What’s the Best Way to Keep My Jewelry Safe on Vacation?

Packing jewelry does require more consideration than simply throwing clothes into a suitcase. Fine jewelry is precious, delicate and often sentimental – be sure to travel with the care it requires.

Below are a few of the smarter packing ideas on vacation to ensure your pieces arrive safe, undamaged and organized:

Make a Jewelry Travel Inventory

Before you leave, document the jewelry you’re bringing. Take photos or note each piece.

This visual inventory not only helps you plan outfits, but it can also be a lifesaver if you need to file an insurance claim or police report for a lost item. (It’s also a good moment to double-check that any especially valuable pieces are properly insured for travel.)

Notify your insurance company of your travel plans if needed – similar to alerting your credit card, letting your insurer know you’ll be out of town with valuable jewelry is a smart step.

Carry On, Never Check

Always keep jewelry with you in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage. Luggage can get lost or rough-handled, so your precious items should stay by your side.

Wear jewelry that makes sense for your travel outfit and pack the rest securely in your personal items. For added security, avoid wearing overly flashy or expensive pieces during transit – you don’t want to draw the wrong kind of attention while on the go.

Use Protective Cases or Pouches

The best way to pack jewelry is in a dedicated travel case or organizer that keeps each piece separated. You can use a fabric-lined travel jewelry box or portfolio (more on that below), or even DIY with small soft pouches and pill boxes.

The goal is to prevent items from scratching each other or tangling. For example, keep each necklace in its own compartment or bag so chains don’t intertwine.

GIA experts suggest putting each piece in its own plastic zip-top bag (with a label) – this lets you see everything at a glance and adds a layer of protection. Hard-shelled pill organizers also make great mini jewelry holders for travel, keeping earrings and rings sorted in sturdy little compartments.

Prevent Tangles and Damage

Even with an organizer, a few tricks can help avoid tangles or scratches. If you’re packing necklaces, thread each chain through a drinking straw or a piece of plastic wrap to keep it from knotting up. This simple hack “works like a charm”.

For earrings, consider carrying a small piece of cardboard or an earring holder – stick the earring posts through it so pairs stay together. Also, don’t use cotton balls or fabric that sheds fibers, as these can leave lint on prongs or gemstones.

Instead, opt for soft microfiber cloths or the individual baggies as mentioned. And toss in a polishing cloth so you can give your jewelry a quick shine at your destination.

Pack Light (Sometimes, Less is More)

When it comes to jewelry on a trip, carefully choose what to bring and what to leave home. It’s tempting to bring an option for every outfit, but remember that the more jewelry you take, the more you have to keep track of.

Select a few versatile pieces that will pair with multiple looks. If you have extremely valuable or sentimental jewelry (like an heirloom necklace or your most expensive watch), consider whether you truly need it on this trip. Experts often advise that the safest way to travel with expensive jewelry is occasionally not to travel with it at all – leave it secured at home for peace of mind.

As GIA’s travel tips put it, “Don’t take too much: Sometimes less is more… you can still make a splash by bringing a select few pieces, while leaving the rest at home.”.

If you curate your collection down to the essentials, you can minimize risk while still looking great on holiday.

Protecting Your Jewelry from Loss or Theft

Proper packing is half the fight – the other half is being cognizant while you travel to avoid losing or having things stolen. In the time it takes to pull your hair back into a bun, a ring can be lost or a necklace misplaced, so practice these precautions to keep jewelry safe while traveling:

Be Discreet and Vigilant

In transit and unfamiliar places, it pays to stay low-key with valuable jewelry. That might mean turning your engagement ring inward on your hand or wearing a scarf over a flashy necklace in crowded areas. While it’s fun to wear our best pieces, avoid advertising expensive jewelry to potential thieves.

Always keep your jewelry pouch or case with you and never out of your sight, particularly in airports or transit stations. If a kind stranger (or perhaps airport personnel) wants to help you with your bag, it is completely fine to hang on to it and politely refuse, “I’ve got it thank you” as many travelers have discovered the hard way, as long as you’re not watching, opportunists can make off with carry-ons.

Security Checkpoints

One vulnerable moment for jewelry is the airport security line. Never place jewelry loose in the TSA bin where it’s easy to forget or for someone to pick up. Small items like rings usually won’t set off metal detectors, so it’s often best to wear them or keep them tucked in a zipped pouch in your carry-on during screening.

If you must remove metal jewelry, place it directly into your own carry-on bag or travel jewelry pouch instead of placing it on the counter before sending the bag through the X-ray. Plus, you can’t leave a ring in a plastic tray. Most jewelry losses occur during those frantic moments at security when people scramble to pick up their things. Another bit of advice, highlighted in a recent report by Jewelers Mutual, is this: Do not place jewelry into TSA bowls; always carry your jewelry in a zippered case or on your person while going through checkpoints.

Hotel Rooms and Safes

When you arrive, take a moment to plan where your jewelry will stay when you’re not wearing it. A hotel safe is usually the best option – it’s more secure than a nightstand or dresser drawer.

For pieces not being worn, use the in-room safe. (Just be careful you don’t forget them – more on that in a minute!). Staying in a rental home or nowhere with a safe? When you head out, try storing jewelry in a place that’s difficult to locate (a travel case hidden inside a suitcase or a less obvious place than the top of the dresser). And always lock when you leave, of course.

Do not leave jewelry unattended in public places; do not remove a watch and place it on a restaurant table or poolside lounge. This is going to sound like common sense but once during the vacation mood to relax people sometimes forget and jewelry “walks off.”

Beware of Water

Did you know jewelry is lost most often at beaches and pools? According to recent surveys, a significant portion of travel-related jewelry losses happen around bodies of water. It makes sense – cold water can make fingers shrink, meaning rings slip off easily in the ocean or pool, and earrings can get lost in the sand. Sunscreen and water can also make jewelry slick.

As a rule of thumb, remove jewelry when swimming – and store it in that reliable travel case, or a zip pouch with your beach gear, to prevent a diving disaster. If you do insist on wearing something akin to a wedding band to the ocean, be sure to size it with ring guards or wraps to ensure it isn’t going to fall off and always double-check that it’s secure.

And remember, hotel pools and beaches are where lost jewelry most commonly is misplaced – so think twice about bringing irreplaceable items to the shore. Fancy jewelry could be best left at home while the fun costume jewelry could be worn to the beach and to casual dinners out.

Double-Check and Don’t Forget

Whenever you change locations – leaving a hotel, getting off a plane, packing up the car – do an inventory check of your jewelry. It helps to keep all your pieces in one dedicated case or pouch so you can easily see if something is missing.

One of the most common travel mishaps is forgetting a beloved piece in a hotel room. Necklaces are the number one item left behind, often in hotel safes or drawers.

Make it a practice to open that safe and look inside before checking out. You can place something that you must take with you, as a shoe, in the safe as a reminder you have something placed inside. And the bathroom – rings have been known to be left by sinks. A quick look around your space for any pieces of gold or diamonds or gemstones will prevent a heartbreak later.

Insurance and Documentation

Despite all the precautions, life happens, which is why insurance is key. If you haven’t already, look into jewelry insurance or ask your insurance agent how your homeowners’ or renters’ policy covers jewelry during travel.

Keep in mind that many basic policies have low limits or may not cover losses abroad. Companies like Jewelers Mutual offer specialized jewelry coverage that can protect against theft, loss, or damage anywhere in the world.

Final Thoughts

It is nice to know that your prized possessions are covered, even if you never have to use it. And carry appraisals or receipts for extremely high value jewelry with you when you travel – they may be helpful in establishing value or ownership if you have to file a claim or police report.

To quote jewelry professionals, the objective is to “preserve your jewelry, allowing you to enjoy and wear it fearlessly”. With a little preparation beforehand, you can spend your vacation sparkling and at ease.

What is the Best Way to Keep My Jewelry Safe?

Fine jewelry pieces are precious objects. There’s typically meaning behind it, because you made the effort to purchase it for yourself, or you received it from a loved one.

Sometimes, they may be things that have been handed down through the family. Understanding how to protect your jewelry at home is therefore crucial.

Why You Should Keep Jewelry Hidden

It is dangerous to leave jewelry out when not wearing it for all sorts of reasons. And of course there is the possibility of burglary. Your jewelry can also experience all sorts of other unfortunate calamities without proper protection.

Children and dogs will gladly play with or swallow shiny objects. You might, just as easily, knock one off a table or counter and break or lose it down a drain.

Depending on the destination or adventurousness of your trip, you may want to even leave your wedding bands and engagement rings at home while traveling.

If so, then you’ll need to be especially cautious since you will be away from home for an extended period and will leave your valuables in the residence.

Tips on How to Keep Your Jewelry Safe at Home

It doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to hide your jewelry and keep it from attracting thieves. Sometimes, but, you just have to think outside the box. Here are a few tips for keeping jewelry secure at home!

Hide jewelry in unexpected, ingenious locations. Visible safes and jewelry boxes may be an invitation for thieves.

After all, even safes can be broken. Strange ways to hide your valuables. Rings and diamond stud earrings are simple to slip into a coffee cup – just remember which is yours! Or store your entire jewelry box in a cabinet behind kitchen items, or in a linen closet behind towels.

Purchase something that is meant for concealment. Online there are available inexpensive secret storage devices, such as a functioning wall clock that opens to reveal small shelves, a “hidden book” storage case, or a picture frame that contains a secret storage compartment. These are great for times when you don’t want to carry something like your wedding bands. With this device readily available it is easy to remove them and leave them at home and not be wearing them.

Keep it in a hidden lock box or safe. A lock box or safe is still a good idea for certain items, especially if you own things you do not wear often, such as elaborate diamond necklaces. But the important thing is to try to keep them hidden.

Certain covert storage devices such as false books have combination locks. Consider installing a wall safe that can be concealed with artwork and cannot be taken off-premise to be broken into. Or if it’s a single safe, attempt to conceal it. For instance, put it in the corner of your closet and place your suitcases in front of and on top of it.

Stay at home for repairs and home services. Unless you have complete faith in the person working in your home it is advisable to stay home and monitor the worker. Remove any jewelry that may be laying around to eliminate the temptation as well.

Never leave a key outside. Don’t provide keys unless you have to and don’t leave them in obvious places, such as under your welcome mat. And don’t leave spare keys lying around the house where they can be grabbed easily, especially if you have a stranger in your home. Another one? If your car is parked immediately in your driveway, do not leave your electric garage door opener in your car.

