Jewelry & Trends

Anniversary rings are tangible reminder of journey together, marking the passage of time and memories along the way in a marriage and the enduring love, commitment and joy of the couple.

There are several types of rings:

• Eternity ring are a band filled by diamonds completely.
• Three stone rings incorporates a gem for each of the past, present, and future.
• Stackable rings allow for additions over the years, marking other milestones.

The most common occasions to gift an anniversary ring are the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 50th year of marriage, however, it is now common to celebrate any milestone with an anniversary ring.

Anniversary rings have traditional rules/customs for those interested in staying true to the tradition:

• Year 1: Often features a gold band that should complement other rings in the wedding set. This can be simply a gold band or can be set with any gems.
• Year 5: Gifting sapphire in an anniversary ring for the fifth year together symbolizes wisdom, loyalty, and sincerity.
• Year 10: The decade ring symbolizes the commitment, growth and love needed to sustain a marriage. It is often a diamond ring or an eternity ring.
• Year 15: A celebration of passion and eternal love, rubies are the gem of choice.
• Year 20: Featuring emeralds, a symbol of growth, renewal, and harmony.
• Year 25: The Silver Anniversary, celebrating a strong bond formed and the resilience of love.
• Year 50: The Golden Anniversary is a testament to lasting love and devotion as well as the cherished moments throughout the journey. Gold is the symbol associated and is beautiful, strong and resistant to corrosion.

Wherever you are on your journey, Bridgewaters can help you find the perfect piece of jewelry to celebrate your important milestones.

We’ve shared information on men’s jewelry trends before, but we found some really interesting trends recently that we haven’t seen before. So join us as we discover what’s hot for men!

There are a couple of trends that are still going strong that we shared last year, minimalism and personalization. But there are several new trends as well:

1. These are Not your Grandma’s Pearls: Pearls are often thought of as a staple in women’s jewelry, but men are getting in the game! Led by celebrities and influencers, men are exploring pearl necklaces and other accessories.
2. Mixed Metals: No longer do we need to have all our jewelry metals match! Try any combination of metals, gold, silver, rose gold, for a modern look that accents any outfit.
3. Exotic Materials: While traditional metals are still popular, innovative and unconventional materials are surging. These include elements like tungsten, wood, dinosaur bones, antlers, and many more. These elements help to personalize your jewelry and provide bold, beautiful style
4. Gender-Fluid Style: Fashion is getting more inclusive, with gender-fluid styles allowing everyone to express themselves. Everything from unisex designs to gender neutral designs to styles that work for any gender. Gender-fluid designs are created with the intent to work for and appeal to all and celebrates diversity and individuality.

Let Bridgewaters help you find something that suits your style, personality and individual flair!

We often get asked about what jewelry staples should be in everyone’s jewelry box. We’ve pulled together a list of jewelry that is timeless, never goes out of style and fits every occasion. These items a pretty universal for men and women, depending on your personal style.

• Hoop Earrings: A favorite of ancient civilizations and diverse cultures, they can make a statement while keeping things simple. With their ability to draw attention to your face without being distracting, they are a great go to.
• Chain Necklaces: We spent some time sharing some of the variations of chains (check out our blog here) and they really are versatile. You can easily add a pendant, layer with other chains and they go with everything from jeans to cocktail dresses.
• Cocktail Rings: Originally reserved for cocktail hour and showcasing a large center stone or ornament, these can now be worn any time and dress up all types of clothes. Wear these on your right-hand ring finger and enjoy the compliments!
• Stud Earrings: We love these with diamonds, but any gem works. They can be worn everyday or on special occasions, providing just the right amount of glam. Consider different cuts and settings to make these your own!
• Pearls: Pearls are the ultimate timeless piece, but they don’t have to boring! Pearls come in many colors and shapes, explore their look to find just the right one with your skin tone.

With these versatile classics, you’ll always have the perfect piece to wear! Missing any of these from your jewelry box? Stop by Bridgewaters and let us help you find just the right one for you!

Looking for a new chain? It may seem overwhelming with so many different types. Don’t despair! Check out our guide and then check in with your favorite jeweler to make sure you are choosing the right chain for you.

Considerations When Buying a New Chain

• Materials:
  • Choose stronger metals for daily wear: silver, platinum, titanium, stainless steel
  • Avoid metal sensitivity by choosing hypoallergenic metals include 10-karat gold or higher, stainless steel, titanium and platinum
• Have long hair? These chains don’t catch hair: rope, box, snake, Singpore.
• Looking to add a pendant? These chains are good for pendants: cable, rope, and ball/bead.
• Looking for a great chain to wear on its own? Consider Byzantine, anchor, box, curb, and Figaro chains.

