It's summer, when many take cruises to the Caribbean and shop for jewelry. There are a few things to know and have before you plunk down your hard-earned cash.
First, get yourself either a jewelrer's loupe, which can be either 10x or 15x magnification, or a magnifying glass, also 10x or 15x. Why? You may ask. Simple. I do not want you buying fake gems unless it's on purpose.
If you get a loupe, here's how to use it. One of your eyes is stronger than the other. For me it's my left eye. Therefore, hold the loupe in the opposite hand. I hold it with my right hand. Now, put your elbows on the table so that they are braced and you hands will be steady holding your loupe. Hold the ring in the other hand. Bring the loupe all the up to your strong eye, but KEEP BOTH EYES OPEN. Otherwise, you will screw up your depth perception; it's how your brain works. Now, bring the ring up to where it comes into focus in the loupe. I want you to look at the edges of the facets. They should NOT be darker than the rest of the stone. Yes, natural gemstones can have “color zoning” which simply means that there are areas in the gem that have higher color saturation. However, if the edges are clearly darker than the rest of the gem, chances are it's not a genuine whatever.
Granted, many stones today are heat-treated or irradiated (heating a gemstone with various metals or chemicals) to inhance the color. Always ask whether the stone is treated or not. Ask what the treatment is. I recommend if the sales clerk cannot give you straight answers, don't buy from them.You will hate yourself if you buy a gemstone, whose color washes out when you wash your hands. Emeralds and opals may to be oiled, which is very typical and traditional. In arid climates like Mexico and Australia where opals are mined, they are store in vials of olive oil, to prevent their drying out and cracking.No worries. However, you need to know because natural, untreated gems are more valuable, and I want you to know what you have.
Inclusions are not necessarily a bad thing. Some inclusions can be very interesting(think Pink Panther) Those are identifying characteristics that your appraiser will look at when they plot your stone for insurance purposes. (Not all stones have identifying number lasered into them) No two stones will be the same, just like your identical twins (one is a wee bit taller than the other, etc). Further, natural stones will have stuff in 'em. Those inclusions can even help experts determine where the gem was mined. Lab created stones tend not to have them. Further, they also do not tend to have color zoning. Also, ask after the country of origin. Some countries have dubious mining practices and should not be supported.
If the color is more intense on top of the stone, which is called the “table”, compared to the rest of the stone, then it may be a “triplet”. That's a lesser quality stone with a slice of better quality gem glued on.
Thre are a lot of counterfeit rubies like that as well as tanzanites.
Speaking of tanzanites, I'm going to teach you a fifty dollar word: pleochrism (pronounced plea-o-crow-ism). It means that the stone will show two different colors, which occurs because light passes through and exits through more than one path. (Remember when you looked through a prism in grade school?) Tanzanite will show blue, like a sapphire, but it will also appear purple, too.
Alexandrites also exhibit pleochroism. They will show variations of red and green (By the way alexandrite is the June birthstone, along with the more traditional pearl). There are a few color-change sapphires. However, they are very rare and priced accordingly, tend to be small-less than three carats.
One more note, check to see if the metal(gold) is stamped.When buying gold jewelry, always look for the karat mark. Generally, the higher the karat, the more expensive the piece (unless it's “hot” or stolen). In the United States, 14-karat gold, or 583 parts pure gold, is the most common degree of fineness. Nothing less than 10 karats can legally be marked or sold as gold jewelry in the U.S. However, lower karatages, such as 8-karat gold and 9-karat gold, are popular in other countries.
18-karat gold is 18/24ths, or three-quarters pure gold, and jewelry of this fineness is marked 18k or 750, the European designation meaning 75% gold.
Always look for the karat mark or "k" that appears on the back of the piece. By U.S. law, if a karat mark appears you should also see the manufacturer's trademark to assure you that the karat marking is accurate. The country of origin should also appear.
In addition to the karat mark, every piece of gold jewelry should be stamped with a hallmark or trademark of its maker, and sometimes its country of origin. These designations assure you that you are buying genuine karat gold jewelry. Heavier pieces contain more gold.
