Southwest Jewelry Trends

Southwest jewelry has become a trend that is frequently seen and has been enjoyed for many years. Inspired by handcrafted Native American Jewelry, Southwest style jewelry is produced both by skilled artisans and by popular jewelry designers.

The majority of Southwest jewelry that you find in the jewelry market is made of .925 sterling silver. When you see turquoise in Southwest jewelry designs, it's usually blue or green Turquoise that is used in the designs. Much of the Southwest jewelry is made with all turquoise stones. You can find beautiful pieces created with turquoise mixed with other pretty gemstones like blue lapis, mother-of-pearl, coral, green jasper, blue jasper and more.

Typical Southwest Jewelry features many of the same images we are familiar with and have seen over the years. Look for the types of lovely key pieces shown below to add to your Southwest Collection:

* Multi-Strand Liquid Silver Necklace

(shown: from silvertribe.com)

*Sturdy Sterling Silver Chain to Hold Pendants

(shown: from backinthesaddle.com)

*Big and Bold Cuff Bracelets

(shown: from fireandice.com)

* Fetish Styled Pendants with bear claw, hawk wings, Zuni Dancer etc..

(shown: bear claw pendant from southwestindian.com)

* Southwest Style Rings with hammered or smooth silver and inlaid gemstones

(shown: rings from thebeadhouse.com)

* Drop Earrings or chandelier styles are most popular

(shown: earrings from ben-amun.com)

 * Watches - Cuff Styles are popular

(shown: watch cuff from native-american-market.com)

There are many times that Southwest style jewelry pieces would be right for either a particular occasion or for a particular outfit. Keeping a few key pieces of this beautiful style will enhance your jewelry collection and keep your wardrobe on its toes with stunning results.

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.

Types of Chains for Men Part 2 of 2

We posted for you the other day Part 1 of the most popular Types of Chains for Men. Let's take a look at the Chains for Men that are still popular but may not be as commonly found.

1. Round & Square Byzantine Chains - This type of chain has really grown in popularity over the years with men and is a nice heavy duty and durable chain, especially for men who can be hard on their jewelry. This chain consists of several metal wires or stands that have been intricately woven together. The chain can be round or square shaped in its diameter and is found in various lengths and diameters. Due to the weight of these types of chains and the work involved, they are often pricier than other styles of chains.

2. Cable Chains - This style of chains is pretty popular with men due to their simplicity. Do you remember those construction paper chains you used to make as a kid around the holiday season? Well, this chain looks the same way but is made from metal interlocking loops, just like that construction paper holiday chain you made as kid. They are made from a wide variety of metals and come in various lengths and diameters.

Another version of a chain that is similar to the cable chain is the Rolo Chain where the loops used to form the chain on a Rolo are more round in shape whereas the loops used to form a cable chain are more oval in shape.

3. Box Chains - The box chain is popular with men and women because it's a sturdy chain for those to like to wear pendants and if your man is a pendant wearer, this is a great chain for him. Box chains are simply that...metal box links that interlock or interconnect with one another to form a chain. Box chains are not typically big, bold or chunky like other chains and that is usually because they are worn with pendants. But they can also be worn alone.

With these descriptions and terms, you are going to be able to identify the type of chain that you like best. As the popularity of men's jewelry continues to grow, this post included some terms that you can turn to for assistance in finding the perfect chain for you.

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.

Happy Father's Day!

"Children's children are the crown of the old men, and the glory of children is their father."
Proverbs 16:6

The Gorgeous Imperial Topaz Gemstone

The Imperial Topaz gemstone is the most desirable of all of the Topaz gemstones and is highly prized by gem collectors and jewelry collectors alike. The Imperial Topaz is rarer than most other topaz colors because of the unique color range of the stone. There is a Brazilian Imperial Topaz that is magnificent when found in a rich golden brown color that is reminiscent of the perfect shade of Root Beer. It can even range into the yellows and violets.

