Nicole made the cutest piece of bijou for me, however for Zaza, for Zaza’s 2nd birthday.
Not solely do I LOVE the necklace, however I actually seen the standard & consideration to element Nicole put into it. She’s a badass entrepreneur and simply such a grasp of her craft. As she put it, “jewellery is in her blood,” so I knew I needed to have her on the weblog to speak about all of the issues for you.
On this publish Nicole tells us the distinction between all of the golds & supplies that can be utilized, issues to remember when making a customized piece, plus the new new developments for 2023, and the classics that may by no means exit of fashion.
With that, let’s welcome Nicole to the weblog.
♡♡♡
♡ Introduce your self & inform us your background within the jewellery business. We would like your entire life story!
Nicole Elghanian: My identify is Nicole Sarah Elghanian and I used to be born and raised in La Jolla, California. I’ve all the time had a ardour for all issues diamonds and jewellery. From the time I used to be in a position to stroll, I used to be asking for jewellery (as you may see within the picture).
My maternal grandparents had a jewellery retailer within the diamond district on forty seventh avenue in New York Metropolis and my father is a neighborhood jeweler right here in San Diego, California. I assume you may say that jewellery design runs in my blood. I really feel grateful day-after-day that my love for jewellery aligned with my household’s enterprise. I bear in mind as somewhat lady, annually on my birthday, my grandma would give me a skinny gold bangle bracelet. I used to be obsessive about these bangles, and wore them for a few years till I acquired too outdated and my wrists outgrew them.
As a toddler, my dad and mom tried enrolling me in plenty of extracurricular actions like soccer. I might need been the subsequent Mia Hamm or Megan Rapinoe if it wasn’t for the no jewellery coverage. As soon as they knowledgeable me of that one, it was all bets off. As a lot as everybody might have needed me to be an expert athlete or a mad scientist, it was very clear I used to be destined to be a diamond lady!
Actually, from a really younger age I insisted on going to my father’s jewellery store, it was virtually my favourite place to be. I used to be all the time in awe of all of the diamonds, coloured stones and gold all over the place. By the point I used to be sufficiently old to assist with promoting, I used to be working at my father’s retailer. Whereas there, I’d typically dream up and design particular items for myself and my household. I’d sketch out the design I needed and would work with our bench jeweler to carry my visions to life.
Individuals would typically cease to ask me the place my jewellery was from and if they may buy it and that’s when Diamond Bar Jewellery was born. Earlier than beginning my enterprise, I attended the College of San Diego and was the primary particular person in my household to graduate from school. I pursued a level in Communications, as I believed it will assist me tremendously in operating the operations/promoting aspect of my enterprise.
After graduating, my essential focus grew to become getting DBJ up and operating. Beginning a enterprise is unquestionably lots of work, however so worthwhile and rewarding. I discover inspiration for my designs throughout me and I discover myself continually considering of recent concepts on the best way to elevate totally different kinds that I see whereas out and about. I’ve all the time beloved to make stunning and dainty items that catch the attention. These items have turn out to be the point of interest of my line. My aim is to create dainty but distinctive items which are nice high quality, and at an inexpensive worth level.
♡ What are the three issues folks ought to search for when buying a bit of bijou?
NE: When buying a bit of bijou, an important issues I all the time pay shut consideration to are: high quality, jeweler popularity, and customer support.
WHO you purchase your jewellery from is essential!!! If it’s your first time looking for jewellery, I’d try a number of locations, look on-line, or ask a trusted good friend. The very last thing you need to do is over pay for one thing or buy a low high quality piece.
Customer support can also be one thing to search for when shopping for a bit of bijou. You need to ensure that the shop you’re making a purchase order from has some sort of guarantee, an expert cleansing machine, and an in-house jeweler. For instance, once you need to get your ring mounted or cleaned, you must take it to your jeweler and so they can do it in-store. Don’t take the danger of getting your jewellery misplaced, stolen, or switched when shipped out.
Now let’s discuss somewhat extra about high quality. Some jewelers will use recycled gold, which suggests they’ll take older scrap gold and soften it down into one thing new (which isn’t all the time nice). It could possibly trigger the gold to be weakened which results in simply damaged jewellery. You sometimes need your jeweler to make use of contemporary gold in order that the jewellery is sturdy and can stand up to being broken.
