Shiny Diamonds at 80th Academy Awards Fashion Preview

uary 2008

The trendy fashion statement revolving around the big names in couture hit the runway lately at the Academy of Motions Pictures Art and Sciences celebrating the 80th Annual Academy Awards Fashion Preview. The Academy Awards for stupendous film feat for 2007 will be presented on 24 February at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center along with live telecast organized by the ABC Television Network across 200 countries worldwide. But this doesn’t mean that there was nothing meaningful there. If you have an exploratory vision, then surely diamond accessories exhibited there would have invited your interest.

Amongst the trendy highlights were stunning rhombus earrings of every length and style, model diamond hoops, diamond suspended earrings, diamond drops, hoops and chandelier earrings. Also, must-glare was Martin Katz diamond bracelet priced at $1 million and diamond ring valued at $4 million.

Christie’s to Foretaste Rare Jewels Up For Auction

Christie’s has exhibited the rare collection of jewels and gemstones to be auctioned on 15-16 April. Roughly 65 lots from these two sales to be held at Christie’s Manhattan salesroom are expected to fetch really big dough. The 15 April rare jewels & gemstones sale will exhibit antique jewelry dating from the 17th-20th centuries. Among the interesting and must-see jewels, there is a historic diamond bow brooch made for Empress Eugénie in the mid-19th century, which is expected to generate r $4-6 million.

Whilst the 16 April auction would count an array of atypical shaded gemstones, diamonds and jewelry from eminent American collections counting pieces possessed by the novelist Danielle Steel and a flawless 39.34 carat diamond.

The highlights of the preview of the “Christie’s Rare Jewels and Gemstones: The Eye of a Connoisseur” include a pair of sugarloaf cobachon emerald ear clips, weigh up about 17.38 and 17.39 carats, within a graduated marquise and pear-shaped diamond foliate surround, mounted in platinum and is expected to fetch $800,000 million on 16 April.

Others include:

A 14.23 carat rectangular-cut pink diamond ring with a pre-estimate of $15 million to be sold on 15 April.

An art nouveau enamel, multi-gem and diamond corsage ornament by George Fouquet to be auctioned on 15 April for $200,000.

A rectangular-cut, D color, absolutely flawless diamond ring of 27.91 carats (top), and its identical copy designed using simulated diamonds, both mounted by Harry Winston, will fetch $3 million on 16 April.

An art nouveau glass and enamel “Speedwell” bracelet by Rene Lalique sits to demand around $700,000 on 15 April.

Handful of jewelry that belonged to Christina Onassis would also be available for auction at Christie’s. Onassis is the daughter of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis who made efforts to find bliss regardless of her family’s prosperity.

Design Your Own Wedding Ring

2008

Since 1992, Sparkle N Dazzle is engaged into an online business of fine jewelry and gifts. But incidentally, I came to know about them months back only, which is again too late but a little early for me. My sister’s marriage is on cards. And one of our family traditions is going with the flow of diamonds. They have a huge collection of elegant diamond rings designed especially for wedding or engagement occasions.

My hubby bought me one ruby ring on our fifth anniversary. It was then I came to know about that shop. Every time I carry that ring, I get flooded with compliments. Today everyone believes in gifting affordable sapphire rings, ruby rings, emerald rings, wedding anniversary rings and eternity rings to make their relationship priceless. The company uses only the finest materials from certified diamonds to finest platinum and gold and picks the best elements to add elegance to it.
SNDGems guarantees and delivers an uncompromised service and veracity to the clients. I have suggested my sister’s would-be husband to do the entire jewelry shopping from here. The diamonds rings start at $2750 and may go as high as you can afford. The one that I like is a multi gemstone flower fashion ring that features five stones i.e. ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, diamond and others. Also, their collection of fashionable watches is worth glaring.

Twosome Awesome: Platinum diamond-Studded Rings

Every girl grows up weaving dreams about getting her better half. And then soon after her engagement she is been promoted from girl to women and then starts her counting number to reach a level high after being promoted as somebody’s wife. Be it engagement or marriage, event precious ceremony is incomplete in absence of elegant rings. Lately, I came across an online shopping brand of platinum diamond and realized this dual luxury is much needed to respect every valuable occasion. Their beautiful collection of engagement rings are welcomed by Americans and Europeans as each ring is crafted with expertise to give it a discreet attractiveness. Each rings breeds high quality, style, elegance besides maintaining its affordable nature.

If diamond is what interests your woman then you can shower your love for her with a perfect dazzling look of a single solitaire diamond engagement ring whose simplicity and grace is unbeatable. Besides rings, the whole collection of diamond jewelry is really a dose to the eyes. The glitter and polish of our high quality diamonds and gemstones engagement rings flawless bathed in gold and platinum with outstanding designs will certainly help you win your lady love.
under this eading Great Resources - Norton from Symantec.

The Value of Vintage Jewelry !

Vintage jewelry is a piece of art , it is in an antique jewelry that it has lived for a long time and it will live for ever in the heart of those who knows its value , vintage jewelry is quite different from those cheap fashion jewelry items that you have seen on every jewelry stores , wearing and enjoying a beautiful piece of antique and vintage jewelry with a history behind can be a wonderful, exhilarating experience. for many people, it is a lovingly addicting hobby. it is not easy to collect the master piece of vintage jewelry If you have ever come across of vintage jewelry and you would like to buy it then these are the facts that you have to know !

the first important thing that you may think of is the history behind of such a piece
cause there is no doubt the value of vintage jewelry is in direct relation to its history .

