Fat finger day occurs when the ring you wear all the time suddenly will not FIT the appropriate finger! Frustrating when this happens. Exactly why it happens is somewhat of a mystery. We know that humidity can play a huge part in fattening up your fingers. So you have spent the day at the beach, boating, hiking or perhaps just enjoying the sunshine with family and friends. If the weather is unusually humid, this will tend to fatten us up temporarily. Other factors can be health related. I know there are probably many scientific reasons for this phenomenon. Bottom line. Your ring will not fit today

My (jewelry designer) solution to this dilemma

I created rings that have some ‘give’ to them. Many of the designs can be adjusted from the front of the back to 1/2 size up or down. This gives you the luxury of wearing your favorite designs anytime on your digit of choice! When I first decided to design these types of rings, many of them had a sliding feature to them. This was fun for awhile but like any designer I kept evolving and thinking of newer solutions. I love having the front show off a gemstone and still have the flexibility of altering the size slightly. Here is an example of this type of option.

The druzy quartz gemstone is the focal point for sure. Yet you still have the option of enlarging the ring shank so it fits you on these days. My goal here is to provide you with the finest quality designs based upon my aesthetic. And to allow for your preferences in wearing them. I do have several designs as well that do require an actual size. Sadly these will not fit the Fat Finger day criteria. That being said, some larger gems just need the extra support of the full ring shank. So I have conceded to make about 20% of my designs this way.

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The post Just what IS a Fat Finger day? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

• The ring finger on our left hand has traditionally been considered the place for a wedding ring. Did you know that other fingers have significance as well?

• Signet Rings are worn on the left pinky finger. Known as the ‘gentleman’s ring’, the signet ring is traditionally seen as a symbol of family heritage. Signet rings are worn by men and women from all walks of life who wish to exhibit style, or a sentimental connection with something or someone.

• Birthstone rings are meant to be worn on the first finger of the right hand. (I did not know this) Fascinating isn’t it?

• lastly we have the thumb ring. Did you know that rings worn here were originally meant to protect the person from injuries from arrows! Thankfully this is not something that we have to worry about today.

I love designing rings for any finger. Each time I create a new design, I have to wear it to try it out. Needless to say I have quite a collection. You can purchase my rings here.

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The post The Rings on your finger… appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Have you been shopping on the web more these days? Join the crowd. Sometimes it’s easier to find exactly what you want this way. Under current Covid-19 conditions we are all spending more time at home and shopping online has become a necessity. If you are like me you already love browsing online looking for the perfect accessory.

Finding a ring that grabs your attention.. that speaks to you and says. “I would look awesome on your finger.” That’s terrific! But what if you do not know what size ring fits on which finger?

• What are your options?
• Stop at a local jewelers and ask them to give you your size. However, they are in business to sell you jewelry too, so this option is not suggested.
• Purchase a ring sizer online and wait for it to arrive before purchasing.
• OR use this handy ring sizer. It is ready for you to download and print! If possible print this on a heavier card stock. It will be less apt to rip that way. Don’t forget to print an extra copy for another family member. And remember to share this blog with others you know that want to buy rings.

This handy paper guide will give you your ring sizes for every finger. Now it’s time to SHOP FOR RINGS!

Shop Alene’s Adornments For Rings, Earrings, Cuffs and Pendants.

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The post How to Find Your Ring Size appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

When you put on a certain color in the morning… does it make you feel energetic? empowered? calm? Do you tend to gravitate towards certain colors in your home and wardrobe?

How about the jewelry you wear? are you attracted to certain gemstones and colors?

Blue is one of my favorite colors! It is associated with open spaces… like the sky and the ocean.  Furthermore blue is a friendly color. Did you know that almost everyone likes some shade of blue! Furthermore corporate America embraces blue as well. Business (power) suits, ties, company logos … and the US FLAG all use blue. The key feelings associated with blue are: calmness; confidence; unity; intelligence; conservatism

If Blue is your favorite color you :

• are Reliable, trusting and conservative

• love to be needed & tend to rescue others to gain the love

• are approachable and friendly

• prefer to stay within your comfort zone

• most of all you are spiritual and devoted to family and God

As a result gemstones in blue (lapis, sapphire, chrysocolla and turquoise) aid in relaxation and open the flow of communication.

