14kt Multi Amethyst "Exotic Fan" Dangle Earrings

14kt Multi Amethyst "Exotic Fan" Dangle Earrings

Mining for Gold - Child Labour

While many countries worldwide are working hard to abolish child labour, some countries are not enforcing the urgency to abolish it and to let children live happy, healthy and productive lives. While gold has led to a rush on the precious metal throughout the world, children as young as 6 are working in mines in Africa risking their health and lives.

Copy the link below to your browser or click on the title to be taken to the link.


http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/05/9213056-digging-for-gold-children-work-in-harsh-conditions-paid-with-bags-of-dirt?chromedomain=worldnews

Earrings - The Most Popular Choice

If you had to choose one piece of jewelry that you could only wear everyday, what would it be? For many of our clients, their EARRINGS are their first choice. Some wear various types of hoop earrings, while others choose the classic diamond or pearl stud. The more daring, love to alternate their gemstone earrings with what they are wearing. It seems that even celebrities have their favorite calling when it comes to their earrings of choice.


http://njn.typepad.com/10x/2011/10/celebrity-jewelry-gawk-elegant-earrings.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+10x+%28National+Jeweler+Network+10x%29

Silver/10kt Citrine/Multi Diamond Ladies Ring

Silver/10kt Citrine/Multi Diamond Ladies Ring

Weight Fluctuations and Rings

One of the things people worry about during the holiday season is weight gain. Yes, tis the season to be merry and jolly, but then after the holidays, you see all the diet commericals on t.v. So how does this tie together with jewelry? If someone's weight fluctuates all the time, the rings they wear can become too tight or too loose and having rings resized can be very costly. An alternative would be to have a jeweler build a ring guard within the shank that can then be adjusted by the wearer so that the ring fits them properly.

Sapphire Facts

Some Sapphire Facts - A very loved and cherished gemstoned since BLUE is the most popular color in the sapphire family. While it is the birthstone for September, it is also given as a gift for 5, 23 and 45 Year Wedding Anniversaries. It is referred to as the stone of destiny and the word sapphire means blue stone in Greek. Sapphire is the symbol of heaven and joyful devotion to God.

Engagement Ring Selections

If anyone is thinking of getting engaged or is looking for an engagement ring, click on the title link to see 50 beautiful engagement rings in a variety of styles and prices.

Gold is Attracting the Young at Heart

There seems to be a 'gold rush' with a new generation of young investors who see it as a sure thing and are investing in it. While gold prices soared over the summer and are now a little more stabilized, a new generation of investors in their 20-30's see this metal's $$$$ allure!

http://money.msn.com/investing/gold-appeals-to-a-younger-crowd-marketwatch.aspx

Gentlemen Love Their Watches

Very interesting article in the Toronto Star over the weekend about the love affair that gentlemen have with their watches. The high end watches such as Vacheron Constantin, Piaget and Rolex seem to be the top choices for gentlemen who wear their watches like a piece of art. While Piaget is toted as the "evening, black tie, cocktail watch", Rolex, a watch that can be worn everyday, is the perennial favorite. These expensive watches range from $15,000 to $1 million.

Re-Appraising Your Jewelry With Today's High Gold Prices

With today's soaring prices of gold and with no end in sight, have you looked at your jewelry and was wondering what your pieces are worth. I can assure you that if you have not had them appraised or re-appraised in years, their value is substantially higher.

Imagine owning piece a piece of jewelry that was appraised several years ago with a replacement value of $2,000.00. Years pass and the value has increased to $4,500.00 Now if that piece is lost or stolen, and the appraisal is not current, the replacement value will be based on the $2,000.00 value.

It is very important that your jewelry is appraised by a certified appraiser. An appraisal certificate will outline all the details of the item, i.e. size of stone, karat of gold, weight, type of metal, unique features, current market value and will have a photography of the jewelry item.

If your jewelry is lost or stolen, the first thing an insurance adjuster will ask you is if you have a current appraisal certificate.

Don't take any chances, look through your jewelry and have your most valuable pieces appraised/reappraised.

Cheers

14kt Multi Opal Artisan Necklace

A wearable work of art!


