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Change Family Heirlooms into Trendy Fashion Pieces

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Passed down from generation to generation in your family, heirlooms have sentimental and historical value. They remind you about past family members who you may have never met and the type of influence they had on the entire family that shaped who you are today.

Family heirlooms are slowly making their way into the latest fashion trends. Instead of having that heirloom stuffed in a box in the attic as it gathers dust, why not incorporate it into what you’re wearing today? It gives new life to your heirloom, shows how much you honor and care about your family and adds eye-popping appeal to your clothing.

What’s Considered A Family Heirloom?

A family heirloom is anything that’s been saved by an ancestor as it’s passed down from parent to child for generations. The item can be handmade or have a unique quality the ancestor believed could be of monetary value in future years. Common types of heirlooms include:

· Coins: rare coins no longer minted, silver coins, gold coins, collector’s coins

· Jewelry: pendants, brooches, gemstones, necklaces, cameos, wedding and engagement rings, religious jewelry such as rosaries and Jesus fish

· Photographs: family photos, war photos, special event photos

· Letters and Documents: love letters, official government documents, long-distance letters, war documents, maps, manuscripts

· Clothing and Fabric: handcrafted quilts, Oriental rugs, wedding dresses, drapery, knitted scarves, crocheted crafts

Types of Heirlooms Used For Fashion Statements

Jewelry

Jewelry is the most common family heirloom used as a fashion statement. Often, you only have to change the jewelry’s setting if it’s tarnished or broken. You can easily change a ring into a necklace, a pendant into a ring and a brooch into a hairpin.

By removing gems from jewelry, you can have them placed into the new metal setting of your choice. You can also take metal jewelry such as a Jesus fish and place it into a brooch to make a trendy fashion statement.

Coins

Ever thought of replacing those missing buttons on your jacket with small coins? Coins can be added as decorations on purses or as cuff buttons on men’s shirts. Coins can also be used as jewelry accessories like brooches and pendants.

To mount coins on fabric, the best way is to create holes through the surface and sew the coin in place. Carefully decide on which coins you want changed as not to ruin those that have a monetary value.

Fabric and Clothing

If you have the sewing skills and the time, you can take old family heirlooms of fabric and clothing and change them into fashionable dresses and shirts. The latest fashion trends of the season are bold colors, pastels and crochet pieces. Quilts, crocheted shirts and wedding gowns that were family heirlooms can be combined with vivid fabrics to make unique casual and eveningwear.

Before Changing Family Heirlooms into Fashion Statements

You’re probably now excited to dig through those boxes in your grandmother’s attic to find family heirlooms and change them into unique fashion statements. But before you do this, make sure other family members are fine with the planned changes you’ll make. Resentment and hard feelings can last a lifetime when people squabble over family heirlooms, so get the okay from everyone first.

You’ll also need to find out if the items have any monetary value. Jewelry and coins can become devalued if the settings are changed or the surface is marked. Contact a reputable jeweler or coin appraiser to study the item to determine its value.

Make a Trendy Appearance

Giving new life to a family heirloom can honor the memories of loved ones who are no longer with you. These heirlooms are to be enjoyed by family members, not sit in a box gathering dust. If you can change a family heirloom so it can bring happiness to yourself and to future family members, making the heirloom into a fashion statement is a worthy endeavor.

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About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Categories : Bling, Jewelry, Watches

Tags : Jewelry, Watches

Spring Bling!

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Friday, April 27th, 2012

With the snow a distant memory and colorful blossoms finally peeking out, that can only mean one thing: It’s time to ditch those heavy winter clothing in favor of cute spring dresses. As with any other outfit, you can give year’s spring gear a fresh look is with the latest jewelry and accessories. The following items are especially hot this spring:

Tribal

Give others the impression that you’ve just returned from an African safari by adding a touch of tribal to your style. The tribal look is a hot one for spring, with every designer from Michael Kors to Donna Karan jumping on board. You can easily incorporate tribal into your style by getting a pair of shoes made with natural materials and enhanced with prints. To complete the look, opt for big and bold pieces. The right statement piece can turn a dull outfit into a spectacular display.

