Archive for December, 2009
Putting On The Ritz In Sexy Evening Gowns
Today is New Years Eve! While many may opt for a quiet celebration at home, we know a lot of you are going out to ring in the new year in style. While some may opt for a short sexy dress, some of you may be going to quite formal or even black tie affairs…and formal almost always means evening gown.
While there’s always a place for retro, sexy evening gowns have come a long way in the past few years. No longer do you have to look like a teenage prom queen or a badly dresses bride’s maid. While black, white and red are standard colors, evening gowns now come in a full range of colors including purples, oranges, metallic and even sheer meshes. We’ve also noticed a trend toward deeply plunging fronts and extremely low cut backs as well as lots of rhinestone and sequin details.
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’, Catalogs Are Rollin’
It’s the end of 2009 and another year is coming to a close. While the majority of the world is focusing on sending off the old year with a big party and ringing in the new year, manufacturers of sexy clothing are finishing up their catalogs for the upcoming year. Now is the time to visit your favorite websites or retail stores. If there is an item you’ve had your eye on but just haven’t purchased, now might be the time to do it.
Most manufacturers catalogs start to roll over to the new year in January and February and many manufacturers are already beginning to close out and discontinue certain styles or colors they will not be carrying over to 2010. While you may or may not be able to get a bargain or even a discount, the time may be drawing to a close for getting that special something in that perfect color. We’ve already noticed that the manufacturers offering for sexy women’s chaps, plentiful in the past several years, certainly appear to be on the decline.
Back In Black – Sexy Cocktail Dresses
Dressing up doesn’t have to be complicated. If you aren’t used to dressing up, opt for basic black. A little black cocktail dress in a sophisticated black is always a safe option. A foundation dress of basic black can be accessorized in any number of ways.
For short cocktail dresses, you can go with long or short sleeves, spaghetti straps or strapless. One of the sexiest cocktail dresses we’ve seen in a while was a short little strapless cocktail dress that had a long attached sash accented with Swarovski rhinestones.
Dress It Up For New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is fast approaching. Are going to a fancy, formal event or a more casual party at your favorite club? It doesn’t really matter but dressing it up a little can turn a great evening into a fantastic one.
One of the best things about sexy dresses right now is the incredible fabric selections that are available. Fashion trends come and go but right now, there are dresses available in sequins, rhinestones and metallic colors or any combination of these fabrics. Two of the most unique sexy dresses we’ve seen so far this year is the lined laser cut metallic dress and the solid sequin strap or tank dress. Both of these clubwear dresses are a new and unique interpretation of clubwear favorites.
Repairing Rhinestone Belts and Chains
Rhinestone belts are definitely made to wear and, as with any item of clothing, some times, accidents happen. Once a chain, or line, of rhinestones has been broken there are two ways to repair it. The break often occurs when the double “T” connector fails. This is usually the result of the chain being pulled on too tightly, or bent with too much pressure. To be repaired, the damaged “T” and the cup holding it must be removed. Gently straighten the four prongs and remove the stone. With the tip of a pair of needle nose pliers, gently spread the cup open and remove the damaged “T”. Perform the same procedure on the next cup and remove the stone. Then gently spread the cup open and insert the two exposed “T’s” into the cup to repair the chain. Once this is done, gently squeeze the cup closed to secure the “T’s” in place and reset the stones, carefully bending the prongs to secure the stones. The chain is now repaired.
An alternative method of repair is to wire the broken segments to together using a thin wire, such as that found in a twist tie. To repair, wrap the wire around the space before the broken link. Holding the broken segments together, continue to wrap the wire around the space following the break. this should secure the chain so that it is usable. If done correctly, the connection should not be too noticeable.
NOTE: SOLDERING WITH A HOME MODEL SOLDERING GUN WILL NOT HOLD. Also, the heat generated will cause the metal to turn black, and the foil behind the stone will turn dark, making the stone appear black.
How to Care For and Clean Rhinestone Jewelry II
How to Clean Rhinestone Jewelry:
A soft cloth with alcohol is the best way to gently clean rhinestone jewelry. Since the sparkle of rhinestones is the reflection of the foil backing on each stone, it is important: Do Not use any solvent that can destroy or affect this backing. Water and other liquids can cause the foil to separate or tarnish, ruining the rhinestone.
Other than keeping your rhinestone jewelry clean, it is also important to properly store your jewelry. Rather than just tossing your jewelry into a jewelry box, rhinestone jewelry should be stored in an air tight zip lock bag. This will reduce the effect air has on the finish.
Rhinestone jewelry is officially listed internationally as “imitation jewelry.” As such, the metals used are of low quality, meaning that you will rarely, if ever, find rhinestone jewelry which actually uses gold, silver, or other precious metal. The plating will fade over time as a result of exposure to air and body oils. When this happens, there is no way to reverse this. Rhinestone jewelry has a lifespan, and will deteriorate over time, unlike jewelry made of gold or silver.
This shorter “life span” however, is a compromise for price. A simple pair of rhinestone stud earrings may cost $2-$10, whereas a pair of CZ stud earrings set in 10K gold would cost $40-$50, and the same size diamond stud earrings, even with low quality diamonds, may cost $150 or more. Unfortunately, unlike diamonds, rhinestones do not last forever. However, with proper care, you can extend the life of rhinestone costume jewelry for quite a long time.
How to Care For and Clean Rhinestone Jewelry
Rhinestone jewelry is costume jewelry made of base metal, a simple alloy. Most costume jewelry does not contain nickel. Better quality rhinestone costume jewelry uses brass as a base metal. The coatings used vary, but seldom contain real silver or gold. Unlike real silver and gold jewelry, with rhinestone costume jewelry, the silver-tone or gold-tone finish will oxidize and wear off over time. Before we discuss actual cleaning, let’s talk a little about how a piece of rhinestone jewelry is put together. Rhinestones can be set into jewelry in two ways – castings or prong settings:
With castings, a mold is made of base metal and rhinestones are glued into place. This is the least expensive method of producing rhinestone jewelry, and usually uses the lowest quality products.
With prong settings, rhinestones are set in individual cups. point side down, and secured with 4 prongs, one in each corner. Each cup is connected to the next by a double “T” connector forming a chain. The quality of this product is dependant upon the quality of the metal used. The “softer” the metal, the weaker the setting and the more likely the stone will fall out. This chain is formed into the desired design and soldered into place. The smoothness of the soldering is also an indication of the quality of the product.
All That Glitters – Rhinestone Jewelry – Part V
Finally, we come to the rest of the major rhinestone categories. These rhinestones are most commonly used in low end rhinestone jewelry and heat tranfers (that’s how they put elaborate rhinestone designs on shirts, purses, etc). These are the rhinestones most commonly seen on children’s costumes and rhinestone jewelry.
Korean Rhinestones are considered by most to be far inferior to anything produced in Europe at this time. Korean rhinestones are single-cut, which means the backs must be cut, and they are cast, not molded. Korean rhinestones have poor light reflection qualities and are used in low-end heat-transfer work. You can really tell the difference with this rhinestone both up close and from a distance. For the most part, Korean rhinestones simply look like colored glass and do not have the color quality and brilliance of either the Swarovski or Czech rhinestones and the color selection is quite limited.
Acrylic or plastic rhinestones are not rhinestones at all but are merely pieces of plastic shaped to look like rhinestones. These faux rhinestones do not sparkle like real rhinestones because acrylic does not transmit light as does glass or lead crystal. They are best used for children’s wear and stage costumes.
All That Glitters – Rhinestone Jewelry – Part IV
There are two primary categories of Czech rhinestone crystals. The primary difference between these two rhinestones is the lead content. One is a lead crystal rhinestone with a lead content of at least 20% while the other rhinestone is cut glass and contains no lead. It is important to keep in mind that almost all rhinestone jewelry made from high quality rhinestone crystals will have excellent sparkle and shine – regardless of the type or brand of rhinestone used.
Czech Extra Grade Rhinetones: This rhinestone is made by Preciosa. It is double cut (top and bottom only) and facets are molded. The facets are not as sharp as the machine cut, and there is considerable variance in quality of this stone. This is NOT lead crystal, but is glass. Therefore, this stone does not have the brilliance of either Swarovski or Czech Machine cut rhinestones.
Czech Preciosa Rhinestones: Most costume designers select this rhinestone for stage costumes. It is a less expensive, high quality stone that has a greater sparkle when seen from a distance (fewer cut facets equals greater sparkle). The colors are not considered to be quite as brilliant as Swarovski rhinestones but when seen from a distance of greater than about 6 feet, this difference becomes minimally noticeable.
This eight facet stone is considered to be a very high quality lead crystal rhinestone and contains at least 20% lead by weight. While the cut of this rhinestone gives it a greater sparkle from a distance, because they are flatter, the side sparkle is minimal. Also, the crystal is not quite as bright and sparkly due to slightly lower lead content. However, it is often difficult to tell the difference from a distance.
All That Glitters – Rhinestone Jewelry – Part III
Just like any fine crystal, all quality rhinestones are lead crystal. The amount of lead within the rhinestones can range from 20% -30% lead by weight. It is estimated that Swarovski rhinestones contain about 32% lead or lead oxide in them. The lead is used to maximize the way the light refracts through the crystal which gives them an almost diamond-like sparkling quality. Lead crystal is very soft compared to glass and can be damaged by exposure to of even mildly acidic solutions.
We previously talked a little about Swarovski rhinestones, now we’re going to fill you in on Czech rhinestones.
Czech Machine Cut Rhinestones are a very fine lead crystal rhinestone, usually cut with 8 facets and a relatively large table (the flat top of the rhinestone). At distances of more than about 6 feet, these stones flash brighter than do Swarovski. These rhinestones are generally less expensive that Swarovski and because of greater “sparkle factor” from a distance, are often a costumer designer’s favorite. While the crystal is not quite as bright due to slightly lower lead content, it is difficult to tell the difference at distances greater than 6 feet.
Rhinestone jewelry made from machine cut rhinestone crystal is every bit as sparkly and beautiful as jewelry made from Swarovski rhinestone – however, it is usually far less expensive.