The Age of Titanium

Although Titanium is an abundant element on earth it was not discovered until 1791 but it would be another hundred years after that before it was possible to isolate the metal.

In appearance the metal is grey and lustrous and has often been used to make alloys which are light and resistant. Titanium has also been detected in meteorites and in the moon rocks brought back from the Apollo 17 mission.

It is because of its desirable properties which make Titanium an ideal metal for this technological age that has lead to a huge rise in popularity of this metal.

In industry the uses for titanium are many because of its resistance to corrosion even from salt water, alkalis and acids and even corrosive gases. Because of its corrosion resistance and the fact that it is also physiologically inert and hypoallergenic, Titanium is also used extensively in the field of medicine and in particular for prosthetic implants such as hip and knee replacements.

This wonderful metal has very high strength to weight ratio and it is much utilised in critical and demanding applications such as in the aerospace industry. The use of Titanium has made space exploration possible and the earlier rockets such as Mercury, Apollo and Gemini were all made largely of this metal. The Space Shuttle also has many parts made from Titanium as have many jet fighters, submarines, ships and tanks.

Titanium therefore is used across a broad spectrum of applications making it very much a metal of our modern age.

Aircraft grade titanium is now becoming increasingly popular in the jewellery trade and has found favour particularly in the manufacture of mens jewellery because of itÂ’s hard wearing properties. Titanium rings have become increasingly popular as wedding rings in part because they will stand up to more wear and tear than precious metals but probably just as much because of the look. Titanium really is a very versatile metal and lends itself very to the making of fine jewellery and a variety of looks can be achieved utilising different finishes and even the application of heat which brings about a change in colour ranging through the whole spectrum.

This property of colouration by heat has been used particularly in the manufacture of ladies jewellery for making eye catching unique designs in earrings, necklaces and modern, trendytitanium rings.

In the making of rings, titanium can also be inlaid with precious metals and set with precious stones and although the material is more difficult to work with because of its strength, once made you will have a beautiful piece of jewellery that will look good and last a lifetime.

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Posted in Jewelry , Necklace , Titanium

Creating Your Own Jewelry

Do you have a better way to accessorize yourself than with a nice piece of jewelry? The problem is that sometimes costume jewelry can also be extremely expensive. Nevertheless, you have another alternative to buying them you can make them. It is easy to learn how to create your own jewelry. And sometimes it is even better than buying them because you can make them to match your outfits and your personality. This way you are not only going to save money, you are also going to have fun.

Are you interested in making necklaces? The simplest way to do this is using beads. You will see that you can create a variety of beautiful necklaces just using some heavy string and a various beads of different colors. In the case you are going to cover the whole circumference with beads you may even substitute the heavy string by a dental floss. You should always bear in mind what are you going to wear the necklace with. This way you can compliment the color of the necklace with the color of the dress you are wearing. Once you know the colors, you should start thinking about the pattern, which can be achieved by alternating colors or shapes, or making all of the beads the same size and color.

The most important thing at the moment of making your necklace is to be creative. But you should not forget to keep the theme in mind when you start making it. When you go to buy beads you can buy the ones you always use plus some focal point beads that are bigger that the rest. These bigger beads can be use when you choose to employ wire instead of string for your necklace, just one or two beads for the whole piece are enough and the wire show through. Usually you can choose from a great variety of attractive beads, such as wooden, ceramic and glass pieces.

If you are thinking of making beads, you have a lot to do. You only need beads and wire to make a great variety of rings. What you have to do is to twist various strands of wire together making a circle that fits your finger. You have to remember to maintain the ends long in order to string beads on the edges. Just make a ball of wire to maintain the final bead on each strand in its place and then keep the beaded strands as individuals strands or twist them into a ball. And use it with whatever you want!

Another option is to make earrings. It is not difficult because the majority of craft stores sell earring components that can be used right away; the only thing you have to do is add the decorations that you choose. You can buy almost twenty pairs of earrings for no more than three dollars. You can also include some ribbons or a strand of beads. Just be creative and you will be able to attend any party.

Similar techniques can be used to create bracelets and anklets. You have just to twist together bare wire and beaded wire to make a nice combination or create attractive wire shapes with just a pair of needle-nosed pliers. You only need to include a nice object that fits and make some loops in the wire and create your own charm bracelet.

