Oh, you poor boys.

Some of you read this blog because you’re looking for help in navigating the stormy waters of gift selection. Some of you are hoping that we’ll throw you a bone and write about men’s jewelry. Maybe some of you even wandered in by mistake and are waiting for me to give you a reason to stick around.

Well, we hope you’re happy. We’re introducing a new regular feature just for men called (what else?) “Just for Men.”

And to kick off this new segment, I’d like to address the number one thing that men want to find here.

An important decision to make.

Next to picking the girl to give it to, picking out an engagement ring is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

A lot of guys have been telling me that they need help. Most men have spent their entire lives NOT thinking about jewelry, and then they’re suddenly thrust into a position where they have to make a HUGE purchase.

Some of you are tempted to panic. What if you get the wrong ring? What if you pay too much? What if she hates it so much she dumps you?

Well, here are Olivia’s top three tips to make sure that you get a ring that will WOW the love of your life!

Counting down:

3. Be Prepared.

Delicious, but not quite right for this occasion.

You know what’s disappointing? You decide to marry the woman of your dreams and then discover that you only have enough money to buy her a Ring Pop.

This is where the Boy Scout Motto comes in handy: “Be prepared.”

Even if you don’t know who she is yet, it couldn’t hurt to have enough money saved. Start squirreling money away into a savings account. Even if it seems premature, saving is generally a good idea. You never know when you might meet The One. And, trust me, nothing will impress her more than if you have the means to buy her a nice ring — not because she’s materialistic, but because YOU’RE practical.

And, trust me, nothing will impress her less than if you have to wait to propose for six months after you decide you want to marry her, while you save up to buy her a decent symbol of your affection.

2. Do Your Homework.

Research is good.

Knowing what to buy is good. But there’s no need to make it hard on yourself. Learn about different options for bands. Learn about different options for stones. Learn about how to know a good quality stone when you see one.

Most importantly, don’t do things the hard way. Let others do the legwork for you. Check the web for the essentials — specifically, keep checking out our blog. We’re looking out for you.

1. Your Greatest Resource

If she’s going to be the Maid of Honor, chances are she’s your greatest ally.

Utilize the best friend/sister. Most guys want to surprise their lady with the ring, which means that a lot of them are on their own when it comes to ring shopping. This is also what leads to the panic and the hopelessness.

Don’t do that to yourself. Ask her closest girlfriend or sister for help. Most girls love to talk about their dream ring. She is your inside track to everything that your future fiancee wants.

Hopefully, this can save you some time and headache as you prepare for one of the biggest moments of your life. We hope you check back soon for more tips and tricks from everybody’s favorite jewelry blog!

Helpfully,
Olivia

Most of you have it in your jewelry boxes. Some of you are even wearing it now. All of you have heard of it. And we should all know exactly what it is.

I’m talking about sterling silver.

Pure silver is extremely malleable — far too soft to hold a functional shape for very long. Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal added for strength, usually copper.

The downside to adding copper for strength is that copper is much more reactive than silver. While silver doesn’t react with oxygen or water at room temperature, copper does. Sterling silver does tend to tarnish because of its copper content.

However, if your sterling silver jewelry becomes tarnished, you can clean it yourself at home!

Method #1
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Use a soft cloth to rub away the tarnish and then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Method #2
Line the bottom of a saucepan with aluminum foil. Fill the pan with 2-3 inches of water. Stir in one teaspoon each of baking soda and salt, and bring to a boil. Add your silver and boil for 2-3 minutes. Make sure that the pieces are all covered with water.

Remove silver from pan, rinse, and dry thoroughly, buffing with a soft cloth.

Method #3
Toothpaste. You heard me. Toothpaste. Not gel, but paste — the white stuff. Put a nice coat of it on your silver, run it under warm water, and work up a good lather. Rinse off and dry thoroughly.

To get at the tarnish in the crevices, you could use an old toothbrush to get into those hard-to-reach places.

But before you get started, make sure that none of these methods will harm any other materials (such as gemstones) in the piece.

And now let’s take a look at some jewelry that really helps sterling silver to shine as it should!

David Yurman Sterling Silver Tiger Ring, $850 at saksfifthavenue.com.

This solid cocktail ring boasts a sleek tiger design in iron. It really shows how powerful sterling silver can be. After all, sterling silver is nothing if not — pardon the expression — fierce.

Ippolita Silver Gladiator Cuff, $595 at saksfifthavenue.com

Ippolita’s Gladiator Cuff recalls ancient Greece with this simple, but powerful design. It allows the silver to shine as it was meant to, and the hammered look gives it the feel of antiquity. It’s truly a modern way to wear a classic look.

Slane & Slane Sterling Silver Tassel Pendant and Necklace, $870 at neimanmarcus.com.

The early buzz on the latest jewelry is that bees are the new butterflies. And this chunky necklace is about as “now” as it gets when it comes to sterling silver. I love this season’s thicker proportions and heavy pieces. They feel more substantial. You can believe you’ve gotten your money’s worth when you feel the weight of this pendant at your throat.

So to all of you out there who can now say that you know exactly what sterling silver is, remember: it may not be 100% silver, but you can bet it’s the real thing.

Yours Truly,
Olivia

When people make significant investments, they know that, in order to get the best return on that investment, they have to protect them. That’s why we get oil changes, redecorate our living rooms, and read our financial statements.

Why should we treat our favorite jewelry any differently?

Many women own expensive jewelry. Most married women at least have a wedding band and an engagement ring to think about. And even we single gals can’t afford to be cavalier about our accessories.

So what can we do to protect our investments?

• Get a jewelry box. When your jewelry is all thrown together, earring backs can scratch pearls, diamonds can scratch gold, and so on.
• Store easily damaged pieces in cloth or plastic bags. Pearls are particularly vulnerable to scratches, and plastic bags can hinder tarnishing.
• Store jewelry away from sunlight and humidity. Light can cause gems to fade over time, while moisture can corrode metals.
• Store beaded necklaces flat. Don’t hang them; the silk or nylon strings holding them together will stretch out over time.
• Clean gemstones regularly. Most gems can be cleaned in a solution of mild liquid detergent and water and buffed with a soft-bristled brush. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Never wear jewelry while applying cosmetics or hair products. Chemicals could collect on your jewelry, resulting in build-up or even chemical corrosion.
• Never wear jewelry while exercising. Not only can sweat and oils harm your gems, but if your jewelry snags on a piece of equipment or clothing, it can harm you.

With proper care, your favorite pieces will give you back more than your money’s worth. If you take care of them, they will take care of you.

Lookin’ Out for You,

Olivia