Since time in memorial, people have always adorned themselves with jewelry to make themselves look more beautiful and to enhance their looks. It has played an important role in various cultures and religions all over the world. Jewelry has through the years continued to be a fundamental accent to the over all look of people worldwide. In ancient times, jewelry has even been used to classify the people based on their class or status in society with the royalty and the rich being able to adorn themselves with expensive and precious jewels while the middle class and poor accessorizing themselves with only those that they could afford.
Currently, adorning the body with jewelry has grown in demand with the body being used as a clean canvass being decorated upon with accessories to enhance more its beauty. Embellishing the body has evolved into an art. You can find people wearing jewelry on their eyebrows, noses, navels and even nipples aside from the traditional jewelries that ornamented the ears, neck, wrists, fingers and ankles.
You would have to agree with me that earrings could definitely bring attention to your pretty face. A necklace could also draw interest to a beautiful neck outline and could give the final touch of sophistication to any dress or sexy top. Bracelets could draw attention to your elegantly sculpted arms and smooth skin. A ring could definitely prettily adorn a gorgeously manicured hand. Anklets can make your legs look elegant with a carefully matched shoe. Body jewelry truly helps us enhance the different parts of our body.
Jewelry on the nose is also gaining popularity. A simple stud with or without a stone would look nice on the nose. Others also decorate their eyebrows with a jewelry ring. While it may look painful, navel and nipple jewelry are continuously growing in popularity especially among the youth, rockers, and the free spirited individuals looking for some sense of adventure.
When wearing body jewelry though, it is important for you to ensure that you are not allergic to the jewelry so be aware with what material it is made of. When having a part of the body pierced, ensure that sterile equipments are utilized to prevent possible infections that may lead to certain complications in the future.
When wearing jewelry, it is also important that you don’t overdo it. Wear only enough to accent your look and avoid wearing too much to avoid a cluttered look.
Wearing jewelry now is more than just trying to enhance your good looks, it in itself trying to project your style and personal statement.
A grand step for Diamond Jewelry market in the Corporate Gifting Sector
Diamond market further flourishes with its entry in the corporate sector serving itself as an important gifting and promotional tool.
Jewelry has been part of the Indian traditions for centuries. In the past it was treasured as a stone of value and security, but today more than even before the Indian consumer is lining up to buy jewelry that makes a fashion statement or expresses her individuality. Not only the richer class but also the sales were seen to be high in middle class section i.e. we are talking about approximately 300 million middle class consumers.
The rising purchasing power of the Indian consumer at all levels and the boom in the IT and the BPO industries has pushed up people's desire to spend. India, which has long been the world's largest consumer of gold, has in the last few years seen the overall jewelry market expand beyond expectations, with changing consumer preferences leading a shift away from heavy gold jewelry to lighter, trendier ornaments. India has tremendously increased it's sales of diamond jewelry and taught Indians to value design where they once only looked at the intrinsic value of the jewelry.
Diamond no longer is a rich man's possession, more or less it has turned out to be a fad today to gift diamond studded jewelry. This year itself in the month of February during the Valentine Day one had seen a remarkable upward trend in sales. The valentine day is no longer restricted to only youngsters but now older couples and families enjoy the occasion equally. This was very much evident in the jewelry market this year. Gifting has become an exclusive way of expressing your love and speaks just more than words.
The diamond boom in corporate world recently small, branded diamond Jewelry products are seen exchanged in the corporate gifting industry. Brands are playing a major role in propelling growth in the diamond jewelry industry. Branded products are bolstering consumer confidence with their assurance of quality. Brands cater to vary segments at different price points and new collections of the season are seen with the very coming festival - diwali, giving the customers the power of choice.
Particularly remarkable is the huge boom in the demand for diamond studded jewelry in the corporate segment. Within overall jewelry sales the diamond segment accounts for around 20 - 25% of the total sales in which it obtains 75% of it's sales from metros. In which around 5-7% of the market sales is seen in corporate gifting. Though constituting in a small manner the corporate market is showing fast growth. It is seen to grow approximately 20% more per year.
The products seen to be most saleable as corporate gifts include small heart shaped diamond pendants, spiritual pendants, colored diamond jewelry, small bud earrings, balis good for casual wear, minakari, kundan and polki work diamond jewelry products etc. Rings are also considered while gifting but they face the problem of size however delicate rings of standard size are also seen to be a part in the corporate gifting product range.
Some of the well known brands ruling diamond market, who have put their foot in corporate gifting are D'damas, Ciemme of C.Mahendra, Adora brand of Concept Jewelry (India) Pvt.Ltd., DTC's Asmi and Nakshatra to name a few. Festivals play an important role in a person's life and diamonds have successfully managed to merge itself as a part of their gifting traditions. Diamond pendants and rings at just Rs.999/- & Rs.1999/-. The market demand for diamond jewelry has definitely improved than last year and the growth seems to be fast moving.
So the market definitely seems to be promising.
One has seen that the dominant consumers of diamond jewelry for corporate gifting are the all major pharmaceutical companies and electronic companies. Diamond jewelry products are also used for cross promotions by many travelling agencies, cosmetic manufacturers, clothing industries etc. Even in the banking and service sector this kind of jewelry has worked as an effective promotional tool. Many well known banks present their premium customers with small branded diamond pendants on becoming the proud owner of their gold credit card and such other schemes. Branded diamond product serves to be an ideal gift to the valued customer and being branded it also comes with a touch of trust. The customers are known to preserve such gifts forever.
Diamond Jewelry Gifting
Diamond jewelry as a gift is emerging in the market and not only in the corporate sector but with so many brand ambassadors advertising the brands, it is growing at an individual gifting platform too. The most recent, 'Swaranjali' from Adora, to hit the marquee is the signature collection of noted playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, which is said to open a new spectrum in the premium branded jewelry segment in India. Further the retail scenario which is on an upswing in India is said to be supporting the growth of diamond jewelry. There are exclusive jewelry malls opening up in the cities where some of the best brands in the country are deciding to set up shops. Such malls are guaranteed to bring about a revolution in the highly fragmented jewelry industry where the retailers could provide which consumers deserved and desired. This will redefine jewelry-retailing standards, which will encourage Indian consumers, NRIs and foreign tourists to spend more on jewelry thus boosting the Indian industry.
Women Power
Last but not the least the Indian woman's persona too has changed perceptibly, she is young, urban and independent. The percentage of Indian women who preferred to have a diamond set has grown by more than 300 per cent. It is found by a survey that approximately 15 per cent of Indian women within the upper-economic class own diamond jewelry. Thus the new Indian woman is a reality that no marketer can overlook. Also the diamonds are not just restricted to rings and earring they have now also become a part of a women's other personal accessories, like diamonds are now studded in watches and bracelets, in their hand bags, clips etc.
One needs innovative ideas to attract and retain customers. Apart from the privilege of choice offered to the consumer, the branded diamond jewelry market has to face competition from the local fragmented jewelry market too and one has to keep it's step cautiously. A customer today needs to be pampered and it is very essential to know your consumer, as it becomes easier to respond to their needs. Advertising has increased brand consciousness markedly and most importantly, branded and machine-made diamond jewelry has become increasingly more affordable. Diamond jewelry has consumption grown at a blistering 24 % in 2003. India has seen a similar growth pattern in 2004 & 2005 and it will be no different in 2006. The diamond has also stepped into the marriage market, until recently, which was had veritable strong hold of gold jewelry only. Diamond jewelry market is definitely at it's zenith and has a very promising future ahead as far as corporate and personal gifting is concerned.
Ever get tired of searching through endless mall shops, trying to find high quality jewelry at affordable prices? How about attending big jewelry sales that just fail to deliver? If this sounds familiar to you, you should join a growing crowd of millions of consumers who are finding affordable, high quality jewelry online. Everything from wedding bands, engagement rings, diamond anniversary bands, watches and more can all be found online and purchased from the comfort of your own home.
Nowadays, internet shopping has become appreciated and used by all social and age groups, as an ideal alternative to crowded, schedule restricted jewelry shops. And why shouldn’t it be so popular when it saves you precious time, effort, and money? Imagine having to find a special ring or a wedding band just a few days from such holidays as Valentine’s Day, when all the jewelry stores are invaded by hundreds and hundreds of people just as busy as you. Senseless hours being wasted perusing through overprice jewelry being sold by commissioned sales associates. It’s time to find a better way.
Online jewelry shops offer a varied range of products, from earrings to gemstone jewelry, from rings and bands to watches and special products (for special occasions). Also, you can find pieces of jewelry made from white or yellow gold, platinum, stainless steel, tungsten carbide, and precious gemstones – including rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and more. A variety of products, for all tastes and fit for every occasion, lie waiting to be discovered. You can easily find the most amazing pieces of jewelry, from diamond anniversary bands to golden or pearl rings and earrings. And online selection cannot be beat. There are literally millions of pieces of jewelry available on the web – far more than any one store could ever stock.
Of course, the best feature of online stores is that the prices are usually much lower than brick and mortar shops. Online stores do not have to invest in costly showrooms and have a much lower overhead. This savings is passed on to you, and you benefit by having the same jewelry items at reduced prices. Moreover, many online jewelry stores offer free shipping and money back returns so you can buy for less, but still buy with confidence.
Online jewelry shopping is a booming industry as more and more people are feeling comfortable with making larger purchase online. Buying jewelry online just makes sense for so many reasons – the time saved, the virtually limitless selection, and affordable prices. It just can’t be beat.
So the next time you are planning on surprising your loved ones with a piece of jewelry you know they’ve been craving, remember to first check on online stores for the best prices and offers. In doing so, you’ve assured yourself a way to a satisfactory shopping experience and have saved yourself the trouble of waiting in line at a big store. Once you’ve experienced the simplicity and effectiveness of online transactions, especially on luxury products like gemstones and jewels, you may never want to go back to brick and mortar shopping again.
Yellow Diamonds are cherished gem stones for their gorgeous color, exotic appearance and mystic power. Which diamond rings look best with yellow diamonds? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you haven’t seen fancy yellow diamond rings lately, you’re in for a treat. The new diamond rings designs with fancy yellow diamonds are fashionable and alluring. Mellow Diamonds - Yellow Diamonds Want to impress people at a party? Wear yell diamond jewelry such as elegant yellow diamond earrings or a yellow diamond pendant, or earrings, etc. . Yellow diamonds are more versatile than other colored diamonds. Compared to other fancy colored diamonds, yellow diamonds are mellow jewelry… they don’t shout “Look at me!” like other fancy colored diamonds and are loyal to their owners. Whereas a fancy green diamond is green with envy over your lover, a fancy yellow diamond will dazzle with delight at your happiness. One thing though, yellow diamonds like to party all night. Is that ok with you? Cool, then wear your favorite yellow diamond ring and to party till dawn (of later) Buying Tips - Yellow diamonds Yellow diamonds are judged and sold on the same was as other colored diamonds, on the basis of the four C’s – cut, clarity, color and carat weight. Of these four, the most important is the yellow diamond’s color. Why? Because that’s why you are buying a yellow diamond – for it’s amazing, heart pounding beauty and the magic it bestows on the luck lady (or man) that wears it. Of course, you should take into consideration diamond quality and buy a certified diamond out of common sense. Is owning a fancy yellow diamond about common sense? Of course not! So stop worrying and let your intuition lead you to the yellow diamond in your life. Good luck and Yellow Diamonds!
As far back as one can remember famous celebrities have been wearing the jewelry made by famous jewelry designers. Through out many eras and many styles the celebrities and jewelry designers have held a close bond. Who better to display your beautiful pieces than a beautiful celebrity that has already captured the audiences attention. Elizabeth Taylor will always be remembered for her glamorous and beautiful look. I cannot remember any time that I have seen Elizabeth without her jewels to adorn her. This was a lady with a fashion style like no other. From gorgeous pearls adorning her face to beautiful diamonds adorning her neck. She knew how to make a fashion statement! Ava Gardner was a woman with a glamorous fashion style that did not go unnoticed. Whether she choose to wear her best diamond earrings or her favorite Trifari necklace she always looked spectacular. There are many of us who could pick up a few tips from Ava’s flare! Joan Crawfard and Joan Collins are another two that simply can’t be outdone. One must wonder how a women so easily learns to be that refined and beautiful at all times. Like Cleopatra it seems to be bred deep within the soul. Let us not forget about royalty. Although not perhaps celebrities as we think of them still important figure heads that are within the public eye. How about the gorgeous jewels of the Duchess of Windsor or Umbero II of Italy. Then there was Princess Mary of Great Britain who was seldom seen without her jewelry adornments. To more modern times, what about that beautiful engagement ring that Camela Parker Bowls was seen wearing. An outstanding piece of jewelry on a women that quite commonly presents herself in a very traditional refined style. No glamour here except for that drop dead gorgeous ring! Whether we are talking about Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Kate Winslet, Kate Hudson, or Katie Holmes celebrities give us the opportunity to see jewelry designs in play. They instantly help develop a desire for a certain jewelry piece or look. We’ve got plenty we can learn from the styles of celebrities. And once these designer jewelry pieces grab hold it isn’t long before someone is making a similar piece that our pocket books can afford. So keep watching the stars for great jewelry to make your fashion statement!
1) Focus your camera
In order to ensure your images are sharp, make sure you know how to focus your camera. Digital cameras with auto focus are often difficult to focus precisely, especially when shooting small objects. Make sure your read your owner's manual and understand how your camera's auto focus operates. Most digital cameras are designed to easily focus on large objects but have difficulty on small objects. It is often useful to put your camera in spot focus mode. Spot focus will give you more control over what part of a scene the camera is actually focusing on.
2) Use a tripod
Even the slightest movement while taking a picture will cause motion blur. The closer you get to an object the more obvious the motion blur becomes. Using an inexpensive tripod will make a big difference in the sharpness of your images. For really sharp images it makes sense to invest in a good, sturdy tripod. If your camera has a remote shutter release then use it, if not then use the camera's built-in timer to minimize camera shake.
3) Put your camera in aperture priority mode
To get the largest area of your subject in focus, it is good to set your camera in aperture priority mode and set the aperture to the highest number possible. The closer you get to your subject, the more important this becomes.
4) Use soft lighting
Your camera's built-in flash will rarely give good results for product photography. For soft lighting either shoot outside on an overcase day or use a light tent like the EZcube, Cubelite, or use a soft box.
5) Use image editing software
Even inexpensive software like Photoshop Elements or ACDSee can make your product photography much easier. It may seem like it's faster to use an image exactly as it was shot. But in reality, it is difficult to shoot an image precisely how you would like to appear in its final form. Image editing software allows you to crop an image, adjust it's exposure, sharpen the image and then resize it, often in less than 60 seconds.
The biggest difference between an amateur's product snapshot and a professional's product image are sharpness and lighting. Steps 1,2, and 3 will improve the sharpness of your images while Step 4 will improve your lighting. A minute spent editing an image will improve it further. Because these few steps seem so basic, it's tempting to ignore them. However, if you take time to follow them, you will see a huge improvement in the quality of your photos.
Over the centuries clocks have been used as a status symbol by those who wear them. Their precision, elegance and convenience are just some of the attributes that clocks and watches represent. Often they are bought purely for their aesthetic looks. and at other times they are bought because of their technical attributes like being precise to the last second or even millisecond. This is what makes clocks and watches so collectible and in some cases they can command high sums of money. Whether you collect the new high precision watches or ones that come from a past era, the fact is that over the years this hobby has become a high turnover business. And collecting watches is in a lot of circles regarded as a wise form of investing. At the start of the last century the clocks that were available for men or women were firstly pocket clocks, and then clocks that held by a pendant attached to the lining of jackets or corsets. The advent of war, industrialization, and the development of the sport activities, brought over new trends which extended to not only the way we dressed, but also how we carried our clocks. It is said that it was a nanny who invented wrist watches at around the end of the 19th century, who fixed a clock around her wrist by using a silk band. The first watches to be made were in fact smaller models of pocket clocks that were fitted with a leather strap. Once this product hit the market newer designs started to be produced based around this same concept. It was Louis Cartier who first made the kind of watches we see today when he created a watch for a flying pioneer hero by the name Santos Dumont. By 1911 this same type of watch was on general sale. That same type of watch became the blueprint of what wrist watches look like to this day. Soon after the design of wrist "clocks" began to diversify away from the classical round shape that had been in vogue up until that time. From the Cartier classical wrist watch other makes of watch started to emerge which were characterized by their shape. Movado is the perfect example of these new designs when it came out with the "Polyplan" shaped watch. Then came the famously and cryptically called "clock reference n. 1593" by Patek Philippe which was a rectangular shaped watch. From 1913 onwards more and more watches started to be developed in all shapes and styles. From the "gondola" watch of Patek Phillipe to Louis Cartiers' "Tank"; named thus because it was inspired by the shape of English armored cars of the time. These are watches which are very much sought after. There were other numerous watch makers like Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin who along with Patek Philippe and Cartier came out with many other designs which added other features to the watches like lunar phases, month and day most of which are found in modern watches now. Of course we could not mention wrist watches without mentioning the most famous of them all: the Rolex watch. In the 1920s Rolex debuted in the world of wrist watches with the elegant Rolex Prince and its revolutionary "dual time" feature made famous for having the "seconds sector" larger than that of the minutes. At the same time Jaeger Le Coultre produced an even more advanced piece called the "Reverse", also very revolutionary in that it could be turn 180 degrees within its case, thus protecting the crystal and dial. It became incredibly popular and was only prevented from achieving even greater success by the recession of the 1930s and the advent of world war 2. These early watches of the 1910s to 1930s are what define all the makes of watches that we see and wear today. This short article has only scratched the surface of what is a very vast subject which has many more watch makers with diverse and revolutionary designs. However it is makers like Rolex, Cartier, Jaeger Le Coultre and the others mentioned that are amongst the most valuable and collectible, and should you ever be so lucky to get one then make sure you hang on to it - preferably to your wrist.
