Author Archives: Pocket Watch Guide

http://pocketwatchguide.com is a website that was built to give every one information about pocket watches and other jewelry related things

4 Watches In History

Watches in History
There are a lot of different styles of gents watches on the market today. In this article we will be reviewing a couple of different ones that have a rich history in the watch world. The watches that we will be talking about are Michel Jordi watches, Omega watches, Harry Winston watches, and the ever famous Rolex watch.

The first watch that we are going to be talking about today is the Michel Jordi watch. In 2004 Michel Jordi created the first ever twist lock system watch. This watch was the only one of its kind that opened up like a fan.

The next watch that we are going to discuss is the ever popular Omega brand watch. There are two reasons that this particular watch company has imprinted itself into watch history, the first reason being that it was the official timepiece of the 1931 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The second reason that this watch has made such a huge impact on watch history and the history of the world is that on the first landing of the 1969 moon landing this watch was worn.

Harry Winston watches is our next topic of discussion in today’s article. These watches made an impact on watch making history when their “Opus V” series became famous for being hand crafted and precisely timed by now famous watchmakers FP Journe and Greubel-Forsey et al. These watches sell for around two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Now onto one of the most famous watches in all of history, the Rolex watch. This company which began in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and W Davis established their watch company called Wilsdorf and Davis. This company which in 1908 became Rolex was the first wrist watch company or pocket watch company to make a truly water proof watch, it is the “Oyster”. Rolex was also the first company to come out with an automatic date watch called the “Date just”, and the fist dive watch called the “submariner”.

All of the above mentioned watches are just famous examples of key players in wrist watch history. This is not to say that there are literally thousands of other watches and watchmakers who in some form or fashion have played important roles in making wrist watches the way that we see them today

For more information check out gents watches and finding a high quality swiss gents watch and types of gents watches

Three Types Of Large Wall Clocks

There are a lot of different types of wall clocks in the world today. For the most part these clocks are going to be of mediocre standard and mass produced however there are some that are of handcrafted quality. The wall clocks that we will be talking about today are the cuckoo clock, the mantle clock, the grandfather clock and the pendulum wall clock.


The first clock that will be discussed today is the cuckoo clock. The cuckoo clock otherwise known as the black forest clock is famous for two reasons. The first reason that makes this clock so famous is that makes a very distinct sound like a “cuckoo” when the clock strikes either the hour or half hour. The second reason that these clocks are so famous is because they come from the coveted black forest regions of Germany.

The next wall clock on our agenda today is the mantle clock. This clock can come in a variety of ways but for the most part comes in the shape of a box of sorts. These clocks are more times than not set atop the mantle. This is of course where the timepiece gets its name. Often times these clocks are carved out of an elegant wood.

The grandfather clock is out next timepiece that we will be discussing today. This particular type of wall clock has been around for a long time and dates back to the 1656 with Christiaan Huygens being the first to build one. The way of telling that it is a grandfather clock is by the characteristic pendulum and intricate carvings or inlays that line the wood.

The pendulum wall clock is our last clock that we will be going over today. This clock movement is responsible for both the cuckoo clock and the grandfather clock’s mechanical workings. This timepiece movement was made famous by the book by Edgar Allan Poe.

So to recap the three clocks that we talked about today are all high quality handcrafted wall clocks. There are of course many other timepieces out there that are equally nice but these are just some of my favorites.

For more information about large wall clocks and the large wall clock

Types Of Gents Watches

A lot can be learned about a man just from looking at the type of watch that he keeps on his person. Today we will be looking at some different aspects of gents’ watches.  The main categories that we will be going over are shape, size, color, material, and style.


The first category of the day is the shape of a gents watch. This is particularly important in a gents wrist watch, and for that reason we will go over a couple examples of them.

The shape of a watch is imperative to the style that a man wants to present to the world. A round classic watch face shows that for the most part the man or gent is conservative and laid back. This is not always the case but in most cases it is. A watch face with a square or rectangular shows more of a modern or hip concern of the world. Meaning that the person cares more for a fashion sense and what is in style.

The next category that we will be going over is the size of a watch this can also say a bit about a man’s personality. Like most other things in life if the item that a gent has on display is larger than most then more than likely he is trying to over compensate for a lesser feature about himself. This can be a mental, physical or emotional feature. This is not always the case but is true more times than not. The size of gents pocket watches is for the most part going to be in the same size range, but one again the wrist watches are the ones that vary somewhat in size of watch face, and watch bands.

The color of a watch has a lot to do with the mood and natural color of the person who is wearing it. If it is a soft earth tone or silver or black then more often than not the person is a conservative who likes to be in style but not on the edges of style. On the other hand a watch that has zebra print of neon pink watch bands is usually going to be more of a outgoing, and not afraid to try different things kind of person. These of course can be totally wrong it all just depends on the type of person wearing them.

Whether it is a gents leather strap watch or a gents stainless steel watch picking out and wearing a watch have a lot to do with what the watch is made out of. There are many different types of watches out there that have either leather straps, stainless steel straps or are made out of some special metal such as titanium or platinum. The material of a fine quality gents watch should be as unique as the person who is wearing it.

The style of a man’s watch has a lot to do with the gents own personal style. A gent’s pocket watch for example says that he is an old fashioned man who likes things to be as they were. While a modern steampunk wrist watch says that the person is a modernist and a dreamer who likes to live in a ever growing future.

fashionbeans.com

Gents Watches

How To Build A Wooden Jewelry Box

When it comes to building a handmade wooden jewelry box, it can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 or it can be as difficult as 56*99. It all just depends on the how it’s done.

