For years now, the accepted March birthstone has been beautiful blue aquamarine.  It wasn’t always that way, however.  Many years ago the birthstone for March (as well as for all other months) was determined by where you were from, since each society had their own thoughts on what gemstones they associated with certain months. Many cultures even associated gemstones with healing properties, or certain personality traits.

In ancient times, bloodstone was associated with the month of March in this Gregorian poem of unknown origin:

“By her who in March was born

No gem save bloodstone shall be worn.

They will ensure her constancy,

true friendship and fidelity.”

How Aquamarine Became the Birthstone for March

The modern birthstone of March, aquamarine, was designated in 1912 when the trade association Jewelers of America circulated a list that they had prepared for jewelry retailers to use in order to promote birthstone jewelry to their customers.  Much of the confusion about which stone two associate with which month went away after this list was circulated, and the modern birthstone list quickly became the definitive authority for birthstones.

As for having a beautiful birthstone, March babies certainly lucked out – take a look at the pendant above from Amazon, for instance. Gorgeous, right? The aquamarine gemstone is not rare by any means and it is one of the “semi-precious” gemstones, taking its place by such other stones such as the beautiful February birthstone amethyst, Tanzanite, and peridot.  Aquamarine is a close relative of the emerald, being a form of the mineral Beryl.  Aquamarine gets its color from a iron, while emeralds get their color from a vanadium and corundum.

The best aquamarine stones tend to be a beautiful deep blue green color, but many beautiful aquamarines are found in lighter blue colors also.  If you would like to make sure you are getting a the best aquamarine available, look for stones coming from Brazil or Mozambique.  The aquamarine gemstones found in those two areas tend to be larger and more clear than those found in other areas.  Aquamarine stones have a tendency to appear dichroic, which means that when they are viewed from different angles in different types of light they appear to change color.

Some Unique Characteristics About the March Birthstone You Should Know

• Because of their internal structure, aquamarines are prone to developing internal cracks if the stone is struck sharply by a hard object.  Always make sure to remove aquamarine jewelry before doing tasks such as housework, dishwashing, or engaging in sports.  I can attest to this personally.  An aquamarine ring I inherited from my mom was cracked when it struck the inside of my washing machine one day while I was removing clothing from the machine.  Be very careful with aquamarines, especially if they are in jewelry that is extra special to you!

• Aquamarine gemstones, when exposed continuously to sunlight, may fade.  This is another good reason why aquamarine jewelry should be removed when playing outdoor sports.

• Aquamarines tend to attract and hold dirt such as lotions skin oils and soap, so regular cleaning is usually needed.  The easy way to clean aquamarine jewelry is to use a soft old toothbrush which has been sanitized in a dishwasher, and warm soapy water.  The jewelry should be dipped in the soapy water and lightly scrubbed with the brush, and then rinse thoroughly and dried with a soft cloth.

Popular types of March birthstone jewelry are aquamarine rings, pendants and earrings.  Many wonderful online retailers sell aquamarine jewelry, which tends to be moderately priced.  Of course it depends on what other elements have been paired with with the aquamarine gemstones such as gold settings and diamond accents.  Even so some very good prices can still be found for March birthstone jewelry such as this beautiful 10k White Gold, March Birthstone Aquamarine and Diamond Ringthat can be found at Amazon .com.

Aquamarine, the birthstone for March, certainly is a gorgeous gemstone.  If you were born in March you certainly should treat yourself to at least one piece of aquamarine jewelry.  Come to think of it, even if you were not lucky enough to be born in March, you should still treat yourself to at least one piece of beautiful blue aquamarine jewelry!

Happy Shopping!

It’s no exaggeration to say Alexis Bittar has arrived. After a very modest beginning, his chic designs have become favorites of celebrities as well as the most fashion-forward and trendy jewelry collectors world-wide.

His designs stem from a long time love of antique and vintage jewelry, which he cultivated during his youth while browsing the flea markets and antique shows he was taken to by his parents. It is not at all unusual to see hints of Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Lalique-esque design in his work today.

Lucite, one of the first materials he began working with as a designer, is still a mainstay of many of his current designs. He began experimenting with Lucite in 1990 and hasn’t looked back since. The glowing bracelets he creates today from the material are a mixture of fine art and craftsmanship blended with Bittar’s fascination with antiques, sculpture and architecture, and the Southwestern United States.

The innovative, bold look of Alexis Bittar jewelry is responsible for his being asked not only to design jewelry for the ladies of Sex and the City to wear onscreen, but to also work with the likes of Michael Kors and Jason Wu. He has also designed custom pieces for Lady GaGa, and a certain fashion-forward First Lady named Michelle has been photographed many times wearing Alexis Bittar earrings and other signature Bittar pieces.

His pieces are also part of several museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York , as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In 2004, the Accessories Council of Excellence named hin their “Rising Star of the Year”, and recently in 2010, he was named Accessory Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Staying true to his roots, all of his jewelry is handmade using techniques he perfected while honing his craft in the early 1990′s. His studio in New York City is one of the last studios that still produces fashion accessories in the United States, something that he is very proud of. Bittar feels that jewelry should be innovative and fun, yet not taken too seriously. One look at the videos posted on his website will confirm that statement! He loves to create jewelry that gets noticed and that also creates a sense of whimsy and fun for the wearer of the jewelry.

