Pendants are adornments for necklaces. The most popular styles are lockets and crucifixes. If you are looking to buy gold or silver pendants for a necklace you already own or buying a necklace with a pendant included you should find all of the relevant information included here. Pendants are often made from various precious metals and decorated with precious minerals or an engraved pattern.

Silver Pendants

Sterling silver is the standard grade used for jewellery. It is a legal requirement for silver to carry a hallmark in order to be sold in the United Kingdom. This will normally include a number. Sterling Silver should be marked ‘925′.

Gold Pendants

As with most gold jewellery, pendants can be made from yellow and white gold. As gold is not naturally white it is worth being mindful that, over time white gold may need to be restored. A 9 carat, solid gold pendant could contain around 35% pure gold whereas and 18 carat solid gold pendant would contain 75% pure gold. This drastically changes the price. Any solid gold jewellery should be engraved with a hallmark. 9ct gold should have the number ‘375′ engraved and 18ct gold will have ‘750′.

Gemstones and Decoration

A large number of pendants include gemstones or other decorative materials with varying values. One commonly used material is mother of pearl. This is harvested from the inner layer of the shells of particular mollusks. They create this layer to form part of their shell for protection and the outer layers of pearls are made using this material which gives them their iridescent finish. Jewellery can be produced with mother of pearl decoration at a relatively low cost and can be found on pendants of various purity metals. Other precious stones may be used to decorate pendants but diamonds are a very popular addition to gold pendants. These are generally set into yellow of white gold of 18ct purity or higher.

Costs

As a rule of thumb silver pendants should be available for less than £50 unless they are particularly heavy, higher grade than sterling or are set with stones that require a higher price. Plain or engraved 9ct yellow gold pendants should cost £50 – £100. Additional stones such as Sapphire, Peridot or Amethyst may require a price tag upwards of £200. Rubies and Diamonds will cost significantly more; depending on the quality and size of the stones they will require a price tag upwards of £500. As they are normally set in high quality 18ct yellow or white gold it is not unusual for these items to cost over £1000.

For a selection of pendants, John Hollins Fine Jewellery is a great place to go

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For the last two years, I have been purchasing and recommending precious metals against an inevitable currency crisis. Since my last report, gold has added another £50 per ounce and is now topping £600.

The gold rally is just getting warmed up, and I firmly believe it will continue at least through 2007. I predict that we will see its value rise to between £3,000 and £5,000 per ounce.

Forex Super King subscribers have experienced substantial profit trading the forex, with an average of 1,000 pips (price interest points) per month, and a 100 percent return on stocks purchased. As usual, we have recommended that they place part of their profit into gold.

Here is an update on gold: The Federal Reserve announced that it will no longer publish M3 data showing the amount of paper currency issued in the U.S. In 1980, for every ounce of gold in America, the financial system carried £6,966. That’s £1.8 trillion total. At the end of 2005, the total real money supply shot up to over £10 trillion. That’s £40,000 in circulation for every single ounce of gold. So the question becomes: How much is £1 really worth?

China, Japan and most of Southeast Asia are all shifting from the pound. To the Chinese, a weak pound is neither solid nor reliable. Yu Yongding, who sits on the Chinese Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee, told the China Securities Journal he was worried America would drop interest rates in 2006, putting pressure on the pound and the yuan. China just recently cashed in about 2.4 percent of its pound reserves to buy gold. China Galaxy Securities quietly hinted China’s Central Bank should quadruple its gold reserves in the very near future.

Here is the update on silver: Over the long term, gold has sold for about 30 times the price of silver. In 1991, you needed 98 ounces of silver to buy a single ounce of gold, which currently sells for 62 times the price of silver.

If gold continues its meteoric rise in value, there will be a gain of at least 700 percent for silver. Silver is in demand in the industrial sector despite being in short supply. Unlike gold, there is no silver Exchange Traded Fund yet. To launch an ETF, a bank or financial institution actually has to buy enough of the underlying asset (in this case, silver bullion) to back every pound invested in the fund. Barclays Bank is expected to launch a silver ETF soon, at which point silver will explode.