Deciding how you want the wooden jewelry box to look is the first step. A general idea is all that you will need for right now. All that you have to do is get general ideas of you want the jewelry box to look. This does not have to include any details at this exact moment.

An example of this would be if you were building little girl’s jewelry box painted white with purple flowers. The bare minimum materials that you would need would be wood, white and purple paint and a paint brush.

You are not trying to get all of the details worked out here you are just trying to get a general idea. The best way to do this is to do some brainstorming and some visualization, otherwise constructive daydreaming. The whole key to this step is to think of what you want it to look like once it is all done.

Once you have an excellent idea of what it is that you want your jewelry box to look like, it is time to make a listing of all of the supplies that you will need. Some of the most fundamental supplies that I always use are: wood (I usually use cherry, oak, cedar or mahogany, these types of woods have a propensity to give me superior looking jewelry boxes),screws or nails (my personal fondness is to dove tail the boxes),wood glue, a spray adhesive, a saw ( I try to use a jig saw, band saw and a chop saw these make my life so much easier), sand paper/ sander(I use a fine grit and rough grit) u can use a hand saw if this is all that you have access to), hammer, two small hinges, measuring tape, utility knife and a pencil or pen.

Once you have picked out the materials for the exterior of your jewelry box it is now time to choose those for the interior. These materials can be made up from anything that you can think of including felt, silk, velvet, leather or anything else. The only thing that I might caution is that they be both easy to work with and long lasting.

This is the end of the first portion on how to build a wooden jewelry box. In the next article we will be talking about how to put all of the materials to their intended uses.

For more information about building aJewelry Box and Wooden Jewelry Box,
Jewelry Box
Jewelry Box
hanging jewelry organizer

How To Make A Hanging Jewelry Organizer

How to make a hanging jewelry organizer


Hanging jewelry organizers are easy things to make that will greatly help in reducing the clutter that is known as your jewelry box.  There are a couple of different ways to make a jewelry organizer from at home materials.

For the first method you are going to need a couple of basic things.

The first item that is going to be needed is either a sheet or piece of sturdy plastic. You can make this any shape or size that you want but for demonstrative purposes I will make mine 48 inches by 24 inches.  This is a nice fit for the jewelry organizer to hang over the door or rack and still be useable.

The next thing that will be needed is a pair of scissors. A good sharp pair will always do, don’t worry if you have a dull pair of scissors just cut some sandpaper, aluminum foil, steel wool, or the metal shaft of a screw driver to sharpen them right up.

A measuring stick or tape. This is not necessary but helps significantly in making and cutting straight lines.

A stick of super glue, sewing machine or hot glue gun. You do not have to have all of these things but it helps.

A coat hanger. I use metal because I like to.

A piece of chalk or pencil or marker. I use chalk because it comes out easier if I mess up a seam.

After you have gathered all of the above materials

1.            Cut 10 strips of the material the width of the material. The length of the material is really up to you as it goes according to the type of jewelry you will be putting in your hanging jewelry organizer. I usually go with 4strips 6 inches, 2 strips 4 inches, and 2 strips 2 inches. I do this so that all jewelry fits.

2.            Once you have this done either use the hot glue, super glue or sewing machine to attach the bottom of one of the strips to the material sheet. I usually put one at the very bottom to start with as this helps give me a starting point to make the rest of my measurements off of. Once you have done this decide how big you want the pockets to be glue or sew them up. Just don’t close up the tops.

3.            After you have done this your hanging jewelry organizer is almost done. Now all that we have to do is attach the coat hanger.

4.            Once you have made all of your pockets go on to your next strip of material and do the process all over again. How far above the first row of pockets you make the second just all depends on your personal preference and how straight you can make the lines.

5.            After you have completed all 10 or however many of rows of pockets you made, cut a small strip of material, then cut a hole near the top of the material and slide your coat hanger through. Once you have it through simply glue or sew the small strip of material around the hole to give the area support.

After all of these have been done you have successfully created a hanging jewelry organizer. There are some 80 pocket jewelry organizer, and there are some 37 pocket hanging jewelry organizer which one will yours have for more information check out this articles as well.which type of jewelry box to pick and different types of jewelry boxes and how to pick a good jewelry armoire
wooden jewelry boxes

Which Type of Jewelry Box To Pick

Which type of jewelry box to pick


There are many different types of jewelry boxes out there. Today we are going to discuss a few basic styles and materials that are used in making of the boxes.

The simplest design that we will begin today’s discussion with is the square box. This is the most basic and most recognizable of jewelry box designs that there is.

Jewelry boxes do not have to be just one shape and size. There are many different shapes and sizes that they come in. also you do not have to just put a certain type of jewelry in jewelry boxes.

There are many different types of boxes out there that fit many different types of things that are still categorized under the jewelry box name. Some of these things include necklace organizers, earring organizers, ring organizers, watch cases, and pocket watch cases just to name a few.

The next part of our discussion is going to cover the materials that are used in the construction of these wonderful little boxes. Depending on who the box is for will make a big impact on which kind of material is used.

If the jewelry box is going to be for a little girl then the box material will more than likely be that of corrugated board, cardboard or pressed board. The reason for this is that little girls in general tend to be harder on their things than do grown women.