Here are some of the many types of chains and things to think about when considering their purchase:

• Cable chains: The most common type of necklace, consisting of interlocking oval or round links. Easy to fix and popular for both men and women.
• Rope chains: These feature twisted strands that resemble a rope. Strong a durable an works great with bold pendants or on their own.
• Box chains or Venetian chains: Made of interlocking squares creating a cubed effect, this necklace is durable and comfortable. They are easily fixed and look great with pendants or on their own.
• Ball/Bead chains: Featuring small balls attached by connector bars, this necklace type is not very strong and often break under pressure. They are easily replaced, often being made from affordable material like steel. Great for small pendants or dog tags.
• Snake chains: Made of interlocking, curved plates with barely any space between them, these chains create a fluid, snake-like movement. These are a bit delicate so care is needed when wearing, but they pair well with pendants or alone.
• Curb chains: Made from interlocking flat links that create a smooth, uniform appearance, these chains are durable and easily fixed if broken. They are great as statement pieces and are popular with men and women.
  • Figaro chain: this is a unique version of the curb chain, featuring 3-5 small round or oval links with larger links between each set. They are very sturdy and can be repaired if broken. They can be worn alone or with pendants and are a classic style, especially for men.
• Singapore chain: Featuring tight, twisted, and diamond-cut links that create a shimmering effect, this chain reflects light and shines beautifully. They are strong despite their delicate look and are great with pendants.

With so many choices, it may be hard to pick just one! Stop in to Bridgewaters and let us help you find just the perfect new chain!

Today is Earth Day so we thought we might delve a little into sustainable jewelry. This is a complicated topic and we recommend doing additional research to understand this complex issue. We’ve shared some information and suggestions below to help get you started on this journey.

What is sustainable jewelry? It is the transparent and responsible sourcing practices in the jewelry supply chain and the use of sustainable materials. It also includes workers being treated fairly, using eco-friendly and ethical production techniques, and sourcing their metals, jewels, and diamonds from sustainable mines or production systems.

Ways You Can Get Started:

• Reduce your purchases of costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is often worn just a few times and then ends up in a landfill where the metal and other items don’t biodegrade.
• Consider recycled jewelry materials. Precious metals can be recycled by melting them down and reusing them. Gems can be reused in a new setting.
• Look into lab-grown diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds can be formed in six to ten weeks and have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. They offer an alterative to mined diamonds that limits the environmental and people-related issues. Check out our blog on lab-grown versus natural diamonds for more details.
• Search out brands that support fair trade practices. Fair trade includes using sustainable materials, offering equitable payment and safe working conditions.

We at Bridgewaters would love to help you get started! On May 6-8, 2025, we are holding a Buying Event where you can bring in gold and silver, diamonds and other gems as well as estate jewelry. We can also help you redesign pieces into your new favorite, giving new life to your current jewelry.

As we approach Easter, we thought we would share some details about some of the world’s most famous Easter eggs. In 1885, Russian Emperor Alexander III commissioned a jeweled egg from Peter Carl Fabergé, House of Fabergé, for his wife. It was known as the Hen Egg with an outer enamel shell and gold band around the middle. When opened, it reveals a golden yolk which opens to show a golden hen sitting on golden straw. Inside the hen was a miniature diamond replica of the Imperial crown and ruby pendant.

The gift was a hit with the tsarina and Peter Carl Fabergé was appointed a “goldsmith by special appointment to the Imperial Crown” and a second egg was commissioned. Fabergé was given freedom to design future eggs – the only requirement that each contain a surprise and each be unique. As many as 69 eggs were created and 61 are known to have survived.

The most famous of the eggs created are the Imperial Easter eggs, with 10 commissioned by Alexander III and 40 commissioned by his son Nicolas II. Forty-four (44) of these have survived and there are photos of 3 of the lost eggs. Ten (10) of the Imperial eggs are displayed at the Kremlin Armory Museum in Moscow.

The eggs have a bit of a cult status and have been featured in films, TV series, documentaries and more. They are symbols of power and wealth of the Russian Empire.

We at Bridgewaters don’t have any Fabergé eggs, but stop in to check out our own line of jewelry, The Bridgewater Collection.

We all love our jewelry and want it to look its best. Jewelry needs a bit of TLC to look its best. The following tips will help you to keep your jewelry in tip top shape.

