May
12
Precious metals in jewelry manufacturing and their best use – Precious tips / art5
Filed Under Jewelry | Leave a Comment
Vasco Kirov
There are many articles on precious metals on the web and some of them are quiet professional with a lot of details and data. I will try not to give you just another one. Here I will offer you a simple version and avoiding extensive technicality add my professional opinion on the best use of these metals in order to utilize their unique properties.
In this article we will focus on the most popular precious metals used for jewelry: gold, platinum and the fast growing in popularity palladium. Pure gold and platinum are soft metals which are extremely dense. pure gold is about two and half times heavier than iron and pure platinum is just under three times. While really bright in color pure metals are not suitable for fine jewelry because of their softness. Soft metals are easy to damage, difficult to polish, and unsuitable for detailed work. This is why they are mixed (alloyed) with other metals, in order to give them the desired properties. This is also where all this “carats” and confusing numbers come into play. In fact it is pretty simple. All pure metals in nature are white or gray in color except two, gold – bright yellow and copper- reddish pink. Now we go back to precious metals. All different colors of precious metals are achieved by mixing these colored metals with white ones.
Carat is a confusing name for purity or fineness of precious metals. It is confusing because the same word is used as a weight measurement for precious stones. That carat is equal to 0.2gr. and have nothing to do with metal fineness. To differentiate the one carat from the other, in some standards, weight carat is marked with ct and purity karat with kt or k. We can accept this rule to avoid confusion in further articles, therefore when we address metal purity we will use “karat”. Karat is used mainly to define purity of gold alloys. Different countries have different standards for gold purity and the most used globally alloys are: 9kt or 375, 10kt or 416, 14kt or 585, 18kt or 750, 21kt or 875 and 22 or 916. The alternative number which alone can be used as hallmark indicates the number of fine gold parts in the alloy out of 1000. The easy way to translate this into a manageable information is to perceive it as the percentage of fine gold used x10. For example 750 means 75% pure gold content or 18kt.
Platinum is used in almost pure form and 95% hallmarked 950 is a standard alloy. All alloys with pure platinum content of 95.0% or higher can be also marked with the full word “platinum” or “”plat.” Other used alloys are 900 (90%), 800 (80%) and 585(58.5) also called karat platinum. The amazing qualities of this amazing metal are better described in another article where I am comparing it with the white gold alternative.
Palladium 950 alloys are as white as the platinum, blending well with white diamonds and eliminating the need of rhodium plating. Palladium is a light metal with weight close to the one of sterling silver and much lighter than platinum and high carat gold alloys, thus making it the metal of choice for items like large earrings. At the time of writing, the price of 950 palladium alloys is about a third of the price of the 18k white gold offering great possibilities for large solid pieces at significantly reduced price. One disadvantage though is that quality casting of palladium requires materials and equipment, currently not viable for small workshops
The hallmarks you will usually find on your precious metal jewelry are:
1). Karat or fineness stamp (e.g. 18kt/ct or 750)
2) Manufacturer’s stamp
The karat stamp does not have much value without the manufacturers stamp because the declaration of purity is not signed. Beware; in most countries you can buy a karat stamp for few dollars.
Variety in gold colors and mechanical properties is achieved by alloying fine gold with one or more other metals. White gold for example is a gold alloy with whitening metals, usually palladium, nickel or silver or combination of them. Since the fine gold is always yellow, it is the alloy (base) metals that give the karat gold its color and properties. For example to be able to stamp an item as 18k it must content at least 75% of fine gold. The remaining 25 percent of alloy metals will determine its color and physical properties. If 8.4% of copper and 16.6% silver is used in the alloy, we will end up with the traditional rich 18k yellow gold color. If we mix the same amount of fine gold with 15 % of palladium and 10% of silver we will have good quality white gold. The constant content in 18k gold alloy is always 75% pure gold. Higher than 18k white gold alloys are not possible because the alloying metals are not in sufficient quantity to absorb the yellowness of the pure gold. 21k or 22k gold is always yellow, very yellow. The same principle applies for platinum and palladium, although these metals are used in much purer form (95% is a standard) and there is not detectible changes in color. The only changes there are in physical properties.
Now, with our newly acquired knowledge of precious metals we will probably arrive at the questions: What are the best alloys? What metal jewelry should I buy?
Different metals are good for different purposes. As a general rule (and if you can afford it) buy alloys with higher precious metal content. That applies mainly for gold, since platinum and palladium are used in almost pure form. 18kt gold or higher have distinctive gold color and real precious metal properties. My opinion is that alloys with less than 50% gold content (under 14k) should not be called gold, but gold brass or something else defining the inferior gold content. If you are looking for big bold and heavy pieces the best is to go for silver with gold accents or the very new precium (25%palladium and silver alloy developed by Handy & Hartman)which may be already on the market at the time you read this article. For your fine jewelry pieces choose 18k gold and platinum. 18k white gold can be used for heavier, thicker pieces while platinum is the best for delicate settings with a lot of detail. It does not make sense to set $10 000 diamond in white gold just to save $ 300-400 difference on platinum setting. Besides the aesthetical superiority, the security of platinum setting is immensely greater. When we come to earrings, especially large ones, choosing lighter alloys is essential. Palladium is the first choice followed by 14k white. For yellow, stick to 18k. You can never get the right color in lower karats. Then, your goldsmith’s ability to work light will come handy. Try to find the right craftsman. It is really making all the difference. The weight of the stud settings is rather small even in the case of large diamonds, thus making the platinum the obvious choice for white metal. The difference in price will be insignificant but the difference in strength and safety and quality – vast. Another advantage of the platinum studs – they could be made very delicate and retain their strength.
There are many articles on precious metals on the web and some of them are quiet professional with a lot of details and data. I will try not to give you just another one. Here I will offer you a simple version and avoiding extensive technicality add my professional opinion on the best use of these metals in order to utilize their unique properties.
In this article we will focus on the most popular precious metals used for jewelry: gold, platinum and the fast growing in popularity palladium. Pure gold and platinum are soft metals which are extremely dense. pure gold is about two and half times heavier than iron and pure platinum is just under three times. While really bright in color pure metals are not suitable for fine jewelry because of their softness. Soft metals are easy to damage, difficult to polish, and unsuitable for detailed work. This is why they are mixed (alloyed) with other metals, in order to give them the desired properties. This is also where all this “carats” and confusing numbers come into play. In fact it is pretty simple. All pure metals in nature are white or gray in color except two, gold – bright yellow and copper- reddish pink. Now we go back to precious metals. All different colors of precious metals are achieved by mixing these colored metals with white ones.
Carat is a confusing name for purity or fineness of precious metals. It is confusing because the same word is used as a weight measurement for precious stones. That carat is equal to 0.2gr. and have nothing to do with metal fineness. To differentiate the one carat from the other, in some standards, weight carat is marked with ct and purity karat with kt or k. We can accept this rule to avoid confusion in further articles, therefore when we address metal purity we will use “karat”. Karat is used mainly to define purity of gold alloys. Different countries have different standards for gold purity and the most used globally alloys are: 9kt or 375, 10kt or 416, 14kt or 585, 18kt or 750, 21kt or 875 and 22 or 916. The alternative number which alone can be used as hallmark indicates the number of fine gold parts in the alloy out of 1000. The easy way to translate this into a manageable information is to perceive it as the percentage of fine gold used x10. For example 750 means 75% pure gold content or 18kt.
Platinum is used in almost pure form and 95% hallmarked 950 is a standard alloy. All alloys with pure platinum content of 95.0% or higher can be also marked with the full word “platinum” or “”plat.” Other used alloys are 900 (90%), 800 (80%) and 585(58.5) also called karat platinum. The amazing qualities of this amazing metal are better described in another article where I am comparing it with the white gold alternative.
Palladium 950 alloys are as white as the platinum, blending well with white diamonds and eliminating the need of rhodium plating. Palladium is a light metal with weight close to the one of sterling silver and much lighter than platinum and high carat gold alloys, thus making it the metal of choice for items like large earrings. At the time of writing, the price of 950 palladium alloys is about a third of the price of the 18k white gold offering great possibilities for large solid pieces at significantly reduced price. One disadvantage though is that quality casting of palladium requires materials and equipment, currently not viable for small workshops
The hallmarks you will usually find on your precious metal jewelry are:
1). Karat or fineness stamp (e.g. 18kt/ct or 750)
2) Manufacturer’s stamp
The karat stamp does not have much value without the manufacturers stamp because the declaration of purity is not signed. Beware; in most countries you can buy a karat stamp for few dollars.
Variety in gold colors and mechanical properties is achieved by alloying fine gold with one or more other metals. White gold for example is a gold alloy with whitening metals, usually palladium, nickel or silver or combination of them. Since the fine gold is always yellow, it is the alloy (base) metals that give the karat gold its color and properties. For example to be able to stamp an item as 18k it must content at least 75% of fine gold. The remaining 25 percent of alloy metals will determine its color and physical properties. If 8.4% of copper and 16.6% silver is used in the alloy, we will end up with the traditional rich 18k yellow gold color. If we mix the same amount of fine gold with 15 % of palladium and 10% of silver we will have good quality white gold. The constant content in 18k gold alloy is always 75% pure gold. Higher than 18k white gold alloys are not possible because the alloying metals are not in sufficient quantity to absorb the yellowness of the pure gold. 21k or 22k gold is always yellow, very yellow. The same principle applies for platinum and palladium, although these metals are used in much purer form (95% is a standard) and there is not detectible changes in color. The only changes there are in physical properties.
Now, with our newly acquired knowledge of precious metals we will probably arrive at the questions: What are the best alloys? What metal jewelry should I buy?
