The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!

Gold Plated Golf Balls by 24K GOLF™

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:09:00 +0000

While we may be know for our famous Gold Roses, have you seen our 24K Gold Plated Golf Balls?
That's right, we have taken real premium golf ball and electroplated them in real gold! We have produced two versions of this product and both are getting very popular very quickly.

Display Version:
The display version is our original 24K Gold Dipped Golf Ball. A real ball coated in real 24K gold. Each ball comes in a velvet pouch with a certificate of authenticity and a very nice gift box. This ball makes a great gift for any golf enthusiast. Wherever it is displayed it is sure to be a conversation piece.

Playable Version:
This ball looks identical to the Display Version and this ball was designed to be play on the course. Again, a real premium golf ball is used, several layers are metallized onto the ball along with a rich gold tone finish for durability. This ball is package exactly the same way as above and also comes with a certificate of authenticity. Many golfers are surprised to find that this ball actually flies further than their favorite golf ball.

24K GOLF™ Balls also make great door prizes and gifts for golf outings, company or corporate golf tournaments and gifts, wedding gifts, etc..! So whether you are giving these as a gift for your favorite golfer, or purchasing them for yourself... our 24K GOLF™ Balls are sure to be a HIT!

Sterling Silver: The Practical and the Beautiful

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Sterling silver has played both a functional and cultural role in many societies. This article provides an easy guide to understanding how it is technically defined as well as how this definition has developed culturally through history. Descriptions of current applications for its artistic value in jewelry are explored.

Why is “sterling” silver special? Sterling silver is the finest balance between the practical and the beautiful. Let’s say you had a water pitcher filled to the brim. If it were made of 99.9% pure fine silver, the handle would probably bend as you were serving your guests and make for a messy dinner party. Silver is a soft metal and must be reinforced to make it functional. Silver jewelry can also suffer unintended alterations if the metal is not strong enough to avoid bending.
Instead of using pure silver, the metal is mixed with an alloy that adds strength to the metal. Most often copper is used. Other additives are occasionally used that claim to reduce tarnishing. Germanium, zinc and platinum are occasionally used as alloys. This is the basis for the sterling silver standard. The sterling standard is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal or metals. This can also be expressed as the minimum millesimal fineness of 925.
Sterling silver is the silver grade most often used for jewelry and household accessories. To qualify a piece of silver as sterling, look for one of the following marks:
sterling
sterling silver
ster
.925
In many countries, a sterling silver object that is to be sold commercially must be stamped by an Assay office after testing for purity. This is required of other metal objects as well. In the United Kingdom, the Hallmarking Act of 1973 made it illegal to describe anything as made of platinum, gold or silver unless it had the appropriate Hallmark stamp. This was an historic reference because the first Assay office in the United Kingdom was Goldsmiths’ Hall, which was founded in the year 1300. This is where the term “Hallmarking” comes from. The objects were marked in Goldsmiths’ Hall.

There are a number of other established silver standards based on a variety of applications. Besides fine silver (99.9% pure) and sterling silver (92.5% pure), there is Mexican silver (95% pure). Mexico is the only remaining country using silver in its circulating coinage. However, they reserve the 95% pure standard for jewelry and art objects and use sterling silver for coins.
Coin silver in the United States is dictated by the Federal Trade Commission and is currently 90% silver and 10% copper. The original coin silver standard was established in the United States in the 1820s. However, the use and applications for coins is evolving now that electronic commerce is growing more popular.

History and culture have provided many other standards for silver. In the 12th century there were five German towns that called themselves the Easterling and formed what was know as the Hanseatic League. The league participated in commerce with England. They used their local currency in doing business and it happened to be 92.5% pure silver. The English were most impressed with the coins of the Easterling due to their quality and durability. Eventually, King Henry II of England brought silver refiners from the Easterling to England and by the year 1158, “Tealby Pennies” became standard sterling silver currency.

Beyond currency, the rise in popularity of sterling silver was perpetuated by flatware and jewelry. In the United States and Europe between about 1840 and 1940, proper society set stringent standards for table setting. This perpetuated a number of silver companies. Each company produced a wide variety of intricate patterns that were truly fine art and design. After World War II, labor costs and more convenient alternatives caused the decline of sterling flatware.

Have you ever polished silver? It must be done regularly to remove tarnish. Did you ever wonder what causes the tarnish to dull your grandparent’s heirloom silver? It is not the silver that causes the problem. Silver does not chemically react with water or oxygen. It is the alloy that oxidizes and causes the black silver sulfide (Ag2S)/tarnish to form on the silver. Two products commonly used to remove it are Twinkle Cream and Wright’s Silver Cream. Even though this can be labor intensive, the beauty of polished silver flatware gleaming in elegance on a formal dinning room table provides a truly artistic dining experience.

Today, the artistic use of silver is popularly employed in jewelry. Every thing from beaded jewelry to jewelry charms is made of sterling or purer grades of silver. Soldiers returning from World War II brought charms and pendants back to family and friends. The use of silver dates back to ancient Egypt when it was used symbolically as it still is today to celebrate everything from wedding anniversaries, birthdays, faith and religious expressions. It is often combined with precious and semi-precious gems to enhance jewelry design, beauty and elegance in some of the finest jewelry of our time as well as the joy of everyday decoration and expression.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janet K. Nelson has done research and written articles on subjects that range from the cultural to the technical. She is an author noted for integrating information and providing a fresh, clear and whole-picture perspective on her subjects. She has written articles, manuals and perspectives for marketing, cultural, media and distribution organizations. Ms. Nelson has a double BA degree in Music and Speech Communications and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. More information is available via http://www.tigereyejewels.com.

What exactly is 925 sterling silver?

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:12:00 +0000

A great deal of silver jewellery available today is called 925 silver. Have you ever wandered why we in the jewellery trade add the number 925 in front of sterling silver? Before you part with your hard-earned money buying jewellery for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, it is worth finding out what exactly 925 silver is. Furthermore, it is important to understand why you must always insist that your silver jewellery is up to the high 925 standard.
Before we look at what 925 silver is, we must first consider the properties of this fascinating metal. Pure silver is extremely malleable and therefore can easily damage. It also softens over time, even at room temperature.
Obviously, in this state silver is useless for jewellery purposes. To avoid the problems of malleability and softening, and thus to increase the life-span of your silver jewellery, other metals are added to the pure silver. The result of this blending process with alloys is a combined silver and alloy substance which is far more resistant to scratching and damage.
925 sterling silver jewellery is actually a combination of 92.5% silver and usually 7.5% copper. Sometimes the craftsman replaces copper with another material, or even a combination of materials. Over the last decade lower copper prices and an abundance of copper due to improved refining techniques have made it the first choice of many designers and jewellery stylists.
The beneficial properties gained by adding the copper to the pure silver have made the resulting product extremely popular with a host of silver craftsmen. Earrings, rings, bracelets and all other forms of jewellery can be carefully designed with the assurance that each intricate bend and turn will remain firmly in place.
925 silver is therefore a combination of mostly pure silver and a lower percentage of infused alloy metal. The addition of copper, or occasionally a similar copper-like substitute, helps to enhance your silver jewellery and does not in any way detract from its quality.
It is important to check that your silver jewellery is high quality 925 sterling silver before making a purchase. In the UK nearly all 925 sterling silver jewellery is hallmarked. All of the silver jewellery Purdice sells complies with relevant hallmarking requirements. If you are purchasing in another country, we advise you to check with the regional or national silver jewellery hallmarking body to find out if retailers can sell inferior lower grade silver jewellery without informing you.
Remember that in many countries the 925 hallmark is an assurance to you that your silver is of the highest quality.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley Shameli, the author of this article, is a director of http://www.purdicejewellery.co.uk and http://www.purdicehome.co.uk. He can be contacted through either of the Purdice websites.

