“Mywifenosevrything. Thewifedoesntknow. They’re one-two. Of course they are!”

Mywifenosevrything and Thewifedoesntknow are destined to meet again (of course!) on Sunday, during the 8th race at Monmouth Park.

This battle for the ages even extends to the trainers: Mywifenosevrything is trained by a woman, while Thewifedoesntknow is trained by a man.  But here at ShowStable Artisans, we like to focus on what brings us together rather than what divides us, particularly when it comes to jewelry!

Now, it’s true that there are times when you can take the matching thing entirely too far — all you have to do is let your memory wander back to the early days of line dancing and coordinated bib-shirt outfits to know what we’re talking about.  You can make your connection clear while still being stylish.

Check out these pair of rings: His features a matte gold background with .33 carat weight of diamonds. A bold, masculine ring that works well as a wedding or commitment band, this ring is a favorite among the men we know. Hers is a classic 14K gold ring with .22 carat weight of diamonds in a striking horseshoe, timeless elegance paired with exceptional sparkle and shine. Imagine this couple holding hands, the love they have for each other — and for horses — evident for all to see.

Will Mywifenosevrything  emerge victorious after this weekend’s race?  Only time will tell!  One thing is certain, though…every time these two horses meet, people will pay attention!

Perhaps not…but we have the next best thing.

Vintage Horseshoe Jewelry

As close as your wrist, you can have the iconic symbol of horses: This horseshoe bracelet , featuring a great Art Deco look, set with two coral cabochons and 8 seed pearls — gold and gems combined and shining with that distinctive luster that only age can give. Despite its great age, this piece is timeless: it will slide seamlessly into your horse jewelry collection, suitable for the office, classroom, or church — anywhere you want that look of effortless elegance and personal style.

Horseshoe jewelry is also popular in necklaces and pendants form. A particular favorite is this amazing 14K gold horseshoe, whip and stirrup pendant. This piece is from an original antique mold, connecting you with the timeless tradition of horse jewelry and connecting you with the great horses of old — both from history and from your personal life. An exceptional charm or pendant with a deco feel featuring a horseshoe, a hunting whip and a stirrup with leathers.

Horseshoe charms are available with the shoe pointed down, such as we see in this piece, or with the shoe pointed up, like a U. If you’re buying this horse jewelry as a gift, you may want to find out if the recipient is superstitious: some folks believe that a horse shoe pointed up is the best kind of good luck charm!

I was reminded of this proverb, first delivered to us from the sands of Arabia so very long ago, on a ride this weekend. There is no sensation quite equal to the thrill of riding: that effortless partnership covering miles, civilization left far behind at the trail head, the timeless rhythm of hooves, new wonders discovered with every hour of exploration. We’d gone a long way on this ride, through some wild country and then flatter, more open fields, where our only companion was the sky, the sun our sole witness.

Tabbi, the mare I was riding, isn’t as young as she might be. I don’t hold that against her, as I’m not as young as I might be either. Here we were, two middle-aged females escaping from everyday life for the afternoon. The trail was wide and flat and open. Tabbi’s ears came forward. There was a little bit of bounce in her gait, if you know what I mean. I leaned forward, pitching my question just for her: “Do you want to go, girl?”

And go we did. I gave Tabbi her head and held on — better riders than me would have plenty to say about my form, I’m sure, and we wouldn’t have won any points for style from any judge, anywhere — but my friends, believe me when I say we flew through that field. Tabbi’s hooves barely brushed the ground. The wind rushed by. It was joy, pure and simple, her exhilaration taking me along for the ride of a life time.

That’s where the love of horses is born, I think — in those few precious moments when we too know what the comet must feel as it hurtles through space. Or perhaps it comes after that, in the barn, after a rubdown, carrots crunching and brown eyes shining, Tabbi assuring me that she’d had a great time too.

I can’t look at this sterling silver necklace without remembering that ride — and I think that’s the point of horse jewelry. It serves as a tangible reminder of those magical moments. Look at the dynamic movement in the manes of these three horses — it’s the same joyous tangle I saw in Tabbi’s mane — that you’ve seen during these grand gallops. A glimpse of our horse jewelry can connect us immediately with those times when we have no office to worry about, no kids to supervise, no relationship angst to angst about. There’s nothing but joy. Nothing but companionship. Nothing but the sure knowledge that these things that give us so much happiness bring so much to the horses we share our lives with. That’s what inspires my horse jewelry collection, and I hope it inspires yours as well!

