Archive for the 'silver jewelry' Category
Posted in silver jewelry August 19th, 2008
Either you are buying it as a gift or for yourself, there are many reasons why titanium jewelry can be a better choice than jewelry made in traditional precious metals like gold, silver and platinum.
Firstly, titanium is highly corrosion resistant and therefore does not tarnish easily. Especially for high-polish finished jewelry like gold and silver wedding band rings, it is expected that the jewelry will lose its color and shine over time. Even if they are stored properly in jewelry boxes or safe, the oxygen in the air reacts with the metals and turns the color. This process is of course accelerated if the jewelry is worn daily because the sweat combined with body temperature, acts as catalysts to the chemical process.
Also, titanium is hypoallergenic, which means that very few people have skin that is sensitive to it. People who are allergic to gold, silver or, more commonly, nickel, which is found in most gold and silver jewelry, don’t have to worry about outbreak when wearing jewelry made from titanium and its alloys.
A widely known property about titanium is its durability. It is this attribute that makes it perfect for active individuals who frequently engage in outdoor activities, even water sports. It is not uncommon that people find their gold or silver jewelry damaged, or even lost, after a day of exciting outdoor events. These disappointments can easily be avoided if titanium jewelry is worn instead. In addition, titanium has a high strength to weight ratio. In other words, although it is much stronger than gold and silver jewelry, even steel, it is much lighter and hence more comfortable to wear.
Finally, it is fashionable and trendy to wear titanium jewelry. The metal is relatively new in the fashion industry with many new ideas being applied on it. Titanium is so versatile that it not only can be combined with gemstones, gold and silver, engraved and finished like traditional jewelry; it can also be anodized to create eye-catching colored titanium jewelry.
Common titanium jewelry includes wedding band ring, men’s titanium rings and men’s titanium bracelets. There is every reason to explore the vast possibilities and express your personality in a whole different way.
Scott Murff got his MBA from MIT business school and currently is the marketing manager in Titanium Kay that specializes in men’s titanium wedding rings and tungsten rings.
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Posted in silver jewelry August 4th, 2008
Mysterious and subtle magical practices are associated with moon which colors are white and silver as the metal to be used… as it is used in our fine collection of Sterling Silver Charms, stamped, engraved or three-dimensional cast.
Explore the lunar energy magic by wearing our Sterling Silver Charms with the confidence of getting better quality and durability, starting with our original designs by themselves. Most silver jewelry is easily maintained by wiping with a soft, clean cloth to retain its luster and beauty, and avoiding contact with soap, perfume, hairsprays and other cosmetics.
With minimal cost and care Silver Italian Charms may add a touch of distinction to your charming presence.
In Jewelry, the standard for sterling silver has remained unchanged throughout the centuries since 1300 when King Edward I of England established the early trade practice rule for silversmiths, by means of decreeing that sterling must consist of 92.5 percent pure silver metal alloyed with 7.6 percent copper.
As for today, the term “sterling” refers to the composition of the metal, and not to the weight of a finished item either small or large. Sterling Silver Charms sometimes may be marked as 925, in which case meaning that 925 parts per thousand of the piece are pure silver.
Silver-plated is not silver metal, just a layer of silver bonded to any other base metal, and vermeil (pronounced as “ver-may”) is a special type of gold plated product, consisting of a base of sterling silver coated or plated with gold.
Jewelry made of silver parts and gold parts must carry dual designations such as “Sterling and xxK”. According to the law, all quality-marked silver must bear the name or an American registered trademark of the company’s name or person that will stand behind such mark.
It is renown that silver is much more plentiful than gold, but tends to tarnish, making it less popular as the metal to be used in some forms of jewelry. As with gold, silver is too soft that it simply cannot be used in its pure state and must be combined other metals to enhance its durability.
