Question About Making Soldered Ring

by Andrea
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

What's the difference between fine silver and sterling silver wire? I want to make some soldered silver rings and I'm not sure what to buy. Someone told me that fine silver is better - is it?

Answer:
Submitted by Vanessa

Fine silver wire or sheet is 99.9% pure silver and is soft. Sterling is 92.5% pure silver and the 7.5% is another metal, (most times copper). With the copper in the silver it helps to make the sterling harder and to hold the shape made. Fine silver can't do the same thing.

You can make jump rings from fine silver, nothing says you can't. The lower the gauge of wire the better.

Anti-Tarnish Silver

Question: Where can I buy sterling silver and silver plated findings and chain that will not tarnish?

I'm tired of my silver turning yellow in a year.

Answer:

Sterling silver will always tarnish eventually if left to the open air. You can prevent your sterling from tarnishing by keeping it in a zip-lock bag. If it still seems to tarnish, you can buy anti-tarnish paper from a jeweler's supply.

Silver-plate- I don't recommend silver plate- it can wear off and all your hard work will look like crap (pardon the potty-talk).

Another alternative is to buy argentium silver instead of sterling. Argentium silver is a new silver alloy that is being marketed as anti-tarnish silver.

Some Background

Sterling silver is an alloy - It is 92.5% silver, and 7.5% copper. The copper gives the silver strength but all makes it more susceptible to tarnish.

Argentium silver is an alloy as well. It is 92.5% silver, and 7.5% germanium. It is said to be highly tarnish resistant.

Here is some more info about Argentium silver from Argentium Silver Findings

Argentium® Sterling Silver is highly tarnish-resistant.

Since it is made to a higher standard than traditional sterling silver, Argentium® Sterling Silver is guaranteed to be not less than 92.5% pure.

Through the heat treatment process Argentium® Sterling Silver can be made nearly twice as hard as annealed standard sterling.

The tarnish resistance is obtained through the alloying of Germanium with the silver. The result is a highly tarnish resistant material that does not require harsh chemicals to clean. If it needs cleaning it can be wiped with a soft cloth to restore the original sparkling white color. Do not use a cloth that has tarnish from conventional sterling silver as the tarnish might contaminate the Argentium® Silver.

Argentium® Silver Findings works directly with the manufacturer to provide designers and artisans with the highest quality Argentium® silver findings to create your beautiful designs that will stay beautiful for many years to come.

Argentium® Silver has been tested extensively and has been found to be highly tarnish-resistant. However, some individuals' body chemistry may react to copper. Since Argentium® Silver does contain copper, as does conventional sterling silver, individuals whose body chemistry reacts to copper can cause the Argentium® Silver to tarnish. Individuals who react to copper should understand that there is a possibility that their body chemistry may cause Argentium® Silver to tarnish.

If you are interested in buying argentium silver wire and findings, here are some sources:

(disclaimer- I haven't purchased from any of these suppliers personally so I can't vouch for them. I'm just adding them in as possibilities to check out.)

Argentium Silver Findings

Cool Tools has Argentium wire in 22 and 24 gauge.

Attaching Silk Cord to Semi-Precious Stones by May (Tucson, AZ)

Question:

I want to attach small briolette pear shaped beads to a black silk cord. How do I do it??

Answer:

Briolettes are beautiful aren't they? They are a little tricky to work with though.

I'm assuming you mean the top drilled ones (hole is at the top of the bead)?

Here's what I would do:

To attach briolettes to silk cord, I would make a wrapped loop on the briolette, then I could string the cord through the loop.

Here's how to make a wrapped loop on a briolette like the gorgeous crystal briolettes pictured above.

First thread some wire through the bead, then using your fingers, fold the wire up so that the two ends cross each other.

Grasp one end of wire with your chain or flat nosed pliers at the point where the two wires cross. Bend it slightly so that it points straight up.

With the other end of the wire, carefully make a wire wrap. Trim.

Now make a loop with the remaining end, and wrap around your first wrap. Trim and tuck the end down using your chain-nosed pliers (or your crimp pliers if you have them - my secret tip for making nice neat wraps)

You should now have a briolette topped with a nice wrapped loop. You can string your briolette onto your cord now.

I'm not sure if that's what you had in mind - if it isn't, maybe you have a picture of what you'd like to achieve?

Christine
How-to-Make-Jewelry.com

(the photo above is by Jewelry Artist Helmetti , and is reprinted under creative commons license share and share alike.

How To Make Her Say Yes During Your Wedding Proposal

by: Guest

There is no guarantee that the woman of your dreams will right away say 'yes' during your proposal. This doesn't mean that she doesn't love you like you love her. It may just be because she isn't ready yet for a lifelong commitment like marriage. Or perhaps, she wasn't just impressed with your wedding proposal.

