Cleaning sterling silver jewelry has sometimes gained a reputation for being tedious. This only happens if you allow your jewelry to become irreparably tarnished through neglect. Good cleaning habits and a few simple precautions taken when you wear your jewelry should be enough to keep Sterling Silver bright and beautiful for years.

Preventing Sterling Silver Tarnish

One of the most important steps for keeping silver jewelry bright is preventing the tarnish in the first place. While rarely discussed, learning how to prevent tarnish will save hours of cleaning time later on. You should remove all sterling silver jewelry when applying perfumes, hair spray, lotions, and similar items. Avoid getting make-up, foods, and drink on your jewelry. If you do stain your jewelry with the above, rinse immediately with water and soap (mild, phosphate free preferably). Avoid strong chemicals, such as those found in hair coloring and dyes; these can tarnish silver instantly. Removing your jewelry when you bath or swim may or may not be necessary; just rinse with soap and water afterwards to clean off any residual chemicals.

Cleaning your Sterling Silver Jewelry

The most common cleaning method for sterling silver jewelry is to use a soft polishing cloth on pieces you frequently wear. This helps remove any dirt or oils that may get on your jewelry through contact with skin and the environment. A soft non-abrasive cloth will work, or visit a jewelry store to purchase chemically treated polishing clothes especially designed for jewelry polishing. The frequency of such cleanings will vary with each person, but the hard and fast rule is to wipe the piece anytime you feel the shine is looking dull or before you store the piece away for an extended period.

Silver jewelry that won't be worn for a while must be sealed in a plastic or cloth bag to minimize exposure to oxygen, humidity, and damage.

For a more thorough cleaning, detergents can be used. One method is to place a few pinches of baking soda or other mild non-phosphate detergents on your jewelry, then wash with mineral free water by either rubbing with fingers or using a soft cloth. Scrubbers or soft tooth brushes may be used for a deeper cleaning only if necessary, since they may scratch the surface and dull the jewelry's polish.

There are also chemical cleaners available, but repeated use of liquid cleaners can result in discoloration overtime, therefore, such cleaners should only be used sparingly and only when other methods of cleaning fail.

Fleur-de-Lis jewelry has certainly come out in full force lately. I was at a wonderfully large and elaborate trade show in New York City this past weekend, and almost every single jewelry booth had at least one piece that in some way featured the fleur-de-lis.

I am ashamed to admit this, but it wasn't until recently that I did the necessary research to discover the actual meaning behind the fleur-de-lis, and I was astounded at my findings... Apparently the literal meaning of the fleur-de-lis (or fleur-de-lys) is "flower of lily", which explains why its shape is largely reminiscent of either an iris or a lily. Although today, the fleur-de-lis is generally used simply because it "looks pretty," it also can be an indication of political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic or symbolic beliefs.

Here is a list of the different meanings behind the fleur-de-lis:

* The fleur-de-lis once appeared on European coats of arms and flags.

* Originally it was a symbol that was equated with the French monarchy, and is now considered an "enduring symbol of France."

* The rule of King Juan Carlos I, an old member of the original French dynasty, is marked by this symbol.

* The fleur-de-lis is associated with old French colonies, such as Quebec and Louisiana.

* It is an emblem of the Swiss Municipality of Schlieren, Zürich.

* It represents the Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary.

* It is considered an iconographic attribute of the archangel Gabriel, notably in representations of The Annunciation.

* Also, due to a tradition started by Flavio Gioja, the symbol is often used on a compass rose to mark North.

In modern times, this symbol is an omnipresent force! Just the other day I was watching the third Shrek (don't judge me) and the character Prince Charming was wearing an outfit adorned with this French insignia. You can find it used in wallpaper, in architecture, in company logos, and, of course, jewelry.

Diamonds are found in nature and mined in such places as Africa, Canada and the United States. The diamond is the hardest gem that is known to man; the only thing that can ever cut a diamond is another diamond. That is quite amazing when you compare diamonds to every other type of gem stone. Diamond necklaces are very popular because the diamond seems almost created by nature to be set in jewelry. A diamond, no matter which style of necklace it is in, will sparkle like no other gem in this world.

When looking at diamond necklaces, you will want to remember what is commonly known as the four c's. The letter c refers to cut, clarity, color and carat; although most jewelers will spell carat as "karat". If you keep these four elements in mind, it will help you determine which diamond necklace best suits your needs. It should be noted and remembered that unless you are extraordinarily rich, you should not expect to find perfection in all four elements. After understanding what each really means, you can then decide which elements are most important to you and go from there.

