Tag Archives: Jewellery

7 Great Tips How to Look After Marcasite Jewellery

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Marcasite jewellery usually refers to silver jewellery inlaid with small stones made of Pyrite. The most common precious metal used with Marcasite is sterling silver. Due to the contrast between the two metallic grey shades, the combination is very striking and it gives a special vintage look to silver jewellery. Nowadays Marcasite earrings, rings, pendants, and brooches are present on the market at very affordable prices and they have their own antique charm liked by people of all ages.

Properly maintained Marcasite silver jewellery actually improves with age and it develops a lush patina layer when treated well. Given the fact jewellery with Marcasite is usually made of Sterling silver, most of the tips on caring for silver jewellery apply here as well. Here are some top tips about Marcasite jewellery care:

1. Store your jewellery in a clean, dry place.

2. Keep your silver Marcasite in a fabric-lined jewellery case, or even better in a box with compartments and dividers. If you prefer to use ordinary boxes, wrap each piece individually in special plastic pockets or soft tissue paper.

3. Don’t put together your jewellery pieces in a drawer or jewellery case. Pieces are prone to scratching.

4. Never leave Marcasite silver jewellery lying against bare wood. Wood, especially oak, contains an acid that will mar the surface of the silver. Paper and cardboard, since they are wood pulp products, have the same effect, so avoid paper envelopes or small cardboard boxes also.

5. The only way to clean and sanitise Marcasite jewellery is to clean it with mild soap and water solution, after which the jewellery should be gently wiped dry with a soft non-tarnishing cloth.

6. Don’t soak Marcasite jewellery in water.

7. Avoid steamers and ultrasonic jewellery cleaners as these may damage the Marcasite stones.
As with Sterling silver jewellery in general, taking good care will make Marcasite jewellery more beautiful and more vintage with time.

Thomas Sabo Designer Silver Jewellery, So Much More Than Just Charms

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You may already be familiar with the Thomas Sabo charm club collection; launched in 2006 the silver charm club’s popularity continues to spread throughout the world.

However the Sabo designer brand offers so much more to the style conscious individual rather than just the pretty charms.

In the late 1980’s Austrian born, Thomas Sabo launched his branded sterling silver jewellery and along with jewellery designer Susanne Kölbli the unique Thomas Sabo style was born. The attention to quality and detail and the love of fashion and the exciting changing styles helped the brand stand out from the crowd.

The designer brand continues to introduce silver collections twice yearly in parallel with the major fashion shows of Paris, Milan and New York.

Thomas Sabo designer jewellery has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Bavaria with outlets throughout Europe, Asia and America.

This year, the advertising has featured Katy Perry as the brand ambassador of the Pop Now, Charm Club and Pop Now Explicit collections for 2011 to 2012. Thomas Sabo also sponsor the Mercedes GP F1 driver Nico Rosberg, look out for the logo on his hat and racing suit.

Each season’s jewellery collection is usually broken down into three topic areas – Seasonal, Rebel at Heart and Classic. The Seasonal jewellery features on trend topics relating to love, fashion and lifestyle.

The Rebel at Heart collection, as the name suggests, focuses on Rock ‘n’ Roll, western style and the biker look.

The Classic jewellery is all about glamour, elegance and cool style. Above all, Sabo stays ahead of the established luxury brands being a bit quirky and fresher than the mainstream.

The three individual collections listed are designed to complement each other and can be combined or added to as desired. There’s always something there for any occasion, business or leisure, but always stylish.

Currently the Seasonal collection is inspired by the far east with pandas, Chinese fans, great blessings symbols and a trendy modern Geisha look. The Rebel at Heart is also inspired by eastern culture but draws upon Chinese dragons, Kung Fu fighters and Samurai warriors.

Finally the Classic jewellery blends the elegance of the 1930’s, sensual boudoir style and opulence with sparkling masks, feathers and keys.

Recently the designer has even entered the world of beauty with the Charm Rose collection of Eau de Perfume, Body Lotion and Lip balms.

Since the success of the company, Thomas has actively been involved in a number of charities and has now set up its own foundation. The Thomas Sabo foundation has been set up under the patronage of Luz Enith Sabo (Thomas’s wife), it supports international children’s aid projects and other charitable organisations around the world.

Thomas Sabo jewellery and Charm Club, be a part of it.

The Beauty and Meaning of Birthstones

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Birthstones have been around since ancient times, and in those days were believed to possess some magical force that could protect the owner or wearer of the stone. These birthstones were traditionally linked to the Zodiac.

However, modern birthstones are linked to calendar months, and each month has its own unique birthstone, with its own fabled properties. Many people love to wear jewellery set with their birthstone, as the ancient meanings and associations with these stones still intrigue them.

You can get many types of jewellery containing birthstones, such as birthstone rings, a birthstone pendant and birthstone earrings. Giving someone an item of jewellery set with their birthstone is a touching and wonderful gift, and whether you give them a birthstone ring, a birthstone pendant or a birthstone brooch, it is something that they are likely to treasure forever because it has real meaning and significance.

