Monday, December 29, 2008

Hand Made Wedding Rings

. There are many factors a couple has to consider about selecting their wedding rings, like metal type, size and style. Another factor that couples should consider when buying or ordering the wedding rings is the price because they often end up spending more on other wedding requirements that are essential too. To turn this auspicious occasion into an even more important and special some people may also order wedding rings that are handmade.

The wedding gowns of the bride can also be designed according to the style of handmade rings and this gives the whole wedding affair an thematic touch. In cities or towns where very few goldsmith and jewelry shops are found, the Internet can prove to be a very supporting resource for people who are looking for handmade wedding rings. Many web sites furnishes information about handmade wedding rings, the addresses of special and skilled goldsmiths and artisans, and craftsmanship charges.

They are designed as per the desires of tan individual and hence hand made rings are very expensive. The brides and grooms can also get hand made wedding rings and engrave each others initials on the outside or inside of the rings. Such hand made rings gives a personal touch and becomes a unique, memorable and valuable possession for them. When you place an order for the handmade wedding rings you have to consider that once these hand made wedding rings are made it is not possible to give back or even exchange them because they are a personal item.

The websites also displays samples of earlier handmade and customized wedding rings for the customers to select from. The images are supported by the detailed description of the rings and its manufacturing process, the metals and alloys that are used in them, the price for each make and style, and the complete list of other rings in stock with them.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

pearl Necklaces

Pearl is the divine beauty that all people praise. Pearl is the sign of love, romance, passion and the commitment that one person shares with another person. Generally, pearl is gifted to the dearest person or the most lovable person on a special accession. Pearl necklace is all about putting forward your emotions and feelings to which you are going to gift.

Pearls can be used in necklace, rings, earrings, pendants or bracelets. Commonly pearls are used in necklace. Use of pearls in ornaments is being run from traditional times. The enchanted beauty of pearl will make you mesmerize or draw you completely in other world. Generally, pearl is more in demand or preferred by women. After having then completely it's your choice to adorn its beauty.

Thus, like diamond pearls need to go through the mechanical process for its polishing and shaping in a scrupulous way. Pearl necklace is about natural beauty to manifest the woman's heart and mind.

Especially long necklace is more seen in old ladies having healthy neck and short necklace adorns young woman's tender neck. But before buying any pearl necklace you should keep in mind some factors namely the size, shape, design, type, color & cost. To wear pearl necklace your dressing and the skin tone should complement your personality to add up the beauty. If a person cannot afford expensive big pearls then should not feel dejected enough as you can get pearl necklace within your budget too.

The birth of a gorgeous natural pearl is because of number of layers of nacre material which encircle the oyster's milieu. Pearl is one of the jewels that have substance contained in oyster. Firstly the trend was of sea pearl then came the trend of other pearls like Golden pearl, White pearl, Tahitian pearl, Akoya pearl and Freshwater pearl.

Freshwater pearl are refined in artificial water pools, easily found in Asian countries. The pearls are bifurcated in accordance to the zone wise sea located for example Tahitian south sea, Golden south sea, and White south sea. Pearls are available in the most charming colors too.

The number of different pearl shapes can be produced by oyster like off-round/baroque form of pearl. You can get in a very rare case a perfect round shaped pearl. The cost is too high of a round shaped pearl.

Black pearls in necklace are highly demanded these days. Most of women prefer to select or shop particularly this necklace in social occasion or function. A person's personality sounds sober and decent in such situation. Wearing of the type of pearl necklace should also differ on the basis of age and appearance.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Jewelery - A Touch of Romance

Victorian jewellery, as you might have guessed is all about grandeur. It takes inspiration from the jewellery worn by Queen Victoria herself. You can expect to find chokers and necklaces studded with stones. Each piece is baroque and intricately designed. You will find most varieties having tear drop pendants and earrings. There are myriads color combinations and styles. You should choose this type to go with your chic black dress. The old jewellery will draw attention to your neck and ears, so you should wear a dress with a wide neck.
Edwardian jewellery tends to be less detailed when you compare it to Victorian pieces. These elegant pieces usually have a signature bow and swag design. Many of the designs appear contemporary because of their simplicity. You might also chance upon brooches with a circular design and a stone set in the center. This is another signature Edwardian design. The stone may be surrounded with a motif of flowers or leaves. You will find some of the best rings in this genre. The snake rings were the most popular designs of this era. These designs of antique jewellery would be ideal for a formal occasion like an office meeting where subtle elegance is the key.
Retro jewellery is a junkies dream. You will find fascinating collections of vintage jewellery online. The pieces of vintage costume jewellery are usually motifs of butterflies and flowers with rhinestones set into them. They are ideal for a fun party. Choose a plain top to let the sparkle show. These pieces are guaranteed attention grabbers and make ideal gifts for teenagers too. You can buy vintage jewellery from a range of charms, bracelets and earrings to suit your style and budget.
Another category of vintage jewelry you must check out is art deco. This line consists of well defined geometric designs. The pieces used modern motifs like cars and airplanes. You will find some lovely chandelier earrings in this genre of jewellery. The necklaces also had tassels or long pendants. There are many feminine designs in this era. Clean cut flowers and geometric shapes will look best for an evening out. This is something you would want to wear to a high - end restaurant. You can bunch you hair high up to show off your earrings.
If you are a romantic and love graceful jewellery, you must check out art nouveau vintage jewellery pieces. These pieces are characterized by swirling designs and tendrils. Most motifs are inspired by flowers and Celtic patterns. They draw inspiration from dragons, dragonflies and peacocks. You will find some of the best pieces featuring such motifs. You can wear such a piece for a casual outing. The minimalism and simplicity will compliment a pretty top

History of Antique Engagement and Wedding Rings

Typically antique wedding rings from the 19 th century and the 20 th century were plain gold bands. Many of these gold bands were engraved with expressions of affection or important dates. Gemstones in antique jewelry were expensive luxuries as trade with the Middle East and Asia had not yet allowed for the flow of imported stones. Not all wedding rings were plain gold during the 19 th century. Some antique wedding rings were made with a delicate designs using turquoise, which symbolized the forget-me-not flower. It was not uncommon to find 19 th century wedding rings using pearls or small diamonds.

During the early 1900s, wedding jewelry was designed to be delicate and feminine. Edwardian wedding rings were set in platinum or a mix of yellow gold topped with platinum or silver to allow diamonds to shine. Diamonds were the most common gemstone in 1910 wedding rings. Edwardian engagement rings would often have old-mine cut diamonds or old-European-cut diamonds. Old-mine cut and European-cut diamonds have high crowns that enhance luster under candlelight. 1910 antique filigree rings were crafted with delicate gold or platinum. Antique platinum diamond rings have maintained much of their beauty because of the durability of platinum.

The 1920s wedding rings used more geometric designs and colored stones. Art Deco engagement rings were constructed with old-mine cut, European-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds and set primarily in platinum or white gold. New diamond cutting techniques allowed for new diamond cuts which would add an enhanced geometric flair. Synthetic sapphires or rubies were used to accent art deco engagement rings. 1920s engagement ring shapes featured a center diamond in square, octagonal or hexagonal pronged settings. Art Deco wedding ring settings may have been domed or even stair stepped. 1920's and 1930s engagement rings would be embellished with engraved designs on the shoulders and shanks of rings. The 1930s wedding rings would be made of 18kt and 14kt white gold filigree designs. Ring shanks would continue to be thin by today's standards.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Jewellery for Charity

If you buy the silver Bulgari ring (pictured below) this Christmas, you will be simultaneously giving and receiving: €60 of the €290 price tag will go straight to Save the Children. This is one of many examples of the burgeoning relationship between jewellery and charity.

Bulgari, whose normal entry-level price for jewellery is around €490, aims to appeal to a wider audience than the one it normally targets with a product such as this. According to Francesco Trapani, its chief executive, “It is a pretty inexpensive piece of jewellery. We don’t normally do silver but we wanted to do something very commercial to raise money.”

The ring will spearhead the Roman jewellery house’s 125th anniversary celebrations when it goes on sale next January in Harrods and at Bulgari stores worldwide the following month. It is hoped that sales of the rings, plus the proceeds from a related auction of high jewellery, will raise €10m for Save the Children.

This effort is just one among many contemporary marriages of precious product and philanthropy, including a bangle from Montblanc, pens and watches from Chopard, and watches from IWC (the International Watch Company).

Perhaps it was the high profile “(RED)” campaign, with its series of products designed specifically to raise money to fight Aids, that brought about this sea change. Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of Save the Children, says: “businesses and charities are looking for win-win opportunities to collaborate. While a cheque is lovely, a longer standing relationship with buy-in from clients is more valuable for us.”

The charity jewellery phenomenon is not a new one. In Berlin at the start of the 19th century, women gave their gold and diamond jewels to fund the war against Napoleon’s invasion of Prussia. In exchange for their glittering jewels the women received black iron tiaras and necklaces that fast became the only socially acceptable jewels, and, more importantly, the badge of a patriot to be worn pride. Replace “patriot” with “social responsibility” and the formula still works.

“From cans of instant coffee to jewellery, in a recession a charity link is another reason for choosy customers to buy a product,” says Save the Children’s Whitbread. “The feel-good factor is a big plus in tough markets.”

“We would rather do this than put our logo on a Formula 1 driver’s helmet,” says Roland Ott, director of corporate communications at Swiss watch house IWC. Ott reports that watches with a charity link sell better than standard products, though the margin on them is, of course, lower.

Nevertheless, IWC has thus far sold enough products to give almost $2m to charities, including the Fondation Antoine de St Exupéry, the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Cousteau Society.