Shown: Antique Imperial Topaz Ring from Jahan Diamond Importers

 
The beautiful Imperial Topaz comes in on the Mohs hardness scale at 8.0, making it a very durable gemstone which is loved and appreciated by jewelry designers. It is easy to work with and with proper care, can last for years and years thanks to its hardness and durability. You can find amazing pieces of jewelry set with this gemstone in earrings, bracelets, pendants, pins, brooches and in rings.

Care: All Imperial Topaz jewelry is considered semi-precious so you do need to take some care with your jewelry pieces. You should never bathe, swim, clean, shower or workout while wearing your jewelry. Water and chemicals can damage the stones and/or the jewelry settings. In addition, please protect your pieces from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight as some colors of the Topaz have been known to fade over time.

When it comes to cleaning your pieces, wipe them down with a clean cotton cloth that has been slightly dampened with water, then towel dry. If they need a little deeper cleaning you can use an approved gemstone cleaner or take your pieces into a professional jeweler for best results. Make sure to store them separately in a multi compartment jewelry box for safekeeping.

Check with your favorite jeweler for a lovely jewelry set in the stunning Imperial Topaz. You will have heads turning when they see the beautiful gemstone in any type of setting.

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.

Types of Chains for Men Part 1 of 2

Most women think that men don't wear a lot of jewelry but over the past decade or two more and more men are buying big and bold neck chains and bracelets. Today we are going to tell you about some of the most popular neck chains for men that you will see in the marketplace.

Curb Link Chain
The curb link chain is one of the most popular styles of chains for men. This type of chain is pretty simple and consists of one link hooking into another link. You can find this style of chain in a variety of sizes, thickness and made from a large variety of metals. Most curb chains come with a lobster claw style clasp which makes them very secure to wear and easy for a man to clasp.

Figaro Link Chain
This style of chain consists of one larger loop and usually 3 smaller loops. In the industry you will often hear it referred to as a 3 by 1 figaro chain which means there are 3 smaller loops, then the big loop and then 3 smaller loops, which is repeated for the length of the chain. All loops are inter-connected and it's a very durable and sturdy chain for a man. You will see this style of chain in a variety of sizes, millimeter thickness and made from a variety of metals.

Rope Chain
This style of chain looks just like a twisted piece of rope made from metal. It comes in a wide variety of sizes, thickness and is made from a variety of metals. They can be found with lobster claw style clasps or with c-ring clasps attached to them which make them really easy for men to fasten. If your man likes to wear various pendants on his neck chains, the rope chain would be a great option for that as long as you get a smaller diameter chain so that it fits through the bale (or bail) of a pendant to hang.

These 3 popular chains are readily available to purchase anywhere and look wonderful on a man's wrist or around the neck due to the thickness of the links.

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.

What is Titanium and Why is it Good for Men's Jewelry

This year we are seeing a lot of men leaning towards jewelry made from titanium as their jewelry of choice. Titanium jewelry has the strength of steel but is light-weight like aluminum so it makes a great metal for jewelry , especially for those who can be hard on their jewelry, like men.

Titanium is a metal that is 99% commercially pure, whereas other metals are not as pure such as gold, sterling silver, stainless steel, etc. Jewelry made from Titanium is one of the fastest growing divisions within the jewelry market today. It has the appearance of stainless steel and white gold but the strength of the metal is amazing.

You will find men's earrings, neck chains, pendants, bracelets, watches, cufflinks and tie tack pins all made from Titanium out in the men's jewelry marketplace. All of these can be made with gemstones, have carved designs and are interlaced with other metals for a unique and impressive jewelry statement.

One great thing about the Titanium is that most jewelers who manufacture and produce Titanium jewelry offer it with a lifetime warranty due to the fact that is is durable and scratch resistant. It will definitely be a piece of jewelry that you can have for a lifetime. Many jewelers are offering it in women's styles too so wedding sets can be matching and they look amazing.

If you are looking for classic or modern designed jewelry for men, you need to check out the Titanium lines. You will be impressed.

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas - Unique Gifts for Dad

Are you looking for some new gift ideas for Father's Day and would you like to give something more than the classic silk tie?  If you answered "yes" to these questions then read on and I will share with you my personal picks for Father's Day gifts.

