Archive for October, 2011

Will the Price of Gold Hold?

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

With the sky-rocketing price of gold today, the budding question on everyone’s mind is whether or not it will hold its value in the future. Sitting at over $1,500 an ounce, the price of gold is bursting through old ceilings as investors desperately seek a more solid product in which to rest their ailing stocks.   Each day that passes breeds more people interested in buying gold & selling gold.

As the U.S. dollar continues to take a nosedive, gold has taken center stage in the portfolios of conscious investors. Creating a modern-day gold rush, this precious metal sits on a bubble that has many skeptics looking concerned. Much like the housing peak of 2007, investors fear that the rise in the price of gold and silver is the result of careless speculation. Others believe that it is a result of economic troubles that have caused a transition from more risky stocks to a more stable gold solution.

Over the past few years, gold prices have continued to increase. To make an assessment on the stability of gold, one must look at the overall factors that affect the price of gold.

  • Gold has significant commercial use. This means that even in a recession, commercial demand stays strong and may even increase the price of precious metals.
  • Foreign demand helps stabilize the price of gold as commercial consumption overseas from Indonesia, China, and India remains strong even in a crumbling U.S. economy.
  • Often used as a hedge against inflation, gold is commonly added to portfolios as a protection investment. This cautionary surge has aided the value of gold in economic times of late.
  • The decline of the U.S. dollar has helped gold to become the preferred method of payment in recent times.
  • Central banks also affect the value of gold as they grow their gold reserves. Large gold purchases by central banks often lead to a surge in gold prices.

The value of gold in commercial trade will most likely help to keep its value steady over time. The question as to whether cautious stock holders will again begin to trade out of gold’s stability and into more aggressive stocks is yet to be seen. As well, if the value of the U.S. dollar recovers, gold could lose some of its stronghold.

Like most commodities, gold is driven by age-old supply and demand. Speculation also plays a part as investors hedge their bets for the future and decide whether to jump on the gold boat or wait for the next best thing.

Financial stress is a major player in the current demand of gold. Like all precious metals, gold is a defensive stock, holding its own in times of uncertainty. But even gold is not completely immune to economical stressors. If congress decided to turn over a new leaf and pay down its debt, if the US dollar made a rebound in value, or if gold or commodities tipped heavy on the scale, the value of gold could begin to decrease. But the chances of these factors coming true tomorrow—or any time in the near future—are quite minimal.

Even with the uncertainty of speculation in the price of today’s gold, it is still a stable stock; hence why it is used as a stabilizer in times of economic turmoil. Because of this, gold is also not a stock that should be bought and sold on a dime. Long-term goals must be kept in mind, as investing for the future is an important part of evaluating your assets. Gold is a great long-term investment and one of the most stable stocks in which to place your long-term savings.

That being said, if you have gold to unload in the way of jewelry and household items, now might just encompass the best circumstances under which to sell it. Although gold is a stable and fairly predictable stock, history shows that bubbles do sometimes burst, even on a smaller scale. What goes up often must come down, so if you’re holding onto a handful of gold that could help you lift a financial burden today and help you improve your tomorrow, selling your assets at the probable peak of the next American gold rush is a great way to reap the most out of liquidating your precious metal assets.

Posted in Gold, Sell Your Jewelry | No Comments »

Save on Designer Prices, Get Your Jewelry Custom Made!

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Whether you are looking to buy jewelry for yourself, spruce up an old piece, or create a special gift for a friend or loved one, customized jewelry can not only save you cash, but it can help you produce a piece of jewelry that is a one-of-a-kind item created with your particular style in mind. Hand-crafted and custom-made jewelry is becoming more prevalent in recent times where the need for new and creative jewelry is rising, but the price of designer pieces has become too heavy for most of our wallets.

Independently owned custom jewelry retailers are a great place to seek out customized jewelry at affordable prices. Handmade designs and reworking of older pieces of jewelry can help you create a piece that is stunning, unique, and affordable. At a fraction of designer prices, a custom-made piece of jewelry can surpass any generic designer piece sure to be worn by hundreds or thousands of other people.

Clean Out Your Closet for Customized Flair

Redesigning old pieces of jewelry is a great way to cut costs and also bring a little bit of your history into your future. With the right jeweler on your side, you can take an old piece of jewelry and transform it into something beautiful that can be passed on from generation to generation.

Even pieces that were given to you that you don’t particularly care for can be reworked into something you don’t want to take off. Styles can also change over time, which makes it difficult to frequently re-outfit a wardrobe with new pieces to match an adjusted style. Customizing jewelry offers the ability to rework old pieces to fit a new feel without shelling out the hard-earned cash necessary to buy a whole new set of jewelry.

