Archive | January, 2014

Helpful Tips And Tricks For A Great Jewelry Collection

31 Jan

Helpful Tips And Tricks For A Great Jewelry Collection

The following tips will help you decide the right jewelry purchases for you. We’ve simplified the process by giving you information you can use about buying beautiful jewelry. Buying jewelry will help you build a accessory collection that makes a statement. Or it can be a fantastic long term investment. The advise offered in this article should help you in the selection process.

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.

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.

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.

What style of jewelry you choose for your wedding should be influenced by the style of your dress. If you have a high neckline then you can forgo a necklace and instead have drop earrings with a lot of sparkle. Long sleeves will usually mean you don’t want to wear a bracelet.

When jewelry shopping, you need to be prepared to carefully look, and inspect anything that you may want to buy. You need to get a loupe. This is a small pocket-sized magnifier that can show you what kind of quality you will be getting. It magnifies the jewelry so that you can inspect it to see if you are getting something of bad quality or good quality.

To make your engagement ring sparkle like it’s brand new, try soaking it in a mild detergent. This will give your ring the deep cleaning it is without damaging the stone or its setting. When the ring has finished soaking, rinse it off with warm water and dry it with a thin, lint free cloth.

To make eye-catching jewelry, don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors. If you have difficulty thinking of a palette, look around you and take your inspiration from things found in nature. Contrasting, complimentary, traditional, or monochromatic color schemes can make quite the statement when integrated into a jewelry piece.

Take off your rings when you’re in the shower. It can be often tempting to keep your wedding band or promise ring on all the time, but the chemicals in soap, body wash and shampoo can have negative effects on your ring. Another great reason is because rings can often slide off and disappear down the drain. Keep your ring everlasting and safe by removing it before stepping into the shower.

Read all your warranties and guarantees. Carefully paying attention to all the details in both of these can help you prevent any major issues from coming up. If you find any issues in the warranties or guarantees, you can correct them before you take the jewelry you’ve bought out of the store.

Don’t worry about how much your jewelry costs. What is most important is that the pieces you choose reflect your individuality. It doesn’t matter whether you paid one dollar or a thousand, if you love the piece wear it with confidence. It is also perfectly acceptable to mix high and low cost jewelry.

When buying a new piece of jewelry, be sure to check on the current fashion trends. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!

Do not underestimate the power of pearl jewelry. Pearls are often considered a throwback to the days of old. How untrue this is. Modern pearls come in so many varieties, you can cheaply acquire them and spice up any fashion style you are trying to pull off. They come in many colors and shapes.

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.

Feel comfortable in your jewelry venue of choice. If you feel that the seller may be trying to get you to buy a piece you are not interested in, walk away. Some jewelers are paid on commission, so the more they sell you, the better they are paid. Take this into consideration when choosing a jeweler.

You have all the information you need to make smart jewelry buying decisions now. So go out and have fun shopping, knowing that you are armed with the inside story to make your jewelry buying experience pay off for you. You can feel free to use your knowledge to expand your jewelry collection with an eye toward good quality investment pieces.

Tips For Making Smart Decisions While Shopping For Jewels

31 Jan

Tips For Making Smart Decisions While Shopping For Jewels

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.

A TIP! 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.

Taking the next step into the wondrous and complex land of jewelry can sometimes be quite challenging. Choosing the right pieces, buying at the best prices, cleaning without ruining, or selling to make a profit, are all fraught with a certain difficulty. However, by keeping the helpful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself acting like a pro in the field!

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. You can find them in different metals such as sterling silver, gold plating, silver plating or silver tone metal. You no longer have to throw your old earrings out, you can replace the backing quite affordably.

A TIP! Men are very picky about the jewelry they wear, especially when they are gifted some that may seem feminine. When selecting jewelry for a man, make sure it something that goes with the way that they dress.

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.

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.

A TIP! If you have a piece of jewelry that has a clasp that is broken there is no reason to throw it away because you can get it fixed. You can take it to a jewelry shop and have it repaired.

