Designer Inspired Jewelry, Celebrity Inspired Jewelry
by Joe Taylor
plug itDesigner Inspired Jewelry and celebrity inspired jewelry is the cost efficient solution to keeping up with the latest trends while effectively managing your budget. Since fashion trends are constantly changing it becomes expensive to update your collection with high priced designer jewelry.
The impressive combinations found in designer inspired jewelry are incredible to look at. It is even more amazing how these jewelry designers are able to replicate the pieces of jewelry to the finest detail, providing beautiful creations that are durable and practical. They attract attention and yet the price is much more affordable than the real thing.
You can have a celebrity or designer jewelry image for a lot less money if you wear quality designer inspired jewelry instead, AND it will look just as impressive. Even a trained eye will find it difficult to tell the difference. Why pay retail designer jewelry prices when affordable inspired jewelry will make the same impression?
There are designer inspired jewelry for women, men, & even babies. They are inspired by famous designers such as Cartier, Gucci, Chanel, Chopard, Roberto Coin, Mikimoto, Bulgari/ Bvlgari, Hermes, Stephen Lagos, Fred Leighton, Judith Ripka, Harry Winston, Heidi Klum, Tiffany, David Yurman, Michelle Round Deco, Van Clef & Arpel, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kieselstein, Juicy Couture, Vera Wang, Majorica and other famous jewelry designers.
Designer inspired jewelry includes necklaces, pendants, engagement rings, wedding rings, earrings, bracelets, ankle bracelets, watches, cufflinks, chains, pins, brooches, baby gifts, baby charms, chandelier earrings, and jewelry accessories. You can even copy your hollywood stars with celebrity inspired jewelry.
Celebrity inspired jewelry and designer inspired jewelry are made from the highest quality materials available, such as diamonds, sterling silver, yellow & white gold, cubic zirconium (CZ’s), gemstones, jewels, pearls, stainless steal & turquoise. They might not use the exact same material as the original but they sure look as if they do.
It can truly and honestly be said that there is something for everyone when it comes to choosing celebrity or designer inspired jewelry. You don't have to worry too much about your budget because, thanks to the Internet, there is something available for every budget imaginable. Even the wealthiest people on the planet wear designer inspired jewelry because it is a great way to keep up with the ever-changing trends.
With the whirlwind of fashion changes, celebrity / designer inspired jewelry gives you the flexibility to update your look on a whim. Who needs the real thing when you can opt for enormous diversity from designer inspired jewelry? Mix and match the pieces in your jewelry box to achieve chic day and elegant evening looks or rich winter and bright summer styles. Designer inspired jewelry truly does look like the real thing.
2008-05-07
Celtic Jewelry: A beautiful design : Brooches-Pins jewelry store
Celtic Jewelry: A beautiful design
by Diane Hamments
plug itYes, Celtic Jewelry is Beautifully Designed ... but it also has a purpose.
Jewelry has existed since prehistoric times, probably originating as a method to fasten clothes together (such as a Celtic kilt clasp, brooch or buckle) and as a way to store and later display wealth. Although some jewelry still has functional purposes, now it is most often worn in order to enhance a person's appearance.
But in addition to personal adornment, certain types of jewelry are able to convey a particular symbolic meaning about the people who wear them.
For example, wearing a piece of Celtic jewelry is almost always intended to signify that the person wearing it traces his or her ancestry to the Celts.
Celtic jewelry is often worn to indicate that a person is proud of being a Celt. The design of Celtic jewelry is often intricate and almost always steeped in the past.
Wearing these beautiful pieces of jewelry is an effective but easy way for people to signify the importance to them of their Celtic heritage and culture, while at the same time allowing those people to carry on and continue Celtic traditions. The Celtic cross that incorporates both Christian and ancient Celtic pagan design elements is a popular example.
Types of Celtic Jewelry.
Celtic jewelry can be made out of almost anything, including precious metals such as gold, sterling silver and platinum. Precious and semi-precious gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and topaz, can be incorporated into almost any design. Celtic jewelry can also be made from lesser metals such as silver plate, vermeil, brass or pewter, which are sometimes set with synthetic gems such as cubic zirconia.
Since ancient times, Celtic jewelry has been famous for its beauty and its fine craftsmanship. Many different types of Celtic jewelry incorporate "Celtic knots," the beautiful, stylized representations of endless knots that were used by ancient Celts to symbolize their pagan religious beliefs.
A Celtic cross, encrusted with diamonds, is a particularly striking piece. But many other well-known Celtic design elements, such as the Tree of Life, the Trinity Knot, dragons (especially Welsh dragons) and the Claddagh design can be incorporated into Celtic jewelry.
Clasps, pins and brooches, buckles, rings, bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, and, most notably, torcs, are classic, traditional pieces ofCeltic jewelry. Other types of Celtic jewelry include tie tacs and tie pins, lockets, cuff links, earrings and even watches. Many pieces of Celtic jewelry are made by gifted artisans, and almost all exhibit fine craftsmanship and intricate detail.