The Appeal of Horse Jewelry for Men

One of the big ‘secrets’ of the jewelry world over the past few years is the increasing willingness of men to wear jewelry. No longer seen as overly feminine or taboo, guys are slipping on rings and bracelets with as much enthusiasm and enjoyment as women have always experienced.  Particular favorites are bold designs that reinforce feelings of masculinity, particularly strength and individuality: motifs that any horse lover is well familiar with!

Selecting Men’s  Horse Jewelry

Horse jewelry for men is available in a wide range of types and styles.    Ask yourself the following questions:

What Type of Jewelry is Best?

Horse cufflinks, equestrian rings, necklaces, bracelets, horse tie bars — what type of horse jewelry is right for the special guy in your life? Be practical: there’s not a lot of sense in buying cufflinks for a man who hasn’t worn a suit since his wedding day — and had to be bullied into that one!  Many men who work with their hands don’t wear rings. Cuff style bracelets are increasingly popular, particularly wider bands that stay close to the skin. The best type of horse jewelry to get your guy is jewelry he will wear!

Silver Horse Jewelry, Gold Horse Jewelry: Which One Is Best For Men?

Silver or gold – it’s a choice you don’t necessarily have to make! Give the best with horse jewelry that combines silver and gold — definitely one of the season’s biggest trends in male jewelry!

The Best Horse Jewelry for Men

The best horse jewelry for men is jewelry that reflects your guy’s personality and personal style.  Does he go for classic design and quiet elegance? Pick pieces with timeless style and a restrained approach.  He’s more of a wild and crazy guy? Go wild with more fashion forward pieces, bolder and bigger!

Compare that to the perhaps more typical good time enjoyed by some counterparts — more typical, perhaps, but less active.  We all have friends, colleagues, or acquaintances who go through life with immaculately manicured nails and dazzling rings with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other gems sparkling in high-profile, delicate settings.

Have you ever watched those folks try to scratch that itchy spot just under a horse’s mane? How about bending over and checking to see if there’s a stone caught in a hoof? Or simply reaching to close the paddock gate?

Life with horses can be rough on rings.  Delicate settings catch and break, sending your stones to the ground — good luck finding your diamonds in a muddy paddock!

Yet loving horses doesn’t preclude our desire to look good all of the time. That’s why we spend so much time searching out what we call Rider Rings Rider Rings are ideal for everyday wear — even by the most active horse people! An emphasis on design and quality is essential: when you’re not relying on the theatrical affect of high settings and lacy open prongs, you need the innate beauty of the gold, silver, or platinum to shine through.  Lower profile rings don’t catch — you can scoop grain with confidence and straighten the tack room without worrying about damaging your jewelry.  Appropriate in every setting, you can take these rings from barn to ballroom, looking stylish and distinctive the whole time! (They work in the office, grocery store and while you’re out to dinner as well!)

You don’t have to choose between your horses and your rings.  You can have both. You just need to select rings that work in the demanding barn environment.  And that means rider rings!

Your relationship is totally unique — one of a kind, perfect for you and your best beloved. Shouldn’t your wedding jewelry be the same way?

Increasingly, couples across the nation are seeking to really personalize their weddings. Perhaps it’s in response to the troubled times we live in — economic uncertainty, wars, and environmental disaster — that we’re turning to the most basic aspects of our lives for comfort and celebration. What could be more central to our lives than marriage?

No longer are couples bound by the traditional choices of a simple gold wedding band or a solitary diamond to mark an engagement. Using fine design and the jeweler’s art, many couples are opting for wedding jewelry that reflects their personalities or passions. This is certainly true for the horse lovers, who are blessed with a wide range of wedding ring options. This beautiful 14 K gold wedding band style ring is perfect for the horse lover: .33 cwt of diamond horseshoes surround the band, adding the perfect touch of sparkle and flair while evoking the timeless beauty and meaning of the traditional wedding band.

There’s even more flexibility when it comes to engagement rings. One emerging trend is the use of smaller diamonds for engagement rings, often accented by other, perhaps smaller, gemstones. The flash of color that rubies, sapphires or emeralds can provide adds a new dimension to the engagement ring. Additionally, design can say so much about the bride to be.

