Archive | September, 2013

Tips And Tricks For Jewelry!

30 Sep

Tips And Tricks For Jewelry!

Developing your jewelry collection can take some real knowledge and experience. Learning what is truly worth buying and what looks really good on you is a process. Finding just that right piece of jewelry can take some effort but hopefully these tips will make it a little easier.

Keep your fragile stone jewelry stored in separate boxes, away from your other pieces, to prolong the life of these stones. You don’t want them getting scuffed or broken, by being in direct contact with stronger and harder jewelry pieces. Try wrapping these fragile stones in velvet or silk, before placing them in the boxes. It’s best if you keep the boxes that they originally came in, for this purpose.

Costume jewelry is worth considering if you’re going to work and don’t wish to wear any jewelry that has a high value attached to it. Costume pieces of jewelry don’t contain any precious metals or gemstones, which makes them highly affordable and widely available. This type of jewelry does tend to tarnish over time and cannot be shined with a polishing cloth.

Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. This could cause the stone to change color or become dull in appearance, and it may eat away at the enamel on the piece.

If you have the cash resources, consider buying findings, fasteners, chains, and beads in larger quantities; most jewelry and craft suppliers offer significant discounts on large orders to encourage quick inventory turnover. Your jewelry-making business will consume less cash, but only if you purchase large quantities of items that can be used in a variety of pieces and styles.

Add extra depth and meaning to custom pieces by incorporating gemstones and beads that are associated with deeper meanings. To convey a sense of purity and peace, incorporate white stones like opals, pearls, diamonds, and colorless topaz as focal pieces. These colors look especially striking when paired with gold accents.

Any time that you are working on cleaning your house or any other place, you should first remove any pieces of jewelry that you are wearing. Not only is there a strong possibility of loss, but the cleaning chemicals can be very strong on your fine jewelry. Avoid these problems by first removing any jewelry.

Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they’ve hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.

Water is typically enough to clean most types of jewelry and precious stones. Simply use a damp cloth and wipe off any kind of residue or dirt that is on the jewelry. If there are any more stubborn problems, you can use a very light cleaning detergent to remove these issues.

When you are purchasing a piece of jewelry, an important thing to consider is the return policy of the store. By looking into the return policy of the store, you can be more certain in the quality of the item you are purchasing if you are not satisfied after your purchase.

If you have suffered through skin irritation from a piece of jewelry, you will want to look for future pieces that are described as hypoallergenic or nickel free. Other options in jewelry that are less prone to cause sensitivity is that made from titanium or surgical stainless steel. Options are available to keep you fashionable.

Jewelry can come in sets that include multiple pieces. Matching earrings can be worn with a matching necklace, but if your set includes more than two items, it might be better to only wear one or two at a time. Wearing too many similar items doesn’t look at good as one or two complimentary pieces.

If your grandmother or someone else is passing down antique jewelry to you, refrain from having it cleaned. For antiques, it’s actually that old varnish, “the patina”, that makes the piece worth a lot of money. An old clean piece of jewelry is essentially worth whatever the market puts the jewels and metal at.

If you don’t have jewelry cleaner handy, you can shine your gemstones and diamonds with toothpaste and a toothbrush! It does an excellent job of making precious stones sparkle safely and economically. Just coat the jewelry item with toothpaste and scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water and polish with a soft, dry cloth.

If you are wearing a large, ornate necklace, don’t add large ornate earrings. Instead, do without earrings or wear something simple that complements your necklace, face and clothing. Likewise, if your earrings are large, dangly and attention getting, wear a simple choker or chain or no necklace at all.

Buy brightly colored jewelry to pair with the same black clothing. The same little black dress can seem like a completely new and exciting outfit simply by adding different accessories. Brightly colored jewelry will stand out against a dark color as well as giving you a dynamic look.

Gold jewelry can be effectively cleaned with one teaspoon of ammonia, one teaspoon of dish soap, and one cup of water. The dish soap will act as a de-greaser, while the ammonia has an oxidation quality. You can use this as your regular cleaner for gold jewelry, but never use it on precious stones.

Pearl’s jewelry is a wonderful and versatile addition to a wardrobe. Pearls can often be accented with sparkling stones, used as an accent on a metal chain, or be shaped in interesting ways- the classical white strand of perfect spheres is certainly not the only way to wear them. Try a pearl necklace with diamond separators!

It is not easy to find truly flawless sapphires and rubies, which historically has made these stones quite expensive, particularly in the lighter shades, which makes the flaws easier to see. Fortunately, modern technology has made it possible to produce artificial stones that are identical in every way except for the flaws, and are much cheaper. Jewelry made from these stones is just as beautiful.

Save your broken beaded necklaces to give them new life. Do not let them fill a sacred box in your bedroom. Go in your bathroom and grab the dental floss. Use it to restring your necklace and it will likely last longer than the original string lasted on the piece.