Chemical Element Silver

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:39:00 +0000

Silver, a chemical element, exists in the periodic table with the symbol "Ag" and atomic number 47. Silver is a soft white lustrous transition metal. Due to the fact that it has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal, silver is widely used throughout the world, used in used in coins, jewelry, tableware, and photography. Silver occurs in minerals and in free form.
I'm sure if you looked you would have in your household several objects that are made of polished silver. For example: Silver dollars, or Silver cutlery, or photography equipment.
Being just a bit harder than gold, silver is very ductile and malleable. Because of silver's physical properties as a brilliant white metallic luster it can take a high degree of polish. Copper has replaced silver in several instances due to it's higher cost, this is especially true for electrical purposes.

Silver has a number of other notable characteristics:
- Silver has the whitest color of any metal
- Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal
- Silver has the lowest contact resistance of any metal
- Silver has the highest optical reflectivity of any metal
Silver is stable in both pure air and water, but does tarnish when it is exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulfide, or air with sulfur in it. The most common use of silver is as a precious metal and its halide salts. This is especially true of silver nitrate. Silver is also widely used in photography, which has today, become the biggest single industry in which silver is used.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Silver One - http://www.silver-one.com, which is the best site on the internet for all silver related information.

Why is 925 silver jewellery hallmarked?

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:23:00 +0000

We are often asked why silver jewellery has hallmarks on it. In the UK the most common hallmark is a 925 stamp. In other countries you may see hallmarks with the words 'silver' or 'quality silver' in capital letters. Although the types of hallmarking used internationally vary, the principle behind the hallmarking system for silver jewellery remains the same.

Let us first look at the law as it stands. In the UK nearly all high quality 925 sterling silver jewellery must be stamped with a 925 hallmark. A rigorous body of laws, dating back from Medieval times, governs the system and legal requirements of hallmarking. More recently the 1999 European regulations and directives have introduced further requirements to the Hallmarking Act 1973.
Only those 925 silver items specifically excluded by law may legally avoid the requirement of a hallmark. Similar laws apply all around the world and are usually just as firm as those in the UK. Where hallmarking laws exist you inevitably find an official body tasked with carefully monitoring the hallmarking system and empowered to issue hefty penalties for any breaches.

Now that we know what the law is, we can look at why it exists. In essence hallmarking laws are designed to protect the consumer. High quality 925 silver is a combination of 92.5% silver and the remaining 7.5% is composed of another alloy, added to increase durability and resistance to damage. Unscrupulous jewellery merchants and retailers were tempted in the past to reduce the total level of silver in this combination. Furthermore, the dishonest producers and sellers escaped punishment because it is impossible to assess the total percentage of silver in an item of jewellery without chemical testing it.

Although it is fine to sell silver jewellery which contains less than 92.5% silver, such jewellery can not be branded as 925 silver. 925 sterling silver has a reputation for excellence and is justifiably the consumer's preferred choice. It contains a high percentage of silver while the 7.5% alloy added to the mix enhances the quality and strength of each item. The benefits of passing-off inferior silver jewellery as 925 quality are therefore patently obvious.

The hallmarking system was designed to resolve the problems of dishonest traders and to address the drop in consumer's confidence in 925 silver. A third party - such as the current main Assay Offices of London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh in the UK - would analyse and stamp each item of 925 jewellery. As this third party carried out all chemical analysis themselves, and then issued the hallmark stamp, all items stamped with the 925 hallmark were guaranteed to conformed to the required legal standard. Furthermore, heavy fines and criminal sanctions were introduced to ensure public trust in the hallmarking scheme.

The hallmarking scheme remains in operation today in the UK and most countries around the world use a similar system to ensure customers can buy 925 silver with confidence.
As an interesting historical side note the silver jewellery hallmark originated in the early Middle Ages in England. At first only the Goldsmith’s Hall in London was able to mark silver – thus the word hallmark, being a mark given in Goldsmith’s Hall, came into common use.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley Shameli, the author of this article, is a director of http://www.purdicejewellery.co.uk. He also contributes to the Purdice Jewellery library of interesting jewellery facts at http://www.purdicejewellery.co.uk/qanda.asp.

Hot Wedding Trend: Platinum Wedding Rings

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:49:00 +0000

In our hungry-for-anything new pop culture world, celebrities are often the ones that can start a hot fashion trend seemingly overnight. With their heavy media exposure, they are often photographed wearing the latest styles in fashion and jewelry.
Platinum engagement and wedding rings are the latest celebrity trend that has taken the jewelry industry by storm. Several high-profile newlyweds have taken a shine to the cool elegance of platinum.
“Platinum is like our relationship in that it is strong, precious and timeless,” says Nick Lachey about the custom made platinum wedding rings he and his wife Jessica Simpson tied the knot with.
It seems that view of the lustrous metal is shared by other celebrity couples as well such as: Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Adam Sandler and Jackie Titone, as well as, popular actresses Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson.
Celebrities are especially fond of pairing fancy colored diamonds with their platinum rings. Also, the three diamond platinum engagement ring has quickly become all the rage among new brides.
So, if you’re looking to buy diamond jewelry online, whether it’s for a special occasion like a wedding, or a gift for a special person, consider platinum jewelry as one of your best and brightest options.

About The Author
Copyright 2004
Donna Monday One special moment. One special ring. http://www.1-love-rings.com

Silver Tarnish and Removing Silver Tarnish

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Each year we get hundreds of emails from silver jewelry lovers. They find that their lovely silver jewelry has tarnished. Many sellers do not clearly explain the process of silver tarnishing to buyers and buyers are shocked to see their gorgeous silver jewelry gradually change color to a darkish dull shade of yellow, brown and even black.
So what exactly is silver tarnish? Can the process of silver tarnish be slowed down or eliminated? What about anti-tarnish platings, are they really useful? How can silver tarnish be removed? and finally Can tarnished silver jewelry look good? In this article we provide simple and lucid explanations for these and other questions. We have been as non-technical as possible and hope that this would interest as most silver jewelry lovers. We have mentioned silver jewelry in this article though, tarnish occurs on all silver objects like spoons, watches, cups etc and not just on silver jewelry.

What is silver tarnish? Silver tarnish is a natural process that occurs on the surface of silver jewelry. Tarnish starts as a light yellow discoloration of silver, it then starts to change to darker shades of brown as the tarnish gets to be more severe. In extreme cases the tarnishing of silver could look very dark and almost black. Tarnishing occurs due to certain climatic conditions and also due to certain ingredients that are present in some materials. One such chemical that causes silver to tarnish is hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and things that contain this chemical will cause silver to tarnish quickly. Materials that stimulate silver tarnish are wood, felt, rubber bands, food items like eggs, onions etc. High humidity in the climate also hastens the silver tarnish process. Looking at these factors that cause silver tarnish, you will realize that the process of silver tarnishing can hardly be avoided.

Does silver tarnish mean that the silver used is not good? Surely not, because silver tarnish is a natural process and occurs with silver of all purities. Silver jewelry is generally made from silver that is around 92.50% pure and this is done to increase the hardness of silver. Sterling silver as it is normally referred to (925=92.50% purity), is an alloy of silver and other metals. The tarnishing of sterling silver has nothing to do with the percentage of silver in the alloy. It would be safe to assume that all silver will tarnish.

Can silver tarnish be removed? The answer to this question is, yes. It is possible to clean tarnished silver jewelry and the procedure followed will depend on the degree of tarnish that is present on the silver jewelry. Reputed companies sell silver polishing solutions that can be used for removal of silver tarnish. Most of these can be used at home to remove light to mild silver jewery tarnish, however keep a few points in mind when buying or using these silver polishes. Check only for reputed brands and do not stress on low prices as these cheap polishes could destroy your silver jewelry. Read the complete instructions on the container before purchasing it. You can then judge the suitability for your particular use and select the right silver polish. For example, do not get a silver tarnish removal lotion meant for severe tarnish, if your silver jewelry has only mild tarnish. Some polishes might emit fumes that could irritate the eyes and nose, so use them in well ventilated areas. The instructions could also advise the use of gloves when handling the polish so ensure that you follow all recommended precautions. In the case of very severe tarnish on your silver jewelry, professional help is recommended and home remedies might not be possible.

