My ring isn’t white anymore.

A lady walks into Timothy’s Fine Jewelry and says….”My ring doesn’t look white anymore, what can I do to get it to look like when I first bought the ring?”

My answer.  Rhodium.

Gold is actually alloyed with other metals to give white gold its white property.  The reason for this is because pure gold has its limitations.  The closer gold is to 24 carat the richer the color is but it is more susceptible to scratches and wear over time.  Therefore, pure gold used in jewelry is not ideal because it will not last as long as gold that is alloyed with other metals.

They use silver, copper or nickel to give gold strength and durability.  However, using these different metals will result in new colors or different shades of yellow as well.  Commonly to achieve red copper is used, silver will create a green tinge, and nickel or palladium will whiten gold.

Yet, gold is still not a true color of white, and shows a tint of yellow.  White gold has a buttercup color, so it is commonly practiced in the US and other parts of the world to plate with rhodium to achieve a more whiter finish.  Rhodium is in the platinum group and to plate, is to apply it mechanically or electrically to protect, enhance, or even change the color of gold.  Thus, after a few years that plating of rhodium will wear off and it will be time for you to bring it into Timothy’s Fine Jewelry to re-rhodium your ring to achieve that desired white finish again.

What’s Your Wedding Dress Personality?

Everyone has a unique personality, and so there are many wedding dress styles to fit each persons specific wants, needs, and desires.  When it comes to a woman’s wedding, isn’t the dress the most important part?…or is it the groom?….

Order of importance:

Groom. Ring. Dress.

Ring. Dress. Groom.

Dress. Groom. Ring. (The ring is never last.)

Whatever the order may be, when the bride walks down that aisle, everyone stands to welcome her into the room; and at that very moment is when everyone see’s what expresses her personality.

Is the dress classic, glam, modern, or maybe even bohemian?  Each style says so much about who that bride is.  What bride are you?  Find out what your dress says about you: http://on.msn.com/bD4Prf

Tar Balls + Wedding Dress = Mess

Many talk about the BP oil spill and how it has been so devastating to the marine life, beaches, fishermen, shrimpers, hoteliers, and restaurants.  However, many have forgotten that the wedding business has been drastically hit along the Gulf Coast as well.  This stretch of the panhandle has been referred to as “the Las Vegas of beach weddings” is also threatened by the oil that is oozing out of the Gulf.  Many couples have canceled their wedding plans because of the fear that they could find tar balls damaging the white of a bride’s dress or the satin dress of a bridesmaid. These coastal areas are looking at Millions of dollars that will be lost due to this oil spill disaster.  Some have already seen their business cut in half because weddings bring in thousands of visitors annually to this area.  Businesses involved are DJ’s, photographers, wedding planners, caterers, and all those related in products and services that go towards weddings.  Yet, some do take the risk and just hope for the best.  Read more about those daring couples at the following link: http://bit.ly/dyFjbe.  They are demonstrating to the rest that there are always alternatives even in the most difficult of situations.

Another Celeb Lockup

Poor misguided Lindsay Lohan…

What happened to one of my favorite childhood stars?  I just learned on the radio today as I was driving to work that Lindsay Lohan will be serving a jail sentence starting July 2oth of this year.  I remember her starring as twins in The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday when she magically switches bodies with her mother.  Lohan is now another celebrity that is going to face the harsh realities of the justice system after violating her parole.  The judge has sentenced her to 90 days in jail.  Reading the reviews, many critics are not surprised.  We have continued to watch over the years Lohan spiral out of control with numerous DWI’s and other traffic violations.  The family problems with her father have not helped her situation to keep out of headline entertainment news.  I really do feel bad for the 24-year-old.  Growing up in the spotlight and the competition with other child stars would not be easy for anyone.  Heck, if I was her I would probably be having the same issues.  With everything that has gone on in her life I am not shocked of this outcome of jail time.  I just hope that the support system in her life, family and friends will help get her on the right track.  And, maybe the law will direct her on a more healthy lifestyle.

The Dress Movement

Be bold, be brave, and dress in a dress to impress this summer! What am I talking about?  A new wave of fashion has hit the streets of Minneapolis/ St Paul and women are joining the dress movement everywhere.   Nicole Weiler decided to make a public social vow to start wearing more dresses this summer.  This fashion commitment inspired her friend who is a web/ blog developer to create a site called summerofdresses.com to get more women on board with this fashion commitment.  These women have come to find dresses are fun and refreshing; best of all accessorizing a dress is easy. Throw on a great pair of heels some jewelry and you’re out the door.  Check out the ladies who started this new dress movement: http://bit.ly/9POQ30

Man up ladies!

