Jewelry Repairs | Things You Need to Know About Ring Resizing.

It can be daunting leaving your great-grandmother’s precious antique jewelry piece in the hands of a jewelry repairer. As much as they have years of experience, this is a one of a kind piece you cannot get again.

Wondering who or where to send your precious item to is something you need to consider in-depth and to research before making any hasty decisions.

I had a friend who received a great piece of jewelry from a now ex-partner and wanting to have it repaired and mended so she could pass it down to her daughter for her 21st birthday coming up, she rushed down the village center where she had seen a reasonably priced stand set up.

Photo credit: Pasja on Pixabay.

What she didn’t think to do was to have it insured before handing it over in return for a, what seemed like a slip printed at your home, receipt, and ended up going back the next week to find the stand and her pendant had packed up shop and disappeared.

My advice is always be safer than necessary, ‘prevention is better than cure’ as the old saying goes, see some handy advice in this link and take care of your ancestrally historic artifacts. Undoubtedly she was devastated, panicked, and mad at herself for being so naïve and irresponsible.

The silver lining to this tale thank goodness was the fact that this gentleman had tried this stunt in numerous venues with quite a successful track record mind you, but this one however topped the charts when he tried to sell it on. A red flag was raised and he was arrested, the pendant was returned, unrepaired, but thankfully back in safe hands.

Needless to say, she went to a reputable jewelry store the next time, paid more than she originally did, and has thanked her lucky stars since that day. A lesson she has drilled into her children since then too, much to their enjoyment, I mean isn’t this the reason we have children if not to drill them about our mistakes so they too don’t fall into the trap? Hilarious.

Diamonds are forever, so they say.

Jewelry Fit for Royalty
I have not had the luxury of going into a shop where the window display costs the same as our home, I have, however, spent many a day staring too closely and for too long steaming up the windows to the disgust of the sales clerk, at sparkles that seem to have been captured from an emperors treasure chest.

My friend, on the other hand, has a business husband who wants her to solely care for their home and children and not be on the work train of the 9-5, a luxury we have all wished for at one point in our lives I’ll admit.

She has confessed though after multiple gin and tonics that it can get very lonely and boring and as much as she loves the life of being able to travel anywhere whenever they feel like it, she always enjoys being home and in her haven.

Photo credit: Sara Graves from Pixabay.

Living the Good Life
On one such an outing after my work week and the start of a long weekend for the nation, we headed to the shops, she was tipsy and in the mood for a bit of bling. She had had her eye on a gorgeous birthstone ring since I can remember, and waiting for hubby to realize the one she wants could take a while, so she was being her own boss and purchasing it herself.

I, being the poor naïve side-kick, thought you could just go in, buy the prettiest one, and Bob’s your uncle, this is not the case. There are velvet pillows brought out, white gloves put on, and a set of keys pulled off a link tied to a manager’s belt to open the glass cabinet housing the ‘golden egg.’

The main objective is to have your ring custom fit to your finger, it’s not only safer as it won’t slide up and down and risk being lost, but it looks more sophisticated and not like you’re wearing your dad’s accessories.

The ever-so-popular engagement ring from 'Crash Landing on You'.

Professionals in the business will have the necessary equipment to make the process smooth and seamless, stress-free, and if on the higher tier of the brand awareness, a glass of chilled bubbly while you get measured.

If this is a service you feel you deserve, and I can say now I’m sure that you do, have a look at this handy guide on what is reputable jewelry company etiquette, and for advice on how both parties should act, because we give as good as we get, am I right?

We all work hard and treating ourselves once in a while is nothing to feel guilty about, you get out what you put in as my granny liked to say. And if this means a shiny stone blinding people as you walk on the sidewalk so be it.

Second Time Around
So you’ve lost a load of weight, you’re feeling great, you clearly look amazing, the trouble is your now skinny fingers are holding onto your precious rings like a kid with cake on his birthday. You need to head to the jewelers for a resize and quick, there can be nothing worse than a ring falling off never to be seen again.

Photo credit: The New York Times.

Having a ring resized is quite a common occurrence, even more so with engagement rings, as much as the men try their hardest to pick the right size for the moment, and the process takes around 2 weeks to complete. The metal is essentially stretched and molded to fit snugly but still comfortably, and your ring will need a small effort to pull off so it isn’t sliding around.

For an expert in the business visiting companies such as mimisjewelryinc.com/jewelry-repair-restoration-ring-sizing/ is a great way to ensure you are in safe hands when it comes to taking care of your ‘shine,’ and getting the job done right the first time around.

Life is too short to not wear bling, let’s at least make sure it’s the right fit.

5 Questions to Ask Your Jewelers When Shopping for Bridal Jewelry.

Shopping for your bridal jewelry is one of the most important items on a bride’s checklist. It is the final touch that adds a much-needed sparkle to the entire ensemble. Of course, you want your jewels to last a lifetime - or maybe even longer. There are a lot of things to consider. You want something flattering but do not overshadow your dress. It has to fit your personality too. You would not want something colorful if you are a bit of a minimalist. To find your perfect match, you need to choose the right jeweler.

If you are a bit clueless, I hope this will help. Ring shopping is kind of like looking for the right apartment. There are questions you ask your realtor before signing that lease. This one is different though. Buying jewelry is an important investment. We are not just talking about money here. There is also some emotional investment involved.

Unless you have loads of cash, you would want to be practical. You want to be able to wear your ring every day and not regret your decision. So here are some of the questions you should be asking your jeweler:

Look: Yoon Se Ri's ring on Crash Landing on You.