White

Typically associate with the summer months, white has arrived a bit early this year. Ladylike white clutches are especially popular among fashionistas, who love the way this look can be used both in the office and out on the town. White shoes with a demure touch also look great when paired with a classy outfit.

Floral

This one is a no brainer. When the flowers bloom in spring, they also make an appearance on both clothing and accessories. Floral diamonds are especially big this year, with rings being the top item. These dainty rings typically feature a thin white gold band with a diamond centerpiece that takes the shape of a small flower. Flowers have also made their way onto costume jewelry and the season’s latest footwear, with several designers using them to adorn high heel shoes.

Dangly Earrings

Take a break from those chunky necklaces and hit up one of the more recent trends in jewelry —

long earrings. This style looks best when the hair is pulled back, making it a great one to pull out on a bad hair day. The great thing about the recently popular dangly earring trend is that the earrings don’t necessarily have to be super expensive. Many of this season’s earrings are made of inexpensive materials, such as plastic, cubic zirconia and rhinestones. For a more regal look, opt for dangly earrings made from sterling silver or 14 karat gold. These earrings look great when enhanced with colorful jewels such as rubies or sapphires.

Following these trends will have you in loop this spring but do you have any styles of your own to share?

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Categories : Bling, Fashion, Jewelry

Tags : Fashion, Jewelry

Caring for your Gemstones

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Gemstones catch the eye, there’s no doubt about that. A great looking stone can brighten up a day and certainly lighten up a heart. However, just like anything, gemstones can become dirty, with use, or just because they are left lying around. This of course means they have to be cleaned now and again – but how? Well, here’s a guide on how to clean your gems, whether a February birthstone, or otherwise.

Photograph by Bin im Garten

Fortunately, in the case of most stones including a February birthstone, it is possible to clean them with some soapy water and a soft brush. Just wipe them off afterwards with a nice soft cloth. If you want a little extra shine, soaking the stone in an alcohol solution for a few seconds can really help. This often brings the shine right back up, allowing you to look great whatever the occasion.

Diamonds

Though diamonds are tough, they’re not impossible to scratch. When storing diamonds keep them away from anything abrasive, or with a sharp edge as it may end up scraping the stone and causing you a lot of disappointment. Rubies and sapphires are also prone to scratches and should also be stored alone and minded in the same manner.

Pearls

The pearl can last for decades and even hundreds of years – alive. Pearls have a skin which helps them keep their shine, however these are porous and so take in skins oils and other outside factors, such as salts. Though quite strong, they should be kept away from makeup and creams. If they do end up touching such outside factors, wipe them clean with a soft cloth.

Emerald

This is one of the most susceptible stones to outside factors and should be kept away from direct light for periods, as well as cleaning products. They are also quite sensitive to heat and cold and should never be worn in extreme temperatures. If they do get dirty or tarnished take them to your jeweller and ask for their advice – never clean them with detergent.

Aquamarine

Like the emerald, aquamarine is also a very sensitive gem and should not be treated roughly, subjected to changes in temperature, or heat. If it does get dirty you can clean it with a warm water, but don’t rub as this may leave a mark. If in doubt, bring it to your jeweller.

Topaz

This stone is quite strong, but if it receives a hard bang it may crack or split. It is also quite poor in heat and cold and may be damaged by rapid increases or decreases in temperature. However, it can be cleaned in soapy water, but again should not be rubbed.

Moonstone

This stone is also very common and also very fragile and can break if it is subject to an impact – so take it off before any activities of the sporting, or cleaning nature. It can be cleaned with water, but may be damaged if rubbed.

The best way to keep jewellery is to place it in small bags and place it inside your jewellery box, otherwise it’s prone to breakage – obviously something to be avoided if you have a prized February birthstone, or a beautiful engagement ring.

Amehyst, the February birthstone, Bloodstone and Onyx as well as others not mentioned should all be cared for in a similar manner and if in doubt take them to the professionals.