Hints for Buying jewelry Online
August 22, 2013 by Dr. Letitia Wright
Filed under Front Page
Hints for Buying jewelry Online
by opalauctions
Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an affordable way to complete your look. Costume Jewelry can be bought for a low price and has plenty of life. Heck, we see costume jewelry back to the 1920s still in excellent condition. What’s great with costume jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money.
Designer pieces tend to cost a little more, last a little longer, and they usually follow more traditional lines so you can wear them for more than one or two seasons. It is always best to pick your jewelry due to your personal taste not what others say you should like.
Sterling Silver is affordable and very versatile. If you don’t want to spend the money for sterling, then purchase some silver plate pieces. Silver is a must have for any wardrobe! You can go from dainty and delicate to large and noticeable. It can be dressed up or down and is acceptable for any event or occasion.
Have some gold plated pieces in your wardrobe basics also. 10-14k gold may be a bit best choice since the strength of the jewelry will be more affordable and will give you good value for the cost. Gold, like silver, can be dressed up or dressed down and is perfect for a very classy look.
When purchasing rings, you can have great fun – again the choices are endless from large and overwhelming to dainty and feminine. The length and size of your fingers plays an important role in what will look good. For example, long skinny fingers don’t look good with huge oversized rings, yet on a woman that has long thicker fingers they look exquisite. Long nails? Short nails? it all makes a difference. Play and see what you like, and what looks good. Also, determine where you will be wearing these rings. For example, if you’re working around fine fabrics, you’ll not want any rings that have sharp edges that could snag. Your rings are also part of your total statement.
When purchasing necklaces, be certain you know your neck size so that you get a good fit. This is very important when purchasing online as you don’t get a chance to try it on. If your neck is average in size then a 16″ necklace will look great, however if you have a somewhat larger than average neck then a 16″ necklace could be too tight. Measure the length of some of your favourite necklaces you already own. This will give you a good indication of what length you prefer. Opera necklaces which are over 30″ are terrific. They can be double wrapped, knotted, or whatever else your imagination comes up with. When choosing colored necklaces, make sure to pick a color that complements your skin tone. It may match your outfit fabulously but if it doesn’t match or complement your skin tone your look could be lost.
When purchasing bracelets, you’ll need to decide where you’re going to wear them, and how noticeable you want them to be. The availability of size and shape is endless – you can go from large bangle bracelets to dainty gem bracelets. If it is a slip-on bracelet, be sure that it will fit over your hand. Make certain to measure your wrist as the fit of a bracelet is very important. Too large and it will look sloppy and may even slide off. Too small and it can constrict your wrist movement.
Your hands are your expressive area and many of us “talk with our hands.” (they are also the smallest part of our body!) Try wearing three bracelets on one wrist – its a sign of power. They don’t have to match either so step out and do something different. Don’t forget to wear a dainty bracelet with your watch.
When purchasing earrings, realize that the shapes and styles are endless – from dangles to chandeliers to hoops to studs to buttons. There are materials from enamel to beads to gems to metal to wood. The size of the earrings is very important to the statement you’re making. The larger the earring, the more noticeable and the more incorporated they become into your total look. Large earrings aren’t for everyone – depending on your face size and shape they may actually detract rather than attract. Experiment and find what looks best on you. Do remember that many are allergic to the metals found in costume jewelry, Gold and Silver are best for those with sensitive skin when buying earrings.
Another thing to remember with purchasing your earrings is that tiny earrings make you look larger and larger earrings make you look smaller. Large earrings can give you the appearance of losing 10 pounds! (We all love that) Pick something that is in proportion to your size but most women can wear nickle to quarter size without any problem. Pick your earrings to the opposite shape of your face – they will be more complimentary. If you have a round face and wear round earrings your face will appear much rounder.
Your jewelry choices are endless – no matter what your tastes, your likes, your dislikes. You’ll be able to complete your look just the way you want it with little effort. So be sure to make your fashion statement.
Gold, for as long as mankind has existed has been sought after for many different purposes. History has shown gold used as an expression of wealth and social standing whereas; recent history has witnessed the usage of gold to be for more creative and artistic reasons.
Gold has is versatile and although used for many different purposes it’s more common (and fitting) function is found in jewelry. When choosing to have gold as jewelry, the purchaser has many different choices to make. Gold is available in the colours white yellow and rose. Gold is also available in an assortment of carat (k). 24 k gold is the purest form of gold however, as this is easily broken, gold is usually mixed with copper, zinc and nickel to create 9k, 10k, 14k, 18k and 22k respectively. Mixed with copper, gold becomes more durable however, loses some of its shine.
Silver is a white metal which holds both the highest electrical and thermal conductivity out of all metals. Silver is generally produced as a by-product of the refining of gold, lead, copper and zinc.
History has been witness to Silver being used as a versatile metal both within the home (cutlery, cups, and pens) and in industry (coins, anti-biotic and electrical contacts). The widest use of Silver that has ever been found is in jewelry. Silver is hard and difficult to tarnish metal allowing for its wearer to go about their business without the stress of worrying about their precious jewelry breaking. Silver can also withstand enormous amounts of polishing and it difficult to tarnish with chemical products producing yet another reason for this metal to be popular amongst jewelry wearers.
Another popular reason for people to wear silver is the strength and durability that it exhibits allows for silver to be not only fashioned into numerous shapes and sizes but also, silver can be easily engraved. This enables silver jewelry to be given as gifts for momentous occasions with the added benefit or retaining sentiment.
Platinum is a gray-white metal which has proved to be resistant to corrosion. History has shown many different uses for platinum (emission control devices and currency) however, recent history has witnessed platinum mainly incorporated in the making of fine jewelry.
Platinum has greater worth then both gold and silver but further, displays greater durability which has assisted greatly with increasing Platinum’s worth. The jewelry that platinum can be made into is unlimited although has included such things are royal brooches and pendants. Platinum is becoming the number one choice in wedding and engagement rings and has seen a rise in popularity amongst young persons choosing to wear platinum necklaces and earrings to their proms. Ametrine gems are so precious and rare that they can be harvested in only one mine in the world. The first known usage of Ametrine was that of royal dowry in the seventeenth century.
The Ametrine gem is usually found to be in a rectangular shape and consists of dual colour blending, namely, yellow and purple. Due to this unique colouring quality mixed with the exceptional durability of the gem, there are no limitations on what jewellers have master-pieced. Earrings, rings, necklaces and brooches are only the beginnings of what have been with this precious gem.
Amethyst is the formation of an iron and aluminium complex reacting to quartz, creating a violet colour. In the past, Amethyst gems have been used as protection during battles, however, in recent history, an Amethyst jewel has been widely recognised as a birth stone for those born in the month of February.