As we count the days until Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s wedding, MyFoxNY.com has joined the craze in celebrating the Wedding of the Year, and featured a Special Style Edition in honor of the royal event. Their focus: the world’s obsession with Kate and her classic style. The video discusses her infectious fashions, and how she has launched relatively unknown designers into instant stardom by wearing their designs.

Sasha Charnin Morrison, the Style Director for Us Weekly magazine reports on how to achieve Kate‘s signature look for less. Along with the famous blue Issa dress Kate wore to announce her engagement to the Prince, MyFoxNY.com also features the best in imitation sapphire looks. Price William romantically proposed to his bride with Princess Diana‘s famous sapphire engagement ring. Morrison says Emitations’ version is the “perfect jewel” for someone who wants to achieve a royal look.  Our Kate Middleton Inspired Ring was deemed the “exact” match for less.  Snag your own royal look-a- like with our Kate Middleton inspired jewelry!

Since the engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the classic diamond engagement ring look has been replaced by the elegant blue sapphire. A favorite of royalty, this gemstone reportedly contains special powers, and is considered a symbol of sincerity and truth. There is no doubt that sapphires hold a beauty and sophistication unparalleled by other gemstones. What makes sapphires so unique? How can we achieve this pricey look for less?  Emitations has gathered amazing imitation sapphires that will make you look like you belong in a palace!

Sapphires fall into the corundum family of gemstones. Corundum (a gemstone term form aluminum and oxygen) is second only to diamond in hardness, and sapphires are the birthstone for the month of September. Sapphires are naturally found in over 20 countries around the world, including the United States.

While most people associate sapphires with the color blue, real sapphires are available in a rainbow of colors. Natural blue sapphires range in color from pale to dark blue, bluish green, and violet blue, but sapphires also come in yellow, brown, reddish orange, opaque black and pink - every color except for red. Red corundum is called a ruby.  Gemologists typically prefer a blue sapphire with a darker, deeper tone, because in lighter tones the natural inclusions are more noticeable. Generally, the clearer and more vivid the color, the more valuable the sapphire.

If you’re  looking for a quality imitation blue sapphire, try to get the color closest to the real deal. Good faux blue sapphires are a deep saturated blue or violet-blue with a even tone. Lighter blue imitation sapphires can be just as lovely, if properly made. Gem experts believe that darker stones in a rich deep blue look more believable than their paler counterparts.

Quality faux sapphires have the same look as natural sapphires, but there are a few subtle differences:

• A naturally produced sapphire will have some flaws in it. A synthetically produced one will not have defined flaws or inclusions

• The color of a fake sapphire will be more uniform than the irregular color of a natural sapphire

• Fake sapphires cost significantly less than their natural counterpart, making them an affordable luxury accessory

Buyer beware! Not all companies have high standards when it comes to selling fake sapphires. Here’s a few warning signs that may tell you to look elsewhere for your faux blue bauble:

• A fake or lab created sapphire that looks too light, clear or pure (like blue glass)
• Shades of gray and/or brown in a blue sapphire
• Defined cracks or inclusions very obvious to the naked eye

At Emitations, we pride ourselves in providing our discerning customers with the finest collection of faux sapphire jewelry available. We scour the world for the highest quality imitation stones, so you can achieve a royal blue jewelry look for less!

As the preparations for the highly anticipated royal ceremony continue, the public is more anxious than ever to see who made the cut onto the VIP guest list for the wedding of the century.

Together, Kate and William have reportedly invited a modest 250 guests to watch them exchange vows. An additional 100 guests (chosen by Kate’s parents) also received invites, with a total of fifteen of Middleton’s family members attending the Westminster Abbey ceremony on April 29^th.

This exclusive event will bring out A-list celebs including David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John, comedian Rowan Atkinson and Kate’s rumored wedding dress designer, Daniella Helayel.  Film director Guy Ritchie will attend the ceremony stag, since his invitation didn’t include a “plus one.”

Exes of both the bride and groom will also make guest appearances on the big day.  Four of Prince William’s ex-girlfriends are invited to watch their former flame tie the knot.  To Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, Jecca Craig, Arabella Musgrave, and Olivia Hunt: eat your heart out, ladies!  Likewise, Kate Middleton invited two of her ex-beaus to the ceremony. After all, who can compete with prince charming?

The guest s vary from the world’s most respected dignitaries, to famous celebrities, so a very eclectic slew of guests will celebrate on the dance floor at the reception. Buckingham Palace will transform into a night club, and the newlyweds plan on dancing the night away with a number of friends from their college days.  Some of the lucky attendees include: Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala, Olympic gold medalist Richard Meade, two of William’s childhood nannies, William’s official press officer and Kate’s yoga teacher from the couple’s vacation in the Caribbean Islands.  But don’t expect to hear about the Queen doing the Harlem Shake on the dance floor any time soon.  According to abcnews.go.com, her Royal Highness plans to call it a night after supper “to allow the young ones to party.”