Check out my blue designs today

Become a Collector.  Why? Because you get First-Look at new designs, gemstone legends and tidbits, jewelry care tips plus collector-only specials and discounts.

The post The Color BLUE; Calming and Stabilizing appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Wear the ruby jewelry instead!

OK, I know that technically Dorothy needed the slippers to get her out of OZ, but none of us have that excuse do we?

A couple of years ago a customer asked me to design a ring using a ruby gemstone. I had not worked with rubies before so was excited for the challenge. When researching the options we ultimately chose a lab grown gemstone. What’s the difference?

Stones created in a lab are chemically, physically and optically identical to those mined underground — but they have fewer flaws, a lighter carbon footprint and cost less, too.

I now use several lab grown precious gems in my work. Gems such as emerald and sapphire as a mined stone are just cost prohibitive for my designs. Isnt it terrific that we now have this alternative method to all enjoy the beauty of these stones?

Did you know? The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means “red.” People in India believed that rubies enabled their owners to live in peace with their enemies. 

This ring also features ruby faceted lab grown gems. See all designs for sale here

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Wearing rings of any size or shape is so much fun, don’t you agree?

Rings have been found in tombs dating back to 2500 BC. Many cultures fashioned their rings from stone. Others used metal and added gemstones. Sound familiar? One of the favorite designs for the Ancient Romans was a thick hoop that had an gemstone embedded right into the metal. This flush design is still popular today.

For me I love designing a more bold look. I adore it when the gemstone takes center stage and sits atop the shank.

Here are a  few more of my popular styles

Each of my rings is handmade. I have so much fun deciding on the design and adding the gemstone that inspires me at that moment.

Over the years I have accumulated lots of gems. Each time I sit down to design, I know that the perfect gemstone is at my fingertips.

See my whole collection here

The post Romancing the Ring appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

[tweet_dis_img url=”http://www.alenesadornments.com/sacred-spiral-collection/sacred-spiral-sterling-pendant.-18-long.-2sssant/”][/tweet_dis_img]

Do you own a piece of jewelry that is darkened or blackened ?

This type of finish or patina is called Antiqued. I create it using Liver of Sulfur.

Liver of Sulfur is that stinky stuff.. and I do mean STINKY. Just like rotten eggs. Sounds delightful doesnt it? Liver of Sulfur comes in nugget form within a small jar or tin like this one.

As long as the contents are kept dry this tin lasts a LONG time. I am on my 2nd tin in 7 years. I use it about once a month.

This potassium sulfide solution combines with the sterling silver to form a colored surface. The design turns blacker  when the solution is VERY hot.(water combined with the nugget) Plus I can control the tint by how long I leave in the solution.

Why do I love this finish so much?

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]While shiny sterling and copper is beautiful, it does not compare to the detail and depth I get with the blackened finish. [/tweet_box]

I can leave the recessed parts black and shine up the raised surface… Gorgeous!

 This is my favorite way to use Liver of Sulfur. 

 I seal the finish with wax or a lacquer once I am happy with the tint.

I use Liver of Sulfur on copper too.  This cuff design features copper and sterling antiqued finishes.

For more antiqued finish designs;  alenesadornments

The post Creating an Antiqued Finish on my Jewelry Designs appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

It happens to me all the time.

In the morning, I put on one of my rings; lo and behold…. it is too tight.

Seriously? it fit me last week? and I am pretty sure that weight gain or loss has marginal effect on the fingers. This ring is a good example. I wore it yesterday as shown and today it was too tight. 

Don’t have a clue what all the reasons are for swelling of the fingers. Sometimes it is just the humidity that day. Perhaps it is affected by our hormones, or by certain drugs we start taking. 

All I know is that this phenomenon pushed me into designing my rings so they can be adjusted up or down a size. In this example, this feature allowed me to stretch the band slightly so the ring fit my fatter finger. YIPPEE!

My Rings Collection is comprised of 80% adjustable (yet classy and rich looking) designs.

The design to the left (silver and lapis) gives you the options of pinching or stretching the band slightly to fit your finger of the day.

These wrap designs are my favorite though. The adjustable feature is more subtle. So much fun to create. Copper rings are also designed primarily in this wrap design.

So on your next ‘FAT FINGER’ day, remember this post and check out my designs at Alenes Adornments.

IF you enjoyed this post you might like. Jewelry Clasps; The bigger the better

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