Finally, if you buy a loose stone, don't have it set while you're there. You may become the victim of a bait and switch. And once you're back on the ship, or back home, there isn't anything you can do to recover your damages. If you find a setting that you cannot live without, buy the setting and take both home with you. Let your jeweler in your home town, whom you know and have a relationship with, set your stone.
Of course, there are lots of other things to look for. However, with these basics you are better prepared.
Anne the Beadbear
http://www.beadbear.com
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
How to Keep Your Jewelry Clean Between Trips to the Jeweler
When was the last time you cleaned your jewelry? Bet you can't remember. That's alright. We can fix that. Here's how. And you don't need any fancy-schmancy equipment to get the job done, either.
GOLD jewelry: Fill a large (like a salad bowl) bowl with tepid or lukewarmwater. The container should be big enough to hold about a quart of water . DO NOT USE AMMONIA! DO NOT USE ANYTHING WITH CHOLRINE! Chlorine dissolves gold, so if you clean house with your jewelry, you're losing gold everytime.Squirt a little dishwashing liquid in, about a quarter teaspoonful.I prefer Dawn(it's petroluem based, did you know that?) because it's inexpensive and effective at lifting the skin oils, lotion, hairspray, makeup, etc. away. Add one capeful of rubbing alcohol. When you put your necklaces and bracelets into the bowl, make sure you've closed the clasps. If you've got earrings to clean, pour some of your cleaning water into a teacup, and drop in your earrings. If they've got posts with backs, take them off and drop them in with the earrings.
Let everything soak for a little while. Take an old toothbrush, and if you've still got crud on the earring nuts, or on the clasps, gently scrub them with the toothbrush to loosen it up. Use the bristles to get underneath the mounted stones. When you're ready to rinse, fill another big bowl with tepid or lukewarm water. Put the jewelry in the clean water and swoosh everything around very gently. Get a clean towel, and lay everything out to air dry on the towel, except the earrings.
For the earrings, get a tea strainer or a tea ball, and put them in there, and then put that into the bowl of water to rinse. That way those little pieces won't get away from you. I DO NOT recomment rinsing your jewelry out under running water in to sink. That's a great way to lose an earring or an earring back and we don't want that to happen. If you give a little shake to the strainer or tea ball, anything your brushing and soaking didn't remove should lift off the earrings. Note: when pouring out the water, pour it out through a strainer, just to make sure you don't lose anything! Use a seperate clean washcloth to lay out your earrings to air dry on.
If you don't have a polishing cloth, use an old cotton (nylon or acrylic socks aren't absorbant) sock to polish, and wipe away any excess moisture. If you use polishing cloths, you'll need one for you silver, and one ofr the gold, or platinum. Silver tarnishes like crazy (I know you've noticed) and you don't want to rub that onto you nice clean gold. Gold tarnishes too; it just takes longer.
If you have lots of chains, do them seperately from your pearls or other gemstone and bead jewelry. I recommend doing them last, after the earrings. Make sure they're clasped. If you don't have a jewelry box with hangers for them, I suggest keeping them in seperate lunch baggies. That way they won't get tangled up together between wearings, and they're less likely to get kinked.
SILVER:
Keeping silver free and clean from tarnish can also be a challenge. A good quality paste silver polish generally can be found at your local hardware store. In a pinch, baking soda may be used. Pour a some into a saucer. Dab it with a soft damp cloth. Rub gently on the silver. Be very careful that you do not scratch the suface! Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Pat dry with clean, soft cloth.
Remember:
DO NOT USE AMMONIA! It will pit and blacken your silver!
DO NOT SWIM IN CHLORINATED POOLS OR ALLOW CHLORINE to touch your jewelry. Chlorine with dissolve it, little by little.
Always take your jewelry with prongs, like earrings and rings to your jeweler once a year to have them checked. That way, if one has gotten a little loose, you can have that fixed, and hopefully not lose the stone. And a good jeweler generally will not charge you for that service, unless a prong needs to be replaced, which is more cost effective than replacing the stone!
