Protecting Your Jewelry at the Pool and Beach: The Ultimate Guide

We have a weakness for France, it's not new. The chic, the style, the croissants. Some of our most loved collections are French inspired: the ring collection named after the iconic French princesses, and of course our beautiful marquise collection, which we designed inspired by the Louis XV era and named after French marquises, wives of French kings. Not necessarily the official women, but no less powerful.

The origin of the name Marquise describes a very desirable diamond cut, and originates from the shape of the lips of the most famous Marquise in the world, Madame de Pompadour, or by her official name: Jeanne Beaux. It is considered the most expensive and "wasteful" cut in the diamond industry because it was originally cut from a rectangular shape, and until the final shape is polished, a large amount of the diamond is lost. However, it is also the most spectacular thanks to the unique polishing and you know that we are in the business of the small details that make the difference.

There is no substitute for Parisian glam
It didn't surprise anyone that we went to Paris to photograph our beloved new spring collection full of chic, but the truth is that there was another reason this time. The recent increase in cases of anti-Semitism in France made us insist that right now and right there, we want to make our voice heard and that of the French who believe in freedom, liberty and equality. Despite the complexity, we chose to hold the photo shoot in Paris, and we are very happy about the choice and the opportunity to leave our mark in the city.

It was perfect, a lot thanks to the very talented house photographer who walks a long way with us, Shay Franco, and the beautiful and talented model-actress, Agatha Maksimov who comes to us straight from Paris and Moscow with over 1.2 million followers and a sea of captivating charisma. we fell in love

She had such a strong energy, such a palpable “don’t be fooled by the rocks that I got” vibe that we decided to start a monthly column dedicated to hoops and hoops only.

Sumerian earring, ca. 2600–2500 BCE

Hoops are back, one might say, but that would be a lie. Hoops were never really out. A hoop is a circle, and the idea of the circle is that it’s infinite, like time. The passage of seasons is cyclical, the sun is a sphere, so is the earth, and so is - in a way - a womb, in short, everything that gives life. This is why from ancient times hoops were often used as symbolic and sacred jewelry. The oldest earrings archeologists have discovered belong to Sumerian women who lived in 2500 BC - and what do you think, they were golden hoops! Few thousand years later you know who else wore hoops? William Shakespeare. And later still? Marilyn Monroe. And then Jenny from the block, of course.

But let’s leave Jenny for later and focus today on earlier historical hoop references - and how you can replicate their vibe with our HOTCROWN pieces:

You can't go wrong with basic hoops! This Persian Soldier in VI century BC knew that, and so do we: that's why we made our basic Whitney hoops.

Our Scarlett Earrings seem to carry the spirit of these ancient Roman pearl hoops - who would have thought it's been couple of thousands years!

This pair of ancient Byzantine earrings manifests the heavenly bodies - sun and stars; so do the Venus hoops from our Bey Star collection.

 Juliette Ring:

Noni Earring:

Rachel Ring:

are you ecxited like we are?

If we were to pick one HOTCROWN piece for each charachter,

What would it be?

Katerina ring for Khaleesi 

Enamel letter necklace for Jon snow 

Mehgan ring for Sansa

Crown earrings for Cersei

Let us know in the comments if you have any

other fun ideas 

When we think of buying earrings we all automatically think about pairs. We have two ears therefore we'll buy a pair of earrings. But if we can mix and match clothing pieces, why not earrings?

I can definetly be cought wearing a Zara dress, designer shoes and a vintage coat handed down to me by my grandmother. So what about wearing a different earring in each ear? Or, if you have multiple piercings, why not mix the length, the color and the style?

(We do recommend to only wear real gold earrings to reduce the risk of getting infections)

So, are you on board this earring party of ours? if your are, grab your cocktail and hop on. There are no rules, everything goes. Long and short, stud and dangling, with or without stones, different colors of diamonds- literally everything. 

And even more than that, earrings that have unique shapes, other than a circle, can be turned around in any angle you choose and give your ear a totally different look. 

for example Frida:

and Tatiana: 

if you have multiple piercings in your ear the options are endless for fun and colorful earring combinations. Here are a few ideas for an earring cocktail:

Nina, Marie & Agatha

Du barry, Valerie & MArtina

So if you have an idea for an ear party of your own, take a look at all our earring options, reach out to us and we would be glad to help you make it reality. contact us and LET'S PARTY

This cute couple visited us last week.

She needed a tiny resize for her engraved Charlotte ring he bought her. 

 We hung out, had lunch and chatted and before we knew it the ring was ready!

Ludo and Gael, we were happy to spend the morning with you and can't wait to see you again

xoxo

The HOTCROWN family

Here are some ideas for your own engraved Charlotte ring:

It can be a name 

Or a letter

 With a white diamond

Or a black one

Feel free to cantact us with your idea for a dream ring and we'll be more than happy to help

Last week we launched our new collection in an intimate and fun event. Our shop filled up with essential goodies, other than the jewelery, and we were so delighted to see you arrive and fall in love with the new items. 

