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Wedding Traditions Explained: Jumping the Broom

May22
2013 Comments

Written by Raymond Lee Jewelers

This tradition of unity has the couple literally jumping over a broom that is laid on the floor. The jumping of the broom may come after the exchanging of the wedding rings, a short prayer, poem or even a song. It is said to represent the joining of families and the sweeping out of the old. Where did this custom come from? There are conflicting stories.

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via Style Me Pretty

Some believe that jumping the broom started as a gypsy tradition in Wales. Others believe it is an analogy for eloping.

same sex wedding, jumping the broom, lesbian wedding jumping the broom

Via a Bicycle Built for Two – These brides said “In a nod to our ancestors, we also jumped the broom, which was how slaves “married” when they didn’t have the legal right to do so. We thought that this tradition was fitting because we too weren’t allowed to legally marry in our home state of California at the time of our wedding. (Although we since got legally married in New York!)”

Some feel that it represents overcoming those who may disapprove of their union. Many others believe it had its roots in slavery, and was brought to America from Western or Central Africa.

via Front Room Photography

American slaves could not enter into contracts, and as such, could not enter into a legal union of marriage. It is said they used jumping the broom as a visual commitment to each other.

jumping the broom at a rooftop wedding with purple bridesmaids

Today, jumping the broom remains popular in many cultures. It is said by some that the person who jumps the broom the highest will end up “wearing the pants” in the family. Today, couples decorate their brooms, and they are kept as another reminder of the happy day.

via The Studio B Photography

Like most wedding traditions, the exact history behind jumping the broom may never be traced. It is the meaning a couple gives the tradition that is important. Unity and the joining of families sound like pretty good reasons to “jump the broom”.

Aisle Style: Taking the Capelet Wedding Dress

May22
2013 Comments

Written by Raymond Lee Jewelers

wedding wednesday graphic

Fashion icons including Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman and Emily Blunt have recently graced runways, red carpets and magazine covers in an oh-so-chic fashion statement: the capelet. Top bridalwear designers have also embraced this trend, delivering a breathtaking assortment of versatile capelet confections that invite modern brides to have their cape(let) and wear it, too! Whatever your personal style–from glamour girl to boho babe–consider incorporating a graceful capelet as the perfect finishing touch to your wedding day wardrobe.

Jasmine Bridal Style # F151070

Many brides spend their whole lives fantasizing about their regal royal wedding: from the poofy dress to the horse-drawn carriage to, of course, Prince Charming himself. The right capelet wedding dress can add a sweep of sophisticated fairytale drama to your ensemble, ensuring the perfect happy ending to your search for the wedding dress of your dreams.

Cap Sleeve Lace Capelet Over Strapless Wedding Gown

Chaviano Couture via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Minimalist brides tend to favor the less-is-more look, and lingerie-inspired capelets add sex appeal without sacrificing modesty. Peek-a-boo embroidery is not only flirty and fun, but also entirely appropriate–so while your guests may be tantalized by your swoon-worthy look, they won’t be scandalized by your lack of coverage.

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Sottero and Midgley Chesla

More demure brides prefer to leave even more to the imagination. Capelets have the unique ability to simultaneously conceal and reveal through intricate lace, embroidery and creative textural elements, which add both mystery and romance.

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Jenny Packham’s embroidered Elsa Bridal jacket

Glam girls, meanwhile, should look for capelets that will add maximum vintage decadence to their wedding day look. Gatsby-inspired, 1920s-style dresses are big on drama and small on restraint. Pearls, sequins and Art Deco styling all add up to over-the-top elegance that guests won’t ever forget.

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JLM Couture Alvina Valenta StyleAV9206

Not all brides want to make a high-drama impression. For brides who prefer to keep it short and as sweet as they are, fresh and frothy options abound to suit your classic and charming celebration.

Capelets let brides embrace the best of both worlds. If you’ve always envisioned a strapless dress, but prefer more coverage during your ceremony, capelets are the perfect solution. Not only that, but by removing this outer overlay during your reception, you achieve the look of an entirely new dress! In the end, whether you choose to layer yourself in lace or feather yourself in, well, feathers, there is a chic, stylish capelet to complement every unique wedding day aesthetic.