Discreetly discard jewelry and watch boxes. You never know who is watching your garbage. And that Tiffany blue bag or A. The Jaffe package is a dead give-away, which is nice because you have something nice inside! Tear up the packaging, or ensure it is buried deep within trash that is not identifiable as trash (smelly garbage helps!).

Download the form, print it, fill it out, send it to the authorities, and wait for the pat down. This is true, home alarm systems have a cost. But, technology has provided many more affordable choices for such days. Even something as basic as a Ring doorbell can discourage burglars. More affordable and easier to install now are other home security cameras and motion detectors that sync with your phone.

Invest in Jewelry Insurance

Unfortunately, sometimes even the efforts to avoid it can lead to the very worst happening. And your homeowner’s insurance might not pick it all up.

This is where jewelry and watch insurance come into play. Many insurance companies that do just that exist. It is approximately 1-2% the value of your pieces and protects the cost of repairing or replacing your jewelry. Packages are available to insure you against theft, natural disasters, and more.

Purchasing insurance for your jewelry also requires you to have a detailed receipt or appraisal for your jewelry. Jewelry professionals are able to assist you with a professional appraisal of your jewelry and watches and guide you in determining what is best as far as insuring your pieces.

What are Things I Must Know before I Ask My Bride to Be to Get Married?

Once you know you want to spend the rest of your life with the person you want to marry, you should begin thinking about how you want to propose.

That’s because proposing marriage is one of the most important questions in life, we bet you’re feeling quite a bit of pressure to get your proposal just right.

If it is an overwhelming thought or you have no idea where to start, below we have collected a step by step process to help you when it comes time for you to drop to one knee.

This checklist has all the to-dos, from receiving your partner’s family’s blessing, to hosting a party. Below, an entire proposal checklist to assist you in planning the ultimate surprise.

How to Pull Off a Surprise Proposal

Ask for Permission

A blessing from your girlfriend or boyfriend’s parents may seem like a tattered convention, but plenty of couples still look for their spouse’s mom or dad to offer their blessing before popping the question.

While this is not strictly necessary, discussing your decision with your partner’s family can be a respectful act and will also incorporate them into the process. Including loved ones can also be a sign of your dedication to the relationship, and can even provide some useful ideas for a proposal.

“If you have a traditional partner (or their parents) make sure to get their approval before spending any time or money planning the proposal,” Velazquez writes. But, when you make your case to them, be intentional, earnest and heartfelt.

Find Out Their Ring Size

Because purchasing an engagement ring requires a significant financial commitment, sizing it correctly is key.

Though your partner can no doubt resize the ring later, it certainly helps to have the correct size from the beginning. And, your fiancé will likely want to wear that ring right away instead of passing it off to a jeweler!

Of course you will be sneaky in gauging your partner’s size, so asking their friends and family or borrowing a ring they already have to compare size are both smart tactics.

Buy the Perfect Ring

Once you determine the proper ring size, you can begin to explore styles. Your partner may have expressed a preference for their favorite design.

If not, speak to their friends and family for any ideas or make a note of the type of jewelry that they regularly wear. When you have a vague idea of what you’re looking for, buy it online or from a jewelry store.

While some couples go ring shopping together, if you are planning to surprise your partner, purchase the ring at least one month in advance. If you’re personalizing the sparkler, Velazquez states to expect an even larger window. Remember to get a box to store the glittering jewel in.

Insure the Ring

Though the topic of engagement ring insurance is likely the furthest from your mind while you prepare to propose, it’s a move you won’t want to forgo.

Because you and your partner value their jewelry and they hold sentimental value, you too would likely be heartbroken if something happened to it. In the unfortunate event that your gemstone is lost, stolen or damaged, insurance protects your finances and your peace of mind.

Jewelry-specific insurance companies and your renters or homeowners insurance carrier are two options for obtaining coverage for your engagement ring.

Hide the Ring

The only other note to be taken into consideration is to make sure that the rock and the ring box are well hidden so the proposed-to be unsuspecting about the proposal. The sock drawer or kitchen cabinet simply does not work.

Alternatively, consider places your partner would never go close to, like your tool box, empty suitcases if you won’t be traveling soon, or the pocket of a garment you are not wearing according to season. Make sure you don’t let anyone see the receipt either.

Figure out How You’re Going to Propose

Since getting down on one knee is a moment you will only have once, you’ll want to pop the question in a way that is meaningful and memorable. Offering a scavenger hunt or presenting a photo booklet of your best memories together are just a few of the many creative proposal ideas out there.

When introducing an activity, be certain that it is something that matches your partner’s interests and personality type. “Take a moment to brainstorm ideas of how you met, what is unique about your love story and what would truly touch your partner,” Velazquez advises. “Then, create a proposal idea that will let them know that you’ve truly made it for them.”

Select a Time and Place

After you have a sense of the way you’d like the proposal to go, decide when and where you will make it happen. Ideally, the location of the event represents your relationship in some fashion – to personalize the event as much as possible.

Perhaps you choose to ask during a hike on a favorite trail, or in your favorite date night restaurant, or on an annual beach trip to a favorite location. In Velazquez’s words, “you’d better get a public proposal permit” if you plan to propose in a public place and “be ready to sign a private venue contract”. Another central logistic is the right time to do so.

Obviously you will want to choose a day that works for both of your schedules. For the extra touch, pose the big question on a significant date, such as the date you first met or your first date.

Finalize Any Additional Touches

Nothing says romance like asking that special someone to marry you while on bended knee and surrounded by a sea of rose petals. To elevate your proposal setup even higher, incorporate statement-making décor that completely changes the environment.

Along with balloon arches and neon signs, perhaps you’re considering gifting your partner flowers or toasting with Champagne. Create a checklist of everything you will need to do before the big moment.

Practice Your Speech

You don’t need to memorize the entire speech but you should know what you want to say because it is always good to have an idea of what you’d like to say, particularly when nerves are involved.

If you don’t know what to talk about, recount how you felt when you first met, when you realized your partner was “the one”, what you love most about your partner, how they have helped you evolve in a positive way, and what your dreams for the future are. Share personal stories if possible, but be sincere above all else.

Pop the Question and Celebrate!

After your partner agrees, take a moment to enjoy it together, just the two of you, go for dinner or champagne. Then FaceTime and call everyone you know.

Perhaps you are also interested in throwing a big party with all of your friends and family. This could mean catching your future spouse off guard with an engagement party on the same night you propose or deciding to host a party at a later date.

What are Some of the Best Exciting and Romantic Ways to Propose?

With Thanksgiving already over and Christmas just around the corner, here are some super-fun and out-of-the-box ideas on how to propose to your sweetheart and ask the biggest and most important question of them all:

Plan a romantic picnic

It can be casual, perhaps in your own yard with fairy lights, or quite epic, on top of a high mountain after an epic hike. And to make it super easy – Ask for Help!

Companies that create curated picnic experiences are in no short supply. For ideas, look on the Internet at my friends from picnic planning web sites.

First Date Do-Over

Do you remember your first date? Let’s do it again but with a surprise ending: A RING!

Surprise Party

Perhaps your beloved loves a big bash and the center of attention. If that’s the case, a super-unexpected and happy way to propose is to surprise him or her with a party and all the people that you love enjoying your love together.

Serenaded by Your Favorite Band

Countless couples I know met in part through their love of music. Score tickets to a good band and choose the right moment to propose. There’s no better place to get engaged if you live near a great concert venue like Sandia Casino Amphitheater!

Scavenger Hunt

This one requires, to be fair, a lot of forethought, imagination, and most important, planning. Basically you lay a trail of clues for your partner to follow until they reach the end, this means of course you’re proposing.

Hopefully, you will make use of locations that are meaningful and resonate with the two of you specifically (i.e. your favorite bakery; the park you stroll through every weekend; the baseball stadium where you root for your favorite team; the restaurant you went to on your first date; etc).

Custom Puzzle or Game Night

You can even custom order a puzzle that has the words Will You Marry Me or design one that the answer is a ring or “Marry Me” ... You get the point! You can include friends in on this one in a fun way as well.

Skywriting

It was, like, written in the stars for you, right? Propose in the sky by hiring a company to skywrite your devotion. Epic, indeed!

Hot Air Balloon during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Make your partner’s heart skip a beat and ascend to new heights by proposing on a hot air balloon ride. For extra romance, wonder and awe, I suggest doing this on sunset or sunrise ride.

Scuba Diving or Snow Skiing

For those of you that love the water of the snow and are “adventurous and cavalier”, two good, fun and memorable ideas.

A Holiday Proposal

People just LOVE the holidays, and the thought of a proposal then. The possibilities are endless: A ring falling out of the cornucopia on Thanksgiving, a ring on the Christmas tree as an ornament, a ring in the gingerbread house, a ring as the 8th gift of Hanukkah…. Or not a ring at all, just a snowy sleigh ride and a question….

“Will you marry me?”

How Do I Safely Clean My Gold Jewelry at Home?

Cleaning gold jewelry at home is an easy process that requires nothing more than some items you probably have in your kitchen.

The natural oils, germs and bacteria are easy to be washed off gold jewelry with some dish soap and warm water, particularly with gemstone or pearl embellished jewelry.

You can restore the shine to your gold jewelry by cleaning it regularly with a homemade mixture or a store-bought gold jewelry cleaner. Keep reading to learn how to clean gold jewelry at home using a quick DIY cleaner.

Never use toothpaste, baking soda, bleach, ammonia or any commercial metal cleaner on gold jewelry. These abrasives and caustic chemicals will scratch, harm or eat into gold alloys, gemstones and pearls.

Look for Loose Gemstones and Embellishments

Make sure that all loose gemstones and embellishments on each piece are intact. Place items with loose stones or embellishments in for repair immediately to avoid losing them.

Remove plain or safely set gold jewelry for cleaning.

Mix the Dish Soap Cleaning Solution

In a small bowl, place some warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Combine the soap and water thoroughly.

If your gold jewelry does contain pearls or gemstones, do not add vinegar to your soap-and-water cleaning solution, as vinegar will damage these materials. You shouldn’t use vinegar to clean plated gold, either.

Soak for 10 to 20 Minutes

Place gold jewelry in the bowl one piece at a time, and let sit for 10 to 20 min. To avoid scratching, it is advisable to clean only one or two gold items at a time in the bowl so that they do not rub against each other.

