Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry

Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry auction set a new world record

2011-12-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

The La Peregrina necklace (left) and the Prince of Wales brooch

"The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond," a 33.19 carat

Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry auction set a new world record for the amount spent on a private jewelry collection, fetching $115 Million According to ABC News, here are a few examples of the sales:

The La Peregrina necklace, a diamond, ruby, and pearl rope with a sixteenth-century pear-shaped pearl pendant, thought to be one of the finest pearls in the world: $11,842,500
The Taj Mahal ruby and gold chain by Cartier: $8,818,500 (a new world record for an Indian jewel)
The Prince of Wales brooch, formerly owned by the Duchess of Windsor: $1,314,500
The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, a 33.29 carat Asscher-cut ring given to her by Richard Burton in 1968: $8,818,500

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

No surprise-the hottest ring in hollywood is a custom design

2011-10-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

Paul McCartney slipped 5 carats of square-cut diamonds set in platinum into Nancy Shevell's wedding finger on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

The vintage style ring was designed by celebrity jewelry designer Neil Lane. "Nancy wanted a band with a vintage feel," Lane told People.com. The celebrity jeweler additionally revealed that the band was meant to "complement her engagement ring, but not overshadow it," and it does "work as a set." The engagement ring itself, a 5-plus-carat, flawless diamond art-deco ring, was also designed by Neil Lane.

Custom jewelry design is in and is not just for the rich and famous. At Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry we create custom items for people every day. Creating a custom piece for a loved one is a great way to celebrate a special occasion with a special person.

Create a special custom design at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry

2011-10-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Creating a unique and memorable piece of jewelry that is handcrafted from your imagination or commissioning a custom design from our master jeweler and artisan Kleo Christodoulou, is truly a unique and memorable experience.

Kleo has over 40 years experience creating highly personalized unique treasures. All of his custom designs are one –of-a-kind, highly meticulous creations crafted with precision. Kleo specializes in working with quality precious stones and metals or he can work with your existing unused jewelry, transforming them into magnificent designer pieces. Kleo is revered for reworking or fixing broken, out-of-style, or unusable jewelry to create new wearable pieces of Fine Jewelry. He excels in the repair of pieces many other jewelers can’t fix.

Our custom design process usually consists of one or more of the following steps, depending on your project.

Consultation
Every design begins with a personal interview with one of our fine jewelry consultants, to discuss ideas, styles and inspect any existing gems or precious metals to be included in the final design.

Custom Design
After finalizing your Design Ideas, Kleo will sketch concept renderings of one or more designs for your approval.

Wax Carving & Model Making
Once the design has been approved, the design is now set for casting, we create a wax model to be used in the precious metal casting process.

Fabrication
Forging is an ancient technique of metalsmithing that involves the controlled shaping of metal and makes even fine details durable enough to last a lifetime.

Filigree
The art of filigree is an incredibly intricate art form which consists of curling, twisting and bending fine threads of wire by hand.

Stone Setting
Kleo will hand-set each stone in the design, detailing all areas to perfection.

Hand Engraving
Hand engraving is the art of hand cutting designs directly into the metal with highly polished specialty gravers this is the hallmark of a true jewelry artist and is completed onsite with meticulous attention to fine detail and craftsmanship.

Texture, Finishes and Detailing
The final stage of the production process includes adding texture and detailing as requested.

Before you set up an appointment to have Kleo design a custom piece for you spend some time considering these questions:

What type of jewelry do you want to create?
(Necklace, ring, bracket, or earrings)
Do you have existing jewelry or stones that you want to create a new piece from?
What qualities are most important to you?
(Uniqueness, luster, size)
What type of precious metals do you want your custom jewelry to be crafted from?
What gems are you considering for using?
What timeframe and budget are you considering?

Stop in to see us or call 732-577-1030 us to discuss your ideas for a custom treasure.

How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring

2011-08-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Many men are lost when it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring for their brides-to-be. From cut, to color, to size, to price, choosing a ring is bound to get overwhelming and confusing. This week's blog will focus on tips to help you navigate the engagement ring shopping process and keep your purchase as stress-free as possible.

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Tip #1: Do Your Research

Before you enter a jewelry store, it is important to understand the 4 C's of diamonds: cut, clarity, color, and carat.

