schmitt jewelers

We send our very best wishes to the Naughton family.  After serving our valley well for many decades, Naughton Jewelers closed their doors last week. From one family jeweler to another- we would like to thank you for your dedication and commitment to this community.

- The Schmitt Family

Custom designed rings; manufactured and designed by Schmitt Jewelers.

(Pictured left to right; Mandarin Garnet, Blue Sapphire, Rhodolite Garnet & Pink Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, and Red Spinel.)

The recent royal marriage, featuring a famous sapphire & diamond wedding ring, and this month’s record-breaking sale of the glittering Sun-Drop Diamond has again sparked interest in the use of colored gemstones in custom jewelry, particularly in bridal rings.  While white diamonds continue to be favored by most U.S. brides, there is a growing trend to use colored gemstones as either a center stone in an engagement ring or as accents within the ring design.  The good news for consumers is that colored gemstones are not necessarily budget busters; stones in varying sizes, colors and cuts are readily available to create all kinds of custom jewelry.  Purchase colored gemstones from a trusted jeweler so that you know your precious gems are what they’re supposed to be: quality colored gemstones that will stand the test of time.

Pictured left to right;  Sue, Joy, Cindy, Molly and Mona are dolled up for Schmitt Jewelers’ Little Black Dress Party in honor of the BOV’s annual Care Card program which just wrapped (Photo courtesy Click Photography).

Valley businesses have been busy the past two weeks with customers using their Care Cards and receiving 20% off purchases.  The monies raised this year by the purchase of each Care Card ($50 each) benefit The Ryan House, http://ryanhouse.org/.   For more information on The Board of Visitors and their good works, click http://www.boardofvisitors.org/.

BOV – we salute you!

By JCK Staff

The Sun Drop Diamond (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)

A 110.03 ct. pear-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond known as the Sun-Drop Diamond is expected to rake in $11 million to $15 million at Sotheby’s Nov. 15. auction in Geneva.

The diamond ranks as the largest known pear-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond in the world, and has a purity of VVS1. It was exhibited earlier this year at London’s Natural History Museum. The rough was discovered in South Africa in 2010, and was cut and polished by Cora International.

“This stone has immense presence and is truly stunning,” said David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry department in Europe and the Middle East and co-chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland, in a statement.

Article courtesy of JCK.  To read more, click here.

UPDATE:

A much-talked-about 110.03 ct. fancy vivid yellow diamond called the Sun-Drop sold to an anonymous buyer for $12.4 million (11.3 million Swiss Francs) at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels Auction in Geneva on Nov. 15, setting a world record price for a yellow stone.

Strikingly, the previous record for a yellow stone was set just last month by the Vivid Yellow, a pear‐shape fancy vivid 32.77 ct. yellow diamond that sold for $6.5 million at Christie’s in October.

The VVS1-clarity Sun-Drop, cut and polished by Cora International, was exhibited earlier this year at London’s National History Museum and ranks as the largest known pear-shape fancy vivid yellow diamond in the world. (Fancy vivid yellow is the highest color grade for a yellow issued by the GIA.) The rough was discovered in South Africa in 2010.

“We are thrilled with the price achieved by this spectacular daffodil yellow diamond; it is one of the most impressive I have had the pleasure of selling,” said David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry department in Europe and the Middle East and co‐chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland, in a statement. “The Sun-Drop Diamond has immense presence and is truly stunning.… Today’s strong sell‐through rates are a reflection of the continued strength and resilience of the international jewelry market.”

And that wasn’t the only record set at the Geneva auction: A very fine 12.01 ct. Muzo emerald ring sold for $1.4 million—a world record price per carat for an emerald—more than doubling its estimate. That buyer was also anonymous.

Other auction highlights:

• A rare cushion-shape 38.88 ct. diamond sold for $6.9 million.
• A fancy vivid blue 4.16 ct. diamond ring sold for $4.2 million to an anonymous buyer.
• A natural pearl and diamond necklace from Cartier in the 1930s sold for $3 million.

Very few events require as much thought, preparation, and determination as marriage. The proposal sets the stage for the happiness and promise to come.

First, know the answer. You would be surprised to know the amount of men who don’t even bother discussing marriage with their girlfriends. Popping the question shouldn’t be your first discussion of marriage.

