Silver's Rise Continues and So Does Its Price

The price of silver continues to head towards the roof and experts say it won't slow down until it reaches $100 per ounce.  It closed today at $30.  Last year, silver was priced at $8 per ounce.  What is the alarm you may be asking?  The picture above is the alarm.  This bracelet is solid Sterling Silver.  It is comprised of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.  By this time next year, this $250 bracelet will be selling for $750.  If you are waiting to buy a Sterling Silver jewelry piece, it would be wise to buy soon before you can't afford it. I'm buying now for next Christmas.  And Sterling Canyon offers the lowest prices in solid Sterling jewelry. And free shipping.

FTC Sets New Rules for Platinum Jewelry

The Federal Trade Commission issued new rules this week in describing platinum jewelry, what it means and who can use it.  The rules set in place how to mark platinum jewelry and disclose to the consumer what they are actually buying without relying on a cross eyed salesman to tell you what the composition of the wedding ring you are about to buy is.  With Sterling Silver jewelry, jewelers like Sterling Canyon rely on the mark that is stamped on the jewelry piece.  Typically .925 is the common mark found on Sterling Silver jewelry.  On platinum, the stamp of "850 plat" is typical. This means that there is at least 85% pure platinum and the rest metal alloys in the piece of jewelry.  The new rules state that the composition must be stamped on the piece.  For instance, “60% platinum-35% cobalt-5% rhodium.”   This way, the cross eyed salesman can't lead you on the wrong trail.

Color is the Word for Jewelry this Spring

Bold and unmatched color are the statements to be observed this Spring as jewelry designers around the world and Sterling Canyon reflect on the passions of the buying public.  Perhaps the designers felt the recent optimism of consumer confidence and the upswing of the stock market.  This bracelet by Dannijo typifies the styles being developed and produced for Spring 2011.  Bold statements and fantastic colors are in. Drab and boring is out.  Celebrate and be happy!

Giles and Brother designed this piece with copper tubing and saddle leather interlaced. Perfect for the plumbers wife.

This Hermes Sterling Silver bracelet is incredible and typical of the Sterling Canyon offerings this Winter.  Look for Sterling Canyon to offer bold colorful statements of fashion as depicted above this Spring.

New Designs in Sterling Jewelry for Spring 2011

Jewelry is like cars.  New designs come out every season, and the Spring 2011 season looks interesting.  Just when you think that there are no more designs available, you get this. Take this Fallon designed necklace, Sterling Silver rope with a lobster claw clasp.  The general design has been done before.  Remember the old Bollo ties that cowboys wore.  This is a take off on that.  Rather interesting.  Sterling Canyon will be looking into new designs to add to our catalog. Who likes this?  Let Sterling Canyon know.  Looking for opinions from our faithful customers. Shoot us an email at customerservice@stcanyon.com.

Bizarre Jewelry from Sevan Bicakci

I found this rather interesting.  Not Brooke Shields and jewelry designer Sevan Bicakci, but the bracelet that Brooke is wearing.  Rather bizarre in appearance.  Looks like she took her hand out of an octopus tank. That is a very large natural pearl with diamond encrusted tentacles emanating from it.  Bicakci is known for his elaborate rings, but this is a stepping out point for him. Sterling Canyon doesn't carry anything that strange, but does offer highly designed bracelets at affordable prices.

What Happens to Silver Happens to Sterling Silver Jewelry

For you financial gurus out there who have not noticed the metals market lately, the price of silver closed at $28.88 per ounce today.  Like gold, silver is also on the rise.  Like any other commodity, finished products like silver jewelry increase in price as the raw materials increase.  I had to increase some of my prices on silver jewelry today.  One clue whether "silver"jewelry in real is in the price.  At $30 per ounce, real silver or Sterling Silver will become more expensive.  It is predicted that by the end of 2011, silver may approach $100 per ounce. A $10.00 Sterling Silver bracelet is not Sterling Silver.  At the most, it is silver electroplated.  Don't be fooled into buying cheap silver jewelry.  It ain't silver. Sterling Canyon will continue to offer fine Sterling at affordable prices. We'll do what we can to maintain the best prices for you.