Back to the True Purpose of Celtic Jewelry.
People who are able to trace their ancestry to one of the "Six Celtic Nations" - Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany - have a proud and honorable heritage, one that can be nurtured by wearing Celtic jewelry. A large part of the popuations of Ireland and Britain, together with their relatives who live elsewhere, are of Celtic ancestry. And almost all Celts celebrate and honor Celtic traditions and the Celtic heritage. Celtic jewelry is a way, a very visible and beautiful way, to honor, celebrate and revel in Celtic culture.
by Diane Hamments
plug itYes, Celtic Jewelry is Beautifully Designed ... but it also has a purpose.
Jewelry has existed since prehistoric times, probably originating as a method to fasten clothes together (such as a Celtic kilt clasp, brooch or buckle) and as a way to store and later display wealth. Although some jewelry still has functional purposes, now it is most often worn in order to enhance a person's appearance.
But in addition to personal adornment, certain types of jewelry are able to convey a particular symbolic meaning about the people who wear them.
For example, wearing a piece of Celtic jewelry is almost always intended to signify that the person wearing it traces his or her ancestry to the Celts.
Celtic jewelry is often worn to indicate that a person is proud of being a Celt. The design of Celtic jewelry is often intricate and almost always steeped in the past.
Wearing these beautiful pieces of jewelry is an effective but easy way for people to signify the importance to them of their Celtic heritage and culture, while at the same time allowing those people to carry on and continue Celtic traditions. The Celtic cross that incorporates both Christian and ancient Celtic pagan design elements is a popular example.
Types of Celtic Jewelry.
Celtic jewelry can be made out of almost anything, including precious metals such as gold, sterling silver and platinum. Precious and semi-precious gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and topaz, can be incorporated into almost any design. Celtic jewelry can also be made from lesser metals such as silver plate, vermeil, brass or pewter, which are sometimes set with synthetic gems such as cubic zirconia.
Since ancient times, Celtic jewelry has been famous for its beauty and its fine craftsmanship. Many different types of Celtic jewelry incorporate "Celtic knots," the beautiful, stylized representations of endless knots that were used by ancient Celts to symbolize their pagan religious beliefs.
A Celtic cross, encrusted with diamonds, is a particularly striking piece. But many other well-known Celtic design elements, such as the Tree of Life, the Trinity Knot, dragons (especially Welsh dragons) and the Claddagh design can be incorporated into Celtic jewelry.
Clasps, pins and brooches, buckles, rings, bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, and, most notably, torcs, are classic, traditional pieces ofCeltic jewelry. Other types of Celtic jewelry include tie tacs and tie pins, lockets, cuff links, earrings and even watches. Many pieces of Celtic jewelry are made by gifted artisans, and almost all exhibit fine craftsmanship and intricate detail.
Back to the True Purpose of Celtic Jewelry.
People who are able to trace their ancestry to one of the "Six Celtic Nations" - Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany - have a proud and honorable heritage, one that can be nurtured by wearing Celtic jewelry. A large part of the popuations of Ireland and Britain, together with their relatives who live elsewhere, are of Celtic ancestry. And almost all Celts celebrate and honor Celtic traditions and the Celtic heritage. Celtic jewelry is a way, a very visible and beautiful way, to honor, celebrate and revel in Celtic culture.
Fleur De Lis Pins & Rings : Booches-Pins jewelry store
Fleur De Lis Pins & Rings
by Rene Fletcher
plug itFleur de lis pins and rings have recently become a popular addition to many women's wardrobe choices. The royal emblem of the fleur de lis is beautifully displayed in fashion jewelry items with a historical background.
Fleur De Lis Pins
Most women think of a brooch or pin as something that is an older fashion item. Recently pins and brooches have made a come-back in the fashion world. Women have become more creative in the way they wear a pin or brooch which has helped in resurrecting this fashion item. When a pin or brooch is worn properly, it can speak volumes about the woman who has the stylish ability to incorporate it into her wardrobe.
For work , a pin can be added to a blazer or sweater with ease. A crystal or gemstone fleur de lis pin can be an eye-catching accent to a basic business suit. Even if it is the only accessory you are wearing, you are telling anyone looking at you that you have a trendy sense of style. A brooch added as an accent for evening wear can be just as much fun as putting together your entire ensemble. Finding the perfect placement of a pin can be anywhere that you wish to accent with a lovely piece of fashion jewelry. Added to a scarf or hat, a fleur de lis pin can be a great conversation piece for those who are bold enough to add a pin as a fashion accessory.
Many of the fleur de lis pins available in online boutiques have different textures and styles, making it easy to find the one that is just right for you. Some pins have crystal accents for those who like a little extra shine to their fashion jewelry. Plain designs in gold and silver tones are easy to find as well. Pave' crystals and rhinestone designs are also iavailable if you prefer a more elegant design. In most ladies fashion jewelry collections, beautiful fashion pins can be found under $20.00, making this an affordable jewelry choice.
Fleur De Lis Rings
While almost everyone woman owns a few fashion rings, one that has historical roots is hard to come by. A fleur de lis ring has deep meaning as well as being a fashion statement. While the history of the fleur de lis goes back many years, it is only recently, that this fashion item has become an icon in ladies fashion rings.
Wearing a ring displaying the royal emblem says that you have a trendy fashion style that many will try to duplicate. From .925 sterling silver, to gold and silver tones, you are sure to find the fleur de lis ring that is just right for you. Plain designs as well as rhinestone accented rings are available so you have a large selection to choose from.
When you are wearing a fashion pin or ring that shows your sense of style you can expect compliments and inquiries as to where you shop for such unique fashion items. Affordable and quality fashion jewelry pieces are rare finds and many women will want you to share your shopping secrets with them.
by Rene Fletcher
plug itFleur de lis pins and rings have recently become a popular addition to many women's wardrobe choices. The royal emblem of the fleur de lis is beautifully displayed in fashion jewelry items with a historical background.
Fleur De Lis Pins
Most women think of a brooch or pin as something that is an older fashion item. Recently pins and brooches have made a come-back in the fashion world. Women have become more creative in the way they wear a pin or brooch which has helped in resurrecting this fashion item. When a pin or brooch is worn properly, it can speak volumes about the woman who has the stylish ability to incorporate it into her wardrobe.
For work , a pin can be added to a blazer or sweater with ease. A crystal or gemstone fleur de lis pin can be an eye-catching accent to a basic business suit. Even if it is the only accessory you are wearing, you are telling anyone looking at you that you have a trendy sense of style. A brooch added as an accent for evening wear can be just as much fun as putting together your entire ensemble. Finding the perfect placement of a pin can be anywhere that you wish to accent with a lovely piece of fashion jewelry. Added to a scarf or hat, a fleur de lis pin can be a great conversation piece for those who are bold enough to add a pin as a fashion accessory.
Many of the fleur de lis pins available in online boutiques have different textures and styles, making it easy to find the one that is just right for you. Some pins have crystal accents for those who like a little extra shine to their fashion jewelry. Plain designs in gold and silver tones are easy to find as well. Pave' crystals and rhinestone designs are also iavailable if you prefer a more elegant design. In most ladies fashion jewelry collections, beautiful fashion pins can be found under $20.00, making this an affordable jewelry choice.
Fleur De Lis Rings
While almost everyone woman owns a few fashion rings, one that has historical roots is hard to come by. A fleur de lis ring has deep meaning as well as being a fashion statement. While the history of the fleur de lis goes back many years, it is only recently, that this fashion item has become an icon in ladies fashion rings.
Wearing a ring displaying the royal emblem says that you have a trendy fashion style that many will try to duplicate. From .925 sterling silver, to gold and silver tones, you are sure to find the fleur de lis ring that is just right for you. Plain designs as well as rhinestone accented rings are available so you have a large selection to choose from.
When you are wearing a fashion pin or ring that shows your sense of style you can expect compliments and inquiries as to where you shop for such unique fashion items. Affordable and quality fashion jewelry pieces are rare finds and many women will want you to share your shopping secrets with them.
2008-04-13
Jewelry Jargon: How to Understand the Basics : jewelry sale online
Jewelry Jargon: How to Understand the Basics : jewelry sale online
by Jared Adams
The first time you enter an upscale jewelry shop can be intimidating at best. As a way of increasing your comfort level, understanding of the products and awareness as a consumer, it's important to learn and internalize the basic terminology used in the jewelry industry. Keep reading for a general glossary that is both basic but sufficiently detailed to help you make intelligent decisions.Cut: This refers to the actual cut of a gemstone, which includes both its basic shape (teardrop, pear, etc.) and the actual style and quality of the work itself. Because cut can have such a dramatic effect on a stone's clarity and color exhibition, it can also affect its price.The most common cutting techniques are tumbling, drilling, lapping, grinding, sawing, sanding and polishing.Tumbling: By placing a gemstone in a rotating tumbler filled with water and chemical or natural stone abrasives, this technique polishes the stone to define its shape. Modern techniques also include contemporary vibrating machines.Drilling: Drilling allows the cutter to drill a hole through or into a stone, and the tools are either actual rotating drills or high-tech ultrasonic.Lapping: The lap is a lapidary's, or stone cutter's, most essential tool. The lap is a flat disk that creates flat surfaces on a stone by either vibrating or rotating very quickly.Grinding: Using diamond and silicon carbide grinding wheels, gemstones are ground into a form and particular shape.Sawing: Using a steel or copper blade enhanced with a diamond grit edge, sawing allows the cutter to make hard cuts. Oil or water is used in this technique to prevent the stone and the blade from overheating.Sanding: Like grinding, but with finer abrasive substances, sanding is often a finer follow-up that allows the gem worker to remove cosmetic scratches and polish the stone's surface.Clarity: The clarity of a stone refers to its translucency and subsequent absence of flaws. Flaws like blemishes, which appear on the surface, and inclusions, which are internal feathers or fissures, can affect the stone's clarity and subsequently its value.When a jeweler refers to a stone's clarity, he or she is referring to the abundance or lack of flaws within the stone.Carat: Carat is a term that simply refers to a stone's weight. Except for pearls and corals, all gems are weighed in carats. It's important to remember that carat is a measurement of weight and not size. A one-carat ruby is going to be differently sized than a one-carat diamond.
