Archive for March, 2010

How To Clean Gent’s Watches

Monday, March 29th, 2010

If you want your watch to dazzle and impress long into its life, and to be able to keep time long after its initial calibration, then proper maintenance of watches is of critical importance. Luckily, however, in order to take good care of your watch you don’t have to be a master watchmaker!

First off it’s important to remember that watches are highly attuned mechanical pieces and this means that they are uniquely fragile and sensitive to even the slightest disruption. This usually precludes them from being washed in liquids (apart from some water resistant models) and therefore it’s best to clean your item with a soft brush.

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Before cleaning your gents watches, if possible you should detach the bracelet, which can then be cleaned via more traditional and effective methods such as with a detergent and water solution. With the actual timepiece itself, on the other hand, you could very gently use a toothbrush or, ideally, use a cleaner specially formulated for gents watches. If you have a particularly complex mechanical watch or the dirt is particularly embedded within the watch the best idea is to take it to a specialist cleaner who will be able to use the latest methods for cleaning watches, such as with ultrasonics.

Indeed watches are often bought with inheritance in mind, and therefore it is important that their value remains ostensive decades and even centuries in the future, and therefore the correct maintenance of your watch is not only a matter for your own enjoyment of the piece but is a matter for generations to come!

All The Brightest Jewellery Brands!

Friday, March 26th, 2010

At Rox we are able to offer jewellery from the world’s best jewellery brands, so whether it’s sublime diamond pieces or exquisite designer watches you’re after, you can be guaranteed of only the best in style and functionality from Rox.

Watches, like no other accessory, benefit from branding and there are certain designer watches and brands that immediately bring to mind ideas of high quality and style. At Rox we can offer all of the best names in designer watches, such as recognisable fashion brands e.g. Emporio Armani to renowned watch makers such as Raymond Weil; so, whether you’re looking for exquisite ladies watches or highly-functional men’s pieces you’re bound to find exactly what you’re looking for! You might assume that to buy into the high echelons of designer watch brands might come at a premium, but some of the best watch brands offer pieces for around a hundred pounds, making them a truly affordable aspirational gift.

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At Rox we don’t just deal in watches, however, and we are also to offer a wide range of other jewellery pieces, such diamond bracelets and earrings from time honoured brands such as Swarovski, which are immediately recognisable for their high quality and elegance. In fact, we offer such a wide choice of jewellery and watches that finding just the right item for yourself or that special someone is not only easy, but is affordable; with even the most stylish brands are able to offer items that just scream high-glamour, whilst not breaking the bank!

How To Look After Diamond Rings

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

The heart of a diamond is its sparkle, but this can diminish over time if you don’t look after your diamond rings. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take in order to ensure that your diamond jewellery dazzles long into the future.

The best way to keep a diamond sparkling at its maximum is to clean it occasionally, perhaps once every few months. Before outlining how this is done, it is important to remember not to clean your diamonds too vigorously: they might be durable but they’re not invincible!

A nice gentle method for cleaning your diamond rings, that is surprisingly effective, is to soak them in a warm solution of mild detergent and water; avoid using boiling water or tougher detergents as you’ll probably only be cleaning off a thin layer of built up dirt.

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If your diamond rings still don’t sparkle to their full potential you should consider using a soft brush (a toothbrush might be a little to abrasive) to remove any stubborn dirt around the setting, for example.

If you’re still struggling, then your diamond may be damaged and it’s actually a flaw you’re dealing with, or you could try some more vigorous cleaning methods; such as special jewellery cleaning solutions or even a tooth pick to get right in-between the setting.

One of the reasons that diamond rings make such great items of diamond jewellery is that they are incomparably durable, and will most likely keep their sparkle ad infinitum; however they are susceptible to build ups of dirt, so occasional cleaning is definitively a good idea!

Watches: Practicality Married To Elegance

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

A great watch can turn any outfit into a stylish affair, and can add sparkle or modern elegance depending on your tastes. They are unique accessories, however, in that they are not only stylish pieces but are triumphs of modern ingenuity and engineering.

Quartz watches are especially ingenious but are now so ubiquitous that you’re probably wearing one yourself! They work by the “piezoelectric oscillation of quartz crystals”. This might sound ridiculously technical, but it is actually a fairly simple mechanism, and involves the regular oscillation of quartz crystals. This means that quartz watches are unrivalled in terms of accuracy.

