New Year Looks

The year’s end comes near and all girls want to look their best for that New Year party. Western dresses and eye catching jewellery rule the New Year parties. So, it is important to choose enchanting jewellery when you go to a dinner or attend a party.

Shimmer and Sparkle

The Christmas season is all about light and shiny balls, naturally it becomes a time for sparkling jewellery and fashion. This is a time for choosing such jewellery which will catch the light and sparkle even if you are in a dimly lit bar or restaurant. Diamond studded or crystal studded pendants will dazzle with minimal lighting. Wear dark colours with white jewellery and gold jewellery with lighter colour dresses.

Daring Drama

Extravagant and odd dresses can easily be worn on these days as there are no bounds. The New Year party is almost like a costume party and you can get away with wearing anything. Wear large cocktail rings, chandelier earrings or colour gemstone pendants for a show stopping fashion.

Tantalizing Texture

For some reason people prefer to wear dark colours in the winters, perhaps because dark colours absorb heat. Matte finish jewellery or hammered gold cuffs are a good way to create texture with jewellery. Textured metal jewellery is still not very famous and hence you can stand out as wearing something great and new.

Star-Studded Sensations

New Year is always an electrifying feeling and anything can happen excitement is there in the air. Use diamond studded pendants, colourful gemstones, or statement making bracelets. These are worn by celebrities and wearing them will make you feel like a star.

Let us know about your outfit for the New Year party.

Gold Karats and Measurements

The current market loves white gold and it is truly an amazing sight. Let’s see the karat system to understand their percentage of gold and how much they should cost you.

·     Gold if 100% pure is known as 24K gold but white gold cannot be 24K since gold is mixed with other metal to make it look white. Gold is naturally yellow and if it is not mixed with anything it will remain yellow. Of course you can plate 24K gold jewellery with rhodium or other white metals but it will wear off after some time. Again plating with 24K gold inside is also very uncommon as pure gold is used for cold bars and coins. Therefore, normally there is no white gold jewellery in 24K gold.

·     Normal jewellery normally uses 22K gold and it has 91.6% of pure gold. This is done to increase the strength of gold since pure gold is too malleable for everyday use. It is almost impossible to find white gold jewellery in this karat level also as the other metal ratio is only 8.4%. It is quite absurd right now that 22k gold jewellery can be made white without using plating. In the case it is said the authenticity of the gold needs to be confirmed. There will also be a problem regarding price since 22K gold is sold at day’s rate and white gold will also be sold at the same rate.

·     Gold of 18K is where it is highly possible to add metals and make it white. There are many examples of 18K white gold jewellery and they turn out to be stunning. This is practically and scientifically possible since pure gold is only 75% in 18K gold. This not only helps in changing the colour of gold but also gives strength to the jewellery. Rings and earrings are popular choices in the 18K gold category since they have to bear a small amount of beating. Some people might feel a big weird that their jewellery has only 75% gold, but the other metals give immense value since they add the hardness to your jewellery so that it remains beautiful for generations.

·     Now in the case of 14K gold the gold is only 58.33% and 41.67% is other alloys of metals. Normally 18K and 14K gold are almost similarly priced since though the precious metal is lesser the designs in 14K can be really extravagant. Goldsmiths can work really freely in this variety of gold and that allows them to create complex designs. Setting stones in 14K gold is worriless as the metal is very strong and stone falling off situations are very rare. Intricate designs, complex structures and larger gemstones increase the price of 14K jewellery over 18K jewellery.

·     Another variety of gold is available which is known as 10K gold. This variety of gold has a gold percentage of 41.47% gold and 58.33% of other metals. This is a popular option for people looking for a more affordable white gold jewellery. This variety gold gives the jewellery enough strength to be worn every day.

·     Gold is also available in 9K format where only 37.5% is gold and 62.5% is other metals. This jewellery though available is not very popular however this jewellery will be undoubtedly strong.