Are you ready for the summer yet? Is your jewelry wardrobe up to date? In order to get prepared for the summer with the right directional colors and styles, you should probably start the research right now. Necklaces Big and chunky beaded necklaces are still the focus of this summer. Two schools exist at the same time: organic earth tone beads and colorful and fun tone beads. Organic beads include bone and onyx necklaces. A more prevalent style is the eye-catching colored wood bead necklaces. Rings Parallel to the bulky necklaces, designers are fond of enormous finger rings with big faceted gemstones this summer. Bold and sparkling solitaire rings with a huge center stone set on large prongs seem to be the norm in most part of Europe this year. An extremely thick band with many small stones set on pave settings is another popular style that you might want to keep an eye on. Well, you get the idea, just be BOLD. Earrings As for earrings, trends are in linear or fringy styles this year. Dangle earrings with geometric designs incorporating loops and chains is the way to go. In fact, these are similar to the chandelier earrings that have been super hot for almost two years. Bracelets Bracelets are a little overshadowed by necklaces this year. Simple charm bracelets are back in trend. Charm bracelets with murano glass or natural gemstones would complete the summer outfit in a nice way. Colors The main jewelry metal color for this year is gold color. Also, deep browns, khakis, bright reds, oranges, off-whites, and light beiges are the primary stone and leather colors used in all designer fashion jewelry by mid-summer.
Is it absolutely clear now?! Can you see it?! How could you possibly determine whether the diamond you are buying is worth for the cost and truly genuine?!
Below are some qualities of diamond which may be helpful for you.
In buying something there are things which you should consider. Whatever those things are of course the first thing you will check is the quality of a product.
How clean a diamond is reflects with its clarity. Whether if it has no blemishes or any insertions whenever it will be observe by the eye or by a magnifier.
To select a good quality when buying a diamond you should be familiar of some terms.
The blemishes which I have mentioned earlier are flaws on the surface of a diamond. If there's any missing piece that is what we call 'CHIP' and any scrape is what we can consider a 'SCRATCH.'
Any crack found is considered as a 'FRACTURE'. Sometimes during polishing stage there are fine lines being left which is called 'POLISHING LINES.' While the 'NATURAL' is the unpolished part.
In polishing a diamond you may encounter an 'EXTRA FACETS' which shouldn't be present. These are excess polished surfaces which messes up the symmetry of a diamond.
'BEARDING' on the other hand are tiny fractures that can be found on the edge of a diamond.
'INCLUSIONS/INSERTIONS' are some imperfection which may be found inside it.
If you happen to find black spots inside the gem it is 'CARBON', while a white spot i s called 'CRYSTAL'. An internal cracking is called 'FEATHER.' Tiny spots called 'PINPOINT' happened to be smaller than a crystal and a group of it is identified to as 'CLOUD' that gives large inclusion.
The instrument used to estimate a diamond is 'LOUPE.' Such instrument must be 10X magnification. The housing surrounding the lens must be black to avoid distorting the color.
Jewelry lovers are buying cubic zirconia today more than ever thanks to the improvement in quality and the many fashionable styles available. As a jeweler or jewelry manufacturer, this gives you a tremendous opportunity to sell quality jewelry for less and cater to your customers.
What is Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic zirconia is a man-made composition created to simulate, or take on the likeness of, a real diamond. Due to its hardness and beautiful shine, cubic zirconia has become the most popular substitute for diamonds on the market today. It is available in many fashionable styles, shapes and colors to fit any occasion. Cubic zirconia stones can be used in all types of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and earrings.
Synthetic Gemstones
Synthetic gemstones are made in a laboratory but still carry the same properties as natural stones. These "lab gems" have become popular and actually are in greater demand today for their own beauty, not merely as a substitute for natural stones. Almost every popular gemstone has a synthetic counterpart. Customers are flocking to get the latest style of cubic zirconia or synthetic gemstone jewelry like never before.
What's the Difference?
Though both have lovely characteristics, there is a great difference between cubic zirconia and synthetic gemstones. Both are created in a lab, but synthetic gemstones are made using the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as natural stones. Lab gems also have the same mineral content as natural gems. On the other hand, cubic zirconia is created to look similar to natural stones but with different optical, physical, and chemical properties.
Types of Synthetic Gemstones
Synthetic gemstones come in many shapes and forms. They are available in coral, diamond, alexandrite, emerald, lapis lazuli, ruby, sapphire, turquoise, spinel, garnet, and quartz. There are many shapes and colors available. For example, lab blue sapphire gems and lab ruby gems come in the following shapes: heart, marquise, octagon, oval, round, trillion, square, pear, and baguette.
Cubic Zirconia Styles
Cubic zirconia resembles a diamond and is available in various shapes and colors. For instance, there are heart-shaped lavender stones, oval-shaped pink stones, pear-shaped champagne stones, and many other dazzling combinations.
Quality Checklist
When shopping for wholesale cubic zirconia or synthetic gemstones, be sure to only buy top quality stones. Ask for samples to check for quality in the following areas: cut, smoothness, hardness (cubic zirconia ranking 8.5 on Moh's Scale of Hardness), and weight. Find a reputable gemologist to help if you're not sure how to check for quality.
Don't settle for second-hand stones. Look for great wholesale prices when ordering loose cubic zirconia, or loose cz, without sacrificing quality. Your customers will know the difference. Look for the grades when buying white cubic zirconia - Grade A, Grade AAA, and Grade AAAAA. Grade AAAAA has become the most valued cubic zirconia stone because it offers long-lasting fire and sparkle.
When buying loose cubic zirconia from a wholesale supplier, remember to put quality first so your customers can enjoy long-lasting beauty.
“The only real failure in life is one not learned from.” Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book Ah, graduation. A lot of hard work, time, talent, money and drive have led to this point: a milestone that will be celebrated, photographed and remembered forever. Whether from high school, college, law school, medical school, or what have you, graduation is a wonderful time of excitement and change. How to mark the occasion? You can always write a check. (What new graduate doesn’t need money?) Before you whip out your wallet, however, remember that cash is practical, yet very impersonal. Because you’re reading this, it’s a good guess that the graduate is a special woman in your life, she worked hard to get where she is, and she deserves a graduation gift that is truly memorable. How about something memorable, practical, meaningful and beautiful? Try pearls. Pearl jewelry—whether pearl studs, a pearl pendant or a beautiful pearl strand—is a classic and wonderful addition to any woman’s jewelry box. Whether she’s heading off to college, interviewing for jobs, about to embark on a career, or planning a wedding, the recent graduate can wear pearl jewelry for instant polish. Added bonus: She’ll remember you every time she wears them. Which pearls to choose Pearls come in many beautiful styles, shapes and designs, but for graduation, a simple classic style that will stand the test of time is best. (They don’t call them staples for nothing.) Because classic pearls are so popular, there are a variety of options from which to choose. The following are classics she’ll reach for again and again. • Pearl stud earrings: The great thing about pearl studs is that they go with everything. Round, white pearls with a rosé overtone flatter most skin types, and make a wonderful addition to any jewelry box. Some stores even carry pearl studs for non-pierced ears. • 16 inch pearl strand: A matched pearl strand is a jewelry staple for a reason: it’s a classic—not to mention a no-brainer accessory that a woman can reach for to instantly add polish to an outfit. Shorter strands worn closer to the throat draw attention to the wearer’s face and skin; with their dewy complexions, young women look fantastic in pearl chokers. This style sits close to the throat and looks great with a business suit, v-neck sweater, tee-shirt or open-collared dress shirt. • 18 inch pearl strand: This slightly more versatile, “princess” length necklace can be worn with most any neckline, and will serve the graduate well throughout her life. The princess length is a very popular choice for a great reason: it works well with everything from turtlenecks to sweaters, business suits, dress shirts, and more. • pearl pendant: A pearl pendant necklace featuring a single, large pearl is a great option that can be worn with many different styles. Choose a thin sterling silver or white gold chain for a modern look. • pearl bracelet: A perfect complement to a bold watch, and slightly more affordable than a pearl necklace, a pearl bracelet adds polish and class. • pearl ring: A pearl ring can make quite a bold and sophisticated statement, especially when the ring features a single, large pearl. The only downside to buying a ring is that you need to know the graduate’s ring size. Classic pearl rings look fantastic with both white and yellow gold. Many retailers and online stores sell classic pearl jewelry in sets. Not only is this great because you pay less for the set than if you purchased a necklace, earrings and bracelet separately, but buying a pearl jewelry set provides the added bonus that the pieces will match. What to look for No matter which style you choose, or whether you buy pearls from a local jewelry store, large retail chain or Internet store (which should offer adequate descriptions of what you’re buying along with a money-back guarantee), keep in mind these tips when you’re shopping for pearls and you won’t go wrong: • You’ll pay more for larger pearls. In general, a larger pearl takes longer to form, and the chances of finding a perfectly round, large pearl are slim. After the 7.5-8mm mark for freshwater cultured pearls and akoya cultured pearls, the most popular pearl types, prices rise dramatically. A 6.5mm strand is both lovely and affordable—and perfect for young women. • Pay attention to luster and surface. Pearls should have a high luster, or surface sheen, meaning they reflect light well. They should also be free from large blemishes such as chips and pits, although small blemishes are acceptable. An absolutely perfect strand is likely faux. Pearls are, after all, a natural product, and small variations are to be expected and do not detract from the pearls’ value. • Round is the hands-down favorite shape. While baroque pearls are gorgeous, and button and coin pearls are modern and affordable, when it comes to classic pearls, round is still in. To check that pearls are uniformly round, ask the jeweler or read the Internet description. If you can handle the strand, roll it on a table. Matched pearls will roll smoothly. • Thickness is important. Most pearls sold today are cultured pearls, and the best ones are formed in oysters or mussels that have been implanted with small, mother-of-pearl beads and mantle tissue or mantle tissue only and left in the water long enough for a sufficient coating of nacre to form. Avoid pearls that have been implanted with large plastic or glass beads or harvested prematurely; they will flake and peel easily. • Pay attention to uniformity. Make sure that pearls in a piece of jewelry are the same size, color, shape and luster. • Beware: Some jewelry makers try to hide smaller or imperfect pearls near the clasp. • Choose color carefully. Pearls look best if they flatter the skin tone of the wearer. Follow these pearl-buying tips, choose wisely, and your graduate will have a jewelry staple she’ll treasure forever. A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America’s Graduate Pearls program, Amy Drescher is a fashion writer and accessories buyer for www.moonriverpearls.com. She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com.
