Custom designed, high-quality jewelry at discount prices.
Brothers Jewelers Blog
July 2015
Tips on the Care and Keeping of Your Jewelry
Once you’ve designed, commissioned and finally received the necklace, ring, earrings or bracelet of your dreams, it may be hard to take it off – but in order to keep your jewelry in pristine condition, you’ll need to take certain steps to ensure it remains as stunning as the first day you got it. We’ve put together a short guide to maintaining the excellent condition of your jewelry, from steps on how to clean it to the best practices during wear and storage.
When You Clean It
There are plenty of products designed specifically for jewelry cleaning, and we strongly recommend investing in them rather than turning to materials not intended for the purpose; using the wrong cloth or polish can cause tiny scratches and damage to the metals and stones, especially if you use a paper product like tissue or paper towels. Polishing cloths made for jewelry are your best option. Clients are advised to contact us for advice on cleaning solutions; some people feel comfortable making their own, but commercial cleaners are a safer bet. Bleach should never be used on jewelry, as it can completely destroy the item.
If you’re too nervous to clean your jewelry yourself (most of us are willing to take a gamble polishing our costume pearls, but it’s a different story when it comes to a custom-made investment piece), call us! Along with offering custom-made jewelry and jewelry repair to Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, we also provide polishing and steaming services. You can even watch us do it – we offer a lounge area and quick service.
When You Store It
The biggest thing to avoid with most metals is tarnishing – silver and gold are particularly prone to this issue. Jewelry suppliers will sell anti-tarnish strips to be stored with your jewelry, which will then absorb the elements that cause discoloration. Keep your jewelry in a cool, dry place, preferably a fabric-lined jewelry box made especially for the purpose. Some of these boxes feature built-in anti-tarnish properties to help preserve your finery.
While You Wear It
People often consider how they should store their jewelry when it’s not being used, but an equally important question to pose is how to best care for jewelry while it’s on you. While it’s made to withstand contact with the oils naturally present on your skin without sustaining any damage, jewelry still needs to be carefully cared for when exposed to the elements. Chemicals, cleaning fluids, dirt and even makeup and hairspray can cause damage to your jewelry that ends up being expensive to fix. In order to avoid exposure to any potentially damaging agents, remove your jewelry during any household tasks, and only put it on after applying makeup and doing your hair.
Jewelry may be made out of tough materials, but that doesn’t mean that optimal practice is to expose your pieces to the elements. Try to protect your jewelry from any precipitation and do not wear it in pools, as chlorine or naturally present salts in water can cause it to change color or even erode. Do not wear jewelry while bathing, either; soap scum can build up and diminish shine.
June, 2015
Flaunt Your Creativity with These Unusual Gemstones
For many of us, the same old jewelry designs from chain retailers don't express enough of our individuality. At Brothers Jewelry, we fully customize each design so that the jewelry that you wear speaks to your singular taste and style. For inspiration, we've gathered eight of our favorite unusual gemstones. Read on to learn how you can express yourself with custom jewelry designs.
1. Cymophane
More commonly known as cat's eye, cymophane is a variant of chrysoberyl that comes in shades of pale green and yellow. It gets its nickname from the opalescent band of light that appears through the stone when it is properly cut and polished. This stone is mysterious and sophisticated and looks especially appealing in beaded bracelets.
2. Sunstone
Sunstones are formed by cooling lava and typically have an orange or pink color. Interior flaws that happen during the cooling process turn into this stone’s greatest asset. The occlusions reflect light for a glittery, spangled appearance.
3. Benitoite
Benitoite is one of the rarest gems on Earth, and also one of the most beautiful. This brilliant gem is only found in a single California mine. It is frequently compared to sapphire because of its deep blue-violet color, but benitoite is even more fiery and richly hued.
4. Apatite
When polished, apatite is a glossy opaque blue stone with a striated appearance. Some believe that it has metaphysical properties. We will leave that assessment up to you, but we're certain that drop earrings made with apatite beads or a ring carved from the stone will make you feel powerfully attractive.
