Gold is pricey. In fact, it’s getting more expensive everyday. If you just don’t have the budget or the inclination to spend lots of money on solid gold jewelry, 14k gold filled jewelry is a wonderful alternative to pure 14k gold.

14k gold filled jewelry is a solid layer of 14k gold bonded to the outside of a base metal such as brass. What’s the difference between 14k gold filled jewelry and 14k gold plate? 14k gold filled has significantly more gold than the few microns of gold in gold plate. Actually, 14k gold filled jewelry has a hundred or more times gold than gold plate.

Under the normal wear and with the care you would give any precious metal jewelry, 14K gold filled jewelry will not flake or peel. 14k gold filled jewelry can be treasured for years.

Like solid 14k gold, 14k gold filled jewelry is tarnish-resistant and safe for most people with sensitive skin. In the end, 14k gold filled jewelry is a beautiful and economical alternative to solid 14k gold.

You can’t go wrong with 14k gold filled jewelry!

There are many types of cross pendants out there. Whether your looking for an Ankh, a Celtic or Claddagh Cross, a Christian cross or something different, you are sure to find what your looking for on eBay.

Cross Pendants can be made out of any kind of material imaginable. Furthermore, each cross carries it’s own symbolism, so the type of cross you choose may reflect both your belief and your style.

Types of Crosses

There are hundreds of different types of crosses. This list provides some of the most common.

Ankh Cross

The Ankh is also known as the Looped Tau Cross, the Key of the Nile and the Ansated Cross. The Ankh cross was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of life.

Canterbury Cross

The Canterbury Cross is used in Anglican Churches. This cross has four arms, each of equal length. Each arm widens at the outer end forming a near circle at the edge. Each arm bears a triangular panel which symbolizes the Trinity. There is a small square at the center of the cross.

Christian Cross

The Christian Cross is also called the Latin cross. This is the most common symbol of Christianity, representing the crucifixion of Jesus.

Coptic Cross

The Coptic Cross is a small circle with four arms of equal length. The angled T shapes in the corner and cross-pieces outward of the Coptic Cross represent nails used in Jesus’ crucifixion.

Greek Cross

The Greek Cross, also known as the crux immissa quadrata, has arms of equal length.

Byzantine Orthodox Cross

The Byzantine Orthodox Cross is used in the Eastern Orthodox Church. This cross has the letters IC XC at the end of the main arms. These letters represent the name of Jesus Christ. The top line of this cross represents the headboard of the crucifix while the bottom, slanted line represents the footrest.

High Cross

The High Cross is also known as a Celtic Crosses. These are commonly worn in Ireland.

Papal Cross

In the Papal Cross, the three cross-bars represent the Roman Catholic Pope’s three duties as Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, and successor of St. Peter.

Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem cross was the emblem of Templar Crusaders. The Jerusalem cross has four arms at equal distances, symbolizing the four directions, and the belief that Jerusalem was the spiritual center of the earth. It also represents the spread of Christ’s message through the four evangelists (Mathew, mark, Luke, and John), who are represented by the four additional “crosslets.”

Patriarchal Cross

The Patriarchal Cross is similar to a traditional Christian cross, but with an additional, smaller crossbar. This crossbar is meant to represent all the Orthodox Christian Archbishops and Patriarchs.

Lorraine Cross

The Lorraine Cross is similar to a patriarchal cross. The difference is, the Lorraine Cross usually has one bar near the bottom and one near the top.

Sun Cross

The Sun Cross is also known as the sunwheel, solar cross or Odin’s cross. The sun cross is a circle divided into four segments.

Tau Cross

The Tau Cross is also known as the Egyptian Cross and Saint Anthony’s Cross. The Tau Cross is shaped like the letter T.

Thieves’ Cross

The Thieves Cross is also known as the Furka Cross. The Thieves Cross is shaped like the letter Y.

Mariner’s Cross

The Mariner’s Cross, also known as St. Clements Cross is in the shape of an anchor.

Whatever cross you choose, make sure to choose one that you love! With so many crosses to choose from, you’re sure to find something you like.

Recently my friend Julie announced she was getting married.  Of course I was over the moon.  Her fiancé is a great guy and it seems they’ve been together forever.  It was time!

A couple weeks later she called me up with a jewelry question.  All my friends know that I know a lot about jewelry (as I should).  Anyways, Julie wanted to know what kind of precious metal I thought she should get for her wedding ring.  Julie was torn.   On the one hand, she felt pressured to get a traditional yellow gold ring but on the other she’s always been a silver kind of girl.  This is true.  In all the years I’ve known her, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Julie wear gold jewelry.  Of course, Julie went on, sterling silver would be inappropriate.  She was disheartened.  She thought her hands were tied.  She thought she was going to be stuck with a yellow gold wedding ring.  Of course, I knew better.