If you’re buying an item of jewelry for your wife, pick something that says love. There are so many pieces of jewelry that have a story behind them, like an infinity band or hugs and kisses pendant. Items that are called “forever”, typically with diamonds, will show her you want to spend the rest of your life with her. Beautiful!

The brooch adds a unique touch and a bit of your style to your outfit. Pin it to the middle of the waist or close to your hip.

A TIP! If you plan on selling jewelry online, you should make sure you know the materials. All jewelry sellers should know about the Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for both the Jewelry and Precious Metal Industries.

Much like a bride’s dress, wedding jewelry may have to be adjusted and sized, therefore you should choose your jewelry as soon as your dress choice has been made. Your best estimate is that when your dress is done, your jewelry will be sized correctly as well, so include that in your time management planning.

To get a stubborn knot out of a necklace chain, sprinkle the knot with cornstarch or baby powder. The powder slips into each nook and cranny, lubricating the metal and making it much easier to untie the knot with your fingers. If the knot is particularly difficult, you may need to use a sewing needle to help.

A TIP! 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.

Put on the jewelry to see if it hangs correctly, then wear it for a few hours to test the comfort. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.

When you are working with any kind of silver there is one word that you should always keep in mind – polish! If you polish your silver regularly it will keep it shiny and beautiful for much longer. This helps to extend the life of the piece as well as look newer for longer.

So, after reading and applying the helpful tips listed above, you should feel a bit more at ease in the wonderland that is jewelry. You should feel empowered and ready to act like a seasoned trader. What a wonderful hobby or business involvement with jewelry can be!

What To Know About Buying New Or Used Jewelry

31 Jan

What To Know About Buying New Or Used Jewelry

Jewelry is treasured the world over for its beauty and significance. From exquisite diamond rings to colorful plastic bangles, people of all ages and genders love to adorn themselves with these attractive accessories. However, jewelry isn’t simply about fashion. It has a long history, dating back nearly 100,000 years. What is the allure of jewelry? The following article provides you with a wealth of information, advice, and tips about jewelry and its many forms and functions.

Try adding a special personal touch to your pieces by getting them professionally engraved. You can add just about anything and it makes it a more special and memorable piece to you or somebody you care about. You can get names, initials, small messages, symbols, etc. finely carved into your pieces to truly make them one-of-a-kind.

You don’t have to settle with the traditional clear diamonds. Diamonds are available in practically every color in the rainbow. They come in blue, pink, red, yellow, brown, black, purple and many more colors. You can find pieces where colored diamonds are the focal point or you can find pieces where they act like accents.

Designer jewelry can be pricey and not affordable to someone on a budget. Luckily, there are quality replicas available, and for a price almost anyone can afford. These replicas resemble the real jewelry but without the huge hit to the wallet. You can have the luxury of wearing it whenever you’d like, instead of just on special occasions. They are truly a fashionable, affordable, alternative to designer name jewelry.

If you find yourself putting off wearing a bracelet because you wear a watch, buy a bracelet that matches your watch in style and color, and wear it on your other wrist. Bracelets are fun and are one of the only pieces of jewelry that you can see on yourself when you’re wearing them. Wear one on your wrist without a watch, or simply get rid of your watch altogether.

From little girls playing dress-up with their mothers’ costume clip-on earrings to royalty around the world decked out in gem-encrusted crowns and tiaras, jewelry is a fashion that is timeless and enduring. Cherished by people of all races and cultures, jewelry is a way to add style to one’s appearance, as well as to express one’s values and beliefs. From types of jewelry to styles of jewelry to jewelry trends and fads, this article is designed to give you all the information you need to make your own informed choices when selecting a piece of jewelry to add to your collection.

Bring Your Look Together With Jewelry

30 Jan

Bring Your Look Together With Jewelry

Choosing the right jewelry can mean the difference between gaudiness and class. It can also make the difference between needlessly expensive and deceptively cheap. In order to make the best use of jewelry in your outfits and gain help in selecting the best pieces, consult the advice in this article.

