|
Chamr2her loves to give you a guideline for gift you want to
looking for. We hope you to find good resouces to make a decision
to choose your right gift for your loved one.. hee..
|
| SILVER
JEWELRY GUIDE |
|
|
When
shopping for Silver Jewelry don't be fooled
by the imitation, plated, costume, or fashion jewelry that simply
looks like pure silver; there is a difference. This guide will
show you the steps of discerning what is real, pure sterling
silver, to buying and caring for your new sterling silver jewelry.
When buying sterling silver jewelry, make sure there are no
visible blemishes or imperfections on the piece. Look the piece
over carefully to make sure that fasteners, clasps and catches
work properly and are secure. Check pin backs and earring posts
for strength and durability. Lay silver chains flat to make
certain their links don't kink or bend.
When making a silver purchase, always look for the mark
925 or SS. The mark is proof that the silver piece
you are buying is at least 92.5% pure, rather than containing
a lower percentage of silver, being an imitation made with other
alloys or being plated with only a thin layer of silver. Having
a lower silver content might cause your silver jewelry to darken,
or tarnish, even with the slightest exposure to humidity. If
the content of silver is higher than 92.5%, the piece might
be too soft and won't stand up to everyday wear.
|
| GOLD
JEWELRY |
|
|
| Gold
is the world's most precious metal for several good reasons,
among which is the sheer difficulty in producing it. Today most
of the world's gold is found and produced in South Africa ,
though Australia , the U.S, China , Canada , Russia , Indonesia
and Peru are also sources for gold. Despite being almost everywhere
on the planet, gold is very difficult to extract and the process
for finding it, extracting it and purifying it all cost money.
On the other hand, it's also a material incredibly suited to
making jewelry because it is very pliable and soft and doesn't
erode or rust with time. It is relatively light and can be worn
easily and comfortably throughout the day in rings, necklaces
and especially earrings. This has given gold the supreme place
as the best and most popular metal around and the range of varieties,
colors and styles that it comes in today has secured this high
station. It is, however, almost too soft for jewelry purposes,
and for this reason gold is combined with other metals to strengthen
it for durability and wear. Pure gold is also far too expensive
for most people to afford and mixing it with other metals reduces
cost tremendously. This mixture of metals is called бо alloy'
and today you would be hard pressed to find any piece of modern
jewelry made of one pure metal. All jewelry is made of alloys
today. The amount of gold in relation to the whole weight of
the piece is called бо fineness' , and this is an important thing
to ask when buying any gold jewelry. The metals mixed with gold
to create different alloys are zinc, copper, silver, nickel,
palladium and platinum.
|
| BIRTHSTONES |
|
|
The
little things mean so much. If you make the effort to create
a gift of jewelry personalized with a birthstone, you will be
sure to share birthdays together for years to come.
January - Garnet, Rhodolite
February - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Alexandrite, Pearl, Moonstone
July - Ruby, Carnelian
August - Peridot
September - Sapphire
October - Opal, Tourmaline
November - Topaz, Citrine
December - Blue Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli |
| JEWELRY CARE
AND CLEANING |
|
|
Unlike
your cashmere sweater, jewelry doesn't come with a care and
cleaning tag. But the care of each gemstone and type of metal
can be as different as machine washing or dry-cleaning your
clothes. Here are a few basic, but essential tips:
- Always put on your jewelry after clothing, make-up, hairspray
and perfume. Clothes can snag, and the chemicals and oils in
cosmetics can dull the shine of your precious gems and metals.
They can even damage very soft and porous gems like opals, pearls,
and turquoise.
- Never wear your jewelry when you do chores around the house
and garden, or while engaging in sports or other outdoor activities.
- Bracelets and rings are more vulnerable to bumps and scrapes
than other types of jewelry, but you should check all your pieces
every few months for loose gems, broken prongs, chipped stones,
scratched metals, nicked nacre on pearls, etc. Most damage can
be easily repaired if it is discovered early enough.
