JEWELRY AND WATCH

8 Tips How to Sell Your Branded Jewelry

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 13:09:00 +0700

Caring for your branded jewelry items will help you now and in the future. Jewelry and watches are meant to wear and enjoy, but like other luxury items, they need to be maintained. First, place the marketing material in a bag, and store it like your favorite cashmere sweater away from the elements. Next, be mindful that when you bang your hand on the table and hear metal you are doing damage to your ring. You get the point. Maintain and care for your jewelry and watches, and the effort will pay you back.

1. Do go online and explore your reselling options in addition to visiting brick and mortar stores.

2. Do save your original box, paperwork, certificates of authenticity, appraisal, and bags and store them to protect them from damage.

3. Do take clear photos of the item(s) from the top and sides. Also photograph the marketing material mentioned above.

4. Do research what the item currently sells for. (unless discontinued)

5. Do not panic if all you have is the item itself. Good buyers will still step up with an offer.

6. Original condition is key. If it’s used that’s OK. If it’s been abused or poorly repaired, it’s a problem.

7. Do seek an offer from someone who specializes in what you’re selling.

8. A global business will often pay a premium, because they have a bigger market.

This article was taken from : http://www.pricescope.com/journal/8-tips-help-you-sell-your-branded-jewelry
by Michael Lebowitz
Director of Jewelry at WP Diamonds

Emerging Engagement Ring Trends Blend Tradition With Modern Flair

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:48:00 +0700

by: James Wattvord

The diamond engagement rings - a timeless expression of love and commitment.

The classic styles available - solitaire and pave, for example - still are popular today, but there are emerging trends of which you, the potential buyer should be aware.

Note: One thing that never changes is what grooms tend to pay for engagement rings - quite a bit! Latest statistics show the average amount spent is $3,000, according to these sources:

" $3,044 (Bride's Millenium Report)
" $2,982 (Bride's Magazine)
" $2,909 (Modern Bride, as cited in Weddings for Dummies)
" $3,576 (Conde Nast Bridal Group)
" $3,165 (Modern Bride Magazine)
" $2,807 (National Bride Service)

Hot ring trends - classic, antique and modern lead the way

For example, classic solitaires are very popular. Many women are choosing a classic-cut diamond solitaire. These are assured of never going out of style and make good heirloom pieces.

However, a traditional solitaire setting is upswept and raises the diamond high. Some people today select settings where the center stone sits low, creating a look that is elegant and ergonomic. Another popular setting is one that is intricately raised, as well as twisted band.

And while the round cut continues to be popular, it is becoming more common to see the oval cut, as well as the emerald.

The pave setting, where the band is studded with diamonds seamlessly, is elegant and is becoming more popular. The idea is that smaller stones are set so close together that no metal can be seen between them. This maximizes the wattage of the ring without pushing the cost too high.

Antique, vintage rings that your grandmother might have worn also are trendy, which combines an historical, period look with current fashion. Look for gold filigree settings, floral accents and gemstone baguettes. The cuts typically are cushion, round, pillow and Asscher , and their larger facets radiate more fire under less light.

Also becoming more popular are modern styles. This type features clean, streamlined designs for a cosmopolitan, chic look. The most contemporary styles feature a bezel-set and designs where the diamond seems to "float," which is a type of tension setting.

Engagement rings with colored stones also are an emerging trend, with colored diamonds being quite the rage. Many celebrities, such as Jennifer Lopez, have chosen colored diamond engagement rings and this has cemented their popularity.

For something different, consider new diamond cuts on the market. The Zales diamond cut has more facets than traditional cuts and can increase the stone's fire. Also consider the princess cut - a modified square.

Platinum - hands down the choice today

Regarding the ring itself, platinum is definitely the hot trend. Platinum is popular because its rich luster sets off the brilliance of a diamond like no other metal. This metal is naturally white and will always keep its shine, unlike yellow gold, which may tarnish. Platinum is the strongest precious metal, and is twice as heavy as most gold alloy rings.
Some women want their platinum ring carved with designs or inlaid with gemstones.

About the Author

James Wattvord is a freelance content writer, specialising in Jewellery diamonds related matters. He has published many articles on diamond industry and diamond engagement rings, and is partial to the world of diamonds.