The traditional 'will you marry me?' wedding proposal while having dinner is overused. If you want to impress your girlfriend and ensure that she says 'yes' to your proposal, these romantic proposal tips will come in handy:

Invite your girl in your favourite pub or bar. Request for your theme song (the song that you both love and you feel represent your relationship). As she enters the pub or bar, the song will be aired and you can hand your flowers and of course the engagement ring. You can also talk to the DJ and propose on air.

In the window of her room, write your proposal in the dust. When she opens her window curtain, that is the first thing that she'll see. This is very romantic, just make sure the dust is still there and nobody has cleaned the window yet before she wakes up.

You can make your proposal public. In a concert event, you can go up the stage and propose. Just make sure you ask permission from the performers. Or you can advertise full page in your local newspaper or her favourite magazine.

Take her to the beach. Talk to someone who can spell the words 'will you marry me?' on the sand. This will surprise her.

Give her a gift with the engagement ring. The engagement ring can be simple but if you have the budget, you can opt to buy an elegant diamond ring as your engagement ring. Surely, your girlfriend can't say no. This is the style where you let the engagement ring speak for the proposal.

Wedding proposals should be made unique as possible. You should prepare everything before you actually propose. Don't forget the engagement ring. Shop around for your engagement ring weeks before your proposal. This is to ensure that you get the best engagement ring for you partner.

These wedding proposal tips mentioned here will make the moment very romantic. They will sweep your partner off her feet and she can decide right away to give you her sweetest 'yes'. Surely, romantic proposals pay off.

About the Author

Maliere is a master jeweller maker in Ireland. With years of experience in designing, crafting and making engagement rings and wedding rings, Maliere has perfected the art of ring making. Maliere's collections of jewelleries are always preferred over the others because of their exquisite designs. See Engagement Rings for the many choices of engagement and wedding rings designed and crafted by Maliere.

To DropShip or Not to DropShip...

by: wholesalegemshop

People always ask whether I offer dropshipping of my wholesale silver jewelry. The simple answer is "NO!". But because there is so much interest in this topic I want to offer a bit of dialogue that I hope will be useful for those considering this sales-strategy.

As a participant in dropshipping, your role is basically to market a product whose authenticity and quality you cannot verify to a customer you do not know. And the bonus: you have no control over the order fulfillment process. Hmmm... how many things can go wrong here?! This approach to sales is clearly not in the best interest of the consumer and therefore, I posit, cannot be one on which a sustainable business model is built.

CASE STUDY - Sandra and the cell phone drop shipper
This is a TRUE story with a fake name

Last year a customer of mine, to whom I sold wholesale jewelry, decided to expand her ebay business with a drop shipper and quickly started grossing something like $50,000/ week for a couple months! But she was now broke. What happened? It turns out the drop shipper was not as credible as she believed. Everything was great for a few weeks, then the calls started coming in. Customer after customer calling with complaints including: "I ordered 3 phones and only got 1!", "My phone is broken!", "Where is my phone, its been 2 weeks since I paid!". And like a good e-commerce citizen she refunded (EVEN THOUGH most of the payment - she only got to keep $5 per phone - she had already sent to the dropshipper)all the distraught customers and had them return the phones to the drop shipper. Guess what happens next? The drop shipper stopped returning her calls. So she has no phones, not even broken ones, no money - in fact she lost money since she refunded money she did not have... all in all she was f---d !

You could argue that the drop-shipper was the responsible party here, but in the eyes of the customer, and probably the law, she was responsible to those customers as the re-seller. 100% RISK = SANDRA, 0% RISK = DROPSHIPPER. Not exactly a formula for success. The Drop shipper really has nothing to loose and if he has a lot of merchandise and other customers, no incentive to make sure the end-customer is happy.

I forgot to mention, Sandra's paypal account was suspended and she was unable to pursue her main business for quite some time.

Drop shipping sounds like a great, low-overhead, minimal work, no money down kind of thing. But in this case the old adage holds: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". Think I am making this up to promote my business? Just search google for "beware of drop shippers" .

So what are the other options? Take your time and start your business the right way. Identify a good wholesale jewelry supplier or suppliers for the jewelry or other products you want to sell, get to know them, and quality-test their products before making any large investments. And the most important thing about online sales is to develop a good marketing strategy that may involve search engine and website optimization, pay per click advertising, registering in free directories, email lists, etc.

About the Author

Aaron Rome is the successful owner/operator of www.wholesalegemshop.com and does NOT offer dropshipping!

Emerging Engagement Ring Trends Blend Tradition With Modern Flair

by: James Wattvord

The diamond engagement rings - a timeless expression of love and commitment.