On the other end of the spectrum, if the box is going to be for a grown woman then the jewelry box will be of higher quality. The materials that are more than likely going to used are that of an exotic wood such as teak and the interior be covered in a velvet or silk.

If the box is going to be for a man the makeup of the box may be a little bit more different. The box still may be made of wood or it may be constructed of metal or leather. Also there will probably be a place to put their watch or pocket watch and cuff links as well.

For more information about Jewelry Boxes and Wooden Jewelry Boxes

hanging jewelry organizer
wooden jewelry boxes

How To Choose The Right Hoop Earrings For You

Hoop Earrings


There are many different types and styles of hoop earrings out in the world today. The only problem with this is how do you know which pair is the right one for you. Do you need the ones that are so big that they almost touch your neck? Or do you need the ones that are so small that they almost don’t clear your ear lobe? The answer that most people will give you is usually something like just pick whatever you want I’m sure it will look good. Well just like a pair of glasses it all depends on the person as to whether or not they need the big ones or the small ones or somewhere in between.  There are a couple of steps involved when picking out a pair of hoop earrings.

The first step is figuring out which kind of hoops you want. This step is crucial to your success in finding the right pair. Do you want pave diamond hoop earrings? You know the ones that have the diamonds wrapped like paver stones all along the hoop, or do you just want diamond hoop earrings? Do you like rhinestone hoop earrings?  Or do all of these make you sick and you just like it plain Jane? All of these things need to be considered when buying a pair. This is probably going to be the easiest part of the process and the hardest because it will be based on what you like.

After you have picked out the style that you want it’s time to get to the part that most people forget to tell you. Your face shape just like when choosing glasses plays a major role when choosing hoop earrings no matter the kind.

 If your face is more of a rounded shape then you are better off with dangle hoop earrings that are on the smaller and slimmer side.

If your face is more of an oval shape then this will allow you to get more of a wide range of oval hoop earrings.

If you have a slender neck then you are able to pretty much get whatever type of hoop earring you choose as they accent your features very well.

While talking about the face you may want to tone down on the striking makeup when wearing hoops as they draw more attention to your face than normal and too much makeup will look cheap.

Hairstyle is another big factor when choosing hoops. Hoop earrings can be worn with anything yes this is the beauty of them but at times they look better with certain things than others. In general keep your hair down when wearing large hoop earrings and keep it up when wearing small hoop earrings.

So the next time you go to pick out a set of hoop earrings remember they are going on your ears not someone else’s so pay attention to how they look on you not a movie star.

Different Types Of Wall Clocks

Wall clocks come in all different shapes and sizes. Today we are going to be talking about the different types, different themes, the different features that come with wall clocks and some of the different major brands that sell wall clocks. All of the clocks have the main same mechanisms..


The first category that we will be talking about today is the different types of wall clocks that are out there. This is more of a broad summary than anything else.

The first clock that we are going to talk about is the key wound clock. As the name states this type of clock is powered by a key that is inserted inside of the clock and turned to wind up the clock, much like you would do a pocket watch or grandfather clock. This type of wall clock has been around longer than any other type except for the pendulum wall clock.

The pendulum wall clock is our next clock to look at. This particular type of clock movement can be dated back to 1637 when Galileo Galilei formed a partially finished pendulum and later finished in 1656 by Christiaan Huygens. This type of clock uses a giant harmonic oscillator or pendulum to keep its precise time movements. These clocks must be completely still to operate correctly.

The Chiming wall clock or musical wall clock can easily be distinguished from the rest of the types of wall clocks out there today. The chimes are easily recognizable by the musical notes that are produced from the chimes that are attached to the clock
Atomic wall clocks are fascinating clocks; they are the most accurate clocks in the world. The reason that this true is because they receive a radio transmission from the cesium atomic clock. This is the clock that all atomic time is transmitted from; it is located in National Institute of Standards in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Skeleton wall clocks. This is one the more obscure but is still work mentioning. The types of clocks included in this category have exposed operating parts. These types of clocks would be considered steampunk by design.

The second category that we will be observing today is the different themes that are used in wall clocks. Some of the most popular themes are:

The kitchen wall clock theme is a very popular theme for the most part in America. Some of the symbols that you will find on these themed wall clocks are chefs, vegetables, fruits, measuring instruments, coffee cups, plates, bowls, and baking ingredients.

Bathroom themes are another type that is very popular around the world. The usual suspects that you will find on the wall clocks of this category are, toilets, toilet paper, tubs and showers, as well as tooth brushes and tooth paste.

The nautical theme is a great theme for a wall clock as they can go almost anywhere, especially in a nautically themed room. This theme usually consists of a compass, propeller, life ring, light houses, captain’s wheels and usually anything else you can think of that is on a ship.

Novelty wall clocks. This is by far the most popular type of wall clock theme that is out there. This category contains anything from a big wheel wall clock, Barak Obama, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Guitar shaped, Martini shaped, Scare face and so. Basically if there is a person or object out there more than likely it is on a novelty wall clock.

The next category that we will be talking about is for the different features that come on wall clocks.

The first feature that we will be looking at is whether or not to have an analog wall clock or not. Analog type clocks use mechanical means as a way to achieve the correct angle to tell the time. This is shown on the face of a clock as the hands pointing to a say three o clock. Even though you have a digital wall clock, it still may be working off of an analog movement. These types of clocks are called flip clocks.