A) Age
B) Maker
C) Present Market Demand !

the condition of the vintage is the other determining factor in value.

Nowadays ! there are many people turns to purchase vintage jewelry , who are not jewelry expert nor artist but people who looks to vintage as a real source of investment that is what the market demand is still keep growing for the master pieces .Vintage jewelry of this kind of quality has always been considered valuable and collectible, but people seem to have realized all over again how beautiful they are to wear.

Searching for vintage jewelry on the web can be a fascinating experience. The entire world of vintage jewelry collecting is literally right next to your door ! every style and price range and color is available , up close pictures, and detailed descriptions of all you choose to see. If you haven’t shopped for vintage jewelry, you’re missing the joy of finding beautiful creative pieces that have a real history behind them.

How to Make Your Own Jewelry Wholesale

Making jewelry is not only fun, it is actually very easy. It just takes a lot of creativity, and a little skill. In fact, you could easily start your own jewelry wholesale company by making jewelry yourself.

There are countless books available with instructions and ideas for jewelry making. There are also numerous websites where you can learn how to make your own jewelry and get ideas. In the beginning, you will probably want to follow a few instructions or patterns until you get the feel for it – but eventually, you should let your creativity shine through and design your own jewelry.

You can easily purchase all of the supplies that you need for making your own jewelry wholesale through wholesale sources online. Buying in bulk will get you the best prices. You can buy cheap gems, and high quality gems as well. Everything that you could possibly need can be located through a wholesale resource on the Internet !

After you’ve made several unique pieces, you should show them to friends, family members, and colleagues. You will be surprised at how many of these people want you to make pieces for them as well! Just be sure to charge, and soon enough, you will have your very own thriving jewelry wholesale business – simply because you learned how to make your own jewelry wholesale.

Fine Jewelry Selections

When people want the best jewelry choices they will typically go to the fine jewelry counters at better department stores. In these jewelry departments, there will be a wide selection of bracelets, rings, and necklaces to choose from and these items will usually be crafted in 14K or 18K gold. There may be jewelry selections under display glass that offer exquisite jewelry made with white gold or platinum.

The gemstones that are most often used in fine pieces are rubies, garnets, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds. Each of these stones is mined deep in the Earth and chiseled and polished to perfection before they are inserted into an ornamental frame. Some jewelry is worn for special occasions only because the gemstones are rare and antique.

Fine jewelry is rarely found at discount stores, but can be purchased at a discounted price through major retail chains and through retail jewelry outlets that are located on the internet. Most fine jewelry pieces will last a lifetime if they are cared for properly. These fine pieces that contain opal gems will require special handling because these stones are quite delicate but extremely beautiful.

The workmanship in fine jewelry pieces is very distinctive and some people consider them works of art. Some fine selections are bought as mementos of affection and will remain close to the heart for many years to come. The fiery brilliance of diamonds causes some hearts to skip a beat and the fire that is emitted from a ruby is simply breathtaking. These fine pieces will definitely spoil a person and make them feel very special.

Fine jewelry makes excellent gifts during the holidays and most people know when they are receiving a ring. The shape of a ring box is very distinctive and adds to the allure of a person knowing a special gift is inside. The ring box shape is part of the magic in receiving such a gift of distinction at Christmas time and people love receiving fine selections this way.

Great care goes into creating designer fine jewelry selections. Most pieces are very ornamental and require an expert jeweler to put in many hours to tool and polish and assemble a designer bracelet into a wearable piece of fashion wear. Matching accessories such as earrings and necklaces will require even more time. The end result is a finished work of art that would be suitable for wear by royalty.

Bridal Jewelry Report !

NEW YORK — Despite tough economic times, sluggish holiday season sales and soaring prices of metals and gemstones, industry leaders project an increase in jewelry sales for 2008. With inflation rates expected to jump as high as 7-8 percent, the International Diamond Exchange forecast for jewelry sales in the U.S. predicts a 3 percent increase in the upcoming year–from $64.0 billion (estimated) in 2007 to $65.9 billion in 2008.

In a recent article by Ken Gassman “State of the Jewelry Industry–2008 Jewelry Demand,” for Idexonline.com, Gassman highlights the bridal industry’s substantial influence on the forecast. Millennials, or the children of Baby Boomers, are influencing both the jewelry and bridal industries in significant ways. In fact, in less than ten years, the number of weddings is projected to increase by approximately 30 percent among Millennials.

“Not only are Millennials more likely to get married–rather than just live together like children of the 1960s–they are also more likely to spend heavily on bridal jewelry because they have more wealth than their predecessors.”

This trend is especially significant for Platinum since the type and quality of metal is one of consumers’ primary considerations when purchasing bridal jewelry.

A Conde Nast Bridal Group study shows that spending on bridal jewelry has increased over 60 percent in recent years. The report also found that 81 percent of consumers desire Platinum for their engagement and wedding jewelry.

