Monthly Archives: November 2013

The Claddagh ring, full of tradition and symbolism. It is a piece of jewelry that has been worn for generations and is still as popular today as it was the first year it was created. The detailed design features two hands clasping a heart, topped with a crown and is said to symbolize love, friendship, and loyalty. Claddagh rings have been worn as friendship rings, promise rings and even worn as an engagement ring or wedding band. What's most interesting is the way it's worn. Depending on the hand and the direction of the heart, the Claddagh Ring often conveys the status of one's ...

Last year, around this time, I was introduced to the Swarovski Annual Christmas Ornaments. I fell in love with them immediately and was excited to start a collection of my own. Each Swarovski Annual Ornament is a limited edition and at the end of the commemorative year, that year's edition is retired, never to be replicated. At Day's Jewelers, we had a rare collection of a few retired Swarovski Annual Ornaments from years past as well as the ...

I grew up in a home where memories are made daily because you never know when you are making a memory. My home was always filled with the smell of home cooking, sounds of laughter and decorated to the nines with antiques and Victorian flair. My mother is an avid antiquer and an excellent decorator. In fact every room from the parlor fainting couch to the claw foot tub in the bathroom is themed and decorated accordingly with appropriate antiques. Typically as the summer season grew so did her collection of antiques. Then as we brought our purchases home it was my turn to help. I became my mother's decorating helper. I can imagine it now mom placing a new antique on the high wood beams in the kitchen with me coaching her move it one inch to the left and it will be perfect! Holidays at home were especially decorated ...

I recently returned from a two-day visit to Day's Jewelers in Maine. Jeff and Kathy Corey, the principles and owners, had kindly asked me to come "up" to visit them and their sales staff. I guess "up" is the right word, with Maine being "up north," as we would say about Yorkshire and the Northern counties of England. It was mild and wet so I felt quite at home, as this is standard fair for my country, England. Next time I shall go in the summer! Jeff had asked that I come to meet with his management team, visit his stores, and eat some lobster. I was certainly tempted by the lobster, but I was glad for the invitation to spend time with his team to better understand their approach to Forevermark. It was very revealing to me, and following the visit I reflected back to Jeff and Kathy some thoughts and observations I had, ...

After sharing the "Top 10 Ways to Propose" blog, I had a few customers and employees share their stories with us! I thought, what better way to give someone more ideas on how to pop the question than to share how others have done it! Here are some of our customers' stories: One of our customers took his girlfriend to the park for a picnic and while they laid down in the grass after the meal he had a sky writer write will you marry me Lois. Her answer was yes. We had a customer freeze a ring in an ice cube and drop it in her drink. He then ...

I did some research on the best ways to propose. Let me tell you there are some very creative people out in the world. Now, we can't all fly to Paris or spend a weekend on a secluded island off the coast, and we don't all have connections to Radio DJs or Sport Announcers, as cool as those proposals would be - but here are some great ways to propose that are just as romantic with a little less cost! Melissa's top 10 favorite ways to propose Where Did We? Create a treasure hunt with places that are part of your relationship. First date, first kissed, favorite restaurant. Then at the last ...

How are cultured pearls created? Cultured pearls are grown in live oysters. Much like natural pearls, cultured pearls start with a shell bead that is surgically implanted in a host oyster. To protect itself, the oyster secretes a crystalline substance called "nacre," over the irritant. Over time, the nacre layers build on one another, creating the deep luster favored in high quality cultured pearls. Different types cultured pearls: Akoya Cultured Pearls -Cultured primarily in Japan, they are the classic cultured pearls that come to mind when the word "pearl" is mentioned. They are the most lustrous of all pearls ...

How is a ring made? Most people assume jewelry is made in a factory like a car, computer, or toaster. They picture an assembly line with ultra modern robots and supervisors making sure the machines are doing all the work as required. In short, they see modern methods on an ancient industry. Although technology has made many things possible in jewelry manufacture, it has not replaced the methods of manufacture that have been practiced for generations. So...how is a ring made? Design The first step, like many others, starts with a concept insomeone's head. Usually it is first expressed as a drawing just like you see in clothing fashion or it is "drawn" in a computer assisted design program (C.A.D for short). This process creates a basis for the construction of a model that will be directly used to create the actual ring. The newerC.A.D. programs allow for ...

A very interesting and controversial issue facing the jewelry industry is the topic of synthetic (man-made) diamonds vs. natural (mined from the ground) diamonds. It is a well-known fact that existing diamond mines will not be able to produce enough diamonds to keep up with the world-wide demand for diamonds, after 2018. Diamond mines are churning diamonds at an estimated average annual growth rate of 4.8%. Come 2018 these diamond mines will see a decline of an estimated 1.9%, as diamonds are getting technically harder to find and extract. With the emergence of the middle-class economy in China and India, the demand for owning a diamond engagement ring and diamond jewelry, continues to soar. Until 20 years ago, owning a ...

As a fashion jewelry buyer for Day's, I am always on the lookout for the newest styles and trends. I also receive a lot of feedback from family, friends, and random people I meet about what they would like to see for product in our stores. One of the comments that I received at the beginning of the year was that we needed more updated, contemporary men's jewelry. Since the comment came from my husband, I figured I better listen! We have always carried a great selection of classic men's jewelry at Day'scufflinks, money clips, tie bars and tie tacs, along with gold and silver chains. These pieces are ...