Thursday, February 18, 2010

Review and Contest


Recently, I was contacted (via email) by a woman named Sarah who asked for a strange request from me. From the company, LuShae Jewelry, she asked if I would be willing to do a review of a piece of woman’s hardware. I could pick anything from the store, she would ship it out, and I could check out the wares and write an honest opinion - good, bad, or in-between.

So what was in it for her?

This would provide more exposure to her site, meaning more customers.

What was in it for me?

I get to keep the woman’s hardware... free.

What’s the catch?

Well, there is a catch but I’ll wait to mention it at the end of this post. From the picture above, you can tell what I picked. A pendant. Here is the brief blurb from the website:

White Gold Rhodium Bonded Amethyst Drop Pendant with Clear CZ Accents in Silvertone

Amethyst Wonder Pendant features a magnificent faceted Amethyst CZ and Clear CZ accents over faceted stone as well as on the bail. White Gold Rhodium Bond is achieved using an electroplating process that coats the item with heavy layers of rhodium, a close cousin of platinum that costs three times as much, which gives our jewelry a platinum luster.


The above part means not a darn thing to me. I couldn’t decipher it with a World Almanac. And really, is there any woman who cares about the specifics, like electroplating? The looks capture the eyes. I was delighted when it came in (shipping is 2 to 5 days - and arrived right on time despite the holiday on Monday). Packaged in the cutest snap box, I opened it up.


Not bad. Close to the actual website photo. The “bail” is the little star burst at top consisting of seven cubic zirconia stones. The amethyst drop has the wraparound with four more stones. I had thought it would strictly be the stone, but I now see it is inset into a large bond piece along the back, nearly invisible when looking at it straight out.


It comes with a long chain and a secure fishhook clasp (extra bonus points for that - there isn’t a woman around who doesn’t hate those flimsy hoop clasps that eventually break or open on their own). The cost for this pendant is $69, on sale from $129. I got it for free.

My grading for this experience:

Website shopping: B+ (I would have liked larger pictures, but navigation and checkout were simple. It took a bit of time for pages to load - yet this could have been from problems with my own browser or Internet connection. I’ve noticed it loading slow with other sites. So my grading could increase to an “A” in consideration for this.)

Shipping: A+

Pendant: B (I would have liked a side view of the bonding to the drop. Some people might not like that much metal on the back. Otherwise, the stone is beautiful. Again, with less bonding it could really sparkle and show off itself. But that’s my personal opinion. Other people might not care.)


My overall opinion for this pendant: Something special to get for a wife or significant other as a surprise when wanting her to cook your favorite dinner, or for control of the television remote because the big game is coming on at the same time as her favorite show.

The catch?

I’m giving it away to one of my lucky readers.

I can’t wear pendants, or jewelry for that matter. I have a skin allergy to metals - all metals. My skin turns all red and breaks out in blisters. So I’m having my first-ever blog contest. Yes, dear readers, you can have this Amethyst drop - $69 value - for free. I will ship it to you. All you have to do is play a little guessing game.


How many toothpicks are in this (used)container? The closest person wins! Leave your answers in the comment section (don’t email them). I will announce the winner on Monday (and after I count how many are in there).

Good Luck!

23 comments:

  1. Ah Michelle, what a shame you can not wear this beautiful jewelry!
    And how interesting that you got to review it. I think you have been very detailed.;) They should be very happy.
    I was also contacted bey a jewelry site once, but they wanted to advertise on my blog.
    I am not entering your giveaway, as I feel it is not fair for you to have to ship all the way to Europe (you see, I already assume that I will win).
    But good luck to all the participants.;))
    xoxo
    Zuzana

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  2. Well, I'll take the first guess, I guess: 88.

    I don't know much about jewelry, but that looks rather nice. Shame you can't wear it yourself...

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  3. I am guessing 75..

    And the kind of setting is supposed to let the light in more because it keeps the stone off your skin or clothing hence more light ..

    Have you tried coating the back of gold/silver with colorless nail polish? It works as a barrier to keep the acids in your skin from connecting with the metal and causing your allergic reaction... a friend does this with her watch which she couldnt wear otherwise

    I am a font of semi worthless info

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  4. Aw, what a shame! My husband has the exact same allergy :(

    My guess is 45!

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  5. That is really too bad that you have an allergy. Does that make you a cheap date though, since the guys can't buy you diamonds?

    Good luck to everyone. My guess is 69. Just because.

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  6. I'm gonna guess 52. I hope I win! That's a shame that you can't wear jewelry. My mom has the same problem.

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  7. 111. And my daughter has the same allergy. Found out when she was just two days old, when the snaps on her little baby sleepers made her get angry red blisters on her tiny legs. :(

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  8. I can't wear it though if I win I request it be sent to Suldog who will no doubt have another contest. The amount of toothpicks is 104.

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  9. A game? Goody! But I can't wear the pendant either... I have the same allergy problem as you... any sort of plating just doesn't cut it. Pure gold, silver or surgical steel are the only things that work for me.

    But the number of toothpicks? I'd say 156.

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  10. 42. The Meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything. :)
    Love, love.

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  11. Michelle it is purty!!

    And what a generous and worthy review. 57 would be my guess, but I wish you could wear it!
    x0

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  12. Beautiful pendant, and it's my birthstone! My guess is 125 toothpicks. Thanx for offering it to us!

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  13. Oh...I hope Jim wins. (Not to offend anyone else who enters...)but I would love to see him give it to his lovely wife who takes him on the sweetest Mystery Dates.
    That is very kind of you to have the give away, Michelle!

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  14. You need to get something that can be worn on the outside of a turtle neck.

    I'm guessing zero. I think those are pencils. ;)

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  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. I got closer to 450... but that was because my math was off.

    Let's say, 183.

    -TimK

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  17. ah that's so sad! i'll make you a non-metal pendant someday! is leather okay?

    and i'd guess... but i don't need more jewelry! lol.

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  18. So sorry you can't keep it. Bummer for you, yah for us!!!! I'll guess 83.

    www.dianeestrella.com
    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

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  19. Oh, WOW!

    I was not expecting such a turn out! What a bunch of great guesses... except the pencil one - do you think I'd trick everyone like that ;-)

    I'm keeping track of everyone's answers. Stop back Monday around noonish (Eastern Time) for the announcement of the winner!

    btw- I never thought about the nail polish thing, coating it on the back of jewelry. I'm going to keep that in mind. Also, welcome all those new people who stopped by and made a guess!

    Oh, yeah. Eric, I am not a cheap date. Last time I checked, diamonds aren't a metal. Guys can buy them for me all they want.

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  20. OK. I'll play! :)

    The first number that popped in my head was 64, but I went back to look at the picture again, and so I think my real answer shall be....

    48.

    The thing that troubles me the most is that I have absolutely NO reason for either number!!! ;)

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  21. 91 Just for the guess, but if I winn let Sully have it LOL.
    Shame you can't wear it, Michelle. x Eddie

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People want to comment here? Okay...it's your two-cents, Bub. Spend it wisely!

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