Jewelry Navigator

We all understand the importance of having special jewelry items appraised, but what happens after that? How do you know what should be covered for loss or damage? What can you do to protect your jewelry from loss if it doesn’t meet the value specification for insurance coverage? Understanding how your insurance policy will cover your jewelry items in case of loss or damage is the first step. These are just a few aspects about insuring jewelry that are addressed in this Jewelry Navigator Podcast episode with Mark Devereaux, Vice President of Sales and Distribution with Jewelers Mutual Group.  

This has been one of the most popular episodes, so I'm re-publishing it as a great reminder for a summer project: cleaning out your jewelry box without tossing treasures! Be sure to get your copy of the Jewelry Box Graveyard Cheat Sheet! You can find it on my Link Tree page through in my Instagram Profile. Click Here for yours!   How many times have you visited your jewelry box to discover twisted, tangled chains, orphaned, earrings, or rings missing gemstones?   Much of our forgotten jewelry is abandoned due to disrepair, but how can you tell what is worth keeping? What looks like junk may be forgotten treasures! In this episode of the Jewelry Navigator Podcast, I share a few helpful tips on what to look for to easily identify jewelry of value in your Jewelry Box Graveyard using clues from the metals with which fine jewelry is made.

No other gemstone with the same rich, pure green as emerald, like the fine gem quality emeralds from sources like Columbia mines, and other location sources. Fine quality emerald gems almost glow from within, and it’s no surprise that the verdant gem has enticed and captivated emperors, sovereigns, wealthy celebrities, and gem collectors from the beginning of recorded time.  Today’s podcast continues my visit with Adrianne Sanogo, GIA Graduate Gemologist. In this second part, we share details about emeralds and the best way to wear and enjoy them, what care and wear considerations to keep in mind, where they are mined, and even some of their interesting internal characteristics that are specific to certain mined locations. Listening to this episode of Jewelry Navigator Podcast will give you a better understanding of emeralds and prepare you for shopping and caring for them in jewelry. Here are a few tips we discuss for deeper insights into emeralds and how to best care for this beautiful gemstone: - The pos

Jewelry Navigator Podcast celebrates 100 episodes with a two-part feature with special guest, Graduate Gemologist, Adrianne Sanogo. You’re in for a treat! As Adrianne shared what inspired her to become a gemologist, our conversation meandered into topics of current interest to trade and consumers alike.   Be sure to subscribe and listen to today’s episode and the continuation later this week with insights into emerald -  this month’s birthstone.   As two gemologists with the same passion for informing and educating consumers, we enjoyed discussing how to broadcast the benefits of entering the field of gemology and how gemologists serve the jewelry industry from mom-and-pop jewelry stores to large corporations making major investment decisions. These are just some of the nuggets I reveal in this fun and informal visit with phenomenal and accomplished Graduate Gemologist, Adrianne Sanogo. Who is the consumer? The consumer is not always the shopper. Consumers are also others in the industry who can be served wit

Have you ever wanted to feel like a celebrity for a special event, like a milestone reunion, a wedding, or an award ceremony?  Maybe you’d like to experience the feeling of adorning yourself with luxurious or high-end, designer fine jewelry, today’s Jewelry Navigator Podcast guest has the perfect solution! Tanya Canfield, the founder of Trejours,  provides her customers with fine jewelry selections to enrich life celebrations and important occasions at a fraction of the cost. From Riviera diamond necklaces to stand-out cocktail rings and iconic designer jewelry, Trejours customers can select up to three items to rent. It’s the perfect way to “test wear” or borrow the perfect jeweled accessory for celebrations, award events, and formal galas. In this Jewelry Navigator Podcast, “Rent Luxury Jewelry Treasures for a Celebrity Level Experience With Tanya Canfield of Trejours”,  Tanya shares her background in jewelry, what inspired her to start Trejours, and how her customers enjoy the benefits of luxury jewelry fo

Sherrie Taylor, Graduate Gemologist, and Registered Master Valuer,  of S. Taylor Jewellery Appraisals and Consultation shares how she enriches the appraisal process with an often overlooked aspect of jewelry heirlooms.    While the intrinsic characteristics of jewelry heirlooms determine their replaceable value, their stories and meanings are what give them irreplaceable value.   In this episode, Sherrie shares how she takes the time to include these often omitted aspects of jewelry appraising that add an enjoyable dimension to her appraisal process.  