The next feature that is possible to have on your wall clock is for it to chime, otherwise known as a striking wall clock. This movement was originally more desired than the face of the clock. These types of clocks will chime on the hour. Most will also strike on the half hour and even some every fifteen minutes. There is a sub category to this section which is musical wall clocks that play certain tunes. Some of the clocks play show tunes, some play symphonies, other rock and roll, it all just depends on your taste. These type of clocks usually play their tunes just like the striking clock on the hour.

Digital wall clocks are being used more and more now that technology is becoming cheaper. Because they do not need to have a round clock face these clocks can come in all shapes and sizes. This would be a good consideration for a kid’s room or for someone who has a hard time reading analog type clocks. LCD wall clocks are a type of digital clock that uses liquid crystal display to show the time. These usually what you see when it is a digital clock.

The next feature is something that is coming into its own here in the last twenty years is the LED wall clock.LED or light emitting diode is a type of clock that uses these little lights to make up a whole scene or clock face. This can include everything from the hands to the numbers and pretty much everything else in between. These can form different shapes and objects that would not otherwise be possible.

The neon wall clock is the next type of feature that can be found on some clocks. These usually accompany the novelty wall clocks, because of their wacky nature. These types of clocks are usually as well found on beer and liqueur themed clocks as well as sports themes.

Large wall clocks are basically what the name says in that everything about the clock is larger than normal. The numbers are easier to read the dials are larger and easier to see as well. This is done so that the large wall clock can be put up high on a wall, or out of the way. An easy example of this type of clock is the large digital wall clock.

There are many materials that a wall clock can be made of. Metal wall clocks, wood wall clocks, and wrought iron wall clocks are just a couple of materials that can be used.

How To Wear Sterling Silver Rings


Different types of sterling silver rings and their settings.
There are many different types of ring styles and settings for your sterling silver rings. The first thing that we will talk about today is the types and styles of rings that people wear and what they mean. Ring symbolism is intertwined in cultures throughout time. Here is a list of all of the fingers and some of their cultural meanings.
“Thumb: The willpower finger. The Venus Mount at the base of the thumb symbolizes vitality and sexuality. The separation of the thumb from the rest of the fingers represents mankind surrounded by the cosmos. Wearing a thumb ring emphasizes the insistance of freedom of thought and action. The more prominently the thumbs are displayed, the more important is independence and freedom. Insisting upon standing as a unique individual, such a person will not allow any outside factors to influence personal opinions.
Index: The authority (index or pointing) finger. The Jupiter finger represents ego, leadership qualities, and one’s position or standing in the world. (Jupiter was the chief god and ruler of the world.) A ring on the index finger emphasizes your assertiveness and ambition, and your ability to make up your own mind.
Middle: The identity finger. The Saturn finger is associated with wisdom and dealing with responsibility and our role in life. (Saturn was the father of Jupiter.) This is the finger with the most strength and balance. Wearing a ring on this finger announces “I am” and governs the way we see ourselves, our potentials, and our limitations. It is an effort to enhance willpower with the support of total ego.
Ring: The creativity (annular) finger. The Apollo finger reflects your creativity and sense of well-being. (Apollo was the sun god, and is traditionally associated with music and poetry.) This is the finger for most rings, and is associated with affections, optimism, and artistic appreciation. The ring finger on the left hand is the only one with a direct connection to the heart, which is why it has become the traditional finger for wedding rings. It is a self-imposed restriction on the subconscious desires to share the self with others. A wedding, friendship, or engagement ring announces that the person’s creative fantasies are limited to the donor of that ring.
Little: The relationship (pinky or auricular) finger. The Mercury finger reveals your powers of self-expression and communication. (Mercury was the messenger of the gods.) This finger expresses attitudes toward personal and sexual relationships. Wearing a ring on this finger tells others how appealing you consider yourself, and how well and easily you can express yourself to others.”
Toe rings- It is said that the meaning of wearing a toe ring on one toe on one foot in India means that you are a prostitute. This being said western culture puts no real value on wearing a toe ring.
Everything that is in quotes is an excerpt from www.likeacat.com
Now let us go on to the next part of this article with the different types of ring settings that one can have on their sterling silver gemstone rings.
The first type of setting for your silver ring is the:
Prong Settings: Six prongs is usually the accepted amount of prongs to hold a gemstone into place. Prongs are long metal strips that are attached to the ring band that hold the gemstone to the band.
Channel Settings: This type of setting is for more active people as it holds the gemstone closer to your ring band instead of out in the wind like that of a prong setting. The channel setting is exactly what it sounds like the gemstone sits in a “channel” or groove in the ring band.
Tiffany Settings: This type of setting is more for solitaire studs that you want to show off as the gemstone such as on a sterling silver cubic zirconia ring.
Baguette Settings: This type of setting is for flat and long gemstones
Bezel Settings: This setting uses the sides of the prongs to hold the stone into place.

How To Clean Sterling Silver Earrings

silver in general becomes dirty with time, use and moisture.
In order for your sterling silver earrings to keep their beauty and shine they must be properly cleaned and polished. In order to do this you must have the proper knowledge and tools to do so.
There are a couple of methods that can be used to clean your jewelry. First you can have it cleaned by a professional, or you can attempt to clean it at home.


