Ever wonder how to surprise your love with the perfect engagement ring?  Take the subtle hints she drops and your best friends ring-shopping!

We are happy to share this amazingly sweet video that was made by an elated Zadok customer and his “support” crew of friends.  After checking out several of Houston’s best jewelry stores, they found exactly what they were looking for here at Zadok Jewelers under the master guidance of Bob Marshak - we are so glad we could help!  Congrats to the newly engaged Vivian and Femi!

If you have always wanted to design your own personal engagement ring, or redesign a piece of jewelry you already own including family heirlooms, Zadok Jewelers is at your service. We have an on-premises jewelry workshop for all of your custom jewelry needs using the latest and most advanced technology in the jewelry industry to ensure the highest degree of quality and customer satisfaction. Our sales associates and designers will be pleased to help you design a distinctive engagement ring or any other piece of jewelry. We welcome customers to consult with one of our experienced jewelry designers. Don’t be afraid to be yourself at Zadok Jewelers.

With seven generations of jewelry craftsmanship as the Zadok family legacy, we will guide you from vision to fruition with your own unique custom designed jewelry pieces. We realize that although we carry a large selection of designer engagement rings, it is very important for us to allow our customers the opportunity to design and create the exact piece of jewelry that fits both their unique taste and style.

FAQs

• Imagine a couple walks into the store and wants a custom designed engagement ring from Zadok Jewelers.  What does their process look like?  Do they need an appointment or are walk-ins okay?
• Whether you set up an appointment with one of our sales consultants through our website or over the phone, or are greeted by an associate as you walk in, you will be walked through the design process step by step.
• Do you recommend they bring sketches or pictures of their ideas? 
• If you already have an idea of what you like, by all means, please bring us as much information and as many images as possible. This will make it easier for you to explain to the jeweler and/or sales person exactly what you have in mind. If you are not sure what kind of ring you would like, we have hundreds in stock you can try on for inspiration. 
• Does a jeweler or consultant help them design a ring on the floor with CAD or a hand sketch, or do initial designs happen behind the scenes?
• With an appointment, or almost any time you walk in, you will be able to consult with a jeweler directly along with your sales associate to design something that truly reflects your relationship. Our jewelers do have CAD capabilities, but usually feel most comfortable with a sketch. In most cases, as you discuss your ideas, the custom jeweler will have a completed a beautiful sketch from multiple angles by the time you leave the store. You may also have the option to approve the wax molding, although it doesn’t do the design justice, as it is usually much bulkier than the metal will be and won’t have any stones.
• How long does the process usually take?
• Rule of thumb is about a month for a custom design, but could be more or less depending on the complexity of the design and the modifications made throughout the process.
• Any other, general/helpful tips for Texan pre-engaged couples who would like to design their own engagement ring?

Do not be afraid to be yourself. Our on-premise jewelers and staff have many years of experience and extensive training along with a passion and knowledge for fine jewelry and gemstones. Your creativity mixed with our expertise and guidance will create an extraordinary piece of jewelry you will enjoy for many years to come.

Take a look at some of our actual works in progress:

From understated to opulent, stunning to serene, the possibilities are endless with Zadok Jewelers custom design.
And don’t forget our Mother’s Day trunk show featuring Ippolita. With an even bigger selection of Ippolita in store, you’re sure to find a special treat for mom!

Lovers of all things beautiful and luxurious, Zadok Jewelers is proud to announce several new and exciting brands.  From classic to fashion, there’s a look for you.

Hot and lush colors have been seen on runways from Milan to London to New York and LA. Providing dazzling color accents to last year’s frocks are designers like IMAGE by Michael John, Topall and Sutra. Winner of the “2011 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Award”, Michael & John Hezar are founders and designers of “Michael John IMAGE” exquisite jewelry. Their passion is to implement shapes and colors of nature into impeccable jewelry with extraordinary quality that simply takes your breath away and embraces timeless fashion. Next in color, you will fall in love with the exotic design of the Topall Collection and marvel at the detailing and fine craftsmanship.  Each piece feels like it was found in a long forgotten box of hidden gems from Constantinople and delivered to you. Lastly, fine jewelry by Sutra is a fresh take on classic design, inspired by the luxurious motifs of the Edwardian era, and infused with the contemporary, electric edge of the Art Deco period. Sutra pieces are stunning and artistic, currently seen on the red carpet of Hollywood, and an instant favorite of the effortlessly chic modern woman.

