Jewelry is more than an accessory; it can be a promise, a remembrance, a statement or a frivolous decoration. Fine jewelry, Bridge jewelry and Fashion Jewelry are all types of jewelry that allow you to have a variety of choices to you add to your collection and create your look. The terms Bridge jewelry and Artisan jewelry are sometimes used as if they are synonymous. We will explore this assumption and discover that Bridge jewelry and Artisan jewelry can be the same thing, but are not always the same.

Fine jewelry is jewelry that uses at least 14 kt. Gold or other precious metals along with precious gems like diamonds, sapphires, rubies or emeralds. Fine jewelry can be mass-produced or artisan-made one-of-a-kind pieces or limited-edition. It can be found in fine jewelry stores or in galleries. Fine jewelry commands the highest prices.

Fashion jewelry can also be artisan-made or mass produced. Materials used in the designs are base metals, glass, plastic and other synthetics. This jewelry may also be made of shell, wood and other organic materials. Fashion jewelry is available in department stores, discount stores, drug stores and even flea markets. Prices on Fashion jewelry tend to be the most affordable of all jewelry.

Bridge jewelry is called that because it is the bridge between Fine jewelry and Fashion jewelry. It may use vermeil, gold filled or silver as the metal and uses semi precious stones such as amethyst, citrine, turquoise, jade, topaz, fresh water pearls, garnet and others. Much Bridge jewelry is artisan-made, but it can also be mass produced. Bridge jewelry is often found in craft shows, galleries and art shows. Prices are in the mid range between Fine jewelry and Fashion jewelry.

Of course other combinations are found in jewelry. Some designers use precious metals such as 14k gold with amethyst. These pieces are not so easily classified. Price points and materials are the most definitive difference between the categories of jewelry. Fine jewelry as the most expensive and Fashion jewelry as an inexpensive alternative. Bridge jewelry falls between these two on price.

Bridge jewelry is a unique and affordable addition to your jewelry collection. You may see some familiar names in galleries or fine department stores and begin to recognize them as producers of Bridge jewelry. When you attend an art show, take a special look at the jewelry and you will recognize that much of it is fine artisan-made Bridge jewelry. It can provide you a good value because of the combination of quality materials; creativity and workmanship provided by the designers of these unique one-of-a-kind or limited edition pieces.

Kingfisher Designs http://www.wireweavers.com

Louise Coulson along with her husband Don designs and creates jewelry from sterling silver and gold filled wire. Their jewelry shows the wire used almost as if it were a fiber. The fiber arts approach comes from Louise’s long background as a weaver and the meticulous craftsmanship is due to Don’s background in engineering. The pieces are one-of-a-kind or limited edition.

Selling Your Jewelry: Triumph or Tragedy?

Which is more fun, getting a root canal, paying your taxes, or selling your jewelry? Not much of a choice, but following is some knowledge that can take the frustration out of selling your jewelry. And answer the hard questions like: Will I receive a fair price for my jewelry? Or did I pay too much?

The two critical areas of knowledge to get the best price for your jewelry are the factors that determine the value of estate jewelry and the options to liquidating it. Does this mean you have to become a gemologist just to sell your jewelry? No. But some homework and note taking can mean a much higher price paid for your jewelry. Let’s start with what determines the value of estate jewelry.

Estate is a general term used to describe previously owned. That fact is one of the determining factors. Preowned jewelry by in large is not as valuable as new. Some people will never buy a previous owned engagement set for superstitious reasons. I have had clients who could have saved hundreds of dollars if they would have bought a preowned ring, but refused.

Jewelry is a style driven industry. Some styles are classic and stay around for decades, others last just a few months. Estate jewelry that is out of style can’t command premium price. In fact some styles are so out of favor that the jewelry’s only value is its intrinsic worth. The other extreme is that the jewelry could be antique. Antique jewelry is highly collectible and may require a specialty option to sell. Knowing if your jewelry is just old and out of style or an antique can mean the difference of hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

Condition is a major determining factor of the price received for your jewelry. Damaged and broken jewelry many times justify the restoration costs but most of the time damaged jewelry is only valued at its intrinsic worth. Jewelry repair in many instances is counter-intuitive. I have seen jewelry that has been mangled in such a way that the cost of restoration is minor and easily justified. On the other hand what appeared to be an insignificant problem rendered the jewelry unrestorable. Jewelry repair is one area you don’t want to be a “do it yourselfer”. Let the professionals do it, or it could end up costing you a ton of money.

Worn out jewelry impacts the value. It is a difficult repair to bring life back into a piece of jewelry. Most worn out jewelry is valued at its intrinsic worth.

Jewelry looks it’s best when cleaned. Properly clean your jewelry before showing it around. If you do not know the 100% correct way to clean your piece of jewelry let a professional jeweler clean it for you. Some jewelry stores may even clean it for free. Warning: the wrong cleaning can damage and even destroy jewelry. If your are unsure of how to clean the jewelry or gem, let the professionals do it.

Here are some cleaning tips. Never clean gold and gems in chlorine. Ammonia based cleaning products are used throughout the jewelry industry, but they can damage some gems. Try and avoid them if you can and know for certain if they well not hurt the gems in your jewelry. Use a mild soap with warm water and a soft toothbrush, then rinse thoroughly for most jewelry. A hard toothbrush and toothpaste or toothpowder will scratch gold and hurt some gems. The best cleaning tip is to know for certain the best cleaners to use on your jewelry and do it carefully.

The jewelry industry has been recycling for millennia. In fact some of the gold in your jewelry could have been in use since the time of Jesus. Damaged beyond repair jewelry is bought at its intrinsic worth. The intrinsic value is the metal (gold, platinum, silver) price plus any gems. The refining process used to recover the metal utilizes strong chemicals and has strict environmental regulations which impact the price given for metal brought to be recycled.

If you would like to know how to calculate the metal price and do the math read on, if not skip to next paragraph. The formula used to calculate the price is the metal price(the daily spot price) multiplied by purity(the true noble metal content) times weight(can be in ounces, pennyweights or grams). The purity is the karat of gold or percentage of noble metal (gold, platinum, silver). 24 karat is pure. 10 karat is 10/24 or.410 gold and the balance of weight is the alloys. 14 karat is 14/24 or.583 gold and 18 karat is 18/24 or.750 gold. Platinum most of the time is 90% pure and 10% alloy. Silver jewelry is usually sterling, which is.925 pure. The three units of weight used with precious metals are troy ounces, pennyweights, and grams. The troy ounce is equal to 20 pennyweights (dwt) or 31.15 grams. So here is an example; say the spot price of gold is $300 and a 14K ring weighing 10 grams would work out like this. $300 (spot price) X.583 (the fineness of gold) equals $174.90 per ounce divided by 31.15 (troy ounce to gram) equals $5.63 per gram times our ring of 10 grams equals $56.30. Just remember to subtract some refining cost and profit for the dealer and you can find out the intrinsic metal value for your jewelry.

Gems are an important part of jewelry. The estate jewelry value could be 99% determined by the gem. On the other hand the gem could add zero to the value. The two critical factors are the gem itself and the condition. Some gems have a higher value then others. A natural ruby is worth many times more then a synthetic ruby. Diamonds are generally more valuable then amethysts. Knowing your gem’s grade and rarity will help with understanding its value. The condition of the gem is critical to the value. Some chips and abrasions can justify the repolishing cost. But in most cases chips and scratches will render the gem unappealing and valueless. Tip: careful handling of jewelry retains a higher value then carelessness.

The overview of the determining factors of estate jewelry is style, condition, and intrinsic worth. Remember you don’t get paid for the jewelry in relation to what you paid but the condition and demand when you sell. Clean jewelry shows the item at its best and helps in evaluating the design and gems.

How to find the best way to get the most return for the jewelry?

Selling estate jewelry is the art of compromise. There is a balance between dollar paid and quickness of payment and ease of transaction. If you want the high price, fast and easy, you are dreaming. The higher the price gained from the sale of estate jewelry, the longer the time and more difficult the transaction..

Finding another consumer to buy your jewelry is the most profitable but the most difficult, time consuming and problematic. Walking into a dealer’s shop is the easiest and fastest way to sell but you are selling at wholesale or less. Finding the balance is a personal judgement call.

Each method of selling estate jewelry has it strengths and liabilities. Besides the price received for the jewelry, the time investment you have to make to sell the jewelry enters the equation. What are your time and energy worth? I have known people who have driven around town for two days just to make $20 more. Don’t over look the ease of transaction. Not all people decide to buy and pay cash on the spot. Some individuals take two or three visits just to make up their mind to buy. There could also be a measure of trust in shipping the jewelry across the country or even a payment plan could be the only way a person could afford your jewelry. The balance of dollar paid versus method of payment can be very tricky.

