Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Celebrating a Special Occasion with Jewelry! How to Buy Jewelry? (Part I)

Nothing more personal than our response to color. Color is the new language of passion, and nothing captures it better than distinctively styled jewelry.
Leave her speechless with our brilliant colorless and fancy colored diamond or bold brilliant gemstone jewelry styles.
Celebrating a Special Occasion with Jewelry!
How to Buy Jewelry? (Part I)
The concept of jewelry implies fashion, ornamentation, and adornments. But jewelry is much more than just that. It reflects your personality and shows what you value in life. It defines your style through colorful stones and gems jewelry.
Colored precious gemstone jewelry is the latest fashion. Colored gemstones are worn in rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets by every one. If you like to own an exceptionally beautiful and exclusive piece of jewelry, you should only consider gemstone jewelry. A piece of colored gemstone jewelry will distinguish you as a class apart from the crowed that wears gems like diamonds. The best way to go around shopping for a special kind of jewelry is to go to the Internet, look at the exquisite designs of colored gemstones or diamonds on white or yellow gold jewelry and select the one that matches your style.

Funky Looking Jewelries For Teens and Young Women

It is said that jewelry is one of the things that emphasizes the beauty of an individual. For the past few years that we are living in this world, we can't deny the fact that we are aware of wearing jewelries, maybe in parties, weddings and even ordinary days. But then, there are also individuals said that jewelries are for adults only. Well, it's definitely not true simply because teens and young women have also different taste when it comes to jewelries. Sometimes they are more likely attractive wearing jewelries than adults.
Teenagers have different fashion requirements when it comes to choosing the jewelries they want to wear. These types of jewelries combine the age factor and the funky look. You know teenagers are wearing jewelries just to say that they are "IN" when it comes to fashion. Otherwise, jewelries are not just for girls anymore; hence it is more likely favorite by boys too. In addition to that, jewelries also serve as a remembrance and more likely symbolize teenage love or friendship. In some instances, teens prefer to give jewelries as a sign of proposal to become a boyfriend and the same with being the girl friend.
Teenagers have a variety of choices when it comes to choosing the jewelries they want to wear. It can be jewelries from strip of metals or plastic with semi precious and precious stones attached on it. It all depends on their taste and definition in wearing it. You know the good thing about jewelries for teens is that they are all look cool and can be fit to anyone who wear it. For teenagers, it looks like everything is normal. Before, boys are not allowed to wear earrings simply because these are only exclusive for girls. But these days, having pierces in the ears and wearing earrings are only normal for them. in fact, the more you have pierces, the more you are "IN" and look funky. Metal jewelries are no only for ordinary people. In fact these are more likely common for celebrities and rock stars. Every time they are performing on stage, they are more likely look brilliant and sparkling with these funky jewelries that even adults can wear. Teenage jewelry also signifies youth and its very beginning. The colors that can make life more meaningful and the attractive designs that can make you look more attractive.

Monday, June 18, 2012

How to Clean and Polish Your Jewelry

How to Clean and Care for Your Jewelry
The most effective way to clean your jewelry is to bring it to your local jeweler. That may not always be possible. It always seems that on a Saturday night, before going to dinner or while getting dressed for a wedding, you realize that your jewelry is lacking a bit of its glisten and luster.
Jewelry Maintenance Schedule

Since most people keep their jewelry in a central location, such as a jewelry box or safe, it is easy to keep a basic checklist along with it. It is commonplace for one to let time pass before noticing one day when examining their jewelry that a diamond is missing from their ring or bracelet. Keeping a simple checklist in your jewelry box can act as a reminder. All fine jewelry that is worn regularly and is mounted with gemstones should be brought to a jeweler to be inspected for wear on prongs and closures on a routine basis. Over time, frequently worn jewelry often comes in contact with coarse surfaces during everyday wear, making it prone to erosion and metal fatigue.
Jewelry Erosion

"Erosion" takes place when gold or a precious metal rubs against itself or other surfaces. As precious metals rub against counter tops, stone, or mineral surfaces the soft precious metal slowly erodes. Your jeweler can advise you of needed repair before an item becomes broken and is lost. This recommended preventive measure can prolong the life of your precious jewelry.
Jewelry Metal Fatigue

How to Get a Jewelry Rep to Market Your Handmade Jewelry

Are you a jewelry maker or designer looking for new ways to market your jewelry? There's no doubt about it! A jewelry design business takes time especially if you exhibit at craft and jewelry shows which require preparation and travel. This can take precious time away from jewelry design and production. Your first love is jewelry design and you'd like to spend more time designing and less time focused on jewelry marketing. Is there a solution?
For some jewelry makers and designers, the answer is to enlist the services of a sales rep. A jewelry sales rep is a traveling sales person who carries several independent lines of jewelry that he or she markets to various boutiques and galleries. The sales rep is paid a commission by the jewelry designer of between 10% to 20% of the wholesale price. For example, if a bracelet sells for a retail price of $100, the store pays $50.00 for the item. Out of that $50.00 you pay the rep $7.50, assuming a commission rate of 15%. This may sound like a lot, but you have to consider the cost savings of not traveling as well as the time savings of being able to spend more time in your studio producing jewelry.
A sales rep can also help you reach a national audience by exhibiting your designs at trade shows in large cities. This can be a very rewarding arrangement for you as the jewelry designer. Your jewelry is marketed in a professional manner and you never have to leave your studio.

How to Get the Best Start Selling Handmade Jewelry, Unique Bracelets and Handcrafted Earrings

Handmade jewelry can be a great way to express your unique style and it can even turn into a career. You have been experimenting making your own handmade jewelry since you were young, but you are never quite sure what to do with all of the handmade earrings and bracelets that are piling up. Aside from being a personal gift to give your family and friends, your handcrafted jewelry designs could be the source of a nice extra income for you. Creating your own handmade jewelry is different then trying to sell handcrafted jewelry and these suggestions might be useful to keep in mind.
The hardest part for most people who are dreaming of a handmade jewelry business of their own is just getting their nerve up and going for it. Starting your own business can be a scary process, taking small steps is a good way to get started. The key to beginning any business is to educate your self as much as possible, take a deep breath and just do it. There are few operating expenses if you have a home based business. You need to have jewelry making tools according what type jewelry you would like to make, but you probably already have much of what you need already.
One of the most important parts is bringing your own creative style to the handcrafted jewelry pieces that you make. It is very important that you choose jewelry designs customers want to buy. When coming up with handmade jewelry ideas keep in mind what people would like, not what you would like. The more creative you are and the more unusual materials you use will determine how unique your handcrafted jewelry pieces appear and ultimately how well your handmade earrings and unique bracelets will sell. This is what will set your handmade jewelry apart from the others.

Jewelry Care and Cleaning Guide: How To Care and Protect Your Jewelry

Celebrating a Special Occasion with Jewelry!
Jewelry Care means being careful, how you store and and clean it!
How to care and protect Jewelry?
If your jewelry has value to you, it is valuable enough for you to want to take care of it. Jewelry Care means being careful you do no lose it as well as being careful how you store and clean it.
When you buy jewelry, any jewelry, from the most expensive fine jewelry to inexpensive costume jewelry, you buy it because it is beautiful. The gleam of the metal and the shine or luster and fire of the gems appeal to your aesthetic sense of beauty, based on what you can afford. The better the jewelry, the longer you want to wear it, perhaps even for rest of your life, and the longer you want it to have that like new glow, although some metals and finishes attain a warm patina with wear. What you don't want, however, is scratched or gouged settings and dull gems. Accidents can happen, but all too often the jewelry is damaged by carelessness or not taking the few moments necessary to tend to the jewelry.
In most cases, being careful is the only care jewelry needs. Some types of jewelry, nevertheless, need special care because the gems may be soft, absorbent, or fragile.
Keep in mind that the harder the gem and the higher it is on the Mohs scale of hardness, the more durable it generally is. At time, a hard gem with high or distinct cleavage is apt to be fragile and may break or cleave if it is struck at the right angle. Hardness therefore is not synonymous with toughness. A tough gem may be soft enough to be more easily scratched but it is less apt to break or shatter. These characteristics have pertinence in wearing, cleaning, and storing jewelry, and in remodeling.

Jewelry Care: Caring for, Cleaning, and Storing Your Precious Jewelry

Your jewelry is precious. Whether it holds monetary or sentimental value, or both, your jewelry is special. So how do you keep your jewelry looking it's best? Most people believe that a certain amount of wear and tear is to be expected. Not so. There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your precious jewelry is in as perfect condition as the day you bought it.
When not to wear your jewelry:
One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking good is knowing when not to wear it. Many people never take their jewelry off, for sentimental reasons. But the fact is that there are many routine activities that may damage, or even destroy, your precious jewelry. Examples of these activities include:
Gardening: Aside from getting your jewelry dirty, gardening is one of the easiest ways to chip or lose precious stones, as well as scratch gold or platinum jewelry. Remember that gold is an extremely soft metal, and platinum, while about twice as strong as gold, is still easily scratched.
Household cleaning: You should never wear your jewelry while doing household cleaning! Many common cleaning solutions contain chemicals that may damage or discolor precious gems or metals. Also, while doing housework, you are bound to rub your jewelry against abrasive materials. When it comes to gold even dust can be abrasive enough to do damage.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Jewelry from 3000 BC Egypt to the 21st Century

Egypt
The use of gold jewelry can be dated back to Egypt 3000 BC. Gold was the preferred metal for jewelry making during ancient times. It was rare, it was easy to work with, and it never tarnished.
Magnificent bracelets, pendants, necklaces, rings, armlets, earrings, collars, and head ornaments were all produced in ancient Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs. In 1922 Howard Carter's excavations led to the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb and many gold artifacts, all showing the art work of ancient Egypt.
Greece
In ancient Greece, gold beads in the shape of shells, flowers and beetles were very common. In Northern Greece beautiful necklaces and earrings have been excavated from burial.
By 300 BC the Greeks were using gems such as emeralds, garnets, amethysts and pearls. They also created colored glass stones and enamel stones. Carved agate cameos and gold filigree work were widely made.
Italy
The Italian Etruscans produced granulated textured gold work. They made very large, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. They were also known for producing hollow gold pendants that were filled with perfume. Even today the Italians are still known for the quality gold jewelry.
Rome
The Romans used 18 and 24 carat gold for their coins. Coinage gold was readily available so it was popular with craftsmen for decorative jewelry. Over 2000 years ago the Romans were using sapphires, emeralds, garnets, and amber in their jewelry.

Men's Jewelry: It's Not Just for Women Anymore

Find out what mens jewelry is in, what to buy for a loved one and more!
People often associate the term "jewelry" with something a woman possesses and covets. Yet for centuries mens jewelry has been fashionable and popular among elite and average men alike. Kings and Pharaohs in ancient times wore jewelry as a symbol of power and prestige. Whether a member of a tribe, team, work group or family many men wore rings as a symbol of their belonging or achievement.
Jewels and jewelry have been coveted since the beginning of time, as symbols of power, richness, beauty, commitment and even pride. Just as princesses and Queen's of old fell under the spell of sparkling gems, so too have men fallen under the tempting promise a precious metal offers.
History shows that men have worn jewels and rings for a variety of reasons. Most jewelry serves as an aesthetically pleasing accompaniment to a wardrobe or fashionable figure. Yet mens jewelry has also served functional purposes, including describing a male's social status, place in society and of course, marital status.

Permanent Stainless Steel Art (4) - Stainless Steel Jewelry

Stainless Steel Jewelry(S/S Jewelry) has the added advantage of being a more rugged alloy than gold or silver as it is nearly indestructible. S/S Jewelry is naturally hypo-allergic.
Stainless steel jewelry's rise to fame and popularity is not really surprising; primarily because of the price difference between S/S Jewelry and a lot of the other jewelry types that are sold in dominant market share positions today.
There is no doubting in nowadays for owning a piece of stainless steel jewelry is just in fashion, and it does not seem to make any difference which part of the world it is, S/S Jewelry has become a big hit in many countries, the pursuing for this trend is universal. Stainless steel jewelry is cheaper than gold jewelry and it is most definitely cheaper than silver jewelry, so what you are going to find ultimately is that the stainless steel jewelry has become so popular first and foremost because it presents a cheaper alternative to materials that are already set in the market such as gold and silver.

Selling Your Jewelry and Getting the Most For It

Selling Your Jewelry: Triumph or Tragedy?
Which is more fun, getting a root canal, paying your taxes, or selling your jewelry? Not much of a choice, but following is some knowledge that can take the frustration out of selling your jewelry. And answer the hard questions like: Will I receive a fair price for my jewelry? Or did I pay too much?
The two critical areas of knowledge to get the best price for your jewelry are the factors that determine the value of estate jewelry and the options to liquidating it. Does this mean you have to become a gemologist just to sell your jewelry? No. But some homework and note taking can mean a much higher price paid for your jewelry. Let's start with what determines the value of estate jewelry.
Estate is a general term used to describe previously owned. That fact is one of the determining factors. Preowned jewelry by in large is not as valuable as new. Some people will never buy a previous owned engagement set for superstitious reasons. I have had clients who could have saved hundreds of dollars if they would have bought a preowned ring, but refused.

The Gold Guide to Pretty Heart Jewelry

Long before the invention of the American Dollar, the Indian Rupee, or the British Pound, another form of currency was used by people around the world. Do you know what it was? It was gold, and it was a timeless way to denote how rich and powerful a person was. It is both heavy and rare, and it has been used as a status symbol throughout the years. This is our free gold guide to beautiful heart jewelry. We hope that you enjoy this journey into the incorporation of gold into our beautiful jewelry items.
Gold is one of our most valuable and precious metals. It is also very malleable and soft. Did you happen to know that? A mere ounce of the stuff can be stretched into a fine wire about 5 miles long. If you were to pound that same ounce of gold, it would form a thin sheet that could cover 100 square feet. It won't corrode or rust, so it will last almost indefinitely. It is also all around us. It is in our seas and rivers and bodies of water. It is in the crust of the earth that is beneath our feet. It is also in our plant life. Unfortunately, it is very hard to locate and extract, so it is very expensive as well. It takes about 2.5 to 3 tons of gold ore in order to make 1oz of pure gold.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Truths About Beaded, Costume, and Cubic Zirconia Jewelry!

Shopping for Inexpensive Yet Brilliant Pieces
History of Beaded Jewelry
Beads have been used to create jewelry and adorn costumes since the dawn of time. If you were to look back on the Ice Age you would discover small objects crafted of natural "beads" including animal bones and teeth, seashells and colorful stones. These items were usually attached to clothing or plant fibers to form the most primitive forms of beaded jewelry.
Beaded jewelry symbolizes many different things for different people; different cultures have associated beads with varying spiritual beliefs, cultural customs and social traditions. Beads, like many other jewelry items, have been used throughout time to adorn the bodies of men and women alike, signifying power, beauty and the human spirit.
The very first actual "beads" that have been discovered date back to approximately 38,000 BC. Made by cavemen, these beads were crafted from animal parts. In later times, beads were crafted as symbols of fertility and animal spirits.
During the stone age, beads were crafted primarily as a means of adorning the body; they were also used for trading on occasion however. A couple thousand years later, beads were crafted out of coral and other "precious" substances. In ancient Greece there is evidence that carnelian beads and beads made of lapis lazuli were worn by wealthy members of society. The use of semi-precious stone beads began to become more popular about 2800 BC among the Syrians, who fashioned beads of materials like agate and serpentine.

What Makes Handmade Jewelry Handmade?

Men and women have adorned themselves with handmade jewelry since long before the age of reason. Garlands of flowers, bracelets of woven grass, shells, and stone; such were the first decorations to beautify the human body. We may have been wearing jewelry as far back as 75,000 years ago -- 30,000 years earlier than previously believed -- according to a recent report by National Geographic News.
Over the millennia, jewelry styles and materials have evolved in step with the advances of civilization. From the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, from the Iron Age to the Industrial Revolution (and seemingly back again!), styles have transformed, modernized, and then often returned to their most basic forms and essential elements.
Today, jewelry is primarily machine made, allowing manufacturers to produce uniform jewelry designs much more economically than traditional handcrafting and hand-casting techniques allow. Casting machines now quickly process into uniform molds such components as metals, plastics, and resins, allowing even complex jewelry designs to be produced with speed and uniformity. Mechanical punch presses and forges, likewise, are also commonly employed in the jewelry manufacturing industry today, to help ensure the production of a consistent, highly profitable product.

1.00ct TDW Diamond S-Link Bracelet in Sterling Silver - 7.25"

This beautiful diamond tennis bracelet is crafted of sterling silver and is set with 165 sparking diamonds totaling 1.00 carat . A great gift for someone you love or for yourself.

10k Gold 3-stone Diamond Heart Pendant with 18" Chain (1/10 Cttw; I-J Color)

A romantic gift that will be cherished for years to come. This elegant pandant is crafted in 10K White Gold and features 3 diamonds totaling 0.10 Carat. An 18" chain is included.

18k Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Pendant, 18"

Whimsical and alluring, this sterling silver, diamond-accented pendant necklace accentuates the neck with the sparkling grace and beauty of a stained glass window. The 25-millimeter-tall, oval pendant with 18-karat yellow-gold overlay elegantly curls in on itself in tendrils reminiscent of spring's first blooms. Abstract leaves are highlighted with diamond accents, and suspended from a delicate 18-inch-long chain with a secure spring-ring clasp, in an artistic homage to both nature and feminine beauty.

Friday, June 15, 2012

1928 Jewelry Victorian Gothic Black & Diamond Oval Drop Earrings

Gothic, Victorian inspired earrings that feature a black oval emblem surround by jet black filigree and diamond hue crystals.

1928 Jewelry Vintage-Inspired Black-Diamond Crystal Drop Earrings

With its vintage look, these hematite tone drop earrings are ideal for dressing up but they will even work with the most causal of outfits. A marquee shaped simulated black diamond crystal is used to start the earrings on their posts. Below are faceted jet color teardrops in a hematite tone setting and embellished with simulated black-diamond crystals above and below giving the appearance of the real thing.

4" x 6.5" Gold and Silver Jewelry Instant Cleaning and Polishing Cloth Restores Shine

Cleans Silver and Gold Jewelry. A good buy to keep your Jewelry Fresh.
Dimension of this Jewelry Cleaning cloth is 4" x 6.5"
Ring will be shipped in a Free gift box making it easy for you to surprise your special someone.

Thank you for shopping at Gem Avenue!