Did you know that diamond substitutes have been around for centuries? How do you know when a clear gemstone is a diamond? On this week’s Jewelry Navigator Podcast, Brenna shares the more common diamond substitutes and why it’s important to understand their differences.

As the start of a recurring series, this podcast focuses on aquamarine and its related gemstone varieties. Did you know that aquamarine has a famous gemstone “sister”, known as emerald? If you were looking for a larger gem to set into a fantastic new jewel, would you know which gem minerals to look to first? In this episode, we explore the beryl family of gemstones, and what makes each variety unique, making beryl a beautiful bouquet of gem options!  Each month, I will feature a different gemstone, most likely, the featured birthstone of the month, sharing a gemological overview and possible alternative options.  

In this second part of It’s About Time - A Unique Twist on Luxury Watches with Kelly Juell of Juell time, Kelly shares the red flags to watch for when shopping for luxury watches and jewelry in the secondary markets. She also discloses how the unique market position of low supply and high demand affects retailers of luxury watches and consumers seeking them out.   Some takeaways from my visit with Kelly Juell: work with a trusted AD or reputable “gray market” dealer who has an excellent reputation and who will have your best interest at heart because of its high demand, Rolex watches maintain and increase in value when purchasing from a secondary market, understanding the value of the box, tag, and original enclosures may make a significant difference in a purchase and resale price. This topic of luxury watches fits within my recurring theme of Trends and Traditions, and there is so much more to come!   I have some guests I’ll be recording within the coming weeks to add more to your working knowledge of jewe

Understanding common jewelry terminology is critical for shopping for and collecting jewelry. Today on Carats and Coffee, I share what the difference is between two very similar jewelry and gem terms, karat with a "K", and carat with a "C". Be sure to follow Jewelry Navigator on Instagram and on our Facebook page!    

Kelly Juell, Founder of Juell Time, specializes in luxury watches with a different twist. She customizes luxury watches, like Rolexes with jeweled and specialized alterations, transforming them into distinguished timepieces to complement her clients’ lifestyles. Her working knowledge and familiarity with fine jewelry, watches, custom design, and jewelry repair provide Kelly expertise and background to succeed in the niche luxury watch market. Kelly takes pride in the high quality of workmanship her customizations produce, seeking out the most qualified craftspeople who specialize in the high-skill stone-setting and alterations on her clients' watches. As an advocate for anti-fraud practices, Kelly shares red flags to watch for when shopping for luxury watches in the secondary, or gray market. Our visit together provided so many great tips and information that I had to split our visit into two episodes! Other key points Kelly shares on Jewelry Navigator Podcast are: When they customize a watch, Juell Time retu

NEW BONUS EPISODES - CARATS AND COFFEE WITH Jewelry Navigator  THIS WEEK: 5 QUICK SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR YOUR JEWELRY BOX AND A SNEAK PEEK INTO THIS WEEK'S PODCAST EPISODE. Carats and Coffee with Jewelry Navigator is a weekend bonus episode to be live stream recorded on Saturday mornings. Come with your favorite morning beverage and jewelry questions for quick jewelry updates and news between weekly episodes. Join LIVE on Podbean Saturday mornings, 8:30 a.m. EST

Since relaunching Jewelry Navigator Podcast a few weeks ago, I came across the perfect recorded conversation I had with a field "interpreter" at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. As the only gem diamond source in the United States of substantial finds, Crater of Diamonds State Park has a fascinating history and makes a unique destination for vacationers, gem and jewel collectors, and spring-breakers. Significant diamond discoveries have been made by visitors to the park, several of which are over 10 carats! To plan your visit to dig for diamonds, click the link below! Crater of Diamonds State Park https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park

Jewelry Trends and Traditions for 2023 - An overview of current jewelry trends and steady traditions and how to balance the two for a lasting jewelry wardrobe. Jewelry Trends and Traditions - Which One Should You Follow? Jewelry is a personal way we express ourselves in every stage of life. Trends reflect quick snapshots in time and capture mood and attitude, whereas traditions are more lasting. I’ll be using the theme of Trends and Traditions as a guide to build on classic styles while blending expressive trends for an eclectic and lasting jewelry collection. Publication references made in this episode: "Everything You Need to Know About Traditional Design", By Sienna Livermore, Published October 12, 2018 House Beautiful https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a23611149/traditional-design/   Harper's Bazaar, "The 2023 Jewelry Trends Experts Say Everyone is Wearing" by Amelia Madden, Published February 10, 2023 https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g42242867/2023-jewelry-trends/   "The True S

