Fashion Tips For Looking Younger

Women over a certain age should avoid wearing chokers because this will only draw attention to the neck.  Instead wear a pendant necklace that forms a v-shape, that hangs down from the throat, drawing the eye upward.

Drop earrings will lengthen your face.  Great news for those of us with chubby cheeks.

    Circle necklaces worn with rounded necklines are a definite no-no for the mature woman.  The line they create repeats the line of the breast, drawing attention to a less-than-pert bust line.

Instantly update a classic outfit with a splash of color.  Look for funky with a bold color.

A single string of pearls and pearl studs for your ears will always have an aging as well as a regal look about them. Update the look by wearing several strands together or find expensive fakes with larger chunky-sized stones, which looks more modern.  Pearls will make skin appear more luminescent.

Choose vintage over bling.  Vintage adds personality.  Vintage pieces are high quality and very collectible.  Check out fashion magazines to see how to wear your pieces.

If you have a tiny waist, show it off with a wide belt.  A low-slung belt that cuts across the hips can disguise a bulging tummy.

A studded belt with a highly decorative buckle will attract the eye, but always consider where to place it for maximum effect.  Unless you have great abs, choose hip-slung, as a belt around the middle tends to cut you in half and shorten the body.  A decorative belt replaces the need for long necklaces.

Celebrities have the confidence to pull off vintage dressing.  The rest of us end up look like we are wearing hand me downs.  Good vintage finds to look for, to create your unique style, are accessories, jewelry, silk scarves, or an awesome purse.  One size fits all.

Rarest Gemstones Of The World

According to Discovery News these are the rarest gemstones to date.  But they go on to say that the term "rare", according to the GIA, can be defined many different ways. They decide scarce is an even  better way to describe these gemstones found in maybe two locations around the world and usually only one. 

Anyway the pictures are amazing and reveal each gemstone in all its glory.  Just click on the white arrow to the right in the picture, once on the page, and you can view each one plus their individual information.

I am very proud to see that Tanzanite has made the list.  My mother told me before her passing a few years ago that this stone was very important and would be passing diamonds in terms of value some day.  She gave me several pieces of jewelry with faceted Tanzanite in each.  It was her favorite and has become one of mine. 

One more thing to note.  I was once told by a jeweler that lighter colored gemstones were always valued more than the deeper colored ones.  I doubted him at the time because I had read several times in my study of the subject, that was not the truth.  It's really important not to trust everything you hear.  Second opinions or even third or fourth opinions can make all the difference between say $100 stone and a $1000 stone.  

Tanzanite

"This transparent, blue gem first turned up in 1962 and has been found scattered throughout northern Tanzania in Africa.Ranging in color from light blue to pure blue to dark violet-blue, the deepest hues are valued most."

Red Diamonds

"Red diamonds, just like any other diamonds, are made of compressed carbon. However, the brilliant red color in these diamonds..."

Jeremejevite

"An extremely rare, aluminium borate mineral. It was discovered in the late 19th century and named after Pavel V. Jeremejev, a Russian mineralogist and engineer..."

Painite

"Discovered in 1951 in Mogok, Burma, painite was once considered the rarest mineral on Earth. For decades, only two crystals were known to exist..."

Musgravite

"The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) calls musgravite "a rarity among the rare..."

Black Opal

"Opal is Australia’s national gemstone, and black opal is the rarest and most valuable of its kind, at times selling at prices that rival the best diamonds..."

Red Beryl

"Although "red emerald” is its snazzy marketing name, and it was originally called "bixbite," this mineral goes by the name "red beryl" today..."

Poudretteite

"Still one of the rarest gems known today, this pinkish mineral was named after the Poudrette family, owners and operators of a quarry near Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, where poudretteite was first found..."

Discovery News  You will find a lot more subjects covered on this site.  It's all very interesting and the pictures are awesome!  Check it out and tell what you think.

A Must Read For Vintage Jewelry Collectors

Whether your a beginner collector or experienced, you will find value in this article.  Follow the link to their resource and you will find the next book I will be purchasing.

The information found here is just an appetizer.  The main course is sure to delight.  Check it out.  You won't be sorry!

"Antique and estate pieces of great value have been lost to the scrapper because neither seller, nor buyer, realized that the item had value beyond its metal weight."  I couldn't have said it better myself.  This comes from Skinner Auction House blog.  This article is an eye opener.  

Skinner has many links included that you will want to follow to get even more valuable information.  If you have jewelry that you need to be checked out, use this form

If you saw this piece of jewelry at a garage sale would you buy it?  Well that's where it was found for only $5.00.  Made from a single piece of wire including the pin part.  Awesome! 

 "Skinner subsequently handled the brooch’s authentication by the Calder Foundation, whose experts dated it to 1942. The brooch brought $33,000 at auction, well beyond its value as a few ounces of silver." 

