Reasons to consider vintage engagement rings

It goes without saying that engagement rings are important, not only because of what they represent, but because women like to talk about them, they like to get them and once they get them, they like to show them off to the world. There is no denying that every woman wants a special ring and one that no one else has. Of course, this can be quite expensive, however, it does not always have to be.

Have you ever heard of vintage or estate engagement rings? The simplest way to explain what these are is to say that these are old rings, but only in the sense that they have not been made recently. Antique, vintage and estate rings are old, but they are not in any way old-fashioned. In fact, when it comes to the appearance of these rings, most of them are even more beautiful and stunning than the ones that are made today.

Antique rings are those that were made at least one hundred years ago and the only problem with them is that they are simply too expensive for the majority of people and it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find a good deal for them, but who knows? Vintage rings are those that were made before 1950s and although these are expensive as well, they can be bought at a reasonable price. Estate rings are those that were made in the last fifty years or so and they are cheaper than vintage and antique engagement rings.

The good thing about vintage and estate engagement rings is that they are usually unique and once you give your bride to be one of these, it is highly unlikely that she will bump into someone wearing exactly the same ring. Besides, even though these rings may not be ridiculously expensive, they are extremely valuable without a doubt.

Another good thing about these engagement rings is that you can potentially get a great deal somewhere. For example, pawn shops are one of the places where you should look for them because there are many women who exchanged their rings for cash and don't plan on getting the ring back. In such cases, pawnbrokers can sell the ring to you and they are usually prepared to do it for a very reasonable price. That way, you get a unique and stunning vintage or estate ring for a good price.

Another idea that you can look into if you are interested in vintage and estate rings is to see if there are rings in your family (your mom's, your grandmother's or even your great grandmother's) which you can give to your special someone. This way, you are not only giving your fiancée a ring, you are giving her a part of your heritage and your history and there is no doubt that this kind of gesture will make her feel even more special.

Cheap engagement rings – A good or a bad idea?

Engagement rings are a big deal for everyone. They are a big deal for women because this is what most women fantasize about a lot and they are a big deal for men because they are the ones who have to spend a considerable amount of money to get an engagement ring. While some men don't think that it is wise to spend a lot of money on just one piece of jewelry, others can't do it even if they wanted. In such cases, cheap engagement rings are an option that they are willing to explore. But are cheap engagement rings a good or a bad idea?

In order to answer this question properly, we simply have to point out that although it seems at times that a ring is a more of a status symbol than something else, an engagement ring should be a representation of love and should be a symbol of union between two people in love who are ready to make the most important step in their lives. Because of that, engagement rings should not be judged on the basis of their price because an expensive ring does not mean that the marriage will last nor does a cheap one indicate that the marriage is bound to fail.

For people who can't afford getting expensive things all the time (which is the majority of people in this world), an expensive engagement ring can be a burden. Women can be afraid of losing their ring or damaging it and as a result, they will probably avoid wearing it, which is not the point. The special ring that you got and that represents something special should not be kept in a box somewhere in the house.

The more we talk about it, the clearer it becomes that cheap engagement rings are not a bad idea at all. People who think that these can never look as pretty as the more expensive ones should think twice. A diamond is not the only available type of stone and there are many more types which can be just as beautiful. In fact, there are engagement rings that look exactly like the real thing. It's all up to the design of the ring. Besides, men can always make sure that they do everything in their power to get the best possible deal that they can.

Cheap engagement rings do not mean that the people who give them do not care enough about their fiancées. Believe it or not, women do not care about the price as much as they care about the fact that you actually made an effort to get something that you thought they would like. In case you don't have that much money to spend on the ring, do not despair. The price is definitely not what matters.

How to clean jewelry

Regular cleaning can keep your baubles, bangles and beads looking fresh-from-the-jeweler brilliant all the time. 

Did you know that after even a few days' wear your pieces of bright and shiny jewelry can dull from lotions, body oil and everyday dust and dirt? It's true and that's why jewelers recommend that you should clean all your pieces regularly. You will be amazed at the difference a good cleaning can make—even on your oldest pieces. 

Before cleaning your jewelry, examine it carefully to make sure that all settings, clasps and prongs are secure. If you find a problem, take the item to a jeweler for repair. There are many ways to clean jewelry—from simple warm, soapy water to sophisticated electronic jewelry cleaners that may be purchased for less than $40 online and at jewelry stores. There are also many different cleaning solutions that are on the market today that do an excellent job. The decision is yours – homegrown or purchased. We're listing some simple ways to get that sparkle back in your favorite jewels.

How to clean gold: 

Gold doesn't tarnish, but it can be dirtied or dulled by the oil in your skin, body lotion, makeup or other substances. There are lots of products out there that promise to clean gold, but you can do it easily with mild detergent and a soft cloth. 

1: Mix a squeeze of mild dish detergent with warm water in a bowl. 2: Put the gold item into the soap mixture and let sit for a few minutes. 3: Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the jewelry. 4: Remove item from soapy water, rinse it and dry thoroughly with a soft polishing cloth. 

Overall Tips & Warnings 

• It is wise to check not only clasps, mountings, and prongs but also earrings posts for damage before washing the jewelry.
• Always be sure gold jewelry is completely dry before storing it.
• Never use a harsh or abrasive cleaner, a stiff brush or a scouring pad on gold.

How to clean diamonds 

If diamonds are your best friends, treat them accordingly. Regular cleaning will keep them sparkling. In Soapy Solution: 1: Take a small bowl and mix a small amount of mild dish detergent with warm water until sudsy. 2: Dip the item to be cleaned into the solution. 3: Dip a soft toothbrush into the cleaning solution, and gently brush the item. 4: Rinse in warm running water. 5: Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth 

In Ammonia Solution 1: Take a small bowl and mix a solution of 6 parts water to 1 part ammonia. 2: Dip the item to be cleaned into the solution. 3: Dip a soft toothbrush into the cleaning solution, and gently brush the item. 4: Pay special attention to the backs of stones and their mountings, areas that tend to collect dirt and oils. 5: Rinse in warm running water. 6: Pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth. 

Tips & Warnings

• For especially soiled diamonds, mix a solution of half cold water and half ammonia in a small bowl. Let the item soak in the solution for 30 minutes, then gently brush the item with a soft toothbrush. Rinse in warm running water and allow the item to air dry on paper towels.
• Be sure to use the ammonia and ammonia-water solution only in a well-ventilated area, and avoid inhaling the ammonia solution directly.

How to clean silver jewelry 

1: Clean the silver with a nonabrasive silver polish. 2: Apply the polish with a soft cloth, gently working it into stains. 3: Wipe away excess polish and buff the jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth until it's shiny. 4: Keep in mind that frequently wearing silver jewelry can keep it from becoming tarnished. 

Overall Tips & Warnings about how to clean jewelry:

• Keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined case, or wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper.
• Have a jeweler check yearly for loose prongs, worn mountings and general wear and tear.
• Keep jewelry away from chlorine and harsh chemicals, which can erode the finish and polish of gems.
• Never use boiling water to clean jewelry. Do not use jewelry cleaner on pearls and porous stones, such as emeralds, rubies, lapis lazuli, coral and turquoise. Wipe them clean with a soft, damp cloth or have them cleaned professionally. Consult a jeweler when in doubt about a particular stone.
• Exposure to perfume, cosmetics or perspiration can stain gemstones.
• Don't be too aggressive when brushing your diamond jewelry; although diamonds are hard, the material in which they're set may not be. Gold and silver could be scratched if brushed too hard.

Note: There are a few pieces of jewelry that should not be cleaned. Hair jewelry popular in the Victorian era should not be cleaned. Also jewelry with delicate materials or foil-backed stones cannot stand up to commercial cleaners. In other cases you may ruin the natural patina on antique jewelry that enhances the value of the piece. If you are not sure how to clean jewelry, especially if it's a treasureed piece, ask the advice of a jeweler.

How to choose a diamond

When it's time to choose a diamond, you want the perfect stone. Whether it's for an engagement ring, a wedding band, a right hand ring or a pendant, you want a diamond with all the fire and brilliance that makes this stone so precious. 

Diamonds come in many shapes, sizes and prices. In order to get the best diamond at the best price, it helps to understand the 4-Cs: Cut, Clarity, Carat and Color. If you master these essentials, and throw in a few valuable shopping tips, you'll be on your way to finding the right diamond for your needs and tastes. 

Cut 

The way that a diamond is cut refers to the way that it gathers, reflects and disperses light. If a diamond is cut well, light is reflected inside from one small surface to the next, and then released through the top of the diamond. A well-cut diamond will offer the most sparkle. 

Diamonds can be cut in a variety of styles - oval, pear, emerald, brilliant, marquise, heart, round and princess are a few of the more common modern cuts. Estate diamonds may feature cuts that are no longer as popular, but equally lovely. 



