Dainty Pinky Ring Trends for Winter

The Pinky Ring Trend tends to come and go and this winter 2012 season it is back but with a lady-like touch. This winter season the pinky ring is a statement maker but before you head out to purchase a few pinky rings for your jewelry wardrobe here are a few things to consider.

* Purchase pinky rings that are relative to your pinky finger's size. If you have long, slender pinky fingers then go with dainty rings that have a small presence on the hand. If you have fuller sized fingers then go with a little bigger size and look for pinky rings that are oblong in shape to help slenderize those pinky fingers.

* If you plan on just sporting this trend for a couple months then look for inexpensive fashion jewelry or for pinky rings made from sterling silver. If you want to wear this trend indefinitely then we do suggest that you invest in 1-2 pinky rings made from 10kt or 14kt gold as these metals tend to hold their shapes. They also resist scratching which can happen to jewelry that is worn on the unprotected pinky ring finger.

* When selecting a pinky ring design, select one that interests you or one that means something to you. Many women like to select just plain bands or they will select a single motif (like a flower or butterfly) or perhaps even their birthstone.

And lastly, make sure the ring is comfortable to wear. If it is not, it could be too thick for your finger. You have a lot of style choices but remember the trick to pulling off this trend this current season is to go dainty and small with your design choice.

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.

Famous Jewelry - Elizabeth Taylor's Krupp Diamond Ring

There are certain gemstones that have made history over the years and we are going to feature one for you today. You may have heard about it if you are into gems and jewelry. The Elizabeth Taylor famous Krupp Diamond Ring is a fabulous rock that is a very impressive piece.

Back in 1968, Richard Burton paid 305,000 for a beautiful 33.19 carat Harry Winston diamond ring that he gave to his then wife, Elizabeth Taylor. The ring is called the "Krupp Diamond" because it was previously owned by the famous Vera Krupp, the wife of a German industrialist. The ring features an Asscher cut diamond, which is similar to an emerald cut. This is a very beautiful cut because the light just dances through it as this particular Asscher cut has 58 facets. The Asscher cut has become more popular the past few years and is a very desirable cut for those who like the very best in their diamond and gemstone jewelry. The Asscher cust now has been upgraded to 74 facets and is a patented cut.

Elizabeth Taylor often wore her ring and the Krupp diamond stayed in Taylor's posession from the time she received it until she passed away. Her estate did put it up for auction and it was sold after her death. In December, 2011, Christies sold the Krupp Diamond Ring for an amazing 8.8 Million dollars, including the buyer's premium. What an investment!

Besides being known for her acting, Elizabeth Taylor is also known for her beautiful jewelry and she had her very own line of perfume that is still available today for purchase. Taylor had a passion for jewelry, stating that "You can't cry on a diamond's shoulder, and diamonds won't keep you warm at night, but they're sure fun when the sun shines". At her death, Taylor's jewelry collection was reportedly worth $150 million.

Remembering Mom's Unique Walnut Jewelry Box

Do you remember how much time you spend as a little girl going through mom's jewelry box and looking at all of the pretty, sparkly things she had in there?  I remember we would place with her lovely necklaces and put on her brooches and an awesome pair of dangly earrings and enjoy a lovely dress up day.

Back in those days, wooden jewelry boxes were about all you found; lovingly handcrafted by and artisan. Many of these boxes were passed from generation to generation. Many moms carried theirs from other countries all over the world to the USA when they immigrated and these handcrafted jewelry boxes hold very special memories. My mom's still graces here dresser and holds a prominent position there filled with lovely pieces that hold a special remembrance for each item.

You too can start this tradition with your little girl with a fabulous wooden jewelry box from Chasing Treasure such as the one shown with this post.  It looks so much like the one my mother had.

It is crafted with curved detail and features a generous mirror under the lift lid in addition to divided jewelry storage and ring rolls.  In addition to the top storage section, there are three gliding drawers that are hand lined to cushion and organize earrings, bracelets and necklaces. It also comes in two different wood finishes so you can choose the perfect look. What a treat to the eyes and what a gorgeous way to store your favorite jewelry pieces.

