Reproduction Vintage Jewelry

Posted on September 14, 2011 by

Vintage jewelry catches the eye of many people.  In fact, vintage is popular not only in jewelry, but in cars, clothing, furniture, hairstyles, shoes, just about anything you want.  The only problem with many vintage items is the fact that they are old and used, which in itself is not bad, except for the fact that they typically don’t last too much longer.

But, back to the subject of jewelry, it’s irrefutable that the delicate and feminine lines, the intricate detail, and the over all appeal of vintage is something you can’t deny.  So, if you love the look of vintage jewelry, but prefer to buy new, you can!  There are companies that specialize in reproduction vintage jewelry, giving you the best of both worlds!

Many stores carry reproduction vintage, and you can shop online, too.  You can find anything from sterling silver to antiqued brass with synthetic stones in any color you want.  Beautiful necklaces, fashion rings, earrings, bracelets, and brooches all available in the lovely vintage look you crave.  Vintage includes many different styles like art deco, filigree, engraved, and anything less than 100 years old.  Browse through the many selections to find just what pleases your taste.

And you can easily match vintage jewelry with other accessories.  I remember my grandmother always wearing a scarf somehow fashionable arranged around her neck.  Scarves are back, and are now worn with more imagination and vision than before.  Shoes and purses with a vintage look are also available, and coupled with your jewelry they make for a great ensemble.

One of the great things about vintage is that you can use it for casual wear without being over dressed, or for a dressy occasion without being under dressed.  It is so versatile and pleasing to the eye, you have to call it perfect.  Not only that, but it’s just plain fun to wear vintage jewelry.

If you are a person who appreciates only the authentic, there is plenty of that to be had, also.  Antique stores, garage sales, flea markets, pawn shops, and some jewelry stores deal in authentic vintage.  But if you prefer to keep the piece you choose a little longer, wear it without fear of breakage, and don’t mind reproductions, you can still have the look you like.  Shop reproduction vintage.

 

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Finding the Right Bridal Jewelry

Posted on September 8, 2011 by

It’s the biggest day of your life.  You’ve gone through samples of everything from invitations, cakes, caterers, musicians, photographers, candles, and flowers, to tuxedoes, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, and wedding gowns.  You’ve reserved the church or hall, and spoken with the minister.  Now it’s time to relax a little bit and do some of the fun stuff.

You’ve got your wedding gown, and now it’s time to go shopping for the right bridal jewelry.  Do you want pearls, diamonds, or cubic zirconium?  Do you want to use this opportunity to add a touch of color, perhaps by matching your bouquet?  Are you into vintage or antique jewelry, or a more modern, sleek look?

Oh no! you’re thinking.  More decisions to make! Don’t think of it that way.  Think of it as the icing on the cake.  Take your maid of honor, or your mother (she will cherish the memory) and make it a fun outing.   Go out to eat.  Laugh and relax and shop.  There are worlds of options out there, and you don’t have to go the expensive route.  Check out the bling stores, jewelry sections of department stores, discount stores, and online shopping.

Consider the neckline of your wedding gown.  Bridal necklaces are usually short, perhaps even a choker.  But if your dress has a high neckline, you will need a slightly longer necklace, if your wear one at all.  Perhaps the neck is ornate enough without a necklace.  The earrings can be studs or dangly, but not too long.  You don’t want them to overpower the other jewelry, or the dress itself.  And make sure it goes well with the tiara and veil.  There are even matching sets of tiara, necklace and earrings for a perfect combination.  Look at the wedding gown as a whole and choose something that complements the style of your dress.

And let’s not forget the bridesmaids and flower girl.  Matching necklaces for them will top off the bridal party elegantly.  Or you might want each one of them the same color and style, but a little different design for a bit of individuality.  You can find jewelry made of cubic zirconium or other synthetic stones in any color you want, or pearls, or colored beads that look as beautiful as the real thing.  And the jewelry makes a nice gift for them at the end.

It’s the biggest day of your life.  You want every detail to be perfect.  But don’t let yourself stress over it.  As long as the groom, the minister, a couple of witnesses, and you are there, you’ve got what you really need.  And if anything beyond that goes well, then you are blessed!  And if you feel like you’re put together with the right combination of wedding gown, comfortable and elegant shoes, bouquet, and jewelry, you are doubly blessed.  Enjoy the day, and remember that the wedding is not as important as the marriage.

 

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How to Choose Tiaras for Those Special Occasions

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Wearing a tiara makes a girl feel special.  From toddlers, to prom queens, to brides, to 50th anniversary celebrators, tiaras are an elegant touch for those special occasions.  And they can be found to fit any budget or pocket book. If you are needing to buy a tiara, you can find an excellent selection online, but they are also available in bridal shops, bling stores, and jewelry stores.   They come in many shapes, colors, styles, sizes, and prices.

