Be Elegant…

Who says the only gold you can wear is your jewelry? Not anymore… This Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent dress is the perfect attire for a fancy summer wedding.  With a sweetheart neckline, draped pockets, and silk chiffon material, you only need simple accessories to show it off, which is why we chose the classic Marco Bicego Jaipur Collection.

This Joan Ruffle Dress by Amanda Uprichard is the perfect choice for a bohemian chic look.  Since its summer, try to embrace the vibrant colors of the season (such as the lavender dress color seen here) and transfer the colors over to your jewelry! We love how the John Hardy ‘Rose De France’ gems blend perfectly with the color of the dress.

Be Budget Friendly…

Going to weddings can get expensive.  After you’ve bought a gift for the bridal shower, wedding, and possibly a hotel room for an out-of-town ceremony, you don’t have much money to spend on your yourself.  Therefore, you have to get creative in order to put together a budget friendly look that looks fabulous.  We love this LA Made Gwenyth Surplice Dress that compliments Pandora’s White Disk Collection perfectly…but, the best part is that everything featured is under $100!

Are you celebrating a birthday in July?  If so, your birthstone is the ruby, which you share along with Tom Hanks, Ringo Starr, Peggy Fleming, and Arnold Schwarzenegger… (not to shabby, huh?)

What Exactly is a Ruby?

The gemstone ruby is a pink to blood-red stone that is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide).  All other gem-quality corundum minerals are called sapphires. However, the presence of the oxide, responsible for the red hue, is what makes a corundum gem a ruby. In fact, the trace element of oxide is the only thing that distinguishes a ruby from a sapphire.

10 Interesting Facts about Rubies:

#1:

The ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, along with the sapphire, emerald, and diamond.

#2:

Like many other gemstones, the ruby is said to have magical powers. One way royalty used the power was as a warning signal. The gemstone was thought to grow darker when danger was approaching and return to its original color once the threat passed.

#3:

It has been said that the Ruby’s red glow comes from an internal flame that is impossible to extinguish, making a gift of this gem symbolic of eternal love. This may be why the gemstone is traditionally given as a 40th anniversay present.

#4:

The ruby is one of the most durable gemstones, surpassed in hardness only by diamonds.

#5:

The name “ruby” comes from the Latin word ‘ruber,’ which means red.

#6:

Rubies, when given as a gift, are a symbol of devotion, integrity and success but it can also be seen as a symbol of power. As an engagement ring, a ruby is known to represent eternal love. Some famous ruby engagement rings include Sarah Ferguson, who along with Princess Diana’s sapphire ring, ignited a trend towards using precious gemstones in engagement rings.

#7:

The ruby has long been associated with kings and godlike figures. In the ancient Sanskrit language, the ruby is called ratnaraj, translated as “king of gemstones.” Ancient Hindus believe that the ruby is the “Lord of all Gems.”  In fact, a King of Burma once claimed all rubies over six carats for his own keeping, which entitled him to the nickname “Lord of Rubies.”

#8:

In ancient times, it was thought that the wearer of a ruby was blessed with health, wealth and outstanding success in all affairs of the heart – both physically and metaphorically.

#9:

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has received one of the world’s largest and finest ruby gemstones. The spectacular 23.1-carat Burmese ruby, set in a platinum ring with diamonds, was donated by businessman and philanthropist Peter Buck in memory of his wife Carmen Lúcia. (Check it out)

#10:

A strong belief in Indian culture is that an offering of rubies to the god Krishna would enable you to be reborn either as an emperor or king, a decision based on the size of the ruby.

Congratulations to Tamara Rogers & Matt Tirpak on their recent engagement!  Matt surprised Tamara with a beautiful ring from Murphy Jewelers while taking her on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise…What an awesome way to propose!

We wish them a lifetime of happiness!!

We all know that every woman has a little black dress hanging in her closet.  Therefore, you need to make sure you stand out next time you have yours on!  Accessorize your outfit with a touch of turquoise jewelry to brighten up your summer ensemble.  The turquoise stone looks amazing against a black background!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Italy

Q: Favorite piece of jewelry?

A: Hearts On Fire Diamond Hoops

Q: Best part of working in a jewelry store?

A: Working with beautiful jewelry in a beautiful surrounding and creating lasting memories

Q: How long have you worked at Murphy Jewelers?

A: 12 years

Q: What do you think of Patrick Murphy’s Smart Car?

A: It’s a traveling billboard! It’s very eye catching and creates a lot of buzz!

Q: What was your first job?

A: I delivered the Pottsville Republican newspaper.

Q: When you aren’t working, what is your favorite thing to do?

A: I love to spend time with my grandson.

Q:  Complete this statement: “Believe it or not, I’ve never…”

A: Toured the yuengling brewery!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: I’m intrigued with other cultures so I’d go anywhere an opportunity would take me.  My passport is ready to go!

Q: Favorite piece of jewelry?

A: I like all my jewelry but the piece that means the most to me is the pearl necklace my brother gave me when I graduated from college.  At first, I didn’t appreciate pearls but now I absolutely love them! They are classic and I plan to wear them more often!

Q: Best part of working in a jewelry store?

A: Building friendships and being part of a memory

Q: How long have you worked at Murphy Jewelers?

A: 9 years in August!

Q: What do you think of Patrick Murphy’s Smart Car?

A: The Smart Car is the goofiest thing I’ve ever seen…but people love it!

Q: Book you want to read when you have spare time?

A: I read all the time, but the book I always pick up is “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks.  I cry everytime I read it.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?

A: Bobby Flay… hopefully he would cook too!

If you are a classic girl, you’ll love a:

Diamond solitaire in a round or princess cut

You like to make an impression with a low-key, classy style.

Therefore, choose a timeless engagement ring that is tasteful and delicate.

If you are a romantic girl, you’ll love a:

One-of-a-kind setting

You like when your boyfriend sweeps you off your feet, so why shouldn’t your ring do the same?  The dreamer in you doesn’t want a ring that resembles anyone else’s.  Therefore, choose a style that is unique.

If you are a glamorous girl, you’ll love a:

Cushion-cut diamond

Your glamorous lifestyle craves a flashy and fashionable ring.  Therefore, a cushion-cut diamond is ideal for you! A cushion-cut diamond (otherwise known as a “pillow-cut” diamond) has rounded corners and larger facets, which increases the diamond’s brilliance. The larger facets will highlight the diamond’s clarity, giving you more sparkle!

If you are an old-fashioned girl, you’ll love a:

Vintage ring

Since you’re an old-time romantic, you’ll love a ring that has a vintage feel.  Look at rings from past decades and have us recreate it.  Or, if you already have an old ring, we can remove the stone that was passed down from an older relative and place in a new vintage setting. You’ll love that your stone has had meaning for multiple generations!

Quite simply…it’s hard to find a woman that doesn’t like earrings.  Whether you are getting ready for a busy day at the office or going out to dinner with friends, a pair of earrings always puts the finishing touches on a great outfit.

History

This fashion statement is not a new and hip craze that was recently made popular by InStyle magazine.  Earrings have been regarded highly by women for centuries.  In fact, the oldest pair of earrings ever discovered by archaeologists was found in 2500 BC in a royal burial grave.

From 2500 BC to 2010, it’s pretty fascinating that hoop earrings have passed the test of time.  Maybe it’s because of their versatility to accompany any outfit, or the fact that they come in many styles, such as gold, silver, and diamonds.  At any rate, hoops are here to stay…which is why we want to tell you what all the “hoopla” is about.

Check out our suggestions on how to wear hoops at any occasion.

Silver

What image comes to mind when you think of silver hoops? Most likely, it’s a picture of plain, thin, rounded earrings.  However, you’d be amazed to know how many different types of silver hoop earrings there are in the jewelry world.  Start exploring your options!

Gold

In our opinion, gold hoop earrings seem to get a bad reputation more often than they should.  When you see a celebrity such as Jennifer Lopez wearing massive hoop earrings on stage, it’s no wonder that the average woman thinks she can’t pull off this jewelry trend.  However, gold hoop earrings can be a classic addition to any jewelry collection.  Thanks to the many alternatives that are offered today, gold hoops are a contemporary must for any style!