In Love with a Welder

MANILA, Philippines - It’s fun when you are my age, almost 50, but not quite. I like it that I feel free to be me, and don’t have to really mind too much what other people might say.

When I was younger, it was so much easier to blend in. Easier, because being different read weird — for most other people. And, back then, weird wasn’t a good thing to be.

Today, the choices I make when it comes to what I wear and how I wear what I wear give me a style that is all my own. Weird or not.

I am not one of those girls who read magazines to see what is in or not; I sort of just make my style choices based on what I feel most comfy in.

And one of my best statement pieces that define who I am has always been my watch collection.

I remember getting all those weird looks when I opted to wear a watch that belonged to my late father because he left it for me after he passed away over a decade ago.

“What are you doing wearing a man’s watch?” was a common question. But that never bothered me, because I am a daddy’s girl and wearing his watch after he passed away kept him close to me.

My father loved watches. When I was younger, he would show off the watches he also inherited from his own father, as well as the watches he got for himself.
Going big time: John Ortiga, managing director of La Estrella del Norte Inc., wears his Welder watch.

I love watches, too — a case of “My dad lives on in me,” I guess.

I love what people in my youth used to call men’s watches. The bigger; the better. Today, I collect watches — the bigger, the better.

A shopping trip for me — whether here, in the province, or more so abroad — is never complete without a stop at a watch store.

And Then There Is Welder

“What a great watch,” I said to Sari Ortiga, owner of The Crucible Gallery where the “Dead Beliefs” exhibit of the best artist I know, Igan D’ Bayan, was held recently.

“You like it?” the shy Sari smiled. “It’s a Welder.”

Sari proceeded to remove his watch, showing its features. It didn’t take much to get an already awestruck me hooked, as I had my eye on a watch just like it.

When I got home, I Googled Welder, and I liked what I saw. Sari told me that the watch was available at Parklane Jewellers Inc. in Glorietta 3.

“If women want to buy an oversize watch, that is their choice,” says John Ortiga, managing director of La Estrella del Norte Inc., the exclusive distributor of Welder Watches. “That is why we brought in the Welder Watch in June last year, because we wanted to give people who look for unique watches a wider choice.”

A wider choice, and bigger and bolder choices, too, perhaps.

The primary inspiration for the Welder brand came from the same meaning of the word “weld,” which is synonymous with “to complete,” “to unite” and “to melt” not only metals but also innovative ideas all brought together by its Italian brainchild Italo Fontana.

With a brand like Welder, one can easily assume this watch is made for men. As soon as you hear the name, you know it’s going to have an industrial, hardcore design reflective of its namesake’s intense, backbreaking reputation.

The Welder watch comes in a toolbox, something that I fell for at first sight.
Be square: The Welder K25 and K26 are popular among women who like their watches by Welder.

My dad loved working with the tools in his well-cared-for toolbox, which was always loaded with all sorts of interesting things. The Welder watch brought back good memories of my childhood. The Welder is something my father would’ve loved, too.

It’s tough to classify watches — just as tough as it is to classify people.

I particularly like the Welder K24 series, as it has that industrial look; and it is also a tough-looking watch with a sense of great style.

“The watch is not (just) a man’s watch, even if the box it comes in is a toolkit or a welder’s box — if you like,” he adds. “Today, there is no such thing as a man’s watch anymore. Watches are statement pieces and people will wear what they want to wear.”

John adds that he does know of a few of his friends who like it when their wives or their girlfriends opt to wear a guy’s watch.

“People today are practical buyers,” quips John. “They save up to buy watches that will last, and that will make them stand out.”

A close look at the Welder watch assures one that it is no softie. It is built tough and backed by Italian craftsmanship and technology.

However, the heavy-duty casing isn’t the only aspect to love in the Welder. Its utilitarian design also demands respect for its traditional, yet cutting-edge look.

Let’s Talk

“We were actually one of the first stores to bring in the oversize watches,” adds John. “In a way, we started the interest in these kinds of watches.”

“Are there a lot of girls who buy Welder watches?” I ask.

“What my girl friends who have bought the watch said is that they love the black casing and the play of colors on the dial and hands,” he says. “There is (an accent of) red, orange and green so that is a good attraction for the women who go for the Welder watch.”

“And for the guys?” I query further.

“The guys like weekend watches,” quips John. “When they are at work, they wear the corporate-looking watches. But on weekends, they like to express the cool dude persons that they are. Welder is the perfect choice.”

