18 September 2008

Trend of Wedding Rings


On your wedding ceremony  you will want to understand that you have gotten the very best when it comes to wedding jewelry.It all starts with diamond rings and finding the wonderful ring for you. But other bridal jewelry, as well as wedding jewelry sets for your soon-to-be-spouse is also important in order to ensure that you look your very excellent and have a souvenir that will last for the rest of your life, to celebrate your big day. Wedding rings are an important component of the bridal jewelry. Wedding rings are manifest as a symbol of love and time without end. The wedding ring is a ring that will often be made from costly metals, and it will be wear on the left ring finger. It is important that you choose a timeless ring

that will not become out-of-date or unstylish after a length of time.

 

The wedding ring is unique as it is worn of your life. Hence it should be carefully selected. The first thing is to prioritize the type of metal that you want. For men, hard metals are preferred like gold, titanium etc and for girls, white gold, silver and platinum are elegant choices. A wedding ring could be a natural simple ring or can be studded with gems, diamonds or can be designer.  Diamond rings are the latest fashion and diamond branding has added to its immense popularity.  Diamonds are originate in different colours and cuts. You can choose the styles as apiece your budget and need. The newest trend is the titanium wedding rings. They are more hard-wearing than gold or silver wedding rings and are consequently preferred for men. Titanium can also hold precious gems and diamonds with more durability and hence is a logical option to choose. Selecting a ring online is easier as there are umpteen options available and you can browse through all of them at the same time. You can also compare the rings and know the best one for you. It is important to give you accurate ring size and you should get it measured by a specialized .Whatever form of ring or design you take it should be presented with a special guarantee which will charm your love for life.

15 September 2008

Wedding Jewelry


The right kind of wedding jewellery isn’t necessarily breathtaking, but that which adds to your beauty. It is that which, like your partner, brings out the best in you. You will know, the instant you wear a piece, that this is meant for you. It will add to your smile, the sparkle in your eyes and most of all your happiness.For your wedding can use jewelry like diamond.Because diamond is endless jewelry woman favourite.

The trick to buying the best wedding jewellery is to know what will look good not just on you but on your wedding dress as well. For example, if your gown is off shoulder or a tube, then a choker would suit you best. Or you might consider a tiara if your wedding dress has no veil or a bracelet if you’re wearing no gloves. It is also wise to remember that you need to balance your wedding jewellery with your gown. So if your gown is already heavily embroidered or laced, then additional jewellery will not add anything to it. . At times a great gown looks best without any jewellery. It will also be wise to stay away from jewellery if your gown is sequined or beaded, since you’re already dazzling in the gown itself. If you’re not sure of what pieces to buy, be assured that a pair of earrings will look great on any gown. 


The type of wedding jewellery you pick must accentuate your good features, and draw attention away from features you’re not comfortable with. For instance, long arms and fingers can be accentuated with delicate bracelets and rings. These same pieces, however will not look good if you’re arms are podgy. If you’re petite, wearing jewellery that’s too ornate, will overwhelm your delicate features. In the same way, if you’re on the heavier side, too delicate jewellery will look out of place on your physique. Wedding jewellery can thus go a long way in altering your appearance.

10 September 2008

Handmade Jewelry As a Hobby and Business



What is handmade jewelry and why is it becoming so popular?

Handmade jewelry is made by individuals with the aid of simple tools. To be truly handmade, nothing should be machine made and as such, it is truly unique. The uniqueness is what makes handmade jewelry valuable and popular in this age of mass production and computer aided designs. Handmade jewelry is a work of art.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of handmade jewelry?

Advantages

1. It is unique, no one else has the same item. No two items are alike and there are people who are willing to pay for the uniqueness of handmade jewelry.

2. Generally, more durable than the machine made jewelry. Many who are in the handmade jewelry business are there not just to make money but also to practice something they love doing. Since they love jewelry making, their creations are usually made with the utmost care and dedication.

3. Makes for an interesting conversation piece because there is usually a story behind most handmade jewelry.

4. An expression of one's individualism. There are handmade jewelry pieces that the majority wouldn't care to wear but there are those who see them as an expression of who they are. And since no one else has that item, then the wearer is truly unique.

5. Could be a valuable item in time particularly if the creator becomes a popular artist. This has happened in other art forms where the value of the items go up with their creator's rise to fame. It sometimes pays to invest in really good pieces of art.

Disadvantages

1. More expensive than a mass produced item of almost the same model. This is understandable since everything in a handmade jewelry is really handmade. You can't buy machine-made parts, assemble them manually and consider the finished item as handmade.

