What’s Up Guys?

I don’t get it. Is it a trend I missed? You know like the infamous “Man Bag” phase, yeah well that didn’t go over too well. Heck I get woefully embarrassed when my wife has me hold her handbag momentarily for whatever reason, even if it does go nicely with what I’m wearing! Recently I couldn’t help but notice that some fashion wing nut thinks that men will start wearing pearls as a new way to complete their daily wardrobes. I’m sure they will look stunning with a three-piece suit!

So, what’s the next men’s fashion trend… pink fluffy tutu’s and Pandora bracelets? Sorry, you may not like my fashion sense and I should be more open minded, but I’m sorry, pearls for men? That’s just all wrong. I can see me trying to keep a straight face selling a lovely strand to a rugged Goodland fisherman!

Almost forgot about the actual subject of this column that seems almost nonexistent today… men’s rings. I own a busy jewelry shop on Marco Island, thankfully going strong for over 25 years now. I can probably count the men’s rings I have personally sold (not including wedding bands) on one hand. I’m serious - I carry a dismal selection because what’s the point? The few requests I get every decade or so are ring designs that went out of style the same time I purchased an eight-track player for my 1970 340 Plymouth Duster! 

So, what is the reason? One is certainly the cost, a nice solid ring with or without diamonds or precious gems will run a guy a minimum of a grand or two. But the lack of one particular ring style that really surprises me is the initial or signet ring. Initial rings were the rage for my generation (Baby Boomers) and before me the signet ring was worn by nearly all men, which included smoking Camel cigarettes and wearing the classic felt fedora hat you always see in the 1940’s and 1950’s movies.

The classic initial ring could be a cut out rectangle version with two or three initials in a row, sometimes set with diamonds, or it could be a round or oval solid ring with the initials or family crest carved or engraved into the surface.

Diamond pinky rings were once the rage, the more flamboyant the better. Elvis and Liberace’s choice in rings rivaled even the Pope’s Vatican collection. 

As the years progressed there was the classic yellow gold black onyx rings - some had a diamond set in the center. Also, the black or gray star sapphires were popular and then the less expensive Linde blue sapphire rings of the 1960’s and 70’s. As a young apprentice in the 60’s learning the goldsmith trade, I not only saw the trends come and go, I was creating the new trends that involved lions, tigers and bears, oh my! Even zodiac rings were a big thing… What’s your sign?

While in Boston in the 70’s I created rings beyond belief with my uncles. Back then in the big city we had our “Wise Guys.” They wore fancy suits, gold mesh wrist watches and flashy diamond pinky rings and business was good. It was like living in an episode of the Sopranos. One character I will never forget, named “Joe Fish”, (you expected a different name?) purchased a three carat, or in Joe’s vernacular “I’m looken fora tree carat ring!” We put one beautiful three carat gypsy set diamond ring together for him…not a cheap ring even back then.

A week or so later he walks in with what once was a very nice “tree carat” diamond ring in his hand as if it were a wounded sparrow, the diamond was still in the ring but shattered beyond recognition. My Uncle screamed, “what the heck happened to the ring!” (Well maybe not those exact words, a bit more colorful!) Apparently, Joe Fish whose “profession” was a stonemason, decided to show off his new ring and prove to his buddies it was a real “tree carat diamond.” Joe decided to smash it with a five-pound sledge hammer!

He is now standing there flustered thinking we did not sell him a real diamond. It should not have broken, he claimed! OMG you believe this guy…you gotta be kidding me, he hit it with a hammer? My uncle tried to explain (but to no avail) that there is no diamond in the world that is impervious to a five-pound sledge hammer blow! I know my uncle had to take a considerable loss procuring another “tree carat” ring for “Joe Fish.” I’m sure it had something to do with not finding out the hard way how Joe Fish got his nickname.

I just completed an order for a solid gold lion ring that was popular in the 70’s for a client who lost his original and only today got an order for a classic gold gent’s black onyx ring. Hey, maybe things they are a changing? (I’m hoping Joe Fish is no longer around to read this, an eternal snooze with the fish is not on my bucket list!)

Richard Alan is a jeweler /goldsmith and owner of The Harbor Goldsmith, Marco’s go-to jeweler since 1994. He is celebrating his 25th year on the island. His family and staff thank all of you who have made the dream possible and we will continue to offer our unequaled service, craftsmanship and quality jewelry created here and around the world for years to come. www.harborgoldsmith.com.