The Supplemental Kick

December 31, 2009

The Truth behind John Hardy

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips, Online Shopping — admin @ 7:02 am

Just imagine the look of pleasure on your loved one’s face on Christmas day because they receive a set of exquisite jewelry by John Hardy. A huge array of designs is being offered in sterling silver in almost any style you could possibly wish for. Thus — why don’t you spoil your friends and family this holiday season – you can be confident that they’re going to be happy with jewelry chosen from any John Hardy collection.

The men’s jewelry ranges include a broad range of chains, rings, cufflinks and a variety of other pieces in various metals and finishes. They have a somewhat chunkier, more rugged look though they still maintain the excellent quality you’d expect. Therefore, with all these options readily available, finding the ideal present is going to be so easy this Christmas. To make matters even easier, John Hardy jewelry is available for practically any look a woman might wish to embrace. Women who prefer a traditional wardrobe might fancy an item from one of the classic collections. For the positively trendy woman, you can select from a selection of decidedly avant-garde pieces. But whichever it shall be, all of the ladies’ ranges feature cuffs, earrings designed for day wear and evening wear and varied necklace designs.

What about children? John Hardy offers a positively exceptional variety of kid’s jewelry. Sizing apart, each and every item has been produced with just as much care and attention as you would expect from any other adult jewelry offered by John Hardy. Giving any child some precious jewelry provides them with something they will always remember you by.

Infants are bound to be frequently awkward to find something for especially with all of the gifts they are likely to get, the more so as their parents’ standards of expectation can consequently be rather steep. The phenomenal selection of baby gifts from this innovative jewelry house will make picking out Christmas gifts for infants a whole lot simpler.

To give a little back this Christmas, there is the phenomenal Bamboo initiative for eco-shoppers. When anyone buys a piece that is in the Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo program, some of the revenue goes towards planting more bamboo, an enviromentally sound resource, in areas like Nsu Penida. Each piece is stamped with the exact number of young bamboo plants planted before shipping. This collection has an extensive variety of items for gentlemen and women, so it’s not difficult to delight your friends and family without damaging the environment…

So, this year, rather than head out to the mall to buy another unimaginative present, why not look over the incredible pieces of jewelry John Hardy has to offer.

November 2, 2009

Jewelry Christmas Gifts That Sparkle and Shine

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips — admin @ 7:25 pm

The joyous season of Christmas is steeped in tradition, and gift giving is one ritual that is inseparable from this holiday. Who hasn’t had difficulty at one time or another in choosing a suitable present for a beloved family member or a dear friend? Fortunately, jewelry Christmas gifts are widely available and there is an endless variety of styles from which to choose. Twinkling and shining, they reflect the nature of that season to be jolly.

Sparkling and glittering are two words that would describe diamonds. Browse through the World Wide Web and you’ll see a plethora of online stores that showcase jewelry Christmas gifts. Imagine a woman’s pleasure at the shimmering sight of diamond snowflake dangling earrings or a glittering diamond bracelet adorned with traditional symbols associated with Christmas. Men, on the other hand, will surely appreciate flashing yet tasteful diamond cuff links. Other gemstones make wonderful jewelry Christmas gifts. Sapphires or rubies set in gold, sterling silver or platinum will gleam subtly from rings or necklaces.

Not all jewelry Christmas gifts that glitter need to be expensive, though. Whimsical and unique designs at an affordable price for the holiday season abound. For instance, brightly colored, rhinestone encrusted pins shaped like Christmas trees are widely available. For young recipients, bracelets, necklaces or anklets made from gold- or silver-plated metals, engraved with their names for a personal touch, will fit snugly in any Christmas stocking. Stores or web sites that specialize in vintage and antique items also offer bright jewelry Christmas gifts. Take your pick from pieces such as brilliant poinsettia-shaped hairpins or nativity-inspired pendants dotted with Swarovski crystals.

For many centuries, men, women and children have been eagerly counting the days until Christmas morning, when everyone would rush to the Christmas tree to open their presents. The giving of gifts is a time honored tradition, and the selection of presents that will be appreciated and enjoyed by those whom we love is no trivial task. Scintillating jewelry Christmas gifts have always been part of that tradition and they continue to contribute to the glow that the holiday season brings.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

September 3, 2009

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June 16, 2009

Wrist Watches – Short Summary of the History

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips, Online Shopping — admin @ 2:58 pm

From pocket watch to a fashion accessory. What was once, in the earliest years of portable watches, considered to be unsuitable for gentlemen and only for women, has grown today into a fashion utensil that everybody has. In the meantime, the wristwatch is no longer only a instrument to tell the time. It is a designer piece and can indicate much more than the time.

