Necklace Trends Whats New This Season

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

What’s New In Necklace Trends

This Season there lots of emerging necklace trends. Although ultra-long necklaces of multi-strand gold chains are still popular, there’s a growing trend toward more decorative necklace designs this Spring season. These necklace trends include the bib, lariat, “Y” and choker styles.

Bib Necklaces. Bib necklaces are a huge trend this year! With their light, airy look of lace and mesh, bib necklaces have a lot of volume without looking sensuous, fabric-like feel and are composed of delicate festoons of three or more strands of gold or sterling mesh. They can also display cascades of pearls, faceted colored gemstones, or nets of sparkling diamonds.

Citrine Necklace

Gold and Citrine Lariat Necklace

Lariat Necklaces. The Lariat necklace trend is huge this year. These open-ended, long strand designs have decorative ends and are looped or knotted, not clasped. They spotlight individually and allow wearers to determine the length. Lariats can be made of white or yellow gold chain, sterling silver or leather, and are frequently brightened with pearls, diamonds or colored gemstones.

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Mastoloni Pearl and Diamond Y Drop Necklace

“Y” Necklaces. This classic style is shaped to drape around the neck like a capital letter Y. It looks good in all kinds of materials and is a very versatile accent with any outfit. Y necklaces generally feature beads, pearls, gemstones or metal designs stationed along a slim gold or sterling silver chain.

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Mastoloni Pearl Choker Necklace

Chokers. Collars are a necklace trend that is always classic! Making an ultimate comeback, the choker was first seen worn by wealthy ladies, ballerinas, and later queens in the late seventeen and eighteen hundreds. Close fitting around the neck, common styles today include open collar, Victorian, vintage, gemstone, pearl and Gothic.

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2015 The Year of Large Diamonds and Record Prices

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

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Photo Courtesy of the Lucara Diamond Corp.

2015 was a BIG year for Diamonds! In November 2015 the Lucara Diamond Corp found the second largest diamond in the world. The stone was found in the Karowe mine in the capital of Gaborone. This tennis ball sized diamond was 1,111 carats. Lucara Diamond Corp said the stone was so big it would not fit inside their scanner thus requiring a third party scanner. The stone is second only in size to the 3,106 carat Cullinan Diamond found in South Africa in 1905. The current value of the Lucara Diamond is unknown at this point and will remain unknown until color, clarity and cutting are evaluated. Analysts suggest its value could be upward of $70 million dollars.

The Lucara Diamond Corp didn’t stop there! Later in the week they also discovered an 813 carat diamond as well as a 374 carat stone!

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Photo Courtesy of National Jeweler

Hong Kong Billionaire Joseph Lau set tongues wagging when in November he bought not one, but TWO fancy vivid diamonds for his seven year old daughter Josephine! His first purchase was for a 16.08 carat fancy vivid pink diamond. Lau paid a reported $28.5 million dollars for the stone.  This was the largest cushion shaped stone in the category fancy vivid that had ever gone to auction. Christie’s stated that only three pink stones classified by the GIA as fancy and weighing more than 10 carats had been up for sale in over 250 years. The stone was previously owned by Harry Winston, and Laurence Graff.

Mr. Lau has now named the stone “Sweet Josephine” after his daughter.

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Photo Courtesy of Sotheby’s

The buying did not end there for Mr. Lau. A week later the property tycoon purchased a 12.03 flawless fancy vivid blue diamond for $48.4 million dollars.  The Blue Moon Diamond according to Sotheby’s is among the largest known fancy vivid blue diamonds in existence today. Mr. Lau has renamed the stone “The Blue Moon of Josephine”.

We can’t wait to see what 2016 in store!

Le Vian Jewelry Trunk Show

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

Join us this Thursday, December 17th for our Le Vian Fine Jewelry Trunk Show! This show will feature the LARGEST collection of Chocolate Diamonds in store! We will also be featuring other designs of Le Vian jewelry as well.

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WHAT ARE
CHOCOLATE DIAMONDS?