by Jared Adams
The first time you enter an upscale jewelry shop can be intimidating at best. As a way of increasing your comfort level, understanding of the products and awareness as a consumer, it's important to learn and internalize the basic terminology used in the jewelry industry. Keep reading for a general glossary that is both basic but sufficiently detailed to help you make intelligent decisions.Cut: This refers to the actual cut of a gemstone, which includes both its basic shape (teardrop, pear, etc.) and the actual style and quality of the work itself. Because cut can have such a dramatic effect on a stone's clarity and color exhibition, it can also affect its price.The most common cutting techniques are tumbling, drilling, lapping, grinding, sawing, sanding and polishing.Tumbling: By placing a gemstone in a rotating tumbler filled with water and chemical or natural stone abrasives, this technique polishes the stone to define its shape. Modern techniques also include contemporary vibrating machines.Drilling: Drilling allows the cutter to drill a hole through or into a stone, and the tools are either actual rotating drills or high-tech ultrasonic.Lapping: The lap is a lapidary's, or stone cutter's, most essential tool. The lap is a flat disk that creates flat surfaces on a stone by either vibrating or rotating very quickly.Grinding: Using diamond and silicon carbide grinding wheels, gemstones are ground into a form and particular shape.Sawing: Using a steel or copper blade enhanced with a diamond grit edge, sawing allows the cutter to make hard cuts. Oil or water is used in this technique to prevent the stone and the blade from overheating.Sanding: Like grinding, but with finer abrasive substances, sanding is often a finer follow-up that allows the gem worker to remove cosmetic scratches and polish the stone's surface.Clarity: The clarity of a stone refers to its translucency and subsequent absence of flaws. Flaws like blemishes, which appear on the surface, and inclusions, which are internal feathers or fissures, can affect the stone's clarity and subsequently its value.When a jeweler refers to a stone's clarity, he or she is referring to the abundance or lack of flaws within the stone.Carat: Carat is a term that simply refers to a stone's weight. Except for pearls and corals, all gems are weighed in carats. It's important to remember that carat is a measurement of weight and not size. A one-carat ruby is going to be differently sized than a one-carat diamond.
2008-03-28
All about White Gold
All about White Gold
by Jason Kendric
plug itWhat is White Gold?
White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals that has silver, nickel, platinum and palladium. Same as yellow gold, white gold can also be 18kt, 14kt, 8kt or any karat. An 18kt white gold is 75% gold mixed with 25% other material called silver and palladium. The color of this gold is white color.
Properties of White Gold
The properties of white gold would normally vary depending upon the actual metals that are used in it and the proportions that is used in it. So, white gold alloys could even be custom made for any particular purposes; for instance, alloys using nickel are usually very hard and very strong, so it could be used for rings and pins. White alloys using palladium are quite softer and more flexible and could be further used for settings to hold a gemstone.
White gold is actually speaking white; its actual color is grey steel like color that is treated with the metal rhodium which makes the finished white gold to appear white in color.
White Gold Jewelry
You could find all types of white gold jewelry today. From pins to brooches to chains, necklace, bracelets and rings, gorgeous white gold jewelry is very east to find. Further white gold wedding bans and engagement rinds are gaining popularity day by day.
Taking Care of White Gold
White gold rings are coated with Rhodium. Rhodium is same as platinum and also shares many its properties including its white color. Just because the natural color of white gold is light grey, rhodium plating makes white gold whiter. Since rhodium ultimately wears away white gold should be re-rhodium plated every 12 to 18 months.
Whatever white gold you choose, however you choose to purchase it, white gold is extremely beautiful. Get what you want and enjoy!
by Jason Kendric
plug itWhat is White Gold?
White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals that has silver, nickel, platinum and palladium. Same as yellow gold, white gold can also be 18kt, 14kt, 8kt or any karat. An 18kt white gold is 75% gold mixed with 25% other material called silver and palladium. The color of this gold is white color.
