SIERRA~WEST JEWELERS

MOISSANITE

2012-01-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

Moissanite is a spectacular near-colorless jewel with more dazzling sparkle than any other popular gem on earth. Moissanite is not a substitute or simulant, but rather a unique jewel with exceptional brilliance and fire.

Moissanite is a created gem that was born from a rare geological find made more than 110 years ago. Discovered in 1893 by French scientist, Dr. Henri Moissan (who later became a nobel prize winner), Moissanite can trace its origins to particles found in a meteor crater located in Arizona. These natural moissanite crystals were too scarce and tiny to set into jewelry. For years, scientists tried in vain to re-create these rare and extraordinarily brilliant crystals. Only recently, through the power of advanced technology from Charles & Colvard, are Moissanites available.

Second in hardness only to diamond, Moissanite is durable and tough. It is extremely resistant to abrasion and chipping. Charles & Colvard Moissanite comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty that ensures it will never change color, fade, or lose its brilliance or fire.

Moissanite has nearly 2.5 times the fire of a diamond. They are created through a thermal growing process and currently, Charles & Colvard is the sole source and global distributor. The favorite shape for Moissanite is round, however, Moissanite is also available in other shapes.

DEMANTOID GARNET

2012-01-12T17:43:00.004-07:00

The "other" color of GARNET. More dispersive than Diamond!

GRADUATE GEMOLOGIST

2011-09-27T11:52:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Shawn Rey Mikkelson of Sierra~West Jewelers for earning the gem and jewelry industry's most prestigious and coveted professional credential-the GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma.

As a Graduate Gemologist one is equipped to identify hundreds of common and unusual gemstones and detect the latest treatments and synthetics.

Shawn has been in the jewelry trade for over 17 years and is part of a group of 4 Graduate gemologists who utilize the latest gem evaluation equipment the industry has to offer in an on site American Gem Society Accredited Gem Laboratory. The only Lab of it's kind in the area. Sierra~West has been helping Utah and Salt Lake valleys with gems and jewelry for over 30 years.

Pearls the Birthstone for JUNE

2011-06-21T11:21:00.002-06:00

A timeless gem, enjoyed equally in ancient Rome or modern America, pearl is a favored jewel of women around the globe. Pearls are unique in that they are the only gem of the sea from living creatures requiring no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. In the early 1900's the first successful comercial culturing of round pearls began. Since the 1920's cutured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market. Cultured pearls are cultured and harvested in Japan, China, South Seas including tahiti, Australia, Burma, the Philippines and the Unites States.

Pearl color includes: The body color (the primary color - either light, dark or colored), the overtone color ( a tint that appears super-imposed on the body color) and a rare component called orient (an iridescent, or rainbow of colors). There are all kinds of colors produced by nature. White, pink, black with metallic green overtones, purple, yellow, golden, silver, blue, and the popular "chocolate" just to name a few. The color is dictated primarily by the geography of the molusk, the water temperature, and the impurities and minerals in the water.

The most common legths of pearls are as follows:

Choker 14"-16"

Princess 16"-18" (our most popular)

Matinee 21"-24"

Opera 28"-32"

CARE OF PEARLS:

Never put pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner or steam clean. They should be gently wiped down on a regular basis with warm water and a mild dish soap then rinsed thoroughly. Pearls should be restrung at least every 2 years. It is always wise to put pearls on AFTER perfume and cosmetics have been applied. Pearls are rated 2.5 - 4 on the Moh's scale of hardness.

Many women enjoy one of natures most beautiful creations PEARLS.

The "OTHER" green stone for MAY

2011-05-20T20:42:00.003-06:00

CHRYSOPRASE

The gemstone Chrysoprase is typically an opalescent apple green colored variety of chalcedony (quartz). It is found in Australia, Brazil, the Ural Mountains, and the U.S> and is the rarest of the chalcedony group.

Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans, and the Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects and because of its semi-opaque green color, it is often mistaken for Imperial jadite. Chrysoprase is prized for its color and rarity. It is a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

In folklore, chrysoprase is said to have the properties of soothing, gentleness, friendship, spiritual protection, prevents depression, increases grace, and is said to increase fertility.
Hmm, who knew. Perhaps it's time for all of us to get some.

April - The DIAMOND month

2011-04-01T16:05:00.004-06:00

Diamond is a mineral made of carbon. It is the only gem that is made of a single element. All the rest are combinations of 2 or more. Laboratory analysis has shown that gem quality diamonds are made up of more than 99.95% pure carbon. The remainder is made up of more than 25 different impurity elements which often influence the gems color or shape. Diamond's crystal structure is isometric; the atoms in isometric crystals have essentially the same arrangement in all directions. The chemical composition and the Crystal structure are what makes diamonds and other minerals what they are. It produces the optical and physical properties that make diamonds durable, beautiful, and ultimately, valuable.

Diamonds form typically between 75 and 120 miles below the Earth's surface, underneath the huge rock plates of the continents. These are the only places the necessary temperature and pressure conditions exist. During the Earth's history, diamonds were delivered to the surface by a special kind of volcanic eruption. Geologists estimate the first delivery came more than 2.5 billion years ago, the most recent that we are aware of about 45 million years ago.

Diamonds are mined all over the Earth. They are then graded, cut, then graded again and delivered all over the world for consumer consumption. They are mounted in many stunning jewelry pieces and worn as symbols of love and relationships.

Sierra~West has established ourselves as the forerunner in Utah as the place to purchase the best value in diamonds. With 4 graduate Gemologists (from GIA) on staff, we can answer your questions regarding diamonds, and guarantee the best value anywhere. Come into one of our 3 locations to lean more and get yours today!

*Much of this information was researched and found through GIA DIAMONDS course*

Garnet... January's Stone of Choice.

2011-01-04T14:31:00.013-07:00

Garnet, derived from the Greek word "granatum" referring to the color of the pomegranate seed, is available in a stunning array of colors and found all over the world. Red garnets called "carbuncles" were known since Egyptian times. Garnet is also reputed to be one of the original gems on the high priest Aaron's breastplate.

The diverse garnet is available in the striking red of Pyrope and Almandite: the orange colors of Hessonite and Spessarite: the lovely purple of Rhodolite: the pink to redish-orange of Malaya and the intense greens of the highly prized Demantoid and and Tsavorite. Garnets are found in India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Korea, Russia, Pakistan, the US, Sri Lanka , and throughout Africa.

Hardness 7-7.5 on Moh's Scale.

We have an amazing selection of loose garnets as well as some very beautiful Garnet rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets.

Check out the many options available through us http://www.sierra-west.com/ HERE.

PANDORA

2010-09-28T14:56:00.004-06:00

We have already sold a lot of Pandora Charms, Beads, Bracelets, Rings, Earrings and Necklaces. They are so fun to have and our customers just love them! Check out their collection here.

This stuff should ROCK the Holidays!

August Birthstone: Peridot

2010-08-06T15:29:00.000-06:00

August's birthstone is Peridot, a gemstone typically lime green gemstone (it can come in a variety of colors ranging from lime, yellowish green, to medium olive green hues). It has been used for centuries as a stone for adornment. People have worn peridot to gain foresight and inspiration. One source claimed that pirates used to wear peridot to protect them against evil.

Peridot is said to have healing and mystical properties. It can be worn for general healing purposes, but is said to be effective in promoting emotional balance and relaxation. The mystical properties are said to assist in aiding dreams to become reality and in attracting money and prosperity. This soothing stone is also said to promote sleep and ward against nightmares.

Eclipse Premier Tonight!

2010-06-29T14:55:00.000-06:00

Hey, Twilight fans! I know you haven't forgotten about the premier tonight! We're excited too, that's why we've found this Twilight inspired ring for you--this sterling silver, moonstone ladies ring for only $39.50!

