Definitely the Gingerbread

Are the cookies really better this time of year? Or do they just seem that way?  

While we ponder this and other existential questions, the Jewelry Doctor stands ready to help with those last-minute gifts for those wonderful people you know—and you, too. (Why not you?)  

More good news: You can do it all without leaving the house. So grab that coffee or cocoa or your other favorite beverage, read this inspiring story from our archives, and then call us at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244). 

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2013/12/crowds-not-so-pleasing-or-time-to-call.html

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Holidays without the agony.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Teresa Gets a History Lesson--And Great Gifts!

“Oh, Chanukah, Oh, Chanukah , come light the menorah—”

Well, hello! I didn’t see you come in. Just getting ready to put down the eggnog* and get ready to light the first candle of Chanukah.

What’s that? You say you didn’t know Chanukah was here?  That’s what Teresa said.  Read on. http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-perfect-gift-times-eight-or-hark.html

And yes, we can still help with Christmas gifts, too. But Wednesday is right around the corner, so give us a call (415/796-3969; text 415/596-4244) and we’ll take good care of you and everyone who loves you will not magically forget your birthday or anything.  

*Metaphorical eggnog, that is; we save the real stuff for Thursday’s party with Santa, Rudy, and the rest of the fellas.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Ralph, Sam, and Life's Little Miracles

“What are you doing, Ralph?”

“What does it look like, Sammy? I’m drinking a beer and getting ready to watch one of my favorite movies.”

Sammy laughs. 

“Hello? Chanukah starts tomorrow night. And Christmas, last I checked, is Wednesday.” He waits for the panicked look on Ralph’s face. Ten, nine, eight—

But it fails to materialize. How can that be? Has something happened since last year?  Has Ralph turned into the kind of person who doesn’t care about giving gifts?  Sammy is getting worried.

“Sam, don’t you remember I told you about San Francisco Jewelry Doctor? I called Laynie (415/796-3969; text 415/596-4244) two weeks ago. My gifts are already gift-wrapped and hidden in a safe place.”

“Wow,” says Sammy. “I thought we’d go hit the mall tonight, the way we always do.  Oh, well, good for you, I guess.” 

He sighs. “I suppose it’s too late to call San Francisco Jewelry Doctor.”

Wrong conclusion, Sammy!  Do not despair. We have lots of wonderful gifts for those on your list, and you can have ‘em in time for the holidays.  

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/12/last-minute-miracles.html

But don’t dilly-dally. Call us at 415/796-3969 (or text 415/596-4244).  

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Consider us Miracle Central.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Yes, You Can Take It With You

If there were a dictionary of fictitious phrases (someone is probably 

at work on one now), “Oh, I don’t need anything” might well be 

Numero Uno.  

This can lead to a little misunderstanding when people have, shall we say, different expectations.  

“But you said—“ the surprised party says to the disappointed one.

Fortunately, this is completely avoidable by calling your friendly neighborhood* Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244). The doctor actually took classes in interpersonal communication in college (and also has access to a decoder ring). She is happy to share the knowledge gained thereby with her happy customers, who are never again caught empty-handed and have a feeling of joy and contentment wherever in the world they travel.  (We hear Brazil is delightful this time of year.)  

While we put the finishing touches on another holiday treasure, here’s a story from our archives on this very subject.  

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-little-something.html

Oh!  That’s the phone. It must be you.

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

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Later, Somebody Heard the Horse Say, "That Was Impressive." The Doctor Just Smiled.

One minute you’re humming a happy tune, all excited about the party tomorrow night. Suddenly disaster looms. What to do?  

Call the doctor—the Jewelry Doctor, that is. 

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/12/saddle-up-white-horse.html

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Because we all love happy endings. 

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

“V” Do We Love You, or How A Little Geometry Makes All the Difference

Some of us just plain love a “V” shape. It’s pleasing to the eye (one reason why Art Deco design is such a delight). More than that, the “V” has a feeling of energy about it. It’s got pizzazz.

Are you a fan of V-shapes? According to Alexander Art, you’re in good company: so did the “Old Masters.” 
https://alexanderart.com/v-shapes/

So if anyone turns up a nose, feel free to say, “Honey, if it’s good enough for Titian, it’s good enough for me.” (Drawing a blank, they then think, “I really should know who that is,” and go scurrying off to find that art history book they know is still around somewhere, while you saunter away, all casual-like.)

