Cubic zirconia jewelry requires regular cleaning in order to keep its original shine.  It will get dull due to the constant contact with body lotions, soaps, perfumes, hairsprays, make-up and perspiration.  A worn piece of jewelry, or one with loose or missing stones, is most probably one that has never been cleaned.  Too much dirt gets in the metal settings and stones, producing abrasive wear, which will eventually cause the stones to fall.  As weird as it may seem, gemologists consider that, among gems, cubic zirconia is the one with characteristics most similar to diamonds, so it has to be cared for in the same way people care for this precious stone.

In any case, it is actually very easy to keep cubic zirconia jewelry looking sparkling clean, so take the time to give your clients added value and show them how to care for their jewelry pieces to make sure they enjoy them for many years to come.  Just ask them to follow these 7 easy sparkling ways to clean their jewelry:

1.    Use a small brush with soft bristles, a toothbrush will work perfectly.

2.    Use only warm or hot water with a mild liquid dishwashing detergent.  Brush it very well, rinse it, pat dry the jewelry with a clean cloth, and check it.  If it needs more cleaning, soak the pieces in hot water with one part detergent and two parts water, brush again and dry them very well.

3.    Keep the jewelry away from abrasive substances like household chemicals.  Do not wear it when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water.

4.    If the dirt doesn’t come out, take the cubic zirconia to the jeweler or to the jewelry wholesaler to give it a high-pressure steam clean, as it is done with diamonds.

5.    Apply lotions, perfumes, make-up and hairsprays before putting on the jewelry.

6.    Store the cubic zirconia jewelry pieces inside a cloth bag or special section in a jewelry box.

7.    How regularly it should be cleaned depends on how often it is worn, for example, if it is worn every day, clean it at least once a week.

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As a general rule of thumb, gemstones can be classified into three categories; natural, synthetic and simulant.   Obviously, natural gems are mined and cut from minerals.  For example, diamonds come from the mineral carbon.  Organic materials such as pearls, coral and ivory are also considered natural gemstones.

Synthetic gemstones are manmade but for the most part are created to give the gem the same appearance and chemical properties of their natural counterparts.  Some examples of synthetic stones that are commercially produced are alexandrite, emerald, garnet, quartz, and many more.   There are even some synthetic stones produced which do not have a natural partner.

A simulant gem is one that is grown in a laboratory and may look a lot like a natural stone but it will have different chemical and physical properties.  Cubic zirconia is one example of a simulant gemstone, which was first grown in a lab in 1976, and is now commonly used as a fabulous diamond substitute in much of today’s jewelry designs.

The cubic zirconia more closely resembles a diamond than any other stone ever manufactured by man.  It is slightly less hard and reflects slightly less light but is impossible to distinguish from a diamond to the naked eye.  Cubic zirconia, like a diamond, is available in both high and low grades and its price will vary accordingly.

Cubic zirconia is manufactured using what is called a skull melting system.  This system is used due to the fact that cubic zirconia has a very high melting point.  The skull refers to the copper cup in which the powders to grow the crystals are melted.  The hollow walls of the cup are filled with water which keeps the powders next to the wall from melting while the powders in the center are heated and melted to the proper temperature.  As the cup of liquid cools, crystals form and cubic zirconia is created.

Once the crystals have been grown and harvested, it is the responsibility of the gem cutter to cut the stones to the appropriate size and shape. The specifications for cutting the stones are very exact and cutting are a very precise undertaking.  It is always the goal of the gem cutter to use as much as possible of the crystal to create the best quality gems.  Just as with cutting diamonds, the gem cutter will determine the best cut to maximize the refraction of light within the stone, thus giving the stone its clarity and thereby, its value.

As its production methods improve, cubic zirconia continues to remain a popular choice for jewelry designers and consumers alike.  No longer used solely in rings as it once was, cubic zirconia is now becoming an alternative choice among jewelry wholesalers everywhere in the design of earrings, tennis bracelets and other quality pieces.  Its reputation as a diamond substitute is being over shadowed by its popularity as a mainstream diamond alternative.

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If you are looking for ways to increase your jewelry sales, gift certificates are a sure way to go.  Jewelry is a great gift for many occasions, but since it is a very personal one, a gift certificate will allow the person to choose a piece she really likes, and one that complements her personality.

A gift certificate is fairly simple to design, if you have a computer and a printer, you can do it yourself.  Simply choose an elegant template online and fill it out to fit your business, but you can let your imagination run wild and make them into an interesting and appealing thing.  It is great to use photos of your jewelry, ask your jewelry wholesalers for some great pictures or take them yourself, and never forget to put your business card inside the envelope.

Any gift certificate must contain your business name and contact information, a “To:” line and a “From:” line, an “Amount:” line, “Custom orders welcome” legend (in case the client wants to buy a special or customized piece by adding some extra money themselves), a unique certificate number, and a security sticker to ensure its authenticity (it should be accompanied by the legend: “This item has embedded security and is void if not present”.

For your personal records, it is important that you keep a log of the certificates you sell, in this way; you have a way to account for each one of them and to confirm the certificate is real and everything is correct (amount, dates, etc.).

You can allow the buyer to fill the “To:” and “From:” spaces in their own handwriting to make it more personal, but you should always write the dollar amount yourself.

Any gift certificate log must have, at least, the following information:  certificate’s number, purchaser’s name, recipient’s name, date sold, dollar amount, and date redeemed.

You will not sell any certificates if you do not let your customers know that you offer them.  Thus, wherever you show your pieces, always have a sign announcing that you have gift certificates available, and also tell everyone personally while they are looking at the jewelry.  In this way, you have the valuable opportunity of reminding them of the great advantages of buying a certificate for a loved one.

Once someone arrives to redeem the certificate, you will have the chance to sell her more than one piece, maybe something to combine with her chosen gift.

Gift certificates work by attracting clients as if by referral, this means, it can’t get any better!

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Every woman knows the perfect little black dress is the go to fashion item.  You can dress it up or dress it down depending on the occasion.  Most of the time, if we need to dress it up, it is because the occasion is of a more formal nature.  So how do we choose just the right piece of jewelry to take that little black dress from ordinary to extraordinary? Here are a few tips to help:

One of the first caveats of picking out jewels for an event is to do it well in advance.  Plan the jewelry shopping trip as part of the dress and shoe shopping day. Visit your favorite jewelry store or wholesale jewelry distributor and take the time to find exactly what really feels right to you.  There is nothing worse than scrambling to assemble your jewelry at the last minute, so be sure to buy, borrow or rent it well in advance.

Before shopping for your pieces, try to find out just how formal the occasion will be.  You can sometimes know from the invitation itself, from word of mouth, or even from the venue where it will be held.  Just as you wouldn’t want your dress to be to over or under done, the same applies to your jewelry.

If you are attending a very glitzy affair, you might want to dazzle everyone with white gold and diamonds…or cubic zirconia if you’re a really savvy shopper!  If it is a more subdued affair you may want to go with pearls or opals.  When attending a wedding, regardless of how formal it may be, always remember that the only diamond that should be shining that day belongs to the bride!

There is nothing wrong with mixing and matching styles of jewelry either.  Choose pieces that complement each other and you can’t go wrong.  A little vintage mixed with a bit of modern can have quite an impact.

You should also consider your personality when choosing jewelry to match your formal attire.  If you are a quiet, shy person, you will not only look uncomfortable in loud, glaring pieces, but you will feel uncomfortable too.  Likewise, you should consider size in the same way.  If you are very petite, pieces that are too large and chunky will look out of proportion and your attempts to dress up your ensemble will fail.

Just think of choosing the right jewelry to dress up an outfit as being equally important as choosing the outfit itself, and you’ll have no trouble at all taking that little black dress to the next level!

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Just because your budget doesn’t allow you to wear diamonds, doesn’t mean you can’t have classy jewelry.  Many jewelry wholesalers are now providing elegant cubic zirconia rings that look just like the real thing to the retail and online stores where you shop.

One of the reasons that cubic zirconias are hard to tell from diamonds is that they can be cut in the same styles, which in turn means they can be designed in the same types of settings.  When you are considering the design of your ring, it is important to choose a cut as well as a setting that suits you and your lifestyle.

A cubic zirconia is as equally well-suited to a striking solitaire as it is to a cluster setting with many stones.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you should cut costs on the setting because it isn’t a real diamond.  If anything, you should be sure that the setting is of above average quality and the design even more striking, so they can enhance the beauty of the cubic zirconia.  If you are considering a cubic zirconia engagement ring, one of these cuts is sure to be what you’re looking for.

Emerald
The Emerald cut is sometimes also referred to as a Radiant cut.  The emerald cut dates well back into jewelry making but it started to lose popularity in the early 1970s and it started being called the Radiant cut at this time.  It is a rectangular shape with just a few basic cuts into the stone.  As a result, it may not be the most sparkling of cuts but its shape alone gives it a very classy, elegant look.

Brilliant
The round brilliant cut is one of the most popular for solitaire rings.  The angles of the cut produce maximum refraction of light so hence the name brilliant.  Its round shape and polished edges give it a brilliance that is hard to beat.

Princess
The Princess cut is an interesting cut in that it is a really a combination of both step cuts and brilliant cuts which together produce a beautiful design with maximum sparkle.  The large square shape is considered the most traditional by some.

Marquis
A Marquis cut is a very elegant, long, slender stone that is pointed at both ends and appears somewhat rounded in the center.  Longer marquis cuts are best suited to long fingers, but a marquis can be cut shorter if need be.

Pear/Teardrop
The pear or teardrop shape provides both the sparkle and brilliance of a round cut and the longer design of the marquis cut.  It is a little less common so if you’re looking for something a little different, you may prefer this shape.

Other cuts such as heart and oval, as well as new cuts that are being designed all the time are options you have when choosing your cubic zirconia jewelry.

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Cubic zirconia is a man-made diamond that is considered the best of its type in the market.  For centuries, diamonds have been considered the favorite stone for jewelry, but not everyone can afford one of these precious stones, thus, cubic zirconia came along to delight a huge number of women around the globe.

When set in gold or sterling silver, CZ jewelry, as it is also known, can be worn daily without damaging it, except in some specific cases.  In any case, regular care is always vital if you want your jewelry to remain shiny and bright.

Here you will find some tips to take good care of your beautiful cubic zirconia jewelry or to pass along to your clients, in case you are a distributor buying from a jewelry wholesaler, so that it can be enjoyed and showed off in perfect condition for many years, in every and all daily activities, be they professional or leisure ones:

-    Everyday make-up, as well as face and body powder and lotions, can dull the cubic zirconia’s shine.  To prevent this from happening, remove the CZ jewelry, or do not wear it, before applying any of these beauty products.

-    Cubic zirconia jewelry must be put away well protected around a soft cotton cloth that will prevent scratching on its surface to happen.

-    Today’s busy schedules can make you neglect your jewelry’s regular cleaning.  Do not fall into this trap!  Devote time to it; it can be once every two weeks or once a month, to properly care for your CZ jewelry so that you do not lose it just because of your carelessness.  How often you clean it will depend directly on how much you wear it, so be honest with yourself and take good care of your well-spent money.

By following these simple tips you will be surprised at how beautiful your cubic zirconia jewelry will remain overtime and you will ensure that it is ready to wear any time and on every special occasion when you need to complement your already splendid image with a touch of extra shine!

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