Monthly Archives: July 2015

New Diamond Standard- ISO vs. FTC

This past week, the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) published their new standard for treated and synthetic diamonds. This standard is far more stricter than the FTC (Federal Trade Commission’s) Guides.

Both organizations make it clear that the term 'diamond' can only be used when referencing gemstones that are natural, and the ISO delves even further to notate that a 'natural' stone is "one formed completely by nature without human intervention during the formation.”

Then, they seem to part ways. While the ISO only allows the jewelry industry to utilize the terms laboratory-created, synthetic, and laboratory-grown to describe diamonds that are not made in nature, the FTC allows those three terms, plus the terms man-made and (company name)-created. To be even more finicky, the ISO's new standard does not allow these terms to be abbreviated, such as lab-created or lab-grown, even though those abbreviations have become commonplace in the jewelry industry and the FTC does allow use of these abbreviations.

It is not quite clear whether the term man-made is allowed by the ISO, although Harry Levy, a veteran of the CIBJO and London Diamond Bourse who was a chairman of the committee and helped develop the new standards, believes that man-made is a term that should be allowed. He states that it is actually the best term to use for nonnatural diamonds because "It immediately tells the consumer what the product is. But the committee didn’t want to use it, because the term man-made in some languages translates to being made from man, rather than by man.”

The ISO has also banned the use of the following terms to describe lab-created diamonds:

natural

real

genuine

precious

cultured

cultivated 

Luxury Prive New York - July 24-26

New York City Jewelry Week

If you were lucky enough to be in the NYC area, you may have been able to catch a glimpse of some of the excitement at the Luxury Prive New York. July 24-26 were the big dates at the Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue for elite jewelry retailers and manufacturers to show off their masterpieces, network and exchange information and ideas, amidst an 80's theme.

If you weren't lucky enough to be in the NYC area, this personal account by Victoria Gomelsky of the goings-on may interest you. She was lucky enough to enjoy herself at many of the different events that New York City Jewelry Week had happening. Other bloggers flooded the scene in their 80's style get-up, gathering information to blog about, and checking out the high-end gems and jewelry.

And, if you are in the Miami area, don't be so sad that you missed the NYC event, because Luxury Prive is coming to Miami October 13-16! More details are printed in their press release. These events are sponsored by JKC, an old name in the jewelry industry.

Gemstone Highlight: Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla hails from all over the world, including places like Israel, the Congo, Peru, Australia, Mexico, Chile, and even in the U.S. (namely, Arizona). When you first get a glimpse of the gemstone Chrysocolla, the name that might pop into your mind may be another, totally different gemstone altogether.

Take a look for yourself:

chrysocolla

 

Chrysocolla is often mistaken for turquoise, and even may be mislabeled as turquoise, as well. But, the two gemstones are totally different, starting with the lack of durability and low hardiness that Chrysocolla exhibits. As you can see, though, Chrysocolla does have the easy to fall in love with bluish-green coloring and the mottled appeal, often mottled with brownish or reddish veins, and is not normally treated or enhanced.

To add more hardiness to this gemstone, it is often mixed (or coated) with quartz to create a stronger, more longer lasting stone. Just be sure that when you purchase a beautiful jewelry piece that is labeled as "turquoise" that it is not this cheaper, less durable stone, known as Chrysocolla.  However, if you want to save a little money on a new piece of jewelry, you could look at this as an alternative to turquoise, and nobody will be the wiser!

 

Gemstone Highlight: Onyx

Onyx is one of those gemstones, it seems, that people either love or hate. What most people may not know is that onyx is not just a solid black color, nor is it the black stones that feature white swirls, but rather onyx can range from the solid color to a mixture of black and white.

onyx multi

 

Essentially, onyx is Chalcedony, and it can be black Chalcedony or black Chalcedony and white Chalcedony that are layered or banded. Sometimes, onyx is even used to label a stones with solid color base and engraving, while other times, gemstones that exhibit parallel banding are called onyx. Traditionally, speaking, Onyx is the solid black Chalcedony, which falls in the quartz category of minerals.

Here is a piece of onyx which is completely black, and what it is known to traditionally look like:

onyx2

 

Onyx has been used since ancient times, not only for jewelry, but also to craft small statues. The significance and value that onyx held in ancient times has diminished tremendously today, however. Back in ancient times, it was regarded as one of the most important stones for cameo and engraving gemstones.

 

The mineral is found in Brazil, Uruguay and India.

