Jewelry & Trends

We often talk more about women’s trends in jewelry as men’s jewelry has been subtle and uniform, often limited to watches and simple bracelets. In 2024, we are seeing more men experiment and feel more empowered to express themselves, their individuality, through jewelry. Check out these trends for men in 2024:

• Minimalism: Providing elegance and simplicity, this trend includes clean, geometric shapes and understated designs. Slim chains, subtle bracelets and rings made from high-quality materials exemplify this trend.
• Bold Statement Pieces: In contrast to our first trend, this trend is exemplified by eye-catching accessories that draw attention. Stacked necklaces or bracelets, intricate patterns, gemstones that stand out or avant-garde shapes help to catch the eye.
  • Oversized/Chunky Rings: Rings bold in color, shape and design, this sub-trend also includes customized signet rings. Traditionally symbolizing heritage and power, men are customizing with unique designs, going beyond the old-style family crests or initials.
  • Statement Chains: Usually made of high-quality materials, these statement pieces are characterized by their size, weight and intricate designs. They can be worn on their own or layered with other chains.
• Sustainability: Social responsibility and a commitment to the environment is another focus. Jewelry crafted from recycled materials, ethically sourced gems and eco-friendly materials is making waves.
• Bracelets: Simple bracelets used to be in, but now chunky chains, bold designs and different materials like leather are center stage. Take the trend a step further and layer bracelets of different metals, charms and chains for a bold look.
• Personalized Jewelry: Allowing men to showcase their personality, interests and creating something both meaningful and stylish, personalized jewelry is a hot trend. Incorporate your birthstone, initials, an engraving significant to you or go extra bold and work with a jeweler to bring your own creation to life.

Here at Bridgewaters, we love to see these up-and-coming trends and help our customers find something that enhances their style. Our Bridgewater Jewelry Line incorporates these trends with signet rings and bracelets with unique materials. Stop in to see more items that may strike your fancy or let us help you bring your own jewelry design into reality!

We all love our jewelry and want to make sure we treat it right so that it lasts for generations. But what are the best practices for keeping our jewelry safe? Keep reading for some ideas to help keep your gems and jewels in top-notch shape.

Things to Avoid:

• Tarnish: Keep your metal jewelry separate to prevent tarnish. Putting items away completely dry will also help. Use a commercial silver polish when all metal jewelry becomes tarnished. Do not use silver polish on gemstones as they may become damaged.
• Light and Heat: Light and heat can affect your gemstone’s durability and color.

o   Light: Long exposure can fade gemstones, such as amethyst, kunzite, topaz and shell cameos. Pearls and delicate materials will bleach under extreme exposure to light while gems like amber may darken.

o   Heat: Excessive heat and sudden temperature changes may fracture some gems and can remove natural moisture needed. For example, pearls can dry out and crack or discolor.

• Chemicals: Even everyday substances like lotion, hairspray or perfume can damage porous gems or delicate items like pearls. Remove your jewelry before using these products to keep your pieces safe. Also remove your jewelry before getting in a chlorinated pool or using household cleaners. Many contain ammonia which is too harsh for your gems and chlorine bleach can pit or damage gold.
• Ultrasonic Cleaners: Be wary of the at-home versions of these cleaners as they may not be the best option for your jewelry. Do not use with organic gems like pearls, coral, ivory or amber, heat-treated gems; gems that have surface reaching breaks that have been filled with oil, resin or a glass-like material; gems that are sensitive to heat or temp changes like tanzanite, sunstone/moonstone, lapis lazuli, opal, topaz, turquoise and more. The vibrations in the machine may loosen settings or chip gems.

These are just a few considerations for keeping our jewelry safe. So what can we do to care for our jewelry between visits to our favorite jewelry store?

