Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

To help with the stress of putting together the perfect outfit for the prom, I have been featuring jewelry selections that will suit just about any prom look. Previously I wrote about the “Classic Glamour and Royal” look. You can read more about the jewelry that works with that look by following this link.

Another look that is popular this prom season is the “Clean and Modern” look. This look is about simplicity and natural beauty. If you’ve chosen a long and sleek dress or a shorter dress with little ornamentation, you’re probably going with the Clean and Modern look. The jewelry you pick for this look should be feminine and charming. This look isn’t about making a bold statement or being flashy. The look is about classic sophistication and class without being over the top.

This elegant and modern cubic zirconia and sterling silver necklace is perfect for a prom budget! The sparkling stones are glamorous enough for the prom, but the design is simple and works with the clean and modern look. This necklace is a wonderful way to add drama to your prom ensemble.

There is a balance between following fashion trends and being unique. Nothing could be worse that attending your prom only to find someone else is wearing your dress or has a very similar look. This sterling silver mabe pearl pendant and chain is very unique and will help you stand out from the crowd on prom night. The sleek and simple chain highlights the special mabe pearl. This necklace would be a perfect match to a long silky dress with a moderate to low cut.

This contemporary chain with dangling circles of yellow and white gold is very festive! If your looking for a good time at the prom, this necklace may inspire you and your partner to kick up your heels! The circles remind me of party balloons and the gold will coordinate well with other jewelry pieces. I am sure that this necklace will add a special touch to your prom ensemble.

We now find ourselves almost half-way through the realm of the sign of Aries, a sign which rules from March 21st through April 19th. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, and those born under this sign are often leaders, the first to take control of a situation. Aries are full of energy with dynamic personalities, making them a lot of fun to be around.

The symbol of Aries is the ram, and there are times when Aries give off the impression that they are trying to ram you into following their choices, but for the most part Aries make wonderful friends and partners.

Fire is the element associated with Aries, who are known to like the color red and enjoy excitement or surprises. The body parts most often affiliated with this sign are the face and head. Therefore, when considering a gift for the Aries in your life, I would suggest a pair of earrings in some sort of red stone, ruby or garnet, that highlights their Zodiac body part and reminds them of the color of fire.

This pair of ruby and diamond floral earrings makes an excellent gift for an Aries, the floral pattern being perfect for spring, and the ruby adding the sparkle that Aries crave.

These stunning ruby and diamond earrings also make an excellent choice, and their length highlights the entire face, an Aries’ strong point.

The Zodiac sign necklace pictured above is another good choice when deciding upon a gift for an Aries, with its smooth white gold and sparkling diamond, it is sure to be appreciated and often worn.

Prom Season is quickly approaching and it’s never to soon to start preparing. The prom is a special night that you’ll want to remember and that often requires a lot of work! Once you’ve picked out the perfect dress for the prom, you’re ready to start thinking about the accessories to complement your ensemble. Before you start shopping for the perfect necklace or earrings, you’ll want to think about the kind of “look” you’re going for. Usually most prom dresses fit into one of three catagories: “Classic Glamour and Royal”, “Clean and Modern”, or “Fashion Maverick”.

Today I’d like to share with you some great jewelry picks for the “Classic Glamour and Royal” look. I’ll write about the other styles in upcoming posts.

If your prom dress is long, flowy, and elegant, then you’re probably going with the “Classic Glamour and Royal” look. This brings to mind the high style of a Hollywood red carpet event or an evening at the opera. It’s a good idea to pick a matching set of earrings and necklace or at least pieces that coordinate well in style and color. You may also want to add more sparkle with a flashy ring or bracelet. The ideas below may very well be outside of a teen’s budget for the prom but they’ll give you an excellent idea of how to accessorize a regal look.

These 3 carat diamond earrings in 14K white gold are a perfectly royal in every way. The dazzling diamonds are set in lavish white gold. It is a wonderful look for the prom of your dreams.

Another much more budget sensitive option for the classic glamour look are these 1/4 carat diamond teardrop earrings. For just $195, you can buy this pair of real diamond earrings to match your perfect night. The teardrop shape is a hallmark of class and refinement.

This beautiful diamond and pearl necklace is both dramatic and delicate. The diamonds will add fire and romance to your prom ensemble while the pearls will contribute refined elegance.