A great deal of mechanics in a small housing

The first confirmable portable timepiece was built in 1500. This was not a wristwatch, but more of a pocket watch. Through technical advance, which made it possible for people to house mechanics in an progressively smaller space, the required parts of the clockworks were able to be brought into a manageable form. In this way, the first pocket watch was born, which at the time was still the size of an egg.

The computerized wrist watch from Japan

A totally new wrist watch came onto the market in the 1970’s from Japan, which had built its own watch industry. The new watch from Japan was no more set on a mechanical basis, but on a computerized control. This wristwatch extended its range of capacity rapidly. The wrist watch no longer just showed the time. The little timepiece on the wrist now also knew the date, the day of the week and even knew whether a leap year was involved.

The wristwatch as jewelry

Now, the wristwatch is no longer just a watch. The wrist watch has turn into a fashion accessory. Wrist watches come in all colours and forms conceivable. One can also purchase harmonious watches from every fashion collection. The current watches are dominated by the correct fashion trends. Despite these various trends, there is something for every taste. The tiny watches, which need spectacles to tell the time, and the extraordinary giant watches, which make it difficult to walk upright. By all means, one thing is sure: science is still likely to make so much progress – that the wrist watch will be seen on the wrists of people for a long time, to answer the question as to what time it is.

September 25, 2008

Un-Naturally Shaped Pearls

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips — admin @ 3:08 pm

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides a set of seven value factors for grading pearls. These are: Size, Color, Shape, Luster, Nacre Quality, Surface Quality, and Matching (within a strand or set). Traditionally, pearl farmers strived to create the perfectly round pearl. Today, Fashion gives us new, unique designs featuring pearls of interesting shapes that are far from round. This article talks about the Pearl Shape value factor, specifically, the shapes that are not created by Nature.

In the beginning, without going into too much detail, three Japanese gentlemen — Mikimoto, Mise and Nishikawa — developed commercial culture pearl farming as we know it today. This involved placing a round “seed” made from the shell of a mullusk shell into the Akoya oyster, thus stimulating it to make it to grow nacre (pearl skin) around that seed. Although overly simplified, this is the basic process they developed in the early 1900s that is followed still today.

Freshwater pearls are cultured a little differently. They do not require that seed bead. They begin with just a slip of mantel tissue from a donor mussel(mussels grow in freshwater; oysters in saltwater). This offers new possibilities for shaping the new pearl. First, with just a piece of mantel tissue, Chinese pearl farmers spent many years experimenting to get the gorgeous round pearls on the market today. Although no one really knows how they do it (trade secrets abound), I have heard that placing a perfectly square piece of mantel tissue as the “seed” seems to produce rounder pearls.

Freshwater pearls also come in an array of interesting shapes. Some of these are formed using seeds just like Akoyas, Tahitians and South Seas. Instead of using the round seed bead, a square tile or a round wafer is slipped into the mussel. The result is the beautiful square and coin pearls that are so popular.

Love those Petal pearls? They are actually the result of a mussel that has already grown a square or coin pearl and is allowed to form a pearl without a seed in the empty hole. When the pearl is removed from the mussel, it leaves an empty sac. If the mussel was not injured when the pearl was taken from it, the mussel can be returned to the water where it will continue excrete nacre and form another freeform pearl in the empty pearl sac. Petal pearls cost more than simpler pearls because the mussel must survive twice as long and thus require higher risk for the pearl farmer.

Almost any shape you can imagine can be created using tiles, wafers or sticks of paraffin and/or mussel shell. Crosses, tiles and coins have all been shaped using these techniques. If you are not sure if the pearls are formed by Nature or by human intervention, be sure to ask. Your retailer should be knowledgeable enough to provide this information, especially if this is a high-dollar item. Your retailer should be equally willing to disclose this information.

