Freshmans - Since 1895

What's Wrong With Our Logo?

2012-01-18T09:34:00.002-07:00

If you spend much time online, you've probably heard of SOPA or PIPA in the news recently. Those of us at Freshmans want to add our voice to those asking for a responsible way to ending online piracy rather than the measures that have been introduced. We support creative individuals and feel like the internet should remain a free flowing source of information.

If you'd like to learn more about SOPA or PIPA, Wikipedia and Google both have pages set up that you can use as starting points.

Better Than a Sale

2011-12-29T08:37:00.004-07:00

We have all been battling the high metals markets. They are as bad for Freshmans as they are for you. Our costs go up as well. Metal prices at Freshmans change each day according to London PM spot price. Today that spot price is $26.16 which means all silver sheet, wire, casting grain, silver charms and the tray of silver estate jewelry has taken a plunge compared to the $40.00 market of September. Real savings we are happy to pass on, even though it hurts.

Click this link to see our selection of silver products along with their current prices.

Imagine if you will...

2011-12-24T08:57:00.001-07:00

...Shopping the day of Christmas Eve, with no lousy music, no fighting for parking spaces, no lines of people grumbling and waiting to explode.

We're here until 3 today and I promise you won't hear "Last Christmas" playing and you won't have to fight someone in a Ford Expedition for a parking space. I'll even throw in a goody if you check in on Foursquare, Yelp, or Facebook when you're here.

We Were Local before Local Was Cool

2011-11-30T08:40:00.005-07:00

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.

Why Choose a Local Business?

2011-11-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

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 pavé set with diamonds. The ring holds their 2 carat diamond.

2011-11-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

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 surp rise.

A little surprise for Small Business Saturday

2011-11-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

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.

Our Estate Jewelry

2011-11-21T10:14:00.002-07:00

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!

Lets talk big.

2011-11-18T09:31:00.002-07:00

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.

Here's Something For the Do-It-Yourselfer

2011-11-17T11:20:00.001-07:00

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.

How About A Vintage Look?

2011-11-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Something a little different

2011-11-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

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.

Happy Monday Morning

2011-11-14T09:08:00.003-07:00

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

Are you messing around on the internet during Church?

2011-11-13T08:10:00.003-07:00

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.

As Simple as Black and White

2011-11-12T08:09:00.004-07:00

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!

2011-11-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

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.

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-10T09:11:00.002-07:00

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.

Sizing a ring with this diamond would be interesting...

2011-11-09T09:57:00.002-07:00

...if I could pass out or maybe have a stiff drink afterwards.

Rare yellow diamond expected to fetch up to $15M

More Spooky Fun

2011-10-25T17:05:00.000-06:00

Last week we brought out some Halloween goodies. Who's ready for some more? (Click on the photos to enlarge them)

This sterling silver owl is just the right thing to accompany you out this weekend to all your Halloween get togethers. It's cast right here in our shop, so you know the quality is top notch.

One of my Halloween favorites is this witch. We've cast her in sterling silver this year. This piece is also cast and assembled right here by us, in our shop and she's ready to fly out the door.

Here's to a fun, safe, and happy Halloween to all of our friends.

Some Halloween Fun For All Of Our Ghoulish Friends

2011-10-18T13:04:00.000-06:00

The mornings are crisp, the lawns are getting covered in leaves, and the kids are already sick of their new school year. That can only mean one thing, Halloween is close! To help everyone get in the spirit, we have a few fun items to show you. These sterling silver charms can be put on a bracelet or worn as a pendant. A real treat at only $8 each.

If you want a little more realism, these skulls are hand carved in bone and come in a variety of sizes. They start at about $20.

Keep an eye out as we showcase a few more spooky pieces this year.

More Than Just Metal and Stones

2011-08-12T09:15:00.002-06:00

Too often people tend to think about jewelry as a commodity. While the price is determined by the precious metals and gemstones that make up a piece, you really can't place a value on the memories associated with your jewelry.

See this story from KSL as an example.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Is your jewelry ready to stand the test of time and be passed down from generation to generation?

The Street Will Be Closed, But We'll Still Be Open

2011-07-14T17:26:00.001-06:00

As if fighting with construction next door isn't enough fun, the annual Days of '47 Youth Parade will be marching down 5th South this Saturday morning until about noon. The road will be closed, but we'll still be here. You'll have to park around the corner and walk to get to us, but we'll be here. The road should open as soon as the parade is finished.

Hot Off The Presses

2011-05-02T10:54:00.001-06:00

Here is one we just delivered just before the weekend. This 14k white gold ring holds between a .75-1ct center stone and is surrounded by hand set diamonds. There are more hand set diamonds down the shank as well as a single diamond tucked into each side.

