May 2012 - King Jewelers | Jewelry Store Nashville and Miami

King Baby Jewelry Hits the Stage with Tom Cruise in "Rock of Ages"

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Make Technology

King Baby strikes again as the go-to brand for the ultimate glam-rock accessory. Tom Cruise recently did a photoshoot with W Magazine for his role in the upcoming movie “Rock of Ages.” Tom Cruise was chosen to play “Stacee Jaxx” in this 1980’s inspired musical that will include songs from artists like Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, Twisted Sister, Poison, Journey, and Def Leopard.

Cruise, who will do his own singing in the movie, was photographed in the penthouse of the Raleigh Hotel in Miami sporting leather pants, tattoos, long hair, and of course, the unmistakable look of King Baby jewelry. Some of the pieces includes were the sterling silver crown ring, a sterling silver studded star ring, and a black onyx beaded bracelet.

King Baby Studios is the brainchild of Mitchell Binder, a master silversmith hailing from Los Angeles. From his humble beginnings as a jeweler’s apprentice, Mitchell Binder’s designs embody the rock ‘n roll world and have been worn by musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, and Aerosmith.

King Jewelers is proud to be an authorized retailer for King Baby jewelry in Nashville, TN and Aventura, FL. For more information regarding King Baby jewelry, please visit kingbabystudio.com. For more information regarding pricing and availability of King Baby, please visit our King Baby collection or email us at info@kings1912.com. King Baby jewelry can also be purchased from our website, www.kings1912.com.

World's Largest Fancy Intense Pink Diamond Goes Up For Sale

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Make Technology

The world’s largest fancy intense pink diamond that hasn’t been seen on the market for over 36 years was recently auctioned off in Hong Kong for $17.4 million. With a bidding war that lasted over 10 minutes long the strikingly rare 12.04 carat diamond, known as the Martian Pink Diamond, auctioned off for more than double the estimated price by an anonymous telephone bidder. The beautiful gem was the highlighted item to be auctioned off at Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels auction that raised $80 million this past Tuesday.
The Martian Pink diamond was originally sold by Harry Winston in 1976 which was the same year the United States launched its first satellite on a mission to Mars: The Viking Landers. Ronald Winston named the diamond to honor the historic event. During that time it sold for an estimate of 8.4 to 12.3 million to a private buyer. The Martian Pink diamond is mounted on a size 7, 18 karat yellow gold ring. To learn more about colored diamonds make sure to read our All About Fancy Colored Diamond post or visit our Diamond Jewelry section to view some of our exceptional pieces.

Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs.

Hublot Debuts Edgy New Skull Bang Watch

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Make Technology

Hublot has shown a new rebellious rock ‘n roll side of its establishment. This dark but elegant piece by Hublot called Skull Bang was recently released as a limited series with only 100 pieces available. This watch is still housed in the familiar Classic Fusion case but made entirely out of ceramic while its finishing touches include polishing and satin-finishing of black ceramic. It features an appealing skull on the dial and a transparent skull outline on the back that allows the movement to still be seen.
This a very rare watch was especially designed for long-time partner and friend of Hublot, Laurent Picciotto. Laurent Picciotto stands as a legend in the watchmaking world because of his passion for flair. He was also one of the first to show belief in the Hublot brand by opening the watch brand’s first boutique in the world at 271 Rue Saint Honoré in Paris’ 1st arrondissement back in 2007. So you can guess where these watches will only be available at? There is just something so cool about the combination of this playful and devilish skull on such a stylish all black piece. This is surely a rockstar’s dream watch.

Hublot Skull Bang Watch Specifications:

Reference: 511.CM.1110.VR.PIC12
Collection: Limited Series – 100 pieces
Movement: HUB 1112 automatic movement
Power Reserve: Approximately 42 hours
Features: Date display, hours, minutes, seconds
Material: Ceramic with polished and satin-finished black ceramic
Case Diameter: 45mm
Strap: Black leather strap stitched onto black rubber with Black PVD steel deployant buckle
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 50m
King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for Hublot watches in Middle Tennesse, as well as over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Breguet, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, DeWitt, Harry Winston, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis and TAG Heuer. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild and has been named a Leading Watch Retailer in North America by International Wristwatch Magazine. King Jewelers also offers expert watch repair and watch restoration at their retail locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information on Hublot watches, please visit www.hublot.com or take a look at our Hublot page.

Chopard Sponsors the 22nd Annual Mille Miglia Race

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Make Technology

In 1988, Chopard began its sponsorship of the famous Mille Miglia race and launched the Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph that same year. As a family company, founded in 1860, Chopard has always regarded this partnership as much more than a passive commitment, and they have participated every year in the 1000-mile race from Brescia to Rome and back.
It was Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard and a fan of classic racing cars, who came up with the idea of developing a Mille Miglia chronograph. The watch design was to be sporty, and the movement had to ensure precise timekeeping during a race. In 1988, the idea took shape and the cornerstone was laid for one of the most successful and iconic Chopard collections ever. Scores of enthusiasts and collectors now wait impatiently for the annual presentation of the latest Mille Miglia chronograph.

Again and again, the new models delight and surprise enthusiasts with their innovative design, new materials and additional technical functions. In 1998, for example, as a special tribute to the Golden Age of automotive sport, the chronograph appeared for the first time with its characteristic natural rubber strap bearing the unmistakable 1960s Dunlop racing tire tread. With the presentation of the Mille Miglia 2006 Gran Turismo XL, equipped with the largest self-winding caliber (44 mm diameter) to date, the company demonstrated its ability to anticipate the forthcoming “extra-large” trend.
The Mille Miglia Collection by Chopard has also significantly increased general awareness of the race which, after a 30-year hiatus, was brought back to life as the “Mille Miglia Storica”. It is now THE classic and vintage car event in the world, largely due to the irresistible charm of Italy and its people.

More than ever an instrument clearly cut out for competition, the new Mille Miglia GMT Chrono 2012 ensures exceptional readability thanks to its oversized counters. Its mechanical self-winding movement also provides an extremely practical dual time function. This sporty and sophisticated watch is issued in two limited editions of 2,012 in steel, and 250 in rose gold.
Consistently reinvented perfection: that is exactly what Chopard is determined to offer annually unveiling new limited editions of its Mille Miglia collection. All at once sporty and elegant, the new Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph is now enriching the Chopard Classic Racing line that encompasses all watches paying tribute to the automobile world. An instrument that will more than ever prove an indispensable companion for all devotees of fine mechanisms.

Released to celebrate the 2012 Mille Miglia race, the Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph provides peerless readability. The chronograph counters at 12 and 6 o’clock, inspired by the dashboard instruments of classic racing cars, are oversized to ensure an extremely quick read that is further enhanced by the white hour-markers against the black dial. The central sweeping seconds hand is tipped with the collection’s signature red arrow.
The mechanical self-winding movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC and equipped with a stop seconds function to ensure highly accurate time-setting, also drives a useful and user-friendly dual time-zone display. A second hour hand, tipped with a white arrow, points to the 24-hour GMT indication around the black bezel forming an authentic visual extension of the dial.
This 42.4 mm-diameter timepiece features a satin-brushed crown guard, as well as the iconic natural rubber Dunlop Racing strap bearing the famous 1960s racing tire-tread motif. The technical, sporty case of this new Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph bears the emblematic “1000 Miglia” arrow as well as a nameplate designed to carry the limited-edition inscriptions.
King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for Chopard watches in Middle Tennessee and South Florida, as well as over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Breguet, Cartier, Chanel, DeWitt, Harry Winston, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, and Roger Dubuis. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild and has been named a Leading Watch Retailer in North America by International Wristwatch Magazine. King Jewelers also offers expert watch repair and watch restoration at their retail locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information on Chopard watches, please visit www.chopard.com or take a look at our Chopard page.

Diane Kruger Graces the 65th Cannes Film Festival with Jaeger-LeCoultre

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Make Technology

The annual Cannes Film Festival kicked off once again this year in France and one of our favorite actresses, Diane Kruger is be one of the jury members! She arrived on the opening red carpet wearing a beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre vintage jewelry watch with cover. She was also seen at the jury photocall wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 that complemented her burgundy cocktail dress perfectly.