Scrub Gently with a Soft Toothbrush

Examine gold jewelry pieces and gently rub off any buildup with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Also of help with jewelry cleaning can be a soft bristle eyebrow brush. The stiff bristles can scuff the gold. And cotton swabs can get to small crevices and help remove dirt.

Rinse and Dry

Take pieces out of soapy water and rinse with plain water.

Wipe each dry piece individually with a soft cotton cloth. Do not use paper towels to dry your gold jewelry as they can easily scratch the surface, particularly on higher karat gold.

Smart Strategic Tip - If you have inadvertently cleaned your gold with silver polish or some other cleaner and your pieces are dulled, remedy this with a mixture of dish soap and water.

Place your jewelry in the solution, wait five minutes and wipe the film off with a soft cotton cloth. Soak the jewelry again in the soap-and-water solution for 15 minutes and then rinse and dry.

How Often to Clean Gold Jewelry

Pieces that are worn regularly should be cleaned monthly or whenever the finish appears to be losing its luster. Gold does not tarnish like silver but has acquired a dull patina with regular use. Also, lower karat gold has a higher ratio of alloys that will tarnish in the presence of excess chemicals, such as chlorine, alcohol, acids and sulfur compounds.

Tips to Keep Gold Jewelry Clean Longer

Remove gold jewelry before washing hands or bathing as soap scum can build up on the surface.

Remove all jewelry prior to entering a hot tub, swimming pool, or the ocean/bay/any beach. Chlorine, acids, sulfur, and salt will attack and destroy or discolor gold, especially if it is not 24k. Gold jewelry is structurally compromised by chlorine and will eventually break.

Do not allow hair sprays, make-up, medicated lotions, and creams to come in contact with gold jewelry.

Store gold jewelry in individual compartments of a fabric-lined jewelry box so that pieces do not scratch one another and dull the finish.

How Do I Prevent My Ears from Getting Infected After Wearing Earrings?

This may seem small, but your ears require more care after it. While you need to do everything you can to make your ears feel better or worse, they may look sore or infected. It will show you why ear infections can occur and what you can do to keep your ears clean and healthy.

Know Why Ear Infections Happen

The small hole in your ear open and soft after you remove your earrings. Germs like bacteria or fungi can enter easily. This can happen more if your ears are wet, dirty, or irritated.

Ear infections may be caused by other common causes, such as:

·         Wiping your hands before touching your ears.

·         Wearing earrings that make you uncomfortable by using materials you don’t like.

·         Pulling out earrings too quickly or roughly.

Tip: Be gentle when cutting earrings and don't rub your ears.

Keep Your Ears Clean Every Day

Clear ears are healthy ears. Never wash your hands in soap first, so that your earlobes don’t get dirty. Before the earrings are removed, clean the hole with a soft cloth or cotton pad.

Use a gentle and alcohol-free cleanser or salty water to wash away earlobes. This helps clear away dirt and germs that may cause problems.

Tip: Wash your ears twice at breakfast and once in the morning a few days after removal earrings.

Choose the Right Earring Materials

Mostly earrings are painful to touch or can make you feel allergic. This can be a itching, redness or even infection. To keep your ears happy, wear earrings that are safe like:

·         Surgical stainless steel.

·         Pure gold.

·         Titanium

Do not wear cheap earrings or nickel earrings if you’re sensitive to ears.

Tip: If you feel like your ears hurt and itch frequently, wear hilton-quality earrings.

Take Care of Your Ears After Taking Earrings Out

When you remove your earrings, your ears still need a bit of attention. Check for signs of: Redness Swelling Pain or yellow discharge

If you feel achy, you can apply a small amount of antibiotic cream or ointment to your ears only if the doctor has said it’s okay.

Tip: Try to rest your ears for a few days before you wear earrings unless your earrings feel sore.

See a Doctor If It Doesn’t Get Better

A bit still can get infected even if you don’t do everything right. If you notice. Pain that won’t go away Bad smell. High-volume swelling A fever or sickle?

The doctor or nurse should be your friend or relative. They can give you the proper medicine to prevent infections.

Tip: Don’t wait too long. Early treatment can stop the infection from spreading.

Final Thoughts

Your ears will be comfortable and safe to care for after removing earrings. Clean hands, jewelry and a little attention can keep your ears healthy and free of infection.

Note these steps: Be clean Be gentle. Choose safe materials See for signs of infection. Go to the doctor if you can’t find him

Here are some easy tips to keep earrings stylish and safe for your ears.

How Do I Clean and Care for My Earrings at Home Safely?

Earrings are gorgeous touches to your daily aesthetic – but they’re also magnets for dirt, oil, and bacteria. And regardless of whether you wear them every day or just on special occasions, keeping your beloved kicks clean – not only for looks, but hygiene – is key.

Ways to clean earrings at home, disinfect earrings using rubbing alcohol, and how to clean gold, silver, diamonds and pearls without harming them.

Why is it important to clean your earrings regularly?

Cleaning your earrings is not only cosmetic, it’s a matter of health.

Also, dirt, sweat, natural skin oils, even shampoo can accumulate on earrings, particularly the backs and posts of earrings which are in direct contact with your pierced ears. Over time, this can lead to irritation, or even infection.

This is why it’s always important to clean your earrings, particularly if you wear them every day. Plus, clean earrings are essential for your ear piercings to heal appropriately and be healthy, particularly if you just recently started wearing a new pair of earrings or changed metals.

What do you need to clean earrings at home?

Cleaning earrings doesn’t require special instruments; you probably have everything you need at home. How you can clean the earrings at home will often depend on the type of earrings you possess, but a good general list includes:

1.      Warm water

2.      Dish soap or soapy water

3.      A soft cloth or clean cloth

4.      A small bowl or cup

5.      Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide

6.      Optional: baking soda or alcohol-free wipes

How to clean gold earrings without damage

The trick to cleaning gold earrings is to not be abrasive. Gold is a soft metal, and so can be scratched with abrasive scrubbing or rubbing.

A safe and effective way to do this is:

•         Prepare A drop or two of dish soap mixed with warm water in a bowl.

•         Soak the earrings for a few minutes, anywhere from 5-10 minutes will help loosen dirt.

•         Use a soft cloth or soft toothbrush to gently scrub the earrings.

•         Rinse earrings in clean water and dry thoroughly.

Do not soak gold earrings in rubbing alcohol for too long as it may dissolve fine finishes. If it’s necessary to disinfect earrings a quick swipe with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol is harmless.

How to clean silver earrings and prevent tarnish

Luna Felix Goldsmith only sells gold earrings.

Don’t clean gold earrings or earrings set with precious gems with baking soda because it will damage them. However, this is good information for everyone with silver earrings.

Silver earrings are easily oxidized, particularly if you do not keep them in a jewelry box or wear them frequently.

To clean silver earrings and restore their shine:

•         Prepare a paste of baking soda and water.

•         Rub it lightly onto the earrings with your fingers or a soft cloth.

•         Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Alternate method: Use foil, hot water, baking soda, and a touch of salt in a bowl. Put the earrings on the tin foil and allow them to sit for five minutes. The foil will absorb the tarnish!

Do not use hydrogen peroxide for sterling silver as it is not effective and can cause dullness over time.

How to clean diamond earrings and bring back the sparkle

Diamond earrings are most beautiful when they are shining – but those cut stones become dulled when they are slicked with lotion or oils. To clean diamond earrings:

•         Submerge in a solution of warm water and dish soap for 15-20 minutes.

•         Gently scrub around the diamond and setting with a soft toothbrush.

•         Under warm water rinse them and place them in a clean cloth to dry.

You can also rub them on rubbing alcohol for a moment disinfection and shine. Just make sure to dry the earrings properly so they don’t get any residue.

Can you clean pearl earrings with rubbing alcohol?

Pearl earrings need special care. Pearls are soft and porous – rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and soapy water can all damage them. Instead:

•         After every use wipe with a soft cloth moistened with water.

•         Do not soak or use strong cleaners.

•         Keep them in a separate pouch in your jewelry box.

•         To clean pearl earrings, it is possible to use a very diluted baby shampoo in water and a cotton swab; just wipe and dry gently.

Cleaning earrings with rubbing alcohol

Using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect earrings

For disinfecting earrings, rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are your besties. Both have an antibacterial effect and sanitize metal parts.

This is how to do this:

•         Submerge the metal parts of the earrings into rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for about 5-10 minutes.

•         Remove the earrings and set them on a clean towel.

•         Ensure they are completely dry before putting them back.

Do not apply hydrogen peroxide to pearl earrings, or those made of soft stones. For a fast disinfect of gold or silver earrings, simply moisten a cotton swab with a little alcohol.

How to clean earring backs and posts

The back of your earrings tends to accumulate more buildup than you’d expect, which can lead to gunk and even infection. Here’s how to clean:

•         Remove any earring backs and soak both posts and backs in soapy water.

•         Use a toothbrush to dislodge gunk in the back and around the post.

•         First rinse then disinfect with rubbing alcohol.

•         Use a clean towel to dry everything before reassembling.

Do this regularly – it’s amazing how much fresher your pierced ears will feel with clean earring posts!

Natural methods - Can baking soda and warm water clean earrings?

Indeed!

Baking soda is a mild abrasive but works well to remove tarnish and dirt from metal earrings. Baking soda should never be used on gold earrings, or earrings with precious stones.

•         Combine 1 part of baking soda to 2 parts warm water.

•         This paste can be used to clean gold, silver, or diamond earrings.

•         Rinse thoroughly and dry the earrings with a clean cloth.

It is particularly suited to those who prefer not to expose their bodies to harsh chemicals or for those who wish to leave their earrings in without using alcohol-based solutions. But do not do this with pearl earrings as the abrasiveness will dull the surface of the pearl.

Tips to Keep Your Earrings Clean and Safe Between Wears

Cleaning isn’t just about the washing, though, of course, it is! These are easy habits to adopt: · Take off your earrings before swimming or showering.

•         Keep each pair stored in a clean, dry jewelry box or pouch.

•         Clean your earrings at least once per month – more if you wear them every day.

•         Always disinfect earrings after illness or sharing.

•         Take care to handle earrings only while your hands are clean to avoid transferring oils and dirt.

These small steps ensure hygiene and aesthetics, allowing your favorite pairs to remain sparkling and your pierced ears to be healthy.

