A pair of gold cufflinks has been included in a touring exhibition of objects linked to the Titanic.
Featuring items salvaged from the wreck site of the famous vessel, which hit an iceberg and sank in 1912, the Titanic: Treasures From the Deep mobile museum is currently visiting the US.
The gold cufflinks appear in the travelling display of more than 50 items recovered from the seabed alongside a gem-set tie pin, which is a movable version of the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.
Sponsored by Country Financial and RMS Titanic, a subsidiary of Premier Exhibitions, the display uses science and history to describe recovery efforts and outline the story of the doomed voyage, with stops scheduled this month in Oregon, Washington and Illinois.
In 2007, a range of gold timepieces featuring coal and steel salvaged from the wreck of the Titanic was launched by Geneva-based watchmaker Romaine Jerome at a trade fair.
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Gold Cufflinks
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Storing and Protecting Jewelry
A common, and sure, way to ruin the value of your collection of jewels is to store them improperly. Jewelry is made up of stones and metals of various hardnesses. When thrown together, they will easily scratch, abrade and crack each other.
Perfection is highly valued in gemstones, and a valuable, perfect stone can quickly become worthless, ruining the investment, security, and heirloom values your jewelry represents. Scratches on a stone can be expensive, often impossible, to repair - and can result from a mere touch (e.g., a diamond sliding past another stone can instantly result in a deep gouge or nick). Casually rumaging through a bin of jewels can literally cost you many thousands of dollars, and the damage only gets worse each time the pieces get tumbled around.
Unfortunately, while many people appreciate that jewelry is valuable, their attitude towards its care can be woefully lacking. Instead, the common idea of proper care too often seems to reflect popular images of treasure chests heaped with jewels, movie stars casually tossing bracelets and cufflinks into drawers, or the thief clutching a fistful of jewelry. These same people are often far more careful with other, less valuable possessions (fine china, crystal, furniture, car, even DVD's). I'll admit to having been one of the guilty. Part of the problem is that too few parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles bother to pass on information regarding how to treat jewelry to children -- and this is one (of many) subjects they are unlikely to encounter in school or learn from their friends. If you value your jewelry, then do your children and grandchildren (who may inherit them one day) the courtesy of explaining its worth and care.
Imagine going to sell an investment quality piece, only to find out that the stone is nicked and worthless, and the artistic value of the setting has been trashed by scratching. What you bought for $50,000 is now worth $80 as scrap.
So, how are jewelry and gemstones stored?
The most important, basic rule: Each item of jewelry should be isolated from others. If it is not possible to isolate each jewel (e.g., pendants hanging from a bracelet or necklace), then the items should be immobilized so that they do not rub past each other.
Simple Solutions...
Properly storing jewelry does not need to be expensive. Some jewelry comes in boxes or pouches which you can continue to use. You can find other reasonable solutions with a little creativity.
- Since the idea is to isolate each jewel from one another, an easy and effective solution is to wrap each piece in layers of acid-free tissue paper, untreated cotton, or raw silk. If you sew, you might try creating individual, acid-free bags for this purpose. If sewing isn't one of your talents, then several ebay sellers regularly list pre-made drawstring bags which will work.
- Brooches, earrings and stickpins can be stuck onto a board or cushion. The board or cushion may then be placed into a soft, padded bag for storage.
- Neckchains may be stored on wooden or fabric-covered hooks, or draped across cushions and stored covered in a drawer. You can also use the long box or folder in which the neckchain or necklace was delivered by the jeweler. Bracelets and knotted (on string or silk thread) necklaces are best stored laid flat.
The disadvantage of storing in wraps or bags, is that the jewels are hidden from view. This isn't always a bad thing (some stones and materials can fade with prolonged exposure to light). But as your collection grows larger, it is more convenient to locate items by sight. Some people also take great pleasure in arranging their gems, and even a small, neatly arranged, jewelry collection can be an impressive sight.
Storage Cases...
There are several types of storage cases which you can also purchase for your collection, or for an individual item.