Go Team Vampire!

Do You Have A Tie Uglier Than These?

2010-06-11T13:17:00.001-06:00

If you do, bring it in to one of our Sierra West locations for a chance to win. All ugly ties are welcome. Be creative. We love ugly D.I. ties, ugly duct tape ties, candy ties..... Bring on the ugly ties. No, seriously. Bring us the ugly ties. Drop by our stores to see our growing collection and vote. The ugliest tie wins a new Father's Day watch!

Military Discounts

2010-06-09T16:08:00.003-06:00

We have always offered Military Discounts to our Service Men and Women. Thank you for our freedoms and all that we enjoy due to your hard work and service. We honor those that served our country in the past, support those who serve in the present and hope to see quality individuals serve in the future. Our Military history is a big part of what makes this country great.

Yellow Gold is on it's way BACK!

2010-05-17T16:59:00.002-06:00

When I started working for Sierra West more than 15 years ago, yellow gold was, by far, the prominant metal. This included both ladies and gents rings. Just like clothing fashion, the trends shift a bit over the years. The past 10 years white gold has dominated. We are starting to see the shift back to yellow. What really matters most is your personal preference.

Which are you...White or yellow?

Recycle and Repair

2010-04-20T14:40:00.004-06:00

Many of us have Jewelry peices that we have had for a long time and not worn because they are now outdated. Some jewelry items we own are worn out and need some serious repair work done. Pehaps we have items that were inherited from generations gone by that have a strong sentimental value to us. However, they are something that doesn't fit our style. We can help out by recreating the perfect jewelry peice for you and keep the sentimental value in tact. Read on...

There is a healthy trend in the world today of recycling old items into something new. You see this with paper products, electronics, organic materials, motor oil, and many more. Something we have been known for, in this industry, for many years is our fantastic Jewelry repair shop and custom design department. We currently have 3 fulltime, very talented Goldsmith artisans. They are amazingly capeable of doing anything from re-tipping a prong or sizing a ring to creating an elaborate custom piece of jewelry to enjoy for generations.

We in vite you into any of our 3 locations along the Wasatch front to take advantage of our Price matching and Gaurantees that are available all the time. We have the best repair work around, and the best custom designers all at a price you can afford. For design ideas, feel free to visit our website at http://www.sierra-west.com/ . Hope to work with you soon!

See some of our services and prices listed below:

Pricing information on repairs

Gold ring sizing $30.00-$55.00 ($15.00 each additional size)
Rhodium “Dip” $30.00
Retip prongs $15.00 ($10.00 each additional prong)
New Gold Crown $75.00-$175.00
Pearl Restringing $1.50 per inch
$2.50 per inch (knotted)
Watch Batteries $10.00 (includes battery and installation)(Lithium battery extra)

Mention this blog post and receive an additional 10% off any repair. This is good throught August 2010.

the 4C's of Diamond

2010-01-19T11:45:00.003-07:00

The Four C's

Fine diamonds are among the most coveted of all gems. Their value, however, differs widely from one diamond to another. Experts evaluate every diamond for rarity and beauty, using four primary guidelines. These are called The Four C's -- Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight.

Cut
When you think of the cut, you probably think of the shape of the diamond. You are partially correct. While cut does refer to shape, it also refers to the proportions of how the diamond is actually cut.
Diamonds are cut into many different shapes, reflecting not only popular taste but the proportions and quality of the rough diamond. The most popular shapes include Round, Oval, Square, Princess, Emerald, Baquette, and Marquise cuts. Many specialty shapes are also available.
A diamond's overall proportions, as well as the size and placement of its many reflective surfaces or facets, also play a large part in "cut." The consistency and balance of these can greatly affect how the stone captures light and reflects it back to the eye.