The cut will refer to how the crafter chose to cut the diamond. When diamonds are mined, they will be in many shapes and forms. Professional diamond cutters will study a diamond to decide which type of cut will best suit the diamond. The most common types of cut will be the round cut, the triangle cut, the diamond cut (which is a diamond cut into the actual shape of a diamond), the square cut, the rectangle cut and the heart shaped cut. It is a personal decision as to which cut you prefer best. The diamond cutter already decided which cut was best for the diamond, so whichever cut you choose should have a great diamond as long as the clarity and color meets your standards.

The color of a diamond is not always clear as one would believe. Lesser quality diamonds will be clouded and when looked at, either by the naked eye or under a microscope, will show areas that are not clear. If a diamond looks clear by eye, many people are not concerned about what could be seen only with a microscope.

With Christmas just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about jewelry that symbolizes a holiday that is cherished by many. If you're in the market for a specific theme, you may be pleasantly surprised with what you find in terms of sterling silver designs. Whether you plan to wear it yourself or give the gift of jewelry to someone else, a holiday theme is sure to be a welcome addition to any woman's wardrobe.

When you think of Christmas, you may immediately think of snow and the beauty of snowflakes trickling down from the sky on Christmas morning. For this reason, snowflakes are a very popular motif in terms of jewelry. From charm bracelets to earrings and even pendants, these sentimental designs will remind the wearer and everyone who sees her just how beautiful a white Christmas can be. With your attention now turned to snow, a snowman is the next likely image to appear in your mind. After all, you cannot have one without the other and this makes the snowman a very popular theme in Christmas jewelry. When set in sterling silver, you will get a presence that's easily seen and enjoyed. In addition, the price will be easy on your budget when compared to other precious metals.

Unlike snowflake or snowman jewelry, which can be worn all throughout winter and is not necessarily holiday specific, certain types of jewelry are designed to be worn exclusively for the holidays. Among the designs known to represent Christmas include a holiday stocking, the image of Santa Claus, a reindeer, a wreath and a Christmas tree. Any of these designs will instantly add a festive touch to your wardrobe and will let others know that you are ready for the upcoming holiday, and you're ready for it in style.

As the winter months approach, it may become more difficult to find specific jewelry in stock as many retailers often sell out early. Immediately following Thanksgiving, many people's attention turn toward Christmas and shopping for gifts. If you find yourself in a situation where your favorite jewelry is out of stock or perhaps on backorder, you may be able to consider an alternate choice that will be easier to find while still allowing you to be festive. The image of an angel is very popular in holiday jewelry, and can be worn throughout the year as a reminder that the wearer is never alone.

A star, which many people use to adorn the top of their holiday tree, is a popular theme that will be well received during the holidays and can also be enjoyed throughout the year. When you wear star jewelry in November or December, many will instantly associate your intended meaning with that of the holidays. After the Christmas season has passed, you can still enjoy the star motif as a popular statement in fashion and one that promises to remain a classic for years to come.

Sorting through the price of diamonds is something like trying to find a good movie. There are so many factors that you need to consider, and no one will outweigh the other. With movies, you can have a great actor in a really poorly written film. All in all, it takes many elements working together to create a really good movie, and there are many elements that all need to be considered when comparing the price of diamonds. No one element can completely outweigh of offset the others.

How the Four C's Stack Up

The four C's of diamonds are of course cut, color, clarity and carats. They are all considered when a retailer or wholesaler sets the price of diamonds and diamond jewelry. There is no such thing as "the most important one" when it comes to pricing, although you may want to sacrifice one for another depending on why you're purchasing a diamond. For example, if you just want a diamond to look good, you will want the best cut and clarity, but may not care about the actual carats, which refers to the diamond's weight. The specific reason you're purchasing a diamond and what is most important to you is important when considering the price of diamonds, as there may be two that look identical to the naked eye but that are way off on pricing.

The price of diamonds is usually set at a per carat basis, for example, diamonds of a particular overall grade may cost $10,000 per carat whereas one with a lower grade may be $1,000 per carat. This is why that ten-carat ring on a celebrity's finger is going to cost more than the ten-carat ring your aunt wears. Chances are the price of diamonds the celebrities own are higher since the stones are more valuable per carat. This also means that a two-carat ring will not automatically cost double the amount of a one-carat ring.

