Necklaces
Choosing The Right Necklace Length – Charts For Men And Women
Whether you like bold or discreet, a long metal chain or a rugged leather one, choosing a necklace is no easy task. Even if you know exactly what necklace you want – the style, the materials, the design – choosing the length can prove to be the trickiest part of it all.
Too long, too short, uncomfortable or not really what you had in mind – all these problems can be solved by taking a look at our necklace lengths chart. This way, you’ll be able to make the right choice and avoid the hassle of going to the shop to shorten or lengthen your chain.
Men’s necklace lengths
When it comes to men, the necklace chain lengths are a bit more limited than women’s. Men’s necklaces can range from 18inch to 30ich pieces, while the most common sizing range from an 18 inch to a 24 inch. What’s important to consider here is personal style, preferences, and what you want to achieve with a statement piece such as a necklace.
Most men’s necklaces emphasize the materials they’re made from and are designed in such a way to look older, like family heirlooms, more rugged and generally more robust. Unlike women’s jewelry, men’s jewelry is most commonly made for everyday use – meaning, never to be taken off, even when in the shower or swimming in the ocean.
Start with your height and face shape
Surprisingly, height can play a role in what necklace suits you best. If you are around 5’ 4’’, you should focus on shorter necklaces (such as the 18 inch). This ensures you don’t look weighed down by your necklace. However, if your body type is more bulky and developed, you might want to opt for a necklace that’ll sit a bit more loosely around your neck.
Since necklaces naturally draw the attention to the face, your necklace can influence the way your face appears, If you have an oval-shaped face, you don’t have to worry – everything will look good on you! Rectangular-shaped faces work best with a 10-14 inch necklace, while a round shape is most suited to a 26 to 36 inch chain. In case you have a heart-shaped face, you fall right in the middle – a 10 to 16 inch necklace will work best.
18 inches
This type of necklace sits high at the neck, usually just below Adam’s apple or at the base of the neck. It’s best suited for crew neck shirts, where the necklace can clearly accent your style.
These choker-style necklaces can be worn with anything, excepting a suit and tie. Wearing a necklace this short works best when it peeks above a low collar.
20 inches
Among all necklace lengths, the 20 inch is by far the most ubiquitous when it comes to men’s jewelry. This typically falls near the collarbone and can be worn both inside or outside the shirt. In case you want a pendant on your chain, this length may not be the best choice. The mid-size chain can look awkward with any sort of pendant – the precious piece will always end up half or completely covered by your clothes
Women’s necklace lengths
Women’s necklaces offer greater variety when it comes to lengths – they even have their own names! They range from a 10 inch choker all the way to 40 inch plus statement pieces. As with any piece of jewelry, you should first follow your gut and personal style, and then turn to the mechanics of how the piece accentuates your features.
Believe it or not, the perfect length of your necklace will depend on your height and face shape. Here, we’ll be focusing on those criteria. But if you want more info on which necklace goes with which neckline.
10-16 inches: Chokers and Collars
For women, chokers will look best on women with long and slim necks. Perfect for those with square, oblong and oval face-shapes, these types of necklaces can be worn in both a casual or a more formal style. If you’re around 5’ 4’’ or under, necklaces on the shorter side of the spectrum will work much better – they won’t dominate your entire frame.
A 16 inch collar will sit much more loosely, around the base your neck, and is perfect for any ‘long’ face shape (oval, heart, and diamond) – in fact, round face-shapes are the best match for
18-20 inches: Princess
The standard lengths among women’s necklaces, the Princess sits right around the collarbone. Flattering on any woman, you can dress this necklace up or down, depending on your outfits and moods! Since this length is flattering on any face and body type, it’s the perfect length to choose if you want to surprise a woman in your life with a piece of jewelry.
20-24 inches: Matinee
Starting at 20 inches, these types of necklaces are bolder accents to your style. Sitting just below your collarbone and reaching the center of the bust, the matinee necklaces are perfect for showing off a pendant, whether it’s a locket, a precious jewel, or anything else. Suited for both petite and fuller body types, the matinee is a perfect piece to add some flair to your style.
30-34 inches: Opera
Hanging just below the bust, opera length necklaces will serve taller women best. Anyone shorter than around about 5’ 7’’ might find that necklaces longer than about 20 inches overwhelm the frame. When it comes, to face-shapes, the heart-shaped may find that this length hardens the face.
45 inches: Lariat or Rope
The main difference between a lariat and a rope is the clasp – rope typically doesn’t have one. These types of necklaces usually feature a knot and are typically beads or pearls. Hanging far below the bust, lariats and ropes are best suited to oval-shaped faces and taller frames. But don’t let that stop you! Necklaces of these lengths are perfect for layering, so you can mix and match until you reach the perfect balance between the statement you want to make and the way the jewelry accentuates your features!
Among the many lengths of necklaces, choose what works best for you – even if it breaks some of the common “rules.” The most important thing is that you love your jewelry and feel amazing when wearing it. We can offer you a rich assortment of necklaces – from discrete to bold – and a vast array of pendants. Drop by one of our Miami jewelry stores – that perfect piece of jewelry is waiting for you!
Jewelry Trends
4 New Jewelry Book Titles Just in Time for the Holidays
The holidays are almost upon us, which means one thing – delighting our loved ones! Getting a meaningful present can be a difficult task, especially if you want to give something personal, something that can speak to the very soul of your loved one.
When it comes to jewelry, the choice is extra hard. But if your loved one is a jewelry lover and a book lover, jewelry books can be the perfect solution!
Here are just some of the titles perfect for enjoying a cozy Christmas morning.
The Pearl Necklace by Vivienne Becker
The Little Black Dress of jewelry, a pearl necklace can be dressed up and down, it can be bold and discrete, it can be opulent and humble. Award-winning journalist, Vivienne Becker, traces the pearl back to history and on the way explored and presents the history of jewelry, along with the evolution of fashion itself.
This book can be considered the authoritative work on pearls and, just like the jewel, it’s gorgeous – the pearlescent story is told through photography, still-lifes of the most famous pearls, along with the women who draped them around their neck.
Hidden Gems: Jewelry Stories from the Saleroom by Sarah Hue-Williams and Raymond Sancroft-Baker
What’s a jewel without a story? You can argue it’s nothing more than a pretty colored rock. Fortunately, one jewelry historian (Hue-Williams) and one European Jewelry Director for Christie’s (Sancroft-Baker) have joined forces and decided to reveal all the secrets and stories behind our favorite jewelry.
Each gem inside this jewelry book is followed by a tale, and each of those is a result of the writers’ first-hand encounters with the gems. Whether it’s a diamond worn in battle or ruby that once graced the neck of the most famous French lady of the court, each of the stones in the book is spellbound by a story of where it came from and what it saw along the way.
Jewel: A Celebration of Earth’s Treasures
This book on jewelry delivers on its promise – behind the black velvet cover is an explosion of color, wonder, and brilliance. An encyclopedia of jewels of sorts, this book is a comprehensive guide, peppered with spreads that feature some of the most well-known jewels in history.
Not just another coffee table book, this title will provide you with surprising information on almost every page – topics range from Halley’s Comet opal, the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, to the Staffordshire Hoard.
Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry
Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry book is almost as dazzling as the woman herself. From the time she’s first stepped on the stage, she’s been a star. Over the years, she’s continued to evolve and dazzle, with each step proving her greatness and poise to both herself and the world.
Jewelry is just one of her many passions and one she has stayed true to over decades. In her book, she gives the reader a personal, guided tour of her impressive collection. From Burmese rubies and Cartier diamonds to a 33.19 carat Krupp diamond, each is followed by amusing anecdotes and intimate tales from this extraordinary woman’s life.
If you want to make the present extra special, why not include some jewelry in the box? From key chains to charm bracelets and divine earrings – you can find the perfect match for your loved one in our shop! A custom made jewelry piece just might be even better – get us the design, and we’ll make sure the joy you bring to your loved one is extra special!
Diamonds
How Are Colored Diamonds Made?
The clear sparkle of a diamond in the sunlight bedazzles with its brilliance. For a long while, these have been the reigning champions in the diamond world – clear, with no imperfections, white, colorless. It’s easy to lose sight of the rarer, more precious, and more unique players – colored diamonds. Let’s see how they’re made.
What are diamonds made of?
All diamonds, including colored ones, are made up of the same material – carbon. Under intense pressure and heat, carbon atoms bond in a crystal structure. In case any foreign materials (such as boron, for example) find their way into this crystallization process, we get a splash of color in our diamond.
How are diamonds made?
The short answer to this question is that 3 billion years ago, deep within the Earth, the pressure and intense heat changed the very structure of the carbon molecule, until it finally transformed into the gem we know and love.
Still, the newly formed diamonds are too deep in the Earth for us to ever reach them. The way they’re pushed, or expelled, up is by a deep-source volcanic eruption. Magma travels through the Earth’s crust, ‘picks up’ diamonds on the way, and brings it closer to the Earth’s surface. As it cools, this diamond-bearing magma hardens to form Kimberlite and settles into vertical structures called kimberlite pipes. These pipes are our most significant source of diamonds – however, only 1 in every 200 of them actually contain gem-quality stones.
Just like the ‘regular’ diamonds, natural colored diamonds go through the same process, with one crucial difference. During the crystallization process, foreign particles get trapped inside and cause an alteration in the chemical process. The final color of the diamond depends on the trace minerals present during the formation process.
What colors do diamonds come in?
Even though all of us know the enchanting brilliance of clear diamonds, these dazzlers can come in many colors. Red, pink, blue, green, violet, purple, orange, and yellow – diamonds encompass every color of the rainbow.
Red or pink diamonds are created in intense pressure and heat (more so that the regular, clear diamonds) which distorts the crystal lattice of the molecule so that it absorbs green light. This is how the soft pink and the ultra-rare red diamonds are made.
Grey or blue diamonds have traces of boron within them. This ‘impurity’ makes it a gorgeous, unique gem.
Green diamonds get their color just before they’re about to leave the uppermost layer of the Earth’s crust. There, they absorb some of the natural radiation – don’t worry! Green diamonds are simply enchanting and will not cause you any harm.
Diamonds of a purple hue are created by, as far as we know, some kind of crystal distortion. No one can quite put a finger on it, but it’s believed hydrogen is somewhat responsible for giving us an indescribable violet stone.
For orange and yellow diamonds, we have nitrogen to thank. During the diamonds’ formation, nitrogen atoms attach so that they absorb blue light, and we get to admire a golden diamond. If the nitrogen atoms group in a very specific way, the ultimate product is a precious gem of an orange hue.
No matter which diamond you prefer – white, pink, blue, or green – you can rest easy knowing they are not just beautiful, but also priceless heirlooms you can keep in the family for years and generations to come. If you want to add to your family’s jewelry collection, drop by one of our Miami jewelry stores – we can help you choose your perfect jewelry piece, one that will shine bright for years to come.
Engagement Rings
Buying Sapphire Engagement Ring: Ultimate Guide
Your soulmate has stepped out of your dreams and into reality – congratulations! Aside from feeling a wealth of emotions, you also might be completely overwhelmed by the question of an engagement ring.
What if your special someone is just not into diamonds? Don’t worry – a diamond is not actually necessary! The whole idea of a 2 paycheck worth of an engagement ring was actually a marketing tactic made in the early days of the 20th century.
Fortunately, there are other choices – the most enchanting one being sapphire engagement rings.
Sapphires vs Diamonds
A sapphire engagement ring is not as unusual as you may think – many a royal can boast this precious stone on their finger, including the late Princess Diana!