Our new collection is a breath of fresh air to the HOTCROWN kingdom. It’s all about those “must have” items. High quality, handmade jewelry in an accessible price. If you don’t own a HOTCROWN piece yet, this is definitely your chance to start your own HOTCROWN collection!

We are also proud and excited to add pearls to our designs. They are bright, shiny and elegant. 

Meet scarlet-  a necklace, a bracelet and an earring. We love how classic they are. 

A bit about pearls...

For centuries, pearls have been a symbol of beauty and purity. Today, they are regarded as both classic and contemporary, coming in many more fashionable styles than your grandmother’s traditional strand of pearls.

did you know? 

Natural pearls are extremely rare. Historically, many were found in the Persian Gulf; unfortunately, today, most have already been harvested. You may be able to purchase small, natural pearls, but they will be costly.

Cultured pearls are grown in pearl farms. The mollusks are raised until they are old enough to accept the mother-of-pearl bead nucleus. Through a delicate surgical procedure, the technician implants the bead and then the mollusks are returned to the water and cared for while the pearl forms.

And back to our collection...

You know that feeling when you open your overflowing closet and all you feel like wearing are your good ol’ jeans and t-shirt? So this is what the collection will make you feel. Those items you will always go back to and feel super comfortable in, feel like yourself.

All Items can be personalised by your choice- diamond colors, different stones, different gold color or anything you have in mind in order to make your first HOTCROWN a perfect one for you.

The items are also great as an affordable gift for someone you want to make happy.

The earrings are sold as singles and will look great with any earring you have in your own jewelry box.

The rings, either set with diamonds or not, are basic and minimalist and are perfect for stacking either with items from the collection or with rings from your own personal collection.

Jewelry was always considered for that special treat or special occasion shopping. So this is our idea of day to day items you don’t have to pull out once every never. They can always be on you and of course- last forever.   

We hope you love this collection as much as we do and would love to hear what you think!

xoxo

HOTCROWN 

The year was 1996.

I was deeply in love with the coolest boy in class. Every night in my bed I was begging for cupid to stick an arrow in his behinds so he'll fall madly in love with me. I spent hours on the phone with my bestie, fantasizing about becoming his girlfriend. I felt like all of the Backstreet Boys songs were about us.  

Well, they weren't. Maybe just 'show me the meaning of being lonely' oh boy was I so lonely.

A week before Valentine's I took up the courage and sent him a love letter. I remember how every day of this week felt like forever to me. Every day I went to school, trying to catch his eye, trying to figure out if he got the letter on not. A day before Valentine's he noticed that I'm staring at him and smiled for a second. My bestie and I were sitting together and she saw how I'm melting in my chair.

On Valentine's Day, the worst thing happened.  As some of you probably guessed- my so-called bestie became his girlfriend during that same day and my heart was broken. I was crushed. I saw them together after school, he gave her a rose as they walked to the bus together. 

It was a very early lesson in love and expectations, and I had the best teacher- life itself.
If not for this lesson I would have missed so many things in my life. I'm thankful for this experience only because I've learned from it.

Well, love at the age of 12 isn't easy. Neither when your 25. But still, it's something we long for and wish to truly have in our lives. So this Valentine's I'm holding a loving husband (that doesn't know any of BSB songs!) but forever Valentine's will be the day where I got my heart broken and I celebrate this lesson every day.

I'm quite sure everyone has this heartbreaking story of their first (or second or third!) love. Don't save it to yourself! Share it with me, I would love to hear what you've learned from it.

Yours,

Ginat

. 

Many fashion designers started using this knitting style and are integrating them into their designs. But if you're into knitting or learning how to knit, the chunky knitting is a great way to start a new hobby. It's the most simple knitting technique and all you need are the special huge needles. But if you want to first try it out  you can even use your own hands! 

Since Valentine's day is coming up, I thought - how amazing would it be to cuddle under one of those chunky huge blankets? either with your loved one, your pet or just on your own accompanied by a book and some hot cocoa. 

So shall we start knitting?? 

Happy Valentines day from the HOTCROWN KINGDOM.

We hope you celebrate it like a queen ;)

If you feel lost, let us help you out by showing you a few of our favorites.

The round cut:

The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape. for over a century, diamond cutters have used advanced scientific theories of light reflection and precise mathematical calculations to optimize its fire and brilliance. For a bachelor unsure of what might please his lady, it is hard to go wrong with this classic choice.

our darling Audrey ring holds 3 round cut diamonds. Two small and one bigger centerpiece.

go to Audrey

The engagement rings that stars wear can inspire your own choice of ring. Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Aniston are just A few of the names who own this classic and timeless cut.  

The princess cut:

This dynamic shape has the extraordinary ability to look either modern or vintage and is a quite popular engagement ring choice. Its pyramidal shape with four beveled sides creates more light dispersion than any other square shaped diamond.

Princess cut diamonds are a stunning blend of classic sparkle and stylish angles. If you love a timeless look, but with a modern twist, our princess gold ring is the perfect match for you.  

go to Princess gold

Jaime Pressly, Hilary Duff, and Sarah Michelle Gellar are among celebrities who wear beautiful princess cut rings.

