Beauty Tips Guides

Enhancer Bails Work. Generally, an enhancer is a bail which opens to allow the necklace, pearls, for instance, to be inserted and the enhancer is closed to secure it to the necklace. The types of closures are an important consideration. Some only “snap” shut. Others only have a small “figure 8″ shaped safety that folds from one side over a small bead on the other to make the closure.

The “figure 8″ safety is one commonly seen on bangle bracelets, gold necklaces with box or cylindrical clasps and on bracelets. The most secure type of enhancer both “snaps” shut and has the “figure 8″ safety for added assurance the enhancer will not come open while being worn on the necklace.

Generally, a 14k gold enhancer bail will run from about $50 to $90 in the most common sizes. Fancier ones and added stones will certainly increase the price. If the pendant you have will need a loop soldered on to fit the enhancer, or if the enhancer must be soldered to the pendant, the cost will rise a little. A simple loop soldered on will be about $14 to $18 in my neck of the woods. Solder directly to the enhancer will run from $10 to perhaps $15, including soldering and refinishing. This is added to the cost of the enhancer.

Prices certainly may vary from location to location. Keep in mind, in the usa most jewelers can get the findings, parts, like enhancer bails, for essentially the same prices, regardless of location. For any pendant, and enhancer of the right size is needed to maintain balance in the look of the jewelry. The enancer should fit the necklace and not overpower or look too small for the pendant.

Then again, a necklace of pearls should also balance in size with the pendant. I have seen some enhancers which are much too large for the pendant part of the jewelry and detract from the beauty. If the necklace requires a larger opening, you might choose a longer and more “slim” enhancer which can accommodate a larger necklace but is narrow enough to look in balance with the pendant.

The best thing I can suggest is to go to a jewelry shop and ask to see enhancers. Generally, not many are kept in stock since it is very difficult to predict what a particular customer may need. You can generally see life sized images in catalogs from suppliers. At this time, the store should be able to tell you what labor or modifications to your pendant are needed to fit the enhancer.

There is alot of people that are looking for a some custom jewelery like a gold jerusalem cross pendant with small diamonds or cz at the center of each cross. This unusual form of cross is not likely to be found in stock in jewelry stores. Sometimes these stores will have cross jewelry but most will not be made in gold.

My suggsent is, you will likely have to go to jewelry stores and ask if they can special order the cross for you. At this time of the year, the sooner you can do this the better. Once you get the cross, any competent jeweler should be able to add a stone to the cross.

I did find one jewelry supplier who has a Jerusalem Cross in their religious jewelry catalog. This company is Stuller Findings. The company sells only to businesses but so many jewelry stores use Stuller for supplies and various jewelry items it should not be too difficult to find a store with a Stuller account. The cross could then be ordered. The order would need to specify white gold.

Alternative suggestion. There are many of these crosses listed on Internet sellers sites along with other jewelry that you might like. I do not know if white gold is available or not and that will take a search and perhaps an inquiry to the seller. If you can get the cross that way, still, a local jeweler should have little problem setting a stone in the cross. Whether stones may be set in the side crosses will depend on how the cross is made in the first place. Center should be no problem in the larger cross.

Custom Work: A jewelry store who advertises “custom work” should be able to make the cross if you cannot find one. This approach will be more expensive and it might be pushing to get this custom work done by the time that you need it at. If you try the custom direction, please download and print or otherwise get pictures of the cross for the jeweler to see. This will be needed to get the cross done properly and initially to work up and estimate of cost.

There are certainly some other suppliers that jewelry stores use who will have a Jerusalem cross available. When checking stores, I recommend local stores first and not mall chain stores. Local stores often have a lot more flexibility for special ordered items such as the cross. Local stores are often more eager to place a special order than some chain stores appear to be.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.DiamondGems.info/. DiamondGems.info carries the best selection of loose diamonds, diamond rings, and diamond jewelry on the market. Browse through our selection of loose diamonds by size, cut, shape, type, and other features here: http://www.DiamondGems.info/subcategory/loose-diamond.html.