Color
With the exception of some fancy colored diamonds, the most valuable diamonds are those with the least color. The color scale for transparent diamonds runs from D-F (colorless), G-J (near colorless), K-L (faint yellow), to Z (light yellow). Completely colorless diamonds are rare.
When diamonds are formed with traces of other minerals, rare and beautiful colors can result. These "fancy" colors range from blue to brilliant yellow to red, brown, pale green, pink, and violet. Because of their rarity, colored diamonds are highly desirable and may be quite valuable.

Clarity
A diamond's clarity is measured by the existence, or absence, of visible flaws. Tiny surface blemishes or internal inclusions -- even those seen only under magnification with a jeweler's loupe -- can alter the brilliance of the diamond and, thus, effect its value. Clarity levels begin with Flawless (F & IF) and move down to Very Very Slight (VVS1 & 2), Very Slight (VS1 & 2), Slightly Included (SL1 & 2), and Included (I1, 2 & 3).
FL, IF Diamonds
Flawless: No internal or external flawsInternally Flawless: No internal flaws
VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds
Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions with 10x magnification
VS1, VS2 Diamonds
Very Slightly Included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye
SI1, SI2 Diamonds
Slightly Included: Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification and may be visible with the unaided eye
I1, I2, I3 Diamonds
Included: Inclusions are visible with the unaided eye

Carat Weight
The size of a diamond is measured, not by its dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measure for diamonds, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may also hear the weight of a diamond referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore, a 75-point diamonds equals 0.75 carat. Diamonds of equal weight may appear slightly different in size, depending on their depth and proportions. Because they are quite rare, larger diamonds of gem quality are much more valueable.

Rarity & Beauty
All gem-quality diamonds are rare, taking billions of years for nature to form them. The journey from the mine to you is long and arduous. While the four C's information helps you to identify the quality of the diamond you are purchasing, it is the combination of these four characteristics which determine a diamond's rarity. If you imagine a four-sided pyramid, with each side being a diamond characteristic -- the more readily available diamonds form the base of the pyramid while the rarest diamonds are at the top. Keep this pyramid in mind when you are selecting your diamond. Your selection of characteristics will determine rarity and value. And remember -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A diamond can only be truly perfect if you think it is beautifully perfect for you.

Article Created on 1/28/2008 By Stuller Inc.

Christmas... A time to give.

2009-11-13T18:18:00.002-07:00

Beautiful ASHI 1/2ct diamondand 14k white Gold pendant $1250

BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM DIAMOND NECKLACE AVAILABLE from 1/2ct to 5ct

Give something that will be long remembered and forever cherished.

Pearls ... Of Wisdom

2009-06-01T15:46:00.003-06:00

Cultured Pearl Care

NEVER TOSS THEM INTO A PURSE OR JEWEL BOX WHERE THEY CAN BECOME SCRATCHED BY HARD METAL EDGES OR HARDER STONES.

NEVER EXPOSE THEM TO ACID-BASED HAIR SPRAYS, COSMETICS OR PERFUMES. PEARLS ARE POROUS LIKE OPAL AND TURQUOISE.

NEVER CLEAN THEM WITH CHEMICALS OR ABRASIVES.

ALWAYS TREAT PEARLS GENTLY. PLACE THEM IN A SILK BAG OR WRAP THEM IN TISSUE WHEN PUTTING THEM AWAY.

ALWAYS WASH YOUR PEARLS WITH A DAMP SOFT CLOTH USING MILD SOAP AND WATER AFTER TAKING THEM OFF. THIS WILL REMOVE ALL TRACES OF PERFUME, COSMETICS, HAIR SPRAY FROM THE PEARLS

ALWAYS BRING YOUR PEARLS BACK TO YOUR JEWELER TO CHECK FOR RESTRINGING ONCE A YEAR.

ALWAYS HAVE PEAQRLS STRUNG WITH A KNOT BETWEEN EACH PEARL. THIS WILL PREVENT LOSS OF PEARLS IF THE NECKLACE SHOULD BREAK.

Emeralds... She'll be GREEN with envy!

