A good example of a cool skin tone complimented by the right jewelry choice.

Most people naturally have a preference for gold or silver–often for life. But certain skin tones are better suited for one metal over the other.

First you need to identify whether you possess a warm or cool tone. This can be done easily enough by looking at the veins on the inside of your arm. If they are blue, you are probably tend toward a cooler skin tone. If the veins are predominantly green, you have a warm skin tone.

So what metal and stone goes with your particular type? According to one source:

Cool skin tones favor silver, platinum, and white gold. Stone colors for cool skin tones are pink, blue, purple, red, and magenta. Warm skin tones favor gold, pewter, brass, and copper. Compliment colors for warm tones are brown, green, orange, yellow, coral, and turquoise.

Of course, fashion rules are occasionally meant to be broken. If you prefer gold and you’re of the cool skin tone variety, don’t let us stop you! What looks best on you is often what you like best.

I must confess: I wrote this blog out of personal necessity and not for our viewing audience per se. The story goes like this: I went on a trip with only one pair of earrings…and forgot the backing for one of them.

The answer, in true Internet fashion, was only a click away:

Step 1

Find a pen or pencil that has a miniature eraser on the end of it.

Step 2

Pull off the eraser and cut or pinch it down to a smaller size.

Step 3

Stick it on the back of your earring in place of the original backing. Push the eraser up tight against the back of the earring to ensure it is properly in place.

Source: Adjuvant

Heirlooms have been passed through generations for generations. It’s a touching way to leave a part of your history to your loved one. But often people make assumptions as to what constitutes an heirloom. Or worse, an heirloom is considered special to one person and perhaps not another. And that can be awkward!

According to one TLC article:

First, figure out whether your children (or whomever you have in mind) will appreciate an heirloom as you’d hoped — or if they’ll simply accept it out of obligation. So ask. And be prepared for the answer. After all, you don’t want your heirloom to become a burden. Unless you’re the passive aggressive type, but that’s a different list altogether.

Estate 14kt white gold  pear shape diamond earring and pendant set.

One of our staff members loves this necklace. She feels like its her good luck charm. She also gave us a little information on the meaning of the symbol:

It’s actually “aum.” “Om” is the way it’s pronounced. “Om” can be used as a calming chant. In theory, it is the sound that was made when creation came into existence. It’s not like that sound was made per se; but the sound is supposed to contain all that is magical, undefinable and indescrible about the Universe we live in.

For me, the necklace gives me a sense of inner peace. It reminds me of the quiet center inside of me, which I can often forget about in these trying times.

The “Om” represents the four divine states of Brahman – metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity).

This article captivated me and I wanted to share it with our readers. In it, the writer describes with greater detail the importance of defining and developing a style for yourself that’s both workable and wise. The great part? Anyone can incorporate these basic tips to create a more refined look:

Choose one core theme

The theme will serve as the central story for your look.  For the purpose of this post lets use texture as our core theme as it is a very subtle yet sophisticated way to create visual interest and a personal favorite of mine.  In order to do this, you have to pay attention to the materials that your clothing and accessories are made of and what effect the materials have on light, color and feel.  Next, decide whether you want your accessories and outfit to highlight a cohesive textural feel or contrast each other to engage the eyes.  The look from Dior below uses the knobby texture of the bracelet to accentuate the grainy weave of the tweed dresses.

Dior Haute Couture F/W 2012/13

Read more at: DeliverMeDiamonds

 

The 1950’s ushered in its own look stylistically. Rhinestones became all the rage, pearls gave that classic touch and glass beads and copper highlighted fun yet conservative fashionwear. If there’s a blast from the past you’d like to re-create, we can custom design a retro jewelry piece to fit today’s look.

1950s Jewelry – After the war was over, Americans returned to making large quantities of costume jewelry. Rhinestone jewelry returned with a vengeance giving rise to many makers of rhinestone studded necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches.

Pearls were also popular for business and younger women. American efforts to help our former enemies to recover gave rise to much jewelry made in Japan, mostly of pearls and beads. And also jewelry from Western Germany was imported, typically glass beads.