Always shop around when buying a diamond. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.

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.

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. They are certainly very familiar with the individuals taste and preference and could help you select the perfect piece.

If you are a seller of jewelry, make sure you include some photos of what it should look like when its worn. Jewelry tends to look much different when you actually see it in use versus just sitting on a tabletop. Try getting a photo of a mannequin wearing it or have yourself, your staff or even your customers submit “modeling” photos of the pieces in use. This provides all of your customers a view into how things look with their sizing and how things dangle.

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.

A great source for unique and inexpensive jewelry pieces are local thrift shops. Local thrift stores can be a treasure trove for antique and truly unusual pieces. Often, these establishments do not have the staff, training or time, that is necessary to check for hallmarks or gold and silver content. A few dollar’s investment can often yield, not only some really unique pieces of jewelry, but also some pieces that may be, quite valuable.

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. A matched set of jewelry is double the joy for whomever you’re buying it for, which makes picking the perfect item twice as much fun for you!

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.

When buying or selling jewelry, consider looking into specialized pawn shops. These shops are going to have individuals who know what they are talking about. They will be able to appraise the approximate value of the jewelry much more accurately than a typical pawn shop, allowing you to have peace of mind with your sale or purchase.

When dealing with jewelry that will displayed as part of you, it is important to trust the store that is selling you their items. If you trust them, it more likely they will not give you low quality pieces of jewelry. A company that you trust will give the feeling you that you made a good decision.

Personalized jewelry will never fail as a gift, especially for Mother’s Day. A ring with the birthstones of all her children will make a Mom beam with delight. You could also get a bangle bracelet with her childrens’ names engraved on the inside. My favourite is a ring with “I Love You” engraved on the inside.

When choosing earrings, test the weight in the store. You can’t–and shouldn’t–try them on, but holding them in your hand may be able to tell you if they’re too heavy for all-day wear or just too heavy. Heavy earrings will eventually become painful. No matter how nice they look, you won’t want to wear them if they’re not comfortable.

Don’t buy novelty jewelry unless you know for sure that the person you’re buying it for will like it. If your wife is a fan of Sleeping Beauty, then a dwarf pendant is an appropriate gift. Don’t just buy an item of jewelry because it’s cute, make sure it’s appropriate, too.

When selecting jewelry for a child, make sure it is an item that can grow with them. You may have to have it sized up in time, but an item they would be happy to wear as an adult will last them a lifetime. Choose classic styles with timeless elegance.

To add more personality to your look, choose jewelry in colors that contrast with the rest of your clothing. Not only will this give you a stylish and sophisticated look, but it will also make your entire outfit look more bold. Try looking for jewelry in shades of blue or striking metallic.

Stay inside your budget. Splurging outside your budget can cause many issues, not just financially. You may end up feeling over-stressed if you realize the piece you bought is causing you to get into debt. Financially over-stretching yourself is not the best way to purchase jewelry, so stick to your budget.

To help you make chainmaille jewelry, it is important that you choose your tools wisely. The handle of your pliers should fit comfortably in your hands and the tip should be sturdy. This will help you to manipulate the wire with the most ease and comfort, preventing unnecessary strain and pain.

You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. Something that may help one piece of jewelry might hurt another one. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.

When giving a piece of jewelry to someone, you must always remember to keep the receipt. This applies to almost anything you purchase, but this definitely applies to a piece of jewelry because of how expensive it is. If you want to return the piece of jewelry for whatever reason, you need the receipt to get your money back. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a useless piece of jewelry that you spent lots of money on.

Be sure to clean your silver jewelry using professional cleaning products. Using home methods may be effective, but using cleaners specifically meant for silver can help to prolong the life of your silver jewelry. In addition, under no circumstances scrub, your silver. Instead, opt for using denture cleaners to scrub the silver without causing brush marks or other damage.

