Bold, chunky designs have been popular in women’s jewelry lately for their striking appearance. However, there’s also a growing trend toward minimalism: understated luxury is taking the place of logo-driven styles and jewelry is following suit. Picture thin chains that are barely noticeable, slim metal rings or delicate bracelets, worn either alone or stacked. There’s... The post How to Wear Fine, Delicate Jewelry appeared first on Hannoush Jewelers CT ..read more

In the 1920s, cocktail rings were popular in the flapper era, symbolizing social freedom. Within a couple of decades, this appeal transitioned to the statement-making elegance of dinner rings. Today, we group these styles under the “fashion jewelry” umbrella. Although “dinner ring” is a somewhat dated term, “cocktail ring” remains part of our modern language... The post Guide to Cocktail, Dinner & Statement Rings appeared first on Hannoush Jewelers CT ..read more

When placed side-by-side, it can be difficult for the casual observer to tell the difference between a blue sapphire and blue diamond. How do you tell these two nearly identical stones apart? Hardness Diamonds are the hardest mineral, rated 10 on the Mohs Scale. Sapphires are rated 9 and the only other stone capable of... The post Differences Between Blue Diamonds & Sapphires appeared first on Hannoush Jewelers CT ..read more

Whether you’re looking to invest, wear luxury watches or want to pass on heirlooms to a future generation, your effort to start a watch collection should be strategic. Consider these tips to get started. Why Do You Want to Start a Watch Collection? Considering the price of vintage and modern timepieces, you should have a specific goal in mind for starting a luxury watch collection: Decide if you will wear the watches. If so, choose pieces that complement your wardrobe and interests. Many collectors begin with a dress watch or two, then expand to include various sports watches and chronograph ..read more

One recent jewelry trend is the abundance of red. For fine jewelry, we’re noticing a range of rubies, from bright to dark in hue, with many of the same fire properties as diamonds. Semi-precious stones like garnet, spinel, carnelian, coral and rhodonite also have a similar intensity level. Beyond gemstones, red can be seen through plated or lacquered rose silhouettes, glass or enamel, including in solid cuff or bangle form, a large pendant or beads. Red adds intensity to smaller pieces that would have otherwise gone unnoticed and falls in line with the return of statement jewelry. Here’s how ..read more

As you shop for jewelry, particularly an engagement ring, you might notice a high asking price for colored stones. Often created through specific inclusions or how light refracts through the stone, fancy colored diamonds are less common than the traditional style. Learn more about these stones. What Are Fancy Colored Diamonds? Diamonds graded on a D-to-Z color scale can vary from clear to light yellow or brown, with some having a gray or milky tint. When a diamond displays a more intense color, like vibrant yellow, rich brown or any of the other 10 hues spanning a wide spectrum, it’s cat ..read more

Mother’s Day pays tribute to all that moms do, whether for yourself or your own kids. Your plans to celebrate may include a nice brunch or dinner and a special present to show your appreciation. As you shop for a Mother’s Day gift, consider a piece of jewelry that shows you’re thinking of her and also reflects her unique style. Consider one of the following ideas. Customized Jewelry If she’s particularly proud of her status as a mother or grandmother, jewelry can be customized to spell out “Mom” or “Grandma”. You can also have her initials or name engraved on a piece of jewelry. Personalized ..read more

Minerals have been classified since ancient times. In the 1800s, terms like “precious” and “semi-precious” were introduced to distinguish between gemstones. While today’s understanding of gemstones is more detailed, these traditional terms still affect the pricing of jewelry. Learn about the differences between these broad groups of gemstones. What Are Precious Gemstones? “Precious” describes a select group of gemstones that are rarer in nature and have a vibrant yet still translucent appearance. These include diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. On occasion, jade, opals and pearls are i ..read more

Clarity, one of the “4 Cs” of diamonds, influences how light passes through the stone and works with cut to enhance its luminescence or “fire” effect. As lab-grown diamonds increase in popularity, particularly for consumers looking to make more conscientious, sustainable choices, clarity gives these stones an edge over their earth-mined counterparts. Here’s what to consider. Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds Despite lab-grown diamonds being labeled as synthetic stones, they possess the same chemical, physical and optical attributes as their natural equivalent.  These similarities extend to ..read more

Many people love silver jewelry for its cool, low-key luster and ability to complement nearly any outfit. Yet earrings, bracelets, pendant necklaces and rings start to tarnish with time, developing a dull, dark finish that mars the original appearance. As silver jewelry continues to grow in popularity, learn the steps you can take to prevent your pieces from tarnishing. Why Silver Jewelry Tarnishes Silver jewelry typically starts with sterling silver, an alloy incorporating other metals. Tarnishing occurs when silver gets exposed to the oxygen or sulfur particles naturally present in the air ..read more