Getting Engaged with Moissanite Gems

It is no news that sparkling jewelry has been the choice adornment of most women for many years. But changing times result in changes in taste as well as changes in trends. Diamonds over time have become increasingly expensive to where most people cannot afford to buy them. The changing times has caused customers, who would consider nothing short of a diamond some years back, to purchase moissanites. Moissanites are unique in themselves and are not fake diamonds or diamond replicas. Moissanites are increasingly being considered due to its characteristic brilliance and reduced overall cost.

Unlike diamonds, moissanites do not raise ethical concerns largely because they are synthetic. In order to resolve the ethical concerns about diamonds, synthetic diamonds are reasonable alternatives to original mined diamonds. Moissanites are more astonishing to behold due to its bright array of colors. What's more? They come at affordable prices as moissanite engagement rings have eased their way onto ring fingers when diamonds simply have not been affordable.

Does That Make Them Fake Diamonds?

While it is easy to say false things about a competitive product, there is no theoretical evidence to back the suggestion posed by some diamond purists that moissanite is a diamond replica. In fact, moissanite is made up of laboratory produced silicon carbide which differs from diamond, which is composed of densely packed carbon atoms. The obvious different in their composition suggests differences in their properties.

Although moissanites 'diamond' engagement rings can be obtained at a reduced cost in comparison to diamond, it would be inappropriate to consider them an inferior class of jewelry. Moissanites have a hardness of 9.5 while diamonds have a hardness of 10 on a scale that measures the hardness of different gemstones. The refractive properties of moissanite gives off a light spectrum which is twice that produced by diamond. 

Understand Moissanite Discovery

Silicon carbides were discovered in 1906 by Henri Moissan. This carbide was erroneously said to come from space due to its closeness to a meteorite crash site around the time of its discovery. But the silicon carbide has been noted to exist naturally on Earth. Silicon carbide cannot be used as jewelry in its raw form. Subjecting the compound to laboratory procedures yields the jewel known as moissanites. Unfortunately, fraud is prevalent in the jewelry industry. In order to make sure the moissanite purchased is not a fake or stolen product, there is a form of hallmark or paperwork which is linked back to the only company permitted by law to produce moissanites; a company owned by Charles and Calvard.

Should I Spend My Money on Moissanite?

Moissanites is worth the cost. Making a choice between diamond and moissanite seems to be an already made choice. Based on your budget and your concerns with ethical processes, you can choose which gemstone works for you. The violence and environmental hazards involved with diamond mining have long been in existence. Moissanite poses no such threat. Not to mention the excellent brightness, sparkle, and rainbow glow. Undoubtedly, moissanite is a gemstone worth your money.

4 Things to Consider When Buying a Watch

In the days of cell phones, some may wonder why you would even want or need a watch. Watches can be much more discreet than a cell phone. Picture it, you’re in a gathering or meeting, and you need to see what time it is. Pulling out a phone is far more apparent and could be off-putting to others. However, a glance at your watch can go practically unnoticed by others. Another reason you may want a watch is when you may not have a place to keep a phone handy, a watch strapped to your wrist will be easy access to check the time. So now that you’ve decided to buy a watch, here are four things to consider before you make that purchase. 

Photo by Rodrigo Bressane on Unsplash

1. Function

The function of the watch is essential. Will you be using the watch for business or sports? Do you need a divers watch like the Luminox 3051 Navy Seal that can withstand water and increased pressure? Or are your needs more along the lines of what a smartwatch might provide?

2. Design

Hand in hand with function is the design of your watch. Watches come in a variety of styles, ranging from leather or canvas straps to the expandable steel mesh straps that stretch around the wearer's wrist for a perfect fit.

3. Movement

There are three basic types of watch movements. Manual, automatic, and quartz movement are the most common. Manual is where the wearer must manually wind up the watch, so it keeps accurate time. An automatic watch movement is one in which the motion of the person wearing the watch, keeps the watch wound. Finally, a quartz movement is based on an internal battery and a quartz crystal to keep the watch running.

