Mollie’s Holiday Hot List 2022

Lustrous Clusters

Sparkle is intensified with radiant diamonds clustered together, making your diamonds appear richer!

Hammer Set Diamonds

Popularized in the Victorian era for its subtle sophistication, a hammer style setting showcases diamonds mounted flush in a bold surround. Styles range from robust to delicate and often include decorative carvings like moons, flowers, or stars. This setting offers an organic, old-world feel, while emphasizing the natural illumination of the shimmering gold and diamonds.

Stars Aligned

Celestial motifs are contemporary pieces that continue to mesmerize. Crescent moons symbolize positive change, empowerment, and femininity. Gifted as charms of good luck, star emblems symbolize well-wishes and encouragement to chase your dreams. A combination of stars, moons, and suns are representative of the loving bonds between family and friends. Layering on a combination of celestial charms, pendants, and emblems is an enchanting way to curate a fun, modern look with an imaginative twist.

Opal Obsession

Like a wearable fairytale, opal is the latest color craze and the hottest stone to add to your everyday jewelry stack. Opal is a shimmering, magical gemstone said to bring its wearer good luck and confidence. A kaleidoscope of colors, no two opals are the same, making each piece of opal jewelry a one-of-a-kind experience.

Make it Personal

The resurgence in meaningful jewelry has sparked our passion for personalization. Signet rings, lockets, initials, and engravable discs are excellent ways to add a sprinkle of sentiment into your everyday jewelry.

Wrists of Whiskey & Watches

Jewelry Trends for Fall 2022

Fall in Love with Fall

Chilly weather, chunky sweaters, and moody, deep jewel tones. What’s not to love about fall? Well, the jewelry trends this fall season will give you even more reasons to love it! Featuring layers of thick gold, chunky statement pieces, luxurious animal motifs, & sleek hammer set diamonds, this season’s trends are encouraging us all to be bold & unafraid to standout. And personally? We are living for it!

So whether your favorite fall activity is curling up on the couch to watch Hocus Pocus for the fiftieth time, visiting a pumpkin patch and sipping on some warm apple cider, or donning your garb and popping by the Renaissance Festival, you are sure to love these trends & we are here to ensure you find what works best for you!

Get the Look

Get the Look

Animal Emblems

Nothing says luxury quite like animal emblems on jewelry. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bee, jaguar, dragonfly, or snake. There’s just something so majestic about pieces that incorporate these creatures. And that is precisely why the animal-themed jewelry trend is continuing into fall.

Expect to see such designs as ruby bees, diamond jungle cats, and emerald cobras this season.

Get the Look

Get the Look

Hammer Set Diamonds

Formerly called “gypsy set diamonds,” hammer set diamonds are probably the most subtle trend this season. Don’t think that means they’re boring, however!

Hammer set diamonds sit flush with the surface of the metal, similar to bezel settings, but with a different aesthetic. The result is classic, sleek, and a great everyday option for wearing diamonds. This style also helps to protect your diamonds so if you lead a more active lifestyle, you’ll definitely want to try hammer set diamonds!

Get the Look

Mollie’s Hot List Fall Jewelry Trends 2022

Mollie’s Top Picks for the Groom

Best Bridesmaids Gifts for Fall 2022

Engagement Rings Explained

Everything you need to know about engagement rings

Purchasing an engagement ring can be incredibly overwhelming. There are countless options for what to buy, how much to spend, and whether you should purchase online or in-person at a jeweler. It’s definitely a lot to take in, especially if you’re not sure where to start. Luckily for you, that’s why we’re here! This is a comprehensive guide of frequently asked questions on engagement rings including when you should buy, how to set your budget, engagement ring costs, what financing options are available, and the pros and cons of purchasing online versus in-store. We hope this helps answer any questions you may have!

How far in advance should I buy an engagement ring?

It’s best to purchase your engagement ring as far in advance as you can. Depending on what type of ring you’re getting (we’ll get into that more in a minute), it may take some time to create your ring and you don’t want to be left in a rush. It’s also good to have your ring early because you never know when the perfect moment to propose may appear. The sooner you have the ring, the more prepared you’ll be for when that perfect moment arrives. 

A good rule of thumb to follow is to purchase your engagement ring at least 2-3 months before you plan on proposing.

What size engagement ring should I buy? Can engagement rings be resized?

When it comes to buying an engagement ring and not knowing your partner’s size, it’s best to aim a little bigger just to be safe. If the ring is too big, you can still slip it on their finger during the proposal and they can still wear it for photos. If it’s too small, you don’t get the joy of doing either of those things. 

The average ring finger size for engagement rings is size 6-6.5. So if you’re unsure, go with one of those! Engagement rings can always be resized later. However, keep in mind that resizing works best when it’s only by a couple of sizes. It’s also more difficult for some rings to be resized than others. If you’re concerned, discuss it with your Diamond Specialist! They will suggest what will work best.

Is it weird to shop for engagement rings with my partner?

Absolutely not! Some people prefer to surprise their partner, which is awesome. But more and more couples are shopping for their engagement rings together. This ensures that your partner absolutely loves their ring and allows you to find one that you feel best encapsulates your relationship together. In fact, most of our couples tend to shop for their rings together. You should do whatever feels most comfortable to you!

How much do engagement rings cost?

The answer is: It depends on a lot of different factors. The type of band you’re looking at will affect price (a simple metal band versus an eternity band covered with diamonds) along with the number of stones (a solitaire vs. side stones for example) and the quality of your diamond. 

Diamonds all vary in price depending on their size and quality. Diamonds are judged based on the “4Cs:” Cut, Carat, Clarity, & Color. You could look at two diamonds that are the same exact carat size but vary wildly in price simply because they’re of different clarity and color. 

This may seem daunting, but this is actually a positive to engagement ring shopping! Because the pricing varies so much depending on your choices, you are able to make those choices depending on what works best for your budget. This helps ensure that you aren’t stuck paying an amount that you aren’t comfortable with.

How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

This depends entirely upon your budget and what you are most comfortable with. There is no right or wrong answer as to how much you should spend on an engagement ring. 

If you aren’t sure what your budget is, think of it this way: You may not know exactly what you’re willing to spend, but you likely know what you aren’t willing to spend. What price seems outrageous to you? You can go down from there and see what options exist below that number. Keep going until you find a price range that feels most comfortable!

What financing or payment options are available when I purchase an engagement ring?

Richter & Phillips offers special financing with approved credit through Wells Fargo. The Wells Fargo Jewelry Advantage credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Apply online or ask your sales associate for details. We also offer one-year, interest-free layaway. We also offer a Price Protection Guarantee; if within 90 days of your purchase you find a diamond with the same specifications and is graded by the same gemological laboratory at a lower price anywhere in the United States, Richter & Phillips will match it and give you 10% of the difference.

Does Richter & Phillips Jewelers ever have any sales or discounts on engagement rings?

We have an annual Engagement Ring & Diamond Sale every year in the spring, usually sometime in March. During this sale, we offer 15-70% off engagement ring settings along with special pricing on loose diamonds.

We like to follow this sale up with our annual Wedding Band Sale every year in the fall, usually in September. During the Wedding Band Sale, we offer BOGO 50% off wedding bands. 

These are definitely the two biggest times of the year to save and are always a hit! To stay in the know and receive reminders for the sales, send us a message & we will add you to our email list!

If you do miss these sales though, don’t fret! We pride ourselves on offering the most competitive, fair pricing in the Cincinnati area with no middle-man markups.

Buying engagement rings online versus in-store

These days, it’s so easy to gravitate towards buying everything online. There’s something so convenient and gratifying about being able to purchase what you need while being warm and cozy in your bed. However, there are a lot of benefits when it comes to purchasing an engagement ring in-store as opposed to online.

When you purchase an engagement ring in-store, you get to see the exact diamond that you are purchasing. When you buy online, you may not be viewing that exact diamond or it may appear differently in person than it does in photographs. With such an important purchase, it is paramount that what you see is what you’re actually getting. 

A lot of online jewelers offer online diamond stock where you can choose your own diamond. Did you know that we have access to the exact same stock? They don’t actually own these diamonds. It’s an online inventory that every jeweler has access to. So if you find a particular diamond that you really like online, we can actually source that exact same one and get it in-store for you to view in-person with your own eyes to ensure that you like it. We do this all with no deposit required. 

If you’d rather scout out your options prior to coming in-store, use our online 3D Engagement Ring Designer! This way you can create the exact ring that you want and then send our team of Custom Design Specialists an inquiry where they will then send you pricing information about the ring. This can help save or shorten you a trip to the store, while still ensuring you get the exact ring that you’re wanting.

Double Proposals & Why You Should Have One

What is a Double Proposal?

Have you ever taken a moment to stop and think about why only one person proposes? If it takes two people to form a partnership, why don’t both of those people propose? That’s where double proposals come in! What is a double proposal you may be wondering? A double proposal is when each partner in the relationship proposes to the other, allowing both people in the relationship to experience the magical moment of hearing those words, “Will you marry me?” And while traditional proposals are still a beautiful thing and there’s nothing wrong with wanting a traditional proposal, double proposals are on the rise and we are so here for it!

A diamond ring? Or something else…

So say you’ve decided you would like to double propose. What do you propose with? Do you both propose with diamond rings? The truth is, it’s honestly up to you and how you’d like to express your love for that person! If your partner isn’t really a diamond ring type of person, you can always propose with a simple metal band or a piece of other meaningful jewelry such as a birthstone pendant. If they’re a watch collector, you can even propose with a timepiece! There’s truly no right or wrong answer, just as long as the choice feels most authentic to you and your relationship with your partner.

Our Suggestions

Love lifts us up

Proposals are celebrations of love and partnership. At the end of the day, it’s up to you and your partner whether you would rather do a traditional or double proposal. Every relationship is different. The most important thing is that you are doing what feels the most authentic for you and your partnership. Regardless of which route you choose, we are here to help you celebrate such a momentous occasion and assist you in finding the perfect piece to initiate your proposal with!

Popular Engagement Ring Styles for 2022

So, you’ve been with your significant other for awhile now and you’re ready to start looking at rings. How exciting! But where to start? It can be tricky when there are so many different styles of engagement rings to choose from. But don’t worry! We are here to help!

While there are many different types of engagement ring styles trending currently, the biggest trend of all amongst brides to be is individuality. Now more than ever, engagement rings are becoming symbolic of both the individual wearer as well as the relationship itself. Many timeless engagement ring styles are making a comeback, but with a unique, individualistic twist.

Hidden Halo

Want an extra dose of sparkle? Then you may love a hidden halo. This innovative and unique take on the halo design offers a subtle pop of extra sparkle, while also accentuating the center stone and making it appear larger. Hidden halos work with any diamond shape and can also be used to mix metal colors!

So why opt for a hidden halo over an obvious halo? The truth is, sometimes less is more! If you want a larger stone, you may not want to over power it with side stones or other distracting accents. A hidden halo allows you to have that extra pop and sparkle while accenting your stone instead of detracting from it. It’s also a way to add extra diamonds while maintaining a more simplistic, minimalistic look.

If you find yourself loving the hidden halo trend, one brand to check out is Martin Flyer. They specialize in this engagement ring style and have a ton of different looks to choose from, ensuring you find the ring that best encapsulates you.

Trilogy Settings

You know what they say, good things come in threes. Why should your diamond be any different? Three stone settings represent your past, present, and future with your partner. Choose three diamonds for an extra sparkling setting or get creative with colored gemstones on the sides! To make this setting even more sentimental, use your partner’s birthstone as your side stones.

Trilogy engagement rings also allow for you to experiment with different shapes and pairings, further customizing your ring and making it even more unique to you and your relationship. Once you have a center stone shape you truly love, pair it with a few different side stone shapes until you find one you love. Side stones come in a large variety of shapes included but not limited to oval, trapezoid, half-moon, pear, baguette, and emerald.

Did you know that larger side stones can also accentuate your center stone? Yet another reason to give a trilogy setting a try! These rings offer so many different options, the possibilities are truly limitless, ensuring your engagement ring is truly unique to you.

Fancy Shape Diamonds

With individuality at the forefront of engagement ring styles this year, it’s no surprise that fancy shape diamonds are more popular than ever. Offering a more unique look than traditional round diamonds, these shapes consist of distinct cuts such as pear, oval, asscher, and marquise, just to name a few. While we do still love a good round diamond moment (they’re a classic for a reason!), some find that these stones don’t flatter their finger shape or they simply want something a little different!

So which shape is best for you? The best answer is to try them all on! We find that many people have preconceived notions of which stone shape they prefer, then change their minds entirely once they’ve tried on a few different shapes. Even if you’re not yet ready to buy, we welcome you to book an appointment just to try some on!

Want to go extra big with your diamond? Opt for a large fancy shape diamond solitaire ring! This is a perfect way to showcase your personality, while still keeping your ring timeless and simple. It also makes it easier to pick a wedding band to match!

Vintage Inspired

Who doesn’t love a reimagined classic? Vintage inspired settings are the perfect way to put a unique spin on timeless styles. While there are many different types of vintage inspired engagement ring styles, there are a few that have become increasingly popular as of late. Halo styles reminiscent of the Art Deco Era, floral and leaf motifs, and angular styled rings have all been making their way to ring fingers this year en masse. Classique has many vintage inspired settings that remain true to their era, while still possessing a contemporary flair.

These types of engagement ring settings are also a great option for repurposing family heirlooms. You may have a ring with stones that you love, but aren’t completely in love with the setting. We can take those stones and repurpose them into a style that better reflects your personality while still being reminiscent of the time period it’s from! This is also a great option for other pieces of jewelry whose stones you love that you may not wear all that often, such as brooches.

Regardless of the route you take, there is something just so romantic about a vintage inspired engagement ring.

Toi et Moi

“Toi et moi” is French for “you and me.” Originating in 1796, this two stone setting represents you and your partner and the love you both share. These rings truly evoke individuality with just how customizable they are. Opt for two diamonds or switch one out for the birthstone of your partner, mix & match shapes, there are so many different possibilities. Choose whatever feels most special and unique to you!

Not to mention that this style has become increasingly popular, especially among celebrities like Megan Fox and Ariana Grande, just to name a few. Megan’s iconic ring contains an emerald and diamond, representing hers and MGK’s birthstones respectively, while Ariana’s contains a pearl gifted to her by her grandmother. Regardless of how you design your own toi et moi engagement ring, these settings possess a sense of sentementality and individuality that are all their own.

The Watch Brands You Should Know

You can derive a lot from the name on the dial: The history of the brand during the time they were used as a tool, a unique design cue that has become a trademark in today’s fashion, or perhaps a rare complication that they pioneered. There are many watch brands that have had their named solidified in history and in today’s households for these very reasons, but there are tens of hundreds of different luxury watch brands to choose from. Here at Richter & Phillips Jewelers, we have curated some of our favorite and most renowned watch brands and why you should consider them when making your next watch purchase.

OMEGA

One of the oldest and most well-known watch brands in the luxury Swiss watch industry, OMEGA has been making watches since the mid 1800s. OMEGA has been at the forefront of the watchmaking industry since their founding. Known for their craftsmanship and innovation, they were the world’s first watch brand to develop a minute repeater wristwatch and specifically chosen by NASA to have their watches as essential tools for the Apollo program after rigorous testing. Today, you may better know them as the timekeepers for the Olympics, as well as the signature watch adorned by everyone’s favorite British spy, James Bond (aka 007).

A great place to start when purchasing an OMEGA watch is with their signature Speedmaster and Seamaster collections. The Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional was, as you can guess, the first watch worn on the moon. Its design has largely remained the same for those watch collectors that like to have a part of history on their wrist. If you are looking for something that incorporates more modern functions such as magnetic resistance and a ceramic bezel, the Seamaster Professional 300M may be a better fit for you. Famously worn by James Bond, it can handle the daily needs of a spy while looking great in a suit or at the beach (action sequences and explosions may vary with use).  

A few of our handpicked favorites

Breitling

Considered a staple among Swiss watch manufacturers, Breitling has been making watches since the 1880s. Breitling is known for their innovations with the chronograph complication, a mechanical function that allows the wearer to time certain tasks by starting, stopping, or resetting to zero; this function was made famous for its use during WWI by the Royal Air Force. Many professional pilots in the 1940s also used this functionality in addition to a side rule calculator that allowed them to measure distance traveled, average speed, and fuel consumption, all conveniently available right on their watch.

These innovations are the beginning of what would be known today as the Navitimer collection. First commissioned to the AOPA (Aircraft Owners Pilots Association) and later introduced to the public, the Navitimer is a watch that perfectly incapsulates the functional purpose of its heritage in an elegant design for the modern watch collector. It is an icon in the Swiss luxury watch segment and was just recently updated at Breitling’s 2022 novelty showcase to celebrate the Navitimer’s 70^th anniversary. Breitling’s successes in the aeronautical and military fields have made it a staple among such professionals.

Hot off the Bench

TUDOR

Founded in the early 1900s by Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, TUDOR was created to offer an alternative and more affordable Swiss luxury watch that also upheld the standard and dependability for which Rolex is famous for. Beginning their debut with classic wristwatches for both men and women in the 1930s-1940s, TUDOR later introduced the Oyster Prince Submariners in 1954 and the Oysterdate Chronographs in 1971, thus solidifying TUDOR’s legacy as one of the premier watch brands for professionals at an affordable price.

 Today, TUDOR has once again, set its own mark in the luxury watch segment. With the introduction of the Black Bay in 2012, TUDOR has skyrocketed in popularity among professionals and watch collectors alike. The Black Bay collection pays tribute to the brand’s diving heritage by incorporating styling cues and features from past models. In 2015, TUDOR introduced a new in-house movement with modern materials that allows their watches to run for 70-hours at a time. This gives the wearer the ability to take off the watch Friday evening and pick up Monday morning without skipping a beat. These continued innovations and achievements have established TUDOR as a timeless, staple watch brand for any horologist’s collection.

Classics from TUDOR

Grand Seiko

Quickly growing in popularity over the past few years, Grand Seiko is a Japanese watch brand created by Seiko in the 1960s, with their main goal being to build the “ideal watch” – a watch that would specialize in precision, durability, beauty, and would compete against its counterparts in Switzerland. Grand Seiko introduced this concept with their first watch in 1960 and over time, has developed more accurate and reliable mechanical watches that hold their own against Swiss watch brands in competitions.

To this day, Grand Seiko is still at the forefront of watch development. Most known for their breakthrough with Spring Drive which is, to put it briefly, a movement that combines the energy of mechanics with the precision of a quartz watch. Moreover, their unique and beautiful designs are inspired by what we find in nature, thus creating a sense of simplicity and elegance that makes reading a watch a unique and more memorable experience.

Bestsellers

NOMOS Glashütte

Nestled within the mountains in Germany, lies a small town by the name of Glashütte that has specialized in watchmaking for over 175 years. This is the place NOMOS calls home, and where 95% of their timepiece movements are handcrafted. Known for their minimalistic yet unique designs, NOMOS is also renowned for their attention to detail and their precision in crafting.

Previously, a single Swiss producer had been the only supplier of escapements for nearly the entire watchmaking industry. That is, until NOMOS engineered their own, which they refer to as the “swing system.” This ingenuity has enabled NOMOS Glashütte to stop relying on third party supply, allowing them to grow independently in addition to keeping their pricing fair and affordable, especially for their quality of work.

NOMOS Glashütte, while one of our newer brands, has quickly become a fan favorite at our store, which is no surprise given their renown within the watchmaking industry. Learn more about them in our blog!

Top Picks

We hope that getting to know some of the top watch brands in the horology industry aids you in choosing which timepiece is best for you. There are so many great brands out there, including ones we did not mention, that it’s very important to take the time to explore and develop your own impressions. No matter what you are looking for, there is certainly a watch out there for you.

Ready to make your choice?

Mollie’s Hot List Summer Jewelry Trends 2022

5 Tips to Choose a Watch You’ll Love

Over the last five years, watches have become more of a fashion statement with today’s generation and have rejuvenated a part of our culture we haven’t seen in years. People have grown accustomed to wearing a device on their wrist and, as a result, it has turned into another form of expressing one’s personality. Like the clothes we wear or the music we listen to, watches are another medium for us to explore and incorporate in our everyday lives.

With ever-evolving wearable technology, it’s no wonder people are looking to luxury watches to bring back a sense of permanence and individuality. If you are someone trying to get away from the sea of smartwatches, looking to mark an occasion, or simply want to try something new, a luxury timepiece is a great option for you. I had the pleasure of working with the experts at Richter and Phillips Jewelers to help gather 5 important tips to help get you started with buying your first luxury watch.

