Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced another classic dress watch at the Salon International de la Haute Horologerie (SIHH). Jaeger-LeCoultre brings the thin case design to the Master Collection with the Master Ultra Thin Moon 39 Watch. With a moon phase complication contained in a 39mm dial that is only 4.9mm thick, this watch has all of the clean design and sophistication of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master collection with the stylishness of a smaller case.
SPECIFICATIONS
Movement:
• Mechanical automatic movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 925, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand
• 28,800 vibrations per hour
• 43-hour power reserve
• 246 parts
• 30 jewels
• 4.90 mm high
Functions:
• Hours, minutes, date
• Center seconds, moon phases
Dial:
• Beige
Case:
• 39 mm
• Steel or 18 carat-Pink gold versions
• 1000 Hours Control symbol on the case-back
• Sapphire crystal glass, hardness n°9, on the front and back
• Water-resistance at 5 bar
Straps:
• Steel version: matte black alligator strap
• Pink gold version: matte brown alligator strap
References:
• Steel/ alligator: Q136 8520
• Pink gold/ alligator: Q136 2520
• Pink gold set/ alligator: Q1362501
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are available at King Jewelers in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit www.jaeger-lecoultre.com and www.kings1912.com.
Month: January 2011
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For Men
Ladies are not the only ones enjoy getting a little sparkle for Valentine’s Day. From clean and classic to modern and edgy, we offer a wide selection of men’s jewelry and watches for any taste and occasion. Show him that you know his style as well as he knows yours with these Valentine’s Day suggestions.
Watches
If your guy is a watch wearer, consider buying him a watch that gives him something that his current watch doesn’t. Does he need a more refined watch to wear to business meetings? Or does he need a sports watch capable of keeping track of his diving times? From Swiss Army to Hublot, King Jewelers has a wide range of watches sure to meet any taste.
 ALPINA Extreme Diver 1000 Meters Cote D’Azur Watch |  Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Cerclee Carbon Fiber Men’s Watch |
Cufflinks
Try buying a pair of cufflinks for the man in your life to match his favorite dress shirt. For classic tastes, we suggest silver cufflinks such as the refined English designs of Dunhill. For someone who likes to be the center of attention, yellow gold cufflinks will certainly catch the eye. For a more modern man, look for cufflinks in contemporary metals such as titanium or stainless steel. Stephen Webster offers a host of edgier cufflink designs for the man who already has an expansive collection of cufflinks and is just looking for something different.
 Dunhill AD Coin Mother of Pearl Cufflinks |  Dunhill Engine Yellow Gold Turning Lines Cufflinks |  Stephen Webster Silver Love/Hate Cufflinks |
Bracelets
Bracelets are a popular jewelry choice for men as they are easy to dress-up or down given the occasion. Scott Kay has a wide variety of bracelets in sterling silver with a grunge look, but because of their exquisite craftsmanship these bracelets wouldn’t look out of place with a suit.
 Stephen Webster London Calling Beaded Bracelet with Ravens Head Engraved Clasp |  Scott Kay Doberman Edge Men’s Bracelet |
Keychains
If he’s not much of a jewelry person, opt for an accessory such as a keychain instead.
 Scott Kay Keyfob Shield |  Dunhill Sterling Silver Bulldog Keyfob |
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
How to Pick Your Wedding Color Scheme
Picking the color scheme for your wedding is one of the most difficult choices, and yet, it’s almost the first one that needs to be made! The flowers, invitations, the cake, the wedding party . . . all of these arrangements revolve around a uniting set of colors. For some, the choice may be easier than others. They may already have a theme in mind, or a lifelong infatuation with a particular color. For those with less firm ideas about wedding colors, here are a few tips to help choose a color palette that both you and your fiance will be happy with.
