The holiday season can be really tough for those of us without a visible disposable income. Gift buying can truly break the bank. It’s not easy to buy gifts for all of our loved ones but still keep up with the bills and everyday financial obligations. One way to come up with a little spending cash is to sell your gold jewelry for cash.

Cash for Gold!

Many jewelers today offer top dollar for old, broken or rarely worn gold jewelry. Simply go through your jewelry box or drawer and find all of the old jewelry that you will never again wear and take it to your local jeweler to get cash for your old gold jewelry. While it seems that most of your broken jewelry is worthless to you, to a jeweler, the gold is as valuable as ever and can easily be melted down and turned into a new and exciting jewelry design. That broad serpentine necklace you wore in the 80’s has still got value and the numerous broken pieces that have been gathering dust for years can put a little cash in your pocket.

Often, for a quick dollar, folks will head over to the local pawn broker to sell things that they no longer use, but jewelry is a bit of a different animal. While pawn brokers will buy jewelry in good repair, they often do NOT purchase broken or out-of-style pieces of gold jewelry for cash. Most pawn shops are in the business of turning things quickly, and want to sell items right away to make their money back. Gold jewelry that needs work is generally not an interest for pawn brokers. Keep that in mind while trying to get cash for gold jewelry.

In order to supplement your gift buying budget, selling gold jewelry for cash is a viable and often lucrative option. Understand, though, that selling grandma’s old gold brooch to a jewelry store very likely means you will never see that piece again. Be sure to choose the gold jewelry that has no sentimental value, broken or not. Selling gold jewelry for cash is, more often than not, a final sale. As mentioned, most jewelers will melt down the old, broken and out-of-style gold jewelry to create new, trendy and beautiful gold jewelry to sell.

So many incredible and important events in my life have been commemorated by meaningful jewelry pieces - where they were gifts or conscious fashion accessory choices. My graduation was marked by a gifted pair of sapphire earrings from my mother, prom was made special by my great grandmother’s pearl necklace and my sixteenth birthday was commemorated with a second ear piercing. I hadn’t realized the commonality, however, until I began packing up my things to make a cross-country move. I had to pack lightly. I used an old weekly pill container – the kind that separate your medicines from one another based on what day you are supposed to take them – and placed the earring pairs I really wanted to take into the boxes. My necklaces and bracelets fit snuggly in a Ziploc bag, tucked away in my checked luggage.

Stardust Mesh Pendant

My collection was small and I took almost all of it with me when I got onto the plane. Friends accessories, gifted to me to save from the sad fate of thrift store donation, gave me some of my favorite pieces, including a pair of glittery spider shaped studs and plain silver hoops. Others were pieces I had shamelessly thrifted, like the giant lightning bolt necklace I had gotten from my favorite local resale location. They all had a story. Some of them were more special than others, though. My grandmother’s emerald earring studs, my mother’s sterling silver Celtic style watch, a pair of shamrocks bought for my by an ex-partner I remained on good terms with.

Each combination of accessories I chose for a concert, a celebration, a wedding, a special night out, whatever – all of them were carefully curated to tell a story, share a message, or convey a special and specific kind of feeling. The moment it really dawned on me was the morning I was finishing up preparing for a job interview. It was my first interview for a non-minimum wage job. I didn’t have a word for the style I wanted to convey, but I went right for the imitation pearl studs and the hanging necklace of polished purple stone which made a subtle statement against the white of my silk shirt. That same night, I threw on a t-shirt, took out the studs and took off the necklace only to replace them with wild statement pieces for a concert I would be attending. Jewelry is a language I’ve been speaking all my life; I only realized its intricacies as I entered adulthood.

June is synonymous with so many pleasant things, like long warm summer days, backyard barbecues and lounging on the beach or at the pool. For those born in June the beautiful and elegant pearl, the birthstone of June, is also at the forefront of their minds.

Different from other gemstones, pearls are not cut or polished; instead they are created underwater in oysters, mussels and clams. As birthstones.com explains, “The scientific explanation for natural pearls is almost as mystifying as folklore.  When an irritant, such as a small parasite or a fish lodges in the flesh of an oyster, mussel, or clam, a protective substance called “nacre” is produced.  Over years, layer upon layer of shimmering nacre coats the intruder, creating a lustrous pearl.  Natural pearls are relatively rare, so a process evolved in which a piece of shell or bead was placed inside a mollusk to stimulate the production of nacre.  This results in a cultured pearl, which accounts for about 90 per cent of the pearl industry.”

Marco Bicego Africa Necklace With Pearls at Amidon Jewelers

The “Queen of Gems,” as the pearl is nicknamed, comes in a variety of colors, including white, black, pink, gray and yellow. Traditionally, only royalty wore pearls, but that is not the case today. “Only those with royal status once wore pearl jewelry, but eventually these gems were seen among all classes of people.  They continue to be viewed as a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of purity, and they are often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child.  Pearls are nature’s perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with everything from jeans to an evening gown,” according to birthstones.com.

