Ending May Like a Queen

As we wave goodbye to the merry month of May, we consider the beautiful gemstone associated with this month. We speak, of course, of the smaragdus.

“What on Earth is that?”

Oh. Well, perhaps you’re more familiar with the English name: emerald. https://www.gia.edu/emerald-history-lore

Are you celebrating a 20^thor 25^thanniversary, or do you just happen to love a beautiful green?  Ask us about emerald jewelry. (And yes, we can set that emerald you’ve been wanting to do something with.)  

But please, don’t put that emerald under your tongue, no matter what wisdom is rumored to be gained by doing so. Honey, there are other ways to get that kind of information—and it’s quite a procedure to recover the emerald if you happen to swallow it.  

Some say looking at emeralds is restorative, relieving eye strain and reducing stress. We’re all for that. Call the doctor—the San Francisco Jewelry Doctor, that is—at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let’s look at some together.  

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

No More Lost Necklaces!

If you have short hair, consider today’s story a golden opportunity for you to develop empathy since what we’ll be talking about is simply not your problem.

But you say your hair is shoulder-length or longer? Good news! Your days of losing necklaces will soon be behind you.

Let’s talk about the top three ways to lose a necklace.  

1. The necklace has a hook and eye clasp. (Okay, not all hook and eye clasps. Only 99 percent of them.)

“Why?” you may ask. 

Simple. You toss your head, fiddle with your earring, run your fingers through your hair. The necklace sees its opportunity. Freedom! And off it goes.

2. The necklace has a toggle clasp.

Yes, toggles come in many very pretty designs. If you love them, feature them: we can design (or redesign) necklaces with the toggle in the front.

3. The necklace has (moment of silence here) a barrel clasp.

We know. It seems so simple, so easy to use. Tra-la-la. Then you turn your head a few times.  Goodbye, necklace.

“Fine. What do you suggest instead?”

Lobster clasps are hard to beat—as long as they’re the right size.  See “The Necklace is You—But that Clasp?”  

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-necklace-is-you-but-that-clasp.html

Ask for a chain instead of a jump ring opposite the lobster, and presto! You can wear the necklace at various lengths.

Spring rings (you know them as that circle with a knob on your gold and silver chains) are also fine. You could also choose a pearl clasp or box clasp. The filigree ones are especially lovely. 

If opening and closing clasps is a challenge these days, magnetic clasps are a great way to go—and there are now magnetic converters that can be attached to your existing necklaces with no restringing necessary.

As to bracelets: loop-and-button fastenings are just wonderful. The sky’s the limit when it comes to button choices, making your bracelet as distinctive as you are.

Got a necklace (or bracelet) with an annoying clasp? Help is at hand. Call your friendly neighborhood* Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and we’ll replace it with something just as pretty, or even more so—one with real staying power.

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

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

The Necklace is You--But That Clasp?

Once upon a time jewelry was made with clasps that made sense. No, we certainly don’t mean they could carry on a conversation (if yours can, sing out). We mean that they were the proper size for the necklace.  

Then one day somebody somewhere had what seemed to be a bright idea.

“Let’s use smaller clasps so we can save money.”

A capital idea, said the assembled group, which certainly included nobody who ever could have, in a million years, possibly worn a piece of jewelry.

Thus arose the curse of what Roseanne Roseannadana, dreamed up by the late, great Gilda Radner, might have called the “teeny-tiny” little clasp. One that every jewelry-lover hates with a passion, but tolerates because, really, what can you do?

What can you do? Call the doctor! The Jewelry Doctor, that is (415/796-3969; text 415/596-4244). We’ll replace that little monster with something beautiful in keeping with the design of the necklace (yes, that includes chains), and in a size that is just right for you.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Raise Your Right Hand--And Put a Ring On It!

In the United States and some other countries as well, engagement and wedding rings are generally worn on the third finger of the left hand—we call it the “ring finger.” We tend to choose the placement of other rings based on a variety of factors, including their proximity to other rings. But historically each finger had its own significance when it came to holding a ring. Thumb rings and rings on the index finger (or “forefinger”) had special meaning. What did they signify?

