Why You Should Invest in Silver Jewellery

Silver has been around for as long as most metals like gold, copper, iron, tin, lead, and mercury have been around but only recently has it risen its popularity and value. And because the material is priced lower than gold and platinum, it allows jewellery designers to create unique pieces of silver jewellery without having to spend a lot.

The increasing number of designs available for silver jewellery has also attracted even more people to wear it. It’s bright and shiny without the flashy feel that most gold jewellery give off. It’s also easier to clean and maintain making it a jewellery you can expect to last with you for many years.

Image by Ameyali Alvarez via Flickr

Image by Ameyali Alvarez via Flickr

If you have plans of investing in silver jewellery one of these days, we thought it might be helpful that you know the reasons why it’s a smart idea to do so.

  1. Value

There is more silver in the market than there is gold or platinum which makes its price more accessible to most consumers. It doesn’t mean it’s cheap though. Silver is still a little pricey but compared to other metals, it will feel like you have invested your money well for a metal that can be relied on regularly to adding a touch of sophistication and brilliance to your look.

  1. Wide selection of styles

Because silver jewellery comes in so many designs, it’s not that hard to find one at an online silver jewellery store that will fit your taste perfectly. And you need not to worry about changing trends.

Silver jewellery is affordable that it wouldn’t feel like a waste if you still had that silver piece that you bought two seasons ago. Silver jewellery gets to be enjoyed in many different designs unlike other metals where it takes more considerations for the designer to make one for fear that it might not sell.

  1. Durable

Silver is a resilient metal which takes a lot of roughing up before it shows signs of damage. And even if it is damaged, it can easily be filed and polished by a jeweller for an affordable price. Gold on the other hand is soft and more likely to bend, warp, and gouge.

  1. Light weight

Silver is lighter than gold making it a jewellery piece that is more comfortable to wear for longer periods. So if you’re planning to buy gold jewellery online, you might want to reconsider and purchase silver instead.

  1. Versatile

Gold will dramatically change the way your outfit looks but silver won’t. In fact, silver jewellery will only look good in just about anything and might just even complement and enhance your overall look. Silver jewellery also looks good on different skin tones unlike gold which doesn’t have an appealing effect on people with warm undertones.

When paired with other gemstones, silver just look even more beautiful. Whether they’re diamonds, rubies, emeralds, jade, onyx, amber or sapphires, the natural hue of silver makes the gemstones appear clearer and brighter than they are. So if you are planning to get jewellery in a specific gemstone, make silver your choice metal.

  1. Health-friendly

Medical research states that wearing silver jewellery can help balance various body elements, keeps blood vessels elastic, helps with bone and skin formation, acts as a pain killer for muscle pain and remedies arthritis. These benefits are derived from silver’s ability to generate an electrical field which distributes electricity and heat around the body.

There are more benefits to wearing silver than there is with any other precious metal. So wait no longer and get a hold of your own that you can wear, style, and enjoy health benefits from.

What other benefits does silver jewellery have that you know of? Let us know in the comments.

JT Style File: Color and Print Galore!

Hi Beautiful People,

JT Style Gem

The weather has been all over the place in Missouri. There’s been snow one week and temperatures in the high 60s the next. When temperatures fluctuate, it is hard to figure out what to wear and still fill season-appropriate. I have seen people wearing, anything from shorts to parkas and there has to be a happy medium.

For those late winter days when it feels more like spring, it is important to dress in layers. It may start out cold; but it can warm up considerably during the day.
In the photo below, I am wearing a washable natural colored suede skirt with a fine cotton cable teal turtleneck sweater and a scarf to add a bit of colorful pizazz. I am looking for a linear look  to make me feel taller, so I finished it off with my Earth boots. However, I could also add a pop of color in my boots.
Layering effect: If I may get a little warm, I could always take the scarf off.
JT STYLE FILE

Another version of this outfit, I teamed a fine knit grey turtleneck with a cinnamon sweater, washable natural suede skirt with the colorful print and my Earth ankle boots. I wore this outfit to church and finished it off with my Valentines day gift, the Dooney and Bourke McKenzie Hobo. Do you see how the color is not screaming, I am still taking center stage.
JT Style Files 2

JT Style File
Color and print in the right proportions will add brightness and individuality.

JTwisdom signature

What To Wear During an El Nino Winter

Good Evening Beautiful People,

I pray that you have had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. After a full week, it has been good to be at home and get some things done around the house. We finally put up the last of our Christmas decorations (don’t judge!) and had a chance to also do some yard work. The weather this week has been wacky, to say the least. The week started off with about three inches of snow last Sunday, with temps around 10 degrees. By the end of the week, the temperatures warmed up into the 60s and 70s; which some rain and thunderstorms on Saturday night. Now, for me, that is too warm and too crazy for February. This is still winter, we shouldn’t be getting such a big range of temperatures.