Different metals are good for different purposes. As a general rule (and if you can afford it) buy alloys with higher precious metal content. That applies mainly for gold, since platinum and palladium are used in almost pure form. 18kt gold or higher have distinctive gold color and real precious metal properties. My opinion is that alloys with less than 50% gold content (under 14k) should not be called gold, but gold brass or something else defining the inferior gold content. If you are looking for big bold and heavy pieces the best is to go for silver with gold accents or the very new precium (25%palladium and silver alloy developed by Handy & Hartman)which may be already on the market at the time you read this article. For your fine jewelry pieces choose 18k gold and platinum. 18k white gold can be used for heavier, thicker pieces while platinum is the best for delicate settings with a lot of detail. It does not make sense to set $10 000 diamond in white gold just to save $ 300-400 difference on platinum setting. Besides the aesthetical superiority, the security of platinum setting is immensely greater. When we come to earrings, especially large ones, choosing lighter alloys is essential. Palladium is the first choice followed by 14k white. For yellow, stick to 18k. You can never get the right color in lower karats. Then, your goldsmith’s ability to work light will come handy. Try to find the right craftsman. It is really making all the difference. The weight of the stud settings is rather small even in the case of large diamonds, thus making the platinum the obvious choice for white metal. The difference in price will be insignificant but the difference in strength and safety and quality – vast. Another advantage of the platinum studs – they could be made very delicate and retain their strength.
May
12
Franske Nieuwenhuis
Everybody is aware that gold is a much sought after precious metal and which for quite a few centuries was also used as money and a means to store value and of course in making jewelry. It is known to occur as nuggets or even as grains found in rocks, especially in underground veins as well as in alluvial deposits, and it has the property of being dense as well as soft and is shiny and even malleable, and in its purest form is bright yellow in color, which from the very beginning has attracted man to it.
Basis For Monetary Standard
Gold is also the basis for the monetary standard and is used by organizations such as the International Monetary Fund or IMF and by the Bank for International Settlements or BIS. In today’s modern industry, gold is also used for dentistry as well as in electronics since it has excellent properties of being a good resistor to corrosion due to oxidation. It also does not react with a majority of chemical though chlorine fluorine as well aqua regia and cyanide will attack it.
It is easy to dissolve gold in mercury and it can then form amalgam alloys, though it is not soluble in nitric acid that is otherwise known to dissolve base metals and also silver and is thus part of the method of refining of fold that is called “inquartation and parting”. And, if you want to ascertain whether there is any gold present in certain items, you can use nitric acid to test for it and it is this means of ascertaining the presence of gold that has given rise to the term “acid test”.
The main use of gold is as a medium of monetary exchange and you will find it to be the standard for monetary exchange in many countries, though it is also used for making coins and also jewelry. However, gold in its pure form is much too soft to be used for ordinary purposes and thus must be hardened by using copper and base metals to alloy it with. How much gold is contained in a particular item is measured in terms of carats or karats and the purest form of it is designated as being twenty-four karats.
In modern times, gold is no longer used for making coins, though because it is a soft metal it can be alloyed with other metals and thus is widely used in making of jewelry, and it is most often alloyed with copper, especially as eighteen karat gold that is used in Russian jewelry.
Values of Gold Bar
Gold that is being sold in the gold market often comes in bars of gold bars. A gold bar refers to a gold ingot which may come in different types, weights and categories.
A gold bar being a gold ingot means that it is a metal that is solid but melted or liquefied to form into different shape. A bar of gold needs second procedure of shaping by using cold/hot processes.
Types of Gold Bar
There are different types of gold bars. These types are casted and minted. The basis of classifying bars of gold is the method of manufacturing. The cast bars are created by pouring the molten gold into the ingot mold to attain the desired shape. A minted gold bar is made from gold blanks that have been trimmed according to specific dimensions from a piece of gold.
The markings are applied by presses. Chipgold is a new form of gold bar that is made up of small ingot (1-20 grams) contained in sealed package as small as a credit card. This package is also certified.
A cast gold bar is when the gold is liquefied then poured into a mold to attain the desired shape. Minted is when a gold is taken to a facility or place for the purpose of turning it into a gold bar.
Everybody is aware that gold is a much sought after precious metal and which for quite a few centuries was also used as money and a means to store value and of course in making jewelry. It is known to occur as nuggets or even as grains found in rocks, especially in underground veins as well as in alluvial deposits, and it has the property of being dense as well as soft and is shiny and even malleable, and in its purest form is bright yellow in color, which from the very beginning has attracted man to it.
Basis For Monetary Standard
Gold is also the basis for the monetary standard and is used by organizations such as the International Monetary Fund or IMF and by the Bank for International Settlements or BIS. In today’s modern industry, gold is also used for dentistry as well as in electronics since it has excellent properties of being a good resistor to corrosion due to oxidation. It also does not react with a majority of chemical though chlorine fluorine as well aqua regia and cyanide will attack it.
It is easy to dissolve gold in mercury and it can then form amalgam alloys, though it is not soluble in nitric acid that is otherwise known to dissolve base metals and also silver and is thus part of the method of refining of fold that is called “inquartation and parting”. And, if you want to ascertain whether there is any gold present in certain items, you can use nitric acid to test for it and it is this means of ascertaining the presence of gold that has given rise to the term “acid test”.
The main use of gold is as a medium of monetary exchange and you will find it to be the standard for monetary exchange in many countries, though it is also used for making coins and also jewelry. However, gold in its pure form is much too soft to be used for ordinary purposes and thus must be hardened by using copper and base metals to alloy it with. How much gold is contained in a particular item is measured in terms of carats or karats and the purest form of it is designated as being twenty-four karats.