I think that one of the most exciting times in a little girl’s life is her first visit to a jewelry store. Then again, I think that a lot of women never grow out of that feeling of excitement either! There is something magical about looking at all of the sparkling pieces glittering in the jewelry store window, even if you cannot afford to buy everything that you see. My youngest daughter’s face lit up when she saw all of the lovely children’s items when I first took her to a jewelry store. When we went inside she felt like a princess being able to try on all of the bracelets and necklaces with cute designs and the jewelry store workers seemed to enjoy the experience of watching her almost as much. When we left the jewelry store with her new bracelet safely wrapped up she was clinging onto the bag as if it was the most precious thing in the world. She still has that bracelet even now, although it has long since gotten too small for her to wear, and it reminds me of that first trip we took to the jewelry store together. Of course, a jewelry store can also be an extremely romantic place. Sound strange? Well, think about it. How many couples go to a jewelry store together to pick out their wedding rings? I know how electrifying it felt when my fianc? and I went to choose our wedding rings and finally found a jewelry store that had the perfect ones in their window. When we went inside we both had a feeling that this was going to symbolize the start of our new life together and the jewelry store played an important part in that. I guess it doesn’t matter what you buy in a jewelry store they always seem to have an air of something special about them. It might be the fact that there are a lot of expensive items around and everything is shimmering with that newly-cleaned look that only jewelry store workers seem to be able to achieve! Sometimes it is easy to feel a little underdressed, especially when you enter some of the more exclusive types of jewelry store that you have to ring a bell to be let into but I love them all the same. I must admit that I am not a big jewelry wearer but I do like to have a couple of nice pieces for special occasions and often take a look around the local jewelry store when I need cheering up. It might sound silly but maybe you should try it too – all that brightness around me certainly seems to rub off and raise my spirits.
One very important lesson I learned is that there is no one, all-purpose (Universal) stringing material. Here are the major stringing materials along with how and when to use each of them. SILK THREAD: Silk has a wondrous “hand” (a soft, flexible feel). This thread comes in many sizes and colors. It comes packaged on spools, and “carded” with an attached needle. This is a classic stringing material and forms beautiful knots between pearls and beads. But, silk tends to be relatively fragile. It can stretch, be cut by abrasive beads, rot when wet, and pearls strung on silk should be re strung every few years. It is best to use silk when stringing pearls and lightweight, smooth-holed beads, only. A needle is necessary. NYLON THREAD: (Nymo): This thread also comes in many sizes and colors. It comes packaged on spools, on bobbins, and “carded” with a needle attached. Nylon can be used where-ever silk can and is not as fragile. This material knots beautifully and can be used for pearl stringing, in some strung jewelry, seed beadwork, loom weaving, for Peyote and other specialty stitches, and heishi. Nylon stretches much less than silk, and it won’t rot when wet. Like silk, you shouldn’t use beads with sharp edged holes or that are heavy. When you use nylon thread, I would recommend you coat your thread with bee’s wax or “Thread HeavenTM “ before use to prevent it from fraying. A needle is necessary. BONDED NYLON: This is a much stronger form of nylon thread. The strands are physically bonded together for extra strength and abrasion protection. Although it knots well, it doesn’t have the “hand” of silk. Bonded nylon comes in a variety of colors and smaller spools. Because of its abrasion resistance, you can use it with “hard”, more abrasive gem beads; in fact this comes close to being a “Universal Thread”. Brand names include: “Stringth” or “Silkon”. A needle is necessary, although you can put “Super Glue” on the end to form a “Self-needle”. This is a favorite beading material of mine. FISHING LINE: This material is a hard, semi-rigid, single strand of plastic. It doesn’t knot well, and in time sunlight or ultraviolet light can cause it to weaken and fall apart. Fishing line is purchased on small spools and is sold in sporting goods stores. Personally, I use fishing line for two purposes. I use it to do my preliminary stringing while I am designing a necklace (I transfer the beads to a better material for the final product), and to string together “raw” strands of beads. There is no needle necessary. I would never use this material for a final beaded piece.
Whether you're a fashion retailer, an e-tailer, an eBay seller, or you simply want to earn some extra income selling costume jewelry, the key to success is finding great wholesale jewelry from a costume jewelry supplier. Finding high quality wholesale fashion jewelry can be an elusive quest, though, so here are five tips to get you started.
1. When it comes to wholesale jewelry, import is king.
Almost all fashion jewelry is imported, so you need to find a costume jewelry supplier that obtains jewelry from around the globe. The more sources of jewelry the supplier has, the more likely it is that you'll be able to find the variety of pieces you need at bargain prices. In addition, you'll be assured of a steady stream of new pieces and your ability to obtain the wholesale jewelry you need won't be hampered by world events that negatively impact those wholesalers with only one supply chain.
2. Find a jewelry trend spotter.
Unless you're steeped in the world of fashion, you won't be exposed to the nuances of seasonal jewelry trends. A good wholesale jewelry store will do your homework for you, and offer pieces that reflect the latest trends in jewelry design. You don't want to be stuck with chunky necklaces when fine filigree is in fashion, but you want to make sure you have enough hoop earrings when they hit the fashion runways.
3. Don't forget the classics.
Although it's important to have a variety of trendy pieces, a good wholesale costume jewelry supplier will also carry the classics, like sterling silver, cubic zirconia, Swarovski crystal, and semi-precious stone jewelry. Unless you specialize in being fashion forward, more traditional pieces are staples that will sell year-round.
4. Look for breadth and depth.
Accessories consist of more than earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, so your wholesale jewelry supplier should carry a wide variety of pieces. Anklets and toe rings are must-haves, but so are body jewelry, cell phone jewelry, hair accessories, key chain charms, and bejeweled belts.
5. Look for minimums, shipping, and customer satisfaction.
When you're shopping for wholesale jewelry, find a costume jewelry supplier that has a reasonable minimum purchase. You may not be able to - or want to - commit to investing a significant sum of money in fashion jewelry. An online wholesale jewelry store, for example, may only have a fifty-dollar minimum order, which is a perfect place to start.
In addition, it's important that the supplier you select has the merchandise in stock, rather than forcing you to wait until they receive their jewelry import. Look for a company that ships on the same business day or by the next business day at the latest.
Finally, one of the best ways to judge a wholesale jewelry supplier is by their commitment to customer satisfaction. The supplier should be able to provide you with testimonials, and attest to the importance of customer satisfaction to their business.
For many people, the holidays are some of the best times of the year. They often mean a chance to take a little time off of work, gather the family together, decorate, and basically just have fun. Having fun and happy times make the day to day drudgery of the everyday that much more bearable.
Of course, some people dive into the holidays a little harder than others. And everyone has their own personal favorite – some like Christmas with the lights and the gifts, others Easter with cuddly bunnies and chocolate eggs, and then there is Halloween, with scary costumes and more candy than you know what to do with. And for those who dive whole heartedly into the holidays, accessories are just a part of the celebration.
A new trend
Wearing holiday jewelry is a newer trend. Starting with Christmas, it has now spread to the other holidays as well. So while you can have candy canes, nativity scenes, and packages in December, there are other things that you can wear throughout the year to celebrate the other holidays as well. Bunnies and crosses for Easter, snowflakes and snowmen for winter, menorahs for Hanukkah, and flags four the Fourth of July and Memorial Day are all popular additions to holiday accessories.
