With so much information available on the internet, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish what’s true, what’s false, what’s right, and what’s wrong, and trying to figure out the proper way to clean your jewelry is no exception. There is a plethora of websites that will tell you what to do and what not to do, but in reality, the rules are pretty simple and don’t require a whole lot more than some good, old-fashioned common sense. However, there are some things that you should really never do when it comes to cleaning and storing your prized possessions. We rounded up all the practices you should avoid in order to keep your jewelry in top shape.

Ditch the Abrasives
Harsh cleaning agents that come in powder or paste form might be great for materials like porcelain, but when it comes to precious metals, they’re not the best option. Substances like a standard toothpaste or even Comet cleanser can dry and cake inside of the undercarriages or prongs of your jewelry, specifically if the pieces contain diamonds or other gemstones. That not only looks bad, but it also dulls what should be a bright and shiny look.

Soaking most jewelry in warm water for a few hours with a mild, grease-cutting soap or glass cleaner and then using a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean the piece is a smart way to go.

Avoid the Dish
Many people will take off their jewelry at night and place their rings, earrings, necklaces, etc. on what some refer to as a “ring dish.” And while, in theory, this seems like it would be a good idea, the reality is that you could be scratching up your jewelry by doing so.

Keeping your jewelry separated – even at night as you sleep – is the best thing for its longevity. Whether the metal is high-polished or satin-finished, chances are, it could scratch from constantly being placed on top of other metals or gemstones, so use separate dishes for your items or even portable jewelry boxes by your bedside if possible. (Or you can check out our roundup of our favorite jewelry organizers to elevate your jewelry storage! Read the post here.)

Don’t Procrastinate
Paying a visit to your local jewelry store to have your jewelry professionally cleaned, checked, and even polished is pretty essential for both the life of your jewels as well as your insurance policy, so whatever you do, don’t put it off for too long. Items you wear every day, like an engagement ring or diamond earrings, need a good soaking in an ultrasonic machine and a solid steam cleaning in order to get them looking new again, so don’t avoid the trip, no matter how painful you feel it may be.

Never Store Chains Together
Unless you have a great pair of pliers handy and a good hour to spare trying to separate them, you should never store two or more chains together in one bag. This is an absolute no-no for any jewelry lover and most have learned this lesson the hard way. (If you’ve already made that mistake, we have a guide to untangling your necklaces and chains for you here!)

Most jewelry cases – either standard or travel size – have loops that you can separate your chains with. If you need to travel and don’t own a case, you can always wrap the chain, stretched out, in tissue paper, then store each one in their own small-sized sandwich baggie to keep them from tangling. Just make sure you keep all baggies together so that you don’t lose the chains you’re bringing with you on your journey. For more tips on how to pack jewelry for travel, visit our post about it here.

The primary birthstone for the month of March is a blueish-colored form of the mineral beryl that goes by the name aquamarine.

The Origins and Cultural Significance of Aquamarine
The name aquamarine stems from the Latin words aqua (meaning “water”), and marina or marīnus (meaning “of the sea”). Often found in deposits that follow river and stream beds, the gem was believed by the ancient Greeks and Romans to have protective abilities. Fishermen and sailors often carried it on their journeys to ensure a safe voyage. According to lore, the Roman author and naval commander Pliny the Elder believed that the gemstone once belonged to the treasures of the mermaids because of its rumored healing powers.

Noteworthy Aquamarine Jewels
The gemstone has also found various places with which to make itself famous throughout history. For example, aquamarine was used in a perfectly-matched necklace and earring set gifted to Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation in 1953 by the president and people of Brazil, who also eventually gifted her with a matching bracelet. In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II ordered royal jeweler Garrard to complete the set through the creation of a tiara, which used an aquamarine at its highest center point. She eventually had the tiara redesigned in 1971 so that it would take four scroll ornaments from an aquamarine and diamond head jewel given to the Queen by the governor of São Paulo in 1968.

Another famous aquamarine is the roughly 100-pound Dom Pedro Aquamarine which was cut by Bernd Munsteiner out of a stone mined in 1980 in Pedra Azul in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. The obelisk-shaped gem is a 10,363-carat masterpiece with dimensions measuring roughly 14 inches tall by 4 inches wide and is currently on display at the National Museum of Natural History’s Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology after being donated to the Smithsonian by its owners, Jane Mitchell and Jeffery Bland.

