gilbertandfrech.com Blog

This week we are going to take a look at jewelry trends in different cultures and countries.  We will of course look back at history to see how it helped mold the jewelry fashion industry into what it is today.  We will focus on specific countries throughout this week and then showcase of few of Gilbert and Frech’s uniquely original designs and see how the influence of style and culture helped to create them.

Some of the earliest pieces of jewelry that were created out of precious metals and gemstones were found in the country of Egypt.  Egyptians mainly used gold and fashioned many items out of this very malleable metal such as armlets, bracelets, head adornments, rings, earrings and even collars.  Greece also was making their own fashion trends during the BC era and the trend at that time was using beads and designing them into shapes that represented nature such as flowers, shells or beetles.  Greece was wealthy with raw materials and started adorning their jewelry with precious gemstones such as rubies, emeralds and pearls.  Pearls became the most prized and precious gemstone in jewelry.  The most rare and beautiful were found in South India and the Persian Gulf.  During the 17^th century is when jewelry became an adornment that was acceptable in everyday use.  France was a great influence on the jewelry industry during the early 1800’s.  Victorian jewelry became popular as Queen Victoria reigned and it began to be massed produced and sold all over the world.  During the 1950’s America made its mark with what people would refer to as the Hollywood influence. Over the years many countries had their influence over the style and trends of jewelry.  As it was created and shipped to different parts of the world, other cultures added their own unique flare.  It will be fun to take a look this week at specific countries and see what the popular jewelry trend is in their culture today!  Will it be similar to what is popular here in America or will it be completely unique and different?  The world has become smaller with the birth of the internet.  Every kind of information is available to us know with just the tapping of our fingertips.  Just like that, we can type in and order whatever kind of jewelry we like from whatever country or culture we want.  It is truly an amazing thing.

Rings are a very popular form of jewelry!  They can represent many things from culture, a commitment such as marriage, an achievement, or even a religious standard.  Rings became popular during the medieval times.  In those days they were made of silver, gold, copper and even iron.  Jewels did not start appearing in rings until around the fourteenth century.

It was fun to learn about the history of rings. Early Christians used a Greek symbol that looks like a fish, the formal name being the Icthus, to identify themselves among other believers. I especially enjoyed the story of how the engagement ring came about.  There was an Irish man from Claddagh which is a fishing village. Right before he was to be married, he was captured and became a slave working as a goldsmith.  After he escaped years later, he came home to his love to find out that she had never married.  They joyously reunited and he gave her a ring with the symbols of  a heart, a crown and two hands.  That ring is still used today to symbolize commitment of love and friendship that can never be separated.  Christians call it a promise ring and wear it as a commitment to God to stay pure until marriage.  Of course there is also birthstone rings which have stones to represent each month in the year.  My birthday is in September so my stone is the lovely sapphire.

A ring is a significant piece of jewelry and Gilbert and Frech has one of the largest selections of gemstone rings to choose from.  Our sizes range from 5 to 10.  Once again, all of our rings are made from 100 percent sterling silver.  We have many different designs and our artisans continue to create new ones as the fashion trends change.

It is still amazing to me know that there are so many uses for silver and that it has such a rich history.  It is such a pretty color and reflects gemstones in a way that just enhances their beauty.  I have so much more appreciation for my silver jewelry now and I view it as an investment.  Next time you purchase a piece of silver jewelry take a few moments to reflect on this journey we have taken together.  I know it will make your new piece just a little bit more special!

Did you know that the necklace dates back to the earliest of human origins? When coming across any type of grave even from earliest time periods, the necklace is found more than any other article by historians and researchers. They have been made of many different types of material. Some were made with the teeth of animals.  Some were made using shells, pebbles, glass beads or gold plaques. For centuries men and women have had the innate desire to adorn the neck with what they might consider to beautiful or of great worth.

Every woman needs a basic sterling silver chain in their wardrobe! Whether you are simply going to wear it plain or with a pendant, it is a necessary and versatile piece. You can never go wrong with a classic sterling silver necklace and Gilbert and Frech happens to sell several different styles and sizes.

One of our most popular would be the snake chain. The snake chain by definition is links that are attached side by side that are slightly wavy and form a very flexible tube like shape. The way the chain links are connected and move are similar to that of a snake, hence the name. We sell 5 different types of snake chains varying in thickness and length. This is a good chain to wear with some of the heavier or larger pendants as it is a little more sturdy and can handle the weight. The square chain is also similar to the snake chain in its thickness but it is boxy and has angles instead of being a tube shape. We sell several lengths in this chain as well. If you are going for a simple elegant look, you may want to take a look at our rope chain which is beautiful without being decorated with by a gemstone pendant or a charm. Finally we offer basic chain necklaces that will hold small pendants or gemstones. We have 16 styles to choose from.

Last but not least is the reminder that all of our chains are 100 percent 925 sterling silver. As we have discovered this week in our research, silver is a valuable and precious metal and it is a classic staple for any jewelry collection. Tomorrow we will take a look at some of the sterling silver and gemstone rings we have to offer. See ya!

Did you know that silver is one of the precious metals? A precious metal is by definition rare and has high worth economically. It is scarce but it is the most available of all the precious metals and it is also the most affordable. To me, that makes silver one of the best investments a person could make. Whether it is in the actual investing of the stock market or in pieces of jewelry, it is a smart and solid choice to go with.

Silver can signify a status or wealth. It is simply elegant by itself or enhances its worth when combined with other gemstones. It goes with the flow of the fashion trends and the constant changing of styles. There is rich history not only the value of silver monetarily but to what it represents and means in so many cultures. The word sterling has taken on the meaning of quality and excellence as it refers to silver. In Chinese culture, they hang a necklace with a locket around the neck of a child because they value it so much, they believe that it will keep evil spirits away. In Peru , the Incas valued it strange gleam and associated it with the moon because of its reflective quality.

It is amazing to see the actual value of silver per ounce change so drastically even over the last 5 years. The price has been as low as $4.50 per ounce and has been as high as $20.79 per ounce. In the past 30 days it has been averaging around $17. If you are in the jewelry industry or even investments, silver is the way to go. Here at Gilbert and Frech, we strive to make quality pieces and they have only grown in value. We choose to design our pendants, rings, earrings and necklaces with sterling silver instead of nickel silver or german silver which in reality does not contain any silver at all. We stand behind our quality and we keep our prices affordable for those making personal purchases. We also offer discounts for volume orders so you are able to make the best profit for those in the jewelry business. Over the next couple of days, I will present some of the sterling silver pieces we sell at Gilbert and Frech.