We will be switching over to our new web site this weekend, so if you don’t see something in the “old” site, you should be able to find it in the new site.

And heeeeeere it is!  The NEW Ithaca Jewelbox site!

Thank you for your patience while we continue to tweak and improve it.

Starting Sunday, November 29, The Jewelbox will be open on Sundays from 11 – 4 (through Christmas).

We will also be open on Saturday after Christmas (on a Friday this year), but not Sunday, December 27th.

Got that?

See you on a Sunday!

Call if you have any questions… 607-257-4666 or 1-800-711-7279

Micky’s been busy.  REALLY busy!  We’ve got new sterling silver Twig Rings with dazzling, multi-colored tourmaline gems.  AND new Outrageous Opal bracelets with opals from our last opal show, AND black diamond briolette earrings and pendants, AND simple, fancy sapphire (hah, that’s an oxymoron) slide pendants in lots of colors and sizes.  We want your feedback, so come tell us what you think!  Should we let someone else know that you LOVE it?  Start a wish list with us!

Remember…NEW doesn’t mean “costs more” – our new jewelry is priced with our customers’ feedback and budgets in mind.  Wait until you see how the bright sterling silver gives you that clean look without the hefty cost of gold… and the GORGES Gems in the new designs will dazzle without the guilt – beautiful tourmaline, flawless spinels, and color change sapphires can be enjoyed 24/7.   Come see how you can treat yourself without cleaning out your budget.  Guilt-free guaranteed!

GORGES Gem Show

Fri & Sat • October 16 & 17

Do you know why some gemstones are labeled precious while others are semi-precious?  Or how a garnet could cost more than a diamond?  Or why rubies are really sapphires?  The answers might surprise you!  You really don’t need to be a jewelry expert to understand and appreciate fine gems… just visit us here at The Jewelbox in Ithaca, NY!  We offer more than just rare and exotic colored gems – we offer gem education!  Immerse yourself in the brilliance during our GORGES Gem Show – Friday and Saturday, 10/16 & 17.

Sign up for a Gem Roundtable

…and let the gems come to you! Sign up now for one of our Gem Roundtables with our special guest Judith Whitehead, a long-time member of the American Gem Trade Association.  Judith travels all over the world in search of the most unique and beautiful gems to bring to us for this event!

Choose either Friday Dinner or Sunday Brunch:

Friday Evening Dinner  •  Oct. 16th from 6pm – 9pm

Sunday Brunch  •  Oct. 18th from 11am – 2pm

What is a Gem Roundtable? A gem roundtable is a truly unique opportunity to learn about gems from an expert gem hunter and collector…  it’s a mini-education of sorts, and will help you to make wise decisions when shopping for jewelry.  Feel empowered when you walk into a jewelry store!  After a gem roundtable, you’ll understand why we say “you’ll never look at jewelry the same way again”.

What goes on at a gem roundtable? After a catered meal and fine wine (or mimosas with Sunday brunch), you just sit back and relax while over 100 rare and exotic gemstones get passed around the banquet table.  You don’t need to be a big-time gem collector to experience the incredible feeling of opening up a gem parcel paper and discovering the wonders within… but you do get to “play” like one, as each stone falls out of its paper into the palm of your hand.  When is the last time you rolled a bright blue Paraiba tourmaline around in your hand?  Or placed a tantalizing tanzanite between your fingers for fun? A gem roundtable affords you this opportunity as well as a chance to purchase some of these treasures.

Did you know that there is an industry award for gem cutters?   It’s called a Gemmy! And you’ll see some award-winning designers’ work at our event.   Click the designer-cut gems to the right to see this year’s winners!

Stones at our roundtable range in price, from $200 to $20,000.  From designer-cut gems and color-change sapphires to fossilized sand dollars and delicate drusy quartz, there really is something for everyone to enjoy!

Seating limited to 20 people per event – RSVP TODAY!

Call The Jewelbox at 607-257-4666 or 1-800-711-7279 or email: info@ithacajewelbox.com (subject: gem roundtable)

In the meantime, here is a link we think you’ll really like:  GIA Guide to Buying Colored Gemstones (an interactive, professional primer guide to buying colored gemstones) – have fun!

