Archive | August, 2013

Tips On Choosing Beautiful Jewelry To Enhance Your Personal Style

31 Aug

Tips On Choosing Beautiful Jewelry To Enhance Your Personal Style

Jewelry comes in so many different styles. It is one of the few things people can really use to make a statement about their personal style. Choosing and buying jewelry as a gift for someone can be a little nerve racking. Read the tips on buying jewelry in this article to make the experience easier and more fun.

Some classic and very affordable types of jewelry that are available are pearls. These are very classic staples to any collection. They are also available in three types that include natural, imitation, and cultured. There are many colors and variations available such as classic white, pink, gold, black, etc.

Only purchase jewelry from well known retailers. If you are looking to purchase gold, silver or platinum make sure that the retailer has a professional set up and that their products come with a guarantee. Do not purchase from unknown vendors who claim that the jewelry they are selling at a discount price is made from real precious metals or gemstones, they are often imported fakes.

SOLID TIP! Create wire jewelry. There are so many resources available to help you get started.

You can get jewelry that speaks of ancient and vintage times passed. They take their styling from the Victorian era and other famous time periods. These make perfect pieces to any wardrobe where you want to show some old world class. Popular types include Bakelite jewelry, book chains, cameos, celluloid jewelry, doublets, filigree jewelry, and much more.

If you would like to start collecting gemstone jewelry, make sure that you do your research first. It is important that you know what to look for in spotting fakes and what to look for to identify genuine gemstones. It can also be beneficial to know what different countries and areas different gemstones are indigenous to. This can help determine if what you’re looking at is real or fake.

Try keeping up with jewelry trends. Like with fashion, jewelry also follows seasonal trends and you can find a style and color combination that is right for you. You can even find specialty items that go with clothing pieces in your own personal wardrobe. The possibilities and combinations are endless.

SOLID TIP! When going shopping for diamonds, make sure to set yourself a budget and stick to it. The world of diamonds can seem overwhelming and the prices vary a great deal.

Do not purchase any jewelry online, unless it is from a dealer you know and trust. There are many scammers online who promise you an expensive and real piece of jewelry, when in reality, it is fake. If you are unsure if you can trust a dealer, you can check out his or her credentials online.

Buying jewelry as a gift can be difficult for some people. Jewelry is such a personal gift so it is important to select it carefully. It is an easy way for people to personalize their style. Use the tips in this article to find the perfect piece of jewelry and have fun at the same time.

Great Jewelry Tips For The Savvy Consumer

31 Aug

Great Jewelry Tips For The Savvy Consumer

Buying or selling jewelry is an essential part of the jewelry market, but understanding it and how to avoid scams can be tricky. There are tricks to finding quality pieces, tricks to selling more pieces, etc. Here are some steps you can take to buy or sell jewelry more intelligently.

Take care to store your jewelry safely. The right jewelry box that has separate compartments, hooks and holders to keep the pieces apart is the best choice. Don’t throw piles into a box. Not only can this harm the fine and fragile pieces, but things like necklaces can get severely tangled up with other necklaces or other jewelry.

If you have metal allergies, make sure to purchase nickel free jewelry. Nickel is a common alloy that is mixed in with precious metals such as sterling silver to make them more pliable. Silver itself is very liquid in its original state and therefore not substantial enough to be properly molded into jewelry. Oftentimes, another alloy such as nickel is added. Make sure you check what you are purchasing to make sure it is nickel free.

Some classic and very affordable types of jewelry that are available are pearls. These are very classic staples to any collection. They are also available in three types that include natural, imitation, and cultured. There are many colors and variations available such as classic white, pink, gold, black, etc.

You can easily create your own special charm bracelets. You can purchase blank charm bracelets at almost any jewelry store you can think of. The best part is putting on your own charms. Don’t be boring or bland by buying a pre-made charm bracelet. Display your private memories and personality with charms that mean something to you. Collect charms from different places you love to visit or take apart vintage pieces of mismatched jewelry that no longer serve a purpose. Making your own charm bracelet is not only a fun pastime, but also proves to be a fashion statement.