Natural fancy color brown diamonds are available from light to dark brown, in many hues and clarities. Chocolate Diamonds® are Le Vian®’s original brand of natural fancy color diamonds that are selected for their rich chocolatey flavor, and sold exclusively by Le Vian®.

  • In the year 2000, Le Vian® initiated a campaign to brand Chocolate Diamonds® in order to distinguish them as high quality and separate them from the lower clarity, poor color diamonds. Le Vian® is the originator of Chocolate Diamonds® and holds the registered trademark in countries all over the world.
  • To be branded as Chocolate Diamonds®, these rare and natural beauties need to rate between C4-C7 on the color chart, have a clarity of SI1 or better, have a specific hue, be within the top 5% of the production, and sourced by Le Vian®. Chocolate Diamonds® of 20 points or larger are 10,000 times rarer than white diamonds.
  • Chocolate Diamonds® of ½ carat or larger are laser inscribed with the Chocolate Diamonds® brand on the girdle.
  • The color of Chocolate Diamonds® is determined by the tremendous pressure they receive deep within the earth.
  • Chocolate Diamonds® have been the most affordable natural fancy colored diamonds, their earth- toned color is wearable every day. However, the larger gems have been fetching record prices by collectors.
  • Le Vian® revolutionized fine jewelry by combining the flavors of diamonds, gems and gold in new ways, using its proprietary black rhodium within unique original designs.
  • Chocolate Diamonds® are mainly found in one mine in the world, the Argyle mine in Australia.

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What: Le Vian Trunk Show

Where: Houston Jewelry

When: Thursday, December 17, 2015

For more information call 713-784-1000

While this event has ended we still have an amazing selection of Le Vian jewelry in stock. Stop in today to view our collection of Le Vian Chocolate Diamonds.  We also have several other Le Vian designs in stock beside just the chocolate diamonds. So whether you are looking for a Le Vian chocolate diamond ring or a gorgeous emerald design we have the style for you. Our skilled sales staff will be more than happy to show you our amazing line of Le Vian jewelry. Le Vian has some truly unique designs and every lady should have a piece or two in her jewelry box. The best part of the Le Vian designs are they can be worn with anything.From a classy evening gown to blue jeans you will always be dressed to kill with a piece of Le Vian jewelry.

What you need to know before investing in Precious Metals

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

The change in the price of gold and silver reflects popular feeling as the to stability of the world economic system, and at this point the soundness of the United States Dollar.  Since the end of WW II the US Dollar has been the bedrock of the world economic system [prior to the war, it was the British Pound for 100+ years]  The crash of 2008 greatly undermined world wide faith in the entire system, and the dollar in particular.   Which lead a run up in the prices of precious metals.   The silver market is especially volatile, since it is not as transparent as the gold markets, and groups of individuals can cause a price run up.  There have been a number of instances where this has occurred.  When the price of silver started getting really unnaturally high, [in the $50 ozt range] the exchanges decided to up the deposit requirement to purchase option contracts by about four times the previous amount.  This immediately drove thousands of day trading speculators out of the market, and the price plummeted. Silver is not a great arena in which to invest because of these reasons unless you really know what you are doing.

The price of gold is still high according to historical levels, but I think it also reflects the market’s consideration that the number of dollars in circulation is vastly larger than it was just seven years ago, and therefore the price of gold reflects that increase. The dollar is still the foundation of the world economic system, and has gotten stronger relative to other currencies in the last few years.  This does not mean that the US economy is doing well, it just means that the rest of the world trusts the US Government to pay its bills more than other nations, therefore the dollar is primary.  Once you see another major nation’s economy start to be very vibrant, and its currency starts increasing in value and the dollar falling, then the price of gold will go up since the world market is priced in US Dollars.

 You can buy gold and silver in numerous manners.  You can buy it through electronic trading like a stock, or you can buy it from smaller companies who will store it for you for a fee, or you can buy it from a coin shop are metals dealer.  Depending on what you want it for will determine the best place to buy.   If you are of the belief that the world order could rapidly fall apart and you want to be sure to have something physical of value that you can use to acquire goods and services, then an electronic form of gold makes no sense.  Similarly it would do you no good to have it stored away from you.  However there are great risks in owning physical gold and storing it safely.  It is not traceable so if you have it about your home and some one finds it and takes it, its gone.  So those are some of the considerations one should take into account when deciding if  buying precious metals is right for you.