1) Location, location, location
Where will the wedding take place? The venue at which the wedding will be held may already have a color scheme that your wedding palette will need to play into. Is the location small and indoors? You might want to consider using lighter, airier colors to make the space appear larger. Is it the wedding taking place in a 19th century cathedral or the family summer home? The location for the wedding could indicate a larger theme for the wedding design.
2) There’s a season for everything
What time of year will you be getting married? If the wedding is taking place outside, this is something to consider. You wouldn’t want burgundy in the springtime or a black and white palette in the middle of winter. If you have a favorite flower, what time of year will it be available? The choice of season may also reflect the mood for the wedding: Romantic in the fall, cheerful in the winter, etc.
Spring Wedding Color Palette #1
Spring Wedding Palette #2
3) Style
If all else fails, look to home. What colors decorate your living space or wardrobe? If your clothing doesn’t inspire you, try going ahead with getting the wedding dress. What you wear on a day to day basis may not be the style you’d want for a wedding. A theme based on the design of the wedding dress will guide you to a color palette. Another idea is to combine your favorite color with that of the groom to be. You can combine shades of these colors until it becomes something you’re both satisfied with.
Picking colors for a wedding can be an overwhelming task. A simple guideline is to pick a primary color and have two accents colors with it. Also, don’t be too worried about finding a color that works will all of the wedding party. All of the bridesmaids and groomsmen don’t have to wear the same matching color. Instead dress everyone in one of the main three wedding colors. That way there will be unification in color style without any of the colors becoming overpowering.
After selecting the colors for your wedding, put together a mood board with dresses, invitations, and accessories so that you can look at the selection for a few days to see if you’re still happy with the decision later. A good source for color palette ideas is www.colourlovers.com and www.theknot.com is excellent for mood board material.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in North Miami, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
Diane Kruger and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Lady Ultra Thin Watch
At the 2011 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Switzerland, actress Diane Kruger presented the new Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin Watch alongside Jerome Lambert, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre. Diane Kruger was picked to be the new representative of Jaeger-LeCoultre after a three year relationship that started with Kruger agreeing to wear one of the brand’s watches at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.
Diane Kruger, most recently known for her work in “Inglourious Basterds,” has been attached to the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand since she was given a Reverso by her mother for her 18th birthday. While visiting at the SIHH, she said,”I feel more than honored to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Reverso. For my first time at the SIHH, I was proud to reveal the new Grande Reverso Ultra Thin and I invited you to discover this new feminine Reverso.”
History of the Reverso Watch
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso was created in 1931 for polo playing British army officers in India. The Reverso was specially designed with a case that could rotate from front to back to protect the crystal and dial from impacts in the sport. The plain case back of the Reverso was used for personalized engravings. The initial Reverso watch then led to a more feminine Art Deco model, stylized to become more like jewelry than just a timepiece. The new Reverso Lady Ultra Thin Watch is a tribute to this original transition to a more feminine design.
Specially and exclusively intended for women: the Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin watch offers a softer figure for an extra touch of femininity.
Perfect in keeping with the Reverso’s Art Deco spirit, this watch has been remodeled and re-sized, with softer lines to make it that much more feminine.
A unique reversible watch, with the possibility of customization by engraving. Decidedly ergonomic and feminine in style. A superb play of light on the dial. Ultra-thin version with a depth of just 7.2 mm. Mechanical version: refined design, emphasized by a double circle of diamonds on the principal face.
SPECIFICATIONS
Movement:
• Mechanical manual movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 846, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand
• 21,600 vibrations per hour
• 18 jewels
• 2.9 mm high
• 93 pieces
• 40-hour power reserve
Available also in:
• Quartz movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 657
• 4 jewels
• 2.15 mm high
• 68 pieces
Functions:
• Hours, minutes
Dial:
Front: Silvered guilloche
Case:
• 55 x 35 mm
• 12 mm thick
• Case materials: 18-carat pink gold, 18-carat white gold, steel
• Sapphire crystal, hardness N°9
• Water-resistant to 3 bar
• Solid case back
• Pink gold set casing: 31 diamonds, 0.45 carats
• Steel set casing: 30 diamonds, 0.40 carats
• High Jewelery Pink gold set casing: 111 diamonds, 0.85 carats
Strap and buckle:
• Alligator or Ostrich leather strap
• Folding buckle in 18-carat pink gold, 18-carat white gold or steel
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are available at King Jewelers in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit www.jaeger-lecoultre.com and www.kings1912.com.
