Ready for March Madness: all the colors for your spring weddings

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Hello spring, hello colors! This month marks not only the beginning of daylight saving time but also the warm arrival of Spring: the flowers start blossoming, the heavy sweaters are gone and the wedding ceremonies are just around the corner.

 The season of spring is increasingly popular for weddings due to its lovely fresh weather which makes it perfect for exterior parties as well as its diversity in color. Whether it’s the bouquet, the bride’s jewelry, the center pieces or the bridesmaids dresses, this time of year brings out the color in everything and all bridal.

Spring colors lean towards warm earthy tones ranging from a pastel tone to a much brighter eye-catching one: green, orange, purple and gold are always the favorite choices.

Stones that match perfectly with these colors for your spring outfit are the greens Apatite, Aquamarine and Peridot. For a splash of purple, the Amethyst is the best way to go, and if you’re looking for warmth, count on the orange Agate and Carnelian.

It’s best to get these stones in gold jewelry pieces, as for the color contrast will match beautifully and add more glow to the outfit. If you’d prefer to wear simply gold, another suggestion would be to look into pieces made with Rutilated Quartz, which is a clear stone with golden-looking strands.

Use these tips to match your spring colors and stones and get ready to be the most beautiful bride, bridesmaid and guest of any spring weddings and ceremonies to come.

The Month of the Sapphire

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The gemstone of the month of September is the Sapphire, and what an excellent choice so fit for this time of the year.

The month of September is a time of fluctuation, when the summer weather starts to cool down and slowly lead the path for fall to come in. It’s a month of changes and as change is unexpected, so are Sapphires. Unlike Diamonds, which are readily available in shape, size and color; sourcing the right Sapphire stone for a project can be an intricate challenge as they are each one of a kind.

The beauty of the sapphire lies in the variety of the gem; the colors are all unique from stone to stone, as well as the shapes. It’s a diversity of tones than range from the characteristic blue, a lovely match for platinum, to a warm orange that will pair amazingly with rose gold.

During this month, I suggest you to check out all of the hues and varieties of Sapphire and find your favorite kind. At least that’ll get you one step closer in the search of your perfect sapphire stone.

Diamond Medley Collection: Dare to Imagine your Dream Diamond Ring

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We are excited to introduce Liza Shtromberg’s newest jewelry collection, Diamond Medley!

Inspired from a variety of loose colored diamonds, Liza has created this gorgeous new collection which brings together a palette of bright colors and shapes to form wearable art.

From stylish necklaces to petite earrings to stunning rings, each unique piece in the Diamond Medley collection combines several color diamonds in a medley of sparkle.

Ideal for adding a bit of color and variety to your jewelry collection, Diamond Medley offers a wide variety of ready-made ring and necklace styles to choose from.  The perfect diamond necklace, ring, or earring is now obtainable!  In addition to the beautiful styles already available we also have a wide selection of loose color diamonds, making it possible to imagine the ideal custom piece.

Come by Jewelry by Liza Shtromberg today to see our beautiful Diamond Medley collection!  If you can’t wait to come in the store, feel free to check out the entire collection on our Facebook.

Custom Engagement and Wedding Rings

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Because your love is like no other, your rings should be as unique as you are. Express the special connection between you and your loved one with personalized engagement and wedding rings handcrafted exclusively for you by artisan Liza Shtromberg. Each of our one-of-a-kind rings is individually made with exquisite craftsmanship, having been hand-sculpted by the artist herself.

At Liza Shtromberg Jewelry, the perfect ring is now possible with our custom engagement and wedding rings.  We make it easy for you to get the look you want with one of a kind stones and custom settings, custom design elements which will make your wedding ring unlike any other. You can even include a personal inscription on your ring as a romantic gesture to your loved one.

Select your dream diamond from our assortment of non-conflict diamonds which have been taken from high end estate jewelry.  Our beautiful vintage diamonds are available in several different cuts and carat weight, and a wide selection of complimentary settings are available in platinum, yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.  Come in today and discover the perfect diamond for your loved one!

With our Trade-In Program, you can apply your unwanted gold and platinum jewelry as store credit towards your dream engagement and wedding rings!  We also provide clients with the opportunity to reset their heirloom diamonds, allowing them to incorporate treasured diamonds into their own rings.

Recently, a couple came into our store looking for an engagement ring and wedding bands.  They brought with them their beautiful heirloom diamond engagement ring, passed down from the bride’s great grandmother, which they wanted to incorporate into the bride’s own engagement ring.  We happily reset two of the diamonds into the style the bride loved best.