In comparison with its deep, ineffable blue, a diamond might seem a little…bland. A good dazzle just doesn’t cut it – your soulmate’s ring, just like your soulmate, needs to have some depth to it. And while it’s wonderful to get lost in a diamond’s brilliance, one look at a sapphire enchants with its beauty, mystery, and enchantments. With a sapphire, size really doesn’t matter. A diamond usually needs to be on the large size to inspire adoring gasps, but just one speck of magical blue is all it takes to turn heads.
Just like diamonds, sapphires can be combined with any kind of metal – though we should point out that yellow gold would be a rare choice, it all depends on personal taste!
If you’re wondering how much is a sapphire engagement ring, the answer is less expensive than a diamond (in most cases).
Finding that perfect blue
If you’re planning to buy a sapphire engagement ring, the one thing you need to be absolutely sure about is the color.
Most sapphires will have very small traces of violet or green – in other words, they will have a secondary hue. Your goal here is to choose the one with the least noticeable secondary hue.
Another aspect you should consider is the strength of the color itself – the stone’s saturation. The untrained eye cannot easily discern this, so trust in your dealer is key. Ask for moderate or strong saturation.
So, if you look for a pure blue hue, with moderate to strong saturation you should be presented with a deep blue stone.
Cut, Clarity, and Style
Clarity, when looking at diamonds, is scrutinized – they need to be inspected by a magnifying glass. Sapphires, on the other hand, needs to be “eye clean,” meaning that any inclusions need to be invisible to the naked eye. Of course, the fewer inclusions, the better.
When it comes to the cut, sapphires are extremely versatile – an oval, a marquise, a pear or anything your (soul mate’s) heart desires will not affect the future value of the ring. What most important here is that you make sure the cutter is professional and skilled.
The style of the ring itself should be in accordance with your loved one’s taste – there really are no limits when it comes to sapphires! Paired with other stones (diamonds and sapphires make for a striking combination), set in a variety of metals, bold rings, delicate rings, art deco-inspired rings, modern rings – anything is on the table!
Remember, all you need to do is look for good color, a reputable dealer and cutter, and make sure the engagement ring you choose is in a style your soulmate loves! If you want to make it extra special, you can even create your own design – we at Santayana can offer you custom made jewelry. So, get in touch and make that leap to the happiest days of your life!
Diamonds
Understanding M Color Diamonds – Quick Guide
Shine bright like a diamond – but what kind? There are clear diamonds, bold diamonds, discrete diamonds – really anything your heart desires! It’s no wonder if the entire industry sometimes seems like a labyrinth – and doubly so when it comes to color diamonds jewelry.
While there are many colored diamonds – like red, pink, blue and black, what we most often have in mind when we think diamonds is a brilliant white. However, even these come in a color scale.
The color of a diamond ranges from D to H, while everything up till H or I appears clear to the untrained eye. Today, we want to tell you all about M color diamonds, that belong more to the white side of the scale.
What is an M colored diamond?
The scale of diamond color goes from D, which is the purest white, to Z, which are light yellow – M falls smack in the middle. These diamonds are described as having a very faint color that’s most noticeable when looked from the side point of view.
However, there’s no need to panic! The faint yellow or sometimes brown tint occurs naturally during the diamonds growth process, and while the presence of color can lessen the price of the precious stone, it does not in any way lessen its beauty and brilliance.
How expensive is an M colored diamond?
A diamond’s price is ascertained by its cut, clarity, weight, and color. Naturally, the lower you are on the color scale, the less your budget will be affected. With the price reduced by the color, you can go all out in terms of your diamond’s clarity, cut and weight!
How yellow is an M colored diamond?
You may not notice much difference between a D and an I diamond, but you might notice a definite yellowish tint when it comes to the M colored diamond. But don’t give up just yet!
When browsing diamonds, be they loose in our palms or going through a checklist of what they have and have not, we often forget that no one will ever see the diamond all on its own – it will be a part of a ring, a necklace, earrings, a pendant.
The type of metal your diamond will be encased in, along with the stone’s size and even its cut make a striking difference in its appearance.