The first of the two methods is to have your sterling silver earrings cleaned by a professional. Cleanings usually cost depending on how much jewelry you give them. It usually takes them only a couple of hours to do this at the most, it just all depends on how much work they have. If you have special requests or a certain earrings that need special attention it might take up to a couple of weeks to do the full restorations.
The other type of cleaning that you can do for your sterling silver earrings is to a at home method. I have gathered as many different home methods that I could find, and will be adding to more to this list.
One of the most widely used methods is to use aluminum foil and baking soda.
The things that you will need for this are:
-Baking soda- one tablespoon
-Aluminum foil- enough to cover a plastic bowl
-Plastic bowl- if you must use a metal bowl, be warned that there might be a chemical reaction that might discolor your sterling silver clip on earrings.
-One cup of warm water
-A soft bristle brush or a soft cloth
After you have gathered all of these items together. The first step is to cover the plastic bowl with the aluminum bowl. The next step is to place the jewelry in the bowl. * Special note* be careful if you have sterling silver earrings with gemstones in them. Certain solutions and harsh abrasives, read about how to care for them before using this solution, can harm gemstones. After you have placed the sterling silver earring into the bowl, mix one-cup warm water and one-teaspoon baking soda together in a separate container and pour it over the jewelry. Make sure to cover all of the parts of the jewelry. If you are cleaning more than one piece of jewelry double the mixture. Let the mixture sit for a little bit. You should start to see black specs collecting in the bottom of the bowl after a minute or two. Once the earrings have sat for a while take them out and gently rub them with the brush or rag on stubborn spots. Do not rub to hard on the jewelry or you will run the risk of scratching it. This should be adequate to clean your sterling silver stud earrings.
-The next method is for very lightly tarnished sterling silver earrings and jewelry. It can also be used on flatware as well. Light tarnish is light yellow and barely seen unless you hold it against a white object such as paper or napkin. A hand sanitizer that is unscented will usually take of the tarnish before it turns black and becomes hard to take off. This method only works on light tarnish. Be sure not to rub to hard on the jewelry. If tarnish will not come off with this method then try one of the ones mentioned below.
-There are many different sterling silver polishes on the market today that work very well when used as directed. Just be sure to read all of the instructions on the product bottle.
-Difference between tarnish and firestain.
Tarnish occurs when your sterling silver hoop earrings come into contact with hydrogen sulfide, which is found in the air. Other ways that jewelry gets tarnished is by wool, some foods, felt. Activities that make jewelry tarnished are working out, cleaning with jewelry on, and getting in the pool or hot tube with it on.

How To Pick A Good Jewelry Armoire

Jewelry Armoires


Whenever you go and buy something that costs a lot of money, you would more than likely hopefully want it to be of a pretty good quality standard. In order to do this, you have to have some simple skills of observation. In this case we will be going over jewelry armoires. Sight, touch, and sometimes smell are going to be your best friends when it comes to picking out a quality piece.

The first one of these the sight is probably going to be one of your biggest assets. It will allow you to find more of the imperfections than anything else. Sight is especially important in purchasing an antique jewelry armoire. Before you buy an armoire look at the hinges and see if they are in good condition and not rusted. You will be able to tell if they are rusted by if there is a dark or light brown craterous look in the metal. This does not mean that you have to not buy the piece it just means that this would probably be something that should come up in price negotiation time.

After the hinges move your eyes to the legs and doors. You are going to want your wooden armoire to have sturdy doors and legs, if possible kind of give the armoire a LITTLE nudge. This will give you an idea of how it sound it was built, while doing this look down to make sure that the legs are attacked well and not splintered or cracked. Also with the overall piece of furniture try and see if you can find any holes or pieces of wood falling off as this might be a sign of termites. Also with the doors make sure they are securely attached to the hinges and that the knobs on the doors are secured as well. Oak jewelry armoires for example usually for the most part will have no problems with their legs and doors because of the sound cellular structure of the oak wood. Stay away from soft or imitation wood armoires if you want quality and long lasting conditions.

Another thing that you will want to look over when buying a painted jewelry armoire is the quality of the paint. Is it cracking or peeling, are there runs in the paint? Is the paint chipping? Is the color fading? This is especially important if it is a hand painted jewelry armoire. These should have some kind of protective covering such as acrylic or enamel. On older armoires there is a good chance that there will be a lacquer coating instead of paint. This can mean that the piece is relatively old and should be considered to be looked at by an appraiser for further detail. This is not always the case though so be warned of a high antique price without it first being looked at by a professional.

The next thing that needs to be looked at is the interior of the armoire. This matters just as much as the rest of the criteria for a quality purchase. One of the main things that you will want to look for in the interior of an armoire is going to be fading. Fading is more of an issue when buying used armoires. Cheap jewelry armoires and discount jewelry armoires are more prone to fading faster than those say a cherry jewelry armoire with a silk interior.

As you can see by now that sight is going to be by far the most prevalent sense to use when it comes to picking out a quality jewelry armoire. The next sense however can be just as effective as picking up on flaws when looking to purchase a wood jewelry armoire. Touch is going to be the next sense that we talk about.

The first thing to feel is going to be the outside of the wood. The wood should feel smooth and natural, and by natural I mean the smoothness should go with the grain.  Feel all around the armoire for knots or nicks or imperfections in the wood. The pine jewelry armoire is notorious for having many knots and divots. This is ok if it is naturally found in the wood. Also look for nail or screw marks, or in older models look for pegs that have come out a little. These imperfections can also be looked at when discussing a price.

The next thing that needs to be felt or rub your hand over is the interior of the armoire. Feel for rough spots, high and low spots and areas where there might be missing material. Look especially in high traffic areas and corners.

