Emeralds – Beautiful, Intense And Absolutely Radiant.

The emerald is recognized as one of the four most precious gemstones. The radiant green colour of the emerald is linked to spring and rebirth, making it the fitting gemstone for May.

The name emerald comes from the Greek word “smaragdos” which simply means green.

The history of emeralds can be traced back to antiquity. They were worn by royalty in Babylon and Egypt and have been mined in Egypt since 1500BC, where the mines were referred to as “Cleopatra’s Mines”.

Emeralds are graded by four factors, being colour, cut, clarity and transparency. The most import is colour and the best is a blueish green with an even saturation. The second important is transparency so not too dark or too light of a colour. This is one gemstone where inclusions in its clarity are tolerated and emeralds without any inclusions are extremely rare and can be even more expensive than diamonds.

Did you know that emeralds symbolize royalty, romance, intrigue, loyalty, faithfulness and friendship.

The popularity of this gem is increasing as we see more and more celebrities wearing emerald adorned jewellery.

Interesting Emerald Facts

• Emeralds are produced in more than 30 countries and Colombia is the largest producer providing more than 50% of the worlds production.

• Ancient folklore believed that putting an emerald under the tongue would help you see into the future.

Emeralds of Queen Elizabeth II 

Queen Mary wearing the Delhi Durbar tiara with emeralds.

 

Wearing the Delhi Durbar ne kale, Cambridge emerald earrings & Vladimir emerald tiara .

Thanks to her grandmother Queen Mary, the Queen possesses an extensive selection of emerald jewellery. It included emeralds given to Mary at the Delhi Durbar, the Indian celebration marking the start of George V’s reign as King and emperor with Mary at his side as Queen.

To know more about emeralds and to see our wide selection of jewellery, please visit us @ 145 Church St. in Toronto.

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Photo credits: queensjewelvault.blogspot.ca

7 Great Reasons To Owning Previously Loved Jewellery.

When it comes to buying and owning anything of great value especially jewellery, what’s best, buying OLD or NEW?

There are some really great advantages to investing your dollars on pre-owned jewellery.

Here are 7 great reasons to consider! 

Great price for the value. Buying pre-owned is going to get you more bang for your buck! The value of a pre-owned piece of jewellery is the same as a brand new piece as long as the integrity is there. Once you buy your first piece of pre-owned jewellery and see the savings, you will never want to buy brand new at retail again!

Finding and owning a unique vintage piece. It is possible to own a one of a kind or a historical piece. You can find some true treasures, custom made, vintage pieces that were handcrafted using techniques no longer used today. This is something you cannot get when you buy brand new!

Cluster ‪‎diamond‬ white gold earrings.

Environmentally safe. Buying pre-owned jewellery is better for our environment. With less of a demand to produce new jewellery there is less mining which means less pollution, preserving valuable resources like fuel, forests and water, helping to save our wildlife habitats and keep waste out of our water.

Just as good as brand new. A pre-owned piece of jewellery is just as good as brand new, and most people cannot tell the difference between the two.

Create your individual style. Each vintage era has its own unique characteristics and styles. It’s nice to own a one of a kind or a vintage piece! When you wear it it makes a statement and a topic of conversation. Get people admiring what you’re wearing!

14K gold dome ring.

Keeping vintage alive. When you buy pre-owned you are helping to keep the past alive for future generations so that they can also enjoy. What a great idea to pass along these pieces amongst generations within your family!

Breaking down the stigma and superstition about pre-owned jewellery. Throughout the entire industry and in the market place gold is being melted constantly and diamonds are recycled also. When new pieces are designed and made you can’t be sure that the gold or gems are truly new, and most likely they won’t be. If you are one of those people who thinks that wearing a piece of jewellery that was someone else’s projects bad luck, remember that most gold is melted down in the industry and brand new does not really mean brand new anymore.

***Williams Jewellers quick tip***

Make sure that when you buy a pre-owned piece that you check to ensure its structural integrity and craftsmanship are intact! Check the shop that you are shopping in and pay attention to the way they display their jewellery. Ask yourself, is the shop clean and organized? Is the merchandise clean and displayed nicely? If the shop takes good care of their jewellery, it’s a clear indicator that the quality of their pre-owned jewellery is in great condition.

10K gold ruby diamond ring.

