Diamond

Diamonds became popular as ornaments in jewelry in the 1400's and the different techniques and styles of diamond cuts such as the Emerald Cut Diamond were gradually developed over many years.

An emerald is definitely one of the most attractive and most popular gemstones all over the world. Colored in bright shiny green color which is so unique that it is simply known as the emerald green, this stone is also one of the most expensive gemstones found in the world today.

The tradition of wearing engagement rings, including those with an Emerald cut diamond, symbolizes the promise of a future together which is sealed with the giving and accepting of a ring.

One of the first things to remember is that, emerald engagement rings and emerald cut diamond engagement rings are completely different things.

An emerald engagement ring is the one made using emerald as the center stone. Whereas, emerald cut engagement rings are diamond rings where the diamond is cut in a square shape (which is a popular shape of emerald).

An emerald cut diamond is distinguished by its rectangular shape and steeped facets. The edges of this cut look like stairs. This cut was originally designed for colored stones, however, its sophisticated look quickly became popular and was brought into the diamond world.

The facets on an Emerald Cut Diamonds are cut in steps, parallel to the edges which could be described as a pyramid with its top chopped off. These diamonds are bright, clear and shiny in appearance as its facets usually cover the length or width of the stone. The style is highly effective, especially in colored stones.

The emerald cut diamond reflects less light than the standard brilliant cuts and needs to be of the highest quality as any inclusions can be visible. An emerald cut diamond engagement rings with the same carat body and also grading as a round brilliant will cost about one thousand dollars less.

Emerald cuts look especially wonderful on long, tapered fingers. If your girl has long slender fingers this cut will enhance the length of her fingers, but if her fingers are shorter then this cut may seem a little disproportionate to her fingers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Diamond , Emerald , Jewelry

Silver Jewelry

Silver Jewelry - The Best Gift for Her Birthday

Her birthday is approaching fast and you are still confused what to buy for her. She loves soft toys and flowers but they do not make a special gift. This time you want to gift her something unique that lasts with her forever. If somehow you were able to relate to this story, welcome to the club. Husbands and boyfriends generally confront the situation when they run out of ideas for gifts for her. Irrespective of thousands of items available in the market, men are just not able to nail down at the best gift item. Well, we are not here to exaggerate the common problem men face. Rather, we want to share with you a solution to the problem. And the solution is silver jewelry.
Doubtlessly, jewelry is a common thing for women and you may not consider it under extraordinary gift items. But, the beautifully carved silver ornaments available in the market are in no way common and you must take a look at these pieces when purchasing a gift for her. Upon visiting any sterling silver jewelry store, the chances of getting confused are high. To keep this confusion away, here a few options that you can consider buying at any online jewelry store.
Beautiful Bracelets - Though she wears a watch to work every day but if you gift her a beautiful bracelet then things would definitely change. Bracelets are one of the most adored accessories by women and you must buy it for your love. These bracelets are made using different materials and the choice varies from one person to other. Here, we would like to mention that if you don't have an idea about her size buy a bracelet that is adjustable.
Perky Pendants - For past few years, stylists and jewelry designers have been focusing on earrings. However, lately the attention has shifted to pendants and you can think of buying it as a gift for her. The pendants available at online stores are way better than traditional pendants and you would fall in love with them at first sight.
Elegant Earrings - Last but not the least in this category is an elegant pair of earrings. Silver earrings are perfect for any occasion and thus you can gift it to her without giving a second thought. The size and design of the earrings should be chosen according to the taste and age of the lady who is going to wear it.

ELF925.com is the house of Sterling Silver Jewelry and Stainless Steel Jewelry of different types. Every single item at the store is designed by expert jewelry designers using latest tools and techniques. At this online jewelry store, buyers can place Silver Jewelry orders as well.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry , Silver