I haven't heard a report back yet, but I'm sure she'll love it. What do you think?

The Freshman's Valentine Heart

2011-02-09T15:43:00.001-07:00

I have been hearing some conversations over on twitter lately that I wanted to respond to. Some people have complained that they have never seen a heart pendant that they actually liked. Hopefully the Freshman's Valentine Heart passes the test.

We still have a few of these white gold and Garnet pendants made up and ready for Valentine's Day. With a rubber or steel cord like the one pictured, you'll be out the door for less than an iPad.

We also have many other gifts available including some stunning, sterling silver items that start at about $35.

This Time Of Year Everyone Is Thinking About One Ring

2011-02-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Spring and summer may belong to brides and their engagement rings. Fall may be the domain of warm, earthy stones and rich gold jewelry. This week however belongs to the Super Bowl Ring.

According to Wikipedia, the NFL will pay for up to 150 rings at about $5,000 each! Since none of us are on that waiting list, lets design our own.

What would you put on a championship ring? Typically the Super Bowl rings have the Vince Lombardi trophy on one side, with whatever the team wants on the other.

So lets hear your ideas for a championship ring. If $5000 championship rings aren't your thing, contact us and we can work up something a little more your style.

Arm Yourself With Knowledge

2011-01-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Why is it important to deal with a reputable jeweler? Take this news story as an example:

A man is out shopping at a mall in Massachusetts and is approached by someone "to sell him fake jewelry he claimed was gold". Turns out the jewelry wasn't gold, but thats not where this story ends.

"I told him this is really not his day. First of all, I'm a cop, and second of all, I'm in the jewelry business," Pace said.

That's right! The guy is the police chief of that town and also happens to own a jewelry store. "Book 'em Danno"

Please just save yourself the grief and buy from a real jeweler instead.

story via UPI.com

New Blog Design

2011-01-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to some help from twitter, I am proud to unveil our new blog design. You can now easily navigate back and forth between our blog and our Freshmans.com website.

Please let me know if you see any problems. It would be greatly appreciated.

Lost and Found (A Few Thoughts)

2011-01-19T09:48:00.004-07:00

KSL aired a story last night about a woman who lost her wedding ring at the grocery store. Luckily some one found it and returned it to her. Check out the story here.

As I watched this story, I thought of a few things I'd like to share with you:

#1 Notice how the ring has invisible set princess cut diamonds running down the side? Did you also notice the sizing beads inside?

Those are both major red flags. Because of the invisible set stones, this ring cannot be sized down and has probably never fit properly. The sizing beads can help some, but if the ring fell off in a parking lot, it obviously doesn't fit properly. A honest jeweler will be more concerned with making sure you have a lifetime with your jewelry vs. making a sale so the ring walks out the door.

That brings up point #2. It is so important to have your jewelry fit well. Many people don't know how a ring should fit and tend to have their rings too loose. If you have any concerns about your ring sizes, please come down and we'd be glad to look at them for free.

#3 What if this lost ring wasn't returned? Having correct insurance for your jewelry can at least help lessen the burden of losing an important piece. We work with a jewelry insurace firm that is very pleasant to do business with. If you'd like more info, please let us know and we'll be happy to pass it along.

500 South closed. If you need to get to us, here's how:

2011-01-06T09:25:00.003-07:00

Due to a fatal accident on 500 S and 300 East, the SLPD has 500 S closed at 400 East. We are still open, just a little tougher to get to. If you are coming in this morning, you have two choices:

1. Park at a meter on 400 E and walk around the corner

or

2. You can access our lot via 4th South. Heading East on 400 S turn in right before the Celtic Bank building. Then you need to weave your way through the NAI real estate parking lot and you can get to us. The only problem is there is a gate that might block you, but it is currently open. (See attached map)

You can always save the trip down and just call us or order on Freshmans.com as well.

Thanks for you patience. Our hearts go out to those affected in this traginc accident. We'll keep you posted as we get any updates.

Christmas Evergreen...Freshmans Style!

2010-12-23T11:03:00.003-07:00

You can keep your wreaths or pine boughs. For Christmas, we prefer this 14k white gold ring with diamonds and Chatham emeralds.

The Chatham emeralds are a man made gemstone that have the exact same chemical properties as natural emeralds, but since they are man made, they are a great value. Since they have less imperfections than natural emeralds, they tend to be a bit tougher than natural emeralds, making them a great choice in a ring.

