HBO’s hit show, Game of Thrones, has spawned a truly special watch from Swiss manufacturer Ulysse Nardin. The watch, aptly named, “The Night’s Watch”, is dark and masculine, sporting a nerdtastic Game of Thrones engraved band and caseback. Engraved on the band is “The Night’s Watch” and also the phrase “I am the Sword in the Darkness”. The Night’s Watch is an honorable order of soldiers whom guard all of the realms of men in the TV series based on George R. R. Martin’s highly acclaimed books. The phrase comes from the solemn oath that each night’s watchman takes upon his initiation to the order.

The watch is based on the existing Maxi Marine Diver Black Sea model currently offered by Ulysse Nardin, but presents a few unique features. The stainless steel watch case measures a hefty 45.8mm and has a crystal caseback that reveals the watch’s complex inner movements to the naked eye. “The Night’s Watch” also displays blood-red hour markers and a power reserve display that tells the wearer how much power remains. Its analogue timekeeping is powered by automatic movement. This means that the movement of the wearer’s arm spins a rotor that powers the watch.

The watch concept was inspired by the opening sequence of the HBO series. In the intro, an areal view of the kingdom is explored and cities are raised in mechanical complexity to show the intricate history and culture of the series and it’s characters. The mechanical scenes are clearly reminiscent of clockwork, and it was only a short jump to join the concept of the complex story line to the complex inner workings of a timepiece. Only 25 of these epic pieces were created, and $10,500 (a steal for a Ulysse Nardin) will make someone an owner of one of these rare watches. H&H Jewels of Coconut Grove now owns the 24th watch out of 25! Come visit our showroom to see firsthand the truly unique timepiece. Owning this timepiece will give someone a personal slice of the mystique and wonder of Game of Thrones.

The demand for jadeite is rising fast. The rare gemstone is something of a mystery to collectors and purveyors, but what is certain is that it’s value is increasing. Auctions across the globe have seen estimates far exceeded. Many pieces were sold more than three or four times their appraised value. The reason that jadeite is so intriguing is that is has no measure of carats or system of rating. Only experienced gemologists with an eye for jadeite can truly even guess at the value of one of the green hued gemstones. In this way, the jadeite stone is a true collectors gem. The difficulty of appraisal means that an exquisite stone could slip through the cracks and be acquired for a modest price, before being truly discovered. These factors have buyers in China and Russia scooping up jadeite at record speed.

Jadeite is appraised by looking at three factors; color, shade, and translucence. Determining the most desirable color is complex and confusing to untrained professionals. Jadeite comes in different colors, including, green, yellow, grey, black, white, lavender and red. The more intense the color, the more valuable the gem is. The translucence refers to to how “see-through” the stone is. If the stone is translucent, it is of higher value. Opaque, on the other hand, means that you cannot see through the stone.

H&H Jewels in Coconut Grove, Fl carries a few rare jadeite pieces that are truly breathtaking. Take a look at three of our jadeite earrings. If you think you may a jadeite gemstone, come to our store for an appraisal from our certified gemologists.

H&H Jewels is now accepting preorders for the new Breitling Emergency II watch. This innovative timepiece features a dual frequency emergency microtransmitter. When activated, it transmits two signals, one by way of a 121.5 MHz homing and rescue frequency, and another via a 406 MHz frequency intended for satellites. The Emergency II utilizes two manually deployed antennas, housed in the lower part of the watch to send its signal. Once the antennas are deployed, the transmitter automatically activates. To release the antennas, the wearer must simply unscrew the right antenna and pull of its cap before doing the same to the left antenna. Once activated, the beacon transmits for 24 hours.

The Emergency II signals are picked up by a system of low altitude satellites and multiple ground receiving stations as well as control and coordination systems. The system is named The Cospas-Sarsat System, and has helped to save over 33,000 lives over the past 31 years. Harness the security of The Cospas-Sarsat System for yourself with the Breitling Emergency II.

The craftsmanship needed to fit a complex homing device into such a small area is indeed special. In addition to the transmitter, the Emergency II also sports a newly developed rechargeable internal battery. In collaboration with one of the leaders in revolutionary battery technology, Breitling shows off its new power-generator specially created for this beacon-watch. The result of these included technologies is a totally unique and exceptional timepiece. Priced under $19,000, the Breitling Emergency II is a luxury watch that could literally save your life! How many other watches (not in a James Bond film) can boast that?