Cut: The cut is responsible for a diamond's fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), brilliance (the total light reflected from a diamond), and scintillation (the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved).
Clarity: Diamond clarity refers to the absence of blemishes or inclusions within the diamond.
Color: Diamond color is all about colorlessness. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness, which means that the less color, the higher the value.
Carat: Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams. In general, the higher the carat, the higher the value.

**In addition to knowing the 4 C's, it is also a great idea to do some research on your bride-to-be's preferences. Take notice of what types of ring styles she is drawn to, if she prefers bigger or smaller stones, etc. Having an idea of what she likes will help to guide you and make the selection process a bit easier.

Tip #2: Set a Budget

It used to be commonly advised to set aside three months salary to spend on an engagement ring. In today's tough economy however, it's better to spend what you're comfortable with. Whether that's $1,000 or $20,000, remember to be smart and realistic about your financial situation.

Tip #3: Know the Trends

If you are unsure about your significant other's ring preferences, it helps to know the current engagement ring trends. Cleaner, contemporary mountings are currently in style and round and princess cut diamonds continue to be a favorite. In terms of sizing, the most common size range is between a carat to two carats. As for metals, platinum is still number one with white gold coming in as number two.

If diamonds aren't her thing or if you're looking for a diamond alternative, non-dimaond rings are becoming a big trend (example: Kate Middleton's sapphire engagement ring). Sapphires are the most common stone used in non-diamond engagement rings.

Tip #4: Listen

Remeber to listen to what SHE wants. Many guys tend to focus on what they like rather than what their significant other likes. Be a good giver and focus on getting her, her dream ring - not yours. Plus, this will help you to avoid the awkward trip back to the store to exchange it.

Tip #5: Ring Size Doesn’t Matter

Many guys often stress over not knowing their girlfriend's ring size, but knowing her size isn't necessarily a prerequisite. If you don't know her size, most jewelers can make the ring an average size temporarily, and then adjust it later on.

Tip #6: Give Yourself Time

Remember to give yourself plenty of time. It often takes multiple shopping trips to find the perfect ring, compare prices, and have the ring made. If you give yourself enough time, you'll be able to fully explore your options and be more satisfied with your final decision.

Good luck and happy shopping from all of us at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry!

Break-Up Bling: Who Gets the Ring?

2011-08-15T10:38:00.001-07:00

What do you do when the engagement doesn't work out? ABC News lets us in on what a growing number of women are now doing with their engagement rings! Check out the video and let us know what you think!

Credit: ABC News

Fall 2011 Jewelry Trends

2011-08-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hilary Duff perfectly accessorized with a cuff bracelet for Fall 2011 (Credit: Fame)

After previewing the Fall 2011 fashion lines, it appears that bold choker necklaces and big cuff bracelets are going to be the way to accessorize this fall (think Stephen Webster-type jewelry, pictured left). Additionally, layering thick bracelets with smaller, thinner bangles will also be a common fashion trend (think Marco Bicego-type jewelry, pictured right). Shiny precious metals will be in style as always, but we are also seeing jewelry that incorporates prints and precious gems. At Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, we are proud to offer the Stephen Webster and Marco Bicego collections in-store! Stop in today to preview this season's jewelry trends and accessorize yourself for Fall 2011!

Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey tie the knot with fabulous rings!

2011-08-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey finally tied the knot on Friday, July 29th and details of the couple's wedding bands are beginning to emerge! Minnillo's wedding band, designed to complement her 4-carat engagement ring, consists of a circlet of princess-cut diamonds that surround the entire ring (pictured above). Lachey's wedding band includes twenty-four diamonds and was designed to look thicker and huskier (also pictured above). People magazine has also reported that that couple had messages engraved inside their rings (a popular trend), but there is no word on what the engravements say. Minnillo and Lachey's wedding bands are quickly becoming a trend in the wedding-world, with many couples opting for similar styles. Whether you're looking for a Vanessa Minnillo-like engagement ring, a designer wedding band, or want to customize your own ring, Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry has it all! Come in today to check out our amazing selection of engagement rings and wedding bands!

Gold Continues to Skyrocket!

2011-08-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

Gold Prices Near All-Time High!

2011-08-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, gold prices jumped once again! As of today, the gold price is currently near an all-time high ($1,709.00 per oz.) which means it's a great time to sell your jewelry and timepieces. Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry is a licensed buyer and will pay top price for your gold, and for a limited time, if you print this blog post we will give you an additional 10% back on your gold! Sell your valuables in a comfortable and secure environment, come in today and make some extra summer cash before the gold price drops!

