If you purchase your jewelry at wholesale prices, a markup of 15% to 30% is usual, and people will pay these prices. In the grand scheme of things, apply
the 30% markup, and make that the ‘regular’ price. When you need to move merchandise hold a sale,and use the 15% markup price as the sale price.

If you make your own jewelry, determine the totalcost of the piece, including the cost of supplies,shipping, warehousing and packaging, then apply a 15% markup. With the 15% markup, your jewelry will be priced at the wholesale price. If you sell the jewelry to the general public yourself, as opposed to selling it to retailers, apply the retail price, which in this case would be about 45% above your costs.

How to Price Your Jewelry Wholesale is a post from: Namas te Jewels

When it comes to finding a fashion store to shop at, you have a number of different options.  One of those options involves heading down to your local shopping mall. Shopping malls are a great place to find a number of well-known and popular fashion stores.  While many small shopping malls do have some great fashion stores to shop at, you may find a larger selection of fashion stores and better ones by visiting a larger shopping mall.  Larger shopping malls are commonly found in large cities or in popular vacation destinations.

You may also want to think about asking those that you know for recommendations. This works best if you see someone that you know wearing something, like a dress or a business suit, that you would like to own yourself.  If you may want to casually ask a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor where they got the item and if they like shopping there.  If they do and if you like their taste in fashion, there is a good chance that you will also like the fashion store in question.  If you have never heard of the fashion store being recommended to you before, you may want to get the location of the store so that you can start shopping.

Another way that you can go about finding a good fashion store to shop at is just by keeping your eyes open.  As previously mentioned, a large number of fashion stores are located inside shopping malls, but not always.  A large number of fashion stores are also considered standalone stores. For that reason, you never know when you may come across a really neat fashion store when out shopping for groceries or just driving home from work.  Many of the individuals who end up finding their favorite fashion stores just happen on them by chance.

The internet is another way that you can go about finding information on a locally based fashion store.  A large number of businesses, including fashion stores, have online websites. Those online websites will likely outline the location of the store in question, as well as contain other important pieces of information.  It is common to find a few pictures and other information about the fashion pieces and accessories sold at a fashion store on their online website.  You can find the online website of a local fashion store, if they have one, by performing a standard internet search.  You may also be able to use business directories, as many link to the business’s online website.

Speaking of using the internet to find information on a local fashion store, you can also use the internet to find an online fashion store. While a large number of fashion store owners choose to operate their stores in a storefront location, there are others who choose to operate an online store and even some to choose to do both.  By performing a standard internet search, with phrase like “women’s clothing,” “fashion store,” and so forth, you may be directed to the online websites of multiple online fashion stores. The more that you able to customize your search to include what you are looking for, like men’s business suits or women’s lingerie, you are more likely to find exactly what you were looking for online.

If you are interested in improving your fashion sense, one of the first things that you should do is visit a fashion store, even if it is just to look around.  As you can see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding a popular fashion store to shop at, as well as one that may be known as a well-kept secret.

Finding Fashion Stores to Shop At is a post from: Namas te Jewels

If you are in the market to purchase a diamond, you’ll be learning all about the 4 C’s of diamonds; cut, color, clarity and carat.  But in the mind of the average buyer, there is a fifth “c” that just may be the most important of all them: the diamond cost.

The actual price of a diamond is determined by a grading system that takes into account the cut of the diamond, the color, the clarity and the number of carats.  There is a non profit organization called the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) that has devised the official grading system of diamonds, and because of that system, a diamond that is of more carats may cost less than a smaller diamond if the larger diamond has inferior cut, clarity or color ratings.  Cost is also determined by the retailer.

Buying Diamonds Online

The internet provides a wealth of information on diamonds, educating buyers on the value of diamonds based on size, shape and clarity- and luckily, diamond cost is regulated by industry guidelines.  This means you can shop for your diamond gem stones online with as much confidence as you would shopping for jewelry at your local retailer, especially if you take the time to become knowledgeable about diamond cost before beginning your search for the perfect stone.

Guide to Diamond Cost

Every jeweler sets their own prices on their gem stones, rings, necklaces and other items.  When dealing with diamond cost, it also depends on the shape of the diamond.  A ”round brilliant” shape will tend to cost more than an ”emerald” shape even when they are the same quality and the same size.

