Notes from the bench
The Jewel Box Journal
Guides on appraisals, repairs, custom design and Hawaiian heirloom jewelry, written from a working bench in Honolulu.
What Made in Hawaii Actually Means When You Buy Jewelry
Most jewelry sold in Hawaii was not made here. Here is what the Made in Hawaii label actually requires, how to tell locally made jewelry from imported pieces...
How to Care for Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry in Hawaii's Climate
Salt air, ocean swims, and humidity are hard on gold and silver. A practical care guide for Hawaiian heirloom bracelets and other daily wear jewelry, from a Honolulu...
How to Choose a Hawaiian Heirloom Bracelet: Width, Metal, and Engraving
Picking a Hawaiian heirloom bracelet comes down to a few real decisions: width, metal, fit, and what you engrave on it. A practical guide from a Honolulu jeweler...
Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry: The History Behind the Tradition
Hawaiian heirloom bracelets began in the royal court of the 1800s and became one of the islands' most enduring traditions. Here is where the black enamel lettering, the...
Do You Need a Jewelry Appraisal? A Honolulu Guide
What a jewelry appraisal actually is, the different types of value, when you genuinely need one, and what to expect from the process in Honolulu.
Jewelry Repair in Honolulu: What Can Be Fixed and What Cannot
Broken chain, bent ring, missing stone, worn prongs. An honest guide to what jewelry repair actually involves in Honolulu, what it typically costs, and when a piece is...
September Birthstone Guide: Sapphire & How to Choose
A complete guide to September's birthstone, the sapphire. History, meaning, the many colors of sapphire, how to judge quality, alternatives, and how to choose one in Hawaii.
August Birthstone Guide: Peridot, Spinel & Sardonyx
A complete guide to August's birthstones: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. History, meaning, how to evaluate each, peridot's Hawaiian volcanic connection, and how to choose one in Hawaii.
How to Design a Custom Engagement Ring in Honolulu
Thinking about a custom engagement ring in Honolulu? Here's how the design process works, how to choose your diamond (natural or lab-grown), and what to expect on timeline...
What to Do With Inherited Jewelry: Appraise, Restore, or Redesign
Inherited a ring, brooch, or pearls and not sure what to do? A practical guide to appraising, restoring, redesigning, or selling inherited jewelry, from a Honolulu jeweler.
July Birthstone Guide: Ruby & How to Choose
A complete guide to July's birthstone, the ruby, king of gems. History, meaning, how to judge color and quality, alternatives, and how to choose one in Hawaii.
June Birthstone Guide: Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone
A complete guide to June’s three birthstones: pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone. History, meaning, how to evaluate each, alternatives, and how to choose one in Hawaii.
Get in touch
Bring the question to the bench
Whether you are designing a custom piece, restoring a family heirloom, or trying to understand what you have inherited, describe it and we will follow up to arrange a time.
Appointments available by request.