2009-05-23T16:04:00.004-06:00

Prized since ancient times, a fine emerald can be more expensive than a high quality diamond of the same carat weight. Emerald hardness ranges from 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Compare turquoise at 5 to 6 and diamonds, the hardest substance, at 10. Even though emeralds are relatively hard stones, the presence of cracks and inclusions in emeralds can affect their durability.

Emerald is the May birthstone and the traditional gift for the 55th wedding anniversary. Colombian emeralds are among the world's most beautiful, with rich grass-green coloring that's often kissed with a touch of blue. Quality emeralds are also found in India, South Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and Zimbabwe. Recent finds in North Carolina may provide us with quality emeralds if the mine continues to produce stones.

Emerald History and Folklore
Emeralds are traditionally thought to enhance the clairvoyance of their wearers.
Egyptian emeralds were introduced to the world about 4,000 years ago, but the stones from those mines are a duller green and are not considered high quality by today's standards.
Mummies were often buried with emeralds and the gems were popular in ancient Rome, but some think that many of the stones called emeralds in ancient times were actually peridot.
Traditionally, emeralds are worn to promote healing and enhance love and contentment.

Diamonds: Truly a girls best friend

2009-04-02T20:26:00.014-06:00

The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was said by some that they were the tears of the gods. Another legend has it that there was an inaccessible valley in Central Asia carpeted with diamonds. It was said to be 'patrolled by birds of prey in the air and guarded by snakes of murderous gaze on the ground.'
Until the 15th century only kings wore diamonds, as a symbol of strength, courage, and invincibility.

Over the centuries, however, the diamond acquired its unique status as the ultimate gift of love. Indeed, it was said that Cupid's arrows were tipped with diamonds which have a magic that nothing else can ever quite equal. Since the very beginning, diamonds have always been associated with romance and legend. The very word "diamond" comes from the Greek "adamas" meaning unconquerable, suggesting the eternity of love. The Greeks also believed the fire in the diamond reflected the constant flame of love.

But it wasn't until 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, that the tradition of diamond engagement rings began. Even the reason a woman wears it on the third finger of her left hand dates back to the early Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger, left hand.

The truth is, however, that the exact origin of diamonds is still something of a mystery, even to scientists and geologists.Even though the diamond is the hardest of all gemstones known to man, it is the simplest in composition. It is common carbon, like the graphite in a lead pencil, yet has a melting point of 6,900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is two and a half times greater than the melting point of steel. Billions of years ago, the elemental forces of heat and pressure miraculously transformed the carbon into diamond in the cauldron of boiling magma that lay deep below the surface of the earth. The volcanic mass in which this crystallization took place then thrust upwards and broke through the earth's surface to cool in Kimberlite pipes. It is in these Kimberlite pipes that most diamonds are found today.

Cut - Cut refers to the particular placement and angle of each of the small facets on the surface of the diamond. If the diamond is Ideal Cut, each ray of light that strikes the diamond is reflected back to you and creates maximum brilliance and sparkle.

Carat Weight - A carat is the weight unit of measurement for diamonds and other precious stones. In the carat weight scale there are 100 points to one carat, just as there are 100 pennies to one dollar. For example, if a diamond weighs 50 points, it is a 1/2 carat stone.

Color - Color is the actual body color of the diamond. Most diamonds have a yellowish tint, but diamonds with a D to F color (colorless) are considered to be the most rare and valuable.

Clarity - Clarity is the relative position of a diamond on a flawless-to-imperfect scale. Clarity characteristics are classified as inclusions (internal) or blemishes (external). The size, number, position, color and nature of a diamond's clarity characteristics determine the clarity grade. Very few diamonds are flawless (i.e. free from all blemishes and inclusions). If all other factors are equal, stones of this rare quality are the most expensive.

Craftsmanship - The number one concern of most consumers today is quality. Because of this, the majority of our wedding bands are die-struck. With this process, rings are made from a solid sheet of metal which insures the highest quality. Sierra-West's ring manufacturers are recognized as the finest in the jewelry industry and use only plumb gold. Our jewelers are fully trained in goldsmithing, watch repair and custom ring creation. All of this is to provide you the finest quality possible.