The pear cut:

With its graceful, tapered outline, a pear-shaped diamond is an elegant and flattering choice and can be a wonderful centerpiece for an engagement ring.  Jewelers consider the pear shape a “fancy shape,” also called a teardrop. This diamond delivers the most sparkle and brilliance.

Our amazing Marie Antoinette has a beautiful .85 pear-shaped diamond in the center and surrounded by 12 dazzling diamonds.

go to Marie antoinette

Katherine Heigl and Victoria Beckham have chosen to wear this stunning cut.

So what kind of girl is your significant other? is she a Scarlett Johansson, a Sarah Michelle Gellar or a Victoria Beckham?

FOR HELP PLEASE USE OUR CHAT (OR CONTACT FORM) AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU WITH THE PERFECT CHOICE

Well, it is!

If you want to get married, and you love what you see in front of you (her/him/them – we honor every love there is), then you must consider the holidays, that magical time of year, and dive in.

Imagine the excitement in your partner eyes, while opening Christmas gifts, for example, and one of them will be an engagement ring manifesting all your hopes and dreams of your future together. Don’t hesitate and jump on this opportunity to make the following year – memorable forever.

Once we’ve settled that part, you’ll have to move quick. The clock is ticking, and Christmas Eve, or New Year’s is right around the corner, and there’s no time to waste. But don’t worry we were born ready for times like this. We can help you with the process of choosing an engagement ring with eyes closed.
We are right and ready for this task!

So this is our engagement ring’s hack to choose the perfect diamond ring:

The Solitaire Diamond ring –

The most classic and iconic Engagement ring, it’s the real deal and doesn’t joke around, focuses on the most important thing – the diamond. This kind of ring demands a big and clear rock that will draw all attention available. This solitaire ring fits the flashy, bling bling kinda person. If this sounds like your future fiancé – this is the ring.

The Three Stone Ring –

Another classic, yet with a twist. With this kind of diamond setting you will definitely be the star of every conversation. There are many designs for three stone rings, we love especially the combination of black and white diamonds! Bold and different.

Go to: EMMA GOLD RING WHITE DIAMONDS

The Vintage Ring –

If your partner is an “old-soul” you have to adapt the vintage style! This kind of ring usually has a big shiny diamond in the middle surrounded by a halo of beautiful little stones. Very romantic, very dainty, absolutely gorgeous.

Go to: AMY GOLD RING DIAMOND

Who-says-it-has-to-be-a-diamond – Gemstone Ring –

white diamonds? Are you sure? Some of us aren’t keen of the royal look of the classic white diamond, and prefer a more fresh and modern look, which can be achieved easily by choosing a colored gemstone like Ruby or Sapphire.   

Go to: KATERINA ROSE GOLD RING

So now, take a deep breath and imagine your significant other with one of these rings – which style would put that spark in their eyes?

And remember to act on it quickly – 2019 is right around the corner.

For a personal shopping concierge, please use our chat (or contact form)and we will help you with the perfect choice.

Harry proposed in the couple's house on what the prince described as a "typical night." The two were roasting a chicken when Harry got down on one knee. She described the moment as "just an amazing surprise. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic." The couple will get married in Spring, surrounded by the colorful and cheerful season. Can it even be more perfect?

And now… let’s talk about that bling-bling! The beautiful engagement ring was designed by the prince himself. It’s a three-stone traditional ring. The main and center diamond is from Botswana, as it holds a meaningful significance for the couple, being their first trip together. The two diamonds beside the main stone, belonged to Princess Diana, Harry’s mother. He said having a piece of his mother involved in the occasion was very important to him.

We absolutely love three-stone engagement rings, just like our own essential and best-sellers, the Audrey and the Emma.

Audrey:

A traditional and elegant ring, with a classic and refined design.

Emma:

A glamorous twist to the traditional ring, a center diamond is accompanied by two shimmering pear-shaped white stones.

Prince Harry’s design is a stunning arrangement and looks perfect on Markle’s finger and has a substantial meaning. However, being such a party, playful and untraditional guy, we do think he could also have gone for a more unique style, like Prince William did with Kate’s 12-carat Sapphire ring.

Therefore, here’s our proposal for alternative and uncommon engagement rings:

Katerina:

An antique style with an aquamarine as the center stone. Adorning the gem are 28 sparkling diamonds creating a halo effect around it.

Amy:

An art-deco inspired ring with a delicate hexagon-shaped setting with a round diamond surrounded by small diamonds complementing the shape. The center stone can be replaced with your desired one.

Marie Antoinette:

Named after one of history's most ornate and stylish woman of the past, this ring has a jaw-dropping pear shaped diamond in the center surrounded by 12 dazzling diamonds.

Luna:

A statement creation made with a pear-shaped black diamond in the center of the ring. The stunning black stone is lined with 14 fine accent white diamonds. The halo frame on the diamond creates a timeless and elegant appeal.