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Posted in Jewelry , Necklace

The Glitter Bitter Jewelry

Jewelry the dominator of many moods, how a piece of body decoration can change and alter a persons image is remarkable? Take the birth stone a coloured precious jewel representing the month you were born hence birth signs horoscopes etc. Then we have the pendant locket encompassing a photo of a loved one parted or present.

100% top of the list for popularity has to be the ring.

Many organizations symbolize memberships and identities of their followers with the wearing of a ring. But the most famous piece of warm gold or cool silver is the wedding band with the eternity and engagement ring trailing behind. Why you ask? Do these lag behind; they both represent friendship and togetherness, unlike the gold wedding band which goes further in bonding two people together for ever.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend and that of the man also. The male takes fashion and Jewelry just as serious as the female species and why would they not.

How a pair of pearl peepers placed onto the lobe of the ear can transform that figure hugging little black number. Glimpse how the bronze medallion swinging between an open neck shirt can transform the appearance of the male.

When buying Jewelry remember, wrong choice wrong image wrong you so be careful and take your time when deciding on what to purchase.

Most heirlooms today come in the form of Jewelry, grandmothers cameo brooch, grandads cuff links mum or dads wedding ring. Jewelry will always hold fond memories for a great many of us and it's funny how you never forget where that particular piece came from.
So if you want to be remembered give a piece of Jewelry.

Then we have the not so sweet memories when the glitter turns to bitter (Divorce)

Bling clusters of sparkling precious stones assist and help elegance to protrude through especially when mounted on a 9ct gold band.
Mans signet ring can alter the image of the male hand expressing masculinity

The male/female is only half dressed unless adorned with jewellery. Next time when shopping in a Jewelry store do not go over the top like Mr T from the A team. Too many accessories will spoil the whole look of any outfit thus marring your whole image.

If you are out to attract the opposite sex or keep the companion you have then it is all about beauty. Remember beauty lies in the eye of the beholder so let the beholder be you when looking for gold or silver.

Jewelry speaks in volumes about you and your personality so we do not want to give the wrong impression. Let the diamonds emeralds sapphires and rubies do all the talking. People will get to know you with out you even opening your mouth.

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Posted in Diamond , Emerald , Gold , Jewelry , Silver

Diamond

Precious gems are beautiful and they last a long time and they are very valuable. Diamonds in particular shimmer in any kind of light, providing an exquisite treasure. Some people give a piece of diamond jewelry as the sole gem gift a loved one will ever receive. Others add a diamond gift to a long line of precious gems. Before bestowing diamonds as a gift to a loved one, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Diamonds are usually very expensive. If you come across a diamond that is being sold on the cheap, you have to wonder why this is the case. It may mean that the cut is not the best quality or it could have poor point value. Perhaps the gem is even stolen! You have to be careful about where and how you purchase precious jewelry to ensure that you get your money's worth in value. Check with several jewelry stores or diamond dealers. State up front how much money you have to spend and the type of gift you wish to make. The experts can help you make a good choice for what you have to work with.

Diamonds are for grown ups. Children or even teenagers rarely have a proper appreciation for diamonds. Perhaps diamond chip earrings would be an acceptable gift for older teen girls, but more lavish diamond jewelry should be saved for more mature wearers. A diamond necklace, brooch, ring, or bracelet conveys a sense of sophistication that younger women cannot often carry off. Save the gift of diamonds for a special occasion and an older girl.

Diamonds deserve special care. You don’t want to just fling a diamond ring in the jewelry box or leave it lying unprotected on a`dresser top. Preserve the beauty and keep it clean while avoiding scratches by placingdiamond jewelry into velvet-lined boxes or containers. Depending on the size and value of your investment, your diamonds may need to be kept in a safe deposit box or vault at your local bank. You donÂ’t want nosy workers or desperate thieves to make off with your prized possession. You may want to have your diamond priced or valued by an experienced jeweler for home insurance purposes. It also is a good idea to have it cleaned periodically, if needed.

Diamonds are for special occasions. Although they are often given on any occasion like a birthday or holiday, a diamond jewelry item is especially suited to commemorative occasions, such as an engagement or anniversary. Smaller diamond gifts can serve just about any purpose, but the larger, more valuable kind should not be handed off lightly. Give some thought to the meaning of your gift and what your receiver will think (as well as what you want him or her to think) before offering this unique token of affection.

