Decisions, Decisions

Interested in purchasing a custom or tailored piece of jewelry that includes gemstones; but, not sure where to start?

Like many things, deciding which gemstone to put into a new piece of custom or tailored jewelry is complicated.  Variables that should be considered include:

• how often,
• what types of places, and 
• what kind of activities

you plan to wear the jewelry.  And, the varying combinations of responses, to those questions, will yield a variety of options.

In this post, we're going to remove some of that complexity and make it a little easier, for you, to talk with Tonya, your private jeweler, about creating a custom or tailored piece of jewelry.  If you missed the post on the difference between custom and tailored jewelry, pop over to this article.

If have decided which stone you want, or you're re-using existing stones, find the Hardness Category (the interior blocks).  Working around the chart from left to right:

• stones in blocks one and two are appropriate for any setting, all jewelry types/categories and wearing everyday
• stones in blocks three and four have too many variables and the setting, jewelry type and wear cannot be determined without meeting with Tonya, your private jeweler
• stones in blocks five and six are best protected in a bezel setting, as earrings or a necklace and worn frequently

Although you don't have a stone pre-selected, you can select a gemstone by asking yourself how often you'll wear the jewelry.  Working around the chart from left to right:

• stones in blocks one and two are appropriate for wearing everyday
• stones in blocks three and four have too many variables making wearability difficult to determine without meeting with Tonya, your private jeweler
• stones in blocks five and six are may be worn frequently if they are in protective settings

Lastly, you don't have a stone pre-selected; and, you don't know how often you'll wear the jewelry.  However, you do know what type of jewelry you want.  Working around the chart from left to right:

• stones in blocks one and two are appropriate for earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets
• stones in blocks three and four have too many variables making it difficult to determine what type of jewelry to make without meeting with Tonya, your private jeweler
• stones in blocks five and six are ideal for earrings and necklaces

This Gemstone Selection Guide is by no means exhaustive.  So, if you don't see your stone, wear preference or other criteria in the Guide -- or if you just have additional questions, contact us via the method most convenient for you: telephone, online chat or email.