-garde styles to a more simple style that reflect a design similar to a diamond solitaire necklace more so than the larger, busier pendants. Regardless of which you lean toward,  the very complex or the very subtle, you will find that diamond pendants can be very affordable and versatile pieces of jewelry, easily paired up with many different looks and fashion styles.

The Beauty of Bracelets

Custom designed bracelets are making an enormous comeback in the world of fashion jewelry. They present a remarkably under appreciated element of creating new looks when it comes to jewelry as an accessory. There are various styles and designs with an array of price points. From tennis bracelets and other chain-like designs that feature the simple elegance of small gem stones and precious metals, to bold, brash styles that mix and match materials to create wild new looks. The possibilities are endless and that is what helps them serve as the ultimate accessory.

Other pieces of jewelry, such as necklaces and earrings, have always been at the forefront of popular demand. In the jewelry market, bracelets have experienced periods of popularity followed by times when sales have waned. Now they are being reintroduced by many jewelers and fashion designers because of the very thing that sets them apart from necklaces and earrings, and that is their inherent asymmetry. Much like many of the new styles coming out in clothing, designs feature one strap dresses or tops with a cut out on one side and not the other, bracelets are only for one side of the body, and in choosing to wear one with the latest fashion they can help to accentuate that new style that is becoming so popular. Many new materials are available to choose from which makes creating your own a very affordable option.

It's not a secret that styles come and go. What is popular now may not be popular again for a while, but bracelets are making a serious case that they are back and they are back for good. A bracelet is truly one of the best choices one could make for an accessory, with many styles to choose from. In addition, if you collaborate with custom designers you can create your own unique look from a variety of materials. Whether, you are buying from the shelf or creating an heirloom piece, there is a bracelet out there for everyone. It's time that you found yours.

Watch Designers: A Long Time Tradition

Watches have been around since the 17^th century.  After the 1920’s the wristwatch became popular. Ever since there have been many watch designers. Some have been around for decades. Since then watches have been considered more than just a timepiece, they have become a fashion statement. The longest operating watch company is Gallet, a high-end Swiss manufacturer dating back to 1826. The most popular watch in The United States is Rolex. Rolex was founded in 1905. Some of Rolex innovations are:

·         The “Oyster”, the world's first waterproof wristwatch was created in 1926.

·         The automatically changing date on the dial came from Rolex watch makers.

·         The first wristwatch to show dual time zones was another innovation.

·         Chronometer certification for a wristwatch was earned by the Rolex watch makers.

The top ten watch designers preferred in the United States in 2012 are as follows:

1.       Rolex

2.       Omega

3.       Breitling

4.       Patek Philippe

5.       Panerai

6.       IWC

7.       AudemarsPiguet

8.       Jaeger-LeCoultre

9.       TAG Heuer

1.       Cartier

In choosing your first fine jewelry watch, you should consider why you want to buy one. There are many reasons you could want a designer watch including adding a distinct touch to your business attire, or maybe you just like luxury items.  Whatever your reason you should consider consulting with a professional on which direction to take.