Category: Columbus Custom Jewelry

Local, Arts and Jewelry Just Make Sense To Us

It’s who we have been for years and it’s the glue that attracts both our team and our customers to Argo & Lehne Jewelers.

Our mission is to connect our customers with products that are as unique and one of a kind as they are.

It’s easy to go to the chain jewelry store and find that exact look alike piece that you saw your friend wearing, but we want you to find that piece of jewelry that defines your style. We do this by hand selecting our manufacturers. We often choose smaller brands which have convictions similar to ours and when possible, we like to give our business to local brands.
(more…)

Vintage jewelry is timeless and beautiful. In the fast-paced and heavily manufactured world we live in, it’s no wonder we search for pieces of authenticity and meaning. Gorgeous objects from long ago speak to us of past loves, struggles, triumphs, and enduring value. There’s something deeply satisfying about owning a piece of history—a tangible connection to the past that stands the test of time. Each item, whether it’s a delicate ring or a bold necklace, carries a story, a memory, and an essence of a bygone era.

What makes vintage jewelry even more special is its ability to transcend the years and remain relevant. These pieces are more than just accessories; they are treasures, imbued with character and craftsmanship that is often hard to find in modern creations. In a world dominated by mass production, vintage jewelry provides a refreshing alternative—one that embraces uniqueness, sustainability, and artistry.

Though vintage jewelry has a definite aura of substance, it can also be fun and whimsical. Rediscovering vintage allows you to breathe new life into something old, creating a sense of novelty and excitement. When we put on a vintage piece, it’s as if we’re reimagining the past and giving it a new place in the present. It becomes new again! Here are the top five reasons we love vintage:

(more…)

Here are 36 Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent 

1. What kinds of jewelry insurance are there?

2. Is my policy all risk?

3. Against what risks is unscheduled jewelry protected?

4. Against what risks is scheduled jewelry protected?

5. What risks are not covered?

6. What is the cost per thousand for full coverage?

7. What is the cost per thousand for partial coverage?

8. What are the limitations of partial coverage?

9. What is the deductible?

10. How much can I lower my premium by increasing my deductible?

11. What security precautions are required?

12. How much can I lower my premium by increasing precautions? (home security systems, special door locks, fire detectors, fireproof in-house safe, items stored in safety deposit box, etc.)

13. What proof is needed to justify a claim?

14. Am I still covered if there is negligence or carelessness?

15. Can I opt for cash instead of replacement?

16. Is cash out for full value? If not, how is it determined?

17. Is depreciation imposed? When, how and to what is it computed?

18. What types of property are not covered?

19. What exclusions are there?

20. Who is covered?

21. What is the difference in limitation between jewelry and silverware?

22. Can I replace a damaged piece or am I limited to repair?

23. What geographical limitations are there to my coverage? Is my children’s jewelry covered for the same risks when they are not at home? (college, summer job, travel in country, travel out of country, etc.)

24. What is coverage if an item is lost, stolen, or damaged while in another’s possession?

25. What is coverage if part of an item is lost, stolen, or damaged in another’s possession?

26. If I lose part of a set is coverage for full value or limited to the percentage of loss?

27. Is an appraisal needed for full coverage?

28. How often should an appraisal be updated?

29. Am I limited to the appraised replacement value if there has been an increase or is coverage for full replacement value at time of loss?

30. How is value determined if an item is irreplaceable?

31. Do any circumstances void my coverage? (flood, lightning, war, nuclear disaster, fire, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, etc.)

32. Can I use my jeweler for replacement?

33. Can I verify proper replacement with my jeweler if an insurance company source makes the replacement?

34. Will my claim and the replacement value be more readily accepted if an AGS Jeweler, Certified Gemologist, Certified Gemologist Appraiser does the appraisal?

35. If I have a lab report or laser identification on my diamond or gem will it enhance my coverage or improve my premium?

36. What is the actual language in the policy for each concern I’ve expressed?

We love to educate our customers. So, in the spirit of education and in response to this intense cold snap we want to be sure you know how to care for your jewelry in the cold. One stone that is particularly vulnerable to the extreme cold are opals.

Jennifer explains in her “Did You Know” video.

http://youtu.be/_W2OGketPfQ

This unique cushion-cut pink opal and diamond ring is a stunner.

Mesmerizing black opal and diamond ring.

A floral-inspired diamond and opal cluster ring.

Continue Reading

Vintage pins are beautiful. But, how often will you really wear them? Jennifer inherited a gorgeous deco pin set from her grandmother and re-imaged it into a wearable stunner of a necklace.

Argo & Lehne are experts in custom jewelry design. We help customers re-imagine old pieces into new treasures every day.

http://youtu.be/ZiDWltW9kFE

A couple came into the store and told us they had been robbed. The husband told the sales associate how lucky they had been that nothing had happened to his wife and it was obvious that she is his most cherished treasure. Her wedding band was stolen, but she was left unharmed. He explains that their rings had matched and showed the associate his ring.

The intricacy of their original ring was unsurpassed by rings of current style. He gave up his ring in a showing of pure devotion that brought our staff to tears.  Our craftsmen were able to take his ring and cut it in half to make two rings and then size the second to fit. Both rings were fashioned with gold bands on each side to make them a matched pair.

