Posts Tagged ‘Jewelry Silver’

I have always worn gold jewelry with my white skirt suit but today when I was looking through clothes on Spiegel all their models were wearing silver jewelry/silver shoes. Which is more appropriate? Thanks!
I have black shoes with gold in them and black shoes with silver, so I could go either way with the shoes.
I have shoes with gold in them and shoes with silver, so I could go either way with the shoes.

Gold

Gold is the most popular jewelry metal for men’s and women’s wedding and engagement rings, and is also customarily used in the crafting of earrings, pendants, brooches, necklaces and bracelets. Gold is a highly valuable metal, and is one of the most coveted metals in all of history. Gold symbolizes riches, wealth, and good standing, and in its purest form, is impossible to tarnish. Gold jewelry is sophisticated and refined, and is a divine and precious metal that is perfect for all occasions.

Pure (24-karat) gold can sometimes be too soft and malleable for everyday wear. Therefore, gold jewelry is usually complemented by a mixture of other alloyed metals (such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc) to help it retain more resistance and strength. While purer gold’s are rarer and more exotic, they are oftentimes prone to being bent or twisted. Since other alloying metals are employed to build gold jewelry’s resistance, gold then becomes more likely to stain or to tarnish. Pure gold can never tarnish, but in gold pieces that are mixed with components of nickel, slight discoloration may occur over time, and it is possible for the gold compound to leave a dark residue on the skin. When purchasing gold jewelry, it is best to stick to the higher karat gold. If the gold jewelry is to be worn everyday, make sure it is between 14-18 karat gold. (The karat measurement denotes what percentage of the gold jewelry is made of pure gold. For example, 18k gold is 18/24 real gold, or 75% pure gold.)

Silver

Silver is perhaps one of the most popular jewelry metals because it is much more abundant in nature and therefore more affordable than its competitor metals. Sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver, is the best quality of silver metal for setting precious stones and adorning fancy jewelry.

Silver can tarnish rather easily and is less durable than other jewelry metals such as gold and platinum. Silver in its purest form is even softer than pure gold, so finer quality silvers are not always appropriate for everyday wear. Silver can also be prone to oxidation, sometimes causing slight discoloration and blackening of the metal. Luckily, it is easy to make silver jewelry look brand new again by simply purchasing a silver jewelry cleaning solution at little cost (which can be found in most department stores).

White Gold

White Gold a greater percentage of nickel in a gold metal alloy mixture gives white gold its color, while a higher percentage of copper will turn gold a more reddish hue, resulting in ‘rose gold.’ White gold is simply gold that has been chemically treated and then coated with another white medal called Rhodium. Rhodium metal has similar properties to platinum and gives white gold its pristine color and shine.

While white gold is a very hard metal thanks in part to its Rhodium coating, it does wear eventually. To keep a white gold ring from fading and loosing its luster, you should get your white gold jewelry re-Rhodium-plated approximately once a year or at least every 18 months. Most local jewelers can re-coat white gold jewelry at a cost effective price.

Platinum

Platinum is a clean, sharp- looking jewelry metal, and is second to none in terms of durability. Platinum is so strong that it is impossible to tarnish and it has the highest melting point of the popular jewelry metals. Platinum jewelry is generally composed of 90% platinum and 10% iridium. The innate strength of this metal makes platinum the ideal choice for setting precious stones.

While platinum is the best in terms of toughness and can outlive its rival jewelry metals in terms of appearance and strength, it is important to consider its price. Platinum is rarer, more durable, and therefore, more expensive, than gold. With all other things being equal, a platinum ring will cost approximately twice the price of a white gold ring of 18 karats. It is, however, a prime material for the careful crafting of wedding rings.

Palladium

Palladium is harder, lighter, and less expensive than platinum. It is a close substitute in look and feel, and palladium jewelry can endure the perils of everyday wear and tear and come out spotless.

While Palladium aims to imitate platinum, it cannot truly fool anyone. Palladium metal lacks the prestigious ‘platinum’ insignia; marked on the inside rim of every platinum jewelry piece will be a small stamped engraving bearing the word: ‘plat.’ So if you are looking to trick someone into thinking you have purchased ‘the real thing’, it might be more difficult to do so than you had previously imagined.

Titanium

Titanium is the hardest naturally-occurring metal in the world. This makes titanium the perfect metal for fine jewelry, especially rings. Titanium is three times as strong as steel, yet maintains a light and comfortable weight. Titanium jewelry will not bend, scratch or dent. Most importantly, pure titanium jewelry is 100% hypoallergenic, meaning that it will not cause allergic reactions and is safe for anyone to wear.

The one and only foreseeable downside to purchasing titanium jewelry is that it cannot be soldered, rendering it impossible to re-size a ring made of the substance.

Natalie Inger

Handmade jewelry

Author: Natalie Inger
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When someone says they love silver jewelry, they could be referring to anything from pure sterling silver to very cheap silver-plated costume jewelry. Silver can refer to the type of jewelry or merely the outside color of jewelry. But when one mentions “sterling silver” jewelry, they’re usually talking about a high grade of silver used to make beautiful, durable jewelry.

Sterling Silver Facts

Silver is a precious metal that has been used to create jewelry on a wide scale since the late 1700s. Though it was used in jewelry before that time, mining in continents of the western hemisphere revealed an abundance of silver, thus increasing the amount of silver used in jewelry production from the 1700s through the present. Silver in its pure form is very soft and will not produce durable silver jewelry; therefore, silver is mixed with a variety of other metals so the jewelry can withstand everyday wear without being harmed. One such combination of silver with other metals is called sterling silver.

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, a piece of jewelry cannot be referred to as silver, solid silver, or sterling unless it has a pure silver makeup of at least 92.5 percent, or 925 parts per thousand of pure silver. The most common mixture for  jewelry is copper and silver. The silver becomes harder and more durable when copper is added; however, copper also causes silver jewelry to have a tendency to tarnish. When jewelry tarnishes, it has a darkened color.

Types of Jewelry

You can find almost any type or style of sterling silver jewelry you want – especially online. You can buy chains “by the inch,” meaning you can have chains handmade to suit your needs and the desired size. Having your silver chain custom-made makes it easy to create the length needed for your neck size, or wrist or ankle size for bracelets and anklets. No more worry about buying a necklace that’s too tight or too big.

Silver jewelry can be customized with various clasps such as lobster claw clamps or toggles. You can buy numerous silver pendants to wear on your silver chain, and change pendants with every outfit! For an elegant look and feel, try handcrafted Bali jewelry or other unique styles that will really make your jewelry stand out. Besides handmade chains, stores usually offer silver rings, bracelets, anklets, and earrings.

Caring for Jewelry

Sterling silver tends to tarnish and may develop a beautiful patina (unique glow with darkened areas). Some silver fans like this look for their jewelry. If you like the patina look, then wear it as is. If not, polish your jewelry with a soft polishing cloth to restore your silver to its natural shiny state. Sterling silver should be cleaned gently with polish cloth. Avoid using abrasive cleaners – even toothpaste can leave scratches on your jewelry! When storing your  jewelry, place it in tarnish prevention bags or cloths, which help slow the tarnishing process. Also, keep your jewelry in a cool room with low humidity. If storing in a box or case with other jewelry, prevent your silver jewelry from tangling with other harder jewelry, which might cause scratches on the jewelry.

Sterling silver jewelry provides a lovely accessory for wear to work, parties, and romantic outings. It is also affordable so you can buy it for yourself or as a gift for a friend without spending a fortune. Check out sterling silver jewelry products online and add these fine items to your jewelry collection today! 

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Learn more about Silver Jewelry.

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Cleaning and correctly storing your jewelry will help it keep sparkling, increase the longevity of the piece and enhance its wearing pleasure.

Let’s first take a look at how to effectively and safely clean various types of jewelry.

Gold Jewelry

One of the simplest and economical ways to clean gold jewelry is to take a bowl of lukewarm to warm water, mix in a little mild detergent soap, immerse the jewelry piece and let it sit for a few minutes which will help dislodge residue and grime. Then use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the piece. Put the piece under running water to wash of the soapy solution, then pat dry with a soft lint free cloth.

You can also use commercial jewelry liquids at most jewelry stores. Please follow the user instructions when using these.

Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry should be cleaned using the least abrasive silver polish. Apply the polish with a soft cloth and gently rub the piece, wipe away any excess polish. You can also use spray polish.

Diamond Jewelry

To clean diamond jewelry use a mix of 1 cup water and ¼ cup of ammonia. Immerse the piece for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then brush gently with a soft toothbrush, taking special care to brush the back mounting and the culet (tip of the diamond) as that is where most of the grime sticks reducing the amount of light passing through the stone thus reducing its luster.

Rinse the piece under running water and dry using a soft chamois skin cloth or a soft lint free cloth.

You can also use commercial jewelry liquids at most jewelry stores. Please follow the user instructions when using these.

Porous stones

Porous stones such as Emeralds, Jade, Onyx etc. use water and a very mild detergent to gently clean with a toothbrush, rinse under running water then pat dry with a soft lint free cloth.

Organic Stones

To clean organic stones such as Pearls, Amber, Coral, Jet etc. use only a soft damp cloth to wipe.

Never use any cleaning liquids or solutions on these stones.

Pearls can also be cleaned using a soft cloth with a little olive oil and then buffing with a dry soft cloth. This will improve the sheen and luster of the Pearl.

Antique and Ethnic jewelry

Antique jewelry and ethnic jewelry such a Kundan and Polki (Jewelry of India)
should not be cleaned at home as they are very delicate and liable to break and discolor easily.

These pieces should be taken to a trusted jewelry professional for periodic cleaning.

Note

Before starting the cleaning process of mounted and set stones please check the prongs, bail, earring posts, hooks and clasps for damage or wear and tear. If they are loose or missing please take the piece to a jewelry professional to get it fixed as the stone may dislodge during the cleaning process.

When rinsing under a tap, keep a sieve under the tap to trap a stone if it dislodges during cleaning.

Storing your jewelry

Correctly storing your jewelry is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the longevity of your cherished jewelry.

Try to store your jewelry in individual hard boxes lined with soft cloth.

You can also wrap your jewelry in polishing paper or soft tissues and put them in plastic zip lock pouches.

Porous gemstones and organic gemstones such as Emerald, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Pearls, Coral, and Amber etc. should not be stored in direct sunlight.

Store your jewelry in dark and cool place away from extreme heat or cold.

Always store your jewelry away from chemicals and cosmetics.

Don’t put any heavy objects on top of your jewelry boxes or pouches.

Links and clasps of chains, bracelets and strings should be closed to avoid entanglement and breakage.

Always insure that your jewelry is completely dry before storing them.

The above mentioned cleaning and storage tips will ensure that you enjoy for years your favorite and often expensive jewelry.

For more articles about jewelry reviews, news and resources visit Jagmala’s blog Jewelry Reviews

Author: Jagmala Singh
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty rate