Category: Blog
Individuals born in December can choose from three beautiful, bluish gemstones to highlight their birth month. Choose the one that best fits your style!
Turquoise
Admired for centuries, turquoise’s popularity goes waaay back to the funerary mask of King Tut. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) suggests turquoise for someone who’s natural and earthy. The name is derived from the French “turquois” for “Turkish,” since the mineral first made its way to Europe via Turkey in the 16th century. Also considered the gemstone for 11th wedding anniversaries, turquoise is the name we give today to anything that resembles this striking gemstone in color.
Blue zircon
Sounding more like the name of a Marvel action figure than a precious gemstone, blue zircon comes chiefly from Sri Lanka and Australia. One of the oldest minerals on the planet, zircon was thought to drive away evil spirits and promote rest and sleep back in the middle ages. The stone was reportedly especially popular in Victorian times. Not to be confused with “cubic zirconia,” zircon commonly occurs as brownish red. Blue, however, is probably the most popular color.
Tanzanite
Only found in Tanzania, this royal-looking and more modern gemstone was only discovered in the 20th century near Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. Tanzanite is often recommended more for earrings, pendants or special occasions rings since it’s a “softer” gem due to its vulnerability ranking 6-7 on the Mohs scale (a diamond is a 10). Tanzanite is also considered the gemstone of the 24th wedding anniversary.
Speak to the gemological experts at David Craig Jewelers for suggestions or come in with your ideas. We can incorporate birthstones into new creations for timeless treasures to cherish today and forever.
Owners Andreas and Elisha Argentinis turned a passion into a livelihood by creating Metal Pressions, their lovely collection of hand-stamped, handcrafted, jewelry keepsakes that, with help from David Craig Jewelers, they personalize for you. The couple combine craftmanship and technology to produce original art jewelry in solid yellow gold, rose gold, white gold sterling silver, rubber and leather. Many pieces include sparkling diamonds and birthstones.
David Craig Jewelers can help you create a beautiful Metal Pressions memento that will be cherished forever. We’ll carefully guide you through the personalization process and make sure you have a seamless experience from start to finish.
Unique, Customized Gifts
How about a custom-designed previous metal guitar pick for the special musician in your life? Or a silver divot repair tool for the passionate golfer? Maybe you’ll consider a keepsake charm with your children or grandchildren’s names on one side and a simple “love” on the other. Metal Pressions inscribes rings, bracelets, charms, cuff links, necklaces pendants and more. The options are endless.
In the words of Elisha Argentinis, “Just knowing that something that I made with my hands helps someone get through their day or through a hard time or celebration is amazing and makes me feel really good!”
For more information about this unique artisan jewelry, call David Craig Jewelers at 215-968-8900 or stop in our store at 10 Summit Square Shopping Center in Newtown (Langhorne). David is one of the area’s leading authorities on diamonds and gemstones and offers jewelry appraisal from a leading expert.
Lashbrook men’s rings and wedding bands feature contemporary base metals including titanium, Damascus steel, zirconium, tungsten carbide and carbon fiber. This modern brand was started by Eric Laker, a goldsmith who decided he wanted to offer more than the traditional gold or platinum bands available when he worked in retail jewelry prior to 2000.
Customized Designs
All Lashbrook rings are original creations produced onsite in the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Utah. The company is named after Eric’s great, great grandfather Lashbrook Laker who inspired Eric to branch out beyond the norm. Designs can be customized in terms of the metal, finish, inlay material and width. You choose the design, Lashbrook creates it for you.
Meteorite Rings
How about a wedding band that’s made from billions of years old space material? Lashbrook pushes the envelope by offering actual meteorite that can be paired with other precious metals like white gold or platinum. Add a few diamonds for even more fun. Talk about unusual!
Visit with one of the friendly, certified gemologists at David Craig Jewelers for more information on these award-winning bands. With ideas from this bridal jewelry pioneer and our creative team, we can come up with something truly unique.
We’re located at 10 Summit Square Shopping Center, near Giant, in Langhorne, PA, (Newtown) and are only down the road from the St. Mary Medical Center.
