How to Choose Your Precious Metal Jewelry

 

When it comes to shining up your wardrobe, nothing adds the finishing touch like the sparkle of precious metal jewelry. Shopping for precious metal jewelry can be an exciting experience - but it can also come with a bit of stress if you need to become more familiar with what metals are available and what distinguishes them from one another. 

Whether you’re searching for something to adorn yourself or gifts for special occasions, determining which type of precious metal is right for you is essential to finding pieces that will last a lifetime! From traditional gold and silver to modern alternative options, let’s explore some tips and tricks on selecting the best precious metal jewelry that fits your style and budget.

What precious metal is best?

When it comes to deciding which precious metal is the best for your jewelry, there really is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each type of metal has its own unique characteristics and benefits that may make it ideal or inappropriate, depending on what you’re looking for in a piece of jewelry.

Need help with your precious metals? Here’s a tip! 

Suppose you’re ever curious about the precious metals and gems in your possession and want expert advice on their authenticity and valuation. In that case, Willyn Villarica is your go-to person for excellence. She has an eye for detail and many years of experience. With her appraisal services, you can trust that all the details are managed accurately to give a precise result every time.

Precious Metals to Choose From

Gold

When used by itself, gold refers to either entire gold or "pure" gold, which is 24-carat (24K) gold. Because 24K gold is soft, it is typically alloyed with other metals to boost its hardness and endurance. If a piece of jewelry is not made of 24-carat gold, the karat quality must accompany any claim that it is gold.

The karat quality designation indicates the percentage of gold in a piece of jewelry. 14K jewelry is composed of 14/24, or 58.3%, gold and 10/24 parts of an alloy metal. The higher the carat rating, the greater the gold content in a piece of jewelry.

The carat quality of jewelry should be indicated. The company's name or U.S.-registered trademark should also be shown close to the karat quality mark. The trademark may be a name, symbol, or set of initials. You should search elsewhere if a trademark does not accompany a quality mark on a piece of jewelry.

Platinum

Platinum is the rarest and most expensive metal. Because it is incredibly durable and will never tarnish, its worth is readily apparent. You may also combine it with other metals to give it a unique aesthetic, guaranteeing that it always seems new. In addition, platinum's extraordinary durability makes it a perfect material for daily jewelry.

In addition, platinum jewelry is naturally hypoallergenic due to its high purity level, making it the ideal choice for people with sensitive skin. In other words, platinum jewelry is always a safe investment.

Platinum is a highly uncommon metal, much more uncommon than gold. Due to its scarcity, it is also a costly metal, and it has only been discovered in a few areas globally, including the Ural Mountains in Russia, the Merensky Reef in South Africa, and a few tiny mines in the United States and Canada.

Platinum is a strong and dense metal, allowing it to be utilized in various ways. Platinum is utilized in jewelry, laboratory equipment, dental work, electrical connections, and car emission control devices. The term platinum is derived from the Spanish word plata, which means "little silver."

In jewelry, platinum consists of an alloy of six heavy metals: platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. In terms of weight and chemistry, these other metals are so close to platinum that the majority were separated from one another in the early nineteenth century.

Frequently, platinum is alloyed with copper and titanium. Compared to gold, platinum requires less amount of alloy to be fashioned into jewelry. It is the only precious metal used in exquisite jewelry that is between 90 and 95 percent pure, highly hypoallergenic, and resistant to tarnish. When scratched, platinum jewelry retains its color, brightness, and weight, but other metals may lose their shine or become tarnished.

Silver

The terms silver or sterling silver denotes a product containing 92.5% silver. The 925 mark on silver items indicates that 925 parts per thousand of the product are pure silver.

Some jewelry is silverplated, in which a coating of silver is attached to a base metal. The term "coin silver" refers to compounds containing 90% silver. In accordance with the legislation, silver with a quality mark must also carry the firm's name or a U.S.-registered trademark or individual standing behind the mark.

