Important Things To Know About Black Hills Gold Rings

On 08.26.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

When you looked into a jewelry case full of Black Hills Gold jewelry for the first time, did you immediately fall in love?  I know I did.  I immediately wanted to begin collecting as much of it as I could because it was so different than anything else I had.  There are many types to choose from, including Black Hills Gold rings and Black Hills Gold earrings, to name just a few.  Before you jump into a full-fledged Black Hills Gold jewelry collection, take a look at this:

Black Hills Gold is truly American, through and through.  Gold was first discovered in the Black Hills of present day South Dakota in 1876.  General George A. Custer was sent there on an expedition after missionaries reported meeting Indians in the area who had gold, and said that they had found it in the Black Hills.  When General Custer sent word back to Washington that there was gold to be had there, a gold rush began that lasted for most of a decade.  Because of the excessive mining done at that time, there is only one mine remaining in the Black Hills today, near the town of Lead, South Dakota.

Black Hills Gold rings and other Black Hills Gold manufactured today must be designed and manufactured in South Dakota to be considered to be genuine.  It must also have a tri-gold coloration, with a grape leaf motif worked into the design of the piece.  A court ruling in 1980 declared that those were the conditions for jewelry to be called Black Hills jewelry because in the previous decade, many companies were making jewelry in other states, using copper and calling it “Black Hills Gold” even though it wasn’t made anywhere near South Dakota.

Because gold actually mined in the Black Hills is now scarce, most Black Hills Gold jewelry is made from gold mined elsewhere.  The colored gold used in it is made by using 24K pure gold and mixing it with different proportions of copper and silver to achieve the beautiful rose and green colors used in the designs.  After mixing just the right colors, it is rolled into sheets, stamped and cut into the grape-leaf motifs.  These are applied to 10, 12 and 14K ring shanks and other gold “base pieces” to create Black Hills gold earrings and pendants, as well as Black Hills Gold rings that we see in stores today.

One last tidbit:  If you are a cost-conscious jewelry shopper, look for Black Hills Silver.  It is made with strict manufacturing guidelines just like the gold version is, and just might fit into a tight budget.  If you are like me and have a jewelry box full of one-color cubic zirconia rings and other fairly plain jewelry, and now that you know a little bit about the history and manufacture of Black Hills Gold jewelry, it seems like a great time to head out and do some shopping, doesn’t it?

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The Advantages Of Garmin GPS Watches

On 08.06.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

Garmin has been the leader in GPS technology since GPS was released to the general public. It is not surprising when you look at their great quality, usability and vast features. Some of Garmin’s best features, when it comes to GPS watches, are the intangibles that you don’t usually think of such as motivation, competition, goal setting, convenience and community.

Many people never get to their goal, in exercise or any endeavor, because they are missing the one important factor: motivation. Garmin watches will record many vital fitness statistics such as distance, speed, calories burned, heart rate, elevation and a lot more, in real-time. Since Garmin watches store all this data in memory, you can upload this information to your computer.

With Garmin’s patented software called Training Center, you can view these statistics in spreadsheets and charts. Imagine having the power to be able to view a graph of your distance and calories burned and seeing how you started a month ago running less than a mile, burning only 50 calories and now you are burning 300 calories running 3 miles per day. This can be a big motivator to get you to get outside everyday and try your hardest to strive higher.

Being able to compete against someone that is a little faster than you is a great way to get you to run as hard as you can. Garmin watches come with a feature where you can compete against your previous workouts and try to beat specific stats such as your speed and calories burned. If you compete against your previous workouts each day, you are sure to be making new goals in no time.

Just as important as motivation is goal setting. Goal setting is one thing that all successful people do and it is no different with a fitness program. These watches allow you to set goals for any statistics you like so if you want to burn 200 calories per workout you can.

How convenient you make your exercise program can make or break your success. Just like if you have a home gym you are more likely to get your workouts completed compared to having to travel to go to the gym. Garmin watches track and store all the statistics for you so you don’t have to write them down or calculate your calories burned.

