Costume Jewelry- The Latest Fad

So many weddings to attend and you don’t want to spend too much on jewelry, neither repeat your stuff. Well, Costume jewelry is the easy solution.

Have a bright outfit and you don’t want to wear that gold chain again….well match it up with costume jewelry in the same shade.

Don’t want to move around wearing millions around your neck… costume jewelry again provides a safer option.

Costume jewelry has gained tremendous popularity recently owing to its versatility and variety, myriad hues and affordability. It offers a cost effective yet glamorous option for those with a penchant for ornaments. It helps in keeping up with the latest trends without burning a whole in your pocket as well as providing a safer option. Real jewelry can be a sound investment in uncertain times. But for most of us, the new reality calls for faux — small indulgences that can make an old frock seem new.

Also known as imitation jewelry, fashion jewelry and junk jewelry, it comes in various shapes, sizes and texture and is made of materials as diverse as metal, glass, stones, crystals and even plastic. The variety costume jewelry can offer is unparalleled. You can find something to beautify each part of your body. From necklaces, earrings and hair ornaments to nose rings, toe rings, anklets, maang tikka, armlets and bangles… name it and you have it!

Some of the most popular types of fashion jewelry are-

Classic Sterling Silver Hoop Rings

These bold sterling silver hoop earrings are a fashionable choice. If you are looking for a nice classic silver earrings, these sterling silver hoop earrings are the perfect choice.

Hidden Gems

Here’s another submission to AJF’s season of Blame It On the Bling, our search for good diamonds, in which AJF member Valeria Vallarta Siemelink proves once again that it’s what’s on the inside that really counts.

Philippa Green, Engagement ring

My engagement ring. Eight rough diamonds (one green, one brown, one green . . .), representing the eight months of written exchange that I had with my (now) husband before we met face to face, are embedded in clear resin. The diamonds are, naturally, fair trade. The ring was designed by South African jeweler Philippa Green.

The ring is one of my dearest friends. I wouldn’t blush to wear it at an AJF event or anywhere else. I wouldn’t worry either about wearing it on the Mexico City metro system. For potential thieves, it only looks like a plastic ring with little ‘ugly’ rocks inside.

Small But Perfectly Formed

Our season of Blame It On The Bling continues here at AJF with a new show at AJF member Gallery Lulo in Healdsburg, California. Jeweler Elisa Bongfelt tells us why size matters in her work, and why the small and perfect brings a sparkle to her eye.

Elisa Bongfelt, Petals necklace, 2010, oxidised sterling silver, white diamonds, 17 inches long

I recently began using diamonds as a way to add the undeniable sparkle they possess to my work. Because diamonds are so eye catching, I think one of the biggest challenges in contemporary jewelry is to allow the work to be the focus, not the stone in it.

Elisa Bongfelt, Petals choker, 2010, oxidised sterling silver, white diamonds, 17 inches long

The contrast between oxidized silver and the diamonds is quite dramatic, and yet the forms of the pieces are not overshadowed by the stones. In this particular body of work, I have chosen to use diamonds that are quite small, so they are a subtle addition to the pieces; they draw you in to look closer.

Elisa Bongfelt, Stacked bracelet, 2010, oxidized sterling silver, white diamonds, 8 inches long

The Shock of the Old

Robert Smit, Sleeping Beauty, c.1990, gold, from the Marjan and Gerald Unger collection

One of the big news stories from across the Atlantic has been the significant donation of almost 500 pieces of jewelry from the Marjan and Gerald Unger collection to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Marjan Unger, a leading authority on Dutch jewelry, has among other things published a book called Het Nederlandse Sieraad in de 20ste eeuw (Dutch jewellery in the 20th century), which unfortunately is not yet available in an English translation. One of the notable things about the Marjan and Gerald Unger collection is its obvious agenda in relation to Dutch jewelry history, what the Rijksmuseum press release somewhat cryptically describes as an ‘academic approach’. AJF was keen to find out how Unger’s collecting activities were affected by her scholarly interests, so we asked her to summarize how she approached Dutch jewelry in her book.

Van den Eersten en Hofmeijer, Pendant, 1920s, gold, amber, from the Marjan and Gerald Unger collection

One of my problems is the term ‘contemporary jewelry’. Every piece of jewelry is contemporary if you place it in the light of its time. In the Netherlands we use the term modern jewelry a lot – same point to make.

One of the reasons I wrote my book is that is was a standard notion amongst ‘our kind of people’ that before the late sixties no jewelry worth any attention at all was produced in the Netherlands, and that those modern jewelers emerged very unexpectedly from nowhere at all. The fact is that information of the work of the jewelers before then was so repressed that it seemed to belong to the stone age – a pun of mine in several respects.

Chris Steenbergen, Rope Skipper, 1954, silver, gold, from the Marjan and Gerald Unger collection

So I started digging and unearthing makers and their work. I was so happy with everything interesting I found from the first six decades of the twentieth century, that I used it all. I needed it to create a timeframe and set out cultural developments, which are sometimes very specific to the Netherlands, certainly where jewelry is concerned.