Knowing how to clean your earrings isn’t just a great habit – It can protect your health and keep your jewelry looking gorgeous. So, go get some rubbing alcohol, some warm water, and treat your favorite pair to a refresh!

How Do I Choose the Right Earrings for Sensitive Ears?

The right earrings enhance your facial beauty and give you a sense of greater attractiveness. But, earrings can sometimes be a major issue, particularly if you have sensitive earlobes. They can cause annoying signs and symptoms of swelling, itching and pain.

But, that does not prevent allergic people from beautifying themselves with earrings. Rather, hypoallergic, biocompatible alternatives should be sought, such as gold earrings for sensitive ears.

Luna Felix Goldsmith has pointed out what to seek out and avoid in earring metals for sensitive ears, so that you can safely enhance beauty without hurting yourself.

What Causes Irritation from Earrings?

The main cause of earring irritation is earring allergy. The materials that but together earrings is a problem for your tender skin. Some people are allergic to metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper when used for earrings.

In addition to metals, infection at the pierce location can lead to irritation from earrings. The infections are due to wrong aftercare or wearing earrings that you haven’t properly sterilized.

What to Look for and Avoid in Earrings for Sensitive Skin

When searching for sensitive-skin safe earrings, steer clear of irritants. Never wear nickel, the most common allergic irritant of the earlobe; in fact, you should avoid nickel earrings altogether. In addition, steer clear of earrings made of other metals such as cobalt and copper.

Hypoallergenic and biocompatible earrings are often safe. Both kinds are made with metals for sensitive ears, such as those used for earrings. The safe metals are surgical stainless steel, titanium, gold, nickel, platinum brass and.

Unless you want to gamble with any other earring, Luna Felix Goldsmith suggests the following for customers with earring allergies. The picks are made of biocompatible materials that hardly induce allergic reactions.

Platinum Diamond Earring

Platinum diamond earrings are made of platinum and diamond. The metals used to create these fine earrings for sensitive ears, are beautifully designed, and are very durable. Earrings fashioned from them will always be in style and will not break for decades.

In addition to strength and aesthetics, platinum diamonds are inert, one of the characteristics that makes it safe for your delicate earlobes. This means that earrings made of platinum diamond will hardly react with your skin.

Anodized Titanium Earrings

These earrings, as the name implies, are made of anodized titanium. This metal is non-reactive with the skin, and is biocompatible. It is not surprising then that titanium is the most popular material to be used for medical implants and surgical devices.

In addition, titanium is very light. This means that, even if you have to wear jewelry for long periods of time, earrings made in this metal will alleviate pressure and discomfort on earlobes. Better still, anodized titanium earrings are also made with excellent corrosion resistance.

Gold Earrings for Sensitive Ears

Another option for allergic earring wearers are gold earrings, like Luna Felix Goldsmith earrings, 14K gold being the safest. Like titanium, 14K gold for earrings is also biocompatible, which means earlobes are less likely to react to the metal and cause discomforts such as itching.

Besides being biocompatible, gold earrings for sensitive ears also do not tarnish for a long time. Due to this excellent tarnish resistance, your gold earrings for sensitive skin will always be beautiful.

For over two decades, Santa Fe earrings shoppers have turned to Luna Felix Goldsmith as their trusted Santa Fe jeweler. Come by our Santa Fe store, located at 116 W San Francisco St # 208, Santa Fe, NM 87501 to browse our beautiful collection of earrings.

When Did Diamonds Become Associated with Engagement Rings?

A marriage proposal is accepted when the recipient receives an engagement ring. Anthropologists trace this tradition to a Roman custom in which wives wore rings attached to small keys, indicating their husbands’ ownership.

The Austria Royalty Diamond Engagement Ring Connection

The first recorded diamond engagement ring was gifted by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to his soon-to-be bride, Mary of Burgundy in 1477. This initiated a vogue for diamond rings among European aristocracy and nobility.

Sentimental Victorians popularized engagement ring designs that mixed diamonds and other gemstones, precious metals, and enamels. They were frequently in flower shapes, and were known as “posey rings.” Edwardian Era Engagement Rings The juxtaposition of diamonds with other precious stones, often set in filigree was a tradition for diamond rings during the Edwardian era.

De Beers Connection Diamond Engagement Ring

In 1947, De Beers debuted its now iconic marketing slogal “A Diamond is Forever.” The unbreakable nature of the diamond had symbolism for the American consciousness, forever meaning marriage.

Now, a diamond’s purity and dazzle is emblematic of how deeply two individuals worldwide promise to treasure one another. The DeBeers mines in Africa made diamonds more accessible.

In the 1930s, when demand for diamond rings declined in the U.S. during hard economic times, the De Beers Company began a marketing campaign using photographs of glamorous movie stars swathed in diamonds. Within three years, the sales of diamonds had increased by 50 percent.

It’s still about celebrating a union and preserved memory, but with more cuts come more styles as an easy path for diamond lovers.

The History of Popular Cuts

The round brilliant, made up of 58 facets that divide the stone into a top half and a bottom half, is by far the most popular cut for diamond engagement rings. The princess cut, the emerald cut and the oval cut are a few runners up, with cushion cuts trending all of a sudden.

Are you proposal ready?

Find the perfect proposal tips and more from Luna Felix Jewelry, then when you’re ready, come visit us. When you are ready to make the commitment of your life and prepare for a custom diamond engagement ring, contact Luna Felix jewelry store at 505.470.5611 in Santa Fe New Mexico.

When Were Earrings First Worn in Human History?

Earrings have been worn for thousands of years in many different parts of the world. Ear piercings are among the oldest recorded body modifications in history. Men and women of all social classes have worn earrings by various cultures throughout history.

Ancient Civilizations

Gold, carnelian, and lapis lazuli are common materials among Sumerian earrings from 2600 BCE, although older examples most certainly exist but have not been preserved.

Earrings made from gold, silver, and bronze can be seen in the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete which was active from 3,000 to 1,100 BCE.

The Aegean, a golden age civilization of Bronze Age Greece demonstrates that hooped earrings were a favorite fashion as can be seen by the richness and variety of them in this great culture. It is safe to say that the piercing was indeed in men’s ears by frescoes showing warriors wearing earrings as these and other archaeological evidence date back to Ancient Persia.

Tutankhamun’s tomb, discovered in 1922, indicated that although the ancient king wasn’t wearing earrings, he did have pierced earlobes. Earrings were found in his tomb, so it is most likely that he did wear them.

Examining his tomb, researchers also discovered that holes had been made in the ears of burial masks and were covered by golden discs. Howard Carter, the archaeologist that discovered it, suggests this indicates children wore earrings in Ancient Egypt and not adults. This aspect is manifested with the fact that it's still common in Egypt (or at least until very recently) for earrings to be only worn by children.

From the Biblical sources, such as the Exodus, I know that earrings were worn in the ancient civilizations. For instance, Exodus seems to mention earrings belonging to children. In Greece and Rome, by the classical period, earrings were places commonly in the ears of women. I also learned that men wearing an earring was an oriental practice.

This is correct as one source indicates that many Ainu men and women in Japan had earrings. However, by the 19th century, the ears of all Ainu men were cut off.

The History of Earrings in England

During the late 1500s, the time of the English Renaissance, earrings became the fashion for gentlefolk of any sex. Ear piercings also had meaning for men that were sailors; a pierced lobe meant they had sailed the equator or around the world at that point. Sometime after that, it seems that earrings became once more solely a woman’s accoutrement. A woman of a certain status would wear earrings daily, but it was not in vogue or dignified for a man. However, in the 20 th century, men began wearing them again. In the 1960s, though, a man’s right lobe being pierced indicated homosexuality.

Western Europe was certainly not a safe place to be openly gay in the 1960s, so coded clothes existed. Today, it is fashionable to see both men and women creating holes in their earlobes to fit with various earring types.

The ‘punk’ subculture had adopted ear piercing as a symbol of defiance by the mid-80’s and it was also popular to get every part of the ear pierced, not just the lobe. An extension of this counterculture movement reached fruition in the late-90s/early-00s when young’uns started stretching out their earlobes outward from a lobe pierce.

Even today, lobe piercing is the most popular type of ear piercing. Common types of earrings are the studs, hanging earrings and ears like people who want to wear a jewelry that does not have their ear pierced.

What do Earrings Symbolize?

Some of the meanings behind earrings have been answered but there are multiple roads to travel down. In early Christian culture, earrings were a clash of the Christian faith, men felt that to alter one’s body was in doing so changing God’s divine creation.

Similarly, in Buddhism, images of the Buddha always have a stretched earlobe or ears with no jewelry at all as it is said that before he became Buddha (or Enlightened One), his lobes were weighed down by his heavy earrings and he removed them when renouncing worldly life to become a monk and devote himself fully to his spiritual path.

Old Romans, however graduated from using engraved golden earrings as a form of signifier to their favored political leaning, in the same way you or I might wear pin badges or have stickers on our cars or windows. Long, heavy earrings made of plain or engraved gold in ancient times were used for financial status and to show one's power.

Nowadays, earrings are not as a product to identify oneself with whatever category and trait one is associated with—whether Dutchy or punk rock – all exemptions applied They were, however, closely related to the culture in which one lived at that time.

The Purpose of Earrings

It can be all too tempting to dismiss earrings as being quite frivolous but – and the crux of the matter is – they actually have no purpose at all, except decoration that is.

In Ancient Persia (perhaps the earliest known civilization to have adorned themselves with earrings), soldiers shared a similar belief soldiers and sailors wore golden earrings as a symbol of their courage, in hopes that they would be protected by the gods during battle. Following this line of logic, other ancient civilizations such as Rome and Greece sported earrings with the idea that metal could ward off demons - a popular theory was that demons entered through the ears to get into peoples brains.

Gold earrings were also the second currency in multi-cultural applications, for example among sailors. Should any of the soldiers die at sea and be washed ashore they were to use their gold earrings for a decent burial. A pair of earrings bore engravings detailing the hometowns of soldiers whose bodies were to be repatriated for burial.

These steps are not necessary in today's world as earrings are primarily worn for their jewelry sound and visual appearance including piercings in areas of the ear that may alleviate chronic headaches and nausea.

The History of Hoop Earrings

When discussing the usage of earrings by early civilizations, almost all examples discovered have been hoop earrings of varying sizes. Though studs are seemingly more prevalent now, hoops were in fact worn first. It’s not just sailors who had hoop earrings on; even rulers did, and beyond this all the way to the 18th century there have been representations of rich people wearing hoop earrings.