Beth Schmitz, CEO Avant Pearl, GIA Pearls Graduate

A jewelry designer, businesswoman and self-proclaimed diva, Ms. Schmitz spent more than 20 years in business. Her creative side took control in 2001 when she chose to dedicate her life to the jewelry industry and the smart women like her who appreciate gorgeous baubles and have the means to pay for them.

Beth’s online boutique features high-end pearl jewelry from leading designers, limited-edition manufacturers and skilled craftsmen throughout the world. She holds a degree from Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

You Can Afford the Perfect Diamond Engagement Ring

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips — admin @ 1:55 pm

You don’t need to spend a fortune buying the perfect diamond engagement ring. Forget surprising her. Get real, tell her of your intentions and then shop for the engagement ring together. Look at buying the ring in the same way you would look at buying a house or car. Budget the amount you want to spend and then shop around until you find what you want for the price you are willing to pay. In the long run you will satisfy her and probable save a lot of time and money.

First do some homework. Since you will probable be looking for a diamond engagement ring learn the 4 C’s of diamonds; Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color. Be realistic you will not be an expert just because you know the 4 C’s but at least you have a basic understanding of the subject when you speak with the jeweler about your purchase.

Next go to a local jewelry store where you can speak with a real person and ask more detailed questions. Armed with your basic knowledge of the 4 C’s this will be the most efficient way to learn more about the diamond engagement ring and the many choices of styles and ring materials available. Don’t forget the internet, you may be able to save a lot because an internet merchant may not have the overhead of a brick and mortar store and could past the savings on to you.

Then you should get a couple of quotes like you would for any other big purchase. You would not buy a car or car insurance without getting some quotes. Engagement rings are not unique you can get the same or very similar rings at more than one place. So shop around you should be able to get the ring of your choice very close to the price you want to pay. In any case when you finally decide on a ring, you know you did your homework, shopped around and got the best ring you could afford at the best possible price.

In the end make sure you are buying from a reputable merchant. Whether you decide to make your purchase online or at a local jewelry store, make sure you have some background on the store. Never buy a diamond engagement ring without getting a diamond certificate. A diamond certificate is a report created by a team of gemologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized. Also get the ring appraised by another jeweler or appraisal company. An appraisal is a document stating the approximate retail replacement value of the ring. The appraisal document ensures that in the case of loss, theft, or damage your insurance company will give you an equal replacement of your diamond engagement ring. You will want to do this for your own peace of mind and you will need to do this if you want to insure the ring.

Patrick Ort, the author of this article, also publishes blogs on the subjects of Engagement Rings and Diamond Engagement Rings at http://engagement—ring.blogspot.com and
http://diamond-engagement–ring.blogspot.com .

September 24, 2008

The Jewelry Hut Artice 4: How to Buy Jewelry, Setting and Clasps

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips — admin @ 7:48 am

In buying any jewelry, one should look at more than the quality marking. Sometimes what you want to look for depends on the type of jewelry. Here are buying jewelry quality marking general guidelines:

Be satisfied that the metal is what it is supposed to be.
Inspect the claps and settings, if gems are involved.
Check any and all links carefully, regardless of the type of jewelry. Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and any jewelry is only as strong as its weakest link. The links may be an integral part of the jewelry or they may be used to connect the jewelry to the clasp or catch. The links should be well made, with no separation where the link is joined to form a circle. A link that is bent or is slightly apart may give way under wear, letting the rest of the jewelry or part of it slip through.

Keep in mind the intrinsic qualities of the metals, too. Platinum and silver are harder than gold, which is relatively soft in is purest forms. The purest the gold, the softer it will be and the more apt it is to wear thin or lose its shape with wear.

1) Rings.

Regardless of the kind of setting, check the stone and make sure it is held firmly in the setting, whether the setting is open or closed.
In an open setting such as high or Tiffany setting and the low or belcher setting, examine the prongs. They should grip the gem at the girdle, closing firmly just above it. The prongs should be smooth. Remember, the higher the setting, the more stone will be visible, with a greater tendency for prongs to catch on gloves or clothing. You want to be sure the prongs are made in such a way that there are no rough edges that could catch or that could lead to the prongs being bent or broken an d the loss of a stone.

In a closed setting, examine the rim or bezel that holds the gem. Some gems or coins may be set just below the rim and may have prongs at the back holding them against the rim. In this case, make sure the prongs are tight and well made to hold the coin or other material in place. As far as gold coins go, make sure the coins are mint perfect, not bent or scratched or damaged by the setting.

