All About Jewelry

Battle Wrist Cuff - For Vulgar Display of Glory & Power

2009-02-04T17:54:00.000-08:00

Women are known for their love for jewelries but men are following closely behind. Today, there is "equal distribution" for all kind of jewelries between men and women. As a matter of fact, there are now several jewelry items that are made just for the male species and they have their own distinct style and they range from earrings, necklaces, cuffs and bracelet for men. A man with a battle wrist cuff displays vulgar power and glory. Just try to imagine a weakling wearing a jewelry item like this, don't you think he looks, oh, so powerful?

Everywhere you are, there are a handful of men who wear jewelries from all walks of life from the military to members of a street gang, from the CEO to the garbage collector, student to teacher. For professionals, wearing jewelries is a sign of stature. For the street bully, it's a sign of power and domination and "pick-up" items and you know what that means.

In movies, you see a lot of stars wearing jewelries, actors and actresses and it doesn't matter what kind of life they had and what kind of life they're going into. With jewelries dangling in every sides of the body, you will surely marvel at them just by staring with mouth open wide.

Jewelries have been so much a part in the lives of people today. Although these items can be status symbol, the very essence of jewelries tells something about an individual.

Because of the popularity of jewelries today, there are even fancy jewelries now available offline and online. Even rich business tycoons and rich rock stars are now going crazy over fancy jewelries. One such famous personality marveled at his fancy jewelry collection not because they are so affordable but because they have awesome design as compared to real jewelry and "it won't attract thieves and robbers, he added jokingly.

Now, the question is, where can you find jewelries like battle wrist cuff and double-headed eagle rings and cross rosary in black onyx or Cross Engraved Filigree Bracelet and such? Now, you can buy these jewelries as conveniently as you want and with this in mind, there is no other place to go but right here on the Internet.

Blak Prince caters specifically to men. Inspired by the founders' family heritage and personal travels across regions of Europe. Blak Prince takes root in ancient European and Byzantine culture, architecture, clothing, and Fine Jewelry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bernard_Steimann

Collectors Delight in Zippo Lighters

2009-02-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

If you've ever owned a Zippo lighter, you know what a reliable tool it is. The lighters actually come in a huge variety of colors and designs and are sure to tantalize even the most fussy of potential buyers. The most sought after item in the entire Zippo collection is the original lighter that was made back in 1932. In fact, it is considered to be the Holy Grail for collectors. In the years since this lighter was first introduced to the market, there have been over four hundred million lighters sold worldwide, in a range of styles.

Zippo: Creating Jobs in a Barren Economy

In the early 1930's, Americans found themselves caught up in the midst of a horrible depression and during this time there were millions who were losing their jobs, their homes and their livelihood. Those who had lost the most during these awful times were searching for different ideas so that they could once again start to gain income and pull themselves out of the financial slump.

It was during this time that George G. Blaisdale decided to make good looking, quality Zippo lighters that could fit in one hand. This idea was based on a concept that had originally begun in Austria and Blaisdale borrowed this concept and expanded on it. To get started, the newly formed company rented a small space and had only three workers assembling the Zippo lighters. The very first lighter was rather bulky and did not sell that well but the following year saw the design reduced by a quarter of an inch, which helped to increase its popularity. Although the original sales were not that large, the lighters themselves sold for a little under two dollars, which was a lot of money for the time. In order to help increase sales, the lifetime warranty was introduced.

The lighters were considered invaluable for many and during World War II they helped soldiers in the battlefield. It has even been reported that during that time, many of the soldiers heated up their rations and cans of soup with their Zippo lighters. The lighter's proven durability only helped to increase its reputation and before long they were selling higher numbers. Here's a list of just a few different types of Zippo lighters that have drawn special attention from collectors down the years:

1. Windproof Lady - this lighter was introduced in 1937.

2. Zippos with the signature of Gen. MacArthur.

3. Table lighters - Barcroft Model and the Lady Bradford.

4. The discontinued Moderne and Corinthian.

5. NASA Zippos.

6. 1982 replicas of the original lighters.

7. Vintage series.

8. Coded series.

9. Zippo Blue.

10. Animal series.

11. Americana.

12. Astrological series.

13. Regional series.

14. Medieval and Fantasy.

This is just a sample of the many different types and styles of Zippo lighters that collectors find interesting as there are many others to choose from, but what they like to collect largely depends on their own personal tastes. If you want to check out other designs, you can go to their website and look at the different models. There is also a book available on all the different Zippo lighters and accessories.

Your Zippo collection is not complete without a great looking dragon Zippo lighter to make all of your friends envious. You also should not do without the classic brass Zippo, everyone will want to have one after they see yours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Quincy_Scott

How to Care and Store Sterling Silver Jewelry and CZ Jewelry

2009-02-04T17:52:00.001-08:00

Sterling silver jewelry is stunning, but it requires the proper cleaning, care, and storage to keep it that way. Without proper care, these items will tarnish and damage easily. Here are some tips and hints to help your favorite accessories look fantastic for years to come.

Storage

One of the most common reasons that sterling silver jewelry loses its appeal is the result of improper storage. Storing sterling silver jewelry and cz jewelry out without protection results in heavy tarnishing. The humidity and natural touching the material turn it from silver to a golden color before turning it black. This process is known as oxidization.

When you aren't wearing your favorite expensive earrings or cheap CZ jewelry, keep it in sealed air-tight plastic bags. Zip lock bags made of polyethylene or Mylar work best. You will want to choose the type of plastic you use carefully! Some varieties contain compounds such as sulfur that increase the rate of oxidation. Also, it's best to store each item separately to prevent them from tangling or scratching each other.

Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry

Regular cleaning needs nothing more than mild dish detergent and water. Simply rub the expensive item or cheap CZ jewelry with a soft 100% cotton cloth after dipping it in the cleaning solution. Take care to rub lightly in order to prevent scratching it with your fingers or by causing the dirt to scratch the surface. Once clean, dry it as much as possible and place the jewelry back into its plastic bag.

How you deep clean your accessories will depend on whether or not the jewelry contains gemstones. A polishing spray or paste works best on items that do not have any gemstones because these substances can harm the stones and detract from the beauty of the piece. Instead, use special sterling silver jewelry cleaner for items with stones. Some cleaners are safe for jewelry, but you will have to check the products carefully. In general, if you are unsure, avoid your gemstones!

How To Clean Expensive And Cheap CZ Jewelry

Rubbing in a circle pattern is one of the biggest mistakes people make. This causes minuscule scratches that dull your jewelry. Always rub each item in a lengthwise manner. If you can't seem to get the tarnishing out of the tiny nooks and crannies, use a soft bristled toothbrush or mushroom brush to remove the dirt and gunk efficiently. Once it's clean, rinse it with clear water, dry well, and place it back into your storage container.

Whether you spend your money on expensive sterling silver jewelry or cheap cz jewelry, you're still spending your hard-earned money! You purchase jewelry to adorn yourself with beautiful things and you want them to look great. To ensure they continue to look their best, clean them up often using these techniques and store them properly to enjoy them for years to come.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on silver cz jewelry, visit http://www.overstocksilver.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Harrell

How to Skillfully Drop Hints to Your Man, to Get the Engagement Ring of Your Dreams

2009-02-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

Well, here's one for the ladies.

You are sure--at least reasonably--that you want to get married to your current boyfriend, and you therefore want him to propose to you and get you an engagement ring. You want a nice engagement ring, of course--one that reflects who you are, one that is aligned with your tastes, one that symbolizes your love.

Now...how can you make sure your man doesn't get you something too gaudy...or too subtle...or too much like a cigar band?

There are ways of hinting about the ring you want. These are tried and true ways of making the right suggestion in the right way, depending on the circumstances.

For starters, there's always the blatant way: "randomly" leave open web pages on your computer that show the ring(s) you would want; just so happen to leave open bridal magazines showing pictures of prospective rings; make him bookmarks out of pictures of your ring choices. This approach works if: you know exactly what you want and your heart is set on it; you are very confident that he is ready to commit to you. If you show him pictures of rings before he wants to think about it, he might be driven away. And if you aren't absolutely sure what you want but go showing pictures, you could likely end up with something you don't really want, because he thinks you do. So know the risks of the blatant approach.

You can always go shopping together for your ring. You can pull this off either by just telling him to take you shopping for rings, or you can "just so happen" to drop into a diamond ring store when you go shopping together at the local mall and let the salesman "convince you" to try some on. Now, if you don't care about surprises and, once again, want what you want, this is great for you. But, men can have a sense that they are supposed to go shopping for your ring by themselves, and without your knowledge. If he's one of those, this approach can still work, as long as you don't try to close the sale that same day--let him get ideas and then go back by himself in the future.

Maybe he has been coming to you for hints about what to buy you in an engagement ring. Yet, you still want some element of surprise and you're too shy to tell him what he should be buying you. Talk to your sister (or brother) or a close friend who he wouldn't suspect of anything if they hung out with him shopping. Tell them what you want; let them "just so happen to mention to him" what you want when they "just so happen" to get together to go out or shopping with him.

Do you find your man to be tasteful and creative? If so, tell him ideas about what you want--what kind of metals, what kinds of gemstones--but then, drop it. Leave it up to him to go out and find something that will make you even happier than you could come up with if you told him the exact model to buy. This is highly romantic for you and will make him feel proud.

And, speaking of being creative, what if you both are, and you are sure this is more than your future mate, this is your soul mate? Why not custom design your engagement ring, and your wedding rings, together? These can be the ultimate in personalized expression, and the creative process and discovery process can be more rewarding and more romantic than any traditional surprise offer from him.

Just know yourself and know your man before you decide upon any course of engagement ring suggestion action.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

7 Reasons Why Wholesale Sterling Silver Jewelry Comes in Different Selling Prices

2009-02-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

If you are a retailer for silver jewelry, then you must have had searched through Yahoo or Google for items to resell. If you did, then you would not fail to notice there are some wholesale silver jewelry vendors who price their silver jewelries a tad higher than the other wholesalers. Don't get it? Here's an example: A silver wedding ring which weighs around 2 to 3 grams per piece. This king of wedding ring or band has a material that costs approximately $0.40 to $0.90. However, you will find wholesalers out there who sell these rings for $2 up to $19 apiece, sometimes even more. Why is that so? Here are the other costs involved in selling sterling silver jewelry.

Labor

Labor cost is the first reason why prices of silver jewelry vary. The manufacturers of silver jewelry have to pay for the whole process of turning the raw silver material into the jewelry that it is being sold as. Labor costs involve lots of things, such as the cost for melting the metal, molding it, and polishing it to a nice finish. There are also handmade silver jewelries, as well as those that require a high level of craftsmanship.

Precious Stone

One thing that you need to remember before purchasing any type of jewelry is the precious stone that comes with it. You may notice that gemstones are much more expensive than stones coming from Swarovski Crystals or Cubic Zirconia. Gemstones are also called precious stones, so you have an idea how "precious" they cost compared to others. If you want a pearl jewelry, you can choose from the genuine or artificial one. Of course, the synthetic pearl costs lower as compared to the genuine one.

Plating

Rhodium is the usual plating used for silver jewelry. What's great about rhodium is that it prevents tarnishing of your silver jewelry. However, it actually costs more than silver, so rhodium-plated silver jewelry tend to be more expensive.