Forex Super King offers subscribers a plan of trading by which they can control up to £100,000 worth of silver for £1,000. Since silver’s potential has yet to be reached, it is easily exchanged into other currencies and is ripe for trade.

Claude Grespinet is president and head of trading at Forex Super King.

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Gold or silver cufflinks can form a subtle but integral part of an outfit and provide the wearer with confidence and an air of class. The very fact that the majority of people would rather do without allows you to make a statement with jewellery which is far more subtle than wearing a ring. With that said however, when combined with the correct type of jewellery they can allow you to exude even more style and class. There may be fewer opportunities for people to see your cufflinks but they convey sartorial elegance surpassing other types of jewellery.

Which Metal Gold or Silver?

Although it is a matter of preference it is highly recommended that you match the colour of your cufflinks to any other jewellery you may be wearing with them. Chromium plated or silver cufflinks are suitable for wearing with white metals such as silver, white gold, platinum or palladium whereas gold cufflinks will compliment gold jewellery nicely.

Designs and Decoration

The level of embellishment is a largely a matter of personal choice but the type of event they are being worn to should also be a factor. The outward facing side may have a design or a precious stone set into it. Cufflinks designed to be a novelty are only really suitable for informal events like parties or celebrations, otherwise you may want to choose a set which adds to a formal appearance. Plain gold or precious stones are most suitable for events that require a formal black outfit. Other occasions where you may be wearing different colour suits could accommodate either silver or gold. Seasoned jewellers will be able to engrave plain gold or silver cufflinks should you so wish.

What Cost?

As no one will actually appraise your outfit while you wear it, you may want to select a gold plated set of cufflinks with a precious stone however by choosing solid gold, possibly decorated with other precious metals or stones, adds to your own sense of self worth which in turn adds to your confidence.

As you will see most jewellers can offer you a spectrum of prices for cufflinks but the composition should pretty well dictate the price. A good starting point for gold plated cufflinks is around £20 whereas a set of good quality 9ct gold cufflinks may cost upwards of £200 and you could expect a precious stone such as ruby to add upwards of £200 to that depending on the size and quality. The costs of engraving vary between jewellers.

Whether you are buying cufflinks as a gift or for yourself, this guide will hopefully provide the background information you need to choose the right set for you and help you the value of the composition.

A great place to find a complete range of gold and silver cufflinks is John Hollins Fine Jewellery

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Everything You Need to Know About Buying Quality Jewelry Online

Gold, platinum and titanium are among the most coveted precious metals in the world. Jewelry crafted out of these pure substances is often highly valued and sought out by savvy consumers the world over. Learn everything you need to know about selecting quality pieces right here!

Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry is perhaps the most traditional form of quality jewelry worn by men and women alike in every culture and society of the world. Gold has been used to fashion attractive pieces for centuries. Many historians believe that gold was used as far back as pre-historic times by man as a tool. Later gold jewelry was first discovered dating to around 3000 BC. Gold first became widely used by the Egyptians, who combined gold with other precious metals to achieve varying looks, colors and durability.

So what do you need to know about buying gold? Let’s start with the basics. Most gold is assessed via its weight or karats.

14k Gold – 14k gold jewelry is made up of 58.5% gold mixed with copper and nickel among other things. It is the most popular karat of gold purchased the world over, and is known for its affordability and durability.

18k Gold – 18k gold jewelry is popular particularly in Europe. Most 18k gold jewelry is made from 75% pure gold. Most premium jewelry is made with 18 k, which is only slightly more expensive than 14 k gold.

22-24k Gold – 22 and 24 karat gold jewelry is usually considered the most valuable, and is very popular among elite gold shoppers. This form of gold is the most pure, consisting of almost 199% gold. Generally 22 and 24 karat gold products have a richer color than other gold jewelry.

Is one better than the other? The more pure the gold, the softer the jewelry will be and the more likely to scratch. Fine scratches are easily minimized however with proper care and cleaning over time. Quality is more related to craftsmanship than the actual percentage of gold in a particular piece of jewelry. When deciding on a piece that’s right for you – you’ll want to look for things like symmetry, overall appearance and finishing.

