1. Fresh and Clean: Make time in 2013 to bring all of your jewelry into your favorite jeweler to be cleaned.  Any items that are in need of repair (such as broken chains and rings that don’t fit) can be serviced and crossed off your “to do” list.  You might be suprised at the items you could filter back into your jewelry wardrobe if resized appropriately and repaired. 

2. Out with the Old: Items that you haven’t worn for years, like that herringbone chain from the days of Falcon Crest, can often be sold for their gold scrap value.  Items such as single earrings, and jewelry that has broken too badly to repair are great candidates to scrap.  The heavier your lot, the more it is worth.  Then you can take that cash and buy something you’ll really wear!

3. In with the New: If you aren’t ready to part with Grandma’s oversized cocktail ring, but wouldn’t dream of wearing it in public, we’ve got the perfect solution!  Reinvent or remake your bauble into something that you can wear and enjoy everyday.   A custom made item allows you to use your exisitng diamonds and gemstones to make something fabulous. 

4. Do Your Homework: While sky high gold prices make this a great time to liquidate old or broken jewelry, it also means that items scheduled on your insurance may be under valued.  Should you need to file a claim, this can be a problem.  An expensive problem, too.  Track down copies of your old appraisals and ask your jeweler if the values are in line with curent replacement value.  As a general guideline, appraisals that are greater than five years old, may need to updated. 

5. An Ounce of Prevention: Just like automobiles require routine maintenance, so do jewelry and watches.  Having your jewelry cleaned annually, really isn’t enough.  Fine Jewelry should be routinely inspected and maintained throughout its lifetime.  Keeping gemstones tight, prongs in great condtion, and clasps safe and workable prevents costly repairs down the road.  Remember that luxury timepieces, are often costly to maintain.  Sometimes having your timepiece (if out of warranty) serviced by a certified service center instead of sending it back to the factory can save on maintenance and repair costs. 

Make 2013 the year that you get your jewelry box (and safe deposit box) in order.  You’ll be glad you did!

Your employees, clients, and staff can use their gift certificates for items in the store or for custom jewelry projects.  They are also valid for jewelry repair, watch reapir, appraisals and engraving services.  You can always give a fruit basket or cookie selection again next year.  This year don’t just fill their stockings, KNOCK THEIR SOCKS OFF!

Gift certificates are sold in two increments only.  A $100 gift certificate for $50 or a $250 gift certificate for $125.  They are valid for all in stock store merchandise, custom work, jewelry repair, watch repair and appraisal services.  However they may not be redeemed until after 1/1/2013.  One gift certificate per customer per item, please.

You buy a beautiful awe inspring white gold ring, wear it with pride, and after a while it doesn’t look so white anymore.  No, it isn’t just you.  It’s actually very common.  What you may not know is that 14KT yellow gold is: 58.5% pure 24KT yellow gold.  The other 42% is any mix of copper, brass or other warm toned metals.  White gold is also: 58.5% pure 24% YELLOW gold.  That’s right, yellow.  The balance of the mix is cooler toned metals such as nickel and tin which give white gold its “white” color.   Then the ring is plated with a coating of “Rhodium” to give it an extra bright, true white color. 

While rhodium is a metal in the platinum family, over time it will wear off of white gold.  To restore that flawless showroom white color to your jewelry, simply reapply the rhodium plating.  It simple, inexpensive (Typically $40), and makes white gold look WHITE.  Chrisrial & Co. offers rhodium plating at both the KEENE and PORTSMOUTH locations.   Sometimes same day service is available, too! 

Q-Is custom jewelry expensive? 

A-Sometimes a custom made item sells for more than a ready made piece from the showcase.  This is due to the labor intensity in creating one specific item.  However most clients are suprised at how affordable the perfect design is and embrace that they haven’t had to “settle” for something that isn’t quite what they wanted.

Q-I have some old gold, can you use it when you make my new piece?

A-Depening on your specific circumstances (what you are making and what you have to contribute) we can use your old gold or you can “sell” it for scrap and put the proceeds toward the total project.

Q-Do I have to pay for an appraisal on my newly created item?

A-We’ll issue an appraisal at no charge for any item that you purchase from Chrisrial & Co. over $1000.   If you use gemstones or diamonds from a former piece, we’ll incorporate their information into the new appriasal when you supply your past documentation.

If you don’t know whether something is actually gold, you can bring it into either our Portsmouth or Keene location and we can help you authenticate it.  You also might check it for a “hallmark”, which is a stamp that indicates the metal it is made from.  Often hallmarks appear on or near a clasp or on the inside of a ring’s shank.  A typical Hallmark might be 18KT, 14KT, 10KT, or 9.25 (which means sterling silver).

You can also join us at the KEENE store on March 24th and 25th for our gold buying event.  Bring us the old, broken or just plain ugly gold jewelry and we’ll pay you cash!  It doesn’t get much better than that!

But “Bridal and Remount Weekend” isn’t just for brides and grooms.  This is a great opportunity for all of our customers to shop an expanded selection.  You’ll find:

Diamond bands- that not only make awesome wedding bands, but are also perfect for pairing with an existing ring or stacking on your right hand.

Alternative metal bands-such a tungsten, titanium, and colbalt chrome (to name a few) that can be wedding bands, contemporary rings, or a wonderful choice to replace an existing (but well worn) band.

Mountings Galore!- Whether you are looking for a special engagement ring, or you want to remount an old favorite or two, you’ll love our selection!

Come by and join us at either our Portsmouth or Keene locations and enjoy a complimentary wedding band with the purchase of a qualifing diamond band! 

*some restrictions apply.  see store for details.

This new year, get to work updating your jewels! 

Stop by either our Keene or Portsmouth locations and make your own “Holiday Wish List” that we’ll make available to husband’s, boyfriend’s, and secret admirers. 

Know someone special that is really difficult to shop for?  Encourage them to come by and make a “Wish List”.  You’ll be glad you did!  From complimentary gift wrapping to our knock your stockings off customer service, it is our goal to make your holiday season as easy as possible. 

Merry Chrisrial!!

Wondering what makes a pearl a MAJORICA pearl?  Majorica pearls are a variety of man made pearls, which trace their origins and the root of their name to Majorica, the Spanish island found in the Mediterranean.   Majorica pearls have been produced for over one-hundred years and are known around the world for their startling likeness to natural, or cultured sea pearls. They are renowned for their perfection and superior quality and appearance. The women of the island of Majorica are credited with the craft of making the pearls, and are said to have perfected the technique of creating the faux pearls.  It has often been said that they are so similar to natural pearls that only the most learned experts are able to tell the difference between the two.

We hope you’ll stop by the Portsmouth store and see for yourseld what makes Majorica pearls so special!  Spend $300 of more at our Majorica event and get a free pair of Majorica stud earrings, too!