The round and brilliant cuts are two of the most popular choices for modern stones. These cuts maximize the number of facets or faces on the stone, and thus increase the sparkle. To some they may seem smaller than other shapes in the same carat weight – if you prefer a larger look, consider oval, emerald or marquise shapes. 

Clarity 

The clarity of diamond depends on the number of inclusions or flaws that a cut stone has. Inclusions are not mistakes, but rather natural birthmarks that appear on a diamond as it forms. 

Most inclusions on jewelry quality stones can only be seen with a jeweler's loupe, magnifying glass or microscope. Unfortunately, the more inclusions of any size a diamond has, the less brilliant it will be. A diamond with very, very small inclusions is labeled as VVS1 or VVS2 (one very, very small inclusion, or two very, very small inclusions.) Such a diamond would be considered near perfect. An internally perfect diamond has no visible inclusions, even at 10x magnification. 



If the inclusions are visible to the naked eye, the diamond will be marked as I1, I2, or I3. A good cutter can often design a stone to maximize clarity and minimize inclusions, but this may require cutting away more of the diamond, resulting in a much smaller finished stone. Some people prefer a larger stone, and will accept inclusions as a price for the size. 

Your jeweler should provide you with information about the clarity of the diamonds you are considering, and an opportunity to view all inclusions with a loupe. 
Carat The weight of diamonds is measured in carats. Each carat is divided in 100 points. This means that a diamond with 50 points is .50 carat, or 1/2 carat. You may find two diamonds that have the same weight but a different price tag. This is because other factors, such as cut, clarity and color, also determine the value of a diamond. 

Color 

The color of most diamonds ranges from nearly colorless to a faint yellow. Rare colors, such as pink, red, deep blue and green, also exist, but tend to be very expensive. Each diamond receives a grade from a color scale. This scale ranges from "D," which has no color, to "Z," which is quite yellow. The average jewelry diamond in the U.S. is an "I" or "J" – not clear or blue-white, but bright with a very slight yellowish tint. 



For a smaller stone, a slight change in the shade of a stone can significantly increase the price without significantly affecting the appearance of the stone to the naked eye. If you're looking for a larger stone, a change from an "I" to a "G" or "F" will be noticeable brighter and clearer in color. 

From time to time, certain colored diamonds have been in style. Bright yellow canary diamonds, or deep red blood diamonds are popular choices for those seeking the brilliance of a diamond with the depth of color usually reserved for other gemstones. In the wake of the Titanic movie, the demand for blue diamonds increased, but these rare stones remain very expensive and out of reach for most diamond buyers. 

Going shopping 

By understanding the 4-Cs, you will be able to choose a diamond that will bring you joy for years to come. 

As you begin to shop, you'll see that a small stone may have a higher price tag than a larger one, due to differences in the shape, the number of impurities, and the color. Or a lovely "E" color stone may be almost valueless because of large inclusions or a poor cut. 

Unless you are buying diamonds as an investment, choose a stone that fits your tastes. A two-carat diamond may be very large but lack brilliance if it's cut poorly. A beautifully cut 1 carat round diamond may have plenty of sparkle, and yet appear too small on a large hand. You may want to try on rings or compare loose stones and look at a variety of diamonds to help you decide which is best for you. 

Be sure to shop reputable jewelers and insist on full certification on any stone before you buy. The mall stores are a good place to see a variety of stones and settings, but may not offer the finest stones or the best prices. Ask around and find a jeweler you trust for this special purchase. 

By taking your time and shopping carefully, you will be able to find the perfect diamond for yourself or that someone very special.

How to Say "Yuan" and "RMB"

This article provides practical English advice on pronouncing RMB and yuan, which are names used for the Chinese currency, and gives examples on how and when to use these names.

Background - Renminbi, RMB
The official name of China's currency is the RMB, which is short for the pinyin spelling of "Renminbi." In Mandarin, "Renmin" means people, and "bi" means currency. The word "Renminbi" means "people's currency," and is the official term for the currency of the People's Republic of China (i.e. China).

Background - Yuan
In Mandarin, "yuan" is a term that is used as a unit of measure for currency.

How to Say RMB
Mandarin speakers commonly say "Renminbi" when referring to their currency in Mandarin, but when using English, both native and non-native Mandarin speakers commonly refer to the Chinese currency as RMB. RMB is pronounced by saying each individual English letter (i.e. RMB) without inserting pauses between the letters.

