Jewelers Mutual Blog

We’ve moved!

Jessica — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:02:20 +0000

Jewelers Mutual has moved its award-winning blog, The Jewelry Box, to its new consumer website at PerfectCircleInsurance.com.

Perfect Circle™ Jewelry Insurance is the new name of Jewelers Mutual’s Personal Jewelry Insurance. It’s the same great coverage from the company you trust to protect your personal jewelry; but now with a new brand that keeps you better connected to your jewelry and the cherished memories each piece represents. It may start with the engagement, but continues with all of life’s special moments.

Look forward to more great articles on the topics you enjoy reading about – including the latest jewelry news, fashion trends, bridal tips, jewelry care and cleaning, travel and more.

Don’t miss a thing! Click here to visit our new location, bookmark it and look forward to more exciting reads to come.

It’s time to Show the Love!

Jessica — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:08:20 +0000

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Jewelers Mutual has partnered with the jewelry brand Hearts On Fire® for a social media contest that asks people to share how they show their love to their special someone. From January 16 – February 27, 2012, the Show the Love photo contest will be promoted on Jewelers Mutual’s Facebook page. There have been some truly heart-warming entries so far…I encourage you to check them out!

To enter, all you have to do is finish the phrase “I show my love by…” and then upload a photo that best supports the text submission. Once the entry period is up, Jewelers Mutual will determine the top 20 finalists and then the public gets a chance to vote for their favorite entries to help determine the grand-prize winner. The amazing prize is a heart-shaped pendant beautifully displayed with 10 perfectly cut Hearts On Fire diamonds set in 18-karat white gold – the perfect gift for a special Valentine.

Amorous Journey heart-shaped diamond pendant from Hearts On Fire

The entry period runs through February 6^th, so now’s the time to get creative and get the camera ready! All entries will be judged based on creativity, originality and keeping with the theme.

Think of the ways we show our love to the special people in our lives every day. The gestures may seem simple, but mean a lot – holding hands on an evening stroll, pouring her a glass of wine after a long day’s work (yes, please), or going to a ball game to cheer on his favorite team when you’d rather be at the movies (been there) – they’re all signs of love in their own right.

Go ahead, think of your own, click here to enter the Show the Love photo contest, and take a chance! How better to show your love than with diamonds!

Giving thanks…

Jessica — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:13:34 +0000

As many curve balls as life has thrown at us—the economy, the unemployment rate, the fact that 80’s fashions are back—this is the time of year to put things in perspective and give thanks for all we have. Reflecting on the past year, here’s my top 10 list… with a twist.

I’m thankful for…

Being part of Jewelers Mutual’s Hope for the Holidays contest. The participants’ stories of giving back are an inspiration. Giving the gift of hope this holiday season is a gift in itself.
Seeing the Jewelers Mutual Facebook community grow from 300 fans last April to more than 22,400 today. I enjoy reading everyone’s comments on jewelry, fashion, bridal trends and all the crazy celebrity news every day. Plus, you never know what promotions are coming next!
Learning that gloves can be dangerous for my jewelry. I’m extra careful to take my gloves off with care. Stuffing the turkey this Thanksgiving? You may want to remove your rings first or you could have one “blinged”-out bird and one naked finger. I’m just saying…
The huge rise in diamond and gold values. After getting my wedding ring re-appraised, I couldn’t believe how much its value increased over the years. What a great investment!
Properly protecting my ring with a Personal Jewelry Insurance policy. Better late than never. I applied online and it was so quick and easy I wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner.
Discovering that a flashlight can help you find a lost diamond. That beam of light helped me find my diamond earring under my dresser. Rock on!
Barbie and Ken’s super-fun wedding album as seen on Jewelers Mutual’s Facebook page. Once a Barbie fan, always a Barbie fan.
Colored engagement rings being the hot bridal trend of the year. Thanks, Kate!
Keeping up-to-date on the latest fashion trends with help from Jewelry Information Center. I’m a big fan of fall’s tassel necklaces and chandelier earrings.
ThisJewelry Box blog and its award-winning year! Thank you for joining us!

