- How to clean your jewelry
Keeping your jewelry sparkling and shiny you can achieve it with simple supplies like mild soap such as dishwashing liquid, toothpaste, baking soda, a soft toothbrush or makeup brush.
For more delicate pieces you may have to clean it professionally, it is important to know the proper method to clean each type of jewelry. Silver jewelry stored for long and humidity will cause the silver to tarnish due to oxidation.
In order to remover the tarnish from your silver jewelry, best is to clean the piece as soon as you notice the oxidization. For silver jewelry with pearls or other delicate stones, a quick and effective method is by buffing with a silver polishing cloth to remove tarnish and restore the shine to silver. You can also polish your silver jewelry with toothpaste and a soft toothbrush or a cloth by rubbing the tarnished area gently. Allow the paste for a few minutes to work, then wash it off and rinse well with water, wipe with a soft cloth to dry. For heavier tarnished silver jewelry, mix three parts baking soda to one part water. Wet the silver and apply the cleaner with a soft cloth, work the paste into the crevices then rinse and buff dry. Using a liquid silver jewelry cleaner is a quick and effective way to restore the shine of silver, place the jewelry in the liquid silver cleaner, swirl around for about 10sec. and remove. Rinse well with water and dry with a soft cloth or a paper towel. Do not use liquid silver to clean jewelry with pearls or gemstones. As for gold jewelry, gold does not tarnish like silver, it can still collect dirt after regular use, making it look dull and less glowing.
To clean your gold jewelry is important to use a mild soap such as dishwashing liquid, a soft cloth or toothbrush. In a small bowl place, the gold pieces then cover it with warm water and soap solution. Allow the pieces to soak for at least 15min. then use the brush and scrub gently. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
- How to clean and care for Pearls
Pearls are delicate tiny wonders of nature and are the only gem created by a living organism.
Pearls are the most magical and feminine of all gems. The variety of colours, shapes, sizes and origin makes pearls most fascinating. Because of their delicate nature, pearls should be cared for with caution, avoid any chemicals, even jewelry cleaners. To clean your pearls use mild soap, water and a soft cloth.
Pearls should be put on after you applied any cosmetics, lotion or perfume. Let this product to dry for a while before putting on your pearls.
Always remove your pearls before swimming or showering. Store your pearls away from other jewelry, as they can easily become scratched or worn down by metals and other gemstones.
- What is Bali Silver and Thai Silver
Bali Silver is sterling silver made on the island of Bali, Indonesia.
Genuine Bali Silver is made entirely by hand by highly skilled silversmiths, known for their granulation and wirework decoration. Each piece is made one by one with patience and skill.
A limited amount of silver in Bali is made by casting, certain designs don't lend themselves to the handmade method, the cast beads are still sterling silver. Bali style silver is made elsewhere, like India, Turkey or Israel for example, they are sometimes handcrafted but often they are cast. They are lower in price, genuine handmade Bali Silver is going to be more expensive.
Thai Silver may also be referred to as Thai Hill Tribe Silver. The percentage of silver is higher, 95-99%. Thai Silver made in northern Thailand by the Hill tribes is made by traditional methods passed down by generation. Thai Silver is similar to that from Bali, the designs are simpler, most designs are made by hammering, colour is slightly lighter then Bali or sterling silver due to its higher content of silver.
Karen Hill Tribe Silver is often found in more natural organic shapes such as leaves, fish, shells...
- What is Gold Filled
Gold Filled is an actual layer of gold-pressure bonded to another metal usually sterling silver or brass, has 100 times more gold than gold plating. Gold filled jewelry has the same desirable properties and looks of solid gold, will not tarnish and will not rub off or turn colours.