More photos?  Sure… here you go…

Three pics below courtesy of Judith Whitehead, copyright Lee Carraher Photography

Here are some more GORGES Gems and custom pieces from previous events:

The luscious set of tourmaline above became the bracelet you see below!

The rubellite tourmaline rough shown at right weighed in at 7.2 kilos!  This is the same stone (well, not the exact same stone) as the rectangular, pink tourmaline pictured in the group of gems next to the invitation for our Gem Roundtables above.

Come to the Jewelbox and see a beautifully cut, gem quality, rubellite tourmaline for yourself!  We have that and many more!

At the Jewelbox  on Ithaca’s Waterfront – where every piece is a conversation piece!

Become a Jewelbox Insider and receive event invitations and promotional stuff!

Outrageous Opal Show & Sale!

Friday, October 2nd from 11 to 6

Saturday, October 3rd from 10 to 5

How much do you really know about opals? Not common, milky white opals you find in gift and clothing stores… real opals…  natural, vibrant opals… found deep beneath Australia’s Outback. Now these are nature’s watercolor masterpieces! (what do you see in the picture opal at left?)

Come rediscover October’s fascinating birthstone during our Outrageous Opal Show & Sale. You’ll be awestruck by the amazing array of opals… freshly dug, cut and polished by legendary opal miner & expert Bill Kasso.  Bill can tell you about the life of a miner as he spends most of the year actually in the Australian Outback – pick and axe literally in hand – putting hundreds of hours into tons of rock for one rare little dazzling gem.  Yes, the Jewelbox has opals all year round, but you can only meet Bill Kasso  – and save 15%! – two days of the year… and this year it’s October 2 & 3 !   Come on down… you won’t be disappointed!

Click on any image for larger view!

Don’t you just love Back to School shopping?

Not for them…  for YOU!   After all, you’ve got class!

Which is why we’re having a Back to School Special on Friday & Saturday, Sept. 11th & 12th.

We HAVE to make room for some new designer collections, so for those two days only, Sept. 11th and 12th, take 20% off jewelry that will make your pupils pop!

From brilliant diamond rings to strands of graduated pearls, if it’s ready to wear, it’s 20% off!   That’s pretty much everything in our store – from gold chains to ready-to-wear diamond rings… to sapphire strands and almost everything in between.

If you’ve seen it and loved it, you may be able to save 20% on it this weekend!   Feel free to call first… our toll-free number is 1-800-711-7279 or make a local call at 607-257-4666.  We can’t hold anything for you without a deposit, but we can let you know if it’s eligible!

And speaking of pearls…

Don’t miss this special Show & Tell :

Gellner Pearl Trunk Show

hosted by our principle pearl expert “professor” Randy Pavlow of the House of Gellner. Gellner continually earn top honors worldwide for its innovative designs and highest degree of standards,  so don’t miss this chance to learn more about the art and science of the perfect pearl during our store-wide Back to School promotion September 11th & 12th.

Gellner wrote the book on class, style, and simplicity.

After all, pearls are a strong staple of any wardrobe – the ABC’s of your jewelry box, so to speak – so make them count!   Make them real.   Make them yours.  Make them real by making them yours!  Even if it’s one pearl on a simple leather cord, it’s that first pearl that grants you wisdom.

See for yourself at our Gellner Pearl Trunk Show – Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, at the Jewelbox on Ithaca’s Waterfront – where every piece is a conversation piece.  Call 607-257-4666 for more info about this or any other events, promotions, or designs you see on our site, in our newsletter, or in our blog.

Here are some more pictures from Gellner’s latest collections.

Click any of the images you see to enlarge them!

** the regular restrictions apply during promotions (for example, this promotion not valid on purchases made with Cayuga Marketplace Gift Certificates – you already save 30% with those – hint hint!)

Be the first one on your block to know when it launches!

We are soooooo close to launching our new website, we just had to give you a preview!  We’ll have crisper photographs, easier navigation… and new collections like Outrageous Opals (shown below) and GORGES Gems.

