The Massachusetts store will hardly be the last U.S. store the company will open, executives say.

“This is the first of many stores planned in the United States in the next three years,” William Kenney, director of sales for Elle Jewelry, said in a press release announcing the opening. “This gives the customer a chance to view our entire product range and experience Elle Jewelry’s dynamic environment.”

Styled in what it calls classic “Elle red,” the store is designed to spotlight the brand, with modern displays and fixtures that keep the attention on the merchandise, the release said. Inside the store, customers will find hundreds of high-polished, rhodium-plated 0.925 sterling silver designs including necklaces, pendants, cuffs, bangles, bracelets, earrings, pendants and rings–and the brand’s latest offering, the Elle Jewelry Charm Collection. Price points range from $30 to $1,500, with each piece featuring a genuine ruby logo, the company says.

In addition, the store will feature its luxury brand, Elle Luxe, a collection that layers sterling silver with touches of 14-karat gold, diamonds and high-quality gemstones.
Using fashion as a benchmark, Elle focuses its creativity on ready-to-wear trends that evolve from season to season, in concert with the type of trend evolution that is reported on in Elle magazine.
Elle Jewelry is part of Brands 88, which boasts 30 years in the jewelry business and is an affiliate of PAJ Group, a company that lays claim to being the largest sterling silver supplier in the world. PAJ Group employs more than 4,000 people worldwide, and operates offices in Dallas, New York, Toronto and Hong Kong, as well as in China, Thailand and Europe.

These days, much cultural conversation surrounds the trends of today’s well groomed man. Sophisticated and cosmopolitan, such a gentleman appreciates the finer things in life and that includes jewelry. Therefore, it is no surprise that men’s jewelry is approaching center stage in the fashion world, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Jewelry design experts predict men’s jewelry is not just a passing fad. In fact, designers and retailers are devoting more time, energy, attention, and store space to men’s jewelry than ever before. Gone are the days when cuff links and watches were all that was available for men. While these stylish standards remain a big part of today’s selection, there are also now earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants to choose from.

Indeed, men’s fashion is becoming more varied, with men themselves making purchases and becoming more conscious of their style and the image they project. Bracelets for instance, have become almost as common as watches, thanks to new, masculine designs made of wood, shell and alternative metals, ranging from gold and platinum to anodized aluminum. Designers are mixing and matching materials into fashionable items that work with corporate looks as well as more casual ensembles. The versatility of stainless steel, titanium and tungsten carbide designs continues to emerge as a selling point.

“Men today are demonstrating increasing fashion sophistication among themselves. They are undoubtedly more comfortable wearing jewelry – non wedding rings, necklaces, and bracelets, for instance – than their fathers were,” said jewelry design instructors for GIA.

According to historians in GIA’s library, the contemporary emergence of men’s jewelry is not an isolated phenomenon. Early monarchs and noblemen wore extravagantly bejeweled items – clothes lavished with diamonds, pearls, and gold buttons; fashionable pearl stickpins; ornamental timepieces; ornate diamond necklaces; and swords set with decorative gemstones.

Men today are showing the same desire to show their identity to the world, and they are often at ease and confident enough to wear a watch with a bracelet, necklace, or ring. As more varied forms of jewelry have become socially acceptable for them, new questions arise such as, what kind of jewelry do modern men want? What catches the modern man’s eye? How can these masculine styles appeal to the modern woman?

GIA design experts say old and new styles are merging. Recognizably masculine pieces are being paired with a fresh, feminine twist, and designers are taking advantage of the growing trend of genderless fashions. Soft and lustrous Tahitian pearls – a classic tradition in women’s pieces – are being incorporated with leather for a sensuous, but strong male touch. Also, white gold and black rubber is an emerging combination seen in bracelets and necklaces for men.

With men’s jewelry flourishing, cufflinks are more popular than ever. Classic designs in gold, silver or platinum are always a big hit for the conservative businessman. Handcrafted designer silver cufflinks paired with a matching pendant creates an elegant blend of contemporary masculinity. Integrating diamonds, black onyx, malachite, garnets, rubies or sapphires represents a novel departure for the sophisticated man who likes to match accessories with his attire. Men do not have to be professional athletes or billboard musicians to wear earrings these days. Handcrafted designer pieces in silver or platinum can create an elegant blend of contemporary masculinity for any man. Even a diamond stud can be the perfect accessory for a night out on the town.