14kt Multi Opal Artisan Necklace

14kt Dangle Artisan Moonstone Dangle Earrings

14kt Dangle Artisan Moonstone Dangle Earrings

14kt Vintage Turquoise/Diamond Ladies Ring

14kt Vintage Turquoise/Diamond Ladies Ring

14kt Dangle Multi Opal/Freshwater Pearl Artisan Earrings French Wire Closure

14kt Dangle Multi Opal/Freshwater Pearl Artisan Earrings French Wire Closure

Silver/10kt Gold Citrine/Multi Seed Pearl Artisan Ladies Ring

Silver/10kt Gold Citrine/Multi Seed Pearl Artisan Ladies Ring

Sterling Artisan Multi Turquoise/Pearl Lavaliere /Pendant, Necklace

Sterling Artisan Multi Turquoise/Pearl Lavaliere /Pendant, Necklace

14kt Vintage Sapphire/Aquamarine Stud Earrings

14kt Vintage Sapphire/Aquamarine Stud Earrings

Creating Unique Looks With Stacking Rings

The versatility of stacking rings is that you can mix and match these rings in so many different ways. The more rings you have, the more choices you have. Wear them all together, 2, 3, or 4 at a time. I love the way you can alternate the patterns. So for example, if you choose to wear 3 gemstone stacking rings, you can have 3 different looks by alternating the pattern of the rings--kind of like a puzzle ring.

With the 3 stone ring pictured, you can wear it as it is photographed, or put the two moonstones together and the mother-of-pearl in the front or back, wear the two moontones on their own or combine the mother of pearl with one of the moonstones.
Monday is one look, Tuesday another and so on. You can also wear them individually--one on every finger if you choose, or 1 on each hand.

Another unique way to wear them is with small thin or thick bands in-between and you can make one of the gemstones the focal ring. Wear them spaced apart for a gypsy look.

Since gemstones have different meanings, i.e. ruby - love, citrine - happiness, peridot - good cheer, many people give these rings as friendship rings too because of their sentimental value. You can also see mothers wearing them symbolizing the birthstones of their children.

If you have other stacking rings, mix and match them together to create unique designs. Depending on the style and shape, you can create unique designs. I can only imagine the gemstone color combinations you can come up :)

Interchange them to what you are going to wear. Suddenly all these connecting rings, create quite a fresh look!

They are also very practical when you travel as you can take a few with you and change the way they are stacked together.

Best thing about these rings is their value factor--so many different designs, looks for a fraction of the price :)

Come Join our New Facebook Page Rainbow Trinkets

Our Facebook Page, Rainbow Trinkets, is dedicated to all facets of jewelry--historical aspects, trends, gemstone information, folklore, humour, sayings, how-to's, care guide, etc. Daily updates.

Please come visit us and if you like what you see, to join our page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rainbow-Trinkets/215028575183663

If you know jewelry connisseurs, please circulate this link so that they can be made aware of it.

Thank you so much.

Baya

Creative Channels fpr Designing Your Jewelry - Part 2

If you can draw a little, then buy a good sketch pad and when a creative moment strikes you, fill that pad with shapes and textures. You may have bursts of ingenious creativity; use those moments passionately and let the creativity in you flow.

Carry a small notebook with you because you never known when a creative idea hits you—it can be a thought, image or a word.

Think of words that are associated with the theme or type of jewelry you wish to have designed. Descriptive words evoke images, patterns, shapes and shades. As an example, if you are a boater, the words associated with that are speed, nautical, adventurous, waves, compass and buoys. Key words that would describe a swimmer include wind, water, athletic, strength and endurance, movement, flowing and graceful. When you look at these words, you can visualize shapes, lines and textures which can be incorporated into your design.

If you are looking at designing an initial, name, or expression, look at various types of fonts, calligraphy books or sites that specialize with lettering styles.

When you are researching the area/subject that focuses on your jewelry, pull out detailed information, choosing only the most significant feature(s) so that as the design evolves, it becomes that much more exact and detailed. You have a starting point from which to begin; from there you can add, take away, substitute, analyze until it is the way you vision it.

