Start Collecting - Vintage Kramer Costume Jewelry

!±8± Start Collecting - Vintage Kramer Costume Jewelry

Perhaps less well known than the more abundant Coro, Trifari or Napier costume jewelry, Kramer costume jewelry often used rare or unique stones in their jewelry. First, a brief history: between 1943 and 1980, Kramer Jewelry Creations was a family run company that produced some of the finest high-end costume jewelry. In the 1950s and '60s, Kramer man-made Christian Dior designs, so looking a piece of Christian Dior by Kramer is a rare but rewarding treat. The Dior pieces often used good potential clear rhinestones with larger blue or green center stones. Christian Dior designs can command higher prices due to the Dior name, but the Kramer potential and designs are just as overwhelming as those without the name.

Unfortunately for the collector, much Kramer jewelry from the '50s and '60s was unmarked and had only a paper tag attached to recognize it. If you do see a signature, it will most likely be "Kramer", "Kramer of N.Y." or "Kramer of New York. Look for the signature on the clip of an earring, or on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet. Other marks contain the rare "Amourelle" from 1963, and "Kramer Sterling" which may or may not date from the Wwii years when sterling silver was used in jewelry in place of other metals that were needed for the war effort. Kramer jewelry is renowned for its quality, and for the use of vibrantly colored rhinestones with creative settings. Radiant red and orange, astonishing dark blue, glowing topaz, and elegant black rhinestones, along with plastic decorations, gave Kramer jewelry great range and style.

For the collector, I think a great place to look for vintage Kramer jewelry is at estate sales. If you haven't tried it, this is a overwhelming way to shop for vintage items of any kind. Check your newspaper and Craigslist for weekly listings of estate sales in your area, and sign up for the agent's email mailing list for time to come sales. Often sales in older neighborhoods will have vintage costume jewelry for sale. Tip: On the last day of the estate sale items may be marked 50% off. The choice is best at the beginning of the sale, of course, but the best prices can be found towards the end.

As with any collectible costume jewelry, it's leading to be prepared: Bring a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe with you to check the health of the piece. If you're buying for your own collection, and not for speculation purposes, you may be more flexible with health flaws. If it's for investment, it must be flawless. Do you like the piece? Will you wear it or display it or just store it away to be admired from time to time? If the piece is signed by the designer that increases its value. Is the original box or tag included? Again, increased value is there.

Whatever your reasons, and just the easy enjoyment of having gorgeous vintage jewelry is more than enough, come to be educated, do research, ask questions, and you'll soon be able to spot vintage Kramer, or other designer costume jewelry to add to your collection.

Start Collecting - Vintage Kramer Costume Jewelry

Buyers 12v Led Light Fixtures Promo Quality Watches Best Reviews Of Lap Watches

Celebrity Dads Give Push Presents; Get in on the Trend

!±8± Celebrity Dads Give Push Presents; Get in on the Trend

Rich celebrities are accustomed to being gifted with high-priced jewelry, and the trend extends to the day they give birth. Case in point: Pierce Brosnan gave wife Keely three gold and diamond bracelets when their son Paris was born. Ben Affleck presented wife Jennifer Garner with pricey purple jewelry after she delivered daughter Violet (which the unfussy and practical Mrs. Affleck reportedly made him return). Sarah Jessica Parker got a beautiful charm bangle from hubby Matthew Broderick when son James made his debut. Other celeb dads celebrate the arrival of their new babies by buying their wives and girlfriends high-priced bling such as diamond rings, diamond earrings, pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, and jewelry made with their baby's birthstone.

Up until a few years ago, these "push presents,"--so named because they're tokens of appreciation for labor--were news to me. All I got when I delivered my son was...my son. Not to say that I'm not immensely grateful; he's my pride and joy. But a nice pair of diamond studs or a pearl cocktail ring, say, to show me that my husband appreciated my months of hard pregnancy and hours of even harder labor would have been "ice" on the cake.

What made the lack of gift worse was that many of my girlfriends got remarkable jewelry from their thoughtful and grateful husbands. My favorites were a pearl bracelet, sapphire and diamond earrings, a diamond and yellow gold band, and a princess cut yellow diamond ring.