Jewelry Repairs

How to Prevent the Necessity of Jewelry Repairs

Unfortunately, jewelry repairs aren't avoidable 100% of the time. But there are steps you can take to prevent or reduce the likelihood of damage to your jewelry, ensuring that it remains intact and beautiful for generations.
Preventing the Need for Jewelry Repairs
Sometimes you don't realize that your jewelry needs fixing until it's too late. Imagine the heartbreak of losing an heirloom bracelet or necklace due to a weak clasp or losing a stone from an engagement ring because of a weak prong. These are losses which can be easily prevented with proper care and periodic inspections performed by a professional jeweler. Here are a few tips on how you can protect your precious pieces of jewelry, and effectively prevent loss or damage as well as the need for extensive jewelry repairs.
Cleaning
You might think that cleaning your jewelry is just a matter of aesthetics. But the truth is that the natural oils from our skin, along with other common environmental factors (just imagine how silver tarnishes in salt air) can do some serious damage to jewelry. Discoloration is only a symptom. The real problem is when these factors begin to weaken the metal, which can result in lost or broken jewelry. Regular cleaning by recommended methods (as they pertain to the particular piece) is an effective way to prevent this scenario. The additional benefit to being committed to a regular cleaning regimen for your precious jewelry is that this gives you an opportunity to do a sort of self-inspection. This simply entails taking an extra moment to make sure that no stones are loose; no clasps are stuck, etc. If you notice something is amiss, take it in for jewelry repairs before wearing it again.
Occasional Professional Inspection
Even with regular cleaning and self-inspection, it's still a good idea to bring your valuable and sentimental pieces into a professional jeweler for occasional inspection. A professional inspection can reveal any weaknesses or more subtle damage that may not be seen with the naked eye. Should any jewelry repairs appear to be necessary, they can often be done right there in a relatively short time.
Jewelry is typically more to the person wearing it than just a bit of bling. It often carries with it a certain sentimental value, as well, and that's why it can be so heart breaking to lose a special piece - especially if the loss was preventable. Regular cleaning and self-inspection can prevent the need for many jewelry repairs, but periodic professional inspections are a good idea, as well. Compared to the alternative of losing a priceless piece of jewelry, these steps seem like a small effort in a big picture.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry

Designs for Diamond Earrings

Top Ten Designs for Diamond Earrings

Diamond earrings come in a range of styles and designs that complement various outfits and occasions. From subtle studs to stunning chandeliers, diamond earrings come in a range of styles and designs. Go for simple earring designs for daily wear and gorgeous styles for special occasions. Before you buy diamond earrings, take a look at these popular picks.
1. Four-Petal Floral Diamond Drops
Featuring a single round bezel-set diamond at the centre surrounded by four gold wire petals, this set of diamond drops looks very beautiful. Four round diamonds set between the petals add sparkle to this set.
2. Euphoria Diamond Earrings
Perfect for regular use, these earrings are comma shaped with a ring at the back. The screw-backing ensures that the they stay firm on your ears.
3. Charisma Princess Diamond Huggies
Made from 22k gold and set with five prong-set diamonds, this huggy looks simple and elegant. These earrings go well with formal as well as ethnic dresses.
4. Circles Diamond Drops
Designed with interlinked circles made from white and yellow gold, these earrings are sure to capture all attention. Round diamonds set inside the circles shine and sparkle as you move your head.
5. Victoria Solitaire Studs
Featuring a round diamond stone held by four yellow gold prongs, this earring is the perfect choice for simple yet classic look.
6. Mirilla Whorls Drop Earrings
Featuring a two-tone design that offers an elevated look, these earrings go well with modern outfits. Whorls of white gold on a latticed yellow gold round plate create a stunning effect that's sure to place you in the spotlight every time.
7. Delicate Heart Diamond Hoops
This sweet diamond earring features a charming heart filled with diamonds set on a diamond studded hoop. The latch backing ensures that the earrings are held securely on your lobes.
8. Constellation Diamond Drops
These diamond earrings go well with ethnic outfits and are perfect for occasional wear. With a total of 44 round diamonds, this earring set dazzles your eye.
9. Serial Stunner Pearl and Blue Sapphire Earrings
Designed with six beautiful pearls and five pretty sapphire gemstones, this pair of half loop earrings looks stylish and elegant. Perfect for formal wear, these earrings go well with casual outfits as well.
10. Butterfly Yellow Sapphire and Pink Tourmaline Earrings
Add a colourful touch to your ensemble with these sapphire and tourmaline earrings. Two pear-shaped yellow sapphire earrings form the top two wings, while two pink tourmaline stones create the bottom one. This pair of earrings goes well with any outfit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Diamond , Gold , Jewelry

Interesting Facts About Copper, Silver and Base Jewelry Findings

There is a popular saying that a chain is as strong as its weakest link. Usually people use this saying as a figurative form of expression, however, this article talks more about its literal sense. Different parts of a jewelry chain or any other article are connected through small links known as jewelry findings. These are the smallest yet most important accessories to be used in jewelry making. Every big, small, light or heavy ornament could be made using these apparently negligible pieces of metal. This quality makes findings the most essential parts of a jewelry article. The size, shape and strength of a jewelry finding depend upon the weight and intricacy of the targeted jewelry design. There is a huge variety of findings in the market available in several different designs and materials.

