Happy Stories From our customers

As the United States wavers economically in several key markets around the world, its interesting to note the flux of the gold jewelry market globally.

According to The Motley Fool:

The World Gold Council reported world jewelry demand was up slightly in Q1 2017, driven largely by India, where gold jewelry demand increased 16% year over year to 92.3 metric tons.

Nonetheless, it’s China that remains the largest market. In the first quarter of 2017, China’s gold jewelry demand was 176.5 metric tons, while global demand for the same period was 480.9 metric tons.

How does the United States rank? Despite the U.S. reporting its strongest first quarter since 2010, its demand — 22.9 metric tons — pales in comparison.

Historically, gold is a symbol of luxury and wealth in China, even though for years, ownership of the precious metal was illegal. Since 2004, the ban (since the 1950’s) was lifted and since, gold purchases have experienced a sharp and dramatic resurgence.

The future is uncertain but one thing is for sure: gold has maintained a high degree of popularity for thousands of years and shows no sign of holding its powerful reign.

We’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again. A stuck ring on a hand that undergone some changes. Whether you’ve gained weight or deal with arthritis (which can cause joints and surrounding tissue to swell), when a ring becomes stuck, you just want the darn thing off.

Before you start pulling at maniacally, try these simple little tricks we found at ASSH.

1. Squirt some Windex – yes Windex – on the finger and ring. Or, use any lubricant such as soap or oil.
2. Elevate the hand overhead for 5-10 minutes with ice around the ring and finger.
3. Use dental floss or a thread to compress the swollen finger as shown:

a. Slip the thread or floss under the stuck ring with the bulk of it toward the fingertip.

b. Beginning at the top of the ring, snuggly wrap the finger with the thread/floss around and around, compressing the finger, all the way up and over the knuckle.

c. With the end that was under the ring, begin to unwrap the thread or floss with the ring sliding over the knuckle as you go.

If you are still having trouble, the ring can be cut off with a ring cutter in most jewelry stores, fire departments and emergency rooms.

Hi Margie! I just wanted to thank you so much for helping J and me with the ring. It is absolutely perfect!

Thanks!
T and J

Some of us embrace the process of taking a selfie. We like to be front and center. We believe in the maxim: if you got it, flaunt it.

Others of us aren’t so…face forward. It feels awkward when we take a selfie and we tend to dislike the end results, deleting more than posting.

But luckily it doesn’t take much to take the pressure off…and this is where bling (literally) enters the picture. A pair of bold earrings or a statement necklace is often enough to feel like you’re sharing a selfie with an attractive friend, one who loves enhancing your beauty as much as showcasing theirs.

Nothing that big and bold to wear? Simply don your favorite pendant necklace. You’ll be surprised how much it enhances an image.

So the next time you reach for your lipstick and comb, thinking you need to look “just so” before you click and post, grab a stunning piece of jewelry instead. You’ll be amazed how much it completes your look and brings out your natural loveliness without all the fuss!

Listen, we don’t advocate piercing your ears at home. It’s so easy to get it done professionally and inexpensively at your local mall (or even some tattoo shops) so why risk infection or added pain?

But we know that some people will roll the dice and try an at-home piercing. This video goes over the basics to keep the process as hygienically sound and safe as possible (but seriously, go get it done professionally!):

No, you can’t wear a trophy around your neck or on your finger, but its made of metal (silver gilt) and certainly makes for a killer adornment.

So as we say goodbye to a blazingly exciting week at Wimbledon, the oldest and most prestigious professional tennis tournament of the world, let’s take a look at the prize trophy for the men (since women receive a dish).

The head of the trophy has a pineapple on the top, which has an interesting and hazy history. According to the Express:

A spokesperson for the Wimbledon Museum told Express.co.uk that there are “very few facts” about the pineapple’s origin, but they believe it dates back to the fruit’s use as a symbol of “honour, welcoming and celebration”.

The spokesperson said: “In the 17th century pineapples were impossible to grow in the UK and they had to be imported, so being presented with one at a feast was seen as a great compliment.

“You might have seen pineapples being used on gateposts of stately homes as you travel around the UK. It’s because of their rarity.

Sure, it still seems odd. Pineapples and tennis? Hmm…well, regardless, it looks awesome on top of one of the most revered trophies in sports history.

We all know the look of it…and its not pretty. Tarnish makes your jewelry appear slightly discolored and just plain dull. But what is tarnish exactly?

Well first off, what tarnish isn’t: it’s not the pure metal itself (silver) but the alloys mixed with the pure metal (mainly copper). It’s the copper that reacts to the sulfur and the moisture in the air, causing pieces made of sterling silver to tarnish.

And its not just moisture that causes silver to tarnish but chemicals like deodorant, hairspray, lotion, etc. that speed up the process.  tarnishes faster in areas with high humidity and air pollution.

Here’s a simple video that details the process of bringing the shine back to your sterling silver jewelry.