Stay away from fads when buying expensive jewelry. Decide whether the ring or necklace you want to buy will be out of style in a couple years. Buying jewelry can often be an investment with a great turnaround. But if the piece of jewelry goes out of style it can be next to worthless when you turn around and try to sell it.

A jewelry collection is very personal; what you have really will depend on what you like. There are tips however that are pretty universal in selecting what jewelry is worth the expense. These tips should lead you in the right direction to learn what you like and what is worth the money.

Simple Things You Need To Know About Jewelry

30 Sep

Simple Things You Need To Know About Jewelry

Does jewelery hold a meaning in your life. When you shop for jewelry, buy the pieces you love. The tips in the article which follows will help you to navigate the sometimes complex world of purchasing jewelry for any situation. This article will give you some great advice on all your different jewelry questions.

Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they’ve hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.

IMPORTANT! When buying jewelry, make sure that you don’t just rely on really prestigious name brands. This can generally lead to you paying 80% more than that of another popular jewelry retailer.

Vintage jewelry can actually make great fashion accessories. It doesn’t have to be your granny’s jewelry any longer. Make a statement piece by displaying a vintage necklace or a pair of vintage earrings. Vintage seems to be all the new rage and almost every store out there seems to be selling vintage inspired pieces. Why buy “inspired pieces” when you can buy the real thing for a fraction of the cost?

It is becoming more and more popular to purchase expensive jewelry online. Before you do, however, be sure to check out the business you’ll be purchasing with at the Better Business Bureau. When you’re making a big ticket purchase, such as an expensive piece of jewelry, you need to know that the company you’re purchasing from is reputable. You want to make sure that they will send you a quality product and back it up with customer service too.

IMPORTANT! If you don’t have any jewelry cleaner handy, try using toothpaste with baking soda to help clean tarnish off of your sterling or pure silver jewelry. Just rub the toothpaste on the tarnished area with a soft cloth and clean off.

Consider your setting when buying an engagement ring. Do not rush into the first or cheapest setting you are shown. Your setting is equally as important as the stone you are getting set into it. Consider if you want a classic, or modern style for your ring’s look and feel.

When you are giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, you must do detective work as soon as you have an idea of the type of jewelry you will purchase. The real challenge is finding out exactly what that piece of jewelry should be. You should try to notice what kind of jewelry your significant other wears to get an idea of the piece of jewelry you should purchase.

IMPORTANT! If you are not too fond of wearing a wedding or engagement ring on your finger, you can always put it on a chain. This is a safe way to ensure your ring will not fall off.

When it comes to quality and price, don’t count synthetic gemstones out. These gems, which are created in a lab, appear remarkably similar to the real thing. Take this into consideration as you shop for your next piece of jewelry: Rather than spending exorbitant amounts of money for a natural stone, opt for an affordable synthetic stone. The money saved on the stone can go toward a more intricate or higher-quality metal, such as platinum.

Dry saunas and steam rooms can cause damage to jewelry. Because of the high temperature and moisture in saunas, they can cause serious damage to your jewelry.

IMPORTANT! If you would like to buy a pair of earrings for a loved one, make sure they have pierced ears first! It is a major faux pas to pick up a pair of gorgeous baubles only to find out they’re unwearable. If you can, check her jewelry box, or ask someone close to her who might know like her Mother.

Any time that you are working on cleaning your house or any other place, you should first remove any pieces of jewelry that you are wearing. Not only is there a strong possibility of loss, but the cleaning chemicals can be very strong on your fine jewelry. Avoid these problems by first removing any jewelry.

When it comes to taking care of your jewelry, be sure that you always remove it before using any sort of powerful chemicals. This is important because when using cleaning chemicals, it is possible that they could come into contact with your jewelry and either ruin it, or temporarily disfigure it.

IMPORTANT! If you’re having a difficult time finding that perfect piece of jewelry, consider buying a stone and visiting with a specialist. A jewelry specialist can design a setting just for you, in exactly the way you are envisioning it to be.

Choose jewelry colors that reflect the season. In Spring, wear pastels and bright shades of green. In Summer, go for deeper greens, blues and browns. In the Autumn, show your fall colors with orange, rust, yellow and brown. During the Winter months alternate between sparkling white, sky blue and silver, and warm tones of gold, red and deepest green.

When choosing jewelry for bridesmaids, make sure to choose jewelry that compliments each individual woman while maintaining a cohesive overall picture. One woman may look better in dazzling necklaces while another looks great with just some small earrings. However, try to choose all jewelry with the same color scheme and material to create a picture of wholeness.

IMPORTANT! Know what to ask your salesperson. Find out if the gemstone you are interested in is natural, synthetic or imitation.

