Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Anniversary Jewelry Gifts For Your Special Anniversaries - Years 15-25

Selecting anniversary jewelry gifts can be simple with these great ideas for your milestone anniversary. If you need help making a big impression, here is a list of anniversaries for years 15-25 along with gemstone and jewelry suggestions to celebrate your special event.

For your fifteenth anniversary it is traditional to present one another with a piece of jewelry that contains a beautiful red ruby.  The ruby has been prized for hundreds of hears by royalties and non-royalty alike. If you are purchasing a gift for your husband, a purchase of a beautiful gold or platinum ring with a ruby stone would look great. You can find them both faceted or in cabochon form. A wonderful gift for the wife would be a lovely pair of ruby stud earrings, a nice ring set in gold or a ruby tennis bracelet.

On your twentieth anniversary it is traditional to present one another with a piece of jewelry that contains a beautiful green emerald and that piece of jewelry would be perfect set in platinum which is the modern gift for the twentieth wedding anniversary. If you can't afford a platinum piece of jewelry then you can always select your gift in a white gold setting.

If you are purchasing a gift for your husband you can find beautiful rings, cuff links and tie pins that have emerald stones set in them. If you are the husband you can purchase your wife a beautiful emerald pendant, a nice ring set in platinum or white gold, or a nice emerald tennis bracelet. Beautiful decorative pins make a stunning gift as well.

For your twenty-fifth anniversary it is traditional to present one another with a piece of jewelry that is made from sterling silver which is one of the most affordable jewelry-making metals. You can find a large variety of jewelry set in sterling silver such as earrings, rings, bracelets, pendants, neck chains, ankle bracelets, and/or watches.

You can make your anniversary a special occasion with a lovely piece of jewelry to mark the event. Enjoy spoiling your partner with an amazing gift on your next big anniversary.

Here is a summary of traditional and modern wedding gifts for anniversaries 15-25.

Anniversary) Jewelry - Flower - Traditional Gift - Modern Gift:

15th) Ruby - Rose - Crystal - Watches

16th) Peridot - Iris - none - Silver Holloware

17th) Aventurine - Yellow Rose - none - Furniture

18th) Opal - Amaryllis - none - Porcelain

19th) Aqua Marine - none - none - none

20th) Emerald - Day Lillies - China - Platinum

21st) Iolite - none - none - Brass/Nickel

22nd) Spinel - none - none - Copper

23rd) Imperial Topaz - Yellow Rose - none - Silverplate

24th) Tanzanite - none - none - Musical Instruments

25th) Sterling Silver - Iris - Silver - Silver

by Gregg Nosaji, Contributing Editor for ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of jewelry boxes, jewelry armoires and jewelry related gifts. Gregg is an event consultant and writes about gift ideas and special occasions.

Anniversary Jewelry Gifts for Your Special Anniversaries - Years 1-10

Most couples celebrate all of their wedding anniversaries but there are certain anniversaries that couples really like to "go big" on the celebration and gifts that they present to one another. Here is a list of special milestone anniversaries for years 1-10 along with gemstone and jewelry suggestions to celebrate your special event.

For your first anniversary it is traditional to present one another with a piece of gold jewelry. Traditional purchases for the wife are a nice pair of gold earrings, a gold pendant or bracelet as a gift that she will cherish for years to come. Gifts for the husband are usually a nice gold neck chain or bracelet if he wears men's jewelry.

For your third anniversary the gemstone of choice is the pearl. Surprise your wife with a lovely pair of pearl stud earrings or a unique freshwater pearl bracelet.  The modern gift for this anniversary is crystal so it's the perfect occasion to enclose your jewelry gift in a gorgeous crystal trinket box. Pearls for men aren't common and fortunately this anniversary has an alternate gemstone of Jade. Jade is striking when set into rings or cuff links styled for men.  The traditional gift for the third anniversary is leather, making it the perfect anniversary to give him a leather valet box to hold his watches and jewelry.

For your fifth anniversary it is traditional to present one another with a piece of jewelry that contains the beautiful blue sapphire gemstone. A beautiful gift for your husband would be to purchase a band ring with a sapphire cabochon set into it and present it to him in a keepsake box. If you are the husband, you can purchase your wife a nice pair of sapphire earrings, ring or beautiful pendant to hand from her favorite neck chain.  The fifth anniversary is traditionally considered the "wood" anniversary, so this is the perfect occasion to present your gifts in fine wood jewelry presentation cases or to buy matching jewelry boxes and jewelry valets for each other.

