Every craft has tools. And every craftsman is judged by how he uses the tools of his trade. That’s not new or hardly profound.
At Legend Jewelers we believe in a simple fact: Our craft is jewelry. And we use the tools of our trade with skill, care and emotion: To create an amazing custom design… to painstakingly repair a family treasure… or simply set a stone. The skill comes from training and years of experience. The care comes from understanding how important your jewelry is to you. And the emotion comes from a deep appreciation of what jewelry is: Beauty & Magic
We are proud to introduce our 2011 Romance tm Bridal Collection. Our renowned designers present these inspired selections, created with stunning quality & relentless attention to every detail. So celebrate your timeless love with the lasting gift of exquisite diamonds.
Below is a small sample of special designs for our clients. If there is something you see and like, please give us a call. We will work closely with you to create that magical piece of jewelry just for you.
The "Magic" comes to life when you hold a piece of jewelry in your hands. We invite you to come in to our store to "experience" the magic.
**Disclaimer: Every Concho Pearl is unique. No two will be exactly the same. Color and size will also vary. Please contact us so we can design your magical piece.
Our Staff
Accreditations of Mark Priest, Owner:
Graduate Gemologist (G.G.), Gemological
Institute of America. Diploma received 1984.
Bart Mann Jewelers: Jewelry designer, buyer
and sales associate 1976 through April 1995.
Bart Mann Jewelers: Resident Gemologist 1982
through April 1995.
Legend Jewelers: President, April 1995.
Charter Member, Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, North Texas Chapter, 1984.
Current member of GIA-AAA Lone Star Chapter.
Associate Member, American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), Member, Jewelers of America
President, Texas Jewelers Association 2008-2010
Area of specialization: natural, freshwater pearls of Texas
Legend Jewelers Memberships:
Member, Independant Jewelers Organization (IJO)
Member, Retail Jewelers Organization, (RJO)
Member, American Gem Society (AGS)
Rated, Jewelers Board of Trade
Call Us: 325.653.0112, Toll Free: 1.888.655.4367
Email Us: legendsdesigns_yahoo.com
Petra Azar is a German born sculptor, designer and entrepreneur, who has worked in fashion and design from early childhood. First as a model in Germany, and later - as a designer and licensee - with two of the greatest fashion icons, Pierre Cardin and Paolo Gucci.
In 2008 she started her own jewelry production, using her innovative creativity and fashion experience to design jewelry that is new and different in form, function and emotional sensibility. Her ability to think out-of-the box resulted in ever more exciting innovations, for which she received a utility patent. Today her invisible magnetic power clasp is used to make it easier to close pendants, bracelets and even rings. Her style is unmistakably European, combining timeless elegance with her futuristic innovation, using mostly sterling silver with diamonds or white sapphire.
"I am not interested in designing traditional jewelry... My passion is to create jewelry that is technologically and aesthetically superior. To find the smarter way to wear jewelry and the sweeter way to say 'I love you'."
Through its design, the United World collection offers a glimpse into designer, Petra Azar's, passion to foster the power of love and unity into today's global culture.
Playing with paved stone work, black resin, and sterling silver, no matter the color or glamour of each independant half, when brought together by the Magnetic Power Clasp, the piece is flawless and beautiful as a whole.
From the original United Hearts® line, Studio Petra Azar offers more than the average heart pendant in three very different collections all equipped with the patented Magnetic Power Clasp.
Graduate Gemologist, Gemological
Bart Mann Jewelers: Jewelry designer, buyer and sales associate 1978 through April 1995.
Bart Mann Jewelers: Resident Gemologist 1982 through April 1995.
Charter Member, Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association North Texas Chapter, 1984 Present
Associate Member, American Gem Trade Association, Member, Jewelers of America, President Elect, Texas Jewelers Association 2006-2008
January - Garnet
As a January birthstone, Aquarius Zodiac stone, and the second wedding anniversary gem, garnet provides a versatile family of affordable gems that can be enjoyed year-round.
