Jewellery
Jewellery Cleaning Tips
Most gold jewellery can be cleaned in warm, soapy water and gently brushed using an old toothbrush. Eighteen carat gold and above does not usually become tarnished and is not harmed by household chemicals. Lower carat gold is easily damaged by chlorine based bleach and cleaning products, which can cause stress corrosion cracking.
Platinum can be cleaned in the same way as the high carat golds. The patina that develops over a period of time can be removed by a professional jeweller who will repolish it back to its original high gloss look.
Silver tarnishes easily and the only effective way to clean it is by using proprietary silver cleaning solutions such as a silver dip.
Jewellery manufacturers use ultrasonic cleaning tanks which are a mixture of ammonia and detergent with the ultrasonics providing agitation to speed up the cleaning process. Many jewellery stores now sell small ultrasonic domestic cleaners, but experience has shown they are on a par with the warm, soapy water method and no more effective.
It is very difficult to damage diamonds because of their hardness, but take great care that two do not rub together as they can scratch and cause abrasion to each other. Caked on grease and other dirt on the backs of the stones should be removed with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush, rinsed and dried with a lint free cloth. Also make sure that your diamond jewellery is stored in a jewellery case and individually wrapped.
Gemstones should be treated in the same way as diamonds. But take care when cleaning any sort of stone set jewellery that you do not do this in a washbasin or sink as if any stones loosen they will go straight down the drain.
If you would like to use this article or have any comments about it then please contact me – Gary Ingram 0845 084 1200 – email: gary@thediamondstore.co.uk
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Why A Women Needs So Many Different Types Of Jewellery
The definition of the word “Jewelery” is literally any piece of fine material that someone uses to adorn themselves. It can be made out of almost every substance known to man and has been made to decorate nearly every body part, from hairpins, belly button and toe rings to regal tiaras, diamond rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings. While many of the high-quality pieces are made with gemstones like diamonds and sapphires and precious metals like platinum, the cheaper but very attractive items of costume jewellery are made from less valuable materials and tend to be mass-produced.
With a description that offers such enormous scope, it is no wonder that “a woman can never have enough jewellery”. For example, different pieces are needed to mirror moods: someone feeling flamboyant would probably wear some large pieces like chandelier earrings, a multi coloured gem set pendant and bracelet and colourful three stone ring set with mixed gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires or emeralds. While a quieter mood could be reflected by wearing something like diamond stud earrings and a diamond trilogy ring.
Or it might be that a significant event has occurred in her life: it is pretty obvious why she needs a diamond solitaire engagement and wedding ring, but maybe she has just had a baby – in which case a trinity or eternity ring is the thing to wear. Or she has just had a birthday and is wearing a piece of jewellery which has her birthstone set in it. If her birthday is in May and she is a Gemini for example then emeralds will commemorate this.
Then there are the pieces of jewellery that are given to bring her love and luck; like a diamond handbag pendant, wishbone, horseshoe, heart, lock or four leaf clover. And even if she does not have religious tendencies, diamond crosses are very popular nowadays.
The type of jewellery that a women will wear for work is normally vastly different than what she will put on for a night out. Depending of what she does for a living she will need to consider if the jewellery she is wearing is durable and is easy to clean (claw set diamond solitaire rings can catch if the setting is very high; and diamond pave set jewellery needs more cleaning than a diamond bangle for example). If she has regular contact with important clients and is often in company boardrooms she will probably want to wear something very powerful but understated – a diamond solitaire ring and matching earrings spring immediately to mind here. But if she has a less formal job then there is nothing to stop her donning a pair of chandelier earrings and chunky bracelet.
For the evening “bling” is the thing at the moment and sparkling gemstone jewellery and a cocktail watch are de rigueur. There are some stunning pieces of cocktail jewellery on the market with many top designers lending their names to various ranges.
Hopefully you are now starting to get the picture why a woman needs so many different pieces of jewellery …or it may be just a relaxed evening in with the girls or someone special, when diamond or huggy or hoop earrings, a tennis bracelet and wishbone pendant are comfortable pieces to wear.
For more energetic sports such as shopping (which can be a marathon!), playing tennis or swimming, then comfortable and secure jewellery like diamond stud earrings and a tennis bracelet (with its safety catch) are necessary. These are also the sort of items that she will wear on the beach – but maybe she will add something with a bit more sparkle to catch the sunlight – like diamond and pear or gem set earrings with sapphires and diamonds.
Clever women do not follow fads when collecting expensive items of jewellery, but wear pieces fashioned in materials follows like gold, diamonds and sapphires which have timeless designs and are a sound investment. A huge range less expensive but trendy cocktail jewellery is what she needs to keep up with current fashions.