Article taken from : http://articles.fjewelrystore.com/diamond-jewelry/emerging-engagement-ring-trends-blend-tradition-with-modern-flair.html

Black Pearl Jewellery

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:08:00 +0700

Purity, perfection, smoothness, longevity are the main features of pearls. From 19th century onwards pearl jewellery found place among other jewelleries. Pearls are normally having a natural colour. For the convenience and for flair different colours are applied over the pearls. The colours add up the beauty of the pearls. Black pearl is a coloured pearl which has a special beauty. Black is a colour which absorbs all light rays. That is why black colour differs form other colours .Black pearl jewellery will be a stand out one, that's the speciality of it. It is a modern piece of wonder among jewelleries. Black pearl jewellery is catching the imagination of the people in a big way. When golden coloured materials are arranged along with it, the black pearl jewellery looks exquisite.

Rings, anklets, neck laces, pendants, bracelets etc are some of the black pearl jewellery available for buying. Black pearl jewellery is suitable for wearing in certain occasions. It really suits people who are really fair as black is in sharp contrast to their body colour. Black pearl pendants with diamond, silver supports are available. In certain watches black pearls are added in the chain to give aesthetic and charming look. These watches are more of a jewellery item.

Black pearl jewellery is suitable for weddings. There are black wedding or bridal jewellery collections targeting people who are marrying shortly. Black pearl rings are magical pieces for weddings. Gifting black pearl jewellery to your loved or dearer ones will be a really surprising for them. Every one believes red is the colour of love and hence for proposing pink or red pearl or diamond is good. Those who are different , likes to try out new and refreshing ideas, black pearl jewellery is for you.

Black pearl jewellery has changed the conventional jewellery concepts. It has given daring designers a precious material to churn out stunning designs of jewellery. Now a day cultured pearls are widely used for black pearl jewellery. Pearl jewellery is available in its varieties, fresh water, saltwater as well as synthetic. Pearls from natural fresh water as well as the salt water pearls are valued more. Trends are set in black pearl section with arrival of numerous designers. Women are fonder of pearl jewellery and hence black pearl jewellery are finding place in hearts of women due to its beauty. Black pearl jewelleries are available in combinations like necklace and earrings so on. Black pearl jewelleries should be kept in silky pouches to keep it free from tear and wear. It will help in longevity of the jewellery and freshness.

Necklaces of black pearls are made more attractive with usage of silver, carbon and some other ribbons. Jewel houses have good collection of black pearls. In olden ages pearls were very precious than some of other precious stones. In this 21st century the price may have changed but the charm of the pearls are still appealing. Black pearl jewellery can make you look pleasant for any occasion.

Article taken from : http://www.topearl.com/articles/fine-jewelry/black-pearl-jewellery.html

Article About Watch

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:56:00 +0700

Watch it
FORTyFIED By Cecile Lopez Lilles (The Philippine Star) February 16, 2011

Rolex or Patek Philippe? The debate rages: Which is the best luxury men’s watch?
I’m not a horological expert, not even an aficionado, but I think it’s safe to say that along with a man’s car and shoes, his wristwatch is an instant identifier of his station in life. Since it is about the only accessory — other than a wedding ring — that a man of discerning taste allows himself to wear, picking the right one is of utmost importance.

Here is a primer to better understand watches as reported by Alex Muniz, online fashion correspondent:

Watch Types: Analog, Digital, Or Analog/Digital

An analog watch has a face that holds hour and minute hands that display 12-hour days. It is considered the more formal, classic type of watch, and is perfect for business, dates and formal events.

Digital watches either have an LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED (light emitting diode) face that displays the time in numeric form (for example, 1:30). They are considered very casual.

Analog/digital watches have both. They’re utilitarian and can be worn to work and during your daily routine but never for formal events.

Battery, Quartz, Or Mechanical (Hand-Wound)

An ultra-small watch battery powers digital watches. Quartz watches are analog timepieces that run on a tiny, vibrating, electrified quartz crystal. They keep extremely accurate time (within a minute each year).