14k White Gold Custom Bridal Necklace with Pink Diamond

We love this delicate pink diamond necklace in 14k white gold, another beautiful example of a custom piece. Provided with a unique variety of loose diamonds ranging in color, price, shape, and cut; our client chose a pink diamond in a 14k white gold bezel setting as a wedding gift to his bride-to-be.  Custom pieces at Jewelry by Liza Shtromberg are perfect for getting that elusive, one-of-a-kind look!

What is a Diamond? Part Two

Multi-Diamond Ring set in 22k yellow gold

Diamond Clarity

Each diamond in a jewelry store is a majestic piece of art. Once it was buried deep within the earth, and now this beautiful diamond graces your neck, brings out the color of your eyes, or sparkles from your finger.  Like everything else in nature, diamonds naturally contain small blemishes and inclusions that sometimes can be seen only through a magnifying glass.  Clarity refers to the number and size of the diamond’s “imperfections.”

Inclusions are a diamond’s internal “imperfections” or flaws – tiny cracks or the presence of other natural minerals within the diamond. Blemishes refers to the “imperfections” which are found on the surface of a diamond such as scratches or microscopic chips. Both inclusions and blemishes affect the value of the diamond, meaning that the fewer flaws a diamond has the more valuable it is.

Diamond Clarity Chart Demystified

FL: A flawless diamond without any imperfections

IF: Internally Flawless with few external imperfections

VVS 1 / VVS 2: Very Very Small Inclusions

VS 1 / VS 2: Very Small Inclusions

SI 1/ Si 2: Small Inclusions

I 1/ I 2/ I 3: Inclusions can be visible with the naked eye

Diamond Cut

In 1375 AD jewelers first began the practice of faceting and cutting diamonds from their raw, unpolished natural form.  They had discovered that a diamond’s greatest property is its ability to reflect light, and this new process of cutting a diamond allowed it to shine brighter than any other gemstone.  How well a diamond reflects light depends on its cut; the better the cut, the more the diamond reflects the light.  The round brilliant cut is perhaps the most popular, designed to maximize the brilliance of the diamond to its full potential.

Diamond Carat

Carat refers to the unit of measurement of weight for a diamond. Simply put, there are more smaller diamonds than larger ones, thus the more the diamond weighs the more rare it is.  The largest white diamond in the world is known as the Great Star of Africa and it weighs exactly 530.4 carats!

Marriage Proposal Ideas – Make It Memorable

Your marriage proposal is a story your loved one will be telling everyone about for years afterward.  Make it a proposal to remember by being creative and using imagination to make the proposal something special to your own relationship.  Here, we have listed a few different ideas to elaborate on.  Feel free to post your own proposals or proposal suggestions below!

14k yellow gold ring with solitaire diamond

1. Here’s a classic favorite: Propose with a glass of champagne by placing a ring in a champagne flute. It creates a lovely surprise at the bottom of your loved one’s glass! Or to elaborate on the plan, organize a trip to the countryside, the mountains, or your local woodsy area. At a secluded spot there will be a picnic blanket spread with a scrumptious meal and an engagement ring waiting at the bottom of the champagne glass, all prepared secretly by your friends.  Set up a video camera to capture the happy moment!

14k rose gold ring with pear shape chocolate diamond

2. Explore your fortune! Take your loved one out to a favorite Chinese restaurant and propose at the end of the meal with the help of a fortune cookie.  Tuck a ring inside the fortune cookie, and don’t forget to include a handwritten proposal note with it.  Have a passion for cooking?  Prepare a romantic meal at home and propose over dinner with handmade fortune cookies baked from scratch! Click here to check out a great fortune cookie recipe on the food network!

14k rose gold ring set with brilliant cut diamond

3.  Plan a romantic getaway and take your loved one to Paris!  After a few days of taking in the breathtaking sights, take a scenic cruise down the Seine.  As the boat lazily drifts down the river, enjoy an enchanting candlelit dinner as the lights of the boat flicker across the water and present an engagement ring nestled in an elegant French chocolate cake.

Diamond encrusted Ruby heart set in 18K White Gold

4. Have a beloved pet and want to include it in the moment? Place an engagement ring on a ribbon, tie it around the pet’s collar next to its name tag, and ask the pet to deliver the ring to your loved one!

Because your love is like no other, your proposal should be as unique as you are.  Express the special connection between the two of you with personalized rings handcrafted exclusively by Liza Shtromberg!  Liza has a lovely selection of wedding and engagement rings with beautiful vintage diamonds in stunning gold and platinum settings.  We also create custom engagement rings which will take your breath away with their one of a kind look.

14k white gold ring with brilliant cut diamond

Make the proposal even more personal

by giving your loved one

a custom engagement ring            

created just for them

by Liza Shtromberg.