One of the best things about gold jewelry is it is available in both yellow and white. White gold is becoming increasingly popular though it is only available in 14 or 18 k styles. White gold jewelry is often plated with a platinum metal to help give its unique color.

Black Hills Gold
Black Hills gold is extremely popular among gold enthusiasts. Black Hills Gold is named not only after the style but also location the gold jewelry is fashioned in. Legend has it that a French goldsmith became lost during the gold rush of the mid 1870s in the Black Hills of South Dakota. During a dream, he believed he had seen a mountain stream with grape vines; upon awakening, he walked over to find the very scene he dreamed about, and in gratitude decided to devote his life to creating gold jewelry in the shape of grape leaves and clusters fashioned out of gold.

Black Hills Gold jewelry is a particular style of jewelry that must be manufactured in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This gold jewelry is often combined with silver and copper to create green and rose leaved color combinations. Most Black Hills Gold is available in 10, 12 and 14k versions. This makes Black Hills gold extremely popular among jewelry fans looking for attractive yet very affordable gold jewelry.

Platinum & Titanium Jewelry
Platinum and titanium jewelry are among the most expensive jewelry items, in part because they are crafted of white metals. Platinum jewelry is often very heavy and dense as is most titanium jewelry. Platinum jewelry is much heavier than gold jewelry because of the density of the metal used to craft it. Titanium is actually really light. It’s only 60% heavier than aluminum and 45% lighter than steel! Platinum jewelry and titanium jewelry are also naturally white or silver, thus do not have to be combined with other metals to achieve a brilliant whitish sheen.

Most platinum jewelry is 90% pure or more, thus platinum jewelry is an exceptional selection for consumers who are allergic or who have sensitive skin. Gold jewelry might cause allergic reactions in people in part because it is mixed with other substances such as nickel, which can be irritating for some people.

Platinum and titanium jewelry usually will hold up well over time and require little maintenance, other than regular cleanings using a mild soap or cleaning agent. Titanium jewelry is in fact considered one of the most durable jewelry selections available, showing few if any signs of wear and tear over the years.

Both platinum and titanium jewelry can be fashioned with gold or silver inlays or adorned with stones. Platinum jewelry is often a popular choice for wedding and engagement bands. Titanium jewelry is slowly becoming more popular as its appeal and durability is more widely known. You can find platinum jewelry and titanium jewelry that is affordable. Most unadorned bands generally can range anywhere from $60 on up. Remember that in general, intricate and ornate platinum or titanium pieces are more expensive than their gold counterparts, and it isn’t uncommon to see pieces that cost up to several thousand dollars.

You can find virtually any type of jewelry in platinum and titanium that you can in gold. Most people select one or the other based on style or budgetary considerations. Gold can actually be combined with platinum or titanium to produce unique custom pieces. The most popular platinum and titanium pieces remain rings for the most part; gold jewelry is still the reigning king and favorite it seems among jewelry wearers looking for a combination of rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. That may change with time however, as more and more consumers realize the appeal and durability of other precious metals including platinum and titanium.

About The Author:

Successful freelance writer, Antigone Arthur has completed a number of informative articles providing valuable insight for consumers on such topics as Black Hills Gold jewelry, platinum engagement rings, and titanium wedding rings.

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Gold Jewellery – Care Advice

So you’ve been given a beautiful piece of gold jewellery? Here’s how to look after it properly.

Gold is the softest of the precious metals. In fact the greater the purity, the softer it is. Hence the ‘old’ prospector’s biting test – pure gold is marked by a hard nibble! (Not to be advised without a dentist on standby!)

This ’softness’ property is one of the reasons why it became so precious and desirable, to every civilisation. Gold, although rare and difficult to obtain could be easily ‘worked’ – Just one ounce can be beaten out to cover a surface area of over 27 square metres!

In it’s purest form it is too soft to be of any use in the making of Jewellery. The pure gold is alloyed with silver, copper and various other metals in order to render a material hard enough for jewellery. The percentage of pure gold, in a Jewellery alloy is denoted by its carat (k) weight. Pure gold is 24k (ie.100%), the other common alloy carat weights are 22k, 18k, 14k, 10k and 9k. 9k is the hardest alloy. Obviously, this means that 9k will scratch all the softer k weights. This is the reason it’s advisable to always wear items of the same  carat weight, if your jewellery is likely to come into contact (rings etc). Gold is resistant to oxidative corrosion – it won’t tarnish, rust or corrode.