A similar survey recently in Allure magazine underscored that Platinum has the highest commitment of any of the metals for both engagement rings and wedding bands.

As retailers are forced to increase the price of their jewelry to reflect the rise, Platinum is at a noteworthy advantage. Educated consumers expect and are willing to pay more for Platinum because of its distinction and superior quality.

But Platinum’s popularity is not merely based on fashion and reputation. There are several reasons Platinum is the metal of choice for the majority of consumers:

* Platinum is 30 times more rare than gold;

* Platinum jewelry sold in the U.S. is traditionally 90-95% pure Platinum compared to 18K gold, which is only 75% pure; and 14K which is only 58.5% pure;

* Platinum is more durable and will not oxidize or fade; so prongs, patterns and engravings do not wear down like other metals;

* Platinum’s density and molecular structure make it the most secure setting for a precious gems

* Platinum jewelry has a luxurious weighty feel, weighing over a third more than the same piece in gold.

* Platinum jewelry requires a higher level of craftsmanship than other precious metals, meaning that only the finest jewelers offer it;

The bridal industry is often called “recession-proof” because not even a weak economy can stop people from getting married. Many retailers are taking advantage of this notion and engaging their consumers in heavier marketing tactics such as selling wedding bands at the same time as the engagement rings.

Looking beyond the bridal jewelry industry, Gassman explains, that in order for retailers to remain unaffected by a recession, one constant is that consumers want jewelry that is, above all, ingenious.

This demand for unique and high quality designs has inspired designers such as Scott Kay, Phyllis Bergman and Ritani to not only widen their assortment, but also offer Platinum products in lighter weight, lower price-pointed pieces. This strategy has opened the Platinum door and made high quality Platinum available to broader range of price-conscious consumers.

About Platinum Guild International USA

Platinum Guild International, the marketing arm for the worldwide Platinum jewelry industry, is dedicated to promoting Platinum and its pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world’s major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of Platinum jewelry. For further information please visit www.preciousplatinum.com.

Pearl Bridal Jewelry

Wedding is the most wonderful experience for every human being. This is the day when two souls become one. It is the dream of every bride to look the most beautiful woman on the earth on her day. Jewelry plays a vital role to add more charm and beauty to the aura of the bride. According to many jewelry designers, pearl bridal jewelry is the best to make the bride look gorgeous.

Pearls hold a timeless and classic elegance and catch everyone’s eyes towards them. Here is a list of different ways you can use pearl bridal jewelry on your wedding day:

Pearl Necklaces

Basically, pearl necklaces are divided into six different lengths: choker, collar, princess, opera, rope and matinee. Usually, a pearl choker is 14 to 16 inches long and stays at the collar-bone. The classic length of this pearl choker makes it the perfect jewelry for brides. This goes very well with the bridal gowns or any other wedding dress. You can wear your pearl choker necklace with your semi formal dresses also to mark your presence in the crowd.

Another pearl bridal necklace is the pearl collar. It is usually 10 to 14 inches long and made up of at least three strands of pearls. This pearl collar necklace goes very well with bridal gowns with plunging neckline, strapless or a V-neck. This adds immense beauty to the bride’s make over.

If you are looking for a necklace with the length of 17 to 19 inches, you can go for the pearl princess necklaces. These types of pearl necklaces are famous for their versatility, as they look very amazing with every type of bridal gown. You can also make combination of different pearl necklaces. For this, you can combine, matinee pearl necklace with your small and light weighted pearl necklaces. Usually, the length of these pearl matinee necklaces is 20 to 25 inches long and they look terrific with high necklines.

There are several other options available for brides in pearl necklaces. The opera pearl necklaces are 27 to 36 inches long. These types of necklaces are to be wore with high necklines or wrapped into double strands. The opera pearl bridal jewelry is very famous among all the leading fashion designers as it gives very sophisticated look. Besides these, pearl rope is the option if you want to wear even heavier pearl wedding jewelry. Normally, pearl rope necklaces are 40 to 72 inches long. These can be worn by with every type of bridal dress.

Pearl Earrings

Wedding and bridal jewelry is incomplete without earrings. You can add pearl stud earrings to match with your pearl necklaces so as to look lovelier. These add amazing look to the beauty of the bride. These are simple looking earrings but match very well with the wedding gowns.

The price range of pearl bridal jewelry totally depends on its weight and quality. However, if you compare pearl jewelry with any other metal jewelry, the rates of pearl are much cheaper than any other metal like gold, silver or platinum. Moreover, they are a priced possession; something you will never regret of owning!

Bridal Fashion Jewelry

The bride is the center of attraction on her wedding day and it is important for her to look her best on that special occasion. Therefore bridal jewelry, chosen tastefully and worn properly, will surely add complement to her wedding dress and make her look as beautiful as any bride should be.