The measurements other than 9K are also available but not popular for jewellery making. Here is the rest of the karats, 8K has 33.34% gold, 7K has 29.167% gold, 6K has 25% gold, 5K has 20.834% gold, 4K has 16.67% gold, 3K has 12.5% gold, 2K has 8.34% gold, and 1K has 4.167% gold.

I hope this clarifies all doubts from everyone’s mind about gold karats and white gold availability.

Essential Jewellery for Men

In today’s world almost all sportsmen and celebrities flaunt jewelleries. Guys are happily wearing gold chains, cufflinks, rings and diamond earrings to enhance their style. It is important to get the jewellery right as too big of a diamond earring may look girlish. Here we take a look at three very common and essential jewellery most of the men either own or must buy.

Watch

It is true that it is not jewellery but a well designed and sparkling band looks just like a jewellery from some distance. This is also a good article to use when you are trying to combine style with practicality. Wrist watches and pocket watches are the only options for men but a good metal pocket watch can give you a brand new style statement. Also remember to use an analogue watch for formal events as digital ones are considered funky. A leather strapped watch can be equally smart as a diamond studded dial watch.

Rings

Rings are an accessory which men have used continuously and it has never gone out of style. Now however rings are chosen according to the life style of the wearer. The size of the ring should be kept in mind as too big and too small both are bad. People who have a wedding ring can use that for most cases but choose your wedding ring judiciously. Simple bands look better on men that stone studded or flashy ones.

Cufflinks

Cufflinks are an extremely essential and practical item for people who wear suits. These are a great style statement for your office parties. This is also a product which comes in various shapes and sizes to accentuate your looks. Men should have a variety of cufflinks to match with their shirts. Cufflinks are equal to what earrings are to women and men should have a collection of the same.

Please keep the following things in mind while buying jewellery.

• Minimalistic approach is necessary for choosing men’s jewellery. Metal jewellery which is not ostentatious is best for men.
• Try to wear jewellery which matches well with the event or is meaningful in your life. For example a wedding ring is the symbol of your marriage and hence is meaningful to you. Military awards and pins can also work if they match the situation.
• Use your best jewellery only when you have big occasions. If you have different options use them on specific events to make a festive statement. Everyday wears for big events will mar your style statement.

Which is the jewellery you like to wear or would like to own among these? Let us know in the comments section.

The Creation of a Jewel

It is a well known fact that before it can be used for jewellery gold must pass through the hammers of smiths and fires. This is also true for diamonds which passes through sawing and polishing. A rough diamond is created when a chunk of carbon withstands many million years of pressure. The diamond is then mined, cut and polished to make it a cynosure of everybody’s eyes. It is interesting to know that only around 20 percent of the rough diamonds mined are suitable for use in jewellery. The diamonds which are unsuitable for jewelleries are used in the industrial sector. It is also quite rare to find a diamond of 1 carat or more, only 1 out of 100 weigh 1 carat. This is the reason that the most priceless diamonds are the heaviest in the world.

Diamond Manufacturing Process

A well cut diamond can even take care of a lower colour or clarity. However if the cut is not good the colour or clarity of a good quality stone will appear flawed. Cut is one of the main points which give the diamond its brilliance. The decision on how to cut the rough diamond depends on the natural from or shape of the stone. If the rough diamond is naturally oblong they are made into ovals, marquises or pear shaped. Sometimes the rough diamonds appear in a crystalline shape which is good for princess cuts or square shaped. The process of diamond cutting is a long and difficult process.

The artisans of Surat, India are most famous for diamond processing and learn their trades from previous generations. The process is learnt through constant trial and error and needs tremendous practice. Previously the diamonds were cut in a crude way resembling the outline of octahedral crystals. Then the cuts were upgraded to single cut, table cut, old mine cut, and finally the prevailing brilliant cut. The single cut was invented in 1600s and this cut hinted that increased facets will lead to more brilliance. This helped lay the foundation of the evolution of currently used modern brilliant cut. The presently used brilliant cut has a round outline with a symmetrical triangular and kite-shaped facet. This brilliant cut also has a table on the top with or without a small culet at the bottom.

