Sharing Your Biography Through Jewelry

Image

If given the opportunity would you let your jewelry tell your biography? You’re probably wondering how is this possible. Or you might be asking why use jewelry to tell your story? The answer is with handmade and designed jewelry from a Master Jeweler like me. At Jenny Butterfield Designs, existing pieces of jewelry can be transformed into something else by removing the gemstones and melting the metal.

Telling your biography with jewelry may not appeal to everyone, but what a great opportunity to share your family’s rich history, resiliency to beat a disease such as cancer, strength to overcome adversity or passion for a hobby such as music.  Whatever your story is, we can use jewelry to share it with the world and possibly inspire and encourage others.

Are you ready to work with Jenny to design the perfect ring, bracelet, necklace, earrings, pendant, brooches and more? As a Master Jeweler, Jenny works with all types of materials, metals, and gemstones. Get started today by visiting jennybutterfield.com/work-with-jenny or emailing your jewelry questions to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

Ever Heard Of Cremation Diamonds?

Image

Losing a close friend, relative, or spouse can be devastating. Especially when those people are no longer here to help us celebrate major milestones like graduation, our wedding day, or becoming a parent. A few years ago, cremation jewelry became a popular way to remember our lost loved ones, pets, and friends. With the advances in technology and innovation, now diamonds can be created out of the ashes of our fallen friends, spouses, pets, and relatives.

Before you get too excited, the process of growing diamonds from cremation ashes can take between three to ten months. These special diamonds also come with a price tag of $2,490 to $24,999 depending upon the carat size and color of diamond you would like. Currently diamonds can be grown in red, green, black, white, blue, yellow, orange, green or red.

Every day, people chose how they remember their fallen loved ones, pets, and friends. One of the things I love about being a Master Jeweler is helping people celebrate and remember the ones they loved through their jewelry. If you have a dream piece of jewelry you’ve been thinking about, I can probably create exactly what you’re thinking about. How would you like to use jewelry to remember a fallen loved one? Please email your story and jewelry questions to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

Really, Vending Machine Engagement Rings

Image

Would you accept an engagement ring that was purchased from a vending machine? No, you didn’t misread the words “engagement ring” and “vending machine.” You are probably asking yourself the same questions I did. “Is this for real?” “Who or Why would you do such a thing?” The New York Rockefeller Center is trying to make things easier for couples who get caught up in the romance by offering the Vend.

No judgement here on how, when, or where you decide to get your engagement ring. But if you are looking for a great engagement ring story to tell future generations, having a custom designed ring is the better way to go. At Jenny Butterfield Designs, I can create a ring from scratch, incorporate stones from previous jewelry pieces, make your ring durable for everyday wear, and design the ring to be classic or eccentric.

Take a look at the Jenny Butterfield engagement ring and wedding ring collections. If you would like for me to design something for you, please click here or send an email to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

Must-Do’s When Traveling With Jewelry

Image

Do you dread travelling with jewelry for fear the necklaces will get tangled with the earrings? Or even worse, something might get lost?  Would you believe me if I told you that drinking straws, index cards, and sealable sandwich bags could keep your jewelry protected while traveling?  Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, the following tips will reduce your stress level when travelling with jewelry.

  1. Drinking straws: Keep necklace chains tangle-free by slipping one end through a drinking straw (one chain per straw) then closing the clasp. This keeps one side rigid and tangle-free. If you have a chunky necklace, use a toilet paper roll.
  2. Index card: Keep earrings organized and easy-to-find by using a safety pin to poke holes through an index card, then insert earrings through the card and seal with the backs. Wrap a cloth or piece of plastic wrap around the card, then pack it with the rest of your jewelry.
  3. Sealable sandwich bags: Keep your jewelry organized and untangled by placing rings in one bag, then necklaces, and then earrings. Be sure to wrap your jewelry in some paper towels to keep things from getting scratched. Bags are also great for bracelets and hair barrettes.

Final tip if you’re flying, pack jewelry in your carry-on bag. Love the airlines, but checked bags have a greater chance of getting lost. Jenny would love to hear your jewelry travel stories. Send your jewelry story or question to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

Jewelry Can Change Your Life….

Image

Throughout history, jewelry has been a symbol of birth, marriage, covenant, mourning, success, and so forth. Our desire to have the most beautiful, awe-inspiring things helps define our nature and our stature. That’s why it only makes sense that jewelry can help change your life.

  1. Change Your Look – Tired of having the same look but don’t have the funds for a new wardrobe? Try adding a few new pieces of jewelry. Jewelry is one of the simplest ways to change your look. Try different styles to feel like a completely new or different person.

  1. Escape the Comfort Zone – Having a routine and keeping things familiar is great, but sometimes you have to shake things up. Get out of your comfort zone. It can be the most exhilarating and greatest thing to ever happen to you. Start on a small scale by purchasing that ring that you like but is normally too large for your normal taste.

  1. Improve Self-Esteem – Your outlook, attitude, and happiness are essential to daily life. A new pair of earrings can be a confidence booster. Don’t worry about what the current trends. Be fearless and independent with your style. Wear your jewelry like a women warrior, because that is all that counts.

