Tuesday, December 13, 2011

12 Features Diamond Ring

'Solitaire'
Brand: Tomei

'Heart'
Brand: K.M. Oli Mohamed

'Princess'
Brand: Asprey

'Emerald'
Brand: Asprey

'Floral'
Brand: Selberan

'Oval'
Brand: Asprey

'Patented Cuts'
Brand: K.M. Oli Mohamed

'Round'
Brand: Habib Jewels

'Cushion'
Brand: K.M. Oli Mohamed

'Radiant'
Brand: Habib Jewels

'Pear'
Brand: Cartier

'Coloured Stone'
Brand: OTY

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Diamond terms

Brilliance

The way light interacts with the stone; the higher the quality of the stone, the more it will shine.

Canadian Diamonds

In the early 1990s, miners found a lode of diamonds on the Arctic tundra in Canada's northwest. Since then it has grown into a $2 billion annual business.

Carat

A unit of measure used to weigh stones.

Clarity

The clearness and cleanness of the stone when viewed with a loupe.

Color Classifications

A color scale that runs from D (colorless) to Z (very light yellow).

Conflict-free

Diamonds whose mining did not fund terrorist activities or civil atrocities.

Crown

The top portion of a diamond extending from the girdle to the table.

Culet

The facet at the tip of a gemstone. The best culet is invisible to the naked eye.

Cultured Diamonds

Synthetic diamonds "grown" in labs, resulting in stones whose properties are very similar to mined diamonds but for much less money.

Cut

The angle and number of facets on the stone. The cut is the greatest factor in a diamond's brilliance.

Depth

The height of a gemstone measured from the culet to the table.

Diameter

The width of the diamond as measured through the girdle.

Flaw

Small black or dull places seen in most diamonds; can be microscopic fractures or feathers. Also known as an inclusion.

Four C's

Cut, color, clarity and carat, all of which are used to evaluate a diamond's value.

Girdle

The intersection of the crown and pavilion that defines the perimeter of the diamond.

Inclusion

A naturally occurring "flaw" inside a rough precut diamond. Like a handprint, each diamond has its own inclusions, which can affect a diamond’s clarity and strength.

Pavilion

The bottom portion of a diamond, extending from the girdle to the culet.

Placeholder Ring

A temporary ring a groom gives his betrothed when proposing. It can be a family heirloom, costume jewelry or a ring provided by a jeweler, for which the groom preselects the center stone.

Setting

The mounting that attaches the diamond to the ring’s band. Settings are usually made out of platinum because of its strength and durability.

Shape

The geometry or silhouette of the stone.

Solitaire

A simple band with a single center stone mounted in a three-to-six-claw prong and set precisely to capture the light. It's the most classic and popular style.

Table

The flat part of the diamond. The largest facet of a cut diamond.

Three-stone

A design that consists of either three identically sized stones or one larger center stone flanked with two smaller ones. It’s among the most popular styles.

 Credit: Brides

Hairstyle Vs Earring

There’s nothing that gives your face a quicker lift than a great pair of earrings. If you have long, medium, or short hair, do pay attention to your earrings. As always, do your homework, and know your own facial shape, and what hair styles look good on you.

Lady with SHORT HAIR:
If you have a short hair, earrings are every bit as important as the clothing you put on your body. Your earlobes are exposed for all the world to see and you want them to be appropriately dressed. When you choose an outfit to put on in the morning, take as much care selecting your earrings as you do your top or shoes. Short haired people can appear a bit “naked” without a little ear adornment.
Let Go of Old Fashion Dictates!
Dismiss the idea that you need to wear small earrings if you have shorter hair. You can wear all types of earrings with short hair from subtle gemstone post earrings to long, sparkly dangles. It really all depends on your mood, the occasion, and your outfit. You’re lucky! A long dangle style can look quite dramatic when worn with an elegant dress to a party. By keeping the rest of your jewelry and outfit simple, even dramatic earrings won’t look overdone.Wearing a fashionable pair of earrings takes on even greater importance if you happen to have short hair. Have the widest range of earring selection. From the simplest diamond stud, to the most outrageous hoops, women with short hair can get away with just about any style. Just remember to take the rest of your outfit into consideration before selecting a style. If your outfit is complicated or especially flashy, choose a simpler earring style. You’ll look your best when you don’t have multiple elements competing for attention.

