Filled Under: Collectible Jewelry

Fashion Jewelry Trends You May Like

The great thing about fashion jewelry is that it is quite easy to find pieces to fit any personality and any style. The other great thing about fashion jewelry is that it is relatively inexpensive, meaning it can work with almost any budget. Because this type of jewelry is so versatile, there are many different trends and styles to choose from. Are you looking for the best jewelry trends to consider adding to your own collection? Here are some that you will definitely want to consider.

Bali or Indian Inspired Jewelry

This type is always in style and can be a great addition to your wardrobe. Indian jewelry will often be quite ornate and will include bigger pieces. However, they will not necessarily include bright colors. Instead, the jewelry will include intricate patterns and designs on both the metals and the stones themselves. The Indian inspired jewelry will be quite detailed and unique enough that they are sure to draw attention. If you choose these pieces of jewelry, you may want to limit them to wearing only one or two pieces at a time so that they are not overwhelming.

Bold and Bright

The newer trend in fashion jewelry is to choose very bright and bold items that will be the focal piece of your whole outfit. The key to wearing this type of jewelry will be to choose colors that complement your outfit. Stay away from matching your outfit exactly since this will take away from the boldness. Instead, choose complementary colors. For example, you can pair purples with reds. This will make the boldest statement.

If you choose a necklace, make sure the bold style will work with the neckline that you will be wearing. It can be easy for the bold jewelry to overwhelm you and your outfit, so the key is to choose one or two statement items. By having just one item to make a statement, you can make a much stronger statement instead of appearing like you are drowning in your jewelry.

The Key Pendant

Do you want to choose fashion jewelry that will mimic the classy and high style of the finest jewelry? Then you should consider the key pendant. These pendants are available in both gold and silver. They can be plain or they can include jewels for an even glitzier look. The style was turned into a trend by high profile jewelers, but you do not have to pay thousands of dollars to have your own items. Instead, you can choose fashion jewelry options that will look just as classy without the high price tag.

Skull Rings – Latest Fashion

Gone are the days when only good dressing was thought to be the symbol of fine fashion taste or style. Now, every minute detail is taken into consideration including jewelry. It is because your belongings will explain much about you and your personality. This article is about the latest fashion accessory skull rings, which very closely exhibit men’s attitude. A very old saying goes like this. A man’s attitude is estimated from his dressing and jewelry that he uses in his everyday life.

Now, a large number of designers step forward in this field and are ready to prepare the classy and tricky skull rings for the fashion lovers all around the world. Very commonly, they are associated with a boy having a bike, rude attitude, strong built and a torn T-shirt. These are general perceptions about a lover of this particular piece of ornament. They are designed with high quality material. It is either made of the genuine alloy such as gold or silver or stainless steel. Skull rings in stainless steel are very much appreciated because of reasonable prices and evergreen strength and shine that remain the same even after many years. These have got enormous popularity and that is why they are highly adopted by fashion lovers and are enough to make the style statement.

No doubt, this ornament is more suitable to a biker type personality, but because of their stunning designs, not only men are attracted toward it, but women also have zeal to wear in their fingers. They mainly represent strong and adventurous image and that is the reason it best suits men, but also exhibit the same feature for the women who are fascinated to have these wonderful ornaments in their hands. Women wearing rings in fingers want to express themselves clearly. Women carry skull jewelry elegantly and confidently.

Skull rings in silver are more appreciated and demanded by people because they are very economical and is within the pocket range of every single person. Silver skull rings uphold an inner feeling of enigma and mystery. The best thing is that you can customize it with various precious stones and gems along with other engravings just to make it exactly the way you want to have a skull ring. Silver skull rings look extremely elegant and stylish and thus allowing you to make style statement easily and effectively. Some of the leather skull rings are also very attractive and looks macho and stylish.

Mostly people are advised to wear a specific stone as a sign of good fortune. You can fix that stone through various innovative and creative style and designs. But the point to ponder is always consulting an astrologist before wearing a stone as different stones have different reaction with different people. These are designed by using the latest technology and thus providing you the opportunity to give a personal unique touch. The designs available at various retail stores and online stores are very much beautiful and attractive and are the right option for your chic looks and personality.

These rings are available in silver, gold and various other metals and are loved by both men and women because of their innovative and unique designs that makes the wearer a shining star of the event and people subconsciously turn the heads and roles the eyeballs just to see the masterpiece in your hand. Skull rings are the latest trend of today’s fashion world.