On your tenth anniversary a traditional jewelry selection would be to present one another with a piece of jewelry that contains a faceted diamond. Although traditionally diamonds are clear, the popularity of colored diamonds for the past decade also makes those acceptable gifts to give as meaningful anniversary gifts too.

If you are purchasing a 10th anniversary diamond jewelry gift for your husband, a thoughtful choice would be to purchase a nice watch with diamonds set around the face of the watch or you can purchase diamond cuff links or tie pins. If you are the husband, traditional selections for your wife are a nice diamond tennis bracelet, anniversary band, or a pair of diamond stud earrings.

You can make your anniversary gifts special by following some of the guidelines for jewelry purchases celebrating your milestones.  The selections are plentiful and unique and the impact will be wonderful!

Here is a summary of traditional wedding gifts for anniversaries 1-10.

Anniversary) Gemstone - Flowers - Traditional Gift - Modern Gift:

1st) Gold jewelry - Pansy - Paper - Clock

2nd) Garnet - Cosmos - Cotton - China

3rd) Pearls/Jade - Fuchsia - Leather - Crystal

4th) Blue Topaz - Geranium - Books - Linen/Silk

5th) Sapphire - Daisy - Wood - Silverware

6th) Amethyst - Calla Lily - Iron - Wood

7th) Onyx - Jack in the pulpit - Copper - Desk Sets

8th) Tourmaline - Clematis - Bronze - Lace/Linen

9th) Lapis Lazuli - Poppy - Pottery - Leather

10th) Diamond - Daffodil - Aluminum - Diamond Jewelry

by Gregg Nosaji, Contributing Editor for ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of jewelry boxes, jewelry armoires and jewelry related gifts. Gregg is an event consultant and writes about gift ideas and special occasions.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Cleaning and Caring for Ametrine Gemstones

Learning about interesting stones is a great way to expand into different types of jewelry that is unique and beautiful. Today we are going to talk about a lovely stone. Ametrine is a natural quartz gemstone that is half Amethyst and half Citrine, hence the name Ametrine. The majority of this gemstone is imported to the United States from Bolivia with small amounts also being imported from Brazil and India.

Ametrine pendants, rings, earrings and bracelets can be found in stores that carry more of the exotic or rarer types of gemstone jewelry. You can find this beautiful gemstone set in sterling silver, stainless steel, gold and/or platinum.

The gemstone is half purple, half yellow/gold and quite beautiful to the naked eye. It is a semi precious gemstone so it does need to be handled with care. When storing Ametrine jewelry you always want to make sure it's stored in a protected or lined jewelry box with no other jewelry pieces laying on top of it to prevent scratches or damage from occurring.

To clean the gemstone itself you just want to gently buff it with a clean, soft, cotton cloth in a small circular motion. To clean the metal around your gemstone you also want to use a clean cotton cloth made for jewelry cleaning. If the stone is set in sterling silver you can use an anti tarnish jewelry cleaning cloth to polish the sterling silver setting.

You should never let harsh chemicals such as cleaning products; bath & body products or hair care products come into contact with your gemstone jewelry.  If this accidentally occurs you should use a damp cotton cloth to clean your jewelry and then a second dry cloth to dry your jewelry pieces off. Make sure to take care to never submerge your gemstone jewelry in water! It can change the appearance of the stone permanently.

Next time you are in the mood for a new piece of jewelry or you are buying a gift, take a look at the beauty of Ametrine and spoil that someone special!

by Jasmine Yesak, Contributing Editor at ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of quality jewelry boxes, jewelry organizers and watch boxes. Jasmine is a Jewelry Enthusiast and Organization Consultant, she writes about Jewelry Care and Jewelry Storage Tips.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Fall 2011 Geometric Earring Trend

Even the simplest accessories can make a big difference in your style and make a big impact to the outfit you are wearing. Earrings are a great choice for making a statement. What's amazing about earrings is that they come in so many choices that you can have tons of them in your jewelry box and yet still want more to achieve that perfect look for your wardrobe. There is always a new trend lending itself to update your outfits with little effort or investment.  What a great reason to go shopping for more earrings!

