How to Save on Jewelry

They say “you do not need to be rich to sparkle”.  There is no denying jewelry makes the perfect accessory & statement. Jewelry is personable, popular, glamorous and can be affordable. With the large variety of jewelry metals and gemstones out there, saving on jewelry takes many ways.

Save on Precious Metals

Precious Metals Lady

When it comes to metals polished silver have similar look to 18K white gold or platinum without breaking the bank. With silver, you can acquire brand name jewelry like Tiffany’s or Channel without paying the high prices of gold or platinum. A second alternative is lower the gold karat. Use 14K gold instead of 18K gold and save 23%, for jewelry heavy on gold like chains opt for 10K gold and save %45 of 18K gold price. Additionally, in some jewelry designs like pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings you can choose hollow gold and save considerably on the weight of gold. Another popular jewelry material to help you avoid gold prices is black and brown silk thread. They come in neutral colors, and they are widely used in necklaces and bracelets. Silk strands look fantastic for several styles such as casual, BOHO, tribal, surf and eclectic styles.

Save on Gemstones

Consider pearls, they are the most popular gemstone

When it comes to jewelry money savings in gemstones, pearls take the lead. Natural pearls are probably the most popular gemstone worldwide.  Pearls are elegant, natural, have a warm touch, an exhilarating natural shine and they come in a broad range of colors.

Pink Pearls Jewelry - AlohaElegant.com

Besides white, natural pearls come in purple, pink, golden & black. You can choose to have pearls in earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets or a whole pearls necklace; evidently using the precious metal of your choice.

Small Gems are strong together

Diamonds are all priced per carat. Diamond prices per carat increase as you move up to higher carat weight. For example, the price of a 0.25 ct princess cut diamond is $336.00; the price of 1 carat diamond of the same grade actually is $3,588.00. That is 4 times bigger and 10 times more expensive. Ask your jewelry to put 4 small diamonds like 0.25ct each together to make one carat diamond, in this case the price will be $1,344 instead of $3,588 for 1 ct single stone; for a savings of %62. Besides diamonds you can combine small gemstones to get the weight and look of a bigger gemstone for a number of expensive gemstones like sapphires, rubies and emeralds.

Save on Diamonds

Diamond Earrings - AlohaElegant.com

Girl’s best friend comes with a price. Diamonds get all the glamour, fame and are traditionally desirable; which comes with hefty price tag. Luckily; there are ways to get around the high prices of diamonds. Diamonds are meticulously rated on the 4 Cs; which are color, carat, cut and clarity. By lowering some of these diamond rating criteria you can save big on natural diamonds. Another way is choose a natural diamond alternative like moissanite, topaz, or lab grown diamonds.  Moissanite is about 10-20% of the price of a comparable diamond yet brings a surprisingly similar look. Moissanite is more brilliant than diamonds, nevertheless is not traditionally symbolic as diamonds. Topaz as a diamond substitute is inexpensive, less durable and less brilliant than diamond. Topaz is a great diamond substitute for jewelry that is less likely to get scratched like earrings and pendants, not so much as for rings since rings are more likely to get bumped.

Lab Diamond is a Diamond

Another alternative to natural diamonds is lab grown diamonds. Unlike other natural diamond substitutes, lab grown diamonds are made of pure carbon just like the natural diamonds.  Lab grown diamonds don’t have the long geological history natural diamonds have.  Other diamond substitutes are cubic zirconia, sapphire and treated diamonds.

Save on Brand Name Jewelry

Brand name jewelry is extremely popular. It makes a statement, have consistent quality and shows status as fast as the glare in jewelry. The mean time brand name jewelry comes with heafty price . Overall, Some brand name jewelry costs more than 5 times the price of a similar standard jewelry. The silver lining is there are many ways to save on brand name jewelry.

Think pre-owned brand name jewelry

Pre-owned brand jewelry can save you more than %50 of the retail price. Jewelers inspect rigorously brand jewelry they carry. They give the jewelry a good overhaul before they put it up for sale. Furthermore, most jewelers guarantee the authenticity of the brand jewelry they sell.