The Best Accessories For The Office

Beauty is not a question mark, not even close to a doubtful aspect for any woman, it is always the next best thing which needs to be preserved, after health, in any occasion. This includes work, irrespective of the domain of activity. Women need to pose beautiful or at least remarkable in any occasion, to reflect a positive breath-taking image wherever they might be and especially at work.

Work is designed in such a way that we always interact with co-workers, always explain, define, present, ask things. Therefore, we continuous project our image onto others. Jewelry actively participates to composing this image, because it is a question of decoration. Beauty or at least a good composure are mandatory in the work place, and women are more than aware of this.

It is important to observe that women generally do not wear or buy jewelry just for the sake of it. They always seem to display a deep sense of color, trend and choice style. These are crucial when choosing jewelry for office. One cannot simply go wear a very long necklace with a short-necked shirt. The style and the occasion define choices of jewelry. For instance, a financial CEO would best wear fine small silver jewelry, better than all kinds of colored playful beads. The cold and pure silver reflexes simply go best with the money world. On the other hand, a designer of clothes is simply allowed to unleash her creativity and put on all sorts of beads, necklaces, earrings and so on. The fashion is quite permissive in almost all cases, leaving space for interpretation and self-affirmation through jewelry.

There are certain rules of jewelry etiquette when it comes to assorting jewelry to office attires. Sober, black or dark-color costumes best go with simple, stylish and elegant accessories, usually made of precious metals. Casual attires can go with anything, here is where imagination and creativity step in. Creativity can always be your best friend on occasions like proms, weddings, hen parties or even single-night outs. On the same line, big or too expensive jewels are not to be worn in public places, or not during the day at least. They are more fashionable in the evenings or at elegant parties.

Last but not least, let’s not forget the aspect of fabric. Knitted dresses best go with small, maybe home-made colored accessories, pendant, a ring with model or one-color stone. Silk or velvet dresses however best go with expensive and carefully chosen jewelry. If you feel you’re not very good at assorting things, ask somebody who is. You just can’t go public with a flawless green silk wavy dress and red jewelry!

Purchased from high fashion lines or home-made, jewelry is the best way to express another facet of our personality or perhaps the best one! Choose so that in any occasion you look graceful, self-mindful and harmonious.

Best Methods for Distinguishing Pearl Beads

Pearl beads are one of the most popular jewelry beads for jewelry making. They are deeply loved by women of all ages, especially by the old women. Pearl bead jewelry pieces are available in the market with different prices. Some are costly, but some are very cheap, for their different design and quality. If so, how to distinguish the pearl beads? Some best methods are followed:

First, let’s learn how to distinguish whether they are genuine or not.

1. Direct-vision method: Discerning their colors, shapes, sizes and luster by your eyes directly. If they are genuine pearls, the colors, shapes and sizes will be different with each other, and their luster will be uneven. That is to say, each genuine pearl is unique. The simulated ones can have the same shape, color, even size. Of course, the genuine beads on necklaces and bracelets will have similar colors, sizes and shapes as they were picked out carefully.

2. Feeling: You will feel a little cool when you touch the pearls if they are genuine.

3. Using magnifier: Using 5 times or 10 times magnifier to observe the pearls. Growth striation will be found on the surface of genuine ones (including the natural pearls and breed pearls). On the contrary, there is no growth striation on simulated ones.

4. Scraping: Using small knife or scissors to scrape the pearls lightly, only a little powder will be fallen off from genuine one, but you will get a thin coating from the simulated one.

The next step is to distinguish the quality if you are sure they are genuine pearl beads.

1. Pearl’s luster is from pearl itself. It depends on pearls’ quality and the perfect degree of crystalline solid. You can put them at a dark place when you purchase pearl beads or pearl beads jewelry, then the luster will appear. The brilliant pearls have high quality.

2. The color and cleanness of pearls are two other important judgments for pearls’ value. Generally, there is no stain on the surface, and the pearls which have beautiful color and luster are very expensive. People in different places love different colors. In Europe, the cream and pink ones cost the most; in South America and Central America, people love gold color best; even in some places black pearls are people’s favorite.

3. The larger and rounder is pearl, the higher value is it. In the international market, the most popular pearl beads jewelry is pearl necklace, even some are invaluable.

Today, there are a lot of pearl beads in the jewelry market. Some are genuine, the others are simulated, for example, glass pearls (solid glass beads covered with pearl powder) and imitation acrylic pearl beads. Although they are not genuine pearl beads, they have high quality, beautiful imitation of natural luster, and even rounder shape. So they have become jewelry makers’ new favorite.