Note:  If you want to trade in precious metals, like you would a stock, then electronic ownership is the best way to go.

 You can invest in any type of commodity there is, and all precious metals are commodities. Silver has the lowest cost so it is the easiest to buy.  Right now platinum is lower than gold which is an historical inversion that has only happened  a few times in history.  That means that one of the two is vastly over valued or the other is undervalued.   Platinum is a critical metal for catalytic converters for internal combustion engines.  So one might infer that since world wide demand for new vehicles is down that if the world’s economy starts really going then the need for platinum will increase.

If you would like to learn more about precious metals and investing and historical charts, you should really study the site www.kitco.com, it is one the primary resources for the trade.

Magnificent Opulent Opals

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

Opals or Opallios meaning  “to see a change of color” have always had a magnificence to them. Varying shades of the rainbow create a glimmering opulence to the stone. Opals have had various meaning to people throughout history. Queen Victoria was known to gift Opals to all of her daughters on their wedding days. In Eastern cultures, Opals were a symbol of hope. Bedouin legend claims that thunderstorms produced Opals which fell from the sky during stormy weather.  Aboriginal tales suggest that in the beginning of time the being that created the world came down to spread messages of peace and that for every footstep he took on earth an Opal was formed.

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The Opal is Octobers birthstone. Since the mining days of the 1890’s Australia has become the world’s primary source for this birthstone. Opal is the stone given for the fourteenth Anniversary of marriage. Opals where considered a symbol of hope and luck throughout the world and, it was not until the 1829 novel by Sir Walter Scott, “Anne of Geierstein” that Opals took on the connotation of being bad luck or unlucky. Opals silica spheres form a variety or colors and patterns in the stone thus making no two Opals alike.

Although we are used to seeing Opals in a translucent or kaleidoscope of colors, they actually come in an array of shades.

Black Opals: Black Opals are the MOST sought after and most valuable Opal. These dark toned stones show off the splendor of colors in the Opal and range from jet grey to dark black. The term black Opal does not literally mean the stone is completely black. If it was totally black it would be rendered worthless.

White Opals: White Opals have a “milky” or white body of color. They don’t show off the color variance of the Opal as well as the black Opal does, however they can still be gorgeous and considered good quality!

Boulder Opals:  Boulder Opals are shaped between the ironstone boulders in Western Queensland. Boulder Opals can be found in both dark and light shades. They often vary in both shape and size.

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Fire Opals: Fire Opals have a distinctly radiant orange coloring to them. The are found mainly in Mexico, and have rightfully been dubbed “Mexican Fire Opals”. These precious stones were treasured by the Mayans and Aztecs.

Crystal Opals: Crystal Opals can range from light to dark and are transparent with sharp coloring.

Houston Jewelry and Fine Gifts can find the perfect Opal or gemstone for you or someone you love. Visit us today and let us assist you in all of your jewelry needs!

Almor Fancy Colored Diamond Trunk Show

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

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Almor Designs has a history reaching back more than 35 years. Two brothers set out on a mission to build a business from scratch that would take them beyond their wildest dreams. Today, the family business stretches across three continents.  Today the Heskia company is respected for its innovation and introspection throughout the jewelry market.

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For many years the company primarily dealt with precious stones and gems but recently expanded into the exciting world of colored diamonds. Complete with GIA-certified reports, these fancy pink, orange and yellow pieces will dazzle anyone who lays eyes upon them.

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Natural color diamonds are, according to G.I.A., “the most rare and costly of all gemstones.”  If that’s not enough, Almor Designs has a huge , ever growing inventory of mountings in white and 2 tone gold in various styles, shapes and sizes. The settings are all specially designed to enhance the color of each type of colored diamonds. The best part of Almor is it is a family run business that focuses on giving each customer a personal experience and making sure you get the perfect setting to match your breathtaking colored diamonds. Colored diamonds are becoming more and more popular with many celebrities donning large colored diamond engagement rings.

