Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring

Samantha Taylor

Traditionally, a wedding band was worn on the ring finger of the left hand because it was believed that the vein in that finger went straight to the heart. A wedding ring is a piece of jewelry which will be worn everyday of your life to signify your love and fidelity to your significant other. That being said, you want to ensure you choose the perfect ring, which can be difficult for someone who is inexperienced in this area. Luckily we can help you through the steps of finding the perfect wedding ring for the special person in your life.

The first thing to consider is the kind of metal you want for your wedding rings. Most wedding rings are found in yellow gold, white gold or platinum. These forms of metal vary in price and most likely this decision will be quite easy since most women already know what kind of ring they want.

The next step is choosing the stone for the ring. You will need to decide which kind of stone you want as well as the shape of the stone. Diamonds are still the most popular choice when it comes to stones for wedding rings however colored stones such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires are becoming more and more popular.

The last step is to find a reputable jeweler who you will be comfortable purchasing such an expensive piece of jewelry from. Perhaps it is best to use a jeweler who one of your friends or family members have already used and would recommend for you because of such great results.

If you are like most couples who are marrying, you will likely choose a diamond wedding ring. If you are doing so, you may want to keep the four C's in mind while doing so. The four C's are the diamond's color, cut, clarity and carat weight.

1. 
   
2. Color - Diamonds are available in number of colors and shades including white, yellow, green, blue and pink. The color range starts at D and moves through the alphabet towards Z. The scale moves from white to yellow as it makes its way through the alphabet.
   
   
3. Cut - The cut of the diamond is what gives the diamond personality. Diamonds which are cut well will be bright and sparkly, however diamonds that are cut poorly may end up looking dull and boring. Choosing and making sure the cut is perfect is a crucial step in the overall outcome of your wedding ring.
   
   
4. Clarity - An inclusion in a diamond is an imperfection inside the stone which will greatly affect the overall worth of the ring. The size, color and position of the inclusions in your ring affect the clarity of the diamond. You want to ensure the diamond has good clarity.
   
   
5. Carat Weight - A carat is divided into 100 equal parts (also known as points). Therefore a one carat diamond equals 100 points; half carat equals 50 and so on. When the diamonds are loose (before they are mounted on the ring), the weight is easy to determine, however, after the diamond has been mounted only a gemologist can determine the weight of the diamond(s).
   

Take your time when choosing a wedding ring for yourself or for your significant other. A wedding ring is a sign of your everlasting love to one another and is something that will be cherished for the rest of your lives.


Samantha Taylor spent several years working in the weddings industry as a wedding planner. When she isn't being a mom of two wonderful children, she works as a freelance writer for http://www.yourwedding101.com - a site that offers information about everything wedding related - from wedding rings to wedding cake toppers and more.

Ralph Lauren 2005 Summer Collection
Sher Matsen

The Ralph Lauren Spring 2005 Collection is simply fabulous! The collection ranges from Shimmering Luxury to Breezy Elegance to Throwaway Glamour - the common element appears to be the color white. Lauren said he used the sophistication of old-time Hollywood and the chic refinement of cafe society as starting points for his collection, which featured several halter gowns, fuzzy cashmere sweaters and some tailored jackets paired with capri-length pants or Bermuda shorts. The fabrics are flowy and romantic, the colors are outstanding, and the statement is sexy!
Ralph Lauren states "Spring is about romantic refinement - an old-Hollywood charm that's luxurios in a modern, off hand way." The spring line has a sexy blend of softness and glamour bringing out the feminine side in an elegant and sophisticated way. This is a collection most any woman can be part of. There are cuts and styles suited for all ages and body shapes.

Here's some great sites to see the Ralph Lauren Spring Fashions hitting the boutiques now.
� NewYorkMetro
� Ralph Lauren Runway Show
� MSNBC News Coverage

Did anyone watch the Golden Globes? Emmy Rossum wore this fabulous Ralph Lauren gown - strapless, silhoutte shape to accentuate every curve with this fabulous flowing layers of material from the knees down. Certainly a gown made for a star! How about the Amanda Coat with a cost of $1800.00? Amazing lines! The Bronson Vest with a cost of $898.00 teamed with the Amanda Skirt with a cost of $850.00. All lookers and all certainly make a fashion statement!

Pearls are hot this season and you only need to look at the Ralph Lauren collection to confirm this. Many of the Ralph Lauren spring fashions are being accented with pearls. Pearls are getting a whole new face lift this summer with a mix of colors and styles not seen before.

Yes I know. Ralph Lauren's may be out of the reach of many of our pocket books. Don't fret! Have a look at the designs he has to offer. Take good visual notes. Similar lines and looks can be found for much less. You can make your fashion statement on a budget! You need to find the syles and colors that suit you and that you are interested in, then go shopping for similar garments without out the designer name.
These seasons fashions are fabulous, fun, and very retro. Your certain to find something that makes your fashion statement in your budget.

Ralph Lauren was born in the Bronx NY in 1939. After dropping out of college he served in the US Army from 1962 to 1964. He married Ricky Low-Beer in 1964 and they had three children. In 1968 he was able to secure a $50,000 loan and Polo Fashions was born. SInce then it has grown into a $5 billion dollar industry. Ralph Lauren once said "I don't design clothes, I design dreams."

This season is truly a season of personal style and every woman is certain to find the right item[s] to make her fashion statement!

For more articles and information on summer fashions be sure to visit our resource pages at Estate Jewelry International

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

My Needs are Simple and Few!

M J Plaster

My dear owner,

Thank you once again for giving me shelter. (Lick, slurp, lick, slurp) Aside from food, shelter and love, my needs are simple and few! Since I am dependent upon you to provide for me, we should discuss my basic needs. I can lend you the canine insight that you may lack as a human, particularly if I am your first canine companion pet.

Of course, I require a steady supply of food and fresh water, and while I long for the same quality of culinary delight that you routinely enjoy, I know that's an unrealistic expectation. As long as you feed me something that's nutritionally suited for my species, I'll happily devour whatever little morsels of people food you throw my way. I'm not particularly fond of that stuff that comes from the tap, but it'll do in a pinch. I draw the line at drinking from toilets.

Splish splash

In addition to my regular veterinary care, I'll need a flea and tick collar at a bare minimum. How would you like those critters crawling all over you? Please help me to prevent them from crawling on me.

If you want to show me off for company, how about you pick up some grooming aids so I can look my sexy best? I SO look forward to weekly shampoos. Who needs rubber duckies when you get to splash at humans at bath time? I understand that humans multitask, and I love those massages with the grooming gloves, so we could watch TV together while you give my coat a nightly massage. I cannot vacuum after myself (but maybe you could suggest that as an advanced course at obedience school), so you might want to pick up some of those hair pickup tools for yourself.

A bowl of my very own

I could use a doggie bowl or two, something simple, yet elegant, perhaps something with my name on it. It's not that I mind sharing your everyday bowls, but it would be nice to have something that's all mine when it comes to feeding and watering troughs. I'll need one for food and one for water, and an everyday pattern will suffice-no need for an expensive china pattern.

Collars and other jewelry

I look forward to our walks together, but it's just too tempting for me to stray when you walk me without a leash. I think the government suits must be on to us doggies, since they've enacted those pesky leash laws everywhere. So, if you want to continue spending this quality time with me, you'll need to find a leash that fits me properly, is strong enough to hold me, and is the proper length. If it's too long, I'll trip all over myself, but if it's not long enough, I won't have the room I need to roam. I know that there is a dizzying array of leashes available, but please use a little discretion and choose one with the right "look" for my breed so that all the other doggies don't make fun of me. They can be so darn cruel!

Creature comforts

I was told that most humans have jobs, so I understand that you'll be spending time away from me. If you could see your way clear to leaving a few creature comforts behind, it would really help. First, I don't want to hog your people furniture-it's too big for me anyway. I could use one of those nice, comfy doggie beds. Floors are meant to be walked on, not lounged upon. I know that there are a number of places that I should not go when you're gone, so spray that indoor repellent, and I'll learn the first time. I'm a quick study-something about Pavlov!

Dogs in toyland

Toys will help me pass the time, assist me in my development, and most importantly, distract me from the fact that you're not here. I could have some REAL fun if you'd get me my very own cat, but I realize that is not likely. Here is a list of things that I would really, really enjoy if you cannot get me my own cat:

 A nice supply of those rubber, chewy thingies
 Squishy, squeaky, talking toys
 Rawhide chews, dental chews, anything that I will mistake for a bone
 Treats, treats, and more treats - a never-ending supply of treats

Special occasion gifts

You humans have your porches, your patios and your tree houses. I would give my doggie eye teeth for my very own dog house. You could have Santa deliver it in time for the holidays, or you save it for a birthday treat. Either way, it'll give me my own little hideaway and protect me from the elements, should you take temporary leave of your human senses and leave me outside while you run one of your many errands. If you can't swing the canine estate just yet, maybe we could negotiate a doggie door?

Above all, I require the same devotion and attention that you expect from me. Treat me right, and I'll be your best friend for life.

Love and kisses,

Your beloved doggie


M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for http://www.dogs-n-u.com/pet-supplies.htm, http://www.dogs-n-u.com/dog-collars.htm, and http://www.dogs-n-u.com/dog-food.htm. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.


Diabetes Awareness: Diabetes on the Job
David Anderson

When you go to work, your diabetes goes with you.

You get up, get showered, get breakfast, get to work. You have bills, therefore you have a job.

But you also have diabetes. You have to care for your diabetes while you're at work. Here are 10 tips for merging
your diabetes care with your career.

1. Wear medical identification jewelry

- If you ever need medical assistance at work, the emergency medical personnel will know you have diabetes.

2. Decide who to tell

- All things being equal, it might be in your best interest to let a few trusted co-workers or your boss know. Just for your own safety.

3. Give your co-workers a chance

- Don't just assume that your boss won't accommodate you, or that your co-workers won't be helpful. Give them a chance to grasp what diabetes is and understand how they can help you,
particularly if you've been diagnosed since starting your current job. Diabetes may be as new to them as it is to you.

4. Get it in writing

- If necessary, get a doctor's note. It may help to get a medical statement from your doctor saying what your diabetes care needs are. Present it to your company nurse or human resources department, and make sure your supervisor gets a copy.

5. Be your own advocate

- Your local hospital or diabetes center may offer programs through which diabetes educators can come to your workplace and explain to your human resources department, supervisors,
or co-workers what diabetes is and how they can make the workplace more diabetes-friendly. See if your employer is willing to host such a program.

6. Don't abuse the system

- Unfortunately, there are people who claim extensive health challenges and reap disability benefits their situation may not warrant. That makes it harder for everyone. It's best to
save sick days and disability pay for when you really need them.

7. Plan ahead

- The biggest challenge many people with diabetes face is access to meals and breaks. Have snacks readily available should you need to treat a low.

8. Take your equipment with you

- Keep your blood glucose meter and supplies where you can reach them. Don't leave blood glucose meters or insulin in the car. Extreme temperatures can affect them.

9. Watch out for stress

- Stress can wreak havoc on your blood sugars. Stress can cause either high or low blood sugar. It differs from person
to person, and sometimes from situation to situation in the same person. Stress may mask symptoms of low blood sugar, or prompt completely different symptoms. Frequent monitoring is your best defense.

10. Keep good diabetes control

- The best thing you can do to remain productive is to stay healthy. Don't let your diabetes get so far out of control that you're not able to work. If you're eating well, exercising, and controlling your blood sugars, you will have a productive work life.

The payoff from a job well done is that if and when you need to take time off for your diabetes care, your boss and
co-workers will remember your good track record and be that much more willing to cover for you or help you with scheduling. By communicating with your employer and taking responsibility for your care, you can incorporate your
diabetes care into your work life successfully.

If you feel that your employer is not making reasonable accommodations to allow you to care for your diabetes at
work, contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at: (800) 669-4000 or (800) 669-6820 TTY.

Ask your doctor about diabetes and have your blood sugar checked several times a year.

For more information about diabetes, including a Diabetes Quiz and a Free booklet, visit our website at:

http://hope4diabetes.com/info

This 20 page FREE booklet will provide you with in-depth information on comprehensive diabetes care. The 7
principles, or steps, will help you to understand, manage and diagnose your potential diabetes risk.

It could help you live a longer and more active life. The booklet is Yours absolutely FREE - No Risk! Share it NOW with the people you love and want to Keep alive!

David Anderson is a freelance health/wellness writer for http://hope4diabetes.com.
Email contact information is available on the website.
For telephone contact: (316) 541-2208

Diamond Jewelry - The Ultimate Classic Adornment

Angela S Davis

Diamond jewelry is the ultimate adornment for a woman or even a man. It is something which takes us beyond the realm of time. Diamond jewelry is a timeless classic adornment, which can never go out of style and will always be looked up amongst all kinds of jewelry.

In buying diamond jewelry it is important to keep some factors in mind. The diamond history, diamond shape (Diamonds come in more shapes than any other gem. Diamond jewelry with spectacular center pieces are available in round, emerald cut, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, and trillion. Diamonds as accents are usually found in small round shapes and baguettes. Popular earrings are usually round or princess cut, though some may come in fancier shapes),

Diamond settings (such as bar, bezel, channel, chevron, invisible, pave, and prongs), diamond carats (The unit used to measure the size and weight of loose diamonds), diamond clarity (Clarity is the clearness of a diamond. The most valued diamonds are the clearest. When shopping for a diamond, look for diamonds with grades from FL to SI2. Stones from VS1 to S2 are the best value because they are lower in price without too many inclusions.)

Diamond color (Diamonds that are colorless or near colorless are the most prized.) And diamond cut (The diamond cut determines the brilliance of the diamonds. If a diamond is poorly cut, the light is lost through the sides and bottom of the diamond and there will be no radiance)

Diamonds are more commonly found in certain shapes; baguette, emerald, heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, radiant, round and trillion. The most popular diamond shape has been the round brilliant because people believed it to be an "ideal cut" that displayed the most brilliance and sparkle in a diamond. The design also allows it to hide flaws and imperfections. However, new technology has made other shapes just as brilliant, such as the princess cut and trilliant cut. Today, there is no such thing as an "ideal cut" when it comes to diamond jewelry.

In diamond jewelry, the diamonds are set in different kinds of settings. Some of these kinds of settings commonly used in diamond jewelry are-

- Bar: Metal bars hold the loose diamonds in a channel-like setting.

- Bezel: The metal is formed to fit around the diamond, cupping it into place.

- Channel: A row of small diamond stones are set in a groove in the diamond rings.

- Chevron: V-shaped prongs that usually hold a marquise or princess-cut diamond for solitaire style rings.

- Invisible: Diamond set in a groove without visible prongs.

- Pave: Tiny stones are embedded to look like the piece is paved with loose diamonds.

- Prong: Several prongs hold the diamonds to let light pass through without interference.

Though diamond jewelry is made of diamonds, which is one of strongest materials on earth, a hard blow can cause the diamond to chip. If proper care is taken then the diamond jewelry can last a lifetime. To clean diamond jewelry, use water and a little bit of ammonia with a gentle brush while being careful of the metal. Also keep it away from lotion, perspiration and other household cleaners. These items can dull the surface of the stones. Store your diamond jewelry separated with paper or bags, so they do not scratch or dull each other. It's also wise to keep the diamond jewelry in its original velvet box.

Looking for information about Diamonds?
Go to: http://www.diamondtrack.com
'Diamond Track' is published by Angela Davis -
The Complete A to Z Of Diamond Resources
Check out more Diamond articles at: http://www.diamondtrack.com/articles

The powers of the mother of pearl
Jakob Jelling

Oriental and Chinese cultures as well as many occidental ones follow traditions based on the belief that some precious stones have important symbolisms and powers. The mother of pearl is one of them, and it is often used for feng shui practitioners in order to attract a benefit towards a strategic house point or to improve a specific life area.

