Accessories

Remember the post I wrote about push gifts? Well, I tapped an indie jeweler to make several rings for me. The rings will be a gift from the husband to commemorate Damien’s birthday.

Now, I know several online jewelers and was lucky that I got to work with a couple of trusted, talented artisans. But since it’s the holiday season, orders were pouring in and they could no longer accommodate more. Damien will come sometime in November and December so I decided to have this project done by a new-to-me seller. You can read all about it here. I chose Borealis Crystals because they posted a beautiful pair of rings in the exact design that I wanted, just as I was looking for a jeweler! That was a serendipitous experience right there, guys.

Borealis Crystals is an online jewelry store owned by a husband and wife team, Jared and Cza. It’s a proudly PWD-run store that specializes in handcrafted, made-to-order gemstone jewelry.

Borealis Crystals: Ordering Online

Ordering online was done via Instagram as per usual. Guys, since getting married, getting pregnant, etc., I discovered a shitload of amazing sellers on Instagram. The platform really made online shopping so easy for me. However, you gotta be careful especially if you are buying pieces of fine jewelry. Always work with trusted sellers.

Initially, I inquired about the rings that they posted. I asked if they do solid gold rings since I was told that those were plated silver. Cza said yes, they do the rings in solid gold also. That’s when I explained that I am looking for the same design for a push gift. I basically went on a long, winding monologue about needing three rings, etc. and being unable to commit to having the set made since Damy isn’t here yet out of curiosity, I wanted to see the quality of their work… and so on. That’s when I ordered one ring made with my birthstone, which is an aquamarine.

The process was pretty standard, I asked for an order form. Cza was kind enough to show me the store’s guidelines as I filled up the order form. Apart from providing my contact details, I also outlined the important features of the ring, the size, the gold grade, the setting, the size of the gem and so on. She asked for the setting design, treatment of the precious metal, etc. Once all of these items were settled, Cza informed me that the lead time is 3 weeks. I made an initial payment (50% of the total cost) and that’s it.

Since I was in the midst of decorating the nursery, I didn’t ask Cza for updates and she didn’t give any. I heard back from her two weeks later, informing me that the ring has been completed. That was a pleasant surprise, the ring came a week early. She also showed me a quick video of the final product. I settled my balance and received the ring, like, three days later. It was such an easy breezy transaction. Overall, Cza was so easy to talk to and she seems like a really cool person. The ordering process was smooth and fuss-free.

Getting the Ring

What I like most about Borealis Crystals is that they’ll send you a picture of the proof of shipping. Back in the day, this was a standard practice. These days, however, most of the online sellers I’ve dealt with, they don’t send out the proof of shipping anymore. You’ll have to ask for updates and even then, they won’t provide the proof of shipping so you just wait and assume that the package was delivered.

After excitedly peeling off the bubble-wrapping, the ring came in this tiny sinamay baggy. The baggy was secured with a ribbon and the tag comes with a handwritten note, which I thought was such a sweet gesture:

So, I literally laughed out loud when I opened the sinamay baggy because inside, there were two freaking flat tops chocs. If you know me, you know that I have a bit of an obsession with flat tops. My husband used to buy me a couple of bags of these as pasalubong from work (he was still the boyf then) and I would go through a bag in one sitting. It’s unhealthy, yes, but dude, flat tops were my jam since the 90s. These little touches, I love them. Certainly a first for me.

Okay, going back to the ring, above is the entire contents of the litol sinamay baggy. The ring came in a tiny, clear, acrylic case. Et voila, here’s the ring:

I thought they did such a great job with the ring. The bezel is quite neat and even as you can see. It’s basically the reason why the shop caught my eye in the first place. The thickness of the band isn’t too thin, it’s just right. The ring isn’t as hefty because it’s a dainty ring although it doesn’t feel cheap either.

The gemstone is clear and sparkly. I hate my birthstone BTW. I feel that it’s such a simple stone compared to, say, a diamond or a sapphire and it dulls so quickly too but it does look pretty when paired with gold, as you can see!

Here’s how the ring looks when worn. I feel that Borealis Crystals’ sizing was accurate. Some jewelers, the sizing isn’t accurate. My fingers grew from a 5.5 to a 7 guys, none of my rings fit these sausage fingers anymore. This ring is a size 7 because I was planning to wear this in my middle finger. Hopefully, once the pregnancy ends, my ring size will be back to normal and I can go back to enjoying my ring collection in peace. Overall, the quality of the ring was great! I feel that the price point is just right, the ring itself seems durable, the gem that they picked was so fine.

If there’s one thing that I’m not too happy about, it’s the size of the gemstone. I did say it was me who chose the size of the gemstone (supposed to be 2 carats) but it looks smaller. I’m thinking about getting a bigger stone and having that set into the ring once I’m ready to order the two other rings.

Final Thoughts

I’m quite happy with the ring I got from Borealis Crystals. I have plans of having the rest of the set done by them. I love the reasonable price points, the handpicked gems, and the level of commitment the owners have when it comes to making these beautiful pieces of jewelry. Cza and Jared were easy to work with, the lead time is pretty good, and the quality of the product is terrific. I wish the size of the gem was bigger but overall highly recommended.

UPDATE: This review has been sitting in the draft section since March! I wrote this blog around the time I found out I got pregnant so let’s just say girlfriend’s got distracted big time.

My engagement ring, which is the most important ring I own, I no longer wear. And it’s not because I finally got tired of the design, far from it. I’m still in love with the 3-stone setting, the diamond and sapphire combo is TDF.

Back when the would-be hubs and I were designing the ring, I chose a delicate setting. I was warned by Cherry, the owner of Diamond Fire Manila, about it but I was too stubborn I guess. The ring made my fingers look extra slender, you see. Unfortunately, the setting is the kind that cannot tolerate everyday wear. I simply cannot enjoy the ring no thanks to the fragile setting.

I kept bonking the stone too. Throughout the short time that I wore the ring, the prongs that held the diamond started loosening. I was so paranoid that I’d lose the center stone so I kept the engagement ring in its box, hardly wearing it.

Initially, we wanted to tighten the prongs but in the end, we decided to have the e-ring re-set at some point. I’m still on the fence about it because I don’t really want to change the setting at all. I’m sentimental like that! We’re still figuring out where and when to get this done (my choice is Oro Gem at The Podium, check it out!) but in the meantime, I treated myself to a new ring by Little White Pouch.

I had such a great experience with Ms. Via of Fine Jewelry PH but I will use her for a different project.

Little White Pouch is an online jewelry store owned by Yani Monroy. I learned about this store after following a popular blogger on Instagram. Little White Pouch made the blogger’s engagement ring and wedding set. Since I was looking for another trusted jeweler, tapping an artisan who previously worked with a popular personality should work out great, right?

Little White Pouch: Ordering Online

I pinged Yani about the project on Instagram. I feel that she’s often on Insta than FB so I think this is the best way to get in touch with her. I just described the ring that I wanted and gave her a sample picture of the style that I had in mind. Basically, it’s my old e-ring design, lol

My instructions were simple. First, I wanted a robust setting so the ring is resilient enough for everyday wear. Also, I wanted zero spaces in between the stones. The prongs should be durable and thick but they shouldn’t affect the sparkle of the main stone in any way. Finally, I want a flush setting because I have several eternity rings and my plan was to wear the ring with an eternity band at all times.

After ironing out the details, I received an order form via email. The form outlined all the ring’s information including the price, banking details, payment method, etc. Ordering the ring was pretty straightforward although you have to get Yani’s attention to seal the deal. She’s busy I think so she cannot track all inquiries. I wired the initial payment using the BPI app so that was easy.

The agreed lead time was 1 month but there were slight delays, all for good reasons I suppose. The first delay has something to do with the ring’s minor flaw. According to Yani, the ring was done but black lines were forming on the metal so they must be polished off:

They had to do the polishing carefully because the problem could worsen if not done correctly. I like how much of a perfectionist Yani is, she wouldn’t send off a piece if it’s not 100% perfect in her eyes. Also, I appreciate the quick updates! Yes, there were delays but Yani was quick to respond and answer any question, which I appreciate since it’s my first time dealing with her.

I was set to meet her rep to claim the ring but Yani got sick and was not able to deliver the ring in time. In all honesty, I was thoroughly disappointed that Yani canceled the meeting because the appointment was one of the reasons why I drove all the way to the city. She was apologetic about it and explained why the meeting won’t push through. I understood her reasons so I just moved on. Granted, we had a lot of things going on during that time so it was easy to move on from my initial disappointment.

Since the ring needed more polishing, the delivery was delayed by two more days. That was okay because she had a good reason for it. My only regret is that I was not able to wear the ring during our Caramoan vacation. I was planning lengthy shoots with it, hahaha! Eventually, the ring was shipped via LBC.

The Product

Right, let’s get to the product finally! The ring was packed in a white pouch (hence the name of the store). The packaging is adorable, quite rustic. Inside is the ring, of course, and it’s gorgeous!

First off, the quality is amazing. The white gold was polished to a high shine and it has a nice heft to it. The ring is not heavy but it’s definitely not fragile either. Hindi tinipid ang ginto (she didn’t skimp on the gold). My mom was so impressed since we both knew gold is so expensive these days.

You cannot see it in these pics but the ring features claw-prongs, which was the perfect design to showcase the stones. I love the strong yet non-obstructive prongs, the ring is designed to take a beating with ease. I could wear the ring every day for the rest of my life without worrying about losing the stone!

I love the semi-high setting so an eternity ring could sit flush with the ring. I do mind the gap guys, and the slight space between my old e-ring and my eternity band drove me nuts!

As you can see, the ring sits flush with my thin eternity band, no gap. They look so perfect together! As for the dimension of the gems, the ring has a 1-carat center and .15 carat equivalent sapphire sides, these are my dream dimensions but we were trying to save up when the then-boyf purchased my e-ring.

The center stone, I believe, was handpicked by Yani’s supplier and it’s quite the firecracker. Instead of mod shots, I made this clip just so you can see the amazing quality of the center stone:

If there’s one design component that I’m not too pleased about, it’s the exposed part of the prongs inside the ring. The exposed bits gave the ring an undone appearance like the ring isn’t complete or something.

I get that they couldn’t fill this area in completely but I wish they removed more of the protruding metal (the base of the center prongs) and polished the insides so the bumps aren’t too noticeable.

Final Thoughts

I’m pretty much patting myself on the back for choosing Little White Pouch for designing and creating this lovely ring. The price is reasonable, the quality is impressive, and the durability of the ring is unquestionable. If you’re looking for high-quality fine jewelry, don’t go to the mall. Work with an artisan who’s committed to crafting the finest pieces of jewerly at reasonable prices. Little White Pouch is highly recommended!

I was on the hunt for an eternity ring similar to my half-eternity wedding band. I know, it’s excessive but I hate how my wedding band spins, exposing the stone-less bits. It just ruins my look and I’m vain and shallow like that.

Good thing I found an insta-seller who can make the exact eternity ring that I wanted at a really great price! Even better, she accepts layaway payments.

The problem is, most e-sellers tend to treat customers who pay on layaway terms differently from those willing to pay in full. I talked to a couple of e-alaheros and let me tell you, they were accommodating until the word “layaway” crops up in the convo. Suddenly, they give you this weird vibe, like they’d rather not do it.

Let me tell you one instance when I was ignored by an online seller before choosing Fine Jewelry PH:

The insta-jeweler I was talking about, the one I originally wanted to buy from, actually ignored my questions re: her bank details as soon as she found out that I won’t pay in full. I pinged her on Instagram and Viber.

Initially, she was accommodating on Insta but when it came to the installment thing, she didn’t bother pushing through with the project, completely ignoring my questions. Funny enough, she pinged me on Viber on the same day thinking I was a different customer. When I told her I was the one she was talking to on Insta, she ignored my messages again. Why offer layaway terms when you won’t entertain customers?

I like the shop but I un-followed after that. No point seeing her ads on my feeds when she’s discriminating against certain customers. I won’t mention the business name but it is similar to Fine Jewelry PH’s Instagram name. So much you’d think both shops were owned by the same person. But they ain’t, thankfully.

Not meaning to rant but I’ve experienced this more than once. There were bag sellers who do the same too. The thing is, products like designer bags and jewelry aren’t cheap. There is always the risk that you’d get a fake or worse, someone actually running away with your money.

I don’t pay in full because I’m concerned about security, to be honest. I do it because I have a lot of wants and I tend to want them all at the same time.  Paying in increments, to me, is not only a safe way of dealing online, it’s also a way for me to hold on to something that I want until I’m ready to get it. If that makes sense. Also, I work hard and I’ve had a great year, I deserve all the treats.

Fine Jewelry PH: Ordering Online

Glad I got that off my chest. Anyhoo! After being turned away by that jeweler, I pinged Via Alejandrino-De las Alas, the owner of Fine Jewelry PH and asked for the same thing. The good news was, she was not only nice, the price of the ring was actually same as the ring offered by the other shop.

In hindsight, I should’ve pinged Fine Jewelry PH first but I thought their products were more expensive than the other shop. Apparently, the prices were similar so that’s awesome.

Fine Jewelry PH is a Bulacan-based online store with a huge following on Facebook and Instagram. I connected with Ms. Via through Viber. After talking a bit about the ring, I asked Ms. Via if she accepts installment terms and she said yes right away. At that point, I was ready to wire the money and asked her to go ahead with the project.

I ordered the ring using my mobile phone so yes, the entire process was straightforward and easy. Ms. Via graciously answered all my questions right away and I never got the sense that I was being looked down for paying in increments. That was important to me because no one likes that shit.

To complete the order, I filled out an order form, sent the form via Viber and then made an initial payment. I wired the money within seconds via PayPal (love that she accepts PP payments, all Insta-sellers should) and that’s it.

I was supposed to get the ring in January because I paid in December (two gives, garnern) but I got too excited when she sent me a quick clip of the ring a few days later! I told you, Christmas puts me in a funky shopping mood. So to cut the story short, I paid as soon as I could and received my eternity ring before Christmas.

The Product

Now let’s talk about the product itself. You might find it weird that I ordered a ring similar to what I already have. But the spinning thing always bothered me. Also, my old ring deserves a little rest every now and then. I haven’t taken my wedding band/s off since I got married.

The ring was shipped via LBC (!) and I received the product a couple of days after paying for it. I was expecting delays because it’s the Christmas season and couriers all over the country are busy. I wasn’t even planning on getting the ring before Christmas but here we are. SO happy that I got my little Christmas treat so early!

The parcel was bubble-wrapped. The product itself was housed in a beautiful red box, which looks better than the box my engagement ring came in, lol.

The ring was crafted in 14k white gold and the setting is similar to that of my wedding band. I believe this is called the fishtail setting. The stones were a combination of lab sapphires and natural diamonds. The ring looked well-made, the stones felt secure and are so sparkly!

To compare, here’s what my old and new eternity rings look like side by side. The bottom is the older ring.  Here’s how my new ring looks like when paired with my engagement ring:

They look so nice together no? I noticed that the stones used were smaller compared to my old ring. That’s fine because the new ring is much more affordable. It’s a dainty little thang, that’s what it is.

Here’s what the ring looks like when paired with a solitaire ring in yellow gold. I’m not too crazy about the contrasting colors but they sure look good together!

Final Thoughts

Buying anything online is tricky. It means opening yourself up to the possibility of being scammed, receiving shitty products, or experiencing the worst customer service ever. I’ve been there. But it’s nice to know that there are legitimate businesses on Instagram too!

Fine Jewelry PH is a trusted jewelry vendor, it’s the real deal guys! The prices were reasonable, I loved the variety and the craftsmanship. The seller, Ms. Via, was also nice and helpful. Highly recommended! I love my ring so much, I’m already planning my next order.