Mother’s Day & Graduation Gifts

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, followed shortly by graduation season. Are you ready for spring gift-giving? Jewelry is the gift that lasts forever, and each time your loved one wears their special, gifted piece from Bremer Jewelry, they’ll think about your gesture of love and appreciation. In this guide, we offer some of our favorite jewelry gift ideas tailored for both mothers and graduates. Each stylish piece in this list is designed to make a meaningful statement, and crafted to last a lifetime.

Mother’s Day

You + Me Collection: Interlocking circles represent the endless connection between you and the mother figure in your life. This pendant necklace is a perfect reminder that your favorite place to be is right next to each other. Gift this yellow gold You + Me necklace to your mom, or give it to your partner to celebrate her motherhood. This style is also available in rose gold and white gold, so you can choose the perfect look to complement her unique style. 

Classic Pearl Jewelry: Just like Mom, pearls are timelessly elegant, exuding sophistication and grace. Surprise her with a lustrous pearl necklace, pearl earrings or a chic pearl bracelet like this on-trend bangle bracelet, which features a stunning Akoya cultured pearl accented with diamonds. She can wear this bangle on her own or mix and match with other bracelets to create a totally unique look. Pearls are known to symbolize love and good fortune, making them the perfect gift for the special woman in your life.

Birthstone Jewelry: Birthstone jewelry is a gorgeous way to personalize your special gift. Every month is associated with a different, dazzling gemstone, which is believed to have special significance for those born during that month. Shop our collection of gemstone jewelry and pick out a gift that shines with meaning. Choose a pair of stud earrings with Mom’s birthstone or a bracelet with a birthstone charm for each of her children.

Permanent Jewelry: For a symbol of love that will last forever, bring Mom into our Peoria store to get matching permanent bracelets through our easy LinkedForever process! Permanent jewelry is simply a delicate, claspless chain, welded around your wrist by a trained Bremer associate. It’s not just a beautiful piece of jewelry, but a bonding experience you can cherish forever. Make an appointment, and we’ll help you personalize your jewelry and get LinkedForever this Mother’s Day!

Graduation Gifts

Timepieces: A luxury timepiece is both a practical accessory and a symbol of professionalism and refinement, making it the perfect gift for the next chapter of their life. We carry a selection of both men’s and women’s watches by Detroit-made Shinola, and pre-owned watches from luxury brands like Rolex. Present your favorite graduate with a timepiece from Bremer Jewelry to wish them well in all their future endeavors.

Zodiac Necklace: They’re a shining star! Give them the radiant gift of a personalized astrology necklace adorned with their sign. Zodiac jewelry is favored by celebrities and trendsetters alike, making it a memorable jewelry gift for your grad. This one pairs lustrous 14k white gold with diamonds in the shape of the Taurus constellation, the sign for May. Tell a Bremer associate your graduate’s birthday and they can help you pick out the perfect necklace.

Diamond Stud Earrings: Diamond stud earrings are a beautiful choice for marking a rite of passage. Studs are versatile and timeless, so your graduate can wear them during any of their future endeavors. At Bremer Jewelry, we have a variety of diamond sizes and settings to choose from, like this classic pair of .50ctw or 1/2ctw diamonds set in 14k white gold.

Fashion Rings: Rings are given to mark many of life’s special occasions, from class rings to wedding bands and rings gifted for holidays. Start a new family tradition when you give your graduate a beautiful fashion ring to celebrate their achievement. Choose a beautiful ring from our aptly named Celebration Collection, like this one featuring beautiful round diamonds set in 14k yellow gold. 

The Perfect Gift is Waiting at Bremer

As Central Illinois’ jewelry destination, we are overjoyed to help you choose the perfect gift for your loved one. Make Mother’s Day unforgettable with a You + Me necklace, personalized birthstone jewelry, a classic pearl piece or a permanent bracelet; or shop for your graduate from our selection of watches, zodiac jewelry, diamond studs or fashion rings. Think inside the box this spring and visit our team in Bloomington or Peoria for personalized guidance as you make your sparkling selection.

Fast, In-house Repair Services by Bremer Jewelry

It’s important to find jewelry repair services you can trust, so your items can shine on through generations. At Bremer Jewelry, we offer 75 years of combined repair experience! We proudly have six full-time bench jewelers on staff, ready to repair your beloved jewelry right inside our store. Because we do repairs on site, we can offer you fast turnaround times, including same day or next-day repairs for select services. Forever starts here, and it continues on with trusted repair services for the life of every treasured piece. 