Jewelry refers to ornaments worn by persons, typically made with gems and precious metals. Jewelries worn symbolize the events, the culture, quality and the temperament of the wearer. For instance jewelry, particularly made with precious materials, is generally considered valuable and desirable and the rest are less expensive and are called costume jewelry. It can also be symbolic, as in the case of Christians wearing a crucifix in the form of jewelry, or, as is the case in many Western cultures, married people wearing a wedding ring. Whatever be the reason or events bridal jewelry needs extra attention.
Bridal jewelry can include old piece of jewelry that had once been owned by his mother, grandmother, or past brides in his family or can be from the collection of new or both can be used judiciously. Antique jewelry that has been passed down to brides in the family from generation to generation would reinforce a sense of family, tradition and continuity in a wedding ceremony. And if the bride prefer to go for the latest jewelry then there are thousands of bridal jewelry stores, both the Internet e-commerce sites and bricks-and-mortar stores, offering a dazzling array of accessories to make the bride shine on her wedding day.

And what can add additional sparkle on the wedding ceremony more than a diamond? Diamonds are ranked by four characteristics: cut, carat (weight), clarity, and color that determine the worth of a diamond. Watch out for the better-proportioned facets that are responsible for the sparkle. Carat is another important characteristic feature of a diamond. A carat means 100 points and 5 carats make a gram. And the last is the clarity. The color of the diamond ranges from D-X for white and yellow diamonds but one can also find green, pink, red, blue and brown diamonds that are usually treated to bring the variety. Not to be duped while making a purchase for the diamond jewelry and get the true value for your money does not overlook the fine print. Diamonds are sometimes filled with glass to camouflage the inclusion and make them appear clearer which can be damaged by heat, ultrasonic cleaning, and by re-tipping. Store your diamond jewelry with precious care because they are brittle and get damaged if handled roughly.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry is often created with non-precious metals, usually gold or silver plated, and with or without beads and stones. Costume jewelry has been extremely popular around the world for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians are known to have worn decorative beaded necklaces and Cleopatra is probably one of the original wearers of what we now call costume jewelry. In more recent times the people of the Germanic and Slovak regions became highly skilled at developing intricate patterns in glass beads. However, beadwork used in costume jewelry is not only limited to glass.

A large variety of materials are traditionally used to make beads such as jet, wood, amber, gemstones, pottery, ceramic, metals, horn, coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and pearls. Some modern materials such as plastics, nylon and even polycarbonate variants are also used to make beads. Costume jewelry can be antique, period, or contemporary and there are many collectors of every style of costume jewelry. Venetian glass pieces of costume jewelry are particularly collectable as well as being extremely popular for people to wear.

Cleaning costume jewelry is extremely simple but needs to be done on a regular basis to prevent tarnishing. Simply use a mild detergent mixed in water to keep your costume jewelry in good condition. It is important not to soak the jewelry and to make sure that you dry it thoroughly before storing it. You can buy anti-tarnish paper for wrapping your costume jewelry in before you put it away for long periods of time but regular cleaning is the best defense against tarnishing. The tarnishing of costume jewelry is typically caused by the metal reacting with the atmosphere and oxidizing.

Unfortunately, there are a large number of people who are unable to wear costume jewelry next to their skin. This is because of their sensitivity to the metals used. It is important to make sure that anyone that you are buying the jewelry for is not allergic to nickel or copper, especially with pierced earrings. Costume jewelry may look beautiful and, especially in the case of contemporary pieces, be reasonably priced but it is not suitable for everyone to wear. For many people a piece of costume jewelry may be the first jewelry that they have worn and it is important to look out for signs of a reaction, especially after extended periods of wear. Often people will not show a reaction if they wear the jewelry for a short amount of time and this can be an ideal way to avoid any possible discomfort. You can also buy a special coating that you apply to the back of the costume jewelry to protect the skin from having direct contact with the metal.

eBay Vintage Diamond Rings

Did you know that you can get eBay vintage diamond rings for great prices? Vintage diamond rings are one of the newest trends today– people love the character that an older piece of jewelry have. But unfortunately, these treasured pieces can be hard to find.

Some people dedicate a lot of time and energy into driving to many antique stores, but they only have a few options at each store. If you want to save money and find a true vintage ring, eBay is the easiest and most affordable place to look.

So, many of the collectors are buying and selling eBay vintage diamond rings. eBay has been proven to be a great place to buy and sell antique and vintage products, because the items are available to people all over the world. The customer base is much larger than trying to sell a vintage diamond ring in a small antique store downtown.

You don’t want to spend your money only to find out that the seller sent you a fake– so request the paperwork with the ring. The seller can send you a certificate of authentication from a jewelry store or an appraiser, that certificate will give you the piece of mind that you are purchasing a high-quality item. If you are planning on buying an eBay vintage diamond ring, make sure that you are purchasing a real product.

The best feature about purchasing eBay vintage diamond rings is that you have so many options available. There are many vendors that offer a limitless amount of styles– you can find rings from every time period imaginable. Also, the are rings within many different budgets and price ranges, so you can still buy one even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend.

Why Should You Buy Fake Jewelry?

Cubic Zirconia is often used to imitate diamonds because of its visual similarity to diamonds. Its hardness and brilliance can pass it off for diamond itself. Cubic zirconia has its own beauty. Unfortunately, since it has often been used to mimic diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, cubic zirconia jewelry is often though of as imitation jewelry, or fakes.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and her guy’s bank account’s worst enemy. A decent-sized diamond can easily cost thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars. All that money just to have a sparkly gem on her finger or ears or around her throat. Okay, when it comes to a wedding proposal, anything less than a diamond might very well disappoint her. But if she declines the proposal, then what?