As you have read, buying or selling jewelry is incredibly important to the jewelry market, especially if they pertain to professional needs. Understanding standard practices in the world of jewelry can make it easier for you to understand how you should buy or sell jewelry. Following the above tips is a very good starting place.

Gold, Silver, And Precious Stones: What You Should Know About Jewelry

31 Aug

Gold, Silver, And Precious Stones: What You Should Know About Jewelry

In the sparkly world of jewelry, it is important to make sure that you are buying or selling your pieces wisely. That is where doing smart research on jewelry comes in handy. This will help you to be more informed so that you can buy or sell and not lose money. Follow these tips to get started with learning about jewelry.

Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. With this method, you can simply shine it up and not deal with the hassle of using cleaners. To clean your jewelry, obtain a soft two-sided cloth and gently rub in a circular motion. Use the side of the cloth that is designed for polishing to remove fingerprints, dust and other surface imperfections, and then use the opposite side to buff the jewelry and make it gleam.

When dealing with precious and fragile stone jewelry, take them to get professionally cleaned. This is much better than scratching or destroying them yourself with regular jewelry cleaners. Even the jewelry cloths may be too much for some stones. Make sure though that they are not cleaned too often as this can be very counterproductive and actually weaken the stones.

Don’t go overboard with jewelry. Wear one or two statement pieces with each of your outfits. Meanwhile it can be tempting to show off your collection, remember that everything should have a focal point, including your outfit. Choose a small pair of stud earrings with a matching delicate necklace for a conservative and casual everyday look or go bold with dangling earrings and a matching chunky bracelet. This creates a focal point in a positive way without overwhelming the eye.

EXTRA INFO: If you need help purchasing that special piece of jewelry for someone you care about, you should ask someone close to your special person. For instance, maybe a close friend or relative would be willing to help you pick out that special piece of jewelry.

Birthstone jewelry makes a great gift for anyone at any time of the year. They are incredibly popular and perfectly suited to birthdays though. There are so many kinds of styles and pieces that you can find or have easily made for yourself or someone you care about using a birthstone.

Jewelry is often very difficult to purchase for a friend or loved one because there are as many different styles and types of jewelry as there are people to wear it. Bracelets are a great solution for many and are available in a huge variety of styles made for the fanciest of occasions to casual every-day wear. Plain silver and gold bangles are a staple for most women, but charm or sliding-bead style bracelets offer the buyer and the wearer the ability to completely customize the bracelet, as well as give the presenter a whole host of additional gifts to give in the future with the purchase of more charms or beads.

When purchasing a silver plated piece of jewelry, immediately paint it with a coat of clear nail polish. Doing this will extend the life of the piece. It can also prevent those tiny scrapes and scratches that are so easy to get. Re-paint the piece once every few months for best results.

Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. If possible, remove your jewelry if you are around water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.

EXTRA INFO: Know what you are looking for, when you first get to the store. If you are well-prepared for your visit to the jeweler, you will be less likely to make impulse purchases should the opportunity arise.

Try wearing the item for a little while to see if it is comfortable and hangs correctly. You’ll also be able to get a better idea of the piece’s durability.

As you can see from the previous list of tips, jewelry buying or selling can really make a difference, especially, in terms of things like prices. It takes some research, asking questions and doing some legwork, but it is all worth it in the end, to either get the jewelry you desire or to make sure that someone else does.

Great Things To Consider Before Making A Jewelry Purchase

31 Aug

Great Things To Consider Before Making A Jewelry Purchase

Jewelry hold a special place in the lives of many people. For some, it acts as a symbol for the undying love that they may have for a loved one, or that a loved one may have for them. For others, it acts a form of fashion and expression. Regardless of the place it holds in your life, the tips in this article can help you choose jewelry.

When making jewelry, beeswax is a wonderful product to use for taming frizzy twine. Just rub a little on to the twine and you’ll have a smooth look in no time. Your beads will go on easier and your piece will have a more elegant, professionally made look.

Next time you are looking into making a jewelry purchase, you may want to consider an “out-of-the-box” place to shop. Many home-based make-up companies are spreading their wings and reaching out to a new consumer base by selling jewelry as well as make-up. The prices are usually reasonable and the merchandise ships quickly. So next time you are looking to buy some new jewelry, check out your favorite make-up rep.

