Don't Get Hosed Buying Jewelry Online

By Ronald Hudkins

When you do decide it's time to buy some jewelry I'm not saying it should not be purchased online. By all means virtual shopping for that special someone and finding that which glitters, glows and shines is the perfect and smart thing to do. First of all, the Internet jewelry stores often offer a much wider selection of merchandise then is available in a stores catalog or at their brick and mortar storefronts. Secondly, because the virtual stores have lower inventory and other overhead costs then your neighborhood outlets, these savings can and often are passed on to the customer. Also, there is the convenience of the in-home purchase and subsequent delivery to your front door. All I'm saying is before you hit that "buy it now" button do some serious homework first.

You're buying jewelry for that special someone, not for a garbage can so, do some legwork first. When you are out there driving around and stopping at the five or ten convenient fast food restaurants that happen to be in-between all the places you are heading to; you need to actually park somewhere other than a drive through lane, get out and go into a jewelry store. The professionals in these outlets will tell you what to look for when purchasing gold, silver, pearls, diamonds, platinum, gemstones or, how to get to the public rest room. Whatever your need, inquire up close and personal. After you're an expert on jewelry, go home and purchase your product online often for 50% or more less then the store you were just in retails it for.

Go home and get the same information being Internet savvy. The Internet is the planet's largest library of information. Whatever you are in the market for, there is information about the product in the virtual archives. When you use a search engine such as Google, be specific with your request such as "gold ring" or "diamond necklace". That query is going to bring up a million sites and the ones on the first few pages are normally there for good reasons. They are top quality generally and have a frequently asked educational series of pages.

Once you are all loaded with the information needed to make a smart online purchase and have found the virtual storefront that displays that perfect piece of jewelry, you're still not ready to hit the "buy now" button. Check to see if that online store offers a guarantee, a return policy and that the site has secure ordering. Make sure you know how many days you have to return something. Remember if you need to return something, shipping, insurance and handling charges are usually not refundable. Look for an address to send mail to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.

If you are buying some high ticket item of jewelry inquire about the manner of shipment. It's important if the store uses insured carriers like FedEx, Ups and that your shipment is insured for the full value of the package content. The store that uses insured carriers and insures its shipments should be highly willing to refund or replace any item lost in shipment. The ball is in your court, ask before you buy. Take the extra minute to call or Email the online retailer for any clarifications. You want to get exactly what it is you are looking for.

So when its time to hit the purchase button rather than paying by check, money order, cashier's check, consider paying with a credit card or PayPal, or use an escrow service making sure you check their policies as well. If you get a merchant that only deals with Western Union and other wire transfer services that is basically the same as paying cash. That should be a red flag and I'd highly suggest a different vendor. Even storefront agencies have on their envelops you remit payment in "please do not send cash". There is a reason for that. Course you are free to do as you will but cash is like throwing a wallet out the car window, pulling over a block later and waiting for someone to bring it back. Good luck with that human integrity exercise! So, with the tips provided about buying jewelry online, your shopping experience can provide great savings, service and delivery from the comfort of your computer chair. Be patient, be wise and be rewarded.

Ronald Hudkins is a published web author and an advocate for consumer awareness. He is an administrator of an Internet Shopping Mall (wholesale) http://www.MyAmazingSavings.com and (Humanitarian) site http://www.AdultWishFoundations.com

Wear Jewelry Like Eva Longoria

By Cathy Pitts

Okay, so we know that Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria is gorgeous no matter what jewelry she wears. In fact she could probably dangle a pair of old sneakers from her ears and get away with it. but we're willing to bet that that's because she knows how to make those tennis treads look their best, and not the other way around. Keep a few simple tips in mind and we'll double our bet that you can make the most of your jewelry too.

1. Settle on a Hairstyle
Have you ever seen Eva unclip an elegant updo mid-red carpet? Or swoop her locks into a ponytail halfway through a Spurs game? Neither have we. Nor do we expect to anytime soon, due to a fact that the rest of us fidgety, hair band-toting ladies seem to have forgotten: To settle on a hairstyle before you leave the house means that not only will your hair-free hands convey confidence and allow you to hold a cocktail or two, you will also have the advantage of choosing jewelry for that hairstyle in front of a mirror. While we're at it, may we suggest that when your hair is down, feel free to wear something a little more shiny and showy, so that it is not lost underneath the tresses. On the other hand, err on the simpler side when your ears and neckline are exposed. Too much bling will take away from the real gem (you).

2. If Going Big, Go Beautiful
Eva's prominent cheekbones and oval face shape combine to create negative space along her chinbone where long dangles and big hoops can hang free. Here, bigger earrings lend length to her face (where shorter ones would have the opposite effect), but there is a risk in that any large piece of jewelry inevitably draws a lot of attention. Thus, we doubt that Eva ever just throws any old earrings in and goes. Rather, the earrings she chooses have three things in common:
they are confident, graceful and of earthy stones like chalcedony and citrine...characteristics that many would also attribute to Eva herself. This combination results in accessories that complement, not overwhelm, the face they hang from.

3. Simple Can Be Striking
Recently, Eva was photographed wearing a large Green Quartz and layered gold chain pendant necklace. Pendant necklaces provide an opportunity for personalization that other necklaces don't because gemstones come in all shapes, sizes and colors. So if green makes your skin look sallow, choose coral or topaz instead. If you prefer a single, sterling silver chain, go for it. The point is not to copy Eva exactly, but to embrace the elements that make it work - the bold grace of a single, visible stone, enhanced but not overwhelmed by a delicate chain, will only be outdone by your own radiant face.

4. The Engagement Ring
Just to be clear, we doubt that many of our readers are about to receive a ring made of 148 diamonds, or for that matter, marry an NBA star. But we do expect you to feel like a celebrity during your engagement, and we think the trick is making the bling as personal as Eva and Tony did. Eva's darker toned skin cries out for diamonds, so it makes sense that the ring would boast so many. Another option would be to choose a light metal, like sterling silver or platinum, for the band. If your skin is already white enough, then flank the diamond with a couple of small, darker gemstones and a gold band. This will make the diamond pop, no matter its size.

To take it one step further, Tony's handwritten message was engraved inside the shank of the ring. We suggest a comparable, but less pricey italicized inscription on the inside of the band. Think of it as a private message that your finger can read day after day.

Cathy Pitts founded Dasha Boutique, which features customizable, handmade jewelry, in 2003. Go to http://www.DashaBoutique.com today to see artisan-crafted designs that can be tailored to specific stone, metal and size preferences. Orders ship in 2-3 business days.

The History Of The Jewelry Box

By Lisa Becker

The history of the jewelry box dates back centuries. Throughout the ages, jewelry boxes have been designed and crafted by skilled craftsmen. The Industrial Revolution initiated the concept of mass production. It enabled the middle class of the society to purchase decorative items like the jewelry box along with other essential commodities. This was possible as jewelry boxes could be manufactured in bulk and the cost involved in the mass production was less.

Mail Order Luxuries
In the early 1900s, mail order catalogs such as Sears, Wards and Marshall Field, enabled the average family to purchase jewelry boxes from home. Even the jewelry stores put on display the latest and trendiest jewelry box designs. Jewel boxes were available in all sizes, from the smallest ring box to handkerchief and even glove sized boxes. The bottom parts of these boxes were as beautiful as the top design.

Antimonial lead was the most common base metal used for the construction of jewelry boxes. Initially, the jewelry boxes were electroplated with copper, and then finished with either gold or silver. Other finishing touches included French Bronze, Roman Gold, Pompeian Gold, French Gray, and Parisian Silver. Ivory finishes were introduced around 1911. Enamel finished boxes lasted longer than gold or silver boxes.

International Influences on Jewelry Boxes
International trade and travel opened new doors to decorative styles all over the globe. During the early 1900s, the most outstanding decorative style of jewelry boxes was Art Nouveau. It was a romantic design that was famous for its flowing, asymmetrical lines, with motifs relating to nature. The Nouveau design reflected flower sentiments on jewelry boxes; the four-leaf-clover for good luck, daisies for innocence, roses for love and beauty, and so on.