You can untangle delicate necklaces that have become knotted. The first thing you need to do is get a piece of plastic wrap. Put the chain on the wrap, then pour on a bit of mineral oil or baby oil. Untangle it with some needles. Clean with warm, soapy water and gently pat dry.

To convey a sense of physical prowess, energy, passion, and love, look for pieces that incorporate deep red stones like rubies and red garnets. Red is an especially powerful color that is best suited to bold rings and necklaces that allow the stone to take center stage. Rubies are also popularly known as the birthstone for the month of July.

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.

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.

When buying jewelry online, read the descriptions carefully. Look up words if you do not know what they mean. It is easy to take a flattering picture, but a description should give you a good idea of what you are buying. You should pay attention to size, colors and materials.

When you are making a jewelry purchase, it is important to feel a level of trust and understanding with the salesperson you are working with. If you do not feel comfortable with the salesperson helping you or they are not grasping the concept of what you are looking for, do not hesitate to ask for someone else to assist you with your purchase.

If you want to sell jewelry, learn the properties of each stone. Certain stones correspond to astrological signs or elements. Tell these stories to your customers: people are generally excited about finding the stone that was made for them. If your customers do not seem interested by this aspect, find another approach.

Jewelry can make or break an outfit, and it can make or break a budget. By applying the foregoing advice, you can shop for jewelry with more savvy, use it with more class and inform yourself about the finer points of accessories and style. Keep these tips in mind, if you wish to shine like diamonds in polite company.

Learning About Jewelry? Look Here First

30 Jan

Learning About Jewelry? Look Here First

If you have a daughter between the ages of 10 and 18, this is the perfect jewelry making project for you. Candy bracelets can be made from a variety of beads. They come in bright, neon and pastel colors, various shapes and colorful glow in the dark pieces. String them on elastic cord and tie a knot.

Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. Ideally, you should keep them in drawstring bags or in a jewelry box. When non-precious and precious metals are expose to air and humidity, they tend to tarnish. You can restore the precious metals back to their former glory, but plated jewelry is different. Trying to polish those pieces can reveal the non-precious metals underneath, such as copper.

Try making your own jewelry pieces. It just takes some tools and some materials to get started. More specifically, there are many kinds of materials you can use. You can use wire, string, beads, yarn, thread, glass, stone, metal, etc. The only limitation is your hands and your imagination, so have fun with it.

Make sure to regularly polish your metal jewelry. Over time it begins to collect dirt, oil and dust and that affects its sheen and overall appearance. This makes the jewelry look worn and old. Go ahead and refresh those pieces using some simple polish to make them look like brand new again.

When looking to invest in fine jewelry, understand the different price ranges different metals and gemstones fall into. For example, understanding that opal is very expensive, you can already figure out if you see someone selling it for under twenty dollars, it is a fake. Knowing that sterling silver is a lot cheaper than white gold, but quite similar in appearance, can help narrow down your price when looking to invest in a nice pair of earrings.

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.

When buying jewelry for a loved one, you can buy a size that may be too big for them. Just about every piece of jewelry can be sized which means that it can be made to fit your loved one. It is important to keep your receipt after purchasing the jewelry so that you can take it back to where you bought it so that you can have it sized.

Try making your own jewelry pieces. It just takes some tools and some materials to get started. More specifically, there are many kinds of materials you can use. You can use wire, string, beads, yarn, thread, glass, stone, metal, etc. The only limitation is your hands and your imagination, so have fun with it.

If you have pearl jewelry, you need to make sure that you keep your jewelry away from blow dryers. Blow dryers will quickly pull moisture out of your pearls, which will in turn cause them to become dry and brittle. This will cause them to lose their natural luster and sheen.

Making candy bead bracelets is much less expensive than buying them. It’s also a really fun craft project to share with your children. Your daughter will love wearing them and she’ll be proud to show off what she made. There’s one downside though. Her friends will all want her to make their bracelets too.