Indeed, throughout the 20th century, women of color greatly popularized hoop earrings. From Josephine Baker in the early 20th century to Jennifer Lopez and Selena Quintanilla in the 1990s — as well as women across the spectrum of color — large hoops have been a stylistic staple for many women over the course of both 20th and 21st centuries.

The History of Stud Earrings

Stud earrings were not so much a style as a necessity until recently. During the time of Queen Victoria to around the fifties, ear-piercing had gone out of fashion, and was considered something only for men and sailors.

Clip-on earrings became all the rage instead of stud earrings. There are so many old/vintage clip-on earrings, and this is why. In the latter of the 20th century earlobe piercing again became popular among women as well and fashion forward young ones had "piercing parties".

Piercings and body modifications go a long way back within human history, from the frozen body of a 5,000 year old man found in Alps of Italy with pierced ear lobes to young people today who tend to have one (or more) earring in their ears. Ear piercing has been practised all over the world since ancient times.

When Did the Tradition of Engagement Rings Begin?

Here’s a look at the evolution of this beloved piece of wedding jewelry.

How It All Started

For centuries, engagement rings have been the ultimate declarations of love, whether you’re already engaged, fantasizing about the day when your partner will propose to you or just a fan of that one glittering diamond sitting on your finger.

And while we're at it, the engagement rings that we hold so near and dear today are not what they used to be —in fact, the history of these glittering gemstones is sure to put a sparkle in your eye. What we perceive as a sign of physical marriage today was simply a sign of possession to the Romans and Egyptians back in the 2nd century BC1. Not very romantic, right?

Fortunately, things have changed since, but if you’ve ever wanted to know more about how this wedding extra went from zero to hero then we’ve compiled a quick guide on the history of engagement rings. Here’s your quick primer on how these sparklers got their start, how they’ve developed and what they represent in contemporary times.

Roman Era

Like a lot of modern traditions, engagement rings date back to Ancient Rome, where Roman women wore rings made from ivory, flint, bone, copper or iron “as a sign of business contracts” or “to assert mutual love and obedience” to men (Gemological Institute of America (GIA))2. These Roman trinkets were based on rings worn by Egyptian pharaohs, who wore such symbols to represent the sun, moon— earth's only companions at the time, as they knew it (according to the GIA official website1).

Also according to the GIA, it wasn’t until 850 CE that engagement rings were officially assigned a meaning when it became customary for Pope Nicholas I to publically announce that this particular piece of jewelry represented a man’s agreement to marry2. The Cape Town Diamond Museum also notes that the diamond would not be seen on an engagement ring until 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a stone set in the form of an “M”.3

Cut to the 15th century, when engagement rings took on the symbolism of intertwined unity that we now associate with them. This is was also the time period when gimmel rings, which are made from three interlocking bands, would start to appear on fingers of couples in love sometimes – each band worn separately by the couple and then joined together as one (the third being the wedding band) for their big day to be worn by the new bride in her wedding ring set.

Final Thoughts

They were followed by posy rings, baubles that had inscriptions of love poetry secretly engraved on the inside of the band and became a craze in their own right — couples exchanged both silver, which was often used as a placeholder until gold could be afforded, and gold posy rings at their nuptials.

When Did Engagement Rings Become Popular in the World and America?

When Did Engagement Rings Become Popular in the World and America?

There may be many factors as to how a marriage proposal take place – the surprise, the setting and of course the reply are all possibilities that change from person to person.

But they will almost always include one constant: it’s bound to feature a ring; a diamond ring specifically.

While people getting engaged or exchanging wedding bands is of course not a new concept (let's be honest, we can't see this one disappearing any time soon and did you know that it dates way back to Ancient Rome?) the dominance of diamonds in all this has occurred over more recent times.

How It All Started

Jewelry made from diamond has been popular since 13th century, in history the first ring was given by a king. These were set in crowns, necklaces and other jewelry but generally weren’t worn to serve as a statement of a person’s love and commitment.

Most likely, the Archduke Maximilian of Austria was offering her when she received a beautiful as well as delicate ring to be liked as the very first diamond engagement ring! The ring — gold set with diamonds in the shape of an M — started a trend that continued for a century, as even royals and other nobility would use these stones to show their fidelity.

Still, for much of the 20th century, diamond rings were relatively rare as a vehicle for marriage proposals. The tradition of engagement rings arrived in the U.S. circa the 1840s, but it wasn’t until the mid-1870s and a discovery of large diamond veins in South Africa that diamonds were more accessible, even to middle-class consumers.

1800s Era

In 1888, to curb supply and control prices in the market, South African miners formed the De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. (now De Beers) cartel to protect their investment and profits. De Beers managed every facet of the industry — right down to marketing — and it worked hard to convince the world that diamonds were rare, and a signifier of status.

But it would be another half century before people started to associate them with love and marriage. Prior to World War I, most brides received gemstones in their rings, although only 10 percent were diamonds.

The Great Depression in the 1930s led to a collapse in the diamond market. People, paradoxically enough, cut back on luxury and stuck to the basics — and as a result they broke an entire country’s heart (or to be more precise: It broke the hearts of those whose sense of well-being depends on borrowing from future growth).

Marriage rates dropped and the couples who did commit to each other opted for rings at a lower cost with smaller, low-quality diamonds.

De Beers Golden Era

With a surplus to unload, De Beers embarked on a propaganda campaign for diamonds. In 1938, they retained the New York ad agency N. W. Ayer to launch a long-term, coordinated effort to associate diamonds with marriage and commitment.

Using Hollywood celebrities who displayed their diamonds on and off the screen, the campaign was explicit not about selling a particular brand but about selling the idea that it should be diamonds, and only diamonds, which were the measure of a man’s love. The bigger and more expensive the rock, went one oft-repeated adage at the time, the more committed to his marriage a man was — and here was an analogy that would justify both bigger-bridge clubs’ higher charges as well as how astounding it would soon become.

One of the best ad slogans in all of history was coined by Ayer in 1948: “A Diamond Is Forever.” Suddenly, diamonds were not simply a requirement for marriage — an emblem of eternity — but they also appreciated in value over time since few tried to resell them. De Beers also established a price for love, determining that the standard one-month’s salary (by the 1980s it had been inflated to two) spent on something to last forever was what one should have paid.

And as the diamond jeans so became the measure of a man, and the idea that he should want to get married, women started expecting them — more importantly, wanting men to value an object they have. At a time when women had not access to economic independence or power, diamond rings turned out to be one of the best sources of wealth and insurance for rainy days.

De Beers was profitable because diamonds were so strongly associated with a (heterosexual) marriage commitment, but the company had less luck when it tried to expand its brand. In the 1980s, responding to feminism and women’s increasing economic power, De Beers sought to convince women that they too should receive diamond rings from their men. Yet the campaign flopped spectacularly, because they couldn’t get anyone to let go of the notion that a man’s love (and worth) — not a woman’s — was measured by carats.

What Happen Now

Of course, men enjoy wearing diamonds too. Over the past years, bling culture with its diamond jewelry has been values by both sexes in the hip hop community. And as more LGBTQ people become visible, men in jewels have gone mainstream. But women still have a lock on the diamond when it comes to engagement and wedding rings. According to the wedding website The Knot, just 7 percent of men wear engagement rings (most of which are worn by same-sex couples) and very few of those feature gemstones.

Indeed, the association of diamonds with marriage is so powerful that it is not clear how De Beers will survive the steady decline in marriage rates. With the industry in crisis once again, one strategy is to stretch love beyond marriage. As a recent Jared spot claimed, diamonds are for all significant others: mothers, sisters or even BFFs.

As we know, love can come in many different forms, and marriage is just one of them. But square or pear-shaped, if De Beers holds sway, it will feature diamonds — and many of them.

Why is Custom Jewelry a Better Way to Go Compared to Mass-Produced Jewelry?

Buying a special piece of jewelry, be it an engagement ring, birthday gift or just something for yourself is always going to be a huge decision custom vs mass produced jewelry.

Mass-produced pieces are a streamlined system and you may be thinking that they would make things quicker or cheaper, but custom jewelry provides so much more than sparkle. It can be equally time consuming when you order as well.

We will take an in-depth look at the true differences and why custom jewelry is worth every single cent (and more).

Quality That Lasts

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not understanding that custom jewelry does not compare to mass-produced jewelry.

At Myranda Fine Jewelry, we produce every piece by hand in the U.S.A using premium materials. Solid gold, not metal bodies It also means no shortcuts.

The custom pieces we use are meant to withstand a long time and don’t bend or break easily. In fact, Myranda claims that she could take a mass-manufactured ring and fold it in half between her fingers. Well you can't do that with custom jewelry.

Mass production pieces in jewellery are created by machines, and a lot of the time have a modern feel with less weight. The prongs, (those little arms that grip in your stone) are brittle and require frequent re-tipping.

These are very tough built custom torque locking prongs. We believe it so much that we even give you a lifetime warranty.

What You See is Not Always What you Get

You know when you order that cool looking thing online but then it comes in the mail and its…a mess?

In our jewelry making world, this is a common happening when the items are made on an assembly line.

A nice, well-prepared photo comes your way unfiltered and then what appears is typically a cheaper imitation of what you thought it might be. The stones could be lackluster, the ring may feel insubstantial, and it just pales — in comparison to the picture.

It is how the mass-produced jewelry are made— quick and cheapest.

It is lower cost because it is made with less use of gold and inferior stones. Yes, it might seem like for a good price but the product is most likely going to be crap/opinion

Benefits of Custom Feature

Go with a custom piece and that jewelry will come with context.

Our process at Myranda Fine Jewelry begins with an initial consultation where we get to know your preferences, style and the most important aspects of your life.

An example would be a nurse who has to put their gloves on all day, so something that fits that need — maybe it is lower profile and no prongs. We consider things you may not even think of, so your piece looks great and functional.

The emotional value attached to a custom piece is just unmeasurable. You are part of the process from A-Z. Create a story — designing a ring with my partner, putting stones from my grandmother's necklace into the final piece. It’s one-of-a-kind, just like you.

Is Custom Always More Expensive?

Not at all.

The general perception is that anything custom made would come at a cost. While custom pieces can be more expensive (especially with the larger diamonds and rare gemstones) they do not always need to cost you an arm and a leg.

