Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Dear to the Leslie,
The Rahulio, he is needs your help. You see, there is a very special girl who is doing the High School graduation (Hoorray!). The Monolo and all his internet friends are present to her $65 gift certificate to the ice.com (you can to read about it here) to making her look so so fantastico. I know you are thinking “Rahulio, how can the girl find something pretty for only $65?” To that the Rahulio answers “no!” For I know the Leslie, and the Leslie she is very good at finding the deals. So please, find the girl pretty things and it will make her, and the Rahulio and the Monolo and all his other internet friends so happy.
The Rahulio from Sparklelikethestars.com

Thanks for thinking of me Rahulio. Sixty five dollars? That’s more than enough for a great gift. She’ll be heading into university, and doesn’t need big, ostentatious pieces, she needs something fun that she’ll feel great in. Here’s some things I found:

If she doesn’t own one already, Toggle bracelets continue to be one of this years hottest accessories. This one has the adorable detail of actually being a locket with a second heart hidden inside. It’s currently on sale for only $50.

There is also this cute and trendy Silver Heart Pendant, only $55.

Wearing this canary yellow enamel ring, only $35, wil brighten up even the most sressful exam day while leaving enough leftover to also get something like this double heart pendant for $30.

Or, for fun nights out she might look at this fantastically dramatic Pearl Drop Necklace, now on sale for only $47.50. Wear that with a V neck top, and the college boys won’t know what hit ‘em.

Dear Leslie,
I have been browsing through your site and I noticed you often post on jewelry care. What about watches? Is there anything special I should do to care for my watch?
Ryan in Milwaukee

Ryan, I assume that you are referring to a mechanical watch (the kind you wind). Most watch manufacturers suggest bringing mechanical watches in to be serviced at a professional jeweler or watch-maker every three to five years, in order for all of the parts to be checked and any that are worn out to be replaced.

If you are referring to a quartz watch like this one, however, the maintenance needs are far fewer. (Digital watches, though less elegant, require virtually no service at all). All that most quartz watches require, is that they be cleaned for dirt whenever the batteries are changed.

As a general pointer, it is advisable to keep your watch (like this one seen above) away from extreme heat or cold as most watches perform most accurately when kept at room temperature.

Another thing to be aware of with watches, is that although now most mechanical watches are designed to be shock resistant, it is still preferable to wear a quartz watch when participating in contact sports.

The third sign of the zodiac, Gemini, a masculine sign, is ruled by the planet Mercury, considered to be the messenger of the gods.

Known to be quick-witted in conversation, Geminis are intellectually inclined, forever probing people and places in search of information. They love to share that information later on with others and are supremely interested in developing their relationships.

But beware! Geminis are often restless, easily bored and become frustrated when things move too slowly for their taste. Symbolized by the sign of the twins, Geminis are able to see both sides of an issue and adapt easily to different situations. Known to be masters of multi-tasking, the lungs and arms are the body parts most associated with this sign.

Famous Geminis include Bob Dylan, Anne Heche and Stevie Nicks.

Since Geminis are known for their shapely arms, bracelets are the perfect accessory. Bracelets with bangles are the best bet, as they both highlight the shape of the arm and the extra bangle will be sure to attract a Gemini’s ever-active imagination.

Ice.com also has a lovely Gemini sign necklace in their enchantment collection, a must-have for diamond-loving Gemini.

Dear Leslie,
Our oldest son is about to graduate high school and we would like to buy him something to mark the occasion. My sister bought her daughter a pearl necklace when she graduated, but what do you get for a boy?
Laura in Chicago

Watches are always a nice gift for a man. A high school graduate may not want something too fancy, but watches with leather bandsprovide a classy look for college while still maintaining a casual appeal.

Alternatively, there are plenty of watches with colored watch-faces to choose from, if your son’s style is more sporty. My own son owns a Croton yellow sports watch with a sleek black wrist band and loves it. At less than $100, this watch is quite the bargain!

You can also take the best of both worlds, by combining leather with color, as in this Swarovski crystal watch with a blue leather band.