Please visit us at 145 Church St. in Toronto to see our wide selection of items!

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5 Jewellery Trends For Winter/Spring 2016

2016 brings us many unique and bold jewellery looks and how they are accessorized. Big statement pieces are huge this year and compliment outfits like never before. Yes, the layered look is back and has spread to all categories of jewellery. The most popular is to layer your chains by lengths and don’t forget the pendants for an interesting unique finished look.

To stay on top of fashion you should always know what the hot trends are. Always remember you can incorporate the industry trends into your day to day wear with a bit of a twist to have your own signature look. Have fun and experiment! After all, jewellery and its sparkle should make us feel good and happy to show off. Here are a few HOT trends we would like to share with you to bring you inspiration.

1. Crosses, crosses and more crosses. You will see plain crosses on necklaces sitting vertically and horizontally but also across all jewellery categories. You do not necessarily have to be religious to wear religious symbols.
2. Hoop earrings are always in fashion with certain looks and sizes trending more than others. For 2016, geometric and tribal designs will be the big hit and yes the larger sizes are preferred. The larger, thinner hoops are still sticking around this year but you will see them embellished with gems. You should always have a few good sized hooped earrings in your jewellery box so treat yourself to a few to carry your outfits in a few different looks.
3. Ear Cuffs have been around for a while but this year, the variety of unique designs has exploded and these are definitely in the fashion spotlight. This trend has put fun and creativity back into the earring market and have been referred to as “ear candy.”
4. Pearls have made a come back this year in all forms of jewellery. They are not only for the older distinguished lady but are seen being worn by the younger woman. So now is the time to take your Pearl jewellery out of storage and wear it whether it is real or not, it does not matter! This classic is going to be seen everywhere so a must have in your wardrobe.
5. Brooches are a big deal and can really pull an outfit together for a complete look. You will see the younger generation wearing them this year. The over sized brooches and even the smaller ones grouped together are HOT statement pieces. Expect this trend to be around right into next year so start collecting them.

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(photo credits) jewelsome.com, trinketbag.com, tumblr.com, craftsy.com,fashioners.com, aliexpress.com

Trends.jewelry, beauty.bgfashion.net

Beautiful Tanzanite, Turquoise And Zircon For December!

December babies, what a busy month! Most months only have one (sometimes two) special birthstones. December has three. Turquoise, zircon and tanzanite are the them and here are some interesting facts about each:

Tanzanite

Tanzanite was discovered in Tanzania, East Africa in 1967 by Portuguese prospector Manuel d’Souza while mining for sapphire. This stone (known initially as blue zoisite) was immediately renamed tanzanite by Henry Platt, VP of Tiffany & Co. Platt saw tanzanite as being a less expensive alternative to sapphire which led to a contract with Tiffany to purchase and market tanzanite in the US.

Wearers of tanzanite should know that it is a delicate gemstone. It is best to avoid knocking it and keeping it away from extreme temperature changes.

Turquoise

Turquoise is also known as hydrated copper aluminum phosphate. The blue/green mineral is found in deposits around the world and has long been valued by many ancient civilizations. Believing turquoise had many magical powers, early Egyptians commonly used turquoise in jewellery, art, ornaments, etc. It was also considered to be a sacred stone, protective against all evil and ill health. Today, shamans use turquoise in rituals to promote spiritual and mental clarity. As a gift, turquoise represents friendship and luck.

Zircon

Zircon is a mineral mined primarily in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. The name itself is believed to come from ‘zarqun,’ the Persian word for golden coloured. During the Middle Ages, zircons were believed to have many powers including the ability to relieve pain. Colourless zircons have been used to imitate diamonds and should not be confused with cubic zirconia which is laboratory grown.

Three gorgeous stones to choose from whether you’re a December baby or not!

Happy Holidays!

Come by Williams Jewellers and shop for all of your holiday needs! Incredible items to choose from, see you soon! 145 Church St. in Toronto

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New Fun Ways To Wear A Brooch!

