Choosing the Metal That is Right For You

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Harry

Jewelry is like fashion, the options are endless and it’s hard to know where to start. The most important thing to remember when selecting jewelry for your collection is to ensure that the pieces match your style. Select pieces that you will envision yourself wearing on a regular basis and then have fun with it.

Silver

Silver can be done it either a classic style or paired with alternate pieces to convey a more modern look. The most important pieces to purchase in silver are a great statement necklace and a bracelet. If you plan on wearing them on a regular basis, you may also opt for a ring and earrings, but your wardrobe could function without them if necessary. You can always pair any jewelry with a pair of solitaire earrings. Diamonds go with everything.

Gold

Gold is a more traditional metal and is often the go to metal for a traditional look. As of late, people are capitalizing on the trend of mixing metals and are recycling some of those pieces that have long been tucked in the back recesses of the jewelry box.

ROSE GOLD ENGAGEMENT RING

Rose Gold

Rose gold is a more modern metal and is created by mixing copper and gold together to create either or a red or pink tinted metal. It looks phenomenal with some of the dark jewel tones that are abundant for fall and winter.

Pearls

Pears are totally on trend when paired with a classic style like a tailored jacket and trousers, but can be styled in a modern fashion using a long necklace with a decorative knot in it. Now you can select any number of pearl options in both black and white and mix them with modern silhouettes to add flair.

Jewelry is about fun with fashion. Don’t get so hung p on the rules and what goes with what that you forget to have fun in the process. So, go forth mix metals, wear bangles on a Tuesday. Find what makes your heart sing and sing like nobody is listening. After all, you would much rather be a fashion leader than a fashion follower wouldn’t you?

Newer Gold Color Standing Out From The Crowd

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Harry

While the debate still rages as to whether current and future brides to be will be wearing predominantly white gold or yellow gold this year, another gold has entered into the jewelry market in a big way. Rose gold, sometimes also referred to as pink gold or red gold, has made a pronounced entrance into the jewelry market and onto top celebrities’ hands, ears, necks, wrists, etc. this year.

How is it made?

Basically rose gold is made by combining two metals: gold and copper. A typical combination of white gold and copper used to create rose gold is about 75% gold and 25% copper. Because rose gold is a combination of two different metals, also called an alloy, there is no such thing as “pure” rose gold. And, just as colored gemstones, especially those created in a lab setting, can have different variations of a particular hue, so too can rose gold. This accounts for the names “red” and “pink” gold. By varying the copper content and sometimes by adding silver, different shades can be made within the rose gold spectrum.

How popular is it?

Because traditional, or yellow gold, is often not a compound or alloy, it remains the most expensive and the most popular gold worldwide. However, gold prices are currently on the rise in the United States because of the relatively limited amount of it left in the country and fewer mines in existence than years ago during “The Gold Rush.” This means that all gold prices are rising, regardless whether it is solid gold or an alloy. Also, shows like Gold Rush on the Discovery Channel are reigniting the somewhat long-lost American Dream of mining for gold and striking it rich as a result.

How to Wear It

Rose gold is beautiful and can be worn as such all by itself in earrings, a necklace, rings, or just about any other kind of jewelry. However, many jewelry stores today are selling multi-tone jewelry. While white gold and yellow gold two-tone jewelry has been around for quite some time, now that rose gold has made its entrance known, jewelry stores are capitalizing on this novel look and also using it with white gold to create a unique, newer, two-tone look.

How to Dress With a Variety of Gold Colors

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Harry

If you are lucky enough to have a large assortment of gold jewelry, you probably like to mix and match your jewelry with other pieces of jewelry and with a variety of outfits. Jewelry is just one of many ways to make a fashion statement and sometimes those statements go well and at other times they don’t, as in the case of many fashion shows dedicated to critiquing celebrity styles at major events. Some gold colors pair well with just about any color in your wardrobe while some should be paired more strategically for a rich look.

White Gold

Because white gold is a cold metal and it reflects a lot of the colors in its vicinity, white gold is probably the most versatile of all of the gold colors. However, white gold does stand out considerably against darker colors like black, navy, and darker shades of brown. So, if you desire to make a more subtle statement with your jewelry, you might want to avoid wearing white gold with any of those colors as there will be a stark contrast.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has quite a lengthy history of standing for richness, royalty, and wealth. The pharaohs of Ancient Egypt favored the color of yellow gold because they tended to pair it with ornate garments and headwear. In more modern times yellow gold has been fashioned into a form of currency and the United States Government still houses quite a large sum of solid gold for good reason as well: it’s valuable. And if you’ve been watching the gold market lately, you’ve noticed that gold prices are on the rise. For this reason, if you wish to make a statement regarding your wealth, prestige, or power, yellow gold is great for making this kind of statement. It pairs well with almost any color but should be worn with warmer tones such as yellow and orange for a more subtle look.