One of my main targets was to define a certain Dutch mentality towards adorning the body, with jewelry and clothes, and to analyze social structures and behavior that is typical for the Low Countries. A backbone of my research was a professional magazine that appeared in 1875 and has continued to be published until now. In fact, I created a multi-disciplinary approach, including social, economic and political developments, and I relied a lot on the history and the theory of fashion.

Joseph Citroen, Brooch, c.1963, gold, pearls, from the Marjan and Gerald Unger collection

In such an approach, all kinds of jewelry play their part. I’m talking about real jewels – that means lots of diamonds and pearls in the Netherlands, as well as popular jewelry, folk dress, fashion related jewelry, and the work from independent gold-and silversmiths and jewelry makers.

When I reached the late sixties and seventies, I did not change this approach. I talked about the ‘modern jewelry’ but I kept looking at the other kinds of jewelry too, the work of the traditional jewelers, etc. And one of the things I found out is that the group of designers that we like to call avant-garde are more often than not a few years behind the cultural developments that they claim to be part of.

Paul Derrez, Pills, c.1997, synthetic, metal, from the Marjan and Gerald Unger collection

Most of the well-known jewelers from the gallery-circuit were not so happy with this, but they have mostly looked if they were in my book and how often they were mentioned. I got a lot of good comments from historians and people who are interested in jewelry from many different perspectives. They could find a lot that was not described before the publication of my research.

Quartz

Quartz is known as `sphatik` in Sanskrit and `billor` in Persian. It is one of the most commonplace minerals in the earth`s crust. It is available in the shape of pencils, big and tiny pieces. Quartz is coloured like snow. It is transparent, emanating splendour, refinement and smoothness. Its nature is cold. It is used for making idols, yantras and numerous other items. Though the color of quartz is as variable as the visible range of spectrum, the clear form is the most common. There are other colors as well which include- white or cloudy named as milky quartz, purple commonly known as amethyst, pink that is also known as Rose quartz and gray or brown or black known as Smoky Quartz as well.

Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth. It has many natural varieties, plus synthetic quartz that comes in every color of the rainbow. Quartz, the most common mineral found on the earth`s surface is a component of almost all the types of rock. Quartz has a wide variety with respect to variety, color and forms. Each quartz can be separated from the other in terms of color; shade and also structure which includes pyramidal, prismatic, sceptered, phantomed, coating, tapering, stalactitic, concretionary, geoidal and banded. All these multiple combinations can lead to hundreds of unique possibilities. According to astrology it is related to Venus. Quartz is an alternate for diamond. It possesses the same qualities of a diamond, but is priced much less. Therefore it can easily be worn without reluctance.

In present days, rock crystal has become extremely important because of its piezoelectric attribute. When crystal quartz is cut in an exact angle to its axis and subjected to mechanical pressure, it emits minute electrical charges at the end of the axes and the crystal expands and contracts, which sets it into constant mechanical vibration. This steady rate of vibration makes quartz functional for radio and television transmission, telephone and cable equipments, radar, depth-sounding, apparatus, anti-submarine devices, clocks, resonators, range making lenses, prisms, and optical instruments.

Quartz gems are popular among gem therapists; because they produce electrochemical balance in the body chemistry of the wearer, eradicate nervousness, and makes one composed and concentrating. Using a rosary made from rock crystal helps in concentration, cools the body, and composes the mind. It is helpful for deriving knowledge of the past, present and future when used for concentration. Wearing a crystal mala ensures a healthy and undisturbed sleep. In Hinduism crystal holds a substantial position. It is also believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Shakti) live in this stone. Therefore statues are built after cutting and chiseling the crystal, because there is no need to vivify its statues and it is fittingly worthy to be worshipped. It can also be noted that idols made of other stones are forbidden to be kept in a temple or at home. Without life induction, the idols made of other stones are not used for religious rites and prayers. Therefore crystal has the nobility to be worshipped. And that is why Shiva linga, idols and Shree Yantra etc., are manufactured from it, so that this may be worshipped without life induction. Crystal garlands (mala) are used to count mantras while worshipping Laxmi, Durga, Saraswati and other Goddesses. Tripursundari`s yantra (Shree Yantra), engraved on sphatik (quartz) is regarded the best of all. Opulence and salvation are two dissimilar aims in human life and through crystal "Shree Yantra", people who meditate and worship achieve both these aims by themselves involuntarily.

