It's About Time (Part 1)

There’s something about a pocket watch that’s a little bit magical. And that includes the history of this amazing device.

In the 16^th century, most people still used the sun to gauge the hour. While there might be a clock in a public square, few private citizens owned one. Then, in 1504, German clockmaker Peter Henlein took mechanical timekeeping to the next level. He made it portable for the first time in history by inventing the pocket watch.   

For the next three hundred years, pocket watches were the ultimate status symbols. They were certainly inaccurate by today’s standards; like clocks of the period, the earliest pocket watches had to be wound twice a day with a key! Still, their intricate movements were cutting-edge technology in their day. Pocket watch cases, which jewelers crafted separately, could be miniature works of art. Only the wealthy could afford these precious yet practical objects.   

  

English gold filigree pocket watch, 17th century

Fast-forward to America in the late 1800s. Two events were about to transform the world of pocket watches. The first was mass production, which made them affordable for many more people. The second was a fatal Cleveland-area train wreck. The culprit: an engineer’s inaccurate watch. As a result of the crash, American railroads set the country’s first universal timekeeping standards. The improved railroad pocket watches were an instant hit, and not just with railroad employees. Many companies made them, including Elgin, Waltham, and Hamilton. With their clean, almost modern design, they are popular with watch lover and collectors alike.

American railroad pocket watch by Waltham

A vintage pocket watch is more than a piece of history or another way to tell time. It’s a fashion statement, like the cut of your jeans. And it's definitely a conversation piece 

 

   

Next Week: How to choose a vintage pocket watch and wear it with style

 

In Praise of Patina

Nothing sets off a clear, white diamond better than a setting of white metal. And the king of white metals is platinum.

Like enduring love, platinum is rare and strong. Also like love, it changes over the years.

A new, polished platinum ring looks bright and silvery. You can hardly tell where the metal ends and the diamonds begin. But as you wear it (and love it), a platinum ring develops a network of fine scratches and dents that’s as unique as a fingerprint. The metal takes on a deeper, mellower luster called patina. Highly prized by platinum connoisseurs, it contrasts beautifully with the sparkle of white diamonds. 

All precious metals will eventually show signs of wear. But the physical properties of platinum ensure that it will never wear away.  When you scratch a platinum ring, no material is lost. (By contrast, when you scratch a gold ring, you lose a sliver of gold.)

So the next time you run across a vintage platinum engagement ring, take a closer look. Imagine the places it’s been and the couple whose love it symbolized. It’s all there … for those who have eyes to see.

In Japan, platinum patina is valued as a record of a piece's history.

 

 

 

A Hard Stone is Good to Find

Like some women love Italian shoes, I love the sparkle of gemstone rings. But since my hands are rarely still, my rings can really take a beating.

Fellow ring lovers, take heart. If you choose your gemstones wisely, your rings will look amazing no matter how often you wear them.

There are two main factors you should keep in mind when choosing stones for rings:

1. Hardness

A gemstone’s hardness is its ability to resist abrasion. The higher a gemstone ranks on the Mohr scale of hardness, the more difficult it is to scratch. Diamonds — at 10 — are the hardest gemstones. A diamond can only be scratched by another diamond.

Other hard gemstones include:

·       Ruby and sapphire – 9.0 on the Mohr scale

·        Chrysoberyl (including cat’s eye and alexandrite) – 8.5

·        Spinel and topaz – 8.0

·        Emerald and aquamarine –  7.5 to 8.0

1. 2.    Toughness

Columbian emerald and topaz may be hard stones, but they aren’t very tough. This means that because of their crystal structure, they’re prone to chipping and fracturing along certain angles (planes of cleavage).

Some gems that are hard are tough as well. Not only do sapphires and rubies measure a 9.0 on the Mohr scale of hardness, they also have no planes of cleavage. That makes them tougher than diamonds! But the toughest of all gemstones are jadeite and nephrite.

Any of these stones would be a great choice for your next gemstone ring.  

Happy hunting!

Rhymes with “Girl”

Spring is the season of innocence, new life, and new beginnings. No gem conveys these qualities better than the pearl.

Pearls have long been symbols of femininity. In the Bible, they’re used as metaphors for heaven and the word of God. That’s why pearls are the perfect choice to wear and to give for a special girl’s baptism or First Communion.

There’s another reason why brides often choose to wear pearls. Their range of subtle hues can make any complexion glow. White pearls with silvery overtones stand out beautifully against dark or olive skin. Fair-skinned women shine in pearls that are peach, pink, or white with a blush of rose.

When it comes to pearls, Japan is the center of the universe. Steward, our owner, traveled there several months ago. He returned with a treasure trove of lustrous grays and whites and creams. Then, he sat down and started designing.

From pendants to rings to earrings, we’ve got pearls for all the girls and women you love. Why not stop by and get inspired?  

Dazzle your Valentine with Color!

There are many different kinds of love. But you can express them all with a rainbow of sparkling jewels.

The secret: gemstone symbolism.     

You’ve probably heard that rubies and diamonds are the stones of love. But garnets are, too. This colorful family of gems stands for passionate devotion – not just between lovers, but also among family and friends. Opals are fiery, emotional stones, linked with love, passion, and spontaneity. And rose quartz is the symbol of “gentle love.”

Want to strengthen your bond with your partner? The right gemstones can help. According to tradition, serene blue apatite promotes communication. Diopside means commitment. Onyx repels negativity. Peridot cools jealousy while building understanding in a relationship. Emeralds can even boost your fertility!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. So come check out our wide array of handcrafted gemstone jewelry.  

We’ll help you make your lover’s heart beat a little faster!

Neglectful!

Wow, it's been a while since I've updated... I'd tell you all I've been on vacation, but you'd be able to tell I was lying by how pale I am!

Anyway, we've got tons of new merchandise in the store within the past week... Some really cool Tanzanite pieces, too. Did you know that Tanzanite is actually an ugly brownish color until it gets superheated by lighting storms or volcanic energy? After that it turns a vibrant blue color; it's pretty amazing.

http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/tanzanite.html

Just a heads up to anyone who m ay be interested, we're having a celebration for Audrey's Designs coming up next Friday! For more information, please contact Leslie at The Diamond Exchange... The phone number is on our website under 'contact'.

Enjoy this fabulous weather!