Lockets

Lockets have been around for centuries.  Initially they were used to carry herbs or medicine.  They began to be used to store pictures during the Victorian Era.

Today there are a wide variety of lockets available on the market.   They can come in different metals including gold and silver.  They can hold one, two or even up to six pictures.  They come in various shapes as well from round to heart shape and some are set with diamonds.  Engravable lockets can be mongramed or names can often be engraved on the back. 

Our favorite locket is the musical locket.  These lockets hold a picture and when you open it, they play a tune.  We sell three musical lockets.  The tunes our lockets play include My Girl, Unchained Melody, and You are My Sunshine.  The You are My Sunshine locket is the most popular, with almost every purchaser telling us a story about this song reminding them of childhood memories. 

Top 10 Jewelry Gifts for Valentine's Day

When shopping for Valentine's Day, many people search for jewelry as a gift idea. Jewelry makes a great gift because unlike the flowers or chocolates, jewelry can last a lifetime. Jewelry can also offer sentimental value and is a gift that can be used daily.

Here is a list of the top ten best Valentine's Day Jewelry gift ideas for women:

1. A Silver Heart Shaped Toggle Bracelet

Tiffany's made this silver bracelet popular and now many other stores offer this classic item for a great price. Sterling silver makes a great gift option. It can be easily cleaned and is durable. The heart on some of these bracelets can be engraved or it can be left as a blank heart.

2. A Diamond Right Hand Ring

A diamond ring does not have to be an engagement ring. Right hand diamond rings make a beatiful and sparkly choice. Just make sure you are clear on your intentions if you give a woman a diamond ring!

3. Garnet Jewelry

Garnet gemstones are a beatiful red color, making them a romantic choice for Valentine's Day. Garnet earrings, necklaces, or rings often come in heart shapes. Garnets are a durable stone and they make a great choice for jewelry.

4. Diamond Stud Earrings

Diamond stud earrings make a great addition to any jewelry box. They are simple yet elegant and will never go out of style.

5. Posh Mommy Necklace

Posh Mommy necklaces are personalized necklaces that allow for engraving and stone setting. Originally made for mothers, they are often set with childrens' birthstones. Posh Mommy necklaces were featured by CBS News as one of the top ten gifts personalized gifts of the Christmas shopping season and this will surely roll over into the Valentine's shopping season as well.

6. Couples Ring

If a diamond ring is not what you are after, a couples ring can be a romantic idea. Have it set with your birthstones and even engraved.

7. Journey Diamonds

Journey Diamond jewelry is a beautiful and romantic option. Journey diamond pieces are made up of at least four diamonds that gradually grow larger. This is meant to represent the love of a couple that grows over time, making it perfect for Valentine's Day.

8. Ring Engraved in Your Handwriting

A ring that is engraved in your handwriting is sure to be a wonderfully appreciated gift. There are many ring styles available that can be engraved in handwriting. Whether you are looking for a wedding band, a right hand ring, or an engagement ring, putting a special message in your handwriting is guaranteed to be a treasured gift.

9. Moissanite Jewelry

Moissanite is a lab created stone that comes with a lifetime guarantee to never lose its brilliance. It is the only stone more sparkly than a diamond. It is less expensive than a diamond but almost as hard. Its fiery brilliance makes it a great option for rings, earrings, or pendants.

10. Charm Bracelet

Charm bracelets make a great gift option because new charms can be added at any time. There are many styles and options available. They are a beautiful piece of jewelry that can exhibit memories as well as show off one's personality and style.

A guide to buying Diamond Jewelry for Men

Men often tell us they are overwhelmed about where to even start when they are considering purchasing diamond jewelry.  There are lots of fancy words about cut, carat, color, and letters and numbers that symbolize different grades. When purchasing diamond jewelry, there are a few key points to keep in mind that will help make the process simpler.

The first step is to consider what type of jewelry. There are different options available ranging from earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches. No matter which one you choose, it will be important to keep her personality in mind. Buying a gift that the recipient will enjoy wearing is far more important than the clarity of the diamond.

Diamond earrings can be a great gift for women of all ages. If she does not own any diamond earrings already, start with some diamond stud earrings. They can be worn with anything and are a great addition to any jewelry box. They come in various size diamonds as well. If you are uncertain which size to purchase, 1/3CT is a good place to start. If she already has some basic diamond earrings, there are many sorts of hoops and dangles available as well, depending on your budget. Earrings can seem expensive, since you are buying at least one diamond per ear.

Diamond rings do not necessarily have to be an engagement ring. There are plenty of right hand diamond rings available. These are usually made up of several diamonds and they are often in various shapes. They can be set in gold, silver, or platinum and the prices can vary. If you are interested in purchasing a right hand diamond ring, consider whether or not she already wears any other rings. If she wears a yellow gold ring on her left hand, a white gold or sterling silver ring would not match as well as another yellow gold ring. If the recipient's ring size is unknown, the ring can be purchased in a stock size and re-sized at a later date.

