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2025 Fall Jewelry Trends

2025-10-092025-10-09 by Nikki Acker

As the leaves change and the air gets crisp, Fall 2025 brings a fresh wave of jewelry trends that blend classic beauty with a modern twist. This season is all about effortless elegance—think pearls with personality, layered looks, bold metal mixes, vintage charm, and yes—the return of the brooch (and it’s not your grandma’s anymore).

Here’s what’s catching our eye this fall at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers:

Pearls

Pearls are having a serious moment. But this fall, they’re less about tradition and more about personal expression. You’ll spot everything from baroque pearls with their organic, one-of-a-kind shapes to sleek strands paired with gold and silver accents.

Whether you’re dressing up or down, pearls bring a touch of elegance that feels current without trying too hard. We love how they add quiet luxury to everyday outfits or polish to an evening look

Vintage 14k white gold 3-row pearl bracelet

Layered Necklaces

Layering isn’t going anywhere. This season, it’s all about delicate chains in different lengths—perfect for stacking your favorite pendants, birthstones, or mix of metals. It’s a simple way to make your jewelry feel more personal and intentional.

Want to elevate your outfit without overdoing it? Start with two or three subtle layers and build from there.

14k white gold double layer necklace

Mixed Metals

Gone are the days of picking just one metal. Mixing yellow, white, and rose gold is not only accepted—it’s encouraged. This trend adds depth to your look and makes your jewelry more wearable across different outfits and occasions.
Whether it’s a mixed-metal bracelet or a pendant that combines silver and gold, these pieces are made to stand out and blend in.

Vintage sterling silver & 18k yellow gold pendant

Brooches

Yes, brooches are making a comeback—and they’re cooler than ever. Think bold, artful, and full of personality. Pin one on a blazer, coat, or even a handbag to instantly upgrade your outfit.
Today’s brooches merge timeless craftsmanship with contemporary style, making them the unexpected hero of your jewelry box this season.

18k rose gold Judy Mayfield starfish brooch/pendant set

Vintage Revival

Vintage-inspired jewelry continues to make waves this fall, with intricate designs that nod to the past while feeling completely fresh. From filigree details to bold Art Deco shapes, these pieces tell a story—and who doesn’t love a little history with their sparkle?
At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we’ve curated a beautiful collection of vintage and vintage-inspired pieces that celebrate craftsmanship, artistry, and timeless style.

Vintage 14k yellow gold link bracelet

The Art of Layering Necklaces

2024-07-152025-10-09 by Bryan Nguyen

Perfecting the art of layering necklaces can be a challenge, even for those expert in fashion. No other accessory elevates an ensemble quite like luxuriously stacked necklaces of diverse shapes, sizes, and designs. If you’re intrigued on how to enhance your style with an elegant stack of necklaces, these tips will help you sport this trend like a professional!

The Power of Three

To maximize the impact of the layered necklace appeal, we advise combining at least three items of different lengths. But don’t feel limited! Feel free to wear more if you desire; more can sometimes be more audacious and exciting. The varied blend of textures, colors, and materials will keep you continually captivated by this trend.

Blend Diverse Styles

The secret to successfully balancing and layering necklaces effortlessly is by combining various styles. Pair a refined pendant necklace with a bold gold choker, and top it off with a lengthy lariat. Add a pop of color with appealing charms or eye-catching enamel. Personalize your stack with a favorite emblem, like an anchor or infinity sign. Accentuate your neckline with sparkling diamonds or other dazzling gemstones.

Experiment with Varying Lengths

Necklaces come in multiple lengths perfect for layering. To create a waterfall effect that highlights each piece, we recommend layering necklaces of differing lengths. Start from the top with a choker or princess length and build downwards.

