Jewelry & Trends

With the holidays approaching, it may feel daunting to find just the right gifts for all those on your list. If you are like us, there are at least three very diverse generations on your list. Check out the details below to get a high-level understanding of Millenials, Generation X and Baby Boomers and how they approach jewelry.

Millenials | 1981-1996

Millenials now lead the self-purchasing of jewelry. They buy pieces to celebrate milestones, goals, and memories. They value personal expression and having fun with style. Versatile pieces that transition from work to casual are preferred. Sustainability and ethical sourcing is important and they favor recycled metals and lab-grown diamonds (and other gems). Yellow or rose gold is back in with this group. Some gift ideas include unique stone shapes (oval, pear, marquis), lab-grown gemstones for great color pop, lab-grown colored diamonds.

Generation X | 1965 – 1980

Gen X values durable, investment pieces with excellent craftmanship. This aligns with their lifestyle where they multi-task as parents, working professionals and care-givers. They prefer understated and elegant pieces with a personal touch. When considering gifts, think of the classics – gemstone rings, charm bracelets, pendant necklaces, and the ever versatile and timeless diamond stud earrings.

Baby Boomers | 1946 – 1964

Baby Boomers are defined by legacy and value high-quality pieces with timeless designs that can be passed down through the family. Jewelry is seen as an investment that celebrates family occasions or milestones. When gifting, focus on classics – pearls, gold settings, colored gemstones and traditional diamond gifts.

When considered together, your knowledge of a giftee’s personality and likes/dislikes, along with generational approaches, can really help to narrow down the options. Drop by Bridgewaters and we can help you find the perfect gift for all on your list.

We haven’t shared about an iconic piece of jewelry in a while and what better than the story of the Burmese Ruby Tiara, commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II herself!

Queen Elizabeth II found herself without a tiara with rubies as her mother, the new Queen Mother, had the Indian Circlet in her collection at the time (Queen Elizabeth II inherited the circlet and other pieces upon her mother’s death).

Elizabeth commissioned jeweler, Garrard & Co to create a new tiara from diamonds and rubies taken from two other pieces. The diamonds came the Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara, a floral tiara made by Cartier in 1935, which had been a wedding gift. The 96 rubies were a gift from the people of Burma, now Myanmar. The tiara was completed in 1973 and takes the form of a wreath of roses, with silver and diamonds making the petals, and clusters of gold and rubies forming the center of the flowers. The roses are reminiscent of the Tudor rose.

Elizabeth wore the tiara often, with the last time being in June 2019. King Charles III inherited the tiara upon her death and Queen Camilla first wore the tiara in November of 2023.

Gorgeous jewelry, fit for a Queen! Stop in to Bridgewaters to find your new favorite piece!

Myths about jewelry abound and may mislead you when you consider purchasing jewelry. Below are some common myths and their truth.

• Diamonds are Indestructible: While diamonds are the hardest natural material on earth, they are not indestructible. They can chip, crack or shatter under force.
• Bigger is Better: Higher carat weight does not mean better quality. It is just one of many factors that determine a gem’s worth. Other factors include: cut quality, clarity, color and more!
• Pure Gold Jewelry is Better: Pure 24Karat gold is not always a great option as it is extremely soft, easier to scratch, and bends more easily all of which makes it less practical for everyday use. Most jewelry is made from 14k or 18k gold because alloying gold with other metals makes it stronger, and more durable.
• White Gold is Naturally White: White gold is created using yellow gold mixed with white metals and coated with rhodium plating. Over time the plating may wear away, but it can be re-plated to restore the bright shiny finish.
• Lab Grown Stones are Fake: They are actually real gemstones, just grown in a lab and not underground. They are eco-friendly, ethically sourced and budget-friendly options.
• Real Silver doesn’t Tarnish: Sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloys added for strength, actually tarnishes more than fake silver. Look for the mark “925” to prove it is real and polish your sterling back to a bright shine!

If you have questions, check with your local jeweler for answers. At Bridgewaters, we are happy to provide expert insight and help you find just the right piece.

Are you an expert in all things jewelry? If not, read on for some fun and interesting facts!

