Friday 28 August 2015

The colours of gold

If you were to go through your jewellery box and take out all of your yellow gold necklaces, rings, bangles and charms and place them side by side, you may be surprised to find they are not exactly alike in colour.


Each by itself looks like yellow gold, so why don’t they all look exactly the same? The answer lies in the fact that 9ct gold contains 9 parts of 24ct gold and 15 parts of other metals by weight.


Gold used to make jewellery is an alloy of different metals. Yellow gold typically contains gold, silver, copper and a touch of zinc. It must be 37.5% gold to be called 9ct, but the other 62.5% can be made up of any mixture of other metals.



As more and more copper (and less silver) is used, the colour of the gold alloy becomes pink, then rose and then red gold. If less copper (and more silver) is used then the gold becomes a brassier shade of yellow gold.


The mixture used in the alloy will also vary between manufacturers, some prefer a bright yellow, others like the slightly warmer tones of pink gold. As fashions change the manufacturers may also change the colour of their alloys to meet the current market desires.



The colours of gold

Articles


Articles

How to ruin your jewellery without trying

One of the most common causes of damage to precious metal jewellery is not widely known.


Pure gold is impervious to almost any chemical except a special mixture of sulphuric and hydrochloric acids known as Aqua Regia.


However, there is almost no jewellery made from pure gold as it is far too soft a metal to make it practical, so gold is typically alloyed with other metals to provide the physical strength required for jewellery that is to be worn frequently.


Unfortunately, alloying gold with other metals to provide physical strength opens the door to a lowered resistance to a chemical attack on precious metals.


Everyday chemicals around the home can have devastating effects on gold alloys and sterling silver but most people won’t know that the damage has occurred until their piece breaks.


Chlorine is found in many household cleaners and bleaches and in high concentrations. Chlorine is also found in swimming pools and hot tubs or spas.


Chlorine can break down the non-gold metals in alloys of gold and silver. This makes them weaker and subject to fracturing.


Rings with mounted stones can be badly affected as the claw is under stress as it holds the gem in place. The combination of mechanical stresses and the action of the chlorine chemically on the alloy can cause the prongs to break where they join the shank of the ring. This can lead to the stone in your engagement ring not being held securely and parting from its mount. The prong once weakened can be bent or broken much more easily if caught on your clothing. Chlorine damage can also affect the links in gold and silver chains, causing them to be weakened and break more easily if the chain is pulled.


Remove your jewellery before using any cleaning products containing chlorine or bleaches, and never wear you jewellery in a swimming pool or spa.


Read More



How to ruin your jewellery without trying

Jewellery Guides


Jewellery Guides

Thursday 27 August 2015

Charms on Sale

2 Cup Cake Charm (chr-2182)-750

To celebrate the birth of our new blog we are having a sale on all of our gold and silver charms.


Save 10% until the 3rd September 2015, the discount will be automatically applied at the checkout.


Happy birthday!



Charms on Sale

Charms of a Birthday

It’s time to celebrate! Birthdays are a special time of year that mark the start of a New Year and fresh perspective in a person’s life. Most people live their lives by their number of years, so it’s always important to remind them just how much those years mean to those around them.


Birthday charms are a popular gift. They show the recipient the thought and care that went into finding the perfect fit. Birthday charms can be made to represent birth months and zodiac signs.


They can be inscribed with birth dates and a special message. They can be used to mark important milestones in a person’s life to remind them just how far they’ve come, and that there is so much more to be had.


By giving meaningful and thoughtful gifts like personalized birthday charms, it adds an air of sentiment that will help to embrace love and friendships for years to come.


Different Types of Birthday Charms


People have different styles and tastes, so not all charms are created equal. That’s why when you start shopping for that perfect charm for a loved one or someone special in your life, you can easily become overrun by amount of choice and options that will face you.


Not only do they come in a huge variety of designs and colours, they very often have a specific meaning too. It’s important for you to understand what some of the basic meanings are so that you can choose charms that perfectly depict the sentiment you are trying to convey to someone.


Take a look below into what the different types of charms mean, and how you can make sure to get the right one for your loved one.


Birthday Stones


Birthstones originated as gem stones that were assigned to a month out of the year, and signifies different benefits and beliefs.


In the modern era, people came to identify themselves by the month that they were born in and the gem stone that is associated with it. Therefore, gem stones became a symbol of birthdays and celebrations. But what are the meanings behind them?


  • January – Garnet

    Represents faith, love and consistency. Believed to provide directional guidance.