What makes jewelry dirty? Exposure to our own body oil as well as makeup, soaps, lotion, perfume, hair products, as well as everyday activities like gardening and cleaning are some of the culprits. To keep your pieces clean and beautiful, make sure you are visiting your favorite jewelry store at least every 6 months to have your jewelry cleaned and checked for anything that might need fixing. At home you can do the following:

• It is recommended to clean your jewelry once a month, depending on how often you wear it.
• Most jewelry can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and brush lightly with a soft, clean toothbrush to remove dirt, then rinse with clean warm water and gently pat dry.
• For silverplate or brass, clean only 1-2 times per year as removing tarnish will gradually remove the top layer of precious metal. Use a polishing cloth which contains a jewelry-grade light polishing compound.
• Take note that some gems and stones need special care:
  • Amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, emerald, garnet, peridot should not be exposed to heat as it can cause fading or cracking.
  • Opals and pearls are vulnerable to acids and ammonia and scratch easily
    • Opals are also extremely sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and may get surface cracks if exposed.
    • Pearls should not be immersed in water. Instead, wipe each pearl with warm, soapy water, using a clean, soft toothbrush if dirt remains, then dry completely.
  • Never:
    • Clean in boiling water, use warm water only. Too much heat can cause some gems to crack or fade or cause metal to expand and contract which affects the setting for gems.
    • Use abrasive cleaners, use mild dish soap only. Abrasive cleaners can cause scratches, blemishes.
    • Use bleach, vinegar, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, vodka.

Hopefully these tips will help to keep your jewelry looking great all year round! Now that you know how to keep it clean, buff up on storage tips. And stop in to Bridgewaters soon for your jewelry check and cleaning!

Pearls are making a comeback! They offer timeless beauty and versatility. They can be styled in so many ways, from classic necklaces to bold, modern designs. And they come in a variety of colors, each with its own meaning. So check out each color’s meaning to help you choose just the right colored pearl for you or your valentine.

• White: The classic color which symbolizes purity, innocence, beauty, sincerity and new beginnings. It is still the most common color in jewelry and is a classic for bridal jewelry.
• Black: Fabulous for those looking for a bit of an edge to their style, black pearls symbolize independence, strength, resilience, mystery, and wealth.
• Pink: Pink pearls are romantic in color and symbolize love, compassion, energy, success, fame, and good fortune. With a focus on success and good fortune, they also make great gifts for graduates!
• Blue: Bring peace and tranquility into your life with a rare color that symbolizes knowledge, tranquility, truth, trust, and courage.
• Gold: A color that symbolizes prosperity, success, wealth, and achievement, these are perfect for those who love the finer things in life!
• Green: Perfect for those beginning a new phase in their life, green pearls symbolize balance, nature, renewal, growth, and hope.
• Purple: Symbolizing artistry, wisdom, complexity, nobility, and passion, purple pearls are great for educators.
• Chocolate: Warm chocolate pearls symbolize harmony, dependability, healing, comfort, and protection, perfect for nearly everyone!

Stop in to Bridgewaters to choose just the perfect pearl and setting for your new favorite piece!

Are you thinking of beginning a job search or maybe you are in the middle of one already? Jewelry can play a role in creating a fantastic impression during your job interviews. Check out the tips below to take your appearance to the next level!

• Company Dress Code: Do your best to understand the dress code of the company with whom you are interviewing. More formal, business attire dress code calls for more formal attire while you may have more flexibility with a company that is business casual attire.
• Necklaces: Simple is the key. Classic and simple necklaces will make any attire shine. Necklaces that are too busy or flashy may distract from the overall look you are working to share.
• Earrings: Avoid large earrings that may be distracting – you don’t want your focal point to be your ears! Dangling earrings are another type to avoid as they may make noise or distract with movement. Smaller hoops or studs are always great choices, providing sophistication without distraction.
• Bracelets: While we know the trend now is to stack bracelets, we don’t recommend this look for an interview. They can be distracting or noisy. Keep it simple with one or two bracelets that compliment your attire.
• Personalization: You can and should personalize your jewelry. Wear your favorite piece or choose one with a subtle bit of color. You want to showcase your uniqueness while still being mindful of not distracting your interviewer from the overall professional look you are presenting.

Remember less is more with jewelry for interviews. Your focus is on presenting the overall package and focusing on what you bring to the table in terms of qualifications and character. Need a few new pieces to enhance your interview jewelry options? Stop in to Bridgewaters!