Flexible and resilient, silver is resistant to repeated wear and tear. One could even claim that silver is a metal that demonstrates its mettle. In their current shapes, contemporary jewelers continue to employ silver. There are several economical and stylish options for a diverse look.

Why invest in precious metal jewelry?

Of course, you need to consider some things before you start a new endeavor, be it simple snack savers or as big as jewelry investment! 

Investing in precious metal jewelry is a great way to shield yourself from the diminishing value of paper currency. Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum have intrinsic value that can ensure your investment increases as inflation rises. Furthermore, compared to other investments such as stocks or bonds, precious metals carry no credit risk and offer investors unique inflationary protection through their tangible nature. This makes them ideal for those looking for an alternative to traditional financial instruments without taking on added risks associated with volatile markets and difficult-to-value assets.

In addition to providing robust financial protection against the impacts of inflation, investing in precious metal jewelry also offers many aesthetic benefits. Jewelry pieces crafted from valuable metals are beautiful works of art that look eye-catching adornment when paired with clothing or worn as standalone pieces. 

Vivo Y02s’ upgraded 3GB+64GB storage and its amazing specs

 

The vivo Y02s captured the market with its slim yet powerful capability last 2022, but it’s about to get even better! The smartphone is now available in 3GB RAM + 64 GB internal storage– double its original available variant, for only Php 5,999! Here’s how you can maximize this BIG update!

Bigger storage and unlimited fun

It is never too late to start having fun in the new year. If you enjoy doing so many things at once, this upgrade is for you. Now having up to 6GB Dynamic RAM and 64GB memory, you can switch from one app to another or play your favorite songs in the background while scrolling through your socials without having to worry about lagging.

On top of vivo Y02s’ uninterrupted user experience, never run out of storage space for your picture-perfect moments with family and friends. Saving photos or videos won’t be a worry anymore because with its 64GB internal storage, no precious memories will go to waste. Now, you can document all of your life’s events or celebrations and even secure your most important files all in one device.

Your all-out companion

A low battery notification on a busy day can be a bummer, but with the vivo Y02s’ 5000mAh battery power, you can slay the days ahead easily. Get your checklist done while still maintaining a sense of work-life balance. What’s even more exciting is its Type-C Hi-Speed Port + 10W Fast Charge that will be your companion to stay loaded during the day. With this much power in your device, you can play your favorite mobile games, vibe with your favorite  artists, watch funny videos online, and stay productive all day long.

 To make sure that your device can keep up no matter how busy and always on-the-go you are, the vivo Y02s sports an easy-to-carry 8.19mm body complemented by a good handgrip and ultra trendy design that is convenient to handle whenever you’re moving around. Slip it in your pocket comfortably or just hold it and flex its eye-catching design to compliment your fashion

style.

Qualified UMID applicants have free Upgrade to UnionBank SSS UMID ATM Pay Card

 

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is reminding members of the Social Security System (SSS) who are qualified for a free upgrade to the UnionBank SSS UMID ATM Pay Card to avail of the offer now so they can enjoy an easy and convenient way to receive their SSS proceeds.

Announced a few months ago, the UnionBank SSS UMID ATM Pay Card is a government-issued ID card and fully functional ATM card that is linked to a UnionBank savings account, where SSS members can receive the proceeds of their benefits, loans, and refunds. The savings account doesn't require a maintaining balance.

SSS members who are registered on My.SSS and have applied for the standard UMID card but have not received it yet may avail of the UnionBank SSS UMID ATM Pay Card upgrade for free. To let them know about the upgrade option, SSS also sent invitations to qualified members via email, so they may want to check their email. The upgrade will be available to all SSS members applying for the UMID card eventually.

Qualified members may upgrade their card by logging in to their My.SSS account, or register if they haven’t yet. They will then need to go to the E-Services tab, access the "Data Sharing Consent for UMID Pay Card" option, and give their consent to share their information with UnionBank.