Hoop Earring

Button Earring 
Long Dangle Earring
Lady with MEDIUM LENGTH HAIR:
  If your hair is medium-length, you will want to exercise caution in selecting hoop-style earrings. This style of earring tends to add weight and curves to your face, so those with round faces will want to be especially selective. If you choose to wear hoop earrings, select styles that have an oval shape and are crafted from a light material.

Lady with LONG HAIR:
 Girls with long hair, you can really show off your ears with style and panache. There’s no hiding those earlobes behind a mop of stringing hair or getting your earrings caught in the hairbrush as you style your long hair. You have the advantage of being able to show the world what a great earring collection you have. Choosing hoops that come in square or rectangular styles is another way to add dimension to round faces paired with long hair.

Long Dangle Earring

Also important to consider is the balance between your earrings and other jewelry. Too much jewelry can look gaudy, but too little can appear casual and uninspired. If you plan on wearing one piece of big, highly distinctive jewelry, forgo wearing any other jewelry. For instance, if you’re wearing large, flashy earrings then skip wearing a necklace and bracelet. If your necklace is a particularly bold piece, leave your ears bare. Check yourself in a mirror when you are done accessorizing and make sure that jewelry pieces do not appear too cluttered or chaotic.
Earrings can play a large role in appearance. They can draw attention to your face or your hair, or they can draw attention away from less desirable aspects that you want to disguise. When accessorizing, think about how the different elements of your appearance impact other aspects of your look. Consider how you want to look and the message you want to convey with your appearance. Check your look in a full-length mirror to ensure you’ve achieved your desired style goal.

Credit: iDo Jewellery
Source:http://www.idojewellery.com

Jewellery For Body Shape Guide

I always design any jewellery according to your personal statement of style. Another wonderful fact is that there is jewelry to fit every taste and every budget. There are no firm rules of right or wrong jewellery choices. However, just as you consider your personal features and build when choosing clothing fashions, you might also do so when you’re selecting jewelry. I am writing this blog is not to set down rules, but to offer general guidelines for selecting jewelry that flatters you! Whenever you wear it, you will be proud to flaunt it to everybody!
Height and bone structure Remember that the most important rule for buying jewelry is to buy what you like because its beauty will last a lifetime. The first and most important factor for you to consider is your overall body size and shape. To help you apply the fashion guidelines to your specific type, i have divided height into 3 separate categories, with discussions of pertinent bone structure. For your purposes, simply refer to the category in which your height is included.
 Petite (Under 5’4″)
Necklaces -
Petite women best wear collar-length or longer necklaces. Styles with “V” shapes and ones that fall below the breast but above the waist elongate the figure.
Bracelets-Bangles flatter petite women . Several narrow ones are more flattering than one wide one because they are more in proportion to the petite’s overall size.
Earrings-Concentrate on styles that sweep upward, pulling the viewer’s eye up. Full-figured petites look especially well in sharp geometric shapes.
 Average (5’4″- 5’7″)
Necklaces-
The average-height woman can wear necklaces of any length unless she is full-figured. In that case, she should avoid necklaces which rest on the breast line.
Bracelets-Wide bracelets are more in proportion to the average-height woman than very narrow ones.
Earrings - Earring choices are unlimited and should be considered in connection with face shape and, of course, hair styles. Feel free to select exciting geometric shapes such as triangles, squares and ovals.
 Tall (Over 5’7″)
Necklaces-
Almost any length goes well. The thin tall woman may select chokers which cut the line of the neck and de-emphasize height. Necklaces made of stones or pearls of the same size are especially flattering to the tall woman.
Bracelets-The tall woman has a wide range of bracelet choices as long as she stays away from too-delicate pieces. The full-figured tall woman should wear several thin bracelets together to give a more balanced feeling, or a couple of wide bracelets.
Earrings-Long dangling earrings are especially flattering to tall women. Because there is plenty of space between the ear lobe and shoulder, she can wear any shape earrings except tiny buttons which look lost.
Face Shapes
Now, let’s combine the information pertaining to height and bone structure with the shape of your face. There are 4 basic shapes: oval, round, heart-shaped and rectangular. Analyze your face shape, and determine the fashions that will best complement it. Remember to select jewelry that is in proportion to the size of your face.
 Oval - The oval face is considered to be the perfect shape. The proportions at the forehead are not too wide, and the line from the forehead flows into high cheekbones, then narrows slightly to a rounded chin.
Necklaces-Any shape necklace will work with the oval. A choker looks just as good as opera-length pearls or any necklace that comes to a “V.”
Earrings-Round shapes, button or hoop earrings look well on the oval face, but triangular shapes are especially flattering. Dangling earrings look well, if they are not too long. Earrings that move up the ear or have wings that sweep up minimize a too-thin face or long nose.
 Round- The round face is a circle-the width is equal to the length, with no discernible angles at the cheek or chin. The aim of jewelry is to add length.
Necklaces-To give a dimension of length, look for long necklaces, 28″ to 32″.
Earrings-Squares, oblongs, rectangles work well as do dangling and angular designs. Elongated styles also go well because they draw attention down instead of around.

