Fashion Jewelry
Fashion jewelry
Fashion Necklace
Fashion earring
Fashion Bracelet
Fashion Pendants
Fashion bangles
Fashion Necklace
Consumers are cutting back on spending nowadays, but jewelry retailers are looking toward the upcoming summer months, to get consumers back into jewelry stores. Additionally, with the trends of bright colors and bold pieces, consumers can't help but take notice of and want a piece of fashion item this year.
Fashion magazines are discussing trends in jewelry for the spring in their latest issues, and big pieces are definitely in style. InStyle magazine focused on nature- and tribal-themed pieces and bright colors, while Lucky included a whole spread of classic, yet modern, cocktail rings. In its March issue, Vogue gave brides-to-be some of the magazine's favorite engagement rings and wedding day jewelry. A lot of this season's trends are a natural progression from last season. Necks were bare and rings were big, but this season necklaces have made an extremely bold comeback..
For spring and summer 2008, shine is everywhere in terms of fashion accessories. From the purses we carry to the clothes we choose to the shoes we wear, the newest trend is all about shine from head to toe. Jewelry is one accessory that will never go out of style and can last a lifetime with the proper care. So while consumers may be cutting back on a lot of spending, jewelry retailers are hoping that the latest jewelry trends will get consumers into the stores and at least looking at the latest pieces. For upcoming holidays and special occasions, be sure to carry items that are on-trend.
Thai jewellers are buying highly coveted rubies and jade at an official auction this week in Myanmar, which supplies stones for the kingdom's booming, multi-billion-dollar jewelry industry.
But once they cut and set the gems, they could face problems selling them as companies and western governments move to ban trade in precious stones from the military-ruled state.
Myanmar has about 153 million dollars worth of gems on the auction block this week, at the second official sale of the year in a country that produces some of the world's most spectacular stones.
Up to 90 percent of the world's rubies are from Myanmar, including 'pigeon blood' rubies that are considered the finest in the world, sometimes costing more per-carat than a diamond.
Imperial jade -- emerald green in colour -- is another Myanmar treasure that is highly sought after.
However, leading jewellers including Tiffany, Cartier and Bulgari, are refusing to sell the stones in protest at the military's deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks in September.
Their boycott is backed up by tightened sanctions in the European Union, which ban trade in Myanmar's gems.
The United States is also moving to close a loophole in its sanctions regime, which had allowed the sale of Myanmar stones as long as they were cut in Thailand.
That has cast a shadow over Thailand's jewelry exports, which soared 33 percent last year to 185.15 billion baht (5.8 billion dollars).
The kingdom's top buyer is the United States, followed by Hong Kong and Australia, according to government data.
'Sanctions over trade in gems from Myanmar by the US or the European Union will certainly hurt some gem and jewelry exporters in Thailand,' said Vichai Assarasakorn, president of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders' Association.
He estimated that up to two million dollars worth of gems, mainly rubies, are imported into Thailand from Myanmar each year. But he said there are no official import records, so it's impossible to know the exact amount.
The actual figure could be much higher. Myanmar sells more than 300 million dollars worth of precious stones every year, and Thailand and China are the two biggest buyers.
Jewellers associations from around the world plan to meet in Switzerland next month to draft a letter calling on the United States not to ban all sales of Myanmar gems, he said.
'The US government and politicians need to thoroughly consider all the information, because their sanctions may not be the right answer to solve the problem,' he said.
Thai traders agree with the goal of promoting democracy in Myanmar, but they say the ban would hurt the 400,000 people in Myanmar who depend on gem mining and trading to earn a living.
Human rights groups argue that workers in Myanmar's officially run mines toil in deplorable conditions and are sometimes subjected to forced labour, but Vichai said ordinary people do benefit from the trade.
Famous Diamonds of the World
There are many sayings that go along with diamonds. 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend' and 'diamonds are forever' are some of them. There is no doubt that diamonds are popular, with people all over the world flocking to buy these precious stones. But what is it about diamonds that give them such huge commercial appeal? Here is a list of some of the most famous diamonds in the world, and some of the lucky (or unlucky) people who have worn them.
Jewelry Storage Tips
By soniya
Did you know that some jewelry boxes can actually do more harm than good? Are you storing your jewelry the right way? Improper storage may cause damage to your precious engagement rings, necklaces and other jewelry.
To take care of your jewelry, here are some jewelry storage tips.
General Tips
Clean your jewelry before storing. This may be common knowledge. Nevertheless, it is important to say this first before the rest of the jewelry storage tips. Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull if not cleaned off.
Jewelry Boxes Tips
Although it is ideal to keep your precious pieces in a jewelry box, you have to choose a suitable one. Some jewelry boxes do not have securing areas to keep your jewelry from rolling, scratching or bumping into each other, so always separate your jewelry during storage. If possible, wrap them up individually in a soft cloth or pouch before storing. It is also important to make sure that the jewelry box is suitable for your type of jewelry. For example, some jewelry boxes are designed specifically for rings, some for necklaces and bracelets.
Storage Tips For Silver Jewelry
Many people know that sterling silver jewelry tends to tarnish easily. Tarnish is the result of a natural reaction between silver and the air and environment. So, to slow down the tarnishing, you can store your silver jewelry in an airtight container or zip lock bag. Other tips to consider:
Store silver jewelry together with anti-tarnish strips. These will absorb the agents that cause silver to tarnish.
Anti-tarnish pouch and cloth are also available from jewelry stores. Basically, they function like anti-tarnish strips.
You can also use silica gel as it will absorb the moisture in the air and slow down tarnishing.
Storage Tips For Necklaces And Bracelets
To prevent necklaces from tangling, you can store them in jewelry organizers, jewelry boxes or armoires. Choose those that have specifically crafted stands for hanging necklaces and bracelets. To prevent kinks, necklaces should lay flat and straight if not hung during storage.
Storage Tips For Earrings
Each pair of earrings should be in its own compartment or hang on hooks. Earring posts or clips can bend and rings can wear if they are not secured to a display or insert.