Next, they must download the UnionBank Online app, which is available on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery. They can also visit https://www.unionbankph.com/unionbankonline and or scan the download QR code.

On the app, they need to select the "Open an Account option," choose "Government" click UMID Pay Card Account" then click “Agree to the Terms & Conditions and Data Privacy Consent” to continue. After making sure that their SSS information is updated and correct, they will need to complete the form to open their savings account. More details are available at https://www.unionbankph.com/sss-umid.

Upgrading to the UnionBank SSS UMID ATM Pay Card comes with a few perks. Once the free upgrade is completed, funding the account with a minimum of PHP1,000 entitles the owner to a free Jollibee eGC worth P200 and a chance to win a brand-new Mitsubishi Xpander GLS sponsored by UnionBank. Account holders must fund their account on or before Feb 28, 2023 to enjoy these perks.

Because the card is linked to a UnionBank account, users will be able to enjoy fully-featured ATM transactions, as well as digital banking services and advanced features like financial goal setting and payment requests via the UnionBank Online app.

UnionBank has been a long-time partner of the government in the issuance of two-in-one ID and pay cards that have benefited countless Filipinos over the years, and the new UnionBank SSS UMID ATM Pay Card is just one of the many innovative offers that have come from its partnerships with the government agencies like the SSS and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), to name a few.

To learn more about the UnionBank SSS UMID ATM Pay Card, visit https://www.unionbankph.com/sss- umid.

P&G offers assistance to needy communities during Urban Poor Solidarity Week.

 

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines, the trusted brand with a diverse range of superior health care, home care, beauty, and grooming products, aids over 6,000 urban poor families during Urban Poor Solidarity Week in partnership with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP). 

Through the collaboration, P&G donated over Php 650,000 worth of P&G hygiene and home care products during the Urban Poor Solidarity week’s first-ever PWD Assembly and Senior Citizens’ Assembly, aiding urban poor communities in Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, and Masbate Province. 

“P&G Philippines continues to be one of PCUP’s catalysts in making sure that the less fortunate families in the country live their lives a little easier despite poverty and scarcity. The success of the Urban Poor Solidarity Week 2022 celebration would not have been possible without the support of P&G Philippines,” says PCUP Undersecretary Elpidio Jordan Jr. 

Since 1986, the PCUP has been the direct link between the urban poor and the government in terms of policy formulation and program implementation. It is tasked with establishing projects such as the PCUP Caravan and PWD and Senior Citizen’s Assembly to help empower marginalized communities by giving them access to basic needs and services.

According to PCUP, aside from food packs and medicine, proper hygiene is as vital as necessities. Access to products that enrich health, home, hygiene, and daily life empowers the urban poor sector and P&G’s product donations help fulfill this immediate need. 

Aside from promoting proper hygiene education and access to P&G’s hygiene, and daily life products, the program also acquainted PWDs and senior citizens with the different programs and services of participating agencies that they may avail of in times of need. This includes health, legal, education, employment, housing, and other government services.

“Making a positive impact has and will always be at the core of P&G’s operations. We are grateful for the continuing partnership with PCUP; through their programs and projects, we are able to give Filipino families access to our products and promote health and hygiene,” says Raffy Fajardo, President of P&G Philippines. 

How Lalamove Empowers Businesses Owners like Kim Chiu Through Affordelivery

 

Cebuana actress Kim Chiu recently fulfilled her dream of owning a business when she launched House of Little Bunny, an online shop that sells fashionable and dainty tote bags and crossbody bags to complete one’s wardrobe, accommodating local consumers and even those abroad. 

As Kim makes strides in business, she has tapped 24/7 same day, on-demand delivery platform Lalamove as her partner in nationwide delivery for her bestselling handbags, catering to customers across Luzon and her hometown in Cebu and marking her Lala-lovely beginning as the platform’s newest ambassador.

