Pearls are an organic gemstone and require special care so they can last a lifetime. While they are stunning, they can also be very fragile to daily wear. As with a lot of other jewelry, Pearl pieces should be taken off when washing hands, doing dishes, or any activity that will subject them to rough wear. 

Because of the nature of the Pearl, they should also be the last thing put on before walking out the door. Perfumes, hairsprays, and lotions can eat away the nacre on the pearl, leaving a lifeless, lackluster piece behind. Pearls should be stored in a soft, cloth pouch, rather than a plastic bag, and shouldn't be store near a direct source of heat, and never in a very dry room, as they require a little moisture to stay looking beautiful.

Finally, if cleaning your pearl is required, lukewarm water and a soft cloth are generally what is recommended. Never use harsh cleaners such as bleach, glass cleaner, or other household chemicals. With proper care, the glowing luster of Pearls is only enriched and intensified over time, making wear just as important as care. 

Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers will be offering free jewelry cleaning at  Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce (GINCC) from 3 - 5 p.m. on the following Mondays:

August 29
September 12
September 26
October 10
October 24
November 7
November 21

Call 906-228-5775 to schedule a custom design consultation or stop in with your jewelry box for your jewelry check up!

Black Rocks, located on Presque Isle, may be the most known place to get engaged in Marquette. Many couples that we work with pop the question while visiting this famous Marquette landmark. It’s easily accessible by car, with a number of great places to get down on one knee. 

To the right of the parking area, you’ll find a beautiful cove. The cliffs of Black Rocks tower over the pebble beach, creating a romantically shaded spot. It’s a great semi private area with a beautiful view of the lake. 

If you head left of the parking area, you’ll walk down a short trail to get out on the rocks. The top of Black Rocks provides a pristine view of Lake Superior. The dark blue tones of the lake are extremely vibrant at this spot, creating a beautiful backdrop. 

Because you’re able to drive to Black Rocks, it’s a very accessible spot to propose. If you want to invite family and friends, it’s a large area. It’s also just around the corner from Sunset Point, where there is a small pavilion. You could have a small celebration immediately following your proposal.   

Things to consider:

• Many people jump off Black Rocks in the summer. If it’s a hot day, this will not be an empty spot surrounded by nature. It will have more of a happy, party vibe. Parking may also be difficult.

• Black flies are known to be thick in this area some times of the year. It’s a good idea to scope it out before you decide if this is a place to propose. Swatting black flies may distract your sweetie from what’s happening. 

• The rocks can be significantly windier than other areas of town. Check the wind forecast before venturing out. 

• The rocks get slippery when wet. Be cautious if you head out after a rain shower. 

Did you get engaged at Black Rocks? Send your photo to store@wandwjewelers.com or use #wandwjewelers and you may be featured on a future blog. 

One of the best parts of our job is hearing how couples get engaged. On many occasions, we’ve been ask how we feel about getting engaged at (insert name of cool place in Marquette here).

We’re excited to launch a new monthly blog series that will highlight places we think would be perfect for proposals. If you have an idea on a great place for us to cover, let us know. 

First up, we’re taking a look a Yellow Dog Falls.

Where exactly is Yellow Dog Falls? Travel Marquette has a great waterfall guide that gives way better instructions that we ever could. Check it out.

Once you arrive, you’re in for about a 20 minute hike to the falls. There are a few bridges made from logs, so be prepared. This isn't a place to wear high heels. You'll approach the falls from the top, which allows for a romantic break before you reach what we believe is the optimum spot to propose.

When you reach the bottom of falls, you'll see a flat rock that you can walk out onto near the base. This provides for a beautiful backdrop of the waterfall. (When we visited, the rock was dry so it was safe to go out on. If it’s wet, it may be slippery so use your judgment.)

There is a cove on that land that could fit 5-7 people, so you could invite family members to witness your engagement or a photographer to capture the moment.

There are a few drawbacks to getting engaged at Yellow Dog Falls. Like we mentioned, it’s a bit of a hike, so wear active clothing. There isn’t any cell phone service, so an immediate call to your family to let them know the good news wouldn’t be possible. It’s a also a somewhat long drive to find the falls, so if you’re nervous about proposing, keep that in mind.

Did you get engaged at Yellow Dog Falls? We'd love to highlight your engagement story. Send your photos to store@wandwjewelers.com and you may be included in an upcoming post. 

Think you're ready to pop the question? Browse our engagement rings or email us to set up a custom design appointment.