What are the different types of silver polish available? We will answer this question without referring to any commercial brand names. Silver tarnish polishes can be classified as two broad types, the first is the type where the silver jewelry will have to be washed clean after the polished is applied as instructed on the container. The second type is the polish that is meant to be applied to the jewelry and left, this type of silver polish is supposed to form a protective layer on the silver jewelry. This layer will reduce the rate at which the silver jewelry will subsequently tarnish. More importantly, silver polishes would also be classified according to the severity of the tarnish that they are supposed to handle. Choose the right type depending on the degree to which your silver jewelry has tarnished. Anti tarnish polishes meant for severe and stubborn silver tarnish are obviously more abrasive too.

Can the way silver jewelry is stored influence the rate of tarnish? This is an important aspect that is ignored by many silver jewelry lovers. Never wrap your silver jewelry in newspapers or plastic as these will cause your jewelry to tarnish severely. Add rubber bands to the list of material that should not be used to pack silver jewelry. Wrap each jewel in anti-tarnish tissue (available at most jewelry stores) and then seal them in polyethylene bags. This is one way in which tarnishing can be minimized. Tarnish absorbing cloths are also available and can be used in the same way. Anti-tarnish strips work in a slightly different way. These strips absorb tarnish producing gases and are made from paper that contains activated charcoal. They do not emit fumes or vapours but absorb the gases that cause silver to tarnish. Finally, we will talk about the famous Silica Gel granules that are man made and absorb moisture from the air. High humidity is one of the causes of silver tarnish and these granules that contain numerous tiny crevices 'suck' excess moisture from the air. Hydrosorbent Silica Gel granules are used in medicine containers too and have been around for many decades. The important thing to note about these materials is that they have a life span during which they will prove effective. Read instructions when using them and ensure that they are changed as and when recommended. Silica Gel granules can be made to change color when they are fully 'soaked' with moisture and become inactive.

What are anti-tarnish platings? Silver jewelry manufacturers have for many years plated silver jewelry with metals like rhodium, gold and even platinum with an effort to eliminate tarnishing of silver. The idea is to protect the silver from tarnish by forming a layer on the surface of silver jewelry. Newly plated silver jewelry looks gorgeous and appears very much like gold or platinum jewelry. However the truth is that, the plating will wear off with time and expose the silver underneath. The rate at which the plating on silver will come off depends on many factors like the humidity in the atmosphere, the chemical composition of sweat (of the person wearing them), the frequency with which such silver plated silver jewelry is worn and also the chlorine content in the water. Once the plating starts coming off, the jewelry starts to look patchy and cheap. This is because the peeling does not occur uniformly throughout the jewel. This is something that you need to be aware of. Such jewelry cannot be polished and your best option would be to get it professional re-plated. This could be an expensive proposition for silver jewelry.

Can tarnished silver jewelry look good? The answer to this question is not a simple one. Depending on the design of your silver jewelry, tarnishing can add to it's good looks or make it appear cheap and lousy. Antique style silver designs will look more classic and valuable when the jewelry tarnishes. An occassional mild silver polish applied to such jewelry would leave some traces of tarnish on the jewel and give it an ancient authentic look. On the other hand sleek modern designs for silver jewelry will not look good if silver tarnish sets in. Most silver jewelry lovers are aware of this and therefore spend premium budgets on classic antique style designs. High end craftsmanship for silver jewelry is not easy to find as most sellers cater to low priced markets. Even gemstones used in silver jewelry are in most cases,low grade reject quality gemstones. There are just a few high end custom jewelry manufacturers for silver jewelry and their merchandise is highly valued among lovers of silver jewelry.

Before we wind up this informative article on silver tarnish and the procedures for removal of silver tarnish a few random thoughts from our team of designers and craftsmen.
The moment you notice a yellowish tint on your silver jewelry, use a mild phospate free detergent and water to gently wash the jewelry. Then immediately dry the jewelry with a soft cloth, pat gently rather than using vigorous rubbing to dry the jewel. These are the first traces of silver tarnish and if handled well, will not develop into more severe silver tarnish.
Do not use toothpaste to clean silver jewelry. The abrasive particles in the toothpaste could scratch your jewelry. Ironically, toothpaste is very often used to clean tarnished silver jewelry as no one cared to clear this issue.

When applying silver polish, shake the container well before use. Do not use old polish that is mostly dried, as such lotions could be very concentrated and abrasive.
The old saying still holds true, when wearing jewelry for an outing or special occassion '......... let your jewelry be the last thing that you put on, and the first thing to come off when you get back home..........'. Remember hair sprays and other powder packs can also tarnish silver jewelry.
When cleaning your tarnished silver jewelry give due thought to the gemstones in the jewelry. Certain gemstones require special care when cleaning and the silver polishes and vigorous cleaning could affect the gemstones. In cases where your silver jewelry consists of expensive gemstones, seek professional help for cleaning tarnish on the silver.

About The Author
Ms.Tuk is Senior Executive at http://www.kaisilver.com the world's leading online provider of high end custom jewelry. All jewelry is custom made in yellow or white gold with gemstones of your choice. You can even send us images of your favourite designs to be custom made.

Wholesale Silver Jewelry

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:16:00 +0000

Wholesale Silver Jewelry, The Complete Report.
As the demand for gold jewelry increases by the day, manufacturers of good quality wholesale silver jewelry are gradually turning to gold jewelry production or closing business. It is now important that buyers and manufacturers of wholesale sterling silver jewelry understand each others concerns and problems. In this article we look at both sides and provide suggestions that would be helpful to both sides.
Here are the most important questions that need to be answered when buying or making wholesale sterling silver jewelry.
(a) Is the design provided by the buyer or does it belong to the manufacturer? This will have a direct impact on the final price quoted by the seller. There is an initial overhead to be borne for design and mould charges and this will be added to the price tag of the first piece. If the initial order for wholesale silver jewelry is a large one, this initial charge is spread over a large volume and therefore does not increase the price per piece significantly.
(b) Why is the first piece priced high? One of the main reasons is explained in (a) above and involves the initial design and mould charge. Subsequent orders for the same design will use the same mould and therefore be sold at a lower price. In many cases the buyer of wholesale jewelry would first prefer to order a single piece and then place a wholesale sterling silver jewelry order after receiving the first piece. In such a case the seller would like to protect himself from a situation where the buyer buys only the first piece from him and then looks for another seller to place the final order. The seller would thus like to recover all initial overheads from the first piece itself.
(c) Why does the price fall as the volume increases? Large orders of wholesale silver jewelry provide the seller with the economies of scale. Production is much easier as the design and moulds can be reused to manufacture the jewelry. Craftsmen do the production of the same design multiple times thus reducing the chances of breakages and other losses. In cases where the wholesale silver jewelry also includes gemstones or diamonds, the seller gets a better price when bulk purchases are made. All these factors combine to enable the seller provide a better price to the buyer as the volume of the order increases.
(d) Are gemstone options limited? If you buy your wholesale silver jewelry from a seller who is also the manufacturer, there is no reason why the gemstone options should be limited. However, there is a price range within which, most buyers would like their silver jewelry to remain and this might influence the gemstone selected. Wholesale sterling silver jewelry made with gemstones like aquamarine, tourmaline, ruby and sapphire would be quite expensive and have a limited market.
(e) Should silver jewelry be plated? Plating on silver can be done with rhodium, white gold, yellow gold and even platinum. Plated wholesale sterling silver jewelry will look awesome when new but the plating will wear off with time and the jewelry might look quite shabby. The plating wears off in patches and in many cases the jewelry becomes a piece of junk. All silver jewelry manufacturers will provide plating at a small additional charge.
(f) Is the craftsmanship always bad? This need not necessarily be true but once again the market price point influences the decision. Wholesale 925 silver jewelry is produced by a mechanized process, however it is possible to provide good handfinishing in the final production phase and improve the quality of the jewelry. This adds to the price tag and is therefore avoided in most cases.
(g) What are benefits of good metal weight? Wholesale silver jewelry is normally made with a low silver weight to save costs. This causes the jewelry to bend and twist at the smallest impact. The gemstones and diamonds will also be loosely mounted and could drop off at any time. A good silver weight on the other hand adds to the long term durability of the jewelry and the final consumer need not keep spending money for frequent repairs and modifications.
(h) How big is a wholesale order? As the number of manufacturers for wholesale silver jewelry decreases, those remaining in business set higher volume requirements to confirm orders. This could pose a problem for buyers as they might be left with inventory of unsold stocks. Many buyers of sterling silver wholesale jewelry would like to make smaller lots of jewelry to test the market and large orders might not be suitable in such cases.

