Archive for the ‘sterling silver’ Category

Do you ever think about the jewelry you wear and what it represents?  Take the bracelet, for example: is it just another adornment to be worn and discarded as you see fit – or do some people wear it with more thought and meaning than others?

For example, what about a silver heart bracelet?  A silver heart bracelet sparkles and glimmers on the beautiful wrist, drawing attention to the fluid motions and artful gestures of the hand and arm. A bracelet has symbolic meanings depending upon the purchaser. This beautiful piece of exquisite heart jewelry can be given to women of all ages; women who will wear it proudly and think of the reason for this appreciated gift often. This is much more than just another piece of jewelry that adorns the body. Best of all, silver can last a lifetime or longer with proper care and retain its bright shiny luster.

Jewelry has been used for centuries to accentuate parts of the body. Most women choose these jeweled accessories to draw attention to features they want to display.  If the woman purchases a delicate silver heart bracelet for herself, she is bringing attention to one of her finer features, the shapely and delicate wrist. Often this piece will match other heart jewelry in a pendant, earrings or brooch creating a uniform, accessorized look.

As the beautiful bracelet rests on the wrist, the touch is comforting to the person wearing this treasure. It is a symbolic reassurance that the person who gave this precious gift is holding that hand from a distance. Every time that fine piece of shiny jewelry is placed on the arm, the well wishes and comfort of the giver surround the charm and bring peace and contentment to the person wearing that gem. The heart shape conveys commitment, devotion, love or passion depending on the relationship.

A mother can give the gift of a silver heart bracelet to a young daughter as a reminder of her love and support as a child walks to school alone. A husband may give one to his wife to surround her with the protection of his love while they are apart. Daughters and granddaughters may reward a grandmother for her wisdom and help with this charming reminder that she is never alone or forgotten. A bracelet is an appropriate gift between friends, between relatives and between lovers of all ages.

These precious gifts are made from silver, most often Sterling Silver. 100% silver is soft, easily damaged and unsuitable for use as jewelry. Sterling Silver is made by adding another metal to harden the silver to stand up to the every day wear. Copper is the metal of choice; it makes this silver more durable and harder so it holds its shape and resists the abuse jewelry takes. Silversmiths add 7.5% copper; this keeps the beautiful luster of pure silver.

Purchasers of Sterling Silver can look for marks denoting such things as sterling, sterling silver or .925 to verify the quality of item. The craftsmanship of each individual piece sets the price; many pieces are hand crafted by experienced and gifted silversmiths in one-of-a-kind design that will be worn and treasured forever. Custom orders can be created for someone looking for exactly the right silver heart bracelet by selecting the charm and the bracelet from a wide assortment of products and assembling the chosen prizes. Silversmiths will even produce original works from a custom design submitted by the purchaser.

The next time a lady moves her wrist and the silver heart bracelet glistens and glimmers, the charm will caress the wrist almost like the touch of a caring hand. This lady may reach out and touch the heart with her other hand unconsciously. She is thinking of the wonderful person who gave her this unique gift that provides her with comfort and self-confidence as she wends her way through the day and through her life. That is the power of heart jewelry and a silver heart bracelet.

Making jewelry pieces using pure silver is not feasible, because pure silver is not hard and sturdy enough. Therefore, to make silver jewelry, a small quantity of copper is mixed with silver. The silver so produced is called sterling silver. In technical terms, sterling silver has 92.5% silver and the rest 7.5% copper. All kinds of jewelry items like bracelets, rings and necklaces are made using sterling silver, but a sterling silver heart necklace requires a special mention because of it’s irresistible appeal.

Why choose a sterling silver heart necklace?  There are many reasons why one should choose a sterling silver heart necklace over other options in necklaces. To begin with, these necklaces are less expensive than other necklaces such as those made from gold. The heart shaped pendant is ideal to be given to one’s beloved since women have been found to fall in love at first sight with a sterling silver heart pendant necklace. If maintained properly, sterling silver retains its charm and beauty for years. In addition, even if the silver is tarnished after years of wear, one can easily get it polished and make it appear as new as it was in the beginning.

There are many designs available within these heart necklaces. For example, there are double heart pendant designs in which two intertwined hearts, symbolizing the love between two souls, are asymmetrically interconnected. Now, with a sterling silver heart charm necklace, one can also personalize the pendant by getting one’s own and one’s beloved’s name engraved on each of the hearts along with birthstones. Another beautiful design is the one where a solid heart dangles through a hollow heart. With this pendant, one can easily adjust how deep the solid heart drops on one’s neck.

In addition to these popular designs, one can also find a number of sterling silver necklaces of different lengths with a pendant decorated with different stones. Though depending on the stone used, these necklace pendants will cost you more; they are worth considering because of their sheer timeless beauty.

Whom would these necklaces suit?  Heart sterling silver necklaces are meant for both adult women and teenage girls. Since sterling silver has an elegant white shine, these necklaces would suit females of all skin colors, whether white, dusky or dark. These necklaces are perfect for not only big parties and events, they can even be worn to casual dates and parties and even to office as well. These pendant necklaces go well with all kinds of dresses as well, be it an expensive evening gown or a casual party dress.

If you are a male and are looking for a beautiful piece of jewelry to give to any woman in your life, be it your mother, wife, girlfriend or daughter, then you need not look further than these sophisticated heart shaped silver necklaces and pendants. Not only will the woman you give the necklace to be pleasantly surprised and genuinely grateful for your gift, even you would feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the heart shaped mark of your love and affection adorning her beautiful neck and bringing a smile to her face.

Where should you buy these necklaces?  You can easily buy a beautiful heart pendant and sterling silver necklace as well as other types of heart jewelry from a jewelry store. However, a better place to look for it is the web, because it will allow you to check out the available products at different sites and compare prices. Many companies will offer you a 30-day money back guarantee on your purchase, so it is also safe to buy a pendant necklace online. Buying online will also avoid you moving away from the comfort of your own home, as the necklace would be delivered at your doorstep in a couple of days.

So take a look at the sterling silver heart necklace choices you have the next time you decide to buy and do yourself a favor!

Silver is one of the most popular metals from which to make jewelry and that is true of heart jewelry too. This popularity arises from many different reasons: for example, silver provides a perfect setting for practically any variety of gemstone, thereby making it a great choice for moderately priced heart rings, earrings and pendants featuring either natural or created gems. A variety of birthstones including amethyst, garnet and topaz regularly appear in dazzling silver heart jewelry pieces (added to which, today’s man made and artificially created jewels look so much like the real thing that once set in silver they will look as if they cost an absolute fortune). Furthermore, silver’s natural qualities permit it to be made into an incredible spectrum of designs from a delicate sterling silver heart bracelet to chunky cuffs and linked chains. And the color of sterling silver lends it the look of platinum or white gold at a small fraction of the cost.

However, because pure silver on its own is too soft a metal to be used in jewelry making, it is made into an alloy (usually with copper 92.5% pure silver, 7.5% copper) to give it strength and enable it to be made into far more intricate designs.  One effect of this is that although the copper adds strength to the silver it also means that silver has a tendency to tarnish as it reacts with sulfur in the air causing the silver to look dull and a patina to form on it.  For this reason some people are put off buying silver heart jewelry which is a pity, because the silver color is so versatile that it complements any outfit from jeans and a shirt to an elegant ball gown.

Your sterling silver heart bracelet can last a lifetime if you look after it and store it properly.  One of the best ways to keep your silver heart jewelry shiny and looking like new is to wear it frequently.  The oils in your skin tend to put a coating on the metal making it less prone to tarnish.  I have had a silver heart ring for years that I wear every day and it still has its lovely shine.

When using household cleaning chemicals or hair care products (especially those containing ammonia and bleach) it is best to take off your silver jewelry as it will turn black if it comes into contact with some of these products.  Even some make up products, soaps and perfumes can react with the silver, taking away its shine.  So it is always best to leave putting on your silver heart locket and earrings until you have finished doing your face and hair.

If you cannot wear your silver heart jewelry everyday then you need to store it properly to minimize the amount it tarnishes.  Keeping it in an airtight container out of the light will certainly help to stop the sulfur in the atmosphere from getting to it.  Wrapping your silver heart bracelet in a tarnish preventative cloth (this will also prevent the metal from getting scratched by other pieces) and putting it in an airtight plastic bag and placing it in drawer is the best way of storing it.

To clean the tarnish off silver jewelry it is best to choose one of the products that you can buy from the jewelers.  Silver dips are probably the easiest way to clean all pieces, from earrings, rings and sterling silver heart charm bracelet to chains and brooches, but you need to follow the instructions carefully especially if the pieces have gemstones set into them.  Sometimes these cleaning products can have devastating effects on some gems such as pearls and opals so choose one that says it is gentle and suitable for gemstones. If in doubt it is beat to take the item to the jeweler’s to be professionally cleaned.

