News

There was Italian music in the air, Italian-themed light bites and imported beverages served when J.R. Dunn Jewelers had a two-day Marco Bicego Trunk Show on October 22-23, 2016 that included a three-hour personal appearance by the designer on Saturday afternoon. Nearly 120 Bicego aficionados, from the general public to local blogger Rachelle Porsenna and magazine representatives from The Light, and Lifestyle Media Group came to see the latest Masai and Lunaria collections, along with one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces, with many having their already-owned and newly-purchased jewelry personally engraved. The air was vibrating with excitement, as participants met the designer and posed for photographs. “It was an absolute delight to have Marco in our showroom all the way from Italy,” said J.R. Dunn Jewelers Co-Owner Ann Marie Dunn. “He is as warm and wonderful as the designs he creates!” One J.R. Dunn client, Gayle S., traveled many miles to meet Marco, wearing a necklace she purchased at Marco Bicego in Italy. The two spoke to each other in Italian, and she added a new 18K yellow gold and black Mother-of-Pearl piece from the Lunaria collection to her jewelry box. As the designer said: “All of my collections are designed to be worn together; they have my signature look of hand engraved gold, which is lovely to the eye and the touch.” The combination of Old World tradition and contemporary design seen in Marco Bicego jewelry showcases the designer’s passions for family and fashion. The business was handed down to Marco by his father. Every ring, bracelet, necklace and pair of earrings are conceived and produced at the brand’s headquarters in Italy. The items that comprise the jewelry house of Marco Bicego are always welcome in-the-house of J.R. Dunn Jewelers!

We’re battening down the hatches for Hurricane Matthew We aren’t taking any chances with this storm after what the team at J.R. Dunn Jewelers went through in 2005 with Hurricane Wilma. Especially since the latest model European model (ECMWF) runs show the possibility of a major Hurricane Matthew hitting South Florida twice. Eleven years ago the store only suffered minor structural damage, but the power was knocked out for nearly 10 days. Our owner, James “Jim” Dunn, slept at the store on an air mattress with a shotgun by his side for the duration. “My wife and I started J.R. Dunn Jewelers in 1969 and worked hard to build the business,” said Jim. “I’ll be damned if I was going to let somebody come in here and take it all away from my family and the people who for work us. “ Once the storm cleared, even without power, the J.R. Dunn team kept busy and productive, taking advantage of the opportunity to repaint the building and clean up the property. Some sales were made, too! One of J.R. Dunn’s regular clients who wanted to get engaged was driving by and saw us. We showed him a 3.00 carat H color, VS2 clarity, GIA -certified diamond in our parking lot, since we had no lights. The natural sunlight really made that diamond pop, and the deal was made. Hopefully, though, during Hurricane Matthew things will be a bit different. We took the lessons we learned from Wilma to heart. We now have a big commercial generator and we’ve battened down the hatches really early this time around. We are also ready to continue taking orders on JRDunn.com 24/7, having forwarded our main toll-free number to our e-commerce sales teams’ cell phones to maintain the level of service our clients expect. While it was important to us to be truly prepared for business, we really wanted to make sure our associates had plenty of time to take care of their families and secure their homes, as well. To this end, a number of J.R. Dunn team members arrived early this morning to help us secure our jewelry in the vault, cover our showcases, unplug computers and telephones, and move desk and office supplies to higher ground in the event of flooding. Our processing team was fulfilling orders for our online clients. Storm shutters were put in place on the showroom windows, and our e-Commerce building has been boarded up. They came, they helped, they were sent home to prepare. The team has a great sense of humor, whatever the situation, and took advantage of the blank wood to spray –paint some cute messages. Among some of the graffiti for drivers to see: Rain or Shine J.R.Dunn.com 24/7 #WeOpen #HurricaneMatthew A Storm So Nice It Might Hit Twice #BeSafe While we have yet to feel the full impact of Hurricane Matthew and are doing what we can to make the best of a challenging situation, our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been, and will be, impacted by the storm. Take a Tour of J.R. Dunn Jewelers Inside and Out. Use your mouse to go inside and look around.

A jewelry designer’s work is never done, and you will be able to see the fruits of John Hardy’s latest labor at the Fall 2016 Trunk Show at J.R. Dunn Jewelers on Saturday, September 10, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the showroom, located at 4210 North Federal Highway in Lighthouse Point, FL. The purpose of the event is for you to see, admire and acquire that latest and greatest John Hardy designs for the fall season, specifically the new Modern Chain collection, stackable bracelets for men and women, and one-of-a-kind Cinta collection exclusives. Attendees will be able to meet and speak with friendly and knowledgeable John Hardy representatives to talk about the brand’s earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. Join us to learn about the sustainable luxury brand, the better to make informed buying decisions! Modern Chain is a refined, re-imagined extension of the John Hardy Classic chain collection; consider it a modern classic of the brand icon with more flat, slimmer links. Boldly contemporary and elegant bracelets, crafted in sterling silver, and sterling silver with a gold clasp, include men’s styles that are cast to resemble the centuries-old rentai (woven, in Balinese) technique that takes place over several days. Women’s bracelets feature supple chain with an innovative new link, resulting in a symmetrical and expressive pattern. Earrings, necklaces and rings that have been embellished with white diamonds or black sapphires round out this new collection. John Hardy bracelets are designed to be worn, singly, stacked or layered with other pieces. Stacking has been, and will continue to be a big trend in the upcoming season. Authentic John Hardy pieces offer great diversity, from chain to cuff, bangle to coil, leather, and cord and bead bracelets. Now in its 15th year, the John Hardy Cinta (love, in Indonesian) collection offers one-of-a-kind pieces for the jewelry aficionado and admirer. Phone J.R. Dunn Jewelers at 954-782-5000 to learn more about the Fall 2016 John Hardy Trunk Show. Log-on to JRDunn.com or call 866-362-5787 to take advantage of online trunk show incentives from September 6-10, 2016.

Is your dog ready for his or her close-up? J.R. Dunn Jewelers wants to see their picture for its “DOGgone Photo Sweepstakes,” starting on National Dog Day, an annual celebration of all dogs. Since 2004, the philanthropic day that shares the date that founder Colleen Paige’s family adopted its first dog, has helped bring attention to the plight of animals and encourage adoptions. Share your best shot with us from August 26, 2016 to September 25, 2016; if your photo is the lucky image drawn randomly, you’ll win a Doggie Hug ring in the breed of your choice, subject to availability. Handcrafted, Italian-made breed-specific Dog Fever rings are available in all-sterling silver or sterling silver and enamel. They wrap around a finger in a cute, cuddle and chic way. Can you think of a better way to have your dog with you everywhere you go, and show the world how much you dig dogs? J.R. Dunn Jewelers is proud to feature Dog Fever jewelry in its showroom at 4210 N. Federal Highway in Lighthouse Point, FL. The pieces arrived at the beginning of the month and have already started more than a few conversations! Co-owners Jim Dunn, Ann Marie Dunn, and Sean Dunn have an animal attraction to dogs; Jim Dunn counted his boxer dogs among his best friends as a child! The family has put its support behind its sentiment, with a nearly year-long relationship with the Humane Society of Broward County and its “Diamond in the Ruff” program. Since October 2015, J.R. Dunn Jewelers has been paying the adoption fee for one domestic animal per week for adopters. The program has placed more than 40 dogs and cats in homes to live as part of a family; many were older, of misunderstood breeds or had other special needs. It has also been well-received on social media venues, including Facebook and Instagram, reaching 11,000 people a week, on average, who liked and/or shared a post 985 times each week. Over the course of 46 weeks, this translates to 506,000 people being reached and 45,310 post interactions! “We are excited about our sweepstakes,” said J.R. Dunn Jewelers Co-owner Sean Dunn. “People are passionate about their pets, and we can’t wait to see the images that arrive, as well as hopefully help make an impact on animal welfare. I hope other businesses will hear about our involvement with the Humane Society of Broward County and choose to do good. Doing good feels good!” On National Dog Day 2016, enter the J.R. Dunn Jewelers “DOGgone Photo Sweepstakes,” adopt a dog of your own, or make a donation to a local animal shelter or rescue. See the Official Contest Rules and Enter to Win Here

