Worn Tires and Broken Ring Prongs When you glance at your Goodyears, your tire tread, it’s pretty easy to tell if they have become worn and need to be replaced. However those delicate  broken ring prongs which get worn daily and go … Continue reading →

Diamond Carats, Learning One C at a Time In case you haven’t heard of the four “C’s”, guys, they are: CaratCarat (with a C) refers to the weight of a gemstone. Abbreviation: ct. Example: 2.3ct. caratCarat (with a C) refers to the weight of a gemstone. Abbreviation: ct. Example: 2.3ct. carat diamond ring. diamond ring. weight; Color; … Continue reading →

“Why Does My Custom Made Wedding Ring Cost More Than That Online Ring?” Ronnie recently emailed me, her Santa Barbara Jewelry Designer, a picture of a ring she saw on Overstock.com. It cost $795. I had just created a similar … Continue reading →

Lightweight Prong Settings and Missing Diamonds – Wedding Ring Buyer Beware “Whoops! I’m Missing a Diamond. Again!” moaned Daphne. It was a sunny winter’s day in Santa Barbara, when my jewelry repair expert self took in a new wedding ring … Continue reading →

Before I tell You About Lorrie’s Ring…. As a Santa Barbara Jewelry Designer, I’ve been asked how I can designDesigning jewelry starts with a drawing of an idea. Next, a hand-carved or 3D CAD (computer aided designDesigning jewelry starts with a drawing of an idea. Next, a hand-carved or 3D CAD (computer aided design) wax model of the drawing is fabricated. After the wax model is completed, the piece is cast in medal.) wax modelBefore a ring is cast in precious metal, a model of it is carved in wax. Wax models are carved by hand or by a computer-assisted machine. of … Continue reading →

Who Do You Call When you Have an Antique Ring too Worn for Everyday Wear? Rodney and Taren were referred to Santa Barbara’s Calla Gold Jewelry for antique jewelry restoration after their frustrating experience trying to sort out what to do … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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?”