The important thing to remember is, for most people, the occasion for wearing a tiara doesn’t come around very often.  When it does, take enough time to select the one you love the most. While all of them are beautiful, you should consider which one looks best on you.  Does the gold or silver look better with your skin tone and/or dress color?  Which tiara shape best complements your face?  Which one looks best with the hairstyle you’ll have?  Which one best matches the style of your dress?  It might take a little time to bring all those considerations down to the selection of the one perfect tiara.  But keep looking; the right tiara is out there.

Tiaras are used in beauty pageants for girls from toddlers up through the renowned Miss America and other such pageants.  Replicas of the tiaras worn by Princess Diana and other royalty, Audrey Hepburn, Shirley Temple, and other celebrities are available at discount prices.

If the occasion calls for it, don’t hold back.  Check out as big a selection as you can, because there are specialty tiaras for occasions you may not have thought of.  Impress the judges in your next dog show when your precious pooch makes a majestic entrance with a tiara on its head.  Accept your rodeo honors with a tiara specially made to go on a cowboy hat.  Please your little princess with a tiara made doll-sized.

Some tiaras come as a complete set with matching necklace and earrings to complete the ensemble.  Others come in color, especially red, pink, and the colors of birthstones.  They are available in gold, silver, and an antiqued finish, which complements the deep colors of satin and velvet.

So bring on the glamour.  Let yourself feel like a princess.  Girls of any age love tiaras for those special occasions that don’t come along everyday.  And when one does come along, top it off with a beautiful, elegant tiara.

 

Posted in Costume Jewelry | 1 Comment

Five Tips For Buying Trendy Jewelry You Will Love

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Do you like to follow the fashion trends?  Do you feel more alive and brighter when you have on stylish clothes?  Is it hard to put on the stuff you wore two years ago?  As you already know, you are not alone.  And it doesn’t just apply to clothes and shoes.  It applies to all the accessories, and jewelry is a great way to accessorize.  I would like to suggest five tips for buying trendy jewelry you will love.

When shopping for anything you should always avoid the temptation to buy just because you like.  That said, with trendy jewelry, the “like” button can be used more than with other purchases, but even then you should consider a few things before making your purchase.

  1. Are you buying a specific piece to match a specific outfit?  If so, then you obviously must consider the color and style.  The color needs to either match or contrast in a complementary manner.  And the style should also complement, not detract or get in the way of the style of your garment.
  2. Are you buying for everyday wear?  For example, are you looking for something that will look good with jeans and a t-shirt of practically any color?  If so, then look at the big rings that come in any color and style imaginable.  They can dress up your jeans, or add to the comfortable appearance, and blend with just about anything.  Dome rings go with it all, hardly mattering if they match or not.  Earrings of gold or silver are another choice that match practically everything and help you look a little more finished when you’re in your everyday clothes.  There are multitudes of chains and beads that are fun to wear and go with everything.  Avoid the really long ones for everyday wear because they can tend to get in your way.  They are better for shorter periods of wearing time.
  3. Are you buying for a special occasion?  If so, you need to consider not only color and style, but how your hair will be fixed, how extravagant the occasion is, and even what time of day it will be.  Some crystal pieces pick up lights and add even more sparkle to your appearance than others.
  4. Are you buying for someone else?  If so, think about other things they have, and try to imagine what they would like, instead of what you would like.  That’s hard to do, but how many times have you seen something in a store and commented, “Oh, that looks like Jenny!”  Think about the person’s taste and what you have seen them wear, and chances are pretty good you will be able to pick out something they will love.
  5. Most of all, enjoy the search.  It’s not difficult to find reasonable prices, and buying trendy jewelry should bring a smile to your face and a sparkle to your appearance.

 

Posted in Costume Jewelry | 2 Comments

Five Reasons to Buy Sterling Silver Rings

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Sterling silver is a beautiful and economical medium for making jewelry fit for a queen – or you.  It is not as expensive as gold, it is a precious metal, hardly anyone is allergic to it, it is beautiful and elegant, and it is a good investment.  These factors equal five reasons to buy sterling silver rings or other silver jewelry.

Gold prices are sky high right now.  Silver has gone up, too, but it is still much more economical than gold.  While other materials, like base metal, will corrode and become ugly with time, silver will only tarnish.  Tarnish is the natural discoloration that occurs when the silver is exposed to oxygen.  It can easily be cleaned off with a silver polish or with baking soda in contact with aluminum.  After cleaning, the silver is again lustrous and elegant looking.

Silver is a precious metal, meaning that along with gold, platinum, and palladium, it is less reactive than other metals, it is relatively soft and has high luster, and it has a higher melting point than other metals.  Though the precious metals have some value industrially, they are mostly used for jewelry, art, and coinage.  At times, other metals are used in jewelry, such as copper, but they have a tendency to turn the skin green.