Depending upon the type of project, jewelry findings can be bought in different forms of metals ranging from highly priced to cheap. Although the choice of jewelry finding is a matter of buyer's personal choice which is majorly ruled by the requirement of the project in hand at the time of purchase. Amongst the various types of jewelry findings available in the market, three are the most preferred metal findings amongst buyers worldwide. These three forms of metal findings are made from gold, silver and base metal. The principal reason for their popularity is the quality of the metals used and their versatility.

Here are a few advantages of using copper, silver or base metal findings over others for any jewelry project.

Copper Findings

• Copper findings offer numerous health benefits to the wearer. They promote the excretion of healthy thyroid hormone in the body besides absorbing the iron content in order to overcome its deficiency. Copper finding also help in the production of melanin in the body which saves the skin and hair from discoloring due to the effect of UV rays. Besides that these findings also help in maintaining healthy and strong bones.

• Copper findings are highly cost effective. Therefore, such findings usually weigh way less on the pockets in comparison to the ones made from other expensive metals.

Sterling Silver Findings

• The primary benefit of using sterling silver findings in jewelry projects is their property of skin friendliness. Silver metal is known to be very safe for sensitive skin. It goes well will all types of skin. Therefore, jewelers prefer to use silver findings for most of their projects.

• Other advantage of using sterling silver findings is their strength. These finding could be as fragile as a feather and as strong as iron which makes them suitable for all kinds of jewelry projects.

Base Metal Findings

• Base metals are available in nature in abundance. Therefore, finding base metal jewelry making accessories is a very convenient task. Many jewelry makers, specially, the beginners prefer to start working on jewelry projects with base metal findings because of their high availability.

• Due to easy accessibility base metal findings are not priced very high as compared to other rare and expensive metals such as gold, platinum and silver.

Different projects require different forms of jewelry findings and relevant accessories. However, the most important thing is top make the right choice for the right purpose.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Gold , Jewelry , metal jewelry , Silver

Diamond Jewelry

It is a proven fact that girls have a keen fascination for diamonds. Men with romantic hearts express their love for their beloved with diamond engagement rings. Wide range of gemstones decorates precious jewelry sets, but among them diamond holds the limelight. This precious stone is a symbol of romantic emotions and genuine passions.

The buyers should know some key facts about diamonds before picking up a precious jewelry set. Not every glittering stone is of high quality. In the jewelry sector, there are four words (beginning with the letter 'C') that indicate the appeal of a diamond. They are carat, cut, color and clarity. Any jewelry stone should fulfill these four criteria to be regarded as the best quality ornamental accessory.

People opt for costly and precious diamonds as token of love for their near and dear ones. So, they should learn some basic facts to get the real value of the expensive stone. Here lies the importance of 4C's.

Carat

The term 'carat' is associated with the weight of diamond stone. Points compute the carat unit. 1 carat refers to 100 points. 5 carats constitute 1 gram. Since large diamonds are rare to find, the price rises along with increasing carat weight. However, due to variation in cut, two stones of the same carat weight may look different in size.

Cut

Cut plays a crucial role behind hypnotizing looks of the diamonds. The delicate angles control the radiance and brilliance of every gemstone. Round diamonds are generally regarded as the specimen of ideal cut gemstones. Ideal cut serves three basic effects on appearance. They are brilliance, fire and glitter.

Color

Even with naked eyes one can easily identify the appeal of each color. Colored stones should be chosen wisely to match with the wearer's taste and personality. However, colorless or white diamonds are considered as the most attractive options. GIA standard scale categorizes diamonds on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light color). The color difference between D, E and F varieties can only be detected by trained eyes or gemologists. D-F category diamonds should be used only in platinum or white gold ring settings for best effect.

Clarity

Clarity level controls the flawless aspect of a diamond. GIA defines the clarity level by using 11 point diamond clarity scale. '10x magnification' system considers the size, color, number, reflectivity, and position of every visible flaw while rating the clarity level. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare to find. It is regarded that less than one stone in each 5000 jewelry grade diamonds can be classified in the FL category.