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Posted in Diamond , Jewelry

The Romance of Jewelry

"Well," you may ask, "isn't jewelry romantic by it's very nature?"

To some extent this is true, but we wear jewelry for any number of reasons that are not romantic... to look sophisticated, to look professional, to impress our friends and neighbors.

So what about the romance of jewelry?

In this case I'm talking about romance in a broader sense than simply relationships.

Something more like this definition from the dictionary:

"A quality or feeling of mystery, excitement, and remoteness from everyday life"

That wonderful fission, that bit of a chill that you get from something that is just, well, more than day to day life.

Romantic jewelry is that jewelry that makes you feel special, different, like a princess or a prince. That jewelry that takes you out of your normal hum drum life each time you put it on. The little something extra that comes of wearing something truly special.

Perhaps that is why gold is such a popular metal for jewelry. I love silver and platinum and there are other metals (titanium comes to mind) that make great jewelry, but there is nothing like the romance of gold. To wear gold is to wear the jewelry of kings and queens. In ancient Egypt only the pharaohs and those especially favored by the pharaohs were permitted to wear gold. This feeling of being special and above the fray has continued to the modern day. If you want to feel like royalty (or if you want to give a gift that says you think of your beloved as a king or queen), gold is the answer.

Other jewels that inspire feelings of romance are pearls, emeralds and rubies... and, of course, for many people, diamonds.

Somehow though diamonds don't seem to have the same warmth and romance as the other stones. Actually diamonds were not historically valued as highly was we do today. Much ofthe romance that has been generated around diamonds is do to de Beers in the early part of the 20th century instituting a brilliant and very effective advertising campaign... so I will leave diamonds for another day.

On the other hand pearls... Pearls feel wonderful against your skin. They are sensuous and mysterious. To look deeply into a fine pearl is to look into eternity. There is also something intriguing about a pearl, knowing that is came not from the cold hard ground, but from an industrious mollusk.

Pearls have been prized in all time periods and all cultures. Historically baroque pearls (large irregularly shaped pearls) were used to make wonderful and fantastic jewelry by embellishing them with gold an gems. Frequently these took the shape of Neptune or other greek gods, sirens, beautiful women and animals. The Canning Jewel in the Victoria and Albert museum is a famous and elaborate use of a baroque as the base for a handsome merman.

Black pearls, particularly Tahitian black pearls have become very popular in recent years. They come in a range of colors from spectacular purples and greens, through pinks to sophisticated browns. All are lovely and the range of colors gives them a great deal of flexibility in choosing just the right pearl for your outfit and mood. The most beautiful black pearl necklace I've seen was from Morrison's a small manufacturing jeweler in Berkeley. The pearls were arranged in a rainbow strung together so that each color melted into the one next to it -- stunning. And of course what could be moreromantic than pearls from Tahiti?

(By the way, if you wear pearls, do wear them against your skin, it is good for them, but be sure that you do not wear any perfume, scent or lotion, at least not where it might contact your pearls.)

Emeralds and rubies are traditionally the emperor and empress of gems. Perhaps it is their vibrant colors that inspired our ancestors. Certainly that vivid blood red and cool serpent green are hard to ignore. Even today emeralds and rubies of equal size and quality are more expensive than equivalent diamonds.

In Victorian times colored gems were used to spell out love messages. Sometimes this made for interesting and not necessarily attractive settings; but it is veryromantic. For instance a piece of jewelry might have these gems in order:

LOVE: Lapis, Opal, Vermeil and Emerald.
REGARD: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and Diamond.

The shape of jewelry too can harbor a romantic message. Hearts and clasped hands, hands holding a heart (Claddagh) and cupids are self explanatory, but some shapes are a bit more subtle.

For many cultures, including the Romans and the Victorians, snakes were a symbol of enduring love. A snake biting it's own tail so as to make a circle is a particularly potent symbol of everlasting love. Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a snake engagement ring -- the beginning of a long and celebrated marriage.

Interestingly lizards and frogs were (and perhaps still are) also symbols of wedded happiness. Perhaps this explains the continuing popularity ofjewelry depicting this wiggly creatures.

Jewelry in the shape of flowers may also be symbolic. To quote Ophelia "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies. ThatÂ’s for thoughts."

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Posted in Diamond , Emerald , Jewelry , Opal , Ruby