• The word “jewelry” comes from the French word “jouel,” which means “plaything.”
• The oldest jewelry is 100,000 year-old beads made from Nassarius shells.
• Biggest…
  • Diamond is the Cullinan weighing 3,106 carats.
  • Emerald is the Bahia weighing 7,052 carats.
  • Sapphire is the Millenium weighing 950 carats.
  • Ruby is the Liberty Bell weighing 18,696 carats.
  • Pearl is the Pearl of Lao Tzu weighing 14 pounds.
  • Gold nugget is the Welcome Stranger weighing over 154 pounds (70 kilograms).
• The first engagement ring dates back to 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed and gifted his intended a ring, symbolizing his feelings and plans to marry her.
• Painite is the rarest gemstone and rarest mineral on earth, verified by Guinness Word Records. There are only about 1,000 gemstones.
• The origin of monthly birthstones dates back to the Breastplate of Aaron which contained 12 gemstones representing the tribes of Israel. They eventually became associated with the months of the year and wearing birthstones became popular in the early 1900s.
• Pearls are the only gemstones that come from living organisms, specifically oysters and mussels.
• Wedding rings for men were popularized in the 20^th century when the jewelry industry wanted to increase sales.
• The most expensive piece jewelry ever used in a film was the necklace worn by actress Nicole Kidman in the movie Moulin Rogue. It cost over $1 million and was made of 1,308 diamonds and platinum.

We are always looking out for the latest facts on jewelry. Stop by Bridgewaters to share your favorite fact while you pick out some holiday gifts for family, friends or yourself!

With summer upon us, we wanted to explore the bounty of jewelry items that come from the ocean. We’ll check out treasures grown in marine life and even diamonds!

• Pearls: Once the more treasured gems in the world, natural pearls are formed when something irritating, like a bit of sand, enters a mollusk’s soft tissues. To protect itself, the mollusk secretes nacre (Mother of Pearl) to protect itself. Over time, the layers of nacre build up and form a pearl. Natural pearls are very rare, less than 1 in 10,000 wild mollusk’s will produce a pearl and most are not of gem quality. Humans have solved for this with cultured pearls which are created with human assistance – a small bead is inserted into a mollusk to create the secretion of nacre.
• Mother of Pearl: Known for its natural shimmer and durability, Mother of Pearl is the material that lines the inside of shells, also known as nacre. It is used in jewelry, home décor items and accessories.
• Coral: Created from the skeletons of marine polyps, coral is known for its porcelain like luster and warm, vibrant colors. It is often used in carved cameos and bead necklaces. Colors range from deep red to pale pink. Many jewelers no longer use natural coral due to its slow growth and how threatened it is due to over-harvesting, pollution and climate change. When purchasing, consider jewelers who repurpose antique coral or use sustainably harvested sources.
• Marine Diamonds: These natural gems are sourced from the ocean floor. They were originally washed into the Atlantic Ocean from inland deposits via rivers. They are found off the coast of Namibia and South Africa. An interesting fact is that the ocean sifts out the weaker gems, leaving diamonds that are very pure, hard and high-quality.

Love all things ocean or summer related? Stop in to Bridgewaters and find your next summer piece!

We’ve all seen the stunning beauty of the death mask of Tutankhamun, but what did ordinary Egyptians wear? Jewelry in ancient Egypt was worn by all social classes, genders and ages. It was both about fashion as well as a way for spiritual protection. Jewelry appears in the Egyptian archaeological record as early as 4500 BC, featuring beads made of shells and stones. Jewelry was part of everyday life as well as the afterlife.

Specific materials and symbols provided the wearer divine favor, good fortune and warding from evil.

• Amulets were believed to hold magical powers to provide luck or protection. Scarab beetles were very popular as a symbol of rebirth and regeneration. Amulets were featured on necklaces and bracelets with symbols like the scarab, the Ahkh (symbol of life) or the Eye of Horus (symbol of protection and healing). Amulets were worn in life and incorporated into burial.
• Materials included both gold and silver and many of the same precious and semi-precious stones we wear today, including turquoise, lapis lazuli, and amethyst. Other materials included stones, glass, marble, bone, shells and more. Fun facts about gold and silver – gold was considered the flesh of the gods, representing eternity and the sun while, during certain time periods, silver was considered more rare and valuable than gold.
• Your class determined the type of materials that would be used in your jewelry. The wealthy would use precious gems while commoners used less expensive materials like painted clay, shells, and bone.
• Jewelry was an integral part of the belief in the afterlife. It was considered a tool to guide, protect and sustain the soul (the ka) in the journey through the underworld to the afterlife. Mummies of all rank were buried with amulets, rings, collars and more to help the on their way.

Egyptian jewelry is beautiful and fascinating. Stop by Bridgewaters to find a symbol that connects with your life and beliefs.

Men’s trends don’t tend to change quickly, but it is exciting when they do! Lapel pins are quickly becoming a way for men to express themselves, share interests or support for a cause without being too “out there”, sort of a step out of the box!

So where did lapel pins originate? With the boutonniere, a fresh flower tucked into the buttonhole of a suit jacket. It was a popular practice in the 16-19^th centuries as a symbol of good luck and refinement. In the 19^th century, men were already adding small decorative pins or brooches alongside the boutonniere.