About The Author
Ms.Wan is seniour executive at http://www.kaisilver.com which is the world's largest online provider of high end custom jewelry. Kaisilver created the world's first collection of highend men's ings and also makes the best rendition of the legendary Irish Claddagh ring.

Fashionable Silver Earrings for Anytime and All the Time

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:46:00 +0000

It's been said that silver jewelry makes a person look youthful and energetic, while gold makes a person look sophisticated and mature. Hence, silver is a popular choice of the young for their adornments. It is also more practical, as it costs less than gold jewelry and is more widely available. There are more specialty shops that sell silver earrings, rings necklaces and bracelets, for example, than those that specialize in gold jewelry.
Silver jewelry has the impressive quality of being both affordable and stylish. Silver earrings are by no means "cheap" -- in fact, it is highly recommended as a complement to dark clothing, making for a very elegant and chic combination. Silver sets off dark colors and plays more on contrast, which makes for an extremely effective fashion statement. Silver jewelry and black attire is a favorite ensemble of artistes, as well as advocates of the popular "goth" movement.
All over the world, and throughout history, silver is thought of as a complement to gold. Silver as an element has been associated with the moon, while gold has been associated with the sun. The moon makes soft, mesmerizing silver ripples as it is reflected on a still lake. Its close relationship with moon imagery has made silver the color most commonly associated with dreams, fantasy and magic. Folklore has also endowed silver with special powers and healing properties.
Celebrities have also been known to patronize silver earrings. Oprah Winfrey and Sandra Bullock have sported chic chandelier-type silver pieces more than once. It is always interesting and a pleasure to behold the various styles and designs of celebrities’ silver jewelry, especially if it is worn in taste and in style.
A person who is building a collection of earrings should consider investing in a silver earring collection. In addition to being practical, the designs are immensely diverse and it doesn’t hurt to know that silver earrings are all the rage!

About The Author
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.
samserio@ccisp.netm

What Does The "Sterling" Mean in Sterling Silver?

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:32:00 +0000

What the Heck Does "Sterling" Mean?
We hear and see “sterling silver this” and “sterling silver that” almost every day, yet many shoppers do not understand what it really means. Does “sterling” mean “pure”? Does sterling silver jewelry come from a certain part of the world? Is sterling better or worse – or the same – as pure silver? And what does that stamp on the back of my necklace mean when it says “.925”?
By definition and international agreement “sterling” silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% some other material – usually copper. The 92.5% is why jewelry is often stamped with the numbers 925 or .925.
Why Mix Copper with Pure Silver?
Now you might think, “oh, well that means sterling silver is not as good as pure silver”. Well, yes and no. It certainly isn’t pure, but sterling silver is mixed to this exact ratio for some very good reasons. Have you ever seen pure silver after a few years in the open air? If not, take a look at your grandmother’s silver spoon collection. Silver tends to oxidize (tarnish) quickly, leaving it a yucky brown color. The 7.5% copper or other metals used to make sterling silver slow down the tarnishing process.
Secondly, pure silver is a very soft metal. It can bend or break easily. Adding another, more durable, metal to the mix ensures that your silver jewelry will last a lot longer, and look a lot nicer down the road. So really, sterling silver – although not pure – is usually the better option when choosing jewelry.
And last but not least, adding another metal – and thus making the silver more durable – makes the substance easier for metal-smiths, jewelers and craftsmen to handle and manipulate into those intricate rings, pendants and necklaces we so adore.
So there you go… next time you’re shopping for some new jewelry, or buying an anniversary gift for your girlfriend or wife, you will understand exactly what the salesperson means when they say “This is sterling silver”… even if they don’t.

About The Author
Everett Sizemore is affiliated with http://www.nosentrik.com
directories@nosentrik.com

How You Can Look Amazing With Silver

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:11:00 +0000

Well polished silver is a shiny white metal that reminds one of moonlight. Silver is a cool color. A silvery color resembling reflective surfaces at night when moon beams hit them. The lake at night for example.
The light that silver jewelry casts on the wearer is light moonlight. Lighting her features softly. In a very flattering light.
That said, silver can make a woman look her most beautiful.
Silver is a cool color. It enhances other cool colors beautifully. Silver brings out the best in black, blue, pure white and other true colors. If you look great in black, you should have a jewelry wardrobe full of silver jewelry. At least have a few pieces of sterling silver jewelry as these will enhance practically anything you wear.
If you look good in black, blue or fuschia outfits, you have cool skin tones. You WILL look amazing in anything silver. Get a selection of silver outfits to suit the personality you want to project.
If you have cool skin tones, anything silvery would look good on you. Decorate you home with silver accents as the silver would subtly enhance your beauty in your home. Drive a silver car, carry a silver bag. Basically surround yourself with silver items or silver trimmed things for that cool, flattering light.
On the other hand, if you have warm skin tones, what do you do? If you look great in earth tones, but terrible in black or blue, chances are that you have warm skin tones. Gold jewelry would be a better bet. You would look way better in gold accessories instead. You are better off avoiding large, plain, purely silver jewelry as these would probably clash with your coloring.
Still, even if you have warm skin tones, you can get away with some types of silver jewelry. Just pick silver jewelry that is intertwined with gold in the design. Or you could easily carry off silver jewelry that is really small. In fact, you can look fabulous wearing silver jewelry set with stones with warm earthy colors. Try wearing your silver set with amber for example. Wear silver if it is used to set something in a warm color that flatters you.
While polished silver is a bright white, silver tarnishes easily. With time, silver turns black. Constant polishing keeps it white and shiny, but some pieces look better as they tarnish. I used to make jewelry. some of the silver beads in my collection have rather intricate designs. The etched parts tarnish first, turning black, showing off the design beautifully. Adding character to the bead. Those beads look best when only the surface is polished. A thorough polishing so that even the etched parts turn white would result in beautifully white, shiny beads without much character.
Let your intricately designed silver jewelry tarnish slightly, to give it more character. More so than keeping it perfectly polished at all times.
Silver is an interesting metal used in jewelry making. Thanks to its price, it is often used to set semi-precious stones and to create more adventurous designs. The artisan can afford to take more risks when working with less expensive materials than the costlier ones. It is one of the basics you need in your jewelry wardrobe.

About The Author
Janice wee used to make and sell jewelry. She is currently the webmaster of http://www.buy-silver.com

History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Charms are also known as amulets and pendants. They are as popular today as they have been throughout recorded history. Ancient Egyptians wore bracelets with charms or amulets. They were used to protect against bad luck and evil forces. They began with religious symbols and became a part of everyday dressing.
Charms/jewelry were made of almost any material of value to people in their time. Many were made of precious metal. Others were made with gemstones inlaid in them or mounted with precious metals in the form of necklaces, crowns, staffs, and bracelets. Queen Victoria gets the credit for popularizing jewelry charms throughout Europe by wearing lockets or charms on her royal bracelets
America became enchante with Charms around the time frame of World War II. Soldiers returning from duty station brought with them various types of charms or pendants. Today popular charms are maded from Gold and Sterling silver. Other materials are still used in the making of charms.
Sterling Silver Charms today represent as many things as there are interests and personalities. Some charms or pendants represent the religious leanings of the wearer. They also represent the interest of the wearer such a musical instrument for a music lover, a pair of sneakers for a jogger, or ballet slippers for a ballerina. Imagination is the only limit for what a charm can represent. Silver charms are also used to commerate life events such as births, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, or graduations.
Silver is a soft metal and its usage has been favored for centuries. It is used to make charms often related to religious worship. Silver has been a symbol of comfortable living. Sterling silver is much stronger than pure silver which is harder to work with when making pendants or charms. Sterling silver is approximately ninety percent silver. The last ten percent or so can be any one of the following: copper, zinc, or nickel and is more durable than pure silver but it still retains its inherent beauty.
Charms whether made of sterling silver or some other materials are often used to represent the person who wears or carries the charm. As has been mentioned however, they often represent the interests and personality of the wearer. During war particular items are given to the soldiers who are going off to fight. When a young teen-aged couple ’goes steady’ the young man generally gives the girl his ring or something of particular value to him. The girls might also do the same.
Charms have also been said to represent the particular spirituality of the wearer. Many people wear plain simple crosses while still others will wear the cross with the corpus - the body of Christ on it. Others wear saints medals. Lockets are worn with images of loved ones inside. Once used to ward against evil spirits, for good luck, and for protection in times of trouble charms have come to be an adornment for the wearer. Charm bracelets are gifts that keep on giving. A charm is often given for birthdays, graduations, a dance recital, or sports victory. They make wonderful gifts for young girls that will grow with them. There are charm necklaces as well.