When Jim Dunn, co-owner of J.R. Dunn Jewelers in Lighthouse Point, FL boarded the Helen S VI on Thursday, May 12, 2016, as a sponsor of the 51st Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo’s Wounded Warrior Anglers Tournament, he had no idea that the day spent fishing with wounded veterans would inspire him to create a lasting memento: a pendant of the Wounded Warrior Anglers logo suspended from a black cord. “I was inspired by the commitment to our country that the men and women I met have,” said Dunn. “They faced life-changing injuries, and are overcoming challenges every day.” More than 50 veterans with the Wounded Warrior Anglers (WWA) fished for dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, and black fin tuna. “I am honored to be able to offer the members of the Wounded Warrior Anglers a piece of jewelry that proudly displays their affiliation, and share a portion of the proceeds with the organization to support the cause,” said Dunn. The Wounded Warrior Anglers of America, Inc. was founded in 2010 by David Souders and Judy Souders. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) granted its 501(c)(3) public charity status in 2012.The organization exists to help support wounded veterans through fishing therapy. Click here to visit the Wounded Warrior Anglers web site. J.R. Dunn Jewelers is a family-owned-and-operated business established in 1969. Two generations work side-by-side to bring the best in selection and customer service to South Florida. A thriving eCommerce business assists clients locally, nationally and internationally.

Love is love, no matter what your sexual preference is. People are proposing to people, with partnerships recognized by engagement rings. The presentation of a man’s engagement ring, or to use a fairly newly coin phrase, mangagement ring, is becoming increasingly popular. A mens engagement rings openly declares your status as one-half of a committed couple and intent to marry. It is a symbol, a sentiment and a very special piece of jewelry. Assorted styles, from classic to modern, streamlined, sporty and ornate, are available. This masculine accessory may have one thing in common with its feminine counterpart: a bit of bling from white diamonds. Other gemstones that make a statement include black sapphires, blue sapphires and colored diamonds. Band rings with rope edges, texture, pattern and mixed metals provide an easy way to make your ring a personal thing. Also of personal taste is how you wear and use your man’s engagement ring. Wear it on your left hand and switch it to the right if you receive a wedding band. Perhaps you will want to stack the two together? Or have the one ring to wear as you transition from one life chapter to the next. Traditional bridal jewelry designers like Crown Ring, Forevermark, Tacori and Simon G. are among the usual suspects for a mangagement ring. Their creations include white, yellow and rose karat gold, as well as platinum and black cobalt alternative metal options. Men’s jewelry designers John Hardy, Scott Kay and Stephen Webster are just three out-of-the-box thoughts for your consideration, with sterling silver and bronze band rings to capture your attention and your heart. It will not be difficult to find a ring that is as unique as your relationship! Oh, and congratulations on your engagement. Love is love here at J. R. Dunn Jewelers. If you are looking to get engaged to the man of your dreams, check out our selection of Men's Engagement Rings.

The 51st Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo’s Wounded Warrior Anglers Tournament, providing a one-day competition for veterans and their caregivers, will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. aboard the Helen S VI, departing from the Alsdorf Boat Ramp Park at 14th Street Causeway and the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach, FL. The event is being sponsored by J.R. Dunn Jewelers, and co-owner Jim Dunn will be aboard for the day of fishing for dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, and black fin tuna. Lunch will be provided by Jersey Mike’s. Later, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., J.R. Dunn Jewelers Military Appreciation night will include a BBQ dinner, courtesy of Papa Hughies; a bar; awards, military recognition and scheduled guest speakers, including Senior Chief Petty Officer SEAL (ret) Tim Core; a silent auction; as well as live Southern Rock performed by the Andrew Morris Band. The cost is $15 for the general public or $10 for those with military ID. For information about the military appreciation night, phone 954-691-5686. All proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Anglers, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping support wounded veterans through fishing therapy. J.R. Dunn Jewelers is pleased to thank our nation’s service members every day of the year, offering a 10% discount on the purchase of an engagement ring. Some designer exclusions apply. Visit J.R. Dunn Jewelers for more information or phone 888-676-5211 to speak with an engagement ring specialist.