If the gold layer is 12kt or higher, the minimum layer of karat gold in an item stamped "GF" must equal at least 1/20 of the total weight of the item. The most common stamps found in gold filled jewelry are 1/20 12kt GF and 1/20 14kt GF. Some product is made using sterling silver as the base, although this more expensive version is not common today. Since the gold filled material has an actual solid layer of gold on the exterior, the material can hold up for many years even if it's worn daily. To keep your gold filled jewelry looking new, simply wipe with jewelry polishing cloth, or use warm water and a mild soap-based detergent, soak your jewelry for not more than 1 minute in the water, to scrub use a soft baby toothbrush and be gentle.
- What is Gold Vermeil and Gold Vermeil Style
Gold Vermeil has a base of sterling silver than coated with at least 2.5 microns of gold that is 10kt purity or more and has a stamp of 925. Gold Vermeil is much thicker and more durable than items labelled gold plated.
To keep your pieces looking new longer, always remove your jewelry before showering or any activity which will expose it to water. To clean, wipe gently with a soft and 100% cotton cloth or a microfibre cloth. Never use chemical cleaners- it can strip the gold finish.
Gold Vermeil Style has a base of sterling silver with fewer microns of a gold layer that is required for Vermeil, 2.5 microns as defined by Federal Trade Commission for Vermeil.
Vermeil Style has 1-micron gold plated over sterling silver, it is 40 times thicker than most gold plated jewelry.
The term Vermeil Style is used to distinguish from other base metal of the gold plated jewelry.
- What is Venetian Glass and Murano Glass
Venetian Glass beads and Murano Glass beads are the same, they are handmade in Venice and Murano, Italy. The glass used to make the beads originates from Murano island, known as the famous "Glass island" and is about 5min. by boat from Venice, however, Venetian Glass has been used to describe the glass coming from Murano for centuries, and since Venice is much more widely known then the island of Murano, people continue to refer to it as Venetian Glass.
The use of superior raw materials by glassmakers, who have passed their skills down to generations, results in glass that its famous all over the world for its elegant, classic beauty and craftsmanship.
To clean and keep your beads sparkle and shiny, use mild soap and water.
- What is Swarovski® Crystal
Swarovski is the premium brand for the finest crystal embellishments since 1895. It is recognized for its innovative excellence and its collaborations with top-class designers and brands in the fashion, jewelry, accessories, interior design, and lighting industries across the globe.
Available in a myriad of colours, effects, shapes, and sizes, Swarovski crystals offer designers a fabulous palette of inspiration and are produced according to the innovative, lead-free* Advanced Crystal standard. Born out of a passion for detail and high-precision cutting, these precious ingredients impart refined glamour to everything they embellish.
A family-owned company for more than 120 years, with values rooted in integrity, respect, and excellence, Swarovski is noted as much for its ethics in business as for its contemporary artistry and innovative flair.
Swarovski crystals will never have bubbles, has a smooth surface and the facets on the crystal will line up and it will outshine any other crystal.
Jewelry made with Swarovski crystals should be treated the same as all other fine jewelry.
Avoid exposing the crystals to water, chemicals and for cleaning and polishing using a soft cloth, mild soap and water. Store it in a soft pouch to prevent scratching.
- What is Cubic Zirconia CZ
Cubic Zirconia is a perfectly man-made flawless stone, free of inclusions. It is similar to a Diamond with its brilliance and crystal quality and its an affordable alternative to Diamond.
Cubic Zirconia comes in many different colours to simulate the different colours of a Diamond.
- What is Quartz
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on earth, a hard white or colourless mineral consisting of silicon dioxide, often coloured by impurities as in amethyst and citrine.
It ranges in colour from clear, colourless "rock crystal" quartz, to rose quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, citrine, agate, aventurine, chalcedony, carnelian, jasper, onyx, passionate and many more variety of quartz.
- What is Hydro Quartz or Hydro Glass
Hydro Quartz, Hydro Glass or "Quartz" Glass is glass that is coloured to look like gemstones.
- What are Gemstones
A gemstone is a portion of mineral, which, in refined and cut form is used to create jewelry and other embellishments. It can be a precious or semi-precious stone. There are also organic resources or precise rocks, that are not minerals like Amber of Jet, that are also used for jewelry and considered to be gemstones as well.
