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Choose your perfect setting, the right metal and stone, and request your one-on-one consultation to build your dream ring at K. Hollis Jewelers in Batavia, IL today. Start Building Your Dream Ring Choose your favorite styles, share your inspiration, and schedule a consultation with our team to bring your vision to life. Stone Selections Mined Diamonds Lab-Grown Diamonds Gemstones Get Inspired Engagement Ring Styles Engagement Ring Settings Wedding Bands

Request your free jewelry consultation at K. Hollis Jewelers in Batavia, IL. Whether you're starting a custom design, redesigning a meaningful piece, or planning your dream engagement ring, our experts are here to help. No pressure—just thoughtful, personal guidance. Schedule A Free Consultation Bring your ideas to life with a free, no-pressure consultation. Whether you’re redesigning a meaningful piece, starting your bridal journey, or creating something new, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Most appointments take 45 to 60 minutes and you’ll leave with clear options, trusted guidance, and next steps. Friendly, one-on-one conversation with a K. Hollis team member We’ll walk through ideas, budget, timelines, and inspiration Try on styles No pressure, no obligation First name* Last name* Phone* We will text this phone number to confirm your appointment. Email* For our records only, we will not email you unless you are a subscriber. Preferred Consultation Type* Custom Design Jewelry Redesign Engagement/Bridal Other Tell Us a Bit About What You're Looking For (Optional but helpful) Preferred Day(s) for Appointment* Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Choose all that work best for you. Preferred Time of Day* Morning Afternoon Early Evening Flexible Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know? Submit Anchor 1 Address 2030 Main Street Batavia, IL 60510 Call or Email 630-879-8003 khollisjewelers@gmail.com Store Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm 10:00 am - 6:00 pm 10:00 am - 6:00 pm 10:00 am - 7:00 pm 10:00 am - 6:00 pm 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Closed

In Part 1, we talked about the 4Cs and why a diamond can't be judged by numbers alone. Two diamonds can look nearly identical on paper and very different once they're in front of you. So, what should you actually be looking for? And now that there are more choices than ever, how do you decide between a mined and lab-grown diamond? What Should You Look for in a Diamond? The 4Cs are important, but you don't necessarily need the highest grade in every category to find a great diamond. Instead, think about what you can actually see. Does the diamond sparkle? Do you like its shape and proportions? Can you see any inclusions with your naked eye? Does it look white to you? Most importantly, do you like the way it looks? Sometimes moving up a grade on a diamond report can increase the price without creating a difference you can easily see. This is where deciding what matters most to you can help you get more from your budget. The report tells you about the diamond. Your eyes tell you if it's the right one. Mined or Lab-Grown? Both are real diamonds. The biggest difference is their origin. Mined diamonds form naturally within the earth over billions of years. Their natural origin and limited supply give them a rarity that can't be recreated. Lab-grown diamonds are made in a controlled environment using technology that recreates the conditions in which diamonds form. They have the same chemical composition and physical properties as mined diamonds, but they can generally be purchased for significantly less. That price difference means a lab-grown diamond may allow you to choose a larger stone or higher grades while staying within the same budget. There is another difference worth knowing: their value in the secondary market isn't the same. Natural diamonds have a more established resale market, while lab-grown diamond prices have continued to change as production has increased. You shouldn't purchase either with the assumption that it will appreciate in value. Which One Is Better? Neither. They're simply different choices. If the natural origin, rarity, and tradition behind a mined diamond are important to you, that may be where you're drawn. If size, certain quality grades, or getting more diamond within your budget are higher priorities, lab-grown may make more sense. You may even be surprised by what you prefer once you see both. That's really the point we made in Part 1 and one worth repeating: you must see a diamond to know if it is right for you. The numbers matter. The origin matters. Your budget matters. But at the end of the day, you're the one who gets to look at it every day.