Josephine:

A captivating rich Emerald stone in the center accompanied with two glorious diamonds on its sides inspired by French design and royalty.

Additionally, any accomplishment or milestone can be made a little sweeter and more memorable when it's marked by jewelry. For these reasons, we’ve brought you 5 jewelry must-haves as well as the stages of life in which we wish we would’ve received them. Plus, you can take them as tips if you don’t know when to give them away to your loved ones.

Every girl needs some sparkle in her life and the perfect way to have it is by uplifting whichever outfit with a pair of diamond earrings. Not only that, this piece is the absolute university graduation or 18th birthday gift. To meet this age means that a girl is accomplishing a big step in her life, as well as stepping into adulthood. What’s the best part of this jewelry must-have? Diamond stud earrings work whenever, wherever and for whoever- from day to night, for work, school and special occasions.

Halloween is here and what better way to celebrate this dark festivity than talking about black diamonds. Black diamonds seem especially appropriate around Halloween, the most spooky day of the year, but there’s really never a time when the gem isn’t fashionable. Before the 1920’s, black diamonds were held in low regard, but as time has passed, they’ve become essential in the fine jewelry industry. Take one look at a black diamond and it’s immediately clear why it’s so popular these days. Black diamonds are sparkly, sexy, dramatic, mysterious and fancy-looking. From engagement rings to earrings, black diamonds are showstoppers.

Black diamonds are hard to find and unlike traditional diamonds, they are composed of carbon atoms and small amounts of hydrogen. This has led to scientists theorizing that black diamonds are formed in the space, most likely by the explosion of a stellar supernova. Other researchers have even speculated that black diamonds are sure indicators of an extraterrestrial origin due to its content of nitrogen and hydrogen. Even though these theories haven’t been proved, they give an extraordinary and mythical background to these diamonds, which give them a sense of mystery and uniqueness. Moreover, studies have concluded that these diamonds were made over 2.8 million years ago, which increases its rareness.

Several cultures have adopted black diamonds as either a lucky or unlucky symbol. For instance, the ancient Indian culture considered black diamonds cursed due to their resemblance to a spider’s or snake’s eyes (HALLOWEEN PERFECT OR WHAT?). On the other side, in Italian culture, black diamonds were thought to bring good fortune to marriages since it’s called the stone of reconciliation. Italians believed that touching the stone would transfer the couples’ problems into the diamond.

The big question behind this rare stone has been if black diamonds are real or not, and the answer is an absolute YES. Although, they cannot be graded the same way as traditional diamonds. The reason behind this is that these diamonds are heavily included and mostly opaque. The natural color of a black diamond ranges from black to dark greys and it’s considered the rarest among all diamonds.

Since black diamonds are such a trend now, we feel they are the perfect accessory for Halloween due to its color, mystery, and background. Not only that, you know that black is ‘the new black’, the trendiest color of all. Black diamonds look good with everything, they can be combined with all types of diamonds and gemstones, especially white diamonds. The merger between white and black diamonds creates a breathtaking contrasting effect. Moreover, black diamonds can be mixed with all metal colors, either yellow, white or rose gold and look absolutely stunning in any way. They provide a fiercely fascinating contrast in all variety of jewelry, so standing out from the crowd becomes effortless when you’re wearing one of these opaque beauties. Even Carrie Bradshaw from Sex & the City got a black diamond engagement ring from Mr. Big. If this doesn’t explain how fashionable this stone is, we don’t know what else would!

Check out the different ways in which this precious stone can be used and be spooky, but with glamour!

We bring you 4 tips to master the mixing and matching of golds, metals and the latest jewelry trends.

As a company with a majority of female employees and customers, we thought it’s our duty to join such an important cause by donating 5% of every rose gold jewelry piece sold during this month and also by spreading essential information regarding this disease.

Each of our products is available in Rose Gold. Choose your favorite or browse the whole collection here 

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year and affecting countries at all levels of modernization. Therefore, it’s extremely important to be aware of all the risk factors, how to prevent the disease and what to do.

Facts About Breast Cancer:

• One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death among women.
• On average, every two  minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and one woman will die of breast cancer every therteen minutes.

Risks for breast cancer:

There’s a misconception about the number one breast cancer risk. People tend to think genetics is the biggest breast cancer cause, but we should know that the vast majority of women with breast cancer have no family history. In fact, aside from being female, your age is the biggest risk factor. "As we get older, our tissue gets older, and the risk of developing disease increases," says Susan Boolbol, MD, chief of breast surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. With age, we've also had more lifetime exposure to estrogen, which may boost breast cancer risk. However, family history does increase your chances of obtaining the disease, so you should consider getting screened earlier and contemplating about genetic testing.

The risks mentioned above are ones that you cannot prevent, but there are others that you’re actually able to avert. Under this list, there is lack of physical activity, poor diet, being overweight, drinking alcohol, radiation to the chest and taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is sometimes prescribed for menopause. It’s not about being extreme about it, but it’s about having a healthy and non-sedentary lifestyle taking care of your body and mind.