About The Author
Martin Smith is a freelance writer providing advice and information on a variety of products. His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource. Drop by the site for more information if you have time ! http://www.1st-4-jewelry.com.

How to Care For Silver Jewelry

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Silver jewelry has a lovely patina, but the sad fact is that the patina darkens with age, turning from the original brilliant silver, to a light gold, and if left long enough it will become bronzed and then a black/blue.
This is due to the chemical reaction of the silver, with sulfides present in the environment. This is usually due to airborne pollutants, but can also be transferred to the jewelry on your hands.
One of the first rules of keeping your silver jewelry shining, is to store it properly in acid-free paper, or cloth especially for that purpose. Put them in a drawer or other safe place, that is away from exposure to wood or other types of smoke.
It is best to keep jewelry polished, instead of trying to play "catch up" when it has become heavily tarnished. But there are a number of ways to deal with the darkening color.
There are many home solutions, such as using white toothpaste and a soft brush. However, some jewelers point out that silver is not tooth enamel, and can't withstand the abrasive content. Although on things like chains, it's unlikely you would see any resulting scratches.
Commercial solutions do work, but depending on the nature of your jewelry (e.g. whether it contains gemstones or pearls), you may not be able to submerge it completely, and the cleaning will be uneven.
One basis of both commercial and home cleaning solutions, is the creation of an electrochemical cell, where there is a metal ingredient that is anodic to silver. This means that it will help turn the silver in the sulphide tarnish, back to silver.
A favorite home treatment is to line a pot with aluminum foil, one of the metals anodic to silver, put your jewelry in, and cover it with water, then add several tablespoons of baking soda. Boil gently until you see that the discoloration is gone. Your jewelry may be completely clean, or may have a white powder on its surface from the oxidization. This can be removed easily with a baking soda paste. Remember to exercise caution in cleaning silver jewelry. If it is not purely silver, like a chain or bracelet, the treatment you use can damage soft stone or pearls.

About The Author: Alice Stacy - If you love jewelry, why not make a career out of it? Visit http://www.jewelrysalesbusiness.com for company profiles and connect with representatives.

Sterling Silver Jewelry: Classic But Unpretentious

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:26:00 +0000

Regardless of your age or gender, sterling silver jewelry's classic appeal never goes out of style. Sterling silver jewelry offers a precious metal at an affordable price, and comes in so many designs that you can collect pieces to go with every style and budget.

Use sterling silver jewelry to define your style. For women, go casual with a turquoise ring set in sterling silver, along with a complementary necklace and earrings. For work, dress up your career wear with sterling silver bracelets and relatively plain earrings, or go with a classic sterling silver watch. Transition to evening with a sterling silver hairpin or adornment, and add sparkle with diamond earrings set in sterling silver. Remember, sterling silver jewelry goes with any skin tone, and is appropriate for any occasion.

Teens go for the bangle and the bling, so sterling silver jewelry in the form of bracelets, waist chains, and stackable rings are a sure hit. Retro sterling silver jewelry styles are the rage for rings - both finger and toe - and band bracelets - both for the wrist and the ankle.
Men are increasingly turning to sterling silver jewelry as a means of self-expression. Whether incorporated into a watch or belt buckle, ear stud or key ring, sterling silver is a classic that never goes out of style.

Caring for Sterling Silver Jewelry

To preserve the beauty of your sterling silver jewelry, follow these steps:
* Exposure to the air causes silver to tarnish, so keep your sterling silver jewelry in a bag made from tarnish-proof cloth, or in airtight container.
* Avoid allowing your sterling silver jewelry to have prolonged contact with wood, as some woods contain acids that can dull the finish.
* Alcohol, acetone, bleach, ammonia, and turpentine can damage sterling silver jewelry, so be sure to remove your rings and other sterling silver jewelry before using these products.
* Regularly wipe down your sterling silver jewelry with a 100% cotton cloth, using a lengthwise, rather than circular motion.
* Remove light tarnish with a silver cloth, available at mass merchandisers and from jewelers.
* To remove heavy tarnish, use a liquid or paste silver polish and rinse with warm water. Make sure to dry it thoroughly before storing it in its cloth or airtight bag.
Did You Know?
* Sterling silver is a metal alloy, typically containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
* Sterling silver jewelry is usually marked with the word, "Sterling," or ".925."
* Fine silver (at least 99.9% pure silver) is too soft to use for jewelry.
* Mexican silver is usually more pure than sterling silver, with 95% silver and 5% copper.

About The Author
Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com
To learn more about subjects like body piercing please visit the web site at: http://www.majon.com/directory/Jewelry/
For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Jewelry directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Jewelry

Sterling Silver Jewelry: From Humble Beginnings to Exquisite Craftsmanship

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:07:00 +0000

When we think of silver, the first thing that comes to mind is sterling silver jewelry. Yet, the history of silver and the uses for silver are rich and varied. According to The Silver Institute, a worldwide association of silver miners, refiners, fabricators, and manufacturers, the area today known as Turkey was the first location where silver was mined. That was around 4000 B.C. Around 1200 B.C., the center of silver mining moved to an area near Athens. According to The Silver Institute, during the height of production, the mines near Athens produced about one million troy ounces each year.
Over the first millennium A.D., Spain became a prominent producer of silver, which was vital to the Asian spice trade. From 1500 through 1800 A.D., Peru, Mexico, and Bolivia produced most of the world's silver. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the discovery of silver deposits in Nevada, Colorado, and Utah caused production to explode. According to the Silver Institute, "Production over the last quarter of the 19th century quadrupled over the average of the first 75 years to a total of nearly 120 million troy ounces annually."
Today, the vast majority of silver is used in industrial applications ranging from the medical use of silver sulfadiazine to treat burn victims to solar energy's use of silver paste in crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Still, over 250 million ounces of silver are used each year to make silverware and silver jewelry. Your silver chain, silver bracelet, locket, silver earring, and wedding ring are all part of a rich history of silver.
Sterling silver jewelry comes in a variety of forms. One of the most popular uses of sterling silver jewelry is in silver chain. Silver chain is made in a number of different styles, including curb, cable, figaro, rope, box, snake, and herringbone. Some artisans use custom styling and may make silver chain in shapes like the rolled anchor, figure eight, alternating short- and long-link, diamond cut, and double rope. Silver chain provides the perfect backdrop for a locket or charm bracelet. A simple sterling silver necklace, bracelet, or ankle bracelet can also be worn on its own for understated elegance.
The craftsmanship of sterling silver jewelry is apparent in the glint of a silver earring or the selection of a once in a lifetime wedding band. Used as the setting for any number of pieces, today's most popular sterling silver jewelry items include Celtic designs, pentagram and pentacle designs, handcrafted glass bead designs, and Bali designs.

About The Author
Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com.
To learn more about subjects like sterling silver jewelry please visit the web site at: http://www.jewelry24seven.com/.
For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Jewelry directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Jewelry.

