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Stories of custom designs, high-value sales, exceptional estates, and appraisals.
The Jewel is in the Lotus | Om Mani Padme Hum
A client of mine loves to travel. She really likes South East Asia and the interesting jewelry found there. Sometimes, living in New York City, she sees jewelry that is inspired by these cultures.She bought a silver bracelet with a beautiful design. The letters are raised to give the impression of an intaglio design and spell out "Om Mani Padme Hum," or "the jewel is in the lotus," a key Tibetan Buddhist mantra.She loved it, but always wanted it in gold.
Boxes of Plenty
I'm lucky to be considered a resource for daily money managers. Recently, I was called in to review an estate and went through boxes of jewelry and various items from the collection. We found gold and silver that could be sold, with the proceeds going to the heir of the estate.
When Jewelry is a Real Surprise
Most people know me as a custom jewelry designer who works closely with her clients to make one-of-a-kind pieces. Yet, on a few occasions I've been asked to make a piece of jewelry that was a total surprise. Here are 4 examples.
Contemporary Designs from Classic Pieces
What do you do when you inherit a collection that just isn't to your taste? This recently happened to a client of mine. She showed me several pieces (some are pictured below), and we worked together to custom create two special rings and a pair of earrings.
More Than the 4 C's
Diamond prices have risen dramatically over the past year. I even recently received a generous five-figure offer for a diamond ring just this past week. What this means for you is that now is a great time to sell your diamonds.
Emeralds: Romance & Rebirth
As Spring finally approaches, I notice all the seasonal colors like green, light blue, pink, and peach. My eye is always drawn to emerald, due to the intense color and because it is my birthstone.
Did you know emeralds are symbolic of rebirth, renewal, and vitality?
The Ruby Ring She Always Wanted
A great client of mine loves rubies. In fact, she wanted her engagement ring to be all rubies (but her husband wanted to buy her a diamond engagement ring instead). Recently, there was a special occasion in the family that she saw as the perfect opportunity to get the emerald-cut ruby ring she always imagined.
Always Learning
As Michelangelo once said at age 87, "I am still learning."
During these past few years of the COVID Pandemic, I've had to adapt and readjust the way I run my business. For instance, I have spent less time in front of my clients as well as the partners I work with to create unique pieces of jewelry.
Measuring for the Perfect Fit
What happens when you inherit a piece of jewelry you know you will never wear?
This happened to my client who received a pair of rectangular, diamond gold cufflinks from her father. She was never going to wear them herself. Instead, she wanted to make a pair of unique earrings that would fit her style.
Giving Your Diamonds a Second Life
Do you have a piece of jewelry in your collection that reminds you of a time you'd much rather forget? In this case, yes. I had a client who had several pieces of diamond jewelry, including a diamond tennis bracelet, earrings, and a few smaller pieces.
From Just "Okay" to "Wow!"
A good client of mine who I've worked with a few times before had a ring that she wasn't really wearing anymore. She loves bright, vibrant colors and owned a blue topaz and gold ring. She loved the stone but never really liked the setting.It had heart-shaped cutouts and was a little wider than she cared for.
What is Your Jewelry Collection Worth?
If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, you understand there is so much to take care of. I work with several professionals who specialize in helping with decluttering a home, relocation, and moving family members into assisted living. Additionally, I help families to prepare their estate items for distribution and sale.
Finding Treasures in Your Jewelry Box
I worked with a dynamic Manhattan attorney who is a busy mother, who loves her jewelry, but doesn't have time to update her collection. She invited me to look at her jewelry box full of necklaces and earrings that she was no longer enjoying.
Worth More Than Its Weight in Gold
Several years ago, I had a client who needed to sell several pieces of her family's jewelry and asked me to negotiate the best price for her. I hadn't heard from her in a while, but recently I received a call from someone in her network who needed to speak to a trusted professional in the fine jewelry industry.
Oh Baby, What A Ring!
One of the pleasures of my job is creating custom jewelry for my clients and their extended families. A very good client asked me to work with one of her family members. He had inherited his father's gold and diamond ring, but disliked the style.
Money Found in the Most Unlikely Places
The executrix of an estate came to me to sell jewelry after a loved one passed away. To her surprise, she and her family found a diamond ring hiding somewhere they never expected to look.
New to JB Jewels: Items from Estates for Sale
I'm selective with my clients' jewelry, and occasionally do not accept offers that are presented to us. With that in mind, I have decided to add a feature to my business where I will be posting items from estates for sale.
Turning a Family Heirloom into Four Contemporary Styles
Earlier this year, a former neighbor contacted me and told me her grandmother suddenly passed away. She was left with an antique diamond circle pin and requested guidance on how to maintain the integrity of the pin while turning it into several new pieces of jewelry that match her current style and taste.
Create a Hug You Can Wear
Many of my friends know that I create unique pieces of jewelry and some have a need for my unique services. This was the case for a good friend who commissioned me to create a custom ring for his wife. As a collector of stuffed bears, as well as I am, he had an idea of creating a ‘bear hug’ ring for his wife.
Finding Wealth in Your Jewelry Collection
It's always a pleasure when I work with someone who has an interesting collection of jewelry. Most of my clients have changing tastes and lifestyles, which leads them into selling their jewelry. These clients had several pieces. Over the course of a few months, we have successfully sold most of them.