As beauty of diamonds are everlasting, it is crucial to pick the best one to impress your soul mate. Thoroughly checking 4C's is a must to buy a perfect diamond jewelry set.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Diamond , Jewelry

Gold jewelry in July from Jiangsu to three packs - gold jewelry - Jewelry Industry

Few days ago, reporters from the Jiangsu Province, gold and silver jewelry trade associations (hereinafter referred to Jewelry Industry Association) was informed by the jewelry industry associations and provincial CASE jointly develop and implement a "precious metal jewelry jade jewelry, Jiangsu Province Consumer Dispute Resolution" ( hereinafter referred to as "measures") will be formally introduced in July. China's first "Jewelry Consumer Rules" published Province Jewelry Industry Association HUANG Yong Secretary-General, said in an interview that the "way" is the provincial association and the provincial CASE jewelry last a year, a number of consultations by 10 developed jointly. This is the first country to address quality issues as jewelry, resulting in disputes between consumers and business rules. It is reported that the "measures" will be on July 1 this year, the official implementation. According to the industry to introduce, Jiangsu Province, introduced the first consumer protection Jewelry "measures", is due to consumption of Jiangsu has always been a jewelery province, the proportion of 30% per year growth in the province last year reached 10 billion jewelry consumption, this may well far exceed this figure. Industry insiders, a year in Jiangsu Province, supplied parts receiving 100 complaints about jewelry. One industry official said, in this year received a public complaint, spent nearly a million to buy a diamond ring, ring as "paw" production problems, resulting in lost diamonds. Although Duo Cizhao business claims, but the business has to keep inappropriate wrangling. Artificial damage jade jewelry, all for free repair within one year "As long as our expert team later, we found indeed a jeweler cutting corners led to the loss of consumers, even if it can not find the diamond, businesses must pay. And, in some cases, pay back a one. "HUANG Yong Secretary-General clearly indicated. He introduced, artificial damage jade jewelry, all free of charge within one year of repair, but previously in the absence of a clear, many stores are charging. "As long as the consumer with a valid invoice, in the year to buy jewelry business, you can get free repair service." The source added, "jewelry" from the sales occurred within 7 days from the date of such products linked to the surface stains, skid marks the appearance of such influence, statutory authority sector issues identified as substandard jewelry, consumers can choose return, replacement or repair. If you purchase more than 7 days, but within 15 days, consumers can choose a replacement or repair. "Jewelry" in principle lower than the original replacement goods when the weight or the-day prices, and free processing fees. Businesses have the responsibility to detect costs borne by the business It is noteworthy that the "measures" to protect consumers are given a "special clause": the "Three Guarantees" period (1 year), who meet the replacement condition, but without the same type of operator provide goods, consumer is not willing to exchange other types of goods and demands the return of, business should be returned; where the operators and consumers, "jewelry" quality disputes, can be submitted to provincial gold and silver jewelry industry associations of the Expert Group solve the problem. If it is a business-side issues, which occurred in the cost borne by the operators detected. Matching: Process Quality Expert Group was established in the province Consumer concern is that once a dispute with the merchant whether to get a fair evaluation of accreditation bodies. In response, Yong-Sheng Huang said that to implement the "Measures", by the Consumers Association of provincial, the province decided to set up "precious metal jewelry jade jewelry consumer disputes" Process Quality Expert Group (Library). It is reported that the Group of Experts (library) staff from the national master, Dr. universities, professors, jewelry design composed of experts. And published the first list, such as crafts expert Wang Dianxiang, jade jewelry appraisal master Ma Chongren, Liu Ziqiang, etc. 13. Part Warranty Regulations "Jewelry" from the sale within 7 days from the date of the following quality problems occur, consumers choose to return, replacement or repair: 1, the content of harmful elements or radioactive exceeded. 2, cast the appearance of significant pieces of trachoma, dark seam or impurities. 3, the product surface leakage plating, hanging stains, skid marks affect the appearance. 4, jade jewelry inlaid jewelry because of its non-human factors gem loose or damaged. 5, the statutory authority sector identified as substandard products, should be returned.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Gold , Jewelry , metal jewelry , Silver

All About Jewelry- Jewelry Ideas

To look beautiful and elegant is the main intention behind wearing jewelry. Jewelry can add to the good looks. Wearing it grows to be the centre of attraction. Moreover, the jewelry confirms the status and richness in society. Jewelry can represent a person's wealth. Usually, jewelry is given as dowry to a daughter in most cultures. Most women wear some particular jewelry that helps to be a sign of them as married. Men can also show their martial status in wearing jewelry

Jewelry is made up of silver and gold by tradition. In these days, diamond and platinum jewelry is in great demand as well. The price of these jewelry items depend on many factors including the type of metal, style and design.