Also new in the store, Zadok Jewelers brings Heather B Moore, the finest personalized collection on the market. She turns everyday jewelry into treasured timepieces that are worn and collected for a lifetime. This new collection is not about impulse buy jewelry, it’s about focusing on the unique milestones of your life’s journey and representing through beautiful jewelry.  Whether you will be coming in to purchase your first piece or adding to your collection, turn your jewelry into the conversation piece about the memorable celebrations of your life.

Attention watch aficionados! Zadok Jewelers is honored to be one of ten retailers in the United States and the only in Houston who will carry timepieces by F.P.Journe.  Over 30 years ago Francois-Paul Journe created a company that has quickly surged to the front of the world of haute horlogerie.  While his watches are built around a complex and delicate mechanical core, their design and manufacture ensure maximum accessibility and reliability. For Francois-Paul Journe, the 18th century remains the golden age of watch-making, and it is in homage to that time that he signs his creations with the Latin words “invenit et fecit.” Be the first of your friends to purchase as an addition to a current collection or as an introduction into the world of exclusive watches.

Don’t be on the fringe this season, join the fringe revolution! From boots to bags, jackets to jewelry, fringe is must-have trend in 2012. Choose a tassel pendant, like one made by A & Furst, or multi-layer necklaces that create a fringe-look. One bracelet makes a nice, “less is more” statement; but in this case, more is more. Several stacked bracelets can make an even bigger impact. When it comes to your wrists, throw the rule book out the window, and just have fun mixing and matching. You will love gold and mixed stone bangles from designers like Ippolita, black and white diamond pieces from Image, and Sutra’s colorful, yet sophisticated options.  Even customize your bracelets with Heather B. Moore by adding a specialized charm.  Simply exchange one bracelet in the bunch for another to completely change your look. 2012 is the year of the Black Dragon, a powerful almighty king made up of different parts of animals such as a tiger, fish, snake and an eagle. Incorporating these playful creatures can be another fun way to add an eclectic feel to your jewelry box. So throw on a Bvlgari snake watch from the serpentine collection, and a diamond covered insect inspired pendant, like on from Topall, and Spring into style in our newest collections.

WeddingDresses.com has compiled a list of the 50 Best Celebrity Wedding Dresses. Celebrities the likes of Alyssa Milano, Audrey Hepburn, Carolyn Bessette, Catherine Zeta Jones, Chelsea Clinton, Christina Hendricks, Grace Kelly, Gwen Stefani and numerous others are featured.

See the complete list at WeddingDresses.com

Canadian-born Wayne Gretzky is a living legend in the world of ice hockey. Nicknamed “the great one”, this champion renowned for his professionalism and his fair-play has a record-breaking list of achievements to his credit, including four Stanley Cup Championships, 61 NHL records, and being named 18 times to the All-Star teams. In tribute to his absolute superiority, his famous jersey number, 99, has been retired by all NHL teams.

Within the field of ultra-sturdy and accurate timepieces, Breitling has constantly pushed the boundaries of existing accomplishments. A specialist in technical watches, the brand played a crucial role in the development of the modern chronograph, notably by inventing the first independent pushpiece (1915), the second independent pushpiece (1934) and the first selfwinding chronograph (1969). Its obsession with quality has made it the privileged partner of world aviation. As the only major watch brand to equip all its models with movements chronometer-certified by the COSC, Breitling has also created Caliber 01, the world’s most reliable high-performance selfwinding chronograph movement.

Wayne Gretzky is to star in an advertising campaign intended for North America, along with a plane that has also made its mark on history: the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, a classic monoplane manufactured between 1948 and 1967, and which is widely regarded as one of the best utility planes of all time. The champion appears wearing Breitling’s flagship model, the Chronomat 01 featuring an ultrasturdy case water-resistant to 500 meters (1,660 ft), an exclusive, powerful design, and powered by the high-performance Caliber 01… Another “Great One”.