Smaller is Better

Smaller jewelers have a more unique and carefully considered inventory, and are geared toward attentive customer service, not pushy sales tactics. Local jewelers tend to take a keen interest in every customer, and also have a longstanding history in the business and exceptional pride in their work and craftsmanship. Larger jewelers can be intimidating and pushy.

A local, family-run jeweler will be able to offer you guidance in the custom design process, offering unique insight and a true interest in your piece of jewelry.

Buffering the Budget

The economy these days is tough. Purse strings are tighter, wallets are lighter, and the need to buy new items is offset by the ability to make ends meet. Designer jewelry is simply off the books for most of today’s society. But this doesn’t mean that no changes can be made to everyday wear. Customized jewelry can give you just the boost you need without breaking your budget. Even a small change to a piece of jewelry can be enough to give it a whole new look and feel. Communicating with a trustworthy and skilled jeweler can help you explore your options before you go digging into deep reserves to pay for entirely new pieces of jewelry.

Trusting Your Designer

Communication and trust are key factors in finding the right jeweler to help you customize your jewelry. Oftentimes this is just as important as the cost. Try one piece of customized jewelry and see how you feel before moving on to other pieces. A good jeweler will be able to do wonders within the confines of your price range. Your jeweler can also identify alternative metals to use in order to lower the price without risking the quality.

Big chains are less likely to carry customized jewelry or have the craftsmen on staff to take your ideas and bring them to life with the skill and care of a smaller family jeweler. Family jewelers can often cut out the middlemen and help bring facets to you for a lower price than larger distributors. Look through your old pieces of jewelry and talk to a skilled jeweler about revamping your sparkling accessories for a new lease on luxurious living. Even old jewelry can be given a makeover for a fraction of the cost of designer jewelry. Seeking out customized pieces can help you shop within your budget, control your costs, and also leverage your artistic side for a style that fits you perfectly.

Posted in Buying Jewelry, Used Jewelry | No Comments »

Best Places to Pop the Question in San Diego

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

One of the greatest things about San Diego is its wide variety of beautiful outdoor scenery and the unique possibilities it holds for lovers. With its warm weather, beautiful ocean views, sandy beaches, breathtaking cliffs, and abundant wildlife, San Diego brings beautiful backdrops and sensational sunsets to its patrons for free. If you’re looking to find a romantic spot for that one special moment, you don’t have to look any further than Southern California for outdoor beauty, indoor elegance, and experiences sure to delight all the senses and dazzle your loved one.

La Jolla Cove

As one of the most unforgettable natural spots in San Diego, La Jolla Cove is known by everyone for its beautiful scenery, vast parks, sea life, shops, and unmatched sunsets. Take some time to dine at one of the high-class restaurants here that can provide the perfect backdrop for that one special moment. Take in a dinner with beautiful views of the ocean, and then stroll down to catch the sunset along the cliffs.

Coronado Beach and the Hotel del Coronado

The Hotel del Coronado is an amazing historic Victorian hotel, and one of the last wooden Victorian beach resorts still standing. This beachfront luxury hotel sprawls along the sparkling Coronado beach, bringing visitors from far and wide. A hotspot for weddings, this hotel is brimming with a romantic ambiance. With walkways long the sand and five-star restaurants inside, you can catch the sunset and share that special moment wrapped in the lap of luxury.

A Sunset Gondola Cruise

Bring all the romance of Italy to your proposal by taking an hour-long private ride through the Coronado waterways on a Gondola built for two. With the aid of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, your gondola ride comes with a blanket, wine glasses, and a complimentary appetizer or dessert. Bring your loved one on this romantic sunset cruise and arrange for a professional mandolin or violin player to come along to capture that one unforgettable moment with a sweet serenade.

Balboa Park

Balboa Park is full of amazing scenery, and has many little nooks and pathswhere a couple can sit alone together and watch the sun go down. The park has been a popular backdrop to many romantic dates, weddings, and festivities. Built in 1915 for a world’s fair, the El Prado area of Balboa Park boasts a Spanish Colonial feel and is especially romantic, sporting buildings that bring a stunning, exotic impression to the marriage proposal experience.

Kate Sessions Park

North of Mission Bay, this large recreational park is settled on a hill and offers a panoramic view of the bay and downtown. One of the last public places where you can bring a bottle of wine, sitting atop the Kate Sessions hilltopand watching the sun settle and reflect its light off the downtown skyline is a great way to bring some San Diego scenery into your proposal. If you stay into dusk, you can even catch the fireworks show from Sea World.

Private Hot Air Balloon Ride and Wine Tours

What’s more romantic than a hot air balloon? Take a ride above the vast expanse of Temecula wine country, soaring over the rolling vineyards over 500 feet above the ground. Propose at the height of this gentle flight to make a lasting memory and help your relationship reach new heights, then celebrate by journeying through a romantic wine tour of Temecula’s best wineries.

