Head 2 Toe

Old is Gold. We now say this phrase with a difference. We say,
Gold is old. Yes gold is old. The precious yellow metal is facing stiff competition from diamonds, gems ,pearls and even its alter ago in the form of white gold.

You turn up at a social do in glittering gold and you are considered yuppie! So passe!

You turn up at a social do in white gold and you are so trendy !! So with it!!

Whether or not Diamonds have passed the test of friendship is something no one can swear by, but yes, they are loudly proclaimed to be a woman’s best friend. We continue to dig into mother earth and recover from her an endless bounty of rubies and gems, topaz and sapphires. Add to this the mystique of good and bad fortunes associated with precious stones and one veers more and more towards gems and baubles to complete an ensemble. All precious and semi precious stones are believed to impart positive energies to the wearer according to planetary influences. So you have necklaces and chains, bangles and bracelets , and rings and pendants studded with myriad coloured stones . Add to that a penchant for clubbing the right clothing with the right jewellery and you are ready to step into the party zone.

Matching jewellery is the order of the day. Jewellery is no more something which lies in the darkness of a closet and which can be boringly termed as an “ asset”, only to be aired at social functions and gloated over in private. On the contrary, its something that enhances ones presence. Makes one feel special.

Whatever be one’s station in life,the possession and feel of a trendy piece of jewellery never fails to transport one to a comfort zone and never fails to trigger a surge of happiness.
Celebrations are also strongly associated with sporting a lot of adornment by way of jewellery.

Fashions come and go, trends change but jewellery continues to be a harbinger of good tidings . So, all that glitters may not be gold ,but surely, it makes one feel precious.

Uma V Nagpal

Name Jewellery - Why Do We Wear it?

Name Jewellery is far from a modern fashion. Carrie in Sex in the City did not invent name necklaces but she sure revitalized the interest in them and she made them a red hot fashion item for teenagers through the grandmothers.

People put their name on jewellery throughout the centuries for various reasons. Identification was one of the main reasons but it was a lot more than letting some stranger know what your name was.

It was often a warning that this person or piece of jewellery was significant. Kings and queens have had their names scripted on bracelets, bangles and neck jewellery. They were often buried wearing this jewellery.

Queen Victoria gave the Hawaiian queen Liliuokalani a gold bracelet with her name enameled on it and from then on every goldsmith in Hawaii had to be taught the art of making these pieces.

The ancient Egyptians made the cartouche and it was a really an ancient name pendant worn by royalty.

Today in Scandinavia lots of jewellery is found buried without the owner, but it does often have the original owner’s name sometimes on pieces of the jewellery.

Just like today people are doing something a lot more significant than letting other people know who they are. When you wear your name on a necklace you are making a statement about yourself. You are letting the world know that you are proud to be who you are. That’s a great thing!

Pure bodily adornment is another reason that people want to wear name jewellery. These items are often intricate and beautiful so the wearer is making a statement about themselves in two ways: you are proud of being you and beautiful at the same time.

Remembrance is another great reason. I once had the honour of being asked to make two necklaces from the dog tags of the first US soldier killed in one of our recent wars. I was asked to put gold around them and precious stones in them. Most honoured as I was it was too great a responsibility to send these items back and forward from Australia where I am from and the USA.

I make lots of name pendants with the names of children for mothers to wear. That’s a lovely statement of your total love for your children I believe.
Love and name jewellery go hand in hand. Whether it is a healthy love of self or love of another it is a wonderful way to confirm this.

Everyday I am asked from people all over the world to make them an item of name jewellery. Check out my website for what I do.

Gary Hocking makes custom jewellery of all kinds. He has his own website http://www.jewelleryexpress.com.au Feel free to use this article as long as you keep the bio and the live link to his website.

Why A Women Needs So Many Different Types Of Jewellery

The definition of the word “Jewelery” is literally any piece of fine material that someone uses to adorn themselves. It can be made out of almost every substance known to man and has been made to decorate nearly every body part, from hairpins, belly button and toe rings to regal tiaras, diamond rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings. While many of the high-quality pieces are made with gemstones like diamonds and sapphires and precious metals like platinum, the cheaper but very attractive items of costume jewellery are made from less valuable materials and tend to be mass-produced.

With a description that offers such enormous scope, it is no wonder that “a woman can never have enough jewellery”. For example, different pieces are needed to mirror moods: someone feeling flamboyant would probably wear some large pieces like chandelier earrings, a multi coloured gem set pendant and bracelet and colourful three stone ring set with mixed gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires or emeralds. While a quieter mood could be reflected by wearing something like diamond stud earrings and a diamond trilogy ring.

Or it might be that a significant event has occurred in her life: it is pretty obvious why she needs a diamond solitaire engagement and wedding ring, but maybe she has just had a baby – in which case a trinity or eternity ring is the thing to wear. Or she has just had a birthday and is wearing a piece of jewellery which has her birthstone set in it. If her birthday is in May and she is a Gemini for example then emeralds will commemorate this.

Then there are the pieces of jewellery that are given to bring her love and luck; like a diamond handbag pendant, wishbone, horseshoe, heart, lock or four leaf clover. And even if she does not have religious tendencies, diamond crosses are very popular nowadays.

The type of jewellery that a women will wear for work is normally vastly different than what she will put on for a night out. Depending of what she does for a living she will need to consider if the jewellery she is wearing is durable and is easy to clean (claw set diamond solitaire rings can catch if the setting is very high; and diamond pave set jewellery needs more cleaning than a diamond bangle for example). If she has regular contact with important clients and is often in company boardrooms she will probably want to wear something very powerful but understated – a diamond solitaire ring and matching earrings spring immediately to mind here. But if she has a less formal job then there is nothing to stop her donning a pair of chandelier earrings and chunky bracelet.

For the evening “bling” is the thing at the moment and sparkling gemstone jewellery and a cocktail watch are de rigueur. There are some stunning pieces of cocktail jewellery on the market with many top designers lending their names to various ranges.

Hopefully you are now starting to get the picture why a woman needs so many different pieces of jewellery …or it may be just a relaxed evening in with the girls or someone special, when diamond or huggy or hoop earrings, a tennis bracelet and wishbone pendant are comfortable pieces to wear.

For more energetic sports such as shopping (which can be a marathon!), playing tennis or swimming, then comfortable and secure jewellery like diamond stud earrings and a tennis bracelet (with its safety catch) are necessary. These are also the sort of items that she will wear on the beach – but maybe she will add something with a bit more sparkle to catch the sunlight – like diamond and pear or gem set earrings with sapphires and diamonds.

Clever women do not follow fads when collecting expensive items of jewellery, but wear pieces fashioned in materials follows like gold, diamonds and sapphires which have timeless designs and are a sound investment. A huge range less expensive but trendy cocktail jewellery is what she needs to keep up with current fashions.

Unusual settings will create designs with a difference, and sparkling gemstones in unusual combinations with semi-precious stones like rubies will give her jewellery a futuristic look. A lot of smaller diamond pieces can be worn on any occasion with any outfit.

The list goes on and on … by now I am sure you will see that a woman always needs another piece of jewellery … and you cannot go wrong by giving it as a present.

Gary Ingram in the Managaing Director of The Diamond Store.co.uk. One of the UK's largest Jewellery websites. Selling a large range of jewellery from Diamond Rings to cufflinks

Beading And Jewellery Making - A Passion For Fashion!

Your jewellery makes a statement about you. We all know how important first impressions are, and what you wear contributes to that impression. There are so many styles of jewellery available to the consumer, with prices ranging from a few pounds to thousands of pounds. So why make it yourself?

Making your own jewellery accomplishes several aims for the consumer. One of the key attractions has to be that your jewellery is exclusive; no-one else can have it. (Unless you want them to.) No-one else will be wearing the same thing and no-one will know it only cost you £2.30! There are few things as satisfying as having someone comment on the piece you made and asking where you got it from.

The art of jewellery making is itself a satisfying hobby. You can ensure you are always up to date with the latest fashions, will always have something to match your outfit, and can spend as little or as much time as you want creating your pieces. For many of us in the trade, it was an enjoyable hobby which led gradually into a profitable business, giving you a whole new freedom from the grind of 9-5. Such a big thing from such a small bead!