Here’s some important information and tips that can help you and your loved ones to prevent or discover breast cancer early:

Symptoms:

• A lump in your breast
• Swelling in or around your breast, collarbone, or armpit
• Skin thickening or redness
• Breast warmth and itching
• Nipple changes
• Nipple discharge
• Pain in or around your breast

Preventive measures:

1. Checking your breasts constantly at home is a great way to capture any change. People may often think there’s a particular way of checking your breasts, but actually, there’s no set way and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Instead, the most important thing is just getting to know your breasts. If you know what they feel like normally, you can be on the look for unusual changes. Moreover, you should be conscious of the fact that breast cancer doesn’t only appear on the breasts, so you should also check yourself from the collarbone area to the middle of the armpits.
2. Know your family history. Research about all family cancers because in the fight against breast cancer, knowledge is power.
3. Get up to date about mammograms. Every woman is different and you know you’re body, therefore, you know what’s right for you. However, doctors recommend following the new ACS guidelines that suggest that woman without a family history of breast cancer should start screening at the age of 40, have yearly mammograms from 45 to 54 and every two years after 55.
4. Try having a healthy and active lifestyle by exercising 20 to 40 minutes 3 times a week which can reduce the risk of cancer, as well as limiting yourself to a glass of wine a day.

Breast cancer affects millions of women worldwide and has more death rates than any other cancer. Performing self-checks regularly and educating yourself about breast cancer can help you or someone you know notice it in early stages and get adequate treatment. Luckily, with breakthroughs in science and medicine, survival rates increased significantly. Moreover, it’s important to stay informed and to know that we, women, are in this together and that we’re here to fight it together. Don’t fight alone!

Summer is over and it’s time to move to that perfect-weather season we’ve been expecting. One of the things we like the most about this much-expected season is the warm colors and rich textures it brings with it. In this post, we present you all the major fall trends of 2017 brought straight from New York Fashion Week: colors, jewelry, clothes, makeup and hairstyles so you can be prepared for this upcoming season!

Colors

According to Pantone, the color palette for Fall 2017 leans more towards warm colors. Comforting shades are crucial to this season, including pale pink, golden lime and marina blue. The colors are powerful and evocative like the ‘Grenadine’ which is a “confident and self-assured attention-getter” shade of red, or like the “Tawny Port” which is an elegant, sophisticated, and tasteful shade of burgundy.

Jewelry Trends

Following the color palette that Pantone took out from New York Fashion week, ruby is the dominating gemstone. Ruby is distinguished for its bright red color, being the most famous red gemstone. Besides its bright color, it’s a most desirable gem due to its hardness, durability, brightness, and rarity. Moreover, Saphire is the perfect match to the ‘Navy Peony’ shade, as well as the Emerald coming between ‘Shaded Spruce’ and ‘Golden lime.’

Amy ring:

Sofia ring:

ILU earrings:

Leeonora Necklace:

Matilda ring:

Fashion Trends

The runways at New York Fashion Week were a big surprise this season. Trends like fringes and one-shoulder pieces aren’t new, but designers are taking them to a whole new level of excitement. Neutral plaids are also trending now, appearing on every piece of clothes you can imagine, from boots to coats, to t-shirts and accessories. Moreover, this season’s runway demonstrated that flowers aren’t only blooming in spring and that metallic sparkles can be used all year long, at daytime and nighttime.

Florals

Glitter Bomb

Leather pants

One shoulder

Neutral plaids

Makeup Trends

This fall’s beauty trends are the opposite of no-makeup: dramatic and unique eyeliner trends, strong eye looks and lip color statements following this season’s color scheme.

Cold weather cheeks

Eyeliner interrupted

Brown lips

Blue Eyeshadow

Sunset eyes

Dramatic Eyeliner

Hair Trends

The hair for this season is all about the drama of simplicity. The runways showcased natural and relaxed looks, as well as exotic tribal braids, and easy-to-pull-off wet styles.

The sleek wet look

Relaxed curls

Short bobs

The bowl cut

Tribal braids

Natural lengths

This season is full of inspiring colors, trendy pieces and fun trends.

Find your favorite ones and enjoy this season!

Lechaim, Salud, Cheers to New Beginnings

Happy Jewish New Year! Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Rosh Hashanah is considered the universe’s birthday, the day Adam & Eve were created, Therefore, it’s one of the most important festivities in the Jewish religion. It’s celebrated very soon, so we decided to dedicate a blog post for such a special holiday focusing on its main messages.

Rosh Hashanah actually means “head of the year” and just like the head controls the body, our actions on this special time, have a tremendous impact on the rest of the year. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to reflect and plan a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

* This pomegranate is decorated with our signature Gold Crown Ring. Get it here >>

This festivity and the one coming after, called Yom Kipur, are holidays which are meant for reflection and introspection. Although humans should deal with this kind of matters throughout the year, the holidays give you the perfect opportunity to stop and think of what you’ve done right and wrong during the year. What would you want to improve and from who do you need to ask for forgiveness. This way, one should start the new year hoping to be a better person with a set of goals and a purpose in life.