Looking for some especially sparkling gift inspiration? You can’t go wrong with fine jewelry in yellow, rose gold or silver to add pizzaz to any outfit. Choose from vintage, classic, modern, or custom-designed creations to match her unique personality. Your jewelry gift will keep on giving since precious metals appreciate in value.
Engagement Ring
Thinking about popping the question? Forevermark diamonds are beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced. Choose from our hundreds of offerings which also includes gorgeous diamonds from other top companies like ArtCarved and Goldman.
Replacement Diamond Ring
For a special anniversary, why not “trade up” the diamond you purchased for her when you were younger for something even more brilliant?
Add Stones
Go from pretty to outstanding by adding diamonds or colored gemstones to an existing ring.
Necklaces
A diamond necklace is a classic statement that can be layered and worn daily to remind her how special she is to you every day of the year.
Birthstones
How about a birthstone ring or necklace? Think blue zircon, tanzanite or turquoise for December, garnet for January and amethyst for February. More choices? Check out the full list of monthly birthstones listed by the Gemological Institute of America.
Bracelets
She can never have too many bangles! These days bracelets are worn stacked with any combination of precious metal—the more the merrier. Another idea -consider a statement cuff.
Earrings
From elegant petite diamond studs to fancy pearl drops, classic or modern styles, she’ll feel special wearing earrings that she knows you selected with her unique style in mind.
Re-worked/Re-designed Jewelry
Bring in Aunt Margie’s huge diamond and garnet pendant to David Craig Jewelers and let us transform it into a ring, earrings and bracelet for the next generation.
Watches
It’s TIME to think about a designer watch. How about a vintage Rolex?
Custom Designed Jewelry
Bring in an idea and we’ll turn it into a reality. Or ask us for suggestions. We love creating fine jewelry!
Stop into David Craig Jewelers and speak to David or another one of our gemology experts. We can help you select the perfect gift. We’ve been serving Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and surrounding counties since the 1960s.
With December holidays just around the corner, it’s never too early to start thinking of an especially nice gift for a loved one or friend. Perhaps you’ll want to consider a lovely ring, necklace or bracelet to commemorate special occasions you may have had to miss out on during what Queen Elizabeth surely would call an “Annus Horribilis” —the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smart Gifting
- Gifts That She/He May not Buy Themselves Even though some folks may not often buy jewelry for themselves, we know they love receiving it! The joy of jewelry sparks excitement for beautiful pieces that can last forever.
- Acknowledging Special Events in Life How about a lovely ring commemorating a 2020 birthday, special anniversary or graduation, especially since we all couldn’t gather in person?
- Heirlooms for the Future Today’s diamond necklace, ruby ring or emerald brooch can turn into tomorrow’s heirloom. A special piece of jewelry can be passed on to generations to come.
- For All Ages From tiny study earrings for your littlest niece to a new watch for your nephew, David Craig Jewelers offers special presents for all ages, many of which can be inscribed with dates, initials and messages.
- And …Speaking of “Timeless” David Craig Jewelers offers a selection of some of today’s finest watches, including pre-owned Rolexes in beautiful condition, at great prices.
David Craig Jewelers is one of Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery Counties leading authorities on gemstones, jewelry and diamonds. Our seasoned staff of trained professionals love offering expert advice and join David in their integrity, honesty and transparency. We even operate an American Gem Society-accredited gem lab right on premises to assist in the most accurate jewelry selection and appraisals. Come on in and see for yourself!
Halloween is just around the corner and the team at David Craig Jewelers is getting into the SPIRIT! Looking for a shiny TREAT? Come on in and check out some of our BOOtiful necklaces, rings, bracelets, watches and other fine jewelry gifts for all occasions.
Our spooktacular store manager Paul/Fonzie is modeling a stunning $5,795 classic Rolex. As Paul says, “A vintage watch for a vintage character!” Jennifer (devil) sports a Charriol stainless-steel, multi-twist bracelet highlighted with white topaz ($175.00). Dawn (cat lady) has chosen a dazzling, sterling silver Samuel B. necklace featuring a vibrant citrine gemstone ($530.00).
Last, but never least, David (he’s wearing actual glasses he uses for jewelry appraising) displays a green and purple fancy quartz necklace in 14 karat white gold ($3,534).
