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Diamonds are a girl's best friend. But not only girls or women like them, they're essential for different occasions and are an universal gift. Just think of a wedding, what would it be without the rings for most people?
Jewellery falls into two basic categories: fine jewellery and fashion or costume jewellery. Additionally, buyers can select particular styles and designers or choose from a vast selection of colours, stones, metals or materials. Popular pieces include:
Necklaces – Have been worn by men and women since ancient times. There are dozens of styles to choose from including:
Chains – The simple chain is one of the most sought after pieces and can be worn at any time. Chains suit both men and women and are often the first necklace that a child will wear. Gold and silver have been used to make chains for centuries and link styles include: belcher, anchor curb, box, bead, snake, singapore, rope, gucci, spiga, and figaro. In general, bead chains and box chains are more delicate while Figaro, curb and belcher chains are more durable. Chains can be made from precious metals like gold, silver or platinum. Chains made from nickel or another metal and coated in a layer of gold or silver powder are an affordable alternative.
Pendants – A natural progression from the basic chain necklace, pendants are a great unisex style. Typically, the name “pendant” refers to a single piece that is hung from a cord or chain, crosses and medallions are classic examples of pendants.
Beads – Who can argue with the popularity of a style that has prevailed for 100,000 years? After the discovery of glass about 3,400 years ago, necklaces made from glass beads took over from shell and stone. Pearls are considered the crème de la crème of bead necklaces and are often chosen by brides. Modern bead necklaces might be glass, pearl, shell, plastic, resin, wood, paper or fabric.
Collars – Can be made from one piece of metal or a series of links. Designer “statement” collar necklaces tend to be large and dramatic so they're perfect for glamorous events and parties. A collar can be wide or narrow and sits at the base of the neck.
Chokers – Are placed mid-way between the base of the neck and the chin. These pretty pieces were popular in Victorian and Edwardian times and enjoyed a comeback in the 1960s and 70s. Often, chokers were just a band of ribbon or velvet with a cameo attached though now chain link and bead or crystal styles are also popular.
Bracelets – Like necklaces, bracelets come in lots of styles. Some have been designed to complement necklace styles – chain bracelets and beaded bracelets, for example. Other bracelet styles include the wrap bracelet which might be made from leather and glass beads or crystals, the identity bracelet and the timeless charm bracelet. Charm bracelets have undergone something of a renaissance over the past few decades. During the 1950s and 60s, many women built personalised charm bracelets from scratch. Based on a basic chain bracelet, charms were added to mark various birthdays or events. A full bracelet was a valuable piece of jewellery to be treasured. Typical charms might include a key, a house or a bank note encased in metal and bracelets are often fastened by a heart shaped padlock. In the 1980s, letters and symbols took over from traditional charms and brands like Nomination, Trollbeads and Links of London offered their take on this timeless style. Contemporary charm bracelets are based on the same principles and the latest deals on Pandora, Thomas Sabo and many more can be spotted first at HotUKDeals.
Rings – Men, women and children's rings have been chosen to mark occasions such as graduations, birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, engagements, weddings and anniversaries for many years. Rings are an essential fashion accessory and there are styles for every occasion. Choose plain rings or more delicate styles for daytime wear or make a statement with eye-catching gemstone rings in the evening. Men might choose signet rings, initial rings and sovereign rings while the wedding ring is the ultimate couple's accessory. Women can choose from signet rings and initial rings, half-sovereigns, gemstone rings, birthstone rings, pearl rings, gold and silver rings, locket rings, friendship rings, cocktail rings and much more.
Earrings – Again, earrings appeal to both men and women, although men tend to wear a single earring and women normally choose a pair. Earrings come as pierced or clip on variants and favourite styles include studs, hoops, drops, and chandeliers as well as modern cuff and chain styles.
Anklets – Anklets or ankle chains are mostly worn by women around the ankle. They come in different styles and materials like gold or silver.
Brooches – Nowadays not that popular anymore, but for many people brooches
Watches – While technically a timepiece rather than jewellery, a watch is an essential accessory for most men and women. Watch casings might be gold, silver, platinum, plastic, resin, stainless steel or even stone or wood while working parts can be quartz or precision movement. Whether you choose a link or one piece strap in metal or leather is a matter of personal preference. Labels that combine designer flair with superb precision workmanship include Chanel, Dior, Bvlgari, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci. Wheras watch brands like Swatch, Timex, Nike, Fossil, Diesel and Accurist offer watches to suit every wearer and every budget. Go for all-out luxury with Rolex, Breitling, Cartier, Patek Philippe, or Longines and sign up for HotUKDeals to ensure that you never miss out on the best offers across all men's, women's and children's watches.
Cufflinks – Cufflinks make a man's shirt look really special whether in the office or at a wedding or party. While many men don't wear them every day, it's worth investing in a few pairs for those times when first impressions count. From simple metal cufflinks to platinum and diamond styles there is something to suit every man.
Now that you know a little more about the main types of jewellery you might want to consider other details like size, type of materials, the colour and cut of any stones.
If you're petite, you may prefer a shorter chain necklace or if you're a larger size you might buy a watch with an adjustable wrist strap. However, while necklaces, watches and bracelets can be altered, a ring has to be just right.
