First the shoppers, then the retailers, and now the counterfeiters. It’s official: the recession really is affecting everybody. The economic downturn hasn’t exactly hurt the multi-billion dollar knock-off industry but what it has done is change the way counterfeiters do business. The usual victims, high-end retailers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Coach, are being replaced [...]

With gold prices continuing to trade at all time highs (just look at the historical gold market data at www.kitco.com), it is easy to think one could get into the gold trading business. For those of you who are thinking about selling gold jewelry, it is crucial that you understand fully how to determine the price for gold jewelry.

Three thousand years ago, when the leader of one tribal group chose to visit a second tribal leader, he brought with him many gifts. Among those gifts, he invariably included some large and shiny pieces of jewelry.

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. [...]

If you ask around, you’ll get a lot of different opinions about body piercing, both pro and con. Many people use piercings to help express who they are and what they’re about, completely endorsing this type of adornment and what they endorse. However, you’ll also get people who are completely against body piercings and couldn’t imagine who in their right mind would allow something to be permanently placed through their skin.

Nothing makes a Christmas tree sparkle like Swarovski Crystal’s collectible holiday ornaments. If you are unfamiliar with the brand, just think of the star that tops the most famous Christmas tree, the one showcased in New York’s Rockefeller Center. In 2004, the company won the prestigious honor of creating the 9 feet wide, 550 pound star that’s the focal point at the top the incredible tree. Swarovski is a company well known for its crystal collectibles but they did not begin creating limited edition Christmas ornaments until the mid-nineties, starting with a series of crystal angels. Recent years have produced intricately designed snowflakes and stars.

We are fast approaching the holiday shopping season and with the economy as it is, most people do not have as much money to spend this year. As I began thinking about gifts for my loved ones and knowing I will be on a tight budget, I started searching for new ideas. Surprisingly, I found a great option in jewelry alternative metals. This collection of jewelry is made from metals such as tungsten carbide, stainless steel, and titanium to name a few. I was very impressed at how nice these jewelry pieces look as well as their durability.

Stainless steel jewelry is an alternative to a white gold or platinum look but at a fraction of the cost. Stainless steel will not stain or rust and is a very low maintenance metal type.

Another great alternative will be cultured pearls!

With the price of gold skyrocteting, shoppers MUST be very careful when buying gold jewelry. Buying gold jewelry can be tricky because there are different types of karats, 14K cubic zirconia jewelry, and different colors of gold (based on other materials that the gold might be alloyed with to give added strength).
Ask Questions before Buying

The phrase “buy now, ask questions later” should never apply to gold jewelry, even cubic zirconia gold jewelry. You should ask plenty of questions before making such an elaborate purchase. A reputable jeweler will be able to answer all of your questions honestly and will provide you with helpful tips concerning your jewelry needs. Here are some questions to ask:

* What is the actual karat of the gold? 10kt, 14kt, 18kt, or 24kt?
* Is it real gold or plated gold?
* Are the stones real or are they made of cubic zirconia?
* What factors were used to determine the gold jewelry’s price? Weight, ornamental detail, design or construction?
* What type of clasp is used? This is important with gold necklaces and bracelets. You need a strong, easy-to-use clasp.

If the advertised jeweler discount is more than 15-25%, more than likely its a scam and you need to do much more research before making a major investment. Look for branded jewelry lines and don’t trust customer feedback, which very easily be faked. Simple rule here is the branded jewelry lines. Look for full line jewelers that also have at least one brick and mortar store. Websites that sell just one-type of jewelry are not fine jewelers at all.

Dear Ms. Pelosi: I write to you out of utter disdain! You are as despicable and un-American as the traitor Jane Fonda

The history of the lost wax method are shrouded in antiquity, but it has been acclimatized for thousands of years to make things in iron alloy which could not be effected any other way, due to the complexity of their form.