Atlanta-made fine jewelry  ·  Private redesign consultations

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  • Twenty-One Years? That’s Worth a Little Jewelry.

    We tend to save the big anniversary celebrations for the round numbers. Ten years. Twenty years. Twenty-five.

    But what about twenty-one?

    I actually love the idea of celebrating an odd number. Maybe that year feels especially meaningful to you. Maybe you’ve been through a lot together. Or maybe you just feel like saying, “I’m glad we’re still doing this.”

    That seems like a pretty good reason to me.

    For a twenty-first anniversary, the traditional gemstone is iolite. If you haven’t seen it in person, it’s worth a look.

    I love iolite. I’ve worked with it before, and it’s one of those stones that a photograph doesn’t quite do justice. It has beautiful blue and violet shades, and the color can look different as you turn it in the light. You really want to pick it up and look at it from a few angles.

    Oval faceted blue violet iolite gemstone on an ivory background.
    A little color for another year together.

    It’s also a lovely starting point for an anniversary piece. Perhaps a necklace she’ll wear often, a pair of earrings in a color she loves, or a ring you choose together.

    You don’t have to make it a surprise, either. There’s something fun about saying, “Let’s find something you really want.” Choosing the piece together can become part of the celebration.

    And while I love knowing which stone goes with which anniversary, I wouldn’t let the list make the whole decision. If iolite feels right, wonderful. If another stone catches your eye, we can go with that. I want you to love what you’re wearing.

    Twenty-one years together is worth celebrating. So is seventeen. So is twenty-three.

    You don’t have to wait for the next round number.

    If you have an anniversary coming up, tell me which year you’re celebrating. We can have a little fun finding something for it.

    Oval blue violet iolite pendant in a gold setting on a cream background.
    A little jewelry for another year together.

  • If I Had a Crystal Ball for Gold Prices

    If I Had a Crystal Ball for Gold Prices

    Amy Leff of Throwing Stars Jewelry in her jewelry studio, sharing insight on changing gold prices and custom jewelry design.

    I wish I had a crystal ball for gold prices. After 25 years in jewelry, I’m still waiting for that skill to kick in.

    I get asked all the time, “Do you think gold prices are going to come down?”

    I wish I could give you a definite answer, but the truth is, gold has a mind of its own.

    The price moves with the market. It may be higher when we first talk, a little lower when you’re ready to move forward, or decide to head in the opposite direction entirely. Unfortunately, my crystal ball remains completely unhelpful.

    What I can do is be transparent about the price you’re paying. When I quote your piece, I use the current price of gold, so you know what the materials actually cost at that moment.

    If the price of gold is making your original idea stretch beyond your budget, we’ll talk about it. There are often thoughtful ways to adjust a design without losing what made you love it in the first place.

    So, can I tell you what gold will cost next month?

    Nope.

    But if that crystal ball ever starts working, I promise I’ll let you know!

    Crystal ball surrounded by gold jewelry and jewelry making materials, representing the unpredictability of gold prices in custom jewelry design.

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • 10K vs 14K vs 18K gold

    10K vs 14K vs 18K gold

    Here’s something I wish more people knew about gold: a higher karat doesn’t automatically mean it’s the better choice. When comparing 10K vs 14K vs 18K gold, the right choice really depends on the piece, how you plan to wear it, and what matters most to you.

    Yes, the number tells you how much pure gold is in the piece. But when I’m helping someone choose gold for their jewelry, that number is only part of the conversation.

    Pure gold is 24K, and it’s naturally quite soft. That’s why the gold we use in most fine jewelry is mixed with other metals to give it strength.

    *10K gold is 41.7% pure gold.* It’s durable and more resistant to everyday wear, although its color is usually a little less rich.

    *14K gold is 58.3% pure gold.* This is a favorite for good reason. You get a beautiful gold color with enough durability for rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other pieces that get worn regularly.

    *18K gold is 75% pure gold.* It has a noticeably richer, warmer color because there’s more gold in it. It’s also softer and comes at a higher price.

    So, what would I choose?

    It depends.

    I want to know what we’re making, how often you plan to wear it, what color you love, and what you’re comfortable spending. I would never recommend 18K simply because it sounds more luxurious if 14K actually makes more sense for the piece.

    That’s the part people sometimes miss.

    Good jewelry isn’t about choosing the highest number. It’s about choosing the right material for the design and for the person who’s going to wear it.

    And sometimes, 14K wins.

    Gold necklaces, rings, and earrings for everyday jewelry wear

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • A Simple Change, A Meaningful New Chapter

    A Simple Change, A Meaningful New Chapter

    She inherited this beautiful pin, but it spent years tucked away in a jewelry box.

    We didn’t redesign it. We didn’t change its character. We simply added a chain and transformed it into a necklace she can wear and enjoy every day.

    Sometimes, that’s all it takes to bring a meaningful piece back into your life.

    If you have jewelry that’s full of memories but no longer fits your life or your style, I’d love to help you explore the possibilities. Whether it’s a simple update or a complete redesign, we’ll find the solution that’s right for your piece.

    A Simple Change, A Meaningful New Chapter

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • Is Jewelry Redesign Worth It?

    Is Jewelry Redesign Worth It?

    If you have jewelry sitting in a drawer because it’s outdated, broken, or simply not your style anymore, you may be wondering if redesigning it is worth it.

    For many people, the answer is yes.

    Jewelry redesign lets you transform meaningful pieces into something you’ll actually wear while keeping the memories attached to them. Whether it’s an inherited ring, a vintage brooch, or a necklace that’s been tucked away for years, redesigning gives it a new purpose.

    It’s also a great way to update an older design without losing what makes it special. Existing gemstones or gold can often be incorporated into a custom piece that better reflects your personal style.

    Every redesign is unique. Some people choose a simple update, while others create something completely new. The goal is the same: turning jewelry you no longer wear into something you love again.

    Instead of letting treasured pieces collect dust, consider giving them a second life. You might be surprised by what’s possible.

    Ready to reimagine your jewelry? We’d love to help you create a piece that’s beautiful, personal, and made to be worn for years to come.

    Is Jewelry Redesign Worth It?

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • There Is Beauty in Being Worn

    There Is Beauty in Being Worn

    There Is Beauty in Being Worn

    Brand new things have their own kind of beauty.

    Everything is polished.

    Untouched.

    Perfect.

    But perfection has never been what makes something memorable.

    The leather chair that has softened over decades.

    The cookbook was covered in handwritten notes.

    The wedding band with tiny scratches collected over a lifetime.

    The things we love most usually show evidence of having been lived in.

    Jewelry earns its beauty the very same way.

    Every mark becomes part of its story.

    There Is Beauty in Being Worn

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • The Drawer We All Have

    The Drawer We All Have

    The Drawer We All Have

    The Drawer We All Have

    Most people have one.

    A drawer.

    A jewelry box.

    A small corner of the closet. It’s where the pieces that matter end up.

    Not because they stopped mattering.

    They just got set aside.

    Because life happened.

    Maybe your style changed.

    Maybe the ring doesn’t fit anymore.

    Maybe you inherited pieces you love but would never wear.

    Then, months turn into years, and now and then you come across them while you’re looking for something completely different.

    You pick one up.

    You remember exactly where it came from.

    Who gave it to you.

    When you wore it.

    And for a moment, you’re reminded that the story is still there.

    The jewelry isn’t waiting to be thrown away; it’s just waiting for you to ask,

    “What could this become?”

    That’s my favorite part of what I do.

    Not replacing the story.

    Continuing it.

    Sometimes all it takes is looking at those pieces with fresh eyes to see something you never noticed before.

    A ring becomes a necklace.

    Grandmother’s diamonds become earrings you’ll wear every day.

    A piece that’s been sitting in a drawer for years finally becomes part of your life again.

    Because the best jewelry isn’t always new.

    Sometimes it’s simply waiting for its next chapter.

    The Drawer We All Have

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • A Different Kind of Treasure

    A Different Kind of Treasure

    A Different Kind of Treasure
    A Different Kind of Treasure
    A Different Kind of Treasure

    As children, we imagine treasure as something rare and valuable.

    Gold coins.

    Hidden chests.

    Precious gems.

    As adults, our definition tends to change.

    Treasure becomes the letter we still can’t throw away.

    The photograph we always stop to look at.

    The ring that reminds us of someone who mattered.

    Value becomes less about rarity and more about connection.

    And in that sense, some of the greatest treasures we own are the ones that tell our stories best.

    A Different Kind of Treasure

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • The Stories We Tell Ourselves

    The Stories We Tell Ourselves

    The Stories We Tell Ourselves

    We all have stories about our belongings.

    This was from my grandmother.

    I bought this when I got my first real job.

    I wore this on the day everything changed.

    The object itself is often simple.

    The story is what makes it matter.

    Over time, those stories become woven into the things we keep close.

    Perhaps that’s why jewelry feels different from most possessions.

    It doesn’t just sit beside our memories.

    It becomes part of them.

    The Stories We Tell Ourselves

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website

  • The Things We Keep

    The Things We Keep

    The Things We Keep

    Human beings are fascinating collectors.

    Not just of objects, but of significance.

    We keep ticket stubs.

    Handwritten notes.

    Photographs.

    Pieces of jewelry.

    Not because we need them.

    Because they help us remember.

    And sometimes, years later, we discover that what we were really preserving wasn’t the object itself.

    It was the feeling attached to it.

    The Things We Keep

    Explore timeless fine jewelry and meaningful custom redesigns at: Throwing Stars Jewelry Official Website