From 1904 to 1918, there was an overwhelming mass production of jewelry boxes. In this era, gold and silver boxes were very common. Silver-plated boxes are considered as antique jewelry boxes and are very rare. Other types of antique jewelry boxes include the souvenir boxes that have commemorative ceramic or photo discs. There are also the ivory finished boxes. Thought they were designed later, they are very hard to find. Their finishes were extremely durable.
Hence, these antique jewelry boxes may still be passed down the family generations.

Lisa Becker is an avid jewelry box collector and writes for Jewelry Boxes 123: Shop For Your Perfect Jewelry Box. Her expertise regarding jewelry boxes provides insight into the world of jewelry boxes and armoires. For more articles, visit Jewelry Boxes 123 Articles.

Jewelry for Year Around Style

By Alice Lane

Year in and year out styles and fashion come and go. In fact, every season there is something new to be obsessed with. Though this is certainly exciting for those of us who love new and original ideas, it is also lots of fun. However, most people don’t or can’t change every single thing in their closets and accessory box every time the wind changes. Imagine the craziness of doing that every season? It is great to update your wardrobe every so often and who doesn’t use retail therapy to cope with stress of daily life. However, when you are choosing the pieces of your collection that require a little more investment, you want them to be classics. Everyone has certain basics and foundational articles that define their character and style. In terms of jewelry, every woman has those special treasures that she wears when she really wants to convey her uniqueness and give her outward appearance that extra special touch.

With clothing, there are certain fundamentals that keep coming back and that rarely change. Part of their selection has to do with your comfort with your own style. I knew a woman whose classic outfit consisted of jeans and a white button down shirt. Initially that sounds boring but she would play with jean styles and cuts as well as shirt designs. Then her jewelry and accessories dressed things up or dressed things down depending on her mood or the occasion.

Every person needs to decide what her staples are and then feel free to add the more interesting trends that appear each season. Items like knee high boots for example were huge in various parts of the 60s and 70s and continue to evolve in their frequent resurgences. This is an item that is worth investing in, as it never goes away.

In terms of jewelry, it can be a little harder or a little easier to choose classics depending on one thing...you. If you are one to get sick of something and lose it at the bottom of your jewelry box, you may be always chasing new trends every season. If you are a person who enjoys being really selective in your jewelry pieces then you want to always go with designers that have an ability to create truly lasting pieces. Judith Ripka inspired jewelry is one that comes to mind.

Once you take a look at her artistry you’ll see why she has lasted so long in this cutthroat business. Though her collections continue to evolve as with the Judith Ripka Berge earrings and the Judith Ripka Loopty Loo her pieces never go "out of style" and her collections shine with adaptability to ever changing fashion trends. In this scenario, a woman with a firm grasp on her own taste and personal fashion makes her life easier when she finds an artist or jewelry designer that offers pieces that serve as classics. From Judith Ripka Bangles to rings and earrings, with a designer like her, you can find true fundamental pieces to accentuate and augment your own personal style while remaining "in".

It is true that is can be fun yet maddening to try to keep up with the latest and greatest styles. However, with a little self-awareness and familiarity with who is out there, you can find styles and designers to help you create your fashion foundation. This will allow you to keep a style all your own while extracting new and fabulous compliments as the seasons change.

Looking for Judith Ripka inspired jewelry? If you're anywhere in the midwest then stop by Judith Ripka Chicago for the finest selection of exquisite jewelry. Whether you're looking for Judith Ripka Berge earrings or Judith Ripka Bangles or anything in between, we look forward to helping you find your perfect piece.

How to Get a Jewelry Rep to Market Your Handmade Jewelry

By Kristie Leong

Are you a jewelry maker or designer looking for new ways to market your jewelry? There's no doubt about it! A jewelry design business takes time especially if you exhibit at craft and jewelry shows which require preparation and travel. This can take precious time away from jewelry design and production. Your first love is jewelry design and you'd like to spend more time designing and less time focused on jewelry marketing. Is there a solution?

For some jewelry makers and designers, the answer is to enlist the services of a sales rep. A jewelry sales rep is a traveling sales person who carries several independent lines of jewelry that he or she markets to various boutiques and galleries. The sales rep is paid a commission by the jewelry designer of between 10% to 20% of the wholesale price. For example, if a bracelet sells for a retail price of $100, the store pays $50.00 for the item. Out of that $50.00 you pay the rep $7.50, assuming a commission rate of 15%. This may sound like a lot, but you have to consider the cost savings of not traveling as well as the time savings of being able to spend more time in your studio producing jewelry.

