I do faceting of gems and the standard cleaning solution I use is rubbing alcohol. Buy as high a proof as you can get (200 proof is 100% alcohol). The usual strength available at drug stores is 70% alcohol. When your faceted gem becomes dull due to gunk on the back side of the stone (pavillion), clean the stone with rubbing alcohol. If there are no sensitive adhesives on the piece, the entire piece can be immersed. A q-tip is handy for getting into crevices on the backside of the setting. A good cleaning can revive the brightness of the stone provided it is not scracthed and dulled. Much of the light return is a function of the pavillion; It behaves as a multifaced mirror. Light leak increases through this 'mirror' when it becomes dirty. The pavillion is as important, if not more so, than the crown for brilliance.

This subject has come up a couple of times already, and I've replied this comment: DO NOT KEEP YOUR JEWELRY IN A JEWELRY BOX OR ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S JUST FOR JEWELRY!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, it looks nice and it's very organizing, BUT when your house gets broken into and not much is taken because the people were apparently in and out....the first thing they grab is the handy dandy convenient all in one place jewelry container, it's not worth it! That's what happened to me. I had a really nice wooden jewelry box on my bureau and zappo...it was gone in the blink of an eye. Very nice for the burgular. Now I keep my jewelry all over the place in unlikely places. Ironic, the day we were robbed, I had just gone thru the house and picked up earrings and bracelets, etc. that I took off during the week and just left, on the computer table, on a the coffee table, on the kitchen counter, and put them in my jewelry box. I lost some very nice jewelry, but most of it was costume jewelry, like Monet etc. Not expensive compared to real diamonds and gold, but I lost lots of it and if you total it up, it came out to lots of money. I WILL NEVER PUT ALL MY JEWELRY IN AN OBVIOUS PLACE AGAIN. A word to the wise....

Thank you, rob! I still need some hairspray to adhere the glitter some more on the shoes, but other than that, my costume is done. Now, if I can only find a party to go to, I'll be all set to go. Brad AKA Moonwolf

I don't know what the offerings are for earrings but I know Machete and other companies have a "blonde tortoise" which I love .. it works especially well for me because my hair is both blonde and dark. Aside.. my favorite glasses frames were blonde tortoise but they were too small. I have yet to find another pair but always on the hunt! I don't wear much costume jewelry because I have a severe nickel allergy so that may drive my preferences ... but I tend towards the less chunky styles (though I love the fabric covered beads Mtn shared from her local museum!). For something a little different, I will share a few of my beaded necklaces. They may not be your style but they are lightweight and will introduce some color This "uber" chain of glass and stone beads is about 42".. it can be double and triple wrapped or worn as a wrap bracelet. It is primarily roman glass but includes a number of semiprecious stones as well.. including the ruby on the left. This is a shorter piece -- I believe 18" or 19". I do not own this one yet but it is on my "short list" (Ha!) of potential next purchases. Maybe TOO much color for you? Again, I know these may not be your style .. but if you like them, I'd be happy to loan them to you for a few months. I have many designs from this artist and the first two are not ones I wear often. all of these are from Riverstone Jewelry. You may want to also check out Monica Vinader, Anna Beck and Anne Vaughan. I find Anne Vaughan especially lightweight. And for something really unusual, this artist semi-local to me is doing some interesting things with coins, crystals, beads and most recently vintage hand-painted chinoiserie beads. I have a few of her necklaces and expect to continue to add to my collection (maybe even later today when I visit a local boutique). I will note that they are MUCH prettier in person.