The classic styles available - solitaire and pave, for example - still are popular today, but there are emerging trends of which you, the potential buyer should be aware.

Note: One thing that never changes is what grooms tend to pay for engagement rings - quite a bit! Latest statistics show the average amount spent is $3,000, according to these sources:

" $3,044 (Bride's Millenium Report)
" $2,982 (Bride's Magazine)
" $2,909 (Modern Bride, as cited in Weddings for Dummies)
" $3,576 (Conde Nast Bridal Group)
" $3,165 (Modern Bride Magazine)
" $2,807 (National Bride Service)


Hot ring trends - classic, antique and modern lead the way

For example, classic solitaires are very popular. Many women are choosing a classic-cut diamond solitaire. These are assured of never going out of style and make good heirloom pieces.

However, a traditional solitaire setting is upswept and raises the diamond high. Some people today select settings where the center stone sits low, creating a look that is elegant and ergonomic. Another popular setting is one that is intricately raised, as well as twisted band.

And while the round cut continues to be popular, it is becoming more common to see the oval cut, as well as the emerald.

The pave setting, where the band is studded with diamonds seamlessly, is elegant and is becoming more popular. The idea is that smaller stones are set so close together that no metal can be seen between them. This maximizes the wattage of the ring without pushing the cost too high.


Antique, vintage rings that your grandmother might have worn also are trendy, which combines an historical, period look with current fashion. Look for gold filigree settings, floral accents and gemstone baguettes. The cuts typically are cushion, round, pillow and Asscher , and their larger facets radiate more fire under less light.

Also becoming more popular are modern styles. This type features clean, streamlined designs for a cosmopolitan, chic look. The most contemporary styles feature a bezel-set and designs where the diamond seems to "float," which is a type of tension setting.

Engagement rings with colored stones also are an emerging trend, with colored diamonds being quite the rage. Many celebrities, such as Jennifer Lopez, have chosen colored diamond engagement rings and this has cemented their popularity.

For something different, consider new diamond cuts on the market. The Zales diamond cut has more facets than traditional cuts and can increase the stone's fire. Also consider the princess cut - a modified square.

Platinum - hands down the choice today

Regarding the ring itself, platinum is definitely the hot trend. Platinum is popular because its rich luster sets off the brilliance of a diamond like no other metal. This metal is naturally white and will always keep its shine, unlike yellow gold, which may tarnish. Platinum is the strongest precious metal, and is twice as heavy as most gold alloy rings.
Some women want their platinum ring carved with designs or inlaid with gemstones.

About the Author

James Wattvord is a freelance content writer, specialising in Jewellery diamonds related matters. He has published many articles on diamond industry and diamond engagement rings, and is partial to the world of diamonds.

Freshwater Pearl Jewelry

Unlike the natural pearls fresh water pearls are produced in mussels and are grown with human intervention. Whatever be its origin and the process it also provides the same level of happiness and brings pleasure just as the natural pearls do. Both natural and cultured pearls are identical in makeup that is they are comprised of the changeable internal layer of a mollusk shell. There is some confusion with the evolution of cultured pearls. People relate cultured pearls with imitation but this is far from the original fact.Freshwater cultured pearls are pearls that are grown in mollusks that live in freshwater ponds, lakes and rivers rather than in the ocean and are produced in mussels. Cultured pearls mean that this freshwater pearl growth process was deliberately started by man. They look so natural that the best specimens of freshwater cultured pearls could be compared with the saltwater pearls—the Akoya pearl, the Tahitian pearl and the South Sea pearl in beauty and quality.Freshwater cultured pearls are produced in mussels that are nucleated, or implanted, with mantle tissue only, which is taken from a donor mussel since they do not contain a starter “bead." They are characterized by beautiful luster and a durable surface that will not easily flake or peel to reveal the inner bead whereas pearls that are bead-nucleated and prematurely harvested are prone to flaking and chipping. The most notable characteristic feature of freshwater pearls is their striking arrangement of beautiful, natural pastel colors. Pastels like cream; white, yellow, orange, and pink are common with freshwater cultured pearls. Apart from this the color pink which symbolizes romance and a pink pearl jewelry is an ideal gift for your valentine. Even lavender pearls are enjoying a rush in popularity today universally. Remember that pearls should be taken care to keep their luster for long time because once damaged their shininess could not be recovered. Therefore care should be taken that they are gently wiped with a damp cloth that has been dipped in a mild soap and water solution and air dried before wearing them again. Avoid contact with your hairspray, perfumes makeup and other chemicals. Store your pearl jewelry in the separate box to save it from getting scratched by other gems.Freshwater pearl jewelry could be found everywhere today, from the red carpet to the boardroom and beyond. The reliable reason cited behind the popularity of freshwater pearls is their availability in abundance in wide variety of pastel colors and of course the prices that are within the reach of most consumers.
About the Author
fine jewelry - wedding jewelry - Sterling silver jewelry

