Archives for July 2021

Watches are on the wrist of many people in these modern times, but did you know that until about 100 years ago, most men carried a pocket watch instead? Wrist watches were originally designed for women who didn’t carry pocket watches. The history of watches and time keeping is fascinating, so read on for some fun facts!

• Egyptians were the first to use a physical object to keep time, creating large, stone obelisks and using the shadow created by the sun to estimate time.
• World War I was the first time soldiers began to wear wristwatches which helped with synchronizing attacks.
• Watches are most often displayed in stores and in ads at ten minutes past ten. This is known as “Happy Time” because the numbers look like a happy face which projects positivity to viewers.
• Black is the most popular color for watches due to its versatility. Black can be styled for any type of occasion, formal or casual, very easily.
• One of the most expensive watches ever sold at auction was $17.8 million. It was a Rolex, which usually cost around $300,000, but because the watch had been owned and worn by actor Paul Newman, it’s sale broke world records.

Thinking about a new watch or need a favorite repaired? Bridgewater’s has a large selection of watches to choose from. We also provide watch repair including battery replacement. Stop in and see us!

Earrings can complete your look for sure. But did you know that different styles can complement your face shape and help create symmetry? Here are some rules of thumb to make your earring choices shine:

• Round Face: Dangle earrings are a great choice to provide balance. Try to avoid round earrings or earrings in the shape of circles.
• Oval Face: Almost every style looks great with this face shape, but especially pearls, teardrops and ovals. Experiment to see what types of earrings are your favorite!
• Heart-Shaped Face: Earrings that are wider at the bottom work well with this face shape. Soft curves like teardrops are also great.
• Square Face: Medium to long length earrings such as hoops are great choices. You could also try earrings with angular or rounded edges to grab attention.
• Narrow Face: Short dangles and pearls work really well to balance your face’s length. You can also try studs, cluster earrings and medium/large hoops.
• Diamond Face: Earrings with more width than length are great for this face shape. Also those earrings with a combination of curves and straight lines.

Thinking about trying out some new styles to add more WOW to your beauty? Stop by Bridgewater’s and see how different shapes and sizes can increase your sizzle!

The Hope Diamond has been called the most famous diamond in the world due to its rare blue color and size of 45.52 carats. Earliest records of the diamond are from 1666 when the original stone, a 112 3/16-carat diamond originally from the Kollur mine in India, was purchased by French gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier.

The stone, called the Tavernier Blue, was sold to King Louis XIV in 1668. In 1673, it was recut, yielding the French Blue which was set in gold and worn via a neck ribbon by the king. In 1791 the jewels of the French Royal Treasury were turned over to the government after Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attempted to flee France and the diamond was stolen in 1792. The Hope Diamond then traveled to England where it may have been owned by King George IV before being sold. Somewhere along the way the stone was recut, with the largest section becoming the “Hope” diamond when it appeared in a catalogue of the London banking family, Hope, in 1839.

Many years and owners later, the Hope Diamond was purchased in 1949 by Harry Winston, a New York gem merchant, who eventually gave it to the National Museum of Natual History in Washington, DC where it is on permanent display. The Hope Diamond is set in a pendant with 16 white diamonds, both pear-shaped and cushion cut. The necklace chain contains 45 white diamonds.

A beautiful gem with a colorful history! Have you seen the Hope Diamond in person? Check out Bridgewater’s Facebook page and share your favorite famous gem!

Happy birthday to all those born in July! July’s birthstone is the ruby, a fiery, red gem. The ruby is symbolic of passion, protection and prosperity. Despite being the hardest stone other than diamonds, rubies are prone to fractures and so large stones are very rare and can be more expensive than similar sized diamonds. To increase their strength, most rubies are heat treated which also improves their color.

In addition to being July’s birthstone, the ruby is also the traditional gift for celebrating 15^th and 40^th wedding anniversaries. And rubies are more than just beautiful gems, their strength and red fluorescence or fiery glow make them ideal for use in lasers, watches and medical devices.

So whether you are looking for a gift for your spouse to celebrate a milestone anniversary or for someone with a July birthday, stop in to Bridgewaters to find just the right piece.