Rob and Lindsey's Ring

2010-12-03T16:13:00.004-07:00

Rob and Lindsey were a blast to work with! We designed this 14k white gold wedding set with a bezel set diamond and pave set diamond accents. The sides of the rings were hand engraved and the edges were millgrained to give it a more vintage feel.

Congratulations to both of you!

Why Pay To Have Your Ring Sized When You Could Just Pay $800 For A New TV?

2010-11-29T12:07:00.005-07:00

We always urge people to make sure their rings are sized properly. Its a common mistake to get rings too loose. When the winter months roll around your finger will shrink and your ring can come flying off.

Case in point, this article from tech blog Gizmodo.

"... According to Gizmodo reader Brian, the photo above was taken just a few moments after he accidentally flung his wedding band at a television while trying to play a Kinect game for the first time."

"...the lesson to learn from Brian's misfortune is that you should always get your rings sized properly..."

Please contact us if you have any questios about sizing your rings or any other jewelry repair.

Do You Bleed Red or Blue?

2010-11-20T13:35:00.003-07:00

Big game coming up, the rivalry won't be the same after this year. If you bleed red or blue, come in to see us and pick up some free mardi gras beads (shaped like footballs of course) in the appropriate color. While you are here, we will clean your rings for free as well as check your prongs for wear.

I've Got Bad News...

2010-10-13T11:07:00.002-06:00

...but we'll get to the bad news in a bit.

This platinum ring was made using diamonds and a sapphire that was previously in another ring. We cut out all the old stones and came up with a nicer layout. The sapphire was re-polished to make it look like new and set in this custom-made platinum mounting.

And now for the bad news. When the ring was delivered the client told us she had some bad news for us. Because of the overall experience workign with us, she's a customer for life. We love it everytime we hear that type of "bad news".

Labor Day closing

2010-09-03T17:25:00.002-06:00

Have a great, safe holiday weekend. We are going to enjoy it by being closed tomorrow and Monday.

Geek Jewelry

2010-08-05T11:15:00.004-06:00

I came across this collection of Geek Jewelry on Mashable this morning and it made me think, what fun geeky ideas would you like to have made?

I'd love to hear your ideas, even if it's just for fun. You can comment here, on our Facebook page, or on our Twitter account. You could also email me your ideas.

Here is the link to the collection

And Now A Public Service Announcement

2010-07-21T09:33:00.003-06:00

We had an interesting thing happen yesterday that I wanted to pass along. We had a woman come in who was 7 months pregnant and couldn't get her ring off of her finger. It wasn't uncomfortable, but her doctor had warned her that the hospital wouldn't admit her if she couldn't get the ring off.

Normally in this case we can just cut the ring off and its not a huge deal, but this time was different. She had a Platinum eternity band with two rows of diamonds. Because the diamonds were set edge to edge, there was no place that we could cut through.

She came back in the shop, sat at my bench and had to hold her hand there while I cut out 4 diamonds, so we had somewhere to cut through. As if I wasn't nervous enough, before we started, she informed me she was a concert pianist so her fingers were kind of important. (GULP!)

Thanks to our pneumatic handheld gravers and our microscope we were able to get the diamonds out without spilling a single drop of blood. We also were able to remove the ring in a manner that repairing it won't be a huge deal. (ER residents, firefighters or EMT's won't be so careful...I've seen their work)

The moral of the story: Ladies, BE VERY CAREFUL WEARING YOUR RINGS DURING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR PREGNANCY

There's Nothing Mellow About This Fancy Yellow

2010-07-19T09:24:00.006-06:00

Got a case of the Monday blues? Maybe a look at this fancy yellow diamond can perk you up.

This head turner features a natural, fancy colored yellow marquise diamond weighing in at just below 4.00 ct. It is set in a custom platinum mounting that is holding about 1.25ct of round diamonds.

Salt Lake Jazz Festival Parking

2010-07-09T11:32:00.002-06:00

The Salt Lake Jazz Festival starts tonight at Washington Square (aka The City and County Building). Our Facebook fans get free parking in our lot. We'll also be announcing how you can get free tickets to the Jazz Festival via Twitter and Facebook, so if you haven't signed up already, hurry up...and pass it along!

A Few New Items

2010-07-06T14:01:00.006-06:00

To help you get over the post-holiday blues, we have a few new items in stock to share with you:

Ultra Fine Round Nose Pliers: These have the same fine tip as more expensive pliers, but are a great deal at $6.95

We also have some new nylon pliers. These have non-marring nylon jaws and are available in 3 shapes: Round/Flat Nose, Round Nose, and Chain Nose. These sell for $9.95 each. Replacement jaws are also available.