The Properties and Hardness of Aquamarine
The gemstone – one of the many varieties of the mineral beryl – is a pale blue, almost the color of the sea. It’s not to be confused with maxixe, the darker, more intensely blue version of aquamarine. As with any colored gemstone, the purer and more vivid the color of the stone is, the more valuable it turns out to be. The gem is primarily found in a handful of mines in Brazil but has also been mined in Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Zambia, Colombia, Pakistan, Malawi, Mozambique, and parts of the United States.

Aquamarine’s composition is beryllium aluminum silicate and its chemical formula is Be3Al2Si6O18. The gemstone falls between 7.5 and 8.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, and its rock type is igneous. It is a beautifully hued gem that can have its color altered by using heat treatments, but that often doesn’t occur unless the stone has more of a greenish hue. In higher qualities (inclusion-free and deep blue in color), the gem alone can be quite expensive, but on the market, the stone will likely be found mounted in platinum or other white metals and accompanied by diamond accents in pieces such as pendants, earrings, rings, and bracelets.

We rounded up our 10 favorite ways to create a cool, fashion-forward look by stacking, mixing and matching your jewelry.

And remember: while these are some general guidelines, layering jewelry is meant to be a way for you to express your style. So experiment with what looks you like—loads of bangles and tangles of pearls—and go from there!

1. Pair a collar necklace with a long pendant.
Whether you opt for a statement collar or a delicate chain, we love the high-and-low mix of necklaces.

2. Stack up delicate rings…
Create a statement ring by piling your daintiest rings on one finger.

3. … Or spread them all out.
Alternatively, wear a delicate ring on each finger for a new different kind of statement.

4. Mix in different textures and materials.
Throw together different textures (think chains of varying widths or a leather wrap-around bracelet) to add dimension to your stacks of bracelets, rings or even necklaces.

5. Add a watch to your mix of bangles.
Treat your watch as another stack-friendly bracelet. To make it easier to match, keep the metals all the same.

6. Choose all-thin bracelets…
The more bangles you pile one, the thinner the styles should be.

7. … Or a few heavy-duty bangles.
Another option is to pile two substantial cuffs together for a standout, super hero look.

8. Layer delicate chain necklaces that fall an inch or two apart in length.
To round out your look, add a third (or fourth) extra-long necklace that falls three to six inches below the other necklaces.

9. Bring in a splash of color.
Incorporate gemstone pendants and other colorful pieces into your look. The easiest way to work color in is to pick one color or match the accent colors (i.e., pick two colors that are complementary on the color wheel) and keep the metals the same (think: all yellow gold or all silver).

10. Make a large cocktail ring a focal point.
Slip on one standout ring and then a handful of thinner bands across your other fingers.

Sketches by Elle Diaz.

Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 11th, 2018 at 2AM and ends onSunday, November 4th, 2018 at 2AM EST. Here’s how to roll your mechanical watch ahead an hour—and some fun facts about daylight saving time and why the US implements it.

What is daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time (DST) is the practice of adjusting your clocks—an hour ahead in the summer and then an hour back in the fall– to take better advantage of summer’s daylight hours.

Is it daylight savings or daylight saving?
It’s daylight saving, singular. Daylight savings is a misnomer.

When is daylight saving time for 2018?
Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 11th, 2018 at 2AM EST and ends on Sunday, November 4th, 2018 at 2AM EST.

When and why was daylight saving time invented?
Daylight saving time was proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. While serving as the ambassador to France, Franklin woke at 6AM to many people still in bed with their shutters closed tight to block out the blinding sunlight. In turn, Franklin penned a satirical article and floated the idea of adjusting schedules to take advantage of the sunlight and long summer days.

However, Franklin didn’t exactly suggest the “spring ahead, fall back” time changes we’re familiar with today; instead, he suggested using a booming cannon to rouse the city at an appointed time.

