All precious metals are different and should be cared for accordingly. Here are some easy steps you can take to keep your silver, gold or platinum jewelry brilliantly shining.

Caring for Silver

Of all the metals, silver requires the most attention as it’s incredibly vulnerable to tarnishing. Tarnish occurs when the copper in sterling silver reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air and oxidizes. The result is a filmy, discoloration that dulls the shine of your jewelry—and in some extreme instances, turning the silver brown. Fortunately there are preventative measures you can take to slow down the oxidization process.

First, store your silver jewelry in fabric lined jewelry box, kept in a dry, cool location. Fabric jewelry bags or even plastic zip-lock bags are a fine alternative for overnight storage.

We recommend slipping a few anti-tarnish strips into your jewelry storage container. These strips absorb the air pollutants that cause unsightly tarnishing. Similarly silica packs (like the ones tucked inside shoeboxes or handbags) absorb moisture to curtail oxidation.

In addition to safely storing your jewelry, do not wear silver jewelry in the shower, pool, hot tub or sauna. The combination of moisture, humidity and chlorinated water is particularly harsh on your sensitive silver.

To clean already tarnished silver, skip the DIY remedies. (The at-home baking soda or toothpaste-based recipes can actually scratch silver.) Instead wipe down your jewelry with a silver polishing cloth to restore the silver’s luster. If you need to bring in the heavy-duty cleaning supplies, use only cleaning products specifically designed for silver like a silver jewelry wash. And if the stubborn tarnish remains, bring your piece into a jeweler for a professional cleaning.

Caring for Karat Gold 

Gold is particularly susceptible to soap reside which builds on the surface of the piece and dulls its luster. Simply removing your jewelry before showering or even washing your hands is a surefire way to reduce this unsightly build-up. That said, we recommend regularly buffing the piece with a soft chamois cloth (or an eyeglass-cleaning cloth) to keep your gold jewelry shining.

For a deeper clean, use a commercial cleaner specifically for gold jewelry. And if you need to remove tarnish in hard-to-reach places—say within the ornate crevices of a ring or pendant—use a soft, baby’s toothbrush to gently brush away dirt.

Caring for Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil is non-gold metal coated with a thin layer of gold. Therefore you do not want to use an abrasive cleaning products or cloths on gold vermeil as it could easily scratch the piece to reveal the metal beneath.

Like karat gold, gold vermeil can be wiped clean and gently buffed with a soft cloth to preserve its shine. We also recommend asking a jeweler to re-plate your gold vermeil jewelry every one to two years or as needed if you it’s piece you were regularly.

Caring For Platinum

Platinum is a particularly resilient precious metal. Unlike silver, platinum does not tarnish and any subtle changes in color or brilliance can usually be wiped away with a clean, lint-free cloth.

And a word of caution here: platinum is a commonly found on engagements rings and wedding bands. So if your ring includes a precious stone, double-check with your jeweler before using any product on your ring as some gemstones are very sensitive to the chemicals found in certain cleaning agents. But because platinum is so durable, you can likely clean it with a little dishwashing liquid, diluted in lukewarm water.

Like any precious metal, scratches are an inevitability for your platinum piece. A jeweler can buff your item to restore its luster. And as a preventative measure, you can explore having your piece plated with rhodium to preserve that smooth and dazzling finish.

July has ended, and we are unfortunately one month closer to the end of summer. However, we still have August to enjoy the best summer trends. We sorted through our best sellers to figure out the favorite summer trend. It turns out, jewelry was all about the sunny shades this summer while watches cooled things down in silver tones. Check out July’s most popular items from your favorite designers.

Cartier
Predictably, Love bracelets were our top seller for the month, but Love rings also got their time in the sun. Other Cartier favorites included Trinity Rings, the Panthere collection. The most popular Cartier watch was the elegant and stylish Ballon Bleu.

Rolex
Rolex is typically our best selling men’s watch brand, and July was no different. The most popular models were the Milgauss, Seadweller, Datejust and GMT-Master. Silver was the color of choice — the silver band and green detail on the Milgauss gives it a fresh look for summer.

Omega
Omega was a popular choice for watch collectors in the month of July. Considered a favorite of Omega fans, the Speedmaster was surprisingly behind two other models. The favorites were the Seamaster and the Flightmaster.

Michele
Michele has been on our radar for awhile now, and the brand is at its most popular yet. We expect to see more of Michele in the coming months. The favorite models of this watch were the Sport Sail and Serein.

Chanel
Like Cartier, Chanel is a typical favorite — classic, chic, elegant and timeless are words you can use to describe Chanel jewelry. Perhaps because of the statement earring trend, large logo earrings were best sellers. Rings with fun designs were also prevalent.

Bulgari

The final trending brand is Bulgari. The B.Zero1 collection is a Bulgari icon and its popularity has not slowed down since it was introduced. Following the gold chain trend, chain-link bracelets and necklaces from Bulgari were also top sellers.

Rising

Though they weren’t top sellers, there were two brands that are rising, indicating a possible trend. The next two designers deserve honorable mentions this summer.

Roberto Coin jewelry
Roberto Coin is an Italian jeweler to rival Bulgari. The company has recently focused their efforts on building an international reputation, and it’s beginning to show in the jewelry market.

Carrera y Carrera
It renowned Spanish jeweler has been increasing in popularity recently July was the best month yet. The unique and artistic sculptural designs feel fresh among common minimalist and geometric designs.

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If you’re just getting acquainted with the finer points of antique and luxury jewelry, you may recall times in your life where you looked at an authentic piece of jewelry alongside a fake one and said, “what’s the difference?”

Maybe you were persuaded by the considerably cheaper price tag or perhaps your untrained eyes just couldn’t tell much of a difference. But don’t worry. We forgive you. At TrueFacet, we live and breathe authentic jewelry. When you browse our site, you’ll see one-of-a-kind pieces made by the most respected jewelry brands worldwide.

Some of these pieces have been worn and are in great or excellent condition, others have never been worn or owned at all. Either way, we list the exact conditions and specs of our jewelry to ensure there are no surprises in the buying process. Our team of experts personally vets every piece of jewelry we sell as part of the authentication process to help curtail the exchange of inauthentic jewelry.

Keep reading to learn why offering an authentic jewelry marketplace has always been TrueFacet’s number one goal.

A Story Preserved

Our jewelry tells a story. From its maker, all the way through to its last owner, each piece you’ll find on our website was handcrafted with precision, and if previously owned, treated with the utmost care. True authentic jewelry is timeless no matter what the current trends are. We offer several vintage and modern pieces of jewelry from all the brand staples in the industry, like Omega, Rolex, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, David Yurman and more. In the case any of these items were pre-owned, you can rest assured the pieces were refurbished to an excellent, like-new quality.

Uniqueness in Fashion

Since the rise of the moden factory, there’s been a trend toward using less quality materials and products being used across the world. Companies that figured out a way to mass-produce items with cheaper materials did just that, and consumers’ buying habits have met that production on a large scale. But these items do not stand the test of time and fail to look any different than the other thousands of imitations floating around.

Don’t you appreciate something that will last your lifetime and truly stand out every time you wear it? You’ll notice we don’t have quantity or sizing options for our pieces, and that’s because it wasn’t produced in a giant warehouse with cheap components for pennies on the dollar. Instead talented artisans, fueled by their labor of love, crafted these unique pieces of jewelry.

Quality to Last a Lifetime

The cleverest of jewelry knock-offs might pass the eye test to some, but in no time you’ll find the piece breaking or deteriorating to its true quality. Intricate craftsmanship never stops rewarding its owner — in feel, value and durability.

When you buy jewelry from TrueFacet, you know its value isn’t going anywhere. As long as you take care of it, chances are it will hold most, or all of its value if you should ever decide to sell it.

Ready to find your breathtaking piece of authentic jewelry? Browse the TrueFacet catalog today and take home true quality.

Whether you’re just starting your jewelry collection or looking to refine it, here are our five must-own timeless jewelry staples that every woman’s jewelry box needs.