How to Say Yuan
The standard Mandarin pronunciation for yuan is very close to the pronunciation of "U.N," which is the abbreviation for the United Nations. Yuan is pronounced by saying "U.N." without inserting pauses between the letters. If pronouncing yuan is too difficult or doesn't feel appropriate, the word RMB can safely be substituted for yuan without losing the sound of authoritativeness on the subject of China's currency.

Practical Examples
The following section provides practical examples and explanations on when and how to use RMB and yuan. These examples come from an article published on the website of the People's Bank of China. The People's Bank of China is China's central bank.

Examples:
"At end-September, outstanding RMB loans stood at 29.6 trillion yuan, representing year-on-year growth of 14.5 percent."

"RMB will no longer be pegged to the US dollar and the RMB exchange rate regime will be improved with greater flexibility."

Explanation:
RMB is the same type of word as "U.S. Dollar," "Euro," or "British Pound," and so is used in the same fashion as the names of these and other currencies.

Examples:
"The RMB exchange rate remained stable. At end-September, the central parity of the RMB against the U.S. dollar was 6.8183 yuan per dollar."

"The exchange rate of the US dollar against the RMB will be adjusted to 8.11 yuan per US dollar at the time of 19:00 hours of July 21, 2005."

Explanation:
Yuan is a measure word, and indicates how many RMB will be exchanged per U.S. Dollar. In the two examples above, the word yuan can be replaced with the word RMB.

Note
In China, depending on location, in non-formal settings, the words RMB, yuan, or kuai (which is another measure word for currency) may be used interchangeably when describing amounts of money. In formal settings, however, RMB and yuan are used as described in the article above.

Understanding Earphone Specifications

When choosing earphones for your device, understanding of the specifications can help you to the pick earphones that will perform their best with your audio devices. Besides the enclosure there are a few basic specifications to look for Sensitivity, Frequency Response, Power-Handling and Impedance. Specifications can not tell us if we will love the earphones overall sound experience or not, but we do know we are hearing the earphones best performance.

Frequency Response
The frequency response refers to the range in which the drivers can reproduce recorded sounds fairly uniform and undistorted, however the numbers alone (also known as Simple Frequency Response) are really not enough information and can only give us a small idea of the units true frequency response. A wide Simple Frequency Response does show value, however doesn't guarantee a great sounding driver. The value is seen by the wide response range. A stock earphone with a 20Hz-20kHz range does have full sound range, However, you are not receiving any actual bass responses or tweeter like responses. Think of a 1-way speaker with no tweeter or sub-woofer compared to a 3-way speaker with tweeter, mid range and sub-woofer, the low and high end responses are now filled in, you get a bass response and a crisp tweeter like response in the air. That's really as far as the Simple Frequency Response shows us.
The reason it can't guarantee a great sound is because it's missing some very important information. For us to understand a units actual frequency response we would need at least four parts: 1) Simple Frequency Response numbers to give us the range. 2). +/-3dB single line graph showing us the driver response curves, not to sharp or to lose, ideally flat would be king. 3) A MLLSA graph, which is basically a 3D sound graphic showing us the drivers drop-offs. If a sound is supposed to start instantly and come to a sharp end, this shows how well the drivers kept up. The 4th, Environment, the actual listening of the device in play. some drivers just don't response well to certain types of music and/or environments, also taking into account that we just might not like that certain earphones overall sound experience.

Sensitivity (dB)
Sensitivity is how efficient the earphone drivers use the power they receive. A 95 to 102 dB (decibel) driver only efficiently uses about 4-10% of the power received, the remaining power is wasted by turning into heat. Although sensitivity is rated in decibels (dB), the sensitivity rating has nothing to do with the units peak volume or sound quality. Most of us think of a sound level chart when thinking of decibels, but for sensitivity rating it is solely a efficiency test. Manufacturers test for what is called "SPL" (Sound Pressure Level) of a speaker using 1 watt (or 1mW) @ 1 meter distance (shorter distance for earphones), this is where the dB rating comes in, basically how efficient did it take the 1 watt (or 1mW) of power and covert it to sound? Thus equals the specification "##dB SPL/1w/1m". If you take a 3dB higher speaker and give it the same power, the 3dB higher speaker would be 3 decibels louder at that given power. To make the 3dB lower driver produce the same volume (dB), it would require twice the power. So, If both drivers are designed the same and both receive their solid RMS power, both would peak the same loudness. The lower dB speaker would of course require a larger amp to get their but total loudness comes from a large mix of specifications, quality and driver purpose.
A benefit to a higher sensitivity rating is your drivers will respond very well to a wide range of power output and do not require peak power for good performance. A draw back to high sensitivity is the drivers will not take a lot of abuse (listening at high levels of distortion, etc) . Lower sensitive drivers are more power hungry and force you to give them the full power to receive the full performance. The benefit to low sensitivity is that their simply harder to damage.
Earphones normally range between 92dB - 110dB, with a few exceptions.

