Finding What You're Looking For

Search by Shape and Save!

Do you have an idea of what type of jewelry you want, but not quite how to find it? Use Addessi’s Search Option to help. By selecting from various criteria – item type, precious metals, gemstones, collections and price – you can locate matching items in our extensive inventory. For example, if you love diamond earrings or are looking for the perfect pair as a gift, simply choose “earrings” under “item type” and “diamonds” under “gemstones,” and you will instantly see the diamond earrings from all of our collections. If you prefer those earrings to be in a platinum setting, then add that choice (“platinum”) under “precious metals” along with the other options already noted to further narrow the selection. The selection of multiple criteria will generate more precise results.

Once you have viewed all the items, you can save, edit and share the results via email by making a Wish List. When you register to use the Wish List feature, you will be creating your own account with Addessi and will be entered into a free gift drawing as our way of saying “thank you.”

Shopping for diamonds? Shop by shape and save!

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If you need further help or advice, you can call us at (203) 438-6549 or email your inquiry using the Ask Addessi Online Hotline.

Gifts Under $200

While Addessi Jewelers is known as a world-class purveyor of the lovliest items on earth, that does not always mean expensive.

Thistle & Bee
We offer the Thistle & Bee collection of sterling silver jewelry starting from $100. Thistle & Bee maintains a longstanding reputation as a producer of fine heirloom quality sterling silver, offering a full range of products that incorporate designs both classic and contemporary and styles both whimsical and sophisticated. Great pride is taken to maintain superior craftsmanship using only the finest materials available. Whether you're decorating a home or celebrating a special event, in the Thistle & Bee signature designs and luxury collections you will find the perfect item or keepsake for any occasion.

Lunt Sterling Silver
Looking for the perfect keepsake baby gift? At Addessi Jewelers, we carry beautiful sterling silver items by Lunt ... rattles, flatware and cups, comb and brush sets. Lunt's wide selection of picture frames are as suitable for any adorable baby photo as they are for any treasured photograph you wish to display.

What To Know About Jewelers

When you buy a dazzling piece of fine jewelry, you're making an important purchase. Equally important is the decision of where you're going to make that purchase. When you have your heart set on the jewelry you've always wanted, don't let yourself be dazzled into selecting a jeweler you may not be happy with later. Before you select a jeweler, be logical, be thorough and don't be afraid to ask questions. As a consumer, you have a right to know about the fine jewelry you are purchasing and the jeweler making the sale. Once you have done your "homework," you will see that Addessi Jewelers meets all of the criteria listed and will choose our firm. We are committed to our customers and to providing you with the finest products, the best customer service and the information you need to make a knowledge-based decision.

A Lasting Relationship with Your Jeweler
The right jeweler should be one you can rely on for all your jewelry purchases, year after year. He or she should be on the same level as your doctor, lawyer or accountant – trusted individuals who have mastered the unique but necessary skills required by their professions. From gifts for loved ones to treasures for yourself, the jeweler with whom you do business should educate and inform you when you're making a purchase, guide you in selecting fine jewelry of lasting quality and beauty, and help you properly care for your jewelry so that it can give you or loved ones years of enjoyment.

Is Your Jeweler a JA Member?
If you see the "J" mark clearly displayed, as you do at Addessi Jewelers, the jeweler is a member of Jewelers of America, an association that promotes and reinforces integrity and professionalism among jewelers. JA is a professional organization with standards of conduct and business ethics, which its members agree to follow. These standards include a commitment to maintaining the highest level of personal and professional integrity, as well as treating customers with courtesy and respect. JA jewelers will not only help you with your purchase but they also will be there in the future to answer your questions.

JA members also keep pace with industry and fashion trends and are able to provide the most up-to-date merchandise and information for their customers. When you see the "J" mark, you know you are bringing your business to professionals with the skill and knowledge to help you make the right selection of quality jewelry within your budget.