Let me begin by saying that in my opinion, I don’t think anyone should feel pressured to buy any particular type of ring for their wedding ring.  In my opinion, if a couple wants to buy quarter machine rings to represent their eternal love then that’s what they should get.  That said, I thought it was worth mentioning to Julie that if she wanted a silver ring then she should get a silver ring.  Julie though, did not take to the idea.  Although she didn’t want a yellow gold ring, she did want to stick to some tradition.

Given all this information, I did have some suggestions.  Because it’s so hardy, I’ve always thought platinum is the way to go when buying a silvery-white metal.  However, platinum is pricey.  Both Julie and her husband to be work, but they are on a budget and let’s face it, weddings are expensive.  Taking all this into consideration, I suggested Julie choose a white gold ring. 

Now it’s not as though white gold is a new phenomena, but it’s really only been recently that people have been choosing white gold or platinum for wedding and engagement rings.  Thirty years ago it would have been a real rarity.  These days, even though white gold is becoming more popular, I still don’t think many people consider white gold straight away.  People have to be reminded about white gold.  Suffice to say, I reminded Julie about white gold.
  
Well Julie and her fiancé bought their white gold engagement rings and I’m delighted to say the white gold rings are beautiful!  Both Julie and her fiancée are thrilled.  They love the white gold.

What is White Gold

White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals including silver and palladium. Like yellow gold, white gold can be 18kt, 14kt, 9kt or any karat.

Just like 18kt yellow gold which is 75% gold mixed with 25% of other metals like copper and zinc, 18kt white gold is 75% gold mixed with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium.

What Constitutes White Gold

The properties of the white gold vary dependant metals and proportions used. As a result, white gold alloys can be used for different purposes. Whereas a white gold, nickel* alloy is hard, strong and great for rings and pins, white gold palladium alloys are soft, pliable and great for gemstone settings.

*Although nickel was traditionally used in white gold, it can cause skin reactions. Now white gold is commonly made with other white metals.

White Gold Jewelry

You can find all sorts of white gold jewelry. From pins and brooches to necklaces, chains, bracelets and rings, beautiful white gold jewelry is easy to find. White gold wedding bands and engagement rings are also becoming increasingly popular.

Taking Care of White Gold

White gold rings are coated with Rhodium. Rhodium is similar to platinum and shares many its properties including its white color. Because the natural color of white gold is light grey, rhodium plating makes white gold whiter. Since rhodium eventually wears away, white gold should be re-rhodium plated every 12 to 18 months.
Whatever white gold you choose, however you choose to buy it, white gold is beautiful. Get what you want and enjoy!

Dads are NOT easy to buy for. Generally there are two kinds of dads in the world: the Dad who doesn’t want anything because he buys everything himself and the Dad who doesn’t want anything because he prefers the thing he’s already had for 30 years. My dad falls into the second category.

It’s not that my dad doesn’t have or like nice things, he just doesn’t see the need for new nice things, so as his birthday was quickly approaching this year I found myself stumped: what to get dad?

Grandpa’s Watch

I remember grandpa’s gold pocket watch. He’d wear the watch on special occasions. Grandpa wore the watch for style rather than utility. Grandpa was a fisherman. He didn’t give a damn about time and had no use for a watch. Nonetheless, he wore that watch. Even in his wedding picture you can see the watch chain peeking from his vest.

Gold Watch Mystery

Rumor has it grandpa got his gold watch before coming to America. Rumor has it said watch was a trade. Rumor has it grandpa was bootlegging and the watch was payment. Rumor has it the watch owner was no small potato. Rumor has it the watch owner came looking for the watch some years back and grandpa wouldn’t give the watch back. Grandpa was tough. Grandpa liked his watch.

A ‘New’ Watch

But that’s just watch rumor. When grandpa passed last year, my father inherited the watch. Although grandpa took careful care of the watch, the watch was old. The watch was worn down. The watch chain was limp. The watch cover didn’t open properly. The watch was awry. The watch was hurting. So as dad’s birthday approached I thought: The watch! I stole the watch from dad’s drawer last time I visited and brought the watch to a jeweler. It was a good decision!

That old pocket watch looks great! That watch looks as good as the day grandpa traded it for his homemade liquor. My dad was really happy to see the watch restored. It meant a lot to him and that meant a lot to me.

Lesson: Sometimes old stuff makes great gifts!

Choosing a wedding ring is important!  A wedding ring can reflect your culture, family tradition, relationship or personal style. It’s essential that you choose the wedding ring you love.

Wedding Ring Style

What is your wedding ring style?  Whether you’re looking for a traditional or trendy wedding ring, here are some ideas to help you on your way.