Crystal bead is used for concentration (Tratak) and other devotional activities. A person who meditates by focusing his mind on a crystal bead is aware of all the future incidents in advance logically. Therefore, crystal is itself a priceless and godly element. This stone will not allow someone to wallow in self-pity over that which can not change. It amplifies the energy of all other stones and increases the emotional energy. Quartz is so rich in every way except material value. It amplifies, focuses, stores, transforms, and also energizes. This stone is perfect for focusing affirmations and prayers. It also stimulates psychic perception. It teaches each person at his or her own level, and at his or her own speed. It empowers and attunes to all chakras, all signs, and all numbers as well. This stone amplifies prayers, wishes and positive visualizations in a great manner. It keeps someone in touch with the spiritual side, and reminds that he or she is a spiritual being, having a human experience. All spiritual pursuits can be stimulated and amplified using this stone`s energy. It helps to be receptive to higher guidance. This gemstone is easy to cleanse, store information or energy in, program or amplify energy and heal with. It can both draw and send energy. This is the powerful clear ones that open Crown Chakra. This is good for meditation as well as sending or receiving guidance. It often stimulates natural crystals in body tissues and fluids to resonate at new healing frequency. It works with all chakras and master gland. Blue quartz crystals grant spiritual insight and enlightenment, peace and serenity. They also encourage emotional clarity and purity of heart.

A Question of Faith

Ted Noten, Super- Bitch-Bag Lady K, 2008, edition 6/7, Walther PPK, engraved with flowers and gold plated, cast in acrylic, found handbag

Recently we published a talk by Dutch writer and curator Liesbeth Den Besten called ‘The Power of Jewelry’ on the AJF website. It was first presented in January 2009 at Out of the Box, a symposium organised by the Françoise van den Bosch Foundation (of which Den Besten is the chairperson) at the Stedelijk Museum ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. Den Besten reflects on the fact that despite acceleration in the contemporary jewelry field (more graduates, more galleries, more schools, more fairs presenting jewelry), ‘jewellery still doesn’t count as a serious market where money is made and earned. Author jewellery is not a hot topic – the way design has gained a sexy status.’ Contemporary jewelry, she concludes, has ‘an uncomfortable feeling of isolation, and preaching to the converted.’ Her paper is essentially an analysis of jewelry’s current position and potentiality, how it got to be where it is and what we might do about it. (To read the full text of Den Besten’s talk ‘The Power of Jewelry’, click here.)

Here’s some of what Den Besten concludes:
In the past twenty years I have learned some things about jewelers, one is that in general jewelers are not designers, they are not designing the way designers do. Apart from some exceptions to the rule, jewelers are do-ers but slow do-ers, makers but slow makers, finders, people trying out, doing things over and over again, people who want to know everything about the materials they use. Jewelers are material-boys-and-girls. But it doesn’t need to stay like this forever – perhaps now is the time to focus on the market as well, to capitalize your talents – your excellent knowledge of materials, forms and techniques, your capability to work with precious materials. If some succeed in this, others can do it as well.
Another thing I have learned about jewelry is that jewelers are not very communicative. Their work is not created to tempt their buyers. And also in that sense jewelry cannot be compared with design which is overtly designed to seduce the buyer, by its use of colour, form and market strategies. That is why everybody wants the newest i-pod and i-phone – they are designed to overrule all rational decision making, they are bought on an impulse. Jewelry on the other hand tries to convince. Jewelry is a matter of faith, you have to believe in it before you purchase it. But you can stir this faith by clever communication strategies.

Den Besten is talking about the fact that contemporary jewelry allied itself with the gallery, and with fine art, rather than design and fashion. In doing so, it made a few gains, particularly in the heady days of the 1960s and 1970s when everything seemed possible, but it also suffered significant losses, most notably its ability to communicate with people, with a wide audience. Her description of contemporary jewelry as a matter of faith is perfect: that is exactly what attracts most of us involved in contemporary jewelry, but it is also what keeps us isolated and unwilling to actually pursue an audience. Like religion, contemporary jewelry is getting smaller every year as the pool of believers shrinks. Sure, every now and then a new church gets built, a new gallery opens, but it just moves the audience around, shifts it from one place to another. It does nothing about growing the audience, reaching new people, evangelising to the unconverted. We’ve been preaching to the art crowd for years now, and they just aren’t convinced. Like any missionary movement, perhaps we need to recognise that and shift our focus to new mission fields.

Den Besten talks about Damien Hirst’s diamond skull, For the Love of God, as a work that can provide some possible directions out of jewelry’s dead end. As she concludes, ‘What can we learn from this? Well, that there are certain things that attract people, things like uniqueness, craftsmanship, shine, and preciousness – things you can easily handle as a jeweler, things you can all deal with as jewelers, when you like.’ And she talks about the strategies of design and fashion, identifying these as possible worlds the contemporary jeweler can infiltrate, along with the world of conventional jewelry. Why not, she provocatively asks, start working with diamonds, precious stones, all the things that sparkle and glitter and which already have an audience?

Den Besten would no doubt agree that there are no simple solutions to the problem of jewelry’s future, and whether or not you are convinced by her proposals, she appears to be right when she says that the boxed-in contemporary jewelry scene will have to change – and sooner rather than later. ‘I think it is time to step out of the comfort zone and make yourself seen’, she concludes, and that’s a challenge that everyone who cares about contemporary jewelry should take seriously.

