Tag Archives: Guide

The Jewelry Box: Your Go-To Jewelry Guide (2)

May 29, 2023   Matt

The Jewelry Box: Your Go-To Jewelry Guide

Finding the best information about jewelry is not always the easiest task. There is so much information available, you may not be sure where to start. You may be reluctant to seek it out. Fortunately, for you, you will find compiled here, some of the best jewelry tips available anywhere.

To get a piece of jewelry that complements every outfit, match the stone to your eyes instead of potential ensembles. Regardless of what else you are wearing for any given occasion, jewelry that brings out the beautiful blue, green or golden tones in your eyes is an easy way to flatter yourself from head to toe.

The greatest influence on diamond’s brilliance is the cut. A good cut can give the diamond a more desirable whiter color than the actual color. So when shopping for a diamond, the carat weight may be reduced, but because of the cut, it may appear much larger than its carat weight.

Deep, rich blue sapphires are commonly known as the birthstone for those born in September. Their dark, mysterious coloring is often thought to have protective powers over anyone who wears the gem in their rings, bracelets, or brooches. Blue sapphire nicely complements purples and deep scarlet accents and looks beautiful with all settings, but especially platinum or silver.

The meaning behind a diamond is eternity, that love will endure. You can never go wrong when buying diamonds, even if your budget is small. If you choose a quality metal like 14k gold and a smaller carat of diamond in a beautiful setting, whomever you’re giving it to will have a giant smile on their face despite the small price.

Jewelry should never be cleaned with bleach. Bleach damages soldered joints and can eat away at finishes. Jewelry should not be worn in swimming pools for two reasons. Jewelry is easily lost in swimming pools and chlorine bleach is used in the water of pools. If cleaning with bleach, remove your jewelry or wear protective gloves.

Never use bleach to clean your jewelry. Not only is bleach going to make your item permanently discolored and can damage its original appearance, but the bleach will cause a reaction with the metal that will weaken the strength of the item. Also keep away from items that have acetone and ammonia as they too will harm your jewelry items.

Try adding some industrial metals to your collection. There is more to metal jewelry than just gold and silver. Industrial metals include stainless steel, titanium, tungsten carbide and tungsten. Industrial metals provide a much nicer shine and are more durable and less susceptible to damage. Titanium is known for being more lightweight, stainless steel and can be polished until it practically glows. Tungsten carbide can resist scratches for a long time, as well as being a dark metal.

As discussed in the beginning of this article, you have a lot of information available to you when it comes to jewelry. Sifting through it all is not easy. Even if you sift no further, you should keep these great jewelry tips in mind, and continue to educate yourself about your jewelry.

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Jewelry Guide: Things That Everyone Should Know (2)

June 18, 2022   Matt

Jewelry Guide: Things That Everyone Should Know

Jewelery has been a part of our culture since ancient times. There are so many different kinds of jewelry and each has its own meanings and appropriate times to use. People have been fascinated by jewelery since ancient times where it used to be used to signify wealth. It has since became more popular and for everyone.

If you are shopping for seasonal brooches, try to buy them out of the season. By buying Christmas brooches, valentine’s day broaches or Easter brooches out of the season, you can usually save a lot of money and acquire a quality piece of jewelry. So, if you are looking for a Christmas tree brooch or a snowman brooch, try to buy it in July.

Even though some of the pieces may be attractive, you should stay away from gold filled jewelry. No matter what the seller may say, gold filled jewelry can turn your skin green and the colors can fade away. The best thing to do if you do not know if it is gold filled is to just not buy it.

Birthstone jewelry makes a great gift for anyone at any time of the year. They are incredibly popular and perfectly suited to birthdays though. There are so many kinds of styles and pieces that you can find or have easily made for yourself or someone you care about using a birthstone.

Before you are going to make a diamond purchase, be sure that you know all about the “4C’s”– cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Many times, when people are not educated about these things, they end up with a diamond that is not good quality, or is not even worth the money.

If you have a large collection of fashion jewelry, make sure to only clean them with a damp cloth. Using polishing cloths or jewelry cleaning liquids will only eat away at the top layer causing the base metal to show through. After you are finished cleaning, keep your jewelry stored away to prevent any damage or tarnish.

If you are in the market for antique jewelry, don’t be afraid to ask for documentation of the age of the item you want to purchase. Another quick tip to judge the scrupulousness of your jewelry agent, is to ask what year the supposed antique was made. If the date he gives you is less than 100 years ago, then the piece is not considered antique at all.

Nephrite is a popular stone used for jewelry. It is very tough and durable, and comes in a wide variety of colors, the most popular of which is a deep opaque green. It is frequently carved into ornate shapes and used as a pendant in a necklace or as insets in other jewelry.

You don’t have to be a queen to have a diamond set of earrings anymore! A lot of times, you can find them at your local mall or jeweler for decent prices. Times have changed, so don’t be afraid of shelling out tons of money to get into wearing nice jewelry but remember there still are very expensive pieces!