Let us take a minute to talk especially about the antique type. One of the main things to look out for when buying one of the antiques is. How good of condition is the wood in? What kind of quality is the interior in? Is it torn? Is the wood cracked or splintered? Are the hinges in good condition? Does the top or doors move freely? Does it smell musty or moldy?  These questions might seem simple but one must look to double check the quality before they spend a lot of money on something that is going to just fall apart a couple of months down the road. If you must have the piece no matter the condition of it, then you will more than likely want to take it to a restoration facility where they specialize in restoring antiques and jewelry boxes.

wooden jewelry boxes
hanging jewelry organizer

Ideas For Charms And Charm Bracelets


There are literally thousands of different types of charms out there, as well there are many different ways to pick out charms for a charm bracelet; here are just a few ways to do so. Keep in mind this is just a general outline with general meanings.

The zodiac sign charm is probably one of the most often used on charm bracelets. There are twelve signs in the zodiac.  If a person is a Sagittarius you could get them charms that relate their sign such as a horse and archer or the planet Jupiter or a symbol for fire. Another idea for the person who is into astrology is to get them all twelve zodiac charms so that they will have the complete zodiac on their bracelet.  Other charms that would fall into this category are birthstone charms.

Awareness charms are charms for bracelets that more than likely represent a cause such as raising the awareness for breast cancer. These are great for those who are going through or who have gone through such a traumatic event. These are also great fundraiser ideas to help raise awareness for the cause. Selling the bracelet charms for a couple of bucks is a good way to make money for a foundation or charity as well.

Italian charms are very popular over in Europe and are fast becoming very popular among those who collect here in the states. The main difference between an Italian charm bracelet and a traditional one is the way the charms are attached. The Italian charm attaches to the bracelet much like that of a link of a watch, this is different than regular charms because they usually just dangle or hang from a loop which is connected to a bracelet.

Animals are popular charms especially if it is of the animal that owner of the bracelet has. These come in most every type of breed and variation that one can think of.

Good luck charms that are commonly used are:

The Italian Horn: worn to ward off or protect against evil.

The Horn of plenty/Cornucopia: symbol of food and abundance.

The Four leaf clover: According to legend, each leaflet represents something: the first is for fame, the second is for wealth, the third is for love, and the fourth is for health

The Mustard Seed: Protects against all harm.

The Horse Shoe: Gives general well being.

The Mazel: is the Hebrew word for “luck,” “fate” or “fortune”.

The Acorn: Protects against lightning strikes.

The Akuaba: Gives fertility.

The Angel: Guards against evil.

The Maneki Neko / Beckoning Cat: brings about good fortune.

Dolphins: Believed to give safe voyage in sea voyage and in life.

Double Happiness: Wedding happiness

The Elephant: endure, longevity, and ensure good business meetings or a journey.

The Eye of Horus: Protect from evil and bring good luck.

The FU: means good fortune in Chinese

The Hamsa/Hamesh Hand: good fortune, happiness, love, and good health.

The Jade: Meant to cleanse ones soul, good fortune, Protect from evil.

The Kokopelli: fertility, wealth though charity, good luck

The Ladybug: General good luck, gardening

The Hotei/Laughing Buddha: wealth

The Nazar Boncugu: Wards of the evil eye.

The Peace symbol: Symbolizes peace

The Pig: wealth and fertility

The Scarab: Heart Health, general good luck.

,

Diamond Or Cubic Zirconia Rings?

First in order to decide which is better diamond or cubic zirconia rings we first must discuss what the two are and what they two are not.

First let us define what cubic zirconia is: according to Wikipedia: “Cubic zirconia (or CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, which is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4). It is sometimes erroneously called “cubic zirconium”.”

Now let us define what diamond is: according to Dictionary.com: “a pure or nearly pure, extremely hard form of carbon naturally crystallized in the isometric system.”

So what are some of the main differences in the two?

While to the untrained eye cubic zirconia rings and diamond rings will look almost exactly the same but when you take a closer look you will see:

The first and most obvious difference between the two types of gemstones is the color: in cubic zirconia there is rarely any color unless it is put their intentionally to imitate a certain type of gemstone such pink in rose quartz. Diamonds on the other hand are always going to have at least some kind of color whether it is a slight yellow or brown. Only the very rarest of diamonds is truly colorless, and for this reason if you see a huge clear gemstone on a ring and it cost two hundred dollars, then it is most likely a cubic zirconia engagement ring not a diamond one. (Cubic zirconia engagement rings and the cubic zirconia wedding ring are among some of the most popular today because of their clarity and price).

A couple of other ways to spot the fake from the real:

-The C.Z. test: a clear indication that the gemstone is not real is will be the c.z. stamped on inside of the ring. Adversely if it has any other kind of stamping such as 585,10k or PT then it is probably real.

-The scratch test: a diamond can scratch glass; MOST cubic zirconias cannot scratch glass some can though. * This can damage your diamond * do this test only as a last result.

-The breath test: breathe on the diamond like you would on a pair of glasses, if the stone stays foggy then it is a cubic zirconia ring, if it clears up fast then it may be real.*before doing this test clean the stone really well (warm water and dish soap will usually do the trick, and for really stubborn grim use some “windex” or other ammonia based window cleaner solution.)

-The word test: this test can be done with some rings. While holding the ring up next to a book or computer screen see if you can clearly read the letters through it. If you can then it might not be a diamond.

-The weight test- cubic zirconia weighs 1.7vas much as diamonds of the same size.