Nobody at the prom will ever guess that this beautiful bracelet was just $45! This cubic zirconia and sterling silver tennis bracelet will help complete the glamorous and royal look that you’re trying to achieve. This bracelet will look stunning paired with both white or black satin gloves on your big prom night!

Dear Leslie,
I’m getting married in a few months and my fiancée and I have begun to look at wedding bands. My fiancée suggested looking online, so I figured I’d ask here. We are looking for bands, no diamonds, no gemstones. Just gold (or platinum, etc., the main thing is that we want clean lines). What can you suggest?

Bianca in San Diego

There are plenty of styles to suggest, depending on whether you want a thicker or thinner band. If you prefer a thicker band, you may want to look into this two-tone gold ring, specifically designed with a comfort fit pictured to the left, an important consideration when you remember that you will be wearing your wedding ring all day, every day.

If you prefer a thinner band, there are many lovely styles to choose from as well. My personal favorite is the Tiffany style ring shown above, available in both white and yellow gold.

There are also many less conventional styles to choose from, such as this ring made of three interlocking bands of different colored gold. And there are plenty more wedding band styles to browse through on-line should you desire more of a selection.

There are plenty of options for your fiancée as well. Gone are the day’s when a man’s only choice for a wedding band was a simple gold band. Today, he can choose one that matches yours, such as the gold two-tone comfort fit wedding band, which comes in both his and hers styles, as do the Tiffany-style rings mentioned above.

There are many other exciting styles, such as this elegant gold wedding band that combines polished and brushed finishes or this eye-catching two-tone band, perfect for the new fashion conscious male. Many of these bands have feminine counterparts but it may be more fun to each choose your own style and fit.

Dear Leslie,
I’ve noticed some pieces of jewelry that have colored diamonds. Can you tell me more about them? Thanks!
Carol in Savannah

Normally when we shop for a diamond, we try to find the most perfect stone that we can find and afford. That means we’re looking for the lack of color and imperfections. However diamonds naturally come in all shades, hues and colors of the rainbow. Popular colors include pinks, blues, yellows, oranges, greens, to elegant brown tones. High quality naturally colored diamonds are rare and therefore very expensive. However there is a whole world of affordable fancy color diamonds that add a unique touch to jewelry. Affordable fancy color diamonds are created by treating less desirable diamonds. You can assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated in some way.

A beautiful example of fancy color diamonds is this is 1 carat champagne and white diamond heart pendant. The heart design is dazzling in 14K polished yellow gold.

The feminine twist of this pendant sparkles with yellow and white diamonds. This elegant pendant in a wave design will add a modern touch to any outfit.

These 1 carat black and white diamond earrings in 14K white gold are simply sexy! Studded with deep black moonlight diamonds, they show us how dramatic fancy color diamonds can be. They will add a unique and stylish swish (not to mention a little rock and roll) to any “Friday night” outfit.

With St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, I thought I’d take the opportunity to point out some lovely pieces of Irish-themed jewelry.

Shamrocks have long been a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day and this lovely Russian diopside and diamond pendant sparkles with promise.

The luck of the Irish is sure to be with you when you wear this adorable pair of clover-shaped earrings, made of diamond and shimmery green tsavorite.

In the world of gemstones, clovers come in pink and yellow as well as green, as seen in this beautiful pink sapphire and diamond white gold ring or this gorgeous pair of white and yellow gold earrings with hanging yellow gold and diamond clovers, seen in the top right-hand corner.

This March 17th, celebrate in style with your new Irish-themed jewelry, sure to make you more enticing than even the green beer they always seem to serve at St. Paddy parties.

Dear Leslie,
My eldest granddaughter turns 14 on March 23rd. I would like to get her a piece of jewelry for her birthday and am looking for suggestions.

Louisa in Cherry Hill

Aquamarine is the March birthstone, so a gift containing this gemstone would be most appropriate. For a 14-year-old, I would recommend something on the lighter side, such as this beautiful heart-shaped aquamarine and diamond ring.

Another option is this breath-taking aquamarine and diamond pendant. It’s beautiful, and it is something she can wear for years to come.

If earrings are more her style, you may want to consider this lovely pair of aquamarine studs. Studs are always in style and are classic enough to meet even a young teen’s fashion demands. This pair of earrings is especially nice, as they can easily be matched with this aquamarine pendant and chain, cut in the same style as the studs.