4. Materials

Depending on the function and design of the watch, they will be made up of different materials. Ceramic watches tend to be more robust and are chosen for their scratch and heat resistance. Steel watches are suitable for moisture and rust resistance. Finally, watches made with titanium tend to be stronger and lighter than other watches. They are resistant against salt, water, and acids that may be present. Titanium is also hypoallergenic so that it may be the best choice for those with sensitive skin.

Buying a watch doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take your time to find the right watch that fits your style, function, and material needs. With so many choices out there, you’ll hopefully find your perfect watch.

Heirlooms And Vibrant Hues: Doe Deere's Success Story In The World Of Fashion

We are in an age where fashion brands continue to up the ante through unique products and campaigns. A lot of companies say that what they have is “new” despite their products having little to no variation from other market brands. Since both industries are already saturated, it is hard to create something that could be considered as “new.” However, Doe Deere has seemingly found the perfect line between old and revolutionary with her new company.

Doe Deere founded Poppy Angeloff, a new jewelry brand that produces women’s accessories that are deeply inspired by the Victorian era. Of course, these products don’t only cater to the trends of days gone by as they also appeal to modern standards in the dynamic world of fashion.

The brand was inspired by family heirlooms that Deere herself re-discovered. Like an artist finally seeing what his next masterpiece should be, Deere began exploring vintage-inspired jewelry. The idea was to create jewelry that could be passed down from generation-to-generation. It was a dying tradition that Deere wanted to revive.

She was hesitant to do it at first. Thanks to her sister, Deere was able to see that the idea had potential.

She did not immediately dove into the idea of jewelry making as to fully understand the field, she had to spend months learning about jewelry design and history. Deere saw the new journey ahead of her as an opportunity to develop her skills as an artist and entrepreneur. However, to all the girls that are big fans of Deere’s brands, what she offers are something beyond compare.

Aside from Poppy Angeloff, Deere is also the founder of Lime Crime Cosmetics. The cosmetics brand delivers vegan and cruelty-free items to customers worldwide. Most of today’s cosmetics brands push for seemingly-natural styles. This is what makes Lime Crime different as its products deliver strong and vibrant colors.

Deere wanted to initially create a cosmetics line with a tenacious and rebellious appeal. Through the years, Lime Cosmetics has been the go-to brand for women that want to express themselves better through strong colors. It teaches them to go beyond the norm and it empowers the female spirit.

As an artist and designer, Deere carries a certain fascination for vibrant hues. At first, she was not sure whether or not the Lime Crime colors would find its own market. At the time, she understood that women wanted something simpler. Luckily, Lime Crime sparked a new revolution in the world of fashion.

Lime Crime is distinct from its competitors in numerous ways. Aside from the vibrant colors, the sustainably sourced products are a big hit for consumers that have become more concerned about each of the ingredients in the product they use.

Both of Deere’s companies are starting to gain traction. Deere and her husband are currently focusing on the expansion of Poppy Angeloff since Lime Crime is already big. As an entrepreneur, Deere’s strong understanding of what women want goes well with her devotion and love for her craft. The end result is a brand that women look up to.

Thanks to entrepreneurs like Doe Deere, girls worldwide are able to fully express themselves through unique ways. As a woman entrepreneur, Deere is able to inspire countless other girls out there to find that one field they can fully excel in. Hopefully, the success of Poppy Angeloff and Lime Crime sparks a new wave of strong women worldwide.

It seems as though Deere’s new journey is the start of something amazing once again. There is no doubt that there is a market for Poppy Angeloff and who knows, it might be the next top brand in the world of fashion.

The Hello Kitty Craze

You see the cute little whiskered face in almost every major store throughout the country and even across the world. It adorns clothing, lunch boxes, diaries, toothbrushes and bed sheets. It is even the theme for an entire hospital in Taiwan! Hello Kitty has become an international craze that continues to take the world by storm. Kids everywhere immediately recognize the unassuming round face and the familiar red ribbon that adorns this cute little cartoon cat.

What is the history of this little cat, and how did Hello Kitty toys become so popular throughout the world? Here is everything you could possibly want to know about Hello Kitty and her rise to fame.