The Ring - Consider doing some window-shopping prior to the ring purchase. If you want the ring to be a true surprise, consult her friends and family, or her family jeweler, to get a feel for her likes and dislikes. After all, she’ll be wearing this for the rest of her life…or at least until you trade-up. We can tell you everything you need to know about how to buy a diamond.

Peace-of-Mind - Do your homework before buying the engagement ring. Most importantly do business with a jeweler you trust.   American Gem Society jewelers make up less than 5% of jewelers in the United States and Canada. Why so few? Because the qualifications for membership are stringent. Shopping with an American Gem Society jeweler means you can shop with confidence. And, make sure you insure the ring. Before you go planning an extravagant marriage proposal, one of the first things that you should do is insure the ring with an insurance policy. The ring can be added for an additional cost under your homeowner’s or tenants insurance policy.

Ask Permission, Not Forgiveness - There is an old Roman custom know as “joining of the hands”, where the groom would give the bride’s father a coin that symbolized the purchase of the bride. The bride would then pass from her father’s hand to the grooms. Although this rarely exists today, it’s common respect to ask the bride’s father for approval before whisking his daughter away.

Be Creative - Take this opportunity to shine. Your proposal should be a reflection of you and your bride-to-be. Following are a few marriage proposal tips:

Traditional – In an intimate setting, preferably one with family and friends waiting nearby, drop to one knee and let your heart do the talking.

Location, Location, Location – Propose via video or in person from an extreme location – atop a mountain, while skydiving, or on the shores of a romantic and faraway beach.

Public Displays of Affection – Think about the JumboTron at a professional sporting event, a plane trailing your proposal, an intercom on a commercial airplane, a billboard on her route home from work…the more witnesses the merrier.

Spread the News - Tell everyone you know about your engagement. Have a plan to communicate quickly and consider sending an engagement announcement.

Celebrate - Toast your engagement with a night on the town, a glass of bubbly or a celebration with friends and family.

Article courtesy of the American Gem Society.

This crash course in diamond buying will help you understand how diamonds are valued and priced — and help you decide what’s most important to you in a diamond. The easiest way to explain diamonds is using the four Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat.

Cut – Of all the 4 Cs, cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty. In determining the quality of the cut, the grader evaluates the cutter’s skill in the fashioning of the diamond; technology assesses the diamond’s light performance. The more precise the cut, the more captivating the diamond is to the eye.

Color – Gem-quality diamonds occur in many hues. In the range from colorless to light yellow or light brown, diamonds are compared to Master Color-Comparison Diamonds under controlled conditions. Colorless diamonds are the rarest. Other natural colors are known as fancy – their color grading is unique.

Clarity – Diamonds can have internal characteristics known as inclusions or external characteristics known as blemishes. When grading clarity, the grader uses magnification and specific lighting and considers the effect these characteristics have on the diamonds appearance and/or durability. Diamonds without inclusions or blemishes are rare; however, most characteristics can only be seen with magnification.

Carat – The carat is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. Carat weight is the most objective of the 4 Cs. It involves no estimates, comparisons or judgments.

The Fifth C: Confidence - When you shop smart — with an American Gem Society jeweler — you will feel confident in your decision. You know that the jeweler is qualified to describe the characteristics of your diamond, so you could make the choice that is right for you.

Article courtesy of the American Gem Society.

Spend some time with Schmitt Jewelers, Craig Lynch, professional gemologist, and Jerry Romanella, operator of Arizona Four Peaks Amethyst Mine, for a presentation of colored gemstones from across our great country: from Maine Tourmalines and Montana Sapphires to Arizona Amethysts mined at the magnificent Four Peaks – these gems are simply enchanting.

An all day event; Tuesday, May 3, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

We hope to see you then!

Surprise Your Valentine with a Michele watch from Schmitt Jewelers! Register today on Schmitt Jewelers’ Facebook Fan Page for a chance to win a red, Tahitian Jelly Bean watch by Michele. Click our Sweepstakes tab for more details and HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Schmitt Jewelers Facebook Fan Page

Playful, affordable luxury!  Tahitian Jelly Beans by Michele watches.  Featuring fun colors, large watch faces and flexible, silicone straps.  Express your colorful personality with Michele from Schmitt Jewelers!

SHOP LIKE A MAN at Schmitt Jewelers Thursday, Dec. 16 from 6 – 8 p.m.  Make your holiday shopping easy while you enjoy beer, sliders and more!  It’s a no-brainer!