Anna Lou of London

If you’ve ever worn silver jewellery, you know that it can get tarnished over time especially if you don’t clean it regularly. While you know about silver polish, few people realise that polishing your silver can scrub some of the silver off the surface of the item. It can be particularly detrimental for pieces that are silver-plated, where a layer of silver may be especially thin. Another issue with using silver polish to clean your jewellery is that it can be tricky cleaning all the nooks and crannies in your pieces. Here’s the good news: silver rings and other jewellery made by Silver.uk.com can be cleaned using an easy method that will return the glow to your pieces without causing any damage to them. Even better, you can use this cleaning method right away! The Ingredients for the Cleaning Substance You will need: • Salt • Water • A water softener powder, although baking soda can be used as a substitute • An aluminium plate, although aluminium foil can be used as a substitute The Cleaning Procedure Whether you are cleaning quality silver earrings for ladies, a bracelet or a ring, here’s what you will do: 1. Take your aluminium plate or even a regular plate that has been covered with a piece of tin foil 2. Place 1 tablespoon of a water softening powder or baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt onto the foil 3. Pour hot water onto the mixture on the plate – make sure the water is not boiling 4. Stir the mixture well until all the powder is dissolved 5. Now carefully dunk your jewellery in the solution How long you need to keep the silver jewellery in the solution will depend on how tarnished it is. The results could be immediate, or it could take just a few minutes. If you have an item that is very tarnished, this method for cleaning jewellery will not make the item look brand new, but it will certainly give it a better sheen. A Word of Warning This cleaning method is not recommended for jewellery that contains semi-precious or precious stones. However, we have found that many people – even silversmiths – have indeed used this method for cleaning gemstone jewels with no bad effects. But we don’t think it’s worth the risk of damaging your precious stones. It’s also worth mentioning that this jewellery cleaning method is not ideal for oxidized or antiqued silver, since cleaning will serve to remove the special finish on the silver as well as the tarnish. How the Cleaning Method Works Are you interested in chemistry? Here’s what happens when your silver jewellery is being dunked in the solution: It is silver sulphide that makes the silver jewellery look tarnished and grey over time. This process is known as oxidation. When you immerse the jewellery in the salt and baking soda solution, the silver sulphide and aluminium reach, pulling out the sulphur atoms and plating them into the aluminium. The silver that remains from this reaction is then redeposited onto the silver. I hope this article is of great help to you. If you have other tips on how to clean tarnished silver jewellery, share it to us in the comments section.

The Wedding season isn't quite over. With idyllic dreams of snowy countryside gardens, a festive red and white colour scheme and all round festivities it’s easy to imagine why a winter wedding would appeal to a future bride to be. With so much sparkle surrounding Christmas, it’s the opportune time of year to make a perfect day even more magical. However planning a winter wedding really is the cherry on top of what's an already busy and stressful season. You’ve got the dress, shoes, cake and venue. But what about wedding jewellery?  an important ingredient to add into the mix of a hectic but special day. Anna Lou of London has a stunning selection of Winter Bridal Jewellery which is suitable for all ages, skin tones and hair colours. Kit out the Bride, Bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride in these stunning bespoke Bridal pieces that will add extra shimmer and sparkle to one of the most important days of her life.

Small Initial Birthstone Necklace

Bridesmaids: Whether you have one, two, five or six Bridesmaids joining you on the day, a birthstone initial necklace is the perfect piece of winter Bridal jewellery which’ll complement the dresses beautifully. Select from gold, rose gold or silver to ensure no clashes with the dress and have each of the girl’s initials etches into an intricate sterling silver disc. For the crystal birthstone, there’s the option to pick out each Bridesmaid’s birth month or alternatively, opt for a singular shade of birthstone so your Bridesmaids can match. If you’re all Sex in the City fans a name necklace is a must have. Not a conventional piece of Winter Bridal Jewellery, but one that’ll become their go-to everyday necklace that they can wear with any outfit. It’ll remind them of their unending friendship and the important day which they got to be a part of. Bride to be: Probably one of the most difficult decisions a Bride must make regarding her big day, other than the flavour of her cake, obviously! With jewellery carrying so much sentiment it’s very important to pick out the right bridal jewellery. It’ll be in every wedding photograph, admired for years to come and potentially passed down to her daughter one day. You get it. It’s important.