-The black light test: this test can give you an idea of the quality of your stone as well as tell you if it is a diamond or cubic zirconia. If it does not have a blue hue then most likely it is not the real thing as almost all fakes do not have a blue hue. * Special note* some diamonds as well do not have a blue hue this is an indication that they are of higher quality.

-The magnifying glass test- this is a test that will show you a multitude of things about your stone. For starters if the stone seems to be a little foggy it’s probably a diamond. If the lines/cuts on top of the diamond or facets are sharp clean lines then it is probably real. Cubic zirconia have rounded or rolled lines. If the stone appears cloudy has any crakes,chips then it is more than likely the real thing.

Other tests that are on the microscopic level:

-“The Thermal conductivity test: Cubic zirconias are thermal insulators while diamonds are among the most efficient thermal conductors, exceeding copper. This makes telling the difference between diamond and cubic zirconia quite easy for those with the right instruments.

-The Cut test: Some cubic zirconias use different facet shapes than are typically used for diamonds. This difference would be visible under close inspection with a loupe(customized microscope to fit to see gemstones and other small objects).

-The Refractive index test: Cubic zirconia refractive index of 2.176, diamond refractive index of 2.417.

-The Mohs test- Hardness: Cubic zirconia 8:diamond 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.

The Anatomy Of Jewelry Boxes

There are many kinds of jewelry boxes in the world. The jewelry box comes in all shapes and sizes, from the most elaborate to the plain and simple. The parts that make up the jewelry box is what is going to be covered in this article. Most of the ones that will be covered today are going to be that of a more feminine appeal, being that most of the boxes that are created are for women.
Basic Building Materials:

-The wood jewelry box is one of the most commonly recognized around the world, with its basic four sides a top and a bottom with a plush interior to hold the jewelry usually this type holds rings or earrings. The basic cost of one of these boxes is around $20 USD. On the other hand there are some wooden jewelry boxes that have golden inlays and are lined with the finest silks in the world,the price tag on these boxes is at least $3000 USD. That being the case these boxes make up most of the boxes that one will find.

-The leather jewelry box is also another favorite among people with its versatile design and ease of care and mobility. There are many types of leather boxes out there,both those that incorporate wood and ones that only use leather. The ones that are most often found to be of higher quality are going to be those that are made with the genuine leather and not faux leather.

The Inside Of The Box: This is just as important as the outside material because this is where all of the precious items are stored.
- Fabric is a very popular style for the interior of a jewelry box, coming in all kinds of colors and varieties.
- Suede/Leather is also a another highly popular option
Other options include:(some are better suited for certain objects such as necklaces or watches or
- Silk- suitable for all items, especially those of a more delicate nature
- Metal- more for hardened items that are less likely to scratch.
- Wood- suitable for most items
- Velvet- suitable for all items, especially those of a more delicate nature

Accessories: These are things a person can have installed to their box when ordering it or already come with or can be added on at a later time if it is applicable.
-Cufflink Compartments- These as the term describes are little spaces in jewelry boxes that contain space for one to put their cufflinks.
-Earring Holders- These are usually a type of mesh that holds the earrings by pushing them trough and using the backs to hold them in place.
-Necklace Hooks- These are just simple hooks that allow a user to hang their necklaces from
-Ring Rolls- These hold your rings, they come in all sizes to fit different sized rings.

hanging jewelry organizer
different types of jewelry boxes
Which type of jewelry box to pick
wooden jewelry boxes

Pocket Watches of the Week- Hamilton Pocket Watch


hamilton pocket watch

hamilton pocket watch

The Hamilton watch co,. was founded in Lancaster, Pa in 1892 is regarded  by many collectors to be the over all premier watch company of the americas history. They company was at its height in the railroad industry era for which they made high quality pocket watches or rail road watches.*(special note) Hamilton made watch history when they introduced the first battery powered electric wrist watch in 1957.

Sizing Watch Bands

Determining if you can interchange your watch band is the first step in picking out a band.The normal standard or straight strap is the one that you will  be able to interchange. Look at the picture below to see where the band connects to the watch,If it is any other type it might not be x17264780possible to change the band.

If you have your old watch band on hand and it is not to badly worn out then you will not really need to do these steps, you can cheat and look on you watch strap.

Things you will need to figure out which is the right band for you are:

  1. your wrist
  2. a piece of ribbon or string or a tailoring tape (flexible tape measure that is on a ribbon )
  3. pen or pencil
  4. piece of paper
  5. ruler
  6. conversion chart


How to remove Watch Bands

the watch bands/watch straps are what hold the watch to a person’s arm, they come in many different shapes, styles,lengths,widths. They can be very expensive and flashy to the extremely cheap and plain. The most common watch band is probably the replacement watch band,and for that reason we are going to talk about a couple of different methods of dealing with the replacement watch band.

