Fall Weddings!

Hi all,

One of the biggest trends we've noticed here lately at Saori C. Jewelry Designs is that more and more brides are choosing to have their special day in the fall. Spring is still big, of course, but weather that is often just as good, more availability, and frequently lower venue prices have made autumn weddings a common thing. Just think, beautiful autumn foliage as a backdrop, or even a beach wedding on a beautiful Indian Summer day... you can't go wrong!

Fall weddings also provide the opportunity to use color themes that are maybe a bit non-traditional. Browns, rusts, and other autumn colors look great as wedding theme colors. And why stop with flowers and tablecloths? Your bridal jewelry can also be done in those same colors. Unlike many other designers, Saori C. Jewelry Designs offers pieces to complement a wedding color theme for any season, and can also do completely custom pieces to suit any design, idea, or whim. Interested? Drop us a line at info@saoric.com!

One of our favorite pieces for the fall - the Ceres Necklace in brown and pink pearls. Check it out at http://www.saoric.com/necklaces_1/ceres_pearl_necklace.htm

What we like about February

Hi all,

It's almost February, and that means two of our favorite things here at Saori C. Jewelry Designs - Valentine's Day, and amethyst, February's birthstone.

First off, I wanted to remind all the guys out there (as if you need reminding, right?) that Valentine's Day is only a bit over two weeks away. Now I know that you've planned out everything already, and in fact, have had it done for weeks, but just in case, now's the time to get on it if you're slow to start. Need a last-minute gift? Drop us a line, and we'll see what we can do.

Now a bit about amethyst, from our own Magnificent Amethyst Jewelry guide:

"Many cultures considered purple to be the color of royalty and therefore this beautiful purple stone was used by many ancient cultures in treasures and ornaments. Amethyst was also featured in the jewelry of many medieval Catholic bishops and popes, as well as kings and queens.

Amethysts are rumored to calm the dispositions of those who wear them and some believe that placing an amethyst under the pillow when sleeping will encourage pleasant dreams and improve memory."

Pretty cool, right? In addition to being a memory-improving, sleep-helping, fount of purple awesomeness, amethysts are also really hip right now. If you haven't yet got on the amethyst bandwagon, now's a good time to jump on up and ride! We've got lots of great amethyst pieces, just hit up the link above and check them out!

And what comes after Valentine's Day? Why, Spring, of course! And what does Spring mean? Weddings! Stay tuned!
 

Thanks for another great year!

Hi all,

We here at Saori C. Jewelry Designs just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and to thank all of you for your continued (and increasing!) support that has made this year our most successful ever. We couldn't do it (obviously) without our wonderful customers!

This year saw some changes for us. We upgraded and expanded our production space, which will allow us to increase the breadth and depth of our jewelry offerings starting in 2015. Now that the economy and the metals market have calmed a bit, we will also be introducing more high-end lines and individual pieces for our customers. Keep an eye open for them!

Unfortunately, with every positive comes a negative. Early in the autumn, our beloved shop mascot and doggy friend Peppa the standard poodle passed away after a long fight with cancer. Everyone feels his loss, and we all agree that the shop is just too quiet without him. Still, we know that he is happily running around in Heaven, playing in the snow like he always loved to.

We miss you, Peppa!

Thanks again to everyone for all your help (and for the wonderful kind emails and cards about Peppa), and we are all looking forward to helping you find your perfect jewelry in the new year!

Yours,

Saori

Oppi Untracht and the Jeweler's Bible

We keep lots of great books in the studio library at Saori C. Fine Jewelry but we refer back to the books of metalsmith Oppi Untracht far more than those of any other author. Oppi was (he passed away in 2008) a New York master metalsmith, who wrote what is probably the best all-around jewelry making and metalsmithing guide ever. That book, Jewelry Concepts and Technology (which will run you close to a C-note, but it worth every penny), is the go-to reference and all-around bible for jewelry designers, craftsmen, and manufacturers the world over. It's chock full of the four t's (tools, tips, tricks, and techniques) and no serious jeweler or jewelry designer should be without it. We refer to it at least weekly, and it's certainly the most dog-eared book in our studio.

Oppi also wrote several other great books about specific metalsmithing techniques (Metal Techniques for Craftsmen, Enameling On Metal), and his magnum opus, an amazing book on the techniques, designs, and history of Indian jewelry and jewelry making, Traditional Jewelry of India, which is out in paperback and well worth acquiring.

So if you're looking for some great additions to your jewelry library, or are just getting started and trying to decide in what references to invest your hard-earned money, give the works of Oppi Untracht a look. He won't steer you wrong.

 

 

 

(Pictures from Amazon.)

Bon Bon Black Pearl Hoop Earrings

As promised, the companion piece to the Reign Black Pearl Necklace: Saori C. Jewelry Designs' Bon Bon Black Pearl Hoop Earrings. This set can also be done with our handmade French wires, but this version, with its heavier, hand-forged sterling silver hoops, is my personal favorite.

 

As I mentioned in a previous post, this version, in stunning black pearls and sterling silver, is the original, but we sell lots of these in white pearls to brides and bridesmaids as well. And for everyday wear, these also come in delicate pink pearls. Like those of the Reign Necklace, the sterling silver caps are hand-forged and hand-hammered - a lot of work goes into the detail and design of these earrings!

Reign Black Pearl Necklace

I wanted to introduce you to one of Saori C. Jewelry Designs' most popular pieces - the Reign Pearl Necklace. This is the original design, done in stunning black pearls and sterling silver, but we also sell many in white pearls as well to brides and bridesmaids. This particular customer also ordered a pair of matching earrings, which I'll feature next time.

This picture shows a closeup of the clasp - note the delicate design.

Also note the pearl pendant cap - that's hand-forged from sterling silver and hand-detailed, and gives the piece an amazing sparkle.

More on the earrings next time. Stay tuned!

A New Option For Your Jewelry Clasps

Magnetic Clasps

One of the more recent innovations on the fine jewelry market is magnetic clasps. Although when they were first introduced they had a reputation for being the latest gimmick or fad, lately they have begun to be appreciated as a great help for folks who have difficulty manipulating traditional clasps, especially in cases where arthritis, diabetes, or other conditions could cause difficulty.

At Saori C. Jewelry Designs, we have done several fine jewelry and bridal jewelry pieces with magnetic clasps recently, and have received nothing but positive feedback from our customers about their ease of use. Also, as the market for these clasps grows, many very stylish varieties are now available in many metals and styles.

 

There is one important thing about magnetic clasps that needs to be remembered, though, and that is how to open them. The best way is to open the clasp like you would open an egg you just cracked: holding on to either side and pulling down (not out!) so that the top opens first, then the bottom. This puts torque only on the clasp itself (which is designed to take it), and not on your necklace. You should never attempt to open a magnetic clasp by pulling horizontally on it. The magnet is strong enough that most likely you will break the necklace before the clasp comes apart.

Next up: More about pearls. Stay tuned!