Jewelry & Trends

Purchasing a diamond or considering selling one is a big and seemingly overwhelming process. There are two parts to determining the value of your diamond – an appraisal and a certification.

A diamond appraisal determines its current monetary worth. The appraiser will examine both the appearance and the quality of the diamond. Current market value is also taken into account. A diamond’s monetary value can change over time based on the diamond’s normal wear as well as the market value of diamonds overall. It also does not guarantee a price for your diamond, but is an indicator of the potential value of your stone. Your appraisal is important if you want to insure your diamond against loss or theft and, if used for this purpose, should be updated every few years or per your insurer’s guidelines.

A certification is a report that includes the specific measurements and shape of your diamond as well as the specific characteristics of the stone. It includes the diamond’s 4Cs information (clarity, color, cut and carat – check out our December 14, 2021 blog for detail) as well as any imperfections in the stone. A certification does not indicate a diamond’s monetary value. When purchasing a diamond, it is not important to have a certificate, the same information will be in the appraisal, which should always be provided.

The most recognizable certification would come from the gem lab: GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Bridgewater Jewelers would be happy to help you appraise your diamonds if you are looking to sell or updating for insurance purpose.

Despite the prolific use of the terms antique and vintage, in the jewelry trade, they do have specific meanings. This is good news for those interested in truly antique or vintage pieces as it eliminates confusion around modern reproductions of jewelry from specific eras. Often reproductions are poor quality and fail to employ the techniques and materials used during the time period in question. Let’s explore the meaning of the terms antique and vintage.

Vintage describes a piece made between 50 and 100 years ago. So at this time, anything produced between the 1920s and 1970s is considered vintage. Vintage jewelry includes the Retro Modern Era, 1945-1960, which was characterized by colorful, bold and flamboyant pieces like large cocktail rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins and more. Gold was the metal of choice during this era because platinum was not available during World War II. If you have a quality vintage piece, after 100 years it becomes an antique.

Antique describes pieces made at least 100 years ago, so any piece created around 1920 and before is considered antique. There were many eras of jewelry that are now antique and many of the surviving pieces have a lot of history associated with them due to their age. One of the eras, the Arts and Crafts Era, 1894-1923, features jewelry that rebelled against the styles created by machines during the Industrial Revolution. The pieces were simple and handmade without excessive decoration.

Check out all the different styles of vintage and antique jewelry and see what suits your style. Share your pictures with us on our Facebook page.

One of the most Instragrammed sites in the world, Big Ben is the clock tower that was built as part of the Houses of Parliament in 1844 after a fire destroyed much of the Palace of Westminster in 1834. Big Ben first rang on May 31, 1859 and is famous for its accuracy and its massive bell. The name Big Ben actually refers to the great hour bell, which weighs more than 13 tons, but the entire clock tower has been associated with the name. The tower itself was named St. Stephen’s Tower until 2012 when it was renamed Elizabeth Tower at the celebration of Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 60 years on the throne.

Big Ben, the massive bell, had to be cast twice as the first attempt cracked irreparably. The metal was melted down, recast and installed in 1859. The second bell developed a crack as well and was kept out of service until repaired in 1862.

And here are some additional interesting facts about Big Ben:

• The clock has “Domine Salvam fav Reginam Nostram Victoriam Primam”, which means “O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First” inscribed under the clock face.
• In May 1941, bombs destroyed the Commons Chamber at Westminster, but luckily Big Ben survived and continued to chime the hours.
• Old pennies are used the adjust the pendulum and help Big Ben keep accurate time.
• The four clock faces are illuminated at night and 23 light bulbs are used to illuminate each face. Each light bulb has a lifespan of 60,000 hours or almost 7 years.

Have you seen Big Ben in person? Maybe climbed the 334 steps to the belfry? Share your pictures on our Facebook page! And don’t forget, if your clocks need service, stop by Bridgewaters!

Discovered in the mid 16^th century, La Peregrina Pearl is one of the most symmetrical natural pearls ever discovered. It was discovered in Panama and turned over to Don Pedro de Temez, the administrator of the Panama colony. Temez carried the pearl back to his Spanish homeland where he gifted it to the future king, Phillip II who gave it as a bridal gift to Queen Mary I of England. When Mary died, Queen Elizabeth I returned it to Spain where it remained one of the crown jewels for more than 250 years.

In the early 1800s, Joseph Bonaparte, brother to Napoleon, ruled Spain and when he was ousted, he took La Peregrina and other crown jewels back to France. This is when the pear-shaped pearl earned its nickname “The Wanderer.” Joseph willed the pearl to his nephew who became Napoleon III, Emperor of France. He then sold it to the Duke of Abercorn who gave it as a gift to his wife, Duchess Louisa Hamilton. It remained in the Hamilton family until 1969.

In 1969 Richard Burton purchased the pearl at auction for $37,000 as a Valentine’s Day gift for Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor had the pearl redesigned into a necklace with pearls, diamonds and rubies. Following her death, the necklace was auctioned to an anonymous buyer for $11 million.

La Peregrina wandered the world and is a gorgeous gem with a long and royal history. Love pearls? Share your favorite piece on Bridgewater’s Facebook page or stop in to find a new piece for your collection.

Did you know that jewelry used in movies is often real and sometimes created just for the movie? Remember the gorgeous ruby necklace presented by Richard Gere to Julia Roberts before they visit the opera in Pretty Woman? The necklace is white gold with diamonds and 23 rubies. Created for the film, the necklace is worth about $1.35 million.

Moulin Rouge also created one of the most expensive necklaces for film. The character Satine is gifted a necklace of 1,308 diamonds set in platinum with a 2.5 carat sapphire as the clasp. The necklace is estimated to be worth around $1 million.

 

And, could we talk about jewelry in movies without mentioning the Heart of the Ocean, a 56-carat blue diamond in a heart-shaped cut, created for Titanic? Sadly, the necklace never existed. Kate Winslet wore a replica made with zircons during the movie. The necklace was inspired by three famous diamonds that are part of the history of French royalty – the Regent, Marie Antoinette Bleu and the Hope diamond. Celine Dion wore a replica of the Heart of the Ocean during her 1998 Oscar performance of My Heart Will Go On, a 170-carat sapphire necklace set with 65 round diamonds worth about $2.2 million.

What other films have you seen with stunning jewelry? Share your favorites on Bridgewater’s Facebook page.