Of course, the Welder is a good conversation piece. John shares with me how he is often asked about the watch he is wearing when he goes out with friends. “They get interested and get one, too,” he laughs.

John is well aware of the fact that the Welder market is a niche market. Yet, he points out that he wants people to be able to afford it also.

“The Welder is something that our niche market saves up for,” adds John. “And they get a good quality watch with a unique and cool design.”

And, yes, I love everything about my Welder.

* * *

Welder Watches are exclusively available at Parklane Jewellers Inc. at the ground floor, Glorietta 3, telephone number 818-6123 and the second floor, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place, Malate, 536-3963.

Betting on Gold during these Rainy Days

Filipino OFW’s and especially here in Manila, Philippines may be in for some rough sailing these days with the US economic and financial recession turning its ugly head Asian bound after crippling the rest of the world for the past couple of months. But as the saying goes, there lies a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and investing in the precious metal – GOLD - might still be a good idea despite the crumbling global economy.

As gold is the world’s most precious metal and a far better alternative and effective source of investment risk diversification, surely one ca n conclude that investing in gold will never be a losing alternative - EVER!!! Today most of the world's gold could be sourced, found and produced in South Africa, the U.S.A, China, Canada, Russia, Indonesia, Peru and even here in the Philippines with data’s showing still nearly a trillion worth of unexplored gold reserves as of last year alone. Despite being almost everywhere on the planet, gold is very difficult to mine and the process for finding it, extracting it and purifying it all equates to increasing cost of money. On the other hand, it's also the best material suited to making fine jewelry because of its natural characteristic of being very malleable yet strong and would not erode, rust or corrode through time. It is a metal that is relatively light and can be worn easily and comfortably as a jewelry piece throughout the day in the form of rings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces and especially earrings. This has given gold the supreme place as the best and most popular metal around and the range of styles, varieties and colors (yellow, white and rose/pink gold) it comes in today - via jewelries or even on watches - has secured its place and stature amongst society.

With this, ALEXIS has preferred using gold compared to all other metals available for its beauty and ease of workmanship in making fine perfectly handcrafted 18K gold jewelries. Since gold can be melted and shaped to create any design desired, every part of ALEXIS’s collection is skillfully done to duplicate exactly the precise design, motifs, symbols, and decorative themes of the current market’s preferences. Only top-quality work results in the artistry that is the hallmark of every ALEXIS product, which radiates not only the outstanding beauty of 18K gold, but clearly its superior high quality standard unsurpassed among the rest of its peers here in Manila and ultimately brought to life by the wearer. “Gold has ever since been treated as good as cash” reminds their managing director John Antonio Ortiga. “Gold remains an attractive investment till this day and is a good hedge against general uncertainties which almost everyone finds themselves situated in right now. Contrary to what people may believe, its actually a good time to buy now because the price is relatively low though prices can go either direction at any given time. Why risk the opportunity while price of gold is low!?! I believe whatever happens people will still continue to buy gold especially during hard times and with jewelries…be it ALEXIS’s fine 18K gold jewelries, what better symbolism or way to value your investment and hard earned money and reward yourself to get away from all this crazy anxiety for a change.”

At every ALEXIS branch located within the Metro, one can be assured that every piece of jewelry is specially hand-crafted into 18K modern YET AFFORDABLE pieces backed by a whole generation’s worth of quality. We at ALEXIS believe that the elegant designs of its custom-made jewelries can definitely speak for itself. As the recent events have obviously now played a part into everybody’s lives, we at ALEXIS understands and adapts to these market shifts or buying habits as they happen – real time.

As John relates, “Nowadays with the value of gold relatively down (as with everything else) after hitting an all-time high of USD $ 1017 an ounce last March 17, 2008, people now realize that gold in itself is a good investment vehicle which may be less prone to and the safest investment from fluctuations since it still carries a substantial amount of value and the returns to your money doesn’t completely evaporate overnight as against to banking with Lehman or other financial instruments out there today. However, we at ALEXIS realize that with this line of thinking, we should always have a re-evaluation of our jewelry produc ts and it must go in-line with the market’s demands and current trends but ultimately never sacrificing our quality standard just for a cheaper price. This is DEFINITELY a no-no in our business environment since for us quality is our #1 priority”.