Museum of Natural History Receives Diamond Donation

2011-08-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, August 4th, the chief executive officer of Jewelers Mutual, a company that insures jewelry and the jewelry industry, donated a collection of 871 diamonds to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The 500 carat collection was acquired by Jewelers Mutual about 10 years ago and is comprised of what is known as "rough diamonds," diamonds in their natural state before they are polished and made into jewelry. The museum plans to place some of the diamonds on display for the public and plans to use the rest for research. Scientists plan to study the diamonds to obtain a better understanding of how diamonds develop as well as their ability to be used in the production of electronics and medical devices. No word yet on when the diamonds will be making their public debut, but they are sure to attract the likes of jewelry lovers and gemology enthusiasts from around the world.

The Bachelorette's Ashley Hebert gets $60,000 sparkler!

2011-08-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

On Monday's season finale of ABC's The Bachelorette, contestant and fan-favorite J.P. Rosenbaum got down on one knee and popped the long-awaited question to Bachelorette Ashley Hebert. After Ashley accepted the proposal, Rosenbaum placed a dazzling 3.5-carat diamond engagement ring on his fiancée’s finger. Now for the ring: Hebert's engagement ring was created by Neil Lane (a popular celebrity engagement ring designer) and has a large center princess-cut diamond surrounded by 162 smaller stones - the ring is reportedly valued at $60,000. Hebert's magnificent ring is quickly becoming a trend, with many brides-to-be asking their future husbands for look-a-like sparklers (sans the $60,000 price tag). Luckily at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, we create amazing custom engagement rings! Come in today and design a Ashley Herbert look-alike engagement ring or create something completely original - the choice is yours and the possibilities are endless!

P.S. Congrats to the happy couple!

August's Birthstone: Peridot

2011-08-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

August's birthstone is the Peridot! This transparet yellow-green gemstone has been long considered a tonic for the body and is believed to heal the heart, cure asthma, lessen thirst, and increase the potency of medicines. It has also been said that Peridot protects the person wearing it from negativity and is associated with stress reduction and relaxation. A gift of Peridot jewelry is the perfect way to bring relaxation and good health to those you love. Come in today and check out our beautiful selection of Peridot jewelry!

Only 4 days left to save!

2011-07-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Annual 1/2 Off Sale is Going on Now!

2011-07-26T10:41:00.001-07:00

The Annual 1/2 Off Sale!

2011-07-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

SAVE 50% OFF ENTIRE STORE!*

Shop Tuesday, July 26th - Sunday, July 31st

Tuesday: 10 am - 8pm ~ Wednesday: 10 am - 5:30 pm

Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm ~ Friday - Saturday: 10 am - 5:30 pm

Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm

We are holding the Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry Annual 1/2 Off Sale from Tuesday, July 26th to Sunday, July 31st. As a special thank you to our customers, we're offering 1/2 off overstocks, discontinued items, and pieces that we've had in-store for too long! This sale includes designer merchandise and non-designer merchandise, loose diamonds, enagagement rings, diamond studs, diamond fashion jewelry, gold, cultured pearls, precious and semi-precious gems, special collections, watches and gifts. Prices are at or below cost - no gimmicks, we do not mark up to mark down. Stop in between July 26th and July 31st and take advantage of the amazing summer savings before they're gone!

*A few exclusions apply. All sales final. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Not all merchandise is included in this sale. Special offers and layaways not included.

July's Birthstone: Ruby

2011-07-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

July's birthstone is the Ruby! This beautiful red gemstone is among the most prized of gems and has long been associated with love, success, integrity, passion, and promise.
It has been said that the Ruby's red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love and passion. It has also been said that if worn on the left hand, the Ruby will bring good luck and fortune to the person wearing it. A gift of Ruby jewelry for an anniversary, birthday, graduation, etc. is the perfect way to show your true commitment, passion, and love for someone special. Come in today and check out our beautiful selection of Ruby jewelry!

Hollywood Mom's turned Jewelry Designers!

