For the Love of Jewelry

I’ve been making jewelry since I was eight years old. My hobby of collecting mineral specimens turned into a small business when I was in elementary school. I enjoyed making rings, bracelets, pins and pendants and later began repairing antique jewelry for jewelers and antique dealers.When I was about ten years old and living in Washington D.C, Pierre Touchette, a retired U.S. ambassador to France and Rhodesia, taught me the art of stone cutting. I made crude cutting units from pie plates, apple crates and old washing machine motors. In 1968, I moved to Rochester to attend Oakland University. I supplemented by income by cutting stones and making rings in my dorm room. In 1973, I graduated from OU and opened my first custom jewelry and design shop at 307 1/2 Main Street in downtown Rochester. I’ve been in business downtown ever since and love it!Some of you may know that I’m also an avid collector of Asian antiques – an interest inspired by my family’s enthusiasm for Asian art and culture. In 1998, my wife and I opened Haig Galleries to showcase and sell our collection of Asian art and antiques. In 2006, I co-authored my first book, Threads of Gold: Chinese Textiles from Ming to Ch’ing, a comprehensive guide to collectible Chinese textiles. As a result of my passion for art and jewelry, I’ve been actively involved in the metro Detroit arts community for many years and frequently gives lectures to school and community groups. If you’d like to schedule a lecture or private tour of Haig’s of Rochester’s fine jewelry and Asian antiques galleries, please call us at (248) 652-3660. We’d love to show you around!

An Exquisite and Rare 19th Century Ivory Carving to Debut in NYC

 

Paul Haig, owner of  Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry & Asian Antiques in Rochester, Michigan, will debut a new acquisition – a finely carved nineteenth-century Continental ivory featuring the Greek myth “The Judgment of Paris” in New York this weekend.  The exquisite museum-quality piece dates to 1860 and is nearly two feet high.

Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry will present the piece at one of the premier antique shows in the country — the New York Pier Antiques Show, Nov. 19-20 in New York City. 

The story of the “Judgment of Paris” centers on a beauty contest between the goddesses Athena, Aphrodite and Hera. The prettiest would win a golden apple. When the god Zeus could not decide which of the goddesses was more beautiful, he let a local Trojan shepherd named Paris make the decision. Paris awarded the prize to Aphrodite after she promised to make the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy, his wife. The abduction of Helen from her husband, the Greek King Menelaus, was the mythological origins of the Trojan War. 

“This piece is incredible and must be looked at in person to appreciate the carving’s intricate style and details,” said Haig. “The figures are gorgeous and the story of the Judgment of Paris is told beautifully in this rare piece. We are delighted to bring it to New York this weekend to show such a fabulous piece of art and art history.”

Topaz for November

It’s the merry month of November – the holiday season is here and I want you to tell you a bit about this month’s birthstone. Topaz comes in an array of colors – from honey-brown to blue to green to red and pink. There’s a colored topaz for just about anyone. It’s a versatile gemstone and often overlooked by jewelry shoppers.

The creation of naming a stone for each month as one’s “birth stone” most likely originated with George F. Kunz, chief gemologist for Tiffany & Co. at the turn of the 20th century. Kunz researched the history and lore behind gemstones and published his report, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, in 1912. To help create an awareness about colored gemstones to sell more of them, Kunz wrote poems to educate prospective buyers about the gems. His poem for November reads:

Who first comes to this world below / With drear November’s fog and snow / Should prize the topaz’s amber hue / Emblem of friends and lovers true.
Firm friendship is November’s, and she bears / True love beneath the topaz that she wears.

Come in and see our selection of topaz for all those November babies you know! Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry is open Monday through Saturday and 24/7 online!

Fall for Gold

This week I’m taking a cue from our customers and answering a few of our more frequently asked questions about gold. Gold is a precious metal that comes in three colors: white, yellow and rose. Depending on personality, personal style and history, people generally prefer one color of gold over the others.  Some experience an allergic reaction to certain metals such as gold and find they can’t wear gold jewelry.  However, there are ways to protect skin from the allergens so you can wear your fine gold jewelry again and again.

Why does my white gold ring look yellow?

14K White gold and diamond engagement ring.

White gold doesn’t occur naturally. It’s a mixture of yellow gold and white alloy (typically nickel). The finished jewelry piece is plated with rhodium (in the platinum family — a naturally white metal), to give it a pure white look. Over time, the plating will wear, revealing the yellowish-white gold. Your jewelry piece can be re-plated with rhodium at a very low price — typically $25-40.

Why does 14K gold give me a rash?

Individuals react differently to the nickel in the 14K gold (both yellow and white). An allergy can develop over time and acid in skin can cause a reaction, as well. Rhodium plating will put a layer between skin and metal and stop the allergic reaction you are experiencing. You may also switch to platinum, which is naturally hypoallergenic. Nickel-free white gold is now available, too. You can also coat the metal with clear nail polish to protect your skin from the allergen.

What makes gold gold?

14K and 18K yellow = gold+copper+silver+zinc. 14K and 18K white gold = gold+copper+nickel+zinc. Rose gold = gold+copper.

 

As Unique As You

What does it take to be unique? Is it fashion, personality, confidence? With the right selection of fine jewelry, you can master all three for a look
that is truly unique and truly you. I’ve been crafting custom jewelry for over 40 years (38 in downtown Rochester) and I’ve seen all sorts of requests, big and small. I’m a firm believer in catering to my customers’ individuality and not brand names or designer labels. At Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry, we provide unique jewelry for different people. It’s simple. Design what the customer wants. Why settle for rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants that can be found just about anywhere and on just about everyone?