This list of ways to sell estate jewelry is not exhaustive. Personal creativity can show you the best way to sell your jewelry or one the more traditional methods may work out just fine. Examine your options and evaluate the benefits and drawbacks to find the very best way to sell your estate jewelry.

Auctions are the prestigious way to sell estate jewelry. There is an air of sophistication in liquidating jewelry through a major auction house. The nationally known auction houses like Christie’s, Sotheby’s and the like have pricey set up costs and standards. High end jewelry is best suited for these auctions. There are many regional and local auction houses that can sell estate jewelry in the mid range. Auctions can be very risky, because the end price is unknown, but the risk can bring a very positive selling price. The keys to selling your estate jewelry at auctions are finding the right house for your particular jewelry, knowing the best time to sell, and luck.

On-line auctions offer a lot of advantages and some risks. On-line auctions like e-bay are auctions conducted over the internet reaching a world wide audience. The cost of selling an item is modest if the object sells. Sales are not guaranteed. Which on line auction to use is a critical choice. The large auctions have many offerings and sales but it is easy to get lost in all that activity. Selecting the best category is another challenge. If you choose a smaller on line auction company, many potential buyers will not find your offering. The decision is best made with research on how your particular type of jewelry was sold. E-mail and ask other sellers if they got the price they wanted and how the selling experience was for them.

The trickiest part of on-line auctions is the actual transaction. Who will trust whom first. Normally the buyer sends funds, then the seller sends the item. The seller must also give a period of time for the buyer to return the item for a full refund. The transaction can be problematic or smooth. May all your experiences be trouble free, but the transaction problems I have tracked seem to run between 20% and 35% of the attempts have problems.

Jewelry brokers offer a professional service for a fee. Think of a jewelry broker as a hired professional working for you against a very sophisticated market like the jewelry industry. Make sure their allegiance is to you alone. Most jewelry brokers are highly trained in gems and jewelry. Jewelry brokers charge a percentage ranging from 10% to 50% depending on the type of service provided. Brokers can assist with a piece going to a top auction house or find a local dealer willing to pay top dollar fast. Some jewelry brokers also act as a dealer and buy out right for an immediate transaction. Jewelry brokers are usually found in major cities and include a jewelry and diamond finding service.

Pawn shops and secondhand dealers are another type of walk-in and sell option. Most work on a cash evaluation of the jewelry. The cash value on most estate jewelry is a percentage of the intrinsic value. The key to understanding this buying environment is the percentage. Some dealers pay close to 90% of the intrinsic value, while others pay as low as 33%. The only way to find the best price is to physically take the jewelry around to a number of shops. Then sell to the shop that offers the best value.

Consignment offers the incentive of a higher price when sold but the draw back of time. No one knows how long it will take or even if it will sell. The stores that offer consignment range from second hand bargain stores to elite jewelry stores. The type of estate jewelry you have dictates which store will attempt to sell your jewelry. If you have a high end piece in excellent condition the elite location could yield a fine return.

Consignment generally consists of a contract for the amount the jewelry will sell for and the percentage the store will keep. Some contracts have a time limit and who is liable if it is lost or damaged. You must know the details of the contract to understand what will and will not happen. Some stores will pay immediately, others pay after a set time or when you call. Find out what the process is if the store closes or moves. Many people have lost track of their jewelry altogether. Understand what the store’s liabilities are and yours. Also, find out how the store is going to sell your jewelry. If they will advertise it or just let it sit in a showcase. Make frequent contacts to keep your jewelry in the mind of the salespeople.

Newspapers offer individuals the best chance to sell to a retail customer. The classified shopping consumer, in all likelihood, comparison shops more then anyone else. They know the prices of your jewelry new and will pay a discount for a used article of jewelry. Also realize that the prices asked for in the paper are rarely achieved and do not reveal the true market value. Some times the jewelry is sold for very much less then advertised or never sold at all. But with some safeguards and timing the classified ad is generally one of the highest prices realized for average estate jewelry.

The retail customer is the highest price you could receive for your estate jewelry. The newspaper is one of many ways to reach the buying public with your message to sell. Public bulletin boards offer a inexpensive way to reach people. Look in your community or work place for bulletin boards. On line bulletin boards could also work out if you find the right one. Net working with friends and family might give a lead to someone willing to buy. Creativity is a powerful tool in reaching the public. Use your imagination and think who would be willing to buy my particular estate jewelry and reach out to them.

Safeguards are critical when selling jewelry to the public. First NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, and NEVER meet an unknown buyer in your house. Personal safety and protection against robbery should be your first priority. If you don’t have a way to meet the potential buyer at a public place, then do not sell your jewelry to the general public. Meet the buyer in a public place like a restaurant or shopping mall. I suggest the buyer’s bank, because if they wish to buy the jewelry they can go and get the cash now and finish the transaction. In addition the bank should have some security if something goes bad.

Fraud should be next on your mind. Cash is the best transaction, checks of all kinds can be faked. Also be aware of switching of jewelry, con men are on the look out for unsuspecting people.

Some other safeguards are notifying someone of the time and place of your meeting. You can even tell them you will call after the meeting just to check in with someone. It is helpful to have a mobile phone. If you have a pager it is a good idea to give that number in the ad. You get a call back number and they can’t find your home address. It is also a good idea to go with someone else. I have met people with another person standing in the background just watching. Sometimes con men work in teams and someone looking at the whole situation can see that it is a bad situation in time to help you not get taken.

I’d like to make one final point: most of the world is filled with wonderful people and everything should go just fine. Trust your instincts. Keep diligent and alert. Don’t take risks just to make a little more on the sale of your estate jewelry.

Selling your estate jewelry is not an everyday experience. Enjoy the adventure and learn some new skills. One very positive side effect of selling jewelry is you will learn how to evaluate jewelry. You will become a very wise jewelry buyer. Enjoy the journey.

Daniel Parisi

Diamond & Jewelry Broker, Gemologist

For more information check out http://mygemologist.com

Stainless Steel Jewelry(S/S Jewelry) has the added advantage of being a more rugged alloy than gold or silver as it is nearly indestructible. S/S Jewelry is naturally hypo-allergic.

Stainless steel jewelry’s rise to fame and popularity is not really surprising; primarily because of the price difference between S/S Jewelry and a lot of the other jewelry types that are sold in dominant market share positions today.

There is no doubting in nowadays for owning a piece of stainless steel jewelry is just in fashion, and it does not seem to make any difference which part of the world it is, S/S Jewelry has become a big hit in many countries, the pursuing for this trend is universal. Stainless steel jewelry is cheaper than gold jewelry and it is most definitely cheaper than silver jewelry, so what you are going to find ultimately is that the stainless steel jewelry has become so popular first and foremost because it presents a cheaper alternative to materials that are already set in the market such as gold and silver.

More so than that however, what makes S/S Jewelry the new silver is that it appears to have impacted society in the same way that silver jewelry did when it was originally introduced. It used to be that a piece of silver jewelry was gawked over the whole evening by friends and relatives, but now what people are finding is that their stainless steel jewelry pieces are starting to receive the same attention! For example, a relative might be so surprised that the jewelry piece is actually made of S/S that they need to examine it further. People have encountered this at parties when they wear S/S Jewelry and the end result appears to be that having stainless steel jewelry is now a status symbol; just like silver has been all along.

S/S Jewelry is the choice of everyone and from teenagers that wish to make a style statement to adults who need something special to look more appealing, there is much to be said in favor of jewelry and stainless steel jewelry is not an exception even though it does not use silver or diamonds or even gold in it. The advantage to using S/S jewelry is that it is not as expensive as the ones made from precious metals and thus its popularity has grown of late.

Stainless steel jewelry allows you to make use of a very fundamental property of S/S and that is its versatility, which means that it suits different needs of different people who may want their jewelry to do for them different things. Thus, where diamond, gold and silver jewelry is only useful for looking showy and plated jewelry lacks in being an adornment that will look good and expensive, S/S Jewelry is something that is useful under all conditions and thus has more utility and so will make for a very appropriate gift as well.

Whether stainless steel jewelry replaces silver is definitely to be debated, but the indications is definitely that the replacement scenario is a strong possibility; something that would make S/S Jewelry the new silver. Once you have decided on owning stainless steel jewelry or want to gift it to someone you will immediately realize that this type of jewelry does not require much maintenance as is the case with the precious metal jewelry pieces which require frequent polishing, and there is also no question of smudging this particular form of jewelry. Now, once you realize the lack of maintenance needs and non-smudging qualities of S/S Jewelry you can gift it to others sure that you are not burdening the recipient with something that will cause them inconvenience.

Another reason why stainless steel jewelry makes for an ideal gift that can suit different occasions is that it is very good when it comes to wear and tear of the jewelry. When considering jewelry made from precious metals, there is always the lurking fear of over using the jewelry, which because S/S is an alloy and thus very durable is not the case with stainless steel jewelry. Thus, when you gift S/S Jewelry you can be sure that the recipient can wear it whenever the desire arises and there is no worry with regard to ruining it either.

Finally, the cost of S/S Jewelry is such that you can afford it and since it does not cost as much as gold or silver, it means you can wear it at any time without needing to worry about the consequences and thus you get more pleasure from owning it. All that you need to do is change your mindset and get used to this novel kind of jewelry that is virtually indestructible and which is carefully made through carving of steel into any type of design, and which does not tarnish either thus making it

Mr. Peter Skubic is man who could hardly be ignored in the jewelry art history in Europe, he was acted as a special jewelry professor in the Cologne Institute of Technology. When traditional gold jewelry are still absolutely dominant in European in the 1960s and 1970s, he boldly got rid of the traditional restrictions, and use stainless steel, a kind of material that never been used in traditional jewelries, he used this material and displayed it as a main theme, as to reveal the special quality and colors of S/S , he want to reflect the material’s aesthetic value instead of the material’s itself value, thus to found a new visual angle of art jewelry.

Skubic’s works have simple styles, distinct masculine qualities emitted from their bodies naturally, it reflected a simplification process of the abstract aesthetics.

As a sort of future material, stainless steel’s special cool qualities could not only give jewelries more style feelings, also could stand the test of time and ever young.

I’m a Chinese girl, I love all beautiful, fashion and artistic things, and I’d like to introduce and display an excellent selection of China fine art, handicrafts, jewelry, home decorations, gifts and fashion accessories to you, also give you great suggestions about gift ideas and introduce you the latest fashion trends in China.

Egypt

The use of gold jewelry can be dated back to Egypt 3000 BC. Gold was the preferred metal for jewelry making during ancient times. It was rare, it was easy to work with, and it never tarnished.

Magnificent bracelets, pendants, necklaces, rings, armlets, earrings, collars, and head ornaments were all produced in ancient Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs. In 1922 Howard Carter’s excavations led to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and many gold artifacts, all showing the art work of ancient Egypt.

Greece

In ancient Greece, gold beads in the shape of shells, flowers and beetles were very common. In Northern Greece beautiful necklaces and earrings have been excavated from burial.

By 300 BC the Greeks were using gems such as emeralds, garnets, amethysts and pearls. They also created colored glass stones and enamel stones. Carved agate cameos and gold filigree work were widely made.

Italy

The Italian Etruscans produced granulated textured gold work. They made very large, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. They were also known for producing hollow gold pendants that were filled with perfume. Even today the Italians are still known for the quality gold jewelry.

Rome

The Romans used 18 and 24 carat gold for their coins. Coinage gold was readily available so it was popular with craftsmen for decorative jewelry. Over 2000 years ago the Romans were using sapphires, emeralds, garnets, and amber in their jewelry.

Europe.

During the 13th century the Medieval Sumptuary Laws were enacted which put a cap on luxurious jewelry and clothing. The town folk of France, banned from wearing girdles made from pearls or any other gemstone.

They were also banged from wearing gold or silver. Similar laws existed in England banning artisans from wearing gold and silver. These laws show how fine jewelry had spread beyond nobility to the town folk.

For as long as mankind has existed gems and jewels have been used as token of ones love for another. While many pieces of jewelry existed adorned with fine gems and made from precious metals, there was also some very good fake jewelry.

True gemstones and pearls originated in the east and they were bought mainly by the Italians. The Italian merchants then sold the jewelry to the Europeans.

High quality glass imitations were often used and sold with the intent to deceive. These high quality glass stones were often used in the Royal funeral robes and in children’s jewelry.

Valued more than gemstones, were the flawless, round, natural white pearls. South India provided some of the finest pearls. The Italians were able to make quality imitation glass gems and pearls that could only be identified by a gemologist.

There is historical proof that recipes for false pearls existed as far back as 1300. White powdered glass was mixed with albumen and snail slime to produce imitation pearls.

Earrings and Dress Jewelry

During the 17th century woman always wore earrings, whether they were dressed or undressed. It was very acceptable to wear faux pearls and paste gem earrings during the day saving fine diamond jewelry and gem jewelry for evening attire.

Dress ornamentation decreased in size. Sleeves or skirts were often decorated with matching brooches.

During the 16th it was very fashionable to wear large quantities of pearls. Both jewelry to clothing accessories were adorned with pearls.

During the 17th century Jaquin of Paris patented a method of making fake pearls. Hollow blown glass balls were coated with varnish mixed with iridescent ground fish scales. The hollow balls were then filled with wax to strengthen them. This discovery made Paris the main producer of faux pearls for well over 200 years.

Paste is a compound of glass containing white lead oxide and potash. Paste jewelry was very common in the later part of the 17th century. The highest quality and most long lasting paste jewelry was produced after 1734 by Georges Strass.

Paris lead the production of faux gems [paste] and faux pearls. Just about any kind of fake gem could be made, including fake opals.

After 1760 the production of fake jewelery spread to London and to Birmingham. During the industrial revolution steel was produced in large quantities so it was easily available. It was ues for setting marcasite and jasper ware cameos. Glass and Wedgwood porcelain paste cameos were made in English factories and were also very popular.

The fashion from this era also included ornate shoe buckles of paste, steel and tin, elaborate paste jewel buttons, as well as semi precious for day wear.

Empire Jewelry

In 1804 Napoleon emerged as Emperor of France, resulting in a revival of jewelry and fashion as a new court of pomp.

‘Joailliers’ worked fine jewelry and ‘bijoutiers’ used less precious materials.

The members of the new French imperial family had the former French royal family gems re-set into the latest neo-classical style. The new trends soon found their way to Europe, particularly England. The main influence for design was the Greek and Roman.

Parures and Cameos

Parures were a matching suite of coordinating precious gems which could include a necklace, a comb, a tiara, a diadem, a bandeau, a pair of bracelets, pins, rings, drop earrings or and cluster stud earrings and possibly a belt clasp.

A full parure consisted of a minimum of four pieces. A demi parure consisted of three or less pieces. Both Josephine and Napoleon’s second wife had magnificent parures.

Once Napoleon’s cameo decorated coronation crown was seen, cameos became the rage. Cameos were carved from hard stone, conch shells and even from Wedgwood porcelain.

Victorian Jewelry

In 1837 when Queen Victoria came to the throne jewelry was romantic and nationalistic. It focused on European folk art, which later influenced the Arts and Crafts Movement. Until mid century most western jewelry came from Europe, with some jewelry being produced in North America and Australia.

Mass production of mid Victorian jewelry in Birmingham, Germany and Providence, Rhode Island resulted in lower jewelry standards. Victorian women rebelled when they saw some the poor quality of much of this machine made jewelry.

Woman rebelled by wearing no jewelry at all, or buying from the emerging artist craftsman. Some jewelers like Tiffany recognized a niche market and began to make fine jewelry of a very high standard, opening shops in main European cities.

Mourning Jewelry

During the Victorian era mourning jewelry was very fashionable. The initial months of mourning were unadorned by jewelry of any kind. As the mourning rituals increased, mourning jewelry developed as a fashion item. Queen Victorian wore a great deal of jet mourning jewelry after Prince Albert’s death.

Jet from Whitby, North of England was set into mourning pieces. All types of material that were black were used and almost all included a lock of the dead loved one’s hair. Hair was also plaited, braided or twisted very tightly until it became hard and thread like.

Arts and Crafts Jewelry

During the 1870s the Arts and Crafts movement evolved as a reaction to mass produced shoddy goods and inferior machine made products which were a result of the industrial revolution.

William Morris and John Ruskin were both leaders of the arts and crafts movement in England. They promoted simple Arts and Crafts of designs based on floral, primitive or Celtic forms worked as wallpapers, furniture and jewelry.

The polished stones used in Arts and Crafts jewelry gave a medieval, simpler, gentler, tooled hand made look and feel to items.

Art Nouveau

The Art Nouveau followed the arts and crafts movement resulting in a new jewelry look. The movement began in Paris and its influence went throughout the Western world. Art nouveau jewelry had curves, sinuous organic lines of romantic and imaginary dreaminess.

It was very ethereal turning into winged bird and flower forms. French, René Lalique was the master goldsmith of the era of Art Nouveau producing exquisite one off pieces. Today, the Art Nouveau style is still admired, sought after, and copied.

Pearls

Various combinations of pearl necklaces come in and out of fashion with regularity so pearls too are a must. Today pearls are still a wardrobe essential. Both faux pearls and cultured pearls are very affordable today.

Since the opening of trade with China in the 1990s, many pearls are imported from China dropping the price to about 1/3 of what it was prior to China entering the market.

The Japanese have suffered disease in their pearl beds as well as facing competition and are finding it hard to compete with China’s prices.

Pearl necklaces and pearl earrings can lift a complexion and bring light and radiance to the face taking years off a woman whatever her age. They have been a wardrobe staple for centuries, and a wedding attire tradition.

Cultured pearls have become very affordable, and faux pearls are very cheap and the quality can be excellent. Currently Pearls are a very “hot” fashion statement and with the modern twist of being interspaced on gold wire or floating on special synthetic cord they are essential to the millennium look.

Cocktail Jewelry

During the 1920s Lalique mass produced and designed high quality glass jewelry. Fake, or costume jewellery was sometimes then called cocktail jewelry.

Costume or Cocktail jewelry was greatly influenced by designers such as Coco Chanel, and Elsa Shiparelli as well as a host of other designers. These two designers were particularly known for encouraging clients to mix their fine jewelry and costume jewelry. Both designers offered imagination and fun and both often sported fabulous fakes.

In the late 1930s Napier of the USA was at the forefront of manufacturing fake cocktail jewelry offer glamour and escapism. Today, Napier still produces excellent contemporary costume pieces.

Hollywood Influence

By the 1940s and 1950s American culture was very dominant in Europe. The influence of movie films and the prominence of film stars set the fashion stage for womens make-up, hair and wardrobe.

People wanted copies of outfits and jewelry worn by the actresses. Women believed that the glamour of Hollywood would rub off on them if they dressed and looked like the glamorous Hollywood actresses.

During the Second World War metals were rationed, halting the production of fine jewelry. Quality costume jewelry picked up the now defunct fine jewelry market. Costume jewelry flourished becoming an acceptable alternative to fine jewelry.

1980′s Television Influences Jewelry

During the 1980s with the evolution of glitzy television soaps such as Dynasty and Dallas, costume jewelry once again became a “hot” fashion statement. With over 250 million viewers, it didn’t take long for costume jewelry to be reborn.

Glitz and sparkle by day was not only acceptable, it became the norm. Earrings grew to an unbelievable size, as did other pieces of jewelry. By the 1990s this sparkly dazzling jewelry phenomena was dead, replace with tiny real diamond studs or a fine stud pearls.

21st Century Jewelry

For the 21st century women believe a mix is good. Fine jewelry combined with costume jewelry are wardrobe essentials. The sophisticated women of this century know what they want from their jewelry and how to wear it to make their fashion statement.

They recognize that costume jewelry can liven up their wardrobe. The types and quality of costume jewelry has grown enormously. Today one can purchase what is classified as fine costume jewelry which is usually plated at least seven times with 10 22 ct gold.

Swarovski crystal set in gold are common accessories, and cubic zirconium, man’s imitation diamond, can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of real diamonds allowing every women to add diamond styled jewelry to their wardrobe.

Ciro, Adrian Buckley, Butler and Wilson, Swarovski Crystal Jewelry Napier, Joan Rivers, Joan Collins, Christian Dior, California Crystal, Property of A Lady and of course Kenneth J Lane to name just a few continue to produce high quality fashion jewelry for today’s women.

Costume jewelry can take you from the board room to a night out of dining and dancing to your most intimate evening. It can make you look your best for your wedding, or a day at the beach. You can make Your Fashion Statement With Costume Jewelry!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. So stop by and visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/ We’ll help you make your fashion statement! Remember looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Find out what mens jewelry is in, what to buy for a loved one and more!

People often associate the term “jewelry” with something a woman possesses and covets. Yet for centuries mens jewelry has been fashionable and popular among elite and average men alike. Kings and Pharaohs in ancient times wore jewelry as a symbol of power and prestige. Whether a member of a tribe, team, work group or family many men wore rings as a symbol of their belonging or achievement.

Jewels and jewelry have been coveted since the beginning of time, as symbols of power, richness, beauty, commitment and even pride. Just as princesses and Queen’s of old fell under the spell of sparkling gems, so too have men fallen under the tempting promise a precious metal offers.

History shows that men have worn jewels and rings for a variety of reasons. Most jewelry serves as an aesthetically pleasing accompaniment to a wardrobe or fashionable figure. Yet mens jewelry has also served functional purposes, including describing a male’s social status, place in society and of course, marital status.

Men’s Wedding Bands

Mens wedding bands are among the most common form of mens jewelry purchased. The tradition of offering a double ring or mens wedding bands at a wedding ceremony can be traced back to the mid 1940s in the United States. At this time jewelry manufacturers popularized the idea of offering a groom’s wedding band as the perfect accompaniment to the ladies wedding ring. The idea of a groom’s ring however, existed long before advertisers popularized it. In fact, consumers had already bought into the idea that a groom’s ring symbolized much more than marriage, but also male prosperity and stability.

Among the more common and popular forms of mens jewelry on the market today is the mens diamond wedding band. Many gentlemen prefer to purchase a dual wedding set featuring a mens diamond wedding band and ladies diamond wedding ring. Mens wedding bands are often much thicker than women’s. Though many men prefer jewelry that is subtle and less adorned, others prefer mens wedding bands that are ornate and intricate.

Accessories

There is no end to the jewelry accessories available to today’s modern man. Mens jewelry often comes with complementary mens jewelry boxes made to hold a collection of cherished pieces. In fact, many men have so many necklaces, rings and bracelets one might consider mens jewelry boxes the ideal gift.

Other more common accessories offered in the mens jewelry category include the following:

Cufflinks
Bracelets
Money Clips
Rings
Watches
Earrings
Chains

There is virtually nothing one can buy a woman that they can’t buy a man when it comes to fashionable and tasteful mens jewelry. Don’t be surprised to find many women out shopping for mens jewelry, a trend that is increasingly more popular as men continue to grow in their love of jewels and precious accessories. Why not? Who doesn’t want to adorn their bodies with precious gems and sparkling gifts that say, I’m strong, I’m powerful, I’m handsome.

Finding Quality Men’s Jewelry

Finding quality mens jewelry isn’t difficult at all. More and more consumers are turning to the internet, buying mens jewelry online rather than in traditional department stores. The benefits of buying mens jewelry online are obvious. A consumer can browse thousands of unique and detailed selections, from mens wedding bands, bracelets, watches and more. Why not shop from the comfort of your home?

Consumers should be looking for several things when shopping online, particularly if buying a mens diamond wedding band. When it comes to diamonds, there are several important indicators of quality including cut, color, clarity and carat. Cut refers to the shape of the diamond; there are several different cuts available including:

Round
Oval
Pear
Marquis
Emerald

Color of course refers to the color of the stone; not all diamonds are clear. In fact, most are a definitive color such as yellow, blue or green. All diamonds have hints of some color in them. When a mens diamond wedding ring shows little evidence of flaws, the clarity is good. The weight of the stone of course is the carat, and price often reflects this valuable assessment.

Other signs of quality in mens jewelry include price, craftsmanship and originality. Antique jewelry is an oft popular option for men looking for something unique or one of a kind. Most antique jewelry offers quality that is time tested and trustworthy.

Tips for Maintaining Men’s Jewelry

Once you’ve found the perfect piece of jewelry, you have to care for it properly so that it lasts a lifetime. The best way to do this is to clean the jewelry frequently to remove built up dirt. The best substances to clean a mens wedding band with are jewelry cleaning solutions or alcohol. These same products can be used on other pieces, such as cufflinks, clips and bracelets. You can clean most mens jewelry with a soft bristled toothbrush. Also remember to bring the jewelry in to a jeweler on occasion, particularly if you have purchased a mens diamond wedding band. The jeweler will be able to inspect the jewelry for loose prongs or damage to the ring. Lastly, mens jewelry should always be kept in a mens jewelry box. The kitchen counter or dresser top is no place for valuable gems!

A Final Word on Men’s Jewelry

When buying mens jewelry, be sure you take enough time to look at the wide selection available. Take your time. Remember that shopping for jewelry can be fun. Find the right piece, and you can pass it down from generation to generation. You even have the option of customizing jewelry to match your own unique personality and style preferences. When it comes to mens jewelry, the options are limitless. Masculinity, femininity, pride and personality… all have the potential to shine with the help of a jewel or two.

About The Author:

Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as online jewelry stores, mens jewelry, and mens wedding bands.