How you can accessorize for Halloween
While Christmas might still hold the lead for holiday accessories, Halloween is a close second. You can now choose anything from little ghosts, witches, pumpkins, black cats, spiders and more. And these Halloween icons can be found on earrings, pendants, bracelets, and other jewelry items so that you can mix and match your favorites into your everyday wardrobe.
Why do it?
You might wonder what would possess someone to don a pair of skeleton earrings during the month of October, or sport a brooch shaped like a black cat with glowing red eyes. However, it is an easy way for you to celebrate the holiday that you love without being obnoxious about it.
Take, for instance, the average office situation. Chances are, there is probably a dress code that you have to follow involving wearing business attire. So unless your office takes a casual day and allows you to dress up, wearing the clown, monkey, or witch costume to work on Halloween is probably going to be considered inappropriate. However, most bosses will not say anything about a tastefully chosen jack-o-lantern lapel pin or earrings shaped like black cats. So it can be a discrete way to observe the holiday without putting your job at risk.
Halloween accessories can also be that finishing touch that you need to your costume. For instance, what glamorous witch would you be without some flashy bat earrings or a large spider ring to complete your look? Halloween jewelry will add that finishing touch.
If you are looking for a fun, and possibly discrete, way to observe Halloween, or any of your other favorite holidays, choosing some holiday jewelry can be a fun way to do it.
Weddings are really important events for everyone and what better way to celebrate the perfect moments if not by wearing the most amazing alexandrite jewelry? The changing mysterious colors, the noble history and the rareness of the expensive alexandrite make it perfect for a wedding event. The bride would look spectacular and so would any guest at her wedding if they wore alexandrite jewelry. Special occasions need special attention and the best way to do this is to have perfect catering and the guests to shine. While men have to wear impeccable suits, women have to be dressed with wonderful dresses and impress with special jewelry. The bride, who is the center of attention, will most likely want to wear something fascinating, to remember all her life. The most beautiful jewelry that will definitely make a person feel rare and precious is alexandrite jewelry. The most likely to be able to give an answer to the question “Why?” is Randy G. Lander. She and her husband have been working with alexandrite for the last 10 years. Randy G. Lander is a Russian descendant and she carries on the medieval Khazars tradition of jewelry trading with an emphasis on alexandrite. She can tell you alexandrite is the rarest gemstone on earth. This is why it is more expensive than diamonds are and very appropriate for a wedding. Randy G. Lander also recommends alexandrite jewelry because of the color changing alexandrite they are made of. Weddings are events dominated by various emotions from fear of the future to share joy and happiness. Alexandrite can express every one of these emotions. The phenomenal gem can change its color depending on the intensity of light: from green, to ruby red or violet/purple. No other color changing stone has this mysterious power of change. The alexandrite truly dazzles the eye. The alexandrite gemstone comes from the Czar Alexander II. The exquisite alexandrite jewelry was worn by Russian and German royalty. Empress Ekaterina was the first to own the alexandrite, but, due to a greedy and irresponsible caretaker of the royal vaults, some of the stones were sold to a German Prince. The German Prince gave the alexandrite jewelry as a gift to his wife. When The German Princess and Empress Ekaterina met, the mistakes of the royal caretaker were discovered and he was punished. The rest of the alexandrite jewelry was to be worn by the Empress herself. Alexandrite jewelry still impresses scientists, gemologist, royal buyers and common buyers. The elements combined in an unmet before manner offer the alexandrite unique optical qualities and hardness. This is why alexandrite jewelry captures everyone’s attention and is the most sought jewel ornament. Having such a story and such appreciation, the alexandrite jewelry should be the one you are wearing at your wedding or at someone else’s. A pair of earrings, a necklace or a ring made with alexandrite will make anyone stand out of a crowd. It is, after all, jewelry made for royalty and you are the Princess at your wedding.
Are all Tahitian pearls black? What’s the difference between a cultured pearl and a natural pearl? Are freshwater pearls inferior to saltwater pearls? Are South Sea pearls really golden? Good questions. With all the different pearl colors and types out there, it can be difficult to know just what you’re looking at. For those interested in buying pearls, or for gem enthusiasts who wish to learn more, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about pearls. Are All Tahitian Pearls Black? Not only are Tahitian cultured pearls not exclusively black, they’re also not grown in Tahiti. Called “black” because of their exotic dark colors, Tahitian cultured pearls can also be gray, blue, green and brown. And they’re grown in the lagoons of small islands that are part of a group known as French Polynesia. Tahiti, the largest island, serves as the group’s center of commerce, and not as a pearl growing mecca. Tahitian pearls are cultivated for about two years in Pinctada margaritifera cumingi, a large mollusk native to French Polynesia. One of the ways this unique oyster differs from other species is its interior shell color, which is dark. This so-called “black lipped” oyster also has black mantle edges—the “lips” that give this animal its descriptive name. Today, the most sought-after Tahitian cultured pearls are dark green-gray to blue gray with rosé or purple overtones. Pearl colors are determined by several factors, including variations in the host oyster, color variation of the implanted donor mussel tissue, the number and thickness of nacre layers, and variations in growing environment such as temperature and water quality. Tahitians are most often variations of gray, black, green and blue, but other colors exist. At an average size of 8mm-14mm, Tahitian cultured pearls—especially those specimens that are gem-quality and round—are very expensive. According to the latest information from the Gemological Institute of America, up to 40 percent of implanted black-lipped oysters produce a gem-quality cultured pearl, but only about 5 percent of the pearls they produce are round. And only 1-2 percent of the entire crop will result in round cultured pearls of the finest quality. No wonder a Tahitian pearl strand is so costly! If you want to wear Tahitian cultured pearls, one way to do so without breaking the bank is to choose a pendant-style necklace with a single pearl, pearl stud earrings, a single pearl ring, or baroque (non-symmetrical) pearls. These designs are every bit as exotic and a lot more affordable than a matched strand. What’s the difference between a cultured pearl and a natural pearl? Natural pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a parasite, makes its way into a pearl-producing animal such as an oyster or mollusk. To protect itself, the animal coats the irritant in nacre—a combination of organic substances that also makes up what we call mother-of pearl. Over time, the layers of nacre build up around the intruder and eventually form the organic gem we all know as the pearl. Cultured pearls are formed in the same way as natural pearls, with one big difference: they get their start not by chance, but deliberately, when man intervenes with nature. To produce cultured pearls, a skilled technician, called a nucleator, induces the pearl-growing process by surgically placing an irritant—a mother-of-pearl bead and a piece of mantle tissue, usually—into a mollusk. The animal is then placed back into the water and monitored, cleaned, etc. until the pearl is ready to be harvested. The Chinese have been culturing freshwater blister pearls (pearls that grow underneath the mantle on the inside of the animal’s shell) since the 13th century, but Kokichi Mikimoto, a Japanese man, is credited with developing modern pearl culturing techniques. By the early 1920s, Mikimoto was selling his cultured pearls worldwide. Natural pearls can be very beautiful, but due to overfishing, pollution and other factors, they are a rare find indeed. Thus, nearly all pearls sold today are cultured pearls. There are two main types: freshwater and saltwater. South Sea cultured pearls, Tahitian cultured pearls and akoya cultured pearls are all types of saltwater pearls. Cultured pearls of all types can be found in jewelry stores worldwide. Are saltwater pearls better than freshwater pearls? It depends on who you ask, but many pearl experts today agree that freshwater cultured pearls can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Due to improvements in culturing techniques, freshwater pearl farmers are producing beautiful, round, lustrous pearls that are a vast improvement over the wrinkled, rice-krispie-shaped gems that typified the freshwater pearl crop of the not-so-distant past. Produced mainly in China, freshwater pearls are often nucleated, or implanted, with mantle tissue only (rather than a mother-of-pearl bead). Because they do not contain a starter bead, tissue-nucleated freshwater pearls are 100% nacre. This gives them a beautiful luster and a durable surface that won’t easily flake or peel to reveal the inner bead. By contrast, pearls that are bead-nucleated and harvested too soon often have only a thin coating of nacre that will flake or peel. This is a major problem: Unlike many other gemstones, pearls cannot be polished back to perfection. Freshwater cultured pearls come in many beautiful natural pastel colors including cream, white, yellow, orange, pink and lavender. (Universally flattering lavender pearls are very popular right now.) White pearls are bleached to enhance their natural shine. Black freshwater cultured pearls are treated with dye or heat to produce their inky color. Overall, freshwater pearls are more plentiful than other pearl types, thus they are generally more affordable. Are South Sea pearls really golden? Yes. Pearls produced in the aptly named “gold-lipped” oyster (P. maxima) can be a gorgeous creamy yellow, referred to as “golden” in the trade. (The silver-lipped variety of P. maxima produces beautiful silver or white pearls.) Grown in the South Seas—which stretch from the southern coast of Southeast Asia to the northern coast of Australia—these pearls are grown in one of the biggest oysters used in pearl culturing. Because they can accept a larger bead and secrete nacre faster than their smaller counterparts, these big oysters produce large pearls of exceptional luster and beauty. South Sea pearls’ thick coating of nacre gives the gems a wonderful luster, or glow, that appears to come from deep within the pearl. The warm waters, abundant food supply and low pollution levels of the South Seas also help these oysters produce beautiful cultured pearls. Although Australia produces 60% of the world’s South Sea cultured pearls, Indonesian farmers work more with the gold-lipped oyster, and thus produce more golden pearls. The silver-lipped variety produces equally beautiful pearls that come in white to silver and often have rosé, blue or green overtones. Aside from giving them a light wash, pearl farmers do not treat South Sea pearls after harvest.