Rectangular- The rectangular face has more length than width and it has distinguishable angles. The width of the face at the forehead is the same as the chin. This face needs jewelry that adds width and camouflages the length of the face.
Necklaces-A high choker reduces the length of the face, particularly if the neck is too long. Also, a 16″ or 18″ necklace that ends in a “U” flatters this face.

 Heart-Shape - This face is wide at the forehead and cheeks, then narrows sharply to a point at the chin. Think of this face as a triangle. It likes jewelry that adds width to the chin to draw the eye away from the point.
Necklaces-A choker necklace is a favorite style because it softens and diminishes the sharp angle of the chin.
Earrings-Look for earrings that are wider at the bottom than the top. Dangling earrings that form a triangle are especially flattering.

 Triangle- A dominant jawline that tapers or narrows toward the cheekbones & temples.
A triangle face is similar to a heart shape, but with corners & angles. You can match the angles of your face for impact or counterbalance them for softness.
Necklaces- Avoid necklaces that end with a point.
 
Hands
One final area to take into account when buying jewelry is the hand. This is a body area that attracts a great deal of attention because people “talk” with their hands or otherwise bring attention to them. It is important to select your ring with the same attention as other jewelry, striving to have a ring that flatters your hand. The length of the fingers is the determining factor when purchasing rings.
 

Long Finger:
Women with long fingers, like tall women, can handle almost any style. In all cases, rings, like all jewelry, must be selected in proportion to the size of the hand. For example, if the long-fingered hand is also overly thin, oval or round settings are best because they soften the look. Also, wider bands are more flattering than thin ones.
 Short Finger:
The hands with short fingers look best with settings that remain within the knuckle. The setting or stone that extends past the knuckle only accentuates the hand’s shortness and makes it look less elegant. Oval or marquise shape stones elongate the hand and make good choices for short fingers. Round solitaire settings are also good because of their simplicity. If you want a large ring, opt for a dome shape of a high setting that won’t overpower the short hand.
 
Finally, when buying a ring, it is most important to keep comfort in mind. The hand is a working, functioning body area, as opposed to the earlobe which doesn’t put forth any effort. Don’t forsake comfort for looks. Measure the length of your knuckle and buy what allows you to move your finger freely.

Summing up Whatever your body proportions or height, there are real jewelry styles to fit your “look.” Your local jeweler has a wide variety of fashions for you to compare, try on and select what flatters you . Rely on your jeweler for advice, information and service before and after your purchase.