Making each jewelry purchase all the more valuable is the fact that only ALEXIS dares certifies and back’s-up its quality claim by offering an individual diamond certificate for every diamond encrusted jewelry piece in its vast inventory. With this diamond certificate, ALEXIS assures that every diamond has been reviewed; evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweler’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools by a certified gemologists. A completed ALEXIS certificate would normally include an analysis and graphical representation (when available) of the diamond’s 4C’s which are namely its clarity, color, cut/symmetry, and carat weight.
Coupled with brand name watch lines such as: Baume & Mercier, Corum, Gucci, Universal Geneve, Jacques Lemans F1, Swiss Mountaineer, Charles Jourdan, Chronoforce, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Arbutus, Haurex, ELLE, Caterpillar, FUBU and various economical watch lines such as NBA and JJ to name a few, definitely John thinks ALEXIS is equipped to challenge the other existing watch retailers and maybe new entrants around the Metro. “As today watches greatly define a man and is viewed as their own personal jewelry piece, ALEXIS always tries to offer its clients something unique, elegant and never boring. Just like with our 18K jewelry line, we have been harping on delivering the best quality since day #1 and I believe that especially during these tough times with people more discriminate with their purchases – ALEXIS has a much higher chance of being preferred because we offer something different and unique yet affordable at the same time. Nowadays, its not the number of brands on your portfolio that will define your company. The rules in doing business today have greatly changed already. What’s the use if you have a lot of brands but don’t market and perform anyway?! I think its rather the ability to constantly look for new styles, trends and demands, to weather this unforeseen storm clouding over us now and face new challenges ahead while being profitable at the same time that will define you and your company eventually” At ALEXIS, offering something unique yet inexpensive is our main goal.

“Just be true to yourself, continue educating the market and turn every customer’s dream into a reality is the main driver ALEXIS lives for till this day” says John.

For a closer look at 18K fine crafted jewelry and watches of ALEXIS, you may visit its branches located at the Bldg. A SM Megamall, Dona Julia Vargas, Mandaluyong City (633-7035); Grd./F Main Building SM City North Edsa, Quezon City (927-9749); Grd./F Padre Faura Wing Robinson’s Place, Malate, Manila (522-7891); Grd./F Waltermart, Makati City (845-3258); 2nd Level Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia Bay Boulevard, Pasay City(556-0078); Grd./F Midtown Mall, Robinson’s Place Malate, Manila (567-1983) and at the newly opened mall Grd./F Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Alexis Jewelry Celebrates love this valentine's day

February has long been known as the month of romance and on the 14th is when people get a chance to celebrate and confess their love for their special someone or lifelong partner. Unlike other holidays, Valentines Day is actually celebrated throughout the world on this very same day mainly because love is something universal and is a feeling most people can associate with easily and wholeheartedly.

Whenever one thinks of Valentines Day, one would usually think of hearts, flowers, chocolates, cards and all the mushy stuff going off on the radio or the numerous packed concert venues offered around the Metro. For the people who would like to show their love in a much more practical, investment-oriented and to just make this day a little more extra special, there is always the choice of giving a classic, or should I say more sophisticated gift that would send your lover on cloud nine and this is via ALEXIS complete inventories of 18K gold jewelries.

All around the Metro, there are actually many places that you can go to buy your jewelry requirements but if you’d want fine crafted 18K hand-made gold jewelry pieces, look no further than here at ALEXIS. With the usual notion that the process involved with purchasing jewelry is a constant bore and gets very confusing, we at ALEXIS definitely wants to make everything simple and make everyone have fun while browsing through our extensive jewelry collection which definitely will bring a smile to your partner this Valentine!

The notion that "most men don't know a thing about jewelry," quips John, is a misnomer indeed. Being the Managing Director while overseeing the operations of ALEXIS, surely John may have a thing or two to say when it comes to finding that perfect jewelry piece for your partner. “You can never underestimate men’s taste for luxury” says John and finding all these luxurious indulgences could all the more be simplified because of the extensive jewelry collection (rings, earrings, wedding bands, pendants, chains, etc.) one can browse through when shopping under the ALEXIS chain stores situated around the Metro. “Back then maybe men would not know much things about jewelry, watches and luxury, but well now I guess were on equal footing” adds John who aside from overseeing the daily operations also selects, sorts out and could conceptualize these hand crafted jewelry designs into a reality. With the dawn of the new millennium where everything can just be “googled” via the net, its surprising that more men now have dwelled into the art of gemology wherein back in the days these matters where left for a woman to handle.