Poor dear, my husband didn't know it was done.

Apparently, he's not alone. In researching this article, I sent a query to all the guys on my e-mail list (whose wives can thank me later). In addition to wanting to know if they knew what a push present was, I also wanted know if they idea the idea was touching or silly. Did it put pressure on them? Was it just another damn thing they'd have to spend money on?

Naturally, the feedback I got was as discrete as the guys on my e-mail list, which includes my boss, my educator at the gym, my brother, my best friend's brother, my neighbors, my co-workers, and my dentist, to name a few.

First, for the sweet:
From Dave: "Yes, I gave my wife a gift. I didn't feel pressured. She deserved it and more."

From John: "I did buy my wife a charm bangle after our daughter Lindsay was born. It had charms on it for both of our daughters."

From Taylor: "Yes, I bought my wife gifts both times in addition to flowers. The first time was a cultured pearl necklace (like she needs more jewelry). The last was a Kate Spade diaper bag."

From Wayne, father of four: "Maybe for one or two, as a matter of fact not all four." [I as a matter of fact remember: Wayne's wife, my friend Sandy, was the recipient of the extremely coveted and aforementioned sapphire and diamond earrings.]

From Howie: "Considering my wife had a C-section with both girls, is there a cut present?" [Actually, there is, and it's called a 'cut your guts out' present. My friend's daughter Nicole got a sterling silver bangle from her husband for her efforts].
"I gave my wife a birthstone for each girl, but forget the 'push present' idea. Those nine months are the easy part. It's for the 18 years afterwards that you have to give your wife the gifts! Honestly, those two girls can scream!"

Dennis: "Funny, before my wife was pregnant I never head of a push present. My buddy and his wife had a baby four months before us and his wife was sure to tell my wife about this gift thing. It's not that I wouldn't have gotten my wife and mother of my son a great gift, but it was put into the realm of 'did your husband get you a diamond bracelet?' type thing. It goes to show that keeping up with the Joneses makes some folks do things they might not otherwise do." [Ok, maybe this rejoinder doesn't technically fall under the sweet category as it's got some ambivalence tossed in.]

"Not sure spending thousands on a gift is the best thing for the new family. Was this gift idea created by the diamond companies? So, yes, I did get my wife a gift. Before I'd even heard of a push present, I had my son's birthstone set in a ring and necklace."

From Paul: "I gave her a day at the spa."

From Derek, "I gave her a Tiffany ring because it was a nice thing to do, I'd heard, and because she deserves it."

Now, for the incensed:

From Ben: "No, I didn't get my wife a push gift. The only thing on my mind was production sure all the leading stuff was taken care of. To add something so unintelligent on top of this earth-shattering event is ridiculous. The extra gift is the gift of life and the creation of a human being. Now when I look back at those times I wouldn't' even recall the insignificant gift. Sounds like some baloney cooked up by a jewelers' association."

From Steve: "I agreed to fund the kids for 22 years each. That was my gift."

Peter L: "Not a big fan of the push present. A woman gives birth to a child and now she expects a gift??? While I have as a matter of fact no idea what it's like to be pregnant, I don't know of any woman who has regretted it. The whole high-priced jewelry thing doesn't sit well with me. That's what birthdays and anniversaries are for." [Thank God I didn't marry Peter, not that he asked.]

From Dave H: When Meryl was born I gave my wife a new bike chain for her road bike ( value) and installed it for her (free of charge.) It was the least I could do, since I had taken the chains off of all of her bikes colse to the end of month seven when she refused to give up riding. She right away began riding two weeks after popping out our kid and since she was lighter than what she was used to, she could climb hills faster than I could. The good news is that she's now four months pregnant and she's slowing down more and more by the day, which enables me to seem faster."

And last but not least, the clueless:

Peter C: "Can't remember but I'm sure I gave something."

Matt: "Oops, was I supposed to give something? Why doesn't anyone let us know these things?

Jim: "Color me thoughtless. It never occurred to me."