Working out with others who have the same goals can drastically increase your chances of succeeding as they can motivate and push you to workout everyday. With online communities like Garmin Connect and TrainingPeaks.com you can find other like-minded individuals where you can compare your stats and compete to make new heights.

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10 Things You Should Know About Unique Tourmalines

On 07.30.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

In general, tourmaline gemstones are found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, and in hydrothermal replacement deposits and it can be found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Russia, Italy, Mozambique and Nigeria in South Africa, and Maine and California in USA. Tourmaline is insoluble in acids which makes it resistant to any acidic chemical reactions unlike silver and it has pyroelectric properties, which means that a tourmaline crystal can be electrically charged for it has a positive charge on one end and a negative charge on the other.  Toumalines range in different colors, from red to pink tourmaline, yellow to brown, blue, green, and even watermelon tourmalines.  What makes tourmalines equally as engaging as any other precious gemstones for jewelry aficionados and artisans is its unique characteristics.

The following below are some of the notable characteristics of tourmalines that you may want to know:

  1. Tourmalines are referred to as “the gemstone of the rainbow” for its variety of colors available.  The word tourmaline is a combination of Sinhalese words “tura” and “mali” which means “stone of many colors”.
  2. Some tourmalines, like yellow and brown tourmalines changes color when the light changes from daylight to artificial light.  Thus, different shades and hues of the same color is possible within the day. Some have the quality as that of a cat’s eye, which means that they may glow in the dark.
  3. No two tourmalines are exactly alike which make a single tourmaline different from the other.  It is as unique and distinctive as snowflakes and fingerprints.
  4. Because of the variety of colors, old people use to feel that tourmalines exude different mood and atmosphere, one for each type of person.  Magical powers in the form of amulets are sometimes associated with it.
  5. An interesting characteristic of tourmalines is dichroism – a tourmaline is a semi precious stone that cause visible light to split up into distinct beams of different wavelengths and colors. This means that a single tourmaline gem has a different shade or intensity in color depending on the angle from where it is viewed.
  6. In Moh’s scale, a typical tourmaline has 7 to 7.5 hardness.  It is harder than garnet, onyx, opal, and pearl while it is softer than topaz, ruby, sapphire or diamond.  To give you another example, a fingernail has a hardness of 2, a window glass has 5.5 scale and a steel file has 6.5.
  7. Tourmaline stones with 2 colors are called bicolored tourmalines; those that have more than two colors are called multicolored tourmalines.
  8. Tourmalines have a pyroelectric characteristic, which means that they can be electrically charged when they are heated and allowed to cool. The other end has a positive charge, while the other has the negative one.
  9. It is the birthstone of the month of October. A pink tourmaline ring set would make a great gift for someone in your life.
  10. Tourmaline is also associated with emotional and spiritual love; it is the gemstone of the long lasting love and friendship.
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Maintain and Protect With A Jewelry Organizer

On 07.29.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

For a jewelry piece to live longer in terms of its quality and luster, you should always take into consideration the appropriate ways to maintain and protect it.  Different jewelry types demand specific maintenance of their qualities – after all you wouldn’t want to sport a damaged or scuffed ring or a necklace with lots of scratches.  Some jewelry items are needed to take off when you are planning to take a dip in the swimming pool.  Other people should be wary that some chemical properties tend to wear out the color of jewels.  You can also protect your jewelry by simply buying and using a jewelry organizer, where you can safely secure each jewelry piece in individual compartments.  If you have expensive sets of jewelry, then it is important that you should be wary of them every now and then; after all, jewelry is a good financial investment.

A concrete example why you need to maintain the stunning luster and protect a jewelry item is in the form of silver jewelry pieces.  You may or you may not know, that the nature of the silver is not as stable as gold and platinum.  That it is true that silver is indeed difficult to maintain because it is likely to react upon contact in water, air and other elements that have certain chemical properties.  Then the process of oxidation happens which in result, leads to faded color in silver to spots of black or loss in glossy quality of the jewelry piece.  And obviously, you wouldn’t wear a dull and faded jewelry item because it does not bring out the elegance and luxury taste in you.  However, this phenomenon that occurs in jewelry items that are made out of silver is just normal – it’s just that you needed to exert a few measures on how to best avoid them.