Beading and jewellery making as a hobby can cost you as little or as much as you want. Materials range from inexpensive silver and gold plated findings (the metal bits used to make jewellery), through to precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. Beads are available in glass and plastic, gemstones and semi-precious stones, silver, gold, plated metals, pearls and shell, wood and even bone and horn. Tools needn’t be expensive if you shop around, and for the beginner standard pliers will be fine.

So prepare for a new addiction. Jewellery making is both satisfying and creative. You will surprise yourself with the range of ideas you have as you start, and with countless fashion sites across the web, as well as huge ranges in the high street, inspiration is never far away. To help in your quest for perfection, this season’s colours are black, white and red, with hints of green and gold. Beads are definitely in, and long necklaces, big earrings and chunky bracelets are all the rage. Go wild, and find yourself the envy of everyone you know.

At Magpie Jewellery, we retail a huge range of beads and jewellery at excellent prices with Free UK Shipping. With loyalty points for registered customers, we believe we have some of the best deals on the web, with the best customer service. Visit us today at http://www.magpiejewellery.co.uk and start a long relationship with your new hobby.

Jewellery Is Now A Luxury We Can All Afford

Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body beautification. Archaeologists recently discovered 100,000 year-old Nassarius shells that were shaped into beads which are thought to be the oldest known jewellery. Jewellery is shaped out of virtually every material known and has been made to decorate virtually every body part. For example: bracelets, crowns, tiaras, pendants, rings, cuff links, earrings, necklaces, bangles, lockets, lockets, hairpins to toe rings. Jewellery is being discovered from throughout the world that has been used for showing one’s wealth and trading since man invented the bead.

Jewellery

For many, body jewellery is used to enhance personal beauty and as a mechanism to rise above the rest of the social pack. Only the wealthy could previously afford to purchase jewellery items and jewels. However, now days you can purchase cheaper fashionable pieces, that are mass produced using the newest technologies to ensure a reasonable price. Jewellery is an excellent way to state your heritage. People will often have several pieces of jewellery in their collections, some of which have been handed down from generation to generation and will hold great sentimental value. Chic clothing will be complimented by a piece of fine jewellery. You can also give the jewellery items as gifts to both women and men, because they are so neutral and go with a large type and style of clothing.

Gold Jewellery

Gold overlay, gold filled and rolled gold plate are terms used to describe jewellery that has a cover of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. Gold continues to be the metal of choice of a lot of jewellery designers as gold can be worked into nearly any shape, from tiny strands that do not break easily to very thin sheets. Gold can be manipulated nearly any way the artisan desires. Gold can be everlasting; it will not rust or corrode and can originate from any place, providing it with an original uniqueness.

Silver Jewellery

Silver is the most commonly found of all the precious metals. Silver has its history in ancient times, but it has not lasted as well as gold. Silver is the whitest of the precious metals and the most lustrous. Silver's major drawbacks are that it is softer and less durable than other precious metals, and that it tarnishes. Silver tarnishes easily, but the tarnish is easily removed by using proprietary silver cleaning solutions that are readily obtainable from the supermarket for a small price. Regardless of these drawbacks, silver jewellery sales have still continued to increase even as the price of silver world-wide has increased drastically.

Jewellery is something used for beautification, sometimes they are universally symbolic symbols like wedding bands, engagement rings and crosses. Jewellery items are fragile and should be treated with care. If jewellery items are broken or damaged, they can usually be fixed by your local jeweller. The cost of repairs will differ depending on the item and what damage was caused. If you misplaced a high quality diamond from a ring, bracelet, necklace or other dress piece, the cost of replacement could be extremely high. Jewellery items are often sold on the high street well in excess of 300 % of the cost price. Buying jewellery online is the best way to purchase designer items at a reduced price.

Nigel is a successful webmaster and publisher of an Online Discount Shopping website. This site showcases, among other topics, the UK's leading Designer Jewellery and Fashion Jewellery suppliers.

This Season's Jewellery Trends Have Something To Say

Accessories are a key look this season, as well as a great way to update any wardrobe. And a number of both fresh - and timeless - jewellery trends are emerging on the market to help you do just that. A few of the hottest trends this season include right hand rings, cocktail rings, charm bracelets, vintage style jewellery, circle jewellery and layered jewellery.

