Jewelry Box

Sterling silver is a bright, eye-catching metal that looks great with any skin tone and outfit. The only time it doesn’t look great is when it’s tarnished! You’ll want to take good care of your sterling silver jewelry so it always looks brand new. You don’t need to buy expensive cleaner to do this; you can easily clean your jewelry using a few household items.

You’ll need baking soda, aluminum foil, a glass dish, boiling water, a plastic or wood utensil, an absorbent towel and a soft cloth. Line the dish with aluminum foil and place a sterling silver necklace, bracelet, ring or earrings on the aluminum. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the jewelry, and then pour enough boiling water to immerse the jewelry. There should be bubbling and a rotten-egg smell - those are sulfuric gases being released as the tarnish is dislodged from the silver and binds with the aluminum. Use the utensil to move the jewelry around to make all parts of it come in contact with the aluminum. Once all parts of the jewelry become bright again, rinse it under tap water and wipe it with an absorbent towel. Polish it with a soft cloth and it’ll be just like new!

While the words carat and karat might SOUND indistinguishable, it’s often easy to tell the difference through context. For example, someone who mentions carats in the context of a diamond ring is most likely referring to the weight of the gemstones. Karats, on the other hand, are a measure of purity in precious metals such as white gold. Of course things become a bit tricky when you’re talking about a 14k white gold necklace with opulent diamonds.

It’s important to note that no piece of gold jewelry can be 100 percent pure, owing to the fact that solid gold is too soft and malleable by itself. Alloys such as zinc are often added to strengthen the gold and add a touch of color as well. White gold is the result of nickel or palladium alloys being added to the mix, while yellow gold is most likely the result of copper and zinc additives.

As gold prices continue to rise, so does the price of jewelry. With this is mind, it is important to pick pieces of jewelry that not only look great but are versatile as well. What good is spending hundreds of dollars on earrings or a necklace if you can only wear them a couple of times a year?

For your next jewelry purchase look for simple designs that are appropriate for a variety of occasions. Choosing something causal yet elegant will allow you to enjoy the piece during the workweek, not just on special occasions. 14k yellow gold necklaces and chains are simple and can be paired with virtually any bracelets, watches or rings.

As you begin to amass a sizable collection of fine jewelry, it’s important to keep accessories separated. Better organization will make it easier for you to find your favorite broach, bracelet or set of earrings, of course, but that’s not the only reason. When they’re mixed together, hard minerals will inevitably create scratches in the surface of softer ones.

Let the Mohs scale of mineral hardness be your guide if you’re struggling to group your jewelry. It’s common knowledge that diamonds are the hardest of all stones, so you’ll want to keep them away from anything bearing pearls. A 14k yellow gold necklace would rate a 3 on the Mohs scale with a diamond rating 10. Keep softer metals together and you won’t have to deal with the misfortune of a scratched, unsightly accessory.

It’s certainly en vogue right now to go bold with your accessories. This can often mean big buckled, high waist belts or intricately carved, beaded, or otherwise ornamented bangles. But there’s something to be said for sporting understated accessories. As is the case with many fashion items, the bigger and bolder the statement, the more prone that item is to being a fad.

But if you decide to sport a plain sterling silver necklace, this could be a beautiful addition to your little black cocktail dress. It would also complement a tan pashmina or other classic accessory. While it is definitely a more understated look, it also isn’t in any danger of going out of style. It is also age appropriate across generations. Something as simple and striking as a single chain necklace will look equally appropriate on a 20-something, a 30-something, or a 60-something.

If you know somebody that was born in February, their birthstone is the amethyst. And these people are particularly lucky because amethyst is a varied and versatile stone. For one, it comes in many different shades of purple. This means that you can wear amethysts whether you prefer the light, almost translucent purple or the deep, rich purple. Amethysts are also easily faceted, so they make an ideal gem for rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Because of this wide diversity with amethyst stones, amethyst jewelry makes a fantastic gift for anyone born in February or anyone who simply enjoys a beautiful and high quality piece of jewelry. An amethyst necklace is sure to be particularly appreciated, because not only will it be a beautiful addition to their accessory wardrobe, but they will also get to appreciate the beauty of the piece of jewelry themselves.

One of the most difficult things about giving a necklace as a gift is that you’re never quite sure where the necklace is going to fall on the recipient. Depending on the person’s body size, the necklace may sit too high or too low. If it’s too far one way or the other, it can actually be uncomfortable, and in all likelihood, this means the necklace will go unworn. Jewelry absolutely must be comfortable for it to be worn, so the next time you’re going to give a necklace, consider purchasing a beautiful and charming pendant alone.

This way, the person can pick out a chain that is the absolutely ideal length, thickness, and weight. They can also pick out their desired metal. Some people absolutely adore sterling silver while others have more specific tastes and can only wear 14K white gold necklaces. Whatever the person’s preference, let them make the selection. And, of course, offer to pay the bill. Just hope the recipient of the pendant prefers sterling silver over platinum!

Most women are fond of jewelry. The most popular pieces of jewelry are made of gold but since yellow gold is expensive, jewelry made from white gold has been widely accepted. A 14k white gold necklace is easily affordable for most women. An 18k white gold is the highest quality of gold. Therefore a 14k white gold necklace is a great buy. As a gift, this is ideal for most men and women for special occasions.

Necklaces vary in their worth and designs. To enhance their beauty and attractiveness, pendants are added. There are a lot of pendants to choose from. But eventually, it is the value of the 14k gold necklace that spells the difference. Choosing to have a 14k gold necklace, whether for personal use or as a gift, will always be a good and wise choice.

I hear the Beatles liked to wear 14K yellow gold rings. I guess it must have been in vogue then.  As the years have gone by it seems all the Rock Stars seem to wear gold rings. Is this class or are they setting a standard for all other Rock Stars!!!

 14K yellow gold necklaces and chains seem to be worn by all Basket Ball Stars and Baseball Players as a sign of wealth.  Is this a carry over from ancient days!!!