Jewelry Layering, According to the "Experts"

E! Style Collective fashion expert Lindsay Albanese says to "just pile it on", according to E! News, so as it's been said before, right here on the BC Custom Jewelry blog, you need to find your own jewelry layering style. We've said it all before:

Most importantly, because you probably don't have a piece of jewelry that you hate, is to make sure you pick jewelry pieces of different lengths. That way, your look will stay amazing and not tangled.

You probably don't want to stack on the bracelets and the necklaces and the rings. Keep some balance by layering the necklaces and then wearing it thinner or daintier for the rings and bracelets.

Similar shapes or complimenting colored gemstones could also play a role in layered effects. Be sure to take into considering all of the different jewelry pieces that you have in your collection when you layer.

How do you like to layer your jewelry?

84 Year Old Jewelry Theif

Charlotte Mecklenberg Police sent an email to NBC Charlotte to be on the lookout for international jewelry thief, Doris Payne after a 33k ring was stolen from South Park Mall.

The crazy thing is, while Doris Payne has a record of being arrested over 20 years within a 5 year period for stealing, she is 84 years old! "I would never imagine a woman at this age would be an international thief," Dovy Klarberg, Diamonds Direct manager.

Direct Diamonds was also a recipient of the email, and stated that Doris Payne used distraction and "slight of hand" to boost the ring from David Yurman, a high-end jewelry retailer. The police report stated that the ring was worth 33 thousand dollars.

It just goes to show you that anyone, at any age, can be a thief.

Bracket Ears Jewelry - Sisters Raising Money for Autism Research

If you ever had to wear braces, you know how it feels. Nobody likes it. Well, two sisters, Gigi Crafton, 11, and her McKenzie, 15, whose father is a dentist, wanted to make money for autism research. Their inspiration, on so many levels, came up with Bracket Ears. You should really check out their jewelry.

They ended up taking the concept of braces, and even included gemstones on several of their signature pieces, with the help of their father, Dr. Casey Crafton. They have named each piece of jewelry after a member of the family. What an amazing concept for these sisters to come up with! Not only to come up with a charity that their hearts are dedicated to, but to also care enough - and stretch their minds to create a business out of home made jewelry - and then give the money to autism research. {Applause}

Paris "Haute Joaillerie" Showcase

It is being said that the "high jewelry" business is taking leaps and bounds right now. With this in mind, about a dozen top names were showing off their jewelry (worth in the millions of dollars) along Rue de la Paix and Place Vendome, in hopes that some of the rare clients in town for the fashion shows.

Some of the high jewelry were shown by Christian Dior, De Beers (who had been out of the game since 2011), and Bulgari.

Christina Brinkley shares her take on the occassion, with a detailed look at who brought what to the table.

Some Etsy Recommendations

Etsy is the perfect place for artists, crafters, jewelry designers and the like to showcase, and essentially sell, their masterpieces. In an effort to share the floor with some of these talented people, here are some recommendations to check out:

Chiko Craft created these Sprinkle Earrings:

sprinkle

 

Inspirational "She though she could so she did" necklace by KayleeMae Designs:

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Love vintage? These Jurk soda bottle cap vintage earrings by MountainM:

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Here at BC Custom Jewelry, Mother's Bracelets and Necklaces are not a new concept. You Are My Sunshine Mother's Bracelet by BuyMeAPresent:

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This Spiffy Spider Choker Set by ericasbeadgallery is quite interesting, and a bit more on the pricey side:

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Which one is your favorite? Etsy has so many cool things on it! Methinks another post like this is in the near future for BC Custom Jewelry.

The 5 Best DIY Jewelry Organizers

There are so many creative ways to organize your jewelry. Maybe you're tired of the ol' jewelry box, or maybe you need more space for all of the jewelry that you have now. Whatever the reason, you don't have to clutter your space with traditional jewelry boxes that ultimately look boring compared to the accessory organizers your creative friends are displaying in their houses!

Here are the best 5 jewelry organizers, according to my online study of delving into the depths of diy jewelry organizers that people have made. I'm basing my suggestions on style and aesthetic appeal, easy to make, as well as ability to hold a lot of jewelry.

5. This one hangs over any door, so it can hide, too.

jewelry organizer

 

4. You have to be handy enough to create this little cabinet, but loving this idea for a diy project.

 

Shanty2Chic-DIY-Jewelry-Cabinet

 

3. Sometimes, it's the simplest ideas...

Closet-Jewelry-Organizer-Ideas

 

2. Another behind the door (or even on the front of the door)... 605fe1c60a3114b015bba9798c47e4af

 

1. And the favorite:

images (4)

 

The sheer simplicity of it makes it so wonderful!