The diamond cutting process is done through the following steps:

Planning

This is a crucial step where it is decided how the diamond can be cut keeping in mind the natural shape of the diamond. The cut should be done in a way that it should enhance brilliance while encountering minimum loss.

Sawing

Once the plan is finalized on what shape the diamond is going to be it is cut. The axis on which the rough diamond will be cut it also finalized during this process. The cutting is done with saws and cleavers by hand or a diamond tipped rotary saw.

Polishing

Polishing is the final stage of diamond processing. Polishing gives the diamond its lustre and brilliance. The diamonds which are bigger and most probably pricier goes through an additional process of brillianteering. Brillianteering is done to give the ‘hearts & arrows’ effect in round diamonds.

Engagement Ring Options

The engagement ring is a very important item, not only for its price but also for the emotional attachments. This is a ring you will wear almost throughout your life so choosing it carefully does matter. It is natural to expect it to look good for a number of years and boast of a timeless design.

As it is norm trends for necklaces, earrings, and rings keep on changing. Classic solitaire diamond rings or a plain gold band are classic and always preferred by would be brides. Eternity rings are also a classic option for your consideration, but some recent brides prefer contemporary and trendy styles in their engagement ring.

The following have come up as recent trends in the engagement ring market.

Coloured Bands

Today’s engagement and promise rings are becoming more colourful and more sparkling. The colours are brought in with rose gold or through different coloured polishes. Some prefer coloured gemstones in their platinum or white gold bands. A central diamond with a slim band of rubies will look quite stark in contrast and will be very attractive. This way the brides can also match their jewellery with their dresses. The current trend also asks for more colours in the overall outfit of the ladies.

Rings with a Twist

Engagement rings are made simple with symmetric arrangement as they are normally handed down through generations. Classic design helps the granddaughter to use her grandmother’s ring. However, in today’s times we are coming across designs that catch the eye with asymmetric designs and off kilter placements. Some rings are placing the main diamond tilted in the centre. Some rings randomly scatter the stones to bring out abstract art. Some are even putting smaller stones in the centre with larger ones in the side. There are the new styles of the recent jewellery designs. These do make stunning accessories and work very well with contemporary clothing and styling.

Contemporary Eternity Rings

Eternity bands are timeless designs which showcase a shinning band of diamonds. However, nowadays there are other options to choose from. You can have a half eternity band or make a ring with diamonds alternating between floral or filigree designs. Some are even making eternity bands from other precious and semi precious stones. A ring with a diamond and a pink stone alternate all through the band will look very bright. It is true that the new engagement rings are getting prettier and versatile.

Trendy & Traditional Bengali Jewellery

West Bengal is famous for culture, food, sweets, sarees, and jewellery. Gold jewellery has special place in Bengali culture and weddings. It is believed by the Bengali people that gold brings happiness & prosperity to the newlywed couple. Different parts of India have different trademarks of designs for jewellery and West Bengal also has its own trademarks. Bollywood movies have also helped to make Bengali jewellery art famous. Jewelleries are handed down through generations in Bengal and brides often end up owning jewellery of their grandmother and mother.

Some daily wear Bengali gold jewelleries are explained here:

Cut Out Bangles (Beloyari Churi)

Beloyari in Bengali is the name for a type of glass cutting art or design. These glass cutting arts were very famous and inspiring. The jewellers took this opportunity to incorporate these designs in their jewellery designs. These are thin bangles which normally have areas cut out to form a particular design. These are very famous and widely used bangles in West Bengal.