Are you a jewelry maker or designer looking for new ways to market your jewelry? There’s no doubt about it! A jewelry design business takes time especially if you exhibit at craft and jewelry shows which require preparation and travel. This can take precious time away from jewelry design and production. Your first love is jewelry design and you’d like to spend more time designing and less time focused on jewelry marketing. Is there a solution?

For some jewelry makers and designers, the answer is to enlist the services of a sales rep. A jewelry sales rep is a traveling sales person who carries several independent lines of jewelry that he or she markets to various boutiques and galleries. The sales rep is paid a commission by the jewelry designer of between 10% to 20% of the wholesale price. For example, if a bracelet sells for a retail price of $100, the store pays $50.00 for the item. Out of that $50.00 you pay the rep $7.50, assuming a commission rate of 15%. This may sound like a lot, but you have to consider the cost savings of not traveling as well as the time savings of being able to spend more time in your studio producing jewelry.

A sales rep can also help you reach a national audience by exhibiting your designs at trade shows in large cities. This can be a very rewarding arrangement for you as the jewelry designer. Your jewelry is marketed in a professional manner and you never have to leave your studio.

An additional benefit of having a rep is that a rep can keep you abreast of jewelry design trends and give you updates on what’s selling and what’s not. A jewelry rep can also suggest potential modifications to your jewelry line based on her experience in the marketplace. This may result in increased sales for you.

In order to successfully sell your jewelry through a sales rep, you’ll need:

Price lists for your jewelry neatly printed up to give to the rep. Actual catalogue sheets are usually unnecessary since the rep will have samples of your individual jewelry pieces.

A statement of your terms of sale including your return policy.

Clarification of your shipping terms. Which carrier will ship your jewelry and any special shipping bonuses such as free shipping with a minimum purchase. You should also make a statement about when items will be shipped. i.e. within 3 days etc.

A brief biography of your jewelry design experience that the rep can use to promote your work. Consider including a photo on your bio to personalize it.

Representative samples of your jewelry line for the rep to show retailers. An accurate record should be kept of what samples were given to the rep as well as when they should be returned and what is owed in the event that samples are lost. (which hopefully won’t happen!)

Once you’ve determined you’d like to work with a rep, how do you go about locating one? Here are some suggestions:

1. Check the classified sections of various jewelry and gift trade journals. Jewelry reps often advertise here when they’re seeking new accounts. Try checking the classified section of Lapidary Journal. Another good source is Accessories Magazine, a specialized trade journal for the jewelry and accessories business.

2. Attend jewelry trade shows in large cities such as New York, Boston, and Chicago. Jewelry reps exhibit their lines at these trade shows in order to attract new boutique accounts. Walk through the show and find reps who are displaying lines of jewelry that are somewhat similar to your own in price and style. When you find one, take a business card so you can contact the rep later to discuss carrying your line of jewelry. Important! These shows are for the trade only so you’ll probably be asked to show your credentials.

3. Visit jewelry marts and showrooms in New York City where reps display. Again, get their contact information.

4. Find retailers in your area who carry jewelry similar to yours. Ask if they have a rep who calls upon them. See if you can get their contact information.

5. Network with other jewelry artisans who market their jewelry through reps.

6. Advertise for a rep through one of the jewelry trade journals.

7. Contact The United Association Manufacturers’ Representatives who will help you locate a rep for a fee.

Once you’ve found a rep you’d like to work with, be sure to get answers to the following questions:

How long have you been in the business?

How many jewelry lines do you carry?

What is your commission rate?

Do you have a list of references? (request to see them)

What territory do you cover?

How many accounts do you service?

You also want to make sure you have a rep that carries lines of jewelry similar to yours in style and price range. If you sell high end artisan jewelry, you don’t want to enlist the services of a jewelry rep who carries lower end, mass produced jewelry. It’s also important that you feel comfortable with the rep you’re dealing with and have a good line of communication.

Jewelry marketing through a rep can be a profitable and satisfying means of bringing your designs to the public. Plus, it can free up your time to be a more creative and productive jewelry designer. Why not see if a jewelry rep would be right for your jewelry business?

Kristie Leong M.D. specializes in helping handmade jewelry designers find new markets for their jewelry. She publishes a blog and has website full of information on jewelry marketing at http://www.jewelry-marketing.com

Shopping for Inexpensive Yet Brilliant Pieces

History of Beaded Jewelry

Beads have been used to create jewelry and adorn costumes since the dawn of time. If you were to look back on the Ice Age you would discover small objects crafted of natural “beads” including animal bones and teeth, seashells and colorful stones. These items were usually attached to clothing or plant fibers to form the most primitive forms of beaded jewelry.

Beaded jewelry symbolizes many different things for different people; different cultures have associated beads with varying spiritual beliefs, cultural customs and social traditions. Beads, like many other jewelry items, have been used throughout time to adorn the bodies of men and women alike, signifying power, beauty and the human spirit.

The very first actual “beads” that have been discovered date back to approximately 38,000 BC. Made by cavemen, these beads were crafted from animal parts. In later times, beads were crafted as symbols of fertility and animal spirits.

During the stone age, beads were crafted primarily as a means of adorning the body; they were also used for trading on occasion however. A couple thousand years later, beads were crafted out of coral and other “precious” substances. In ancient Greece there is evidence that carnelian beads and beads made of lapis lazuli were worn by wealthy members of society. The use of semi-precious stone beads began to become more popular about 2800 BC among the Syrians, who fashioned beads of materials like agate and serpentine.

Since that time beaded jewelry has become more and more valuable and popular. Gold and other semi-precious stones are often used to craft beaded jewelry.

Perhaps the most popular form of beaded jewelry is glass jewelry. Evidence of the first glass beads suggests that glassmaking was common in Mesopotamia around 2180 BC. Glass beads were popular then and are popular now in part because of their durability and inexpensive pricing. The Egyptian and Phoenician cultures are well known for their use of glass to make beaded jewelry. Beaded jewelry was commonly found buried with wealthy pharaohs in the ancient tombs of Egypt, though it was not uncommon for glass beads to be buried with poor families as well.

In modern times beaded jewelry is popular because of its versatility and diversity. Beads can be crafted from almost any material including the following:

Coral/seashells
Gemstones
Glass
Rock Crystal
Gold
Silver
Stone
Pearls

Beads can even be crafted out of plastic (though this is of course less lovely than some other more traditional options). Though in times of old beads served as symbols of status, wealth and heritage, today beaded jewelry is more much representative of a persons unique style preferences and personality. Beaded jewelry can be custom made in almost any style, using any type of chain and any type/combination of beads.

Beaded jewelry is just as popular today, if not more popular than it was in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian times. Buying online is easy, and perhaps the best option for bead savvy and not so savvy consumers alike. Buying online eliminates the hassle of traveling from store to store, which can take days or more to find the right beads or beaded jewelry. By shopping online, you have literally tens of thousands of unique selections to choose from. Though no longer traded for food, modern jewelry enthusiasts often engage in bead trading for fun and camaraderie.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry is sometimes referred to as “fake jewelry” by some well meaning but unknowing individuals. Costume jewelry is crafted from among other items, rhinestones, glass stones and gold plated metal or sterling silver. Costume jewelry first surfaced in the United States around the early twenties; it was very popular among European immigrants that settled into the states during this time. Movie stars and common folk alike wore costume jewelry that was carefully crafted and ornamentally designed.

Costume jewelry, particularly antique pieces, are well worth their weight in gold. Many hand crafted pieces can fetch thousands of dollars on the open market. There are some designers that are more well known than others in the world of costume jewelry:

Napier
Nettie Rosenstein
Ciner
Hattie Carnegie
Miriam Haskell

Even celebrities currently invest thousands of dollars on costume jewelry every year. Because unique pieces are harder to come buy and rarely mass produced anymore, some pieces created in the early 30s to late 40s can be hard to find. More common are pieces that were created in the 1960s or later. Costume jewelry is fun in part because the wearer is at liberty to make a bold statement. Not modest, most costume jewelry shouts out “here I am, look at me!” An excellent choice for the bold and daring, costume jewelry can be a wonderful accessory to just about any wardrobe.

Costume jewelry collecting has even become a favorite pastime among many jewelry enthusiasts, much like beaded jewelry trading and collecting. The appeal of both of these styles is their uniqueness and diversity. Though in some instances hard to find, costume jewelry can be easily explored via online shopping. When buying online, be sure to have in mind a price range and style before shopping. The selection available online might leave you a bit overwhelmed.

If you collect costume jewelry, you might be wondering just how much it is worth. Just as there are popular designers for look and feel, some designers work is more valuable than others, including:

Ciner
Marel Boucher
Eisenberg
Hobe
Kramer
Vogue
Hollycraft
Monet
Coro
Kenneth J. Lane

These precious gems are often marked when crafted.