It certainly helps when you know someone who can draw or is even a professional artist, as one of our customer’s sister-in-law is. Designing her ring and matching pendant was a breeze. Ciara knew exactly what she wanted. Her sister-in-law with her fine sketching pencils and artist pad started sketching as Ciara started describing in fine detail the design. As the design was beginning to evolve it became more and more refined as Ciara looked on and guided the “artist”. When the sketches were complete she took them to her jeweler and a few weeks later was elated to see the final outcome of her original design—her ring and pendant.

An artist can also recreate a piece from pictures that you have collected. It would probably make their job easier to see actual pictures. As you communicate what you vision from the various pictures, it becomes that much more focused and exact for the artist to create the desired piece of jewelry.

Creative Channels for Designing Your Jewelry - Part 1

How often I have heard “I know in my imagination what I want, I can picture it, but I can’t get it down on paper”. This is a pretty common expression by consumers who desire to design a custom piece of jewelry for themselves. They try sketching and then when they hit a roadblock, get frustrated and give up all attempts at creating their dream jewel.

Well I have good news; you do not need to be an artist to be inspired. You need creative channels to inspire you towards the end result, which is your ideal custom design special piece.

So where do you begin? Where is the starting point?

Look through fashion and jewelry magazines. You may notice a certain setting that is exactly what you want, while in another publication, you may see the right shank—call it a mixed bag of designs or as my Hungarian background would say, “a good goulash”. In other words, you can see bits and pieces of features that appeal to you in certain pieces of jewelry that can then be executed into one design. I can tell you one thing, designing the specific piece is not done overnight, it can take weeks, months and even years.

As you begin to cut out pictures, store them in a scrap book or folder and as you come across more pictures just keep adding them to your collection. You may come across other designs that appeal and get you excited and as you continue to find more designs, you might choose to scrap others that you have collected previously.

If you don’t collect magazines, then your computer will be you next best source. As you find pieces, that you like, bookmark them or print them up. Let’s say you are interested in a sporty ring, Google, “sporty rings”, it will yield multitudes of pages which you can print up and collect.

Has your library card been gathering some dust? You will have a pleasant surprise when you visit your local library and see their collection of books on jewelry. You have to decide what style, type and era of jewelry you are looking for. If you want your jewelry to be inspired from a certain time period, you may explore books that focus on a certain genre or style, i.e. Modernistic, Art Deco or Victorian.

Carrying a small camera or your phone’s camera can often capture the right picture at the perfect moment. You may see a person wearing an extraordinary piece of jewelry, or you may pass a jewelry shop window and see a piece that attracts you—you can instantly capture it all with a single click. Your camera can also capture images of objects, animals, foliage, landscapes—anything that can inspire a shape, theme or color.

If you travel to different countries you can be influenced by their own jewelry designs. So many countries have their own distinctive design concepts—you will definitely want to capture those on film.

Now if you can draw a little, then buy a good sketch pad and when a creative moment strikes you, fill that pad with shapes and textures. You may have bursts of ingenious creativity; use those moments passionately and let the creativity in you flow.

Designing Your Own Custom Jewelry

While most consumers will purchase a jewelry item at their local jewelry shop, or on-line, there are also consumers who choose to have their jewelry custom designed. While it is more convenient and less complicated to purchase a piece of jewelry from a nice selection within a showcase, those that choose to take the path for custom design know that they do not want a commercial piece of jewelry that can be seen on the average person.

Choosing to have a custom jewel piece made has significant meaning to the individual. As an example, we have recently made 3 identical family crest rings for one of our customers. The coat of arms emblem, which is carved from lapis lazuli, is from her husband’s family; and while Heidi proudly wears the ring on her pinky finger, she wanted her three grown children to wear a piece of their ancestral history. She plans to give these rings to her children for their upcoming birthdays this year.

For most connoisseurs of that 1-of-a-kind piece, their input into the design is very important; while others design the entire piece on their own. There is something to be said about a piece that you had significant creative influence in designing or co-designing with your jeweler. You know when you wear that piece that it truly is a part of you—it is as unique as your signature.

