A Quick Guide to Caring for Your Artisan Jewelry

Jewely is an investment and can last forever if you take the proper care of it. Here are a few tips on how to care for your Artisan Jewelry. I've added a few convenient links for some of the products I discuss.

• Put your jewelry on last when getting dressed. This avoids over spray of makeup, lotions, hair products and perfume. All of which can cause dulling, pitting and degradation of gemstones.

• Do wipe your jewelry with a soft cotton micro-fiber cloth after wearing. This removes the oils, dust and dirt from daily wear.

• Do not wear your jewelry while working with harsh chemicals or cleaning solutions. They will have the same affects as makeups and perfumes. If this should happen, rinse your jewelry in warm water as soon as possible and let air dry before storing. 

• Do store your jewelry in airtight containers. Metals will oxidize naturally over time. Storing them in airtight containers, will extend the natural process. You can also place a  piece of chalk or an anti-tarnish square inside your container. This will help with moisture and oxidation control.

• Do store your jewelry pieces individually to prevent them from rubbing against each other. This could cause scratches and chips in the metal and gemstones. Store them in separate compartments in your jewelry box or in small zipper top plastic bags.

• If your jewelry should tarnish, do not use chemical jewelry cleaners. Some gemstones are softer than others and the chemicals can break down the stones composition. 

• Use only a jewelry polishing cloth for cleaning. (for dirt and dust in crevasses, you may use a dry, soft bristle toddler toothbrush to loosen the dirt.

• Avoid wearing your jewelry during rough activities, this will avoid cracks, scratches and breakage. 

Artisan Jewelry is wearable art and an expression of yourself...............So take care of both of you!

Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs is Selected for 2012 Miami Award

This was a nice surprise this morning. I'm honored. I guess hard work does pay off.

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs Receives 2012 Miami Award

Miami Award Program Honors the Achievement
MIAMI September 1, 2012 -- Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs has been selected for the 2012 Miami Award in the Precious & Semi-Precious Stones category by the Miami Award Program.
Each year, the Miami Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Miami area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 Miami Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Miami Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Miami Award Program

The Miami Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Miami area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Miami Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Miami Award Program

CONTACT:
Miami Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@awardprogram.org
URL: http://www.awardprogram.org

Fall Color Forcast

Here are the Fall 2012 color trends according to Pantone. The trendsetter of colors. These are not your mamas traditional fall colors. When I think of fall colors, browns, oranges, reds and golds come to mind. Pantone has thrown in a few non-traditional color trends. I happen to love them.

Here are a few jewelry pieces that incorporate these fun fall colors. 

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  They can all be found in my studio

  Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs

Necklaces and Necklines~How to find the perfect match!

Not sure what type of necklace to wear with what outfit? It does matter. The style of necklace that you wear can enhance or detract from the look of both your outfit and your jewelry.  Here are a few tips to follow when choosing your perfect accessory. Following these will help to spotlight you, your outfit and your jewelry.

Plunging neckline:
A plunging neckline, believe it or not, usually does not fare well with a neck

lace even though there’s a lot to bare. It takes away from the outfit, which is already a statement. Instead, skip the necklace and accessorize with rings, earrings, bracelets, hair/head bands or barrettes.

Sweetheart neckline:
A sweetheart neckline gives a lot of room to work with since the shoulders are also bare. It’s a flirty style and looks great with a short bib necklace, chunky necklace, pendant necklace, and it can be simple or bold.

V-shaped neck:
A V-shaped neck always looks sweet with a Y-shaped necklace, pendant necklace, or a cascading necklace that follows the V shape.

Square neck:
A square neck dress or top looks perfect with short layered chains, a dainty necklace, or a short chunky necklace that creates a structured round curve to complement and balance the square shape.

Bateau neckor Boat Neck:
The bateau neck covers you up on top, so you want to go the opposite with a long necklace–layered or single.

Draped neckline:
A draped neckline paired with a necklace can look like too much is going on, so if you must, opt for a short dainty necklace.

Round neck:
Just like the bateau neck, a round crew neck style covers up the neck. A short necklace can compete with the neckline so you want to go the opposite with a long necklace. Go with a long pendant necklace or one with charms or tassels dangling at the ends.

Necklace lengths: Which one is right for you?

