Leather Jewelry Boxes

You’re dreaming about the beautiful room makeovers you’ve seen on TV. The one’s where a talented designer comes in and transforms the room into a stunning show piece complete with painted walls and well placed accessories. Remembering the wonderful tears of joy shed by the happy home owners, you go strait the paint store and look at all the color samples.

Then you become totally overwhelmed. You recall an episode of ‘Trading Spaces’ were the neighbors painted each others rooms in some sickening color and the friendship was destroyed forever. Suddenly images of horrified tearful homeowners come flooding in. They would do anything to get their boring white walls back! You’re not a designer. You panic. You back away from the paint swatches and decide instead to go shoe shopping for that adorable little dress you bought last week.

You feel better already.  Thinking of your new dress brings a smile to your face. You recall how good it felt when you tried it on in the dressing room. It’s so cute. And you love the color! You can hardly wait for an excuse to wear it. Now for the perfect shoes to finish the look…

Hold on there fashion girl. What if you could capture that same happy feeling you have about your new dress and apply it to your room? What if you could be that excited about your house? You can! I’m here to tell you that if you can put an outfit together, you can put a room together. You know more about color than you give yourself credit for.

You don’t have any trouble choosing just the right shoes to go with an outfit. You easily mix and match tops and bottoms to create great new looks. You barely even think about it when you grab a box of hair color knowing that it will perfectly offset your eyes and skin tone. A peak in your makeup bag shows all the luscious shades of eye shadows and lip sticks that you have happily experimented with. Not to mention your undeniably great taste in jewelry. You’re no stranger to color or style!

So let’s start with what you know. Go to your closet and pull out 4 or 5 of your very favorite outfits. Lay them all out; complete with shoes, hand bag, accessories…everything. Now step back and take a look at what you’ve done. Notice the easy mix of color, texture and bling. Why do you like these outfits so much? What kind of colors are you drawn to?  Are they warm or cool colors?

Notice the purpose of each outfit, be it work, play or evening wear. Rooms are like that. What is the purpose of your room? Do you want to create a sultry (evening gown) master bed room, a hard wearing (blue jeans) easy care family room or a fun playroom (sundress)? Ask yourself a few key questions. Are you going to use your existing furniture or get new? Either way, what are the dominant fabric colors of the furniture (bottoms)? Are the wood tones dark or light (leather shoes and belts)? What color are your curtains and throw pillows (tops)? Is there any brushed metal or sparkly glass in the room (jewelry)?  Do you have wall to wall carpet (sweater or pea coat), hard wood (sleek leather jacket), or linoleum (rain coat) floors?

Try putting an outfit together using the dominate colors that you intend to have in your room. Don’t forget to match the outfit to the occasion. Is it a formal affair or backyard BBQ? What kind of fabrics, textures and colors are you using?

Walls are simply a back drop for everything else that goes in your space. Just like the foundation makeup you put on before you apply eye shadow. Now go back to the paint store and get those free color swatches. Grab every color from dark to light that you are even remotely interested in. Take them home and compare them to the ‘room’ outfit you have created. Think of them like foundation makeup or skin tones, just a back drop to your favorite outfit. Now you’re in familiar territory!

Hold them up to your ‘room’ outfit and you can confidently tell if it fits well or not. Would you wear it? Could you imagine it on a super model? Could you build an outfit around it? Do you get excited? Does it make you happy? You’re on the right track. You know what goes together and what doesn’t. Choose your color with confidence. Paint your walls. Put your look together, invite your friends over and show it off. It’s the perfect excuse to wear that new dress!

Caring for your pearl jewelry is a vital part in the prolonged longevity and beauty you can achieve with your pearls. Pearls in general are more delicate than other types of jewels, and therefore require a bit more attention and care. Following a few simple steps and avoiding contact with certain substances can ensure your pearls stay beautiful for a long time.

When it comes to your pearl jewelry, it is best to follow this simple rule: “Last thing on, First thing off.” Wearing your pearls while you are getting ready in the morning increases it’s exposure to harmful chemicals that can cause damage. These chemicals can come from simple objects like hairspray, perfume, and even your makeup which can cause your pearls to become dull and dirty. Similarly at night, your pearls should be the first thing you take off. Your pearls can have a similar reaction to the types of cleansers, toners, and lotions you use as well as makeup removal solutions.

Also, if you are going to follow the great June Cleaver and do housework in your pearls, think again. Simple household detergents and cleaning products can contain chlorine and ammonia which can have an adverse reaction on your pearls. Any gardening and swimming with pearls on should also be avoided. It’s best to save them for the office or going out.

Even if you do avoid chemical contact to your pearls, they still need cleaning and maintenance. Many sets of pearl jewelry come with cleaning kits to help you maintain your pearls beauty. These kits include soft gem cloths that are gentle not to scratch the surface of the pearl but still be able to thoroughly remove impurities. Using harder, more abrasive items like a simple toothbrush can cause damage to the pearls nacre or cause pitting, so a soft cloth is best. You may wipe your pearls dry or use a gentle solution of water and a very mild soap. Do not opt for cleaning solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents which can cause more damage than good. You should also keep your pearls away from ultrasonic cleaners as well.

