pearls

Classic & Timeless Jewelry That Will Round Out Your Wardrobe

2023-10-242024-05-24 by Rylee Kahan

There’s no better way to dress up an outfit than with the right accessories. Whether getting dolled up for a night out, a vacation, or even just the office – there are some classic jewelry staples every woman should have in her closet. Just like your favorite little black dress, the right accessory will make you feel confident and elegant. But how do you know which jewelry pieces are a must-have? Not to fear, we’ve compiled a list for you!

Diamond Studs

A simple diamond stud is one of the most versatile jewelry items a woman can own. For a more understated look, pair studs with a casual outfit such as a V-neck tee and jeans. Or wear them with a blouse and heels for something a little dressier. No matter the outfit, diamond studs make a great addition, providing the perfect touch of sparkle.

Long Chain Necklace

Whether you prefer white metals or gold, a long chain necklace should be a piece in every woman’s wardrobe. Long chains can be layered together or worn alone, depending on the look you wish to achieve. Tops with high necklines can be paired with a long chain for an added touch of sophistication.

Cartier Tank Watch

This watch has been worn by the likes of Fred Astaire, Princess Diana, Jacqueline Kennedy, and many others since its release in 1917. Perfect for transitioning from day to evening, this timepiece can be worn with almost anything. Though there are various models of this watch, that which is most frequently photographed on celebrities is the Tank Française.

Hoop Earrings

Hoop earrings come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. If you’re looking for something to really sparkle, opt for diamond hoops for a perfectly polished ensemble. Whether you enjoy a pair of mini hoops for everyday wear, or you’re looking for a statement piece for a night out – hoops are a great option to have in your jewelry box.

Pearls are timeless and have been a symbol of elegance and luxury for decades. Pearl accessories are perfect to wear for job interviews, weddings, anniversaries, or any other occasion that requires you to be a little dressier. Invest in a strand of pearls or a pair of sophisticated pearl earrings. They’re sure to enhance any outfit.

Tennis Bracelet

Set with diamonds that encircle your wrist, tennis bracelets are great for adding a touch of bling to your wardrobe. These bracelets are flexible, making them comfortable and easy to wear every day. Because tennis bracelets fit more loosely than other styles, they can be worn casually or formally, depending on the occasion.

Pendant Necklace

Like diamond studs, a pendant necklace is essential for every woman to have in her classic jewelry collection. Nothing is more beautiful than a delicate pendant resting on a fine chain. Whether it’s a monogram, religious symbol, or even a simple shape – pendants come in a variety of styles that can be personalized to your tastes and interests.

Cocktail Ring

Popularized in the 1920’s, cocktail rings are great for spicing up your wardrobe. They usually feature a large gemstone as their centerpiece, to immediately catch the eye. Though not practical for everyday wear, a cocktail ring will surely compliment your favorite dress and heels – any may even be a conversation piece. One thing to remember when choosing a cocktail ring: the flashier, the better!

Chandelier Earrings

Looking for the ideal accessory to wear with an elegant up-do? Then you’ll love a dazzling pair of chandelier earrings. Usually fashioned with gemstones or intricate metal designs, chandelier earrings are sure to make you stand out. Because of the variety of shapes and styles, the right chandelier earring can enhance the shape of your face. For example, those with round faces should opt for a long, slender pair that will elongate the face and make it appear thinner.

Stacking Rings

Stackable rings are one of the best accessories for personalization. There are no limits to how many rings you can wear at one time, nor are there rules about mixing metals. Depending on your outfit, you can easily adjust your ring stack to match by adding or removing items as necessary. The best part? Designing a ring stack gives you an excuse to shop for more one-of-a-kind items to expand your collection!

At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we offer a selection of these jewelry essentials and more! Whether you’re an avid collector, or are just beginning to invest in fine jewelry, there is something for you here at Leo Hamel’s. Find superb treasures such as a vintage pearl necklace, the perfect size diamond studs, or any of these other classic jewelry staples.

How to Care for Your Antique Pearls

2023-10-102024-05-24 by Rylee Kahan

Having antique and vintage jewelry is like owning a piece of history. Holding and wearing pieces that are decades upon decades old can really make you think about their exquisiteness. Naturally, you want to preserve it for the future so that it gives you many years of enjoyment (and to your heir, should you pass it on). Whether it is an antique pearl ring that you cherish, a diamond necklace, or a gorgeous Tiffany bracelet, proper care and storage is the key to keeping its luster and glory.