Myranda Fine Jewelry can also cater to all budgets. We can create something amazing whether you're spending $500 or $81,000. We are friendly, affordable, and always here to help from beginning to end.

At Wishing Well, we think creative custom jewelry should feel un-intimidating. Just let us know what you want, we make it happen without any hassle.

The Smart Long-Term Choice

YOU are making a colossal move in your life.

It is not an ordinary gift for a birthday, anniversary or engagement. This would be something that you or your loved would wear as a keepsake, and possibly for life.

This is why custom jewelry vs mass-produced jewelry is more than just an interesting conversation to have. Creating custom jewelry is not only beautiful. It's not only about customization, quality and timeless craftsmanship. It is designed for your life and narrative.

Even better, if you have old stones or family pieces you want to utilize. We love transforming nostalgic materials into fresh new pieces and keeping the love alive!

Final Thoughts

While it may seem faster and easier to go with mass-produced styles, custom jewelry provides you with better materials, craftsmanship by experts, and a relationship with the piece.

If you know what you want to do or have no clue, It’s okay!

We will listen to you, give you advice and build just what is suitable for you. You do not have to go for what is on the shelf, you can have something as unique as its story.

What’s the Difference Between Custom Jewelry and Mass-Produced Jewelry?

Consumers have a lot of choices when it comes to buying fine jewelry, but not all of them are well designed or made. It is really easy to get blown away by the choices, from hand-created jewelry items by experienced artisans all the way to cars stampeed out by factories.

So, what really makes these two types of jewelry different? In this article, we will explore custom-made vs. mass-produced jewelry to make you decide what suits best when buying that one-of-a-kind piece.

The Process of Creation

One of the main differences between custom and mass-produced jewelry is in the creation process.

Artisans create custom pieces that involve so much more as they work intimately with you in designing, crafting to deliver these uniquely catered pieces of jewelry. This can be a time-consuming process, taking week or even months to finish as the artist picks out materials, designs and prepares the jewel.

Conversely, mass-produced jewelry is made in a factory and has patterns partially designed for it beforehand. Mass production has been created to be efficient and cheap which can produce hundreds or thousands identical in a relatively short time.

Working One on One with the Designer

One of the benefits of working with a jewelry designer is getting because you get direct access to aestiticians.

That way you can easily get a special souvenir that aligns with your taste. You can team up with the designer and discuss your likes and dislikes, needs, life style etc., based on this information he will formulate a piece suited for you that will not only look beautiful but also functional.

One of the benefits is collaboration and communication which will be way different if you are working with a designer directly. You will be consulted along with the way, make any changes required and ensure you are 100% happy before we release the final product.

The designer is able to supplement with qualified advice, recommendations and pointers, to specify best materials, designadvice and much more. You can trust the designer's talent, know-how, and knowledge that The end product will be excellent.

Materials and Quality

Materials & Quality: There is a big difference between mass-produced jewelry and handmade jewelry in terms of the materials used and the finished product quality.

Most custom jewelry is usually made from a beautiful material such as gold, silver, or platinum. For gemstones, we are looking for diamonds as natural trends and emeralds or sapphires on the little side until a touch of ruby in red.

The jeweler will look in to the Minimize, Shade, Clarity along with a few other attributes belonging to the gems so your finish merchandise is of top quality. Moreover, custom jewelry is usually hallmarked to assure the quality of the metal and distinguished gemstones.

However, most fashion jewelry is manufactured with cheap materials such as alloy metals and synthetic colored or treated gemstones, due to the higher cost of precious materials.

By downgrading the materials, it may make the piece look less pleasing to your eyes and will likely also affect the lifespan of your custom-designed piece.

And lastly, with the production of jewelry in mass it cannot be emphasized that there is no hallmark or certificate salvation for natural stones and precious metals. This results in a finished piece that may not be as well-made or good looking, and true to the original part.

Attention to Detail

When it comes to the attention to detail, custom vs mass-produced jewelry are basically polar opposites.

Handmade jewelry is usually handmade due to the fact that it has been very carefully designed and built by a craftsman who has taken notice of even the minutest things in crafting it.

That means, by the time it's ready to be woven, what a weaver gets is indeed a work of art, every single detail has been thought through and implemented to perfection.

Mass-produced jewelry has no such personal touch, it is simply churned out of a machine all the same. It is all about the NUMBER of pieces you can put out as quickly as possible, not trying to create an extremely high end unique and beautiful piece.

Cost

Cost: The first difference between custom and mass-produced jewelry that should come to mind is perhaps the most obvious. Of course, custom jewelry is also usually more expensive than ready-made pieces, because it takes longer to create and uses better materials.

But the price is indeed important, and not only because it affects the consumer. A custom-build piece can cost more for example but the design that stands out, better quality materials and precision in detailing make it worth.

The Takeaway

The type of piece you are looking for: The most crucial consideration when buying jewelry is to think about what kind of a piece you are researching and what your priorities are in the sort of jewelry.

So, while hand-crafted engagement and wedding rings contribute to unique design and great materials (contrary to the mass-produced ones), but why should you buy it since there is a cheaper alternative in the market?

The choice of custom or mass-produced one is personal and depends on the desired piece of jewelry.

What Are the Best Occasions for Giving Custom Jewelry?

What Are the Best Occasions for Giving Custom Jewelry?

Some gifts are good enough, but the others? They’re unforgettable.

Custom jewelry fits into the second classification. No matter if it is for a birthday gift, an anniversary gift or just to show him/her how important falconry has become in the life of your partner, there isn`t better way than a handmade piece of jewelry.

Unlike other wonderful gifts which you can think of, custom jewelry transcends that and takes things a step further — it gives an actual personal touch by making your gift one of its kind and showing how much thought was put into this.

In this blog, we are going to take a look at why custom jewelry is always the right choice for every single event.

It’s One of a Kind (Tailored Just for Them)

A custom piece of jewelry is created with the recipient in mind; it represents their own individuality.

You can pick the gemstone you loved, the metal, and personalized engravings added for a wholly unique ring that matches them perfectly.

There is nothing quite like a piece that embodies special moments or feels as if it belongs to you because it does — the pendant with his initials, the ring bearing hers or even the bracelet that pays homage to a shared memory.

It Tells a Story

Each piece of custom jewelry is a story. It could be based off of a great day, your happy place, or even your life motto. The story becomes part of the piece and transforms a mere accessory.

Like what about designing a heartland-shaped pendant to your necklace where you met at the mountains in Santa Fe or a bracelet with coordinates marking your first trip together? For those who are more interested in a traditional item of jewellery, an engraving inside the piece or perhaps a gemstone can be added.

Personalized jewelry is more than just a gift: it's something to remember by wearing around with them everywhere.

Perfect for Every Occasion

The main benefit and top reason for purchasing custom jewelry are its versatility. They can also be sewn for the occasion.

Popular occasions for custom jewelry:

·         Engagements and Weddings: Design your own perfect engagement rings/bands that represent your special relationship.

·         Birthdays: Include their birth stone or their zodiac sign.

·         Graduations: Honor accomplishments with a customized bracelet or pendant.

·         Anniversaries: Create a piece that commemorates your life together, maybe stacking rings to represent key anniversaries.

It Becomes an Heirloom

Jewelry designed for you is more than a gift of the moment; it can be enjoyed by many generations. If you design it well and with that timeless appeal, you are designing something that is kept as it will mean so much more to the receiver years after they tried it on the first time.

Why it matters: The idea of heirloom jewelry is what ties family together, over time and tradition to well-kept memories.

Made with Love (and Your Feedback!)

This is exactly where the beauty of custom jewelry lies upon. Here, you have a say at each turn — from how to share your creative vision to materials and schedules.

How it works:

·         Step 1: Tell us what inspires you – a colour, pattern or something deep that represents your story.

·         Step 2: Collaborate with a jeweler (Luna Felix Goldsmith) to refine the design and select gemstones, etc.

·         Step 3 : Watch artisans bring your be spoke piece to life

We at Luna Felix Goldsmith strive to make the process of designing, collaborating, and creating your dream piece is as simple, collaborative and beautiful as the final product (if not more)

Supports Artisans and Local Businesses

By opting for custom jewelry, you also vote in favor of artisans and craftsmen who put their heart and soul into each piece. A custom-made piece of Santa Fe jewelry from Luna Felix Goldsmith brings all these good things together.

The Gift That Lasts for Life!

This is how a piece of custom jewelery makes an impact; it literally integrates the experience into their everyday life. Every time they put it on, they will remember a special moment and that you thought of them.

And Custom pieces double up as great conversation starters. And think of the joy you can give them by letting them share with others, “I have this one-of-a-kind piece that someone upcycled for me!”

Custom jewelry is timeless. Made with high-quality materials that are built to last, it is destined to be a treasured addition for generations. While you may be giving a gift when you give bespoke, you offer far more than just an item.

We are Luna Felix Goldsmith, and we make custom, personalized pieces that tell your story. Create the perfect engagement rings, necklaces and more completely bespoke so they'll never forget.

START you creation by checking out Luna Felix Goldsmith’s custom jewelry services here. Let’s create something extraordinary together.

What Are The Basic Facts About Gold Granulation Jewelry?

One of the oldest jewelry making technique is granulation. This is the technique of joining tiny gold beads together to create texture, depth and dimension in fine jewelry -adding beauty and allure to a piece but also turning it into wearable art.

Like hand milgrain, hand engraving and fine filigree, this is one of the types of specialized craftsmanship of the artisans at Luna Felix Goldsmith which is quite adept at producing custom rings and gemstone jewelry items.

If you would like to learn how to design your own custom granulation jewelry, schedule a time for a one-on-one meeting in house with our owner and founder Luna Felix of Luna Felix Goldsmiths one of Santa Fe's top custom jewelers.

Give us a call at 505-898-7679 to talk about the piece of jewelry you'd like to create, or stop by our shop in downtown Santa Fe, NM.

The Origins of Granulation

Granulation is the ancient art of soldering minute gold beads on to jewellery has its origin as long ago as 2500 BCE with Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia.

These ancient artisans made incredibly beautiful, complex patterns that still impress modern jewellers.

Egyptians eventually gained notoriety for granulating jewel — neckbands, sprucing up gems, and hoops — made with the most extreme accuracy which much of the time consolidated religious pictures like the Eye of Horus.