However, aside from retaining an unfailing fashion-ability, jewellery is about stating who you are - just look to the defining jewellery trends of iconic and alluring stars like Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner. That said, even today, there's no better place to uncover the latest jewellery trends than on your favourite celebrities. Jennifer Lopez and Drew Barrymore, for instance, love the layered jewellery look, while the likes of Jennifer Anniston, Cameron Diaz, Kiera Knightly and Paris Hilton have all been seen sporting circular jewellery - or more specifically, the 'circle necklace'. Moreover, jewellery trends tend to outlive fashion trends - so your jewellery will dazzle season after season.

The right-hand ring jewellery trend, for example - a trend by which women buy diamond rings for their right hand - represents women's independence and empowerment. The trend has been big in the US for some time, but is making its way over to the UK this season. Another variation of this is the cocktail ring. Every fashion-conscious woman is wearing one: they're big, bold and colourful, and are generally worn on the right hand. And while cocktail rings can be crafted out of diamonds, they're most often big gem stones or prominent statement pieces.

Bracelets form another large category in this season's top jewellery trends. Wooden bracelets, for example, are making a big comeback; however, other bracelet trends seem to hold an incessant gaze in the jewellery market. One trend that's always in style, the charm bracelet is a simple yet fun way to accessorize. You can buy them already assembled, or you can purchase a linked chain, collect your charms, and make your own, distinctive charm bracelet.

Certain styles of jewellery - such as vintage - are also expected to maintain their appeal this year. Classic vintage jewellery always holds some part of the jewellery market limelight; it captures the spirit of the 1950s, featuring modern interpretations of vintage classics which will, in time, become classics themselves. Stylish and timeless, heirloom vintage pieces will never go out of fashion.

Circular jewellery is another prominent component of this season's defining trends. The circle, perhaps the simplest of all shapes, is an endless symbol of love and life; circular jewellery is therefore a perfect way to celebrate a big step or a turning point in your life. Another major trend in the US, the circular design is particularly popular in the form of the 'circle necklace' - a necklace with a circle pendant, often decorated with diamonds.

And finally, layered jewellery is stong this season! Layering is about wearing many of the same type of pieces at the same time - a particularly strong trend with yellow gold jewellery. And if this approach to jewellery seems a little heavy-handed to you, rest assured that layering needn't look heavy or overdone - just as long as the right pieces are layered together. So don't buy one necklace, bangle or bracelet this season - buy five!

You'll find a number of jewellery specialists who prioritise and recommend the latest and most classic jewellery trends - so you can take your pick and accessorize - whether it's to update your wardrobe or simply complement your distinctive style.

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist who lists travelling and rugby among his interests.

Seed Beads - Tell Everyone Who You Are

Beads are the most sought after objects used in jewellery of different kinds, especially seed beads. Therefore bead jewellery are very much popular and preferred by people of different countries. Beads and beaded jewellery are not just restricted to the preferences of a woman, they are also quite popular among men from the time they are being made and used. Beads are a great way to tell people about your personality.

With the universal nature and appeal of beads, their usage is not limited to making jewellery and various kinds of ornaments. This is particularly true for seed beads. People, both men and women, are using them on their clothes and accessories like shoes, bags, belts, purses, hand bags, sling bags etc. With the help of colourful beads or with beads of the same colour or contrasting colour, you can actually spice up the whole show of any object.

Basically, beads have a very fun and playful appeal. So the person using them, whether as jewellery or in accessories, comes across as a very fun and easy going person. Someone who is in tune with times, is cool and happy going and has a casual attitude towards every situation. However, the choice of colours and the design or pattern of jewellery also tells tales about the choices and tastes a person possesses.

Seed beads are tiny, but they are highly fashionable and know how to make their own fashion statement. When combined with other beads of different shapes and colours, or other colour seed beads, they help you gain a certain look and feel. While colourful combination of seed beads represents fun and pleasing personality, different shapes define the fearless spirit. When contrasted with the accessories of other material, they tell that you are open to new ideas, even if they are not concurrent to what you have.

Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also the seed beads being used for manufacturing the jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.