Properties of White Gold
The properties of white gold would normally vary depending upon the actual metals that are used in it and the proportions that is used in it. So, white gold alloys could even be custom made for any particular purposes; for instance, alloys using nickel are usually very hard and very strong, so it could be used for rings and pins. White alloys using palladium are quite softer and more flexible and could be further used for settings to hold a gemstone.
White gold is actually speaking white; its actual color is grey steel like color that is treated with the metal rhodium which makes the finished white gold to appear white in color.
White Gold Jewelry
You could find all types of white gold jewelry today. From pins to brooches to chains, necklace, bracelets and rings, gorgeous white gold jewelry is very east to find. Further white gold wedding bans and engagement rinds are gaining popularity day by day.
Taking Care of White Gold
White gold rings are coated with Rhodium. Rhodium is same as platinum and also shares many its properties including its white color. Just because the natural color of white gold is light grey, rhodium plating makes white gold whiter. Since rhodium ultimately wears away white gold should be re-rhodium plated every 12 to 18 months.
Whatever white gold you choose, however you choose to purchase it, white gold is extremely beautiful. Get what you want and enjoy!
The Myth and Mystique of a Black Pearl Necklace
The Myth and Mystique of a Black Pearl Necklace
by Amy Drescher
plug itSince recorded history, man has coveted the luminous white gems we call pearls. Revered the world over for their rare beauty, otherworldly sheen and understated elegance, pearls are as popular in modern society as they were with European royals and Egyptian princesses centuries ago. Today, pearl jewelry connoisseurs have a new love: black pearls. Exotic, luxurious and rare, a rich black pearl necklace presents a striking picture--the gems definitely lack the demure, chaste image of their classic white counterparts. For the woman who has everything, a black pearl necklace, whether showcased alone in a pendant or in a perfectly matched strand, makes a wonderful addition to her jewelry collection. Think of how lovely a black pearl necklace will look on any skin tone!
Where do jewelers get the pearls they use in a matched black pearl necklace? "Black" pearls are also known as "Tahitian cultured pearls," but both names are misleading. Not only are Tahitian cultured pearls not exclusively black, they're also not grown in Tahiti. Called "black" because of their exotic dark colors, Tahitian cultured pearls can be gray, blue, green and brown. And they're grown in the lagoons of small islands that are part of a group known as French Polynesia. Tahiti, the largest island, serves as the group's center of commerce, and not as a pearl growing mecca. Interestingly, fine Tahitian cultured pearls have only been on the market since the 1970s. Yet they have become quite popular in that short time.
Growing Tahitian pearls Tahitian pearls are cultivated for around two years in Pinctada margaritifera cumingi, a large saltwater mollusk that is native to French Polynesia. One of the ways this unique oyster differs from other species is that its interior shell color is dark. This so-called "black lipped" oyster also has black mantle edges--the "lips" that give the animal its descriptive name. Due to overfishing, adult wild oyster populations aren't as plentiful as they used to be. In an effort to reverse this trend, the government protects the animals; pearl farmers in French Polynesia who wish to culture the black lipped oyster must raise the oysters from spat (baby oysters). If the farmer is successful in nurturing the spat to adulthood, at around two and a half to three years old, the oysters are implanted with mantle tissue and a mother-of-pearl bead to start the pearl growing process. This delicate operation is performed by specially trained workers called nucleators; even so, according to the Gemological Institute of America, more than 50 percent of the oysters die or reject the nucleus. Literature from GIA says, "Add those oysters to the ones that don't meet the implantation criteria: The farmer's potential pearl-producing stock is less than half the number that lived long enough to be considered for nucleation. When the pearl growth period begins, after three years of work, the farmer has only 20 percent of the oysters he collected as spat." No wonder a fine quality Tahitian cultured pearl is so rare!
Tahitian pearl growth generally takes place in a closed lagoon that is ringed by coral reefs. Such a setup offers protection and a stable environment for the implanted oysters to complete the pearl-growing process. After the oysters have been submerged for 22 to 26 months, they're hauled to the surface, where any pearls they managed to grow are harvested. The farmers then clean and lightly buff the gems prior to offering them for sale. Farmers also sort the pearls by color, shape, etc. and grouped with like pearls.
In the end, only one to two percent of the Tahitian cultured pearl crop consists of fine quality round cultured pearls.
Color Today, the most sought-after Tahitian cultured pearls are dark green-gray to blue gray with rosé or purple overtones. But how do pearls get their color? No one is completely sure, but we do know that pearl colors are determined by several factors, including variations in the host oyster, color variation of the implanted donor mussel tissue, the number and thickness of nacre layers, and variations in growing environment such as temperature and water quality. Tahitian pearls are most often variations of gray, black, green and blue, but other colors exist. Search on the Internet for Tahitian cultured pearl images, and you will see they are not all black!