- Make sure to store your jewelry properly. Diamonds can scratch
emeralds, platinum can chip rubies and gold chains can kink
and tangle with pearl strands. Each piece should be individually
wrapped in velvet, tissue or some other soft material and stored
in a jewelry box or bag.
- Pearls should be worn often. It's true, the more you wear
your pearls, the more your natural oils will enhance and protect
the luster and nacre of these unique gems. However, the more
you wear them, the more often you need to restring them. It's
a good idea to have your pearls restrung at least once every
two years. Also, remember to store your pearls in the dark.
Continual exposure to sunlight can cause your pearls to permanently
lose their deep inner glow. Pearls do wear out. Make sure to
apply all make-up and perfume before you put on your pearls.
These gems from the sea are particularly susceptible to chemical
damage.
- Professional cleaning of your jewelry once a year is a good
idea. But between cleanings, you can easily maintain the shine,
luster and glow of your gemstones and precious metals with warm
soapy water and a gentle, soft brush. Rinse well and simply
pat dry with a chamois cloth. A few exceptions:
+To clean your diamonds, prepare a six-to-one solution of cold
water and ammonia, or even vodka, and dip for a minute. Then
soak in warm soapy water for around 30 minutes. Lift it and
tap it gently from the sides and then brush it gently with a
soft toothbrush. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.
+Wedding rings, and other gold jewelry without gemstones, can
be easily rubbed clean with a soft chamois cloth. To remove
tarnish, add a few drops of ammonia to a cup of soapy water.
Dip a soft toothbrush in the solution and gently scrub your
jewelry, rinse with warm water and pat dry using a soft cloth.
Grease can be removed by dipping in plain rubbing alcohol.
+Pearls should be wiped clean with a soft cloth after each use,
in addition to the occasional warm soapy bath. Never use solvents
or chemical cleaning solutions on pearls.
+Opals and turquoise need gentle care. Never soak opals or turquoise.
Rather, simply wipe them clean with a damp, soft cloth.
|
|
PRECIOUS GIFTS FOR THE ONES YOU LOVE |
|
|
This
holiday season you can give the people in your life something
many really want - fine jewelry. Fine jewelry has been called
the ultimate symbol of love and appreciation. With the large
range of styles, colors and prices available, you can find great
gifts for all your loved ones. Beautiful brooches, slim stiletto
earrings and layered necklaces are some of the hottest accessories
for women this season. Pair long and glistening gold chains
with short strands of pearls for a fashionable look. Slim stiletto
earrings, the updated chandelier, are flattering to every face
shape. Clusters of beautiful brooches can be pinned on to compliment
the feminine, flirty clothing of the season.
Women are not the only ones wearing fine jewelry this season.
Men realize fine jewelry is a masculine and attractive addition
to their daily wardrobe. This season cufflinks, watches, bold
rings and pendants are enjoyed by many gentlemen. Designers
are mixing strong materials such as titanium, rubber and stainless
steel with precious metals and gemstones to create durable and
fashion forward jewelry.
Now more than ever, teens are expressing their sense of style
with fine jewelry. Dog tags with personalized inscriptions,
sterling silver or gold initials dangling on simple layered
chains, pave diamond numbers and zodiac pendants are hot items.
Teens tend to appreciate gifts that celebrate their individuality.
When taken care of, a gift of fine jewelry given to a child
can be treasured for a lifetime. Cute enamel and gold pendants
or earrings in fun shapes such as animals, fruits and smiley
faces are adorable gifts for children. Charm bracelets make
an excellent gift because they can be added on to throughout
the years and you can create a special memory with each new
charm. |
| JEWELRY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
|
|
Most
of us, not being jewelry experts, are apt to ask our local jeweler
what we want to know about gems and jewelry. The professional
jeweler is, naturally, the best authority on everything from
romantic lore to modern technical information and what to look
for when purchasing fine jewelry. These questions, according
to Jewelry Information Center, are often asked of jewelers by
the public. If you have any questions you wish to be answered,
please e-mail us!