Cubic Zirconia Jewelry

Cubic zirconia jewelry has to be among the most popular inexpensive “knock off” jewelry items to buy. Part of the appeal of cubic zirconia jewelry is its remarkable ability to look exactly like real diamond jewelry. Most cubic zirconia is hard to distinguish from its natural cousins.

The widespread use of cubic zirconia became popularized around the 1980s, when it first became mass produced. It is created through a chemical process that combines zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide, which when melted together form a radiant and shiny crystal resembling a natural diamond.

Most cubic zirconia jewelry is very durable, brilliant and long lasting. Some people have to look at a cubic zirconia under a powerful magnifying glass to distinguish it from a real diamond, a testament to its quality and aesthetic appeal. If you are looking for a clear, brilliant and inexpensive option to traditional diamond jewelry, don’t hesitate to shop a wide selection of cubic zirconia jewelry. Buying online provides the most advantages, because there is a wider selection and you have the ability to customize your pieces with the click of a button.

About The Author:
Successful freelance writer, Antigone Arthur has completed a number of informative articles providing valuable insight for consumers on such topics as beaded jewelry, costume & vintage jewelry, and cubic zirconia jewelry.

When we talk about jewelry, it’s usually in reference to women because they wear more jewelry, they buy more jewelry for themselves and they receive more jewelry as gifts. However, there has been a marked growth in the men’s jewelry market of late. In fact, a 2004 survey by a jewelry industry group found 62 percent of women thought men’s jewelry attractive or sexy; 40 percent said men should wear more jewelry — more than just wedding rings.

Asked why men should wear more jewelry, over half the responding women called it a sign of confidence and success or showed the man cared about his looks. Nearly one-third said jewelry just looks nice against his skin. Clearly, men’s bling-bling is cool, and this men’s jewelry guide includes some basic information on what options are available, so that you can add just the right bling to your fashion wardrobe.

What you need to know

The first rule for a man’s jewelry is “Don’t overdo.” Maybe Mr. T. can wear enough gold chains and earrings to finance a small country, but we all pity the fool who tries to match T’s trademark fashion statement!

Among precious metals, gold and silver jewelry remain the most popular, but platinum is gaining fast, and industrial metals — stainless steel, titanium and tungsten — have debuted to rave reviews. When surveyed on what manly jewelry was attractive, watches score top marks. Rings and necklaces tied for second and, in third place, cuff-links and bracelets were almost even. Earrings and body jewelry round out the top vote-getters.

Rings

Men’s rings declare a man’s personality and his increasing success. Men can have anything from simple, unadorned bands to the fanciest designer rings. For those on a budget, a modest cubic zirconia ring set in silver tone or gold tone makes a great start; it can easily be traded up to sparkling diamond rings or gemstone rings later on. You can also choose the traditional settings (precious metals) or you can jump into something modern (the industrial metals) which, because of their durability, have become new symbols of strength and energy.

When wedding bells ring, everyone knows the bride gets almost all the attention, but why should she get all the ice? Grooms’ rings can be a simple band with a diamond accent, or a big, hefty ring sparkling with diamond studs. Love (and marriage) should last forever, so this is definitely the time to spend what you must to get the wedding band you really want without worrying about the price. Sales and deep discounts are always available, you just have to look for them.

Necklaces or Chains

Men’s necklaces (more often called neck chains or just chains) generally run from 18 to 24 inches in length. This is enough to get around husky necks, but not so much that the chain extends below the sternum, where many women’s necklaces drop. Correctly, a necklace or chain is the links or woven wires without ornaments attached. The things that hang on the chain are “pendants” or “medallions.” Usually, pendants are sold on chains, but not always. All these terms are used interchangeably, so be sure to read descriptions carefully and know exactly what you’re buying.

Dog tags seem to be the most popular men’s necklaces right now, but religious jewelry, unadorned gold or silver chains are also in fashion, and probably always will be. Most men avoid large pendants, but defining “large” is strictly an individual choice.

Cuff Links

Cuff links may be the most limited men’s jewelry item; you can only wear them with a French-cuff shirt, but that simply makes them more noticeable when they are on. What they lack in versatility, they make up for with diversity. This puts them among the most-frequently gifted men’s jewelry.

Cuff links come with professional symbols, team logos, classical and abstract art motifs; they are available in every metal and accented with every type of gemstone. They even come in glass and crystal. Cuff links are a chance for a man to show off his work, his ethnicity, his hobby or anything else about himself, while also showing his elegant good taste. It is an opportunity to display fine jewelry that no man should pass up, especially a man wearing a French cuff shirt (think about it).

Bracelets

A few years ago, men’s bracelets were rare, but times have changed; men’s bracelets are in! Gold bracelets — yellow gold, white gold, two-tone gold, etc. — are probably the most common with silver, especially sterling silver, close behind. Other metals are getting into the mix while, for some, the leather bracelet will always be the only choice. It really is a what-you-want-is-what-you-get opportunity for displaying personal fashion style.

The ID bracelet is a perennial favorite, although the name is a bit misleading. It’s any wrist chain with an engraving plate. You can engrave your name (some of us must be that forgetful or we wouldn’t buy so many!), wife’s name (with birthday or anniversary dates for that absent-minded crowd), alma mater or personal slogan; all are good choices. If you have a medical condition, medical alert bracelets are great, especially those with a small compartment to contain vital information — doctor’s name, allergies, medications, etc.

Earrings

Ever wonder why pirate movies are full of guys wearing an earring? It was to pay for the funeral, should they get shipwrecked and wash ashore dead. Happily, this is not something 21st Century men need worry about. Men’s earrings began to be popular again a few years ago among specific groups, but they have since become widely accepted as “legitimate” men’s jewelry (whatever that’s means). Men’s earrings have a distinct advantage over women’s earrings; since most men wear only one, the earring dollar stretches twice as far!

“A basic diamond stud for the basic stud” may not be very PC, but it’s a good enough rule, and certainly not written in stone; hoop earrings, dangle earrings, drop earrings, any kind of metal or gemstone, makes the right earring if the wearer is happy with it.

Money Clips

Nothing beats the feeling of pulling a money clip full of bills out of your pocket (unless it’s having so many bills they don’t fit in said money clip!). Money clips are the minimalist way to carry cash and are increasing in popularity as cash is increasingly replaced by debit cards. Sound odd? It isn’t, some new money clips are designed to carry both cash and cards in a safe, compact format. If truly elegant fashion is the look you’re after, a money clip is worth having. Hey, want to really protect your paper and plastic? Get a money clips in titanium or tungsten.

Religious

Whatever form your faith takes, you can express that faith with men’s religious jewelry that is as beautiful as it is affordable. From the cross to the Star of David to Asian charms, the selection is as wide as human philosophy. Some jewelry icons have grown to transcend any specific church or religion: Many people are sure they have a guardian angel watching over them, and you don’t have to be a Druid to be fascinated by a Celtic knot. From a claddagh to a patron saint medal to spiritual jewelry from the four corners of the world, a necklace, bracelet or ring featuring your personal icons is as ecumenical as it is affordable.

How do I care for jewelry?

Store jewelry in individual pouches or separate compartments in jewelry boxes when possible. Keep away from harsh chemicals or activities. If the pieces are set with a gemstone or other adornments, always keep their needs and fragilities in mind when cleaning the setting. An annual, professional cleaning by a jeweler is recommended.

Wearing silver jewelry frequently prevents a lot of tarnish, but silver must be cleaned occasionally. Commercial polishes or polishing cloths work best when tarnish first appears. Gold and platinum jewelry require less maintenance, but the occasional thorough cleaning is a good idea. Any gold-plated or silver-plated jewelry can chip and does eventually wear through, so have it replated every few years to keep it looking its best. These are soft metals that do wear down and there’s nothing that can prevent it. Even deep engraving or castings will look a bit weathered after a few decades. One reason platinum is hot these days is its durability; it wears down so slowly, you probably won’t life long enough to notice any.

Titanium, tungsten and stainless steel jewelry won’t ever wear down under normal use, but it should be cleaned now and then with a simple soak in warm, soapy water or detergent and wipe down with a soft cloth. Do not use harsh abrasives on stainless; they can damage its natural protective oxide coat. Gemstones can be easily cleaned with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap mixed with water. Don’t scrub too hard, however, some gems are soft enough they could be damaged.

Should I get my jewelry appraised?

