Warning

MiniMode would like to reiterate that, because of its extremely small size, our jewelry is meant strictly for mature collectors, aged 14 and over. As with all small fashion doll accessories, special care should be taken to ensure that MiniMode jewelry is kept out of the reach of children. Being animal lovers, we would also like to suggest that our jewelry is also kept out of the reach of pets: dogs, cats, birds and other animals.

Tips for putting jewelry on dolls

Designed and handcrafted for the more mature collector, these pieces have very small detailing and may require some degree of dexterity to be put on a doll. A pair of tweezers or pliers comes in handy when putting on clasps. With your fingers, take the strand near the ring end. With pliers in the other hand, grip the clasp and guide it onto the ring.

Carefully insert earring posts into a doll's earring holes. Some holes are irregular and may bend posts. For crooked holes, a sewing pin may first be inserted to see how the hole "bends." Remove the pin and insert the earring post in the direction of the bend. Tweezers or pliers may also be used here to help coax the post in little by little.

To remove earrings, pull on the post as opposed to the earring itself.

Glossary of Jewerly Terms

• aurora borealis - an iridescent, rainbow quality.

• bib - necklace that has 3 or more strands; each one longer than the one above.

• bicone - used to describe diamond-shaped beads.

• choker - a necklace that drops just above the collarbone.

• dog collar - a necklace of 3 or more strands that is worn close to the neck.

• findings - the metal clasps, jump rings, bead tips, bails, crimping beads, earring posts, and other metal pieces used to hold together a piece of jewelry and/or to give it a "finished" look.   

• freshwater pearl - a pearl that is cultured in a mussel in a lake as opposed to an oyster in the ocean.

• gold-filled - term used to describe a metal comprised of layers of gold which are welded together to a base metal (usually brass.)  At least 1/20th of the finished product's weight must be gold.  Unless specified, MiniMode uses 14kt gold-filled metal meaning that in the production of the metal, a 14kt gold alloy was used.  Ultimately, wire that is 14kt gold-filled is comprised of a base metal with a thick layer of 14kt gold that will not wear off.  This layer is more durable compared to gold-plated or gold-electroplated metals. 

• roundel - used to discribe doughnut or tire-shaped beads.

• seed beads - very small, glass beads.

• sterling silver - contains approximately 92.5% silver.  What's the other 7.5%?  Could be either copper or another metal.

• vermeil - a sterling silver piece that has been electroplated with gold.   Unless specified, MiniMode uses vermeil pieces that have been electroplated with 22kt gold.  

• 22kt gold-plated - Plated with 91.7% gold.

• 24kt gold-plated - Plated with 100% pure gold!

Birthstones

Jewelry makes a great birthday gift! Here is a list of the months and their pertinent birthstones.

• January - garnet, or rose quartz

• February - amethyst, onyx or moonstone

• March - aquamarine, bloodstone, or rock crystal

• April - Diamond or Quartz

• May - Emerald or Chrysoprase

• June - Pearl or Moonstone

• July - Ruby or Carnelian

• August - Peridot or Jade

• September - Sapphire or Lapis Lazuli

• October - Tourmaline

• November - Citrine

• December - Turquoise or Lapis Lazuli

Jewelry care

Protect semi-precious jewelry from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. If jewelry is protected from dust, chances are it will not need heavy cleaning. On occasion, jewelry may need light cleaning. Most stones can be dusted with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid using water on lapis lazuli, garnet, jasper, malachite, turquoise, bloodstone, opal and emerald.

The tarnish on sterling silver can be gently buffed with a soft, cotton cloth. For extra-tarnished pieces, apply silver polish to a cloth and gently buff jewelry. Toothpaste substitutes well for a gold or silver polish. Gently rub jewelry between toothpaste-tipped fingers. On pieces made entirely of metal and stone, excess polish may be removed with water. Dry the piece in a soft cloth.

Do not immerse strung beads in water or any liquid substance as this may cause the stringing thread to deteriorate.