Diamond necklaces are a great option. They can vary greatly from a single solitaire diamond or many diamonds can be put together to create fancy shapes such as hearts or bows. Diamonds in necklaces are often paired with colored gemstones as well. When purchasing a diamond necklace, determine if you are purchasing a necklace that can be worn with some more casual clothing or if it will be a fancy necklace that is only meant to be worn with a gown.

Bracelets make a beautiful gift. Diamond tennis bracelets are a sparkly, but pricey option. Diamond bracelets can also just include a single solitaire diamond. Bracelets often come in various wrist sizes which can usually be adjusted after purchase if necessary.

When purchasing diamond jewelry, the technical aspects of the diamond, such as cut and color, are important, but they are less important than the overall piece of the jewelry. Look at the big picture and ensure that the piece you are purchasing looks like something the recipient would like to wear. Spend less time focusing on the smaller details and do not attempt to become a diamond expert overnight.

Purity Rings

Purity ring sales have increased over the past decade.  They used to only be sold in Christian gift stores but this has changed recently as they have increased in popularity.  They are usually associated with the Christian faith.

Purity rings have traditionally served as a symbol of a person's commitment to remain sexually abstinent until marriage.  Several Christian groups led movements in the 1990's to encourage adolescents to make a pledge of purity and they often use a ring to symobolize their commitment.

There are many different purity ring designs available on the market. Some of them include Christian symbols or imagery.  Other designs have increased in popularity such as the "Unblossomed Rose" ring or the "Gift Wrapped Heart" ring. Others include an engraved message such as "True Love." In the past, rings were mostly sterling silver but gold rings are becoming increasingly available. Prices can range from under $20 to several hundred dollars. There are more masculine designs available for males.

Garnet - January's Birthstone

Garnet, the birthstone for the month of January, is a popular gemstone choice for jewelry.  It is relatively cost effective stone that is beautiful.  The colors of Garnet can range from red to green to purple.  The only color that garnet is not available in  is blue. Reddish brown is the best known color for Garnet.  Because of its rich red color, Garnet makes a great gift for Valentine's Day.  It is beautiful when it is paired up with brilliant diamonds as well.

The durability and strength of the stones make it a good choice for jewelry pieces.   The stones can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes as well.  Garnet that appears to be more violet red looks beautiful in white gold, silver, or platinum.  The reddish brown shades look most stunning in a yellow gold setting.

Garnet is easy to care for and is low maintenance.  It can be cleaned with warm soapy water and can tolerate gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush.  Garnet jewelry can last forever with proper care.

Journey Diamonds

The Journey Diamond Collection has a beautiful story behind it.  Each piece is made up of at least four diamonds that get gradually larger in size.  This is to represent the love of a couple that grows over time.  Journey Diamond pieces of jewelry are available in rings, earrings, and necklaces.  They are a popular gift for occasions such as anniversaries and Valentine's Day because of their romantic symbolism. 

The necklaces are the most popular of the Journey Diamond Collection.  They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  There are hearts, circles, zigzags, and curved lines.  Any Journey Diamond necklace would make a great addition to the jewelry box.  It piece is a classic item that will accent any other piece of jewelry.  There are matching sets with shapes or they can be mixed.  They are available for a variety of prices as well.

Jewelry as a Valentine's Day Gift

It's hard to believe we are thinking about Valentine's Day already.  With Christmas and New Year's out of sight, it's time to look forward and see that Valentine's is right around the corner.  And when shopping for a Valentine's Day gift, it makes sense to start shopping early.  Often there are sales to be found from retailers rotating their stock and also from new sales for the next holiday.

A popular gift idea for Valentine's Day is of course, jewelry.  Jewelry in the shape of a heart is a classic gift and the most popular.  One of the best parts about buying jewelry as a gift is that it can last a lifetime!  Unlike chocolates or a fancy dinner, jewelry can be around for decades or even passed down to the next generation. 


When shopping for jewelry as a Valentine's Day gift, there are some things to remember that can make your shopping easier.

• The amount of money you spend on a gift does not equal the amount of love you have for the recipient.  I think people sometimes think they need to spend a certain amount of money if they have been dating for a few years and another amount of money if you've been together for two years.  This isn't necessarily true.  Showing that you invested a lot of thought and time into picking out the gift can be more appreciated than if you had spent a lot of money purchasing the first item you found.
• Make sure do your homework on the recipient before you go shopping.  Keep in mind what sort of jewelry the recipient already wears.   If you notice they wear yellow gold, try to get something that will match by purchasing a yellow gold item. If the recipient has a more eclectic look and they mix and match yellow gold with silver already, then you may have more of a variety to choose from.
• Also be sure to do your homework on the item you are considering purchasing.  Make sure you at least know what the gemstone is.  Garnets are a red color that make it a popular Valentine's Day Gift.  Diamonds are of course the most popular item for Valentine's Day.
• Get creative with the way you present your gift as well.  There are lots of romantic ways to present a ring or a new necklace.  
• Personalized items can make a great gift.  Engraved items such as necklaces, rings with birthstones, or engraved lockets can be a romantic and sentimental gift.