Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Dear Leslie,
My oldest sister Linda died of breast cancer early this year. Is there some sort of pendant or something that the three sisters she left behind (there were four of us altogether) could wear to show Linda that she is constantly in our thoughts and always in our hearts?
Virginia in Durham

Virginia, my heart goes out to you. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this year more than 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 of them will die from it, leaving behind husbands, children, sisters, brothers and parents. Although recent years have seen an increase in breast cancer awareness, we still have a long way to go, and I admire your openness in sharing about your sister and think it is beautiful that you and your sisters want to do something that will keep her memory with you at all times.

As to what that memorial will be, I suggest that instead of wearing a generic piece of jewelry and saying that it is for Linda, I recommend that you and your sisters each wear a sterling silver pink topaz cancer awareness necklace, available at ice.com.

Pink, the symbolic color for breast cancer awareness and support, melds naturally with the silver, making this piece not only a fitting memorial for Linda, but also a beautiful piece of jewelry that you and your sisters would be comfortable wearing day in and day out. When questioned about your necklace, you can share Linda’s story and encourage others to do their part to help other women suffering a similar plight.

The necklace has a matching bracelet, also in pink topaz and silver, which may be nice if you have daughters or nieces who would also like to commemorate their aunt.

As a closing note, I would like to point readers to the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Website, where they can learn more about this cancer, give a donation or simply be comforted in knowing they are not alone in their struggle.

Dear Leslie,
Can I wear my sterling silver earrings when I go swimming in our local pool?
Kylie in Everett, MA

You can, but you shouldn’t. Sterling silver, like gold, is often ruined by the chemicals found in swimming pools and hot tubs. The chemicals will eat away at the silver, causing it to become discolored and may even eat away at the earrings themselves (though this is more of a concern with thinner items such as necklace chains or anklets).

Nor are local pools the only problem. Salt water, mineral springs and sun-tan lotion can also cause sterling silver to become discolored. The reason for this is sterling silver is a metal alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper In essence, tarnish on sterling silver is formed primarily by the copper in the alloy reacting with chemicals in the atmosphere, like chlorine and sulfur compounds, forming a new molecule with a dark almost black color.

So next time you go to the pool, leave the earrings home!

Dear Leslie,
My girlfriend is obsessed with butterflies. Do you have any butterfly-themed jewelry?
Eli in New York

I personally do not have any butterfly-themed jewelry. But I do know where you can find some. I recently came across some lovely pieces on ice.com, such as this cubic-zirconia multi-colored butterfly brooch, a steal at only $45 (it has a retail value of $90).

For something a bit subtler, I would recommend this elegant brooch in cubic zirconia and sterling silver.

But if your girlfriend loves butterflies, she probably also loves color, in which case I would suggest this charming butterfly necklace, which features not only one but two of her favorite animals and is quite feminine in yellow and pink cubic zirconia and sterling silver.

I also came across a lovely necklace in blue topaz, white gold and diamonds, which is so pretty it may put real butterflies to shame. And although all the stones in this are real, it is quite a find at $225 when its retail value is marked at $450.

If earrings are more her style, there are plenty of charming butterfly designs to choose from, such as butterflies in diamonds and two-tone gold or a more colorful option in pink tourmaline and lolite. With so many options, I wish you luck in choosing the perfect gift for your girlfriend.

Dear Leslie,
This summer has been a sticker in upstate New York with extremely high humidity rates. Will this type of sticky weather have a negative effect on my jewelry?
Sandra in Manlius, NY

Not as much as you think. In fact, there are some gemstones which actually benefit from humid weather. Take opals, for instance. These translucent gems (like the ring pictured left), while sensitive to heat, actually need a bit of humidity to maintain their water content and prevent cracks. When storing opals in a safety deposit box, many jewelers recommend wrapping them in a damp paper towel to ensure that a base level of humidity is maintained.

On the other hand, sterling silver like this unique horn necklace will tarnish in humid weather, so it is best to wrap your sterling silver in a soft cloth and store in air tight bags when not being worn.

Humidity is not worse for most jewelry than regular heat, but as most gemstones and precious metals cannot withstand extremes in temperature it is best to keep all your jewelry stored separately in soft, dry pouches, except for opals which can be wrapped in damp clothes.

And for your own comfort, may I suggest a jewelry-free dip in the pool?

Dear Leslie,
What is a cushion-cut diamond?
Jacqueline in Rockland County

More than any other gemstone, diamonds are often referred to by their cuts.The cushion cut is an antique cut with modern elements. When done correctly, the cushion cut resembles a cross between the Old Mine Cut (a deep cut with large facets – the diamond’s flat polished surfaces – that was common in the late 19th and the early 20th centuries) and a modern oval cut.

The cushion cut is also known as the pillow-cut or the candlelight diamond (this name refers to the cut’s history as it was designed prior to the invention of electric lights, and shone most brightly in the glow of the candles used to light estates and castles).

Other gems may have cushion cuts as well, such as the garnet in the ring to the left, or the elegant aquamarine in the pendant to the right, but the style is most often referenced in connection with diamonds.

The cut is especially elegant in rings, although I have also seen cushion-cut gemstones in pendants and even in earrings.

While the cushion cut is not as light-catching or brilliant as many of the newer cuts, its look is extraordinarily romantic. The cushion cut’s classic look makes it stand out in a crowd and is perfect for retro fashionistas.

The fifth sign of the zodiac, Leo, is symbolized by the lion and like lions, those born under this sign are dignified and majestic. Loaded with personal magnetism, Leos love being the center of attention. Creative and charismatic, Leos are also known as natural leaders. They always get the job done (but not without stirring up some trouble along the way…)

Leos are ruled by the sun and fire is the element associated with this sign, which explains why everything about these lions is hot. Leo’s enthusiasm is boundless, and they are generous with friends and family. Leos are all about pleasure, which they both give and take with abandon.

