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Invest in Platinum: 2009?

  • Posted on December 29, 2009 at 11:44 am

platinum-eagle-coinAt face value, it seems that now is the right time to invest in platinum when you consider the highs and lows of the past 52 weeks. Platinum reached an all-time high of just over $2,300 per ounce in March of 2008 and today tries to hold firm around $940 an ounce–a 60% drop from its primordial heights of 1st quarter 2008.

But a New Year is upon us and things are already beginning to change. With the news of the bloody conflict in the Gaza strip, precious metals prices got a jump-start during the last few days of 2008. Platinum was actually struggling in the mid-800s before the news of increased instability and the breach of the cease-fire in the Middle East.

Still, even in the mid $900s, platinum is at an all time low. It’s hard to imagine such a historically expensive metal going much lower. But is it a good time to buy?

That depends on your time horizon and a very unexpected twist in the precious metals sector: ties to the U.S. automaking industry. In years past, automakers consumed approx. 900,000 ounces of platinum in a single year–for use in their automobile’s catalytic converters. This accounted for about half of all platinum demand worldwide, according to London-based precious metals refiner, John Mattey, Plc.  With the spotlight heavily on the ailing “Big 3″ and the declining automobile industry, platinum took a serious hit in 2008.

2009-chevy-camaro

Surprise, surprise–what to watch when considering an investment in platinum? Chevy, Ford, & Chrysler–”The Big 3″.

Our recommendation is to hold platinum for those few of you who actually own platinum coins or hold investments–now is certainly not the time to sell, with platinum prices at an all-time low.

Consider buying when you see the first signs of recovery in the auto-industry. The vast and great challenge of platinum investing: with platinum historically and unbearably volatile, timing the market in such a commodity can prove challenging–more so than gold and more familiar precious metals. By the time a recovery is underway, the rug may have already been pulled from under your feet, and platinum may have already shot up 20-30%. It is too late to invest.

Our recommendation: Hold or Buy for Long-term investment (but be prepared to wait!)

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Purity Rings: A Commitment to Virtue

  • Posted on December 29, 2009 at 11:31 am

maltese-cross-diamond-and-white-gold-purity-ringDespite the popularity of sex, drugs and violence in the media, many young teens are turning their backs on these themes and instead turning to the Bible. In schools across the country, focusing on religion and purity is becoming a popular way of life for many middle school and high school students. From idols like the Jonas Brothers and Disney’s Selena Gomez to city kids and country teens, America’s youth is embracing purity as a socially accepted lifestyle. As a symbol of their commitment to religious ideals, these teens are choosing to wear ‘purity rings’ to proudly show off their beliefs to the world; a daily reminder of their desire to be virtuous.

What Exactly Does Purity Mean?

Purity encompasses a range of virtues, but the general idea is behind it is to possess a pure heart, pure mind and pure spirit. Being ‘pure’ is about purging sin from one’s life in order to embrace living in accordance to the virtues of the Bible. The well-known biblical quote “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” from Matthew sums up the drive behind teenagers’ commitment to purity. By living a virtuous life, the hope is that they will become closer to God and their religion.

Why Wear a Purity Ring?

Though purity rings receive the most notoriety for the wearer’s commitment to abstinence, it also encompasses much more than that. Being pure also means treating others kindly, generously, and setting a good example for others. Wearing a purity ring serves as a daily reminder of one’s promise to God and commitment to being virtuous. The meaning is similar to that of a wedding band; a powerful symbol of the person’s vows and commitment.

Where Can I Buy a Purity Ring?

A number of fine jewelry establishments sell purity rings, and Apples of Gold is proud to be among those retailers. We carry a wide selection of purity rings for both males and females who want to make a commitment to leading a virtuous life. Some of our favorite purity rings include a cross symbol on the jewelry to signify faith, including these two reasonably priced options:

Maltese Cross Diamond and White Gold Purity Ring

Simple and lovely, this purity ring (pictured at top) features a Maltese cross centered on the delicate solid white gold band and dotted with diamonds for a beautiful sparkle.

cross-and-heart-white-gold-diamond-and-tanzanite-purity-ring
Cross and Heart Purity Ring in Diamond and Ruby or Diamond and Tanzanite

These beautiful purity rings come in solid white gold and the sparkle of diamonds plus the pop of color from a center stone ruby or tanzanite (above right).