Personalised Locket

An engraved piece of Bridal jewellery is the way to go. A locket, such as the monogram sterling silver locket, would make a lovely memento from the day and could be engraved with the Brides brand new initials, a lovely way to tie in her new partner. The locket can open to encase a photograph or keepsake from the day, such as a miniature portrait of the happy couple or a piece of confetti! [caption id="attachment_5623" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Love Hoops [/caption] The love loops necklace is another alternative piece of bridal jewellery which makes a subtle statement but still carries a romantic message. Each hoop can be engraved with up to 21 characters so could be inscribed with a saying, “I love you” or the name of her new partner. Hopefully this has provided you, whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid or mother of the bride, with winter bridal jewellery inspiration. Order before the 9^th December standard delivery if the jewellery is for a pre-Christmas wedding. Charlotte Letch

We all know diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so here’s a guide of how you should care for you Anna Lou of London jewellery to keep them sparkly:

1. To keep your favourite jewellery pieces brighter than the stars avoid contact with water and perfumes. Also remember to keep gold with gold and silver with silver!
2. Sleeping with your Anna Lou of London jewellery on could certainly give you a fancy, classy Breakfast at Tiffany’s look but make sure you remove your jewellery before going to bed to keep it in a sparkly condition.
3. When the time comes to cleaning your jewellery use a soft cloth, mild detergent and warm water. Careful with scratches, to avoid them follow the grain of the jewellery!

On a day-to-day basis wipe your jewellery frequently to remove the body oils and dirt that could have been accumulated on your lovely jewellery pieces. After properly cleaning your jewellery collection, store them in a cool and dry place as this will reduce tarnishing and prevent scratching by other pieces in your jewellery box. Also don’t forget to remove them when cleaning, swimming and taking a shower as the chemicals used during these activities could cause immediate tarnishing. These easy steps could extend the life of your favourite jewellery pieces! Proper jewellery care ensures you will enjoy your jewellery for years to come, so make sure you take good care of them! Piece of cake isn’t it? Let us know what is your ‘’must’’ jewellery care routine in the comments below! By Claudia Bussieres

It’s easy to fall head over heels for silver jewellery. Items boast brilliants, lustre and great versatility and it’s simple to see why silver is such a popular material for jewels. When you purchase your dream pieces from Silver by Mail, don’t let them become tarnished and unloved. Here’s how you can take care of your silver pieces.

Preventative Care for Silver Jewellery

1. Wear it Avoid your lovely jewellery becoming tarnished by wearing it regularly. The oils on your skin help to “clean” silver and keep it shiny. 2. Avoid Exposure Avoid letting your pieces from Silver by Mail coming into contact with perspiration; household cleaners; chlorinated water; rubber and other substances that contain sulphur. These will cause silver items to tarnish and corrode so it’s better to take off your jewellery when doing chores around the house. Placing your jewellery in direct sunlight can also cause it to tarnish, so remember to remove your items before sunbathing and swimming. Hair products, hair spray, lotions, perfumes and cosmetics can all accelerate tarnishing of silver. 3. Storage Exposure to air also tarnishes silver. It’s a good idea to store your jewellery in an airtight plastic bag along with anti-tarnish strips. Put single pieces in a bag at a time. Silver is a soft metal and storing more than one piece at a time will cause scratching. Keep your chain or link bracelets unclasped to prevent scratching too. If you’d prefer not to use plastic bags you can use storage areas that have low humidity.

