I've Never Gold Plated a Porsche, but it Can be Done!

Gold Plating Jewelry – One of Those Frequently Asked Questions

As the Dear Abby of Santa Barbara Jewelers, I get asked questions about gold plating jewelry all the time. What exactly is the procedure? Can my jewelry be gold platedGold plated and gold filledGold plated and gold filled jewelry is jewelry in which a thin coating of gold has been applied to the surface of less expensive metal. jewelry is jewelry in which a thin coating of gold has been applied to the surface of less expensive metal. again? Will it affect my gemstones? Is it worth doing? Continue reading →

Man's Band has More Room to Engrave. Here is the date and their initials

Why Should You Engrave an Inscription in Your Wedding Rings?

Before answering: what to engrave on a ring, it might be a good idea to first answer the question: why? It’s not required, right? The chaplain’s not going to inspect the rings before they’re exchanged. Continue reading →

Mangagement Rings Can be Simple or Complex. Shown with His Fiance's Diamond Ring

The Mangagement Rings Story

Check out the cutting edge Mangagement rings news, through the eyes of Alan and Maura.

Abruptly, Alan turned to me, his Santa Barbara Jeweler and said, “You know…I feel a little discriminated against. Here we are designing my fiancé, Maura’s engagement ringAn engagement ring is a ring that a man gives to a woman when he proposes to her. After she’s married, it will be worn together with her wedding bandTypically, bands are simple rings of uniform width. They can be thick or thin. Occasionally, gemstones will be flush set in bands.., which she’ll get to wear for ten months before the wedding, while my poor finger goes bare the whole time. What’s with that?” Alan had a dry, deadpan sense of humor and I wasn’t sure if he was serious or not. I glanced at Maura. Continue reading →

The One You Love Would Love Jewelry From You

The Trials and Tribulations of Shopping and Buying Jewelry for Her ~ by Jeremy Gold

Question guys: Do you find shopping for jewelry a daunting task? Does the thought of walking into a jewelry store leave you overwhelmed and weak kneed? Continue reading →

This Ring Had a Butterfly Spring in it to Keep it From Turning, But a Calcium Deposit Formed and We had to Saw it Off

My Two Favorite Jobs as a Jeweler

My favorite job as a Santa Barbara repairing Jeweler is witnessing peoples’ faces light up upon seeing on a treasured piece of jewelry, that has been restored to pristine condition. My second favorite job as a jeweler is sawing off rings. Job #1 happens all the time. Job #2…not so often. Continue reading →

This Antique Design May Not be What You Would Have Picked Out for Your Hand

Like Dear Abby, Calla Gold Jewelry Advises Women About Jewelry Issues

Alison asks, “Do many women wear wedding rings they’re not crazy about? Or is it just me?” Continue reading →

Two Views of the Big Cocktail Ring, Partially Plundered

A Funny Story About An Inherited Ring Redesign

Marcia, (names changed to protect the lucky) inherited a very large, very ‘yesterday,’ super dressy cocktail ringCocktail rings are typically large and three dimensional and rise significantly off the finger. They are usually set with multiple colored gems and smaller diamonds. Cocktail rings are typically worn when dressed up and out to parties.. It sat unworn and overwhelmingly alone in a safe deposit box; an inherited ring’s   idea of Hell.

Happily she met her Santa Barbara Jeweler, me, Calla Gold and we had some serious fun with that cocktail inherited ring redesign.
Continue reading →

This Blue Diamond Loves Being Surrounded by White Diamonds

Are Diamonds Really a Girl’s Best Friend?

Santa Barbara Jeweler Calla Gold and her husband Jeremy Gold dish about diamonds.

Decades ago, DeBeers coined the expression, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” I confess…it’s a catchy slogan. But is it true? Are diamonds really a girl’s best friend? As a guy, I think not. Continue reading →

Thin Ear Lobes and Long Dangle Earring Posts Don't Mix

Droopy err, Drop Earrings Gone Wrong

You’ve all heard the old stories of the shoemaker’s children running around barefoot.

As it turned out, this Santa Barbara Jewelry Designer was suffering from the same problem. My thin ear lobes made many drop earrings look like sad droopy dangly earrings! So I had none! Continue reading →

The Soaring Price of Gold Weighs Heavily on Jeweler's Minds

Jeremy Gold, (My Husband) Opines On the Soaring Price of Gold

Some of you can probably remember when gold was selling for $35 an ounce—like my eighty-seven year old dad.

It was under $300/oz. when I began my illustrious career as a Jeweler in Santa Barbara. I’ve watched gold rise and fall but I’ve seen nothing like the soaring price of gold in last couple of years. To over 1800 American dollars an ounce! Should I be freaking out? Getting myself an “end of days” t-shirt? Continue reading →