Posted by on August 5th, 2009
The increasing amount of counterfeit goods that circulate today can range from fake Rolex watches to fake designer clothing. These illegal items cost consumers a massive amount of money, and government consumer sites such as StopFakes estimate that it is costing around $2 billion every year to catch and prosecute the perpetrators.
The desire to make money always overrides the risk as far as counterfeiting operations are concerned, and the range of goods they provide are becoming more complex and difficult to identify as fakes as the demand famous brands increases.
Thankfully, it is usually possible to identify fake products as they often lack a specialist logo, stitching pattern or overall quality and this applies to the much-admired range of Nike Air Jordan sneakers.
Like most companies, Nike include certain logos or characteristics on all of their products and have gone to great lengths to market an easily identifiable design. Consumers should be aware of these characteristics and look for them before buying Nike footwear either in the stores or online.
As an example, the recent Jordan Air 23 model has undergone a series of changes to guarantee authenticity. There are specific details that have undergone small alterations such as name placement, manufacturing detail and the location of the Air Jordan thumbprint. All of these small details are specific to Jordan Air 23 design Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by on August 4th, 2009
Silver has always been one of the most preferred decorative metals and has proved to be popular with individuals from every walk of life. From the Royal family to the man in the street, silver has enjoyed a timeless admiration that continues to this present day.
There is a peculiar sheen to silver that cannot be found in other metals, and the lower prices compared to alternatives such as gold and titanium have only served to enhance the popularity of this beautiful product.
One of the really appealing features of silver is that it can be mixed and matched perfectly. This means that owning several different set of silver jewellery not only provides a comprehensive choice when trying to match up with daywear, but also provides a stunning range of looks when stepping out in extravagant evening wear as well. Silver can really make the individual stand out from the crowd.
The purest form of silver is far too soft and loses shape and shine after several years whereas sterling silver, which is used for making jewellery, is a much harder and more durable product that can faithfully serve the wearer for many years.
Pure silver is mixed with zinc and copper to produce ornament grade silver. These harder metals are added to make silver much tougher than it is in the pure form. The mixing ratio for ornament grade silver is 92.5% silver to 7.5% hard metal. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by on August 1st, 2009
When purchasing a piece of silver jewellery, the wearer will want to take every possible step to preserve its timeless beauty. There are several ways to prevent silver from tarnishing.
Tarnishing is the oxidation process that affects silver, brass, aluminium, copper and other self-reactive metals and usually appears as a dull grey or black coating. A primary factor in the tarnishing of these metals is perspiration, although perfumes, hairsprays and lotions can also have an adverse effect.
One of the best ways to avoid tarnishing is to keep it from contact with anything that might accelerate the oxidation process. Ensure that cosmetics are properly dried before putting on jewellery and always remove silver if carrying out strenuous exercise like gardening or sports.
It also helps to carry out some routine maintenance to remove substances that may have come into contact with your jewellery. When removing silver, take a little time to wipe it with a soft cloth or flannel. This saves time if tarnishing occurs later and the further the oxidation process goes, they harder it becomes to remove it.
Once cleaned, always try to store your silver jewellery in a safe fashion. Air and light are also primary causes of tarnishing so try to place articles in a suitable airtight box, a cloth bag or a zip-lock receptacle. Silver tarnish cloth, which can be easily purchased at most jewellery shops, can be cut to size and place inside containers for added protection. Read the rest of this entry »
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