Most cultured pearls are found in the coastal waters of Japan and Australia. Though for those divers seeking their own treasures, pearls can also be found in the Persian Gulf and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela and California.

You can find a wide variety of pearl rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets at Amidon Jewelers.

Marco Bicego Jaipur Ring With Mother Of Pearl

Marco Bicego Jaipur Bracelet with Mother Of Pearl

As April and the month of diamonds comes to an end, we put a spotlight on those designers that create some of the most beautiful diamond jewelry in the world.

Sholdt

Dusty and Brian Sholdt own and operate the jewelry shop that bears their name. For over 75 years the Sholdt family has been making jewelry – and the dust that goes with it – in their unassuming Seattle area workshop. In four generations the business has grown from a repair bench to an internationally recognized design and manufacturing house for wedding and engagement rings, known simply as “Sholdt”.

Their work area is an intriguing blend of old and new. Rolling mills from the ‘30’s share floor space with modern laser welders. Old-fashioned pendulum scales see-saw next to digital scales accurate to one thousandth of a gram. There is a palpable sense of history. Every workstation bears the benchmark of hundreds of hands, and all the wooden cabinets and tool-handles glow with the patina of use. Many of the tiny folded gemstone papers still bear inventory dates from the late 1800’s.

MaeVona

MaeVona, the award-winning New York City-based luxury brand supplying Maeve Gillies unique Celtic-inspired bridal jewelry to high-end retailers across North America. MaeVona quickly gained international acclaim, with a dedicated customer following for Maeve’s market-leading, innovative bridal designs.

Maeve has received numerous awards for her jewelry, including three from the Royal Society for the Arts in London, four from the American JCK Jewelers Choice Awards, plus the prestigious Town & Country COUTURE Award in Las Vegas, USA.

MaeVona 18Kw Oronsay Pave Setting Semi-Mount Solitaire Engagement Ring

A. Jaffe

A. Jaffe’s designer jewelry follows a theme that combines timeless elegance with modern style. A. Jaffe offers handcrafted jewelry in the finest tradition making your bridal moment all the more special.

A. Jaffe is one of the most respected names in bridal jewelry, engagement rings and wedding bands. Their combination of timeless elegance and modern style shines through with a rich heritage of celebrating life’s most joyous occasions.

They offer a stunning collection of classic and finely styled bridal jewelry that is exquisitely detailed and hand crafted. Whether it’s engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary bands or ring wraps, A. Jaffe has the perfect piece to match your unique style.

A. Jaffe 18kt White Gold Classic Three Stone Engagement Ring

It’s March, which means we’re making our picks… jewel picks, am I right? At Amidon, we have an irresistible selection of gorgeous jewelry for every occasion. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, for a friend, or for a lover, we know you’re going to go absolutely mad for our selection.

Let’s talk rings. We have hundreds of rings to choose from, so we’re going to showcase just a few of our favorites. Have you seen Anna Kendrick’s gorgeous ring collection lately? This girl knows how to stack simple rings beautifully.

We have several rings that would stack in a similar eclectic, but coordinated, fashion. Our Marco Bicego rings are stunning on their own, but you can create a look unique to your taste by stacking two or three on one finger. Coordinating stud earrings are also available.

Let’s talk necklaces. You’re looking for that perfect gift for your best friend, but trying to find something they’ll really love can be downright maddening. It’s always a safe bet to go with something timeless, that she’ll be able to wear every day, with any outfit. We love the simple old-world style of this Sterling Silver Diamond Vintage Pendant. With its square shape and hint of sparkle, it’s dressy enough to wear to dinner, but simple enough that it can go with jeans.

Finally, it really isn’t March if we don’t talk about hoops! Hoop earrings are back in a big way this season. We’ve seen them on several celebrity ears, including Selena Gomez. We have the whole gambit of hoop earrings: simple yellow or white gold, gem-encrusted, and multi-colored.

Come embrace the madness of March and find something gorgeous at Amidon!

The feminine pinkish tone of rose gold has captured many hearts in recent years. But many jewelry lovers don’t know exactly what it is. Is it really gold? What makes it pink?

This yellow diamond ring from Amidon combines white and rose gold.

Rose gold, like other types of gold used in jewelry, is an alloy. This means the gold is mixed with another metal to give the finished piece greater strength. Pure gold, or 24 karat, is too soft to withstand the demands made on our jewelry. So gold is mixed with alloys for durability. Rose gold is available in 18, 14 or 9 karat variations. For example, a 14 karat rose gold ring would be made of 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals. Choosing which metal to use determines the color of the gold. In the case of rose gold, copper is the alloy which lends that distinctive reddish glow. Pieces made from 14 karat rose gold are pinker than those made with 18 karat rose gold, as the percentage of copper is higher.