Signature Alexis Bittar Jewelry

Lucite

Alexis Bittar Lucite bracelets are some of the most iconic pieces he produces. These bracelets are hand carved from chunks of Lucite, painted with pearlescent paint and encrusted with gemstones to create a very bold, unique look. His Lucite collection also features rings, necklaces and earrings as well as very sculptural-looking pins and rings. The bracelet pictured below, the O’Keefe Antique  Silver Small Bracelet in Lapis, $325, was inspired by the works of artist Georgia O’Keefe.

Elements

The Elements collection fuses Baroque and Native American styles together, and the end result is a very organic-looking collection of jewelry. Cuff bracelets swirl and undulate with combined gold and silver accents. Pieces range from large and bold, such as the Gold Long Parrot Necklace, $395,

to the petite and delicate Gunmetal Small Leaf Cluster Necklace, $175.

Miss Haversham

The avant-garde Miss Haversham collection is very sculptural, and incorporates unexpected pairings of metals and stones. Utilzing the negative spaces in the pieces, Bittar has created a collection of jewelry that surrounds the wrists and ears with sillhouettes that lead the eye to clusters of crystals and stones, such as the Crystal Encrusted Gold Linked Pearl Bracelet, $675.

New for 2013

The Ophelia collection for spring and summer 2013 combines the best of Bittar’s quintessential design elements: hand carved clear lucite and beautiful accents of gold-tone metal and flashing crystal chatons. His Ophelia Gold Clear Calla Lily Earrings pictured below are bold and trendy at 4″ in length, yet elegant and refined. They retail for $195.

Another gorgeous piece from the Ophelia collection is the Opehelia Gold Small Gem Encased Clear Vine Bracelet. This piece echoes the flowing, organic lines of the Calla Lily earrings and features a free-form gemstone doublet consisting of citrine which has been fused to a foundation of mother of pearl. Golden branches encrusted with clear crystal chatons encircle the citrine doublet, creating the perfect  glowing frame for the organically-shaped gemstone. To ensure easy wearability, the bracelet is hinged. This one retails for $255.

Also new for 2013 is the stunning Ophelia Gold Clear Hummingbird Pin. Art Nouveau inspired, it is hand carved and is accented with gold tone metal work, crystal chatons, and a faceted citrine-over-mother of pearl doublet. Measuring 4.25″  in length, this piece is one of the most breathtaking works of art in Bittar’s collection, and it retails for $375.

It is no secret that an Alexis Bittar bracelet, necklace, or pin is an incredibly glamorous and couture piece of jewelry. His pieces are not just pieces of jewelry; each one is a handcrafted piece of art. Bittar has truly created a wonderful, moderately priced collection of costume jewelry for any woman who wants to add a bit of elegant sparkle and glow to her life, as well as a little fun and whimsy.

Happy Shopping!

Stella & Dot, one of the hottest jewelry companies in the world, is definitely a company geared toward the needs of today’s modern woman.  Based in San Francisco, they sell designer jewelry through at home “trunk shows” that are hosted by independent stylists.  The stylists also sell online via their own Stella & Dot websites.

The jewelry is good quality, boutique-style jewelry and has been featured in various style magazines and television shows, such as Gossip Girl.  Their social shopping concept, which features a combination of personal service, social media and e-commerce, has been talked about on The Today Show as well as by the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. They have been lauded for their ability to create the perfect home based business for modern women and to serve the needs of busy women who are looking to find the perfect jewelry solutions quickly and effortlessly.  Their Astor 5 Strand Necklace, pictured below, retails for $158:

Garnet is sometimes wrongly thought of as a low-priced dark red gemstone whose only claim to fame is that it is the traditional January birthstone.  The fact that it has been around for so long, (it has been found in graves from pre-historic times) and the fact that it was popular in 18^th and 19^th century jewelry has caused garnet to have a somewhat undeserved  reputation as a dull, old-fashioned gem.  The fact is, garnet comes in many beautiful colors, so if you were born in January, lucky you!  There are gorgeous green, orange, yellow and purple varieties of garnet that you can and should claim as your very own.

The January birthstone color is generally thought to be dark red, and much of the garnet birthstone jewelry sold today is the dark red variety of pyrope, which is readily available and is mined in the Kimberley and the DeBeers mines in South Africa.

Pyrope garnet is sometimes confused with ruby and/or spinel.

Almandite is a deep red to violet-red type of garnet that usually has fewer inclusions than pyrope.  It is often cut into cabochon form with a hollow bottom that allows more light to shine through it, making it brighter.

Rhodolite is a purple-y red variety of garnet. It is thought to be superior to pyrope and rhodolite, because it tends to be brighter than pyrope and it has fewer inclusions than alamandite.

Other Popular Garnet January Birthstone Colors

• Spessarite garnet is an orange-red variety of garnet that usually has a feathery look to it.  It is very hard to find spessarite that is “clean”, i.e., doesn’t have these inclusions.
• Hessonite is a beautiful brown-orange to brown-yellow color.  It has swirling inclusions that are actually apatite crystals.
• Tsavorite is a gorgeous lime to emerald green color. It was found in Kenya in 1968, so it has not been known to the jewelry world for very long.  Most emerald green Tsavorite crystals that are found are small; at under 2 carats each, they tend to be more expensive than the brighter lime green variety.