Classic Trends & Timeless Designs

Classic Trends & Timeless DesignsESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver with Paramount cubic zirconia When it comes to jewelry, there is always a new design showcasing the latest trend. At the same time, there will always be styles that are classic and will forever be a fashion statement. So, what happens when the two combine? Simply put, you get a stylish trend combined with a classic design that offers the best of both worlds.When it comes to classic trends, it’s nearly impossible for any design to top the beauty of a tennis bracelet designed in Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver. Whether it’s a single row, multi-row, round, marquise or otherwise, tennis bracelets will never go out of style. In addition, you can wear tennis bracelets with your favorite jeans and t-shirt or you can wear it out to dinner at the finest of restaurants. No matter where you go or what you wear, tennis bracelets designed in Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver are the perfect accessories to any jewelry wardrobe.Speaking of classic, pearls are the ultimate vision of a timeless jewelry style. They are commonly worn at weddings, dinner parties and can also be enjoyed in a casual sense. When combined with Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver, faux pearls can give you the look of a genuine pearl without the expense. Depending on the size and quality, genuine pearls can be extremely expensive. But, faux pearls can be set in Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver jewelry and will look exactly the same as the finest of genuine pearls. White pearls are extremely popular, but don’t forget about black, peach and pink when looking for the classic touch with just a hint of color.If you are already a fan of Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver jewelry, then you probably are already enjoying the benefits of owning a bold look at a terrific price. Paramount Cubic zirconia is said to be the finest faux diamond in the world and, when compared to a genuine diamond, you can have a flawless Paramount cubic zirconia stone at a mere fraction of the price that you would pay for a flawless diamond. If you love the look of bold and still enjoy having some money in your pocket, consider the classic cluster design in Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver. Readily available as bracelets, pendants and earrings, cluster design jewelry gives the illusion of a large presence and a lot of sparkle. Since Paramount cubic zirconia cannot be identified by the naked eye alone, everyone will assume that you are wearing flawless diamonds.Regardless of whether you are shopping for the holidays, a special occasion or simply indulging yourself because you deserve it, Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver jewelry is the way to go. Money can be hard to come by and even more difficult to save but, at the same time, we all want to own beautiful pieces of jewelry to compliment our wardrobe. One of the best ways to shop wisely is to purchase classic trends that are popular today and will still be just as popular tomorrow. Thanks to Paramount cubic zirconia and ESTANDARTE LIMITADO sterling silver jewelry designs, we can own the jewelry of our dreams and never lose a night’s sleep about the cost.If you have never seen ESTANDARTE LIMITADO Sterling Silver Jewelry with Paramount cubic zirconia, you have not experienced jewelry.It is a new line of beautiful and exotic sparkling jewelry. Each piece of ESTANDARTE LIMITADO Sterling Silver Jewelry with Paramount cubic zirconia is exquisitely hand created by skilled craftsman. What does this mean? Rare and stunning ESTANDARTE LIMITADO Sterling Silver Jewelry that is artistically born for the special purpose of bringing enjoyment to the adorner. Perfect as a gift or spoil yourself.You can find ESTANDARTE LIMITADO Sterling Silver Jewelry with Paramount cubic zirconia at Ice University.
About the Author
Artie has been in the jewelry bussiness as a designer an merchandiser for three decades now. He has served the fashion industry in New York and abroad. Shop a few of his selections at http://www.iceuniversity.com