Silver is a good candidate for jewelry because few people are allergic to it.  The base metals with silver or gold colored surfaces often cause allergic reactions in those who wear them.  Rashes on ring fingers, around wrists and necklines, and red, swollen ear lobes are signs of metal allergies.

Silver makes beautiful jewelry because of its light, clear color and its extra smooth, satiny texture.  It can stand alone as a plain band or a dome ring, or be adorned with colored stones, pearls, turquoise, or synthetics.

Silver is a good investment.  Normally investments are made in the form of coins, but silver in any form is good to have and keep.  Your silver rings will hold their value, and will be enjoyed by you and all who see them.

There are other reasons to buy sterling silver rings, but simply buying them because you like them is enough.  Wear them for everyday feeling fixed up, wear them to complement an outfit, wear them to be dressed up and going out.  Whether fancy, western, plain, casual, or diamond studded, silver is beautiful.

 

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Three Pointers for Buying Vintage Jewelry

Posted on September 6, 2011 by

My mother passed away last year, and it fell upon me and my sister to go through all her things because the house had to be emptied for renters.  That was an extremely difficult task in more ways than one.  But going through her personal things was a very bittersweet experience.

Among other things, we found all her vintage jewelry.  There were things we remembered seeing as little girls.  Some had been in the jewelry box ever since then, and there were other pieces we remembered seeing her wear.  We have daughters and granddaughters of our own now, and going through mom’s jewelry brought back many memories.  It also brought out many stories as we worked together.

Vintage jewelry simply means jewelry that has been owned by somebody else and is less than 100 years old.  Some of my mother’s things had been owned by my grandmother and great aunt, and some had been given to her by my dad.  That made them all the more precious to us.

Pointer number one: If you are interested in buying vintage jewelry there are many places to find it.  Garage sales, antique stores, flea markets, and Grandma’s attic are a few suggestions.  When you find a piece you like, if it is possible to get the story behind it, that just makes it more fun to wear.

Pointer number two: When shopping for vintage jewelry, the main criterion to look for is that you love it.  The value of a particular piece will depend mostly upon its condition.  A designer piece, signed by the maker, and well cared for and preserved will, obviously, carry a higher price tag than an unknown, well-worn or chipped piece.  As all of them are used, don’t expect them to last a real long time.  Love it while you have it.

Pointer number three: Just keep in mind that, unless they are of very high quality, they won’t be very expensive.  If you just want something to wear and enjoy, knowing it will need to be replaced, then pick what you like and enjoy it.  If you’re collecting more as a hobby, you’ll want to be more careful about the quality of your selections.

Vintage is very popular right now, not only in jewelry, but clothes, cars, dishes, furniture, and just about anything else you can think of.  So, if that fits your taste, buying vintage jewelry could be for wearing and/or collecting too.  Take advantage of the fact that it fits into the fashion scene, and get in on the move toward vintage.

 

 

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Things to Consider When Searching for the Right Costume Jewelry

Posted on September 5, 2011 by

Looking forward to a special night out with your sweetheart, an anniversary celebration, office or Christmas party, or even a night out with the girls?  Searching for just the right costume jewelry to complement your outfit?  There are tons of pieces to choose from, available online or at stores like Charming Charlies, Claire’s, jewelry sections of department stores, and others.

Finding the right jewelry can be difficult at times, but it’s always fun and especially if you are with a friend.  Take your best friend and go shopping!  If you like to be bold in your selections, remember contrast can sometimes do the job better than matching or blending.  With a solid color outfit, you can really dazzle the whole look with bigger and brighter bling.  Dress up white with any bright color.  Solid green will stand out with accessories of red, orange, or even the right shade of blue.  Put those mirrors to use and try out daring ideas.  If it doesn’t look good you don’t have to buy it, so try something wild!

Chains do a good job of complimenting black.  Or perhaps it would be just as accurate to say that the black compliments your jewelry.  Let it sparkle!  Cubic zirconium, sterling silver, gold, or painted glass beads all look great against black.

Beads are really in right now, whether they be semi-precious stones, wood, seeds, glass, plastic, crystal, or sterling.  You can choose many strands of small beads, or one strand of large ones.  Remember, if you’re wearing a scoop neckline a short necklace looks better.  A high neckline calls for a longer necklace, though not necessarily too long.  The very long ones tend to give a more casual look, so if that’s what you’re after, there are many to choose from.

Your search for the right costume jewelry could be as much fun as the occasion you buy it for!  Just remember that you need to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing.  The opinion of your friends can be helpful, but in the end you must choose what you like, what makes you feel the way you want to feel, and what makes you look the way you want to look.

Costume jewelry is affordable, fun, beautiful, and easy to find.  It can dress up a plain outfit, complement a fancy one, add a little bling to your jeans, and brighten up your everyday life.  Indulge, and enjoy!

 

 

Posted in Costume Jewelry | 3 Comments