How to get the most out of your M color diamond
First, choose a cut that will complement its decidedly unique brilliance. A modern round brilliant cut will emphasize all the good things about an M colored diamond – in the right setting, the slight color will dazzle like a ray of sunshine.
The next most important thing is to set your M colored diamond in a proper environment. By this we mean a good choice of metals and surrounding stones.
When it comes to matching your diamond with other precious stones, the best choice is to either surround it with high contrasting pieces (like, for example, green stones) or keep it solitary.
As far as metals are concerned – the choice is highly subjective. With an M diamond, you shouldn’t try to run away from its color. White metals, like platinum or white gold, will give you that coveted contrast look and make your jewelry stand out. If you prefer yellow gold, that’s not a problem! There, an M colored diamond will exhibit a warm glow, so you’ll feel like you’re wearing a piece of a lazy summer afternoon.
When all’s said and done, an M colored diamond is a perfect choice if you want something budget-friendly, stunning, unique and absolutely brilliant. If you want to let the sunshine in and light up every room you saunter into, check out our Cuban jewelry store and find that perfect piece!
Fun Facts
What to Do When a Ring Is Stuck on Your Finger?
There are few feelings as dreadful as realizing a ring is stuck on your finger. Suddenly, a thing of beauty has turned into a thing of horror – your cherished piece of jewelry has trapped you and you just might have to destroy it. Fortunately, there are some tricks on how to get a stuck ring off easily!
A Warning Before We Go On
If your finger is injured in any way, getting a stuck ring off can cause the injury to worsen. If your finger has turned a different color, or if you feel a tingling sensation, see a doctor immediately. Remember, your health is more important than jewelry, and anything more serious than normal swelling needs medical attention.
What to Do When a Ring is Stuck on Your Finger
The absolute first step of how to remove a stuck ring is to stay calm. It’s very easy to give in to panic, and if you do, you will likely try to pull it free by force. This is a bad idea. You can easily irritate your finger and cause even more swelling and itching.
Instead, cajole your ring off. Relax your hand and finger as much as you possibly can and use gentle twists and turns to try to get the ring off. This way, you won’t have to worry about hurting your hand or accidentally damaging your ring.
If the ring still won’t move, you should stop, and give your hand(s) a rest. Then, try to reduce the swelling by putting your hand under a stream of cool water, or cover your finger with some ice for 10 to 15 minutes. Once you notice the swelling’s lessened, try to remove your ring gently.
If the ring still stays stubbornly on, try some of these techniques:
- Make Your Finger Slippery
You can use soap or petroleum jelly to make your finger slippery. This will boost your efforts, and the ring might just slide off. Remember not to yank and pull because you’ll irritate your finger.
- Use Plastic Wrap and Butter
Wrap your finger in plastic wrap in a way that one side of it is as close to the ring as it can be. Make sure you’ve wrapped your finger fairly tightly. Then, take a tiny bit of butter and spread it around the ring. This will give the lubrication necessary for easy removal.
Gently twist and turn your ring off. The ring should travel the length of the plastic wrap around your finger. Once you’ve gotten past the knuckle, you can remove the wrap and simply remove your ring from your finger!
- Use Dental Floss or String
Even Harvard has a thing to say about how to get a ring off – their method involves a string or dental floss!
Pass one end of the string under the ring, and use the rest to tightly wrap around your whole finger. Make sure the string is even and smooth. Once you’ve done that, take the piece of the string that you’ve passed under the ring, and begin unwinding it. The ring should be moving along with the string as you unwrap your finger.
If Nothing Works
If you find that the ring won’t budge, and your finger is showing some worrying symptoms, seek help. A jeweler will likely have to cut the ring off, but losing a ring is far better than losing a finger! Now you don’t need to worry about struck rings anymore! In case you’d like your ring resized or modified in any way, drop by one of our jewelry stores in Miami, Florida, and we’ll make sure your jewelry fits your seamlessly!