A gemologist identifies and label gems in the arena of gemology using practical language and their features and uses the gemstone's chemical arrangement to classify it. Gemstones are classified into different varieties, species and groups and they are characterized in terms of dispersion, hardness, specific gravity, refractive index, lustre, fracture and cleavage. Flaws in a stone are known as inclusions.
Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires are precious stones, all other stones are considered semi-precious stones such as Amethyst, Citrine, Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Peridot, Jade, Garnet, Tourmaline, Moonstone, Jasper, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Malachite, Tanzanite, Pearl, Opal, Aquamarine, Topaz, Black Onyx...
Birthstones by Month
Birthstones are associated with each month of the year. There are numerous legends and myths about birthstone healing powers and therapeutic influence.
Below is a list of Birthstones by month with a brief information about colour, the healing powers and the symbolism of each birthstone.
- January birthstone - Garnet - reddish-brown in colour. It is also found in other colours such as pink, purple, violet, yellow, orange, green, red, brown, black and even colourless.
Garnet symbolizes strength, prosperity, friendship, love, vitality, passionate devotion.
Zodiac sign - Aquarius - February Birthstone - Amethyst - purple tones ranging from deep, dark violet to pale lavender and is associated with royalty and nobility.
Amethyst symbolizes sincerity and security, spirituality, wisdom, peace, courage, strength and stability
Zodiac sign - Pisces - March Birthstone - Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Aquamarine, a pastel stone that is greenish-blue in colour, hues range from a nearly colourless whitish-blue to a rich teal, the most valued is a vivid blue aqua shade.
Aquamarine symbolizes loyalty, honesty, beauty and happiness. Bloodstone also called Heliotrope, a dark green stone flecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide, symbolizes personal strength, endurance, helps with mental clarity, increasing creativity, boosting overall energy.
Zodiac sign - Pisces - April birthstone - Diamond - the most popular of all gemstone, transparent, silvery colour.
Diamond symbolizes clarity, purity, eternal love, inner strength, invincible, balance
Zodiac sign - Aries - May Birthstone - Emerald - a precious gemstone, colour of brilliant green with a yellow and blue undertone. Emerald symbolizes wisdom, faith, success in love, loyalty, new beginnings
Zodiac sign - Taurus - June birthstone - Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone
Pearl symbolizes success, happiness and love, purity, also known as the stone of sincerity. Alexandrite, bluish-green in colour, turns purple-red to violet when exposed to daylight, symbolizes intuition, creativity and imagination, confidence and joy.
Moonstone, various colours of blue, gray, yellow, peach and green, symbolizes good fortune, passion, calmness.
Zodiac sign - Gemini - July birthstone - Ruby - pink to the deep red precious gemstone, symbolizes love and passion, promotes courage and brings success in love and wealth.
Zodiac sign - Cancer - August birthstone - Peridot - olive green in colour, sometimes called the "evening Emerald", symbolizes fame, dignity, protection, strength, truth, happiness, love and strengthens friendship.
Zodiac Sign - Leo - September Birthstone - Sapphire - a precious gemstone, mostly associated with blue hues, comes in every colour except red. Sapphires in any colour but blue are called " fancies".
Sapphires symbolize loyalty, nobility, sincerity, integrity, truth.
Zodiac sign - Virgo - October birthstone - Opal and Tourmaline
Opal represents hope and innocence, colours of black and white, has delicate tints of divers hues when observed from different angles. Opal symbolizes hope innocense, purity, confidence, happiness and faithfulness. for centuries, people associated this gem with good luck.
Tourmaline has a very exclusive spectrum of colours and rarely is colourless. Rubellite Tourmaline in shades of pink or red is one of this gem's most desirable colours.
Green and blue tourmaline are very popular, the most striking shades of this colours come from Brazil, named Paraiba Tourmaline, it is the most valuable variety of Tourmaline. symbolizes physical strength, balance, safety, it can shield from radiation, toxins and negative thoughts.
