Jewelry – a magical word that exudes lustrous smiles, diamond-like glittering eyes and deep, longing sighs. Ever since the human urge evolved into an brilliant straight-backed species, there are evidences that jewels in the compose of precious outrageous metals and stones were unruffled and considered to be forms of splendor. There are several archeological findings of hand-made simple and delicate jewelry in various parts of the world. No wonder that in the unique age, jewelry has gained such an essential place in the global market and a nation’s fortune is decided upon its possession and utilization of gold and diamond mines.
Competition among the best brands is at its optimum level and today’s jewelers are the busiest in the professional market, trying to meet the never-ending craving for priceless dazzling designs. With the revolution in the residence of industry and communication, world class jewelry has reach to the come of urban man and is no longer little to remain in the prized possession of royalty and film stars. No matter what the budget, jewelry, in today’s world comes in many different forms to suit your individual style. Every variety of jewelry has long since been the ultimate fashion statement and has stayed that blueprint till date. The earlier slight scale family jewelry shops have turned into massive corporate giants spewing thousands of new designs each year. It is quite an impossible task to bring forth the staggering number of brands floating in the original market. However, based on antiquity and their demonstrate bewitch on the world’s economy, I am going to enumerate here some notorious jewelry stores and brands.
America’s best jewelry brands and retail outlets
Zale Corporation
Zale is one of North America’s largest retailers in diamond, pearl and coloured stone, and gold (rings, chains, etc) jewelry. It has a chain of 2350 outlets throughout US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The firm has four flagship bearers aimed at different jewelry markets – Bailey Banks & Biddle beautiful Jewelers, Gordon’s Jewelers, Zales Jewelers, and Piercing Pagoda. In addition to this, Zale also runs several outlets in Canada under the names Peoples Jewellers & Mappins Jewellers. Zales.com & Baileybanksandbiddle.com are the two official online shopping malls for sale of Zale merchandise.
A brief overview of Zale’s chains is given below:
Gordon’s Jewelers:
This was founded in 1924 by Meyer M. Gordon. With further expansion, the business grew into a dominant regional jewelry impress catering to local fashion and style and it has continued the tradition over the years.
Bailey Banks & Biddle:
This was created by two American silversmiths with very miniature capital in 1832 and the impress was established in 1878. This firm of dazzling jewelers became one of the country’s prominent jewelry brands and now has a nationwide recognition. Bailey Banks & Biddle has grown to more than 70 retail locations in 31 states across the country and Puerto Rico.
Piercing Pagoda:
As ear-piercing started catching up with the fashion market of the US, jewelry store owners Bernard and Bertha Cohen found it good to start the very first Piercing Pagoda™ in the Whitehall Mall in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, in 1969. This venture became a success memoir when women from far and wide came to their stall for ear-piercing. Piercing Pagoda has grown from a single retail residence to a chain of more than 820 kiosks today satisfying customers throughout the US and Puerto Rico with its specialty gold jewelry.
Signet Group plc
Signet, a UK based company, is the largest US specialty retail imprint capturing a major chunk of the US jewellery market with its 1,221 stores in 50 states. It reaches to the retail customers through the malls under the banner Kay Jewelers and regionally under a number of well-established and recognized names. The superstores operate under the flagship name Jared – The Galleria of Jewelry. Signet Group’s US subsidiary is suited Jewelers.
great Jewelers Inc.
Primarily dealing with grand silver, satisfactory Jewelers also showcases gold, silver, diamond, and gemstone jewelry, watches, collectibles, and gifts. It has a spread of some 1,220 stores in 50 states. capable jewelers is ranked number one in the US (ahead of Zale) . It operates “Kay Jewelers” (as a subsidiary of Signet) as well “Jared the Galleria of Jewelry” (also as a subsidiary of Signet), and about 330 regional jewelry stores under the names “Belden”, “JB Robinson”, “Marks & Morgan”.
Kay Jewelers:
Since 1916, Kay Jewelers, with it’s headquarter in Ohio, has grown from one store to more than 800 from sail to fly. Together with Signet Group plc, its London-based parent company, Kay jewelers has been satisfying clientele in the US as well as other parts of the world.
Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry:
Jared is the leading chain of jewellery superstores. It is also the leading diamond jeweler in the US. More than 100 Jared stores sell diamond jewelry and loose diamonds.
Tiffany
Tiffany, established in 1837 in Broadway, original York, first captured the world’s attention with its intricate silver designs using salubrious silver. Since then Tiffany has its name associated with presidents and royalty. It has captured important chunks of the US and UK markets. In 2006, Tiffany has presented the Frank Gehry collection of jewelry designs in collaboration with the notorious architect Frank O. Gehry. Dealing with diamond, pearls, watches, Tiffany stores are available all over the world like the one on 5th avenue, modern York, Harrods in London, Printemps Boutique in Paris, at Sydney, Australia, Ngee Ann City in Singapore to name a few.
Macy’s
Opened in original York by Rowland Hussey Macy in 1858, Macy’s was fair a esteem dry goods store. From such a beginning, it has made a long and successful run to become America’s first largest retail departmental store. With over 800 stores all over the US, Macy’s showcases everything from items of daily spend to splendid jewelry, collectibles and accessories.
International stores
Boucheron
In 1858, Frédéric Boucheron founded his bear jewellery house and opened a boutique in the highly fashionable Palais Royal district of Paris. The luxurious boutique quick attracted a prestigious clientele. Over four generations, the family business grew into one of the world’s best-known glorious jewellery brands. In 1893 Boucheron was the first jewellery store to initiate a boutique on the status Vendôme, a neighbourhood known for its urbanity and elegance. In this century, while remaining legal to its recent tradition and legacy, Boucheron has become a name synonymous with aggressive and luxurious new jewelry designs.
Dior
Christian Dior, based in France, has been luring the rich and illustrious from all over the world with handbags, shoes, and jewelry along with other accessories. Its new trademark jewellery designs create it figure in the top international stamp names. It portrays a novel style of producing solid jewelry items with small, simple patterns etched or woven in gold, platinum and silver.
Bvlgari
Since 1884, Bulgari has been setting the tear for Italian style in jewellery. It was founded by a Greek named Sotirio who had a flair for roman culture. With a high volume of creativity and innovation, Bulgari looks for inspiration from Greek and Roman arts without losing focus on originality. It experiments with gold jewelry in strings of pearl and colored stones. This gives a current gleaming touch to its products. Via Condotti was its first store boasting visits from royalty and film stars galore.In Rome, Paris, London, recent York and Los Angeles, as well as in Tokyo and Dubai, Bulgari has created a niche of its acquire.
H Samuel and Ernest Jones
In the UK, Signet is the largest specialty retailer of pleasing jewellery with 591 stores nationwide. Primarily situated in prime uptown locations or shopping malls, the stores operate under the banners “H.Samuel”, “Ernest Jones” and “Leslie Davis” (a trade name related to Ernest Jones) . Signet sells gold, silver, diamond, and gemstone jewelry, watches, collectibles, and gifts. Some stores sell china and crystal.
Ernest Jones specializes in diamonds, branded watches and gold jewellery, which are all merchandised and marketed to appeal to the more affluent urban customer.
H.Samuel offers a range of jewellery, gold, watches and gifts.
Peoples Jewellers & Mappins Jewellers
Zale Corporation has captured the Canadian market through two brands, Peoples® Jewellers and Mappins® gorgeous Jewellers. Both chains are noted throughout Canada. They provide musty jewelry items through outlets located in prime malls and other strategically well-placed geographic locations. Founded in 1919 as a family business, Peoples Jewellers was the first company in Canada to sell jewelry on a time payment concept. Mappins Jewellers began operating in 1935, by a British jeweler named Mappins working in a Canadian firm. Mappins was acquired by Peoples Jewellers in 1964.
D’ Damas
D’damas is section of the Gitanjali Digico Group which was established in 1966. It is considered one of the earliest diamond houses and the largest diamond exporting company in India. The stale role of diamond manufacturers exporting the bulk of their production to wholesalers worldwide is no longer sufficient to remain competitive in today’s changing market scenario. The Gitanjali Group has therefore tuned itself with changing times by adapting newer methods. Being a DTC Sightholder and a diamond manufacturer, the Group has strategically positioned itself to create and promote diamonds as well as studded jewellery all the design to the retail level. D’ Damas brands include “Asmi”, “Collection g”, “Eternal”, “Glitterati”, “Gold Expressions”, “Lamhe”, “Nakshatra”, “Origin”, “Solitaire”, “Victoria’s Desire”.