Horse-drawn Carriage

Nothing says romance like a horse-drawn carriage. Take your loved one on a fairy tale ride by horse-drawn carriage along San Diego’s downtown waterfront and celebrate your love through one of the most traditional romantic scenes that has lasted through the ages.

Hornblower Cruises

Hop on a San Diego Hornblower cruise and pop the question while cruising over San Diego waters. Enjoy the scenery and the San Diego skyline atop a cruise ship and experience life at its best. Popular for hosting weddings on the water, the Hornblower cruises are well-known for their beautiful ships, elegant dinners, whale watching, and stargazing. Enjoy champagne and live music, and propose under the San Diego stars on this romantic ocean excursion.

San Diego is an amazing, breathtaking place to share that special moment. With brilliant scenery, luxurious restaurants, rolling vineyards and unique experiences like gondola rides and hot air balloon flights, your proposal can become something that is looked back upon with fondness for years to come.

Posted in Engagement Rings, Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Antique Jewelry is the “Newest” Hit

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

As fashion trends wax and wane, antique jewelry has again found itself in the spotlight. The idea of vintage jewelry as a hot commodity first developed in the late 1960s as fashion became focused away from the norm and on to unique styles and one-of-a-kind pieces from past decades. The popularity of vintage jewelry stems from its ability to allow you a custom piece of art that is rare, distinctive, and often the only if its kind.

General fashion trends in the 60s needed variation and the style required added depth. Vintage jewelry from earlier times became a sought-after product and retro fashion boutiques began popping up here and there to attend to the demand.

This trend has again cycled into popularity as today’s stars have begun toting their wares on-screen, on the red carpet, and even on the runway. From Sharon Stone to Chloë Sevigny, celebrities have emerged to tote their barrettes and baubles from days past. Vintage jewelry allows an individual a level of uniqueness that is often hard to find in today’s cookie-cutter world of fashion.

As a result, the vintage bracelet that you are sporting may very well be included in this re-emerging height of fashion. And since no one is likely to have the exact same piece, many pieces of antique jewelry are in fact custom originals with an exciting history and untapped value.

How to Choose an Antique Piece of Jewelry

Look for signatures – Pieces signed from popular designers such as Hattie Carnegie, Sarah Coventry, and Miriam Haskell are a mark of quality and are often of higher value than others.

Keep an eye on clasps – Clasps comprised of simple hooks can come undone and may need to be replaced with a later model so that you don’t risk losing the piece. Clasps made around the sixties and prior are sturdier and more dependable.

Weigh your options – Older pieces tend to be heavier in weight, as antique pieces of the twenties and thirties were made of heavier metals, with lighter options being introduced after World War II.

Don’t be distracted by dirt – Older pieces may look a little grimy when you pluck them out of their closets, quaint shops, and antique malls, but jewelry can often be buffed and cleaned to look good as new with just a little elbow grease.

Types of Vintage Jewelry

Each era has a distinct look and feel. Vintage jewelry can come by way of Victorian elegance, symmetrical Art Deco pieces, and elegant Edwardian appeal. Later styles include the ever-popular chokers, charm bracelets and bangles.

Victorian

Victorian jewelry hails from the late 1830s to early 1900s, under the reign of Queen Victoria in Britain. This type of antique jewelry is often ornate and natural in design.

The Victorian mourning period also brought about its own style of jewelry, producing pieces that incorporate jet, enamel, and onyx. These pieces are rare and highly collectible.

Retro

Retro jewelry was in fashion from 1945 to 1960. Common in Hollywood, retro jewelry is best recognized by its chunky bracelets and charms.

Art Deco

Art deco jewelry is minimalistic and often incorporates long necklaces and layered gemstone bracelets.

Costume

Costume jewelry is usually of lesser monetary value, but is vintage-inspired. Costume jewelry is often set with semi-precious stones and hued with tones of rose and yellow colors.

Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry comes from family members that leave behind old treasures after they pass. Estate jewelry often yields pieces from the many different eras of that individual’s lifetime. Many of the older pieces of jewelry are hand-crafted specifically with the individual in mind and yield one-of-a-kind pieces.

Investing in Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry comes with its own charm and history. Jewelry that comes from an estate often has minor wear and tear, and a traceable past. Heirlooms that are kept in good condition will only grow in value and can become part of your wardrobe, making it a value both in everyday life and in the future.

With antique jewelry back in demand, the possibilities are endless and create a perpetual treasure hunt for those looking for unique and desirable pieces of jewelry from eras past. As vintage jewelry hits the big screen and many start digging in their closets for antique valuables, the market will again produce unique pieces from the past.

Posted in Buying Jewelry, Engagement Rings | No Comments »