Every person is not wealthy enough to pay for these costly jewelry items. But you can buy artificial jewelry which comes in reasonably priced. That's why each person can take pleasure in the elegance of jewelry. The jewelry is enough to beautify whole body which is available in the market. There are many types of jewelry available in the market with different metals, size, shape, and design.

Rings, bracelets, anklets, nose-pins, chains and ear-rings are very popular in these days. These items have high demand. Both women and men would like to wear jewelry such as chains and rings and ear-rings are too in fashion. Different metals are used to make all kind of jewelry. They are as well available in the market.

Women's best friend is diamond. Markets are busy with jewelry, where the clients are ready to pay for it. Jewelry comes in a high demand in wedding seasons. The truth is people are buying different types of jewelry items in spite of high price.

In fact, jewelry is getting its individual attraction and worth. This is not a matter what purposes it serves. In this modern society, jewelry is having great meaning. The jewelry is on hand from cheap to expensive. As a result, everyone can get pleasure from its elegance. In a number of ceremonies from birth to wedding, all cultures are having its significance. Jewelry holds a particular place in heart and tough position in society.

Hopefully, this article has helped you a lot to know more about jewelry. You can buy any jewelry item according to your choice, as large numbers of jewelry items are available in the market for you. You can reach at your goal easily with a little research.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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."

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Diamond , Emerald , Jewelry , Opal , Ruby

When it comes to real men and jewelery

When it comes to real men and jewelery, there is one main rule to apply: Less is more, but there is one piece of jewelery that a man should never be without and that's a watch.

There has never been a better choice for men when it comes to choosing a watch, every clothes store and pharmacy now has a glass display with the latest, trendiest watches available at cheap prices. This does not mean that you should buy a new watch every time the display is changed. A watch is a timeless (excuse the pun!) reflection on what type of person you are, what type of man you are. You can tell a lot about a man by his watch and this make buying a watch a very personal choice.

Your watch has three main functions. It has to tell the correct time, it has to be an honest reflection of who you are and it must make you look good.

Telling the Time. The first obvious function of your watch is to be able to tell the time reasonably accurately. If it's gaining or losing a second a week, it probably won't have a huge affect on your life but you want it to be reasonably accurate. Even the cheapest of watches will do this so it's not a major factor when choosing a watch.

Reflecting who you are. A good watch is a reflection of the person wearing it. This means paying for style, durability and of course engineering. A watch should hint at sophistication and rise above trend. It should identify you and your personality. It should be functional but not loud, stylish but not brash. A watch should say something about who you are, are you casual? sporty? sophisticated? A watch can show off your good attributes but it wont compensate for bad ones.

Make you look good. A watch has to be appropriate for the situation you are in. A diving watch may look well under water but ridiculous at a business meeting. A heart rate monitor is fine out jogging but wear it on a date and you'll probably be going home alone. You may want to invest in two, or even more watches so you have one to match different occasions and events. You may one to invest more money in just one watch, just be sure it's not going to look out of place a lot of the time.

And to conclude, a word of warning. Do not but a fake Rolex, those who are not in the know will assume it's a fake and those in the know will know it's a fake!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry

Shopping for Topaz Jewelry

Topaz is becoming the popular gemstone with the widest variety of human influence on its appearance. When shopping for topaz jewelry, you rarely come into contact with a gemstone that resembles something from the earth. Almost every topaz you can find has been treated in a way: you can get a clue about those treatments by observing the stones' color.

Pale Blue: If you see a pale blue stone and it is very expensive, there is a small chance it could be natural. Otherwise the color of these stones is usually produced through heat treatment.

Intense Blue: "Electric blue", "Swiss Blue", "London Blue" and any other very bright blue color you see is usually the result of two treatments: irradiation and then heat. In the case of irradiation, the gemstones need to "cool off" for up to 2 years before they can be worn due to their radioactivity after the treatment. It is so difficult to govern or account for these procedures, that Europe is beginning to take steps to ban gemstones treated in this way. These gemstones should be purchased with awareness and caution.

Brown: Brown topaz is the second most common color found in natural, untreated topaz. Brown topaz can also be the result of treatments, although it is not common since the cost of the treatment couldn't be made up in the price of the stone. So a brown topaz is likely to be natural and unheated.

