Bromfield Jewelers

Last time we investigated the possible added benefits to wearing diamonds beyond their natural aesthetic value, and continuing in that vein, we are going to take a look at the lore behind a few of our other favorite stones: Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald.

Like Diamonds, these stones are considered very precious and are sought after for their beauty and brilliancy, but have you ever wondered why an emerald is more highly valued than, say, an amethyst? Of course there are many factors contributing to the monetary value of gems, rarity and availability ranking highly in importance, but it is fun to speculate that there could be, if not mystical, then less-than-scientific reasons as well.

Sapphires are associated with wisdom, royalty, and Divine favor: they are said to protect the wearer from the ill-wishes of others which we can certainly imagine could come in pretty handy if you were living in turbulent times! Or, stuck in a messy legal entanglement? Sapphires are supposed to aid in their positive and quick resolution. Perhaps Sapphire’s deep, peaceful, blue has something to do with the serenity it is avowed to offer: soothing insomnia, lending order and healing to the mind, and transmuting negativity, name a few benefits. Additionally Sapphire is said to enhance self-discipline and the ability to stay on one’s spiritual path.

With its deep red hues, it’s easy to guess wherein Ruby’s power lies: Passion. In fact, it is considered aphrodisiac and is said to stimulate circulation. Paradoxically however, Ruby is also thought to promote a clear mind – curious as we often see passion as detrimental to clear-headedness! Lastly, just as we desire to keep the object of our passion from harm, Ruby is a protector, especially at night, banishing sadness and foolish thoughts.

That brings us at last to Emerald: “The stone of successful love.” Emeralds stimulate the heart chakra making them great allies against ailments of the heart, lungs, and spine. They also promote harmony and balance, and purportedly have cleansing and detoxifying benefits as well. Hey, who knew you could wear that green detox smoothie?

So yes, wear your stones for their unparalleled beauty and sentimental value, but don’t forget that you may be toting a secret, unassuming friend and ally to your health and well-being as you do!

P.S. More thanks to www.crystalvaults.com! Check them out for further reading.

Many of us wear diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, or other precious stones because we admire their beauty. But these gems could be more than just another pretty face – there could be some unexpected benefits above and beyond that of a mere accessory.

The idea that gemstones possess healing and metaphysical properties is ancient and naturally, given its long history, belief in the claims has come in and out of vogue. What was readily accepted in the 60s and 70s would likely get an obligatory eye roll in the 80s or 90s. But in 2015, we seem more willing to embrace the unconventional or alternative, often ancient practices and that’s not a bad thing.

We thought it would be fun to research some potential benefits attributed these precious stones. If you don’t “go in for that sort of thing” that’s ok! Either way it’s interesting and, hey, it can’t hurt!

Of course we have to start with the super star of stones: diamond. Naturally the most obvious and expected associations include love, faithfulness, and purity; and perhaps both fitting and ironic, diamonds are associated with Mars and Venus, seeming opposites, yet seen as parts of the same whole. However, diamonds are also believed to inspire creativity, and increase endurance and abundance. It is further thought to cleanse obstacles to achieving richness within the Self, augmenting self-love and respect. Wear your diamond when you meditate to enhance mental detachment. But what just might be the best of all is that diamonds could increase physical, mental and spiritual energy resulting in the slowing of the aging process.

So there you have it. If even part of these benefits are true, sure seems like a good reason to wear diamonds! Check back later for the possible hidden potential of Rubies, Sapphires, and Emeralds.

Thanks to www.crystalvault.com for some of this information – check them out to learn more.

Part One: If you don’t use it, don’t like it, don’t wear it – DON’T KEEP IT!

Spring will be here in just a few weeks and if you’re in Boston like me, odds are it just can’t come soon enough! I really do enjoy the big “Spring Clean.” Shedding the heaviness of Winter in favor of the lightness of a new season just feels so liberating. If Spring cleaning is associated with back-breaking, OCD-driven toil in your mind, it shouldn’t be. Something as simple and easy as cleaning out your jewelry box will give you the same satisfaction, not to mention the added benefit of some extra cash in your pocket. What could be easier than sifting through your jewelry box while comfortably parked on your couch – you can even do it while watching your favorite show (or at least during the commercials). Grab that jewelry box, put it on the coffee table and go to town!

First to go should be anything that is broken or otherwise damaged beyond repair. Next up are all those divorcee earrings (sad I know, but it’s time to let them go). Now you can move on to the trickier part: things you don’t wear. This requires some introspection and much honesty. Be realistic – even if you think it will come back in style, you know there will be an updated version you like more when it does. ( I’m not talking of course of collectible, signed costume jewelry, or heirloom quality fine jewelry- those are a different animal all together!). As you go through, separate into sections – gold, silver, costume, and not-sure. Now you need to decide what to do with all your purges. If you’re feeling generous, you can give some away to friends and family. Barring that, you should donate anything that is not gold or silver – I never throw jewelry away – if it’s wearable, someone will always be able to get use out of it – Dress for Success, for example, is always looking for interview and work-wear and I’ve heard that they are usually in need of nice accessories too. Gather up the remaining gold, silver, and mystery stuff and bring it all to your favorite jeweler to sell (get some tips on selling your jewelry here). There! All done! Now you can use that extra dough to get yourself a much-needed Spring pick-me-up!