Tanishq
Started in India in 1995 by the jewelry business group of Titan Industries Ltd (owned by Tata group), Tanishq is the fastest growing jewelry notice in India. Tanishq is a perfect blend of style and worn elegance. It provides an blooming variety of 22k pure gold jewelry studded with diamonds and other coloured gems.
Cartier
The name Cartier is synonymous to awe-inspiring jewelry since the beginning of 20th century. Cartier specializes in creating mesmerizing designs on gold, silver and platinum with gems and precious stones. Available worldwide, its flagship boutiques have been operating in Paris, London and recent York.
Swarovski group
In the19th Century, Daniel Swarovski opened the door to the shapely world of crystal when he invented an automatic cutting machine. Specializing in crystal artifacts, accessories and even innovative and radiant jewellery, the company has captured the minds of people globally with its exquisitely intricate patterns etched in crystal.
EROS resplendent Jewellery
Located at the foot of the Acropolis in Greece, EROS Jewellery store is a family owned business. Jewelry making in Greece is veteran but exemplifies outstanding craftsmanship at reasonable prices. If you are looking for pieces of novel, archaic, classical or Byzantine styles you will derive them all here. You can also manage to collect custom-made jewelry at reasonable prices.
De Beers
De Beers originally based in South Africa, is the largest diamond mining company in the world today. Recently De Beers has launched a joint venture with LVMH (De Beers LV) . This, in turn, has taken the De Beers name to the High Street with De Beers jewellery stores in the US, Japan, UK, France and Dubai. The first De Beers boutique opened in London in early December 2001 at the corner of Bond Street and Piccadilly. From there De Beers has carried on opening ten more outlets in various parts of the globe. Recently, in collaboration with jeweler Neil Lane, De Beers has opened a boutique on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood catering to the rich and well-known clientele there.
Chopard
This Swiss jeweled watch-making company has clinched a name of its hold in the jewelry industry. Its has its branches and boutiques worldwide in countries like Austria, vast Britain, USA, Switzerland, France, Germany, Japan and the Bahamas to name a few.
Damiani
This 80 year former Italian jewelry trace is a name to reckon with amongst world’s top film stars and royalty. Started in 1924 in Valenza, Italy, this flagship price (owned by Damiani group) of sparkling and innovative gold and diamond jewelry has become the epitome of luxury jewelry keeping its balance with unusual traditions and elegance. Some of their newer jewelry collections include Tahitian Pearl Jewelry Collection and their Sophia Loren collection. The Tahitian collection features radiant sunless pearls, diamonds and gold. Damiani has also won the Tahitian Pearl Trophy, Italy.
Costello’s online jewelry store
Costello’s was established as the Koala Opal Centre in 1955 in Australia, exporting Australian rough opal to Japan. Over the years, it has successfully established retail outlets in prime locations in Sydney and Perth. Costello is the also the national jewelry retailer and exporter of Argyle diamonds from Western Australia’s Kimberley ranges as well as South sea pearls from the waters around Broome. Costellos.com.au provides an online portal for the sale of its splendid gemstones and pearls backed by International guarantee certificate proving genuineness of the products.
Dubai Gold and Diamond Park
Long awaited and dedicated jewellery shopping mall has finally opened in Dubai. The jewelry at Gold and Diamond Park guarantees certified quality at 37 outlets in air-conditioned comfort. Their range of jewelry includes several varieties of precious stones, yellow, white and even purple gold, platinum items; and pearls. The park is an extension of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, so, the manufactures and retailers are able to help from lower operating costs, which, in turn, give the opportunity to compete in international markets. The exterior throws an Arabic explore while providing wintry, shipshape and elegant interiors. The shops are arranged around a central square where an open-plan French Connection coffee shop gives you the opportunity to sit and gape the whole operation. There is even a museum inside the park providing the history of UAE in producing quality jewellery products. The world class manufacturers have shifted their focus on this jewelry mall. Hence it is not impartial the approved yellow and white gold that is available here, as Prestige Palace at the park brings purple gold to the Middle East for the first time. Pinctada Pearls, which stocks only salt water pearls, showcases dismal pearls from Tahiti, and pinky white and creamy white Australian South Sea pearls. The park also has its special hallmark on the jewellery made here ensuring originality and quality products.
