Wearing a Ring on Right Hand: A Girl’s Perspective

August 13, 2010

I was out at a bar the other night, and I started chatting to a woman.  She was very sharply dressed, and quite a lot of fun to boot.  She had an air of confidence I wasn’t entirely familiar with.  I got chatting to her about the massive ring she was wearing on her right hand.  It was made out of three different types of gold – green, white and red gold, in a very intricate design, and encrusted with a number of very large stones, which she assured me were diamonds.

The stones in her right hand ring almost seemed like they weren’t held in place, like they were almost glued to the ring.  I asked her how that was possible, and she explained to me that there is a whole lot of new stone cutting and placing technology which lets jewellers do so many new things, that even in the recent past they could not.

She explained that the ring had been designed from scratch from (apparently) one of the top jewellers in town, and that it was one of a kind.  I asked her who had it done for her, and she said that she had had it commissioned her self.  I was astounded at the lavish expression of what I assumed was her wealth and status, and, never shy about saying what I think, I said this to her.

She didn’t even get mildly offended.  She simply explained that the trend of wearing a ring on Right Hand has become very fashionable among successful women, so she decided that she simply had to have one and set about getting one made.

Apparently the trend of right hand rings is all the rage at the moment.  She explained that if you read any tabloid magazine (which I don’t), that you’ll see everyone from Rihanna to Madonna, even the president of the united states has had one made (by the president himself!).  And because these people set the fashion now days, it is quite common for these trends to spread to the rest of the world.

A woman wearing a right hand ring can be quite intimidating for a lot of guys, assuming that they know what it means.  If you’re dating a woman who is more successful than you are, and is demonstrating it with her jewellery, some men can be quite turned off by this.  But some can be quite turned on too…

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A Guide to the Best Diamond Jewellery

August 9, 2010

Diamonds make the ideal gift to mark a special occasion; whether it be an anniversary, a birthday or simply to say I love you, you can all but guarantee that the right diamond make an impression. So if you are looking to impress that someone special in your life then you can do a lot worse than chose from these 4 recommended pieces of diamond jewellery available from online stores like Diamond Manufacturers.

In no particular order….

1. The Diamond Necklace, or pendant: There can be little doubt that there is nothing more striking than a beautiful woman wearing a cocktail dress and sport a sparkling diamond necklace. These elegant pieces of jewellery a designed to flatter the wearer and, because they are worn around the neck, they a highly visible and guaranteed to turn heads. The wearer can’t help but feel just that little bit special, no matter what the occasion.

2. Engagement Ring: This is pretty much a racing certainty. If you are worried about the sort of ring to buy to make your proposal then diamond engagement ring probably the way to go. You don’t have to choose a flashy one either, a simple 1/2 ct solitaire diamond set in an 18ct yellow or white gold band will be more than sufficient, and shouldn’t cost the earth.

3. Diamond Stud Earrings: While dangly or hoop earring have their place, a simple stud earring can exude more class without really trying. Its understated style will mean the earring will be suitable for just about any occasion whether business or pleasure.

4. Bracelets: Perhaps controversially, bracelets find their way into the list but, these items of jewellery are just as impressive as a necklace, but are perhaps more personal, not designed to be too showy but instead to remind the wearer of the person who bought it for them.

Having said all this there can be no denying that all these are expensive purchases (diamonds don’t come cheap). But if you shop around on line you should be able to find something you can afford and there are plenty of voucher code directories offering money off. Click here for an example of a Diamond Manufacturers Voucher Code.

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Cheap Cardboard Jewelry Boxes and Children’s Musical Jewellery Boxes In Wood

July 28, 2010

Whenever you hear cardboard and jewelry box in the same phrase it somehow seems wrong. I know. It seems only appropriate that even kids jewelry should get a decent home, but I have to say that the newest cardboard jewelry boxes that are crafted for kids are nothing like what you might imagine. In fact they’re really well made, laminated and even easy to wipe off because of the pearly smooth finishes they are given.

