James Allen: Trendy Silver Jewelry Highly Affordable In Global Economy

 

By Stan Lennox
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem --- October 27, 2008...... In these days of global financial uncertainty, who’s thinking of buying jewelry? The smart thinking is that silver jewelry might well give you a hedge against rainy days, while providing a very trendy – and still highly affordable – fashion accessory. So say the mavens at James Allen, one of the world’s leading professional jewelers.

Silver jewelry is very much in style these days and may be even more so with more people being turned on to the everlasting value of silver – a precious metal that has withstood the test of time in both look, worth and value for money.

Each year, on fashion runways around the world, sterling silver jewelry is enjoying a resurgence, as talented artists and designers interpret it in new and exciting ways to suit the evolving tastes of the women – and men – who wear it.

Sterling silver jewelry is accepted as a fashion perennial: its beauty, versatility, durability, and affordability, give sterling silver jewelry a commanding lead in the fashion stakes. Whether as a ring, a necklace, or bracelet, standing alone or presented in combination with gemstones and other precious metals sterling silver jewelry is always in fashion.

Silver jewellry provides the “white look” which has been gaining ground for a number of years, challenging yellow gold sales at the top end of the market. It goes well with almost everything, say James Allen designers. In addition to this, it helps in creating a “Bohemian” style which is very much in these days.

Silver is more affordable than white gold, is durable, wearable with almost anything – and has great appeal not only for women but also for men.”

Take by way of example James Allen’s classic' collection of men's pendants, rings, cufflinks and bangles: bold, generously proportioned and clean. Brushed and polished silver nuggets are threaded onto woven leather neck and wrist bands, highlighted with their signature brilliant-cut diamond.

“If you are trendy, then you could wear a silver necklace or bracelet studded with gems. Combinations of silver and gems are very popular and extremely attractive, as gems and silver can be easily matched with any style.”

Thus, fashion conscious men and women can choose gems set in silver jewelry of varied types and in various colors so that it matches perfectly to their wardrobe. Silver jewelry pieces go perfectly with every clothing style.

It’s not just silver jewelry that has made a fashion statement in recent years – and which looks to be continuing the trend. Sterling silver has made a fashion impact on gift items such as sterling silver frames, jewelry boxes, bridal gifts and other items. Sterling silver jewelry thus becomes a “must-have” gift idea.

Silver jewelry has very much become a niche market all of its own: More sterling silver jewellry is actually being designed for a specific look or a specific type of person – almost ‘tailor made” if you like. This because, on the whole, sterling silver is still one of the cheapest types of jewelry to wear and thus makes an excellent, affordable gift or accessory.

And as an investment, silver in jewelry could well provide that sought-after “hedge” against the stormy financial days everyone is predicting.

The simple truth is that the demand for silver has outstripped its supply for so long, that the value of silver continues to rise. According to investment experts, it will continue to do so in the current crisis. So it makes good sense to purchase silver jewelry right now as it is still much more affordable than gold.

Silver has attracted man’s fascination for many thousands of years. Ancient civilizations found silver deposits plentiful on or near the earth’s surface. Relics of these civilizations include jewelry, religious artifacts, and food vessels formed from durable, malleable silver. This metal took on near mystical qualities in marking important historical milestones throughout the ages, and served as a medium of exchange.

Throughout history, handmade sterling silver jewelry was one of the most popular types of ornate adornment made for men and women alike. At one time it was all made by hand by skilled craftsmen – silversmiths. The first mechanical production only started in 1869, with various methods of machine production gradually being developed. Initially, these were only used to make simple types of trinkets, such as chains. As methods were refined, mass production became possible for more delicate pieces.
But can consumers afford to buy quality silver jewelry today?

As many of us are now reading about a difficult economy, professional ecommerce marketing estimates illustrate that US and global online buying will remain strong exceeding several billion dollars during the holiday season of 2008.

A survey conducted by JupiterResearch, a Forrester Research company, reveals that consumers from New York, London, Moscow and Paris to Montreal, Los Angeles, Jerusalem and Rome have learned that the Internet represents a highly cost effective and diverse market where one can find great buys from real estate, jewelry, travel, art and cars to computers, music, airplane tickets, designer clothes, entertainment and precious metals.

Founded in 1998 by James Allen Schultz and his wife Michele Sigler, the idea behind James Allen was simple: Offer the world's most beautiful diamond engagement rings and silver jewelry, all at an extraordinary value. While the idea of selling fine engagement diamond and silver jewelry over the Internet seemed strange back in 1998, James Allen has now grown to be one of the largest and most successful of all online diamond retailers. The company is regularly featured in trade magazines such as "National Jeweler" and has been profiled by such famous publications as "The Washington Post" Newspaper, "NBC News", "US News & World Report" and "National Public Radio".

The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in Israel for the Internet by Monique Lester for the Leyden Communications Group.

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