Does your dad have a men's valet box or valet tray? First, you might want to know what a valet box is. It is the men's version of a women's jewelry box. All men have accessories such as cuff-links, tie-clips, watches and cell phones as well as keys, loose change and other items that can get messy if there is no way to organize them. Valet trays and valet boxes were made to store these accessories neatly.

Valet trays and boxes are usually placed on dresser tops. There are two basic styles. One type has an open top with several compartments and the other kind is a box with compartments with a top that closed and/or locks. Some of the valet boxes also feature charging stations for cell phones and other electronic devices. The trays and boxes are typically made out of wood or in some cases leather and are good looking as well as being extremely useful.

The price ranges of valet trays and boxes begin around $45, the most popular price range is between $75-$200 and at the higher end of the scan you will spend around $300 for an elegant handcrafted valet.

While we're talking about watches, another possibility for Father's Day is a travel watch case. A good example is the black leather five watch travel case made by RaGar. It is leather and available in either black or brown and fits neatly into a suitcase. If your dad likes to take his watches on trips, then this is a perfect gift which he will appreciate for a long time to come.

There is one more item in the watch category and it is a watch-winder. Watch winders are storage devices for self-winding watches. The watch winder boxes are powered by batteries or ac adapters and provide gentle motion to the stored watches so that they will always be ready to use even if they have not been worn for several weeks. Watch winders cost anywhere from $200 and up, but they are definitely a prized item for those people with several self-winding watches.

Whichever valet box or watch case that you choose, see if you can get one with a personalized engraved name plate. This is a free option on some of our most popular boxes and it provides a nice personal touch to the gift.

So, these are my suggestions for Father's Day and now it is up to you to start looking for the best possible gift.

by Linea Riffel, Contributing Editor for ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of jewelry boxes for women, watch cases for men, and music jewelry boxes for girls. Linnea is a wardrobe consultant and writes about fashion trends and gift ideas.

Unique Green Gaspeite Gemstones

The jewelry shown is from http://www.kokopellinh.com/western-jewelry/gaspeite-c-446.html

The Green Gaspeite is a fairly new gemstone to hit the jewelry market. It is mostly found in a light green to rich green color hue, hence the name. It tends to resemble a green turquoise but since this new gemstone has been discovered, it is considered to be more on the rare side to due its limited availability.

It was first found and mined in Canada but a small deposit has also been found in New Mexico and a small deposit in Australia. This is a very soft gemstone and comes in on the Mohs hardness scale at a 4.5 to 5.0 so it needs to be protected so that damage doesn't occur. Because of the softness, it doesn't make a great gemstone for ring settings since we are typically hard on our rings. When looking to purchase a Green Gaspeite in the jewelry market, you will mostly find it in bead form that can be used in earrings, necklaces, bracelets and in pins.

How to Care for Green Gaspeite: You should protect any jewelry pieces that contain Green Gaspeite from water, so no bathing, swimming, showering or cleaning while wearing Gaspeite jewelry. You should never store your jewelry in direct sunlight and protect it from extreme hot or cold temperatures.

Another good tip is to protect your jewelry from chemicals in hair care products, cosmetics and from perfumes. If you need to clean your pieces, use a slightly damped cotton cloth and wipe it down. If it needs a deeper cleaning, we suggest letting a professional jeweler handle it since it is a delicate soft gemstone.

This unique gemstone is a beautiful color and looks fabulous when set and incorporated into a lovely jewelry piece.

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.

Terminology: 4 Types of Jewelry Clasps

When shopping for necklaces, bracelets or anklets, you will see many different types of clasps that connect your jewelry piece together. Today we are going to look at 4 of the clasps and explain their workings so you can recognize them when shopping and find the best clasp for your usage. Later we will have a follow up article to fill out the variety of clasps used.

Clasps are jewelry fasteners used in neck chains, bracelets and anklets to fasten one end of the chain to the other end of the chain. There are many different styles and shapes of jewelry clasps and they can be found in a wide variety of metals. Some clasps are purely functional and others are functional and decorative within the overall design of the jewelry piece.