The word shanah, which means year, also has the definition of ‘shinuy’ which is translated into change. Therefore, Rosh Hashanah is also the beginning of adjustment in our lives, where we look to better ourselves for the coming year. This decision to change serves as the perfect opportunity for growth in every aspect of our lives. “There is no renewal without change and there is no change without renewal.”

During Rosh Hashanah, we bless each other to have a sweet good year. This expression was created many years ago in a time where there was almost no sugar and sweets were considered a rare delicacy. Nowadays, Jewish people have the custom to dip apples in honey as a symbol for it. We also eat pomegranates referring to a year full of many blessings like a number of seeds it contains. Additionally, Jewish people eat a fish’s head during this holiday, symbolizing how we should always strive to be the head and not the tail. It’s a symbol of our personal aspirations to lead in every aspect of our lives, personal or professional.

Why are we telling you all that? We believe the concept of the Jewish new year’s is universal and everyone can learn from it, to appreciate how far they’ve come in their life. Then, to take the time to determine what’re the next steps for a better life. And finally, try to reach a state of acceptance within yourself to be able to realize that your past can serve as a motivation for an improved future.

We wish you the sweetest year of all, surrounded by the people you love the most! Chag Sameach.

We like to make things easier for you, so we’ve rounded up the most romantic and unique honeymoon destinations across the globe, each of them offering something new for the newlyweds. And don’t be disappointed if you don’t get to visit more than one destination, you can save them for other romantic getaways.

1. Jamaica:

Are you a free-spirited kind of person? Are you expecting to have one mojito on your left hand and one piña colada of the right hand every morning at the beach on your honeymoon? If you are, Jamaica is your place. First of all, it’s located in the Caribbean, which means clear water, white sand and summer weather all year long. If that isn’t enough, Jamaicans are extremely happy people who will make you laugh throughout your whole vacation and will teach you how to move your body to the best latin hits. Moreover, if you’re looking for an exotic getaway, Sandals Royal Caribbean created overwater bungalows with floating hammocks, a private infinity pool and a Jacuzzi with an outdoor shower.

2. Bali, Indonesia:

First of all, its nickname is the “Isle of the Gods” No other explanation is needed for choosing this place as your honeymoon destination. Ok, jokes aside, this island is a magnet for romance seekers due to its temples, beautiful mountain views and its art scene. Best tip of all, you should arrange a trip to Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple located 2000 feet above the Indian Ocean and experience the most unforgettable sunset in the world and after that we recommend that you can stay to watch a magical dance performance.

3. Paris, France:

Mon ameur. Je t’aime. Ma vie. Just the language makes you fall in love all over again. There’s no question, Paris has been known for years as the most romantic place of all and this is due to a combination of its architecture, food and art. You can create a movie-like getaway where you take the perfect photo at the Eiffel Tower, feed each other a nutella crepe and finish the trip with a ribbon at the Pont des Art bridge, which symbolizes your committed love to one another (yes, now you have to use ribbons because locks are prohibited).

4. Japan:

Nothing’s greater than natural beauty, sake, sushi, history and culture. Japan is a country that has both ancient heritage and modern inspiring cities. You can choose to explore the city or if you prefer nature you can hike in the most incredible places. . There’re so many options, from Tokyo, the city of lights and senses, to Kyoto which has more than a dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Moreover, if you decide to fly to Japan around the months of March and April, you’ll witness the glorious Sakura, which is cherry blossom season. Your photos will make everyone jealous. If that’s not enough, you can also explore the japanese culture by taking some craft classes such as calligraphy or tea ceremony, or even bathe in an onsen, a traditional hot spring bath.

5. Kiev, Ukraine:

You might have never imagined it, but Ukraine’s capital is a beautiful city which offers several romantic places for honeymooners. You can walk through the Landscape alley and feel like you’re part of the movie Alice in Wonderland. You can also enjoy amazing food, cheap shopping and good weather on summer. However, the most beautiful place of all is the Lover’s bridge, where you will enchant your partner forever since there’s a belief among Kyivens that whoever you kiss at the Lover’s bridge, will remember you for their entire life.

6. Greece:

What’s better than bar hopping? ISLAND HOPPING. The land of goddess Aphrodite and the love god Eros has thousands of islands waiting to be explored by newlyweds. Greek islands are known for their beauty, extraordinary views and unique landscapes. You may choose to visit Santorini, which is known for its seriously gorgeous sunsets and immaculate white villas. Also, there’s Mykonos and Ios for the couples who’re looking to party. Moreover, for the more cultural couples, Delos offers sacred places of ancient Greece like the Terrace of the Lions. It doesn’t matter which island you choose, you will enjoy Greek’s amazing cousin.

7. Hawaii:

There must be several reasons why Hawaii is always rated as a top honeymoon destination year after year. Perhaps it’s due to the air which is filled with exotic flowers’ fragrance or maybe it’s the amazing tropical sunsets. Hawaii has the most beautiful and uncrowded beaches where you can enjoy every water sport imagined. You can also dance the hula every night, enjoy fresh food from the ocean and travel through the Island, making it a special and adventurous vacation.