Mechanical watches are powered by a complex array of gears and springs. These watches can command a hefty price as a result of their superior craftsmanship. Unfortunately, the ancient art of hand-wound watch making remains imperfect. Mechanical watches lose about an hour a year and must be wound regularly.

Case

This is the watch’s frame. For analog watches it is usually made of metal: steel, titanium, gold, silver, and platinum being the most common.

Watch Crystal

This transparent cover protects the watch face. It can be made from plexiglass, mineral (traditional) glass, or synthetic sapphire — an ultra-hard, clear, man-made crystal.

Plexiglass is the cheapest of watch crystals. It’s the least likely to shatter but the most likely to scratch.

Mineral glass, on the other hand, is more likely to shatter, but less likely to scratch.

Synthetic sapphire costs the most but it’s the most scratch-resistant but it also breaks quite easily.

Timeless Timex: “A cool brand for someone looking for a bit of history without the big dollar signs.”

Band Type

Analog timepieces come either with leather straps or the same kind of metal used on the watchcase.

Digital watches, such as sports models and gadget watches, usually have plastic straps.

Watch Fit

A watch should be tight enough so as not to slide more than two inches down your wrist when your arm is perpendicular to the ground, but loose enough so as not to leave an imprint.

Waterproof: Very few watches are truly and completely waterproof. They are in reality only water resistant. Water resistance is a term that can mean anything from “withstands minor splashing” to “submersible up to 100 meters,” so do check the fine print.

Chronograph: Stopwatch function that uses sub-dials to keep track of seconds, minutes and hours.

Chronometer: A very precise watch that is tested for 15 days and nights at five different positions and temperature ranges.

Brands

While researching on watch brands, I came across an anonymous online correspondent who goes by the name of Watch Snob. I was intrigued by his brazen pronouncements, but after reading 40 or so of his Q&A articles, I was convinced that this person was, indeed, a watch expert because of the breadth and depth of his horological knowledge.

According to Watch Snob: “No self-respecting man above the age of 25 should be wearing anything less than a $5,000 watch with an in-house movement.” He adds that, “It is true that your Timex tells you the time as accurately as someone’s Rolex or Brietling, but a watch isn’t just about telling time, it is about your relationship with time. A watch is about style, a story and the history of both your watch and your own life. On a more practical level, there are countless hours of research and development put into high-grade watch movements, employing the finest mechanical engineers in the world to compile hundreds of tiny parts into a durable and accurate machine, all in the size of something slightly larger than a quarter. High-grade watches are about craftsmanship and style, not just about telling time. If life was as simple as some would make it seem, none of us would own anything of quality because, after all, a shirt is a shirt as long as you’re not naked; a bus can get you someplace as fast as a car; and a cardboard box can keep the rain off your head as well as a home.”

The presumptions are clear: a man should devote a sizeable amount of disposable income to purchase a good-quality timepiece; and he should come upon his fortune through hard work, because that is the only time he will understand that buying a luxury item such as a watch is about tradition and precision, not about showboating and attracting attention.

That said, here is what Watch Snob has to say about the best brands in watches: “Best is a relative term. Patek Philippe is the best mainstream watch company in terms of lasting value, history and tradition. A Lange & Sohne is the best newer watch company in the same vein as Patek but it isn’t Patek. Armin Strom ain’t bad either. Thomas Prescher and Greubel Forsey are the best makers of tourbillons in the world. Urwerk and MB&F are the best makers of mechanical art. FP Journe and Philippe Dufour are the best “Masters of the Universe” timepieces that won’t let you get knifed because no one knows what they are, or that they cost more than a Tribeca loft.”

Watch Snob notes there are plenty of brands that most people consider “high-end” and while he respects that, he doesn’t consider them superlative in any way. He says “brands such as IWC, Vacheron Constantin and Zenith all make nice watches, but they are meaningless. Then there are watches that only the uneducated and simpleminded believe to be luxury watches. This distinction goes to Hublot and Panerai, of course. The there is the mighty Rolex. Would I put Rolex up with Patek or Lange & Sonhe? Not for a second. But, do I consider it a very important step above IWC, Zenith and Vacheron? Most certainly. The reason is this: People care about Rolex. Nobody really cares about those other brands. There are dedicated forums to Rolex, get-togethers, books, you name it. When was the last time you saw a Vacheron event or a book about IWC that people actually bought? Sure, their movement may be in slightly better shape than your average Rolex (debatable, surely), but in 20 years, your Rolex will be worth something — and everything else will be scrap metal.”

For those who are now seething because of the controversial pronouncements of Mr. Watch Snob, here’s what he has to say about budget-friendly watches. “The Seiko is a phenomenal watch. The Japanese are making some great watches.”

He mentioned the Seiko Spring Drive Spacewalk, which is a watch currently used in space and which retails for over $25,000, so you could say that the Japanese are right up there with the Swiss in terms of who they are marketing their watches for. Watch Snob says that the best watches in the $500 to $1,000 range are those from LUM-TEC, Praesto and Prometheus. If you want something a little more high -style, San Francisco start-up XETUM makes some very cool watches that probably should be selling for over $2,000, but lucky for us, aren’t.

But wait. Benjamin Clymer, online fashion correspondent, contradicts Watch Snob on the subject of IWC. Clymer says that “men who choose

IWC have done so very consciously. You can be sure they considered Rolex and thought it too gaudy. IWC, with its rich history of tool watches, is the thinking man’s luxury timepiece. They are rugged, classic and dependable, just like the men who wear them.”

Clymer agrees with Watch Snob on Patek Philippe being the best. He says, “If you wear a Patek Philippe, you do what you want when you want. Considered the reigning king of the watch world, Patek Philippe wearers tend to be captains of industry, tycoons, and, if a little younger, legacy members of the Skull and Cross Bones club at Yale. This is a power player’s watch, and despite their timid size and slim nature, you will be recognized and instantly revered in a Patek.”

Talking about the more affordable brands, he says Timex, the quintessential all-American brand despite its movements being made in Asia of late, remains a cool brand for someone looking for a bit of history without the big dollar signs.

Clymer says that if you wear a Casio, you are an active guy who loves the outdoors and you want a watch that gets the job done. He exalts the Casio G-Shock as a watch that is about as good as it gets when it comes to digital timepieces — devised and tested in the early ‘80s by being dropped out of a bathroom window at Casio HQ. It really is the original rugged timepiece, but has also evolved into a cultural phenomenon with celebrities rocking the G-Shock. Clymer adds, “The G-Shock is the purist’s take on a ‘go-anywhere’ timepiece, or it’s just a piece of fashion. Wear a Casio for the right reasons and by no means should one be paired with a suit, under any circumstances.”

He says that a Rolex watch can go two ways: it can be an understated, timeless and incredibly masculine accessory — if you don’t go around throwing it in everyone’s face. He adds, “Those that wear a Rolex and want people to know it will be seen as such, and that’s worse than pairing a Casio with a Brioni Suit.”

They say when you buy a watch, you’re ultimately buying into a lifestyle. It’s a passport into the league of gentlemen who wear it. It allows you a slice of the subculture they represent. But whatever brand of watch you wear, no matter how much or how little it cost you, wear it for yourself and wear it with confidence. Enjoy it. It can only be as valuable as you perceive it to be.

Article taken from : http://forums.watchuseek.com/f350/article-about-watches-506511.html

Wedding & Anniversary Gifts

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:16:00 +0700

Memories can invoke very strong emotions. At a young age our memories take hold and later in life these can be sparked by sights, sounds, touch, tastes, and smells. Special occasions tend to hold the deepest memories, ones birthdays', Christmas, first date, graduation, and matrimony, to a couple's first born and then the cycle begins again in another's memories.

The memory of ones wedding celebration marks a special passage of time. Ones own memories that were once exclusive to only you are now shared with another and the two become one in thought, emotion and in this way all future memories change and are never remembered again as exclusively your own. No longer is it "my" memories but "our" memories.

The yearly anniversary which now marks that sharing of time has such special meaning, over the years much thought has gone into the giving of gifts for a couple's wedding anniversary. This guide offers suggestions for gift giving for both men and women and insight into traditional and modern gifts and offers purchasing opportunities from trusted merchants that assisted in producing this guide.