Sapphire

The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire whose reflection gave the sky its color. A historian of old Damigeron wrote that sapphire was worn by kings to protect them from harm. It was also believed that sapphire would protect the wearer from envy and attract divine favor. Legend has it that if a poisonous snake were put into a vessel along with a sapphire, the rays from the gem would kill it. Our ancestors interpreted this to mean that sapphire was an antidote against poison.

At one time any blue gem material was called sapphire. The finest sapphire color is rich, velvety cornflower blue. This is called `kashmir` out of deference to the traditional source of the finest quality. Today, however, the Kashmir area of India is not generally mined because of its physical inaccessibility. Most current production comes from Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Montana, Australia and Africa.

Colour: Sapphires are found in a variety of colors. The reddish colors are called ruby. People generally think of sapphires as blue in color, although they are also colorless, pink, orange, green, golden, yellow, purple and black. Sapphire is the birthstone of the month of September. Red sapphires are known as ruby, and pinkish orange sapphire as padparadscha as well. Corundum, which is sapphire`s mineral name, occurs in red, but this is known as ruby. A particularly lovely pinkish-orange is referred to as `padparadscha`, which is taken from the Sinhalese for `lotus-colored.` Although sapphire is found in many colors, these are not all commercially available at any given time. Some are so rare they are collector`s items.

Sapphire is always heat treated to produce, intensify or lighten color and improves color uniformity and appearance. Heat treatment of sapphires is performed at the sapphire mines, and is an industry-wide accepted practice.

Fine, needle-like inclusions are the things that give sapphires their velvety quality. These inclusions are often numerous enough to make the stone translucent or opaque and are oriented properly. At that time they allow light to be reflected in such a way that a star floats across the top of the stone with movement. When a cutter recognizes this potential in a piece of rough sapphire, he will cut it in a dome shape. Stars are not visible in faceted stones. Some persons believed the star sapphire would protect them against witchcraft. The three intersecting rays were thought to represent faith, hope and destiny.

Sapphire in its many colors is fashioned into timeless pieces that compliment many styles. It is either faceted or cabochon i.e. dome-shape for use in rings, pendants, earrings and pins. It may be linked between expanses of chain for wrist or neck wear. Sapphires are set into the simplest of designs as well as the most elegant of pieces.

Since subtle differences in quality can make large differences in beauty and also price, it is important to select the jewelry from a professional who can guide honestly and ethically in purchase.

There are some varieties of sapphires. One of them can be mentioned as Kashmir Sapphire. These are the sapphire with a distinct velvety-blue color. Another one is cornflower Sapphire. This is actually the synonym of Kashmir sapphire. Cornflower Blue Sapphire is another variety. Star Sapphire is the one displaying asterism. Padparadschah is mainly the orange-pink variety of sapphire.

There is some color changing Sapphire. This Sapphire exhibits a different color in natural and artificial light. Bi-colored Sapphire is the Sapphire with more than one color. Cat`s Eye Sapphire is basically the Sapphires exhibiting cat`s eye effect, fancy Sapphire is known as any sapphire with a color other than blue. Verneuil Sapphire is synthetic, and laboratory-grown sapphire.

Nowadays, sapphire is classified by its color in the gem trade i.e. green color sapphire is `Green Sapphire`. Colorless sapphire is usually called `White Sapphire.`

The `oriental` prefixes are not used anymore, but they are still occasionally seen. Below is a list of all the `oriental` sapphires.

Oriental Topaz: Straw yellow, gem quality sapphire,
Oriental Emerald: Light to dark green, gem quality sapphire,
Oriental Amethyst: Violet to pink, gem quality sapphire,
Oriental Peridot: Yellow-green, gem quality sapphire; and
Oriental White sapphire: Colorless, gem quality sapphire.


Some other variety of sapphire which are rarely used can be mentioned as follows:
Australian Sapphire: Dark blue to nearly black sapphire
Bengal Amethyst: Purple sapphire
Blue Alexandrite: Synonym of color changing sapphire
Burma Sapphire: Synthetic, laboratory-grown blue sapphire
Burmese Sapphire: Synonym of Burma sapphire (above)
Ceylon Sapphire: Light blue sapphire
Indian Topaz: Yellow to yellow-brown sapphire
King Topaz: Yellow to yellow-brown sapphire
Rose Kunzite: Synthetic pink sapphire
Star Topaz: Yellow star sapphire
Ultralite: Blue sapphire

Some of the false names of sapphires can be mentioned as follows.
Brazilian Sapphire is the blue tourmaline or blue topaz, Gold Sapphire is the lapis lazuli with shiny pyrite sprinkles, Lynx Sapphire is the iolite, Sapphire Spinel is the blue spinel, Hope Sapphire is the synthetic blue spinel, Lux Sapphire is the iolite, Sapphire Quartz is the massive blue quartz or chalcedony, Water Sapphire is the iolite, Uralian Sapphire is the blue tourmaline.