Fun Facts
5 Secrets for Buying a Woman Jewelry – Jewelry Help Guide
Buying someone a gift is never an easy task – what if they don’t like it, how do you know what they like anyway, what if they’re just being kind when they smile and say thank you? When it comes to buying jewelry for your wife or girlfriend, the task is just as hard. Here are some secrets to getting it right.
Listen Closely
If you’re set on, for example, a couple of cute bracelets for your girlfriend, you should pay more attention than usual when style and fashion come up in the conversation. She has probably mentioned once or twice before that she loved (or hated) pearls, that she thought (or didn’t think) statement jewelry was tacky, or that she did not care (or cared a lot) for the glitter of diamonds.
Get Her What She Loves
You might think that your girlfriend would look great wearing tasseled earrings, so it would seem like a good idea to get her a pair as encouragement. This is far from a good idea.
When it comes to jewelry, it’s an expression of personal style and personality. Getting your partner something that doesn’t speak to her in the slightest will result in your gift staying in the jewelry box forever. Choose jewelry for your girlfriend or wife in style you know she adores.
Study the Way She Makes a Choice
If you’re still uncertain about her tastes, a good idea would be to spend a day going round the shops with her. The woman in your life has a particular way of choosing what to wear, just like everyone else. If you take her shopping and pay close attention, you can find out what styles excite her.
Discreetly veer over to the jewelry stands and watch her reactions. Do her eyes sparkle when she notices a certain piece? Does she make a comment on her likes and dislikes? You can use this knowledge to get her a piece of jewelry she’ll definitely wear with joy.
Personal Meaning is the Best
No matter your budget, a piece of jewelry with special meaning will be a sure hit. It can be as cheap as a plastic costume ring or as expensive as a diamond necklace – what matters is the meaning behind it.
For example, if you’re thinking about necklaces for your girlfriend’s birthday, think about the place you met. Or the place you fell in love with each other. Maybe it happened underneath a blossoming cherry tree. You could choose a delicate chain gold necklace with a rose quartz stone for a pendant to represent the cherry petal.
A charm bracelet can also be a great choice. Each charm can represent a meaningful moment of your relationship. What’s important is that you choose something of great personal meaning and combine that, if you can, with her style of jewelry – statement, subtle, delicate, or whatever you notice she likes best and wears most.
Let Her Choose
If you’re really stumped, or want to be 100% certain she’ll love the jewelry, you can simply let her choose. A gift card can be a beautiful gesture if paired with a love letter. Another option is to surprise your wife or girlfriend by taking her to a jewelry store and letting her browse until she finds that one special piece.
From delicate to bold, and from simple to statement, we can help you find the right fit. Drop by one of our jewelry stores in Miami, FL, and you can choose a perfect present from bracelets, earrings, necklaces, to custom made jewelry!
Fun Facts
Difference Between Antique Jewelry and Vintage Jewelry
Lately, it seems like everything and the kitchen sink is declared “vintage” or “antique.” Both these terms signify something old, but what is vintage jewelry really and how is it different from antique pieces? Does it mean your mother’s necklaces from when she was a young woman or is it just another buzzword?
To help you set your feet on firmer ground, here is a short and sweet guide on what is vintage and what is old antique jewelry:
What is an antique?
To put it plainly, an antique is a piece of jewelry older than 100 years. That means that all that flapper-girl beads from the 1920s are much closer to being antiques than vintage jewelry! However, don’t be surprised if a European scoffs at the idea of 100 years – overseas, many dealers simply don’t consider a century-old enough for a piece to be considered antique.
Most commonly, this kind of jewelry is made from higher-quality materials and a very high level of craftsmanship. Its age, beauty, rarity and even historical and emotional connections affect its value – needless to say, today you can find many antiques in museums and private collections!
These pieces are not very suitable for wearing often or for a longer period of time. Firstly, because of its age, and then because of its enormous value.
What is vintage?