Check List for Maintenance of Your Rings

Rings that are set with claws and/or prongs, should checked annually as they can wear down with time and get broken which will result with a stone breaking or falling out of the mount. A jeweler can re-tip the prongs. Sometimes in our daily routines and activities whether at work or home, a ring can be knocked or hit against something which can damage the claw—-most of the time we are not even aware. I can tell you first hand, it happened to me—two of the claws in my engagement ring were bent sideways, when my hand accidentally hit a wall. I could hear a distinct rattling sound because the diamond was loose in the setting.

If you wear your rings quite frequently and if the shanks are thin, they can wear out and snap off your finger. A jeweler can rebuild a new shank for you by making your exsisting shank wider and thicker or make a completely new shank.

Are you aware that soaps, shampoos, powders and lotions can build up a lot of residue and leave a filmy build-up under and around a setting? This would reduce the brilliance of a diamond or the brightness or intensity of a colored gemstone.

Most people enjoy outdoor activities—whether its sports or chores. However, these can also cause havoc for your jewelry. As an example, if you are an avid gardener, and like most people, you want to feel the soil and avoid wearing gardening gloves, you risk losing your rings as they could slip off your fingers. Also, dirt could be embedded within the setting and the stones could possibly get chipped.


Try to keep your rings in small plastic bags—they look like mini Ziploc bags and are avilable in craft/dollar stores.or their original ring box. This will prevent your rings from scratching against each other.

At home care for your rings requires minimal time and is so simple. By cleaning them on a weekly basis they will continue to sparkle and shine.

TIPS FOR BUYER AWARENESS WHEN PURCHASING JEWELRY DURING YOUR TRAVELS

You have heard the expression "buyer beware". When you are on vacation and venture out to shop, especially for jewelry, there are a few key things that you need to be aware of in order to make sure that you are safe and that you are not being ripped off or conned when purchasing a piece of jewelry.


1.Purchasing from a street/beach vendor does not guarantee that you are going to get a "bargain" in some cases people have paid much more from these vendors than if they would have purchased it from a reputable store. Also, there is no guarantee that the item is genuine. Sterling silver can be stamped 925, but could be metal. Also, the gemstone could be a simulated stone.

2.Do purchase your jewelry from a reputable store that has a return policy for merchandise that can be returned in a reasonable amount of time for a full refund, not a store credit if you are not satisfied with it.

3.Be aware of "deals". If the price is too good, be cautious.

4.When entering a jewelry shop make sure that no one follows you in or follows you out.

5.Never shop alone.

6.When making a purchase, especially an expensive piece, don't put it on to wear out of the store. You do not need to draw attention to yourself.

7.Be a good negotiator. Try to get the best bang for your buck. Even the finest jewelry shop will have some flexibility in price.

There are so many tourists that travel to destinations that are known for their beautiful beaches and 5 star hotels, but the citizens are dirt poor. You need to be very careful when shopping to insure your safety.

Tips for Insuring Your Jewelry

A standard homeowner’s policy will provide a limited amount of coverage up to a specified dollar amount as stated in your homeowner’s policy. Some losses may not be covered and that is why it is advisable to purchase additional coverage, also known as a floater.

When purchasing the extra floater insurance, an updated appraisal certificate and pictures of your jewelry will be required so the insurance company has them on file. The floater would cover those pieces if they would be lost, stolen, or in some cases, if you lose a stone, they would be covered under this policy.

It is very important that your jewelry is appraised by a certified appraiser. An appraisal certificate will outline all the details of the item, i.e. size of stone, karat of gold, weight, type of metal, unique features, current market value. It is also recommended to have the appraised pieces updated every 2-3 years because of the fluctuations in the gold market.

Imagine owning piece a piece of jewelry that was appraised several years ago with a replacement value of $2,000.00. Years pass and the value has increased to $4,500.00

Now if that piece is lost or stolen, and the appraisal is not current, the replacement value will be based on the $2,000.00 value.

Insurance companies have their preferred jewelers, also know as their preferred vendors and will indemnify you to your exact state before your loss. So for example, your 1kt VS1 diamond will be replaced with a 1kt VS1 diamond.