Traveling to your Thanksgiving destination? Be thankful for these four jewelry safety tips:

Have appraisals of each item in the event of a claim, plus a list of what you’re taking with you.
Pack jewelry in your carry-on bag, never in checked baggage.
Make sure your jewelry is properly insured and that the coverage travels with you.
Leave your fancy diamonds at home. Wear travel jewelry that looks like the real thing and you’ll have a lot less to lose.

I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving! (Don’t forget to give yourself a little extra room.)

What are you most thankful for? Leave a comment.

Jewelry brings back hope

Jessica — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:54:11 +0000

Think of the little things we take for granted every day– food on the table, roof over our heads, friends and family who love and support us—do we know how lucky we are? And yet, it’s this time of year when we start making our holiday wish lists, asking for more. It’s human nature. But when we come across an opportunity to do some good for those less fortunate, do we take it?

Introducing Sarah Smith…
Sarah Smith saw a way she could help fulfill the wants of women who are trying to overcome the effects of poverty… through jewelry. In 2004, Sarah started her mission to make a difference with the start of the Sarah’s Hope^® Jewelry (SHJ) collection. SHJ’s time and a generous portion of its profits promote and fund small business loans and programs for women entrepreneurs all over the world and right here in the U.S.

“These women are driven, talented and determined…but just need a little help getting their dreams off the ground,” said Smith.

Each piece in the SHJ line is named after, and in honor of, the amazing women who’ve been given the gift of hope. The generous nature of this jewelry line is what makes SHJ the perfect partner for Jewelers Mutual’s Hope for the Holidays contest. Participants are asked to submit how they give back during the holidays for a chance to win Sarah’s Hope Jewelry as well as a $200 or $1,000 donation to their favorite charities. Prize packages include jewelry from the Karen™, Elia Rose™, Eneyda™, Marisol™, Schirlyn™, and Queen™ collections—each holding their own stories of triumph and dreams fulfilled.

Finalist prize: "Queen" pendant

Finalist prize: "Schirlyn" pendant

Karen, from Nicaragua, attended beauty school and then opened her shop in the front room of her family’s home, but couldn’t afford to buy equipment and supplies. She got a boost when she received her first loan of $210 through a (microloan) program supported by SHJ. Karen now wants to start a beauty school to give young women the opportunity to reach their own goals.

Grand prize: "Karen" interchangeable ring

Marisol, from Puerto Rico, and her children were abandoned by her husband, leaving them bankrupt. To save her home, Marisol began a daycare center. With help from a non-profit training program, ASSETS, that is supported by SHJ, she completed business training and received her child development certificate.

Finalist prize: "Marisol" pendant

Click here to read more about the extraordinary women behind the Sarah’s Hope Jewelry line.

How can you give back even more this year? ENTER Jewelers Mutual’s Hope for the Holidays contest for your chance to win—just think what good a $200 or $1,000 donation to charity could do! Hurry, entry period ends Nov. 15^th.

Like Jewelers Mutual and Sarah’s Hope Jewelry on Facebook for additional chances to win!

The best gift a person can give is hope

Jessica — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:18:30 +0000

As a parent to two daughters, ages five and two, I’m trying to instill the idea of charitable giving to them at a young age. When it comes to giving back, it’s all about baby steps. Many people think that in order to do any good, hundreds of dollars need to be spent. Not so. After a wonderful chat with my friend Sarah Smith from Sarah’s Hope® Jewelry, I found myself repeating her words in my head. “You can make a difference, no matter how small the gesture may seem.”

The question is… what drives you to make a difference?
It’s true what they say, “The little things really do make big differences.” I feel good about the fact that I encourage my daughters to drop spare change into the Salvation Army’s red kettles over the holidays. And every year, we pick names off a local giving tree and shop for gifts to help families fulfill their wish list. It may seem like small potatoes, but where giving is concerned, every bit helps.

