Choosing and Caring for Silver Jewellery

Since the dawn of time, women have been attracted to beautiful things, and have wanted to look good. It's no wonder that jewellery ranks as one of the top accessories women favor in the quest to look their best. Silver is a great addition to your jewellery collection and can be dressed up in many different ways. Silver is a precious metal that is easily manipulated to form various shapes, according to what you want to achieve. Due to its semi-durability, it's mixed with a bit of copper to strengthen and protect it from damage. This means that great care should be taken to maintain the original shine and look of your silver jewellery.

When shopping for silver jewellery, make sure that the type you're looking for is sterling silver. Check that the silver is actually sterling by looking for the number .925 engraved on the jewellery. What this means is that 92.5 percent of the jewellery is pure silver, with a bit of copper and nickel added in. What you want to avoid is any jewellery that is 'silver plated' because, quite simply, this is just metal with a coating of silver, and with time, the coating will wear away and reveal the inferior metal underneath.

Silver jewellery is a great way of adorning any outfit, and is perfect for all occasions. Some tips for caring for it include: never swim in your silver jewellery. The silver will react with the chlorine or other minerals in the water and fade much faster with time. When you're out of the shower and preparing yourself to leave the house, don't lotion yourself up with your silver ring, bracelets or earrings on. They should be the last thing you put on.

Remove your jewellery and keep it safe before working out at the gym to avoid discoloration. It's a good idea to invest in a silk pouch that will serve as somewhere you'll store your silver jewellery when you're not wearing it, protecting it from scratches and accidental bumps. Regularly polish and clean your silver jewellery. You can easily do this with warm water and a soft cloth every so often, and then polishing it using a specially prepared lacquer that you can find in most jewellery shops.

Before buying silver jewellery, make sure that you're not allergic to it. Most people don't know what it is that they're allergic to when they get a reaction from wearing jewellery. In most cases, silver allergy is in fact due to the other metals that are found in sterling silver jewellery. You could speak to your doctor about this and ask for a test to confirm this allergy.Silver is always relatively low in price, especially in comparison to gold, so it won't put a dent in your finances. It looks good and gives that extra sparkle to an outfit, making you stand out. Silver jewellery is a perfect gift idea that will bring a smile to the person receiving it, and will carry memories of fondness for years to come.

Have you been trying to find beautiful Toowoomba silver jewellery? Discover one of the best Toowoomba Jewellers for amazing jewellery today.

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Essential Tools for the Amateur Jewellery Maker

As Jewellery makers, one of the most common decisions we face is whether or not to buy more tools. If so, which ones? Often the choice comes down to "Should I buy another tool or should I buy more material?" For those relatively new to jewellery making, it's an especially daunting question and without proper guidance it can be a costly one as well.

To learn anything new we need three things; tools, materials, and instruction. This trinity is the foundation for developing any kind of skill or ability. Knowing we need some of each to get started, how do we know which, what, when and why? We could buy tools endlessly and still never have all of them.

I find it's better to buy fewer tools and more materials. It's not only the wisest approach to long-term development; it's also the best investment strategy for getting started.

It actually doesn't take many tools to make handmade jewellery. Most aspiring jewellery makers start off buying more tolls than they need. Often they are encouraged by tool makers and vendors that they must have a certain tool to make jewellery. They might also be influenced by others who have more tools than they know what to do with, and definitely have more than they need.

So, where to begin? First we have to have an idea of what we want to do. Let's assume that we want to learn to make jewellery by fabrication directly with metal. The best place to start is with solid foundation skills: forging, forming, bending, sawing, piercing, filing, and cold construction. Just these techniques alone allow us to make jewellery endlessly. They are certainly sufficient to develop and refine our skills and to learn our material.

If you're just starting to explore metal, you don't yet know which techniques you like. Buying many specialised tools will financially confine you to a particular technique before you've decided if you like it. I would suggest beginning with the bare minimum of tools and buying additional tools only if you determine that you want to continue. This will be particularly true for tools used in making handmade rings.

There is an adage that you should always buy the best tool that you can afford. This is sound advice, but not in every situation. I suggest good quality for specific items, especially pliers, but sometimes an adequate is sufficient to get started. Buying economical tools where acceptable allows us to buy a few extra items, invest in more material, or pay for instruction.

