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Why Platinum Jewelery?

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Today like no other time in history the choices in metals that can be used to make jewelry especially engagement rings and wedding rings is almost over whelming.

A metal that may be new to many people is platinum, however it does have a rich history with its use in decorative pieces dating back to the 7th century and ancient Egypt. The use in jewelry and decor began its rise in Europe in the 18th century however it was not obtainable to those who were not royalty or extremely wealthy. In 1930’s during the time of the great depression and WWII platinum became a controlled substance therefore its use in jewelry making was almost unheard of.

It has only been in the last ten years that platinum has made a real resurgence. This metal has gained popularity in recent years among the general population however the price makes it an unrealistic choice for most of us. A platinum ring generally costs double the amount of its white gold counterpart therefore it still viewed by many as a symbol of wealth and status.

Platinum is a white metal that is appreciated for not only its beauty but its strength and long wear ability. This is one of reasons many skilled jewelers especially those making high end items like to use platinum prongs in order to set diamonds and gems in their pieces. It is also a desirable choice because it does not oxidize and is hypoallergenic. Another characteristic that makes platinum stand out from the competition is that when it does sustain a scratch this will not cause further damage to your ring, where as if a gold ring is scratched the gold will continue to breakdown in that area.

Unlike gold, high quality platinum has a purity of 95% and is often alloyed with metals such as titanium, copper, rhodium, palladium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium. Platinum is rated by a 1000 count, with platinum of 950 parts per thousand being used to make high quality jewelry. It is recommended that if you are going to pay the money for a quality platinum piece that you do not buy anything below 850 parts per 1000. High quality platinum will have a mark stating what its count is and it should be and combination of the number such as 950 and  the lettering Pt or Plat.

If you ever decided to purchase or even try a platinum ring on the first thing you will notice is the weight of it.  Platinum is a very dense metal therefore a platinum ring will weigh approximately 60% more than the same ring made from 18kt gold. As well platinum has a much higher melting temperature then gold, and can be heated over and over again allowing very small intricate pieces to made. Platinum allows a jeweler the flexibility to make pieces that are very elaborate and detailed without losing strength or durability.

Platinum rings may not be for everyone however if the price is out of reach then an option may be to purchase a ring that has its diamonds or stones secured with platinum prongs. Other options can be to go to a simpler design with the added security that your ring will last or do to a ring with a mix of metals.






A Theme Wine Gift Basket Is a Gift From the Heart

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If you think that your special friends deserve a unique gift, consider giving them a theme wine gift basket.   You may be concerned that making up a custom wine gift basket is a huge task, but you can truly have fun with this project and you will find that it is much easier than you imagine. To begin with, you don’t need to start completely from scratch.  A smart gift basket builder will head down to the local craft shop or decorating store and find a basic gift basket that will hold a few bottles of wine and some other items.

Be Creative With Your Wine Gift Basket

This is the time to put on your thinking cap and crank up the creativity juices.  Filling the basket with theme related items (e.g. golf balls, tees, golf glove, etc. for a golf-related gift basket) will give your custom wine gift basket a personalized flair.

What Should I Put In My Personalized Wine Gift Basket?

It is really very easy to make a theme wine gift basket.  Once you have selected the gift basket itself, the fun will begin.  You can start by thinking about the individual that will be receiving the gift basket: what are their hobbies, do they have a special talent, are they in a unique line of work, etc.  Then it is time to prepare a list of all the items that you know they will appreciate and related to the chosen theme.  Now it’s time to go shopping!   Purchase a number of the gift items that are on the ‘likes’ list, and carefully place them into the existing personalized wine gift basket, arranging them in an attractive manner.  A touch of colorful cloth or colored cellophane added to the bottom of the basket can really give your unique wine gift a lot of pizzaz!

A Personal Note Can Make Your Personalized Wine Gift Basket Extra Special

Then to make your custom wine gift basket a touch more personalized, a hand written note, carefully crafted, can add that special touch to any unique wine gift.   Don’t skip this step – your note should try to capture anything from memories that you experienced with the person to funny jokes.

So, if you are puzzled over what to give your close friends and family on their special occasion, why not make it a unique gift – send wine.   The recipient will greatly  appreciate your efforts and will know that this gift was truly from the heart!

Shopaholics! Now Get Paid As You Shop with Mystery Shopping

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Shopping need not mean only shelling out of the bucks on the part of the shopper. With mystery shopping tools being utilized by several market research concerns you, the shopper, may actually be getting paid as you shop around.

As a professional shopper or mystery shopper you will be permitted to eat out at restaurants, visit local attractions and shop for books, clothes, baby products and other cool things while not having to bother about the financing. The funding of all this is well taken care of by the company on behalf of whom you are spying on employees and evaluating the public appearance of the company.

Activity of mystery shoppers

The mystery shoppers or professional shoppers do the task of visiting businesses in the guise of normal customers. They carry out activities just like other customers. They may be asking questions, making some purchases or making some return. However, there is a significant difference between normal customers and the mystery shoppers. The professional shoppers have the hidden objective of evaluating the businesses and the employees and subsequent to the visit they set about with readying a report or questionnaire mentioning details of things that took place.