There are many ways to protect and care for your jewelry, to maintain the luster of them every now and then.  One of them is to buy a polishing jewelry kit.  It is indeed frustrating to look at the discolored jewelry items so it is better to treat them with a clear and protective coating to make their glossy quality come into the picture.  Polishing jewelry kits are widely accessible online and in your local department stores as there is a higher demand for it.  If you are planning on purchasing one, then make sure that it is safe to come in contact with skin and that it would bring out the brilliant glow of your worn out faded jewelry items.

Another way to maintain your jewelry items is to prevent it from scratches and scuffs.  Thus, an efficient jewelry organizer is highly recommended for this.  There are many types, including a hanging jewelry organizer, available that will cater to your demands in terms of interior design and storage capacity.  This will ensure you that they are safe and secured whenever you take them off for a while. For more info on caring for and storing jewelry visit the jewelry organizer guide.

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Make Your Own Jewelry Stand for Your Ruby Rings

On 07.27.10, In Jewelry, Uncategorized, By Stevie Wonder

As a proud owner of ruby jewelry, you know how important it is to safeguard your precious gems. Ruby rings, bracelets, and earrings can become damaged easily when they are carelessly stored away in a drawer or box. The smart way to store your fine jewelry is to use a jewelry stand. A stand can make it easier to locate your favorite pieces, while also helping you to avoid the need for a lengthy period of untangling knotted chains and bands. With a little thought, you can even make your own stand.

Cup holders are perfect

When most people see a cup holder – or mug tree, they automatically think of coffee cups. The jewelry enthusiast should see this item and think of how it could be used as a jewelry stand! With its many sturdy arms, a cup tree can easily accommodate necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Some of the metal holders have arms that are small enough to serve as ring holders as well. You may even have one of these in your home already, just waiting for you to store your ruby rings and other jewelry.

Wall displays

A cork board can quickly become a jewelry stand if you put a little creativity into the process. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets can all be held up by the push pins, while a length of string –a shoelace for example – can be suspended across the top of the board for hanging earrings.

Of course, there are any number of other items that could work just as well, if you don’t want to spend the money to buy a new jewelry stand for your ruby rings and other precious gems and metals. The important thing is that, no matter which option you select, you create a stand that makes you happy with the way your jewelry is being displayed.

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Pear Shaped Engagement Rings for the Bride To Be

On 07.21.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

Women love jewelry and they definitely love diamonds. Perhaps the saying is true that diamonds are girl’s best friend. Most brides nowadays choose princess cut diamonds for their engagement ring but there is one kind of engagement ring which may not be well admired before but it certainly is becoming in style today. The pear shaped engagement rings are gaining in style today. It definitely exudes beauty and elegance to those who wears it.

It is also known as tear drop, the top of the diamond is round and the bottom narrows to a point. Many women wonder the best direction to wear their pear diamond that is set perpendicular to the ring. But the most ideal thing is to wear it with the point toward the fingernails, that way it will make your fingers look longer.

When you choose one, make sure to find a best quality pear shaped diamond. Find for a regularity Pear shaped, it should be cut equally on both sides all the way to the point where the point should be sharp and it should be set in a v-shaped prong. Regular pear shaped rings have four prongs but if the diamond is too big then it should have six prongs. Just ensure too that the four good quality of a diamond (cut, color, grade and clarity) is present.

Pear shaped is not just exclusive for rings but it can be found in other types of jewelry like earrings, or necklaces where its central stone is a pear shaped diamonds. A lovely set of pear shaped earrings and necklaces make a wonderful gift for special occasions. Sometimes gem stones are also cut in pear shape with small diamonds in the side. These engagements rings with its accompanying jewelry will certainly be appreciated by most brides to be.

You can always shop for pear shaped engagement rings online. Check out the so many websites that provides you with a full range of jewelry to choose from. Besides shopping for it online brings a lot of benefits, you can compare prices and you get big discounts on the item. You have a wide variety of styles to choose from and kind of stone for your ring. That is one advantage when you shop online, they have a large inventory compared to shopping in your jewelry shop. And best thing of all, you can customize your rings to give it some personal touch. Another option is getting cushion cut engagement rings which you can find at jewelry stores as well as online.

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Making Jewelry Your Business

On 07.20.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

Now here is a good Business to start from home. Making jewelry is just a great and creative thing to do and if you are good at it why not make some extra money with it. There is all sorts off  jewelry that you can make there is:

  • Beading
  • Wire wrapping 
  • Fine silver (Metal clay)
  • Polymer Clay
  • Silver smiting

Or you can combine them like Wire wrapping with the beads or make your own beads with polymer clay. Metal clay with beads and polymer clay. There are so many  things that you can create, and just let your creative side come out. Jewelry will never go out of style and every women has to have it, there many ways that you can go about selling your jewelry, you can have home parties, you can rent a booth at your local swap meat, sell it on your own website, have yard sales and what ever other way you can think off. There will be a minimal start up cost, you will have to get all the materials you need to get started but you can  buy a little at the time and start getting together a small inventory. When you start selling your jewelry you want have a little collection on hand because the worth thing that can happen is that people will like your stuff and you don’t have enough. Keep good notes on the pieces you create because there will always be one that sells the best, no piece will ever be alike that’s the great part about making your own jewelry but at least you can make some very close if you see that one sells better then another piece. Find out from your City what the business license and sales tax requirements are. This is a great home based business to start and you can do it from you kitchen table. What better way is there to start your own Legitimate Home based Business.

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Mens Dog Tag Necklaces: Perfect Gift For The Man In Your Life

On 07.18.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

Customizable dog tag necklaces have crossed over to the fashion mainstream. They are not only used in the military. They are now also used a lot in mens fashion. Men’s fashion has expanded its horizon. These necklaces help to add a simple touch to the wearer’s outfit, and it makes them feel more masculine. They are also really good gift items to give to a friend or loved one. They can be personalized in an array of ways to fit the person you are shopping for. Necklaces are no longer only just for women. Men as well can wear these necklaces and not feel like they are less masculine because they are wearing them.

These necklaces were used in the military to identify the soldiers. Now they are used to add style to a man’s normal outfit. Men can now wear these necklaces and feel masculine wearing them instead of feeling like girl because they are wearing a necklace. These necklaces can be customized to fit any type of person. They can be engraved with names, pictures, or even have the normal engraving with your name, address, and sometimes your phone number. They are also great gift items. They can be personalized to fit the person you are shopping for. If he likes sports, then you can have his favorite sports team pictured on the front. If he likes skulls, then get him skulls on his necklace. These necklaces come with a wide variety of things that can be placed on them. You can give the person that you are shopping for something unique and simple that you made them and make them feel special because it was customized for them only.

Many people, mostly men, worry that necklaces will decrease their masculinity. These necklaces are worn by everybody and have no bearing on gender. Your masculinity will not be questioned. You make these necklaces as masculine as you want them. They are also sold at an affordable price. You do not have to worry about spending and arm and a leg over something that the person or yourself may or may not like. This is an item that most people enjoy getting, and it is very affordable. You can buy them a necklace that has meaning to it without paying a hefty price to obtain it. It only gets pricey when you add diamonds or various jewels to the item. These necklaces can also be sold in various types of metals. You do not have to worry about your necklace turning your neck green because it is fake. The necklaces are stainless steel and can be changed if the person is allergic to certain metals. These necklaces can also fit a variety of neck sizes. They can be in small, medium, or long.

Given the variety you can find in mens dog tag necklaces, they truly make a great and fashionable gift for the men in your life.

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How to Clean Your Wooden Jewelry Box

On 07.08.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

A jewelry box is a necessary item for properly storing and protecting your collection and it certainly does a better job than just storing your pieces in small cardboard boxes or placing your them in your top dresser drawer. A jewelry box allows you to properly organize your items, protects it from tangling and scratching and keeps it in a clean environment away from dust and dirt. However, over time even the interior of a jewelry box will collect dust and dirt and will need to be cleaned in order to ensure that your jewelry stays clean and does not lose its luster. Additionally, the exterior of the box may need some care also in order to maintain its appearance.