  • February – Amethyst

    Signifies peace, temperance and serenity. Believed to strengthen relationships.

  • March – Aquamarine

    Promotes good health. Said to cure physical ailments.

  • April – Diamond

    Symbolizes ever-lasting love, invincibility, and courage. Said to help wearers conquer hardships. 

  • May – Emerald

    Wisdom, growth and patients. Well associated with new beginnings. 

  • June – Pearl

    Purity, personal integrity and personal growth.

  • July – Ruby

    Provides strength and nobility. Brings wearers good luck and good friends.

  • August – Peridot

    Beauty, strength and mortality.

  • September – Sapphire

    Shields the wearers from evils that seek to possess body and mind. Signifies a person’s strength to withstand dark times.

  • October – Opal

    Brings about faithfulness and confidence.

  • November – Citrine

    Provides strength for body and mind. Said to help clear the mind.

  • December – Blue Topaz

    Good fortune and full life. A symbol of peace and relaxation.

Astrological Signs


Like birthstones, each sign is associated with a different time period throughout the year. Inspired by the stars and ancient stories, they represent the foreseeable future. They can also help to guide you through difficult times and are the basis of horoscopes.


  • Aries, March 21- April 20

  • Taurus, April 21- May21

  • Gemini, May 22 – June 21

  • Cancer, June 22- July 23

  • Leo, July 24-Aug. 23

  • Virgo, Aug. 24- Sept. 23

  • Libra, Sept. 24- Oct. 23

  • Scorpio, Oct. 23- Nov. 22

  • Sagittarius, Nov. 23- Dec. 22

  • Capricorn, Dec. 23- Jan. 20

  • Aquarius, Jan. 21- Feb. 19

  • Pisces, Feb. 20- March 20

Other Great Options


For those who aren’t quite into astrological signs and gemstones, there are plenty of other great options to choose from. Here are just a few examples of what can be accomplished with the right set of charms:-


  • Fashion earrings depicting the recipients age

  • Create a necklace with a cake charm with their age stamped into it

  • Make a charm bracelet with all of their favourite things

  • A simple charm with the wearer’s date of birth on one side and Happy Birthday on the other. Simple but effective!

  • A charm locket with their picture, or a picture of their loved ones

  • Integrate their favourite coloured beads for a unique look

  • Use milestone gemstones, e.g:-

    o Sweet 16, 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th and so on

  • Create a timeline on a necklace that shows their biggest adventures

  • Use charms that represents their family and friends

  • Combine a lucky charm with their birthday stone, symbol or date

The options available are endless really and only limited by your imagination!


For further customisation, charms can also be integrated into rings and key chains. This provides more variety and sense of style to those who aren’t fond of traditional jewellery.


Clasps can be added to make the charm removable and interchangeable. There are countless other combinations for you to choose from. The best advice anyone could ever be giving is to make sure that it fits the recipients’ unique personality.


Charms are an easy and cute way to keep the most important aspects of a persons’ life with them where ever they go. They serve as small but essential reminders of whatever the wearer wishes to represent.


From best friends and important family members to important events, milestones and achievements there are almost countless ways to commemorate memories to be carried with them for years to come.


Personalize with a special message and colours for an added pop of style and personalization. Each creation of charm jewellery is unique in nature, just like the individual person who receives them.


Choose from silver, gold, white gold, yellow gold, or tarnish-free silver. Then choose a chain for bracelets and necklaces, or earring hooks and backs. There are different types of links and hooks to pick from.


No matter where you live in Australia, you can order from our web site 24/7. Thousands of options await for you online. Our dedicated team of crafters hand make each charm in order to bring out their natural beauty and shine. Contact us today to get started on your latest charm adventure!



Charms of a Birthday

Baby Charms

Charm jewellery has been a very popular item to wear ever since the Victorian times in England. In this period they became standard fashion items with women who saw them as trendy items of jewellery they could wear to enhance their look. Some women also preferred to wear them as a way of seeking protection spiritually.


It wasn’t until the 1940’s that the fashion of charm bracelets become popular within the United States. This was mainly due to American soldiers visiting various cities around the world, during war time, who collected charms made from gold and silver.


In more modern times, charm bracelets and jewellery are more often being purchased as keepsakes. People will buy charms when on a vacation or a trip as a souvenir or as a reminder of great times they have shared with family and friends.


The variety of charms available these days is quite staggering and you will be hard pressed not to find one for almost any occasion. Also, with so many charms being theme based, they have become immensely popular gift items to give to family, friends and loved ones on special days.