Wax filled gold bangle (Gaala Bhora Bala)

Gold in its purest form is very soft and malleable hence jewellers need to mix other metals or alloys with gold to make it suitable for daily wear. Since gold is normally non-allergic, it is the most famous daily wear jewellery metal. Wax filled bangles are done so to make them look like bigger bangles without increasing the cost. These are hollow bangles which are filled with wax inside them for strength. In Bengali they are known as “Gaala Bhora Bala”. These bangles portray a traditional look and are long-lasting.

Half cut bangle (Bauti)

These are half cut bangles which look like a proper full size bangle however, these bangles are cut out from inside. The objective of doing this is the reduction in gold amount for making a bangle which is full bodied. These bangles are quite affordable and are a daily wear choice for Bengali ladies.

Gold Embedded Conch-Shell Bangle & Red Lac Bangle (Shona Badhano Saankha and Pola)

Bengali women traditionally wear a red lac bangle and a conch shell bangle after marriage. These two bangles are given to a bride during the wedding and she is supposed to wear it all through her married life. She is supposed to open them if she is divorced or widowed. The conch shell bangles are quite brittle and pricey to replace so many women are avoiding wearing them regularly. The red lac bangle called ‘Pola’ is cheaper but also not used regularly in the modern times. These bangles are a sign that a Bengali woman is married.  These bangles are a must wear when attending marriage functions or other auspicious ceremonies. These two bangles come in various styles and jewellers have found ways to embed gold into them or covering them with gold.

Gold Wrapped Iron Bangle (Shona Bandhano Loha)

As per the Bengali culture another piece of bangle called the ‘Loha’ is also a must wear for traditional and auspicious reasons. This is a simple iron bangle and is a daily wear for married women. This ‘Loha’ bangle is a symbol of marriage and believed to ensure the well being of a woman’s husband. Affluent women often gold wrap their iron bangles and this is normally gifted to them by their in-laws. This is still worn by all married Bengali women and removing it is considered ominous. Iron bangles are also wrapped in various other precious metals and can be worn with modern dresses also.

Muff Chain

Muff chin is a common Bengali necklace which is thin in appearance and comes in various sizes. There are a common gift on anniversaries and normally a daily wear for Bengali married women. Bengali married women are also not supposed to keep their necks bare and should wear at least a thin necklace or chain all the time.

Flower Motif Chain (Bokul Mala)

Thin chains with flower motifs are known as “Bokul Mala”. ‘Mala’ means garland in Bengali and ‘Bokul’ is a type of flower. These chains normally have flower motifs and hence the name. This is a daily wear item for the Bengali married women.

Traditional Ear Rings

Earrings with traditional designs are loved by all Bengali women. Arts and culture is a strong point in Bengal and all of us like to stay attached to that. Hence old culture and arts still persist in Bengal just like traditional jewellery designs. These earrings are normally of medium size and can be used for almost all small outdoor activities.

Ear Stud (Phooler Top)

These earrings are a type of stud but they employ flower motifs. Flower motifs are a favourite among Bengali jewellery designs. These studs have flower motif design which goes well with most of the outfits. These occasionally also have small diamonds studded in them and also fake diamonds. These are quite trendy and almost all modern women have them.

Diamond Solitaire

Solitaire diamonds are trending in India for some time now and many women are flaunting them. These are elegant rings which many Indians are gifting to their spouses and would be spouses. The concept of engagement rings is also getting popular.

Do let us know which of these jewellery you would like to own and why.

Jewellery for the Men

Jewellery and fashion were mainly attributed with women but not anymore. The urban Indian man is working at par with his feminine counterpart. The interest and knowledge about jewellery is growing between men. Jewellery is fast becoming a part of Indian men’s wardrobe. Heavy urbanization and growing influence of western culture are the two major reasons for the fascination about jewellery. The 21^st century men feel that jewellery makes them fresh and dynamic in the looks department. Indians are movie buffs and the Bollywood heroes are flaunting jewellery since many years. This is also a contributing factor for the growth of jewellery in men.