Garnet is actually the group name for a family of gemstones that come in every color except blue. They're beautiful, durable, and most garnets are very affordable.
The name "garnet" comes from the Roman word granatus meaning "seed," as the gems were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds. The most common garnets are the red to red-brown varieties that people know best. Red garnets can show almost as much fire as rubies.
Until the 18th century, garnets were often worn by soldiers to heal wounds and stop blood flow, as red stones were thought to influence the blood.
They were also said to promote true love, warn of danger by changing color, and protect the wearer's home from fire and lightning. Garnets in yellow, brown and orange, were believed to stimulate energy, increase sexual vitality, and promote compatibility in lovers.
If you prefer spring or summer greens, tsavorite garnet from Africa comes in clear light greens to rich dark greens and is more affordable than fine emeralds. Yellow-green to mid-green demantoid garnet is mostly found in antique jewelry.
A translucent green garnet, misnamed "Transvaal Jade," looks like light to medium milky green jade with tiny black spots. Called hydrogrossular garnet, it has often been used as an affordable jade substitute. Mothers in medieval Europe used to hang this garnet above their baby's cradle for good health and sweet dreams. Green gemstones were also said to bring prosperity, calm the nerves, and protect wearers from emotional stress.
The pink to reddish purple colors are in rhodolite garnet, the largest transparent species. The lighter, sparkling bright pinks can resemble pink sapphires. They were believed to attract romance and cure broken hearts.
Though garnets are tough, like all gemstones, special care must be taken, as some varieties can chip. For jewels worn often, like rings, look for settings that protect the gem with metal." Also avoid steaming, abrupt temperature changes, and acids, because they might damage gems. Ultrasound or warm water with mild detergent are recommended for cleaning.
February - Amethyst
The royal purple amethyst has one of the most interesting histories of any gemstone. Ever since mankind first discovered amethyst around 3000 B.C., this accessible gemstone has been believed to possess a wide variety of amuletic qualities and properties.
The ancient Egyptians believed amethyst could keep a person from being poisoned. In medieval times, amethyst was often put under one's pillow to cure insomnia and bring pleasant dreams.
Medieval churchmen used amethyst rings and jewels to promote divine revelations and wisdom, since amethyst was considered a symbol of Christian love and sacrifice.
Amethyst also was said to enhance courage and creativity, to promote intuition, psychic development and even self-esteem, to deflect anger, and protect the wearer against evil.
Through the ages this lovely purple member of the quartz family has been used for everything from love charms to symbols of royalty. Yet, for all its noble traditions, amethyst is a surprisingly affordable gem.
Amethysts that are heat treated retain their color remarkably well, but it's still wise to keep any amethysts away from strong heat and steam cleaning. Heat treating is a stable and accepted process, which has been used by the jewelry industry for thousands of years. However, when buying any colored gemstone, ask if the stone is of natural origin or if it has been treated in any way to enhance its beauty.
Traditionally associated with royalty and luxury, the amethyst has become the February birthstone in this century. Amethyst is tough and durable, wears well, and gives modern men and women the look of royalty at very affordable prices.
March - Aquamarine
Aquamarine, the lovely blue-green member of the beryl family, has been used in jewelry since the third century B.C. and is one of the most fashionable gemstones today. For hundreds of years it was called "The Sailor's Stone," due to its sea-like colors, ranging from a pale sky blue to a deep blue-green, and was thought to protect sailors and people traveling over water.
The earliest aquamarine probably came from India, where it was highly regarded by Hindu mystics as an aid to promoting mental clarity and to improving one's public speaking.
Medieval alchemists believed aquamarine would prevent excess water retention in the body and enhance the digestive and eliminative functions. In the medieval alchemical charts of gem properties, aquamarine is shown as ruling the kidneys, bladder and urethra.
19th Century Chinese carvers produced snuff bottles and delicate figurines out of larger pieces of aquamarine, because it is easy to carve and polishes beautifully.
