Some collectors recommend only buying stamped jewelry. They consider unmarked pieces to be plated or filled by virtue of the fact they are not marked.  While this may be true of newer gold and silver jewelry, there are many antique and vintage pieces that were not hallmarked and truly are made from precious metal.  Charm collectors know this in particular, as there are plenty of examples of unmarked sterling silver vintage charms that are in high demand and draw premium prices. 

For those of us who buy collectible fine vintage jewelry that’s not intended to be heirloom or investment quality, there are other methods that are often used to establish the value of an item.  Gold, silver, and platinum metals are not magnetic, and this is a simple test that can help to verify the metal quality, although the magnet test should not be relied upon by itself.  If the jewelry item has magnetic qualities it’s likely made from nickel or steel.  Also, an indication of metal purity is its hardness or malleability. Precious metals are soft and if the item is large and thin it should be pliable. 

Another way of determining metal purity is acid testing.  Acid tests for gold, silver, or platinum are available for sale on the internet and in jewelry supply stores.  These are sold in kits that contain several bottles of acid and a stone used to scrape a bit of the surface from an item of jewelry.  Acid testing is done correctly by scraping an inconspicuous area of the jewelry piece on the stone and then placing a drop of the acid on the metal residue left there.  I prefer to scrape the item once on the stone and then wash it off and repeat a second time.  The second scrape will contain a good sample of the underlying metal.  The drop will turn a color which can be compared to a chart indicating the purity.  Alternatively one can file the jewelry surface with a steel file and drop the acid directly on the piece, which is actually a good test in itself as it will be easy to file fine gold or silver, whereas the file will slide off an item made from steel. 

Gold acid test kits come with a solution for each level of gold quality, 10K, 14K, 18K, etc. and will give a reading when the applicable solution is applied.  I usually start with 14K and if necessary work my way up or down depending on the results.  Silver test kits come with just one type of solution and it turns a different shade or red, brown, or green to denote the silver purity.

Acid testing is not a fool-proof method, as there can be factors that give a false reading, and typically the results are subjective regarding the metal purity level.  But if the test is done properly there is a reasonable chance that the outcome is reliable.  If you’re testing jewelry, or buying from someone who is testing it, here are a few things to double check of the process.  First make sure the testing solution is fresh.  These solutions are made from nitric acid and can go stale after several months.  Second, the jewelry item must be scratched hard enough on the stone that any plating is removed from the surface and the base metal is exposed.  These steps help to ensure a relatively accurate test.

As a collector gains experience handling precious metals, it becomes easier to gauge quality by touching and viewing them.  Silver in particular acquires a soft sheen, or patina, after many years of use.  A trained eye and good judgment becomes key when buying or selling fine jewelry.  Nothing can take the place of dealing with reputable sources and developing your own expertise.  The fun of collecting is in the hunt, and researching and testing your purchases is part of the experience.  Armed with a little bit of knowledge you can make wise choices and join the fun of vintage jewelry collecting. 

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“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” ~ Bible quotes

Ruby as a corundum is very fiery and passionate gemstone. Cherished since centuries, this real king-like gemstone is actually favored by all. Especially brides’-to-be, feel greatly about this precious gemstone. This much coveted ruddy gemstone is one of the accessories which newlyweds too, find appealing. Ruby pendants as solitaire or teamed with diamonds, make a perfect choice to follow as a trend.

Weddings become incomplete if most important person of the event looks incomplete or not decked up impressively. Making it much simpler, the bride has to appear most distinguished amidst guests.

Bride is the center of attraction till the wedding is complete. She is being showered with every kind of gifts and offerings from her friends and relatives. Nevertheless, the top slot is filled with jewelry, especially crimson shaded ruby pendants.

This birthstone for July born, ruby, as a hot sensuous gemstone is something which exactly she would want. Angara has the same exquisite collection of lovely and regal ruby pedants to cater to customers.