The first one is going to be on how to remove an old watch band:this is really a simple process all that your going to need is a soft surface to hold the watch so that it does not get scratched a small screw driver,tiny alan wrench or a spring bar tool.Once you have these items just put the screw driver/spring bar tool in between the lug hole and the spring bar and while at the same time pushing slightly down so that the pin becomes dislodged. After this is done just flip the watch around and follow the process for the other side.I would recomend working with the watch face away from you, so that if you miss or the tool slips it will only scratch the back of the watch not the front removingwatchband

After you have gotten your old watch strap off, it is time to put the new one on. The first step that you are going to do is get a new spring bar or spring pin and slide it into the watch band slot at the end. It is best to use the buckle end of the watch band to make sure that it goes on correctly. To align your watch correctly make sure the buckle watch band is on the side that has the twelve o’ number.(other wise you will have to turn it 180′ to see what time it is) Once this is done turn the watch over an insert one end of the spring bar into one of the lug holes. After doing this use the spring bar tool to supress the other end of the spring bar so that it can be slide into the other lug hole.(be very careful and deliberately slow and precise with this movement as this is when most of the scratches come into play). Next guide the spring bar that is being pulled back by the spring bar tool into the other lug hole so that the watch band sits like you would normally see one on a watch. The final step is just slightly wiggle the watch to make sure that pin/bar sets properly.


Watch orgins

Watch timeline

1485-Da vinci draws a Mainspring

 1505-1511-somewhere in here no one is for sure Peter Henlien created the first mobile watch,”The watch was first created in the 16th century, initially in spherical (Pomander) or cylindrical cases, when the spring driven clock was invented. These watches were at first quite big and boxy and were worn around the neck. It was not for another century that it became common to wear a watch in a pocket”

1780-Abraham Louis Breguet invents a self-winding movement

1838-Audemars invents stem winding and setting mechanism

Skagen Watches

History of the Skagen Watch: Skagen watches come from the district of Skagen,it takes its name from the region, which projects into the waters between the North Sea and the straits of Denmark. Skagen is considered the boundary between the Skagerrak (named after Skagen) and the Kattegat. At its very tip is a sandy, shifting headland known as Grenen.

31DT201AGFLThere are many different watch types that Skagen makes as well as price range:Skagen Men’s Watches range in the price of $100 to $295, and they include titanium watches,swiss watches,and steel watches and have over 70 to choose from.

As many watches as there are in the mens collection there is about twenty percent more in the Skagen Women’s Watch collection. The total price range of this collection is $85 on the lowest end of the scale and $295 being the highest price on the upper end of the scale.They as well are broken into the three sections same as the mens.

Skagen Titanium Watch (Mens) there are twenty titanium watches in this collection.

price range: at the lowest end $120- at the highest end $195

*included in this section is the “Skagen mesh watch” these have the signature mesh bands, which are some of the sleekest around.

Skagen Titanium Watch (Womens) there are two titanium watches in this collection

The price range for these watches is:both of these watches are $130

*both of them are as well the mesh watches

Skagen Steel Watch (mens)-there are thirty four watches in this collection including the “20th Anniversary Limitd Edition”

price range:$100 at the lowest end-$185 at the highest end

Skagen Steel Watch (womens)-there are eighty watches in this collection

price range:$85 at the lowest end-$145 at the highest end

Skagen Swiss Watch (mens)-there are fourteen watches in this collection *includes the “chronograph” series

price range:these are by far the most expensive watches of all the collections with the lowest price starting at $175, and the ending price being $295.

Skagen Swiss Watch (womens) there ten watches in this collection

price range: same as mens

SteamPunk Pocket Watch Spotlight

These are some beutiful watches that I found and wanted to share,All of these watches are available for purchase at pocketwatchsite.com

rpw88a_s

Rapport of London
“Oxford Range”
Skeletonized 17 Jewel Mechanical Pocket Watch

Specs:
Model RPW88
About 2 inches wide (approx 50 mm)
About 2 5/8 inches tall (about 66 mm)
About 1/2 inch thick (about 11 mm)
Premium Quality Shock Resistant Manual Wind Movement with 17 Jewels and Blued Screws
Gold Plated Steel Cover Case
Scratch Resistant Crystals
White Dial with Roman Numerals

MSRP: $428.50
3843wa_s

Charles-Hubert, Paris
Mechanical Pocket Watch

This watch was made for the pocketwatchsite.com by Charles-Hubert,Paris

Specs:
Model 3843W
Just Over 2 inches (54mm) Diameter
Nearly 3/4 inch (17mm) Thick
Classic Roman Numerals
Chrome Plated Ornate Double Cover Case
Scratch Resistant Acrylic Crystals
17 Jewel “Swiss type” Shock Resistant Skeletonized Mechanical Movement

MSRP-$343.45

Bernex Swiss Made Watches

bn24101a_s

Specs:
Model bn24101
About 2 inches wide (approx 50 mm)
About 2 5/8 inches tall (about 66 mm)
About 1/2 inch thick (about 12 mm)
Shock Resistant “Incabloc” Skeletonized Swiss Unitas/ETA 6497 Manual Wind Movement with 17 Jewels
Gold Plated Open Face Case
Clear Acrylic Crystal
Roman Numerals

MSRP:$1238.95

Bernex

bn24201a_s

Jean Marcel
Heirloom Quality
Swiss Pocket Watch

680-020-26c_s
100% Swiss made Pocket watch

Solid Sterling Silver (.925)
Floral Hunting Case

Specs:
Model 680-020-26
Approx 49 mm Diameter (nearly 2 inches),
Approx 70 mm from case bottom to bow (nearly 2 3/4 inches)
Approx 15 mm Thick (approx 9/16″)
Rare Skeletonized Shock Resistant “Incabloc” Swiss Unitas/ETA 6498 Manual Wind Movement with 17 Jewels
Solid Sterling Silver (.925) Floral Double Cover Hunting Case with Engraving Shield
Classic Roman Numerals
Domed Acrylic Crystal


other posts about watches