Leos love being center stage, and thus it is no wonder to learn that both Madonna and Jennifer Lopez share this sign.

Like lions, Leos care about appearances (and are especially known for their manes). They take the time they need to enhance their assets. Leos love flashing pricey jewelry, as we all know from Ms. Lopez’s short-lived, large-ringed engagement to Ben Affleck. While that pink diamond is one of a kind, there are other beauties out there, like this pink ring in cubic zirconia.

Gold is always a sure bet for Leos and large diamonds come in close second. This stunning gold and diamond openwork ring melds the best of both worlds and will be sure to attract attention, something Leos like even better than diamonds and gold.

Dear Leslie,
I recently saw an ad in a magazine for “Russian yellow gold.” What does that mean exactly?
Laura in Chicago

Russian gold refers to the finish (the last treatment or coating of a surface) on a piece of jewelry. A piece with a Russian gold finish means that the piece has a matte, antique-looking finish. Yellow gold means that the gold has been alloyed with 50% copper and 50% silver (as opposed to white gold which has been alloyed with a mix of nickel, zinc, copper, tin, and manganese).

Dear Leslie,
My girlfriend and I just went through a rough patch and now she’s feeling a little insecure. I would like to buy her something that lets her know I love her, but I am not ready for an engagement ring. On the other hand, I don’t want to get her something that she could have gotten from a friend. I want something that says “I love you” but doesn’t ask her to marry me.
Darrin in Los Angeles

Nothing says I love you like a heart necklace. These pendants come in many different styles and gemstones and are clearly romantic. A friend could buy her a flower design. Only boyfriends buy hearts. Depending on what your girlfriend’s style is, she may fall in love with this three-tone triple-heart pendant or she may prefer a multi-diamond heart and white gold stunner.

Interlocking hearts show that both of your hearts are deeply connected, so that might be a nice way to help your girlfriend regain her confidence in the relationship.

If your girlfriend has a favorite color or gemstone, you can find her a heart pendant to match. Two of my favorites are this magnificent ruby and diamond number and this elegant white gold and blue enamel pendant.

And Darrin, if and when you do ask a woman to marry you, please be in touch. I know of some wonderful engagement rings…

I have just recently received my William Schraft Sterling Silver and 18K Mens Bracelet, on or about June 24th, 2005. Since I have been wearing it from the lst day the Bracelet has turned a dirty looking color as if it had coal dust on it. What can be done to clean this bracelet and/or what can be done to stop it from turning color too a dirty looking silver???
Thank you in advance for you information on what to do!!!

Charles R. Withrow Sr. in Longview Texas

Charles, the good new is that this is completely normal. There is a chemical reaction that naturally occurs when Sterling Silver hits the sulfides in the air. The more humid a climate you live in the quicker it occurs. There’s not much that can be done to keep it from happening, but it is easy to fix by simply buffing it with a soft cotton cloth. Do this as often as necessary.

If that doesn’t get it as sparkling as you want to do be, add a good non-abrasive metal cleaner to the mix. This will keep your silver looking bright and new.

Dear Leslie,
Do you have any Celtic knots in silver?
Shirley in Illinois

Thanks for writing, Shirley. While I haven’t seen Celtic knots in silver, have you considered this lovely Celtic chain necklace in 14k gold?

Or if that’s out of your range, this elegant Celtic knot 14k gold filigree bracelet or this Celtic-inspired peridot cross should help you wear your Celtic pride where everyone can see it.

Most of us wear jewelry, but how many of us realize that when we put on our earrings or favorite necklace in the morning that we are following a tradition almost as old as humanity?

Jewelry of some kind is worn in every culture across the world, and the oldest jewelry so far discovered by archeologists is 25,000 years old, made of found objects such as shells and bones.

Got gold fever? You’re not the first — Egyptian hieroglyphs from 2600 BCE boast of Egypt’s abundant gold, and ancient Egyptians wore all sorts of gold charms in designs like the ankh and scarab, still seen in jewelry today. Pure gold is so malleable that a single ounce can be beaten into a 300 square feet sheet. Because of its malleability, gold is mixed with other metals for use in jewelry — yellow 18 karat gold is 75% gold, 12.5% silver and 12.5% copper.

Dazzled by diamonds? The word diamond comes from a Greek word meaning “untameable,” because diamonds are so hard that only another diamond can scratch them. The first known reference to diamonds comes from India in 296 BCE, where diamonds were used as symbols of wealth and prestige. The first diamond wedding rings arose in France in the 15th century, despite an earlier declaration by King Louis IX that only the king could own diamonds. And believe it or not, despite their price tag, diamonds are not at all rare — over 100 carats worth of diamonds are mined every year for both jewelry and industrial use.

Gemstones are split into grades and types by the official Gemological Institute of America depending on the quality of the stone and the number of inclusions (imperfections) contained within.

So while fashions and tastes may change, it doesn’t look like jewelry will be going anywhere soon.

Dear Leslie,
Is there any jewelry for the fourth of July?
Colleen in Buffalo

Well, red, white and blue are the colors of the day, and that means ruby, diamond and sapphire jewelry. I have come across fabulous patriotic rings and stunning red, white and blue pendants, beautiful not only for the Fourth, but for any occasion when you want to look good.

If patriotic colors don’t float your boat, necklaces with the flag’s stars or diamond U-S-A charms are another shimmering way to celebrate the Fourth in style.