Does your partner tend to feel lost when it comes what to get you for holidays, anniversaries, and other special occasions?

There's no need for him to spend hours searching for the perfect gift or to seek out an overpriced bouquet of flowers at the last minute to make Valentine's Day special. From direct to more subtle, we are sharing our top tips to help him figure out what you really want for Valentine’s Day.

Show And Tell

If you’re browsing on your phone and come across something you like (jewelry, a restaurant, or activity you can do together), don’t be afraid to show it to him. While you're at it, ask him his opinion on it, too!

Turn to Pinterest

While you are pinning your Valentine's Day outfit ideas, why not also create a board for Valentine’s Day gift ideas? If he is active on Pinterest, he will most likely see it on his own. If you want to be more straightforward, create a board titled “Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas” and share it with him.

Window Shop

If you happen to shop together, point out a few things you particularly. You might be surprised to find that your significant other is paying a lot more attention than it seems.

Walk Down Memory Lane

Has your partner knocked it out of the park on a previous Valentine’s Day or another occasion? Bring up how much that meant to you— and don't forget to include the specific parts that made it special, such as if he kept it a surprise, the restaurant you went to, a gift he gave you. This might inspire duplicate success!

Give Them an Early Gift

If your partner is more forgetful or didn't pick up on the other hints, consider surprising him with your gift a few days before Valentine’s Day. This sets the bar for what kind of gift you hope to receive, and reminds him that the holiday is around the corner!

Tag Them

Facebook and Instagram allow you to tag your significant other in any public post. Tag your partner on social posts that feature engagement ring styles, specific jewelry, or date ideas that you like. As Valentine’s Day approaches, your significant other will have a digital copy of your favorite things. Find gift ideas on our Instagram here. 

Tell A Friend

Whether it is an engagement ring, piece of jewelry, or date idea, people often consult their partner's friends for advice. Make sure your friends know what you want to make things easier for everyone is they ask!

Talk to Them

Last but not least, there is always the option to be direct. If there’s something you really want, tell them. Having an open conversation about gifts— including whether or not you’re going to splurge on something or opt something small— can be helpful for both of you.

Let us help you find the perfect Valentine's Day gift at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 8:20:21 AM America/Los_Angeles

Finding your perfect engagement ring doesn't have to be overwhelming. While we recognize the vocabulary around cut, color, style, and more can sometimes feel more like a lesson in terminology than picking out a meaningful piece of jewelry, we are here to make the engagement ring shopping process easier— and therefore more enjoyable— for you.

If you've ever felt lost when talking with a jeweler or doing engagement ring research, this vocabulary guide is for you. Save this handy guide so you'll never doubt again when finding the perfect ring for your partner.

The Only Engagement Ring Vocabulary Guide You'll Need

The Diamond

4Cs: Acronym standing for cut, color, clarity and carat— these are the top four characteristics to look for when purchasing a diamond.

Accent diamonds: Diamonds that surround or enhance the main diamond; they are typically smaller in size than the main diamond.

Crown: Top half of a diamond.

Halo: Ring of diamonds or stones surrounding a center diamond or stone.

Pavilion: Lower half of a diamond.

Scintillations: Sparkles in a diamond that are seen as the diamond moves under a light.

Table: Flat surface that is the uppermost part of a diamond; it is calculated by dividing the width of the table by the width of the diamond.

The Diamond Cut

Asscher cut: Square shaped diamond with a high crown, step facets, and a small table.

Cushion cut: Square cut diamond with rounded edges and the third most popular diamond cut.

Emerald cut: Rectangular shaped with small, rounded edges and a large, open table.

European cut: Antique diamond cut created before the precision created by modern technology was available.

Heart cut: Diamond in the shape of a heart typically found in solitaire settings.

Marquise cut: Long and narrow diamond-shaped similarly to a football. It’s best set with prongs on each end to protect the points from chipping.

Oval cut: A unique take on a round diamond. Oval-shaped stones come in a variety of widths ranging from slim to wide.