The Adair Group puts the debut of the V-shape in the world of American fashion to the 1960s, pointing out that the “V” shape in t-shirt design was originally a camouflage, “first used to hide the collar fabric when other shirts were worn over them.”  

Who knew?

Adair points out that one winning quality of the shape is its “sculpted appearance. (“V-shapes) are particularly adept at making your face seem longer and more angular”—a nice effect for those with round or square faces, because it creates a more oval or angular look, “something that’s seen as desirable by many people.”

What’s not to love?

But say your face already is angular? What then? You can still wear 
the “V,” and just say, “It’s all about angles over here.” Nothing wrong with that. Or, if you prefer to soften the look, add a scarf inside 
that “V.”

Here’s a pretty pair of “V”-shaped earrings from Stuller (also available in white gold, rose gold, silver and, yes, platinum, too). https://www.stuller.com/products/87150/?groupId=202616&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

“Wow, those are huge!”

Actually, they’re a wonderful size: 23 x 7mm, as in just under an inch long and a touch under a third of an inch wide. Perfectly suitable for the office, as well as the evening and weekend. 

And did you know the “V” shape is an integral part of many pieces in the Laynie Tzena collection—especially our pendants, in porcelain, Venetian glass, Swarovski crystal, and gemstones? Now you do.

So call your friendly neighborhood* Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244) and say, “Doctor, I’m suffering from a ‘V’ deficiency.” We’ll take care of the rest.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Add a little “V” to your life.

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

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

What Better Gift Than Focus?

If you look at those ads and say, “Oh!  ____________ would love that!”

—how wonderful. That’s the best kind of gift-giving. 

But make sure you’re actually getting what the ad promises. Here’s a well-loved story from our archives about how what you see may not be what you get. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-turquoise-or-whats-big-deal-really.html?fbclid=IwAR2-lbTliJ7guae3EO2-bLNZnSJLxLcpa939j59HILuF4JiUh_gLIlev2oA

And here are two recent news stories about conditions at one of the companies offering the biggest deals today.  

https://www.revealnews.org/article/behind-the-smiles/?fbclid=IwAR0rFfJJzf0A1IFExA-QaSlgX2lYvGjaUArfaFrRGBiITTYFixBraGQveZ0

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/11/amazon-warehouse-reports-show-worker-injuries/602530/

Now remember, your Jewelry Doctor loves the holidays as much as anybody. She is simply saying, “Take a moment. Stop and think about what gift-giving means to you.”  

We hope it means tuning in to the recipient. What will make his or her heart and soul sing?  

We also hope it means paying attention to quality—not only the quality of the merchandise, of course, but the quality of life for the people doing the behind-the-scenes work to make those gifts happen and the quality of community that results when one or two companies force other businesses out.

If you believe in the importance of small business, you can put that belief into practice by putting your money where your mouth is this holiday season (and thoughout the year).

A great start is Small Business Saturday tomorrow. But don't stop there. When you’re making a purchase, instead of asking, "Does (the conglomerate) have this?" (and starting and ending your search there), consider asking, "Could (your favorite small business) have this, or could they order it?"   

So shop. (Ask us about gifts for your favorite people). Enjoy your shopping. Just do it consciously. Do it with your priorities in mind, in a manner that has provided real results for people all over the world for years and years and years: focus.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Solitaire, Part One: Color In That Circle!

Everywhere you look, people are playing solitaire—pendants, that is. And why not? It’s a great look. 

But why not add some color to that solitaire? Here’s one from Stuller* featuring pink tourmaline in a gold setting.

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

How about emerald in white gold?

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629139/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

Citrine sings in rose gold.

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629170/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

And so does aquamarine.

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629167/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

Or how about Mozambique garnet in platinum?

https://www.stuller.com/products/87126/16629188/?groupId=203177&searchTerm=87126&recommendationSource=SearchRedirect

You get the idea. If your style is simple and elegant (or that’s what’s called for in your work environment), you can certainly stay within those parameters, coloring between the lines.

*To order Stuller jewelry, just jot down the item number of your favorites, then text that info to your friendly neighborhood** Jewelry Doctor at 415/596-4244 (or call 415/796-3969), and we’ll check on pricing and availability for you.

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

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

And--You're Off!

Anyone can get dressed up

and be glamorous, but it is 

how people dress on their 

days off that is intriguing.

—Alexander Wang

What’s your favorite jewelry to wear when you’re off work? What do you reach for when you can wear whatever you want? Has that changed over the years? Is it due for a change?  

Call the doctor—the San Francisco Jewelry Doctor, that is—at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let’s put our heads together about jewelry that reflects your own individual after-work style.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Great jewelry, seven days a week*.

Yes, we sleep. We mean you can have great jewelry. But you already knew that, right? Of course. Honey, you are on it.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

Did Anybody Ask Archie?

Weren’t we just talking about Kate Middleton’s earrings the other day? And here they are in the news again. 

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/jewelry-and-watches/a28321037/kate-middleton-princess-diana-archie-christening-earrings/

This time it’s not about other possible earring choices, but the idea (not shared by Town and Country or Glamour 

https://www.glamour.com/story/kate-middleton-earrings-archie-christening-drama) that wearing the late Princess Diana’s earrings 

to the christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was a 

no-no.  Because they should have been worn by the child’s mum, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.  

To which we say: Rubbish! There were four people who could have perfectly appropriately worn those earrings: Meghan Markle (who probably got first look at them*), Kate Middleton, or their spouses.

“But William and Harry don’t wear earrings.”

Good point. The issue here is what they are entitled to wear. 

Now, you could say everyone in the room could have worn a pearl earring as a tribute. But what we’re talking about here is how a grand-mère unable to be in the room (either due to her schedule or, sadly, because she is no longer alive) has a presence. And the best way to do that is to have one of her children (or their spouses) wear something to say, “Mom, you are here with us.”

Which means, if you ask the Jewelry Doctor, that it was perfectly appropriate for Kate to wear those earrings, assuming William and Harry weren’t interested in wearing them.

Your thoughts?

*The mum in question probably said no, thank you, since many a baby, royal and otherwise, likes to pull on dangle earrings :>.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

Beautiful by Nature

There’s something about designs inspired by nature. They just 

feel great to wear; as though you were bringing a little bit of that 

Saturday morning hike with you when you go to back to work 

on Monday. 

Check out this leafy bracelet. 

https://www.stuller.com/products/650116/?groupId=114826&recommendationSource=productpage&recommendationType=recommendation&recommendationId=116531

And how about this flower necklace?

https://www.stuller.com/products/69220/?groupId=97903&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

You could wear these flowers pinned to your jacket lapel—

https://www.stuller.com/products/83539/1993005/?groupId=42629&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

—and also ask us how to create an instant pendant. 

What’s your favorite flower? Let us know. We’re at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244).

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Naturally.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

Dressing the Royals, Part One

Now, Kate Middleton could probably wear a grocery bag as a dress and make it look like a million bucks (or pounds, if you prefer). 

Still, the earrings here? 
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a28256412/kate-middleton-shirt-dress-wimbledon-2019/

Okay. Great, even, with something else. But if we were dressing the princess, we’d give her these to wear this time out.  
https://www.stuller.com/products/85657/?groupId=116495&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

“But aren’t those are too big?”

Actually, they’re all of an inch and a half. And the onyx highlights the black accents in that wonderful dress, the granulated silver design echoes the lines of the garment, they have “summer”* written all over them—what’s not to love?

Call us next time, Kate. We’re at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244).

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. We help you access your inner royalty.

*We think they would be gorgeous any time of year, actually. Like some people we could mention.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. 

Not Just Any Ruby

The office is closed for the Fourth of July holiday, but here’s a well-loved story (about our stone of the month) from our archives. https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/07/just-right-ruby.html

Calling All Blondes

“If I’ve only one life, let me live it as a blonde!” said the woman in the Clairol ad. 

Some of us thought that was a fine idea and tried to become blonde, with surprising results we discussed the other day. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/12/sun-in-not-required.html. 

Others were born with beautiful blonde hair, or have found a way to create it. This is for you. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/12/do-blondes-have-more-fun-you-decide.html

©2019 Laynie Tzena.

A Favorite Stone for Many, Hands Down

Doctors, as you may know, refrain from giving unsolicited medical advice. So your Jewelry Doctor will not weigh in as to whether people are/were correct in maintaining that our stone of the month, the ruby, protects the thumb (something many would like to do). 

But she has no hesitation whatsoever about proclaiming their absolute beauty. Read on about many people’s favorite gemstone.

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/history-legend-rubies-gems-yore/

https://www.gia.edu/ruby-history-lore

A Little Bigger

Have you been thinking small?

Some years ago (before I became the Jewelry Doctor) I met an image consultant at a business event. She looked at the jewelry I was wearing and said, “Wear big earrings.”

Big earrings? 

Yikes! 

I asked why she suggested that. It made me a little nervous. I mean, you know, big? Big earrings? They’d be too flashy. Flashy was not me. (Note: Still not flashy, but my earrings have definitely gotten bigger.)

She pointed out that I was tall. (True.) Why the teeny earrings?

I believe the term is “comfort zone.” You see, I was comfortable wearing little earrings. And there’s nothing wrong with little earrings. But what she could see that I couldn’t was that they were a little too little for me.

Could you go a little bigger? No one says you have to. But it’s a new month. A splendid time to consider if you may be playing small—smaller than you need to. We’re not talking gigantic. Just, maybe, you know, a little bigger.  

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

That Gorgeous Gray

Whether gray has arrived naturally or you have chosen the color, 

your jewelry can really make that beautiful hair even more striking. Sterling silver, white gold, and platinum are all fine choices. For some, rose gold is also pretty.

Good stones for you? Diamonds, of course—the lighter ones and for some silver-haired beauties, champagne, coffee, and cognac ones, too.  We talked about diamonds here.

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/04/quality-is-girls-and-boys-best-friend_12.html

For a soft look, choose rose quartz, amethyst, or tanzanite. And don’t overlook the opals, including the power of fire opal. 

If your gray has brown undertones, you may really like mahogany obsidian and red tiger’s eye. Tree agate and malachite are wonderful for those whose undertones are cooler. Snowflake obsidian is sensational on just about everybody, with its gray and black combination. Onyx is another winner. And don’t forget gray labradorite. Hematite is great on some, too harsh on others with silver and gray hair. You be the judge. 

Sky colors are often a winner for those with silver hair. Aquamarine and blue zircon will sing on many of you; if you want to go deeper, choose sapphire, either the brilliant blue of Ceylon sapphire or the equally beautiful indigo. (And since we’re talking about blue, lapis lazuli is another lovely way to go.)

What about jewel tones? Garnet is a great choice for many. You’re probably familiar with rhodolite garnet and Mozambique garnet, but Tsavorite is positively gorgeous. Have a look at grape garnet earrings here. https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2018/01/you-love-your-jewelry-we-understand.html

Tourmaline is a favorite stone for many. Emerald is another, as is next month’s birthstone, the ruby. More on that soon.

So if your locks are gray, don’t hide them away! Let the world see that shimmer.

©2109 Laynie Tzena.

Seeing Stars at the Barbecue

Can it be? The Fourth of July is a week from today. Wear one of these bracelet-earring sets, and you’ll be a star at the barbecue—and after it, too.  

Love stars? Call your friendly neighborhood* Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let’s design something heavenly for you.

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

©2019 Laynie Tzena. 

Such a Lovely Month, or You Must Remember This

Oh, no! It’s the question that strikes fear in many a spouse’s heart:  

“Do you know what today is?”

You rack your brain. Nothing. (BTW: It’s your anniversary.) 

“How could you have forgotten?”

Gulp.

Look, we’re all busy. Understood. But there is a cure for “anniversary amnesia.” Tell your Jewelry Doctor key dates you need to remember, including your anniversary. She will create a calendar for you and remind you as those dates approach.

We now return to the former nightmare.

“Do you know what today is?”

Blank look.

“You forgot again, didn’t you?”

Smile. Reach into your pocket and pull out the box with the perfect gift you’ve chosen*—  

Fade to sunset.

*How do you know it’s the perfect gift? Have a look here. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2014/04/hard-to-shop-for-not-any-more_27.html

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Sometimes A Necklace Just Needs A Little Something

There are times when a necklace just needs a little more pizzazz. 
Kat loved the pearls her father had brought back from a trip—

—but since it was time to restring them, she’d been thinking they could use a little something—maybe a new clasp?