  

• Malay garnet is found in Mali, and can range from brown to apricot to peach and green.
• Demantoid garnet is a bright green color, is extremely rare, and is not usually found in sizes greater than 1 carat.  It is only found in the Ural mountains of Russia.  It has more fire than diamond, and so it is very sparkly when cut.  It is not very hard, however, so if it is faceted, there is the danger that the facets will eventually wear down.  Interestingly, the inclusions in this garnet look like horsehair, but are actually particles of asbestos.
• Color change garnets are very popular, and are a combination of pyrope and spessarite.  They are greenish in daylight, and magenta-red in incandescent light.  In the early 20^thcentury, some very good synthetic color change garnet was manufactured so look out for that in any vintage or estate garnet birthstone jewelry you find.

  

As you can see, your grandmother’s dull, dark red garnet jewelry is not necessarily what you have to accept as January birthstone jewelry today.  There are some great alternative colors available, so go ahead and jump into the wonderful world of garnet birthstone jewelry with some bright, beautiful, green, orange, yellow or purple January birthstone jewelry!

Happy Shopping!

There are so many different types of pearls on the market, it can be very confusing when you actually get online or head to your local jewelry store to shop for them.  Akoya pearls are just one type of saltwater pearl that many women love for their extraordinary beauty.

I love Akoya pearls because they are so beautiful, and I’m guessing that’s what you like about them also. They have a perfectly round  shape (almost perfectly round, as you will see later), a beautiful mirror-like luster, and they come in the soft neutral white and cream colors that we all love the most in our pearls.

You can definitely find other pearls on the market that are pretty and afforable, so what is it that makes Akoya cultured pearls so special?

Where Japanese Akoya Pearls Come From

Akoya pearls can come from countries other than Japan; they can be from China, Viet Nam, Australia, and South Korea. Most of the Akoya cultured pearl necklaces, rings, and bracelets on the market used to come from Japan, but that is changing. More about that in a bit.

In the early 20^th century, Kokichi Mikimoto developed a now patented technique for creating cultured pearls. He used a specific mollusk called Pinctada fucata martensii, which is also known as the Akoya oyster. To create Akoya pearls, a small mother-of-pearl bead, along with a piece of mantle tissue (the thin membrane by which a mollusk is attached to its inner shell) is inserted inside the gonad (reproductive organ) of the mollusk. The mollusk begins secreting a substance called nacre that coats the bead, and with time, the new pearl grows to a size of between 2 and 11 millimeters. Most Akoya pearls never get any bigger than that because the Pinctada fucata martensii mollusk is one of the smallest pearl-producing mollusks in the sea.

In the past, most Akoya pearls were from Japan, but since their name is really derived from the type of oyster in which they are cultured, these gorgeous gems can come from anywhere and still be correctly identified as true “Akoya pearls” as long as they were cultured in an Akoya oyster in saltwater.

For much of the 20^th century, Japan was the place to get any type of cultured pearls from, and they continue to be a major force in the industry. Recently, China has also become a major player in the field and the quality of their Akoya pearls has equaled the quality of the Japanese variety for the last decade or so. One difference seems to be the size of pearls that each country does best; Japan is still best at culturing larger Akoya pearls, and China is best at culturing smaller pearls. In fact, most of the Akoyas in the market today that are smaller than 8mm are from China.

Chinese or Japanese Akoya Pearls? 

This brings up a question that many consumers have, which is how to tell a Japanese from a Chinese Akoya pearl, especially after they have been strung or mounted into a setting. The answer to that is that many times it is impossible to tell. Here is what sometimes happens: pearls from China are imported to Japan, treated with industry accepted treatments, strung or set into jewelry pieces, and then marketed as “Japanese Akoya Pearls”.

So, remembering that most of the smaller Akoyas are now cultured in China, the long and short of it is this: if you buy Akoya pearls that are smaller than 8mm, more than likely they originated in China, even if they are labeled as Japanese Akoyas.

Looking for the Best Akoya Pearls? 

Just like gemstones, pearls are also graded on their quality, or lack thereof. Before you head out to buy that Akoya pearl necklace or Akoya pearl earrings you have had you eye on, make sure you know some things about how they are graded first so you can make an informed decision.

The AAA grading scale is currently the most internationally recognized Akoya pearl grading scale in existence. Here is the AAA scale in chart form:

AAA graded pearls comprise about 3-5% of the cultured pearl harvest worldwide, according to Stephen Couch of Pearls by Angela Carol online. He notes that AAA quality pearls must be 95% inclusion free, meaning that no more than 5% of the surface area of the pearl may be affected by blemishes, pinpoints, or other imperfections.

Always inquire about or search the website you are going to buy your pearls from to find out how the grading system they use works. If they don’t use the AAA system, make sure you know what the grade they use for any Akoya bracelet, necklace, etc. that you are considering buying corresponds to on the AAA grading system. That way you can determine the true quality of the piece.

Below is pictured a strand of Akoya pearls that have been graded as AA pearls. Note that the luster (shine) on the pearls is not quite “mirror like”, hence the lower rating for them. Pearls like these are common, and can be found in most jewelry stores.

