Is Fine Silver Jewelry As Good As Gold?

May 25th, 2010, Posted in Bracelets, Earrings, Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Necklaces, Rings, silver earrings, Uncategorized
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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.

Handmade Silver Jewelry Classes

May 20th, 2010, Posted in Bracelets, Earrings, Jewelry, Necklaces, Rings, silver earrings, silver jewelry, Uncategorized
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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.

Significance of Jewelry Kiosks

May 6th, 2010, Posted in Armoires, Jewelry, Uncategorized
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If you have been to a mall in a major city lately you would have noticed one or two jewelry kiosks throughout the corridor areas. There is a reason behind vendors setting up kiosks as opposed to leasing a storefront. The first reason is obviously cost. There are so many start-up costs that go into leasing a storefront in a mall or a strip retail shopping center. The second reason is committment. A typical lease will require you to committ to a timeframe of three to five years. It is possible to sign a short term lease, but the landlord may not consider it worth the time and money if you are not willing to commit for longer.

Kiosks can provide a short term home for the business owner. Moreover, you are able to get excellent traffic from people walking around the mall. Most importantly, the start-up costs for a kiosk are much less than a typical storefront. One of the detriments of a kiosk, however, is that shoplifting is more prevalent because you generally do not have an alarm system or security cameras.

Most jewelry kiosks sell costume jewelry instead of fine jewelry due in large part to the shoplifting factor. But you can still find very fashionable costume gold jewelry, silver jewelry, ruby necklaces, and pearl necklaces. Unlike the ordinary store in the mall, you can often negotiate the price with the vendor.

Other places you might find a jewelry kiosk is Costco. At Costco, these kiosks are known as jewelry “road shows” in which the vendor will come for a 10-day period and sell jewelry. Instead of paying rent for the space during the 10-day period, Costco simply requires a commission from the sales of the jewelry. Similar to the shopping mall, you can find gold jewelry, silver jewelry, necklaces, and bracelets to name a few.

Silver Heart Charms

April 19th, 2010, Posted in charm bracelets, Jewelry, Uncategorized

Dangling gently from a thin metal chain is a small ornament, simple in design but drawing attention all the same. It is a heart-shaped pendant, made from precious silver.

These silver heart charms are the perfect complement to any outfit; with their simple yet elegant design, they accentuate without being overbearing or flashy.

The pendants come in a variety of sizes and designs, but all hold one unique thing in common: they are formed in the shape of a heart, the everlasting symbol of love and faithfulness.  Just like other examples of heart jewelry, they are a clear representation of the feelings that one person has for another.

Gold metal is often a popular choice, but silver holds its own niche in the market. With a smooth elegance that quietly asserts itself, silver charms stand out both in formal and casual wear. They can be found on an assortment of accessories, the most common being bracelets or necklaces, as well as earrings or even key chains.

The availability of designs are nearly limitless; anything from a simple silver charm to exquisite scroll-work and carved designs, with precious stones as accents. A trendy design that is most often seen is a heart-shaped locket. This heart-warming charm is hollow inside, with a tiny clasp that can be opened to reveal the touching memento within. It can be a memorable picture of loved ones such as children or a spouse, or sometimes a lock of hair, such as from a baby’s first haircut, to remember the occasion by. Occasionally the lady’s name, or some other word (“love,” and “hope,” are two examples), is inscribed on the charm in a gentle, curving font.

Whether worn on a thin chain around the neck or on the wrist, silver heart charms are a lovely addition to accessorize any outfit. Blending in with the rest of the attire, they still manage to stand out enough to catch the eye. Casual outing or formal dinner: there are few events that cannot stand such a beautiful complement.