Over time, granulation spread to other civilizations. In fact, the middle level of that chart is in Italian, where we find one of the great Etruscan cultures (8th-3rd centuries BCE).

Their jewelry typically included geometric patterns, floral designs and animal motifs. Their artwork was far more than just aesthetically pleasing, these were pieces that denoted wealth, status and spiritual belief; the Etruscans placing a great deal faith in fate as dictated by the will of the gods

Granulated Designer Jewelry by Luna Felix Goldsmith

How Granulation Works

Manufacturing granulated jewelry is a very tedious process and it needs skill and patience. Golden granulation, a method of adding tiny gold beads (granules) onto the surface of an ornament to create patterns.

Craftsmen employ special tools and techniques to add granulation Aided by tweezers, pliers and sometimes even hammers to put the granules in place, heat is then gently applied through processes like torching/ laser fusion.

In the past, granules have been fire welded with a mixture of copper salts (a bonding agent which melts at a lower temperature than the gold and permits the granule to join without it being in its molten state). More recently, jewelers have applied the use of soldering or more precise heat control methods.

They are usually produced by snipping off pieces of gold wire, which are joined before being heated until they turn into balls. The design is set up, then the granules are fused on the surface according to trend.

Granulation vs. Milgrain

Granulation is often confused with hand milgrain, because both are ancient techniques of the artisan. Granulation is the technique of placing small beads of metal (usually gold) onto a surface to partition areas for patterns and designs in jewelry.

Using heat or a bonding agent, the beads are more often than not fused to the piece — sometimes in a layer over broad surfaces that must be carefully bonded together without melting from one side.

Milgrain, however, refers to small metal bumps that line the outer edges of a piece of jewelry. Using a beading tool or engraving, this process involves making small metal bumps at regular intervals along the perimeter of the jewelry piece.

The term milgrain, which literally means a thousand grains, caught on during the 20th century with the advent of the Edwardian and Art Deco periods. It is often used along the perimeter of a design, giving the piece an elegant but understated border without overshadowing the central motif.

Although granulation and milgrain each have their own unique visual features, granulation is about texture and (usually) intricacy where milgrain can be seen as a more refined or ornamental matte that highlights the curves of the jewelry.

Ottonian ring, 10th century German, with cloisonné-ornamentCentral-EuropeRing(c. 1000).

Styles and Variations of Granulation

Etruscan jewelry of the past was created and made so interesting — rows of tiny little beads positioned perfectly to form geometric shapes or flowers or even animals.

The Egyptian granulation probably was a little more organic. They combined nature and celestial symbols with patterns, along with granulation which was effective when mixed with other media (lapis lazuli or turquoise) to make the gold beadwork more circumscribed.

Whilst the Greeks and Romans had been inspired by earlier cultures such as the Etrucians, Egyptians etc., they used granulated gold in a more simple yet refined manner-having granules in very small areas (as details), rather then over much of the surface. You will find it in earrings, pendants with few beads enough to stand against by reigning smooth gold.

Granulation has been part of complex filigree designs in India and the Islamic world, where thin gold strands are combined with granules. Indian granulated jewelry is frequently very flowy and light, with practically lace-like detail that catches the eye of light along with shimmers.

Modern-day granulation, however, has evolved this ancient technique by combining it with current advancements in jewelry tools. Still, the laser technology is only used by some with others reverting back to traditional building style such as hand-fusing granules rather than utilizing soldering.

Jewelry designers are venturing into more bold and abstract styles. This could be part of a larger composition that plays with texture, or even something more minimal where a few individual grains are placed to create a delicate look.

The Value of Granulated Jewelry

Much like any fine jewelry that is hand engraved, milgrained and filigree, granulation is not only valued for its appearance but also the craft needed.

Each piece is, in fact, a masterpiece due to the laborious work of fusing minuscule gold beads together painstakingly on any given surface. To make matters even more captivating, the methodology itself has a fascinating history in culture.

Luna Felix Goldsmith is both a custom jeweler and a Santa Fe jewelry store. If you want to design your own jewelry with granulation, feel free email us at our Santa Fe custom ring store that practices a no-touch worry policy.

Call Luna Felix Goldsmith today at 505-989-7679 to leave a message. You can also contact us via email by using the contact form below.

What are the Most Frequently Asked Questions People Ask About Jewelry Insurance?

People have questions about engagement ring insurance, as well they should. Below we have compiled a list of questions people want clarified when buying insurance for their engagement ring.

FAQ

What is the distinction between a premium and a deductible?

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for damages or replacement before your insurance company gets involved. The premium is the price of the insurance, usually expressed as a monthly (in less common cases, annual) cost.

Is there any way to lower the premium?

The policy is priced for risk factors and the rates are being fine-tuned based on information obtained during the application. There are no established discounts for the policy, because the premium can refactor when you make a change to your policy at any time.

Although there might be certain ways to reduce the cost by reducing the possible risk factors (such as having a safe at your home), but they will have to be discussed thoroughly with your policy provider.

Can I insure more than one piece of jewelry?

Of course. You can insure multiple items up to a point right from the start or add new items to your current policy when you start building up a collection of your own, say, of designer shoes and bags. You will pay more for each additional component.

What if my ring is a custom piece or family heirloom?

This will vary depending on your insurance policy and whether you have coverage that compensates you for replacement or a cash payout. Make sure you talk about these kind of details with any potential policy providers before you decide.

What if my ring is upgraded?

If the jewelry is subsequently upgraded, the customer is required to submit a new appraisal with the new item description so the item is properly insured.

The warranty is only as good as its appraiser and if ever you have to make a claim on your beloved piece of jewelry, the appraisal is your assurance that you are reaffirming value or replacing the item for its rightful worth.

Do I need to get my engagement ring appraised?

And since it has probably appreciated in value from the time you bought it, remember to have your ring reappraised every two to three years just for insurance purposes.

Most legitimate appraisers will keep a copy of your original appraisal to work from, instead of starting all over (which also cuts down on fees). To be extra safe, you can bring a copy of your original appraisal in case they do not keep records for that many years.

What Are the Benefits of Working with a Local Custom Jeweler One-on-One?

There are countless advantages in buying local and it certainly applies to doing business with local jewelers and local jewelry stores.

When you are purchasing fine jewelry (especially something like engagement rings you plan to wear for a lifetime), you want to feel confident that you are getting the best quality for the best price. If you’ve already begun your search for an engagement ring you know this is no small feat.

As a local Santa Fe NM jewelry design studio, our main goal is to assist you in making the custom ring of your dreams a reality, from scratch, while having a completely hands on experience of working with your neighbor.

We love working with local jewelers, and these three can help you know why, not only for the added benefits of doing so, but also for the risk reduction while shopping for fine jewelry online.

Local Jewelry Stores - The Benefits

For those who decide to shop for their engagement ring in a local jewelry store or have one designed by their local jewelry designer there are feelings and experience that come with it not just stuff. You get to see and touch rings in person.

It’s not just a chance to check the quality, you can see exactly which metals, stones, and finishes you like. Should you choose to collaborate with a local custom jewelry designer like us, you have a lot of say in the creative process, and can even be as involved as you want to be.

Purchasing a custom ring is like purchasing a car or a home and not like buying clothing so of course you are going to have millions of questions! You will also be able to ask all the questions and get instant answers from our jewelers when you are shopping for a custom ring in person. You can sleep soundly in the knowledge of exactly how the process operates.

Even better, there is the added value of working with your local jeweler; you are also supporting the community while fostering more personal local relationships. You build a relationship and get a personal experience.” At Luna Felix Goldsmith we believe in client relations.

How Safe is Jewelry Online Shopping?

There are so many clear advantages to shopping online.

It’s quick, easy, and efficient. But your participation is not like buying a book online. It’s a major life purchase.

There is the gift you make yourself, and it’s something special that takes time and attention. When you buy online, you can’t really see how high-quality the ring is just by looking at photos of it.

The custom rings are very nice and detailed but a pic on a computer screen is not going to do justice to the artistry that goes into every cut, lining, and design.

·         First, for all of you preparing to order a ring online, chances are, it either arrives and isn’t the quality you were hoping, not comfortable, doesn’t look like what you thought, or simply isn’t the style for you.

·         Second, everything is on the internet. The ring you purchase could have an inferior stone or arrive broken. It is essential that you only look for rings in a reliable place. And you don’t have a personal connection to the business from which you bought your ring, so it’s difficult to get anything fixed or polished.

·         Third, you won’t have the support or guidance of a professional jeweler. We all know that you are looking for something specific that you can’t quite seem the find on the internet or if that doesn’t seem to be your issue, maybe you can’t even begin to narrow down exactly how you want your custom ring to look like; which is where a custom local jewelry designer can be a real-life savior.

Online stores probably aren’t going to custom-design rings, especially if it’s from scratch. A custom jeweler in her area can help ensure that her perfect stone, size, shape and cut is part of her dream engagement ring.

Final Thoughts

Yes, it's really tempting (believe us, we understand), but just save your money now because chances are, that well-priced, fly-by-night online site is going to take your money and run.

The benefits are not worth the heartbreak if the ring doesn't deliver as you imagined. When you choose a local jeweler, like Luna Felix Goldsmith, a local Santa Fe jewelry store you are not only benefitting your community, but you are also preparing yourself to be successful.

Is It Better to Buy an Engagement Ring Online or In-Store?

When you’re buying an engagement ring, there are essentially two routes to take: buy from a brick-and-mortar store or buy online.

Both present their own potential positives and negatives; being aware of these can help you choose the one that is best for your individual wants and needs. In this article, I’ll be covering the Pros and Cons of buying an engagement ring online vs. in-store.

Pros & Cons of In-Store Purchase of Engagement Ring

As alluring as online options may be, there's no doubt the in-store experience still has something special to offer. Let’s READ THE PLUSES AND minuses OF SHOPPING IN PERSON.

Pros

Physical Inspection

Shopping in-store also gives you the opportunity to touch, feel, and try on various rings so that you know what kind of quality, design, and fit that you’re getting. Additionally, having the ring in your possession can be exciting and help you feel secure about your upcoming big day. You can get right up and look at a diamond and see how the stone sparkles and fires, and be sure there are no inclusions.

Expert Guidance

Experienced jewelry makers and sellers can help reply to questions, clarify diamond grading, and present styles that are derived from your budget and preferences. This knowledge can be essential, especially for first-time buyers. And, it can feel magical and inspiring to personally receive the care and attention of an expert when you are making one of the most meaningful jewelry choices of your entire life.