When you are done wearing your pearls, try not to store them along with other jewelry that can potentially scratch the surface. Store your pearls in a soft pouch that cushions it and keeps it protected from potential damage. Also, many people store their jewelry in bank safe deposit boxes. These boxes are generally humidity-free, which is not a good environment for cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are considered organic colored stones. Over time, a humidity-free environment can dry out your pearl jewelry and may cause them to crack. So you may want to speak with your bank about options or opt for an alternative safe location.

Lastly, to increase the longevity of your pearl jewelry, you should consider having them restrung each year. This will keep your pearls in good condition and also ensure that the chord is in a good, strong condition. You really do not want to care for the actual pearls so carefully and then have them spill across the floor because of an old nylon chord. So having them restrung on a new chord will ensure your pearl necklace or bracelet stays in tact. You can also look into pearl jewelry that uses stronger stringing materials like European leather chords which may last longer.

No matter what type of pearls you have, whether it is Akoya, Freshwater, South Sea, or Tahitian pearls, you need to maintain each pearl carefully to maximize their longevity. Following these simple rules of thumb can help you care for your pearls in a way that allows you to treasure them for a long long time.

How to find a cool jewelry box that fits your style or used as a great gift?

Jewelry boxes come in a variety of sizes and styles, all with the goal of storing, protecting, organizing, and displaying jewelry. Boxes made specifically for jewelry can be made wood, leather, metal, or various types of fabric. Some boxes are intended specifically for protecting and organizing your jewelry while you travel, while others are intended to compliment the decor or your home. Most jewelry boxes made with women in mind, but there are also jewelry boxes for men and jewelry boxes for children.

With so many choices how do you choose the right jewelry box? How do you select the best one? The key is the think about how much and what type of jewelry you have, how you want to use your jewelry box, and then set a budget.

Below are some popular types of jewelry boxes. Each one has its own unique appeal and is designed to keep your jewelry safe and secure. All you have to do is pick the one you like.

* Leather Jewelry Boxes

Boxes for men’s jewelry, often called “valets” are simpler than women’s versions. They’re typically wrapped in leather and may be a single layer tray with compartments or two layers with a lid. They’re designed to hold watches and cuff links.

These boxes make excellent gifts for the man who has everything.

* Wooden Jewelry Boxes

Wooden jewelry boxes are often the largest. Most contain several drawers and possibly one or two cabinets with glass or wood doors. They’re frequently constructed of oak or mahogany, but other woods such as teak or burl wood may be used. Women’s jewelry boxes can range from very small chests designed to tuck into a drawer to large bureaus on legs. Most boxes fall in the middle range and provide ample storage for earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets. The drawers may slide out or lift out accordion style. Wooden boxes for jewelry are traditionally have a high gloss lacquer. Some are intricately carved or ornately painted while others are sleek and simple. Drawers are usually lined with velvet and may have necklace hooks or a mirror inside the lid.

Many women receive these boxes as gifts and treasure them for years. Wooden jewelry boxes become family heirlooms that are passed on through generations.

* Fabric Jewelry Boxes

Fabric jewelry boxes are becoming increasingly popular. Usually smaller than wooden boxes, they’re frequently lined with a combination of satin and velvet. They may have decorative beading on the outside and come in a wide range of colors so as to match the room’s decor. These boxes look lovely displayed on a dresser. Fabric boxes also tend to be more inexpensive jewelry boxes than those made of wood.

Fabric boxes are popular gifts for bridesmaids or younger women.

* Children’s Jewelry Boxes

Children have many uses for fine jewelry boxes. Baby necklaces, charm bracelets, and earrings can all be stored in a plush jewelry box. And just because the jewelry box is authentic doesn’t mean the jewelry has to be. Children can store replica and vintage jewelry for when they play dress up like Mom and Dad.

The solution to getting a cool jewelry box for a child is to know what the child likes. If she’s into music, a musical jewelry box will be a better choice over one that has a cartoon character theme. In any case, there are a number of cool jewelry boxes for children to choose from. It all comes down to what the child considers “cool”.

On the other hand, boxes for children’s jewelry are usually more about the box than its contents. They can be cardboard or wood wrapped in a licensed character’s image or fabric. Inexpensive jewelry boxes have a simple latch. When opened, they play a song for a twirling ballerina. Boxes suitable for an older child may be wrapped in brightly-colored leather or fabric. They’re often lined with satin rather than velvet and have one to three compartments and a mirror.

Cool jewelry boxes for children come in a variety of forms. Often they’re made of thinner wood and emblazoned with popular cartoon characters. Others are made of more luxurious woods yet have a simple design. Some even have music boxes built right in.

* Men’s Jewelry Boxes

Do you believe it? Jewelry boxes are not just for women. For men, there are valet boxes, pen boxes, and watch boxes. Dads who enjoy a smoke every now and then may want to invest in a finely crafted box. Such items can make great Father’s Day gifts and provide a suitable storage place for Dad’s treasured gifts or family heirlooms. However, these cool jewelry boxes aren’t always called jewelry boxes. In most cases they are referred to as valet boxes. Valet boxes are designed to hold men’s “everyday” items such as rings, loose change, wallets, keys, watches, etc. A valet box is a more luxurious way for men to keep their items in one place, rather than shoving everything in a dresser drawer or empty ashtray. Other types of cool jewelry boxes for men include watch boxes (designed to store and display your watch collection) and cigar boxes (which can be used to store cigars or as a keep-all for your pocket items). So as you can see, there are such things as cool jewelry boxes for men.

* Women’s Jewelry Boxes

For women, a jewelry box can be a lovely companion piece to an engagement ring or gold necklace. A velvet-lined jewelry box can be a great way store or show off your most precious valuables. Jewelry boxes can also be customized to suit taste or preferred functionality. They can be crafted to be thin or large, 3-drawer or 4-drawer, or with panels, in a variety of woods. Many boxes can be built in teak, cherry, maple, oak, walnut, or quilted maple.

Women have a number of different types of jewelry boxes to choose from. Jewelry boxes are often crafted in luxurious woods such as maple, oak, walnut, etc. A wood jewelry box gives your collection a solid foundation and protects your pieces from the elements. Some jewelry boxes even contain glass inlays and ornate carvings. Glass and even ceramic makes of jewelry boxes are also quite popular among women and provide their own grace and beauty. Some larger jewelry boxes have multiple swinging doors and compartments, and even finely carved legs. Many jewelry boxes are lockable to protect the precious jewels inside from theft or being lost. Women have many different styles to choose from when selecting a jewelry box. However, it’s very important to match your jewelry collection with a box that will display and protect your pieces appropriately.

Cool jewelry boxes are available for children, women, and even men. However, the jewelry box you select depends on the jewelry you have, what your jewelry storage needs are, and what “cool” factors are important to you in a jewelry box.

* Travel Jewelry Boxes

Travel boxes for jewelry need to be specially designed to ensure the jewelry will remain secure and organized. Popular styles include the small locking box with lined compartments and the fabric roll.

Travel boxes usually have compartments that touch the inside of the lid or slide out of the case. The compartments are divided into one large one for necklaces and two or more smaller ones for earrings, rings, and bracelets.

Jewelry rolls have several plastic zippered compartments of varying sizes. They’re then rolled up and fastened with a ribbon to keep it secure.

Both of these styles have advantages and disadvantages. The roll tucks easily into a suitcase but provides less protection while the box takes up more space but provides better protection for expensive pieces.

It’s known to us all, jewelry boxes are not meant to be disposable items. They are meant to be personal, gifts that can be treasured for generations. That’s why it can mean so much to have your jewelry box engraved. Monogramming can be a great way to make a jewelry box your own. A tender message from a loved one can also increase the sentimental value of these wonderful items. So these jewelry boxes make wonderful gifts for family members and other loved ones. They also bring with them a rich, Old World heritage that can be passed from generation to generation. After all, your valuables deserved to be stored in jewelry boxes that are equal to the value they contain.

Last, I’d like to give you some useful terms when shopping for your jewelry box.

- Musical Jewelry Box

This type of jewelry box combines the musical component of your typical music box with the storage space of a jewelry box. Musical jewelry boxes function similar to music boxes – you lift the lid and the music starts. However, these types of jewelry boxes also contain drawers and storage space for jewelry.

- Travel Jewelry Case

Made for transport, travel jewelry cases are jewelry boxes designed to handle the bumps and dings of travel. These types of boxes are fashionable but serve a more protective purpose than display.

- Valet Jewelry Box

Valet boxes are jewelry boxes for men. These boxes serve as a keep-all for everyday items such as rings, keys, loose change, cell phone, etc. Valet boxes are designed specifically for men and are unlike your typical jewelry box.

- Watch Box

This type of box is intended specifically for watch storage. Watch boxes come in single and multiple watch capacity, and are available in many different sizes and styles. Asides from this, you may have noticed a specific type of watch box which also called ‘watch winder’, which rotates the watch in a circular pattern to keep the self-winding mechanism of automatic watches in motion. If left in rest, these types of watches often stop. A watch winder eliminates this problem.

- Jewelry Box Lining

The lining is the interior of a jewelry box. Jewelry box lining is often lush and consists of fine fabrics. The lining is designed to protect your jewelry but also present them in a fashionable way.

- Jewelry Trays

Jewelry trays are open trays with compartments for jewelry storage. Often these trays are stackable and lined with fabric for safe storage of your jewelry pieces.

I’d like to introduce and display an excellent selection of China jewelry boxes, on which you will view various jewelry boxes for different persons, and you might find exactly what you are looking for without further ado..