Jewelry Education and Advice

Sterling silver is a smart and easy-to-use metal which most of us have somewhere in the depths of our jewelry boxes.

These simple steps that you can perform in mere minutes will bring that sterling silver jewelry back to life.

A common problem with jewelry is overdoing it. Often simplicity highlights the true beauty of a delicate piece of jewelry. In addition, length often comes into play. A beautiful necklace can become hopelessly lost in your dress if its not the right length. The great part? A few quick tips are all you need to make smart and fashionable choices. Check out the video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65nMxWLiEfo

Beware!

It’s a heart stopper, that’s for sure. Losing jewelry can stop us dead in our tracks and cause a hefty amount of grief, especially if that lost jewelry consists of your wedding ring. So think of this list as a precautionary warning.

Top 5 Ways to Lose your Jewelry

1. In the ocean (or other large body of water)

Have you heard of shrinkage? When your body gets cold, it contracts and shrinks. The most common scenario is wearing a ring into the water of the beach and losing your jewelry due to your body contracting and getting smaller in the water.

Solution: Always remove jewelry from your body before diving in.

2. Washing dishes / Cleaning & Housework

This typical scenario happens far more often than you may realize. It can simply go down the drain if your hands are slippery wet and soapy, or perhaps you forgot where you placed it when you took it off to clean.

Solution: Have a set place where you put your jewelry during cleaning times.

3. Partying too hard 

Who among us hasn’t lost something when out at a club and buzzed (or worse)? If you must wear your valuables out, keep track of them at all times and have a friend keep track as well. It’d be a good idea if that friend was the designated driver.

4. Theft

Unfortunately thievery is still alive and well. If you’re going to be in a sketchy or unknown area, be safe and tuck your jewelry into your handbag or pocket. Also don’t flash your bling around either — in some places, it’s an invitation to be robbed.

5. Simple misplacement

Most jewelry is so small, making it incredibly easy to lose. Set aside a drawer with containers or bowls to place your jewelry in or buy a jewelry holder case. Things get lost unless they have a home — put your jewelry back in its home whenever you’re done with it to avoid losing it.

6. Sports / Gym / Running around

Physical activity of any kind can mean loss of your jewelry if you’re not careful with it. My advice is to always take it off before engaging in any sort of sports or exercise.

Source: TraxNYC

Most jewelry-loving women know intimately the importance of the length of a necklace in relation to her outfit. Too long and a necklace can fall into neckline obscurity. Too short and you have this vague sensation of being choked all evening.

Bookmark this handy visual so you can choose just the right length. Then look at our collection of necklaces here. We have necklaces in all sizes!

Click image to enlarge.

If you have a gorgeous dress for a special occasion, you don’t want to destroy the look by wearing the wrong jewelry. It could drag the whole look down!

This video shows you how simple your choice should be.

Reading over this Marie Claire article had me giggling in a few places. What do you think? Does Tim Gunn have a point about pearl versus diamond studs?

Earrings

The easiest, most universally wearable earring is the stud. But be cautious about scale: Studs are just that — studs. The circumference should be no greater than ¼ inch. If you’re thinking of an investment, then I vote for pearls over diamonds, because you’ll find quality for about 75 percent less cost. Real pearls possess a great wow! factor, while few things are sadder than a single microscopic diamond.

Well, Mr. Gunn doesn’t mention moissanite, with a guaranteed “wow” factor:

Style 133MB On Sale! Special Purchase Round Moissanite Stud Earrings On Sale! Special purchase! Round moissanite stud earrings set in classic low profile wire basket settings. Includes the Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity and Limited Warranty.

Are you the type who has a jewelry box full of necklaces that don’t clasp properly for one reason or the other? With needle-nose pliers, you can fix them yourself and save the bucks it takes to go to a jeweler. (This video also demonstrates when a necklace does need the expertise of a jeweler.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-5Ll3Q2VQg

We often don’t think of the colors that we’re wearing when we choose our outfits. We’ve already decided that we like only silver, for instance, regardless of what we wear. Of when we do consider color, we can often be a little too “matchy matchy.” But contrast can be your friend! Watch below.

Reflectivity, luster, temperature, weight and touch…all quick and easy ways to identify real pearls from fake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJMweQc4LnY

It’s been a long-standing debate: should you wear gold and silver together? Back in the day, it was a definite no-no. But more and more, we’ve seen jewelers break from the mold and combine the two metals for a fantastic look. This video demonstrates a great example–but note how the black outfit works so well with the combo jewelry.