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The Ultimate Easy Guide To Prepare Your Home For Sale

April 04, 2022   Matt

The Ultimate Easy Guide To Prepare Your Home For Sale

If you have made the decision to sell your home and lets face it there are lot of people in that very position right now the very best thing you can and should do is prepare your home for sale properly. Most of this is common or uncommon sense as far as I am concerned but I will run through the basic steps any person can take when they are preparing to sell.

My first piece of advice is to determine how quickly you need to sell the property and how important price is, if like most people price is very important then you need to invest some time to do the job correctly. Make a list of any jobs that need to be done around the place and get them done, check taps, drains and gutters. Inspect the house from top to bottom for any obvious repairs or damage such as broken hinges on doors and cupboards, holes and dents in walls and other obvious signs of wear and tear.

These small things make a big difference in the way people and real estate agents will view your property, once you have the small jobs done then it’s time to start with the cleaning, if your not good at cleaning then hire a company to come in and do it for you, pay attention to windows and around doors and light switches. Make sure you get the floors cleaned by a professional. Once the house is clean then you can easily determine if you need to repaint, I always advise people to repaint as it makes a massive difference to the way the house will look on inspection day, make sure you use neutral colours that are going to appeal to the broad audience, your favourite shade of hot pink may not appeal to everyone. Once the house is neat and tidy on the inside with a fresh coat of paint then it’s time to address the outside and the garden, clean up as much rubbish and undergrowth as possible and take it to the dump, trim the bushes and mow lawns and remove grass cuttings. Consider repainting the outside if it needs it, if your not sure then paint it anyway. Check the condition of the roof and make any repairs cosmetic or functional that may be needed.

The front of your house is where potential buyers will get their first impressions so it must be spot on in appearance. Once you are satisfied with the general state of the house take a look at your own furniture and consider hiring in some new up to date items if needed for open inspection days. People like to be impressed and a little bit of money invested here might just pay off so look at modern furniture and paintings, there are companies who will hire you these items. On inspection day have nice relaxing music playing, some scented candles burning, fresh flowers on the table and you will be well on your way to getting the highest possible price for your home. Good Luck!

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Keep Your Notebook Compuer Longer! A Safety and Care Guide for Laptop Computers

June 26, 2021   Matt

Keep Your Notebook Compuer Longer! A Safety and Care Guide for Laptop Computers

Laptop computers – also known as notebook computers – have become an important part of our lives. They are more affordable than ever and as popular as cell phones. A laptop computer has a versatility that the home PC does not provide. With its smaller size it is portable and easier to carry along. This makes it convenient to use in many situations. You can take it to work and back home as well as take it on more extensive travel.

Laptop computers are not just for older working people anymore. Because of its ease of use, more young people are using them for school and college. They can access the Internet almost anywhere and provide updates for work, research, and even games.

Taking Care of Your Laptop or Notebook Computer

It is important to take care of your laptop computer and protect it from accidents. They are designed for heavy use but common sense will tell you that you need to be prudent in your treatment.

One of the first recommendations is to buy a case designed for a notebook computer. These are made with padding to protect your laptop computer from wear and tear and protection in case you drop it. It is not good to carry your notebook computer unprotected or in a purse or backpack. You can easily find a case by shopping online where you will find 1000s of products to choose from.

Another important tip for laptop computer care is to keep food and drinks away from it. Even a small amount of liquid is enough to ruin the delicate components in the laptop computer. It means almost certain replacement, and most warranties will not cover it. It is not worth the risk to lose all your data.

Protect Your Notebook Computer

When using your laptop computer you should always use a surge protector. An electrical surge may not hurt it one time, but continued surges could destroy it. If you are using a cable or dial-up modem during a storm, be sure to unplug it. Lightening can travel through phone lines and ruin the laptop computer.

You should not leave your notebook computer in a cold environment. This can cause condensation when you return it to a warm area and could cause the circuitry to short it out. If it has been in the cold, let it warm up before turning it on.

When traveling with your laptop computer, be sure to charge all your batteries before you leave. You might not know when you will be able to charge them again. On a long trip, take extra batteries to avoid this problem. By shopping online, you can find the supplies you need as well as other products such as iPods, jewelry, games, toys, sporting goods, pet supplies and cell phones – even free gifts.

Do not leave your notebook computer unattended and do not check it as baggage when flying. Keep it in your hands at all times to avoid the possibility of theft. Don’t try to disassemble or repair your laptop computer; this is a job for professionals. You may inadvertently cause more damage by your lack of knowledge.

Shopping Online

When you are ready to buy a laptop computer, cell phone, iPod, or other electronics, shopping online will provide everything you need.

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Buyers Guide

June 13, 2021   Matt

Buyers Guide

Deep cleaning vacuums
The typical features with these types of vacuums
include rotating brushes that agitate the carpet
pile and loosen the dirt for better clean. There
are some models that offer a handy automatic tool
conversion button or switch that you can push or
flip as you move from carpet to hardwood floor.

Hand held vacuums
Hand held vacuums are light weight, can be corded
or cordless, and you can even mount most of them
on the wall if you prefer. The performance of the
cordless models will depend on the charge of the
battery, as the battery power drops, so will the
suction power.