It is via such report that the level of service provided to customers can be gauged. There may even be evaluated the extent to which employees are neatly groomed and uniformed or the cleanliness of the business and neatness with which the merchandise is displayed or the degree of knowledge possessed by the staffs etc. The job of mystery shoppers may comprise of monitoring pricing or ascertaining that the business is being carried out as per the professional standard requirements or government regulations. Though it is mostly the things that are wrong or out of place- that need to be redressed that are to be verified by mystery shoppers it is also true that they also can help convey an objective view of the business when things are praiseworthy enough.

Mystery shoppers are paid not for giving their opinions. Their work is to particularly report their observations. The mystery shoppers are very much the eyes and ears of the business owners. They relate to the business owners about the viewpoint of the customers regarding the business. The service standards and rules for safety and security that most businesses have need to be importantly complied with by the employees and it is the mystery shoppers who are entrusted with the task of apprising the business owner about the extent of compliance of the standards and regulations set.

Mystery shopping- a lucrative profession for shopaholics

So, if you are keen on changing the way employees treat you and your family then switch over to the work of a mystery shopper. If you can keep providing honest and unbiased feedback relating to observations in detailed writing assignments over time then you can earn a living too as a professional shopper. Thus, with mystery shopping your trait of being a shopaholic can actually be gainfully utilized. And there is a reversal of the norms whereby you start getting paid while you are shopping.

Cookie of the Month Club: A Sweet Gift Idea

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Are you a cookie connoisseur?  Then you have got to try one of the cookie of the month clubs!  This is a fairly new type of monthly club.  Instead of going to a bakery and finding huge cookies people can now join a club and have them delivered to their home.

How Cookie of the Month Clubs Work

There are two types of plans that are seen most often.  One of the plans that is available with some the clubs entails choosing the length of time that you want to stay with the club.  There are cookie of the month clubs that have 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and 12 month plans that you can purchase.  There are those clubs that have only two options 6 month and 12 month plans as well as clubs that you can join for 12 months.  Payments for these plans vary as much as the length of the plans.  Approximate cost of a plan can range from $20 and up for one month.

One of the cookie clubs we saw reviewed is set up so that you can pay by the month but most are set up on plans where you pay for the period of your membership. Always read carefully how the payment system works prior to deciding which plan to chose. For example, 2 lbs of cookies cost $39.95 for a three month plan.   Upon checking this one out, it looks like all you will pay is $39.95 plus tax for the plan.  What you actually are agreeing to pay is $39.95 per month plus tax which for a total amount of $129.85 plus tax for the three month plan that you have chosen. They are not necessarily trying to trick you. They are actually giving you a breakdown price. It is always up to us to read and understand exactly how much and what we are purchasing. For those not wanting to join a cookie of the month club, with most clubs you can purchase a one time gift basket or tin of cookies as an alternative option.

Reason to Join a Cookie of the Month Club

How much would it cost for you to make great cookies from scratch, not a mix or from the refrigerator department in the store, a good homemade cookie?  If you have very far to go to a store today the cost of gas alone would be a reason to join a cookie of the month club. Try buying fresh butter and all the ingredients that it takes to bake those cookies.  Going to a bakery is a wonderful experience but can be just as costly as joining a club to get this quality of cookie.  What a wonderful gift to give for cookie lover friends you have.  Ok, so say you have a vegan friend or one that eats only organic foods.  These types of cookie of the month clubs also exist and have different plans to choose from as well. Grandma, you can’t be there to bake the cookies. How about sending them every month?

There are many good reasons to join cookie of the month clubs. And there is a club to fit most pocketbooks and time frames.  A little research can help you find the gift of the month club that best suited to your needs from gourmet to wholesome homemade.  Give a smile by giving cookies.

The Attraction of Buying Designer Shoes

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Fashion trends are always going to come and go but, there is always one thing that is constant in fashion: females love shoes, and that is a fact. Question any female, and chances are, she has more pairs of shoes than she really needs. Women just can’t get enough of shoes that they ignore all sense whenever they see a pair of shoes they like. Maybe the main reason why women love shoes so much is because shoes do not choose a body shape. Even if a lady acquires some weight, she can still make use of her favorite pair of shoes; such is not the case with every other garment item in her wardrobe.

It cannot be denied that women adore designer shoes even more. Designer shoes have become a status symbol for them, a subtle way to tell the world that they have made it. While designer shoes cost a large sum of money, even middle-class women find ways to buy them. Such is the desire of these highly-coveted shoes, that women are willing to save on other things just to be able to splurge on such pricey shoes.

Designer shoes can be costly, however most women feel that the price is worth it. After all, most women would rather spend on an expensive but reliable pair, rather than spend on a cheaper pair that would fall apart in a few months. Designer shoes command a hefty price tag because these pairs are mainly handmade, therefore ensuring the wearer’s comfort. While shoe designers take comfort in mind, they certainly do not let style take the backseat. Often the reason that these shoes are in such demand is because the styles and fresh and new.

When all things are said and done, designer shoes are really practical investments. Women can have their cake and eat it too by wearing trendy and comfortable (albeit pricey) shoes.

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