Hanadama Akoya Pearls – The Absolute Best

The top 1% of all pearls produced are considered to be Hanadama pearls, and are very rare and as you might expect, expensive. Jeremy Shepard of Pearl Paradise shared this information about Hanadama pearls on pearl-guide.com recently:

A Hanadama certificate for Akoya pearls can only be produced in one place: Japan. Pearls are examined on their outer surface by high magnification, their interiors are inspected through optical fiber, a spectro photometric reflectance test is administered, and a soft x-ray is made of the pearl. The thickness of the layers is measured, which must measure at least .4 on each side of the pearl for a total of .8 and the Teri-value, or luster, and the kizu, or % of imperfections is also determined.

To be graded as a Hanadama, the Teri-value has to be “strong”, and the kizu must be determined to be “very slightly”. You should note that the highest kizu any pearl can receive is “very slightly”, since all pearls are organic and therefore have imperfections.

Entire strands of pearls are graded together, and when each pearl on the strand is graded high, the whole strand is then given the grade “Hanadama”. This is a term that is used only for Akoya pearls, and more often than not, the pearls will be in the 7.5 – 8mm to 8.5 – 9mm size range.

A Hanadama certificate is pictured below:

Treatments Applied to Akoya Pearls

There are treatments that are commonly applied to pearls, and Akoya pearls are no exception. They may be beached, and especially in the case of Akoyas, they are usually “pinked”. Bleaching usually involves applying peroxide to the pearls to help improve their color and pinking is the application of dye to the pearls to add a tiny bit of pink to the overall tone of the pearl.

Both treatments are considered to be acceptable by industry standards, and should be disclosed to the buyer according to many experts in the field, but neither of these treatments is usually disclosed. Pinking is so common that Akoya pearls are assumed to have been pinked unless their certificate specifically states that they are natural and have not been pinked. That said, it is possible to find completely natural pearls in the last few years due to the better culturing techniques being developed. These pearls will be, of course, very expensive.

Akoya Pearl Overtones

Since they are an organic gemstones, there are subtle color differences from pearl to pearl. After the above treatments are applied, the pearls are carefully separated and grouped according to the color overtones they carry. Most Akoyas carry either cream, rose or silver overtones, and most women like to select the overtone according to what looks best on them. In general, remember this:

• Fair skin: rose overtones
• Medium to Dark skin: cream or silver overtones

Of course, this is absolutely personal preference at this point, and the overtones carried by your pearls will have no bearing on their overall value, so pick whichever color overtone you love the best.

Caring for Your Akoya Pearls

On of the best things you can do for your pearls is to wear them often. They are organic and will not be adversely affected by your skin oils; in fact, the oil from your skin will actually be good for your pearls.

Here are some things that are not good for pearls:

• Heat/Dryness

Never leave pearls in a hot environment, or in the sun. Hot air is usually dry air, so avoiding excessive heat will also avoid excessively dry air. Storing in a plastic bag can keep natural humidity from pearls, causing them to dry out.

• Humidity/Moisture

As much as pearls don’t like dryness, continuous exposure to excessive humidity is not good for them either. Store pearls in a dry environment. Don’t leave them in a box in the bathroom, for instance.

• Chemicals

Chemicals include things like cleaning products, cosmetics, lotions, hair spray, perfume, etc. Always apply cosmetics, perfume and hairspray before putting on your pearls, making sure they are completely dry before putting on your jewelry. Never use products like bleach, vinegar or other cleaning sprays while you wear your pearls, no matter what June Cleaver says. Chlorine is a form of bleach, so never expose pearls to swimming pool water. Salt is also a chemical that can harm your pearl jewelry, so definitely remove them before you do anything that will make you sweat. I leave the definition of what will make you sweat up to you.

• Hanging in a Jewelry Box

Always place pearls in a soft cotton pouch or wrap in tissue and they lay flat in your jewelry box. Hanging them up will cause the silk thread on which they are strung to stretch over time.

Keeping pearls clean is easy. Every time you remove them, gently wipe them with a soft, lint-free cloth before storing them properly. Once in awhile, you can wash your pearls with filtered water (so there’s no chlorine in it) and mild soap such as castile soap. Do not use detergent like you wash your dishes or hands with. Lather up your hands with the castile soap and de-chlorinated water and rub the pearls gently between your hands. Rinse them and lay them on a soft towel to dry. Make sure to move them at least once while they dry to a dry spot on the towel.

Especially if you wear a bracelet or strand of pearls frequently, take them to a trusted jeweler and have them inspected about once a year. They will be able to spot problems and make repairs so you don’t have to worry about the clasp detaching or the cord breaking, resulting in you losing your beautiful pearls.

You Get What You Pay For, Especially When it Comes to Pearls 

Many retail jewelry shops carry pearl pendants that are beautiful and that are very affordable, but to find a true Akoya pearl pendant or an Akoya pearl bracelet you may have to look further than jewelry chain stores. The high quality of Akoya saltwater pearls is not something that can be found just anywhere, so do some research online and in person at reputable jewelry stores in your area and try to find one that specializes in pearl jewelry. They will be able to answer your questions and help you find the pearls of your dreams.

Isn’t it about time you had some Akoya pearls in your collection?

Happy Shopping!

Pandora bracelets are the heart of the lovely Pandora charm bracelet that we all know and love.  It is the bracelet that sets the tone for the entire “look” of your charm bracelet.  Let’s take a look at some of the options available so that you can have a little better idea of what you want before you shop.

Pandora Bracelets: Gold or Silver, Gorgeous Either Way

Pandora bracelets come in several different types of materials.  You can choose sterling silver, 14k gold, or leather.  There are also cotton cords with metal ends that tie, but by far the most popular are the silver, gold and leather bracelets.  If you love gold and silver together, you can choose a bracelet that is two-tone; you can have the bracelet in sterling silver, and the clasp in14k gold.  There are also oxidized silver styles that have a gun-metal gray tone, and some of these also come with 14k gold clasps.  Leather bracelets come in many different colors, and have either gold or silver clasps.

Look for the “ALE 925″ (on silver), or “ALE 585″ (on gold) stamp on your bracelet to make sure it is authentic Pandora jewelry!  Bracelets that come with a snap closure (read more about those below) have “Pandora” stamped on the clasp, and bracelets with lobster claw closures (you can read more about those below, also) have a small charm attached that has the Pandora logo stamped on it.  Keep in mind that eventually, you will have most of the bracelet covered with Pandora beads and Pandora charms, so the actual bracelet won’t show much.

Size Matters for Pandora Bracelets

There are many sizes of Pandora bracelets to choose from, ranging from 6.3” to 9.1”.  The thing to remember is that you will need some extra room for the volume of the beads as you add them to the bracelet.  Always make sure you can comfortably put your pointer finger between the bracelet and your wrist.  If you are unsure, let your nearest Pandora dealer measure you for the perfect fit.  My own bracelet has “stretched” a tiny bit since it has been filled with beads, so keep that in mind, also.  The metal links in the snake chain bracelet spread apart ever so slightly under the weight of the charms.  All leather tends to stretch over time as well, so a leather Pandora bracelet will definitely have some give to it after it is filled up with beads.

Clasp This

One of the most important parts of any bracelet is the clasp.  Pandora bracelets come in two basic styles; a snap type, and a lobster-claw type.  The lobster-claw type is for those who prefer a more traditional look and is very sturdy and easy to use clasp. They are available in either 14k gold or sterling silver.  The more popular choice for Pandora bracelets seems to be their snap closure, which looks like a bead.  They also come in either 14k gold or sterling silver.  One side of the clasp “snaps” into the other side to close the bracelet.  These snap clasps are very secure, and blend in with the other bead charms on the bracelet nicely.

Pandora Charms: Keep Them Organized with Pandora’s Patented System

Gold and silver Pandora bracelets are “sectioned” into three sections with small threaded spacers that keep the individual bead charms from sliding around on the bracelet.  The leather bracelets don’t have these sections.  The advantage to having the sections is that when you don’t have your bracelet filled up with bead charms yet, the ones you do have will stay in their individual sections and won’t all bunch up in one area.  The charms twist over the spacers easily, so you can arrange them however you like, as much as you like.

Some people have reported that the beads will still twist themselves back over the threaded spacers, so Pandora came up with an easy fix for that.  There are exclusive Pandora clips that snap over the threaded spacers, and they definitely keep the beads from sliding into other sections of the bracelet.  The clips come in a variety of shapes, some with stones, and some just gold or silver.  After they are snapped on the bracelet, they look just like Pandora charms. I recommend getting at least one clip that is placed on the end of the bracelet opposite the lobster claw or bead clasp.  That way, none of your beautiful charms can slip off when you put on or take off the bracelet.  It doesn’t fit over the threads on the end, but it can be clipped onto the bracelet chain, and it will keep the charms in the end section from twisting themselves off of the bracelet accidentally.  I learned this the hard way; while removing my bracelet one evening in the bathroom as I was getting ready for bed, the charm on the end had twisted itself all the way to the end spacer and it flew off and into the commode before I could catch it!

Can You Afford a Pandora Bracelet?

One of the great things about a Pandora charm bracelet is that you can purchase the starter bracelet and maybe one charm at first, and then add to it as you can.  Half the fun of these bracelets is the hunt for more bead charms, after all!  Pandora beads make wonderful gifts, so you can find the ones you want and put them on your wish list.  I’d be willing to bet you won’t be able to wait that long though!

Some of you may be tempted to shop around for some of the plated, lower cost Pandora type bracelets available. These might not be as durable and high-quality as genuine Pandora bracelets are, so just be aware of that before you shop.  No matter what anyone says, a plated finish on any piece of jewelry can be worn down eventually.  You will be fairly safe with gold plating over sterling silver, but any precious metal over a base metal is likely to show wear and tear quickly. If you are searching for cheap Pandora bracelets online, you will find exactly that – cheap Pandora bracelets that aren’t genuine.  You know the old saying, “You get what you pay for”.  That certainly applies here.

About the Elusive Pandora Bracelets Sale

Yes, about that Pandora bracelets sale you have been waiting for…  The truth is, you will be waiting a long time for a sale because Pandora does not run sales on their jewelry.  They feel that their jewelry is heirloom quality, and that the prices for authentic Pandora bracelets are already very reasonable.  If you find a sale somewhere on an authentic Pandora bracelet, or someone advertising discount Pandora bracelets, it is probably being done without the sanction of the Pandora company.  Be very careful of purchasing these items; while you may have happened onto a great deal that is for real, you may also have happened onto a deal that is too good to be true.

You may find sales on Pandora type bracelets in stores and on the internet, so if it doesn’t matter to you whether you have the high quality and durability of genuine Pandora, then you should check out those sales for sure. Charm bracelets like Pandora such as Chamilia and Biagi Beads are still high quality charm bracelets; they would both be a good option to look at.