5. Bloodstone
Think that men can't wear gemstones? Think again. Bloodstone is an elegant, masculine stone. Properly called heliotrope, this opaque stone is usually dark green and flecked or streaked with deep red. It has long been a traditional choice for signet rings. We also suggest using bloodstone in accessories like custom cufflinks. The color will be unexpected, but the regal appearance of this stone will fit right in with the rest of your ensemble.
6. Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli has been prized for millennia because of its stunning, intense color. Photos of lapis lazuli jewelry are stunning, but even they can't do justice to the hypnotizing blue of this stone when it is worked into bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Lapis lazuli is made even more opulent by the fact that it is frequently streaked with gold-colored minerals.
7. Fire Opal
Fire opals, mostly found in Mexico, almost always require a double take. The intense, glowing colors in a fire opal ring or bracelet are nearly psychedelic in their swirling, shifting appearance. Fire opals come in endless varieties of color combinations, and commonly include tones of pink, yellow, green and orange. These stones are perfect for free spirits.
8. Kunzite
Kunzite has only been used in jewelry since its discovery in the early 20th century, but it is growing in popularly. It is a delicate, feminine stone that comes in clear shades of pink and lavender. If you adore colored diamonds but can't afford the cost of such rare gems, kunzite is a unique alternative.
Learn more about custom jewelry design possibilities from Brothers Jewelry by visiting our website or calling 215-268-6602.
6 Engagement Rings Upgrades That Will Get You A “Yes!”
With the advent of computer-aided design software, custom work can be done on any engagement ring. At Brothers Jewelry, we exclusively use CAD in order to design the perfect ring for you. Take advantage of this technology when you start looking for an engagement ring. Here are six ways to transform an engagement ring into something out of her wildest dreams.
Floral Accents
Floral details combine unusual design with traditionally romantic appeal. Rings with floral accents like crystal buds, silver vines and delicately molded leaves are pretty and feminine. Even a simple floral design will add intricacy to an otherwise uncomplicated setting. Whether you want a full bouquet or a few tiny buds to adorn an engagement ring, Brothers Jewelry will use CAD software to realize your vision.
Engraving
Engraving has been a staple of engagement rings ever since women started wearing them. Engraving the ring is a special enhancement that communicates the meaning and intimacy of a marriage. At Brothers Jewelry, we can engrave your personal message on the outside or inside of the band, in the style and font of your choice.
Twisted and Multiple Bands
Your wedding bands might be simple, but the engagement ring band should show off. Multiple bands or bands twisted into “eternity” or braid shapes create endless opportunities for embellishment. Double or triple bands can be customized with mixed metals or rows of pave diamonds. Twisted bands can be fashioned into sweeping curves or geometric grids. Go ahead and be creative: at Brothers Jewelry, there’s no design we can’t help you create.
Halo Settings
Halo settings are one of the more recent diamond engagement ring trends to take off, but they are sophisticated enough to earn a permanent place as a wedding jewelry staple. Halo settings entail a ring of diamonds around the central gem, and they add extra sparkle and luxury. Your designer at Brothers Jewelry can even double or triple the halos for added dimension.
Horizontal Settings
A horizontal setting, otherwise known as an east-west setting, is a very contemporary design that makes oblong jewels like oval and marquise-cut diamonds look larger. Oval diamonds are catching up in popularity to princess and round cut diamonds, so if you’re choosing an oval diamond, this might be the perfect way to create the appearance of a larger diamond if you are on a limited budget. If you are bringing an heirloom gem to Brothers Jewelry, a horizontal setting is a simple way to update it.
Rose Gold
Silver, platinum and white gold bands: classic. Gold bands: luxurious. Rose gold bands? Something to think about. This peachy-hued metal, though perhaps not what first comes to mind when thinking of engagement rings, is growing in popularity. A rose gold band is youthful and unusual enough to make an engagement ring stand out, while its soft color complements skin tones and clothing so that it looks unwaveringly beautiful on the wearer.
Remember, if you’re buying an engagement ring for the lucky lady in your life, do some subtle research if you’re not sure whether she prefers a certain design element. Ask her friends about her tastes, or casually run ideas by her. Finally, your Brothers Jewelry designer will be delighted to listen to your ideas and give expert advice on the design of the engagement ring. To learn more about how we can customize an engagement ring to surprise someone special, call 215-923-1479 or visit us at our Philadelphia store.