Jewish Wedding Traditions | Engagement Rings

 “I Am My Beloved’s and My Beloved ls Mine,” “Ani L’dodi Vedodi Li” אני לדודי ודודי לי

 The concept of engraving Hebrew Rings with quotes from Jewish texts comes to us from ancient times. Today it is very common for couples to inscribe their wedding bands with a text that is reflective of the time we live in, for couples often choose phrases that celebrate their partnership and equality. One such quote comes from King Solomon’s “Song of Songs” or “Shir Ha Shirim” and it spells, “I Am My Beloved’s and My Beloved ls Mine” or in the Hebrew “Ani L’dodi Vedodi Li.”

14K yellow gold wedding band with inscription “Ani Ledodi”

A traditional Jewish Wedding starts with Kabbalat Panim or the “receiving of the guests.” Before the couple officially begin their wedding ceremony they meet with their guests, often in separate rooms. The purpose of this custom is to exchange words of wisdom or simply to spent quality time with the people who are most special to them.

Kabbalat Panim is followed by the signing of the Ketubach – a Jewish marriage contract. For many this particular event officially signifies the beginning of the marriage ceremony.

After the signing of the contract it is time for Bedecken or the “veiling of the bride.” While there are many interpretations as to the meaning of the bride’s veil, one explanation is that it represents every force which separates the couple from each other.  The veil is lifted in order to symbolize the couple’s unity and to suggest that all the circumstances keeping them apart have been removed.

The main part of the Jewish wedding ceremony begins with Hakafor or circling.  For most cultures a circle is symbolic of protection, sacred space, life and creation. In the Jewish tradition a circle is a significant part of the wedding ceremony;  during Hakofar the bride circles the groom seven times. Today a man and a woman may circle together or each might circle the other. In any case, Hakofar is a lovely part of the wedding ceremony for its beauty and the meaning represented through it.

14K Yellow Gold with Brilliant White Diamond

Next comes Kiddush – the blessing over wine – which is followed by the ring exchange ceremony.  Historically, the groom places the wedding ring on the bride’s right index finger. In Judaism it is believed that the index finger on the right hand is closer to the heart, although in contemporary tradition many often choose to place the rings on each others left ring finger.

Wedding band inscribed with “Ahava” or Love

The ceremony is far from being over for Ketubah or the jewish marrriage contract, Sheva B’rachot (the seven blessings), and lastly the breaking of glass must be recognized. Lastly completing the Jewish wedding ceremony is Yichud which gives the bride and the groom an opportunity to spent a few moments away from family and guests to reflect on the special event that took place.

Wedding ring inscribed with the Hebrew “Besheret” or soulmate

Express the special connection between you and your loved one with personalized wedding and engagement rings handcrafted exclusively for you by Liza Shtromberg!  At Jewelry by Liza Shtromberg, we excited to offer you our Hebrew Bridal Collection where you can find wedding and engagement rings inspired by Israel and handcrafted with an imprint of the Western Wall.  You can even include a personal quote as an inscription on your ring as a sweet romantic gesture to your loved one.

Mazel Tov!

A Vision in Pink: Rose Gold Engagement and Wedding Rings

14K Rose Gold with Rose Cut Chocolate Diamond

Perfect for the those who are looking for an engagement or wedding ring with an ethereal and delicate look, rose gold engagement and wedding rings are an ideal choice because they give the impression of the freshness and radiance of a rose in full bloom.

A colorful combination of reddish copper and 24k yellow gold, rose gold with its sun-kissed glow maintains a delicate balance between the metals of white gold and yellow gold.  Also known as “pink gold,” this blush-hued metal gives an aura of warmth and richness to any rose gold engagement or wedding ring as if the ruddy metal hides a hot flame.

Brilliant cut White Diamond set in 14k Rose Gold

Already unique for its striking look, rose gold has gained a reputation for being an exotic metal.  It’s rarity is due to the fact that there is simply less of it being made.  A versatile metal, rose gold is perfect for all types of skin tones since its warm color blends in with almost anything.

The rich, natural hue of rose gold provides the perfect color for our beautiful champagne and chocolate diamond rose gold wedding and engagement rings where the earth tones of the diamonds blend with the delicate flush of the rose gold to create a harmony of colors.  However, nothing can compare to the brilliance of an icy white diamond set in fiery rose gold.  At Jewelry by Liza Shtromberg we have a variety of loose colored diamonds and white diamonds from rose cut chocolate diamonds to brilliant cut white diamonds to rare heart-shaped pink diamonds so that you can create your own hand-crafted custom rose gold wedding and engagement ring or choose from an assortment of styles.