Tips for Valentine's Day Gift Ideas
Valentine’s Day is seen as one of the most romantic days of the year, and what better way to celebrate your love than to give the gift of jewelry that is uniquely her? Of course, when deciding on a piece of jewelry to give to your beloved, one must take into consideration her personal taste as well as her relationship to you.
If you and your object of affection have only been dating a short period of time, a charm would be a fine alternative to traditional diamond jewelry. A charm can be worn on a bracelet or a necklace and can reflect her personal interests. Stacked bangle bracelets are also in fashion these days. Keep in mind that red is also not the only color to symbolize love. Any strongly hued gemstone will communicate your passion while keeping with her taste in color.
 King Jewelers Black Diamond |  |  |
If the relationship is more serious, consider buying her a pendant with linked hearts. However, not all girls may be crazy about hearts on Valentine’s day. Instead, consider other symbols of infinity and affection, such as diamond circle pendants or interlocked bracelets.
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If you tell your love that she’s the only one you’ll ever love, nothing says forever like diamonds. Since diamonds are extremely hard, they can be worn as any type of jewelry with less concern about wear and tear. It is also important to consider her daily activities. If your love works with her hands, consider either a bezel set diamond ring or a pair of diamond studs. For women who work in the office, consider buying her a diamond necklace that she can pair with any outfit. Eternity bands are also a classic selection when it comes to expressing eternal love.
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Most importantly, shopping for jewelry should be an enjoyable experience. The goal is to select a piece of jewelry that will be unique and share a personal meaning for the both of you.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
Your Guide to Platinum Jewelry
Platinum initially played a prominent role in Egyptian and South American jewelry. The Spanish explorers first discovered deposits of the ore in Colombia and called it “Platina del Pinto” because of the metal’s similar appearance to silver. It wasn’t until the 18th century that platinum started appearing in Western European jewelry metalworking and by today’s standards is one of the most popular metals in jewelry design.
Platinum and white gold may look alike to the untrained eye, but they differ dramatically in color and strength. Platinum is a naturally white metal whereas white gold is created when yellow gold is alloyed with either nickel or rhodium. Platinum is approximately five times more rare than gold. It takes roughly ten tons of ore to produce one ounce of platinum. In order for gold jewelry to be considered “pure” the metal must contain at least 41% gold. For platinum, the standards are much higher and the metal must contain at least 90% platinum. This means that platinum is whiter than white gold, and thus amplifies the shine of diamonds and other gemstones. The purity of platinum also makes this metal hypoallergenic, which is optimal for people with sensitive skin.
Platinum is extremely easy to care for. Platinum is not a metal that tarnishes easily and requires less maintenance than gold as it is a stronger metal and its density is almost double that of gold. Most metals will steadily have a small piece of metal removed with scratches over time and may eventually have to be reinforced. However, platinum will show a scratch, but the metal is displaced rather than removed. Platinum also develops a unique patina with wear over time that can be easily polished to its original shiny finish.
Consider buying platinum for jewelry pieces that will be worn frequently and may be subjected to wear and tear, such as engagement rings or wedding bands. Be sure to look for a stamp of .900 or .950 on a platinum piece of jewelry to indicate the purity of the metal and this stamp is required by law.
In order to clean platinum, you can soak your platinum jewelry in a mild solution of soap and warm water while gently scrubbing it with a soft-bristled brush. Or if you prefer, you can take your platinum jewelry to the expert jewelers at King Jewelers Nashville and Miami to be professionally maintained.
