Category Archives: Jewelry

What to Look for When Buying Antique Jewellery

There’s something timeless about genuine antique jewellery, which has certainly stood the test of time, yet if you are looking to acquire some antique jewellery , you must take every precaution to determine that the item is, in fact, a genuine antique. What might look very old, could actually be a carefully made fake and only an expert would be able to tell the difference, and if you are not very knowledgeable about fine jewellery, here are some essential points to bear in mind when sourcing antique jewellery.

Carry Out Some Online Research – The Internet is always a great source of information and regarding antique jewellery, there are many websites dedicated to ascertaining the true nature of vintage and antique jewellery. Prior to attempting to buy antique jewellery pieces, spend some time browsing websites that focus on the specific period you are interested in, while most articles will have high quality images to help you ascertain the small things to look for.

Source a Reputable Antique Jewellery Dealer – By reputable, we mean a dealer that has a good reputation within the industry and has been established for at least 5 years. No jeweller is going to risk tarnishing his hard-earned reputation by selling something that is substandard, and if the dealer is local, you can visit and view the items in person before making any commitment to buy.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions – When a seller is offering an antique jewellery item for sale, they would no doubt have some information about the piece. You should ask how the dealer came across the piece, which might be that he purchased a job lot of estate jewellery or he found the item at a flea market or auction. The seller would likely know a few things about that specific piece and would be able to date it to within a few years, and in the event the seller has no information, it is possible the item was stolen or is a fake. There is some further reading on what to look for when buying antique jewellery, which highlights the points covered in this article.

Check for a Mark – Most antique jewellers would leave their mark on a piece of jewellery somewhere and often, a careful examination will reveal this. Of course, the seller should already be aware of any hallmarks and should point them out when you view the item, which gives you the peace of mind that the item is genuine. This might come in the form of a tiny metal stamp, which could be anywhere on the item and most likely out of sight.

Be Wary of Low Prices – If someone is selling what they call an antique jewellery item, then it should fall within a price range, which would depend on its age, rarity and condition. The age old saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is” comes into play when looking to acquire antique jewellery, so avoid anything that is unusually cheap, as it is likely to be a copy.

Unless you happen to be an experienced collector, you should only buy antique jewellery from an established outlet, as this all but guarantees that the item is genuine and is priced fairly. It is worth noting that while an antique diamond ring might be very costly, it will certainly appreciate with time, and many people acquire antique jewellery as a form of long-term investment.

Jewelry, Wedding

Popping the Question in Sydney: Superb Stones & Scenery

Anne Younger Leave a comment

Image Source: Flickr

Setting the Scene

As even some of the more modern men in Australia would agree with, showing our softer side by sending flowers to our partner’s place of work or even just taking her out for a romantic meal is not always something we feel comfortable with. However, gents based in Sydney who are positive that the girl they have been seeing for a number of years is the one for them have certainly got plenty of suitable places in the capital to pop the question. What is a good idea for men in Sydney that have already bought a unique diamond engagement ring ready to ask their dream girl to marry them is to look online for the best places to get down on one knee. Indeed, even if it is just for future reference for men in a relationship in Sydney, there are numerous ideas in places to set the scene for such a brave move including the following:

Head on down to Milk Beach in Vaucluse
Take your hopefully bride-to-be to the Royal Botanic Garden
Book a romantic dinner at a nice restaurant by the harbour
Pop the question after stargazing at the Sydney Observatory
Animal lovers could show their romantic intentions at the Taronga Zoo

Stone Solutions

Of course, even if we have found what we consider to be the perfect place to ask our lady to marry us, we need to make sure the betrothal band we offer her is the sort of ring that will have her go weak at the knees. By rolling up our sleeves and searching the internet for options in diamond engagement rings provided by a leader in precious stone jewelry in Sydney, we should be able to be rest assured that we are almost there with our quest to get engaged to the love of our life.

Image Source: Flickr

Indeed, it is all very well having good intentions regarding the location to ask our lover for her hand in marriage, but if the engagement rings we plan to buy will not impress her, we may not be able to get the reply we were after. Smart Sydney-based guys who have taken the time to see what diamond engagement rings Sydney shops have on offer should be able to have a good idea of the better options available to them in the capital of NSW. But although we do need to put some effort into a search for the more appealing collections of precious stone bands to get engaged with, we should also ensure our wedding proposal goes to plan.

She Said Yes

Although it might be tempting for confident men to propose to their girlfriend in front of a large group of friends on a night out in Sydney, this is probably not the best idea we could have. Indeed, guys who do not consider the fact that she might not say yes to our proposal are possibly heading towards a very disappointing evening. Having said that, there are some great websites providing tried and tested methods of getting the response we aim for when asking our girl to become our wife.

