‘Vintage jewellery’ may be distinguished from ‘antique’ jewellery which tends to be jewellery that is pre 1920s. So is anything not the vintage look? Sure! Vintage is certainly something more distinctive than the herringbone gold chains and St Christophers that adorn the pages of your local catalogue store.

Being into vintage adds a lot of fun to your wardrobe. Costume gems, colourful brooches and cocktail rings, pearls and bows, watch necklaces and charms, these have all glittered from dozens of runways and quickly find their way into your high street or mall. With stone encrusted pieces from the forties and fifties, baubles from sixties pop art, groovy bright seventies colours and shed loads of eighties glam, whatever’s ‘in fashion’ is far more interesting than sterling silver studs and plain chains. The look is whimsical and fortunately for obsessive fashion followers everywhere, it’s also affordable, with faux gems and inexpensive metals like silver and gold plate being high on the runway trends list.

If, like me, you’re a fan of vintage jewellery, you might be wondering what to buy now that’ll be a good investment for the future. We’re talking about the real vintage deal here – jewellery with a past, not the high street imitations. Well, there’s a few designers that are sure to be vintage collectibles a few decades from now.

The names to watch for are:

• Alexander McQueen

• Chanel – always classic, always in fashion

• John Galliano

• Lanvin (Alber Elbaz)

• Louis Vuitton

• Marc Jacobs

• Miuccia Prada

Naturally, names come with a price tag but you can keep your eye out for bargains while allowing the high street alternatives to add spice to your wardrobe. Places to look:

• Ebay – be careful for fakes though

• Web

• Charity shops, especially in high fashion areas

• Markets

If you’re buying the real thing, do examine pieces carefully to make sure stones are secure and metal parts are intact. Look at the claws holding the stones, to see that they’re all there. Stones are really expensive or impossible to replace so it’s worth taking the time.

Also, when you’re buying brands, try to find out if they have been repaired as repaired pieces aren’t necessarily worth less but it may affect the value, especially on old pieces. Keep an eye out for pieces with a signature, trademark, designer’s name, stamp, etc as these marks add value and make the piece more collectable/desirable.

Dailyconnection

These rings for men are different from that of women from many perspectives. The rings for men need to be more durable, scratch-free and water-resistant than women’s because men have more outdoor jobs to do and they cannot look after their rings as properly as women do. For this reason the selection of metal, gemstones and designs are done keeping in mind the rough and tough nature of men.

An ideal engagement ring for men needs to be simple yet elegant. It should be sturdy and ideally scratch-free. Metals like platinum and titanium are durable and scratch-free, and are hence considered as favorites for men’s rings. Other metals include gold (both yellow and white) and silver. Multi-tone rings are also gaining popularity in which more than one metals are used to form beautiful and elegant designs for men. Two-tone rings that display a beautiful amalgamation of white and yellow gold are like by many. In addition to this, many men go for three-tone rings that have a beautiful blend of white, yellow and rose gold. The ring should not have a lot of colorful gemstones as that would look inappropriate.

Normally a ring without any gemstone (in the form of a band), with a single diamond in the middle, or multiple small diamonds is preferred by men.

Jim Ball first began his esteemed line of prom fashions by tinkering in the fashion jewelry business in 1984. His eye for prom design was immediately appreciated by the prom community, earning him a reputation as well as steady sales that allowed him to pursue prom design full time that very same year. Soon he was making a complete line of pageant, prom and wedding jewelry using Swarovski crystal and Cubic Zirconia. To this day, Jim Ball’s Swarovski crystal earrings and Cubic Zirconia earrings are still his best sellers, popular for prom and pageants as well as weddings.

Jim Ball continues to be a leading voice in jewelry fashion and is a frequent writer for Pageantry Magazine. He sets trends in the jewelry industry because of his unique eye. He makes an art of prom jewelry design with a trained and talented vision for the perfect combination of jewels and materials to create a stunning piece of work. Talk to him personally to find your best combination. It takes such a trained artist to find that perfect accessory for your dress, jewelry dazzle that just lights up a room.

