Celtic Jewelry – The Mystical Knots & Claddagh Ring

When it comes to Celtic jewelry, the Claddagh ring is the most popular, especially as tokens of love and friendship. It is said to have originated in the small Irish fishing village of Claddagh, where tradition states that the words “Let love and friendship reign” are spoken when the ring is given out. If the heart is worn facing the body, it symbolizes that the wearer is in love, when worn with the heart away from the body, the wearer is available for new friendships or love.

Celtic jewelry is now a permanent part of the worlwide jewelry industry, with stone carving, precious metals all having been worked into the now familiar swirling and curved patterns. Most of the jewelry takes the form of rather mysterious knots, neverending, this is how the name ‘Mystic Knots’ came to be. These knots have multiple meanings and interpretations, some of which are based on the designs, while some from legend and spiritual inspirations.

The Celtic knot symbols, have survived for centuries. The spiritual nature of these beautiful knots are its biggest draw, they are without beginning or end, and call to the primal part of us, forcing us to ponder the cycle of life, death and rebirth. This timeless symbol has and will continue to endure, in arts, crafts, customs.

Hip Hop Jewelry

Beginning in the 1990′s Hip Hop has had a major influence on jewelry trends. This began with the trend of wearing platinum or silver instead of yellow gold. Over sized pieces of jewelry and brightly colored costume jewelry pieces also began to gain style momentum. These pieces were often embellished with diamonds. Grills also became a popular accessory for Hip Hop artists, making this an exciting and rebellious look for fans to try as well. Hip Hop has continued to influence pop culture and has lead to several current trends in jewelry and accessories.

One newest trend in Hip Hop jewelry is to have custom belt buckles. This can be done as a name plate or by using the artists initial. These are often adorned with diamonds to add the ‘bling’ factor to the piece. Imitation belt buckles in this style are turning up on people everywhere, using rhinestones in place of the diamonds. LED lights on a belt spelling out the artists name are also showing up everywhere. This has become another often copied accessory with fans.

Another jewelry trend that has its roots in Hip Hop is for women to wear a right hand ring. This has become a symbol of independence for women all over the world to show that they do not need a man to buy them a nice ring, they can buy their own. This is considered a very liberating statement for women who want to pursue success and stand on their own two feet.

Pros and Cons of Online Jewelry Shopping

Buying jewelry online as opposed to in a physical store has many advantages. The most obvious benefit is that the selection is much wider due to the unrestricted geographic market, and the fact that they can access inventories at other jewelers. It also comes with the ease of 24 hour access without a pushy salesperson trying to make commission. Different styles and prices from various locations can be compared with a simple click of a button. Traditional jewelry stores cannot provide such a vast selection, and often are more expensive. Online jewelry stores do not have to mark up there prices to cover maintenance, rent, or utilities for the store.

Despite these benefits, buying jewelry online is not without disadvantages. The buyer does not have the option of trying on the jewelry before purchasing, or examining the quality. The shipping process costs extra money as well as time, and returns are more difficult. The picture the website shows may not be the actual piece the buyer will receive. Also, the transaction is done entirely electronically; questions may have to be emailed without an immediate response, or a call to customer service may be answered by a less-than-knowledgeable operator. With any purchase made over the internet, there is a chance of fraud. The owner of the site may simply be trying to obtain credit card numbers, or send diamond replicas at the cost of the real thing without accepting returns. However, these problems will surely be avoided by buying jewelry online from only stores that have built a positive reputation for themselves.

The Growing Trend of Bracelets is Good for the Budget

The growing trend of wearing bracelets compliments the conservative financial attitude of today’s economy. There is an interesting resurgence in living simply while remaining elegant. Bracelets reveal the personality, style, and the playfulness of the wearer. It is a simple accessory that can quickly change the look of any outfit without breaking the bank. Several brightly-colored bangles can bring a fresh look to work attire, while a single cuff bracelet can give a sophisticated look to that little black dress for an evening on the town.

Bracelets are also an easily-seen and cross-gender way to be socially conscious. They promote cancer awareness, disaster efforts, and even Rwandan women’s independence. Wearing hand-crafted, eco-friendly jewelry is also a way to go green. Jewelry made from recycled silver, vintage beads, and fair-trade silver and gems are creating a new trade for fashion bracelets.

Every season brings change in the jewelry industry. Stacked bracelets and necklaces will continue to be seen on the runways. Mixing metals of gold, silver and copper with deeply colored gemstones like lapis, onyx, fire agate, and copper-infused goldstone creates an earthy, cultural look that is a perfect match for these inexpensive gemstones.

Anita Loos, American Hollywood screenwriter and novelist (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), summed up what women think about bracelets in a quote: “Kissing your hand may make you feel very, very good but a diamond and sapphire bracelet lasts forever”. The fashion trend in bracelets, an item in everyone’s jewelry box, underlines the lasting effect of this simple accessory.

How To Tell If Your Silver Jewelry Is Genuine

Genuine silver jewelry indicators include hallmark, 925 stamp, price, patina, and dealer reputation.