Remember you will be wearing your bracelet with your other jewelry, like your emerald earrings and your aquamarine rings, so you want to be sure to get one that will coordinate with those nicely.   Just take a little time to decide what type of bracelet and clasp you want before you head out to shop.  Of course, you can always change your mind when you see all those gorgeous Pandora braclets with your own eyes!

Happy Shopping!

John Hardy jewelry has released their Fall 2012 jewelry collection, and true to form, these lightweight pieces done in sterling silver capture the very essence of nature.  All of the pieces in his collection are made by artisans in Bali, using age-old techniques to create sleek, modern designs.

John Hardy was born in Canada and moved to Bali in 1975 where he began studying under a master artisan who’s ancestors were the goldsmiths to the courts of the Balinese royal family.  He has worked with many artisans from Bali to develop his signature style which incorporates the ago old techniques of his ancestors with the mastery of those contemporary Balinese artisans.

The designs from John Hardy are infused with Balinese values, which treasure harmony with nature above all.  The John Hardy workshop currently employs hundreds of artisans in the highlands of Bali, where they strive to create beautiful designs that are inspired by the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding the workshop.

John Hardy Jewelry: Strong Design, Age-Old Techniques

One of the most iconic and most popular John Hardy collections is the Bamboo Collection.  Inspired by the natural flora of the Balinese landscape, the pieces represent many of the things that John Hardy stands for, such as their dedication to sustainable living, strong attention to detail and design, and also the age-old jewelry making techniques still used by the artisans at the compound.

The ring below, the Bamboo Collection Dome Ring, is done in all sterling with a white quartz doublet, with black spinel and hematite accents. The ring retails for $895.

The earrings below are new arrivals (fall 2011) at John Hardy Jewelry, and you can see how they reflect the natural flora and fauna of the area in which they are created, with a bit of whimsy for good measure.  From the Naga Collection, the earrings are all sterling silver, with white topaz dangles. They retail for $495.

Each piece of John Hardy jewelry is a handmade piece of designer jewelry that has painstakingly been created from the drafting table up.  The designs are created on paper by artists highly trained in the French art of technical jewelry drawing. Illustrators, wax carvers and goldsmiths work together to create the stunning John Hardy bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings that the company is known for.

From the Kali Collection, the Multi Row Bracelet below is one of the most popular pieces of John Hardy Jewelry.  Its inspiration comes from the stream (in Balinese, “kali”) that meanders around the John Hardy compound.  The riverbed contains small, smooth stones which have been used to make pathways throughout the compound, echoing the path of the river.  The smooth pebbles have inspired Guy Bedaria, currently the chief designer for John Hardy, to create the Kali Collection.

In accordance with the philosophy that the Earth is their inspiration and also their responsibility to keep it healthy, the company has created its “Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo” program to give back to the Earth each time a piece of jewelry is sold.  For each piece sold, a portion of the proceeds from that piece is used to plant new bamboo seedlings near Nusa Penida, Bali.  This dedication to the Earth and its natural resources is just one of the things that makes John Hardy Jewelry stand above the rest when it comes to fine jewelry collections.

John Hardy jewelry is sold at fine jewelry stores around the world and also online. If you are looking for beautiful jewelry that is handcrafted by true artisans, you will find that there is no better place to start than with a pair of John Hardy earrings or even John Hardy bracelets. They have hundreds of designs to choose from, and more are added each year. The entire collection of  John Hardy rings, earrings, bracelets and pendants can be seen at www.johnhardy.com.

Happy Shopping!

While many people prefer to have wedding bands done in yellow or white gold, there are quite a few people who have caught on to the unique beauty of rose gold wedding bands.  White gold wedding rings seem to be all the rage now, but if you don’t like to just follow along with the crowd, a rose gold wedding set might just be what you are looking for.  This guide will tell you everything you should know about those gorgeous, glowing, rose gold wedding bands before you shop.

A Little about Gold in General

Pure gold is yellow in color, but it can be alloyed with other elements to obtain colored gold.  Pure gold is 24 karat, and so when 14 parts of pure gold are mixed with 10 parts of an alloy metal, together they create 14 karat gold.  18 parts pure gold with 6 parts alloy will create 18 karat gold.  Therefore, the higher the karat rating of gold, the softer it will be because it will have more gold in it, which by nature is a soft metal.  That is always helpful to remember for all gold, and especially for mens wedding rings, because the lower the karat weight, the harder and sturdier it will be.  This is the reason that many wedding bands for men are 10K – men tend to be a bit harder on jewelry than women!

What Exactly is Rose Gold?

Rose gold is created by mixing gold with copper and sometimes  sterling silver. As noted above, you can have “pure yellow gold” that has not been alloyed with any other metal. Pure gold is almost never used for jewelry-making since it is too soft. While rose gold definitely is gold, there is no such thing as “pure rose gold”, since there is always a certain percentage of it that is copper. As a side note, sometimes it can be easy to confuse copper jewelry with rose gold, so be sure to confirm that you are buying rose gold and not just copper before you buy.

Rose, Pink, Red…Traditional or Contemporary?