2011-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a new trend among celebrity moms - jewelry designing! Many of Hollywood's most well-known mommy's are now adding the title "jewelry designer" to their high-profile resumes - and they're good at it! Jewelry designing seems to come naturally to these ladies - they know what looks good, they look good in it, and they know how to work a diamond (can't argue with that). Here is our top 5 favorite jewelry designing moms:

1) Victoria Beckham

Although Victoria Beckham has halted working on her jewelry line, she once had a jewelry line with designer Samantha Tiara. The line focused on simple pieces with butterfly accents and was available mainly in the UK.

2) Melania Trump

Mrs. Trump debuted her jewelry line, 'Melania', on QVC last year. Her collection consists of mainly of gold pieces with costume versions of precious stones encrusted in CZ. The line is very affordable, with all pieces below $200.

3) Celine Dion

Celine Dion teamed up with Chinese media personality Yang Lan in 2009 to create a jewelry line called, 'HV Love'. The collection includes diamond engagement rings, personal jewelry and women’s accessories. 'HV Love' continues to grow in popularity, the company plans to open around 200 retail outlets in China by 2010.

4) Tori Spelling

90210's Tori Spelling currently has two jewelry lines. The first is 'Maven', a high-end jewelry line that can be found in boutiques in both LA and New York. 'Maven' features expert craftmanship and is frequently worn among celebrities. Spelling's second jewelry line, the 'Tori Spelling Collection', debuted on HSN last year. The collection combines chic style with affordability. The line features gold tone metals mixed with semi precious stones and has a very luxurious look.

5) Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi, host of Bravo's Top Chef, debuted her jewelry line 'Padma' in 2009. The high-end collection features gold pieces and is inspired by cardamom, lentils, and cloves - combining Padma's love for fashion with food. The line is available at select high-end stores in New York City as well as online.

Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry pays TOP CASH for your Gold and Diamonds!

2011-07-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

Many of our customers are surprised to find out that we buy gold and diamonds. Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry will pay top price for your gold and diamonds and its never been a better time to sell! The gold price is currently near an all time high ($1,586.50 per oz.) which means that you'll get the most NOW for your jewelry and timepieces. Sell your valuables to licensed buyers in a comfortable and secure environment! And, for a limited time, print and bring in the above email to recieve an additional 10% back on your gold and diamonds! Come in today and make some extra summer cash before time runs out! Offer expires 8/10/2011.

Designer Spotlight: Stephen Webster

2011-07-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Stephen Webster? Stephen Webster is Founder and Creative Director of Stephen Webster Ltd and is one of Britain's leading luxury jewelry designers. Webster's original designs, unmatched craftsmanship, and rock-and-roll style has given rise to some of the most dramatic and coveted jewelry collections in the world. Celebrities such as Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, and Rihanna have been frequently spotted wearing Stephen Webster jewelry both on and off the red carpet.

Although the Stephen Webster collection is typically available at Stephen Webster boutiques (located in London, Beverly Hills, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Vienna and Marbella), Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry is proud to offer the Stephen Webster collection in-store! And, for a limited time, we are offering a special promotion on all Stephen Webster jewelry: If you print the Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry Facebook fan page, you will receive 15% off your first piece of Stephen Webster jewelry and 40% off your second! Look like the hottest stars while taking advantage of this great offer! Stop in today!

Credit: http://www.stephenwebster.com/

We are in "Love" with this new trend!

2011-07-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Having recently been bombarded with pictures of Kim Kardashian's 20.5-carat diamond engagement ring, we were pleasantly surprised to see a new, more understated celebrity trend in jewelry that is perfect for single and taken ladies alike. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Teresa Giudice (RHONJ), Ashley Tisdale, and Brooklyn Decker have all been recently seen wearing elegant rings and necklaces that spell out "love" in lowercase script letters (seen above and below).

With more and more celebrities sporting "love" jewelry, many of our customers have been inquiring about how to get a piece of their own. So how can you get a "love" necklace, bracelet, or ring? The stars get their romantic jewelry from the Sydney Evan Fine Jewelry "Love" collection, with prices ranging from $675 to $1,390. If you don't have a starlet's bank account (like most of us) you can come into Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry and have our Master Jeweler, Kleo, design a customized "love" piece in silver, white, or yellow gold with either gemstones or diamond accents. The choice is yours and the possibilities are endless, come in today and fall in "love"!

RHONY star Ramona Singer set to unveil second jewelry line on HSN today!

