Merry Christmas to all

We've had a great year at Stanley's and appreciate all our customers and their kind words.
Remember, we are here for you! We'll never run out of great jewelry.
Visit often.

Laura the jewelry girl
Happy Holidays!

We'll be open Saturday, Dec 26, so you can buy yourself that treat no one thought to get you for Christmas!

A Conflict-Free Holiday

It's unfortunate that humans get into conflict over precious resources. But it's reassuring to know that the jewelry industry is trying to control the damage. Let's face it, the mining of any precious resources cause good and bad effects. Many people have died for the oil industry, to name but one example.

We all value diamonds, gold, and colored gemstones. When you are buying these items, know that although perhaps tiny percentages of individuals in the originating localities have taken advantage of local labor through fear and injury, the vast majority of these purchases have a positive effect on their mining populations.

For example, diamond mining revenues have changed Botswana for the better through schools, roads, and infrastructures built. So ask if your jeweler is part of the Kimberly Process, if she supports "No Dirty Gold," and the like.

Then treat yourself. It's good for you and the world, too.

Jewelry Lover Laura

Jewelry for Christmas? I have another idea too!

We are stocking the coolest non-jewelry gift this year! It's a beautiful writing pen with diamond or gemstone accent.

You can buy your favorite person, coworker, boss, doctor, or mailman this gift for $85 to $150.
These pens have the look of a fine Swiss writing instrument, but won't break the bank.

Come see them in person. I'm afraid a photo just doesn't do them justice!

Laura the Jewelry Lover
In store 6 days/week until Christmas!

Almost Christmas!

Every year retailers get excited about the Holiday Season, and I am, but I've got something else to be excited about. In this awful economic year of 2009, activity and sales at Stanley's are up, which is almost unheard of.

I think it's because we have such a great staff, helpful attitude, and we really love jewelry. Also it's helpful that our inventory is magnificent! We just put a 142-piece estate collection into stock, along with many other individual estate and brand new pieces. We have the biggest collection of estate jewelry ever!

Please come shop for the holidays. Starting Nov 14, we'll be open Saturdays through December, and I really think that if you're shopping for jewelry this season, we will be your final destination.
And why wouldn't you shop for jewelry...it's the one gift that lasts forever!

Jewelry Lover Laura

Everlon is here!

It's very exciting to get a new product in our store. We see so much of the same types of jewelry, over and over, but we have just put into stock our new Everlon Collection. We're one of only 300 independent jewelers nationwide to carry this exclusive, beautiful jewelry. There are only 6 of us in Arkansas!

Look at the pictures and you'll see why I'm so excited. The designs come in white or yellow gold, platinum, or sterling. The diamonds are all beautifully cut and matched, and the look is classic elegance.

Please come see it in person, or email at will!

Laura the jewelry lover

I love pearls!

If you know me, you know I absolutely adore pearls.

Round, oblong, baroque, button, white, pastel, irradiated, single strand, multi-color, or any other way a pearl comes to me, I love it! I'm inspired by this beautiful strand of baroque Akoya pearls I just found, from a favorite pearl importer. Why do I love them? First of all, they are huge! Each pearl measures 1" long. They are bright white with beautiful iridescence which almost gives them a "glow." They are dramatic like you can't believe. You need to see them to appreciate their beauty.

We only have two strands of these unique beauties, so come quick!

Laura

The Pearl Lover

Wedding Bands For Men

I have to tell you I am very excited about our new alternative metal wedding bands! We have a new collection of tungsten, titanium, and ceramic bands which are gorgeous. It's fun to find an exciting new style of ring for men, and it's great to see guys get so excited about them.

This is one of my favorite styles. Check out this website www.ostbye.com, to see even more!

I love that they are so hi-tech looking, they come in great mod styles, and the metals are lightweight and super scratch resistant. Maybe the greatest thing is how they have lifetime free size exchange if needed. What more could you ask for in a wedding band?

Come see our new collection and we'll have fun with the "alternative metal" group.
Stanley Jewelers Gemologist on Historic Park Hill

Laura

Brides and Empowerment

It's Labor Day weekend, and I'm prioritizing my three days. Mostly I'm thinking about the upcoming bridal show/fair, "Out of the Box Bridal" at Pavilion In The Park, September 10. I'm always leery of bridal fairs, but this one promises to be different, with a more intimate setting, fewer vendors, and just one of each type of vendor, and all of quality, like Stanley's.

I'm focusing on what information I'll take, what jewelry I'll take, and how we'll get the brides and brides' families attention. I considered making distinct Stanley cookies, with a diamond on top, but I think we'll give out mugs with Tazo tea instead. Who doesn't like tea? No one, I think.

Maybe the Stanley cookies will debut this Christmas! Maybe. For this Thursday, I'm going to bring beautiful white diamonds and some vivid colors, too. Also some fancy shapes, wedding bands, gifts for the bridal party, and something for mom.

Most importantly, I'm going to encourage the brides to open their own personal Stanley charge account, with a little help from Wells Fargo, because after 6 years of marriage, I know it's important to be able to buy myself a little treat and pay it off in a few months without stressing out the household account!

So, ladies, remember, it's not a bad thing to maintain your own personal gift account. You just buy something, pay it off, then buy something else. In this economy, if you can do that, without paying interest (6 months no interest with Stanley's), you are way ahead of the game. And you are allowed to buy him something with your account, too!

http://www.outoftheboxbridal.com/,
https://financial.wellsfargo.com/retailprivatelabel/entry.jsp if you want to preapply.

Thursday morning here in Little Rock, raining. I'm really excited about two things...we can all vote on the historic Hope Diamond's new setting, to be unveiled in 2010.

Go to http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/smithsonian/hope.html and cast your vote.

I like #1 the best...

Also Stanley's will be participating in the first "Out of the Box Bridal" event in Little Rock, on Sept. 10. It's at Pavilion In The Park, and if you are interested in attending, please let me know.

http://www.outoftheboxbridal.com/

It's a small, non-stress event, the polar opposite of local "Bridal Fairs."

Diversity

I spent a great weekend with jewelers and industry types from all regions of the country. I love that interaction! New York and Las Vegas sound so glam. Whitney Sielaff, Peggy Campbell, Ruth Batson are inspiring to be around.

But now I'm back at Stanley's, at my little desk, typing on my same old keyboard, doing my job, and I LOVE what I do here. So far today, I've priced some new Estate Jewelry for stock; I've special ordered a SuperFit adjustable shank for a customer's beautiful diamond ring, talked about several cool vintage watch repairs with the owners, and I'm shopping for an AGS Ideal Cut diamond for a soon-to-be engaged couple.

What other job involves such diversity, challenges, and such beauty? None, I think.

Ark Jewelers Association 70th Anniversary

It's jewelry weekend here in Little Rock! I spent a great day at the Doubletree Hotel for our state group convention yesterday, and today, we have a guild meeting of the local American Gem Society jewelers from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Misssissippi. We're the Arkla/Dixie Guild. I love meetings like this because it's a chance to catch up, get a new idea, and find out where jewelers have taken very cool vacations in the last year!

Yesterday, in a session, I realized the time has come for Laura to have a blog. So here it is.

I hope I won't bore you! More soon

Love, Laura