The cut also great affects the price of diamonds. Diamond cutting is an art and still typically done by hand. A diamond with an ideal cut will have a price that is up to 30% higher than one with just an average or good cut. This is because diamonds are desired for their sparkle and brilliance, and the right cut will show that off much better than just an average cut. While a less than ideal cut will make the price of diamonds go down, you don't want to simply settle for one of these simply because you can afford it.

Colorless is the most valuable of diamonds, and they are quite rare. The closer to being colorless, the more valuable a diamond will be per carat. Remember this when considering the price of diamonds, because a stone of the same cut and carat that is graded better on the color scale may see a significant increase in price per carat. And of course clarity refers to the inclusions or internal flaws that a diamond will have. As with color, the same cut and color but with better clarity will also affect the price of diamonds.

You may already know that diamonds are the hardest substance known to man. Their crystallization process takes literally millions of years, and it's believed that some diamonds can actually be billions of years old! That interesting fact probably doesn't help you when it's time to buy diamond jewelry, however, so let's talk about some practical things to keep in mind when you're heading off to the jewelry store.

The Four C's of Diamond Jewelry

You may already know that the Four C's of diamond jewelry are cut, color, clarity, and carats.

The cut refers to the shape of the diamond, but involves much more than that. A skilled jeweler can cut a diamond in such a way so that light bounces off of it brilliantly, giving it the most sparkle possible. There can actually be a poor cut of a diamond which you may not be able to tell with the naked eye. The shape of it is the same on the top, but the diamond itself is too deep or too shallow to reflect light properly. And really, unless you're buying it as a financial investment, isn't the sparkle the real reason you want to own it? So getting a good cut is important in your selection.

The color of a diamond is graded by letters. A perfect diamond is one that is colorless, although these are said to be quite rare. The yellowish or brown tinge of a diamond will determine its color grade. Some diamond jewelry is purposely colored, such as yellow or blue diamonds, and these are called "fancy." But for most, grades of D, E or F are considered colorless, G, H and I are called near colorless, and the rating goes from there. Just like school report cards, you want the lowest grade possible when selecting diamond jewelry.

Flaws inside diamonds are called inclusions, and clarity grades the number of these inclusions. Most inclusions in diamond jewelry cannot be seen with the naked eye, and so you need to use a gemologist's magnifier to see them.

And it's important to remember that carat does not refer to a diamond's size but its weight. A particular cut can give a smaller diamond a heavier carat, and vice versa. When shopping for it, don't get bowled over immediately by the size of the diamond, as a smaller one with a heavier carat can actually be more valuable.

The four C's of diamond jewelry are still the most important factors in determining its actual value. If you're shopping simply for what looks good, you may be able to afford something larger that has less carats and more inclusions, but if you're looking for a financial investment, really study each diamond's value based on these measurements, and you'll be able to make the best decision.

Anyone wanting to be married dreams of that perfect moment when the man presents the woman with a beautiful diamond engagement ring that just takes her breath away. He slips it on her finger, she breathlessly says "yes," and they live happily ever after.

However, it's not inaccurate to say that reality is far from this fairy tale fantasy. Many fans of the popular television show "Sex and the City" remember the famous scene where Carries gets a secret glimpse of the ring her boyfriend purchased for her - and immediately throws up. While it may not be fair to expect a man to be able to read his intended fiancé's mind when it comes to selecting a ring, there are some things he can keep in mind to help him make the best selection.

For one thing, remember that this ring is a symbol of your love and your marriage. To buy the cheapest diamond engagement ring there is, not matter how frugal and practical you and your fiancé are, may not show her how much you think of that relationship you want to have with her. If her engagement ring is not worth a little bit of money, does that mean she's not worth much to you either? Like many gifts you give each other, that diamond engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewelry or some rock; it's a symbol, and one of the most important you'll come across in your life.

Another thing to remember when choosing a ring is that it is good to be attune to your girlfriend's style. Many men struggle in this area, but paying attention to a few clues can help you. For instance, glance at the jewelry she normally wears. Is it silver or gold? Many modern women view gold as being old fashioned and are opting for silver and platinum instead. If you don't see a lot of gold jewelry on her now, don't get a gold band for her ring. Also, is her jewelry small and subtle, or larger and more showy? Does she wear a lot or a little? If she has a tendency to wear a lot of jewelry, she may want a larger ring, or at least one that looks larger. If you can't afford a big diamond, consider getting side stones, called baguettes, to enhance the look. Or opt for a thicker band. If her jewelry is smaller and more subtle, she may appreciate a smaller diamond with more baguettes on a thinner band.

