Hello friends.
Are you all enjoying this lovely spring weather? I know that I am. Perfect temperatures and sunny days make selling jewelry even more enjoyable!
Today I would like to talk with you a little bit about a subject with which some of you may be familiar, and some not so familiar. I'd like to share a little bit of information on jewelry insurance.
Here at Studio Vincent we can't formally recommend any particular company or type of insurance, but we can formally tell you how important it is that you do get your jewelry covered under some sort of policy.
There are several different ways to get your jewelry insured, but here are important things to know and ask your agent:
1. Is my jewelry covered under my homeowners or renters insurance or do I need to purchase a separate policy?
-This is an important question to ask. For instance, I have renters insurance, but my policy only covers up to $1,000 for jewelry purchases. My jewelry is worth more than that, so I needed additional coverage.
2. What is my deductible on my policy if my jewelry is lost or stolen?
3. Will I get money for purchase price or replacement value?
-Keep in touch with Studio Vincent and let us know when you would like an updated appraisal. If possible, you should update your appraisal every few years and get a policy that allows you full replacement value.
4. How do I receive payment if I need to file a claim for lost/broken/stolen jewelry?
-This is probably one of the most important things to know. Sometimes insurance companies work with specific jewelers to replace items. Make sure you get a policy that allows you to have a check cut either: a) directly to you or, b) to the jeweler of your choice. Remember that Studio Vincent jewelry needs to be repaired or re-created by us, not a generic jeweler!
Hopefully you and your jewelry will live together happily ever after, but unfortunately things do happen sometimes, and it's important to protect your treasures! Please feel free to ask your Studio Vincent design consultant if you have any additional questions.
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, December 3, 2009
3 reasons why you should shop at Studio Vincent this holiday season
As we all know, the economy is down, so getting the most value on your purchases is more important than ever. Why shop at Studio Vincent?
We're so glad you asked. We could list a thousand reasons why we think you should spend your money with us, but here are our favorites, and the ones we consider most important.
1. Design. If you are looking for a cathedral setting, a 4 or 6 prong mounting or a perfectly matched bridal set you might want to shop elsewhere. There are lots of stores that make that kind of jewelry, and they do it well. What they don't do is continually push the envelope when it comes to design. Studio Vincent owner and master goldsmith Stephen Vincent constantly strives to make his designs better and more interesting. Full bezels, floating diamonds, big fat wide bands, precious metal fused to industrial steel; these are just a few of the things you can expect when you come into our store. Our rings, necklaces and earrings have a WOW factor. People will look at your jewelry and know that it came from Studio Vincent. You can also feel good knowing that Studio Vincent uses only conflict free diamonds and metals that come from a green refinery.
In addition to our in-house designs, we have collections from everywhere from Minneapolis to Austria to France that you'll have a hard time finding anywhere else. We take great pride in creating jewelry that reflects our creative and intelligent client base and we know you recognize and appreciate that.
2. Customer service. The internet is a magical place where you can buy anything these days. From bed knobs to broom sticks, internet commerce is booming. We know that you can buy jewelry and even diamonds online, but here is why you should buy from us. Not only will you be greeted with friendly, smiling faces when you come to our store, you will also get excellent response to phone and email every single time. Our design consultants have extensive knowledge of the jewelry we carry and we will take all the time you need to sit down with you and educate you about your purchase. We are happy to bring diamonds into the gallery so that you can look at the gems before you buy because we realize that jewelry is an investment and we want you to feel comfortable. A no-commission environment ensures that you won't feel pressured and that you will be able to connect with the sales associate who is helping you.
3. Value. Studio Vincent specializes in the best of the best. We use 18 karat golds and platinum to showcase our award winning designs. Our diamonds are whiter, clearer and more sparkly than other diamonds you'll see this holiday season. What does this mean for you? It means a higher price tag than you're used to seeing at mall jewelry stores. But remember, when you compare us to mall jewelry stores you're not comparing apples to apples. If you ask the mall jewelers to show you the same caliber of diamonds that we show on a daily basis you will find that our prices are extremely competitive, and often are even better than other stores. You pay a premium for luxury cars, designer clothes and beautiful furniture, so why shouldn't your jewelry be held to the same standard? We believe at Studio Vincent that you get what you pay for, and when you shop here, you're getting nothing but the best.