A sales rep can also help you reach a national audience by exhibiting your designs at trade shows in large cities. This can be a very rewarding arrangement for you as the jewelry designer. Your jewelry is marketed in a professional manner and you never have to leave your studio.

An additional benefit of having a rep is that a rep can keep you abreast of jewelry design trends and give you updates on what's selling and what's not. A jewelry rep can also suggest potential modifications to your jewelry line based on her experience in the marketplace. This may result in increased sales for you.

In order to successfully sell your jewelry through a sales rep, you'll need:

Price lists for your jewelry neatly printed up to give to the rep. Actual catalogue sheets are usually unnecessary since the rep will have samples of your individual jewelry pieces.

A statement of your terms of sale including your return policy. Clarification of your shipping terms. Which carrier will ship your jewelry and any special shipping bonuses such as free shipping with a minimum purchase. You should also make a statement about when items will be shipped. i.e. within 3 days etc.

A brief biography of your jewelry design experience that the rep can use to promote your work. Consider including a photo on your bio to personalize it.

Representative samples of your jewelry line for the rep to show retailers. An accurate record should be kept of what samples were given to the rep as well as when they should be returned and what is owed in the event that samples are lost. (which hopefully won't happen!)

Once you've determined you'd like to work with a rep, how do you go about locating one? Here are some suggestions:

1. Check the classified sections of various jewelry and gift trade journals. Jewelry reps often advertise here when they're seeking new accounts. Try checking the classified section of Lapidary Journal. Another good source is Accessories Magazine, a specialized trade journal for the jewelry and accessories business.

2. Attend jewelry trade shows in large cities such as New York, Boston, and Chicago. Jewelry reps exhibit their lines at these trade shows in order to attract new boutique accounts. Walk through the show and find reps who are displaying lines of jewelry that are somewhat similar to your own in price and style. When you find one, take a business card so you can contact the rep later to discuss carrying your line of jewelry. Important! These shows are for the trade only so you'll probably be asked to show your credentials.

3. Visit jewelry marts and showrooms in New York City where reps display. Again, get their contact information.

4. Find retailers in your area who carry jewelry similar to yours. Ask if they have a rep who calls upon them. See if you can get their contact information.

5. Network with other jewelry artisans who market their jewelry through reps.

6. Advertise for a rep through one of the jewelry trade journals.

7. Contact The United Association Manufacturers' Representatives who will help you locate a rep for a fee.

Once you've found a rep you'd like to work with, be sure to get answers to the following questions:

How long have you been in the business?

How many jewelry lines do you carry?

What is your commission rate?

Do you have a list of references? (request to see them)

What territory do you cover?

How many accounts do you service?

You also want to make sure you have a rep that carries lines of jewelry similar to yours in style and price range. If you sell high end artisan jewelry, you don't want to enlist the services of a jewelry rep who carries lower end, mass produced jewelry. It's also important that you feel comfortable with the rep you're dealing with and have a good line of communication.

Jewelry marketing through a rep can be a profitable and satisfying means of bringing your designs to the public. Plus, it can free up your time to be a more creative and productive jewelry designer. Why not see if a jewelry rep would be right for your jewelry business?

Kristie Leong M.D. specializes in helping handmade jewelry designers find new markets for their jewelry. She publishes a blog and has website full of information on jewelry marketing at http://www.jewelry-marketing.com

Jewelry Manufacturing Terms - Explained

By I. Maher

If you have ever shopped for jewelry, you have likely encountered numerous seemingly foreign terms which describe the way particular pieces of jewelry are crafted. You have probably heard jewelry industry terms such as handmade, electroplate and gold filled, and wondered what these terms are actually supposed to be telling you. By understanding commonly used terms which describe the way jewelry is made, you will be a more educated jewelry consumer and able to make informed decisions when purchasing fine jewelry such as necklaces or eternity rings.
Below are explanations of some common terms that will give you insight into the construction of particular pieces of jewelry:

-Cast: Cast jewelry makes up a majority of the jewelry you will see for sale in stores and online. Casting is a widely used jewelry manufacturing process in which metal is poured or forced into a mold, called a die, making it assume the shape of the cavities of the mold. The metal then cools and hardens in the desired shape, at which point it is called casting.

-Die Struck: Denser and thus more resilient than cast jewelry, die struck jewelry is formed by compressing precious metals into shape by striking or stamping them using harder metal dies.
Requiring specialized equipment and more production time, die struck jewelry is more costly than cast jewelry.

-Handmade: Just as it sounds, jewelry marked “handmade” has been constructed entirely by hand without the aid of mechanical devices. All major components of handmade jewelry have been individually crafted by hand, and no machine manufactured parts may be incorporated into jewelry designated as “handmade.” Handmade jewelry can be relatively costly but is highly sought after due to its uniqueness.

-Gold electroplate: Jewelry carrying this description is composed of a non gold base metal coated with a layer of at least ten carat gold. In order to be classified as gold electroplate, the layer of gold must be applied to the base metal through an electrolytic process and measure at least 0.175 microns (about seven millionths of an inch) in thickness.

-Gold filled: Gold filled jewelry is also comprised of a base metal coated with at least ten carat gold, though the gold coating of gold filled jewelry is bonded to the base metal mechanically through the application of heat and pressure. Gold must comprise at least 5% (or 1/20th) of the weight of a piece in order to be classified as gold filled. You may also see gold filled jewelry referred to as “gold overlay” or “rolled gold plate.”

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings, diamond rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit http://www.Maliere.com

How To Buy Good Jewelry Wholesale

By James Ott

If you love jewelry, then you probably also know just how much it can cost to buy good quality jewelry. For most of us, our budgets are too limited to allow us to buy all the jewelry we would dearly love to have. So buying jewelry wholesale and saving lots of money is a great idea for expanding your jewelry collection at a budget price.

Recently, the expansion of the internet has made buying jewelry wholesale a whole lot easier. Many wholesale companies can be accessed online from the comfort of your own home. One thing to be careful of, however, is that there are two main types of jewelry sites online. Make sure you're looking at the wholesale company sites, not at the sites of online jewelry retailers. Otherwise you could still end up paying close to retail prices.

When you're looking to buy jewelry wholesale, look for wholesale companies that sell a whole range of products, not just jewelry. That's one of the best ways to recognize a store that's a genuine wholesaler, not just a jeweler trying to cash in on the desire of buyers to find a bargain.
Those type of wholesalers are more difficult to find so you really need to check carefully before you buy. Better to be safe then sorry specially when dealing with faceless persons on the "web."

If you plan to buy jewelry wholesale on a regular basis, then it may be worth purchasing a directory of wholesale companies online, but that's generally not necessary. Just type into a search engine what piece of jewelry you're looking for, followed by the word wholesale. So, for example, type in 'diamond bracelet wholesale'. Then it's just a question of sorting through the results until you find a genuine wholesale site that sells what you want.

The main problem in buying jewelry wholesale online is that some wholesalers will only sell their stock in bulk lots. So again, you will need to check the conditions of sale before buying a piece of jewelry, just to make sure you don't end up with 10 of the same thing, rather than one.

If this all sounds like a lot of trouble, there are other options. Look at joining a discount club, like Sam's. You won't get prices as low as buying jewelry wholesale, but you can still get substantial savings on ordinary retail prices. That may be enough when you consider how much time you'll save.

When buying jewelry wholesale online, it's important to be very sure you'll get what it is you've ordered. Check for words in the sales copy that could be misinterpreted - for example, 'realistic'. Often that is a clue that the item isn't genuine. Check for a refund or exchange policy, and a money back guarantee. These are important, because you need to be confident that you have the option of getting your money back if you're not happy with the quality of the goods you receive.

It can also be a good option to buy jewelry through eBay, where you can sometimes pick up good quality jewelry at the equivalent of wholesale prices. Just make sure the seller has good feedback and ratings, and if it's an expensive piece, use an escrow service. Buying jewelry wholesale is a great way to expand your jewelry collection quickly, but you need to be careful and make sure you really are getting a good deal.

Jim Ott is the author. For more information and help in buying wholesale and on the web, see http://www.berts-jewelry.com