Jade is one of the toughest gems around. Not the hardest, toughest. That means it can take a lot of abuse before anything happens. Warm soapy water is the best to clean it. What you must watch out for is bye in the jade. Many unscrupulous bealers enhance the color with bye. This is especialy true of violet jade. Basically the only thing that could damage jade is other pieces of jade or diamonds. So keep them stored separately in plactic bags and don’t allow them to touch each other.

Keep jade out of direct sunlight for long periods of time and keep from drastic tempurature changes. There are many good books on jade and its care. You can go to your local library or look put jade on the internet.

Typically, jade bracelets come cut as a solid bangle or as a flexible bracelet with several sections of jade held by metal end caps and joints between pieces. With your bracelet, adding the spacer is a good idea but you will have to have two spacers, not one.

Since the solid jade is not flexible, the bracelet will need to be cut on opposite sides so each half may be connected with a spacer. You will need to find someone with a fine blade diamond saw to cut the jade. These saws are motorized using a 6″ or so circular blade of thin design. Steel tools simply will not do the job. You want a fine and neat cut so the ends are parallel and match nicely.

If a jeweler cannot do this(most will not have fine diamond rock saws) one suggestion is to contact a local rock and gem shop. The rock and gem shops cater to folks who like to do their own stone polishing and a diamond saw is one of the basic tools of the hobby. Ask the rock shop if they can recommend someone has a “thin kerf” rock saw. People who do faceted stones or cut opal are most likely to have the diamond saw with a fine(thin) blade and may cut the bracelet for you. The rock shop may also offer this service for a minimal fee.

Spacers will take the form of “end caps” or shallow cups into which the jade is cemented. The spacers could be made with two opposing caps (shallow tubes) for joining the jade ends, with one spacer on each side of the bracelet. Any competent bench jeweler should be able to fabricate the spacer from silver stock or use available silver “findings” to make the caps. Findings is the word used by jewelers to describe the “parts” used in jewelry work, such as ring shanks, stone settings, clasps, catches, etc.

Depending on the diameter of the jade, there is the possibility of the jeweler using “bezel cups” to make the spacers. Bezel cups are stamped cups of silver (or other metal) used to mount stones onto bracelets, rings and other jewelry. Purchased, the bezel cups should work and will cost a fraction of the price if hand fabricated from silver sheet stock. Some silver design should be between each cap to allow the angle of the caps to match the angle of the jade ends for a clean look and secure fit.

The use of a single section of silver tube for each spacer is possible but that depends on the angle of the jade at the cut ends and availability of silver tube of large enough diameter.

Yes, the job is certainly possible and not very difficult to do. The problem is getting the bracelet sawn in-two cleanly. After that, having the spacers made should not be a daunting task at all. If you wanted, the spacers could be made one with a clasp and the other with a hinge, providing a bangle which opens and closes to be placed on the arm.

Joining the jade to the spacer cups (or tubes) will be a cement designed for such work. I suggest a fine quality epoxy cement which cures to a water clear color. One such cement is Hughes 330, designed for joining gemstone material and metals. Other epoxy cements will work just so long as the cement is applied with care with little excess to show at the caps.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.FashionJewelryStore.info/. FashionJewelryStore.info carries the best selection of fashion jewelry, watches and fragrances on the market. Start looking for diamond jewelry here: http://www.FashionJewelryStore.info/stone/diamond.html.

The problem is the ring he got me. It just isn’t what I had pictured when I imagined what my ring would look like when someone asked to marry me. And I don’t think anyone in their right mind would want what I have as far as a ring goes. I won’t go into details about the ring itself but basically it’s as though he didn’t put much thought into what I wanted, even though I told him a few specific things that I would just not live without, and he went ahead did as he pleased. He told me that he would get me a new one when he got back into the states during this mid-tour leave (he is currently deployed in Iraq). Now he tells me he won’t. Am I out of line? Would you be happy with a ring from Wal-Mart worth $90? I have made it perfectly clear that I really do appreciate what the ring symbolizes and that I love him regardless.

There are a lot of girls who would love even a piece of tin foil if it symbolized their fiance’s love. Do you think that maybe he was rushed because he wanted you to have a ring before he left for Iraq? Do you think that offending his choice could be the reason that he changed his mind about getting you another one? Do you also think that as far away as he is that the last thing he wants to get from you is a letter further insulting his choice? You say you made it clear that you “appreciate what the ring symbolizes”, but do you really? To end on a positive note, perhaps once things have cooled off you will see your ring in a new light, or at least you can find another way to explain your feelings about the ring which don’t offend or insult. Or, you will realize that a ring is not the end all of a marriage.

Not all men look at rings for what they are worth, or how big they could be. Maybe he thought you wouldn’t care. Maybe he thought that since he was going to be spending the rest of his life with you, that no matter what ring he bought you, you would love it, just as much as you love him. Do you honestly know what that word means? If you are letting something as simple as your engagement ring ruffle your feathers.

My friend’s husband just went to basic training, she gets to talk to him 10 minutes a week. She waits by that phone until it rings to hear his voice because she misses him so much. And here you are arguing with him over the phone about your ring when he is that far away?

Yes,I would be VERY happy with a $90 ring from Wal-mart. My e-ring cost $115 from Kay’s, and I love every single last bit of it, and my FH loves me even more knowing so.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.4EngagementRing.info/. 4EngagementRing.info is the best place to buy engagement rings, wedding rings, and diamond rings. Browse through our selection of wedding jewelry and engagement rings here: http://www.4EngagementRing.info/category/wedding-jewelry.html.

What is jewelry? By definition, it’s a personal adornment worn anywhere on the body. It’s usually made from some precious material or gemstones, and has been around since the earliest known stages of human existence - recently, tiny Nassarius shells were found with beading drill holes, dating to 100,000 years ago!

What’s the point of jewelry? Jewelry has had many uses throughout history, ranging from symbolic meaning, to use as currency, to protective charms, to simply being worn as a statement of social status in a community. Although in the past many types of jewelry were used as functional items, as the pieces grew more elaborate, jewelry grew to have more of an aesthetic purpose, which is what most modern jewelry wearers would cite as their reason for wearing jewelry today.

It was in the late 1940s, after the end of World War II, that jewelry as an artistic and aesthetic pursuit began to take foothold in the general public. Since life could finally be enjoyed again without the ravages of war, artistic pursuits flourished ‘ and at the forefront of this? Wearable art!

For those who may not be entirely familiar with all the different kinds of jewelry available today, here’s an easy breakdown of the major kinds of jewelry that you probably see on a daily basis:

Head

Earrings: an earring is a piece of jewelry worn on the ear, typically on the earlobe or outer cartilage. Earrings are worn by both men and women, and can be made from metal, plastic, beads, or other precious gems. Earrings take an innumerable amount of styles and shapes, and are worn all over the world. In some tribal cultures, ear piercing is a required part of initiation rituals.

Neck

Necklace: a necklace is a piece of jewelry worn around the neck, and can be made from metal, plastic, bone, fabric, even gems or shells. They are generally worn loose around the neck, and those that are higher and tighter on the neck are referred to as chokers. There are many different kinds of necklaces, each with their own sub-category, however it is enough to know that necklaces are typically used as adornments to complement one’s attire ‘ even many indigenous cultures have their own distinctive necklace styles that are part of their traditional dress!

Arms

Bracelet: a bracelet is similar to a necklace, but much smaller and worn around the wrist. While typically decorative like a necklace, bracelets can also be used to identify people with medical conditions, or given to patrons as temporary passes to an event. In countries such as India, the number of bracelets worn by a woman indicates her marital status, while some ancient bracelets were worn in the belief that they could ward off evil spirits.