2011-07-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

It's official! Real Housewives of New York star, Ramona Singer, is set to unveil her second jewelry line on the Home Shopping Network today (July 8th, 2011). According to Singer, the purpose of the collection was to “design affordable jewelry for conscious women with pieces that look like they are worth thousands of dollars.” The pieces range from $219-$1,599 and are inspired by Singer's personal (and not-so-personal) experiences. Here are a few pics from the new collection, what do you think? Click here to view the entire Ramona Singer collection!

Ramona Singer 28.49ct Blue Topaz and Diamond Sterling Silver Emerald-Cut Ring

Ramona Singer 1.43ct Diamond Basket Weave Hoop Earrings

Ramona Singer 5.60ct Prasiolite and Diamond Sterling Silver Ring

The Bachelorette's Chris Lambton Knows the Way to a Woman's Heart... a David Yurman Engagement Ring!

2011-06-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Chris Lambton, former contestant on ABC's The Bachelorette, proposed to his girlfriend/fellow reality contestant, Peyton Wright, this past weekend at his home in Cape Cod. The couple, who met through fellow Bachelor/Bachelorette contestants, has been dating since August 2010. According to PEOPLE, Lambton proposed to Wright with a David Yurman round cut diamond ring. At Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, David Yurman is one of our top selling designers! Gary Michaels offers an array of David Yurman jewelry for all types of occasions, stop in and check out the David Yurman collection today!

We Buy Gold!

2011-06-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

Many of our customers are surprised to find out that we buy gold! Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry has been buying gold, platinum, and sterling silver from our customers for years and it's never been a better time to sell! The gold price is currently near an all time high which means that you'll get the most NOW for your jewelry and timepieces. Gold prices are based on the Second London Fix price (this changes daily), the weight of the gold, and the purity of the gold. After a brief inspection of your jewelry, we'll make you an offer and pay cash right then and there. We also offer an additional 10% if you sell more than 35 grams at once. Come in today with your gold, platinum, and sterling silver pieces and make some easy money or trade it in for something new - the choice is yours!

Miss USA 2011: Crown 101

2011-06-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

As many of you already know, last night the Miss USA 2011 pageant was held at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. At the end of the 2-hour long competition, Miss California Alyssa Campanella (a Manalapan native!!!) walked away with the title of Miss USA 2011 as well as a beautiful custom diamond crown and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs (amongst many other amazing prizes). Although having the title of Miss USA is nice, our team at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry was more interested in the crown (can you really blame us?).

Crown 101: According to information received from the Diamond Nexus Labs website, Miss USA's crown weighs a total of 166.82 carats, set in 325 grams of gold and platinum (Wow, that's heavy!). The crown contains fifty-one shimmering diamond simulants that signify each of the fifty-one women that competed in this year's competition. The crown was inspired by the image of a flower in bloom, symbolic of hope and triumph, and is adorned with emerald accents that promote our nation's "green" initiative and living in harmony with nature. Check out this interesting video on the making of the Miss USA 2011 crown:

So let's here your thoughts - What did you think of the Miss USA 2011 competition? Do you approve of Miss California or did you want another contestant to win? What are your thoughts on the coveted crown and what the crown signifies? Let us know!

Father’s Day Gift Guide

2011-06-10T10:29:00.001-07:00

With Father’s Day right around the corner, many of our customers have been coming in looking for the perfect gift to get Dad. In trying to make the gift search a bit easier, the Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry team has put together a list of our most popular men’s watches at price points that are perfect for every budget.

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TW Steel Canteen Black Dial Men’s Watch TW2 - $375

The TW2 men’s watch features a stainless steel case and a black leather strap with contrast stitching. This beautiful watch has a black bezel, black dial with luminous hands and index hour markers, and Arabic numerals that mark the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. The TW2 also has minute markers around the outer rim and a date display that appears beside the 3 o'clock position. The TW2 is scratch resistant and water resistant down to 100 meters/330 feet. At this price, this watch makes a great gift for any Dad!

Tag Heur Aquaracer - $1,600

The Tag Heuer Aquaracer features Swiss quartz movement, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a stainless steel case. This beautiful watch has a silver dial, which features a sub-dial at the six o'clock position and a date window at the twelve o'clock position. The dial also sports luminous silver-toned hands and luminous baton hour markers. For added function, a unidirectional bezel with minute markers surrounds the silver dial. The Aquaracer has a stainless steel band that closes with a fold-over safety clasp and is water resistance to 300 meters/984 feet. This feature-rich watch makes the perfect gift!