A smart way is to use get her one of those cubic zirconia engagement rings. They look like a real diamond ring but cost a tiny fraction of the price. If she accepts the proposal, then go get her a real diamond. Or if she’d rather you spend the money on your life together and on a fabulous honeymoon, you could get cubic zirconia wedding rings to save money.

Weddings aside, fake jewelry really is a girl’s best friend if she has to pay for them herself.

Fancy the gorgeous rubie and diamond necklace your favourite celeb wore in a movie? How about J.Lo’s wedding ring? Or the fancy jewels seen at the oscars.

How would those jewels look on you?

Can’t afford them?

Probably not the ones the stars are wearing which are probably set with real diamonds, emeralds, sapphire and rubies, and come with bodyguards to ward off potential snatch thieves.

That doesn’t mean you’ll have to do without jewelry that looks like the ones the celebs wear though. You can always wear cubic zirconia jewelry which resembles the ones from the best jewelers or the movie set.

Come to think of it, those who can afford to wear necklaces with huge diamonds and who own such treasures may be wearing imitation jewelry in public. Precious stones, especially those large enough to turn heads attract thieves. Those who have the means would probably lock the real gems in safe, and have a duplicate of their jewelry made using cubic zirconia or other imitation rocks. These fakes are worn in public to protect the real jewels.

A Guide To Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry is often created with non-precious metals, usually gold or silver plated, and with or without beads and stones. Costume jewelry has been extremely popular around the world for thousands of years.

The Ancient Egyptians are known to have worn decorative beaded necklaces and Cleopatra is probably one of the original wearers of what we now call costume jewelry. In more recent times the people of the Germanic and Slovak regions became highly skilled at developing intricate patterns in glass beads. However, bead work used in costume jewelry is not only limited to glass.
A large variety of materials are traditionally used to make beads such as jet, wood, amber, gemstones, pottery, ceramic, metals, horn, coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and pearls. Some modern materials such as plastics, nylon and even polycarbonate variants are also used to make beads. Costume jewelry can be antique, period, or contemporary and there are many collectors of every style of costume jewelry. Venetian glass pieces of costume jewelry are particularly collectable as well as being extremely popular for people to wear.

Cleaning costume jewelry is extremely simple but needs to be done on a regular basis to prevent tarnishing. Simply use a mild detergent mixed in water to keep your costume jewelry in good condition. It is important not to soak the jewelry and to make sure that you dry it thoroughly before storing it. You can buy anti-tarnish paper for wrapping your costume jewelry in before you put it away for long periods of time but regular cleaning is the best defense against tarnishing. The tarnishing of costume jewelry is typically caused by the metal reacting with the atmosphere and oxidizing.
Unfortunately, there are a large number of people who are unable to wear costume jewelry next to their skin. This is because of their sensitivity to the metals used. It is important to make sure that anyone that you are buying the jewelry for is not allergic to nickel or copper, especially with pierced earrings. Costume jewelry may look beautiful and, especially in the case of contemporary pieces, be reasonably priced but it is not suitable for everyone to wear. For many people a piece of costume jewelry may be the first jewelry that they have worn and it is important to look out for signs of a reaction, especially after extended periods of wear. Often people will not show a reaction if they wear the jewelry for a short amount of time and this can be an ideal way to avoid any possible discomfort. You can also buy a special coating that you apply to the back of the costume jewelry to protect the skin from having direct contact with the metal.

Wholesale Jewelry

Wholesale jewelry establishes a unique relationship between artist and consumer. with so many online jewelry supply stores nowadays, it’s quite easy to get some decent deals on supplies online. however ! there are so many issues to be consider before make such any buyer makes sucha commitment !buying wholesale jewelry is just a matter of finding real legitimate wholesale suppliers. Using the internet and other sources you have access to a lot of wholesale Jewelry companies that you can purchase Jewelry from at very competetive prices.

There is a difference between online jewelry stores and online wholesale companies. Online jewelry stores sell jewelry at retail prices, even though the price may be slightly discounted. But in many instances the term “Wholesale” might be misused by discounted retailers. when buying wholesale jewelry online you have to be aware of some factors that will help you indentify legitimate suppliers. Wholesale companies sell jewelry at true wholesale prices. This means two things. First, as a wholesale company probably they would be intersted in selling in either bulk quantities or with minimum orders. Second, real wholesale suppliers ask for a tax id or reseller’s permit number. This is to verify that you are a legit business. Using those two tips you can identify whether a company is a true wholesaler or just a discounted retailer!

In the past, you had to be an established jewelry maker or even a full fledged shop to get any sort of discount on supplies like beads, crystals, stones, and jewelry tools. Or, you had to send away for jewelry catalogs through the mail.It makes it possible for everyone to afford good quality jewelry since it is reasonably priced. Once a design is created and approved, the mold is reused to produce several copies. Wholesale jewelry has a large audience since it can be sold in a variety of ways including online.
This mass-produced jewelry is also quite beneficial for the artist, since their designs reach a larger audience. The artist must first come up with a creative design. Wholesale jewelry is capable of producing some beautiful pieces, using many varieties of materials. Often, people forget that the initial design of a mass produced item does have to have a talented, cleaver artist at the beginning creating the piece. In fact, the very first edition done by the artist of the piece is highly valued and priced. Subsequent orders for the same design will use the same mould and therefore be sold at a lower price.
The craftsmanship of a piece may vary, from good to bad, which is influenced by the market price point. Wholesale 925 silver jewelry, for example, is produced by a mechanized process but it is possible to provide good hand finishing in the final production phase and improve the quality of the jewelry. Since this adds to the price tag, it is therefore avoided in most cases. Wholesale jewelry made with gemstones like aquamarine, tourmaline, ruby and sapphire get to be quite expensive and have a limited market.