And whatever you do, don't be offended if your girlfriend or new wife opts to trade in her diamond engagement ring for a different setting. Remember, this is something she's going to be wearing on her hand for the rest of her life, so let her pick something she's happy with if that's what she wants to do. She's just adjusting the ring's look, she's not trading in her new fiancé!

Dichroic glass is a clever discovery brought to us by those boffins at NASA. It's a metal oxide coating on glass that has unique properties. It can allow through it one way but can block it coming through on the reverse side. That all sounds very dull but basically it makes things shimmer. The metal oxide coatings come in a wide range of stunning colours and with this unique play with light, they look simply stunning as items of jewellery.

There are a few ways to spot genuine dichroic glass. Because the light acts so remarkably on the surface it can appear to change colour when you view the piece from an angle. Exposed dichroic glass, that is, dichroic without a clear top layer will appear to be metallic even though it is glass.

Dichroic Jewellery like all types of fused glass is produced in a kiln. Glass fusers use specifically designed kilns that are thinner than the types used by ceramic artists generally because the items produced by glass fusers are thinner and the firing cycle means it is more economical to do so.

The are a great many ways to buy dichroic glass. Online retails such as Etsy and Ebay have a wide range of dichroic items on sale however care must be taken to check the sellers reputation as there are a great number of fake item on the market introduced from the Asian market. The best way of purchasing a genuine piece of dichroic is by going to a supplier and checking their links page for dichroic glass studios.

Over the last 10 years there are so many things that have changed in the jewelry business, some of them for the good of the industry and others to its detriment. The internet has accelerated the transference of information and made products readily available. National chain stores have changed their business models to become more aggressive and today's consumers have altered their buying habits accordingly. Industry veterans suggest that 10,000 privately held stores could close over the next 7-10 years.

Simply put, the jewelry business isn't the same as it was 10 years ago and independently owned jewelry store owners need to respond quickly. With this article, I hope to offer advice on how to overcome the many challenges that independents will encounter.

Today's consumers can be categorized as value or experience driven. The value driven consumer rarely cares about the image of the store, the brand name of the products, or the service after the sale. He/she is concerned about one thing and one thing only and that is "the lowest price possible". The internet is best equipped for this type of customer and has done a great job of servicing them. The attraction for potential internet consumers may be the value and the anonymity of comparing products and prices without human interaction.

Some people have told me that they feel obligated to purchase after spending time with salespeople at brick and mortar stores, this adds undue pressure to make a quick decision. Spend thrifty consumers can also be methodical decision makers and require time to feel good about their decisions; the internet offers this while brick and mortar stores do not. Generally speaking, a retail store's operating expenses represent a high percentage of their overall revenues. They simply have to sell their diamond and jewelry for more - competing with internet retailers on price and shopping leisure becomes a difficult task.

So in turn, independently owned stores have lost market share every year for the last 9 years. In fact, the retail independents have shown only modest growth of 2%-5% per year while internet retailers have grown 25%.

The experience driven consumer is largely concerned about selection, convenience, brand image, availability, and service. Recognizing this are the national superstore chains, including Jared Jewelers, Helzberg, Bailey Banks & Biddle, and others like them. These companies are building bigger and better stores with millions of dollars in inventory bursting out of the showcases. Every possible jewelry choice is available and their customers don't have to shop anywhere else.

In addition, they are placing a greater emphasis on training their employees than they have in the past. The days of receiving second rate advice and service at national chain stores are becoming a thing of the past. This is something that independent retailers have always hung their hats on: they can no longer say that you'll only get great service at privately owned stores. All of this is made possible by an aggressive plan to take over a market previously controlled by mom and pop stores, and then investing in that plan. The independent jewelry store can't offer the same size product selection because they don't have the finances. The chain stores have better real estate, better product selection, and more money for advertising.

You could say that the internet retailers have opened the door for the chain stores by fragmenting the marketplace and putting independents on the ropes. Recent growth by chain stores and internet retailers has placed independents in a bad place. They can't sell their jewelry at the same price as the internet retailers and can't afford to offer the same product selection as the chains. Without careful planning and adjustments in their business model independently owned stores could border extinction. There are some that would strongly disagree with this outlook and think that it would be impossible for it to happen.