Many women love wearing a great ring on their right hand. In the U. S., the trend started in the 1920s and has gained popularity in recent years. 

Right hand ring designs are often dramatic, like this one from Stuller. https://www.stuller.com/products/120817/?groupId=4834&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

And then there are “stacked” right hand rings, cool as you please.  https://www.stuller.com/products/63369/?groupId=32247&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

Here are a couple of our current favorites.  

https://www.stuller.com/products/63374/?groupId=32252&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

https://www.stuller.com/products/120771/?groupId=4752&recommendationSource=SiteSearch  

How about yours? Happy to help with rings for whatever finger you choose—including the one on your left hand. Call the Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let’s talk rings!

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Jewelry That Brings Back Memories

Today is Memorial Day, a time we remember soldiers who gave their lives in war. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors those whose identities couldn’t be verified; the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was created for those lost to HIV-related illness, to keep their memories alive.

Family jewelry can serve a similar purpose. When we wear something that belonged to someone we loved, we carry that person’s memory.   

Here’s a necklace that Carrie brought in. It had belonged to her grandmother. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2009/05/time-travel.html

Nancy brought her grandmother’s pin. 

https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2018/02/spring-comes-early-or-then-and-now.html

Enjoy your family jewelry, and the memories that go with it.  

What’s that? You say it’s sitting in the box because it needs a little TLC? Time to call the doctor—the Jewelry Doctor, that is—at 415/796-3969 [text 415/596-4244]. Soon you’ll be wearing it again, and holding them close as you do.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved. 

"You're the One!" Commitment Jewelry.

Some couples know they want to be together, but it’s not yet time to get engaged. So how do you signify “You’re the one!”? (aside from saying it, of course; we’re all for that!)

That’s where commitment (or “promise”) jewelry comes in. 
Commitment jewelry is not ordinary jewelry—well, any jewelry carefully chosen isn’t ordinary, but you know what we mean. Nor is it bridal jewelry. Then what is it? It's jewelry that has special meaning for two people, and demonstrates their bond.

Say you two enjoy spending time in nature. Your commitment ring may be a simple band with a leaf design. Or you might choose a gemstone that you both love, wearing it either set in a ring or in a pendant. (If you’d like to differentiate them, one of you could wear a pear stone and the other, a round one.) Or perhaps your commitment ring will have a “twist” design, signifying that your lives are intertwined.

It doesn’t even have to be a ring! You could show your commitment by wearing a locket with that special someone’s picture (or a picture of the place you met, or a calendar with that date?) inside.  

How do you envision your commitment jewelry? Call San Francisco Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let’s put our heads together about the kind of jewelry that will say to your favorite person, “You’re the one for me!”

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

A Little Something For Your Ear

Dear San Francisco Jewelry Doctor:

My friend sent me your story about earring jackets, and then the one about other pretty things to go with stud earrings, and I thought, “Okay, fine. But what if we don’t have any stud earrings? Do you have stud earrings for us?”  

Studless in St. Paul

Dear SSP:

Not to worry. Of course we have stud earrings. Try these.

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

Ball post earrings also work well in earring jackets. Here are some in gold (available in white gold, too).

https://www.stuller.com/products/23932/9862822/?groupId=60241&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

Of course we could make some stud earrings for you with your favorite stones, too. Just ask.

Studs come in lots of pretty patterns.  Take a look at these.

https://www.stuller.com/products/85989/?groupId=119668&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

Here are some very jazzy white gold diamond cluster studs.  https://www.stuller.com/products/651615/?groupId=120035&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

You could also have monogrammed studs.

https://www.stuller.com/products/86011/?groupId=119734&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

Or solitaire14KW studs:

https://www.stuller.com/products/86754/?groupId=198311&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

And our latest favorite, which we call “Lace Trim” stud earrings. Here they are in white gold with peridot—or maybe you’d prefer your birthstone?

https://www.stuller.com/products/86777/?groupId=198425&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

What kind of studs make your heart and soul sing? Call San Francisco Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and you’ll be wearing them in no time.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Jewelry for Gray Days

We all get our share of rain—sometimes more than our share. Do you tend to mirror the weather in your clothing and jewelry, favoring black and gray on cloudy days? Or do you prefer to add more color to counter that gloomy weather?  Maybe you like to wear blue when it rains. One way to “wake up” your approach to the way you dress is to consider what you’re really drawn to.  