Copper jewelry became popular giving rise to a number of companies based in California, as well as some individual designers such as Gret Barkin on the East Coast. Charm bracelets of silver, expansion rhinestone bracelets, gold-filled lockets were popular, as well as accessories such as rhinestone studded ladies compacts.

Source:  FoxfireVintageJewelry.com

Hand Wrought Sterling Brooch & Earrings by Gret Barkin

 

There’s nothing worse than having a beautiful collection of jewelry but its either tangled or can’t be found easily. If you’ve invested in jewelry, its certainly worth the investment in time to make sure its stored easily. Take note of these easy steps. Remember: a stich in time prevents necklace entanglement!

* Jewelry should be stored the way that it’s worn to keep it from getting tangled or nicked, and so you can easily see what you have. For example, hanging necklaces and earrings. For creative hanging options, read Creative Jewelry Storage.
* Don’t rest pieces on top of one another or jostle together (especially pieces with delicate details or stone settings). If you must stack for space, simply place a square of good quality, wool felt between each piece to prevent them from rubbing against one another.
* Think about storing silver pieces in small plastic zip top bags. Include an anti-tarnish strip (available for a small cost at jewelry stores) and change out the strip every 6 to 9 months to maintain the silver.
* Keep jewelry out of humid spaces like the bathroom, and areas where the temperature fluctuates.
* Avoid storing in cardboard boxes and keep costume jewelry away from oak to prevent damage from fumes that escape from the wood.

Source: HomeMadeSimple.com

Sitting at the airport, I can’t help but notice jewelry. What do people wear when they’re traveling? What have they brought with them? It got me thinking about some general rules to follow so your trip is stress-free and safe:

1. Choose pendants that can be easily attached, such as those with a magnetic bail.  The magnetic bail makes it a snap (no pun intended) to add and remove the pendant.
2. Take a brooch that can serve double duty as a pendant when it’s not being used as a pin.
3. For flexibility, take necklaces and bracelets in a neutral color.  Pearls are great for this purpose.  They can be worn with almost any color and combined easily with many other necklaces.
4. Select pieces that complement each other.  Look for an element that is common to both such as a specific stone, bead color or style.
5. Take items that can be easily and efficiently packed.  Elasticized cuff bracelets, for example, are great for travel.  They’re comfortable, don’t get in the way as you handle luggage, and can be flattened for packing.
6. Bring a couple of dressy pieces that can be worn in the evening.  For instance, replace a more casual pendant with an elegant one to create an evening look.

Source: My Far & Away Itineraries

Remember: leave your good jewelry at home. Its not worth the risk of possible theft or loss and you can still look good without those precious pearls!

Smart travel pouch for jewelry

We all know this feeling: we’ve lost an earring but can’t seem to part ways with that other one. Perhaps its too pretty, or worse, too expensive! This video has some great ideas on what to do with that precious little loner:

I wondered about this over coffee this morning: how long have pierced ears been around? I must not have been fully caffeinated yet because my guess was that it started in the 1960’s! Apparently, I’m a few hundred centuries off.

Pierced ears and earrings for pierced ears have been found on every continent throughout history. Evidence from the earliest civilizations in the Middle East show that pierced ears were worn at least six thousand years ago, but given the popularity of pierced ears in non state-level societies, they certainly must predate the archaeological record. Multiple ear piercings were used in some cultures, such as ancient Mesopotamia, pre-Colombian Meso-America, and the Greco-Roman world. Many cultures have also stretched the ear holes and worn earplugs. Earplugs were worn by ancient Egyptians, Mayans, and Aztecs, by the Chinese, as well as by traditional cultures around the world.

Source: Squidoo

So keep in step with history and peruse our dazzling earring collection.

Style 10354MS Graduated Three Stone Moissanite Earrings Graduated three stone dangle earrings with approximately 1ct t.w. (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite. Available in 14kt white gold only. Trade Up Our Guarantee