Jewelry Box

As you begin to amass a sizable collection of fine jewelry, it’s important to keep accessories separated. Better organization will make it easier for you to find your favorite broach, bracelet or set of earrings, of course, but that’s not the only reason. When they’re mixed together, hard minerals will inevitably create scratches in the surface of softer ones.

Let the Mohs scale of mineral hardness be your guide if you’re struggling to group your jewelry. It’s common knowledge that diamonds are the hardest of all stones, so you’ll want to keep them away from anything bearing pearls. A 14k yellow gold necklace would rate a 3 on the Mohs scale with a diamond rating 10. Keep softer metals together and you won’t have to deal with the misfortune of a scratched, unsightly accessory.

Amethyst is a form of quartz that has attained a violet hue. The ancient Egyptians believed that amethyst gems would keep them from experiencing the ill effects of intoxication. Over the years, amethysts became popular centerpieces for necklaces. For example, Europeans donned amethyst amulets during wartime, believing the stone would spare them from physical harm.

All superstitions aside, amethyst earrings, necklaces and bracelets remain indispensable fashion accessories to this day. At least one aspect of these stunning stones remained a mystery until just a few years ago. Scientists managed to pinpoint the exact cause for amethyst’s vibrant color scheme: iron impurities. In any case, amethyst jewelry remains an impressive vision to behold.

It’s certainly en vogue right now to go bold with your accessories. This can often mean big buckled, high waist belts or intricately carved, beaded, or otherwise ornamented bangles. But there’s something to be said for sporting understated accessories. As is the case with many fashion items, the bigger and bolder the statement, the more prone that item is to being a fad.

But if you decide to sport a plain sterling silver necklace, this could be a beautiful addition to your little black cocktail dress. It would also complement a tan pashmina or other classic accessory. While it is definitely a more understated look, it also isn’t in any danger of going out of style. It is also age appropriate across generations. Something as simple and striking as a single chain necklace will look equally appropriate on a 20-something, a 30-something, or a 60-something.

If you know somebody that was born in February, their birthstone is the amethyst. And these people are particularly lucky because amethyst is a varied and versatile stone. For one, it comes in many different shades of purple. This means that you can wear amethysts whether you prefer the light, almost translucent purple or the deep, rich purple. Amethysts are also easily faceted, so they make an ideal gem for rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Because of this wide diversity with amethyst stones, amethyst jewelry makes a fantastic gift for anyone born in February or anyone who simply enjoys a beautiful and high quality piece of jewelry. An amethyst necklace is sure to be particularly appreciated, because not only will it be a beautiful addition to their accessory wardrobe, but they will also get to appreciate the beauty of the piece of jewelry themselves.

Within the world of jewelry, there are many metals that are highly desired. The most highly sought after are gold, silver, and platinum. If these metals are out of your price range, however, there is an alternative that many people turn to in sterling silver. Sterling silver is an alloy, meaning it usually consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent other metals. Most commonly, this additional metal is copper, but it can be other types of metal.

While sterling silver is typically less expensive than other types of metal, some people actually prefer this alloy. This is because fine silver is often far too soft to be practically used in large products such as cutlery. By alloying the silver with copper, the overall metal is given more strength and durability. If people are concerned with reducing the amount of tarnish on a given metal, copper will sometimes be replaced with zinc or even platinum. One of the most common uses of sterling silver is in jewelry, and this includes everything from sterling silver rings to sterling silver necklaces.

Used in jewelry and as a home décor accent, onyx has a wide variety of uses. A form of quartz, onyx is typically thought of as wholly black, but it actually comes in an entire range of colors. While black is indeed the most common variety, onyx with bands of color is also possible. The name “onyx” actually derives from the Greek word for claw or fingernail. Demonstrating its range of color, it was so named because of its flesh tone color.

Onyx today is most known for its use in jewelry, and as such, it is common to see everything from a black onyx ring to colored onyx pendants. Its use, however, extends back to the Greeks and Romans. There is evidence of onyx being utilized in art forms at Crete, and it was also incorporated into pottery and bowls in Egypt. These instances date back as far as the Second Dynasty. For the biblical adherent, onyx will be recognized as having been referenced in Exodus 25.

One of the most difficult things about giving a necklace as a gift is that you’re never quite sure where the necklace is going to fall on the recipient. Depending on the person’s body size, the necklace may sit too high or too low. If it’s too far one way or the other, it can actually be uncomfortable, and in all likelihood, this means the necklace will go unworn. Jewelry absolutely must be comfortable for it to be worn, so the next time you’re going to give a necklace, consider purchasing a beautiful and charming pendant alone.

This way, the person can pick out a chain that is the absolutely ideal length, thickness, and weight. They can also pick out their desired metal. Some people absolutely adore sterling silver while others have more specific tastes and can only wear 14K white gold necklaces. Whatever the person’s preference, let them make the selection. And, of course, offer to pay the bill. Just hope the recipient of the pendant prefers sterling silver over platinum!

In these hard economic times, it can be difficult for people who are considering marriage. Men want to impress their prospective fiancées with massive diamond rings, but with unemployment through the roof and everybody cutting back, that’s just not as possible as it was a decade or two ago. If this is the situation that you’ve found yourself, don’t be afraid to tell your girlfriend the issue. Propose as planned but fill the box with a garnet ring instead of a diamond.

Explain that diamonds just aren’t feasible right now, but you don’t want to put your plans on hold just because of funds. Hopefully she’ll understand the situation. And the best part about a garnet ring is that the stone is still extremely beautiful. She’ll be getting a lovely piece of jewelry along with her romantic proposal. And if she wants, perhaps the ring can be exchanged for a diamond once the job market and the economy in general show some promising signs of life.

When I was in high school there was one accessory that a teenage girl couldn’t live without – a pair of hoop earrings. These couldn’t be just any earrings; they had to be sterling silver hoop earrings. There was no chance of getting in the popular crowd if you didn’t have these.

I remember the day that I got my first pair of silver hoop earrings. I was at the mall with my mom, who up until that point hadn’t allowed me to wear the beloved accessory, when she told me I could pick out anything I wanted for my birthday. When I came back with the forbidden hoop earrings she just shrugged and paid for them at the register. That year I was the most popular girl in my class. I credit the earrings

There is one piece of jewelry that I have always wanted. It is an intricate vintage blue topaz ring of my great grandmothers. I have wanted to wear this ring ever since the first time I set eyes on it while on my mother’s finger. Too bad great grandma passed the ring down to mom and not me.

Recently someone surprised me, it was my mom. I had a school dance coming up and mom offered to let me wear it! I was shocked and so touched that the started crying then and there. My mom knew how to make me happy, that’s for sure!