Unusual settings will create designs with a difference, and sparkling gemstones in unusual combinations with semi-precious stones like rubies will give her jewellery a futuristic look. A lot of smaller diamond pieces can be worn on any occasion with any outfit.
The list goes on and on … by now I am sure you will see that a woman always needs another piece of jewellery … and you cannot go wrong by giving it as a present.
If you would like to use this article or have any comments about it then please contact me – Gary Ingram 0845 084 1200 – email: gary@thediamondstore.co.uk
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Jewellery And Women
Next time you attend a wedding or a party what would you like to wear? Once the dress has been chosen there is no doubt that the accessories complete the overall look.
Would you like to wear that intricate traditional piece passed down from generations? Or would you consider sporting something more contemporary? It might take some time and energy, but isn’t it worth the effort if you could find that one piece that not just accentuates your looks, but defines you for what you are.
Historically, jewellery has always been more than just another decorative piece. It has defined one’s rich heritage, tradition and most importantly stands testimony to the glorious past. But lately it has undergone an interesting change. It has come to define a woman for her innate sensibility. It has come to portray her for what she is, rather than make her play canvas to a design. Jewellery has come to express a woman’s personality. It’s gone personal. It has come of age, or almost so.
“Women increasingly seem to appreciate contemporary designs,” Gary Ingram of The Diamond Store stated about the emerging jewellery trend.
There is, however, a niche crowd market for off-beat jewellery and the trend sure is catching momentum. With an emerging cosmo population that is well-travelled and open to change, the trend speaks volumes about the slow but steady change in the modern woman’s psyche.
Most designers feel that women should understand that jewellery is more than just great design. ”Jewellery has to make you look good, rather than outshine you. Many women just pick up something because their families want them to wear a particular design or a certain gram. And many a times it just does not suit them. Often chubby shortnecked women go for chokers and dusky women go for gold finish when a matte look would have been better on them,” a designer explains.
To summarise, the right piece can define a woman, enhance her beauty and give an insight into her personality. It’s not just about picking a piece, but completing the picture.
If you would like to use this article or have any comments about it then please contact me – Gary Ingram 0845 084 1200 – email: gary@thediamondstore.co.uk
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Women and Jewellery
The definition of the word “Jewelery” is literally any piece of fine material that someone uses to adorn themselves. It can be made out of almost every substance known to man and has been made to decorate nearly every body part, from hairpins, belly button and toe rings to regal tiaras, diamond rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings. While many of the high-quality pieces are made with gemstones like diamonds and sapphires and precious metals like platinum, the cheaper but very attractive items of costume jewellery are made from less valuable materials and tend to be mass-produced.
With a description that offers such enormous scope, it is no wonder that “a woman can never have enough jewellery”. For example, different pieces are needed to mirror moods: someone feeling flamboyant would probably wear some large pieces like chandelier earrings, a multi coloured gem set pendant and bracelet and colourful three stone ring set with mixed gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires or emeralds. While a quieter mood could be reflected by wearing something like diamond stud earrings and a diamond trilogy ring.
Or it might be that a significant event has occurred in her life: it is pretty obvious why she needs a diamond solitaire engagement and wedding ring, but maybe she has just had a baby – in which case a trinity or eternity ring is the thing to wear. Or she has just had a birthday and is wearing a piece of jewellery which has her birthstone set in it. If her birthday is in May and she is a Gemini for example then emeralds will commemorate this.
Then there are the pieces of jewellery that are given to bring her love and luck; like a diamond handbag pendant, wishbone, horseshoe, heart, lock or four leaf clover. And even if she does not have religious tendencies, diamond crosses are very popular nowadays.
The type of jewellery that a women will wear for work is normally vastly different than what she will put on for a night out. Depending of what she does for a living she will need to consider if the jewellery she is wearing is durable and is easy to clean (claw set diamond solitaire rings can catch if the setting is very high; and diamond pave set jewellery needs more cleaning than a diamond bangle for example). If she has regular contact with important clients and is often in company boardrooms she will probably want to wear something very powerful but understated – a diamond solitaire ring and matching earrings spring immediately to mind here. But if she has a less formal job then there is nothing to stop her donning a pair of chandelier earrings and chunky bracelet.
For the evening “bling” is the thing at the moment and sparkling gemstone jewellery and a cocktail watch are de rigueur. There are some stunning pieces of cocktail jewellery on the market with many top designers lending their names to various ranges.
Hopefully you are now starting to get the picture why a woman needs so many different pieces of jewellery …or it may be just a relaxed evening in with the girls or someone special, when diamond or huggy or hoop earrings, a tennis bracelet and wishbone pendant are comfortable pieces to wear.