  1. Express Individuality – A very wise man once wrote, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” That man was Dr. Seuss, in case you didn’t know, and he was 100% right. Express yourself everyday with jewelry that allows you to do so. Embrace your individuality, show and shout it to the world.

  1. Bond With Others – Jewelry is a great conversation starter, especially when it is unique and shows your personality. Jewelry is an opener into stories that allow us to connect with others. Don’t be afraid to share your connections and emotions.

Jewelry can transform any outfit into a one-of-a kind masterpiece. Wear it like the women warrior you are and rock the world. Jenny would love to hear how wearing jewelry helps you. Send your story or jewelry questions to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

Don’t Get Angry, Get Knowledge

Image

When it comes to jewelry, perfectly sane people can become a little weird and unhinged. We all become emotionally attached to our jewelry and the family stories attached to our jewels. When you find out that your favorite family heirloom isn’t worth what you thought, things can get pretty heated.

But it is very important to find a jeweler who is guided by honesty instead of backing down from telling you the truth. In the long run, lies will only cause more heart-ache.

At Jenny Butterfield Designs, we have your best interest at heart. We prefer to arm our clients with knowledge instead of hearsay. Meeting your needs is always our highest priority whether you are purchasing a custom-designed jewelry piece, something from our website, or we are repairing a piece of jewelry for you.

Jenny would love to hear from you. Please send your jewelry experience stories or questions to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

What Makes Diamond Stud Earrings Timeless?

Image

Women, men, and children have been wearing earrings made from metal, plastic, precious stone, beads, wood, bone and other materials since biblical times. Geographic location and the time period determined the earring type, symbolism, and social status associated with the ear piercing.

It wasn’t until the nineteenth century that the diamond stud became popular, and this popular staple is still going strong today.

Twenty-five years ago, diamond studs were what the rich girls borrowed from their mothers and wore to formal dances or cotillions. These girls waited patiently to receive their own pair of diamond studs as a high school or college graduation present.

Today, with the new variety of shapes, sizes, and clarity offerings in diamonds, studs are more affordable to many more women, giving more women the opportunity to own “the little black dress” of the jewelry world.

Jenny would love to hear when you received your first pair of diamond stud earrings. Send your story or jewelry questions to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

Will Chlorine Or Salt Water Damage My Jewelry?

Image

As we enter vacation season, please remember to take off your jewelry before playing in the lake, swimming pool, hot tub, or ocean. We like to believe our jewelry will never slip off or our gemstones will never fall out, but sooner or later, our luck will run out. Besides the possibility of losing our precious jewelry, the exposure to the water can also cause damage.

What makes the water so damaging? Water, isn’t the damaging culprit; the chemicals in the water are what cause the damage. For example, saltwater can be corrosive and leave a residue that will need to be removed. The higher concentration of chlorine and heat from a hot tub causes tarnishing and dulling of your once shiny jewelry, even gold and diamonds.

If you jump in the water with your jewelry on, don’t panic. Rinse your jewelry with warm water and soap and then dry it completely. Enjoy your summer and send any jewelry questions you have to jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

Sacrifice and Honor Lead to Independence

Image

Our thoughts have recently turned to the men and women throughout history who helped foster and secure the birth of a new nation called “The United States of America.” Yes, I mentioned the women because they were also crucial to winning our independence. Sacrifices were made by selling their jewelry, hair combs, hair, and even allowing their pewter plates to be melted down for bullets.

After our Independence, our nation began to heal, but we didn’t forget the lives that paid for our freedom. Jewelers were flooded with requests for mourning jewelry and hairwork. Both became popular ways to memorialize a lost loved one. As skill levels increased so did the intricacy and elaborate designs.  Although the options for memorial jewelry have changed over the years, our desire to honor and keep our lost loved ones close never will.

Jenny loves hearing from you, so please share how you remember your lost loved ones at jenny@jennybutterfield.com.

2

What’s the Difference Between a Jeweler and a Master Jeweler?

Image

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a jeweler and a master jeweler? For many of jewelry consumers, the difference doesn’t matter until you want something specific created or repaired. Today I’m going to explain the different specialties and skill sets within the jewelry world.

The true definition of a “master jeweler” is someone like me, who is expertly skilled in most, if not all, jewelry skills, including design, drawing, engraving, hand building, soldering, wax carving, and setting. They are skilled in working with all precious metals, including platinum, gold, and silver.

The most common type of jeweler and the one employed by many box jewelry stores and artisans are considered bench jewelers. Meaning these jewelers are capable of performing repairs, doing minor setting work, and performing some hand building. Many times they are responsible for chain soldering, ring sizing, polishing, or resetting a stone. Please keep in mind, there is a broad range of proficiency from novice to expert.

Before working with a jeweler or master jeweler, do your homework. Take the time to read reviews that have been left by previous customers, check with the Better Business Bureau, and ask questions.  To learn more about Jenny Butterfield, Master Jeweler, please visit jennybutterfield.com or email her at jenny@jennybutterfield.com.