Jewelry Boxes:
The traditional jewelry box can be suitable for a collection. However, some jewelry boxes are collectable on their own, and not really designed to hold more than a very few pieces. When looking at a box for storage purposes, make sure that the materials used to construct and line the box are suitable for jewelry (see below). Examine the box for projecting screws, nails, locks or other objects which might scratch.
Count your pieces of jewelry, making sure that the box contains enough compartments to isolate the pieces from each other. If the box features a ring holder or insert, is it large enough to hold the number of rings you need to store? Some boxes also contain necklace hooks, pockets, earring holders, and other features which you may find worthwhile.
A larger compartment can be useful for holding individually wrapped items that won't fit elsewhere.
You should probably also allow for extra compartments. Your collection may expand through future acquisitions, gifts, etc. And in the meantime, you will probably find uses for the additional space.
Travel Cases:
These are usually jewelry boxes contained in hard-sided cases. They often sport handles and a lock, though neither is usually necessary or effective. For a travel case, it is more important that the compartments have pads to keep the contents from shifting about as the case is jostled about. If the case does not come with fitted pads, then you can substitute rolled up cotton wool or fabric. And, since most people do not travel with extensive collections, these are usually best when smaller, and designed to fit into a handbag or carry-on luggage.
An alternative travel solution are roll-ups. These are leather or cloth strips which contain pouches for individual pieces. The strip is rolled and either snapped or tied to secure it closed. A variation would be the folding or hanging soft-sided organizers. Roll-ups should be made of material which is heavy enough so that there is no chance that a piece would pierce a pouch and scratch other items being stored in adjacent pouches. For some jewelry, a hard-sided case usually offers more protection than a roll-up. However, the roll-up has the benefit of being easier to pack. With either type, space is limited and you need to determine the number and type of items you are going to carry.
Jewel Caskets:
These cases are used as presentation pieces to showcase a single jewel or matched set of jewelry. Jewelry caskets are often elaborate, sometimes outshining their contents. Caskets of high quality can be works of art on their own merits, and such pieces are found in many of the world's great museums and collections. The storage value can vary. Some owners remove the jewels for storage in other containers, and choose to display or discard the casket itself. Where there are fittings inside to securely hold the jewelry, the casket and jewel(s) may be moved into a safe, or inside a compartment in a larger box, for storage.
What is important is not to throw other items into a casket meant for a specific set of jewelry. Doing so risks damaging both the jewelry and the casket itself.
Ring, Bracelet and Necklace Boxes:
The original jewel boxes are fine for storing a single item. They can be bulky however, and an assemblage of many boxes can make it difficult to easily locate an item. If you have many pieces, your collection will take up far less space if you use a box designed to accomodate more pieces (e.g., for rings you might look for a multi-ring case, or a jewelry box which contains an insert for holding several rings).
Pearl Folders:
Fine pearls are often delivered in a leather or cloth, envelope-type folder. As pearls are relatively soft and the strings can be fragile, it is a good idea to continue to use the original package for storing them. For further protection, the folder can be stored in larger jewelry boxes, or in a safe. These folders are available separately from jewelry supply sellers, as are padded silk bags designed for pearls.
Jewel Safes:
For extensive collections, a jewel safe might make sense. Aside from the extra storage space, these also offer a bit of extra security, though few would stand up to a determined thief.
Just as in jewelry boxes, you should be looking for enough drawers and other compartments to store your pieces in isolation one from another.
Some safes include a removable travel tote for items you usually take on trips. This should be small enough to fit into your purse or carry-on. Others have removable trays or drawers, which can make selecting an item easier.
Jewelry Armoires
These are larger, usually wooden pieces of furniture with multiple drawers and compartments. Like jewelry cases, they are usually fitted with linings, hooks and other useful features. Prices vary widely, and some are custom work with special features such as lighting and hidden compartments. You can sometimes find these at estate sales and auctions, after the contents have been broken up among heirs or sold off.
Other Possibilities:
- Storage solutions for coins, watches, and other collectables can sometimes also be used for storing jewelry - often at very affordable prices.
- Compartmented cases for collectibles, beads, buttons, parts, small tools, fishing tackle, etc. may also be suitable. If used for long-term storage, you should make sure that the material won't have any adverse effect on your pieces (see below).
- You might also look at the trays and attaches jewelers themselves use to store, transport and display their wares. Sellers of supplies for jewelers list a range of types on ebay. For an extensive, or growing collection, this might be ideal. Some cases even are designed to fit, in turn, into larger attache-type cases.
- Taborets used by artists to store brushes and tubes, flat files used by architects to store blueprints and maps, tool chests, and similar pieces can often be adapted to store jewelry. Just use boxes or dividers to create small compartments and line with cloth if necessary.
- You may also want to keep a weather-eye for sales of used fixtures from jewelers, watchmakers or department stores which are remodeling or quitting business. This is one place to pick up (at a reasonable price) the solutions the professionals use to store and display their inventory. Cases, safes, chests, attaches, etc. are sometimes available.
Be Aware of...
Avoid storing in acidic materials, including some types of wood, most cardboard, and paper. Acidity can tarnish metal and cause pitting on both metal and stones. Plywood and particle board can also cause adverse reactions over time, due to acids in both the wood and the binder.
The plasticizers found in most plastics can seriously corrode metal, silvered backings and some gemstones. This is a problem with common plastic bags, many plastic storage boxes, polyurethane foams, etc. Plastic bags or boxes can be used for a very short period, but if you need to store for weeks or months, you should find some other solution and not take chances. Foam "rubber" used in packaging and plastics should be discarded. Damage first appears as a slight spot(s) and proceeds to a blue or green film. This may be removed with acetone, but the surface will be affected (the chemicals pit the surface under the spotting or film). Avoid anything which contains PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). If you wish to use plastic bags or containers, make sure that they are made of inert materials of the sort used for archival storage. Mylar envelopes and bags are a popular choice, and there are inert plastic alternatives for most containers. Again, most plastics contain corrosive compounds, and you should be sure about plastic containers of any type before putting anything valuable inside for long-term storage.
Store jewelry containing plastic elements (including Vulcanite, Ebonite, thermoplastics, Celluloid, etc.) in separate storage containers. Keep pieces of each type isolated from other plastic types. Do not store the containers in close proximity to other types of stored jewelry. These materials are known to produce acidic gases and other substances which can harm precious metals, stones, and other jewelry items.
Also make certain that paper and cloths do not contain metal fragments (found in some lower-quality recycled materials) or grit.
Do not use chemically treated cloths and containers for storage. The anti-tarnish boxes and bags you use for your sterling flatware may react with other metals and stones.
Chemicals should never be used in either cleaning or storing fine jewelry. The same goes for anything involving heat, abrasives and even ultra-sonic baths - all of which can discolor, dry, scratch, dislodge and crack some gems. When in doubt, consult a jeweler as to what is appropriate for your item (what might be OK for one piece could ruin another).
Do not place items into compartments which have components which are harder than, and can scratch the stones or metals in the jewel.
Article Source: Storing and Protecting Jewelry
Monday, May 11, 2009
Classic Cufflinks
Nothing accentuates a suit and tie ensemble quite like a pair of classic cufflinks. But classic cufflinks are only fashionable if they are original and stylish. You can spend hours searching for the perfect pair of cuff links in department stores and malls, or you can find exactly what you are looking for right here. Our online cufflink store carries a wide variety of classic cufflinks that are not only elegant, delicately handcrafted and made of the highest quality, but also incredibly affordable. Whether you are searching for basic cufflinks, striped cufflinks or silk knot cufflinks we have everything you need to make you look and feel good about what you are wearing.
Browse our online cufflink store for innovative designs and original twists on basic cufflinks, such as our Carnelian Slab Cufflinks, Red Enamel Knot Cufflinks and Orange Dot Cufflinks. A pair of vibrant Blue Kaleidoscope Cufflinks or modern Onyx Cobochan Cufflinks will also make a superior fashion statement wherever you go. Our Silver Candy Stick Cufflinks are just an example of how sweet your style can be. We offer Candy Stick Cufflinks in other flavors as well - try them all!