Cost - At Sierra-West, we buy from the largest cutters in the world - no one buys better! Our mark-up is also lower than the competition. In fact, our customers report that our prices are generally 25 to 30% less than most diamond dealer's "1/2 off" sale prices!

Our goal is to educate you well enough on diamonds that you feel comfortable making your diamond purchase. Not to mention the additional services that we provide, including lifetime cleaning of your rings, additional discounts, insurance at cost, and more! Please visit one of our four locations for more details.

Remember, Sierra~West Guarantees all of our diamond prices!

AQUAMARINE: The Birthstone of March

2009-03-02T16:33:00.003-07:00

The gemstone Aquamarine is the modern March birthstone as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Scorpio. See the birthstone table for additional references to this stone. Aquamarine is suggested as a gem to give on the 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries.

Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family and ranges in color from an almost colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal. The most prized color is a deep-blue aqua color. It is 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of hardness and gets its name from Latin words meaning water and sea.
The most valuable aquamarines come from Brazil, but it is also mined in Kenya and Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia. . Aquamarines on the market today are usually faceted, but when cut as a cabochon, they may display a cat's eye effect known as asterism.
Some gemstones are heated to high temperatures to enhance the color and/or clarity of a stone. Aquamarines are often heat treated to change a blue-green or teal colored stone to a pure blue. This results in a permanent color change.

Crystal system: hexagonalFracture: ConchoidalLuster: Vitreous to resinous

Folklore, Legend, and Healing Properties:
Since early times, aquamarine has been believed to endow the wearer with foresight, courage, and happiness. It is said to increase intelligence and make one youthful. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety and in the Middle Ages it was thought that aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons.
A legend says that sailors wore aquamarine gemstones to keep them safe and prevent seasickness.

VALENTINES DAY 2009

2009-01-27T14:06:00.005-07:00

Love Her? Show her! Now, more than ever, reaffirm your love to each other.

The history of Valentine's Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. Its roots are obscured by mystery and there are varying opinions about it. Its origins have become themes of many legends.According to legend, the holiday has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. As Christianity came to dominance in Europe, pagan holidays such as Lupercalia were frequently renamed for early Christian martyrs. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be the feast day of the Roman martyr Saint Valentine, who lived in the 3rd century. Which St. Valentine this early pope intended to honor remains a mystery. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by that name. One was a priest in Rome, another a bishop in Terni, and of a third St. Valentine almost nothing is known except that he met his end in Africa. Rather astonishingly, all three Valentines were said to have been martyred on Feb. 14. Most scholars believe that the St. Valentine of the holiday was a priest who attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II around 270. The history of St. Valentine's Day has two legends attached to it - the Protestant and the Catholic legend. According to both legends, Valentine was a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. Although many scholars agree that Lupercalia was moved from Feb. 15th to the 14th and was Christianized by associating it with this St. Valentine character, it is still unclear just who the historical St. Valentine was. One school of thought believes that he was a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. According to church tradition St. Valentine was a priest/bishop of Rome in about the year 270 A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor Claudius-II who had issued an edict forbidding marriage. This was around when the heyday of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Learning declined, taxation increased, and trade slumped to a low, precarious level. And the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asian increased their pressure on the empire's boundaries. The empire was grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Thus more of capable men were required to be recruited as soldiers and officers. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed it made the men weak. So to assure quality soldiers, he banned marriage.Valentine, realized the injustice of the decree. Seeing the trauma of young lovers, he met them in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. He defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. But Claudius soon learned of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. While Valentine was in prison awaiting his fate, he came in contact with his jailor, Asterius. The jailor had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter. The Catholic legend has it that through the vehicle of his strong faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius' daughter, a phenomenon refuted by the Protestant version which agrees otherwise with the Catholic one. Just before his execution, he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after. Another legend has it that Valentine, imprisoned by Claudius, fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. Probably the most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not focused on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion.The emperor, impressed with the young priest's dignity and conviction, attempted to convert him to the Roman gods, to save him from certain execution. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. What happened was what was to happen. All attempts to convert the emperor failed. On February 14, 270 AD, Valentine was executed.Valentine thus become a Patron Saint, and spiritual overseer of an annual festival. The festival involved young Romans offering women they admired, and wished to court, handwritten greetings of affection on February 14. The greeting cards acquired St.Valentine's name.It was not until the 14th century that this Christian feast day became definitively associated with love. According to UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine, it was Chaucer who first linked St. Valentine's Day with romance.In 1381, Chaucer composed a poem in honor of the engagement between England's Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. As was the poetic tradition, Chaucer associated the occasion with a feast day. In medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated on February 14, and the image of birds as the symbol of lovers began to appear in poems dedicated to the day. In Chaucer's "The Parliament of Fowls," the royal engagement, the mating season of birds, and St. Valentine's Day are linked:"For this was on St. Valentine's Day, When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate."By the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. Despite attempts by the Christian church to sanctify the holiday, the association of Valentine’s Day with romance and courtship continued through the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the holiday evolved, and by the 18th century, gift-giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine's Day had become common in England. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts eventually spread to the American colonies. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a graduate and native of Worcester, Mass. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap". The tradition of Valentine's cards did not become widespread in the United States, however, until Howland began producing them in large scale. Today, of course, the holiday has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are valentines.The Valentine's Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world. One of the earliest card was sent in 1415 AD by Charles, duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was a prisoner in the Tower of London. The card is now preserved in the British Museum.Whoever Valentine was, we know he was an actual person because archaeologists have recently unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to a Saint Valentine.