Exclusive ruby pendants in mesmerizing cuts allure. Round brilliant cut in modern times is the choicest one. Since this cut exudes much light reflection through the top of the stone.

Solitaire pendants in white gold with ruby, give interesting and admiring impressions on the mind that uplifts mood. This results with happy pouts most of the time. Believably, various cultures around the world say so, that ruby is trusted to generate flawlessness into a person’s character and heal wounds faster than medicines.

Trust this stone as a charmer which would look elegant and captivating around her neck. In addition, other fancier cuts like heart, oval, pear, trillion, and emerald are available too as great options to try and choose.

All these cut ruby are assorted into delightful designs like heart ruby and diamond dangling pendant in white gold, round ruby and diamond butterfly pendant in yellow gold or, ruby and diamond lower pendant in white gold. These are some versatile style statements which suit all occasions.

Bring home the blushing extravaganza for would-be brides’ by buying such comfortable and aristocratic precious ruby pendants.

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Like diamonds, the precious cubic zirconia (CZ) gems need to be cleaned to maintain their original brilliance and luster. Many variables in our surrounding can dull the shine of precious gems: body lotion, perfume, hairspray, perspiration, or just simply, normal everyday wear.

All lotions and soap film are some of the more difficult materials to remove. Just a little of any of these materials on your CZ stone, will take away much of the visual brilliance of the stone. So it is vital to keep your CZ clean to maintain its sparkling diamond look.

A convenient way to clean your CZ jewelry is to use a small brushing device with soft bristles (preferably a toothbrush), along with warm to hot water mixed with a mild liquid dishwashing detergent (such as the brand, Joy), and brush as well as possible to remove any scum build-up.

Then, rinse well in warm to hot water, pat dry with a clean cloth, and take a look. If more cleaning is needed, soak the jewelry piece in hot water, with about 1/3 detergent to 2/3 hot water. (The mix is not critical.) Then, just brush again. When you’re done cleaning your jewelry, be sure to dry it well so to keep its brilliant shine.

Avoid exposing your CZ jewelry to abrasive substances such as household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage your jewelry. Although most abrasive cleansers will not damage a CZ stone, they will, however, take the lustrous shine off the metal in which the stone is set.

Gemologists can agree that CZ comes closer than any other gem material to matching the characteristics of a diamond–it’s uncanny. As CZ is quickly becoming more popular as a desirable substitute for diamond, it’s important to care for it the same way you would a diamond.

So if for some reason you cannot remove the dirt off your CZ jewelry, take it to a jeweler and give it a high-pressure steam clean, as would be done to a diamond. This will remove almost any scum off your jewelry.

When we clean a customer’s jewelry and inspect it for wear, and loose or missing stones, we find the jewelry needing repair is most often a jewelry piece that has never been cleaned by the owner. Persistent dirt gets between the metal settings and the stones, causing abrasive wear and eventually, perhaps a loose stone.

One of the most basic rules of jewelry care is to apply all lotions, make-up, hair spray, etc. first, before you put on your jewelry. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box.

Now that you know how easy it is to care for your CZ, be sure to clean your CZ jewelry regularly–depending on how often you wear it; if you wear it everyday, cleaning it once a week is sufficient.

Follow our simple tips on cleaning cubic zirconia, and you can be certain your CZ jewelry will not only maintain its original brilliance and luster for years to come, but it will continue to sparkle radiantly for you when you wear it, and show it off!

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Degrees of intimacy vary with each jewelry piece. A nose ring would be less erotic than the nipple ring. However, this jewelry has an ability changing your entire appearance. This means it can help you look sultry, wild, raw and sensuous all the same time. There are many choices this jewelry has to offer, some are as bizarre as the tongue rings and the nipple rings. There are also the less intimate ones as lip rings, nose rings, eyebrow rings, belly button rings, etc.