Did your invitation get lost in the mail? Don’t worry, you can feel like a royal wedding guest with our Inspired by Kate Middleton Ring only at Emitations.com!

Our customers keep asking us: What is the Difference Between the Kate Middleton Ring & the Princess Diana Ring?

For our loyal customers seeking royal fabulousness, many remain curious about the difference between Emitation.com’s two faux sapphire engagement rings: the Inspired by Kate Middleton Ring and the Princess Diana Inspired Ring.  Although the beautiful sapphire ring currently adorning Kate Middleton’s hand was the same exact ring that Princess Diana once wore, our royal inspired rings have subtle differences.

First, there’s the price.  Our Kate Middleton ring is priced significantly lower than the Princess Diana ring. Why the price gap?  The difference lies in the actual metallic composition of the rings.  The Kate Middleton ring is brass based silver tone, whereas the Princess Diana ring is made solely of sterling silver.  Additionally, the Princess Diana ring boasts a rhodium electroplated coating, giving it a sparkly luster that is similar to platinum.

Differences aside, the two rings share the exact same dimensions, carat weight and band width, making them appear virtually identical. The two rings also have the same oval cut faux sapphire center stones in prong settings, which are surrounded by sixteen clear round cut cubic zirconias.  Both rings are exceptionally stunning and we know you’ll love them as much as we do.  But don’t just take our word for it, check out what customers who bought these rings had to say today! Give someone the gift of romance with our Inspired by Kate Middleton Ring and Princess Diana Inspired Ring!

One of the most common questions our customers ask is, “What is the best way to clean my jewelry?” Thankfully, sterling silver is easy to care for if you follow a few simple steps. This guide will help you keep your sterling silver jewelry tarnish free and sparkling!

Preventative Care
Keeping your jewelry from looking dingy is easily avoidable. Follow these preventative steps:

• Remove jewelry before you wash your hands or immerse them in water. Water may assist the metal ions in absorbing into your skin, causing skin discoloration. Swimming, bathing, washing your hands and doing dishes can all cause the your jewelry to tarnish and get dirty. Removing your rings before washing, and drying your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with water will prevent this from happening.
• Avoid wearing jewelry while cleaning, gardening, and other activities that can quickly destroy the metal’s finish.  Even talc, which is found in many cosmetics, is known to have an abrasive effect on sterling silver jewelry items.

Simple Cleaning
The easiest way to keep your sterling silver jewelry looking new is to clean it with a soft, clean, dry cloth (any dust or dirt on the cloth may scratch the piece). To keep your sterling silver sparkly:

• Use our Emitations.com Jewelry Polishing Cloth to gently, quickly and efficiently clean your favorite sterling silver jewelry.
• Clean your sterling silver jewelry with a soft 100% cotton or flannel cloth and gently rub off any excess dirt or buildup.  Remember, sterling silver is a very soft metal and you can scratch it if you aren’t careful so don’t rub it too briskly.
• Never use anything but a clean cotton or a special sterling silver cleaning cloth.  Paper, polyester, and coarse fabrics often contain wood fibers or synthetics, that can cause tiny scratches in the surface of your sterling silver jewelry.

Jewelry Cleaner
While there are many items on the market, as well as “at home remedies” out there, we recommend you take care when cleaning your Emitations jewelry.

• Clean your Emitations jewelry using our Brilliant Jewelry Cleaner. This sterling silver cleaner is specifically designed for use on our products, and was even recommended by the Jewelry Information Center and used in Academy Award gift bags!
• Sterling silver cleaners are typically created to clean very specific products, so make sure you carefully read the instructions prior to use. Only use products specifically recommended for sterling silver when cleaning your Emitations jewelry.
• DO NOT use toothpaste, dishsoap or baking soda. These contain harsh chemicals that may breakdown the sterling silver’s finish.

Storage
Besides regular cleaning, there are other strategies to extend the life of your sterling silver jewelry.  Proper storage is essential to reduce tarnishing. Sterling silver, stored properly, can be worn often and with minimal cleaning required, making it very easy to care for and lots of fun to wear. Use these storage strategies:

• Keep your sterling silver jewelry in an air-tight protective bag made of tarnish proof cloth or you can use a plastic zip lock bag made of Mylar (turkey cooking bags) or polyethylene.  Be warned that some plastic contains sulfur compounds which can cause your jewelry to tarnish faster or stain.  Never use polyvinyl plastic bags.
• Avoid storing your sterling silver jewelry directly on wood surfaces, because wood usually contains acids that can mar the finish.  Oak seems to be the worst for this.
• Avoid storing your sterling silver with other metals, like pennies, and rubber, these too cause tarnish and damage.