It’s getting to be that time of year again – Thanksgiving is (gasp) only three weeks away and you know how it goes after that: you start out thinking you have oceans of time to find that perfect gift, and then seemingly out of nowhere you find yourself frantically trying to find an amazing present in an amazingly tiny amount of time.

Yes. You’ve been here before and you’re well aware that that’s probably what’s going to happen, but you know what? It doesn’t have to! Jewelry is famously difficult to pick out for someone else – why do you think those big jewelers come up with all those one-size-fits-all designs? They want to make it easy to sell you something when you come in close to the gun and need something fast. Well, this might not be true of everyone, some people really like the Journey or the Past Present Future Pendant, but we can probably agree that the more personal a gift is, the more meaningful it is. It really IS the thought that counts! Anyone can walk into one of those chain jewelry stores, throw down a credit card and walk out with something, but if you want your gift to go beyond the surface, you need to work just a little harder!

Daunted? Don’t be! It’s not hard to come up with an original idea that your special someone will adore, not only for its beauty, but for the real sentiment behind it. I could go on and on about the connection between jewelry, memory and emotion, but don’t worry – I know we’re short on time here! OK, so let’s make this happen! Here are a few simple steps you can take to find the oft elusive “perfect gift”.

Start thinking now (yes NOW). That means snooping in the jewelry box, paying attention to the things that get worn all the time.

Does she or he have a Pinterest page? This can be a well-source of ideas – in fact lots of us devoted “pinners” have an entire board (or more) devoted to jewelry, so if that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will!

Listen and learn. You know how kids often appear to not be listening, but later you find out that they are always taking everything in? Well, that’s you now. Has she admired a piece of jewelry either in or walking by a store? Maybe she has mentioned liking something a friend or someone on TV or in a movie was wearing?

All of the above- even if this information is gobbledygook to you, retain as much as you can – it will help your jeweler to make smart and appropriate suggestions.

So far so good – the hardest part is over and you’re in the home stretch. Now bring your intellectual ammo online. Try contacting a few jewelry stores through their websites to get a feel for their customer service. You want someone who is attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly – believe me, you deserve it!

Once you’ve found a potential place, head on in with all the info you have gathered – you should try to go in with a couple ideas and have pictures ready if possible. Make sure you get going sooner rather than later in case it ends up being something that needs to be made or specially ordered.

There! Was that so bad? I told you so! Now the hardest part will be waiting to give your spectacular gift! Happy Holidays!

HOW TO SELL YOUR UNWANTED JEWELRY — PRO TIPS!!

Precious metal prices have remained high for quite some time now, and as a result, selling your unwanted jewelry for cash is a great option. The thing is, since selling “scrap” jewelry is so popular, it feels like a million and one places have cropped up and are vying for your business. It is important to educate yourself so you don’t get burned.

We’ve put together a few easy tips to help you sell your jewelry with knowledge and confidence.

1. KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE. The only tools you need are a magnifying glass and a well-lit area. It is best to know what your jewelry is before you take it anywhere. Use the magnifying glass to look for the metal marking. For gold, you should see either a two-digit number followed by a K (for karat, indicating the gold content), or a three digit decimal: 10K or .417, 14K or .585, 18K or .750. Platinum will have a stamp of PLAT or .950 and Sterling Silver STER, SS, or .925. These markings are most often found inside the band of a ring, on the posts of earrings, and on or near the clasp of bracelets or necklaces. Two caveats: if your piece is older, it is possible that the metal has worn down enough that the stamp is no longer visible. Conversely, you may see “18K HGE” for example, which is very misleading. The “HGE” means “heavy gold electroplate” indicating that the item is merely gold plated. In both cases, it is best to show the piece to a professional to be sure.

If there are stones, try to determine what type. A little research online goes a long way. There are many resources with photos that can help you identify your stones. The most common stones are:

Amethyst

Citrine

Diamond

Emerald

Jade

Opal

Pearl

Peridot

Ruby

Sapphire

Tanzanite

Tourmaline

Gem identification is tricky, but don’t get discouraged. Any amount of information will be beneficial. A reputable jeweler will be glad to help clear up any questions you have.

2. AVOID ONLINE BUYERS AND KIOSKS. These are cropping up everywhere and unfortunately often disappear just as quickly as they came. It’s just not a good idea to mail your valuables to an unknown party. Unless you are absolutely sure of what your value is, there is too much room for these companies to take advantage of your position. They are counting on your not wanting to go through the hassle and aggravation of having your items shipped back to you (at your cost!). Once they have your valuables, they are pretty confident you’ll just accept their offer, since it is the easiest thing to do.

3. DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE. Look online for reviews from other people who have successfully sold their unwanted jewelry. Reputation can be the best indicator as to whether a company is a good buyer.

4. SHOP AROUND AND KNOW WHAT YOU WANT! Lastly, it is a good idea to have an amount in mind when you go. If your first offer meets or exceeds that amount, great. But it’s still better to shop around if you can. The easiest option is to walk around a location with lots of jewelers. Otherwise, you could end up spending any extra you might have made on traveling from store to store!

So there you have “Jewelry Buying 101”!! We hope these tips help you, and remember, we’re always willing to give free estimates!