Trade Secrets for Making Silver Jewelry Last a Lifetime

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:05:00 +0000

Silver is a soft metal that requires ongoing cleaning to maintain its original luster, and proper storage to prevent scratches. Any jewelry or other item made with silver will change color over time due to a natural oxidation process with sulfides in the air. This can cause items to turn yellow, and then eventually darken to black over time.
There are several easy tricks of the trade that professional jewelers have developed to maintain the beauty of silver jewelry.
Proper Sterling Silver Storage
While it’s tempting to wear a favorite piece all the time, you should always remove your jewelry before using any type of product with chemicals or abrasives such as chlorine, bleach, ammonia, alcohol, turpentine or acetone. That includes finger nail polish, dish detergent, makeup, and even hair spray! Many of these products can permanently damage the silver as well as gemstones.
Dampness, air, and light can cause a piece to tarnish so the optimal method for storing sterling silver jewelry is in an airtight non-reactive container such as a box lined with special non-tarnish material or Mylar or polyethylene bag. Each piece of jewelry should be placed in its own bag so it does not rub up against anything which could potentially cause scratches, kinks in chains, or the damage of a gemstone.
Never place your sterling jewelry on wood surfaces as most wood contains acids which can damage the finish. Card board and paper can also speed up the tarnishing process.
Cleaning Your Silver Jewelry
The more often you clean each piece the easier it is, and the less wear and tear on your jewelry, because the tarnish is minimal which allows for safer cleaning methods.
Silver is a soft metal that can be scratched so be careful to rub gently when cleaning. Never use anything but a clean nub free cotton or flannel cloth, a special sterling silver cleaning cloth, or a very soft bristle brush like a baby’s toothbrush or a horsehair silver brush.
To remove light dirt, fingerprints or makeup just use a couple drops of mild liquid detergent (such as baby shampoo or Woolite) in a cup of warm water and rinse thoroughly with clean fresh water. Dry it completely and lightly buff with a cotton cloth. Always use a lengthwise motion when washing or drying your jewelry, as a circular motion often causes scratching.
The safest method for removing tarnish is to use a treated silver buffing cloth, but there are a number of silver spray polish or pastes that can work well for heavy cleanings if there is a large tarnish build up. To achieve the best results apply the spray or paste on the cloth and work into lather with your hand first. Tarnish in hard to reach areas can be left on to create an antique look and add definition to the jewelry. If you prefer to clean the entire piece you can have it professionally done, or use a soft bristle brush.
Sterling silver dips can be fast and easy but are not recommended by professional silversmiths and jewelers. If using a silver dip it is better to insert the item and remove it quickly, repeating after rinsing with water, rather than leaving the item in the dip for long periods of time. Follow up by buffing with a soft cotton cloth. If you leave the piece in too long, or don't rinse it well enough with fresh water, a white residue will be left which can be difficult to remove.
Should you purchase a cleaner or dip, ensure that the product is designed for the type of jewelry item you want to clean. Dipping is not recommended for liquid silver or silver items with gemstones, and even paste or spray cleaners remove the natural luster of stones so be sure to remove any trace of cleaner residue and rinse each item thoroughly with clean water.
Additional Jewelry Cleaning Tips
Baking soda is often mentioned a cleaner but some jewelers claim that this method is to abrasive. If you wish to avoid using chemicals and want to try baking soda you should always test a small part of your silver jewelry piece first to see if leaves any noticeable marks. To use baking soda, lightly the item with clean water, the pour baking soda over the jewelry and rub gently with your fingers. Once the tarnish is removed, rinse with more clean water and dry with an all cotton cloth.
If your jewelry has been coated with a lacquer shield (to slow the tarnishing process) you should clean the item only after all of the lacquer has completely worn off. Cleaning agents can reach underneath the lacquer causing residue spotting.
Professional jewelers recommend cleaning your sterling silver jewelry as often as once per month, with a yearly professional cleaning for luxury and heirloom pieces. Cleaning gives you the chance to also check for loose stones or parts. Always have your jewelry repaired right away to prevent further damage.
Understanding the proper methods for storing and cleaning sterling silver jewelry is essential to the life of each piece.

About The Author
JP Cambert is a specialist in the fashion and beauty industry and owns several online shops including Discount Silver Jewelry store Silver Basement, as well as the Discount Perfume shop Unlimited Perfumes.
silverbasement.com
info@silverbasement.com

Twelve Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Gold and Silver Jewelry

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Jewelry can be beautiful to look at, fun to buy, and can make bold and revealing statements about you. Hear are some tips for greater enjoyment of your favorite gold and silver jewelry.

1. Never swim in a chlorinated pool while wearing gold and silver jewelry.

2. Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your gold and silver jewelry

3. Keep both your skin and your gold and silver jewelry clean and free of oil.

4. Using an absorbent, abrasive-free body powder on areas that your gold and silver jewelry touches your skin can help with skin discoloration.

5. If you do have any skin discoloration you may need to move to a higher gold content. Say, from 14K gold jewelry to 18K jewelry.

6. Are your gold and silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here’s a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.

7. Don't be afraid to wear gold and silver jewelry together. Artful use of accessories that use both metals provide an effective visual segue' or bridge.

8. For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keep in your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver.

9. For a Super Spring Cleaning of your gold and silver jewelry, mix 1cup of clean warm water with ½ cup of ammonia. Soak your jewelry in this solution for about 15 minutes; gently scrub with a soft, clean toothbrush, then rinse in warm water. Air dry on an absorbent paper towel. When thoroughly dry, you may lightly buff with a soft flannel cloth.

10. If a ring gets stuck on your finger; spray the area surrounding the ring with Windex. Wiggle and twist the ring right off.

11. For a slightly more "in depth" cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner.

12. For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here's a neat little trick.
A. Cover the inside bottom of a heat-proof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.
B. Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil.
C. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil.
Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

About The Author
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com

Sterling Silver Jewelry Exposed

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:38:00 +0000

Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today's fashion conscious public. You know how beautiful sterling silver jewelry is and how brilliantly it shines. Now here is the rest of the story.
Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnished and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was "in"; we are going through such a vogue today.
Silver is the commonest of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.
The current fashion trend toward black clothing has made silver jewelry more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today's fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.
Care and Cleaning of your Sterling Silver Jewelry
1.) For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keeping your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver.
2.) For a slightly more "in-depth" cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner.
3.) For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here's a neat little trick
A.) Cover the inside bottom of a heat-proof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.
B.) Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil.
C.) Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil.
D.) Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.
Here are Some Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Sterling Silver Jewelry
1.) Are your silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here's a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.
2.) Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your jewelry.
We hope you have enjoyed this special report. Please feel free to share it with your friends!

About The Author
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Silver Jewelry

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:36:00 +0000

Exquisite and classic are the middle name of silver that gives a different look to a person’s overall personality. Simple and plain silver jewelries can actually give an everlasting effect to your dressing and gives you a contemporary look.
Due to its similarity to gold, silver is often used as its alternative. It is cost saving and tendency to mould in any desirable shapes makes it a hot property among jewelry lovers. There are lots of ornaments like neck wears, rings, armlets, anklets, bracelets and others are available in the market depending upon on the buyer’s pocket.
Silver is the worthiest of your expanses as it is inexpensive attached with stupendous features. Traditional silver rings are still in practice as wide array of silver ring designs are available for providing an ultimate choice for buyers. These rings also come in multi-colored stones engraved on it.
Not only rings, other stuffs in silver like armlets and bracelets are also available to cater the buyers. Marinating its versatility, silver earrings are always popular as before. You can actually wear them casually as well as formally. These jewels are timeless and matching with every occasion and event.
Silver neck wears are also a center of attraction to all women because of its sleekness and flexibility to get matched easily with every gem. It gives an exclusive and different look with every skin tones. Unique designs in silver neck wears actually help a woman to increase her popularity and maintain her individuality.
Adding silver pendants and charms in your jewelry box is also a good way to give a classic look to your collection. Nowadays different ranges of pendants at different levels can create a good option. These pendants and charms can be highly designed or simple as per your preference.
Usually, silver starts getting dark after a certain period of time so, keep your jewelry free from any kind of chemical reactions. Always keep an anti-tarnishing strip in your jewelry box to cut down the serious effects and maintain its eternal shine. Silver carries its beauty and classy look till the proper attention and care is given to it. Take full care, as jewels are beautiful as long as it is shining in its original form. As silver with the spark and light increase the overall confidence so ensure you have enough silver in your jewelry box.

About The Author
Rachana Agarwal is an experienced jewelry business expert.
For more information on silver jewelry visit http://www.sparkleice.com/Product/silver_jewelry.html

Titanium vs. Gold, Silver and Platinum

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:58:00 +0000

Either you are buying it as a gift or for yourself, there are many reasons why titanium jewelry can be a better choice than jewelry made in traditional precious metals like gold, silver and platinum.
Firstly, titanium is highly corrosion resistant and therefore does not tarnish easily. Especially for high-polish finished jewelry like gold and silver wedding band rings, it is expected that the jewelry will lose its color and shine over time. Even if they are stored properly in jewelry boxes or safe, the oxygen in the air reacts with the metals and turns the color. This process is of course accelerated if the jewelry is worn daily because the sweat combined with body temperature, acts as catalysts to the chemical process.
Also, titanium is hypoallergenic, which means that very few people have skin that is sensitive to it. People who are allergic to gold, silver or, more commonly, nickel, which is found in most gold and silver jewelry, don’t have to worry about outbreak when wearing jewelry made from titanium and its alloys.
A widely known property about titanium is its durability. It is this attribute that makes it perfect for active individuals who frequently engage in outdoor activities, even water sports. It is not uncommon that people find their gold or silver jewelry damaged, or even lost, after a day of exciting outdoor events. These disappointments can easily be avoided if titanium jewelry is worn instead. In addition, titanium has a high strength to weight ratio. In other words, although it is much stronger than gold and silver jewelry, even steel, it is much lighter and hence more comfortable to wear.
Finally, it is fashionable and trendy to wear titanium jewelry. The metal is relatively new in the fashion industry with many new ideas being applied on it. Titanium is so versatile that it not only can be combined with gemstones, gold and silver, engraved and finished like traditional jewelry; it can also be anodized to create eye-catching colored titanium jewelry.
Common titanium jewelry includes wedding band ring, men's titanium rings and men's titanium bracelets. There is every reason to explore the vast possibilities and express your personality in a whole different way.

About The Author
Scott Murff got his MBA from MIT business school and currently is the marketing manager in http://www.titaniumkay.com.

Buying Silver Jewelry: Things To Look Out For

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:37:00 +0000

If you are looking into purchasing silver jewelry you have to be the judge as to whether the jewelry is real and how much you can get it for. With silver jewelry, before buying, you must look at the markings on the piece of jewelry and make sure that it has a U.S. registered trademark of a reputable company or individual that will vouch that the piece is authentic. If the piece is sterling silver it must by law carry both of e types of markings.

Now when it comes to looking over it for its aesthetic reasons the piece should not be worn or chipping unless you are looking into antique or used jewelry. If you want help judging jewelry you can shop for it through a jewelry store or, in some cases, jewelry departments in department stores. Especially in jewelry shops there will generally be an expert on jewelry and they can give you information on silver jewelry. If the piece that you are looking to purchase is expensive you can have a jeweler appraise the piece and see if it is worth what you are paying. Many times though the piece is used or inexpensive and you must judge for yourself. The appearance of the piece is the most important thing so before purchasing a piece look over it thoroughly for nicks on the piece or discoloration from being worn. A great place to pick up silver jewelry can be garage sales and thrift stores.

Many times you can find good silver jewelry at thrift stores or at a garage sale. Obviously the silver jewelry for these places is not new but if the piece still looks good it can be had at a good price. Another good place to get jewelry where you will have to be the judge is mass merchandise stores such as Target and Wal-Mart. The people working at the jewelry department probably are not experts at judging jewelry. But in these stores you can be sure that the jewelry is authentic and they usually will tell you the amount of silver in the piece. You can then judge the look and feel of it and if it is made well.

About The Author
Hazel Smith writes for http://www.adornmentjewelry.com, an online resource for buying sterling silver jewelry

Silver Earrings Choosing a Pair For a Gift

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:04:00 +0000

Silver earrings are very pretty. They come in so many styles and can be worn so many ways. When you have a great pair of earrings in silver, you will find that those are probably your favorite. They are always in style and you just love wearing them. However, you might be wanting more than one pair of earrings in silver to add to your collection of earrings that you already have.

Try getting something different from what you already have to add versatility and have something that you can switch out when you are wanting to change your earrings. You will find a great list of the many styles you will find this earring below. Silver earrings are really popular as silver studs. These are mostly worn by little girls, and are a great started earring for anyone. They can be worn with anything that you are wearing, and you will love wearing them as well.

You will also find that the stud earring can be worn in maybe your second earring hole, while you wear a hoop in the other. This is a great look and many women have their ears pierced more than once. Hoop earrings are great in silver. You will find that there are many lengths of hoops that you can choose from when you are selecting silver earrings to bring home with you. You can choose from small hoops, medium hoops, and also large hoops. With this many sizes to choose from, you will have no problem finding the perfect hoops earrings for you. You will also find that you might like one of each size so that you can change them up whenever you want to. Dangle silver earrings are really cute.

You will find that there are many types of silver earrings that are dangle and you will love having many to choose from. You will find earrings that are a mix of different colors of silver in this style as well as some that may even have a diamond or two mixed into the earring. It is so much fun to mix it up and buy a different pair of earrings from what you already own and buying dangle ones to wear can be a lot of fun. Silver earrings in chandelier style are stunning. You will find that there are many chandelier earrings that are pure silver as well as some that are beaded and have beautiful gems on them as well.

When you buy earrings in this style you will need to make sure that you are not buying any that are too heavy for your ears to hold as that will be most uncomfortable. As you can see, there are many styles of silver earrings that you will find. You can have a few of each and spice up your earring collection so that you never wear the same pair twice if you wish. You will love having a nice variety to choose from, and you will be known as someone with flare and style in the earring department.

About The Author
Laci Gerveler has been in the fashion industry for more than 20 years and has recognized several trends in the jewelry industry. She has recently decided to write about the many different earrings that can be found at her website, http://www.earwears.com and offer information for potential buyers.

Pure Silver… Fine Silver

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:30:00 +0000

Wearing silver jewelry is quite fashionable for young people and its white luster bestows a serene elegance on the wearer. You will find exquisite silver jewelry available in the market ranging from beautiful silver charms, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, bangles and watches. It’s much more affordable compared to gold and exudes a shine quite similar to platinum. Silver has been used to make jewelry right the time of the Phoenician, Byzantine and Egyptian empires.

Today, most of the world’s silver comes from the mines of Mexico and Peru. Pure silver is call fine silver. Since silver in its purest forms is very soft and quite malleable, other metals are mixed, to make it more durable. It’s important to look out for the 925, .925 or Sterling Silver mark, when buying jewelry because these marks ensure that the silver is 92.5% pure. The remaining 7.5 percent of the jewelry is copper. Even though any other metal can be used to make up the 7.5 percent, copper is preferred since it is found to be the most suited alloy to silver as it can improve the metal’s hardness and durability without diminishing it’s white luster. The 925, .925 or Sterling Silver marks shows that the silver jewelry you are buying is not silver plated and not an imitation made with other white colored metal alloys. At the same time, if you find a mark higher than the recommended 92.5%, avoid buying the piece as it will be too soft. It can’t endure everyday wear and is not worth the money spent.

One thing about silver jewelry is that it develops a tarnish, which occurs quite naturally when it interacts with sulfur or hydrogen in the surrounding air. Tarnish can be removed by using polish specifically formulated to remove tarnish from silver jewelry. Silver polishes, solutions, or cloths required to remove tarnish can be found at local hardware stores or specialty craft stores.

