SPINEL: COLLECTOR’S GEM

A striking 3.15-carat purple spinel. Framed by a double halo of alexandrite and diamonds. All enhanced by the 18k rose gold design. “A gem’s effect on us is not merely visible, certainly not concrete, it is ethereal. Gems expose us to another reality; they present a different perspective on the world and open the door to places long dreamt of.”

- Vladyslav Y. Yavorskyy

This light blush 2.36-carat spinel shifts from a pink to a soft lilac in the light. Paired beautifully with rose gold and a halo of brilliant diamonds.

With its complex legacy and storied history, spinel is a gem of centuries-old importance that has been featured in some of the world’s most provenanced pieces of jewelry. From the Crown Jewels of past royalty to the modern couture catwalk, spinel’s unrivaled brilliance has allowed it to take center stage at every opportunity. In fact, its brilliance is the single most impressive trait about this rare beauty. The light reflection of spinel brings a special luminescence that can’t be found in any other gem. While spinel’s wide variety of candy-like colors are attention grabbing, even the most muted of hues provide a superior sparkle that is eternally captivating. The transparency and clarity of these crystals are exceptional. Unlike an emerald, spinel’s general nature will be visually free from inclusions and imperfections. The durability of this stone rivals that of ruby and sapphire, making it an excellent gem for daily wear. Factor in this gemstone’s extraordinary brilliance and fire, and it’s easy to see why spinel is quickly gathering international acclaim by both new buyers and seasoned connoisseurs alike. While spinel has been around for centuries, newer discoveries are finally allowing gem collectors the opportunity to experience and see spinel’s unforgettable beauty.

HALL OF FAME

Considered to be one of the highest honors in the jewelry industry, the National Jeweler Hall of Fame selected Dan and Hope Wixon as inductees into the Retailer Hall of Fame. With their induction, Dan and Hope join an elite roster of jewelry business owners from around the globe. This distinct honor is awarded each year for excellence in the industry and contributions to the local community.

“In our industry, trust, integrity, and relationships are key to successful long-term partnerships. The Wixon’s reputation for upholding these values is Hall of Fame worthy in every aspect.” says renowned jewelry designer Joshua Javaheri. “It’s rare to find store owners like Dan and Hope who are able to balance everything they have on their plates so successfully. The Wixon's have a reputation in our industry for being committed to quality in every aspect.”

Dan and Hope Wixon commonly share the philosophy that “change is good” and that by always growing and evolving, we all are continuously learning, improving and becoming better together. It’s been amazing to see the transformation of the jewelry industry, our business and the Twin Cities community over the past 33 years. We feel honored to have built relationships with so many wonderful clients who have allowed us to share in their special moments over the years. We would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our clients and friends for being a big part of our success. We wouldn’t be here without you.

neck

The right necklace helps the wearer express a mood… whether it is daring and demure, or full of sass and attitude! With an array of options, these necklaces are guaranteed to let you go from classically conservative to drop-dead diva with a simple catch of a clasp.

evokes a powerful reaction in us that impacts our moods and emotions. Different shades and hues will rouse each of our senses differently, but the color green awakens an irresistible reaction in us all. Green evokes a feeling of abundance, peace and lush tranquility. It’s stimulating and exhilarating, yet sublimely refreshing. From enigmatic emeralds to treasured tsavorites and tourmalines, there is a green gemstone to tempt any and all palate preferences!

ENVYGREEN WITH

CHEERS!

A WIXON JEWELERS GUIDE TO COCKTAILING AT HOME Best in Glass GLASSWARE

By Jessica Gylsen

Pro Tips

I’m a firm believer that the glass you choose to drink from will significantly impact your experience. For me, the glassware is as important as the quality of the beverage that’s being served. Stemware is designed with a distinct purpose in mind; it allows the wine to breathe and helps control temperature. The same holds true with cocktails where aroma and temp control correlate to the crystal shape. Different glassware styles elicit different aspects of the libation. Beautiful glassware is just as much a mental thing. A fantastic glass of wine or creative craft cocktail is a small moment of luxury meant to be enjoyed start to finish. It’s a curated moment where the glassware makes the beverage an all-encompassing heightened experience. CONVERTABLE CLASSICS: Invest in multi-purpose basics first and think creatively. Top-quality lowballs double as a beautiful piece of crystal to house a variety of different cocktails. A classic coupe glass will be one of the most versatile in one’s collection.

SIGNATURE STYLE: Search antique markets, specialty stores and online purveyors of crystal for unique pieces that suit your home and match your personality.