IMPORTANT! If you have a ring that’s too large, you don’t have to pay to get it re-sized. You can get a ring guard.

Create a vintage Victorian look with jewelry you already own. Layer several necklaces of different lengths and materials together. If you don’t have any long necklaces, consider fastening several shorter ones together end to end. Thread a piece of ribbon or lace through them and add a cameo pin clipped to one side to finish.

Once you have decided that you are going to purchase a piece of jewelry and are ready to start shopping, consider taking a friend or family member with you. This way, you have someone else to bounce ideas off of and another viewpoint for the items you are considering.

Make sure that you understand the language and jargon the jewelers speak. When you go looking at jewelry they will throw out information about the grade of the stones. It is important that you know what they are talking about and it will save both you and the jeweler time if you understand at least a little bit about the language that they use.

When you are deciding what type of jewelry to buy for a loved one, it is important that it is something that they will love passionately and adore for the rest of their lives. This is not something you want to decide hastily. If you do, they may very likely not like your gift.

IMPORTANT! When making jewelry and you want to turn a bead into a linked piece, take an eye pin and thread it through the bead’s hole. Let the bead slide to the bottom of the eye pin.

Jewelry should never be cleaned with bleach. Bleach damages soldered joints and can eat away at finishes. Jewelry should not be worn in swimming pools for two reasons. Jewelry is easily lost in swimming pools and chlorine bleach is used in the water of pools. If cleaning with bleach, remove your jewelry or wear protective gloves.

If you wear fashion jewelry you have to keep in mind that it cannot be cleaned the same as regular jewelry. You should wipe it with a damp cloth and then dry it. Soaking it in water can lead to damage since most fashion jewelry is made with jeweler’s cement.

As stated before in the introduction above, jewelry holds a special place in peoples lives. For some, jewelry is a symbol of love. For others, jewelry represents an expression through fashion. If you remember the tips in this article, you can choose jewelry no matter what place it holds for you.

Sound Advice For Buying And Owning Jewelry

30 Aug

Sound Advice For Buying And Owning Jewelry

Try displaying your jewelry with a fine jewelry box that opens with drawers or a vertical jewelry box with glass doors. Don’t just allow your jewelry to hide away in the dark; properly display it, complete with a gorgeous box. Most vertical boxes also include hooks for fishhook earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

DID YOU KNOW: Vintage jewelry can actually make great fashion accessories. It doesn’t have to be your granny’s jewelry any longer.

What is jewelry to you? If it is merely an accessory to you, then there are probably, a lot of things you do not know about jewelry. Read these tips to find out how you can put your feelings into objects and actions, by choosing the right kind of jewelry for someone you care about.

When shopping for stone jewelry, you need to be educated on everything to look for. Your jeweler can help guide you on what and how to look at stones to make sure that you can distinguish bad from good quality. This type of education can help you make better decisions without so much help when you are jewelry shopping.

DID YOU KNOW: If you’re going to buy earrings for a woman, also get a matching necklace. If you want to buy a necklace, grab a bracelet, too.

When shopping for jewelry, you may need to check what kind of metal you’re buying. Everyone’s heard of a cheap necklace turning skin green, but you may also have a bad reaction to certain metals in earrings. For earrings, look for items labeled “sensitive skin” or for stainless steel, silver, or gold.

When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. In the unfortunate, but possible event that your jewelry gets damaged, the jeweler will be able to replace or fix it for you. Some stores even insure jewelry against loss or theft.

DID YOU KNOW: Diamonds are the perfect gemstone to buy for your wedding jewelry. The beauty of these stones is not only how they look, but also that they can be worn again for almost any occasion.

If you buy an item of jewelry for your wife on your anniversary, why not get a matching piece for her birthday? It’s always lovely to have jewelry that goes together, so complete a set over a year for her! No woman will be disappointed when you present her with a beautiful piece of jewelry.