Everyone was excited to see her on the panel and she declares to take this role very seriously. She says “I try to be in bed before midnight.” and also mentions to say that she has been on the other side as an actress. “So I have to be extra sensitive and keep an open mind. If I had a film here I would not want my jury member to be half-asleep.” Read more about her interview with USA Today regarding the Cannes judging.

This year the Cannes Film Festival is expected to bring together over 35,000 representatives in the film industry from all over the world as well as over 4,000 journalists. This prestigious event will be the 65th anniversary and will last until May 27 and will end with the Golden Palm awards. On this 65th anniversary occasion, Marilyn Monroe has been chosen as this year’s icon of the festival. The organizers of the Cannes Film Festival are calling her “an eternal icon, whose grace, mystery and power of seduction remain resolutely contemporary.” Keep up with the Cannes Film Festival here and also browse our selection of Jaeger LeCoultre timepieces on our Jaeger LeCoultre page to pick out your next watch to match your own cocktail dress.
King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for Jaeger-LeCoultre watches in South Florida and Middle Tennessee as well as for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Breguet, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, DeWitt, Harry Winston, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis and TAG Heuer. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild and has been named a Leading Watch Retailer in North America by International Wristwatch Magazine. King Jewelers also offers expert watch repair and watch restoration at their retail locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit our Jaeger-LeCoultre brand page or the Jaeger-LeCoultre website.

All About Fancy Colored Diamonds

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Make Technology

If you’ve done your research when it comes to diamond buying, then you’ll know all about the 4 C’s – color, clarity, cut, and carat. All of these factor into a diamond’s quality and value and most brides-to-be are in pursuit of the notoriously rare, totally colorless diamond. However, of the four C’s color is probably the most flexible of all the diamond attributes.
If you’ve got a taste for the unique, then color diamonds are the choice for you. The colorless diamonds are the most famous, but diamonds can come in a whole range of colors that are equally striking. Known as “fancy” colored, these diamonds contain impurities that give them their color and possess an allure all of their own. Just ask Carrie Underwood, Kristen Bell, or Heidi Klum who all sport fancy colored diamond engagement rings. In order of rarity the yellow diamond is the most common, followed by brown, colorless, blue, green, black, pink, orange, purple, and red. For every 10,000 diamond mined in the world, only one can be called a fancy colored diamond.

Yellow & Brown Diamonds

Nitrogen is the most common impurity found in diamonds and is responsible for giving yellow and brown diamonds their hue. Close to 98% of diamonds will have some degree of nitrogen in them. The added benefit of using a yellow diamond for an engagement ring, is that the yellow color of the diamond can be enhanced by using a yellow gold mounting. Most yellow diamonds come from South Africa. Living up to its name, the Incomparable Diamond is the largest yellow diamond at 407.8 carats.

Orange Diamonds

Orange diamonds also get their color from the notorious Nitrogen. The structure of the carbon lattice is what turns the diamond orange rather than yellow. Orange diamonds are the only diamond in which synthetically enhancing the color can add to the value of the diamond. The Pumpkin Diamond is the most famous orange diamond at 5.1 carats and is currently owned by Harry Winston.

Red Diamonds

The rarest of all colored diamonds, the red diamond can be worth as much as $1,000,000 per carat. Nitrogen and extreme pressure during development give these diamonds a red cast and so far they’ve only been mined in Australia. Due to the rarity, it is estimated that in all likelihood only 50 red diamonds are left. One of the coveted red diamonds is the 5.1 carat Moussaieff diamond.

Green Diamonds

Anyone thinking of Kryptonite? Well, you’re not far off base as green diamonds actually get their color from being exposed to natural radiation, like from uranium ore, while developing. The color of a green diamond can change depending on how it has been cut or if it’s exposed to heat. The most famous green diamond is the Dreseden Green Diamond, at 41 carats.