Designs, Cost and Where To Shop

Many cardboard jewelry box designs are crafted in adorable designs that include ballet and princess or castle motifs with their favorite cartoon characters or Disney heroes. Some have shelves and drawers and little secret compartments and all the things kids love. What’s even better is that the prices are really affordable, only $25 to $40 while wooden ones can be $80 or over $100. When you go with a cardboard style you can even choose very cool children’s musical jewellery boxes that cost under $15 or $20, for small versions, and a little more for larger ones. If you live in the UK, or order online from the UK shop called The Music Box Shop, you can get some outstanding creations for boys and girls for as little as £6! And no, they really don’t look like junk, but are super well made and have a little crank to play music and are nicely decorated.

Wooden Music Boxes For Kids in the USA and the UK

Wooden musical jewellery boxes in the UK are priced at around £50 to over £100, and about the same in the US. The ones with a ballerina in the classic style can be found on sale in the US for about $80 at places like Music Box Attic and in the UK at places like The Music Box Shop. The last shop mentioned in the UK also has some wooden boxes that are really small but cute as can be, and sell for about £20 to £60. However the ones with dancing ballerinas are more, closer to £200 for the best designs.

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Crystal Necklaces and Jewelry Cases

July 24, 2010

An article of jewelry is crafted from precious stones, gold, silver or other materials that is used to adorn the body. Jewelry has been used across the ages to give a bold edge to a style, to show class, and has even been used as a bartering system. Now there are many pieces of jewelry that are formed to mimic other types but in times like the 1700s finding a case of jewelry was like winning the jackpot as they were usually full of real pearls, gold and gems. Crystal is a common material that is used in jewelry pieces as the jewelry craftsmen and buyers both like the effect that it creates. Crystal can be cut into straight edges, which gives it a clean look. It also has the ability to reflect light and give it a shimmering glow.

Crystal is commonly used in necklaces and smaller jewelry like earrings and rings often it is used as a piece to go along with a fantasy based style. This particular style involves dragons and other mythical creatures or even jewelry that is bold and has a Gothic edge to it. The Celtic Dragon Energy Pewter Necklace is one that is on the market now, and is a good example of the fantasy style crystal necklace. It has a large red crystal that is surrounded by a Celtic knot design that crosses above it and then meets again at the top where it turns into a dragon head, giving this an overall shape of an “8″ with the crystal at the very bottom. Having dark material in the main part of the necklace, the crystal reflects light making it look very bright and contrasts nicely with the dark metal.

Finding a jewelry box to keep your crystals and other jewelry items in is not hard to do, but there are many styles that may suit you better than others. When looking at jewelry cases you can see that they have much to choose from, and it is all based on how much space you want and if you want a classic look, a modern look you can even have one that plays music when you open it. These cases are also made of various materials, such as silver or wood. One of the best ways to decide on a case is looking at a Jewelry Case Site, where one is almost guaranteed to find more of a variety than if they went out to a store.

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Silver compact mirror availability

July 22, 2010

The silver compact mirror is an accessory that many people do not understand and this means they are unable to get the most benefit out of the device. Purchasing a product for personal use or as a gift is best when you have knowledge about the product and all that it has to offer. What most people get out of a silver compact mirror is a feeling of perfection. A confidence that will allow them to carry themselves better and feel better about the way that they look. If you are interested in purchasing an inexpensive accessory that can offer a lot then you should purchase a silver compact mirror.

The advantage of these products is that they are always available because they only weight a few ounces. The silver provides a high amount of reflection and this can help you to achieve the best look possible. Many people struggle with the ability to determine how they appear at all times. Purchasing a small compact will allow you to examine exactly how you are looking at any given time. You can also look at My Compact Mirror Site to find information about the most popular products that are currently available. This will help you to find the mirror with the highest quality of features. Many people purchase a mirror for the magnification that they can offer. Because these are available in such a compact form they are great for taking anywhere. If you are interested in magnification then you should purchase a mirror with the highest number. This will allow you to see every detail of the face and apply makeup or remove hair without any difficulty. You can also find a silver compact mirror that offers magnification in addition to providing a regular magnified image that makes it easier to see in any view.

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Aquamarine Necklace: Wearing the Ocean at Your Throat

July 13, 2010

Do you love the ocean, or love looking at the sky? If so, then wearing an aquamarine necklace is the perfect way to remind yourself and everyone around you of that love. The soothing color contains the hue of the sea, and it is also a reminder of clear blue skies. Whichever of them you think of when you look at your necklace, the result is still soothing, calming, and relaxing. An aquamarine necklace will immediately dress up your outfit, and be a nice way to light up your expression.

