Combined with precious metals, amber can become an exquisite jewel. The beauty of amber jewelry is a result of good polishing and precise cut of a variety of amber stones. The color of the stones used to make amber jewelry is often gold, but amber can also come into many various unusual colors like: black, green, ivory, yellow, red, orange and even white. Natural amber may contain insects, feathers or flowers. Its colors are a feast to the eye and it is unique due to the fact that it imprisons something, unlike other precious stones. There are amber stones 30-90 million years old and they really represent frozen moments in time. Those treasures are a way to look back into well preserved moments of a life that existed in the past.

Amber jewelry is an original choice also because it has some interesting properties. It has a nice pine smell when you rub it on a piece of cloth, it’s warm and it contains succinic acid (a substance known for its therapeutic properties). The stone is not really a stone, but a resin that can become soft and malleable when heated and that can be chiseled very easily by jewel makers. Amber can be shaped in the most wonderful ways creating unique pieces.

This unusual stone is not used only for jewelry. It is in fashion and, therefore, artists use it to create amber sculptures and to decorate beautiful unique items with it. Amber jewelry is often used as magical amulets which protect from bad luck. It is also thought that amber jewelry can heal diseases from sore throats to anxiety. So, amber is an organic gem that people love not only for decorative purposes.

Amber jewelry was not always in fashion. A long time ago, the amber stone was considered to have flaws and was rejected from an esthetical point of view. Although it had periods in which its beauty was denied, there were moments in time in which amber jewelry was used as a diplomatic gift for princesses and princes. In the mean time, people used it in powders for curative purposes.

Because it began to be much appreciated, people started faking amber jewelry and they created quite an industry. Fake amber jewelry is everywhere nowadays, but there are some inexpensive ways to see if your stone is man made or not. You can test your amber gem’s authenticity by putting a heated needle on it. If the smoke smells like pine the gem is amber, but if it smells like plastic it’s definitely fake. For a non destructive way of testing, you can also rub the amber gem with a piece of cloth and smell it. If it smells like pine, it is a natural resin. The bad taste can tell you whether it is made of plastic not. If obtained through a chemical process, the just washed amber can taste poorly. Some other clues can also tell the truth about it. Amber does not melt, but it will burn. It will float in a bowl where you put one part salt and two parts water, while plastic and copal will sink.

If you do own real amber jewelry, you have to know how to protect it and save its value for many years to come. To clean your amber jewelry all you need is warm water and a clean piece of cloth. You mustn’t use any soap or detergent on it because they might ruin the amber’s structure. Even salad oil, butter or lard can destroy the resin. Amber jewelry has to be protected from heat or excessive cold because extreme temperatures may deteriorate it. A soft cloth is needed for wrapping each piece of amber jewelry in order to avoid contact, get scratched or become dirty.

There are many legends built around amber. It is said that the yellow resin is made of tears from the sun or (in Greece) from a nymph. Amber is also present in Ovid’s work as an incredible god like material which is out of this world. Even if you don’t believe that amber has incredible powers, there is no possibility of denial that amber jewelry is special. Wearing amber jewelry will give a more mysterious and unique look because the amber stone is itself an enigmatic gem which preserves history and charms the eye.

Traditionally, jewelry manufacturers used platinum alloyed with metals from the platinum group metals (iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium). With the proper mix of these platinum group alloys, platinum becomes one of the hardest metals making it a strong and durable jewelry metal. Platinum will not rust or corrode and the platinum family metals make it hypoallergenic and ideal for persons with sensitive skin.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines for platinum jewelry state that only items consisting of 950 part per thousand of pure platinum can be marked stamped “PLATINUM” or “PLAT” without more alloy information. From 750-950 Platinum, the platinum group metals must also be indicated. For example, PLAT900IRID for 10% Iridium alloy. Historically, the most common alloys in America were 95% Platinum with 5% Ruthenium or 5% Cobalt and 90% Platinum with 10% Iridium.

There is a misperception that the 950 platinum is better than the 900 platinum. However, pure platinum is very soft and the right alloy mix is what is important. Different alloys and different percentages produce better results for different jewelry purposes. Some alloy mixes work better for casting and some are better for handcrafting like bending the prongs over fragile diamond corners. Many artisans feel that PLAT900IRID is the best general-purpose alloy for diamond rings.

While platinum is best known for its use in jewelry, more than 60% of platinum is used for other industrial purposes such as catalytic converters in autos and pacemakers in the medical field. Because of its rarity and the rapidly increasing demand for this versatile metal, the price has soared in recent years.

The high price of platinum has caused some jewelry manufacturers to start using lower percentages of platinum and to use other alloy metals to lower the cost of the jewelry. Unfortunately, these new alloy mixes are reducing the very qualities that made platinum desirable. The new alloys produce more brittle platinum that is more susceptible to damage.