Affordable heirloom pieces like this one are created so every little girl and woman can enjoy playing with their jewelry and have a dress up day once in a while. When looking for a spectacular gift item for your loved one, click over to the web site to shop an amazing selection of handcrafted heirloom jewelry boxes that will make a statement as well as a heart flutter, just in time for Valentines Day!

Click here to shop more styles of handcrafted jewelry boxes

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.

Beaded Scarf Necklace: A Beautiful Winter Accessory

There are so many wonderful styles of necklaces and jewelry overall this season, it is hard to pick out our favorite one. But today we are going to look at one gorgeous accessory that is making waves this year. This hot and sexy trend is showing up on your favorite New York and Hollywood Starlets this season.

The Beaded Scarf Necklace is really making a statement and can be worn with dresses, blouses, sweaters and even a nice form-fitted tee! The necklace is basically a silk or satin scarf with a closure in the back. They are the embellished with beads, metal beads, crystals and others sewn onto them so you don't need an additional necklace to wear them with. They have the right amount of sparkle and shimmer for any one. Not too much or too little!

When you are selecting one for your winter wardrobe you want to select one in a classic color like black, chocolate brown, navy blue or winter white so that you can wear it with a multitude of outfits that you already own. It will look perfect worn along with a business suit when you don't want to wear a full blouse underneath but maybe just a cami. It is a very versatile item.

Make sure to store this scarf necklace properly in your jewelry armoire so that your beads and attachments do not get pulled or damaged as it will most likely damage the entire piece. You will want your Beaded Scarf Necklaces to last for a time. They are a gorgeous fashion item that you will be reaching for time and time again.

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.

Cleaning Beaded Watch Bands, Bracelets and Necklaces

Beads have been used to make goods for hundreds of years and today they are still a very popular jewelry option. When you purchase beaded necklaces, bracelets and watches that have beaded watch bands, it is extremely important that you properly clean them so that you don't damage the luster and brilliance of your beads as well as loosen or break the strands of wire or thread that the beads were strugn on.

Beaded jewelry should never be submerged in water or cleaning solutions so if you accidentally get them wet you will want to dry them off with a soft cotton towel as soon as possible. If the inside of your watch mechanism and face get wet, you can try taking apart your watch and letting it air dry or submerge it in a bowl of uncooked rice.

When it comes to cleaning the strands of beads you will want to buff them clean with a clean, dry, soft cotton cloth. If there is dirt and debris between the beads you can purchase a jeweler's cleaning brush or use a clean women's eyelash brush that can be purchased at your local store. You will want to gently use the brush to loosen up the debris and dirt and then polish with your clean soft cloth.

If your beads are becoming loose from the string or filament that they are strung on, take them to a professional so they can restring them as soon as possible so that your gorgeous piece of jewelry doesn't break and get lost.  Make sure to use a lovely silk or soft pouch when storing it in your jewelry box. If it should break, the pouch will capture your beads.

Enjoying a beautifully handmade piece of jewelry created from beads is a great way to show your personality and express your style.

Caring for them will make sure they last for years.

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.

What to Look for In Fashion Jewelry This Winter - Women's Pocket Watches & Watch Necklaces

Many people think that pocket watches are for men but this winter season we have seen several Hollywood and New York Stars sporting around their very own fashionable pocket watches that were designed for the female jewelry market. It is a great look and certainly something that is not worn by everyone you meet.

Another great trend is the watch necklace. Popular in Europe, the watch necklace adds a touch of class to any casual or work outfit.  Any woman can afford a trendy or stylish new pocket watch or watch necklace and if you are looking for one that is relatively inexpensive then the fashion jewelry market is just the right place to make your purchase. Fashionable watch necklaces can be purchased for $60 or less and trendy pocket watches made from brass, stainless steel or sterling silver can be purchased for under $200. If you have several hundred or a few thousand to spend you can shop for pocket watches made from 10k or 14k gold. These will be carried by jewelers and upper scale jewelry stores and can make a fabulous gift for someone special.