Cultural Wedding Ring

• Irish Claddagh Wedding Ring: In a Claddagh wedding ring, the heart symbolizes love, the crown, eternity and the clasped hands, friendship.  
• Jewish Wedding Ring: The traditional Jewish wedding ring is an unbroken gold circle representing pure and eternal union.    
• Russian Wedding Ring: A Russian wedding ring has three interlocking rings representing the Holy Trinity.

Gold or Platinum Wedding Ring?
 
Most wedding rings come in gold or platinum.  Both metals are beautiful so make sure to choose your favorite.

• Gold Wedding Ring: A gold wedding ring is most traditional and can be found in yellow, white or rose gold. Gold is soft.  The purer the gold, the softer it is.  As karat weight increases, price, vibrancy, and purity increase but durability decreases so keep this in mind if you are planning on buying a gold wedding ring.  Although a 24k wedding ring might be the most beautiful gold, it will also bend, so you may be better off with an 18K or 14K gold wedding ring. 
• Platinum Wedding Ring: Platinum is becoming a very popular wedding ring metal once again.  If you buy a platinum wedding ring, you are sure to be at the height of wedding ring style.

Wedding Ring Settings 
 
There are many setting available for your wedding ring.  Here’s a list to help you decide.

• Shared Prong Wedding Ring Settings:Gemstones are held in place using grooved metal wire.
• Channel Wedding Ring Settings:Gemstones are set side by side into the metal so no metal shows between the stones.  
• Pave Wedding Ring Settings: Small jewels are set into drilled holes so the entire surface of the ring glimmers with a “paving” of gemstones.

The Perfect Wedding Ring for Your Hand

When buying a wedding ring, you’ll want to buy a style that complements your hand.  Whereas people with larger, wider hands may want to choose a larger wedding ring with large stones, a person with a small hand would probably do best to buy a delicate or narrow wedding ring.  Take height into consideration when buying a wedding ring. A slim finger can look very graceful when wearing a wedding ring with a tall setting. 

Your wedding ring should be a reflection of your love.  Choose what you love and cherish your wedding ring always.

When you think of pendants, dainty dangling jewels and feminine shapes may spring to mind. Today, pendants are available in increasing varieties of masculine designs. It has become fashionable for men to accessorize with inexpensive but stylish and masculine pieces of jewelry.
Stainless Steel pendants have a modern edge and are available in both brushed and mirror-like finishes. You can find shapes and symbols for just about anything. Available styles include zodiac signs, tribal designs and symbols of Hinduism, Buddhism and much more. Learn the meaning of these symbols and match them to the personality and interests of the recipient. Pendants with significant meaning are thoughtful gifts for men and women alike.

Have you run out of unique gift ideas for the men in your life? Shopping for the guy who has everything can be frustrating when holidays and birthdays come around. We’ve created a gift-buying guide to offer ideas and highlight this often overlooked gift for men – jewelry. While jewelry is a popular and no-brainer gift idea for women, few people think of jewelry when shopping for a man’s gift. However, there are many masculine styles on the market today that make great gifts. Jewelry gifts are personal and thoughtful and for men, unique.

Pendants

Stainless Steel pendants have a modern edge and are available in both brushed and gleaming finishes. You can find shapes and symbols for just about anything…from zodiac signs to Chinese symbols to tribal styles. Learn the meaning of these symbols and match them to the personality and interests of the recipient.

Cell Phone Straps

Italian charms are usually worn on bracelets, but there are various ways to enjoy these fun customizable pieces of jewelry. Guys can sport charms to personalize their cell phones. Cell straps are available to hook onto his phone and attach whichever charms suit his mood or personality. This is a unique gift idea since most men carry cell phones but some might prefer accessorizing the phone over their own bodies.

Watches

Classically masculine watches are widely available and always make a great gift. After all, a watch is a piece of jewelry that is worn daily so it really needs to suit its wearer. Italian charm watches add zest to the classic watch styles that are seen everywhere.

Rings

Fashion ringsare available in so many different styles - there is definitely something to suit the taste of even the most discriminating man. Simple sterling silver and stainless steel bands are popular with men. Also, symbols add a hint of their personality and make your gift extra special.

Italian Charm Bracelets

You might think that Italian charmbracelets are just for women, but they are for everyone! Selection of masculine and unisex style charms is growing. The multitude of choices means that you can create a charm bracelet to suit his interests- from sports to his career or hobby. You can also simply build a themed bracelet based on his favorite color.

Key Chains

Another unique but practical jewelry gift idea is for the key chain. His car keys go with him everywhere, and so will your special gift! While different styles of key rings are available, Italian charm attachments add personalized style to his key chain. You can create a key chain Italian charm gift with any number of charms. Keep it simple with two or three standard sized Italian charms. Or, Use mega charms for a bold and masculine look.