All these are currently featured in our "New Items" section of the store.

Holiday Closing

2010-07-02T13:49:00.003-06:00

We will be closed Saturday, July 3rd and Monday July 5th in observance of Independence Day. Have a great 4th everyone!!

Aaaaand We're Back.

2010-06-18T16:41:00.001-06:00

Ok, everything should be back to normal. If you have any problems accessing the store, please let us know. Thanks for your patience and have a great weekend.

Store is offline for a bit

2010-06-18T09:37:00.003-06:00

We are running a major software upgrade today. Because of this, the online store will be down for awhile. Of course we are still her to help you out. You can call us at (801) 521-6327, email us at claudia@freshmans.com (or zachary@freshmans.com), or hit us up via twitter or our Facebook page.

We'll post here as soon as things are back up and running. Thanks for your patience.

From Your Imagination To Your Finger

2010-05-26T17:25:00.003-06:00

There are people in this world that don’t want what everyone else has. They want to be involved in making their jewelry from the very beginning and they want a quality piece when they are done. This customer had a vision in their mind and we helped them finalize the details and turn their vision into this two tone ring with cognac diamonds pave set into 14k yellow gold, and a cognac diamond set into a yellow gold crown. They are delighted with the results.

Another Field Trip

2010-05-04T16:33:00.002-06:00

It was nice of Brittany Golden to stop by with her students for a tour of our shop. Brittany teaches metalsmithing and jewelry out of her studio in Provo. These students fashioned a wax ring which Freshmans will cast for them and then they can turn it into a finished piece.

A Little Help Please??

2010-04-15T11:54:00.004-06:00

I know the blog has been pretty quiet lately. I do have some custom designs I am waiting to get permission to share. In the meantime I have to favors.

First, would you mind leaving us a review on our Yelp page. Yelp is a great community that is really taking off in the Salt Lake Area. you can find our page HERE

The second favor is really important. Would you please go VOTE HERE for the Brighton High School Fine Arts Metals Program. If they are in the top 10, they will receive $50k to upgrade their jewelry program!! As much as I love seeing kids get in the business, this is especially important to me because the Brighton Jewelry program was where I cut my teeth getting started with soldering, and basic jewelry skills. please go support them.

Temporary Downtime

2010-02-19T15:05:00.003-07:00

Just a heads up, due to maintenance upgrades, our online store will be experiencing intermittent outages this weekend. I am not sure how much we will be affected, but everything should be back to normal by Monday morning.

We apologize for the inconvenience. If you need something we will be here Saturday from 9-3 and you can call us at (801) 521-6327

McCall and Cody's Ring

2010-01-22T17:20:00.005-07:00

I may have messed up by forgetting his name at first, but everything else on this custom made 14k white gold ring came out perfectly. This cushion cut diamond should fare better than your loaner ring. Congratulations to you both.

Here is the computer rendering we emailed to Cody for a design approval. This allowed us to save him at least one drive into Salt Lake City.

Porter and Andrea's Ring

2010-01-11T15:58:00.012-07:00

There are many jewelers in the Salt Lake Valley. Some sell jewelry and some truly make it. But custom made jewelry is one of the things we do best. Porter wanted to include some very old family diamonds in a ring for his intended. He gave us a few ideas to show us the style of ring that he wanted and then it was our job to incorporate these Old European cut stones into his dream ring. Some of the design approvals had to come by email because he lives out of town. We think it turned out very nicely and according to Andrea, it's been turning heads since she put it on.

A Real Door Buster

2009-11-24T08:37:00.002-07:00

Just a reminder - we have some door buster specials and great values on our other merchandise. The displays have been re-arranged so please ask to see the specials. As always, we are here the Friday after Thanksgiving and Saturday as well so that you can get started on shopping for that busy season.

Claudia

Advanced Search - It's on our Website

2009-11-12T16:50:00.007-07:00

Our website is a work in progress. We still have items that need to be added and pictures that are missing or need to be "tweaked". But there is one thing that I really like about our site, http://www.freshmans.com/ . We have an Advanced Search function that is very powerful. Some people like to browse through multiple pages shopping as they go, some people would like quick information. The advance search becomes a tool for both.

The first screen you see after you enter the Online Store and push the Credit Card button is the New Arrivals page. At the top of the blue column on the left is the search function.

If you click on "advanced" a small box opens up and allows you to pick Item Description and Contains from the drop down menu. If you know you need a crucible but are not sure what kind, put crucible in the product search, click search and you have a list of all of our crucibles.

