“Will you marry me?” is one of the most important questions you’ll ask or be asked in your life. As an expert in planning dream marriage proposals, I’ve found that there are a few basic do’s and don’ts that apply to any marriage proposal.  Whether it’s a private sail for two along the Charles, or a romantic balcony proposal in a Newport mansion, follow these top engagement tips to have your perfect marriage proposal:

• DO have a ring. It seems like a no brainer, but these days many couples in the Boston area are shopping for the engagement ring together.  If you’re a traditionalist and don’t want to ruin the surprise by taking her shopping before the proposal, propose with a placeholder ring such as a toy or candy ring and enjoy picking out her engagement ring together after she says yes!
• DO prepare and plan. Even the simplest marriage proposal plan can be thrown off by an earlier-than-expected arrival, T delays, or bad weather. Regardless of how you plan to propose, be sure to prepare for even the smallest detail to go wrong.
• DO document it. Proposing at home? Set up your computer’s webcam to secretly record your proposal. Have a friend with an iPhone or a Flipcam? Have him film your proposal paparazzi-style. Or, splurge on a professional photographer and/or videographer to capture the moment to share with friends & family at your engagement party.
• DON’T tell everyone beforehand. It’s tempting to share the finer details of your proposal with your friends and family before you pop the question. But, resist this temptation! The more people you tell, the more likely it is that word will get back to her and ruin your surprise.
• DON’T forget the aftermath.  If you propose on a Thursday morning before work, she’ll have to run out the door to get to her early meeting and you won’t be able to bask in the glow of being engaged. Or, if you pop the question in Bora Bora and you have no international cell phone plan, you won’t be able to share the news without spending big bucks on phone bills. Think ahead and ensure that you have time to enjoy your first few moments of being engaged.

Sarah Pease, The Proposal Planner ™ is the foremost expert on marriage proposals and is the pioneer of Marriage Proposal Planning. Sarah is the founder of Brilliant Event Planning and Proposal Ideas, and has designed and produced dream engagements for countless lucky couples from across the world.

Why should you buy jewelry?

That’s the hundred dollar question…..or maybe it’s not?

Let me preface this blog post by saying I am not trying to sell you on Freedman Jewelers.  I am merely showing the benefits of jewelry in general.

(Pictured on the right: 3 row stainless steel, silver & diamond cable bracelet, click here for more information)

If I had to pick one word to describe purchasing jewelry as a gift, it would be celebration.

People purchase jewelry to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, weddings, milestones and the list goes on and on.  As Kool and the Gang once sang “Celebrate Good Times Come on”!  ( Great song!  Watch the video here:)

Why would people buy jewelry for these occasions?  Because jewelry is as long lasting gift as any.  If you think about all the other typical gift ideas, they have one thing in common, they don’t last.  Think about it.  Chocolates are eaten.  Flowers fade away.  Even cars deteriorate.  On the other side, jewelry can be passed down generation to generation.  Diamonds, the world’s strongest gemstone can be used for centuries and stay in great condition.

Jewelry is a symbol

A symbol of love, a symbol of a special occasion and a symbol of memories.  One gets jewelry to celebrate an engagement, a wedding, an anniversary and even the birth of a child.  In regards to any special occasion in life (birthdays, graduations etc), jewelry can be considered a wonderful & appropriate gift. Jewelry is a symbol of everlasting love and can be cherished for a long time.  Since the beginning of time (really!) jewelry has been a symbol of celebration, wealth, power & beliefs.  It is believed that jewelry has been around in Africa dating back 75,000 years ago and Egypt 5,000 years ago.

Jewelry is beautiful

Pretty much all jewelry has a sparkle to it.  Diamonds, Sapphires, Topaz and other gemstones shimmer with brilliance.  Gold, Platinum & Silver all have a classic & beautiful look to them.  Jewelry compliments the person that wear it.

Jewelry is durable

Jewelry can endure the test of time & accidents.  Diamonds are the strongest gemstone in the world & platinum is the strongest natural precious metal in the world.  Gold & silver are extremely durable and strong as well.

Jewelry is the gift that lasts!  Mother’s Day, Father’s Day & Graduations are all coming up over the next weeks.  I hope you all consider jewelry as a gift option!

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 13th.  What are you going to give Mom this year?

If you are thinking about jewelry (and what mother wouldn’t want jewelry), Freedman’s has recommendations:

Clover Mother of Pearl Necklace

Fun & Fashionable.  Mom is bound to get many compliments with this statement piece.  This mother of pearl clover pendant necklace is stunning!

