Beaded Anklets – Beaded Anklets Great Gift for Others or Yourself!
Author: SWCreations
One very popular piece of jewelry that’s always popular and less common is the anklet. It adds a little something special to the warm weather wardrobe that a necklace simply cannot do. There are a lot of styles available to get when you are shopping for beaded anklets. When choosing an anklet for purchase, you will need to consider several types, including designer anklets, beach anklets, and the various sizes of anklets. These sizes are 8-9 inch, 9-10 inch, 10-11 inch, and 11-12 inch. It not a bad idea to measure your ankle or the ankle of the person for whom you are buying the anklet prior to purchase. When choosing beaded anklets for designer wear, consider the personality of the person who will wear this anklet. Are they into art, or do they enjoy solid colors? Do they like a huge variety of colors, or prefer monochromatic color schemes? Choices vary greatly depending on these factors. Some anklets are designed with cute little dangling charms while others are plainer. Some of them even feature artistic-looking beads to enhance their beauty and charm. Quality handcrafted jewelry such as this is hard to find, and you’ll want to give the very best if this is a gift item. Another anklet type to choose is the beach anklet. These are ideal for a day by the pool or ocean. When lounging in the sun, these swivel and snap beaded anklets won’t fall off and will stay securely attached to the ankle. Brass and nickel are ideal materials to make the swivels out of so that they withstand the environment that they will be in. This type of beaded jewelry is very popular and makes great beaded jewelry gifts! There are many color combinations to choose from, and the use of Swarovski crystals is an option on these. No doubt anyone wearing an attractive beaded anklet at the beach will get a lot of attention when they have on the anklet that matches their personality well. Giving the gift of quality handcrafted jewelry is easy when you choose beaded anklets! Whether your recipient is more into designer choices or is more of a beach-lover, they are sure to love this item. If it is for yourself, you are sure to love the quality and craftsmanship that go into each and every one. Beaded jewelry is a jewelry trend that never dies. It is one of those universal styles that are always in, so you’ll never have to worry about your piece going out of style.
The zircon is a type of mineral that belongs to the family of nesosilicates. Zirconium silicate is the chemical name. Green, brown, red, golden yellow, and colorless are the natural color of Zircon. The Matura diamond are colorless minerals that has the gem quality and are very popular as a substitute for a diamond. They are not be confused with the cubic zirconia which is a synthetic mineral with a totally different chemical composition.
Zircon came from the Arabic word zarqun which means vermilion, the persian word zargun which means golden colored. The yellow zircon is commonly called the hyacinth which is a word originated in East India. During the middle ages, people called all yellow stones as hyacinth, however today, this term is only used to describe or identify the yellow zircons.
The traditional birthstone for December is the Zircon.
If not for its presence in the crust of the earth, Zircon is a great and remarkable mineral. They are primarily found in igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks. The least abundant type of zircon is the Large zircon crystals. Zircon is one mineral that is found worldwide and is a very common accessory. These minerals can be found in Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Quebec, United States, Italy and so on. The largest producer of zircon which accounts to 37% of the world’s total production, Australia is the leading country in zircon mining. The zircon can be found in a wide variety if colors. They can be seen in black, colorless, hazel, yellow, brown and red. Below gem quality, zircons can be changed by heat treatment. It really depends on the amount of heat beig applied to the mineral. They can be changed to blue, golden yellow, and colorless.
Zircons are commonly used as as insulator and as an abrasive. It is a gemstone that is seen in a wide variety of colors and characterized by its great brilliance, clarity and fire. Zircon was known as an amulet for people who are travelling during the 11th Century. It is one gemstone believed to protect people from insomnia, diseases and injury. It is also used ensure the traveller for a warm cordial welcome on where he will travel. The zircon, according to ancient civilizations was believed to hold magical powers and used to fight evil. It was used to fight the black death which is the great plague that killed almost all of the population of Europe. The zircon was the most popular prescribed medicine to those people who can’t sleep, to stop poison and aid a proper digestion.
The most rare and the most prized zircon is known as the red gemstone. The zircon, with a well placed knock can be easily broken because it is a brittle stone. However, despite of its poor hardness, the zircon is still a very valuable tock because of its brilliant beauty. It was even mentioned in the book “Arabian Nights” because it is considered to be the favorite gemstone of the Arabs.
Women take fashion very seriously, and many view the clothes and accessories that they wear as the paint with which they create their own artistic story about who they are and who they want to be. We’ve all shopped for jewelry at big chain stores, and been disappointed with the selection and the quality of the piece that we find. If it’s not made out of plastic, it’s been mass produced by a machine in a factory, without quality or uniqueness. If you are tired of wearing the same earrings as everyone else in your community, you must seek out handcrafted earrings that have been made with care.
If you’ve never considered looking for beaded earrings that have been handcrafted by an artisan that takes pride in each piece, you should know that they are often the most stunning part of any outfit. No matter whether you like to dress in flashy, loud prints, or more subdued solid colors, there are handcrafted earrings that will compliment your style and cause other people to take notice. You will be able to wear your earrings in confidence because you know that there are only a few pairs just like it in the entire world.
When choosing your handcrafted earrings, be sure to choose styles that complement your face shape and the length of your hair. If you have longer hair, you will want to choose beaded earrings that have a longer length, so they will be able to be seen when you wear your hair down. These types of earrings typically have longer wire clasps, and will feature at least three or four different sizes and shapes of beads. If you have shorter hair, you might want to choose a lighter style that is only made of one or two types of beads.
Don’t forget that beaded earrings can often be made especially for you by the artists that design them. If you are interested in helping to design your own unique pair of earrings, of have been looking for handcrafted earrings that will match one particular outfit, but haven’t been able to find anything that satisfies you, be sure to contact the artisan about your trouble. In most cases, they are happy to work with you to develop the perfect accessory for your favorite dress or blouse. If you are interested in learning more about the wonderful world of beaded earrings, there are many places online where you can look at the work of handcraft artists.
History of Handcrafted Beaded Jewelry
- by SWCreations -
You might feel that the history of handcrafted beaded jewelry cannot possibly be very interesting, but in fact, it is quite intriguing to learn where this part of culture began. Some say that the beginnings of beaded jewelry began more than 70,000 years ago when man found the beads and gems and thought it was incredibly beautiful. Beaded jewelry has been used in many ways. One way is simply for beauty. Another is for value. Some would trade and buy with beaded jewelry or beads. And some cultures even used them as talisman. So how was beaded jewelry initially created? Let’s take a look.
Although a man or a woman living in those times would not possibly have any practical use for them; however, they could not carry them around without modern day bags or carrying devices, nor did they have pockets. So, as legend tells us, they attached the gemstones or beads to leather straps and wore them around their neck to create the first handcrafted beaded jewelry. Over time, handcrafted beaded jewelry started to become a status symbol. Those with power and wealth were the ones who had beaded jewelry. Beads even have been used as an item of value for which trade could be made.
Handcrafted beaded jewelry has been made out of many types of beads. Beads have been known to be made out of glass, bone, porcelain, shells, paper, clay, metals, gemstones, ivory, and even wood. Bead craftsman often held the trade secrets in confidence. They were expected to keep the bead-making skills a secret. Some of them even risked themselves if they failed to keep the information to themselves. Mass production of beads didn’t even begin until the 1800s when glass beading became widely available. It was at this time that Swarovski created their process for making their special beads which are still in high demand today. Even today, the secrets of how their beads are made are kept secret.
Different parts of the world created different types of handcrafted beaded jewelry. Central and South America are known for their wampum and quill creations, while Native American beadwork usually included a lot of turquoise and silver. Bead making in France began as early as 38,000 BC! Worry beads, Filigree, and highly decorated ceramic beads originated in Greece, while Italy specialized in the Murano glass beads. There are dozens of other countries not yet discussed here, but beaded jewelry has a rich and vast history that is incredibly interesting. Suffice it to say that there is a rich cultural tradition with wearing beaded jewelry.
Sapphire—A Gem Fit for Royalty
written for SWCreations by Lisa Vella
For centuries, sapphires have made their mark in the history of our world. Understandably so—they are beautiful and unique gemstones that come in many different varieties. In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers recognized sapphire for its wonderful qualities and named it as the official birthstone for the month of September. It is the designated gem given for the 5th, 23rd, and 45th wedding anniversaries and if a couple is blessed enough to make it to their 65th anniversary, the unique star sapphire is often given.
The sapphire is actually a gemstone that belongs in the corundum family. Corundum is a pure aluminum oxide mineral which is crystallized from extreme heat and pressure. Since ancient times, Sri Lanka has been one of the largest producers of high quality sapphires, but it can be found on all continents including Burma (modern day Myanmar), South Africa, Canada, and the US.
