Nicole made the cutest piece of jewellery for me, however for Zaza, for Zaza’s 2nd birthday.
Not solely do I LOVE the necklace, however I actually observed the standard & consideration to element Nicole put into it. She’s a badass entrepreneur and simply such a grasp of her craft. As she put it, “jewellery is in her blood,” so I knew I needed to have her on the weblog to speak about all of the issues for you.
On this submit Nicole tells us the distinction between all of the golds & supplies that can be utilized, issues to bear in mind when making a customized piece, plus the recent new tendencies for 2023, and the classics that may by no means exit of favor.
With that, let’s welcome Nicole to the weblog.
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♡ Introduce your self & inform us your background within the jewellery trade. We would like your entire life story!
Nicole Elghanian: My identify is Nicole Sarah Elghanian and I used to be born and raised in La Jolla, California. I’ve all the time had a ardour for all issues diamonds and jewellery. From the time I used to be in a position to stroll, I used to be asking for jewellery (as you’ll be able to see within the picture).
My maternal grandparents had a jewellery retailer within the diamond district on forty seventh avenue in New York Metropolis and my father is a neighborhood jeweler right here in San Diego, California. I suppose you could possibly say that jewellery design runs in my blood. I really feel grateful every single day that my love for jewellery aligned with my household’s enterprise. I keep in mind as a bit of lady, every year on my birthday, my grandma would give me a skinny gold bangle bracelet. I used to be obsessive about these bangles, and wore them for a few years till I received too previous and my wrists outgrew them.
As a baby, my dad and mom tried enrolling me in numerous extracurricular actions like soccer. I might need been the subsequent Mia Hamm or Megan Rapinoe if it wasn’t for the no jewellery coverage. As soon as they knowledgeable me of that one, it was all bets off. As a lot as everybody could have needed me to be knowledgeable athlete or a mad scientist, it was very clear I used to be destined to be a diamond lady!
In truth, from a really younger age I insisted on going to my father’s jewellery store, it was virtually my favourite place to be. I used to be all the time in awe of all of the diamonds, coloured stones and gold in every single place. By the point I used to be sufficiently old to assist with promoting, I used to be working at my father’s retailer. Whereas there, I might typically dream up and design particular items for myself and my household. I’d sketch out the design I needed and would work with our bench jeweler to deliver my visions to life.
Individuals would typically cease to ask me the place my jewellery was from and if they might buy it and that’s when Diamond Bar Jewellery was born. Earlier than beginning my enterprise, I attended the College of San Diego and was the primary individual in my household to graduate from faculty. I pursued a level in Communications, as I believed it will assist me tremendously in operating the operations/promoting facet of my enterprise.
After graduating, my predominant focus grew to become getting DBJ up and operating. Beginning a enterprise is unquestionably loads of work, however so worthwhile and rewarding. I discover inspiration for my designs throughout me and I discover myself continuously considering of latest concepts on the best way to elevate completely different kinds that I see whereas out and about. I’ve all the time beloved to make stunning and dainty items that catch the attention. These items have turn out to be the focus of my line. My objective is to create dainty but distinctive items which can be nice high quality, and at an reasonably priced value level.
♡ What are the three issues folks ought to search for when buying a bit of jewellery?
NE: When buying a bit of jewellery, crucial issues I all the time pay shut consideration to are: high quality, jeweler fame, and customer support.
WHO you purchase your jewellery from is essential!!! If it’s your first time purchasing for jewellery, I might take a look at a number of locations, look on-line, or ask a trusted buddy. The very last thing you need to do is over pay for one thing or buy a low high quality piece.
Customer support can also be one thing to search for when shopping for a bit of jewellery. You need to be sure that the shop you make a purchase order from has some sort of guarantee, knowledgeable cleansing machine, and an in-house jeweler. For instance, if you need to get your ring mounted or cleaned, you must take it to your jeweler they usually can do it in-store. Don’t take the chance of getting your jewellery misplaced, stolen, or switched when shipped out.
Now let’s speak a bit of extra about high quality. Some jewelers will use recycled gold, which suggests they’ll take older scrap gold and soften it down into one thing new (which isn’t all the time nice). It might probably trigger the gold to be weakened which ends up in simply damaged jewellery. You sometimes need your jeweler to make use of contemporary gold in order that the jewellery is sturdy and can face up to being broken.