The attractiveness of stainless steel, most prominently seen in the watch segment, has found its way into fine jewelry for men. It has the same high polish appearance of platinum – and the durability – but is much more affordable. Stainless steel and other metals, such as silver and titanium, are gaining popularity in rings. Chain necklaces are designed for an industrial, manly look. Steel pendants can also be combined with a leather cord for a nouveau bracelet or necklace. Some designers are even setting diamonds into stainless steel pieces. Of course, any diamond purchased should come with a GIA grading report, which gives details of the quality of the diamond based on the Four Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight.

These Mikimoto akoya pearl earrings from the “Everything is Possible with Hope” collection retail for $3,000, and 50 percent of proceeds benefit the Young Survival Coalition, a nonprofit network dedicated to addressing the needs of young women affected by breast cancer. The earrings feature pink sapphire and colorless diamonds set in 18-karat white gold.

As a breast cancer survivor, the cause is close to jewelry designer Neda Behnam’s heart. In 2008, Behnam launched the Diamonds For A Cure (DFAC) line with the mission of raising funds for cancer research through specially designed jewelry collections. The “Lucky 7″ collection is one such grouping created in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“I wanted to do something to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well as honor all those, like myself and my family, who have been touched by breast cancer,” Behnam said in a media release. “Seven is a very lucky number and represents a high level of spirituality. It also means new beginnings.”
The seven pieces that make up the collection are available in 18-karat yellow gold, rose gold or sterling silver, and each piece is set with diamonds. Prices range from $399 to $3,000, and a percentage of sales benefit Stand Up To Cancer.
In October 2005, Mikimoto launched “Everything is Possible with Hope,” a collection of cultured-pearl designs inspired by the pink ribbon and set in 18-karat gold. The pieces range in price from $950 to $3,000, and now through Dec. 31, Mikimoto will donate 50 percent of proceeds to the Young Survival Coalition. The collection comprises everything from a simple white strand strung together with pink silk thread to akoya stud earrings accented with pink sapphires.
Designer Jane Basch is well known for her monogrammed pendants and charm-set dog tags that allow consumers to express themselves and show off their personalities. With her “Tribute” collection, fans can dip into Basch’s signature style while also giving back. Each person who buys one of the collection’s dog tag designs emblazoned with a pink ribbon will contribute 5 percent to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to breast cancer education and research.
Though October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, Basch says the pieces can be worn year round.
As she puts it: “Leading a happy and healthy life is just as much mental as physical. Thinking pink all year long reminds us of the women we love and the woman we aspire to be.”
Jewelry brand Dogeared’s signature style is also well recognizable in a diminutive set of charms, including wishbones and ribbons crafted in silver or dipped in gold. The pieces, which range in price from $26 to $54, are available on a pink silk thread or on a gold or silver chain.
Additional designs featuring pink accents are available from Jessica Hicks, who has created a silver and mother-of-pearl charm necklace with pink amethyst, and Kim Gilby, whose “Tiny Heart” necklace features a pink Swarovski crystal. Twenty percent of sales from each will be donated to breast cancer research.
Joy O Designs, meanwhile, is donating the same percentage of proceeds from all rose gold-fill jewelry to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
For consumers who want to contribute to the cause but perhaps don’t want to wear pink throughout the year, a number of designers have selected pieces from their signature collections to benefit breast cancer research and awareness efforts.
Ija Designs is offering its curved clasp bangle, available in silver or gold fill, and donating 20 percent of the proceeds to the Sara Fisher project, while Lana Jewelry is selling its “Upside Down Hoops,” available in 14-karat yellow, white and rose gold, and giving half of the proceeds to the Noreen Fraser Foundation. Prices range from $180 for a small version to $345 for larger, diamond-studded hoops.
Designer Jill Alberts, who lost her dear friend’s mother to breast cancer, is donating 10 percent of total sales of select earrings through the month of October to the Lynn Sage Foundation. Among the selected designs are hammered sterling silver hoop earrings and vermeil options accented with earth-toned gemstones.

There s a reason that jewelry and watches make such popular Valentine’s Day gifts. They combine the elegance and fun of romance with beauty and practicality. In short, they represent everything that this day of celebrating love is all about.

Simple diamond earrings are traditional and there s nothing wrong with that. Some things remain popular because they’ve proven their value over time. But birthstone earrings are a nice alternative. They are represented by a different stone for each month.

But stones aren’t the only option. Gold, silver, and platinum continue to top the jewelry list, as well, eg. tiffany jewelry. Nothing says I love you like the brilliance of a gold ankle bracelet. Especially if it s actually inscribed with…. Well, you get the idea. Get a silver bracelet studded with jade and you ve got a gift that will be remembered long after February 14th has come and gone.

Necklaces are an excellent opportunity to combine stones and metal to form a gift that both of you can appreciate for a lifetime. Small rubies wandering through a web of platinum are the ultimate. But even a simple string of pearls will show how deeply you appreciate the one you’re with.

Jewelry isn’t just for women, either. But, then, neither is Valentine’s Day! A finely crafted ring made of gold and onyx will look great on that guy’s hand. A gold watchband with a single brilliant diamond still makes a manly statement.

Speaking of watches…. Don’t forget that these timepieces are still a hot ticket. You would think that with all the cell phones, PDAs, laptops and more around these days that a wrist worn clock would find no takers. Not so. Watches are more popular than ever.

A Hamilton Ventura still says everything it did 50 years ago: style, achievement, good taste. A great looking Bulova watch can easily be found for man or woman. Rolex watches, Tissot watches and others still make some of the finest and most stylish watches around.

A watch provides a double opportunity to personalize a Valentine’s Day gift as well. The back is still the perfect place to put that intimate, short phrase devised for that special person in your life. A leather or alligator wristband can easily be embossed or stitched with initials or a few timeless words.

Diving watches are a first rate alternative to more traditional timekeeping pieces. They combine the simple function of noting the time with much more complex features like a timer, depth calculations and more. For the sportsperson in your life, they can be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

There s another type of diving watch, as well: a skydiver s watch. They judge altitude, temperature, wind speed and direction, and many more vital parameters. Combine one of these with a day jump and you have a Valentine’s Day celebration that will be remembered for a long time to come.

Combine tradition with modern creativity and you won t have to wonder what to give for Valentine’s Day. The answer will just appear on your body.

What you should keep in mind when buying gold jewelry is the source of the jewelry, always remember that you get what you pay for. If you are a person that shops online, the best choice for you would be a web store that specializes in fine jewelry. You should not have very high expectations if you choose to purchase from a website that offers home appliances alongside gold jewelry, even if it is a bargain. You should also look for a return policy in case the jewelry is not what you expected it to be or has a defect.

A very important aspect of purchasing gold jewelry is the quality. The quality of gold jewelry comes from karats. For instance, 24k gold is pure gold, but 18k represents 75% gold, 14k 58.3% and 10k 41.6%. All the other percentage is made of alloy or different metals that give the jewelry shape and strength.

Try to look at a lot of designs and it may prove helpful and the satisfaction of the purchase will be even greater, because you know you have bought exactly what you wanted. The design and engravings, the look and feel, the ornamental detail and the finish are all things that you can use to determine whether that jewelry is suited for you or for the recipient you want to buy it for.

If you want to purchase gold jewelry for somebody else, be sure you are well-informed. You must know what your recipient’s ring size, neck size, wrist size or ankle size is, depending on the type of jewelry you want to purchase. You should do this in order to avoid any later unpleasant situations, like miss fits. You should also choose something that bears a special meaning or has some kind of special energy.

Taiba.net is an e-commerce site for Taiba for Gold and Jewelry Co.. Taiba was established in year 1980, and is an international luxury fine gold manufacturer and supplier. It has occupied its location to be among the famous companies in the world of gold and jewelry. Since its establishment 29 years ago, Taiba for Gold & jewelry Co. has been committed to a policy of continuous growth and development. Taiba products transcend the boundaries of the gulf and Middle Eastern markets.

