Jewelry history education - jewelry shopping tips

Searching for information about the history of jewelry. We have put together this site about some of the more interesting facts on jewelry. We have scoured the internet to find this information. Look around and have fun..

The FTC shopping tips for shopping online.

Whether you're looking for a toy, a trinket, or a travel deal, doing your holiday shopping on the Internet can be fun, easy, and practical. At the same time, viewing a product on the screen can present different challenges than seeing it in the store. When you're buying from an online retailer or an auction Web site, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — the nation's consumer protection agency — wants you to keep these shopping tips top of mind:

1. Know who you're dealing with. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number so you can contact them if you have questions or problems. If you've never heard of the seller, check its reputation with the Better Business Bureau or the state attorney general where the company is located, or one of a number of consumer rating sites.
   
    
2. Know exactly what you're buying. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage," "closeout," "discontinued," or "off-brand" may indicate that a product is in less-than-mint condition. Some name-brand items with "too-good-to-be-true" prices may even be counterfeits.
   
    
3. Comparison-shop. You may want to check out Web sites that offer price comparisons on similar items from different manufacturers or different Web sites. Some price comparison sites favor their advertisers' products, so it's a good idea to look at more than one. And remember to compare "apples to apples."
   
    
4. Check the privacy policy. The company's privacy policy should let you know what personal information the company is collecting, why, and how the information is going to be used.
   
    
5. Pay with a credit card. It offers you the most protection as a consumer. Don't send cash.
   
    
6. Use a secure browser. Look for an unbroken key or padlock at the bottom of your Web browser window to ensure that your transmission is protected. Buy only from Web vendors that protect your financial information when you order online.
   
    
7. Consider shipping and handling costs. Factor these into the cost of the order, and choose the delivery option that best meets your needs and budget.
   
    
8. Print records of your online transactions. Print and save the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of every email you send or receive from the seller.
   
    
9. Understand the return policy before you buy. Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied with it? If you return it, are you required to pay shipping costs or a restocking fee?
   
    
10. Check delivery dates. An FTC rule requires sellers to ship items when they say they will or within 30 days after the order date when no specific date is promised. If the vendor can't ship the goods within the promised or 30-day deadline, it must notify you, give you a chance to cancel your order, and provide a full refund if you've chosen to cancel. The seller also has the option of canceling your order and refunding your money.

If you feel you've been misled or deceived, file a complaint online at www.ftc.gov

Measuring the Purity of Gold
The purity of gold is measured in karats. The term comes from the ancient bazaars where carob beans were used as standard weights on one side of the scales to weigh precious metals. Pure gold is 24 karats. It is more expensive but softer, and consequently less durable, than gold alloyed with other metals. Gold that is 18 karats is 75 percent gold, and 14 karats is 58 percent gold. The higher the number of karats, the greater the value of a piece of gold jewelry. Alloys of different metals are used in making gold jewelry, however, to give the gold greater strength, durability, and sometimes color. Europeans have long preferred 18-karat gold as their metal of choice, and for good reasons. It has a rich yellow color, a luxurious appearance, and an extraordinarily smooth, sensual feel to it. Many European women relate to 18-karat gold like a second skin. They even wear it to the beach! Today, women in the U.S. and around the world are treating themselves more often to the beauty and elegance of 18-karat gold.

Caring for Italian Charms
Italian charms of the highest quality of stainless steel and 18K gold are often attached to sterling silver bracelets. Over time sterling silver naturally tarnishes as silver reacts with oxygen. To prevent the dulling effect of tarnish buildup, clean your silver bracelet with a polish or soft cloth specifically formulated or made for sterling. Always keep sterling silver jewelry away from harsh household cleaning products and chemicals such as chlorine to avoid abrasion and keep your jewelry sparkling. To protect sterling silver jewelry from being scratched, store pieces in their original boxes separate from other jewelry. You can also buy tarnish-proof boxes and bags for sterling jewelry.

Laser Charm Jewelry
The laser charm is made using a laser engraving machine. The machines can engrave a picture, saying or just about anything else you can imagine onto the stainless steel link. These sayings and pictures that are etched into the charm and do not fade or wear off. The really neat thing about charm bracelets is that you can create a unique piece of jewelry by adding new charms. Theses types of bracelets can be taken apart and then assembled in a whole new way.