Buy Sapphire Rings and Look Beautiful

Women are in love with quality jewelry. When it comes to materials, sapphires and diamonds are among the most preferred ones. However, because diamonds are too expensive, they choose to buy sapphire rings. A women needs to look expensive in order to feel gorgeous. When seeking for the ideal gemstone, you should know that color and cut are also important.

Rings need to be delicate but at the same time stunning. A blue ring with a beautifully shaped sapphire on it will definitely make your spouse love you more. Whenever you decide to buy sapphire rings, just remember that age is also critical. While younger women might appreciate a pink stone, mare mature females rather have the traditional colored one, namely blue.

These days, men find it extremely difficult to find the ideal present for their spouses. Therefore, they usually go for jewelry. What men do not know is that women like exquisite items and not cheap, kitschy stuff. Think about your partner’s personality as well. A bubbly person deserves a pink sapphire or a green one, while a calmer wife or girlfriend will adore a yellow or blue stone. If you don’t know where to go to buy sapphire rings, check out the internet for some answers. There are endless websites where you will find quality products.

In addition, you’ll also have the freedom to browse for days until to find the perfect stone. Nobody will try to convince you to purchase anything, and thus you’ll have the inspiration to choose whatever you like. Trusted websites offer warranty certificates and proof of the stone’s quality. So you might want to remember that as well. When you decide to buy sapphire rings for a woman, think about the occasion as well. A simple ring as a birthday present is perfectly fine, but if you’re seeking for an engagement ring you might want to try to find something a bit more sophisticated.

Jewelry pieces are beautiful and that’s a fact. All women want them because they make them feel appreciated and fashionable. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to buy sapphire rings for your wife or girlfriend. But keep in mind that only quality items are worth buying. Cheap gemstones are won’t impress anyone. And women know perfectly how to make the difference between high quality and cheap. Make a smart decision and show your love through these marvelous jewelry pieces.

Are you seeking to make an impression? Then this is a perfect opportunity. Online there are million of sapphire varieties. Starting from the simplest cuts to the most complex ones, feel free to choose whatever you like. There can be nothing more impressive for a woman than a man who is attentive when making presents. So it’s definitely a great idea to buy sapphire rings and have the satisfaction that your partner is happy and contended. Overall, it’s also critical to remember that jewelry pieces last for a lifetime unlike other types of gifts. Sapphires are extremely durable, gorgeous and impressive on a woman.

How To Tell Real Pearls From Fake Pearls

I’m often asked how to tell real pearls from fake pearls, usually followed by some reference to the “tooth test.” The larger question is really this: how do I make sure I’m paying a fair price for the pearls I’m buying?

With many of today’s freshwater pearls available at reasonable prices most people can afford real pearls of one type or another. I would argue that consumers lose far more money overpaying for real pearls of low quality than they do buying fake pearls misrepresented as real.

That said there are some things you should know to judge real and fake. First is the nomenclature. Artificial pearls go by many names: fake, faux, manufactured, semi-cultured, imitation, simulated and dozens of branded names such as La Tausca, Majorica and Laguna. Most of them are plastic or glass. Some are actual shell beads lacquered with layers of a pearlescent substances made from oils and ground fish scales. There’s nothing wrong with liking these costume pieces. Some are worth only a dollar or two. High quality imitations can be $100 to even $300, but be very hesitant to spend more than $50 on fakes.

The best way to spot fake pearls is to fully engage your senses. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Hold them. Real pearls have heft that makes them feel heavy for their size.
  • Feel them. Real pearls are cool to the touch and will warm slightly when held for a minute or two.
  • Look them over. Real pearls have natural blemishes and markings and slight differences in size and color. Fake pearls have a uniform quality. If the pearls are perfectly round and perfectly matched but not expensive you can be perfectly certain they are perfectly fake.
  • Examine the drill holes carefully. The hole itself should be small and clean at its edges. Rough and broken areas around the edges can indicated either a fake or a poor quality genuine pearl. Looking into the hole, a uniform quality to the surrounding material all the way through indicates an artificial pearl.
  • Examine the knots and the clasp. Lame string, neither silk nor knotted, is a surefire sign of imitation pearls. A cheap clasp of brass or gold vermeil also signals fakes.
  • Light Test. Plastic is the most common material for fake pearls. Shine a bright pen light from behind. A plastic bead will have a uniform glow. A real cultured pearl will have a dark center.
  • Tooth Test. The nacre of a real pearl is comprised of calcium and aragonite crystals and binding proteins that are layered on in a grid pattern. Gently rub a real pearl along the edge of your front upper tooth and it will feel slightly abrasive or gritty. A fake pearl will feel slippery and smooth.
  • Common Sense. Fine pearls are expensive. A perfectly matched necklace of round 10x12MM Tahitian pearls is not a $900 item. Know what pearls cost. The pearl market is fairly efficient. Pricing anomalies are not common. If you find a deal too good to be true the pearls are probably fake, poor quality or stolen.
  • EBAY. Reputable sellers exist at EBAY and auction sites but there is an abundance of hucksters hiding there, too. Be especially wary of buying pearls direct online from China. This is a great way to turn your hard earned dollars into a handful of worthless beads.