• Cleaning Gems: Use warm water, mild dish soap and a soft brush. Rinse in bowl or glass of water to avoid losing any loose gems down the drain.
• Storage:

o   Sterling silver: Store in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth

o   Gems: Keep separated from other gems to avoid scratches

o   Jewelry Box: Consider a box with individual padded slots are ideal

You should always have your jewelry checked by your favorite jewelry every six months and professionally cleaned more often. If you are unsure of how to best care for a specific piece or gemstone, stop by Bridgewaters and we can make sure they are clean and in good shape and share how you can care for them at home.

Jewelry plays an important part in many aspects of our lives now and throughout our history. Adorning the body pre-dates written record and may have been part of our history since the very beginning. Why has humankind always incorporated jewelry into their lives?

• Love: Jewelry is a tangible reminder that someone loves us and is often used in courtship. This shows a prospective mate’s wealth as well as an expression of affection. Jewelry can be a physical reminder of family, friends, memories and shared experiences.
• Belonging: Jewelry is often used to show status or affiliation – to a person with engagement or wedding rings or to a group through a shared piece of jewelry. Pieces associated with our history or culture can continue that connection.
• Confidence and Empowerment: Who doesn’t feel like a million bucks when wearing your favorite jewelry? Jewelry has the power to boost our confidence and self-esteem.
• Protection: The oldest known jewelry dates back about 100,000 years and were made from shells, stone and bones. They may have been worn as protection, in the form of early amulets. Humans continue to wear amulets to ward off evil and as good luck charms.
• Status: Jewelry has been worn throughout history to show rank or status. The number of pieces and value of those pieces helped to communicate wealth and social status.

We bet if you think of the items in your jewelry box, you can connect them to these purposes and the journey down memory lane will be a reminder of how you came by each piece and the connection to your own life story. Jewelry is a powerful way to express your individuality and the things that have meaning for you.

Stop by Bridgewaters to find the perfect gift to show you love someone or your favorite new piece that brings you confidence. We would love to be a small part of your life story!

Periodically, we take a look at the hot jewelry trends for the current year and it has been a while since we have done this, so come along with us as explore what’s hot NOW!

• Love antique or vintage jewelry? The good news is that these styles have staying power and continue to look unique. There are a few trends each year that really stand out:
  • Egyptian design: showing how antique/vintage jewelry continues to remain in fashion over 5,000 years, these pieces feature hieroglyphics, scarabs or precious stones.
  • Pearls: always a timeless style, pair these with something different or edgy to give them a refreshed look.
  • Resurgence of the Renaissance: with lots of gold and gemstones these pieces may also feature intricate scrollwork or cameos.
• Pearls: already mentioned above in antique/vintage jewelry, pearls are larger than life in 2024. Keep up with the style with statement pieces featuring much larger pearls than in past years.
• Cuffs: whether worn alone or layered, cuffs are in!
• Chokers: always a mainstay in fashion, this year they feature a mix of metals and textures.

Love the ideas, but really want to make something your own? Stop by Bridgewaters where we can help you create a piece that is just right for you!

Diamonds grown in a lab? The latest jewelry industry trend is making some waves, but what do you need to know before jumping in? Lab-grown diamonds have been around since the 1950s, but have only gained popularity in the last 20 or so years. Let’s explore the pros and cons of natural or organic diamonds and lab-grown ones.

Natural/organic diamonds take billions of years to form under extreme heat temperatures and high pressure. Lab-grown diamonds, which are also known as man-made diamonds, engineered diamonds or cultured diamonds, are grown in a laboratory setting using processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds develop naturally. Lab-grown diamonds can be formed in six to ten weeks and have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds because they are created from the same material as natural diamonds. Specialized equipment is needed to distinguish between natural and lab-grown diamonds.

So why might you want one or the other?

• Natural Diamonds
  • Pro: They have sentimental value as they are harder to come by, have historical significance and are works of art created by the earth.
  • Pro: They have lasting monetary value due to being more rare and their value increases with time.
  • Con: Natural diamonds are more expensive than a comparable lab-grown.
  • Con: There are ongoing concerns over environmental and humanitarian repercussions of natural diamond mining processes.