Making small steps as a family fills me with great joy, but so does being part of something larger like Jewelers Mutual’s upcoming program called Hope for the Holidays—a contest that puts value in charity and lending a hand to others.

How do you give back during the holidays?
Starting Monday, October 17^th at 12pm (CDT), you can share your story for a chance to win a beautiful jewelry set ($500 retail value) from Sarah’s Hope Jewelry – a socially responsible jewelry line that helps provide microloans and small business training to women in impoverished situations throughout the world and the US. PLUS, receive a $1,000 donation from Jewelers Mutual to your favorite charity.* Four finalists will also walk away with Sarah’s Hope pendants ($200-290 retail value) and a $200 charitable donation. Nothing “small potatoes” about that!

Grand-prize earrings from the Sarah's Hope Jewelry, Elia Rose collection

Grand-prize interchangeable ring from the Sarah's Hope Jewelry, Karen collection

Grand-prize pendant from the Sarah's Hope Jewelry, Elia Rose collection

That’s not all! Help Jewelers Mutual reach 12,000 Facebook “likes” and one random Facebook fan will win Sarah’s Hope earrings, PLUS a $200 donation to their charity of choice!*

This is the time of year to take the focus off the “stuff” and put it back where it needs to be. Over the weekend, think about ways you give back. Then get ready to enter Hope for the Holidays (found on Jewelers Mutual’s Facebook page), which starts Monday, October 17^th at 12pm CDT.

*Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. To see if your charity qualifies, visit www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Due to state laws, the contest is not available in Rhode Island. One entry per person. Void where prohibited. Contest begins October 17, 2011 at 12pm CDT. Voting begins at 11/15/11 at 12:01pm CDT.

Diamond pendant goes to mom-to-be

Jessica — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:30:36 +0000

The grand-prize platinum and diamond Simon G. pendant

What does a guy do when he wins a diamond pendant? Just ask Jorda Young, the grand-prize winner of Jewelers Mutual’s Some Like It Haute sweepstakes in partnership with Platinum Guild International and Simon G. Jewelry.

Jorda said his first reaction when hearing he won the beautiful platinum and diamond Simon G. pendant was, “Great, the first thing I ever win gets to go to someone else!” Joking aside, Jorda has big plans for the pendant. As any good husband would do, he’s planning on giving the pendant to his wife. “She is currently pregnant with our first child. I hope to hold onto it until that special day,” said Jorda.

That’s one well-deserved “push” gift! With the baby due in March, the hardest part for Jorda will likely be how to keep it a secret until the little one’s arrival.

Jorda may have never owned a piece of platinum jewelry or anything from Simon G. before, but he’s no stranger to Jewelers Mutual’s Personal Jewelry Insurance policy, thanks to a recommendation he received from his jeweler. We hope Jorda decides to keep his wife’s pendant equally safe. Congratulations, Jorda! Your wife’s a lucky gal.

Stay tuned in the weeks ahead for another exciting opportunity that will surely get you in the holiday spirit.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Help Jewelers Mutual reach 10,000 likes on their Facebook page by clicking “Like” at the top of the company’s page, and you’ll have more chances to win exciting prizes! Already liked Jewelers Mutual on Facebook? Great! Now spread the word about how fun insurance can be.

6 ways to be Fall Fabulous

Jessica — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:30:11 +0000

What girl doesn’t want to slip her feet into a gorgeous new pair of heels and tote around a designer handbag? But a fashionista can’t stop there. Oh no. No wardrobe is complete without adding some bling to the ensemble. Even if you can’t go all out (myself included), you can feel like a fashionista by sprinkling your wardrobe with a few of the latest styles without having to be obsessed about it, or break the bank.

Need a solid resource for top jewelry trends? Do what I do and turn to Jewelry Information Center, and the American Gem Trade Association – both top-notch jewelry resources to keep you up to speed on the latest jewelry fashions.