Hallmark is a designer’s initial or logo and usually indicates a higher quality piece but does not necessarily mean it is genuine silver jewelry. Hallmarks can be forged. In England, Goldsmiths Hall has controlled the quality of silver since the 14th century. Every piece of silver must pass through the Assay Office for quality control and for symbols to be stamped on every piece with the year and manufacturer. Silver hallmarking eliminates false hallmarks. The different hallmarks are an interesting study by itself for silver pieces manufactured in London, Edinburgh, and Ireland.

Genuine sterling silver will have a composition of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent of a combination of other metals such as copper or brass. According to United States law, Sterling should be stamped with 925 and a U.S. registered trademark of the company to verify the mark. A rare piece of genuine silver jewelry could be as high as 1000 so the higher the number, the more silver it contains. Only pure silver can be marked with .999.

Genuine silver jewelry will have a commensurate price. Look for a fair price in genuine silver jewelry. A price that is too low may be an indication that it is not genuine sterling silver. You will want to compare prices for authenticity and workmanship.

Patina or shininess of the genuine silver jewelry is another indicator. Genuine silver jewelry’s exposure to oxygen causes it to tarnish.

Reputation of seller is a consideration. Does the seller sell genuine silver jewelry and is it priced fairly?

The best test for genuine silver jewelry is to rub the piece between your fingers and then smell the piece. Real sterling silver does not have a smell. If it has a smell at all, then it is not genuine silver jewelry.

The Right Jewelry To Give Your Girl And Why

Men romance women with jewels or give them as a proposal for sacred matrimony. Therefore, it is important for men to buy jewelry that is appropriate for their ladies and not for their mothers or grandmothers, like they did when they were youngsters. For example, synthetic keepsake trinkets or charms are inappropriate for men to give to women as gifts, unless they are little boys. Ladies prefer authentic gold and stones on their fingers, their ears, their wrists or around their necks. The type of jewels that men buy their ladies will reveal their level of loyalty and reveal their true love or aspiration. Diamond rings are usually reserve for marriage proposals and anniversaries that exemplify a life long commitment. However, diamond earrings, necklaces or bracelets are excellent choices for men to buy for their ladies, without proposing marriage. Men can forever capture the hearts of their ladies with diamonds as gifts. This is frequently noted in songs and phrases like “diamonds are forever” or “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, which indicates that women prefer diamonds as jewels.

Nonetheless, ladies do enjoy wearing rings with their birthstones or fresh culture pearls around their necks, which will vary according to their preference and age. Ladies prefer their stones to be colossal size or at least a half carat or more. Furthermore, The size of the stone indicates worthiness of the ladies and the status of men. However, genuine platinum jewelry also makes an exquisite gift for ladies to adore and to boast about.

Top Reasons Why Diamonds are a Must for Engagement Rings

When we think of an engagement, we right away think of the engagement ring and what type it will be. There is never any question that it will be a diamond engagement ring. Nothing else is even considered.

A diamond engagement ring is a tradition that goes back very far in time. The diamond itself actually symbolizes loyalty and fidelity, which are two important components of a marriage.

The diamond can be cut to make several different shapes and styles to suit the bride-to-be. They can be cut in more ways than other gems can. This gives the diamond even more of an advantage to be picked for an engagement ring.

A diamond shines the best. A processed diamond reflects and shines like no other gem can. When the bride-to-be wears her diamond, she loves to play it off of the lights and see it reflect and shine. If the diamond is cut expertly, it will reflect light even more. That reflection is the diamonds fire. It’s very hard to ignore.

Diamonds are also known to be among the the most expensive and valuable gems on earth. They are beautiful, and have quality. Their longevity is also a symbol to the everlasting love in a marriage.

Diamonds are durable, and a very hard mineral. They are meant to last forever, just as a marriage is meant to last forever. Diamonds even have a use as a tool to cut and polish glass, metals and other diamonds.

Beside, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

Why Do Some Rings Turn Green

Have you ever purchased a new ring then wore it around and after a while it begins turning your skin a green hue. For many people this is a regular occurrence and many have no idea as to why this is happening. When your skin is turned green because of this it means that oxidation of either the skin or the ring is taking place. What happens is many gold or silver jewelry pieces are made of mostly copper, where the manufacturer will use copper as a way to be able to add weight to the ring while keeping the price low, since copper is less expensive than gold or silver. Then smaller elements of the more expensive material such as gold or silver are used to give the ring its shinny appearance.

When copper is exposed to your skin and the air it begins the process known as oxidation. This is when the microscopic elements begin to break down the elements of copper. As you are sweating this oxidation will then begin turning your skin and the elements of the ring green.  This is because the chemicals of the body is interacting with the copper causing it to break down, making the ring that you are wearing and your skin slowly turn green.

For most this can happen in either a single day or even over a period of weeks, so if it happening to you, now you know why. There are not many solutions other than to get jewelry that is lower in copper content than any other metals present, although that approach can be considerably more costly.