The idea of wearing jewelry once made some men squirm. A guy wore a simple wedding band and maybe, on special occasions, a pair of cufflinks.
But that's changing with "man bling" now accounting for about 10 percent of the annual $48.3 billion in fine jewelry sales in the United States, according to a study by National Jeweler magazine.
The Early Show asked GQ magazine's style editor, Adam Rapoport, to tell guys how to add a little bling to their lives without going over the top. Adam's job is to find jewelry that men can and will consider wearing, even if they don't happen to be rap stars or Hollywood heroes.
Rapoport says that there is a wide range of jewelry for men to choose from, whether they're looking for something refined and sleek or a chunkier, more urban look.
Below are some of GQ's best picks for rings, bracelets and necklaces designed for men.
A ring is a great way for a man to incorporate a little bling into his life. It doesn't have to be overly glitzy or feminine looking. Many rings designed for men are sleek, in pure white gold or silver sculpted in masculine shapes.
Bulgari has a white gold ring called "B Zero" for $820. It's available at Bulgari boutiques nationwide. Gucci has a signature silver and black enamel ring with its signature double G logo for $650, at Gucci boutiques. Australia-based LOOP has a silver "X-Ring" for $115, at Paul Smith boutiques. Lazaro has a simple silver ring for $150 at its boutiques.
The latest bracelets for men are anything but feminine, incorporating materials like brushed steel and rubber for a refined yet rugged style. Simmons Jewelry has a stainless steel and rubber bracelet for $100. Gregg Wolf has a silver ID bracelet for $295; information is available at 212-529-1784. Cartier's Santoes brushed steel and 18-karat gold bracelet is $1,775 at Cartier stores. David Yurman's leather band with a gold clasp is $1,150. Montblanc makes a steel and rubber cuff for $190.
Once upon a time, real men didn't wear necklaces. Now, they're wearing charms on their necklaces. Tiffany & Co is offering a silver coin-edge tag at $160. Jill Platner's silver pendant on a cord is $330 at www.jillplatner.com. Garrard's gold chain is $850, with a gold and enamel king's shield charm for an extra $1,700; information at 888-699-8811. Giles & Brother by Philip Crangi has a silver necklace with three charms—a crest, a dagger and a safety pin—for $217.50 at Barneys Co-op in New York or at www.bluebeeonline.com.
Why the sudden popularity of "man bling?" According to Rapoport, the so-called metrosexual movement is responsible in part. Men have become more comfortable with grooming, and preening is acceptable as men begin to moisturize their skin and highlight their hair.
Rap stars also legitimized the concept of big jewelry for men, at least for younger men, and christened it "bling." Their diamond stud earrings and heavy gold necklaces brought flashy jewelry for men into the mainstream for the first time since Elvis graced Las Vegas.
A more conservative style came out into the open when Brad Pitt wafted through "Ocean's Twelve" wearing a silver pendant and cufflinks from Tiffany's.
Jewelry Topics!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Metals of Jewelry Making
The three basic metals of jewelry making are identified primarily by color. Silver, of course, is known for its shiny "silver" hue when used in its polished state, but also is gaining popularity in a duller matte finish or a combination of the polished and matte. When you are purchasing sterling silver look for the stamp of "925" which indicates the item has a silver content of almost 93 percent silver. The seven percent alloy gives the silver hardness and durability. Without the alloy, the silver piece would be too soft to wear.
Gold is best known in its bright yellow color. Platinum is a rarer, valuable whitish metal that resembles silver. What many people do not realize is that gold actually comes in a variety of colors from white to pink, depending on which alloy is added.
silver jewelry crossings
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Sterling Silver Jewelry Online
Fine gold, that which is 99.9 percent pure, is called 24 karat gold. Though it is a beautiful bright yellow color, 24 karat gold is too soft to work with and too soft to hold up under regular use, making it inappropriate for most jewelry. Most goldsmiths prefer to work in 18 karat (18K) gold which consists of 75 percent pure gold and 25 percent alloy. The stamp mark you should look for when purchasing 18K gold jewelry is "750."
Fourteen karat (14K) gold jewelry has a gold content of 58.33 percent gold and the remaining metal content is alloy. The stamp mark you should look for when purchasing fourteen karat gold jewelry is "585." When customers ask their jeweler to melt down their 14k gold jewelry for reworking it into a new piece, they are often surprised to find out the yield in gold is only about 50% of the weight of the piece. Ten karat gold is the lowest karat content that, by US standards, can legally be called "gold." It has a gold content of 41.76 percent.
The term "solid gold" does not mean 100% gold, but rather that there is gold content throughout a piece of jewelry (though the gold will still include alloy) and not just on the surface, as with a gold plated item.
White gold has the same gold content as yellow gold, but the alloy used to strengthen it gives it a silvery color. Platinum is the most valuable and most durable of all the jewelry metals and is especially popular for engagement and wedding rings.
The color of the metal you select to wear, whether enhanced with gemstones or just by itself, is a very personal decision, based on coloring of the wearer, taste and budget. In the last ten years sterling silver jewelry has rocketed in popularity. Today jewelry stores are full of stunning pieces of silver crafted with colored gemstones and even with diamonds. Sterling silver is particularly appropriate for daytime wear or to accent casual sportswear. It is the simple elegance of silver which has gained great favor in the fashion industry. In the winter worn with black, navy and dark colors sterling silver stands out and accents a winter wardrobe well. Yet in the summer, worn with pastels and lightweight clothing, silver looks "cool" against bare skin and comfortable. Silver, white gold and platinum lend the same steely hue and complement gray hair very well. It is not uncommon for a woman to switch from yellow gold jewelry to silver or white gold when her hair changes color.
Gold is best known in its bright yellow color. Platinum is a rarer, valuable whitish metal that resembles silver. What many people do not realize is that gold actually comes in a variety of colors from white to pink, depending on which alloy is added.
silver jewelry crossings
Click Here for Fine
Sterling Silver Jewelry Online
Fine gold, that which is 99.9 percent pure, is called 24 karat gold. Though it is a beautiful bright yellow color, 24 karat gold is too soft to work with and too soft to hold up under regular use, making it inappropriate for most jewelry. Most goldsmiths prefer to work in 18 karat (18K) gold which consists of 75 percent pure gold and 25 percent alloy. The stamp mark you should look for when purchasing 18K gold jewelry is "750."
Fourteen karat (14K) gold jewelry has a gold content of 58.33 percent gold and the remaining metal content is alloy. The stamp mark you should look for when purchasing fourteen karat gold jewelry is "585." When customers ask their jeweler to melt down their 14k gold jewelry for reworking it into a new piece, they are often surprised to find out the yield in gold is only about 50% of the weight of the piece. Ten karat gold is the lowest karat content that, by US standards, can legally be called "gold." It has a gold content of 41.76 percent.
The term "solid gold" does not mean 100% gold, but rather that there is gold content throughout a piece of jewelry (though the gold will still include alloy) and not just on the surface, as with a gold plated item.
White gold has the same gold content as yellow gold, but the alloy used to strengthen it gives it a silvery color. Platinum is the most valuable and most durable of all the jewelry metals and is especially popular for engagement and wedding rings.
The color of the metal you select to wear, whether enhanced with gemstones or just by itself, is a very personal decision, based on coloring of the wearer, taste and budget. In the last ten years sterling silver jewelry has rocketed in popularity. Today jewelry stores are full of stunning pieces of silver crafted with colored gemstones and even with diamonds. Sterling silver is particularly appropriate for daytime wear or to accent casual sportswear. It is the simple elegance of silver which has gained great favor in the fashion industry. In the winter worn with black, navy and dark colors sterling silver stands out and accents a winter wardrobe well. Yet in the summer, worn with pastels and lightweight clothing, silver looks "cool" against bare skin and comfortable. Silver, white gold and platinum lend the same steely hue and complement gray hair very well. It is not uncommon for a woman to switch from yellow gold jewelry to silver or white gold when her hair changes color.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Diamond Shopping-Where do I Even Begin?
What goes hand in hand with weddings and engagements? Jewelry. The very act of giving jewelry from one to another is almost as timeless as love itself. It’s not just the gesture of giving a ring but it’s what the ring represents-you’re undying affection and care for your soul mate, right? Obviously the importance of the ring you choose cannot be underestimated. But where do you even start? What do you look for in a diamond?
When you select a diamond for that special someone the first rule is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Great diamonds rely on a great cut. While a poor cut means a dull diamond, a great cut means a precious commodity. When it comes to color less is more. Since color steals from the brilliance of the diamond best diamonds are nearly colorless.
Diamonds come in 7 different shapes: emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, and round. This is where personal preference comes in. If you’re planning to give the ring as a surprise you’ll have to do your detective work. Note the type of jewelry your special someone wears. If she’s accustomed to simple rings then a bulky diamond such as a pear shaped will stick out further and be more apt to hit a surface. One of the best techniques is to inquire with one of her close friends.
Once you’re ready to purchase, get a diamond grading report from the dealer. This report will testify to the diamonds authenticity and evaluate the characteristics of the diamond. Diamond shopping isn’t a chore. Now that you’ve got some of the basics down you’re almost half way there. Shop around to make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for. After all this may well be one of the most important purchases of your life. No pressure.
When you select a diamond for that special someone the first rule is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Great diamonds rely on a great cut. While a poor cut means a dull diamond, a great cut means a precious commodity. When it comes to color less is more. Since color steals from the brilliance of the diamond best diamonds are nearly colorless.
Diamonds come in 7 different shapes: emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, and round. This is where personal preference comes in. If you’re planning to give the ring as a surprise you’ll have to do your detective work. Note the type of jewelry your special someone wears. If she’s accustomed to simple rings then a bulky diamond such as a pear shaped will stick out further and be more apt to hit a surface. One of the best techniques is to inquire with one of her close friends.
Once you’re ready to purchase, get a diamond grading report from the dealer. This report will testify to the diamonds authenticity and evaluate the characteristics of the diamond. Diamond shopping isn’t a chore. Now that you’ve got some of the basics down you’re almost half way there. Shop around to make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for. After all this may well be one of the most important purchases of your life. No pressure.
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