Gold

Available Options For Wedding Rings

If there is anything that is true about wedding rings, it is the fact that they are the very symbol of the bond of marriage. And since it is a custom for both the bride and groom to exchange rings at the ceremony, there is no doubt that this becomes one of the most important items to purchase before the wedding date.

Here are some guidelines that can help you decide which type of wedding ring will suit you and your to-be spouse.

#1: Gold

Among all the options of precious metal, gold has always been the preferred choice when it comes to the purchase of a wedding ring. And if you are not so impressed with the solid yellow gold, then another option is that of white gold.

#2: Platinum

Apart from being as durable as gold and costing twice as much, this has more recently become the accepted metal that is used for wedding rings. Its popularity is due to its distinctive white and shiny look along with the fact that it is twice as precious than gold.

#3: Titanium

This is yet another excellent choice because it is the strongest among the precious metals for wedding rings, and therefore, is almost impossible to damage.  They are also very light in weight.

#4: Diamonds

Diamond jewelry has always been regarded to be the most sought after type of jewelry, thanks to it being the most popular among all the other options provided. Since it symbolizes eternity and love, perhaps this would be the best choice of wedding ring to go for, especially if you can afford it.

Bib Necklaces: How to Wear Them Right

This incoming year’s fashion forecast reveals that highly accented, bib necklaces will be big, especially after the most sought-after fashionistas like Mischa Barton and Natalia Vodianova were spotted wearing these accessories and incorporating them in real-life, everyday fashion. Bib necklaces range from delicate bibs, to the cant-miss-it full bibs that look a lot like breastplates.  

So you want to wear a bib necklace, but aren’t sure how? Here are a few pointers:

1)      Bib necklaces are huge, so naturally, they become your outfit’s focal point. You may want to add to the look by wearing more and equally stunning accessories, but that would only be a fashion buzz-kill. To keep a look that’s classy and feminine, avoid looking like an accessories hanger.

2)      Shirt dresses are so in, and they are great with bib necklaces! To sport a look that is both classy and very feminine, allow your bib jewelry to fall over your top’s front. The bib necklace may overlap with your top, but that’s exactly the point. Incoming fashion is all about flattering layers, anyway. If you’d like to sport a glamorous look, get sexy in a white tube dress, and dress it up with vivid colored bib necklace. Black would be great, but who says you can’t try any other colors? Just make sure your dainty clutch bag and shoes match your accessories.

3)      For a casual look that’s fun and fashionable, go for bib necklaces that are not as thick. Let them fall over your top, but make sure what you’re wearing has a neckline that’s higher than the necklace. If your top has a scooping neckline, let the necklace rest on bare skin. Complete a casual look with a fedora hat, boyfriend jeans, and dainty flats. Coordinate the colors to make sure your bib necklace stands out.

Why Do Some Rings Turn Green

Have you ever purchased a new ring then wore it around and after a while it begins turning your skin a green hue. For many people this is a regular occurrence and many have no idea as to why this is happening. When your skin is turned green because of this it means that oxidation of either the skin or the ring is taking place. What happens is many gold or silver jewelry pieces are made of mostly copper, where the manufacturer will use copper as a way to be able to add weight to the ring while keeping the price low, since copper is less expensive than gold or silver. Then smaller elements of the more expensive material such as gold or silver are used to give the ring its shinny appearance.

When copper is exposed to your skin and the air it begins the process known as oxidation. This is when the microscopic elements begin to break down the elements of copper. As you are sweating this oxidation will then begin turning your skin and the elements of the ring green.  This is because the chemicals of the body is interacting with the copper causing it to break down, making the ring that you are wearing and your skin slowly turn green.

For most this can happen in either a single day or even over a period of weeks, so if it happening to you, now you know why. There are not many solutions other than to get jewelry that is lower in copper content than any other metals present, although that approach can be considerably more costly.

Cleaning Gold Jewelry

Cleaning gold jewelry can be very easy, especially when you maintain it every now and then. It does not tarnish or turn a different color, so gold can be easier to keep shiny compared to other precious metals. So when you get dirt, makeup or body oils on it, clean your gold jewelry. The last thing you want people to see is the gunk instead of your gold.

Now you can use special cleaners sold in jewelry stores for cleaning gold jewelry, but these puppies can be pricey. Jewelers need to make money too. So having these pricey items can help make them money and help you lose yours. You can also purchase natural and/or biodegradable gold cleaners sold in stores or the internet. These cleaners are specifically made for metals or gems. This way, you can be sure the cleaners you use are gentle enough for your gold. An inexpensive way to clean your gold goodies is with a mild detergent and a soft cloth, preferably 100% cotton.

Mix a small amount of mild detergent in a container full of warm water. You can use a bowl or a plastic dish. Just make sure you have room to clean your bling. Soak your gold jewelry in the warm water solution for a few minutes to loosen the gunk. Then using a soft bristle toothbrush, gently scrub the jewelry clean. After all the dirt is off the gold jewelry, set it aside and clean the next one. Rinse all your gold jewels in warm water and dry thoroughly with a cotton cloth. Cotton cloths are great because they don’t tend to scratch your precious babies. Polish your gold dry and make sure to store them in a sealed container to reduce the chances of dirt attaching onto your clean jewelry.