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Mechanical watches involve more traditional mechanisms to keep time and they are, therefore, not as accurate as quartz watches. However, they do have an aspirational semblance and high-quality antique pieces will invariably be mechanical. The often complex mechanics of mechanical watches involve a lot of expertise for their construction, this means that some bespoke and premium brand watches can be rather expensive.

Digital watches with LCD screens are perhaps the most versatile and durable of all watch types; this makes them ideal pieces for sporting activities or for occasions when practicality is demanded. Whilst they can be great time pieces with unrivalled features e.g. water resistance or stop watches, their functional nature means they are not ideal as ladies watches for dressy occasions.

Whatever kind of designer watches you go for
, watch technology is no so evolved as to guarantee only the best in terms of functionality and quality, making a watch not only a great fashion accessory but a highly functional modern piece!

Make An Eternal Statement With Diamonds

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Diamonds have long been associated with ideas of timeliness and elegance. Perhaps because they are formed over millennia deep in the Earth and their immortality is inherent, or maybe because they have long been used as engagement gifts to cement to the vows of loved ones. Either way, diamond jewellery is perfect for making that eternal statement of love.

The idea to offer precious items in order to mark a special occasion or anniversary isn’t a new one, and is a historic tradition that is century’s old. Only in medieval times however, with high-society’s obsession for symbols and the demand for expensive gifts, did the world see gift-giving become a matter of association. So, for example, to celebrate 50 years of marriage a husband would gift his wife with gold items.

9ct_white_gold_diamond_circles_ring_0.24ct.jpgThis system of gift giving is where we get our anniversary associations from and why, for example, diamond jewellery makes the ideal gift for a 60th wedding anniversary. There’s no reason to be too wrapped up in the traditions of another epoch, however, and diamond jewellery is perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s for a 60th anniversary or your first, its message isn’t just historical but is inherent in its form and structure.

Some great ideas for diamond jewellery gifts include diamond engagement rings, which intimate the everlasting potential of your love, to diamond bracelets which don’t have such romantic connotations and are great gifts for others in your life, such as friends or family, who you feel also deserve the joys of diamond jewellery!

Diamond Jewellery For An Anniversary

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

You are probably aware that wedding anniversaries are associated with certain materials (some more valuable than others) ranging from paper all the way to diamonds, and you might notice that as the years progress the items become more and more precious! This signifies not only the durability of true love, but the rarity of eternal commitment. For those special men and women who’ve kept their hearts secure for long enough to be able to enjoy a diamond anniversary, then there’s only one gift that will do – diamond jewellery!

Briefly some of the jewellery and materials associated with specific anniversaries are as follows:

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For the first year a gift of paper is suggested, but maybe a gift of diamonds, such as a subtle pair of diamond earrings, would be more thoughtful (and more appreciated) as it would suggest a diamond anniversary to come.

At the other end of the spectrum, for a 50th anniversary a gift of gold is suggested, as it is considered to be the most precious of materials, and in medieval times was about as long as marriages could last; however, in modern times this is no longer the case, and therefore 60th anniversaries have become associated with diamonds – seen as many as more precious and sentimental than gold.

Of course there’s no reason why you couldn’t make a gift of diamond jewellery for any anniversary (we’re sure your loved one deserves no less!) and such is the variety of diamond jewellery available that choosing the right piece has never been easier.

Make A Style Statement – With Men’s Watches

Monday, March 15th, 2010

It’s fair to say that men don’t have too many opportunities to make a style statement, and are often inhibited – by work commitments, for example – to certain kinds of dress. However whether you’re in business attire or even casual clothing there is a fantastic way to add some true style and elegance to an outfit with mens watches.

Just like in all high-quality fields the market for mens watches is governed by some awesome brands, each investing in their products not only with super quality but also with aspirational worth. Some great watch brands (that we’re sure you’re familiar with) include Gucci, Armani and Diesel and you’ll notice that many good watch brands are also very famous fashion houses – so that with a watch from them you can truly buy into a bit of high fashion!

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Premium branding isn’t all that makes a watch truly elegant, however, and the best and most stylish watches are constructed out of only the finest materials, including gold, silver and platinum, this means that mens watches are ultra-durable and ultra-aspirational.  Many men’s watches even have faces that are jewel encrusted, which can show off real elegance and affluence.