Here is their story in their own words:

“When her ring was lost, she decided that it was sold, melted down and used in new wedding rings for couples just starting their journeys together in life and love. And whoever was lucky enough to receive a few grams of gold from her ring would experience the magic embedded in her ring wrought over 43 years of our joys, all of our experiences, and our triumphs over losses.”

“By separating “one ring” into two, we fell in love all over again, just as we did at first and just as we and other couples do at various times during their time together.”

“This would not have been possible without the artistry and incredible craftsmanship of Argo & Lehne Jewelers, along with their kindness and understanding of how important this was to us. We have decided, upon our deaths, to will our two rings to Argo & Lehne so that they may melt them down and perform, once again, their magic for our descendants in creating new masterpieces of love and longevity.”

Here is a couple who literally “banded together” in a time of need.

It’s October already and a great time to start thinking about gifts for the holidays. While it’s fairly easy to buy a ring, a necklace, or earrings for a loved one for Christmas or any other holiday – it might be time to try something new.

Consider designing a one-of-a-kind piece of custom jewelry to mark a special occasion this holiday season or to give a gift that no one else has.

If you’re considering using this time of the year to propose, a custom engagement ring could make your special time even more special and unique. But you want to get started on the process soon to make sure you have time for several consultations with an Argo & Lehne artisan. We’ll want to make sure we get everything right when it comes to your specifications, gemstone and precious metal selections, and your overall design.

If you do not have custom bridal or engagement needs, you might still keep custom earrings, rings, or a necklace at the top of your holiday wish-list. When it comes to the design, we can work with you to make sure your own ideas come to life or we can help customize a piece for you so that you know you’ll be giving your special someone the only one like it… any where.

The symbols, the shapes of the jewelry, any inscriptions you might want, the color of the gemstone, and the type of metals we use can be entirely up to you. We’ll sketch out ideas and finally present you with a formal design for your approval.

The cost of custom jewelry does tend to be higher but these pieces are nearly always of heirloom quality and can be passed down to generation after generation with that special story from your loved one of how it happened one holiday season.

Stop by our store in Upper Arlington and speak with one of our custom jewelry consultants today to find out how you can make someone’s December a very special time to remember!

Most of us have at least one piece of jewelry sitting in a jewelry box or drawer. Grandmother’s cocktail ring, mom’s wedding ring, Auntie’s bracelet–all just gathering dust because of fickle fashion.

The gorgeous, on-trend necklace below has a hodge-podge of origins. Let’s see, there’s the center stone came from the solitaire necklace of a clients grandmother, the two on either side of that were from the pair of diamond stud earrings given to her by that same grandmother (and grandfather!) and the two outside diamonds were bought from Argo and Lehne stock to complete the piece.

To read more about Re-Imagining Heirloom Jewelry, please check out our very own Julie Smetzer’s guest post on the Tartan & Sequins blog.

Not to toot our own horn, but we are known around the country for our custom jewelry. There isn’t a more creative or more experienced custom jeweler in Columbus, Ohio. Take a peek at a few of our latest custom pieces.

It’s our favorite team, if you please! With the changing of the leaves and the cooling of the evenings comes Buckeye Fever. We’ve waited all summer for football season kick-off and this year more than most. It’s not just the excitement around the All-American candidates John Simon and Jonathan Hankins promising more sacks and more pressure, it’s the buckeye fashion.

This season we’re making it easy for Buckeye fans to support their team in style. Pretty pendants, charms, and scarlet and gray baubles are on our roster this season.

Check out a few of our star players.

Angelina knows the power of the emerald.

The emerald.  This magnificent gem has been treasured and enjoyed for thousands of years.  The ancient Egyptians circa 3500 B.C. were thought to be the first ones to use emeralds as gemstones as Egypt was the world’s main source.  Interestingly, Elizabeth Taylor, who played Cleopatra on film, was as enamored of emeralds as the Egyptian she portrayed.  She wore fabulous emerald jewelry throughout her life and used the color and popularity of emeralds to launch her perfume.

Big-screen goddess, Angelina Jolie, stole the show at the 2009 Oscars when she sauntered down the red carpet in a super simple black Elie Saab gown and oversized Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings. The teardrop emerald stunners are worth a reported $2.5 million. The publicity Jolie received from her show of red carpet perfection was priceless.

Pliny the Elder (23 A.D. to 79 A.D.) wrote, “We delight in feasting our eyes on the pleasant green grasses and leaves, but the enjoyment of beholding an emerald is incomparably greater, for its green is most soothing.”  The Roman Emperor Nero is said to have watched gladiator fights through emerald glasses for their soothing effect.

Emeralds are part of the Beryl family of gemstones, another being the aquamarine.  Emerald value  is largely based on its color with the deeper more intense green being the most valuable.  Emeralds are very rarely free from eye-visible inclusions but it is these inclusions that give each emerald its unique look.  The French refer to these identifying characteristics as “jardin”, meaning garden, so named because they evoke an image under magnification of a leafy garden.

Today emeralds are rarely found in Egypt.  Columbia and Brazil are primary locations for emerald mining.  Other important sources are the countries of Zambia, Madagascar, Russia, China, and Pakistan.

Visit Argo & Lehne and be captivated by emerald, a fabulous gift of nature.