For the more traditionally minded graduate, there is this classic Bulova watch (seen to the left), that is sure to impress both during college and in the years to follow.

Dear Leslie,
Now that spring has finally arrived, I would like to lighten up my wardrobe. I have seen all these lovely pastel outfits at local retailers and want to know if you would be able to recommend jewelry to match – I’m thinking something delicate and colorful that would go with the new lightweight suits I am buying for work.
Cheryl in Milburn

There are plenty of lightweight, colorful necklaces out there which are a perfect match for pastel suits. In addition, the fact that they are “light” make them ideal to wear in an office environment. Although most of these necklaces stand on their own, a good pair of earrings can add dramatically to the overall look. I recently came across a stunning pair of pear shaped blue earrings that would look perfect on those days when you just have to wear your hair up.

Necklaces are more tricky; if they are too heavy, or if they hug your neck too tightly, they may become burdensome in the heat. If done right, however, a necklace can make your outfit, be it a work-suit, a dinner party dress or a casual sundress.

I especially love this charming multi-gemstone drop necklace , which will fall lightly around your neck and won’t feel burdensome even on the hottest days of summer.

Pendants are also a good choice, such as this breathtaking rose quartz diamond-shaped necklace. This particular necklace happens to come with an equally adorable matching ring

Dear Leslie,
My ex and I are giving it another try. I want to do things right this time and sweep her off her feet. What do you suggest that would send her the right message to a hip, stylish, sentimental girl?
Josh in Pitsberg

The first thing that comes to mind is this romantic LOVE necklace. The attention to detail in the necklace, including the elegant serif font, the sparkling diamonds and heart shaped O reflect the sentiment of the giver.

Another option is on of the toggle heart tag bracelets or necklaces that are so in vogue right now. This one

For a fancier heart themed option, look at this stunning Diamond Heart Pendant, which comes is 1/4 carat or 1 carat options, to suit your budget

When speaking with friends and acquaintances, I’ve noticed that many women are unaware of how to properly care for their gold jewelry so I decided to post a few pointers.

Fist of all, it is important to know when to take it off. I know women who never remove their wedding rings, no matter what the circumstances. This is misplaced sentiment, however, as many activities such as sports, housework and gardening are likely to bring the ring into contact with destructive chemicals which will eat away at the gold and eventually make it unwearable. Additionally,chlorine and other disinfectant chemicals found in hot tubs and swimming pools can react to the alloys in gold and result in discoloration.

When you do remove your gold jewelery, you should wrap it in a soft cloth and keep it away from both costume jewellery and sunlight as sunlight can dim the gold’s glow.

Gold jewellery should be cleaned with a soft, non-abrasive material and soft, lint free cloth. There are cleaning solutions available which I would recommend for delicate or intricately carved gold pieces.

As a final word of advice, I would recommend occasional (once every year or two) visits to your local jeweler for a professional cleaning and inspection. With the proper care, your gold can last a lifetime.

Dear Leslie,
I’ve just gotten engaged, but we’re going to pick out the ring together later. Can you please tell me about what kinds of option I have in terms of cut of a diamond?
Tiffany in Vancouver

I think it’s wonderful that you are picking out the ring together. Although the surprise can be romantic, you are going to wear that ring for a long time, and it has be to one you love. Below I have reprinted all you need to know about Diamond shapes.

You can see the original article in full here.

Choosing a Shape: Many Stunning Possibilities

Diamonds have tops and bottoms. The shape of a diamond is determined by the configuration of its girdle. The girdle refers to the largest perimeter that outlines the diamond and separates the top from the bottom. Picture what the girdle looks like from above. That tells you the diamond’s shape– round, oval, pear or some other. Shape will influence how a diamond is cut for maximum brilliance. Here is what the main shapes look like:

Round	Trillion	Marquise	Oval
Princess	Emerald	Pear	Heart

While there are other shapes, these are the most popular. Round brilliant diamonds are by far the favorites, accounting for four of every five diamonds purchased.