One of the unfortunate trends of the celebrity jewelry world is that of the oversized earrings. Bold earrings can be striking and elegant, however, the recent explosion in the gaudiness and sheer size of celebrity earrings is a bit much. Here are the top five most oversized celebrity earrings and five alternatives from H&H Jewels, your local Coconut Grove custom jewelry store!

Beyonce is considered one of the most beautiful women in the entertainment industry. However, this didn’t stop her from hanging chandeliers from her earlobes.

Nicole “Snookie” Polizzi rocks a patchwork of dangling jewels and spikes that doubles as a weapon when performing a vigorous head shake.

Jessica Simpson shows off a burgandy colored feather monstrosity.

Rihanna performs neck strengthening exercises by wearing solid gold pool racks as earrings.

B-Lister Tamar Braxton flaunts gaudy black & white beaded earrings.

H&H Jewels Earrings

Though many of today’s celebrities are taking this fad to the extreme, there is still a happy medium. Matching these statement earrings with a cocktail dress will be a guaranteed eye-catcher. If you are a lover of large earrings that make a statement, consider these elegant alternatives from H&H Jewels…

Do you tell yourself every year that you are going to do something special for your mother on Mother’s Day, only to resort to the same old dozen roses or cliche’ Hallmark card? H&H Jewels invites you to consider a truly special gift this year… The gift of eternal beauty with a pair of H&H Jewels custom earrings. Not only is each gift stunningly gorgeous, but also unique. Entirely unique. No one else in the world possesses earrings such as these custom pieces. Individually designed, molded, hand-set and inspected by world renowned jeweler H Bredemeier, any of these earrings would show a loving mother how much she really means to you!

H&H Jewels is located in Coconut Grove, Florida. Call us at 305-442-9760 to talk to a certified gemologist today!

H&H Jewels hopes that as jewelry and watch enthusiasts, you are all paying attention to Baselwold – The World Watch and Jewelry Show. H&H Jewels’ founder and in-house designer, H Bredemeier is currently attending the event, which is being held in Basel, Switzerland. The event hosts over 1800 jewelry and watch companies from around the world, including some of the biggest names in the industry, including  Chopard, Montblanc, John Hardy, Bell & Ross and more.

At Baselworld, H&H Jewels is networking while also staying up on the latest and hottest jewelry trends. As H&H Jewels designs and creates much of our own jewelry and timepieces, meeting and learning from the top designers and CEO’s in the industry is absolutely invaluable. Our dedication and immersion in the jewelry world is reflected in our stunning array of custom jewelry at our Coconut Grove showroom. Witnessing firsthand the unveiling of pioneering innovations and designs is the perfect treat for a jewelry company such as H&H Jewels.

Check out a few of the new unveilings from Baselworld 2013:

• Breitling For Bentley B06
• Chopard’s New Timepieces, Including L.U.C Engine One H
• Corum’s TI-Bridge Automatic Dual Winder

Miami has seen some incredible jewelry heists in recent days. Two high profile athletes were robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry in the past 30 days. Between the two of them, almost $1,000,000 worth of jewelry was lifted. These media mobbed stories remind the rest of us non-celebs to take care to protect and secure our precious jewelry items.

On March 23rd, Shaun Rogers, a 320 pound defensive tackle for the New York Giants, was staying at the Fountainebleau on Miami Beach when he and his friends partook in a night of partying at the hotel’s nightclub. After bringing back a young woman at 7am, the visiting Rogers fell asleep. When he awoke, his new friend had allegedly lifted his diamond earrings worth $100,000, two wristwatches worth a combined $160,000, a gold necklace and gold pendant worth $50,000, gold bracelets worth $60,000 and a Cuban diamond necklace with a gold pendant worth $70,000. All together, Rogers lost around $440,000 in jewelry. Rogers may want to choose his friends more carefully, as this is about half of what he will make in the 2013 season.

On April 3rd, Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat was celebrating his 29th birthday, when his house was ransacked of over $479,000 in jewelry, watches, purses and cash. Bosh and his wife left their children at home with two babysitters and another teenager, but the thieves were still able to accomplish their mission. The burglars, still uncaught, crept through the $12 million house unnoticed to get away with the goods.

Fine jewelry and timepieces are often a target for criminals due to their monetary worth and easy ability to snatch and resell. Not only is jewelry valuable, but many pieces also hold sentimental significance. It is extremely important that when we purchase fine jewelry that we protect it and reduce the risk of theft. Here are four tips on how to protect your jewelry and watch investments.