Italian Charms over 3500 Italian Charms online. Sterling Silver Charms
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Posted in silver jewelry July 28th, 2008
Man wearing silver jewelry like chain, cross or even bracelet is not so uncommon now days as it was sometime back. Those days are over, when wearing any kind of jewelry by man was looked as girly. Nowadays for man, Silver Jewelry can be a perfect way of showing others that you have your own distinct way of fashion sense. Wearing a cool artistic silver chain or a cross can really make you star attraction of any party and it shows that you like to stand out of the league. Always remember that you may have a pleasant personality but it’s going to be what you wear, which will count first.
There are certain factors like being cheap, easy to handle as compared to gold and getting customized, which makes silver jewelry popular among today’s man. The best thing about silver jewelry is that you can wear them as casual wear unlike other costly metal wear. You can wear them while on beach, or playing some outdoor game or at some meeting.
The cost of silver Jewelry for man can vary a lot as it depend on factors like how much artistic work has been done on it, what kind of finishing it has and whether it’s having any other costlier metal or gem in it. But still you can get a good ear ring or chain for around $20 to $50.
The most popular silver items among man are chain, rings and crosses. After that we can count earrings, bracelets and some other jewelry. It’s advisable to not to buy silver jewelry from online stores but find a shop in your town, as the looks can be highly deceptive from what you see online and what the actual jewelry is. If you have a friend who knows a thing or two about jewelry than take him with you.
You can much more information on Silver Jewelry for Man at Man Silver Jewelry
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Posted in silver jewelry July 18th, 2008
The Great Wall of China is not working. Built in 200 BC to protect the land from Mongols hoards, the Great Wall is a symbol of the vast breadth and scope of the economic development of the Chinese nation. International corporations have taken the place of invading Mongols, as they have occupied the Chinese worker in factories across the country. With the approval of the Chinese government, businesses around the globe have made China their main industrial source for all things manufactured. The silver jewelry industry is one such example.
The latest in silver jewelry designs come primarily from Europe, mostly from Italy. Annually, Europeans hold highly anticipated fairs and conventions featuring the newest styles in jewelry. From clothing fashion to jewelry design, Europeans have always been at the forefront of inspired modern style. Yet due to the rise in cost of production as influenced by higher wages for workers and regulatory restrictions in the production process, Europe, as a whole, finds itself unable to compete with Asia from a manufacturing standpoint.
European countries tend to feature the rights of individual workers in terms of reasonable compensation for services rendered, as well as protection from discrimination and an expectation of fair treatment. There are also restrictions concerning environmental standards for production, waste and materials that may be generally harmful. Most countries in the west adhere to these seemingly righteous societal constructs. As a result, the hands of the factory owners in Europe are tied, rightfully so. China, however, has a different perspective.
Workers in China don’t have the benefits of their counterparts in Europe. The government, as a non-elected body has allowed for the purest form of capitalism with market forces dictating all, without concern to the well being of the people and the environment. There are no restrictions concerning the individuals rights of worker to receive proper compensation and fair treatment, rather it depends on what depths the workers are willing to go. There are no regulations concerning the environmental impact of manufacturing, allowing for the cheaper production of goods. As a result, Chinese labor is the most cost efficient and productive in the world. Enter, silver jewelry.
The only advantage Europeans have is traditionally, they have set the trends when it comes to silver jewelry, including a high standard of craftsmanship. European retailers have remained loyal to their industrial core but more and more they are viewing China as a formidable opportunity. Other types of jewelry markets such as gold and gemstones have long since been penetrated by Chinese manufacturers. Silver has been the least affected industry as the Chinese manufacturing machine was busy in other more ostensibly profitable jewelry markets. It is within the last ten years that Silver has been recognized as a viable industry with a great potential. So what was China to do match the quality and style of the Europeans?
China has had to compensate by introducing products based on European designs, in effect duplicating the look of the European style. They have also maintained a high level of quality craftsmanship including the use of .925 sterling silver and cubic zirconia imported from Russia. All is not lost for the Europeans, however, as they have maintained a strong hold on the production of sterling silver chains and necklaces, known worldwide for their distinctive perennial designs.
