Only buy conflict free rocks campaign!

Fine jewelry is one of the most luxurious and exquisite gifts that you can give for a holiday or a special occasion. However, picking out the perfect piece for a loved one isn’t always easy. Everyone has their own unique tastes when it comes to fine jewelry, so choosing a piece that the recipient will wear often requires full knowledge of that person’s style and preferences. The temptation is often to spend the most possible money, with the idea that the larger the precious stones the more beautiful the jewelry will be. However, more often than not, a smart choice is not always the most expensive item, but is the item that best suits the wardrobe and the eye of the person who you are shopping for.

If you are planning to purchase a piece of fine jewelry, it is a good idea to make time for several trips to more than one store so that you can have the time you need to compare prices and styles across several different vendors. Before you set off on your shopping trip, try to make a thorough examination of the kinds of jewelry your intended recipient already owns. This will keep you from making a redundant purchase, but more importantly it can give you a guide that will help you choose the perfect piece or set of fine jewelry. Make notes about what kind of stones are most prevalent in the existing set of jewelry. Although many women and men enjoy having a wide variety of stones, it is often a good idea to choose a piece that will match well with earrings, necklaces, and rings that person already owns. If you discover a jewelry box that is already filled with rubies, for example, you would probably do well to choose an item that includes rubies so the recipient can wear the item with matching pieces that are already a part of his or her regular jewelry repertoire. Also notice whether the person you are shopping for tends to prefer single large stones that make a bold statement, or whether his or her collection includes mostly items that combine many small stones for a more delicate and refined look.

If you are not terribly knowledgeable about jewelry styles in terms of modern versus classical settings, avant garde versus conservative pieces, or any of the other spectrums along which fine jewelry falls; pictures can provide a valuable tool in helping you make your purchase. Take simple snapshots or Polaroid photos of some of the recipient’s favorite items, and bring them with you when you shop. A salesclerk with a trained eye will probably be able to glean important information from these pictures, and will then be able to steer you towards pieces of fine jewelry that are similar in terms of style. This can help you make sure that the money you spend on fine jewelry as a gift is money well spent, because the more specifically a piece suits the taste of the recipient, the more often he or she will be likely to wear it.

read comments (0)

Giving a diamond ring is a great way to say, “I love you” to that special someone or to propose marriage. But when you set out to find that perfect diamond ring or any diamond jewelry, you can quickly become confused with all the offerings available today. It’s important that you know what to look for in diamond jewelry.

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Look for the four Cs of diamonds. These are clarity, cut, color, and carat weight. Clarity signifies the presence or absence of irregularities or imperfections in the stone. Imperfections may appear as bubbles, spots, or lines. The clarity is often determined by the passing of light through the diamond. The fewer imperfections the diamond jewelry has, the more valuable it will be. Clarity is graded on a scale from flawless (FL or IF) to imperfect (I) according to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) quality analysis scale for diamond jewelry.

The diamond’s cut is also important. The cut is what gives a diamond its brilliance and determines the number of facets in the diamond. The “round brilliant” cut is the most popular diamond cut, especially for an engagement ring.

Diamond color also determines the value. Colorless diamonds are the most valuable; however, diamonds with color are popular for non-proposal gifts. Diamond colors range from D (colorless) to Z.

A diamond’s carat is the actual weight of the diamond, not the size. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. One ounce contains 142 carats. Larger diamonds usually have a greater value for each carat.

Real Diamonds are set in Real Jewelry Pieces

When you shop for a diamond ring or other diamond jewelry, be sure it is set in real gold jewelry for its band, necklace, bracelet, or earrings. There are 14K cubic zirconia jewelry pieces that might contain what “looks like” real diamonds, but they are actually simulated (or manmade) diamonds.

Look for the trademark in jewelry such as 14kt gold necklaces, 14kt gold earrings, 14kt gold bracelets, and diamond rings.

Buying Diamonds Online

When buying diamond jewelry online, be sure the jeweler offers a Jewelry Certificate of Authenticity. Check with Better Business Bureau Online to be sure the retailer is trustworthy. The BBB Online will show if there have been any complaints or reports of fraud against the company. This will give you peace of mind while shopping.
Use search features at jewelry sites to find just the right diamond jewelry. Look for the four Cs mentioned above and ask about the diamond’s weight if it’s not provided at the website. Also, check to be sure the shipping and handling will keep your diamond safe. Find out if shipping insurance is available and what types of packaging is used. Also, ask for assistance if you have questions. A dependable online jeweler will be available to help.