One other nice tip when shopping for a necklace or bracelet is to verify the kind of clasp that’s getting used. What you need to search for is a lobster clasp. These are stronger and fewer prone to break than c-clasps. A lobster clap requires extra gold when being made so it’s dearer for the jeweler to make use of. I all the time make sure that to make use of lobster clasps on all my items to make sure security. You additionally need to make sure that your jeweler is utilizing diamonds that actually sparkle from up shut and from a distance.
♡ What developments & kinds do you foresee being sizzling for 2023?
NE: Physique jewellery is unquestionably coming in sizzling in 2023. There may be a lot extra actual property on the physique than one may suppose. You possibly can drape chains with diamonds from virtually any a part of your physique, be it stomach chains, hand chains, foot chains, or anklets. I’ve acquired all of it and I would like all of it!
I get essentially the most compliments from males on my hand chain and physique jewellery. All of them need to purchase one for his or her women. I’m additionally actually into ear cuffs proper now. They’re good as a result of you may add cool items to your ear sport with out making a gap… which suggests no ache! Lastly magnificence, with out ache.
♡ Speak to us in regards to the distinction between conventional & unconventional designs.
NE: Conventional designs are sometimes these which stay timeless and in type perpetually. A traditional diamond tennis necklace or bracelet, diamond studs, or a diamond band will be handed down from generations and nonetheless be in type.
Whereas conventional designs are all the time nice, I like to get artistic with unconventional designs. I consider jewellery is an effective way to precise private type and style, and for that motive I wish to create distinctive designs. I’ve just lately made a number of actually cool wrap-around rings, a pinky ring that spins, and two rings which are related by a series. One other factor I like to do is reinvent outdated kinds which have pale over time, reminiscent of physique jewellery. As a substitute of shopping for a conventional ring or bracelet, you may strive an excellent stylish and enjoyable hand chain.
♡ What’s one of the best ways to wash jewellery? Stroll us by way of the steps.
NE: One of the simplest ways to wash your jewellery is to take it to your jeweler and have it cleaned each few months. Whereas there, the jeweler may also verify to make sure that the prongs in your ring are tight and never free. A free prong could cause diamonds to fall out which is a complete nightmare. A good jeweler ought to do all of this for you with no cost. This is only one of many the reason why selecting a dependable jeweler is so necessary.
Nothing fairly cleans your jewellery like an expert, however in case you are in a pinch, I’d counsel shopping for an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner for at house or utilizing a particular cleansing resolution that you may purchase on-line/in retailer. Some stones do require particular care, although, so it’s suggested that you just all the time seek the advice of your jeweler.
♡ Do you discover when individuals are shopping for engagement rings, they’re going extra for conventional or non-traditional very distinctive kinds?
NE: I’ve seen all of it, from conventional to considered one of a form kinds. The choices are really limitless and you’ll actually have some enjoyable designing the right ring! You possibly can go the standard route with a diamond middle or you may pull a Princess Diana and get a blue sapphire middle stone engagement ring with diamonds round it.
Traditionally, yellow gold was used for lots of various jewellery, however over the previous decade or two, white gold and platinum have turn out to be a highly regarded colour selection for engagement rings. Though yellow gold has positively made a comeback, yellow and rose gold at the moment are a extra non-traditional and distinctive selection for rings. You may also get artistic with the lower of your ring. Many individuals go for conventional shapes like a spherical or oval stone, however I’ve seen some actually enjoyable rings which have distinctive shapes like a coronary heart or have a number of giant stones within the middle setting.
One other means you will get “non-traditional” together with your ring is by choosing a lab-grown stone. For a few years pure diamonds have been the way in which to go, and essentially the most conventional. Now we now have a brand new participant: lab-grown diamonds.
A pure diamond and a lab-grown diamond are each actual diamonds. The one distinction is how the diamond is scourced, how lengthy it takes to make, and the price. A pure diamond takes hundreds of years to materialize throughout the earth and for that motive, has a better price ticket than a lab-grown diamond that solely takes a number of months to make. The selection between a pure diamond and a lab-grown diamond is totally as much as choice. As you may see, there are such a lot of totally different choices for crafting a shocking ring.