There were many wonderful contenders.

https://cgmfindings.com/subcat/456/clasps/14k_gold/clasps_with_diamonds_.html

https://cgmfindings.com/item/6026PW/14K_Clasp_Square_Diamond_w__Pearl_White_Gold_15mm.html

https://cgmfindings.com/item/6077/14K_Clasp_w__Pearl_11mm.html,

https://cgmfindings.com/item/6085/14K_Clasp_Flower_14mm_w__Pearl.html

Which is your favorite? Wondering what Kat chose? Stay tuned, or call us at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244).

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

"Grandmother's Pearls" Live On

Carrie was sad that her favorite pearl necklace, which had belonged to her late grandmother, was in pieces. Then one day she met the Jewelry Doctor, who waved her magic wand and it was “Happy Ever After.” https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2009/05/time-travel.html

A Little Movement, or It's All In The Arrangement

Nothing wrong with these earrings. 

In fact, Fred said she liked them when she bought them. But they sat in the drawer.

That would be the late Fred Bloebaum, one of my all-time favorite customers. Fred had style for days, and a real sense of life about her. She was open to all kinds of things, and gave me (and probably anyone else who designed for her) enormous freedom when it came to design, probably because she was a designer herself—a fashion designer who created a line of classic patterns called “Designs by La Fred,” wrote for Threads Magazine, led sewing retreats, and taught at workshops around the country and at Stone Mountain and Daughter in Berkeley, where I think of her every time I shop for buttons for the loop-and-button fastenings I create for bracelets and other jewelry. 
(More on button jewelry soon.)

“I don’t know what it is,” she said, showing me the earrings. “They just don’t do anything for me.”

I looked at them. The components were pretty, especially that blonde wood saucer currently hiding under a brass bead. 

The round bead at the top and the pebble underneath it weren’t helping, so out they went. I decided the overall problem was the earring design was too static—especially for Fred. So I tilted the saucer and wire-wrapped it, turning it into a modified donut, added an onyx bead above it to support the amber pebble now visible. Small onyx pebbles served as cradles for the rhyolite (sometimes called “rainforest jasper”) that formed the top of the new earring. The angled wires on the original earrings were fine, but not with this design; ball posts would show the earrings to better effect.

“Great!” said Fred, and we were on to another project. 

RIP, Fred. You had such a spark.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Red, I Said!

More and more people are exploring a new hair color (or two). 
So let’s take a look at the kind of jewelry that works best for your 
hair color—whether it came from the crib or from a bottle a little later. We’ll start with redheads. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/12/sun-in-not-required.html

Finding the Perfect Chain

“I think I’ll just pick up a chain to go with that pendant I bought the other day.”

At the store (sadly, the customer has yet to meet the Jewelry Doctor) the customer realizes the pendant is at home. No problem, says the salesperson, handing a gold or silver chain to the customer—most likely, a cable or curb.

“This is our most popular chain,” the salesperson adds, and the customer thinks, “That was easy,” and walks out of the store.

Sometimes it all works out fine. But sometimes the chain doesn’t look right with the pendant: maybe the silver in the chain looks a little different from the pendant (one might be oxidized or treated with rhodium to make it more shiny—more on that here:

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-turquoise-or-whats-big-deal-really.html). Or the chain length isn’t exactly right. And sometimes the combination is just a little ho-hum. 

What to do instead? Start by taking a closer look at the pendant the chain will be complementing (we talked about complements here:  

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2019/05/building-your-jewelry-wardrobe-part-two.html). What kind of chain would highlight it best?

For example, remember that wonderful fused glass pendant we talked about recently? 

Let’s say the customer had decided she would like a chain, rather than a more elegant version of the original cord. What kind of chain would be appropriate?

Take a look at the pendant’s pattern, along with its shape. A box chain might echo those beautifully. Here are a couple of box chains. https://www.stuller.com/products/ch707/7429/?groupId=46189&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

https://www.stuller.com/products/ch1032/12031163/?groupId=120408&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

A snake chain would also be a good bet. Here, we’re not trying to echo the pattern or shape, but to create something neutral (and sleek) to jazz up the pendant.

https://www.stuller.com/products/ch1032/12031163/?groupId=120408&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

We’ll talk more about chain options soon. For now, remember to take the pendant along when you’re chain-shopping, and think about what the pendant design is really asking for.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Take Another Look at Pearls

Like many months, this one has more than one birthstone. The stone most people think of when it comes to June is the lovely pearl. 