Thanks to El Nino, this winter has not really been a true winter. It’s been cold and hot, it’s raining and snowing. And sometimes in the same week, for goodness sake. During Christmas, the Gateway City endured historic flooding in much of the area. While in January, the East Coast dealt with a historic blizzard. But wait, doesn’t the East Coast get a historic blizzard every year?!?

With all these temperatures changes and forms a precipitation, what is a girl to wear? Thankfully, I have been living in these types of winter weather conditions for a while now, and I have learned a thing or two. The most important thing is dress in layers and have many great accessories tucked away in the closet that can be pulled out at a moments notice, depending on what the weather is doing at the moment.

One of the wacky things about this year’s weather is that the temperatures can be hovering around zero to ten degrees for a couple of days, and then jump up to the 30s and 40s in just a day. When it is cold like that, I want to make sure that I am protected with warm boots and fury hats. When the winds are blowing and the temperatures are barely above zero, than keeping warm is a necessity. For me, my toes and ears get the coldest the fastest.

nino1

Gotta bundle up on those cold and windy days

Winter is meant for snow; but it seems this year we have have been getting more rain. Over the Christmas weekend, we received over five inches of rain in just three days. It’s days like this when you need to be sure you have a strong and sturdy umbrella to keep you dry. You need an umbrella that can withstand strong winds and that has a lifetime guarantee. That is what you get from Crown Coast. I love the automatic feature that allows you to push a button to open and close the umbrella.It retails for $44.95; but can be purchase on Amazon for $18.95

Crown Coast Umbrella available on Amazon

Crown Coast Umbrella available on Amazon

JTwisdom signatureDISCLAIMER:
BubblingWithEleganceAndGrace received the Crown Coast Umbrella at a discounted price in order to write this review.
We received no monetary compensation for this review and all opinions are strictly our own.

Returning An Engagement Ring After You Bought It

So you ask your girl to marry her and show her a ring, and she declines.
What to do with the engagement ring that you bought?

JTwisdom photo

JTwisdom photo

So you work up the courage, buy an engagement ring, and ask the love of your life to marry you. If she says yes, you may be able to live the fairytale life and be happy for all of your years. But what if you ask her, she says yes, but absolutely hates the ring that you chose? Or even worse, she says no and breaks your heart! Well, you will be pleased to know that all is not lost.

Returning a Ring
When you buy designer engagement rings in Brisbane city, the majority of the more reputable companies that sell engagement rings will usually accept returns on a limited basis. If you have had a bespoke ring created, then you may be out of luck. A dealer may accept the ring back, but usually at less than what you paid for it. You should always think twice before having a customised or bespoke ring if you intend it to be a surprise. Sometimes men do not always know the women in their lives as much as we like to think that they do!

Store Credit
You will often find that a lot of stores are willing to offer store credit when returning a ring, especially if the ring is bespoke or has been modified. There are many advantages of buying wholesale diamonds and creating a bespoke ring, such as overall cost, but if she says no, you will most likely take a loss on the ring if you sell it. If your girl has said yes but hates the ring that you chose, store credit is the perfect solution for you. You can take her to the shop and let her pick the ring of her dreams, which is an excellent way to start life as a betrothed couple.

Method of Payment
Depending on how you paid for the ring can also depend on whether the store will let you return the ring. If you pay via a credit card, you are offered a lot more protection, so you may be able to return the ring easier. Some stores are just as friendly with cash payments, and ultimately it will depend on the shop from where you bought the ring.

Buyers Protection
In all states, there are laws in place to protect consumers and make sure that unscrupulous retailers do not get away with taking advantage of their customers. You can quickly check online your entitlement as a consumer on the Australia.gov.au website, and see where you stand from a legal point of view.

Knowing your rights as a consumer can assist you when dealing with some of the lower brow retailers. But, in all honesty, if you deal with a reputable company they will usually do as much as they can to help you out. Whether she said yes and you need to choose a new ring, or she said no and you feel heartbroken, most jewellers are a sympathetic lot of people.

A Valentine’s Day Gift Idea For The Man In Your Life

Hello Elegant Readers,

I pray that everyone is having a peaceful start to the New Year. 2016 is looking great with many wonderful opportunities. Be sure to seize the opportunities that are lay ahead and make this the best year of your life.

With the Christmas shopping season behind us, it is time to turn our attention to the next holiday — Valentine’s Day. I know what you are thinking, “I just have gotten over the Christmas season.” Although Valentine’s Day is still over month away, it is never to early to get that special gift for the man in your life. Is your husband difficult to buy for? Does he never give you any clues as what he wants or needs? May I recommend the XYZlicone Wedding Ring to make your decision-process quick and easy. It is available on Amazon and is currently offered on sale for $19.97.

XYZlicone Wedding Ring

My hubby wearing his XYZlicone Wedding Ring as a right-hand ring.