Our service department is here to preserve cherished memories by restoring your special items. Read on for some of our fast, expert offerings. For a full list of services, click here.

Complimentary Services

Regardless of where or when you acquired your fine jewelry piece or luxury watch, the Bremer family is more than happy to offer the following expert services for FREE:

• Evaluation
• Jewelry Deep Cleaning
• Professional Jewelry Inspection
• Metal Testing
• Diamond Testing
• Watch Bracelet Cleaning

Come see us for these essential, complimentary services in Bloomington or Peoria and we promise to care for your jewelry as if it were our own. 

Same Day Services

Drop your items off before noon and you’ll be able to pick them up after 5pm!

• Soldering Chains, Rings or Charms
• Polishing & Rhodium Plating
• Stone Tightening

Soldering Chains, Rings or Charms: We are skilled at delicate metal work, including fusing broken chains, rings and charms. This type of repair restores your item’s beauty and strength, so it can be worn for years to come.

Rhodium Plating: This service truly transforms your white gold and silver pieces, restoring their luminous shine and offering an added layer of protection. Over time, white gold can lose its luster or become slightly yellowed due to wear and the natural properties of gold. A thin layer of rhodium plating can revive the jewelry's original sparkle and protect it from scratches and tarnish. This process, recommended every one to two years, can make your old jewelry look brand new, enhancing its beauty and extending its life. Bring in your white gold pieces today for an evaluation!

Stone Tightening: The prongs holding diamonds or gemstones can wear down, bend or break, posing a risk of losing the stone. Resetting stones is not just about securing the gem back into its place; it's a meticulous process that involves inspecting the setting for damage, tightening or replacing prongs and ensuring that the stone is perfectly aligned. Regular checks by our team can identify potential problems early, preventing the heartache of a lost stone. 

Next Day Services

Leave your jewelry with our expert team, and you can pick it up next day when you select the following services:

• Standard Ring Sizing
• Adhesive or Epoxy Stones
• Setting & Sizing New Engagement Rings
• Rings Purchased from Bremer

Ring Sizing: Our bodies change over time, and so does the fit of our rings. Our ring sizing service adjusts the band to your current size without compromising the ring's structure or design. A perfectly sized ring ensures comfort, prevents the ring from slipping off and maintains the even distribution of stress on the ring to preserve its longevity. Entrusting this delicate task to our skilled jewelers is crucial, as improper sizing can damage the ring or alter its appearance. Often, engagement rings and wedding rings are worn every day, so proper sizing is of the utmost importance.

Adhesive or Epoxy Stones: Adhesive or epoxy services can play a crucial role in securely setting stones in jewelry, ensuring each gem remains in place despite daily wear. This specialized service not only enhances the durability of precious pieces but also maintains their aesthetic appeal through the use of adhesives that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. By carefully selecting and applying the right epoxy, we can repair beloved items or create custom pieces that stand the test of time, combining beauty with resilience.

Services Within Four Business Days

Some advanced services require a bit more time, but you’ll have your jewelry item returned to you within four business days when you select the following services:

• Tips & Prongs (10 stones max)
• Channel Rebuilding (10 stones max)
• Shank Replacement
• Special Ring Sizing and Soldering

Tips and Prongs: This precise art involves adjusting metal tips or prongs to snugly encase each gem, providing protection and an elegant showcase. Whether it's for an engagement ring or a cherished family heirloom, professional tip and prong adjustments ensure the longevity and beauty of these treasured pieces, keeping stones safely mounted and brilliantly displayed.

Channel Rebuilding: A meticulous process where worn or damaged channels—the grooves that hold stones in place—are expertly restored or recreated by our skilled jewelers. This specialized repair not only revitalizes the structural integrity of a piece but also enhances its visual appeal, ensuring that each gemstone is set within a new, secure framework. 

Shank Replacement: We can address the wear and tear on rings by replacing worn or damaged portions of the band, rejuvenating the piece's structural integrity and comfort. This intricate process involves crafting a new shank that matches the original ring's design and metal, ensuring a seamless integration that restores its beauty and durability. Whether due to thinning, cracking or resizing needs, a professional shank replacement can significantly extend the life of a cherished ring.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance and Repair

Fine jewelry is more than an accessory; it's an investment, a cherished heirloom and an important part of your life’s special story. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are essential for several reasons, including preserving value, preventing the loss of fine jewelry items or gemstones and ensuring optimal safety and comfort. Our team of expert jewelers can help you achieve peace of mind through the necessary maintenance and repairs.