John S: "I must be a bad husband. Three kids in four years and I didn't get Kim a gift for any of them!"

What's a guy to do?

Whether you agree with the sweethearts, the cads, or whether you're one of the clueless, consider yourself duly informed, and remember that nine months of pregnancy topped off by excruciatingly painful labor (not to mention sore nipples) is no picnic. It's all the time nice to be appreciated, especially when you're a new mom, and your hormones are screaming what the heck have I done??? I used to be a sexy, carefree vixen, for Pete's sake!!!
What's more, the jewelry you give your child's mother can be passed down to that child when he or she marries or turns 21, say. Best of all, you don't have to spend thousands. Many ability jewelry pieces are just as affordable as they are sentimental.

To help you get started, here are my beloved push presents:

o Pearl studs: timeless and elegant, pearl studs go perfectly with bathrobes and spit-up. Plus, high ability freshwater cultured pearl studs cost as itsybitsy as or a pair.

o Diamond studs: A itsybitsy pricier than pearl earrings, sure, but diamond studs are a jewelry staple. That means your efforts won't be in vain; these sparklers will get a ton of use. And you can have a nice pair for well under 0.

o Birthstone ring: Lots of options and price ranges here depending on the stone and the setting. (Leave out diamond accents and you probably won't break the bank.) Remember, an elegant ring can be handed down to your itsybitsy one; so make sure you get something of good ability that won't tarnish.

o Nantucket Basket: A beautiful gold basket pendant necklace that holds the birthstones of your children, the Nantucket Basket necklace is meant to be added to with subsequent births. You might find the necklace pricey, but once you buy the pendant all you have to do is add the birthstones for each subsequent child. (Push present out of the way forever.)

o Mother and child pendant: The sterling silver version of this sweet circle pendant can be had for less than .

o Charm bracelet: The sky's the limit here, but the introductory venture shouldn't be too bad. Like the Nantucket basket, this piece can be added to on extra occasions. Charms are priced all over the place; it's up to you what to spend. Baby birthstone booties are a beloved charm of new moms, though.

o Pearl strand: original and classic, a pearl necklace is a beautiful choice. If you have a baby girl, she can wear it in the future on her wedding day as her something borrowed and as a reminder of how much her mother means to you. If price is an issue, akoyas and freshwater cultured pearl strands are the way to go. Save the Tahitians and South Sea pearls for when your stock splits or your patent gets approved. You get the point.

Go Shopping!

Okay, future fathers, now that you know about push presents, there is no excuse not to get your children's mother a itsybitsy (or big) token of your appreciation. And, no, you don't have to be rich and notable like Matt Damon or Michael Douglas, or blow future college savings. There are lots of affordable gift options that don't cost a bundle. Do a itsybitsy research on the Internet and you can find unique and meaningful jewelry that fits your budget. (Just make sure to have it gift wrapped. We hate when you forget that.) And don't worry too much that we won't like it. It truly is the idea that counts. Not so sure? I'll let you in on a itsybitsy secret: If you as a matter of fact want a foolproof way to be a hero in your wife's eyes, change a diaper once in a while!

See pearl jewelry push present ideas here.

Celebrity Dads Give Push Presents; Get in on the Trend

Bike Carrier Roof Rack Free Shipping

Resizing Your Rings: Most Rings Can Be Resized

!±8± Resizing Your Rings: Most Rings Can Be Resized

People resize rings for many different reasons. For some it is weight loss or weight gain, and for others it is simply to be able to wear the ring on a different finger. Resizing is very common and can be done on most rings, but there are some exceptions. To better understand when sizing can and cannot be done, one must understand the process.

Making a Ring Smaller

Decreasing the band size on a ring is fairly easy when done by a jeweler. For the ring to be made smaller, the jeweler must cut out a small portion of the band. The ring must then be reshaped to the proper circular shape and then it can be soldered back together. The jeweler must make a weld that is virtually invisible, and it must then be polished and smoothed so that no indication of the sizing is visible.