Buying a black pearl necklace At an average size of 8mm-14mm, Tahitian cultured pearls--especially those specimens that are gem-quality and round--are very expensive. (GIA estimates that one first-quality, unusually large Tahitian cultured pearl will set you back thousands of dollars!) If only one to two percent of the harvest produces a fine quality round Tahitian cultured pearl, imagine how long it takes to make a matched strand! No wonder a black pearl necklace is so costly. Choose carefully, keeping in mind that pearls with a desirable overtone (secondary color) and pearls that are larger than typical will be more expensive. Look for pearls that are well-matched, not pitted or marked in any obvious way (minor surface characteristics are acceptable). Be sure to check return policies up front, too, in case you have a problem. Ask your retail jeweler for his or her store policy or, if buying online, check the site's guarantee prior to making a purchase. Once you receive your pearls, be sure to examine them closely. After wearing, store your pearl necklace away from other gems; while fairly durable, pearls are prone to scratching and their nacre will erode over time, especially if exposed to harsh chemicals like bleach, perfume and chlorine.
Black pearl necklaces in modern fashion Although slow to catch on at first, thanks in part to publicity from stars such as actress Elizabeth Taylor, a renowned jewelry collector who wore a striking black pearl necklace in publicity photos for her Black Pearls perfume launch, Tahitian cultured pearls are wildly popular today. It's not hard to find examples of fine black pearl jewelry in modern society. Look around and you'll see black pearl necklaces on everyone from businesswomen to moms to Hollywood A-list actresses, models and celebrities. Take Kiera Knightly, for example, who wore a stunning black baroque Tahitian cultured pearl choker at the premier of her movie, The Black Pearl. Stars like Christy Turlington, Naomi Watts, Heidi Klum, Michael Michelle, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Shalom Harlow are also pearl fans. Perhaps black pearls' popularity is why designers like David Yurman, Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso (for Tiffany & Co.) are incorporating stunning black pearls, and even black baroque and black keshi pearls, into modern designs like long chain necklaces, brooches, chokers and charm bracelets. Black pearl drop earrings and pendants are also favorites, as they require little matching--or none at all. Whimsical designs on cufflinks and in popular frog, dragonfly and other animal pins incorporate black pearls as well.
Black pearl necklace alternatives When most people think of black pearl jewelry, they naturally think of Tahitian cultured pearls. But prices are high for these rare gems, in part due to their large size, unusual colors, and the high cost of producing them. If you want to wear real Tahitian cultured pearls, one way to do so without breaking the bank is to choose a pendant-style necklace with a single pearl; black pearl stud earrings; a single black pearl ring, or black baroque (non-symmetrical) pearls. These designs are every bit as exotic yet much more affordable than a matched black pearl strand.
For customers for whom Tahitian pearl jewelry is beyond reach, there are some inexpensive yet beautiful alternatives to the classic black pearl necklace. Today, freshwater pearls--round, drop, button and baroque--are color-treated to produce a look that closely resembles the hue of Tahitian cultured pearls. The natural-looking result is beautiful and looks great in such pieces as a baroque black pearl bracelet, black pearl drop earrings or black pearl necklace. Every bit as real as their Tahitian cousins, black freshwater cultured pearls' color is man-made, but keep in mind that nearly all pearls are treated somehow (bleaching is the most common enhancement).
If you're after not only the color but the size of fine Tahitian pearls, consider a black "pearl" necklace made from black mother-of-pearl beads. Their generous size, lustrous sheen and affordable price make them a popular alternative to a fine Tahitian pearl necklace.
by Amy Drescher
plug itSince recorded history, man has coveted the luminous white gems we call pearls. Revered the world over for their rare beauty, otherworldly sheen and understated elegance, pearls are as popular in modern society as they were with European royals and Egyptian princesses centuries ago. Today, pearl jewelry connoisseurs have a new love: black pearls. Exotic, luxurious and rare, a rich black pearl necklace presents a striking picture--the gems definitely lack the demure, chaste image of their classic white counterparts. For the woman who has everything, a black pearl necklace, whether showcased alone in a pendant or in a perfectly matched strand, makes a wonderful addition to her jewelry collection. Think of how lovely a black pearl necklace will look on any skin tone!
Where do jewelers get the pearls they use in a matched black pearl necklace? "Black" pearls are also known as "Tahitian cultured pearls," but both names are misleading. Not only are Tahitian cultured pearls not exclusively black, they're also not grown in Tahiti. Called "black" because of their exotic dark colors, Tahitian cultured pearls can be gray, blue, green and brown. And they're grown in the lagoons of small islands that are part of a group known as French Polynesia. Tahiti, the largest island, serves as the group's center of commerce, and not as a pearl growing mecca. Interestingly, fine Tahitian cultured pearls have only been on the market since the 1970s. Yet they have become quite popular in that short time.