If you are looking for a unique purity ring, check out our main page filled with beautiful purity ring designs for men and women.

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Burberry will enter and be stationed in ParagonInternational Plaza Center Xiamen

  • Posted on December 29, 2009 at 11:22 am

Burberry has been specially used for royalty for many times , favored by royal household . It is stated that person in Burberry are proud of distinguishing them from upstart because of wearing Burberry. In the near future, Burberry will enter and be stationed in Xiamen.And Xiamen people could enjoy aristocrat’s feeling.

One of the top ten luxury brand in the world Hermes,and the brand of Burbelly handbags  dedicated to Britain royal household will enter and be stationed in Paragon International Plaza Center Xiamen,more high-end consumer groups will be attracted to this center at that time. Up till the present moment, there are about 50 brands including Gucci,Maxmara,Emporio,Armani etc. in Paragon International Plaza Center Xiamen.

So many luxury brand are gathering in Xiamen,did they invest blindly? I don’t think so,It’s said that last year the operating income of the tax-exempt market Xiamen was over one billion yuan,increase 30% than the year before last. And the first month’s operating income that Burberry entered Xiamen was several hundred thousand yuan. So,it is expected that Burberry will have great achievement in Paragon International Plaza Center Xiamen

 

 

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Burberry Handbag

  • Posted on December 29, 2009 at 10:59 am

Woven handbag today becomes an alternative from trendy and beautiful look. This kind of handbag will not only make the woman become little bit unique, but also creates a sense of ethnicity. This kind of woven handbag could complete your clothes as well. Thus don’t be afraid that by wearing this kind of handbag you will not look trendy.

Fashion handbag could be your choice if you are in a certain workplace. This kind of handbag will give you perfect impression to the others. That is why choosing a suitable fashion handbag is such an important thing to do if you want to depict good impressions toward the handbag. The following information tells you why this kind of handbag is very important. Take a look!

Woven handbag today becomes an alternative from trendy and beautiful look. This kind of handbag will not only make the woman become little bit unique, but also creates a sense of ethnicity. This kind of woven handbag could complete your clothes as well. Thus don’t be afraid that by wearing this kind of handbag you will not look trendy.

Burberry handbag is one of the famous designer handbags. Although well-known designer names, for example Prada and even Louis Vuitton are extremely famous when it comes to selecting stylish handbags, pause for a minute and also think of another famous name which is that of Burberry handbag.

Women have come to rely upon handbags for the transportation of their most prominent belongings on a daily basis. These things can include identification, pens, dough, credit cards, and lots of other countless things that figure out their way into handbags. Since handbags are as favorite and precious as they are, the process of selecting the suitable handbag can sometimes be an intimidating one. A solid knowledge of handbag makers, like Burberry handbag, can make the decision that much easier.

Burberry handbag maybe can be put in a line with other world brands for handbags. Their products are famous internationally nowadays. It does so since their handbags are classy as well as beautiful as well.

Besides giving proficient functionality, a handbag must also be gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing, and stylish. Burberry handbags are second-to-none in this regard, and strike a delicate balance between beauty and functionality that is oftentimes very hard to get when designing a product such as this.

Burberry has been popular for wonderful lots of things over the decades. Yet, if you are searching for a Burberry handbag, you need only recognize one thing: Burberry creates quality handbags. Burberry products have always stood for quality, sturdiness and functionality, and still to today.

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Thomas Prescher’s Unique Tempus Vivendi Qatar Watch

  • Posted on December 29, 2009 at 10:49 am

Most prominent as the inventor of the flying Triple Axis Tourbillon, Thomas Prescher creates luxurious and tailor-made timepieces highly demanded among watch collectors and connoisseurs. Thomas Prescher’s timekeeping creations boast excellent design, finest materials and supreme processing.