TOMEI Gold and jewelry
TOMEI Gold & Jewellery Holdings (M) Sdn. Bhd. was established in 1968. With hard work and ability to foresee client needs, TOMEI has evolved into Malaysia’s premier retailer, wholesaler and manufacturer of gold and jewellery. It has grown into a considerable contributor in the second largest export market for gold jewellery in the world after India. It has a chain of versatile subsidiaries and branches providing flexible services with ever-changing marketing scenario. Under the mark names “T.H. jewelry” and “My Diamond”, TOMEI has captured the Malaysian jewelry market and is a name to reckon with internationally.
China National Pearl Diamond Gem & Jewellery Import & Export Corp
China National Pearl Diamond Gem & Jewellery Imp. & Exp. Corporation, referred to as “SINOGEM”, was founded in 1985. It is a platform for the import and export of gold, platinum, silver jewelry/ornament, diamond and gemstone jewelry, jadeite and pearls; precious metals and finished products in China. It showcases its products under the imprint name “Famous” to a clientele based in more than 40 countries.
Pearl Paradise
The Pearl Paradise, founded in 1996, has its showroom in Los Angeles, California. It mainly deals with a variety of exotic cultured marine pearls like Golden Akoya, Peacock Tahitian, and Pink Freshwater. It not only caters to the crème de la crème, but also captures clients with modest means by providing jewelry favorable to their budgets. Pearlparadise.com has turned into a multi-million dollar business and boasts fourteen websites in several countries around the world, including Canada, Germany, France, the UK, and Italy. Both the showroom as well as the online shopping place exhibit same label for the chosen section of pearl jewelry.
Tokyo Pearl
This Japanese stamp existing since 1959, offers fashionable pearl and diamond jewelry in old and fresh flavors. It’s Akoya, South Sea and Tahiti pearls have reached far corners of the globe like Moscow, Antwerp, India, Perth and unusual York.
Mangatrai Pearls & Jewellery
The company, founded in 1935 in Hyderabad, India, has pioneered in using latest cost effective techniques and current innovative ideas to reveal the world with aesthetic, contemporary designs in pearl jewelry. For centuries Hyderabad has been the centre of world’s most stunning pearls. Mangatrai Pearls & Jewellery showcases an unrivaled collection of South sea pearls, Tahitian pearls and Natural pearls woven in intricate patterns for producing the most glorious collection of jewelry. The notice operates with unbiased two outlets located in prime locations in Hyderabad.
Online Jewelry stores
Online shopping malls have near a long contrivance with regards to sale of classic as well as fashion jewelry. With more and more websites providing seal of authenticity for their products, customers have got over the initial mistrust and are shopping for jewelry online like never before! The latest range of jewelry collections is available objective a click away. Not only the signature companies have painstakingly built up their online portals for order sales of their merchandise, but they have also opened their doors to other online retail stores. Due to indecent overheads, online stores offer better savings on signature brands than the retail outlets. A few giant online stores providing a wide range of jewelry from used to innovative, antique to novel, Celtic to fashion jewelry have been listed below for your convenience:
Forzieri.com (Forzieri is a name synonymous to access of classy Italian jewelry online. It caters to several countries all over the world including USA, UK, Australia, Germany and Italy)
http://www.tulumba.com/storeitems.asp? tag=130 (For authentic Turkish jewelry)
Ediamondjewelry.com [http://www.ediamondjewelry.info] (exclusively for diamond jewelry)
http://www.moonfook.com/ (For unique water pearl jewelry)
ShopInIsrael.com (for typical Israeli jewelry- high quality Judaica, designer brands, ragged coin jewelry)
[http://www.bestindiansites.com/jewelry/] (for queer Indian jewelry)