What are you going to do on Mother’s Day? How will you share it with your Mother, Mom, Mommy, Mum, Mama or Ma? Everyone probably has their own idea of how they would like to spend the day, but when all is said and done, it’s really all about spending quality time together. Talk things over, laugh, hug and enjoy each other! A tangible Mother’s Day gift is the icing on the cake; a slice of life that few people can resist…giving or receiving! Mothering is a special art, whether you have given life to someone, raised them or simply had an impact on who they are, what they do and how they do it. Small wonder, then, that this female figurehead and children have long-been the subject of paintings, sculpture and literature. Speaking of which, you may want to participate in an artistic endeavor, which leads us to the first of five things to do on Mother’s Day: Visit a museum, attend a concert, watch a live performance or a mom-centric movie, or present her with a good book you know she has wanted to get her hands on and crack open. Have brunch, combining two meals – breakfast and lunch -- into one; perfect for a special occasion like Mother’s Day! Go to tea, enjoying a hot brew with assorted scones, savories and desserts. Pamper her by letting her sleep in, serving her breakfast in bed, and treating her to a manicure-pedicure, facial or massage. Shop! You cannot go wrong with a piece of jewelry, whatever her tastes and style. From classic to modern and vintage, there’s a look that she’ll love available at J.R. Dunn Jewelers. Find endearing earrings, picture-perfect pendants, radiant rings, beguiling bracelets and nifty necklaces that she’ll love…almost as much as she loves you! Get Mom a special gift from our Mother's Day Sale Page. Take 15% off of these select items at checkout with code MOM15

How do you take a special collection like Lunaria and make it even more so? If you’re Marco Bicego, you add dazzling diamond gemstones and elements of 18kt white gold! As with so many of his collections, nature was Bicego’s muse in the design of the Lunaria collection. Pieces honor the Lunaria flower, noted for its petals that are hand-embossed and hand-etched with a satin finish. Bulino, an ancient Italian goldsmith technique, leaves countless lines on the surface of the jewelry. In Diamond Lunaria, the delicate, elegant pieces of jewelry are as expressive as ever, with their irregularly shaped silhouettes now encrusted with luxurious pave diamonds that have been hand-set by expert craftsmen. The proof is in the products! Check out a pair of small 18kt gold and diamond drop earrings. A luminous free-form plate framed by polished white gold is embellished with diamonds. It descends to a larger brushed yellow gold leaf. You can almost hear the piece rustle in the wind and feel the cool breeze. The petal kissing bangle delivers equal parts satin and sparkle. The open-ended bracelet features two tones of 18kt leaves that are oh-so-close to touching. One is flat brushed 18kt brushed gold, while the other is crafted in 18kt white gold and adorned with white diamonds. There’s no better time than spring to get your first Diamond Lunaria or add to your collection! It is, after all, when flowers bloom!

Wanting to make sure our store shows up in local queries, we asked Siri to find each individual watch brand we carry followed by "near me". While we were happy we showed up first, we were shocked with Siri's answers. Whichever watch we asked about she said "I'm a fan of the Apple watch myself. And not just because I'm in it." At first I thought it was cute and amusing, but when I delved deeper, I wondered what if we actually carried watches at that same price point? How is that fair? I know Siri was triggered by the word watches and isn't targeting any particular brand. But imagine if other search engines, like Google, pointed everyone to a competitor in local results or search results based on the word "jewelers". In Google's case you'd either have to earn it by creating a quality page that suits its algorithms or buy a paid listing; both of which anybody can do if they want to dedicate the time, money and resources. Apple gives a shameless plug and top billing to its own product, whether it's earned that position or not! How long has this cute and sassy suggestion about the Apple watch been going on? How many millions of people are getting this not-so-subtle nudge about the product? With Swiss watch sales off to a challenging start this year (see stats at the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry website ), those with timepieces at a price point similar to the Apple watch can't love this revelation. Thankfully, we don't feel Apple's cute attempt at a redirect can come close to swaying anyone from purchasing a luxury Swiss timepiece like Rolex or Breitling, but if you make gadgets you had better be aware and beware! We're off to the Baselworld 2016 watch and jewelry fair to see the latest and greatest from the most renowned brands in our industry. While we won't be looking at Apple watches, the irony isn't lost on me that I will be downloading the latest Baselworld app on my iPhone to navigate the show!