Cabochons are usually set in a closed setting, with the dome higher than the setting. Again, the setting should be made in such a way that the gem cannot fall out. This is particularly true if the gem has a tendency to contract or expand. A gem may feel very slightly loose, but by trying to move it you should be able to feel the firmness of the setting.

The fit of the ring is as important as a well-made setting. A too loose ring may fall of your finger, while a snug on may be difficult to get on and off. Making sure the ring fits in a store is not enough. You want to take into account whether your fingers have a tendency to swell in warm weather or not. If they do swell, you may want to consider a slightly large ring on which you can have a ring guard put.

A ring guard can be preferable, especially for rings with narrow backs. A wide ring is more difficult to fit with a guard, but it is also less apt to slip off or slip around your finger. If you do decide to have a ring made smaller, remember you are losing precious metal. At the same time, more precious metal will be needed to make the ring larger.

2) Earrings.

The choice of earring backs is strictly personal. Earring with screw backs should be checked care fully to make sure the screws are in good working order and are tight enough for you to fasten securely in or on your ears. Clamps should be tight, although not so tight that they are uncomfortable to wear. Comfort and a secure fastener, in fact, are probably more important for earrings than other jewelry, since there is no way you can add a guard or safety catch as you can for other jewelry. All you can do is make sure the backs are good ones and they work welland that means on both earrings.

Try putting both earrings on and taking them off several times. To put them on correctly, pull lobe down, place earring, and adjust back. When you have them on, shake your head vigorously to make sure the earrings don’t loosen or fall off. Shaking your head will also assure you of another factor: are they so heavy that they bother you or so light that you can’t feel them and could lose one just by using the telephone?
A store may sometimes not allow you to try on earrings, in which case you should ask to see the manager or go to another store. In case you are purchasing an earring from online store, most online stores have return policy. You need to try earrings on to judge whether the design and color flatters you because they are so close to your face. Then, there are size and weight. Not all earlobes are the same. Earrings that may fit one ear may be too large or heavy for other earlobes. Most necklaces and bracelets will fit anyone, but not most earrings. In short, when buying expensive earrings in particular, you need to try them on before deciding you like them and can wear them.

3) Clasps and Catches.

All clasps and catches, both regular and safety ones, should be worked several times, on you and off you. Do they fasten easily and firmly? Can you work them yourself without help? Make sure you try the jewelry on yourself as well as letting the clerk help you. If you find that you can’t put the jewelry on by yourself, it may be a bad buyregardless of costunless you always have someone available to help you.

Make sure the clasps are appropriate to the rest of the jewelry, which they are not so fragile they are apt to break or bend. The more expensive the jewelry, the more you want to be sure that the jewelry has a safety clasp or catch of some kind. A safety clasp or catch is like a hand brake on a car, you may never need it, but when you do it is indispensable. For this reason, any fine quality piece jewelry, especially with gems, that does not have a safety clasp or catch should have one added. The lack of one on jewelry with a big price, moreover, may indicate the jewelry is not what it is supposed to be. In any case, ask the jeweler to suggest a remedy ad be sure to look for quality markings.

You want to be just as careful of catches and safety catches on pins and brooches. Even better costume jewelry pins generally have safety catches, but make sure both the catch and clasp are sturdy and fasten firmly and easily.

In all kind of jewelry, make sure there are no rough edges that can catch on clothes. You do want to run the risk either of losing the jewelry or of its snagging or tearing clothes or catching on fabric when you put on or take off a coat. These are other reason for checking necklaces and bracelets and all jewelry to see how well catches and links are attached to the rest of the jewelry. A good catch flimsily affixed is little protection against loss. In addition, necklaces and bracelets that are strung should be well strung on good string and tightly knotted to clasps.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter. When it is published, may I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio, contact and copyright information) that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an email of notification along with a complimentary copy of the publication.

Copyright 2005 Bijan Aziz.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut – http://www.thejewelryhut.com – the best source for fine Diamond, Gemstone, and Pearl Jewelry on the web.

September 22, 2008

Horse Jewelry: Bold and Free

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips — admin @ 8:08 am

A popular motif in jewelry, even among city dwellers, is horses. Horse jewelry is enigmatic and evokes a sense of strength as well as of mystery. Now one would have to ask: why horses? Why care about an animal rarely seen in the city anyway?