There are many designs available to choose from. For example, one could decide to go with a round choker-type necklace, encircling your neck with these gorgeous stones all around your face. One of the best things about aquamarine is that the color lights up your face and immediately calls attention to itself without being gaudy. It gives people around you the impression that you are also shining with calming inner light, denoting your present mood or state as relaxed and that you are enjoying yourself. Jewelry is considered an accessory to make someone appear more confident and self-assured, and this will help make you seem more at ease with yourself.

Because of aquamarine’s brilliant hue, it goes with any eye color, and any skin type. Aquamarine has a color range of greenish blue to a deep sea blue. The color most prized by wearers is a intense, crystal sky blue. An aquamarine necklace goes well with informal or formal outfits, and the quality of the cut of this stone due to its clarity and hardness, is always impeccable. Aquamarine is also a gorgeous color that allows it to complement contrasting or secondary hues. For example, a light aquamarine color would go well matched with pink diamond earrings, for a funky, modern look. Make sure that the stone in your necklace is really an aquamarine, and not simply topazes. They are also deep blue, and less expensive, and can be mistaken for aquamarines. To distinguish them easily, have a jeweler test the hardness. Aquamarine needs to be kept in a dark area, because when left in the sunlight it may become lighter in color.

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Types of Hanging Jewelry Organizers

July 13, 2010

If you want efficient storage flexibility that would fulfill your spatial requirements in your room – then try purchasing a hanging jewelry organizer.  Widely considered as an essential organizer for those jewelry enthusiasts who hold a wide range of jewelry collections, this type of organizer is so-called because they are hung or mounted on a wall or a cabinet or bedroom door – to maximize space and for easy display.

Pocket hanging organizers are designed like pockets or pouches from non-woven fabric to keep your jewelry items safe and complete.  They are usually made of cloth or lined with a soft fabric to prevent jewelry items from being scratched or broken.  Because it’s made up entirely of cloth, it can be folded for easy transfer or for convenient travel.  They are also referred to as folded hanging organizers and they are also good organizers for other items as well such as watches or keys.  They are ideal for small living spaces.  Some are designed with clear vinyl front to easily locate your item kept.  It ranges from 30 – 80 pockets, depending on your collection capacity requirements.

Another type of hanging organizer is the keyhole design earring organizer.  This type is limited for earrings only.  It can hold more or less 30 earrings.  This type of organizer has rooms for various types of earrings, whether pierced or dangling ones.  It will help you organize your earrings and you are guaranteed that you will never lose them again.  Its design would make it easy for you to slip and slide down your earrings in their respective keyholes.  You can hang it virtually anywhere – at your door, wall, closet or mirror.  It can also be useful for travel too.

Another type of hanging organizer is wall mount jewelry organizer.  This is the most popular among hanging organizers because it can basically accommodate all types of jewelry – from rings to earrings and from bracelets to necklaces.  It has specially designed hooks, slots and keyholes for all jewelry items, and there are variations of this type where they come with built-in miniature jewelry armoires and boxes.  If you want a multi-purpose jewelry organizer wall mount, then this is the excellent choice to buy.  Some mounted jewelry organizers can be easily hung while others come with mounting hardware and materials for a do-it-yourself fashion.  It can accommodate an astonishing 40 – 100 range of jewelry items and some manufacturers and workshops are even open for further customizations.

Whatever type of hanging jewelry organizer you feel like buying in the future, always consider your own jewelry collection to mix and match your organizing needs in terms of type, capacity and fashion requirements.  One thing is for sure – hanging organizers are meant to save space and function as a decoration, so this is definitely a win-win situation for you.

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How to Take Care of a Pearl Ring

July 12, 2010

When everyone else is wearing diamonds, any woman wearing pearls is sure to stand out. Though they don’t catch the light in the same way, pearls have their own inner light that enhances the beauty of any woman who wears them. Pearl rings are especially uncommon but they do require a lot of care. However, as long as you choose the setting carefully, take care of your pearl well, and plan ahead, you’ll be able to have a ring that any woman would envy.