The latest masterpiece of the watchmaker has been inspired by a wonderful country – Qatar.

The creation of the Tempus Vivendi Qatar watch has been based on a thorough research about the country. Thomas Prescher has been inspired by a picture of the country’s Coat of arms.

Two crossed swords found in a yellow circle are depicted on the coat of arms of Qatar. Between the swords you will notice a traditional sailing boat – dhow. It is sailing beside an island having two palm trees. A white and brown band, featuring a horizontal zigzag line, surrounds the yellow circle.

The dial of the Tempus Vivendi Qatar watch reveals an original interpretation of the nice coat of arms. The retrograde hours and minutes are indicated by the tips of the swords. As soon as the swords are at the end of the index sector, they jump back to the beginning and then rise again.

 

The watch’s owner has an exclusive choice – he may have the figure continuously indicating the time or staying in its non-temporal state. To allow this choice, specially for his timepieces, Thomas Prescher has created a sophisticated and ingeniously innovative system.

The watch’s owner can make the swords move to their resting position via pushing the button found in the crown. This way he will make the hands reveal the eye-pleasing coat of arms created in gold and noble colors. The second push makes the swords move back and show the time.

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Sneak Peak of New Baume Mercier Classima XL

  • Posted on December 29, 2009 at 10:48 am

All luxury watch brands are gearing up for the 2010 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) which takes place in January in Geneva.Baume Executives XL

Many brands are giving sneak peaks of what they’ll be presenting and Baume Mercier watch is no different. One of la crème de la crème combinations in the world of watchmaking is considered that of complete calendar with moon phase indication. Baume Mericer gives this to us with its Classima Executives XL Chronograph Complete Calendar. The watch also features a chronograph function and a 24-hour indicator.

A 42 mm case and fine details, such as the silvered dial with “grain d’orge” guilloche pattern, a satin silvered surface on the outer section, and subdials with concentric circle patterns at the chronograph counters, make this men’s watch an absolute classic.

The oxidized black finish on the hands add to the classism that Baume watches are known for and they look great set against a silver background. The date hand is “ a keen match for the gleaming golden countenance of the moon on its rotating disc in the window cutout at 6 o’clock. These elements both enhance the understated allure of the complete calendar function with its dual window indications for day of the week and month.”

This watch runs on the self-winding mechancial ETA-Valjoux 7751 caliber. With a power reserve of about 42 hours, the fine details mentioned above and the “aesthetic features the movement offers in this iteration includes Cotes de Geneve patterns on the bridges, a winding rotor with brand personalization, and blued screws; these elements will be clearly visible to the owner, thanks to a transparent sapphire exhibition window in the caseback.”

A leather alligator strap and polished stainless steel folding clasp with classic B&m signature top this handsome men’s watch off perfectly.

Look for this and many other great new timepieces at the SIHH.

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Jewellery prices will be ’sky high’ in coming months

  • Posted on December 28, 2009 at 11:34 am
The gold market is going up
The gold market is going up

The cost of gold is going to drive up prices of jewellery, according to a new report

People interested in buying jewellery over the next few months will benefit from doing it sooner rather than later, according to recent statistics released by a leading authority.

The World Gold Council (WGC) believes that high prices will be the natural conclusion of high demand for the precious commodity, as gold continues to be a safe investment for those aiming to stave off the effects of the recession by buying tangible assets.

As a result, the high prices will continue as demand for gold stays strong, though it will likely be underpinned by the fall in amounts mined by companies across the world, which has been declining for the last nine years.

It added that practically all gold that has ever been mined continues to exist in jewellery form, with the WGC stating: “At the moment, our best estimate of above ground stocks is 163,000 tonnes, most of which resides in the jewellery sector in India.”

Earlier in the month, none other than Jessica Simpson, the US singer and actress, announced her intentions to create a line of jewellery, including wedding rings.