Before Cleaning

Before you clean your jewelry, it’s advisable that you inspect it with a magnifying glass or loupe. This way you might notice loose gemstones before they fall out and are potentially lost. Loose stones are also more sensitive when it comes to cleaning – they could come off completely. While inspecting a piece, you can find any lodged debris and accumulated dust. To remove these, you can use a soft toothbrush or make up brush to dust the piece off. Note that you should use the softest brush you can find, because some jewelry will scratch from too much brushing. If you find any especially stubborn particles, use a cotton swab dipped in cleaner.

Cleaning with Care

Above all else, there are two pieces of advice you should take notice of. The first – never use abrasive products or cloths to clean jewelry. And the second – it’s best to ask your jeweler how to clean your precious jewelry, namely, how to hold the pieces during cleaning, what products to use and what techniques to use and avoid. Choose an appropriate product. There are many jewelry cleaning products available. Check what types of cleaner are safe for which types of jewelry and ask your jeweler if in doubt. Every alternative to dedicated jewelry cleaners should be carefully considered, including an ultrasonic cleaner (absolutely not intended for pearl jewelry).

For example, diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, which are top precious gemstones, can take stronger cleaners because of their natural hardness. Diluted ammonia is a safe cleaner for these stones. However, ammonia would ruin most other jewelry, particularly organic (pearls, coral, turquoise) and soft materials. A few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl of warm water and a soft cloth will do, but remember to rinse well, pat dry, and polish the jewelry afterwards to avoid dulling its shine.

When it comes to pearls, a drop of olive oil on a soft lint-free cloth should do the job. Or you can use a cloth moistened with warm water as well. Interesting point: although pearls are sensitive to perfumes, make up and most oils, plain body oil which they acquire while you wear them will actually keep their luster.

Immersing and Storing Your Jewelry

Think well before you immerse the jewelry. In many cases, soaking jewelry in water is not recommended when it comes to antique and vintage jewelry. Some antique jewelry has gemstones with a foil backing, which should NEVER be immersed. Pearls also shouldn’t be immersed. If you have an antique pearl ring, the water could weaken the adhesive and compromise the mounting, and it’s a pearl strand, the string could stretch, kink, and weaken. Clean as often as necessary. There are no particular guidelines about the frequency. Adjust the frequency of cleaning with how often you wear the piece.

If you clean and store the piece properly, there’s no need to clean it too often. In other words, some antique and vintage jewelry requires caution and occasional wear, so no need to clean such jewelry on a schedule. Always dry the jewelry before you put it away. Moisture is the number one enemy of jewelry. Pat dry the pieces and leave them to air dry completely before storing them. If it’s a piece with intricate design and setting, you may leave it to dry upside down so that any water trapped in the setting would drain.

Proper Storage

There is no point in cleaning your jewelry if you don’t store it properly. Improper storage damages jewelry easily. Never let jewelry come in contact with other jewelry. Set necklaces and bracelets down carefully so that no parts are in contact with other parts. Gold is soft and easily scratched, and gemstones can scratch other gemstones. And let’s reiterate again, because it cannot be stressed enough – make sure your jewelry is dry before you put it away.

One moist piece in a jewelry box could also ruin many other pieces. You can use original boxes or pouches to store the pieces separately from each other. If you don’t like the fact that these aren’t see-through you can make small labels with photographs. You can also wrap your jewelry items in pieces of cloth. If you want to be able to see your collection instantly, you can use Ziploc bags or you can make glass boxes from top-loading floating frames, with some cotton batting and decorative fabric inside.

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is the go-to place to buy jewelry and watches for residents of San Diego and surrounding areas. Visit our website for a preview of what’s available in our luxurious showroom on San Diego Avenue. Sign up for our eblasts to get first dibs on special sales and discounts! And come visit us whenever you need new and like-new jewelry of the finest quality and white an enduring statement.