Horses symbolize freedom, and pride in freedom. Wild horses come with the connotation of spiritual and emotional independence. Have you ever seen or read “The Horse Whisperer” or “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”? Perhaps the snow-white horse named Shadowfax in the “Lord of the Rings” movies has evoked a sense of unbridled freedom in you? And yet, Hollywood has not even begun to touch on the importance of horses in ancient cultures. Far from being mere beasts of burden, horses were also trusted friends. Native Americans paid great respect to the horses they have domesticated, for they were useful in hunting and traveling.

Wearing horse jewelry is a celebration of independence, a rallying cry to break free from the bonds of society and be graceful, proud and natural.

It is a popular belief that the wild horse chooses its tamer. Alexander the Great’s horse, the celebrated Bucephalus, was known to be the wildest horse in his day: king of horses, unconquered by conquerors. And yet when the young Alexander cautiously approached him, Bucephalus calmed down and allowed the teenaged monarch to climb on his back. Together the two conquered cities, leveled fortresses, and built an empire — kindred untrammeled spirits faithful to each other until the end.

A driven, successful, hard-to-get professional woman may appreciate a gift of horse jewelry — in celebration of her strong, free-spirited nature. A young carefree lad may also benefit from horse jewelry, as an expression of virility and natural strength.

Horse jewelry comes in a variety of forms — from pendants to hairclips, brooches to bracelets, anything that catches attention! The flashier the better, or the more muted the more desirable, for people who gravitate to horses.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

September 19, 2008

Titanium Rings – Why Buy One?

Filed under: Great Jewelry Tips — admin @ 7:43 pm

Good question – why indeed? To answer it we need to go back to basics but also, by answering it, a whole avalanche of questions open up, so let’s start at the beginning.

1. It is hypoallergenic, which in short means that very few people have skin so sensitive that they will react to it – unlike gold or silver where reactions are quite common. A lot of customers come to us with this problem and are very pleased when they find that they have the opportunity to wear an item of jewellery that not only will cause them not to break out in lesions of Biblical proportions, but also looks stunning when inlaid with gold, platinum or diamonds.

2. Titanium has excellent corrosion resistance due to the fact that when it is scratched or machined, the surface forms a protective oxide layer almost instantaneously. This accounts for the reason why it does not lose its colour by tarnishing like gold or silver does.

3. Strength to weight ratio – Titanium is as strong as steel but with around half the weight making rings made from this material some of the most comfortable to wear. Design also plays a big part in the comfort of a ring as well of course, GETi rings are shaped for comfort and highly polished on the inside which makes them some of the easiest to wear. Many people apprehensive about wearing a ring quickly grow accustomed to wearing one of ours, this is especially true due to the fact that the majority of our rings can be modified in wall thickness and width to the personal requirements of each individual.

4. Long lasting – Titanium rings will last a lifetime if not seriously abused with hammers and spanners, but, on the other hand, they are not Kryptonite and will show signs of wear in time. Small scratches will appear quite quickly as with rings made from gold or silver and the same rule applies to Titanium rings as to precious metal rings – if you buy a polished ring it will dull down, and if you buy a satin ring it will polish up, meeting somewhere in the middle. Refurbishment of your ring is quite straight forward to us because we specialize in Titanium.

Buying your ring from a GETi stockist either online or from a ‘bricks and mortar’ gallery ensures the best possible service with regard to sizing and refinishing. We do not recommend internet auction sites or major high street jewellery outlets for your ring. A lot of these stockists import their rings from the Far East and their knowledge of the product is very limited. Also please be advised that some rings with what appears to have a reasonable solid gold inlay only have sections of thin gold plate on them – this will wear off very quickly. Please contact us for details of your nearest GETi stockist to avoid disappointment.

5. And finally (“At last!!” I hear you all cry) the answer to the question – Why buy a Titanium ring? Why not? – dare to be different. Titanium is a new, exciting material and can be enhanced with gold, platinum, diamonds or sapphires to make it as bold as you like Your ring will command a lot of attention and if the novelty wears off – just get a divorce and buy a new one!!

Alan Hadley - EzineArticles Expert Author

GETi are the UK’s leading brand of Titanium rings, hand crafted in the UK. http://www.geti.cc