When J.R. Dunn Jewelers’ award-winning, in-house designer, Robert Pelliccia, was asked to judge the Lila Lewenthal Jewelry Award competition at the Boca Raton Museum of Art-The Art School, he had no idea what an impact the experience would have on him. It raised his awareness of how difficult the process is and gave him a new appreciation for judges. “I have entered many contests, but this is the first time I acted as a judge,” said Pelliccia. “Every piece is different, so judging them against one another was much more difficult than I thought. You need to evaluate each piece by individual beauty, wearability, creativity, along with form and function. The decision-making process would have been easier had all the pieces been the same; then only craftsmanship would have come into play!” Pelliccia recently pronounced Mary Drago the winner of a $500 dollar tuition scholarship for her sterling silver cuff bracelet, “Corset” at the art school. The winning piece will be on display at the art school for three weeks, and Drago’s name will be inscribed on a plaque that graces one of its walls. Loret Gomez and Marta Cruz-Janzen were the second- and third-place winners, respectively. Gomez’s sterling silver “Streaming Bubble” bracelet and Cruz-Janzen’s bronze clay metal necklace, “Forest,” were recognized. While at the school, Pelliccia toured the student workshop areas and spent some time with jewelry instructor Don Dietz. “His passion for teaching others was inspiring,” said Pelliccia. The instructor in the gem and jewelry arts for more than 40 years clearly loves what he does. “The students are a joy to instruct,” said Dietz. “They are eager, dedicated and willing to pursue new ideas. I am personally humbled by their creativeness.” Pelliccia was also happy to see the students’ excitement about their creations and design process, as well as their appreciation for his participation. “It’s nice to see people love to express themselves through art,” he said. Drago agrees, wholeheartedly, sharing how she is continually inspired by teachers and excited by learning in the name of self-expression. “I enjoy taking raw materials and creating something unique,” she said. “I gain great satisfaction working in metal.” Robert Pelliccia started his jewelry career, which has spanned more than 30 years, at the age of 18. He took courses in jewelry repair, diamond setting and model-making, and worked as a bench jeweler prior to beginning to design. He is a nationally recognized jewelry designer, honored with a host of awards over the years, including three prestigious De Beers Diamond Today Awards, a Modern Jeweler magazine Buyers Choice Award and 12 American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum Awards. The Pelliccia portfolio includes bridal, colored gemstone and fashion pieces, much of which is crafted in karat gold and platinum. Check out Robert Pelliccia's Instagram page to see some of his Beautiful Creations.

The Breitling Exospace B55 Connected is Now In Stock at J. R. Dunn!Call us at 1-888-676-5211 and get this highly sought after Breitling Watch in time for the holidays!Swiss watchmaker Breitling is the latest traditional luxury timepiece manufacturer set to launch a new smartwatch in the high-end wearable technology arena. According to Breitling Vice President Jean Paul Girardin, the 131-year-old company famous for their aviator styling is scheduled to debut the Exospace B55 smartwatch on December 16, 2015 in New York City. An exclusive group of 20 retailers have been selected to carry the product following the launch…including J.R. Dunn Jewelers! Based on the B55 Connected prototype shown at Basel World Watch Show in March of this year, the functional, user-friendly new product is said to have a chronograph and multi-time zone. The Exospace B55 Connected can be programmed directly from a smartphone via Bluetooth. Under normal use, the battery will last four months and can be recharged easily with a USB cable. While it is anticipated that the Exospace B55 Connected will have basic connectivity, Girardin has hinted that there may be more connected Breitlings in the future with more bells and whistles, expanding on the Exospace family.