Choosing the right setting is one of the most important things you can do to minimize future damage. Most experts agree on two types of settings that both hold the pearl securely and protect it from scrapes reasonably well. The first is a bezel, a metal band that is wrapped around the pearl. One of the most used settings, a bezel is considered very protective. However, should you need to replace your pearl down the road (and you will), this type of setting can make things a little more difficult. The metal will have to be pulled back to allow the original pearl to be removed and the new one inserted, then the metal will have to be repaired. The other type of setting, a cup, makes replacement simpler but is slightly less protective.

Pearls are a relatively soft gem, so they can easily acquire scrapes and scratches from everyday wear and tear. They may also lose their luster over time if they are not well protected. You can minimize damage by keeping your ring away from harsh chemicals, heat, and anything acidic. You should definitely avoid cooking with your ring on. Also be very careful not to bang your pearl on anything! If you work with your hands and/or with chemicals please leave your ring at home; this will extend the life of your pearl.

Finally, you need to be plan for the future. No matter how well you take care of your pearl, it will need to be replaced someday. Over time you’ll begin to notice scratches and surface damage, as well as an inevitable yellowing if you chose a white pearl. If you know what type of pearl you’d like, it’s best to buy several at once so that you have pearls in the right size when the inevitable happens. Any reputable retailer should be able to assist you in the selection of both the setting of your ring and the pearls you’d need; it’s best to consult with him/her before you buy.

Though pearl rings need more care than pearl necklaces, the reward for all your care will be a beautiful ring that glows in sunlight and seems to hold the mystery of the sea.

By Pocket Watch Guide | Posted in Jewelry, Necklaces, Pearl Necklaces, Rings, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments off

Buying Gold Bracelets as a Gift

July 8, 2010

Gold bracelets are the perfect gifts to show people you love and appreciate them. So if you are searching for the perfect gold bracelet for your wife or girlfriend then here are some things you should bear in mind.

Gold bracelets come in different karat’s, colors and designs. The amount of gold present in a bracelet is measured by using Karatage or Karat. Karat comes from the Arabic word for ‘bean seed’. In the olden days, to measure the weight of gold and other gems, they had to use bean seed. Karat in today’s times is the unit of measurement or determinant of how much gold a piece of jewelry contains. Gold in its pure form is at 24 karats. 24 karat gold may be quite soft because gold is a malleable metal, so although it is the purest form, you are unlikely to find gold bracelets that are 24 karats.

Since gold is soft, it has to heated and mixed with other metal alloys. The mixing of metals with gold changes the strength, color and cost of the gold bracelets. With these mixes we are then given choices of 18 karat, 14 karat and 9 karat gold bracelets. These values represent how much gold is in the bracelet (ex. 18k has 75% of gold in the jewelry piece)

Gold bracelets also come in different colors. We have yellow gold bracelets, white gold bracelets and rose gold bracelets. The color depends on the metal alloys that are mixed with the gold. Gold is really yellow, so to turn it to other colors, we mix metals that are of a different color. White gold would contain a high percentage of nickel alloy mixture. The rose gold bracelet would contain a higher percentage of copper in the mixture. White gold bracelets are often plated with rhodium to give it a “platinum” look and feel.

When you buy gold bracelets, you will see that these come in numerous designs. There are two-toned and tricolored gold bracelets. There are tennis gold bracelets, charm gold bracelets, curb link gold bracelets, ID gold bracelets, bangle gold bracelets and many more designs.

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Where to Find a Discount Wristlet to Purchase

July 3, 2010

When you are trying to find a wristlet that you can buy for a good deal there are a couple of different places that you can look. It can be tough these days to look great at an affordable price but it can be done if you are a smart shopper and you buy from places that other shoppers do not take the time to look. You will be able to locate a cheap price for the bag that you want to carry so that you can look as nice as or better than your friends the next time you have lunch together.

The best place that you will be able to find a great deal is from an online store. You will be able to find a lot of great options in stock that you will not find in the retail locations that you are used to shopping at. When you shop at department stores and other places there are limited options available for you to choose from, but when you shop online the options are almost unlimited. You will be able to find wristlets from all of the top brand name designers, and you will be able to find discounted prices on the ones that you want to buy.