Buying a Valentine’s Day gift for your hubby may be more difficult because women’s gifts typically are the main focus. Flowers and chocolates make great gifts for wife and girlfriends, but for hubbies, not so much. What better way to show your man that you love him, but with a bold black silicon ring, which could worn as a wedding ring or as a right-handed ring. My hubby wears his a right-hand ring and wears it with a pinky ring, as seen in the photo above.

The XYZlicone ring is quite versatile and I would recommend it for anyone who is looking for a unique piece to give your hubby.
* The silicone is durable and holds up to everyday wear and tear. My hubby has not had any problems with his since he has been wearing it.
* The ring is stylish and on trend right now. I have seen a few other men wearing similar rings while I have been out and about.
* The ring makes a bold statement, but it so light-weight that it can be worn without even noticing it.
* The 8mm width to the ring has a noticeable presence, but without being overpowering.
* The ring will slip on your finger with ease because it is a flexible silicon.
* When purchased from Amazon, it comes with a second ring as a bonus. Just a note, the second ring is one size up from what I had ordered.

I recommend the XYZlicone Wedding Ring to anyone who looking for a unique style that is comfortable. Whether you pick this for your hubby, or men, you are purchasing this for yourself, neither one of you will be disappointed.

If you have already purchased this ring or if you are will purchase, let me know what you think about it. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

JTwisdom signature

DISCLAIMER:
BubblingWithEleganceAndGrace.com was able to purchase the XYZlicone Wedding Ring at a discounted price in order to write this review. We did not receive any monetary compensation to write the review and all opinions are strictly our own.

How to Tell if You are Buying Authentic Antique Jewellery

Antique jewellery has been growing in popularity for a number of years and for very good reasons. Part of the appeal is that fashions are cyclic and the styles of a bygone era inevitably reappear. For many though, the charm of antique jewellery is rooted in a deep appreciation for quality, design, and craftsmanship that is difficult to replicate today. These antique pieces are unlike anything currently available in stores, which make them unique and highly valuable. It is crucial when purchasing antique jewellery to know that what is being offered is the genuine article. Jewellery valuation is a highly skilled profession but there are a number of ways for a layperson to discern the truly valuable from an inferior look-alike.

Image by K.giftedhands via Flickr

Image by K.giftedhands via Flickr

HALLMARKS
The most obvious place to begin is to look for any hallmarks imprinted upon the piece in question. These standardised imprints denote the purity of the metal but there may also be other marks indicating the maker or company who fashioned the jewellery, as well as the time period in which it was crafted. Finding out the markings meaning is a complex matter but the fact that the markings exist is a reassuring first step to legitimising the authenticity of a piece.

PATINA
Patina is the gentle wear and sheen on the surface of metals that gradually builds over time and should be well evident in a genuinely antique piece. Be automatically suspicious if the piece looks flawless or shows no signs of aging or prior use. Very few pieces of jewellery remain completely untouched by the ravages of time. By contrast, Kalmar Antiques jewellery for sale online offers fine examples of how authentic antique jewellery should look.

TESTING DIAMONDS
While it may be overkill for infrequent jewellery purchases, there is a handy tool available for under $100 that can test and authenticate diamonds. This pen-like device shoots a beam of light through the stone and is able to discern by how quickly it is transmitted, whether the diamond is real or fake, or even whether it is a natural or synthetic diamond. Such a tool can certainly come in handy for serious jewellery collectors and for those who like to purchase at estate auctions.

WEIGHT AND LAYERED WEAR
As most people are aware, gold is a very heavy metal. Having a piece of jewellery of equivalent size to compare can be immensely helpful. The difference may seem slight but placing each item in one’s hand and comparing the weight is quite noticeable. Also, look closely at the edges of the jewellery and notice if there is any wearing or discolouration. If there is a different coloured metal beneath the gold then it is like the piece is merely gold-plated rather than solid gold.

HISTORY, REPUTATION AND FEEDBACK
With ever more people choosing to sell and purchase jewellery online, it has become harder to make comparisons and get a good hands-on feel for the item in question. Whether buying or looking for ways to sell your jewellery at the best price, it is important to take time to thoroughly research the merchant’s reputation and history, particularly when spending large sums of money or making online purchases.

Consider the following:
* Does the seller have a physical outlet such as a jewellery or antique store in addition to their online presence?
* Are they licensed to sell used goods?
* Are they a registered trader and can they provide an ABN or other documentation that may legitimise their enterprise?
* How long have they been established and how experienced are they?

The number of merchants that only sell online is increasing so it is important to use a search engine to check for feedback of other buyers and to verify any information provided by the seller. A legitimate seller will be happy to tell you of the history of the jewellery, the maker and the time period from which it came. Double check everything, trust your instincts and be sure that the merchant uses a platform that allows refunds if using a credit card. As always, being prepared in advance and knowing what to look for is the best strategy for ensuring the antique jewellery you purchase will be the genuine article. There are many great bargains to be had and the satisfaction of finding a beautiful piece will be even greater when you have used your newly found skills to select it.

JTwisdom signature