Bring it to Bremer Jewelry

We offer expert jewelry repair you can trust. A full range of in-house services means that your jewelry is meticulously cared for, and returned to you quickly. Because your repair is done on-site at our Bloomington or Peoria store, we can provide a fast turnaround time. That means you’ll be wearing your gorgeous jewelry again in no time!

Visit us for regular maintenance and repair, and we’ll keep your jewelry as good as new (or better!). Click here to make an appointment.

Related Article: Custom Jewelry for Men

Trend Alert: Fancy Shaped Stones

While the classic round brilliant cut continues to reign supreme as the most popular shape for diamonds and gemstones, today's trendsetters are embracing a diverse array of fancy shapes to express individuality and style. Fancy stones are appearing in everything from necklaces and bracelets to earrings and engagement rings. Let's embark on a journey through the shimmering world of unique diamond and gemstone shapes, each possessing its own allure. 

Enchanting Emerald Cut

The elegant emerald cut is characterized by its rectangular shape and step-cut faceting, which creates a hall-of-mirrors effect within the stone. This shape emphasizes clarity and showcases the diamond's pristine interior, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate understated elegance and timeless beauty. The elongated silhouette of the emerald cut also creates the illusion of longer, more slender fingers when worn as a ring.

This Noam Carver engagement ring features a gorgeous emerald cut diamond set in 14k yellow gold for a sophisticated look.

Perfect Pear 

With a distinctive teardrop silhouette, the pear shape is renowned for its graceful appearance and unique versatility. Whether set as a solitaire pendant or as the centerpiece of an engagement ring, the pear shape exudes femininity and romance. Those drawn to the pear shape often seek a balance between tradition and individuality, appreciating its ability to stand out while maintaining a sense of timelessness.

This pendant necklace is an exquisite example, featuring both a pear-shaped emerald and a pear-shaped diamond. Wherever it appears, the pear shape lends an air of elegance. 

Outstanding Oval

For those seeking a modern twist on the classic round brilliant, the oval cut offers a compelling alternative. With its elongated shape and brilliant faceting, the oval cut delivers exceptional sparkle and fire, rivaling its round counterpart in brilliance while offering a more elongated silhouette. This shape is ideal for those who desire a larger-looking gemstone without sacrificing sparkle or clarity. 

These oval cut amethyst earrings, set in 14k yellow gold alongside round diamonds, present a vibrant and on-trend look. 

Alluring Asscher

Inspired by the Art Deco era, the asscher cut exudes vintage charm and geometric allure. The asscher cut features square proportions and a unique pavilion facet pattern that creates a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. This shape is ideal for those who appreciate architectural design and crave a distinctive, eye-catching diamond. The asscher cut's clean lines and geometric symmetry make it a perfect choice for sleek, modern settings or vintage-inspired designs.

This diamond ring by A. Jaffe features asscher cut diamonds totally encircling the band for eternal sparkle. The timeless appeal of an asscher diamond ring makes it a wonderful wedding band or anniversary gift. 

Beautiful Baguette

Baguette-shaped gemstones are characterized by their long, slender rectangular or tapered silhouettes, reminiscent of the French breadstick from which they derive their name. These gems are often step-cut with parallel facets running along their length, resulting in a sleek and elegant appearance. Baguette-shaped gemstones are prized for their clean lines and understated sophistication, making them a popular choice for accent stones in jewelry designs. Whether adorning the shoulders of an engagement ring or lending sparkle to a necklace or bracelet, baguette-shaped gemstones add a touch of refined glamor to any piece of jewelry.

This signature Bremer Jewelry bracelet puts the baguette in the spotlight, with five baguette-shaped sapphires accented by round diamonds.

Shop The Latest Shapes at Bremer Jewelry

Ready to add fancy shapes to your look? Our team at Bremer Jewelry is here to help you curate the perfect collection. Visit one of our stores, at Bloomington or Peoria, to discover a diverse range of fancy diamond and gemstone shapes. From the elegant allure of the emerald cut to the vintage charm of the asscher cut, each unique shape offers its own distinct personality and appeal. Whether seeking sophistication, romance, or artistic flair, there is a fancy diamond shape to suit every taste and occasion. 

Related Article: Jewelry That Tells a Story