Jewelry & Trends

Did you know that 40% of engagements happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day? December is the peak month with Christmas Eve as one of the most popular days. So you might be thinking of getting engaged this coming fall/winter, but you are not sure how to find your partner’s ring size without giving away the surprise. We are here to help with great ideas for getting that ring size!

• Does your partner have a ring they regularly wear on their left hand, ring finger? If yes, see if you can borrow it for a quick visit to your favorite jeweler for sizing. Can’t borrow it long enough to get to the jeweler? Try placing the ring on a piece of paper and tracing around the middle (ie, inside). Note that this is not the most accurate way to get the size, but a good jeweler should be able to help.
• Connect with your partner’s family and friends. Maybe they have purchased a ring for her or your partner has tried on one of their rings. This will only get you a pretty good idea of the ring size though. And, most importantly, you need to be able to trust their family and friends not to spill the beans!
• Another way to enlist your partner’s friends is to have them try to find out the ring size. Best case scenario, your partner has a friend recently engaged who could let them try the ring on and the friend can ask the ring size. Just be sure to find a friend who can be subtle, bluntly asking might get you the right size, but might also give away your secret!
• Depending on your own level of smoothness and creativity, you could try to sneak it into conversation. You could ask her ring size as you plan to buy a ring for your mom, sister, etc. and want to have an idea of what size to get. Or if your friends are getting married, you could casually ask how the ring size was determined in their case and maybe your partner will share their size as part of her answer.
• Finally, you could just ask. Many couples today are less secretive about proposals or have conversations about marriage as part of the relationship. So…just ask! In addition to getting the correct ring size, you may also be able to get a sense of the style of ring they prefer. The actual proposal can still be a secret.

If you are ready to propose, Bridgewaters is here to help! We can help you find the perfect style, the right diamond or other gem and help keep you on budget. Stop in to see us!

Have you ever wondered who holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most diamonds set in one ring? Well, lately you would have to have been keeping up with the news pretty often to know!  Back in 2019, the Lobortas Classic Jewelry House, a Ukrainian jewelry company, held the record with the Tsarevna Swan Ring. A total of 2,525 diamonds weighing 10.48 carats are set on the 18k white gold ring and it’s estimated worth was $1.3M.

Since then the record has been broken several times with the diamond count increasing rapidly: 3,827, 6,690, 7,777, 7,801. In November 2020, The Marigold or Ring of Prosperity was crowned the record holder with 12,638 diamonds. It is an ornate floral design with eight layers where each petal is unique.

This record too did not last long and was broken in May 2022 with a ring that has nearly double the number of diamonds! The mushroom shaped ring, created by SWA Diamonds has 24,679 diamonds and is named “Ami” which means immortality.

Perhaps this last record holder will be difficult to beat with so many diamonds? Either way, rivals are most likely already working on the next contender! While we mere mortals would most likely never have a ring with so many diamonds, stop by Bridgewaters to find your perfect diamond ring!

Famous jewels and jewelry often seem to have an illustrious past and the Napoleon Diamond Necklace is no different! The necklace, set with 234 diamonds with an overall weight of approximately 263 carats, was a gift from Napoleon Bonaparte to his second wife, Marie-Louise of the Austrian House of Hapsburg, Empress of France, upon the birth of their son Napoleon II.

After Marie-Louise’s death, the necklace remained in the family for several generations until, in 1929, the current owner, Arch-duchess Maria Theresa sent the necklace to the United States to be sold for $450,000 with her agents, a grandnephew and two others who used the pseudonyms, “Colonel Townsend” (supposedly in the British Secret Service) and his novelist wife, “Princess Baronti.” Following the stock market crash, the Townsends sold the necklace for $60,000, sending $7,270 to Maria Theresa and keeping the rest as expenses. The courts returned the necklace to Maria Theresa and her grandnephew went to jail. Colonel Townsend and Princess Baronti disappeared and their identities have never been uncovered.

