Naga the dragon is a mythical being responsible for protecting Earth. His body is similar to a snake's, which Achara elegantly replicates with this sterling silver bracelet.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Garnet necklace
Garnet necklace, Sensuous and chic, this necklace features three luxurious tiers of garnets. In the center, three additional gemstone cascades form a pendant. Prageet crafts the choker from sterling silver in a perfect fusion of tradition and style.
A jewelry expert!
Intriguing facts, fictions, and terminology
Abalone
Abalone is a mollusk, and a source of mother of pearl. It is the beautiful iridescent inside of the mollusk's shell that is called mother of pearl.
Acrylic
A type of thermoplastic, often used in jewelry.
Adamantine
Meaning to have a diamond-like luster.
Alexandrite Effect
Reference to stones that appear to be different colors depending on the light they are viewed under.
Alloy
A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other. Common jewelry allows include gold, sterling silver, brass, bronze, pewter, and alpaca (also spelled alpaca, not to be confused with alpaca wool). Brass, for example, is an alloy of zinc and copper.
Alpaca (aka alpacca)
Sometimes used in jewelry as a silver substitute, alpaca is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc.
Aluminum
A lightweight, silver-white metal, first discovered in the 18th century. At that time, aluminum was more expensive than gold!
Annealing
A method of subjecting glass or metal to heating and slow cooling in order to toughen and reduce brittleness.
Anodized
An electrochemical, acid-bath/electrical current treatment for metal that changes the molecules of the surface layer (controlled oxidization) into a thin, protective, lustrous, sometimes colorful film.
Apple Juice
A translucent plastic the color of apple juice, used in jewelry.
Aqua Regia
A mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids, used to test gold and platinum.
Arcade Setting (aka Coronet or Chaton Setting)
A setting of many metal claws holding the stone in place.
Arkansas Diamond
Actually rock crystal, not a real diamond.
Arkansas Stone
An abrasive used to smooth metals, used in jewelry-making.
Art Deco (1925-1935)
Deriving its name from the 1925 Paris Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Manufactures, Art Deco was actually a largely North American style that influenced everything from jewelry to architecture. With an emphasis on symmetry and geometry, the Art Deco movement strove to soften the mass produced look with a somewhat more sensitive, artful purpose. In jewelry, platinum, and diamonds played a central role, often mixed with inexpensive crystal and even coral. From Art Deco, the introduction of new emerald, pear, and marquises cuts resulted, harmonious with the symmetrical themes of the Art Deco style.
Art Nouveau (1890-1912)
In jewelry, the Art Nouveau movement broke away from the solemn conventions of Victorian and Edwardian styling, a rebellion that unleashed a creative, inspired outpouring of phenomenally beautiful works of art, incorporating much of the natural world - elegant flowers, dragonflies, ferns, snakes, and lithe, sensual animal and human forms. Also with the advent of Art Nouveau came a mastery of new gold casting and carving techniques, and the widespread use of enameling.
Arts and Crafts
A late 1800s artistic movement, with items intentionally made to appear handmade, and with simple settings.
Assay
An assay is a test of the purity of an alloy.
Asterism
A luminescent, star-like effect in some gemstones, reflecting light.
Aurora Borealis or AB
Often used in reference to glass rhinestones or beads coated with a thin layer of metals to achieve an iridescent sheen, named after the "Northern Lights." This process was jointly invented by the Swarovski and Christian Dior companies in 1955.
Awabi Pearl
Japanese name for abalone pearls.
Bakelite Jewelry
Thermoset plastic first produced in the 1920s, named after its creator, Leo Hendrick Baekeland. A dense, synthetic resin, Bakelite is difficult to melt and easily colored. It quickly became a popular material for jewelry, even fostering its own counterfeits. Bakelite was initially designed to imitate amber.
Bangle
A stiff bracelet, solid or sometimes featuring a hinge closure.
Bar and Ring Clasp
A bar fastener, where the bar is inserted into a ring, to connect two ends of a bracelet or necklace.
Baroda Gem
A trade name for a colorless glass stone backed with foil.
Baroque
Refers to irregularly shaped, natural or artificial pearls and stones.
Bar Pin (or Bar Brooch)
A long pin worn horizontally.
Barrel Clasp
Jewelry closure where one end of the closure screws into the other, barrel-like end.
Base Metal
Non-precious metals, including copper, lead, tin, and zinc.
Basse-Taille
Translucent enameling of low relief metals to produce a sculpted surface.
Baton
A long, thin, rectangular stone cut, larger than a baguette.
Bayadere
A pearl necklace of strands that have been twisted together.
Bell Cap
Glued onto a hole-less bead or stone to make threading possible.
Belle Epoque
The Edwardian period (1901 - 1910)
Bezel (aka Crown)
The top of a cut stone, protruding above the edge of the setting. A bezel setting, on the other hand, is a band of metal tightened around the outside of the stone to hold it in place.
Bib Necklace (aka Collarette)
A short necklace featuring flowing ornaments.
Big Four
Diamond, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds are known as "The Big Four", the most desirable gemstones in the world today, in that order.
Biwa Pearl
Irregularly shaped freshwater pearls from Lake Biwa, Japan, smoother and more lustrous than most freshwater pearls.
Bleaching
Removing or subduing a gemstone's color with a bleaching agent.
Bling Bling
Slang term coined by rapper Cash Money Millionaires, describing ostentatious, usually diamond jewelry.
Blister Pearl (aka Bouton Pearl)
A pearl that attaches itself to a mollusk's shell, so that it must be cut from the shell during removal, resulting in a flattened backside.
Bodkin
A renaissance era hairpin, laden with many jewels.
Bog-Oak
In the Victorian Era, bog-oak was carved into inexpensive jewelry and other decorative objects. It is old oak, blackened in Irish and Scottish peat bogs.
Bohemian Diamond
Rock crystal (not an actual diamond)
Bolt Ring (aka Spring Ring)
Invented in the early 1900s, the bolt ring is a circular metal fastening with a spring opening, designed to attach two other links in a bracelet or necklace.
Bonding
A coating of plastic or another colorless bonding agent onto a porous gemstone to make it harder and richer in color.
Botanical Gems
Minerals formed of plant material, including amber, coconut pearl, and pearl opal (found in damaged bamboo shoots).
Brazilian Chain (aka Snake Chain)
Link chain made of small cup-like links.
Brazing
Soldering with high temperature alloys to join high temperature metals.
Brilliant Cut
Stones cut with 56 facets, 32 above the girdle, 24 below, maximizing the amount of reflected light. The brilliant cut is the most popular diamond cut today, dating from the 1600s.
Bridge Jewelry
Bridging the gap between precious and costume jewelry, sterling silver is an example of bridge jewelry.
Briolette (aka Drop Cut)
A pear-shaped cut with triangular facets on the top surface.
Brooch (aka Pin)
An ornament of any material that can be pinned to a garment.
Brushed Finish
Brushed metal, with reduced reflectivity.
Bruting
The shaping of the girdle of a diamond, the first step in the cutting process, determining the basic shape of the finished gem.
Bubbles
Bubbles of gas caught in glass or resins, and sometimes in minerals.
Bugle Bead
A long, thin, tube-shaped glass bead.
Butterfly Wing Jewelry
Made from real butterfly wings, often with a picture painted on the wings, enclosed in plastic or glass.
Cabochon
A cut with a rounded, domed surface, with no facets.
Calibre-Cut
Small step-cut stones for inclusion in larger designs.
Cameo
A relief carving on a shell or stone.
Camphor Glass
Cloudy white glass, popular mid-nineteenth century.
Carat (ct.)
A unit of measurement introduced in 1907, .2 grams.
Casting
Melting and shaping metal through the use of molds. There are many methods of casting, including the lost wax process, centrifugal, and sand methods.
Cathedral Setting
A simple setting, a band that arches upward.
Choker
A short necklace designed to rest close to the throat, usually 13-15" in length.
Clip-On
A simple spring clip mechanism to lock earrings in place, not requiring piercings.
Celluloid
A plant-derived plastic, invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt.
Celtic Jewelry
Designed by the Celts in Brittany, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, using bronze, silver, and gold.
CFW
Cultured, freshwater pearls.
Champleve
This "sunken enamel" style is achieved by first cutting designs into the surface of metal, then filling the grooves with enamel, firing it to a polished sheen. Similar, but not as delicate, as cloisonné.
Channel Set
Jewels resting in a metal channel, held by a slight rim.
Charm
Small, symbolic ornaments, usually worn on bracelets or necklaces.
Chasing
Decorating metal by use of hammer strikes.
Chaton
A stone backed with reflective foil.
Chatoyancy
The cat's eye effect found in some polished stones, including cat's eye, tiger's eye, and various other stones. The cabochon cut best shows off this trait.
Claddagh Ring
An Irish ring, featuring two small hands clasped together.
Clarity
The lack of internal flaws in a gemstone. In diamonds, clarity ranges from FL (flawless), to 13 (with many imperfections visible to the naked eye).
Claw
A metal prong positioned to hold a gemstone securely in its setting.
Cleavage
The way a mineral natural breaks.
Cloisonne
A certain application of enamel to metal. First, a design is cut into the metal; then, the cuts are filled with enamel and fired to a polish.
Closed Setting
A setting that completely encases the back of a stone.