Growing Tahitian pearls Tahitian pearls are cultivated for around two years in Pinctada margaritifera cumingi, a large saltwater mollusk that is native to French Polynesia. One of the ways this unique oyster differs from other species is that its interior shell color is dark. This so-called "black lipped" oyster also has black mantle edges--the "lips" that give the animal its descriptive name. Due to overfishing, adult wild oyster populations aren't as plentiful as they used to be. In an effort to reverse this trend, the government protects the animals; pearl farmers in French Polynesia who wish to culture the black lipped oyster must raise the oysters from spat (baby oysters). If the farmer is successful in nurturing the spat to adulthood, at around two and a half to three years old, the oysters are implanted with mantle tissue and a mother-of-pearl bead to start the pearl growing process. This delicate operation is performed by specially trained workers called nucleators; even so, according to the Gemological Institute of America, more than 50 percent of the oysters die or reject the nucleus. Literature from GIA says, "Add those oysters to the ones that don't meet the implantation criteria: The farmer's potential pearl-producing stock is less than half the number that lived long enough to be considered for nucleation. When the pearl growth period begins, after three years of work, the farmer has only 20 percent of the oysters he collected as spat." No wonder a fine quality Tahitian cultured pearl is so rare!
Tahitian pearl growth generally takes place in a closed lagoon that is ringed by coral reefs. Such a setup offers protection and a stable environment for the implanted oysters to complete the pearl-growing process. After the oysters have been submerged for 22 to 26 months, they're hauled to the surface, where any pearls they managed to grow are harvested. The farmers then clean and lightly buff the gems prior to offering them for sale. Farmers also sort the pearls by color, shape, etc. and grouped with like pearls.
In the end, only one to two percent of the Tahitian cultured pearl crop consists of fine quality round cultured pearls.
Color Today, the most sought-after Tahitian cultured pearls are dark green-gray to blue gray with rosé or purple overtones. But how do pearls get their color? No one is completely sure, but we do know that pearl colors are determined by several factors, including variations in the host oyster, color variation of the implanted donor mussel tissue, the number and thickness of nacre layers, and variations in growing environment such as temperature and water quality. Tahitian pearls are most often variations of gray, black, green and blue, but other colors exist. Search on the Internet for Tahitian cultured pearl images, and you will see they are not all black!
Buying a black pearl necklace At an average size of 8mm-14mm, Tahitian cultured pearls--especially those specimens that are gem-quality and round--are very expensive. (GIA estimates that one first-quality, unusually large Tahitian cultured pearl will set you back thousands of dollars!) If only one to two percent of the harvest produces a fine quality round Tahitian cultured pearl, imagine how long it takes to make a matched strand! No wonder a black pearl necklace is so costly. Choose carefully, keeping in mind that pearls with a desirable overtone (secondary color) and pearls that are larger than typical will be more expensive. Look for pearls that are well-matched, not pitted or marked in any obvious way (minor surface characteristics are acceptable). Be sure to check return policies up front, too, in case you have a problem. Ask your retail jeweler for his or her store policy or, if buying online, check the site's guarantee prior to making a purchase. Once you receive your pearls, be sure to examine them closely. After wearing, store your pearl necklace away from other gems; while fairly durable, pearls are prone to scratching and their nacre will erode over time, especially if exposed to harsh chemicals like bleach, perfume and chlorine.
Black pearl necklaces in modern fashion Although slow to catch on at first, thanks in part to publicity from stars such as actress Elizabeth Taylor, a renowned jewelry collector who wore a striking black pearl necklace in publicity photos for her Black Pearls perfume launch, Tahitian cultured pearls are wildly popular today. It's not hard to find examples of fine black pearl jewelry in modern society. Look around and you'll see black pearl necklaces on everyone from businesswomen to moms to Hollywood A-list actresses, models and celebrities. Take Kiera Knightly, for example, who wore a stunning black baroque Tahitian cultured pearl choker at the premier of her movie, The Black Pearl. Stars like Christy Turlington, Naomi Watts, Heidi Klum, Michael Michelle, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Shalom Harlow are also pearl fans. Perhaps black pearls' popularity is why designers like David Yurman, Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso (for Tiffany & Co.) are incorporating stunning black pearls, and even black baroque and black keshi pearls, into modern designs like long chain necklaces, brooches, chokers and charm bracelets. Black pearl drop earrings and pendants are also favorites, as they require little matching--or none at all. Whimsical designs on cufflinks and in popular frog, dragonfly and other animal pins incorporate black pearls as well.
Black pearl necklace alternatives When most people think of black pearl jewelry, they naturally think of Tahitian cultured pearls. But prices are high for these rare gems, in part due to their large size, unusual colors, and the high cost of producing them. If you want to wear real Tahitian cultured pearls, one way to do so without breaking the bank is to choose a pendant-style necklace with a single pearl; black pearl stud earrings; a single black pearl ring, or black baroque (non-symmetrical) pearls. These designs are every bit as exotic yet much more affordable than a matched black pearl strand.
