Simply Elegance » beautiful jewelry

Freshwater pearl in Today’s Fashion

adm — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:12:01 +0000

Freshwater pearl-producing mussels can accept up to 50 implants at a time. They typically require 2-6 years to grow, and the finished pearl typically ranges in size from 4mm to 11mm. Larger freshwater pearls do exist, although their bigger size will likely be reflected in a bigger price tag. Approximately 60% of a typical freshwater pearl crop is made up of button pearls (flat on one side) or oval pearls. Only about 2% of the harvest is round, according to the latest information from the Gemological Institute of America. Baroque (no symmetry) and semi-baroque pearls typically make up the remainder of the crop. As with Tahitians and other pearl types, in a skilled designer’s hands, these unique pearls can be turned into extremely beautiful jewelry.

Other than their affordable price tag, perhaps the most notable characteristic of freshwater pearls is their striking array of beautiful, natural pastel colors. When it comes to color, the freshwater cultured pearl offers a wonderful variety not found in its saltwater counterparts. Pastels like cream, white, yellow, orange, and pink are common. Universally flattering lavender pearls are enjoying a surge in popularity today. Romantic pink pearl jewelry is a popular Valentine’s Day gift.

Freshwater cultured pearl jewelry should be cleaned as you would other pearl jewelry: Gently wipe each gem with a damp cloth that has been dipped in a mild soap and water solution. Allow pearls to air dry fully before wearing them again to ensure that the nylon or silk thread has returned to its natural length (strands can stretch when wet). To keep freshwater pearl jewelry in mint condition, always put them on last when getting dressed. Hairspray, perfumes makeup and other chemicals can dull pearls?luster over time. Pearl jewelry should be worn often, however, as the skin’s natural oils supply much-needed moisture. Store pearl jewelry in their own box; pearls can be scratched by other gems.

Due to their abundance and wide array of gorgeous pastel colors, freshwater pearls are finding favor with today’s top jewelry designers. Famous names like David Yurman and Paolma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. are incorporating freshwater pearls into their jewelry creations, sometimes combining the freshwater gems with saltwater pearls and other gemstones for a striking look, or mixing colors and shapes for artistic effect. You can see freshwater pearl jewelry everywhere today, from the red carpet to the boardroom and beyond. Luckily, unlike their Tahitian and South Sea counterparts, freshwater pearl jewelry prices are within the reach of most consumers.

Latest Bridal Jewellery Trend

adm — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:13:50 +0000

Latest Bridal Jewellery Trend

The occasion of marriage is a special one for any person. In India, it is considered a highly sacred bond. An Indian woman regards the day of her marriage as the most important day in her life. To make this special day perfect, preparations go on for months on end in Indian households. Jewelry plays a very important role in Indian weddings. An Indian bride is usually decked up from head to toe in beautiful jewelry that complements her attire and her personality.

Typically, an Indian bride uses the following ornaments:

Maangtika or tiara: The tiara, called the Maangtika in Hindi, is used to adorn the centre forehead parting of the bride. Maangtikas are now available in different styles and colors. Usually, for bridal wear, a Maangtika with a decorative centre piece is preferred, with a long string. In the modern times, tiaras in the form of crowns are also being used.

Hair accessories: The trend of using hair accessories is getting highly popular in today’s times. It is fast becoming a fashion statement. The hair accessories should co-ordinate with the attire of the bride. If the bride’s dress is studded with diamonds, hair accessories encrusted with diamonds can be used. Pearl headgear and silver hairpins are also in vogue in the fashion world. In certain communities in India, elaborate headgear made of flowers is used as part of bridal wear.

Earrings: Earrings are available in every imaginable style and color. They range from small, delicate ones to dangling, heavy ones. Earrings are available in different metals and using different gemstones or pearls. Nowadays, the trend is to wear earrings covering the whole ear. Brides typically wear earrings that are attached to a chain, which is hooked in the hair.

Nose ring: The nose ring traditionally worn by Indian brides is in the form of a ring, which is attached to a chain that is hooked in the hair. It is called ‘Nath’ in Hindi. In certain castes, the nose ring is worn without the chain. With the changing fashions, the nose ring is also undergoing a change. It is now available in different styles and is fast becoming a fashion statement.

Necklace: The necklace is the most versatile piece of bridal jewelry in today’s times. It is available in a variety of styles and colors. The type of necklace is chosen depending upon the neckline of the bride’s dress as well as the color and pattern. According to fashion experts, a long necklace would look good with a deep neck, while a choker would suit a smaller neckline.

Armbands: An armband is called ‘Bajubandh’ in Hindi. It is also a widely used piece of bridal jewelry, which is worn on the upper part of the arms.

Bangles: The bangles are one of the most important part of a bride’s attire. A variety of bangles made of different metals and studded with different gemstones and pearls is available in the market today. Nowadays, bracelets are becoming popular as bridal wear.

Finger rings: Finger rings are also one of the most important pieces of bridal jewelry. There are a number of styles available in the market in case of rings. Like other jewels, rings are also available in different metals, colors and gemstones. Generally, finger rings are worn on the ring fingers. However, finger rings can be worn on several fingers, as per the preference of the bride.

Ring bracelet: A ring bracelet is a bracelet that is attached to finger rings by way of chains. It is a custom in certain castes in India to wear ring bracelets.