Avoid exposing silver to chemicals such as bleach or ammonia which may happen when you are cleaning your house. When swimming in chlorinated water remove or set aside your silver jewelry, such as earring or chains, before your swim. Such exposures will only damage silver jewelry. It’s best to place your silver jewelry in cloth pouch or in a separate area of you jewelry box. Proper care will ensure that your silver jewelry lasts for a lifetime.

About The Author
Linda Polansky writes about http://www.jewelryanddiamondguide.com/, http://www.jewelryanddiamondguide.com/Coupons/Zales.html and http://www.jewelryanddiamondguide.com.

What Can Roses Do For You Today?

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:14:00 +0000

In the past millennium, it has been ordinary to see roses and their depictions being one and the same as attractiveness and grace. This is evidenced in writings as far back as Shakespeare (and probably further), demonstrating that roses have long been known as attractive and elegant. Obviously, the modern economy and most of today's business world has caught up with this notion, and has appealed to the concept of roses being the essence of loveliness, and often, even brought about this conviction. While this is not completely improper, roses have obviously become exceedingly pricey in the past few years. Florists have come into the market, and on a few holidays especially conceived for the sole purpose of exchanging greeting cards and roses, florists are able to pull in at least $75 for a dozen or so roses. Roses, while not cheap, have become a necessity for formal events and nice occasions; weddings being the best example of such. So what is the answer? What is the cheapest way to get roses for a formal event? Rose petals just might be the answer.
Rose petals make a wedding or any other occasion pleasant. Rose petals supply a great alternative to merely throwing rice. A couple of rose petals here and there all through the service can really add a pleasant feel to the day. Rose petals are available in an enormous variety of colors, shapes and sizes; therefore you are almost sure to be able to find something that will go well with your needs. However, be aware that most rose petals will cause discoloration. In light of this, you may want to think about freeze-dried rose petals. Freeze-dried rose petals will appear the same to ordinary rose petals, and yet you won't need to be concerned with stains on any kind of floor or carpet.
How to find the right petals?
Freeze dried rose petals keep for a long time, so if you are setting up a wedding well in advance, you need not be worried that they will lose their gleam over time. In light of this, many people would rather order the freeze dried rose petals well in advance of the wedding, freeing up the planners to think about other more significant things when the actual ceremony comes around. Freeze-dried rose petals can be found in quite a few places, and includes most places that advertise any flowers or flower-related supplies. If being thrifty is a concern, think about purchasing rose petals through a wholesale distributor.
In all, rose petals can make a great addition to any wedding ceremony.

About The Author
Alexander Pederoski is the Webmaster of http://www.flyrose.com

Roses - Creating Beautiful Cut Roses

email@theforeverrose.com (The Forever Rose™ - Gold Roses and More!) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:27:00 +0000

Many gardeners like to enjoy their roses twice — first in the garden, then indoors as cut flowers. By choosing the right roses, cutting them at the proper time of day, and conditioning them after cutting, you can enjoy your cut roses for the longest possible time — up to five days or more after cutting.

When to Cut Roses
In general, the more petals a rose has the slower it will open and the longer it will last. So, the best roses to use as cut flowers are the fully double varieties. Flowers with fewer petals open quickly and need to be replaced more often. Old garden and shrub roses generally wilt rapidly because their petals lack the substance (thickness and sturdiness) of modern roses and therefore don’t make good cut flowers.
In addition to the form of a rose, you should consider its blooming stage. A rose will last longer if it is cut when the sepals have separated from the bud and have turned downward, and when the bud has softened but before the stamens are visible. If you squeeze the bud and it is still hard, wait a day or two before cutting it or it may not open after it is cut.
Roses should be cut from a well-watered plant, late in the afternoon when the sugar and nutrient content of the plant is highest. This provides the bloom with ample energy to develop and open normally, and to stay open longer without wilting. During hot weather, when there is chance that a flower may be dehydrated by late afternoon, water the plant well several hours before cutting.

How to Cut Roses
Using pruning shears or flower-cutting shears cut the stem at a 45-degree angle, no shorter than just above the first five-leaflet leaf below the flower. You can cut a stem as long as you like, provided that at least two sets of leaves are left on the main stem to act as food producers for future growth and flowering.
Carry a bucket of water with you into the garden so that you can place the cut stems in the water immediately. The flowers will last much longer if the uptake of water is not interrupted for too long and the stems don’t dry out. It’s all right to submerge the leaves temporarily as they too will absorb moisture.
Although you will not harm a plant if you cut off all its flowers at one time, you may want to leave a few on the plant for garden color. Cutting roses, whether new or faded, encourages the plants to grow and re-bloom quickly.
After you have cut the roses re-cut the stems at a slant with the stem underwater to permit maximum water absorption.

How to Condition Roses
Place the bucket of water containing the cut roses in a cool, dark place, like in the basement, to allow the roses to become “conditioned” before arranging them in a vase. Conditioning roses allows them to get used to being detached from the plants and slows down the respiratory rate of the leaves. Leave them for at least several hours; preferably overnight.
You can condition cut flowers in a refrigerator as long as the refrigerator is intended only for roses and not for food. Many types of fruit stored in a refrigerator release ethylene gas, a ripening agent that causes cut flowers to open prematurely.
Water for cut flowers is best if it is slightly acidic because acid breaks up air bubbles in water by neutralizing the carbon dioxide gas. Air bubbles can clog capillaries in the stem and prevent water from reaching the flowers and foliage. Water also travels more quickly up a stem when the water is acidic. If you're not sure whether your water is acidic, ask your water supplier. If it is not acidic, add lemon juice to acidify it.
You should not use artificially softened water; it contains sodium, which is toxic to plants. In most cases, use cold water; it slows down the respiratory rate of the leaves. However, if the flowers have wilted because they have been out of water too long or because the stems were not cut underwater soon enough and the stem ends have become clogged, hot water will revive them faster than cold water. The stems absorb hot water more quickly.
How to Prepare Roses for a Vase
Before placing the roses in a vase, remove any leaves and thorns that will be below the water after arranging, because these will quickly disintegrate, foul the water, and shorten the life of the cut flowers. Thorns can be snapped off by hand or with a special thorn-stripping tool sold by florist supply stores. Then clean the remaining foliage with soap and water if necessary to remove dirt or spray residue, and make the leaves shine by rubbing with a paper towel, a soft cloth, or a nylon stocking. If any of the leaves are ripped or chewed, they can be manicured with small scissors.

More tips: If the roses you have picked are fragrant, handle them gently. The petals of fragrant roses have more scent-emitting glands than do those of less-fragrant kinds, and they therefore tend to bruise more easily.
To lengthen the life of your cut roses, always use a clean container for the flowers, and add a floral preservative to the water. Because they are acidic, contain sugar, and include a bacteria-retarding agent, floral preservatives provide some nutrients and restrain the growth of bacteria that will shorten the life of the flowers. These preservatives can be purchased at a flower shop. If you can't buy one, mix any clear citrus-based soft drink containing sugar with three parts water; or mix 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and l/2 teaspoon household bleach in 1 quart of water.
Keep the container filled with water to reduce the chance that it will evaporate or be consumed by the roses. If possible, change the water daily, re-cutting the stems underwater each time. Or check the level every day and add water as needed. To prolong the life of cut roses, keep cool and away from drafts, air-conditioners, radiators, and full sun.

Display the splendor of single rose stems in simple vases. When enjoying blooms from first-year roses, it's usually better to cut short stems.

Good Roses for Long-Stemmed Cutting
Barbra Streisand ('WEKquaneze') Bride's Dream ('KORoyness') Crystalline ('ARObipy' Elina ('DICjana') Jardins de Bagatelle ('MEImafris') Kardinal (KORlingo') Love & Peace ('BALpeace') Moonstone ('WEKcryland') New Zealand ('MACgenev') Peter Mayle ('MEIzincaro') 'Royal Highness' Toulouse Lautrec ('MEIrevolt') Valencia ('KOReklia') Veteran's Honor (‘JACopper')

About The Author
Bambi Coker http://www.RosesSecretsRevealed.com http://www.aaaroses.blogspot.com
© Bambi Coker All Rights Reserved
rosenthusiast@gmail.com