First and foremost, it's our fun environment. We go out of our way to make your shopping easy and comfortable. We know it’s nerve-racking to search for the perfect expression of your feelings. Buying jewelry is an emotional purchase that needs to stand the test of time. Nobody wants to be rushed, frustrated or intimidated. And then there’s our jewelry. In addition to having many popular lines, we’re proud to carry some unusual pieces that allow you to show off a more personal style. We make annual trips around the globe to see what's new and different. Fun or funky, casual or dressy …you’ll find a little bit of everything at Occasions Fine Jewelry.

Yes. Financing is available through Jewelry Accents, a division of G.E. Capital Credit. Most charges are eligible for 90 days same-as-cash purchasing. Layaway is also available. We offer three to four month layaways (depending upon items being purchased) with 20% down payment. Call or email us for details.

Yes. We will be glad to trade-in your diamond towards a new, larger diamond. Contact us for details.

Our traditional "Super Bowl Sale" is our one sale of the year. This is our way of turning merchandise that’s endured several seasons with us and is ready for a new home. Many stores constantly advertise sales. But doesn’t it make you wonder if they’re real? The truth is, many times prices are marked up to allow the jeweler ‘mark it down’ and call it a sale. So be careful. Impressions can be deceiving. On the other hand, we believe in marking our prices fairly the first time around and then sticking to them. Occasionally we'll offer specials throughout the year but rarely do they model the “was $___ now $____" pricing scheme.

The most important thing you can do is ask questions. Ask friends and associates who purchase jewelry where they shop and if they enjoy the experience. Referrals are always a pretty safe way to go. A quality jeweler should welcome your questions with competency and courtesy. Does the jeweler belong to any trade organizations like Jewelers of America, Independent Jewelers Organization, Diamond Council of America or local trade associations? Also, trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, leave.

There is nothing wrong with purchasing jewelry from a mass merchandiser as long as you understand what you are purchasing. Most savvy shoppers know many independent jewelers carry competitively-priced products and understand their customers. Individual attention and product knowledge is crucial. Many independent jewelers have a full service approach and can handle everything from general repair work to building you the perfect engagement ring. At Occasions, we have a state-of-the-art shop with top-notch craftsmanship to handle all your jewelry needs.

The difference is the amount of pure gold versus alloy. For gold to be durable enough for most jewelry it needs to be mixed with other metals. For example, pure gold is listed as 99.99% pure, or 24kt. 18kt gold is 75% gold and 25% alloy, while 14kt. is 58% gold and 42% alloy. 10kt. contains the least amount of gold at 42% to 58% alloy. The alloys determine the color of the gold. For example, if more copper is used the gold becomes pink or rose color. Nickel and other metals from the platinum group help to make white gold. Which is best? It's really personal preference. However, don't let someone tell you that you need a 10kt. piece of jewelry because it's harder. The reason 10kt is popular is because of its affordability. It has less gold, so it's less expensive. 14kt and 18kt have a very strong place in the jewelry industry and many fine pieces are made in no less than 18kt.

White gold is simply yellow gold that has specific alloys added to give the gold a whiter appearance. If you look carefully, you’ll see it has a slightly yellow tint to it. Rhodium is typically used to plate or coat the gold to give it a strong, bright white color. White gold still retains all the properties and durability of yellow gold. Eventually, the Rhodium plating can wear off; however, it is replaceable in most circumstances.

Platinum is rare. There is very little platinum on this earth and it is found in very few places around the world. This exquisite metal is 30 times rarer than gold. In fact, it is estimated that if all the platinum in the world were poured into one Olympic swimming pool it would be scarcely deep enough to cover your ankles. Gold would fill more than three pools. A total of 10 tons of ore and six to eight weeks are required to produce just one ounce of platinum. In comparison, only three tons of ore and five days are required to produce one ounce of gold. You can feel the difference in a platinum ring. Platinum weighs 60% more than 14k gold. And a six inch cube of platinum is a weighty 165 pounds!

Platinum jewelry’s density and weight make it more durable than other jewelry metals. Platinum does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely. Like all precious metals, platinum scratches. However, the scratch on a platinum piece is merely a displacement of the metal and none of its volume is lost. So, even though wearing it each and every day may leave an impression on the surface, it remains what it was - a symbol for all things eternal.

In addition to its strength and density, platinum has another remarkable quality - pliability. Platinum is so pliable, that just one gram of the metal can be drawn to produce a fine wire over one mile (almost 2 km) long. This quality has enabled jewelers to create some amazing, versatile platinum mesh accessories, which could not be fashioned from other precious metals.

Some rings, like sterling silver rings with colored stones in them, cannot be sized because of the heat involved in the process. Stones need to be removed so they aren’t burned or destroyed in the process. Some rings have a factory rhodium finish on them and again the heat will bubble or destroy the finish. These types of jobs should be handled by the manufacturer. Ideally, they are originally created in the proper size. Another sizing issue is with stone setting. In some cases, sizing a ring up or down causes the channels or holes the diamonds are set in to change their shape. This makes the diamonds loose and they can fall out quite easily. Invisible set diamonds and pavé settings are good examples of this.

There are lots of things that affect a diamond’s price. Two stones with the same weight, color and clarity can be a world apart in price and appearance simply due to its make. The “make” refers to the master craftsman’s contribution to the diamond or, in other words, how well the stone was cut. Careful attention to all the critical angles of the facets, the polish and the symmetry are just a few of the details that make the diamond dance and sing it’s ultimate performance. Hearts on Fire diamonds are an excellent example of that perfect cutting process. If you want to see the world’s most perfectly cut diamond, come check them out!

This is completely a personal opinion. No one knows your financial situation better than you do. We believe your budget is your decision and we’re happy to work with you whatever your comfort zone. Many people have heard the “Two-Month Salary Guideline” promoted by De Beers. That’s just a starting place. The reason for it is simple: your engagement ring is the most important, sentimental piece of jewelry you will ever purchase. It’s funny, but many people don’t think twice about spending $20,000 on a vehicle they’ll drive only a few years but get heart palpitations thinking about spending $3,000 on a diamond she'll be wearing for the rest of her life. The Occasions family believes that the dollar investment doesn’t always take precedent if you think about the "return on investment." It truly stands the test of time and becomes a family heirloom.

It's simple. The most classic thing to do is to buy a solitaire diamond on a classic Tiffany style band. That way you can present her with a diamond and chose a day to shop together for a bridal set or other style of mounting. If you want to surprise her with an engagement ring but don't know her tastes, start early by being a ‘private eye’ of sorts. Pay attention to what she wears. Is it white or yellow gold? Are her styles classic and simple or bold and trendy? Does she point out things she sees in magazines or on her friends? Pay attention to little details. Last but not least, trust your gut and get advice from a jeweler that asks you these questions and seems interested in her sense of style.

At least every six months. If you notice snagging or other problems you should see the jeweler immediately. If you'd like to clean your jewelry at home remember these important tips:

1. No Clorox or Chlorine Bleach ...this includes prolonged usage in hot tubs and swimming pools.
2. No toothpaste …it has an abrasive that will scratch!
3. Use a mild dish detergent or even Windex on diamonds …just remember to rinse well with fresh water.
4. When using commercial jewelry cleaners, don't soak pearls, emeralds or opals for prolonged amounts of time. These stones are porous and may dry out or dull. Pearls are typically attached by string or glue and can be destroyed by the cleaners.
5. DO NOT PUT ON THE STOVE TO BOIL IN CLEANING FLUID ....believe it or not, one of our customers did this and ruined the jewelry.