If your gown is going to be relatively plain, pick colors for your jewelry from the flowers in your bouquet! It’s absolutely stunning when pops of color from your ears, neck, wrist and flowers, all shine through. You can even add a dash of sparkle to your bouquet with crystal embellishments.

DID YOU KNOW: If you’re new to making wire jewelry, practice with copper wire or craft wire before moving on to sterling silver. There is a learning curve when it comes to making wire jewelry, and it’s likely you will have to try a few times before getting it right.

Don’t discard your antique broach from Grandma, re-purpose it. If you put a chain through it, the broach instantly becomes a fashionable necklace. Vintage jewelry is extremely popular these days and finding a way to make it wearable makes it fashionable. Re-using is also a popular concept in our “green” society. That broach can serve you well with just a slight alteration to its use.

When making jewelry and you want to turn a bead into a linked piece, take an eye pin and thread it through the bead’s hole. Let the bead slide to the bottom of the eye pin. Directly above the bead, use your pliers to bend the eye pin approximately 45 degrees. Using wire cutters, trim this to about half an inch in length. Using small round pliers, grasp the tip of the wire and start looping it around the pliers tip. Don’t give up if your eye pin loop is not directly round – practice makes perfect!

DID YOU KNOW: When it comes to taking care of your jewelry make sure that it is completely dry before storing it. This is extremely important because not only can you cause damage to whatever you are storing it in, but you run the risk of tarnishing or staining your jewelry.

Buy real gemstones, not fake knock-offs. Real gemstones, like diamonds, give off a gorgeous sparkle that can be spotted from a mile away. Fake gems are dull and glassy and aren’t even worth wearing. If you can’t afford a real gemstone, why not buy Swarovski crystal? They’re gorgeous, too, and have their own special sparkle to share.

If you are going to sell jewelry online, make sure you describe your products with a lot of details. Add as many pictures as possible, but do not use pictures to replace a good text. Be very careful of the vocabulary you use, especially when it comes to materials and colors.

DID YOU KNOW: If you have trouble with your engagement ring causing your finger to break out, it may be because there is nickel in the stone’s setting. Protect your skin from this less-expensive metal by coating the inside of the setting with clear fingernail polish.

Shopping for birthstone jewelry may seem simple, but some months have more than one stone. June, October, November, and December all have multiple birthstones. If you’re shopping for yourself and you’re from a multiple stone month, decide which one you like best. If shopping for a gift, don’t be afraid to ask the recipient!

Give the gift of relationship-appropriate jewelry. Jewelry gifts have a lot of potential for being misunderstood, so take stock of your relationship’s status and give jewelry that works for where the two of you are, not where you would like your relationship to be. Always check on the return policy and keep your receipt.

DID YOU KNOW: When you are into collecting various types of jewelry pieces, it is a good idea to take a journal and record the items that you have so that you can keep track of them. You also use the list as a reference guide if you are looking for a piece to add to your outfit for the day.

When choosing jewelry to wear to your wedding, why not pick up some cufflinks and a tie tack for your groom? It looks so nice in photos when the bride and groom match, so take it a step further and include the bling you’re both wearing! Have the best man give it to him on the big day as a present.

To help find the best jewelry for the most economical price, you should visit your local pawn shop. If you do not mind that the jewelry has been previously owned, you will find some great deals. With the high price of gold, pawn shops are getting large amounts of jewelry turned in every day.

DID YOU KNOW: W

When buying vintage jewelry, become familiar with the different time periods associated with each piece. A Victorian era piece may interest you more than one of a different era, so knowing the differences will help you be able to quickly spot the pieces you are most interested in purchasing, rather than spending lots of time browsing.

When you are purchasing a diamond, you should never be in a hurry; so, do not let anyone pressure you into making a hasty decision. Always purchase your diamond from a reputable jeweler. The diamond you select to buy should be suitable to your budget and fulfill your basic criteria for the 4C’s – cut, color, carat weight, and clarity. Diamonds are an investment which won’t wear out or depreciate.

DID YOU KNOW: Check out the return policy before you purchase a piece of jewelry. You’re making a sizable purchase, so if you need to bring the piece back for any reason, be sure that you will be able to do so.