Jewelry In Ancient Rome

Jewelry (joias) is a fascinating fashion accessory that has been popular from ancient times. It has played a variety of roles including political, religious and ornamental, and jewelry artefacts have helped modern historians shape pictures of the daily lives of ancient civilisations. Jewelry in ancient Rome is no exception. There are literary accounts and pictorial depiction such as in the Regina tombstone, plus an abundance of other artefacts available that help us to understand the role jewelry played during this fascinating time. Jewelry (joias) was worn by men and women though it was subject to conventions of the time; particularly with regards to the appearance of men. Male jewelry was typically practical in nature. Men usually wore a single ring. The ring would serve a functional purpose. Typically a signet ring, the male jewelry item was used to seal official documentation. The male signet ring was initially iron but was later produced in gold as it displayed status and wealth more clearly. Other practical uses of the signet ring included the inlay being a type of key for a strong box. Literary evidence suggests that propriety regarding male jewelry (joias) was ignored by a minority of fashion fanatics, as with any other social group. Trends and attitudes also changed from the time of Emperor Augustus. The emperors were established with official state clothing during his reign which included jewelry as a display of status and power. Jewelry also had a protective function in ancient Rome. Boys wore an item of jewelry known as a bullah. This was worn from being a baby. It was worn around the neck and was a form of chain with a pouch which contained an amulet. This was a jewelry item worn by most classes, but the rich upper class had bullahs made of gold. The amulet was often phallic in design, as boys were considered to be the stronger species and so needed protection. Another jewelry (joias) item worn by boys was a small gold ring which was again carved with a phallus for good luck With regards to women, jewelry (joias) was first and foremost a display of wealth and status. Women had no obvious status distinction through their dress like Roman men. Therefore, hairstyles and jewelry were the only distinction possible. The importance of jewelry to the status of women is apparent through certain historical events. When the Oppian law was passed in 195BC curbing the use of jewelry and suggesting it be handed over for war materials, women demonstrated against this in the streets. During the campaigns of Marcus Curellius, women chose to donate their jewelry (joias) to get enough gold to send a huge gold vase as an offering to Delphi. Their behaviour was rewarded with speeches at funerals which had previously been only for men. The type and amount of jewelry worn by women varied, but the richest women were the most flamboyant in terms of amount and style. Amber jewelry (joias) was only worn by lower class women and was thought vulgar by the wealthy who favoured gold jewelry. Other items used to make jewelry include pearls, coloured glass beads and polished stones. These would be inset in gold and would vary in size and style, depending upon status. It was possible to tell a lot about a woman in ancient rome by the jewelry she wore. The types of jewelry worn include necklaces with adornments such as pendants, amulets. Fibula which are similar to safety pins were used as fasteners and so were often adorned to make them a piece of jewelry that was both function and beautiful. Earrings were popular and came in both hoop and drop styles. Rings were usually inset with stones or carvings. Particularly popular jewelry (joias) items were engraved gems which were referred to as intaglio. These were gems such as carnelian, jasper and chalcedony that had a sunken or engraved image, created with the use of wheels and drills. Tomb jewelry findings suggest that bracelets were usually worn in pairs with one on each arm. Some tombs have revealed up to 7 items of jewelry on each arm which shows how the conventions for men and women differed. Even gold thread hairnets have been discovered. This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.
About the Author
This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/joias.php Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br/

Rules To Guide Shopping The Perfect Pair Of Diamond Earrings

Diamond unlike pearls do not trap light instead it reflects light making the ornaments sparkle in which it is studded. The wearer with diamond ornaments looks beautiful. The brilliant luster of diamond ornaments makes the wearer the center of attention when worn bagging glance and compliments of the onlookers.Diamond ornaments have idealized themselves to be worn in any holiday events, anniversaries or parties and can serve your purpose of gifting anyone very near to your heart. As you can see, diamond earrings are any female's favorite then what could be a better gift of a pair of diamond rings to win their heart. Among the varied diamond shapes earrings, the heart-shaped diamond will be a particularly impressive gift because it symbolizes love and faithfulness. Apart from this there are dozens of other styles of diamond earrings that are highly impressive and also have become popular as gift giving for loved ones who have an eye for quality, and deserve only the best in life. It gives you a chance to show how well you know her.Before shopping a perfect pair of diamond rings there are certain rules that will guide in the right direction making you the winner. You should know your budget and consider the 4 C’s according to which the diamond is graded and they are the cut, clarity, color, and carat weight when picking out diamond jewelry. There are other factors that come into play when shopping a pair of earrings and they are; doing research to know what style of earring the person to be gifted will like to wear. Since diamond earrings are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and picking anyone will not devaluate your gift but picking the right kind that matches the personality of the person will make you great. Do some back calculation to come to a decision on what style looks best on her? Does she looks best in tiny diamond studs or does the queen of your heart looks gorgeous in a pair of chandelier style earrings?Even the shape of the face and hair cut plays an important role in selecting a pair of earrings for her. An easy guide to help you shop suitable earrings for your loved ones is by watching the shape of the face. For round face rectangle, triangle, and long oval shaped earrings can be a compliment and small round or triangular shaped earring will be compliment for long or oval shaped faces. Different hairstyles will also guide you to shop the right pair of earrings. Long earring goes well with long locks; while small earrings will balance will short hair. So with all this small tips in mind you can be a sure winner!
About the Author
armani watches - designer watches - d&g watches - titanium bracelet - titanium ring - engagement ring