Don't Let Your Sterling Silver Grow Up To Be Tarnished

Every jewelry box has or should have Silver jewelry in it.  If yours doesn't, you have been deprived of some of nature's simple beauty. You probably told yourself or someone told you to stay away from Sterling Silver because it tarnishes.  Bah!  Yes Sterling Silver tarnishes if you are careless or lazy.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  Show the world who you really are and buy some Sterling Silver jewelry. Many quality Sterling Silver pieces have a special clear coating on them like Rhodium that is a by-product of platinum.  It is very hard and protects the Silver from the oxidizing power of the air or harsh chemicals. Sulfur and ammonia are two of these harsh chemicals and are found in your perspiration.  Every time you handle the Silver jewelry, simply wipe it off with a jewelers cloth.  The online jeweler Sterling Canyon provides a jewelers cloth free of charge to all customers.  Never bath your jewelry in a cleaning solution.  Just wipe it clean each time its handled.  Just a few seconds with save you a lot of time later. And keep your jewelry looking new for many years. 

Buying a Silver Necklace from your Cell Phone?

More and more retail industry news touts the newest fad of buying things from your cell phone.  Why would someone buy something using a cell phone?  If you're standing around with friends, it may be a good way to impress them.  On the other hand, it could be a big headache in the making.  Cell transmissions are not the securist form of communication.  It doesn't take much to swipe that credit card number out of thin air.  Jewelry websites are beginning to offer purchasing by cell phone.  Buy a $1500 ruby necklace after examining it on a 2 x 2 inch screen.  Wisdom says it is foolish. Sterling Canyon will never offer its jewelry over the cell phone.  You can twist our arms until they break off.  You can always be assured that Sterling Canyon will never follow such fads.  Don't be one who does.

Is That A Real Sterling Silver Necklace?

What kind of question is that to ask a beautiful woman.  That question deserves a slap in the face. So I'll ask it. Is that a real Sterling Silver necklace?  Courtney Cox would not wear fake.  From a distance, her necklace looks stunning.  To tell if the necklace, and in particular the pendant is real Sterling Silver, there has to be a stamp on the back of the piece as .925.  A stamp like this is required by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  Sterling Silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or other metal.  If it is silver plated, it must be labeled as such.  If there is no label or stamp on the jewelry piece, take it back to Walmart for a refund before your wife or girl friend sees it.  Then go on line and buy the highest quality Sterling Silver necklace from Sterling Canyon. You want to avoid the slap in the face don't you?

Cheap Sterling Silver and Gemstone Jewelry Set with Colored Glue!

"I love you dear."  You give her the box.  She smiles, then quickly opens it.  Inside is a beautiful Tanzanite bracelet.  The one she has always wanted.  She reaches over to give you a big kiss.  "Oh, what was that?"  A Tansanite gemstone is sitting on the floor.  The bracelet setting is empty.  What a nightmare! Too many unsuspecting husbands fall for this while shopping at the big box department store.  The Gemological Institutes of America is warning people to be careful this holiday season. Don't be a sucker for bright colors and low prices. You get what you pay for. A Tanzanite bracelet for $69 will be no doubt fake. Using colored glue in the setting darkens the stone and makes it look more valuable than it actually is. Sterling Canyon offers the finest in gemstone jewelry. And no colored glue. Guaranteed.

WSJ Reports Sterling Silver Jewelry Beats Gold

Depending what cave you have been living in, you may have heard that gold is expensive. It closed this week at $1338 per troy ounce.  This also follows that real gold jewelry is expensive.  If you buy cheap gold jewelry at Macy's or JCPenneys, it will most likely be gold plated.  The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Sterling Silver is the metal of choice for high quality jewelry.  Its lower price ($15.30 per ounce) makes it quite attractive for the consumer, and its easier to work with by jewelry craftsman who welcome its detailing friendly qualities.  Sterling Canyon offers only high quality Sterling Silver jewelry at affordable prices.  Sure gold is still popular in wedding bands.  But to be sure, platinum and palladium are making inroutes to the gold market because they are now similarly priced.  If you had a choice between a gold and platinum wedding band, you would probably choose platinum. Platinum has always been the higher priced-out of reach metal for the average wedding consumer.  Now with prices nearly equal, they choose platinum.  For non-wedding jewelry, choose Sterling Silver.