If you are going to buy a wristlet and want to get a good deal on it then make sure that you shop online. You will not only be able to save a lot of money on the purchase that you make but you will be able to find a lot of different options to choose from that will allow you to be able to choose one that you like. If you want to get the best bag available for the price you want to pay then you will be able to find it at an online store.

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To Buy or Sell Gold Jewelry

June 29, 2010

The recent high prices in gold also make me consider whether or not I want to sell some of my gold jewelry. I don’t want to sound like I am being greedy but the recent spike makes it a tempting consideration. However, every time I think that way I always come back to the premise that I buy my gold jewelry for the appreciation of the jewelry and not for the purposes of trade. If I get caught up in the trading aspect I know that I am going to get burned. There is nothing like being an amateur and trying to play a professional game.

In terms of buying gold jewelry, I would like to say that I prefer to shop online as opposed to in the store. I guess this is because I am familiar enough with gold jewelry that I can buy online without being ripped off. But I wouldn’t recommend this to a person who is not familiar with gold jewelry. And although I prefer shopping online, I also like to go into my local jewelry store because I know the owners quite well and I trust their expertise and knowledge. They are smarter than me in terms of gold jewelry and they will always shoot straight with me as well.

The other nice thing about shopping at a local jeweler is that you can often have the jeweler order you a gold jewelry piece that may not be in stock. Many jewelers have a wholesale catalog where they order from. Of course, you might not get the wholesale price but at least you can expand your selection.

But if you want to take it a step further then you could always ask your jeweler to recommend another specialist in the field of gold jewelry. So if you are looking for a gold jewelry bracelet, your jeweler may know of someone who specializes in that area of gold. But make sure that you tell the specialist that your jeweler referred you so that they know where the business came from.

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Fun and Fashionable Dichroic Glass Rings

June 28, 2010

There are many different types of dichroic glass rings available to purchase. These days, most rings are available in a range of stunning designs. When designing a glass ring, the most important thing to consider is which piece of the dichroic glass you should use. This is important because the piece needs to be stunning and outstanding. The better the piece of glass, the better the patterns will be displayed.

A lot of of rings made of dichroic glass have gems in them that are so large that they are bigger than the ring. Some of the gems are so wide that they overshadow the ring. This is not a bad thing however; it can be a fantastic fashion statement. Women wear these sorts of rings for fashion and to create a conversation. The glass can either be left completely natural, or it can be altered. Altered pieces usually have designs etched on them. These designs can be things such as flowers or initials, or whatever the customer wishes.

Most dichroic rings that are on sale are made with a base of sterling silver. Silver compliments this type of glass very well. The two match so that it does not matter which color hues the glass contains. Some rings are able to have their size adjusted. In this case the silver band remains opened rather than completely closed. This allow for different people to wear it and it also allows for the same person to wear it on different fingers. Usually, rings are set in irregular shapes. This allows for individual pieces and unique charm. Some of the most favoured designs are square, round, rectangular. Oval shaped rings are usually the most popular type.

Individuals are probably wondering what the price of these pieces of jewelry are. Prices for dichroic rings vary. The prices are usually in a range from $5 up to $100. The price varies depending on the type of materials that are used. It is also dependent on what kind of design the piece contains and which studio created the jewelry.

Customers are also able to purchase dichroic glass jewelry in sets. These sets usually include several pieces, including earrings, rings, and necklaces. At times they will also include bracelets. However, it is difficult to make these kind of sets due to the fact that it is hard to locate enough of one type of fused glass. Usually there is not enough of it to make a complete set which includes all the different sorts of pieces. At times there will be shading variation. However, variations such as this are to be expected when purchasing this sort of jewelry. It adds charm and individuality to the pieces. This is one of the reasons this style is so popular.

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Different Types Of Earring Holders

June 18, 2010

There are so many different types of earring organizers: wall mounted, standing and boxed. Depending on what you are looking for and what appeals to you will determine which one you decide to get. If you prefer your earrings to be on display then you are apt to choose the wall mounted earring holder or an earring stand that you can display on your dresser. However, if you prefer your earrings and jewelery to be more hidden and out of view then earring boxes or a roll up cloth earring organizer may be a better choice.