2. Requires more time, skill and concentration. Yes, the process is slow and requires the skills of a crafter.

3. The jewelry looks just like the hundreds or thousands that have been mass-produced.

4. Loses its value with time.

Handmade Jewelry as a Business

Most jewelry business operated from home are sole proprietorships, with one person the only “employee”. When your home is your office, there is no expensive overhead, although you can make deductions on your income tax for certain expenses. This allows entrepreneurs to buy higher quality items that can be offered for lower prices than in retail stores.

With the growing popularity of handmade jewelry, there is also a growing demand for it. Since not everyone has the knack for actually making handmade jewelry, this is the time for the hobbyists to become entrepreneurs. Going into business is also a chance to earn doing something you truly enjoy.

08 September 2008

Care for Your Jewelry

You have to remove your jewelry whenever you are doing activities that are risky. These activities may cause an impact or expose the jewelry to chemicals. Don't wear your jewelry when you're playing sports or doing house hold chores. 

If you have rings that can't be removed and you have to use strong cleaning products, particularly those with an Ammonia base, you can protect it (as well as your skin) by wearing gloves made of rubber. Rings and bracelets are jewelry that are often worn, earrings and necklaces are also prone to damages from chemicals, especially whenever they are worn while putting make-up, spraying fragrances and spritzing hair products. 

A jeweler can also restring your pearl necklaces every two years. This should be done if it is your favorite jewelry. You can also clean your jewelry yourself by using mild and warm water with a soapy solution. Use a soft brush in cleaning the edges. Dry them using a soft cloth. 

Be mindful of the loose clasps and gems before you wear your jewelry. You wouldn't want the stones dropping off. Neither would you want to lose the entire thing when you're walking down the street.

Don't pull the stones. Some women who wear jewelry pull on the stones whenever they are bored; just so their fingers have something to do. Well, this practice results to the gemstones being more prone to oil, dirt and sweat. You may even risk these because you loosen the setting on the metal. 

It is also not advisable to store your jewelry in one big pile. This will cause the metal and the gems to scratch one another. Store your jewelry in separate sections. Wrap them in paper, silk or velvet. Put them in a jewelry box.

Here is a quick run-through on how to clean common gems:

1. Alexandrite
Clean using soapy water or commercially available products. The best is alcohol. You can also resort to mechanical cleaners. 

2. Aquamarine
Steer clear of chemical cleaners and heat. These shouldn't be cleaned frequently as well. Use a soapy solution. 

3. Diamond
Chemical and mechanical cleaners are said to be safe, but they should be avoided when cleaning diamonds because the stone could be fractured. Rinse the diamond dry and well after using a soapy solution. 

4. Emerald
Don't use mechanical and chemical cleaners. It will only dissolve oils during the cleaning process. Emeralds must be cleaned using soapy water. Have a jeweler re-oil the gem once every year. 

5. Garnet
Just use soapy water. 

6. Jade
Soapy water is the best, safest and easiest solution. You can also resort to mechanical cleaners, just steer clear of the chemical ones. 

7. Opal
Wipe the stone after every use with a slightly damp pr dry cloth. Do not wash or scrub hard. 

8. Peridot
Don't use chemical or mechanical cleaners. Just use soapy water. 

9. Ruby
Use soapy water or the cleaning solvents that are commercially available. Mechanical cleaners are also safe but these should be avoided because it may affect the clarity of the ruby.

10. Sapphire
Use soapy water and cleaning solvents. Mechanical cleaners are also safe but when these are used, they may affect the sapphires clarity. 

11. Spinel
Use soapy water and the commercial cleaning solvents. Mechanical cleaners are to be avoided because these affect the clarity of the spinel. 

12. Tanzanite
Don't use chemical or mechanical cleaners. Just use soapy water. 

13. Topaz
Same with tanzanite, don't use chemical or mechanical cleaners. Soapy water is fine. 

Caring for Your Pearls
Pearls are quite durable. Proper care keeps them lustrous and even more beautiful. Here are some general tips in doing so.

1. Wipe the pearls using a damp warm cloth. This removes dirt and body oils which harm the original color of the pearl. Do this before you put them away. 

2. Pearls must be stored away from other jewelry and objects. Keeping them close to such could scratch the surface. Wrap them in soft cloth or linen and put them in pouches. Don't store your pearls in packages that are air tight because they might lose their moisture. 

3. Wash them using mild soap and wipe them dry with soft cloth. You can use also use acetone polish remover. 


Keep your jewelry looking its best with simple maintenance. The care you provide for your jewelry will be rewarding by providing years of pleasurable wear. Make sure you understand how jewelry should be worn, stored and properly cleaned. This thing will make your jewelry become durable during the time.

06 September 2008

Really Cheap Jewelry : The Best place To Look


Cheap jewelry can be found, but only if you know the right place to look for. If you find authentic jewelry at great prices, they, for sure, are not brand new, so keep this aspect in mind. Still, if you look to buy cheap jewelry, there are places where you can get some beautiful pieces at even half the price.