8. Thailand:

Why would you want to settle for only one beach when you can experience a dozen? Just rent a motorbike and go search your favorite one. Thailand is known for its impressive beaches and for its chill atmosphere. A place where people go there to relax and forget about reality, which is exactly what you’re supposed to do on your honeymoon. Not only that, you can get certified in scuba diving and take your new skills for a test-drive on the most breathtaking seas of all.

9. Cape Town, South Africa:

If you can’t decide what you want to do for your honeymoon, don’t worry, Cape Town is your answer. It offers everything you’ve been looking for: amazing beaches, a party city, wild landscapes, wineries and some of the world’s best safaris. Oh, and the best tip of all, don’t forget to visit Boulders Beach, the famed colony of warm-weather penguins.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not trying to discourage someone from giving us gifts because it actually feels so gratifying to feel loved through a present he (or she) chooses especially for us. However, what we're trying to say is: WHY WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO BUY YOU SOMETHING IF YOU CAN BUY IT YOURSELF?

Whether celebrating singlehood or happily involved in coupledom, research shows that buying gifts for oneself is both healthy and helpful, especially if those purchases are linked to professional achievements or personal milestones. Also, brain researchers have found that giving stimulates the same networks that light up when we feel physical pleasure, such as eating a cookie or running warm water over cold hands. Then, there is receiving which makes you feel appreciated even if it’s just a card saying a few nice words. So if giving and receiving are such a bliss, why not mixing both?

Therefore, we present you seven reasons for experiencing the pleasure of giving and receiving at the same time like this funny woman who surprised herself with an amazing gift and a beautiful letter from her 3-am-self (after a few red wine cups).

You are a powerful woman, you are independent, you work hard, you may be a mother and take care of your children… You do a lot of things and you deserve to shine. What’s more empowering than being able to buy yourself your favorite jewelry piece? An accessory that you’ll be able to wear every day and will demonstrate how great and amazing you really are. Buying yourself something costly but that would last forever, will empower you, making you feel independent and capable.

While buying gifts for other people most of the time you have a specific budget in mind, but when it comes to yourself, why not exceed a little? You are buying something for YOU and well, we all know, you have an expensive taste. That’s not something to be ashamed of, you can spot true quality and that’s something to be proud of. Go and splurge a little, it’s your time!

OMG. That moment when your mother-in-law asked about that sweater she bought you last year and how she hadn't seen you wearing it since. What do you say? Can you even remember where you placed it? It's impossible to tell someone you didn't like their present!!! Therefore, our best suggestion is for you to buy a present that you will always love and if trends and your taste change years after, you can always recreate a piece of jewelry or give it to a loved one (and it’ll be totally fine).

5. It makes you REALLY happy

According to Forbes, gifts increase both happiness and confidence. Even smaller rewards, like a bottle of wine or a massage, can help enhance the greatness of life’s victories and help get through daily disappointments. If little things like these make you feel better, imagine how well will a diamond make you feel!!!

6. It’s cheaper than therapy

We know, diamonds aren’t cheap, but they are a great investment both economically and emotionally. Imagine you’re having a crappy week and nothing is really changing your mood. What’s better than going to your favorite store and buying those earrings you’ve been thinking about all week? It’ll definitely cheer you up and you know “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

Like in the movie How to Lose a guy in 10 days, just go and FROST YOURSELF, you deserve to shine all day, every day.

How impressive is it to think every diamond is one of a kind? The explanation behind its extraordinariness is that these masterpieces are not human-made, but rather a result of a combination of several elements from the Earth. Yet another natural creation that amaze us all every day. According to Deborah Marquardt, Chief of Marketing Officer of the Diamond Producers Association, diamonds are "natural symbols of real connections because they are rare, precious and no two are alike." For these reasons, the majority of us admire fine jewelry and we're amazed by every piece of it. However... what do we really know about diamonds? How do we differentiate between real and fake gems? What are the factors determining which stone is the best?

Ultimately, how to choose a diamond?

For that, we have you covered. Since we know buying a diamond is a major investment, we present you the basics when it comes to diamonds and a guide to follow while buying the perfect gem for you. It's likely you've heard of the "Four C's" (cut, color, clarity, and carat) in diamonds, but don't really understand what they mean. After reading this article, you will master their meaning and their role while choosing a diamond.

Before talking about the four C's, we need to get into the variety of shapes in which diamonds come in. The most popular and traditional ones are the round cut diamonds which have a lot of fire, light and brilliance. Under this group, you can find the regular round cut, oval shaped cut, and the cushion shaped diamonds, which are rounded squares. These are timeless cuts that are extremely admired worldwide, but demand challenging work since they need to be well-cut to bring out the most brilliance within the jewel.

Brilliance plays an important role in cut and refers to the total amount of light returned by the stone. The angles at which a diamond is cut affects how efficiently it reflects light, and therefore, how it sparkles to the observer.  