When making any major purchase, an independent appraisal (an estimate of value by a third party) is a good idea. Unlike many other countries, the US government doesn’t certify appraisers; it is done by industry organizations. Certified appraisers are generally reliable, but frauds and forgeries can be found in any industry where serious money is involved. Since jewelry provides an excellent means for passing wealth from generation to generation — as estate jewelry — an appraisal might be required for tax or insurance purposes, but never think of jewelry simply as an investment or an heirloom. Fine jewelry is fashion jewelry — wear it and enjoy it!

———-
Phoenix Roberts has been a journalist, freelance writer and desktop publisher for over 10 years. His work has appeared in local, regional and national publications and he’s worked for numerous corporate, community and political clients. Presently, he is an SEO Content Writer for Internet discount retailer Overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com).
(C)2008 Overstock.com–All Rights Reserved.

The jewelry sales representative will make it sound easy to do, and hosting a jewelry home show can be simple, but if you want to maximize sales, and therefore, the amount of free jewelry you can earn from the show, then you will find the following checklist helpful.

SELECTING A DATE AND TIME

The date and time of your jewelry party can help increase sales. A month or even two months before graduation, Christmas, or any gift-giving holiday can catch your guests already in the mood to shop. Booking a show well-timed for winter holidays can be tricky, however. I attended a jewelry show in early October, and all available booking times for holiday delivery were already taken, so plan early if you want the extra boost of Christmas and Holiday jewelry sales. If you are lucky enough to be at a poolside party in July, don’t delay, book your November or December show then!

The day of week and time are to be considered also. During football season, a Sunday afternoon party may be very good timing, with many women wanting to escape their armchair athlete men-folk for a couple of hours. Super Bowl Sunday might be an exception to this example. Saturday is often “errand day” for working women, so late in the afternoon, around cocktail hour could be auspicious timing. A 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. party can be the last stop before going home to prepare for the evening. Saturday evening can also be an enjoyable time to host a party, depending upon the mix of guests you plan to invite. If your invitees are available during the weekday, morning jewelry home shows can be a welcome break from routine.

Generally the duration of a party is two hours. Your friends may want to stay until late hours; however, the sales associate will want to pack up and go home after a couple of hours, and generally speaking, two hours is plenty of time for everyone to browse, try on the jewelry samples, and place their orders.

DEFINE YOUR ROLE AS HOSTESS

Once you have booked your home show jewelry party, take a few minutes for yourself and define your role. Some sales representatives will supply you with invitations, postcards, and a guideline on how you can prepare for your show. When invitations are supplied, the hostess is expected to address and mail her invitations. At a recent Silpada jewelry party, the sales representative stated that she only needed the guest list and addresses, and she would address and mail the invitations. This is less work and much more convenient for the hostess, and the representative can build her mailing list at the same time.

You will be encouraged to promote your upcoming party. Do what you are comfortable doing. Not everyone is P.T. Barnum.

BUILD AN INVITATION LIST

The invitation list needs careful thought, especially with something like jewelry, which for most people is a luxury, not a necessity. Even though there is no obligation to buy, once a guest arrives and starts to look, the expectation of an order will grow, and not all jewelry shows offer the token item, affordable to all.

If you know of someone who is looking for a source of income, and they seem suitable for sales, then they might want to attend to learn more about joining the company as a sales associate. This can benefit the hostess because many companies will reward the hostess with extra products or credits if someone signs on as a result of their show.

Draw names from many places in your social network, including co-workers, church friends, fellow teaches, book group associates, neighbors, family members, quilting circle friends, PTA or day care parents, and the like. A mix of people adds interest for everyone. Expect about 30 percent of your guest list to attend your party, so encourage your invitees to bring a friend. It is also a good idea to offer catalogs for outside orders. The sales associate should supply you with as many jewelry catalogs and order forms as you need.

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR THE SHOW AND FOOD TIPS

Generally the RSVP date on a jewelry home show is 2-3 days before the event. This will give the hostess some time to clean house, shop, and prepare food and beverages. In planning what to serve, the following guidelines may be helpful. Keep the food easy to eat in one or two bites. Don’t serve food that requires a fork and plate. If both hands are busy, the guests cannot be trying on jewelry and actively

looking at the display. Let your guests pop a bitesize brownie, cookie or carrot stick with dip and keep shopping!

Don’t offer gooey foods, people will also be handling the jewelry, and you won’t want them to gum it up with buffalo sauce or sticky glazes.

Try a new recipe – if it’s a hit, then you will get to hear the praise and it will help with conversation. If the recipe is a flop, you will have leftovers to feed to the dog.

If it is appropriate for you to do so, offer wine, a spiked punch, or cocktails such as Mimosas, Cosmopolitans, or Peach Bellinis. Mulled cider with rum would be a welcome beverage on a winter’s evening. Offering these as well as coffee, tea and soft drinks will help your guests relax in what could be a stressful situation. It also adds a festival atmosphere. It is a good idea to limit availability of alcoholic beverages.

DISPLAY LOCATION

When you are deciding where to have the jewelry displayed in your home, consider that food, as usual, will draw your guests. If you have an open kitchen/family room area, having the food in proximity to the jewelry display is simple. If you living room is the most suitable for the jewelry presentation, then set out your food in that room, using end tables and your coffee table for food and drinks, and set up a folding table for the jewelry. You could work it the other way, and centralize the food, while spreading the jewelry around the room, but that could invite theft and presents a logistics challenge for the sales associate. The main thing is to keep the traffic flow moving to and from the food and jewelry to keep your guests on their feet and active, and less inclined to find a corner for a long catch-up chat.

LIGHTING

Adequate lighting is very important to jewelry sales. Make sure there is plenty of light to show the details, colors and gems of the jewelry on display, and allow the guests to clearly see themselves when they try on the jewelry samples. The next time you are shopping in a department store, boutique, gallery, or museum store, take note of the lighting, as it can provide a good model for your party.

MIRRORS

Mirrors are a welcome tool at a jewelry show. Chances are the sales associate knows this and will have a stand mirror on the display table; however it is smart to have another one nearby or make sure you welcome your guests to use your bathroom or hall mirror. Mirrors help sell jewelry, so be sure to let the shoppers see how pretty they are wearing a necklace or pair of earrings.

PLACING ORDERS

When it comes to placing orders, your guests and the sales associate will need privacy, so set up a space in a separate room or in a far corner where there is a table or counter top and a couple of places to sit. This will allow for a discrete transaction.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The job as hostess goes a bit beyond opening your home and offering good cheer. Try to keep people focused on the jewelry, even though side conversations are taking place. Staying near the jewelry and keeping the conversation around that area will help people stay nearby. It is not necessary to actively sell the product, but do what you can to prevent setting the sales associate afloat on a social iceberg. Some not-too-loud upbeat music can help with the mood, just as with any party.

DOOR PRIZE SUGGESTION

Often during the stand-up presentation of the company and the jewelry, the sales associate will offer a door prize as an ice breaker. As a good hostess, having a small non-perishable item in hand in case of a mishap will be gratefully appreciated by the sales rep as well as the guest. I attended a party where the chocolate door prize had melted on an unseasonably warm day. The sales rep did recover quickly with a polishing cloth to give instead, however, the hostess might want to consider having a back up item on hand, such as a small packet of tea or coffee, or a small bottle of hand lotion.

All in all, a little planning and logistics considerations will earn sparkling rewards from robust jewelry sales.

TIPS FOR THE SALES ASSOCIATE

Trust – make sure the line you are carrying offers a no-hassle guarantee.

Show up on time. Do not overstay your visit.

Have more than one mirror.

Have a flexible display plan to fit into the many different scenarios you will be encountering. Keep it simple so you can set up and dismantle in a short period of time.

Tastefully wear some of the jewelry from your product line.

Dress neatly. Do not wear perfume; many people have allergies, and perfume can aggravate them.

Keep your presentation short and to the point.

Try to offer a few items on cash & carry basis for those who don’t want to wait for an order to arrive. This may mean having to stock a small amount of inventory, but if they are moderately priced, best-selling items, then you won’t be holding it for long.

Bring a folding table of your own to insure you will have adequate display space.

Bring a lamp so you can be sure to have enough lighting in just the right spot. Perhaps a lampshade can be used to hang jewelry as well as add light to the room.

Offering ideas for matching sets can multiply sales. Not everyone has a knack for mixing complementary jewelry. If you can make it easy, increased sales will most likely be yours.

Offer an incentive to book a show while at the party. Be sure to reward the hostess for bookings placed at the show.

Confirm the party a day ahead to insure the readiness of your venue.

Are you limited to home shows, or are corporate/workplace venues something you are willing to consider? Working people appreciate the opportunity to shop during their lunch hour. This is especially true for those who are unable to leave their building during breaks. The medical community and schools are two examples of this.