Zodiac sign - Libra - November birthstone - Topaz and Citrine
Topaz comes in a variety of colours, reddish-orange-brown, blue, purple. Topaz symbolizes friendship, faithfulness, consistency, strength, wisdom, courage, known for its calming energy, eliminate nightmares and bringing warmth and fortune to those who wear it. - Citrine, colour of pale yellow or orange, also referred as the "success stone" or "merchant's stone", for its tendency to attract wealth and prosperity. Citrine symbolizes happiness, positive energy and stamina, success.
Zodiac sign - Scorpio - December birthstone - Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon
Turquoise is a green-blue stone with sky blue tones, colour of brilliant icy blue, green-blue tint, ranges from powdery blue to greenish robin's egg blue.
Turquoise symbolizes love and fidelity, new possibilities, happiness, confidence in communication.
Tanzanite was discovered in 1960, in Tanzania and is the only place that has been found up-to-date.
It is a brilliant stone, which can exist in numerous hues of purples and blues. the most valuable come in vivid violet-blue colour. Because of its ability to alleviate stress and blood pressure, it is used to treat anxiety, depression, worry and fear, symbolizes intuition and spiritual awareness.
Zircon comes in various colours including green, blue, yellow, orange and red. It is a natural crystal, often confused with synthetic Cubic Zirconia because of their similar names and common use as diamond simulants.
Zircon symbolizes prosperity, wisdom, honour and self-respect. It has healing powers to cure allergies and asthma, gallbladder and liver complication as well as promote common sense.
Zodiac sign - Sagittarius.
Wedding Anniversary Gemstone by Year
1st Anniversary - Gold jewelry
Alternate: Peridot
2nd Anniversary - Garnet
3rd Anniversary - Pearls
Alternate: Jade
4th Anniversary - Blue Topaz
Alternate: Blue Zircon
5th Anniversary - Sapphire
Alternates: Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quart
6th Anniversary - Amethyst
Alternates: Turquoise, Garnet
7th Anniversary - Onyx
Alternates: Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl
8th Anniversary - Tourmaline
Alternates: Tanzanite, Aventurine
9th Anniversary - Lapis Lazuli
Alternates: Amethyst, Green Spinel
10th anniversary - Diamond jewelry
Alternates: Blue Sapphire, Crystal
11th Anniversary - Turquoise
Alternates: Citrine, Yellow Zircon
12th Anniversary - Jade
Alternate: Opal,Agate, Garnet
13th Anniversary - Citrine
Alternate: Hawk's Eye, Moonstone, Opal
14th Anniversary - Opal
Alternates: Agate, Bloodstone
15th Anniversary - Ruby
Alternates: Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite
16th Anniversary - Peridot
Alternate: Red Spinel
17th Anniversary - Watches
Alternate: Carnelian
18th Anniversary - Cat's Eye or Chrysoberyl
Alternate: Aquamarine
19th Anniversary - Aquamarine
Alternate: Almandine Garnet
20th Anniversary - Emerald
Alternate: Yellow or Golden Diamond
21st Anniversary - Iolite
22nd Anniversary - Spinel
23rd Anniversary - Imperial Topaz
24th Anniversary - Tanzanite
25th Anniversary - Silver Jubilee
Alternates: Tsavorite, Green Garnet
30th Anniversary - Pearl Jubilee
35th Anniversary - Emerald
40th Anniversary - Ruby
45th Anniversary - Sapphire
Alternate: Cat's Eye
50th Anniversary - Golden Jubilee
Alternate: Imperial or Golden Topaz
55th Anniversary - Alexandrite
60th Anniversary - Diamond Jubilee
Alternate: Star Ruby
65th Anniversary - Blue Spinel
70th Anniversary - Sapphire Jubilee
Alternate: Smoky Quartz
75th Anniversary - Diamond Jubilee
80th Anniversary - Ruby Jubilee