“I don’t know!” says someone. “I just grab something.”

Nothing wrong with that, as long as you’re not doing it every single day. Going on automatic pilot may seem like it’s saving time, but how does that let your heart and soul sing? Think about what you love, and wear it. And watch your energy rise.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Building Your Jewelry Wardrobe, Part Two: The Beauty of Complements

Yesterday we were talking about earring jackets. These help you give your favorite stud earrings a variety of new looks.

Did you notice these white gold rope earring jackets (also available in yellow gold, rose gold, platinum and, yes, sterling silver, too)?

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

Isn’t it fun when you get complimented on your jewelry? Today, let’s think about a word that sounds the same but has one different letter. A “complement” goes with or accents something already present. Finding or creating jewelry that complements jewelry you have on hand is a real treat.

Consider this necklace with those jackets we were just talking about.

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

Or say you have a great rope chain on hand. That’d be pretty with the rope earring jackets. 

“Actually, I’ve been looking for a rope chain.”

Here’s a great one. https://www.stuller.com/products/ch953/?groupId=101631&recommendationSource=SiteSearch)

“That’s a little wide for me.”

Okay, try this one. https://www.stuller.com/products/ch474/?groupId=45960&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

You get the idea. Just as we don’t buy clothing randomly (most of the time), but to fill in gaps in our wardrobe, it’s helpful to approach jewelry-buying by thinking in terms of what complements the jewelry you already own and love.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Helping you build your jewelry wardrobe, one step at a time.  

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

You Love Studs? Meet Jackets.

Just about everybody loves studs (the earrings, that is :>)—they’re simple and elegant, and can go everywhere. 

But not everyone knows about earring jackets. Jackets make a great addition to your jewelry wardrobe, because those studs can suddenly have a whole new look—well, several different looks, actually, since they’re detachable. Here are some great earring jackets from Stuller.  https://www.stuller.com/search/results/?query=earring+jackets

Call your friendly neighborhood* Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let us know your faves; we’ll check on pricing and availability.

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

Your Weekend Wardrobe

Many people feel most comfortable wearing simple accessories at work—less distracting to clients, employers, coworkers—but come the weekend? They love to go all-out.

What’s your weekend style? Do you have a weekend wardrobe: jewelry you can wear out to brunch or to the museum or that concert you’ve been waiting for? That jewelry so right for the office suddenly looks a little tame.

Time to call the doctor—the Jewelry Doctor, that is—at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and we’ll find jewelry that expresses your Saturday night and Sunday morning style. 

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Helping you plan your weekend wardrobe.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

On Liberace Day, Try Something "A Little More Fabulous"

Pianist, singer, and actor Liberace was born on this day back in 1919. To set himself apart in a sea of classical pianists, he became quite the showman—and that extended to his wardrobe. 

He loved jewelry, especially rings. The Museum of Modern Art in Paris included some of them in an exhibition not long ago, where a replica of one was made available for purchase. Can you guess which ring it was? What were some of the other unusual rings he wore? 

“He was really flashy,” says someone. “It worked for him, but that’s just not me.” 

We understand. It’s all about honoring your personal style, as we talked about here. 

http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2017/05/sing-not-bling-discovering-your.html

So nobody’s asking you to be Liberace.  (Even Liberace wasn’t Liberace at home—someone close to him said when he wasn’t onstage he was stationed at the kitchen stove, or decorating the house, or playing with his dogs, and didn’t go near the piano.)  

But taking a page from Liberace and adding a little drama to your jewelry wardrobe? Now, there’s an idea that positively shines.  

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Did Somebody Say Emerald?