Buying a Gemstone Necklace? Carots vs. Size

                                                                                                 Rabbits like carrots.  Ladies like carots.  But it                         ends there.  It ends with the question, what is more important, carot or size?  Some jewelers like to sell their gemstones by carots.  A carot is defined as 1/5 of a gram.  This weight is based on the density of the gemstone.  Not all gemstones have the same density.  Different gemstones with different minerals have different densities and therefore different weight in carots.  A one carot Blue Topaz is not the same size as a one carot Diamond.  Amethyst, Citrine, Blue Topaz are available in larger sizes than Diamonds and Rubies.  The price per carot is not relevant compared to a Diamond or Sapphire because they are more readily available in larger sizes.  The lesson here is that to the average consumer, carots are meaningless unless you know the density of the gemstone.  Sterling Canyon does not for the most part display the characteristics of their gemstones in carots.  Its meaningless.  Don't be fooled.  Go for the simple beauty of the piece of jewelry.  How will it look hanging on you?  Only you can decide.

Selecting Garnet Gemstone Jewelry

       How to select a beautiful Garnet gemstone piece of jewelry is rather simple.  What ever retailer you choose, make sure the gems are certified real.  Too many times, retailers like Macy's or Penney's will sell you glass, rather than the real thing.   Garnets come in every color except blue.  Red is the most common. The good thing about Garnets is that they require no standard enhancements. They are a hard gemstone, and durable.  Clean with warm water and mild soap.  To test their authenticity, simply run it over glass.  It will scratch the glass.  Don't let a Christmas gift become an embarassment by buying red glass.  Buy from Sterling Canyon.  Beautiful selection of gemstone jewelry with a 366 day return policy. And free shipping too.          

Color (jewels) is a Star's Best Friend

Over the past several months, Hollywood stars have been flaunting their stuff.  Their stuff is jewelry, and the jewelry is full of color.  Its been quite a while since color has made such a jewelry fashion statement. In the past, it was either gold or silver.  Now add some colored semi-precious stones and its all new again.

One Tree Hill starlet Shantel VanSanten is wearing green jade earrings and Katy Perry (below) is sporting a sterling silver "Bouquet" cuff bracelet studded with blue topaz.  Its been known for celebrities to wear jewelry from Sterling Canyon.  We will need to go shopping once more.

Understand Diamond and Gemstone Clarity

I just finished reading an article describing the ins and outs of choosing a diamond,and other gemstones for that matter based on clarity.  Knowing what clarity is before you buy a $300 bracelet with red gemstones is important.  The article is from a newsletter from www.essentiallysilver.com.  and describes how to determine the clearness of the stone.  Every gemstone will have some flaws. If it is flawless, you won't be able to afford it.  OK. Let's walk into Macy's and up to the jewelry counter.  You see a beautiful necklace with a large red gemstone pendant. The lady tells you its a Ruby.  Hold it up to the light. Ask to use their loop (magnifying glass). If they don't have one, simply hold it up to the light. Knowing Macy's, you will probably see little bubbles in the stone. This means you are holding a piece of red glass.  If you see tiny fissures or cracks in it, it is probably real but very poor quality. If its a real Ruby, it will be valued at several thousand dollars, but they are trying to pawn it off to you for $125.  Walk away folks.  Don't be attracted to shiny things.  Moths are attracted to bright things.  You shouldn't. Visit Sterling Canyon for the good stuff at affordable prices.  And no glass.  

Remember to Clean Your Piercing Holes

This is a simple reminder for those who wear pierced earrings.  Clean them everyday to avoid infection.  Many women don't shower or bathe everyday, especially in the winter to avoid dry skin.  If you want to avoid the dry skin that comes with showering, at least wash your face and ears nightly.  Plenty of soap around the piercing holes followed by an alcohol or hydrogen peroxide swabbing.  That's all it takes.  That's all I ask.  I want you to continue wearing those beautiful earrings.  They compliment your face so well.  Remember to visit stcanyon.com for the best selection of fine Sterling Silver and gemstone earrings.

