Jewelry Education and Advice

If you’re not the type to believe in the powers of gemstones, that’s fine. You’re part of the majority. But even disbelievers notice something about the mystical benefits of rose quartz.

Rose quartz has been used in civilizations throughout time. Ancient Rose and Assyria were the first to use it in jewelry making. It was used as a symbol to show that a business deal had been reached. For the Ancient Native Americans, this “love stone” could allay anger and disappointment. The Egyptians even believed this magical stone could prevent aging!

Today, people who believe wear rose quartz as a way to heal a broken heart and provoke unconditional love. It helps in this regard by bringing your consciousness to a higher level, taking you up and beyond petty grievances with others and promoting compassion instead.

Connected with the element of water, rose quartz instills healing properties, which are naturally fluid. These stones can wash away toxic energies and emotions long trapped inside of you. Deeply feminine, rose quartz radiates a pink that heals and cleanses, as well as promotes a “higher love” residing deep in all of us.

Does this make a rose quartz believer out of you? Probably not. But as many figure it, believing in a healing talisman couldn’t hurt. Sometimes its the most minor of beliefs that can make a big spiritual difference in our lives.

And regardless of your belief system, its a beautifully pink and radiant stone, begging for appreciation and reverence, don’t you agree?

Protect your piercings with every pair of earrings you wear.

Undoubtedly, you’re familiar with plastic disc backs for earrings. Some think they are discardable and do just that–toss them. But before you get rid of these types of backings, realize there are quite a few benefits to wearing them, including protecting you from the dreaded ear lobe droop.

Plastic Disc Backs for your Earrings – The Benefits

• They’re easy to grasp and hold while putting on your earrings. This helps the busy woman who doesn’t want to futz with her accessories every day.

• They support your earrings and keep them positioned correctly. If you’ve worn earrings most of your life, your piercings probably need a little support and protection. Plastic disc backs not only keep your earrings in an exact place but also protect your lobes from the weight of the earring by distributing the weight correctly.

• They keep your earrings safe. Plastic backs keep your earrings extra secure–more secure than traditional metal backings. If you’re wearing a pair of earrings that are dear to you, then plastic backs are the way to go.

Yes, there are some cons to plastic disc backs. Some are sensitive to plastic so these types of backings would not be a good fit for those with this tendency. Also, if you’re wearing small stud earrings, there’s a chance you can see the plastic backings when you wear them–not a good look!

The takeaway? Choose your earrings and their backings carefully. The beauty of your ear lobe depends on it!

Do you like old blue jeans worn to perfection and comfort? Does a tussled, just got out of bed look appeal to your creative sensibilities? How about a penchant for old cars, tin signs and all things considered “shabby chic”?

Then you might be a perfect candidate for distressed metal.

What exactly is distressed metal? 

A common method to alter metal in jewelry is by adding texture. This adds an added level of visual attraction and depth to your piece of jewelry. Sanding and filing is the type of metalwork that results in a distressed metal look.

But you can also use plain old nail polish to give you this special look. Simple slather on a dark colored nail polish (or a fun, bright color for a different effect), then wipe it off. The nail polish will fall into the cracks creating a fun, fashionable and shabby chic look.

How to make cheap costume jewelry look vintage. 

Guess what? You probably have distressed metal in your jewelry box. That’s right – oxidized jewelry (jewelry that’s not polished) is considered a distressed metal and provides that vintagey, worn appeal. Instead of assuming it needs a good cleaning, pair it with a retro outfit that matches its current metal state.

Ready for some easy jewelry transformation? It’s just a spray can away!

No, we’re not talking graffiti art. A lot of that old junk jewelry hiding somewhere in a drawer or jewelry box could be magically transformed into fun, fanciful baubles ready to be worn again!

First: you’ll want to use high enamel paint. If you use another type of paint, you’ll need to seal your non-enamel spray paint with a product like Rustoleum Clear Gloss enamel and let it dry for 48 hours.

Second: use plastic wrap or scotch tape to cover any parts of your old jewelry you don’t want colored. This is a good idea of clasps or hooks, for instance.

Third: Clean the exposed jewelry with soap and water. You want the cleanest surface possible for your fun new color.

Fourth: Hang your jewelry to a constructed line of some sort, so it hangs like clothes would on a clothing line. This makes for an easier distribution of the paint.

Fifth: Spray away! But spray lightly, especially for the first coat. Wait about an hour then spray (again, lightly) a second coat.

Sixth: Wait. Yes, a good, long while. Enamel paint can take up to 48 hours to fully dry. But it will be worth the wait. The enamel paint forms a hard, durable coating on your fun, new(ish) jewelry!

An example of ceramic jewelry by Anne Laycock/Liverpool Design Festival.

Burnishing sounds like a combination of “burn” and “polish” but what exactly is this process? On a basic level, burnishing smoothes the texture of a rough surface and makes it shinier.

But how does burnishing apply to jewelry?

Well, all jewelry has some type of finish, whether its hammering, brushing, burnishing, microblasting or more. And the kind of finish is a part of an expression of a jewelry designer and his or her final product.

Burnishing compresses the surface of the metal to a mirror polish. It can be done mechanically, where jewelry is placed in an electronic agitator that shakes in a circular motion. The longer the pieces tumble about, the brighter the surface will become.

Another method burnishing is done by hand and is a more costly way to finish jewelry. Hand burnishing results in a highly reflective finish and uses a variety of tools to flatten and compress the surface of the precious metal. In addition, a lubricant is used as well.

Burnishing can also be used to fix scratches and get into tight recesses of jewelry.

So there you go: a brief tutorial on burnishing. If you’re thinking of a custom designed piece of jewelry, let’s talk about the kind of finish you’d like on your piece!

One reason people enjoy wearing gems (other than sheer beauty, of course) is that each one has a significant meaning and spiritual significance. One may serve to protect you from harm while the other might heal a broken heart.

But what about moissanite and lab grown diamonds? Can a gem grown in a lab really have any meaning if its not from nature?

The surprising answer: yes.

According to one gem-related website:

Natural moissanite is a tremendous rumination stone, provides composure within and strengthens the acquaintance with your inner adolescent. It is an immense crystal that supply buff radiance in all areas of life. It unites all the chakras and sanitizes brainpower, cadaver and spirit. It persuades suspicion and abolishes annoyance and any computer related grievance. It has a prospective of flickering vividness, blaze and gleam.

Remember: a gem or metal can be imbued with any powers you decide. Spend some time with your gem and quietly feel its subtle effects on your spiritual body. Then wear your lab grown diamond both powerfully and beautifully!

When it comes to stacking, there’s often an unspoken rule: more is better.

But that’s not necessarily true. Stacking requires a balance of looks on both wrists. As this video points out, if you wear a statement bracelet on one wrist, its important to “go light” on the other wrist and let the statement bracelet be the centerpiece.

Good advice for those who are newbies to bracelet stacking:

What is it about the French that makes them so darn fashionable? They just seem to throw an amazing look together with little to no effort.

But as you’ll see from this video, that casual look is backed by a lot of sound fashion knowledge. This video goes in-depth into the simple act of choosing a necklace to pair with your outfit. (You’ll never look at necklines the same way again!)

When a diamond in an engagement ring or other prized jewelry has a chip, most owners are beside themselves.

“How could this happen? I thought diamonds were the strongest gem on the planet!”

While diamonds (both natural and lab grown) are infinitely hard, they can still experience cracks and chips unfortunately. The good news? There are some workarounds to consider:

Rotate it. If you have a claw setting and the inclusion isn’t too serious, the diamond can be rotated to hide the chip underneath a claw. If the inclusion is more serious, it’s wise to run solder under the claw to fill the empty space left by the chip.

Change it. If the inclusion has moved up to the table of the diamond, try changing the claws to talon claws which can cover up a larger imperfection.

Bezel it. If the inclusion is running around the edge of your diamond, think about a bezel or semi-bezel setting to hide the inclusion.

We know firsthand how upsetting it is when you notice a chip in your diamond ring. But know there are options other than replacing your diamond or contact your insurance provider.

We LOVE repurposed jewelry. Its an eco-friendly move that turns old jewelry into something wonderful and new.

This video provides some interesting suggestions. Don’t worry. You don’t have to be a jewelry maker to repurpose your old jewelry. You’ll just need the aid of a few basic tools.

Do have an old heirloom that you’d like to give a new look? We can help you repurpose your old jewelry in the most creatively beautiful way possible.