Many of us struggle to remember changing our earrings for the first time. Yet most remember having our ears pierced for the first time, right? Oh yes, at a dismal mall in New Jersey, circa 1980, at the Piercing Pagoda. My mom didn’t know (she believed only a grown woman should have pierced ears. Old school like that). It was a joyous pain, frankly. Like a fashion rite of passage. I hid my aching ears for the next several weeks.

What Activities Dull a Diamond?

A ring is designed to sparkle and look as beautiful as that he held your trembling hands and you said, “I do.” But unfortunately, a ring can lose that initial dazzle over time and wear.

But that’s okay. A ring, like any other investment, needs to be maintained.

Why has my ring lost its sparkle?

A ring can accumulate a build-up of lotion, make-up, hair products and other oily substances that slowly mask the brilliance of your gem. Let’s not forget hair spray, which can also slowly erode gold and dull the surface of diamonds and other gemstones.

Household products can also wreak havoc on jewelry. If those chemicals are strong enough to clean your kitchen floor, imagine what it does to a softer metal like gold?

Most know to remove your ring before you do the dishes, but many women will “sneak” a dish here or there. Don’t. Dishwashing liquid is another powerful detergent that clouds sparkle.

Certain activities can put your ring in jeopardy, like cooking (think oil and flour) and gardening (dirt, sprays, etc.)

To protect your ring, you need to create new habits and stick with them 100%. Remove your jewelry before certain activities; soon, it will be rote. Treat your ring as special as you treat your love: with utmost care!

Keep your ring looking like this

⬇

(To Margie)

We are blown away. Turned out way beyond what we could have imagined, it’s stunning! The fire and sparkle leaves me speechless, just wow!

So I have to say this experience has been bitter sweet and you know why, but somehow I feel at peace and can now enjoy this next chapter in my life and put the old pain away.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your part in helping us create something special that I can wear with new meaning and joy. I will always remember this journey and you are such a huge part in making this extremely special and meaningful for us. Thank you and my God bless you and keep you and shine His light upon you for all your days.

Truly all the best,
CFM

Charming 1940s Gold Vermeil Multi Coloured Rhinestone Flower Brooch

How Long has Costume Jewelry Been In Existence?

It may surprise you to know the answer but costume jewelry has been around for a long time–over 300 years specifically. Though if you think about it, it makes sense. For a long time, people haven’t been able to afford expensive jewelry yet they still want to wear the latest fashion statements.

In the 18th century, jewelers started making well-known pieces with glass, a much cheaper alternative to gold or silver. By the 19th century, semi-precious materials came into existence, making costume jewelry even more appealing to the masses.

But the real heyday for costume jewelry began mid 20th century, coinciding with the Industrial Revolution. Now, machinery could quickly reproduce cheaper jewelry at a much faster scale.

As costume jewelry continued to look better and better and reach more people, it appealed to more classes. After all, there was no shame in wearing a piece of costume jewelry since it was intended for fun, decorative purposes.

Perhaps branding came into play to reduce any stigma. Had it been called “cheap jewelry” not many would have wanted to wear it. But “costume jewelry” implies a fun, temporary wear.

So the next time you wear a piece of costume jewelry, remember: you’re in good company, historically speaking!

It seems amazing, doesn’t it? A type of jewelry created thousands of years ago still remains in our modern day fashion lexicon. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the torq (or torque or torc).

Worn around the neck, torques (from the Latin word “torquis” meaning “to twist”) are often made of bronze or gold (though torcs have been found made of copper, silver and other metals).

Most torcs are open at the front and are created to be worn permanently (yes, for life!), although some have been found that had clasps (for those who couldn’t deal with “forever” jewelry, I guess).

Celtic folk work torcs as a symbol of the wearer’s status in society, usually signifying rank and wealth. They were worn in battle; as a matter of fact, it was often the only item worn in battle, meaning soldiers were stark naked other than their torc (!).

Torcs were known to hold powerful, supernatural powers, hence why they were worn in battle (as a form of protection).

According to Claddagh Design:

According to Irish Mythology, on The Cattle Raid of Cooley, the lead warrior Morann the Arbiter allegedly had a magical torc that tightened around his neck any time he made a false judgement.

One King of Tara, Dermot MacCerrbheoil, dreamt that angels took his torc from his neck and gave it to a stranger, who turned out to be St. Brendan of Clonfert. When they bumped into each other some time later and the King recognised him as the man who was gifted the torc, he relinquished his kingdom to him.

So the next time a ring gets stuck on your finger, think of the Celtic torq. It might relax you to think others have worn heavier jewelry for much longer!