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Shopping For Pearl Jewelry - A Few Pearls of Wisdom

Modern day pearl jewelry offers women of all ages many more options when accessorizing clothing to give the right look and feel. Pearls are no longer worn just on special occasions, but rather on a daily basis to accentuate that classy, elegant, professional, sexy and fun side of a woman. More choice in color, size, and shape among pearls is usually a good thing. However, buying pearl jewelry for yourself or a loved one can be confusing unless you have been provided with a few essential “pearls of wisdom”.

On recent pearl necklace shopping expeditions that included national retail jewelry stores, on-line stores, and local jewelry shops, the very challenging experiences that consumers face when buying pearl jewelry was revealed firsthand.

In 60% to 70% of the jewelry stores visited, the sales associates:

- either were not able to explain the pearl quality grading system (AAA to A), and/or

- did not have a quality grade associated with their pearls, and/or

- were not educated about pearls, and/or

- were misinformed regarding very high quality cultured freshwater pearls.

Unfortunately for the consumer, the average jewelry store personnel lacks pearl jewelry certification and product expertise. Furthermore, a large majority of jewelry stores or jewelry departments did not offer very high quality cultured freshwater pearls (AAA), either because they did not know they exist or they choose not to offer them. Much more expensive Akoya saltwater pearls were offered as the best alternative to high quality freshwater pearls. Consumers need to know that very high quality freshwater pearl jewelry exists, is quite comparable to Akoya pearls, and is much more affordable.

The overall message here for consumers is to be sure to learn the basics about pearls from a reputable and knowledgeable dealer prior to shopping. In particular, seek out firms whose employees have pearl jewelry GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certification. It is critical that a consumer be properly educated when purchasing pearl jewelry, not only so they understand clearly what they are buying, but also so that they receive the best value for their money.

In summary, when you are shopping for pearl jewelry, remember to:

1) first educate yourself so that you know what you are buying,

2) have the seller demonstrate their knowledge and product offering to you, and

3) seek out high quality freshwater pearl jewelry as a very comparable and more affordable alternative to saltwater pearl jewelry.


These few tips on buying pearl jewelry can make your shopping experience much more pleasurable and rewarding. Today, high quality affordable pearl jewelry is available to consumers armed with the right information.

Cleaning Diamonds


A diamond engagement ring is a symbol of love, devotion and a promise of a marriage and happiness. And it also probably one of the most memorable moments in someone's life

the sparkle of the diamond will take your breath away after viewing your engagement ring for the first time and the many times afterwards. An engagement ring is something that will be worn for many many years and possible handed down to the next generation. So keeping it clean and free from scratches is a must.

Because your engagement ring will be worn everyday products such as hair styling sprays, hand lotions and other house hold products can cause the sparkle to fade and the ring its self look dull so it's best that you keep the ring away from these products as much as you can. Over time you may find that gunk and grime will build up behind the diamond making it look dirty and unattractive but don't worry it can be cleaned. right from the comfort of your own home.

Although diamonds are one of the hardest substances known to man they are often coated in a special substance to protect them and keep their shine, Using abrasive substances and by brushing the diamond with something coarse could potentially remove this protective coating making the ring more susceptible to dirt and grime.

You may find there are many products you can buy to clean your diamond engagement ring however this is not always needed. Although most of these products are cheap why waste money on them if you got other products that do the same thing laying around the house.

Steps on Cleaning

First remove the ring from your finger find a small bowl and fill it with warm water and some mild dish washing liquid, place your diamond ring in the solution and leave to soak for a few minutes, 2-3 minutes should be fine, but if using a not detergent soap you should let the ring soak for 10 minutes.

Remove the ring from the water solution and use a very soft brush to gently remove and dirt that is visible. Never use something that hard bristles as this can damage and scratch the ring setting, I find babies toothbrush works fine as the bristles are soft and the head is small enough to get into tight cracks. If you don't have a baby toothbrush a eyeliner brush should be able to get the job done.

Once you have removed any debris and dirt place the ring back in the water to give it a final clean. Remove the ring and rinse it well with warm water then dry the ring with a lint free cloth.

if you are cleaning by the sink make sure that you cover the drain to avoid dropping and losing your ring in the drain. If you find that there is still some dirt or grim left on the ring try using a wooden tooth pick to gently easy it away then rinse again and pat dry with a lint free cloth. Don't press to hard with the toothpick though or else you might have small pieces of wood stuck in between the ring.

If you do decide to use a chemical solution to clean your ring and your ring contains more than one type of gem stone, always use the solution that is designed for the less durable stone or you could end up damaging the stone with the more abrasive and/or acidic solution.

The best way to keep you rings and jewelry clean and looking good is

*Remove them or wear protective gloves when you are using products that can damage them or working around the house.

* Keep you diamonds and pearls separate, as that diamond can scratch that pearl necklace.

* IF you can't keep jewelry separate wrap pieces of jewelry in velvet, paper, or silk.

* To reduce greasy build-up on diamond jewelry dip it in plain alcohol or vodka before soaking.

Pearl Jewelry Gifts (7 Reasons)


Pearl jewelry has made beautiful presents for centuries and it is only in the last 50 years that they have become more accessible for most of us. Pearls have and always will capture the attention and love of women. For this very reason pearl jewelry makes great presents. So you still need more reasons for getting all those bonus points for giving some stunning pearl jewelry, here they are:

1. Pearl earrings and necklaces make ideal gifts because they are timeless in their elegance. My sister gave me a pair of freshwater pearl stud earrings when I was a teenager and I still have them and wear them. They are a simple and timeless style and always make me think of her when I wear them.

2. Pearl jewelry can be worn for most any occasion from formal to work to casual.

3. The variety of styles now available in pearl jewelry lets each of us showcase our individual styles and taste.

4. Pearl jewelry is a beautiful symbol of love, fidelity and trust; one of the reasons it makes ideal wedding jewelry and anniversary presents.

5. You feel very special being given pearl jewelry; it is something your girlfriends go ooh ahh about, no matter who gives you the jewelry.

6. It is one of the most memorable presents because pearl jewelry is timeless and lasts for years. Women love having pieces that have passed through the family and the stories behind them.

7. Pearl jewelry makes ideal gifts to mark the progression through significant moments in life, ranging from moving from girlhood into womanhood, graduations, personal achievements, significant birthdays, weddings and anniversaries as well as special events.

Pearls earrings should always be set in silver or gold and you should only get the real thing - cultured freshwater or sea water pearls only. Pearl jewelry gifts should only be real pearls unless a specific faux pearl design is particularly requested.

The size of the genuine pearls does not matter. The pearls my sister gave me are small and I adore them because of who gave them to me for my 16th birthday. What matters is the giving of the pearls not how fancy they are because pearls range from the affordable to the blindingly expensive.

What Are The Differences Between A Rolex Replica Watch Versus Original?


Is an original watch better than a Rolex replica?

Rolex replica does not have the same high quality as an original watch but for many users it is good for occasional wear to that special meeting, occasion or party

An original will last longer than a Rolex replica but many owners fear theft of their watch and therefore do not wear it. Their glass is also better and more scratch resistant – but the better Rolex replica have sapphire glass which is quite scratch resistant.

A replica Rolex is water proof to a few meters but the originals may be water proof much deeper. Many users would never dive with their Rolex anyway for fear of losing it under water.

If the watch is “gold plated” then it may fade away over the years or when used in harsh environments – while a solid gold watch never fades. However, a solid gold original cost 10.000 USD and up. It is possible to get Rolex replica that have a thicker gold coating so it lasts much longer. These will cost up to $900 USD or, 2-3 times the normal price for a normal replica watch.

If you buy a gold watch you should not use it in saltwater or if you sweat lot since the acid in the sweat will eat and corrode the gold – no matter if it is an original or fake. The gold becomes dark and dull to look at.

Of course, an original watch will be solid gold and will still last a life time with daily use but in order to preserve the best possible look then use it in normal conditions.

You can have 1 original – or, for the same price have 20 rolex replica watches – one for each style of clothes or occasion.

An original has worldwide warranty and meant to last for decades with daily - while a Rolex replica only have limited warranty and is expected to last only a few years with daily use.

Buying a fake watch is easier for those just starting their career, with debt to pay off and who still is expected to have a certain business look – while being on a shoestring budget. Original watch owners tend to be older who have amassed some fortune.

So, should you go for an original or a rolex replica ? It is really very dependent upon your intended use, financial circumstances and lifestyle, too. Surely, a real Rolex is better quality – but at a cost that prohibits most people from owning one – or using it for fear of theft and loss.

Wow Your Wife With a Great Gift - How to Buy Her Jewelry She'll Love

Whether it’s your anniversary, her birthday, or no reason at all, women love jewelry. Buying jewelry for your wife is usually a pretty safe bet when you’re not quite sure what else to get her. If the jewelry counter is confusing and overwhelming and you have no idea what to by that special lady, here are some great tips.


  • Get Her Digits: No! Not those digits! Hopefully, since she is your wife you already have her phone number. What you should have buy may not, is her ring size. Knowing your wife’s ring size is a big deal. If your embarrassed or afraid to ask her what her ring size is, try secretly borrowing a ring that you know fits her and taking it with you to the jewelers so they can size it for you. If there is no way you’re getting near any of her rings without her knowing it, try asking her family and friends for some help.
  • Know What She Likes: Unfortunately for you, jewelry isn’t a cut and dry thing where you can just walk in pick something out? There are different types of metals (gold, silver, white gold); different cuts of diamonds (princess, pear, heart); and different stones (diamonds, rubies, emeralds). When you and your wife are out running errands let her peruse the jewelry cases and take note of what she likes. Another great way to figure out what she likes is to take a look at the jewelry she already has.
  • What’s the Occasion: If you’re buying jewelry for an anniversary, you may want to use that to help you pick out your gift. Each anniversary is associated with some type of stone or metal. For example if you’re married for 25 years, it’s customary to give silver. If you’re not sure ask your local jeweler to help you out or check online for a list of symbolic anniversary stones. Not only will this help you make your decision, but it will show your wife that you really put some thought into her gift.
  • What’s Trendy: Even if we often don’t admit it, women like trendy things. Just as clothing trends change, so to do jewelry trends. Take note of what the females in your office, at the coffee shop, or in line at the supermarket are wearing. If you’re still not sure, ask some female friends about what’s hot and what’s not in jewelry today.
  • Be Classic: although trends come and go, classic jewelry can last for a lifetime. Things like pearl necklaces, diamond earrings, tennis bracelets, and claddagh rings (those Irish rings with the hands, the heart, and the crown) will always be in style in some way or another. They are also great accessories for a night out on the town or maybe even a ceremony to renew your vows.
  • It’s the Thought that Counts: Although it’s not always true, as long as you choose something sensible, your wife will love what you chose. To play it safe, stay away from jewelry that is super cheap or extremely eccentric unless you know she'll like it.

Men's Jewelry: It's Not Just for Women Anymore

Find out what mens jewelry is in, what to buy for a loved one and more!

People often associate the term "jewelry" with something a woman possesses and covets. Yet for centuries mens jewelry has been fashionable and popular among elite and average men alike. Kings and Pharaohs in ancient times wore jewelry as a symbol of power and prestige. Whether a member of a tribe, team, work group or family many men wore rings as a symbol of their belonging or achievement.

Jewels and jewelry have been coveted since the beginning of time, as symbols of power, richness, beauty, commitment and even pride. Just as princesses and Queen's of old fell under the spell of sparkling gems, so too have men fallen under the tempting promise a precious metal offers.

History shows that men have worn jewels and rings for a variety of reasons. Most jewelry serves as an aesthetically pleasing accompaniment to a wardrobe or fashionable figure. Yet mens jewelry has also served functional purposes, including describing a male's social status, place in society and of course, marital status.

Men's Wedding Bands

Mens wedding bands are among the most common form of mens jewelry purchased. The tradition of offering a double ring or mens wedding bands at a wedding ceremony can be traced back to the mid 1940s in the United States. At this time jewelry manufacturers popularized the idea of offering a groom's wedding band as the perfect accompaniment to the ladies wedding ring. The idea of a groom's ring however, existed long before advertisers popularized it. In fact, consumers had already bought into the idea that a groom's ring symbolized much more than marriage, but also male prosperity and stability.

Among the more common and popular forms of mens jewelry on the market today is the mens diamond wedding band. Many gentlemen prefer to purchase a dual wedding set featuring a mens diamond wedding band and ladies diamond wedding ring. Mens wedding bands are often much thicker than women's. Though many men prefer jewelry that is subtle and less adorned, others prefer mens wedding bands that are ornate and intricate.

Accessories

There is no end to the jewelry accessories available to today's modern man. Mens jewelry often comes with complementary mens jewelry boxes made to hold a collection of cherished pieces. In fact, many men have so many necklaces, rings and bracelets one might consider mens jewelry boxes the ideal gift.

Other more common accessories offered in the mens jewelry category include the following:

* Cufflinks
* Bracelets
* Money Clips
* Rings
* Watches
* Earrings
* Chains

There is virtually nothing one can buy a woman that they can't buy a man when it comes to fashionable and tasteful mens jewelry. Don't be surprised to find many women out shopping for mens jewelry, a trend that is increasingly more popular as men continue to grow in their love of jewels and precious accessories. Why not? Who doesn't want to adorn their bodies with precious gems and sparkling gifts that say, I'm strong, I'm powerful, I'm handsome.

Finding Quality Men's Jewelry

Finding quality mens jewelry isn't difficult at all. More and more consumers are turning to the internet, buying mens jewelry online rather than in traditional department stores. The benefits of buying mens jewelry online are obvious. A consumer can browse thousands of unique and detailed selections, from mens wedding bands, bracelets, watches and more. Why not shop from the comfort of your home?

Consumers should be looking for several things when shopping online, particularly if buying a mens diamond wedding band. When it comes to diamonds, there are several important indicators of quality including cut, color, clarity and carat. Cut refers to the shape of the diamond; there are several different cuts available including:

* Round
* Oval
* Pear
* Marquis
* Emerald

Color of course refers to the color of the stone; not all diamonds are clear. In fact, most are a definitive color such as yellow, blue or green. All diamonds have hints of some color in them. When a mens diamond wedding ring shows little evidence of flaws, the clarity is good. The weight of the stone of course is the carat, and price often reflects this valuable assessment.

Other signs of quality in mens jewelry include price, craftsmanship and originality. Antique jewelry is an oft popular option for men looking for something unique or one of a kind. Most antique jewelry offers quality that is time tested and trustworthy.

Tips for Maintaining Men's Jewelry

Once you've found the perfect piece of jewelry, you have to care for it properly so that it lasts a lifetime. The best way to do this is to clean the jewelry frequently to remove built up dirt. The best substances to clean a mens wedding band with are jewelry cleaning solutions or alcohol. These same products can be used on other pieces, such as cufflinks, clips and bracelets. You can clean most mens jewelry with a soft bristled toothbrush. Also remember to bring the jewelry in to a jeweler on occasion, particularly if you have purchased a mens diamond wedding band. The jeweler will be able to inspect the jewelry for loose prongs or damage to the ring. Lastly, mens jewelry should always be kept in a mens jewelry box. The kitchen counter or dresser top is no place for valuable gems!

A Final Word on Men's Jewelry

When buying mens jewelry, be sure you take enough time to look at the wide selection available. Take your time. Remember that shopping for jewelry can be fun. Find the right piece, and you can pass it down from generation to generation. You even have the option of customizing jewelry to match your own unique personality and style preferences. When it comes to mens jewelry, the options are limitless. Masculinity, femininity, pride and personality... all have the potential to shine with the help of a jewel or two.

Fun Facts on Diamonds - Why it Sparkles, How it is Graded and Other Interesting Questions

What is diamond?

A diamond is actually made of carbons! (yes, the black stuff). The carbon atoms in a diamond are stacked tightly in a tetrahedral shape. Because of this strong bonding between the atoms, diamond is the hardest natural substance on earth. In fact, diamond got its name from the ancient Greek word "adamas", which means "invincible".

The transparency and hardness make diamond an ideal material for jewelry. The transparency makes it sparkle, i.e. it allows light to go through and the “cut” (see below) ensures light to scatter into different color spectrum. At the same time, the hardness makes diamonds resistant to scratches.

Diamonds are also used in industrial setting, mostly for cutting other hard materials such as glass and other diamonds.

Who wore the first diamond?

Diamond is believed to be discovered by Indians 3,000 years ago or before, where many diamond deposits were scattered along the rivers in the region. Romans were also known to wear diamond rings, but mostly for religious or superstitious reasons.

Gradually, this beautiful precious stone was spread to Europe, and by the 13th century it was treasured by kings, queens, and the wealthy class. A number of large diamonds were used as signature jewel on crowns.

However, it was not until the 1940s that the De Beers Company began to advertise Diamonds as engagement and wedding rings. At that time, huge deposits of diamonds were found in South Africa and De Beers had to come up with an advertising campaign to create demand. How? They made use of cinemas. As with lipsticks, its popularity spread quickly and buying a diamond for engagement became a global phenomenon.

Why do diamonds sparkle?

In fact, diamonds do not sparkle in their natural state. It is simply a transparent, hard rock. Diamond sparkles because of its cut, i.e. how it is shaped such that light is reflected and scattered into different color spectrum.

The classic and most famous "round brilliant cut" was developed in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky, a engineer whose family was in the diamond cutting business.

The cut divides the diamond into two parts, the crown (upper part) and the pavilion (lower part). When light goes through the crown, it is being reflected around and different colors are created. When the light reaches towards the pavilion, the angle of the cut ensures that most of the light is bounced back to the crown, to be reflected again and creating more colors (i.e. sparkles).

How can we grade a diamond?

Gemological Institute of America is the organization that sets the worldwide standard for diamonds. Diamond is graded according to the "four Cs": Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat.

Clarity:

Whether there are imperfections on the outside (blemishes) or inside (inclusions) in a diamond. The fewer the flaws, the more it sparkles.

Color:

Pure diamond is colorless and transparent but impurities will cause coloration. The most common impurity is nitrogen which gives the diamonds a yellow tint. Although colorless diamonds are generally more expensive because of little impurities (thus more sparkle), people in some regions, such as South East Asia, prefer slightly tinted diamonds. Technically, a diamond's color can range from “D” (colorless) to “Z” (light yellow).

Cut:

The quality depends on the workmanship (how well it is polished) and the angle of the cut (to maximize the amount of light scattered in order to make it sparkle). Most of the time, at least 50% of the diamond stone is cut off in order to make the classic "round brilliant cut".

Carat:

In general, the bigger/heavier the diamond, the more expensive. However, you may be interested to know that there is a big jump in price at certain carat level, e.g. a 1 carat diamond is much more expensive than a 0.95 carat diamond, simply because of higher demand. 1 carat weighs 0.2 grams.

Other fun facts

# Where do diamonds come from? Around 50% of diamonds comes from Africa.
# Can diamond melt? Yes, at 3,547 °C (6,420 °F); it boils at 4,827 °C (8,720 °F).

So next time when you are showing off your favorite rock, remember to brag about your knowledge on diamonds as well!

Sterling Silver Jewelry Today

Sterling silver jewelry: silver and gemstone rings, sterling silver earrings, bracelets and pendants are some of the hottest fashion accessories today! Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today's fashion conscious public. You know how beautifully sterling silver jewelry complements fashionable clothing and how it sparkles and shines; now here is the rest of the story.

Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnished and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was "in"; we are going through such a vogue today.

Silver is the most common of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.

The current fashion trend toward black clothing has made silver jewelry more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today's fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.

Care and Cleaning of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keeping your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver.

2.) For a slightly more "in-depth" cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner.

3.) For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here's a neat little trick

a) Cover the inside bottom of a heatproof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.

b) Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil.

c) Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil.

d) Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

Here are Some Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) Are your silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here's a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.

2.) Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your jewelry.

Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry How To Guide

Knowing how to clean and care for your Sterling Silver Jewelry is not as simple as you may think. These instructional tips give you the know how on cleaning your sterling silver properly with out damaging the finish and making your items last from generation to generation.

Step #1: Deciding on the proper cleaning products to use is some what confusing and extremely important. Choosing products such as: bleach, ammonia, alcohol, acetone, and other such products can damage your Sterling Silver beyond repair. Stay with a mild cleaner and be sure to dilute them with water (just to be safe). Some good home products to use are: baking soda, non abrasive tooth paste, mild phosphate free detergents as well as commercial silver cleaners.

Step #2: Choosing a cleaning brush. Be careful on the type of brushes you choose to deep clean Sterling Silver. Stay away from hard bristle brushes with horsehair and abrasive style brushes. The best cleaning brushes to use may be a baby tooth brush, a mushroom brush, very soft bristle toothbrush also consider using a sunshine cloth, which can be used wet or dry.

Note: When cleaning Sterling Silver always clean up and down motion NOT in circular motion.

Step #3: When drying your sterling silver jewelry choosing the proper cloth material should be taken very carefully. Use 100% cotton materials such as: old T-shirts, sweat shirts, cotton balls, soft flannel materials (all unbleached), and silver wipes. Using these types of home and commercial materials can help prevent your Sterling Silver from being scratched or even completely damaged.

There are many misconceptions on what to do to keep your precious Sterling Silver Clean and lustrous. Following the steps provided will insure your Sterling Silver will be taken care of properly and will last a lifetime.

What Exactly is 925 Sterling Silver?

A great deal of silver jewellery available today is called 925 silver. Have you ever wandered why we in the jewellery trade add the number 925 in front of sterling silver? Before you part with your hard-earned money buying jewellery for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, it is worth finding out what exactly 925 silver is. Furthermore, it is important to understand why you must always insist that your silver jewellery is up to the high 925 standard.

Before we look at what 925 silver is, we must first consider the properties of this fascinating metal. Pure silver is extremely malleable and therefore can easily damage. It also softens over time, even at room temperature.

Obviously, in this state silver is useless for jewellery purposes. To avoid the problems of malleability and softening, and thus to increase the life-span of your silver jewellery, other metals are added to the pure silver. The result of this blending process with alloys is a combined silver and alloy substance which is far more resistant to scratching and damage.

925 sterling silver jewellery is actually a combination of 92.5% silver and usually 7.5% copper. Sometimes the craftsman replaces copper with another material, or even a combination of materials. Over the last decade lower copper prices and an abundance of copper due to improved refining techniques have made it the first choice of many designers and jewellery stylists.

The beneficial properties gained by adding the copper to the pure silver have made the resulting product extremely popular with a host of silver craftsmen. Earrings, rings, bracelets and all other forms of jewellery can be carefully designed with the assurance that each intricate bend and turn will remain firmly in place.

925 silver is therefore a combination of mostly pure silver and a lower percentage of infused alloy metal. The addition of copper, or occasionally a similar copper-like substitute, helps to enhance your silver jewellery and does not in any way detract from its quality.

It is important to check that your silver jewellery is high quality 925 sterling silver before making a purchase. In the UK nearly all 925 sterling silver jewellery is hallmarked. All of the silver jewellery Purdice sells complies with relevant hallmarking requirements. If you are purchasing in another country, we advise you to check with the regional or national silver jewellery hallmarking body to find out if retailers can sell inferior lower grade silver jewellery without informing you.

Remember that in many countries the 925 hallmark is an assurance to you that your silver is of the highest quality.