Some of the most popular themes include:-


  • Birthday gem stones

  • Kid’s favourite sports teams

  • Music related including favourite instruments, band symbols and musical notes

  • Pets names or favourite breeds

  • Animals such as lions for strength or cheetahs for speed

  • Most loved or memorable cities

  • Vacation souvenirs

  • Astrology and birth signs

  • Character charms that best describes one’s character

  • Education related charms

  • Food and drink related charms such as a jug charm or even a banana charm

  • Holiday Celebrations

  • Good luck charms are probably the most popular and well know of all charms and include items such as wishbones, horse shoes, shamrocks, lucky dice and three leaf clovers

  • Love charms such as hearts, roses and best friend pendants

  • Initials and letters

  • Peoples names

  • Plants, nature and the outdoors

  • Arts, crafts and theatre

  • Dance charms including ballet related items

  • Religious charms like crosses, Buddha’s and St. Christopher’s pendants

…. and that’s just to name a few!


Baby Charms and Themes


One type of charm that is missing from the list above but has grown in popularity and importance of recent years is baby charms.


Whenever a new born baby arrives into any family it is always a joyful occasion. And in these modern times it is often the case that immediately before and after the event, the thoughts of loved ones, family and friends turn to buying gifts for the parents and the new baby.


Throwing a baby shower for the expectant mother has become more and more popular over the last decade or so and one of the main reason for holding the event is to give gifts meant for the baby.


Most people turn to traditional gifts such as clothing items, baby equipment like feeding bottles and prams or even toys of all descriptions. However, not many folks think of buying charms that are specifically designed for babies.


Charms and trinkets have been popular items to give loved ones and friends as gifts for many years. However until recently baby charms have not been considered as something to give as a gift at someone’s baby shower. But the fact is they are becoming more and more popular as they are now widely seen as memorable, stylish and unique items that can show affection and love in ways that aren’t easily done so with other types of gifts.


Huge variety


Having taken the decision to buy a new born baby a charm, or set of charms, choosing what type or style to buy is the next step.


There are so many varieties and choices available that there is no way you will not be able to find the perfect one. Also bear in mind that many retailers and suppliers are able to make custom charms as one offs if you have something very specific in mind.


Whether you are buying a charm for a baby shower, newly born or birthday, here is a list of the types of charms that you can buy for a baby to help give you some inspiration:-


  • Dummy charms that come in the shape of different types of dummies

  • Teddy bear charms

  • Tiny baby feet shaped charms

  • The year of the baby’s birth

  • Flying stork carrying a baby

  • Baby rattles of all types

  • Children’s characters such as the ginger bread man, puss in boots or even mickey mouse

  • Fairytale items such as a pot of gold, toad stool or three blind mice

  • Toy related charms like a rocking horse, steam train or an ABC dice

  • Disney characters such as Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Pluto or Donald Duck

With so many choices and ideas available, the options are endless. You’re only limited by your imagination and as mentioned earlier there are many suppliers who can offer a bespoke service to create a custom piece for you so you can be sure you get exactly what you require.


Charms are everlasting


Another great thing about choosing to buy charms for a new born baby is that the concept of charms and the way they are interchangeable, exchangeable and expandable, allows one to create an everlasting and versatile present. Let me explain.


Charms are meant to be either hung or threaded onto a charm bracelet. This bracelet can be in the form of a necklace for the neck, a normal bracelet for the wrist or an anklet to place on the ankle.


As time goes by you can keep buying charms that depict different stages of the baby’s life and add them to the bracelet making it unique over time.


Initially, most newborn babies will be too small to wear these items so what most parents tend to do is improvise. For example they may wrap the charm bracelet around the handle of the baby’s pram or they might hang it from the child’s hanging toy overlooking its crib. This way it still serves a purpose.


Then when the baby is able to wear the charm bracelet that’s when people start buying more charms which can easily be added to the bracelet.


You can buy charms in all the popular jewellery materials such as gold and silver. We offer a bespoke service so not only can you get the exact charm item for your baby that you have in mind but we can also make it in a variety of finishes to.



Baby Charms

Charms Explained

The Charms of Life


Charms, also known as pendants, trinkets or amulets, go back thousands of years from the pre-historic era to the ancient Egyptians and up through the native inhabitants of European, Aboriginal Australia, Native American regions, and countless others.


