Month: April 2008

??Jewelry is a very personal choice. If you want to give that someone a special gift, there is nothing more appropriate than a piece of silver jewelry. This is because silver has a timeless charm that far exceeds that of gold. Silver is also a cost effective alternative to the luxurious and high-in-demand platinum.

What Type Is The Best For You?

Many people are not aware that there are many types of silver jewelry and so they settle for whatever the salesperson suggests. Well, you have a choice, and it would be good if you knew what it is before you go for shopping.

The purest form of silver available in the market is marked by 999/1000 stamp which you will find on the jewelry that uses it. However, this type of silver is not recommended for daily wear because it is too soft (and gets bent easily) and it oxidizes too fast turning into an unsightly dirty brownish-black color on exposure to humidity, water or sweat.

If you want to wear your jewelry on a daily basis without worrying about a thing, go for the sterling silver jewelry. The sterling silver is an alloy which consists of 92.5 silver and the rest copper. This alloy is shiny white and does not oxidize easily. In fact, in many cases it looks even better than platinum making it a great buy for all occasions and ages. Sterling silver jewelry is given a finish with Rhodium for a shinier look.

For those who are looking for fancy and inexpensive silver jewelry, there is the silver plated range. These types however are for occasional wear because the silver plating comes off if it is used daily or is exposed to water and other elements. While you are at it, you could check out the nickel silver jewelry which is so called because it looks like sterling silver though this contains absolutely no silver.

Lastly, you have the German silver or white metal which is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc. This is a great material often used to make jewelry as well as decorative figurines. This is economical, durable and very attractive.

Next time you go shopping for silver jewelry you could look up all the silver types before deciding which type would suit your taste and budget best and in the process have a lot of fun. Silver or silver-like jewelry is incredibly attractive and fashionable today and as such looks great on everybody.

??Vintage jewelry is something exquisitely beautiful and magnetic. Each one of the existing vintage jewelry pieces has a history and when you wear it on, you become part of that unseen and unheard past. It is like you are handed down a passage in time which you could access only though your imagination.

Shopping Is Not Easy

When you go shopping, you usually have something in mind to start with which makes your search easier. However, with this type of jewelry you would have absolutely no idea what you would find and therefore it is better not to fix any particular image on it or you would find the exercise immensely stressful.

For best results, let your mind free to choose anything from whatever you find. Most people prefer Edwardian or Victorian style jewelry and if you do so too, it would be helpful if you research a little on their most basic characteristics, period of creation and material they are made of. The more you know about it, the better your knowledge will serve you when you are inspecting the vintage jewelry in the shops you visit.

As in most cases, the prices would be prohibitive, you may like to check out reproductions of vintage pieces. Be careful that you are not offered vintage reproductions for the real thing, which is often a great possibility. Ensure that you learn as much as possible about the particular types of jewelry you like so it would be easy for you to protect yourself against fraud.

Another easy way to get some classy vintage jewelry is by reproducing it yourself. For example, you like a certain Victorian necklace; you go ahead and photograph it, or download a picture from the Internet and show it to an accomplished goldsmith. Place your order explaining exactly how you want your replica to be made. Your goldsmith would be able to age it so your piece of jewelry would look as classy and luxuriant as any original vintage jewelry.

Check the Internet for online auctions where such vintage items are sold at amazing prices. However, be very careful when you make payments online as this could be a way to entice you to provide your financial information for identify theft. Ensure that you are interacting only with highly reputed auction houses when you bid in such sale forums. Auctions on the Internet make shopping easy, but always keep in mind that this is a channel that can be used by scammers as well.