McCall and Cody's Ring

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

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

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

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

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!

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

Calling all organized people.....and people like me who think we try. Our New Arrivals 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