However, if you opt for a more hidden option such as the box or roll up organizer you will have to dig that out of your drawer each morning. This is something to keep in mind. Will it make you only wear two or three pairs of earrings or will you be able to easily pick out the earring you want to wear from all your different pairs.

Another thing to keep in mind with any earring holder is to see realistically how many earrings can you really fit on the particular earring organizer you have. For yourself you will want the one that works the best, but remember for a young girl who does not necessarily have so many earrings you can probably get away with a cheap earring organizer that will make her feel so big and proud. This could even be an incentive to keep her things more organized.

Hanging earring organizers come in all types: cloth, wall mounted, net, and standing. I personally have had the most experience with the standing ones and I still remember them from my childhood, but at this point in my life I would perhaps choose either a wall mounted or roll up cloth type. This is all personal taste. So choose the earring organizer that will help you keep your earrings organized in the most convenient and appealing method for you.

To find out about other earring holders visit earring organizer.org.

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Does Costume Jewelry Lack Style?

June 16, 2010

If you think that costume jewelry lacks style then maybe you need to check to see if you are the one who lacks style. I am not trying to pick on anyone or put them on the spot, but the fact of the matter is that style is in the hands of the person, not the costume jewelry. Everyone knows that genuine fine jewelry will make anyone look like a high profile fashion consultant. Just like a three-carat diamond ring looks great on anyone in shorts, a bright pink costume jewelry necklace will not look good with a white satin dress. Again, it has everything to do with the person wearing the jewelry and how the jewelry compliments (or does not compliment) the wardrobe.

Many people ask the question whether or not cheap or inexpensive jewelry like costume jewelry can express the fashion side of a person. To put it bluntly, style is a result of a person’s creativity to make the best with what they have. That doesn’t mean that you put your hands up in defeat and just wear whatever costume jewelry piece falls out of your jewelry box or dresser drawer. Simply put, if the jewelry flows well with the wardrobe then go with it. But if it doesn’t work then don’t wear it. It’s better to have no jewelry then to have jewelry that looks sloppy.

So where do you buy costume jewelry? The great thing about costume jewelry is that you can buy it online without paying too much attention to price. Yes, you want to get a good value for the costume jewelry, but you are more concerned about each individual piece and how it will flow with your wardrobe. You may have a costume jewelry necklace and bracelet that only goes with one outfit. That is okay because costume jewelry is not about longevity, but rather short-term selectivity.

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Fashion Jewelry for the Rest of Us

June 13, 2010

Most of us can agree that it doesn’t take an abundance of wealth to buy fashion jewelry. There is something about fashion jewelry that allows all of us to look good and feel good without having to break the bank. The unique advantage of buying fashion jewelry is that you can actually buy several jewelry pieces for every outfit you wear for a small investment. But if you are buying fine jewelry from Tiffany or Cartier, you might get away with one or two pieces for the same price it would cost for 30 or 40 fashion jewelry items.

The other unique things I see in fashion jewelry is that it is worn by the lower, middle, and upper class. It does not discriminate because it is affordable and available everywhere. Next time you walk into Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, or Kohl’s you will find a whole section of the store related to fashion jewelry. And yes, there are a few expensive jewelry pieces. But for the most part, you can get nice fashion jewelry for small potatoes in relation to fine jewelry.

But don’t mistake buying fashion jewelry for being cheap. Yes, money plays a part in it, but you also have to look good and be able to coordinate your fashion jewelry with your wardrobe or it is a waste of money (even if it’s cheap). I think that it takes more creativity and style to shop for fashion jewelry then it does to shop for fine jewelry. If you have the money and the riches, you can look great wearing a pair of two-carat diamond earrings. But what if you don’t have the $40,000 to spend on a pair of diamond earrings? Do you have the imagination, knowledge, and smarts to find a great set of earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace to match your outfit for the evening? That takes style to pull off!