Necklace Lengths

Choker: 14-16 inches

Princess: 18 inches

Matinee: 20-24 inches

Opera: 30 inches

Ropes & Lariats: 35 inches or more

Blend Different Metals

In recent times, mixing precious metals has become timeless. It made its mark on every type of jewelry from two-toned watches to mixed metal engagement rings. No longer considered a fashion faux pas, it is now completely suitable to mix contrasting metals while styling. Achieve this look by pairing individual pieces of differing metals such as platinum or yellow gold, combining distinct shades of gold like yellow, rose, and white, or choosing a piece that merges several metals together like a braided chain or a pendant of contrasting metals.

Keep it Simple

The guiding principle to styling layered necklaces? Keep it simple! There’s no absolute rule on how best to wear your necklaces, so have fun with it. Consider it an opportunity to showcase your unique personal style, whether you prefer vibrant and colorful pieces or elegant and subtle ones. Remember, jewelry is an extension of your individuality, be sure to make it entirely personal to you.

Throughout the day, layered necklaces will inevitably intertwine, reshuffling themselves. You may question how to keep your fine pieces from becoming a knotted chaos. Avoid this by selecting chains of different thicknesses less likely to twist together. Also, keep a small gap between each piece in your stack to prevent them from entangling. If the knots do occur, a pointed object like a needle, partnered with a small amount of oil can help smooth out any tangles.

The best place to find chic layering necklaces for less is Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers! We have an incredible selection of fine jewelry, from necklaces to bracelets, and everything in between. Shop lavish layering necklaces with dazzling diamonds or explore chunky layered chains that’ll help you stand out and make a statement. No matter your personal style, you’re sure to find necklaces you’ll love at Leo’s!

Love in Vogue – Engagement Ring Trends Taking the Spotlight

2024-04-152024-05-24 by Bryan Nguyen

Surprisingly, we find ourselves five months into the New Year. Amidst the distraction of stunning jewelry, we’ve closely observed emerging 2024 engagement ring trends. The past year brought us floral motifs, diamond accents, and rose gold settings. While some trends remain popular, this year introduces a few new styles. Let’s explore what’s hot in 2024-based engagement rings.

Colored Diamond & Gemstone Centers

Over recent years, colored gemstone engagement rings have increased in popularity, a trend continuing today. Favorites comprise sapphires in varied hues, yellow diamonds, and morganite. But the choice of color is entirely up to you! From a distinctively colored center stone to tinted gemstone accents, the color splash on your ring will make a striking impression. It’s crucial, however, to select a durable gemstone that can endure daily wear and retain its elegant shine for a lifetime.

Solitaire Settings

Renowned for their classic style, solitaire engagement ring settings were first introduced by Tiffany & Co. in 1886, accentuating the stone’s beauty and setting a trend. Despite its historical popularity peaking in the 1900s, multi-stone settings took the lead in the 2000s-2010s. However, the 2020s have witnessed a resurgence in solitaire settings’ popularity, particularly with oval cut stones. For an extra touch of sparkle in your solitaire setting, consider bands embedded with diamonds!

Unique Styles

The ever-classic round brilliant cut will perhaps perpetually dominate engagement ring trends. However, a dynamic shift towards unique styles and shapes, particularly pear and oval cuts, is evident. Boasting similar facet patterns and cutting techniques, these shapes add a contemporary spin on the traditional round diamond. The royal engagement and wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have notably boosted the allure of three-stone rings—these exquisite pieces symbolize a couple’s past, present, and future, imbuing them with an added layer of significance.

Diamond Cluster Rings

For those enchanted by sparkle and glamour, the trend of cluster engagement rings is quite compelling. A magnificently large central diamond nestles amidst a constellation of tinier diamonds, crafting an exquisite and captivating aesthetic. These cluster rings offer a vintage charm, ideal for the bride-to-be favoring a departure from conventional styles. A bonus—these clusters bestow an illusion of larger diamonds on your engagement ring!

At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we spend our days helping couples pick out the perfect ring, so we see engagement ring trends firsthand. Without guidance, you can always stay up to date on trends too! Visit our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue to find your dream engagement ring. Whether it’s currently on trend or not, the goal is to find the ring that you will love for many years to come.

The Popularity of Platinum

2024-02-232024-05-24 by Bryan Nguyen

Platinum is a popular metal among wedding ring designers because of its many fascinating qualities. It is a symbol of prestige and endurance, and its durability makes it a perfect setting for a brilliant diamond or a vivid gemstone. While it once was a more expensive option than gold, with gold’s rising prices, platinum now costs about half as much per ounce as gold does, making it a real bargain for wedding rings.

Purity

Platinum is a rare and valuable material, mined at about one-tenth the rate of gold, and ranks as the 72^nd most abundant element in our planet’s crust. It is one of the purest types of metal and if a jewelry piece is stamped with PLT, PLAT, or PLATINUM, then it is 95% pure platinum. In comparison, 18k gold rings consist of 75% pure gold and 15% alloy. Gold needs other metals added to increase durability, whereas platinum does not.

Durability

Platinum is much more durable than gold, will not bend easily, and is denser than its gold counterpart. Although they can be scratched, platinum rings are easily polished to their original state without losing any weight in platinum due to their density. It’s common for platinum engagement rings to last a lifetime without substantial wear on the ring shank.

Color

As we previously mentioned, the natural white color of platinum is a perfect backdrop for diamonds and other gemstones, since it has reflective properties. The best part is that its color will stay pristine for a long time without any maintenance. People often choose white gold as a more affordable but equally attractive alternative. But what most don’t immediately realize is that the rhodium coating used to give a white gold ring its chromatic shine must be applied again every so often, or the metal will reveal its less reflective undertones. In turn, platinum requires less maintenance for its reflective white color.

Timeless

The feature that makes platinum most valuable is its timelessness. Imagine a ring that can be passed down for many generations without losing any of its original appeal. Platinum rings are exactly that! Platinum is considered a high-quality metal and if crafted by a skilled designer, this ring will turn heads for decades to come.

Furthermore, unlike white gold, the ring will not lose any of its color and its shine can easily be restored by a jeweler. Some people even choose to leave the material dull as the contrast adds to the gemstone’s brightness. This style of platinum is known as patina. Finally, platinum rings are perfect for people suffering from allergies as they are hypoallergenic and contain no nickel.

Consider all the features we touched on and you may realize that platinum is a really good choice for engagement and wedding rings. A wedding ring represents a symbol of your eternal bond. Therefore, the ring should last as long as your love for that special someone! Leo Hamel’s offers a wide variety of platinum ring designs for you to choose from. Be sure to visit our luxurious showroom and find the most unique and wonderful wedding rings in San Diego.

What’s the Difference Between Vintage & Estate Jewelry?

2024-02-202024-05-24 by Bryan Nguyen

You may be intrigued by jewelry that’s not new. Buying vintage jewelry is a great idea, but it’s worth sorting out the confusion – what is antique jewelry as opposed to vintage, retro or estate? You will notice that these terms may be used very loosely and sometimes interchangeably on the internet.

This might be because the author doesn’t really know the difference or is trying to make a jewelry piece more appealing. Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is your reliable source for the distinctions in these categories. We are San Diego’s largest independent jewelry store for 45 years, with a vast collection of new and like-new jewelry in excellent condition – including antique, vintage, retro, and estate jewelry.

Antique Jewelry

For a piece of jewelry to be labeled antique, it must be a minimum of 100 years old. Right now, it means that jewelry that was made prior to 1924 is antique. However, in the real world, you can find that jewelry close to the age of 100 years is also included in this category. This is often the case with Art Deco jewelry. The Art Deco era lasted from 1920 to 1930, but it started to emerge around 1915. Still, antique jewelry remains jewelry that is at least 100 years old.

Retro Jewelry

Retro jewelry describes jewelry with distinctive characteristics that was made in the Retro era that lasted through the 1940s and 1950s. Saying that an item is Retro determines not just the age of the piece, but also some salient stylistic features. These include lavish amounts of diamonds, symmetry and asymmetry, fluid lines, feminine designs, and a “larger than life” feel. Retro jewelry was greatly influenced by Hollywood glamour.