Moss Agate Custom Pendant from Haig's of Rochester Fine Jewerly

Our in-house designers are constantly creating new and original pieces, as well as collaborating with customers to craft their own beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry. If you visit our web site right now, you’ll see a wonderful selection of our newest custom jewelry, like our 14K and sterling silver moss agate pendant. Oh, is this a beautiful piece! The pendant features an amazing piece of moss agate framed in sterling silver with a matte black finish. It also includes a hand-crafted insect and cabochon cut tourmaline making this a truly original artist creation.

Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Bring your girlfriends downtown this Thursday, Oct. 6 for Girls Night Out. We’re teaming with Talulah Belle Boutique and Kimi K Salon & Spa to showcase the best in jewelry, fashion, hair and make-up. Don’t miss it!

What’s Behind the Mask?

Early 20th Cent. Philippine takaan (wood paper mache mold)

Masks have been used by primitive and tribal cultures all over the world for thousands of years. Traditionally, masks were used to try and ward off illness, evil spirits and famine, as well as to entertain and to commemorate weddings, births and deaths. Most masks were hand carved from wood, but were also made and decorated using local natural resources. Each mask or series of masks is a piece of art, reflecting the maker’s beliefs, life experiences and skills. Some of the tools used to make masks are also considered works of art.

Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry has antique masks, including an early 20th century Philippine takaan – a wood and paper mache mask mold. To create the mold, mask makers hand carved hardwood sculptures into wooden molds or takaans. The fronts and backs of these molds were covered with paper soaked in rice starch and left to dry. Once dried, the paper formed a hard shell and was cut away from the mold. The two halves of the shell were fused together with paper. The result was a light-weight paper mache casting that was decorated and protected with paint.

 

Sapphires in September

Sapphire is September’s birthstone and what could be more soothing when the season begins to change than the cool and calming color of blue. Think you know your birthstone? There are, in fact, old and modern stones for each month.

The birthstone idea most likely originated with George Kunz, chief gemologist for Tiffany & Co. Kunz researched the history behind gemstones and published his findings in The Curious Lore of Precious Stones in 1912. To help create an awareness about colored gemstones and, thus, sell more of them, Kunz wrote poems to educate prospective buyers about the gems. His poem for September, however, didn’t mention sapphire. Instead, he chose the yellow-green chrysolite – a peridot. The poem read:

A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in the autumn breeze,
A chrysolite on her brow should bind –
‘Twill cure diseases of the mind.
If chrysolite upon her brow is laid,
Follies and dark delusions flee afraid.

We love September at Haig’s – especially in Rochester – and we love our sapphires and peridots alike! Come in and see our selection of sapphires and peridots set in rings, earrings, and pendants. We offer the best value in fine jewelry – no gimmicks, no sales push, just a pure love of jewelry and art. Find us on Main Street in downtown Rochester or online, where we have a beautiful sapphire ring as one of our featured pieces of jewelry this month!

Ring Sizing . . . for Dad?

Generally, a ring fits well when it does not slide around on the finger and is comfortable. Finger sizes can change daily depending on weather and health factors. Fingers narrow in cold weather and plump in warmer weather. Blood pressure can affect finger size, too. 

 

When a ring needs adjustments, a jeweler can resize it without changing its shape or structure. To increase or decrease a ring size we cut it to either remove or add metal to it. The adjustment is invisible to the naked eye. Platinum rings are a bit more difficult to size because of the density and strength of the metal. Titanium bands are impossible to size – the metal is just too strong and cannot be cut.

 

Also consider whether you are sizing a wide band or a small shank on a regular ring. Since more of the finger is displaced under a wide band, the size will need to be a bit larger than for a ring with a regular sized band. Examine a resized ring closely. Be sure it is clean, that the shank has a uniform and consistent shape and color, and that there are no pit marks or other abnormalities. Most importantly, it should fit. If you have a ring to resize, come and see us! We will measure your finger and make the appropriate adjustments to your ring – ensuring a proper and comfortable fit.

 

Looking for an inexpensive gift for Father’s Day? Consider having some of dad’s rings resized – you know, one of those things he means to get to but never does.

 

Orient Expressed

Pearls possess a surface depth attributable to the buildup of layer after layer of “nacre” (the same substance that forms the lining of the oyster shell). Nacre is composed of microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate, which, when properly aligned in a sufficient number of layers, create a prismatic effect as light travels through each layer. This effect is what creates the soft iridescence that is referred to as the pearl’s “orient.”

The thicker the nacre and the higher its quality is, the more lustrous and iridescent is the pearl. These are the two primary qualities that pearl lovers should take into consideration when making a purchase. Pearls with thick nacre also tend to last longer.

Long ago, pearls were important financial assets, comparable to real estate, as thousands of oysters had to be collected to find just one pearl. They were rare because they were created only by chance.

Haig’s Can Turn Your Jewelry Green

Create a truly unique custom piece of jewelry by trading in and recycling your old jewelry. Gold, platinum and jewelry with gemstones can be turned into new and exciting pieces you’ll want to wear again and again. Selling your gold and old jewelry can bring some quick cash, but you can often receive a higher amount with in-store credit if you reuse your old jewelry. You’ll save a lot of money and the Earth’s resources by using the precious metals you already own. Turn an old pair of earrings into a beautiful pendant. Melt down engagement or wedding rings and turn them into a fabulous new ring or a pair of earrings!