The earliest piece of jewelry dates back more than 25,000 years ago when a simple necklace constructed of fish bones was discovered in a cave in Monaco. Today, jewelry is a staple in most people’s wardrobe, helping to bring any outfit to completion. At Chinchar Maloney, we set a standard in heirloom quality, handcrafted jewelry. Our family-owned and operated studio offers a wide assortment of earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces featuring beautiful and ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones.

Montana sapphires are acknowledged across the globe as some of the highest gem-quality sapphires on the market. Coming in every color of the rainbow, these precious gemstones are a hot commodity.

When most people think of diamonds, they envision clear, colorless stones with precision cuts that reflect light to create a brilliant sparkle. While this might be the most well-known style of diamond, it’s far from the only option. Modern handcrafted jewelry contains rustic and natural-colored diamonds available in a wide range of beautiful hues. Diamonds don’t have to be flawless to be absolutely stunning. From a rustic diamond ring with a salt and pepper appearance to natural stone jewelry in subtle champagne or translucent cognac, each item is unique in its own way. Before ordering your next piece, get to know more about natural-colored and rustic diamonds, how they are created, and why natural-colored diamonds and modern rustic jewelry have become so popular.

Big, bold, dramatic, and eye-catching – these are just a few words that describe the iconic cocktail ring. From the runway to the streets, cocktail rings have been seen everywhere over the past year. This popular trend offers both men and women an opportunity to express their individual style with a creative accessory.

Engagement rings are a symbol of devotion and everlasting love. The gemstones set in the prongs also hold symbolic meaning. Many cultures believe that these precious and semi-precious stones have healing properties, spiritual meaning, and special powers. The color, size, cut, and transparency of the gemstone should also play a role in your decision. If you’re preparing to pop the question, choose a gemstone for your engagement ring that best reflects the recipient’s fashion style, personality, and beliefs. 

Engagement rings are a token of love that represent the dedication and commitment between two people. It is also a romantic gesture and proclaims a person’s intent to marry. Due to the importance of the ring and everything it symbolizes, choosing an engagement ring should not be a half-hearted process. For a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that will be forever cherished by the recipient, build your own engagement ring with the help of Chinchar Maloney.  

Colorless diamond engagement rings are beautiful, but few have the unique allure of a naturally colored diamond. A colored or “fancy” diamond refers to any diamond color that does not fall into the “normal color range,” or the D-Z scale. The D-Z normal color range spans from completely colorless diamonds to light yellow or brownish stones. Fancy colored diamonds can be found in almost every color of the rainbow, including red, purple, green, orange, and rarer colors like pink and blue. If you’re shopping for handcrafted jewelry or prefer to build your own engagement ring, a colored diamond may be the perfect choice.

From garnets and sapphires to rubies and tourmalines, these gemstones and many others have been chosen for their durability, rarity and distinct beauty. Most gemstones are formed far below the earth’s surface and fall into four main categories - igneous, hydrothermal, metamorphic or sedimentary.

Both natural and genuine gemstones are real precious stones. However, there are some differences between them that can affect the outcome of the stone’s resiliency and appearance. Here’s what you need to know about natural and genuine gemstones.

You’ve gone from one jeweler to another shopping for the perfect piece of jewelry, only to leave empty-handed every time. Sound familiar? If so, then you may want to consider creating a custom jewelry piece. Building a one-of-a-kind piece that is tailored specifically to the recipient’s unique style ensures that you receive the best value for your money. Clients are involved in each step of the process until a product is delivered that is as beautiful as they envisioned.

There are more than 200 varieties of natural gemstones in existence. These include some of the world’s most precious gems, such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, as well as semi-precious stones like opals and peridot. In the U.S., gemstones are highly treasured for their bold colors, brilliant luminosity, and a wide variety of cuts and shapes. Gemstones are a staple in modern jewelry and are frequently integrated into custom engagement rings and other handcrafted jewelry. 

Originating in the 1920s, the art deco movement was and continues to be highly influential. This popular decorative-arts and architectural style is characterized by clean, geometric forms and highly-stylized ornaments.

Over the decades, works of art in the art deco style have been created by famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Wassily Kandinsky. There are also incredible examples of American art deco that can be viewed at Radio City Music and the Chrysler Building in New York City.

Bridal jewelry comes and goes but some trends make a lasting statement. In 2021, you can expect to see some stellar designs that are sure to highlight the recipient’s individual style. If you are in search of a unique engagement ring to symbolize the love and commitment between you and your significant other, try one of 2021’s top trends.

Emerald cut gemstones may be trending in 2021 but did they ever really go away? This classic and sophisticated cut features a dramatic rectangular shape with long crisp lines that elongate the fingers. There is no denying that emerald-cut gemstones evoke strength and elegance. This is likely why many couples choose to add these stones to custom engagement rings and other handcrafted jewelry. Emerald cut gemstones are truly timeless and give any look that instant “wow” factor. Learn more about emerald cut gemstones, their history and where to go to claim a piece of this trendy jewelry for your own.

Recycled gold is often derived from existing jewelry, electronics, or industrial metals. Gold is one of the most consistently recycled of all materials and this practice is an effective way for industries to affirm their commitment to becoming eco-conscious.  

Gold has been prized for its spectacular luster and versatility for more than a millennium. In fact, evidence shows that some of the first interactions with gold occurred in ancient Egypt around 3,000 B.C. when the beautiful metal was cherished by temple priests and pharaohs.

There is a certain allure to custom handmade jewelry that mass-manufactured pieces simply cannot fulfill. Our clients can choose from a wide selection of impeccable diamonds, Montana sapphires, other gemstones, and metals to build a ring that not only looks beautiful but perfectly reflects your personal style. As each piece is truly unique, custom handcrafted jewelry requires special care to keep it looking pristine for many years.

Montana sapphires are very vibrant and sometimes multi-colored. They have a very high level of light refraction, which makes them appear very fiery and sparkling. They are only found in the United States and are one of our few precious indigenous gemstones. The supply chain for Montana sapphires is completely ethical as the miners are paid fair wages or are the owners of small mines themselves.

Colin Chinchar and Marian Maloney, the founders and creative forces behind Chinchar Maloney, share their experience in creating custom, handcrafted jewelry that is as unique as their backgrounds. Learn about how they got into the jewelry industry and what inspires their unique jewelry pieces.

Diamonds have a way of captivating our attention with their brilliance and luminosity. As a symbol of love and devotion, they also capture our hearts. New trends in diamond jewelry design remind us of the timeless beauty of these gems. In 2021, you can expect to see even more incredible trends in diamond cuts and shapes.

Travel back to the Victorian era when women wore corsets and bonnets and men wore top hats and suits. After the death of Prince Albert in 1861, wearing black had become a fashion and the popularity of mourning jewelry reached its peak.