Coca-Cola Foundation and PHILSURIN Solidify Partnership for Sustainable Production

 

Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and the Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation (PHILSURIN) entered into an agreement to help boost the productivity of small sugarcane farms and increase the income of sugarcane farmers in Negros. The partnership will support the research and development of high-yielding varieties and disease-free planting materials, and the establishment of a breeding facility to sustain the development of these HYVs for distribution to farmers. 

Since 2018, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, the social investment arm of Coca-Cola in the Philippines, has been partnering with PHILSURIN, a non-profit organization that aims to promote the development of the sugar industry by conducting research and development activities to improve the productivity, quality, and competitiveness of small sugarcane farms. The grant provided by Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines in 2018 for its Adopt-a-Seed Project upgraded PHILSURIN’s DNA research equipment for Variety Fingerprinting and faster disease diagnosis which then led to the production and distribution of disease-free and pure planting materials that can be harvested early and resulted to 50%-60% increase in the production of small sugarcane farms and consequently, the income of recipient farmers. 

The new agreement aims to establish a 10-hectare seed farm for PHILSURIN varieties; as well as hybridization and ripening sheds, both of which will augment the production of more high-quality seed canes and allow access for small farmers to avail of clean and pure planting materials. Due to climate change and increased land conversion to commercial areas, sugarcane farmlands have been decreasing in size, so high-yielding seed canes would be critical to increase and sustain the productivity of existing ones. 

“A good crop starts from a good seed. At PHILSURIN, we believe that even if there is less land to plant sugarcane compared to previous years, as long as we can increase their productivity through high-quality seed canes and proper training on good farming practices, then we can help assure the continuing livelihood of our sugarcane farmers and support local sugar production which is important for our local economy and consumers in general,” said Maria Regina B. Martin, Director General of PHILSURIN “That is why I am grateful to partners like the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines for their support to this Project and for our enduring partnership that would make a significant impact on the lives of our farmers and their families and our local economy in Negros.” 

The two provinces of Negros are major producers of sugar in the Philippines but small sugarcane farmers in these areas are considered the most vulnerable stakeholders in the local sugar industry as they continue to face challenges in terms of resources, market, and technology. Partnerships and linkages that support the development of the local sugar sector are critical to promoting the welfare of this vulnerable group.

Enjoy sulit-sarap merienda with Mang Inasal Snack Savers

Looking for delicious and affordable snacks this 2023? Mang Inasal, the country’s Grill Expert, treats its customers with Snack Savers -- the sulit-sarap merienda treats.

“Mang Inasal has been a dining partner of our customers for two decades and we know how important merienda meals are for them. So this year, we are offering everyone our Snack Savers composed of our best-selling snacks at affordable prices,” said Mang Inasal’s Business Unit Head Mike V. Castro.

Choose from Chicken Empanada at P52, Palabok at P75, or small Extra Creamy Halo-Halo at P69, and enjoy your sulit-sarap merienda anytime of the day! Check out the Snack Savers at all Mang Inasal stores nationwide.

 

Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit www.manginasal.com for the latest updates, https://manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media! 

Celebrate life’s meaningful moments at Max’s Restaurant through Home Credit

Allow the fun to begin! Pinoys are renowned for being food and entertainment enthusiasts who bring people together. Filipinos usually find a way to share their blessings and celebrate milestones and memorable occasions with friends and loved ones, whether it be birthdays, class reunions, or kiddie parties!

Home Credit Philippines, the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, has expanded its services and offerings to Food and Beverages, beginning with its relationship with Max's Restaurant, to give Filipinos new methods to make their amazing celebrations memorable and affordable.

Customers can celebrate any special occasion at Max's Restaurant with their loved ones and have a Sarap to the Bones experience without going over budget! Therefore, this is the signal to spend a little more on your family's holiday gatherings.