The term vintage is a bit harder to pin down. Some say it’s anything 20 years or older, others claim anything younger than 50 cannot possibly be vintage. One exception to this rule can be Art Deco and Mid-century pieces – despite being almost of age for antiques, they’re often classified as vintage pieces by dealers.
But the most important thing is that, unlike antiques, vintage pieces can be worn freely, without fear of damage.
Since fashion is cyclical, vintage jewelry will always be on-trend! It’s easy to incorporate into your own style, and their special designs can be real show stoppers! So, your mother’s diamond necklace or sapphire ring is a perfect example of true vintage jewelry.
When researching that perfect vintage piece, remember that it cannot be made! If a piece is described as “vintage style” or “vintage-inspired” what it means is that it’s new – by definition, it cannot be really vintage. If your jewelry is made of components of a vintage piece, this also means the piece itself is not vintage.
Vintage vs Antique
The difference between vintage and antique are pretty clear – the former is older than 20 years, the latter is at least 100 years old. Both vintage and antique mean that the pieces are not made, but rather “found” – they are old jewelry that has not been modified or remade recently. Antiques are more precious, delicate and rare, but vintage pieces can be worn freely and elevate your style to another level.
When it comes to deciding which is better – vintage or antique – there’s really no clear winner. While antiques are rife with historical meaning, they are fragile and often too valuable to be worn. You might find antique pieces absolutely gorgeous, but unsuitable to today’s fashion trends.
If you’re looking for a unique, precious piece of jewelry you can wear any time you’d like, you might want to go with vintage jewelry. If, on the other hand, you’d like an investment that closer to art than it is to wearable jewelry, antiques are your best bet.
Another way to reap all the rewards of the uniqueness of vintage and antique style is to look for vintage or antique-inspired pieces! You can check out some of our traditional and vintage-inspired jewelry at our Coral Gables Jewelry store. If you have a vintage piece you’d like repaired, contact us and you’ll be the talk of the town in no time!
Fun Facts
What Is a Cocktail Ring?
Cocktail rings invite visions of sophistication, style and elegance, a gentle hand of a gentler touch, emphasized with a glittering jewel. They’re the perfect piece if you want to dazzle a crowd and feel effortlessly confident!
These pieces have long been one of the pillars of the fashion world, but sometimes they might be tricky to pin down. If you don’t know what a cocktail ring is, or if it would fit your personal style, don’t worry – they encompass an array of designs and styles, so a perfect match for you is out there!
Cocktail Rings in History and Today
A cocktail ring is most usually a bold, dramatic piece of jewelry, one that catches everyone’s eye and has such an aura about it, it’s impossible to turn away. Think bigger and bolder, a statement piece that can sometimes border on the gaudy.
Their allure is magnified by their history – their first boom in popularity was during the 1920s and the prohibition era. Sneaking in and out of speakeasies, enjoying the abandon of a good drink and better music, cocktail rings were just another way to show off your indomitable spirit!
Wearing such a piece was another way to claim and proclaim your confidence and independence as a woman. The original power jewelry, cocktails rings were worn on the right hand, making it glaringly obvious it was not a wedding band and that it was bought by your own money.
While there were no rules about what makes a ring a cocktail ring, classics among these pieces are diamond cocktail rings – a ring with a large diamond in its center, with smaller, just as dazzling stones, encircling it.
Fortunately, there are so many designs and styles today, you’re not limited to diamonds, so you can match these pieces with any outfit you please!
How to wear a cocktail ring?
Your flapper-girl ancestor would likely say ‘just wear it, darling’ but if you’re still hesitant, here are some style pointers:
- They’re most usually not for everyday wear. Wear your cocktail ring on those occasions where you feel comfortable bringing a little extra to your outfit.
- Wear it on your right hand, just like the independent women of the early 20th century! However, this is by no means a rule – left or right hand, any finger you please, cocktail rings have no restrictions.
- When it comes to choosing a finger, a long design can suit all of them, aside from your littlest one. A large and round cocktail ring can be worn on your middle finger, while smaller size rings can fit on your little finger.