If you have a minimal budget, such as $500 or less, you can expect to find a diamond with a carat weight between .15 and .25, set in a 10-14k gold.  If you’re in the market for a diamond cost of $500 to $750, you can expect to be able to purchase one between .20 and .37 carats.  If you are looking for a 1 carat diamond, you should expect your diamond cost to range between $2000 and $3500.

Get the Most Diamond for Your Money

When you are researching diamond cost, there are many more factors to consider than just the size of the diamond.  Remember that the shape (cut) of the diamond will greatly effect the diamond cost, as well as the clarity of the diamond.  You can get multiple, smaller diamonds for less cost than you can a single, larger diamond due to the rarity of mining a larger sized diamond.  Sometimes a diamond will be beautiful to the naked eye, and have a reasonable diamond cost- but it may have a lower rating for quality or tone given by the GIA. When you are shopping for your diamond, you’ll need to decide what is more important to you;  the diamond cost, the size of the diamond, the quality (the rating as given by the GIA), or how it looks when it’s worn!

Diamond Cost is a post from: Namas te Jewels

During a casual dinner with friends, my sparkling white gold two-carat Moissanite earrings stole the show.

One dinner companion whispered, “Those are the most beautiful diamond earrings I’ve ever seen.” I explained they weren’t diamonds but a new jewel: Moissanite.

Before I knew it, I was the talk of the table. People had questions and comments like “What is Moissanite?” “They’re so brilliant, they must have cost a fortune!” “Are they rare?” and “I have to have them.”

Well ladies, if you want to know my secret, read on.

Moissanite is giving women the opportunity to own quality, eye-catching jewelry at affordable prices.

What is the story behind this jewel? In 1893, Dr. Henri Moissan, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist began studying fragments of a 50,000-year-old meteorite. In these fragments, Moissan believed he discovered diamonds from space possessing superior fire and brilliance. After extensive research, it was concluded that Moissan discovered a new mineral. In 1905, it was named Moissanite in his honor.

During the late 1980s, inspired by Moissan’s discovery and by the fact that natural Moissanite is incredibly rare, Charles & Colvard (Nasdaq: CTHR) developed a proprietary process for producing large crystals of Moissanite.

By 1995, Charles & Colvard were the sole source for Moissanite jewels, possessing two worldwide patents.

“Moissanite’s superior diamond-like appearance is incredible,” said Nat Hyman, president of Landau, the nation’s largest accessory boutique with more than 70 stores. “The customer is getting so much more for the money.”

“But once they leave the store, are they going to tell even their best friends?” asked Nick Baxevane, also of Landau. “Moissanite looks like what a beautiful diamond should look like, so what they tell their friends is their decision. They can have the million dollar look without the million dollar price tag.”

Moissanite is available at Landau nationwide in upscale malls, hotels, casinos and airports.

A Woman’s New Best Friend is a post from: Namas te Jewels

Today, with the modern advancements of disposable lenses and toric lenses, more and more people are changing from spectacles and enjoying the benefits of corrective eye lenses.

The latest, exciting development and daring innovation in the contact lens industry, however, is the fabulously varied colored contacts that are now widely available and gaining in popularity.

Gone are the days when contact lenses were worn as a sight correction device. They are far more than just functional corrective eye wear – they’re now funky, fun and an outrageously theatrical fashion statement!

Colored contacts let you suggestively enhance the color of your eyes on a permanent basis or just for an occasional night when you want to accessorize with a particular outfit.

Now – whatever the occasion you can make a truly unforgettable ‘eye catching’ appearance and show off your extraordinary ‘eye catching’ style!

There are four different types of colored contacts for you to choose from – visibility tints, enhancement tints, opaque-color tints and light-filtering tints.

But the best thing of all is most of these come in styles that can be worn by people who do not necessarily need corrective eye wear. These style contacts are known as plano form lenses.

Visibility tint colored contacts have a practical application. They have a light blue or green tint that, although not visible when being worn, allows you to see them when you are inserting or removing the lenses. And when (not if!) you drop them they are much easier to find!

In contrast, enhancement tint colored contacts have a translucent but darker tint to them. These lenses are not meant to alter or change the shade of your eyes but rather to enrich and enhance your existing eye color – hence, their name.