Celebrate June Birthdays with Pearl Jewelry

2023-06-022024-05-24 by Rylee Kahan

Most months typically only have one birthstone associated with them. But those born in the month of June are part of the lucky few who can claim multiple birthstones. In fact, there are three June birthstones: pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite. Pearl is considered the more traditional June birthstone, and if you’re a June baby or shopping for one, then read more about June’s traditional birthstone.

Are you stuck with the notion that pearls are “grandma’s jewelry”? Well, we’re here to change your mind. Let’s take a moment to talk about how amazing pearls actually are. First, they are the only gemstone that comes from the ocean. Second, they are the only gemstone that is created by living creatures (marine oysters and freshwater mussels). And third, pearls are the only gemstone that do not need to be cut and polished; they are perfect just the way they are.

We can all agree that pearls have a classic, sophisticated appearance. They’ve been worn and adored for centuries by First Ladies, royalty, and other society matrons. But this doesn’t mean they can only be worn by those considered to be of an “elite class.” Pearls can be worn by anyone, at any age, and with any outfit. Another great thing about pearls is the wide variety of shapes and colors they come in. Each color symbolizes something different.

Pearl Colorings & Meanings

White pearls symbolize innocence, beauty, purity, and new beginnings.
Black or gold pearls symbolize wealth and prosperity.
Blue pearls symbolize love.
Pink pearls symbolize success, fame, and good fortune.
Brown pearls symbolize practicality, dependability, and harmony.

With the variety of colors, shapes, and meanings it’s easy to find the perfect pearl jewelry gift for your June-born loved one. However, pearls do require extra care compared to other gemstones because they’re so delicate. Pearls should always be the last thing you put on when getting dressed. This is to avoid any damage to these fragile gems from makeup, hairspray, perfume, and other cosmetics. Furthermore, pearls should always be wiped clean with a damp cloth after wearing to keep their luster and shine.

Store them separately from other jewelry in a soft jewelry case to avoid scratches, and away from heat or water (plain water won’t damage the pearls but can damage the string used to knot them into a necklace). And be sure to bring all your jewelry in to be regularly cleaned and inspected by our master jewelers!

It’s easy to find stunning birthday gifts at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. Not only do we have pearl strands, rings, earrings, and bracelets for June, but we also have moonstone and alexandrite jewelry! You’ll always find something spectacular in our vast collection of beautiful fine jewelry.

Where Do Pearls Come From?

2023-04-222024-05-25 by Rylee Kahan

The pearl, known for its mark of elegance, has become a staple in the wardrobe of fashionistas and celebrities alike. Stars such as Audrey Hepburn have solidified that pearls are a timeless statement-piece, but their beauty has affected generations of people. While we wear pearls out and about, their origin begins in a far different place. The journey of a strand of pearls on your neck starts deep in the ocean.

The pearl is unique in the fact that, unlike most gems that come from the earth, the pearl comes from oysters. Pearls are formed within an oyster when an outside stimulus irritates the oysters inside environment. This stimulus can be natural such as a parasite or artificially made like a bead. In order to protect itself, the oyster created a fluid-coating to cover the intruder. This coating is called nacre, and it is layered over and over until a pearl forms. Pearls that get harvested for the sake of jewelry usually take around three years and onward to develop.

Pearl farms are now the most common practice for cultivating pearls, but there is still the possibility of finding naturally made pearls. Farmed pearls are monitored and cared for in either saltwater or freshwater. When the oysters mature, they are harvested and opened up to reveal the rare beauty within.

From the harvest, the chosen pearls are matched by color and size. They are paired with pearls of parallel quality for stranded necklaces or have delicate holes drilled in for earrings and rings. The process of turning pearls into jewelry is detail-oriented work that requires skill.

From the ocean, pearls have made their way to adorn many of the most coveted pieces of jewelry. It is no wonder that pearls are as valuable and loved as they are! Each pearl is unique from the next, and they all survived harsh ocean conditions and years of maturing to be a part of our fashion today.

Pearls in San Diego

Curious where you can find a precious strand of unique pearls? Look no further than San Diego’s #1 jewelry store, Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers! We’re your one-stop-shop for an incredible selection of new and vintage fine jewelry, custom jewelry design, and jewelry repair. Visit us today, and let our friendly staff assist you in finding the perfect piece that speaks to you and your unique style. No matter your fine jewelry needs, Leo’s has got you covered!