As we deal with the never-ending price fluctuations in oil/LPG, basic necessities as well as other precious commodities like gold, corn, rice and wheat worldwide, nowadays people have been more prudent in their daily expenses and would want something that would give them value for money for a reasonable investment firsthand. With this line of thinking today prevalent among Filipinos and that of societies worldwide, John notes that consumer spending and consumption habits have greatly changed as compared to a year ago. “With the value of gold increasing by the day since that start of 2007, people now realize that gold in itself is a good investment which may be less prone to fluctuations and in turn has shifted to this precious metal as one of their safer investment alternatives today.” quips John. “In times of financial trouble nowadays everyone realizes that with jewelries, it’s the next best thing to cash. Jewelries are definitely still highly mobile since in these challenging times, more than ever, customers are looking for great deals everyday.” “For me, the safest investment out there today would be gold and diamonds but of course jewelries containing both has even greater value and is more marketable than other precious stones or fancy items because everybody by now knows that if you park your money on these valuables, it will definitely just be worth more than a gem during the next couple of months.” states John.

With this, ALEXIS has preferred using gold compared to all other metals available for its beauty and ease of workmanship in making fine perfectly handcrafted 18K gold jewelries. Since gold can be melted and shaped to create any design desired, every part of ALEXIS’s collection is skillfully done to duplicate exactly the precise design, motifs, symbols, and decorative themes of the current market’s preferences. Only top-quality work results in the artistry that is the hallmark of every ALEXIS product, which radiates not only the outstanding beauty of 18K gold, but clearly its superior high quality standard unsurpassed among the rest of its peers here in Manila and ultimately brought to life by the wearer. “Gold has ever since been treated as good as cash” reminds John. “Gold remains an attractive investment till this day and is a good hedge against general uncertainties which almost everyone finds themselves situated in right now. Contrary to what people may believe, its actually a good time to buy now because the price is relatively low though prices can go either direction at any given time. Why risk the opportunity while the price of gold is low!?! I believe whatever happens people will still continue to buy gold especially during hard times and with jewelries…be it ALEXIS’s fine 18K gold jewelries, what better symbolism or way to value your investment and hard earned money and reward yourself to get away from all this crazy anxiety for a change.”

At every ALEXIS branch located within the Metro, one can be assured that every piece of jewelry is specially hand-crafted into 18K modern YET AFFORDABLE pieces backed by a whole generation’s worth of quality. We at ALEXIS believe that the elegant designs of its custom-made jewelries speak for itself. Moreover, ALEXIS proud’s itself in being the only fine 18K jewelry outlet here in the Metro who constantly offers clients quality products at very reasonable prices. Making each purchase all the more valuable is the fact that only ALEXIS certifies and back’s-up its quality claim by offering an individual diamond certificate for every diamond encrusted jewelry piece in its vast inventory. With this diamond certificate, ALEXIS assures that every diamond has been reviewed; evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweler’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools by a certified gemologists. A completed ALEXIS certificate would normally include an analysis and graphical representation (when available) of the diamond’s 4C’s which are namely its clarity, color, cut/symmetry, and carat weight.
In addition, with brand name watch lines such as: Baume & Mercier, Corum, Gucci, Universal Geneve, Jacques Lemans F1, Swiss Mountaineer, Charles Jourdan, Chronoforce, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Arbutus, Haurex, ELLE, Caterpillar, FUBU and various economical watch lines such as NBA and JJ to name a few, definitely John thinks ALEXIS is equipped to challenge the other existing watch retailers and maybe new entrants around the Metro. “As today watches greatly define a man and is viewed as their own personal jewelry piece, ALEXIS always tries to offer its clients something unique, elegant and never boring. Just like with our 18K jewelry line, we have been harping on delivering the best quality since day #1 and I believe that especially during these tough times with people more discriminate with their purchases – ALEXIS has a much higher chance of being preferred because we offer something different and unique yet affordable at the same time. “At ALEXIS, offering something unique yet inexpensive is our main goal.” notes John.