Understanding Arab Jewellery – The Hand Of Fatima

The alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima, in reference to the daughter of Mohammed, Fatima Zahra. For the Jewish community the name for it is the Hand of Miriam, in reference to the sister of Moses and Aaron. In the Jewish communities is more likely to be found in the Sephardic Jewry more than the Ashkenazi Jewelry.

The hamsa hand appears both in a two-thumbed, bilaterally symmetrical form, and in a more natural form in which there is only one thumb. There is good archaeological evidence to suggest that the downward-pointing protective hamesh / hamsa hand predates both Judaism and Islam and that it refers to an ancient Middle Eastern goddess whose hand wards off the evil eye. Some sources link the symbolism of the five fingers to the five books of the Torah, the Jewish name for the Old Testament scriptures, or to the Five Pillars of Islam, the five bases the of Islamic faith.

Because this hand protects against the evil eye, the design in some examples merges into another design called the eye-in-hand motif. In those instances, a realistic or stylized eye appears in the center of the palm of the hand.The hand of Fatima pendants are usually decorated by adding an eye in the palm of the Hamsa. This represents the good eye rather than the evil eye.

Other popular decoration on the hand of Fatima pendants is fish. The idea is that since the fishes have water as their habitat, they are able to get themselves well protected from the evil eye. The fish image that is added is a prayer that indicates that we will live like the fish so that our eyes will be protected.

The Fatima hand has been used as a talisman for its protective symbolism all around the world but mostly in the Middle Eastern countries.The Hamsa is used in amulets, charms, jewellery, doors, cars, and other places to ward the evil eye.

It is not a symbol that is offered by the religion of Islam, but rather a cultural icon. Some sources affirm that its origin predates Islam. The name Fatima’s hands or hand of Fatima, is a Western name; in the societies where the symbol is actually common it is referred to using different names, such as khamsa (five). In Israel and in Jewish culture globally it is most commonly known as “hamsa” or “chamsa,” without any Islamic heritage connotations, enforcing the notion that it is primarily cultural rather than religious in origin.

In the last years, activists for Middle East peace have chosen to wear the hamsa as a symbol of the similarities of origins and tradition between the Islamic and Jewish population.

Importance Of Jewelry Insurance

Expensive and exquisitely beautiful jewelry materials such as diamond and gold rings, watches, certain antique jewelry and precious stones are always subject to theft and other risks that would result in the loss of the item or decrease the value of the same.

Another risk could be the accidental damage and loss in fire or theft of these sentimental and expensive items. This can certainly result in unwanted and extreme psychological and physical torture. The multi-dollar question that you should consider is: How much and why is it very important to have jewelry insurance in the first place?

Firstly, it may helpful to know that comprehensive jewelry cover is primarily provided by the insurance firms at somewhat low premiums with even some providing full accidental compensation for damage and loss depending on the cover chosen. These insurance policies target all forms of jewelry cover groups ranging from low-value to high-value products. Generally, most insurance firms would target large or quantitative assets such as houses and automobiles coupled to life assurance, thereby lacking in expert high-value jewelry insurance systems.

Secondly, do note that deciding on the right insurance firm to handle your protection needs is mostly pegged on policy flexibility coupled to the current rates on offer. Most jewelry insurance firms cover the basic repair expenses on damaged products right up to competitive repayments on placing claims. However, the important criteria protocols attributed to the coverage details, time for claim and the claim process should not be left out too and should be considered carefully with a fine tooth comb.

Consult at least two expert jewelry insurers before insuring your jewelry based on the two main coverage policy types. These would include Blanket coverage as well as scheduled property policy type. The blanket policy does not necessarily require an appraisal of insured pieces under the renter’s policies unlike the scheduled property that requires constant appraisal to ensure that it is still in accordance with the basic requirements. Based on all the above fundamental information, an individual will be in a better position to address the question why it is important to have jewelry insurance.