Some stones are believed to have the power of attracting happiness or love to the life of whom carries them or keep them in their homes. The way in which a stone is seen and what it symbolizes depends not only on its type but also on the way it is used and seen by each specific culture and the traditions behind it.

Usually, in many occidental cultures the symbolism of a stone is followed by wearing it as a ornament and jewelry, while in many oriental cultures and mainly the Chinese one, these stones are often used in symbolic objects which are strategically placed in the house. This way, stones depend on the way they are used and to which kind of object they are added to in order to have their meaning and to attract specific benefits.

According to the oriental traditions and the Chinese culture, the mother of pearl is a very symbolic stone. This symbolism is based on the belief that mother of pearl attracts wealth and a better income to the person who keeps it. This way, many feng shui and Chinese objects which symbolize money and wealth contain this stone in order to improve its powers.

Besides attracting wealth and money, the mother of pearl also symbolizes prosperity and good luck. This way, it is often given as a present in order to wish good luck to a friend or a loved one in some circumstances such as when that person is going to travel or will go through a very important exam among many other situations. Besides this, by simply carrying a symbolic item containing mother of pearl, a person's good luck and prosperity would become highly improved and enhanced.

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.fengshuicrazy.com. Please visit his website and learn all the feng shui tips you'll ever need!

Raise Your Income!

Joy Gendusa

How often do you sit around and wonder how to make more money and get more people to buy more from your company? It's one of the most basic problems every company faces.

The answer is astonishingly simple. Too simple maybe. But I've seen it work over and over again with our customers in every line of business you can imagine.

You have to promote. Your income is determined by how much marketing you do. There are many effective marketing methods and you shouldn't do just one. Even those whose products are strictly sold on-line, you still need to utilize those other methods of promotion. Your income is definitely 100% affected by how much promotion you do.

So raising your income is simply a matter of keeping in touch with your existing customer base, reminding them you are there, offering them goods or services they might be interested in, in such a way that they want to buy more and more often from you. And increasing the size of your customer base by finding and contacting potential customers and persuading them to buy your products or services and then adding them to your customer base and keeping in touch with them in the same way.

If you have a good service or product and you make sure you service your customers well, you cannot fail to raise your income.

How rapidly you raise your income depends on how rapidly you do these actions, how much you promote. Handling the quantity or volume of promotion is definitely the most obvious thing you can do on an immediate basis. Believe it or not, if you send out crappy, crappy promotion, your income will go up. You may not be happy with the Return on your Investment (ROI) for that marketing effort, but definitely it will raise your income. Once quantity is handled and you are sending out loads of promotion, you want to tweak it and raise the quality of your promotion. And here are some things you can do.

Use Offers to Improve Your Response.

One of the barriers to buying which you work hard to overcome is "no hurry." Why buy it now when I can think about it for a few weeks, shop around a little and get back to you, maybe? Familiar with that "I'm interested. I'll get back to you." Or the card you have designed and mailed out gets put in a drawer somewhere for possible follow up, maybe next year some time.

One way to deal with this is to reward those who buy now and penalize those who don't. How? With some special offer and one that is attractive and one which has a time element attached to it. "Order your new lawnmower now and we'll give you a free edger. Offer good until the end of May." (Or whatever, you get the idea). Obviously the offer must be financially feasible for you so you'll have to do some number crunching before you make the offer.

You can tie these special offers in to some particular event or season (like jewelry for Valentine's Day or flowers or chocolates or just about anything for Christmas) but you don't have to.

Special Offers help you maximize on your direct mail marketing and keep your customers ordering from you when you want them to. It's just one more way to be in control of your promotion.

You can control how much and how fast your company grows.

Joy Gendusa founded PostcardMania in 1998, her only assets a computer and a phone. By 2004 the company did $9 million in sales and employed over 60 people. She attributes her explosive growth to her ability to choose incredible staff and her innate marketing savvy. Visit http://www.postcardmania.com

Use of IT in the Retail Industry
Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama

Retail industry is one of the most prominent business categories in the modern world. It is spread all over the world, and has a history that is almost as long as human nature. The definition for Retail is 'Sale of goods in small quantities to the public, usually not for re-sale'.

Historical existence of the industry is clear by the definition itself. Today it has a wide scope which spans from house hold items such as bread, sugar to electrical and electronic items, jewelry etc. Stores also range from large supermarkets to small village boutiques.

Retail industry drives the economy of a country. While manufacturing industries create the goods and services that people need, the retail industry provide a marketplace where people as consumers, have convenient access to those products and services.

The retail sector is one of the largest industries worldwide. And it is the second-largest industry in the United States both in number of establishments and in the number of employees. Retail trade accounts for about 12.9 percent of all business establishments in the United States.

Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer and the world's largest company with more than $256 billion (USD) sales annually. Wal-Mart employs more than one million associates in the United States and more than 300,000 internationally. The second largest retailer in the world is France's Carrefour.

Customer handling is a critical aspect of retailing since it deals with customers directly. Retail Information Technology, commonly known as Retail IT has become very important in this sense, since traders have understood the ease it could give for large volume of customer handling.

Computerizing retail stores became a common practice some years ago, but research and development in the areas have not ended. IT evolves day by day, and it is wrong to believe that technology, which we use today, is the best, since development is never-ending. Therefore, even for the retail industry, application of advanced IT solutions would go on.

A basic retail system would have a Point-of-Sale (POS) system to sell goods to the customers. This can be considered as the front-end of the retail system. A POS would normally allow cashier to issue goods and tender. The back-end of the system should manage stores, update accounts, allow periodic reports etc.

The system should be able to handle customer returns, apply special discounts, handle special categories of customers etc. A good retail system should be competent in enabling users to tender in different types. The number of new tender types is on the rise with the advancement of technology.

As an example, few decades back, cash was the only mode of tendering, but later, payment types such as credit cards came in to play and systems in the future would need to handle tendering offered through mobile phones(May be a payment order bound to a bank sent through a SMS(Short Message Service) of mobile phones).

The system depends on the business requirements. It is the business that requires systems and adopts suitable ones for them and not the other way round. Therefore, functionality scope of a system is purely driven by the business itself. Complexity of the system would increase with the complexity of the business requirement.

As an example, a small supermarket having a single store would be well off with a standalone system operating on a single machine. But imagine a large supermarket chain having several stores and within each store, several terminals. In such a situation, networking and communication would also be issues that need to be addressed.

Database updates related to store management would become quite tricky with both software and hardware advancements needed.

It is difficult to discuss about business today without taking e-business in to consideration. It is electronic business every where today and no wonder that retail industry is also affected. Therefore, new retail IT systems need to have facilities to this effect as well. Online payments and online ordering are two obvious examples.

Management of the entire supply chain has become a requirement nowadays. This was not the case at the beginning of retail IT systems. Companies have identified that it is more advantageous and appropriate to have the entire chain computerized rather than just the final end. This helps in better accounting, reporting and controlling and obviously increasing the efficiency of the whole process.

A company has two options in incorporating a Retail IT system into their business. That is in-house development or off the shelf buying.

Retail IT systems are one of the most common types of systems that are available to be bought off the shelf. There are some vendors that supply standard products while much retail IT companies would customize their base product to suit the specific customer requirements.

World famous Microsoft also has retail IT products. Microsoft Retail Management System (Store Operations) POS Software is a comprehensive retail solution designed for the independent merchant. The business software of choice for small and medium-sized retailers, equips retailers to run, control, and plan the growth of a single- or multi-store business.

In a Sri Lankan context, retail industry is one of the fore going businesses of the entire economy. IT revolution within the sector is happening silently but solidly. Sri Lanka has only few retail store chains and even they have very few stores under their belts. Therefore Simple systems might be enough for companies to survive on but it is important that technological advancements are also incorporated.