As the only prom super store in a five state area, Henri’s Cloud Nine Prom and Pageant Store is a destination for any girl going to the prom. Having Jim Ball on hand for consultation and fashion display is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s a great chance to find the perfect jewelry enhancement for your prom dress. Girls will travel all over from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky just for an up close look at this complete line of Jim Ball prom designer jewelry and Henri’s exclusive lines of designer prom dresses, over 5,000 prom dresses in stock. It’s an event you won’t want to miss. For location information, girls should go to http://www.henris.com for store details and http://www.henrisprom.com to view collections on line.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

When it comes to timeless jewelry, we often think of diamonds and pearls as being the only alternative. However, not everyone can afford such luxuries. And since fashion trends and styles are constantly changing, it can be difficult to accessorize especially when you are on a budget. The good news is that classic pieces of jewelry can grow with your wardrobe and last for several years to come. The key to selecting timeless pieces that will stand the test of time is choosing ones that are handcrafted by experienced artisans. Factory-spewed and mass-produced jewelry is a thing of the past. These days, the latest trends in jewelry have everything to do with the handmade marketplace. The latest trends in handmade designer jewelry include polished natural stones, sea glass and colored crystals. You can purchase a timeless piece of jewelry to accentuate just about any outfit.

The Statement Necklace

The statement necklace is made out of a wide variety of materials from large stones to sea glass and even fabric. These striking pieces can turn even the most ordinary outfit into something extraordinary. No wonder many celebrities gracing the red carpet choose a statement necklace to pull their look together. The timeless nature of a statement necklace makes it the perfect companion for your wardrobe. Mix and match it with different outfits, regardless of the season, to turn heads all year long!

Elegant Earrings

Dazzling designer earrings crafted with semi-precious stones and sterling silver is just one style of timeless jewelry trends that are popular today. The lengths of the earrings can vary from studs to chandelier earrings that dangle below the jaw line. The hottest color trends include pastel palettes featuring sea greens and cool blues. Paired with a cocktail dress or even jeans and a t-shirt, a pair of elegant earrings can give any outfit a polished look.

Bountiful Bracelets

Chunky beaded bracelets and sterling silver charm bracelets are the most popular bracelets available in the handmade marketplace. The uniqueness of certain bracelets is what makes them timeless. Vintage charms, found objects and antique buttons are just a few of the materials used in quality crafted designer bracelets. Paired with new chains and findings, these timeless bracelets are worthy enough to grace the arm of Hollywood’s latest starlet.

Diamonds are very precious and significant. They are one of the most beautiful creations made by God. If you have a diamond ring, it is your responsibility to take good care of it. It is the hardest material today but it does not mean that you do not safeguard it. Even though diamonds are the hardest, you should also know that they also suffer damages. Diamonds can also get scratches that reduce its luster and brightness. So, it is significant to shield its beauty. If you want to give something to your special someone, make sure to advice and tell her the importance of taking good care of it to maintain the beauty and quality of the extraordinary stone.

In addition, making diamonds are not easy. Why do you think so? It takes a long time to form it. The value of the rare stone is really unrivaled. The stones are also very difficult to mine out even through modern equipment. Today, diamonds are available in jewelry shops but they are very expensive and classy. So, make sure to protect them from any injuries and scratches to maintain its quality. One thing you also need to do is to keep diamonds away from other stones and even away from other diamonds.

When you keep them together, your diamonds are prone to scratches and injuries losing its luster, shine and will even devaluate its value. What are you waiting? Diamonds are one of the best gifts to give to your special someone if you want to propose to her. It symbolizes love and long lasting relationship. There are many diamonds on the market that you can choose from. Decide what suits your preference and make sure it looks good on her.

Express how you feel by giving a ring to her on a special date. It depends on how you present the ring to her—surprising her may be the best way. Show her that you really love her and your words are also very important. If she is the right girl for you, propose to her and make a commitment that you want to marry her. If you are happy with her and you understand each other, marry her. Make a long lasting and everlasting family. It is your decision to make. Step forward and expect a happy life by proposing with a diamond ring!

Technically, there is not so much difference between men’s briefcases and women’s briefcases, especially in terms of features and materials used. Taking a closer look at both types of briefcases, you will definitely notice that a briefcase for women has more design and style.

Compared to men’s, briefcases for women have a more vibrant appeal. They have more color choices and color combinations. The briefcase case handles also vary in many ways than one. Apparently, when women carry a briefcase, they carry it to fit to their taste. Briefcase for ladies is indeed a fashion statement.