Our new Wedding Salon boasts direct links to our featured designers and their latest collections… plus added categories like Vintage Styles!

And did we mention that you can now enjoy alternate views of many designs?  Below is one of Micky Roof’s Wrinkle Rings – with Spessartite Garnet and accent diamond.  Email info@ithacajewelbox.com for pricing!

We’re also excited about finally being able to feature Gellner: Spirit of Pearls on the site!  You’ll see incredible pearls designs, as well as have direct access to hundreds of their vario clasps (see previous post here for more details) – as shown below.

AND a whole new look for  Mokume Gane by James Binnion! (yay!)

There will be a “Grand Launching” promotional extravaganza, but only “Jewelbox Insiders” will get to reap the benefits – so become and “Insider” today by opting in to our e-newsletter “Inside the Jewelbox” – just click here.  We completely respect your privacy and we promise not to share or sell your information.

See you on the new site soon!

We’ve been so buried in trying to get our new web site up that we got our blog stuck on Mothers Day – if this had been an actual LP, it would have been more annoying, and we would’ve noticed right away and changed it… whew!

Come to think of it, though…  isn’t every day Mothers Day… (ahem)?

Ahhh, well we’ll always have Paris…. uhhh… pearls!!

But it’s getting into summer now… time to revive, refresh, and revamp  your “old” jewelry.

All it needs a little TLC = Tender Loving Care.  (Or three little cabochons… corundum… citrine… chocolate diamonds…)

Our goldsmiths will give new life, new polish, new flair… and new reasons to WEAR the pieces you’ve tucked away for “later”.

Guess what.   It’s later.

ONE MORE THING… a refreshing article in this past NY Times Sunday Magazine titled ‘The Case for Working With Your Hands‘.   Now imagine if all of our hands could not only work together, but then “high five” each other…  (after Deadliest Catch of course – we love those guys!)

Happy Spring!

Quick! What women come to mind when we say “classic strand of pearls”?

Jackie?  Barbara?  Michelle?  Mom?

Yes, MOM!   She’s the real First Lady and Speaker of the House!

At the Jewelbox, all moms are First Ladies… and we’re celebrating them with a Gellner Pearl Show – Friday & Saturday, May 8 & 9 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm both days.

Not sure the “classic strand” is for her? Relax and let the pearl experts from House of Gellner show you pearls from all over the world: natural pearls, Tahitian pearls, chocolate pearls, cultured pearls, earrings, bracelets, …even loose pearls to play with!

Dive right in and scoop ‘em up because these two days only, the Jewelbox will take 15% OFF every pearl purchase!

Celebrate YOUR First Lady with a gift from the Jewelbox’s “Gellner: Spirit of Pearls” Pearl Show, 5/8 & 5/9 and take 15% OFF ALL PEARL PURCHASES!

(not valid on purchases made with Cayuga Marketplace Gift Certificates – you already save 30% with those!)

Above:  the original Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm^TM in 14k yellow gold.

As a founder of the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, Micky Roof knows a thing or two about art.  As an award-winning jewelry designer and goldsmith, Micky Roof knows ever more about creating art.

Above:  Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm™ bracelet in sterling silver.

Inspired by the GORGES geography of the Finger Lakes, and a desire to make each design memorable, Micky created the Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm^TM. The heart shape is created naturally by major roads that outline and hug the lakes. Any road map of the Finger Lakes will display this heart…and now you can too!

Available in sterling silver and 14k yellow gold, the Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm^TM measures about one inch by one inch, and can be worn as a pendant, or as a bracelet charm…or we can make a custom piece of jewelry using this iconic image. We recently made a tie bar with a small diamond set in the vicinity of the family’s homestead.

We have key chains, money clips, and ready-to-wear bracelets in brick and mortar store in Ithaca, and would be happy to discuss the many ways the Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm^TM can be customized.

Above:  Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm™ key chain – ready for engraving!

To order any of the items you see here, or to inquire about creating a Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm™ gift for yourself or someone you know, call our toll-free number 1-800-711-7279 (EST) or email us at info@ithacajewelbox.com.

Hint:  Mother’s day is coming….  here’s a GORGES gift idea!