Of course, if we have done all we should have done in order to get a positive response from a wedding proposal, all we need to do then is start thinking about when to actually tie the knot. And just as there are lots of unique ideas for popping the question in Sydney, there are also unusual places or themes to get married.

Jewelry

Layer Your Necklaces For The Best Impact

Anne Younger

Layering necklaces is definitely popular but achieving the right look you want can be a little tricky. Whether you have tons of necklaces you are stuck for choice or only a few in your collection, you will discover the fundamentals of layering stylishly.

Following these guidelines will enable you to have the effortless look you see in magazines as when you layer, things can get messy if done incorrectly. Firstly, it helps if you have in your collection at least a couple of classic sterling silver necklaces that looks stunning. These will act as your foundation to get layering and start getting creative (within boundaries!).

GUIDE TO LAYERING NECKLACES LIKE A PRO

Always start with the shortest necklace

Starting from the top is the first thing you should do. Find your shortest necklace and put that on first. This might be something as simple as a small choker or a little elegant pendent. Of course, the type of top you are wearing will also dictate how you layer. So, if you are wearing something with a higher neckline, then you perhaps don’t want to use the shortest necklace as the base. The necklace should never conflict with the neckline basically.

Vary the chains

You don’t want things to look too samey so it might be worth buying a variety of chains to keep it interesting. As you start to layer and build on different lengths, having a delicate chain that contrasts with a bolder chain is a nice way to play around with dynamics. You can even go as far as playing with different materials so have one gold and a couple of silver chains in there. The world is your oyster when it comes to coordinating the layers!

Add some personality!

You don’t want to keep it too safe and boring. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and keep things personal by adding some engraved pendants with your initials, unique gemstones and other personal touches. Consider adding a personalized necklace name. The way you start to mix textures and weights within your layering is also a way of expressing your individuality.

Don’t stop

There is really no limit to how much you can layer or how many chains you can add to your look. The more you add, the more chic you can look. You would think adding more would look messy but if you use the techniques in this article you can find it will look uber-sophisticated.

Also, don’t be afraid to mix up what you think wouldn’t go together. It can be a great idea to add unexpected necklaces together to create a stunning finish.

Now you have some great tips behind you, you should have no problem layering necklaces like a pro. Using these tips will help you create the desired effect you want and keep things looking sophisticated.

Jewelry

Jewelry Gift Ideas for Christmas

Anne Younger Leave a comment

Christmas is most definitely the season of giving, and if you have decided that an item of jewellery would be suitable, there is much to consider. The recipient, of course, has tastes, as we all do, and providing you have a good idea about that, your search will be a lot easier, and with the festive season in mind, here are some Christmas jewellery ideas to give you some inspiration.

Silver Pendants – Personalized pendants really do show that the giver has made every effort with their gift selection, and with a range of affordable pendants available online, it isn’t hard to find something just right. If you would like a real bargain, check the online jewellery for sale at established retailers, and you might be lucky enough to find something very reasonable.

A Charm Bracelet – This can really make someone’s Christmas, and even if they already have a charm bracelet, a carefully selected charm that is Christmas related would certainly do the trick. There are online jewellers with a wide range of charm bracelets, and with many single charms, you can select something uniquely suitable. Charm bracelets have been around for centuries, and if you would like to know more about the history behind this popular jewellery item, there is some further reading online about how charm bracelets are used in different cultures.

Stud Earrings – Always a favourite with the ladies, a piece of jade set in a silver clasp would work very well. Colours are varied, as are the type of stones you can use, and if you spend some time browsing online, you are sure to encounter a huge variation of styles, and with lower than retail prices, you can afford to buy several pairs for different people. One could always find a local jeweller who will customise, and that way, you can personalise the items, which is always welcome.

Christmas Earrings – Small Christmas trees or perhaps a pair of jolly Santas would be the ideal gift for a young girl or woman, and there are many designs that are perfect for any Christmas gathering, and the style would very much depend on the recipient.

Christmas Related Brooches – These might be Christmas trees or snowmen, and there are many fine examples available from online jewellers, and all you need to do is browse for a while before you will find something just right for that special friend. There are also earrings and bracelets with a festive theme, and with a variation of color and design, finding something ideal is not difficult.

If you are prepared to spend a few hours browsing online, there are many unique items of jewellery that are Christmas related, with necklaces, earrings and bracelets that come in a wide range of prices to suit every budget. Jewellery doesn’t always have to be expensive, and giving jewellery during the festive season is certainly a novel idea. There are online jewellers who will make items to customer specifications, and while it might cost a little more, it will certainly be appreciated.