But then again, women don’t forget about basic functionalities when choosing their briefcase. Briefcase for women is still used to carry along important documents and accessories and even a laptop. They would use the briefcase to contain their lady stuff such as makeup kits and other personals. Hence the briefcase, whatever it looks, should still be durable and flexible enough to bring numerous things with.

So if you’re a woman, looking for a briefcase, you should check out if the briefcase is made of durable materials like leather or aluminum. It should have several compartments inside to be able to separate your different kinds of belongings. To be more stylish, you can have those briefcases that resemble handbags. As long as they are strong and well-made, it’s nice for women to have handbag-looking briefcases.

While not always necessary, some briefcase brands bring in added sensuality and elegance to your appearance. The most popular brands of briefcase for women include Floto 1005 Milano, Piel Leather and McKlein Barrington. They usually come in five color options – olive brown, vecchio brown, tuscan red, orange and black.

Check out also for front and back zippered pockets so that it’s convenient for you to open and take your things out every time. The size of the briefcase for women is not really important as long as there are sections under the flap and the organizer area is sufficient for your electronics, pens, accessories, cards, etc. There are even women who proper briefcases that seem almost like purses.

If you’re a fashion addict, you’re surely curious about the forthcoming fashion trends in clothes and accessories. For bottoms, 70s-style trousers will make a comeback in 2011. These trousers and pants are usually wider and longer in the legs. Currently, they are referred to as parachute or harem pants that are loose from the waist to the knee.

Minimalist-style clothes are also in for the year. They come in soft color palettes such as white, beige, and brown. Paramilitary-style straps and tops also come with minimalist clothes. Moreover, printed fabrics and clothes with bright, intense color palettes will be very popular and in-demand throughout the year.

In terms of accessories, 70s-style bags, shoes, and sunglasses will make comebacks, too. Belt bags and purses will be in fashion Calgary. They are made with rare materials that allow women to wear them on the waist or over the shoulder. They look handy and roomy, allowing enough space for women to carry important belongings with them. Moreover, their styles and designs are enhanced so that they can match different clothing styles and colors.

Retro sunglasses are everywhere. Many leading fashion design Calgary labels are bringing back retro-looking sunglasses, including classic aviators, feminine-styled sunglasses, butterfly sunglasses, and cat’s-eye sunglasses. They also include sunglasses for men with ultra-masculine designs. When it comes to shoes, stilettos and boots will always be in style. Fur boots are considered the latest chic shoes for winter. However, thigh-high boots are still in style.

Choosing the right clothes and accessories is important for you to come up with several mix-and-match looks. Using fashion Calgary trends as a guide is alright, but you have to understand that there are certain trends that might not suit you. The latest clothing and accessory trends are just guidelines provided by fashion experts to help fashion-inclined people wear the appropriate clothes for the season.

Many women will surely look forward to new designs for handbags, since it is their favorite accessories. Fashion labels all over the world are coming up with the new trends for handbags. Of course, these bags will be based from clothing fashion and trends that’ll surely suit every season.

Say goodbye to stud and multi-zip bags because they’re definitely not in style for the coming year. Duffel and hobo bags are not anymore recommended for fashion purposes and can only serve for the purpose of luggage. Here are the upcoming handbag trends in Calgary for 2011.

Minimalism Since the long tote and luggage bags are saying goodbye, many fashion designers are coming up with minimalist handbags. Whatever shape they have, these latest high fashion handbags are designed to be small. One of the upcoming bag types to hit the market this year is the bucket bag. Bucket bags may be ideal chic and stylish women who want to keep their hands free. These bags often come with long shoulder straps for comfort and ease of use. They look a bit deceiving on the outside, since bucket bags provide enough space.

Plains and Prints Believe it or not, the upcoming trends fashion Calgary for handbags will introduce different designs. Although plainly-designed handbags will remain on the scene, bohemian and animal-inspired prints will make an invasion. Most of these printed handbags also come in different materials. You can surely find several handbags made with fur.

Exotic Colors Yes, colors are part of the latest trends in high fashion handbags too. Although many designers will come up with bags in safe, neutral colors such as black, gray, and white, there are still some who will experiment for exotic and bright colors like chartreuse, orange, and hot pink. These exotic-shaded handbags are expected to come out in the summer of 2011.