Alternatives still brand name jewelry

High end jewelry retailers like Tiffany and Ben Bridge nowadays use inexpensive material such as  turquoise, tourmaline and amethyst to make jewelry. Thus

Bead Bracelet - Tiffany.com

 bring the brand to a broader crowd. In terms of precious metals, cheaper metals are quite popular; the list includes sterling silver, leather and silk strands. When it comes to gemstones savings you can find major jewelry brand pieces made of inexpensive gems like pearls, amethyst and turquoise.

Save on jewelry online

When it comes to saving money when shopping for jewelry online, several options cyber exist.
1. Big name boxes
http://www.tiffany.com/, then select Jewelry under $250
http://www.benbridge.com/, then select Gifts under $299
http://www.macys.com, then select Jewelry category like earrings, then filter by price.
2. Small businesses
http://www.superjeweler.com, then select category, then filter by price
https://www.alohaelegant.com , For jewelry with tropical twist
https://www.artfuljeweler.com,  For jewelry with artistic touch

Overall, try to buy real material gold or silver, real gemstones (pearls, topaz & amethyst). Genuine jewelry looks fabulous longer and keeps you safe from allergy reactions. Happy jewelry savings.

Why We Love Pearls?

Pearls; the only jewels created by a living creature. Pearls have a warm touch, a unique subtle luster. Natural south sea pearls are exceptionally rare. A natural pearl of value is found in less than 1 in every 10,000 wild oysters. These are some of the reasons that make pearls probably the most popular gems in the World.

Reasons We Love Pearls

Perfect shining spheres. Lustrous baroque forms. Seductive strands, warm to the touch. Pearls are simply and purely organic. GIA, June 2016, http://www.gia.edu/pearl

Perhaps the best-loved gems of all time, pearls—both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colors. GIA, June 2016, http://www.gia.edu/pearl

Luster, symmetry, and “fresh-from-nature” appeal make pearls uniquely desirable to a wide range of consumers. GIA, June 2016, http://www.gia.edu/pearl

RESOURCES

• http://www.jckonline.com/blogs/chain/2016/04/24/7-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-pearls 
• http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/nature/10-fascinating-facts-about-pearls.aspx

June Birthstones

June birthstones are as fascinating as people born in June. People with a birth month of June have colorful personality, smart, sensitive and dreamers. The month of June counts not one but 3 intriguing birthstones.

June claims 3 birthstones: Pearl: Natural shine warm to the touch Alexandrite: Magically green by day red by night Moonstone: Captivating change of appearance on motion

Pearl

Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty.

Perhaps the best-loved gems of all time, pearls—both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colors.

Gemological Institute of America, June 2016

Many people see pearls as classic, naturally shiny, humble for not been expensive, take many shapes and colors; overall natural. While some see the mystery of the pearls coming out of a sea shell, others feel the understated sparkle & warm touch of pearls. Not to undermine the other gemstones, yet, when it comes to pearls, people have a connection that is vibrant, mysterious, diversified; people connection to pearls is organic.

Cultured pearls come in different sizes, shapes, and colors - GIA 2016

Perfect shining spheres. Lustrous baroque forms. Seductive strands, warm to the touch. Pearls are simply and purely organic.

Alexandrite

Alexandrite’s dramatic color change is sometimes described as “emerald by day, ruby by night.” Other gems also change color in response to a light-source change, but this gem’s transformation is so striking that the phenomenon itself is often called “the alexandrite effect.”

Alexandrite - The June birthstone

The Alexandrite Effect

Emerald by day and Ruby by night

Alexandrite, with its chameleon-like qualities, is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Its color can be a lovely green in daylight or fluorescent light, changing to brownish or purplish red in the incandescent light from a lamp or candle flame. This is a result of the complex way the mineral absorbs light. Alexandrite’s dramatic color change is sometimes described as “emerald by day, ruby by night.” Other gems also change color in response to a light-source change, but this gem’s transformation is so striking that the phenomenon itself is often called “the alexandrite effect.”

The Alexandrite Effect - Emerald by day and Ruby by night

Due to rarity of alexandrite, some jewelers stock synthetic versions of this enchanting gemstone.

Moonstone

A phenomenal gemstone, moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes show either a multi-rayed star or a cat's eye.

Perhaps the most captivating aspect of adularescence is its appearance of motion. The misty light seems to roll across the gem’s surface as you change the viewing angle.

