Silver Jewelry An Understated Alternative to More

For those not familiar with amber, it is the fossilized resin of ancient trees. Most amber is 30 million to 90 million years old. Because of its nature, amber is often found bearing insects, leaves and other organic matter that was trapped when the tree sap ran.

Oftentimes, bigger pieces of jewelry are gaudy or ostentatious. They are ornate, garish - and any other words that describe jewelry that is just "too much" for most people to wear.

Consider the Cupid Amber Intaglio and Gem Ring done in sterling silver, palladium and 18K vermeil. This is a ring you have to see to believe. Using an oval shaped amber cabochon set in a claw setting the ring bears an image of cupid at its center. Around the ring are six round, full-cut 1.75mm orange sapphires in bead settings. The amber weighs 11.25ct and the total sapphire weight is about 0.24ct. What you need to know is that Polish amber is created using Intaglio carving, which involves carving a picture in the base of the stone in reverse relief. The Intaglio is then packed with white resin to create a striking high-contrast image. When you look through the stone, the domed cabochon amplifies the carving. No two of these carvings are alike. This special ring is available for less than $120.

For something a bit more traditional, consider the sterling silver Brilliante Bypass Ring. The setting, made of polished rhodium plated sterling silver, sets up overlapping rows of 25 sparkly stones that are used to frame six round cut 2.3-3.5mm Brilliante simulated diamonds. All stones are in prong settings, with the total Brilliante weight about 1.25ct. When you see this ring, it is hard to believe it can be yours for less than $50.

The bottom line is you do not have to go with gold to get truly remarkable pieces of jewelry. Sterling silver is a great alternative that offers versatility and an affordable price.

his and hers jewelry sets |By Jim Newton on February 11, 2011
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To understand reconstituted turquoise, you need to understand the nature of turquoise. Among its other forms, turquoise can form as a chalky coating on rocks, which is not commercially viable. But when reconstituted, it can be mixed with a colored resin and then injected into a mold. The result can be used in various shapes and forms, including the material used at the heart of this ring.

The Pave Overlap ring by Brilliante is everything you want in a bauble. For under $90, this ring is a real piece of bling. The ring itself is made from gleaming rhodium plated sterling silver, punctuated by 108 round cut 1.5-2.0mm Brilliante simulated diamonds in a pave setting. It carries just under 6 ct. of pave diamonds. Combine all that sparkle with a sterling silver setting and you have a piece of jewelry you will want to wear again and again.

For another unique piece, check out the Carved Flower ring, made of reconstituted turquoise and sapphire. It is created using sterling silver, 18K vermeil and Palladium, a member of the platinum group of precious metals. The ring itself combines polished sterling silver and palladium with 18K yellow vermeil accents. At the center of the stone is a carved flower, created from reconstituted turquoise and held in place by a claw setting. Within the setting are eight round sapphires, ranging from 1.5 to 2.0mm.

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So what is the alternative?

Gems in Vogue also uses other materials, such as amber, to create unique pieces of jewelry, like the Baltic Amber and Gem Ring done in sterling silver, Palladium and 18K vermeil. For less than $150, this ring combines gorgeous silver filigree with an oval-shaped Baltic amber cabochon. Adding to the setting are six round, full-cut 1.75mm orange sapphires. The Baltic amber weighs more than 3ct and the total sapphire weight is 0.24ct.

If you like jewelry - and you like something other than the run-of-the-mill bauble - you are smart to stick with silver jewelry. The nice thing about silver is that you can afford the classic pieces that men and women need in their wardrobes - rings, necklaces, etc. But you can also afford pieces of jewelry that are fun - and ones that you will not find in your friends' jewelry boxes. Still, silver is a precious metal that is versatile and can be used in everything from classic designs to avant-garde pieces.

When it comes to jewelry, bigger is not always better.

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Gems in Vogue

Silver is used to produce everything from pins, necklaces and bracelets to beads and men's jewelry. A host of designers offer silver pieces because they know that customers will appreciate the quality of the material.

If you are looking for jewelry cut from another cloth, take a look at what this designer has to offer. Using sterling silver, as well as some unique stones, Gems in Vogue offers pieces that will have you doing a double take.

Brilliante

Here are a couple of designers working in this affordable precious metal: