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 »
Posted by on July 27th, 2009
From beautiful earrings to eye catching bracelets and pendants, silver jewellery has become one of the most popular ornamental purchases for both casual days out and special occasions. Because the yellow tone of gold doesn’t appeal to everybody, silver jewellery has continued to provide a superb alternative that can match individual skin tones and glamorous outfits alike.
Silver remains one of the finest metals to be used for jewellery and the purest form, which is called fine silver, consists of 99.9% pure silver. Unfortunately, pure silver doesn’t make particularly good jewellery. Because it remains so soft, the shape can easily become distorted and the oxidation process that causes tarnishing is very aggressive.
To alleviate this problem, pure silver is mixed with other alloys to increase its durability.
The most common silver found in ornamental jewellery is sterling silver, a composition of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. When combined, these two elements provide a tough and resistant finished product. This allows silver to be worn for everyday use with a minimal risk of tarnishing. Sterling silver also maintains a wonderful glean that epitomises silver, particularly since rhodium was included to provide a more resistant finish.
As well as sterling silver, there are other silvers that are produced from a mix of pure silver and other metals. A common form of these mixes is silver 800 which is an 80/20 Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by on July 25th, 2009
Silver jewellery continues to enjoy a massive popularity and remains as one of the most beautiful and precious metals known to man. Silver is an extremely versatile product that can be used to make delicate filigree work and intricate designs whilst maintaining an affordability that makes it accessible to everyone.
Wholesale silver jewellery stores have made a huge impact in the world of cosmetic jewellery, and can cater for the needs of a large potential customer base as well as focusing on the needs of the individual.
Wholesale jewellery is easily purchased at a variety of web sites and it is possible to view many different designs quickly and easily. This gives potential customers the chance to pick out exactly the right piece for any occasion at a price that is incredibly competitive.
Wholesale silver jewellery stores that operate online also have the added benefit of reaching an international audience which allows for the creation of an extensive market. These sites have simple online ordering facilities and the price of shipping can often be kept to an absolute minimum.
Wholesale silver jewellery dealers will usually stock an extensive range of items gathered from every corner of the world. These will come in different forms of silver and in a myriad of different designs.
It is also possible to purchase custom made jewellery and these designs often become the blueprint for new patterns in future ranges as jewellery styles continue to evolve. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by on July 21st, 2009
Famous for its diamond-like appearance and durability, white gold has emerged into the world of cosmetic jewellery with a flourish.
White gold is proving to be a fascinating alternative for many consumers who not only marvel at its luminescence, but enjoy the appeal of an alterative to gold or diamonds that is effectively a combination of both.
Indeed, white gold is measured in karats and can be sculptured or moulded to provide a perfect setting for precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires and rubies.
Another great aspect of white gold is that it can be accurately shaped on its own to form a wonderful piece of stand alone jewellery. Amongst the more popular choices, particularly amongst women, is the tradition cross or crucifix shape. These pendant-style pieces have dropped in popularity in recent years, but the affordability and versatility of white gold has seen a fresh emergence of a classic design.
The cross can look particularly beautiful when used as a setting for stones, and can be used as a magical gift for fiends or family with a religious leaning or a simple love of ornamental jewellery.
Online jewellers can offer these wonderful designs at incredibly low prices and provide a great alternative to a land-based jewellery store.
When buying white gold online, it pays to use a dealer with an established reputation or one that has been used by friends or family in the past. This verifies the nature of the dealer and helps avoid paying high prices for inferior items. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by on July 17th, 2009
Gold remains as one of the most precious metals known to man, and is eternally popular for its magical appearance and versatility. Gold continues to be used as an item to cherish, particularly in the form of jewellery.
Gold necklaces come in a wide variety of lengths and designs and are much more affordable than in the past. Buyers can choose from the soft 21 karat gold to the more durable and hard wearing 10 karat version. Gold can also be bought in a magical variation of different colours.
Caring for gold is vital if you wish to preserve its beauty, and it is recommended that gold jewellery should only be worn when necessary. Special occasions warrant beautiful jewellery much more than a trip to the shops so wear gold sparingly.
Try to keep your precious pieces away from cleansers, lotions or sprays that accelerate the process of tarnishing.
Avoid chlorine and remove gold before swimming. Deterioration promotes chinking and can ruin your jewellery forever.
Chains should be stored in an airtight box and kept wrapped in a suitable cloth or tissue paper to prevent tarnishing and scratching. Never store a chain tangled as this can weaken the metal.
Clean gold regularly in warm, soapy water. A toothbrush can be used to clean areas that aren’t easy to reach by hand. Dry pieces thoroughly with a dry, lint-free cloth and polish lightly with a non-abrasive cleaner.
If you get your gold jewellery cleaned professionally, then it will surely pay off. Some jewellers use an ultrasonic machine that produces perfect results. Read the rest of this entry »
Recent Comments