Red Diamonds

The most famous red diamond is the 5.11 Carat trillion cut Moussaieff Red diamond (i.e. Red Shield), originally found in Brazil. More can be found here at the Smithsonian website.


At Handiwork, we have one elegant 14 Karat white gold pendant with red and white diamonds in a concentric circle.

Jewelry Repair

Many of our customers know Handiwork Jewelry for our jewelry repair services. We repair necklaces and rings, as well as size rings and make bracelets and necklaces longer with added extensions. Have you ever lost one earring? If we are unable to make a match, we can transform the remaining earring into a pendant or ring for continued wear.

Here is a price list of a few jewelry repair services offered at Handiwork Jewelry in Memphis:
$5 Sterling silver jump rings (small)
$6 Watch battery replacement
$10 Watch bracelet adjustment (adding or removing watch links)
$10 Sterling silver clasps
$10 Cut and remove a ring too small from finger
$15 Solder (welding) small necklaces and thin bands
$15 Starting price for ring sizing
$2 per inch Pearl re-stringing with knots in between each

We have a jewelers bench on site at Handiwork for a quick turnaround of 2-3 days. Our jeweler rotates between our two other locations (Crown Jewelry and Star Jewelry), so we can sometimes offer same day service. Watch services can be provided while you wait (10 to 15 minutes).

Many customers also ask if we repair eyeglass frames. We unfortunately only work with gold, platinum, or sterling silver. We recommend your local Fast Fix. In Memphis, there is one location in the Wolfchase Mall.

May Birthstone

Natural emeralds come in various shades of green. Take a look at how emeralds look set in yellow gold with diamond accents.

This is a large 2.00 Carat princess cut, emerald ring with 1.00 Carat in baguette and round diamonds in 14 Karat gold.
Cost: $3150

This is a unique trillion, cabochon cut emerald ring with pave diamonds in 18 Karat yellow gold.

These earrings feature a 1.00 Carat radiant cut emerald in each ear in 14 Karat gold.
Cost: $1290

Here are just a few of the natural emerald and diamond rings available at Handiwork in white gold and platinum.

This bezel set emerald ring with prong set diamonds in white gold has a vintage appeal.

A pear shaped emerald is accented by two pear shaped diamonds in white gold. Notice the fine antique engraving in the band.

Radiant cut diamonds surround this radiant cut emerald in a simple three stone platinum setting.

This wide diamond pave band features an oval cut emerald in white gold.

Trillion cut diamonds accent this radiant cut emerald in a simple and elegant setting.

A cushion cut 1.35 Carat emerald is accented with two round diamonds, each weighing 0.20 Carats.

Birthstone Re-Cap

October was the last birthstone featured, so I figure there should be a re-cap of November to April before May can be posted. Here goes!

NOVEMBER

Yellow topaz is the official birthstone for November, but citrines and yellow sapphires (and even a yellow diamond) would all work well for Thanksgiving circa babies.

This 18 Karat gold Torrini ring features a bezel set, multi-faceted citrine.


Belts can be worn around your waist... or on your hand. This citrine belt ring is accented by chocolate diamonds with a black enamel background.

For only $159, this 14 Karat yellow gold right hand ring featuring a large natural oval, yellow topaz is sure to make a statement.

DECEMBER

Blue topazes are a favorite, even if you were not born in the month of December.

This bangle with a solitaire, trillion cut blue topaz and yellow topaz is a perfect transition from November to December.

This trillion cut blue topaz pendant in white gold is accented by five round diamonds

These 14 Karat gold chandelier earrings will dangle with briolette cut blue topaz tear drops.

JANUARY

Garnets are a deep red brown hue that people either love or hate. If you appreciate antique jewelry, garnets can often be found in vintage pieces.

This 14 Karat natural, oval garnet ring with round diamonds is a steal at only $145.

This past, present, and future three natural, oval garnet ring in 14 Karat gold is only $99!

FEBRUARY

Purple amethysts here we go... a resilient and well priced gemstone.

This is another 18 Kart gold ring from Torrini and features a multi-faceted amethyst that reflects the light with little stars.

MARCH

Aquamarines and their light light blue, green (seagreen) color are also found in vintage jewelry. Aquamarines can be very expensive depending on their hue and quality.

APRIL

Diamonds are a girl's best friend... and April babies are just plain lucky. If you want an alternative, try white sapphires, or synthetic diamonds (cubic zirconia).

Cashing in Gold

In the past ten years, the price of gold has tripled in value. When we say gold, however, we should clarify this is the price for pure gold (24 Karat). A lot of fashion jewelry we see is made of gold and other alloys resulting in 10 Karat (41.7% pure gold), 14 Karat (58.5% pure gold), or 18 Karat (75% pure gold). As seen in the Kitco 10 Year Gold graph below, pure gold was priced at under $300 per ounce (31.1 grams) and today gold is at $932 per ounce.

I recommend live market quotes on precious metals here: http://www.kitco.com/market/

There are many televised and radio commercials advertising they buy gold, but I can not see myself mailing an envelope of my valuables. It is true that the price of gold has increased, and if you do not wear your jewelry or it is broken, I recommend you visit your local jewelry store to get a quote.

At Handiwork Jewelry, we have helped clients sort through their jewelry inherited from a grandmother (lover of both costume jewelry and authentic pieces!), as well as transform an heirloom into something a bit more modern. So if you are looking for a place to sell your gold or repair jewelry, please consider Handiwork in Memphis.

$9.5 Million 7.03 Carat Blue Diamond

The Sotheby's auction in Geneva set a new world record this past Tuesday for the highest dollar per carat paid for a blue diamond. The BBC article is available here.

Shopping Smart

Recently in the news, several jewelry stores and departments are shutting down and closing out with seemingly, incredible sales of 30 to 80 percent off. Curious to see if these were true bargains, I went to the mall and visited one jewelry chain store, as well as the jewelry department in a large department store.

These are your most basic stable, a pair of diamond solitaire stud earrings. The variations on these, however, can become mind boggling. From the diamond clarity and color to the setting style (classic 4 prong above, 3 prong martini, bezel set, screw back, yellow gold, etc), it can sometimes be hard to compare prices. For our purposes, I use an SI-1 clarity and H color as the basis.

I was surprised to find that the prices were double or triple Handiwork's prices. Even with a sale of up to 80% their items would get closer to our everyday tag prices. Let's take a pair of 1.00 Carat diamond earrings as an example.

At Macy's jewelry department, the regular price is $3800. Currently it is on sale for $2393, whereas at our store we have a pair of 1.00 Carat (1/2 CT each ear) start at $1400.

Also at Handiwork Jewelry in Memphis, we have a pair of 1/4 CT (0.25CT)(total weight) diamond studs in 14 Karat white gold start at $169 while a pair totaling 1/2 CT (0.50CT) diamond studs start at $385.

Although we are a small, family owned business, we do believe it maintaining competitive prices. If you find an identical jewelry item at another store for less, please let us know and we will do our best to match that price and even beat it by another 15%. Plus we provide that intimate shopping experience (and free jewelry cleaning!) that you never will find at a department store or jewelry shop in the mall.

And as all smart shoppers know, it is not the discount percentage, but the final price you pay that matters. In a time where a dollar means a lot, beware of those big sales that lure people into thinking they are getting a bargain.