Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Ice.com is offering free shipping on all orders! This makes ordering from Ice.com an even better way to save. With gas prices climbing past $3 a gallon, saving a trip to the mall by shopping at Ice.com is a real bargain! Imagine that you live 20 miles from the nearest mall and your car gets a reasonable 18 miles per gallon. That means that you use about 2.22 gallons of gas on your trip to a from the mall – or spend over $6.50 just driving to the mall!

Save the expense and hassle of driving to the mall and shop from the convenience of your computer at Ice.com. The new free shipping on all orders means that you’ll save and Ice.com’s No Risk 30 Day Money Back Guarantee means you’ll be pleased with your purchases.

As we wind down the month of April and spring fully breaks out, it’s time to start thinking about Mother’s Day, which falls this year on Sunday, May 14, giving you just a little bit more than two weeks to make your mother’s year with a thoughtful gift. And maybe I’m biased, but what’s a better gift to show how much you care about mom than a nice piece of jewelry? Jewelry supercenter Ice.com has an entire page devoted to Mother’s Day shopping, with lovely jewelry to suit every price range, and I’ve decided to pick a few of my favorites, with smaller budgets in mind.

Nothing says “I love you” like a heart, and so here is a white gold heart pendant with an embedded diamond, very affordably priced at $75, with chain included – a perfect gift from the younger set to their mothers.

And of course, if you’re a husband, it wouldn’t hurt to give your wife a little reminder that in your eyes she’s the best mother in the world. Why not these 1/4 carat 3 stone Princess-cut diamond earrings set in 14K white gold? Not only are they beautiful, but your wife will think you spent a lot more on them than their more than reasonable price of $125 – that’s almost like getting real diamonds for the price of costume jewelry.

And why not remind grandma that Mother’s Day is her day too with an elegant black freshwater pearl necklace and bracelet set? It’s a timeless look and both chic and coordinated, and the color can go with just about anything well. At only $75, it’s the buy of the season.

So from me to all of you, a very happy and fulfilling Mother’s Day.

Dear Leslie,

Tonya in Portland

Well, Tonya, you’re in luck, because sapphire is the second-hardest gemstone next to diamond, and as such, you’d be pretty hard pressed to damage it severely from normal everyday use. But of course, the same rules of all jewelry care apply: use your common sense (don’t wear the earrings while doing any kind of work where they could get dirty), protect them from extreme heat or cold, and when they’re in storage, make sure they have their own case and aren’t in a general jewelry box with other pieces of jewelry rubbing against them.

As far as keeping them clean and shiny for the next generation, you don’t need to be a jewelry professional. I recommend buying one of any number of affordable ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, which should keep your sapphire as beautiful as the day those earrings were first purchased. And for the silver part of earrings, any standard silver cleaner, which can be bought at hardware or jewelry stores, or even made at home, should do the trick.

Today young women aren’t just following fashion rules – they’re making them! If your outfit for prom night is uniquely you and doesn’t fit any of the catagories I’ve preveiosly mentioned (Classic Glamour and Royal or Clean and Modern), then you’re probably a fashion maverick. You know yourself and your own personal style better then anyone. The following items feature a variety of styles that might help you complete your special look or at least get you thinking!

These blue topaz and 14K white gold chandelier earrings are dramatic and feminine. Dangling earrings help to create a long, sexy neckline. They also look great when your hair is done up for the prom. Chandelier earrings have swing and makes them great for dancing the night away. Plus this pair of earrings is on sale right now for just $60!

This stainless steel coil design black wire band ring if you’re planning on showing up to the prom on the back of a Harley! It’s a perfect complement to the goth look and is versatile enough to add a little rock ‘n roll to any outfit. Rings are the most overlooked prom accessory but can really make a difference in your outfit. This modern design also comes in red and gun metal grey. By the way, it’s just $25!

This cultured peal necklace truly is a fashion maverick itself! It just goes to show that with a little looking you can find pieces that really match your personal style! This stylish necklace features a large, lustrous potato pearl with silver bead accents. Gold-tones thread with a silver clasp fastens this chic piece.

Dear Leslie,
Are cocktail rings still popular? I don’t hear a lot about them anymore.
Robin in St. Louis

The term “cocktail ring” was first coined in the 1950s to describe the beautiful rings women were wearing after WWII. The war was over and people were celebrating – with jewelry! Today, the cocktail ring is now called the right-hand ring in the US and continues to be a big trend. For example, the stars of Sex and the City celebrated at their end-of-series party by donning matching right-hand rings!

Your left hand says, “I do.” Your right hand says, “I can!” So feel free to pick right-hand rings that you love and fit your personal sense of style. I’ve found a few unique right-hand rings that show different ways to express yourself.

This diamond and multi-gemstone ring in 14K white gold is flashy and fabulous! The combination of colors makes this ring pop and it coordinates well with many outfits.

With an inspired floral design, this multi-genstone ring in polished 14K white gold will add a little spring to any ensemble.

This asymmetrical, open-top white gold multi-gemstone ring is a great example of how dramatic right-hand rings can be. This ring is perfect for a cocktail party or any other time when you want your accessories to set you apart from the crowd.

Diamond, the traditional April birthstone, has come to symbolize romance and passion. Once available only to royalty, the diamond has come to symbolize love and commitment, and is thus the most common gemstone for engagement rings. The ancient Greeks believed that the diamond’s sparkle symbolized the flame of burning love, making it the perfect token of affection.

Diamonds are one of the earth’s hardest substances, making them very durable and long lasting, as love should be.

Diamonds look great in all types of jewelry, not just engagement rings. Here are some lovely pieces that would make great gifts for April birthdays. The floral diamond earrings shown above would make an excellent addition to any woman’s jewelry collection, as would this dazzling pair of diamond dangle drop earrings.

For younger birthday girls, this adorable diamond charm necklace makes a lovely gift (this is perfect for new mothers as well, as it comes with both boy and girl charm options). And for teenagers, I would recommend a gold and diamond tennis bracelet, a style which is experiencing renewed popularity as of late.

Diamonds are said to symbolize love, and these gifts are a perfect way of expressing that love.