In order to ensure that you get it right each time you buy a ring, whether it's a fashion item or a piece of fine jewellery, top retailers such as H. Samuel, Goldsmiths, Debenhams, Pandora, Swarovski and Cartier all provide shoppers with downloadable ring size charts that are simple to use. When using the ring size guide aim for a snug fit that is neither too tight nor too loose. If you're buying a ring for someone else and want it to be a surprise, ask a family member or close friend to get hold of a ring they wear to compare with your chart.
And did you know that ring sizes vary from country to country? British ring sizes are in letters while most other countries prefer numbers. For example, a British N is a 7 in the USA, a 14 in Japan, a 17.3 in Germany and a 55 in France, so it's best to use the size guide provided by a particular retailer. An international ring size conversion chart can help you to keep track of the different sizes in different countries.
What should your necklace, bracelet, earrings, cufflinks, watch or ring be made of? Depending on the piece of jewellery, there may be several important factors such as setting, stones and clasp. Although jewellery can be made from almost anything, metal and semi-precious and precious stones are still some of the most popular materials used.
Gold – Gold has been used to make fine jewellery for almost 3,500 years. Valued for its workability and lustre, there are pros and cons to choosing gold. Gold is easy to form because it is softer than other metals. However, this also means that it is easy to dent and scratch. Generally, gold jewellery is made from 9, 14, 18 or 24 carat gold. Yellow gold, white gold and rose gold are all stylish, alternative options. The soft pink sheen of rose gold is romantic and it's a great choice for lockets and other sentimental pieces. White gold is sophisticated and makes a terrific base for diamonds and other precious stones while warm yellow gold complements any skin tone.
Silver – Silver is a popular and affordable alternative to other precious metals. It is lighter than gold but it can tarnish and is easily bent or scratched. Sterling silver is all hallmarked .925 to denote that it is made from 92.5% and 7.5% of a base metal.
Platinum – Platinum is strong as well as beautiful and this elegant silvery white metal is often considered one of the best settings for diamonds. It's the most expensive of the metals most used by jewellers and is a popular choice for wedding and engagement rings.
Nickel – Most costume jewellery is made from a blend of metals that contains nickel. However, nickel can cause an allergic reaction for some wearers. Although jewellery today has a lower level of nickel to conform to “nickel-safe” standards, very sensitive buyers are better off choosing a high carat gold.
Diamonds – Diamonds are used to create exquisite pieces of fine jewellery and are the favourite, and most traditional choice for an engagement ring. When choosing a diamond, there are the 4 C's to consider – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. These points are at the heart of the globally recognised standard for assessing and describing diamonds. The 4 C's of Diamond Quality allows buyers to understand the overall quality of the diamond they are choosing. Colour ranges from D to Z which in layman's terms means from a pure, colourless stone to one that is classed as “light”. Clarity is the measure of how clear and how flawless the stone is, whereas carat weight determines its size. Cut is perhaps the most important c of all, and when choosing that beautiful ring you might consider the following popular cuts: Asscher, Princess, Round, Radiant, Emerald, Cushion, Oval, and Heart.
Other precious stones – Besides from diamonds, the premium class of stones, there is jewellery available made of other precious stones like emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. They all have their own standards for quality and colour. Often, they are teamed with diamonds to make glamorous cocktail rings or stunning engagement rings as well as necklaces, bracelets, and even tiaras.
Semi-precious stones – An affordable alternative to stones classed as precious are semi-precious stones like garnets, opals, amethysts, pearls, citrines, topaz, and peridots. Which stone is considered precious or semi-precious is actually based on Western traditions. It is not necessarily linked to their occurence in nature. Some of the semi-precious stones are extremely rare, like Alexandrite.
When not being worn, all costume jewellery and fine jewellery should be kept in suitable jewellery boxes to protect it from sunlight. You should check that chains are straight and kink-free and make sure that necklaces and bracelets are kept separate to avoid tangling. Crystal and precious stone set jewellery can be placed in soft bags to avoid scratching or in separate compartments in jewellery boxes.
Dull stones can be gently washed with a mild detergent solution and then rinsed and allowed to dry naturally.
Clean silver jewellery with a silver cloth or appropriate cleaner to remove marks and tarnish. Gold and platinum jewellery can be washed gently with a mild detergent and buffed with a soft cloth when dry. Alternatively, use a cloth or cleaner from a reliable manufacturer.
Costume jewellery, or fashion jewellery as it is otherwise known, refers to pieces that are made from metals other than gold, silver, or platinum or made from manmade materials like plastic or resin. Fashion jewellery is affordable and fun and many pieces look almost like the real thing. The high quality of materials chosen by manufacturers allows fashion lovers to try new trends and classic looks for less money.
If you're hoping to find designer jewellery at the best possible prices, Black Friday is for you. Traditionally, the event takes place on the last Friday in November and is seen as the start of the Christmas shopping period. However, online events last all weekend until the sales end on Cyber Monday. It's the perfect time to pick up costume jewellery from top high street stores like Debenhams and John Lewis and from jewellery retailers like HotDiamonds, Goldsmiths and H. Samuel and, of course, HotUKDeals will keep you notified of the most desirable offers as they happen.
Winter Sales: From the beginning till the end of January, designer jewellery is available at some of the year's lowest prices, as brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Bvlgari make way for the new season's most desirable pieces. It's a terrific time to pick up that Tiffany heart for less or to find the best deal on Cartier watches.
Whether you're looking for an amazing ring or whether you simply want to update your jewellery collection, registering with HotUKDeals is an inspired move. It's free to join and you will be informed of the best jewellery offers in the UK as they happen.