There are also unique shapes like the asscher and emerald diamonds which are rectangular and square cuts for a sleek, elegant appearance. They emit less fire or sparkle than round diamonds but are more transparent. Marquise and pear-shaped diamonds are more distinctive shapes, and help fingers look long and slender due to their elongated appearance.

Now, let's go down to the main factors, the 4 C's. How is the shape different from the first C- cut?

This is the part where people tend to get confused. Shape refers to the actual form of how you see the diamond, but cut is all about angles and proportions. Cut refers to how well the diamond is converted from a rough stone to a polished stone. While color and clarity are given by nature, carat weight is a result of how the stone is cut. This is the only part of the diamond that is human-made.

This C-factor is the most important one because there is no scale or guide to follow for finding the best cut, but rather looking at its characteristics. How brilliant is it? How bright is it? How sparkly and lively is it? When it's poorly cut, it doesn't show the diamond's beauty, they become dull and obscure. Cuts are usually graded from poorly cut, good, very good, ideal and super ideal.

What is carat?

Carat is the weight of the diamond on the scale. Diamonds with the same carat can look very different from each other due to its cut and may seem to have a big size difference between each of them, however, this relies entirely on the shape of the stone.

What about color?

Color in diamonds refers to the yellowing presence within the crystal structure of the diamond. There's an international scale which begins at D (being the best) and ends in Z. A diamond that gets a D under the color scale means it has an absence of color, it's the clearest of all. There are several yellow diamonds that are seen as fancy nowadays, but they actually go beyond Z on the scale. While having a budget, you may have to consider a balance between color and clarity and this also comes to each person's taste

The 4th C, clarity.

This factor is also created by nature and follows the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) scale. The scale begins with flawless- meaning the best clarity and then, there's the VVS grade. VVs stands for very very slightly included and then, there's one and two, one being the higher. So VVS1 and VVS2, then VS1 and VS2 (very slightly included), SI1 and SI2 (slightly included) and finally the range of I1,2,3 that goes below that. What is graded here is the presence of inclusions in the crystal structure which are imperfections. Since diamonds are naturally formed, these "imperfections" are totally normal. Ninety-nine percent of the diamonds have these inclusions, but what we are really looking for is how pronounce are these on the jewel. Are you able to see them with your naked eye? How obvious are they? How do they look under a 10x magnifier?

Lastly, how can you really be sure of what you are getting?

Our first and honest answer is TO BUY FROM SOMEONE YOU TRUST. This is our most important advice. You should be able to build a relationship with a brand/store/company and to only buy from the people you are certain and confident about. Although it sounds scientific, when diamonds are graded, sometimes each appraisal will give a different grading for the same diamond and for you as a customer, it's very confusing because you can't really know the true grade of the stone just from looking at it. You should be able to consult with the seller on what's the ideal diamond for the type of jewel you're interested in and for your budget as well. Moreover, the diamond should be accompanied by a grade certificate that indicates it's a natural diamond and that you're not getting an artificial one. Our main recommendation is to always shop from someone you trust because you know… you DESERVE TO SHINE!

Birthstones are gemstones that represent a person month of birth. Every stone has a special power and a reasoning behind it. Below you will find the special gemstones for each month. So what are you waiting for? Search for your month and go buy your one and only stone for good energy and luck.

The January birthstone, garnet, is thought to keep the wearer safe during travel.

The February birthstone, amethyst, is said to strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage.

The March birthstone, aquamarine, was thought to cure heart, liver, and stomach diseases—all one had to do was drink the water in which the gem had been soaking. 

The April birthstone, diamond, in addition to being a symbol of everlasting love, was once thought to bring courage

The May birthstone, emerald, was one of Cleopatra’s favorite gems. It has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love

The June birthstone, pearl, has long been a symbol of purity

The July birthstone, ruby, was regarded by ancient Hindus as the “king of gems.” It was believed to protect its wearer from evil. Today, the ruby’s deep-red color signifies love and passion.

The August birthstone, peridot, symbolizes strength. It is sometimes called the evening emerald for its light green color. 

The September birthstone, sapphire, was once thought to guard against evil and poisoning. It was believed that a venomous snake would die if placed in a vessel made of sapphire.

The October birthstone, opal, symbolizes faithfulness and confidence. The word comes from the Latin opalus, meaning “precious jewel.” Necklaces with opals set in them were worn to repel evil and to protect eyesight

The November birthstone, topaz, symbolizes love and affection. It is believed to give the wearer increased strength and intellect.

The December birthstone, turquoise, is regarded as a love charm. It is also a symbol of good fortune and success, and it is believed to relax the mind and to protect its wearer from harm.

Now that you know the meaning behind every birthstone, you can understand why we at HOTCROWN are obsessed with this trend and have actively incorporated in our collections! Below some of our dazzling rings: 

The Amy Ruby ring 

The Sofia Ruby ring

The Josephine ring with Emerald stone 

The Katherine ring with an Aquamarine stone