A good bargain can be achieved when you stumble upon someone that needs some money fast, so they choose to sell their old jewelry. As many pieces of jewelry are inherited and no actual investment was made by the person selling it, you can offer a price that will be convenient for you, as well as for them.

The Internet is a good place to start searching for places where people wanting to convert jewelry into cash post announcements. There are usually auctions sites, where you can bid as far as your pockets allow you to.

You may be amazed of how many jewelries are listed for selling and even at incredible prices, but you will need to verify the sites, to see if they are reliable sources. You will need to know these aspects if you are going to spend thousands of dollars.

The first rule of thumb is to verify which is the real price of the jewelry that you have set your eyes on. This will let you know whether you are on the point of making a good deal or you just sell yourself off the market. You can also find, besides jewelry, designers watches, or other things that are related to jewelry.

An expensive jewelry will always make a good impression, when you want to offer a gift to someone. These sites are a good place to look for cheap jewelry, and, if you do not want to really spend a fortune, you can still find yourself a nice bargain and you will end up purchasing a beautiful jewelry. Competition exists and it is pretty tough, so you will need some bidding skill on your side so you can buy something nice for a good price.

A good way to keep the spending in place is to establish a maximum over which you will not go when bidding for a beautiful jewelry. You may find some pieces that are really affordable, but some may be too expensive for what they are worth, or depending on your allotted budget.

A little research about the seller and about the auction site is required to be done before closing a deal. Even cheap, jewelry is still expensive and you cannot afford losing money just because you tried to make a deal with untrustworthy partners.

As far as other things go, you need to have your own set of rules, so you can buy and sell under the most advantageous circumstances for you.


Source : http://www.articleclick.com

04 September 2008

Tips When Buying Gemstone


Gemstones have been sought after and treasured throughout history. They have been found in ruins dating several thousand years. They are valued as gifts symbolizing love.People have always fell in love with gemstones. That is because these items are almost always breath taking and are truly exquisite. Gemstones are valuable because naturally, their market appraisal is high. Thus, it is expected that you need to allot a significant investment when you aim to purchase any type of gemstone.


When buying gemstones, it is important that you first seek to be knowledgeable about the task. It is easy to acquire such items on the market if you have plenty of money. But if your resources are limited and you are aiming for the best deals, then, you need to get to know several guidelines of how the purchase can be made worthwhile and practical. Here are some tips.

- Observe and look at the gemstone of your choice at all possible and viewable angles. You should get a thorough ocular examination of the item to find any defects like uneven color distribution, presence of color zones, cutting defects and apparent inclusions. Defects found can reduce the value of the gemstone. If you want to purchase an item at significant discount, be observant enough and look out for any sign of defects.

- Be interested but don't let your enthusiasm show. You are advised to maintain your composure no matter how breath taking a gemstone. This strategy would help you maintain a sound and reasonable judgment over the jewelry.

- Don't be intimidated by the overall appearance and presence of the broker. If the gender, nationality and age of the broker distracts you, chances are greater that you would only nod to what the broker has to say and forget to affirm your side or your judgment. If that happens, you will lose your power to secure a bargain.

- Be patient to present your offer for the gemstone at the end or near the conclusion of the negotiation. You should appear and sound firm on your stand so that the broker would think your standing offer is the ultimate concession you could possibly offer.


As you buy the gemstone, aim to keep it as a priced possession. You should make sure to constantly update yourself about the valuation of your possession so that anytime, as the need may arise, you could always get the choice to dispose it.

There are many ways that dealers treat gemstones. The savvy buyer asks lots of questions and hopefully tests the results. Here are some treatments to look for: 

Irradiation: It is common to irradiate Aquamarine, London Blue Topaz, Emerald, and Diamond as well as other stones. This treatment brings out color and removes imperfections. Many dealers know if the stones they are selling have been irradiated. Honest ones will tell you if they are aware of the treatment. 

Heat Treatment: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Ruby, Tanzanite and Topaz are often heated at high temperatures to enhance color. 

Dye: This is the most common treatment used. On clear stones, dye may be visible in cracks that are darker than the rest of the stone. Sometimes dye appears as a residue that rubs off or white patches. Lapis and Rose Quartz are commonly dyed. Amethyst and Citrine are often dyed. Black Onyx is permanently dyed in normal processing. 

Coatings: Jasper is often dipped in petroleum products to bring out color and to seal it. Emerald is oiled; turquoise is waxed. 

Fake stones: Some dealers will try passing off fake stones instead of natural ones. There are fake stones for most gemstones on the market. Always ask what stone something is if you are not certain. Honest dealers will tell you. If a stone looks too perfect it may be fake, irradiated or dyed. I avoid Laboratory made products are known as synthetics. 