Difference Between Jewelry Maker's Marks and Hallmarks

     I guess I never really thought about there being a difference before.  The more I research each piece in my collection, the more I learn there is a lot more to learn.  No one could possibly know it all, right?  Besides it is a lot of fun when I discover another piece to the puzzle.  Even if it means I have discovered there are a lot more pieces yet to be discovered.
     This is what I found on my journey today... While researching this gold tone crown pin/brooch marked "Paquette" from my collection, I was led to an interesting website that I plan returning to over and over.  The title of this great discovery?  The Jewelry Loupe, (a celebration of human ornament).  (I wish I would have thought of that.)  You'll find all kinds of useful information Cathleen McCarthy has included on her website for us jewelry junkies.  I love it and I think you will love it too. You'll find out where to get educated in the trade, what they are wearing on "The Good Wife" TV show (not to mention the red carpet) as well as some basics like how to buy a jewelry loupe.  Maybe you would like to know how to wear jewelry like a rock star.  You'll find all this and more, lots more.  Here's a teaser from the site, but you will want to check it out for yourself in all its glory.

What you need to know about jewelry hallmarks

May 6, 2010

By Cathleen McCarthy

Buying antique or vintage jewelry means first figuring out what it is, where and when it was made, and by whom. That’s why the first thing an experienced buyer will do is hold a piece up to a loupe and examine it for hallmarks. If jewelry has hallmarks and they appear authentic, identifying its value is a whole lot easier.
But many countries – including the U.S. – do not have an official hallmarking system and the hallmarks of one country can vary dramatically from another. How does a budding collector begin to unravel this puzzle?
A trusted dealer can help but if you want to learn to identify jewelry on your own, you’ll need a good guide. There are a few books on the market, but if you want the ultimate, illustrated reference book, be prepared to shell out a couple hundred bucks for World Hallmarks: Europe 19th-21st Centuries, due out in its second printing this month. As co-author Danusia Niklewicz puts it, “This book will pay for itself with one correctly identified piece.”
I recently spoke to Niklewicz and William Whetstone, who compiled this tome with fellow appraiser Lindy Matula, about the basics of hallmark identification.
Is it common for people to confuse a maker’s mark with a hallmark?

- See more at: http://thejewelryloupe.com/jewelry-hallmarks-ultimate-consumer-protection/#sthash.sl6ksAEP.dpuf

DIY Cleaners For Any Type Metal Jewelry

Air and water oxidize metals and can make them dull.  Keep them looking new with periodic cleaning.  Save money and the environment by making your own inexpensive jewelry cleaner.


Basic recipe for cleaning jewelry
* 1 tbsp dish washing detergent
* 1 tbsp baking soda
* 1 tbsp household ammonia
* 3 cups warm water

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour into a glass jar and cover tightly. Label jar for future use and keep out of reach of children. To use, soak jewelry in the solution for 1-10 minutes (depending on how tarnished it is). Swish intricate pieces in the solution to get into the cracks and crevices. Use a toothbrush or a well-washed mascara brush for hard to reach places. Rinse and dry with a soft clean cloth.

Don’t soak pearls in this solution.
Instead, rub them gently with a soft chamois cloth dampened in the solution.
Pearls will dissolve  in vinegar.
Do not combine this solution with chlorine bleach – hazardous fumes will result!

CLEANING GOLD JEWELRY
Pour cider vinegar in a shallow glass container. Place gold jewelry in the vinegar so that it is covered completely.  Keep all pieces separated.  Nothing should be touching.  Let the jewellery sit in the vinegar for 15 minutes. Remove the jewelry and wipe clean with a soft, clean cloth. The gold should be completely clean.

CLEANING SILVER JEWELRY
1. Line a glass bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side facing outward.
2. Place the jewelry you want to clean in the bowl making sure it’s touching the foil
3. Cover the jewelry with baking soda – just enough so that you can’t see it.
4. Add boiling water – enough to immerse the jewelry.
5. Let soak for 3 to 5 minutes ( or less if it’s not really dirty).
6. Use tongs or a fork to lift out the jewelry ( you don’t want to get burned) and rise under cold water. And voila ………. you have sparkling jewelry.
If the jewelry is very dirty or very tarnished, then you may need to repeat the process.  Just add a little more baking soda and more boiling water.  Making sure the water is boiling is the secret, if there is one. This method works great on sterling, silver, gold and costume jewelry metals.  But do be careful if there are crystals glued into a setting and limit soaking.  No more than 90 seconds or you might melt the glue. Also, don’t immerse natural pearls in this solution - it’s too caustic. It is however, fine for most gemstones and works wonders on cubic zirconia And in case you’re wondering ….it also works fab for cleaning silverware, silver frames or any silver home decor.