Following these guidelines will help to keep your sterling silver heart bracelet looking shiny and new and ensure you enjoy wearing it for years to come.

Have you ever considered buying second hand jewelry, especially to get a more individual piece than those sold in the modern stores?  For a more authentic item of jewelry, such as a sterling silver heart locket either for yourself or as a gift for someone, it is well worth the effort of seeking out retailers who specialize in used jewelry whether in the Mall, Flea Market or on the Internet.  If you can find an outlet that carries Victorian jewelry you are sure to find some beautiful, intricate detailed heart lockets as it was during this era that these became very popular.

Classic jewelry is an exceptional investment and a piece of antique heart design jewelry is a superb gift for that special person in your life. Currently, the value of gold is at an all-time high and this has generated a great deal of interest in vintage and antique gold jewelry as it can certainly provide much better value. The price of used gold jewelry is likely to be up to one third less expensive than a similar piece bought new today. Plus an additional benefit is that the quality of a vintage jewelry piece can often be substantially superior to it’s modern day counterpart. However, the same does not always apply to gemstone jewelry: diamond cutting techniques are now a long way superior from what was available a century in the past.

If the thought of buying or wearing jewelry pieces that were once worn by someone else does not appeal to you but you want something that looks like the original, there are a plethora of merchants on the Web that sell replica jewelry designs at affordable prices.

Silver heart jewelry is experiencing new interest for a variety of reasons. Sterling silver’s natural traits allow it to be made into an incredible assortment of designs from the tiniest sterling silver heart earring to heavy bracelets and chains. The color and sheen of silver gives it the appearance of ultra-fashionable platinum or white gold at a small fraction of the cost. Sterling silver makes a superb setting for almost any type of gems, making it an ideal choice for reasonably priced heart rings, pendants and earrings with either precious or semi-precious gemstones. A variety of birthstones such as garnet, topaz and amethyst often feature in beautiful silver heart jewelry pieces. With the manufacturing skills that are available today, synthetic and created jewels look so good that once set in silver they can look as though they cost a fortune.

Diamonds are the most prestigious of gemstones and diamond pendants are second only to diamond heart engagement rings in the popularity stakes. The heart design diamond pendant is definitely an extremely “in vogue” design today. In this style, the diamonds are not themselves heart shaped (as this is a particularly difficult and expensive cut) but the gold, silver or platinum heart pendant is set with a few larger sized or numerous small gems. If price is a problem, you could attain an equally impressive look with a silver heart shaped locket embellished with synthetic gemstones or cubic zirconia.

Sterling silver heart jewelry is suitable for every situation as it’s color flatters every outfit, from the little black dress to shorts and T-shirt, with designs that can be subtle and elegant or bold and daring. Lovely pieces of heart jewelry suit everyone and in addition they do not have to have high price tags. Individual, made by hand pieces of sterling silver jewelry with heart shaped symbols can be an inexpensive alternative to precious metal and precious gems. Attractive heart shaped rings or traditional Claddagh rings in silver can be purchased for an often amazingly inexpensive price, particularly if you are happy to purchase pre-owned items. Internet auction sites are a great place to look for fantastic jewelry buys and you can have the heart bracelet, earrings or pendant of your dreams!

Because the price of gold and gold jewelry has sky rocketed over the last year or so, many more people are turning to sterling silver jewelry as an alternative to gold, white gold and platinum. Sterling silver has for centuries been a popular choice for jewelry as it is very malleable into many intricate designs and is very long lasting. So if you are looking to buy heart earrings, for yourself or as a gift for someone, then you should check out the enormous selection of sterling silver heart earrings that are available both in the chain jewelry stores in the Malls or from the many reputable retailers on the Internet.

There are a number of things to consider when purchasing any sterling silver jewelry to ensure that you get the best quality, the right design for the recipient and value for money.

Silver like gold and platinum is a precious metal and as with gold it has many grades.  Although the finest silver is 99.9% pure, this is found to be too soft to make practical, serviceable pieces so silver is usually alloyed with another tougher metal, usually copper, to produce a stronger more durable metal.  Sterling silver is the highest grade used in the making of jewelry and other silver products and is hallmarked 925.  This indicates that the piece is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. When buying any sterling silver heart jewelry (for example, heart rings, heart charms or a heart chain) be sure to check its authenticity and the grade of the metal by looking at the hallmark.  Any reputable jeweler will be happy to help you do this.