Please come support Studio Vincent this holiday season. We can offer you the best design, the best service and the best value. As Aldo Gucci is famous for saying, "The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory."
We're so glad you asked. We could list a thousand reasons why we think you should spend your money with us, but here are our favorites, and the ones we consider most important.
1. Design. If you are looking for a cathedral setting, a 4 or 6 prong mounting or a perfectly matched bridal set you might want to shop elsewhere. There are lots of stores that make that kind of jewelry, and they do it well. What they don't do is continually push the envelope when it comes to design. Studio Vincent owner and master goldsmith Stephen Vincent constantly strives to make his designs better and more interesting. Full bezels, floating diamonds, big fat wide bands, precious metal fused to industrial steel; these are just a few of the things you can expect when you come into our store. Our rings, necklaces and earrings have a WOW factor. People will look at your jewelry and know that it came from Studio Vincent. You can also feel good knowing that Studio Vincent uses only conflict free diamonds and metals that come from a green refinery.
In addition to our in-house designs, we have collections from everywhere from Minneapolis to Austria to France that you'll have a hard time finding anywhere else. We take great pride in creating jewelry that reflects our creative and intelligent client base and we know you recognize and appreciate that.
2. Customer service. The internet is a magical place where you can buy anything these days. From bed knobs to broom sticks, internet commerce is booming. We know that you can buy jewelry and even diamonds online, but here is why you should buy from us. Not only will you be greeted with friendly, smiling faces when you come to our store, you will also get excellent response to phone and email every single time. Our design consultants have extensive knowledge of the jewelry we carry and we will take all the time you need to sit down with you and educate you about your purchase. We are happy to bring diamonds into the gallery so that you can look at the gems before you buy because we realize that jewelry is an investment and we want you to feel comfortable. A no-commission environment ensures that you won't feel pressured and that you will be able to connect with the sales associate who is helping you.
3. Value. Studio Vincent specializes in the best of the best. We use 18 karat golds and platinum to showcase our award winning designs. Our diamonds are whiter, clearer and more sparkly than other diamonds you'll see this holiday season. What does this mean for you? It means a higher price tag than you're used to seeing at mall jewelry stores. But remember, when you compare us to mall jewelry stores you're not comparing apples to apples. If you ask the mall jewelers to show you the same caliber of diamonds that we show on a daily basis you will find that our prices are extremely competitive, and often are even better than other stores. You pay a premium for luxury cars, designer clothes and beautiful furniture, so why shouldn't your jewelry be held to the same standard? We believe at Studio Vincent that you get what you pay for, and when you shop here, you're getting nothing but the best.
Please come support Studio Vincent this holiday season. We can offer you the best design, the best service and the best value. As Aldo Gucci is famous for saying, "The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory."
Friday, November 13, 2009
Happy Birthday November Babies!
We're half-way through November already...can you believe it?!
Here at Studio Vincent we are looking forward to our upcoming gem show, the holiday season and, of course, the New Year!
Lest we get ahead of ourselves, let's stop and take a moment to learn a little bit about November's birthstone: the lovely citrine.
Citrine is a deliciously juicy gem, and a fairly rare specimen of the quartz family. It can occur in nature in a wide spectrum that ranges from pale yellow to rich orange.
Citrine has a hardness of 7, according to the Moh's scale, which means it's great for necklaces and earrings, and strong enough to wear occasionally in fashion rings.
We recently got in a shipment of citrine jewelry from our Austrian designer, Humphrey, so if you have a November baby on your holiday list, stop by before it's all swooped up!
Here at Studio Vincent we are looking forward to our upcoming gem show, the holiday season and, of course, the New Year!
Lest we get ahead of ourselves, let's stop and take a moment to learn a little bit about November's birthstone: the lovely citrine.
Citrine is a deliciously juicy gem, and a fairly rare specimen of the quartz family. It can occur in nature in a wide spectrum that ranges from pale yellow to rich orange.