In this day and age it is also quite common to try and duplicate pieces that have been made famous by celebrities. Celebrity culture produces people who collect replicas of things such as Jennifer Lopez’s canary yellow diamond ring from her engagement to Ben Affleck. Such a ring would be impossible to afford for the majority of the population. Yet wholesale jewellery makes it possible to live out that fantasy. While the ring is reproduced in less expensive, economical materials, the sentimentality of the piece remains.

The internet and other sources give access to a lot of wholesale jewelry companies that can purchase jewelry at very competitive prices. Though, one should be aware that there is a difference between online jewelry stores and online wholesale companies. Online jewelry stores sell jewelry mostly at retail prices, even though the price may be slightly discounted, so caution should be taken.

When dealing with an online wholesale company, you want to be sure that you are buying the real thing, even if they advertise that their jewelry is ‘authentic’. Beware of words like ‘gold plated’ or ‘realistic’. This is an indication that the jewelry isn’t gold, or that stones are fake. Also, be aware that some wholesalers will only sell in bulk. In these cases, one must choose how much they are willing to purchase. Often the companies have a minimum value. There are other options in purchasing wholesale jewelry. Attending trade shows is one. Also, joining a discount club, or locating some companies in your area through the internet.

How to clean gems?

Cleaning Gems

To keep your gemstone jewelry looking its best, it is necessary to clean it regularly. There are many methods with which to clean gemstones, and each gem will react differently to particular cleaning methods. Some methods should be avoided entirely for specific gemstones, therefore it is important to clean each type of gem using the proper techniques.

First, let us look at the various methods of cleaning available and then we shall detail the best methods for cleaning each particular gemstone, and which methods to avoid.

Methods For Cleaning Gemstones

By far the simplest method of cleaning is to dampen a soft cloth with warm water and wipe the gem clean. This is certainly the least intense and safest technique to use, and it can be particularly useful in cleaning pieces that are fragile and that don’t take well to other cleaning methods.

Soaking the gemstone in soapy water for several minutes, then gently cleaning with a cloth or soft-bristle brush is another method that is generally safe to use for all gemstones and can be necessary to use when other techniques are not suitable. When cleaning with a brush take care not to dislodge loose stones or otherwise damage the piece. When finished, rinse the piece thoroughly then carefully dry.

Dipping or soaking the jewelry in ammonia solution and then cleaning with a cloth or brush is a more effective method of cleaning dirtier gems and is suitable for use on many types of gemstones. However some will react badly with the ammonia if used, and so using only soapy water is sometimes necessary. When finished, be sure to rinse and then dry the piece properly.

Sonic and ultrasonic cleaning utilises small devices to clean the jewelry using tiny vibrations. Sonic cleaners are more commonly found in households and are the cheaper of the two devices, whereas ultrasonic cleaners are much more powerful and more expensive and are generally used by professional and commercial jewelers. Particular care should be taken when using an ultrasonic cleaner, as these can have a damaging effect on some gems. See the list below for more information, and when in doubt avoid using this method.

Jewelry steam cleaners can also be purchased which rely on heated tap water to clean the jewelry. Another method requiring no special equipment is boiling. This is done by placing the jewelry in a strainer and submerging it in a pan of water, ensuring that the jewelry does not touch the bottom of the pan. Bring the water up to boiling point slowly and let it boil for approximately 10-15 minutes. Take particular care to avoid sudden changes in temperature as these can fracture and damage the jewelry- never immerse jewelry in already boiling water and once you have cleaned the jewelry, allow it to soak in the water until it returns to almost room temperature. Never cool the piece off with cold water.

As these last two methods use extreme heat to clean the gemstones, they are unsuitable for many gems and care should be taken.

The list below provides guidance, tips and precautions for cleaning different types of gemstones.

Alexandrite

Do not use heat cleaning methods and undertake sonic cleaning with care. Ammonia and soapy water both work well when cleaning Alexandrite.

Amethyst

Avoid boiling, steam cleaning or ultrasonic methods. Instead, soak in soapy water or ammonia, or use a small sonic cleaner.

Aquamarine

Do not use heat or ultrasonic methods. Cleaning with soapy water or ammonia solution are the most suitable for Aquamarine.

Citrine

Avoid heating and ultrasonic cleaning. It is recommended to use either ammonia solution or soapy water.

Diamond

It is generally ok to use steaming, boiling and ultrasonic methods with Diamond jewelry, as well as the less intense methods. However fracture-filled Diamonds should not be cleaned using these methods, and should instead be cleaned using ammonia or soapy water. If in doubt, use the less intense techniques.