Pear cut: Combination of a round and a marquise shape diamond available in a variety of narrow to wide sizes.

Princess cut:The second most popular diamond cut, below round and above cushion. The cut has a square or rectangular shape when viewed from above, and from the side is similar to that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides.

Radiant cut: Square or rectangular diamond with minimal curved edges similar to an emerald shape.

Round cut: Circular-shaped diamond. It’s  the most common shape for engagement rings.

Trillion cut: Triangular shaped diamond, often used as side stones to frame a square diamond.

The Ring Style

Art deco: Rings created during or inspired by the art deco era from 1920 to 1935, known for bold line and geometric shapes.

Baguette: Meaning “long rod” in French, the baguette cut features long, clean lines, and is typically used in side stones.

Band: Ring that tends to accompany an engagement ring. Can be made of a precious metal, alloys, and/or include stones.

Bezel: Metal that completely surrounds the diamond or featured gemstone. A half bezel is the term used when half of the stone is framed by metal. Bezel ring settings are stronger and more protective than prong settings.

Colored diamond: Natural and dyed color diamonds. Popular diamond color options include yellow, pink, blue, chocolate and black.

Colored gemstone: Engagement rings featuring a colored gemstone stone ranging in a variety of colors. Popular gemstone options are sapphire and ruby.

Halo: Ring featuring a center stone that’s surrounded by a circle of stones. Engagement rings can have more than one halo, referred to as a double halo if two circles of gemstones encircle one center stone.

Hand-crafted: Ring that’s been made by hand instead of the casing process of filling a mold. It’s shaped by hand by the jeweler.

Pavé: Setting of stones where they’re placed close together so as to avoid seeing metal in between the stones.

Side Stones: Ring featuring a main stone and surrounded by smaller stones. Can also be referred to as a three-stone ring or a halo.

Solitaire: An engagement ring with a single, solitary center stone.

Tension set: Gemstone is held in place by metal on either side, thus creating tension.

Three-Stone: Ring featuring three stones, typically three diamonds or a diamond centered between two other stones. Known to celebrate a couple's past, present, and future together.

Unique shank: Engagement ring with an individualized lower part that goes around the finger, also known as a shank.

Vintage or Vintage-Inspired: These are classic-style engagement rings typically created, or modeled after, jewelry from the early 1900s or earlier. An antique engagement ring is technically defined as being over fifty years old.

The Metal

14k gold: Made of 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals or alloys.

18k gold: Made of 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals.

24k gold: Pure gold. The softest gold, as gold gets softer the purer it is.

Alloy: A mixture of two or more metals mixed together.

Gold plated: Thin, almost microscopic layer of pure gold used to coat another type of metal.

Platinum: Precious metal with a silvery white color and shine.

Rose gold: An alloy of gold tinted with copper to create a rosy tone. The deeper the pink color, the more copper there is in the alloy.

White gold: Yellow gold mixed with a white alloy.

Yellow gold: The color of pure gold, yellow gold gets darker or changes color the more alloys are mixed with it.

Let us help you find the perfect wedding bands for your 2019 or 2020 wedding at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Friday, March 1, 2019 8:37:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

A halo engagement ring features a halo of smaller diamonds surrounding a larger center diamond. Unlike a solitaire engagement ring that showcases a single diamond, the halo engagement ring style pulls out all the stops to shine. This engagement ring style is perfect for the bride who really wants to maximize her center diamond— even making it appear a much larger carat size than it actually is!

Tacori halo engagement rings are perfect for brides looking for a romantic, classic look. This style can accommodate any diamond shape— and even works with three-stone engagement rings! If you are attracted to styles with maximum sparkle and a classic appeal, we invite you to explore Tacori halo engagement rings up close at our Huntington Beach showroom.

A twist on a classic halo engagement ring, a Tacori Bloom is a gorgeous design detail that will make heads turn with its added pop of sparkle. Tacori Blooms perfectly wrap around the center stones for a seamless blanket of diamonds. The spotlight bloom adds just a dust of diamonds. It is positioned beneath the center stone for a dainty look that adds a little extra sparkle to your ring. 

All Tacori pieces are handcrafted with extraordinary care by artisans in California.

A Few of Our Favorite Tacori Halo Engagement Rings

Let us help you find the perfect wedding bands for your 2019 or 2020 wedding at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 8:41:27 AM America/Los_Angeles

If you're a busy woman on the go, a lover of minimalist style, or a fashionista traveling from work to happy hour, everyday jewelry pieces are critical to your style. Basic pieces look fabulous on their own, work with bolder jewelry, and never go out of style. Collect everyday earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings so dressing up your look is the most effortless part of your day.

Here are some of our go-to everyday pieces we love from Tacori at Affinity & Co. Jewelers:

EARRINGS

Make it yours. Because your ears like to party as much as you do. From everyday studs to statement dangles, earrings are the perfect addition that completes your look, in a style that's totally your own. Shop earrings HERE.

RINGS

Complemented with wedding rings or not, rings are an absolute must in any look. A stacked look is trending and allows you to wear your favorites and really show off your personal style. Shop fashion rings HERE.

NECKLACES

A necklace is often the final piece to make any look polished. A delicate pendant makes a statement on its own and is even better when layered with other favorites. We love these stunning diamond pendants perfect for every day wear. Now the question is rose gold or platinum? Shop necklaces HERE.

BRACELETS

We love bracelets alone or stacked with our favorite watch. Bracelets are wonderful alone; stack them together to up the impact. Shop bracelets HERE.

We are ready to help you find the perfect everyday jewelry at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 12:32:36 PM America/Los_Angeles

Whether you've already asked or are looking forward to popping the question in the near future, finding the perfect engagement ring is a big deal! Like most big steps in life, communication is the first step, and picking out an engagement ring is no exception. Even if you or your partner are planning a surprise proposal, it's a good idea to discuss a few key factors as a couple.

You will wear your engagement ring for years to come, through all seasons and all life events, so now is the time to explore, discuss, and try on different shapes, styles, and sizes to find a ring that feels just right for you.

While you can visit our showroom today and purchase an engagement ring, there is a lot of value in a little preparation. Start with the questions below and visit our engagement ring experts when you are ready to find your dream engagement ring.

Which engagement ring styles catch your eye?

It's a good idea to get a basic understanding of different engagement ring styles to start off with. Consider a simple solitaire, a bold halo, or a pretty vintage design to get started. You can explore different engagement ring styles here.

What shape do you love?

There are a number of different diamond shapes or ‘cuts’ available, and having an idea of which you prefer (round, pear, heart, and more!) will make it much easier to find the perfect gem for your engagement ring. The diamond shape might be the most visually significant choice you make, so be sure to consider shapes that reflect your personal style.

Explore different diamond shapes and sizes here.

What kind of diamond or gemstone do you fancy?

Many couples are opting for engagement rings featuring a center or accent colored gemstones. Consider if you want only white diamonds, or if you'd like to include some color as a nod to your favorite color, birthstone, or the month you plan to marry. Consider sapphires, rubies, emeralds, or fancy-colored diamonds.

What does your budget look like?

It might not be the first thing you want to talk about when considering a proposal, but getting an idea of budget is healthy and helps set expectations for both partners. There are a lot of engagement rings out there, and getting an idea of budget early helps narrow the choices and keep you on track.

Do you know your ring size?

There are two ways you can find your or your gift recipient’s ring size. Simply use the ring size guide here using a few household items. Be sure to measure both at the beginning of the day and at the end, as your fingers are prone to change size slightly throughout the day.

Next up: Try it on for size.

While it's easy to fall in love with engagement rings on Pinterest or Instagram, it's also a good idea to try on different styles in person. You’ll want to know how the ring really feels and fits on your hand until you actually see it up close.