Made of bone, shells, clay, and any other substantial materials available, they were transformed from simple elements to intricate shapes and engravings said to ward off evil spirits.


While today’s uses have a somewhat different purpose, charms still play an important role in modern society. Many people use charms to help them display the different aspects of their lives.


The ever popular chain bracelets with interchangeable charms provides an excellent and affordable way to show others what your life is all about. Even still, charms can be made for purses, cell phones, back packs, cars and just about anything else you can think of.


Others use charms as a reminder of what is really important to them. From matters of faith to a special event or person, one glance can help to boost spirits and aide in getting through the day. Many find it satisfying to carry a charm with them to ward off bad days or thoughts. A ‘lucky charm’, if you will. In a way this harkens to the origin of charms.


Different Variations


Charms can also be made into necklaces and earrings, rings or ankle bracelets. For these, people usually choose one or two charms. It makes for an endearing addition to any outfit and looks spectacularly simple in nature.


As mentioned earlier, charms can come in many forms which allows the wearer the opportunity to represent and depict a whole range of feelings and emotions her or she wants.


Today these modern jewellery and accessory items are usually made out of popular precious metals like gold, yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver and even platinum. Tarnish free silver has recently become available.


Popular themes include:-


  • Birthday stones

  • Kid’s sports teams

  • Music, reading and/or writing

  • Pets and animals

  • Cities

  • Vacations

  • Astrology signs

  • Baby

  • Character

  • Education

  • Food

  • Holiday Celebrations

  • Good luck

  • Love

  • Letters and initials

  • People

  • Plants and nature

  • Arts and theatre

  • Ballet

  • Work professions

…just to name a few!


Many charm manufacturers will take special orders if the charm you’re looking for isn’t available. Bespoke pieces like this often have an extra special meaning and sentimental value for the wearer as they become very personal and specific to them alone. Often a great way to show a loved one the special bond you have with them!


Highly Customisable


Because charms are independent of the bracelet they are attached to, they can often be put together in ways that complement certain situations. One option is to proudly display colourful beads offset by smaller silver or gold beads in between. The created effect displays a show of colour to add to an outfit.


More options await you as you can even pick out the chain colour, length, weight, and design of the links to customize the look to your needs and specifications. You can truly create a one of a kind look.


Charms make excellent companions for kids. Children often like to decorate their book bags, lunch bags, shoe laces, binders, you name it! Kids are always trying to express themselves in unique ways and a good charm with their favourite subject or character will help them to feel special.


Get kids interested in reading by making a charm book mark. Or you could use them on a chore chart. It all helps to grab their attention and engage them in important activities.


Charms work great as a reward system too. Maybe for every good grade they get, they receive a charm. Had a good month in chores? Start a charm chart so they can track their progress.


So Many Choices, Where to Start?


With so many choices it can be hard to narrow it down as to which charms you start off with. Here are some tips and ideas to help you get started:-


  • Think about the passions in your life. What do you want to show off the most?

  • Do you have a favourite vacation destination?

  • Represent your home city or sports team.

  • Kid’s favourite characters. This is a fun way to show your kids that you know what they like. They add a different look to your bracelet in fun and exciting ways.

  • Represent the people in your life. Birthday stones, dates, or depictions are always a great choice.

  • Your zodiac sign, initials or even the first letter of your name.

  • Display your favourite pet or animals.

  • Main area of study in school, your profession or your dream job.

  • They make great gifts! Show the person in your life that you care.

A Little History


The modernisation of the charms we wear today can be contributed to Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Hittites. During the late 1800’s, Queen Victoria of England made them a status symbol for royalty. She popularised the notion of wearing charms on a link chain.


She loved to give finely crafted charms to her cohorts and any charm received served as a cherished reminder of a person or event throughout her reign. Queen Victoria is also accredited with devising the first funeral charms meant to commemorate a departed loved one.


Soon, famous jewellery companies started to make wears for everyday people. Often in the themes of love and desire, they were popular with the higher societies. During the industrial era, cheaper materials and production methods allowed the masses to go into a charm frenzy. Their momentum hasn’t slowed since.


There can be no doubt that charms in all shapes and sizes are here to stay. Create a beautiful sentiment for yourself or someone you love. Reward yourself, your kids, or grandkids with them.


No matter where you live in Australia, your options are never limited. Order online anytime. Speak with one of our friendly customer service consultants to help you get started with a new design. Take advantage of our special offers and free shipping.


Allow your imagination to run wild and free and you will be sure to create something that will never be forgotten.



Charms Explained