Yellow: Yellow topaz also occurs in nature, however bright colors are usually the result of treatment. Extra caution is needed when looking at a piece of "yellow topaz" however, because yellow quartz (citrine) is often incorrectly given that label. "Yellow Topaz Quartz" is less deceptive, but it is not topaz. Since citrine is less valuable than topaz, it is important to make the distinction. You can tell with a scratch test. Find a spot on the girdle (thin edge between the top and bottom facets), and scratch the stone with something of at least 7 on the Moh's Scale (e.g. garnet). If the stone scratches, you know it's not topaz.

Pink: Pink is the most valuable color of topaz. However, in nature pink shades of topaz are extremely rare. Traditionally, pink topaz was created by heating yellow topaz. This has been done for hundreds of years and is a fairly stable treatment. Recently, though, very "hot" or intense, dark colors of pink topaz are being achieved through "coating." A coat of colored film is put on the gemstones surface and then it is exposed to high pressure or heat. The color absorbs into the stone but only in a shallow layer. This means that if the stone is severely scratched or re-polished or chipped, the natural (usually white) topaz will show.

Iridescence: More and more colors and varieties of topaz are available daily with an iridescent, incandescent look to them. The most common and popular of these is "Mystic Topaz". There is also "Rainbow topaz", "Mystic Firelight", "Azotic", etc. These stones are created when colorless topaz is coated with titanium oxide (a film like the one on a camera lens) and then exposed to pressure. The treatment is referred to as "coating." Since the color only seeps through to a thin surface layer of the gemstone, it tends to wear off over time.

Colorless: This is the one form of topaz that you can count on as not being treated. Colorless or "white" topaz is the most abundantly found in nature. It is therefore, not very expensive. Many of the colored topaz stones you can buy started out as colorless before their treatment.

Research topaz treatments and ask your jeweler questions. Be informed so you know what you're buying.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry , Topaz

Freshwater pearl jewelry is less expensive

1) As you may have noticed. Freshwater pearl jewelry is less expensive.

And you know the Akoya pearl is more expensive...

A few reasons for this difference, one the freshwater pearl is easier to grow. Freshwater pearls are easier to grow because the process of nucleation is different and easier. The amount of nucleation per mollusk is much more in the freshwater pearl mussel (at one time 40 to 50) the most an akoya can produce might be 4 or 5 and they do not that often because quality goes down and mortality goes up. Freshwater mussels can be nucleated again with less mortality than the one time for akoyas. There is more control over the environment, ponds and streams as opposed to ocean water, which has typhoons and red tides to contend with.

2) Of course, Akoya Pearls are mostly round in shape.

And needless to say, Freshwater pearls are rarely round shaped.

The Akoya is nucleated with a round bead made from a freshwater mussel shell that is made round to begin with. The Freshwater mussel is nucleated with a piece of soft tissue, usually just a flat piece, or many flat pieces.

3) The freshwater pearl earring is solid nacre.

Here is something you might not know about...an Akoya Pearl Necklace has a bead core made of shell and only a coating of nacre, as thin as 1mm.

See above, the soft tissue that the freshwater mussel is nucleated with is absorbed leaving a pearl of solid nacre, more like natural pearls. The Akoya is nucleated with a shell bead of some size, and only allowed to develop nacre for a limited time before harvesting. The length of time is limited only by the cultivator's desire for quicker harvests.

4) A benefit of thicker nacre means that a freshwater pearl necklace will last longer.

Truth be told, low grade akoya pearl necklaces with a thin coating of nacre often chip and or wear off.

As you can imagine, a freshwater pearl with solid nacre has nothing to chip away; whereas, an Akoya pearl is possibly only a coating of as little as 1mm, so it can easily be worn or chipped.

5) The better grades of Akoya Pearl Jewelry have a higher luster compared to freshwater jewelry pearls.

A Freshwater pearl bracelet can have "orient', a rainbow iridescence noticed on heirloom or natural pearls. An Akoya pearl bracelet does not have this.

The nacre or mother of pearl of the Akoya has a greater luster or glow. The Freshwater pearl can have a trait called "orient" which is a shimmering of a rainbow of color, like the way that oil looks on water. Orient is seen on natural saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls; but, not on Akoya cultured pearls.

So it adds up to this: Things they are a changing. From keshi pearls called rice crispies because that's what they look like, to gem grade pearls. Freshwater jewelry pearls are now rivaling Akoya jewelry pearls in beauty.