What looks good for any dress?
The goal is to buy jewelry for your wedding dress. But of course, you will be using it well after the festivities are over. You may want to shop for your shoes and wedding dress first and see how the ring or earrings will compliment your entire look. Then, ask your jeweler if the ring is also great for date nights, dinner parties and other memorable occasions. Check out this article which gives a few more things to consider.

What’s good for my skin tone?
There is no solid rule but considering your skin tone is a good starting point in choosing your jewelry. Some skin tones look good with gold or silver. Some look better with platinum. The same thing applies to the color of the gemstones. Jewelers usually provide excellent recommendations.

Son Ye Jin looks fab in just about anything. :)

What are the 4Cs?
This question is the most important because it dictates the price of your jewelry. Jewelry comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. For diamonds, in particular, you need to look at the four C’s: Cut, clarity, color, and carat. The Guardian published an article on the four C’s.

Diamond cuts vary and some jewelers have their own signature cut. There are over 15 cuts to consider.

Color is an interesting thing to consider. Find the color that matches your personality and also tells how rare a diamond is.

Clarity refers to how flawless the diamond is. There is a clarity rating per diamond. The higher the clarity rating, the better.

Carat dictates the worth of your jewelry. Celebrities often show off how many carats their diamonds have. It gives people a rough estimate of how much they spent on their jewels.

A work of art.

 How can I modify this in the future?
The famous line says, “Diamonds are forever”. That is true but the design of your jewelry does not have to stay the same. There are some people who also buy jewelry as an investment that they can sell in the future. Others prefer to keep their jewelry and modify them to make them look brand new. Engagement rings can be turned into something else. Remember that scene in Sex and The City when Charlotte York went to a jewelry store to see what she can turn her wedding ring into. The jeweler suggested a “floating diamond necklace” or a pair of earrings. This is a good way to preserve the sentimental value of your jewels and at the same time getting a new accessory.

Make sure it's the real deal.

Is this a real diamond?
Now, don’t be shocked. This is a valid question. Here’s why. The Federal Trade Commission warned that some jewelers are not being truthful about where they source their jewels. In case you are not aware, there are many jewelry stores that sell diamonds that are grown in laboratories. Their sparkle may be similar but they are less valuable than mined diamonds.

Make sure you don’t fall into these marketing traps. There is no harm in asking where the diamonds are sourced from. Stones are traceable and trusted jewelers provide documents to prove where they got them. Stay away from sketchy online sellers too.

Now that you know what to ask your jeweler, it’s time to look for the perfect store. Make sure you read online reviews such as this whiteflash diamondcuts.com review. This site provides valuable insights on the quality that the jewelry provider sells. They also include articles on the different cuts of diamonds and even reviews on jewelry insurance providers. Now go get that diamond of your dreams!

5 Great Jewels For Engagement Rings.

Ready to pop the question? Not sure which ring is the right one for your special lady? Here are five gems that make unforgettable engagement rings.

1. Sapphires
Popularized by Princess Diana and other royal brides, sapphires create breathtaking pieces of jewelry, especially if they're cut with white gold or glittering diamonds. Your intended won't be able to turn down a sapphire ring.

Princess Diana's famous sapphire ring.

2. Rubies
Long considered the jewel of love and passion, rubies are a popular centerpiece for engagement rings. Their history makes them a fitting choice; their blood-red beauty makes them a gorgeous one.

3. Diamonds
Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Diamonds are forever. You've heard all the cliches, but their legendary status is valid: No woman will ever say no to a diamond engagement ring.

4. Emeralds
Emeralds have become a hot item in recent years, but their prevalence can actually be traced all the way back to Edward VIII, who addicted his throne to marry the woman he loved. He gave the lucky lady an emerald ring with a personalized inscription. Swoon!

Photo credit: Faycullen

5. Moissanite
Moissanite is a more affordable alternative to diamonds, so if you're trying to shop discount engagement rings, this is the rock for you. Strong and pure, it offers all the shine of a thousand-dollar piece but for a fraction of the cost.

While there are countless gems in the world, these are a few of the most popular for engagement rings. Remember, at the end of the day, it isn't about the size of the stone. It's about the love in your heart.

Promise Rings | Harbinger of Things To Come.

When the husband and I started dating some ten years ago, one of the first few gifts that he gave me was a promise ring. It was a set of promise rings, actually, which he surprised me with on our first anniversary as a couple. I'm chuckling from the cheesiness as I write, but when you're young and you're in love, going through all these mushy, lovey-dovey stuff is inevitable.

Photo credit: Shane Co.

Shane Co.'s 'Always I Promise' Collection is a perfect example of what promise rings should be. It's a collection that embodies the beauty of being young and being in love. The rings included in this collection are finely crafted from sterling silver and set with a selection of precious stones - sparkling diamond, natural ruby or natural sapphire. The stones, in addition, come in a variety of ten beautiful colors: traditional blue, ice blue, Kentucky blue, pink, lavender, green, orange, yellow, white or black.

If any of the available rings don't seem to suit your or your partner's style, you can design your own ring instead. With this option, your husband or your partner need not worry if his ring doesn't look 'masculine' or if it's a tad too girly to be worn by a man. The ladies, on the other hand, can create a ring the way women want it - chic, sophisticated, and elegant all at the same time.

Shane Co. promise rings don't come cheap, though. But considering how something as small as a ring can make your significant other eternally happy, the price isn't so bad. After all your love isn't something cheap, either.