Come into any of our 4 locations and "prove" your love today with a girft from Sierra~West Jewelers.

LOVE HER... SHOW HER!

2009-01-08T19:45:00.003-07:00

Brilliant as your LOVE.

Introducing the new 74 facet option of GIA certified diamonds to give her maximum brilliance and a truly unique diamond to represent your love. See any of our 4 locations and ask to see one today!

The Beautiful Vernal Store

2008-11-11T12:39:00.006-07:00

Outside view of the Vernal Store. Come inside to see the amazing selection of Bridal, Jewelery, Timepeices and soooo much more!

The inside is decorated with the most modern decore and in a way that makes the store warm and inviting. You being comfortable is important to us. Let us know how we can help with the next important event in your life. Nothing says " I love you" like a gift from the heart from Sierra~West Jewelers.

Sierra~West Jewelers is sponsoring a food drive

2008-10-20T14:12:00.004-06:00

Due to the overwhelming need this year, and along with our partner Community Action out of Provo, Utah, Sierra~West Jewelers is sponsoring a food drive for the local community. We would like to invite you to participate by donating canned or boxed food items (non perishable of course). We will give additional discounts on our merchandise to anybody who donates up to an additional 5% off our already low prices. We have a goal of at least 10 barrells of food (at 150 -200 cans per barrell.) We feel this will get the food bank off to a good start and benefit those families in our community that need the help. Please give generously.

You can check out their website at the following link.
http://www.communityactionprovo.org/index.php?nav=foodbank_home.html&context=1

Hope to see you for the hollidays!

Welcome TISSOT!

2008-08-01T14:27:00.010-06:00

We are proud to announce the new partnership of Tissot and Sierra~West Jewelers.

Gents T-TOUCH
Code: T33778851
Price: $895.00

ABOUT THIS TIMEPIECE

SIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GENT / 42MM
CASE MATERIAL . . . . . . . TITANIUM
WATER RESISTANCE . . . 30M
GLASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TACTILE SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL
DIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BLACK / ARABIC
BRACELET . . . . . . . . . . . . . TITANIUM
BUCKLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DEPLOYANT W / PUSH BUTTONS
MOVEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . CALIBER E40.305 QUARTZ WITH END-OF-LIFE

BATTERY LIFE . . . . . . . . . 24 MONTHS
WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . LIMITED 2 YEAR
MANUAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLICK HERE

Contact Shawn @ 801-226-6006 to order or for any questions

The summer of Anniversaries

2008-06-23T17:48:00.005-06:00

Celebrate your anniversary this year with the classic diamond anniversary band from Sierra~West Jewelers.