If you need to check the price on 22 gauge silver sheet, and youknow that the stock number is

SH 1022 from a previous invoice, again "advanced", Item Number, Begins and enter SH 1022 in the search box. The page with the current ounce price for 22 ga sheet is there. Quick and easy.

We know that we have to keep working, but the search function is something we are pleased with on our site. If you have comments on the site or trouble locating an item, please let us know so that we can work on it for you.

Claudia

Treasure - Pieces of 8

2009-11-05T17:31:00.007-07:00

Pirates are very in right now, everything cycles. When I was a little girl, the family would watch "The Wonderful World of Disney" on the black and white TV. One show that sticks in my mind was "Treasure Island" with pirates and treasure.....pieces of 8 and gold dubloons. While researching the coin we used when we made this new piece, I found out that pieces of 8 are really 8 Reales; a silver coin usually made in Mexico and then shipped to the East Indies to purchase silk, spices and precious gems.

One ship, the ship this coin came from, The Vliegenthart (Dutch for Flying Heart) left for the East Indies on Feb. 3, 1735. This was a fairly new ship, specially rigged for the dangerous voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. Unfortunately, the ship never left the port of Rammekens in Zeeland (the Netherlands.) Caught by a storm it was slammed into a sand bar, damaging the hull. When the ship slipped off the sand bar, it sunk rapidly in about 60 feet of water; all hands were lost.

The Dutch East India company immediately began a salvage operation but only a few items were found. The treasure would have remained lost, but a secret map was discovered by researchers in 1977 which pinpointed the location. The gold coins recovered were noted carefully in the ship's manifest, but not the silver coins. They are thought to have been stowed on board to exchange in the East Indies where their value was higher. One of the first evidences of smuggling.

Who knew jewelry could be so interesting!

Claudia

All that Glitters is not...diamond!

2009-10-21T11:27:00.004-06:00

I was reading yet another trade journal today, trying to keep abreast of changes in our industry, when I came across an alarming notation. There is yet another product out there which, I think, has been created to confuse the consumer. This particular product is marketed under the name “Zirconite”. It consists of a cubic zirconium stone that has a coating of a thin slice of a diamond. This method can fool the diamond testers that we use but can be identified under a microscope by an experienced jeweler.

So, how do you, as a customer, know what you are buying? Know your jeweler!!

· Have they been in the same location for a significant period of time
· Did any of your friends recommend them
· Do they have a good record with the Better Business Bureau
· Are they knowledgeable and able to pass that knowledge on to you
· Do they have an experienced staff?

The internet is a remarkable tool. But, you can’t look the person in the eye that is selling you a diamond or colored stone. Take your chances or take advantage of a knowledgeable jeweler.

New Arrivals

2009-10-02T14:50:00.006-06:00

Calling all organized people.....and people like me who think we try. Our New Arriva ls section features a new tool box. Perfect for those of you who have a jewelry class, or a jewelry group where you like to work on projects together. It is long enough to hold a ring mandrel, lift out tray in the top so smaller things don't get lost in the bottom. But one of the best features are two containers held in the top that are segmented to hold jump rings, small bits of solder. These can be removed so they can be placed on your table top or bench top for easy access. A bargain at $12.50.

Now for lapidary people, also in New Arrivals, improved style of dop wax heater. It is a thermostatically controlled, ceramic heater with a spot for dops and tools. Keeps your dop wax melted and held at the perfect temperature. This one is $39.95.

For friends out there...we also have something else that fits in the New Arrivals section. Maybe the fifth generation of Freshman Jewelers, because his sisters want to be princesses. Not that I am a proud grandma or anything.

Claudia

What a World!

2009-09-18T14:31:00.004-06:00

If you are reading this, the words Wi-Fi will probably mean something to you. Even if you aren't "techie" the word free is universal. Freshmans can now offer our customers free use of Wi-Fi when you are in our store. You can check email, show us examples of jewelry you are thinking about, or show us a page of the Freshmans website with a tool you have questions on. iPhone, Blackberry, smartphone, laptop.....just ask us for the password.

Claudia

Latest News

2009-09-04T14:54:00.005-06:00

First off, let me apologize for being so quiet lately. We are once again making an effort to keep this blog an informative, up-to-date resource for you. Here are some of the latest things we have going on:

First off, we will be closed this weekend to observe Labor Day. The store will be closed Saturday Sept 4th through Monday Sept 7th. We will be back open Tuesday morning at 9.

Secondly, some of you may have noticed that our online store has been down all week. This was due to a change in our IP address (for those that were curious). Since we're jewelers, not IT nerds, this took longer than we expected. Trust me we are glad this is behind us!!