Many months have more than one “birthstone” (remember, the original idea came from the historian Josephus’ interpretation of Aaron’s breastplate*, and a whole lot has happened since then :>). This month is one of them, featuring emerald and also agate. 

“Well, emerald is much more valuable,” says someone.

Is it? We think gemstones have personal value as well as “market” value.  Emerald is a beautiful, vibrant stone. But those who prefer earth tones are likely to ask for agate instead. (More on agate soon.) And some people, like your Jewelry Doctor, love both of them.  

These days emerald is mined in Colombia and also Zambia, but that wasn’t always the case. Can you guess where the first mines were?

If emerald’s green makes your heart and soul sing, have a look at this pretty pair of emerald earrings from Stuller. (You could call them “emerald squared,” since the rectangular cut of these stones is also called “emerald.”)  https://www.stuller.com/products/81950/?groupId=40939&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

“I bought an emerald when I was traveling,” says someone, “but I don’t know what to do with it.” 

We do. Call San Francisco Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and let’s put our heads together about some beautiful new jewelry for you.

*More on the evolution of birthstones here. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthstone#History_of_birthstones

A Daughter's Dilemma

Dear San Francisco Jewelry Doctor:

Wow! Now that I’m a mother myself I have new admiration for what my mother did for me—and I have my hands full, with little guys running all over creation. My mother says I don’t need to give her a Mother’s Day gift this year, but my husband says we always need to give our moms something. Who is right?

Ann Arbor Mother and Daughter—In One

Dear A²MD:

Congratulations on your growing family. Your mother sounds lovely, and your husband is right. This is the one day set aside to honor our moms. Let’s not skip over it. (Tip: Bookmark this story for your children to read in a few years.)  

We have lots of beautiful jewelry for your mom—and we ship (UPS, FedEx, USPS)—so call us at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244) and let’s choose something just right for your mom.

And honey? Call now, because Mother’s Day is Sunday and here it is Friday and, well, you can do the math :>.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. A daughter’s best friend.  

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

For That Up-To-The-Minute (Should We Say 'Fashionista'?) Mom

Dear San Francisco Jewelry Doctor:

I read what you wrote to that nice person with the casual mom and the one with the religious mom. Help! My mom is the trendiest person I know. I don’t go around naked, mind you; people tell me I dress just fine. But I cannot keep up with my mother. So how on Earth can I choose the right gift for her? 

No Runway for Me

Dear NRM:

First of all, thank you for reassuring us that you are wearing clothing—nice clothing, apparently. How wonderful that your mother loves the “latest and the greatest.” 

Shopping can be challenging in the wider world. Your Jewelry Doctor still remembers a time in her shorter days when her mother, always fashionable herself, held up an item and she took one look and said, “Mom! I would never wear that!” and if memory serves, that was the last time they went shopping together. 

Gift-shopping at San Francisco Jewelry Doctor is somewhat different. We start with “What kinds of things does the person love wearing?” We have lots of jewelry in the latest styles; chances are, we have something just right for your mom. 

Note: If for any reason your mom is not thrilled and delighted with the gift you select, she is always welcome to exchange her gift for something else. In over 20 years of helping people with gifts, we have received countless “She loved it!” calls and notes and not a single message of regret, probably because we start by zooming in on the person’s style. People often bring or send pictures, so we can see what the person loves to wear. It’s so much fun!

Another great solution for those who want that “up-to-the-minute” look is a gift certificate, which allows her to choose her gift for herself. 

“You have gift certificates?”

Of course we do. Just let us know what you’d normally spend on a gift for your mom, and we’ll create a gift certificate in that amount. Which you then give to your mom, who jumps up and down and then calls us and everybody lives happily ever after.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Making your life easier, one gift at a time.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

Holy Mother's Day!

“My mother’s gotten a bit more religious in the past few years. Do you have any religious jewelry?”

Why, yes, we do. We have everything from crosses to rosaries to Stars of David (often called “magen davidim”). 

https://www.stuller.com/search/results/?query=religious+jewelry

Here’s a magen david pendant we recently designed for a customer (who wanted to repurpose diamonds from her five-stone ring—the studs are very pretty, too :>). This pendant could also be made with your mother’s birthstone or, after the holiday, yours?)  

