If a diamond is a girl's best friend, that means maintenance is a must.

With your best friend, you call her, text her when you know she is feeling low, and, if she lives far away, make sure that you see her at least once a year, just to keep the relationship fresh and strong. 
The same is true for diamond ring care. You would not expect your friendship to last forever without upkeep. You should not expect your ring to stay beautiful and strong on its own either. 

With just a few easy steps, you can keep your bling blinging for years to come. 

Without condition, ensure that once a year--at least--you take your diamond ring in to a jeweler. You may think that you can clean your ring on your own, but only the precision and skill of a seasoned jeweler will be able to give it that deep clean that will give it that deep shine. 

They go beyond soaking the ring in solution and cleaning the "seen." They have the capacity to check the prongs and mountings, get out any deep seeded dirt, and tighten them if they need tightened. You don't want that diamond falling off. 

The key to diamond care is proactivity. You may have checked over your ring yourself--nothing seems loose. However, you may have missed a place where the gold has run thin and is near to snapping. A jeweler would be able to catch accidents before they happen. 

Not just any jeweler will do, either. Ask your friends and family. They will either know the name of someone you absolutely should not trust or the name of someone they have used and value. 

Step two in proactive diamond care is to keep it separate from any other piece of jewelry. You may not think this relates to you. After all, you keep your wedding ring on your finger. But what about that lovely piece of jewelry passed down to you from your great great grandmother? That pendant, ring, bracelet, etc. 
Diamonds are the hardest stone available. That means they scratch, and they especially scratch one another. Scratches can be repaired by a skilled jeweler by buffing out the gash, but this is a travesty that could have been prevented with ease, if your piece of jewelry had been kept separate from others. 
The extra space is worth seeking out if it will prevent you from having to seek out some extra cash to cover the scratch buff. 

Finally, remember to remove your diamonds when you do hard work, especially if it is a ring. You put your hands to hard work in hard conditions. Your diamond cannot recover as easily as you can. So, when you find yourself using bleach, shocking the pool, painting the house, moving heavy furniture, take off your ring and put it in a safe place. You can come back and put it on later. You do not want to struggle against the chips or scratches, discoloration, or mount destruction that comes from pretending your ring is indestructible.

You're not a jeweler. Why would you have ever needed to know about loose diamonds?

It's important when choosing anything to be as educated about it as possible, just to ensure that you are getting the best value possible. Nothing pleases a salesman more than to come up against a customer who is uneducated about his product. No intelligent haggling will be had.

So, learn the value yourself. Here is a short tutorial to help you along. 

Your first question might be, "Why would I even find myself in possession or search of a loose diamond?"
That is a valid question. One main answer is that having a loose diamond allows you to create custom pieces of jewelry. You are the master of your own creation instead of having to search for that "perfect something." 

Additionally, bands and fittings can hinder the ability to appraise a diamond well. You may be under the impression that you are purchasing a certain caliber of diamond when, in reality, you were blinded by the band (and so was the appraiser). Self-design allows you to have your diamonds properly appraised before setting them into the band that will signify your life together. Alternatively, you could just get some really great earrings or a necklace out of the deal. Each to his or her own. 

When on the hunt for diamonds, keep in mind the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. 

Cut: When they come straight from the earth, raw diamonds are not at all glittery. Professional diamond cutters take care of turning them from drab to fab. Generally, they fall under three different categories. Aim for the third. The first type of diamond is known as a shallow cut. Their size allows for darkness to pool at the bottom, reducing shine. Deep diamonds let light slip out the sides, which causes them to dull in appearance. Finally, there are the ideal diamonds. These diamonds allow for outer cuts and inner facets to catch the light no matter where you turn. 

Color: You do not get to have any influence over the color of your diamonds, as that is determined by the variables in the earth where they were created. What you do have control over is which diamond you select. Whites are winners. The whiter the diamond, the more valuable it becomes. 

Clarity: Clarify refers to whether or not a diamond has become scratched or damaged on its journey from creation below the earth to mined and on the counter in front of you for inspection. Look for diamonds you can see through easily, without any debris or major scratches. 