Dear Leslie,
I have been noticing chandelier earrings on a lot of Hollywood starlets lately. I am quite enamored of the style and would like to know where I can find a pair and if there are any rules for wearing them?
Deborah in Madison

Chandelier earrings can indeed be seen swaying from the ears of celebrities ranging from Jennifer Lopez to Nicole Kidman to Natalie Portman. These earrings are at once elegant and sexy and can add a touch of glamour to even the most mundane of outfits.

Best worn with up-swept hair and a low neckline, chandelier earring emphasize the wearer’s neck and shoulders. You can choose from the classic, such as this pearl and diamond pair, to the bohemian, including this enticing pair, in which the luster of the gold is enhanced by the blue topaz beads.

If you are looking for a pair to wear to dressy occasions, I would suggest a pair in yellow gold and diamonds, as they are sure to enliven your outfit and add a sparkle to your face.

For more casual occasions, I would suggest a more colorful combination, such as this ruby and sapphire combo.

Whatever you choose, you are sure to shine.

Dear Leslie,
I received a beautiful emerald ring for my birthday fifteen years ago. I am very attached to the ring, and wear it quite frequently. The only problem is, I think the emerald’s setting is starting to come loose and I need to get it fixed. I have heard that emeralds are very delicate so I would like some advice before I bring it to a jeweler. I want to fix the setting, not damage the stone!
Paula in Birmingham

Emeralds are indeed delicate stones. They often contain tiny, below the surface fissures, which add to their texture but can cause rifts in the stone should the emerald be handled too roughly. Therefore, when bringing your emerald ring to the jeweler, be sure that the stone is removed before the jeweler begins work on the setting. Otherwise, the heat from the torch can cause the emerald’s hidden fissures to widen.

Extreme heat can also cause the emerald to lose some of its color.

You may want to have your jeweler look at the stone as well as its setting since many emerald’s have had their hairline cracks coated with a special filler which has to be cleaned and retreated every few years. In general, you should wear your emerald with care, avoiding heat and hard objects. If you clean your emerald at home, do it by hand with a lukewarm moist cloth or soft toothbrush (but do not use toothpaste!!!!). Never soak it, even in water, or use ultrasonic cleaners.

With proper care, your emerald will look as good as on the day you bought it!

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, now is a good time to start looking for gifts for the woman who brought you into this world.

My personal favorites (I hope my children are reading this…) are the coin pearl and diamond pendant seen here or this breathtaking sapphire and diamond ring, though a younger mother might prefer a ruby heart pendant or silver flower charm bracelet.

Hearts are always a nice gift for first time mothers, as they symbolize love both for the mother and the child. I especially like these eye-catching, white-gold diamond drop earrings.

Considered to be the talisman of the goddess Venus, emerald has long been considered a “medicinal” stone, the mere sight of which is able to soothe strained and tired eyes, prevent epileptic attacks, stop bleeding and soothe fears and irritations. It was also believed that one could cure a fever by laying an emerald on the patient’s forehead. Emeralds are also supposed to be good for all kinds of digestive problems, immune system deficiencies, and for improving meditation and psychic abilities.

Long a favorite of royalty, emeralds have been worn by famous kings and queens for centuries and are said to have been both Cleopatra and the last King of the Inca’s gemstone of choice.

A green version of the mineral Beryl, emerald’s wonderful color, which can vary from light to deep green, is unparalleled in the gem kingdom. Emerald’s precious green color is caused by small amounts of chromium and enhanced by traces of iron. Unlike other beryls, emeralds often contain incisions and other flaws. With emeralds, these flaws are not looked on as negative, as they would be with other gemstones, such as diamonds. Indeed, these flaws are considered part of the character of the stone and are used to assure the purchaser that their emerald is real.

A gift of emerald signifies faith, and a belief in the recipient’s goodness and kindness.

There are many breathtakingly gorgeous emerald pieces to look at, all in affordable prices. My personal favorites are this dazzling pendant, sure to dress up and evening dress, and this dazzling bracelet, which enhances the emerald’s beauty by pairing it with other stones.