1. Hook & Eye Clasps - These types of clasps are very easy to use and consist of a hook shaped piece of metal that slides into the eye shaped (figure-8 shaped) clasp. You will mostl see this style of clasp used in necklaces and bracelets and not often used in anklets.

2. Lobster Claw Clasps - This style of clasp consists of a lobster claw shaped hook/clasp that is often connected to a ring made from metal. A lot of people prefer a lobster claw clasp as they are easy to operate and are very secure. This is a great clasp for heavy, big & bold or chunky style jewelry that weighs more than a light-weight simple chain.

3. C-Ring/Spring-Ring Clasps - This style of clasp features a c-shaped ring that is spring-loaded and simply hooks into a matching o-ring but you can also find them hooking into a variety of other shapes like ovals and squares too.

4. Box Clasps - This clasp consists of two parts, the box or housing part and the tongue part which slides into the box/housing part to secure both ends of your chain together. Sometimes you will see this type of clasp used with a figure 8 safety-catch for added clasp security.

These 4 clasps are readily available on many of your favorite jewelry pieces. Identify the ones that work best for you so you can remember them when shopping next time.

Men's Valet Boxes: Popular Gifts for Dads and Grads

If you are looking for a distinctive gift for the man in your life then you should consider getting him a valet box. Valet boxes are the men's equivalents of the jewelry boxes that women keep on their dresser tops. The difference here is that men's valet boxes usually have some kind of open storage feature instead of a box fully enclosed with a lid. This article is a guide to some of the most popular valet box options on the market today.

In case you are wondering why a man would need a dresser top organizer then consider the kids of accessories that the typical male usually uses. These include tie clips, tie tacks, watches, rings, cuff links, bracelets and many other items that they tend to use on a daily basis. In addition to these traditional accessories there are also cell phones and other small electronic items. In order to keep all of these items neat, tidy and easy to use, the valet box is the perfect solution.

These boxes are styled for men and have a masculine look to them. Many of the boxes are made from fine hardwoods and some come with inlays of exotic woods as well.  Some of the valet organizers are crafted from leather and feature watch storage. The wooden boxes usually have suede-lined compartments of various sized designed to hold the different types of masculine accessories. If your favorite man has more than one watch then you can opt for boxes that include dedicated watch storage areas.

Some of the boxes have a lid which closes like a traditional jewelry box, while others feature an open area at the top where a man's most commonly used items can be kept for quick retrieval from the various compartments in that top tray. Keeping up with the times, many valet boxes are available with a charging station for multi-purpose organization of electronic devices.

As I said at the beginning valet organizers make great gifts for Dads and Grads. A handsome dresser top organizer is a welcome change from the traditional silk tie on Father's Day or on a birthday. For your male graduate the valet box is a useful accessory which will help him enter into a new working life where he will appreciate being able to keep many items neatly organized and ready to use.

A nice touch to the typical organizer is to put a personalized engraved nameplate on the box. If privacy and security is desired you can opt for a box with a lock and key. As with most items, there is a range of prices that you can choose from. The high-end boxes are constructed with the more exotic woods and leathers, but at all ranges the organizers are finished with good-looking, eye-catching style.

No doubt some men have never heard of a valet organizer but when they receive a handsome and practical item on an important occasion they will definitely appreciate the thoughtfulness behind your gift. So, if you have a special man in your life, and you want to give him something that is useful and unique, consider getting him a valet organizer box.

by Linea Riffel, Contributing Editor for ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of jewelry boxes for women, watch cases for men, and music jewelry boxes for girls. Linnea is a wardrobe consultant and writes about fashion trends and gift ideas.

June Birthstone - The Beautiful Pearl

June birthdays have a lovely gem for their birth month representation. The amazing Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. The official color is the white pearl but most June babies feel that any color of pearl is acceptable as their birthstone. June has 2 alternative birthstones that are recognized as well; the Moonstone and the Alexandrite.