Best Whale Watching Experience in San Diego 2023

 

The ocean offers an array of entertainment options. You can dive in and go surfing, you can enjoy a day spent on the beach, or you can get an up-close view of the sea’s natural inhabitants. If the latter experience appeals to you, dog friendly whale watching might be the best option for your next excursion. This experience allows you and your furry friend to charter a yacht and explore all of the marine wildlife that inhabits the ocean.

Early Morning Whale Watching

There is much debate regarding the best time to go on a whale-watching excursion. Most experts agree, though, that you can enjoy the best whale watching in San Diego when you schedule your voyage for the early morning. Whales have unique migratory and behavioral patterns, so they are often the most active between the hours of 6:00PM and 6:00 AM. For this reason, many whale-watching tours are scheduled after sunset and before the sun rises.

If you’re not a morning person, though, don’t worry. There are still many opportunities to enjoy whale watching. An experienced charter captain will know where to go in order to get close to these creatures. This is why it’s important to invest in a tour with an experienced provider. You don’t want to miss out on the show of a lifetime.

Hada Labo offers easy and simple steps to achieve that healthy mochi-mochi glow

 

The new year is always a good opportunity to reevaluate one’s habits and switch up routines. For skinthusiasts, this means reviewing their skincare regimen. As beauty experts round up the hottest beauty trends for the year, there’s one that has always been part of the list: skinimalism.

Skinimalism, which means skincare minimalism, isn’t really a trend. Rather, it’s an approach, a philosophy on one’s skincare routine. The rule is simple. Instead of piling up products on your skin or stocking up on the next big holy grail, why not give your skin a much-needed breather, go back to basics, and use effective products that your skin needs? Beauty experts and other skinthusiasts have all started swearing by their skinimalism approach to skincare for their healthier glow.

When it comes to going back to basics and effective simple routines, there’s one popular Japanese skincare brand that you can rely on: Hada Labo. This cult favorite is beloved throughout Japan for embodying the beauty of simplicity. Its products are all formulated free of all unnecessary additives, colorants, fragrances, and mineral oils that burden the skin. In fact, only the finest and purest ingredients like its star ingredient hyaluronic acid are retained to ensure maximum effectiveness.

One of its bestselling products is the face lotion (selling out a bottle every five seconds in Japan!), which is considered as the first step to that coveted mochi-mochi skin, a hallmark of healthy skin for its soft, bouncy, velvety matte, healthy-looking texture. Known for nourishing the skin through deep hydration, Hada Labo offers two lines of face lotions in the Philippines.

4 Tips On How To Get A Cheap Ticket Flights to Boracay

 

Tourist destinations in the Philippines can be the best option for spending the end of the year. The Philippines is located in the northern part of Indonesia, the Philippines is also famous for its archipelago. 

You'll find many amazing beaches and islands in this country. Not only coastal and island tourism, the Philippines also offers a wide range of other tourist destinations including its various cuisines. 

White Beach, Cove Island, and Yapak Beach are the three most famous beaches in the Philippines. Another destination is Boracay is a small island located in the province of Aklan, the Philippines, which you can reach by plane with Manila to Boracay flight.

Japanese Film Festival 2023 brings back its onsite screenings

 

The Japan Foundation, Manila is bringing back the on-site screenings of its cherished film festival, the Japanese Film Festival (JFF), featuring 10 award-winning and must-see full-length films, from January 20 to February 22, 2023, in a number of locations throughout the Philippines, after two online editions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Japan Film Festival, one of the biggest and most well-known film festivals in the nation that draws over 25,000 spectators each year, begins its on-site screenings on January 22 and runs through February 3 at the Red Carpet Theatre in Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

From January 27 to January 31, 2023, it will be shown simultaneously at SM City Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, and SM City Davao; on January 28 and 29, it will be shown at Cinematheque Manila, Cinematheque Negros, Cinematheque Iloilo, Cinematheque Davao, and Cinematheque Nabunturan; and on January 30, it will be shown at UP Cine Adarna from February 17 to 22 in Quezon City.