Finally, we still have custom work coming out of our shop. These 2 rings were made using diamonds the customer inherited from a relative. As you can see, you can get all the sparkle and shine by re-using your diamonds. If this is something you are interested in, give us a call or swing by with your old jewelry and we'll show you what you can do.

Store Temporarily Down

2009-08-31T13:26:00.001-06:00

Just a quick note here. Our store is temporarily down for maintenance. We plan on being back up by tonight though. If you have any questions or need to place an order, feel free to call us at (801) 521-6327

Engraving But Yours

2009-08-27T23:32:00.004-06:00

What if you could write the ultimate message to your loved one? It would be personal and meaningful to the two of you. But, what if you could write that message in your handwriting? Each time your special someone looked at it they would be reminded that it could only come from you. Imagine how it would pull at the heartstrings of a Mom if she could have a Mother's ring signed by each of her children...in their adorable young scribbling.

This is now possible, thanks to laser technology. You can come into our store, write out your message and select your band. Your band will then be laser engraved in your handwriting. The engraving can be enhanced with epoxy in black, blue, red, pink, green and brown. You can keep your message hidden on the inside of the band only or engrave the outside for the world to see. In 3 or 4 days your ring will be personalized and ready.

The best part is that this service is available for $21.00 for each engraving - inside or outside. If you wish it to be filled with epoxy, it is an additional $15.00 for each engraving. Let us introduce this special option to you.

Claudia

Children's Parade

2009-07-16T15:40:00.003-06:00

This Saturday, Freshmans Inc. will have a front row seat for the annual Pioneer Day Children's Parade. While this is certainly fun for the families, it can be a pain for our customers. The parade starts at 10am and should be all cleaned up by about Noon.

If you need to come in and want to avoid the parade route, you can always get to our store from 4th south. If you click on the map, it should enlarge.

New Artist

2009-07-10T10:17:00.003-06:00

At Freshmans, we have our own artists that create amazing pieces everyday......but to expand our offerings to our customers, we also like to display the work of other artists. We are excited about our newest artist, Sue Savage. She uses sterling silver, gold, copper and polymer in a wonderful combination that evokes the colors of nature along with the kinetic movement of her embellishments. They are light and easy to wear in both pendants and earrings, affordable and most of all....they are fun. Come in and let me show them to you. ~ Claudia

Sale?!? Freshmans Has Sales?

2009-07-01T17:39:00.004-06:00

This doesn’t happen very often, in fact this is only the second time that I know of and I have been here for 39 years; but Freshmans is having a sale.

I know, you have heard of sales before….50% off 75% off, but off of what. We have taken some exceptional pieces, including custom designs and marked them way down., in some cases down to just the metal value only. If you have had your eye on one of our pieces, or if you have never been in, you really should stop by and take a look before it gets picked over.

Clsoed for the Holiday

2009-06-29T15:15:00.003-06:00

Just a heads up for all of you who are following our blog. Freshmans Inc. will be closed Friday, July 3rd as well as Saturday July 4th to observe Independence Day.

Any orders placed via Freshmans.com after thursday, July 2nd will not be processed until Monday July 6th.

Thanks, and have a safe holiday.

Image via Flickr

A True Win-Win Situation

2009-06-24T00:51:00.005-06:00

For the past 3 years, Freshmans Inc. has donated the use of our parking lot to a local soccer team, TC United, during the Utah Arts Festival. The money they raise helps them pay the entrance fees for tournaments they compete in.

Well its our pleasure to have them back again this year. We really want to make sure these kids get the lot filled, and raise the most funds they can, so we came up with an idea.

Come park in our lot after we have closed (after 5:30 Thurs & Fri, after 3 on Saturday, all day Sunday) and you will receive a coupon worth $20 off of anything in our store!! This isn't some "free chicken", bait and switch deal. There is no minimum purchase, just $20 free to use in our store. OK, so there are 2 catches:

1. Only one coupon will be accepted per household.
2. These coupons must be used in store. Our website can't handle coupons at the moment.

Some come on down, enjoy the Utah Arts Festival, help a local soccer team, and come pick out $20 worth of stuff, on us.

Great Idea

2009-05-28T18:27:00.003-06:00

When Zachary does hand engraving, he uses a microscope with a ring of LED lights so he has the best view possible. Now, I don't have to feel left out because some very smart person combined a triplet loupe with the same ring of LED lights for me to use....and mine is portable. The light switches on and off to save batteries and there is no glare directed into your eye, it is all focused on the object in the field of vision. Batteries are replaceable and are contained in the loupe itself making this just about the size of a loupe without this added feature.