Let us help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Friday, June 7, 2019 1:02:00 PM America/Los_Angeles

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Monday, July 1, 2019 10:07:07 AM America/Los_Angeles

You've found the one you want to marry. You might have even come up with how you will propose. Now, it's time to find the perfect engagement ring. There is a lot to decide when you shop for a diamond that your loved one is going to wear forever.

First you must decide on a metal, a setting and a style of ring. The size of the band and design can make or break how it looks on your future wife. But the biggest decision is what shape of diamond you select for the engagement ring.

The shape of a diamond can drastically alter the look of the ring, the way it catches the light, and how the stone sits on your fiancee’s hand. With any of the popular diamond shapes on the market, the idea behind the cut is to leave as much of the top of the stone intact as possible. This allows light to filter through and reflect the natural sparkle of the stone. Each diamond shape has different facets and cuts that help to make the diamond shine.

With more than ten different possible shapes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed while shopping. Here is a quick overview of the different diamond shapes that you are likely to see while shopping for an engagement ring, and how to choose one.

What Shape of Diamond is Right for Your Fiancée?

Emerald

The emerald is a rectangular shape with multiple long facets cut along each side to encourage the light to reflect and sparkle. These are called stepped cuts, and they encourage light refraction. This cut can make the diamond attract more light than other shapes like a round or square cut. Fashionable and unique, many celebrity women love emerald cut diamonds, including Amal Clooney,

Round

The round shaped diamond is by far the most popular choice for engagement rings around the world, for a few reasons. Round is a safe bet if you aren’t sure what kind of diamond your fiancée prefers, as it is universally popular and shaped to capture the most light when worn. It’s also likely to please a woman with traditional style who doesn’t like anything too unique or funky.

Square or Cushion

Eye catching and unique, the distinctive shape of a square cut diamond draws the eye as it stands out against the finger. A square shaped stone is best for women with long fingers, as it can make short fingers look even shorter.

Pear

The pear-shaped diamond is less like the fruit shape and more like a teardrop, with a rounded bottom that comes up to a pointed tip. Pear shaped diamonds saw a surge in interest in early 2018 when Ariana Grande wore a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring during her short-lived engagement to Pete Davidson. Sources said she was drawn to the ring because it reminded her of the teardrop emoji symbol.  Pear shaped diamonds are said to make short fingers appear longer and stand out thanks to the pointed shape, which refracts extra light.

Princess

Like the emerald cut, a princess cut is a variation on a geographic shape. While the top of the stone is a square or rectangle, the bottom side comes down to a point. This inverted pyramid shape is due to the beveled cut, which creates multiple beautiful facets. A relatively new shape, the princess cut originated in the 1960s and quickly became the second most popular shape for engagement rings, behind the round shaped stone.

Heart

A heart shaped diamond can stand out in a sea of engagement rings, because you do not see as many of them as the more traditional shapes. However, your fiancée might find the cut too cute or girly, especially if she works in a professional office environment.

We are ready to help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Thursday, August 1, 2019 2:40:00 PM America/Los_Angeles

Happy birthday to all who celebrate a birthday in September!

Sapphires are rich in color, classic in style, and popular throughout history. Those born in the month of September are lucky enough to call this magical gemstone their birthstone. But did you also know sapphire is also a traditional anniversary gift for four wedding anniversaries? Learn more about this beloved, royal blue stone below.

Celebrate September birthdays with sapphires!

Sapphire Folklore
Folklore tells that sapphires will protect loved ones from envy and harm and grant the wearer spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. They are believed to offer healing properties for rheumatism, colic, and mental illness. Sapphires are also considered an antidepressant.

Sapphires as Anniversary Gifts
For couples looking for a traditional anniversary gift, sapphires are given for the 5th, 23rd, 45th and 65th wedding anniversaries. Couples celebrating these milestone anniversaries might consider a sapphire anniversary band that can be worn with the bridal set.