Credit: iDo Jewellery
Source: http://www.idojewellery.com

Fashion and Jewellery For Your Body Shape

 If Your Body Shape is… Apple:
You have: Beautiful curves like Jade Jagger, Drew Barrymore and Kate Winslet.Apple shaped girls are defined by curve and width. Characteristics are full busts, waists and upper backs and often width around the middle leading down to slim legs. For you it’s all about accentuating the positives (like your killer legs) and bringing balance to your shape as a whole.

 
Apple Girls’ Guide to the Top Bits
Jewellery: Statement jewellery, such as pendants and earrings, draws the attention away from your waist and up towards your shoulders and face.
Your Goals: Accentuate slim arms and décolletage (you lucky things), whilst bringing some shape to your waist and balancing the torso.
Create a Waist: Doing so will slim down and balance your entire figure. Think cinched waist tops, waist belts, tailored nipped waist jackets and wrap around tops.
Flesh Focus: Show off your slim arms with great sleeve detailing. Cap sleeves, sleeveless tops and detailing around the shoulders are all great ideas. Remember that your full bust is also a great feature, go for tops that show this off!
Minimise: Darker colours and more matte or basic fabrics on top can help minimise and slim a torso whilst detailing around the neckline or below brings attention to great assets.
Empire: Empire line dresses will create balance and will disguise any areas you want to hide. You can even go with a large print that will keep all eyes on you whilst breaking up your frame and slimming the figure.
Apple Girls’ Guide to the Bottom Line Your Goals: Accentuate your slim pins and bring balance to your frame by creating flow from your top half to your bottom half.Cut the Length: Shorter length skirts and dresses show off your great legs so are a good choice. You can always pair these back with more flowing tunic style tops to create some great proportion.
Get the Skinny: Skinny leg jeans and pencil skirts show off your thin legs!
Balance it: Flared and boot cut pants are great to balance out your upper half but thinner leg options should definitely not be frowned at. When it comes to skirts go for something with a little bit of a flare or ruffle for balance and make sure to show off your slim ankles and calves. Remember… It’s great to be an apple shape because of your fantastic legs and arms. Show them off with pretty skirts and 3/4 sleeve tops.
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If Your Body Shape is…Pear:
You have: The best of both worlds; you’re lean and bootylicious like Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Tyra Banks.Characterised by a slim torso, bust and waist with larger hips, thighs and bottom, pear shaped bodies benefit from well tailored and proportioned items. This shape is all about balance, drawing the eye up and elongating the leg.


 Pear Girls’ Guide to the Top Bits Your Goals: Balance is the key word here, and for you it’s all about drawing the eye up and balancing what’s going on below.
Jewellery: Brooches worn high and towards your shoulder will make your top half look wider.
Chokers and pendants keep the focus near your face and away from your hips
Necklines: V neck tops help balance out your shoulders and add shape to the bust area. Detailed necklines are also a great choice. Things like beading, ruching or pleating across the bust will add shape and give a fuller effect.
Strappy: Few people can really get away with the strapless or strappy thing like you can. Embrace it and go with it – everyone else is jealous, I assure you.
Minimise: Minimise the bottom half by going crazy with the top. Think silk, bright colours, detailing and all the rest. These will draw the eye up and when paired with dark basics or solid tones on the bottom will balance your entire figure.
Maximise: Many pear shaped girls would prefer a little more weight along the torso. You can fake this by going for ruching or buy padded bras and enhancers.
Crop It: If you have hips then a great place to emphasise is your proportionally very slim waist. Cropped jackets and waist friendly belts will draw the eye up and accentuate a great feature. Cinched in waist dresses (like dresses with waist ties) and empire line dresses can accentuate the positives in your shape whilst gliding over problem areas.
Pear Girls’ Guide to the Bottom LineYour Goals: Minimise your hips and thighs while making the most of your very slim lower legs and making sure your top half flows through to your bottom half. Minimise: Darker colours on your bottom half will minimise width and lengthen the legs so when shopping for pants, these shades are the best option. This is a great idea to keep in mind when shopping for denim.
Stretch It: The fact that you have wider hips and thighs with thinner bottom legs means that something with a little bit of stretch is going to give you the best fit. Whilst spandex leggings may not be the go, something with a little elastane will give the best fit.
Band Aid: To minimise a tummy (if you have one) a waist band that sits a littler higher than the average (i.e. two or so fingers under the belly button) will smooth the tummy area magnificently.
Slim It: Pants with prominent vertical seams or more of a boyfriend cut flatter and lengthen the legs whilst slimming the silhouette as a whole.
Skirt Around: Wear skirts that cut off below the knee, particularly handkerchief hems and asymmetric cuts, which bring attention to slim calves and ankles. A line is a key word also. Remember… It’s great to be pear shaped because you can wear all the tops that others can’t. Stock up on silks and strapless numbers and watch other girls turn green with envy.
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If Your Body Shape is…Hourglass:
You have: Classic curves like Jessica Simpson, Scarlett Johansson and Anne Hathaway.The hourglass figure will have a wider bust and thighs paired with a thin waist. This curvy shape benefits from showing off your best assets and creating balance.