Ring - A Part Of Jewelry For Your Hand and Soul

Ring is a piece of jewelry that adorns the finger. Traditionally crafted in wood, iron and other basic materials, now these rings are available in rich precious metals like platinum, titanium, gold, silver etc. and fashionable synthetic material like acrylic etc. rings are also crafted in wood and other natural material. There is no limit to creativity and imagination. These metal and other material bands are then studded with diamonds, colored gemstones etc. and have a variety of designs and styles. Apart from being just a piece of jewelry, rings have a romantic association. Carried forward from the ancient times, exchanging rings between couples as a tradition has signified love. In ancient Roman times, when precious metals were not discovered, a man presented his beloved an iron ring as an expression of his love and as a proposal for marriage. Later, with the popularity of precious metals, rings also became available in gold, silver and so on. Not just in Rome, but the association of rings to romance and marriage has traditionally been a part of many cultures across the world. Around the 20th century, diamond rings, especially diamond solitaire rings, became symbolic to proposals and marriages. According to the western etiquette, a woman wears a ring in the ring finger of her left hand to signify her marriage or betrothal. With fashion and styles evolving, the latest trend is of engagement rings and wedding bands studded with natural gemstones.Some couples go to the extent of customizing their engagement rings and make their ring as special and unique as their love. They design rings with birthstones or preferred color stones, have diamond accents to add glamour, get their names engraved on the band of the ring…again there is no limit to creativity and imagination. With a ring signifying marriage and a woman’s dependence on man, the latest concept, right-hand ring symbolizes a modern woman’s independence. Right-hand ring is a ring that a woman buys for herself as a symbol signifying that she is no longer dependant on a man. These rings usually feature a relatively larger center stone with diamond accents. The design of a rings-hand ring is modern and the over all style of the ring is bold.Different reasons, different styles, different symbolisms, different meanings etc. but this tiny ornament still serves the purpose that attracts women across the world – beauty and fashion. In fact rings can actually add glamour and style to the wearer’s personality.
About the Author
Rajesh Kumar is a writer for gemstones and jewelry working with http://www.angara.com, an on-line jewelry firm that has a fine collection of diamond and gemstone jewelry. Jewelry Diamond Pearl Pendant, Discount Sapphire jewelry

ROLEX INTRODUCTION Part 1

Rolex is one of the top global brands for over a century.

The crown symbol is recognized throughout the world. Rolex watches are designed to exceed expectations. It takes more than a year to assemble over 220 minute pieces. This is done systematically by hand and is extremely detailed oriented. In fact about 400 operations are conducted only on the main plate. The assembly is put through rigorous testing and retesting. So rigorous in its testing that if the movement deflects for less than one second, the entire assembly is often disassembled and the entire process is restarted from the beginning. Due to high standards and excellent quality control, Rolex is the brand that will continue to be the leader in luxury wristwatches.Known to be the world's bestselling watch company, with over 100 years of history, Rolex could be written as the definitive textbook in branding, with an emphasis for luxury items. Unfortunately, for many customers today, branding has taken on a negative nuance. Pop culture ads that rely on fashion and polling trends, naming right battles, mass production that sacrifice quality through outsourcing – these are some of the different means that companies use to gain success. However, Rolex has stood its ground and has not resorted to any such means in building its image. It let's its quality products speak for itself. Hence it stands as the standard in the wristwatch industry. Quality, performance, innovation and stability are the four pillars that Rolex has built its brand, since the inception of the history of wristwatches. The company first sold pocket watches and folding watches called travel clocks when it was first formed in 1905 as Wilsdorf & Davis. Interestingly, until this time, it was only women who wore wristwatches. Later it became popular when people realized how impractical it was to have pocket watches, this was during the Boer War of South Africa (1899-1902) when they noticed the soldiers with wristwatches.Seeing the opportunity in this new market, Hans Wilsdorf, along with his brother-in-law, William Davis formed the company and began producing high quality watches. Around three years after W & D was formed, the company's name was officially changed to Rolex, a name that was trademarked by Wilsdorf. Somewhere during that time, the benefits of having a logo and brand name to distinguish a product from its competitors was just being discovered, and Wilsdorf capitalized on this opportunity. In essence they wanted a name that was easy to pronounce by all, had no meaning as such in any European language and something that was short and easy to spell. Another example of simple brand name was George Eastman naming his camera Kodak.QualityIt was from Herman Aegler's Rebberg firm that Rolex got their mechanics in a watch. As a teenager Wilsdorf worked at Cuno Korten with Aegler, a watch exporter in Switzerland. Quite often Wilsdorf would set up 15 watches and check them each for accuracy and it was here at Cuno Korten that Wilsdorf's obession with accuracy began. Also he would submit the most accurate ones to the Neuchatel Observatory for testing without permission. However this was overlooked since all the testing passed and he received much praise from his seniors. Much later Aegler's company came to produce exclusively for Rolex, as it does today. Aegler's descendants still run the company, although owned by Rolex.With his new company, Wilsdorf's obsession for accuracy continued. He was awarded the world's first chronometer award for a wristwatch, after sending the first Rolex movement to the School of Horology in Bienne, Switzerland. Rolex began to gain a worldwide reputation for the finest quality watches, with this award. Rolex watches went on to win a number of awards. Rolex received numerous awards. In 1914, Rolex received the Class A Certificate of Precision award from the Kew Observatory in England, previously only given to marine chronometers. During the testing the watches were subjected to three temperatures and five positions. This entire testing lasted for 45 days. After, Wilsdorf insisted that all Rolex watches would be sold only with an Official Timing Certificate and all their watches would be subjected to a similar testing.
About the Author
Author Madison Preston owns a website, where you can find volumes of info on Rolex Watches.... You can visit his website for complete information on Rolex Watch, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Daytona, and tips to Rolex Yachtmaster