Their goal is to provide you with the best shopping experience possible. They assure their customers that their information will not be viewed, distributed, sold or sent to any other 3 rd party. They will only use your registry information for their marketing researches, to satisfy your needs. Taiba Dubai gold jewelry store online offering a wide range of 18k & 21k gold jewelry for her. Shop & buy from their unique & fashionable gold Rings, Bangles, Bracelets, Earrings, Pendants and Full sets.

What’s better than making jewelry? How about saving money on jewelry supplies while you’re doing it? Here are some saving tips for you:

1. It’s good to shop around

Us creative folks tend to be quite loyal, but there is nothing wrong with looking outside your usual supplier for your beading needs. There are a lot of great sources online and offline that have weekly and monthly coupons, deals and discounts, free shipping, and great products. Signing up for newsletters will alert you to deals when they happen, and sometimes these sales and discounts are offered exclusively to newsletter subscribers.

2. Buying in bulk can save you a bundle

This doesn’t only apply to rice and toilet paper. You’d be amazed of how much you can save by buying a certain amount of beads, wire, chain… and you’ll need this stuff eventually, so in the long run, you save time too!

3. Copper, Steel, and Brass are metals too

Sometimes artisans that sell jewelry think only silver and gold can command the kind of retail sales prices that can actually pay the bills but that is not always true. I must admit, I do have a special place in my heart for sterling silver, but the possibilities of brass, copper and steel beads, charms, and findings should not be overlooked. There are a number of well respected and renowned artists making beautiful jewelry using these metals in their work. And the variety of beads and findings in these metals are growing by leaps and bounds as silver and gold continue to rise in price.

4. Watch for Garage Sales

Other people’s junk is a jewelry maker’s treasure. Don’t necessarily look at an item “as is”. Old costume necklaces are a great example. Remember that everything can be taken apart and used for its spare parts.

5. Check out Thrift stores

Other than bell-bottoms and romance novels, there are other great finds in those mothball-smelling treasure troves. They are one of the best places to find old costume jewelry, and I’m talking CHEAP! And if you’re really lucky and determined, you might even find some actual vintage pieces.

6. Think outside of beads

Ever heard the term greencraft or eco-jewelry? Go green in your hunt for jewelry making components by reusing and recycling. Jewelry can literally be made out of anything, so look around! Old CDs, bottle caps, Christmas ornaments, games pieces, and old watch parts are great components for creative jewelry. Reusing and repurposing will save you money and result in a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

7. Go to a Hardware Store

If you need wire, chains, links and the like, head to the source! Amid countless racks, rolls and hardware bins you will find jewelry making supplies and fixings at rock-bottom prices. You will also find other things you can’t live without, such as storage bins and baskets, small hand tools, torches and daylight lightbulbs for your photography setup.

Let’s say you are going to buy a car. There are many different cars on the market, from Kias to Cadillacs. Now, let’s say you are going to buy a necklace for a lady. You can buy a necklace at any number of places, from Kmart to Tiffany.
Tiffany is the Cadillac of jewelry stores.
Their products are unsurpassed in their unique beauty and high quality. Other brands will make knock-offs of Tiffany’s signature pieces, but, they usually don’t come close to the real thing.
Quality
Tiffany’s quality is fantastic. I’m not a gemologist, so, I can’t really comment on the cut and clarity of their stones. What I mean by quality is that if you want a solid piece of jewelry to last you for years, and year, and years, you want Tiffany.
I have their heart toggle necklace. It is made of Sterling Silver. It is also the heaviest necklace I think I’ve ever held. This thing is solid. It’s also quite beautiful, if I do say so myself.
Prices
With Tiffany, you’re paying for the style, the quality, and, also the Tiffany name. The Tiffany logo is prominently stamped on many of their pieces. The prices are far above what you would pay ounce for ounce from other jewelry merchants.
The little blue box that every woman deserves at least once in her lifetime comes with a hefty price tag. For a moderate silver bracelet, expect to pay $150 or more.
The Website — Finding your Product
Either know the catalogue (and what you are looking for) and use the search function, or prepare to be frustrated. If you don’t know the specific name of the piece you are looking for (such as Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Bracelet), then, at least know the style you’re looking for (Etoille, Return to Tiffany, etc) so you can narrow your search down.
Without narrow search terms, you will look at page, after page, after page of jewelry, each page showing only five pieces.
My computer craps out before all five pieces load, so, I usually have to refresh each page to boot. I hate navigating the Tiffany website.
Shipping
This is the absolute worst part of the Tiffany online experience. Go ahead and pay the $15 for the expedited shipping, but, don’t expect to get it before a week’s time has passed. I kid you not. In fact, you’ll be watching the mail for days looking for the little blue box, and you’ll have no clue where your package is!
My mother placed an order on Saturday morning. Today is Wednesday. She received no shipping confirmation, no tracking information, nothing. She called customer service. The package has just been made available for UPS pickup today. It has not even left their warehouse yet. My mother asked for a tracking number to track her package once it left, and they claimed to have no way of tracking it.
I’ve dealt with UPS for years now, and Tiffany’s should have no trouble getting a tracking number.
Maybe now that the order has been shipped (even if it hasn’t left their warehouse yet), it will be “expedited.” Their processing, however, certainly was not.
Overall
I give Tiffany’s online store two stars, but, based only on their product. If their website or catalogue is the only way you can get to their merchandise, then, it’s mediocre. I expect more, but, it’s better than nothing.
I would not recommend the online store to anyone who is within driving distance of a Tiffany’s store, however. For those people, I strongly recommend that you pick your items up in person.