Emerald

Never use heating or ultrasonic methods as these can remove stone treatments. Avoid ammonia or other solutions. It is highly recommended that you use only soapy water or a damp cloth.

Garnet

Heating methods are best avoided. Ultrasonic and sonic cleaning is ok, but this should be done with care. Soapy water and ammonia work well.

Onyx (Chalcedony)

When cleaning Onyx, use only soapy water or a damp cloth. Other methods may damage the jewelry.

Opal

The only safe cleaning technique for Opal is soapy water or a damp cloth, as Opal gemstones are particularly prone to fractures.

Pearl

Unlike the other gems in this list, Pearl is not a mineral, it is an organic substance produced by living creatures, therefore it is particularly soft and delicate. Only use soapy water or a damp cloth to clean Pearls as any other method may result in damage.

Peridot

As with Opal and Pearl, the only safe cleaning method for Peridot is soapy water or a damp cloth.

Quartz

Do not use heated cleaning methods, and undertake ultrasonic cleaning with care. Ammonia and soapy water methods work fine.

Ruby

Rubies can be cleaned using heat and ultrasonic methods and any of the less intense methods.

Sapphire

It is safe to clean Sapphire with any of the methods listed including boiling, steaming and ultrasonic cleaning.

Tanzanite

When cleaning Tanzanite, use only soapy water or a damp cloth.

Topaz

Topaz is particularly sensitive to fractures caused by heat or vibration, so it is highly recommended to only use soapy water or a damp cloth when cleaning.

Tourmaline

Avoid heat and ultrasonic methods. Soapy water or ammonia is most appropriate for Tourmaline gemstones.

Tsavorite

Tsavorite can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner, but do not use heat cleaning methods as this can result in cracking. It is safest to simply use soapy water or a damp cloth.

Turqoise

Use only soapy water or a damp cloth when cleaning turqoise.

Gemstone Meanings

Gemstones are not just rare and beautiful products of nature. For a long time people have believed that different gemstones have special significance for our lives and can influence our health and well-being. Over the centuries, many cultures have contributed to the legends and lore surrounding gemstones. These rare products of nature have inspired philosophers and mystics to attribute unusual powers to these special minerals.

The best compendium of gemstone lore is undoubtedly that found in George Frederick Kunz’s book The Curious Lore of Precious Stones published in 1913. But Kunz was no mystic crystal-gazer. Rather he was the leading gemologist of his time and, in his role as the resident gem expert at Tiffany & Co. in New York, helped create the modern market for colored stones. He was also instrumental in putting together some of the greatest collections of rare gemstones, including the famous J.P. Morgan-Tiffany collection, now in the American Museum of Natural History.
Kunz believed that we can learn a great deal by studying the ways in which gemstones were used by different cultures and the beliefs that people at different times formed about rare gems. But for Kunz this study wasn’t just sociological curiosity, it was a way of learning about gemstones themselves. As he wrote, “Many of these ideas may seem strange enough to us now, and yet when we analyze them we find that they have their roots either in some intrinsic quality of the stones or else in an instinctive appreciation of their symbolical significance.”

Gemstones

Some of the most beautiful jewelry is made using semi-precious gem stones. A gem stone is a mineral, a rock or a petrified material that is cut or faceted and polished before it can be used in jewelry.Some gem stones are fairly rare, such as amazonite, which is a bright green variety of feldspar. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively from Russia, but recently it was found in Colorado and Madagascar. Its limited occurrence makes it prized as a gem stone.

Citrin, also called citrin quartz, is an amber colored gem stone.

Aventurine is commonly a green gem stone, but can be orange, brown, yellow or grey. The rarest is red and highly prized as a gem stone.

Cordierite is a magnesium, iron and aluminum cyclosilicate, the transparent variety of which is iolite, which is used as a gem stone. The name, iolite, is derived from the Greek word for violet.

Lapis lazuli is a stone which has been classified as a gem stone. This deep blue gem stone dates back to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

Jade is an interesting gem stone. The name is applied to two different silicate materials. It is a very tough material and was first used for axe heads, knives and weapons. It was only when other materials were found that could be used for these purposes that jade become a prized gem stone. Nephrite is either green or creamy in color, while jadeite comes in a variety of colors. In New Zealand, where nephrite jade is known as greenstone and not gem stone, the Maoris consider it a treasure. In traditional Maori designs, this gem stone is still widely used to make jewelry. Jade is the official gem stone of British Columbia. Many minerals are sold as jade. These can certainly be used as gem stones, but are not the real thing.

Turquoise is another gem and ornamental stone. The name is a very old word , probably derived from the French meaning Turkish stone, although turquoise was not found in Turkey, but was traded there. Iran and the Sinai Peninsula were sources of very fine turquoise. In the United States, the deposits were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans. Nowadays there is some imitation turquoise, which is so good, that only an expert could tell the difference between the real stone and the fake!

It’s possible that rings and bracelets and necklaces made with these semi-precious gemstones may not be as valuable as say, gold or diamonds, but they can be exquisite and highly prized. Of course, if the diamond is flawed, it may be impressive to the friends and acquaintances of a newly engaged damsel, but is not of great value.