Apart from the fact that sterling silver is often a cheaper alternative to white gold for jewelry pieces, it is also a very versatile metal and looks good with any outfit and can be worn for any occasion.  Not only will it complement your work clothes but it will also look great with that little black dress for more formal events and will not look out of place on the beach or when teamed with T-shirt and jeans for a casual look.  Check out magazines like Hello, OK and People to see what jewelry the models and celebrities are wearing.  Many of them are choosing sterling silver.

When choosing the style of heart earrings you wish to buy, another factor to take into consideration is the face shape of the person who will be wearing them.  If the recipient has a round face then more elongated styles should be considered.  For those with a more square shaped face, hoops or dangly or chandelier designs are more suited – while for a heart shaped face, shorter length or studs look best.  Ladies with oval shaped faces can wear any design – studs, chandelier, hoops or drop earrings.

If you plan to choose a pair of sterling silver heart earrings with gemstones set into them then consider which to choose by reference to eye color. Blue or green gemstones like sapphires, Lapis Lazuli, aquamarines, emeralds, peridots and jade will emphasize the light eye colors such as blue, green or gray.  On the other hand, amber, onyx and yellow tourmalines are better suited for someone with darker eye colors. These are only guidelines and the final choice should be left to the individual, because they may well have a favorite gemstone and may wish to co-ordinate with other pieces that they have in their jewelry box.

Finally, when choosing silver heart earrings, especially if they are for someone other than you, think about the person they are for and their particular fashion style and the type of jewelry they usually wear.  For instance, if the recipient tends to wear classical style jewelry then a pair of stud heart shaped earrings would perhaps be the most appropriate, whereas for a more flamboyant character, large hoops or chandelier heart earrings might be more apt.

Whoever they are for (yourself, a friend, relative or loved one) sterling silver heart earrings are an excellent choice, because there are so many designs to choose from, they can be worn in any setting and are easily teamed up with other pieces of heart jewelry like a silver heart locket or a sterling silver heart charm bracelet.

A sterling silver heart charm bracelet might be just the solution you’re looking for if  you are ever invited to a little girl’s christening or other such naming ceremony and you are wondering what would be an appropriate gift.  If you are fortunate enough to have been chosen as one of the little girl’s godparents then you want a gift that is going to last and one that will remind her of that special day as she gets older.  For this reason you need to think about something more long lasting than simply buying a beautiful outfit of clothes which she will outgrow in a matter of weeks.

One excellent gift to consider is a sterling silver heart charm bracelet, because this is a gift that she will treasure for years to come and one which can be added to over and over again throughout her lifetime.  In case you need some help in deciding:

1. There are lots of different styles of heart charm bracelets on the market, whether you are searching in the Mall jewelry stores or clicking from one to another of the many retailers found on the Internet.  Because of the wide variety available it might be that there are a number of things you might like to consider before making your final choice.  Although your gift is for a baby it might be as well to buy a bracelet that is slightly larger or that can have links added so that it grows with her.

2. Choose a heart charm that can be personalized, perhaps one with her birthstone set into it so that it can be engraved with either her birthday or her Christening date on it. You might even want to choose a heart locket so that a photograph of her on her special day can be put inside.

3. Make sure that other charms can be added to the links. By giving this gift you can add a charm to it for memorable occasions throughout her life making it into a history of her growing up.  For instance, on her first birthday you could add a birthday charm or in December of the year she is born, buy her one for her first Christmas.  Memorable events during her school days could be commemorated with a charm.  Maybe even her first boyfriend could add to it by giving her a heart charm on their first Valentine’s Day.

4. Other special days that spring to mind are of course her Graduation Day when you could present her with a charm depicting a graduation cap and the year she achieved her diploma or even a diploma charm.  Another special day would perhaps be to get her a car charm for when she gets her driving license or yet another, buying a number charm for when she reaches the age of majority.

5. Then of course as she gets to the stage in life when she is contemplating marriage, a charm depicting a wedding would be very appropriate.  And as her family grows, charms can be added to mark these happy events.

6. Another reason for choosing a sterling silver heart charm bracelet is that it complements other heart jewelry such as heart earrings or a heart pendant that she may well receive as gifts as she grows up.

Of course there are other Christening gifts that you could choose for that special little girl, such as a personalized brush and comb set or a first tooth and first curl gift set or even a silver cup with her name on.  But giving a silver heart charm bracelet is a gift that will keep on giving in memories throughout the years and one which she can pass on to her own children as a part of family history.  You can be sure that your Goddaughter or niece or even friends baby girl will remember you every time she wears that special piece of jewelry.