Online jewelry stores usually carry an assortment of jewelry items ranging from a 10kt or 14kt gold necklace with or without attached slides or stones, a pearl necklace, 10kt or 14kt gold hoop earrings, tennis bracelets, diamond rings, pendants, and other fine jewelry pieces.

read comments (0)

Sterling silver jewelry has been a popular commodity for thousands of years. One of the obvious reasons is the affordability over other precious metals gold and platinum. The large variety of sterling silver jewelry requires certain knowledge in order to choose the right piece and also keep it in good condition as long as possible. The followings are the most common questions concerning sterling silver jewelry.

How do I clean sterling silver jewelry?
It depends. Usually, it is sufficient to use a jewelry cloth (with two layers of cloths in different colors) that you can get from a jewelry accessory store. Don’t use any hard object to clean sterling silver jewelry; even paper towel could scratch the surface. You should rub any dirt off using a jewelry cloth, not fingernails. Silver-dip is another commonly used sterling silver jewelry cleaner, which can also be obtained from jewelry store. The entire silver jewelry is immerged in the solution for half a minute to a minute and then rinsed with water. Make sure the silver jewelry is not plated with any other metal before using the silver-dip or the plating will be damaged.

Where do I store sterling silver jewelry?
It is very important to store sterling silver jewelry properly when it is not used. The ideal place to store sterling silver jewelry is cool and away from sunlight. Heat and light will turn a silver jewelry yellow and cause it to tarnish quickly. Even indoor light source like florescent lights or light bulbs turn the color of silver jewelry over time. If you expect not to wear a certain piece for a long time, put it in a air-tight bag and store it in a drawer.

What types of silver jewelry plating are there?
Unlike gold and platinum, however, pure silver is rather unstable and oxides rather quickly. Therefore, silver jewelry is usually plated with another metal to protect it from tarnishing. There are two kinds of plating for silver jewelry: nickel and rhodium plating. Nickel plating has a more whitish look and rhodium plating has a darker look. Rhodium is used to plate white gold and platinum jewelry and is much more expensive than nickel, and it give better protection to the silver underneath. On the other hand, some silver jewelry is not plated. For instance, high polished sterling silver jewelry does not have any plating and the surface is polished by machine to render shininess. Also, “oxidized silver” jewelry is oxidized on purpose to give a dark antique look and is not plated with any other metals.

How do I know the purity of my silver jewelry?
The purity of sterling silver refers to 92.5% of silver in the alloy. In order to confirm the purity, the metal itself has to be sent to a laboratory to be tested. However, most of the sterling silver jewelry produced nowadays has a “925″ stamp to indicate the authenticity of the jewelry. Although there are cases where stamps are forged and the metal is either not silver or the purity is not as stated, they are very rare.

How about engraving and resizing?
Engraving and resizing of sterling silver rings is rather simple due to the ductility and relatively low melting point. However, make sure your jeweler understands the process of refinishing the ring and that they possess the necessary equipment to do so. Not all jewelers have the equipment to recoat the rhodium plating after cutting and welding the ring. Also, rings set with stones are sometimes not resizable because resizing might cause the stones to pop out. Such settings include channel and invisible settings.

Can I wear sterling silver jewelry if I am allergic to nickel?
Yes, just make sure the jewelry is pure sterling silver, not plated with nickel. Even Rhodium plated sterling silver jewelry sometimes contains a nickel layer between the silver and the rhodium to act as an adhesive. Hence, buy only high polished sterling silver jewelry if you are allergic to nickel.

read comments (0)

Preparing your entire prom look always starts with the prom dress, and for that you have to have a good head start of at least two months before the prom. A good head start on putting your prom look together, not just your prom dress, will save you from getting stressed out later on whatever details you may have overlooked just because you rushed through your preparations.

Thankfully, it is no longer necessary for you to visit shops selling prom dresses and physically comb through their stock just to get the right one. All you need to do is to surf the Net and look for online retailers that sell prom dresses. You do not have to leave the house to get your shopping done, unless you do not have Internet at home.

The Budget for Your Prom Dress

There are a few things that you need to consider and decide before you turn on your computer and surf for prom dresses that you can buy online. One of these is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on buying a prom dress?