Posted in Engagement Ring Boca Raton, Engagement Rings Boca Raton, Wedding Rings, Wedding Wednesday - Tagged Alvina Valenta, Bride, capelet wedding dress, Gatsby wedding, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jenny Packham, JLM Couture, Maggie Sotterto, Natalie Portman, Sottero and Midgley, wedding cape, Wedding dress, wedding dress lace overlay, wedding lace bolero, wedding lace jacket

Can’t Pass up Bypass Rings

May21
2013 Comments

Written by Raymond Lee Jewelers

Bypass rings, a style that has the two shanks of a ring crossing over one another, rather than meeting to complete the circle, are one of our favorite styles. This edgy twist on a ring is a gorgeous way to show of stones and unique architectural designs. The bypass ring, far from a modern trend, has been in existence for over 100 years – we have several vintage, antique and estate bypass rings. This ring is edgy and unique – we love how it turns the typical on its head. It’s a perfect option for right hand rings and for women who want something a little bit different for their engagement ring (but still love diamonds and gemstones!) Check out a few of our favorites below.

We love the delicate diamond accents on this bypass ring. Bright & clean round brilliants weighing a total of .15 carats rest between the prongs of 14kt white gold. This ring is the perfect addition to a ring stack of any metal or gemstones.

Don’t these round brilliants look almost like old mine cuts? We love the effect that this 18kt buttery gold setting has on its stones, further proof that any setting can completely change the personality of a diamond. These rounds are .75 carats each and have plenty of sparkle, which is a fun addition to the blockish, geometric look of the ring.

This stunning estate ring is another great addition to a stack. We love the pop of color these deep blue invisibly set sapphires lend (not to mention the extra sprinkling of diamonds around the borders).

This vintage platinum and diamond bypass ring is one of our favorites in the whole store. We can’t get enough of its vaguely Egyptian motifs, its lattices serpentine shape, and of course the .90ctw of old European cut diamonds.

This beautiful ring features an oval cut sapphire and an oval cut diamond nestled together. The shank of the ring features funky baguettes set in 14kt yellow gold, bringing the diamond total weight to 1.5 ctw.

Posted in Diamonds, Engagement Rings Boca Raton, Estate Jewelry, Gemstones, Jewelry Boca Raton, Raymond Lee Jewelers - Tagged antique rings, bypass rings, diamond, Engagement ring, Jewelry, vintage engagement ring, vintage ring

Watch of the Week: Rolex Daytona Zenith

May20
2013 Comments

Written by Raymond Lee Jewelers

After checking out that Zenith up for auction earlier, we hunted through our showcase for a Zenith of our own – but got sidetracked by this Midas-touched Rolex Daytona Zenith.

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Rolex Daytona Zenith 162588

The Daytona in any of its incarnations is a beautiful watch (and especially in its newest edition, the 2013 platinum Daytona). But this 18kt yellow gold is our personal favorite for today.

Rolex-Daytona-2

The watch’s beautiful yellow dial is accented by white sticks and black enamel subdials. The pristine yellow gold case features the Daytona’s trademark tachymetric bezel allows accurate measurement of speeds up to 400 mph (or kilometers, if that’s your preferred unit of measurement). The central sweep seconds hand allows an accurate reading of 1/8 second.

The Daytona’s screw down crown ensures water resistance for day-to-day wear (though if you’re planning on submerging or yachting, exploring Rolex’s world of diving watches is your better bet).

The classy Oyster bracelet rounds out this all over luxurious Daytona. This look is elegant, refined, and works just as well on the race track as it does over dinner at your favorite Palm Beach restaurant.