The US has been mining sapphire since they were discovered in the gravels of the Missouri River in Lewis and Clark County, Montana in 1865. Many other sources were soon to be discovered in Montana, followed by a discovery from the Cowee Valley in Macon County, North Carolina in 1895.
People in the US continue to mine them today, but mostly as more of a hobbyist venture than a serious business. Tourists in North Carolina will often pay a fee to purchase buckets of gravel or to dig in designated areas in the hopes of finding sapphire or other precious gems.
The most popular color for sapphire is deep royal blue, but they can actually be found in almost all colors including pink, white, green, yellow, orange, purple, brown and even colorless. Here are just a few different varieties:
·Bi-colored Sapphire – a sapphire with more than one color
·Cat’s Eye Sapphire – a sapphire exhibiting a “cat’s eye effect” where there is a thin band of light down the center of the stone.
·Color Changing Sapphire – a rare sapphire that exhibits different colors in different light. In natural light the sapphire is blue, but changes to violet in artificial light.
·Fancy Sapphire – any sapphire other than blue
·Padparadschah – the name for a rare orange-pink variety of sapphire
·Verneuil Sapphire – a synthetic sapphire – grown in a laboratory
Historically, there have been many cases in which sapphires have made their appearance. The Stuart Sapphire, which dates back to 1214, passed through the hands of many kings and eventually ended up adorning Queen Victoria’s State Crown. In time it was replaced by another gem, and is now on display as part of the British Crown Jewels collection at the Tower of London.
Another famous account occurred when the Russian Emperor Alexander II purchased a sapphire weighing 260.37 carats for his wife, the Empress Maria Alexandrovna. This stone is now owned by the State Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation, where it is proudly shown at their museum in Gokhran, Russia.
Sapphire hasn’t been absent in modern times either. Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford and Jean Harlowe all had sapphire engagement rings. Perhaps the most famous account in today’s time occurred when Prince Charles gave Princess Diana an 18 carat engagement ring surrounded by 14 diamonds in an elegant cluster setting.
As with all gemstones that have been around since nearly the beginning of time, sapphire has its own folklore and legends associated with it. It’s easy to understand why so many choose it for an engagement ring because it is associated with fidelity, compatibility, and mutual understanding. Some of its powers are thought to include spiritual enlightenment, and the ability to heal rheumatism, colic, and mental illness. When gazing into a cool blue stone, one can easily understand how it brings peace of mind and serenity to its owner, while promoting a life of truth and sincerity. The sapphire is truly a royal beauty.
Ruby – July’s Gemstone of Hot & Spicy Fun
- by Sarah Stephens -
Ruby is a semi-precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is most often found in shades of opaque or translucent red, and is widely recognized as the July Birthstone as well as the gemstone for the 15th and 40th anniversaries. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, ruby holds a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that adds nostalgic value to its already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your ruby jewelry – or inspire you to buy some today!
Ruby is a variety of the species Corundum, and is one of the most sought-after precious colored gems in the world. The word ruby is said to come from the Latin word “rubber” or “rubens,” which means red.
In ancient Sanskrit, ruby is called “ratnaraj,” or “king of precious stones.” Centuries ago, people believed that if a ruby were placed in a pot of water, it would cause the water to boil. People also believed that if rubies were placed beneath the skin, they would generate a mystical force field that would protect the wearer from mishaps. Red is also the color of blood–the life force of all mankind.
Ruby gemstones look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when paired with diamonds, black onyx or dark blue sapphire. More casual combinations include softer contrasts of brilliant ruby reds with clear quartz, emerald or pearls. To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring ruby, click here. Ruby is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, it works especially well to enhance the luster of green or hazel eyes.
Rubies became a popular colored stone among European royalty and other nobility because of their intense red color. Whenever a ruby was found, the emperor/royalty sent out people to see and welcome the precious stone. The ancient Hindus believed that those who offered fine rubies to the God Krishna could be granted the life of an emperor in their next lives.
The ruby is often associated with the emotions of love, passion, majesty, power and anger. Rubies are also believed to open the heart, attract others, and overcome fear. They were also said to help predict the future if they change color or intensity. Rubies were first mined 2500 years ago. While they originated in Sri Lanka, today rubies are found in Thailand, Mynamar, and Kenya.
Mohs’ Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Ruby gets a score of 9, meaning that it is very scratch resistant and therefore suitable as a component of jewelry. Ruby gemstones should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water. Other methods, including ultra-sonic cleaners, are also okay as long as they are not oiled. Avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.