Get to Know Us

2009-05-21T14:27:00.004-06:00

This is the second installment to let you get to know us better. We are introducing you to Charles Freshman, 3rd generation to carry on the Freshman name in the jewelry business. He graduated with a degree in Art Education, Magna cum laude, from Westminster College with the intention of teaching college. Working in the jewelry store was to be just a stopover....one that lasted 37 years. His expertise is jewelry design, diamonds, colored stones and jewelry appraising; with his diamond and colored stone education coming from the Gemological Institute of America. When you come to Freshmans to start your custom design, you will probably sit down with him for an initial sketch.

Outside of work, he enjoys blacksmithing, woodworking and his wonderful grandkids. Someone who looks very much like him has been seen shooting cannons with the Utah Symphony at summer functions across the valley. 1812 Overture sounds much better with live cannons.

Visitors from Wyoming

2009-05-14T23:01:00.005-06:00

The advanced placement students in metal arts from Evanston High School stopped by to visit us, here at Freshmans. Discussions concerning society's influence on jewelry design, enameling, and continuing their education kept some groups occupied while one group toured the shop. They were especially interested in our "toys". Thanks to teacher Bruce Lange for stopping by.

For a few more pictures of the field trip, check us out on facebook.

There's Still Time for Mother's Day

2009-05-08T12:06:00.006-06:00

What's that? You still don't know what to get your Mom for Mother's Day!?! Don't worry, there's still time. Freshman's Inc. has you covered with gifts starting at about $15.

We have a full line of fun, fresh, sterling silver jewelry that won't break your budget. You might even pick some up for yourself...cause you deserve to celebrate Mother's Day too ;) You can also feel confident that you're giving Mom quality as well. This is real, sterling silver that has been rhodium plated so it won't tarnish, not that costume stuff you see at the mall for these great prices.

So hurry in, we're open until 5:30 tonight and open from 9-3 tomorrow. Click Here for a map.

What to expect from a custom job.

2009-04-27T18:01:00.002-06:00

Sorry this post is a little late. We like to update the blog at least every Thursday, but things got a little crazy here.

This post will give you an example of what you can expect when you get a custom ring made at Freshmans:

This guy had made a rough sketch of what he was thinking of. Its always helpful when the client has a vision of what they are after (but even if you don't, we can help you create something beautiful). Here is the sketch that was faxed to us.

Normally at this point, Charles works with the client and "fleshes out" the idea a bit more. You would discuss stone sizes, types of settings, etc. Charles would point out any problems that could arise and find a way to work around them. All of these ideas come together into a "counter sketch" that gets sent into the shop. Since this client was contacting us from out of state, Charles's sketch was a little more precise. See below:

Now here's where the fun begins!! Once the job reaches our shop, I meet with Charles and discuss what we are trying to accomplish. Using CAD software, I build your virtual ring. After your ring is built, I can create a realistic rendering of your project. You can come in to see it and discuss with us, or it can be emailed to you.

Once we have a go ahead, we can cut your ring out of wax on our computerized milling machine (more about that on another post) and we are on our way. While it may seem like a lot of work, all of these steps help us ensure that you get the same satisfaction that our customers have appreciated for over 100 years. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your own custom made creation, please feel free to contact us.

Get to Know Us

2009-04-16T16:35:00.001-06:00

This is the first of a series of blog posts designed to help you get to know us. To start it off we will be profiling Zach Freshman:

Zach is the son of owners Charles and Claudia Freshman. He has been working for Freshmans since he was about 12 years old. In the last 20 years he has done various jobs around the store. These have included, working in the mail room, answering phones, waiting on the counter, shop repairs, and custom design. More recently Zach has been running our computerized milling machine and has specialized in CAD design. In the last several years Zach has also been focusing on stone setting and learning hand-engraving.

Outside of jewelry, Zach's interests vary between classic VW's to gadgets of almost any kind. Zach spends a fair amount of time (both at work and play) on computers and setup our website as well as the preliminary setup for our online store. He is the one behind the blog you are reading right now as well as setting up our facebook page and twitter posts.

Zach is available to answer CAD/CAM questions at zachary@freshmans.com or via twitter.

Do you know your finger size?

2009-04-08T14:14:00.000-06:00

Most of us know our shoe size, our shirt size, our waist size (I choose to ignore that one), maybe even our hat size. How many of you know your ring size?

One of the trickier parts of our job here at Freshmans is figuring out ring sizes when a surprise is involved. To get around this we have a new plan:

Come in to our store and get your fingers sized, free of charge. When you leave you will know all of your ring sizes, plus we will keep a copy on file so your friends and family can surprise you.