If your ring was insured for $6,500.00, and the insurance company can have it replaced for $5,500, you have the option to have their jeweler replace your ring or you could choose to have your own jeweler replace your piece. In the latter case, the insurance company would pay you out, also known as cash-out on the actual value—in this case you would receive $5,500—less your deductible, if applicable.

With regard to antique jewelry, which would be difficult to replace, the appraisal certificate would provide all the details and it would be based on the replacement value. You would receive a cash settlement.

Please note, this is a very GENERAL OVERVIEW and may not apply to your own specific insurer. I strongly recommend that you contact your individual agent to determine your insurance company’s specific policies with regards to insuring jewelry.

SLIDE BRACELETS - A PIECE OF WEARABLE HISTORY

There are specific types of jewelry that have historical significance as well as reflecting your own personal history. As one example, a charm bracelet, with its lifetime collection of charms can reveal quite a bit about you. Another type, which dates as far as the Victorian era, is the slide bracelet.

During the 19th century, women in England wore them as a fashion accessory. Since wrist watches were not created at that time, they wore heavy watches, often referred to as heavy hunting case watches, on a necklace. They added decorative “slides” to their chains which were placed under the watch that allowed them to shorten or lengthen the necklace by moving the slides up or down as well. Also, the slides prevented the watch from twisting and turning on the chain.

Women used to collect a variety of slides to match what they wore. Many of the slides were designed from old watch fobs that were engraved; others were set with gemstones and were very ornate. Other unique slides that were collected included stick pin heads that would be mounted on plain slides. Lucky for these ladies if there were a lot of men in their family who would give them their stick pins!

During the 1930’s, after the Victorian period, the watch slide became a very popular family heirloom. The 6-9 slides that were interchanged on a necklace were now being used to create a functional piece of jewelry; firstly as a time piece, but also as a fashionable bracelet. I am sure that most ladies never forgot to put on their watches, especially such exquisite pieces of wearable art. Very successful business men would reflect their affluence with the amount of jewelry that their wives wore and some ladies also wore slide bracelets on one arm and a watch slide on the other.

A slide bracelet is comprised of a double chain or cable bangle on to which a slide is placed. Slides have four drilled holes (two at both ends) so that the chain or cable can slide through. Many vintage slides had a small piece of cork placed within to hold it in place on the chain. Today, they are held in place with spacers such as beads that are placed between each slide.

Outsmarting a Potential Home Invading Jewelry Thief - Part 2

Thre are several things you can still do at home to outsmart a jewel thief .Other “home-remedy” solutions would be to place your jewelry in Ziploc bags and hide them under sheets, towels, decorative zippered pillows, rolled into your socks. You can also store your jewels in the bottom of a bin that holds seasonal clothes, Christmas decorations and craft supplies. Tennis anyone….by cutting a slit into a tennis ball and squeezing it open you can place small items in. Your children’s stuffed animals are another less conspicuous place—simply open a seam, slide your jewelry in and re-stitch.

Be sure to keep a list of where your jewelry is hidden and in what. In the worst case scenario, if a thief is clever enough to figure out a decoy’s spot, remember, time is not in his favor, so he would grab and run perhaps with only 1 piece of jewelry rather than your entire lifetime collection.

Many people invest in actual safes—keep in mind that a small safe that can hide in a closet is portable and can easily be carried away. A larger safe is very heavy, and while it can’t be carried away, they are harder to hide and take up a lot of space.

I personally favor safes that have a drilled space in a floor—a.k.a. floor safes. They are not portable, they are hidden and you can cover them. Ideally, they are located in basements because they can be drilled through concrete. These safes are smaller than your average wall or full standing safe, but they cannot be carried away, they are out of visual sight and therefore, concealed from a potential thief.

Many people have home alarm systems and while there are no guarantees that your home would not be burglarized, it could deter from a potential home invasion since signs are posted on windows or doors. However, if a burglar broke into a home, he would only have 2-3 minutes to find the valuables before the police would show up. If they would come across a safe, they wouldn’t have the time to open it, nor the time to ransack a home to find jewelry, if they are hidden out of sight.