It wasn’t until 1895 that New Zealand entomologist George Hudson saw the practical benefit in Franklin’s humorous article. Englishmen William Willett also became an advocate for DST and wrote his pamphlet “The Waste of Daylight” in 1907. But neither Hudson nor Willett’s proposals were able to gain significant traction.

Then, amidst World War I in 1916, Germany adopted DST in an effort to preserve coal supplies and cut down energy costs. England similarly introduced British summer time and 31 other nations (US included) implemented DST during wartime to take advantage of the summer daylight hours. These countries adjusted their clocks back to standard time once the war ended.

When World War II broke out in 1939, the US adopted year-round DST for three years when it became optional for states to opt-in to DST. Because some states implemented year-round DST and others didn’t, the US introduced the Uniform Time Act in 1966 that set the start and end of DST.

How do I roll my automatic or mechanical watch ahead an hour?
To set your watch’s time, simply pull the crown out to the furthest position from the watch base. When the crown is in this last position, the second hand stops to help you accurately set the time.

Gently turn the crown clockwise (or away from you) until you set the correct time. If you overshoot your desired time, do not turn the crown counter-clockwise to go back. Turning the crown counter-clockwise will force and damage the watch’s movement. Instead you will have to continue winding clockwise until you come back around to the correct time again.

Once you have the time correctly set, press the crown back into its “zero” position near the base of the watch. Then screw the crown down to ensure that it is pressurized and watertight.

But these directions vary slightly from model to model, brand to brand. To help you update the time, here are the official user guides and steps to set the time for the most popular watches and watch models:

• Rolex (All Models)
• Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 
• Breitling (All Models)
• Omega (All Models) 
• Cartier (All Models) 

Oops, I overshot the time and now need to change the date on my automatic or mechanical watch.
Mechanical watches typically have three positions for the crown, each designated for a different winding functionality. The first is for winding your watch but the second position allows you to quickly change the watch’s date. Pull the crown out to the second position and turn the crown clockwise until you reach the correct date.

To learn more about how to wind your watch, read our post, “How to Set Your Watch” here.

At the 90th Annual Academy Awards, all that glittered was diamonds– more than $30 million worth, to be exact. Red carpet regulars Bulgari, Cartier, and Harry Winston made their annual appearances, with an ever-present honor to Chopard. Sparkling drop earrings in white metal and Montblanc cufflinks made a striking arrival, as well, among others.

We’ve rounded up just a few of the best Oscar-worthy jewelry moments from the 90th Annual Academy Awards.

Gal Gadot

“Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot donned Tiffany & Co. pieces from the Tiffany Blue Book Collection, comprising of a 61 carat diamond and aquamarine necklace dubbed the ‘Blue Ice,’ stud platinum and diamond earrings, and an aquamarine ring.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner wore Piaget 18k white gold set ‘Sunny Side of Life’ diamond and blue sapphire earrings with Piaget rings.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek wore $4.2 million worth of Harry Winston diamonds, including diamond platinum-set earrings and an oval-shaped diamond ring.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt wore Chopard Chandelier earrings and a teardrop ring that complimented the crystal blue hue of her Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown.

Zendaya Coleman

Zendaya was decked out in a romantic Giambattista Valli gown with added Bulgari platinum and diamond jewelry, including vintage 1930’s Art Deco pendant earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Meryl Streep

(20th time) Academy Award nominee Meryl Streep wore a Fred Leighton 19th Century diamond and gold bangle bracelet, with matching diamond and gold dart earrings.

Andra Day

Andra Day, singer and activist, wore pink and nude Lorraine Schwartz diamonds to match her fairy-tale Zac Posen gown.

Lupita Nyong’o

“Black Panther” star Lupita Nyong’o wore a Rwandan-inspired strand of gold thread braided through her hair, a nod to her gold Atelier Versace gown. She topped off the look with diamond spiral earrings from Niwaka that sparkled from every angle.

Allison Janney

Best Supporting Actress nominee, Allison Janney, dazzled us with 128 carats worth of jewels from Forevermark, totaling over $4 million. The actress sported diamond earrings, an 18k white gold diamond bracelet, an 18k ring, and solitaire round-diamond earrings.