Get bedazzled and enchanted by the best 18K quality jewelry and watch collections of ALEXIS in all its branches located at the Bldg. A SM Megamall, Dona Julia Vargas, Mandaluyong City (633-7035); Grd./F Main Building SM City North Edsa, Quezon City (927-9749); Grd./F Padre Faura Wing Robinson’s Place, Malate, Manila (522-7891); Grd./F Waltermart, Makati City (845-3258); 2nd Level Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia Bay Boulevard, Pasay City(556-0078); Grd./F Midtown Mall, Robinson’s Place Malate, Manila (567-1983) and at the newly opened mall Grd./F Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Love is what Valentines Day is all about and hopefully with ALEXIS as your preferred jeweler, you will have that special someone in your life with whom you can share this special day with. Happy Valentines Day to all!

Turning Every Filipino's Dream into reality

Gold, the traditional safe haven in times of economic turmoil proved to be more of a commodity that everyone loved to hate during the past year even amid the market turbulence that has engulfed practically the whole world as of now. As we begin 2009 and actually celebrate the month of hearts soon, gold has found a huge grip on its relevance and value as price for this metal has rallied by as much as $100 an ounce in spite of rising currencies like the US Dollar and Euro. As global financial institutions and retail shops from the U.S.A, Europe and even here in Asia continue to stumble daily in a blink of an eye, investing in assets that constantly appreciate – like gold jewelries, watches and all the more diamonds makes a lot more sense these days. Unlike cell phones, expensive cars and other gizmos whose value depreciates the moment it is bought from the racks, the price and financial returns for fine crafted jewelries definitely relies on a lot of various factors, but nevertheless has been proven to be the most safest, stable and has a longstanding value for money investment.

A piece of jewelry selected from ALEXIS, which is crafted from 18K gold and diamonds can be an instant heirloom, whether passed on as a gift or purchased for one's own enjoyment. The recent explosion of e-commerce means that nowadays consumers are confronted with more options and knowledge - and pitfalls – than ever before. Shoppers should know that the law’s that apply to shopping in a standard brick-and-mortar retail store here in Manila also applies to the net users and consumers of today. Consumers who fortify themselves with information and who take all precautions will find that jewelry shopping can actually be quite an enjoyable one for after all. Through all of this though, the essential key when buying fine jewelry is where its bought in the first place. One should have a certain level of comfort and level of trust in the jeweler and the venue/store itself.
At ALEXIS, offering the very best in jewelry retail shopping is definitely its main trust from the get-go! With 7 branches around the Metro and 30 years of jewelry shopping experience to fall back on, ALEXIS is still the only jeweler ever since before who manufactures 100% Filipino made their own 18K fine jewelry line and has a ready stock of inventory and resources to offer clients a wide assortment of diamonds upon their discriminating demands or requests.
“In spite of these hard-times we all are faced with at the moment, I believe Filipinos will still celebrate whatever special occasions and reward themselves or show their love for their significant others no matter how simple or not it may be” says John Ortiga, Managing Director of ALEXIS. “We at ALEXIS definitely strive to give the best value for money and AFFORDABLE jewelries to every Filipino by developing innovative and unique products and designs, have various marketing campaigns/tie-ups and expand our retail network so that every Filipino can have a chance to browse and maybe add a little something to their personal collection in the next couple of months. I believe that during these difficult times -with more people being discriminate with their purchases and kuripot being the new fashion today- ALEXIS has that higher chance of being preferred since quality is our #1 priority while affordability sets us apart from the rest” adds John.
“Investing in jewelries at this point in time is a very wise choice since jewelries are not susceptible to the fluctuations that takes place in stocks or the currency market” reminds John. “You really don’t have to pay attention daily to the stock market nor worry about if your purchase the next day would be of less value since prices for gold, which is the base metal all ALEXIS products are crafted from, doesn’t deviate and fluctuate as much as its other investment counterparts. All you need to do is keep your jewelries safe and clean” states John. Adding furthermore, “jewelries are the best form of art! You can wear them and at the same time be a portable investment because you can take them anywhere you go until its ready to be handed down to the next generation” adds John. In this line of thinking, one can never go wrong especially with the bargain prices ALEXIS positions it to be as against the top jewelers here in Manila and abroad.
With international renowned watches such as: Baume & Mercier, Corum, Gucci, Universal Geneve, Jacques Lemans F1, Swiss Mountaineer, Charles Jourdan, Chronoforce, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Arbutu s, Haurex, ELLE, Caterpillar, FUBU and various economical watch lines such as NBA and JJ to name a few, definitely John thinks ALEXIS is equipped to challenge the other existing watch retailers and maybe new entrant s around the Metro. “As today watches greatly define a man and is viewed as their own personal jewelry piece, ALEXIS always tries to offer its clients something unique, elegant and never boring. Just like with our 18K jewelry line, we have been harping on delivering the best quality since day #1. At ALEXIS, offering something unique yet inexpensive is our main goal. “Turning every Filipino’s dream into a reality is the main driver ALEXIS lives for till this day” says John.

For a closer look at great 18K jewelries and watches of ALEXIS, you may visit any of its branches located at the Bldg. A SM Megamall, Dona Julia Vargas, Mandaluyong City (633-7035); Grd./F Main Building SM City North Edsa, Quezon City (927-9749); Grd./F Padre Faura Wing Robinson’s Place, Malate, Manila (522-7891); Grd./F Waltermart, Makati City (845-3258); 2nd Level Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia Bay Boulevard, Pasay City(556-0078); Grd./F Midtown Mall, Robinson’s Place Malate, Manila (567-1983) and at the newly opened mall Grd./F Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Quality tips in Buying Diamonds and Fine Quality Jewelries

As global financial institutions and retail shops from the U.S.A, Europe and even here in Asia continue to stumble daily in a blink of an eye, investing in assets that constantly appreciate – like jewelries, watches and all the more diamonds makes more sense these days. Unlike cellphones, expensive cars and other gizmos whose value depreciates the moment it is bought from the racks, the price and financial returns for jewelries definitely relies on several factors, but nevertheless has been proven to be the most safest, stable and longstanding value for money investment of all time.

A piece of jewelry made from 18K gold and diamonds can be an instant heirloom, whether its passed on as a gift or purchased for one's own enjoyment. The recent explosion of e-commerce means that nowadays consumers are confronted with more options and knowledge - and pitfalls – than ever before. Shoppers should know that the laws that apply to shopping in a standard brick-and-mortar retail store here in Manila also applies to the net users and cyber consumers of today.
Consumers who fortify themselves with information and who take precautions will find that jewelry shopping is actually quite an enjoyable one for any male and especially females alike. Through all of this though, the essential key when buying fine jewelry is where its bought in the first place. One should have a certain level of comfort and level of trust in the jeweler and the venue/store itself.
With 30 years of solid retail experience and 7 outlets to date, ALEXIS is the only jeweler who manufactures still 100% in house their own 18K fine jewelry line and has readily the inventory and resources to offer clients a wide assortment of diamonds upon their discriminating demands or requests.
When buying diamonds, John Ortiga managing director of ALEXIS clearly outlines several critical factors one should consider before concluding the dream of a lifetime. “ Its very important that when buying any jewelry or diamonds for that matter, look first at the 4C’s rather than price!!!” The 4C’s are broken down into cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. John clearly states that “Together, the 4 C's determine a diamond's value. It is essential to understand each of these 4 C's before purchasing a diamond because each C speaks differently to each individual. No two diamonds are ever alike!!! Each diamond is different from the other and that’s why they say diamonds are forever because you can never get another like that! For some, the carat weight is more important while for others it is the cut. Both are perfectly ok, there is no right or wrong answer to this but ultimately it would all depend on the personal preference of the consumer”.

Cut is by far arguably the most important factor for John, as he states “because for me all factors being constant, a skillful cut is what will unleash the fire and brilliance in a diamond”. Cut, which refers to the various facets within a diamond, should clearly not be confused with shape - such as round, marquise, oval, princess (square), etc. With regard to color, grading begins at D; the deeper into the alphabet one goes, the poorer the color. The more color a diamond has obviously means the stone is less desirable but NOT worthless though.” reminds John. Clarity refers to the presence of - or lack of – imperfections/impurities called inclusions. Clarity is graded on a scale ranging from flawless to imperfect.” While the final C is carat weight which most people believe that carat refers to the size of a diamond while in actuality; carat is the term used to measure a diamond's weight. The larger the diamond, the greater its rarity and hence these generally have a greater value per carat as well.
With this in mind, one should also know their karats of gold standard for that precise jewelry your dying to own at ALEXIS. “Look for the karat mark, which will tell you how much percent of pure gold is contained within your jewelry piece.” Oftentimes, gold is alloyed with other metals, such as copper, silver, nickel and zinc to give it added strength and durability. Different proportions of these alloys also give gold its rose or white coloration. “18K gold contains 75% gold which is what clients could actually expect from every ALEXIS product in stock. We do not cater to jewelry pieces of lower karatage since we believe this is our competitive advantage as against the other jewelers here in Manila and we will be sticking by our advantage rather than conform to the norm and the rest of our competitors.” John reminds ALEXIS existing and future would be clients that for every ALEXIS piece, “we TRY and offer something unique, different and definitely value for money. Of course in creating jewelries, we want the client to feel important, affluent and wear this with pride. Jewelry should be made as a portable art while at the same time an investment because you can take it with you anywhere you go.”