Below you will find a listing of each of the birthstones used today.

January

The birthstone for this month is the garnet, which was once thought to be connected with the blood. This stone is supposed to protect the wearer from nightmares and offer guidance through the dark.

Garnets are long lasting and durable gems, with a fiery, ravishing beauty. This is type of gem that the wearer will treasure forever, no matter what item of jewellery it is set into. Garnets are traditionally thought of as deep red, but actually come in a wide range of colours, so there is something to suit every taste for this month.

February

The birthstone for this month is the amethyst, and the folklore attached to this gem associates it with sobriety, tranquillity, protection and peace. This birthstone as also been linked to improving the skin and preventing baldness, as well as protection from deceit, so it has a lot to live up to!

The amethyst birthstone comes in varying shades of purple, and can be a pale lilac in colour. On the other end of the scale, you can also get deep violet amethysts, which means that you can enjoy a birthstone that is as subtle or as rich as you like. This birthstone is very hardwearing, and its strength and durability will ensure that it lasts for a very long time.

March

This month’s birthstone is aquamarine, which has been linked to the making of new friends as well as affection and love, hope and health. This stone was once also thought to protect those at sea.

As the name of this birthstone suggests, it is a green-blue in colour and has a rich, sparkling look. You can get aquamarine birthstones in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you can also get this stone in varying shades of green-blue.

April

One of the most popular gems throughout history, diamonds are the birthstone for this month, and these stones are linked to love, eternity and strength. This has contributed towards diamonds being the most popular gems of all time when it comes to romance, such as engagement rings and wedding bands.

Diamonds are very strong and hardwearing, making them the perfect birthstone to wear on a daily basis. You can enjoy many different cuts of this stone, and the fiery, glamorous sparkle given off by diamonds is positively captivating.

May

This month’s birthstone is the beautiful emerald, once linked to health and the curing of ailments, as well as being associated with the ability to see in to the future, giving them an almost bewitching, magical reputation.

These fiery green gems are amazing to look at, and can be found in a variety of shapes and cuts. The beauty and richness of this stone makes it the perfect gem for birthstone jewellery, and is something that the wearer can show off and take pride in for a long time.

June

The elegant pearl is the birthstone for the month of June, and this gem has been linked with chastity and modesty, making it something of an angelic, pure birthstone. They are also linked to successful and happy marriages.

These round, stunning birthstones come in a variety of colours, and a range of sizes. Pearls can look spectacular yet modest in all manner of jewellery from birthstone rings, to earrings and necklaces, making them a perfect gift.

July

The birthstone for this month is the ravishing ruby, a stone traditionally linked with protection and harmony. This birthstone has been mined since ancient times, and boasts a spectacular beauty.

Deep red in colour, rubies are stunning birthstones that will liven up and enhance any piece of jewellery. These gems have a unique, vivid and fiery appearance that would delight anyone.

August

The birthstone for the month of August is peridot, which was commonly linked with protection against evil and night terrors, as well as a gem that enhanced the properties of healing drugs.

Lime green in colour, this birthstone is a by-product of volcanic action, and comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This birthstone gives off its own unique energy, and is strong and durable.

September

Sumptuous sapphire is the birthstone associated with September, and this gem has been linked with faith and purity, as well as foresight. It was thought that the stronger the sparkle of the gem, the more faithful and honest the wearer.

These birthstones look stunning in all types of jewellery, especially in white gold and platinum metal. However, sapphires can come in other colours as well as blue. These are strong and durable gems that will last for years to come, and can be passed down to future generations.

October

The birthstone of October is the opal, a stone that has been linked to purity, hope and innocence. This gem has also been linked to healing forces, friendship and emotion, so it has experienced its fair share of folklore over the years.

This type of birthstone comes in white or black, and both variations have remnants of other colours within them. Opals have a unique look and beauty, making them a very interesting birthstone with a strangely exquisite appearance.

November

The birthstone for this month is topaz, once linked with sanity, healing, and life, as well as being connected to strength by the ancient Greeks. This stone has even been linked to an ability to make the wearer invisible in dangerous situations.

This birthstone comes in a range of colours, all of which will enhance any jewel with a fiery sparkle. Colours include golden, blue, pale green, pink and red, as well as some other rare colours. A stunning gem, topaz boasts both beauty and strength.

December

The given birthstone for December is turquoise, and this precious stone was once linked to happiness, fortune and luck, making it a very popular gem in centuries gone by.

Turquoise can range in colour from mid-blue to a green-blue or light green colour, and this birthstone is unusual and beautiful, making it a very distinctive and unusual addition to any jewellery collection.

Summary

Giving a birthstone to someone special as a gift means giving so much more than just a piece of jewellery. The ancient meanings associated with each of these birthstones make them extra-special, giving them a quality that is impossible to achieve with any other gem.

Whether you decide to give a birthstone ring, necklace earrings or any other piece of jewellery, you will always find stunning pieces where the precious metal and the birthstone complement one another perfectly. Birthstone jewellery makes a unique, beautiful, and affordable gift with real sentiment behind it.