Welcome to Jewelry Tips

Untangling Chains

The answer is to roll it gently in your fingers. Do not try to pull it, or do anything that may tighten the knot or tangle. Generally, gently rolling the chain between your thumb and middle finger will loosen up the tangle, and allow you to find a loop to pull (gently) that will untie the knot.

Glamorous Look

To acheive an ultra-glamorous look with your jewelry, mix it up! Put together lots of complimentary colors of gems, richly textured metals, and varied sizes together. The richness of colors and textures gives an opulent, festive look!

Gold Selection

When purchasing a gold ring, be aware of the amount of gold that is present in the piece. Look "inside" the ring, by turning it so that you can look behind the setting of the stone. While some rings have a small amount of what is called hollowing, removal of some gold to keep the ring from being too top heavy, is acceptable. Beware of paper thin areas of gold. If the ring feels feather light, put it back! Gold is a soft metal, and a paper thin ring will not last you very long. A ring that is built to last will feel like it is built to last, with ample metal, and a nice thick shank.

Gunked up Rings

There is one thing you can do to help reduce that icky build up. Remove your rings before applying any kind of hand lotions or creams. The moisturizing oils in those products stick to your jewelry making it look dull, lifeless, and dirty! Remove all hand and wrist jewelry and then apply the lotion or cream, wait for it to completely soak in and then replace your jewelry. Your precious metals and gems will stay looking clean and bright much longer.

Always...

Remember that your jewelry is a precious item, treat it as such. Always remember to remove jewelry from hands when doing baking, gardening, or other activities that either dirty the hands, or are using the hands in a strenuous manner. Jewelry is delicate, and often times it is easy to forget that, as we wear it every day. In short, treat your jewelry as though it were a treasure, because it really IS.

Pearl Solitaire

Floater necklaces on invisible cord started the trend, and the solitaire pearl is taking center stage. One exquisite pearl, suspended by seemingly invisible line floats in the hollow of your neck. Absolutely feminine, and ulitimately classy, the pearl solitaire necklace is a must have!

Ethnic Chic!

Ethnic items always spark an exotic feel, and jewelry is no exception! Go wild, ethnic jewelry is all the rage. If you don´t happen to own any imported ethnic jewelry, you can still have this sizzling look! Generously drape strands of beads in rich colors all over your neck and wrists. The more the better, and you have an instantly hot look!

Proper Storage

Proper storage of jewelry is essential! Choose a box sized appropriately for the amount of jewelry you have - you do not want your jewelry crowded together. Rings should be held in ring holders, earrings secured to holders or separated into little compartments, and necklaces hung or laid carefully into drawers with separators.

Elegance is Simple!

Keep it easy, and go for the "in" choice out there - simple studs! Diamond studs are always a sharp choice for any attire - especially formal occasions. Sweep your hair up and show off those lovely lobes with an elegant touch!

Screwpost Woes

Try screwing them in! Twisting them through the hole will help ease them through more comfortably.

How Safe is Your Catch?

Keep dropping your bracelet due to a not so catchy catch? If you find your bracelet sliding away, you might want to take a trip to your local jeweler and see if they can install a safety latch or chain. Depending on the type of bracelet, you can have either a safety latch or catch chain installed quite simply. These will either not allow the latch to release on its own (safety catch), or if it should come undone - keep it from falling off your wrist (safety chain). If your bracelet is special to you, the small investment in this mechanical insurance is well worth it!

Well Made Jewelry

Go with what you know! Look at the piece. Does it have a look of quality? Are the stones sparkly and clean? Are they set straight and level? What is the gram weight? Is a good amount of metal involved? Do the edges look smooth and polished, not sharp or scratchy? Finally, does it have an overall appearance of quality craftsmanship, quality materials, and a price that you feel is fair to you for this piece? If so, you have got yourself a winner! Buy and enjoy!

A Ring On Every Finger

Care should always be taken to avoid wearing rings on neighboring fingers. Gold is a relatively soft metal, as are silver and platinum - that, among other reasons, is why they are suitable for jewelry and stone settings. Wearing rings on fingers that touch each other allows the rings to abrade one another and scratch metal away from the shanks. Over time you will not only have a scratched up ring, but one with less metal in the band than it started out with. For the longevity of your precious rings, do not wear them where they can rub against other rings.

Removing Rings

Don´t remove rings by pulling on any of their gemstones. Instead, grasp the metal ring portion. This will help prevent the stones from coming loose and getting dirty.

**note - this is very important with diamonds, as they are quite valuable, and also have a stong affinity for oils.

Check for Loose Stones

Occasionally check your jewelry for loose stones. Shake it or tap it lightly with your forefinger while holding it next to your ear. If you hear the stones rattle or click, have a jeweler tighten the prongs.

Necklaces and Sleep

Necklaces and sleeping do not mix. The thought of keeping a cherished momento near your heart at night is sweet, but may not be the best idea for your jewelry or you. Not only does the tossing and turning of sleep produce excess wear on the gold, silver, or platinum, but the metal "rope" around your neck also poses a choking hazard. Be good to yourself and your jewelry, leave it on the nightstand before you go to bed.

Bracelet Falling Off

The most effective safety I have found in my experience is the figure eight latch. It can be easily installed on most bracelets, is relatively inexpensive to add, is not visually obtrusive, and seems to hold the best. Other options are safety chains, or latches that go under the tongue of the bracelet.

Bracelet Storage

When traveling, use a jewelry roll to store your bracelets. Tennis bracelets, chain, or link style should be laid out in a line, and rolled up in the jewelry roll like a burrito. If you do not have a jewelry roll, you can lay out your bracelets on a thick piece of fabric or hand towel, and roll up. This is also a good way to store your braclets at home when you are not wearing them.