If your last jewelry repair quote made you do a double-take, you're not imagining things. Repair prices have gone up, and there isn't just one reason why. The cost of precious metals has changed dramatically, skilled labor costs more, and the overall cost of doing business continues to rise. Here's a closer look at what's happening behind the scenes and why it affects the price of your jewelry repair. How Unpredictable Gold Prices Impact Repair Costs Looking back about 10 years puts the change in perspective. In 2016, gold was relatively stable at around $1,250 an ounce. By 2023, it had climbed to roughly $1,950. Since then, prices have spiked, reaching more than $5,500 at the beginning of 2026. This year alone has been a wild ride, with gold peaking above $5,500 in January and moving between roughly $4,000 and $5,000 since. If you see us wearing neck braces, you'll know why. That volatility matters because precious metals are part of many jewelry repairs. Solder, replacement shanks, prong tips, clasps, heads, findings, and stock gold all come at a cost. When the price of gold can change significantly in a short period of time, pricing those repairs becomes more challenging. It's not only about what gold costs today. Jewelers also have to account for what those same materials may cost to replace tomorrow. Why a Job Well Done Costs More A jewelry repair isn't just materials. You're also paying for the person doing the work. Bench jewelers are skilled tradespeople, and fewer new jewelers are entering the trade. Like other skilled professions, wages have risen along with the cost of living. For more than 20 years, we've done our best to adjust employee pay as those costs increase. When you're trusting someone with an engagement ring, heirloom, or another meaningful piece of jewelry, you're paying for steady hands, years of experience, creativity, and expertise. That skill is an important part of the repair price. Economic Uncertainty Tips the Scales Inflation, the rising cost of living, geopolitical conflicts, national debt, and lower consumer confidence all create uncertainty for businesses. For a small business, that means being more cautious about costs and pricing. We have to make sure the prices we charge cover what it actually costs to perform the work while allowing us to continue operating, paying our team fairly, and serving our customers. What Does This Mean for Your Jewelry Repair? A higher repair quote doesn't necessarily mean you're being overcharged. The metal, materials, labor, and expenses behind that repair have all become more costly. We know a ring sizing or repair may cost noticeably more than it did just a few years ago, and we're very aware of what that means for our customers. We work hard to balance those costs while still doing the quality of work we believe your jewelry deserves. A few things can help: Ask about the price. If a repair costs more than you expected, ask us why. A good jeweler should be willing to explain what the repair involves and what goes into the quote. Work with a local jeweler who is invested in the community. Local jewelers build their businesses on relationships and trust. We live and work alongside the people we serve, and our reputation depends on taking care of our customers, their families, friends, and neighbors. Consider using old gold toward the cost. If you have broken or unworn gold jewelry sitting around, you may be able to trade it in and apply the value toward your repair. At K. Hollis, we offer a fair value for gold trades and even offer a bonus when that value is applied toward a repair or purchase. Gold prices and economic conditions will continue to change. What shouldn't change is having someone you trust working on your jewelry. A repair done correctly by an experienced jeweler is an investment in keeping the pieces you love wearable and in good condition. And when something needs attention again, you'll know exactly where to bring it.

Some jewelry catches your eye because it's bold. Other pieces become favorites because they work with almost everything you own. Sif Jakobs Jewellery strikes a balance between the two, and we're excited to introduce the brand to K. Hollis Jewelers. Sif Jakobs is known for contemporary sterling silver jewelry, eye-catching sparkle, and clean European design. The brand offers styles that are polished, versatile, and easy to make your own. What Makes Sif Jakobs Jewellery Different? The first thing you'll notice is the design. Statement necklaces, sculptural earrings, stackable rings, tennis bracelets, and modern hoops all share the same approach: refined without being overdone. The jewelry adds just the right amount of glamour and can be worn with everything from casual outfits to dressier looks. The Story Behind the Brand Designer Sif Jakobs was born in Iceland, trained as a goldsmith in Sweden, and has been based in Copenhagen since 2000. Italy has also been a second home and a creative touchpoint for the designer. Its influence is reflected in the elegance of her jewelry and in the titles of many collections, which are named after Italian cities. Her Icelandic roots bring a cool Nordic flair to the designs. Together, these elements give Sif Jakobs a distinctive look that stands apart from our other sterling silver lines. Crafted with Quality Materials Sif Jakobs Jewellery is crafted in 925 sterling silver, with styles finished in rhodium or 18K gold plating. Many designs also feature high-quality, hand-set cubic zirconia for added sparkle. Since launching in 2009, the brand has earned international recognition and multiple industry awards. Sif Jakobs Jewellery has also appeared in fashion and lifestyle media and has been worn by celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and Pamela Anderson. Why We Added Sif Jakobs to Our Showroom Every new jewelry line has to earn its place. We look for brands that offer something different, combine quality with thoughtful design, and complement the pieces our customers already enjoy. Sif Jakobs stood out for its contemporary European look and range of styles. It adds something new to our showroom while still being approachable enough to wear often. Coming Soon The best way to appreciate Sif Jakobs is to see it in person. Styles range from bold and chunky to delicate and understated, giving you plenty to mix, layer, and try on. We look forward to sharing Sif Jakobs Jewellery with you and hearing which designs become your favorites.