Heart of the Finger Lakes Charm in 14k yellow gold - Mom will LOVE it!

WELCOME BACK COLOR
with a showcase of fine gems unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

* Have you ever imagined yourself a collector of rare colored gemstones?
* Would you like more information about determining gemstones’ value?
* Are you concerned that now isn’t the right time to indulge – or invest?

These are challenging times, so while buying gemstones may seem counter-intuitive, many economists agree that fine gems are the perfect investment for storing and transferring wealth.  Fine gems are tangible and compact in size.  They can be enjoyed aesthetically, passed down through generations, and they have an emotional component rarely, if ever, found in stocks and bonds. What a “brilliant” way to diversify your portfolio!  There’s no better time or place to learn about investment quality stones than at one of Micky Roof’s Gem Roundtables!

Join us for our next

Gem Roundtable & Dinner Party

with very special guest  Judith Whitehead
Member of the American Gem Trade Association

Wednesday, April 1 or Thursday, April 2   •   6:00 – 9:30 each night

What is a Gem Roundtable? After wining and dining on gourmet delights, you sit back and relax while over 100 fine gemstones are passed around the table, giving you an opportunity to interact with, learn about, and even fall in love with the breathtaking gems you encounter.  Stones range in price, starting at about $200, so even the most budget-conscious gem lover can truly enjoy.  Honestly, you will never look at colored gemstones the same way again!  Below are photos from our last event:

There is no charge to attend, so bring a friend or loved one and share the experience!

Seating limited to 20 people per evening  – RSVP today!

Call The Jewelbox at 607-257-4666 or 1-800-711-7279
Or email: info@ithacajewelbox.com (subject: gem roundtable)

Here is a link we think you’ll really like:
GIA Guide to Buying Colored Gemstones
(an interactive, professional primer guide to buying colored gemstones)

Isn’t it great to be a Jewelbox Insider?

What? You haven’t signed up for our newsletter yet?  What are you waiting for?  It’s so easy… and we don’t bombard you with junk you don’t need or care about  (well, we try not to!).  Just click on the shopping bag or on the “Become an Insider” tab at the top of the page to find out about special events and promotions way in advance – and receive special “Insider Incentives”!

Longer days, greener horizon, shorter sleeves, lower necklines…  it must be Spring – otherwise known as “mud season” here in the Finger Lakes.  But that’s part of what makes Ithaca so GORGES, so we try not to complain.  This is the time of year that our waterfalls are breathtaking!  And we have over 100 waterfalls within ten minutes of Downtown Ithaca.  So grab a short sleeve shirt and get out there!

Speaking of short sleeves and scoop necks… you “spring clean” your house, so why not “spring clean” your jewelry box too?  Here are some golden ideas to brighten your Spring jewelry without busting your budget:

Reconfigure and Redesign:

1. Just not into yellow gold anymore?  Think about rhodium coating.  From pendants to rings to charms… get the bright white gold or sterling silver look for the cost of a deluxe car wash.  (hmmmm, wonder which one will last longer…)

2. Turn a single earring into a pendant!  You could kick yourself for losing it, but now you can pat yourself on the back for devising a distinctive (and more secure) way to show it off!  Bring it to us for an estimate… you’d be surprised at how easy and cost-effective it can be to create a beautiful pendant from one, lonely earring.

3. Redesign a past favorite and make it a favorite again!  Have you ever worn a dress you’ve “had forever, but got sick of wearing” – and then heard more than a handful of people tell you how great you look?  Oh, yeah… now you remember why it was a favorite dress!   Jewelry is the same way.   It’s nice to hear that you have good taste!   The Jewelbox offers free jewelry cleaning, so stop in and see how we can help you restore your favorites!

4. ADD COLOR!!!  It is so easy to add colored gemstones to an existing piece of jewelry!  Or create something new out of the old!  Gem quality Mali garnets, flawless faceted tourmaline, fancy sapphires, blue zircon… we have an extensive collection of colored gems at the Jewelbox – and we LOVE sharing them with our customers.  From rich chocolate diamonds to electric blue zircons to glowing pink sapphires to a shimmering 27 ct. aqua tourmaline, there is no shortage of jaw-dropping gems to plan a custom design around.