While rose gold may still be new to some jewelry shoppers, it’s actually an old favorite that has just returned to the spotlight. The French jewelry company Cartier popularized rose gold in the 1920s as part of the Trinity band. This ring intertwined three bands of gold: one white, one rose, one yellow. Jean Cocteau, French filmmaker and writer, was known for wearing a pair of Trinity bands on his pinkie finger.

While rose gold has a rare and beautiful look, it doesn’t cost more than other types of gold. After all, copper isn’t expensive. This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants a special piece, even if you don’t have tons of money.

Amidon has several amazing rose gold rings to choose from. Our champagne and white diamond ring is set in 14 karat rose gold and includes gorgeous brilliant cut champagne diamonds.

Or if you prefer simplicity and clean lines, you might like the black ceramic beveled ring, which has a 2 mm rose gold inlay center.

Jewelry purchases can be scary and intimidating. Unfortunately this is a scary yet true fact. Shopping mall jewelry store sales people can be compared to used car salesman, eager to make their next sale. Before you read any further, we want you to know that at Amidon Jewelers, this is NOT the case. We hope every shopping experience with us is a pleasant one.

We are aware that your options are nearly endless every time you would like to make a jewelry purchase. Racks in the mall, superstore and jewelry store are overflowing with inexpensive earrings, bracelets and necklaces that call out to you as you walk by. As respectful jewelry merchants, we believe it’s our responsibility to educate you of the benefits of buying a high-quality jewelry. Your skin will thank you from being saved from low quality metals, and in the long run, your bank account will thank you as well.

Think about it: How many pairs of superstore earrings have you had to throw out because the fake gemstones fell out of their settings? More than a handful, we’re sure. When you buy a pair of earrings or piece of jewelry from a reputable establishment such as Amidon Jewelers, you also buy peace of mind. To start, we have the Amidon Jewelry Assurance Plan! Let’s say you need to have your ring sized. Or you need to have the prongs tightened around the stones on your favorite earrings. When you purchase our Extended Service Plan, we will make any covered repairs needed, up to the amount of the purchase price, at no additional charge (Please see site for details).

Next, here’s a thought that may not have come to mind before… When you purchase jewelry from a reputable jewelry store, you’re investing in your future. History shows that the price of diamonds and gold has increased not decreased, over time. And if you’ve watched cable television lately, you have probably seen numerous commercials discussing jewelry buy-back promotions.

We sincerely hope you will never face a hardship where you have to consider selling your jewelry, however by buying a piece of quality jewelry, you’re investing the futures of both you and your descendants. Your retirement account, savings account and CD’s can be complemented by your new liquid, investments – your jewelry.

The staff at Amidon Jewelers is always happy you make educated jewelry purchasing decisions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions about how to invest in the best jewelry pieces for enjoyment now and in the future.

Dear Moms who have their baby graduating high school and leaving home this year – We know what you are going through. A flood of emotions is coursing through your body, scared about where the future will take both you and your child, and excitement about what the future will bring. We at Amidon Jewelers have exactly what you need to start YOUR future out stylishly successfully!

Since the day your son or daughter started Kindergarten, if not pre-school, you have been the co-owner of Mom’s Taxi Service. Chauffeuring him here and there, from one practice or club to another, the amount of gas you’ve put in your car would get you around the world a thousand times. You’ve scraped melted crayons off your upholstery, and half-eaten cheeseburgers under your seats. It’s time to drive in style.

No, unfortunately Amidon Jewelers is not offering to give you a top-of-the-line luxury car with heated leather seats, GPS and a moon roof. We are, however, hoping you’ll turn this key to a future life of health and happiness.

When Dr. Seuss wrote, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” we’re sure he hoped it would hit a larger market than just the graduating seniors. Think, Mom! With your weeks now free of countless practices, school drop-offs and pick-ups, and weekend pizza parties, you have time to travel the world! Spread your wings and fly – To Australia? Europe? Anywhere you want! This silver and diamond wing pendant will help you fly with flair!

Over the years, we are confident there were plenty of times you wanted to reach out and ring your son or daughter’s neck. Whether it was due to missing curfew (and worrying you out of your mind), or because of the mud he tracked all over the house, with your love you also became exasperated from time to time.

While we can’t guarantee his college days will alleviate the feeling of wanting to ring his neck, we encourage you to ring yourself instead. How? With a gorgeous fancy diamond ring. Regardless of rain, every day will have sunshine when you wear this white, yellow and rose gold ring featuring its spectacular center yellow diamond.