The two types of hand held vacuums include straight
suction and suction with a power brush. If you
are considering a hand held vacuum cleaner, you
should consider its primary purpose, if you plan
to use it on a regular basis or occasionally on
smaller jobs.

Broom vacuums
Stick or broom vacuums are great for smaller type
apartments, quick clean ups in the kitchen, or
a family room. The benefit of a broom vacuum is
the light weight. If you have trouble pushing
your heavier upright around, the broom vacuum
may come as a relief. You’ll also have the option
of getting your vacuum corded or cordless.

They usually weight 2 – 7 lbs. and allow you to
easily store them in the closet, as they take up a
minimum amount of space. For quick disposal of
the dirt and debris, most models are also bagless
as well.

Wet or Dry vacuums
The wet/dry vacuum combination may very well be the
most versatile vacuum cleaner on the market today,
with numerous attachments and functions it is a
very handy machine to have around your home. The
canister types can vary from the smaller 6 gallon
sizes to the larger 22 gallon sizes.

The HP ranges as well, from 2 to 10 HP. You should
always try to match the size of the unit to the
size of the job and frequency of use.

Upright vacuums
One of the most popular features of an upright
vacuum cleaner is the bagless system. In addition
to the increased performance, there is no need
to purchase any bags. Emptying the canister can
be a little dusty, although it’s still better than
messing with bags.

Most upright models come with a standard set of
attachments that may even include an upholstery
tool, a crevice tool, and even an extension wand.
A retractable cord and manual or automatic pile
adjustments are other common features. A HEPA
filter is another common and popular feature found
with most upright vacuums.

Canister vacuums
Canister vacuum cleaners normally include retractable
cords. Considering the fact that most cords are
around 25 foot in length, this feature will prevent
you from having to drag the cord around and
possibly damage furniture. A push of a button or
a slight tug on the cord will retract it into the
canister of the vacuum.

The nozzle can be one of two types, nozzle or
power nozzle. To get your carpet as clean as
possible, it is recommended that you use the power
nozzle, which will agitate the carpet and loosen
up the dirt for deeper cleaning.

Another feature worth looking for is a suction
control switch, as this allows you to adjust the
flow of air for cleaning delicate material such
as upholstery and drapery.

When choosing your vacuum cleaner, you should always
choose the one you like best. The best vacuum for
the job is the one you should choose, as things
will work out much better that way.

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How to: A Car Stereo Installation Guide

June 02, 2021   Matt

How to: A Car Stereo Installation Guide

Want to save some money? Ever wonder if you could do a car stereo installation yourself? Yes, you can do it yourself! Go ahead, spend that money on your hardware! Don’t spend it on labor. Besides, doing a car stereo installation yourself can be a very rewarding experience, not to mention you can learn a lot from it too. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing your “creation” in action, running smoothly and perfectly.

But be very careful, you really won’t want to damage your expensive hardware. Well, most car audio hardware are no-brainers to install, you’d find that most of the time the parts have specially shaped sockets and slots etc. and would only fit where it’s supposed to be installed. Still, it’s best to proceed methodically.

In a car stereo installation, you have to determine what kind of rig you’re going to put into your vehicle. If you’re a beginner, it’s best you do a car stereo installation if it’s just a simple system. You may want to leave the complicated stuff to the professionals, like installing delicate equipment like LCD panels, motorized parts etc. especially if it requires the creation of custom panels and such.

Head units are one of the easiest to do in a car stereo installation. Fortunately, most units follow the same size standards (DIN). In many cars, once the factory radio is removed the aftermarket radio will fit in the hole. In many other cars, a kit is needed if the factory hole is too big, or not deep enough. In some cases the dash has to be cut. Any car stereo store should have kits required for installation.

There are two types of mounting in a car stereo installation. ISO mounting is when the radio can be screwed to existing factory radio brackets, such as in most Japanese cars. Ring mounting is when an aftermarket radio comes with a metal ring that gets mounted to the factory radio hole or aftermarket kit via bendable tabs. In many cars, dash and trim rings have to be filed to enlarge the radio hole. Once the ring is installed, the radio slides in and is held by snaps. In most cases, special tools are required to remove the radio.

Speakers are very critical in a car stereo installation. No matter how expensive your speakers are, if they are not properly installed, the sound will not be up to par.

In a simple car stereo installation, you’ll probably be using speakers that fit into a factory location. Just make sure there are no gaps or holes. Sometimes building a wood or fiberglass baffle helps reduce holes and gives you much better sound. But always be careful when using power tools around speakers. Car stereo installation warranties usually don’t cover holes in speakers.

For unconventional speaker locations, sometimes metal has to be cut. You might want to leave this to the professionals, tools like plasma cutters and pneumatics drills are required. But if you’re going to insist, a pair of metal snips (left and right cut) will do.

A car stereo installation has to put up with vibrations and other noise sources in its environment. Even though it is impossible to eliminate these completely, there are products that will greatly decrease the noise and rattling, particularly on non-luxury cars. Liners, sprays and adhesive strips and even carpeting applied onto the panels can make a world of difference.

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