More information about purchasing here:

Turquoise Earrings

Add some color to Mom’s collection.  Andrea Candela’s sterling silver, 18kt yellow gold and turquoise earrings are vibrant.

More information here:

Blue Agate Ring

Mom wants a ring this spring!  Cushion cut Blue Agate gemstone in sterling silver & 18kt yellow gold highlights.  Fun!

More information here:

Diamond Stud Earrings:

Always a great gift, classic, beautiful and shiny!  You can get Mom her first pair or you can upgrade the diamond studs she already has.

More information here:

Diamond lock bracelet

How about this pretty diamond, silver & stainless steel bracelet.  Mom will love it!

More information here:

Push Presents.  Push Gifts.  Baby Bauble.  Have you heard these terms?

If you are an expecting father, you should get acquainted with them.

Push presents have become increasingly popular over the last decade, some would even say mandatory!

What is a push present?

A push present is typically a  gift a new father presents to his wife after she gives birth to their child.  A push present is a small way to show the father’s appreciation to his wife for going through 9 months of pregnancy.

Unlike a standard diamond ring (for the most part) to signify one’s engagement, push presents could be any type of jewelry and are more based on the individual person receiving it than any other factors.  For a push gift, one must pay attention to their wife’s jewelry collection, their favorite colors and their style.

Here are some recommendations for push present ideas:

Birthstones:

A good idea for a push gift can be using your wife’s birthstone and the child’s birthstone (if you know the expected month) in a jewelry piece together.  Something like this could be pre made or custom designed.

Here is a list of the birthstones:

January: Garnet (Deep Red)
February: Amethyst ( Purple)
March: Aquamarine (Light Blue)
April: Diamond (White / Clear)
May: Emerald (Green)
June: Pearl (White)
July: Ruby (Red)
August: Peridot (Light Green)
September: Sapphire (Blue)
October: Opal (Multi-color) Pink Tourmaline (Pink)
November: Citrine Topaz (Orange-Yellow)
December: Blue Topaz, Turquoise (Blue)

A combination of birthstones would look beautiful in a ring or a necklace!

Diamond Stud Earrings

A classic jewelry gift.  Every woman wants them, not everyone has them.  Whether it be their first pair of diamond studs or an upgrade, they always make a great present.  Diamond studs can start at $400 and go up to a much higher amount depending on size, color and clarity!

Stackable Rings

Stackable rings are always a great  idea.  Thin bands offer versatility, variety and color!  You can mix and match with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and more.  You could also mix in your wife’s and expecting child’s birthstone. Stackable bands are usually thin and offer future gift ideas as you can keep adding to her collection! Browse our ring section for ideas:

Diamond Eternity Bands

A diamond eternity band is a ring made up with diamonds going around all the entire ring.  This is a beautiful look and can be used as the signature of the stacking ring look where you can add thinner and different colored  and designed bands on the sides of the eternity band.  Eternity bands are a stunning look.  We usually custom design them allowing the customer to pick out their own parcel of diamonds to meet the size, color and clarity that match their requirements.  One downside of an eternity band is that once made, the size is very difficult to alter  since there is no space or metal to resize.  If you are keeping this a surprise, as a way to avoid having issues with the size, borrow your wife’s engagement ring and have a jeweler measure the size. To avoid having your wife suspect a surprise is coming,  tell her you need to get the ring checked to make sure everything is secure and in good shape; this will put her mind at ease. 

Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Diamond tennis bracelets are a classic gift.  Available in many styles, prong set, bezel set, completely diamonds, alternating  diamonds and sapphires, and more.  Picture here:

Diamond Pendants

Diamond pendant necklaces are a phenomenal push gift idea.  There are two style diamond pendants that I would recommend.  One would be a simple diamond pendant set in a basic bezel.  Picture here: This is a very classic piece that can be worn everyday.  You can either pick out your own loose diamond to set in the bezel or supply a diamond you already have.  The other option I recommend is the diamond legacy style halo pendant necklace (pictured on the right)   This is a stunning look that can be worn everyday as well as a formal occasion.  A larger round center diamond is the foundation of this piece surrounded by smaller micro set diamonds.  This piece combines the best of both worlds with style, size and sparkle!

I hope this push present guide was helpful.  There is no “right” gift to get as a push present but you can never go wrong with jewelry !

Have you heard of the jewelers exchange building in Boston, MA?

I hope you have!  That’s where Freedman Jewelers has been located since 1945.