In modern times, gold is no longer used for making coins, though because it is a soft metal it can be alloyed with other metals and thus is widely used in making of jewelry, and it is most often alloyed with copper, especially as eighteen karat gold that is used in Russian jewelry.
Values of Gold Bar
Gold that is being sold in the gold market often comes in bars of gold bars. A gold bar refers to a gold ingot which may come in different types, weights and categories.
A gold bar being a gold ingot means that it is a metal that is solid but melted or liquefied to form into different shape. A bar of gold needs second procedure of shaping by using cold/hot processes.
Types of Gold Bar
There are different types of gold bars. These types are casted and minted. The basis of classifying bars of gold is the method of manufacturing. The cast bars are created by pouring the molten gold into the ingot mold to attain the desired shape. A minted gold bar is made from gold blanks that have been trimmed according to specific dimensions from a piece of gold.
The markings are applied by presses. Chipgold is a new form of gold bar that is made up of small ingot (1-20 grams) contained in sealed package as small as a credit card. This package is also certified.
A cast gold bar is when the gold is liquefied then poured into a mold to attain the desired shape. Minted is when a gold is taken to a facility or place for the purpose of turning it into a gold bar.
May
12
How Investing in Precious Metals Will Help Baby Boomers Retire Comfortably Without Fear
Filed Under Investing | Leave a Comment
David Morgan
Baby boomers, with every year that you get older, do you become more and more afraid of retiring?
I don’t blame you at all.
The worldwide economic slowdown epidemic that is forcing homeowners into foreclosure, halting consumer spending, driving up credit card bills and crashing stock exchanges on a global basis are seriously hurting many baby boomers’ plans for retirement.
Many boomers have become very fearful of their future because they were relying on their 401Ks and IRAs for a comfortable retirement. Now, they’re watching their profits freefalling downward. Many boomer investors are now seeing lots of red in their portfolios – so how can they retire?
In other words, if baby boomers aren’t adding to their wealth and if their asset values are falling, their chances of a comfortable retirement are quickly diminishing.
So, what can you do?
Simply change the way you fund your retirement. Start diversifying wisely!
Two Alarming Reports That Should Convince All Baby Boomers to Change the Way They Invest in Their Retirement Plans
- A recent S&P report, which calls Americans “dangerously unprepared for retirement,” notes that the poor performance of asset markets in recent years is hitting the piggy banks of even those most primed for retirement. The S&P 500 Index, for example, is on track to have its worst decade performance since the Great Depression!
- In an AARP survey, fifty percent of the respondents said the value of their 401(k) accounts and other investments had dropped over the past 12 months. One-quarter of retirees said their golden-years income had fallen in tandem with interest rates.
How You Should Invest in Your IRAs and 401Ks If You Want to Avoid Retiring Poor
You should fund your Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401Ks with physical gold and silver. Yet very few investors are aware of this fact.
Here’s why you should diversify your retirement portfolio with precious metals:
- Precious metals are exempt from all capital gains taxes, so if your investments perform well over a long period of time, it can result in huge savings.
- Precious metals normally rise during periods of unsettling events such as wars, terrorism, inflation, deflation, downturns in the stock market and the US dollar.
- Precious metals usually yield large profits in no matter the circumstances.
What Makes Investing in Gold and Silver Unique
When you invest in gold and silver you can take physical possession of the actual gold or silver when you make your withdrawals. That’s correct! You can cash out in real honest-to-goodness gold and silver instead of fiat dollars. This is the most important feature of all. Down the road, in this generational bull market in gold and silver, the odds are in your favor that you will want and need the physicals when it’s time to access your investment.
How to Get Started in Investing in Gold and Silver in Your IRAs and 401Ks
Once you decide that you want to include precious metals in your retirement planning, you need to determine how much you want to invest.
How much you invest depends on:
- Your annual contribution
- Your personal goals
- Your individual investment philosophy
Three other factors to consider are:
- Your age
- Total assets
- Risk tolerance
Very few institutions are set up to handle the precious metals component of retirement plans. One of the leaders in the field that I personally recommend using is GoldStar Trust Company. They serve as custodian for approximately 20,000 self-directed IRAs with assets in excess of $700 million. One thing to note is that GoldStar is not a coin dealer, but it will work with dealers who buy and sell precious metal coins and bullion for your IRA on your instructions.
Setting up a self-directed IRA with a company like GoldStar is easy. And, there are only three steps to follow:
1. Submit the paperwork.
2. Fund the account.
3. Direct your broker which precious metals to buy.
So, start investing in gold. Start investing in silver. And start investing in other precious metals unless you want to continue having to drink a bottle of Maalox every night because you’re so afraid of the future. Follow my advice in this article, in my book “Get the Skinny on Silver Investing” and on my website, http://www.silver-investor.com and you will retire comfortably without fear.
Baby boomers, with every year that you get older, do you become more and more afraid of retiring?
I don’t blame you at all.
The worldwide economic slowdown epidemic that is forcing homeowners into foreclosure, halting consumer spending, driving up credit card bills and crashing stock exchanges on a global basis are seriously hurting many baby boomers’ plans for retirement.
Many boomers have become very fearful of their future because they were relying on their 401Ks and IRAs for a comfortable retirement. Now, they’re watching their profits freefalling downward. Many boomer investors are now seeing lots of red in their portfolios – so how can they retire?
In other words, if baby boomers aren’t adding to their wealth and if their asset values are falling, their chances of a comfortable retirement are quickly diminishing.
So, what can you do?
Simply change the way you fund your retirement. Start diversifying wisely!
Two Alarming Reports That Should Convince All Baby Boomers to Change the Way They Invest in Their Retirement Plans
- A recent S&P report, which calls Americans “dangerously unprepared for retirement,” notes that the poor performance of asset markets in recent years is hitting the piggy banks of even those most primed for retirement. The S&P 500 Index, for example, is on track to have its worst decade performance since the Great Depression!
- In an AARP survey, fifty percent of the respondents said the value of their 401(k) accounts and other investments had dropped over the past 12 months. One-quarter of retirees said their golden-years income had fallen in tandem with interest rates.
How You Should Invest in Your IRAs and 401Ks If You Want to Avoid Retiring Poor
You should fund your Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401Ks with physical gold and silver. Yet very few investors are aware of this fact.
Here’s why you should diversify your retirement portfolio with precious metals:
- Precious metals are exempt from all capital gains taxes, so if your investments perform well over a long period of time, it can result in huge savings.
- Precious metals normally rise during periods of unsettling events such as wars, terrorism, inflation, deflation, downturns in the stock market and the US dollar.
- Precious metals usually yield large profits in no matter the circumstances.
What Makes Investing in Gold and Silver Unique
When you invest in gold and silver you can take physical possession of the actual gold or silver when you make your withdrawals. That’s correct! You can cash out in real honest-to-goodness gold and silver instead of fiat dollars. This is the most important feature of all. Down the road, in this generational bull market in gold and silver, the odds are in your favor that you will want and need the physicals when it’s time to access your investment.
How to Get Started in Investing in Gold and Silver in Your IRAs and 401Ks
Once you decide that you want to include precious metals in your retirement planning, you need to determine how much you want to invest.
How much you invest depends on:
- Your annual contribution
- Your personal goals
- Your individual investment philosophy
Three other factors to consider are:
- Your age
- Total assets
- Risk tolerance
Very few institutions are set up to handle the precious metals component of retirement plans. One of the leaders in the field that I personally recommend using is GoldStar Trust Company. They serve as custodian for approximately 20,000 self-directed IRAs with assets in excess of $700 million. One thing to note is that GoldStar is not a coin dealer, but it will work with dealers who buy and sell precious metal coins and bullion for your IRA on your instructions.
Setting up a self-directed IRA with a company like GoldStar is easy. And, there are only three steps to follow:
1. Submit the paperwork.
2. Fund the account.
3. Direct your broker which precious metals to buy.
So, start investing in gold. Start investing in silver. And start investing in other precious metals unless you want to continue having to drink a bottle of Maalox every night because you’re so afraid of the future. Follow my advice in this article, in my book “Get the Skinny on Silver Investing” and on my website, http://www.silver-investor.com and you will retire comfortably without fear.
May
12
When countries repaced gold and silver coins with paper moeny exchangeable for certian amounts of precious?
Filed Under Investing | 2 Comments
leslie j
metals, the mnetary system evolved from
metals, the mnetary system evolved from
May
11
josh webber
Jewelry looks beautiful worn, but can be ruined if not stored properly. Most individuals who have been tasked with maintaining many pieces of jewelry know that incorrect storage can damage delicate metals. Organizing jewelry can problematic in several ways. However, with a good plan and the right storage materials, it is not overly difficult to keep your jewelry looking as good as it did the day you bought it.
Budget Storage
A great place to begin when attempting to organize jewelry is to store each piece separately. Jewelry can easily get scratched, tangled or otherwise damaged when the harder gemstones are allowed to come into contact with soft metals and soft stones, or several necklaces and bracelets become intertwined.
To keep your jewelry looking its best, the ideal storage solution is a purpose-made jewelry organizer, but in a pinch, wrapping each piece of jewelry individually in several layers of tissue paper will work as a temporary measure.
Jewelry Organizer Options
The best option for safe jewelry storage is a case that includes compartments and storage solutions for various different types of pieces – rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Getting your jewelry organized is a fairly easy task; however it is one that can positively impact your life in small but significant ways. By utilizing a jewelry organizer, you should never be late because you spent fifteen minutes hunting down your favorite necklace, and you should not have to throw out a much-loved pair of earrings because one in the set got damaged due to incorrect storage.
Take a look at the following options for jewelry organization. Considering the number of different jewelry organizers available, it should not be too difficult a task to find one that suits your needs perfectly.
Jewelry Boxes: A good jewelry box is definitely one of the best investments you can make for keeping your pieces safe. Choose a box that includes storage for earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces to give you the best storage options. Ideally, you want a jewelry box that will allow you to store each piece of jewelry in its own separate compartment, so that nothing can get scratched.
Necklace Rods: A necklace rod can be ideal for hanging bracelets and necklaces, and you can even make one yourself by modifying and installing a small towel rail. This is perfect for keeping necklaces and bracelets untangled, and you should not have to hunt for that perfect accessory if you can view all your pieces at once!