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Gold jewellery may be ‘high risk investment’

  • Posted on December 28, 2009 at 11:13 am
Gold jewellery is an interesting investment

Gold jewellery may be going up in value, according to a new report, though caution should be exercised as it is not an easy investment to make, it is believed

Gold prices continue to rise, showing the potential value which may be found in gold jewellery.

Such is the observation of Barclays Wealth last month, noting that the price of gold hit new highs during October to break through the $1,050 (£634) per ounce mark as a renewed interest in the precious metal took hold of the world.

The organisation noted that investors are bullish in their outlook for the future, as 40 per cent of clients of Barclays Stockbrokers believed the price of gold would rise even further, making jewellery worth much more.

However, it is not the safest of things to buy as an investment, with Barbara-Ann King of Barclays Stockbrokers labelling it as “higher risk”.

She did, however, continue: “The reality is that it is a reasonable investment – we have had a lot of interest in gold over the last six to 12 months.

“There are a lot of people who are saying that commodities in general have a long way to go.”

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The Most Expensive Leather Product in the World for Women

  • Posted on December 28, 2009 at 10:53 am

Three important things which represent men’s fame are leather shoes, leather handbag and leather belts. In fact women also need these three leather products especially the handbag. Among all handbag brands the most popular and famous handbag brand is Louis Vuitton handbag  which is even called the most expensive women leather products.

世上最昂贵的“女人皮”

Uma Thurman and Louis Vuitton

It is the tradition of Louis Vuitton to adapt art in its products and blend art with practicality. Hermes has insisted this tradition for 150 years and that can be seen thoroughly through its workshop and museum. Hermes workshop is a plain three-floor building located in Paris. The first two floors are used as the workshops in which all workers in different skin color make handbags here. They pay undivided attention on their work with own work such as cutting leather or weave them into a handbag. Their attitude makes us feel that they are not making handbags but having an operation for their lovers. They will feel regretting if they neglect any tint detail in the whole process. The third floor of the building is used for receiving VIP customers. Various tailored requirements of customers need artisans with top-level techniques. They need much experience to respect characteristics of all customers. Every year Louis Vuitton will receive more than three-hundred orders. Every product is the only one in the world and no one could buy it even you look for it from the New York . 　

世上最昂贵的“女人皮”

There is also a underground room to test the quality of the Hermes handbag. A Louis Vuitton is packed with 3-4 kilograms staff and is thrown thousands time for four days. The handbag will also be exposed under extra-violet and it will never pass the test only if it will not fade after grilled for four days. We always exclaim the high quality of the Louis Vuitton handbag and after knowing the testing process of it we will know why it is so popular and how it insists its fame all over the world.

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Innovative Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Series

  • Posted on December 28, 2009 at 10:50 am

This series is the special limited edition series released by Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami in the Brookline cooperation art exhibition. They are inspired by the artistic masterpiece Magic Ball and used the popular street camouflage element. The design pattern and Monogram canvas materials manifested uncommon beautiful scene. This classic and verifying image of Monogram which has more than 112 years history will raise another fashion trend in the coming season.

After the cherry bag and colorful Monogram series Louis Vuitton released the all new handbag again hand in hand with the famous design and artist Takashi Murakami. The phone bag with concise design pattern could give us the convenient and careful service in all-round way. The delicate stitch could manifest the top-level quality and technique of this world famous brand. The soft Monogram leather could give us the soft and close protection to your phone and could represent your noble identity and high social status.

The luggage bag and portable box have huge capacity and beautiful outline. It is apparently different image with the classic luggage box of Louis Vuitton which has big logo and flower pattern and checks. Its camouflage design pattern and black Louis Vuitton handbag is the relatively vague logo of this brand. Its broad angle design and flat bottom brought the box big capacity. The delicate handle and belt design protect the box and bag from single and boring color and give us some lovely and bright sensation. It is not singly suitable for boys but also for boys who like traveling or camping. We can see it as a pattern of sexless design. Boys are much more masculine with it and the girls could manifest another kind of handsome charm with it.

 

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