ROLEX INTRODUCTION Part 2

Performance and Innovation Wilsdorf realized that his watches needed to be extremely durable, in addition to accurate. Under his leadership and direction, Rolex made many innovations in either creating the technology or buying patents that made wrist watches dust proof, water proof, and auto winding. Wilsdorf did not do anything in half measure and showcased its performance and advertised the new products in a dramatic manner. After the world's first truly water-resistant watch was created, the first example of this was illustrated. Two inventors named, Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret, developed a new moisture proof winding stem and button, which they put on the watch cases and on October 30, 1925, filed a patent for the same. Prior to this, the winding stem was situated inside the watches case, and wasn't really practical to the masses as this meant that the case had to be opened everyday to wind. And so Rolex had the world's only moisture proof case, now that the winding stem was outside the watch. From this design the Oyster watch was developed. On October1, 1927, when Mercedes Gleitze swam across the English Channel, she sported a Rolex Oyster. She came forth from a swim that lasted for more than 15 hours, with her Rolex in perfect condition. Wilsdorf capitalized on this and on November 27th of the same year, in London's Daily Mail, he took out a front page ad of Gleitze's picture and her story. Thereafter, the new Oyster was placed in small aquariums, wherever Rolexes were sold, to further exhibit its water resistant capabilities, this was on Wilsdorf's instructions. In fact, Sir Edmund Hillary wore a Rolex when he climbed the Rolex, in 1953.StabilityIn spite of the company being more than 100 years old, Rolex, in order to maintain its stability as the world's best watch, did several innovative things. And so, due to this stability, in the midst of changes that wiped out a number of watch manufacturers, Rolex not only survived, but blossomed. In the 1950's, the quartz watch was invented, which created low cost time pieces. During the 1970’s about half of the watches sold worldwide were structured on this quartz technology. Hong Kong was the largest watch producer. Since its relocation in 1919, Rolex has been located in Switzerland and never used outsourcing which keeps excellent quality control.Having made a short venture into quartz technology, Rolex stuck to its foundation and continued to market their basic craft, which was considered old in industry standards. A typical quartz watch has around 50 to100 parts compared to a typical Rolex which has around 220 parts and takes almost a year to produce. Combined with a strong brand name, true craftsmanship can still have value – Rolex was a testimony to this fact www.melrosejewelers.com.Rolex kept up to its name and image, and never ventured out to produce any other products, unlike many other manufacturers of luxury items, who lent their name to various high end products. While temporary profits may have been a gain for these manufacturers, their brand name often diminished. And thus, Rolex is a name synonymous to wristwatches only. In comparison to many of today's well known watch companies which are owned by the same two or three companies, Rolex never resorted to take shelter under any corporate or conglomerate. These well-known companies took advantage of their corporate resources and were able to promote their individual product lines. In 1960, Wilsdorf left the company to look after a foundation in order to avoid their interests being mixed or combined with those of various different watch companies. Wilsdorf's original vision was that the company would never be bought or publicly traded by a larger company. In terms of gross revenue, Rolex has emerged as the world's number one seller of watches and will be able to compete for years to come. Customers are ensured that they are investing in a quality product, one that will be valuable in the future. The high class performance, innovative techniques, stability and its commitment to its foundation of quality, all these features provide value to all Rolex customers.
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Author Madison Preston owns a website, where you can find volumes of info on Rolex Watch.... You can visit his website for complete information on New Rolex Watches, and tips to Used Rolex Watch, Rolex President

Contemporary and ancient jewelry art – which is best?