Even today, many people who believe in the spiritual properties of gemstones wear aquamarine to give them religious and mental inspiration, provide inner calm and enhance both verbal and written communication. Aquamarine's popularity helped make it a March birthstone earlier this century.
Aquamarine has always been available in small sizes from one-half carat up to 10-carat stones. However, finds in Brazil and Africa have made aquamarine of much larger sizes more accessible for use in jewelry.
Aquamarine is tough, durable and takes an excellent polish. Aquas can be worn in rings and bracelets with minimal risk if the settings are designed to protect the gems. Avoid steam cleaning or excess heat. Clear stones, called eye-clean, are free of inclusions to the naked eye and can be worn under most conditions.
Recently designers have begun combining aquamarines with golden citrines, emeralds or tsavorite garnets, sapphires and pink tourmalines to provide fresh fashion color palettes.
You don't have to be a sailor or a March-born baby to enjoy the beauty and sparkle of aquamarine. It's a year-round treasure of a gem.
April - Diamond
April is the luckiest month of all, since diamonds are its birthstone. More and more women are dressing in these brilliant, dazzling gemstones as effortlessly as they throw on their favorite sweater. Actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Berry and super models Cindy Crawford and Stella Tennant, among others, are seen everywhere wearing their diamond solitaire necklaces. Most diamonds are more than 100 million years old, and many are over three billion years old, making diamonds the oldest of all gemstones. They are also the hardest substance known to man, made of carbon that is crystallized deep within the earth.
First discovered over 3,000 years ago in India, diamonds are found today in remote parts of the world, such as Australia, Russia, Botswana, and South Africa. Their unique hardness and high refractive index have inspired legends. To the Greeks, they were teardrops from the gods.
To the Romans, they came from the falling stars that tipped
the arrow of Eros, the god of love. For Hindus, diamonds were the lightning that armed the hand of the god Indra. Women are now buying diamonds for themselves. What's new is that customers are more educated, and as more and more women gain professional ranks, they want quality stones.
When it comes to wearing diamonds, there's no wrong way. Diamond brooches adorn business suits. Diamond studs are worn to the gym. This ground swell of wearing diamonds every day started a few years back when designers like John Galliano and Donna Karan popularized them on their runways.
Most recently, Galliano and other major European designers showed elaborate Belle Époque settings, and Oscar de la Renta showed diamonds exclusively in his collections. A lot of upwardly mobile professional women took note. They are today's diamond customers who want diamonds, can afford them, and don't have to wait for an engagement or 25th wedding anniversary to own them.
When purchasing diamonds, customers are adhering to the 4 C's -- cut, color, clarity, and carat weight -- but increasingly, they seek finer cut stones. Customers should understand that it is the cutting that releases the true brilliance of a stone.
With something so precious, remember to rely on a well-established jeweler, with a wide selection of merchandise, who is qualified to determine a diamond's value and quality. Little wonder the Greeks named diamonds "adamas." It means unconquerableLearn about other birthstones
May - Emerald
How would you like to wear a gemstone that could protect you from illness and let you see into the future? According to ancient belief, an emerald could do just that. Regardless of these legendary attributes, however, few would deny the pleasure and delight of owning May's mesmerizing green birthstone.
Since approximately 2000 B.C., emeralds have been prized by connoisseurs and sought after by the rich and powerful. They were mined near the Red Sea during the time of Cleopatra, who wore her emeralds lavishly. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers in South America were amazed to find magnificent emeralds in the possession of the Aztecs and Incas.
The source for many of these stones was Colombia, whose emeralds were regarded by experts as the ultimate in quality and color. In fact, the world's largest emerald crystal, at 7,052 carats, was discovered in 1969 in the Cruces Mines in Gachala, Colombia. Although this country
remains the world's largest supplier of the fascinating green gem, many exceptional emeralds on the market today come from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Brazil.