How to Choose a Piece of Handmade Jewelry
- by Kristie Leong M.D. -
When you choose a piece of handmade artisan jewelry, you are purchasing a piece of work directly from the artist’s hands. This gives it special meaning and value. Much thought and design knowledge has gone into creating your special handmade jewelry piece. Here are some guidelines to help you make the best selection:
1. Are you buying handmade jewelry for yourself or as a gift?
Handmade jewelry makes a very special gift. It shows you’ve taken the time to find a piece of jewelry not found in a department store or produced on the mass market. This will be reflected in the beautiful craftsmanship that the individual artist adds to the piece. There’s also the option of having a custom design created by the artisan for a special, one-of-a-kind gift.. When you buy handmade jewelry, you’re getting the highest quality components and design because the artist has complete control over each phase of the process. You’ll have a unique design that you can wear with pride knowing that it won’t be seen on everyone else in town.
2. Do you like a classical look or do you lean more towards a funky, eclectic style?
If you prefer the classics, you may want to consider purchasing a simple, single stranded necklace with matching bracelet and earrings, possibly in a solid color. This kind of look never goes out of style and looks elegant with almost everything you wear. If you lean towards the funky, eclectic look, consider wearing a larger, chunkier necklace or layering several smaller necklaces for a unique and offbeat look. Who says the earrings have to match the necklace? You can choose necklace and earring combination that suits your own unique personality. The sky’s the limit!
3. What is your basic body build? Are you tall or short, petite or big boned?
If you have a petite build you may find more delicate pieces are appropriate so that you aren’t overpowered by your jewelry. A petite woman can look quite dramatic in a large necklace if it’s worn with a solid colored outfit and is the focal point of her look. In a case like this, you might want to choose a smaller, more delicate pair of earrings to avoid looking overdone. If you’re tall or larger boned, the sky’s the limit! You’ll find big and dramatic pieces to be quite flattering and you can easily pull off the layered look. Although the above is a general guideline, there are no hard and fast rules. Jewelry is all about expressing yourself the way YOU see fit!
4. What is your basic skin tone and hair color?
Again, there are no hard and fast rules here at all. Sterling silver can be particularly flattering if you have dark hair or grey undertones. Blondes tend to look stunning in gold, goldtone, and brass shades. Copper shades are just made for the rare redheads of the world, although copper looks great with almost any hair color!
Jewelry is fantastic for drawing the eye to your most flattering features and pulling the eyes away from your less desirable ones. If you have an overly round shape, a round earring shape will only accent it. Why not try an interesting drop style to draw the eye downward. If you have a long, narrow face, you might want to avoid the drop style earring and go for a shorter button type. Do you love your hands? Accent them with a beautiful handmade bracelet! Likewise a nice manicured hand can be accented with a handful of artisan rings.
As you can see, handmade jewelry can change the way you look and feel. Use these guidelines to help you select pieces that are right for you. The result will be a stunning collection of artisan jewelry that you’ll treasure for many years to come.
Pearls: Classic and Stylish
- by Linda Blatchford -
Pearls are June Birthstones: along with Pearl, Moonstone (Traditional: Alexandrite).
There is so much history about pearls that five (5) months claim them as their birthstone: February, April, June (traditional), July and November.
Pearls are an astral stone for the signs Gemini and Cancer are linked to the moon. Pearls have been called the “teardrops of the moon”. Some believe that pearls were formed by the passage of angels through the clouds of heaven.
Spiritual Benefits of wearing pearls:
* Stimulates spiritual transformation
* Promotes prosperity and success
* Encloses you with an aura of calm and beauty
* Helps with stomach, digestion and emotional stress
* Amplifies focus, meditation skills and wisdom
* Helps balance the solar plexus chakra
Over time, the pearl has become the symbol of purity and innocence and it is often sewn into bridal gowns, or worn as jewelry by the bride.
Pearls are classic, elegant and may be expensive. They are very popular at the Gem Shows.
Queen Alexandra’s Pearls*
Most fine jewellery in the 1900s was white and made from either diamonds or pearls. Queen Alexandra initially wore dog collar chokers, called a ‘collier de chien’ to cover a small scar on her neck.
For state occasions and formal events she plastered herself in arrangements of pearl necklaces. The rarity value of real pearls then was such that an American skyscraper exchanged hands for the price of a pearl necklace . This is not as ridiculous as it seems, since fine south sea pearls still command a high price.