Posted in Luxury Timepiece, Men's Jewelry, Pre-Owned Watches Boca Raton, Rolex, Watches - Tagged Daytona, Diving watch, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, Rolex Daytona Boca Raton, used Daytona, used Rolex, Watches

Auction Action: Fine Jewellery & Rare Watches

May20
2013 Comments

Written by Raymond Lee Jewelers

This week shows us jewelry and watch auctions at both Christie’s and Bonham’s. At Christie’s we spotted a Chopard Happy Fish watch (plus plenty more familiar looking pre owned watches) along with a gorgeous gold Tank Americaine, which is somewhat hard to come by pre owned (of all the clients who want to sell watches, we’ve only come across a handful of Tank Americaines). At Bonham’s, an impressive roster of antique pocket watches caught our eye first, but there are several other sales to watch too – not limited to modern luxury timepieces in Hong Kong. And because HK is a city that loves the sparkle – Bonham’s Hong Kong is holding a Fine Jewelry & Jadeite sale. Happy Bidding!

Christie’s

Jewellery & Watches (London, South Kensington) May 22

vintage tiara, antique necklace, belle epoque jewelry, christies auctions

This stunning Belle Epoque necklace features old mine cut diamonds and emeralds set into silver and gold scrollwork.

: Lot 26 – A diamond dress ring

We love the interest that this ring gets from two different diamond cuts – vertical baguettes sandwiched between round brilliants.

: Lot 39 – A sapphire and coloured diamond ring

We love this large, cushion cut sapphire on its own, but a pink diamond halo and shank makes it that much more special.

: Lot 82 – Van Cleef and Arpels Lapis Lazuli Alhambra

: Lot 101 – An aquamarine, sapphire and diamond ring

This aquamarine ring’s light blue is only enhanced by a surround of dark blue, invisibly set sapphires – delicious!

Bonham’s

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Patek Philippe. An 18ct gold keyless wind half hunter fob watch

This Patek Philippe pocket watch is beautifully well-preserved. It’s hard to argue that there’s any watch more handsome than an antique Patek Philippe (this one’s circa 1890). Lot 49 in Watches & Wristwatches.

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Zenith. An 18ct gold manual wind chronograph wristwatch

This gorgeous vintage gold and leather Zenith watch is a true classic, lot 115 of Watches & Wristwatches.

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Lot 1088 – An impressive three-stone diamond ring, by Harry Winston

This Harry Winston diamond ring weighs in at 8.05 carats total, with step cuts that perfectly showcase the pristine diamonds Harry Winston is renowned for.

A pair of titanium, coloured sapphire and diamond pendant earrings

These near-jellyfish earrings are completely unique. Purple Titanium and pink and purple oval cut sapphires mingle beautifully with brilliant cut diamonds. Lot 903 of Fine Jewellery & Jadeite.

A pair of tourmaline, gem and diamond earrings This lot, 906, shows off beautiful double rose cut rubellite drops and flowers with multi-colored sapphire petals all set in gold and platinum.

A pair of aquamarine and diamond pendent earrings These impeccable aquamarine drops are surrounded by brilliant diamond micropave and suspended from heart shaped diamond studs dangling brilliant cut diamonds. Lot 957 of Fine Jewellery & Jadeite.

A diamond dress ring

This super, sparkling bombe ring boasts 18 carats of round brilliant diamonds all set in white gold. Lot 965 of Fine Jewellery & Jadeite.

A jadeite and diamond necklace and earring suite (2)

Speaking of jadeite – this magnificent suite features a necklace with nine graduated intense green oval jadeite cabochons of very good translucency, within brilliant-cut and pear-shaped diamond surrounds and a perfectly matched jadeite and diamond pendant. Oval jade cabochon earrings dangle from diamond studded white gold. Lot 1036 of Fine Jewellery & Jadeite.

A pair of cultured pearl, coloured diamond and diamond earrings

These sweet cultured pearl earrings are beautiful with round and square cut white diamonds, beautiful round brilliant pink diamonds, 18kt white gold and 18kt pink gold. Lot 1041.

A pair of coloured diamond pendent earrings

Absurdly beautiful fancy yellow graduated radiant-cut diamonds (the bottom diamonds are 3.29 and 3.01 carats, respectively.) Brilliant cut diamonds surround each yellow stone, and all three diamonds are connected by fancy pink diamonds set in 18kt yellow and pink gold. Lot 1064.