Sally Hawkins

Lead actress nominee, Sally Hawkins, wore Chopard pink quartz earrings from the “Temptations Collection,” and an 18k rose gold and platinum-set pink diamond ring from the “High Jewelry Collection.”

Omega endears itself very quickly to fans of horology thanks to its one-two combo of beautifully crafted timepieces and an illustrious history lined with a dose of grandeur. With timepieces that have seen outer space, timed Olympic games, and helped James Bond ice some bad guys, Omega boasts an impressive collection tied to groundbreaking moments in history. While some of the brand’s pieces have all the bells and whistles that attract veterans of horology (for example, this DeVille Co-Axial Rattrapante), new collectors will be drawn more to signature Omega timepieces without the high-priced accoutrement. We’ve rounded up the 5 Omega models that won’t break the bank for new collectors who want their own essential Omega.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M
For new watch collectors who are intimidated by a mechanical movement, the quartz movement in the Seamaster Aqua Terra is perfect. This model’s classic, nautical design is a perfect representative of the Seamaster line in general without the lofty price point. The Aqua Terra collection is quite new, having been released in 2002, but it has retained the subtle dressiness of vintage Omega timepieces that has faded into the background with their newer, sportier models in other collections. Its sleek formality and understated sporty edge has a practical sensibility that new horologists will appreciate.

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Omega Seamaster Diver Co-Axial 300M
The Omega Seamaster Diver, unlike its Aqua Terra cousin, falls closer in step with the other sporty watches that the brand offers. This model has a more significant presence on the wrist, with a ceramic bezel and a helium escape valve at 10 o’clock that lends to its striking design. Built for professional divers, this watch is resistant to 300 meters. For new collectors who are up for the maintenance of a mechanical watch, this model is the natural choice. The Seamaster Diver has a mechanical movement with a 48-hour power reserve at a price point that won’t break the bank.

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Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph
First introduced in 1957, the Omega Speedmaster is one of the most iconic watches on the market. This is the model that accompanied Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission and became the first watch to operate on the surface of the moon. Surely, with such impressive credentials, this classic would bring any collection to new heights. Featuring a tachymeter bezel that the wearer can use to measure speed and a chronograph function for measuring time, this functional watch comes at an excellent price point for new collectors who are attracted to the pioneering spirit that made Omega famous.

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Omega DeVille Prestige
Omega’s DeVille collection is made to appeal to horologists with more formal tastes: it features dress watches with all manner of accoutrement, from tourbillon mechanisms to chronographs. Each different iteration of the DeVille is unique and presents its own prim dash of charm, and the DeVille Prestige is no different. The Prestige line offers a clean, uncluttered face with classic, pointed hands and unobtrusive markers. This affordable model has a timeless, dressy look that will complement any formal ensemble.

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Omega Constellation
For the collector interested in sleek, versatile pieces, the Constellation collection from Omega would serve the purpose of understated dress watch and impeccable everyday timepiece. Its low-key bracelet blends in seamlessly with the body of the watch, giving it an air of elegance without seeming too flashy. The design’s incorporation of thin lines, roman numerals, and a clean dial brings a retro feel to this simple watch. This timepiece has a price point that matches its modesty, but it never sacrifices the signature look of an Omega or the brand’s excellent timekeeping technology.

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Learn more about the fascinating history fo the Omega Seamaster and how it grew in popularity to become the watch-of-choice for James Bond here.

Breitling was founded in 1884 and from its onset was fastidiously focused on producing the absolute best precision chronographs and timers. And with that central goal constantly driving the brand, Breitling has churned out some of the most impressive and precise timepieces with a particular emphasis on aviation watches. We take a quick look at the history and significance at Breitling’s most popular and breakthrough models.

Navitimer
The Navitimer was released in 1952 and specially designed for pilots and aviation crews. Its most distinguishing featured is its slide rule bezel, used to make crucial in-flight calculations like fuel consumption, air speed and distance. Breitling is largely credited with making the slide rule bezel incredible popular with the introduction of the Navitimer. Today, the Navitimer is a highly sought after watch, prized for both its practical design and first class performance.