Only time will tell what the future holds for your child as his future progresses. But time is in your hands now that you have a lot more of it to play with! Now’s the time (no pun intended) to play with it fashionably! Enjoy an evening out with the ladies or a leisurely trip to the spa unconcerned about the time except for how it looks on your wrist. Part of their “Adventurer Collection,” Bulova’s beautiful watch encourages you to take your time into your own hands and make every moment of your life an adventure!

Whether you are a man preparing to propose to the love of your life, or a woman looking to add a new piece of jewelry to your collection, you have undoubtedly seen a wide selection of pieces offered in Yellow Gold, White Gold, Silver and Platinum. While aesthetically you may be drawn to one metal over another right away, you may be left in the dark when it comes to understanding the physical differences.

The staff at Amidon Jewelers never wants you to feel like you’re in the dark while contemplating a jewelry purchase. Below we’re happy to walk you through the differences between White Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver and Platinum, so that every jewelry purchase can be an educated jewelry purchase.

Yellow Gold

Gold is the most common of the metals used in the creation of jewelry. Measured in quality by carat, other metal alloys are mixed with pure gold to make the final metal. The higher the proportion of gold used in the final metal, the more valuable and expensive the metal will be. The gold carats normally used in men’s wedding rings are 9ct, 14ct and 18ct. 9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold, while 18ct gold contains 75% pure gold. While 22ct and 24ct golds are used in different parts of the world, these golds are considered too soft to be used for ring production.

White Gold

Like yellow gold and rose gold, the color of white gold is determined by the alloys mixed with the pure gold to make the final metal. Thus, 18ct white gold contains 75% pure gold, the same as 18ct yellow gold. In the end, making a choice between white gold and yellow gold is left up to personal, aesthetic preferences.

Platinum

Indicated on the Periodic Table of Elements by the symbol “Pt”, the name Platinum is derived from the Spanish term platina which is literally translated into “little silver.” One of the rarest elements in the Earth’s crust, Platinum is the least reactive of the metals. Eighty percent of the Earth’s production occurs in South Africa, where it can occur in some nickel and copper ores.

Although platinum is more ductile than gold, silver and copper, gold is still more malleable than platinum. It does not oxidize at any temperature, but should be worn with caution around halogens, cyanides, sulfur and alkalis as they will corrode it.

The customer service team at Amidon Jewelers is always happy to assist you with any questions you may have during your purchasing process. While a ring on your finger may feel light, your metal selection should not be taken lightly. You will never be left in the dark with Amidon Jewelers.

Star Light, Star Bright

The First Star I See Tonight

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might

Have the Wish I Wish Tonight

Wow!  Who would have thought that a simple little rhyme written in the late 19^th Century would have taken off all around the world and in popular culture the way it did?  From Pinocchio to Madonna, Star Trek to I Dream of Jeannie, these four lines have meant so much so many.

At Amidon Jewelers, we put our own spin on the rhyme.  We have countless pieces of stellar jewelry which twinkle like stars, if they don’t remind us stars in the first place, and we wish to see them on YOU!  Here are a few we believe you might wish to have in your jewelry collection.

While a black hole may usually have a different meaning, we filled the gap with gorgeous Black Diamonds.  These sparkling earrings feature over 2.00 carats of Black diamonds and .15ct of brilliant white diamonds set in White Gold.

Make your ears sparkle with these Imaya silver earrings featuring diamond accents.  With a center star cut-out, and black accent, these Sterling Silver earrings will add sparkle and interest to any outfit!

Shining like gold stars in a magnificent sunset, this Marco Bicego yellow gold bracelet showcases multicolor gemstones.  With a beautiful prism cuts, the gemstones are seemingly shaped by light, bringing a constellation down to your very own wrist!

Delicate diamond accents shoot across this silver bangle bracelet like a meteor shower shooting across the night sky.  Elegant in its simplicity, this bracelet will compliment jeans and/or evening wear perfectly!

This Sapphire and Diamond ring truly is a star.  Set in White Gold, not only is this ring star-shaped, but it sparkles like one as well!

Wearing these wings, you may be able to fly yourself to the moon!  This sterling silver pendant set features sparkling diamonds on a pair of delicate angel wings.

In this 14kt Gold Vermeil Diamond Pendant, you’ll have tiny constellations floating on your chest!  The three largest “constellations” showcase diamonds at their centers, adding shimmer to an already beautiful pendant.

Who knew the Man on the Moon had eyes made of Diamonds?  This beautiful crescent moon-shaped silver pendant is enhanced by its diamond accents and is a beautifully crafted piece.

At Amidon Jewelers we have a countless number of beautifully crafted jewelry pieces that can add a twinkle to your eye.  Visit our website to browse for the star of your jewelry collection.