| Inasmuch as jewelry trends come and go, | | | | itself. Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% |
| silver jewelry remains popular across all | | | | silver with the remaining 7.5% copper or some |
| economic and fashion spectra. That elegant | | | | other metal. That is why you'll find silver |
| pair of glimmering sterling silver drop | | | | flatware pieces, even jewelry, well over a |
| earrings once prized by your late grandmother | | | | century old in excellent condition: durable |
| looks great today whether you wear them | | | | sterling silver is one metal that can stand |
| casually or put them on for a formal | | | | the test of time. |
| occasion. | | | | |
| | | | If you were to choose earrings made of |
| Of course, not everyone is fond of estate | | | | virtually pure silver, you'd risk having them |
| jewelry, preferring to buy jewelry that is | | | | break in short order. Always buy jewelry with |
| new and exciting, especially something | | | | an eye to have it last to ensure that your |
| designed by one of today's contemporary | | | | investment is worthwhile and can retain its |
| artisans. It is these same designers who are | | | | look. |
| seeing a mini boom in business today as | | | | |
| shoppers discover the value of owning quality | | | | Shopping For Sterling Silver Jewelry |
| sterling silver and at prices much lower than | | | | |
| gold. Tight economy or not, if your creations | | | | A big trend for sterling silver fans is to |
| are especially attractive, you'll catch the | | | | visit estate sales to see what jewelry buys |
| attention of savvy buyers. | | | | can be had. If you're a fan of antiques, |
| | | | you'll find the best buys at these types of |
| Selecting A Designer Artisan | | | | sales, particularly those managed directly by |
| | | | the family. When an auctioneer or estate |
| Hot Diamonds is one such designing team | | | | planner is brought in, prices are often |
| producing some of the most sought after | | | | marked up to cover their costs much as an |
| sterling silver pieces of our time. Don't let | | | | antique retailer would have to charge more to |
| the name fool you, Hot Diamonds does feature | | | | cover her overhead. |
| at least one small brilliant cut diamond in | | | | |
| every piece, but the accent is just as much | | | | For new sterling silver, your options are |
| on the metal as it is on the precious | | | | quite broad from flea markets to mall jewelry |
| gemstones. You can find earrings, bangles, | | | | stores to online merchants. At flea markets |
| bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and rings | | | | you risk dealing with someone who may not be |
| featuring contoured shapes and fluid lines | | | | able to vouch that the earrings or pendant |
| with a contemporary twist. | | | | you want to purchase are, in fact, sterling |
| | | | silver. With a mall jewelry store, the |
| Each Hot Diamonds piece is part of a wider | | | | merchant can attest to what they're selling, |
| style line with such names as "just add love" | | | | while offering a guarantee. If shopping |
| or "back to nature" and "moonstruck" among | | | | online, make sure that you deal with a |
| others to captivate the imagination of | | | | reputable jeweler; you could save a lot of |
| buyers. For instance, the "just add love" | | | | money if you find the right retailer as |
| line features modern and whimsical hearts and | | | | internet stores typically have a much lower |
| stars, an inviting style prized by young | | | | overhead and savings are passed on to you in |
| adult buyers. The "after hours" line | | | | the form of lower prices. |
| represents the designers` evening wear | | | | |
| collection, just perfect for a night out on | | | | Regardless of where you purchase your |
| the town for varying levels of formality. | | | | sterling silver, you're buying classical |
| | | | jewelry with a strong, contemporary appeal. |
| Understanding Sterling Silver | | | | Whether choosing antique or contemporary |
| | | | sterling silver earrings, pendants, bangles, |
| Why should you choose sterling silver? Well, | | | | rings, necklaces, or bracelets you can reap |
| if you research the properties of silver | | | | the satisfaction of finding and wearing one |
| you'd quickly realize how soft silver is by | | | | of the finest of all metals. |