The Right Piece

There are many things to think about when purchasing a special piece of jewelry. Here's a list of considerations that we use to help our clients pick out just the right piece.

Purpose

What are you are looking for:

Something unique that will standout in any crowd.
Something comfortable and durable.
Something to express your individuality.
Something of the highest quality.
Something to mark a unique and personal place and time or a feeling.
Something for an obvious tribute to an institution, company or event.

Themes

A piece of jewelry can have certain principal characteristics:

Are you looking for a piece that is sculpted, organic, liquid, or architectural?
Would you like a symmetrical or asymmetrical design?
Which qualities are you looking for: ornate, clean, curves, angles, large, small?
Would you like a piece that is solid, precarious, heavy, delicate, loud, or low key?
Do you want a piece that is modern in look and feel, or antique or period in style?

Use

How do you intend for the piece to be used?

Daily wear - to put on and forget.
Daily wear, but you will take it off for gardening, racquetball and other toughness issues.
Daily wear, but you will take it off for toughness issues and chemicals such as chlorine.
Occasional use (without toughness or chemical issues in mind).
Occasional use, with all issues in mind.

How are you willing to care for the piece?

You take your jewelry off each night.
You never shower with any jewelry on.
You never shampoo with any earrings on.

Will clean often and have checked often.
Will have cleaned and checked 2-3 times a year.
Will have cleaned and checked once a year.
Will forget for extended periods to have cleaned and checked.
Will always learn about the care of any gemstone.
Will not worry about the care of any particular gemstone.

Metals

You want a particular color, karat and metal - there is no other choice.
You want a particular color but will be open to looks and durability issues for karat and alloys.
You want a particular color or metal but will discuss options by budget for karat of gold.
You want what will look best for skin color and gemstone color.
You want what wears best for your lifestyle.
You like hard shine on metal.
You like softer, richer color in metal over shine.
You like texture or matte finishes.

Gemstones

Type

Have you always wanted a certain gemstone?
What is your favorite color?
Is there a combination of colors you especially like?

Qualities

You want a high quality gemstone, but if it must fit a budget, you'd rather have fine garnet than a poor ruby.
You prefer stones that are brilliant and offer sparkle over stones that just are a nice color.
You know that color is the most important aspect of a gemstone and would prefer fine color over high clarity.
You hate seeing inclusions in a gemstone - you'd rather have a different kind or a less intense color than one with flaws.
You want a stone that is durable - perhaps you're hard on jewelry.
You want a stone that is rare or indicative of the time we’re living in.
You want what is traditional for the purpose of the piece, such as a diamond engagement ring or a birthstone birthday gift.

Your personality and activities

Are you energetic and always outdoors? Do you garden, run, play tennis or racquetball, or swim often in chlorinated pools or hot tubs?
Are you careful and organized?
Do you try to wear what is appropriate for what you're doing?
Are you always careful to clean and take care of your possessions?
Are you more into candlelight than sunlight?
Do you read a lot and frequent movies?
Do you work with filing cabinets or stacks of paper?
Do you hand-write quite a bit?
Are you around chemicals, such as cleaning products, often?
Do you wear gloves frequently?
Do you wash your hands often?
Do you get cookie dough in your rings?
Do you like your hands?