The Micky Roof custom pendant pictured at right is a classic example of how we can take stones from other pieces of jewelry to make one really amazing item.  Imagine the  possibilities… and savings!

Call today for a custom design appointment with Micky – planning ahead is a good thing – and see how a little reconfiguration and redesign can turn a whole bunch of blah into a whole lotta “aaaahhhhhh”!

(Hint:  Plan now for Mother’s Day and Graduation!)

While we have been diligently working to build our new web site (and what a vision of beauty it will be), the time seems to have slipped by in an upstate New York minute.

So to make up for lost time, we are giving you access to one of the best kept secrets in Ithaca – Cayuga Market Place – where you can purchase a Jewelbox Gift Certificate for 30% off the regular price!

You’re probably wondering “whaaaat?”…

Just CLICK HERE to access a $50 gift certificate only $35!  That’s a savings of 30%.   HURRY because there are only a few left!

Oh, and the best part?  There’s no limit to how many you personally can purchase (that’s if there are any left by now)!  So if you’ve been saving up for something really big, purchase as many gift certificates as you need to cover the cost of the item!  Ta-dah!

You can thank the folks at Cayuga Radio Group too!

You’ll need to visit the website to see all the other participating businesses (this is just the header from their site), but we are passionately participating!

TOP TEN REASONS TO BUY LOCAL

1. Buy Local Support our OWN economy. Money spent at local, independent businesses stays local and circulates through our community.
2. Support community groups Locally owned businesses give back at much higher rates than big biz.
3. Keep our community unique Local businesses reflect local culture, flavor, and interests
4. Reduce environmental impact Local sourcing means goods and supplies usually travel shorter distances
5. Create more good jobs Small businesses are the largest private employer nationally.
6. Get better service Local businesses are more knowledgeable about their products and take time to know their customers.
7. Invest in community Local businesses are owned by people with a stake in the community’s future and well-being.
8. Put your taxes to good use Local businesses make more efficient use of public services than big biz.
9. Buy what YOU want, not what someone wants you to buy Local businesses are free to choose and stock products that their customers ask for.
10. Encourage local prosperity Entrepreneurs and skilled workers tend to invest and settle in communities with distinctive character.

Stop by the Jewelbox on Ithaca’s Waterfront to get your card stamped.

No purchase necessary… we just encourage you to shop locally this season, and for all seasons to come.

You may have seen this simple campaign in your favorite periodical.

We like it.

FEWER, BETTER THINGS.

Our lives are full of things. Disposable distractions,
stuff you buy but do not cherish, own yet never love.
Thrown away in weeks rather than passed down for generations.

Perhaps things will be different now.

Wiser choices made with greater care.
After all, if the fewer things you own always excite you,
would you really miss the many that never could?

Ahhhhhh, the good old days… the Paleozoic Era… the Triassic Period… the Stone Age… they were some good times!

Now you can relive the memories of ice ages and plate tectonics on Sunday, December 7th at the Museum of the Earth – when longtime gem collector and jewelry designer Micky Roof presents a “natural selection” of unique fossils, gems, and minerals during her newest rockin’ holiday event -

Stones ‘n Bones: Fossil, Gem and Jewelry Show: a Holiday Fundraiser for the Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth

Sunday, Dec. 7th from 10:00 – 4:00 at the Museum of the Earth

This era, shop locally!

Make the old holiday shopping tradition new again with gifts that truly say “dig this!” when Micky presents her newest collection of jewelry – inspired by and created with – fossils (and fossil carvings) from all over the world, outrageous opals, and incredibly unique faceted gemstones.

Micky’s newest designs really connect the wearer to the history and mystery of our planet Earth.

And they’re out of this wooooorld….

Orthoceros - does not translate into "angry little penguin".

Drusy Quartz Leaves and Fresh Water Cultured Pearls

We’re woozy from drusy (pronounced “droozy”) – in a good way, of course.

Getting ready for Stones ‘n Bones: Holiday Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show includes giving our audience a preview of what will be available and on display.  From loose gems and stones to finished works of jewelry art, there will be a lot to discover, such as dazzling faceted gemstones… from enormous Amethyst to bright Blue Zircon – not to be confused with cubic zirconia, which is a synthesized diamond simulant.  As a matter of fact, Zircon (an incredibly sparkly gemstone) is one of the oldest materials on Earth!

But there will be more than just gemstones… we’ve got hundreds of fossil carvings, fossil pendants, loose fossils and fossilized materials (like sand dollars and dinosaur poop)… plus outrageous opals, opalized wood, and a veritable rainbow of faceted gemstones (including all different colors of sapphires, tourmaline, and garnets!).

So this era, shop locally and come to our fundraiser for PRI -

Stones ‘n Bones: Holiday Fossil, Gem and Jewelry Show at Museum of the Earth

Sunday, December 7th from 10:00am – 4:00pm

Hugo A. Kohl III ring for 5mm stone

Looking for an antique style engagement ring or band? Consider a design by Hugo A Kohl III.

Kohl combines traditional methods with today’s technology to create exquisite gold and platinum filigree jewelry. With a collection of 3000 hand-engraved dies, most dating from the 1800’s, Hugo Kohl brings some of the most incredible – and exclusive – rings to the forefront of the industry.

A setting by Hugo A. Kohl III makes a statement – or understatement as the case may be.

One thing to remember with a Hugo Kohl ring is that the ring’s stone size cannot be modified – for example, a ring that fits a 5mm stone cannot be modified to fit another size stone. But we can help you find just about any stone for any ring – whether it’s a white or chocolate diamond, a pink or blue sapphire… just ask! Email us for more information: info@ithacajewelbox.com or call our toll-free number 1-800-711-7279.

Here are just a few more exquisite Hugo Kohl rings…

R-64 for 7mm stone

R-13 for 5mm stone

R-16 for 4.5mm stone

Incredible detail, right? What are you waiting for? Give us a call!

What a great way to ask "Wood you marry me?"

One of the most popular jewelry lines we feature is by a metalsmith named James Binnion.  He is an expert in the technique of Mokume Gane and we are proud to carry his work.

These are just a few examples of James Binnion’s incredible hand-crafted rings.  From engagement rings (and, yes, we can use your own stones!) and wedding bands to your own custom design (maybe a splash of chocolate diamonds set into a rose gold swirl?) the possibilities are endless!

MOKUME GANE translated means “wood eye metal”.  It is a rare metal lamination process that goes back to the 17th century when it was used to widely as adornment for samurai swords.  James Binnion is one of the few artists in the world who employs the same demanding technique: bonding platinum, gold, and silver alloys into beautiful patterns to form extraordinary rings. You can read more about James Binnion, and the art of mokeme gane, at his website.

Here at the Jewelbox, we work closely with both James and his wife Terry to ensure that your mokume gane ring not only meets your expectations, but exceeds them.   Call us toll-free at 1-800-711-7279 or email info@ithacajewelbox.com to custom order your own mokume gane rings today!

While we work on our website, we are constantly getting new styles of rings from GelinAbaci (also known as Gelin Abaci or GAI). There are now over 225 styles of just tension rings! So just because you don’t see it on our site, doesn’t mean we can’t order one for you! Please visit the GelinAbaci site and then email us with your questions/details/info and we will get right back to you! Email: info@ithacajewelbox.com.

Here are some examples:

Below: GelinAbaci TR-193

Below: GelinAbaci TR-195 in 18k white gold

Below: GelinAbaci TR-198-A in 18K white gold

Below: GelinAbaci TR-202 in 18k white gold

Again, these are just a few of the newer styles! Interested? Call us toll-free at 1-800-711-7279!

The Twig Collection by Micky Roof… sticks you’ll want to pick up!

‘Tis the season to start preparing your “outdoors” so that you spend the next few months indoors… it just doesn’t make sense.  But here at the Jewelbox, we’ve got sticks you’ll want to pick up!  From simple sterling silver bracelets for about $100.00 to intricately designed necklaces with lots of gemstones.