Cloud
Usually a cluster of tiny inclusions in a stone, making it appear milky, greatly reducing the stone's value.
Cluster Setting
A gemstone surrounded by small stones or pearls.
Collet Setting
A thin, round band of metal encircling a stone, with one edge crimped over the top of the stone, and the other edge of the band soldered to the metal of the setting.
Composite Suite
Jewelry that can be assembled into one piece or disassembled into two or more pieces, so that they can be worn as one item or separately.
Conch
A marine mollusk with a pearly, typically white or pink shell that is cut into beads for jewelry.
Crimp Bead
A soft metal bead that, when crimped, secures the loose ends of threading material.
Crown
The crown is the top part of a cut gem.
Crystal (glass)
Glass made of a minimum of 10 percent lead oxide, producing very clear glass, a process discovered in 1676 by Englishman George Ravenscroft.
Cubic Zirconium (aka Cubic Zirconia)
Resembling diamond, cubic zirconium is an inexpensive, manufactured gemstone, created in 1977.
Cuff Bracelet
A rigid, wide bracelet.
Cultured Pearl
Pearls produced by mollusks that have been purposefully injected with bits of shell. They shell serves as irritant, compelling the mollusk to begin coating the irritant with layer after layer of self-produced nacre, in an instinctive attempt to smooth and sooth the lodged irritation. This method of "farming" pearls was invented by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893.
Cushion Cut
Stones cut into a square cushion-like shape, rounded on the edges, with facets typically similar to a brilliant cut.
Abalone
Abalone is a mollusk, and a source of mother of pearl. It is the beautiful iridescent inside of the mollusk's shell that is called mother of pearl.
Acrylic
A type of thermoplastic, often used in jewelry.
Adamantine
Meaning to have a diamond-like luster.
Alexandrite Effect
Reference to stones that appear to be different colors depending on the light they are viewed under.
Alloy
A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other. Common jewelry allows include gold, sterling silver, brass, bronze, pewter, and alpaca (also spelled alpaca, not to be confused with alpaca wool). Brass, for example, is an alloy of zinc and copper.
Alpaca (aka alpacca)
Sometimes used in jewelry as a silver substitute, alpaca is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc.
Aluminum
A lightweight, silver-white metal, first discovered in the 18th century. At that time, aluminum was more expensive than gold!
Annealing
A method of subjecting glass or metal to heating and slow cooling in order to toughen and reduce brittleness.
Anodized
An electrochemical, acid-bath/electrical current treatment for metal that changes the molecules of the surface layer (controlled oxidization) into a thin, protective, lustrous, sometimes colorful film.
Apple Juice
A translucent plastic the color of apple juice, used in jewelry.
Aqua Regia
A mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids, used to test gold and platinum.
Arcade Setting (aka Coronet or Chaton Setting)
A setting of many metal claws holding the stone in place.
Arkansas Diamond
Actually rock crystal, not a real diamond.
Arkansas Stone
An abrasive used to smooth metals, used in jewelry-making.
Art Deco (1925-1935)
Deriving its name from the 1925 Paris Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Manufactures, Art Deco was actually a largely North American style that influenced everything from jewelry to architecture. With an emphasis on symmetry and geometry, the Art Deco movement strove to soften the mass produced look with a somewhat more sensitive, artful purpose. In jewelry, platinum, and diamonds played a central role, often mixed with inexpensive crystal and even coral. From Art Deco, the introduction of new emerald, pear, and marquises cuts resulted, harmonious with the symmetrical themes of the Art Deco style.
Art Nouveau (1890-1912)
In jewelry, the Art Nouveau movement broke away from the solemn conventions of Victorian and Edwardian styling, a rebellion that unleashed a creative, inspired outpouring of phenomenally beautiful works of art, incorporating much of the natural world - elegant flowers, dragonflies, ferns, snakes, and lithe, sensual animal and human forms. Also with the advent of Art Nouveau came a mastery of new gold casting and carving techniques, and the widespread use of enameling.
Arts and Crafts
A late 1800s artistic movement, with items intentionally made to appear handmade, and with simple settings.
Assay
An assay is a test of the purity of an alloy.
Asterism
A luminescent, star-like effect in some gemstones, reflecting light.
Aurora Borealis or AB
Often used in reference to glass rhinestones or beads coated with a thin layer of metals to achieve an iridescent sheen, named after the "Northern Lights." This process was jointly invented by the Swarovski and Christian Dior companies in 1955.
Awabi Pearl
Japanese name for abalone pearls.
Bakelite Jewelry
Thermoset plastic first produced in the 1920s, named after its creator, Leo Hendrick Baekeland. A dense, synthetic resin, Bakelite is difficult to melt and easily colored. It quickly became a popular material for jewelry, even fostering its own counterfeits. Bakelite was initially designed to imitate amber.
Bangle
A stiff bracelet, solid or sometimes featuring a hinge closure.
Bar and Ring Clasp
A bar fastener, where the bar is inserted into a ring, to connect two ends of a bracelet or necklace.
Baroda Gem
A trade name for a colorless glass stone backed with foil.
Baroque
Refers to irregularly shaped, natural or artificial pearls and stones.
Bar Pin (or Bar Brooch)
A long pin worn horizontally.
Barrel Clasp
Jewelry closure where one end of the closure screws into the other, barrel-like end.
Base Metal
Non-precious metals, including copper, lead, tin, and zinc.
Basse-Taille
Translucent enameling of low relief metals to produce a sculpted surface.
Baton
A long, thin, rectangular stone cut, larger than a baguette.
Bayadere
A pearl necklace of strands that have been twisted together.
Bell Cap
Glued onto a hole-less bead or stone to make threading possible.
Belle Epoque
The Edwardian period (1901 - 1910)
Bezel (aka Crown)
The top of a cut stone, protruding above the edge of the setting. A bezel setting, on the other hand, is a band of metal tightened around the outside of the stone to hold it in place.
Bib Necklace (aka Collarette)
A short necklace featuring flowing ornaments.
Big Four
Diamond, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds are known as "The Big Four", the most desirable gemstones in the world today, in that order.
Biwa Pearl
Irregularly shaped freshwater pearls from Lake Biwa, Japan, smoother and more lustrous than most freshwater pearls.
Bleaching
Removing or subduing a gemstone's color with a bleaching agent.
Bling Bling
Slang term coined by rapper Cash Money Millionaires, describing ostentatious, usually diamond jewelry.
Blister Pearl (aka Bouton Pearl)
A pearl that attaches itself to a mollusk's shell, so that it must be cut from the shell during removal, resulting in a flattened backside.
Bodkin
A renaissance era hairpin, laden with many jewels.
Bog-Oak
In the Victorian Era, bog-oak was carved into inexpensive jewelry and other decorative objects. It is old oak, blackened in Irish and Scottish peat bogs.
Bohemian Diamond
Rock crystal (not an actual diamond)
Bolt Ring (aka Spring Ring)
Invented in the early 1900s, the bolt ring is a circular metal fastening with a spring opening, designed to attach two other links in a bracelet or necklace.
Bonding
A coating of plastic or another colorless bonding agent onto a porous gemstone to make it harder and richer in color.
Botanical Gems
Minerals formed of plant material, including amber, coconut pearl, and pearl opal (found in damaged bamboo shoots).
Brazilian Chain (aka Snake Chain)
Link chain made of small cup-like links.
Brazing
Soldering with high temperature alloys to join high temperature metals.
Brilliant Cut
Stones cut with 56 facets, 32 above the girdle, 24 below, maximizing the amount of reflected light. The brilliant cut is the most popular diamond cut today, dating from the 1600s.
Bridge Jewelry
Bridging the gap between precious and costume jewelry, sterling silver is an example of bridge jewelry.
Briolette (aka Drop Cut)
A pear-shaped cut with triangular facets on the top surface.
Brooch (aka Pin)
An ornament of any material that can be pinned to a garment.
Brushed Finish
Brushed metal, with reduced reflectivity.
Bruting
The shaping of the girdle of a diamond, the first step in the cutting process, determining the basic shape of the finished gem.
Bubbles
Bubbles of gas caught in glass or resins, and sometimes in minerals.
Bugle Bead
A long, thin, tube-shaped glass bead.
Butterfly Wing Jewelry
Made from real butterfly wings, often with a picture painted on the wings, enclosed in plastic or glass.
Cabochon
A cut with a rounded, domed surface, with no facets.
Calibre-Cut
Small step-cut stones for inclusion in larger designs.
Cameo
A relief carving on a shell or stone.
Camphor Glass
Cloudy white glass, popular mid-nineteenth century.
Carat (ct.)
A unit of measurement introduced in 1907, .2 grams.
Casting
Melting and shaping metal through the use of molds. There are many methods of casting, including the lost wax process, centrifugal, and sand methods.
Cathedral Setting
A simple setting, a band that arches upward.
Choker
A short necklace designed to rest close to the throat, usually 13-15" in length.
Clip-On
A simple spring clip mechanism to lock earrings in place, not requiring piercings.
Celluloid
A plant-derived plastic, invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt.
Celtic Jewelry
Designed by the Celts in Brittany, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, using bronze, silver, and gold.
CFW
Cultured, freshwater pearls.
Champleve
This "sunken enamel" style is achieved by first cutting designs into the surface of metal, then filling the grooves with enamel, firing it to a polished sheen. Similar, but not as delicate, as cloisonné.
Channel Set
Jewels resting in a metal channel, held by a slight rim.
Charm
Small, symbolic ornaments, usually worn on bracelets or necklaces.
Chasing
Decorating metal by use of hammer strikes.
Chaton
A stone backed with reflective foil.
Chatoyancy
The cat's eye effect found in some polished stones, including cat's eye, tiger's eye, and various other stones. The cabochon cut best shows off this trait.
Claddagh Ring
An Irish ring, featuring two small hands clasped together.
Clarity
The lack of internal flaws in a gemstone. In diamonds, clarity ranges from FL (flawless), to 13 (with many imperfections visible to the naked eye).
Claw
A metal prong positioned to hold a gemstone securely in its setting.
Cleavage
The way a mineral natural breaks.
Cloisonne
A certain application of enamel to metal. First, a design is cut into the metal; then, the cuts are filled with enamel and fired to a polish.
Closed Setting
A setting that completely encases the back of a stone.
Cloud
Usually a cluster of tiny inclusions in a stone, making it appear milky, greatly reducing the stone's value.
Cluster Setting
A gemstone surrounded by small stones or pearls.
Collet Setting
A thin, round band of metal encircling a stone, with one edge crimped over the top of the stone, and the other edge of the band soldered to the metal of the setting.
Composite Suite
Jewelry that can be assembled into one piece or disassembled into two or more pieces, so that they can be worn as one item or separately.
Conch
A marine mollusk with a pearly, typically white or pink shell that is cut into beads for jewelry.
Crimp Bead
A soft metal bead that, when crimped, secures the loose ends of threading material.
Crown
The crown is the top part of a cut gem.
Crystal (glass)
Glass made of a minimum of 10 percent lead oxide, producing very clear glass, a process discovered in 1676 by Englishman George Ravenscroft.
Cubic Zirconium (aka Cubic Zirconia)
Resembling diamond, cubic zirconium is an inexpensive, manufactured gemstone, created in 1977.
Cuff Bracelet
A rigid, wide bracelet.
Cultured Pearl
Pearls produced by mollusks that have been purposefully injected with bits of shell. They shell serves as irritant, compelling the mollusk to begin coating the irritant with layer after layer of self-produced nacre, in an instinctive attempt to smooth and sooth the lodged irritation. This method of "farming" pearls was invented by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893.
Cushion Cut
Stones cut into a square cushion-like shape, rounded on the edges, with facets typically similar to a brilliant cut.
Beads & other materials
Throughout the ages, jewelry has been designed in a wide variety of beautiful and alluring materials. Texture, as well as color and style, has typically played an important role.
Natural fibers
Natural fibers and cloth have been used in jewelry throughout history. Stones and beads of all sorts, leather, shell, feather, wood, even seeds and berries.
Lacquered jewelry
Dating back to ancient China, exquisite lacquer jewelry can now be found in many regions of the world, especially Asia, India, and Europe.
Dried flower jewelry
Fresh and dried flowers may have been among the first ornaments to grace the human body. Today, exquisite dried flower jewelry is available, some of the finest designs handmade in Thailand.
Beads
Beads are believed to be the most ancient of personal adornments. A recent (2004) archeological discovery of beads - 41 tiny, perforated mollusk shells found in a cave in South Africa - may prove that humans began adorning themselves as far back as 75,000 years ago (30,000 years earlier than previously believed).In many regions of the world, beads have been used as monetary instruments. Christopher Columbus brought beads to the New World as gifts, and to facilitate trade. In some cultures, certain beads are believed to carry magic, protective powers.In parts of Asia, especially Indonesia, nearly colorless bamboo, stone, wood, and horn beads are favored, often decorated with bright colors. Many native North and South Americans use extensive beadwork in belts, bracelets, and clothes.Since the 10th Century, glass beads have been popular in areas of Russia, lavishly embroidered onto everything from furniture to purses.Today, bead enthusiasts enjoy a vast array of bead materials to choose from. Click on the following links to view samples of currently popular bead styles:
African beads
Bamboo beads
Ceramic beads
Cloisonne beads
Crystal beads
Glass beads
Gemstone beads
Precious metal beads
Resin beads
Rough gem beads
Seed beads
Stone beads
Turquoise beads
Wood beads
Natural fibers
Natural fibers and cloth have been used in jewelry throughout history. Stones and beads of all sorts, leather, shell, feather, wood, even seeds and berries.
Lacquered jewelry
Dating back to ancient China, exquisite lacquer jewelry can now be found in many regions of the world, especially Asia, India, and Europe.
Dried flower jewelry
Fresh and dried flowers may have been among the first ornaments to grace the human body. Today, exquisite dried flower jewelry is available, some of the finest designs handmade in Thailand.
Beads
Beads are believed to be the most ancient of personal adornments. A recent (2004) archeological discovery of beads - 41 tiny, perforated mollusk shells found in a cave in South Africa - may prove that humans began adorning themselves as far back as 75,000 years ago (30,000 years earlier than previously believed).In many regions of the world, beads have been used as monetary instruments. Christopher Columbus brought beads to the New World as gifts, and to facilitate trade. In some cultures, certain beads are believed to carry magic, protective powers.In parts of Asia, especially Indonesia, nearly colorless bamboo, stone, wood, and horn beads are favored, often decorated with bright colors. Many native North and South Americans use extensive beadwork in belts, bracelets, and clothes.Since the 10th Century, glass beads have been popular in areas of Russia, lavishly embroidered onto everything from furniture to purses.Today, bead enthusiasts enjoy a vast array of bead materials to choose from. Click on the following links to view samples of currently popular bead styles:
African beads
Bamboo beads
Ceramic beads
Cloisonne beads
Crystal beads
Glass beads
Gemstone beads
Precious metal beads
Resin beads
Rough gem beads
Seed beads
Stone beads
Turquoise beads
Wood beads
Precious metals
Eight metals are deemed precious: Silver, gold, and six platinum metals, including platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium.
Silver
Silver is too soft in its pure state for use in jewelry, and must be alloyed with other metals (typically copper). Silver has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of all the metals.
800 silver
Silver containing 80 percent silver and 10 percent copper or other metal.
950 silver
95.0 silver contains 95 percent silver and 5 percent copper or other metal.
925 Sterling silver
Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent silver and 7.6 percent copper or other metal (a universally accepted standard, originally decreed in 1300 by England's King Edward the First).
Gold
Pure gold, like silver, is too soft for most jewelry. Therefore, it is usually blended with silver or copper to achieve a more resilient alloy. Karat (abbreviated "k" or "kt") refers to the percentage of pure gold the alloy contains (as opposed to carat weight, used for measuring precious gems, with one "c" or "cr" equaling 200 milligrams). The higher the percentage of gold contained in an item of jewelry, the higher the karat weight, with 100 percent pure gold measuring 24k, and 50 percent gold alloy measuring 12k."Solid gold" refers to an alloy that contains at least 10k of gold, and is not hollow. "Gold plated" items have been coated with gold of at least 10k. "Gold filled" actually also refers to items with a coating of 10k or greater gold, but in gold filled, the gold is mechanically bonded to the base metal, in a more durable fashion than simple gold plate.
White gold
White gold is an alloy of gold and nickel, sometimes also containing palladium or zinc. These metals lend the gold a pale, platinum-like color (whereas copper and silver enhance gold's natural golden hue).
Blue gold
The alloy of gold and metals containing iron results in gold with a bluish tinge.
Platinum
Rarer and pricier than gold, platinum is the finest of the precious metals. It is a silver-white metal found worldwide, typically strengthened with other metals, such as iridium, osmium, or nickel, for use in jewelry. Platinum is not measured in karats, but rather is stamped with a standardized platinum quality mark by its manufacturer, indicating the percentage of platinum contained (Pt1000 denotes pure platinum).
Silver
Silver is too soft in its pure state for use in jewelry, and must be alloyed with other metals (typically copper). Silver has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of all the metals.
800 silver
Silver containing 80 percent silver and 10 percent copper or other metal.
950 silver
95.0 silver contains 95 percent silver and 5 percent copper or other metal.
925 Sterling silver
Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent silver and 7.6 percent copper or other metal (a universally accepted standard, originally decreed in 1300 by England's King Edward the First).
Gold
Pure gold, like silver, is too soft for most jewelry. Therefore, it is usually blended with silver or copper to achieve a more resilient alloy. Karat (abbreviated "k" or "kt") refers to the percentage of pure gold the alloy contains (as opposed to carat weight, used for measuring precious gems, with one "c" or "cr" equaling 200 milligrams). The higher the percentage of gold contained in an item of jewelry, the higher the karat weight, with 100 percent pure gold measuring 24k, and 50 percent gold alloy measuring 12k."Solid gold" refers to an alloy that contains at least 10k of gold, and is not hollow. "Gold plated" items have been coated with gold of at least 10k. "Gold filled" actually also refers to items with a coating of 10k or greater gold, but in gold filled, the gold is mechanically bonded to the base metal, in a more durable fashion than simple gold plate.
White gold
White gold is an alloy of gold and nickel, sometimes also containing palladium or zinc. These metals lend the gold a pale, platinum-like color (whereas copper and silver enhance gold's natural golden hue).
Blue gold
The alloy of gold and metals containing iron results in gold with a bluish tinge.
Platinum
Rarer and pricier than gold, platinum is the finest of the precious metals. It is a silver-white metal found worldwide, typically strengthened with other metals, such as iridium, osmium, or nickel, for use in jewelry. Platinum is not measured in karats, but rather is stamped with a standardized platinum quality mark by its manufacturer, indicating the percentage of platinum contained (Pt1000 denotes pure platinum).
Healing and spiritual beliefs: Gems, crystals, and magnetic jewelry
Magnetic jewelry
Magnetic jewelry has experienced a major resurgence in popularity, especially among athletes and alternative health practitioners. Magnetic energy is believed to induce a calming effect, and to increase blood and oxygen flow.
Some adherents believe bio-magnetic energy can cure a wide variety of ailments, from chronic pain to cancer. Magnet therapy has been practiced since ancient times. The Greeks and Egyptians studied the benefits of permanent magnets as long as 4,000 years ago, and a 2000 BC Chinese text details the beneficial results of magnets on acupuncture points.Gems & crystals: healing and spiritual beliefsAround the world, throughout history, people from nearly all cultures have believed that some gemstones and crystals held spiritual and healing powers.
The study of such spiritual and healing powers remains strong in countries such as India, where proponents believe that certain gems and crystals, brought in contact with the seven chakra points of the body, can help release clogged and unhealthy energy, freeing the body of imbalances both mental and physical. These beliefs have also gained a considerable following among many New Age adherents, who have brought these East Indian traditions to spiritual and alternative healing centers around the world.Adherents believe that crystals heal through vibrational powers.
There are examples within the realm of science that might lend credence to these beliefs. For example, piezoelectric quartz crystals are commonly used as oscillators in electronic devices (including quartz clocks, watches, and radios).
Crystal healing practicioners believe that the inherent vibrational "tuning" of various crystals resonates with our bodies in various ways that can promote or speed healing, just as deep therapeutic massage, accupressure, and accupuncture are believed to have similar beneficial effects.Crystal healing practicioners suggest that specfic gems be placed on certain of the seven chakra points of the body during massage treatments and during meditation. It is often recommended that the specified gems be worn or carried between treatments, as well.
1. Gems & crystals believed to aid the Root Chakra (base of spine):
Agate, ametrine, black obsidian, black tourmaline, blood stone, carnelian, hematite, fire agate, garnet, ruby, nephrite, smoky quartz, onyx.Physical, spiritual association: Adrenal glands, kidneys, spinal. column, back, hips, legs, feet; stability security, grounding, courage.
2. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Svadhisthana Chakra (sacral or spleen):
Amber, carnelian, citrine, golden topaz, golden beryl, zircon.Physical, spiritual association: Genital area, reproductive organs, bladder, bowel and lower intestine; creativity, harmony, emotional balance, passion, sexuality.
3. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Manipura Chakra (solar plexus):
Amber, citrine, emerald, golden topaz, tiger-eye, malachite, peridotPhysical, spiritual association: Stomach, pancreas, liver; courage, personal power, strength, self worth, transformation.
4. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Anahata Chakra (chest):
Rose quartz, pink tourmaline, rubellite, rhodochrosite, emerald, green tourmaline, malachite, green aventurine, ruby, green jade, nephrite, chrysoprase, rhodonite.Physical, spiritual association: Heart, lungs, thymus gland; love, forgiveness, compassion.
5. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Vishuddha Chakra (throat):
Aquamarine, blue topaz, blue tourmaline, blue turquoise, lapis lazuli, iolite, zircon.Physical, spiritual association: Mouth, throat, thyroid; will power, creativity, communication, truthfulness.
6. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Ajna Chakra (third eye):
Amethyst, blue tourmaline, sapphire, lavender quartz, sodalite, iolite.Physical, spiritual association: Eyes, brain, pituitary, pineal gland, nervous system; balance, clarity, intuition, coordination.
7. Gems & crystals believed to aid the Sahasrara Chakra (crown):
Clear quartz, amethyst, diamond, moonstone, lavender quartz, white topaz.Physical, spiritual association: brain stem, pineal gland, top of spinal cord; spirutuality, life force.
Magnetic jewelry has experienced a major resurgence in popularity, especially among athletes and alternative health practitioners. Magnetic energy is believed to induce a calming effect, and to increase blood and oxygen flow.