1. What Should You Know Before Buying a Watch?

Before you start looking at the wide variety of options the luxury watch industry offers, it’s important to note how these watches are different from your typical apple watch or mall watch brands. The top differences being the build and meticulous detailing.

Most offerings from the Swiss watch industry are mechanical. This means there is no battery or electronics controlling the time-keeping function or other complications. As a result, your watch will stop running if you do not wind or wear it for a while. The beauty of a mechanical watch comes from the handcraftsmanship and, as with any handcrafted item, there is a small degree of error when it comes to time accuracy. A digital watch, for example, is connected to a time network, whereas your mechanical watch relies on winding. But, the simple routine care of your luxury timepiece will be able to ensure the watch’s continued accuracy.

The primary benefit of luxury watches is longevity and unique design. Brands such as Breitling, NOMOS Glashütte, and Omega, have been designing watches for over a century and some of their earlier watches still function today. Because of this quality craftsmanship, your luxury timepiece will become a beautiful piece of heritage for you to pass down for generations.

The perfect heirloom

2. Consider what kind of timepiece will best fit your lifestyle

Through your research, it is important to consider where and how you plan to wear your new watch. Do you have an active lifestyle? Are you mostly in the office? Is this only for special occasions? Considering your career, hobbies, and intent behind the timepiece will help you narrow down the models that best complement your needs.

For example, The Omega Seamaster Professional is designed to support an active lifestyle. This men’s luxury timepiece is water-resistant and has a ceramic bezel to help withstand scratches and daily wear. Whereas Tudor’s Glamour line is more suitable for a business style setting offering a sleeker, simpler design with a variety of options for materials in both men’s and women’s luxury watches. While you continue to explore designers and their collections, ensure you select watches that incorporate functions that best fit your lifestyle and offer the appropriate amount of protection for your timepiece.

3. How much should I budget for a luxury watch?

The luxury watch industry is not just for the elite. The varying materials, designs, and craftsmanship of each timepiece all play a role in creating a wide range of quality watches. Brands such as Omega, Breitling, and Tudor, normally fall within $3,000 to $10,000. Whereas Swiss Brands such as Tissot and Hamilton or Seiko out of Japan, offer great quality watches starting at around $300.

The experience of buying a luxury watch is a momentous occasion, especially for your first! Everyone’s budget will vary by comfort level. Some people select a goal timepiece and set their budget this way. Otherwise, find a range that you are comfortable with and center your research within those parameters. Our observations around a typical first budget for a luxury timepiece is $3k – $6k. But, this can also depend on the brand of watch you are most passionate about pursuing.

Watches for any budget

4. Consider the care & upkeep of your desired watch

You did your research, you spoke with our specialists, and now you have taken home your first luxury watch. Now what? The care for a luxury timepiece is probably easier than you think, however, it is an important aspect to consider when selecting which timepiece to purchase.

The watch industry has made great strides over the years in the manufacturing process to ensure your watch’s durability and reliability. Typically, you can wear your watch for its intended purpose without worrying about damage or causing harm to the components. However, we do recommend bringing your watch in for service on occasion to make sure everything is running properly.

Each brand will have their own guidelines offering care and keeping regulations for your specific timepiece. Rolex is the brand best known for their top-notch care guidelines, including the industries leading five-year warranty and a recommended ten-year service interval. That way you can focus on enjoying your new watch without worry.

5. Trust yourself, and truly focus on what means most to you

This is probably the most important point to remind yourself. With Instagram and other social media platforms becoming a bigger part of how we interact with each other, it is no surprise that we use it as a means of making rash buying decisions. Whether it’s the latest offering from Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Nike, or trying to keep up with the latest trends within our circle of friends, buying new luxury watches are no different. We all have had that feeling of not wanting to miss the latest offering from our favorite brands. Focus on buying what you feel is going to be an enjoyable purchase and future experience for yourself and not based on what other people are gravitating towards. After all, a luxury timepiece is no short term purchase. Your watch is an influential piece of your daily wardrobe and will become an everlasting part of your legacy.

What to do next?