With these suggestions in mind, I sincerely hope that your favorite and cherished jewels are safe for your enjoyment for many years to come.

www.artisanjewelshop.com
www.eternalfinejewels.rubylane.com

How to Outsmart A Potential Home-Invading Jewelry Thief - Part 1

How well is your jewelry hidden at home? Do you have hiding places? The most obvious place for a thief to find your jewelry in your home is your bedroom, namely in your jewelry box located on top of your dresser.

Try to hide your jewelry throughout your home in various locations. There are unique “props” also known as gimmick gadgets that are made to resemble actual famous brand name products. You can hide your jewelry in them. These containers are replicas of the actual product—i.e. cans of food, household cleansers—these can be kept in their obvious locations. A pop can safe can be kept in the fridge with your other pop drinks, or a cleanser product safe, under your sink with other cleansers. These locations are much less conspicuous.

Other clever prop safes are fruits, vegetables, hollow books, stacks of C.D.’s, rocks, planters. One of my favorites is the replica of an electrical outlet that can be screwed into any wall in any room.

These replicas are not expensive and displayed in the appropriate spots where they look natural do not arouse suspicion from a potential thief.

Next Week - Part 2

www.artisanjewelshop.com
www.eternalfinejewels.rubylane.com

Out of This World Gemstone Combinations

When you go into a jewelry store, some of the most common gemstone combinations you will see are diamonds set with pearls, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

If you are planning to have a custom piece of jewelry made for yourself, think outside the box of what is tradition and consider some spectacular gemstone options.

There is an incredible variety of gemstones that can be combined to create a unique masterpiece. You will be amazed to discover the unbelievable combinations. Look at the colors in your wardrobe and see what combinations you wear that can inspire you.

Clear stones can be combined with opaque or translucent stones. Gemstones that have natural inclusions can be combined with clear stones.

Gemstones of similar colors can be set together to compliment or enhance each other's color, i.e. lime green peridot with emeralds, light blue aquamarine with sky blue topaz, pink tourmaline with rubies.

One of my favorite stones is moonstone. It can be combined with opals and sapphires for a truly magical combination. One of the intriguing features of moonstone is the stone's shimmer--the magical glow that glides across the surface of the stone (a.k.a adularescence) when combined with an opal with its brilliant flashes of color or the sparkle and blue of a sapphire--makes for a stunning and radiant piece of jewelry that will certainly command its fair share of compliments.

Be flamboyant, adventurous, free-spirited and have fun in exploring all the dimensions of gemstones' colors.

I would love to hear from you and what some of your favorite combinations are.

Baya,

www.artianjewelshop.com

www.eternalfinejewels.rubylane.com

Pairing Gold with Silver Equals Affordability

With the soaring price of gold and no indication that the prices will go down, prices have only escalated on jewelry. This translates into hesitation in purchasing gold jewelry since your buying power may be more limited.

An option that I would like to suggest and for you to consider, if you are looking to acquire a quality piece of jewelry with a limited budget, is to look at silver/gold combined jewelry.

Aesthetically it is a very attractive and a classy combination and also very practical since you can wear your existing gold and silver jewelry together with it. If you strictly wear white gold jewelry then this is a win-win combination since it will look like so natural beside your silver jewelry, as well, the accenting gold can also be white. You can choose which ever carat and color of gold you would like combined.

In our jewelry combinations, we use 9kt - 10kt gold because it keeps the price down. We also use pink gold since we find this color so attractive and alluring beside silver. The cool and sleek look of silver beside the warm and elegant glow of pink has such an appealing and elegant look together.

Most importantly, the AFFORDABILITY factor is the KEY reason for the co-blending of these two beautiful metals. The same gemstone gold ring can cost you hundreds more, say for example $450.00, while its alternative can cost you $150.00.

You see, purchasing a quality piece of jewelry can be quite affordable with a little ingenuity, leaving you with a nice chunk of change in your bank account :)

I welcome any inquiries or questions.

Stay in the positive,

Baya
http://www.eternalfinejewels.rubylane.com/
http://www.artisanjewelshop.com/