How Long Has the Jeweler Been in Business?
Has the store just recently opened or is it well established? Always visit the store to assess its professionalism and determine if you wish to establish a personal relationship with the jeweler. Ask yourself a series of questions. How does the sales staff treat you when you enter the door? Do they answer all of your questions? Is a manager or owner available if you need to talk to them? More importantly, what are the credentials of the staff and management? Do they have experience or formal training in jewelry, retailing or management? How is the store designed? What types of merchandise does the store offer? Does it look like time and effort went into making the store look inviting? How is the jewelry displayed? Do you feel comfortable in the store and would you be comfortable shopping there on a regular basis? What services are available?

Many jewelry stores in your area are probably not new but have been in business for many years, some for several generations. If you are shopping at one of these retailers ask how long the store has been in business. Find out if the jeweler has a history of community involvement. Some jewelers regularly sponsor or host beauty pageants, art exhibits and other community events. Chances are, the longer the store has been involved in the community, the more solid its reputation. If it is a family-owned store, ask if the family actively manages the store.

What is the Jewelers Reputation?
Asking friends, neighbors or business associates about their personal experiences with various retailers can be an excellent way of selecting an outstanding jeweler. This can also help you avoid choosing the wrong jeweler.

If you are doubtful about a retailer, you might consider contacting your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to see if there are any negative reports about the store. You can also contact Jewelers of America or your state jewelers association for information on a particular retailer.

What Services does the Jeweler Offer?
Maintaining the fine jewelry you have purchased will be important to you as time passes. Ask if the jeweler is able to clean, size, engrave, restring or remount your jewelry.

Does the store have a trained gemologist and a bench jeweler on the premises? Gemologists have studied the unique properties of diamonds and colored stones. They are familiar with the various types of precious and semi-precious stones used in fine jewelry and can explain how to care for and clean your gemstone jewelry. If you are interested in purchasing diamond or gemstone jewelry, a gemologist can guide you to an appropriate purchase that matches your taste, budget and lifestyle.

A bench jeweler is trained in the fabrication and repair of jewelry. This individual can repair your jewelry, resize your ring and reset a stone. Highly experienced bench jewelers often can custom design a piece for you.

In some stores the bench jeweler and gemologist can be the same person. In larger stores, several people may be employed as gemologists and bench jewelers. Sometimes the owner wears all of these hats. In all cases, having trained gemologists and bench jewelers on site is an important component of the professional jewelry store.

Do You Have All the Information About the Jewelers Products?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has established guidelines for the fair and clear marking and advertising of all jewelry products so that you are able to make an informed and educated purchase. According to the FTC, jewelers should give you all the information about the product you are buying including price, the type of metals and gemstones used, and any enhancements or treatments, which may have been performed on the jewelry. The FTC guidelines cover not only jewelry, but many other items you may find at your jewelry store including watches, accessories, giftware and non-precious materials such as pewter.

What is the Jewelers Return Policy?
Be sure to inquire about the time period for returning jewelry. Also ask whether you will be allowed an exchange or a cash refund, if this is of concern to you.

Does the Jeweler Regularly Offer High Discounts?
Some stores continually discount or use wholesale prices as a means of attracting customers. These discounts sometimes go as high as 50 or 60 percent. Find out if the "discounted" jewelry was ever sold at the regular price and for how long. Some states have laws, regulations or guidelines that limit the length of discount sales and require retailers to display the products original prices. Check with your attorney general's office, a local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for the regulations in your area. You can also contact your state jewelers association and ask if they have any materials that will help you understand accurate jewelry pricing and discounts.

You may also want to compare prices from jeweler to jeweler, so you have a better sense of relative costs for items of similar quality.

Does the Jeweler Offer a Wide Selection?
As in any retail store where you enjoy shopping, selection is an important factor in your choice. Look at the selection a jewelry store has to offer and determine if it reflects your taste and meets your needs. Remember, a professional jeweler will help you develop a jewelry wardrobe that meets your budget, tastes and lifestyle. Jewelers almost always can special order jewelry for you and some may even be able to custom design a piece. Simply ask if these services are available.

What Information Can the Jeweler Share With You?
A professional jeweler is also a consumer educator who understands your need for information. Does the store provide you with information that will help you select and care for your fine jewelry? Booklets, brochures and other materials should be available to help guide you in your purchases and answer questions you may have.