It is hard to predict how this awkward relationship of style and substance between the Europeans and the Chinese will play out. Will China gain the ability to create inspired original design? Or will the Europeans find a means by which to produce their ideas more efficiently, perhaps through the onset of industrial and technological advances? Regardless of how this competition may develop, businesses in Europe and America will gladly benefit with lower prices and high quality merchandise for their customers, ensuring more silver jewelry will be bought and sold than ever before.
Derek Belay holds a BA in English Literature from Cal State Pomona. He writes part time primarily as a hobby. He currently works for Jewelry Payless.com as a marketing manager.
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Posted in silver jewelry July 6th, 2008
Gemstones - The rarest minerals, crystalline rocks or petrified materials of nature. These are highly valuable for their beauty, rarity, durability, hardness and amazing colors. Mostly gemstones is used in jewelry produced with gold and sterling silver jewelry and really has become the soul of jewelry. Even in prehistoric times, people were attracted to pretty pebbles, and when combined with translucency or even transparency with color, they were highly prized. Some high quality of these stones known as precious gemstone like diamonds, sapphires, emeralds & rubies, LARIMAR is one of them.
COLOR is one of the most important and individual characteristic to gemstones. The color should be rich - not as light as to give the stone an anemic appearance, nor as deep as to make it look dark or even black, particularly in artificial light. Too dark color reduces transparency and stone’s lively look, which can be achieved by skillful cutting and faceting by making it a bit sparkle. The blending of the various colors or tints of the same color and the various designs and patterns produced as they are by nature, give such stone an individual appeal that makes each one unique.
Another character that makes a difference in the available gemstone is quality, a high luster. Larimar, amber and some other garnets have a resinous luster, while turquoise is sometimes described as “waxy”. Luster does not give a stone brilliance. In certain gemstones brilliance is produced by the skillful cutting of the stone’s facets in such a way that they reflect light like mirrors, making the whole stone bright and shining when viewed from the top.
These Gemstone characteristics distinguish them and their unique appearance from the entire available sets of other precious and rare minerals. There is, however, a most important attribute which gemstones should posses: permanence.
Some of the popular gemstones are:
a. Agate
b. Amber
c. Ametrine
d. Aquamarine
e. Black Onyx/Black Agate
f. Carnelian
g. Chrysoprase
h. Coral
i. Fluorite
j. Jasper
k. Labradorite Stone
l. Larimar Gemstone
m. Miscellaneous
n. Moonstone Bead
o. Obsidian
p. Orange Sunstone
q. Peridot Semi Precious Stone Bead
r. Pink Tourmaline, Watermelon Tourmaline or Green Tourmaline Bead
s. Red and Green Garnet Gem Stone Beads
t. Rose Quartz
u. Sodalite
Ryan Smith, Independent writer, presently associated with http://www.wholesalelarimar.com
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Posted in silver jewelry June 22nd, 2008
One thing you can do to protect your jewelry is not wear them when your gardening, housework, swimming or other activity where you have a greater chance of damaging or losing them. The chemicals in pools can discolor or damage your jewelry.
Get a jewelry box and/or wrap each piece of jewelry with paper, velvet or silk. The harder stones like diamonds could scratch your pearls or other jewelry and that could happen if you “throw” your jewelry all in the same place. Keep everything from touching each other, even from itself.
If you have jewelry and it came in a box and wrapping keep it. Put the jewelry back in the box when your not wearing it.
To check for loose stones place the piece next to your ear and tap gently with your finger. Something might be loose if you hear any movement from the piece. You should check for this on a regular basis, more if you wear the piece regularly.
Pearls should be restrung every couple of years. If you clean them use a mild soapy water. Rinse them well after.
You should have your fine jewelry looked and possibly cleaned by a professional once a year.
Before cleaning jewelry make sure the stones are not loose. When cleaning you don’t want them coming out.
To loosen dirt around the prongs you can use a soft brush with the hard gemstones. Using toothpaste is not a good idea because it is an abrasive and can damage some soft gems and metals.
Don’t take silver jewelry into the pool or any other water. The chlorine in the water will discolor your silver.
Ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended as the vibrations they make can enlarge inclusions and make them more noticeable.
To help prevent damage to your jewelry, don’t put them on until you have your makeup, hairspray, perfume or anything else on. The stuff that is in these products could harm your jewelry. Put bracelets on your opposite hand if your right or left handed. Less wear may occur because it’s not the main hand used.
If shipping your jewelry to be cleaned or repaired use a shipper that has tracking and get it insured.
Turquoise should be put in warm water and you should use a soft toothbrush on it. It should then be washed off with warm water and let it air-dry. Coming in contact with cleaning solutions like ammonia can discolor or damage it.
Silver can be rinsed in warm water and pat it dry. You can use silver cleaner but don’t use an abrasive cleaner or a toothbrush as it can scratch it.
Pricing for cleaning will vary by type of jewelry and the place you take it too. If you recently bought jewelry from a store they might clean and inspect it for free on an annual basis or something like that. They can also give you a repair quote for any repairs needed. Before getting it repaired or professionally cleaned, document and take pictures of your jewelry before. Just so you have proof if the jewelry should be chipped, damaged or has some other problem with it.
Dave William G. runs http://www.thejvirus.com, a website devoted to all things jewelry. From designs to gemstones we try and cover it all. So please visit us today. You can sign-up for our 7 part mini-course on diamonds while you’re there. http://www.thejvirus.com
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Posted in silver jewelry June 14th, 2008
The value of sterling silver is rising. Although it is currently hovering around $8-$9 per ounce and once was as low as $4 per ounce in 2001, silver has shown the ability to earn as it once topped $49 per ounce back in 1980. There is a resurgence in the interest in silver jewelry especially as more manufacturer’s such as Tiffany $ Co. focus more attention on their silver product lines. The quality of silver when coated with rhodium, a precious metal, can rival white gold in shine and sharpness.
Silver has been used for thousands of years in dining utensils, ornaments and as coinage in numerous monetary systems. In fact, the word “silver” can be translated in 14 different languages as “money”. Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals including copper. Its use is not widespread in all things electrical, however, due to its costliness and tendency to tarnish, although because of its high conductivity it is commonly found in computer parts. Silver has always played second fiddle to gold generally but there are a few societies in history such as ancient Egypt and the middle ages in Europe, where silver was considered more valuable than gold. Today’s state of silver is, however, a matter of popularity and not necessarily value.
In modern times silver is used most in the area of photography in the form of silver nitrate which is a corrosive light sensitive ingredient used in film. Silver is also used to produce the highly reflective surfaces of mirrors through a process called silvering. The practical nature and application of silver is apparent not only to industrial types but to the average consumer. Silver jewelry, given its beauty, quality and inexpensiveness has become a highly sought after commodity. Silver jewelry is usually produced with 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper as 100% silver would simply be too soft to use in usable jewelry.
The only drawback to silver is its tendency to tarnish. Tarnish is basically a layer of corrosion that naturally develops over silver as it is exposed to oxygen. Scientists have tried to prevent tarnish by adding different alloys which have helped decrease tarnishability. There are some new developments in this regard as scientists at Sheffield Hallam University have been attempting to produce a new type of silver alloy which will be more resistant to tarnish, called Carrs Lustre Silver. There are ways to prevent tarnish from occurring in caring for silver jewelry, including the use of low abrasive phosphate free detergent cleaner or chemically treated jewelry cleaning cloths. Some even use toothpaste although they may be left with perceivably dull scratches.
Silver jewelry is gaining popularity with a consumer public which is interested in affordability, style and quality. When polished, silver shines as gloriously as white gold. Retailers find that consumers are buying silver engagement rings for daily use as they store their diamond and gold rings for special occasions. Young people who want to express themselves with jewelry are turning to silver as a suitable alternative to expensive gold jewelry.
Online retailers like jewelrypayless.com, bluenile.com, and tiffany.com, are expanding their silver product lines in anticipation of more demand as the rise of the silver jewelry industry continues.
Derek Belay holds a BA in English Literature from Cal State Pomona. He writes part time primarily as a hobby. He currently works for Jewelry Payless.com as a marketing manager
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Posted in silver jewelry June 7th, 2008
We hear from all over that the specialty retail market is tough and getting tougher. Margins are small, and the mass department store retailers keep moving in. Well, one thing that the mass retailer can’t compete on is personalized service and personalized products. But, the specialty gift retailer can! That is the specialty gift retailers niche, so be “personal.”
Hopefully, being a specialty gift retailer you already have a personalized jewelry line. If not, well you need to get one. Sterling silver jewelry is synonymous with class and style in the world of fashion. Its versatility and flexibility make it a welcome and useful addition to any person’s wardrobe. Sterling silver jewelry epitomizes classic simplicity in itself, the aesthetic value it lends to the wearer is inestimable. More importantly, sterling silver jewelry can be personalized.
Where to look for a personalized silver jewelry line- tradeshows such as AmericasMart in Atlanta or the MerchandiseMart in Chicago are two great tradeshows. If you can’t afford to go to these tradeshows, visit their websites online where you can find a listing of vendors and contact information. Simply search the accessories/jewelry section and you are sure to find that supplier.
Now, you have made the investment into a personalizable jewelry collection. You have selected a vendor that doesn’t charge personalization fees or make you carry inventory; instead you have a beautiful display and a wonderful catalog to sell from. All the jewelry, specially ordered by your customer, is presale before delivery so there is no idle inventory to move. Now, make this line work for you. Don’t sit back and wait for your customers to discover your personalized selection. Show it to them.
There are several ways to do this. First, motivate and encourage sales associates to promote your new line to prospective customers. Your customers are looking for something unique making custom-made products easy to recommend. To encourage your sales associates, have a weekly contest for movie tickets, a gas card, gift certificates to a restaurant, or a free piece personalized jewelry item. Also, keep a basket full of goodies like chocolate or mini lotions and give small prizes to each associate who makes a sale. Find ways to make it fun to sell your new line.
Second, make sure that each sales associate is wearing personalized items from your jewelry collection. Encourage them to wear ensemblesyou will find that your customers will want exactly what you and your associates are wearing. Offer items from your new jewelry collection at a sizeable discount or even on-loan to your sales staff.
Third, hand out marketing materials. If you do not have any marketing materials, ask your personalized jewelry supplier. Most likely, they have already created marketing materials ready for you to use. Hand out seasonal catalogs for your new collection in each customer’s bag and tell them that it is in there. Give a larger catalog to your best customers with a gift certificate enclosed for a future purchase. It may spark their interest on the spot, or they may sit and read it leisurely at home. Either way, they have your products to look over, shop through with friends, and start planning for special gift giving occasions.
Offer “Earlybird Seasonal Gift Discounts” for Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, and Christmas. Also, consider giving out small, $5, invite-a-friend gift certificates for your customers to give to their friends.
Fourth, for the customer who isn’t sure about a size, a monogram, or even what to buy, have a gift card set featuring items for purchase. This is an innovative offer that can include a Gift Card and a small, full color personalized merchandise flier that match the value of the gift card.
Most importantly, market, market, market like it is 1999. A great way to market your new personalized line is with the use of inexpensive postcards. Mail them out you your customer list. These postcards should feature pictures of some of the best selling personalized silver jewelry items with brief text. If you don’t have a postcard ask your supplier, they probably have premade postcards for you to use. Simply put your company sticker or print your logo on the postcards and mail them or stuff them in customer shopping bags. Ask you supplier about Free Ad Slicks, that are preformatted ads for you to send to your local paper. The ads should be ready for you to insert your store’s information.
Remember, the only way to set your store apart from the mass department retail outlets, is to get personal. So, what are you waiting for!
Ron Waugh, Marketing mgmt at a leading supplier of personalized gifts and services, http://www.heartstrings.net, for the specialty gift retailer.
email him with questions at ron@heartstrings.net
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Posted in silver jewelry April 29th, 2008
Keeping your sterling silver jewelry tarnish free can seem like an impossible task. For those of you who wear your silver on a regular basis, you know that it seems you can literally take your polished silver earrings off one night only to have them start to look yellowish by morning.
Although it seems like an impossible task to keep this from happening, with just a few easy steps you can help prevent your sterling silver jewelry from tarnishing. Even if it does begin to tarnish, if you can catch it in its early stages, you can easily remedy the situation.
The first thing you need to realize is that tarnish is typically caused by things that we do or wear. Perfume, lotions, sweaty skin and hair products can all cause your jewelry to begin to tarnish. If you take your jewelry off without wiping off the residue from these things, you are contributing to the tarnish. When you add the fact that most people leave their sterling silver jewelry sitting out, exposed to the air most of the time, tarnish becomes inevitable.
For this reason, you need to start to change your habits when putting on and removing jewelry. Before you put any jewelry on, you should make sure your lotion and perfume has soaked into your skin and all hair products, especially hairspray, should be applied. When you are removing your silver jewelry, you should take a few seconds to wipe it off with a soft cloth such as an old t-shirt or flannel shirt.
Once you wipe your jewelry clean, you should store it in an airtight container, such as a zip lock baggie, a cloth bag or an airtight jewelry box. The less air and light your silver is exposed to when you aren’t wearing it, the less tarnished it will become.
If your sterling silver jewelry begins to show signs of tarnish, simply wipe it clean with a silver cloth. Most cloths come in two parts: a cleaning cloth and a polishing cloth. It is a soft cloth that should clean your jewelry with just a couple of wipes if the tarnish has not gotten too bad.
With just a few preventative measures, you can easily keep your sterling silver jewelry from becoming tarnished. Taking time to keep it clean after wearing it and storing it away from light and air is all you need to do to cut down on tarnish significantly and keep you from spending hours trying to get badly tarnished silver clean. The few seconds it takes to wipe it clean are well worth it in the end.
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Posted in silver jewelry April 5th, 2008
Sterling silver is easy to care for if you follow a few simple steps, so don’t be afraid to cover yourself in silver. You will love the look!
In this article you will find easy ways to keep your sterling silver clean with a minimum amount of time and effort. Sterling silver really is not that difficult to take care of whether it is your precious sterling silver jewelry or fine tableware. Keeping sterling silver tarnish free and sparkling is really pretty easy.
Though this article is mainly about cleaning your sterling silver jewelry, it applies to all sterling silver. All the products mentioned here are products that our silversmith’s use and recommend for cleaning sterling silver jewelry. They are available through most reputable jewelers, and directly through W. J. Hagerty and Sons, South Bend, Indiana, but Southwest Affinity does make them available for purchase here for your convenience.
If you wish to purchase any product mentioned here and you don’t see it available below, please contact us and we will assist you in locating it.
Liquid silver jewelry is very difficult to clean. You can use a soft cotton cloth or a Sunshine Cloth. Avoid dips. They leave residue deposits between each bead, and make the necklace stiff.
A good alternative is to take dry baking soda (or baking powder), and rub it on the liquid silver beads.
Then pat and brush the dry powder off.
http://www.dewatabali.com
Zia
Bali Sterling Silver Beads Wholesale Store
http://www.dewatabali.com
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