This fall season the Geometric style of earrings is making a strong comeback.  They can be simple studs, hoops, button-style or dangle earrings that mix shapes in different sizes and colors. When it comes to purchasing these cool geometric earrings here are a few trend-friendly tips:

* Look for two-tone and tri-colored metal geometric earrings. Try yellow gold mixed with white gold as well as yellow gold, white gold and rose gold all mixed together.

* If you really want to make a unique statement with gold geometric earrings, go for solid rose gold, green gold or chocolate gold. These "gold colors" will cost you a little more but colored gold is all of the rage this season.  They are flattering and look awesome looking too!

* Look  for earrings that mix shapes together. You'll find squares, ovals, rounds and tear drop shapes in layered dangle style earrings. Often the biggest shape is on top and then the medium shape and the smaller/skinnier shapes dangle beneath it. However they are stacked, it's a great look!

If you are looking for a new way of expressing your style and for something that is definitely out of the ordinary, take a look at these cool Geometric and mixed metal earrings. They are a perfect choice to spice up dark fall colors and make a great statement.

by Kaye Lefier, Contributing Editor at ChasingTreasure.com, online store specializing in wooden jewelry boxes and leather jewelry cases. Kaye is an avid Jewelry Collector and writes about Jewelry and Jewelry Trends.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Gift Idea: Innovative Leather Jewelry Boxes

If you're looking for a high-quality leather jewelry box or travel case, you'll want to check out the selection we carry by Morelle & Co. In business for over ten years, Morelle manufacturers innovative luxury leather jewelry boxes for quality conscious shoppers.

Their expertise in the business and talent for listening to customer preferences results in the fine products we carry in our store.

From sleek travel jewelry clutches to huge jewelry collectors jewel trunks, you can expect expert craftsmanship, creative, classy designs and innovative features when you select a Morelle jewelry case.

These well-designed leather jewelry boxes boast rich character, enduring quality, and eye catching colors.  Each of the designs make great gifts for yourself or your loved ones. With the holidays fast approaching, take a look at these amazing jewelry boxes and shop early to be sure you are able to get the styles and colors you want before they sell out.

We are proud to offer two new designs for 2012 featuring the clever addition of LED interior lights. Strategically located above the mirrors, this innovative feature is unique to these two select styles.

The first style featuring LED lights is crafted in a favorite train case design with a convenient carry handle.  You'll find ample jewelry storage for necklaces in the lid behind the mirror and in the two swing out sides. Rings are right at home in padded ring rolls. Bracelets lay nicely in the drawers and earrings can be organized into individual compartments and storage sections in the drawers. Includes a bonus mini travel case.
(L) 10 1/4 x (W) 7 1/2 x (H) 8 1/2


The second style featuring LED lights is a huge black leather jewelry trunk with room for a significant amount of jewelry.  Styled for men or women, this collector's jewelry trunk is designed to hold fine jewelry in all sizes and styles. Chains can be hung in the lid. Pierced earrings have their own individual organizers to keep them paired together. Rings fit into the ring rolls. Sixteen separate drawers are home to bracelets, brooches, pendants, rings and earrings.  This amazing jewelry trunk is styled to hold a lifetime of jewelry. Length: 21" x Width: 11 1/4" x Height: 10"

If you love the style of our huge jewelry trunk but are looking for something a bit more compact, you will like our mid sized luxury leather jewelry trunk. It is crafted in the same trunk design, suitable for men or women's jewelry. It also has tons of jewelry storage. Earring organizers keep earrings from getting lost, jewelry storage sections keep chains tangle free and seven drawers organize rings, bracelets, brooches and pendants.  The most interesting feature of this jewelry trunk is the three takeaway travel cases! Your travel jewelry needs for short trips and long vacations will be taken care of with one or all 3 cases. Length: 18" x Width: 8" x Height: 10"

When your jewelry storage needs are covered and you are shopping specifically for travel jewelry cases, one of these will fill your need perfectly! Luxuriously lined and crafted to the highest standards, Morelle jewelry purses, cases, clutches and folders keep jewelry safe while traveling.  If someone on your gift list vacations or travels for business, a travel jewelry case makes a thoughtful and appreciated gift.