- While these pieces are bold enough, you might want to consider pairing a cocktail ring with your earrings. This can give you a more elegant, put-together look.
- Wear more than one! Mix, match and play with your collection of cocktail rings. If you coordinate their styles, designs, and colors, a smattering of rings might make a better impression than just one. Remember, when it comes to cocktail rings, it’s all about fun, confidence, and razzle-dazzle!
- Match the ring to the outfit. There are so many cocktail rings – gold, diamond, emerald, jade, simple, minimalistic, bold, abstract, and a lot more than it can fit here! You can dress your outfit up or down. For example, you can amp up the elegance in the office by wearing a more discreet, sculpted, architectural cocktail ring. For a little black dress occasion, you can wear a glittering, bolder piece.
After all this, there really is no reason not to wear cocktail rings! They elevate your style, elevate your confidence, and they’re a real showstopper. If you want to start, or expand, your collection, check out our Miami jewelry store – we’re sure you’ll find a piece to fall in love with!
Diamonds
How to Clean Your Diamond Ring?
Glistening, brilliant, enchanting, and all-around beautiful – it’s very easy to fall in love with a brand new diamond ring, especially when it marks one of the happiest days of your life! After a while though, you may notice the brilliance has gone down, despite your romance flourishing.
The solution to this problem is simple – cleaning your diamond ring! Fortunately, cleaning jewelry is not that difficult. Here are some short and sweet suggestions on how to clean your engagement ring.
Cleaning a Diamond Ring at Home
The very best way to clean a diamond ring is often the simplest one. To bring the bling back, all you need is some soap and water.
Soak your ring for anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes in a solution of warm water and dish soap. Then, use a very soft toothbrush to gently brush the stone. Rinse the ring, and if you’re not satisfied, repeat! Once you’re done, let the ring air dry or use a soft cotton cloth to wipe it.
This type of cleaning works best when the pollutants to the shine are common cosmetics, such as makeup, lotions, and similar. Any and all types of metals can be brushed to sparkle using this method – including gold, white gold, silver, and platinum.
How NOT to Clean Your Diamond Ring: Things to Avoid
While it’s true that you can replace dish soap with either shampoo or body wash, there is one huge exception to that rule – no moisturizing products! Any cleaning product that has moisturizing properties can leave a film on the ring, which will inevitably ruin the picture-perfect sparkle you want to bring back.
Products you should never use when cleaning your ring include an array of different household cleaners: bleach, chlorine, acetone, and also a whole range of abrasive products: baking soda, toothpaste, powdered cleaners, and others.
All of those products may seem harmless, but they’re anything but. Such harsh chemicals will break down base metals in your ring, and you’ll just end up with a disaster!
Paper towels can also be a danger to your ring. If you use them to dry your ring, the metal might scratch. It’s best to stick to air drying or using a soft cotton cloth.
It might seem like the answer to how to clean a diamond ring has many caveats, but you really have nothing to worry about! Just remember to stick to dish soap, warm water, extra soft toothbrushes, and a soft cotton cloth.
Should You Clean Your Ring At All?
To put it simply – yes. There’s no danger in doing it yourself, as long as you avoid abrasive and harmful products.
For the best results, you can clean your ring once a week – it will minimize the natural buildup of everyday pollutants. However, if the buildup is more severe (like, for example, a buildup of soil and filth after a camping trip), it’s best to get it professionally cleaned. To keep your ring in tip-top condition, it’s a good idea to take it to a jeweler for a professional treatment about twice a year.
Keeping Your Rings Clean
Keeping your ring filth- and buildup-free comes down to taking it off at certain times. To make sure it doesn’t get dirty or lost, be sure to put it in a safe place while you’re working out, swimming, showering, cooking, and even during your skincare routine.
If you still feel like you need to know more about how to clean a diamond ring, get in touch with our team! We’ll be happy to tell you all about our cleaning process and help you make your jewelry shine like the day you first got it!
Santayana Jewelry Store Coral Gables