Estate & Vintage Jewelry

Finally, we come to the estate or vintage category. Saying that a piece of jewelry is estate or vintage tells you that it was previously owned. It might have been originally purchased yesterday, two years ago, or 20 years ago, and may even look brand new. Some pieces from designer brands may be “discontinued” in production and therefore considered collectible.

Estate jewelry may have been part of an estate liquidation. Reasons for liquidations are many: the owner may be deceased, may have become divorced or insolvent, or just decided to sell part of their jewelry collection. Vintage jewelry was probably sold by the previous owner for various reasons. Perhaps it was no longer worn or was inherited, and the style doesn’t suit the new owner. Or maybe the owner was simply in need of cash.

So, browsing estate jewelry returns many results – pieces that could be antique, vintage, retro, or modern (but always pre-owned). Estate or vintage jewelry may or may not be fine jewelry, which is characterized by the use of precious metals and gemstones in its construction, and should be priced accordingly.

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is your go-to destination for the largest selection of new and expertly refurbished like-new jewelry in San Diego. Visit our showroom on San Diego Avenue, where our friendly staff can show you a handpicked selection of estate, vintage, Retro, Art Deco, and antique jewelry. Subscribe to our email list today to get notified of the hottest arrivals!

How Important is Vintage Designer Authentication?

2024-02-132024-05-24 by Bryan Nguyen

The market for designer handbags has always been hot. Because of the high level of desirability of these bags, many people are buying like-new vintage designer bags instead. One of the biggest problems the collector is facing is the influx of counterfeit bags in the market. Unfortunately, many of these counterfeit bags are hard to differentiate from the real thing. Only someone who is an expert on each brand’s serial numbers, stampings, stitching, and construction can always spot the differences.

Many people are turning to online shopping to find their dream handbags. But unfortunately, counterfeits are difficult to differentiate through online shopping. Online resellers don’t necessarily know that they have counterfeit items on their hands. Many are amateur bag owners, or people who don’t know how to identify an authentic bag, meaning that they may think their bag is real, simply because they don’t know better. Additionally, there may be resellers online who knowingly sell counterfeit bags, and usually at a massive discount. When buying online, or in person, if the bag’s price seems too good to be true, it likely is!

Verifying a Vintage Designer Handbag

One of the easiest ways to mitigate these risks is simple: shop in person. But make sure that the store where you shop is knowledgeable about handbags. Many secondhand goods dealers are not experts on all designer handbag brands. They may inadvertently be selling counterfeits that they believe are real.

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers in San Diego has been selling only genuine, authenticated vintage designer handbags for decades. Our in-house experts know exactly what details to look for and have access to authentication databases that most people don’t. All vintage handbags available in our showroom are guaranteed to be 100% authentic! Most bags are in like-new condition, so only you will know that you bought secondhand. Additionally, because you’re buying vintage, the bags cost much less than brand new.

Buying from local family-owned stores supports small businesses and allows you to be confident in your purchases. Removing the middleman, the shipping, and the counterfeit potential, is preferred over online shopping. And it’s easier to visit local businesses that offer authentication services.

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers has experts on staff who specialize in handbag and designer vintage authentication. By purchasing from our showroom, you’ll save money on your dream bags without worrying about counterfeits, price gouging, and shady selling practices.

Our selection of vintage handbags made by Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more designers changes all the time. If you’re looking for a specific bag, our team will consult our worldwide connections to find it, so you don’t have to navigate the market.

Whenever you are in the market for a like-new vintage designer handbag, visit our showroom. We also accept your like-new designer handbags on consignment so you can get money for something that’s just sitting in your closet! Visit us Tuesday – Friday from 11am-6pm, or Saturday from 11am-5pm.

How Can You Personalize Your Wedding Bands?

2024-01-262024-05-24 by Bryan Nguyen

Love of your life? Check. Engagement ring? Check. What’s next? Wedding Bands! Picking out your wedding bands offers the perfect opportunity to personalize the one ring you’ll wear for the rest of your life. One very popular way to do so is with an engraving. Engravings are an easy yet impactful way to personalize your wedding bands with a special message that is symbolic to you and your other half.

There are so many ways to engrave a ring. If you need engraving inspiration, check out some of our favorite wedding band engraving ideas below.

Fingerprints – your partner’s fingerprint can be engraved on the inside or outside of your wedding band, so you always carry a little piece of them with you.

Initials – engraving your initials is a sweet and simple representation of your commitment to each other.

Special Dates – any dates that have a special meaning to the two of you. The day you met, the day you got engaged, your wedding date, etc.

GPS Coordinates – if you first locked eyes in San Diego, you could have 7157 ° N, 117.1611 ° W engraved on your custom wedding band.

Meaningful Quote – whether it’s a line from your favorite poem, a romantic song lyric, or a symbolic bible verse, a quote is a beautiful and unique detail to add to your rings. If it’s too long, try using abbreviations or splitting it between both of your bands.

Infinity Symbol – pay tribute to your everlasting love by engraving a simple infinity symbol on your bands.

Nicknames – every couple has adorable, if slightly embarrassing pet names for each other. Engraving them on the inside of your wedding band is the perfect place to hide them.

Tips to Keep In Mind

Having your wedding bands engraved may seem like a simple task when it comes to wedding planning. But that doesn’t mean it should be put on the backburner! There are some things to keep in mind to ensure the engraving is everything you hoped for and more.

Since customization is involved, engraved wedding bands may take longer until they are ready to be picked up or delivered. Make sure you give your jeweler enough time to complete the engraving before your big day. The number of characters permitted is dependent on the ring size. Smaller rings allow fewer characters, whereas larger rings offer more space for an engraving.

Not every ring can be engraved. Some are too thin or high contoured, eliminating the possibility of engraving. If you know you want to engrave, opt for a style that will be easier to work with, like a thicker band with a smooth surface. If you’re not sure ask your jeweler for advice. Always, always double check the spelling of your engraving! The engraver won’t know exactly what you meant to say, so ensuring every character is correct is up to you.

Want to have your wedding band engraved in San Diego? Whether you already have your wedding bands or you’re looking to purchase them, contact Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. Our expert jewelers are here to help make all your engraving dreams come true. Your one-of-a-kind love will be perfectly captured in your one-of-a-kind wedding bands!

How Does Vintage Jewelry Differ From New Jewelry?

2024-01-052024-05-24 by Bryan Nguyen

The term “vintage” means different things to many people. For Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, it opens up an entirely different realm of choices for our customers. The way we use it, “vintage” simply means a piece of jewelry that was previously owned. Diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals are already millions of years old. Because of this, the distinction between “new” and “used” is more easily blurred in jewelry than other industries.

“Vintage” includes pieces ranging in age from those crafted centuries ago to those just born yesterday. Some pieces are from renowned designers such as Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Cartier, while others are irreplaceable treasures.

Drawing on decades of experience and technical knowledge, our expert jewelers scrutinize each piece. This ensures that it is authentic, made with genuine materials, and of top quality. Any pieces that do not pass their rigorous inspection are passed on to wholesaler. Those pieces that are deemed worthy of our standards and yours are reconditioned to look their absolute best. Our master jewelers skillfully retouch, refinish, and refurbish them so well that you’d swear they were just made yesterday!

There’s no difference in quality between our vintage and new jewelry – one of the best reasons to invest in vintage pieces! In fact, buying vintage gives you a much larger variety to choose from. You’re not limited to what manufacturers have decided to offer this season. Pre-owned jewelry is more distinctive than brand new pieces. And, when you wear something that people find fascinating or exceptional, it draws a lot of attention!

What Kind of Vintage Jewelry is There?

Antique jewelry from specific time periods – such as the Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro, Edwardian, and Victorian eras – frequently boasts extraordinary attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that mass-produced items will never have. Whether they are true antiques or more recently minted treasures, a skilled maker uses high-quality materials. They create vintage pieces that will very likely continue to appreciate over time.

When you buy vintage jewelry, you’re not only investing in unsurpassed quality and fantastic originality; you’re getting unbeatable value. Because our jewelers do all reconditioning in-house, we cut out the mark-up, so you get more for less. Our pieces have the same integrity and appearance as brand-new items without the daunting price tag. It’s even easier to afford the designer and luxurious style that you deserve. You get the same prestige at a different price!

Whether you like to splurge frequently on treats for celebratory events or a job well done, or periodically make more considered investments, buying vintage jewelry from Leo’s is a reliable, respected, eco-friendly way to make your dollars work harder. Let our vintage jewelry enrich your life with more style, sophistication, and a piece of history. And as always, we have a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re ever less than completely satisfied!

Tips for Taking Care of Fine Jewelry

2023-12-262024-05-24 by Bryan Nguyen

Did you get a fancy new gold necklace of a shiny engagement ring for Christmas? Congratulations! What makes jewelry so eternal is that it can always look as shiny as when you first got it, provided you take good care of it. Properly storing and caring for your jewelry, combined with an occasional visit to a professional will ensure that you will proudly wear your precious possessions for years and years to come. While some pieces of jewelry are fairly easy to maintain, others like pearls require extra attention and special precautions to be taken. In this guide, we will go through the proper ways of cleaning and taking care of different pieces of jewelry so that they truly last forever.

Jewelry Cleaning Advice

A rule of thumb for most pieces of jewelry in your collection is to follow your common sense. That said, one thing that can irreparably damage your jewelry is exposing it to household chemicals like chlorine bleach. These chemicals can discolor or completely ruin precious metal mountings. Likewise, avoid wearing your jewelry while you are doing rough manual chores or while you are playing sports as a hard blow could chip or jar loose the precious gemstones. When storing your jewelry, make sure that the pieces do not tumble against each other, as this can scratch them. Each piece of jewelry should be stored in a separate soft cloth bag or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box.

Silver Jewelry

You can clean sterling silver with a mild soap and warm water applied to a cotton cloth. To bring back its glow, wipe it with a jewelry polishing cloth specially made for polishing silver. Avoid circular movements and rub the silver in one direction instead.

Platinum & Gold Jewelry

Dilute dish detergent in a small bowl filled with warm water and soak your gold or platinum jewelry for three to five minutes. Rinse the jewelry under warm water using a clean cotton cloth to remove any traces of the dish detergent. Use a soft cloth to pat the jewelry dry. Make sure to dry it completely before wearing it again.

Gemstone Jewelry

Amethyst, citrine, blue topaz, and other crystalline gemstones should be cleaned in a bowl filled with water and a drop of mild dish soap. You can scrub the stones’ surroundings with a soft baby toothbrush. Rinse the soap thoroughly and dry with a cloth. Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies in gold or platinum are best cleaned by using water with a drop of ammonia. However, silver and organic gemstones can be damaged by ammonia, so use this solution only for gold and platinum jewelry.

Pearls

Keep pearls away from cosmetics, perfumes, chlorine, vinegar, ammonia, perspiration, and dirt at all costs. After wearing the pearl jewelry, clean it with a slightly damp cloth. You can wash pearls with mild soap using a soft cloth. Rinse any excess soap in clean water and wrap them in a damp cotton towel until dry. Store them in an environment that’s not too dry, as they require some humidity, so they don’t crack.

Professional Jewelry Cleaning

If you want to make sure your jewelry keeps its sparkle for years to come, have it professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year. If you notice that the stones in your jewelry are chipped, the prongs damaged or clasps malfunctioning, contact Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers immediately. Don’t risk losing your precious gemstones from a broken or bent prong! Our in-house jewelers are available for all your cleaning and jewelry repair needs so visit us on San Diego Avenue today.