Blue Diamonds

Blue diamonds get their color from trace amounts of Boron and most of them are mined in Australia and South Africa. With the presence of Boron, some of these diamonds can even conduct electricity. The Hope Diamond is naturally the most famous example of a blue diamond to date.

Pink Diamonds

Next to yellow diamonds, pink diamonds are easily one of the most popular colored diamonds for engagement rings. They’re not as common as yellow diamonds, but are still accessible and affordable. Pink diamonds are mined in Brazil, Australia, and South Africa. The Darya e Noor is the largest pink diamond in the world at 186 carats and belongs to the Iranian Treasury.

Black Diamonds

Black diamonds are not truly black. It’s due to a high presence of dark inclusions that give them their black appearance and they are currently only found in Brazil and Africa. One of the more famous black diamonds is the Black Orlov, a 67.5 carat cushion-cut, that is said to be cursed.
Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs.

Tips for Buying Graduation Gifts

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Make Technology

It’s graduation time. That moment where your closest family members and friends receive the recognition of accomplishments and their beginning of a new journey. How do you decide what is the most appropriate gift for such an occasion? We have a few tips for you here today for men and ladies.
Keep in mind that a graduation is not only a commencement but a sense of achievement and marking of an important milestone for the rest of their life. So try to choose a gift that will not only commemorate his or her goal but will also serve as a reminder of their achievement and progression.

LADIES

Tip 1: Above and Beyond Class Rings
Class rings are great because they can commemorate a school and are customizable. You can put your name, graduation year, and little symbols and characters. But let’s be honest. How many people wear class rings after they graduate? It’s not a super bowl ring.

Instead opt for a cocktail ring. Cocktail rings are fun, colorful, and always in fashion. A good idea is to find a ring that matches her academic colors. Cocktails rings such as this rhodolite and amethyst diamond wrap ring are also very versatile and can be worn day or night with endless ensembles. If customized, one of a kind piece is what you aim to look for then you can also visit us and we can build a truly unique piece just for you. Visit our custom design page for more information.
Tip 2: Diamonds Never Fail

Diamond jewelry is one of the finest gifts for any occasion. It’s also a timeless piece that will be treasured by your graduate for many years. Diamond pendants or diamond hoops are a great gift and come in various size and styles. You can also look for matching sets of diamond jewelry such as a diamond solitaire pendant with matching diamond studs. Since diamonds are a symbol of wealth, durability and quality, every young lady deserves diamonds to mark their accomplishments and display of confidence for their future endeavors.
Tip 3: Traditionally Pearls

More recently pearl jewelry seems to be commonly overlooked as a graduation gift. In fact pearls are traditionally gifted in one’s lifetime as a symbol of accomplishment and marking of memorable moments. Graduation is one of the greatest opportunity for gifting the young lady with her first strand of pearls or even pearl pendants and bracelets are also great gifts for this occasion. Much like diamonds, pearl jewelry are classics and will always shine and display her years of hard work and success as she cherishes them for the rest of her life. Take a look at our entire collection of pearl jewelry to choose the perfect gift for your graduate.
Tip 4: Pin It

So you may not know her ring size or personal preference in particular stones and styles. Pins or brooches make it a more subtle options for a grad gift. They are great accessories that would perfectly compliment her graduation dress or any occasion in her future. A pin such as this Orange and Yellow Sapphire Pave Butterfly Pin would be a fantastic symbolic gift of growth, change, and new journeys. Plus it’s very lively and chic.

GENTLEMEN

Tip 1: Pens Mean Business

Luxury pens are a great way to commemorate a young man’s success. They give a sense of status and achievement while they also are useful. This gift to a graduate will feel like a trophy denoting their accomplishment. Luxury pens such Montblanc are very well recognized for their sophisticated and timeless elegance. There are various styles of luxury pens made of varying materials and types. Choose one that matches his personality and writing style. Who knows, this maybe the pen they use toward their next big chapter in life. Regardless of when it will be used, it’s a guarantee that it will sit on his new desk with pride.
Tip 2: Time for Real Life