Today’s podcast gives you a snapshot of the partnership and team of Tucson Todd’s Gems, and Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels that resulted in THREE  AGTA Spectrum Awards. As vendors at the Pueblo Gem Show began packing their wares to return home, I had a few minutes with Mary and Todd. They shared how their gem and jewelry-making talents overlap resulting in award-winning jewelry. Mary was selected as a winner in three categories for the AGTA Spectrum Awards  - an exceptional accomplishment in the world of fine gems and jewelry.

Horse Tails & Ant Hills - The Hidden Secrets of Garnets   FYI: Gemstones keep secrets, and it all starts with Horse Tails and Ant Hills!   Find out just what these cryptic clues mean in this week’s brand new, and the FIRST episode of Jewelry Navigator Podcast of 2022!   It’s the Year of the Tiger! Are you ready to POUNCE on more gem facts and jewelry stories?! Listen to Jewelry Navigator Podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Podbean. 

As part of celebrating 20,000 downloads of the Jewelry Navigator Podcast, I'm featuring former podcast guests in the Jewelry Navigator™ Gift Guide. I’m so excited for many of the designers I’ve featured on the podcast who are having record sales this year through their perseverance and collaborative efforts with markets, niche shows, and boutiques. The Holiday Gift Guide is a celebration of the guests who have made Jewelry Navigator Podcast fun and interesting for 20,000 downloads,  Below is a list of the jewelers and designers along with the categories in which they're featured in the Holiday Gift Guide. JEWELRY FOR HER: Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels* Nayla Shami Jewelry* Tin Haus* Tracy Trainor Jewellery* Au Xchange * Dana Busch Designs* JEWELRY FOR HIM: Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels* Tin Haus * CRASH Jewelry* Tracy Trainor Jewellery* American Chest SELF INDULGE: California Girl Jewelry* Elizabeth Moore Jewelry* Cynthia Renée Jewelry* Au Xchange* Emily Kuvin Jewelry* Debra Navarro* 'TIS THE SEASON:

About Jewelry Navigator Podcast: Listen to Jewelry Navigator Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and Google Podcasts. Brenna Pakes is the creative force behind Jewelry Navigator LLC, a collective platform to guide consumers to smart jewelry choices.   As a GIA Graduate Gemologist with an undergraduate degree in geology, Brenna has enjoyed nearly twenty years of retail jewelry experience as a gemologist and jewelry consultant. 
Through Jewelry Navigator, she shares an appreciation for designers who create beyond commercial trends and whose designs resonate with shoppers looking to celebrate what makes them unique. 
Brenna promotes brand awareness and support for independent jewelry designers and artisans through informative media platforms, like Jewelry Navigator Podcast, and digital publication, Jewelry Navigator Passport. This Episode: "Costume Jewelry Treasures With Veronica Staudt of Vintage Meet Modern" Since publishing “What’s in Your Jewelry Box Graveyard?” podcast episode,

How many times have you visited your jewelry box to discover twisted, tangled chains, orphaned, earrings, or rings missing gemstones?   Much of our forgotten jewelry is abandoned due to disrepair, but how can you tell what is worth keeping? What looks like junk may be forgotten treasures! In this episode of Jewelry Navigator Podcast, I share a few helpful tips on what to look for to easily identify jewelry of value in your Jewelry Box Graveyard using clues from the metals with which fine jewelry is made.  

Nan Fusco’s Versatile Jewelry Designs Redefine  Luxury Jewelry   Like many artists, Nan Fusco didn’t start her jewelry career in gem or design courses.   Nan’s former career and formal training are in graphic design.   Skilled with reading a client’s style and needs, Nan’s ability to design around a concept beautifully highlight the fossils and stones she selects as the focal points of her jewelry.   Making jewelry versatile through aspects of changeability and movement is one of Nan’s superpowers as a jewelry designer.   From her Abacus rings and earrings, to jewelry scarves, and her long necklaces designed with engineering aspects, Nan incorporates appealing design concepts with texture and movement for jewelry creations that are classic fun, and had women buying her creations right off her neck!   We talk about how important it is for designers to educate the boutiques where her jewelry is stocked to the versatility of her jewelry.   We also discuss the necessity and struggles that come with