King Jewelers Nashville and Miami actively buy platinum jewelry all the time as well as gold jewelry.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
Hublot MP-01 Masterpiece Tonneau Chronograph Watch
Hublot recently introduced their fourth collection of watches, Masterpiece Watch Collection at the 2011 SIHH. This line of watches features a new tonneau-shaped design branching away from Hublot’s long reputed round Big Bang style. The Hublot MP-01 Masterpiece watch is powered by a three-barrel layout monopusher column-wheel hand-wound chronograph movement contained within a curved titanium case. This first Masterpiece watch edition features the new range of higher-end Hublot in-house movements. The unique layout of the movement allows the Masterpiece watch to have a power reserve of ten days (240 hours) with a visible power reserve indicator through the sapphire crystal case back.
The dial is partially skeletonized with no self-luminated hands or markers and covered by a scratch resistant sapphire crystal. The markers are an aluminum grid that are attached to the bezel. The first release in the Masterpiece collection is limited to 100 pieces. Hublot anticipates that due to the complicated open-worked design of these watches, only one or two models in this line will be released every year.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
Hublot watches are available at King Jewelers in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit www.hublot.com and www.kings1912.com.
Bridal Tips: A Pearl Guide
Pearls are often a favored tradition in bridal jewelry and one of the oldest symbols of chastity and purity. In Hinduism, Krishna brought pearls from the sea to give to his daughter as a gift on her wedding day. In Greece, pearls were given as a gift on wedding days because it was believed that pearls would prevent the bride from crying. Crusaders during the Middle Ages would bring back pearls from their journeys as wedding gifts for their ladies. Since the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries pearls have been a part of royal weddings and have become just as synonymous with marriage as the diamond.
Brides often wear pearls handed down from a mother or grandmother on their wedding day. However, if a simple white strand isn’t your style, pearls come in enough of shapes, colors, and sizes to suite any style choice and add sophistication to any look. No two pearls are alike. Typically pearls should be matched in a strand or studs. The better strands of pearls are strung on a silk cord with knots placed in between each pearl to prevent the pearls from chaffing each other. These knows will also keep all your pearls together should the cord break.
About Pearls
Pearls are formed naturally when an irritant, such as a particle of dirt or grain of sand, is caught inside of a mollusk’s inner shell. To reduce the abrasiveness of the particle, the mollusk releases something called nacre and coats the irritant. Over time, the mollusk adds more hard, smooth layers of nacre around the particle forming a pearl.
Naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare these days. Approximately ninety-nine percent of pearls available for purchase are “cultured,” which means the pearl is formed the same way a natural pearl would occur, except the irritant is intentionally placed inside the mollusk shell.
Pearls are extremely soft gemstones and therefore require special care. Hairspray, natural skin oils, lotions, perfumes, and makeup can dull the luster of a pearl. Pearls should be rubbed down with a soft, damp cloth after wearing them. If your pearl strands are worn frequently, it would be a good idea to bring them to a jeweler to have them restrung once a year.
How to Buy a Pearl
1) Luster
Luster is the way that light reflects off of a pearl. A pearl with extraordinarily good luster will reflect the light strongly and seem to glow. A simple test for a pearl’s luster is to check for your reflection in the pearl’s surface. Pearls with low luster will have a milky surface that won’t show a reflection very well. High luster pearls will show a sharp contrast between brightly lit and shadowed parts of the pearl.
2) Shape
Pearls come in an array of shapes. Depending on your preference in pearl shapes, the quality of the shape may not be a significant factor. Perfectly round pearls are hard to come by and matching pearl shapes for a strand is difficult. Mostly you want to check that the surface of the pearl doesn’t have any obvious spots, dimples, cracks, or discolorations.
3)ColorThe color of the pearl doesn’t affect the value as most pearls are color treated before they are sold. Pearls come in a virtual rainbow of colors and therefore the choice is entirely up to you. If you are purchasing several pearls, such as in a strand, it is more important to make sure that the pearls are similarly matched in color.
Pearls are measured in millimeters and it is the size, the luster, and the shape that determines the price of a pearl. You should always check that the pearls you purchase have a certificate of authenticity or make sure you’re purchasing from a brand with a good reputation.
Types of Pearls
Akoya
Approximately fifty percent of the cultured pearl industry is made up of Akoya pearls. This is mostly due to the diversity of colors and shapes that they come in. Akoya pearls are also the most commonly used pearl for strands. These pearls are cultivated in Japan. Akoya pearls are grown inside the Pinctada fucata mollusk 9 months to 2 years.
South Sea
These pearls are the rarest and most expensive. South Sea pearls are known for their high quality luster and large size and range from white to deep golden yellow. South Sea pearls are cultivated in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and other areas of the South Pacific.
Tahitian
Tahitian pearls are generally known as black pearls, but the shades of these pearls range from light gray to dark black with green or purple hues. Tahitian pearls are cultivated in French Polynesia.
Freshwater
Freshwater pearls are less expensive than pearls cultured from sea mollusks because they generally have a lower luster. These pearls are grown from freshwater mussels in bays, rivers, and lakes and are more abundant. They are cultivated in Japan, China and the United States. Freshwater pearls are grown inside the Hyriopsis cummingi mollusk for 2-4 years. Freshwater pearls used to be more rice-shaped, but today the higher quality freshwater pearls are round and for those who are not pearl experts, these pearls can be mistaken for Akoya pearls.
Mabe
Mabe pearls are irregularly shaped due to the fact that they are grown against the interior of the oyster shell instead of in the middle. They commonly have a flattened, rounded shape and are frequently used in earrings and rings. These pearls are cultivated in Japan, Indonesia, French Polynesia and Australia.
Types of Pearl Strands
Pearl Choker – 16 inches
The pearl choker is a classic and can be worn to any occasion, with any style. As this is the shortest style of pearl necklace, it would be better not to wear this style of pearl necklace if you have a short or long neck as it draws attention to the neck.
Pearl Princess – 18 inches
The length of this pearl necklace falls right around the neckline and accents the collar-bone. This is a great style of pearl necklace for office attire as it falls right around the neckline of a blouse.
Pearl Matinee – 24 inches
As a longer and more dramatic style of pearl necklace, the matinee is great for more formal events. This is also a good style of pearl necklace for girls with larger chests as it draws attention to the neck and shoulders and ends right above the cleavage.
Pearl Opera – 32 inches
This style of pearl necklace can be more versatile as it is long enough for a dramatic evening effect, and also can be double up to be worn as a choker for daytime events.
Pearl Rope – 46 inches
The pearl rope can be styled into numerous fashions. This strand can be double or tripled, twisted and knotted, and falls somewhere around the waistline. This style of pearl necklace is definitely an important piece for the fashion-forward.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers, offers in-house custom designs, private label jewelry collections, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Alpina, Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Concord, Dunhill, Ebel, Harry Winston, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, TAG Heuer, and TechnoMarine. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. With a diamond office located in Antwerp, Belgium since 1961, King Jewelers is able to offer Nashville and Miami custom diamond bridal designs and gem-quality loose diamonds at wholesale prices. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs.
For more information regarding natural pearls, please visit www.Kings1912.com to view King Jewelers custom pearl jewelry designs as well as our Mikimoto pearl jewelry collections.
SIHH 2011: IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Watch
For more than a quarter of a century now, the Portofino watch family has held a firm place in the collection from IWC Schaffhausen. It is not only the entry-level model to the exclusive world of IWC watches, but also the epitome of a classical wristwatch for individuals with style. In the same way that the picturesque harbor town of Portofino stands for the dolce vita of the 1960s, Portofino watches are a combination of rare beauty and simple elegance.