Here are six fall jewelry trends that are all the runway rage this season and can help revitalize your wardrobe:

Stand out with neon—Neon could look great with heavy neutrals in fall and winter (but I’m thinking in moderation, girls).
Go long—Sure to turn a few heads, dust your shoulders with extra-long duster earrings.
Get choked up—Sure wish I hadn’t cleaned out my jewelry box from the ‘90s. From delicate chains to hard-core metal cuffs the choker is back with serious style.
Embrace botanical—Delicate floral designs in hard metal provide the perfect balance.
Cuff and cluster—A bold cuff or a cluster of bangles are a big hit. Mix metals or go for earthy tones and pair with a large cocktail ring.
Lay on the filigree—Choose carefully to avoid the doily look around your neck, unless that’s the look you’re going for. Regardless, it’s the new trend popping up this season and can add pizzazz to a simple neckline.

[Source: http://www.refinery29.com/six-fall-jewelry-trends-to-try-right-now]

Go bold or go home.
Dare to pair some of the latest trends in jewelry with the in vogue fashion trends for fall and make a statement. Fall also calls for animal prints, furs, lace, and asymmetric styles. Don’t forget a cape – the must-have of the season according to top fashion designers. Click here to learn more about how to properly protect your new bling for seasons to come.

Does your jewelry hold a winning story?

Jessica — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:18:36 +0000

You know that feeling you get every time you look at your favorite piece of jewelry and a flood of wonderful memories rush over you?

…Your engagement ring and the day your true love proposed, or the watch your grandfather gave you at your high school graduation, or the birthstone necklace you received the day your daughter was born, or the diamond earrings you bought the day you finally got your big promotion…

Jewelry holds powerful stories, marks special moments and symbolizes significant events and relationships you’ll cherish for a lifetime. The understanding that jewelry is more than just a pretty object is why I love working at Jewelers Mutual. Not to toot the company’s horn, but it’s true. They really get that jewelry celebrates the magic moments in a person’s life. That’s why we couldn’t resist helping sponsor Jewelry Information Center’s (JIC) Sparkling Snapshots Contest, which kicks off Monday, September 12^th.

JIC is asking people to share their stories and photos online of their special life moments or the fine jewelry connected to them. This weekend, get a head start. Open up your jewelry box, think about the pieces of jewelry that mean the most to you and the stories that you hold dear to your heart. Look through your photo albums to see what snapshots truly capture those treasured memories in action. Then, get ready to submit your stories and photos. The entry period runs from Sep. 12^th through Oct. 31^st, with a public voting period and judging to follow.

The grand-prize winner – announced Dec. 12^th – will receive a luxurious spa getaway for two to the Montage Deer Valley Resort and Spa in Park City, Utah, a True Knots diamond necklace, a Louis Vuitton travel jewelry case donated by Jewelers Mutual and a feature in the “MC Notes” section of Marie Claire Magazine. JIC has really outdone itself this time!

Click here to check out the exciting contest details. If you liked their Ultimate Proposal Contest, the Sparkling Snapshots Contest is going to have you grinning from ear to ear.

Don’t forget! There’s just 2 weeks left to enter Jewelers Mutual’s Some Like It Haute summer sweepstakes, where a dazzling diamond and platinum Simon G. pendant could still be yours! If you entered already, way to go! Make sure you get your friends to enter too because you’ll receive one extra entry for every friend who signs up. What better way to close out summer than by donning a new piece of sparkling bling!

Discover how to make this your WINNING summer!

Jessica — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:13:39 +0000

(Charlie Sheen not included.)

It’s time for a taste of summer on the rocks… as in diamonds! How would you like to close out summer in style by winning one “haute” platinum and diamond Simon G. pendant? Gee, would I ever!

Today, Jewelers Mutual kicked off its Some Like It Haute summer sweepstakes in partnership with Platinum Guild International and Simon G. Jewelry. There will be three separate, random prize drawings and three chances to win! If I were you, I’d definitely be part of the excitement!