To answer that question, you need to ask your parents how much money they are willing to give you so you could get the elements of your prom look together â?” your prom dress, your shoes and accessories, your hair and makeup, and other incidental expenses. If the money your parents are allotting you is not enough, or if they are not spending for your prom dress, then you would have to depend on your savings and come up with some extra cash before the prom.

Remember that a prom dress does not have to cost a lot. Regardless of how much you have, you can always get a fabulous prom dress with patient searching and creative thinking.

Deciding What Prom Dress You Want

Once you have the matter of budgeting for your prom dress settled, then you can move on to other details such as what kind of dress you want to wear and what type of dress will suit your figure best.

There are many styles of prom dresses that you can choose from. What dress style would suit you depends largely on what you want and what your body type is. Here is a rundown of some of the basic styles that you can find on prom dresses and what body type they flatter the most:
1. Bubble dress. The bubble dress has a cinched waist and a curved-in hem. Cute and fun, it is great for girls with skinny figures because it gives them the curves they lack. It is also awesome on girls with full figures because it emphasizes the curves they have.

2. Corset dress. The corset dress sports a tightly laced top that is good for creating a fetching cleavage and the illusion of a small waist, especially when matched with a fluffy skirt. A prom dress of this type is good for the full-figured girl, as it embellishes her lovely curves.

3. Column dress. The column dress is great for the slim girl. Its long and straight silhouette flatters her thin build and makes her look taller. For a girl with a fuller figure, this could work if done with a little shirring to hide the problem areas of the body.

4. Empire dress. The empire dress is an excellent choice regardless of body type. The high waist of the empire dress can create curves on a slim girl. On the other hand, its draping skirt can hide unwanted curves on the full-figured girl.

5. Halter dress. The halter dress is perfect for creating a sexy look on prom night regardless of the body type. With a halter dress, the focus is brought to the face rather than to the body. This dress can also reveal more than a little bit of skin.

Going Shopping for Prom Dresses Online

After you have decided what style your prom dress is going to be, then you can start browsing for prom dresses online. Do not buy the first prom dress that you see on the first store that you visit. Just bookmark them and move on.

When searching for a prom dress online, do not limit your search to just retailers specializing in prom dresses. Go ahead and visit the websites of designer boutiques and trendy department stores. If you cannot score a sale there, you would at least get more ideas on the latest trends from visiting their sites. You should also check out retailers that sell secondhand prom dresses of good quality and with the price pulled down.

Always check on the return and exchange policy of the online store before you purchase your prom dress. If it does not have a return and exchange policy, go search for another store.

Most of all, shop only with secure and reliable websites.

Upon Receiving Your Prom Dress

So you have gone and placed your order for your prom dress. The first thing you should do once it is delivered to you is to try it on and check it out. If you think the quality of the prom dress is not up to par with your expectations or it simply does not suit you, go ahead and return the dress. However, if it is only a matter of fit and length, just pay a visit to your local tailor to have your prom dress altered. After all that is done, then you can just wait and look forward to enjoying your prom night.

read comments (0)

Web-based, electronic catalogs (E-Catalogs) focus on imparting an entirely unique shopping experience for consumers.

The E-Catalog is a cutting-edge catalog simulation. The shopping experience is online, but creates the look and feel of shopping out of a print catalog. Consumers can “flip” through virtual catalog pages with the click of a mouse, browsing just like they would through a printed book. The E-Catalog offers consumers many features to enhance their shopping experience: potential customers can zoom in on products for a closer look, make notes directly on the page using a sticky note feature, or print out individual pages for later use. If consumers like what they see, they can click on an image or on a product description and add the item to their virtual shopping cart for purchase.

In many ways the E-Catalog is a superior shopping tool for the consumer. Almost anyone can access an E-Catalog at any time via the Internet. The E-Catalog can never be lost or misplaced, nor do consumers need to worry about not having the latest edition. In addition, it introduces an eco-friendly alternative to traditional catalog printing by allowing consumers to print only the pages they need, consequently cutting down on paper waste. E-Catalogs can also provide businesses with an opportunity to save money on shipping; orders can be combined with other businesses to receive a quantity discount and reduce shipping charges. The E-Catalog allows business associates a chance to shop for products at the same time while being located miles apart.

Many consumers today have had the chance to experience the added value in the E-Catalog. It expands their shopping possibilities, keeps them connected with updated product information, and increases their accessibility. It’s the next level in online shopping.

read comments (0)