Favorite Gemstones for Gift Giving

Now that the holiday season is here, it is time to start thinking about what to give your loved one. A jewelry box from Chasing Treasures is always a great gift, and it becomes even more special if you fill it with a beautiful piece of jewelry. Here are some suggestions for gifts that will be treasured forever:



Sapphires


Sapphires are always a good choice. Even though this gemstone is the birthstone for September, it is a beautiful stone that has been popular for generations. Rumor has it that the stone brings good luck and protects people from harm.


This classic gemstone regularly comes in a variety of colors, ranging from green to violet. The most popular color is blue, especially if the blue is in the medium range or has a touch of violet in it. The gem also comes in more exotic colors that cover the spectrum of the rainbow. Jewelers are beginning to carry sapphires in unexpected shades, so you should be able to find pink sapphires or green sapphires in local jewelry stores.


The sapphire is a popular choice for gifts because it is a gem that can be worn with any style. The bright blue stone looks lovely with diamonds and with white gold or platinum. The gem is radiant and catches the eye when the light strikes it. Blue is always in fashion and so are the different shades. Celebrities often wear sapphires and they can be a unique choice for an engagement ring. Sapphires are a hard gemstone, weighing in at 9, under the 10 that diamonds receive. They are durable enough to wear everyday without having to worry about dents and scratches. They can also handle chemicals and heat, so they are safe to wear in most work environments.


Rubies


Rubies have been a favorite gemstone for many years, too. The lovely red stone brings health, wisdom, and love. The gem is said to stir the senses and the imagination. Like the sapphire, a real ruby is durable. It is given a 9 rating, like the sapphire, so it can worn every day.


Interestingly, a fine ruby is a rare gem to find. If you are able to find one, the best color is vivid red with a bit of purple in it. Rubies and sapphires are related, so if the gems is loaded with orange or seems to light to be a ruby, it is probably a colored sapphire.


If you choose to give a ruby, you are giving the stone that represents love. The gem is said to protect people from enemies, which is enhanced by the love it represents. The ruby is the gemstone for July birthdays, as well as the gem for couples who are celebrating their 15th and 40th anniversaries.


Pearls


Pearls have been popular gifts for centuries, too. They date back to the Roman Empire and they were popular during the reign of King Henry the Eighth and his daughter Queen Elizabeth. They are not gems like sapphires and rubies because these actually come from creatures living in the sea. Also unlike rubies and sapphires, they require no polishing or fancy cuts. If you give a gift of pearls, the natural ones are prettier than the cultured pearls. This is the birthstone for June, but the gem is loved by people born in the other 11 months, too.

Body Jewelry

The world of jewelry is larger than many people realize. It is no longer relegated to necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. With the popularity of body piercings, jewelry and adornment has been taken to more levels than ever before. Fortunately, the jewelry boxes at ChasingTreasure.com are designed to meet the needs of every jewelry owner.



Nontraditional Piercings


So many men and women have piercings in non-traditional places on their bodies. From belly buttons, noses, and cartilage piercings, body jewelry has become a popular industry for younger men and women. In previous decades, many people do not get their bodies pierced because the piercings were not acceptable to wear in the workplace. But now, with people working from home and online, it does not matter what they look like anymore.


Just like men and women need jewelry boxes for fine jewelry, they also need jewelry boxes for their body jewelry. Fortunately, the Chasing Treasure jewelry box collection can meet the needs of every jewelry owner. Our earring and tie tack boxes are perfect for anyone who needs storage for belly button rings and other alternative body jewelry. Cartilage earring are relatively the same as regular earrings.


Large Ear Cuffs


There are other new types of jewelry that will also fit nicely inside of many of the Chasing Treasure jewelry boxes. Ear cuffs have been appearing on runway models and celebrities. These are not the small cuffs that look like small hoop earrings, but cuffs that covers most of the outer ear and often clips to the earlobe, too. These are large pieces that would not fit in a small earring box, but would need space that a bracelet would occupy. Some women will hang their earring cuffs from necklace hooks.


Hand Jewelry for Fingers and Wrists


With the recent release of the Great Gatsby movie, women have been buying vintage jewelry and new jewelry with the vintage Roaring 20’s feel. The hand jewelry that Daisy Buchanan wears is another alternative style of jewelry that does needs a spacious spot in a jewelry box. Hand jewelry is a ring and bracelet connected by a decorative chain. It is important that the pieces are placed somewhere that will keep the chain from tangling. Jewelry armoires are good choices because the fact that they often have separate drawers for large and unusually shaped pieces.


Body Jewelry for Legs, Arms, and Heads


Alternative body jewelry can also be pieces that are made for legs and arms. Body jewelry can also be styled to be worn as a headband, too. There are some companies that handcraft leg chains and arm chains from broken pieces of vintage jewelry. Some headbands are made of jewelry pieces instead of fabric. Anytime that chains are involved, jewelry should be placed in separate compartments or drawer or hung up in a jewelry armoire.


Let ChasingTreasure.com Help You Decide


If you are unsure about what type of Chasing Treasure jewelry box you need for your alternative jewelry, our expert sales associates can direct you to the perfect box to fit your needs. Send us a message and we will respond quickly.