GIA, June 2016, http://www.gia.edu/moonstone-description

The most captivating aspect of moonstone is its changing appearance of motion

The moonstone is currently the Florida State Gemstone; it was designated as such to commemorate the Moon landings, which took off from Kennedy Space Center. Despite it being the Florida State Gemstone, it does not naturally occur in the state.

People born on June are just fascinating, by embracing several dimensions. They are deep thinkers, sensitive, daydreamers with a vibrant sens of humor. It takes 3 amazing birthstones to match June births; natural seductive shimmery pearl, magically color changing alexandriate & mysteriously changing appearance on motion moonstone. No matter what gemstone or all they pick, June borns remind an enchanting gift to the world.

Sources

• American Gem Society, June 2016, June Birthstones, https://www.americangemsociety.org/en/june-birthstones
• GIA, June 2016, Alexandrite Description, http://www.gia.edu/alexandrite-description
• GIA, June 2016, Moonstone Description, http://www.gia.edu/moonstone-description
• GIA, June 2016, Pearl Description, http://www.gia.edu/pearl-description
• Wikipedia, June 2016, Moonstone (gemstone), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonstone_(gemstone) 

Happy Father's Day 2016

Sun 6/19/2016 #Fathersday

Because he is a precious metal.

What is Tiger Eye Gemstone?

A yellowish-brown semiprecious variety of quartz with a silky band of bright reflected light sheen. The color of the tigers eye is rich green combined with earthly brown and golden. It has unique silky golden glow in different shades.

Tiger eye in brief

Tigers Eye, also known as Tiger Eye, is a variety of Chalcedony. Tigers eye irradiates gentle, soft vibrations that promote peace and calm, even in the times of great changes and disturbances. It is especially suited for meditation where it increases courage, determination, alertness, patience, brings positive energy and relives depression. It can promote unity, self-integration and autonomy; as well as enhance life energy by controlling the emotional energy.

Tiger Eye Gemstone

Tiger's Eye Uses

Keep Tiger’s Eye as a stone of luck and good fortune to attract a steady flow of money to the home. It is ideal for entrepreneurs and those setting out in business for the first time; also for those building up skills and a knowledge base for major career changes in the future.

Tiger Eye Healing Properties

Graced with multiple healing properties:

Protection Clear thinking Personal empowerment Integrity Willpower Practicality Grounding Power Courage Grace

Tiger Eye is an 18th Anniversary gemstone.

• Chakras - Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra
• Zodiac - Capricorn
• Planet – Sun
• Element – Fire, Earth
• Typical colors - golden-brown, blue, red

A stone of protection, Tiger Eye may also bring good luck to the wearer. It has the power to focus the mind, promoting mental clarity, assisting us to resolve problems objectively and unclouded by emotions. Particularly useful for healing psychosomatic illnesses, dispelling fear and anxiety. Useful for recognizing one’s own needs in relation to the needs of others. Balancing yin-yang and energizing the emotional body, Tiger Eye stabilizes mood swings, imbues us with willpower, purpose, courage and self-confidence, and releases tension. Tiger Eye treats eyes, throat and reproductive organs, releases toxins, alleviates pain and is helpful in repairing broken bones and strengthening the alignment of the spinal column.

Emerald Gemstone: Engaging Nature and Fame

A gemstone that captured the essence of nature, the heart of world renown celebrity; A gemstone Rated as one of the big three most popular gemstones that are ruby, sapphire and emerald.

Emerald Description

Emerald is the green to greenish blue variety of beryl, a mineral species that also includes aquamarine as well as beryls in other colors.

May Birthstone is Emerald

Emerald, derived from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek, It was documented that emerald was mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C. Cleopatra is known to be a major admirer of emerald. Nowadays, most emerald is mind in Brazil Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia. The availability of high-quality emerald is rare; accordingly, treatments to improve emerald clarity are common practices.

Famous Emerald

Emerald is famous for growing extremely large and capturing celebrity’s hearts as in the case of Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor & Angelina Jolie. The list is evidently long; these are few picks of word renowned emeralds.