Genuine handcrafted silver jewelry is as beautiful as it is unique. Whether you're looking for pieces to add to your collection or are shopping for gifts, there are excellent online sources for handmade earrings, pendants, rings, barrettes, and necklaces. For a wonderful buying experience, follow these five tips.
1. Find a reputable source. This may go without saying, but don't confuse commercially manufactured jewelry with handcrafted silver jewelry. The latter is made by artisans that take great pride in their work. It's helpful to look for a company that has been in business for decades, and that has been selling online for at least five years.
2. Take advantage of customization. When jewelry is handmade, it can be customized in any number of ways, from the lengths of chains to the types of gemstones used in pendants and rings. You don't need to settle for "almost good enough." Instead, you can get the piece you've always dreamed of, in exactly the right size.
3. Measure carefully. Because customized pieces generally aren't returnable, it's important to make sure that the handcrafted silver jewelry you order will fit. It only takes a few minutes to get a good measurement, and doing so will ensure that the necklace or ring you order will be exactly what you want. For rings, ask a friend to take a piece of string, put it around the knuckle or largest part of your finger, and mark the string. To determine the size, hold the string against a tape measure and compare your measurement to the website's sizing chart. If you're in between sizes, it's best to go with the larger size. You can also use string to measure for bracelet, necklace, or anklet lengths.
4. Do your gemstone research. The best online jewelry sites have a wealth of information on gemstones. Before you order, read up on the gemstones you are considering. It's important to know, for example, that aquamarine can be cleaned with dishwashing detergent, but that ultrasonic and steam cleaning may damage the stone. Similarly, you may know that pearls are delicate and can easily absorb liquids, but you might not know that turquoise is also porous and can easily become stained.
If you're going to order jewelry with gemstones, it's also crucial to know whether the stones are natural or if their colors have been enhanced. Reputable artisans will freely share this information. Don't be alarmed, however, if the stones have been heated or irradiated to intensify or change their colors. Naturally colored rubies, sapphires, and topaz, for example, are extraordinarily rare; it is an accepted practice within the jewelry industry to enhance gemstone colors.
5. Invest in the real thing. Silver jewelry is gorgeous, but only if it's real silver. Make sure that the online source you select uses either sterling silver (.925 or 92.5 percent silver) or fine silver (99.9 percent pure silver). When you invest in handcrafted silver jewelry, you're not only buying a piece you will treasure, but one that is likely to become an heirloom for future generations.
Article Body:
When you must make a valuable gift to your girlfriend or future wife the most appropriate one will consist of alexandrite jewelry. Natural alexandrite is the gemstone used to make veritable alexandrite jewelry. In this article you can find details about the many qualities of alexandrite jewelry so you can be sure your gift is a special one.
What makes a natural alexandrite special from the other gemstones is its color changing property. The color of this gemstone is emerald-green in a natural or phosphorescent light and red or purple in incandescent light. Natural alexandrite is not the only stone that changes its color depending on different light sources. However this gemstone has the most radical changes. Therefore one can see why alexandrite jewelry is such a special gift.
There are 3 categories of color change:
-Top -> in this category one can find the natural alexandrite which changes the color up to 90%-100%.
-Medium -> this second category has natural alexandrite that changes the color up to 70%-80%
-Slight -> and finally there is the alexandrite jewelry with 30%-69% color change.
Because of its property to change color, natural alexandrite is very appreciated between jewelers, investors and eccentrics.
Rusia is the country where this gemstone was discovered, near to Ekaterinburg in 1830 and the name alexandrite comes from the Alexander II. The excavations for natural alexandrite were started in the Ural Mountains. This place was the most important one from which the natural alexandrite reached the Russian jewelers.
A lot of people do business with alexandrite. Randy G. Lander is one of them. She developed a passion for this gemstone and started making alexandrite jewelry in 1994. She continues the tradition of trading like her ancestors, the Khazars. The Khazars from which she descends used to trade jewelry with many countries using medieval well-known trade routes. This is why Randy G. Lander is the most suitable person to give advice when buying alexandrite jewelry.
There were many beliefs in the past regarding the therapeutic and magical powers of natural alexandrite. Some doctors used it to heal diseases and this is the reason why alexandrite jewelry used to be very popular. There was also the idea that the possessor of a natural alexandrite would only have good luck. Due to these myths and legends, the interest for alexandrite jewelry grew, but it also led to the creation of many forgeries. The best-made imitations of natural alexandrite are produced in special high-tech laboratories in Russia. The jewels made with artificial alexandrite are less expensive and can be bought by anyone.
There are ways to verify the authenticity of a natural alexandrite, but it is better if one lets a competent gemologist do this job. He will not scratch or deteriorate the reflective surface of the gemstone (as a client should in order to determine whether it is natural or not). The gemstone will be analyzed under magnification for certain patterns, inclusions, black spots, color and this process will only take a few minutes. This way you can avoid buying a fake alexandrite (like crysoberyl ) at the price of a natural one.
When buying such a gift for your girlfriend or wife, please take time to consider the qualities of alexandrite jewelry. Just imagine and see how irresistible the idea of having a rare and valuable jewel on the hand or neck of your loved one is. A perfect jewel is certainly the way to make a perfect gift.
Imagine walking into a restaurant and having all eyes on you. Like most women, I love attention, but recently I got more attention and compliments than I knew how to handle. During a casual dinner with friends, my sparkling white gold two-carat Moissanite earrings stole the show. One dinner companion whispered, "Those are the most beautiful diamond earrings I've ever seen." I explained they weren't diamonds but a new jewel: Moissanite. Before I knew it, I was the talk of the table. People had questions and comments like "What is Moissanite?" "They're so brilliant, they must have cost a fortune!" "Are they rare?" and "I have to have them." Well ladies, if you want to know my secret, read on. Moissanite is giving women the opportunity to own quality, eye-catching jewelry at affordable prices. What is the story behind this jewel? In 1893, Dr. Henri Moissan, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist began studying fragments of a 50,000-year-old meteorite. In these fragments, Moissan believed he discovered diamonds from space possessing superior fire and brilliance. After extensive research, it was concluded that Moissan discovered a new mineral. In 1905, it was named Moissanite in his honor. During the late 1980s, inspired by Moissan's discovery and by the fact that natural Moissanite is incredibly rare, Charles & Colvard (Nasdaq: CTHR) developed a proprietary process for producing large crystals of Moissanite. By 1995, Charles & Colvard were the sole source for Moissanite jewels, possessing two worldwide patents. "Moissanite's superior diamond-like appearance is incredible," said Nat Hyman, president of Landau, the nation's largest accessory boutique with more than 70 stores. "The customer is getting so much more for the money." "But once they leave the store, are they going to tell even their best friends?" asked Nick Baxevane, also of Landau. "Moissanite looks like what a beautiful diamond should look like, so what they tell their friends is their decision. They can have the million dollar look without the million dollar price tag." Moissanite is available at Landau nationwide in upscale malls, hotels, casinos and airports.
Surprising your girlfriend with a beautiful diamond ring is a moment both of you will cherish your entire life. A once in a lifetime occasion, buying a diamond ring should be done carefully as your fiancée will wear it everyday, showing it off to her friends and family members, flaunting your love. The market is flooded with numerous jewelers and shops claiming to sell the most authentic and beautiful diamonds there are. To make the right choice from the plethora of designs and variety can indeed be a confusing task. It would do you good to be aware of some basic tips on buying diamond jewelry before you buy one for your girlfriend. The ‘four c’s’, color, cut, clarity and carat, are the deciding factors for a diamond’s purity and value. This king of gems comes in all colors, with white being the purest and costliest. Although it is the hardest stone available, diamond can be cut in a variety of fancy shapes and sizes. The shape and cut determines the shine of the gem. One should choose the shape of the diamond according to your girlfriend’s personality. If she is dainty-- buy a small elegant one; tall and well-buily? go for a large squarish rock. The sparkle of the diamond often holds more importance than the rock’s size. Clarity of the diamond ensures a dazzling shine every time the light passes through the stone. Carat, or the weight of diamond, also contributes to its price and value in the market. Educating yourself about the ‘four c’s’ will keep you from buying imitations. Even though it is conventional to spend two months salary on your engagement ring, you can buy synthetic diamonds, which will be easier on your wallet. Synthetic diamond has the same physical properties of a real diamond but is more affordable than the real one. Finally, do ask the jeweler to provide a purity certificate, which will serve as a guarantee and later help in insuring your gems.