Organizer Bins: A small organizer bin on top of your dresser is a good option for the budget-conscious homeowner. Hardware organizers are ideal for this purpose, as they have a large number of tiny drawers in which jewelry can be stored.
Earring Boards: An earring board, made of fabric covered cork, is a great way to use wall space to store earrings, and it’s an ideal project if you enjoy handicraft projects. Cover a sheet of cork in fabric and mount on the wall to instantly give you a way of storing earrings that allows you to see your entire collection at a glance.
Jewelry Trees: These can be great for storing rings, in particular, and these are especially useful if you’re the kind of person who likes to be able to see your entire “inventory” without having to open drawers or boxes.
Travel Cases: Jewelry organizers intended for travel purposes can be perfect for use at home, too. They store jewelry safely, with compartments for each piece, and many organizers can be stored in a closet, on a wall, or hung from a hook, to save space when you live in a smaller home.
Jewelry Pouches: Pouches are an excellent extra for expensive pieces. Use these in conjunction with other storage methods to provide an extra layer of protection for diamonds and other costly pieces.
More Tips to Keep your Jewelry Looking Great
There are several extra steps you can take to keep your jewelry and precious metals in pristine condition.
Whenever you remove a piece of jewelry, store it safely in your jewelry organizer immediately. Don’t leave it lying around, where it might get damaged or lost. Make this a habit, and you’ll never have to worry about losing your favorite pieces. Put a jewelry holder in the kitchen and in the bathroom, for those times where you need to take off your jewelry temporarily, such as when you’re washing dishes or cleaning. Clean your jewelry regularly, even if you haven’t worn it often. The key to keeping precious metals and gemstones bright and sparkling is to keep them clean – oils from the skin, dust, cosmetics, hair sprays, and other chemicals dull the shine all too easily. For expensive jewelry, such as diamonds, get a professional clean and check-up around once a year. Professional cleaning is best to ensure your expensive jewelry is cleaned safely, and a check-up will take care of potential problems such as loose settings.
Jewelry looks beautiful worn, but can be ruined if not stored properly. Most individuals who have been tasked with maintaining many pieces of jewelry know that incorrect storage can damage delicate metals. Organizing jewelry can problematic in several ways. However, with a good plan and the right storage materials, it is not overly difficult to keep your jewelry looking as good as it did the day you bought it.
Budget Storage
A great place to begin when attempting to organize jewelry is to store each piece separately. Jewelry can easily get scratched, tangled or otherwise damaged when the harder gemstones are allowed to come into contact with soft metals and soft stones, or several necklaces and bracelets become intertwined.
To keep your jewelry looking its best, the ideal storage solution is a purpose-made jewelry organizer, but in a pinch, wrapping each piece of jewelry individually in several layers of tissue paper will work as a temporary measure.
Jewelry Organizer Options
The best option for safe jewelry storage is a case that includes compartments and storage solutions for various different types of pieces – rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Getting your jewelry organized is a fairly easy task; however it is one that can positively impact your life in small but significant ways. By utilizing a jewelry organizer, you should never be late because you spent fifteen minutes hunting down your favorite necklace, and you should not have to throw out a much-loved pair of earrings because one in the set got damaged due to incorrect storage.
Take a look at the following options for jewelry organization. Considering the number of different jewelry organizers available, it should not be too difficult a task to find one that suits your needs perfectly.
Jewelry Boxes: A good jewelry box is definitely one of the best investments you can make for keeping your pieces safe. Choose a box that includes storage for earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces to give you the best storage options. Ideally, you want a jewelry box that will allow you to store each piece of jewelry in its own separate compartment, so that nothing can get scratched.
Necklace Rods: A necklace rod can be ideal for hanging bracelets and necklaces, and you can even make one yourself by modifying and installing a small towel rail. This is perfect for keeping necklaces and bracelets untangled, and you should not have to hunt for that perfect accessory if you can view all your pieces at once!
Organizer Bins: A small organizer bin on top of your dresser is a good option for the budget-conscious homeowner. Hardware organizers are ideal for this purpose, as they have a large number of tiny drawers in which jewelry can be stored.
Earring Boards: An earring board, made of fabric covered cork, is a great way to use wall space to store earrings, and it’s an ideal project if you enjoy handicraft projects. Cover a sheet of cork in fabric and mount on the wall to instantly give you a way of storing earrings that allows you to see your entire collection at a glance.
Jewelry Trees: These can be great for storing rings, in particular, and these are especially useful if you’re the kind of person who likes to be able to see your entire “inventory” without having to open drawers or boxes.
Travel Cases: Jewelry organizers intended for travel purposes can be perfect for use at home, too. They store jewelry safely, with compartments for each piece, and many organizers can be stored in a closet, on a wall, or hung from a hook, to save space when you live in a smaller home.
Jewelry Pouches: Pouches are an excellent extra for expensive pieces. Use these in conjunction with other storage methods to provide an extra layer of protection for diamonds and other costly pieces.
More Tips to Keep your Jewelry Looking Great
There are several extra steps you can take to keep your jewelry and precious metals in pristine condition.