The Aha Moment

Karen Lorene

What is it that separates the contemporary jewelry and fine art worlds, and what might link them together? AJF member and jewelry gallery owner Karen Lorene thought about this and other issues while reading Sarah Thornton’s book Seven Days in the Art World. Here’s what she concluded.

A question was proffered by Damian Skinner, editor of this blog: How does the book Seven Days in the Art World by Sarah Thornton relate to you as a gallerist?

Suzanne Golden, Welcome to Hawaii neckpiece, acrylic beads and seed beads, 16 inches diameter, 2.5 inches (largest ball)

The answer? Let me set the scene. We received seven very large boxes containing a traveling show entitled Transmutations: Material Reborn. In each box was nestled jewelry made of plastic. One very large box contained the work of Suzanne Golden. The necklaces and bracelets are exuberant, large, colorful, demanding.

This box with Suzanne Golden’s work arrived on the very day I read chapter six of Thornton’s book. Called ‘Studio visit’, this chapter is dedicated to an interview by Thornton of artist Takashi Murakami. Wanting to learn more, I Googled Murakami. There on the walls, in his paintings, bouncing out of his sculptures was the very reflection of work by Suzanne Golden. To an e-mail inquiry, Suzanne responded: ‘I probably didn’t know about anime until a few years ago, but I did see a recent exhibition of work by Takashi Murakami whose style really appeals to me’.

Suzanne Golden, Samba bracelet, acrylic beads and seed beads, 7 inches diameter

Yes! The Collective Unconscious slips around the world, grabs hold, and blossoms in entirely different forms of art! The work of one artist helped me understand the other, the shared color pallet and exuberance gave me a ground from which I can appreciate both.

The other six chapters of Thornton’s book opened doors and ideas. Her writing made me ask these questions: Why does the world of flat art not see the value (and wear!) jewelry art? (Google Artforum and look at the photos of an opening and you’ll see almost everyone NOT wearing jewelry art). When might we see jewelry art at the Venice Biennale or Art Basel? What is the largest prize bestowed upon an artist, and when might that artist be a jewelry artist? When will jewelry artists be recognized by the ‘other’ world of art? When will the distinction between the two disappear? Or do we want the distinction to disappear?

The concluding thought after reading this engaging book? We who love jewelry art have a whole art world ripe for conversion.

Tiger Eye

This stone comes in white grey, red or wooden colour. Tiger eye sometimes has rich yellow and golden brown stripes, with a fine golden lustre when polished. It is very popular in Africa and is available in plenty at that place. It looks like the `eye of a tiger`. Tiger eye is also called crocidolite cat`s-eye or African cat`s-eye. Tiger eye with its bands resembles an eye of tiger, so it is received its name due to this similarity. Tiger Eye is the anniversary gemstone for the 9th year of marriage.

It keeps stomach ailments under a reasonable check. It also reduces tensions. It gives extra energies and good stamina. It also bestows the wearer with considerable initiative and drive, without which one cannot easily make a mark in this complex world. It is recommended and lucky stone for those having their birth numbers as 2 or 7. It is good for children suffering from insomnia or those not having proper concentration in studies. It is good for those, who have Saturn in retrogression in their natal charts or have tensions or digestive problems. It is also good for financial gains and also for those who may waiver to take decisions. Roman soldiers wore tiger`s-eye for protection in battle. Tiger Eye was thought to be all seeing due to its appearance. Tiger eye relieves high blood pressure. Tiger eye wear is very helpful in the presence of following diseases: bronchial asthmakidney, rheumatic heart disease, otitis and psoriasis.

People of all Zodiac signs and also either-sex, all ages and all religion can utilize the benefits of Tiger Eye Gemstone. This gemstone is widely used in Feng Shui and Crystal Therapy as well.

Benefits of Tiger Eye
Tiger Eye is a stone of protection that is also very grounding. It enhances integrity, willpower, practicality and correct use of power. It is a stone that enhances good luck, and brings prosperity, often in the form of money. This is also a very protective stone, which especially does it`s work during travel. It can also help one see clearly without illusion. Tiger`s eye brings a special boost to the solar plexus chakra and to one`s personal power. It is also very effective where person have speech problem due to lack of confidence or when any person wake up in afraid due to bad dreams

Tiger`s eye is a powerful stone ideal for increasing the confidence for people who need more confidence to accomplish their goals. It helps the person to judge a situation and determine how best to approach it. It also helps the wearer to find the most advantageous and positive way to reveal their inner energy and light. It eventually draws helpful people and material things to the wearer. It centers energy and mental focus. This gemstone also charm against evil spirits. This stone is believed to enhance confidence, focus the mind, and enable the user to see clearly without illusion.

Tiger eye should be charge it by keeping over night in salted water and should be washed it with fresh water in the morning and kept it in sun light for 2 - 3 hours once in 3 months. As with all gems, tiger eye should be protected from scratches and sharp blows. Large temperature changes should also be avoided.

These stone comes of in very attractive shapes. These are widely used for astrological and fashion purpose made of white metal. These are also popular as an attractive gift item. Tiger Eye is widely used in pendant and beads where its lovely tiger-like that displays out best.

