Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tradmarks of Jewelry

http://cheaptiffany.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/1.jpg

Trademarks of Jewelry

If you ever have purchased jewelry in the past, you might have seen some notations on it for sure. These are the trademarks of the maker of the jewelry. It gives the buyer relevant information about who has made the jewelery. This article will throw some more light on jewelry trademark and distinguish it from hallmark. 
What are jewelry trademarks?
Basically inscribing the information about the maker on the jewelry so that the buyer has information about the maker is known as the trademark of the jewelry. The maker thus makes sure that without prior permission, no other maker makes such kinds of jewelry for sale. When any intending buyer has a look at the jewelry and sees the trademark of it, it gives the buyer confidence about the authenticity of the jewelry so made. But still, one may note that though in almost all cases the information derived by means of the trademark is true, there are a few occasions where this might not hold true and the claim as made by the trademark may turn out to be false as well.

How are they differentiated from hallmarks?
There are some points of distinction between hallmarks and jewelry trademarks. Firstly, trademarks protect the work of the manufacturer who has made the jewelry but a hallmark does not. If any other manufacturer, without the original manufacturer’s prior permission replicates the design of the jewelry, the latter can sue the former in a court of law for infringement of trademark. As such, a trademark gives the maker an exclusive right to claim the design as his, which cannot be copied by anyone else.
Then, trademark only discloses the name of the manufacturer of the jewelry while hallmark contains some other information also. Hallmark discloses the kind of metal used in making the jewelry, the origination and even the name of the artisan in some cases. So basically, a trademark simply protects the right of use of the maker, whereas a hallmark gives other information which is used by the buyer.

Why trademark of jewelry is important?
This is due to quite a few reasons. The primary reason behind trademark of jewelry is to secure and appreciate the efforts put in by the manufacturer who has manufactured the piece of jewelry by investing personal devotion. If trademark is not done, it will be a total waste of the efforts put in by the individual or group who has made the design. So for intellectual property rights, trademark is essential. In fact, hallmark is made use of for the collection of taxes on the various jewelry item one buys from the local market.
Yet another reason that facilitates the importance of trademark of jewelry is to provide the buyer with some genuine information about the seller or the maker and give him confidence about the jewelry being genuine. This enables the buyer to make out whether the jewelry is actually made by the person by whom it is claimed to be, merely by having a look at the inscription made on the jewelry by the maker by means of a trademark. This content was originated by edu.udym.com

Monday, October 25, 2010

Best Jewelry for a Versatile College Wardrobe

Share
New college student wears her back to school jewelry, jeans and boots while standing on a white desk and holding a yellow handbag and a bunch of daisies
When you are packing for college and buying new clothing and accessories to keep you stylish on campus, it can be difficult to decide what you must have and what you can leave behind. Jewelry can transform a basic outfit, making your wardrobe seem much larger than it really is. The right fashion jewelry makes it easy to dress up for a date or look cute for class. Don't forget to splurge on a few new pieces of jewelry when you are back to school shopping. Choose a few of these pieces to round out your college wardrobe:

Versatile Jewelry for College:

  1. Long chains: Almost every girl has a collection of necklace pendants. The cool pendants you bought in high school and the lovely pendants you received as graduation and birthday gifts should go along with you to college. Long necklaces are a favorite current fashion jewelry trend; you can create your own long necklaces with a few nice chains and your existing collection of pendants. Consider one or two long chains in yellow gold, white gold or sterling silver. Leather cords also offer a very fashionable way to wear your pendants.
  2. Cuff bracelets: Cuff bracelets will always be in fashion because they are easy to wear and match almost anything. Leather cuffs are edgy while gold cuffs are tribal. A multicolored glass cuff bracelet will quickly become your go-to piece when you are dressed in brooding campus black. Cuff watches will keep you on time without cramping your personal jewelry style.
  3. Hoop earrings: Hoop earrings are a must-have because they are so versatile. The same pair of sleek gold hoops can be worn to your first college dance as well as your first study group lunch. Large hoop earrings are the perfect pieces jewelry for evening while petite hoop earrings are lovely during the day.
  4. Cocktail rings: Simple silver bands are great for everyday wear, but when you need to give your look more pizzazz, consider bold and dramatic cocktail rings. Cocktail rings were commonly donned for parties in their early years, but now they are very commonly worn with jeans and casual dresses. Choose from cocktail rings featuring large gemstones, intricate metalwork and fashionable glass embellishments.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Shopping tips


Group ShoppingA piece of jewelry made with precious metals and gemstones is an instant heirloom that, if well taken care of, can be passed down through generations.  Shopping for fine jewelry can be daunting if you are not armed with knowledge.  Following are some tips to become a savvy shopper:
Know Where to Shop – It is vitally important to shop at a well-established professional jeweler.
  • Ask a friend for a recommendation just as you would for a doctor, or check with the Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau.
  • Look for a jeweler who is affiliated with a professional trade association, such as Jewelers of America (JA), that requires high ethical standards of its members and provides them with ongoing education. 
  • To find a reputable jeweler near you click here 
Shopping Online – As with brick and mortar stores, it is important to know where to shop.
  • First, only shop on sites you know to be secure. 
  • Always use a credit card rather than a debit card.  This way, if anything does go wrong, no money has actually left your account, and you will have recourse. 
  • Look for a liberal return policy with a full refund.  
  • Be sure to note the window of time in which the jewelry may be returned.
  • Ask for the original packaging and an itemized receipt. 
  • When buying diamonds or colored gemstones, ask for a grading report from an independent gemological laboratory. 
  • When buying watches online, be aware that some manufacturers’ warrantees won’t be considered valid if the watch was not purchased at an authorized dealer. 
Don’t be dazzled by discounts – Be cautious if a venue is routinely offering unbelievable discounts of 50% or more.
  • If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Savvy shoppers may find that the “drastic discount” price is actually the normal retail price elsewhere.
  • this content was created by JIC
 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

History of Sterling Jewelry

Share
A beautiful domed sterling silver ring represents the sterling jewelry craze
A high-school friend of mine was obsessed with sterling silver, and I didn't understand it until I learned that sterling silver jewelry is just amazing for the price. Sterling silver is a precious metal, but it is generally much more affordable than white gold and platinum. Jewelry made of sterling silver is perfect for your collection of fashion accessories, and silver jewelry can also be found in fine jewelry categories, including wedding jewelry. Sterling jewelry will delight you with its fantastic shine and long-lasting wear. Look to our facts about the history of sterling jewelry to learn more about this beautiful metal before shopping.

All about Sterling Jewelry:

  1. Sterling commerce: Sterling alloy appeared on the scene in the 12th century, originating in Europe. It was used to make coins and buy goods for many centuries throughout Europe, particularly in the area where modern Germany is located. It's easy to see why silver was considered the perfect metal to create coins when you take notice of its luster.
  2. On the table: Sterling silver jewelry's ancestors are flatware and tea services. These items were very popular from 1840 to 1940. Some sociologists speculate that the silver flatware craze lead to more extravagant dining practices around the turn of the century. You simply had to have a sterling cheese knife for your cheese course! Goblets, napkin rings and candelabras adorned the tables of the very wealthy.
  3. Fashion and beauty: Sterling silver quickly made it to more private rooms in the home, adorning mirrors, brushes and perfume bottles. It was only a matter of time until sterling silver jewelry became popular. Some jewelry of the Art Nouveau period (1890 to 1905) was made of silver, and the Art Deco period during the 1920s was filled with sterling jewelry. Of course, everything silver was very popular during the 1950s. You had to have a silver toaster and gleaming chrome details on your car, as well as a collection of lovely silver cocktail rings.
  4. Modern jewelry: Sterling jewelry has never really faded from fashion, and today it is more popular than ever before. Sterling silver jewelry satisfies our need for beautiful things and an abundant savings account. Sterling silver has even made it into the fine jewelry and designer jewelry categories. Many brides are looking to sterling silver for engagement rings and wedding day jewelry. Sterling jewelry is destined to be a favorite for many more centuries.

A Mens Guide to getting the right ring for her.

The engagement ring is the one item she will most likely wear everyday for the rest of her life.  How do you know if you are buying the right ring?  Follow these simple tips before heading out to your local jeweler to pick out the ring to ensure you get her the ring of her dreams:
Tip #1:  Look at her existing jewelry wardrobe.  It will give you a lot of hints about her personal style.  If she has a lot of sterling silver or white gold, then she is a cool metal person, making a white gold, platinum, or palladium ring an ideal choice.  If she has more yellow metals that she is a warm metal woman so stick to yellow gold or rose gold. 
Tip #2:  Take note if she is traditional or non-traditional?  If she has jewelry that is bold and funky, then she most likely wants a ring that is different from all of her friends. 
Tip #3:  Pay attention.  Note her reaction to other women’s engagement rings.  The best clues can be found this way. 
Tip #4:  When in doubt, ask a friend.  Find a trustworthy friend who knows her style.  They will be able to get a lot of information that you might be able to obtain without being suspicious. 
Tip #5:  Shop with her.  More and more couples are shopping together for their engagement rings and wedding bands.  Want to surprise her?  Narrow down the choice between two or three rings so she won’t know exactly which one she will be receiving.  Then, plan the date, location and a memorable style.
Tip #6: Get the size right.  If you can, sneak a ring that you know fits her ring finger, take it to a jeweler and have them check the size.  If you only have a few minutes with the ring before she notices that it is gone, press the ring into a soft bar of soap.  The ring will leave an indent that the jeweler should be able to determine a size from.  
Tip #7:  Shop with a reputable jeweler.  At the end of the day, where you shop is the most important factor.  Shop with a jeweler you trust who will walk you through the process. 
Tip #8:  Make note of the exchange or return policy.  If she would still prefer a different ring, you will need to make sure you can exchange it.
Tip #9:  Get it insured.  After you find the right ring, make sure you get it insured properly.  Look into getting a rider on your homeowner’s insurance or a standalone policy such as the one offered by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

How to Find Quality Cheap Jewelry

Share
Quality heart necklaces made of gold, silver and diamonds can be found in selections of cheap jewelry

You want to fill your jewelry box with stylish fine jewelry, and if you had an unlimited budget, you would splurge on designer jewelry and fashion jewelry and buy jewelry for every special occasion. Unfortunately, most of us can't justify buying expensive designer jewelry, even if we do have a little extra cash. The good news is you can still have a jewelry box full of gorgeous jewelry accessories and luxury fashion jewelry if you know how to shop. Forgo cheap jewelry and buy affordable fine jewelry that is made with value and quality in mind. Our tips can help you buy jewelry and jewelry accessories by helping you steer clear of cheap jewelry and find valuable pieces at a discount.

Finding Quality Cheap Jewelry:

  1. Choose materials carefully. Jewelry is available in all sorts of styles that incorporate a myriad of metals, stones and other materials. When you are looking for quality fine jewelry, it helps to know what the jewelry is made of. Gold, platinum and titanium are durable, valuable and stylish. Sterling silver is an affordable yet high-quality material. Gemstones can be created or simulated, so check gemstone descriptions carefully. Know exactly what you are buying to be sure you are getting the very best price.
  2. Learn the difference between sale, clearance and overstocked jewelry. When you are shopping for affordable jewelry, it helps to know where to go for the best deals. Jewelry that is on sale is usually being used as a promotion for a store, brand or style and may not offer the best prices every time. Sale jewelry will usually return to its regular price once the promotion has ended. Clearance jewelry is jewelry that a particular retailer wants to get rid of, and while good prices are available in clearance jewelry, selection may be limited. Overstocked jewelry is jewelry that is leftover from a clearance or pieces of jewelry that were created as part of a limited collection or brand. Overstocked jewelry is similar to clearance jewelry, but it is often brought together in one place to offer a wide variety.
  3. Be open about style. If you have an unlimited budget, then you can be picky about style and only choose very specific pieces. When you are shopping for affordable, quality jewelry, on the other hand, it is important to be open about style. Choose pieces that will fit into your wardrobe and complement your personality, but don't hunt for specific luxury pieces or be strict about certain brands.
  4. Follow the "dollar per wear" rule. Jewelry is an investment, and the best way to measure that investment is to follow the "dollar per wear" rule. This rule states that an item is worth its cost if it is worn enough times for each wear to equal a dollar. If you purchase a $50 dollar necklace, for example, you should wear it at least fifty times to get the most out of your investment. If you aren't sure that you will get the most out of the jewelry you are considering, choose another piece instead. Of course, wearing your $50 dollar necklace hundreds of times is always recommended.