One other nice tip when shopping for a necklace or bracelet is to verify the kind of clasp that’s getting used. What you need to search for is a lobster clasp. These are stronger and fewer more likely to break than c-clasps. A lobster clap requires extra gold when being made so it’s dearer for the jeweler to make use of. I all the time make certain to make use of lobster clasps on all my items to make sure security. You additionally need to make certain your jeweler is utilizing diamonds that really sparkle from up shut and from a distance.
♡ What tendencies & kinds do you foresee being sizzling for 2023?
NE: Physique jewellery is unquestionably coming in sizzling in 2023. There’s a lot extra actual property on the physique than one may assume. You’ll be able to drape chains with diamonds from virtually any a part of your physique, be it stomach chains, hand chains, foot chains, or anklets. I’ve received all of it and I need all of it!
I get probably the most compliments from males on my hand chain and physique jewellery. All of them need to purchase one for his or her women. I’m additionally actually into ear cuffs proper now. They’re good as a result of you’ll be able to add cool items to your ear recreation with out making a gap… which suggests no ache! Lastly magnificence, with out ache.
♡ Speak to us in regards to the distinction between conventional & unconventional designs.
NE: Conventional designs are sometimes these which stay timeless and in model perpetually. A traditional diamond tennis necklace or bracelet, diamond studs, or a diamond band could be handed down from generations and nonetheless be in model.
Whereas conventional designs are all the time nice, I like to get inventive with unconventional designs. I imagine jewellery is an effective way to specific private model and style, and for that purpose I prefer to create distinctive designs. I’ve just lately made a number of actually cool wrap-around rings, a pinky ring that spins, and two rings which can be related by a sequence. One other factor I like to do is reinvent previous kinds which have light over time, similar to physique jewellery. As an alternative of shopping for a conventional ring or bracelet, you could possibly attempt an excellent stylish and enjoyable hand chain.
♡ What’s one of the best ways to scrub jewellery? Stroll us by the steps.
NE: One of the simplest ways to scrub your jewellery is to take it to your jeweler and have it cleaned each few months. Whereas there, the jeweler may verify to make sure that the prongs in your ring are tight and never unfastened. A unfastened prong could cause diamonds to fall out which is a complete nightmare. A good jeweler ought to do all of this for you with no cost. This is only one of many explanation why selecting a dependable jeweler is so vital.
Nothing fairly cleans your jewellery like knowledgeable, however in case you are in a pinch, I might counsel shopping for an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner for at residence or utilizing a selected cleansing answer that you would be able to purchase on-line/in retailer. Some stones do require particular care, although, so it’s suggested that you just all the time seek the advice of your jeweler.
♡ Do you discover when persons are shopping for engagement rings, they’re going extra for conventional or non-traditional very distinctive kinds?
NE: I’ve seen all of it, from conventional to one in all a form kinds. The choices are actually limitless and you’ll actually have some enjoyable designing the proper ring! You’ll be able to go the standard route with a diamond middle or you’ll be able to pull a Princess Diana and get a blue sapphire middle stone engagement ring with diamonds round it.
Traditionally, yellow gold was used for lots of various jewellery, however over the previous decade or two, white gold and platinum have turn out to be a extremely popular coloration selection for engagement rings. Though yellow gold has positively made a comeback, yellow and rose gold are actually a extra non-traditional and distinctive selection for rings. You can too get inventive with the minimize of your ring. Many individuals go for conventional shapes like a spherical or oval stone, however I’ve seen some actually enjoyable rings which have distinctive shapes like a coronary heart or have a number of giant stones within the middle setting.
One other approach you will get “non-traditional” along with your ring is by choosing a lab-grown stone. For a few years pure diamonds have been the best way to go, and probably the most conventional. Now we’ve got a brand new participant: lab-grown diamonds.
A pure diamond and a lab-grown diamond are each actual diamonds. The one distinction is how the diamond is scourced, how lengthy it takes to make, and the associated fee. A pure diamond takes 1000’s of years to materialize throughout the earth and for that purpose, has the next price ticket than a lab-grown diamond that solely takes a number of months to make. The selection between a pure diamond and a lab-grown diamond is totally as much as desire. As you’ll be able to see, there are such a lot of completely different choices for crafting a shocking ring.
