Sterling silver jewelry is unsurpassed

June 23rd, 2010

Each year, on fashion runways from New York to Paris, Milan, and Toyko, sterling silver is “new again” as designers interpret it in new and exciting ways. What makes sterling silver a fashion perennial? The answer is clear: when it comes to beauty, versatility, durability, and affordability, sterling silver jewelry is unsurpassed.

In the hands of talented artists and designers, sterling silver is constantly “reinvented” to suit the evolving tastes of the women who wear it. But whether as a ring, a necklace, or bracelet, standing alone or presented in combination with gemstones and other precious metals…sterling silver is always in fashion.

Here’s a look at what’s “hot” this year:

Peace of Silver

In 2004, many Oscar presenters and recipients wore gracefully and simply designed “Dove of Peace.” pin. Embraced by such Hollywood luminaries as Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Drew Barrymore, and Leonardo DiCaprio, it has also been seen on the Dali Lama and Nobel Peace Laureates Oscar Aria Sanchez, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, and former UN Assistant Secretary-General Gillian Sorrensom.

Now non-celebrities may purchase the pin in sterling silver pin to demonstrate both their commitment to peace and their fashion sense. The 2005 sterling silver interpretation was designed by award-winning American jewelry artist Henry Dunay to resonate the energy of Picasso’s “Dove Of Peace.”

Wear Your Jewelry

June 23rd, 2010

8) Cleaning Guidelines

You can clean your wedding rings easily. To clean a ring that has no stones, simply rub it with a soft and lint-free cloth, such as chamois. You can remove tarnish with a solution of soap, water with a few drops of ammonia. Dip a brush into the solution then gently brush the ring. Making sure the drain plug is used, rinse the ring, then dry with a soft cloth. With warm soapy water brush your ring and stones with a soft brush, rinse and dry with a cloth

9) Protect Your Jewelry

You should use care when wearing finger-hugging valuables such as platinum! You can do things to reduce damage to your ring. Don’t wear your ring whilst you are doing rough work or sports as they can nick and scratch it, and don’t wear your ring whilst using chemicals such as concentrated chlorine (found in bleaches, cleaners and swimming pool disinfectants) as they can cause pitting or discoloration. Matte finishes show scratches much more than rough finishes, and platinum, which is much softer than gold, scratches and nicks more easily. Fortunately, it’s simple for your jeweler to restore you ring to its original splendor by reapplying or changing its finish and/or plating.

10) Wear Your Jewelry

Don’t take your ring off because it is easier to lose than you might think. When buying your ring, make sure it’s something you won’t need to remove very often if at all. Have a designated place where you always put your ring when you need to remove it for some reason, and keep it out of your pockets and away from sinks. A cat can help a ring end up down the drain. Removing your ring while you’re traveling is the most dangerous time to do so. It’s when you’re traveling that you’re most likely to set down, lose or forget your ring. The insurance industry states that you have the highest chance of damaging or losing your wedding rings during the first year that you own them.

There’s no point in buying a beautiful ring

June 23rd, 2010

4) Think Practical and Keep Your Lifestyle In Mind

There’s no point in buying a beautiful ring that doesn’t feel good on your finger or that you’re going to feel you need to remove. You need to remember that you will wear this band everyday. You should try to pick a ring that fits into your life without disruption. Try to avoid wide chunky bands if you lead an active lifestyle instead opt for a thinner band. If you work with your hands, you may want to consider a simple design, rather than a diamond engagement ring that will continually trap dirt. If certain metals or combinations of metals irritate your skin, spend the money and buy platinum rings. The fact that it is hypoallergenic for the average person, due to its purity, makes it a good choice.

5)Do the 20 Year Test

When choosing your ring, don’t be afraid to step outside the box, but make sure whatever you choose is something that you’ll love for years to come.

6) Choosing the Right Size

Note that most people don’t take their wedding bands off, even through summers, winters, exercise, pregnancies, or menstruation, all of which make fingers swell and contract from heat, cold, water retention and weight gain - so be smart, think about the size for all conditions.

7) Know the Quality

It cannot be emphasised enough - with all rings, check for quality! On the inside of the ring, the shank, there should be some markings. There should be a manufacturer’s trademark, a sponsors symbol, the mineral content in fineness and finally which metal - gold, silver or platinum. Make sure it has these markings. If two or more metals were used in the construction of the ring, there needs to be a quality mark for each one.

Choose Your Metal and Style

June 23rd, 2010

There are some basic principles that can be applied to any jewelry purchase, but since wedding rings are special there are extra shopping tips to follow. When buying your wedding ring, you must consider jewelry buying basics, for example, when buying wedding rings you must buy a band capable of lasting for years. Read the 10 commandments below to help you find, purchase and take care of your wedding rings.

1) Choose Your Metal and Style

This might be the only piece of jewelry you will buy together and wear forever, so take the time to talk about what you want and can agree on. Do you want white or gold metal? You want yellow gold, because it will match the bulk of your other jewelry, but your husband-to-be is also wanting to match the white metal of his watch, so what do you do? It’s simple, compromise and search for rings that have a mixture of both yellow and white gold to please you both. Once you decide your metal, you should think about how elaborate you want your rings. WIll you want gems or diamonds?

2) Budgeting is Key

The plainest of gold bands runs around $125 to $200 per band, and ones of more precious metals, like platinum, are closer to $400 or $600 per band. The Diamond Information Center reports the average cost of a band is $742. When you engrave the inside of your wedding band it can cost between $1-8 per character, depending on which font you pick and what method you pick for engraving.

3) Make Time

Don’t wait too long. You should start looking for wedding bands at least two months before the big day. Take time and look for your ring and reconsider all your options. If you are considering a custom piece you will want to allow even more time. It can take as much as 30 days to have a piece engraved.

Glass beads jewelry is a collection of necklaces

June 18th, 2010

Glass beads jewelry is a collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings made of different kinds of beads. You may choose from the wide ranges of styles and colors of beads. There are beads that are simple and less expensive but are really stunning once it is made into jewelry. In making jewelry, you can also add different semi-precious stones or pearls, but if you are looking for a less expensive but stunning jewelry then choose glass beads jewelry instead. Nowadays more women prefer wearing glassbeads because you can easily match these in your outfit anytime. Glass beads jewelry sell like hotcakes and that is why most jewelry designers use glass beads instead of other precious stones.

Nowadays there are lots of beads jewelry that are made of swarovski crystals that are widely available in ranges of beautiful colours and shapes that can be used for different kinds. These crystals are usually used by renowned jewelry designers all over the world to make colourful and amazing jewelry sets for women. All glass jewelry is an excellent and unforgettable gift to the women because women prefer exclusive and stunning kinds like colourful necklaces, vibrant earrings and artistic bracelet than other material gifts. Glass beads jewelry can be as elegant as gold by putting different kinds of beads.

In order to make this jewelry, you must first make your basic bead by lamp working. This is the process of heating a glass rod in a flame until it melts. Then as it reaches molten stage, wind it around a mandrel until you have formed a perfect bead. After making your base bead you can know put some styles like dots, stripes, spots and trails to make it really extraordinary among the rest. You can even encase your bead with a transparent glass to make it look deeper. You can even make beads with different colors that will make it more attractive. Anything is possible in glass beads regarding colors and styles.

You can now make your own beads by knowing these details about it. Bring out the talent in you by mixing and matching different colors and shapes to make a perfect jewelry. Reach your dreams in making famous kinds made of glass beads before it’s too late.

Glass jewelry making consists of information

June 18th, 2010

Glass jewelry making consists of information on how to make glass jewelery, what are the different kinds of glass beads that are used for jewelry and also the different techniques on how to make jewelry. Nowadays, you can make a stylish and spectacular jewelry by using different kinds of glass beads on necklaces, bracelets and earrings because they are less expensive and unique. Glass jewelry making basics starts by making a basic bead by lampworking. This method is mostly used for making beads for it is simple and easy to do. You can make different kinds of glass beads out of this method.

In glass jewelry making basics, you must know what the materials looks like. The most common materials you will use are clasps, dichroic glass beads, clamp shells, bugle beads, crimp bead, seed beads and bead cap. You have to know what their functions are before you begin your jewelry. Glass jewelry-making basics has different materials in getting started for jewelry-making, like the flexible beading wire, lobster clasps or toggle clasp, pliers, adhesives, cutters, pin vises and beads. Now that you have known the basic materials in jewelry making basics, its now time to gather them to start making one.

Glass jewelry-making basics consists of different methods on how to make your jewelry. Every detail is made simple to make it easier for you to follow and understand. First find a workplace then arrange all tools and materials for making jewelry. Think of a design you like, if you are having a hard time creating your first jewelry design, it’s a good idea to attend a class about making glass bead jewelry first, for further information. Choose also beads or semi-precious stone that is nice for your jewelry then familiarize yourself with the different techniques such as stringing, wire wrapping, stitching and knotting that are needed in glass jewelry making basics.

Now that you know this information on jewelry making basics, it will not be hard for you to start your jewelry making. The tools and materials needed are available in beading stores. You can use different kinds of beads instead of using expensive precious stones. Enhance your talent in beadmaking, who knows you might be the next famous jewelry designer in town.

Costume jewelry was also starting to develop around this time

June 18th, 2010

When Napoleon Bonaparte came to power in France, he restored the grandeur and style in the areas of fashion and jewelry. Take the cameo for example. Napoleon had one of these decorating his crown. Once this fashion trend was shown to the public, the demand for cameos rose. Costume jewelry was also starting to develop around this time. Depending on the materials the jewelers worked with, they were given specific names.

About the time of the late 18th century romanticism started to work it’s way into jewelry development of the area. The industrial processes of the time meant that cheaper alloys and stone substitutes were now available, and this resulted in more paste and costume jewelry.The start of the Industrial Revolution, and the subsequent social conditions that the people were being subjected to, resulted in the rise of a growing middle-class. This class of people wanted, and could now afford, jewelry.

In 1837 a man named Charles Lewis Tiffany started his jewelry company in the United States. It was to go on to develop some stunning jewelry, such as those created for the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. This company really put the United States on the map in the area of jewelry design and craftsmanship. It is this exact same company that was to become the setting of the Hollywood movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. On the other side “of the pond” as they say, in France in particular, Pierre Cartier founded his company, Cartier SA, in 1847. A few years later, in 1884, the Italian jewelry company of Bulgari was founded.

Louis Comfort Tiffany saw the world through colored chips of glass

June 18th, 2010

Louis Comfort Tiffany saw the world through colored chips of glass, and created items of delicate beauty to show us his vision. Known for his intricate designs, using left-over glass from created windows, Tiffany Lamps are prestigious additions to décor with timeless style.

Recreated, utilizing Tiffany’s unique techniques, artists craft Tiffany style lamps that add to home lighting concepts today. But how did the innovator of Art Nouveau begin what is now known as Tiffany Studios?

The path began with Tiffany’s love of art leading him away from the family business of classic silver jewelry, Tiffany & Co. With travels to Europe, studies with artists and melding minds with a “bright” Thomas Edison, Tiffany Studios became an elite producer of stained-glass windows, pottery, jewelry, art glass and specifically a work entitled The Holy City. It is one of the largest stained glass artworks with 58 panels. It is located at the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church located in Baltimore, Maryland.

At its peak, Tiffany Studios employed over 300 artisans, and decorated houses for famous names such as Mark Twain and President Chester A. Arthur to name a few. Among those artisans, a group of anonymous women that worked in the Women’s Glass Cutting Department, supervised by Clara Driscoll, contributed to the success of Tiffany Studios.

Driscoll was hired by Tiffany in 1888 after completing studies at the Metropolitan Museum Art School. Prior to her arrival, the Tiffany Lamp was static and had a geometric feel. It wasn’t until recently that the world discovered that Driscoll was the creative force behind some of the famous Tiffany style lighting designs. When Tiffany Studio closed in 1930, all records were lost.

Discoveries of historical letters written by Driscoll to her mother and sister demonstrated that she and the Tiffany girls were the creative forces behind Tiffany’s most famous designs. Driscoll and her “girls” brought femininity into the Tiffany lamp, and it is now known that they were the creators of the Dragonfly, Peony and The Wisteria. Driscoll’s first design for Tiffany was the Daffodil. Her career ended in 1908 because she remarried after being a window for some time. It was against the studio’s policy to work while being married.

Jewels are not only the best friends for women

June 10th, 2010

Every year, boys are thinking over what Christmas presents to send to their girlfriends. Adversely, what girls should give their boyfriends? Girls seldom think of it. But love is a mutual relationship, and besides receiving love girls should also think of showing love to their boyfriends. Fortunately, a website recently conducted a survey concerning what boys want as Christmas presents. The result is sure to give girls some valuable advices on what they should pick for their boyfriends.

Third: electronic products

Boys are never sick of electronic products. With the fast speed of upgrading of electronic products, they always have a desire for the newest ones. Ipod, digital camera, cell phones and PSP are good choices. And you can also share it with your boyfriend. For example, you can share the earplug of the ipod when you are waiting at a bus station with your boyfriend. Such a behaviour can greatly increase the intimacy between the couple.

Second: UGG boots

Do not be surprised that boys also love UGG boots. In fact, UGG boots are not exclusively designed for girls. The comfort and convenience of a pair of UGG boots [http://www.uggscardy.co.uk] also draw the attention of boys’. However, you should carefully choose the right ones for your boyfriend. A pair in dark color is better, such as dark brown, dark grey or black. Or, the boy wearing them would seem girlish. Also, dark boots are easier to clean. And it is better to pick up a pair of boots with a short shaft, because long shaft boots are more suitable for girls.

First: Cartier watch

Jewels are not only the best friends for women. Boys also like Tiffany. The glamour of Tiffany is so hard to be resisted. A pair of lovers’ watches is a great choice on Christmas day. The boy wearing a watch of the same style with the girl’s is the best demonstration of the two people’s special relation. And the delicate and extraordinary design of Cartier work makes the present more valuable. Your boyfriend will surely cherish it. The diamond represents eternal love.

The diamonds and pearls at Tiffany are of the finest quality

June 10th, 2010

As the online shopping experience continues to expand, the inclusion of jewelry as a popular product offered by designer brands and jewelry websites is becoming hugely prevalent. From pearls to diamonds, rings to necklaces, consumers are looking for their online jewelry buying decisions to be made easy and the Internet offers them the best jewelry websites to do so.

Websites for jewelry businesses have become more cost effective and slowly gaining momentum because of the ease and convenience of online jewelry shopping. There are several jewelry websites offering all kinds of products ranging from designer to unsigned labels and trendy to affordable jewelry. Choosing your jewelry is a matter of personal taste and expense

Here is a list of the top five jewelry websites for you to enjoy a greater shopping extravaganza.

Tiffany

Tiffany has been world renown for its excellent standards in designer jewelry for more than 150 years. The diamonds and pearls at Tiffany are of the finest quality and superlative beauty. It was Tiffany & co. who first introduced the diamond engagement ring as we know it today. It is also known for its watch-making heritage of fine craftsmanship, design and innovation. Whether it is business gifts, wedding jewelry, watches or engagement rings, the detailed styling and meticulous beauty of crafted objects make Tiffany the perfect choice - a gift from Tiffany is to be remembered and cherished always.

Ylang 23

YLANG 23 owned by Joanne and Charles Teichman first opened in Dallas in 1985. Their fine workmanship and innovative designs attracted an elite clientele and helped shape the fashion trends across the US and the European continent. A truly superb collection of beautiful designer jewelry, Yang 23 believes in the dynamics of the rapidly changing fashion industry, thus providing stylistic as well as trendy jeweller from both well-known and recently discovered jeweller designers.

Bill Barnes

Bill Barnes is the new word in fashion bringing exciting designer jeweller to your doorstep from around the world. Each piece is exquisitely handcrafted, a rare gem and a jewel that you would love to own and possess. The workmanship is exacting with a fine sense of style and fashion. Adding to the collection are exciting designs from award winning designers, Retain Platinum Rings, Hidalgo Jewelry, Taconic collection and much more.

Bijoux

The jeweller at Bijoux is a collection made from the finest peals, gold and silver. The designer Mark Kidd inspired by his travels through Europe decided to produce a lifestyle brand replete with style and value. The vibrant energy evident in the jeweller is a reflection of the quintessential New York City fashion trends where nothing is out of reach and certainly nothing is impossible to achieve. The collection consists of City Chic, trendy and casual jeweller for the hip New Yorker signifying progress and adventure and the pearl and crystal designs of timeless beauty of the Bridal Collection.

Cartier

This world famous French designer and watchmaker are known for its exquisite designs and superb craftsmanship for more than hundred years. It has a stunning collection of wedding and engagement rings, distinctive diamond jewelry, watches and other luxury goods. A colored harmony of jewels vibrating with freshness and extravagance mark the elegance and style that is a true representative of this fine jewelry - Cartier.


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