Freshwater pearl jewelry is changing rapidly. A Freshwater pearl necklace will last longer, and be tomorrow's heirloom. Freshwater Pearls are gaining in quality and popularity.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry , Necklace , Pearl

It has long been said that a diamond is a girl's best friend

It has long been said that a diamond is a girl's best friend. If that is the case, then it sets one to wonder how in the world to characterize a handful of loose diamonds. While lustrous and dazzling diamonds are common embellishments for all types of jewelry items from high-end fine jewelry to body jewelry, it is less common to see diamonds unmounted and in their loose form.

It goes hand in hand, no matter what its form may be. The diamond is the most desirable, and the least obtainable, gemstone. The allure to buy comes from the sparkling brilliance of the pure white diamond, but the high price prevents those on a budget from buying, no matter how attractive the stone. Fortunately, purchasing unmounted diamonds can be a good way for people to save some money and possibly afford to buy the rock of their heart's desire.

There are actually many people who believe that it is always best to purchase diamonds, and all other types of precious gems, as loose stones. Purchasing loose diamonds gives the buyer several distinct advantages over buying a finished fine jewelry piece.

One appealing advantage of an unmounted diamond is the lower price that comes with it. It is often less expensive to buy loose or unmounted diamonds than it is to buy those already set. This is simply because the expense for the precious metals used in the setting must also be factored in, even when the reason for the diamond purchase is for the stone and not the setting.

Another reason to consider an unmounted diamond is that it is much easier to assess the quality of the stone when it is not in a setting. Some setting styles can easily conceal flaws on the diamond. Flaws decrease the value of the stone, so it is important to examine the diamond in the best possible manner. You could easily buy a stone of lower quality, if the setting of the diamond is masking or hiding a flaw.

There are four different facets of a diamond used to classify the stone, both for quality and price. By using a jeweler's loupe or a microscope, the characteristics of color, clarity, cut, and carat can be determined with accuracy. Magnification is useful to examining color clarity and the quality of the cut.

Often people choose to buy unmounted diamonds so that they can have them set into the design setting of their choice. This allows for a design that is most desirable to their personal taste, sometimes even custom made, but with a diamond of the highest quality.

There are many cuts of loose diamonds that you can choose from if you want to purchase diamonds for fine jewelry or simply as an investment. The most common shape that you will be able to find is the round brilliant cut. However emerald, princess, baguette, heart, oval, marquise, and radiant cuts are also available.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Diamond , Jewelry

The latest fashion trend that fuels the desire to have a body piercing is due to the wide variety of jewelry offered on the market by designers

The latest fashion trend that fuels the desire to have a body piercing is due to the wide variety of jewelry offered on the market by designers. It is hard not to become absorbed into the obsession surrounding the fashionable piercing craze with all the vast array of choices in body jewelry and as a result, many people acquire more than the single piercing in order to accommodate the display of more body jewelry.

With the massive amount of choices in body jewelry it is hard to limit yourself to a single jewelry piece or style. Considering the difficulty of limiting yourself to a single small collection for your piercing, a more logical remedy would be to search out jewelry shops that also offer discount jewelry.

Where to find discount body jewelry is not difficult and is as simple as searching the terms "discount body jewelry" in any major search engine. E-bay may be a good source in finding discount jewelry There are many online jewelry shops that will accommodate customers that are looking for the seasonal sale.

Though, finding discount jewelry that is less expensive but fashionable is a prize in its own right. The real treat is finding discount jewelry to dress up your piercings that is made of precious metals and stones.

A little known place to find discount jewelry is through a specialized online jewelry auction house where below wholesale discounted jewelry is a daily offering. The specialized manufactures often use the online auction houses to test the market for a combination of styles and in an array of diversified and unique pieces before they put the jewelry piece on a mass production scale.

Taking advantage of a specialized jewelry auction house to acquire the more expensive pieces at a deep discount will allow you to own body jewelry made of precious metals and stones that may otherwise be much harder to obtain.

Giving yourself, the pleasure of owning an expensive piece of discounted jewelry is worth flaunting. Giving an expensive gift is worth bragging rights. The most popular seasonal gift among young adults has been the traditional jewelry.

With the growing popularity of piercing, the traditional jewelry gift is now second place. By executing the advantages of online auction houses, finding discounted body jewelry at unprecedented deep discounts should make the top of the list in gift giving this year.