A classic white leather jewelry case can be hard to find and this one not only features a classic clean white exterior, it has a surprisingly spacious interior and unique fold out design. Designed for traveling or for home storage, it features a carry handle, secure clasp and well organized jewelry storage. Two drawers, twin drop down sides, divided sections and luxurious lining keep your jewelry safe and organized inside.
Length: 10" x Width: 7 1/4" x Height: 8"

Looking for classic white in something a bit smaller? Our petite white leather jewelry purse is the answer. It has a refined sense of elegance with two top handles. A handy leather tab opens to reveal twin storage areas for necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry accessories. Two leather tabs are designed to hold earrings and chains in place while traveling and a soft rich chocolate brown velvet interior cushions and protects your favorite jewels.
Length: 4 1/4" x Width: 7" x Height: 6 1/4"

When color suits your style, you can't go wrong with one of these gorgeous travel jewelry cases.  Each is offered in four color choices: black, tan, beige or hot pink.  Choose the color that suits you best!  Crafted of soft fine leather and luxuriously lined, each design features specific jewelry organizers for keeping earrings, bracelets, chains, rings and necklaces secure while traveling. Styled to slip easily into a purse, carry on or suitcase, these jewel cases make great gifts and perfect travel companions!




If you're looking for a quality fine leather jewelry train case, trunk or travel clutch, we recommend these featured jewel cases designed by Morelle.  And, with the purchase of each Morelle leather jewelry box you'll receive a FREE silver necklace!


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

October Birthstones - Opals & Pink Tourmaline

October has two birthstones, Opal and Pink Tourmaline.

The traditional October Birthstone is the Opal which many people refer to as a rainbow gemstone since many colors are reflected in a good-quality opal stone.  The stone is a non-crystallized silica which is a mineral found near the earth's surface.  It is a soft stone, formed when layers of the silica combined with water were deposited into the cracks and cavities of bedrock. It contains varying amounts of water within it that determines the appearance.

This beautiful Opal gemstone is highly prized by collectors and can often be found in the crowns and jewelry collections of royalties. Most of the opals that are of jewelry-making quality are mined from the beautiful country of Australia.

This gemstone can contain up to 30% water so it is a delicate stone that must be protected at all times from extreme heat, extreme cold and from water. You should remove all opal jewelry before showering, bathing and/or swimming. If you accidentally get your opal jewelry wet you should remove it as soon as possible and towel it dry with a soft cloth. In addition, you want to keep harsh chemicals away from all opal jewelry so do not apply cosmetics, perfumes, body products or hair products while wearing your jewelry. Store your lovely pieces in beautiful lined jewelry boxes for safekeeping.

Opals are usually set into lovely settings of gold and silver and you can find beautiful color variations from blue to brown and even black. All of these colors have the most gorgeous color variations combined in the stone so you can wear your opals with any type and color outfit.

Most Opals are set into rings and drop pendants, but you can find a lovely selection of watches and amazing necklaces too.  Another favorite are dangle earrings. Many times jewelers will set the opals with diamonds surrounding the stone for an elegant and regal look.

If you are not a fan of opal jewelry, October has an alternate birthstone which is the Pink Tourmaline.  This too is a beautiful stone that you can wear in many different ways. On a scientific note, when heated, this gem takes on a static electric charge and it can attract light weight objects giving it a seemingly magical property. Once considered the "stone of the muse" it was believed to inspire creativity in the wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range from pastel pink to ruby red and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India.

If you are an October birthday girl, select beautiful Opal or Pink Tourmaline jewelry pieces and wear them with pride!

by Gregg Nosaji, Contributing Editor for ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of jewelry boxes, jewelry armoires and jewelry related gifts. Gregg is an event consultant and writes about gift ideas and special occasions.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Wedding Day Jewelry for the Groom

Your wedding day is quickly approaching and one of your most important tasks is to select the jewelry you will be wearing on your special wedding day and this includes what your groom will be wearing. While some men really go all out with their jewelry, other men prefer to keep it simple and classic. No matter what your style is, it is important to match or coordinate your pieces so that all of your jewelry flows together.

If you have chosen a yellow gold or white gold wedding band for your groom, then his cuff links, necklace, tie tack, watch and bracelet, if he is wearing all of those, should be all in the same metal as the color of the wedding band.  In other words, don't wear a white gold wedding band with yellow gold cuff links and other jewelry pieces.

If he is going for the classic "clean and simple" look then just wearing his new wedding band and cuff links will suffice. If you want to jazz up your jewelry selection for a more sophisticated flashy look then have him wear his new wedding band, a bracelet or watch, gemstone ring on his right hand, cuff links and even a tie tack to all match or coordinate with one another.