P.S. We came up with this idea after helping Misty (aka @Saintless from Twitter) figure out her ring sizes.

Photo via Flickr

Champagne "Friendraiser"

2009-04-02T13:17:00.000-06:00

Charlie and I traveled to Kemmerer, Wyoming this past weekend to participate in a “Friendraiser” to benefit the South Lincoln Training and Event center. We furnished the gemstones for and helped sell glasses of champagne with gemstones in each glass. A few of the glasses held big winners but all of the glasses held stones of value for the participants. Over $9,000 was raised while toasting this new community center. Governor and Mrs. David Freudenthal, pictured here with us, were participants and the unusual fundraiser was a fun evening for members of this great area.

Facebook, Twitter, blogs...OH MY!!

2009-03-28T18:19:00.000-06:00

Just a note that you have multiple choices when it comes to staying up to date on jewlery information. You an subscibe to this blog using an RSS reader and the links to the left of this post.

You can also follow us on facebook or twitter if you'd like. We hope these sites will all accomplish one goal: To make us more able to answer any questions you might have.

All of these links will be available on our website.

If you're more comfortable, you can always call us too.

Steve & Heidi's Ring

2009-03-26T17:08:00.000-06:00

One of the purposes of this blog is to showcase some of the custom jobs that come out of our shop. This ring was made for my Brother-in-law. It is a custom made platinum ring with 1.5mm diamonds bead set with a bright cut edge. The flat surfaces were hand engraved and the edges were millgrained.

You can't get that type of detail on a mass produced piece.

Clarification on Firescale

2009-03-19T13:10:00.000-06:00

You'll still want to coat your pieces in boric acid, but firescale can still appear.
Since silver (especially larger pieces) can take so long to heat up to soldering temps, the boric burns away.

Firescale is an oxide that forms between the copper in the Sterling alloy and oxygen. It is a bugger to remove and is actually harder than sterling silver. As you polish, the scale remains and the silver around it is removed, making the firescale more pronounced. In really bad cases it can even be tough to remove with emery sticks.

Use Mad Man Zach's Firescale Remover compound in place of tripoli/bobbing compound before your final polish. You can use your regular tripoli buffs however.

Many times cast silver jewelry will have firescale that is noticeable on close inspection (it usually becomes visible during the final polish). This compound works great in this instance as well. It is definitely a must have in our shop.

you can find it in our ONLINE STORE. The easiest way to see it is to use the search on the top left of the page for item #PS 415

Mad man Zach and his Firescale Remover

2009-03-19T11:42:00.000-06:00

When the time came for us to decide where our son Zachary should go to jewelry school, we had much input. Some of the input came from a friend who worked at Tiffany's and his strong recommendation was FIT in New York. So off Zachary went. He came back with many bits of knowledge to add to our 3 generation bag of tricks. One of the best is firescale remover. Firescale is deposited when metal is heated while being exposed to oxygen. It is very common on silver and can even be present less frequently on gold pieces.

The firescale can be prevented by treating the surface before soldering with a boric acid based coating. The piece is treated by dipping in a concentrated solution of powedered boric acid in denatured alcohol. After dipping, the alcohol is burned off by exposing the piece to a flame. This is done after your solution bottle is removed from the area. Then soldering is done in the normal manner and the fine coating of boric acid prevents the formation of firescale on the treated area.

I can see teachers cringing at the thought of bottles of alcohol solution around open flames. So, there is another solution. Firescale remover, a polishing compound, can be used in the finishing stages. There is a very effective compound, bright yellow in color, that can take care of this issue without having to resort to the alcohol solution.

Zach found out about the compound from a silversmith back east that worked on liturgical pieces. He was amazed at the results. Then came the hunt for the compound to bring back to Utah. After a few months of searching, we finally hit on the correct formulation. We have it here at the store, very reasonably priced and we think teachers especially will love it. And the name that you ask for it by......why of course Madman Zach's Firescale Remover.

2009-03-12T21:37:00.000-06:00

Dr. Daniel Amen of brain fame says that each time we learn a new skill, out of our realm of expertise, we create new brain cells. Well, I am going to amass quite a few because blogging is brand new to me. I know jewelry, I don't know blogging.

We want this to be a conversation, similar to one you would have in our store. Post comments, let us know how we are doing. If you don't feel comfortable with the blog situation, email me at claudia@freshmans.com.

Since this site is also for those that make jewelry, check back to learn about a polishing compound you shouldn't be without, especially if you work in silver.

Claudia
www.freshmans.com