Jewelry & Watch News

I am loving pearl rings today. Let’s look at some! This is the ring that got me thinking about pearls. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It’s Victorian, made of gold, and set with three colored pearls, each flanked by rubies, emeralds or diamonds, and further diamonds on the sides. I love how the differently colored pearls are matched with differently colored gemstones. I bet this looks amazing on. This pearl ring comes to us from Cartier, and it was made in 1925, so you can bet your buttons I love it and its Art Deco loveliness. The center cream pearl is bordered by a frame of baguette and princess-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum. The ring is signed Cartier to the bezel edge. It’s very simple, but I think it’s great. There is almost nothing this wouldn’t go with. This is another pearl-and-gemstone combination, and a really whimsical and pretty one. It’s antique; made in France in 1905. The central round pearl is bordered by calibre cut rubies and o

I like brooches as much as the next lady, but I don’t really wear them. I think that’s why I often pass them over for blog posts. This will not do, as there are many pretty brooches that deserve to be shared. I am going to redouble my efforts not to ignore them. We will start with bows. This little lovely is Belle Époque, from 1905. It’s made of gold and is set with one old European-cut diamond(.50 ct.), 42 old European-cut diamonds (1.25 cts.), and 2 pearls. It’s a little hard to see from the picture, but the tails of the diamond “ribbon” are both hinged, so the brooch’s ends and their pearl drops would sway as the lucky lady wearing this brooch went about her daily business. Bow brooch #2 is late Victorian, made in 1890. This rhodium-plated silver and gold brooch is really interesting in the extent of its asymmetry. It is studded with 99 old-mine & rose-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 2.50 carats. The center and one tail of the ribbon are also set

New York City has a well-deserved reputation as being one of the leading jewelry centers in the world. It is for that reason that NYC is the best place to search for your vintage engagement ring. We’ve browsed through the vintage jewelry options in New York. Here’s a look at the very best New York has to offer. Estate Diamond Jewelry Estate Diamond Jewelry, or EDJ, at 608 Fifth Avenue is one of the leading dealers in vintage engagement rings anywhere. They’ve been in business for over 35 years. During this time they have collected a stunning range of antique and vintage jewelry. They place a particular emphasis on art deco engagement rings. Some of their Art Deco Rings should really be in a museum.  They also collect unique engagement rings. You can browse through just about every renowned jewelry designer during the vintage eras, including signed pieces by the likes of Tiffany, Cartier, Buccellati, and Caldwell. One of the things which separate Estate Diamond Jew

It would be nice to think that, when a relationship breaks down, things could still at least be amicable. Being friendly might be a step too far but, in an ideal world, we will all try to be reasonable. The problem, of course, is that reason is usually the first victim of a breakup. And what if it’s more than just a boyfriend/girlfriend situation? What is it’s an engagement which is in ruins? Chances are that you will be out of pocket on some things. If not at the wedding, then probably on other material items. It’s a fairly simple process to share out what is jointly owned, to be honest. One gets the TV, one gets the coffee maker etc. But this “one for you, one for me” approach is fine until you get to the engagement ring. Who owns the ring? What if only one of you paid for it? What if you bought it jointly? Is possession really nine-tenths of the law? The Legal Viewpoint  It’s often said that if you ask two lawyers the same legal question which requires a

What do you think of enamel jewelry? Personally, until a couple years ago, I hadn’t given it much thought. But with its resurgence in popularity, I’m becoming a big fan!! Certainly enamel is nothing new, as it dates back to the 13th Century BC! (If you want to read more about the history, Lang Antiques has an amazing article about enamel jewelry.) Basically enamel is when a certain type of glass, called an allochromatic, is fused to the metal below. You may be familiar with Closionee and Champleve, which are two popular types of enamel.  Today, some jewelers are really taking this tricky technique to new heights, mixing enamel with jewels and themes that really make what’s old new again. Foundrae is one company that really has melded enamel, gold and meaningful talismans together. Here’s their Dark Blossom cuff.   Erica Molinari combines my love of momento mori and enamel in a new type of heirloom ring.  Just about a month ago I visited August in Los Ange

I think I first fell in love with fringe back in grade school, when one of my dance recital costumes had red fringe all around the skirt. I would just twirl and shake to see it dance in my bedroom mirror. What really drew me in was the movement; it was mesmerizing. This feeling is translated in a plethora of fringe earrings this season. You really get the full effect of the fringe in the form of an earring, as it sways with each movement of your head. (unlike in a necklace, where it can be a more static look, but still lovely) I’ve gathered up nine different designs to share with you. The first I got to see in person at the Sorellina booth at Couture. So fun! Sorellina Axl ear jackets  Unhada earrings Long fringe earrings by Jack + G Hannah Keefe Swoosh Dangle earrin g Amalfi grey diamond earrings Sydney Evan bar chain earrings Viola.Y Jewelry fringe drop earring Grain Morton Mae West earrings Meira T earrings Sydney Evan long fringe stud lash

Diamond engagement rings have been exchanged as part of wedding traditions for hundreds of years. They’ve become universally recognised as symbols of promise, devotion and everlasting love - A Diamond Is Forever. But on which hand and finger should your engagement and wedding rings be worn, and how are they worn around the world? “Will you marry me?” - Your engagement ring finger With all the flutter and excitement of an engagement, you may ask: What is the correct hand and finger to wear my engagement ring on? In many Western countries, the tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the fourth finger on the left hand, (the left ring finger on the ring finger guide below), can be traced back to the Ancient Romans. They believed this finger had a vein that ran directly to the heart, the Vena Amoris, meaning ‘vein of love’. With the heart at the centre of your emotions, this was thought to be the best finger to wear your engagement ring on . It showed to all the s

Engagement and wedding rings have been worn to express a couple's mutual love and commitment for hundreds of years. Rich in sentiment and symbolising your promise to one another, your engagement and wedding rings should sit harmoniously together. Use the guide below to help ensure that you find your perfect pair of rings. Engagement ring pairing Finding the perfect engagement ring can often take precedence over the choice of wedding band. Since an engagement ring will typically only be worn alone for a few months, however, it’s a good idea to consider the style of band you or your partner will want at the same time as you purchase the diamond engagement ring. You may even decide to buy both rings at the same time, as a pair.   Whether you want a wedding band that contrasts with the engagement ring, or you wish to maintain a unified aesthetic, there are a few things to consider when selecting the perfect band. These include the thickn

The reputation of the global diamond jewellery industry will hinge on the capability of laboratory groups to detect undisclosed synthetics in the tiniest diamonds, industry leaders say. Diamond laboratory groups are competing fiercely in a technology race to improve detection of lab grown diamonds amid fears for the reputation of the industry. The concern over lab-grown or synthetic diamonds, surrounds an unscrupulous practice of mixing undisclosed synthetic diamonds in packages of natural small diamonds called melee. There is no accurate data to show how often this activity takes place in the supply chain, but the practice has put the global diamond and jewellery industry on its guard. The presence of undisclosed synthetics in diamond jewellery challenges the ethics of the industry and threatens to undermine its reputation. “If the identity of any class of natural diamond is brought into question, we run the risk of undermining the reputation of the entire cat