The Opaque color lenses with their dazzling array of colors have the most dramatic impact and can completely change your eye shade from brown to blue, blue to purple, etc. Wear them as a fashion statement or just for a change of mood if you want.

Light-filtering contacts also have a practical application. When wearing these they will greatly enchance certain colors in your field of view, making them easier for you to see.

Having trouble driving that tiny little golf ball down the fairway? Wearing a pair of these performance lenses will make that golf ball stand out and easier for you to hit. These performance tested lenses will be the next step forward in corrective eye wear.

An Insight Into Colored Contacts… is a post from: Namas te Jewels

Body piercing Methods

* Needle Method (Standard)
The most common method used in the United States to make a piercing is with a medical hollow needle. The needle makes an opening in the skin you want to have pierced but doesn’t go all the way through. The jewelry then is inserted and follows the needle back. It’s necessary to insert the jewelry immediately to hold the slit the needle made open. The needle method doesn’t involve removing any flesh (some methods do). The opening is always made with a needle larger than the initial jewelry to be worn. This is done to reduce the pressure on the healing piercing, giving it more room to heal and allow a fistula to form.

* Piercing Guns
Piercing guns are gun-shaped devices that mechanically makes the piercing by forcing a stud through the body part. You can compare it with a stapler.
This method is often used by non-professional piercers and mostly to pierce holes in the earlobes. You should avoid this method because the piercing gun is hard to sterilize. The risk is infection and transmission of bulletproof pathogens.

* Cannula Method
The cannula method is similar to the standard method. The difference is that at the end of the needle there’s a cannula (a hollow plastic tube) where the piercer puts in the jewelry. So at the piercing process, the cannula and the jewelry is entirely pulled through the opening. This method is often used in Europe.

* Scalpel method
When you want an opening for a large gauge body piercing, a medical scalpel can be used to make a slit. This method is often used for large gauge ear piercings. It’s also used to correct an asymmetry for example if the ear piercing on one side is larger than the other because of an incorrect placement.
When you don’t want your piercing anymore and you remove the jewelry, the fistula will not shrink or close from itself. The only solution there is surgically.

* Pierce and Taper
This method is for larger gauge piercings and only works on body parts where the skin is very elastic. It’s similar to the standard method, but after the hole is pierced with the needle, the piercer inserts a tapered steel bar (one of larger gauge then the needle) in order to make the opening bigger. The jewelry is directly inserted, following the tapered bar.

* Dermal Punching
Piercings in the upper ear require removal of skin and cartilage to lift the pressure of the piercing and guarantee a longer viability of the piercing. Therefore, a dermal punch is used to remove a circular area of tissue, where the jewelry will be worn. Like scalpelled piercings, the healed fistulas will not shrink or close on their own.

Body Piercing: Methods is a post from: Namas te Jewels

What exactly is diamond color?  While most people think of the classic, transparent diamond, which happens to be the most rare and valuable, the colors of diamonds actually range from transparent all the way to a brownish color.  There are different saturations of diamond color, and tones.

The Gemological Institute of America, known as the GIA for short, is the most commonly used system for evaluating diamond color.  They’ve created something known as the “GIA Color Grade Scale”, and it has placed a grading system on the many different colors and shades of diamonds, classifying into 22 letter grades.

How Diamonds are Graded

The Gemological Institute of America has certified diamond color grades as “master color comparison” diamonds.  When a diamond is being graded, it is compared against these master color comparison grades, to find the shades that match it most closely.  The diamond that is being graded must be thoroughly cleaned and all oil must be removed from the surface before being examined, since even small amounts of dirt or oils on the surface of the diamond can alter the color.

A line of master color comparison diamonds or shade chart is set up, with each grade placed about one inch apart, ranging from the lightest and highest graded D shade, to the darkest, graded Z diamonds.  The diamond color that is being graded is moved from the left side of the comparison units to the right, until it matches one of the shades.

Diamond grading should take place in a colorless environment, using a balanced fluorescent light source that has a filtered, cool white sun like ray.  The room where the grading takes place is dark, all except for the special grading light, in order to obtain the most accurate grading of the diamond color.

Fluorescence of Diamonds

Yet another consideration when considering the diamond color is diamond fluorescence, and how it will effect the actual appearance in the diamond color. Fluorescence causes some diamonds to change color when viewed in our everyday, ultraviolet lighting, as well as under fluorescent light bulbs.

When a diamond color is graded, the strength of the fluorescence of that diamond must also be indicated.  It may be considered to be strong, moderate, or weak fluorescence, and the reports must also indicate what color the diamond will change to due to the fluorescence.   The reason for this is when people are in the jewelry store, looking at diamonds in the special lighting of the store, they may all appear to be the colorless, transparent diamonds.  When you purchase a diamond and get it home under normal lighting, you could find your diamond is yellowish in color!

You can ask your jeweler to provide grading documentation and information about the fluorescent value of a particular diamond before purchasing, to make sure that you will be happy with the diamond you buy.  Many jewelers also can show you the diamond under different lighting conditions, which will enable you to fully appreciate the beauty of the diamond before you buy it.  Some individuals like a diamond color with a darker shade, while others are insistent on the transparent diamond color.  The diamond color is one of personal preference, so be sure to do a little research before making your final selection.

Diamond Color is a post from: Namas te Jewels

It’s finally Fall gals, and the designers are starting to show their offerings. There are a lot of fabulous high end designer shoes to choose from and some are absolutely to-die-for!

Prada is offering a fantastic bronze pump for fall. This pump has a 3 inch heel and a perforated leather on the toe cap and the back of the shoe. The vamp and body of the shoe are actually covered with bronze paillettes (sequins) that mimic a lovely snake skin design. It’s gorgeous, and so in demand that some stores are limiting the number you can order!!

Brian Atwood is offering a lovely d’orsay pump in black and white leopard skin. It has a peek-a-boo toe with an adorable bow….meow! I’m not sure if I like that one best, or the Dolce & Gabbana leopard print hair-calf and leather sling back. It has a leather toe cap that is adorned with gold toned studs.

Christian Louboutin is offering platform pumps in a leopard print
or brown or black suede.

Perhaps the shoe of my dreams is the new Dior leather pump.It has a 3 1/2 inch heel to start. It’s offered in what I call a winter white. It has a bow at the toe and is covered with fabulous leather weaving details. The heel is horn and is embellished with the famous Dior “D”. Dior also is offering a leather shoe they call “Rebel” that has a zipper on either side of the heel. It has a buckle logo across the toe and rivet details.

I can’t not mention my favorite shoe designer, Manolo Blahnik. He is also working with hair-calf offering it in several different styles, from a open toed pump with a blush (light pink) and brown/tan leopard print to “wow-em” unmistakable tan/black leopard print pump with a keyhole vamp with a bow. This has a lovely 1/2 inch heel. Of course his classics include his ever popular halter and crisscross designs in alligator.

Go ahead Gals, fulfill all your shoe dreams!

Designer Shoes For Fall 2011 is a post from: Namas te Jewels

There is no better feeling than when you are wearing a comfortable shoe. Comfortable shoes allow us to enjoy the day’s activities pain free. Wearing shoes that fit properly can also prevent potential health problems from occurring.

When To Buy

Most shoes can last an average of three to twelve months. As you begin to wear out a shoe, you begin to notice a difference in comfort. Worn out shoes can cause back pain, sore knee joints, or aching feet. The time to replace your shoes is when the cushion has broken down or the motion control has been lost.

Which Shoes To Buy?

Everyone’s foot is different. The best shoe for you is the one that gives you the proper fit, support, cushioning, and flexibility.
Choose a well-cushioned stability shoe that compensates for any irregularities in your foot or your stride.

Some Common Foot Irregularities

High Arched Feet

A high arched foot does not roll inward very much at all. There is a highly curved arch along the inside of the foot. Also, the toes appear to be in a clawed position. Highly arched feet are very rigid and are unable to absorb shock when making contact with the ground. The reason for this is that the foot is not able to roll inward when the foot makes contact with the ground. This lack of pronation can cause heel, knee, shin, and back problems. Inserting special pads in the shoes, which compensate for this condition, treats highly arched feet. The pads allow the feet to absorb shock more easily. People with high arched feet, should try to stay away from stability or motion control shoes, which reduce foot mobility.