1. Diamond Stud Earrings
Diamond stud earrings are a small but significant addition to any jewelry collection. They add an understated hint of glamor and elegance to an everyday look or black tie gown. And because of their brilliance and minimal metals, they complement virtually everything in your wardrobe. Invest in a quality pair and diamond studs can last a lifetime with the proper care.

2. Classic Watch
Granted we all have a clock in our pocket today, so a timepiece does not serve the same historical practical use. But a classic watch adds a polished and professional touch to any outfit. We recommend a watch with a leather or stainless steel bracelet which will give you the style flexibility to wear it every day.

3. Delicate Pendant Necklace
A single pendant on a thin chain is a sweet addition to your jewelry line up. Regardless of whether or not it has personal significance—maybe you picked it up during a trip abroad or purchased it to commemorate one of life’s milestones—these delicate necklaces inherently have a sentimental and romantic appeal. Wear one solo or layered with other pendants to make a look all your own.

4. Sculptural Statement Cuff
The beautiful simplicity of a single cuff elevates both minimalist ensembles and fashion-forward looks. Round out your jewelry collection with a clean-lined statement cuff that can add the just-right amount of flash to your wardrobe.

5. Stackable Rings
We love the versatility a set of three stackable rings provides you. They are dainty enough to wear them across a few fingers. Or pile them up on your ring finger for a kind of modern cocktail ring for when you want to make a bold statement.

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The 22-year-old Michele brand may be positively infantile compared to the centuries-old Swiss watchmakers it competes with in the luxury marketplace, but its youth obliges its designers to stay on the pulse of the latest watch trends. Recently, Michele watches have been increasing in popularity because of the designers’ commitment to maintaining the freshness of the brand’s design and image. Before you trouble yourself by agonizing over which Michele model to get, read on for our round-up of five of their best sellers.

1. Michele Urban
Michele describes the Urban model as an example of “retro glamor”, an aesthetic achieved by its diamond-set, barrel-shaped face—evocative of the classic watches of the 1920s—combined with its abstract, silver-white guilloche dial design. Much like urban spaces like New York, the watch marries elements of the old and elements of the new to form an image filled with character.

Besides its attractiveness, this timepiece is also notable for its waterproof and scratch-resistant properties. The watch can be submerged to depths of 165 feet, while its sapphire crystal dial maintains its flawless face. It also contains a Swiss movement for a classic touch. The original case is 36mm x 37mm, but the watch comes in several other sizes, including the Mini (29 x 30mm) and the Coquette (22.5 x 33mm).

2. Michele Sport Sail
By definition, a luxury sports watch combines functionality with style, and the Michele Sport Sail does both elegantly. This model features a three-eye chronograph set into a large, readable 38 mm case. It also includes a date complication and a Swiss movement. This timepiece is also waterproof and scratch-resistant, which makes it perfect for watch enthusiasts and nautical navigators alike.

3. Michele CSX

Michele’s CSX model may resemble the Sport Sail in functionality, but it’s the watch’s commanding design that helps it make a statement. The Michele CSX line is diverse and customizable, so you can pair a diamond-studded bezel with a more low-key leather strap, if that suits you. With this model’s mother-of-pearl face, practical double-chronograph complication, and Day-Date function, the CSX design is classic yet versatile and sacrifices none of the performance.

Like all other Michele watches, this, too, is waterproof to 165 feet, has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial, and Swiss movement.

4. Michele Signature Deco

True to its name, the Michele Signature Deco watch embodies the geometric designs of Art Deco architecture with its square case and studded diamond details.

This timepiece includes a double chronograph and a Day-Date complication. It also maintains the same qualities that distinguish every Michele watch: it is waterproof to 165 feet and has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial and Swiss movement. The model pictured features a mother-of-pearl face and a gold-plated bezel set with 120 diamonds.

5. Michele Serein
Michele’s Serein is arguably one of the brand’s most refined designs. Its large, round dial coupled with Roman numeral markers is evocative of another veritable classic, the Cartier Ballon Bleu. Along with the practical features that characterize Michele watches, the Michele Serein boasts a date complication and a plated stainless steel case to upgrade the product’s versatility and longevity.