What every woman needs in her jewelry box

An interesting article by Michelle LaFrance shares what every woman needs in her jewelry box, plus some fun jewelry shopping links.

What every woman needs in her jewelry box: style advice from the pros

by Michelle LaFrance
By pulling colors together, accentuating a garment detail or adding a focal point, the right jewelry can bring your outfit to a new level. We asked local experts, including wardrobe consultant and personal stylist Mayna Sgaramella and style editor and personal stylist Hope Misterik, for their advice on what pieces every woman should have in her jewelry box to complement her wardrobe.

First, they say, when you're building up your jewelry collection, consider your lifestyle and budget, as well as your skin tone. Warm tones pair best with gold, while cool tones pop with silver or platinum. Then, from head to toe (or, rather, ears to fingers), choose from the following pieces to ensure you’re equipped for any accessorizing challenge.
Statement earrings
Having a pair of oversized statement earrings will pull attention to your face and jawbone. Gold flower earrings ($7.99) from Cost Plus World Market have a lovely texture and hang at a wonderful height, close to the face, while still having an exaggerated, interesting shape. (And you can't argue with the price.)
Natural stone earrings
Seattle boasts many talented jewelry designers who use organic elements in their work. The texture and color of natural stones, woods and gemstones pair beautifully with the casual fabrics we often wear in the Emerald City. Local label Dotted Line Jewels, for example, creates eye-catching jewelry, like the gold-filled, wire-wrapped earrings in an enchanting, teardrop shape, accented with prehnite briolettes ($110).
Classic hoops
Simple, understated hoops are a great, everyday piece of jewelry that you can balance with a larger necklace or other bold pieces. Macy’s is a great resource for classic hoop and stud sets ($70) that can often be bought on sale. If you already have a small simple pair, invest in hoop earrings with a bit more personality. The intricate, handcrafted Lois Hill Classic Large Woven Hoop earrings ($158), available at Nordstrom.com, are a great investment. The Silver Sea Fan hoops ($550) by Annette Ferdinandsen, available at Twist in Pacific Place, are standouts that will add intrigue for years to come.
Statement ring
Choosing a bold, statement ring is a great way to show some personality and adds interest to your hands. Local designer Kimberly Baker's hand-carved, rock-n-roll Wolfette ring ($220 in sterling silver) is a lovely high-impact piece that carries some weight and wears well with denim. Though Madrona jewelry store Hitchcock is closed until early November (for the owner's maternity leave), keep it on your list as a great resource for all types of statement jewelry, including stunning, oversized druzy quartz rings ($239).
Bangle bracelet
Choosing a big bangle, or layers of several thinner bangles, is a great way to add an interesting shape to a delicate wrist. You can push a larger bangle up on your forearm or bicep for a great, modern styling twist. Vintage bangles are available at Pacific Galleries, or layer two or three Hex bracelets ($40) by local jewelry designer Sarah Loertscher, available at Belltown's Fancy, for an interesting effect.
Statement watch
A large statement watch will add a great bit of masculine styling to any look. Belltown men's and women's boutique Kuhlman is a great resource for watches, like the Shutter by Nixon ($110), that will add a little punch to your day-to-day look.
Meaningful, layering pendants
Layering a few smaller pendants or amulets that are meaningful to you is a great way to add a bit of interest at your neckline. Alexander’s Bead Bazaar on Roosevelt Way is a great resource for charms or beads that you can wear alone or string together to create a dramatic, self-expressive effect. Or, make a wish on the white-gold "a belief" charm, which hangs on a silk thread necklace ($52). The idea is to bring good energy to the wish you are focusing on, until the thread breaks and your wish is fulfilled.
Statement necklace
Pairing a sheath dress or shapely little black dress with a bold necklace is a great look. Local jewelry sources Rhinestone Rosie and Abaloria have interesting one-of-a-kind statement necklaces, like the Olivia Necklace ($390) by Abaloria, that will take any outfit to a whole new level.
Pearls
Whether a woman is 16 or 60, pearls are always a chic choice. If you’re looking for youthful styling, layer them at any length. Going demure? Choose a short strand. If it’s your first strand of pearls, start with a creamy white strand, like the Celebrity necklace ($119) by Fifth Avenue Collection. If you’ve got a classic strand and are looking for a new set of pearls, try the modern Rose Pearl Necklace ($39.50) at Ann Taylor Loft.
Versatile layering necklace
A must this year is a strand of beads that you can easily layer on top of a variety of dresses and tops to create a flattering, lengthening effect. Nordstrom.com has a wide selection of long layering necklaces under $100 to choose from, including the Metallic Bead Extra Long Necklace ($58), a great, hand-strung piece with faceted beads that can dress up a casual look or go glam for evening.
Special occasion pendant
A special occasion pendant that can be passed down from generation to generation as an heirloom piece is a lovely piece of jewelry to own. The 18-karat-gold Paloma Picassa X pendant necklace ($700) from Tiffany and Co., which is designed to signify a kiss, balances sentiment and style perfectly in a classically appealing design. Copyright © The Seattle Times Company

Brett Renville Photography

Large, gold flower earrings make a statement, and are just $7.99 at Cost Plus World Market.

We invite you to comment on this blog post and share your thoughts on what's important in your jewelry box!