Philip Stein Chronograph - $1,695

The Philip Stein Men's Chronograph Watch has a very unique style. This timepiece features a rectangular case made of brushed and polished silver-tone stainless steel and a black stainless steel bezel. The dual-time-zone display shows off two round black dials with silver-tone luminous hour and minute hands, and red second hands. The top dial also features three chronograph sub-dials adding to the dashboard design. This watch has a comfort-fit black rubber band, offers reliable Swiss quartz movement, and is protected by a durable mineral crystal. The watch is also water resistant to a depth of 500 feet/150 meters. The Chronograph watch makes a very unique gift, it’s sure to give Dad style!

Breitling SuperOcean 44 - $3,890

Breitling’s SuperOcean 44 is crafted from a solid block of steel and outfitted on an integrated steel bracelet. The highly readable black dial offers luminous hands and markers and a prominent day/date display. The dial is scratch-resistant, glare-proof, and is framed by a unidirectional rotating steel bezel. The SuperOcean 44 is also waterproof down to an impressive 2,000 meters. This handsome timepiece is sure to make an amazing gift for Dad!

David Yurman Men’s Classic 46 MM Chronograph - $4,500

The David Yurman Men’s Classic Chronograph is the epitome of style. This popular timepiece is made of stainless steel and features a beautiful black bezel, black subdials, and silver Arabic numerals. The watch has a handsome leather strap and is complete with signature David Yurman touches. This watch will definitely make Dad’s Father’s Day!

Calibre de Cartier - $7,000

The Calibre de Cartier timepiece features an unidirectional, encircling bezel engraved with black numerals. The silvered opaline-white dial also has bold numerals, a date window, and luminescent diamond-shaped rhodium-plated metal hands. This watch is crafted entirely from solid stainless steel. This timepiece has Swiss-automatic movement, is water resistant, and is the luxury every Dad deserves!

May's Birthstone: Emerald

2011-05-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

May's birthstone is the Emerald! This beautiful green gemstone has long been associated with patience, understanding, wisdom, and foresight. As most would agree, these qualities are essential for a successful and long-lasting relationship. A gift of Emerald jewelry for a birthday, anniversary, or just because, is the perfect way to show your commitment and love for someone special in your life. Come in today and check out our beautiful selection of Emerald jewelry!

How to Buy a Diamond

2011-05-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

One of the most common questions we receive from our Gary Michaels customers is, "How does one select the perfect diamond?" In order to answer this intricate question, we must refer to the Gemological Association of America's diamond grading system. In the 1940s and 1950s, GIA developed a universal diamond grading system that is still in use today. This system determines diamond quality based on the "4C's": color, clarity, cut, and carat.

Color:

Diamond color is all about colorlessness. According to GIA, diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness, which means that the less color, the higher the value. GIA’s color-grading scale is the standard. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues to the letter Z, or near-colorless. Each letter grade has a clearly defined range of color appearance.

Clarity:

Diamond clarity refers to the absense of blemishes or inclusions within the diamond. According to GIA, diamonds without inclusions/blemishes are very rare, and rarity affects a diamond’s value. Using the GIA International Diamond Grading System, diamonds are assigned a clarity grade that ranges from flawless (FL) to diamonds with obvious inclusions (I3).

Cut:

The cut is responsible for a diamond's fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), brilliance (the total light reflected from a diamond), and scintillation (the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved). GIA released a diamond cut grading guide in 2005 that explains cut significance, click here for more information.

Carat:

Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams. According to GIA, two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other members of the Four C’s: clarity, color and cut. However, in general, the higher the carat, the higher the value.

Check out this informative GIA video on how to buy a diamond!!!

Credit: This information was acquired from the Gemological Insititute of America, Inc. website.

Welcome to the Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry Blog!

2011-05-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry Blog! This blog will be used to share information with our customers, keep our customers up to date on the latest trends in jewelry and watches, for special offers and promotions, and much more! We hope that you will find our blog both informative and enjoyable to read. Please feel free to post comments and offer feedback, we would love to hear from you!

Sincerely,

The Gary Michaels Team

P.S. - Click here to check out our new Facebook fan page! "Like" us on Facebook today!