The male jewellery industry is growing heavily and is expected to grow continually for the recent future. Men’s jewellery normally includes earrings, bracelets, cuff links, rings, necklaces, and watches. The rings are inevitably made of pure gold/platinum and are designed to be broad and masculine.

Interestingly in the western cultures the men are shifting into elaborate jewellery crafted in precious metals. Previously men in of the western continents used to like simple and plain styles for their jewellery. Men in America and Europe are even going for chunky jewellery.

The latest trends include aged metal, Gothic motifs, and oxidized silver. Men are also becoming open to the idea of having stones studded in their jewellery. Gemstones like sapphires, dark emeralds and black diamonds are used in men’s jewellery. Ear-studs are the commonest jewellery of western nations and studs made of onyx, pearl and diamond have skyrocketed in demand in the last few years. Bracelets with chunky designs beautified with leather and diamond charms are being used.

Indian men have also started using the ear stud extensively. Indian men use studs made of silver, gold and diamond. The stones in the ear studs are getting bigger which is contrary to earlier trends. Simple studs made of titanium, stainless steel, or silver is being used by Indian men and are considered classic.

The current fashion trends are showing favouritism towards ‘kadas’, bands and gold chains. Gold chains are one accessory which has been used by Indian men for a very long time. Some men take the bold route to adorn chunky necklaces while some opt for sleek and light chains. The men’s jewellery market is getting a resurgence of classic items like cuff links and tie clasps. These two items had specifically disappeared from the jewellery scene some years back but have made a comeback. Cuff links are now being designed with diamond and gold as primary elements which were normally gold plated in earlier times. Cuff links are portraying animal-motifs and precious stones are studded in them to satisfy the recent trend.

Re-Use Your Heirloom Jewellery

Gold is not only India’s favourite precious metal it is also considered an asset. Even in today’s trendy fashion gold remains equally important. Indian weddings always involve a lot of gold jewellery and many of those we get as our heirloom. Heirlooms are always a cherished and emotional matter for us. Unfortunately trends keep on changing and wearing the necklace of your grandmother is not a good idea in terms of fashion. Naturally these jewelleries should be given a modern touch to suit our needs. Normally people find these jewelleries so heavy that they can make two jewelleries out of one.

The Old Gold

We are also fond of old jewellery because normally they had better purity and excellent craftsmanship. The emotions attached with grandma’s jewellery move on from generation to generation. Therefore revamping them gives them a new life. The modernization can be done in many ways to improve the usability of the heirloom. It is possible to make two jewelleries out of your grandma’s heavy necklace. One of these two can be a classic design reflecting grandma’s necklace and the other one can be light and trendy jewellery for your modern everyday attires. The classic one will give you a chance to narrate your grandma’s story during the ceremonies you attend. In case you do not want to change the authenticity of the old necklace it is possible to add a bit to the design or maybe add diamonds or pearls to it. A small addition may also be good enough to make it look modern.

Advertisement campaigns say that diamonds are forever but diamond jewellery also needs a little modernisation from time to time. It is also possible to change the colour of your old jewellery if you feel like it. Presence of mind and creativity can be applied while revamping jewellery. Obviously the ring size will not match and a heavy or a big ring can be made into a pendant of your choice. In case grandma had lost one piece from the earring pair, it can be made into a Maang Tika. If you do not like to wear jewellery you can also exchange the heirloom into gold bars and keep as an asset. There are many ideas available in the market and your jeweller can also give you some ideas on how to restore your heirloom to modern standards. Heirlooms may also be made in various designs and shapes you wish to without losing their sentimental value.

Super Tips about Wedding Jewellery

The wedding is always a grand affair in India and the wedding industry is valued at 38 billion dollars. The income trends have improved in India and weddings naturally are getting bigger with more grandeur. The costs involved in Indian weddings are mainly contributed by jewellery. Wearing precious metal jewellery is culturally customary and is considered auspicious. Therefore, planning your wedding outfit along with jewellery is very important.

Here are some tips on how and where you should expend your money for your wedding trousseau.