 Hourglass Girls’ Guide to the Top Bits Your Goals: Showing off your assets stylishly will slim an hourglass frame, bringing the eye to areas you love while helping you skim over areas you’re not so confident with.
Shape It: Wrap around tops and dresses are great for an hourglass as they emphasise your naturally thin waist. The same goes for cinched waist anything or items that belt or cinch at the true waist. Tailoring is your key here.
De Bulk: Thin weight fabrics like matt suiting gives a slimming line to your figure but doesn’t add bulk. Keep this in mind when shopping for knitwear as well – the finer the knit the more flattering the finish.
Support: This includes supportive semi-firm fabrics in a dress to supportive bras that lift the bust or thicker straps on a top that keep a nice line across the shoulders. Because you have curvy figure support is key – keep this in mind when looking for any items.
Neckline: You will find items that come to a V are the most flattering along the neck. This is because they draw the eye down to the décolletage but also slim and narrow your quite wide chest. Because hourglass figures usually boast larger busts it’s also important to keep this in mind, and not make a large bust look completely out of proportion by pairing it with a neckline that is too high.
Matte and Monotone: Keeping colours monochromatic gives a stylish finish and keeps you looking really well proportioned. While you can definitely wear colours and patterns well, care must be taken to not look too over the top. The more muted the better.
Sleevey: Sleeves not only add a little more shape across the shoulders, they are also a great way to flatter bigger arms. Fluted, three quarter and puff sleeves can instantly slim the entire arm as well as adding another layer of dimension.
Hourglass Girls’ Guide to the Bottom LineYour Goals: To flatter the form without adding any unwanted bulk.
Skirt Around: Skirts are a great way for you to flatter your form if you want to wear tops and bottoms as opposed to dresses. Pencil skirts, knee length straight skirts and high waisted skirts are all good options. Make sure to choose styles with a little stretch for comfort and the best fit.
Pants: Softly flared pants and jeans help balance out the figure below. Hourglass figures may also benefit from skinny leg cuts and wide leg cuts, which are tailored.
Rise and Fall: Mid-rise items are always great and flattering to an hourglass shape as they can cut across and diminish curves in the belly area. High waists too are a great option and a good way to show off your naturally thin waist. Remember… It’s great to be an hourglass because you have killer curves. Show them off with dresses and skirts which embrace femininity and seduction.
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If Your Body Shape is…Petite:
You have: A cute compact and lean body like Eva Longoria, Kylie Minogue and Natalie Portman.Petite body types are smaller and often naturally toned. They will have broad shoulders and short legs. You’re compact and small and for you it is all about creating length and curves and, of course, keeping it all in proportion.