This method can easily be used for rings with a plain shank or band. Rings which are ornate or have a design which carries around the complete band will need to be rebuilt over the sizing. There is sometimes an area on ornate rings which has been left for resizing. This area, however, is usually used for making the ring larger instead of smaller.

Some rings have jewels all around the band or are channel style less than half way around the band, and may require the jeweler to remove the gems before sizing. This depends on the setting and pattern. For rings being made smaller, the diamonds or gems may be moved to balance the setting of the ring.

Making a ring larger

Increasing the size of a ring can be done two ways. When a ring needs to be made just slightly larger, sometimes a jeweler can stretch the ring to the desired size. The ring needs to be cut and an additional piece of the shank or band soldered in if the size increase is a half size or larger. If a jeweler needs to resize an ornately patterned ring, or one with jewels throughout the band, the sizing can pose a problem. The jeweler will discuss options with you which may include changing the setting.

Rings not to re-size

You should not try to re-size a ring which has channel set stones more than half way around the band. If the ring has an elaborate setting or certain types of gems, some of the stones may need to be removed and reset before the ring can be sized. If the ring is an antique or is an older white gold ring, there may be some discoloration around the repair area. It is not always possible for the jeweler to know the cause of the discoloration. Most jewelers will make every effort to minimize lines or discoloration on the ring. Usually it is only noticeable with the use of a magnifying glass. It is imperative that you discuss options with your jeweler.

Celtic rings with the design all the way around the band can be made slightly larger or smaller without distorting the pattern. Increases or decreases of a significant amount are usually not successful without distortion to the pattern.

Resizing Your Rings: Most Rings Can Be Resized

Brand New 100 Amp Fuse Herstyler Wand Discounted Promo Portable Dishwasher

Silver Chains - Real Or Fake? How to Tell

!±8± Silver Chains - Real Or Fake? How to Tell

Gold is out, and silver is in! This has been the fashion trend for the past few years. Indeed, while sterling silver chains do not rival its golden counterpart in terms of value, it does have in terms of popularity.

Silver Chains Equals Quality

These days, getting silver chains can be rather costly. But if you are one of the many population who give importance to quality over price, this can be a very good investment. The popularity of silver chains and other accessories have given rise to silver plated jewelry pieces and, unfortunately, some that are sold as sterling silver pieces even if they are absolutely not. 

To make sure that the silver chain you are getting is made of. Sterling Silver, or a cheap fake, here are some ways on how to check your jewelry piece.

Check for the Mark

Silver jewelry pieces, together with silver chains would often be branded by a small "925" marking. This is commonly place on the jewelry pieces where they are less likely seen. In the case of rings, and some bracelets, the 925 marking is commonly found on the inside part of the ring or bracelet. For .925 silver chains, the marking is commonly found on the clasp of the chain. These markings are highly small and oftentimes, you may need a magnifying glass to check this out. 

Acid Test

Since there are a lot of cheap imitations posing as sterling silver chains and other silver accessories and items, another way to test this is through a nitric acid test. You can ask your local jeweler to do the nitric test before you or you can do this at home. To do this, briskly rub a confident part of the silver chain or silver item that you would like to test. It is a good idea to do this on a part of the silver piece that is not absolutely noticeable. This would allow you to break the plating on top of most silver pieces which is located to forestall it from absolutely tarnishing. Apply a few drops of nitric acid onto the scratch face and check the results. The color of the liquid would tell you what kind of silver it is. If the liquid turns into a cloudy grey color, you are guaranteed that your silver piece is made out of sterling silver. If it turns green, it means that it is only silver plated.

Being on the Safe Side

To make sure that you are only given genuine silver chains and other sterling silver jewelry pieces, make sure that you only go to a recognized jeweler that specializes in sterling silver pieces. If you do plan on buying silver chains and other silver pieces over the Internet, it is a good idea do some investigate on the credibility of these online stores. Sterling silver does not come in cheap, and more often than not, the prices located by these jewelers can be rather shocking. Nevertheless, it would make a great piece of jewelry that you can enjoy for a lifetime

Silver Chains - Real Or Fake? How to Tell

Purchasing Kona Coffee Hawaii