Dear Leslie,
I’ve been working really hard for the past few weeks, and haven’t been home much. Through all this, my wife has been wonderful, taking on most of the responsibilities we normally share, all the while maintaining her own job and putting up with a stressed-out husband whom she rarely sees. I want to get her something to show her I appreciate all the effort she’s put in, and just to show her I love her. Any suggestions?

Rob in Livingston

There are lots of options for “just to say I love you” gifts, from the lovely gold and diamond heart necklace shown at right, to the stunning aquamarine and diamond white gold ring seen to the left.

Hearts are the perfect symbol for expressing love, and there are plenty of other heart designs to choose from should this particular necklace not strike your fancy. I happen to think this one is extra special, as I love the way the top heart catches the chain of that holds the bottom one, but heart designs are plentiful and you can search and find your own.

Rings are also a good choice, as most women wear their rings at all times, as opposed to earrings or bracelets, which many women match to specific outfits.

Two other lovely ideas are this breathtaking green amethyst pendant on a white gold chain and this great pair of diamond studs. The amethyst necklace is so unique and lovely, it shows you spent the time to pick a gift as unique as its recipient, and is sure to be received with great joy. Diamond studs are another classic item that constitute an integral part of the jewelry wardrobe, so if your wife does not yet own a pair, these earrings may be the way to go.

There are plenty of other gift options available at ice.com, should you choose to further your search.

Dear Leslie,
What do the different diamond style names mean? Princess, pear-shaped, etc. ?

Miriam in Houston

Diamonds come in a variety of shapes and styles, and it is to these differences that the names refer. One of the most popular diamond cuts is the brilliant cut. A brilliant cut means that the diamond has a number of kite-shaped facets which face outward and catch the light, thus showing off the diamond’s brilliance (hence the name, brilliant cut). Brilliant cut diamonds can even be classified further. There are round brilliant cut diamonds and princess cut brilliants. Princess cut diamonds are actually square and are one of the most popular diamond styles available today.

Two other popular diamond styles are the Emerald cut and the pear shaped diamond. The Emerald cut is a rectangular shaped gemstone with the corners cut off. This is done to protect them from getting chipped.

A pear shaped diamond is half oval shaped with the other half rising to a point, usually at the top. The look is slightly like that of a pear, hence the name.

There are various other cut and shape nuances when dealing with diamonds, but the ones listed above are the most popular.

These cuts are can be used with other gemstones as well, as seen on this beautiful Emerald cut Rose de France pendant. In fact, the Emerald cut derives its name from the Emerald gemstone.

Dear Leslie,
I recently came across a post on your website stating that many women who rejected engagement rings in their first marriage, want them in their second. I bring this up because I am dating a divorcee who did have an engagement ring for her first marriage. We are dating seriously and I hope to propose soon. My question is, what should I do? I think she would want an engagement ring for its statement of commitment but she usually wears understated jewelry and I am afraid to buy her something too big or showy. Her first engagement ring was a large diamond, but I think that just shows how little her first husband really knew her. Can you recommend a simple, elegant ring that would show her I care about her but not make her uncomfortable?

Allan in Pautucket

For a woman who doesn’t like big, showy jewelry, a solitaire engagement ring is probably the best choice. There are a number of beautiful solitaire styles to choose from. This gorgeous double band diamond solitaire ring (shown at right) is really special and without being over the top. Its beauty is subtle, a simple interplay between gold and diamond, no flashy stones to distract attention.

There are also lovely single band diamond rings to choose from. These rings have thinner bands, which look especially nice on women with thin fingers, as the single band is sure not to overwhelm them.

Of course, not all bands are yellow gold. This princess cut diamond is encased in a fabulous white gold band, adding a touch of royal elegance. Platinum is another option for those who prefer silver jewelry to gold, as both white gold and platinum match silver, whereas yellow gold often does not.

Of course, a ring could have more than one diamond without being overstated, such as this gorgeous three stone yellow gold ring or the exquisite white gold three diamond ring to the right.

As a final suggestion, Allan, I would say that maybe your girlfriend would prefer a non-traditional engagement ring, such as opal or pearl instead of diamonds. These rings would show commitment without bringing back memories of her first marriage.