Many brides and grooms choose to have their jewelry match as much as possible and many will select sets of rings. This, of course, is a personal choice and matching your other pieces that you are wearing should be relatively easy if you stay within the same metal colors and simplistic design choices. How much jewelry you wear on your wedding day is really up to you and your groom but for the most part men tend to keep it simple in the choices that they wear.

Selecting the perfect jewelry for your groom is definitely something that he needs to be on board with since he will be wearing it. But by matching your wedding day jewelry selections with your groom, you will find a lot of beautiful choices and you will both look amazing.

by Gregg Nosaji, Contributing Editor for ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of jewelry boxes, jewelry armoires and jewelry related gifts. Gregg is an event consultant and writes about gift ideas and special occasions.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Knowing and Caring for Your Agate Gemstones

In our series about the care and cleaning of certain gemstones, we have been learning a bit about the unique properties of each stone and how to care for it so it retains its luster and beauty. Today we are going to talk a bit about the gem Agate.

So, what is Agate?  Agate is a micro crystalline variety of silica and is often found near volcanic rocks, although it can be found in other areas.  There are many different types of agate depending on the region and area that is has been found.

This is a beautiful gemstone that comes in various colors like royal blue, emerald green, ruby red, bright yellow, bright white and burnished rust to name just a few.  This stone has been beloved for many years by jewelry lovers because of the bright colors that this gem has created as it was evolving.

Agate is often used in the art and jewelry-making industry because it is very versatile and easy to work with. You can find it in  jewelry pieces as a polished cabochon or as a carved piece (like an animal, cameo or flower). It is rare to find faceted agate stones in jewelry pieces because of the qualities of the stone.

Since they are a porous stone you do not want to get the wet while bathing, showering, swimming, washing your hands or cleaning. To clean Agate, use two soft cloths with one of then dampened slightly with tap water and then immediately dry with the second cloth.

Your settings can be cleaned with a separate cleaner meant for the particular metal but take care not to get any commercial or homemade cleaners on the stone itself. Store your Agate jewelry in a lined jewelry box to keep it perfect and you will be getting compliments on this lovely gemstone for years to come.

by Kaye Lefier, Contributing Editor at ChasingTreasure.com, online store specializing in wooden jewelry boxes and leather jewelry cases. Kaye is an avid Jewelry Collector and writes about Jewelry and Jewelry Trends.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Cleaning and Caring for Black Onyx Gems

There are some fabulous gems that nature creates and with a bit of human intervention, we have an amazing stone that we can set into jewelry and enjoy for years.  Black Onyx is one of those gemstones. Black Onyx is an opaque gemstone created from a mineral called Chalcedony which is a crystalline form of silica that produces agate and many other types of mineral gemstones. Onyx is a variant of agate with black and white banding.

Black Onyx is a popular stone that is often set into sterling silver and stainless steel jewelry, although you can find it set into gold and platinum too.  You often find Onyx created into a pendant style cut called cabochon or beads. It has been used for centuries in cameo jewelry and other fine carvings. It is polished to a fine luster and is dramatically beautiful.

Before cleaning your Black Onyx pieces know that the onyx gemstone has a very porous surface so you should never use chemical cleaning products or water to clean your onyx jewelry because water and cleaning agents can discolor your stone forever...a process that can never be reversed.

To clean any jewelry containing an onyx stone you will need two soft cotton cloths or small microfiber cleaning cloths. You will slightly dampen one of them to wipe the debris and dirt off your stone and then immediately dry it off with a second cloth.  If the metal portions of your jewelry are dirty and need to be cleaned, we recommend that you use a special jeweler's cleaning cloth to clean just the metal portions of your jewelry pieces.

You should not bathe, shower, swim, wash your hands or clean your house while wearing jewelry made with onyx. If you happen to get your jewelry wet by accident it is important to follow the steps listed above to clean it right away as you want to remove any chemicals immediately. It is a rather hard mineral so it can scratch other jewelry pieces. Storing it in a separate jewelry case or sectioned compartment is recommended to preserve all of your jewelry.

by Kaye Lefier, Contributing Editor at ChasingTreasure.com, online store specializing in wooden jewelry boxes and leather jewelry cases. Kaye is an avid Jewelry Collector and writes about Jewelry and Jewelry Trends