Shopping for Real Jewelry

For the discriminating customer, there is much more that goes into purchasing, giving and owning fine jewelry than meets the eye. We at Addessi believe that the more you know, the better we can serve you. In this spirit, we offer in-depth reference information linked to these topics:

The 4 Cs of Diamond Quality
Diamonds
Pearls
Fine Watches
Karat Gold Jewelry
Platinum
Birthstones
Jewelry Gifts
Bargains/Discounts
Care and Cleaning

Diamonds
No other gemstone lights the imagination and captures the heart more so than the diamond. Born of fire deep within the earth, diamond has for centuries been the world's most treasured natural element. Representing wealth, status, romance and love, the diamond is truly a precious thing.

Buying Diamonds
Selecting the right diamond is no easy task. Even though extremely rare, there are thousands of diamonds to choose from –in every shape, color, quality and price range. So how do you make the right decision? It's simple – call or visit Addessi Jewelers.

Pearls
Delicately beautiful and viewed as magic charms, symbols of purity and love, or sources of wisdom and power, pearls are one of the oldest known and most desirable gems, revered by countless civilizations since ancient times. Today, there are many types of pearls in a wide range of colors:

• Akoya – This is the most familiar type of pearl sold in necklaces. Akoyas from Japan and China are grown in pearl oysters and are known for their shimmering beauty and warm colors which range from rose, cream and gold to silvery white and blue/gray.
• South Sea – Large (10mm and up) cultured pearls grown in tropical and semi-tropical oysters in the South Seas and around the coast of Australia. Their color ranges from silvery white to gold; they are quite costly due to their size and rarity.
• Tahitian Black – Large (10mm and up) cultured pearls grown in black-lipped oysters in French Polynesia. Colors range from silvery gray and green to deep purple and black. Their large sizes and unique colors command premium prices.
• Mabé – Large, hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shells of oysters rather than in the oysters' bodies. Less expensive than round cultured pearls due to their half-round shape, they are most popular in earrings, rings and brooches.
• Freshwater – Pearls cultivated in mussels, not oysters, in freshwater lakes and rivers in China, Japan and the United States. Due to their easy cultivation, freshwaters are fairly inexpensive. Shapes can be freeform, rice shaped, off-round or spherical and colors range from milky white, to peach, pink, and lavender.
• Keshi – Also known as seed pearls, these tiny pearls can be as small as a grain of sand and form accidentally in many cultured pearl oysters.
• Baroque – Cultured pearls that are irregularly shaped, yet often lustrous and appealing. Due to their shapes, baroque pearls are often less costly than round, cultured pearls.

Factors for Evaluating Cultured Pearls

• Lustre – A combination of surface brilliance and a deep glow that seems to emanate from within the heart of a pearl. The lustre of a good quality pearl should be bright, not dull, enabling you to see your own reflection clearly on the surface of a pearl. A pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky indicates poor quality.
• Surface – Since cultured pearls are grown by oysters in nature, it is rare to find a pearl whose surface is free from any type of blemish. Blemishes can include disfiguring spots, bumps, pits and cracks on the surface of a pearl. The fewer blemishes on the surface of a pearl, the more valuable it will be.
• Shape – It is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl, but generally, the rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is. Cultured pearls also come in oval, pear and baroque shapes.
• Color – Cultured pearls come in a wide range of colors from pink to black. While the color of a pearl is often a matter of personal preference, people with fair skin tend to look best in slightly pink or silvery white pearls, while cream and golden pearls look best on those with darker complexions.
• Size – Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. They can be smaller than one millimeter, in the case of seed pearls, or as large as 20 millimeters for a big South Sea pearl. With all other quality factors being equal, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it will be since it is difficult for an oyster to grow a pearl larger than five millimeters. The most popular size of pearls sold around the world is about seven millimeters.
• Matching – When buying a strand of cultured pearls, matching is very important. All the pearls in a good quality strand should be evenly matched in terms of luster, surface, shape, color and size. Well-matched pearl necklaces command top prices because pearl growers must harvest about 10,000 oysters in order to find enough pearls that match closely enough to make up a simple, 16-inch strand.

