Wednesday, November 30, 2011

We Were Local before Local Was Cool

Our shop on 317 Main Street (Where Eva is now located).  Photo circa 1945

Our showroom in the David Keith Building in Downtown Salt Lake City. We were on the 2nd floor above where Keys On Main now resides. This photo was taken circa 1963

Our showroom on the 3rd floor of the Judge Building in Downtown Salt Lake City. See any familiar faces? This photo was taken just before we moved to our current location in November of 1988.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Why Choose a Local Business?

For the past several weeks we've been really excited about Small Business Saturday. I want to take a second to thank everyone that came in. We had a fun day and got to see a lot of you. I also want to take a minute to talk about what you get when you shop with us versus shopping at a big box jewelry store (think "He went to my friend in the diamond business where every kiss begins..."


When you walk into one of those stores, you're usually greeted by someone in a slick suit. They may have been selling pickup trucks last month, or they may have been selling windows. The thing is they're salesmen. At Freshman's, our crew has been with us, for no less than 12 years, some as long as 30 years! They know what they're talking about and they are here to help you, not sell you.


Case in point, we had sold a necklace to a couple a few years back and they wanted a ring that had a similar design. Knowing that you can't walk into any store to pick that up, they came to us. We worked with them until we came up with this custom designed this 18 karat yellow gold and platinum ring that is pavĂ© set with diamonds. The ring holds their 2 carat diamond.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

This sterling silver and colored stone pendant is surrounded by Cubic Zirconia and really packs a punch. It's a very big look, without a big price. It's only $64, but you can get it on Small Business Saturday for half that price.

Be sure to check in with Foursquare, Yelp, or Facebook on any day after Saturday for a special surprise.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A little surprise for Small Business Saturday

How many of you use check in apps on your phone. Do you like to check in with Foursquare when you get somewhere? Do you use Yelp to let your friends know where you are? Some people think they're a waste of time, but for some of us they've become a way of life.

If you come visit us on Small Business Saturday, or any day after the 26th,  be sure to check in to Facebook, Yelp, or Foursquare. We'll have a little surprise waiting for you.

Vintage Style Earrings

These sterling silver and Cubic Zirconia earrings have a great Art Nouveau style. They're normally just $53 dollars, but if you pick them up on Small Business Saturday, you can get them for over half off!


Be sure and stay tuned to the blog later today, we'll have another little surprise for you.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Our Estate Jewelry

As faithful blog followers you already knew that we enjoy helping people with custom projects. You already knew that we carry a full selection of tools and equipment for professional jewelers, DIYers, and hobbyists. Just recently you've learned that we also carry an affordable selection of lower priced jewelry as well.

Did you know that we also carry a selection of estate jewelry? We do, and some people have even tried to claim that section of the showcase as their very own. We've just added a lot of new pieces. Here is just example:

This white gold ring holds a 3/4 carat sapphire and about 1/4 carat of diamonds. The price changes with the metal market each day. At today's market it is $746. If you come and pick it up on Small Business Saturday, you can save about $100!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Lets talk big.

Specifically big earrings. Big, bold, fun earrings. These hand forged aluminum earrings are not only big enough to get you noticed, but lightweight enough that your earlobes won't be down around your knees by the end of the day. I have several different styles of earrings and some necklaces as well. This pair is only $32 and would make a great gift.

Don't forget about our offer of 10% off in addition to the $25 credit American Express is offering for Small Business Saturday. You could get these earrings for less than $4.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Here's Something For the Do-It-Yourselfer

Is "yourselfer" a word? Probably not. Whatever you call it, we've got you covered. We've put together a starter toolkit that will get you on your way to making your own jewelry. These tools are also great for any small craft needs you might have.

You'll get an assortment of pliers, emery sticks, ring sizers, a sawframe and sawblades, and other tools you'll need to get started.  Check out our online store for a full list

Remember, if you come in on Small Business Saturday, November 26th, you'll save $40 off the retail price.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

How About A Vintage Look?

So we've shown you a lot of silver jewelry, we've shown you some cool glass jewelry. How about we take a turn towards vintage inspired jewelry? I love this sterling silver and cubic zirconia necklace. It's only $57, and that price is before we take 10% off and American Express gives you a $25 credit for Small Business Saturday.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Something a little different

Let's go a different direction this morning and step away from sterling silver jewelry. This handmade glass pendant is great to look at. The helix spirals of color are so mesmerizing you can't look away...sorry, I blacked out there for a moment.

Anyways, it's a pretty great deal at $36, including the sterling silver snake chain.. It's an even better deal at about $7.50 when you figure in our 10% discount and your $25 credit from American Express for Small Business Saturday.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Happy Monday Morning

I know, I know, there's no such thing as a happy Monday morning. Hopefully these sterling silver and cubic zirconia earrings can help make it a little brighter. For only $36 they'd also make a great gift. Take $25 from AmEx and they're even better for only $11

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Are you messing around on the internet during Church?

Don't worry, I won't judge you, but I bet you wish you had these synthetic pearl and cubic zirconia sterling silver earrings to wear or give as a gift. Don't worry, they're only $28. After AmEx gives you $25 and we take 10% off, you'll be sitting pretty for a few dollars.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

As Simple as Black and White

This sterling silver necklace is made with black and white Cubic Zirconia for a classy, elegant look. Not bad for $26, including the chain. Hmmm $26 - $25 from AmEx = $1!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Do you remember yesterday when I told you how excited we were for Small Business Saturday? We'll have more fun news about that big day coming next week, but today I'm going a different route.

We love showing off some of the fancy custom designs we get to make, but that's not all we're about. We also have a lot of great stuff for less expensive gifts too. Like I said yesterday, we'll be showcasing some great pieces of jewelry you can get for around $50 or less.

Here's today's piece. This sterling silver necklace is big enough to get noticed, but lightweight enough to wear every day. The best part is it's covered with a thin layer of Rhodium, a metal that's in the platinum family. Besides giving it a richer look, it becomes tarnish resistant.

Not bad for $46. Let's do the math. Take 10% off $46-$25 from AmEx and you could get this necklace for $16 and some change, including the chain.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Small Business Saturday

As a society, we've embraced the madness of Black Friday. We've also taken part in the faceless online shopping of Cyber Monday. Somewhere, lost in the middle of a busy holiday shopping weekend, are the Mom and Pop stores where you've come to expect great service and a familiar face.

American Express has announced their 2nd annual Small Business Saturday. From their site:
"On November 26, we’re asking millions of Americans to shop small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge."
American Express is giving you a $25 credit when you purchase at least $25 at a participating small business (cough..cough...we are a participating small business). Check out their Facebook page for all the info.

Freshmans Inc. is so excited for this big event that we've decided to chip in a little bit too. We're taking 10% off of your purchase on Saturday November 26*. That's 10% off of tools, 10% off of raw materials like gold and silver wire or casting grain, and 10% off of jewelry from our case. Our longtime friends know that we don't normally do sales, but we're pretty excited about this.

To help get you excited, every day until Small Business Saturday, we'll be showcasing some gifts that you can apply your $25 towards. We hope you'll come visit us.


*10% off offer cannot be applied towards center diamonds, but you can apply it towards your ring. 10% off is good for items purchased on November 26th and is limited to stock on hand. It's not valid towards items that need to be back ordered or special order items. Not valid towards shop labor either. It's pretty simple, come buy something on Nov 26th, take it home on Nov 26th, and we'll give you 10% off.