For instance, there are numerous variations between white, yellow, and rose gold.
In white gold: 14K is stronger and 18k is softer, however not by a lot in any respect. White gold is usually combined with silver and nickel as a result of aesthetically they appear the identical. 14k is simply stronger than 18k by a really small margin.
In yellow gold: 14K is stronger and has a extra lighter gold look, 18k is softer with a stronger yellow hue. Yellow gold is combined with copper and silver in numerous portions to make it stronger or richer.
In rose gold: 18K is stronger and never as pink, 14k is extra pink, however softer. Rose gold is combined with copper to make it pink. 14k rose gold just isn’t as sturdy as a result of copper is gentle. 18k has extra gold than copper so thats why it’s stronger.
If you’re allergic to gold the most effective substitute could be platinum. White gold or platinum is extra conventional and will likely be in model perpetually – additionally it makes your diamond seem bigger.
♡ What are some items which can be traditional & will final a lifetime?
NE: Some items which can be classics and can all the time be in model are: tennis bracelets/necklaces, diamond stud earrings, eternity diamond bands, easy gold hoops/bands, and pearl necklaces/earrings.
My items are made to final a lifetime and could be handed all the way down to family members! Household heirlooms have all the time been vital to me, and the gadgets which were handed all the way down to me are those I cherish most. Passing down a bit of jewellery is like leaving a bit of you for another person to have. It’s one thing you’ll be able to hold with you all the time as a reminder of fond reminiscences. In the event you really feel like an heirloom may want a contemporary new look, attempt having your jeweler revive it into one thing enjoyable and new! Jewellery, previous or new, is without doubt one of the most particular and mawkish items you may give somebody.
♡ What recommendation would you give somebody trying to purchase an engagement ring for his or her vital different?
NE: When buying to your vital different there are a number of ideas that you must have in mind to search out the proper ring. Let’s begin with the 4 C’s of diamonds.
The 4 C’s you must know are minimize, coloration, readability, and carat weight. After this, you must most likely determine whether or not you need a pure diamond or a lab-grown one. In the event you go the pure approach, I like to recommend buying a diamond that has been graded by the Gemology Institute of America (GIA). GIA is a nonprofit institute that units requirements for grading diamonds. When shopping for a pure diamond from a jeweler, ensure you get the GIA certification for the diamond.
When you make some decisions on the stone itself, you’ll need to determine your band and setting. Though white gold and platinum are sometimes the most well-liked decisions for ring coloration, there are many those who love a yellow gold or rose gold band. I like to recommend when selecting a yellow or rose gold band, for those who don’t need the colour of the band to replicate off the diamond, you may go for the stone to be set in white gold prongs. Then again, in case your diamond already has a yellow coloration, pairing it with a yellow gold or rose gold prong will really profit your stone.
Lastly, for those who have no idea the finger measurement attempt to deliver a spare ring to your jeweler to measurement or purchase a ring sizer from Amazon. An ideal match will all the time go on simply, however won’t slide off simply. At all times take note of the feedback your vital different says about their associates’ rings or feedback they make when passing a jewellery retailer. And if all else fails, attempt their Pinterest for some inspiration!
♡ How far upfront ought to a bit be designed/ordered?
NE: For customized items, I all the time say 5 to seven weeks simply to be secure. I’ve loads of stunning items which can be already made, so in case you are in a pinch or simply don’t need to wait, I received you.
♡ The place can everybody discover you? Pimp your self out!
NE: Yow will discover me doing pop ups in San Diego and Los Angeles, or see me in individual by appointment! You can too store my web site www.diamondbarjewelry.com and discover me on Instagram @shopdiamondbarjewelry.
Most of my items could be discovered on-line through my web site or my IG. For a bit of enjoyable, observe me on Tik Tok @diamondbarjewelry.
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There you’ve it. All the data you could possibly each need or want about customized made jewellery. In case your S/O is little too aloof, simply copy & paste this submit in an e mail for a sublte hinty trace. We all the time received you babes. ::wink wink::
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