Citrine has a hardness of 7, according to the Moh's scale, which means it's great for necklaces and earrings, and strong enough to wear occasionally in fashion rings.
We recently got in a shipment of citrine jewelry from our Austrian designer, Humphrey, so if you have a November baby on your holiday list, stop by before it's all swooped up!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Let's talk a little about diamonds: Color
If you've ever shopped for diamonds before, you probably know a little bit about the 4 Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight. But what if this is your first time looking for a diamond? How do you decide which features are most important when you're on a budget?
Today we'd like to focus on diamond color.
Contrary to what you might believe, diamonds come in a ton of different colors: from bright white, to canary yellow, to deep blue and more. If you're shopping for a solitaire or an eternity band it's likely that you're looking at white diamonds, so that's what we'll focus on today.
Today we'd like to focus on diamond color.
Contrary to what you might believe, diamonds come in a ton of different colors: from bright white, to canary yellow, to deep blue and more. If you're shopping for a solitaire or an eternity band it's likely that you're looking at white diamonds, so that's what we'll focus on today.
The color scale used to grade diamonds is straightforward and easy to understand. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses the letters of the alphabet to show where diamond colors fall. The scale starts at the letter D (the brightest white diamonds) and goes all the way to the letter Z (light yellow and canary diamonds).
Generally speaking, the most prized and high-quality diamonds are D, E and F diamonds because they are colorless. These diamonds are bright white and show up beautifully when set against white metal. Diamonds that are G, H or I in color fall into the near-colorless range and, depending on the gem, these can also be beautiful, bright white diamonds.
Most mall jewelers have a wide selection of diamonds on display in their cases, but many of them will not be higher than an H in color. Studio Vincent's display diamonds are almost never lower than an H in color. We choose to use these higher quality diamonds for the following reason: when slightly yellow diamonds are set in white metal, the yellow reflects off the metal and comes back out through the top of the diamond. This can make the gem look dull or flat. Because whiter diamonds are rare, the price will reflect the color quality of the diamond you choose to purchase. When shopping for a center diamond for a solitaire we suggest going with a diamond that is F or G in color so that the design will be as stunning as possible.
When it comes to the small accent diamonds you see in engagement rings and eternity bands it's good to know that diamond color is still important. At Studio Vincent we use F or G colored tiny diamonds so that you get the most sparkle for your money. Just because the diamonds are small doesn't mean they shouldn't be brilliant!
While diamond color is an important factor, remember that the diamond you like best might not always be the whitest of the bunch. Pick the diamond that talks to you and you'll enjoy your purchase for years to come.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Let's talk a little about diamonds: Clarity
If you've ever shopped for diamonds before, you probably know a little bit about the 4 Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight. But what if this is your first time looking for a diamond? How do you decide which features are most important when you're on a budget?
Today we'd like to focus on diamond clarity.
When you're out shopping for diamonds, you will likely be attracted to one look over another. You might like the quiet elegance of a step-cut diamond, like an emerald or an asscher, or you might like the fire and excitement of a brilliant-cut diamond like a round or a princess. Both step-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds have their own beauty, but it's important to understand the role clarity plays in choosing a quality stone from each category.
Clarity refers to what you might think of as "nature's birthmarks" in a diamond. All but very few diamonds have some inclusions, although most are invisible to the eye without magnification of 10x. Inclusions can be surface blemishes, tiny fractures in the gem, particles of other minerals or even crystals. Sometimes these inclusions are hidden under a facet of a diamond and sometimes they are right out in the open. Generally speaking, inclusions are not a desirable trait for fine diamonds.
The diamond industry has created a scale to help grade the level of inclusions in each diamond. IF and F are internally flawless and flawless diamonds. Diamonds with a grade of VVS1 or VVS2 (very, very slightly included) may have one or two very small inclusions which would be invisible even under a microscope to anyone with an untrained eye. Diamonds with a grade of VS1 or VS2 (very slightly included) may have a few inclusions, but they would still be difficult to see, even with magnification. SI1 and SI2 (slightly included) diamonds can be found at most jewelry stores and often have inclusions that can be seen easily under a microscope. I1, I2 and I3 (imperfect) diamonds often have extreme blemishes either internally or on the surface, making them undesirable for everyday wear. You will never, ever find an I diamond at Studio Vincent.