Gemstones are beautiful. They will never fail to mesmerize the eyes of the beholder, so keep it safe the way you guard your life.

03 September 2008

A Guide to Buying Jewelry


Even the most affordable pieces of jewelry are still costlier than most of the everyday things we purchase. Furthermore, its easy for people with untrained eyes to be fooled into paying a lot for fake jewelry. Use the tips below to ensure you're making the smart and the right investment when buying jewelry pieces.

How to Buy Gold Jewelry
Gold is one of the most commonly used materials for jewelry. And as gold jewelry doesn't discolor like silver does, they are ideal for people with allergy concerns. Because of its malleability, gold is mixed with other metals to improve its durability and structure. That's why even 24K gold isn't really made purely of gold.

Gold jewelry is measured by its karat or the amount of gold it contains. 24K gold is the highest karat amount you can look for. The next would be 18K, 14K, 12K, and 10K. Any gold jewelry with a rating lower than 10K is no longer considered gold jewelry. In Europe, the karat rating is shown in percentage. 18K would be .750 because it contains 75% gold. 14K would be .583, 12K would be .500.

How to Buy Jewelry Made of Silver, Platinum, and Other Metals
Other metals beside gold are also used to make jewelry. Platinum is one good example and today's market prices it even more expensively than gold. Platinum jewelry is also rated according to its platinum content. 

92.5% is the highest rating provided for silver or sterling silver jewelry pieces; it signifies the amount of silver used in the jewelries. Other metals commonly used for jewelry are pewter and vermeil.

How to Buy Gemstone Jewelry
There are two primary types of gemstones: natural and artificial. Natural gemstones are more expensive. Artificial, company-created, or synthetic gemstones are made in the laboratory.

The size and weight are important when buying gemstones. A 1-carat gemstone will weigh 50 points or 1/5th of a gram. At times, gemstones are subjected to certain treatments to change or improve their durability or appearance. The laws require jewelry makers to label their items clearly if they had been treated in any way. In most cases, treated jewelry pieces are less costly than untreated ones.

Commonly used treatments today include bleaching, dyeing, diffusion, fracture filling, impregnating, irradiation, and heating. Bleaching is used to whiten pearls, jades, and other similar stones. Dyeing, diffusion, heating, and irradiation mostly have to do with improving the color of gemstones. Impregnating and fracture filling, on the other hand, make flaws of gemstones less visible.

Gemstones are also appraised according to the same 4C’s used for appraising diamonds, and they are cut, color, clarity, and, which has been previously discussed, carat weight.

Darker gemstones aren't always better. Sapphire that's too dark could have its bluish shade ending up appearing black, and this is considered undesirable by many. Its best to view the color of gemstones at all light levels to judge it more accurately. Ultimately, look for vividness and brightness in colored gemstones.

Clarity refers to the absence of flaws in a gemstone. Imperfections, or inclusions as they're called, are sometimes used to as birthmarks because they indicate the gemstones origins. Other times, they actually increase the value of the gemstone, such as it is in the case of stars in star rubies and sapphires.

Cut doesn't necessarily make a gemstone more expensive, but it could enhance or detract from its appearance.

Gemstones can be classified into several categories. Traditional gemstones are made up of emerald, blue sapphire, and ruby. They were originally called precious gemstones and with the rest merely delegated to semi-precious category. Most of the time, rubies and emeralds are more expensive than sapphires because of their rarity. 

New classics refer to currently fashionable gemstones, those on the rise in the industry like aquamarine and tourmaline. Connoisseur gemstones refer to those that are hard to find like alexandrite, a rare pinkish stone, sapphires that have other colors than blue, and black opal. 

Collectors gems are rare but affordable and of great beauty like morganite and zircon. Lastly, affordable gemstones are those with high quantity in the market, affordably priced, but with excellent overall value such as amethyst and blue topaz.

How to Buy Pearl Jewelry

Pearls are an organic gem, called that because they are created by living creatures. Each pearl begins its existence as a piece of grit or other particle that makes its way into the shell of a marine or freshwater mollusk — some types of oysters and clams. A defense mechanism kicks-in and coats the particle with layer after layer of a substance called nacre, or mother-of-pearl, which eventually becomes thick enough to form a pearl.

Pearls may be natural, cultured (naturally grown but with human intervention), or synthetic. Artificial or synthetic pearls are man-made and produced using plastic, glass, or other similar materials. Pearls are judged according to the skin, luster, shape, and size. Skin refers to the absence of blemishes, luster is an exclusive quality of pearls, referring to its surface glow, and shape places preferences for the most perfect spheres for pearls.