How do you play? LIKE the Jewelers Mutual Facebook Fan page. Then, ENTER the sweepstakes for your chance to win.

Tell your friends! You’ll receive one EXTRA entry for every friend who joins the Jewelers Mutual Facebook page and enters the sweepstakes too! The more friends who LIKE JM, the more chances you have to win!

Here’s what you have to look forward to:

August 25^th- Keep your valuables looking like new!
20 winners will receive a gem and jewelry care kit, with Jeweler Mutual donating $1.50 per kit to Jewelers for Children, helping children in need. The jewelry care kit is ideal for cleaning and bringing a shimmering shine and sparkle to gems, gold, platinum and silver jewelry. The kit includes an 8-oz. jar of non-toxic cleaning concentrate, basket and brush, polishing cloth, and a lint-free cleaning cloth.
September 8^th – Protect your precious items with class!10 winners will receive a full-grain leather jewelry case to safely and stylishly store their precious jewelry. The case features inside zipper storage pockets, a ring holder and an earring compartment.
September 22^nd- Say sayonara to summer in style! 1 Grand-Prize Winner will receive a beautiful Simon G. platinum and diamond pendant with diamonds that increase in size from .07ctw to .15ctw and .30ctw. (Retail value $1,980)

Win this Simon G. platinum and diamond pendant!

Why platinum?
Partnering with Platinum Guild International means we received expert advice in providing the winner with the best quality platinum jewelry. As our resources at PGI told me, platinum’s strength, durability and corrosion resistance makes it the most secure setting for diamonds. (Makes me grateful for my platinum engagement ring!) Plus, platinum is a great way to showcase your diamonds because it’s a natural white color that won’t fade or tarnish – AND it maximizes the diamonds’ brilliance. No wonder platinum is a top choice for celebrities. This hot metal ”blings” their jewelry’s dazzle up a notch!

To view the latest platinum pendants and learn about proper platinum jewelry care, visit PreciousPlatinum.com. Also, check out SimonGJewelry.com for all the latest brand-name styles. With Jewelers Mutual, you’re in good company!

Stay tuned as we announce the first group of winners August 25 – it could be you!

Peridot in the limelight

Jessica — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:49:42 +0000

Source: Gemological Institute of America

The dog days of summer are upon us and we’re keeping it cool with one sublime August birthstone: the Peridot. I’m green with envy, August babies. Periodot is about as hardcore as a gemstone can get—it’s found in rocks created by volcanoes and even in meteors that fall to the earth.

The ancient Romans called peridot the “evening emerald” since it could still be visible by lamp light. Because of its bright green color, pirates believed that peridot would glow in the dark whenever it was near buried treasure.

Peridot represents success, good fortune and loyalty. It is also believed to ward off stress, encourage a positive outlook on life, prevent fear or guilt and help a person develop patience.

Natural remedies
Peridot in powdered form has been used as a cure for asthma and fevers. Drinking from a Peridot goblet was thought to heighten the effectiveness of other medicines. It was also believed to drive away evil spirits and subdue night terrors, especially when set in gold.

The love stone
Worn in Renaissance times to attract romance, today the peridot is the gemstone to mark the 16^th wedding anniversary.

What to look for?

A clear, vivid “spring” green color with less yellow and no brown overtones
Large sizes in fine quality hold more value

Care and cleaning
Store peridot jewelry with care to avoid scratches. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners. Instead, clean with a toothbrush using mild dish soap and warm water.

Peridot’s side-kick
You may not hear a lot about this gem, but the Sardonyx is the second (and often forgotten) birthstone of August. It is recognized by its layers of reddish brown and white banding. Sardonyx is thought to bring courage, victory, relaxation and security.

Visit our website at InsureYourJewelry.com for more jewelry cleaning and care tips, and for more gemstone education, refer to the Gem Institute of America (GIA).

Tell us about your birthstone jewelry!

Stay tuned next month when we’ll take a closer look at the September birthstones.