Even though the terms rose, pink and red gold are sometimes used interchangeably when it comes to this type of gold, there is a difference. The amount of copper in the gold determines how “rose”, “pink” or ”red” the gold looks.  Higher copper content will result in a “redder” coloration.  The most common alloy that is used to make true “rose gold” is a mixture of 75% gold and 25% copper.  Red gold, on the other hand, will most likely be at least a mixture of 50% gold and 50% copper.

All of the various colors of rose gold are beautiful. Choose the coloration that is most appealing to you! Many of the wedding band designs created with rose gold have traditionally been stamped or engraved with beautiful patterns. If you love vintage jewelry, then this may be the look for you. In fact, many stamped rose gold rings are so beautiful they don’t even need gemstones. This is good news for the price conscious wedding band shopper, since the price will naturally be lower with no added stones. With the rising interest in rose gold however, many very contemporary-looking rose gold wedding bands have recently hit the market. Whatever your particular style, you can be sure you will be able to find what you want in a rose gold ring today.

Why You May Not Want the Highest Karat Rose Gold You Can Get

The highest karat version of rose gold is 22K, sometimes referred to as “Crown Gold”, and is not commonly used to make jewelry.  To achieve 18K rose gold, usually 75% gold is mixed with 21% copper and 4% sterling silver.  This results in a rose color which has a beautiful color and luster, but still may not be the best choice for mens engagement rings, or any jewelry for men for that matter.  

Price Matters

If you are concerned with price, as many people are today, many cubic zircona rings are now being set in rose gold, and would be a great choice for a cost-conscious shopper.  Only a jeweler would be able to tell the difference between a cubic zirconia rose gold wedding band and a wedding band with a diamond in it.  While cubic zirconia stones may not last quite as long as a diamond, they can be a good alternative until an actual diamond can be purchased and set into the ring. The choices are almost endless, so don’t be afraid to venture into the world of cubic zirconia and rose gold!

Just keep the information above in mind while you shop for rose gold wedding bands, and you will be sure to end up with something that is beautiful and will last you a lifetime.

Happy Shopping!

Copper jewelry is HOT right now, and no wonder – it is not only attractive, but it is also usually very reasonably priced.  Copper jewelry can consist of anything from copper beads strung on beading wire, to intricate designs twisted into wire, to painstakingly hammered and polished links fashioned into gorgeous copper bracelets, or possibly even one of a kind jewelry designs.  There are even some who believe that copper bracelets can provide pain relief. Before you buy any copper jewelry, here a few things to keep in mind. First off all, let’s take a look at copper jewelry being sold as a pain reliever.

Copper Bracelets for Pain Relief

There is evidence that copper has been used for pain relief for a long time; ancient Greeks used copper as a treatment for arthritis, for example. In more recent times, doctors used copper salts injections to alleviate arthritis pain during the 1940’s – 1970’s. Today, many products (such as ‘arthritis copper bracelets’) have been marketed that claim to reduce inflammation and/or pain from arthritis.

Are these products really giving pain relief? Many golfers wear a magnetic copper bracelet because they believe that the magnetized copper has beneficial circulatory properties that keep them from having wrist and arm pain while playing. People are shown in TV, print and online ads claiming that their arthritis pain has completely disappeared, or has at least been greatly diminished.

There has never been any clinical proof of the effectiveness of copper as a pain reliever. The facts about the claim that copper provides pain relief are this: There has never been any clinical proof of the effectiveness of copper as a pain reliever. The only evidence that exists is “anecdotal evidence”, i.e., claims from individual people who say they have received relief from pain by wearing a magnetic copper bracelet or a copper cuff bracelet.

The important thing to remember is that there is no scientific evidence proving that copper jewelry or even magnetic copper jewelry reduces pain, only “hearsay”. The good news is that most of the copper bracelets and cuffs sold as pain relievers are fairly inexpensive, so if you want to try it yourself, it won’t cost you much to do so.

In my humble opinion, the best reason to buy copper jewelry is because it is beautiful. Take a quick look online and you will find hundreds of styles of copper bracelets, copper earrings, and copper necklaces. Since most of these pieces are priced under $50, a nice collection of copper jewelry can be acquired for very little investment.

Care of Copper Jewelry

If you clean, polish and store your copper jewelry correctly and it will last you forever! Here’s how:

Copper jewelry needs to be cleaned once in awhile to remove dirt and oils from your skin.  If you wear your jewelry often, you will probably need to clean it weekly. Before you clean your jewelry, make sure the other components of your piece are washable before you immerse your jewelry in water.  For example, some of the beads may have been made of rolled paper or polyclay that have a water-based finish on them. Do not immerse beads like that in water.

• To clean copper, run some warm water in your sink or a bowl and mix in a few drops of mild non-detergent soap (especially important if you are cleaning something such as copper earrings or copper bracelets that incorporate pearls) .
• Use a soft cloth and gently rub the jewelry for a few seconds, until visible dirt is gone. Rinse the piece with cool water, and blot dry. Leave the jewelry to dry thoroughly before you wear it again.  Pieces that have non-washable components in them will need to be carefully wiped with a soft cloth moistened with water and a drop of soap only on the copper areas.
• Rinse your cloth and wipe the piece again to rinse off any soap, an set aside to dry completely.
• Commercial jewelry cleaner is not recommended for cleaning copper.

Polish your copper jewelry in order to keep that gorgeous original pink-ish glow for your pieces.