If you haven’t heard about it, here is a brief history lesson. The Jewelers Exchange Building is located at 333 Washington Street in the center of downtown Boston.  It  is unlike any other building in the world as there  are many full-service jewelry stores & specialists work along side one another.  Think of it is an entire jewelry district crammed into one building.  There are specialty shops, diamond wholesalers, watch repair shops, engravers, manufacturers and full service jewelry stores all in one place!

Currently, The Jewelers Building of Boston has 7 floors full of jewelers, whether it be diamond specialists, watch repair, custom jewelry design, engravers, full service jewelry stores and more.  It wasn’t always like this.  What is now known as the 333 Jewelers Exchange Building of Boston used to be called the Province Building.  Built in the late 19th Century, the Province Building house many businesses, not just jewelers.  At the time, Washington Street and the Downtown Crossing area was the most prominent shopping district in Boston.  Department stores lined the street most notably Jordan Marsh & Filenes.  People from all over New England flocked to downtown Boston to see the newest trends in clothing, fashion and jewelry.  If you look at the picture on the right, Washington Street looked entirely different a century ago.  Trolleys used to line the streets, you won’t see that anymore!    David Freedman opened Freedman Jewelers in 1945 as a full service jewelry store selling items such as diamond engagement rings and fine jewelry, even having a bridal registry   Freedman Jewelers is one of the oldest stores in the jewelers building, now onto it’s 3rd generation in the Freedman family.

Presently, the Jewelers Exchange Building is a condominium building.  Many jewelry stores in the building own their property, others rent.  The building has their own security guards and system to protect the building as a whole and individual jewelry stores as well from theft, hazards and other emergencies.    Many competing jewelers in the building work together to promote the vast benefits of the building as a whole. There are so many benefits to shopping in the Jewelers Exchange Building rather than online or in a suburban jewelry store.

These include:

• As there are so many jewelers in close proximity, you can expect better prices, better quality and better service
• Repair work and custom design can be done faster here than anywhere else in the Boston/ New England area
• We work with the latest technologies and carry the latest jewelry trends
• You can rest assured your jewelry is safe, most jewelry never leaves the building as most jewelry needed work can be done within the building
• You are getting the best value at the Boston Jewelers Building: It’s time & money efficient: You should expect the best prices in the fastest time
• You can expect great quality jewelry and work

Today, the Jewelers Exchange Building is better then ever and worth the trip from anywhere in the New England area.  The Jewelers building is only blocks from many of Boston’s most notable attractions such as Boston Common, The Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market, Government Center, Beacon Hill and more!

Freedman Jewelers 10th annual wedding band & engagement ring trunk show.

Save the Date: March 22-24, 2012

Early Preview Begins Saturday March 17th

Sign up here!

Highlights include:

• A wide selection of ladies and men’s wedding rings in all types of designs and metals.  Designers include  Coast, Gabriel & Co. , Lieberfarb, Novell Design Studio, Jolie Designs, F. Goldman and more!
• Rings can come in 14kt & 18kt white & yellow gold, platinum, palladium & tungsten carbide
• A variety of engagement ring settings and a large stock of loose diamonds in all shapes & sizes.
• Champagne & Hors d’oeuvres Thursday night.
• Food & drink provided by Off the Vine catering (Saturday)
• Save $100 on any individual wedding band  or engagement ring setting purchase $500 or more  ordered at the show. Coupon is valid  from March 13- March 28, 2012
• Raffles:  Enter to win a $100 gift certificate to the Back Bay restaurant group.

Extended Store Hours:

Thursday March 22^nd : 9:30am-8pm, Friday March 23^rd: 9:30am-6pm and Saturday March 24^th : 9:30am-5pm.

Where:  At our store: 333 Washington St. Ste 408, Boston, MA 02108

Validated Parking at the 33 Arch St. Garage.

If you are driving in, enter this address into your GPS:  19 Hawley St. Boston, MA 02108

Call 617-227-4294 or email (info@freedmandiamonds.com) to set up an appointment.    We look forward to seeing you!

Freedman Jewelers has been selling jewelry to the public since 1945.  Did you know that Freedman Jewelers buy jewelry items from the public as well.  Below are two lists breaking down what we buy and what we don’t buy.

What we buy from customers:

• Diamonds – modern cut styles
• White &Yellow Gold (10kt, 14kt, 18kt and anything higher than that, 20k, 22k, 24k)
• Platinum
• Estate Pieces
• Tiffany pieces
• Gold jewelry (any kind, rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings etc)
• Diamond engagement rings
• Wedding rings

What we do NOT buy from customers:

• Gemstone Jewelry (such as topaz & quartz)
• Costume Jewelry
• Silver jewelry

What you need to do:

Contact us via email or phone (info@freedmandiamonds.com or 617-227-4294) to discuss more and set up a consultation.  We are happy to assist you and recommend setting up an appointment in advance.