When César de Trey and Jacques-David LeCoultre presented the Reverso watch in 1931, did they have any idea that they had given birth to one of the very few watch icons? Could they for one moment have imagined that this Art Deco watch specifically born to withstand the hard knocks sustained in a polo match would generate such enthusiasm that rapidly extended beyond its initial function? 80 years later, the Reverso watch is more vibrantly alive than ever. The only reversible watch to have found its way unscathed through watchmaking history, it has not only survived all the upheavals of the past century, but also demonstrated its exceptional versatility throughout its amazing career to date. The extraordinary decorative potential represented by the free surface on its back soon encouraged people to dream of various means of personalising these watches. Engraving, miniature painting, enamelling, gem-setting: the full range of decorative arts and crafts were soon called upon to enrich and personalise this “blank canvas” that was unprecedented in the watch industry. Nonetheless, above and beyond personalisation, exploration of the Reverso’s potential did not stop there. Its built-in swivel case and its dual nature soon provided new options for expressing various technical horological functions. Complications in turn adopted the Reverso, which came to be seen as a perfect showcase for their subtle intricacies. What other watch can show two faces, lending itself for example to the display of two time zones in such a user-friendly way? And what other watch is versatile enough to offer one face by day and another by night? Throughout its long history, the Reverso has steadily broadened its appeal to encompass gentlemen, elegant ladies, athletes, discerning connoisseurs, collectors and travellers alike. Having rapidly acquired iconic status in the watch industry, the Reverso has since then gradually become a genuine cult-object, with an instantly recognisable form that expresses function in truly peerless style. An object of which the use is so intrinsically bound up with its appearance. In this respect, as in so many others, the Reverso is a perfect expression of the exceptional watchmaking expertise cultivated by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Manufacture with the forty professions. This technical and aesthetic know-how is dedicated to a single purpose: precision. Whether the tireless quest for the highest possible timing precision, research into the reliability of the 50 calibres specially developed for the Reverso, their durability and their control, the pursuit of aesthetic precision, the meticulous perfecting of shapes and sizes, or the contribution of artistic crafts, the Reverso symbolises the zealous fervour and high standards that guide Jaeger-LeCoultre in its approach to watchmaking…

Read the complete article: http://www.europastar.com/magazine/spotlights/1004083494-jaeger-lecoultre-reverso-the-high.html

“Dexter” star Julia Stiles walked the red carpet at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards dazzling in H.Stern Stars earrings in 18K Noble Gold and diamonds ($4,900). Julia also chose the Highlights Ring in 18K Noble Gold with smoky quartz and diamonds ($8,600) to pair with her dramatic, ruffled black gown.

About H.Stern: One of the world’s pre-eminent fine jewelry houses, H.Stern has remained at the forefront of fashion for 65 years by continuously seeking new sources of inspiration in the worlds of art, architecture and culture. H.Stern’s international scope - 290 points of sale in 32 countries - and involvement in every detail of the production is unmatched in the jewelry industry, as is the company’s endless search for the most exquisite and unique designs and innovative manufacturing techniques.

H.Stern is often seen adorning important Hollywood celebrities and fashion icons, such as Eva Longoria, Debra Messing, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Rihanna and Drew Barrymore, who have graced magazine covers and made frequent red carpet appearances in H.Stern’s designs. Whether creating new styles, anticipating trends or introducing the classics of the future, H.Stern is always there, always unique.

Breitling launches the first Navitimer with a 100% in-house made chronograph movement

Breitling combines its two long-established passions - chronographs and aeronautics - by offering the legendary Navitimer model in a limited series equipped with its proprietary Caliber 01. Issued in 2,000-piece steel and 200-piece red gold editions, the “Navitimer Caliber 01” is distinguished by its slightly broader diameter and its transparent caseback providing clear views of its high-performance “motor”. An eagerly anticipated model among devotees of the brand with the winged B, and a genuine collector’s item for all connoisseurs of fine mechanical chronographs and aviation.

In 2009, Breitling laid a major milestone in its history by joining the exclusive circle of the rare watch companies to have their own mechanical chronograph movement. This was a logical culminating point for a brand that is one of the leaders in this complication and has played a crucial role in its technical development through several key inventions: the first independent pushpiece (1915); separation of the stop/start and reset functions (1923); creation of the second independent pushpiece for zero-resetting (1934); and the launch of the very first selfwinding chronograph (1969). Caliber 01, the first movement entirely developed and produced in the Breitling workshops, was first used to power an exclusive new version of the leading Chronomat model, duly named Chronomat 01. Breitling now introduces it within another watchmaking icon, the famous Navitimer which proudly embodies the brand’s aeronautical vocation.