Turquoise

Turquoise is a stone that has been prized for many years. The ancient Egyptians used turquoise in jewelry. Turquoise is greenish-blue or pale sky blue. The name means `Turkish stone` as it came to Europe by way of Turkey. Turquoise was mined more than 6,000 years ago in Sinai. The best turquoise comes from Iran, but not much is exported now. Presently much turquoise comes from Mexico and the United States.

Turquoise is a hydrous copper aluminum silicate that occurs in microcrystalline nodules. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times, like most other opaque gems, turquoise has been devalued by the introduction of treatments, imitations, and synthetics onto the market. Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets, and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures.

Using of this stone gives strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and connection to the spirit world as well. If given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. The turquoise is the symbol of friendship. It also brings peace to the home. This stone is a very personal and meaningful stone to one who wears it. Turquoise takes on the characteristics of the owner. Turquoise carries great wisdom of basic truth within it. It is one of the oldest stones known. This is a stone that a person must learn to attune to instead of the stone attuning to the person. It is important that the owner of a Turquoise give it the proper attention.

The color of turquoise ranges from sky blue through various shades of green to greenish and yellowish gray. Turquoise is opaque except in the thinnest splinters, and has a feeble, faintly waxy lustre. It is said that Turquoise brings happiness and good fortune.

Turquoise along with zircon is birthstones of Sagittarius. The timeframe starts from Nov 22 to Dec 21. Turquoise is the anniversary gemstone for the 5th year of marriage.

Healing properties of Turquoise
The gemstone named Turquoise generally neutralizes over acidity, alleviates rheumatism, gout, stomach problems, viral infections, increases growth, muscular strength, alleviates pain, and relaxes cramps. It also contains anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects. This stone should be used with copper to increase the power of turquoise.

Sometimes this is known as a truth stone, as it instigate the owner to be true to himself. This gem stone is a stone of self realization helping soemone to better understand self ideas and emotions. It is a wonderful aid in regards to any type of analytical thinking. This also attunes the physical to the higher realms. This generally aligns all chakras, creating a clear channel for the nurturing and creative energy of this sacred stone. The turquoise generally protects and blesses the user, this is one of the most versatile of the power stones. Turquoise works at the throat Chakra enhancing communication skills. Those persons seeking a profound healing of the spirit and soul should wear turquoise. This is known as the ancient absorber of `negativity`. It also helps one develop natural powers. This is excellent grounding stone and also excellent healing stone. This stone strengthens and calms the mind and body. Turquoise usually brings wisdom. Using of this stone helps anorexia, headache, fear, throat, lungs, asthma, infections, teeth, TMJ, hearing, high blood pressure, creativity block, and depression. In fact, some Native cultures held the belief that by wearing it the human mind becomes one with the universe.

This stone is becoming increasingly rare and costly because the finest material comes from Iran. Despite its fragility it is much prized and never seems to go out of fashion. Turquoise is an excellent investment, but if it is to retain its value it should be cleaned at least once a year with diluted ammonia liquor. This restores its original colour which otherwise tends to become greener with age. It should never be stored with other jewelry or cosmetics.

The stone`s color and lustre tend to deteriorate with exposure to sunlight, heat, or various weak acids. So hot water and household chemicals should be avoided. Turquoise is relatively soft, thus scratches and sharp blows can become harmful. There are certain coatings that should not be removed. When this stone is given as a gift, everyone talks about the choice. Turquoise is believed by many to bestow wealth and happiness upon its receiver. Turquoise is reasonably priced and quite lovely. The finest stone is an even blue, blue-green, or green color with little or no mottling. Delicate veining, caused by impurities, is desired by some collectors as proof of a natural stone. A delicate sky blue, turquoise provides an attractive contrast with precious metals. It may be carved or engraved, and irregular pieces are often set in mosaics with jasper, obsidian, and mother of pearl as well. Turquoise has been thought to warn the wearer of danger or illness by changing color. In the 13th century, turquoise was thought to protect the wearer from falling, especially from horses. Turquoise is also believed to bring happiness and good fortune to all. It`s said that turquoise attracts healing spirits, making it a premier healing stone. Believed to be a protective stone, turquoise is worn to guard against violence and accidents. Turquoise is also a valuable amulet for travelers.

Getting the best price for gold jewelry

A reader e-mailed me a looooong time ago asking for recommendations for a place where she could sell her gold jewelry for a good price. I finally came across a good answer in the November issue of Shop Smart magazine.

First take the jewelry you are thinking of selling to a reputable appraiser. Get the karat of your pieces and ask for the weight in pennyweights or troy ounces.

Then use a calculator at the Dendritics Gemscales Museum to determine the value based on current gold prices. Prices fluctuate often so check them right before you go in to sell. Try to get 85 percent of that value when you go in to sell.

Expect to visit more than one jeweler to negotiate a good price. A good trick is to mention what one jeweler offered and ask another jeweler to beat that price.

Agate - Agate is a semi-crystalline variety of quartz

This is a semi-crystalline variety of quartz. The colours are arranged in strips or bands or blended in clouds and classified accordingly as moss, ribbon, dendrite, etc. This is a stone, widely distributed but not very popular. Agate was discovered with the Stone Age man in France 20,000-16,000 BC. The Egyptians used it prior to 3000 BC. Agate was highly valued by ancient civilizations. Cameos are cut from stones, such as onyx or agate, where different colors occur in layers. The background material is cut away, leaving the cameo design in relief.

The name of the gemstones is derived from the Greek `Agate`, which means happy. According to another theory the word Agate comes from the Greek name of a stone found in the Achates River in Sicily, now known as the Drillo River, which still remains a major source of this stone.

Agate has irregular, sometimes circular bands of color and often replaces fossil wood. Many fossils are agatized material where the original organic substance has been replaced by agate while retaining the original structure. Agates are identical in chemical structure to jasper, flint, chert, bloodstone, and tiger-eye, and are often found in association with opal. The colorful, banded rocks are used as a semiprecious gemstone and for making mortars and pestles. One will often see these in beads, agate pendants and necklaces.

Color Of Agate: Agate comes in most colors. Agates range from transparent to opaque in a variety of beautiful colors. It presents various tints in the same specimen. The stones can be artificially stained to produce combinations of color. These are more vivid than those found in the natural state. This is generally brown in colour. When used for ornamental purposes it has usually been dyed artificially as the porous nature of this mineral allows it to absorb material from solution. There is variety of brownish- orange agate that is known as cornelian, the green variety chrysoprase, the blue variety chalcedony and the brownish-red variety is known as carnelian. Black agate is known as onyx. Agate is the birthstone of Taurus i.e. bull. The time ranges from April 20 - May 20. Agate is the anniversary gemstone for the 12th year of marriage. Moss Agate is the anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage.

Varieties Of Agate: There are several types of agate. Varieties include Blue, Blue Lace, Crazy Lace, Green, Indian, Moss, Tree and Wood. The Moss agate or mocha stone contains visible impurities in the form that resemble moss.

Care and Treatment Of Agate: Agate cracks easily though it has a hardness rating of 7. When agate is present with all other gems it should be protected from scratches and sharp blows. Sudden temperature changes and household chemicals should be protected. Agate is one of the gemstones that used in commesso. These are also called florentine mosaic. Commesso is a technique of fashioning pictures with thin, cut-to-shape pieces of brightly colored, semiprecious stones, developed in Florence in the late 16th century. The stones most commonly used are agates, quartzes, chalcedonies, jaspers, granites, porphyries, petrified woods, and lapis lazuli. Commesso pictures, used mainly for tabletops and small wall panels, range from emblematic and floral subjects to landscapes.

Usage Of Agate:Agate is used for inexpensive jewelry, ornaments and even ash- trays and precision instruments. It is found mainly in India, Brazil, Madagascar, China, Russia and Australia. This is the stone everyone should have for protection. This group of stones is variegated chalcedony. The agate is one of the oldest stones in recorded history. Agates attract strength. This is also a protection from bad dreams. It also protects from stress and energy drains. Agates have been used in jewelry from ancient time. They were used to ward off storms. They were prized gems in antiquity. The agates with banded colors were placed at the head of a sleeper to give rich and varied dreams. Agates have been thought to be good to harden the gums.

Healing Properties Of Agate:The gemstone Agate also has the healing properties. Agate is used for stomach upsets. The agate should be placed on the solar plexus. The agate can`t change emotions, but helps to change our level of acceptance of the emotion. Such as when someone is very sad the agate will let the person know that this will pass and help you get on to another and better day. This is why the Agate is considered so powerful as it gives us the strength to carry on. There are some superstitions surrounding the usage of these gemstones. Some of them can be mentioned as after wearing this it defends against the evil eye. It protects against storms, lightning, headaches and fever. It draws out the venom of insect and reptile bites. It cures fever and eye infections. It improves Eyesight and relieves inflammation and tiredness of the eyes. It staunches bleeding and also relieves skin irritations. It promotes fertility and helps in increasing athletic prowess. It renders the possessor eloquent, lovable, and invisible. It gives good health and long life. After wearing this one can turn an enemy`s sword against himself. It makes someone lucky in love. It reveals where hidden treasure is buried. It ensures a good yield when tied to a plow or worn while gardening. Agate brings stability to anyone`s life.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is usually known as emerald`s most famous sister. It is simply a different color variety of the mineral beryl. Greenish-blue to bluish-green beryl is called aquamarine. The advances of modern technology have made it possible that when aquamarine is treated with heat, the heat drive the green out of the stone and leave a more pleasing blue. This is a permanent treatment and has become accepted in the jewelry industry. The name Aquamarine is derived from Latin words meaning sea and water. Therefore it can be said that the name `aquamarine` means sea water.