BULGARI NECKLACE, 1962; On a break from shooting Cleopatra, Taylor took a stroll to Bulgari with Richard Burton. "Richard was so romantic that he'd use any excuse to give me a piece of jewelry," Taylor wrote. "He'd give me 'It's a beautiful day' presents or 'Let's go for a walk' presents. Over the years I've come to think of these as my 'It's Tuesday, I love you' jewelry." Taylor was given a choice between two spectacular emerald necklaces then picked this one labeled the smaller one.	Elizabeth Taylor Emerald Necklace by Bulgari 1962
The 1759-carat Guinness Emerald	The 1759 carat Guinness Emerald Crystal. The stone was found at the Coscuez in Colombia and is one of the largest gem-quality emerald crystals in the world. Today it is part of the collection of the Banco Nazionale de la Republica in Bogotà, Colombia
The splendid 167.97 carat Mackay Emerald was mined in Muzo, Colombia. The largest cut emerald in the National Gem Collection, it is set in an Art Deco diamond and platinum necklace designed by Cartier Inc. In 1931, Clarence H. Mackay presented the necklace as a wedding gift to his wife, Anna Case, a prima donna of the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1909 to 1920. The piece was donated to the Smithsonian Institute by Mrs. Anna Case Mackay in 1984.	The 167.97 carat Mackay Emerald
The Chalk Emerald	The Chalk Emerald is a 37.82 carats Colombian emerald. The royal rulers of Baroda State, a princely state in India, once owned the emerald. In the 20th century, the emerald was recut from its original weight of 38.40 carats and set in a ring designed by Harry Winston. The ring was donated by Mr. and Mrs. O. Roy Chalk to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in 1972 and is part of the Smithsonian's National Gem and Mineral Collection.
The Patricia Emerald is a large and superbly colored specimen. At 632 carats, the twelve-sided crystal is considered one of the great emeralds in the world. Mined in Colombia in 1920 and named after the mine owner's daughter. The stone has some flaws, but this is common in emeralds. The emerald resides in the New York Museum of Natural History.	The Patricia Emerald at 632 carat

Emerald Energy

The energy of nature itself is embodied within stones that carry the green ray, like Emerald stones; this heart chakra based energy makes them known as a stone of successful and abundant love. As the gem of spring, emerald is the perfect choice as the birthstone for the month of May. It’s also the gem of the twentieth and thirty-fifth wedding anniversaries. Emerald as the birthstone for May is the symbol of rebirth, foresight, good fortune, and youth.
With the special connection people have to green nature, the leaves and the trees, emerald reminds to hold a special place in people’s heart.
Happy birthday to May births.
Resources:

• American Gem Society (2016), May Birthstone: Emerald, available at https://www.americangemsociety.org/may-birthstone
• Famous diamonds (2013), The World of Famous Gems, available at http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/famousgems.html
• GIA (2016), Emerald, available at http://www.gia.edu/emerald
• IGS (2016), The World’s Largest Emeralds, available at https://www.gemsociety.org/article/worlds-largest-emeralds/
• Instyle (2016), Elizabeth Taylor's Most Memorable Jewelry, Available at http://www.instyle.com/celebrity/elizabeth-taylors-most-memorable-jewelry

How to maintain your earrings

For your earrings to stay beautiful, you will need to clean them on a regular basis. There are a number of ways you can clean your jewelry, and in this article, you will find several ways it can be done. The natural oils from your skin, the corrosion, the moisture, and the air born contaminants, will as the time passes tarnish the luster, and shine of your earrings.

Take your earrings to a professional jeweler

One of the easiest methods to clean your earrings would be to take your precious jewelry to a professional, this way you can be sure it is well taken care of, and that you will receive it back thoroughly cleaned, and in good condition. Using a jeweler to tidy your earrings doesn’t cost much and could be free with some jewelers.

Use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner

Another way to maintain your diamond and pearl earrings is to take advantage of an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner is an electrical device which features a small container where a few drops of detergent, some water, and the jewelry is then placed inside. It is an effective and very useful tool for removing tarnish and cleaning your jewelry. But please beware! They are only good for some jewelry, and the detergent used might damage pearls and gemstones. Not all jewelry is ultrasonic proof. Jewelry ultrasonic cleaners cost start at $40.00, It is a semi-pro way to maintain your earrings yet some homework is necessary to operate the electric jewelry cleaner.