For more energetic sports such as shopping (which can be a marathon!), playing tennis or swimming, then comfortable and secure jewellery like diamond stud earrings and a tennis bracelet (with its safety catch) are necessary. These are also the sort of items that she will wear on the beach – but maybe she will add something with a bit more sparkle to catch the sunlight – like diamond and pear or gem set earrings with sapphires and diamonds.
Clever women do not follow fads when collecting expensive items of jewellery, but wear pieces fashioned in materials follows like gold, diamonds and sapphires which have timeless designs and are a sound investment. A huge range less expensive but trendy cocktail jewellery is what she needs to keep up with current fashions.
Unusual settings will create designs with a difference, and sparkling gemstones in unusual combinations with semi-precious stones like rubies will give her jewellery a futuristic look. A lot of smaller diamond pieces can be worn on any occasion with any outfit.
The list goes on and on … by now I am sure you will see that a woman always needs another piece of jewellery … and you cannot go wrong by giving it as a present.
If you would like to use this article or have any comments about it then please contact me – Gary Ingram 0845 084 1200 – email: gary@thediamondstore.co.uk
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Selecting Jewellery For Women
When you are buying jewellery for a woman it normally means that the person is special to you (sister, mother, lover, wife or whatever) and that you might be going to spend quite a large sum of money. Because buying something so personal is never easy we have put some thoughts together on things you should take into account before making the final choice.
You are making a statement of affection to someone by giving them jewellery. It does not have to be an exclusive or expensive gift as focusing on the cost is a recipe for disaster. Also what can you realistically afford? If you try to be flash and she knows you don’t really have the cash, once she has got over the shock of how much you have spent she will still won’t wear it if she doesn’t like it!
So once you have set your budget there are a few basics to take into account:
Does she have any allergies (eg: does gold or silver bring her out in a rash?) if in doubt opt for platinum which is hypoallergenic.
What jewellery has she already got lots of? A girl only needs so many diamonds or pearls – and she might prefer coloured gemstones such as emeralds, rubies or sapphires for a change.
Does she really want costume jewellery? Don’t buy her something from Theo Fennell or Butler and Wilson if she really wants you to put a diamond ring on her finger.
Is she the sort of lady who would prefer something with a bit of tradition behind it? For example the three stone or trinity ring symbolises the past, present and future of a relationship, an eternity ring is what is says it is and a diamond horseshoe or wishbone symbolise good luck.
What style of jewellery does she wear? Is it contemporary with bold styling or does she prefer the vintage or classic look? The best indication of her taste is the jewellery she wears all the time because these are the pieces she feels most comfortable with.
Buy jewellery which fits her actual size, not the size you think she is. If she has a short neck she will probably prefer stud or huggy earrings to the long chandelier design; a short neck needs a necklace or pendant that will complement it and not be too tight – remember “choker” is not the literal meaning!
Think of the shape of her fingers when buying rings: does she have slim delicate fingers or small square hands? You can get her ring size by tracing around the inside of one of her current rings and measuring this on a ring sizer guide. This has an enormous impact on whether you buy an elaborate, modern or plain ring – although a diamond solitaire looks good on any finger!
An elongated diamond like a marquise or oval cut can make short fingers look sleeker -but be careful not to overdo the look or it could have the opposite effect.
A setting that’s extremely delicate could get lost on large hands, over-emphasizing their size and making the ring look smaller.
How will the jewellery fit in with her lifestyle? Does she work in a profession where fussy jewellery would look out of place? A pointed gem with high prong setting could snag clothing (and people) and is harder to keep clean. Save that type of jewellery for gifts that will be worn on special occasions and not every day.
Is it for a special occasion? Eternity rings are usually given to mark the birth of a child and various named gemstones are accepted as birthstones and anniversary gifts.
If you are buying pearls take her colouring into account as rose/pink pearls suit pale complexions and blonde hair; off white and cream pearls bring out the tones in dark skin and brunettes and unflattering tones of greens and browns should be avoided.
Anything with diamonds should be purchased with the 4C’s in mind – cut, clarity, carat and colour.
Whatever your final choice, the most important thing is that she feels you have given it some thought, got the right size and made a real effort in selecting the piece of jewellery. So don’t blow it on the presentation … every women loves to receive a gift that is beautifully wrapped with some ribbon and bows … and give it to her properly and confidently without muttering that she “can change it if she doesn’t like it” or “a woman at work has got one just the same and I thought it looked nice on her!”.
Leave her in no doubt that you chose the jewellery yourself and are giving it because you want her to know how much you care about her or love her.
If you would like to use this article or have any comments about it then please contact me – Gary Ingram 0845 084 1200 – email: gary@thediamondstore.co.uk
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Diamond Gem and Jewelry 