HANDWASH ONLY: Don’t use the dishwasher. If you’ve had more than one, always wait to wash glasses until the morning after. Trust me... I speak from experience.

There is something to be said with finding joy in one of life’s simple pleasures, like a enjoying a perfectly crafted cocktail. These last few years have sparked a desire in many of us to invest in glassware, grab a shaker, indulge in a new or unusual spirit and really go for it within the comforts of our own homes. Here at Wixon, we believe quality is found in the details when it comes to our jewelry and fine Swiss timepieces. This same adage holds true for the way you pour, mix, shake, garnish and serve a good cocktail—the details matter. There are times when we drink to quench our thirst, to toast a friend or a special occasion, or even to awaken our tastebuds before a meal. Then there are times when we drink for no other reason than for sheer pleasure and as a way to revive and invigorate our spirits after the longest of days. Whatever the occasion or reason may be, our Wixon team of wannabe master mixologists have a few tips and recommendations to elevate your drinks and bring the best parts of the bar to your home-crafted cocktails.

INGREDIENTS

by Dustin Reed

Taste the Difference Pro Tips

The quality of the spirits and ingredients that you use creates a distinct and noticeable difference between two styles of the same drink. Take the simple Screwdriver for example. Have you ever noticed how much better it tastes with premium vodka, or how fresh-squeezed juice makes all the difference versus juice from a carton? The details are where a cocktail goes from average to awesome! A good beverage is so much more than the sum of its parts—if you put good in, you’ll get good out. BOTTOMS UP: Your top-shelf spirts should be reserved for drinks with minimal to no added ingredients. For ingredient-heavy cocktails, it’s perfectly acceptable to use mid-range spirits.

SUGAR RUSH: The quality and type of sugar can make a big difference in the overall taste of the drink. For the classic Old Fashioned, try using fine-quality Demerara sugar instead of a basic white blend for a richer, more robust flavor.

ICE ICE BABY: Don’t underestimate the power of the cube! The purity of the water as well as the shape, size and texture of the ice makes all the difference. It’s possible to make clear ice at home, but I’ve found MN Pure Clear Ice to be the best.

GARNISHES

by Hope Wixon

Top It Off Pro Tips

It’s often said that we eat with our eyes; it’s all about the presentation! The same philosophy is equally important with what’s being poured. Through sight and smell, we get a first glimpse as to what our liquid experience entails. Garnishes add something extra to indulge the senses while enhancing the enjoyment of the drink. Fresh herbs such as mint, rosemary and thyme from the garden lend both flavor and visual interest to a cocktail. Experiment by incorporating different herbs, spices, fruit, nuts and even candy. As we all know in life, it’s all about accessorizing. FRESH IS BEST: Go with what’s fresh and in-season. At their peak, basil, mint, rosemary and thyme will lend a strong impactful flavor to a wide variety of drinks.

RAID THE FRIDGE: Look for items in your fridge and cupboards. A good cocktail is really about being a good cook. Cayenne, cardamom, star anise or even a tablespoon of raspberry jam can all come into play.

SMACK THAT: Before adding it to the cocktail, smack your fresh herb garnish against your hand before adding it to the cocktail to release essentials oils and add extra aroma to the drink.

TECHNIQUE

by Jayme Pretzloff

Shake It Up

Mastering mixology requires an intimate understanding of your ingredients and how they blend together. A simple rule of thumb is that anything containing juice, eggs or dairy should be shaken, while cocktails made entirely of spirits or that include a carbonated liquid should be stirred. Most cocktail recipes are self-explanatory—shake it or stir it—but there are some techniques that can really elevate your cocktail game. Experimentation is key, but practice makes perfect. Developing your bartending skills can be a lot of fun, and with a little practice, you’ll be whipping up amazing drinks just like a professional bartender.

Pro Tips

DRY SHAKE: When making drinks containing egg whites, it’s imperative to first shake the mixture without ice. Then add ice to the shaker and shake the drink a second time. The initial “dry shake” allows the drink to emulsify and produce a thicker foam on top of the finished cocktail. Without a good dry shake, cocktails such as the Whiskey Sour will come out flat and froth-less.

CHILL OUT: To keep cocktails crisp and cool longer, it’s important to chill your glassware. Before you start making the cocktail, fill the glass with ice and water. By the time you’re ready to pour, the glass will be adequately chilled.