Marriage Anniversary Gifts in the early years of marriage were small remembrances, or tokens, such as 1st (paper), 5th (wood), and 10th (tin). In later years of matrimony, gifts gained value (which tends to correspond with society status and professional security), including 15th (crystal), 20th (china), 25th (silver), and 50th (gold).

By the time her publication was reprinted in 1957, the growing importance of wedding anniversary celebrations in America required more guidance and the traditional gift list had been expanded to include all of the first 15 years, and multiples of five thereafter. Additionally, as 35 years had passed since the original publication modern alternatives were again added and updated to include more socially acceptable gift options.

The traditional and modern anniversary gift guides have changed very little during the past half-century where traditional gifts are deeply rooted in heritage yet modern gifts greatly assist to offset cultural differences. The giving of a gift to your partner on the memorable occasion of shared thought is so symbolic that this guide has been developed to assist making the occasion truly one worth marking the passage of time from here.

The right gift can bring a sparkle to every eye and can delight the hearts of all. Our Anniversary Guide will help you celebrate with gift ideas. The quick chart below tells you the Gemstone Anniversary Gifts for each year.

01 Anniversary - Gold Jewelry

02 Anniversary - Garnet Rings

03 Anniversary - Pearls

04 Anniversary - Blue Topaz

05 Anniversary - Sapphire

06 Anniversary - Amethyst

07 Anniversary - Onyx Rings

08 Anniversary - Tourmaline

09 Anniversary - Lapis Rings

10 Anniversary - Diamonds

11 Anniversary - Jewelry

12 Anniversary - Pearls

13 Anniversary - Citrine

14 Anniversary - Gold Jewelry

15 Anniversary - Ruby Rings

20 Anniversary - Platinum

25 Anniversary - Silver

30 Anniversary - Pearl

35 Anniversary - Jade

40 Anniversary - Ruby

45 Anniversary - Sapphire Rings

50 Anniversary - Gold

55 Anniversary - Emerald Rings

60 Anniversary - Diamond Rings

Article taken from : http://articles.fjewelrystore.com/jewelry-gifts/wedding-and-anniversary-gifts.html

MARKS STAMPED INSIDE RINGS!

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:30:00 +0700

WHAT DO THE MARKS STAMPED INSIDE YOUR RING MEAN?

I must get at least one email a day that asks me about the Stamp Marks inside their ring. Everyone wants to know what they mean?Hopefully this post will answer that question.
The most common Marks or Stamps are used to identify things like:
Metals, Carat Weights, Manufacturer, Trade Marks, Jeweler, or Designer.
The mark that is the most important is the Metal Stamp, or Karat Weight of the Metal.
If you look inside the shank of your ring (the band on the bottom or side), you'll usually see the Karat Stamp. More than likely it will be shown as 10k, 14k, 18k or Plat. These are the most common Metals and most common Markings. But you'll also run across Titanium, Stainless Steel, Tungsten, Sterling Silver and even Palladium (plus some other obscure Metals, like those used in Class Rings - Lustrium, Lazon, Celestrium?).

Metal Stamps

Karat Weight can be written a number of different ways. Each manufacturer is different and can use different terminology. Take a look at the chart below and then we'll talk about them.

Common Metal Marks Stamped Inside Rings

MARK	MEANS
10k	10 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
14k	14 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
18k	18 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
20k	20 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
24k	24 Karat Pure Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
.417	10 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
.585	14 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
.750	18 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
.833	20 Karat Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
.999	24 Karat Pure Gold (Can be White or Yellow Gold)
PLAT	Platinum
PT	Platinum
900 or 950	Platinum
S.S.	Stainless Steel
Steel	Stainless Steel
St. Steel	Stainless Steel
Silver	Sterling Silver
S. Silver	Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver	Sterling Silver
925	Sterling Silver
Titanium	Titanium
Tungsten	Tungsten
Pd	Palladium
KP	Karat Plumb
CZ	There is a Cubic Zirconia stone in the ring (and not a Diamond)
G.F. or G.P.	Gold Filled or Gold Plated
SOL	Solitaire Diamond (usually followed by some Carat Weight)
6,7,8,9,10	(A number) Some Jewelers put the ring size in the shank

To explain the numbers above a little bit better, they are actually percentages of that particular metal that are mixed with other alloys. For example, 14k Gold is 58.5% Gold and the rest are alloys mixed in with it (like Silver and Copper to make it more durable). So .585 means 58.5% or 14k Gold.
10k is also written as .417 (41.7% Gold).
18k is .750 (75% Gold).

