Archive for the ‘Silver necklaces’ Category

Silver Necklace – Why It Makes a Perfect Gift

Looking for the perfect gift to give to your loved ones these holiday season? There are plenty of choices available out there but why not go for something that you can be quite certain that they’ll enjoy? A silver necklace is a bit of a foolproof choice because it’s a very androgynous accessory and there are many designs to choose from as well. Depending on the kind of personality the person has, there’s bound to be a necklace that would fit them perfectly. Another great thing about these pieces of jewelry would be the fact that they are actually useable every single day. That way, the person would remember you always. So, what sort of silver necklace should you be looking for? Here are a few suggestions.

1.    If you aren’t sure about what kind of design you should get your loved one, it would be best to go with something abstract. Something like filigree or an intricate yet elegant pendant would also do very nicely. For your friends who are girls, something like a heart or star pendant would be a good choice. For the men, something tribal or punk looking could possibly do the trick. There are plenty of designs available so you’ll never run out of choices.

2.    You should also make sure that the item you are purchasing is made of real silver. The thing is that there are stores who claim that what they sell are actually real silver accessories when the truth is that they are only silver plated. You can do a nitric acid test which would help you spot a fake. All you have to do is rub a piece of cloth with nitric acid on it to a barely noticeable part of the silver necklace. If the liquid turns grey, this means that you are holding an authentic silver accessory but if it turns green then this means that it was only silver plated.

3.    There are certain kinds of necklaces that have stones set in them. These designs could be a lot pricier than your typical silver necklace but if you are giving it to someone very special to you like your partner or perhaps a parent then it is definitely worth it. The stones add a bit more character to the piece and would certainly bring a kind of subtle elegance to it. You can even purchase these designs in sets to complete the person’s collection if they are into collecting accessories.

4.    Another reminder when it comes to checking for fakes. You should test both the chain and pendant because there are times when only one of these two is actually made with real silver. It would be wise to check both of them. Because these don’t come cheap and you would want to get your money’s worth.

5.    Lastly, if you really want to make sure that you’re getting a good quality item then it would be best to make your purchase at a reputable store. Online purchases are okay too but be careful when choosing the website from which you’ll be buying the pieces from. Check their reputation and once you’ve confirmed that they are indeed legit, feel free to make the purchase.

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Silver Necklace – How to Spot a Fake

Silver has always been the accessory of choice for people who want to something more youthful and edgy. Gold would always be a classic and in a way, silver has become the popular choice for those who are looking for something different. A silver necklace is a good accessory to have because it is subtle yet with the right design can also be a very eye catching accessory. However, choosing the right piece isn’t only about finding that perfect design, you also have to make sure that what you’re getting is actually made of silver and not a poorly made fake. You might be asking, why go for actual silver when there are plenty of other ones that aren’t real but give the same look. Well, this is true and you could certainly settle for something less than actual silver but do note that whilst it has the same look, it will not last you as long as actual silver will. Quality should always be first especially since accessories are also investment pieces and you would want to get your money’s worth. Think about it, why choose a fake one that would last you a month or so when you can have a real silver piece which would last you years? It might cost a bit more than the fake one but you will be getting something totally worth the price. So, how does one tell if what they’re looking at is fake silver? Here are a few tips:

When buying a silver necklace or any other silver jewelry, always check for a mark. Authentic silver pieces would always be marked by a small “925” brand. These markings can be usually found in the hidden areas. For necklaces, you might find it on the locks. They can also be quite small and in some cases, you might need a magnifying glass to be able to see them. If you see silver accessories without this mark then it is most likely a fake.

Another thing that you could do is a nitric acid test. You can either ask the jeweler whom you’re buying the accessories from to perform this test or you could do it yourself when you get home. All you need to do is rub some nitric acid on the accessory itself. It would be better if you do the test on one area only so that you’d be able to compare any changes that might happen. Also, it’s better to do the test on places that are easily noticeable since you will be breaking some of the plating which prevents the silver from tarnishing quickly. The color of the liquid would tell you if the accessory is actually made from silver or if it’s a fake. Basically, if the nitric acid turns grey then this means that it’s actually made of silver. On the other hand, if it turns green then it was only silver plated.

Lastly, it’s also a very good idea to purchase your silver necklace and other accessories from reputable sellers. This would not only guarantee that you are getting an authentic silver piece but it would also ensure you of a quality purchase.

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Silver Necklace – Different Styles

When it comes to silver necklace styles, they are extremely varied and they also draw from a wide variety of influences. In fact, this is the thing that makes them so interesting. If you are new to jewelry or if you really aren’t into too much sparkle but want something to give your everyday outfits a bit of spice then necklaces would be a great way to get started. After all, they can be as subtle or as extreme as you want them to be, depending on your mood of your personality. Here are a few of the most popular silver necklace styles available today:

Minimalist – These are simple pieces and they tend to be unembellished. They can also be very architectural in terms of shape and this is what gives them some kind of edge over the other styles. They are very streamlined and there are little or no stones or any sort of gem added to it either. They are often considered to be androgynous pieces of jewelry because they can look great on both men and women. These pieces would be perfect for those who want something very subtle yet eye catching.

Tribal – We are all quite familiar with this style because it is the most common one that we see. Tribal designs range from the abstract to the very straightforward. Celtic, Native American and even Egyptian symbols are often used here. There are also pieces that feature various animals such as lion’s heads, rams and eagles and so on. Mythical creatures such as dragons and unicorns are also popular choices for those looking for something fun.

Classic – These designs are the ones that have been around for many years now but never went out of style. They tend to be very simple with very few embellishments. For women, the most popular choice would be the cuff that’s studded with buts of crystals o gemstones whilst for the men it could be the simple silver necklace or a simple silver band for a ring. They are quite similar to minimalist styles in terms of being very streamlined but they can also be quite decorative.

There are also various pieces that mimic art movements such as those referred to as art deco inspired, baroque and modern. Based on the names alone, you can already imagine how intricate, complicated or simple and angular these accessories can be. Which one’s the best? Well, the answer depends on someone’s personal taste. There are people who prefer intricate and exaggerated pieces whilst there are those who prefer something simple and easy on the eye. So it all depends upon the style that you prefer. However, if there’s one thing that you should be your utmost priority when it comes to choosing a silver necklace for yourself, it should be the quality. Make sure that what you’re getting is made of actual silver and is not silver plated. After all, you will be investing a significant amount of money into purchasing it and you would want to get your money’s worth.

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How to Properly Clean your Silver Necklace

When it comes to the silver necklace that you wear day in and day out, it should be properly taken care of if you wish it to last longer and retain its shine. Of course, since your silver pieces are also an investment, you would want to care for them the same way you would care for your other possessions. There are plenty of different ways to clean your silver accessories and there are also various silver cleaning products available in the market today. But for those of you who are looking for something more affordable then there are also certain things that you can do at home to make sure that your silver becomes lack luster. If you want to do it yourself, you can try the most popular silver cleaning agent which is baking soda. Its quite simple, really, all you have to do is follow the steps below:

-    Boil some water. Make sure that the amount is enough to submerge your silver necklace and all the other silver pieces that you wish to clean.
-    Next, line a glass bowl or deep dish with some aluminum foil. If you have an aluminum pan lying around which you no longer use, this would work even better.
-    Place all the silver pieces on top of the lined glass bowl or aluminum pan. Make sure that your silver pieces have direct contact with the aluminum.
-    Sprinkle some baking soda on your silver pieces, making sure that you only form a thin layer upon them.
-    Add the water. Make sure that its enough to submerge all the pieces. As you’re doing this, you will notice that small bubbles are now forming and that they are giving of a rather unpleasant rotten egg smell.
-    You can also use a plastic or wooden spoon to stir the jewelry very gently. You’ll begin to notice the changes and that the silver has regained its lost luster.
-    After all your pieces have completely regained its shine, you can then wash them in water. Remember to place a sieve over you drain to prevent any of the pieces from falling through.
-    Wipe your jewels dry with a towel and polish it with a soft cloth.

Remember to wipe your silver necklace and other accessories dry before you store them because silver tarnishes easily once it comes in contact with moisture. Now, there are also silver pieces that are so old and have tarnished so much that they seem quite impossible to clean. But don’t throw them away just yet because there’s a chemical solution such as a tarnish dip which is often used to remove extreme tarnishing on silver pieces. You can also take your pieces to a professional cleaner if you find the task to be too challenging and wearisome. Just make sure that you assess the items properly before you take them home. Lastly, keep your pieces away from moisture and make sure that you wipe them dry when you take them off. Remember, your sweat can also cause tarnishing in your silver pieces so make sure that you dry them off before you keep store them.

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Buying a Silver Necklace Online – Tips

These days, people have become so busy with work and other things that they’ve even started doing their shopping online. There are plenty of websites that cater to every person’s shopping needs. For example, there are websites wherein ladies can buy various fashion related goods such as designer bags, dresses and shoes. The best bit is that these can be relatively more affordable than purchasing the same item from a shop. For men, there are stores that sell all sorts of gadgets. From the latest models to even the discontinued ones for collectors. Needless to say, there is a huge market online where people can buy and even trade for all sorts of things. With that said, did you know that you can also buy various jewelry pieces online? A silver necklace shouldn’t be hard to find at all and you might even find yourself surprised at the sheer amount of websites selling it. Because of the large number of websites selling silver necklaces and other items, you might want to do a bit of research before you make a purchase. Here are some things to keep in mind if you do decide to purchase a necklace online.

-    Do shop around. Looking for the best price online is actually much easier than scoring a bargain at a mall. All you really need to do is click around whilst checking all the pieces they have on offer and purchase the one that fits your preferences and budget. Imagine doing that at the mall, you’ll probably end up very tired. Besides, certain items are actually a lot cheaper online so it’s definitely worth a look.

-    Since you won’t be able to try the piece on, make sure that you get all the information you need such as the length of the chain and the size of the pendant. If this isn’t available together with the photo of the product, it is wise to send an email to the owner of the shop and ask him or her personally. There’s nothing wrong with doing this and if the owner isn’t hiding anything from you, they would freely provide you with this information as well as others that you might need.

-    Learn more about a website’s reputation before you purchase anything from them. Among reputable websites, there are also fraudulent ones which you should stay far away from. To learn more about a business’ reputation, you can read various customer testimonials or reviews which are bound to be available in the website itself. You can also look at various online communities with members who have tried doing business with a particular website before. Read about their experiences and find out if the website is worth your while.

There are plenty of reputable places wherein you can get your silver necklace. In fact, there are people out there who create one of a kind, handmade pieces that might be a bit more expensive than some but definitely worth their price. After all, what could be better than handmade jewelry that’s totally unique? So take your pick from the various designs available and keep in mind all the tips that you have read above.

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