I love November.

Tuesday, my new assistant Lorraine starts working with me - which I'm endlessly excited about.

I think Chris (my fiance) is relieved that I will have an extra set of hands.  It feels good to see all of our nights of brainstorming, and our running around this city like crazy people trying to finish a custom engagement ring just hours before the proposal is to take place, have paid off.  

Also very excited that Chris's brother Jerry and his fiance Stephanie are getting married next weekend - can't wait!  I recently did a makeover on her ring which you can see above.  I'll be sure to put some pictures up after the wedding.

New Bangles!

Aren't they pretty?

It isn't politically savvy to be too flashy!

With the election less than a week away and all of the controversy over Sarah Palin’s wardrobe, I began wondering what type of jewelry our country’s leading political women wear.

The most prominent jewelry styles seen at recent political events have been yellow gold designs, pins, broaches, colored stone bead necklaces, and pearls.

Women in politics must walk a fine line. It isn't politically savvy to wear flashy or extremely expensive jewelry as an elected official or the wife of an elected official. Many women involved in politics turn to pearls, especially faux pearls. This is probably because the public can identify with these pieces of jewelry, and may own something similar themselves.

So, what exactly did they wear? Michelle Obama was wearing a large faux strand of pearls on the night her husband claimed the Democratic nomination. Cindy McCain was wearing four strands of pearls on the opening night of the Republican National Convention. VP Candidate Sarah Palin keeps her jewelry simple, often wearing yellow gold earrings. Hillary Clinton on the other hand has a love of designer pieces and color (which has aroused some controversy in the past, namely Bill buying her a 3ct uncut canary diamond ring which many people found offensive). Hilary was wearing a Marco Bicego "paradise" gemstone necklace for her speech at the Democratic Convention.

I vote for Hillary’s taste in jewelry. When it comes to the presidential race, on November 4th I will be voting. That’s all I will say.

Happy Voting!

(I got some of my info from National Jeweler October 2008)

Welcome

I worked in the jewelry industry in New York City for years before starting my own business. It's filled with designers trying to sell cheap raw materials as something new, unusual, and rare. They mark it up two to four times, then sell it to the department stores who at least double that price. Consumers think they're getting something rare and valuable when all they are getting is a bunch of white lies, and something that will be worth practically nothing in a matter of a few years.

When it comes to buying diamonds from these stores, it's even worse. The same outrageous mark-ups apply. They give you a song and a dance so you think it's worth spending twice as much, but in the end you're just another person that fell for their pitch, and paid WAY TOO MUCH. I couldn't live with this style of business.

I grew up in the jewelry industry, under my father. He always took his time with customers, gave them honest and sincere answers to their questions, and at the end of the day it was about making people happy, and creating lasting relationships with entire families.

It doesn't matter whether you're spending $500 or $50,000, everyone should receive the same level of attention and personalized service.

Welcome to our Blog. Please email us with any questions or suggestions for topics that you'd like to see us cover here.