• Use a pinch of salt and about one cup of lemon juice to make a polish.  Dip your jewelry in the polishing solution and let it soak for a few seconds, swirling it around.  Any accumulated tarnish will be whisked off of your jewelry and it will look like new.
• Rinse in clear water and wipe with a soft dry cloth.  Of course the above caution applies, if there are any non-washable components in your jewelry.
• I would not recommend using this method to polish copper jewelry that has been lacquered or that contains pearls – a jewelry polishing cloth should be used instead.
• Important note: if your jewelry has an extra patina already added to it which is a part of the design of the piece, don’t polish it, or you may remove it inadvertently.
• Also, DO NOT use silver polish on copper because it is too abrasive and will scratch the softer surface of copper.

Always store your copper jewelry in a zipped plastic bag.  Constant exposure to the air will cause excess tarnish to build up on copper.  Some people like the bluish-tinted tarnish that builds up on copper, but for most copper jewelry, that finish isn’t desirable and will take away from the look of the piece. So as soon as possible after removing your jewelry, place it in the zipper bag for storage. If you have just cleaned it, make sure it is completely dry before storing it.

For those of you who have tried copper jewelry for pain, if you do feel that you receive any level of pain relief from wearing copper jewelry, then you are getting an added perk to the simple beauty of copper jewelry pieces. Anyone who has tried wearing copper for pain relief, I’d love to hear from you one way or another. Let me know whether you feel it helped or if it looked pretty but did nothing for your pain.

Happy Shopping!

Using a diamond clarity chart can be one of the most useful and easy ways to determine diamond clarity, and therefore, how much you should pay for a diamond. When it comes to buying diamonds, most people would prefer to buy the best diamond that they can afford. Diamonds are graded by jewelers using many different criteria to determine what that particular diamond this worth. One of the most important criteria used to determine how much a diamond is worth is its clarity. The diamond clarity can determine anywhere from 20-30% of the value of the diamond!

Diamond Clarity Decoded

When you buy a diamond, there should be a clarity grade assigned to it by a gem lab such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Those grades can be confusing to someone not familiar with jewelry trade lingo. So your diamond has a clarity grade of F1. An F? Your diamond has flunked the grading test? Not at all! Actually, if your diamond has been graded F1, it is the clearest of the clear in the diamond world.

All diamonds have flaws, or inclusions inside. These inclusions are the result of naturally occurring bubbles, cracks and organic matter. The natural process of carbon being compressed and heated over time (lots of time!!) creates the beautiful mineral we know as diamonds. Sometimes a small speck of carbon will not completely be transformed into diamond material. When a diamond is cut, lapidaries (gem and mineral cutting professionals) try to maximize the size of the diamond  cut from rough material while also removing those parts of the diamond containing inclusions. Any inclusions remaining in the finished diamond must be accounted for and documented when grading the overall value of the diamond.

These inclusions are graded from F, meaning flawless, to I, meaning included. Within this grading scale there are many different grades. Diamonds may also have blemishes which are actually surface flaws. If a diamond is judged to be flawless, that means there are no inclusions or blemishes on or within the diamond. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare. Diamonds that are graded I1 through I3 have inclusions that are visible under 10 times magnification, as well as to the human eye. It is generally not recommended to buy any diamonds that have that grade. If a diamond has been graded anywhere between a flawless and slightly included, this only has an effect on and the value of diamond, not on the appearance of the unmagnified diamond. Even though flawless diamonds are the most rare type of diamond you do not need to have a flawless diamond for it to be absolutely gorgeous.

Get What You Pay For and Pay For What You Get

While the inclusions and or blemishes a diamond has can affect its value, those same inclusions and blemishes can also be considered to be the “fingerprints” of the diamond. GIA includes a plot of a diamond’s inclusions that can be used to compare one diamond to another, and also will show you that you are getting the correct diamond and that it is worth what you are paying for it.

If you decide that you would like to purchase a diamond has been graded flawless or internally flawless you should expect to pay quite a bit for it. Diamonds that are graded as very very small (VVS)and very small (VS) inclusions are great choice is because you’ll get both value and a stunning appearance from the diamond. Diamonds included in the slightly included one (SI1) and slightly included two (SI2) groups are also usually a great buy. These diamonds are called “eye clean” because there are no inclusions or blemishes visible unless the diamond is looked at under at least 10 times magnification. As you can see, the amount of money you want to spend on your diamond will determine the clarity grade that you should choose. Of course that works the other way – you may have to get a diamond farther down on the clarity chart depending on how much money you have to spend.

A Diamond Clarity Chart Used By Gemologist’s to Grade the Clarity of Diamonds:

As you can see, the clarity of diamonds is an important part of their grading process, but remember that there are factors that go into deciding the value of a diamond other than clarity. Using a diamond clarity chart to determine what a diamond is worth is a helpful way to begin deciding the value of the stone, but it isn’t the only way to determine how valuable the diamond is.

Always buy the best diamond you can afford, and ask to see the gemological report on any diamond purchase. That way you will be sure to get what you pay for as well as pay for what you get, and you will receive a beautiful diamond that someday just may become a family heirloom.

Don’t want to try to memorize the chart and have to remember all that info while you are diamond shopping? Click on our chart and then print it out for a handy cheat sheet!

If you liked this article, you may be interested in finding out more about yellow diamond engagement rings or diamond stud earrings here at Pearl’s Jewelry Junction!