I have so many women come into Timothy’s Fine Jewelry, look around at all the beautiful jewelry and say “I wish my husband was here.”  I have never understood that statement.  Why is it women feel that they need their husbands with to buy jewelry?  Ask yourself, does a man walk into his favorite store and say “I wish I had my wife with.”  I doubt it.  Many men walk into Cabela’s buy the new pole for their Canada fishing trip and feel very content.  They leave the parking lot hungry from their shopping fatigue, so they spot the nearest McDonald’s to fill their void.  Man up women!  It is time to celebrate yourself and not feel the need to have your husband with to make a jewelry purchase.  Celebrate all your hard work that you have spent cleaning a dirty house, dirty dishes, and dirty clothes.

Purple Pride

http://bit.ly/aU4q3U

Check out # 30! Minnesota Vikings picking up Devin McCourty from Rutvers, New Jersey.  If Favre doesn’t come back this upcoming season, McCourty, has some big shoes to fill.

We all remember what an amazing season we had last year, and we were forced to say “Next Year” at the end of the season…unfortunately.  However, as a Viking fan we know how this tune goes and even though disappointment sets in, we just gear up for the next year anticipating our long-awaited Superbowl victory. 2011, let it rain PURPLE.

Skol Vikes!

The What Not to Wears

Reviewing the 2010, “Top 10 Fashion Mistakes,” I would have to agree. The number one mistake is wearing a bad fit.  Style can be as simple as wearing your correct size.  Don’t get wrapped up around the size number.  If you tend to be so focused on your number, then shop at a high-end store; they tend to have sizes that are even numbers and will run larger but at lower numbers.  If you are finding odd numbered sizes while shopping, you’re probably  in the juniors department and the sizes will run smaller.  That then leads us to another what not to wear.  Shopping in the wrong department.  Please ladies dress for success, and that means shopping for your age.  If you are shopping in the juniors department, be contentious of your clothes selection and what is age appropriate.

However, I do have to disagree with the sweatshirt fashion mistake.  Living in Minnesota I hibernate in sweatshirts during the winter season.  A sweatshirt is the staple to my winter survival.  No matter what mistakes I may be making as a fashion statement, my main concern is staying warm.

There are a number of mistakes that we continue to make in our wardrobes that are worth glancing over.  You can review them at: http://bit.ly/bEmv5y

Twin Cities Gold Buying

Cash for Gold! or We Buy Gold……….is everywhere. Nearly all jewelry stores are buying gold these days to keep their doors open.  The market has changed so much that many jewelry stores are buying more gold than actual retail purchases from customers.

This new consumer behavior is another sign of the times.  People are looking to find extra cash in every direction.  Some are selling gold, such as old class rings and broken chains to pay for a wide variety of things.  Some are using their pocketed cash for gold to pay for trips like spring break, but some are using it to pay rent or other life expenses.

A recent article was written in the StarTribune on who is paying what in the metro area for gold.  http://bit.ly/9GfN23

Timothy’s Fine Jewelry located north of the Twin Cities is currently paying approximately $20 for gold to stay competitive with other gold buying resources.  Like many of the other independent stores, buying gold for a small business is its surviving force.  Competing with The Gold Guys, who are not Minnesota native, remains a struggle due to their mass marketing and advertising campaigns.

So support your local businesses if you need to sell gold.  Help them keep their doors open so when the economy picks up again they are still around to help you in your future jewelry purchases.

Less is more or a sign of the times?

Even at the Golden Globes many noticed a lack of jewelry worn by many of the celebrities.  Is this observation due to a new fashion trend or does it reflect our troubled economy?

Some experts are accounting this noticeable dearth of fine jewelry featured on the red carpet was directly related to scarcity of jewelry in the fine jewelry department.  The jewelry industry has been severely hurt during this tough economical time and celebrities are now seeing the beginning of it.

Many celebrities featured wearing jewelry on premiere nights are on loan, and they are now being forced to get creative to still have their sparkle effect when they walk the red carpet.  Designers are embellishing gowns with decorative beading and metallic fabrics to add that extra wow factor.

Take a look at Jennifer Lopez, who was featured at the Golden Globes wearing a sparkling strapless gown with no necklace or bracelet to accessorize with it:  http://bit.ly/avPkKJ.

Goes to show we are not alone when Hollywood is forced to scale back too.