1. What Does "Carat" Mean, and How Much Does
One Actually Weigh?
The word "Carat" comes from the Greek name of a seed,
which was first used in ancient times as a measure of weight.
A carat weighs seven-thousandths of an ounce, and about 142
of them are needed to make a single ounce. The carat is divided
into 100 points, so that when a woman says her diamond is a
quarter of a carat, for example, she means it is 25 points.
2. Which Came First - - The Engagement Ring or the Wedding
Ring?
Curiously enough, historians are unable to agree on this. The
use of two rings, however, can be traced back to the time when
it was the custom to give the prospective bride a ring at the
time marriage was proposed and, to conform to religious requirements,
the marriage was delayed until some later time. When the wedding
took place, the bridegroom signified that his betrothal assurances
were still valid by presenting another ring, a plain band of
holy union.
3. Why is the Engagement Ring Worn on the Third Finger
of the Left Hand?
It was once believed that the vein of love (vena amoris) ran
from this finger directly to the heart. Romantic as this may
be, medical science does not support this view. Practically
speaking, the third finger is more convenient as a matter of
protection for the ring itself, since the first and second are
too active. The left hand was chosen for the ring because it
normally is less active than the right, hence safer. Approximately
75% of women receive diamond engagement rings before marriage.
4. What Does the Word "Jewelry" Really Mean?
According to the Latin and French derivation of the word, it
means joy or gladness. Historians say that even back in prehistoric
times jewelry was known and regarded as a symbol of happiness.
5. How are Cultured Pearls Produced?
Following the pattern set by nature herself, an irritant in
the form of a mother-of-pearl bead is slipped within the folds
of a live oyster. The oyster is then returned to the water and
in time covers the bead with layers of nacre, the pearl substance.
At the end of the prescribed period, the oysters are taken out
and the pearls removed.
6. What is the Name of the Eyepiece Used by the Jeweler
in Examining Gems, Jewelry and Watches?
The Loupe (pronounced loop). This is a magnifying piece, normally
ten-power, worn by the jeweler over one eye, enabling him to
see the minute details necessary for careful and thorough examination.
7. What does it mean when a gemstone is "enhanced"?
Since gemstones were first discovered, man has continuously
sought ways to improve the beauty of stones. Cutting, or fashioning,
is the most basic enhancement process used to more fully realize
the beauty of a gemstone. Other methods used to maximize color,
clarity and brilliance include heating, oiling, irradiation
and dyeing. Most enhancements are permanent. However, ask your
professional jeweler if your gemstone has been enhanced and
if it requires special care or cleaning.
8. Where Did the Word "Watch" Come From?
The word originated with the portable clocks that were carried
by the town watchman as he made his rounds. They were first
called "watchman's clocks," then "watch clocks,"
and finally just "watches."
9. How Should I Clean My Gold Jewelry?
Gold is both versatile and very easy to keep looking beautiful
for years to come. Its worst enemy, however, is chlorine. Repeated
exposure can weaken gold's structure, eventually leading to
breakage. Try to keep your gold jewelry away from chlorinated
cleaning products, swimming pools and Jacuzzis. To clean, use
your jeweler's recommended solution or lukewarm, soapy water.
Rinse with clear water, then dry and polish with a soft chamois
cloth. For harder-to-clean "gold-only" pieces, your
local jeweler can steam-clean them. For more information on
cleaning jewelry click here.
10. I heard there is a new synthetic stone that look
like a diamond and can really "fool the eye". What
is its name and how can I tell the difference?
In mid-1998, the newest in a long line of diamond simulants
was brought to market. Called synthetic Moissanite, it is a
lab-created version of silicon carbide, a natural mineral found
rarely in nature. Because synthetic Moissanite passes a thermal
probe tester as "diamond" it is very important to
be able to distinguish diamond from this simulant based on distinct
differences. Identifying these differences is easy given some
gemological knowledge. Therefore, it is most important that
you rely on your professional jeweler to identify, and show
you, the differences. |
|
|
|
contact
us