And, as general rule, never go into a pool with any jewelry, or anything loose. It can:
a) come off and go into the drain
b) if you're in it, YOU can get stuck along with it.
c) if you're in a body of water, like the ocean, Gulf, lake or river, a good current can pull your rings from your fingers, and your earrings out of your ears. I witnessed a woman lose her engagement ring at the beach in St.Petersburg. She was not a happy camper. (Nor was her husband)
Final Note:
To prevent build-up of tarnish, when piece is clean (brand new, BEFORE it's worn) paint item with clear nail polish, on one side. Let dry thoroughly. Do other side.
And for good measure, when it's not being used, store your silver in an air-tight container, like a baggie. The next time you are at your favorite jewelry store buying silver, ask your jeweler for some anti-tarnish strips, so that you can keep your silver shiny.
GOLD jewelry: Fill a large (like a salad bowl) bowl with tepid or lukewarmwater. The container should be big enough to hold about a quart of water . DO NOT USE AMMONIA! DO NOT USE ANYTHING WITH CHOLRINE! Chlorine dissolves gold, so if you clean house with your jewelry, you're losing gold everytime.Squirt a little dishwashing liquid in, about a quarter teaspoonful.I prefer Dawn(it's petroluem based, did you know that?) because it's inexpensive and effective at lifting the skin oils, lotion, hairspray, makeup, etc. away. Add one capeful of rubbing alcohol. When you put your necklaces and bracelets into the bowl, make sure you've closed the clasps. If you've got earrings to clean, pour some of your cleaning water into a teacup, and drop in your earrings. If they've got posts with backs, take them off and drop them in with the earrings.
Let everything soak for a little while. Take an old toothbrush, and if you've still got crud on the earring nuts, or on the clasps, gently scrub them with the toothbrush to loosen it up. Use the bristles to get underneath the mounted stones. When you're ready to rinse, fill another big bowl with tepid or lukewarm water. Put the jewelry in the clean water and swoosh everything around very gently. Get a clean towel, and lay everything out to air dry on the towel, except the earrings.
For the earrings, get a tea strainer or a tea ball, and put them in there, and then put that into the bowl of water to rinse. That way those little pieces won't get away from you. I DO NOT recomment rinsing your jewelry out under running water in to sink. That's a great way to lose an earring or an earring back and we don't want that to happen. If you give a little shake to the strainer or tea ball, anything your brushing and soaking didn't remove should lift off the earrings. Note: when pouring out the water, pour it out through a strainer, just to make sure you don't lose anything! Use a seperate clean washcloth to lay out your earrings to air dry on.
If you don't have a polishing cloth, use an old cotton (nylon or acrylic socks aren't absorbant) sock to polish, and wipe away any excess moisture. If you use polishing cloths, you'll need one for you silver, and one ofr the gold, or platinum. Silver tarnishes like crazy (I know you've noticed) and you don't want to rub that onto you nice clean gold. Gold tarnishes too; it just takes longer.
If you have lots of chains, do them seperately from your pearls or other gemstone and bead jewelry. I recommend doing them last, after the earrings. Make sure they're clasped. If you don't have a jewelry box with hangers for them, I suggest keeping them in seperate lunch baggies. That way they won't get tangled up together between wearings, and they're less likely to get kinked.
SILVER:
Keeping silver free and clean from tarnish can also be a challenge. A good quality paste silver polish generally can be found at your local hardware store. In a pinch, baking soda may be used. Pour a some into a saucer. Dab it with a soft damp cloth. Rub gently on the silver. Be very careful that you do not scratch the suface! Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Pat dry with clean, soft cloth.
Remember:
DO NOT USE AMMONIA! It will pit and blacken your silver!
DO NOT SWIM IN CHLORINATED POOLS OR ALLOW CHLORINE to touch your jewelry. Chlorine with dissolve it, little by little.
Always take your jewelry with prongs, like earrings and rings to your jeweler once a year to have them checked. That way, if one has gotten a little loose, you can have that fixed, and hopefully not lose the stone. And a good jeweler generally will not charge you for that service, unless a prong needs to be replaced, which is more cost effective than replacing the stone!