To keep your clothing the focus when wearing jewelry, choose modest gemstone pieces. A simple gemstone ring or necklace will add sparkle and visual interest to your look, but will not overpower the rest of your outfit. It is best to wear at least 2 pieces of jewelry that have a similar visual look.

When ordering jewelry online, make sure that you keep all paperwork associated with your order such as: receipts, webpage printouts and order confirmations. You’ll most likely be required to keep these in order to return the item for a full refund if not satisfied. If saving these on your computer, make sure you make a backup or save them on a USB device as well.

DID YOU KNOW: A growing trend in jewelry is the production of green jewelry which is made of recycled metals, and natural and organic materials. Typically most items that are green or recycled are composed of silver and gold for the production of chains.

To make sure your jewelry always looks appropriate, consider the occasion before choosing pieces. If you’re at work, it’s best to avoid chokers and hoop earrings. Pearls are very versatile, but aren’t ideal for a very casual environment. Wearing jewelry ideal for the occasion will keep you from looking out of place.

When it comes to diamonds, the larger the carat size, the higher the price tag. One way to find the best value is to seek out a ring that has a total carat weight which falls only a tiny bit short of the next whole weight. For example, look for a piece with a 1.9 carat weight, which should be more affordable than a piece with a 2 carat weight.

DID YOU KNOW: Knowing what jewelry is good for what situation is key for things such as dinner parties. You do not want something too gaudy when you’re just going out with a friend, but you may want to wear that gaudy jewelry when going out to a big event.

Buy your stones loose when you are creating your own jewelry designs. You will be able to pick out a stone that best reflects your desires. Once you find the perfect stone, your ideas for a perfect setting will be much easier to decipher. Any good piece of jewelry starts at the stone.

Think about purchasing jewelry insurance from the retailer that you buy your jewelry from. Many jewelry retailers now offer their customers jewelry insurance when they purchase an expensive piece and this insurance can often work out a lot cheaper than using a non-specialist insurance company. However, make sure that you read the small print before signing any insurance policy plans so that you know exactly what is covered.

DID YOU KNOW: Don’t splurge on jewelry that you can’t afford, whether it is for yourself or a gift for someone else. If it is to be a gift, remember that it really is the thought that counts and simple baubles will likely be as appreciated as much as those that are much more costly.

Taking care of jewelry is one of the most important aspects of owning fine pieces. This can seem very difficult, but with the proper information, it is very easy to maintain even the finest of pieces. Make sure that you are properly informed before attempting to clean or polish any pieces.

When shopping for an elderly woman, you may want to purchase jewelry. A longer necklace that does not need to be clasped is a great choice for someone who has mobility issues. A sentimental gift for a grandmother, would be a locket with a picture of you and her in it! Make sure the chain is long, so that it fits easily over her head.

DID YOU KNOW:

When buying jewelry, it is important to find out what stone your partner likes best or what your partner’s favorite color is. Many people make the mistake of buying someone their birthstone because they think it is a safe bet. There are many people who simply do not like the color of their birthstone and would prefer not to wear it.

DID YOU KNOW:

After every time that you wear a piece of pearl jewelry, you should make sure that you wipe the pearl down with a wet cloth. This will help the pearl from getting too dry which can cause it to become brittle. Keep your pearl looking great when you keep it moisturized.

DID YOU KNOW:

When cleaning crystal jewelry simply wipe the dirt away with a soft, damp cloth. Using any kind of chemicals on crystal can damage the shimmer and shine in a very short period of time. Your best bet is to stick to plain water and maybe a tiny touch of dish detergent if your jewelry gets really dirty.

DID YOU KNOW:

Take a look at the jewelry a person already owns to get a feel for what they like. When you select gift jewelry, your intended recipient will appreciate jewelry that suits his or her style and taste. Pieces they already own – and especially ones they wear regularly – will point you in the direction of new jewelry they will love.

If you apply these tips, you should be able to choose the best jewelry on the market and give thoughtful gifts. Jewelry can improve your outfit when you use it right and really help to bring out who you are. Of course, you should do your best to show your personality, and any new fashion tips will help.