Plan and Execute Early

Gold prices normally always go up though they are a bit low and stagnant at the current time. In case you foresee a tight budget plan your jewellery and spread it evenly in years. Any jewellery your parents might have bought for your wedding is a boon as prices were really low 10 years ago. Even if you do not plan on marrying for another 3 years start buying the gold for your marriage.

Gold Is a Best Friend

Diamonds are a girl best friend as stated by many advertisement campaigns but gold is where the true value lies. The wedding attire is actually known as ‘stridhan’ which literally translates to woman’s wealth. Gold has a great financial value at all times contrary to gems which may or may not give good returns when selling. A precious gem can also be of zero value if it is chipped or cracked.

Heirloom Pieces

Wedding jewellery stories are very important and equally special. Use your heirloom jewellery and narrate the fascinating stories to your friends during the marriage ceremony. If some jewellery is not bridal enough for you, you can modify and modernize them to suit your style.

Create Your Own Heirlooms

Choose timeless and classic pieces if you want to leave a legacy behind. This will help your jewelleries to be useful for your coming generations. Therefore, opting for diamond choker or a gold temple-style necklace or a diamond tennis necklace makes super sense. Your kids and grandkids will love you for doing this.

Choose Jewellery First and Dress Based on Jewellery

Always buy your jewellery first and then choose your dresses to match those jewellery. It should not be the other way round since jewellery will last long but dresses will get old eventually. Normally wedding dresses are seldom worn again but jewellery is worn multiple times in one’s lifetime.

‘Re-Use’ Value

Jewellery you bought for your wedding will be with you all your life so choose jewellery which is versatile. Gold bangles, modern pendants, statement earrings are something which can be used later for other occasions. You can also create sets and earrings which are detachable and can be modified as per need. Interchangeable jewellery is a modern invention and can help immensely in your life.

Heavy Prices!

A few years ago wearing anything else than precious metal did not look good culturally. Now however people are wearing fashion jewellery mixed with gold jewellery at the weddings. This is still frowned upon by purists but maybe essential considering jewellery prices. This entirely depends on your budget and your choice if you want to include fashion jewellery in your wedding trousseau or not.

The Balancing Act

Mix and match the finishes of your jewellery so that you can use them with many different dresses. In today’s times there are other colourful precious and semi-precious stones too if you want to experiment with colour. Tanzanite is a blue stone which looks quite spectacular on platinum base.

Use Wedding Budget Judiciously

It is possible to make your wedding jewellery a bit light and buy some additional little earrings and pendant sets which you will be wearing regularly. Wedding jewelleries are normally heavy and people normally wear them only on other wedding ceremonies. Little jewelleries are something which we wear regularly and get our money’s worth. Wedding jewellery in India is mainly considered as an investment for bad times.

Watches!

Expensive watches can act as jewellery as their jewel studded bands look grand enough. Wedding shopping is the correct time if you want to buy that expensive watch. This is very uncommon and can make you special in your own way. Watches are normally used in daily life much more than a diamond bracelet.

We hope the abovementioned points help you make the right decisions for purchasing your wedding jewellery.

Tips for Picking Your Wedding Jewelry

Selecting jewellery for your wedding is immensely fun and equally confusing. We urge you to follow the following tips to help you choose your wedding jewellery better.

Select Accessories Early On

Accessories are as important as your clothes or jewellery. Choose them early in your marriage shopping so that you do not miss this important jewellery. You will also want to try them on and if necessary exchange or buy another one to match perfectly. It is obviously better to try out your dress before your wedding day so that you can make sure that all the jewelleries along with the accessories look as you want them to.

Go Big!

In case you are wearing your hair down use big and flashy earrings. Smaller earrings in this case may get lost in your hair.

Do Not Use Accessories Extensively

Using too much accessories are also not good. In case your wedding dress has heavy embroidery use light jewellery to compliment it. If you like a particularly heavy necklace, wear very little bangles and wear smaller earrings. You can wear the abovementioned combination even if your dress has heavy embroidery.

Accessorize Your Friends & Family

We spend many hours finding the perfect dresses for ourselves and maybe also our friends. Do take some time out to find matching jewelleries for your close friends and family who will be close to you during the wedding. Follow the general theme of your look but it is not mandatory to match everything. Use colourful stones for your friends and family in contrast to your diamonds.

Change Your Look If Needed

If you want you can change your look for morning and evening functions. At evening receptions use lighter jewellery. It will be a big hit if you can change your look as per the events. Wear your hair down for evening parties and change into pearl jewellery for that grand look.

Wedding Jewelry Do's and Don'ts

The dress is always the main attraction but without jewellery dresses are incomplete. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts so you can absolutely glow on your wedding day.

Mix Old With New

Mix your jewellery but keep the overall shape and finish similar to your main jewellery. This is a good time to use your heirloom jewellery and save the cost of buying new.

Do Not Wear a Necklace

If you are wearing a one-shoulder gown it is quite a statement in itself. In this case do not wear a necklace. Choose a spectacular pair of earrings and a bold cuff to compliment this dress.

Match Your Earrings with Your Headpiece

If you are wearing a headpiece for your wedding, do match it with your earrings.

No Wrist Watch.

Avoid wearing wrist watches during marriages and wear a shimmering diamond bracelet instead.

Mix Finishes

The finish of your wedding band does not affect the finish of your jewellery so go ahead and mix them if need be.

Do Not Over Use Jewellery

It is best to accentuate a part of your body with heavy jewellery and use light jewellery for the rest of the body. In case you are following the traditional approach use earrings and bracelet combo skipping the necklace part.

Keep Enough Time in Your Hand

Everything from your shoes, handbags and hair matters in your final look so keep enough time to choose all of these. If you are ordering jewellery online remember to account for the delivery times.

Follow Your Own Style

For getting the best look follow your usual style pattern. This will ensure you are not uncomfortable just for following the new trend.

Use Colour for Your Jewellery

Colourful semi-precious gemstones are currently trending. Use them for adding some colour in your jewellery.

Quality is Important

If possible buy branded and quality jewellery and accessories for your wedding. Quality jewellery or accessories will last long and can even be passed on to your children. Wear your wedding jewellery at other occasions and if it is light enough maybe you can sometimes enhance your everyday look.

Do Not Wear Handmade Earrings

Handmade earrings are too informal and should not be used in weddings.

Change Jewelry for the Reception

Change your jewellery for your reception or other occasions to change your look completely. If you are letting your hair down wear bigger earrings as smaller earrings may get lost in your hair.

How to Choose Best Bridal Jewellery

It is best to choose your dress first and then match your jewellery with it. Study the following tips to understand how to choose best wedding jewellery.

Choose Metal According To Your Dress Colour

If you are wearing a white dress use white gold, platinum, or silver for the base metal of your jewellery. In case of other colours yellow gold or rose gold is a better choice.

Consider Your Bodice

If the waist up part of your dress is of very elaborate designs than use simple jewellery. Match the colour of your jewellery with your dress to look mesmerizing.

Shape Depending Upon Neckline

If you are wearing a strapless dress wear chokers. In case of V-necks or sweetheart cuts use pendant necklaces. In case of high neckline you can choose bolder earrings and skip the necklace part altogether.

Complemented Engagement Rings

It is not mandatory to have matching engagement rings but try to complement each other’s rings. Also make sure the metal is the same for your engagement rings.

Consider Wearing Family Jewelry

Recycle or Reuse your family jewellery to add sentiment in your ensemble.

Bracelets

Bracelets can sometimes snag on dresses. In case there is such a possibility do not wear that bracelet. There should not be any sharp points in your bracelet if you are deciding to wear it.

What to Wear With a Tiara

If you are going to wear a headpiece or a tiara use simple necklace or skip it altogether.