By Pocket Watch Guide | Posted in Bracelets, Earrings, Jewelry, Necklaces, Rings, Uncategorized, charm bracelets, silver jewelry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments off

The Business of Wholesale Jewelry

June 12, 2010

There is something about the word “crafty” that makes me uncomfortable about the wholesale jewelry business. In fact, wholesale jewelry in general is supposed to be just like any other honest business. But unfortunately, the reality is that the wholesale jewelry business can be full of fraud and deceit. I am not trying to be negative about the wholesale jewelry business. In fact, I could be talking about any type of business. But the reason I want to bring your attention to the wholesale jewelry business is because some of the “fake” product is actually meant to be fake. Take costume jewelry, for example. If you were to walk into Cartier or Tiffany and spotted a costume jewelry piece, you may cry “foul” over such a thing. But what if you walked into the mall and checked out a jewelry kiosk that was selling discounted costume jewelry for less than $5.00 per piece. Would you think that the owner of the kiosk was dishonest? Probably not.

So the issue is not as much about the wholesale jewelry product as it is about the disclosure of the seller. If you tell someone your product is fake and you let them decide whether they want to buy, then you are going to be OK. But if you tell them the product is genuine, only for them to find out it is fake, you are in trouble!

For example, Claire’s wholesale jewelry company (not a real company) is selling 10,000 wholesale jewelry pieces to Bob the retailer (Bob is also an alias) at a price that is way cheaper than the competition. All the jewelry is labeled and everything seems OK from the first glance. The only problem is that Claire told the retailer that she purchased the wholesale jewelry at a steep discount from another wholesaler who was going out of business. The truth of the matter was that Claire had actually purchased the wholesale jewelry from a sweat shop in India who had just been caught by the authorities. So Claire was not selling the retailer any defective jewelry, but she was being dishonest about the source. If the local public were to find out that Bob the retailer was selling “sweat shop” jewelry, the bad publicity alone could drive him out of business. So the lesson to the retailer is to work with a trusted source and know your merchandise. Although Claire was dishonest, Bob is ultimately responsible for the merchandise he sells to the public.

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A Musical Jewelry Box for my Niece

June 8, 2010

When I was a little girl I always dreamed of becoming a ballerina. The elaborate dresses and the elegance and finesse with which they danced always appealed to the girly girl inside of me. I often talked about how I wanted to be a ballerina when I grew up. Knowing how much I wanted to become a ballerina my mother gave me a timeless gift when I was 5, that of a musical jewelry box. Like most other musical jewelry boxes that you can imagine, this one was pink and pretty, small, made of wood and had flowers and the word princess painted on the outside. When you opened it up a ballerina popped up and began twirling to the music. I used to sit for hours arranging and rearranging my (fake) jewelry. I thought that I was so grown up and was trying to be just like my mother. As a child, this was one of my most cherished items and is something that I remember fondly to this day.

Recently I was looking for a similar jewelry box for my niece as a gift. As I looked around I realized that musical jewelry boxes had come a long way and changed in many aspects. You can still find the traditional pink musical jewelry box with the ballerina that pops up; however, there were a lot of other choice also. Like many things, wood has given way to mostly plastic. Since my nice tends to be a little ruffian, this may not be a bad thing. If you are willing to spend a little more, you can still find plenty of wooden boxes to choose from. However, what surprised me were the choices available. In addition to ballerinas I found boxes that only played music, some that had angels instead of ballerinas and others that had whole carousel or ballroom dancing scenes.  There were jewelry boxes that played rock music, holiday music, single songs, and multiple songs as well as custom jewelry boxes where I could choose the songs that were included.

In the end, I decided to go with the traditional choice and get her a music box with a ballerina dancing to Swan Lake. Since I wanted her to enjoy this gift for years to come, I decided on a wooden box. The inside of the box was nicely appointed with a pink suede lining. The outside was also pink with painted red hearts and much like my childhood box had the word “princess” adorned across the front. Hopefully, my niece will enjoy her new musical jewelry box as much as I enjoyed mine.

By Pocket Watch Guide | Posted in Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments off

Is Fine Silver Jewelry As Good As Gold?

May 25, 2010

Over the centuries, there has never been a valid argument to say that silver jewelry is more valuable than gold jewelry. In fact, everyone knows that when times get tough and a recession hits the economy, many of the investment gurus tell us to buy gold? I wonder why they don’t tell us to buy silver? Not that silver is a bad metal, but it certainly is not gold. For example, if you were to walk into Tiffany’s or Cartier, they would likely carry fine silver jewelry and fine gold jewelry (as well as a whole lot of other expensive jewelry). When you look at the price tag for each piece of either silver or gold jewelry, you would find that the gold jewelry was more expensive than the silver jewelry.

