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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Buying Affordable Gold Jewelry

Jewelry down through the ages has never been the exclusive domain of women. Its true that women used to wear their dowries (as jewelry) so much of gold and jewel work was done for that purpose.

Buying wholesale gold jewelry is a great way to save money and buy affordable gold jewelry. While this strategy might not work out for the individual buyer, group buying of wholesale gold jewelry can get you affordable pieces.

Gold jewelry can be made of yellow, white, tri-color and two tone gold. The gold used can also be of different qualities like 14K, 18K and 22K. Gold is combined with diamonds, rubies, pearls and other precious stones to make stunning jewelry. Wholesale gold jewelry dealers need to source items of all varieties as jewelry resellers need to stock a sizeable variety in order to interest the end customer.

Wholesale gold jewelry pieces are readily available online. Some online jewelry stores also allow the customer to make the payment for his choice of wholesale gold jewelry in installments spread over a specified time period.

Websites of online stores that deal in wholesale jewelry online should feature a wide variety. Prospective customers find it useful if the information is classified and arranged into broad categories. Websites of wholesale jewelry online stores should engage the services of professionals to optimize their website layout, content and other details to ensure steady traffic.

If you're planning a gift of gold or gemstone jewelry for your sweetheart, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Start with the basics. Carats and karats. What's the difference? Simply put, a carat is a unit of weight for gemstones, including diamonds; a karat is a unit for measuring the purity of gold.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Reasons to Consider Online Jewelry Stores

By Greg Hall
Looking for the perfect diamond? Intrigued by the bobbles and bling hanging off your favorite Hollywood star's neck? Have you even gone as far as searching the Internet for glimpses of these shiny, clear stones? It's no wonder. Who can resist a girl's best friend, hanging from earrings, clamped into a ring, or dangling from a bracelet?

You can do plenty when utilizing online diamond jewelry stores. Maybe that someone special has captured your heart to the point that you can't resist buying the perfect gift like a diamond engagement, a wedding or an anniversary ring. The most common visitors at the online diamond jewelry store are shopping for engagement or wedding bands. We shouldn't be surprised for their desire for diamonds, because, after all, diamonds are forever, right? No wonder couples won't settle for bands without diamonds or an engagement ring without the pricey gem, the ring itself symbolizes "forever."

No matter you reason for visiting the online jewelry store, make sure that you keep your eyes open for the best deal: shop as many online stores as possible, and don't find yourself stuck to the pages of a few sites with beautiful pictures. Different stores will offer different deals and discounts, so persistence will pay off. Determination and perseverance especially matters for those on a tight budget where getting the best deal for the best gem matters. Those looking for the best deal with need one essential ingredient: patience.

However, if your pockets are bulging with cash, and money isn't an issue, take your time. Go for a famous diamond design jeweler like Tiffany's, Zales, or others. Maybe your loved one has sparked some creativity, and you want to design your own ring. Don't stress out: online stores have services that will help those seeking out the perfect unique ring. The internet will provide you with just what you need.

Online shopping may cause a little trepidation thanks to identity theft crooks and other stories of line fraud. Who wouldn't be nervous about giving out important information to someone you've never met before. Anytime you do business online, research the company you're working with. Research the diamonds the company uses, and then go to the actual jewelry store you've found online if you need more reassurance.

Most importantly, seek out an authentic diamond jewelry store. The stores will include diamond details on their website, but still you should have your item appraised by an appraiser outside of the store to achiever a fair and accurate result or certification.

So the next time the urge to bring some sparkle back into your life hits you, consider online diamond shopping. You might just find yourself with some inexpensive yet quality frosting in your jewelry box.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Cleaning your Jewelry

First, how susceptible is your jewelry to scratches and chemical products? Hardness is based on a gem-trade standard called the Mohs scale. The higher the Mohs scale number, the harder the stone is. The highest Mohs scale rating is 10 (diamonds). Anything with a Mohs scale rating of less than 7 is easily scratched (such as coral, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl, and turquoise). Gold, silver, and platinum are only Mohs 2-1/2 to 4.

Because a diamond can scratch gold or pearls it is always important to store all jewelry pieces separately. Gold jewelry will last you a lifetime if it is taken care of. Gold can be scratched and dented if you are not careful. Because of where they are worn, gold rings and bracelets will get the most damage, much more so than earrings or necklaces. Chemicals also can cause damage to gold. One of the worst is chlorine. Constant exposure to chlorinated cleaning products will make the gold weak and prone to breaking. Don't wear your gold in the swimming pool or Jacuzzi. Take your jewelry off around the house when cleaning but if you prefer to wear rings and bracelets wear rubber gloves for protection. Even makeup, perfume, hairspray, and perspiration can cause gold jewelry to lose its luster. Clean your jewelry regularly using a good jewelry cleaner. A quick clean can be done with a baby tooth brush and mild soap and a small amount of ammonia. (Never clean in the sink as the jewelry might fall down the drain, always clean in a bowl away from a drain pipe) Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping into plain rubbing alcohol. Always rinse thoroughly and dry after cleaning. Keep it wrapped separately in a soft cloth, jewelry box divider or plastic baggie. Keep your eye on prongs that could break and cause the loss of a stone. An occasional visit to a professional jeweler is the best idea.

Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. It does not tarnish or get discolored from chlorine. Even though it is very tough you still need to take good care of your platinum jewelry. Store it separately because platinum can be scratched. Platinum can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry.

You will probably be surprised that sunlight can cause many colored gemstones to fade, change color or become pale. Common stones that are damaged in sunlight (there may be more): Amethyst, Ametrine, Apatite, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Beryl, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Fluorite, Kunzite, Rose Quartz, and Smokey Quartz. Pearls are organic stones and quickly react to any form of chemicals like perfumes, hand lotions, hair spray, etc. Chemicals directly attack the nacre, ruining the luster, which causes patches on your pearl. Put your pearl jewelry on last after you have applied your perfumes, lotions, etc. They should not be worn along with any other jewelry items such as chains or even watches. Clean pearls only with lukewarm water. Never brush them in any way. You can then wipe it with a regular cotton cloth. The silk is delicate and gets stretched after a period of time. Always store bead necklaces (such as lapis, pearls, etc) flat as that will keep the silk from stretching. It could break when the strand is worn on a regular basis. You should have them checked, to see if they need to be re-strung, every 3 years if you wear them regularly. Opals are water-based stones. Sudden temperature changes cause them to crack in multiples (known as Crazing). They should thus be cleaned only in room temperature water (68°F - 75°F) and then wiped with a soft cotton cloth. Emeralds, naturally coming out of the ground have several surface breaking inclusions in them. Almost all of them are treated through oiling to hide these inclusions. They cannot be immersed in ultrasonic cleaners or steam machines for this reason. The oiling will either discolor or come out during the cleaning process. Thus they can only be cleaned with room temperature water (68°F - 75°F) and a cotton cloth.

Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. It does not tarnish or get discolored from chlorine. Even though it is very tough you still need to take good care of your platinum jewelry. Store it separately because platinum can be scratched. Platinum can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry.

Your silver jewelry tarnishes when exposed to air. This occurs more quickly in damp and foggy weather and even sunshine, but is inevitable in any climate. Tarnish first appears as a golden hue on your sterling silver then turns to black. Always store in treated paper or cloth, or plastic zip lock bags made of Mylar (turkey cooking bags) or polyethylene. Some plastic contains sulfur compounds which can cause tarnish faster. Never use polyvinyl plastic bags. Tiny zip-lock bags work great for each individual piece. Don't store sterling silver jewelry on wood surfaces as wood usually contains acids that can mar the finish. Also avoid storing silver with other metals like pennies and rubber. Don't wear rubber gloves when washing or polishing silver because rubber promotes tarnish. Dry and polish silver with a soft cloth, not paper towels. You can use a baby tooth brush or a horsehair silver brush but stays away from paper, polyester and course fabrics that contain wood fibers as this can scratch your silver. Ordinary toothpaste is a good, quick cleaner but is mainly recommended for gold, not silver. If you don't want to rub the silver (or you're uncomfortable working with acid), make a dip using baking soda, aluminum foil and hot water. Place a 2' length of aluminum foil into a plastic bucket, and pour 1/2 gallon of hot water over it. Then pour a cup of fresh baking soda into the water (if the soda is fresh, it will begin foaming). Submerge a piece of silver in the water, and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then pull out the silver, rinse it, and allow it to dry.

For a more of a heavy duty cleaner get a pickle jar and combine one inch of cleaning detergent (like Top Job or Mr. Clean), one inch of dish washing liquid and one inch of ammonia. Fill the rest of the container with water. Shake well, heat in microwave and pour into an old pot and simmer on stove. Put your silver or gold into the solution and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Remove from solution and rinse with water. Dry well.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Denver Engagement Rings

Pink diamond engagement rings offer a unique blend of traditional taste plus some personality. Many brides want a diamond engagement ring because it is a symbol of love and commitment, but they also want a unique ring that is one-of-a-kind.

Pink diamonds are a great way to bring a unique taste to a ring that cannot be matched by the traditional colorless diamonds. Fancy colored diamonds are very rare, and also very expensive. These gemstones contain minerals within the stone that create the color. There are only a few places in the world that mine pink diamonds, and if you have the pocketbook to pay for a pink diamond then it is the perfect choice for you.

But, many people do not have the cash to pay for a pink diamond engagement ring, so instead they may choose to have a fake fancy color diamond-- meaning that the color is man-made, it is created to look just like the real gemstone.

Some couples choose a pink diamond engagement ring to symbolize their love, and they have the ring setting designed uniquely for the stone that is used. Combining a pink diamond with other smaller, colorless diamonds creates a brilliant ring. The smaller clear diamonds will add an accent to the main stone, which in turn brings out even more of the pink color.

One of the biggest advantages to owning a pink diamond engagement ring, is that you know that the gemstone is going to hold it's value well-- and probably even become more valuable over time. The supply of pink diamonds is quickly depleting, so these special gemstones will become more and more valuable as time goes on.

The most important aspect of purchasing a diamond engagement ring is that you find the perfect ring for you-- match the design and style to your own personality and taste. There are many ring options out there, take your time to find your perfect ring.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Denver Gold Buyers

If you're looking to sell gold or sell jewelry in Denver, you should go to FJR Jewelers on West Colfax just a few miles west of downtown Denver. They pay top dollar for any kind of gold jewelry, diamond jewelry, silver, even broken jewelry!

Many gold sellers go to FJR Diamond and Gold because they know they pay well. I brought an old piece of gold jewelry to a pawn shop and was offered half of what FJR had offered me. I obviously went back to FJR and sold my jewelry to them.

If you have any old jewelry you don't wear, you should sell gold to FJR Jewelers. They also take trade-ins on jewelry if you are looking to get a new piece of gold jewelry or even a diamond.

They buy antique jewelery, old jewelry, gold and diamond jewelry, broken jewelry and have a wide variety of jewelry in their store for sale as well. They also make custom jewelry! If you're looking for a Denver Jewelry store that you can sell your gold to, make sure to check out FJR Jewelers,

Friday, September 19, 2008

Buying Cheap Jewelry

No matter how much you buy your jewelry, it must look rich. After all jewels are supposed to convey an impression of riches. You need to sparkle in that dress and the jewel will bring that effect to you. Jewels are essentially expensive items. Gold, diamond or platinum can command thousands of Dollars in price. For a couple on a budget, you would have to improvise many ways to arrive at a magnificent look.

Begin your search for cheap jewelry online. Many sites sell bridal ornaments. Compare their prices and see if any have discounts on them. Especially look for sites with sales. They are in the process of clearing their stocks and could give you price reductions you cannot have anywhere. Bridal fairs coming up in your area are places you can find discount jewelry too. Vendors are looking for ways to make sales and would therefore bring out their wares on low prices for patronage by prospective couples.

You should also be aware that every mineral has its replica. Many of these replicas are hard to detect. You can have Cz as a replacement for diamond. The mineral looks and sparkles like diamond but costs far less. You can use this in your bridal dress decoration.

It would cost less to embellish your dress with silver instead of diamond. Again, you can opt for gold plated items instead of real gold. The two look alike and the difference cannot be easily detected. It is better to buy all your jewels from one place. You can better negotiate for a discount.

eBay is a good place to buy jewelry. You can go for auctions or buy straight away. The jewel you put on during your event will determine how far you sparkle. On your wedding day you need to look your best. Buy cheap but elegant minerals and make your day glitter.

5 Tips for Purchasing Jewelry online

By Claire Simon

Purchasing jewelry online offers may advantages, the biggest being saving a ton of money. However while the reward increases, the risk increases as well. There are simple precautions you can take to safeguard yourself against not-so-honest online retailers and ensure you get exactly what you pay for. Below are 5 simple methods to ensure a safe experience when buying diamond jewelry online:

1- Know the exact details of the item you are purchasing. Many online jewelry retailers do not provide enough information about the product they are selling. Factors such as Total Carat Weight, Diamond Color and Clarity, the number of diamonds included in the item, the quality of gold or metal, etc. should all be clearly identified. If you are missing just one of these pieces of information, you may not end up with the item you believe you are purchasing.
2- Always check the return policy. You should always have an option to return the item, even if you just don't like it. Note the specifics of the Return Policy, as some retailers only allow returns if the item is damaged, some charge a restocking fee and many online retailers will only provide 5-7 days to return the ring. The optimal policy will allow you to return the item within 30 days with no questions asked.
3- Does the company offer any type of warranty? What happens if a diamond falls out 2 days after you receive the jewelry? It is then most likely a manufacturer's defect and you should not be held responsible to pay for the repair. Make sure the company offers some sort of free protection plan or warranty to cover manufacturer's defects.
4- Is the online retailer a member of the Better Business Bureau? Don't just assume they are if they show the seal! A one minute online inquiry with the BBB will show if the company is an accredited member and if they've received any complaints within the last 12 months. Also look to see if the company belongs to any industry organizations. Any reputable jewelry retailer will have membership to jewelry organizations.
5- Is the site secure? Make sure the site uses SSL encryption software and has a privacy policy in tact. They should state clearly that they do not share or sell your personal information with any outside sources. Also make sure the online jewelry retailer has partnered with a company that monitors each transaction and guarantees each purchase to be 100% safe and secure. If they don't state the security features prominently, most likely it's because they don't have it! Purchasing jewelry online can save you a lot of money and afford you a beautiful piece of jewelry. Be cautious and follow the above practices and you should have a safe online shopping experience!