And when people hear the word “pearl,” many immediately think of something like this.

https://www.stuller.com/products/61202/?groupId=29697&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

Classic. Beautiful. No complaints—unless somebody says that’s all pearls can do. Actually, pearls show up in all kinds of places. Look what they’re up to here:

https://www.stuller.com/products/68634/?groupId=109586&recommendationSource=productpage&recommendationType=recommendation&recommendationId=116531

And how about this bar necklace?

https://www.stuller.com/products/86715/?groupId=198109&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

Here’s a pretty pearl coin necklace.

https://www.stuller.com/products/66363/?groupId=88088&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

A rope pearl ring—

https://www.stuller.com/products/6468/?groupId=119402&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

—which would look wonderful with this pendant we were recently talking about, don’t you think?

https://www.stuller.com/products/86167/?groupId=121782&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

Not to mention these rope jackets for your pearl studs. 

https://www.stuller.com/products/86743/?groupId=198272&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

What’s that? No studs? We’ve got ’em. 

https://www.stuller.com/search/results/?query=pearl+stud+earrings)

And to close (for now), here are some simply elegant pearl earrings:

https://www.stuller.com/products/86726/?groupId=197858&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

So wear some pearls, and let your luster show!

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Consider us Pearl Central.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

A Better Necklace for Nancy

Have you seen all the chain jewelry out there? So many wonderful things! But sometimes a design one person loves—well, you’ll see, in this story about a favorite chain necklace that didn’t start out that way. https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2011/04/geometry-after-all.html

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

A Winning Combination

K and I were wrapping up our initial meeting, after looking at a number of “patients” she had for the Jewelry Doctor. Suddenly something we had talked about gave her an idea.

“Is there anything you could do so I could wear this—” 

“—with this?

Now that was a tall order! Without a clasp, there was no way to feed the tassel onto the necklace, even if it had a bail (see one anywhere?).

Another time, a pendant enhancer would be a great solution. These are a special kind of bail that open and close over a necklace. You often see them with pearls. But when we looked at them here, we saw that to use one with a narrow necklace like this one wouldn’t work. The combination would look clunky.

“Let me see what I can do,” I said. 

First order of business: creating a necklace that opened and closed. After taking pictures I made a pattern from the original necklace, took it apart, and rebuilt it with new chain and a clasp. 

Next, I added a fluted sterling bail. Presto! The tassel was now a pendant. The bail we selected allowed K to wear her new tassel pendant on a sterling chain, if she chose to do that, and to wear the necklace on its own, too.

Since we had some garnet left over, I made a bracelet for K to wear with her new necklace.

Here’s hoping K receives lots of compliments on the ensemble. It’s been a big hit with our other customers, two of whom have ordered variations on the theme. Stay tuned.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Roses for Ceanne

“I don’t know if this can be fixed,” said Ceanne.

“Let’s see,” said the Jewelry Doctor.  

Turned out Ceanne was right: that ivory rectangle had a missing corner, so replacing it in the silver setting—putting it back together exactly as was—wouldn’t work.  

Fortunately, there was another solution.

“Wow!” says someone.“And isn’t that the same pattern we saw yesterday in that festoon?”

Good eye! Yes. The end bars have a similar design to the festoon that went with Helen’s earrings.

“Great. End of story, right?”

Well, not exactly. You see, the bracelet was now too long. What to do? Shorten it, of course. 

This freed up one of the segments. Roses and more roses!

Oh, and that other rose we were talking about, the one with the corner missing? 

It might be reshaped and have another life as a pendant—or maybe a brooch? Stay tuned.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

A Fine Accompaniment

Helen loved these earrings—and who wouldn’t? 

She thought it’d be great to have a necklace to go with them. We looked at various options, and decided on a festoon. Remember festoons? They come in all shapes and sizes. We talked about festoons here. https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-heart-of-matter_17.html

This festoon picked up the earring pattern nicely.

Here it is with the cable chain Helen selected (in two lengths, with spring rings at the ends so she can mix and match):

Another look at that set. 

And they all lived happily ever after.

Do you have a pair of earrings that could use a little company? Call the San Francisco Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and we’ll find them a suitable companion.  

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Consider us your jewelry matchmaker.

©2019 Laynie Tzena.