Time of Your Wedding

Morning and early afternoon weddings are less formal hence it is better to use lighter jewellery if you are having a daylight wedding. In case of evening or night weddings feel free to wear as much as you want.

Try On All Jewelry with Your Dress

Try out your dress, jewellery, and look before the wedding date to ensure that you like your look. This will ensure everything is done and you do not have any last minute problems. Also try to buy from somewhere where returning your jewellery is an option as having a return policy will help if the jewellery needs exchanging.

Light Weight Jewellery is the Current Favourite

In today’s time and age light weight jewellery is preferred by most people. The reason for this is rising gold prices and the benefit of everywhere wear jewellery. If a woman is going for office she cannot wear heavy jewellery and needs something simpler and light. These are the main reasons which have reduced the demand for heavy jewellery. Also people are preferring jewellery which look heavy but actually are light since they are hollow. This situation has also developed due to high gold prices. The weight of the jewellery is also a consideration for the women of today.

Light jewellery today is normally finished in white gold which is the current trend. Precious stones are also finding their place in people's jewellery boxes. Earrings and necklaces with rubies and sapphires are being loved by many. Today’s jewelleries look heavy but are lightweight as they are created hollow. Some people are also using 18K gold to further reduce the prices. Gold, diamonds, platinum, precious stones all are used in these jewelleries as per the customer taste.

A certain trend of jewellery which looks bulky but is light is also coming up. This reduction in weight is not always for the price but also for the comfort factor. These types of jewellery which look heavy but are light can be used for marriages and major family functions. The safety of the jewellery is also a concern so, light jewellery is again preferred. If you are wearing heavy jewellery and your jewellery gets snatched you lose more. The gift-ability of the lightweight jewellery has also increased demand. Modern designs with light weight make these jewelleries highly perfect for pujas as well as office meetings.

Such jewellery can come in the range of Rs. 1000 to 60,000. This low cost is driving most people towards these jewelleries and they make sense too. The making charges are also less since the labour involved is less too.

Let us know which type of jewellery you prefer in the comments section.

A Guide to Gold

Gold is loved by all and has an extraordinary heritage spanning centuries. Gold is one of the very rare elements which naturally have a yellow colour. Gold is highly rust, tarnish and corrosion resistant. It is also a very heavy but malleable precious metal.

Purity

Pure gold is not strong enough for everyday wear. Pure gold is so malleable that you can mold it with your hands. Therefore, gold is mixed with metals like copper, silver, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. A number followed by a “K” indicates purity. “K” here means karat and 24K is pure gold of 99.9%. It is almost impossible to find or make gold 100% pure. This also indicates how much of the metal used in jewellery is gold. Like 18K gold is made up of 75% gold and other metals to make it strong for everyday wear. Similarly 14k gold is made up of 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals.

Colour

The colour of gold can change depending upon the metal used in it except in the case of 24K gold. The type of metal alloys included changes the colour of the gold to a slight degree. The expert mixture of copper, silver and pure gold gives the gold a warm yellow colour. This colour of gold is so signature that matching it with other metals or processes is almost impossible.

Pricing

Gold prices totally depend up the purity of the gold you choose. Lower purity gold is cheaper and also stronger for daily use. Jewellery normally attracts making charges which is over and above the gold price. Intricate jewellery attracts more making charges as well as stone studded ones. Weight of the total gold you are purchasing will also increase your prices.

Care

Though gold is unaffected by rust or environmental factors harsh household chemicals like chlorine and bleach can be harmful to your gold jewellery. Always try to remove your jewellery before working for your home and your garden. Any other work which may create a situation which can give a blow to your jewellery should be avoided while wearing jewellery. Use warm water and detergent-free soap with soft bristled brush for cleaning your jewellery. Your old toothbrush of soft variety may suffice. Also store your jewellery in their respective boxes if available. If boxes are not available use soft cloth bags for temporary storage.