Jeweler’s Notes

Thinking about purchasing or commissioning a piece of fine jewelry? You may have a few questions.

Significant jewelry usually commemorates an important event in one’s life. Throughout history, jewelry made with precious metals, diamonds and gemstones has been among life’s most treasured possessions. At Equinox we combine beautiful gems with precious metals in unique designs.  Our aim is to create pieces which are a joy to wear.

Here are some things our jeweler would like you to know about Equinox:

Experience
Equinox was founded in 1976, giving us thirty-five years of intensive jewelry knowledge. At Equinox, whether you find the perfect piece in our showcases, or have the time and interest to have one made, you will be talking to a jeweler, not a salesperson. This will be someone with years of experience working on metal at the bench, as well as sourcing diamonds and colored gemstones. We will share with you the information that will empower you to make good decisions about your jewelry.

As a GIA Graduate Gemologist, I can explain the factors that affect not only the suitability but also the valuation of gems. I have longstanding relationships with international sources, enabling me to find stones that are truly lovely and an exceptional value for you.

Design
At Equinox, it all begins with design. Look over the pages of this website and you will see a representation of what design means to us. Our jewelry aesthetic has a multitude of influences. Natural forms, geometric patterns, tapestries, mosaics, ancient, and medieval design have all been rich sources of inspiration.

Each piece starts with a core idea: a beautiful element that is combined with features to make it functional and comfortable to wear. At Equinox, design involves both art and engineering. Creating a piece typically includes preliminary drawings, finding the right group of gemstones, modeling the piece in wax, casting it, polishing the metal, and setting the stones.

Custom
A very important part of the process is you. Most of our work is done for a specific client. This allows us to make a special piece that is influenced by your tastes and preferences. Working directly with the client is one of the most enjoyable parts of our day. Some clients approach us with general thoughts, while others begin with well defined ideas about the project. Often the design is driven by gemstones which will be featured in the jewelry.

At Equinox, we will work with you toward an ideal outcome. Ring design parameters typically include: size, width of ring, thickness, contours, stone placement, setting style, and precious metal preference. Our years of experience and many thousands of orders completed give us the expertise to create jewelry that is beautiful, comfortable and durable.

Craftsmanship
A gorgeous design, poorly executed is a mistake. A poor design, beautifully made is also a mistake. If, in our opinion, a design is not functional—we will say so. At Equinox we believe that jewelry should be comfortable and durable, as well as beautiful. We take pride in our work and truly stand behind it. We keep in stock the majority of the designs that you see on the website. The jewelry shown was made here in Portland, Oregon, by us. We urge you to come visit our showroom where you can handle it, try it on, and evaluate the craftsmanship for yourself.

History
We opened Equinox in September 1976, then as now featuring only designs of our own conception and execution. Over the years we added the work of many excellent designers who shared our idea of what fine jewelry is and can be. It was very rewarding and a real education to represent a variety of artisans but over time we realized that, for us, the real joy is in the design and fabrication rather than marketing.

For the past decade, we have focused on jewelry entirely of our own origination. We have also enhanced the custom-design experience, making a priority of working with gemstones that have been inherited. Our location on NW Raleigh is serene and private. We are committed to giving the client quality, individualized attention.

Service
We believe in service. If you have a jewelry repair, we can probably help you. If you have inherited family pieces and need advice or appraisals for insurance, we are willing to assist you. Often our clients have jewelry that is not to their taste, and want to create something new with the metal and stones. Revitalizing your jewelry is a specialty at Equinox.

We also feel it is important to offer a physical location and hours that allow you to meet with us conveniently. We will take the time to understand what your needs are and do our best to help you. You are encouraged to contact us to make an appointment so that we will have the time and preparation to ensure a productive meeting. You are also welcome to drop in during normal business hours, for any reason.

You are always welcome to bring the jewelry you have purchased from us in for a complimentary cleaning. While cleaning your items, we will also check them over to be sure the stones are secure in their settings, and that everything is functioning properly.

Value
We work in gold, platinum and palladium. We set diamonds and precious gems in our pieces. The prices reflect this. Because we have a vertically integrated business, we can offer real value when compared to many jewelry sources. Often our clients tell us that they are pleasantly surprised with our prices. We constantly work to keep our overhead down and to use technology wisely to control costs. We can discuss with you lower cost alternatives, and explain the trade-offs to you.

There is never a charge to have your pieces cleaned and checked: just bring them in. As part of each sale, you will be provided with a detailed appraisal and a photograph of the jewelry. We maintain detailed records, which are helpful if you want to purchase a matching piece, or if you ever need documentation for your jewelry. If you have a question about jewelry or need advice, we are happy to assist you.

We hope that these notes give you a good idea of what you can expect from us. Don’t hesitate to email or call if there are things you would like to discuss further.

John Schick
Equinoxjewelers@qwestoffice.net
(503) 226-3967