Call us at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244) and let us know what kind of religious jewelry your mom prefers.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Now, that’s the spirit!

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

  

What Kind Of Mom Are We Talking About?

Dear San Francisco Jewelry Doctor:

Please don’t talk to me about Mother’s Day! It’s so hard for me to know what to get my mom. I see all these flowery ads, and that is so not her. I know lots of people give their mother pearls or gold jewelry for Mother’s Day. But I have never, ever seen my mother wear pearls or anything gold. She’s casual. She likes sports. So I guess jewelry is out, right?

No Ruffles, Please

Dear NRP:

Jewelry not an option? You must be kidding. Let’s start with this lovely bowling ball and pins https://www.stuller.com/products/28629/?groupId=114736&recommendationSource=SiteSearch.

We also have tennis racquets, baseballs, basketballs, and other sports charms that can be made into pendants, as well as wonderful necklaces and bracelets with understated gemstones like snowflake obsidian and hematite, not to mention great sterling silver chains and other jewelry that’s super-cas.  

So not to worry.  The Jewelry Doctor knows there is no such thing as a “universal mom.” (She has read Adrienne Rich.) So we’re not talking about some cookie-cutter, generic gift that everybody says all moms will like. Phooey to that, we say. We’re talking about your mom.  Your very specific, mom-like-no-other-mom. Call us at 415/796-3969 (text 415/596-4244), and we’ll put our heads together about what your mom would really love. 

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor.  Real gifts for real people.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

  

Habit-Forming

We all have things we love. And that’s wonderful. Favorite foods we prepare or order in a restaurant, outfits we wear again and again—these are great sources of comfort in changing, often unpredictable times.

But when does a favorite become a habit? When does Old Faithful become a rut?

A woman I know has a note on her computer: “Do something every day that scares you.”

Okay. Maybe not every day. But if you find you’re reaching for that solitaire pendant or string of pearls every single day, consider trying a pearl pendant, maybe a pearl ring, and give that solitaire a rest while you wear a three-stone pendant—or maybe a diamond festoon?

“What’s a festoon?” 

A cousin to the pendant. 
http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-heart-of-matter_17.html

We could also talk about adding a little color to your jewelry wardrobe. Oh, wait. We already did. 
http://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2015/12/add-little-color.html

I always tell my jewelry customers, “I’m going to help you find jewelry in the style you already love—and every once in a while I’m going to invite you to stretch a little.”

I saw that look. But what would you say if someone told you, “You must wear that dress (or eat that dish) every day for the rest of your life”? Chances are, you wouldn’t hear of it.

So let yourself consider, “What kinds of new jewelry would I enjoy? If I wanted to try something new, what would that be?”

Then do it. 

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Where you always get to be yourself—only more so.

©2019 Laynie Tzena. All Rights Reserved.

News Flash: Big Day On The Horizon

Psst! A little birdie told us there’s a kind of major holiday coming up a week from Sunday. 

What’s that? You know it’s Mother’s Day? Honey, you are so on the ball. You must have your gift already.  

You don’t? Well, not to worry (but don’t get too casual about it, either). We’ve got all kinds of lovely jewelry your mom will adore—just as she adores you. Oh, yes, she does. She told us so just the other day.*

Here’s a little story to get you in the mood.
https://myjewelrydoctor.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-word-from-our-sponsor-how-do-you.html?m=0

And now is the perfect time** to call your friendly neighborhood*** Jewelry Doctor at 415/796-3969 (or text 415/596-4244) so we can make this her best Mother’s Day ever. Which will, of course, make you a star. Which is a nice thing to be.

San Francisco Jewelry Doctor. Consider us Mother’s Day Central.

*“How did my mother get your number?”

Honey, we are talking about mothers here. Mothers have superpowers. But you already knew that, right?

**Well, actually, the perfect time would have been sometime last week—but this is the real world we’re dealing with. Just call us.

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