If you don’t have aluminum on hand, you can use white distilled vinegar. Mix 2 tbsp. baking soda in 3.4 fluid oz. or almost 1/2 cup (100 ml) of vinegar. Soak silver items in the mixture for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry the items with a soft, clean cloth. Repeat if necessary

CLEANING COPPER, PEWTER & OTHER METALS
Dissolve 2 tsp. of salt in a cup of white distilled vinegar. Place a few tablespoons of flour (any kind) into a shallow container. Add some of the vinegar mixture to the flour until it forms a paste. Spread a thick layer of the paste on the metal that needs to be cleaned. Let stand for 15 minutes. Scrub clean with a soft, clean cloth.

CLEANING PLATINUM JEWELRY
The way to clean platinum is to make a mixture of half ammonia and half water. Let the platinum soak in the mixture and then polish with a soft cloth. Be careful if the jewelry contains gemstones. The mixture may discolor or harm gemstones except diamonds.  This mixture is not harmful to diamonds.  

Antique? Vintage? Estate? Answer Revealed

Antique Jewelry
     100 years old or older.  This hasn't changed.  Some folks will try to say anything "old" is an antique.  There is no gray area.  The rule is;  to be an authentic antique, the item must be at least 100 years old period.
     This includes jewelry from the following eras;  Art Deco, Edwardian, Belle Boroque, Art Nouveau, Victorian, Georgian, and even earlier.

Vintage Jewelry
     To be classified as a vintage piece, 20 to 30 years old.  Right now that means anything from the 1980's and earlier rightfully can be called "vintage".
     The eras falling under the "vintage" classification would be; Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Retro and Art Deco

Estate Jewelry
     This definition will surprise most I think.  It's not very old at all.  Anything second-hand or used. I think a lot of folks thought that, "estate" meant high-end (expensive).  The era represented here would be Contemporary.

Know Your Platinum

PLATINUM FAST FACTS
Did you know that platinum is: 

• So flexible that one gram of the metal can produce fine wire more than a mile long.
• Used in many other applications, notably catalytic converters in most cars worldwide.
• So rare that 10 tons of ore must be mined before producing a single ounce of platinum and the process takes eight weeks.
• Immortalized by the ancient Egyptians in their most precious works of art dating 2,500 years ago.
• More resistant to wear and tear than gold or silver, due to its heavier weight and density.
• So versatile it is used in medicine and industry for its catalytic, physical, and hypoallergenic properties.
• Found in Africa, Russia, and North America in deposits three-quarters of a mile deep beneath the earth’s surface.
• So dense that a six-inch cube of platinum weighs 165 pounds!

1. 
   
   
   Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina, which is literally translated into "little silver". Wikipedia Symbol: Pt
2. Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1
3. Melting point: 3,215°F (1,768°C)
   Discovered: 1735
   
4. Atomic number: 78
5. Discoverer: Antonio de Ulloa
6. Atomic mass: 195.084 u

Corn Starch Beads

Ingredient List:

• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups table salt
• 1 cup cornstarch
• acrylic paint of your choice
• gloss glaze
• thick needle

Directions:

1. Bring the water and salt to a boil in a pot.  Turn off heat and quickly add cornstarch.  Stir until it becomes a sticky paste.
2. After you let this cool a bit, pick it up and start to shape the dough in your hands.  Add more cornstarch to get the right consistency, if needed.
3. Roll beads to whatever size and shape you would like.
4. Once the beads are rolled out to desired shape and size, use a thick needle to poke a hole all the way through each bead.
5. Let them dry for 24 to 48.  This depends on how large you make them.  The larger ones will take the most time to dry, obviously.
6. Once completely dry, you can leave them white or choose to paint them.  Don't forget to finish with a  coat of clear glossy glaze.

This recipe was found on the website thriftyfun.com.  

Note:  This website is a must see!  They have much more than just crafting ideas.  You can post a question and the self proclaimed "everyday experts"  will offer up any information on the subject they can share.  They also have monthly contests  where you can win some money.  A newsletter sign up will keep you well informed of all the happenings.  I highly recommend it!.

Simple Formula To Figure Gold's Worth

     With this formula you'll  be able to figure out what your gold is worth before taking it to sell.  You'll know exactly what kind of deal your getting.  Don't be afraid to shop around and get the best price.  This is how the pros figure it's worth.

1. Weigh it with a gram scale.
2. Get today's price of gold from one of the many websites that offer it free.
3. Divide that price by 31.1 to get the gram weight.  (gold price is listed in troy ounces, 31.1 grams)
4. Divide the karat by 24.
5. Multiply the result of step 4 by the result of step 3 by the result of step 1.
6. Now you know how much your piece of gold is worth if it was melted down.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Celluloid vs Bakelite

Bakelite

Celluloid

Bangle bracelets with inset rhinestones and colored stones are probably celluloid, not Bakelite.  The method for mounting stones into warm celluloid was patented in 1902.  Before that, stones were cemented or prong-set in metal bezels.  Bakelite can't be softened by reheating.