Hand

Ring: a ring can be worn around the finger on either hand, and is the type of jewelry which tends to have the most symbolic associations. In Western culture, women wear diamond rings on the third finger of their left hand when engaged to be married, and after marriage, both men and women wear a metal band on this same finger to indicate marital status. Other symbolic rings include graduating class rings, chastity rings, and traditional Irish Claddagh rings. Ring-wearing spans all generations, cultures, and history, and rings are made from any and all kinds of material: iron, fabric, bone, plastic, and so on.

Body

Brooch: a brooch is a decorative ornament which is attached to an article of clothing for aesthetic purposes. They are often elaborate designs made with gemstones and metalwork, though it has become more common to see brooches made of just metal, in the shapes of animals, flowers, children, or endearing words. Ancient cultures used a type of brooch called a fibula, which was typically used to hold the corners of a garment together. Over time, these fibula became more and more elaborate, which probably gave rise to the modern style of brooch.

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As you likely know, stones like cubic zirconia (CZ) need to be clean to look the best. When clean, a nice CZ will sparkle and look great. However, when just a little dirt soils the back of the stone the shine quickly disappears. That is the nature of the stone. It simply does not have the ability to return light when dirty on the back(bottom of stone, called the pavilion) in the way a diamond does.

For cleaning most gemstones, glass cleaner should work just fine. Some people use toothpaste, of all things! I do not recommend that since toothpaste can be abrasive and can dull the metal.Glass cleaner is a generally good choice with one exception.

The Exception. Sterling Silver will react badly to ammonia. If the glass cleaner contains ammonia, do not use it on sterling. You may not notice any problems and this might be because the sterling has a protective plating of another metal on top of the sterling. The plate is very thin but durable and is there to prevent the ususal natural tarnish of silver.

Ammonia will speed up tarnish and can leave whitish spots on sterling. I would avoid getting the cleaner on sterling. If you need to, you may clean a stone set into sterling with a mild detergent such as “Joy” which is a dishwashing detergent. Never use soap since a soap film might be left behind.

The ingredients in glass cleaner are very much like those in some over-the-counter jewelry cleaners. By your discovery, you have found an effective method to clean the stones and save money at the same time. That is a good move. Keep in mind, no cleaners including glass cleaner should be used on stones which might absorb the cleaner or be affected by it. These are pearls and turquoise, for the most part. Wash these stone is a mild dish detergent and rinse well then dry gently with a soft cloth.

Topaz is perfectly safe for almost all cleaners except abrasive ones. Ammonia is fine for topaz and CZ and does a good job. As I said, do not use ammonia with sterling if that is the metal your gemstones are set into. In any case, rinse well with lukewarm water to remove all traces of cleaner and pat dry. That should do it. You may use a soft brush to get behind the gemstones.

I am very happy to see a person who is interested in caring for their jewelry. We see so many rings and other jewelry items where I work which are terribly dirty. Often, the settings are worn and the jewelry is too dirty for the owner to notice the danger of loose stones. People will say, “I never take off my jewelry”.

That is the biggest mistake they can make. Regular cleaning not only makes your jewelry look the best but also gives you a chance to check for wear on the settings and gently touch the stones to see if secure or loose. Caught in time, a stone may be easily and inexpensively tightened in the setting.

Let it go and the setting may have to be remade at much more cost. Good to know there are folks out there who do care enough to clean their jewelry regularly. Often times there are people that come in to have there jewelry cleaned, then we are the ones that have to tell them that there is a stone missing or that they are going to need a whole new setting for there stones because they never took care of there jewelry. Which in turn will cost them more too have to have there stones taken out and then put into another siting.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.FashionJewelryStore.info/. FashionJewelryStore.info carries the best selection of fashion jewelry, watches and fragrances on the market. Start looking for diamond jewelry here: http://www.FashionJewelryStore.info/stone/diamond.html.