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Wednesday, September 4, 2019 10:57:41 AM America/Los_Angeles

Are you dreaming of a holiday proposal? Maybe you are the planning type, or maybe your partner has always wanted to get engaged around the holidays. Whatever the reason, now is a wonderful time to start planning your holiday proposal— especially if you still have some research to do or want to begin the custom design process for your engagement ring.

From Thanksgiving to Christmas to Kwanza to Chanukah to New Year's Eve, the end of the year means friends and family gathering together for celebrations.

Begin planning your holiday proposal now:

1.     Discover her engagement ring style (and ring size!).

Start to look at the jewelry she already wears. Does she wear minimal jewelry, or does she choose bold, statement pieces? Does she love the simplicity of a diamond, or is her jewelry box full of different colors?

It’s also a great idea to ask trusted friends and family members. It is likely that she has mentioned different styles she prefers— and maybe even some she doesn’t!

2.     Explore different engagement ring options.

While your engagement ring turnaround time might be quick, it’s always better to begin your search early in case you want a custom piece or decide to include existing jewelry in your design.

While you might have an idea of what you like, seeing and feeling different designs might point you in a whole new direction! Stop by our Clearwater, Florida, showroom or look around online here.

3.     Brainstorm the specifics.

With at least an idea of your engagement ring in mind, now it’s time to scope out the specifics of your holiday proposal.

Where? Huntington Beach has beautiful landmarks ready for a romantic holiday proposal! Consider locations that are important to you as a couple— and whether you'd prefer an indoor or outdoor proposal— for your dream moment.

When? Are there events over the holiday season where loved ones will be near? Even if you don’t want to propose in front of others, you might enjoy having them near to celebrate with after!

We are ready to help you find the perfect enagagement ring at our Huntington Beach showroom, or browse a selection online here. 

"I am thrilled that I found this place! I was looking for a place close by so I can get my wedding ring  bonded and replaces the batteries on several watches I had so I got into Yelp and read all the great reviews so I decided to try it.  As soon as I walked in the door, I was greeted by a lovely staff.  I interacted with 3 different staff and they were all so nice and fulfilled my needs. It's a family own place and they make you feel like at home I will definitely be coming back here for my next jewelry and I will totally recommend this jewelry place to everyone." — Mina R. on Yelp 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Tuesday, October 1, 2019 11:05:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Citrine and Topaz: The Two Birthstones of November

Happy birthday to all those celebrating in November! This month features two birthstones: citrine and topaz. While they are often confused for one another, topaz is actually found in a wide spectrum of colors (including the lovely blue you see below).

Both November birthstones are known for their calming energies, bringing warmth and fortune to those who wear them.

Blue Topaz November Birthstone Facts and Jewelry

Topaz is one of November's birthstones. It is a soothing stone that has been said to calm tempers, cure madness and eliminate nightmares. While the gemstone is found in many colors, the most prized color is Imperial topaz, which features a vibrant orange hue with pink undertones. Brazil is the largest producer of quality topaz. Shop blue topaz jewelry here.

Citrine November Birthstone Facts and Jewelry

Citrine is November’s second birthstone, a variety of quartz that ranges from pale yellow to brownish orange in color. It is named after the citron fruit because of its lemon-inspired shades. Citrine has been referred to as the “healing quartz” for its ability to comfort, soothe and calm. It is believed to release negative feelings, spark imagination, and even attract wealth and prosperity. The largest supplier of citrine is Brazil. Shop citrine jewelry here.

"Affinity Jewelers is reputable, creative and honest, offer amazing technical ability and have reset a number of my blotched pieces from other jewelers in ways I could never had envisioned!They are reasonably priced while providing exceptional work. 

I feel at ease leaving my jewelry with them for repairs, as well as fortunate for their expertise in design creation. Their jewelers are trustworthy, dependable and take the time to listen with the ability to deliver exquisite work! Affinity Jewelers is well worth the visit whatever your jewelry needs may be!" — Nancy S. on Yelp 

Comments | Posted in Blog By Ashley Stephens

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 9:21:17 AM America/Los_Angeles