TIPS FOR THE JEWELRY MAKER

Construct your jewelry well enough so you can confidently offer a no-hassle guarantee.

If your jewelry is not one-of-a-kind, consider offering some limited edition pieces. Your customers want to buy something special, even it costs a dollar or two more.

Be sure to offer the token easily affordable jewelry item. Ideally you would design one piece in each category you make.

Buy your components from reliable vendors. You want to sell as many of your popular items as you can. A reliable source of supply can provide components when you need them.

Get to know your sales associates. You want to be sure of who is representing your company, and they will appreciate knowing their principal.

Keep your packaging simple and attractive. Stock boxes with a customized hot-stamped logo or name label is adequate.

If you have a catalog, show the images actual size and easy to see.

Make sure your pricing formula insures that hostesses are well-compensated for their time.

Consider offering fundraising program options. Non-profit organizations everywhere need time-saving opportunities to raise capital for their programs.

Be sure to thank your hostess after their home show. Through your sales associate you have been a guest in their home.

Andrea Guyot Twombly is Vice-President of Guyot Bros. Co., Inc., a century old manufacturer of brass jewelry findings for the costume jewelry and related arts trades. Andrea is a member of the Vintage and Fashion Costume Jewelry Asssociation and the American Society of Jewelry Historians. She has also attended and hosted a number of jewelry home shows. The Guyot Brothers website can be found at http://www.guyotbrothers.com

Jewelry making metals are an important part of the jewelry artist studio. The most commonly used metals are probably silver and gold, however there is a variety of jewelry making metals that give the jewelry artist flexibility when they are designing and creating their pieces.

With today’s scientific and technological advances you can integrate many other alloys into your work.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Metals You Want to Work With

Cost is probably the number one factor.

What style of jewelry you design. If you are mostly attracted to silver, you will gravitate towards incorporating silver in your work. There is also the possibility of mixing metals to give definition and texture to a piece of jewelry. Using bi-metals were a layer of gold is fused into sterling silver, can also save money and accomplish the quality you are looking for.

Different metals required the use of alternative equipment. You will need to factor in the amount of money you have to invest in tools and equipments to accomplish the type of jewelry designs you want to create

Metals have a variety of alloys that when added together provide the unique properties of each one.

Silver Alloys: Silver, has the highest thermal conductivity.

? Fine-Silver is about 99.9% pure. In this form it is a lustrous and soft.

? Sterling-Silver is an alloy containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other components, usually copper.

? Argentium Silver is a tarnish resistant silver and firescale free. It is perfectly malleable once annealed, and is almost twice as hard as traditional sterling silver.

Most high quality silver items are stamped with a “fineness” or “quality” mark. This mark designates the content of the jewelry, and under federal law, must be accompanied by a maker’s mark or registered trademark. The most important thing is that silver is more affordable than gold and makes wonderful jewelry!

Pure Gold: is 24 Karats, which is the reason for the high price on jewelry made with 24K.

The solution to making gold consumer-friendly is to mix it with another material, creating an alloy that results in a stronger and frequently less-expensive piece.

Carats (also written as karats and abbreviated as kt) are the measure of the ratio of gold to other metals contained within the alloy. The more gold an alloy contains, the higher the caratage is.

Gold alloys typically span a range from 8 to 18 carats. An 8 carat alloy means that the gold content is 1/3 and an 18 carat piece is 75% gold. Other common caratages of gold jewelry alloys are 10 kt and 14 kt.

? Gold Overlay or Bi-Metal: Gold overlay is an application of gold on a base metal piece. This technique gives an item the expensive look of gold for a fraction of the price. A piece of gold overlay jewelry is always stamped indicating the process and the gold’s karat quality.

? Gold Plate: This technique chemically bonds a layer of gold to a base metal using electrolysis. It is created when the base metal is coated with layer of gold with at least 10 karats.

? Gold Filled: This is the process in which a metal is layered with at least 10-karat gold by using heat and pressure. In order for jewelry to be “gold filled,” the gold content must compose at least 1/20th of the item’s total weight.

? Gold over Silver: This is a gold overlay using a silver base metal. Jewelry made with Silver covered with a layer of yellow gold is considered to be the most luxurious of the bi-metals. You can use this metal with confidence because it is durable and to gives jewelry a more expensive rich look.

Copper: is a great alternative to the skyrocketing prices in the precious metal market. Many jewelry artists and designers have discovered Copper as exciting alternative. Copper jewelry making can be very versatile, not only because of the cost, but also because Copper is one of the easiest metal to work with. Copper is also very pliable and thus easy to cut, form and fold. Copper jewelry making is easier than ever because of the accessibility of the metal. Copper can be found at jewelry supply and metal supply stores. Like many of the other metals, Copper can be purchased in many forms: Wire, sheet, tube, chain, beads and jewelry components.

Platifina: Introduced in 2005, platifina is a new sterling silver alloy comprised of 92.5 percent silver, 1 percent platinum and 6.5 percent other metals (that’s a trade secret). This new alloy creates a metal that is brighter in color than either silver or pure platinum and is guaranteed tarnish-resistant, yet platifina jewelry is much more affordable than platinum jewelry.

Karatium: Alloys are a new family of alloys containing a percentage of gold and have been formulated in response to industry demand for less expensive metals. They are available in Yellow which contains 20% gold, Pink and White options which contain 10% gold as well as a sterling silver alloy which contains 2.5% gold. Although Karatium alloys polish to a high luster much like traditional karat gold alloys, they can be priced considerably less than 10kt gold and are an attractive alternative to gold filled products since they are a true “Alloy” and not a clad product with a base metal layer making up the majority of your jewelry. Karatium alloys also have the advantage over gold filled that the gold layer will never wear off. Karatium alloys are formulated to work well for all jewelry applications and can be cast, formed and fabricated just like karat gold alloys. All Karatium metal jewelry supplies have been formulated for optimum tarnish resistance. These qualities make Karatium a jewelry making material to investigate and experiment with.

Stainless Steel: Has recently gained in popularity as a jewelry making material, Stainless steel was developed in the 19th Century and is a combination of iron-carbon alloy. It has been used in tools, structures and manufacturing. Jewelry artists have recently started using it because its resistance to Its attractive grey color, strength and low cost, has made stainless steel a good alternative metal for making jewelry.

Titanium: Titanium is probably the strongest available. It is an industrial metal that has been recently introduce into the jewelry industry. Titanium has an attractive gray tone and gives jewelry a modern look. It is corrosion, tarnish and discoloration resistant. Titanium can be fabricated into different designs and has become a great alternative for wedding and engagement rings.

Tungsten: Also called wolfram, is formed from super dense alloys and is used in products ranging from golf club heads to weapons. This metal is as strong as steel and about twice the weight, making this metal almost wear proof and a perfect alternative for jewelry making.

Palladium: Is a lustrous silvery white jewelry making material used in electronics, jewelry, and certain other industries. Palladium is considered to be a precious metal. With its bright color and durable nature is the perfect metal to use for wedding jewelry which is expected to keep its appearance for decades.

Bronze: An early copper alloy; so early, in fact, that an entire era – the Bronze Age – was named for it. Bronze was used for making bracelets, ankles, and earrings, and beaded necklaces. Bronze is gaining in popularity because of its color and the easiness to create interesting textures.

Brass: Combine copper with zinc and you see the golden luster of brass. Brass is a malleable, and has a high-luster, that gives it the appearance of gold. Bronze was used primarily to create functional items such as door knobs and picture frames. Brass has now gained in popularity as a metal amongst jewelry designers

Some of the metals, such as, bronze, copper and silver can be etched by using a prepared solution of ferric chloride which also contains hydrochloric acid. This process allows you to create unique textures and designs. Make sure you follow instructions when etching any of these three metals and that you dispose of the solution properly.

Alpaca (Alpacca): Not to be confused with the animal, alpaca is a relatively new metal jewelry making supply, predominantly made of copper alloyed with nickel, zinc, and tin. The reduced expense of alpaca makes it a natural jewelry making material substitute for silver in fashion jewelry.

Pewter: As copper alloyed with tin became bronze, tin alloyed with copper and lead resulted in pewter. Pewter was mostly used in the manufacturing of tableware as well as being a base metal often used for rings and pendants. When polished to a high luster, pewter approaches the elegant sheen of fine silver.

Now that you are familiar with the different types of jewelry making metals, you can begin to enhance you designs.

To learn more about jewelry making visit. http://theartofmakingjewelry.com Jewelry Making Tips and Techniques – A Resource Guide for Artist and Designers. This website was created to share information about the art of making jewelry with other jewelry artist and designers.