Of course men crave functionality and therefore style over practicality is not an option and, instead, watches have got to as durable and accurate as they are sylish. Luckily, with the latest technologies, watchmaking has never been such an exact science, and with watches such as “chronographs” you can be guaranteed of perfect functionality!.

Diamond Glamour

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Diamonds are like all of the world’s glamour compressed into a single precious stone, struggling to erupt in an explosion of sparkling elegance. They are perfect, therefore, for those occasions were high glamour just wont do and you need… diamond glamour!

Despite the rarity of diamonds, they seem to prevail all of our ideas about style and elegance, and therefore by wearing the correct diamond jewellery you can really buy into the higher echelons of taste and style.

If you want to really set a party alight with sparkle, a great (and slightly less-traditional) choice for jewellery would be diamond bracelets. Like no other kind of jewellery, diamond bracelets will catch the light, and will move in such away as to create maximum sparkle – perfect if you want your outfit to come alive with youthful shimmer.9ct_white_gold_diamond_rub_over_bangle_0.74ct.jpg
Drop diamond earrings will also create a lot of sparkle, and will draw attention to your immaculate hair and make-up, similar to the way a good pair of earrings act like an impeccable frame for your natural beauty, elevating and complementing it.

If you want true traditional elegance you might choose solitaire or cluster diamond rings. Each kind of ring is different enough to be matched with any taste and for any occasion, but offer both highly-glamorous and dazzling elegance to an outfit.

Indeed diamonds are so associated with timeless elegance, that they can make even the most immaculate outfit shine even brighter, and can invest a look with not only high-sparkle but also glamour.

Diamonds – Not Just For Special Occasions

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Whilst it is very true that diamonds can elevate your outfit to the dizzying realms of extreme glamour and high society – they are not just for special occasions and, in fact, diamonds and jewellery can add a touch of elegance to any outfit – even casual wear!

If you want to use diamonds and diamond jewellery to elevate your casual outfits, however, there are some things you should consider:

Diamond Earrings

Diamond earrings can either be a dramatic addition or they can be pretty subtle, this means that a nice pair of diamond studs can really add a touch of style to even the most normal of outfits; if you truly what those diamonds to sparkle, you could even contrast ultra-glamorous drop diamond earrings with denims or a casual skirt. Also, to give an effortless and youth look, don’t over-style your hair as the random sparkles of a diamond can really complement moderately messy hair!18ct_white_gold_diamond_cluster_ring_0.48cts.jpgDiamond Rings

The easiest way to add a touch of sublte elegance to a casual outfit is with diamond rings. This can look great either with a dramatic ring such as cluster (contrasting with your casual clothes) or with more subtle diamond rings, such as solitaire, to add an attractive sparkle to your day to day wear.

Diamonds can be a little daunting, but they needn’t be and if you truly love your diamonds there’s no excuse for not showing them off – whether it’s at super-glamorous parties or just going to the shops in your casual clothes!

Diamond Jewellery: The Paragon Of Taste

Monday, March 8th, 2010

If you want to truly exude high glamour and elegance, or you just want to add a touch of style that elevates any outfit, then you can’t go wrong with diamond jewellery! In fact, for as long as many people care to remember, diamonds have stood unmatched at the very limits of style – a paragon of taste.

The reason that diamonds have always fired the imagination is not only due to their sublime aesthetic quality, but it is also due to their tremendous rarity and structure – consider this: for a natural diamond to form it takes millions of years of compression deep in the bowls of the Earth; it is no wonder, therefore, that diamond jewellery is so precious and sought after!

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Diamond jewellery itself has had a rich history, stretching back to the Greeks (and probably beyond!) and is therefore inextricably entwined with mythology and high society. Indeed the diamond is such a part of our culture now, that giving diamond engagement rings is a bona fide tradition, symbolising eternity. In fact this idea of diamond jewellery as the ultimate love token can be traced back to 1447 when Austrian Archduke Maximillian gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond as a proposal of marriage.

The diamond isn’t just a love symbol however, and the word “diamond” is actually derived from the Greek word for “invincible”. This is because diamond jewellery is not only beautiful but is also timeless, and are perfect symbols not only for love but for eternal love and the life everlasting.