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Tips on Choosing the Right Bridal Jewellery - Part 2

Classical

Classical fairy tale dresses were once every girl's dream and for many they still are! As most of these dresses have very full skirts and heavily embellished bodices, it can sometimes be overpowering to have a full necklace, drop earrings and bracelet suite. Why not try a delicate fresh water pearl necklace and depending upon your hair style, droplet earrings with a feature fresh water coin pearl or semi-precious stone to complement your colour theme.

In some cases the bodice of the dress may have a hint of colour intertwined with diamontes, sequins and pearls. Swarvoski crystals are some of the best crystal beads you can get and are very affordable. The beauty with Swarvoski crystals is that the colour choices are virtually limitless, so whatever your colour theme, you can add a hint of this into your jewellery and then add a little more for the bridesmaids. So let's say for instance you have a hint of deep rose red crystal dotted around your bodice, down the dress and perhaps on the train of the dress. You could either choose to go for a full clear Swarvoski jewellery suite, a mixture of clear and the colour that is hinted on your dress or a mixture between fresh water pearl and Swarvoski. If your gown has some pearl detail on it, it would be good to tie pearls in elsewhere within your bridal look either with a button hole twist or Swarvoski crystal and pearl vines in your bouquets, that way the whole look will harmonise. Of course, each bride knows exactly what it is she is looking for and ultimately her choice is the best choice!

I've seen some gorgeous elegant bridal jewellery sets that have a Swarvoski crystal tiara with a hint of your statement colour added and matching necklace whether it be a delicate Swarvoski necklace with large centre droplet and crystal encrusted wrist cuff for the full on crystal bling or a mixture of fresh water coin pearl earrings with one simple yet classical fresh water coin pearl droplet necklace. Another striking option is to highlight your main colour and go for a gorgeous crystal encrusted hair vine, especially with fair hair colours this looks amazing and very unique!

Ever heard of the two out three rule? It is good to remember that sometimes less is more, so when talking about bridal dresses and bridal jewellery, generally brides tend to go for either necklace and bracelet/bridal wrist cuff. Or they go for necklace and earrings; or earrings and bracelet. If earrings are to be worn with a feature necklace and bracelet, then some simple sterling silver and Marcasite earrings, perhaps a pair of Sterling Silver and Marcasite love knot earrings or elegant fresh water pearl studs look gorgeous.

Heirlooms Ever After design and create their own jewellery as well as featuring Marcasite And More's sensational Sterling Silver, Marcasite and Semi-Precious stone jewellery sets. If you have your own heirloom and would love to have it made into something you could wear for your special day, Heirlooms Ever After can do this for you. They offer a full design service or will customise any of their own designs to suit your individual requirements and budget. So whether you are looking for that simple pair of Marcasite Love Knot earrings or that elaborate blue topaz jewellery suite, Heirlooms Ever After look forward to helping you. Please visit their website: http://www.heirloomseverafter.co.uk/

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Tips on Choosing the Right Jewellery - Crystal or Pearl

All women know that 'diamonds are supposed to be a girl's best friend', but let's face it, how many of us have diamonds, or any that are worth speaking about let alone being 'best friends'?! The first hint of a diamond for any woman could well be her engagement ring. Whether chosen by her soon to be husband or chosen herself, this first diamond is one to keep hold of and cherish but what about other stones, what about semi-precious stones? Today Cubic Zironcia (CZ) is a well known and cheaper diamond alternative and in a lot of cases, to an untrained eye, they do sparkle sensationally and at a fraction of the price, are a very attractive understudy. Zircon on the other hand is somewhat different and more rare and therefore more precious than it's manmade buddy CZ. Zircon shines beautifully and in many ways it is virtually impossible for the untrained eye to know the difference between Zircon and diamond. What about Swarvoski crystals? These too scintillate when light hits them and any movement results in a rainbow disco ball effect that is breathtaking. Semi-precious stones today have been made into gorgeous jewellery and when matched with Swarvoski crystals you get lovely results and expensive looking items. As for pearls, these come in so many different shapes and sizes and if you have a pearl with a triple 'a' lustre, that is of exceptionally high quality, there is no other gem like it. Fresh water coin pearls are such great value for money as you get a lot of pearl for your money. Round pearls are the common favourite with the more unusual shapes i.e. potatoe pearls, rice pearls, abalone and blister to name a few that are now making more of a statement in jewellery.