Price Fluctuation

There are wholesalers of jewelry who base their jewelry prices depending on the current market price of silver. That is why some silver jewelry tends to be cheap this week, and then becomes expensive the next week. It all has something to do with the market price of the metal at a certain time. However, you can still find wholesalers who are not affected by these price trends, and the set a fixed price for their silver jewelry.

Insurance and Courier Fee

As what was mentioned before, the wholesalers are the ones who set the price of your silver jewelry. Some wholesalers have higher prices compared to others because they already added the cost of shipping and insurance to the whole jewelry package.

Business Overhead Expense

Of course, operating a business requires ongoing expenses, and these expenses normally include utilities, bills, salaries of employees, machines, rental fees for the factory and the office, website operation, breakage, advertising, and a whole lot more.

Profit and Revenue

What is the point of selling if you're not going to earn a profit? Profits are very important in every sale. This is basically the number one reason that different manufacturers and wholesalers sell jewelry in varying prices. Make sure though that the jewelry that you are buying is stamped with ".925". There are wholesalers that get products for a low wholesale price, which is why they are able to sell also for a lower price without sacrificing their revenue. All these depend on your dealings with the manufacturer.

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Omega Watches in Sports

2009-02-04T17:50:00.001-08:00

When you think of Omega and sports generally you would picture the timers placed around the track at the Olympic games, but in fact Omega delve so much deeper in the world of sport and the Olympics that when you buy Omega watches, you are buying precision, reliability and accuracy that is endorsed by the sports world and its organizations, as well as the many well known sports personalities that have been invited into the Omega family. The respect that these organizations and people give to Omega is a mutual relationship due to the dedication from Omega to sport being identical to the dedication given to watch making.

Omega Watches connected with FINA

Omega watches, timings and qualities are spread throughout sport in to Golf, Athletics and Swimming among others. Over the years the relationship that has formed with FINA (Federation International de Natation) is so strong that their working relationship was extended in 2006. Another mark of dedication is the effort that Omega show in covering all of the FINA disciplines, with 13 technicians and 6 tons of equipment mobilized for their events. Omega has also proved their dedication to golf, with the design, making and naming of the 'Double Eagle' watch found in the Speedmaster collection. This is the same dedication and relationship qualities that will be provided to you when you opt to buy your watch with Omega, a benefit to be cherished, and not pushed aside cheaply.

Omega Watches and Swimming Gold Medalists

Sport has enabled Omega to build an amazing reputation for accuracy and precision, this is something has as gone from strength to strength since Omega started out in Olympic Games timekeeping in 1932, but a fine example is when Anthony Nestt took the gold medal in the Olympic Games in Seoul, 1988, after finishing one hundredth of a second ahead of Matt Blondi in the 100m butterfly. This is just one fine example of Omega´s perfection, but there are many more examples similar in a variety of disciplines throughout the sports world.

Omega Watches at the Beijing Olympics

The Beijing Olympics and Paralympics provided Omega with an exceptional challenge which was dealt with like no other sports timekeeper, responsible for time keeping and data handling for 28 different sports at a total of 38 venues, this was done, as expected by Omega, with perfection and professionalism, something for you to experience with Omega when buying your watch.

These facts that display Omegas fine qualities are all so well endorsed that it would be a mistake not to buy your watch with Omega if you are looking for anything from a simple timekeeping piece, through to a sophisticated, elegant and extremely modern work of art to compliment your style and taste.

Robert. W. Andeson is an expert on sourcing the best deals on the presigous brand of Omega Watches. To see the latest best deals on Omega Watches visit http://buyomegawatchescheaply.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_W._Anderson

1930s Engagement Rings

2009-02-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

Some couples, when getting engaged, become very interested in getting an antique engagement ring and wedding rings. The engagement ring is an ancient tradition that goes back to a couple of centuries BCE in Rome. However, the Romans believed they were following in the footsteps of a tradition that went all the way back to ancient Egypt. So, looking for an antique engagement ring can provide a sense of transcendental continuance or taking part in a timeless tradition.

Today, people who go "retro" often get interested in antique engagement rings or reproductions from the 1930s. In spite of all the problems of this decade--or, maybe as a reaction to them--1930s engagement rings were very often elegant productions. Yet, there could also be a simplicity to them, because of course there were heavy financial concerns for the usual person back then. So people found ways to strike a balance between economy and beauty. Today, in the era of "bling bling", this sense of elegant simplicity is appealing to many younger couples who want to get engaged.

One of the predominant styles of the 1930s rings was Art Deco. This was actually a little flashier style for that time; this was a carry-over from the profitable, party-time era of the Roaring Twenties, the previous decade. Heavy use of geometric designs, big gemstones, and "louder" styles were common with Art Deco. In the 1930s, those who could afford these preferred them to remind them of the good times, while others bought mimic designs or had damaged 1920s rings restored.

There was a also a fondness in the 1930s for Victorian rings, rings that carried the designs of the 1800s, especially English designs and Northeastern U.S. designs of those times. These rings tended to emphasize feminine ideals of beauty (or ideals about what female beauty is). Flowers, lace and filigree patterns, small gemstones, and rings made purely of metal were the hallmarks of this design.

The Victorian age was immediately followed by the Edwardian, and in a cultural sense this was still the era of the 1930s. They are similar in many ways to Victorian rings but somewhat more "masculine", with bolder patterns and heavier, bulkier designs in both metal and gemstone use. There was also a fondness for high-set diamonds that were very fiery under room lighting, another carryover from the Victorians.

And, then of course, there were the simple rings of the 1930s; these would have been made of thin metal and/or small gemstones.

Other predominant characteristics of 1930s rings included:

*Engravings in the metal, interior or exterior
*A fondness for diamonds if they could be afforded
*Scalloped or beveled edges
*Textured shanks
*The use of contrasting metals in one ring

If these types of features would appeal to you, you can save a lot of money by starting your search in pawn shops. You could also check out online auctions like eBay, listings for estate sales, and specialists who deal in antique/repro rings. You can also go to a jeweler and get a custom reproduction made but you'll pay more for this. If you have grandparents who got engaged in the 1930s, maybe they would let you pass on their ring if they are still alive, or perhaps your parents have possession of it and would allow you to pass it on to your beloved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

Why Buying Wholesale Silver Jewelry Online is the Way to Go

2009-02-04T17:49:00.000-08:00

If I could rank the type of jewelries that most people love, silver jewelry will definitely be in the top ten. What makes silver jewelry popular is that it is affordable, yet it can be as beautiful as any other precious jewelry or metal. A lot of people have fallen in love with the delicate filigree and dainty style of silver jewelry. In fact, wholesale jewelry stores are taking advantage of this by selling affordable silver jewelry to a large number of clientele. These wholesale dealers of silver jewelry do not only sell to retail silver jewelry stores; they also respond to the desires of direct buyers and customers.

You don't really have to look far because silver jewelries are available online. You can scrutinize these jewels through the pictures and designs shown on the website. This enables customers to easily purchase silver jewelry whenever it is required for a certain occasion. Aside from this, online wholesale silver jewelry shops have worldwide exposure, so they can easily reach out to customers all over the world. Transacting business with these online jewelry shops is easy because they have order placement facility online.

What's great about these wholesale dealers selling silver jewelry is that their designs are great for the international market. You can even have customized or personalized designs, which in turn leads to a whole new set of patterns and styles for silver jewelry.

Most buyers prefer to buy from wholesale silver jewelers because they want to get the best out of their money's worth, which is not usually the case if they purchase their silver jewelry directly from a jeweler. This is mainly due to the fact that the cost of running a jewelry shop is pretty high. Therefore, this reflects in the price that the customer pays, and they end up shelling out more money than needed. On the other hand, wholesale dealers of silver jewelry can be easily found online, and with reasonable rates. As a result, small time silver jewelers and those running a home business on jewelry tend to buy in bulk, and they sell it to their buyers at a higher rate. These jewelers also get technical support as well as marketing advice from the vendors whom they bought from.

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2008-11-20T22:19:00.000-08:00

Free Resources for helping to Make Money Online

Blogging can be an excellent source of income, provided you know how to do it right and which streams of income to use. These days, you no longer need to be limited to just one stream - AdSense. Everyone wants to learn more about affiliate marketing. Why Not earn while you learn?. Here are four techniques on how to increase your earnings from multiple streams of blogging income:

Mix and match ad programs.

There are a variety of advertising programs you can choose from, including Adsense, TLA or Text Link Ads and Adbrite. Not all ad programs will work with your blog, so find out which ones are a perfect fit. Provided you have the right audience, choose the correct link advertisers and write quality content, you can use ad programs to increase your blogging income from multiple streams.

Promote and sell your own products and services.

If you have products or services to sell, why not do it from your blog? You could earn a nice, regular income by simply having a service page as a supplement to your main blog page where your readers can view your products and do business with you. This is a great way to increase your blogging income because all the earnings go to you directly. However, it’s important that your products and/or services complement your blog’s theme or your selling efforts would go down the drain.

Get sponsored.

If your blog contains excellent information and quality articles on a subject that companies can benefit from, you can increase your blogging income through direct sponsorship. Say for example your blog is about digital photography. If you have all the right images, content and traffic, a digital camera manufacturer such as Nikon, Ricoh or Canon might pay you for placing their ads on your site or even joining their ad campaign.

Direct sponsorship can even occur on blog posts, where sponsor companies pay bloggers to write articles on topics related to the companies’ products and services. If you do this regularly, you can earn an excellent income.

Install paid job boards.

Think Darren Rowse’s Job boards and other popular blogs with job boards such as Lifehacker and TechCrunch. But the key to earning a decent income from this method is to build your blog’s traffic first.

Remember, no monetization effort will be successful if your blog does not have enough content and does not receive a significant amount of traffic yet. So, work on your blog posts first and market your blog before thinking of bigger things.

Gemstone Synthetics and Simulants

2007-09-15T01:09:00.001-07:00

Gemstones in their many shades of color have fascinated mankind for thousands of years. The ancients attributed magical, mystical powers to each stone, and believed that many of them could cure specific ailments. Even today, we revere colored stones as beautiful, unique, and as a means of personal expression and individuality for their wearers.

However, precious stones of good size, color, clarity and cut are so rare that a natural, unenhanced fine-quality stone can be worth as much or more per carat than a diamond of comparable quality. Meanwhile, demand has risen for many stones to the point where nature could not possibly produce enough of them in the specifications desired.

As a way to help serve rising demand and make these stones more affordable and available, gem laboratories have produced synthetic stones and simulants that have the look of natural stones at a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind that there are synthetics and/or simulants out on the market for many colored stones, and reputable jewelers will disclose any synthetic gems or gem simulants that they are selling. To understand what you are buying, here are some key facts about these two growing categories.

Synthetics
Synthetic or "lab-created" stones are grown using the same elements as natural stones. They have the same physical, optical and chemical properties as a natural stone. Lab-created stones also have the same mineral content as naturals. The only difference is that a synthetic stone was created in a factory rather than in the ground. Lab technicians have recreated the conditions of nature and speeded them up by a few million years.

One of the advantages of synthetic stones is that it's easier to get one of large size and good color than it is to get a comparable natural stone. In fact, lab-created gems are usually of better quality than most of the natural gems you'll find in the market today. They have brighter, richer colors and often have fewer "inclusions," or internal flaws, than most natural stones. It takes an experienced gemologist to tell the difference between a high quality lab-created gem and its natural counterpart.

Synthetic gemstones produced in the United States include alexandrite, coral, diamond, emerald, garnet, lapis lazuli, quartz, ruby, sapphire, spinel and turquoise.

Simulants
Simulants are also grown in the lab. They have an appearance similar to that of a natural gemstone but have different physical, optical and chemical properties.

Gemstone simulants produced in the United States include coral, cubic zirconia, lapis lazuli, malachite and turquoise. Cubic zirconia is the most popular and well-known simulant by far. This man-made stone looks like a diamond but can cost as little as $2 per carat. Of course, it doesn't have the sparkle of a diamond and isn't nearly as hard. Jewelers can easily tell the difference between natural stones and their simulants.

In the past few years, consumer acceptance of synthetic and simulated gemstones has grown - a direct result of consumers recognizing these stones for their own merits, not just as inexpensive substitutes for natural gemstones.

Selecting the Right Gemstone

2007-09-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

Whether you're a newcomer to the gem world looking to add color to your wardrobe, or a veteran gemstone wearer fine-tuning your look, finding the right gemstone jewelry is a key way to express your own personal style, uplift your appearance and spirit, and convey to others what you're all about. But this doesn't have to be a grueling decision. Here are some practical tips for selecting gemstone jewelry that works best for you.

Developing Your Own Style
First of all, any gemstone jewelry you select must be comfortable. For instance, make sure necklaces hang at the "right" length for you and lay well around your neck. Experts offer similar advice for earrings: with dangling styles, make sure they hang at a comfortable length, fit well against the ear and don't tip forward. Likewise, bracelets and rings should fit comfortably and shouldn't slide off with a simple shake of your arm or hand.

Next, the jewelry must be appropriate for your personality and lifestyle. A glitzy necklace that would dazzle for a night out on the town probably wouldn't work for someone with a more casual outlook. Intent is important. Are you looking for a fashion accessory to match certain outfits, a particular season/event or a specific function, such as jewelry for work? Or are you looking for a piece you will wear everyday? Obviously, things like fashion, price, versatility, durability and other factors will play differing roles in your buying decision, based on your intent.

As for which color best suits you, one way to determine this is to take stock of what's already in your closet. What clothing styles, colors, materials, lengths, etc. are most prevalent? This will give you important clues about the specific gemstone jewelry that will work best for you. In addition, look at your makeup, scarves, hair accessories, and current jewelry for more cues about the jewelry colors and styles most appropriate for you.

Finally, consider your physical features: body type, face shape, finger/hand length and width, hair/eye color, complexion and other characteristics. These factors also will play a key role in determining which gemstone jewelry will look best on you.

Seeking Quality
Once you've got the style down, you want to be assured of the quality of any piece you're interested in buying. Keep in mind that quality determines the value of a stone. Like diamonds, gemstones are judged by the "Four Cs" of color, clarity, cut and carat weight, with color the most important consideration, by far. The better the color, the higher the price. Better clarity and better cut also cost more - and generally, the larger the stone, the more it will cost per carat. Even to an untrained eye, many of these kinds of differences can be seen when similar stones are examined side-by-side.

Other factors that may influence the price of a gemstone include whether it is readily available on the market or subject to supply limitations; whether it's a "hot" color or stone right now, or for various reasons may be unpopular; whether it's a single stone or part of a matched set, particularly in special shapes or cuts; and sometimes, its origin (for every stone, there is a particular location known for producing the finest quality variety of that stone - and often, you'll pay more for a stone from that prized region because of its reputation).

But quality extends beyond simply examining the stone. You need to pay special attention to the setting, as well. Make sure the metal holds the stone firmly and squarely in place. Check prongs to make sure they are tight and sturdy. Look at the finish - is the metal well-polished with no pockmarks or other imperfections? Also, turn the piece around and examine the back - a well-made piece of jewelry will have a good finish on both front and back. If the piece is gold, check for a karatage stamp, as well as a company trademark stamp. This means the company is standing behind the product and assuring you the karatage is as stated. As for bracelets or necklaces, check the clasps, as well. A quality piece of gemstone jewelry will have sturdy, quality clasps.

Building a Basic Jewelry Wardrobe

2007-09-15T00:55:00.000-07:00

Whether you're accessorizing for work or play, having the right jewelry can go a long way in helping you project an image of confidence and individual style. But how do you develop that style when you're building your jewelry wardrobe from scratch?

According to the experts, developing your own style means "knowing yourself": what you like and dislike. To determine this, ask yourself "What is my ideal?" and "What turns my head?" Decide if that means contemporary or classic jewelry styles; streamlined or detailed; colored stones or white diamonds.

Also, listen to style-related comments from others. What outfits or accessories do people compliment you on? This will give you important clues about the kind of jewelry that looks best on you.

Next, make sure what you've selected fits your personality and lifestyle. For instance, if you spend a lot of time doing activities outdoors, consider simple earrings that won't dangle too far and get in the way. Comfort is a must. If something is either physically or psychologically uncomfortable to wear, you'll have trouble projecting the kind of confidence and competence integral to developing a personal style.

As for the jewelry itself, stick with the basics in the beginning. The rule of thumb is to always buy the best-quality basics you can afford, so you can add matching pieces later. In gold jewelry, such basics should include a gold chain necklace, classic hoop or button earrings, and a link bracelet. Additions could include slide-on pendants or drops to create different looks with your necklace and earrings. In diamond jewelry, classic stud earrings or a solitaire pendant should be among your first purchases.

Experts advise that you begin with classic shapes that look appropriate with a variety of outfits, and then add pieces that offer versatility of wear or a fashion touch, such as different colors or finishes.

And don't overlook the importance of selecting jewelry that suits your body type. For instance, your height and bone structure play a big role in determining the kind of jewelry that looks best on you. A smaller, petite woman would be better served with necklace lengths that fall below the breast but above the waist to elongate her figure. Meanwhile, a tall, thin woman may want to select a choker that cuts the line of the neck and de-emphasizes her height. And a full-figured woman should stay away from jewelry that's too small or delicate.

Equally important to style are face shapes. The four basic are oval, round, rectangular and heart-shaped. If your face is oval, triangular-shaped earrings are especially flattering. A round shape should seek elongated, dangling styles that draw the eyes down, rather than around. For a rectangular face, try jewelry that adds width, camouflaging the length of the face. And for heart-shaped faces, look for earrings that are wider at the bottom, because style can soften a pointed chin look.

And don't forget to consider your hand type if you're purchasing rings. If you're long-fingered, wider bands will look especially good on you. If you're short-fingered, thinner bands and stone shapes such as marquise or pear that elongate the hand would be a good choice.

from http:/www.jewelry.com

Basic Glossary of Jewelry Terms

2007-09-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves jewelry (especially women!) but jewelry terminology can sometimes sound like a foreign language altogether. Can you tell a baguette from a bezel? A cabochon from a crown? Following is a list of basic jewelry terms that will allow you to better understand the lingo that so many sales associates speak, and next time you're at the store, you will sound like the expert.

Baguette setting -- A rectangular-shaped stone with rows of step-like facets. If the baguette's two long sides taper inward, it is called a Tapered baguette. Baguettes in long, thin cut rectangles are often used as enhancements to a lager center stone, or on a watch bezel.

Bar setting -- Similar to the channel setting, it is a circular band of diamonds or gemstones that holds each stone in by a long thin bar, shared between two stones.

Barion cut -- This has a traditional step-cut crown and a modified brilliant-cut pavilion. A square barion cut diamond has 61 facets, excluding the culet.

Bearding or girdle fringes -- The outermost portion of the stone, called the girdle, can develop small cracks that resemble whiskers during the polishing process. The bearding can sometimes be removed, if not too dramatic, with slight re-polishing, and if the weight allows.

Bezel -- With a bezel setting, a rim holds the stone and completely surrounds the gem. It is the upper portion above the girdle of a cut stone. Bezels can have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be molded into any shape to accommodate the stone. A watch bezel is the upper part of the case surrounding the dial. They can be set with diamonds or other gemstones.

Blemishes -- The term blemish is used when the diamond has scratches or marks on the external area of the stone.

Brilliance -- Liveliness, or sparkle in a stone when light is reflected from the surface and from the total internal reflection of light.

Brilliant-cut -- Brilliant cuts are scientifically found to reflect the most light from within the stone, and often are considered to have the most brilliance of all cuts. A round brilliant-cut diamond has 58 facets. Other brilliant cuts include the heart, oval, marquise and pear shaped.

Cabochon -- A facet-less style of cutting that produces a smooth surface. They can be in many shapes, including round with high domes to squares.

Carat -- Unit of measure of weight of diamonds and gemstones. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points." A .75-carat stone is the same as a 75-point or 3/4-carat stone.

Certification (or Diamond Grading Reports) -- There are many recognized gemological laboratories that can grade your stones for a fee. The most well known is the GIA, Gemological Institute of America.

Channel setting -- Used most frequently for wedding and anniversary bands, a channel setting will set the stones right next to each other with no metal separating them.

Clarity -- A diamond often has natural imperfections, commonly referred to as inclusions, which contribute to its identifying characteristics. Inclusions are found within the diamond, and can be white, black, colorless, or even red or green. Most are undetectable by the human eye, and can only be seen with 10X magnification. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection called clarity.

Cleavage -- A natural area of the diamond where a weak bond holds the atoms together. The gem will be split along these planes by the cutter.

Cluster setting -- This setting surrounds a larger center stone with several smaller stones. It is designed to create a beautiful larger ring from many smaller stones.

Color -- Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Fancy colors refer to diamonds with hues like pink, blue, green, yellow, and very rarely red. Fancy colors are not included in this color scale and are considered extremely rare.

Crown -- This is the upper portion or the top of a diamond.

Culet -- The bottom point of the diamond. It may be polished in some stones. Sometimes, a cutter may choose to make the culet a surface instead of a point.

Cushion cut -- A mixed-cut diamond shaped like a square pillow.

Cut -- Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a polished diamond. Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and, disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance, and ultimately value.

Cutting style -- Cutting styles are different than diamond shapes. The simplest and most common way to explain cutting style is to categorize it into the following three basic types: Step-cut, Brilliant-cut and Mixed-cut.

Deep cut -- When a diamond is cut too deep, it will lose or leak light through the side or bottom. This results in less brilliance and value.

Diamond -- A diamond is the hardest known natural substance. It is crystallized carbon. Diamonds are mined in their rough form and then, cut and polished to reveal their brilliance.

Diamond Grading Reports -- There are many recognized gemological laboratories that can grade your diamond for a fee. The most well known is the GIA, Gemological Institute of America.

Dispersion -- When light enters a diamond it reflects off the facets and the angles cut into the stone. This distribution of light is known as dispersion, or the display of the spectral colors.

Emerald shape -- A rectangular or square-shaped cut-cornered diamond. A form of step cutting, this cut is favored for diamonds and emeralds, as well as many other stones, when the principle purpose is to enhance color rather than brilliancy. It is also sometimes used to emphasize the absence of color in diamonds.

Facet -- Any flat polished surface of a diamond or gemstone. This style of cutting gives the stone many small faces at varying angles to one another. The placement, angle and shape of each facet are carefully planned and executed to show the stone's inherent beauty, fire, color, and brilliance to the fullest advantage.

Fancy Cut -- A diamond cut other than round -- such as baguette, emerald, pear, marquise, square, oval, heart, etc.

Fracture Filling -- A process that injects a substance into a diamond to hide inclusions.

Feather -- A type of inclusion or flaw within a diamond. It is described often as a small crack or fissure.

Finish -- Describes the exterior of the diamond. If a diamond is well polished, it has a very good finish.

Fire -- Often a term used instead of "dispersion," it is the variety and intensity of rainbow colors seen when light is reflected from a diamond.

Flat-top setting -- Like the Gypsy setting, this setting has a band that is one continuous piece that gets thicker at the top. A flat-top setting grows broader at the top so that a faceted stone can be inserted into the ring at the broadest part. The stone is held in place by metal chips attached at the stone's girdle.

Fluorescence -- When exposed to ultraviolet light, a diamond may exhibit a more whitish, yellowish or bluish tint, which may imply that the diamond has a property called fluorescence. The untrained eye can rarely see the effects of fluorescence. Diamond grading reports often state whether a diamond has fluorescent properties. Fluorescence is not considered a grading factor, only a characteristic of that particular diamond

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) -- A nonprofit teaching institute considered the standard-bearer in the grading of diamonds and colored gemstones.

Girdle -- The outer edge of a cut stone, the dividing line between the crown and the pavilion. Sometimes the girdle is polished and sometimes it is unpolished. Ideally the width of the girdle should be even and proportional to the cut of the stone.

Growth or grain lines -- These can be considered internal flaws, and can often be seen only by rotating the diamond very slowly. They can appear and disappear almost instantaneously. They appear as small lines or planes within the diamond.

Gypsy setting -- The Gypsy setting is predominantly used for men's jewelry. The band is one continuous piece that gets thicker at the top. The top is dome shaped and the stone is inserted in the middle.

Hardness -- Resistance a material offers to scratching or abrasion. Generally measured using the MOHS scale.

Inclusion -- "Internal characteristics" apparent to a trained or professional eye at 10x magnification. Inclusions can be bubbles, crystals, carbon spots, feathers, clouds, pinpoints, or other impurities, or even cracks and abrasions. They are what make a diamond so unique, as a fingerprint does for a person.

Illusion setting -- This setting is more intricate than others in that it surrounds the stone to make it appear larger.

Loupe -- Any small magnifying glass mounted for hand use, to hold up to the eye socket or attach to a pair of glasses.

Luster -- The hue and depth of reflection from pearls, opals or other opaque stones.

Marquise shape -- A double-pointed, boat-shaped stone that is long and thin with gently curved sides coming to a point on either end. Marquise is part of the brilliant-cut family; ideally cut it has 58 facets.

Mixed-cut -- This cut has both step-cut and brilliant-cut facets. Mixed cuts combine the beauty of the emerald cut with the sparkle of the brilliant cut.

MOHS Scale -- A scale of hardness with numbers from one to ten assigned to ten minerals of increasing hardness from talc to diamonds.

MOHS Rating
MOHS Rating	Gemstone	Mineral Group
10	Diamond
9	Ruby, Sapphire	Corundum
8	Topaz	Topaz
7.5	Emerald	Beryl
7.5	Aquamarine	Beryl
7	Amethyst	Quartz
7	Amethyst	Quartz
6.5	Peridot
5.5 - 6.5	Opal
3	Onyx

Mele -- Small, usually round diamonds less than .10 carats in size.

Natural -- A diamond characteristic that is part of the surface of a polished diamond that was not cut or polished during the cutting process.

Oiling -- This technique is commonly used on emeralds. The purpose of this technique is for the oil to fill the fine cracks that weaken the green color. The oil fills the cracks making them "disappear" and thereby improving the color.

Pave -- A type of setting where a number of small stones are set together. It literally means paved with diamonds.

Pavilion -- Bottom portion of the stone, under the girdle, measuring to the culet. It is the area below the girdle consisting of 23 facets in the round-brilliant-cut diamond.

Pear shape -- Term used to describe any diamond whose girdle outline resembles a pear shape. Ideally cut pear shapes have 58 facets.

Pinpoint -- An inclusion within a diamond. A gathering of pinpoints is called a "cluster" or "cloud." A cloud or cluster can appear as a hazy area in the diamond, a pinpoint appears as a dot.

Point -- Term meaning one-hundredth of a carat -- approximately the size of one-half a grain of sand.

Polish -- Indicates the care taken by the cutter in shaping and faceting the rough stone into a finished and polished diamond.

Poor cut -- A poorly cut diamond can be either cut too deep or too shallow. A deep or shallow cut diamond will lose or leak light through the side or bottom. This results in less brilliance and value.

Princess cut -- A square or sometimes rectangular-shaped modified brilliant-cut diamond.

Prong or claw setting -- The metal tip or bead that actually touches the stone and holds it into place. This setting usually consists of four or six claws that cradle the stone. Because this setting allows the maximum amount of light to enter a stone from all angles, it sometimes can make a diamond appear larger and more brilliant than its actual weight. This setting can also hold larger diamonds more securely.

Proportion -- The proportions of a diamond are very important, so that the maximum amount of light be reflected off and out of a stone. Proportion is the relationship between the angles of the facets of the crown and pavilion.

Radiant cut -- A rectangular or square shaped diamond with step-cut and scissor-cut on the crown, and a brilliant-cut on the pavilion.

Refraction -- The bending of light rays as they pass through a diamond or gemstone.

Rough -- Uncut diamonds or gemstones.

Scintillation -- When light reflects from a diamond, the sparkling flashes that come from the facets of the gem are known as scintillation.

Shallow cut -- When a diamond is cut too shallow, it will lose or leak light through the side or bottom. This results in less brilliance and value.

Shape -- Form or appearance of a diamond; i.e.: whether the diamond is round, triangular, square, marquise, pear, oval or heart-shaped.

Solitaire -- A single diamond or stone set by itself in mounting.

Step cut -- With rows of facets that resemble the steps of a staircase. The emerald cut and the baguette are examples of the step cut.

Symmetry -- Symmetry is the arrangement of the facets and finished angles created by the diamond cutter. Excellent symmetry of a well-cut and well-proportioned diamond can have a great effect on the diamond's brilliance and fire. Grading reports will often state the diamond's symmetry in terms Excellent, Very good, Good, Fair, or Poor.

Table -- The top surface of a cut diamond or gemstone.

Table facet -- This is the largest facet of a diamond. It is located on the top of the diamond. The table facet is sometimes referred to as the "face."

Table spread -- Term used to describe the width of the table facet, often expressed as a percentage of the total width of the stone.

Tension setting -- A diamond is held in place by the pressure of the band's metal, which is designed to "squeeze" the stone.

Trillion shape -- Is a triangular-shaped diamond with 50 facets. Trillions are commonly used as side-stones.

Well cut - Well-cut proportions ensure the maximum compromise between fire and brilliance. When light enters a properly cut diamond, it is reflected from facet to facet, and then back up through the top, exhibiting maximum brilliance, fire and sparkle.

from http://www.jewelry.com

Biggest Jewelry Buying Mistakes

2007-09-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

A Guy Tells it Like it is

What really strikes fear into men's hearts is trying to buy a gift for a spouse or a girlfriend. What does she like? What does she need? What's her size? Will this gift really knock her out?

Left to our own devices, we men too often come home with "safe" gifts - flowers, chocolates, fashion, items for the house - that require little or no knowledge of what she really desires.

#1: Not asking for help
It's no secret that we hate asking for directions. Most men would rather drive around in circles for hours rather than stop and ask someone how to get somewhere. It's hard to tell if this is some biological imperative imprinted into our genes, or a behavioral thing impressed upon us almost from the time of birth. Maybe a combination of both. But the fact remains that, if you're a guy, you're supposed to be in charge: a leader, a navigator, an expert at map reading, with an innate sense of direction. Woe to the traitor that breaks this code.

Well let's face it... This "predisposition" can be very dangerous when trying to buy a jewelry gift for a girlfriend, daughter or wife. It is necessary to seek help in these cases. The first thing you need to do is help yourself by doing some research... Pay attention to the jewelry she wears now. Pay attention to the clothes she wears most often, and make sure you pick jewelry that matches and complements them. Finally, go snooping in her jewelry box, and look at what's in there that she has but doesn't wear. Look for items that are missing a piece - does she have a ring and necklace in a particular gemstone, but no earrings to match?

#2: Not educating yourself
Buying a gift for a loved one can be a daunting experience. And buying jewelry as a gift is even scary at times. Jewelry is probably the most intimidating gift a man could purchase. Many of us don't know the first thing about the "4Cs," much less all the different stones and types of metal available. And we definitely cringe at the thought of facing a salesperson without being prepared.

So, before hitting the store to come home completely discouraged, do your homework in our "Education" section. Learn as much as you can about jewelry - metals, precious, semi-precious or lab-created gems, pearls, prices, retailers in your area, etc. Information on jewelry will make walking into a store a comfortable experience. And the results will be rewarding; your purchases will be intelligent and very personal. It will be easy to dazzle a loved one with your knowledge, which will again show how much thought you put into this.

#3: Not pre-shopping
It's a known fact that men hate to shop. Take us to a car dealership, the local Sharper Image store or Circuit City, and chances are we'll cruise along like kids in a candy store. But watch a guy in a supermarket wandering up and down the aisles looking for olives, or some hapless, dazed soul trying to find his way around a mall or department store. You get the idea! The problem is that there is no substitute for pre-shopping.

Once you've figured out what "she" would like, done your homework and learned all you ever wanted to know about jewelry; it is necessary to see what's out there and who has the best selection for your needs. One big reason we built Jewelry.com is so you can browse through a wide assortment from many reputable retailers at your leisure, in the comfort of your own home (in your bathrobe, unshaven if you like!). Since you will have done your homework before pre-shopping, you'll realize that it's much easier when you know white gold from platinum and tanzanite from garnets!

#4: Not choosing the right retailer
Regardless of where dad bought mom's engagement ring, a larger jeweler is often the best bet. They buy in volume, and so get better pricing. They have multiple locations, so even if you move, change jobs, etc., it's no problem. They have a solid, clear return/refund policy. They have a complete quality control policy. Finally, they are established companies that are going to be there to serve you for the long haul..

#5: Not buying jewelry because it's "too expensive"
Jewelry is the gift a man can never go wrong with. After all, it's beautiful, valuable, romantic, lasting, versatile (the same piece can be appropriate for many different outfits and occasions), and the ultimate symbol of love.

One of the biggest mistakes is to think that you need to be Rockefeller to buy fine jewelry. Actually there is a wide variety of fine jewelry for $100-$200. That's not to say you shouldn't spend more for that "special something." It's just that as an educated consumer, you can decide what to get. You'll know the different karatages of gold can have as much of an impact on price as the carat weight of a gemstone. You'll know there are beautiful and very popular semi-precious stones that will please just as much as precious stones, and cost a lot less.

Flowers Aren't Forever... If you follow these simple rules, your gift-giving experience will be greatly rewarding. It is a pleasure to see a loved one's face light up when receiving that little box. It's even better to see her face light up again 10 years from now when she remembers the trouble you went to (sure, let her believe it was a hassle...) to get that special something. After all, great things come in small packages.

from http://www,jewelry.com