For example, metal that is stamped 585 Platinum is really only 58.5% pure platinum and 41.5% copper and cobalt with the result that it is more likely to crack, crater, discolor or irritate sensitive skin. Less scrupulous jewelry vendors remove the 585 stamp and complicate the situation, leading consumers to believe the metal is the traditional high quality platinum.

Historically the jewelry shopper did not have to be concerned about the purity of platinum because the alloy metals were in the platinum group the quality was uniform regardless of the particular alloy or percentage used.

Today’s jewelry shopper is at potential risk because the lower quality platinum looks the same as the higher quality platinum. While platinum looks similar regardless of the alloy, the weight of lower quality alloy mixes is lower because there is so much less of the dense platinum.

Currently there are no FTC guidelines for the new platinum alloys so it is up to the jeweler or appraiser to help the consumer determine if the platinum is well suited for its intended use. The consumer deserves a warning if sold lower quality platinum since it might not hold stones as well and is more susceptible to damage. However, do not expect the jeweler selling low quality platinum to point out this potential problem. As with any important purchases, it is up to the consumer to be knowledgeable and ask the right questions before making a purchase.

It was more than 2800 years ago that the first diamonds were mined in India. In actuality, diamonds are much older than one would think. Most diamonds we find today are at least 900 million years old. Experts believe that the oldest known diamond is around 3.2 billion years old. Each mined diamond is completely unique. To the trained eye, one can find that there are no two diamonds that are precisely the same.

When learning how to purchase a diamond, there are many things to consider. Until you know more and have done your research, you should never rush into buying a diamond. It’s especially important to learn how diamonds are priced.

The “4 C’s”

You will have many factors to consider when buying a diamond. Throughout the world, there is an established method that jewelers use as a way of describing the value of a diamond. The method is known as the “4 C’s”. If you are interested in understanding how to buy a diamond, it would help to know exactly what the 4 C’s are and how each aspect of the diamond contributes to its value.

The 4 C’s represent Cut, Clarity, Carats and Color

Buying a Diamond based on Cut: The cut of a diamond is a description of how the diamond maker angles the gemstone in such a way as to best reflect light through the diamond, resulting in the diamond’s sparkle. A high quality cut enhances the innate beauty of a diamond and increases its value. A poorly cut diamond isn’t as brilliant or shiny and, therefore, will be less valuable.

How to Buy a Diamond based on Clarity: The clarity of a diamond involves looking at how clear the diamond is when you look through it. Most diamonds have inclusions and flaws and it is rare to find a perfect diamond. Flaws, however, cannot usually be seen without magnification. When purchasing a diamond for clarity, look for the presence of dark spots inside the diamond.

How to Buy a Diamond based on Carats: Carat defines the size of the diamond. Larger diamonds (those of a higher carat) will cost more than a cluster of smaller diamonds, even if the total carats of the diamond cluster are the same. This means that a single one-carat diamond will cost you more than three diamonds set in a ring that add up to one carat. The reason behind this is that larger diamonds are rarer than smaller diamonds. Unfortunately, this is impacted by the fact that, when diamonds are cut, they lose about half their size.

How to Buy a Diamond based on Color: The color of diamond you choose is entirely based upon your personal preference. Diamonds that are colorless, however, are the rarest and therefore cost more than other diamonds. Colorless diamonds are known as white diamonds. Diamonds also come in a variety of different hues, including yellow, green, blue and pink. There are even diamonds known as “black diamonds”.

Certificates and Appraisals

While understanding the 4 C’s in determining how to buy a diamond, you should also learn how to read diamond certificates. These certificates describe in detail the facts about the diamond in its unmounted state. Perhaps you have a specific diamond you want to have professionally appraised by an independent organization. This is probably not best done by the jeweler you are buying the diamond from because they are often biased and may appraise the diamond at a slightly higher value than what it’s actually worth in order to receive more income from the sale of the diamond.

Think of it this way—all coffeemakers are made of plastic, steel, and glass, the differences are how these materials are designed and implemented.  Higher quality coffeemakers make a better tasting cup of coffee.  Higher quality manufactured diamonds are in line with mined diamonds.
QUALITY VARIANCES:  It seems like grade variations are made out to be a more complex lab-created diamond issue then it really is.  Once boiled down, there are three primary grades of simulated diamonds—high, medium, and low.  For the jewelry shopper it should be noted that the quality of setting goes hand-in-hand with the quality of the gemstone.  Those that sell manufactured diamond jewelry off point-of-purchase displays in the costume jewelry sections of discount stores use low quality or scrap stones that are not gem quality, and have disco ball or murky look.