Unlike big and bulky styles that men tend to carry, women love pocket watches that are smaller in scale and made just for women. You will find that some have beautifully engraved watch cases to ones that have inlaid or handset genuine gemstones. These timepieces can be as plain or as fancy as the woman's tastes dictate and can be found in a variety of styles out in the retail marketplace. With that said, if you have inherited a men's pocket watch from a member of your family, there is nothing wrong with using that pocket watch to accessorize your favorite jacket and outfit.

Women's pocket watches and watch necklaces make great accessories and can set the tone for your outfit in a classy way. If you want to accessorize with something different that everyone else, add a beautiful pocket watch or watch necklace and enjoy!

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.

Gift Idea - Collectible Musical Trinket Boxes

Musical trinket boxes make a stunning gift. We know it is hard to find the perfect gift for the gal you love. We can be a bit difficult, but we can help you too! For those women who have everything and love fine crafted artisan handiwork, you have to see the gorgeous musical trinket boxes that we offer.

Shaped in the fashion of a Faberge Egg, these trinket boxes are encrusted with beautiful Austrian Crystals and are hand enameled with gold details. They are truly a gift that will make a huge impression.

Small and very detailed, many of these egg shaped trinket boxes also play music. The inside is lined in beautiful soft velvet and has a faux leather ring roll so it would make an excellent presentation box for an engagement ring or anniversary ring. These come with a 2 piece gift box so wrapping it will not be a problem. A beautiful bow and ribbon and you have it.

These eggs are considered to be collectible by many people and the beauty of craftsmanship is evident in the detail. Chasing Treasure has a nice selection of the designer inspired eggs and you will be able to select one that will match your favorite lady's style and color. Or, if you rather, you can find the perfect song that will mean something special to her and choose your favorite egg that way.

Whatever design and style of our musical trinket egg you choose, your gift will certainly be on the top of her favorite list and so will you. Make memories with your gift this year.

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.

Jewelry for Hair - Jewelry Trends 2012

When most of us think of investing in a few good pieces of jewelry we typically think about earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets, however you should also be thinking about investing in a few jewelry pieces for your hair this winter season. Beautifully appointed jewels for your hair is what is making waves this winter in our jewelry trends.

When we talk about jewelry pieces for your hair you will be seeing lovely jeweled hair combs, bobby pins, hair clips, head bands, chopsticks, barrettes and pony tail holders too! When considering investing in some bejeweled pieces, you should consider your hair's length, texture and thickness which will help you to select the right items for your own hair type.

For the winter season, we are seeing these hair accessories with real and faux gemstones, rhinestones, encrusted glass and acrylic gems, lots of bead work, real and faux pearls and even the occasional silk flowers decking out all of these beautiful accessories for your hair. They are a real highlight to your fashion design and a simple sparkling piece can really turn your hair style into a work of art.

When adding these items to your hair, you want to try to keep them from coming into contact with hair styling and hair finishing products as chemicals from these products can ruin them. Try and keep the jewels covered when spraying your hair. Some tape or a tissue held over the jeweled portion may help. If your hair jewelry items do come into contact with chemicals, clean them immediately after wearing and before putting them away for the next use.

Your hair can look fabulous with a sparking shimmering gemstone studded hair jewel tucked in to add some glamor and pizzazz. This is a beautiful, yet fun trend that will always be in good taste and style.

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.

Learning About Moldavite Gemstones

I have a unique gemstone to tell you about today. Moldavite is a very old glass like substance that was found in the 1700's in Czechoslovakia. It is usually found in a beautiful olive green color but it has been seen in muted yellows and browns. You can find this stone in some jewelry pieces although it is only found in one place in the world, so it is a rare item.

It is thought that Moldavite was formed from a meteorite that fused and melted into glass like particles as it entered our atmosphere and scattered across the ground. There are those that believe it has extraterrestrial properties and powerful energies. There is even reference to this stone in the Bible as the Holy Grail is said to be carved from and emerald that fell from the sky. It is believed now, that the emerald in question is actually Moldavite.

Moldavite is a unique glass that is much different from any others that have been formed by volcanic ash or by sand, which are traditional ways glass like gemstones are formed. Because this stone is so different and rare, you must care for it's delicate nature.