With this knowledge in mind and while these are the 4 most recognized C's, a fifth and less recognized, yet equally important C does exist adds John. “That is Confidence, specifically confidence in your jeweler is extremely important when buying any piece of jewelry that will last forever, and be passed down among generations. Being the 3rd generation and weathering numerous difficulties faced during these past 30 years, ALEXIS truly treats every jewelry piece with the highest ethical standards in the market today and provides their staff with ongoing education and training to adopt to the modern times. “I think its the ability to constantly look for and manufacture from scratch new styles, trends and demands, to weather this unforeseen storm clouding over us now and face new challenges ahead while being profitable at the same time that will define you and your company eventually” adds John in closing. At ALEXIS, offering something unique yet inexpensive is our main goal.

For a closer look at 18K fine crafted jewelry and watches of ALEXIS, you may visit its branches located at the Bldg. A SM Megamall, Dona Julia Vargas, Mandaluyong City (633-7035); Grd./F Main Building SM City North Edsa, Quezon City (927-9749); Grd./F Padre Faura Wing Robinson’s Place, Malate, Manila (522-7891); Grd./F Waltermart, Makati City (845-3258); 2nd Level Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia Bay Boulevard, Pasay City(556-0078); Grd./F Midtown Mall, Robinson’s Place Malate, Manila (567-1983) and at the newly opened mall Grd./F Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Romancing the stone

Fiction, folklore and history have exposed us to the magical world of gemstones. Legends and annals alike regale of knights who would fashion amethysts, rubies and garnets into their armor to protect them in battle. The ancient Egyptians, the dynastic Chinese empire and the American Indians believed in the magical powers of gemstones, and how these could do everything from warding off bad spirits to thwarting misfortune and curing a variety of ailments.

In blockbuster films and video games, we have both heroes and baddies risking life and limb to discover buried crystals, which supposedly contain an unimaginable life force and powers, elixirs of youth and potent energy.

Back in the ’80s and the ’90s, we would have scoffed at the suggestion of stones being more than just inanimate clusters of mineral. They would have been categorized in the realm of New Age and mysticism, along with Enya, tarot readings and Edgar Cayce, often misunderstood and deemed a bit too overwhelming.

But when the 21st century hit and steered in the age of yoga, meditation and biomagnetic jewelry, the concept of beneficial gemstones became something more acceptable. The popularity of alternative medicine also strengthened the portfolio of gemstone healing; suddenly, semi-precious stones and quartz were being sold more than just for their aesthetic value.

Though there will always be skeptics, the appeal of gemstones has now crossed over from the New Age realm into the mainstream. How could it not when, just by conspicuously wearing chunky crystals around their neck, royalty, athletes and Hollywood celebs back up the benefits of stones. Princess Diana was said to have been into crystals. Another Brit royalty divorceé Sarah Ferguson is also a fan of gemstone healing. Uma Thurman, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry and even Clint Eastwood have all been spotted wearing gemstone necklaces around their neck, either for harmony or to promote vitality and happiness. Swedish Olympic record holder Glen Christiansen, who surpassed nine world-swimming records, has touted the abilities of green tourmaline, citing how it gives him “a lot of strength” and helps him recover faster from grueling workouts.

Then the scientific explanations started filtering in, further concretizing the appeal of stones.

How is it that a solid, inert mass can be responsible for healing and rehabilitation? Physics explains that all matter is energy in physical form, and gemstones are no exception. Formed over hundreds of thousands of years, often at high pressure deep in the earth, these gemstones contain and exemplify intense concentrations of energy that, when harnessed and used properly, can probably do things most people wouldn’t be able to comprehend — even do amazing things for the body.

Though the regular M.D. won’t probably come out and endorse a hematite rubbing over prescription drugs, the concept of crystal healing as an alternative technique for strengthening the body and resolving personal issues doesn’t leave the mind reeling as much as it did 20 years ago. Along with the energy explanation is the theory that gemstones carry “vibrational rates,” which when placed within the aura (in metaphysics, the energy field emanating from the surface of a person or object) affects its vibrational rates.