For customers for whom Tahitian pearl jewelry is beyond reach, there are some inexpensive yet beautiful alternatives to the classic black pearl necklace. Today, freshwater pearls--round, drop, button and baroque--are color-treated to produce a look that closely resembles the hue of Tahitian cultured pearls. The natural-looking result is beautiful and looks great in such pieces as a baroque black pearl bracelet, black pearl drop earrings or black pearl necklace. Every bit as real as their Tahitian cousins, black freshwater cultured pearls' color is man-made, but keep in mind that nearly all pearls are treated somehow (bleaching is the most common enhancement).
If you're after not only the color but the size of fine Tahitian pearls, consider a black "pearl" necklace made from black mother-of-pearl beads. Their generous size, lustrous sheen and affordable price make them a popular alternative to a fine Tahitian pearl necklace.
Jewelry Back in the Beginning
Jewelry Back in the Beginning
by Rev. Eleanor Richard
plug itJewelry in western civilization may have begun as beads of mourning, according to research done by Char, at www.collectiblejewels.com. Queens of England, and sometimes even their court, had to stay in full or half morning for several years. Jet black stones at Whitby flourished throughout early centuries, producing brooches, necklaces, earrings and bracelets in vast numbers. (I have even seen an unusual black stone necklace, worn by Queen Victoria in mourning, when I was recently in England.)
The memory of the dearly departed was often preserved in a locket, perhaps with a lock of their hair inside. A brooch or ring was also designed and used as a memorial to the loss of a friend or family member, truly a keepsake for life.
Fashion in jewelry was and is dictated by whatever the current style demanded. For example, in the late 1830's the head and neck was the focus of attention, so the chignon was built up in fancy shapes and pierced by arrows and daggers. Small lockets and pretty necklets lay on the open necks of the dresses. Even flat, broad shoulders in style at this time allowed plenty of space for long earrings.
Then came the opposite trend: necklines were buttoned up, ears were covered with either hair or bonnets, and earrings completely disappeared in the 1840's. To make up for the lack of jewelry, brooches were popular, and pendants. Rings showed of the hands, which were in fashion as a focus of attention. Large bracelets, with or without dangling pendants, also emphasized hands and wrists.
The1850's were prosperous and optimistic, featuring rich, elegant clothing. Sparkles and diadems adorned the swept up hair styles. Much jewelry came back in fashion, including earrings, though usually small ones. Evening brought forth elaborate necklaces, while daytime saw brooches at the throat.
In our time, we can see the appearance of anklets, as mini skirts came into fashion. Think about your own generation, and look at the jewelry of those times. Friendship bracelets, as fears began to diminish. I don't even want to comment on jewelry piercing! But it is most interesting to see how we highlight with jewelry that which is important to us today. http://www.JewelryGems.org Collectible Pins, Gemstone Jewelry, Science of Mind Jewelry
by Rev. Eleanor Richard
plug itJewelry in western civilization may have begun as beads of mourning, according to research done by Char, at www.collectiblejewels.com. Queens of England, and sometimes even their court, had to stay in full or half morning for several years. Jet black stones at Whitby flourished throughout early centuries, producing brooches, necklaces, earrings and bracelets in vast numbers. (I have even seen an unusual black stone necklace, worn by Queen Victoria in mourning, when I was recently in England.)
The memory of the dearly departed was often preserved in a locket, perhaps with a lock of their hair inside. A brooch or ring was also designed and used as a memorial to the loss of a friend or family member, truly a keepsake for life.
Fashion in jewelry was and is dictated by whatever the current style demanded. For example, in the late 1830's the head and neck was the focus of attention, so the chignon was built up in fancy shapes and pierced by arrows and daggers. Small lockets and pretty necklets lay on the open necks of the dresses. Even flat, broad shoulders in style at this time allowed plenty of space for long earrings.
Then came the opposite trend: necklines were buttoned up, ears were covered with either hair or bonnets, and earrings completely disappeared in the 1840's. To make up for the lack of jewelry, brooches were popular, and pendants. Rings showed of the hands, which were in fashion as a focus of attention. Large bracelets, with or without dangling pendants, also emphasized hands and wrists.
The1850's were prosperous and optimistic, featuring rich, elegant clothing. Sparkles and diadems adorned the swept up hair styles. Much jewelry came back in fashion, including earrings, though usually small ones. Evening brought forth elaborate necklaces, while daytime saw brooches at the throat.
In our time, we can see the appearance of anklets, as mini skirts came into fashion. Think about your own generation, and look at the jewelry of those times. Friendship bracelets, as fears began to diminish. I don't even want to comment on jewelry piercing! But it is most interesting to see how we highlight with jewelry that which is important to us today. http://www.JewelryGems.org Collectible Pins, Gemstone Jewelry, Science of Mind Jewelry
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