The Moldavite is usually seen in gold or sterling settings in lovely pendants, earrings, bracelets or pins and it is important that you clean it after wearing, due to it's unique nature. Never use harsh chenicals on this rare stone. You only want to use a soft cloth that is dampened with water. You also need to store it in a soft pouch in a jewelry box and protect it from other stones or jewelry pieces that could scratch the stone.

This is a very unique and rare item and if you have a jewelry piece made from it, you are in the minority. Take care of this gorgeous item and you will be able to pass it down to your future generations.

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.

Jewelry Trends for College Girls Winter 2012

When talking about fashion and jewelry trends, many people look to the fashion designers and the celebrities to see what is going to be in style this year.  But we cannot discount where other fashion trends come from and that is the college students. These ladies always have their eye on fashion and here are a few things that they love for winter styles.

* Feather Jewelry - You will find them sporting around long dangly feather earrings in bright colors, classic colors or their school's colors as well as wearing feather necklaces or even feathers in their hair.

* Big and Bold bangle bracelets are another trend we are seeing all over the college campuses this year. If you are just trying this trend, try one bold bracelet on each wrist. You can also stack up 3 or more on each wrist and mix up your colors and textures.

* Zodiac pendants and dangle earrings are back this season and we are seeing then primarily in the icy white hot metals like sterling silver, stainless steel and white gold. This is an affordable trend that just about any college female can wear.

* College girls are loving chokers with big and bold pendants on them and pair them up with a big and bold earring set to match or to coordinate with your pendant.

* Multiple strand necklaces are another hot trend that started a few years ago and it is still a fabulous look! When looking for multi-strand necklaces you want to seek out necklaces that have 5 or more strands!

* When looking for rings this season look for big, bold cocktail style rings in a multitude of shapes, sizes, colors and made from various metals.

All of these great styles are fun and fashionable and are being enjoyed by young women of all ages. Why not grab a few new jewelry pieces today and try them out? Have some fun!

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.

The Perfect Jewlery Box for Teens

Teens can be tough to impress with gifts. Thinking back to when I was a teen, I can see so many changes in the kids today. But thankfully there are some things that never change. Girls love jewelry. It must be inherent in their genes because women for generations have enjoyed jewelry from simple to elegant and fun to funky; teen age girls are the same way.

Because these girls are not quite a woman and definitely not a pre teen, finding the right jewelry box to store all of their earrings, bangles and necklaces can be difficult. But at Chasing Treasure, we have found the best style that girls will love and be proud to use. The Train Case has been a traveler's staple for hundreds of years but what a great item for teen age girls. They love to take their stuff to their girlfriend's houses and it is perfect for housing all of their jewelry pieces safely and beautifully.

Our Train Cases come in either faux leather or genuine leather and feature several drawers for special jewelry pieces, spaces in the top sections for earrings and rings, and even a mini train case that tucks into the bigger one for finer goods, specialty pieces. It can also be tucked into a suitcase or carry on for travel too. What a great idea!

These Train Cases come with carrying handles so the girls can take then easily and they look great on a dresser too. The train case has a mirror inside and a key for locking the case plus plenty of room for storage of mementos and secret love letters. Any young lady would be excited to get a case like this.

When you are looking for the perfect gift for your teenage girl, swing by and check out these great faux leather and fine leather train cases and give your daughter or grandaughter a gift they will treasure and remember for many years to come.

Tips for Organizing Your Jewelry and Jewelry Box

Having your jewelry and jewelry box organized and ready to wear makes it so easy to find the perfect item to pair with your outfits before going out. It is easy to set aside an afternoon to get all of your jewelry cleaned up and organized. Take a moment to clean each item before storing. Here are 4 tips to help you.

1. When it comes to organizing your necklaces it is important to sit down and untangle them all and make sure there is no damage to any of your necklaces. The best way to organize necklaces is to hang one or two (at most) on one hook in a jewelry box or jewelry amoire. If you decide to store them laying down in a jewelry box, they should be in their own compartment and not thrown on top of other jewelry pieces. Big beaded necklaces, necklaces iwth large pendants and collar-style necklaces should always be hung up.

2. Organizing your bracelets is easy to do. You can hang up to 3 bracelets onto one hook in your jewelry box or jewelry armoire. Beaded bracelets and bangle style bracelets can be hung up or laid flat into the bottom of a jewelry box or drawer. A bracelet bar would be a great investment if you have a lot of them, or fashion one of your own.

3. When it comes to organizing your earrings, they need to be sorted and paired up and placed side by side when hung up in a jewelry armoire or jewelry box. If placing them inside a jewelry box you want one pair (two at most) in one divided section. Like any piece of jewelry, they can be damaged if you put too many pairs into one section. An Earring Tree is a great option if your jewelry box does not have earring storage.

4. Watches are best stored in a jewelry box that is specifically made for watches; called a watch box or watch jewelry box. These types of boxes help the watches keep their shape and to not become damaged.

Following these easy tips, your jewelry box will be beautifully organized and your favorite pieces ready to wear in a short amount of time.

Bracelets: A Great Fashion Accessory for the New Year

Bracelets have become a huge fashion statement in the past few years for women of all ages. The younger set has really embraced bracelets in their style choices. If you want to check out some for your wardrobe, we have a couple of great bracelet choices below you may want to add to your jewelry box in the New Year.

The Layered Bracelet Look

Young and not so young are all sporting the hot layered bracelet look this season! When layering your bracelets this year you may want to mix up their widths, materials, colors and styles. This is not the year for the matchy matchy look in layered bracelets. Try purchasing 2 or 3 metal bracelets with crystals, a few colored beaded bracelets and layer them with white or faux pearl bracelets. To complete this look, it is recommended to wear 4 or more bracelets at a time on your wrist.

Leather Cuff Bracelets

This year we are seeing teen girls and young adult women sporting wide leather cuff bracelets that are sized approximately 1 1/2" to 2" wide. If you are investing in this bracelet trend you definitely want to pick up a black one and one in chocolate brown. You can find these embellished with metal studs, clear and colored crystal and/or accented with metal chain. If you look hard enough you can even find a few styles that have dangling charms hanging off of them. These are great to wear with skinny jeans, layered tops and jackets along with statement shoes like gorgeous peep toe pumps.

Both styles look great with a variety of clothing choices. You can select bracelets that are sleek and richer in style for dressing up and choose a bit less expensive ones for weekends and jeans. Whichever style you choose, you will be right in line with hot styles in the New Year.

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.

Tips on How to Clean Vintage Porcelain Jewelry

In the good old days a popular jewelry style included earrings, pendants, rings, brooches and pins that featured an inset porcelain disc that has been hand painted with beautiful designs. Many of these pieces are still popular and have been passed down to family members. Certain styles are very collectible and can be found in antique shops. Because of its age and structure, this type of vintage jewelry needs to be handled with care, especially when it comes to cleaning them.

Some of these inset discs of porcelain are simply just glued onto the base metal and others are prong-set into the metal just like real gemstone. For this simple reason, you never want to submerge these pieces in water nor let them sit out in extreme heat. Heat can loosen the glue and that will lead to your piece falling apart.

In addition, you do not want to use any type of chemicals or water while cleaning porcelain jewelry as those substances can actually wear away the hand painted design. To clean these types of jewelry pieces you want to gently rub them down with a dry soft cotton or chamois cloth.

If your jewelry piece is set into one of the precious metals like gold, silver or platinum you can use an anti-tarnish cloth on the metal portion of the jewelry piece. Please take great care to not use the cloth on the porcelain disc as it can rub off the design and ruin it forever.

Wearing these lovely pieces can bring back great memories and they still look great with today's fashion too. Take care of your antique porcelain jewelry pieces and you will ensure that your future generations can enjoy these beautiful items too.

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.

Tips on What Not to Store in Your Jewelry Box

Here is a fun story for you. My hubby brought me down 3 large jewelry boxes from his moms house so that I can clean her jewelry and put everything nicely into the super large jewelry box we got her for Christmas. Boy was I surprised at all of the interesting items in her boxes that shouldn't be in there; items which can damage her jewelry. After speaking to a few friend, they told me they store all kinds of things with their jewelry too.

So here are some tips on what women should NOT store in our jewelry boxes. LOL.

