Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Gulp. "Gee, thanks!"

It’s the thought that counts—but that doesn’t mean you want to wear your holiday gift.

What to do? 

Say “Thanks a million!”, read the story below for some great ideas, and then call your friendly neighborhood Jewelry Doctor* at 415/796-3969 (or text that very same area code, followed by five-nine-six, four-two-four-four). http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/12/you-shouldnt-have.html

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. We not only find silver linings—we make them!

*If you can read this, we’re in the neighborhood.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

The Perfect Gift, Times Eight, or Hark! Could That Be Latkes?

“Hooray! It’s almost Chanukah!” says Joan.

Teresa looks puzzled. “I thought it was after Christmas.”

“No, silly, it changes every year.” Should I try that new sweet potato latke recipe? she wonders.

“What do you mean?” Teresa puts down her latte. “I mean, Christmas is always the same day. Always has been.”

“Are you sure?” asks Joan. “Yes, it’s been December 25 for a long time, but some people say that date was actually chosen much later. Anyway, some people follow a lunar calendar, instead of the Roman one we do in the west. So the dates of the holidays are different each year.”

“Hmn,” says Teresa. She doesn’t like to admit when she doesn’t know something. Sometimes she just says, “Well, people say different things.” But she knows she’s out of her element here. Ask me about Catechism, she thinks, and we’re all set. She doesn’t say that, though. Instead she says, “Well, did you get your gifts yet?”

“Are you kidding?” asks Joan. “With my schedule and those kids?”

“So what are you going to do?” asks Teresa.

“Simple. I’m going to call San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. They’ve been helping me with great gifts for years.”

“Do they also do Christmas gifts?”

“No. Only Chanukah.” Joan laughs, seeing Teresa thinks she’s serious. “Come on. Of course. But lucky you. You just have to choose one gift for each person. We have to come up with eight—one for each night.”

“Oh, right,” says Teresa. "That’s because they only had enough oil in the temple to last one night, but it lasted eight, right?” At least I remember something from school, she thinks.

“Well, actually, that story was added later,” says Joan, “but I’ll tell you about that tomorrow.”

Teresa takes another sip of her latte. She’ll probably forget. I thought I understood at least part of this. “I liked the oil story,” she says. “I thought it was cool.”

“I know,” says Joan, pouring tea into her cup. “Supposedly, it was added so the Romans wouldn’t feel threatened by the real story, which is about a military victory. But I love the idea of the oil lasting eight days and eight nights, so I’m keeping it. Besides, otherwise how do you explain the latkes?”

“I think after a while they become our own holidays,” says Teresa, thinking I will never understand this. “I still like Santa Claus, too.” She eats the head off the gingerbread man. “Okay, enough religious history for today. What are you getting the girls?”

“Charm bracelets. The first night they get one charm, the second, another, and so on until the seventh night. The next morning I give the charms to the Jewelry Doctor and she puts them on the bracelet I selected. When we light the candles on the eighth night, the girls open their packages and—voila!—the finished bracelet. Cool, huh?

“Not bad,” says Teresa. I should do something like that with my girls, she thinks. Twelve days of Christmas, and all. “What’s that number again?”

“415-796-3969. Ask for Laynie.” 

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Miraculous gifts, every time.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Love Comes In All Sizes--And So Does Great Design

Most of the time your friendly neighborhood Jewelry Doctor loves reading about jewelry in the newsespecially bridal jewelry. (Also: How We Met. She could read those stories for days.) 

But today she was sad to see that someone took the trouble to post a picture on Twitter and make disparaging remarks about a ring that somebody selected for a special someone or had designed for a special someone.  

The writer didnt think much of the ring. Some might say she didnt think much at all. If she had, she would have considered the style of the recipient, the size of her handsmainly, she would have recognized a simple, elegant design. Oh, and maybe she would have considered that this is an engagement ringas in: special occasion. Congratulations, compliments, and other nice things are in order. (Or, to put it more simply: Who asked you?)

And Honey? Anybody who knows jewelry (and love) has news for you: Look again. That design is straight up gorgeous.

Fortunately, love, as we know, is forgiving. So just say you’re sorry and congratulate the happy couple. Also, here’s hoping you’re not dating. https://www.yahoo.com/style/internet-responds-meme-mocking-small-engagement-ring-size-doesnt-matter-010714500.html

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Never Mind "Bling," Let it Sing: Discovering Your Personal Jewelry Style

Sure, all of us like to get dressed up on occasion—a shimmery dress or a snazzy suit—and we want the pearls or the sparkly stones (or, for some, the tuxedo studs and cufflinks) to go with it.

But how many do that every day? Right. Still, some people hear the word “jewelry” and instantly see a red carpet. No way, they say.

“I’m not flashy. Jewelry’s not for me.”

Au contraire. Maybe it’s just that your look is a bit more subdued. Ever heard of amazonite? Tiger’s eye? Lapis? Onyx? And what about mahogany obsidian, snowflake obsidian, or carnelian? A simple gemstone pendant (or maybe some dotted pebbles) could be just the ticket.  

Or maybe it’s all about size. You see your friends wearing great big jewelry and that’s just not you. Fine. Maybe you prefer stud earrings on the smaller side, or some tiny gold or silver hoops. Never mind “bling.”  When you wear the right jewelry, it sings.  To be specific, it sings on you.

“But how do I know what works on me?”

That’s the fun part. Ask about our new service, “Pulling It All Together,” where the Jewelry Doctor comes to your house and you get to play “dress-up,” choosing the jewelry that enhances the outfits you already love to wear. Call 415/796-3969 now to schedule your appointment.

Oh, and if you happen to have a special occasion coming up and you want something shimmery? We’ll help you with that, too.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Where you always look like you—only more so.

©2017 Laynie Tzena.  

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

In Which We Learn From the Past

"Where did my favorite Jewelry Doctor go?"
Oh, Children, your Jewelry Doctor has been creating all kinds of beautiful things. Look for pictures and stories soon.
In the meantime, here is a public service announcement about a very important holiday coming up in the blink of an eye. 
http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-word-from-our-sponsor-how-do-you.html
"Mother's Day! I almost forgot!"
Not to worry, honey. The San Francisco Jewelry Doctor has a memory like an elephant. (And yes, we have elephant jewelry, too. Also pianos. ["Pianos?" Pianos. This is for the pianists and piano teachers among us.])
So--what's on your wish list? 415/796-3969. Operators standing by. Well, we were standing, but we sat down to write to you.
San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Consider us a friend of the family.