Starting at $229.00 we are sure to have a band to your liking. As she thinks of the years gone by, this is a treasure that truely represents your love.

Come in to the nearest Sierra~West to see our vast selection and work with our diamond trained staff.

DADS and GRADS!

2008-05-20T15:42:00.005-06:00

Watches on sale at Sierra~West Stores State Wide

Swiss Army Victorinox Chrono Classic

$450.00

PRODUCT DETAILS
-Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss analog quartz movement
-Stainless steel case with screw-in caseback
-AntiReflective Sapphire Crystal
-Water resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters/330 feet)
-Date
-Luminous hands and markers
-Stainless

(Swiss Army starts at $175.00)

Get Mom "Chocolate" this year!

2008-05-01T05:25:00.008-06:00

On sale now though Mother's Day

Chocolate pearl stud earrings

$129.00

-14k yellow gold mountings

-8-8.5mm freshwater pearls

Matching pendant and chain

$149.00

-14k yellow gold mountings

-14k yellow gold 18" box chain

-8-8.5mm freshwater pearl

or 800-658-8478

email shawn@sierra-west.com

Sierra~West... Compare, I dare you!

2008-03-24T22:13:00.004-06:00

1. The only store in the region with three Gemologists (GIA Diplomas) on staff.
2. The only store in the region with accredited gem laboratories.
3. One of the very few jewelers that offer a Gem print (map of the inclusions) on the sales receipt and the appraisal. Most jewelry stores don't even possess the ability.
4. One of the largest loose diamond inventories in the region which is painstakingly maintained to offer you the best possible diamond at the lowest possible price.
5. The most complete and up-to-date in-house custom design facility with the ability to cast in any of your favorite precious metals including, platinum, gold, silver and palladium. We custom manufacture anywhere from 50 - 150 designs per month. Come check out our Goldsmith's portfolio's with their latest creations.
6. The store known in our area where you, as a customer, get the most comprehensive 4C diamond education possible. This means we help you make sense of "diamond language." By the time you leave our store you know more than many of the other jewelers selling rings.
7. We offer free lifetime appraisals, upon request, on any item you purchased at any of our locations. For items not purchased at Sierra~West, we charge an average of $100.00 per item. See us for package pricing on multiple items. These are all done by a Graduate Gemologist (GIA diploma), in an AGS accredited gem lab.
8. In house repair center with the latest equipment (laser welder for example) to make sure you jewelry is repaired correctly the first time. We employ 3 full time goldsmiths with a combined experience of over 66 years. All of our repairs have a 90 day limited warranty.
9. Literally over 1000 rings in stock to choose from. We don't just claim that we counted!
10. We love our customers! Therefore, we have a way to reward you for sending business our way. We will pay 1-3% of the sale as in-store credit when you send a purchasing customer. See store for details.

* Bottom line is we guarantee the best possible ring for the lowest possible price!*

Sierra~West in four locations

2008-03-17T11:33:00.008-06:00

There are 4 Locations for the Sierra~West Jewelry Chain. All are located in Utah.

OREM LOCATION (Headquarters)

1344 South 800 East Suite #1

Orem, UT 84003

Ph. 801-226-6006

SANDY LOCATION

60 East 10600 South

Sandy, UT 84070

Ph. 801-984-6870

MURRAY LOCATION

6190 A South State Street

Murray, UT 84107

Ph. 801-713-1900

VERNAL LOCATION *BRAND NEW LOCATION!*

1214 West 500 South Suite B

Vernal, UT 84078

Ph. 435-789-3337