Difference Between Silver and White Gold

Posted on January 9, 2012 by kristing

When buying a gift for your significant other you want to buy them the best. You want to show you care with a great gift. But standing at the jewelry counter you see an identical pair of white gold earrings and silver hoop earrings. Which do you choose? What is the difference between the two metals?

Silver is a more common element and therefore a cheaper one. White gold is actually yellow gold that is mixed with at least one other white element (such as silver or palladium.) This mixture is generally harder that silver. Silver is also alloyed (or mixed) with other metals to make it less likely to tarnish.

White gold generally has a warmer shine. But both metals are easily tarnished by oils from your body or outside elements. Both can be easily cleaned with a quick dunk in ammonia and being dried with a soft cloth.

White gold is measured in karats like regular gold, the higher the karat, the higher the price. The most pure white gold rating you can find is generally around 17 karats.

So really, it comes down to your personal preference and price. Both are going to last a very long time and both are going to have a great shine. And obviously both make great gifts.

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The Beauty of a Solitaire Engagement Ring

Posted on January 3, 2012 by kristing

There is a portion of the population that believes their engagement ring should be enormous, ornate, and ostentatious. They’re expecting a diamond the size of Peru when you open that box. Terrifying, right?

However, these girls do not make up a significant percentage of the world. Lucky for you gentlemen out there. There is a simple and delicate beauty to a solitaire engagement ring. It signifies the purity and loveliness of the ring. Simple decadence. A solitaire ring doesn’t have to be tiny either. If you feel like surprising your girl with a large stone, there are many affordable engagement ring options out there for you.

Don’t feel like you need to give her a diamond encrusted circle of glitter either. Let’s be honest, ladies, when you see a ring that has too many diamonds on it, you’re a little turned off, right?

That’s why you should tell your beau (subtly of course) that you like simplicity. You like absolute beauty and clean lines.

Of course, the ring doesn’t have to be boring either. The ring pictured here is far from the old fashioned one of days gone by. It’s interesting, clean, beautiful and most of all simple. A perfect way to show you care.

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New Year’s Outings With Jewelry Pendants

Posted on December 27, 2011 by kristing

New Year’s Eve is coming up this weekend and everyone is planning what to wear and where they’re going to be on the night that brings the new calendar year. It’s a big to do! Girls have had their outfits picked out for weeks and been pestering their boys to ask them to a fancy party so they can wear those new jewelry pendants they got for the holidays.

Ladies, if you didn’t get any jewelry pendants in your stocking, don’t wait for a man to go get you what you want. Go out there and get it! If I might suggest something that will go great with that sparkly little black dress everyone finds so fitting and festive during the New Year, try this pendant pictured here.

The two tone gold ball pendant will look great no matter if you’re wearing silver hoop earrings or gold. It’ll go great with that gold clutch or those silver shoes. And the shimmering, glittering diamonds will show off your style on that big night.

So count down to the new year in style. Make sure you’ve got the best accessories to help you shine on that special night. It’ll certainly be one you won’t forget!

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Conflict Free Diamonds for Pendants and Rings

Posted on December 19, 2011 by kristing

In 2006 Leonardo DiCaprio starred in a movie called “Blood Diamond” which illustrated the horrors of the civil unrest in Africa over the mining of diamonds. After that movie debuted, there was a renewed surge in conflict free diamonds. As with everything though, the public forgot about it once it wasn’t immediately in front of their faces. So as the holiday season comes around and you think about buying that diamond pendant necklace for your girl, I implore you to consider conflict free diamonds.

You should be aware, however, that war is not the only thing that makes a diamond a conflict diamond. Other factors must be taken into account. Any type of violence, worker exploitation, or any mining that causes serious environmental damage is also considered tainted.

When you work with a jeweler that specifies in non-conflict diamonds you can be assured that you will not be promoting these awful acts. However, not all stores publicize their diamond values. This is why you should ask your jeweler if you are purchasing one of their diamond necklaces that contains conflict free diamonds.

It’s an extra little gift to your special lady if you can say your gift was not only thoughtful and shiny, but also ecologically and conscience friendly.

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Secret Santa and Silver Hoop Earrings

Posted on December 12, 2011 by kristing

Every year around this time, a few of my friends and I get together to exchange names for holiday gifts. We set a monetary limit and we pick the name of one of our friends to purchase a gift for. Not only does this cut down significantly the cost of gift giving as you only need to buy for one friend, but it makes it extra special to focus on one friend and get her something she’ll really love.

This year, I’m getting my secret Santa friend a pair of silver hoop earrings. She’s always loved wearing bangle type jewelry and was recently overheard telling her boyfriend that she would love to have a pair of earrings for the holidays.

Well, if she wants one pair of silver hoop earrings, why not two? Besides, these earrings are so versatile they can be worn on special occasions or just to the office. Now she’ll have two pair to choose from!

I’m sure she’s going to love getting these at our gift exchange this year. And the best part is that they fall within our budget limit so I don’t have to break the bank or empty my wallett to make a dear friend happy.

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Engagement Ring Season

Posted on December 5, 2011 by kristing

It is a statistical fact that December is the number one month for engagements. Women get solitaire engagement rings in their stockings for Christmas or are surprised with a beautiful ring at their family holiday meal. Engagements happen before Christmas so that she can show off her ring during the season. They happen left, right, and center all through the month of December. Are you prepared for the engagement ring season?