A few ‘golden rules’:

* Remove your gold jewellery when using chemicals and engaging in manual work. Gold will scratch abrade reducing its lustrous appearance.
* Remove your jewellery when swimming – Chlorine will affect its lustre.
* To clean jewellery use warm water and cotton wool. For heavy soiling use a weak solution of warm water and detergent-free soap.
* Gold is softer than sand. Sand will scratch your jewellery. Don’t wear it on the beach!
* Always store your jewellery separately in a soft stable-temperature environment. Ideally, keep your jewellery in the box with which it was supplied.
* To give your jewellery a deep clean it can be immersed in a very weak (just a pinch), sodium bicarbonate/boiling water solution for a few seconds. Carefully dry the jewellery immediately with a soft cotton cloth. (*Do not do this if your jewellery contains gemstones).

White Gold:

White Gold was originally developed in the 1920’s as an alternative to Platinum. It’s not actually another type of gold; there’s no such thing as ‘pure’ white gold, or 24k white. It’s simply an alloy in which the choice of alloyed metals has been made to achieve a ‘white’ or platinum like colour.

Rhodium Coating:

Most white gold jewellery has a thin coating of Rhodium to enhance its ‘whiteness’ and reflective properties. Rhodium is a member of the platinum family of metals and serves as a good protective coating to the jewellery, as well as enhancing the colour. Rhodium is harder than gold and will wear much better as a consequence. However, this rhodium coating will wear through with time, which will expose the alloy underneath. As the white gold alloy will be a darker, less white colour, this wear will be noticeable. It is a simple matter to reapply the rhodium coating; most jewellers make a small charge for this.

Article written by Tim Vogel. To view a fine selection of Jewellery pieces featuring authentic Swarovski crystal components and precious metal fittings, visit us here: http://www.whitewolfjewellery.co.uk

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Gold has been an extremely desired expensive metal for coinage, jewellery and other arts since its invention. Monetary markets have always been doubtful. But, today is the world of globalization; economic situation is much severe than ever before. This just might be a good time to avoid insecurity by investing in gold. Gold is also known as the money of last resort. It is useful because it does not only protect you against the falling demand and value dollar, but you could make a heavy profit in precious metals. Here are the best five reasons for converting your money into gold:

Limited Supply

Gold does not lose its value every day, like paper money. Gold is not exaggerated by inflation or devaluation as there is a limited natural supply of the precious metal. Many people realize it that there is no alternate for the gold. By buying gold, you can have a sense of security that if anything happens to the market prices and the worth of paper currency to falls, you would be in control of a very valuable material, whose prices are not determined by governments of various countries.

Globally Acceptable Currency

As you know that gold is a very expensive and precious metal. It is acceptable in any place of the world without any hesitation. It is an easy and comfortable investment, which is accepted as currencies all over the world.

Historical Value

No one can make gold as much as he wants because gold cannot be made by hand. It is the gift of God for the people. That is why the worth of gold has been used for over 5,000 years. Gold is a great preservative for all economies.

Economic Recession Periods

In the economic recession around the world, gold emerges as being more reliable, because the market believes that it will not fall to fluctuations in economic trends like paper currency does. Gold is measured as the greatest investment in times of crisis.

Gold As Jewellery Business

In the last two years, gold jewellery business has earned a lot of popularity as a small size business. There are a lot of women who do not do any work at home, but buy jewellery according to their choice; they get new designs and sell them on high prices. It is a means of a profitable business for women. They can use their innovative faculties and employ their hours in creation of gold jewellery, which can later be sold off.

As we have looked at gold that can be kept for investment purposes, its stunning looks and shortage have made it the perfect means of exchange. Gold is the finest metal for this purpose because of its high value, durability, portability and easy divisibility. The importance of gold, as a great store of worth and investment, is not a recent phenomenon. It has been there for many centuries. Gold was the main commodity that was used as money and was used for carrying out barter dealings.

Learn how to buy gold in the times of recession for investment.

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