Brooches are gaining popularity in the fashion world and are trending now. THE BROOCH IS BACK in a big way and in a different way! The belief that a brooch is worn only by someone in their 70’s is no longer true. Not only are brooches popular with the young at heart but we are seeing new, creative and unique ways of wearing them, from a fresh perspective. Hollywood is getting on the trend wagon with many starlets adorning beautiful brooches to dress up their attire. A simple brooch has the power to add so much PUNCH to any outfit, and we want to encourage you to pull out your brooches and be creative, have fun and go wild! TAKE A SELFIE, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW YOU WEAR YOUR BROOCH.

Hair Art – More and more women are adding brooches to their hair to spruce up their evening look and adding a whole lot of style and glam. But the trend is slightly shifting so you will see brooches showing up in hair styles to add a special personal touch that is just perfect for daywear looks. Add a cluster of common themed brooches to a headband to make a statement. For a dresser look use blinged out brooches and be part of this hot trend.

Spruce Up Any Hat – Attach your favourite brooch or pin to a hat/beret to add some interest and style. Swap that plain sports cap for a shiny embellished cap! For a completely different look altogether turn up the front lip of a hat and add your brooch for some flare. Hats of all kinds are becoming the trend now so have fun dressing them up and changing the look.

Scarves With A Twist – Then there are scarves that just need that extra depth and dimension that a brooch will give. Brooches can add colour to a plain scarf and add interest and shine to a scarf that will coordinate with a more dressy outfit. Shawls are great on those chilly nights and a brooch can not only add style but can keep your wrap in place and closed. But take your scarf to a second level and use it in your hair and secure with a brooch for the next hottest trend!

Blazers & Jackets – Brooches and pins are a great way to freshen up a plain blazer and add a dressy or playful style to your outfit. The hottest thing now is to wear a cluster of different sizes of brooches around the collarbone area, but just make sure that they all have a common theme so they do not clash with each other. There are really no limits so use your imagination and go wild and your personality will shine.

Sweaters  – We have seen brooches pinned to sweaters for many years. Today we are seeing vibrant brooches used to cinche a cardigan sweater together and add visual interest. Also trending is using a brooch as a button in certain areas…how fun is that!

DIY Necklace  – Add a statement piece necklace to your outfit by adding an elaborate brooch to a chain…..the brooch slips on easily. You can really get so many uses out of a brooch and no one can tell when you wear it as a necklace. You can do this with pearls also add a brooch to a plain strand of single double or triple pearls and add an elegant timeless look that is great for any outfit.

Pants – Yes brooches look great pinned to the belt loop of you pants, the thigh area and even on the bottom cuff of your rolled up jeans…show your uniqueness with this great look.

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(photo credits include: dushonok.com Man Repeller, jewelrygalblog.com, blogher.com & The Gap, shortcutstofabulous.com, dressmeblog.me, brit.com & kertiiiblogspot.ca, livingly.com & styleoholic.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up To 75% OFF Sapphires This Month At Williams Jewellers!

This month we are celebrating SAPPHIRES here at Williams Jewellers!

Unlike rubies, their value does not increase in proportion to size. Sapphires are known to go by four names: the male sapphire (considered the perfect stone of a rich, clear, soft blue shade), the female sapphire (whose colour is specked with white), the very pale blue birthstones called water sapphires and the cat sapphire (which is of a blackish or greenish blue tint and not often transparent).

Remarkably, sapphires are cold to the touch due to their density and superstition holds that sapphires would/could extinguish fires. Sapphires have been prominent among the British jewels, one of the reasons why Prince Charles chose this as the engagement stone for Princess Diana. There is a legend that the ‘Ten Commandments’ were inscribed upon tablets made of sapphire which gives sapphire a royal place among gemstones.

Did you know that the sapphire is second only to the diamond in hardness? This categorizes it as a very durable gemstone for setting into jewelry.

So why not give the gift of sincerity and faithfulness, which sapphires are known to represent? OR even if this isn’t considered your birth month, treat yourself to a little something this season!

At Williams Jewellers, we have a wide selection of sapphire jewellery currently ON SALE UP TO 75% OFF! 

Come by before month end to take a look around, especially if you’re looking for a gift for that September baby in your life!

Visit us at 145 Church St. in Toronto. 

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How To Wear The Watch That Best Suits Your Style.