Whenever you remove a piece of jewelry, store it safely in your jewelry organizer immediately. Don’t leave it lying around, where it might get damaged or lost. Make this a habit, and you’ll never have to worry about losing your favorite pieces. Put a jewelry holder in the kitchen and in the bathroom, for those times where you need to take off your jewelry temporarily, such as when you’re washing dishes or cleaning. Clean your jewelry regularly, even if you haven’t worn it often. The key to keeping precious metals and gemstones bright and sparkling is to keep them clean – oils from the skin, dust, cosmetics, hair sprays, and other chemicals dull the shine all too easily. For expensive jewelry, such as diamonds, get a professional clean and check-up around once a year. Professional cleaning is best to ensure your expensive jewelry is cleaned safely, and a check-up will take care of potential problems such as loose settings.
May
11
Dana Prince
Gemstones are surely one of the most precious forms of jewels, shimmering in all their opulence and finesse, so are the exquisite metals, gold, platinum and silver. Those with a passion for jewelry will surely have both of these categories of valuables in their jewelry box. However, easy as it might sound, it is important to learn how to store each one of these trinkets so that none of them lose their sheen and long lifespan of beauty.
To begin with, it helps to know that gems and precious stones are hardest of the lot, extremely difficult to scratch, yet they can easily scratch the other items, if stored together. Diamonds are known to be the hardest, followed by sapphires, rubies, going up to pearls and finally metals like gold, silver and platinum, being at the end of the list. Such a contrast in qualities of both the kinds of jewels clearly explains why gemstones and metals should be stored separately, at least in their own containers and pouches.
Start by selecting the right packaging material for your jewels, which will be different for each one of these. For gemstones, traditional jewelry boxes with a simple velvet lining suffice to quite an extent. However, for drops and earrings, it is better to have boxes that have hooks and pegs for keeping these in the right order. Placing these gemstones together with the metals can irreparably damage the latter, especially the delicate ones like the sterling silver.
In fact, one of the most interesting facts about gemstones is that if crammed into a single jewelry box or even kept in close proximity of each other, gemstones could actually end up damaging and scratching each other. Here, it also helps to know that the surface of the natural gemstones is comparatively quite fragile in its initial stages. Necklaces need to be stored flat in order to avoid tangling, Refrain keeping gemstone jewelry in jumbled heaps in boxes, drawers and closets at all costs.
For storing gold or metal jewelry, it is always preferable to use separate Ziploc pouches which are then further stored in jewelry boxes, especially designed for the purpose. The airtight Ziplock pouches ensure that metals such as silver do not tarnish with exposure to air, at the same time helping you to look for the jewelry you want to. Besides, when storing silver, it is always safer to use tarnish-resistant fabric for the lining to avoid any discoloration of the metal.
Precious as they both are, careful storing regimen needs to be followed for gemstones and metals, in their own individual cases and boxes to avoid any damage, scratching or discoloration of your invaluable possessions.
For a look at some precious silver, gold and other metal jewelry and gemstone jewels, visit www.ShopDI.com.
Gemstones are surely one of the most precious forms of jewels, shimmering in all their opulence and finesse, so are the exquisite metals, gold, platinum and silver. Those with a passion for jewelry will surely have both of these categories of valuables in their jewelry box. However, easy as it might sound, it is important to learn how to store each one of these trinkets so that none of them lose their sheen and long lifespan of beauty.
To begin with, it helps to know that gems and precious stones are hardest of the lot, extremely difficult to scratch, yet they can easily scratch the other items, if stored together. Diamonds are known to be the hardest, followed by sapphires, rubies, going up to pearls and finally metals like gold, silver and platinum, being at the end of the list. Such a contrast in qualities of both the kinds of jewels clearly explains why gemstones and metals should be stored separately, at least in their own containers and pouches.
Start by selecting the right packaging material for your jewels, which will be different for each one of these. For gemstones, traditional jewelry boxes with a simple velvet lining suffice to quite an extent. However, for drops and earrings, it is better to have boxes that have hooks and pegs for keeping these in the right order. Placing these gemstones together with the metals can irreparably damage the latter, especially the delicate ones like the sterling silver.
In fact, one of the most interesting facts about gemstones is that if crammed into a single jewelry box or even kept in close proximity of each other, gemstones could actually end up damaging and scratching each other. Here, it also helps to know that the surface of the natural gemstones is comparatively quite fragile in its initial stages. Necklaces need to be stored flat in order to avoid tangling, Refrain keeping gemstone jewelry in jumbled heaps in boxes, drawers and closets at all costs.
For storing gold or metal jewelry, it is always preferable to use separate Ziploc pouches which are then further stored in jewelry boxes, especially designed for the purpose. The airtight Ziplock pouches ensure that metals such as silver do not tarnish with exposure to air, at the same time helping you to look for the jewelry you want to. Besides, when storing silver, it is always safer to use tarnish-resistant fabric for the lining to avoid any discoloration of the metal.
Precious as they both are, careful storing regimen needs to be followed for gemstones and metals, in their own individual cases and boxes to avoid any damage, scratching or discoloration of your invaluable possessions.
For a look at some precious silver, gold and other metal jewelry and gemstone jewels, visit www.ShopDI.com.