Cufflink designs vary widely, from basic to intricate to everything else in between. A popular alternative to basic cufflinks is silk knot cufflinks. French cuff shirts are often accompanied with a set of color-coordinated silk knot cufflinks. Our silk knot cufflink selection is incredibly varied. We offer Classic Black & White Silk Knot Cuff Links Trio, Sheet White Silk Knot Log Cuff Links, and a Pack of 12 Pairs of Silk Knot Cuff Links. You will also find a wide variety of exceptional colors to choose from. Match any shirt and tie with a pair of colored silk knot cufflinks and you’re bound to receive some compliments.
Classic cufflinks also come in a preppy, scholarly design. The Ivy League will never go out of style, which is why a pair of Black White Repp Strip Cufflinks or a pair of Orange Blue Repp Stripe Cufflinks are all you need to standout and look your best. You can also make a statement by mixing and matching the colors of the season with our extensive collection of striped cufflinks. Striped cufflinks have never been more fashionable or popular. By wearing a simple pair of Mocha Stripe Cufflinks in autumn, you can add some bold earth tones to your outfit when you coordinate them with your overall look.
Cufflinks are a must-have for any man, whether you are attending a formal affair, managing an important business meeting, or out on a date with that special someone. Impressions are everlasting and the right pair of cufflinks can make all the difference. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and accentuate your look. We guarantee that you’ll find the right pair of classic cufflinks to fit your style at price you can afford.
Great gift ideas for men
Great gift ideas for men can be in short supply, especially when making last minute purchases. You want to choose a gift that is not only age appropriate, but one that reflects the man's personal tastes. Buying for the special man in your life like your husband, brother or father should also carry some sentimentality or personal significance.
Finding the right balance when making a list of gift ideas for men can be more challenging than finding a great bargain, though. Useful, fun gifts are usually a better idea than another tie or that snazzy pair of argyle socks.
Some gift ideas for men aren't that much different than thinking of gift ideas for a young boy. Once the fun of youth passes, most men like to be let off the hook from adulthood occasionally to remember their younger side. A pack of guitar picks and some accessories for the campfire guitarist, a new video game or controller, or a baseball and glove are great gift ideas for men.
For the men in your life who are adrenaline junkies, look at giving gifts that are more experience-related rather than physical objects. Gift ideas for men of the extreme sports type can be a skydiving class, a white-water rafting trip, or maybe a gift certificate for bungee jumping. For men who love the outdoors, getting camping gear, some new hiking boots, or maybe a bigger tackle box will catch his eye.
Older men may enjoy gifts that are less extreme. Some great gift ideas for the retiree on your list might be some painting supplies and a model car kit, a good book, some cozy slippers or a warm robe.
They may also enjoy a new pipe or a box of fine cigars if they are a smoker. Even a course in cabinetmaking can be given as gift for the man who enjoys learning and working with his hands.
Gift ideas for men you know who are sports fans could involve box seats for a great baseball or basketball game of their favorite team. Present the tickets with a jersey or hat, and he'll be all set.
You could purchase a subscription to his favorite sports magazine, if he doesn't have one already. If he goes golfing with his friends every weekend, get him some new golf balls or new shoes he could wear on the green. A mini golf set for home is fun, too.
For your more open-minded husband or brother, consider treating him to a day at the spa. These days, relaxation and pampering isn't just for women, nor does a spa day make a man any less of a man.
Invigorating facials and stress-relieving massages could really open his eyes about the way he takes care of himself, and these gift ideas for men are great ones to help your man relax.
Some gift ideas for men that you could both enjoy include gifts such as silk boxers, a set of massage oils, or a facial grooming kit - no one likes a prickly beard. Other fun gifts like a gift certificate to a great restaurant or a weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast are sure to be appreciated by both of you.
Choosing a gift idea for men doesn't have to be tough, and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Whether it is for a birthday, for Father's day, or for an anniversary, this is your token of appreciation for having these men in your life every day.
Use a little imagination, think of functional, fun or practical gifts, and whatever you choose, make sure you've picked something that matches your man's personality.
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