When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds – for whatever reasons – don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled. Jewelry stores like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well. Jewelry also stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. A common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond. This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between ½ and ¾ carat – but closer to ¾. Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth – and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action. Jewelry stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well. Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past. There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.
Ten Body Piercing Safety Tips Body piercing is all the rage with individuals of all ages. Whether you are choosing to pierce ears, lips, noses, eyebrows, tongues, or something a bit more risqué, safety and hygiene should be at the top of the check list before you run out and grab a needle. These ten tips for body piercing safety will ensure your piercing does not result in a potentially dangerous infection. 1.) Only use a professional. Piercing is something that should only be performed by a professional. It is a great deal more complicated than simply pushing a needle through a part of your body. Choose a reliable professional and seek a consultation before you make the decision to pierce. Home piercing jobs are most likely to lead to complications or infections. 2.) Ask questions. Think of a interviewing a potential piercer the same as you would a doctor. Ask about their cleanliness and disease prevention policies. A great many diseases, including AIDS and Hepatitis can be spread through using dirty needles, so you should ensure your quality of health is not compromised. Do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask the necessary questions, and beware of any so-called professional who seems unwilling or unable to provide answers. 3.) Choose wisely. Just as each body is different, everyone will not be able to successfully pierce their chosen spot. Once you seek a professional to pierce your body, ensure the piercing can be successful. For example, individuals with an “out-ie” belly button are unable to have a belly button piercing due to the orientation. Also, some individuals are unable to have their tongue correctly pierced due to the orientation of essential nerves and blood vessels. 4.) Think about the impact. It’s a necessary fact of the matter that most employers frown upon visible body piercings. Regardless of your personal feeling on body piercings, know that you may be discriminated against or viewed in an unfavorable light by some individuals only due to your body piercings. Before you decide on any piercing, consider the impact on your image and your life. 5.) Choose quality body jewelry. When it comes to choosing body jewelry, ensure you choose quality metals or high carbonate plastics that will work well in your body and not have any complications. Most body piercing jewelry is either gold with a high karat count or surgical quality stainless steel. Avoid cheap or flimsy body jewelry and focus on the quality instead of the design. 6.) Keep it clean. After the body part has been pierced, it is essential to keep the hole clean. Your body sees a piercing as a wound, so cleanliness is the key. Remember, infections also do not discriminate between piercing holes and puncture wounds. 7.) Keep it dry. Most piercers agree that the hole should be kept dry until healing has commenced. Keep your piercing hole free of salvia, sweat, salt water, or chlorine water, since all of these liquids can case infection. 8.) Avoid makeup. If you are choosing a facial piercing, avoid polluting the hole with makeup. Most cosmetic products are made with oils that can invade the piercing hole and cause infection. 9.) Identify infection. Keep an eye out for infections that can quickly and easily cause pain and discomfort. Not all infections work in the same manner, but warning signs include any type of discharge from the wound, fever, pain, discomfort, swelling, and redness around the hole. 10.) Seek medical attention. If your piercing is exhibiting signs of infection or complication, immediately seek medical attention. Also, if the piercing is routinely painful and does not seem to heal, you should seek treatment by your primary health care provider.
Treasured, rare and always adding sparkle into our lives, diamonds will never fall out of fashion. Life's most endearing moments - engagements, birthdays and anniversaries - are celebrated with diamonds. But most people believe that a diamond with color is an inferior jewel. Not so, according to Ross- Simons Jewelers. On the contrary, colored diamonds are some of the most precious stones around. Jennifer Lopez's 6-carat fancy pink engagement ring and Paris Hilton's 24-carat, $5 million fancy yellow engagement ring are credited with bringing colored diamonds back into the spotlight. Like Hilton and Lopez, many women yearn to set themselves apart from everyone else. The rarity of fancy yellow diamonds - only 2 percent to 3 percent of diamonds mined in the world are considered "fancy yellow" - makes them popular among women who want to make a statement with their stones. Mined mainly in Africa and South America, yellow diamonds are classified in order of price and rarity, beginning with fancy light and going up to fancy yellow, then fancy intense and finally, vivid - the rarest of them all. But yellow diamonds can easily lose their luster with improper cutting and polishing. Whereas it would take a skilled diamond cutter two days to cut a 2-carat brilliant white diamond, it would take him or her two weeks to cut a fancy yellow diamond. Knowing how to distinguish a quality yellow diamond is important when making a purchase. Here are some tips from Ross-Simons. * Make sure the diamond is certified. The certificate should say "natural." Otherwise you may be buying a diamond that has been treated to look yellow. * Look for an intensity of color. The certificate should also say "even." This guarantees an evenness of color throughout the stone and is evidence of a higher quality diamond. * Stick to complementary settings; 18-karat yellow gold is best for enhancing the natural intensity of the yellow diamond.
Article Body:You can find a long history for Art Deco Jewelry. This style of jewelry can be dated back to the mid 1920s. This type of art was inspired by the “Exposition Internationales des Arts Decoratifs and Industriels Modernes”. This movement took place in Paris, France in the mid 1920s, with the term “Art Deco” not becoming the popular term until many years later in the 1960s. Jewelry in the Art Deco style has very few curves, but has abundant angular forms and straight lines. Starting out more delicate in its design, Art Deco jewelry moved toward the trend of blockier, bolder styled pieces termed “Art Moderne”. You can find Art Deco jewelry in many shapes. Some look like animals, including dogs, butterflies and insects, while some look like plants, leaves and floral designs. There are even some pieces of Art Deco Jewelry that are geometrical in shape. Many people who look at this type of art feel it is “abstract”, but owners of Art Deco jewelry buy it just for that reason. It is bold, daring and unique! You will find that a main characteristic of Art Deco Jewelry is the use of bright, brilliant colors. It doesn’t matter if the jewelry is made from glass or bead materials, rhinestones or precious gems! All pieces of Art Deco Jewelry have stones of different shapes, sizes and color patterns. The brilliant colors are meant to produce a dramatic effect in the jewelry created. The varying hues of the materials are meant to complement and enhance whatever fashions are popular at the time. You can find all types of jewelry that were caught up in the “Art Deco” movement. There are pins, long dangling earrings, beaded necklaces, wide, artistic bracelets and rings of all shapes, sizes and colors. You can find the stones on this jewelry in varying colors in almost any pattern you can think of. Art Deco jewelry was created to enhance and soften popular looks, like short hair styles. The artists that made this jewelry produced dazzling pieces of art that stand up to and surpass some jewelry designs found today. The price of Art Deco Jewelry is as unique as each piece that is created. You can find single pieces of Art Deco Jewelry made from silver and beads as low as $5.00, while some pieces with diamonds and other precious stones can be several thousands of dollars. Depending on your taste and budget, you can find just the right Art Deco Jewelry collection for you. If you are interested in Art Deco Jewelry, you are in luck. You can find this increasing popular style of art in many places. At your local department stores, jewelry retailers and even flea markets, you may find sellers with stunning pieces on sale. Easier yet, try online stores and internet auctions sites. With a computer, you have a great chance of finding a piece of Art Deco Jewelry that you love at a price you can live with.
Jewelry will forever excite just like it has in days gone by. Take the cave man adorned with ivory molars dangling from his neck or his mammoth tusk hanging from his waist. Then we have another fine example for finery the Indian chief sitting so brave attired in colored feathers and beads of every color of the rainbow running through his braided plaits. It has taken millions of years for us to come to our senses and narrow down the amount of jewelry we wear. In saying that piercing of the body where you can end up looking like a voodoo doll is still very popular. What you have to remember is, to much of a good thing can spoil your image therefore taking the beauty away from your ornate piece. Bling diamond sparkling rings along side gold bulky sovereigns are not a match made in heaven. Remember to many cooks spoil the broth. Beauty behind Jewelry How elegant exquisite precious stones sparkle more when mounted on a 9ct warm gold band and how Signet rings for men express a more strong masculine appearance. Items of Jewelry no matter the size will always hold some meaning or have a story behind it sentimental happy or sad. RINGS The mystery that lurks behind how the ring was titled with names such as the eternity, engagement and wedding band will always remain a mystery. Marriage vows become finalized with an exchange of gold wedding bands. Be sure to choose this ring with care as this piece which bonds two people together is for life. (Sadly not in all cases) Before buying Jewelry get it right because wrong choice wrong image wrong you. EARRINGS What happened to one earring to each ear, today earrings are layered down the lobe in sequence which can be quite eye catching, even when pierced through the nose/nipple or belly button. Women today are only half dressed unless wearing jewelry. Pierced ears seem to dominate and hold a stronger presence over the clip or screw on. No matter your chosen outfit watch it transform when the gypsy dangler or Grace Kelly pearl peeper is placed onto the lobe History behind time How the concrete garden sundial went from the garden to the pendulum swinging grandfather clock in the hall only to be halved in size to stand on the mantle. There has been a dramatic change in the way we tell time today. When buying a watch choose wisely as this is worn and on show for all to see more frequently than most Jewelry items. Jewelry speaks volumes about a person's personality so do not damage yours by making the wrong choice. Take a friend with you when shopping for gold or silver this way you can seek advice if you need it. Jewelry has to be top of most peoples gift list for birthdays Christmas anniversary's retirement etc. For those people celebrating these special dates why not make that day extra special for them by giving a piece of Jewelry.
