Go ahead, try and find a jewelry costume. It’s not easy. Plenty of costume jewelry out there, but no jewelry costumes. And this on halloween. Oh well. Any of you costume designers out there-take note. This is a huge market just WAITING to be tapped. As proof, here’s a shot of what happens when dedicated jewelry fans are forced to make their own:
Is that guy wearing tights…? At least he chose a colored stone, the diamond costume would’ve been really inappropriate. Ok, I’ll stop. Happy halloween.
Well, first of all-they all mean the same thing. So for brevity, I’ll just refer to the whole group as “Motion Rings”. (Motion bracelets, motion earrings and motion pendants also exist, but that’s for another day.)
A Motion Ring is a ring that has moving parts, activated by the natural motion of your hand. In most cases, as in the case of the original motion ring, this motion is usually gyration (spinning). How a motion ring accomplishes this is done differently by different folks. “Different Gyrations for Different Folks” is how the popular saying goes-I believe. The most effective and popular method is the use of a precision ball bearing system(s) rotating around a center shaft.
Cameron Teufel knows a few things about what defines a quality motion ring, partly because his father Norman Teufel designed the first one back in 1971, and partly because he’s been building them ever since. I spoke with Cameron, (who has run the family business since his father retired in 1991) and have to admit that I was both surprised and refreshed by his obvious passion for their products. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, as I’ve seen hundreds of the Teufel Family’s rings-but I was.
What they do differently is use stainless steel precision ball bearing systems on a threaded stainless steel shaft that is laser welded to the ring. The stainless steel shafts are much more durable than gold, and the threads allow the bearings to seat tightly, improving both the longevity and motion of the ring. All the bands are solid 14k gold, and they use top quality (VS, G) diamonds in their designs as well. Basically, they care about the details we can’t see just as much as they care about the details we can see. From the motion rings I’ve seen, it’s pretty easy to differentiate which ones are by Teufel anyway, because of the quality of the higher quality polish, stone setting, and motion. In short, if you’re looking to buy a motion ring-ask if it’s a Teufel motion ring.
You can learn more about the Teufels and their fine motion jewelry at www.teufelinc.com
You can buy a Teufel motion ring at AlaskaJewelry.com
Feel free to leave any/questions comments and I’ll try to address them.
Glacier Ice is a special variety of Blue Zircon that is a much deeper blue than your average Zircon. Simply put, it’s the brightest colored gemstone around. It has the highest refractive index, so it sparkles brighter than the rest. Chris is the largest importer of the stone in the US, and the saving he gets by buying thousands of carats results in his ability to sell it for less than anyone else, and offer the most variety. Did I mention that it’s the December birthstone? So, if you’re looking for a very unique jewelry item for a Christmas gift or December birthday, or just someone who loves rare and beautiful blue gems-check it out.
I found this while checking my listings in the search engines for gold nugget jewelry. Now, I look at genuine gold nuggets all the time, and there is no comparison. I mean, if you’re going to imitate something, at least make it realistic. Why even call it gold nugget jewelry? Why not call it “Artistic interpretation of what gold nuggets would look like if Mother Nature was a modern impressionist”? I think it’s catchy… Anyways, I’m not really bothered by the product, just that it showed up ahead of my own REAL gold nugget jewelry in the search listings. So really, I’m just jealous. There, I said it. Here’s a real piece of gold nugget jewelry for comparison:
Yes! We’re now offering Mileage with every purchase. Spend a Dollar, get a Mile. I’ll include the press release below:
October 6 2005
Alaska Jewelry Inc. Announces Strategic Partnership with Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines Mileage plan members can now receive extra miles for purchasing jewelry online.
Alaskajewelry.com is a privately owned jewelry Etailer based in Sitka, Alaska. They also have two retail locations in Sitka.
This partnership will benefit Alaska Airlines mileage plan members, as well as those who fly on Alaska Airline’s Mileage Plan Airlines Partners American Airlines, Big Sky Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Era Aviation, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, LAN, Northwest Airlines, PenAir, and Qantas.
Through a partnership with Alaska Airlines, Alaskajewelry.com is now offering 1 mile for every dollar spent on their website: http://www.alaskajewelry.com For specific information on the mileage plan benefits go to: http://www.alaskajewelry.com/alaska_jewelry_air_miles.php or for the link on the Alaska Airlines website: http://www.alaskaair.com/mileageplan/PartnerMilesOps.asp 3rd in list.
Cleve Oines says that he originally approached Alaska Airlines about becoming a Mileage Plan Partner to benefit other Alaskans, but many of the responses so far have been from customers outside of Alaska.
“Living on an island in Southeast Alaska, my only option for air travel is Alaska Airlines, and this is true for most people in the state. Here in Alaska, almost everyone is an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Member, because it’s the only airline we fly! Most of us use Alaska Airlines credit cards too-anything to get free travel!
“What I’ve learned in the short time the program has been in effect is that it’s not just Alaskans who are mileage plan members. In fact, most of the responses so far have been from our customers in Washington and California.”
Oines says that what started as “An Alaskan Jewelry Store” now does business all over the world.
“We’ve sent orders to England, Australia, Japan, and Spain-just sent a gold nugget ring to one of our soldiers serving in Iraq. Actually, we just finished an engagement ring for a soldier coming home from Iraq as well.”
“Really, it’s a benefit to anyone who buys jewelry and also flies, because the miles can also be used on any of Alaska Airline’s partner carriers as well, which effectively span the globe. American Airlines, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest-they’re all partners.”
“I think that offering bonus miles is a huge benefit for our mutual customers.”