I probably just lost you. So just think of it this way: the energetic properties of gemstones are already used in many areas of technology. The ability of crystals to conduct energy isn’t as strange when you realize that it’s used to run appliances. Television sets, portable phones personal computers, wall clocks and watches run smoothly because of quartz crystals. In the same effect, why can’t this same energy affect something organic and alive?

Italian watch brand Frankstone has quartz in its watches, but not necessarily to power the mechanisms of their timepieces. Recognizing how city-folk are, more and more, turning to the age-old practices of Bikram, breathing and biomagnetics to deal with fast-paced urban living, the young Milan-based company decided to incorporate the ancient belief in gemstones to give urbanites a reprieve from the mental and physical toxicity afforded by the city.

Brought to the Philippines by the Alexis group, with the determined recommendations of brand manager JR Ortiga, Frankstone watches use a special patented system — a back hinge for the men’s watches and a screw cap for the women’s line — that sets into the case of the watch a series of stones that come in direct contact with the wearer’s skin. Combining Italian creativity, Japanese workmanship, and a profound knowledge of the cultures of Asia and Africa, this collection of precision watches harnesses the energy and the natural balance that emanate from carefully-selected natural stones, perfectly shaped into smooth, flat discs.

Whether you buy a chunky matte gold steel watch or a rhinestone-encrusted piece, each Frankstone watch already comes with a clear ialine quartz disc, which, Ortiga reveals, is supposed to help with overcoming stress. However, with an extra purchase, you can also choose from seven other crystals that can be used to replace the ialine, depending on your mood and needs. These are seven of the most well-known gemstones, gathered from all over the world:

• Amethyst (Harmony stone) — This light violet stone, sourced from Brazil and Tanzania, is said to help one tune into a higher awareness of knowing. The amethyst aids inspiration, intuition and willpower by fighting selfishness, inferiority complexes and insecurity. It also provides common sense and flexibility in decision-making and promotes imagery and mind quieting.

• Red jasper (Initiative stone) - Found in Mexico, the bloody variety of jasper is known to aid personal activity, boost the enterprising spirit, give courage, strength and physical energy, and bring luck. It also helps bring problems to light before they become a threat.

• Haematite (Detox stone) — This shiny black stone, said to be “the grounding stone” centers the mind and turns fuzzy thoughts into mental clarity. Mined in Brazil, this stone detoxes the body by combating the tendency towards negativity. It also enhances concentration and memory, and restores equilibrium and stability.

• Green Jade (Communication stone) — This popular stone from China, this stone renders people more likable and, at the same time, teaches acceptance of other people and situations. The green jade emanates a serene and calming energy, helping a person become less critical of the self and others.

• Tiger’s eye (Personality stone) - This stone supposedly transforms anxiety, fear and obsessiveness into practicality and logic. Believed to encourage decisive, concrete action by aiding concentration and contrasting arrogance, this South African import is recognized for bringing money, courage, confidence and willpower.

• Rose Quartz (Love stone) — One of the more mainstream stones, this pinkish quartz from Brazil helps with the proper flow of vital energies. Said to have a “soothing influence,” the rose quarts helps in the discovery of self-love and self-acceptance and makes us more open to other people.

• Sodalite (Assertiveness stone) — Mined in Brazil, the sodalite has an impact on communication and knowledge. It aids assertiveness by calming the mind and stimulating freedom and is used for expressing logic and ideas.

Frankstone and Ortiga, however, are quick to point out that their watches are not therapeutic instruments, nor are they “a cure-all for the world’s ills.” These pieces are meant to help one “take a step back and rediscover those traditional values that we’ve lost along the way.” A Frankstone watch is a way of reconnecting us with the rhythm, energy and balance of life.

Ultimately, the goal of Frankstone is “to produce an everyday object with a difference.”

Ortiga, who used to work in the IT industry before he joined the family business to promote Frankstone, believes that the watches and the natural stones it promotes can help young yuppies deal with urbanite living in the same way that a balancing biomagnetic bracelet can. An older market composed of people who have opened their minds and bodies to the inherent possibilities of energy might also find an attraction in Frankstone.

Then again, you can buy a Frankstone watch just for how it looks.

* * *

Frankstone is available at Park Lane, Glorietta and Robinsons Place Malate; Alexis, Mall of Asia and SM Megamall.