May
11
Jay Dub
I’ve been an active investor in the commodities markets for about a year now . . . specifically in silver. Just want to know other peoples opinions of precious metals.
I’ve been an active investor in the commodities markets for about a year now . . . specifically in silver. Just want to know other peoples opinions of precious metals.
May
10
Is it benefit to invest in gold?
Filed Under Investing | 4 Comments
Dr. B. Ramesh
Gold is the precious metal, I want to buy and keep it for some. Is the gold will appreicate?
Gold is the precious metal, I want to buy and keep it for some. Is the gold will appreicate?
May
9
Does anyone think that Afghanistan has oil reserves and/or natural resources like the surrounding countries?
Filed Under Geography | 6 Comments
Faerieeeiren
How would one find out if the the land there has precious minerals, metals, and oil?
How would one find out if the the land there has precious minerals, metals, and oil?
May
7
Dawn Lewis
In the these times of the credit crunch we are all looking for a bargain or trying to buy something in the sale. We do have to be careful that the goods we choose in the sale are genuine sale pieces and that they have not been reduced and discounted because they are shoddy goods. This is so important when it comes to buying pieces of semi-precious jewellery as we may like a bargain in the jewellery sale but we do not want a damaged piece of jewellery.
Semi-precious jewellery covers a whole range of semi-precious stones like Rose Quartz. Rose Quartz is a beautiful pink coloured stone that is said to be the stone of love and given as a token of your love so if you were to find a piece of this semi-precious jewellery in the jewellery sale then you will be very lucky.
The stunning natural stone of Turquoise is also a semi-precious stone and this can range from white to deep blue and many shades of green. Semi-precious jewellery made from this stone are often made with sterling silver so if you are looking for a reduced piece of jewellery made from this amazing stone then a jewellery sale that specialises is precious metals is probably the best place to look. Take your time when searching for these pieces as there are many differences in the price range for these pieces of semi-precious jewellery.
Semi-precious jewellery made from Tigers Eye is probably my favourite pieces and if I am able to find pieces of this in the jewellery sale then I am delighted. I love the warm colours of this stone and the golden browns blend well with so many different colours in my wardrobe. It looks great worn with things like my green jumper which sets the semi-precious jewellery of perfectly. So you can just guess at my great delight when I come across pieces of this semi-precious jewellery in the jewellery sale. I can get a buss out of finding pieces that have been discounted and reduced in price.
Another of my favourite semi-precious stones is Carnelian. I love the rich amber colours of this beautiful stone and handmade jewellery made from this semi-precious stone remind me of pieces of amber jewellery. The stone looks well set in silver or set with gold both these precious metals bring out all the stunning natural colours. If you are looking for a reduced piece of this semi-precious jewellery in the jewellery sale then take a good look at the quality of the stones and beads making sure that there are no flaws or damaged pieces. You may be buying your jewellery in the sale but you do not want to get home and find that your valued piece of semi-precious jewellery has flaws or damages.
There are many jewellery sales that take place at different times of the year and they have to be carefully looked through to find that special piece of semi-precious jewellery.
In the these times of the credit crunch we are all looking for a bargain or trying to buy something in the sale. We do have to be careful that the goods we choose in the sale are genuine sale pieces and that they have not been reduced and discounted because they are shoddy goods. This is so important when it comes to buying pieces of semi-precious jewellery as we may like a bargain in the jewellery sale but we do not want a damaged piece of jewellery.
Semi-precious jewellery covers a whole range of semi-precious stones like Rose Quartz. Rose Quartz is a beautiful pink coloured stone that is said to be the stone of love and given as a token of your love so if you were to find a piece of this semi-precious jewellery in the jewellery sale then you will be very lucky.
The stunning natural stone of Turquoise is also a semi-precious stone and this can range from white to deep blue and many shades of green. Semi-precious jewellery made from this stone are often made with sterling silver so if you are looking for a reduced piece of jewellery made from this amazing stone then a jewellery sale that specialises is precious metals is probably the best place to look. Take your time when searching for these pieces as there are many differences in the price range for these pieces of semi-precious jewellery.
Semi-precious jewellery made from Tigers Eye is probably my favourite pieces and if I am able to find pieces of this in the jewellery sale then I am delighted. I love the warm colours of this stone and the golden browns blend well with so many different colours in my wardrobe. It looks great worn with things like my green jumper which sets the semi-precious jewellery of perfectly. So you can just guess at my great delight when I come across pieces of this semi-precious jewellery in the jewellery sale. I can get a buss out of finding pieces that have been discounted and reduced in price.
Another of my favourite semi-precious stones is Carnelian. I love the rich amber colours of this beautiful stone and handmade jewellery made from this semi-precious stone remind me of pieces of amber jewellery. The stone looks well set in silver or set with gold both these precious metals bring out all the stunning natural colours. If you are looking for a reduced piece of this semi-precious jewellery in the jewellery sale then take a good look at the quality of the stones and beads making sure that there are no flaws or damaged pieces. You may be buying your jewellery in the sale but you do not want to get home and find that your valued piece of semi-precious jewellery has flaws or damages.
There are many jewellery sales that take place at different times of the year and they have to be carefully looked through to find that special piece of semi-precious jewellery.