Finally, check the Carat weight. This is the measurement of the weight of the size, the weight of a diamond. Do not allow yourself to be deceived into believing that just because a diamond is large that it is also super expensive. You could be looking into purchasing a large diamond at a lower price and think you are getting a steal. Check the clarity and cut, though. There could be a high number of defects that are lowering the cost. 

Loose diamonds, in every shape, size, and color, can be made available in every price range. Just know beforehand what you are getting into, and you find yourself with a great product at the price you deserve to pay.

To begin understanding diamond cuts, first, you have to release your preconceived idea of what a diamond cut is. I know the sorts of words you've got in mind, things like "princess" and "emerald" are coming to mind, right? Those actually refer to the shape your diamond has been made into, not its cut. 
"Cut" is a much more technical term which communicates a diamond's capacity to shine. Cut is what creates glitter and sparkle. Cut is also what separates good diamonds from great diamonds, literally. Knowing cut types and what they mean and what you ought to be looking for can save you money and prevent you from overpaying for a lesser quality diamond. 

In a very basic sense, you should be looking out for three different types of diamonds. Shallow cut diamonds are those which allow for light to sink to the bottom. These appear dark because of this, even if they are large. Moreover, if a diamond is cut too deep, light runes through the sides, leaving a dark, dull diamond. What you want is the sweet spot between the two, the kind that catches the light no matter the direction you turn it. 

Different diamond appraisers will assign different names to the cuts of diamonds, making it rather difficult to assess yourself unless you are up to date with what each means when they say one thing or another. For instance, most assessors go by a grade system which descends from Ideal to Premium to Very Good to Good to Fair. However, what is "Ideal" to one company is actually "Excellent" to the Gemological Institute of America. Others, still, alter the rating systems according to their own business, assigning their own name to the best cuts. And, these grading systems are left generic enough to leave one confused if one has not done the research to understand the system. 

Keep in mind as well that different shapes of diamonds will alter the assessment of the diamond, so, again, think about that when listening to a sales pitch. What is very good for one shape may be good for another shape.

You may be wondering what types of factors go into determining the assessment of the cut. One major aspect are the number of facets on a certain diamond. A facet is a flat surface on the diamond, usually triangle shaped.

You may think that the more facets a diamond has, the more spectacular it must be. However, it is a common practice to obscure diamond defects with additional facets. Therefore, if you are looking at a round diamond, search out one that has near about 33 facets on its upper portion, known as the crown, and around 25 on the lower section, which is also called the pavilion. The line of differentiation between them is called the girdle. 

Finally, always remember to check your perfect cut diamond against its color, carat, and clarity. All four play an important role in determining the value of a diamond. A little time pre-researching what you want and what falls into your budget will help more than anything else in getting the most for your money.

This is a great guide for men looking to buy that perfect engagement ring!

Make It Count!

Once you’ve covered all your bases, come see us to design a one-of-a-kind engagement ring that will be sure to take her breath away!

~Slava

Dedicated to being your jeweler

As you decide to propose to that special woman in your life the excitement is likely to bubble over as you consider romantic ideas for that one lucky lady. Then the reality of her expectations versus your limited budget threatens to squelch the excitement into frenzied anxiety. Have no fear. In this day and age it is easier than ever to research every alternative in order to find the perfect ring before you pop that life-changing question.

Since you are getting ready to share the rest of your life with her it's a great idea to get to know her jewelry style and personal preferences. Is her personality one that prefers to draw attention to an eye catching gem or is s the type or woman who loves something unique yet understated? The lifestyle she is accustomed to will be an important determining factor as you make the ring setting selection. What are the things that matter most to her? What are her values? Are there important traditions within her family that would make an heirloom engagement ring the best choice? Would she prefer something more traditional or modern?

There are budgets to fit any ring setting preference. Diamond rings tend to be a popular, more traditional choice. The diamond in and of itself is meant to symbolize strength and purity. One setting for the diamond engagement ring is the solitaire. The solitaire setting is a simple yet strong statement for an engagement ring. This classic setting highlights a single band and single gemstone. This setting definitely highlights the purity of the center diamond with the single band emphasizing a classic style.

Once the setting of engagement ring is selected a complimentary wedding band to be worn with the engagement ring after the wedding ceremony is designed. The wedding bridal set with the engagement ring and wedding band is designed as a perfect match, avoiding a lot of frustration in the long run.