After you've decided on a step-cut or a brilliant-cut diamond it's time to start examining clarity. If you've chosen a brilliant cut, you can often find beautiful gems in the VS2 to SI1 range with inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye. Many times these inclusions are hidden under one of the facets of the diamond and they don't drastically affect the path of light that makes diamonds so sparkly. Be careful of clarity, though, if you are considering buying a tension setting. Any inclusions or cracks near the edge of the gem could cause your diamond to break. The tension rings sold at Studio Vincent all have high-clarity diamonds for just this reason.
If you've chosen a step-cut diamond, clarity is a little more important. Because there are fewer facets, step-cut diamonds often have large, flat planes. Inclusions have fewer places to hide, and there's nothing less attractive than a beautiful emerald-cut diamond with a big blemish in the middle. For these beautiful cuts we suggest looking in the VVS to VS range.
Clarity can play a big role in diamond pricing because the fewer inclusions, the rarer the diamond. In order to find the gem that's perfect for you it's important to see it first. Each diamond is cut by hand and has a different personality. Who knows? You might even like the inclusion you find in yours! Come visit the Studio Vincent crew with all of your questions and we will help you find a diamond that will put a twinkle in your eye.
Today we'd like to focus on diamond clarity.
When you're out shopping for diamonds, you will likely be attracted to one look over another. You might like the quiet elegance of a step-cut diamond, like an emerald or an asscher, or you might like the fire and excitement of a brilliant-cut diamond like a round or a princess. Both step-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds have their own beauty, but it's important to understand the role clarity plays in choosing a quality stone from each category.
Clarity refers to what you might think of as "nature's birthmarks" in a diamond. All but very few diamonds have some inclusions, although most are invisible to the eye without magnification of 10x. Inclusions can be surface blemishes, tiny fractures in the gem, particles of other minerals or even crystals. Sometimes these inclusions are hidden under a facet of a diamond and sometimes they are right out in the open. Generally speaking, inclusions are not a desirable trait for fine diamonds.
The diamond industry has created a scale to help grade the level of inclusions in each diamond. IF and F are internally flawless and flawless diamonds. Diamonds with a grade of VVS1 or VVS2 (very, very slightly included) may have one or two very small inclusions which would be invisible even under a microscope to anyone with an untrained eye. Diamonds with a grade of VS1 or VS2 (very slightly included) may have a few inclusions, but they would still be difficult to see, even with magnification. SI1 and SI2 (slightly included) diamonds can be found at most jewelry stores and often have inclusions that can be seen easily under a microscope. I1, I2 and I3 (imperfect) diamonds often have extreme blemishes either internally or on the surface, making them undesirable for everyday wear. You will never, ever find an I diamond at Studio Vincent.
After you've decided on a step-cut or a brilliant-cut diamond it's time to start examining clarity. If you've chosen a brilliant cut, you can often find beautiful gems in the VS2 to SI1 range with inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye. Many times these inclusions are hidden under one of the facets of the diamond and they don't drastically affect the path of light that makes diamonds so sparkly. Be careful of clarity, though, if you are considering buying a tension setting. Any inclusions or cracks near the edge of the gem could cause your diamond to break. The tension rings sold at Studio Vincent all have high-clarity diamonds for just this reason.
If you've chosen a step-cut diamond, clarity is a little more important. Because there are fewer facets, step-cut diamonds often have large, flat planes. Inclusions have fewer places to hide, and there's nothing less attractive than a beautiful emerald-cut diamond with a big blemish in the middle. For these beautiful cuts we suggest looking in the VVS to VS range.
Clarity can play a big role in diamond pricing because the fewer inclusions, the rarer the diamond. In order to find the gem that's perfect for you it's important to see it first. Each diamond is cut by hand and has a different personality. Who knows? You might even like the inclusion you find in yours! Come visit the Studio Vincent crew with all of your questions and we will help you find a diamond that will put a twinkle in your eye.
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