If you have a wooden jewelry box that needs to be cleaned here are some tips on how to properly accomplish that.

  • Remove all the jewelry from the wooden jewelry box. You do not want the cleaning products to come in contact with any of your pieces of jewelry since it could harm or tarnish them.
  • Start by turning the box upside down and getting all of the loose dirt and dust out. Be careful to make sure none of the drawers or other pieces fall out during this process and cause further damage.
  • Use a can of compressed air or a blow dryer with a setting of no heat to blow out any remaining loose dirt or dust. Be careful not to get to close to the box when spraying so that you do not damage the lining due to the force of the canned air or blow dryer. Another option is to use a small vacuum like those created for computer keyboards.
  • If there is dust or dirt remaining, use a moist cotton swap to remove additional dirt or dust from the corners.
  • If your jewelry box has grooves between cushions to store your rings, a moist cotton swab can also be used to get between the cushioned compartments and clean them out further.
  • To clean the wood on the outside of the box, use a damp cloth and wipe the entire exterior of the box thoroughly and be sure to dry it off with a dry cloth. It is also possible to use a commercial dusting product such as Pledge.
  • If the wood is starting to look dry and weathered, you may even want to spruce it up and give it a bit of shine with a product such as Orange Oil or other similar product.
  • If the box has any glass windows, doors or mirrors the best way to clean them is with a glass cleaner such as Windex. However, spray the Windex or glass cleaner onto the paper towel and not directly onto the glass. If you spay directly onto the glass then some cleaner may splash onto the wood which will cause it to dry out faster in those spots.
  • Before replacing your jewelry, check to see that all hinges and screws are tight. If not, now is the time to tighten them. Additionally, take note and see if any other repairs are necessary such as reattaching (gluing) any internal liners.
  • Once everything has been cleaned, you may put all your jewelry back. This is also a great time to reorganize your jewelry collection.
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Big Sur jade – A type of Nephrite

On 07.08.10, In Jewelry, By Stevie Wonder

A time in the past, which seems like an whole other lifetime ago, I found my first piece of jade on the coast of Big Sur, California. Now, years later, I am still as fascinated by this mystical stone as I was when I touched my first piece.

Big Sur jade is a variety of nephrite jade, which is the same stone which the Chinese have revered for thousands of years. This stone has some amazing qualities. Though it is one of the hardest to break stones in the world it can have translucent properties where you can actually see straight through it.

Another property of this type of nephrite is that it is porous and can take on a mineral content of the surrounding soils it can be found in. This is what makes the amazing “vulcan” jade, a type of jade which oxidizes from the surrounding iron content of the soil which shows up in the colors of red, orange and yellow. These colors are contained in a small layer around the stone, where you can often see the greens or blues of the jade beneath. The vulcanized areas of the jade can also have some chatoyancy, much like a tigers eye.

Big Sur also has another type of amazing jade, Pacific Blue. Though nephrite jade from this area can come in almost every color one in particular is the vivid blues of this unique specimen. Blue jade is rare and can often be costly.

Black jade also appears in this area which has a high graphite content (the mineral used in pencils) and when there is a high enough content in the piece it can appear black, though thin parts of the piece which are translucent will have a green glow.

Lastly, but definitely not least, is the every popular and unique bubble jade. Nodes or bubbles of jade form in a softer mineral, serpentine, and appear as bubble gum. The color is usually white but can vary.

The amazing thing about looking for Big Sur jade is that you can find this jade on the coastline, with dramatic views of the Santa Lucia mountain range looking over you. There is nothing like finding a perfect, sea polished gemstone on the beach.

Jade from Big Sur is among the highest quality nephrite found in the world and can range in price depending in the piece.

Big Sur jade jewelry can be found online, or you can always visit the beautiful Big Sur coast and look for a piece yourself, who knows, you might just find a flawless and priceless gemstone.

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