All of the items listed below should not be stored in your jewelry box or jewelry armoire because they can damage your jewelry. Remember, jewelry pieces should never be stacked on top of one another. It is best to place them in a single layer only so they do not rub on another piece and scratch or mar a piece of precious jewelry.

* Lipstick Cases and Tubes of Lip Balm
* Powder Compact Cases
* Bulky Heavy Watches (they shoud be stored in a watch box)
* Spare Eyeglasses and Sunglasses
* Spare Eyeglasses and Sunglasses
* Jewelry Repair Tools
* Coins and Paper Money
* Plastic Bags and Plastic Gift Boxes
* Important Paper Documents (birth certificates, house deeds, passports, etc.)
* Smoking Accessories
* Jewelry Cleaning Products
* Old Photographs (storing photos in jewelry boxes can cause them to become brittle and to discolor)

For mementos, pick up a nice fabric storage box to place your favorite items in. You can scrapbook some items or the mementos too. Keeping your jewelry separate will make sure that it is in the best possible condition when you want to wear and enjoy it.

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.

Caring for Your Swarovski Jewelry

Swarovski is widely known for their expertise in producing perfectly cut crystal. Much of the crystal is seen in jewelry such as beads, gemstones and other gorgeous cuts of crystal. Taking care of your jewelry with Swarovski crystal is important if you want to have it looking as beautiful as it did coming out of the box.

It is probably safe to assume that the jewelry you find that uses Swarovski Crystals in it is considered to be fashion jewelry because the metal is usually plated in gold, silver or platinum. Storing your Swarovski jewelry pieces is easy with a nice jewelry box. Lay your pieces in a single layer so as not to scratch other items. In addition, do not store them in extreme heat or extreme cold temperatures as these extremes can change the makeup of the crystals.

To clean your crystals, never use ultra-sonic jewelry cleaning machines, harsh or abrasive jewelry cleaners, hot or boiling water.  What is recommended is that you use a soft, clean, lint-free cotton cloth or a special jeweler's cloth that is made for fashion jewelry. When polishing up your Swarovski jewelry you don't want to buff or rub hard as that can damage the plating so do it gently and with care.

Another item to note is that you should never get your Swarovski jewelry wet so don't wear it while swimming, bathing, washing your hands or showering. Protect your crystals from further damage by wearing your jewelry after you are finished dressing and doing your hair. You don't want it to come into contact with hair products, cosmetics or perfume as these chemical types of products can damage your jewelry.

By using these tips you can expect to enjoy your Swarovski crystal jewelry for many years and look fabulous while doing so.

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.

January Birthstone is Gorgeous Garnet

Many people identify with their birthstone and birthstones provide a way to personalize your jewelry wardrobe. Chances are that most ladies own or have owned a piece of jewelry with their birthstone in it. It somehow makes it more special and symbolic of whom you are. It is a lovely tradition to give a piece of jewelry with a birthstone of choice to a young lady as their first piece of jewelry.

The birthstone for the month of January is the Garnet. The beautiful gemstone is typically found out in the retail market in a deep red color although the garnet can be found in other colors that are much rarer than red.  The Garnet was first mined over 2,500 years ago in Sri Lanka but can also be found in Africa, Australia, Russia, India, South America and the United States. The Garnet is rated 6.5 to a 7.5 on the hardness scale, so it's a great gemstone to have in your jewelry wardrobe that you can wear on a daily basis, plus its lovely color will mix well with clothing choices.

Caring for your Garnet is rather easy. Just like with any semi-precious gemstone you will want to take care of your Garnet gemstone with a good gemstone jewelry cleaner that you purchase from a reputable brand. We recommend you try to find jewelry cleaners without harsh, abrasive chemical cleaners. Store your pieces carefully in a lined jewelry box or velvet jewelry bags sot the stone does not scratch other jewelry you own.

The selection of jewelry choices with Garnets is very large They can effectively accessorize your outfits with beautiful bracelets, rings, watches, necklaces and other fine jewelry pieces. The Garnet is a popular stone for its beautiful color and affordability as a gemstone. You will be able to wear any of your Garnet items for many years and pass some down as heirloom pieces.

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.