Flat Feet

The term “Flat Feet” refers to people who have a low arch, or no arch at all. Sometimes they are said to have “fallen arches”. Most people’s feet have a space on the inner side when the bottom of the foot comes in contact with the ground. This is called the arch. The height of the arch varies in size from one person to another. Flat Feet are generally a hereditary condition. The best shoe for this condition would be a motion control or stability shoe with a firm midsole.

Over or Under Pronation.

Over pronation is the excessive inward rolling motion of the foot. This inward motion is considered unhealthy because it can cause a great deal of strain on the back, ankles, knees, and lower legs. Over pronation can cause shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and IT band syndrome. Under pronation occurs when the outside of the foot takes the brunt of the shock when coming in contact with the ground. This condition can cause problems with the ligaments in your feet and ankles. Stability shoes feature either a dual density midsole or a roll bar to help combat pronation problems.

Some Helpful Shoe Buying Tips

· Shop late in the day. Feet tend to swell as the day goes on. Shoes purchased in the morning will feel tight during by afternoon.

· Shop for shoes with your health and comfort in mind. Your foot size changes every year. Always measure your foot first. This should give you a general range when considering different styles of shoes. Choose shoes that are shaped like your foot.

· Check to see how the sole feels on the bottom of your foot. It should have a soft and supportive cushion. People with high arches generally need more support.

· Stand up and take a quick walk to get a feel for the shoe. Your feet shouldn’t slide around inside and there should be little bit of room beyond the largest toe. But no more than 1/2 inch.

Remember: You should never have to “break in” a tight shoe.

Choosing The Right Shoe For You is a post from: Namas te Jewels

Whether you collect the new high precision watches or ones that come from a past era, the fact is that over the years this hobby has become a high turnover business. And collecting watches is in a lot of circles regarded as a wise form of investing.

At the start of the last century the clocks that were available for men or women were firstly pocket clocks, and then clocks that held by a pendant attached to the lining of jackets or corsets. The advent of war, industrialization, and the development of the sport activities, brought over new trends which extended to not only the way we dressed, but also how we carried our clocks.

It is said that it was a nanny who invented wrist watches at around the end of the 19th century, who fixed a clock around her wrist by using a silk band. The first watches to be made were in fact smaller models of pocket clocks that were fitted with a leather strap. Once this product hit the market newer designs started to be produced based around this same concept.

It was Louis Cartier who first made the kind of watches we see today when he created a watch for a flying pioneer hero by the name Santos Dumont. By 1911 this same type of watch was on general sale. That same type of watch became the blueprint of what wrist watches look like to this day.

Soon after the design of wrist “clocks” began to diversify away from the classical round shape that had been in vogue up until that time. From the Cartier classical wrist watch other makes of watch started to emerge which were characterized by their shape. Movado is the perfect example of these new designs when it came out with the “Polyplan” shaped watch. Then came the famously and cryptically called “clock reference n. 1593″ by Patek Philippe which was a rectangular shaped watch.

From 1913 onwards more and more watches started to be developed in all shapes and styles. From the “gondola” watch of Patek Phillipe to Louis Cartiers’ “Tank”; named thus because it was inspired by the shape of English armored cars of the time. These are watches which are very much sought after. There were other numerous watch makers like Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin who along with Patek Philippe and Cartier came out with many other designs which added other features to the watches like lunar phases, month and day most of which are found in modern watches now.

Of course we could not mention wrist watches without mentioning the most famous of them all: the Rolex watch. In the 1920s Rolex debuted in the world of wrist watches with the elegant Rolex Prince and its revolutionary “dual time” feature made famous for having the “seconds sector” larger than that of the minutes. At the same time Jaeger Le Coultre produced an even more advanced piece called the “Reverse”, also very revolutionary in that it could be turn 180 degrees within its case, thus protecting the crystal and dial. It became incredibly popular and was only prevented from achieving even greater success by the recession of the 1930s and the advent of world war 2.

These early watches of the 1910s to 1930s are what define all the makes of watches that we see and wear today. This short article has only scratched the surface of what is a very vast subject which has many more watch makers with diverse and revolutionary designs. However it is makers like Rolex, Cartier, Jaeger Le Coultre and the others mentioned that are amongst the most valuable and collectible, and should you ever be so lucky to get one then make sure you hang on to it – preferably to your wrist.

A Short History of the Wristwatch is a post from: Namas te Jewels