Four Jewelry Box Essentials - Part 3 of 3

Wondering what to get her this Christmas?  We're counting down the final four in our 12  jewelry box essentials every woman should have.  Today, it's all about wrists--

#9 - Statement Bracelet 

     Diamond line bracelets are the perfect milestone gift and are often passed from generation to generation.  A wide bangle or cuff, as shown here from Stephen Estelle, is another clean statement look.

#10 - Stackable Bracelets
They're everywhere! And if you choose smartly, she’ll be able to wear them for decades to come.  Avoid “mystery metal” which can cause skin problems and generally cannot be repaired because a jeweler has no matching metal with which to solder it.  Instead, go with gold or sterling-- like this ELLE bracelet.






#11 - Dress/Work Watch
Dress watches tend to be a bit sleeker and smaller than their chunkier casual counterparts.  This Eco-Drive light-powered watch from Citizen features floating diamonds and never needs a battery. 

 

     #12 - Sport/Casual Watch

     Today’s hot watch look is oversized.  Women are even buying themselves men’s watches to get the desired scale.  The timepiece shown is from Reactor, the world’s toughest performance watch—great for active women.

Hope we cut down on your browsing time so you can spend more of it celebrating the holidays.  Cheers!

Five Jewelry Box Essentials - Part 2 of 3

Today, in an effort to help you zoom in on a great gift idea, we'll cover jewelry essentials for necks and fingers!  ("For ears, check out Jewelry Box Essentials - Part 1.")  Does your loved one have these?--
#4 Diamond Solitaire Pendant Perfect for her 18^th or 21^st birthday—or any birthday thereafter!  A simple diamond solitaire pendant is a great gift she’ll never forget.  This gift would be an unforgettable gesture from loved ones for a soon-to-be bride.  To celebrate her first “real” job after graduation.  To commemorate a big promotion.




#5 Strand of Pearls
Pearls are experiencing a resurgence on the runways right now, especially layered and with casual wear.  Traditionally the classic pearl strand was made of Akoya pearls; today, freshwater cultured pearls are another budget-friendly option.  Just make sure you get a comfortable length. 

#6 Everyday Necklace
A short necklace that sits on or just below the clavicle bones is great with open necklines and unbuttoned shirts.  Go for 16-20” depending upon her build.  This might be a simple chain, a station necklace with gemstones every 2 inches, a small disk necklace with her initial, or a bar necklace such as the one shown here from Gabriel NY.

#7 Long Necklace
Maybe its popularity  is due to the slimming effect of this style. There are so many choices—with a tassel or oversized pendant, station-style like this ELLE necklace, in pearls or beaded gemstones.  The choices go on and on.  Long necklaces, 30” & up, are great alone or layered.  If you go a bit longer, she can use a shortener which creates several looks by turning a single strand into a double or triple strand anytime to fit her fashion.

#8 Right Hand Ring
Nothing expresses confidence like a large gemstone ring such as this kunzite & diamond one by our in-house jeweler Craig Brady.  If she’s not into the chunkiness of a large gemstone on her hand, wearing multiple smaller scale rings is also in style.   Either way, it’s best to know her ring size before purchasing but if not, make sure the style you picked out can be resized. 

Hope this has sparked some gift ideas for the ladies in your life.  "Jewelry Essentials Part 3" coming soon!  Happy holidays!

Three Jewelry Box Essentials - Part 1 of 3

Wondering what to get her this Christmas?  Unlike most other gifts, fine jewelry is treasured for years, even decades, or generations.  To simplify your shopping, use our three-part checklist to identify what’s missing from her jewelry collection.   Today we'll tackle earrings!

1. Diamond Studs
Classic and versatile, these sparklers can go from jeans to bridal gown. And you can get them in sizes and diamond grade to fit most budgets.  These are heirloom jewelry that will get a lifetime of wear and can even be handed down to the next generation. 

2. Pearl Studs
For the more conservative woman or the more conservative career path, pearl studs are perfect when you just don’t want naked earlobes!  Again, you can dress them up or down. Go for Akoya white, Tahitian black or more funky with colored freshwater pearls. Available in gold or sterling silver for any budget, pearls are experiencing a huge surge on the runways right now.

3. Hoops

Whether they’re plain gold, sterling silver or paved with diamonds, hoops never go out of style.  Just be sure to choose the size that fits her style and stature. Modern choices include various versions of warped and accented hoops, but first she should have a classic circular pair.

She has these already?  Stay tuned for Part 2 of Jewelry Box Essentials...

Trending: Custom Designed Engagement Rings

Getting engaged? Haven't found exactly the right ring? Many couples today are focusing on personalization, seeking out custom-made rings rather than prefabricated. You might think this option is out of your budget, but it just takes some smart shopping to avoid costly pitfalls and get that one-of-a-kind engagement ring.

At a mall store or national chain, you generally interact with a salesperson, never meeting with whomever is making your ring. In this case, you're putting your faith in the middleman to convey your wishes accurately, as well as in the anonymous jeweler to do quality work. Furthermore, it's likely the salesperson is paid on commission and therefore has incentive to sell at the highest price. That's a lot of faith in strangers for such an important decision.

Valley Jewelers owner Craig Brady comments "I am completely redoing a ring right now for a new customer who had her ring made by a national jeweler. It's a mess. When she complained to them, she got nowhere. Now, this couple is eating the cost of the first ring and we're starting over. Even the diamonds were sub par."

At an independent jewelry store like Valley Jewelers, you can work directly with the designer who will be creating your ring. In this case, you can also check out his/her portfolio of work so you know the level of craftsmanship you'll be getting. Don't let the small storefront fool you. Independent jewelers with diamond-buying group affiliations offer the best of combination of personal service, quality workmanship and huge diamond inventory availability. It's another example of how buying local is best.