What do lapel pins symbolize?

• Affiliation or support for a cause – think of wearing a flag to show patriotism
• Clubs, organizations, fraternities – showing membership
• Personal values or interests – charities, an animal, symbols like awareness ribbons or a family crest.

The best part is lapel pins are no longer just for formal occasions, you can add a bit of personality to your jacket anytime! For styling, you are looking for your lapel pin to feel like it “belongs” to the outfit. Check out the look in the mirror and see what works and what may not.

Stop in to Bridgewaters to see what fantastic lapel pins we can help you find to share your character!

Looking stylish and polished is as easy as 1, 2, 3 if you follow the 2:1:1 Rule! What is this magic, you ask? The 2:1:1 Rule is a guide to help you create a balanced outfit by styling your jewelry thoughtfully.

So how does this work? It is based on dividing your jewelry into three levels based on their impact to create visual balance.

• Two subtle pieces – Small, refined accessories such as stud earrings, slim rings, delicate bracelets or simple necklaces. These enhance your overall look without drawing too much attention. Subtle pieces support the overall look.
• One medium-impact piece – Something slightly more noticeable, like medium-sized hoop earrings or a layered necklace. This adds visual interest and connects the understated and bold elements. Medium pieces add interest without being overpowering and helps to tie all the pieces together.
• One statement piece – A standout accessory that becomes the focal point of your outfit, such as dramatic chandelier earrings, a chunky necklace, or a vibrant cocktail ring. This is the focal point and sets the tone for your outfit!

The rule works because it avoids chaos, ie, when there are too many bold pieces which creates a lack of focus or when only subtle pieces are worn which leaves the look feeling unfinished.

Look your absolute best all the time with this rule. Stop in to Bridgewaters to find just the right pieces to create your amazing style!

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend and celebrities often share their love for these beautiful gems in their diamond-studded clothes and accessories worn everywhere from movies to concert stages to the Olympics.

• Mariah Carey: On February 6, Mariah shone at the Opening Ceremonies in a necklace, earrings and bracelet with emerald cut diamonds set in platinum. The three pieces total 306 carats. The necklace had a large center stone surrounded by smaller diamonds, the earrings had four diamonds each and the bracelet had more than a dozen!
• Marilyn Monroe: In 1962, Marilyn performed “Happy Birthday” for President John F. Kennedy while wearing a gown adorned with 2,500 Swarovski Crystals. The dress was so tight she had to be sewn into it minutes before taking the stage! The dress holds the record for most expensive dress sold at auction for $4.8 million.
• Cardi B: Pairing diamonds and emeralds in 2024 at the Met Gala, Cardi B paired a black tulle dress with a 141-carat Colombian emerald pendant, accented by emerald-and-diamond chandelier earrings, bangles and cocktail rings.
• Rihanna: In 2018 at the Met Gala, Rihanna stunned in a rhinestone mini dress, collared robe and a papal mitre (ceremonial headdress of bishops). She also wore pearl anklets and a Cartier pendant necklace, which featured diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls and opals.
• Colman Domingo: In 2025 at the Met Gala, Colman wore a Boucheron’s Iceberg necklace, created from hunks of rock crystal, white gold and showers of pavé diamonds, inspired by the crashing waves off Iceland’s coastline.

Diamonds and gems have captivated humans for centuries. Their sparkle and beauty are unmatched and timeless. Stop in to Bridgewaters to find your new favorite diamonds!

Did you know that close to 50% of proposals happen during the holiday season between November and February? The top four proposal dates are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day, in that respective order.

If you are thinking of popping the question this holiday season, here are some things to consider:

• Holidays bring family and loved ones together so there will be lots of people to celebrate with afterward.
• You don’t want your engagement to get lost in the shuffle of so much going on. Propose in a place special to you both or something magical related to the holiday to make it something you both will treasure.
• Consider the stress level of this time of year for both of you – choose a time of relaxation and ease.
• Consider the future – do you want your engagement and holidays to overlap forever?
• Avoid proposing during someone else’s celebration to keep the focus on your moment and avoid stealing theirs.
• Holidays can be challenging for some and may not be the best choice for you or your partner.
• Take some time to enjoy each other and your engagement. Schedule some time to reflect on this next step in your life.
• Don’t feel rushed to begin planning right away. Enjoy the specialness of the season and your engagement. There is plenty of time for planning after the holidays.

Whatever you decide, let Bridgewaters be a part of your happy ever after. We specialize in helping to find just the right ring. Give us a call to schedule an appointment to see your options.