To that I ask one question..."When was the last time you purchased home improvement items from a mom and pop hardware store?" Or "When was the last time you purchased electronics from a mom and pop electronics store?" These stores existed until the consolidation of their industries occurred. It simply took longer to happen in the jewelry business, but I assure you that it will continue to happen. The future for independents seems bleak but there are things that can be done to assure their healthy existence in the industry.

Taking back market share is going to be a very important part of the process and this should start with the internet. Most independents have done nothing to create a presence on the internet; I'm amazed to hear that some jewelers don't even have a website. I think this is largely due to their reluctance to embrace a business practice that has taken so much from them.

An example of a well-done internet jewelry website is design your engagement ring

The internet retailers have grown quickly because they haven't been challenged, it's time for the independents to step up and create a much more competitive environment for internet retailers. The area most needing improvement is the sale of online diamonds and engagement rings. Margins of course, have dropped considerably on loose diamonds because of the availability of aggressively priced goods.

Independents have a real problem accepting the notation of selling diamonds for much less than they have in the past. In order to succeed, they'll need to understand that diamonds can be sold for more in a store and less online. Why not do business with both types of customers and take back some of the market share previously lost to competitors. Putting together an effective website involves more than listing jewelry on web pages. Content is very important as well as search engine optimization, I recommend hiring an SEO specialist before hiring web programmers. They'll give valuable insight on how to create a successful website.

Dealing with the superstores takes a different approach and a lot of courage. Most independents will never have the funds needed to compete on the same level as the superstores. That's not to say that they can't hold their own and carve out a good living. It will require choosing a jewelry category that is possible to dominate or own a large piece of. Dealing with the chain store advertising budgets, inventory, prime locations, and trying to be all things to all customers will be next to impossible. I think the store owners that'll be successful will leverage their passion and strengths in certain product categories and attempt to own that market.

I've owned a retail jewelry store for 13 years and witnessed the deterioration of the market for privately held stores. I'm also experiencing first-hand the problems faced by my counterparts and vacillated over the proper course of action. I've decided to stay true to my passion and continued to promote my bridal and diamond business. I know in the end that it'll be the right decision because I have a good chance of creating a strong presence in one product category. This presence will be hard to take away from me and I should always be able make a good living. I hope that all independents can do the same, but it's obvious at this point that it will take courage and commitment.

Jewelery is a personal ornament, such as a necklace, ring, or bracelet, made from gemstones, precious metals or other substances. If cosmetic is for the body, shoes are for the feet, jewelries are for the clothes. Jewelries can make you look trendy, classic or even cheap. Proper use can also make any clothing look expensive.

Categories of jewelry

1. Fine - is made from gold, platinum, fine silver, combined with precious and semi-precious stones.

2. Costume - is made from lower cost materials such as metals with gold and or silver finishes, and from unusual materials such as wood, plastic and beads. Costume jewelries are usually combinations of glass, synthetic or some semi-precious stones.

Do's: * Wear contrasting shape all the time if you have a round body built.

* Wear ivory and tortoiseshell, but only if they're fake.

* Assemble a collection of good, basic costume jewelry:

- a pair of matching gold bangle bracelets, or a gold cuff not wider than an inch and a half.

- Link necklaces in varying lengths.

- a pair of simple gold hoop earrings, or gold button-style clip-ons

* Buy a two-tone watch so that you can wear it with silver or gold jewelry.

* Keep your jewelry organized. Even egg cartons or plastic silverware trays will do.

* Wear large earrings if you're a large woman--you're among the few who can carry them off.

* Anything dangling such as earrings make a body silhouette slim.

* Jewelry is an effective focal point of the viewer's eye to distract attention away from any body flaws.

* Gold tones fit almost any skin color.

Dont's... * Mixing real diamonds from fake diamonds will make the real look fake.

* Don't overdo.

* Wear jewelry that jingles when you walk.

* Pierce your ears more than twice in each lobe. Never wear earrings so heavy that they stretch your lobes.

*Mix your metals. Silver jewelry is out of the question if your jacket has gold buttons.

* Wear rhinestones before 6 p.m.

* Squeeze a large neck into a dainty choker. It just doesn't work.