Carnelian is a beautiful semiprecious stone very popular for use in jewelry. The fiery orange, yellow and red swirls are often spectacularly carved into ornate shapes that catch the light in dangling pieces like pendants or dangling earrings, but can also be found in such pieces as rings and bracelets.

Cabochons are a very popular format for jewelry pieces. The smooth, rounded edges place the focus on the beautiful color and translucence of the stones inside, and are convenient because they do not tend to catch on anything or snag. This makes them particularly well suited to children and teenagers.

IMPORTANT! Clean your diamonds at home between jeweler cleanings. You can simply, and cheaply, keep your diamonds sparkling as bright as ever.

A relatively recent popular trend is the rise of the “mood ring” or other such indicative jewelry, often made with liquid crystals that change their color in response to changes in body temperature. They are quite popular especially among children and teens, and can match many outfits because of their changing color.

Understanding jewelry will help you make informed choices the next time the occasion arises. Save some money by educating yourself on how to get the best deal. Getting, giving, and caring for great jewelry is really just a matter of educating yourself in the field.

The Best Advice For Those In Jewelry

30 Sep

The Best Advice For Those In Jewelry

Learning about jewelry definitely takes some time. It is one of those things that you really have to study to see what works with your skin tone and wardrobe choices. You also want to make sure you don’t end up spending too much on jewelry that really isn’t worth it. Here’s some tips to help.

Make sure to get rings sized properly so that they will fit you or someone who you are giving the ring to. Either go to a professional or use the string trick. You don’t want to play guessing games and end up having to return it several times to get it right. The ring should feel snug, but not too tight or two loose. Also, take into account, daily water weight fluctuation if you are measuring a finger yourself.

ADVICE: If you lose the butterfly backing for your post earrings, you can easily replace them. Any local craft stores carry replacement backings for post earrings in the jewelry making aisles.

Attending yard-sales is a great way to build up a collection of jewelry. Many people sell old costume jewelry for practically pennies. This is a perfect opportunity to stock up on broken pieces that can be repaired or made into new jewelry later. Many new beautiful pieces of jewelry can be born of old broken pieces. Use yard-sales to build up your collection.

Purchase meaningful jewelry for any occasion. Giving jewelry as a gift leaves a long lasting impression on the intended recipient. However, you can always add a personal touch by having the jewelry piece engraved with a personal message or add a charm of great importance. Personalized jewelry given as a gift always makes a loving gesture.

Use an egg to antique your sterling silver jewelry. Just boil the egg, chop it up, and put it in a bag with your silver piece. In a few hours your jewelry will change colors and then you can polish it to a beautiful antiqued look. This is an effective method because egg contains sulfur, and sulfur causes the reaction when mixed with sterling silver.

ADVICE: Even though some of the pieces may be attractive, you should stay away from gold filled jewelry. No matter what the seller may say, gold filled jewelry can turn your skin green and the colors can fade away.

Use a cloth dampened with a solution of water and a few drops of dish-washing liquid to clean your pearls. Lightly rub each pearl with the cloth, and allow them to air-dry. Never soak pearls, as doing so can cause massive damage to the integrity of the gem. Keeping your pearls clean ensures a long life for them.

When giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, a great tip to follow if you are not confident in your observation abilities is to ask friends or family members of your significant other their opinions as to what type of jewelry you should purchase. If you do this, you will have shown your significant other that you made a genuine effort to make the moment special.

You can safely clean your jewelry at home. Mix a small amount of mild detergent in water. Allow your dirty jewelry to soak for several minutes and then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Finish the cleaning by rinsing your jewelry in clean water and allowing it to air dry.

ADVICE: To avoid breaking the chain of your necklace, pair it with a pendant that matches it in weight. A thin necklace should only be worn with delicate charms, and heavy pendants should be saved for thick, durable chains that can handle the strain.

Gold is too soft and needs to be mixed with other metals so that it can be hard and last longer. When you see the carat weight of gold that signifies how much gold is actually in the piece as opposed to other substances. Ten karat is the lowest that is available legally, and that is just 42% gold.

If you plan to stay in the sunlight for any length of time, remove your gemstones before hand. Sunlight can have a damaging effect on many gemstones, dulling them or changing their color entirely. Stones such as Quartz, Citrine, and Amethyst are especially vulnerable. Better to leave your stones at home where they will be safe.

You should always be aware of how much acid is contained in your body since it can affect the life of your jewelry. If you have a large amount of acid in your body, it can make your jewelry turn black, and it will look like it is worthless when it isn’t.

Before you buy any jewelry, read tips like these so you can get a real feel for what you should be looking for and what things you should keep in mind. Building a jewelry collection is fun and the results are something that you can pass down for generations.

Find The Right Way To Sell Your Jewelry Online

30 Sep

Find The Right Way To Sell Your Jewelry Online

One of the most important things to consider, once you have decided to purchase a specific piece of jewelry, is where to go to physically purchase the item. This article describes things to look for in a piece of jewelry and some great tips for caring for your precious pieces.

EXTRA INFO: Attending yard-sales is a great way to build up a collection of jewelry. Many people sell old costume jewelry for practically pennies.

Make sure to keep regular tabs on the state of your jewelry. You need to constantly assess the condition of your pieces to catch any issues or damage early. It is best to catch them early because this is when you should get them fixed to avoid major or irreversible damage, or even losing the item.

Native American jewelry has a rich history in American culture. The colorful beads and designs tell stories of generations past. Jewelry was an important part of most Native Americans heritage, with beautiful pieces dating back thousands of years. These same styles and designs are still popular and in high-demand today.

EXTRA INFO: You don’t have to settle with the traditional clear diamonds. Diamonds are available in practically every color in the rainbow.

When getting body jewelry, find a licensed piercer who uses a needle. Even when piercing ears, it’s best to avoid piercing guns. Piercing guns are not as sterile, can lead to infection, and may damage skin and tissue. Avoid these risks, and look for a licensed piercing shop no matter what you’re getting pierced.

Before purchasing earrings that have diamonds or other stones in them, make sure that the stones can be replaced. You do not want to be put in a situation where the stones have fallen out of your earrings and they cannot be replaced. If you are unsure, you can always ask a jeweler before you buy them.

EXTRA INFO: Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids.

When buying jewelry, ask a friend what looks good on you. Though you may have a preference for gold, it may turn out to be that silver actually looks best for you and your skin tone. Of course, always consider your tastes, but don’t forego advice from others about what makes you look best.

Soak diamonds for twenty minutes in a solution made of four parts water and one part ammonia for a sparkling shine. Scrub them with a soft dampened toothbrush allows cleaning of hard to reach places, such as under the gem or around the prongs. Dry it with a soft cloth to keep it shining and looking new.

Again, it is important to consider the retail venue where you will be purchasing your new piece of jewelry, before you actually buy the item. By applying the advice and tips provided in this article, you will be one step closer to the store and your new piece of jewelry.

Good Tips For Choosing The Best Jewelry

29 Sep

Good Tips For Choosing The Best Jewelry

Most people love to wear and own fancy jewelry, but not everyone knows how to properly maintain that jewelry. If you don’t want to have to replace your jewelry, it’s important that you learn how to care for it. This article compiles some advice to give you a starting point on maintaining your jewelry.

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.

Keep your fragile stone jewelry stored in separate boxes, away from your other pieces, to prolong the life of these stones. You don’t want them getting scuffed or broken, by being in direct contact with stronger and harder jewelry pieces. Try wrapping these fragile stones in velvet or silk, before placing them in the boxes. It’s best if you keep the boxes that they originally came in, for this purpose.

Did You Know? When storing your fine jewelry in a chest or case, wrap each piece in a small piece of velvet cloth. That way harder gemstones will not scratch softer gemstones and metals.

Before you go to buy jewelry, it is important to view your options before you decide on exactly the style you want. If you make a rash decision, you may regret getting that certain piece in the long run. It is necessary for you to feel connected to the jewelry before you buy it, as it is a reflection of you!

Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake the gemstone settings apart and deteriorate the glue used to secure the gemstone in the setting.

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.

Did You Know? When buying jewelry, don’t worry too much about current trends. Look for classic pieces that can be worn over several years.

When choosing jewelry to wear to your wedding, decide first if you wish to buy it or rent it. Often the jewelry you wear as a bride isn’t necessarily something you’d wear again, so renting is an excellent choice and will get you a higher grade of item than you might be able to buy outright.

When buying jewelry, you may want to consider semi-precious stones. Semi-precious stones can be found in a wide variety of colors, cuts, and price-ranges. Not only will you be able to get more for less, but, since many people choose precious stones, your semi-precious gemstone jewelry may seem ever rarer than diamonds!

If you’re planning a traditional wedding, then you can’t go wrong with pearls! You can have them on your tiara, wear them as stud or dangle earrings, have a gorgeous “Y” necklace adorned with them, or even a pearl and Swarovski crystal bracelet. Blue pearls are an excellent way to get really traditional, or borrow your Mother’s or Grandmother’s single strand necklace.

Did You Know? 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.

Find your style in advance. Search an online jewelry store before you make your trip to the jeweler so that you know what you are looking for. Being able to tell the jeweler exactly what style you are looking for will make your trip quicker, as well as making it easier on both you and the salesperson.

Congratulations on finishing the article! Now you have a starting point on how to keep your jewelry looking great for years to come. Hopefully you’ve learned something new along the way. If you’re still not sure how to maintain your jewelry properly, there are tons more pieces of advice out there for you to find.