What to bring with you for an appointment:

• The jewelry items you want to sell or insure or have questions about
• If you have any paperwork on the jewelry such as old receipts or appraisals, bring it in, any & all information helps

Freedman Jewelers is open Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm, Thursdays 9:30am-7pm and Saturdays 9:30am-4pm.

We are located in the historic jewelers exchange building in downtown Boston.   Our address is 333 Washington St. Ste 408 Boston, MA 02108

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away! Wowza.

Have you figured out your gift yet?

Here are some of  Freedman Jewelers Gift Recommendations for Valentine’s Day:
Andrea Candela’s 18kt yellow gold & sterling silver diamond heart pendant necklace.  (Pictured on the right)

This pendant has a unique & beautiful double heart shaped design.  A very appropriate gift for Valentine’s day!

Click here for more information on this piece:

stainless steel heart bracelet with diamonds

Yellow gold plated stainless steel & diamond bangle bracelet.  Always a great gift.

A great piece to wear alone or stack with other bracelets! $100 and available in black, rose, silver & yellow colors.

Click here for more information on this piece:

Red is the color of love and valentine’s day.  These two following pieces would make great gifts to symbolize your love, thoughtfulness and compassion.

Andrea Candela red agate clover necklace

I love this Red Agate clover style necklace.  Set in sterling silver with 18kt yellow gold highlights and diamonds, this pendant sparkles and will lead to many compliments!

Click here for more information on this necklace:

Maya J’s Vermeil bangle bracelet is a mixture of silver & gold with 4 carnelian gemstones spread throughout.  Available in many other colors.  Great for casual stacking and a great price too!  $75 each.

Click here for more information on the bracelet:

Carnelian bracelet

Garnet information:

January’s birthstone is the glowing, deep red gemstone;  the garnet.  Garnet’s can come in several other colors, such as orange, yellow & green, but the darker red shade is the most common.Garnet’s are a fairly strong gemstone, rating a 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale ( 1 is the softest, 10 is the hardest, ie: diamonds are rated a 10)  Garnet’s are nesosiciliates;  which is the largest rock forming mineral class.  Nesociliates make up almost 90% of the earth’s crust!  Garnet’s are mostly found in Africa, however large deposits have been found in Canada, United States & India.

(Pictured on the right, a sterling silver cushion cut garnet ring)

Garnet history:

Garnet’s use in jewelry has been traced back to the ancient Egyptian times, beginning in 3100BC when Egyptians artisans used garnet’s in all types of jewelry they created.  The word garnet comes from a 14th century Middle English word gernet which means “dark red”.

Garnet Fun Facts:

• Garnet is the state mineral of Connecticut
• Garnet is the state gemstone of New York
• Clean a garnet with a soft, dry cloth.  Make sure the gemstone avoids extreme temperatures & harsh chemicals, which could damage the stone.
• Garnet is a very reasonable priced gemstone and gives off a very unique red color
• Garnets are said to have healing powers and aid with blood deficiency diseases, combat depression and give energy and good health  (none of this is scientifically proven, but who knows, the garnet could bring good fortune)

This blog post concludes our monthly write-up of each month’s birthstone as we have now accomplished every month.  I started with the Amethyst birthstone back in February and now have ended here.  Thank you for reading!

Turquoise is the other December birthstone, in addition to Blue Topaz.  (Read about blue topaz here)

Turquoise is a blue (sometimes with a touch of green) opaque gemstone. Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate made out of aluminum and copper.   It is not transparent meaning it won’t radiant and sparkle like other gemstones such as diamonds.  The turquoise gemstones is 5 – 6 on the Mohs hardness scale and is rated “fair” for everyday use.  Because of their fragile composition, turquoise can fracture or break under certain conditions.

Turquoise is found all over the world including places such as Chile, China, Australia and the United States.  The Southwestern United States is an especially common place for Turquoise and Arizona is the leader of the pack.

Fun Facts:

• Turquoise is known as one of the world’s oldest gemstones.  There is documentation going back to 4,000 BC that Turquoise was found at Mount Sinai.
• Turquoise is considered to have mystical & healing powers such as warning the wearer of danger and of protecting the wearing from disease.
• Turquoise is the anniversary gemstone for the 5th year of marriage.

Turquoise jewelry choices:

Turquoise Bracelet

Maya J Turquoise bracelet:

Andrea Candela Turquoise Necklace: