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Archive for November, 2009

Choosing estate jewelry can be a little scary at first but what
you need to remember is buying estate jewely is no different
than choosing your wardrobe.

The most important thing is to buy jewelry you like and that
works with your personality and wardrobe to make your fashion
style. You need to watch for quality and reputable sellers.
Online is the perfect place to buy estate jewelry.

It also never hurts to try something different and buy jewelry
that’s a little different than what you would normally buy.
Change is good! What’s most important is that your jewelry adds
the finishing touches to your outfit. Make your fashion
statement count and get noticed!

You need to determine what you want your jewelry to do. Do you
want it front and center stage? Do you want it to compliment? Do
you want it subtle? The occasion or event you’ll be wearing your
jewelry to is also important – make certain it is fitting. A
sexy oversized choker might be perfect for a night on the town
but may not be fitting for the boardroom.

Although you may have a favorite designer. There’s really no
need to stick with just one designer. In fact there’s no need
for the pieces to actually be designer. There are plenty of
wonderful pieces on the market that are unsigned but certainly
make a fashion statement. Mix and match your jewelry to give it
character and a little pizzaz!

Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an affordable way
to complete your look. Costume Jewelry can be bought for a low
price and has plenty of life. Heck we see costume jewelry back
to the 1920s still in excellent condition. What’s great with
costume jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away
or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money.
Designer pieces tend to cost a little more, last a little
longer, and they usually follow more traditional lines so you
can wear them for more than one or two seasons.

Sterling Silver is affordable and very versatile. If you don’t
want to spend the money for sterling, then purchase some silver
plate pieces. Silver is a must have to any wardrobe! You can go
from dainty and delicate to large and noticeable. It can be
dressed up or down and is acceptable for any event or occasion.

We always recommend have some gold plate or gold tone pieces in
your wardrobe basics also. 10-14k gold may be a bit too pricey
for many but gold plated jewelry is quite affordable and will
give you good value for the cost. Gold like silver can be
dressed up or dressed down and is perfect for a very classy
look.

When purchasing rings you can have great fun – again the choices
are endless from large and overwhelming to dainty and feminine.
The length and size of your fingers plays an important role in
what will look good. For example long skinny fingers don’t look
good with huge oversized rings, yet a woman that has long
thicker fingers they look exquisite. Long nails? Short nails? it
all makes a difference. Play and see what you like what looks
good. Also determine where you will be wearing these rings. For
example if your working around fine fabrics you’ll not want any
rins that have sharp edges that could snag. Your rings are also
part of your total statement.

When purchasing necklaces be certain you know your neck size so
that you get a good fit. This is very important when purchasing
on line as you don’t get a chance to try. If your neck is
average in size then a 16″ necklace will look great, however if
you have a somewhat larger than average neck then a 16″ necklace
could be too tight. Measure the length of some of your favourite
necklaces you already own. This will give you a good indication
of what length you prefer. Opera necklaces which are over 30″
are terrific. They can be double wrapped, knotted, or whatever
else your imagination comes up with. When choosing colored
necklaces make sure its a color that compliments your skin tone.
It may match your outfit fabulously but if it doesn’t match or
compliment your skin tone your look could be lost.

When purchasing bracelets you’ll need to decide where you’re
going to wear them, and how noticeable you want them to be. The
availability of size and shape is endless – you can go from
large bangle bracelets to dainy gem bracelets. If it is a slip
on bracelet be sure that it will fit over your hand. Make
certain to measure your wrist as the fit of a bracelet is very
important. To large and it will look sloppy and may even slide
off. Too small can constrict your wrist movement.

When purchasing earrings – the shapes and styles are endless -
from dangles to chandeliers to hoops to studs to buttons. From
enamel to beads to gems to metal to wood. Size of the earrings
is very important to the statement your making. The larger the
earring the more noticeable and the more incorporated they
become into your total look. Large earrings aren’t for everyone
- depending on your face size and shape they may actually
detract rather than attract. Experiment and find what looks best
on you.

Your jewelry choices are endless – no matter what your tastes,
your likes, your dislikes. You’ll be able to complete your look
just the way you want it with little effort. So be sure to make
your fashion statement!

© Copyright Sher Maten, All Rights Reserved.

Sher Matsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/choosing-estate-jewelry-2934.html

If your wardrobe is screaming out for diamonds, but your wallet isn’t, achieving red carpet celebrity style with costume jewellery is the perfect answer. With some thought and planning, it’s never been easier to achieve a glamorous star-style look without having to re-mortgage your home.

With the award season underway, a pair of sparkling chandelier-style earrings is quite possibly the savviest investment a girl can make for instant, dramatic impact. With so many styles of costume jewellery earrings available, it’s quite easy to be overwhelmed when choosing a design you can wear time and time again. Colour is possibly the most important factor: clear crystal is classic and works well with all outfits, while jet & smoky tones create a more subtle and sultry style. Or, for sheer drama, enigmatic jewel tones never fail to create an impact.

When choosing a pair of earrings, it’s wise to consider the size of the drop. It might make sense to go for shoulder-skimming earrings if you’re a party girl who loves high fashion; but if the furthest you’re going to venture is the office party or local pub, it’s probably better to opt for a more wearable size. Also take into account the style that best suits you: large, wide chandelier earrings are perfect to widen a narrow face whereas long, slim-line styles will beautifully slim and flatter a round face.

Red carpet occasions give celebrities a license to go wild with dazzling necklaces. With plunging and strapless necklines galore, such events ensure every décolleté is dripping with diamonds; and with such a wide range of costume jewellery necklaces available – from crystal and diamante to faux pearls and simulated gemstones – every celebrity style can be easily achieved.

Strapless necklines are the most versatile and can easily carry the most dramatic of necklaces. For ‘v’-necklines, a simple rule for elegant style is to follow the ‘v’ shape, so a sparkling pendant can look particularly effective. With asymmetric necklines, all necklaces are best avoided to keep lines clean and striking. Earrings and a bracelet are the best choice of costume jewellery for this style of dress.

Celebrities love to show-off toned arms with a dazzling bracelet or bangle. Layering bangles has become increasingly popular with many stars and the key to this look is to mix and match a variety of styles. When choosing a costume jewellery alternative, the most important factor to consider is wrist size. A small, delicate wrist is complimented with a slim but striking bracelet or bangle, whereas a larger wrist can carry off bold jewel adorned designs in style. With bold bracelets, adhere to the motto of less is more with just a pair of complimenting earrings. For full-on glamour, a delicate bracelet or bangle worn with a matching, yet simple necklace and earrings exudes class.

Finally, who’s to know your rocks aren’t priceless diamonds? With celebrities wearing such a variety of gemstones from vintage rocks to contemporary cuts, faux gems are becoming increasingly difficult to spot from the real thing – and that is music to a girls ears!

Andrew Regan
http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/the-cheats-guide-to-achieving-celebrity-style-106774.html

For most people, having some accessories dangling all over their faces, hands, wrists, necks and even on their legs and ankles are just extra things that are burdens but for those who are very meticulous about their personalities, fine jewelries which include fine bracelets, fine earrings and fine necklaces, to name a few, can fully increase one’s value.  Bracelets that shone against the heat of the sun and that glitter under the moonlit sky can increase hand value.

But times have changed and today, cheap beaded and colorful bracelets are fashion statements aside from expensive gold bracelets. Everywhere you go, even the most elite of the most elite of all elite societies, you can see them wearing cheap bracelets and other body accessories from CEO’s to millionaires, from actors to singers and from backstreet bullies to nerdy geeks, bracelets seem to have found a new home.

Needless to say that in order to beautify the wrists of both men and women, there can be no better option than the funky bracelets that are now termed also as bands. Bracelets can be of various types and they also signify culture and suddenly, everybody is wearing one and they can be identified with what they are wearing.

Now, there are sports bracelets (or bands) and they can signify the sports-minded individual in you.  Rock stars and pop artists have their own brand and style of “rock-out, flipped-out and grooved-in” type of bracelets.

Even the meek and the religious seem to have their own style, too.  There are bracelets with religious symbols and they go out in style and not just those ordinary beads of worship or insignia of holiness like the days of old.

But the question is, especially when you are very particular about the style and design you want, where can you find these fine bracelets? Right now, a lot of people are going online right on through the Internet to find these fine jewelry items and whether they are gold and expensive or beaded cheap bracelets, you will sure find something which you think match your style and personality.

Bernard Steimann
http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/fine-bracelets-can-increase-your-hand-value-745418.html

Beaded curtains, so popular in the sixties, are back once again. Now we can once again use this exciting treatment in the 21st century, and with new designs and materials, using beaded curtains is better than ever. There are beautiful designs that use light and prisms to create a special effect in your home or apartment. You can use beaded curtains on windows, or as room dividers. You’ll be back to calling them “groovy” once again. How to put them to use? One of the most dramatic ways you can use beaded curtains is as a full drape. Hang long, colorful beads from the top of the window right down to the floor for a really special effect. If you do this in a doorway, or even between different areas of a room to set them off from the rest of the room, without cutting out light and view.

Some of the newer designs can be hung in such a way that you can create a complete mosaic design with the beads. You can make an elaborate design by mixing a lot of different colors and shapes, or you can keep it simple using the same strings of beads next to each other. Wooden beads make a beautiful natural looking window covering that goes with very many types of decorating. Some people have used beaded curtains as closet door, even removing the door because of space considerations. Beaded curtains hang in the doorway without taking any extra space. In addition to using a full curtain of beading as a window covering, there are a number of other ways to incorporate beads into the design of the window treatement.

Beads can be sewn onto the edge of the curtain as a fringe, or can be sewn onto the fabric to add sparkle to the curtain. This can be done by using contrasting colors, or using the same colors as the fabric that will reflect light without adding a competing color. These beads can be sprinkled randomly on the curtain, or placed in a predetermined pattern. Beads can also be sewn to the edging of sheers and drapes for an elegant touch.

Putting a fringe of beads on the bottom of a café curtain in a bright family room or sunroom would reall brighten the room up. Using the same kind of fringe on draperies creates a completely different look, with the beads adding elegance to the already elegant fabric. We are seeing a lot of decorative accents being treated with beads nowadays. Throw pillows are edged in beading, and the bottoms of furniture or ottomans can be finished off to match the beads on a drape. If you don’t make your own curtains, you can use ready made curtains and sew beads onto them for a unique customized look.

Some can even be glued on, rather than sewed on, for the really seriously sewing impaired. Sewing beads on, however will look more professional, and hold up in the dry cleaners or washing machine better. Using beads in your decorating is a fun and easy way to give your home a new face-lift. The cost of adding beads as curtains or other decorative features is minimal and you can do so many things to make them different such as using them on closets, or pulling them back to put a glow of light and color into your room.

Eric J. Slarkowski
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/a-blast-from-the-pastbeaded-curtains-98460.html

Now that you’re ready to start looking at engagement rings for that special someone, it’s time to do a bit of research to make sure you pick just the right one.

If you’ve never been shopping for engagement rings before, it’s understandable that you feel a little lost at first. Our diamond consultants at Spence Diamonds would love to teach you everything you need to know about diamonds and rings, but here’s a bit of an introduction and a “what to watch for.”

Engagement rings are a very important symbol of commitment, and perhaps she’s been dreaming of receiving hers for a long time. With a bit of planning, you can surprise her with a ring that will be exactly as she’s always wished. Below are some key tips to consider during the research stage:

1. First, keep an eye out for the obvious stuff. Is she dropping hints, like making sure you notice how much she loves the look of her friend’s new ring? If she is, tune in and take notes, because in those few moments she may specify exactly what she likes, and what she’d prefer to be different in a ring of her own. If you miss a hint like that, then the next few steps are even more crucial; if you’re lucky though, you might pick up such useful info such as whether she prefers diamond solitaire rings, or how important the size of a diamond is to her. Maybe she’d prefer a collection of smaller jewels, or a more classic, even vintage look?

2. The next thing to consider when it’s time to start ring shopping is her preference for the jewelry she already owns. Does she prefer yellow gold, or does she lean more toward white gold and silver? Are the designs of her current jewelry more modern, conservative, intricate or simple? Are there any items she never takes off, like an heirloom locket or watch? A quick scan of her current collection should tell you a lot about her preferences, and even give you an idea of what will match with the ring you choose.

3. Another key thing to be sure about is the correct size of her finger. This one can get a bit tricky, especially if you’re trying to surprise her. To help you out, Our Spence Diamonds website has an online, printable ring sizer that will make it easier for you to choose the size that will fit her just right.

4. Having a bit of background on diamonds never hurt either. Here are a few quick definitions of the “Four C’s” of diamond quality, to help prepare for the next step in your buying process, when you visit a Spence Diamond Showroom to learn even more:

Cut

Nothing is more important to the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond than its cut, as it is responsible for around 40% of a diamond’s price. A well cut diamond will reflect light from one facet to another and back through the top, creating a dramatic sparkling effect that only a diamond can emit. Only the most skilled diamond cutters can shape a diamond with exacting precision, to release its full brilliance, taking into account such factors as proportions, finish, and of course symmetry.

Colour

The whiter the diamond, the more valuable it is. Even the slightest hint of colour can have an effect on the cost of a diamond.
There are also various coloured diamond choices available today, but when it comes to the white ones, their quality is rated on scale from D-Z. A “D” is pure white, whereas a “Z” would be visibly yellow.

Clarity

The clarity of a diamond refers to the number and nature of inclusions or blemishes that are visible when you view it under a microscope. Some diamond professionals refer to clarity as “purity” or “quality,” but neither of those start with “C,” so we’ll stick with clarity.

Carat

The last and most obvious characteristic that a diamond is measured by is its Carat weight (abbreviated “ct.”) which is usually a shown as a decimal point, e.g. 0.72 carat. The majority of diamond engagement rings are less than 0.5 carat.

The last question that you’ll face when it comes time to pick a ring will be “How much should I spend?” Many jewelry sellers will tell you that a certain number of months of salary is the standard, but at Spence, we disagree. Instead, we tell our customers that your investment should be whatever you feel comfortable with, and whatever suits your budget.

Remember, when researching the perfect ring for her, the best thing you can due is to pay attention to the hints she leaves, even if she’s not meaning to. She might be obvious about it, and she might give you nothing at all to work with, so follow the guidelines above as closely as possible. And don’t be afraid to ask us for help in one of our Spence Diamonds showrooms.

Spence Diamonds
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/a-guys-guide-to-buying-engagement-rings-73130.html

Hi, does anyone know where i can get these Fashion Jewelry LOVE COUPLE Phone String – Love You Forever Rods in Canada toronto ontario? or any stores that sell couple phone chains?

do a google search

I have an old pair of screwback 10k yg earrings with what appears to be real diamonds (they scratched glass). The diamond is round and according to an actual diamond size chart it weighs somewhere between .50- 1 carat. Both earrings with the diamonds intact weigh 2.82 g total.
I am just looking for a rough estimate. I know I should get them appraised. I want to sell them online but don’t even know how much around I should expect for them.

The gold alone is only worth $30 resale 10k is cheap, the diamond is most expensive so you’d come out better scrapping the gold and selling the diamonds separate.

How do you make different types of bracelets like not just the normal friendship ones or hemp, like there are a lot of ppl at my school that make them, so do you know of any books or sites that could show me, and what would you use to make them?

Here is a good site to make beaded bracelets.

http://jewelrymaking.about.com/library/bl072600.htm

It’s fairly easy and I actually got my supplies at arts & crafts stores and even, believe it or not, Walmart!

My daughter is doing a school project on Artifacts of Mohenjo-Daro and we thought that making her own beads might be a good idea.

this is simple.. i hope you like it.

you will need:
-old magazines, newspaper
-glue
-water
-paint brush
-acrylic paint
-palette for the paint — or a plastic/paper plate will be fine
-drinking straw
-cup for the glue& water

instructions:

-start by mixing the glue with the water. make sure its easy to spread, and not very thick

-get a strip of paper from the magazine. cut out 1-2 cm.

-roll the strip of paper on the straw. but as youre rolling, dab glue on the paper.

-after, set the bead down and wait to dry.

-when dry pull the bead out of the straw. now, you can paint it .

- in order to paint the whole bead, you need string to hang it on something, and that way you can paint it without getting paint on your self!!

i read an add about palladium engagement rings and it said "don’t go broke for love" so i’m assuming that its cheaper than gold.. i was trying to find something about it on google but everything pretty much told me about the element and not the jewelry.

i’ve been looking at engagement rings lately and i didn’t know if palladium was a good choice, if it cheaply made, etc.. so if you have a palladium ring or know someone who does and can tell me anything about it.. please help!

Palladium is a metal in the platinum family but it is less dense, heavy and so less expensive than platinum. It’s also slightly darker than platinum in colour. Palladium is becoming more desirable as platinum is becoming far too expensive for many people. Pricewise, palladium is roughly the same price as white gold.Two friends recently bought palladium wedding rings and they look great – it’s a lovely metal. If you look palladium up on the web, you’ll find some good articles on it.