Brides have for many many years worn pearls as a symbol of purity and as the oldest known gem the pearl is here to stay with regards to bridal jewellery. Today jewellery designers and manufacturers have put pearls with Marcasite and Sterling Silver to create a gorgeous combination. As pearls come in so many shapes, sizes and shades, brides and women in general are somewhat spoilt for choice. Pearls need not seem old fashioned! Our visions of our Grandmother and her string of pearls around her neck should only serve to give us a heartwarming reminder of the pearl's timeless beauty, decadence and classic charm. Each gem has a place of it's own I'm sure in every woman's collection but for me pearls win hands down every time!

Heirlooms Ever After have a large selection of Sterling Silver, Marcasite and fresh water pearl jewellery not to mention semi-precious stones too. For your bridal jewellery and to see pearl headdresses mixed with vintage Marcasite jewellery visit http://www.heirloomseverafter.co.uk/

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Jewellery and Tattoos

You'd be surprised to know that a lot of the tattoos people wear have jewellery that could go incredibly well with them. Over the years tattooing on females has become more and more popular with more and alternative options in piercing, cloths and hairstyles it was only natural that woman would want to stand apart in their tattoos and jewellery too. Jewellery is typically stereotyped towards a more classical look, but in the recent years it has been noticed that young woman are attracted to other themed styles too.

Piercings and jewellery are starting to blend together more and more as new trends come and go, girls can be seen with a multitude of eye catching piercings on there ears, nose, tongue, lips bellybuttons and even cheeks. This has opened up a whole range of unique ways jewellery can be attached to the body.

With all these altered looks being shown off how are females choosing to wear their bracelets, rings and necklaces? This is where it gets interesting, as of late you can see that modern jewellery once more associated to men such as metal and leather bracelets being mixed in with more feminine classy pieces by woman to create a balanced look that's appeals to the femininity of a woman while adding a unique and artistic touch. Combining tattoos, bright hair colours, piercings and unique jewellery seems to be a trend constantly growing and changing as of late.

Below will be a list of popular female tattoos and how you could add to your overall look by adding jewellery which is similar.

Butterfly jewellery
Butterfly tattoos are one of the most popular tattoos females will be drawn towards. There are plenty of different types of earrings, bracelets and necklaces with butterflies made from a certain gemstone or just out of a certain metal as gold or silver.

Tribal jewellery
Tribal tattoos can have meanings and are known to be placed on the lower back. Tribal jewellery could be lots of things such as animal tooth pieces and leather bracelets that could be associated towards certain tribes or even just spiral designs and crosses.

Star jewellery
Symbolizing stars has been practised since almost since the earth began. These tattoos come in different shapes and sizes and can be very detailed at times; star jewellery on the other hand is often relatively simple with basic star designs hanging from necklaces or earrings.

Flower jewellery
Flowers match girls perfectly as they are the ultimate feminine symbol. Common flower tattoos could be cherry blossoms, daisies, roses, lilies and sunflowers. Designs could be just one large flower or a collection of small and colourful ones. Jewellery can come in a variety of ways even set in brooches while smaller flowers can fit daintily on rings or necklaces.

Fairy jewellery
Representing mysterious and magical powers fairy tattoos are plentiful. Fairy jewellery is relatively rare but certain figures can be seen on some necklaces.

Heart jewellery
Heart tattoos represent love and romance and come in all shapes and sizes with different additions being added to the design such as cupid angels and roses. Heart jewellery is especially popular on necklaces and lockets. Hearts are often made from ruby or garnet gemstones or can be just silver or gold.

Dragonfly jewellery
Most girls wouldn't like insects apart from dragonflies as they are thought to be cute creatures that live with butterflies and fairies. Dragonfly jewellery is more commonly purchased made out of just sterling silver although there are variants with an array of colours throughout the insect's body.

Dolphin jewellery
Dolphins are majestic, playful creatures of the sea that have an almost human like quality to them that woman are drawn to. Adding dolphin jewellery to your outfit can represent your love of the sea even if you don't already have ocean themed tattoos. Dolphins can come in earring form, attached to necklaces or even attached to pearl rings while predominantly being made of silver as it almost matches the colour of their skin.

These are just some of the examples of how you could incorporate jewellery into your tattoos. Looking more deeper into the different meanings of your body enhancements and tattoos can give you a new appreciation for what you are wearing while giving you more ideas to further customize your look.

It's a given that trends will change over time but what's most important is that whatever piece of jewellery or art you have on yourself makes you yourself happy while appealing to your inner creative and expressive side. Customizing yourself physically is accepted in many different cultures around the world and while some may think oddly of it it's what you think of it that truly matters.

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