If your bride to be happens to come from a background rich in cultural traditions you may need to consider how her ethnic or religious roots play into the engagement ring selection. There are customized engagement ring sets that are meant to reflect specific cultures. Some examples of cultures that are traditionally honored in this way are the Jewish and Celtic cultures.

Another setting for a bridal set or engagement ring is one that is more antique in nature. These rings can be antiques or they can be vintage, which means they are designed to look more like an antique ring. Vintage rings tend to replicate certain periods of design and can reflect different time periods with elegance and style.

There are more modern or contemporary setting options as well. These can be designed specifically with the tastes of the couple in mind and can be customized to fit any lifestyle. This option is a great way to allow for creativity as your personality shines through the custom design.

Any ring setting can vary in price depending on the type of metal and gemstones selected. Make sure you know a comfortable price range as you investigate all possible for the symbol of love meant to last a lifetime.

September’s birthstone is a sapphire! And in celebration, we are dedicating a blog post to educate you about what sapphires are, why they’re special, and how they have become a highly prized gemstone!

“Sappheiros” = “Precious Stone”

• Sapphires are a blue, transparent variety of corundum.

• Blue is the most common color of sapphire.

• Sapphires come in a large range of natural colors and shades.

• Sapphire is the most precious of gemstones.

• It is also the most desirable gem due to color, durability and luster.

• The most valuable color of sapphire is known as a Kashmir sapphire, or cornflower.

• It has been said that a necklace of sapphires will cure a sore throat.

• Today’s sapphires are mostly mined in Australia.

• Sapphires traditionally symbolize truth, sincerity, and constancy.

• Sapphires are often associated with loyalty and dignity and are a favorite gemstone for royalty.

A sapphire scientifically encompasses all other gem varieties of corundum. So a ruby would    essentially be a red sapphire since ruby and sapphire are identical in all properties except color.

A Sapphire’s color is the most important influence on its value. A velvety blue to violetish blue, with medium to dark-medium tones, is the most highly valued sapphire.

Sapphires and All Their Splendor!

There is a lot more that goes into the value of a particular sapphire, and if you’d like to learn more, you can educate yourself at the GIA website!

~Slava

Dedicated to being your jeweler

Creole Hoops - Olivier Rousteing

Fringed bracelets - Chloé

Hand Bracelets - Sarah Burton

Trusting a stranger to make repairs on your most prized piece of jewelry is not something to be taken lightly. We understand this and go above and beyond to form lasting friendships with our customers.

We are honored this customer chose us, and we were able to make the repairs that brought this very special piece back to life!

You can watch this happily satisfied customer review, HERE!

Portland, OR - August 23, 2014 - Marx Jewelers, Portland's premier jeweler, moved from its location on Washington Street, across from O'Bryant Square, to a beautiful new location at 520 SW Yamhill Street, Ste 1010 in the Pacific Building just south of the Pioneer Courthouse. This highly anticipated relocation places Marx Jewelers in a great location for consumers. The move took place on August 2, 2014, and with the move complete, Marx Jewelers is open for business.

"I am really pleased to be moving to a new store," said Slava Guerick, Owner and General Manager of Marx Jewelers. "I really feel that we will be able to service our customers much better in this new location."

To this new location on Yamhill Street, Marx Jewelers brings years of expertise with creating beautiful designs and exquisite custom jewelry. Slava Guerick's skill with Computer Aided Design (CAD) is certainly an asset in the creation process and allows the customer to see a 3D virtual image of the custom jewelry and an opportunity to tweak anything before it is produced. Marx Jewelers has a great reputation powered by countless ecstatic customers with raving reviews.

From the perfect engagement ring to a sophisticated anniversary gift, a special sweet 16 treasure or a graduation gift, and even the "just because" moments in life, Marx Jewelers is the place to find that unparalleled sparkle and shine.

About Marx Jewelers:

Marx Jewelers, owned and operated by Slava Guerick, is located at 520 SW Yamhill St., Ste 1010, Portland, OR 97204. Their hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm PDT and Saturday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm PDT. They can be reached by phone at (503) 228-5090 or toll free at (888)808-8535. You can also email them at vip@marxjewelers.com. For additional information, you can find Marx Jewelers online at http://www.marxjewelers.com.