Some adherents believe bio-magnetic energy can cure a wide variety of ailments, from chronic pain to cancer. Magnet therapy has been practiced since ancient times. The Greeks and Egyptians studied the benefits of permanent magnets as long as 4,000 years ago, and a 2000 BC Chinese text details the beneficial results of magnets on acupuncture points.Gems & crystals: healing and spiritual beliefsAround the world, throughout history, people from nearly all cultures have believed that some gemstones and crystals held spiritual and healing powers.
The study of such spiritual and healing powers remains strong in countries such as India, where proponents believe that certain gems and crystals, brought in contact with the seven chakra points of the body, can help release clogged and unhealthy energy, freeing the body of imbalances both mental and physical. These beliefs have also gained a considerable following among many New Age adherents, who have brought these East Indian traditions to spiritual and alternative healing centers around the world.Adherents believe that crystals heal through vibrational powers.
There are examples within the realm of science that might lend credence to these beliefs. For example, piezoelectric quartz crystals are commonly used as oscillators in electronic devices (including quartz clocks, watches, and radios).
Crystal healing practicioners believe that the inherent vibrational "tuning" of various crystals resonates with our bodies in various ways that can promote or speed healing, just as deep therapeutic massage, accupressure, and accupuncture are believed to have similar beneficial effects.Crystal healing practicioners suggest that specfic gems be placed on certain of the seven chakra points of the body during massage treatments and during meditation. It is often recommended that the specified gems be worn or carried between treatments, as well.
1. Gems & crystals believed to aid the Root Chakra (base of spine):
Agate, ametrine, black obsidian, black tourmaline, blood stone, carnelian, hematite, fire agate, garnet, ruby, nephrite, smoky quartz, onyx.Physical, spiritual association: Adrenal glands, kidneys, spinal. column, back, hips, legs, feet; stability security, grounding, courage.
2. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Svadhisthana Chakra (sacral or spleen):
Amber, carnelian, citrine, golden topaz, golden beryl, zircon.Physical, spiritual association: Genital area, reproductive organs, bladder, bowel and lower intestine; creativity, harmony, emotional balance, passion, sexuality.
3. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Manipura Chakra (solar plexus):
Amber, citrine, emerald, golden topaz, tiger-eye, malachite, peridotPhysical, spiritual association: Stomach, pancreas, liver; courage, personal power, strength, self worth, transformation.
4. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Anahata Chakra (chest):
Rose quartz, pink tourmaline, rubellite, rhodochrosite, emerald, green tourmaline, malachite, green aventurine, ruby, green jade, nephrite, chrysoprase, rhodonite.Physical, spiritual association: Heart, lungs, thymus gland; love, forgiveness, compassion.
5. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Vishuddha Chakra (throat):
Aquamarine, blue topaz, blue tourmaline, blue turquoise, lapis lazuli, iolite, zircon.Physical, spiritual association: Mouth, throat, thyroid; will power, creativity, communication, truthfulness.
6. Gems & crystals belived to aid the Ajna Chakra (third eye):
Amethyst, blue tourmaline, sapphire, lavender quartz, sodalite, iolite.Physical, spiritual association: Eyes, brain, pituitary, pineal gland, nervous system; balance, clarity, intuition, coordination.
7. Gems & crystals believed to aid the Sahasrara Chakra (crown):
Clear quartz, amethyst, diamond, moonstone, lavender quartz, white topaz.Physical, spiritual association: brain stem, pineal gland, top of spinal cord; spirutuality, life force.
The caring and cleaning of jewelry
The best recommendation is to treat your jewelry with great care and reverence. Keep individual items separated to avoid scratches. Even harder-than-nails diamonds can be scratched by other diamonds! Be especially careful with pearls; they are soft and damage easily.
Link and chain bracelets are best stored flat (unhooked), rolled up in soft cloth.Apply perfume, makeup, and hairspray before putting on jewelry, and be sure to remove jewelry before doing housework that could damage it! Likewise, remove all jewelry before having your hair styled or colored! Be especially careful to avoid allowing your jewelry to be exposed to household chemicals, nail polish and remover, solvents and abrasives that can dull and damage.
Chlorine can damage gold, so avoid wearing gold in the pool. Cuff bracelets, especially those with settings, should be opened and closed as minimally as possible.Ultrasonic cleaners can damage some gems and pearls. Such jewelry is best washed in mild, soapy water, and dried with a soft, lint-free cloth.
We advise bringing your jewelry to an expert for all cleaning and repairs. A great tip for silver: As exposure to air tarnishes it, storing silver in airtight plastic bags will greatly reduce tarnishing. Keep in mind that some silver is purposefully oxidized (antiqued). Oxidized silver should only be cleaned with a polishing cloth, without silver cleaning solution. Unlike silver, pearls should not be kept in an airtight container; they can dry out. Gently wipe pearls with a hot, damp towel to remove finger and body oils, then carefully wrap them in soft cloth for storage.
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