1. Insure your Jewelry – Many types of jewelry insurance are available. Some jewelry policies are offered as add-on’s to your home owner’s insurance. However, some of these policies have deductibles that only allow repayment of a specific amount if your jewelry is lost or stolen. On the other hand, there are specialized jewelry insurance companies that allow owners to insure high priced items individually. Look into the different plans to find the best protection for your jewelry or timepiece.
2. Use a Safe – The chances that a cat burglar repels from the ceiling and uses a laser cutting device to crack your safe are quite slim. On the other hand, it is remarkably easy to open a jewelry box and simply stick your earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets and timepieces into a bag and stroll out the door. Use a safe in your home to store your expensive jewelry pieces.
3. Store When Traveling – Purchase a jewelry traveling case. Store your jewelry inside the case, and place the case inside of the hotel safe whenever possible. Thieves often prey on tourists and hotels, so beware! When in transit, keep your jewelry case on your person. Do not let it leave your sight. With the amount of lost luggage in airports, keeping your jewelry in checked luggage would be quite ill advised.
4. Report – If you think your jewelry or watch is stolen or lost, report it! If you are at a hotel or a private establishment, let management know. If you have suspicions that something was stolen, report it to the police. The more heads in the game, the better the chances are that you get back your jewels.

Your eyes settle on an enthralling gemstone known as a diamond. It’s luster, shine, and energy are undeniable. You already know that it is one of the most sought after gemstones in the world, but the diamond has a mysterious and always exciting story. In celebration of April’s birthstone, here are some interesting facts about diamonds… We bet you don’t know all of them!

1. Diamonds Exist in Space
   • White dwarf stars have diamond cores that weigh much more than the Earth. When a medium sized star uses up it’s atomic fuel, it collapses in on itself and it’s carbon center is compressed by extreme pressures, creating a diamond core.
2. Engagement Rings Didn’t Always Include Diamonds
   
   • The engagement ring has been around for thousands of years. Ancient Roman women wore engagement rings on the middle finger of their left hands because they believed the blood from this finger flowed directly to the heart. However, these rings were made out of metals or even string, and rarely included gemstones. The tradition of giving diamondengagement rings began when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. Until the 20th century, the gift of a diamond ring was reserved only for royalty and the elite.
3. The 1947 DeBeers Marketing Campaign Was One of the Largest Contributors to the Popularity of Diamond Engagement Rings
   • The diamond mining and distribution company, DeBeers, ran a marketing campaign in the 1940′s and 1950′s that revolved around the phrase, “diamonds are forever”. This campaign was wildly successful and helped to cement the belief that a diamond is the standard gemstone to present during a proposal. The slogan was used for the title of a 1971 James Bond film starring Sean Connery.



4. More Than 250 Tons of Ore Must be Mined in Order to Produce a One-Carat, Gem-Quality Stone
   • Think your diamond was lying under a rock on the side of the road? Think again. Shocking amounts of rock and ore must be demolished and cleared away in order to find just one gem quality stone. In fact, only 20% of diamonds found are of gem quality.
5. Ancients Believed the Diamond to Be Everything From Splinter of Fallen Stars to Tears of the Gods
   • The amazing qualities of the diamond led ancients to believe them to be otherworldly or divine. They were thought to increase sexual prowess and attraction, and were even used as battle talismans. The famous Greek philosopher, Plato, believed that diamonds were living beings with their own spirit. The ancient Romans thought them to be shards of fallen stars due to their brilliance and shine.
6. Diamonds Were First Mined in India
   • Until the 18th century, diamonds were only mined in India. Since then, diamonds have been mined in Australia, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Russia, Brazil, Canada and the United States. Africa currently produce the largest share of diamonds of any continent, at over 50% while Australia is the country with the highest individual output.
7. The Diamond is Not the Hardest Substance on Earth
   • Many believe the diamond to be the hardest natural substance on earth. This is untrue. A few rare substances, including wurtzite boron nitride can endure more stress than a diamond. This substance is so rare, that scientists had never tested in in a lab until recently. Wurtzite boron nitride is created during volcanic eruptions.
8. Most Natural Diamonds Are Over 1 Billion Years Old
   • Many diamonds are even older than 1 billion years. When the Earth was forming 6 billion years ago, it was more of a fiery ball of a liquid magma than what it is today. Over the millennia, the Earth cooled, and volcanic eruptions pushed the diamonds from the Earth’s core up through the mantle to the surface.

