The Modern Jeweler - All Jewelry Information For The Modern Era!

One thing that most people know is that emeralds are a major gemstone and that they are expensive. That’s largely because emeralds are a type of the mineral beryl and they are rare. They come in varying shades of green.

It is chromium, vanadium or iron elements in the stone which make that lovely green color. On the Moh’s scale of hardness where the hardest is diamond at 10, emerald comes in around 7.5. So it is reasonably hard but rubies and sapphires come in harder around 9.

Where are they found?

Emeralds are found in India, South Africa, Russia, Pakistan and some small deposits in the USA. The most important emeralds come from Columbia.

Just how expensive is emerald?

Well, if you get any other gemstone of the same weight as an emerald, chances are most likely that the emerald will be the most expensive. So in that sense it is the most expensive gemstone in the world.

What should I know about emeralds?

One thing you should know is that emeralds often have lots of inclusions or imperfections inside them and the outer surface is often not perfect like a diamond. In order to make enhance the stone most emeralds are oiled after they have been cut. Sometimes emeralds have cracks in them which are filled with resin. These treatments have been used for longer than you have been alive and they are accepted as standard practice in the jewellery industry. Generally, you will be told by the seller of the stones treatments. Certainly you should ask if this is the case.

Are there Synthetic Emeralds?

Yes most definitely. In fact most of the emeralds you will see in the lower end to moderate end of jewellery in shops will be created emerald. It is cheap and beautiful and the only reason you shouldn’t buy it is if you love emeralds and you want and can afford real natural emerald gems.

How do I know which is a good emerald?

Think about all gemstones that you purchase in the same way:

Weight, color, clarity and brilliance. When these qualities increase then the stone gets more expensive and its price will increase. So in simple terms a small, dull emerald with not much life to it is going to be cheap and not worth much. On the other hand, a large, vibrant, clear looking but beautiful green emerald that make you gasp is going to cost a lot and be worth it perhaps!

My advice is that if you a re looking to buy a natural emerald for that special piece of jewelery and are gong to pay well for it then buy from someone that you feel you can trust. Talk to the gemologist or jewelery and several would be better than one. Do some research by books and the internet about the stone. This will not only help you chose the right one for you but it will add some valuable interest to your purchase. Emerald is the birthstone for May.

Written by Jennifer Wolf – Contributing Author For The Modern Jeweler

One activity that you will undoubtedly appreciate when preparing for your wedding ceremony is the wedding ring selection. Like most young girls, you have probably spent most of your life dreaming of the perfect diamond wedding ring. Hopefully, you and your fiance have decided to shop for rings together, or you have informed him of what you like. You will wear the wedding ring for a significant amount of time and it only makes sense that it’s something that you like. If your knowledge of diamond wedding rings is limited to size, it’s a good idea that you obtain more information before you make your wedding ring selection.

Loose or Set

When most people think of a diamond wedding ring, they often think of a stone that is already set or mounted. You can actually buy a diamond only and choose a setting later. The intelligence in doing so is cost. When you shop for loose diamonds you will notice that diamonds are available in various sizes, including oval, round, and marquise. If you don’t have a personal preference for a certain style, you might want to consider your hands. Certain styles complement certain types of hands. A good guide is to match the shape of the diamond to the hand. Do you have long, narrow fingers? An oval-shaped diamond or similar elongated style diamond for your wedding ring would probably work for you. Round diamonds are considered a good choice for most hands.

The Perfect Setting

Something else to consider when shopping for a wedding ring is the setting. Do you choose platinum or yellow or white gold? Yellow gold is the setting that most people choose for their wedding ring. It is typically less expensive than platinum or white gold. If you choose a yellow gold wedding ring, be careful that you don’t choose a higher quality just because you think it is better. As the quality of yellow gold goes up, the softer the metal becomes. A wedding ring set in 24k gold will be less resilient to scratches than a ring that is set in 14k gold. Platinum is by far the most expensive and most durable of the trio. White gold is a good choice for a wedding ring setting if versatility is important to you. White gold tends to go with everything.

White diamonds are by far the most popular. Did you know that you could buy a pink diamond? Diamonds are available in other colors, but these are typically more expensive. Second to the classic white diamond is the yellow diamond. When shopping for your wedding ring you will actually find more of these than any other color of diamond.

Considering Cost

Your budget probably carries the most weight in your wedding ring selection. A wedding ring featuring a diamond can cost as little as $100 and as much as $1,000,000. In general, the amount of money you can expect to pay for a diamond wedding ring will vary according to the type of stone and the setting. The more carats a wedding ring has the more it will cost. Diamonds set in platinum will cost you the most, while you will spend very little on a wedding ring set in 14-carat gold. You can balance the cost by buying a wedding ring with a high number of carats and set in a less expensive setting.

The universe of colored gemstones is endlessly fascinating, for centuries, nearly every culture has held the belief that colored gemstones possess magical powers or the ability to provide the wearer with certain attributes.

This way of thinking has motivated the world of fashion. Natural gemstone jewelry is mystical in all of its beauty. Women need to feel not only glamorous but powerful as well. Designers have taken what you want and provided what you need in the latest jewelry fashion for 2010.

This spring and summer color is less saturated and more sophisticated. White, golden and earth tones are the new trend for 2010. Placing emphasis on nature as well as style is important for today’s woman.

White is interesting in it’s own right with pearls are making a HUGE splash this season. They provide a calming effect. They give purity and promote faith, truth and loyalty. They especially enhance personal integrity, the ultimate feminine energy.

Agate, the most popular semi-precious gemstone comes in a multitude of natural colors. It says to help strengthen the body’s connection to the earth. It can give courage, energy and dispels fears, which increases self-confidence. It is a stone of harmony, and by bringing the elements of one’s being into harmony it greatly enhances healing. Agate also enhances creativity and stimulates the intellect. It is considered the stone of good luck.

Jade, a love attracting stone is also the stone of fidelity and generosity. It is also considered to be good for the physical heart and for emotional balance and stability.

Jasper is a stone of gentleness and relaxation. It enhances one’s ability to relax and brings tranquility, comforting, wholeness and healing. It is sometimes called the nurturing stone for it’s protective energies.

Crystal Quartz is a powerful stone that harmonizes and balances. It enhances energies and thoughts and purifies the mental and physical. It is also a powerfully protective stone, bringing purified energy in.

Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditional love. It has excellent protection energies during pregnancy and childbirth. The elevated energy gives rose quartz a property of enhancing love in any situation. It also brings gentleness, forgiveness, and tolerance. (Read More…)

There is something very mysterious about crystals. And, therefore, as soon as you don them, they lend a very enigmatic touch to your whole persona. Even if it is just one small little crystal, it can work wonders for you. No, this is no future prediction, though crystals have always been one of the favorite tools of soothsayers. But here, the point that is that even a small jewel encrusted with a tiny piece of crystal can make you look charming and, at times, mesmerizing!

And it is due to this touch of glory that the crystal provides that it has enchanted the kings and queens since time immemorial. They have worn crystal on their fingers and as pendants in their lavaliere. However, crystal has most enjoyed its rightful place in many a royal crown. Towards the eastern and oriental part of the world, and in the middle east, crystal has beautified the turbans of the kings and princes.

Today, you can wear a crystal by embedding it firmly into your necklace, ring or just about any kind of jewelery. It is the age of experimentation and people are trying to spice up their look with different kinds of combination, especially in jewelery. You can try wearing crystal on your bracelet, on your anklet, and even as a pendant in your belt or tiara. A belt studded with crystal droplets would set the dance floor on fire, as soon as you step on it. (Read More…)

Another great opportunity to hear Richard Wise  speak!  Richard is a noted bench jeweler by trade on top of being an excellent writer and speaker.

For its 33rd Gemstone Gathering, the Gemological Institute of America GIA Thailand has invited Richard W. Wise, a graduate gemologist and president of R.W. Wise, Goldsmiths Inc., to share his experiences. The event is slated for February 24, 2010.Wise holds to his credit a rich global experience as a goldsmith, also as an interviewer of leading gemstone experts. He has also authored a novel – The French Blue, written on the life of the 17th-century gem dealer Jean-Baptiste Tavernier.The “Secrets Of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur’s Guide To Precious Gemstones,” includes Wise’s writings on variation of the Four C’s in grading diamonds, which he calls “The Four C’s of Connoisseurship” or the four factors for quality-grading coloured gemstones and pearls. At the GIA, gathering, Wise will speak on the history and application of the Four C’s in grading ruby and sapphire.Attendees will be eligible to enter a drawing to win an autographed copy of The French Blue.

(Read More…)

An interesting article about buying expensive diamonds on-line.  The story goes into great detail about how these on-line dealers can explain and show consumers just what they are getting and how the prices are determined.  Truly a great read for anybody looking to purchase diamonds and bridal jewelry on-line

Valentine’s Day isn’t just a celebration for lovers. It’s also a time when jewelers step up their advertising for precious stones like diamonds.

Traditionally, consumers have gone to jewelry stores to purchase engagement rings and other fine gems. Now, a small but growing number of people are buying diamonds online and spending thousands — even tens of thousands of dollars — to buy something they have never seen.

Alok Kapur proposed with champagne, chocolate and a diamond ring. It was classic and romantic. But he bought his ring in a much less traditional way. He purchased it online from Blue Nile — the nation’s largest online seller of diamond engagement rings.

Initially, Kapur was skeptical. Buying such an expensive item sight unseen required a leap of faith. But his concerns were put to rest.

“They answered all of my questions — explained everything about the diamonds,” he says. “The transparency was great.”

Buying Sight Unseen

At Blue Nile, there is no “romancing the stone” as the industry calls it. That’s an emotional approach in which customers are encouraged to buy the diamond that speaks to them. Instead, the company provides educational information, including grading certificates for all of its conflict-free diamonds.

Independent groups such as the Gemological Institute of America grade diamonds for quality. That industry standard means that a certified, one-carat, princess diamond of a specific cut, clarity and color should be almost identical in appearance no matter where you buy it.

Diane Irvine, Blue Nile’s chief executive officer, says the company’s philosophy is that consumers will buy diamonds sight unseen if you provide honest, complete information and have a liberal return policy.

Traditional jewelry retailers often sell from the inventory on hand. Blue Nile works differently. Its Web site lists about 55,000 stones offered by different suppliers. Once the consumer selects a diamond, it’s cut and then sent to jewelers in the company’s Seattle facility to be set into gold and platinum, and turned into an engagement ring.

Because of the way the publicly traded company does business, its operating costs are significantly lower than traditional retailers. It has no brick and mortar stores, hardly any inventory, and it doesn’t pay commissions to its sales staff. As a result, it’s able to offer prices that are often less than those of a traditional retail jeweler.

“I was able to essentially benchmark different stores against Blue Nile for exactly the same diamond,” says Kapur. “And I found Blue Nile was about 15 to 30 percent less. ”

Pressure On Traditional Retailers

Although Blue Nile and other online sellers represent just a tiny sliver of the overall market for diamond rings, they are exerting enormous downward price pressure on traditional retail jewelers.

Rob Bates, a senior editor at Jewelers’ Circular Keystone (JCK), a jewelry industry publication, says that in order to remain competitive, retailers have to demonstrate that buying a diamond is about more than just price.

“They basically have to say: Here’s why it’s better to buy from us than from a machine on your desktop,” says Bates. “We offer the ability to see the stone close up, the ability to customize, [and] you can see what the ring looks like.”

Bates adds, “There are still a lot of people who aren’t comfortable buying a big, high-priced item off the Internet.”

The allure of diamonds has led some consumers to start buying certified precious stones online. But some people still feel more comfortable seeing and touching precious stones before making a purchase that can cost thousands of dollars.

A jeweler from Blue Nile sets and polishes a diamond engagement ring at the company's facility near Seattle.

(Read More…)

A very interesting spin on whats been happening in the world diamond markets and investment opportunities that may now exist.

LONDON (Reuters) – Shares in diamond producers, which failed to join a mining sector rally last year as consumers shunned luxury, are set for a boost from a recovery in gem prices.

Hot Stocks

The diamond sector, a key supplier to the jewelry industry, was one of the hardest hit when consumers shied away from swanky purchases during the economic downturn amid worries about household debt, mortgages and jobs.

When prices of rough, or unpolished, diamonds dived in late 2008, stocks tracked the decline, but they have yet to fully react to output cutbacks by No. 1 producer De Beers and others that have nurtured a rebound in gem prices.

“The rough diamond market is recovering and prices are close to where they were prior to the downturn; the diamond stocks haven’t reflected this yet, trading relatively flat over the past six months,” said Tyler Broda, an analyst at Canaccord Adams.

“There was also no re-rating on the back of the better-than- expected Christmas numbers and the valuations still appear cheap. We think there is an opportunity here.”

Investors seeking pure diamond exposure must look to mid- and smallcap stocks since the biggest producers are parts of diversified groups or unlisted like Russia’s state-run Alrosa.

De Beers is 45 percent owned by mining group Anglo American (AAL.L) while Rio Tinto (RIO.L) (RIO.AX) and BHP Billiton (BLT.L) (BHP.AX) also have diamond divisions.

Around three-quarters of the London-listed diamond companies underperformed the wider UK mining index .FTNMX1770 in 2009, with a handful of firms, including Petra Diamonds (PDL.L) and Gem Diamonds (GEMD.L), seeing their value drop over the year.

Petra shed 24 percent last year, underperforming the UK mining index by 64 percent as most miners shot up, while Gem Diamonds lagged the index by 57 percent. The UK mining index doubled.

So far this year Petra has given up another 7 percent while Gem has gained almost 10 percent.

BOTTOM LINE, FINANCING

Exact timing is uncertain, but prospects are good for diamond stocks to outperform as higher diamond prices feed into company bottom lines and as the firms use new financing to build mines and boost output.

Analyst Des Kilalea at RBC Capital Markets advises buying firms that are already producing gems, rather than exploration companies that are still developing mines.

He said Petra was trading at about half of his fair value — calculated using a multiple of net present value — of over 100 pence and Gem Diamonds was at a 25 percent discount while major mining groups in the UK mining index were trading close to fair value.

“I think Petra is very cheap at the moment,” he said, but added that Canada’s Harry Winson Diamond Corp (HW.TO) was trading more in line with fair value.

Petra is expected to swing to a net profit of $21.7 million in its fiscal year to end June, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, from a net loss of $88.9 million the previous year.

It secured $120 million in financing in December, but its shares have been under pressure due to speculation of selling by major shareholder Saad Group of Saudi Arabia.

The strong outlook for diamond producers is also bolstered by the willingness of investors to provide finance in recent months not only to Petra but to Canadian-listed explorers Stornoway Diamond Corp (SWY.TO), Lucara Diamond Corp (LUC.V) and Rockwell Diamonds Inc. (RDI.TO).

PRICE RECOVERY

Rough diamonds are not traded on futures exchanges, but prices probably tumbled about 60 percent during the downturn and have already recovered close to the previous peaks hit in early 2008, according to analyst Kilalea.

“I think definitely there is a much better outlook than we’ve had for quite some time,” he said.

Prices got support when large diamond producers such as De Beers and Alrosa slashed output about a year ago.

Christmas sales in the United States, which makes up about half of the diamond jewelry market, were better than expected and demand for rough, or unpolished, diamonds was still buoyant, De Beers said on Thursday.

Rising demand from the jewelry market, the biggest source of revenue for the diamond producers, comes amid a rebound across the luxury goods sector after it suffered the worst industry slump in two decades.

Diamond prices, however, could be volatile in the near-term with the market digesting the impact of more supply as big producers such as De Beers and Alrosa ramp up production.

“I think (rough) prices could pull back a bit, I’m not looking for anything major,” said Kilalea. “One hopes that the De Beers and Alrosa sales will be absorbed and I suspect they probably will.”

Thanks to strong demand from Asia, analysts expect prices to be supported in the longer term, even after major producers restart idled operations.

“You have seen Chinese jewelry demand really pick up last year and this is adding a sort of balance to the market that wasn’t there prior to the downturn,” said Canaccord’s Broda.

Evolution Securities said the supply side argument is the most compelling for diamond equity investment.

“Almost all industry participants believe that there is a looming shortfall of diamond supply against even the most modest demand forecasts,” it said recently.

“Despite a boom in exploration in the last decade, there have been no new discoveries of any significance since the early 1990s and it is estimated that there is only 15 years worth of diamond production available in the world.”

via Diamond shares set to sparkle, at long last | Reuters.

New cutting edge jewelry line from Coach will have them all standing in line.  We love these new jewelry designs!

News & Trends: Michelle Trachtenberg may be one of Hollywood’s hardest working actresses. The star of Gossip Girl and Mercy has teamed up with Poppy from Coach to create her first jewelry collection.

The Michelle Trachtenberg for Poppy collection is as multi-faceted as Michelle’s roles, combining pretty gemstones with chunky hardware. Poppy describes the look as “confident yet romantic, rockin’ yet refined.”

The collection is filled with colorful Swarovski crystals handset in Coach’s signature hardware.

Each item is a statement in itself including rings, earrings, chunky multi-strand necklaces and cuff-style bracelets.

Personally, I love the Jackie O pearls meets Mr. T, “Pearl and Chain Necklace” combo that perfectly reflects a hardcore girly-girl.

via New Jewelry Designs by Michelle Trachtenberg for Coach.

Excerpts from an interesting piece at the New York Times’ Paper Cuts Blog:

A GOLD ring and a gemstone found in a field near Upton Grey date back to Roman times, an inquest in Basingstoke heard.

The ring dates back to the third century, and the gemstone from the first or second century. They were found on January 18 last year by Martin Barker, a plumber and amateur treasure hunter from Middlesex, using a metal detector.

Sarah Whitby, deputy coroner for North East Hampshire, ruled at an inquest into the find, held at the Civic Offices, that the items were treasure.

They will now be valued by experts at the British Museum and are thought to be worth a few hundred pounds.

Ralph Jackson, curator at the British Museum’s department of prehistory and Europe, prepared a report for the inquest having studied the items.

The inquest was told he believes the carnelian gemstone bears a picture of a maenad – a female worshipper of Dionysus – the ancient Greek god of wine.

The gemstone would probably have sat inside the ring, which had a gold content of around 94 to 97 per cent, and the ring may have been part of a larger ornamental brooch, the inquest heard.

Angus Janaway, who owns the land on which the treasure was found, attended the inquest. He told The Gazette: “I have known Martin for a long time and this could be the find of a life time. When I first saw it, it was covered in mud so I did not know what it was.”

After valuation, the ring will be offered for sale to the Hampshire Museums Service. The money will then be shared between the Crown, Mr Barker and Mr Janaway.

Rob Webley, Finds Liaison Officer for the Hampshire Museums Service, said the items could together be worth around £300 to £500.

He said: “It’s a special piece and it is something that the museum service would hope to acquire. I would hope that it would go on display at the Willis Museum in Basingstoke.”

via Gems find from Roman times (From Basingstoke Gazette).

VAIL, Colorado — There are thousands of minerals lying on the surface of the earth and buried within its depths. Yet of these thousands, only about 90 are considered worthy of the name “gemstone.” What are the qualities that make us willing to give several months’ salary in order to own one?

Two very basic characteristics would be beauty and wearability. In considering the beauty of a stone, we look at color, clarity and the manner in which light plays on its surface or within its facets — a quality referred to as brilliance. Some stones are more likely to bend light and break it up into its spectral colors, two variables known as refraction and dispersion.

There is a continuum of each of these characteristics, and the higher a stone rates in these areas, the greater its rarity, and the higher its value. Let us consider a hypothetical pair of rubies: one is a rather pale or pinkish color; specks of matter or “inclusions” are easily visible within. Examining it under direct light, it seems somewhat lifeless.

Our second stone is a rich scarlet. Despite its depth of rich color, we can clearly see into the gem. No spots mar its interior and light sparkles and dances within its facets. Obviously, this second stone is far more valuable, even though the first may be several times larger. In evaluating our gemstones, then, quality has counted above quantity.

Just because a stone is beautiful, does not mean it is strong enough to be wearable.

The second factor, wearability, is mainly determined by hardness. A mineralogist named F. Mohs calculated a method of determining a stone hardness, devising a relative scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the diamond, the hardest of all gems.

It is interesting to note that this is a logarithmic progression, not equal steps: 10 (diamond) is greater than all the steps from 1 to 9. Generally any stone with a hardness of less than 5 on the Mohs scale is easily scratched and dulled. Turquoise and lapis, which range from 5 to 6, scuff to some degree, but can be polished and are reasonably durable.

Quartz, which includes amethyst and citrine, wear quite satisfactorily at a hardness of 7, and beryl, which includes emerald and aquamarine, and ranks 7 to 8, fares better still with daily wear.

Keeping these qualities in mind, one need not be a gemologist to make a sensible gemstone purchase. Know what you wish to spend, be willing to ask your gem dealer about the wearability factor, and take time to examine the stone for color and clarity. You too can choose a stone for which will be a joy to wear and admire.

Dan Telleen is the owner of Karats, located at 122 E. Meadow Drive in Vail Village. He’s been designing jewelry in Vail since 1970. Call 970-476-4760 for more information.

via Vail Jeweler’s Secrets: Evaluating a gemstones’ worth | VailDaily.com.

There has been a great deal discussion about lab-created diamonds. Along with that talk, there is much misinformation and perplexity. The jewelry lover, who is interested in realizing the huge savings and aesthetic beauty that simulated diamonds offer, is often bewildered by the manufactured diamond industry jargon and available options. This article will categorically break it down in easy-to-understand terms so that anyone can make an intelligent decision when choosing a simulated diamond.

• GEM MATERIALS: 99% of all lab-created diamonds sold worldwide are polycrystalline on a molecular level. The differences are fundamentally in the technical aspects of manufacturing, cutting, and polishing. Think of it this way—all coffeemakers are made of plastic, steel, and glass, the differences are how these materials are designed and implemented. Higher quality coffeemakers make a better tasting cup of coffee. Higher quality manufactured diamonds are in line with mined diamonds.

• QUALITY VARIANCES: It seems like grade variations are made out to be a more complex lab-created diamond issue then it really is. Once boiled down, there are three primary grades of simulated diamonds—high, medium, and low. For the jewelry shopper it should be noted that the quality of setting goes hand-in-hand with the quality of the gemstone. Those that sell manufactured diamond jewelry off point-of-purchase displays in the costume jewelry sections of discount stores use low quality or scrap stones that are not gem quality, and have disco ball or murky look. Those that sell manufactured diamond jewelry on the TV shopping channels—which is generally with a sterling silver or a micro-thin layer of gold plated over silver (Vermeil [pronounced ver-may]) settings—use medium quality stones not of gem quality. Those that sell solid 14K gold or solid platinum settings, as a rule, use the highest gem-quality man made gemstones that replicate mined diamonds.

• PRICING: Low grade stones are sold in bulk to costume jewelry makers and are often glued on electroplated settings. This jewelry is fine for children, where loss risk is high, and usually retails for less than $15 per item. You will find medium grade stones primarily in sterling silver jewelry that sells for under $100 per item, settings and stones. Medium grade simulated diamonds can be distinguished by the naked eye as not being mined diamonds. High grade gemstone quality lab-created diamonds, undistinguishable by the naked eye from mined diamonds, are found mounted on settings of solid 14K gold and platinum. This is considered to be fine jewelry, with the best quality gemstones selling for under $100 per carat for the gemstones alone. Manufactured diamonds that sell for over $100 a carat are not higher quality than those that sell for between $80 and $100 per carat.

• RECOMMENDATIONS: If you are buying for someone that is likely to lose the jewelry, there is no reason to spend any more than you have to, and Wal-Mart will do just fine. On the clearance rack you can even pick up some jewelry for less than $5 per item. If you buy simulated diamonds set in sterling silver, expect decent stones, but they will fool few into thinking they are mined diamonds. Also, your fingers are likely to turn green or black in response to a chemical reaction, not with the silver per se, but with the nickel/copper alloys in sterling silver. With any plated settings, gemstones are low to medium grade, and the plating will eventually chip off, particularly around the edges. When that happens, the nickel/copper alloys will be exposed, the setting will look like it came out of a gum ball machine, and your finger will generally turn green or black. It is just a matter of common sense, if you want simulated diamonds with mined-diamond qualities, they must be set in 14K solid gold. Jewelers who offer lab-created diamonds are not going spend on money on gold and not mount the highest quality stones, which would defeat the purpose of creating fine diamond-like jewelry and alienate customers.

As with everything else in life, sometimes we fall into habits in how we wear our jewelry.

We put the brooch on out left shoulder, we wear the same necklace with the same dress and the same earrings.

This article will help stimulate your thinking about how you wear jewelry. It’s not exhaustive — if you have other ideas of better ways to use jewelry, let me know.

Pins are perhaps the most versatile of jewelry. In addition to the usual shoulder or lapel, they are often worn with scarves. Try these other ways of wearing your pins to extend your jewelry vocabulary.

Pins on hats. Wearing a pin on a hat has a very long tradition As hats become popular once again we can start making use of this great old technique.

You can pin the brooch on the hatband or higher up on the crown of the hat, or use it to hold up part of the brim (If your hat has a brim). Use a whole circle of pins around the hatband for a charming effect (especially effective with animal jewelry). Make a whole menagerie for your hat. Play with your animal jewelry brooches as if your were playing jungle as a child.

Pins can also be worn on belts and handbags. Try a pin on your belt a bit off to one side. If it’s a belt with a simple or self buckle, this can add just the bit of extra interest you need (especially if you have a slim waist to show off).

Putting a brooch on an old handbag can give it new life. You can also take a plain purse and dress it up for evening by the addition of a brooch or two.

Brooches can be added to hair clips to make a one of a kind hair ornament. Or string your favorite brooch on a cord. By knotting the cord and tying the brooch in the middle you can keep many pins upright and hanging correctly. You now have a whole new pendant.

Try a line of 3 or 4 brooches running down the thigh of your jeans. Or group several brooches across your bodice like a necklace.

You can even use brooches on your shoes, if they are of the right sort. This is an unusual technique that’s sure to get you noticed.

Rings, of course, can be worn on chains around your neck as well as on your fingers. In the Renaissance they used to make very large rings specifically to be worn around the neck (they were too big for anyone but a giant to wear on their fingers).

You can also weave rings into your hair. Whether you have long hair or short, you can put the ring very close to your scalp and then braid it in. This is a fun technique to give a little sparkle and curiosity to an otherwise commonplace hairdo.

Of course necklaces are great woven into hair too. This is a technique that’s been practiced for centuries. During the time of the Louis’s, French women had elaborate wigs with necklaces already woven in. Queen Elizabethan (and other Renaissance ladies) also wore necklaces with strings of jewels woven into her elaborate hairdos.

If you have some long necklaces that unclip, try weaving them around a belt before putting it on. You can secure the ends with a small piece of tape or tie them on with a big of colored string. This can make a plain black dress upscale evening attire. A great tip for travelers.

If you have a charm bracelet or three, try adding a chain or cord to each end and wearing it as a necklace — fun and tres chic.

The possibilities are endless… Just let your imagine take flight, and let me know if you come out with other great ways to wear jewelry.

Thanks to aggressive publicity campaigns sponsored by the diamond industry, anyone buying a diamond can confidently go into the transaction armed with enough information to ask the right questions. In the pre-purchase stage, you’ll likely query the seller about the five C’s: carat, cut, clarity, color and cost. As long as you trust the jeweler, you can be confident about the value of the gem you’re interested in based on his or her answers. But what about pearls? What questions do you ask? What does a high quality pearl look like? What are traits to avoid? Here we’ll tell you what makes a pearl valuable. We’ll also give you questions to ask your jeweler and tools to judge these lustrous gems yourself.

Pearl Value Factors

While there is no international standard for grading pearls, there is a system that is commonly used to evaluate these beautiful colored gemstones. Developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world’s largest non-profit institute of gemological research and learning, this grading system considers seven pearl traits when determining value. They are: size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and matching. Let’s take a look at each one as it relates to the beautiful cultured pearl.

Pearl Size

Pearls can be as small as a pinhead or nearly as big as a golf ball, but, of course, somewhere between these two extremes is the norm.

Size is determined by many factors. These include the size of the animal that produces the gems, the size of the implanted bead, the length of time the oyster or mollusk was allowed to form the pearl, the climate and conditions of the environment, and the health of the animal that produced the pearl.

Different types of pearls have different expected size ranges. For example, because they are produced in a relatively small oyster, akoya cultured pearls are usually much smaller than their South Sea counterparts, which are grown in one of the world’s largest mollusks, P. maxima. This large animal can accept a larger bead nucleus and can lay down nacre, the combination of organic substances that makes up a pearl, much faster than its smaller cousin. Be sure to find out what type of pearl you’re looking at (freshwater, akoya, South Sea or Tahitian). All have different expected size ranges, and anything outside the range will be reflected in the price. A guide: akoyas typically range from 2-11mm; Tahitians from 8-14mm; South Sea pearls from 9-20mm, and freshwater pearls from 4-11mm.

All other things being equal, a larger pearl will command a higher price. Larger pearls typically take longer to grow, and are not as common as smaller pearls. As in anything, however, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For some people, another pearl value factor, such as luster, may be more important than size.

When evaluating size, keep in mind that high quality small pearls exist, as do poor quality large pearls. Thus, pearl size is only one factor to consider when judging pearl quality. Which brings us to…

Pearl Shape

Close your eyes and picture a strand of pearls. What do you see? Probably a lustrous necklace of white round gems, right? That’s because the white round pearl necklace is a timeless jewelry staple and traditional classic in many cultures. As you can expect, round pearls are desirable due to demand, but they are also valuable because they are rare. (Think about it: Irritant enters oyster, oyster secrets nacre, nacre covers irritant. Pearl comes out…round? Doubtful.)

Although pearl culturing techniques are improving all the time, a perfectly round pearl is uncommon. (Akoya crops typically contain more spherical pearls than other pearl types.) According to GIA, collecting enough high quality round cultured pearls for a matched pearl strand can take years. Round or near round pearls will command more money than other shapes. That’s not to say that other shapes aren’t valuable. (Remember again the adage “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”) According to GIA, drop shapes can sometimes match the value of rounds, especially when they’re symmetrical and well-formed.

Not a traditionalist? Pearls come in many shapes, and, depending on what you like, can be just as desirable, but less costly, than round. Pearl shapes include button, oval, drop, semi-baroque and baroque. Some pearls even resemble bars, crosses, and coins. Some, called circled pearls, have grooves that go around the gems’ circumference. These beauties can make wonderful jewelry.

GIA classifies pearls into three major shape categories:

1. Spherical: Round or near round pearls
2. Symmetrical: When bisected, these pearls have equal halves
3. Baroque: Pearls with no discernable symmetry

Although pearl shapes vary, those that display some type of symmetry typically cost more. But baroque pearls, either when set alone or grouped with similar shapes into a necklace or bracelet, can be highly beautiful and unusual. And baroque pearls often show orient, a desirable shimmering rainbow-like effect that adds to the pearls’ value. Many designers prefer to work with baroque pearls for their infinite design possibilities—and many consumers buy them for their unique beauty.

Pearl Color

Although white will likely always win the pearl color popularity contest, pearls come in a wide array of gorgeous colors. From the aforementioned white to grey-black, pearls can also be lavender, pink, orange and many shades in between. The choice is up to you, but keep the wearer’s skin tone in mind when choosing: Pearl color should complement the wearer’s coloring.

When describing a pearl’s color, jewelers talk about three traits: hue, which is the overall pearl color—the one you see on first impression; overtone, which is not always present but which is the secondary color you see when you look at the pearl (i.e. a pinkish blush on a white pearl) and orient, which is also not always present, but, as mentioned above, can best be described as a colorful, rainbow-like sheen.

The popularity of pearl colors waxes and wanes; value is determined by what’s in fashion. As can be expected, white is always “in.” Lavender pearls are very popular right now too. And Tahitian cultured pearls, which are typically dark gray, dark green, or dark blue/purple were, amazingly, pretty much unheard of before the 1970s, but are now widely coveted—and very costly. Sometimes, too, a model or celebrity will wear a certain pearl color and that color will experience a surge in popularity.

As with size, pearl types display typical characteristics when it comes to color. Akoyas, for example, are usually white or cream; Tahitians are typically black, gray or brown; South Sea are usually silver, white or a gorgeous golden color, and freshwater come in white, cream and a wide array of pastels. Acording to GIA, if the desirable pearl color is rare, fine pearls displaying that color it will command high prices.

Pearl Luster

This is one of the most important factors, yet describing it and defining degrees of luster is the most difficult of all.  Because pearls are known for their inner glow, a trait that sets them apart from other gems, this value factor trumps all others. According to GIA, “Luster is the most important of all the value factors to the beauty of a pearl.”

Dependent on many factors, among them nacre thickness and growth conditions, luster is only good when nacre is translucent and its plates overlap in such a way that the pearl appears lit from within. Thick nacre does not guarantee sharp luster, but it certainly helps. The sharper the reflection on a pearl, the better the luster.

GIA defines four categories of luster:

• Excellent: Reflections are bright, sharp and distinct
• Good: Reflections are bright but not sharp, and slightly hazy around the edges
• Fair: Reflections are weak, hazy and blurred
• Poor: Reflections are dim and diluted

Luster is one of the easiest pearl value factors to rate. Just hold an object, like a pen, close to the pearl. (Be careful not to get ink on the gem.) The sharper the reflection, the better the luster, and the more valuable the pearl will be. Note, though, that each pearl type has its own characteristic luster. Akoyas are known for their sharp, fine luster, while South Sea cultured pearls, for example, have a subtler, softer glow.

Pearl Surface Quality (aka Spotting)

Pearls are organic, and therefore “imperfect,” meaning they are not uniform, shiny, perfectly round orbs every time they come out of an oyster. Rather, as natural, layered objects, they show many surface characteristics such as abrasions, bumps, chips, cracks, pits, scratches and wrinkles. Most people will never see a perfect pearl in their lifetime, and indeed, minor surface irregularities do not detract from a pearl’s value.

As defined by GIA, there are four classifications of pearl surface characteristics:

• Clean: Pearl can be blemish-free, or spotless, or contain minute surface characteristics that are very difficult to see when examined by a trained observer
• Lightly blemished: Pearls show minor surface irregularities when inspected by a trained observer
• Moderately blemished: Pearls show noticeable surface characteristics
• Heavily blemished: Pearls show obvious surface irregularities, which can compromise durability

The pearl’s overall appearance will determine its value. Obvious or multiple surface characteristics or large blemishes that affect the gem’s durability will detract from its value, while a more clean-looking pearl is worth more. Most of us cannot afford a perfect strand of pearls, but, luckily, small bumps and blemishes can often be hidden by a drill hole. According to GIA, “…a completely clean pearl is a rare treasure. Since rarity influences value, the prices of such pearls run extremely high. Most consumers must settle for some degree of surface irregularity in the pearl they purchase. Even the finest pearls can contain minor surface characteristics.”

Pearl Nacre Quality (aka coating)

Directly tied to luster, nacre quality/thickness is a very important value factor which, fortunately, can be judged by the naked eye. It’s better, of course, to evaluate thickness with an x-ray machine or by cutting the pearl, but most of us don’t have such a machine, nor do we want to wear pearls that have been chopped in half. (Picture that for a minute!)

Take a look at the pearl you wish to evaluate. A chalky, dull appearance means that the nacre is probably thin. In some cases, the nacre is so thin that the bead nucleus shows through. Do not purchase these pearls—they won’t last!

GIA classifies nacre into three categories:

• Acceptable: The pearl’s nucleus is not noticeable and the gem displays no chalky appearance
• Nucleus Visible: The pearl shows evidence of its bead nucleus through the nacre. The pearl shows strong “blinking” (a flickering of light and dark) when it is rotated across a light source
• Chalky Appearance: The pearl has a dull, matte appearance

Thin nacre has a negative effect on a pearl’s value, although thick nacre does not guarantee sharp luster. Thin nacre can crack, peel or otherwise deteriorate and the pearls won’t last very long. (Unlike other gems, polishing a pearl does not restore its original beauty.) Pearls with thicker nacre are more durable and more valuable. Ask about nacre thickness if you have the opportunity.

Interesting fact: Many freshwater cultured pearls are cultured with mantle tissue only, rather than a mother-of-pearl bead, and, as a result, are nearly solid nacre. Many pearl experts say that today’s freshwater cultured pearls from China now rival the beauty of Japanese akoyas.  This is rare but it can happen!

Pearl Strand Matching

As you can imagine, this pearl value factor only comes into play when a piece of jewelry contains more than one pearl. Some designers intentionally mismatch pearls for aesthetic effect, but when a strand is meant to be uniform, how well the gems match is an important consideration. Fortunately, this is easy to determine. Just look at the strand and note any obvious differences in the gems. (Some jewelers will try to hide small or imperfect pearls near the clasp, so check this area carefully.)

When evaluating a matched strand, keep in mind that cultured pearls are organic, not poured from a factory mold. No two are exactly alike, therefore it is impossible to make a perfect match. This does not detract from the jewelry, though, as long as, on a whole, the piece is uniform. To test, look at the strand, hold it up close and also view it at arms’ length. Are the pearls the same overall size? Color? Shape? Luster? Nacre quality? If they look the same, they’re well-matched.

GIA defines three categories of matching:

• Excellent: Pearls are uniform in appearance and drilled in the center
• Good: Piece shows minor variations in uniformity
• Fair: Pearls are noticeably different from one another

According to GIA, “It takes an enormous amount of skill and labor to sort harvested pearls. The time and effort involved in producing a well-matched strand of pearls will reflect its market price.”

Pearl Grading Pit Falls (IMPORTANT!)

There are numerous dealers of pearls on the internet.  They range from Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto (on the high-end) to Ebay sellers (on the low-end).  Furthermore, most every full-line jewelry store you walk into will have pearls as well.  Each one of these retailers declares to carry certain degrees of quality or quality grading systems.  In researching this article on the internet and in retail stores, the author often came across top quality pearl grades like “AAAAA+”, “AAAA”, “Hanadama” or “Crown” or “Collection” and “Gem”.  Lets be clear here, these are all completely meaningless pearl grades!  In the end, the reputation of the wholesaler and retailer is what you need to rely on!  In our opinion, the closest one can get to a true pearl grading system can be found at Mikimoto Pearls (aka The Mikimoto Grading System).

The most often abused grade found on the internet seems to be “Hanadama”. “Hanadama” is a label printed on an appraisal describing a minimum pearl quality standard as set forth by the opinion of The Pearl Science Lab; a little known and small FOR PROFIT private company that operates in Japan that appraises pearls. Unlike the GIA, the Pearl Science Laboratory is in no way or fashion an accredited source for information. More importantly, unlike the GIA, the PSL is a FOR PROFIT company, meaning the more certificates they issue a with the “Hanadama” grade the more money they make.  It is important to understand that every strand of pearls submitted to The Pearl Science Lab is unique; as no two pearls are the same. In addition, “Hanadama” is not an official grade just like saying these pearls are “beautiful” is not a grade. Though Mikimoto uses the term “Hanadama” to describe it’s ALL it’s pearls, this does not translate into a quality grade. Since “Hanadama” is simply a term and not a grade, Mikimoto has popularized their own grading system of AAA, AAA1, AA, AA1 A+, A and A1 which is different than that of The Pearl Science Laboratory. According to many sources at Mikimoto, the term “Hanadama” was just a phrase once used by their founder, Kokichi Mikimoto, to often describe ALL its pearls as “beautiful flowers”. “If Hanadama were a true quality grade, it would be included in our scale” said one source at Mikimoto. “We have come across pearl strands from our consumers that have a Hanadama Certificate issued by the Pearl Science Laboratory or were graded as AAA by another retailer.  Each time, these strands did not not even meet the minimum quality standards for our lowest grade of A1″ said another source at Mikimoto.  People often ask us to see what our AAA stands look like.  Unfortunately, our true AAA quality grade is almost unattainable as these strands are almost always pre-sold even before we see them in the stores.  Typically, it will take 4-6 years for us to obtain enough “perfect” pearls to assemble just a few necklaces.”  said another executive from Mikimoto.  “We have a waiting list for these necklaces in the larger pearl sizes that is well over 10 years long.”

Before you make a major investment in fine quality cultured pearls, call the people at any Mikimoto or Tiffany store and ask for yourself!

Pearl Conclusion

Because they are produced in different animals in different environments under unique conditions, each pearl type has its own expected characteristics. When the traits shown for a certain pearl are outside the norm for its type, the pearl will be more valuable.

Each pearl is unique, and uniquely beautiful. Which pearl and pearl type is the most beautiful? It’s up to you. (This author is partial to white baroque freshwater pearls and golden round South Sea pearls.)

Go Pearl Shopping!

Congratulations! Now you know what to look for and what questions to ask when shopping for pearls. Remember, a pearl’s worth depends on its overall look–how well it combines the seven value factors. Keep in mind that not all value factors are important to all people. You may be more interested in pearl color than pearl size, for example. As with anything, individual tastes reign supreme. Now, go forth and buy with confidence.

“Designing jewelry is an all consuming passion. It is my hobby. It’s my life.” -Simon G Simon G Jewelry is a family owned and operated manufacturing jewelry designer, in its 30th year of business. Noted for staying a head of the curve in terms of design, Simon G Jewelry designs have won numerous awards and are recognized by the incorporation of various precious metals combined with natural fancy colored diamonds and gemstones. Over the years, Simon G Jewelry has created a reputation for producing an extremely well crafted product that appeals to the eye and budget of most jewelry consumers. It is the pride of ownership that keeps the customer wanting to collect more.

Pandora jewelry is one of the most desired type of jewelry. Obviously, Pandora jewelry has some of those characteristics that it’s favorite among most of the people. The grace, attraction and looks of the Pandora jewelry attract many hearts towards it. One of the reason of it’s success is that when you buy Pandora bracelets or a necklace you will also need to buy more Pandora jewelry to make your pick look even better and attractive by customizing it. For, people who love jewelry this is one of the best type of jewelry to buy. Women normally, compare their jewelry to others and in this case you can look completely different from others jewelry as there are various designs of charms and beads to set on your particular jewelry. This is quite obvious that your jewelry wont look the same as of your friend or any relative.

People buying pandora style charms are mostly satisfied by their pick as they know what suits them and looks pretty on them. By that they choose the correct type of charms and beads to customize their Pandora jewelry. Consumers can feel ease and comfort while wearing Pandora jewelry as they can customize their jewelry accordingly. You can also get rid of the charms and beads when you’re bored of them and get the new style of beads and charms on your jewelry. Obviously, everybody who has bought the Pandora jewelry must put on different charms on it and make it look even better and attractive. While purchasing jewelry, make it sure that you buy Pandora jewelry as it will fill your heart with pleasure and make you smile while you’re moving out of your home.

Pandora jewelry contains different charms and beads type to be fitted on them. Consumers can buy their choice of charms from the various charms and beads variety. People mostly have used animal shaped charms as people consider some of the animals lucky for them or they have the zodiac signs on them. The material used in making of Pandora is mainly gold, silver and glass. Some of the Pandora jewelry also has diamond on them, which gives it extreme attractive look which is every ones desire.

Picking the pandora discount jewelry is surely a smart choice as its worth all you spend on it. Pandora jewelry is most commonly used in England.

via southeastministry.org.

Jewelry insurance comes in many forms and varieties and only an insurance agent can provide accurate and specific advice. However, it helps to know enough about jewelry insurance to ask your agent the right questions and to be aware of how the process works. The time to ask your insurance agent the questions is before you insure an item, not when you need to file a claim. Read the fine print in your insurance contract to be sure it provides the coverage you expect.

Understanding jewelry insurance begins with recognizing the difference between scheduled and unscheduled property.

Unscheduled property (jewelry not specifically listed) is typically included in basic homeowner or renter’s policies under blanket coverage. There is a usually a deductible (typically $500) and a maximum amount of coverage (typically $1500) although these amounts can vary with the specific policy. This type of coverage does not require an appraisal but sales receipts, written descriptions or photos are beneficial in proving the items existed and estimating their replacement value.

Scheduled property (jewelry specifically listed) is included in a floater, rider or endorsement to homeowner or renter’s policies. Jewelry insurance is also available with a separate policy, from a company specializing in jewelry insurance. For scheduled property, the insurance appraisal is vital because it describes the jewelry item and provides the “insured value” that is used in determining the premium you will pay to insure the item each year. Most scheduled property policies do not have an automatic appreciation adjustment as is common for the house and other unscheduled property. Therefore, even if it might cost 50% more to replace an item in five years, the “insured value” is still only that stated in the appraisal.

If you file an insurance claim, the settlement process and amount paid will depend on the policy and in particular, if the policy allows replacement or agreed value settlement. For agreed value policies, the settlement amount is stated in the policy whereas replacement value allows the insurance company to replace your jewelry or make a cash settlement based on the insurance company’s cost to replace your item. The insurance company’s liability ceiling is set at the “insured value” on the appraisal.

Do you have enough jewelry insurance? The answer depends on what kind of policy you have, the “insured value” is on the appraisal, the settlement procedure is for your particular policy, and the accuracy of the information on your appraisal. If you have a jewelry item valued at more than the $1500, you should definitely consider scheduled as opposed to unscheduled coverage.

The critical issue for scheduled property coverage is the how accurate is the information on the appraisal.

1) If the information on the appraisal is vague and general, the insurance company can replace the item with an item that satisfies the description but perhaps is not the quality and true value of the lost item. Be sure your jewelry appraisal has a detailed and accurate description of the jewelry item.

2) If the appraisal value is artificially high, the insurance company can replace the item at their cost even though the client paid premiums for years on a value twice as much. This is often the case for purchases from a jewelry store with prices double other retailers and the store provides an insurance appraisal even higher than the purchase price. You do not need an appraised value more than 150% of the price you would pay at low priced online retailer.

3) If the appraisal value is too low, the insurance company can make cash settlement that might not cover the current replacement cost of the item. This could be the case for items purchased three or four years ago from a low price online retailer and the appraised value was at or below the purchase price. With diamond prices increasing about 10% a year recently, it does not take long for appraisal values to be out of date if too close to online retail purchase prices. Be sure to have your jewelry insurance appraisal updated every four or five years so you do not end up underinsured.

via Do You Have Enough Jewelry Insurance?.

Another diamond covered phone has been revealed. The Nokia Supreme takes a Nokia 8800 and armors it in solid platinum veneers and screws and covers it with 12.5 carats of pink diamonds. There are approximately 1225 stones set into the phone including a three-carat navigational button made of a flawless center stone. The phone has a total of 83 grams of platinum. Stuart Hughes designed the phone for Goldstriker. It comes in a granite box with a leather interior. Just three will be made and each sells for around $160,000.

via Pink Diamonds Make A Nokia Supreme.

Jewelry trends come and go, silver jewelry remains popular across all economic and spectrum of fashion. Silver has attracted human fascination for many thousands of years.

Ancient civilizations found silver deposits plentiful on or near the surface. Relics of these civilizations are jewels, objects of worship, food and vessels from durable, malleable metal format. This metal was near mystical qualities in marking important historical milestones throughout the Times and served as a medium of exchange.

Today, silver is considered a valuable commodity and industrial practice pursued as an attractive investment precious metal.

Although silver is relatively low, is the most abundant and cheaper than precious metals. Silver largest, producing countries are Mexico, Peru, United States, Australia and Chile

Thus, this pair of elegant sterling silver earrings shimmering look also appreciated by your late grandmothergreat news if you’re wearing silver jewelry casually or put them in a matter of form.

Of course, not everyone is passionate about real estate silver jewelry, silver jewelry which is fairly new and exciting, especially to buy something designed by one of today `s contemporary artisans. Are the same, you will receive a mini-boom for the economy of today, as the value of the property buyer quality silver jewelry and find out much cheaper than gold. Tight economy or not, if your creations are particularly interesting, you `ll attract the attention of buyers of common sense. (Read More…)

Perfect for a dinner party where you can wear earrings so classic they were worn in 300 A.D. (Read More…)

Everybody, especially women, loves jewelry. It’s an accessory that one cannot simply do without. However, people are hard-pressed to keep it clean and sparkling. You can of course take the help of a professional jewelry cleaner, but these can be pretty expensive.

There are numerous ways and means thorough which you can keep your jewelry in ship shape throughout the year. What’s more you can employ these methods from the comforts of your home. They are easy to do, and easy to learn. Here are a few tips on keeping your jewelry clean and sparkling throughout the year:

Cleaning Your Precious Diamonds

The process is quite simple. Take a glass bowl, and pour some Vodka into it. Take your diamond jewelry and swish it inside the bowl. Take it out and then rinse it with clean, clear water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Moreover, if your diamond jewelry is really very dirty, then it is advisable that you dip a soft toothbrush in the vodka and scrub the jewelry delicately. This process will clean and add the requisite sparkle to the diamond jewelry in no time at all.

Cleaning Gold Jewelry

This is again a process that is simplicity itself. All that is required is a cup of warm water, a teaspoon of liquid dish soap and a teaspoon of household ammonia. Your gold jewelry must be then immersed in this mixture and allowed to rest in it for a period of around ten minutes. After this, you must use a soft cloth to wipe them dry. You will be amazed by the efficacy of this simple process.

The Silver Jewelry Tip

Your silver jewelry might just be the hardest item to clean. Many people try and clean it with a silver paste, but in the hands of the amateur, it usually ends up as a messy failure. An easier way would be to use a glass casserole whose bottom must be lined with an aluminum foil.

You must then add two tablespoons of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt and some boiling water inside the glass casserole. The silver jewelry then needs to be added to this mixture and allowed to sit in it, till the water cools down. After that, remove the silver pieces and buff them with a soft cloth.

If you use this process, it’s a surety that all the crevices and creases of the silver will be cleaned of all the dirt and the jewelry will sparkle anew. The best part about this method is that there is absolutely no need to keep rubbing the finish. This helps in prolonging the life of the jewelry and it will last longer.

Your Precious Pearls

There is no intricate process that will help you keep your pearls sparkling throughout the year. They will only be kept clean and shiny, if you wear them often. There is a scientific reason for this. The oil from your skin will help their luster and keep them soft.

However, there are times when there is simply very little opportunity for you to wear your pearls. In this case, you can keep them in good condition by sprinkling some olive oil on a soft cloth and then wiping them gently.  More taking care of your pearls here.

Moisture: The Dust Trap

Always remove your jewelry before you take a bath or head for a sauna. This must be especially taken care of, in the case of gemstone jewelry. Such jewelry is quite sensitive to moisture and any exposure to it might lead to the jewelry pieces losing their sparkle and newness.
Any amount of water on the jewelry pieces acts as a trap for dust particles and other residual matter.

A Simple Solution

If you don’t want to put in too much of an effort with regards to your cleaning process then you can clean your gold and silver jewelry using a solution of soap and water. The cleaning powder must not be strong, as the presence of hard chemicals will have a detrimental effect on your jewelry.
Proceed with caution with respect to cleaning your jewelry with a soap solution. Be well aware of the chemical content of your soap solution. If you are not to sure about this, then the best thing would be to apply the solution on an area of the jewelry that is less conspicuous.

Jewelry Storage

Due importance must also be given to where you store your jewelry. This would ensure the cleanliness of the jewelry. You must keep your jewelry in an enclosed storage space that is also dry and cool. Any sustained exposure to heat will cause an irrevocable damage to your jewelry.

Use the above mentioned tips to regularly clean your jewelry, so it looks as good as new. The results of these tips might just surprise you with their brilliance.