The Pearl is an unusual gemstone in that its creation is not typical of our mineral gems we see normally. The pearl comes from the sea creature known as the mollusk. When an irritant lands in the flesh of a clam, oyster or mussel, a protective substance called nacre is produced. Over several years of time, this nacre completely covers the irritant in many layers of nacre which forms the beautiful pearls we see today.

The Natural Pearl is still a rarity. 90% of the pearls you see out in the jewelry marketplace are cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are when man places an irritant into the shell to stimulate the product of nacre. Once the pearls are matured and harvested, they can be used in jewelry.

Pearls come in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The most popular to buy are the white ones, but there are many rages of colors available. The rarest color is the Black. It also depends on where your Pearl is harvested around the world. There are several locations pearls are harvested and they are named for the ares, such as the Tahitian Pearl, The South Seas Pearl, The Akoya Pearls and the Freshwater Pearls.

Interestingly, Pearls are also ground up and used in some beauty/cosmetic products for shimmer and shine. Pearls are a worldwide recognized gemstone that is very popular. Many cultures have a large reverence for pearls and to find matching sizes, colors and shapes and have a necklace or other pieces of jewelry made from that can become very expensive.

Pearls are considered a classic piece of jewelry and will never go out of style. People born in June have a lovely birthstone they can enjoy for a lifetime.

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.

Unique Gifts for High School & College Graduation

The months of May and June remind me of the joys of springtime but for many people this is the time of year when their sons and daughters and loved ones are passing through the important transition of graduation from high school or college. If someone you know or are close to is about to graduate here is a guide to gifts that will be perfect for this occasion and that will be remembered for years to come.

Let's start with the ladies. A wooden jewelry box is a perfect gift for any young woman. Jewelry boxes and chests generally are placed on dresser tops and have several pull-out drawers with compartments for rings, bracelets, earrings and other jewelry items. The boxes are crafted from hardwoods and come in a variety of finishes. If you know something about the decor of your gift recipient's bedroom then you can choose a finish that will match.

To give you an idea of what is available. You can select a classic wood jewelry box with a mahogany finish. This box contains a top section with compartments for jewelry and three pull out drawers. It measures in with a length of 13", a width of 9" and a height of 7 1/2". The list price of this box is $260 but graduation specials will allow you to save around $100. You will find a variety of boxes on our site with similar features and varying finishes.

Another option for a woman's graduation gift is a jewelry travel case. These cases are usually made of leather and can serve as both a jewelry storage box at home and a case for jewelry when you travel. Travel cases range in size from small purse-like cases to larger boxes with several compartments. If budget is a consideration, then you will be happy to know that you can find graduation day sales for travel cases that allow you to get a nice gift for as little as $30.

If you opt for a wooden jewelry box, you can add a nice touch by getting a personalized name or initial engraving which on some boxes is included at no extra cost.

Now let's see what is available for the men on your graduation day gift list. A valet box or tray organizer is the men's equivalent of a women's jewelry box. Men usually use a variety of accessories that include cuff-links, rings, watches, tie-clips as well as cell phones and other electronic devices. Valet boxes and tray organizers are perfect for keeping these items neat, orderly and ready to use. The valet boxes and tray organizers are crafted from hardwoods, and sometimes from leather. Their masculine look will certainly be appreciated by your gift recipient.

If the male graduation in your life loves fine watches, then a watch box is a gift that you should consider. Watch boxes help store the watches safely and some of them feature glass lids which nicely display the watches. If your gift recipient has a lot of watches, don't worry. You can find watch boxes with storage for 10 watches or more.

Finally if you want to get a high-end gift for someone with several self-winding (automatic) watches, then a watch winder is a unique item. Watch winders are powered by batteries or ac adapters and provide the gentle motion that seeps stored self-winding watches ready to use at any moment. Watch winders begin in price around $250.






These are just a few of the suggestions for graduation gifts. Take a look around and choose the one that is best for the graduate that is nearest and dearest to you.

by Linea Riffel, Contributing Editor for ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of jewelry boxes for women, watch cases for men, and music jewelry boxes for girls. Linnea is a wardrobe consultant and writes about fashion trends and gift ideas.