Petite Girls’ Guide to the Top Bits Your Goals: To keep the eye moving from top to bottom, to create flow from your top half to your bottom half and of course to not swamp your delicate figure.
One Tone: One colour top to toe will create proportion, lengthen the figure and all the while give you a great silhouette.
All in Proportion: Tops that are shorter in length, cropped jackets that don’t fall below the hips and items that are detailed just under the bust all give you a sense of proportion to your body. This means a perfectly balanced frame.
Chiffon and Sheer: Over wraps and tops in a sheer fabric (like chiffon, lace and tulle) allow you to add layers to an outfit and a little curve to your body, while still keeping the line of your body clear. It’s something that Kylie uses all the time – think a sheer chiffon caftan with a plaited waist tie over skinny leg denim.
Petite Girls’ Guide to the Bottom LineYour Goals: Give your silhouette a little length.
Hemline: When you have little legs it’s important to keep the hemlines just right. If you are going to go with a floor length dress or skirt then make sure it has a dynamic front slit that will draw the eye up and give your legs a little length. However, the best length dress or skirt will be a cocktail or mini; here the proportion will be just right.
Line Work: When it comes to pants, the slimmer the leg the more lean and long your frame will look. Embrace skinny leg denim as the base of your outfit and your figure will benefit. Cuff It: Make sure that the cuff of your pants doesn’t skim the floor as this will just draw the eye down instead of up. Instead pants that cut off at or taper into the ankle are the best choice. If not make sure your pants are at least a centimetre off the floor – this will make your legs seem longer.
Footwork: Neutral coloured heels, peep-toe heels and shoes in the colour of your outfit are great for making you appear taller. Ankle boots are also great for this, as are knee high boots worn over skinny denim because it makes it look like those legs go on forever!Remember… It’s great to be petite because you can pull off all those strappy, skimpy cuts in tops, dresses and skirts that we are all dying to try.

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If Your Body Shape is…Slim / Athletic:
You have: A sporty body like Cameron Diaz, Mischa Barton and Keira Knightley.Slim and athletic types will be straight up and down, perhaps with not much of a bottom or bust. You’re straight and narrow and for you it is all about creating curves, curves, curves!

Jewellery: Accessorize with necklaces, colourful belts and scarves to add shape and interest
Slim Athletic Girls’ Guide to the Top Bits Your Goals: Curve, curve, curve is the call of the day!Strap and Strapless: Strapless bodices, form fitting shapes and strappy complex necklines are all something that smaller frames can get away with. So do it!
Print It: Little prints, contrasting colours and mixed and matched prints all add texture, which means curves in all the right places.
Shape Maker: Anything that creates shape is your best friend, such as pleating, detailing, beading, prints, pleats, ruching, silk and knitwear. All of these items create curves on the bust and hips which make them great options for slim girls.
Bold and Beautiful: Large jewellery (particularly necklaces) and bold colours around the neckline and top half keep all eyes on you and add a bit more depth to your frame. Choose colours that are punchy yet complement your skin tone.
Waisted: The illusion of a waist can be created in a number of ways, from belts around the waist to well-cut tailored jackets which flare out just below the waist.
Don’t Swamp: Tailored items will always look best on you, while boxy items will just swamp your body. You need tailoring to create form. This goes for the bottom half too.
Slim Athletic Girls’ Guide to the Bottom LineYour Goals: Embrace your slim lines or make a little more curve – the choice is yours.
Curve Creator: On the bottom your curves can be enhanced with belts, pocket detailing as well as A-line and full skirts. Pants can be patterned and textured and high waists are definitely not a problem for you.
Bias Cut: Bias cut dresses and skirts hug the body in all the right ways and hang in all the right places. What you are left with is the feeling of curve even where none exists.
Silhouette: Skinny leg denim or pants will show off all the curve you have and give a long lean look. They’re also a great choice for layering with other pieces to create more depth. However, if curve is what you are after, high waisted and boyfriend cut pants are the way to go. And the ever obvious puff and tulip silhouettes in dresses and skirts. Remember… It’s great to have a thin/ athletic frame because the trends off the runway actually work on you! Take advantage of it and be brave with fashion.