Timepieces are great reminders of success and status for many men. It’s very common to be given a watch when receiving promotions or even as a retirement gift from a company. Needless to say watches denote your time and hard work towards something in particular. Watches are probably one of the most admired gifts and come in endless measures of styles, material, sizes, movements and more. There are many watches and features to fits one’s lifestyle and personality so it’s important to choose the right type of watch for your grad. It may be a good idea to give a watch with a leather bracelet such as the IWC Portuguese Blue and White watch to prepare him for more formal occasions while the colors still give a fun and unique character. Visit our Men’s Timepieces page to shop for the perfect watch for your graduate.
Tip 3: Cufflink Flare

Cufflinks are one the most exciting accessories that gives a man a chance to reflect his personality and individual look. Cufflinks are worn by men of all ages. It’s the smallest and simplest accessory that can make the largest difference in a gentlemen’s attire and now that he has graduated it’s time to get him out of sweats and into suits. He may not currently have a dress shirt that requires cufflinks, but this can easily drive a young man to recognize his progression in his career and may motivate him to update his style. Cufflinks are the perfect balance in a gift that gives sentimental value as much as it prepares him for his future. Take a look at some of our favorite Scott Kay or Dunhill cufflinks. Or if you are looking for something with more edge, then you may want to up pick up a set of Stephen Webster cufflinks for your graduate.
Tip 4: Big Money

Now it’s time for your graduate to start making the big bucks (well, at least we hope so). Either way you want to make sure you gift your graduate with the proper gift that stands as a positive reminder of his accomplishments. A good way to determine the right gift is the balance of individuality, class and masculinity. The money clip balances all three perfectly and the velcro wallet does not. Money clips exemplify status, potential growth and stability. This is the perfect gift to round up all his loose cash in his pockets and update his form of handling money. A cool Dunhill silver diamond pattern money clip like this will serves as a positive reminder of his present success as well as his future financial success. Browse and shop our money clips here.
Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs.

Breitling's Jetman Makes His Way Through Brazil

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Make Technology

Flying around with a jetpack and wings strapped to your back is impossible? Not for Breitling sponsored Yves “Jetman” Rossy. He is the only man in the world to fly with a carbon kevlar wing geared with four powerful jet-engines strapped on his back. Allowing him to reach up to speeds from 125-185 mph with a single handed throttle controller and body movements, he flies around Rio and gets awfully close to the Christ the Redeemer statue and finishes his flight landing on Copacabana Beach.
Although this isn’t his first flight with Breitling, it is his first flight over Rio De Janeiro that lasted a little over eleven minutes. His previous flight had only lasted eight minutes over the Grand Canyon. Other jet powered flights he has accomplished include flights across Lake Geneva and the English Channel. He has even flown in formation with the Breitling Wing Walkers. Breitling never seems to hold back on boundaries of aviation.

King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for Breitling watches in Middle Tennesse and South Florida, as well as over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Breguet, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, DeWitt, Harry Winston, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, and Roger Dubuis. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild and has been named a Leading Watch Retailer in North America by International Wristwatch Magazine. King Jewelers also offers expert watch repair and watch restoration at their retail locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information on Breitling watches, please visit www.breitling.com or take a look at our Breitling page.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents the Ultra Thin Grande Reverso Watch with Diane Kruger

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Make Technology

What better way to Celebrate the 80th Year Anniversary of the Reverso other than to name Diane Kruger the new face of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Grand Reverso? The new ladies Ultra Thin Grande Reverso watch embodies everything that women across the globe look for when buying a luxury item. The Grande Reverso is elegant, chic, ultra feminine, and all so classic.
The latest generation of Reverso watches from Jaeger-LeCoultre made their first appearance at this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), and they are known as the Reverso Lady Ultra Thin. This slim and elegant watch is the epitome of what a woman’s timepiece should be. Jaeger-LeCoultre masterfully combined tradition and a sense of modern grace in their iconic Reverso watch design.