Stop in to David Craig Jewelers for engagement rings, wedding bands and other fine jewelry. Bring your pieces in for appraisal or repair. No matter what your jewelry need, we promise you will be ENCHANTED with our service.
Happy Halloween from all of us at David Craig Jewelers!
One of October’s birthstones, opals have gotten some bump raps over the years. We thought we’d take a moment to help dispel some superstitions surrounding these beautiful, yet often thought of as mysterious, gemstones.
That Unusual Opal Appearance
Opals range from translucent white to grey, orange, yellow, red, green, blue—just about every color you can name. No two opals are exactly alike, and colors often seem to “flash” due to tiny bits of moisture and silica that becomes trapped within the stones. Most of the world’s opals come from Australia, from a large area of the country with the kind of porous, moisture-holding rock that is part of the formation of the stone.
Throughout History
Witches were supposedly said to use black opals to increase their magical powers. Wearers at one point were thought to even have been provided invisibility when wearing opals. There have been a lot of positive connotations attributed to these beautiful gemstones including:
- Queen Victoria was apparently a lover of opals, wearing them throughout her long reign of 64 years, (lots of good luck!) a length of time surpassed only by her great-great granddaughter Elizabeth who still wears the crown.
- The Caesars of ancient Rome gave their wives opals as gifts. It was believed that the gemstones were token of hope, talismans that brought good fortune.
- William Shakespeare called the opal the “queen of gems” in his play Twelfth Night
- The opal represents happiness, luck, optimism and creativity
Caring for Your Opals
Opals are more delicate than many other gemstones, so they need to be treated gently. We recommend not submerging your opals, and, instead, buffing them with a moistened (warm, soapy water) microfiber cloth or soft toothbrush. We do not recommend the use of ultrasonic cleaning equipment which could crack the stones. More tips? Here’s what the Gem Institute of America (GIA) suggests. Best yet, bring your valued piece to David Craig Jewelers for a safe and professional cleaning, and to remove small scratches and dullness. David is one of the country’s leading authorities on gemstones!
We recently struck reader gold! Since so many of you liked our appraisal post highlighting David Craig Jewelers for your expert gemstone, diamond and other fine jewelry appraisals, we decided to follow up with more information.
Types of Appraisals
Many of you use our jewelry appraisals for insurance valuations in case of theft or loss. We determine the replacement cost for a piece of jewelry in the current climate. Another popular appraisal request is for what’s called “fair marketing valuation.” We’ll let you know what your item is worth if you want to sell it based on what, in our best judgement, the current market will pay. But David Craig Jewelers appraises jewelry for many other important reasons including:
- Identifying value for charitable contributions
- Assessing value for tax deductions
- Estimating division of property or liquidation value in a divorce settlement
- Evaluating casualty losses
On-Site Expertise and Honesty
Finding a trustworthy jewelry appraiser is critical. According to Jewelers of America, “Intentionally over-valuing items on appraisals is considered illegal under Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and unethical by all nationally recognized appraisal organizations.”
If you want to discover what your treasured ring, broach or bracelet is worth, feel secure you are in the hands of one of the country’s most competent and trusted jewelry appraisers. You will work with an on-site expert gemologist appraiser with international knowledge of the field, high ethical standards and continuing education certifications.
Safety is a Priority
In this turbulent time, it’s good to know Pennsylvania has “opened up” for business. But we want to remind customers that David Craig Jewelers still performs frequent sanitation, and we require the wearing of masks.
Have any questions? Give us a buzz at 215-968-8900 or stop in to the shop located at 10 Summit Square Shopping Center in Langhorne, PA (also considered Newtown). We’d love to help!
If a diamond isn’t your cup of tea, how about a gorgeous colored gemstone as the centerpiece for your engagement ring? We’ll help you create a ring that’s just as unique and lovely as the wearer, one that will totally set you apart from the crowd.
Famous Gemstone Rings
Kate Middleton’s famous royal (blue) oval sapphire is surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. Princess Diana first introduced the ring to the world in 1981 when it was given to her by Prince Charles. Diana would later tragically die in a car crash in 1997, but Prince William, her son, was noted as saying that the ring was his way of keeping his mother a part of his wedding to Kate.
