Throughout the United States there are many famous jewelers who have earned their reputation by offering some of the world?s finest jewelry. Jewelers have often been made famous by popular celebrities.

Harry Winston was one of the prominent American jewelers who became famous for his exquisite quality of diamonds, watches and other jewels. Known as the 'jeweler to the stars,' he had a firm Harry Winston, Inc., which opened in New York City in 1932. Harry Winston has salons in New York, Beverly Hills, Paris, Geneva, and Tokyo among other locations.

Charles Lewis Tiffany was another famous American jeweler who started manufacturing jewelry in 1848. There are a number of contemporary jewelers who create excellent designs inspired by the craftsmanship of Tiffany. William Spratling was yet another famous New York jeweler known for his silver jewelry designs. Spratling silver jewelry is a hot favorite with collectors.

An upscale jewelry store is a good place to buy the work of famed jewelry designers. Galatea Designs in Birmingham, Goodman?s jewelers in Madison, Blue Dolphin Gold in Clarksburg, Chamade Jewelers in San Antonio, and Alson Jewelers in Woodmere (Ohio) are popular favorites.

Affiliated with the Jeweler's Board of Trade (JBT), Galatea Designs offers contemporary diamond styles certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL). Goodman?s Jewelers has the ?Goodman's Private Label Diamond,? a diamond that no other jeweler carries. It also stocks the latest creations from award-winning designers.

Blue Dolphin Gold is an authorized dealer for fine jewelry products, such as black hills gold, keepsake diamond jewelry, 'The Mother and Child' and 'Heart Collection' by Janel Russell and the Caribbean hook bracelet. Chamade Jewelers, a member of IACA (Indian Arts & Crafts Association) stocks a dazzling array of fine jewelry in gold and platinum, set with precious gemstones. Innsbruck Jewelers, Legend Jewelers, Masseys Jewelers, Couture Jewelers, and Jacques Jewelers are some prominent contemporary jewelers.

The jewelry business is now one of the most competitive fields in the U.S. Famous jewelers here are consistently thinking of new methods to improve their jewelry lines.

A jewelry box is a practical and safe storage space for your precious jewelry. Not only will you be able to put them under lock and key, but also care for the pieces properly.

With a jewelry box, you can put each piece in separate compartments to prevent damage. You know that diamond is the hardest mineral and it can cut through most material. For example, when you store your diamond ring with your gold bracelets, you increase the risk of the gold being scratched permanently by the diamond. Silver also needs proper care; it tarnishes easily. To prevent this, it must be placed in a compartment with velvet lining to prevent oxidation or other chemical reactions.

Most manufacturers use hardwoods as material for crafting jewelry boxes. This is because the elegance of the wood compliments the jewelry. Unfortunately, wood is also heavy and therefore, not suitable for travel.

On the Go

When traveling, you need not resort to storing your jewelry in a pouch and exposing it to damage. Keep your pieces safe by using cardboard jewelry boxes.

This kind of box is meant to be used for temporary storage or for display purposes. When you have to show a friend a piece for example, you may use a box made of cardboard. Even so, a cardboard jewelry box needs to be elegant, as well.

Quality Boxes

From the simple rectangular or square shapes, cardboard boxes can come in many shapes, sizes, color, and texture. For display windows, the boxes often come in attractive designs: heart-shaped for valentines, for example.

Despite the relatively soft material, a cardboard box must be able to protect the jewelry from harsh elements as much as possible. A cotton or foam lining and pads should protect from these concerns. The paper must also be waterproof to an extent, and strong enough to sustain normal bumps.

Italy is best known for its art and indulgences. Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world. It is no wonder that the country is considered the land of fine things. From Italy we get craftsmanship honored from generation to generation. One of the best and highly sought after products of the country is its jewelry boxes. Like the intricate designs of its jewelry inspired by the Etruscan era some 3,000 years ago, the art of crafting jewelry boxes boasts of fine traditions.

Tradition-bound

One of the joys of buying excellent Italian crafts is that their elegance lasts though the years. They are almost heirloom pieces that increase in value as time passes. The rich stories that go into each finished item are more than enough to charm anyone.

There may be numerous Italian-made jewelry boxes out in the market most of them you can get through the Internet?but if you have extra cash, go for the best kind. It may be more expensive, but it is an investment in its own right.

To preserve the prestige of crafting jewelry boxes, select manufacturers still follow traditions. For example, a box can be crafted from any wood, but a true Italian box is made from an elm tree?and not just any elm tree. One out of every 100 elm trees feature a unique pattern of briarwood knots, color, and burls perfect for making the boxes.

The boxes are all painstakingly handcrafted giving them individual characteristics. From the finish of the box to the inside lining, craftsmen pay close attention to details. The process takes about a month to complete.

A Jewel on its Own

Authentic Italian jewelry boxes tend to feature lavish materials. Aside from the one-of-a-kind wood, all the pulls, locks, hinges and other accessories are usually gold plated with gold. The linings are of high-quality suede material to prevent your silver jewelry from tarnishing.