Karat Plumb

When you see KP stamped inside your ring, which is a "P" at the end of the stamp, like: 14kp, that means that the Gold is "Plumb" which means it's verified to be at least that Karat Weight marked or more. So if it's 14kp, it's at least 14kt Gold or higher!

Platinum

Platinum can be written as Platinum, Plat, 900 or 950. The 900 means that it is 90% pure Platinum and 10% alloy. 950 means it is 95% pure Platinum and only 5% alloys mixed in (which gives you a higher Platinum content).

Carat Weights

Carat Weights are the next most common Stamp inside a Ring. Carat Weights are pretty self explanatory. If you see a number like 1.01, that would mean that the Diamond set in the ring is 1.01 Carats (One Carat and One Point).
.50 would mean that a Half Carat (50 points) is set in the mounting.
Sometimes you will see two Carat Stamps inside the shank which would mean one stands for the big Diamond (usually center Solitaire), and the other stamp stands for the total weight of the side stones.
Carat Weights are usually just stamped like ".75", but sometimes you'll also see ct or Carat after it, like .75ct. You may even run across one that looks like this: .75tdw, which means Total Diamond Weight, or the entire diamond weight of all the diamonds in the ring.

Jeweler's Stamps

A common stamp that you'll see inside rings are Jeweler's Stamps so you can tell where you bought the ring from. Like "JBR" inside the shank would stand for J.B. Robinson Jewelers, "Pgda" stands for the Piercing Pagoda, Helzberg Diamonds will stamp "Helzberg Diamonds" right inside their rings.
Sometimes these Jewelers will abbreviate their store's names or even use a logo. Every Jeweler is different and uses different markings.

Manufacturer's Stamps

Just like the Jewelers, often you'll see the Manufacturer stamped inside the band of the ring. For example ArtCarved will stamp their rings "ArtCarved" so they know it's their ring and it also helps brand their company, product and image. Take Tiffany for example, they stamp their rings "T & CO".
Manufacturer Stamps can be very useful if you need to find out who made a ring so you could contact them for questions, concerns or even ordering!

Designer

There are a lot of great Jewelry Designer's out there that put their name right inside their rings. A great designer's name can carry a lot of weight. A huge Designer that most people know would be David Yurman which is stamped © D.Y.

Trade Marks

If you buy a Trade Marked piece of Jewelry, I'm certain it will contain a Trade Mark inside the ring. Trade Marks are like the LEO Diamond or the Hearts Of Fire Diamond (HOF).
If you buy a special cut of Diamond, or a Trade Marked name, look for the stamp, it'll be there.
Take a look at some examples of marks and different stamps inside of rings...

Marks Stamped Inside Rings

Let's take a quick look at the images marked 1-7 above...
1) PLAT .46 - This is an interesting ring because you can clearly see that the ring is Yellow and Not White like Platinum. This is a pretty rare instance, but the PLAT stands for the Platinum (not Plated) Head. The Diamond (46 points - just shy of a 1/2 Carat) is set in a Platinum Head. The rest of the ring is 14k Yellow Gold. If I had shown the other side of the ring, you would have seen another stamp that said 14k.
2) R.M.I. 14k - R.M.I. is the Manufacturer's Mark and 14k is the 14k Yellow Gold Content.
3) FA PT 900 © - The FA stands for the Manufacturer or Designer's Initials. The PT means Platinum (as well as the 900) and that the ring is also Copyright ©
4) 10k - Easy as pie, 10k White Gold.
5) 14k NIIi - 14k White Gold made by a Designer or Company with the initials of NIIi.
6) 585 - 585 Stands for 14kt Gold, White Gold in this instance!
7) 18k 750 - Often you will find both Karat Stamps and their percentage stamps inside of rings. 750 is the same thing as 18k Gold (White Gold).

Marks can also be wrong!