There is something about a cameo that it truly captivating. Be it the attention to fine detail, the elegance of the portraits, there is simply nothing quite as beautiful as a cameo, and they never go out of style. Cameos can be made from variety of materials, such as abalone, wood, bone, coral, ivory, agate, glass, plastic, various shell types, and layered hard stone which comes in a variety of colors. Molded cameos are usually made of glass. They usually consist of either one or two colors. Often the colors are swirled together. Glass cameos are usually quite shiny. Molded cameos are also molded from plastic. The wedgwood style cameos were made from plastic. Plastic makes a terrific imitation shell cameo. Older cameos were often made with celluloid using two colors. Occasionally, but not very often, natural materials are molded. One way to tell if a cameo is molded is to look for a roundness in the detail and a lack of sharp and precise lines. To identify glass cameos look for the presence of mold marks and ridges or dimples on the back. Shell cameos are carved from a single piece of shell. Shell is soft, so it is very easy to carve. Shell cameos are usually two colors. Shell cameos have a thin concave back, with the exception of abalone and mother of pearl which are usually flat on the back and somewhat thicker. Coral Cameos are usually a single color, and also have a flat back. Agate cameos are carved with the same technique that shell cameos are carved. Agate has one main advantage, because the carver is able to see the layers of color from the side and knows that these layers will basically be flat. Stone is much harder to carve. A good hard stone cameo is often under carved at the junction where the portrait meets the flat plaque. At a quick glance stone often looks like an applied cameo, however upon closer examination one can determine it to be stone. Amber Cameos are rather new to the market place. Amber cameos are carved from natural amber with the reverse intaglios being hand carved. Practice will make it easier to tell molded cameos from carved cameos: Usually natural materials are carved, while glass and plastic materials are normally molded but could be carved though not very likely. Molded cameos can be two colors by the simple device of pouring one color into the mold in a thin layer and then following with a thicker layer of another color. If you are buying for value distinguishing the type of cameo could be very important. However, if you are buying because you simply "love" the piece, then determining the type of cameo and the value are not nearly as important. We suggest if you are purchasing a cameo because you want to add it to your jewelry wardrobe then choose what your heart falls for, just be certain you are not overpaying for what you are getting. Cameos make a wonderful fashion statement! And they never go out of style.
Costume jewelry is often created with non-precious metals, usually gold or silver plated, and with or without beads and stones. Costume jewelry has been extremely popular around the world for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians are known to have worn decorative beaded necklaces and Cleopatra is probably one of the original wearers of what we now call costume jewelry. In more recent times the people of the Germanic and Slovak regions became highly skilled at developing intricate patterns in glass beads. However, beadwork used in costume jewelry is not only limited to glass. A large variety of materials are traditionally used to make beads such as jet, wood, amber, gemstones, pottery, ceramic, metals, horn, coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and pearls. Some modern materials such as plastics, nylon and even polycarbonate variants are also used to make beads. Costume jewelry can be antique, period, or contemporary and there are many collectors of every style of costume jewelry. Venetian glass pieces of costume jewelry are particularly collectable as well as being extremely popular for people to wear. Cleaning costume jewelry is extremely simple but needs to be done on a regular basis to prevent tarnishing. Simply use a mild detergent mixed in water to keep your costume jewelry in good condition. It is important not to soak the jewelry and to make sure that you dry it thoroughly before storing it. You can buy anti-tarnish paper for wrapping your costume jewelry in before you put it away for long periods of time but regular cleaning is the best defense against tarnishing. The tarnishing of costume jewelry is typically caused by the metal reacting with the atmosphere and oxidizing. Unfortunately, there are a large number of people who are unable to wear costume jewelry next to their skin. This is because of their sensitivity to the metals used. It is important to make sure that anyone that you are buying the jewelry for is not allergic to nickel or copper, especially with pierced earrings. Costume jewelry may look beautiful and, especially in the case of contemporary pieces, be reasonably priced but it is not suitable for everyone to wear. For many people a piece of costume jewelry may be the first jewelry that they have worn and it is important to look out for signs of a reaction, especially after extended periods of wear. Often people will not show a reaction if they wear the jewelry for a short amount of time and this can be an ideal way to avoid any possible discomfort. You can also buy a special coating that you apply to the back of the costume jewelry to protect the skin from having direct contact with the metal.
Wouldn’t it be nice to find real pearls from edible oysters? That would be the day when eating edible oysters would bring in not only food for the table but also pearl for jewelry. However, such thing is next to impossible considering that pearls do not grow in edible oysters. Pearls are produced by mollusks including oysters, mussels and clams. However, mussels and clams rarely produce pearls while oysters commonly produce pearls no matter if they are in freshwater or in saltwater. The idea that pearls are produced from sand intruding into the shell of an oyster is false. Sand is an inorganic material while pearls are formed by organic materials that are caught inside the oyster. As a defense mechanism, the oyster wraps the organic material with a substance called nacre, resulting to what is known as mother of pearl. Most people believe that pearls should have an imperfect form since they are products of nature. However, there are those that are formed perfectly and these are considered very valuable pearls. Unlike the common belief that pearls are usually white, pearls come in various colors like black, green, red and even blue. Different-colored pearls can be found all over the world but only the South Pacific has produced black pearls. Instead of waiting for the natural occurrence of pearls, there are people who culture pearls in the same manner that they are naturally formed. However, the organic irritants are intentionally inserted through a crack in the oyster’s shell. Natural pearls are however more expensive than cultured pearls because of their rarity. Among the kinds of pearls are cultured pearls either in saltwater or freshwater; South Sea pearls that are produced by the silver lipped oysters are rare pearls that are cultured in Australia and are usually very large; South Sea pearls produced by golden lipped oysters and are cultured in Indonesia and Tahitian pearls or black pearls that are produced by black lipped oysters and are cultured in Cook Islands or in the French Polynesia. So how can one determine if a pearl is real or an imitation? Real pearls tend to feel sandy when rubbed along the edge of the front teeth while imitation pearls fell smooth. Aside from the kinds of oyster from which pearls are produced, the quality of pearls is determined according to their luster or shine. Thick nacres that have been left in the water longer are generally shinier. The shape of a pearl is also important and the rounder the pearl, the better. The larger the pearl, the rarer they are and the more expensive. Pearls are generally used as pieces of jewelry but they are also used in making cosmetics. Powdered pearl that is made from shells and pearls of not so good quality is said to produce paler skin with a natural glow. Pearl cosmetics are actually being exported by many countries including China to the Unites States.
Jewelry shines if it is properly cleaned and polished. People have treasures at home in the form of diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. These are often set in gold, silver or platinum. Some of the jewels are antiques that have been handed down from ancestors from one generation to the next.
Jewelry can lose its shine if it is not properly cared for with a good jewelry cleaner. Everyone with some jewelry to protect should find out about the jewelry cleaners that are available so they do not cause damage to valuable pieces.
Different types of jewelry require different types of care so jewelry owners should investigate the jewelry cleaners to make sure that they buy the best one for their jewelry. There are jewelry cleaners that simply remove the tarnish from metals such as silver that have a tendency to tarnish with time. There are strips that can be stored with some jewelry to keep the tarnish away rather than polishing these pieces regularly.
Jewel bags can eliminate some of the cleaning if these are used properly to store the precious jewels. The cost of the jewelry cleaner should be worth keeping these treasures bright and shiny.
Several Jewelry Cleaners Are Available on the Market
Jewelry cleaners will bring back the shine that was present when the pieces were first purchased, but all the cleaners should be examined carefully because some substances could damage the jewelry. Some effective jewelry cleaners are bubbling tablets that are safe for some types of jewelry. These tablets often come with a special container for just the right amount of cleanser. These are easy to take along on trips so the jewelry cleaner is available at all times.
Some of the latest technology is used to make jewelry cleaners that are sonic type boxes for cleaning jewelry. These sonic cleaners create bubbles which clean the jewelry in all the small spaces that cannot be reached easily. These get rid of grease and dirt so the jewelry sparkles once again. Some of these will clean watch bands and keys with the same machine.
Some of these machines come with timers so the jewelry is kept in the cleaner for just the right amount of time. These also come with temperature controls so the jewelry will not be harmed in the cleaning process. Some of these machines can clean with just water so there are no harmful substances such as ammonia that could damage fine jewelry.