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Superocean
The Breitling Superocean marked Breitling’s—the longtime premier manufacturer of aviation watches—foray into diving watch design and production. The Superocean debuted in 1957 when diving watches were enjoying their heyday. But the Superocean stood out from its competitors with a water resistance of 200 meters. Today, the Superocean’s practical and recognizable features are its large Arabic numerals and oversized hands which were originally designed for ease of reading under water.

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Super Avenger II
As its name would suggest, the Breitling Super Avenger II is super-sized. The Super Avenger was recently introduced to the Breitling lineup in response to modern tastes’ preference for robust and hefty watch sizes. Even still, this contemporary addition upholds the core tenets of the Breitling brand: superior precision and an emphasis on utility. Breitling fans are particularly drawn to the Super Avenger for its dramatic size and enjoy it as a bold statement piece.

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Colt
The modern-day Breitling Colt was inspired by the Colt Military, a watch originally introduced in the 1980s and designed for military operations. The updated design was renamed simply the Breitling Colt and was distinguished for its broad, uni-directional bezel with four engraved rider tabs. The Breitling Colt is incredibly popular with new collectors as a signature and reasonably priced model.

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Breitling for Bentley
In 2002, Breitling partnered with Bentley, the British car manufacturer internationally renowned for its luxurious and posh cars. Breitling naturally borrowed inspiration from Bentley’s sophisticated fleet of vehicles and translated that allure into a mesmerizing collection of fine timepieces. The Breitling for Bentley collection includes mesmerizing conversation pieces and exquisite watches, decidedly worth of its namesake luxury brands.

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If this piqued your interest in Breitling watches, learn more about the Swiss watchmaker’s impressive history and how they grew into the premier manufacture of aviation watches here.

When two people get engaged, the engagement ring is always at the center of attention. Tons of emphasis is placed on planning the engagement and, of course, choosing the perfect engagement ring. But one aspect of getting married is often overlooked: the wedding band. Ironically, selecting this symbol of a couple’s love and their bright new future together is often one of the last things on brides’ to-do lists. To help you choose the best wedding band to represent your marriage, we’ve rounded up these expert tips for navigating the wedding band market.

Start Looking Early
Couples often make the mistake of waiting until just days before the ceremony to start looking for their wedding bands, limiting them both budget-wise and design-wise. It would be a good idea to make this one of the first things you check off as a couple: that way, you have all the time in the world to have your rings custom-designed and correctly-sized.

Another reason why you might want to put the wedding band first is so that you have the budget for it. If you want it custom-designed or even engraved, those services will pad up the cost of the ring. Before you shell out a few extra hundred dollars on upgraded floral centerpieces for your reception, you should definitely make sure that the ring that’s supposed to last you a lifetime is covered.

Consider Your Lifestyle
Obviously, you will be wearing your wedding band every day. Depending on the kind of
lifestyle you lead and the kind of work you do, you might want to find a ring made of more durable materials. If you work a lot with your hands, for example, or if you’re accident-prone, you might choose platinum or even stainless steel. If you’re afraid of losing the ring, stay away from a big, expensive diamond and consider a cheaper (but more unique) design that features colored gemstones. (You could also take some inspiration from this post about unique engagement rings and wedding bands!)

Coordinate with Your Future Spouse—Or Don’t
There’s no hard-and-fast rule that says you and your spouse need to have matching
wedding bands. If yellow gold is your preferred metal tone but your S.O. is fonder of silver, feel free to wear the metal of your choice. You may be perfect for each other and still have completely different tastes in jewelry, after all, and you should celebrate that! At least the different ring styles will complement your individual personalities more while still commemorating your lifelong commitment to each other.

If you are interested in rings that complement each other or totally match, it might be smart to purchase them together. Many jewelry stores offer wedding band sets for couples who want complementary or matching rings. Some stores even offer sets in different metal tones so that you and your future spouse can have rings with matching motifs set in metals that complement your individual style or skin tones.

For a truly personalized experience, you can also choose to custom-design wedding bands for yourselves. That way, you can determine exactly the degree to which you want to match and have an incredibly personal ring design to celebrate your love.

If you’re interested in saving some money on your wedding ring, consider TrueFacet marketplace! Contact our concierge service here and receive personalized assistance to find the wedding bands of your dreams.