Watches come in many different styles and sizes, and can be worn as a functional accessory or a stylish piece of jewellery by both men and women. Though nowadays it is accepted to wear a watch however and whenever you like, there are some guidelines for those who aren’t sure about their fashion sense or who would like to follow the rules of etiquette. Wearing an everyday watch means choosing one that is comfortable, durable and neutral, while formal watches are often more expensive but should ideally meet certain style requirements. For instance, maybe think twice about wearing a sports watch with a suit.

Here are a few steps to follow when wearing a watch: 

1. Choose your everyday watch. Since you will be wearing it to work, to run errands and for relaxing, your everyday watch should be neutral, durable and comfortable. The most popular are stainless steel band choices but any other material is a good choice if it fits the criteria.
2. Choose your formal watch. Your choice should be constructed of a precious metal such as silver, gold or platinum and its diameter should not exceed 41mm. The accessories you choose to wear with your watch should be of the same metal. For men if your watch is yellow gold your cufflinks should also yellow gold. For women if your watch is platinum your bracelet or chain should be the same. Accessorize around your watch and you will look great at any formal event.
3. When to wear a sports watch. Usually a sports watch is worn to provide special use during an event. for instance a diving watch, a racing watch, a pilot watch, a military watch or an all purpose watch. Wear it when you need to use it to keep time, measure depth or speed or as a compass. Outside of any sports events, you can wear your sports watch with a long sleeve shirt and even a tie for casual events. It’s advisable to NOT wear a sports watch with a suit.
4. Choose a dress watch to wear to semi-formal events. Your choice should have either a black or brown leather band. Men should wear with a suit or blazer and women should wear with a dress for semi-formal occasions.
5. Which is the correct wrist to wear your watch on? No rules here. You choose the wrist that you feel most comfortable and where your watch won’t interfere with your movements.
6. The right fit is important. A man should never wear his wrist watch too loose or too tight, it should be a perfect fit. A women’s wrist watch however can be a snug fit, a perfect fit and yes even a loose fit like a link bracelet. Most watch jewellers can add or take off links to your watch to meet your desired choice of fit so there is no excuse to have a badly fitting watch.

Always remember to wear your watch(es) with great pride! If you’re not quite sure which type of watch best suits you, please visit us at 145 Church St. in Toronto and we’ll help you choose what’s right YOU! 

Right now, during AUGUST 2015, take advantage of our WATCH BLOWOUT SALE where select items can be UP TO 50% OFF! 

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(content source credit: wikihow.com)

July Is Ruby Month At Williams Jewellers In Toronto!

It’s RED RUBY month!

This precious gemstone has some really interesting facts when it comes to history, shape, size and where it’s sourced globally.

Did you know that rubies are one of the highest valued coloured gemstones? Large rubies can fetch higher prices than equivalently sized diamonds. The ruby is a variety of corundum that gets its red colour from chromium. Corundum that occurs in other colours is classified as sapphire. In its pure form, corundum is colourless. The word ‘corundum’ comes from the Tamil ‘kurundam’, meaning ‘ruby sapphire’.

Medieval Europeans believed that rubies assured good health, prosperity, wisdom and a successful love life. The English name ‘ruby’ comes from the Latin word ‘ruber’ meaning red. The most desirable ruby colour is a rich deep red with a hint of blue that is known as ‘pigeon blood’. In Thailand, ruby is known as ‘tabtim’, which means ‘pomegranate’ in Thai because these shining little red gems look like the edible seed coats found inside a ripe pomegranate.

The most important sources for ruby include Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Other sources are Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, India, Cambodia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Tajikistan, the USA and Vietnam.

RUBY COLOUR

The colour of ruby is its most important quality factor. The most sought after colour is a strong pure red to red with a hint of blue known as ‘pigeon blood’. When the colour of ruby is too light, it is classified as pink sapphire, but the line between the pinkish/red ruby and pink sapphire varies by region.

RUBY CLARITY AND LUSTRE

Ruby typically displays inclusions and these are tolerated as part of the nature of the stone. However, when inclusions minimize transparency or brilliance, they decrease the value. Ruby that is free from eye visible inclusions is available, however, large eye clean gemstones are rare and extremely valuable.

RUBY CUT AND SHAPE

Ruby is often mixed-cut with brilliant-cut crowns and step-cut pavilions. The most common shapes are ovals and cushions. Other cuts are also available, such as round, triangular, emerald-cut, pear and marquise cuts. However, these shapes are difficult to find in larger sizes, since they do not preserve the rough weight as well as ovals and cushions.