This is one that lots of people have to deal with. I want to say first that I am glad you have an aquamarine! This makes me smile in a sentimental and special way. Why? Well, with so much blue topaz on the market today, the wonderful aquamarine has almost faded in the public eyes. Unfortunately, many do not even know about this much more valuable and beautiful gemstone. In years past, the aqua WAS the stone of choice for those special shades of blue nature makes. Aquamarine is a superior stone in all aspects to the irradiated blue topaz, a stone not naturally the rich blues in nature.

First of all, most jewelry shops do not have the capability to recut chipped gemstones. Some of this depends on the cut of the stone to start with, whether a cabochon(round top, like an opal or onyx might be cut) or faceted as with diamonds, rubies and other stones with little faces (the facets) on the surface. The person who cuts gemstones does the work called ‘lapidary’ or stone cutting. This work requires the cutting and polishing equipment needed for gemstones. Almost all stones must be worked with tools the jeweler simply does not use for working metals.

Stones are much harder than metals and require special and sometimes very specialized machines to work the gem, whether in cutting a gem from a piece of rough material from the earth or in repairing a chip in a stone already cut. While many folks do cut and polish cabochons(rounded tops without facets), the number greatly lessens when looking for those who do facet cutting. The equipment is very different since each individual facet is cut one at a time, through different grades of cutting from rough abrasives to the final polish.

What do most jewelers do? When a chipped stone needs repair, the jeweler generally sends the stone to a lapidary craftsperson. This usually means sending the stone to a company where the work may be done. Sometimes, the jeweler might have a local connection to either a professional or amateur(some are the best going!) for the repair work. The cabochon work is easy and more locals can do this work. For faceted gems, having a local cutter is not common and most stones are shipped to a factory offering the service.

What work is needed? Some companies offer to cut the gem stone for you. On some websites they show you what kind of cuts that they can do. When you see line drawings of the ‘diamond’ they want to sell. Using the line drawings, you can get an idea of how difficult it might be to repair the chip in your aquamarine. It all depends on the location of the chip! The middle of the stone, between the top(crown) and the bottom(pavilion) is called the girdle of the gem. If the chip is here, repair is relatively simple for a small chip and will not affect the rest of the stone in a noticeable way.

If the chip is higher on the stone, say on or between a couple of the facets on the crown, the repair is more difficult. Why? Look at the drawing(or at your aquamarine) and you will see the faces line up and meet each other. To repair a chip on one of the higher facets will mean cutting and polishing the stone down deep enough to remove the chip. This will change the face where the cutting is done and the facets will not line up as before.

To do the job properly, often the entire top(crown) of the stone will need to be re-cut. This means all facets are re-cut and polished so they all line up as before. This is done to prevent one large repaired face from messing up the arrangement and standing out easily to the eye.

How the repair is done depends on the location of the chip and whether the stone is faceted or a cabochon cut. Then, where and how well the work is done depends on the contacts the jeweler has. To find a jeweler with in-house lapidary service is a rare find, indeed. Be sure to ask if the work is done in-house or sent to a cutter. Ask for an estimate before having the work done. Ask if the repair will change the over dimensions (width and length) of the stone since that will affect how it fits back into your jewelry mounting.

Ask if the cutter can give you at least an idea of how much stone must be cut away to do the repair. Asking these questions can kind of give you an understanding of how the stone might look when they are done with it. But sometimes it is good to ask these questions that way you can find out if taking your stone to this one person is a good thing. You can always go around to all of the jewelry stores and ask them the same questions and when you get home find out which one is the best for you.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.DiamondGems.info/. DiamondGems.info carries the best selection of loose diamonds, diamond rings, and diamond jewelry on the market. Browse through our selection of loose diamonds by size, cut, shape, type, and other features here: http://www.DiamondGems.info/subcategory/loose-diamond.html.