Immediate Gratification

Many stores allow you to walk out with your preferred ring that same day (with in person purchases), eliminating the wait time of shipping online. Especially if you're on a tight timeline for the engagement, this instant gratification can sound pretty appealing.

Cons

Limited Selection

A few brick-and-mortar shops might not offer as nice of a variety as online stores, limiting what’s available to you. You could miss out on a one of a kind style or a particular kind of diamond if you don’t know enough to ask about other options.

Time-Consuming

Shopping in person to locate the ideal ring involves carving out time and can often involve a long commute if you don’t live close to a store. Plus, it may be time consuming, particularly during peak times, to make appointments and wait for sales personnel to help.

Higher Price Points

Some in-store engagement rings may be more expensive because of the cost associated with the overhead expenses necessary for keeping a physical store.

These expenses can include rent, utilities, and overheads that can also be delivered to the consumer in the form of higher prices. The silver lining is that this isn’t something you’ll find at every store. Even at London Gold we have unbeatable prices with a brick-and-mortar store.

Pluses & Minuses of Buying an Engagement Ring Online

The investment in a diamond engagement ring — you know, that “month’s salary” marketing campaign evolved into two, then three, then — will support the mining of more diamonds.

Purchasing an engagement ring on the internet is a convenient way to shop in the digital age. But is it right for you? Let’s take a good look at the Pluses and Minuses to help you decide.

Pluses

Wide Selection

Online retailers have so many engagement ring choices that you can browse through a huge collection of styles, cuts and price points without ever leaving your house. You can explore infinite design possibilities without the restriction of space verifying a perfect ring to compliment your taste.

Convenience

Shopping for an engagement ring on the web brings the ability to shop and buy from the home, day or night. Whether you are a career person on the go or you like the informal style of home shopping, online retailers offer an easy shopping experience.

Information at Your Fingertips

Full descriptions, high quality photos and diamond reports make this selection one for an educated decision. You can read up on the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight) of diamonds and compare various styles with one another to make sure you find the best ring for both your budget and your tastes.

Minuses

Limited Physical Inspection

Online shops can offer good descriptions and clear images of the ring, but you can't see the ring or try it on before you buy it. Without feeling the ring yourself, you may struggle to evaluate the quality and workmanship of the ring and be unsure of how it will look or fit.

Less Personalized Service

First time buyers, or those who may be uncertain about certain aspects of the ring (quality of the diamond, available setting options, etc.) may miss a personalized touch and the expert guidance of a jewellery. And although some online retailers provide customer service via chat or email, it is not quite the same as the live experience.

Shipping Delays

Having to wait around for your ring to show up on your doorstep can add hassles and inconvenience to the buying experience. Although the majority of online sellers in charge of rush shipping, also fluctuations or problems in transit or processing can delay when your ring will show up. This can be particularly hairy if you have a specific proposal timeline in mind.

Selecting the Right One for You

There are a few things to consider when choosing between an in-store and online engagement ring purchase, including your budget, degree of convenience adds or your need for physical hands-on inspection. In-store shopping is probably the best option for shoppers who live for the personal touch and instant gratification. On the other hand, if variety is what you want and you don't mind an online transaction, buying online might be a better option.

Shop For Your Engagement Ring in Person at Luna Felix Goldsmith

At Luna Felix Goldsmith we have a wide range of quality and stylish rings to cater to every taste and budget, as well as your very own custom designed engagement ring.

For bespoke quality creation, cleaning and resizing at very affordable prices, vs the in-store experience with an expert, hands on approach, we're here help to help find that perfect ring to signify your love and commitment. Visit our selection and find the perfect ring for you at our store in Santa Fe, NM at 116 W San Francisco St # 208, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

Do I Need to Get Insurance on an Engagement Ring?

From the moment you say "yes," chances are you'll be rocking a shiny new addition on your left-hand ring finger—an accessory that needs to be protected.

Though engagement ring insurance may be the last thing on your mind during such a happy time, with great rings come great responsibilities, and you want to be covered if anything unexpected happens to the beloved rock. Whether you've left your engagement ring accidentally behind on the beach, lost a stone at the gym, or had your ring stolen, engagement ring insurance can offer financial protection and peace of mind when you need it most.

By definition, engagement ring insurance is a contractual means of risk management to protect you from financial repercussions in the event of physical loss, theft, or damage. The policies typically extend to all jewelry items submitted to the coverage scope and result in either replacement, repair, or cost reimbursement. Moreover, while anything that happens to your engagement or wedding ring is heartbreaking, knowing it's properly insured can help to soften the blow.

Here, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to engagement ring insurance and weigh in on what it takes to make sure you'll be able to enjoy your ring for years to come—no matter what life throws at your left hand. Continue for everything you need to know about getting your wedding rings insured.

How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

Do You Really Need Engagement Ring Insurance?

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if your accessory is valuable enough to require financial protection, but most experts agree any proposal piece is a good candidate. "If you’d be upset if your ring was ever lost, broken, or stolen, then it’s valuable enough to insure," says Krowiorz.

"If you think you would be devastated about the sentimental loss, afraid to wear other uninsured jewelry, or unable to cover the cost to replace the item, it would be wise to make sure your engagement or wedding ring is covered by insurance."

Unsure when to get your ring insured? Your soon-to-be fiancé or fiancée can insure the ring as soon as it's purchased and in their possession—much like you would insure a car prior to driving it off the lot.

You might not initially be thinking of anything happening to your precious and sentimental token, but the sooner it's insured, the sooner you'll be protected. The timeline can vary depending on the individual case, but, in general, coverage can be provided right away (after the application, appraisal, and sales receipts are submitted) or may take a few business days if subject to underwriting review.

There might be more to think about than just how to insure engagement rings. As soon-to-be newlyweds, you may want to consider ramping up your insurance coverage to account for expensive or hard-to-replace wedding gifts.

The Cost of Engagement Ring Insurance

Rate is determined by multiple rating variables and factors (like an auto or home policy) to provide a customized rate based on the individual risk characteristics.

These variables and factors include the value of your ring, where you live (and theft rates in the area), and whether or not your policy has a deductible. Premiums will always be higher for policies with lower or no deductibles.

Insurance typically costs one to three percent of the value of the item being insured, but can be outside this range based on individual risk characteristics.

So, on average, you can anticipate paying $1 to $3 for about every $100 your ring is worth. In theory, then, you can anticipate a premium of $100 to $300 a year for a $10,000 bauble.

How to Insure Your Engagement Ring

What happens if you lose your ring? If someone steals it? If it gets damaged? These are all the reasons why you should consider engagement ring insurance. Ahead, we provide a few tips to help you get the best protection and coverage.

Get your engagement ring appraised

You can't protect the value of your ring if you don't know its worth. An appraisal will account for all the key elements of value including carat weight, cut, color, clarity, and quantity of diamonds; types of metal and weight; shape and carat weight of other stones; and any distinctive markings, model numbers, or stamps.

Current retail prices in the regional market, origin of the materials used, and craftsmanship of the piece are also taken into account. Most insurance companies will require an appraisal for higher-value pieces (for example, rings worth $5,000 or more), while an invoice or receipt may be sufficient for less expensive items.

Having jewelry appraised at the time of purchase assures current market prices are reflected and distinct characteristics are accounted for.

Ensure you have a diamond certificate or grading report

If your center stone is around half a carat or larger, your jeweler will often provide a diamond certificate or grading report from an independent gemological laboratory like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the organization that founded the "4Cs" used to evaluate diamonds: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. This assessment of quality—while not an appraisal—lists all of the measurements your appraiser will need to make the most accurate determination of value. (This detailed information can also help track down your specific diamond if it's ever stolen).

Research insurance companies and get a quote

Being adequately informed is of the utmost importance in deciding which insurance option or provider is best suited to your needs. Make sure to ask a potential policy provider important questions like:

·         Can you choose who repairs your ring?

·         If you're insured for replacement (instead of a cash payout), where can you purchase a new ring?

·         What happens if a suitable replacement cannot be found?

·         How will you need to prove the ring vanished if you make a claim?

·         Are there any circumstances that aren't covered?

·         Will you continue to be insured when out of the country?

·         Are you covered for damage or just loss and theft?

·         Will the policy adjust according to inflation?

·         What types of repairs contribute to the deductible?

Whenever you insure something valuable, the most important thing you can do is understand your policy thoroughly. As you get answers to these questions, you'll have a better sense of which provider can offer the best ring insurance.

Compare coverage pricing and options

Once you've done some research, your next step is to compare the options you've discovered. In most cases, you may be assessing the differences in coverage and pricing between two options: homeowner's or renter's insurance, or insurance through an independent company.

If you have homeowner's or renter's insurance, you can purchase an extension (also called a rider) that covers your engagement ring specifically. But, there is something to keep in mind: A jewelry claim filed against your homeowner’s policy could affect your entire policy.

So, if your engagement ring was ever stolen or lost, your premium could go up or your eligibility for your entire homeowner's policy could be affected at renewal.

If you don't have homeowner's or renter's insurance, you can take out a policy through an independent company that specializes in jewelry insurance like Jewelers Mutual. We encourage you to trust your home to your homeowner's or renter’s insurance specialists and your jewelry to the jewelry insurance specialists. Most homeowner's insurance policies do cover jewelry to some extent, but, in many cases, coverage is limited by situations covered, requirements to use jewelry replacement companies, and coverage value limits.

Be sure to have all the facts and information when evaluating insurance options, even if you're just choosing to add a rider to the current policy. Call your homeowner's or renter's insurance and ask for details—never just assume you’re covered.

Request a sample policy

Asking for a sample policy will allow you to see what's provided with your insurance coverage—and what isn't. This is extremely helpful when comparing policies, especially if you're stuck between two companies. Your sample policy may vary from your actual policy based on your location and the underwriting company issuing your insurance.

Ensure your appraiser has the right credentials

Find a reputable appraiser with sparkling reviews, preferably one who also holds a graduate degree in gemmology and is a member of a national appraisal society. (The GIA recognizes these associations.)

And make sure that the appraisal value is accurate and not inflated. Sure, you might be thrilled when the sparkler that cost your partner $2,000 appraises for double, but you could end up losing money in the long run. You'll pay a higher monthly premium for a ring that appraises for $4,000.