For instance, there are numerous variations between white, yellow, and rose gold.
In white gold: 14K is stronger and 18k is softer, however not by a lot in any respect. White gold is usually blended with silver and nickel as a result of aesthetically they appear the identical. 14k is simply stronger than 18k by a really small margin.
In yellow gold: 14K is stronger and has a extra lighter gold look, 18k is softer with a stronger yellow hue. Yellow gold is blended with copper and silver in several portions to make it stronger or richer.
In rose gold: 18K is stronger and never as pink, 14k is extra pink, however softer. Rose gold is blended with copper to make it pink. 14k rose gold is just not as robust as a result of copper is comfortable. 18k has extra gold than copper so thats why it’s stronger.
In case you are allergic to gold the very best substitute can be platinum. White gold or platinum is extra conventional and shall be in type perpetually – additionally it makes your diamond seem bigger.
♡ What are some items which are traditional & will final a lifetime?
NE: Some items which are classics and can all the time be in type are: tennis bracelets/necklaces, diamond stud earrings, eternity diamond bands, easy gold hoops/bands, and pearl necklaces/earrings.
My items are made to final a lifetime and will be handed all the way down to family members! Household heirlooms have all the time been necessary to me, and the objects which were handed all the way down to me are those I cherish most. Passing down a bit of bijou is like leaving a bit of you for another person to have. It’s one thing you may maintain with you all the time as a reminder of fond recollections. Should you really feel like an heirloom may want a contemporary new look, strive having your jeweler revive it into one thing enjoyable and new! Jewellery, outdated or new, is without doubt one of the most particular and nostalgic items you may give somebody.
♡ What recommendation would you give somebody trying to purchase an engagement ring for his or her vital different?
NE: When buying in your vital different there are a number of ideas that you must remember to seek out the right ring. Let’s begin with the 4 C’s of diamonds.
The 4 C’s you must know are lower, colour, readability, and carat weight. After this, you must in all probability determine whether or not you desire a pure diamond or a lab-grown one. Should you go the pure means, I like to recommend buying a diamond that has been graded by the Gemology Institute of America (GIA). GIA is a nonprofit institute that units requirements for grading diamonds. When shopping for a pure diamond from a jeweler, be sure to get the GIA certification for the diamond.
When you make some decisions on the stone itself, you will have to determine your band and setting. Though white gold and platinum are sometimes the most well-liked decisions for ring colour, there are many folks that love a yellow gold or rose gold band. I like to recommend when selecting a yellow or rose gold band, if you happen to don’t need the colour of the band to replicate off the diamond, you may go for the stone to be set in white gold prongs. Then again, in case your diamond already has a yellow colour, pairing it with a yellow gold or rose gold prong will truly profit your stone.
Lastly, if you happen to have no idea the finger dimension attempt to carry a spare ring to your jeweler to dimension or purchase a ring sizer from Amazon. An ideal match will all the time go on simply, however won’t slide off simply. All the time take note of the feedback your vital different says about their pals’ rings or feedback they make when passing a jewellery retailer. And if all else fails, strive their Pinterest for some inspiration!
♡ How far upfront ought to a bit be designed/ordered?
NE: For customized items, I all the time say 5 to seven weeks simply to be protected. I’ve lots of stunning items which are already made, so in case you are in a pinch or simply don’t need to wait, I acquired you.
♡ The place can everybody discover you? Pimp your self out!
NE: You could find me doing pop ups in San Diego and Los Angeles, or see me in particular person by appointment! You may also store my web site www.diamondbarjewelry.com and discover me on Instagram @shopdiamondbarjewelry.
Most of my items will be discovered on-line through my web site or my IG. For somewhat enjoyable, comply with me on Tik Tok @diamondbarjewelry.
♡♡♡
There you may have it. All the data you may each need or want about customized made jewellery. In case your S/O is little too aloof, simply copy & paste this publish in an e-mail for a sublte hinty trace. We all the time acquired you babes. ::wink wink::
SHOP THE POST:
