Tara Nash

Every jewelry piece represents an investment of some kind, perhaps a token of sentimentality—doesn’t it make sense that you’d go out of your way to protect that? This week, we’d like to focus on cleaning and caring for specific jewelry articles.

Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. It’s a relatively sturdy metal, although it should be hand polished if deep etching is present. One natural enemy sterling silver has is rubber, which corrodes silver on contact—leave your rubber gloves in their drawer when handling your pieces! Also avoid acids such as vinegar, salad dressing, and fruit juices. To clean, try making a paste with water and baking soda, then rub, rinse, and polish.

Gold doesn’t tarnish, but it can be dulled by oil from your body, make-up, and various types of lotions. To clean, put a little hand soap into a bowl of warm water. Clean carefully, then blot dry with a soft towel. Remember to stay away from abrasive cleaning tools such as stiff brushes or scouring pads.

Antique jewelry should be handled with the utmost care, and kept away from hot liquids, as this may melt any glue holding stones in place. Use a very mild or liquid cleaner specifically designed for jewelry. For hard-to-reach areas, use a soft toothbrush to help with the cleaning. Remember to blot dry: never store your jewelry wet!

Until next time,
Tara Nash
www.taranash.com

You know how to get a great value for your gold: selling it at a gold party where you can get free evaluations or consulting one of us at Tara Nash to discuss how much you could make by moving on from your unwanted pieces. But before you pick up the phone, some of our do-it-yourself fans may want to know a few strategies. There are a few at-home tests you can run to get a feel of how much your piece may be worth. Here’s the lowdown:

Search for the Stamp. Most gold items, rings, and bands are stamped with a mark that provides you with the karat, or gold content. A “24K” stamp indicates pure gold, while 18K is 75% pure, 14K is about half, and 10K is 42% pure. Obviously, the higher the karat content of your item, the greater its worth!

Weight. You don’t need a fancy scale for this one. Simply stated, the more your items weigh, the more gold is present, and thus the more money you’ll earn by selling. You can get a rough idea by hand. If you have a scale capable of measuring ounces, it can get you an even better idea about value.

Visual Inspection: Does your item have resale value? Are you selling it, or the value of the gold itself? Does your piece have any stones, or is it an antique? Decide on the inherent value of the piece, and you’ll have an idea of its net worth.

Until next time,
Tara Nash
www.taranash.com

You like to have a good time. You like to earn money, too. That’s why you’ve chosen to host a gold party, an event where you can relax, sell your old gold items—accomplishing both goals at the same time! But before you strap on your dancing shoes, you need to make sure your gold party company measures up. Here are a few issues to touch upon when deciding which vendor is right for you.

- Don’t be afraid to ask for rates. Reputable gold companies are open and honest about how much they’re paying out, and honesty usually translates into low-pressure sales environments.

- If you’re thinking of a fundraiser, get the real scoop. Ask the gold company you’re considering to provide evidence that they’ve handled similar operations in the past.

- Talk to the rep. If you’d like to find out more about the process or bring a gold party representative into your party planning, they should be available to help throughout the process. If your gold party company throws hurdles in your way, perhaps you’d be better off searching elsewhere.

- Above all, make it fun. Anyone can sell gold, but if your gold party has that pizzazz, that spark that can make your special evening even more smashing, go for it!

Tara Nash hosts gold parties that pay out extremely competitively in our region. Our reps are fun and love making parties a success. If you have any questions, please email me by using the contact form here! http://www.taranash.com/contact-us.php

Until next time,
Tara Nash
www.taranash.com

Despite what you think, you don’t need to be a millionare to start a jewelry collection. Antique jewelry is rife with meaning, and obtaining items can be affordable–if you know where to look. Each piece has a historical significance, a uniqueness of origin, and if we’re talking about antiques, a history just as colorful as the stones that adorn it. So when you’re hunting down treasures to add to your collection, keep these sources in mind.

Ebay: Log onto www.ebay.com and type “antique jewelry” into the search engine for thousands of hits. Oftentimes you can snatch up a bargain at many times less than an item’s actual value. I sell vintage jewelry on ebay as well. Bookmark my listings! http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_dmd=1&_in_kw=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_ssn=taranashjewelry&_trksid=p3286.c0.m301

Garage Sales: Watch little old ladies open up their jewelry boxes to the world, you can find rare and extremely valuable articles. The first step: educate yourself. The more you know about the value of antiques, the more confidence you’ll have when shopping.

Antique Dealers: Although you won’t find the bargains you would elsewhere, speciality jewelry stores offer unique pieces that are often crafted by local artisans.

At TaraNash.com:I make custom jewelry items myself that include a unique style, custom fittings, and the stones of your choice. Look through my site and if you’re curious about what I offer, drop me a line!

Signing off for now,
Tara Nash
www.taranash.com

Fundraisers are a powerful way to drive great causes. Before I start off, please excuse the corny title! I wanted to talk about how to attract more visitors to your next fundraiser with TaraNash. All too often, people arrive at funraisers without anything to do besides write a check. Have us at your next event, and we’ll set up our own table and provide free valuations on unwanted and outdated gold and silver jewelry. Your guests will get to see it all happen in front of them—and it’s exciting!

Best of all, having TaraNash at your event doesn’t cost you a thing—we’ll set up our own equipment, and all we require is a table. Your guests can elect to sell on the spot with competitive offers, and 15% of every check written that night will go directly to fund your charity efforts.

We’ve set up at school events, at local church groups, and for various causes that benefit our local community. Best of all, it allows me to connect with great causes and offer our support. If you’ve got an upcoming fundraiser event to plan, let’s chat!

Until next time,
Tara Nash

It’s warm out, and birds are singing: it’s the beginning of June. If you’re a superstitious or sentimental person, you already know that June’s birthstone is the pearl. Yes, birthstones, the same tradition of ascribing a particular gemstone depending on your birth month dates back to biblical times. Tradition suggested everyone wear the birthstone for each month, since the powers of the gemstone were heightened during its month. But what’s the story with pearls? Where do their so-called mystical properties come from?

The Latin word for pearl literally means, “unique”. They’ve been lauded for millennia for their whiteness, clarity, and its reflection on innocence and purity—that’s why they’ve been considered perfect wedding gifts for so long! Most European countries in the 13th and 14th centuries had laws regarding who could and could not wear pearls. Teachers and lawyers, for example, could not wear fringes or chains with pearls. Luckily for you, there are no such restrictions. Happy Birthday to you if you were born in June, and wear you pearls with pride.

Until next time,
www.taranash.com

If you’re passionate about jewelry, keeping your pieces looking pristine can seem like a daunting task. But here’s a few simple tips I recommend that are quick, easy ways to keep your collection looking great.

Don’t jumble your jewelry up. Even diamonds—the hardest substance on Earth—can be chipped by other diamonds. By keeping your jewelry organized, or better yet, in separate containers, you’re protecting them from scratching. Invest in a soft pouch for especially treasured pieces.

When it comes to antiques, take extra precautions. Vintage jewelry is vulnerable to pitting in the presence of excessive moisture—meaning the basement isn’t the ideal place for storage. In addition, keep antique jewelry away from temperature changes, as this may damage the glue holding stones and ornaments in place.

Clean with soap, water, and care. Take your time and stay away from abrasives (like toothpaste) when cleaning jewelry. Gently clean with a soft toothbrush while under soap water, and pat dry with a soft cloth.

With a little care and attention, you can keep your jewelry looking clean and beautiful for years to come.

Until next time,
Tara Nash
www.taranash.com

Jewelry collectors, you’re in luck. Whether your prefer to surf the net or strike out in the real world, there are plenty of locations for you to pick up some amazingly beautiful, or strikingly antique jewelry pieces to add to your collection. In many cases, by shopping around, you can discover some exceptional deals. Here are 3 great places to start.

Ebay: Log onto www.ebay.com and type “antique jewelry” into the search engine for thousands of hits. Oftentimes you can snatch up a bargain at many times less than an item’s actual value. I sell vintage jewelry on ebay as well. Bookmark my listings! http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_dmd=1&_in_kw=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_ssn=taranashjewelry&_trksid=p3286.c0.m301

Yard Sales: Watch little old ladies open up their jewelry boxes to the world, you can find rare and extremely valuable articles. The first step: educate yourself. The more you know about the value of antiques, the more confidence you’ll have when shopping.

Specialty Stores: Although you won’t find the bargains you would elsewhere, speciality jewelry stores offer unique pieces that are often crafted by local artisans.

Right Here: I make custom jewelry items myself that include a unique style, custom fittings, and the stones of your choice. Look through my site and if you’re curious about what I offer, drop me a line!

Until next time,
Tara Nash
www.taranash.com

As you probably already know, birthstones represent the month of your birth—ergo, if you were born in May, you have a spiritual connection to the emerald. Whether you buy into the mythos or not, tracking the qualities of your unique stone can be fun and illuminating.

The name emerald is derived from the French “esmeraude” and the Greek root “smaragdos” which means ‘green gemstone’. Since ancient times, civilizations have treasured the emerald. Egyptians mined the ston in deserts under extremely hot and dangerous conditions, fighting back scorpions and snakes to search for the precious pieces. Cleopatra herself would later claim the emerald mines as her own, as this was her favorite gem.

When worn about your person, the emerald is said to cure and resist poisons—perfect for snake handlers. Emeralds help bring wisdom, drive away evil spirits, protect chastity, and help wearers divine the future. By carrying one with you, you’ll help improve memory and quicken intelligence.

So, May babies, whether you believe in the mystical properties of the stone or simply have a thing for its clear, beautiful green luster, grab ahold of your birthstone—the emerald!

Until next time,
Tara Nash
www.taranash.com

If you’re into antique jewelry, you might be discouraged after looking through catalogs. Ordering individual pieces from established antique dealers is a great way to grow your collection—but it can get pricey. Consider these avenues if you’re looking for vintage pieces and want to save a few bucks in the process.

Ebay – A search on “antique jewelry” returns tens of thousands of results. If you’re a smart sorter, you could find valuable pieces that people are looking to move.

Estate sales – You can connect with estate sales either through online auctions or real-world selloffs when somebody passes away. You’ll be surprised at the amount of vintage jewelry many people have in small, forgotten jewelry boxes.

Craigslist – There are great deals to be found on Craigslist—if you have the patience for it. Remember not to exchange money without having the physical goods in your hands first.

Local shops – Emphasis on local, here. In many cases, local antique shops purchase entire jewelry sets at a time—opening up the way for major discounts.

I wish you luck in your search! If you make some great finds, remember to post pictures on our Facebook page!

Signing off for now,

Tara Nash
www.taranash.com