Doing the Oscars in March? Jewelry to Wear.

Evening Wear
First place: 
Cynthia Renee Zava, Cynthia Renee Zava
Palladium necklace (pictured here) featuring a suite of green tourmalines, 75.89 carats total.

 What a beautiful necklace and a design the can be seen at Sterling Canyon. But for you to own this particular piece, it would cost you thousands of dollars.  This necklace won first place in the Evening wear category at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards last Monday in New York City.  This is not a necklace you would wear while shopping at Costco.  The only place I've seen jewelry like this worn is at the Cotillion Ball.  If you plan to go to the Oscars next March, buy it.  If not, shop at Sterling Canyon for the finest and most affordable.

Welcome to the Dark Side-of Fashion

 

 

Kris Jenner and Carrie Ann Inaba sport high fashion at the 62ndAnnual Primetime Emmy Awards.  Their example of high fashion
is a little on the dark side.  Perhaps its a reflection of the economy or perhaps
their marriages, but dark appears to making inroads into being fashionable.
Sterling Canyon sports many "dark" examples of fine Sterling Silver
including Rutenio coated Sterling that bring out almost the appearance
of highly polished pewter.  Check it out today.

Are Pearls In or Out of Fashion?

Are pearls a style of jewelry associated with the past, like June Cleaver and worn only by old ladies?  Or are they making a comeback?  I bought my wife a set of nice pearls a number of years ago and she hardly wears them.  Perhaps only when she wears a black top.  Seems designers are trying hard to come up with new and exciting designs to pump up the pearl industry.  There are some terrific designs coming into the market and are worth looking at. Sterling Canyon has a nice collection being offered now and 25% off. Adding a set of nice pearl earrings or a necklace looks great with the contemporary outfit.  What do you think?

Disney Jewelry Meets Tron

Disney has decided to try it again with jewelry.  This time they will try to avoid the childrens jewelry laced with Cadmium and Lead, and aim towards the adults.  No doubt these expensive baubles are made in China.  That seems to be Disney's M.O.  Disney will market these pieces to the Tron adult market.  The updated movie version of Tron will be released in theatres this Fall and Disney wants to make an additional buck or two.  Listen folks.  Stick with legitimate jewelers, the ones you trust like Sterling Canyon.  No Chinese jewelry there, and no slight of hand.

Do You Trust Cadmium Jewelry

Some people might or just don't care.  It was reported today that Federal Regulators have come up with a proposal to allow a minimum allowable amount of Cadmium on jewelry.  Remember that Cadmium is a carcinogen and is usually found on cheap, Chinese made children's baubles and bracelets.  On top of this is the plan to allow the jewelry industry to police themselves.  Great idea!  Look what happened when Wall Street bankers and the oil industry were allowed to police themselves.  This must lead the customer to think - who do you trust in the jewelry industry?  Do you trust Walmart and Macy's?  They certainly are in the same vein of selling cheap jewelry to unsuspecting customers.  As long as they can make a buck, sure why not?  Sterling Canyon offers only quality Sterling Silver jewelry made in America and Europe.  And on top of that is the 366 day return policy.

Know How to Clean Your Pearl Necklace?

Something I didn't know until a few minutes ago.  I've been telling people who buy our Pearl bracelets and necklaces at Sterling Canyon to clean them with a damp cloth.  Of course, never use household cleaners or soaps, vinegar or red wine.  These will dissolve them in a split second and possibly help dissolve your marriage (good pearls are expensive).   I read that to clean your Pearls including the string, gently agitate them in a bowl of potato flour, then clean off the flour with a soft cloth.   Sounds grounded to me.
With all the benefits the beauty and purity of a pearl can bring to you, it is only right that you should care for them properly.

Opals Hits Stage at Bonhams Auction

Opals are not the french cars of the future.  They are actually semi-precious gemstones that come in a mariad of colours. Coming next month, auction house Bonhams & Butterfields will conduct on Nov. 10 in San Francisco, the "Nature of Opals" sale that will feature a diverse group of distinctive jewelry, loose stones, mineral specimens, lapidary works of art, decorative objects, décor and fossils, all made from the luminous gem. These Opal laden jewelry are expected to fetch in excess of $100,000 a piece, and will draw a world-wide crowd. Sterling Canyon offers this Peruvian Opal necklace for a lot less: $450.  Just as stunning and beautiful, this necklace is hand-made in California by Lisa Sonia.  Wear it and weep.