Discounted online auction houses have the largest selection of discount jewelry under one virtual property. Since major manufacturer jewelers use the facilities to test the market, you benefit from finding the deepest discounts in purchasing your jewelry You also benefit from the availability of acquiring expensive jewelry pieces at pennies on the dollar that is both unique and affordable.

Finding discount body jewelry allows you to pamper yourself in a way that will not put stress on your budget and will also allow you to give the gift that will surely be talked about for many years to come.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry

Diamond Watches

In Spain when men propose marriage to women and receive affirmation, they present them with traditional engagement rings - and then their fiancées often return the honor by presenting their men with diamond watches! Men's diamond watches are a type of men's diamond jewelry that is both practical and attractive. They are a type of designer-luxury item that one would not give every day, but for that once-in-a-lifetime gift that is more than just a bauble, diamond watches are ideal.

Watch History

Clocks and timepieces have been around almost as long as human history, but mechanical clocks are a fairly recent innovation, having come into existence only about 700 years ago. The earliest direct ancestor of today's diamond watches were gear-and-spring driven devices invented in Europe during the 1400s; the first watches were miniature versions of the same device, worn around the neck. As these shrank in size over the next two centuries, they eventually became the traditional pocket watch - an anachronism that many men still use.

The Ladies' Diamond Watch

The first true wristwatches really were diamond watches. These were small timepieces integrated into actual diamond jewelry bracelets for women who were members of European royalty. Although 19th century jeweler Paket Phillipe et Cie is generally credited with creating the first true ladies' diamond watch for Hungarian Countess Kosewitz in 1868, there are references to such "watch bracelets" dating back as far as 1572, when the Earl of Leicester presented Queen Elizabeth I with a round watch, inlaid with diamonds, which was suspended from a wristband. Most historians consider this to be the first ladies' diamond watch.

The Mens' Diamond Watch

Wrist watches were considered effeminate until around 1900; virtually all mens' watches were pocket watches. The invention of heavier-than-air, motorized aircraft in 1903 changed all of that. The year following, French-Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Dumont-Santos found that he needed a timepiece that he could look at without removing his hands from the controls. The result was the first wristwatch for men; these convenient instruments soon superseded wrist watches in terms of popularity.

Diamond Watches Today

Since that time, three companies - one French, one Japanese and one Swiss - are best known for incorporating fine timepieces into diamond jewelry. Those three are Cartier, Citizens, and Movado. The latter company has been making watches for men since the early part of the last century; today, there are nearly 200 different models of mens' and ladies' diamond watches to choose from, many of which are among the finest diamond watches available on the market today.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Diamond , Jewelry

Jewelry Storage Tips

Did you know that some jewelry boxes can actually do more harm than good? Are you storing your jewelry the right way? Improper storage may cause damage to your precious engagement rings, necklaces and other jewelry.

To take care of your jewelry, here are some jewelry storage tips.

General Tips

Clean your jewelry before storing. This may be common knowledge. Nevertheless, it is important to say this first before the rest of the jewelry storage tips. Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull if not cleaned off.

Jewelry Boxes Tips

Although it is ideal to keep your precious pieces in a jewelry box, you have to choose a suitable one. Some jewelry boxes do not have securing areas to keep your jewelry from rolling, scratching or bumping into each other, so always separate your jewelry during storage. If possible, wrap them up individually in a soft cloth or pouch before storing. It is also important to make sure that the jewelry box is suitable for your type of jewelry. For example, some jewelry boxes are designed specifically for rings, some for necklaces and bracelets.

Storage Tips For Silver Jewelry

Many people know that sterling silver jewelry tends to tarnish easily. Tarnish is the result of a natural reaction between silver and the air and environment. So, to slow down the tarnishing, you can store your silver jewelry in an airtight container or zip lock bag. Other tips to consider:

* Store silver jewelry together with anti-tarnish strips. These will absorb the agents that cause silver to tarnish.

* Anti-tarnish pouch and cloth are also available from jewelry stores. Basically, they function like anti-tarnish strips.

* You can also use silica gel as it will absorb the moisture in the air and slow down tarnishing.

Storage Tips For Necklaces And Bracelets

To prevent necklaces from tangling, you can store them in jewelry organizers, jewelry boxes or armoires. Choose those that have specifically crafted stands for hanging necklaces and bracelets. To prevent kinks, necklaces should lay flat and straight if not hung during storage.

Storage Tips For Earrings

Each pair of earrings should be in its own compartment or hang on hooks. Earring posts or clips can bend and rings can wear if they are not secured to a display or insert.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Jewelry , Necklace , Silver