Rose Gold

Barkev’s Solitaire White & Rose Gold Engagement Rings

Rose gold can be the most difficult gold color to wear. First of all, its widespread appeal is one that is relatively new to the gold market. Second of all, it doesn’t quite possess the richness of yellow cold and it’s not as cold or reflective as white gold. Many people who wear rose gold like to pair it with other colors that are reminiscent of the fall since it is such an apt choice depicting the change of seasons. Rose gold, then, could be worn with yellow, orange, burgundy, and many of the colors in the jewel tone family.

Many people wear some pieces of jewelry on a regular basis, like wedding rings. While you certainly don’t have to have wedding and engagement rings in every color of the gold spectrum, you might choose to be more mindful of which color of gold jewelry you select based on the type of function you’re attending and the other colors you intend to wear.

Tips for Shopping for Sapphires

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Harry

Sapphires are one of the most valuable gemstones and stand out from the crowd with their distinctive, deep blue hue. One of the world’s most renowned sapphires is Kate Middleton’s dazzling 18-carat oval sapphire engagement ring surrounded by diamonds that belonged to Princess Diana. You can get a dazzling sapphire ring of your own with these tips to help you find the best sapphire jewelry:

Quality

Go for quality instead of size. A large sapphire with blemishes or uneven coloring will not carry the allure of a smaller, deeper hued stone with no visible flaws.

The Four Cs.

As with diamonds, sapphires are evaluated based on their cut, clarity, color and carats. Cut determines how your sapphire will shine, and a well-cut sapphire will look even and brilliant. Clarity tells you how many flaws or inclusions a sapphire has. A sapphire with only internal inclusions will look more even and stunning to the naked eye, whereas one with external inclusions may look uneven and less brilliant. Color is the hue of your gemstone, and the most desirable sapphire colors are highly saturated medium blues. A stone that is too dark or too light will not look as good and will be worth less. Carat weight tells you the size of your gemstone. In general, the more carats, the more the sapphire will cost.

Personal Taste

When shopping for the perfect sapphire jewelry, consider the wearer’s style and preferences. Does she like antique pieces or vintage looks or does she go gaga for glam styles? Knowing her preferences can help you find the right cut and carat weight for her sapphire. It will also help you determine the best setting and band material.

Metals

Precious metals such as platinum, gold and white gold are popular choices as bands or chains for sapphire jewelry. Platinum is the most expensive metal and offers a lasting glow that does not tarnish. Gold and white gold often come in 10-karat, 14-karat and 18-karat options, with the higher karat amounts containing more gold and thus costing more.

Settings

Platinum is a popular setting material for sapphires because it is so strong. The setting holds your gemstone in place so it is important to have a durable setting. If you are buying a sapphire solitaire ring, it will have prong settings. Six-prong settings are the most secure and will ensure your sapphire stays snugly in place. Other types of settings include tension, channel and pave settings. These types of settings call for excellent craftsmanship to ensure your sapphire is protected.

The Dubai Gold Souk

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Harry

Dubai is a renowned Middle East destination known as the playground for the rich. The desert gem rose to international prominence due to its futuristic architecture, lavish attractions and opulent lifestyle. The United Arab Emirates’ most famous city is also a top destination for jewelry lovers. In fact, Dubai’s legendary jewelry prowess has led to it being dubbed “the City of Gold.”

Dubai’s main trading district for jewelry is the dazzling Dubai Gold Souk, an open-air market nestled along the narrow alleyways of the old Deira area. The marketplace gained notoriety in the 1940s after the government lessened restrictions on free trade. Today, the district is a popular spot for tourists looking to score fine jewelry products at deeply discounted prices.

The Dubai Gold Souk is home to approximately 300 retailers that supply the majority of the Middle East’s jewelry. The district is the second largest distributor of gold bullion in the world. According to industry estimates, 95% of the yellow gold sold at the Dubai Gold Souk is 21 karat, while the remaining 5% is 18 karat. The Dubai Gold Souk is strictly regulated by the government; therefore, the jewelry sold there is genuine.

The Dubai Gold Souk offers a staggering selection of wrist and foot bangles, necklaces, amulets, rings and pendants that feature a distinct Middle Eastern flair. Retailers also offer impressive selections of diamonds, platinum and sterling silver jewelry. The jewelry is so glamorous that it is routinely featured in Bollywood films, where it is worn by India’s biggest stars.

If you find yourself in Dubai with a little time to kill, spend the day at the Dubai Gold Souk. Whether you are in the market for jewelry, or are simply looking for an interesting place to people-watch, the marketplace is among the city’s must-see attractions.