Polishing

Polishing your jewellery from Silver by Mail is perfect when the tarnishing isn’t too bad. A simple polish is also the best way to clean oxidised silver. Be sure to use a special silver cloth when cleaning your jewellery to avoid scratching it. Microfiber, a lint-free cloth or even a nonabrasive soft cloth will work great too. Paper towels and tissues should be avoided as they can scratch jewellery. Homemade Silver Clean If you need to remove stubborn tarnish you can make an environmentally friendly and economical silver cleaner with everyday kitchen ingredients. After using any of the cleaners, remember to rinse your jewellery and dry with a soft cloth. • Soap and water. A mild, ammonia-free dishwashing soap and warm water are ideal for helping remove tarnish from your Silver by Mail jewellery. • Water and baking soda. While you might’ve heard that non-gel and non-whitening toothpastes work as silver cleaners, it can be hard to distinguish from the toothpastes that can discolour silver. So rather make a water and baking soda paste and apply with pea-size amount to a clean cloth to polish your jewellery. If your items have etching or stamps, thin the paste a little with more water and use a soft toothbrush to get right into the crevices. Rinse the items under running warm water and dry with a soft cloth. • Lemon juice and olive oil. Mix a teaspoon of olive oil with half a cup of lemon juice in a container that is big enough to contain the solution. Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and then polish your jewellery. Remember to wring the cloth out first. • Baking soda and white vinegar. This is a gentle cleaner that will help you remove heavy tarnish. You can soak your item in a mixture of two tablespoons of baking powder and half a cup of white vinegar. Leave the item to soak for two to three hours before rinsing and drying. Use these tips to care for your silver jewellery and prevent tarnish and degradation.

Insuring your precious jewels means peace of mind should they become lost or stolen. Just be sure to keep appraisals up to date. You know the saying, “diamonds are forever”? Well, if you want your sparkly sentiments to last forever, it’s better to be insured. Whether you have an antique inherited necklace or platinum engagement rings that seem priceless to you, the item’s monetary value is very much tangible and insurable. Jewellery is certainly an investment both in monetary terms and sentimental value. And this is especially true for your wedding rings. Aim to have your jewellery insured either before or right after it is purchased. The coverage will protect against any financial losses of your precious pieces and help preserve the sentiment behind the piece through reimbursement or replacement options.

Insurance Coverage for Platinum Engagement Rings

The first step is to talk to take a look at your homeowner’s insurance policy. These policies usually only cover items if they’re stolen and not if they’re damaged or lost. But you can buy an extension for the policy to cover higher value items like your engagement and wedding rings. Typically your jewellery will need an appraisal before it can be insured. You can take your jewels along to a certified appraiser for an appraisal or even a gemmologist. When you get the items appraised, you can verify the appraisal based on the value of your jewellery which includes: Agreed value – which allows the insurer and you to agree on a settlement price.

• Cash value – this is the value of the item and today’s market rate and not at the purchase price.
• Replacement value – the value the insurer will pay you, set according to the current market value at the time of losing the piece.

It’s recommended that you have your platinum engagement rings and other items appraised every couple of years to maintain an accurate appraisal. Keep an eye on the market value of precious gems and metals, too, and have your documentation updated when necessary.

Does it Cost to Get Jewellery Appraised?

Firstly, the jewellery appraisal is a report that is generated by a jewellery expert. Besides details value and costs, the appraisal will include a detailed description of your items. If your piece is newly purchased, the jewellery will very often provide an appraisal at purchase but if the jewellery is something you’ve had for a long time then you may have to pay for an appraisal. Appraisals tend to vary in cost. The most important thing is to make sure that you get an appraisal from a reputable and properly trained expert. There aren’t any federal or national regulations for jewellery appraisals so look for someone who has been professionally trained, like a GIA graduate gemologist. Remember to get your platinum engagement rings appraised every two years or so as the gemstone’s value can change over time due to factors like inflation. This could well change the amount of insurance you require for your jewellery.

How to Protect Your Jewellery

It’s important to keep an eye on your jewels. Take note of any wear and tear or other damage and be very careful with prongs that hold gemstones in place. If the fitting of your jewellery happens to change, consider having the item re-sized to protect against loss. If you go on holiday or are away from home for extended periods of time, consider keeping your jewellery in a safe. Also, avoid wearing your rings in swimming pools, the ocean or any other situation where it could potentially get lost. Finally, keep track of your appraisals, documents, photos and receipts for reference purposes should you lose the piece. Don’t wait any longer to have your prized pieces insured. Jewellery insurance will give you and your loved one piece of mind and assurance that your timeless gifts and precious heirlooms will never be completely lost.