And, as general rule, never go into a pool with any jewelry, or anything loose. It can:
a) come off and go into the drain
b) if you're in it, YOU can get stuck along with it.
c) if you're in a body of water, like the ocean, Gulf, lake or river, a good current can pull your rings from your fingers, and your earrings out of your ears. I witnessed a woman lose her engagement ring at the beach in St.Petersburg. She was not a happy camper. (Nor was her husband)
Final Note:
To prevent build-up of tarnish, when piece is clean (brand new, BEFORE it's worn) paint item with clear nail polish, on one side. Let dry thoroughly. Do other side.
And for good measure, when it's not being used, store your silver in an air-tight container, like a baggie. The next time you are at your favorite jewelry store buying silver, ask your jeweler for some anti-tarnish strips, so that you can keep your silver shiny.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Liberty
I have always considered myself to be patriotic, although initially I didn't know what it meant. When hearing Jimi Hendrix' rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"during Woodstock, it suddenly became clear to me.I wept at the pride that I suddenly felt. At the same time, all the anguish of being of African, and Native American ancestry.Because not everyone acknowledged "that all men were created equal", although much lip service it made.
I appreciated and understood the statement when Abbie Hoffmann's wore the shirt made out of the American flag, meaning we Americans wore our patriotism like a brand or logo.It depressed me that some people chose to interpret a desire for peace and racial equality as somehow not being American.It made me physically ill a few years later when it became 'chic' for the Bicentennial to wear red, white and blue bikinis, and baseball caps, when the Confederate-sympathizing Southern rednecks adopted it as statement,it became a symbol to me of the dichotomy between the words of the Constitution, and how people of color, women and gays were still being treated.
It wasn't until the election held in 2008, that I started to become more optimistic. When Mr. Obama was inaugerated, I designed my first piece in the colors of the flag. This is the second piece I have created, in hope for the future.
The colors of freedom and liberty, the American flag rendererd in blue aventurine, and carnelian, with vintage Venetian glass rose or "wedding cake" beads. They are hand-knotted with Bohemian glass rose beads, and gold-coated seed beads, 14/20gf findings; clasp is 14kt vermeil. Approx. 18 inches, earrings approx. 1¼ inches. Available online at A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry http://www.beadbear.com/e0211.shtml
Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Talismans & Charms in Jewelry
News from the Couture Blog Trend Report 2 indicates that charms and talisman jewelry is trendy again.
At A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry we feature many items that include eye beads from aroung the world ans well as other talisman to protect for evil and to attract and promote good fortune. I have collected eye beads for over thirty years.
I use antique and contemporary Venetian, French, Dutch, Bohemian and Turkish glass beads to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other unusual ornaments. Precious and semi-precious gemstones of the highest quality, gold and silver are used to accent. Quality craftsmanship distinguishes my work from the rest.
Beads reflect a tradition dating back to 3000 BC These beads were worn to promote good luck, and for protection from misfortune (the evil eye or malocchio). Archeological evidence suggests that concepts linking eyes and protective magic to beads evolved in western Asia and Africa, and were carried west and east with developing trade routes. The oldest eye beads made were drilled stones like agate and carnelian.
The evolution of glass beads began with human discovery of glassmaking techniques in ancient Egypt. Beads were incorporated into jewelry, personal adornments, and everyday utensils of Egypt, the Hebrews, China, India, Persia, and Italy.
Beads are still used and admired in Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia, as well as the Americas. As in ancient times, they adorn people, homes, pets, livestock and vehicles as protective talismans.
I see both antique and contemporary beads as a link to the past through work that will last into the millennium. Beads and jewelry reflect where we are today, what we were, and who we will become. One can neither break nor ignore the thread of history, for like a strand of beads, the result would be chaos. Below are links to a few of my evil eye bead and talisman items.
http://www.beadbear.com/g0904.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/c0905.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/e0901.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/f1003.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/h1001.shtml
Wear your beads in good fortune!