Selecting a Cultured Pearl Necklace
Choose your cultured pearl necklace based on your appearance, personality and style. For example, short necklaces are best with long necks; longer lengths tend to slenderize and elongate the body. Fair-skinned women look best in rose-hued pearls, deeper skin tones are more flattered by cream or golden hues. Let your expert jeweler customize a necklace so its proportions and color are exactly matched to yours. Use this guide to necklace lengths and terminology:

• Choker – A necklace 14 inches to 15 inches in length that rests on the collarbone.
• Princess – An 18-inch necklace strung with either graduated or uniform pearls.
• Matinee – A slightly longer necklace, usually 20 to 24 inches in length.
• Opera – A 30- to 36-inch necklace, this length should fall to the breastbone and can often be worn long or doubled.
• Rope or Sautoir – Any necklace longer than opera length. Ropes are often worn knotted or with a shortener for added versatility of style.
• Dog Collar – A multiple strand pearl necklace that fits closely around the neck.
• Bib – A single necklace with multiple strands of pearls of varying lengths that are worn nested together.
• Torsade – A necklace in which several strands of pearls (usually freshwater) are twisted together and held with a special clasp.
• Graduated – A necklace with pearls of gradually increasing size with the smallest at the back and the largest at the center.
• Uniform – A necklace in which all pearls appear to be the same size, although there is usually a slight difference between the center and end pearls.

Building Your Cultured Pearl Wardrobe
Begin your pearl wardrobe with a matching pearl necklace, earrings and bracelet. The necklace can be lengthened to a rope or sautoir by letting your jeweler match new pearls to the size and color of existing ones or it can be updated with a pendant or jeweled clasp. Add a ring, pin or earrings set with dramatic mabé pearls or South Sea pearls. Or, consider a long cultured pearl strand with several invisible clasps that allow it to be worn in different lengths or combined with a matching bracelet. Go for high drama with a ring or earrings set with one white pearl, one black.

Buying Cultured Pearls
When you are buying cultured pearls or any piece of fine jewelry, you are making an important decision. Addessi Jewelers can explain how to make the most of your purchase and ensure that you are getting the best quality cultured pearls within your budget. But always remember that the better the quality of pearls you select, the more valued they will be over time.

Fine Watches
There are many reasons to buy a watch: It's practical, prestigious, artistic, a potential heirloom, and – regardless of your price range – priced to fit your pocketbook.

With so many options to choose from – mechanical vs. self-winding, analog vs. digital, etc. – rely on the expert staff at Addessi Jewelers to help you understand all the differences and choose the perfect timepiece to suit you needs. To help you prepare for making a purchase and caring for it – no matter what style you choose – here are some guidelines to follow:

• Buy a watch with a familiar trademark or one whose performance has a good reputation.
  
  
• Since it is difficult, if not impossible for the untrained person to detect a counterfeit, avoid the transient street peddler or questionable mail-order promotions which advertise huge discounts on so-called designer or "famous name" watches.
  
  
• Read your warranty. Be sure that the manufacturer is behind the warranty.
  
  
• Take the time to show you care. Wind a mechanical watch in a clockwise direction, preferably about the same time each day. Take it off your wrist so as not to place undue pressure on the stem.
  
  
• Although many watches are equipped with shock-resistant devices, it's not wise to subject it to overly vigorous treatment.
  
  
• Replace broken or scratched crystals immediately: Even a hairline crack can let dust or moisture into the mechanism, threatening its accuracy.
  
  
• Unless the degree of water-resistance was clearly specified when you bought your watch, don't risk wearing it into the shower or pool, or on a moist wrist.
  
  
• No matter how handy you are, don't attempt any "do-it-yourself" watch repairs. Bring your watch to Addessi Jewelers. Only an expert watchmaker should be trusted to put your watch back into working condition if there is a problem.
  
  
• It's best to replace a battery in a quartz watch before it runs out. (Batteries can run for one to five years, depending on the watch.) Dead batteries left in a watch can leak or corrode and ruin it. Also, don't attempt to change the battery in a watch yourself. Addessi Jewelers' watch repair person can expertly and properly handle that task for you.

Finally, if you have any questions, ask the competent and knowledgeable staff at Addessi Jewelers. We value you as a customer and will provide you with the finest customer service in choosing and caring for your fine timepiece.

Karat Gold Jewelry
Of all the world's precious metals, only gold combines the four basic characteristics that make it a universally treasured possession:

• Beauty – Gold's natural color can be further enhanced by alloying it with small amounts of other metals, yielding a spectrum of exquisite, subtle shades. Metalsmiths are able to create yellow, rose, green and white golds by adjusting the alloys. More copper results in a soft rose color; additional silver creates green gold; and palladium produces white. A popular trend is to combine two or more colors of gold in a single piece of jewelry.
• Purity – It is estimated that only slightly more than 100,000 tons of gold have been taken from the earth during all of recorded history. And although gold can be found in rivers, seas and land in many parts of the earth, it is not easily extracted. Opening a mine is a time-consuming and costly operation, and several tons of ore are required in order to produce just one ounce of the precious metal.
• Durability – Look no further than the nearest museum where gold jewelry, coins and artifacts from ancient civilizations attest to the metal's enduring beauty and permanence.
• Workability – Jewelers throughout the ages have preferred gold to all other metals for its beauty and ease of workmanship. Gold can be melted, or shaped, to create any design. It can be alloyed with a number of other metals to increase its strength and produce a variety of colors and can be re-melted and used again to create new designs.

Factors for Evaluating Karat Gold Jewelry
Look for the quality mark:

• Pure Gold or 24-karat is generally considered too soft for use in jewelry, so it is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength.
• Eighteen-karat Gold is 18/24ths, or three-quarters pure gold. Jewelry of this fineness is marked "18k" or "750," the European designation meaning 75 percent gold.
• Fourteen-karat Gold is 14/24ths, or slightly more than one-half pure gold. Jewelry of this fineness is marked "14k" or "585," the European designation meaning 58.5 percent gold. In the United States, 14-karat gold is used most commonly for jewelry.
• Ten-karat Gold – Nothing less than 10-karat gold can be legally marked or sold as gold jewelry in the United States. These pieces are marked "10k" or "417," the European designation meaning 41.7 percent gold.

Look for trademarks accompanying the quality mark. When a piece of jewelry is stamped with a quality mark, law requires that it be stamped with a hallmark or trademark as well. Sometimes the jewelry is also marked with its country of origin. These designations are designed to assure you that you are buying genuine gold jewelry of the karatage marked.

Gold comes in a variety of colors. Because gold is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength, it can also be made in a variety of colors. For example, yellow gold is created by alloying the metal with copper and silver; using copper only creates pink gold; white gold contains platinum or palladium, zinc and copper; green gold contains silver, copper and zinc.

Pricing is based on four factors: karatage, gram weight, design and craftsmanship. The karatage and gram weight tell you how much gold is in a piece, but other crucial factors determining price are the piece's construction and design. A price based solely on gram weight does not reflect the work that has gone into the piece. It's important to remember that each piece of gold jewelry is unique and, if cared for properly, can last a lifetime.

Look for quality construction. When buying a piece of gold jewelry, be sure to inspect it carefully. Pay special attention to fasteners or clasps, making sure catches work easily but are secure. Likewise, the backs of pins and earring posts should be strong and firmly attached to the piece with no soldering marks visible. With gold chain, lay it flat and make sure the links don't kink or bend.

Building Your Gold Jewelry Wardrobe
Build a gold jewelry wardrobe in the same way you build a clothing wardrobe. Always begin with the best-quality basics you can afford and add pieces. Your basics are a gold chain, necklace, classic hoop or button earrings, and a link bracelet. Additions can include a slide-on pendant, a pair of drop earrings where the bottoms can be detached (thus creating two different looks) followed by a gold ring or a pin. Begin with pieces that have classic shapes and look appropriate with a variety of different outfits then add pieces that offer versatility of wear or those with a fashion touch, such as matte and polished surface treatments or two or three tones of gold.

Buying Karat Gold Jewelry
You can buy gold jewelry in many types of stores and "incredible discounts" are not hard to find, but to make sure you get jewelry that you will be happy with now and for years to come, shop at Addessi Jewelers. Our commitment is to our customers. We will not only make putting your gold jewelry wardrobe together easy and fun, but we will be there in the future to answer all your questions and help you with your purchases, repairs, and custom design.

Platinum
Because of its beauty and value, platinum jewelry has an understated elegance that appeals to both men and women, and has always been given as a special expression of love for engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and holidays.

One of the strongest and most enduring metals, platinum is ideal for jewelry that's worn everyday because it shows little wear, it's hypoallergenic and it resists tarnish. It is also one of the finest, purest, rarest and most lustrous precious metals. To produce a single ounce of finished platinum, a total of 10 tons of ore must be mined. In comparison, only three tons of ore are required to produce one ounce of gold. Platinum's rich, white luster complements diamonds and other precious gems while its neutral color enhances a stone's brilliance and depth.

Factors for Evaluating Platinum Jewelry
A piece of jewelry containing 90 percent pure platinum weighs 60 percent more than a 14-karat gold piece of similar size. In the United States platinum jewelry generally contains anywhere from 85 to 95 percent pure platinum. By comparison, 18-karat gold is 75 percent pure gold and 14-karat gold is only 58 percent pure gold. If a piece of platinum jewelry is marked "Platinum" then it contains at least 95 percent pure platinum. Jewelry with 85 to 95 percent pure platinum is marked "950 Plat." or "950 Pt.," "850 Plat." or "850 Pt.," etc. Both the two- and four-letter abbreviation for platinum is used. Jewelry containing at least 50 percent pure platinum and at least 95 percent platinum group metals (platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium and ruthenium) is marked with the platinum content followed by the content of the other metal. For example: "600 Plat. 350 Irid." or "600 Pt. 350 Ir." Jewelry containing less than 50 percent pure platinum content cannot be marked with the word "platinum" or any abbreviation thereof. Rely on the knowledgeable staff at Addessi Jewelers to assist you in understanding these levels and markings.

Buying Platinum Jewelry
Platinum jewelry can be worn over a lifetime and passed on to future generations. Whether you choose a ring, pin, bracelet, earrings, necklace or bridal jewelry, you can find traditional as well as new and sophisticated platinum designs at Addessi Jewelers. Some are all platinum for a sophisticated look, but many feature 18-karat gold accents. For showcasing a diamond, platinum is an excellent choice. A diamond and its setting should last forever. Because platinum is superior to other metals in strength and durability, it offers a diamond the greatest protection. The breathtaking radiance of a diamond fused with the timeless elegance of platinum creates a rare and enduring symbol of love.

Birthstones

Just about everyone knows what his or her birthstone is. Why is that? Because people still enjoy the folklore associated with the tradition of the birthstone. They like believing that wearing a birthstone brings them good luck and protects them. While you can see that some "variety" of options still exists based on our list of gift-giving tips and conventions, the following list of birthstones, which is the one commonly used today, was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, which later evolved into the Jewelers of America.

Giving Tips & Conventions for Birthstones

To find out more about your birthstone, or any gemstone, call or visit Addessi Jewelers. We will be able to show you the widest variety of colors, cuts and designs to suit any pocketbook.

Selecting for Your Type

Real Jewelry offers you beauty that lasts. It also represents your personal statement of style. Another wonderful fact is that there is real jewelry to fit every taste and every budget.

There are no firm rules of right or wrong jewelry choices. However, just as you consider your personal features and build when choosing clothing fashions, you might also do so when you're selecting jewelry. Not rules, but here are some general guidelines for selecting jewelry that flatters you:

Height and Bone Structure
Remember that the most important rule for buying jewelry is to buy what you like, but the first and most important factor for you to consider is your overall body size and shape. To help you apply the fashion guidelines to your specific type, simply refer to the category in which your height is included as each section includes pertinent bone structure information.

Petite (Under 5'4"):

• Necklaces – Petite women best wear collar-length or longer necklaces. Styles with "V" shapes and ones that fall below the breast but above the waist elongate the figure.
• Bracelets – Bangles flatter petite women. Several narrow ones are more flattering than one wide one because they are more in proportion to the petite's overall size.
• Earrings – Concentrate on styles that sweep upward, pulling the viewer's eye up. Full-figured petites look especially well in sharp geometric shapes.

Average (5'4"- 5'7"):

• Necklaces – The average-height woman can wear necklaces of any length unless she is full-figured. In that case, she should avoid necklaces that rest on the breastline.
• Bracelets – Wide bracelets are more in proportion to the average-height woman than very narrow ones.
• Earrings – Earring choices are unlimited and should be considered in connection with face shape and, of course, hairstyles. Feel free to select exciting geometric shapes such as triangles, squares and ovals.

Tall (Over 5'7"):

• Necklaces – Almost any length goes well. The thin tall woman may select chokers which cut the line of the neck and de-emphasize height. Necklaces made of stones or pearls of the same size are especially flattering to the tall woman.
• Bracelets – The tall woman has a wide range of bracelet choices as long as she stays away from too-delicate pieces. The full-figured tall woman should wear several thin bracelets together to give a more balanced feeling, or a couple of wide bracelets.
• Earrings – Long dangling earrings are especially flattering to tall women. Because there is plenty of space between the ear lobe and shoulder, she can wear any shape earrings except tiny buttons, which look lost.

Face Shapes
Now, let's combine the information pertaining to height and bone structure with the shape of your face. Analyze your face shape from those listed below and determine the fashions that will best complement it. Remember to select jewelry that is in proportion to the size of your face. There are four basic shapes:

Oval
The oval face is considered to be the perfect shape. The proportions at the forehead are not too wide, and the line from the forehead flows into high cheekbones, then narrows slightly to a rounded chin.

• Necklaces – Any shape necklace will work with the oval. A choker looks just as good as opera-length pearls or any necklace that comes to a "V."
• Earrings – Round shapes, button or hoop earrings look well on the oval face, but triangular shapes are especially flattering. Dangling earrings look well, if they are not too long. Earrings that move up the ear or have wings that sweep up minimize a too-thin face or long nose.

Round
The round face is a circle – the width is equal to the length, with no discernible angles at the cheek or chin. The aim of jewelry is to add length.

• Necklaces – To give a dimension of length, look for long necklaces, 28" to 32".
• Earrings – Squares, oblongs, rectangles work well as do dangling and angular designs. Elongated styles also go well because they draw attention down instead of around.

Rectangular
The rectangular face has more length than width and it has distinguishable angles. The width of the face at the forehead is the same as the chin. This face needs jewelry that adds width and camouflages the length of the face.

• Necklaces – A high choker reduces the length of the face, particularly if the neck is too long. Also, a 16" or 18" necklace that ends in a "U" flatters this face.

Heart Shape
This face is wide at the forehead and cheeks and then narrows sharply to a point at the chin. Think of this face as a triangle. It likes jewelry that adds width to the chin to draw the eye away from the point.

• Necklaces – A choker necklace is a favorite style because it softens and diminishes the sharp angle of the chin.
• Earrings – Look for earrings that are wider at the bottom than the top. Dangling earrings that form a triangle are especially flattering.

Hands
One final area to take into account when buying jewelry is the hand. This is a body area that attracts a great deal of attention because people "talk" with their hands or otherwise bring attention to them. It is important to select your ring with the same attention as other jewelry, striving to have a ring that flatters your hand.

The length of the fingers is the determining factor when purchasing rings. Women with long fingers, like tall women, can handle almost any style. In all cases, rings, like all jewelry, must be selected in proportion to the size of the hand. For example, if the long-fingered hand is also overly thin, oval or round settings are best because they soften the look. Also, wider bands are more flattering than thin ones.

The hands with short fingers look best with settings that remain within the knuckle. The setting or stone that extends past the knuckle only accentuates the hand's shortness and makes it look less elegant. Oval or marquise shape stones elongate the hand and make good choices for short fingers. Round solitaire settings are also good because of their simplicity. If you want a large ring, opt for a dome shape of a high setting that won't overpower the short hand.

Finally, when buying a ring, it is most important to keep comfort in mind. The hand is a working, functioning body area, as opposed to the earlobe, which doesn't put forth any effort. Don't forsake comfort for looks. Measure the length of your knuckle and buy what allows you to move your finger freely.

Summing up, whatever your body proportions or height, there are real jewelry styles to fit your "look." Addessi Jewelers has many collections offering a variety of fashions for you to compare, try on and select what flatters you. Rely on our expert staff for advice, information and service before and after your purchase.