Schwarzenegger Kicks Out Cadmium Jewelry

 
Sterling Canyon has learned that California governor Schwarzenegger signed into law earlier this week a law prohibiting the manufacturing, shipping and sale of Cadmium laced jewelry to children.  A stupid law of course.  That's the type of jewelry found in Walmarts and Targets, and sold with Disney or other nameplates attached to them.  The new law reads "prohibits the manufacturing, shipping and sale of children's jewelry or jewelry components that contain more than 0.03 percent (300 ppm) of cadmium as determined by a total weight test. Children, as defined by California law, are those 6 years old and younger." The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.  Well gee.  This jewelry in this shipping container does contain Cadmium but its intended for sale to children  7 and over.  So we're good.  Never mind that older children sometimes have younger siblings.  Sterling Canyon carries the finest in Sterling Silver jewelry, does not market to children, and never sells jewelry made in the Far East.

What Makes a Good Diamond

I recently read an interesting interview of Henry Tivol, a Midwest Jeweler who has been around for 80 odd years.  He is pretty much of a snob when it comes to jewelry.  His idea of jewelry is either Gold or Platinum.  He is slowly warning up to Sterling Silver mainly because of the economy and popularity of the metal.  On the subject of diamonds, he notes the importance of the 4 C's.  You know what they are: cut, color, clarity and carat. All are important and integrated into one another for a fine diamond.  One important comment is that the smaller diamonds-perhaps less than 1/2 carat, are probably the best.  Get any bigger and for a quality diamond, you'll need to pay at least $250,000.  Pay less and you'll get a big rock to impress your friends, but it will be a piece of junk. Bad color, flaws and cloudy, even cracks.  Bad cut to not let the light refract properly.  Smaller diamonds are expensive, but for a high quality stone, smaller is better for the money.  It's like buying a Rolls Royce that has paint peeling off and continually needs repairing.  Not much of a luxury.  Sterling Canyon has begun to offer smaller diamonds pave or inlaid into the pendant accompanied with a larger semi-precious stone. Quality small diamonds and very affordable.  Check it out.

Wear White After Labor Day? Does It Matter with Jewelry?

Recent article on Shine dared to capitalize on the changing notion that the old rule of not wearing white after Labor Day was out, passe, old fashioned.  It probably is.  Whether out of fashion ignorance or just don't care attitude, people have been wearing white clothing in October and beyond.  Certainly with climate limitations, (Don't wear white in snow unless your James Bond skiing down the Alps.), people do what they want. But what about jewelry.  Is there a limit of cut off date as to the type of jewelry to wear going into the holidays.  Sort of.  Summer with the skimpy clothing and short sleeves, wide bracelets and big bulky stone necklaces are great.  Show them off!  But under winter coats and long sleeves, less is better. Thinner is in.  Thin bracelets and less bulky, finer necklaces.  Sterling Canyon offers a wide variety of fine Sterling Silver from Thistle and Bee.

                                           

Wilma Flintstone Knows Something About Jewelry.

According to the latest Style news, necklaces and bracelets with large gemstones will be the "In" thing this Fall.  From large agates, quartz, and black opal, big and bulky will be a must for every girl's jewelry box.  I bet you'll see a few actresses this evening wearing them at the Emmys.  This necklace at left is priced at $3000.  At stcanyon.com, solid gemstone necklaces can be found for less than $100.  My wife loves it.

Cuff that Bracelet

My wife bought a bracelet this weekend and should arrive in the
mail in a few days from Sterling Canyon.  We discovered that there are differences between bracelets and cuffs.  Beside the obvious differences, the bracelet should be fitted about 1/2 inch larger than the circumference of your wrist.  If your wrist is 6 1/2 inches round, buy a 7 inch bracelet.
Cuffs are different in that they can be squeezed to fit about
any size wrist.  Choosing the correct width is important.  If you
are a large woman with large wrists, chose a thinner bracelet or
cuff, probably 1 inch  or so.  If you are standard weight for
your height, you have a broader choice of thin or wide bracelets or cuffs.
Either way,  the bracelet my wife bought will look terrific.

Fitting for a Butterfly Pendant

I came across this enameled butterfly, not in the garden mind you, but in the Sterling Canyon catalog.  I began to wonder how big a pendant has to be before it is too big.  How big before it becomes a chest plate, a battle protector for our urban warrior?  Usually a pendant shouldn't interfere with the breasts of the wearer.  Wearing a butterfly on your chest all day while it digs into the side of your left breast can be irritating to say the least.  Usually the maximum size of a pendant should be no larger than three or three and one half inches across.  Doesn't matter what your boob size is, the maximum applies to all.  Unless your a man, then you have other problems.

The length of the chain is critical.  This necklace is 17 inches.  Well above the boob line.  Anything longer than 21 inches and the size of the pendant will need to be reduced accordingly.  So there you have it folks.  Oh, by the way, the Sterling Canyon catalog says this butterfly is 3 by 3 1/2 inches.  Whew! That was close.

Let Earrings Work for You

Earrings are a woman's best friend, whether it be diamonds or emeralds.  Like this woman pictured above. (I think I've seen her in movies).  Ms. Jolie is wearing a pair of 115 carat emerald drop earrings.  And these are the real deal.  Up close, you will see inclusions and imperfections. They will not shine and glisten as you may think.  Fake emeralds will appear perfect and shiny.  When choosing a correct pair of earrings, decide which part of your face you want to accentuate.  Where on the face do you want to draw peoples attention to?  Here, Angelina wants you to notice the curvature of her jaw.  It is nice and well formed.  The larger emerald hangs in that spot on her jaw.  We notice it.  Men relish it. Women admire and envy it.  She has chosen the correct length and style of earrings. You can to.  Analyze your face.  Decide where you want the attention to be drawn to.  Sterling Canyon offers these and many other styles of affordable high quality earrings . And buy them.  You'll cherish them forever. 

Jewelry to Fit a Round Face

What necklace and earrings to pull out of your jewelry box for a night on the town.  Sometimes a tough decision.  After all you want to look right.  When buying jewelry, you need to understand how the type and shape of jewelry fits the type and shape of your face.  They must complement each other.  For a round face, choose the type of necklace that is long and hangs away from the chin.  Too close to the chin, large bulky necklaces or chokers and you'll look like you have a double chin.  Of course a bulky stone necklace is fine if the chain is long enough.  Look for a 3 inch chain extension if you really like the necklace design. Sterling Canyon offers a free 3 inch Sterling Silver extension with necklace purchase. 

  
For balance, the same goes for the earrings.  For a round face, don't go for long oversized earrings.  That will draw attention away from your face and place the balance of your head down to your shoulders.  (After a while your ear lobes will droop like that of a bush woman.)  Complement the face with balance.  Don't try to compete with it.  You won't win.

Jewelry Shopping on TV Another Ripoff?

It was reported this summer that some jewelry purchased on one of those home shopping channels had enhancements not approved by the Gemological Society, and actually came down to falsifying and lying to customers.  Case in point was Tanzanite bezel-set rings.  You know the pitch when the camera zooms in on the jewelry piece and it looks absolutely stunning.  The jewelry shown is not the piece you will receive when you give them your credit card number.  Found was Tanzanite rings that had been glued into place with colored adhesive.  This makes the stone appear darker than it actually is.  The glue over time will disintegrate and you'll be left with junk.  $50.00 or $100.00 down the TV tubes. If the camera had zoomed onto one of these rings, you would probably see the glue. With a retailer like Zappos.com or Stcanyon.com, this scenario is not likely. Still, any merchandise bought at these two websites you would be able to return up to one year after purchase.  Highly unlikely on the TV shopping network.  Don't be fooled by the slick sales people on TV.  You'll get what your emotions pay for.   

Sterling Jewelry Fad

There was a recent poll conducted by National Jeweler that showed that Sterling Silver jewelry was becoming the jewelry of choice for the Gen Y consumer.  After all, Sterling Silver is bright and light.  There are some fantastic designs being offered by the retailers (Sterling Canyon) and a lot of people wearing them.  What are the most popular pieces to wear?  Necklaces and bracelets.  Earrings come in a respectable third place.  Don't women want to wear matching earrings?  I guess not.  Let me know what you think.  Is Sterling Silver the jewelry of choice? 

Color is King!

According to the June issue of National Jeweler, bright colors in clothing and jewelry are the "In" thing.  Reminiscent of the hippie days of the 1960's, long swinging necklaces and bright prints are the fashion to have, like this blue Topaz necklace from Sterling Canyon jewelers.  This year, color is king!

Las Vegas Silver

At the recent Las Vegas Jewelry Show, it was concluded that Sterling Silver is now more popular than gold.  It seems fitting since gold hovers around $1200 per ounce while silver sits at $18.50 per ounce.  More affordable and more attractive.  Designers are going bonkers over the new found metal and the sky is the limit.  One thing to look out for when buying Sterling Silver jewelry is weight.  The piece of jewelry is not heavy unless of course it has large gemstones attached to it.  Sterling Silver is light and fairly soft.  If you find a small heavy piece, it is not Sterling.  Most likely it is zinc or a cheap metal alloy electroplated with Sterling Silver.  Don't be fooled.  Quality doesn't need to be heavy.  Quality needs to be stylish. www.stcanyon.com

The Italian Jewelry Artisans

I read an article from the National Jewelers Association that described the artistic efforts of local jewelry makers in Italy's Le Marche region.  Italy is well known for its artisans and their wares are distributed widely throughout Europe and the U.S.  The artisans and their jewelry differ markedly from that made in India and China.  Molds are cast and Sterling Silver and/or Gold is poured over forms to create wonderful necklaces and bracelets. 

You won't find this kind of quality in Walmart or Macy's.  At these places, the jewelry is created in China or India on stamping machines, and run down an assembly line rubbed by ill-trained workers for an uneven polish, guaranteed to tarnish in a few years. Yet, prices for these pieces compare well with jewelry made by the artisans in Italy.  It's so easy to be caught up with the bright lights and display cases in the department stores.  My wife would divorce me if I bought jewelry from those retailers.  Yet, she never growls when I buy, usually but not always at Sterling Canyon.

Imperfect Jewelry

I just read an article from the Jewelers Network about the company Montblanc that has started to sell gemstone jewelry.  Montblanc is known for their pens and sunglasses amongst other things in which they can stick their name on.  The article states that this is the first time they have used semi-precious stones like onyx, chalcedony, milky quartz and lavender jade.  They go on to say that these stones have inclusions or imperfections in them which make every stone unique.  Yes it does.  Unlike most retailers, Montblanc does not use fillers like expoxy or plastics to fill in the imperfections of their stones. As it should be.  It would be like dying your white dog black because you don't like white.  I went to their website www.montblanc.com.  It was difficult to use; not user friendly. The jewelry was also way overpriced, because of the name.   I guess I'll stick with Sterling Canyon.  At least I know they aren't snobs.

Crackdown in Childrens Jewelry

The states of Connecticut and Minnesota has recently passed laws banning jewelry, particularly childrens jewelry with high amounts of lead, cadmium and other phthalates.  This came about because parents either through indifference or ignorance continue to buy Chinese jewelry from places like Walmart and Target, and to a lesser extent, Macy's.  According to National Jeweler,  The Connecticut law (CT PL 10-113), which becomes effective July 1, 2014, limits cadmium in any children's jewelry up to 75 parts per million as measured by a total weight test. The Minnesota law (MN Chap 347, Article 6, Sec. 27) limits cadmium to the same amount, but measures the metal using a migration test, a test that determines the total amount of cadmium that can leach out of a sample over a set time period.  It's simple folks.  Don't spend $35.00 like these pictured on a dangerous item at these retailers.  Know where your purchased item is made and use common sense.  We like to buy from the on-line retailer www.stcanyon.com.  Sterling Canyon states where their stuff is made,and it seems to be all good quality.