Power-Handling & Impedance
There are two ways to look at Power-handling, Peak power and Continuous power (RMS/Rated). The peak power is also known as Maximum short term power, meaning the driver will only hold this power for a brief moment before damaging the drivers. Continuous power (also known as RMS or Rated power) is the power-handling that the drivers are designed to continuously run at. The continuous power is around 50-60% of what the peak power rating is. Knowing the audio device's power output is just as important here. Most MP3 players including the ipods(r) are around 40mW-55mW's headphone output, while hooked to a 32 ohm earphone. Now why did I put the earphone impedance in there? To understand the power handling, you also need a small understanding of impedance (ohms).
Impedance is resistance, like water through a pipe, this is power through a wire. Lower impedance drivers simply draw more power from audio devices. all audio devices have limits to how low or high you can go with impedance, mp3 players earphones range between 64-16 ohms with a few exceptions. The difference in ohms can make a large difference in power for example, if the 64ohm earphone took 30mWs, the 32ohm earphone would draw around 50mW and a 16ohm earphone would draw around 80mWs.
In the home and car audio amps work similar, for example by going from a 8 ohm driver to a 4 ohm driver would double the amps power output or at least pull up to the amps capacitor capacity. However, Mp3 players are actually a flat power like most headphone jacks and have no amplifier. This make our volume control more like a impedance control and we are simply extended the peak volume and start farther up the band. A lower impedance unit does not have more distortion or a lacking F/R, the only real drawback for mp3 players would be a shorter battery life.

Recommend power handling and impedance for mp3 player earphones
32 ohm earphone - 100mW peak / 50mW rated
16 ohm Earphone - 200mW peak / 100mW rated
These power handling recommendations are based on earphones with a sensitivity rating of 104dB and higher, going a little less if fine. If the earphones your going with have a lower sensitivity rating you would want the power handling to be less. Higher then these numbers and you might not be hitting the earphones continuous power handling.

How to Choose a China Cabinet

A china cabinet can be a focal point in any stylish home, but with so many options, sizes, and finishes available, how do you pick the right one for your living or dining room? These tips will help you pick out the perfect china cabinet to match your taste, space, and budget.

China Cabinet Basics:




Pick a style: The most important consideration of any new piece of home decor is your own personal style. Choose a cabinet or buffet that will meld seamlessly into your existing decor. If you're ready for a decor overhaul, choose a distinctive piece you love and build a new room around it. Also, consider the finish of the cabinet. A dark, espresso finish offers a more handsome or romantic look, teak wood is often associated with mid-century modern style, and blonde wood is versatile and classic. Distressed finishes are also a popular choice, offering a more shabby chic or English countryside look. Of course, a stainless steel or black cabinet can be the perfect addition to a sleek and modern space.


Measure the space: Everyone has experienced finding the perfect piece of furniture but in the wrong size. Since you can't change the size, it's best to shop for the space you have. Measure the wall where your cabinet will live carefully -- and make sure to buy a cabinet about 6-12 inches smaller than those dimensions in each direction. A well-designed cabinet is like a work of art; keep spatial aesthetics in mind when placing it against a wall.

Form meets function: Both beautiful and functional, a china cabinet can act as a statement piece of furniture or work double duty storing and showcasing your prized china collection. They are also a handsome place to store your cherished collectibles, figurines, heirlooms, and photos. Opt for a cabinet with adjustable shelves if you're uncertain about what you'll store in the cabinet or if you prefer to keep your options open.

Go shopping: Once you've decided on your cabinet's special features, it's time to do some competitive shopping. Peruse the websites of online retailers, which often have a large selection, and scout online coupon code sites for promotions on your favorite sites. When available, it's wise to invest in an insurance or warranty plan. Always be sure to save your receipt and any packing materials so you'll be able to return your new cabinet, if necessary.