How to Choose Jewelry

Choosing your jewelry is no different than choosing your wardrobe. Most important is to stick within your comfort zone and your personal fashion style even when it comes to choosing wedding rings. That said, it never hurts to step out of the box once in awhile.

What's most important is that your jewelry matches up with your outfit. Your jewelry is the finishing touch on your total look. Make your fashion statement count!

Determine what you want your jewelry to do. Do you want it front and center stage? Do you want it to compliment? Do you want it subtle?

Make certain your jewelry is appropriate for the occasion or event you'll be wearing it to. A sexy oversized choker might be perfect for a night on the town but may not be fitting for the boardroom.

Determine how long you want it to last and how often you plan to wear it.

Know how much money you want to spend.When you are buying jewelry, this is always the big question - how much you plan to spend. You might like a pair of diamond solitaire earrings, but do you actually want to spend that much. There are so many jewelry options that are available these days. Once you decide on your budget, jewelry selection becomes much easier and organized.

If you can, try on the jewelry or hold it up next to you to determine whether it suits you.

Tips on Jewelry

  1. Although you may have a favorite designer, there's really no need to stick with just one. In fact, there's no need for the pieces to actually be designer. There are plenty of wonderful pieces on the market that are unsigned but certainly make a fashion statement. Mix and match your jewelry to give it character and a little pizazz!
  2. Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an affordable way to complete your look. Costume Jewelry can be bought for a low price and has plenty of life. Heck, we see costume jewelry back to the 1920s still in excellent condition. What's great with costume jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money.
  3. Designer pieces tend to cost a little more, last a little longer, and they usually follow more traditional lines so you can wear them for more than one or two seasons.
  4. Sterling Silver is affordable and very versatile. If you don't want to spend the money for sterling, then purchase some silver plate pieces. Silver is a must have for any wardrobe! You can go from dainty and delicate to large and noticeable. It can be dressed up or down and is acceptable for any event or occasion.
  5. Have some gold plate or gold tone pieces in your wardrobe basics also. 10-14k gold may be a bit too pricey for many but gold plated jewelry is quite affordable and will give you good value for the cost. Gold, like silver, can be dressed up or dressed down and is perfect for a very classy look.
  6. When purchasing rings, you can have great fun - again the choices are endless from large and overwhelming to dainty and feminine. The length and size of your fingers plays an important role in what will look good. For example, long skinny fingers don't look good with huge oversized rings, yet on a woman that has long thicker fingers they look exquisite. Long nails? Short nails? it all makes a difference. Play and see what you like, and what looks good. Also, determine where you will be wearing these rings. For example, if you're working around fine fabrics, you'll not want any rings that have sharp edges that could snag. Your rings are also part of your total statement.
  7. When purchasing necklaces, be certain you know your neck size so that you get a good fit. This is very important when purchasing online as you don't get a chance to try it on. If your neck is average in size then a 16" necklace will look great, however if you have a somewhat larger than average neck then a 16" necklace could be too tight. Measure the length of some of your favourite necklaces you already own. This will give you a good indication of what length you prefer. Opera necklaces which are over 30" are terrific. They can be double wrapped, knotted, or whatever else your imagination comes up with. When choosing colored necklaces, make sure to pick a color that complements your skin tone. It may match your outfit fabulously but if it doesn't match or complement your skin tone your look could be lost.
  8. When purchasing bracelets, you'll need to decide where you're going to wear them, and how noticeable you want them to be. The availability of size and shape is endless - you can go from large bangle bracelets to dainty gem bracelets. If it is a slip-on bracelet, be sure that it will fit over your hand. Make certain to measure your wrist as the fit of a bracelet is very important. Too large and it will look sloppy and may even slide off. Too small and it can constrict your wrist movement.
  9. Your hands are your expressive area and many of us "talk with our hands." (they are also the smallest part of our body!) Try wearing three bracelets on one wrist - its a sign of power. They don't have to match either so step out and do something different. Don't forget to wear a dainty bracelet with your watch.
  10. When purchasing earrings, realize that the shapes and styles are endless - from dangles to chandeliers to hoops to studs to buttons. There are materials from enamel to beads to gems to metal to wood. The size of the earrings is very important to the statement you're making. The larger the earring, the more noticeable and the more incorporated they become into your total look. Large earrings aren't for everyone - depending on your face size and shape they may actually detract rather than attract. Experiment and find what looks best on you.
  11. Another thing to remember with purchasing your earrings is that tiny earrings make you look larger and larger earrings make you look smaller. Large earrings can give you the appearance of losing 10 pounds! (We all love that) Pick something that is in proportion to your size but most women can wear nickle to quarter size without any problem. Pick your earrings to the opposite shape of your face - they will be more complimentary. If you have a round face and wear round earrings your face will appear much rounder.
  12. Your jewelry choices are endless - no matter what your tastes, your likes, your dislikes. You'll be able to complete your look just the way you want it with little effort with Novelty Helmets. So be sure to make your fashion statement!
  13. People sometimes like to make a statement and decide to wear jewelry with meaning behind it. It's a lovely way to show your history or beliefs. A good example of this is the symbol of an inverted hand, where the hand extended forward is a symbol of divine force. Another example, is Celtic jewelry where the Celtic knots can symbolise the eternity of life.Source Article : Choose Jewelry

How to Choose a Platinum Ring


Platinum Ring Platinum is often called the "King of Metals" as it has a special allure because it is rare, enduring, and pure. However, not all platinum is equal and not all platinum craftsmanship is the same. This article provides some useful tips on how to choose a platinum ring of superior quality.

Know the purity content of your platinum ring. As with all precious metals, platinum must be alloyed with other metals in order to achieve the hardness required for jewelry. A ring that is alloyed with 80% Platinum and 20% other metals is worth a lot less than a ring that is 95% pure platinum.

Check the hallmark on the inside of the ring. Federal regulations require all platinum bands to bear a stamp or "hallmark" on the inside of the band. If it says "IridPlat", or ".90Plat/Ir" then the ring is only 90% pure platinum, and you should pay less for it than a ring that is 95% pure platinum. If the hallmark says "Plat" or ".95 Plat", then the ring is considered pure platinum and commands a premium price.

Ask your jeweler about the alloy used in your platinum ring. If you are buying a pure platinum ring (95% platinum), then it should be alloyed with either Cobalt or Ruthenium. These alloys produce a harder platinum that can hold a mirror bright polish and resist years of daily wear. Many .95 pure platinum rings are alloyed with the less expensive metal Iridium, but these rings are softer and will become scratched and dull within a year of daily wear.

Seek a master platinumsmith. Find an ultra-specialist focused on designing and handcrafting jewelry in platinum. Working in platinum is very difficult. The metal doesn’t melt until it reaches 3223º, unlike gold that melts at a mere 1700º. The tools needed to work in platinum are completely different as well. Given these challenges, there are but a few talented master platinumsmiths who have the expertise to make high-quality platinum rings. While some mass producers choose to outsource their platinum “artistry” to China to cut costs, the handful of masters trained in the finer art of platinumsmithing are in the US and Europe.

Look for quality handcrafting in the engraving, filigree, pavé or other fine details. Platinum rings today come in thousands of designs with differing details to suit personal tastes. These details may include engraving, or deep cuts in the platinum that form a design. Some jewelry manufacturers choose to imitate hand engraving by imbedding a design into the ring’s casting. This prefabricated engraving will eventually wear off and lose its luster. Therefore, look for deep and intricate hand engraving, which typically lasts for generations. Filigree is another design element reminiscent of the Art Deco period. Again, to save costs, many jewelers prefabricate filigree in the casting process. The result is chunky filigree that lacks elegance and finesse. True artistry from the Art Deco period calls for filigree that is created from hand-drawn wires and sculpted then soldered into a piece. For the best quality, ensure that any filigree in the platinum ring is handcrafted. Bezel set with pavé is another extremely popular platinum ring option. Bezel set refers to a border of metal, often set with small diamonds that accent the center stone – and can make it appear larger. Bezel setting with pavé in platinum requires very specific expertise. Proper setting ensures that the focus is on the sparkle of the diamonds, not the platinum prongs holding in the stones. Noticing these fine points today will ensure the right choice for years to come.