Intimate jewelry requires you to pierce at the related spots. You need to be extremely careful when you get it done. Always make sure the needle used is sterilized and you are also getting it done from a good place. Piercing can be irritating for some, whereas others heal faster. There are certain rules that need to be followed for safe intimate body jewelry piercing, like hygiene and ensuring that the place remains clean and free of infections. It is necessarily difficult to maintain in case of jewelry like the tongue rings, lip rings, etc.

Body jewelry has always caught the fancy of the young adults. It is because they want to look and do something different than the adults. Also they have better body structure and they can carry of intimate jewelry like the belly button rings with quite some ease and comfort. Young adults are also eager to show of their new found sexuality, no wonder this jewelry is so famous with them.

It is for the convenience of the young adults that the jewelry has been created as very cost effective prices. If you are rich or in a mood to splurge you can also buy some really exotic pieces that are created from precious and semi precious metals like the gold and the silver. Some of the intimate jewelry also uses precious and semi precious stones making it all the more expensive.

Though this jewelry appeals to the younger generation, adults also have used the intimate jewelry quite efficiently and subtly. Though it is unlikely they will flaunt it like the teenagers do, they have used the jewelry in giving suggestive gifts to their partners. Adults have also used this jewelry to enhance their sexual and married lives. These gifts could differ in cost. However, this jewelry has a way of conveying intimate feelings to the partner better than any other.

There are thousands of designs available in each type of body jewelry. All these intimate jewelry designs vary every season. You will find jewelry that represents your particular tastes. Today, the intimate body jewelry gifts have acquired a new meaning because these can be personalized by getting your lover’s name engraved on the piece.

Intimate jewelry has won hearts all over the world. This jewelry is as erotic as it is sensuous.

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Probably the leading edge of fashion-forward designer jewelry, both on the alternative and modern fashion designer scene, organic glass has become one of the most sought-after varieties of original creative medium of recent years. Many such jewelry pieces are handcrafted and created using specially designed materials and logos, making them not just handsome jewelry pieces but also one of a kind collectible ornaments.

The glass enamel process makes each designer jewelry piece unique.

Jewelry artisans use a variety of creation and manufacturing techniques, but all require using metal, enamel paint, and a special kind of kiln that fuses the glass and enamel pieces together. The artist creates the particular glass jewelry design through the process, delicately applying the enamel paint much as a painter applies paint to a canvas. Once fired through the kiln, the glass enamel creation is then allowed to cool, so that the surface texture takes on any one of several different textures and finishes.

It’s important to consider too that the finished glass enamel jewelry piece is non-toxic, but also sturdy enough to last for years and years. They vary in size, though most glass enamel designer pieces are typically the size of a glass pendant.

The ancient glamour and traditions of glass enamel jewelry

Jewelry artisanship is actually an ancient practice, going back at least far as the times of Ancient Egypt. The Roman Empire also practiced its trade both for home and personal decoration, as did the ancient Greeks. Many pieces of glass enamel artwork from each civilization, having lasted thousands of years thanks to their durable construction and resilient ingredients, are now on display in museums the world over.

This new kind of jewelry fits a variety of lifestyles.

Pendants, necklaces, and brooches make great heirlooms because of their durability. They also make an ideal form of jewelry for those that enjoy the outdoors and for young adults just starting to collect and refine their own sense of style.

Many glass enamel jewelry pendants are fastened with a durable nylon lanyard, so maintenance and resizing takes only seconds. The straps are adjustable and fit any size male or female neck.

Handmade glass jewelry often comes in designs and patterns that reflect and express a more spiritual lifestyle. These designs could range from the traditional sign of peace to Buddhist and Christian symbols of life and resurrection. The designs of each piece vary among artists and even among product lines.

How to find the right glass enamel jewelry style.

Organic jewelry has traditionally been available only through exclusive arts and crafts galleries and sometimes by mail order catalogs. Increasingly, many hand-crafting designer jewelry artists are making their work available online. Before purchasing, it’s a good idea to check their shipping rates and policies, so you can be sure your piece will arrive in good condition. As durable as these pieces are, you do want to take precautions to make sure your order arrives exactly as you saw it in the catalog.

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