Pearl Jewelry

The history of pearls being used as jewelry is far older than most people think. In China, the first pearl used as an offering for the emperor can be traced back to 2000 years ago. In those days pearls were considered the most valuable treasure, and royalty was keen on owning them. Royalty not only wore pearls as accessories, but also used a large amount of them to decorate their crowns, furniture and even their tomb. According to historical record, 20,000 pearls were found in Queen Dowager Cixi’s tomb and one pearl on her crown was “as big as an egg”! The pearls in these older times were all natural. The royalty’s extravagance and natural pearls’ rarity resulted in pearl-hunting workers’ having a difficult life. In old days, the only way to seek for pearls was to dive into the water. Many workers were injured or died while in the hunt for pearls. The difficulty in finding pearls made them more special than any other kinds of jewelry.

In Europe, during the middle ages, pearls became a fashion item among royalty and nobles. They believed that pearls symbolized purity, peace and beauty for women, and could protect male soldiers in wars. For emperors, pearls were the symbol of power and majesty. In some countries common people were even banned to wear pearls.

Because of humanity’s excessive pearl-hunting, pearls eventually became very rare. In the 19th century the discovery of diamonds in Brazil helped cause pearls to slowly loose popularity. In modern times with the introduction and development of pearl cultivation, cultured pearl production became a new and fast growing industry. Including sea pearls and freshwater pearls, cultured pearls are so much easier to obtain than natural pearls. As a result pearls have gradually been gaining back their popularity again. The difference from the olden times is that pearls are not only for royalty any more, but affordable and accessible for all classes of people. Color, shape, size and the design of pearls are much more various and diverse than ever.

Factors to consider when selecting pearl jewelry

Firstly, you need to decide which type of pearls you want. Freshwater pearls are more varied in color and shape than saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are not as shinny as saltwater pearls in luster, although some high quality items are already becoming an alternative to seawater pearls.

Secondly, you need to know the quality factors. No matter whether you prefer freshwater pearls or saltwater pearls, the factors to consider are always luster, shape, size, surface perfection and nacre thickness. The pearls higher in luster, rounder in shape, bigger in size, smoother in surface or thicker in nacre, are always the ones considered higher in quality. When you are checking a piece of jewelry, you can put it under the lights or compare it with another one. In fact extremely high quality pearls are very rare and very expensive, so there is no need to always search for the best quality. Rather it is best to purchase the ones you like and best suit you.

Thirdly, the style you choose should be suitable for your age, look, personality, job, and occasions where you are going to wear it. Young ladies may choose more colorful jewelry, while elder ladies may look at the comparatively more simple items, but that can vary according to the person and the occasion.

Caring for your pearl jewelry

It is better if you clean your jewelry after each time after you wear it. Avoid using high alkaline cleaners or cleaning it in an ultrasonic cleaner. Just wipe them off with a soft cloth or wash them in a mild soap such as Ivory or Lux liquid. When you don’t wear them, keep them in jewelry pouches or soft cloth bags, and away from heaters or sunlight. To avoid broken strings, pearl jewelry should be restrung regularly, ideally once a year, but it may depend on how often it is worn.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls !

Freshwater pearls are produced in mollusks unlike the saltwater pearls which are produced in oysters. Obviously they are grown in ponds, lakes and rivers rather than in the ocean. Most of today’s freshwater cultured pearls are produced in China. Improvements in culturing techniques have led to the production of, the round, high-luster gems. Chinese pearls have seen a vast improvement in quality as compared to the inexpensive, squishy rice-krispie-shaped gems typical of the freshwater crop of the past. Indeed many experts maintain that today’s freshwater cultured pearls rival the beauty of saltwater cultured pearls. This is an extraordinary leap from the freshwater pearl’s humble reputation of the recent past.

Freshwater cultured pearls are produced in mussels belonging to the family Unionidae. Most of them are grown in China, but the United Sates also produces its fair share of freshwater pearls. In fact, the mother-of-pearl beads used to induce the pearl growing process worldwide are made from ground American mussel shells. Many freshwater pearls are nucleated, or implanted, with mantle tissue only, which is taken from a donor mussel. These nucleated freshwater pearls are 100% nacre because they do not contain a starter “bead,” tissue. This gives them a beautiful luster and a durable surface that does not flake or peel to reveal the inner bead. In contrast to this, pearls that are bead-nucleated and prematurely harvested often have only a thin coating of nacre that is prone to flaking and chipping. Pearls unfortunately, cannot be polished back to attain their original state once they’re destroyed.

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 are also to be found, albeit 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 (which have no symmetry) and semi-baroque pearls typically make up the remainder of the crop. As with Tahitians and other pearl types, once they reach the hands of a skilled designer, these unique pearls can be turned into extremely beautiful jewelry which every woman would be proud to posses.

When it comes to color, the freshwater cultured pearl offers a wonderful variety. Pastel shades like cream, white, yellow, orange, and pink are quite common; as well, universally flattering lavender pearls are enjoying a surge in popularity today. When deciding which color freshwater pearls to buy, keep in mind that the wearer’s skin tone should be the most important consideration. Choose a color that will flatter and not detract. Overall, freshwater pearls are more plentiful than other pearl types, thus they are usually more affordable. Your budget may allow you to choose a few different colors. One can own several pieces of pearl jewelry of different shapes, sizes, colors and designs.