Michele watches have had a major boon in popularity the past few years, quickly becoming a favorite watch style of the fashion blogging set. We take a look at the brand’s history and its recent rise celebrity.

Compared to many hundreds-years old Swiss watch-making companies, Michele’s history is short, tracing its origin story to the 1940s with Belgian watchmaker Maurice Barouh. Barouh adamantly believed in using only the highest quality materials and challenged his own skills as an artisan to produce watches that reflected his devotion to the watch-making craft.

Barouh passed his values and passion for horology onto his son, Jack. Jack relocated to Latin America and began producing watches of his own design there. Like his father, Jack garnered great acclaim for his exceptional attention to detail which quickly distinguished him from his contemporaries. Unlike his father, however, Jack had an incredible knack for identifying fashion trends and re-interpreting them into his own watch designs. The result was fresh timepieces that were simultaneously au courant and timeless.

Jack and his wife Rita founded Michele as we know of it today in 1995, naming the company after his eldest daughter, Michele. The couple began designing children’s colorful watches which were a surprising runaway hit. The success of their children’s collection prompted the couple and their young family to move to Miami and expand their watch offerings.

In 2000, the company’s namesake Michele Barouh joined on as the third generation of her family’s business. Today she is the creative director, guiding the vision of the company. And true to her father’s aesthetic, continues to strike the ideal balance of fashion-forward designs with timeless appeal.

Today Michele offers highly customizable watches with nearly limitless dial and strap combinations. Michele was acquired by the Fossil Group in 2004 which aimed to increase the brand’s international distribution. Even with the acquisition, the Barouh family remains an active part of the business and Michele herself remains the leader behind the company’s recent success.

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Rolex is perhaps the most well-known watch brand in the world. The Swiss watchmaker regularly (albeit infrequently) debuts new models that nearly instantly become fan-favorites and as iconic as their predecessors. We look at the history of Rolex’s five most popular watch models.

5. Rolex Daytona

The Rolex Daytona was introduced in 1963. The design was inspired by racecar drivers and auto-enthusiasts and actor and IndyCar driver Paul Newman in particular. Newman is the namesake for the rare Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” dial which features subtle design differences—like block markers instead of lines and seconds sub-dials at 15, 30, 45, and 60—often overlooked by the uninitiated. Newman wore his Rolex Daytona every day for 36 years until his death in 2008.

If you’re in the market for a new Rolex Daytona, expect to join a waiting list that has, at times, been eight years long. Rolex Daytona watches hailing from 1961 through 1987 (reference numbers 6238, 6239, 6240, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, and 6265) are incredibly rare and, in turn, highly prized by watch collectors. The high demand for a Rolex Daytona—new or pre-owned—means it retains—if not triples in—its resale value. To wit, Christie’s held an auction in Geneva of 50 Rolex Daytona watches and they collectively garnered over $13 million USD.

4. Rolex GMT-Master II

Launched in 1954, the Rolex GMT-Master II was designed in collaboration with Pan American Airways. Pilots and airline crews used Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as the international time standard so their flight records, plans and schedules referenced this universal clock. In turn, Rolex designed the GMT-Master II which featured a 24-hour display and a rotating 24-hour scale bezel to help pilots quickly read the GMT or a second time zone. First produced only in stainless steel, the Rolex GMT-Master was intended to be a real “work horse” watch and featured a Cerachrom bezel which is even more scratch-resistant than steel.

Modern Rolex enthusiasts are fond of the GMT with a blue and red bezel, dubbed the “Pepsi Bezel” which was re-released in 2014. The Rolex GMT-Master II has also matured from its practical origins and is now offered in precious metals like gold and some more ornate designs feature precious stones. While these luxury GMT-Master watches may have a higher price tag, stainless steel vintage models are the savvy collector’s favorite—should they be lucky enough to find one!