Celebrities sporting lovely colored-stone rings include Victoria Beckham (cushion-cut emerald), Gwyneth Paltrow (round-cut sapphire) and Katy Perry (oval-cut ruby surrounded by round-cut diamonds). Let’s not forget the men: David Beckham, Johnny Depp and Keith Richards are just some of the famous guys out there whose gemstone rings complement their unique personalities.
Create Your Own Gemstone Ring in Three Easy Steps
- CHOOSE from one of our gorgeous rubies, sapphires, tourmalines, emeralds or even more exotic gemstones.
- CREATE the perfect setting to dramatically showcase your gemstone. Our skilled artisans can help match your personality to a setting you’ll love forever.
- ENJOY your totally unique ring – whether it’s for a wedding, anniversary or just because.
Buy From the Best
When you purchase a gemstone from David Craig Jewelers, you can feel confident knowing you are in the hands of a certified gemologist who has been in business for decades. Con artists don’t last long. If you’re interested in investment-grade gemstones, we have access to anything your heart desires. Just ask!
If you’ve visited our store, you already know that David Craig Jewelers offers one of the area’s best selections and most competitive prices. But did you know we do repairs as well?
If you have broken or damaged jewelry, we can utilize our wealth of experience and tools to re-fabricate a piece you may not have thought repairable. Our jewelry experts can replace bracelet hinges, solder necklaces, re-tip prongs, re-string pearls and professionally address almost any jewelry repair including:
- Replacing prongs and shanks
- Ring re-sizing
- Replacement of lost stones
- Tightening of settings
- Clasp repairs
- Watch repairs and batteries
- Antique refurbishing
- Much more!
Maybe, while getting a wedding ring set repaired or cleaned up, you’ll want to consider enhancing your engagement ring by adding new diamonds. We can modernize family heirloom settings and work in any precious metal. Your repair will be done right and guaranteed. Our commitment to our valued customers goes well beyond the sale of gorgeous jewelry!
Note: Some preventative maintenance can go a long way to keeping your jewelry safe and secure. Nobody wants to see a diamond or gemstone fall out, or a bracelet slip off your wrist! Based on simple daily wear, we suggest you bring your most-cherished pieces in at least annually for inspection.
Curious to hear about the latest trends in engagement rings? Look no further than your local friends at David Craig Jewelers. Our Summit Square, Langhorne/Newtown store is one of 16 U.S. shops recently featured in an article titled “2020 Engagement Ring Trends” .
Ringspo.com only reached out to jewelry experts like us who sold GIA-graded diamonds. They wanted to “ensure that we were obtaining opinions from those who demonstrated that they cared about the quality of the merchandise they were selling and the products that they were providing their customers.”
The website notes three big overall trends:
- A resurgence of yellow-gold ring settings
- Oval diamond center stones
- A desire for individuality and custom rings
Here’s what David Craig Rotenberg had to say:
“The brilliant cut(round) shape in around one carat is still our most popular engagement ring. It’s always been the benchmark of our business. While heirloom designs were especially popular a few years ago, we see more modern, contemporary designs today with a bit of heirloom influence. The Forevermark halo “center of my universe” introduced about five years ago continues to be very popular today. We’ve created gorgeous variations of this concept with center diamonds surrounded by a halo of diamonds or gemstones like sapphires, rubies and alexandrites.
“Times change but, like the saying goes, a diamond is forever. We help our customers pick the one that speaks to their hearts.”
You can read the entire article here.
Multiple international laboratories “grade” diamonds, providing lab certifications with professional third-party opinions as to the quality of the diamonds you purchase. At David Craig Jewelers (DCJ), we depend on three of these prestigious institutions, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gemological Society (AGS) and Forevermark.
After decades of research and experience, we feel these three institutions adhere to the strictest standards and offer the best criteria when it comes to the objective grading of diamonds, a practice that measures the 4Cs – carat weight, color, clarity and cut. While all diamond grading is somewhat subjective, DCJ feels that you can feel confident in a certification from one of these top institutions:
American Gemological Society (AGS)
Like the GIA, the AGS Laboratories, founded in 1996, are tops in their field. They pioneered the ideal cut grading for round brilliant diamonds. Based in Las Vegas, AGS gave a new outlook and attribute to diamond grading for professionals like David Craig Jewelers (David was a founding partner BTW!). They developed an alphabetical rating system from “Poor” to “Ideal” in terms of cut, “Fancy Yellow” to “Colorless” in terms of color, and “Included” (usually seen only under a microscope) to “Flawless” in terms of clarity.
Forevermark (De Beers Group)
Forevermark labs, based in Antwerp, Belgium and, more recently, Surat, India, are unique in that they only grade their own diamonds, but the brand itself is highly valued. Forevermark studied other labs and even hired AGS to help them with their grading standards. Each of their diamonds pass through a rigorous set of more than 30 steps with a team of experts and a meticulous screening process before it’s called a Forevermark diamond.
Forensic gemologist and certified gemologist appraiser David Craig Rotenberg and his seasoned team of jewelry professionals are here to answer any of your diamond-grading questions. We operate an AGS-certified gem lab right on our premises. Call us for more information on this process, or with any diamond or other gemological questions you have—we’re here to provide expert advice!
In 2015, Lou Toth, now 34, strolled into Langhorne’s Manny Brown’s Bar and Grill to buy beer for a party. As a cook at the Summit Square Shopping Center’s nearby Tre Fratelli Italian restaurant at the time, Lou knew that Manny’s was a convenient place to buy beer.
Behind the counter was a beautiful, friendly young woman. Lou, a native of Levittown, wanted to ask for the young woman’s phone number, but “chickened out.” So he gave up.
Kidding! Lou returned to the bar a few hours later. And still couldn’t get up enough nerve to talk to this woman. So he left. And he returned again. And again.
“I probably only needed one case but went in over and over to buy beer just to get the courage up,” recalls Lou. “She must have thought I was an alcoholic.”
“She” is Michelle Kaplun, 28, originally from Southampton, the young woman who did ultimately give her telephone number to shy Lou. The two started seriously dating March 17, 2015.
The Engagement
Both Lou and Michelle love hiking. When they planned an outdoor adventure in upstate New York this past June, Lou figured it would be a great place to propose. He popped the question on top of a mountain. Talk about a picturesque setting!
The Ring
“I’ve been familiar with David Craig Jewelers for many years since I worked in the same shopping center,” notes Lou. (David Craig Jewelers is located in Summit Square Shopping Center with a Langhorne/Newtown address).
“I would go in every once in a while to shop for myself and always knew that David and his crew were upfront, honest and really helpful, offering great customer service. So this was the perfect place to go for ideas since I wanted the ring to be a surprise.”
Lou came prepared with some pictures of rings he had taken online based on
discussions he had had with Michelle.
“Paul (Cohen) did what he does best and added his own flair to my design,” notes Lou. “The result was awesome.”
The custom-designed ring is highlighted by a virtually colorless and nearly flawless center diamond that Lou selected. This center diamond is rated by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an independent gem-grading and identification lab which provides an extra level of authenticity. The center diamond is framed with a halo circle of additional diamonds. As a subtle contrast, blue sheen moonstones flank the center diamond, offering subtle light blue sparkles.
The Future
Lou and Michelle are currently residing in Yardley. They’ve discussed a wedding date and, mostly due to the coronavirus pandemic, have decided to consider a date and venue in 2021.
We wish Michelle and Lou all the best and hope their future together is filled with infinite love and happiness.
“I don’t know where I’d be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You’re my best friend.”
-Tim McGraw’s “My Best Friend”
The Couple
Mike Devane, 29, works in North Philadelphia driving a forklift for Menasha Packaging. His new fiancé, Kelly Gilbert, also 29, is a nurse at Horsham Clinic.
How They Met
Kelly was introduced to Mike in March 2012 by her friend Jess who just happens to be Mike’s cousin. The venue was Levittown’s McStew’s Irish Pub where a group was getting together a few days after Kelly’s birthday for a beer pong tournament. The two started formally dating that June.
What a Proposal!