Visit us 145 Church St. in Toronto to see our wide selection of ruby jewellery!

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UNIQUENESS & ORIGINALITY, BRIDAL TRENDS FOR 2015

Couples are eager to show their individualism in 2015. They want to communicate who they are not only in their wedding ceremony and reception but also in their wedding ring selections. Here are a few suggestions on how you can express your personality AND your style through your wedding rings.

At Williams Jewellers’ Bridal Boutique, our friendly professionals will guide you in custom making OR restyling rings for your special day. If you have an idea, share it with us and we will do everything possible to bring them to life!

 

 Here are five 2015 bridal trends:

• Brides are loving everything vintage this year. When a couple chooses a vintage ring as an engagement ring, they always wonder how they will find a band to compliment and fit its shape. Custom designing a wedding band that is custom contoured to fit a client’s unique vintage engagement ring is our specialty.

• Ring engravings are a great way to personalize your rings. Consider engraving dates, names, special sayings or even the name of the place where you first met. We have seen couples engrave love poems to each other in each other’s bands which is so romantic! You can have your wedding bands engraved on the outside with each other’s names which seems to be a popular upcoming trend.

• Wedding bands don’t have to be matching for him and her! However, if that’s what you prefer, maximize that creativity! Couples are having their wedding bands ‘image imposed’ with gems so that when they place them side by side, you can see a full image, such as a heart or other shapes. Our ‘Bridal Boutique’ will help you with any image you want custom imposed onto your wedding bands! We’ll give you a free estimate and dedicate our time to guarantee quality workmanship.

• How about adding more gems to your wedding bands? Couples are restyling their bands with each other’s birthstones AND as they add to their family, are continuing to add their children’s birthstones as well. Our Bridal Boutique offers free estimates to supply the gems and the workmanship to create beautiful additions that will hold fond memories for a lifetime.

• Family heirloom jewellery is great for re-appropriating! Consider using the gems and diamonds taken from heirloom jewellery and restyle your engagement ring or wedding band, maybe even creating new rings out of some of the pieces. Utilizing your vintage items adds that special sentimental value to your special day and life long commitment.

(photo credits include: brilliant.com, imagesource, alibaba.com, weddingbee.com, Bridal Boutique @ Williams Jewellers)

Visit us at 145 Church St. in Toronto and let us help you get your journey started!

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Beautiful Emerald, Your Month Has Now Arrived.

The emerald is recognized as one of the four most precious gemstones. The radiant green colour of the emerald is linked to spring and rebirth, making it the fitting gemstone for May.

The name emerald comes from the Greek word “smaragdos” which simply means green.

The history of emeralds can be traced back to antiquity. They were worn by royalty in Babylon and Egypt and have been mined in Egypt since 1500BC, where the mines were referred to as “Cleopatra’s Mines”.

Emeralds are graded by four factors, being colour, cut, clarity and transparency. The most import is colour and the best is a blueish green with an even saturation. The second important is transparency so not too dark or too light of a colour. This is one gemstone where inclusions in its clarity are tolerated and emeralds without any inclusions are extremely rare and can be even more expensive than diamonds.

Did you know that emeralds symbolize royalty, romance, intrigue, loyalty, faithfulness and friendship.

The popularity of this gem is increasing as we see more and more celebrities wearing emerald adorned jewellery.

Interesting Emerald Facts

• Emeralds are produced in more than 30 countries and Colombia is the largest producer providing more than 50% of the worlds production.

• Ancient folklore believed that putting an emerald under the tongue would help you see into the future.

• Elizabeth Taylor’s famous Emerald pendant necklace sold for $6.5 million in 2011.

Famous Emeralds

• the largest carved emerald is from Colombia and is called the “Mogul” and weighs 218 carats. On one side the carving is of floral designs and on the other is a text Muslim prayer and dated 1695.

• “The Duke of Devonshire” Emerald is one of the largest uncut emeralds weighing 1383.93 carats, originating from Colombia.

• Mined in Colombia the “Patricia” Emerald is of excellent quality and weighs 632 carats. It’s is on display in the Museum of Natural History in NY.

To know more about emeralds and to see our wide selection of jewellery, please visit us @ 145 Church St. in Toronto.

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