40th Anniversary Year - July Special   

It's Always the Right Time to Accessorize: Summer Fun

Summer activities do not mean you need to scale back your jewelry wear. July brings us fireworks, concerts in the park, beach barbeques and pool parties. July also brings hot weather. While dressing appropriately for the event and climate, we don't want to forget jewelry to complete our look.

When the sun is shining, it's easy to remember things like sunglasses and hats. Don't go light on your choice of jewelry just because the event may be casual. Our jewelry makes us feel unique, special and beautiful. The wonderful thing about jewelry is that with current fashion trends, anything goes and matching is not necessary.

Warm weather clothing choices include lower necklines and sleeveless dresses and tops. This is the perfect opportunity to show off some of the hot 2015 jewelry trends. Chokers, oversized pendants on colorful cords, layers of bangle bracelets and lots of rings will complement light and carefree bohemian fashions.  

Come in and we will be glad to help you amp up your summer wardrobe with fashionable jewelry.

Reminder  

Swimming in either salt water or chlorine, sunscreens and perspiration are just a few factors we encounter during warm weather months that might mean we need to brush  

up on our jewelry care routine.  

Go here to learn more.

July Birthstone: Ruby

Rubies have long been associated with love and passion. For this reason, they are an excellent gift choice for Valentine's Day, as well as for those with July birthdays. They are also the gemstone associated with the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

The color of a fine ruby is described as "pigeon blood" which means a pure red with a hint of blue.

In ancient times, you were thought to be blessed with health, wisdom and wealth by wearing rubies.

Rubies can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush.  It is also safe to use ultrasonic and steam cleaners.

Rubies rate a 9 on the Mohs Hardness scale and are excellent in toughness, which make them a great choice for everyday wear.

July Gems of Wisdom

The birthstone for July is the ruby. (Please see the article.)

The birth flower for July is the delphinium, also called "larkspur." Larkspur comes in several colors which represent different meanings. Pink means fickleness, white conveys a happy nature and purple represents a first love. Generally, larkspur indicates strong bonds of love. Larkspur is toxic to humans if ingested. The other July flower is the water lily, which signifies purity and majesty.  

Special July Days

July is Family Golf Month. Play Golf America encourages families to spend healthy and quality  time together out on the course.

July 4th, Independence Day, the United States of America will celebrate its 239th birthday.  

July 7th is National Strawberry Sundae Day. Have a yummy treat and beat the heat.

July 20th is National Moon Day. We commemorate the day that man first walked on the moon.

July 22nd is National Hammock Day. If you have a hammock in your yard, no fair mowing on this day!

July 26th is Parents' Day. A Congressional Resolution signed into law in 1994 by President Clinton designates the fourth Sunday of every July to be Parents' Day.

Legendary Gemstones: The Graff Ruby

World famous British jeweler Laurence Graff purchased an 8.62 carat Burmese ruby at Christie's International Auction in 2006 for $3.6 million dollars. That's $425,000 per carat, which was a world record at the time. Graff then designed a new mounting for the ruby, setting it between two triangular shaped diamonds, decorated with brilliant cut diamonds and dubbed it the Graff Ruby. It was later acquired by collector Dimitri Mavrommatis.

In November of 2014, Mr. Mavrommatis consigned the ring for sale through Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva. Graff then purchased back the ring for $8.6 million dollars, setting another world record for a ruby. The Graff Ruby is considered to be of the highest quality, pigeon blood red in natural color, spared any thermal treatments with very few faint inclusions. "This is the finest ruby in the world. We are very proud to have it in our possession for the second time," Graff said in a Sotheby's statement.