After eight years of dating, Kelly and Mike both knew they would get married one day. But Kelly wanted to be surprised, and Mike had a plan. On July 11 th , cousin Jess helped out by planning a nail salon and lunch outing for the two women. While the women were out on their
Girls Day
Out, Mike ran over to Kelly’s mother’s house and tacked up “Will you Marry Me?” balloons on the backyard pool fence. “I also sprinkled the area with rose petals and wrote out ‘I love you’ in white candles,” says a proud Mike who had also invited a group of close friends and family members to witness the event. The atmosphere was further set by Tim McGraw’s tune “My Best Friend” which, one day, the couple will play at their wedding.
The Ring
Mike’s friend Ryan Cullan highly recommended David Craig Jewelers after his great experience at the store in 2019 in purchasing fiancé Michelle’s diamond ring. Kelly had shown Mike pictures of rings she liked to give him some ideas, but like the actual proposal, she wanted to be surprised with the ring. Mike borrowed one of Kelly’s rings she wouldn’t immediately miss which helped David Craig Jewelers perfectly size an engagement ring that, according to Mike, “fit like a glove.” Kelly loves her David Craig Jewelers ring!
It came with a Gemological Institute of America “pedigree” report. “Dawn helped me but everybody in the store was really friendly,” says Mike.
The Future
The couple are currently residing with Kelly’s mom, and will be looking to buy a house locally. Plans for a date and venue have been postponed primarily due to COVID-19, but everybody is looking forward to a future event.
We warmly congratulate this young couple on their engagement which is just the start of their long and brilliant journey together.
Once available only in flea markets, evil eye jewelry is a prominent feature today, showing up in both enameled and gemstone creations. Meghan Markle (yes, Harry’s wife) wears one she purchased in Athens. Celebrities like Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz and Madonna have been spotted wearing them. According to a recent article in Town and Country magazine, the concept is very prominent in Western Asia, parts of South America and the Mediterranean.
Seeking Good Luck
Magazines are noting increased popularity in this talisman in recent months as folks look for ways to boost their luck during these challenging times. The evil eye is thought to protect the wearer from evil spirits and harm and bring love, wealth and happiness – all good stuff! Ancient Phoenicians supposedly strung them together as beads to form necklaces. Unlike other wearable good luck talismans (think enameled four leaf clovers, jewel-encrusted horseshoes and elephants, and hamsa palm-shaped pendants) the evil eye, in some circles, is also thought to bring bad luck to viewers who wish the wearer harm.
Anzie Offerings
One of our favorite brands, Anzie, offers evil eye bracelets, necklaces, rings and earring studs. Interesting in learning more? Give us a buzz —if we don’t have the particular piece in stock, we can easily get it for you at competitive pricing.
Video: Listen to Anzie’s founder discuss evil eye pieces with solid gold metal detail or pavé (small stones set in a cluster) diamonds and some of their other collection highlights included layered necklaces.
We’re thrilled to introduce our latest jeweler line, one that proves that DIAMONDS ARE A MAN’S best friend! Elysium’s black diamond wedding bands are called “the world’s first and only solid diamond rings.” Incredibly sturdy, yet lightweight, the bands are made from thousands of tiny diamond crystals which forms a super-strong matrix.
Elysium bands are so tough that they’re rated “10 out of 10” on the Moh’s hardness scale. That’s eight times harder than tungsten. Handcrafted, each ring is created via an incredibly high heat and pressure process.
More highlights:
- 18 years to develop
- Seven patents
- Revolutionary design
- Hardest, most scratch-resistant jewelry anywhere
- Luster outlasts silver and gold and platinum
The culmination of years of science and art, Elysium diamond bands are designed to last forever for a timeless beauty. Try one on and see what you think or surprise your favorite guy with one.
Pictured: Elysium Rounded (Kratos) – Kratos: Greek personification of Power. The Kratos series features smooth, rounded edges and is available in polished, matte, and satin finishes. LEARN MORE.
David Craig Jewelers’ customers Shannon (McIntyre), a hair stylist, and George Sigle, a UPS driver, were a treat to interview in 2018. Shannon’s engagement ring was a custom creation. Given all of the challenges of regular newlywed life submerged in the all-embracing COVID-19 situation, we thought it would be interesting to check back in with the couple to see how their saga has continued. And we’re so glad we did. Turns out they are expecting their first child, a daughter, next week!