Most companies are yet to use the entire supply chain computerization and just manage with front-end of computerization by using a POS. This is mostly due to the fact that most retailers in Sri Lanka are small scale traders. Retail industry is highly dependant on volume of markets. For most types of retail goods, Sri Lankan markets are small which results in smaller size of companies and in turn results in less advanced systems being required.

Anyway functionalities such as online ordering, tendering (paying) using various types and use of wireless technology should come in to play to help uplift the quality of life of Sri Lankan people.



An IT professional with experience in both as a Software Engineer and Business Analyst. Started career as a Software Engineer and currently permanantly in the bsuiness analysis area of the premier US based IT company in Sri Lanka.

Choose Your Jewelry Carefully

Sher Matsen

Choosing your jewelry is no different than choosing your wardrobe. Most important is to stick within your comfort zone and your personal fashion style. That said it never hurts to step out of the box once in awhile. What's most important is that your jewelry matches up with your outfit. Your jewelry is the finishing touch on your total look. Make your fashion statement count!

You need to determine what you want your jewelry to do. Do you want it front and center stage? Do you want it to compliment? Do you want it subtle? The occasion or event you'll be wearing your jewelry to is also important - make certain it is fitting. A sexy oversized choker might be perfect for a night on the town but may not be fitting for the boardroom.

Although you may have a favorite designer. There's really no need to stick with just one designer. In fact there's no need for the pieces to actually be designer. There are plenty of wonderful pieces on the market that are unsigned but certainly make a fashion statement. Mix and match your jewelry to give it character and a little pizzaz!

Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an affordable way to complete your look. Costume Jewelry can be bought for a low price and has plenty of life. Heck we see costume jewelry back to the 1920s still in excellent condition. What's great with costume jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money.

Designer pieces tend to cost a little more, last a little longer, and they usually follow more traditional lines so you can wear them for more than one or two seasons.

Sterling Silver is affordable and very versatile. If you don't want to spend the money for sterling, then purchase some silver plate pieces. Silver is a must have to any wardrobe! You can go from dainty and delicate to large and noticeable. It can be dressed up or down and is acceptable for any event or occasion.

We always recommend have some gold plate or gold tone pieces in your wardrobe basics also. 10-14k gold may be a bit too pricey for many but gold plated jewelry is quite affordable and will give you good value for the cost. Gold like silver can be dressed up or dressed down and is perfect for a very classy look.

When purchasing rings you can have great fun - again the choices are endless from large and overwhelming to dainty and feminine. The length and size of your fingers plays an important role in what will look good. For example long skinny fingers don't look good with huge oversized rings, yet a woman that has long thicker fingers they look exquisite. Long nails? Short nails? it all makes a difference. Play and see what you like what looks good. Also determine where you will be wearing these rings. For example if your working around fine fabrics you'll not want any rins that have sharp edges that could snag. Your rings are also part of your total statement.

When purchasing necklaces be certain you know your neck size so that you get a good fit. This is very important when purchasing on line as you don't get a chance to try. If your neck is average in size then a 16" necklace will look great, however if you have a somewhat larger than average neck then a 16" necklace could be too tight. Measure the length of some of your favourite necklaces you already own. This will give you a good indication of what length you prefer. Opera necklaces which are over 30" are terrific. They can be double wrapped, knotted, or whatever else your imagination comes up with. When choosing colored necklaces make sure its a color that compliments your skin tone. It may match your outfit fabulously but if it doesn't match or compliment your skin tone your look could be lost.

When purchasing bracelets you'll need to decide where you're going to wear them, and how noticeable you want them to be. The availability of size and shape is endless - you can go from large bangle bracelets to dainy gem bracelets. If it is a slip on bracelet be sure that it will fit over your hand. Make certain to measure your wrist as the fit of a bracelet is very important. To large and it will look sloppy and may even slide off. Too small can constrict your wrist movement.
When purchasing earrings - the shapes and styles are endless - from dangles to chandeliers to hoops to studs to buttons. From enamel to beads to gems to metal to wood.

Size of the earrings is very important to the statement your making. The larger the earring the more noticeable and the more incorporated they become into your total look. Large earrings aren't for everyone - depending on your face size and shape they may actually detract rather than attract. Experiment and find what looks best on you.

Your jewelry choices are endless - no matter what your tastes, your likes, your dislikes. You'll be able to complete your look just the way you want it with little effort. So be sure to make your fashion statement!

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.


© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.


The Dazzling Rhinestone
Estate Jewelry International

Rhinestones have a glittering past. Originally rhinestones where referred to Czechoslovakian or Bohemian glass dating as far back as the 13th century in Bohemia and the Czech Republic. Both have a history steeped in beautiful hand blown glass as well as molded and cut glass.
By 1918 glass was no longer limited to functional items. Czechoslovakian glass began to make its appearance in dazzling and brilliant jewelry. This Czech glass became known as rhinestones.
Rhinestones were manmade gems from highly refined glass. By using various metals the glass was colored to the desired shade. It was then pressed into molds. Each stone was then ground and polished by machine, resulting in a brilliant glass stone. Often the stones were foiled on the back which increased their brilliance.
Today, the same refining process is still used. You will often here rhinestones referred to as paste. Originally paste was referred to a glass stone that made of ground glass which was molded and then melted, producing an opaque dense glass frosted stone. Paste had many air bubbles and swirl marks. The high lead content glass was then polished and faceted, and set on either copper or silver resulting in a brilliant stone. Today the term paste usually refers to rhinestones. In Europe rhinestones are often referred to as paste, strass, and diamante.
Austria is another area with a history in rhinestone production. In 1891 Daniel Swarovski created a new glass cutting machine which quite literally revolutionized the jewelry business. This machine could cut faceted glass, producing finely finished product in a very short time. Prior to this invention it would take a very long time for each stone to be hand cut and finished. Swarovski's background in glass making, combined with his glass cutting machine soon found him producing rhinestones with a lead content of over 30%. The brilliance of these rhinestones was superior to anything seen on the market. Swarovski wasn't content with his invention and the best rhinestones ever seen. His next invention was once again transforming to the jewelry industry. He created a vacuum plating for the backs of the stones with silver and gold, reducing the need for hand labor. Still today Swarovski rhinestones are recognized as the highest quality in the industry. Over 80% of rhinestone jewelry manufactured in America use Swarovski rhinestones.
Rhinestones have played an important role in costume jewelry for hundreds of years. It is used to enhance and accent, and sometimes rhinestones will provide the entire design. During the Victorian period common motifs for jewelry included snakes, flowers, and hands most often adorned with rhinestones.
The 1890s were a time for extravagant jewelry heavily adorned with rhinestones. As time moved forward designs became simpler with figural shapes once again making their fashion statement. However this time they were small and more elegant with small rhinestone accents.
During the Edwardian period extravagance had made a comeback with diamonds and pearls being the focal point. Once again rhinestones were in heavy use, often used to imitate the real thing.
During the 1920s fashions were rapidly changing. Dresses had gone from fitted to a looser more comfortable style. Two distinct styles occurred during this era - the feminine style and the androgynous style. Jewelry from the 1920s drew on the art deco period. The majority of rhinestone jewelry was made with clear rhinestones.
As the 1920s moved jewelry once again became bolder. Dramatic color was in style. Designer Coco Chanel was an integral figure in the setting the stage for jewelry of this era.
During the 1930s during the depression labor intensive fashion was no longer feasible. While the world was in turmoil, jewelry represented an affordable comfort to many women. Inexpensive costume jewelry could be used to revitalize an old outfit. The industry began to produce bright colored enamel pieces accented with rhinestones. Dogs, birds, or cats with a rhinestone eye were common place.
The jewelry during the 1940s once again became big and bold with rhinestones being produced in every imaginable color, large stones set on large bold settings was the norm.
By the 1950s there were two very distinct looks - elegant and sophisticated for the more mature woman, and casual and fun for the younger woman. The 1950s saw jewelry made completely from rhinestones. For the younger woman were flirty pieces, for the older woman sophisticated elegance. Rhinestone parures became extremely popular.
In 1953 the aurora borealis rhinestone was introduced to the market with its fabulous array of color. It was an instant hit!
By 1960s women were wearing very functional clothing. By the late 1960s the hippie fashions were extremely popular with their roots tied to Mother Nature. Tie dyed shirts, long flowing skirts, frayed jeans were everywhere. This generation had no interest in rhinestone jewelry.
By the mid 1970s the punk look had been born and the rhinestone was revitalized. It was the disco movement brought the rhinestone back to center stage. The disco movement turned into the club movement during the 1980s and rhinestone jewelry continued to gain popularity.
Since the 1970s rhinestone have remained main stream in the jewelry world. They continue to gain popularity and today there is a style to suit almost every ones needs. There is rhinestone jewelry which is perfect for a bride, rhinestone jewelry for a prom girl, rhinestone jewelry for the young and fun crowd, the business woman, the sophisticated woman, and the mature woman. Beautiful pieces of rhinestone jewelry adorn almost every woman's accessories.
If trends are an indication of the rhinestones future, it appears to have a vibrant healthy life ahead of it. Pleasing for most woman with a fashion sense who instantly recognize the value and beauty of rhinestones!



Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing estate jewely & costume jewelry for all occasions, as well as a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty. Please visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/

Bewitching Jewelry -- Amulets, Talismans and Charms

Sam Serio

Throughout the ages, men and women have used gemstones and crystals in personal ornaments and body decorations as bewitching jewelry. Wearing them as charms, talismans or amulets, they were believed to possess the power to ward off evil spirits (or attract benevolent ones), keep one safe from harm, or to find love. To this day, many people of all ages and from all walks of life believe in the magical power of certain gems and make bewitching jewelry part of their everyday attire.

Take pearls, for instance. In the olden days, if a maiden wanted a man to fall in love with her, she would put pearls ground into a fine powder into a glass of wine and somehow get him to drink it. A pretty costly way to catch a man, that method. Nowadays, wearing pearls is believed to enhance one's inner character and bring about peace and serenity. Gold is another example of bewitching jewelry. Since time immemorial, it has captured the fascination of all people, and is one of the cornerstones of the science of alchemy. Gold is used to enhance the power of other gemstones, hence its popular use as a setting. It is also believed to attract wealth and influence, because the wearer is perceived to be strong and powerful.

Bewitching jewelry is not confined to fashionable purposes. The Indian warriors of old used to have swords that were adorned with garnets, secure in the belief that this would bring them luck in battle. Today, garnet jewelry presented as a gift signifies the giver's feelings of eternal love and commitment. It can also be worn as a charm to increase sensuality and sexuality. Similarly, diamonds are said to aid in the release of sexual tension and to help the wearer enjoy a fantastic sex life. I wonder what that says about girls who treat diamonds as their best friend?

Sapphires are benevolent examples of bewitching jewelry. Aside from preserving friendships and promoting loyalty, they are also believed to protect the wearer from capture. Turquoise is likewise popular as a talisman because of its alleged property of changing colors when the wearer is in peril. Plus, it is used in amulets in many cultures because it is believed to be a bringer of luck.

There are many, many other beliefs regarding the use of gemstones as bewitching jewelry. They may be worn as talismans, charms, amulets or simply as fashion accessories. But for many people today, as in the ancient times, jewels are chosen not only for their beauty, but for the perceived benefits that they will bring to the wearer as well.


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Before You Move
dan the roommate man

It's said that Rome wasn't built in a day. Many strokes topple mighty oaks. You can eat an elephant a bite at at time. If you are facing a move, old axioms like these can offer some encouragement, but how about some practical advice? What you really need are step-by-step tips that will help you chip away at the daunting task of packing, moving and settling in.

Courtesy of NorthAmerican Van Lines, here is a checklist of things to do to prepare to move:
Two-Three Weeks

* Fill and transfer prescriptions for family and pets. Pack them to travel with you.
* Arrange for shipment of plants and pets. Get immunization records for pets.
* Dispose of or give away all flammables.

One Week

* Defrost refrigerator and freezer, plus allow thorough air-drying to prevent mildew. Dispose of persishables.
* Transfer checking and savings accounts.
* Drain fuel and oil from lawnmowers and other power equipment. Drain water hoses.
* Pack items to be carried in the car, and label "Do Not Move."
* Gather valuables from safe deposit box, drawers, jewelry cases as well as personal records. Pack them safely to take with you.
* Send clothing, draperies, curtains, rugs out for cleaning and leave in wrapping. Take down curtain rods, shelves, and TV antenna.
* Have the car serviced for the trip and have proof of insurance in car.

Moving Day

* Remember to pack a box of basics you'll need on move-in day (tools, paper products, all-purpose household cleaners, etc.) Be sure to have it loaded last so that it will be first off at your new home.
* Pack suitcases for trip. Remove all bed linens.
* Be available to check items on inventory sheet. .
* Conduct a last minute walk through with your van operator. Make sure windows are closed, closets empty, lights out and doors locked.

Dos and Don'ts

* Do keep your copy of inventory, Bill of Lading, Order for Service, Estimate, household booklet, numbers to call, etc. with you at all times when moving begins. Don't pack these items with the shipment.
* Do carefully wrap liquids, cleansers, and shampoos in plastic wrap or liners.
* Don't pack paint, bottles of bleach, gas cans, or other inflammables. It is against federal law for movers to transport flammables and combustibles.
* Do back up your PC with copies of all your files. Put in a scratch diskette to park your hard drive. Try to pack the PC in its original carton. Remove CD's from your player before packing and put the discs back in their cases. Wrap multi-play cartridges separately.
* Do moisten plants before placing them in cartons. Know that professional movers are prohibited from moving plants unless delivery is scheduled within 24 hours or is less than 150 miles away.
* Do have your appliance motors bolted to ensure safe arrival.



Since 1989 dan the roommate man has helped 1000's of people find roommates. Need help? Contact him at 800-487-8050 or www.roommateexpress.com

The Lore And Beauty Of Turquoise

Lee Dobbins

Turquoise has been sought after for centuries for it's beauty and healing powers. Well known for it's uses in Native American jewelry and carvings, it has been used for centuries and dates back to ancient Egypt as evidenced by turquoise jewelry found in the ancient Egyptian tombs.

This popular stone can range in color from vivid sky blue to a yellowish green color and is found in mines all over the world. Although quite porous in nature, most turquoise has been stabilized for use in modern jewelry which renders it less apt to chip and protects it from discoloration due to exposure from body oils. Turquoise can be strung as beads, carved into animal fetishes and combined with a variety of other stones to make striking handmade jewelry.

Turquoise gem stones are reputed to have powerful healing properties. This stone is said to help with public speaking as well as enhance calmness and creativity. The wearer of turquoise my also notice improved wisdom and honesty as well as a new sense of empathy. It has also been used to help enhance relationships, strengthen the bond in friendships and allow one to have a better connection with their inner self. It's healing properties are associated with the respiratory, skeletal and digestive systems and has long been used to cleanse the body of toxins.

Turquoise is mined in many places around the world including Iran, China, Turkey, Persia, Egypt adnNorth America. The color of the stone depends on the minerals that are in the ground. Blue stones are found where copper is present, green stones are found where iron is present a yellowish green stone which is quite rare is found where zinc is present and the White Buffalo turquoise found in Nevada is mined where there are no minerals present.

If you wear turquoise jewelry, take care to clean it carefully. This porous stone can be easily damaged if submerged in chemical cleaners. Never use steam or ultrasonic cleaners for your gemstone jewelry. The gentlest method of cleaning is to dip a Q-tip in warm soapy water and wipe the stone with that - wipe again with plain water to remove any soap residue.


Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of Artisan Jewelry Online where you can learn more about turquoise jewelry.

10 Easy Ways To Promote Your Website For Cheap Or Free
Jen Merkel

Please consider this article for your website or newsletter - printed or virtual. Permission to reprint if byline stays intact and links are activated on the Internet. You may make minor formatting changes or correct any typos. If you use it, please notify me and send a copy of your publication.

TITLE: 10 Easy Ways To Promote Your Website For Cheap Or Free
AUTHOR: Jen Merkel, Freelance Writer
WORD COUNT: 1,482
URL: http://jenmerkel.bravehost.com
Mailto: jen.merkel@cox.net

"10 Easy Ways To Promote Your Website For Cheap Or Free"
© 2004 Jen Merkel

You've built your website and you're quite proud of it. The graphics look nice, it has a few interesting pieces of information and it showcases your subject perfectly. But how do you draw people to it and get that hit counter climbing without breaking the bank? You've got your meta tags in place but you just can't afford to pay the humungous fee to be a featured advertiser on a mega-search engine. Here are a few easy and quick ways to publicize your website which are either cheap or free.

1. Link Exchanges

One of the most effective ways to get traffic moving into your site is to list it as a link on other sites of interest to your target market. If you don't already know of another site similar to yours, just do a Google search using a few appropriate keywords. By using Google to do a search on the words "link exchange" you will also find entire sites - some free, some with a fee - with directories of sites willing to exchange links. Once you find a site, see if they have a links page and scan it to make sure yours would be a good fit. Usually instructions on exchanging links are somewhere on the website, but if they're not simply e-mail the webmaster or site owner and ask if they have a link exchange program. Be sure your site does not compete with theirs. After all, you will have to reciprocate with a link to their site on your own. Corporate sites don't normally do link exchanges, you will have much better luck with a site owned by an individual or small business. If you don't have a banner, you can create one for free online. A very user-friendly site for this is www.addesigner.com, but there are several others out there as well.

2. Join a Web-Ring

Web-Rings are a way of driving traffic to your site from others similar to yours. You simply place a web-ring banner on your home page using specified HTML code and you're automatically part of the network. When a visitor clicks on the web-ring banner at one member's site, they are directed to the next site in the web-ring, potentially yours. There are some things to consider when joining a web-ring. For example, when one of your site's viewers clicks on your web-ring banner, they are being directed off your site onto someone else's. If you join a web-ring, find one matching the interests of your target market that doesn't have a large number of members competing with you. For example, if your site sells aquariums, join a site for tropical fish enthusiasts rather than one with for people who sell pet products.

3. Host a Contest

Everyone loves to win a contest, and if yours offers something of value to your target market you can spark a lot of interest. The prize doesn't have to be big - maybe a $10.00 gift certificate, a set of books, a pretty piece of jewelry you purchased on closeout, or of course one of your products. You may be able to get prize donations from your link partners or others in your network simply by offering them credit and a link on your site throughout the contest. It's also smart to offer extra entries to a contestant if they refer someone else - word of mouth (or e-mail) is extremely powerful!

4. Win an Award

This may take some legwork on your part, but it could be well worth it in the end. If your site is rich in content and appealing to the eye, you have a good chance of winning some sort of web award. Simply do your Google search on "website award" or "site of the day" and research the links for application procedures. If you win, the payoff will be the privilege of posting an award banner on your home page for all to see. The site hosting the award will literally be sending visitors to you by way of a link.

5. Put a Link in Your Signature Line

The easiest and quickest way to get publicity for your site is to put a link in your signature line. Every e-mail you send will announce your site, and including an enticing one-line ad such as "enter our contest to win a $10.00 gift certificate" will likely increase your traffic.

6. Join an E-mail Group

In case you aren't familiar with e-mail groups, they are basically networks of people with a common interest or purpose, using e-mail to communicate to each other. Using a single e-mail address, you can send a message to a whole group of people with interests similar to yours. Rest assured, no matter what your target market is, there is an e-mail group for it. It is important to keep in mind that most frown upon advertising and all ban spamming, however you are usually allowed to put a link in your signature line and make special announcements. Just be sure you actually contribute to the discussion - don't just assume you can use the list for free advertising or you will be shunned very quickly. Two of the most popular websites for e-mail groups are Yahoo Groups (http://groups.yahoo.com) and Topica (http://www.topica.com), both of which offer free memberships.

7. Publish a Newsletter

It can be sent daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, but be sure you send it out on a regular basis. Mine is published weekly on Fridays without fail. My readers have learned to look for it and I'd never consider letting them down by missing a deadline. Aside from being consistent, it is a cardinal rule to offer something of value to your readership. Don't use it solely as a venue for advertising - there are plenty of places to put text links and banner ads within it. To maintain readers, you will need to include some helpful information as well. If you aren't much of a writer, there are articles available on the web that are free for publication, providing you include a link to the writer's website and a promotional paragraph. If you have a hard time finding these, consider posting a call for submissions on writers' websites offering $5.00 and free promotion via a byline. You will be pleasantly surprised how many people respond with fresh and well-written ideas.

8. Purchase Advertising

Think advertising is expensive? Think again. There are countless inexpensive opportunities for advertising on the Internet. Start by looking for sites which target the same market you do, providing they don't directly compete with yours. Chances are they have a link for people interested in advertising on their site. If you can't find it, simply e-mail the webmaster or site owner and inquire. Another option is to do a search on eBay. Many sites put banner ad placement on auction. You can find ad spots on eBay for as little as $5.99, but remember, it is an auction, and someone could easily beat you out. I recently saw a banner ad auction get up to $269.00. Don't forget however, because it's an auction, you have the power to limit the amount you will pay a your maximum bid. It is important to have a banner ready to go, since you will usually need to obtain permission from the website's owner before bidding on the auction. Always read the terms of the auction carefully, to make sure you understand the dates your banner will be up and exactly where it will be placed.

9. Promoting Your Business Using an Online Network

Just starting to catch on is a unique way to network with other small businesses by way of shared advertising. The basic idea is to swap business cards, flyers, or coupons (called "fillers") for your site with other small business owners. They will put your fillers in their customer orders and you will put their fillers in your orders. Many groups put together bags or packs with a compilation of member fillers along with other goodies the recipient will enjoy. These can be given out at area businesses, schools, day care centers, parties... the list is endless. If you have trouble finding a networking group think about starting one of your own.

10. Write an Article

With a little work and a free morning, you should be able to put together a couple of paragraphs for a "how-to" piece on your area of expertise. Just be certain it somehow relates to your website. Use your article in your own newsletter or search on writers' websites for sites or e-zines looking for articles that may be a good fit for your piece. Whether or not they pay for publication they will be an excellent way to get the word out about your site. Just be sure to keep your byline brief and don't reference your website within your article unless absolutely necessary.

Jen Merkel is a freelance writer living in Chandler, Arizona with her husband and two children. Working from her virtual office, Jen offers business writing services (press releases, proposals, etc.) as well as assistance with meeting and incentive planning. Please visit her website at http://jenmerkel.bravehost.com or send her an email at jen.merkel@cox.net.

Jen Merkel lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband and two children. Working from her virtual office, she offers business writing services (such as press releases, reports and proposals) as well as meeting planning assistance. Please visit her website at http://jenmerkel.bravehost.com or email her at jen.merkel@cox.net.

Expanding Investments lead to Living In Style

Ida Byrd-Hill

Everyone secretly desires to be the 'Rich and Famous', whether it is on the local, national or worldwide scene. We spend our lives chasing this desire. We strive to live in a spacious home in an affluent neighborhood decorated by a professional interior designer. We enroll our children in prestigious private or public schools to acquaint ourselves with the finer things in life. We join social clubs to have access to the mover and shakers in the world. We adorn our bodies with the best jewelry, clothes and accessories that money can buy clubs outfitted in designer clothes We, even, jetset amongst the wealthy at exotic locations around the world.

Yet we miss the basic concept that makes the 'Rich and Famous' who they are. They are the rich and famous as these individuals live a life where they consciously map out their life's purpose and direction. They set out to achieve that purpose within a profitable career whether it is in sports, showbiz, business or medicine. Consequently, they have large investment and bank accounts. Their accumulation of assets-cash and real estate- allows them to live a care free life of peace and harmony. They are able to accumulate these assets as they do not pay full price for their designer products, whether it is cars, clothes, houses or jewelry. They seek near wholesale price for every luxurious purchase they make. They buy STRATEGICALLY. We do not as we pay full retail price for these same status symbols to be considered the 'Rich and Famous.' Since our real desire is to escape depression, stress and anxiety by living a carefree life like the 'Rich and Famous' we should seek to BUY STRATEGICALLY.

LIVING IN STYLE is an attitude of success. A mindset of peaceful harmonious living fueled by financial accumulation. Living In Style is a philosophy of refining one's personality, lifestyle and culture to fit their life purpose. This website is dedicated to those individuals who have chosen to pursue this refinement every day, yet desire to be surrounded by luxurious items.

Seek that carefree life. Seek financial accumulation. Seek luxurious living here at LIVING IN STYLE.


Ida B. Byrd-Hill was the President of The Harvard Group Wealth Management L.L.C. for 10 years. She created investment portfolios, insurance plans and residential/ commercial financing. She is President of Livinginstyleonline.com She has served as guest columnist for the Michigan Front Page for 2 years and a speaker for the Better Investing television show hosted by David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber.

Attract Media Coverage Without Spending Advertising $$
June Campbell

Advertising is expensive. PR is often low cost or free.
Try these ten tips for attracting free PR to your business. But here is a word of caution. When sending press releases to the media, remember that less is more. The journalist who encounters a press release from your company every week learn to ignore anything with your name on it.

1. Capitalize on an Anniversary
Is your business having a significant anniversary? Tenth year in business? Ten thousandth customer served? Five thousand books sold? Arrange some sort of celebration, draft a press release and contact your local media. You can never tell. You must might coverage from the local newspaper, radio or television station.

2. Donate Something
Does your networking group have draws for door prizes? Offer to donate the prize, then give something that's heavily branded with your businesses name and contact information. Similarly, find out if local charities are engaged in fund raising opportunities. Offer one of your products or services as a prize or to be auctioned.

3. Host a Special Event
Have a Singles Night, a Kid's Night, or a Senior Citizen's Night. Send a press release to your local media. A supermarket did a smashing business following a well publicized Singles Night complete with dancing in the aisles, games and contests.

4. Sponsor Something
Provide sponsorship at a trade show, a convention, a sporting event, or an arts festival. Sponsor a local kid to attend an event in another city. Sponsor a kid's sports team. Offer a scholarship to help a young person attend university. Remember to send the press release.

5. Decorate Creatively
Put up a stunning decoration or window display for the Holidays, or for spring, or fall, or in recognition of some particular event in your city. Then invite the media to take a look. The key is to have something unique or original that'll warrant pictures and video taping.

6. Write Articles
If you're in business, you're an expert on some topic. Write articles on your area of expertise. Submit them to local or national media, magazines, web sites, trade journals or other pertinent publications. Your article should not be a promotion of your business, but should inform readers about a topic of interest. Accountants might write articles on tax tips, for example, or florists could write about plant care.

7. Let Them Know You're an Expert
When newsworthy stories become available, media often look for a local expert for quotes and comments. Contact your local or national media, and let them know you are available to comment on topics within your area of expertise. Suppose your expertise is ecommerce, for example. Next time your local paper has an ecommerce-related story, they just might contact you for a comment. You (and your business) will get some excellent and cost-free publicity.

8. Get T-shirts and Go Public
Decorate t-shirts with your company's logo. Sign up your staff to participate in charity walks and other community events. Ensure that everyone wears the t-shirts.

9. Donate Something to a Local Charity
Donate books, used computers, products or services to a school or charity. In one community, local businesses attracted enormous publicity by organizing an event in which they outfitted adolescent youth from low-income families for the spring prom. Participating clothing shops, beauticians, florists, even taxi companies got in on the act and attracted enormous publicity while doing good works.

10. Publicize a New Product, Service or Research Finding
Have something new to offer? If it's at all unique in your area, write your press release and send it to media and trade journals. Even if you get mentioned in the gossip column of a trade journal, it's still good publicity!

11. Offer Something Unique
Local shops in one community worked together to hold a Men's Night and shortly before the Holidays. Males received assistance in purchasing lingerie, perfumes, jewelry and accessories for the woman in their lives. It was a new concept in the area and a big success. The media loved it.

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June Campbell is a self-employed writer. Her work has appeared internationally in print and electronic publications.

How to Choose Fine Pearls

Amanda Raab

Pearls are very alluring and hold a quality that both defines elegance and natural beauty. There are more varieties and availability of pearls today than ever before. The "cultured pearl" now rivals with fine diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
Today most pearls are cultured, meaning that the mollusk is purposely inserted with an irritant or "nucleus" from which it creates a pearl. A better way to think of the difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls is to think of the natural pearl as a result of the mollusk working alone and the cultured pearls as a product of nature being helped by science. Cultured pearls are not "fake" like many people may think. The culturing process takes from two to three years and is a very delicate process. The pearl farmers have little control on what the outcome of the pearl will look like or if the mollusk will reject the nucleus. Not all pearls are fine quality or even desirable at all. The end result is ultimately a consequence of nature.
Choosing pearls that are of the best quality are determined by luster, nacre thickness and quality (the outer layer), color, surface perfection, shape, and size. The biggest factor of pearl quality is nacre thickness and quality which determines how long the pearl will last. Nacre thickness determines the longevity of the pearl and nacre quality determines how light reflects through the layers of the pearls. High luster and iridescence come from high quality nacre and any pearl with these characteristics has quality, thick nacre. When judging nacre look for uniform iridescence, intensity of luster, cracks and peeling, estimate thickness near the drill hole between the nacre and the shell bead (nacre is lighter). Pearls are very thick with at least .5 mm on all pearls, thick with at least.5mm on most pearls, medium with between .35 and .5 mm on most pearls, and thin with .25 mm or less on most pearls.
Luster is also important and one of the first factors to notice. Luster is an intense brightness that illuminates from within the pearl rather than just being "shiny" like in imitation pearls. The intense brightness results from light being reflected throughout the numerous layers of nacre. Quality pearls will have a sharp contrast between the brightest area where direct light is hitting the pearls and the shaded area creating an illusion of a "ball within the pearl." Check for luster by examining them under a fluorescent lamp and rolling them from side to side to examine uniform luster. Examine pearls over a light gray or white material and never black because it is harder to see the true quality of the pearl.
Pearl color is also important. When choosing pearls note there body color and overtones. The most desirable and more rare white pearls have "rose" colored overtones. Cream colored pearls are more affordable because they are less rare. Also, pearls can have tones rated in intensity. Darker toned pearls are more desirable and expensive compared to lighter toned pearls. Many natural body colors are available in pearls including white, black, gray, blue, gold, pink, and green. Distinctive colored pearls are rarer and harder to find. Have a qualified gemologist check the pearls to make sure they have not been dyed, especially for costlier pearls like the black or golden varieties.
Examine pearls' surface for blemishes. Although is best to check for most pearl characteristics on a light background, it is best to check for blemishes on a dark background. Check in both intense and diffused light. No pearls are perfect and small blemishes can be sacrificed for more important quality like nacre and luster. Pearls with higher luster conceal blemishes better.
When choosing pearls also consider shape. There are three pearl shapes including symmetrical, spherical, and baroque. The spherical is the rarest and most desirable. Symmetrical pearls include teardrop or pear-shaped pearls and desirable but usually less expensive than spherical pearls. Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped and often the least expensive.
Size should also be taken into consideration. Larger cultured pearls are rarer and more expensive. Akoya pearls over 7 � millimeters are much more costly and prices dramatically rise with each � millimeter over 8 millimeters. South Sea and Tahitian pearls also have high increase in price when size is over 15 millimeters.
One more factor to consider in pearls is the precision in matching the pearl quality in a string of pearls. It is important to take all of the above factors in consideration when matching the pearls. Graduated pearls also take careful matching. Pearl matching affects the value of the jewelry because when pearls are not matched properly it takes away from the appearance of the jewelry. Also, make sure the pearls are all drilled in the center so they lay properly. Off-center drilled pearls will not lay correctly and reduces the value of the piece.
It is always important to get a independent laboratory report when in doubt of pearl enhancements that may have been employed to make the pearls appear more valuable. Make sure the person appraising the pearls is a Graduate Gemologist (GG) which is the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA)highest award.
Other things to consider when purchasing pearls include finding out what the merchant's return policy is. Make sure they have at least a 30-day full refund policy.
Pure Pearls at www.purepearls.com is an excellent place to find fine quality pearl jewelry including Akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls, and Freshwater pearls. Pure Pearls has all of its pearl pieces appraised by a Graduate Gemologist and offers a 45-day guaranteed satisfaction policy.

President Of Pure Pearls
http://www.purepearls.com
Classic. Timeless. Luxury

The lowdown on new orleans travel
Mansi gupta

The beautiful city cuddled around the curve of the Mississippi River, known for its cuisine, music and culture, is the metropolis New Orleans. This vibrant city summons many a visitors every year. Its more than a few attractions are cherished by tons of people across the globe.

Getting Acquainted With the Place

New Orleans is quite an old city that has a profound sense of art and architecture, culture and people. Certain historic buildings like the U.S Mint Building and the Lousiana History Museum have always accepted attention of the visitors.

The French Quarter is an eminent area in New Orleans. The Quarter speaks about the marvelous European architecture, history, legends and the like. The Bourbon St. bars is an all time entertainment bar or club for the adults. Once you step out of French Quarter, a horde of hotels and restaurants welcome you. The IMAX theatre, Riverwalk shops and Harrah's casino are particularly very famous here.

The Storyland at the City Park of New Orleans is believed to be a wonderland park. The Six Flags amusement park, the Audubon Park and the Zoological Gardens that have more than a thousand animals are amongst the magnets of New Orleans.

The Jackson Square area of New Orleans is teeming with artists, musicians, mimes and fortune tellers, needs no introduction. People from all over the world visit this place on their vacation to New Orleans. The French Quarter is brimming with shopping malls and shops. From glittering jewelry to exclusive souvenir, everything is readily available. There are also antique shops for those who have a taste of antiques. The French Market at New Orleans is known for the bargain. The market is basically devoted to the farmers as well as to flea.

Once you are tired of running around to shop, enjoy a wonderful coffee at the Caf� Du Monde. The caf� is considered to be the home of beignet and chicory coffee.
The �shotgun' houses at New Orleans are meant to admire the exclusive and peculiar architecture. The rooms in these houses are lined one behind the other such that a single shot fired from outside the front door would go out from the back door without hitting anything. The D- Day Museum at New Orleans that exhibits the history of World War II, has its own glory and charm.

There are different tours to explore New Orleans to the fullest. Thses tours are quite informative and adventurous. For instance on a swamp tour you get to know the concept behind the above ground cemeteries in the city. You also get an opportunity to feed the alligators, see the grand homes and gardens in the Garden District and many such things.
A ghost tour, relished especially by the kids will take you to the haunted St. Philip Street. While on a Southern Comfort Cocktail Tour you will enjoy the restaurants, bars and hotels of the city along with the fables attached to them. The Honey Island Swamp tour is specifically meant for the kids to enjoy this nature preserve and eerie houses like Gris-Gris.

The distinguished pulls of New Orleans are incomplete without the festivals celebrated here. The principal festival of the year is the Mardi Gras in February. This is followed by the crawfish festival in March, the Jazz Heritage festival and the French Quarter Festival in April or May. The July visitors can enjoy the fireworks that happen to be on the 4th of July, Satchmo festival in August subsequent to which are the festivals for tomatoes, catfish, plants etc. in September. Finally there is the grand Christmas celebration that draws everyone's thought and concentration. Almost all the festivals are festooned at least with fireworks and parades.

New Orleans has earned a significant name in the area of sports. The city is a host to many sports concerts all round the year. These festivals make New Orleans a destination worth vacationing all round the year.


Mansi gupta writes about new orleans travel topics.

Celebrating the ME in MumME

Here is a useful guide to the bad credit personal loan. If you find yourself in need of extra money but without the good credit needed for an unsecured loan, you may want to consider getting a bad credit secured loan. These loans require you to place some item or property in the lender's trust as collateral for the loan, and should you not repay the loan then they are free to sell the item that you granted them as collateral. Some lenders require that you turn over the collateral to them in order to get your bad credit secured loan, but many will allow you to keep the collateral.

What are common collateral items?
Common items that are used as collateral for a bad credit secured loan include items like automobiles and real estate, though precious jewelry or other items are also used from time to time. When using an automobile or piece of real estate, the person seeking the bad credit secured loan is often able to keep their car or house; they simply turn over the deed or title to the finance company or other lender who is then granted a legal claim to it until the loan has been repaid.

Where can you find a bad credit secured loan?
While not all banks and lenders are willing to offer a bad credit secured loan, many finance companies will take the risk. You may wish to shop around at various finance companies and lenders, finding out which ones offer bad credit secured loans and what interest rates they charge (though the interest rates will likely be higher than they would be for a loan through a bank.) You might also wish to check out bad credit secured loan providers on the internet, checking out the lenders a bit more since you don't want to get caught up in an internet scam. Once you've compared the interest rates at several establishments, pick the one that offers the best terms and see them about getting your bad credit secured loan.

When you apply for your bad credit secured loan, remember that the amount that you'll be offered is up to the lender, and may be a lot less than the actual value of your collateral. You should also make sure that you only borrow as much as you need, not as much as you can get� after all, the more that you borrow then the more you'll have to pay back (and if you don't then you'll lose your collateral.) A bad credit secured loan can help you to get back on track, but you need to make sure that you don't get in over your head.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:


A Guide to the Bad Credit Personal Loan
John Mussi

Here is a useful guide to the bad credit personal loan. If you find yourself in need of extra money but without the good credit needed for an unsecured loan, you may want to consider getting a bad credit secured loan. These loans require you to place some item or property in the lender's trust as collateral for the loan, and should you not repay the loan then they are free to sell the item that you granted them as collateral. Some lenders require that you turn over the collateral to them in order to get your bad credit secured loan, but many will allow you to keep the collateral.

What are common collateral items?
Common items that are used as collateral for a bad credit secured loan include items like automobiles and real estate, though precious jewelry or other items are also used from time to time. When using an automobile or piece of real estate, the person seeking the bad credit secured loan is often able to keep their car or house; they simply turn over the deed or title to the finance company or other lender who is then granted a legal claim to it until the loan has been repaid.

Where can you find a bad credit secured loan?
While not all banks and lenders are willing to offer a bad credit secured loan, many finance companies will take the risk. You may wish to shop around at various finance companies and lenders, finding out which ones offer bad credit secured loans and what interest rates they charge (though the interest rates will likely be higher than they would be for a loan through a bank.) You might also wish to check out bad credit secured loan providers on the internet, checking out the lenders a bit more since you don't want to get caught up in an internet scam. Once you've compared the interest rates at several establishments, pick the one that offers the best terms and see them about getting your bad credit secured loan.

When you apply for your bad credit secured loan, remember that the amount that you'll be offered is up to the lender, and may be a lot less than the actual value of your collateral. You should also make sure that you only borrow as much as you need, not as much as you can get� after all, the more that you borrow then the more you'll have to pay back (and if you don't then you'll lose your collateral.) A bad credit secured loan can help you to get back on track, but you need to make sure that you don't get in over your head.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:



John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

The Informal Normal in a Black-Tie-Affair World