• Lab-grown Diamonds
  • Pro: They are an excellent value and you will be able to maximize your budget.
  • Pro: They have fewer defects due to the laboratory environment.
  • Pro: They are a responsible choice since they are not mined.
  • Con: They will keep the value you paid, but will not gain value.
  • Con: Resale value may be just pennies on the dollar.

Ultimately, both are a good choice based on your priorities. Stop by Bridgewaters and we can help you determine whether a lab-grown or a natural diamond is the best fit for you!

When you hear about buying gold, do you automatically picture large gold bars? If yes, you are not alone! Actually, gold bullion is any form of pure, or nearly pure, gold that has been certified for its weight and purity. This includes coins, bars and other forms of gold of any size.

While it is fun to think about owning a very large gold bar, it isn’t really practical. However, buying gold can be a good investment and can help diversify your portfolio. Many investors buy gold as a hedge against inflation or political unrest because gold doesn’t always fluctuate when other types of assets do. Additionally, a portion of your portfolio held in commodities like gold helps to lower the overall risk to your portfolio.

Gold can be purchased in different size coins or bars, for example, 1/10 ounce, ¼ ounce, 1 ounce, etc. And recently, the value of gold has increased. If you are thinking of buying gold to diversify your portfolio, stop by Bridgewaters and we can help you learn more about this investment option.

You’ve planned everything, from the dress to the guest favors and now it is time to consider accessorizing your wedding look. Our best piece of advice is to include pieces that are a reflection of you and make you feel confident and beautiful.

As you begin thinking about jewelry for the big day, you’ll want to include the dress and how you will wear your hair. Here are some tips and things to consider:

• How to match your dress style and neckline?If your dress is understated, consider statement jewelry to bring a bold look. With a more detailed dress, keep jewelry low key. With a v-neck dress opt for a pendant, while strapless look great with chokers and shorter necklaces to draw attention to your smile.
• What metal matches your dress?For a white dress, platinum or silver will look beautiful. For ivory or champagne, gold jewelry will enhance the warm tone and creamy look. For a blush dress, try rose gold to coordinate with the soft pink of the dress.
• What gems will shine with your dress?If your dress is crystal-embellished, a diamond necklace or earrings will complement the sparkle. Beaded wedding dresses look beautiful complemented by treated freshwater cultured pearl earrings or a pearl necklace.
• What pairs with your hairstyle?An updo is a perfect opportunity to showcase statement pieces like hoops or drop earrings. Wearing your hair down might pair best with studs. And don’t forget to match your jewelry to your head piece.
• Working on your something old, new, borrowed or blue?Jewelry is a perfect fit here, whether something new you’ve bought yourself, a borrowed piece from a family member or a piece handed down through generations.

Stop by Bridgewaters and let us help you put all these tips into action and find you the perfect wedding jewelry. We even offer bridal jewelry on loan to make it even easier. With three different options, you are bound to find one that is perfect!

Are you a fan of silver jewelry or maybe you are interested in acquiring your first piece? Then let’s talk SILVER!

• Silver is one of the seven metals of antiquity known to prehistoric humans. The other metals are gold, copper, tin, lead, iron and mercury.
• Silver is less expensive than gold as it is more abundant and less difficult to mine.
• Most silver jewelry is made with sterling silver which is an alloy of silver which is 92.5%s silver and 7.5% copper. The copper makes the silver harder and more durable and able to be used to create jewelry.
• All sterling silver pieces are marked and stamped with a .925 or an abbreviation of “sterling” to let you know it’s real.
• Copper does cause sterling silver to tarnish more easily, but it is easy to clean. Check in with our staff for recommendations on how best to remove tarnish.
• Tarnish can be held at bay by wearing your jewelry as it will rub against skin, clothing, etc. and remove some of the tarnish. You would also take your jewelry off when showering, swimming or using cleaning products. Keep your jewelry out of the open air to avoid them gathering dust and grime.

Sterling silver jewelry can be styled any way you like, just like gold and, as it is more affordable than gold, you can add more pieces to your collection! Stop in to Bridgewaters to check out some sterling silver pieces and let us help you find your new favorite piece!

Being in the middle of “Red October” and the MLB playoffs got us thinking: where did the tradition of World Series rings come from? So we did a little research and found out the following really cool facts:

• Rings for winning the World Series have been a tradition since 1932.
• However, the concept of valuable rings going to the victors started with the high-level amateur Montreal Hockey Club when the squad claimed the 1893 Stanley Cup. The first rings looked like wedding bands, except for a couple of hockey sticks crossed for decoration.
• In MLB, it started with the 1922 World Series champion New York Giants. The rings were 14-karat gold containing a single diamond jewel in the center of a baseball diamond, flanked by crossed bats, a ball, glove, and laurel leaves with the words “Giants World Champions 1922” sweeping across the sides. Rings wouldn’t be the standard for another 10 years.
• Since teams change throughout the season, players get hurt, are waived, get traded, or are sent down (or called up) from the minor leagues, etc. So how is this taken into account after winning the World Series? The remaining players vote to decide “World Series shares” for people both on the current roster, as well as those not on the roster. This could include former players who left the team mid-season and did not participate in the Series as well as the manager, coaches, trainers, executives, club personnel, and even fans or players from years past.

These are great facts, but as a jewelry store, we are interested in the bling.

• Rings are usually made of white or yellow gold, with diamonds and other precious gems dotting them. The rings include the team name and logo, along with the championship number.
• As mentioned above, rings from 1922 through 1972 contained a single diamond jewel in the center of a baseball diamond. This first changed in 1973 when the Oakland A’s placed a gold inlay of their “A’s” logo atop their ring.
• Then in 1977, the New York Yankees revolutionized the design. The Yankees also rejected the single stone and instead used the “NY” logo created from 19 diamonds atop a blue stone field
• The tradition of more bling has continued with the most opulent to date being the 2003 Florida Marlins ring: a 3.5 ounce, 14-karat white gold ring encrusted with 229 diamonds, including a rare teal diamond and thirteen rubies.
• As you can guess, many players don’t wear their rings due to size and value. So some players purchase the lower-tier rings (created for non-player personnel) to wear in public.

We will continue to root for our home team, the Phillies, and hope that they get to bring home their very own rings!

We love our jewelry and want to show it off every chance we get. However, there may be times when we need to consider what is appropriate when it comes to wearing jewelry to the office. Jewelry draws the eye and even small pieces draw attention to where it is placed, which can be both good and not so good. Read on for tips for accessorizing at work:

• Jewelry can complement your body, drawing attention where you might want it, but it also can draw attention where you might not want it in an office setting. A long necklace makes your neck look longer, but can also draw attention to your chest and cleavage. Drop earrings help to slim the face, but can be distracting if they swing around a lot. Consider bracelets that can add to your outfit, but not draw unwanted attention.
• Less is more, especially with sparkly jewelry. Sparkles may be more appropriate to other venues than the office where you’ll be looking to keep it professional.
• A good rule of thumb on the number of pieces to wear is 2-3. Helps to keep you from looking over-accessorized. Keep all the pieces minimal or choose one as a statement piece and build the rest of your jewelry around it.
• Avoid noisy jewelry like too many bracelets that clink against each other. Noisy jewelry can be a distraction to your co-workers. Test your jewelry at home and remove any pieces that are too noisy for an office setting.
• When buying jewelry, look for pieces that are versatile and can be worn in all seasons and for all occasions. Less shiny and less complex designs work well for this. And keep in mind, classics are classic for a reason and never go out of style!
• Don’t forget useful and beautiful pieces like watches!
• Depending on your job type, consider safety. Could your long necklace get caught in a machine, for example?

Thinking of adding a few pieces to your office jewelry collection? Stop by Bridgewaters and we can help you find the perfect pieces!