There are generally to ways to have your own piece of custom tiffany jewelry produced if you want to create one and the first way is to go to a jeweler that makes custom tiffany jewelry and have them produce it to your specifications. The other way to have it made is to create or sculpt it yourself in wax and then have a tiffany jeweler cast it in gold or silver for you.

This is basically the way that most all tiffany rings and tiffany bracelets are made, although there is finishing work that has to be done after it is cast, the basic form of the creation is determined in wax. Its called the “lost wax method” and it has been in use for thousands of years. Your idea is first created in wax by using sculpting or dental wax. Standard paraffin wax won’t do because it is too hard and stiff and bees wax is too soft.

The wax ring or bracelet is then given to the tiffany jeweler who then encases the wax sculpture in plaster. After the plaster that incases the wax ring or bracelet has cured and dried it is placed in a hot kiln so the wax piece inside of it can melt and burn out. What is removed from the kiln is a chunk of plaster that has the hollow shape of the ring or bracelet in it where the wax was.

Tiffany Jewelers use a centrifugal caster that spins around as the molten gold or silver is forced in to the hollow place in the chunk of plaster by the centrifugal force. After the gold or silver inside of the chunk of plaster has been allowed to cool the plaster is chipped away to reveal the tiffany jewelry piece where the wax ring or bracelet once was.

We took two, unmarked, 14-karat gold bangle bracelets, which together would retail for about $400, each to five different gold buyers, who gave us five very different offers. Here are the results:

1. $0: Uncle Ben’s Pawn Shop in downtown Cleveland said that after attempting to test the bracelets they couldn’t confirm whether the bracelets were gold and didn’t want to take a chance on buying them. Had the tiffany jewellry bracelets been marked at 14 karats, they said they would have given us $94. Uncle Ben’s bases prices on the current price of gold, so prices can vary by the minute. The pawn shop also offers loans against the value items, including gold.

2. $30: Odyssey Jewelry & Loan, a pawnshop on Cleveland’s West Side, gave us the lowest offer. They said because the bracelets were unmarked, they didn’t have the ability to test the purity and would only pay out at the lowest-10-karat-price.

3. $49.54: Cash4Gold, the Pompano Beach, Fla., company says it is the biggest gold buyer in the country. It doesn’t claim to offer the best prices, but says its mail-in service is a convenience. This quote for the bracelets was obtained over the phone, based on the 3.8-gram weight of each cheap tiffany jewellry bracelet and 14-karat purity.

4. $64.14: Gold Guys, the Akron-based gold-buying start-up, gave us a quote at a gold-buying event at a hotel in Westlake. The offer was based on standard rates the company has printed on signs, which it updates every Friday. Gold Guys used an electronic tool to test the purity of the jewelry, which came out at 14 karats.

5. $76.34: Broestl & Wallis Fine to buy tiffany jewellry in Lakewood, an independent jewelry store, gave us the highest offer. The store also bases its prices on the price of gold at the moment, so their prices can vary at different times of day. They, too, confirmed that the unmarked jewelry was 14 karats.