Since humans first thought of decorating their bodies, there have been lots of interesting ideas. First of all, they thought of painting their bodies, which has led to the tattoo industry in present days, and afterwards they tried to manufacture various objects to wear.The materials used for their production have evolved from wood, stones and bones to silver, gold and gemstones. The people that still design and produce such ornaments today can be categorized in two large groups: the ones that create contemporary pieces, and the ones that still follow ancient jewelry art.But which one suits you best? Every opinion is subjective and each person makes a purchase according to their tastes. In order to make your decision as easy as possible, we’ll try to elaborate on the features of each form of jewelry art.First of all, contemporary jewelry art focuses mainly on appearances. The bolder and more sophisticated the design is, the more appealing that piece of jewelry is thought to be. The materials used for the manufacturing process now include some synthetic materials like acrylic or nylon, apart from the usual precious metals. Any criticism regarding the aspects would be out of place, but the designs do not appeal to everyone.On the other hand ancient jewelry art uses various techniques and shapes from times long forgotten. These representations carry a lot of significance, given the fact that they were used in some cultures with a religious inclination. Another benefit of ancient jewelry art pieces is their mysterious effect. Since they were once used for a purpose like warding off evil thoughts or for protection, there may be more to these pieces of jewelry than what meets the eye. For strong believers, these symbolic representations may play an important role in their lives, improving it in more ways than one.Some people purchase these pieces of jewelry for healing purposes. All the energy flows that come with a particular shape may help a person feel better on different levels, like health or emotional. But belief is very important, because if you don’t believe in it, it won’t work.Some of the shapes used in jewelry for healing designs are the Flower of Life, the Merkaba and many more. The Flower of Life, found in all religions around the world, and the Merkaba, a three dimensional Star of David, are known symbols that have healing and protective powers.There are lots of other symbols found represented in jewelry for healing purposes. The final products should be submitted to an energizing process consistent of meditation and handcrafting. The energy and commitment of the manufacturer are thus passed on to the jewelry pieces, making the effects stronger.If you are interested in purchasing jewelry for healing, as well as protection, unity or self balance, be sure to visit ka-gold-jewelry.com. All the products follow the path presented afore, so you will purchase a fine piece of jewelry that will last a lifetime.
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As it was pointed out afore, when it comes to jewelry art, the final word is yours to say. These differences between contemporary and ancient designs are meant as guidelines, not as criticisms. However, I never heard of the use of a contemporary piece of jewelry for healing.

Jewelry for healing: true or false?

There are many common things in this world. Two of these things are jewelry wearing and the belief in a higher power. Depending on how the jewelry is created, many people think that the pieces they wear have special powers, making them feel better in more ways than one. Given these facts, it is now common practice to wear jewelry for healing.But how can one obtain such jewelry? I mean it is not like you come up one day with an idea of something you think it looks nice and determine that piece of jewelry has healing powers. It is a process that takes time and determination, and most of all belief.For one thing, if someone that wants to create jewelry for healing, the starting point would be the materials used for manufacturing. Pure materials, like gold and silver, as well as gemstones are some of the most common pieces used for creation.Going back ages ago, people back then believed that some gemstones have specific powers that can aid them throughout their lives. For instance, the most popular gemstone of all, the diamond, was believed to dispel madness and poison, and also witchcraft.Related to poison, it was a common belief that a ruby turns cloudy and an opal turns pale when they are near such substances. The ruby was also believed to ward off stress and evil thoughts, while the opal was helpful when it came to internal diseases.Using these gemstones to create pieces of jewelry for healing is still practiced today. Depending on culture, some people still think that they posses these powers. But, considering that every fairytale starts from a truth, they may have a point. If you are interested in wearing jewelry for healing, the aspect of the piece you want to buy is essential. I, for one, wouldn’t be caught dead wearing something that looks like it was cut up from a comic book. Therefore, apart from the unseen benefits, jewelry art plays an important role for the use of a particular piece.As we all know, when someone says art, they mean something you can admire. Many people depict various activities as art because they enjoy watching them take their course. When it comes to jewelry art, this implies a unique piece that can be viewed with admiration by anyone, even though they may not understand it.The most obvious features that set apart jewelry art are craftsmanship and design. The later is important because everyone wants to wear something unique and the other because the most common things that stand out are the flaws. If your jewelry has flaws, and others start noticing them, then your enthusiasm about it will easily wear off in a short while.If you are interested in products of this kind, be sure to visit ka-gold-jewelry.com. Their designer is David Weitzman and he managed to create harmony between jewelry art and special healing powers. The materials used are pure, the designs come from sacred geometry shapes and the submission to a special energizing process through meditation attribute each piece their powers.
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If one believes, one receives. So if you are a strong believer in the hidden powers of the things surrounding us, then you will not repel the idea of using jewelry for healing. If you visit the website mentioned afore, you will not make any compromise on jewelry art either.