If you haven’t started looking for a ring, this might be the perfect time. With sales for the season happening almost every day, it’s easy to find affordable engagement rings for anyone’s taste.

Does she like white gold or yellow? Maybe she’d really like platinum. One diamond or several? There are so many rings out there now that don’t use diamonds at all! There are so many karat sizes and so many different styles to choose from that you really shouldn’t have an issue finding the perfect one.

Once you find it though, it’s all up to you how you pop the question. Better make it memorable with the flurry of engagements happening this season. Don’t worry, as soon as she sees the beautiful ring you picked out for her, she’ll definitely say yes.

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Making A Jewelry Wishlist

Posted on November 28, 2011 by MattC

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for online, that is! This year why don’t you treat yourself (or someone you love) to a wonderful holiday gift? Make the most of the internet by putting together a wishlist. We open our imaginations to visions of the gifts we want but the truth is we need to express what gifts those are if we ever intend to get them. This is particularly true with jewelry.

Jewelry is sometimes a tough shopping terrain to tackle. It so heavily relies on personal taste that it may overwhelm friends, family, and significant others when choosing the perfect gift for you. Make their lives easier by expressing the kind of fashion trends you love. Jewelry for women is very diverse. A wishlist of ideas, items, or styles will help narrow down personal taste. You can make one as a guideline for shopping.

Say for example you’re really big on jewelry pendants. You absolutely adore them! Put specifics on the wishlist as to what ones you really like. Specify you want hearts, or keys, or rhinestones. Say you want silver or gold pendants. The more detail, as long as it isn’t fussy, the easier it is for people to shop for you.

The same rule applies when you shop for others. Get the details. Ask questions, observe. The better you know your recipient, the better the gift. Taking the extra time to create shopping lists makes the experience an easy ride.

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Jewelry Trends and Gifting For The Holiday

Posted on November 21, 2011 by MattC

In all fairness, jewelry is a great gift yearlong. There is something about the holidays however that adds the urgency for sparkles. Maybe it’s the glimmer of the sun off the icy ground. Maybe it’s that unexplainable similarity between diamonds and ice. Maybe it’s the decor on the streets and in store-fronts. Whatever the motivation, this is the perfect time of year to gift diamond necklaces and earrings.

The simplicity in diamond pendants makes them an easy gift. They’re perfect for showing you love someone. The 14 karat heart pendants are especially nice for significant others as a token of your love. You can also show how much you adore her with a Fluer de Lis made of sterling silver.

Key jewelry pendants are also quite popular. They are “the key to your heart” so to speak, and as traditionally romantic as it sounds, the key is actually a very low key gift. It has meaning without being as “mushy” or lovey-dovey as the other pendants.

But what about family members? Sisters, mothers, and grandmothers all deserve some nice jewelry too! Maybe buy your sister a star pendant or two-tone gold pendant. Moms will love anything you get them but you better show your appreciation with a stunning heart pendant! Try one with multiple gems, like diamonds, emeralds, or sapphire.

Take your time picking the right jewelry for your loved ones. The effort is worth the reaction you’ll get when they open their present.

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Fall Into Autumn Fashion With Gold Pendants

Posted on November 14, 2011 by MattC

November is well underway and we got out our sweaters, hats, and gloves. Browns, burnt oranges, and yellows have infiltrated our daily lives and the trees are starting to lose their leaves. Just like the changing of the colors, we must revamp our style and learn to incorporate new pieces of jewelry into our collections.

Gold pendants are a stunning autumnal accessory. Take, for example, a 14 karat yellow gold leaf pendant. These come in a variety of leaf shapes, with maple looking the most seasonal. They’re festive but they’re not kitschy and that makes them a solid addition to your jewelry box.

You can never go wrong with wire design pendants either. They’re fairly neutral pieces. Flat square, circular, and heart shapes offer simplicity even with the inner-weaving. The 3D designs are much busier but they are an ingenious conversation starter.

An absolute must have are two-tone basketweave jewelry pendants. Seriously, who doesn’t think Thanksgiving when November rolls around (not including the international scene)? Basketweaving is a big Thanksgiving thing. Food comes in cornucopias, farmers markets get a lot of attention, it’s a month of traditional and agricultural iconography.

If now ever were the time to try something new, then best wishes on a wonderful holiday shopping spree.

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Winterizing Your Jewelry and Accessories

Posted on November 7, 2011 by MattC

We have covered fall and winter fashion in past blog posts, but have we covered how to really “dress up” for winter? Everyone has this misconception that because it’s cold outside you can just layer anything you want and look like a mess. The only thing worse than a hot mess is a cold mess.

Just because you’re bundled doesn’t mean you can’t look fantastic. You can add some magic to your winter outfit by finding the appropriate  jewelry and accessories. Necklaces, for example, act as a great winter accessory. If you don’t feel the need for a scarf, replace it with a rope necklace. Turquoise fashion necklaces, diamond necklaces, and beaded necklaces are all brilliant options. They look great with basic tees and button downs.

You can also look for statement jewelry. Sterling silver earrings and rings are popular. Chandelier earrings and other hanging earrings with crystal settings reflect winter’s icicle decorated months.

You can match these accessories with color coordinated hats and gloves. Winter is amazing for layered looks. You can pair busy with plain. Keep an eye out for jewelry that matches the ever popular plaid designs that hit stores each coming fall and winter.

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