Credit: iDo Jewellery
Source:http://www.idojewellery.com

Monday, July 18, 2011

HOW TO CARE FOR DIAMONDS AND FINE JEWELRY

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER JEWELRY CARE

CUSTOM DESIGNED RING BY JEWELRY STUDIO
At Jewelry Studio, a full service, luxury designer jewelry store in downtown Bozeman, Montana, we want our clients to enjoy wearing their jewelry for many decades… and hopefully pass their jewelry on to future generations.  The staff at Jewelry Studio in Bozeman is dedicated to educating clients on the proper care and cleaning of their rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants, chains, diamonds, gemstones and pearls.  Jewelry Studio strongly encourages its clients to come in regularly, at least a few times a year, to have their rings and other important jewelry pieces properly inspected for any damage, worn prongs and loose stones. Jewelry Studio wants to tighten any loose stones or fix any potential problems as soon as possible.  Jewelry Studio provides its clients with complimentary and professional ring polishing and jewelry cleanings so that their jewelry is always looking its very best, with lots of great eye-catching sparkle! 
Diamond jewelry is extremely popular. Engagement and wedding rings are created to be worn every day.  Diamonds are very durable but they still require proper maintenance to protect them and keep them looking their very best.  Clean diamonds “glow” because the maximum amount of light can enter the stone and return in a fiery brilliance.  Diamonds can get smudged and dirty. Body oils, lotions, powders, and soaps can put a film on diamonds that will cut down their brilliance.
Fine jewelry is a very precious possession that is crafted to last a lifetime.  However, proper care is required to assure the lasting qualities of fine jewelry.  Jewelry Studio is pleased to share some important and helpful tips from Jewelers of America, Inc. for properly caring for fine jewelry, diamonds and gemstones.
General Jewelry Care Suggestions:
Store your jewelry in a safe, clean, and dry place.
Do not tangle your jewelry pieces in a drawer or case because jewelry pieces can scratch and damage each other.

Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough work!  Even though a diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, diamonds can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow.  Treat diamonds and all precious jewelry with gentle care.

Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on you diamond jewelry.  Keep your jewelry away from chlorine bleach or other household chemicals.  

Remove your jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.

There are many different types of colored gemstones, some of which require very specific care and cleaning procedures.  Be sure to consult with your jeweler about the care and treatment of your specific gemstones.

Do not expose precious gemstone or jewelry pieces to salt water or other harsh chemicals such as chlorine or detergents. These chemicals may slowly erode the finish and polish of gemstones and jewelry metals like silver and gold.

Hair spray and perfume may cause jewelry to become dull looking.  Always apply cosmetics, lotions, and perfumes before putting on jewelry.

Do not subject gemstone jewelry to sudden temperature changes.

If you have an active lifestyle, be sure to take extra precautions with gemstone and diamond jewelry!  Emeralds, for example, are brittle and should not be worn when doing household chores or any activity where the stone could be hit or damaged.
Do not wear fine jewelry when doing strenuous sports, household activities, weight-lifting or gardening.

Remove fine jewelry before showering or cleaning.  Soap can cause a film to form on jewelry making diamonds, gemstones and jewelry appear dull, old and lifeless.  

To make sure that all your fine jewelry is properly cared for, take you jewelry to a trusted professional jeweler like Jewelry Studio in Bozeman, Montana.  Choose a retail jewelry store that has been serving your community for a number of years and that has an established reputation for quality service. Ask if the jeweler is a member of Jewelers of America, the national association for retail jewelers.  Jewelers of America jewelers will not only help you properly maintain your jewelry but will also answer your care an cleaning questions and help you with your important jewelry purchases, repairs and custom design work. For 17 years, Jewelry Studio in has been helping their clients care for their precious jewelry treasures.  Jewelry Studio would be happy to give you a complimentary jewelry inspection and cleaning... and tell you how to preserve the unique beauty of your jewelry.

Credit: Jewelry Studio Bozeman  

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Making jewelry cleaner from household ingredients

It's not really all that complex. A little ammonia, a little detergent. Don't make it too strong, cause then it smells bad. Actually, the ammonia is optional. Any decent detergent, ranging from plain dish soap to Mr. Clean or Top Job, or laundry detergent, mixed up with warm to hot water in about the same ratio that you'd use for any other reasonably thorough cleaning task around the house, will work. The addition of a little ammonia will make it a better grease cutter. If it's strong enough to do the other ordinary household cleaning chores, it will clean your jewelry as well.

Some folks I know use just plain Windex, right from the bottle, which seems to work. My own recommendation is the above mild detergent mix, noting that the water being quite warm is more important than the exact concentration. Allow the jewelry to soak for a bit, and then rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Before cleaning your jewelry, use your common sense. be sure that you're not attempting to clean something that will come apart, simply should not be cleaned, or needs professional care.

Your good condition diamond engagement ring is probably OK to clean without worry, so long as you now and then have a jeweler check it for loose stones, worn prongs, and general condition and or needed repairs. Your antique Victorian locket with the woven hair ornament on one side and a photo on the other, shouldn't get wet. And if you scrub a piece of costume jewelry with glued-in rhinestones, you might clean all the rhinestones off the piece as well as the dirt.

Even with fine jewelry, it's not uncommon for prongs and setting to become so worn over time that half of what's holding the stones in is the accumulated dirt. Cleaning such stones can loosen them or cause them to be lost. It's generally a good idea to check the stones gently, both before and after you clean your jewelry, by GENTLY probing them with a fine tweezers or pin. If they move at all, or if it seems there's not much metal holding them in, or you're just not sure what you're seeing, then let a professional check it. A couple of notes: Ammonia will damage some of the softer opaque stones, especially amber. It's fine for diamonds in gold or platinum, but stronger solutions get risky with some of the other metals, which sometimes can be tarnished, depending on exactly what cleaner you're using and how strong. It's not usually a problem, but sometimes can be bad.

Strong cleaners of any kind can sometimes damage pearls, malachite, turquoise, peridot, and glued-in stones, (including rhinestones in costume jewelry, ivory, wood, marcasites, and a number of other, similar materials.) Most of these will be OK with mild dish soap or Woolite, in lukewarm water, except for the turquoise and anything glued in, like rhinestones and marcasites. (these may not be harmed, but often can become unglued and lost). Also, pearls on a strand should not be cleaned in anything other than distilled water (And even here, a simple damp soft cloth is better) , as detergents soak into the cord inside the pearls, and don't get rinsed out, deteriorating the cord. After cleaning, they need to be carefully set out to dry.

A few stones, while probably able to withstand cleaning, should nevertheless be left to professionals. These include emeralds, which are often oiled. You don't really want to clean out the oil, which might make it look broken, or at least worse than it started. Opals can withstand cleaning, but they are fragile, and cannot stand heat shock. Use only lukewarm water, not boiling ho, and don't drop them in the sink. Soft stones like tanzanite and apatite, and other less common ones are also probably best left to the pros.

While you can usually use a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, to GENTLY loosen dirt from around a stone or in the back of one, be careful with this, so as not to loosen the stones, and-for heaven's sake-don't use toothpaste or any other abrasive cleaner on that brush. It will dull the metal's polish. If this sounds like a lot of cautions, you're right. You can easily clean most pieces of jewelry, but if you're talking about cleaning all kinds of jewelry there are plenty of places to be cautious. Be sure that the specific pieces you wish to clean are suited to the process you are going to use. Once you've gotten the go-ahead from your jeweler about specific pieces, then have at it. And if you're not sure about all this, then just stop in and have your jeweler clean it for you. Might take a little longer, but we've got equipment you don't have that will do a better job, we are better able to evaluate the jewelry for any potential problems, and we usually don't charge much if anything for simple cleaning services.

Credit: Toronto Jewellery