Diane Kruger, is a German actress and former fashion model who blew us away when she first came on the scene back in 2002. Since then she was chosen to be the Brand Ambassador for Jaeger- LeCoultre in 2009 and three years later is now the New face of the Ultra Feminine ladies Grand Reverso. She recently stated at SIHH that she was honored to be part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 80th Anniversary celebrations this year.
The Grand Reverso is for today’s women around the world. It is available in stainless steel, in rose gold and stainless steel, also in rose gold and this watch also has a variety of choice in straps including colored genuine leather, rose gold bracelet, or a stainless steel bracelet. With so many options in this elegant design, any woman will undoubtedly find a Ultra Thin Grande Reverso watch to suit her unique style.

Ultra Thin Grande Reverso Watch 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
King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for Jaeger-LeCoultre watches in South Florida and Middle Tennessee as well as for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Breguet, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, DeWitt, Harry Winston, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis and TAG Heuer. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild and has been named a Leading Watch Retailer in North America by International Wristwatch Magazine. King Jewelers also offers expert watch repair and watch restoration at their retail locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit our Jaeger-LeCoultre brand page or the Jaeger-LeCoultre website.

The Strange History of Gold

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Make Technology

From the earliest civilizations to the 21st century, gold has been one of the most prized materials among human kind whether for fashion, health or engineering. While trends may come and go, gold always reflects a level of glamour and quality and because of this versatility it is incorporated into both modern and classic designs. But this majestic metal has been used in a greater (and more peculiar) variety of circumstances.
Some of the earliest examples of gold use come from Central Europe from the 2nd millennium BC such as the Nebra sky disc. This bronze disc is made of bronze and is inlaid with gold symbols believed to be the sun, the moon, the stars, and two arcs designating the angle between solstices.

Other Gold Firsts

– The first gold coins were believed to be introduced by the Lydians of Anatolia, Turkey approximately 700-550 BC.
– Gold was first recommended as a tooth filling in the 16th century.
– The first mention of gold in the United States was in Virginia in 1782. The first gold mine in the United States was at the Reed Gold Mine near Georgeville, North Carolina in 1799.
– The first Gold Record was awarded to Perry Como in 1958 for his recorded single “Catch a Falling Star.”

gold coins from Anatolia Turkey — Gold coins from Anatolia. Turkey

Gold also has a long history of being used in medicine. The Egyptians in Alexandria 5,000 years ago used gold to develop potions and elixirs made of gold that would purify the body, cure all diseases, and restore health.
In Medieval Times, gold was frequently used in pill and liquid form to treat arthritis. There was also a drinkable form of gold that was consumed as a means to maintain youth and beauty. However, Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of the French king Henry II, found out the hard way that there is too much of a good thing. In the 16th century the French believed that gold possessed the powers of the sun, and so by drinking a solution of gold chloride and diethyl ether they would acquire those powers. When Diane de Poitiers body was exhumed in 2009, it was discovered that her hair contained high levels of gold. She probably died as a result of gold poisoning.

Today gold has been used in medicine in implants for the inner ear, wires for pacemakers, as an anti-inflammatory agent for arthritis, and even in some cancer treatments. And while Diane de Poitiers may have been going about it wrong, gold has been shown to slow down collagen depletion in aging skin and it stimulates the cellular growth in skin cells.
The highest concentration of gold on the planet today is in the ocean, but much of it is inaccessible. Two thirds of the gold mined today comes from the Witwatersrand Basin in South Africa. However, the largest gold nugget ever discovered comes from Victoria, Australia. Known as the “Welcome Stranger” this nugget weighed 2,283 ounces and it was discovered by John Deason and Richard Oates in 1869. No matter the purpose, gold remains one of the most intriguing and versatile materials on Earth.

Established in 1912, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers for five generations while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service. Today, King Jewelers has brick-and-mortar stores located in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, both of which have won numerous regional and national awards of distinction. Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the hottest Italian designs, estate jewelry, colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, as well as luxury European timepieces, King Jewelers prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs. For more information, visit www.kings1912.com.

FAVORITES

Month: May 2012

King Baby Jewelry Hits the Stage with Tom Cruise in "Rock of Ages"

World's Largest Fancy Intense Pink Diamond Goes Up For Sale