Strong and Light Metal For Jewelry and More
Titanium is as strong as steel and as light as aluminum. It is also the most hypoallergenic element known to man. As such, it is a popular choice in prosthetics and surgical implant procedures such as hip, shoulder, and jaw augmentation. It follows that titanium is also the metal of choice in the manufacture of surgical instruments such as scalpels, tweezers, and hemostats. Titanium can be oxidized to produce a rainbow of colors for making fine jewelry and intricate designs at a lower cost than gold or platinum.

Pearl necklaces and jewelry
Pearl necklaces and other types of pearl jewelry have been worn for thousands of years. Pearls have always come into and out of fashion. Now they have become very fashionable again, and people are wearing them for many different occasions. People all over the world are wearing all types of pearl jewelry. People are buying and wearing pearl jewelry, and giving these beautiful creations as gifts.

Mother's Day Celebrations
The earliest Mother's Day celebrations were held in the spring in ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. During the 1600s, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday" on the fourth Sunday of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. Mothering Sunday celebrations honored the mothers of England. More about mother's rings.

The Nine Gemstone Colors.
1. The greenest of the green is the emerald. Cherished by the Romans above all other gems.
2. Garnet most famous as red but actually comes in every color but blue.
3. The Opal is very much like a silvery mirrors.
4. Peridot is a green gleam and can be found just about everywhere.
5. Tanzanite the newest gem discovery has a deep-violet tanzanite. Has only been known for about 40 years.
6. Sapphire is blue as the sky. Often used as protective talismans.
7. Tourmaline is available in every color.
8. Turquoise is a lovely opaque blue. Oxides contribute to the stone's famous gray, brown or black veining.
9. Ruby is most famous for it deep red color.

Types Of Jewelry Boxes
You can also, if you want, invest in a new jewelry box. Nowadays, there are very many types of jewelry boxes available if you want to get creative. There are wood jewelry box available as well as silver jewelry boxes and even the classic musical jewelry box. Just make sure the jewelry box you get is designed for your needs and tastes. With the many selections of jewelry boxes in the market, it won?t be hard to find yourself even a leather jewelry box. Whatever your preferences are, if you like jewelry, it?s very likely that a jewelry box to complement would be a great buy to keep your precious jewelry nicely stored away with personality.

Decorative Brooches
Decorative brooches, also spelled "broaches", have been around since the Bronze Age. You can safely store them in a jewelry armore. Brooches are usually made of a metal, such as silver, gold, or bronze, but they can be made out of other materials as well. They may be decorated with gemstones or enamel and attached to a garment solely for ornament (as in the stomacher, or bodice) or used as a fastener, perhaps for a cloak. Since fashions in brooches changes rapidly, they are excellent chronological indicators. Ornamental clasps or brooches known as fibulae, shaped rather like a large safety pin, were used by migratory tribes in Europe from the 3rd through 7th centuries. Throughout early history, brooches were made in many different styles, and a design often held significance about the identity of the wearer. Pagan tribes used eagle fibulae, often in pairs, to celebrate the worship of the sun.

Diamonds: Nature's Perfect Gemstones
Quality is as important in diamonds as it is in every other aspect of life. How can you recognize a high-quality diamond? Quality is more than just appearance. It is an essential characteristic of a relationship. With diamonds, you?ll want to consider cut, clarity, color, and carat. You'll want to follow the best information you can find on buying guidelines and learn why a diamond engagement ring is the most expressive and heartfelt gift a man can buy for a woman. At some point in almost every man's life, the time comes to buy a diamond engagement ring for the woman he loves. A symbol of feelings greater than words can convey, a diamond engagement ring reflects a man's desire to treasure and delight the very special woman in his life.

Pocket Watch Maintenance
In order to clean and oil your antique pocket watch, the following steps need to be taken: Take the watch apart completely; wash all of the moving parts in an ultrasonic bath; then dry and lubricate the moveable parts. This procedure should be done by an experienced jeweler or watch repairman, as nothing is worse than opening up the back of your antique pocket watch and having small parts fall out.

What Is a Bridesmaid? What Does She Do?
A bridesmaid is a woman chosen by the bride to be her attendant. She is usually a close friend or sister of the bride and chosen for her friendship and support of the marriage. She is called an attendant because she "attends" or waits on the bride, as a groomsman attends the groom. As an integral part of the wedding party, she helps the bride in many ways, from keeping the guest list to selecting music and decorations. A bridesmaid gift is a gift that shows appreciation to your bridesmaid for all of her hardwork.

The Wedding Ring
The wedding ring is first mentioned as an option in the 1872 manual of the Methodist Church, known as Discipline: "If the parties desire it, the man shall here hand a ring to the minister, who shall return it to him and direct him to place it on the third finger of the woman's left hand. And the man shall say to the woman, repeating after the minister, 'With this ring I thee wed, and with my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' " A year later, in 1873, the Presbyterian Church followed the example of the Methodist Church and changed their manual to permit the use of a ring in the marriage ceremony: "If they desire to pass a ring, the minister, here taking the ring, may deliver it to the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand." As other denominations gradually relaxed their standards of dress and allowed the wearing of ornaments and jewelry, the wedding ring became a common feature of the wedding ceremony.

Charm from Italy
Italian charm bracelets are the latest rave in Europe. With European retailers stocking up on Italian charm bracelets, wholesale bracelets are hitting U.S. retail stores. The 18K gold charm bracelet and the polished stainless steel version both add a beautiful and incredibly versatile accessory to your wardrobe options. The silver charm bracelet is constructed to stretch so that a charm can be easily popped on or off. An Italian charm bracelet lies flat, unlike the clip-on dangling charm bracelet, and makes a truly outrageous fashion statement for the fashion conscious.

19th Century Sapphire Jewelry The sapphire was the most valued stone up to the end of the thirteenth century, when the ruby surpassed it in both symbolic value and price. In the late Middle Ages, the diamond became the most valuable and sought after of all stones, except in Spain and Portugal, where the emerald was held superior due to the typical Iberian fondness for emeralds. Pearls, sold by weight, were circulated in huge quantities. The European market imported pearls from the East and sold them to Venice. In the 13th century, Venice was not only Europe?s biggest market, but also a principal center of forgery. For example, Byzantine-style glass cameos produced in Venice were a cause of concern for 14th-century Paris buyers.

Taking Care of Your Jewelry
Check your jewelry often for loose stones by holding it up to your ear and gently tapping it with your finger. If you wear your pearls often, have them restrung every year or two. Clean fine jewelry often, about once a month, to keep it sparkling and to maintain its beauty. Fine jewelry can be safely cleaned by soaking it for ten minutes in warm, soapy water, using a nondetergent soap. Use a soft brush on gems to loosen any dirt around the prongs. To dissolve greasy buildup on diamond jewelry, dip it in plain alcohol or vodka before soaking it.

Comparing Diamonds
Many diamond grading labs are in operation. Many of these labs produce their own grading reports based on their own grading standards. Some labs will have more lenient standards than other labs. Doing your own shopping for graded loose diamonds allows you to make informed choices about your selections and do comparison shopping. You can compare one diamond of a specific weight and quality with other similar loose diamonds to determine which one offers the better value.

Measuring Diamonds The weight of a diamond is measured in carats, with one carat weighing 0.2 grams. One hundred points (or 200 milligrams) comprise one carat. The IGI scales, with an accuracy within 1/100,000 of a carat, provide a precise measurement of the weight of a diamond. This weight is specified on the Diamond Report to two decimal places. Many stores note the diamond?s weight on the price tag. Sometimes it is also stamped on the jewelry along with the gold quality mark and the registered trademark. for more information about diamond engagement rings.

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Types Of Groomsmen Gifts
Giving groomsmen gifts can be a challenge for most people, but it does not have to be that way. When giving groomsmen gifts, consider what type of things you would like. Do you like jewelry, or personalized hats? When you think about it, your friends are probably similar to you. So choose a gift that you would like yourself. A little extra thought can make your groomsmen gifts that much more special.