Eventually the family sold the necklace in 1948 and its final owner donated it to the Smithsonian Institute in 1962. It can now be viewed at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

What other famous gems or jewelry would you like to know more about? Share on Bridgewaters Facebook page!

In many of our previous blogs, we have spoken of Egypt and its use of gold and gems. Egyptians were the first to have organized production of jewelry and their work in advancement of metallurgy and collection of gems impacted jewelry development in every civilization that came after.

One piece of jewelry, the funerary mask of King Tutankhamun, has captivated the world since its discovery in 1925 in Tut’s burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings. Found in the innermost of three coffins, the gold mask rested on the shoulders of the mummy and weighs in at 24 pounds. It is constructed of two sheets of gold, hammered together. The mask has two alloys of gold, 18.4-karat for the face and neck and 22.5-karat for the rest of the mask. The mask includes gems as well – lapis lazuli for the eye surrounds and eyebrows, quartz for the eyes, obsidian for the pupils. The collar includes carnelian, feldspar, turquoise, amazonite, faience and other stones. The tomb also include over 100 pieces of jewelry including beads, bracelets, rings, amulets and necklaces.

Our fascination with King Tutankhamun and his treasures is endless. Have you seen the mask and other jewelry of Tut in person? Share your impressions and favorite pieces on Bridgewaters Facebook page.

Since we are celebrating the birthstone of May, the emerald, it seems fitting to share information on the Crown of the Andes that includes nearly 450 emeralds, including one known as the “Atahualpa Emerald” which is twenty-four-carats. The Crown is one of the most important examples of colonial Spanish American gold work, crafted in the 1600s. Legend say the Atahualpa Emerald was taken from the last Inca emperor, Atahualpa.

The Crown of the Andes was made to adorn a sacred image, the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, in Popayán Cathedral, in the former Spanish viceroyalty of New Granada (now Colombia). The Crown was crafted in parts, with the diadem in the 1600s and later, in the 1700s, four imperial arches, pear-shaped emerald pendants and an orb bearing an emerald studded cross were added.

The Crown of the Andes was used in Holy Week processions in Popayán. In 1936 it was sold to an American and changed hands several times until acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2015 where it is on view.

An incredible piece of workmanship, showcasing the stunning beauty of the emerald. Share your favorite emerald pieces on Bridgewater’s Facebook page.

In addition to considering color, clarity and carat weight, you will need to determine the type of cut that suits you best. Cut is often thought of as shape, but a diamond’s cut is about how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. We’ve reviewed cut (see our blog from December 14, 2021 for more details on the 4Cs) so today we’ll look at the different shapes.

• Round or round brilliant cut diamonds are still the most popular accounting for more than 70% of the diamonds sold. Round cuts optimize light reflections to make it the most brilliant and sparkly of all the shapes. It is also the most versatile for different finger/hand sizes and ring settings.
• Princess cut or square cut comes in second in popularity. They offer a high level of brilliance/sparkle. Princess cuts are less expensive than round cuts because more of the rough or uncut diamond is preserved during the cutting. With its square outline, the sharp ends are more vulnerable to damage, so look for a setting that provides protection to these edges.
• Oval cut are gaining popularity. They are cut in the same way as round diamonds and so have great shine, sparkle and brilliance. They also tend to look larger than other diamonds of the same weight and elongate fingers. There is a downside to oval cuts, the “bowtie effect” which is a shadow across the central facets.
• Cushion cuts were once the standard cut for diamonds with their soft, rounded edges. They also have the most fire or colored flashes of light. They come in two looks – “crushed ice” or “chunky”. Crushed ice cushions don’t show faceting when you look through the table (top surface area), but look like broken glass or crushed ice. Chunky cushions have clearly defined facets when viewed the same way.
• Emerald cut or rectangular cut has a long table which highlights the clarity of the diamond and are less brilliant than other cuts. Blemishes in the diamond will be more noticeable in this cut than a round or cushion cut.

There are many more diamond shapes out there and it really all comes down to your personal style and preference for which will be the right one for you. Stop by Bridgewaters for more information!

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.