Keep in mind, things can happen. Stamps or Marks can be wrong. The Diamonds could have been swapped out, or the mountings reused. The Jeweler could have forgot to restamp the correct information on the ring. You never know. They could have also grabbed the wrong stamp (literally a metal stamp and a hammer) and struck the wrong info. Plus, some rings don't even have any stamps. You should know though, that rings sold in the USA should. If it's not stamped, it could be anything.
To be sure of the Gold or Metal Content of any ring you can take it into a local Jeweler and have them do an Acid Test on the Metal.
I have seen some Silver Plated Jewelry stamped as Sterling Silver... NOT GOOD! Plated Jewelry should always have GP, GF or PLATED inside the ring. And as always, you should get an Appraisal with any Jewelry you purchase. Just to be sure.
Markings help us in a lot of ways. They help identify a ring. They help Jewelers identify their product. They brand companies and designers. Plus, it also helps people identify possible problems with allergies to Gold and Nickel.
So there you go... What does your ring say?

Article taken from : www.jewelry-secrets.com

Alex and Ani Deliver Positive Energy Through Jewelry

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +0700

Photo Courtesy of Alex and Ani

Everyone knows jewelry can lift a woman’s mind, body and spirit, which was the inspiration behind the Alex and Ani collection. Designed to adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit, the collection focuses on positive energy with its spiritual, universal and religious charms.

Owner and designer Carolyn Rafaelian has created a beautiful line of bangle bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings, all made from recycled metals from local mills and refineries and are all produced in the United States. Alex and Ani was created with the unique idea that the products you wear speak wonders about who you are and what you value as important.

While there are nine locations currently nationwide, including Newport, RI, Providence, RI, Cranston, RI, East Greenwich, RI, Boston, MA, Martha's Vineyard, MA, Palm Beach, FL, SoHo, NY, and Madison, CT, the company continues to expand.

Our favorite pieces from their collection include the Russian Silver Skeleton Key, Key to My Heart, “Sweet” Words are Powerful and Vintage Beaded Bangles. All of the bangles come with an easy to open clasp and expandable wire bangle so it is sure to fit every wrist. We recently chatted with Carolyn Rafaelian to discuss the positive energy of the brand and their personal and meaningful designs.

What was the inspiration behind creating the collection?

Carolyn Rafaelian: Alex and Ani products are created for customers to feel empowered, enlightened, and beautiful. Each collection is based on spiritual, insightful, or powerful symbols that provide distinct energies that the consumer can feel connected to. Words are powerful, symbols are powerful, and the wearer can experience this heightened sense of inspiration through our pieces.

Why do you think the brand has become so popular?

CR: Alex and Ani focuses on empowerment, individuality, and eco-consciousness. Our jewelry is a vehicle used to express the influential message of positive energy. The concept of building a personalized set that holds powerful meaning is unique along with the expandable design, the deep connection to eco-awareness, and our consistent tradition of making everything in America. The designs are popular because the pieces inspire the wearer, enlighten the spirit and ultimately signify something of importance to the individual.

Tell us about Charity by Design.

CR: Charity by Design helps organizations increase cause awareness, raise funds, and inspire customers to take action. Everyone has a cause to support and we have the capabilities to give back to so many, we don’t want to limit ourselves to one particular charity. Positive energy is meant to be spread and we are working on that one organization at a time.

Do you expect to expand the retail stores even further?

CR: Yes — there are infinite possibilities for us. We are committed to staying entirely made in America but the stores will be expanding across the country and internationally. We are looking forward to continually spreading beauty, positivity, and consciousness worldwide.

This article taken from : www.justlux.com
For more information, visit AlexAndAni.com.

SOME REASONS TO CONSIDER TO BUY JEWERLY AND WATCH

jubdil.januar@gmail.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:16:00 +0700

If you ever seen advertisement of Jewerly and Watch, and wondered why any one want to purchase its ??
Do you know in this globalitation era how much important to use watchs for every one. And almost all women use Jewerly to make their performance perfect. For example : Watch have function to know what time is is today and also can be as accesorries for man and woman for their good performance. and Jewerly also usually used for every woman to make their performane more beautiful and good looking.
In this time we also offering many kinds of Jewerly and Watches with latest design, best quality and low price.