Thanks mainly to its technological sophistication, the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days (Ref. 5101) has established itself as the flagship of the Portofino family. Its reputation is founded not so much on outward appearances but internal values: ticking away inside the case is the new IWC-manufactured movement from the 50000-calibre family. With its 37.8-millimeter diameter, the 59210 calibre is the same size as a pocket watch movement, but its design is incomparably more modern. The contemporary movement design, with its large bridges and plates, is highly robust and reliable, and designed to meet all the exacting demands of watch devotees in the 21st century.
Despite its undisputed elegance, the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days is a watch designed for everyday use, not least because of its incredible stamina: it will run for precisely 192 hours – that’s 8 days – without any external help. Just how long the watch will continue to run before its owner needs to wind the movement can be read off from the power reserve display on the dial. IWC’s designers have remained true to the classical Portofino style, not only in the circular case with its smooth, flowing strap horns, but also in the design of the dial. The placing of the displays – small seconds at “6 o’clock”, date at “3 o’clock” and power reserve between “8” and “9” – ensures that the dial layout is finely balanced. The red gold Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days comes with a slate-colored dial, which likewise features indices made of solid red gold. There is also a choice of two models in steel, with either a black or silver-plated dial.
Functions: Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, power reserve indicator, date
Power reserve: 192 hours (8 days)
Case material: 18-carat rose gold or Stainless steel
Bezel material: 18-carat rose gold or Stainless steel
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 42.00 mm
Dial: Silver plated or Black (Stainless steel version) or Slate (Rose gold version)
Numerals: Roman
Hands: Gold
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Leather by shoemaker Santoni
Crystal: Sapphire
Case back: Sapphire
The IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Watch will be available at King Jewelers Miami and Nashville in late 2011. For more information, please visit www.iwc.com and www.kings1912.com.
Ashoka: The Rarest Diamond Cut
Ashoka diamonds have been in the news frequently these days owing to the fact that actress Reese Witherspoon recently revealed her engagement ring to be a four-carat Ashoka diamond. But just what is it that makes these diamonds particularly intriguing?
An Ashoka-cut diamond is essentially a modified antique cushion-cut diamond, modeled after the long reputed original Ashoka diamond. The original Ashoka diamond was a 41.37 carat D flawless diamond mined in the Golconda region of southern India and named after the Buddhist warrior and emperor, Ashoka Maurya. The emperor was said to have a stone with the ability to eradicate sorrow.
The Ashoka-cut diamond is unique because it is longer than a cushion-cut diamond, and has 62 facets which allows more light to refract within the diamond. As a result, the diamond appears to be 30% larger than it actually is. What makes the Ashoka diamond so rare is that it can only be cut from an oblong rough diamond that is at a minimum of three carats in size. Aside from the size, clarity and color also play a large factor in determining what rough diamonds will meet the high standards for an Ashoka cut. This means that less that 10% of the diamonds mined in a year have the ability to be an Ashoka-cut diamond.
Brides-to-be are not the only ones fascinated by this diamond cut either. Luxury powerhouse Chopard released six styles of watches in their Haute Joaillerie collection that featured Ashoka diamonds with prices ranging from $200,000 up to $1 million. These watches were exclusively sold in Chopard boutiques.
Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers offers bridal consultations for brides and grooms with the expert advice of its in-house bridal stylists and diamond specialists. King Jewelers offers brides and grooms a first-class experience, conveniently offering wholesale diamonds, custom designs for engagement rings and wedding bands, luxury designer bridal jewelry, watches for him, bridal party gifts, and gift registration, as well as engravings, appraisals, and expert jewelry cleaning. With two store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast’s top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is the luxury destination in Miami and Nashville for fine jewelry, diamonds, and Swiss timepieces. King Jewelers is Nashville diamonds and engagement rings wholesale store which specializes in bridal custom designs. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs. For additional information, please visit www.kings1912.com.