Birthday Gift Ideas for Her

adm — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:02:37 +0000

A thoughtful gift can make a birthday very special. A woman especially attaches great value to gifts if the man spends time and effort to buy something special for her. Whether it is a daughter, girlfriend, wife, or mother, there are wonderful gifts available for every woman.
It could be an exclusive collection of cosmetics, an exotic perfume, home decoration products such as an antique table lamp, a painting, or something personalized such as a wallet, a classic piece of jewelry, or designer wear. There are exclusive gift cards also available that allow the woman to purchase the things of her own choice from her favorite store. For the working woman, the latest mobile phone, a laptop computer, or designer watch may also make ideal gifts.

The following is a list of some wonderful gift ideas for her birthday:
An Exquisite Jewelry Product
Jewelry is an evergreen gift item for birthdays. Every woman loves beautiful jewelry. The best part is that this gift is long-lasting and provides endless value. Each time the woman wears it, she is going to remember the person who gave it to her.

Religion Based Gift
For devout Christian woman, it could be an amazing idea to gift her something on her birthday that she will value all her life. It could be a pendant, ring or a bracelet with a holy symbol or a cross, studded with precious stones. It could even be a religious book or a souvenir that the woman is going to treasure.
A Latest Personal Electronic Gadget
If the woman has a penchant for technological gizmos, it could be a great idea to gift her any latest electronic product of her choice. It could be a palm-sized Blu-ray player, an electronic diary or a multi-purpose mobile phone, or a high quality headphone or portable music player if she enjoys music.

An Electronic Massager
Another unique gift idea for a special woman could be an electronic body massager. If the woman has shown a need or desire for such a product, the best opportunity could be to buy the product for her on her birthday. Whether it is a head, foot, or leg massager, or a complete body unit, there are many options available in the market that suits everyone’s budget and requirements.

Automated Exercise Equipment
If the woman is looking to improve her fitness, a thoughtful gift idea for her birthday could be to buy her a nice and useful piece of exercise equipment. It could let her exercise within the comfort of her home, and she is going to appreciate it greatly every time she uses it.
There is a wide variety of birthday gifts for a woman available in the market. All the gift buyer needs is some thoughtfulness and imagination to make the occasion extra special for her with a unique birthday gift.

Amber Jewelry, beautiful jewelry with this unique stone

adm — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:00:31 +0000

Amber Jewelry, beautiful jewelry with this unique stone

Amber was once given to loved ones to bring healing, luck and longevity to the wearer, roman gladiators adorned their weapons and shields with amber and believed that it would protect them in battle, and legend says that amber was golden tears of the gods which fell into the sea and solidified. Today jewelry designers use amber to make exquisite and unique pieces from this interesting stone.
Amber occurs in a variety of different colors, not only the usual yellow-orange-brown that you associate with the colour amber itself, it can range from a whitish color, pale yellow or gold to a dark brown and almost black. The more uncommon colors include blue amber, green amber and red amber (known as cherry amber) they are rare and highly sort after. When amber is used in jewelry it is usually transparent yellow, reddish-brown or a amber colour.
Although amber is considered to be a gem, it is not a crystalline mineral, amber is a wholly organic material derived from the fossilized resin of extinct species of pine trees. The sticky resin that oozed out of the pine trees often caught small insects such as spiders, ants, bees and small moths, other plant material and other small objects became entrapped in the path of the flowing resin, and they became fossilized over a long period of time, between 10 and 100 million years ago. The trees and their resins became covered with sediment and over millions of years the resin hardens into amber as we know it as today.
For thousands of years amber has been made into all types of jewelry, but today it has become valued primarily for the astounding array of fossils trapped inside. (DNA) can bee xtracted from the trapped fossilized organisms and compared with that of its modern day counterparts. ” Remember Jurassic park the move”.
Although deposits of amber occur throughout the world, the Dominican republic, Mexico, Alaska, Canada, Burma and Borneo. The most valuable amber comes from the Baltic region.
Amber has had a amazing history, in 1712 the use of amber culminated with the completion of a entire banquet room made of amber panels for King Frederick 1 of Prussia, who passed it on to his son on his death bed in 1716. then this was presented to the Czar Peter the great to commemorate Prussia’s alliance with Russia. The wall panels were then sent to St Petersburg where they were packed up and not seen for 24 years. It wasn’t till Catherine the great that the amber panels appeared again in what was known as the amber room, It was then the largest work of jeweled art ever made. It was finally set up in the palace at Tsarskoye Selo in 1770.

It covered 55 square meters and contained over six tone of amber as well many other precious gem stones incorporated within the work of art, diamonds, ruby’s, emeralds, onyx, jade to name a few, as well as pure gold leaf, it was then known as the eighth wonder of the world. The amber room was removed by the occupying German army in world war two. The Nazis stripped the wall panels, packed them into crates and shipped them back to Germany, And like other works of art and treasure looted by Hitler in world war two, they disappeared and were never seen again.
Amber value is based primarily on it’s processing into jewelry therefore amber is graded according to its size and beauty, as well as the presence and type of inclusions. It measures 2 to 3 on moh’s scale of hardness, which means it is quite a soft stone. Amber should not be placed in a ultra sonic jewelry cleaner as it may damage the stone and it should be stored in a pouch on its own to avoid chipping on other harder pieces of jewelry.