Japanese Origins

Hello Kitty originated in Japan during the 1960’s when a Japanese company called Sanrio developed her character (which is actually known as Kitty White). Previous to selling Hello Kitty products, Sanrio primarily sold small items like pencil cases and other items for elementary-aged children. Once they developed the Hello Kitty character, their sales began to increase.

Rumors Abound Regarding Hello Kitty’s Origins

There are a couple of untrue legends circulating about how Hello Kitty actually originated. One story claims that the cute kitty was developed in an attempt to soften the corporate image of a nuclear power plant. Another story involves a fantastic claim that involves a truce with the devil to create a cute image in his honor in exchange for the healing of a young girl with cancer. Both stories are obviously false and the character was not created in any sinister way.

Emotionless Character

Hello Kitty was made without a mouth intentionally, because the lack of emotion made it more likely for people of all backgrounds to relate to her.  Because she does not seem to portray any emotions, the individual who views her can project their own emotions onto her at any time. It is this strange characteristic that may be part of the reason for her impressive international success.

Hello Kitty Almost Became a Punishment

Back in 2007, the idea was briefly entertained to force police in Bangkok to wear flashy Hello Kitty armbands if they committed minor infractions. This plan was quickly abandoned as it created outrage among both Hello Kitty fans and the Bangkok police ranks.

A Character That Kids and Adults Enjoy

While originally intended for children, Hello Kitty now adorns adult clothing and novelty items as well. Today you can buy Hello Kitty toys, Hello Kitty jewelry marketed to wealthy women, and Hello Kitty themed make up. While it may not be perfectly clear why this cute little emotionless character became so popular, it is clear that she is a character that is able to break through typical cultural, gender and age boundaries.

Sign the Toyota &Teen Vogue #ArriveInStyle Pledge & join me for a day full of giveaways! #ad

This post was written as part of my association with Toyota for Arrive in Style. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.  The prize was provided and may be shipped by Toyota.  Toyota is not a sponsor, administrator, or connected in any other way with this giveaway

Hi guys! You might remember a couple months ago, I posted about the Toyota and Teen Vogue "Arrive In Style" pledge. The pledge is a very simple way for moms and daughters to make a promise to make safety a priority when driving. Many girls and women have already taken the pledge and I would love for you to do the same!

Starting tomorrow, July 23, 2013 at 11:00 am EST until 8:00 PM, I will be tweeting about this initiative and would love for you to join me! By taking the pledge and posting your public link or a screenshot, you will have the chance to win one of 13 awesome prizes! We will be giving away:

(10) Two-Pack “Arrive in Style” safe driving promise rings (photo below)
(2) “Arrive in Style” beauty boxes
(1) $50 AMEX gift card

Taking the pledge is so easy! It has 4 steps in all and takes about 2-3 minutes to complete. Go to the Teen Vogue and Toyota Arrive in Style pledge page.

#1- Enter your date of birth and then accept all 4 sections of safety guidelines.
#2- Sign and enter your basic information to be eligible for the sweepstakes and photo contest.
#3- Next you can post a photo of you and your daughter "air driving" (see photo below for an example).
#4- Spread the word! Share your pledge on your Facebook page and make it a "public" update. Remember, if you do not make it public, we won't be able to verify that you took the pledge. If you don't care to post publicly on your Facebook page, just copy and paste the link on the completion page and leave your link in the comments or tweet it to me @momfiles. Easy, right?!

Here is an example of what your completed pledge will look like: https://www.facebook.com/natasha.taylor.7355/posts/473892042700150

If you want to go take the pledge now, you can leave your public link or a screenshot in the comments section to enter to win one of the 13 prizes. For a screenshot, you can Tweet me the screenshot image @momfiles and use the hashtag #arriveinstyle. You have until 8:00 PM EST on July 23, 2013 to enter either here on the blog, or on Twitter.

Winners will be selected randomly and will be contacted to provide mailing information to claim prize. You will have 24 hours to respond or an alternate winner will be chosen. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost prizes. Good luck!