The bride who wears this ring is clearly someone who appreciates style and everything equestrian. One lovely diamond in the center of a stirrup ring set with pave diamonds, it’s a distinctive, memorable and eminently appropriate ring — perfect if you’re planning to pop the question during a moonlight ride!

Reverse crystal jewelry is a favorite of many horse jewelry collectors.  Combining the traditional elements of fine jewelry — ornate settings, fine metal, excellent craftsmanship and design — with an artist’s finest offerings, images of horses painted on the flat back of a specially prepared domed rock crystal, each mount rendered both in miniature  and in high detail. Thin layers of mother of pearl are applied on the back of the painted image to keep it safe and to ensure that the back of the piece is (nearly) as attractive as the front. Reverse crystal horse jewelry has a lot of appeal. Here’s a segment on the PBS Road Show from 2005 about reverse crystal jewelry.

Reverse crystal jewelry first appeared during the Victorian era and was produced through the 1940′s in great numbers. Then the trend died off, although there are still a few artisans producing reverse crystal work today.  Finding good estate pieces takes patience and perserverance; fortitude will eventually be rewarded. The crystals are easily scratched, so you want to carefully consider condition when you’re buying.

This three reverse crystal bay horse head bracelet is a spectacular example of what you want to look for when you’re choosing a reverse crystal piece. There are three crystals, and each is clear and bright — not cloudy nor flawed with age. The horse heads are attractive, and the bridle nicely rendered: a sharp, smart looking aesthetic, particularly when you consider the gold hunt horns framing each crystal. Stirrups flank the crystal, but the ends of the bracelet are golden leathers; the type of detail work that absolutely makes a piece of reverse crystal horse jewelry memorable!

If you want to see riders and horses truly at the top of their game, you’ll want to attend this show. The competition is intense, the crowd insightful and fun to watch with, and the setting is amazing.  Riders are competing for big prizes — but you’ll be able to bring home your own gold without working nearly so hard — simply by stopping by our booth!

So if you’re looking for a special piece to round out your collection, starting a horse jewelry collection for a young rider, or want to see what’s new (or the best of estate and vintage pieces!) make sure to see us!

Of course, being Hermes means it is also going to have an amazing price tag.  Without exaggeration, you could buy yourself a horse — perhaps an entire stable full of horses and the barn itself! — for what the new line is going to cost.

No  matter! We’ll get that lottery ticket someday!  Meanwhile, there is a lot of vintage Hermes and Hermes inspired equestrian jewelry available right now. Long a favorite of many horse jewelry collectors, the elegant lines, strong styling and bold grace of these pieces make them appropriate in any setting.

At the moment, we’re particularly entranced by this amazing 18K gold snaffle bit bracelet. Imagine this dangling from your wrist: substantial enough to make an impression, airy and designed not to be heavy on the wrist. Every movement, every wave, every handshake, creates just enough sparkle and shine to make meeting you memorable. Hermes did so much with the bit motif — you can see that here in this lovely vintage bracelet and it is truly a fabulous way to communicate your love of horses.

That’s good news for lovers of diamond horse jewelry. A dazzling array of pieces, from elegant estate treasures to contemporary masterpieces, is waiting for you.

How Is Buying Diamond Horse Jewelry Different From Buying Diamond Jewelry?

The Gemological Institute of America has some great resources to help you buy diamonds. There, you will learn about the 4 C’s of a diamond: the Carat, the Color, the Clarity, and the Cut. Diamonds can vary tremendously in quality, so you want to make sure you’re educated about what you’re buying!

When selecting pieces for your horse jewelry collection, you’ll notice several things.  First, rather than focusing on one large stone, as you often see in engagement rings, many horse jewelry pieces make use of several smaller diamonds.  That’s what has been done on this exquisite 14K Gold Majestic Stallion Horse Head Pendant Diamonds are used, to great effect,to highlight the bridle — check out the sapphire bit! That type of detail speaks not only to the jeweler’s art, but a great understanding of horses.

A great understanding of what riders value also makes for great jewelry.  Look at the Rider’s Ring on the left: a vintage piece from 1907, this ring features the low profile and a pierced gallery, guaranteeing the air flow you need to avoid the dreaded sweaty hand syndrome, in and out of the saddle! Stunningly beautiful, this 18k gold ring has three .30ctw rubies (July’s birthstone, if you’re looking for a perfect gift!) and two old, round mine-cut diamonds.