Necklace lengths: Which one is right for you?

Choosing the right necklace length is an important factor to take into consideration while buying jewelry. Jewelry can enhance your outfit or your body.

Do not underestimate the importance of size when buying jewelry Whether you're trying to find a necklace of appropriate length for a formal gathering, wishing to accentuate your best features, or wanting to deemphasize your flaws, you need to be armed with knowledge about how size affects the way jewelry looks. Use this guide to the terminology of jewelry size and the related tips to pick the perfect jewelry for you.

No matter what size necklace you choose, there are some things that you should keep in mind. If you want to look taller, choose a necklace that falls below the bustline. If you're 5 foot 7 inches tall or taller, a necklace of any length will look good on you. Long, thin necklaces will look good if you have a small bust. Women with larger busts should go with necklaces longer than 22 inches. If you have a long neck, choose a short necklace with multiple strands. Ladies with shorter necks look best in long necklaces.

 

Collar (12’’-13’’): Collar sits snuggly on the middle of the neck, and can be worn a

s single or multi-strand.
Princess (17”-19”): The princess length is very popular, lies just below collar bone.
Matinee (20”-24”): The matinee drapes on the chest.
Opera (28”-34”): Opera drapes extravagantly to one's mid-section.
Ropes (Over 45”): Recently popular, rope length necklaces are elegant, sensual and sexy.Ropes can be looped, wrapped or draped as desired. Ropes can also be used as double-strand necklaces or multi-strand bracelets.
Lariats (Over 45”): Lariats are long like ropes but have open, unattached ends. They can be loosely knotted in the front or wrapped around the neck.

Basic Guide to Chakras

There is a lot of talk about Chakras. What exactly are they? Here's a short intro Chakras and the gemstone that help to align them.

A Chakra can be thought of as an energy point within the body. Chakra Therapies have been used for thousand

s of years by the Chinese and Indian cultures to balance energy in the body. They maintain that imbalances at these points may result in emotional and physical upsets. They believe the body is entwined with the emotions and spirit. Upsets at critical periods of the life may manifest as physical complaints. While modern medicine is just now discovering the link between stress, our emotions and our health, gemstones have been used for thousands of years in moving and manipulating Chakra Energy, sometimes called Ch'i or Prana. It is believed by many Naturopaths that a Chakra responds to the energy produced by particular gemstones and are therefore thought to bring balance and align these energy points in the body.

 

7th - Crown Chakra
Transcendence
Gemstones: Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Opal, Moonstone
6th - 3rd Eye or Brow Chakra
Spiritual
Gemstones:Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Sodalite, Sugilite, Purple Fluorite, Dumortierite, Blue Aventurine, Charoite, Tanzanite, Dark Blue Kyanite
5th - Throat Chakra
Communication
Gemstones: Turquoise, Blue Lace Agate, Angelite, Blue Topaz, Blue Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli (light), Blue Chalcedony, Blue Calcite, Sapphire, Blue Opal, Aquamarine
4th - Heart Chakra
Love and Compassion
Gemstones:Green Aventurine, Rose Quartz, Malachite, Jade, Rhodochrosite, Pink Kunzite, Rhodonite, Pink Opal, Lepidolite
3rd - Navel Chakra
Will Power
Gemstones:Yellow Amber, Citrine, Golden Topaz, Yellow Calcite, Yellow Aragonite, Golden Tiger Eye, Rutilated Quartz
2nd - Sacral Chakra
Pleasure
Gemstones: Carnelian, Yellow/Golden Topaz, Tiger Eye, Orange Amber, Sunstone, Peach Aventurine, Malachite
1st - Root Chakra
Fear, Security, Survival
Gemstones: Black Tourmaline, Garnet, Hematite, Obsidian, Black Onyx, Dark Ruby, Smoky Quartz, Bloodstone
General Chakra
There are some gemstones that do not need cleansing, or that are said to be extremely effective in aligning all Chakras.
Kyanite - Besides being an exceptionally beautiful stone, Kyanite is said to effortlessly align all Chakras and never need cleansing.
Kunzite - Said to help pinpoint and move energy blockages.

Gemstone and Crystal Earrings on Handformed Sterling Silver Hoops

$18 to $28