This year, Ulysse Nardin is pulling out all the stops when it comes to timepieces. Their newest masterpiece, Stranger, is a breathtaking creation inspired by musician, conceptual artist, industrialist, profession poker player and unofficial “most interesting man in the world” candidate, Dieter Meier. Developed by Ulysse Nardin expert, Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, the timepiece plays the 1966 Frank Sinatra classic “Strangers in the Night” either on-the-hour or on-call. An on-off pusher can turn on or off the musical mechanism. This amazing watch was revealed to the press on March 13th, and has kept the jewelry world abuzz ever since.

The watch is self-winding and utilizes silicium tehnology as the anchor and escapement of Ulysse Nardine’s signature UN-690 movement. If you were wondering, a self winding watch is one whose mainspring is wound by a built-in rotor that swings around its axis whenever the wearer naturally moves his or her arm. Therefore, natural movement of the wearers moving arm powers the timepiece. In addition, the crown function has been equipped with a pusher which allows wearers quickly and gracefully change the time without pulling it out. The music mechanism itself works much like a music box. A rotating disc spins against 10 stationary blades as the tuned teeth are plucked one at a time, creating the melody.

Not only is does this timepiece have the breathtaking musical function, but its aesthetics are also unparalleled. Set in a 45mm wide 18k rose gold case and covered by a sapphire crystal face, this nearly one-of-a-kind watch is simply gorgeous. Featuring roman numerals as well as only 99 pieces are being created for this limited edition timepiece. The owner of a Stranger will possess a masterpiece from the company that has brought collectors and aficionados the Santa Maria, the seven-figure Royal Tourbillion and the Freak Diavolo edition.

Ulysse Nardin is also releasing another limited edition timepiece. The Classico Serpent features a dial in champlevé enamel, an ancient technique that is used to cast images into the surface of metal objects. This timepiece features a serpent, which represents the 2013 on the Chinese calendar. The mystique and timeless nature of this watch is what sets it apart. Encased in 18k rose gold, this timepiece also features self winding movement and a 42-hour power reserve. Ulysse Nardin has only created 88 of these pieces, even more exclusive than the Stranger.

Last year, Ulysse Nardin acquired world renowned watch dial enameler, Donzé Cadrans. His expertise and skill is on display with the Classico Serpent. With incredibly sharp features and stunning metallic enamels, this timepiece is simply magnificent. These Ulysse Nardin timepieces and others are available through H&H Jewels.

If you are interested in learning more about these limited edition watches, please fill out the form below to request an appointment.

Questions? Comments?

We’ve all heard about conflict diamonds, otherwise known as “blood” diamonds. They are called blood diamonds because they are sold to finance an armed conflict in developing or third world countries. The sale of these diamonds directly finances war efforts by insurgencies, warlords, and civil war and threatens to underminelegitimate governments.  To combat the sale of these blood diamonds to the United States, an international effort was undertaken by the United Nations. This effort resulted in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The process relies on forgery resistant certificates validated by the government in which each gem was mined. In addition, only countries that are part of the Kimberley Process may import the diamonds. For 10 years, this process has controversially been upheld in the international community. Now, for the first time, President Obama and the United States are holding conflict minerals to the same standard. This includes gold, casserite, coltan,  wolframite and the ores used in the production of tin, tantalum and tungsten.

The main goal of the new rule is to avoid the distribution of diamonds and minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and it’s surrounding nations, where warring organizations raid local diamond mines and sell the minerals to fund their armed conflicts. There is currently an unknown amount of diamonds and minerals circulating the U.S. market. Now, 6,000 companies are required to comply with this new Consumer Protection Act. Companies are given at least a two year grace period to track down the location and origin of the materials they are using (four years for small companies).

H&H Jewels in Miami is happy to support any new rules encouraging the use of conflict free materials, and is of course compliant with all diamond, gem, and mineral laws. Companies that sell products that use these materials must report on their origins. Many large production firms are fighting these new rules passed down in the federal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, but H&H, being a local mom & pop jewelry store, has no qualms. These laws not only apply to the jewelry industry, but also the tech and computing industries, and many others.  Feel secure in knowing that you are purchasing conflict free diamonds, minerals, and gemstones from H&H Jewels. The quality and origins of diamonds, gold, and jewelry in Miami are never more reliable than at H&H Jewels.