Dear Leslie,
I’ve noticed that tennis bracelets are enjoying a renewed popularity as of late. Where does the name come from and is there a right or wrong way to wear one?

Laurel in Springfield

So-called tennis bracelets do seem to be everywhere these days. The truth is, tennis bracelets are never unpopular, or unstylish but there are times when they seem to be the must-have item of the day. Tennis bracelets, thin bracelets studded with delicate diamonds, seem to have derived their name from tennis star Chris Evert, who sported this style in the 1980’s. She was wearing such a bracelet at the 1987 U.S. Open, when it fell off her wrist and the game had to be put on hold so that she could look for it. This incident both popularized the style and gave the bracelet its name.

While there is no wrong way to wear a tennis bracelet, the bracelet will obviously stand out more with short sleeves. The good thing about tennis bracelets is that even though they are diamond-studded and beautiful, they can be worn on a daily basis and not just to tie and jacket affairs.

Although tennis bracelets all consist of diamonds and gold, their styles can vary extensively, from this stunning bracelet with alternating diamonds and gold to the beautiful gold-encased diamond model shown above.

These bracelets are perfect for spring, so you should choose one that suits you, and hit the courts in style!

Dear Leslie,

Stephanie in Atlanta

I am of the belief that gold is the best match for red clothing. Red is such a vibrant color that silver often pales in comparison. Gold necklaces, even small ones, catch the light in a way that compliments rather than detracts from the dress. This extraordinary yellow gold necklace, strung with Tahitian, Golden South Sea and White South Sea cultured pearls, from ice.com’s Vault collection, is a wonderful choice, as is the gorgeous gold bamboo bracelet pictured above.

Dark colors also look good with red, such as this elegant strand of Tahitian cultured pearls or a pair of dark Tahitian pearl drop earrings.

For an Oscar party, you will probably want to sparkle, as part of the fun of these parties is looking as Hollywood as possible, and for the Oscars, that means lots of shiny gemstones. These glistening ruby and diamond earrings match the red of the dress you intend to wear and offer maximum sparkle.

Rubies, of course, almost always look good with slinky red dresses (though I would not necessarily recommend them for all red outfits as they may distract from paler reds or conservative suits).

Garnets are another good choice for an Oscar party, as they are rich and luxurious looking stones, as seen in the stunning garnet and white gold pendant to the right. The halo of smaller stones around the larger, pear-shaped Garnet makes this pendant truly one of a kind, perfect for Oscar parties, weddings, or any other time you want to look your best.

Dear Leslie,
I noticed that pearl necklaces are coming back into style these days. I have a beautiful pearl strand I inherited from my mother and was wondering if it is still wearable, and if so, how can I take care of it for the future?

Rochelle in New Haven

Your mother’s pearls should still be wearable, provided she cleaned and stored them properly. Pearls should be cleaned nightly, each time they are worn. They should be stored in velvet or satin pouches, NEVER in plastic, as plastic can cause the pearls to dry out and crack. Pearls should also be stored separately from other jewelry, as pearls are softer than gemstones and may become scratched if the two are stored together.

If your mother’s pearls are in good shape and you begin wearing them, here are some tips for pearl-care that every pearl-wearing woman should know. Over the course of the day, your pearls will come into contact with perfume, makeup and perspiration. Therefore, every time you wear your pearls, they must be rinsed and wiped off before being put away, to clean them from the daily grind. I recommend using a slightly damp cloth, running it over each pearl, before putting them away. Once every month or so (depending on how often you wear them), I recommend a more thorough cleaning with a soft cloth that has been gently dipped in soapy water (be sure to use only mild liquid detergents). After rubbing each pearl with the soapy cloth, use a non-soapy damp cloth to remove any remaining soap from the pearls.

Pearls should not be cleaned with a commercial jewelry cleaner, unless the product explicitly states that it is safe for pearls. Most commercial jewelry cleaners contain ammonia, which causes the pearls to deteriorate. In the same vein of course, all perfume, make-up and hairspray should be applied before the pearls are put on, to avoid contact between the pearls and these often abrasive materials.

A final note on pearls. Pearl necklaces are meant to be worn regularly, brining them in constant contact with the skin on the neck and shoulders, where they absorb some of the acid from the skin. While some skins are more acidic than others, all skins contain acid, so pearls must be cleaned and checked regularly or they will lose both their luster and their shape.