POOR POUR: Use a jigger to get all your measurements right. While free pouring is faster and flashier, small inaccuracies can quickly add up and imbalance a cocktail’s flavor profile.

style

Add a little color to your life! Colored gemstone rings are full of charisma and vibrant personality, making them a major jewelry must-have. Their bright style and extraordinary brilliance are a colorful call to action and an exciting addition to any collection.

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A rough diamond is far from dazzling. Its angular carbon composition was formed billions of years ago through the fury of mother nature. The right amount of heat and pressure, in the right geological conditions must operate in harmony to chemically create a raw carbon crystal. The chance of that crystal becoming the sparkling diamond beauty that we know and love? Even more rare as 80% of the world’s diamonds are used for industrial purposes in tools, drills and lasers. The vast majority of the world’s diamonds are not worthy to be fashioned, polished and cut into a finished diamond.

While the allure of a finished white diamond is irresistible, it’s the revered fancy colored diamonds that have come to hold a special place in society. These pastel beauties are infinitely more rare than white diamonds. According to GIA, the world’s foremost authority in gemology, only 1 in every 10,000 gem-quality diamonds are considered to be fancy. The term “fancy” denotes that the diamond is a rare colored diamond, which can be found in every color of the spectrum, including the most recognized yellow, pink and blue. Within these hues, the strength of color is graded using terms such as vivid, intense and faint. The purer and more singular the color, the more valuable the diamond.

Clarity, shape and size are key as well, but the color of the diamond is the single most important attribute in determining value. Its hue is what will set the diamond apart from its peers. The color is formed through trace elements, such as nitrogen and boron, or as a result of the formation process and the crystal’s surrounding environment. There is an undeniable mystique to the pure, untamed beauty of a rough and uncut fancy colored diamond. From here, 1.6 billion years of formulative conditions are handed over to a diamond cutter to unveil mother nature’s masterpiece.

Pink, yellow, blue or green, every hue is precious and magnificent in its own right. What begins as an ordinary crystal will slowly be transformed into an extraordinary diamond of incomparable beauty. Modern technology helps to plot out the ideal facet placement to amplify the stone’s color and maximize carat weight. Many master artisans still finish the process by hand letting every scintillating sparkle of the diamond speak to them throughout the process. One slight misjudgment by a diamond cutter can mar or shatter the stone, an irrevocable outcome. Plotting, cutting and polishing a fancy colored diamond is both a science and an art with the end result a sparkling, wearable reward that was millenniums in the making.

TICKLE YOUR FANCY

CRAVE-WORTHY COLOR

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While a rough diamond may be nature’s gift, it must be cut with extreme care and precision to showcase its most desirable attributes. A master gem cutter must carefully analyze and plot their initial cuts to ensure the rough crystal transforms into a dazzling finished diamond.

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With pink diamonds, even the smallest nuances to the cutting process can dramatically affect appearance and value. Diamonds of this importance are only handled by master diamond cutters with decades of experience.

The raritý

of fancy colored diamonds is bringing global attention to these glittering pastel beauties.

Pink diamonds are in a league of their own, and they are only becoming increasingly more rare and more desired. One of the marvels of nature is the modest size that pink diamonds are often found in. The production for pinks over one carat in size has been less than a handful annually. Due to their limited availability, pink diamonds are worth 10 to 100 times more than a classic white diamond. A 14.83-carat stone, dubbed "The Spirit of the Rose," sold in November 2020 for $26.6 million. This incredible diamond is internally flawless and graded as Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink. Only 1% of all pink diamonds are larger than ten carats, and only 4% of all pink diamonds are graded 'Fancy Vivid' which display a truly spectacular color.

BEYOND RARE

Diamonds found in Australia’s Argyle Diamond Mine are globally recognized among the world's finest diamonds, and 90% of the world’s supply is from this mine. The Argyle mine officially closed in October 2020, which ensures that rose-hued diamonds are set to become even more desirable. Pink diamonds are so rare that it is known as one of the most valuable and investment-worthy stones in the market.

The rarity of fancy colored diamonds is bringing global attention to these glittering pastel beauties. Worldwide collectors, investors and jewelry connoisseurs have become aware of the hypnotic power of pink, yellow, blue and other fancy colored hues. This awareness is driving demand at a fevered pace and setting record prices at auction. To date, the top five most expensive jewels ever sold at auction are colored diamonds—three pink and two blue. While it’s difficult to estimate the long-term supply of natural colored diamonds, one thing that remains certain-- their intrinsic beauty, rarity and value will forever be impossible to ignore. SpectacularSIMPLY This collection of bold and beautiful jewelry is designed for maximum impact and superior sparkle.