Micky’s Twig Collection contains bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings in sterling silver and yellow gold.  The 18k yellow gold Twig Bracelet below has diamond buds, but you can pick your own stones… kind of like a “this bud’s for you” design-your-own-bracelet program.

Say “Thank you, honey, for helping me prep the yard for Winter!” with a brand new, shiny item from Micky’s Twig Collection!

Happy Autumn!

Our Outrageous Opal Show starts this Thursday!

Here is our beautiful sales associate, Sarah, with a handful of Australian opals. I snapped this shot as we were setting up for our Opal Show last year… so there is a limited amount of opals actually visible. What is visible, though, is the glee in Sarah’s smile (she’s holding back a bit, but it’s there!)… there is a whole lot of oooooohing and ahhhhhing and wow-wow-wowing going on as we set up for the show. We are pretty lucky to get a sneak preview of sorts because the opals are spectacular.  We wouldn’t get any work done if we just stood around in awe all day!

Stop into the Jewelbox between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, this Thursday through Saturday, and you’ll be wow-wow-wowing, too!

And we still have seats available for the Friday night Opal Roundtable and Dinner Event! It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s Friday night from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Call 607-257-4666 or email info@ithacajewelbox.com to reserve your seats! The images below will show how the Jewelbox actually gets transformed for these events. We’re serious about our events… look… olives!

Dinner Event at the Jewelbox

This is from the Gem Roundtable, but you get the idea!

We Buy Gold! And platinum! And silver in large amounts (old flatware sets, anyone???).

Creating a gallery of custom designs can use up a lot of gold, so we choose to recycle precious metals when possible… but we need your help. In a Monty Python-esque tone, we are sending out a call to “bring out your gold” – frustratingly tangled and broken chains, single earrings that even birthday candle wishes couldn’t find the mate for, rings from a marriage you’d rather forget – cash is still better than a lump of precious metal that isn’t bringing back any pleasant memories.

And we will be completely honest with you if we believe an item is worth more as a complete piece than as scrap metal. We have seen some gorgeous antique jewelry, and we have guided their owners to the proper antique-related sources. And we’ve seen some beautiful pieces of jewelry that just needed some stylish redesign to become a favorite ring, bracelet, or necklace again!

So bring out your gold! It’s all about green…

Now that we’ve got Motley Crue songs running through your head (try Duran Duran’s “Pearls on Film” if you don’t like heavy metal!) – here’s a “save the date” for our annual Gellner Pearl Party!

It’s free and it’s fabulous!

On Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25, the Jewelbox and the House of Gellner will host “Pearl Jam 2008″. If you are not familiar with the House of Gellner, take some time to familiarize yourself with their extraordinary and innovative designs at http://www.gellner.com/usa.

We’ve blogged about Gellner before (read our past “Gellner -More Than Just Pearls” post for more technical details), but here are some more reasons to love Gellner as much as we do!

When you immerse yourself in the Gellner system of Vario clasps, you unlock a world of endless jewelry possibilities! Kind of like Mr. Potato Head for adults! The picture above shows vario clasps in their natural state – happy! Any one of these clasps can change the personality of a strand of pearls. And there are literally hundreds more clasps to choose from!

But wait! It gets better!

Gellner realizes that some people just love the clasps and don’t necessarily own (or want) a strand of pearls… so they have designed alternative necklaces (not just pearls) that range from chunky oxidized sterling silver links to black rubber cords with 18k golds ends (all the better to enhance the beauty of your new Gellner clasp)!

It’s all interchangeable, it’s all beautiful, and it’s all fun!

As Micky Roof is one of the founders of the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, it makes sense to start your art trail journey here at the Jewelbox! We will be open both Open Studio Weekends…our regular business hours (Monday – Saturday: 10-6) and special hours on both of the Sundays (from 11-5) of this incredibly special weekend.

The Jewelbox is always open to anyone who just wants to browse unique works of art!  No one should ever feel intimidated to step inside the Jewelbox – just because we are a jewelry store too!  We love when people stop in just to “look at pretty things”.  Micky’s designs have been shown in galleries around the world and in magazines throughout the industry.  Come discover the Jewelbox for yourself…and you’ll understand why we say “every piece is a conversation piece”!

See you soon!