The Secret To Buying Tahitian Black Pearls At Bargain Prices

At first glance pearls and chicken wings don’t have much in common. But stay with me. I love chicken wings. You can get me anywhere with a platter of hot wings and a pint of cold beer. But wings are more than just a fine finger lickin’ way to watch the game.

For me the essence of cool is the ability to turn a dime into a dollar. Wings then – and soul food in general — are just about the coolest food in America. Black southern chefs have been performing culinary alchemy on cheap, neglected cuts of meat like chicken wings, ribs, and pigs feet for centuries. When Buffalo style wings were invented in the 60′s the lowly wing graduated from stock pot fodder to king of the tap room and it’s place in culinary history was complete. All the wing needed was a little love and attention.

Which brings us back to pearls. There are six primary value factors that influence the price of a pearl: luster/orient, nacre thickness, complexion, color, size and shape. Historically speaking, round pearls have always received the most love and attention. And coveted pearls are expensive pearls.

When Tahitian pearls are cultured only about 3% of implanted oysters produce a gem quality pearl. Of that yield only 1 in 6 will be round. So, for every 1,000 oysters seeded with a nucleus only five (5) jewelry quality round pearls will be harvested compared with 25 gem quality pearls in other shapes.

Hence, while the greatest demand is for full round Tahitian and South Sea pearls the greatest supply is in other shapes. Indeed, the production of pearls in off round, drops, circles and other baroque shapes outpaces perfect rounds by a margin of five to one. All other value factors being equal, the buyer who wants fine quality Black pearls but is willing to compromise on shape will find that the world is truly their oyster. If you are willing to consider Tahitian pearls in baroque shapes you can get a lot more pearl for your dollar.

Unusual shaped pearls are now capturing the attention of a greater number of pearl shoppers. And with good reason. For many the baroque and organic shapes have more personality and allure than their more perfect siblings. Their beauty is revealed in their imperfections which bear witness to the watery wombs from whence they come. The curves, colors and blemishes reveal the acts of natural creation that give rise to each pearl.

Like snowflakes and fingerprints no two pearls are alike. But while a strand of round Tahitian pearls well matched for color can mask this fact, a multicolor strand of baroque circlets celebrates it. At a fraction of the cost.

Shape, then, is the one word you need to know to get a truly great deal on Tahitian Black pearls. If you’re shopping ask your pearl broker to show you some unusual shapes. You might find these cheaper, often neglected pearls are as satisfying as the once lowly chicken wing.

Make It Crystal Clear How Unique You Are!

Do you want to stand out from the crowd? Really, truly? Most people say they do, but they still go to the same stores and buy the same clothes and accessories that their friends do. But with a little time and effort, you can stand out from the crowd. And even more, you could probably make a little extra money with it! So what am I suggesting?

Create your own beautiful jewellery, clothing accents, and more with Swarovski crystal beads. It is a simple thing to learn how to string beads, and most craft stores have more ideas than you can use for earrings, cell phone charms, necklaces, and bracelets. Best of all, it will cost you less to make unique pieces that reflect your style that it would to walk into a store and buy one readymade. You get compliments on what you wear, and you know that everyone judges a book by its cover, so draw your own picture for them when they first meet you with an individual fashion statement.

Once you have stunned your friends with the beautiful crystal beads you sport, they will probably ask you to make them something, too. Even complete strangers may ask you where you found that lovely piece of jewellery, and before you know it, you could have a jewellery design business. Swarovski crystal beads make that profitable as they are affordable to you, and make designing beautiful accessories easy with the multitude of shapes and colours readily available to you.

And don’t limit the glitter to jewellery. With a needle and thread you can quickly add some bling to your favourite top or jeans. Even dress up a pair of sandals to draw attention to your sexy feet. Pick out a design with a few crystalline drops scattered across a print like dew-drops on petals, or write your initials on a jeans pocket to add your personal touch. Designer clothes cost a fortune, but with a little imagination and a few beads you can be the designer.

Keep others in mind while you are creating. You know them, know their style, too. So what are you giving them for a gift next birthday or holiday? Something soulless from the store, or a gift affectionately created by you, especially for them? And who doesn’t like a little sparkle in their life? Swarovski crystals offer so much variety you can find something for anyone, from the boldest to the most conservative. A simple pair of earrings for one person, a triple-strand twisted necklace flowing with colour and shimmer for the next. You could spend hndreds, but you won’t – and the beauty is, they will never know while they rave over their custom-made gift how little you really spent to make it.