At A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry we feature many items that include eye beads from aroung the world ans well as other talisman to protect for evil and to attract and promote good fortune. I have collected eye beads for over thirty years.
I use antique and contemporary Venetian, French, Dutch, Bohemian and Turkish glass beads to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other unusual ornaments. Precious and semi-precious gemstones of the highest quality, gold and silver are used to accent. Quality craftsmanship distinguishes my work from the rest.
Beads reflect a tradition dating back to 3000 BC These beads were worn to promote good luck, and for protection from misfortune (the evil eye or malocchio). Archeological evidence suggests that concepts linking eyes and protective magic to beads evolved in western Asia and Africa, and were carried west and east with developing trade routes. The oldest eye beads made were drilled stones like agate and carnelian.
The evolution of glass beads began with human discovery of glassmaking techniques in ancient Egypt. Beads were incorporated into jewelry, personal adornments, and everyday utensils of Egypt, the Hebrews, China, India, Persia, and Italy.
Beads are still used and admired in Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia, as well as the Americas. As in ancient times, they adorn people, homes, pets, livestock and vehicles as protective talismans.
I see both antique and contemporary beads as a link to the past through work that will last into the millennium. Beads and jewelry reflect where we are today, what we were, and who we will become. One can neither break nor ignore the thread of history, for like a strand of beads, the result would be chaos. Below are links to a few of my evil eye bead and talisman items.
http://www.beadbear.com/g0904.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/c0905.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/e0901.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/f1003.shtml
http://www.beadbear.com/h1001.shtml
Wear your beads in good fortune!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Gold
Gold jewelry demand declined 10 percent by volume in the United States in the first quarter year over year, according to the World Gold Council’s Q1 gold demand trends report.
http://www.nationaljeweler.com/nj/fashion/jewelry-fashion-reports/article_detail?id=26496
Fear not Goldbugs! I am here to satify all your aurous jewelry desires
At A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry we offer jewelry designed with a variety of different media to provide affordable beautiful fashion jewelry. I use vermeil, which is sterling silver overlaid with thick coatings of either 18, 22 or 24kt gold. I also use Swarovski aurum crystal (crystal beads with gold (overlay), as well as your favorite high-karat goodness! Shop today at beadbear.com
Wear your beads in good fortune!
http://www.nationaljeweler.com/nj/fashion/jewelry-fashion-reports/article_detail?id=26496
Fear not Goldbugs! I am here to satify all your aurous jewelry desires
At A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry we offer jewelry designed with a variety of different media to provide affordable beautiful fashion jewelry. I use vermeil, which is sterling silver overlaid with thick coatings of either 18, 22 or 24kt gold. I also use Swarovski aurum crystal (crystal beads with gold (overlay), as well as your favorite high-karat goodness! Shop today at beadbear.com
Wear your beads in good fortune!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Green is the IT Color this Year
Green is the hot color this year. All shades of green as indicated in the May 16 at Couture Trend Report 3
Couture Jewelers are always on the cutting edge -- setting trends and keeping their customers in vogue.
This year everyone will be green with envy over this bevy of Couture jewels that showcase the color of the year from pale seafoam to deep, dark emerald.
http://njn.typepad.com/couture_blog/2011/05/couture-trend-report-green-with-envy.html
Visit A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry http://www.beadbear.com has your favorite shade of green, in pearls, gemstones from amazonite to turquoise with all kinds of unusual glass beads. Shop today! We use Google Checkout for your secure shopping convenience.
Couture Jewelers are always on the cutting edge -- setting trends and keeping their customers in vogue.
This year everyone will be green with envy over this bevy of Couture jewels that showcase the color of the year from pale seafoam to deep, dark emerald.
http://njn.typepad.com/couture_blog/2011/05/couture-trend-report-green-with-envy.html
Visit A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry http://www.beadbear.com has your favorite shade of green, in pearls, gemstones from amazonite to turquoise with all kinds of unusual glass beads. Shop today! We use Google Checkout for your secure shopping convenience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