Most people do not realize just how important it is to have their jewelry appraised until it is too late. If you have more than $1500 worth of jewelry, or have no idea what the jewelry you own is worth, you should probably go ahead and have it appraised. The moment something happens and you have to know, it will be too late. There are numerous reasons to have your jewelry appraised. The process is quick, painless, and can save you a ton of money in the long run. Here are a few reasons you should have your jewelry appraised today.

• Theft
• Acts of God
• Death in the Family
• Insurance Purposes
• Curiosity

It Helps to Know Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it never hurt anyone who wanted to know what his or her jewelry was worth. If you have been collecting jewelry over a long period of time, you may have much more than you think. This is good to know in case something should happen that causes you to need money in an emergency. There were more appraisals of privately owned jewelry in the months between October 2008 and October 2009 than in any other time in history thanks to the global economic turndown. People who had to sell off some or all of their jewels wanted to make sure they knew what their jewelry was worth before selling it. To know more visit - http://www.londongold.com/ Do you have enough Insurance? Your household insurance policy will have an unscheduled floater that will only cover a set amount of extras… jewelry among them. This is usually between one and two thousand to cover items not named in the main homeowner’s policy. If you have more than $1500 worth of jewelry, you will want another policy or a floater, rider, or endorsement added to your existing policy to cover your jewelry. If you go this route, remember these three things.

• Have your jewelry appraised by an appraisal service outside of the insurance company and compare those figures against their appraisers. Insurance companies have a habit of doing things that benefit them, not you. They may appraise high or low depending upon how much jewelry you have and what gives them the best options.
• Do not take offense when your appraiser asks why you are having your jewelry appraised. Believe it or not, the appraiser is always on your side unless they work for the insurance company. If you are insuring your jewelry because of an audit by the IRS, the appraiser will value it much lower than it is actually worth. If you are appraising your jewelry to sell, they will appraise it high for you.
• Have your jewelry appraised every three to five years and submit that information to the insurance company. They will try to pay you what the jewelry was worth when you insured it, not what it is worth, which could be a lot considering the value of most jewelry increases by almost 10% every few years.

Prepare for the Inevitable It is always unfortunate when a beloved member of the family passes away. It is also always advisable to have their jewelry appraised. The financial burden that could arise from their final expenses could be offset by the value of their jewelry. Never feel bad about this if you can help it. They would want you to have and disperse their possessions in the best way that benefits the family that they leave behind. Being Prepared for Acts of God They call them Acts of God because there is no way to predict them and no way to avoid them. An Act of God could happen anywhere and at any time. Be prepared by having your jewelry appraised and insured. You will need every penny you can get and will want to replace sentimental pieces with something worthwhile. Loss of Security Hurts Worst of All One of the most painful things in life outside of the loss of a loved one is the loss of your security. Once you have been robbed, you never feel safe again. Unfortunately, unless your jewelry has been appraised and insured, there is no way to get those articles of jewelry back. Statistics show there is a house being robbed every 19 seconds. The first place a thief will look is your jewelry box and safe. When we were robbed, we thought we would be okay because we had our most prized jewelry and other valuables n a wall safe. The thieves took the wall safe. Peace of Mind These were just a few of the reasons that you should have your jewelry appraised by a professional. There are many other good reasons to do so, including the fact that you may not know what you have until it is appraised. We know of one couple who were sitting on a very valuable ring that they thought was costume jewelry. They paid $10 at a yard sale for an article that was worth nearly $5000. The seller informed them it was a cubic zircon. The seller was wrong. Having your jewelry appraised is an inexpensive way to gain peace of mind. Bio: Drake White - GM at London Gold Jewelers in Scottsdale, AZ always recommends insuring your jewelry privately.