Jewelry in Cinema

Iconic films are remembered for many reasons, A-list actors, intriguing plots, special effects, and in some cases, the wardrobe. There is careful thought and consideration that goes into creating a film, and no detail is forgotten, including what the characters are wearing. There are several films that spotlight exquisite pieces of jewelry, some even incorporate them into their plot. Many of these films have been deemed classics and will go down in cinematic history as so, in part because of the stunning gems that fans fell in love with.

Here are 7 of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry in cinema:

Titanic

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The Heart of the Ocean was an Edwardian inspired, blue sapphire necklace worn by the film’s protagonist, Rose. In the film, the necklace’s story of origin shares a great deal of similarity to the Hope Diamond. Though the necklace worn in the film was fashioned from cubic zirconia and white gold, jewelry designer Harry Winston later created a replica made from a 15-carat blue diamond. The piece was valued at $20 million and was worn by the actress who played an elder Rose, Gloria Stuart, during the 1998 Academy Awards. It was later purchased by a private collector.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

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When you think of iconic looks, none is more unmistakable than Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The little black dress, the long gloves, her French twisted hair, and the focal point—her magnificent pearl and diamond necklace. This eye-catching accessory takes her look from modest to striking, cementing Hepburn’s status as a style icon for years to come. The pearls aren’t the only pieces of jewelry that steal the show in this film either! Golightly wears several bold items throughout the film, including earrings and her iconic diamond tiara.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

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Arguably one of Marilyn Monroe’s most well-known performances was delivered in the film Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Who could forget Marilyn’s famous declaration, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”? In the film’s most famous scene, Marilyn is pictured in a pink strapless gown adorned with stunning diamond earrings, bracelets, and a knockout diamond necklace. This scene is so well-known, Madonna actually replicated it for her Material Girl music video. The necklace Marilyn wears in the film has a rich history, as it was 500 years old at the time of filming. It was once worn by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and Maria Antoinette and was lent to Marilyn Monroe for the filming of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. This film helped solidify diamonds as the choice gem for engagement rings and made Harry Winston a household name.

Pretty Woman

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There’s nothing better than a good love story, and Pretty Woman is a romantic film that delivers. Julia Roberts and Richard Gere’s on-screen chemistry is undeniable. One of the film’s most famous scenes is shared between the two, and was actually the result of a prank that Gere had planned to play on Roberts. In the scene, Gere playfully closes a jewelry box lid on Roberts’ hand as she reaches for a sparkling diamond and ruby necklace, prompting Roberts to let out an infectious giggle. Filmmakers thought the scene felt so authentic that they kept it. We later see her wearing the diamond and ruby necklace paired with a sensuous red dress, a look that put Julia Roberts on the map as a classic Hollywood beauty.

How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days

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Matthew McConaughey is not the only eye-catching thing about this film. Though handsome, no one outshines Kate Hudson in her canary yellow dress, wearing an astonishing $5 million-dollar Harry Winston diamond necklace. Weighing in at 87 carats, the Isadora diamond necklace was made specifically for this production, making it the most expensive piece of jewelry ever designed for a film. The dress that Hudson wears for the scene was actually specially designed to complement the elegance of the diamond necklace. In the film, Hudson flees the party still wearing the necklace that had been lent to her to wear only for the evening, causing a flurry amongst the partygoers and jewelry designers who were in attendance.

Moulin Rouge

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Moulin Rouge is nothing short of an extravagant film directed by Baz Luhrmann who’s known for his visually stunning productions. The film features a youthful Nicole Kidman, wearing an intricate diamond necklace fashioned with 1,308 individual diamonds that totaled 134 carats in weight. The platinum scrolls and lace-like details are distinctly Edwardian inspired. The necklace was reported to be worth $1 million, making it the most expensive piece of jewelry made for a film until it was surpassed by How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days two years later.

Sex and the City 2

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No television series has given us a greater fashion icon than Sex and the City – Carrie Bradshaw. Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, had a unique and quirky signature style that included ballerina tutus, fur coats, crop tops, and cowgirl hats. When filmmakers decided to turn the TV series into a feature film, they made sure to include even more funky fashion statements from Bradshaw. Her off-beat style is represented by the ring with which Mr. Big proposes. Rather than a traditional stone, Big opted for a black diamond instead. When Carrie asks him why, he replies “because you are not like anyone else.” The 5-carat diamond ring was designed by Itay Malkin with help directly from Sarah Jessica Parker herself.

Where can you buy extravagant jewelry like the pieces in these classic movies of Hollywood?

Whether you’re wanting to replicate one of these film worthy looks, or are simply wanting to incorporate more fine jewelry into your wardrobe, there is no better place to find one-of-a-kind pieces than Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Store in San Diego. We offer an array of unique pieces including antique and vintage styles fit for a Hollywood starlet. Stop in today and explore all that our jewelry store has to offer!

 

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Designer Handbags: Why They’re Worth It

Every woman knows the difference a quality handbag can make. From the normal wear and tear of daily use to treating handbags like our own portable junk drawer, our handbags can take quite the beating. More often than not, handbags are chosen based on their appearance- and that’s totally fine! We all need at least one bag we truly love that easily fits with any outfit or occasion. But have you ever considered the long-term benefits of purchasing designer handbags?

Now, you might be thinking that a price upwards of thousands of dollars is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a purse. Trust me, it’s not an uncommon point of view; however, we’re here to change your mind and help you realize why investing in a luxury handbag is worth your hard-earned money.

Top 3 Designer Handbags Worth the Investment

As we just mentioned, it’s important to purchase a style of handbag that you truly adore. But you should also consider the quality of the material used, the size of the bag, and the resale value in case you ever find yourself looking to sell or upgrade.

Considered the “holy trinity” of luxury handbags, Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton are the top 3 brands to purchase for investment purposes in 2018. Here’s why:

Chanel Classic Flap Bag

  

If you’re a fan of luxury handbags then you’ve probably heard of the Chanel 2.55 bag, the brand’s most successful and iconic handbag. Well if you adore the 2.55, you’re sure to love its more contemporary sister, the Chanel Classic Flap Bag. The Classic Flap is very similar to the 2.55 just with a few modern upgrades- the clasp features interlocking CC’s and the strap includes interwoven chain and leather. The bag is available in 4 different sizes- small, medium-large, jumbo, and maxi- to allow you to decide what better meets your needs. It’s also available in a variety of different colors, allowing you to choose a subtle black or a pop of color for your arm candy.

Another popular and investment-worthy Chanel handbag is the Chanel Boy Bag. Introduced in 2011, the Boy Bag has already become as popular and valuable as the Classic Flaps. The resale value of both bags retains or increases depending on leather, hardware and demand. These babies have consistently remained in high demand, so you should expect to recoup more than 50% of the retail price.

Hermès Kelly Bag

Investing in a Hermès handbag is a very smart decision because of their rareness. Hermès only produces limited quantities of each handbag, creating an exceptional level of scarcity and exclusivity. So what does this mean for you? Whether you purchase the renowned Birkin bag or the refined Kelly bag, you should expect to see more than 90% of the retail value as resale prices only continue to increase.

Now, let’s talk style. Both the Birkin and the Kelly bag have a very chic look about them. Hermès only uses the best of the best when it comes to leather and hardware- you’ll be able to see and feel the quality of your bag even after you’ve owned it for a few years. They are also the ultimate status symbol. If you’re looking for a bag that shows the world you know fashion and you know it well, Hermès will always come in clutch (pun fully intended).

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Tote

Louis Vuitton is one of the most popular designer brand names out there. And with the quality of their product, there is no reason to wonder why. LV fully tests all their handbags for durability before putting them on the market, so you know the Neverfull will last you a lifetime. It’s also one of their most successful handbags, which increases its already-high demand.

The name of this bag truly says it all. With all the room you have to pack in your necessities, it’s almost like it never ends (insert Harry Potter reference about Hermione’s magic handbag here). This is the perfect bag for day-to-day use and it can easily transition into an overnight bag since there is so much space. Another bonus? This gorgeous tote typically retains 85% of its resale value. And if it’s a limited edition bag, the resale value can double! The initial expense might make you hesitant, but the payoff in the future is worth the investment.

Shop Designer Handbags in San Diego

If you’re convinced you need a designer handbag, head over to the new Leo Hamel Boutique & Consignment Shop on San Diego Avenue. Not only will you find some of the most popular handbags from Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton, there are so many other options to choose from! All handbags at the Leo Hamel Boutique are vintage, meaning shopping is more affordable for you and sustainable for the environment. Find authenticate designer handbags for less than full retail price…it’s luxury handbag heaven!

And don’t forget- we’re always looking for new inventory to fill our store. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, consign your designer clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories to Leo’s and you’ll receive cash or store credit the minute it sells!

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source https://www.leohamel.com/blog/index.php/2018/08/designer-handbags-investment/

Engagement Ring Insurance—The Do’s and Don’ts

An engagement ring is arguably one of the most significant pieces of jewelry a woman will ever wear and own. It is also likely to be one of the only items she wears on a daily basis without removing it regularly. These dazzling tokens of romance are made to represent the commitment shared between two people – a symbol that carries so much meaning that it only makes sense to want to protect it from harm that can come with every day use. Though shopping for engagement ring insurance doesn’t seem like the most romantic of gestures, it could potentially save you a headache and a great deal of money in the event that your engagement ring is damaged or misplaced. When it comes time to shop around for engagement ring insurance, remember these few things to make your buying experience a little less stressful!

Shopping for ring insurance

Picking an engagement ring insurance policy that works best for you is not as difficult as it may sound. First, you’ll need to decide what type of policy you’re interested in purchasing. Oftentimes, you can purchase additional personal property coverage through your already-existing renters or homeowner’s insurance plans. These plans typically already cover items within your home, but don’t be mistaken—your personal possessions are only protected up to a certain amount. Costlier items like jewelry are not usually included within these limitations, and have to be insured separately. An alternative option is to insure your ring with a company that focuses solely on jewelry insurance. They sometimes offer plans with additional protections for your items, depending on what kind of coverage you are looking for.

When it comes time to commit to coverage, make sure to have all of the necessary documentation ready. The original receipt of purchase and an appraisal from a certified gemologist are often needed before an insurance company will prepare your policy. An appraisal will likely cost a small fee, but can provide you with a lot of valuable information about your jewelry. Be sure to ask questions before making any final decisions, and be certain to check that the policy’s provisions are right for you. Is your ring insured if lost, or only if stolen? Does your plan cover the entire value of your ring, or just a portion? If repairs are needed, can you choose where to take your jewelry or do you have to go where your insurance tells you? These are important questions to consider before signing any agreements and be sure to have them answered before paying for anything up front.

Not sure if your jewelry is worth insuring? No matter what the cost of your engagement ring, you cannot put a price on its sentiment. There are no rules regarding who should or should not purchase engagement ring insurance – it’s a decision that is entirely up to you and your spouse. Depending on the value of your engagement ring and other factors such as location, insurance policies can be rather inexpensive, often costing less than $100 per year. You can help keep the cost down by housing your jewelry in a safe or other secure storage containers. Many jewelry insurance plans offer what is called a vault coverage discount, meaning you’re offered lower rates for safely securing your valuables. There are other cost saving measures that you can take to keep your rates low so make sure to do your research and confirm with your insurance company what kind of discounts they offer.

Before selecting the best option for insuring your engagement ring, check with your jeweler to see if they have any recommendations. They typically can give you information for a reputable insurer, and sometimes even have a preferred company that they work closely with.

Where to Buy Engagement Rings and Insurance in San Diego

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Rings Store in San Diego has an incredible selection of stunning engagement rings for every budget. Our friendly experts will not only help you select the right engagement ring for her, but will also offer recommendations on how to insure your ring from the damages of daily long-term wear. Visit our showroom today and let us help you find what you have in mind.

 

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Summertime Jewelry Care

Summer is here, the temperature is heating up, and that refreshing pool has never looked more welcoming. But wait! Have you removed your jewelry before taking a dip? Your fine jewelry pieces can be delicate and require special care no matter what season, but be careful when engaging in summertime activities because they can pose a serious hazard to the safety of your luxury goods!

Caring for jewelry in summer

If you think back to your high school chemistry class, you’ll recall that metals are composed of chemicals, as is the chlorine used in pools and hot tubs. Though these chemicals are great for killing bacteria and ensuring safety for swimmers, they are not great for the safety of your jewelry. Contact with chlorine can result in weakened metals, discoloration, dulled gemstones, and can even break or seriously damage pieces. Imagine taking a plunge into the pool and losing a precious stone due to a frail or broken prong. Coming into contact with chlorine can really lead to some devastating damages to your treasures. And don’t forget – this pesky chemical is also used in many of your common household cleaning products, so make sure you remove your jewelry before you go on a summertime cleaning spree!

In addition to chlorine, chemicals contained in body sweat also have the ability to damage certain metals like silver. The same goes for popular summertime necessities like sunscreen or bug spray, which can get stuck in the tiny cracks and crevices of your jewels – causing stones to fall out or soft stones like opals to break down and disintegrate. The chemicals in these products can also dull the finish of your gemstones and metals. Even natural elements such as sunlight can alter the appearance of your jewelry with extended periods of exposure, bleaching colors and tarnishing finishes.

If you’re a fairly active person, make sure you’re cautious with your jewelry when participating in athletic activities. It’s not just sweat that can ruin your belongings! Playing sports can damage your jewelry pieces, no matter how sturdy they may seem. So before you jump into that game of beach volleyball or take to the court for a round of tennis with your friend, make sure you’ve removed your precious items.

Once the sun starts to shine, it’s hard not to want to spend your entire day outdoors, but even simple household activities like gardening can harm your valuables. Planting soil contains tiny rocks and other materials that are abrasive and can cause permanent damage to your belongings if not immediately repaired or cleaned.

Jewelry care and cleaning

It is important to properly care for your jewelry year-round, but there are a few tips that should be practiced regularly in the summertime. Always store your jewelry in a clean, dry place and avoid contact with direct sunlight. When cleaning your items, it’s best to use a soft cloth that is not abrasive, avoiding paper towels or bath towels as they could potentially cause scratches. Gently wiping jewelry after each wear is recommended to remove dirt and natural oils that your body produces. If you notice any imperfections, bring your jewelry to a trusted jeweler right away for inspection and repair. And even if your jewelry is in mint-condition, it is wise to have your items professionally cleaned by a jeweler at least once a year.

Jewelry cleaning at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers

If you’re in the San Diego area and are looking for a place to clean, polish, and restore your jewelry so it’s as good as new, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers today. We offer free cleaning services whether you purchased your item from us or elsewhere.

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Wolf Watch Winders

If you consider yourself a watch lover or if you have a collection of timepieces that you treasure, you’ve surely heard of automatic watch winders. Automatic movement watches will wind as the wearer moves his or her wrist. Once the watch is not being worn, it will wind down and stop after a certain number of hours. These finely designed winding boxes ensure that your self-winding watches continue working perfectly by generating consistent motion, keeping them running and winding when you’re not able to wear them. Watch winders prevent watch owners from having to deal with the inconvenience of needing to rewind their watches when they stop running, and reset the date.

One of the leading watch winder designers is Wolf, a company that has been a trusted name in the jewelry industry since the early 1800’s when they began designing jewelry cases. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Store, you will find the best Wolf watch winders in a variety of styles and sizes for every stage of your watch collection, whether you’re a novice or an old pro.

Choosing the right Wolf watch winder

There’s no shortage of options when you shop Wolf brand for automatic watch winders. Though some of their winders occasionally feature added gadgetry, their essential function has remained the same throughout Wolf’s history—to safely store your wristwatches while maintaining their functionality so that you don’t have to. Wolf offers different collections of watch winders to choose from depending on the number of watches you have to store. Their single collection is perfect for one-watch owners, while their 1834 collection—a nod to the year they were founded—boasts a 32-piece watch winder for the most enthusiastic watch collector.

Wolf even offers modular watch winders that are stack-able and can connect with each other in the event that your collection grows and you need additional storage. This option saves you the cost of having to invest in a large winder cabinet before your collection has grown enough to fill it. Wolf devices are entirely hand-made, meaning it takes longer to produce each one, and they are therefore manufactured in smaller quantities. You can find a less expensive watch winder; however, the higher price tag of a Wolf winder is matched by their utmost quality, making these watch winders great values for your money.

Function meets fashion

Watch winders not only serve a purpose, they’re also a wonderful way to display your valuable designer watches without compromising their performance. Wolf watch winders are as fashionable as they are functional, designed with the highest quality materials that compliment your watch’s beauty. Fashioned with wood, faux leather, suede, chrome, and other premium materials make these winders appear as upscale as the watches that they store. The interiors of Wolf winders are lined with specially treated fabric that will prevent your watch from tarnishing. Many models even feature built-in lighting fixtures to illuminate the case and spotlight your watch. Instead of storing your prized possessions out of sight, a Wolf watch winder allows you to safely and securely flaunt them.

Not to mention, these winders are much quieter than other kinds, meaning you can place them wherever and they won’t create any disruption. Whether you own a Rolex, Cartier, Omega, or one of each, you likely worked hard to obtain your prized possessions and don’t want to stuff them into a drawer, you want to show them off!

Owners of luxury watch brands know that these expertly designed pieces of machinery can last you a lifetime when cared for properly. There’s no better way to care for your automatic watches than with a Wolf watch winder from Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Store. Visit our San Diego showroom today to shop Wolf watch winders in a variety of sizes and styles.

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Why are Independent Jewelers the Best Place to Buy Engagement Rings in San Diego?

Why choose independent jewelers when shopping engagement rings in San Diego?

Buying an engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. There is more to consider than just the financial aspect. You want this piece of jewelry to be a representation of enduring, lifelong love.

There’s an entire succession of decisions to be made – the size of the shank, the choice of the center gemstone (a diamond or a colored gemstone), the size and color of any diamonds, the shape of the stone, etc. You can’t redo a proposal, so you want to make sure to be thoughtful of each detail and avoid the typical mistakes.

But before you dive into to the specifics, the first thing to decide is where you will buy the ring. There are some important things to consider before you choose where to shop, such as the unique advantages of opting for an independent jeweler over a chain store. Where is the best place to buy engagement rings in San Diego? We’ll compare your options for you and hopefully enlighten you to the many benefits of buying local.

The Value

The major selling point of jewelry chain stores are low prices. Price is undoubtedly one of the biggest factors to bear in mind when buying an engagement ring, but so is value. What can you expect to get for those apparently low prices? Non-GIA-graded, lower quality diamonds and precious stones in uniform settings. Their inventory typically offers a limited number of styles and designs, meaning your choices are few. Most of these chain stores look like exact replicas of each other, with very few distinguishing features. In short, being offered a low price at a jewelry chain store does not necessarily translate to long-term value. It is crucial to consider the quality of options as well as the actual product itself.

With independent jewelry stores, you’re dealing with a business that survives on repeat customers and referrals, meaning they will strive to make their patrons happy and build a positive reputation within the community. With their lower overhead expenses, independent jewelry stores give you better value for the money spent, and may offer discounts and special promotions. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Store, we have special offers for our customers every month. Plus, we offer special financing options. But most importantly, when you shop with an independent jeweler, you get quality – GIA-certified diamonds, warranties, and custom work done by an in-house team of jewelers and Graduate Gemologists.

The Integrity

Jewelry chain stores carry a vast inventory of mass-produced items that need to be sold quickly to make room for new incoming product. That means that the salespeople are encouraged to embellish information and spin fairytales about engagement rings to prospective customers. They can be as aggressive as car salesmen and they have a reputation for misinforming buyers about engagement ring flaws and characteristics. Part of their gimmick is to brand stone cuts and use proprietary grades, which makes the stones difficult to compare to other brands. However, the GIA diamond-grading system is the industry standard and the fact that chain stores by and large steer clear of GIA certificates speaks volumes about their sales tactics.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, we’ll emphasize the fact that independent jewelers serve the community and their service strongly underpins their reputation. The quality jewelry they offer comes with certificates that meet industry-standards. And the terminology they use in describing their jewelry adheres to the terms and definitions of the trade. Additionally, the service you receive is also of higher quality and more personal.

The Selection

You would expect a chain store to have a huge selection because of their buying power, but that’s not commonly the case. Chain stores focus on and promote their proprietary brands and lines (which are almost always mass-produced) and don’t carry many designer collections besides their own. They sometimes carry collections signed by celebrities, and though we may admire certain celebrities and their styles, they are neither jewelry designers nor artisans. If you want to buy something that’s custom or unique, you’ll most likely be hit with a hefty price tag and have to pay in advance for them to order it for you.

Independent jewelers have a varied selection of numerous designer lines which you can see in person and try on before you make your purchase. At Leo Hamel’s, not only do we have the largest selection of jewelry of all of the independent jewelers in the San Diego area, but our selection is also wonderfully diverse. We carry new and vintage engagement rings from designer names like Hearts On Fire, Venetti, Tiffany, Tacori, Vera Wang, Beverley K, and Simon G. We are the largest San Diego buyer of estate jewelry, which means that you can find heirloom-quality jewelry for sale at amazing rates.

 

Leo Hamel – Best Place to Buy Engagement Rings San Diego

Many San Diegans trust Leo Hamel’s as the best place to buy engagement rings in San Diego. Reading our reviews, you’ll see the difference in quality that we provide to our shoppers and the community of San Diego. A considerable portion of our customers are loyal, returning clients who trust our prices, service and expertise. Do yourself a favor and visit our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue, where our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople will show you how easy it can be to find a ring that perfectly matches your taste and budget. We hope to see you soon!

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