Natural colored diamonds range from fancy yellows and browns to vibrant blue, green and pink.  In all cases very slight color differences can have a huge impact on the value of the diamond. Grading fancy color diamonds is extremely complex. You should only buy fancy colored diamonds that have been graded by a highly trained gem laboratory. For more information on colored diamonds read this article on the GIA website.

Houston Jewelry cordially invites you to see this AMAZING spectacular array of Fancy Colored Diamonds and fine jewelry. The Almor Trunk Show will be this Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Houston Jewelry! The Almor collection is a dazzling trunk show featuring a huge selection of colored diamond jewelry including rings, earrings, bracelets, and more.  From fancy canary diamonds to precious pink diamonds this is the trunk show every jewelry lover will want to see!

What: Almor Trunk Show Featuring Fancy Colored Diamond Jewelry

Where: Houston Jewelry

When: Thursday, December 3, 2015

For more information call 713-784-1000

While this event has ended Houston Jewelry stocks a nice selection of natural colored diamonds. Stop in today to view our selection of Fancy Yellow, Natural Blue and Pink Diamonds. Let our diamond experts help you to find that perfect natural colored diamond today!

10 Things to Know When Selling Your Gold

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

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As one of Houston’s Top Gold Buyers, we want our consumers to be well informed to make the best financial decisions when selling their gold. Your prized possessions that are now outdated, broken, or are unable to be passed down to younger generations can generate extra money in your pocket. Whether you are selling Gold, Platinum, Sterling Silver or your loose diamonds, Houston Jewelry is the perfect place to go.

Here are a few tips to consider before selling your Gold or Precious Metals:

1. Prices are calculated based on current market value. This value can fluctuate daily, as well as hourly. When selling your items it is advised to check the current market prices before you come in to sell your items.

2. The metal content and weight of your items are considered in the price. It is imperative that when selling your items you go to a location that has the proper equipment to evaluate both of these factors.

3. If your items include diamonds or precious stones, there is a chance your items will be more valuable, this also applies to pieces that may be considered categorically vintage, designer, or collectible.

4. It is important to find a buyer who can test your metal. At Houston Jewelry, we use an instrument called a Spectrometer. This instrument can tell us the exact metal content and karat of your pieces.

5. It is important to go to a buyer who follows the guidelines and laws of their respective city, state, and all Federal regulations.

6. Take into consideration that most establishments will purchase your items with the intent of melting it down. If your item is sentimental you should reconsider selling it as once it is melted you will not be able to get it back.

7. Although your item may seem worth an enormous amount to you, it is essential that as the consumer you understand you will not be offered retail value in most scenarios.

8. We encourage consumers to visit more than one gold buyer when considering selling their metals. This will ensure that you are getting the best price for your items.

9. When selling your items you may want to inquire ahead of time the method of payment you will receive for your metals. Some people pay cash, while others strictly issue checks.

10. The law requires that you will need identification to sell you items, and it is advised that if you have paperwork, certificates, or receipts for your items you should bring them to the transaction as this information may increase the final price.

Annual Holiday Party & Nava Dee Trunk Show

Posted on by HoustonJewelry

Join us Thursday, November 19th, 2015 from 6-9pm for our Annual Holiday Party and Nava Dee Trunk Show! Come sip complimentary champagne and preview dazzling diamonds and fine jewelry from Nava Dee. The Nave Dee trunk show is one you will NOT want to miss. This stunning collection of fine diamond jewelry is sure to make anyone on your Holiday gift list happy this season.

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While this event has ended we have our Annual Holiday Party, well Annually! Join our newsletter today to avoid missing out on our party next year. Each newsletter is filled with information on events, jewelry tends, and information on the hottest new designers. We also inform you about upcoming trunk show, special exclusive discounts, and events that are only available to members of our newsletter. So sign up today to become a Houston Jewelry V.I.P. member to access all these exclusive offers and events.