3. Rolex Yacht-Master

Introduced in 1992, the Rolex Yacht-Master is a comparative newcomer to the list. The Rolex Yacht-Master shares a lot of design and technical similarities with the Rolex Submariner but, given that it was made in 18Kgold, was meant to be a luxurious alternative to the Submariner. In 1999, Rolex released the Yacht-Master in Rolesium, a Rolex-exclusive material made of stainless steel and platinum.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II was introduced in 2007. Despite sharing a name with its predecessor, the Yacht-Master II has a very different aesthetic, namely a massive 44 mm case. The Yacht-Master II also has a special time-lapse bezel which, in keeping with the watch’s nautical theme, is meant to be used as a regatta timer. (Yacht skippers use a regatta timer to signal when their boat can cross the starting line.)

2. Rolex Datejust II

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust (or Rolex Datejust) was a big-time “first” for Rolex and the greater horology industry. The Rolex Datejust was the first certified, self-winding chronometer watch manufactured by Rolex in 1945. It was also the first watch to include an automatically changing date function. (While we may take that date display for granted today, it was an incredible innovation in watch complications at the time.) In 1954, Rolex updated its Datejust with the date-manifying “Cyclops Lens” that has since become a hallmark of Rolex watches.

1. Submariner

Although Rolex had already produced water-resistant watches, the Submariner was the brand’s declaration that it was breaking into the diving-watch market. The Rolex Submariner underwent a handful of rigorous field tests, conducted by the Institute for Deap Sea Research in Cannes, to prove its credibility as a professional diver’s watch. A Submariner predecessor was affixed to the front of August Piccard’s bathysphere (a spherical deep-sea submersible) in 1953. The vessel dove to 10,275 feet and surfaced with the prominently displayed Rolex in perfect working order. Championed by Rolex founder Hans Wildsorf and René-Paul Jeanneret, an experienced diver and Rolex board member, the Rolex Submariner design included a rotating bezel for divers to quickly read the remaining time of their dive.

And in 1954, the Rolex Submariner officially debuted at the Basel Watch Fair. Soon after, the Rolex Submariner was the watch of choice for the British Royal Navy (1955) and Royal Canadian Navy (1956).

Since its introduction, the Rolex Submariner’s design has been largely unchanged. The watch’s striking look is functional, professional and elegant.

The popular bangle-style bracelet, characterized as a circular and rigid bracelet, dates back to as early as 2600 BC. The ancient accessory holds cultural significance that dates back nearly 5,000 years to the Mohenjo-Daro settlements on the banks of the Indus River in what is Pakistan today.

In 1973, a British archeologist discovered a statue of a teenage girl in an archeological excavation of Mohenjo-Daro. The 4,500-year-old statue is called the “Dancing Girl” and she is depicted in the nude except for an arm that is entirely covered in bangles. This evidence of bangles is noted as the first instance of the accessory as a part of human culture.

The bangle is an important item of wedding jewelry for many Indian brides, though the meaning and significance varies from region to region and family to family. Glass bangles are meant to represent safety and luck in marriage. Depending on the bride’s origins and family traditions, she may be found wearing gold-plated iron bangles, green bangles, or ivory and red bangles.

Though the more modern bangle originates in the Indus region, there has been an instance of a bangle-like style of stone bracelet discovered in Siberia that is an unbelievable 40,000 years old and thought to have been worn by the Denisovan species of humans.

The bangle bracelet has also been found in ancient Mayan, Mauryan, Roman and Indian ruins. This historically significant item is one of the oldest forms of jewelry that has ever been discovered. Ancient bangles were made of terracotta, stone, shells, copper, glass and other similar materials.

In the jewelry world, The term bangle widely refers to the style of a bracelet that’s circular and closed by form or hinge and it’s more loosely applied to many different styles, not just the thin and rigid style of Indian tradition. We’ve seen the bangle-style bracelet all over this season. Chanel layered slogan upon slogan with bangle-style bracelets in the Spring/Summer 2015 runway show. The stacking look is one of the most obvious trends and with the rise of Alex and Ani jewelry, the bangle bracelet is a favorite for jewelry lovers and trendsetters.

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