Latest News
Shannon just reopened her hair shop Pixie Salon (Pennington, NJ) on June 22nd after being closed since March 14th. Preparing for re-opening involved adhering to new guidelines and re-arranging the entire shop to allow for social distancing. Her staff all took a Barbicide® (infection control) certification course online. Both clients and operators wear masks, with temperature checks, signed client waivers, and additional steps to ensure safety.
“Our former beverage bar has been converted into a temporarily sanitation bar with disinfectant, wipes and the like,” says Shannon. “But I manage to find a silver lining in everything and am just glad we are able to deal with the virus and still make our clients happy!”
UPS Continues to Save the Day
We fondly called George a “superhero” in 2018 when he was featured in a fun YouTube video delivering “critical” Christmas gifts, never imagining just how prophetic the UPS-themed video would become during the spring and summer of 2020!
At the beginning of this past March’s lockdown, George was delivering UPS packages 60 to 70 hours a week, leaving the house at 7:30 am and not getting home until after 11 pm. He says UPS has now added more drivers and trucks and, as folks venture out more themselves, life is becoming a bit more normal for the couple.
“At first my biggest concern was that I was putting myself and my family at risk,” says George. “But soon I was able to see the bigger picture and realize how I was helping so many other families, and that makes me feel great.”
The couple is excited to welcome their daughter —to be named Maeve Elizabeth— into the world, even an “insane” world like this current pandemic one.
“Having a baby born in 2020 is such a miracle,” says George. “Our commitments to our jobs are strong, but our commitments to each other and our extended families have only grown stronger.”
The Ring
Shannon had to temporarily relinquish her beautiful David Craig Jeweler’s engagement ring due to swollen fingers from the pregnancy but looks forward to wearing it again once the baby is born.
“I still love how we were able to honor both of our families with the ring David and his team designed using elements from relatives on both sides of our families.”
We know you join us in wishing the couple much joy as they enter this new phase of their lives!
Finding the right jeweler for your special purchase should be a decision that requires some research. Believe it or not, the process might not be all that different from the basic questions you ask when selecting a new doctor, like:
- Is the jeweler a member of a professional organization? When you hunt for a new doctor, you want to know his or her accreditations. Why shouldn’t you look for the same criteria when selecting a jeweler? In addition to certifications, ongoing education also shows that your jeweler is committed to keeping up with the latest insights and knowledge.
- Does the jeweler have a good reputation? Look for reviews. Sometimes simple word of mouth is the tried and true way to obtain a trusted reference.
- Does the jeweler offer guarantees? You should never leave a jewelry store dissatisfied. And it’s important you have recourse with your jeweler if needed for repairs or other issues.
David Rotenberg, a certified gemologist and gemologist appraiser, is one of the area’s leading authorities on gemstones and diamonds. He is one of a handful of jewelers in the country to have received the certified gemologist appraiser certification. American Gem Society lab on premises and a team of gem professionals to help you find exactly what you want.
You can trust David Craig Jewelers to help you find the perfect piece. David and his knowledgeable sales team are happy to offer advice. Check out the company’s secure website if you’re shopping online. We also have a liberal return policy – call us with any questions.
Heather B. Moore features one-of-a-kind creations that are meant to “document a person’s story, letting the wearer remember what shaped them along the way.” The brand brings special words, quotes and memories to life. We can use the exact handwriting of a loved one, a doodle from a child or someone’s favorite thought immortalized onto a piece of jewelry to create an incredibly meaningful, sentimental design on charms, earrings, bracelets and accessories.
Heather B. Moore began as a glass blower and metal worker. She started designing jewelry in 1994 when she decided to combine her talent for storytelling with her passion for the arts. Each character is hand-stamped. The Heather B. Moore designers often use recycled precious metals to create their distinct charms that reflect the happiness, laughter and achievements of life. All creations are handmade at the companies’ studio in Ohio.
June birthdays can choose from three popular birthstones – Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone.
Pearls are organic gems that grow inside saltwater or freshwater mollusks. Cultured pearl technicians plant irritants into mollusks and the mollusk secrets a substance that was perhaps once said to be “teardrops from heaven.” (See “Pearls of Wisdom”). Most pearls are naturally reflective, giving them a creamy white or iridescent sheen. Cultured pearls can also be dyed.
Moonstone is not as common. It’s a relatively soft gemstone, ranking a 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it not as durable as other stones. As described by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), “A ghostly sheen moves under the surface of this feldspar (a mineral), like moonlight glowing in the water.”
Interesting fact: Florida adopted Moonstone as their official state gem in 1980 honoring the American astronauts landing on the moon.
According to more modern lists, Alexandrite is another lovely June choice. This beautiful stone can appear bluish green in the daylight and redder at night or in incandescent light. Considered one of the rarest gemstones, Alexandrite wasn’t discovered until the 19th century.
Whatever gemstone you’re considering, you’ll find something you’ll sure to cherish at David Craig Jewelers. Another thought: Let us design an original creation that’s sure to offer the wow factor.
Gift your husband, dad or grandad a jewelry piece they’ll appreciate today and forever. Why not trade your partner’s wedding band in for something as unique as him? Many guys enjoy wearing diamonds and precious metals as much as they do giving them. Check out our new and pre-owned designer watches, money clips and more. Our imaginative jewelry designers can create an original ring with our state-of-the-art technology. If you can imagine it, we can create it!
Did you know? Father’s Day was apparently first declared an official holiday by President Woodrow Wilson, the man who led American through World War I back in the early 1900s. Congress initially balked since they were worried about commercialization. As if! 😉
Treat yourself to something gorgeous or find the perfect gift for a loved one. Choose from our fabulous selection of fine jewelry. Shop for designer one-of-a-kind necklaces, trendy bracelets, always-popular gift certificates, exquisite rings and much more.
Our growing collection includes stylish, unique pieces from brands like Charriol, Forevermark, Anzie, Samuel B., Lafonn, Heather B. Moore, Doves and more. All from your trusted friends at David Craig Jewelers.
50% OFF Sale!
Scroll through David Craig Jewelers’ new ONLINE SALE SELECTION today. Beautiful bargains from today’s latest brands and styles of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and charms. Incredible deals from $40 on up! Sorry, no special orders.
If you’re like the rest of us, staying safe right now includes washing your hands consistently and thoroughly, especially whenever you touch any “foreign” surface. As a result, many of our hands are dry and cracking from all the washing in the recent colder weather. The increased use of hand-sanitizing products only worsens this dryness.
Your jewelry may also be feeling the effect of all that extra hygiene. Excessive use of hand-sanitizer and contact with strong cleaning agents can damage fine jewelry. But it’s important you keep your jewelry clean. Germs can hide on the inside of rings and in design crevices, for example. While stones like diamonds are pretty sturdy, other more delicate stones, like opals and pearls, don’t react well with some soaking solutions.
Even though we love jewelry (of course!), at this delicate time we suggest that you consider following the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) tip: If you have to head out of your home for an essential errand, leave jewelry at home. In an article in USA Today, Rochelle Walensky, chief of the division of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital said, “I think removal of rings/jewelry when washing hands – or perhaps limiting their wear altogether right now- represents a wise move forward.”
We understand some people don’t want to take off engagement rings and/or wedding bands for sentimental reasons, fear of theft or accidentally misplacing them. Many individuals do not like to ever remove engagement rings or wedding bands. If you really feel you have to wear rings out in public and for some reason aren’t wearing protective gloves, David Craig Jewelers suggests you follow these two steps:
#1 Before scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, always remove rings and wash them thoroughly with warm, soapy water, letting them dry on a clean surface. NEVER place rings near a sink or you could risk seeing your precious investment literally go down the drain!
#2 Wash your hands thoroughly in soap and water before you put the rings back on.
If you have specific questions about the safe cleaning of a particular piece of fine jewelry, please feel free to call David at 267-278-1986. We’re happy to offer advice.
As we navigate this crisis with you, our special friends and family, we’re taking a moment to joyfully reminisce about the many beautiful couples who’ve let us tell their stories. Thank you Bill and Wendy, Michelle and Ryan, Alex and Jeff, Kristin and Tim, Fritzi and Dan, Shannon and George, Laurie and Matthew, Cassandra and Kevin and so many other wonderful individuals who have let us feature their David Craig ring stories here on our website.
Want to be featured? Contact David Craig Jewelers and, once life settles down again, you could be our cherished couple of the month.