Madagascar is the historical source of aquamarine, but is no longer important as of now. A medium dark blue colour is the typical of stones that came from that area. Brazil is probably the most prolific supplier of aquamarine today. The natural color of Brazilian gems leans toward bluish-green. Comparing emerald and aquamarine, the latter is the tougher sister. Aqua is usually free from the inclusions that make emerald more fragile. It is often step-cut i.e. emerald-cut to show its color to best advantage.

Aquamarines are usually found in a range of blue shades, from the palest pastel to greenish-blue to a deep blue. While the choice of color is largely a matter of taste, the deeper blue gems are more rare. Aquamarine is a pastel gemstone, and while color can be quite intense in larger gemstones. The smaller Aquamarines are often less vivid or bright. In its finest color aquamarine will be a rather dark blue, rivaling a nice medium blue sapphire. But they are rare and expensive. Sometimes too many blue topaz have been sold as aquamarines, as blue topaz is much cheaper.

Aquamarine is pale greenish blue or bluish green variety of beryl. Beryl is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminum silicate. This is a commercial source of beryllium. It has long been of interest because several varieties are valued as gemstones. These are aquamarine, emerald and heliodor. Aquamarine is the most common variety of gem beryl, it occurs in pegmatite, in which it forms much larger and clearer crystals than emerald.

This is a beautiful and affordable gemstone found in a range of blue shades. The highest quality aquamarine is transparent. Aquamarine is a hard gemstone, making it a good choice for jewelry that is worn frequently like aquamarine rings. However due to its delicate color and clarity it is best displayed in a more prominent position such as in earrings and pendants. A nice, medium dark blue aquamarine is a perfect gift for any occasion, but especially for weddings it is apt as this is the symbol of beauty and honesty. While buying aquamarine jewelry it should be noted that wearing aquamarine in earrings brings love and affection.

Curing ability Of Aquamarine
Curing ability of aquamarine is immense as this gemstone works against nerve pain, glandular problems, toothache, and disorders of the neck, jaw and throat. It even strengthens liver and kidneys.

Jewelry Television

In the modern fast-paced world and Internet-savvy people, buying anything and everything from toiletries to jewelries through online shopping is a common phenomenon. Amongst the several online shopping stores, Jewelry television is regarded as one of the most reliable and popular source. It offers convenience and ease of buying jewelries online. Millions of men and women look to jewelry television when it comes to finding a perfect gift for the special women and men in their life. It is the ultimate online shopping destination for people all over the world.

If you are looking out for exotic pieces of jewelries at affordable prices and great discounts, you must at least explore jewelry television for easy, fast and convenient shopping. On jewelry television, you can buy gifts and jewelries from largest collection of gemstones, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, bridal jewelries, watches, birthstones and other precious and semiprecious jewelry items through thousands of direct deals and auctions at great discounts over retail prices. Jewelry television has some of the best collectibles, gifts and jewelries to suit every style and budget.

Jewelry Television

Jared Jewelry

Jared jewelry is an upscale jewelry store and a large galleria of exhaustive collection of jewelries. After having opened its doors in 1993, jared jewelry has revolutionized the entire concept of how a jewelry store should operate, run and display its products. With a large team of designers and jewelry experts, Jared jewelry has opened couple of jewelry emporiums to provide the ultimate shopping experience for its discerning clientele.

Jared jewelry galleria is a division of Sterling Jewelry Inc. headquartered at OHIO, USA. It operates large numbers of specialty retail stores dealing with everything in fashion, designer, fine and other exotic range of jewelries. Jared engagement rings and wedding rings that are sold at its galleria are famous all over the eastern and other parts of United States. They have a large collection of jewelries for different customers with a price tag ranging from affordable to luxury and most expensive category of jewelries. Apart from the specialty retail stores, Jared Jewelry also offers the convenience of online shopping for its large base of customers.

Jared Jewelry

Jared Jewelry

Pandora Jewelry

Pandora jewelries are considered as one of the most favorite gift items for friends and family members at various occasions including as Christmas gift. Beautifully handcrafted Pandora jewelry made from precious and semiprecious stones and crystals are generally very expensive. However, some of the varieties of Pandora jewelries can be bought at affordable rates through online jewelry stores and online jewelry section of Pandora jewelry.

Pandora jewelry is a Danish company that was established in 1982 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Over the last two decades, Pandora jewelry has spread its wings to many countries in Australia, Europe and America. Pandora Jewelry started as a jewelry shop and went on to become a well respected name in the jewelry industry. It has its manufacturing facility in Thailand. Pandora jewelry manufactures a wide assortment of charms, bracelets, rings, earrings and many other designer and fashion jewelries. Unique Pandora charms are by and large the most favorite items of several celebrities. You can view large collections of Pandora charms in the glamor magazine

Pandora Jewelry

Pandora Jewelry

Pandora Jewelry

Pandora Jewelry

Famous on-trend necklace jewelry for 2009

Famous on-trend necklace jewelry for 2009

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