Consider custom rings for a one-of-a-kind heirloom piece. For those who wish to express their individualism and own a statement ring that will become a family heirloom, custom is the only way to go. Many big jewelry houses scorn custom work. If you don’t like one of their limited design choices, then you have too much imagination. Custom-made rings allow you to work with the designer to create the ultimate reflection of your tastes. The “build your own ring” online tools are a fun gimmick, but far from the true custom craftsmanship associated with a quality ring. Work with a knowledgeable, personal jeweler who can guide you in the process.

Match your ring to your lifestyle. If high style and glamour are priorities in your life, go for a showstopper that’s loaded with exquisite hand artistry and a large center stone. If mountain climbing on Mount Kilimanjaro is your priority, forgo the delicate pavé work and opt for a platinum design with a low silhouette, that is, one that doesn’t elevate the center stone so that it won’t get banged around on rocks. Or, look at substantial platinum bands with unique engraving that look fashionable, yet are very practical. While most women fall somewhere in the middle, the point is that your ring needs to fit into your life. Some may feel more comfortable in a beautiful platinum band with an intricate floral design while others will gravitate toward a classic piece with a single center stone and filigree or the popular three-stone look with engraving. Nevertheless, since this purchase will likely be worn for ages to come, avoid the trendy, ultra-modern designs that promise to look dated in a few years.

Choose a style that looks best on your hand. Now that you’ve eliminated certain designs based on your lifestyle, figure out what looks best on your hand. a) Match the size of your ring to the size of your hand. If you are large-framed with large, angular hands, don’t choose a dainty piece that fades away. Rather look at bolder designs with a thicker platinum band or consider stacking several rings. If you are petite, choose more delicate pieces and plenty of details. b) Don’t be obsessed with the size of the center stone. It’s irrelevant that your best friend has a three carat. If it was set in white gold or poor-grade platinum, lacks style and its diamond has visible flaws, this is not a ring to covet. Think quality and substance in the design, the workmanship, the platinum alloy and the precious gems you select. c) Try on many ring styles to be sure. Some women are sure that they want a certain style of ring until it’s on their finger. What’s right for a cousin is not likely what’s perfect for you. This is similar to clothing shopping. Trying on a piece is essential to know that it suits your fingers and hand size, that the ring doesn’t twist or become off-centered easily or that it doesn’t look good when stacked with a wedding band.

Ask your jeweler for a wax mold or silver replica of your ring. If you have chosen a custom ring, you can ask your jeweler for a wax mold of your ring to ensure that the design meets your expectations before it is cast into platinum. Today, the best shops use computer-aided design (CAD) to create a three-dimensional image of your ring. Then, the jeweler creates a wax mold of the piece and the artisans refine its dimensions with extreme precision. Find out if your jeweler offers this service, which can eliminate any disappointment that your custom ring is not what you dreamed of. A few jewelers create a sterling silver and cubic zirconia version of a client’s custom ring before casting it in platinum to ensure that the ring is exactly what the client wants.

Tips

  1. It's worth educating yourself on the finer points of choosing a platinum engagement rings to ensure that your testament to love - and investment in an important family heirloom - is the right choice.
  2. Check out a large variety of platinum designer rings at various Websites.
  3. When it comes to .95 pure platinum, the secret to a brighter platinum ring is the alloy.

Warning

  1. If you are interested in buying an antique platinum ring, it will probably bear the hallmark "IridPlat" or ".90Plat/Ir" on the inside of the band. It is only in the past 15 years that .95 pure platinum has been popular in North America.
  2. If your platinum ring needs to be repaired, be sure to take it to a master platinumsmith. Most jewelers do not have the capability to properly repair platinum rings and your ring could be ruined if improper tools or the wrong platinum alloy is used to repair it

Source Article : Platinum Ring

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