Breitling Caliber 01: a high-performance movement assembled in a revolutionary manner Featuring an original architecture, the selfwinding Caliber 01 chronograph movement is the crowning achievement of the longstanding quest for precision and reliability that has consistently governed Breitling “Instruments for professionals”. Equipped with a column wheel, a vertical coupling clutch and an over 70-hour power reserve, it was designed to ensure maximum functionality and secure use. It features several innovative characteristics aimed at facilitating its production and its operation, including a patented self-centering device for the resetting hammers and an exclusive index-assembly system enabling swift personalized adjustment of the watch according to the wearer. This exceptional caliber is also distinguished by its pioneering production and assembly mode. Inspired by an avant-garde concept used in other cutting-edge sectors, Breitling has developed an industrial chain-production formula that revolutionizes traditional movement assembly.

Each caliber is individually monitored by an ultra-sophisticated computer program that automatically directs it towards the appropriate workstation, along a route alternating fully automated workstations with others requiring manual intervention. All the adjustment phases are integrated within this process, in such a way that upon emerging from the chain, each Caliber 01 is ready to face up to the stringent tests conducted by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – a guarantee of authentic large-scale production reliability.

Navitimer: the cult watch of pilots and aviation enthusiasts

By immediately choosing to specialize in chronographs and timers, Léon Breitling, who founded the company in 1884, soon gained favor among aviation pioneers who needed sturdy, high-performance instruments. During the 1930s, the brand launched its first onboard chronographs, which were to equip World War II fighter planes, before accompanying the boom in air transport in the cockpits of the finest propeller planes, and later jets. In 1952, the “official supplier to world aviation” created a “wrist instrument” specially designed for pilots and other aeronautical professionals. Equipped with a circular slide rule, the Navitimer chronograph serves to handle all calculations linked to airborne navigation: average speed, distance covered, fuel consumption, rate of climb or descent, conversions from miles to kilometers or nautical miles, etc. Chosen as the official watch by the AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), the world’s largest association of its kind, the Navitimer has asserted itself as the most iconic Breitling model – and a cult object for all aviation enthusiasts. In its “Cosmonaute” version with a 24-hour graduation, it accompanied Scott Carpenter on his orbital flight aboard the Aurora 7 capsule (1962), thus becoming the first spacegoing wrist chronograph. Continuously made since 1952, the Navitimer is the world’s oldest mechanical chronograph still in production. By now adopting an “in-house” caliber, it is writing a new chapter in a rich history of major achievements and thrilling moments.

Navitimer Caliber 01 limited edition: an exclusive motor powering a legendary model

The Navitimer Caliber 01 special edition is available in two limited series of 2,000 in steel, and 200 in red gold, each bearing an individual number engraved on the side of the case middle. The case features a diameter slightly broader than that of the series-produced Navitimer (43 mm compared with 42 mm). The dial which is made using the “épargne” process on a solid silver or gold base – a sophisticated technique endowing the indications with peerless radiance and readability – is exclusively available in a classic black version with applied hour-markers. Breitling’s winged symbol in gold is slightly raised to stand out from the watch face. The transparent sapphire caseback, a rare feature on Breitling models, provides a unique opportunity to admire the original architecture of Caliber 01 with its column wheel, its oscillating weight and its entirely performance-oriented design. An impressive set of characteristics that are bound to delight devotees of exclusive models – before the series-produced Navitimer models equipped with 100% Breitling calibers take flight next spring.

For more on the Navitimer: http://www.breitling.com/navitimer01/en/

It’s difficult not to be impressed by Officine Panerai. When the historic Italian brand relaunched in 1998 as part of the Richemont Group, Panerai was all about design. Panerai had a signature look, linked to vintage military dive instruments, and it seemed as if everybody wanted one of the new limited-edition sensations. Inside, those watches used off-the-shelf movements, as did so many other brands in the watch industry.

Panerai probably could have maintained its popularity simply by continuing to introduce variations on the Panerai theme and playing out the trends. Nobody would have complained. To the brand’s credit, however, this is not what Panerai has chosen to do. Instead, CEO Angelo Bonati, perhaps with a crystal ball aimed dead at the future decided to reposition the brand as a watchmaker, focusing on creating, developing and manufacturing its own in-house movements. As part of the Richemont Group, Panerai had access to the movement specialists within the group, but Bonati was not willing just to adapt existing movements. Instead, he insisted on developing movements specific to Panerai.

Read the entire article in the upcoming October issue of Watch Journal magazine: http://www.watchjournal.com