Those that sell manufactured diamond jewelry on the TV shopping channels—which is generally with a sterling silver or a micro-thin layer of gold plated over silver (Vermeil [pronounced ver-may]) settings—use medium quality stones not of gem quality.  Those that sell solid 14K gold or solid platinum settings, as a rule, use the highest gem-quality man made gemstones that replicate mined diamonds.
PRICING:  Low grade stones are sold in bulk to costume jewelry makers and are often glued on electroplated settings.  This jewelry is fine for children, where loss risk is high, and usually retails for less than $15 per item.  You will find medium grade stones primarily in sterling silver jewelry that sells for under $100 per item, settings and stones.  Medium grade simulated diamonds can be distinguished by the naked eye as not being mined diamonds.  High grade gemstone quality lab-created diamonds, undistinguishable by the naked eye from mined diamonds, are found mounted on settings of solid 14K gold and platinum.  This is considered to be fine jewelry, with the best quality gemstones selling for under $100 per carat for the gemstones alone.  Manufactured diamonds that sell for over $100 a carat are not higher quality than those that sell for between $80 and $100 per carat.

RECOMMENDATIONS:  If you are buying for someone that is likely to lose the jewelry, there is no reason to spend any more than you have to, and Wal-Mart will do just fine.  On the clearance rack you can even pick up some jewelry for less than $5 per item.  If you buy simulated diamonds set in sterling silver, expect decent stones, but they will fool few into thinking they are mined diamonds.  Also, your fingers are likely to turn green or black in response to a chemical reaction, not with the silver per se, but with the nickel/copper alloys in sterling silver.  With any plated settings, gemstones are low to medium grade, and the plating will eventually chip off, particularly around the edges.  When that happens, the nickel/copper alloys will be exposed, the setting will look like it came out of a gum ball machine, and your finger will generally turn green or black.  It is just a matter of common sense, if you want simulated diamonds with mined-diamond qualities, they must be set in 14K solid gold.  Jewelers who offer lab-created diamonds are not going spend on money on gold and not mount the highest quality stones, which would defeat the purpose of creating fine diamond-like jewelry and alienate customers.

The gemstones that are most often used in fine pieces are rubies, garnets, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds. Each of these stones is mined deep in the Earth and chiseled and polished to perfection before they are inserted into an ornamental frame. Some jewelry is worn for special occasions only because the gemstones are rare and antique.

Fine jewelry is rarely found at discount stores, but can be purchased at a discounted price through major retail chains and through retail jewelry outlets that are located on the internet. Most fine jewelry pieces will last a lifetime if they are cared for properly. These fine pieces that contain opal gems will require special handling because these stones are quite delicate but extremely beautiful.

The workmanship in fine jewelry pieces is very distinctive and some people consider them works of art. Some fine selections are bought as mementos of affection and will remain close to the heart for many years to come. The fiery brilliance of diamonds causes some hearts to skip a beat and the fire that is emitted from a ruby is simply breathtaking. These fine pieces will definitely spoil a person and make them feel very special.

Fine jewelry makes excellent gifts during the holidays and most people know when they are receiving a ring. The shape of a ring box is very distinctive and adds to the allure of a person knowing a special gift is inside. The ring box shape is part of the magic in receiving such a gift of distinction at Christmas time and people love receiving fine selections this way.

Great care goes into creating designer fine jewelry selections. Most pieces are very ornamental and require an expert jeweler to put in many hours to tool and polish and assemble a designer bracelet into a wearable piece of fashion wear. Matching accessories such as earrings and necklaces will require even more time. The end result is a finished work of art that would be suitable for wear by royalty.

I personally use one of these black diamond titanium money clips and the black finish is very good looking and durable. One of the main problems with ordinary money clips is that they get stretched open or damaged over time and either stop working or they can no longer hold just a single bill.
Superior Titanium has created a money clip out of titanium that can hold a single bill or as many 30 folded bills thanks to the elastic (springy) nature of titanium. Superior Titanium also has black diamond coated titanium ring as well as titanium and carbon fibre cuff links. Both materials are corrosion resistant and stand up well to all kinds of tough conditions. Titanium jewelry is generally popular because it is immune to corrosion by salt water (sweat, water from the ocean, etc) and many acids. It is also hypoallergenic, so even people allergic to gold will be able to wear titanium jewelry. That is why titanium is used for implants in the human body.

to coincide with your personality, fashion jewelry varies from diamond and pearl jewelry to the latest fashions such as hair accessories and body jewelry with imitation stones and exquisite setting. It also consists of exclusive platinum, gold, silver and crystal jewelry. There are also rings, earrings, belly chains, bracelets, necklaces, anklets and pendants to cater to a wide variety of fashion jewelry. To match every taste, a wide range of jewelry designs are available including beaded earrings, shoulder dusters, tailored, hoops, and chandeliers at affordable prices.

Moreover, Plastic Fashion Jewelry and vintage fashion jewelry are also very popular. Portraits of saints, altars, or ornaments worn on necklaces and mythical creatures such as mermaids and dragons were very popular along with animals, such as dolphins and lions. Each one of this fashion jewelry is known for its own unique design style and also has a great influence on everybody. When these are worn by fashion-minded people it expresses their unique personality and display a real sense of fashion. Fashion jewelrys designs always give you a sense of individuality and also self-awareness. Because fashion jewelry is all about taking what is popular at the time and molding, your personality get enhanced in a perfect way.

Author : Public Articles

History Of fashion in general