Quickly wipe your earrings after each use

Jewelry cleaning cloth is a quick way to cleanse & bring the sparkle back to your earrings

To always keep your earrings luster, and keep them thoroughly clean, wipe off the make-up as well as the skin oils soon after each wear. Frequent quick dabs will give your earrings long lasting sparkle. Some gemstones require special care; such as the case of pearls and diamond earrings.

How to clean pearl earrings

Pearls are delicate and can be easily damaged, particularly if you are cleaning them yourself. To clean pearls in the pearl earrings, wipe every single one individually with a delicate, clean, natural cotton cloth dampened with a solution of two cups of hot water and a few drops of a mild dish washing liquid. Avoid soaking the pearls!

How to clean diamond earrings

A diamond can scratch another diamond, love knot diamond earrings, image courtesy of alohaelegant.com

Diamonds are some of the toughest material on earth, but some good old cleaner will bring them back to life in no time. Make a solution of one cup warm water mixed with 1/4 cup of ammonia, and soak the diamond earrings for about 20 minutes. You can also use baking soda to clean your earrings, just combine it with a bit of water to create a paste, and then gently rub your earrings with a soft toothbrush. Don't use the ammonia solution on crack filled diamond jewelry if you should have that, use some mild liquid detergent instead. Handle with care, since some diamond settings are delicate and you do not want the diamonds to fall of the earrings basket or setting.

Keep your diamond and pearl earrings separately

Diamonds can scratch other diamonds, so make sure to keep your diamond earrings spaced out. Keep your diamond and pearl earrings separately, because they could rub with each other, and get damaged. To separate your earrings and other jewelry you can use a soft cotton cloth or compartments in a jewelry box.

Conclusion

You want the earrings you love to last a lifetime, and look its best. Any way you choose, your earrings will soon look fabulous again, and be ready for that big night out!
The variety of gemstones and metals that can make the earrings is too vast to include in one article, share a  tip or a comment about maintaining earrings?

The Perfect Present for Every Occasion - Pearl Earrings

What more sensitive and suitable design is there than that gently radiant orb on the earlobe? Both men and ladies through time have used pearl earrings.
If you happen to see the Imperial State Crown worn by Kings and Queens of England, you might have noticed the large pearls clinging from the center of the crown? It is considered that two of those fantastic gemstones were once earrings used by Queen Elizabeth I. Lucky for us now, we all have the chance to use pearl earrings which have a vast number of designs.  Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect present, to that someone special.

There are the traditional and very elegant individual pearls, wearable for all events. You can say that you are dressed up, and ready if you are wearing precious pearl earrings. Freshwater pearl can definitely be a great complement to any outfit since it can be dyed with different colors without reducing its luster. Match your pearls with a glittery gemstone, and you have earrings fit for the fanciest celebration.

You can add to your list the "shoulder duster" earring! These are flowing earrings just fantastic for dressing up in the night. These are unique and exclusive Baroque pearls. Looking at these loving gemstones it is simple to see why they were once known as "mermaid's tears". That is why these Lavender Peach Long Pearl Earrings is going to cost you a reasonable sum of money. If you want an impressive set, keishi and coin pearls are super elegant.

There is something about gun steel grey or dark pearl jewelry that is really attractive. The greyish, and dark pearl jewelry are associated with Wisdom in pearl emblems. And now for a "conversation piece" - an actual show-stopper of an earring is the Monster Teeth Big White-colored Biwa Orbs, which has a length of 20 mm. If you want to  impress further, then the Purple White Baroque Pearl Earrings is for you! But pearl jewelry doesn't need to be a single gem, like Queen Elizabeth's. The "grape cluster" design is equally impressive but also sensitive. The lovely grapes group earrings are elegant and amazing. I love the combination of light apple gem jewelry with white-colored.

It is a combination that just exudes youth and sophistication. For actual, fascinating loveliness, you could have these bell shaped earrings with small freshwater pearl jewelry grouped inside a flower, and lead with another white-colored pearl. What a perfect gift for fashionable women. The range of form, and color, and the mixtures of both for these earrings are limitless.
So, fun and jazzy, awesome traditional white-colored or cream or innovative and stylish dark, grayish or gun-metal, pearl earrings will definitely complement and enhance your outfit. That is why this is the perfect gift for all occasions. color, and the mixtures of both for these earrings are limitless.