Brilliant cut White Diamonds set in 14K Rose Gold

Rough Diamond Jewelry

White Gold Rough Uncut Diamond Necklace

When we think of diamonds, what immediately comes to mind are the meticulously polished, highly cut diamonds of the diamond industry, but rarely do we think of the natural, raw diamonds from which these more traditional, refined versions are created.  Unlike cut diamonds, rough diamonds have not been faceted, polished, or altered but left as nature made them—raw and untouched crystals of singular beauty.  Raw diamonds in their natural rough, unpolished form manifest an intrinsic beauty and natural elegance elegance which lend an air of timeless sophistication to our own rough diamond jewelry pieces.  To give you a better introduction to our uncut diamond jewelry here are a few facts on the history of these fascinating gemstones:

• Created by geological processes deep within the interior of the earth’s mantel, diamonds are born from carbon and are one of the oldest minerals having being formed over billions of years.
• Over 1,000 years ago in the 4th century BC, rough diamonds were first prized as precious gemstones in Central India. Ancient Hindus described diamonds as vajra or “thunderbolt” and valued them for their rough quality, leaving diamonds uncut since they prized them for their natural beauty.
• From 800 BC until 1375 AD when jewelers began the practice of faceting and cutting diamonds; kings, queens, and emperors wore rough diamonds and treasured them as precious gemstones.
• Although the process of cutting and faceting a diamond reduces its carat weight by as much as 50%, a rough diamond is not altered in any way and thus loses none of its size or its brilliance.
• Temperature, pressure, and the earth’s shifting layers can all radically change the formation of a diamond, making it impossible for any two rough diamonds to be alike.  Each raw diamond is a one of a kind stone, having it’s own unique shape and texture quite unlike the uniformity of cut diamonds.

White Gold Rough Uncut Diamond Ring

Inspired by nature’s raw beauty and designed with Liza Shtromberg’s signature organic look, our rough diamond jewelry is lovingly made in recognition of the inherent beauty of raw, untouched diamonds. Our white gold rough diamond ring showcases an elegant twist of tiny micro pavé diamonds which have been hand-set under a microscope by a highly skilled diamond setter.  These micro pave diamonds entwine a rare cube-shaped rough diamond which shimmers as if hiding an inner fire.  Over thousands of years rough diamonds have become associated with faithfulness, longevity, healing and relationships filled with love.  Declare your own unique love with a one of a kind rough, uncut diamond ring.

Pearls: The Wedding Gem

Freshwater Pearl Necklace

Shimmering luminously with a soft inner glow, a strand of iridescent white pearls or even a single pearl can be the perfect piece for any bride on her wedding day.  This most precious and revered gem has long been regarded in every culture as one of the rarest, most valued and symbolic of all gemstones.  And no wonder!  The pearl is unique among all gems due to its organic nature, being the only gemstone which is created inside a living creature, a mollusk.  Therefore, it should be no surprise that the pearl, praised throughout the ages by the great poets of every culture for its unparalleled beauty, cool luster, and exquisite shape, has been the gem of choice for generations of brides on their wedding day.

Grey Freshwater Pearls with Sterling Silver Paisley Clasp

“And Krishna brought forth pearls from the depths of the sea

to give to his daughter on her wedding day.”

-The Rig Veda, Ancient Hindu Book, c. 1000 BC

Among the many cultures which celebrate the tradition of wearing pearls as wedding jewelry, the Hindu culture traces its pearl lore back to its holy book, the Rig Veda.  This ancient text chronicles the discovery of the first pearl, describing how the god Krishna descended into the sea, unearthed the pearls, and joyfully presented them to his daughter on her wedding day.  What a magnificent and queenly gift!  A perfect illustration of the pearl’s peerless value and unmatched beauty.  Perhaps the first record of pearls and weddings, this Hindu text marks the beginning of the age-old belief that pearls are jewelry befitting a bride.

Gold Filled Freshwater Pearls and Cubic Zirconia Chandelier Earrings

 Not just India but many cultures all over the world from Greece to Rome to Polynesia possess a rich history of associating pearls with purity and love.  In Polynesian pearl lore there is a legend that when the god of peace and fertility wanted to show his affection to the Princess Boro Boro he offered her a single perfect pearl as a token of his love.  Pearls were considered in much the same way by the Romans who believed that pearls were symbols of love, which would help ensure marital bliss.  To the Greeks, pearls were considered the “wedding gem,” a stone unmatched in beauty.  What a perfect and meaningful gem to grace your neck on one of the happiest days of your life!  

For today’s bride there is a much more diverse selection of pearl bridal jewelry with pearls available in a variety of shapes and colors including white, champagne, pink, blue, brown, and gold.  Such a large variety of pearls allows each bride to take this traditional gem and personalize it. Pearl bridesmaid jewelry can also make a lovely and memorable gift for your bridesmaids or even the mother of the bride.  On your wedding day, feature elegant, lustrous pearls at your neck, encircling your wrists, or even dangling from your ears for an unforgettably timeless look evoking ancient traditions of love as you walk towards your future.