Never again will you have to wonder how to keep your sterling silver jewelry looking new and beautiful!  Use these tips to keep your sterling silver jewelry tarnish free and sparkling!

Natural pearls have become scarce in recent decades, and are extremely expensive and difficult to care for. Looking for huge, dazzlingly perfect pearls that not only look gorgeous but won’t break the bank? Look no further than our collection of fabulous shell pearls. Emitations has scoured the world to find the best quality imitation pearls out there.

What are shell pearls?

Shell pearls are man-made pearls created from materials beginning with the shell of an oyster. The process of making a shell pearl involves several different stages. The raw material for the base of the pearl is the sea shell, which is coated and polished to the shape of the pearl. In order to produce a good quality pearl, a key ingredient is what we call a “mother of pearl bead.” This element adds weight, value and durability to the final pearl. Shell pearls are considered to be the best quality replicas you can get, as they’re made out of the same materials as natural and cultured pearls.

How are shell pearls made?
They’re made in a process similar to how pearls are cultured, although these pearls are made in a factory rather than grown inside an oyster or mussel. The process of making shell pearls involves several stages. The raw material for the base of the pearl is a shell bead, similar to those used by natural pearl producing oysters. This bead is covered in a paste made from ground up mother of pearl which is then polished and smoothed.  Each coating dries, is machined and polished, and then another layer applied, mimicking the way pearls are made in nature by depositing the coating in layers.  The more layers each replica has, the more expensive the simulated pearl.

What is the difference between natural pearls, cultured freshwater pearls and shell pearls?
There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to the various pearl types sold in jewelry today. Here’s the basics:

• Natural pearls are formed around an irritant, such as a grain of sand, a piece of coral or seashell. Today, true natural pearls are the most rare, expensive, and are consequently considered the most valuable pearls.
• Cultured freshwater pearls are generally formed the same way as natural pearls. The main difference is that the irritant is introduced  (the irritant is inserted into the oyster by man) and the oysters are raised in a controlled environment, like an oyster or mussel farm.
• Shell pearls are factory manufactured versions of pearls designed to create a uniform look. These pearls are man-made so the manufacturers can guarantee flawless pearls with each batch, including total control over the shape, size, color and every other attribute of the pearl.

Why should I buy shell pearls?
Although shell pearls may not have been grown inside an oyster, they’re in very high demand by consumers. Shell pearls can be a much better choice than cultured pearls for many reasons. Here are a few reasons why we love shell pearls:

• Price – Shell pearls are infinitely cheaper than getting the same size, shape and quality in any sort of pearls. On average, a shell pearl with the same weight and much of the same feel as a cultured pearl will be at almost 1/10th the price.
• Quality – The rarity of the natural pearl not only makes it expensive, but also makes it hard to find in perfect shape and size. The manual production of the shell pearl enables the manufacturer to determine the shape, size, and color of the pearl, thus making the final result seem perfect.
• Durability – The modern technology of shell pearl production can also assure its durability. Due to intensive quality control inspection, the shell pearl will always keep its shine and color, and will not be affected by sweat, perfume or detergents.

The bottom line is that natural pearls are a genuine pearl gem, while freshwater and shell pearls are different versions of its imitation. Freshwater and shell pearls look nearly identical and have the same weight to them. Shell pearls offer the best in price, quality and durability, and allow pearl lovers to wear their favorite styles for much less.

The world is buzzing about Prince William’s recent engagement to his fiancé Kate Middleton.  Since the news of the engagement broke, questions surfaced quickly: How did the two meet?  When and how did Prince William propose? Like you, we here at Emitations can’t wait to see this fairytale romance unfold, and are happy to reveal the inside scoop!

The famed couple first met in 2001 while attending the University of Andrews.  Though they lived near each other at St Salvator’s Hall of Residence, London’s favorite fashionista caught Prince William’s eye in a sheer lace black dress at a charity fashion show the next spring.   The two became roommates that same year when they moved into a flat with a group of mutual friends, but didn’t become an official couple until a 2003 ski trip.  It was on that trip that Prince William proclaimed that he intended to focus on his flying career (he is an RAF Search and Rescue helicopter pilot) and didn’t plan on marrying until he late twenties or early thirties.

Fast forward to February 2010: William remarks “You’ll have to wait a while yet” when asked by the media about the prospect of a royal wedding.  Only a few months later, Prince William surprised Kate with a proposal during a holiday trip to a friend’s estate in Kenya. Presenting her with his mother’s ring, Kate happily accepted the famous sapphire stunner that once belonged to Princess Diana. William said that giving his bride-to-be his mother’s engagement ring is his way of, “keeping her close to it all.“

Price William and Kate Middleton are scheduled to marry at the historical Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.  Once wed, Kate will be noted as the first commoner to marry into the royal family since 1660.