Pearls were very fashionable, but still very, very costly. After the 1890s, Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan, produced highly acceptable cultured pearls by placing a small bead into an oyster shell. The bead coated itself with nacre (mother of pearl) and so good looking pearl jewels became more affordable.
Various combinations of pearl necklaces come in and out of fashion with regularity so pearls too are a must. Both fake and real freshwater or cultured pearls are very affordable today. The price of pearls has dropped by about a fifth in the past 10 years and the Chinese are making waves in the pearl world with their cheaper prices. The Japanese have suffered disease in their pearl beds as well as facing competition and are finding it hard to compete with China’s prices.
Value of Pearls
In the early 1900′s, the financier Morton F. Plant exchanged the building for a Cartier two-strand Oriental pearl necklace much coveted by a woman he admired.
A pearl is judged by its luster, size and markings. Although baroque, or unevenly formed, pearls have often been popular, it is the perfectly round ones that are now most desired. The best have a creamy, slightly pinkish glow. Black pearls (actually, a sort of silver-gray shade) are also coveted. Pearls are measured in millimeters, with 7 to 7.5 considered respectably modest while something larger than 10 millimeters becomes pretty important. For the last 70 years, they have been ”farmed,” which means the deformities have been given a helping hand. These pearls are called cultured, and today natural pearls are extremely rare.
Most of the cultured pearls, Mr. Mondschein says, come from Japan, while the largest ones come from the South Seas, Burma, Tahiti and Australia. Pearls should always be kept in a soft pouch; they can be professionally cleaned with soap and water. ”But spray perfume is the killer,” says Mr. Mondschein. ”I’ve seen people ruin pearls that way. And once the bloom is off the pearl, it can never come back.”
As Seen In
Easy Beading Book Vol. 5
May 2009
Adventures in Color
Entwine strands of gemstones, pearls, and crystals in a multihued jewelry set.
Easy Beading Book Vol. 5 May 2009
Turquoise Jewelry Marks December Birthstone In Style
by Melanie Spark
Turquoise is a semi-precious stone, which is commonly opaque (non-transparent) and features a sky-blue or greenish-blue color. Recognized as the birthstone for December, turquoise symbolizes prosperity, which means to succeed or flourish. Perhaps you choose to wear turquoise because of its relation to your birth month or maybe you enjoy wearing it as a reminder of your goals of success but, whatever the case, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy this popular gem.
Commonly used in the popular southwestern jewelry style, turquoise is a must have accessory for many. With a hardness level of 5 to 6, this gemstone offers a lustrous finish filled with natural variations in the color. In addition to its modern presence in jewelry, turquoise is very much a part of history after being valued in ancient times for use in both necklaces and bracelets.
As mentioned earlier, turquoise is available in a variety of colors. The sky-blue variation is the most desired in terms of jewelry, and is often referred to as a robin’s egg blue. Because this mineral is one of great popularity, it can also be very expensive. For this reason, many jewelry lovers turn to simulated turquoise in an effort to enjoy the same look as the genuine mineral at a fraction of the cost. When set in sterling silver, a precious and durable metal, the beauty of turquoise comes to life in all types of designs. From pendants to rings and even earrings, this simulated mineral looks identical to the real thing and can even provide a bolder look for the money.
For those who aren’t already familiar with turquoise, it’s appearance is unmistakable. A smooth rock-like gemstone featuring the color variations mentioned earlier in this article is one way to quickly identify this popular mineral. To the touch, turquoise feels like a polished, tumbled rock and offers a shiny surface. Unlike most other gemstones, turquoise is opaque, which means it cannot be seen through. When you think of a traditional gemstone, you may think of a faceted stone such as topaz, citrine, amethyst, etc. A turquoise, on the other hand, showcases its beauty on the surface alone.
If you are in the market for turquoise, consider both price and style when choosing the perfect jewelry accessory. While the genuine gemstone may be more expensive, the simulated mineral may be more suited to your budget and lifestyle. If you are a lover of blue or green and can appreciate the look of southwestern flair, turquoise may be the choice for you. When set in sterling silver, the true colors of this popular find are more vibrant than ever.
Speaking of sterling silver, this precious metal is both durable and affordable. As that which is stronger than some types of gold, sterling silver is the choice of many who either appreciate the crisp look of a white metal or who simply understand the value of a dollar. Because it is a precious metal, sterling silver is designed to last a lifetime with the proper care. Regular polishing to minimize tarnish and a nice storage area are all that’s needed to keep your sterling silver looking bright and beautiful. When you add turquoise to the mix, you’re sure to have a winning combination.