There are a myriad of reasons why gold is more valuable than silver. First, gold cannot tarnish but silver will tarnish. But it should be noted that the tarnish is very minor with silver. Nevertheless, no tarnish (like gold) is better than some tarnish (like silver). Gold is useful because it has valuable properties inside. The high value of gold puts it in higher demand in relation to silver not only because of the properties but because it is much more rare then silver.

The problem is that a lot of the world’s gold jewelry ends up in the hands of the large jewelry players who are able to control prices. But before that, the gold is in the hands of a few large central banks who also manipulate the price. It should also be noted that jewelry manufacturers have to pay more to store silver because it is heavier than gold. But believe me, fine silver jewelry is not cheap when you walk into Cartier or Tiffany’s so don’t think you can get it for nothing.

By Pocket Watch Guide | Posted in Bracelets, Earrings, Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Necklaces, Rings, Uncategorized, silver earrings | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments off

Handmade Silver Jewelry Classes

May 20, 2010

Have you ever thought about taking a class about handmade jewelry? Have you ever thought about teaching a handmade jewelry class? If you are thinking about taking a class, you can usually find them at your local community center or at a junior college. But you can also take classes online if you are so inclined. If you want to teach a class, you can either lease a classroom for a few hours, a day, or a week (depending on the depth of the class) or you can apply to be a teacher at your local community center or the local junior college. Of course, if you have a bit of experience, you can conduct online classes with WebEx or another online conferencing technology.

There are a lot of places to take classes on handmade jewelry and there are all different types of handmade jewelry classes. I am personally interested in handmade silver jewelry. Therefore, I would be interested in finding a class about handmade silver jewelry. But that is not all I am interested in. I also want to learn how to make pearl necklaces and bead bracelets. I am OK with looking on the Internet for a class, but I tend to learn better in a group setting where I can touch and feel the jewelry. I also don’t have much room in my house to watch the online presentation and then perform the task.

If you are an expert artisan, you may want to start your own handmade jewelry class. Let’s say, for example, that you wanted to teach people how to make handmade silver jewelry and you wanted to advertise your upcoming class. A great place to advertise for free is Craigslist. Once you are able to get enough people to commit, you can then look into booking the place. Of course, you need to do all of this in advance so that you have enough time to fill the class and enough time to book the place. It sounds simple, but this may be the toughest part. But once you have the place and the class in order, you can get to doing what you truly enjoy.

By Pocket Watch Guide | Posted in Bracelets, Earrings, Jewelry, Necklaces, Rings, Uncategorized, silver earrings, silver jewelry | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments off

Buying a Fashion Jewelry Necklace

May 18, 2010

If you walk into a shopping mall and go into any discount jewelry store you are likely going to find a place to buy a fashion jewelry necklace. There are a myriad of different sizes, styles and colors to choose from. But when it comes to buying fashion jewelry, it is important that you don’t get caught up in the idea that the jewelry is going to be worth something in the future. This type of thinking should be applied to fine jewelry and genuine antique jewelry.

So your main focus when buying a jewelry necklace, for example, is to look for something that not only fits your wardrobe but also your personality. The great thing about a fashion jewelry necklace is that you can afford to buy numerous styles, colors and sizes to match your wardrobe. I am not suggesting that you go on a fashion jewelry spending spree any time soon. I am, however, suggesting that you be intentional with your purchases. Again, fine jewelry is something you buy that will last a lifetime, but fashion jewelry is more of a temporary purchase that could last a fairly long time, but will likely last as long as the latest trend is over.

Make sure that you don’t overpay for a jewelry necklace when shopping at the mall. So take this into consideration, the stores in the shopping mall or in a retail center have to pay a fairly high rent just to keep the doors open for business. That means they have to sell a lot of fashion jewelry necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets to cover their costs. That is why it may not be a bad idea to shop for your fashion jewelry online. There are literally thousands of small to large online stores to shop at and you can sometimes get free shipping as well.

By Pocket Watch Guide | Posted in Bracelets, Earrings, Jewelry, Necklaces, Rings, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments off