Teens Fashion: Estate Jewelry is in Style!

If you’ve ever gone shopping with a teenage girl you know that teenagers can be a very picky bunch! Their physical and mental growth has them experimenting with all kinds of fashion items to improve their image and their look. Teenage girls have a fashion statement to make too! And estate jewelry is ready for teen fashions!

A teen’s fashion statement which includes both clothing and jewelry plays a role in their identity, how they fit, how they feel, how they blend. It has a big role on their self esteem during those developmental years. And moms and dads they don’t want your input! This is a time of discovery and you can be guaranteed if you like it they’ll toss the idea out the door in ten seconds or less. But that doesn’t mean you can’t subtly steer them. Estate jewelry and fashion jewelry are affordable choices that can work well for teens. So just gently lead them in the right direction and let them make their own discoveries.

Teen girls are busy picking up clues and tips from their favorite celebrities. The celebrities that teenagers watch in their favorite music videos, movies or television show greatly influence what a teen girl will see as fashion and trendy jewelry. And these days more and more of the celebrities are choosing estate jewelry because it is unique and does make a statement of individuality. So don’t be surprised if you teen finds estate jewelry attractive.

These days we hear allot about hip hop jewelry trends and we see plenty of bling bling replicas on the market. Manufacturers have replaced the real diamonds and gems worn by the celebrities with cheaper stones and metals so that teen girls can have jewelry that looks much like their favorite stars but at a much more affordable price.

Pierced and non pierced body jewelry has also grown in popularity. Teen girls are using it to make their fashion statement. The good news is that there’s a great selection available at an affordable price so mom and dad won’t go broke.

Friendship bracelets hit the streets about 10 years ago and they continue to grow in popularity being one of the hottest jewelry fads for teens. Friends exchange these friendship bracelets and wear them all the time. There style can be of the most basic twist or more elaborate with beads and sparkling faux gems.

Beaded jewelry is also very popular. Teens love the big and bold look of large beads and love to mix them up adding color and flare to their wardrobe. Estate jewelry is perfect for picking up a terrific mix of beaded jewelry for a very low price. And the girls love it because it is different and unique unlike the modern stuff found on the shelves. And because their favorite Celebs are choosing it, it becomes an option for them as well.

Another teen fad between friends is a necklace that’s similar worn by all members of the group. This identifies them as their own little clique. Their necklaces may have pendants or rings attached or just be plain.

Fashion rings are also very big with teens. Good news is you can buy estate jewelry rings and fashion rings for as little as $5.00. Your teenager will love them, wear them, break them, and forget about them and you’ll know they got their moneys worth.

The teen years are a time of growth and becoming independent so let your teen girls wings open and let her experiment with her fashion style. Remember you did it too many years ago. And remember to let your teenager know there are many options when it comes to jewelry. Estate jewelry is one of the most sought after jewelry by celebrities and if your teen is like most teens what the stars wear they want to wear.

I Made These Earrings Under 20 Minutes

I could've simply said that I made these earrings under 10 minutes, but that wouldn't be logical. Because you need all the concentration and precisions in you to make your own jewelry. Not because it's hard. It's because you wouldn't want the loop to be all weird or you wouldn't want to mistakenly count your beads and suddenly end up with different length of earrings on each side.

The reason I want to share these two earrings is because it's the easiest thing to do. I did the red because I simply need a red earrings to wear for dinner. So, I simply took out my jewelry making box and construct one. The result, a simple yet fancy looking accessories, right?


The second earrings was made because I thought I need something a bit romantic, so I took a bunch of beads and place it on a pin. Finish it with the 6202 swarovski heart beads that will give that sweet dangle. Hook it up on the hook pins, and they're good to go!

Oh, I'm sorry if the pictures a bit blurry. My scanner isn't cooperating with me today :)

Choosing Your Very Own Unique Wedding Band

You’re in the market for your wedding rings. You've put a lot of thought into them, and you don't want the plain bands everyone else is wearing. You want something different, more unique. Here’s some ideas to toss around.

You can have custom bands done by a jeweler. You could pick a theme that’s important to both of you. Or you could just choose a style and design you both like. When you choose your jeweler make certain he is creating a one of a kind set for you and then disposing of the mold. Otherwise, your unique bands won’t be unique for long. Choose a design and style that fits your likes and lifestyle. It will give a hint of your personality and make your fashion statement!

You can choose a different mix of metals. Titanium has become very popular, as has stainless. You might find something a little different in these metals. They won’t be truly unique, but they won’t be common either. You can also choose from white gold, platinum, gold, sterling, and a host of mixes.

Celtic bands have become very popular, offering a host of various celtic knots. Dragon bands have also gained popularity. There are some very unique and unusual Celtic Bands on the market. They are works of art with plenty of history tied to the designs.

Engraving on the bands has become very popular. In the past one might engrave something on the inside of the band, but these days inscriptions are being engraved on the exterior as well.

Wanting to engrave them, but don’t want them to say the same old thing you always see like your wedding date, or I love you. Then come up with your original saying or inscription. Something that is important to you.

Here are a few more unusual inscriptions you might want to consider. Amor VIncit Omia, latin that means – love conquers all, Now & Forever, From This Moment On, Mon Coeur est a vous French – my heart is yours.

If your looking for something funnier try – Nonrefundable, All sales final, Or I can’t return him/her I lost the manual. Something simpler, try your wedding date with your initials, how about the title of your wedding song, or the title of your favorite song, My best friend, Love is Eternal. Symbols work nicely also.

Uniqueness depends on you as a couple. By this time in your relationship you know what is special to both of you, so choose a theme and go with it!

A Few Seconds on Navajo Jewelry

Anyone who knows jewelry knows about Navajo jewelry. The Navajo, a native American tribe have inspired and have been admired because of their creativity in the design of their jewelry and other works of art. Every piece of Navajo jewelry is made with skill and in a unique design.

Navajo jewelry is the product of the Navajo people. These nomadic people were discovered by the Spaniards around 1540. They Spaniards introduced them to many things including sheep and horses. And, they also learned silver smithing from the Spaniards. Now, they are famous for their Navajo jewelry.

Navajo jewelry is beautiful. It is full of rich colors and textures that represent the Navajo people. Not only do they make Navajo Indian jewelry, but they are known for their pottery, rugs, paintings, and sculptures. And, they are known worldwide.

Today it is not hard to find Navajo jewelry. There is no need to travel to find it, it is available at your fingertips online. There are many web-sites that offer Navajo jewelry. Suppose you are on a quest to find Navajo turquoise jewelry. Enter this into your search box and click search. You will receive a page of web-sites that offer Navajo jewelry of all types including what you are looking for.

Navajo jewelry is known worldwide because of the unique and distinctive look that comes from their history and culture. Owning a piece or perhaps several of Navajo jewelry shows a love of Indian jewelry.

Things You Need to Know About Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry is often created with non-precious metals, usually gold or silver plated, and with or without beads and stones. Costume jewelry has been extremely popular around the world for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians are known to have worn decorative beaded necklaces and Cleopatra is probably one of the original wearers of what we now call costume jewelry. In more recent times the people of the Germanic and Slovak regions became highly skilled at developing intricate patterns in glass beads. However, beadwork used in costume jewelry is not only limited to glass.

A large variety of materials are traditionally used to make beads such as jet, wood, amber, gemstones, pottery, ceramic, metals, horn, coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and pearls. Some modern materials such as plastics, nylon and even polycarbonate variants are also used to make beads. Costume jewelry can be antique, period, or contemporary and there are many collectors of every style of costume jewelry. Venetian glass pieces of costume jewelry are particularly collectable as well as being extremely popular for people to wear.

Cleaning costume jewelry is extremely simple but needs to be done on a regular basis to prevent tarnishing. Simply use a mild detergent mixed in water to keep your costume jewelry in good condition. It is important not to soak the jewelry and to make sure that you dry it thoroughly before storing it. You can buy anti-tarnish paper for wrapping your costume jewelry in before you put it away for long periods of time but regular cleaning is the best defense against tarnishing. The tarnishing of costume jewelry is typically caused by the metal reacting with the atmosphere and oxidizing.

Unfortunately, there are a large number of people who are unable to wear costume jewelry next to their skin. This is because of their sensitivity to the metals used. It is important to make sure that anyone that you are buying the jewelry for is not allergic to nickel or copper, especially with pierced earrings. Costume jewelry may look beautiful and, especially in the case of contemporary pieces, be reasonably priced but it is not suitable for everyone to wear. For many people a piece of costume jewelry may be the first jewelry that they have worn and it is important to look out for signs of a reaction, especially after extended periods of wear. Often people will not show a reaction if they wear the jewelry for a short amount of time and this can be an ideal way to avoid any possible discomfort. You can also buy a special coating that you apply to the back of the costume jewelry to protect the skin from having direct contact with the metal.

6 Helpful Tips on How to Buy a Diamond

1. Learn about diamonds
   Sometimes, I just can’t help myself but to keep on emphasizing this to anyone who wants to buy a diamond online: LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT DIAMONDS! Pardon me, I don’t mean to shout. But the fact that many people are very ignorant about diamond yet want to buy them through the internet is driving me crazy.
   
   Believe it a not, there are jewelers who are unable to differentiate a diamond cut from a diamond shape. Everyone is so hyped up about the carat weight and has totally forgotten about the other 3 characteristics of a diamond.
   
   It won’t take you years or months to learn something about diamond. There are plenty of articles and information on the 4C of a diamond. Spend some useful time in the library or internet and learn about diamonds. Who knows, you may become an expert in diamonds.


2. Prioritize the 4 characteristics
   There are much more about diamonds than just the 4Cs. But at the end of the day, the 4Cs are still the major factors influencing the quality and price of a diamond.
   
   Before you start prioritizing the 4Cs, you got to know what your girl actually likes about a diamond. If she like big one, go for a diamond with big carat weight but with poorer quality in terms of color, cut or clarity. If she likes the brilliance of a diamond and doesn’t mind the size, choose one with excellent cut and clarity. Whichever the case is, prioritizing the 4Cs will give you a better idea of what diamonds will suit her taste as well as your budget.


3. Do a price research
   With your list, do some price research at some of the online jewelry stores. Based on your list, you should have a rough estimate of the market price of the diamond you are looking for. If the price is out of your budget, try going for a grade lower than your expectation and you may eventually find one that suits you well.


4. Do some background research on the jewelry stores
   If you have been doing researching, you would have come across information on cubic zirconium diamonds. These synthetic diamonds are D-color graded, flawless and cut to perfection. In short, a CZ diamond is a ‘perfect’ diamond. It is brilliant, flawless and yet cheap. Their prices do not increase exponentially with their quality unlike diamonds.
   
   And there are also some natural diamonds which have undergone treatments to reduce its blemishes thus enhanced its appearance. It is still a low grade diamond and dishonest dealers may try to pass it off as a good graded diamond and sell you at a higher price.
   
   So, before you start swiping your hard-earned money away, do some research about the jeweler as well. Ask your family, relatives or friend who have purchased from the dealer. Online forum is a good place to ask around and there are plenty of sites that provide reviews on jewelry store online.
   
   Give the jewelry store a call, talk to their staffs and decide for ourself if you are comfortable with the store.


5. Always ask for a money back guarantee
   There are risks in very form of transactions, so do buying diamonds. Protect yourself and minimize any risks by making sure that the store has the complete details about their return policy. It should include information about the validity period, what to do if you wish to return your purchase and their address.
   
   As a rule of thumb, online stores should offer you no less than 21 days return policy. In fact, most of them have a return policy of 30 days.


6. Choose jewelers who provide grading reports
   Certified diamonds will come along with a grading report by reputable gemology organizations such as GIA or AGS. Some online jewelry stores certified their diamond by in-house gemologists and they may be using different grading standards from GIA or AGS, while others may not provide the grading reports. Diamonds from top online jewelry stores generally comes accompanied with a grading report.
   
   After you have purchased your diamond, you should get it appraised again with the grading report by a trained gemologist. The grading report will be very helpful in ascertaining whether the diamond you have bought is up to the specifications shown on the report.

Tips for Buying Wholesale Jewelry

Buying wholesale jewelry is really quite easy. The Internet gives you access to all of the wholesale jewelry companies you could ever need to make your selections, so you can buy exactly what you want or need at very competitive prices.

There is a difference between online jewelry stores and online wholesale companies. Online jewelry stores sell jewelry at retail prices, even though the price may be slightly discounted. Wholesale companies sell jewelry at wholesale prices – which without question are cheaper than retail prices.

There are many sites where you can purchase directories of wholesale companies, but this really isn’t necessary. Just use search engines such as Google or Yahoo to find what you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for earrings at a wholesale price, simply type ‘wholesale earrings’ into the search box – a whole slew of wholesalers who carry earrings will pop up in the search results.

Be aware that some wholesaler’s will only sell in bulk. Of course, if you just want to buy one pair earrings, you do not want to buy in bulk. But there are many companies that will sell just one item, you just have to look for them.

If buying online isn’t what you are interested in, consider joining a discount club, such as Sam’s. Here you will find jewelry at deeply discounted retail prices, which is the next best thing to jewelry wholesale prices – but again, the wholesale prices will be lower.

When dealing with an online wholesale company, you need to do several things. First, you want to be sure that you are buying the real thing. There are many companies out there that will advertise that their jewelry is ‘authentic.’ Read the sales copy very carefully, and educate yourself quickly. For instance, beware of words like ‘gold plated’ or ‘realistic.’ This is an indication that the jewelry isn’t gold, or that stones are fake.

Also find out if the company has a refund or exchange policy, as well as a 100% money back guarantee. This is important, and it will protect you if you find that you are not happy with the pieces you have purchased, or if they are of lesser quality than you expected.

You could also consider using eBay to find jewelry wholesale prices. Again, use caution. Check the seller’s feedback and ratings, and make sure that you are dealing with a reputable person or company. If the jewelry is an important piece, use the escrow service that eBay recommends – even if you have to pay the escrow fees yourself!

Swarovski Crystal Color Chart

The best thing about Swarovski crystal is it got a variety of gorgeous color selections. And here I have the Swarovski crystal color chart. See how beautiful the colors are. My favorites are the Fuchsia and the sapphire. What’s yours? Oh, and the chart may look too small, but click on it so you can view the larger image.

Also, some colors come with the normal ones and the AB ones. AB stands for Aurora Borealis. The AB crystals have the rainbow effects which gives the crystal different looks under different lights and angles. Pictures below shows different between the normal color and the AB. Both groups are from the same color group. The different is the right ones are the AB crystals. See the rainbow effects on it?
Here’s another sample. This one is difference between the normal Fuchsia and the Fuchsia AB. The left ones are the Fuchsia AB.
Usually the ones that has AB the effect will cost slightly more than the normal ones. But hey, if it’s that pretty it’s definitely worth it!

Swarovski Crystal

Honestly, other than the fact that Swarovski Crystal makes gorgeous jewelry, I don’t really care about the history and what the crystal contain of. To me, as long as it pretty and useful, it’s all good. But then one day a friend of mine started asking me about how long has Swarovski crystal been around and right then I was a little embarrassed of myself for being so ignorant. So, I Google up facts about Swarovski and I thought I’d share with all my readers…

Anyway, here is a brief description about Swarovski crytal that I took from Wikipedia.org

Swarovski crystal was first created when Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In 1895 the Swarovski company was founded when he established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens. Here he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented.

Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize refraction. The Swarovski Crystal range includes crystal sculptures and miniatures, jewelry and couture, home decor and chandeliers. They also sell beads and rhinestones, encouraging other manufacturers, artists and consumers to create their own designs.

All sculptures are marked with a logo. The original Swarovski logo was an edelweiss flower, but was replaced with the current swan logo in 1988.

In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic chemical coatings. Aurora Borealis, or "AB", is one of the most popular coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance. Other coatings include Crystal Transmission, Volcano, Aurum, and Dorado. Coatings may be applied to only part of an object; others are coated twice, and thus are designated AB 2X, Dorado 2X etc.

In 2004 Swarovski released Xilion, a new copyrighted cut designed to optimise the brilliance of Roses (crystal components with flat backs) and Chatons (diamond cut). Also in 2004, Swarovski created the 9 foot diameter, 550 pound star that tops the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City for the first of five consecutive years.

And thanks to Mister Daniel Swarovski, we now have beautiful, glittering and affordable components to work with to make jewelries. Seriously, Swarovski beads are my favorite. They simply create an elegant look for those who are wearing it.

The Simplest Jewelry Making Idea

If you’re looking for something to give your girl friends for their birthday, instead of buying them why don’t you simply make it for them. You can easily construct a pair of earrings and a pendant no more than 30 minutes. In no time, you got yourself a beautiful jewelry set. That’s what I always do. My friends love it, not to mention that it is more meaningful since you made it yourself.
Here’s my favorite tactic. Easy too. All I need are a pair of heart shaped swarovski crystal size 10X10.3 and a matching heart shaped size 14.4X14 which is a slight bigger than the pair, 2 open jump ring and a pendant bail.

Attach both smaller heart shaped beads to a small open jump ring so you can attach that ring to the earring hooks. There, a pair of earring ready to go.
Next, simply slap the pendant bail on the bigger heart beads. Bails come in a lot of shapes and sizes, so choose one that you like. The pictures above is a simple kind. Clasp it through the beads opening and you got yourself a pendant.

Easy, isn’t it? Find a nice looking box and line the inside of the box with dark colored velvet. Place the earrings and the pendant nicely inside and the gift is good to go. Believe me, your friends will be thrill! Who knows, next, people might call you to jewelries for them.

Images of beads and bails were taken from anybeads.com

Selling Unique Wholesale Jewelry Pieces

If you are a creative person, with a great sense of style and flair, you may be able to start your own business – making and selling wholesale jewelry. Because each person is unique, they want jewelry piece that is one of a kind that nobody else in the world owns! You can use this kind of thinking to you benefit by simply starting your very own unique wholesale jewelry company.

You can easily order wholesale supplies from hundreds of companies around the globe online – at low prices. It is important to keep up with how much each part of these jewelry costs you, and to get a total cost of each piece, including any expenses that you had for having supplies shipped to you. With the total cost figured, you can easily set your prices by adding about 15% to the cost.

You can sell your pieces in a variety of ways. You can open your own online wholesale jewelry store, sell to local jewelry stores, rent booths at local flea markets and fairs, or advertise your jewelry making skills and take orders for unique pieces. You can also sell your pieces on consignment at boutiques.

You want to be known for your quality. Always select the highest quality gems and stones for your pieces, and make sure that the craftsmanship is outstanding. Become exclusive, and more people will want to purchase your pieces – and never make any two pieces alike.

However, you can also go the other route and make hundreds of identical pieces, as they are ordered. You do this by making one very unique, high quality piece, and showing it to your local jewelry stores. Ask them if they would like to order in bulk, then fill the order.

Another option is to do catalog sales. Make enough pieces to fill a small catalog, and take pictures of each piece. Write a description for each piece and then put together your own catalog using software and a good printer – or send the work to a print shop. You can send these catalogs out to a list that you obtain from a direct mailing list company.

This type of business does require creativity and skill, but it also requires the ability to market yourself and your jewelry. You need to have business cards printed, and also have catalogs and brochures printed as well to market your jewelry wholesale business.

Buying Wholesale Jewelry at the Estate Sale

Buying wholesale jewelry at estates sales is actually quite easy. In fact, in most cases, this is the easiest way to get very rare or old pieces at or below the wholesale prices! There is, however, a method to the madness when it comes to walking away with an heirloom piece at a rock bottom price!

Most people have estate sales when a person has died. Unless the person was extremely wealthy, an appraisal of all of the items that will be sold is not done…and in most cases, the people holding the sale are heirs that simply want to cash in. They have no idea what the real value of what they are selling is. Furthermore, these sales are often run just like your average garage sale, with items marked at incredibly low prices! You can literally walk away with thousands of dollars of jewelry for just a few dollars.

Even if the jewelry is not that valuable, the pieces of the jewelry may be of some use to you when you are constructing your own pieces. You can carefully take the pieces that you buy at estate sales apart, and save the reusable gems, chains, settings, and other pieces. You can typically buy these pieces far below wholesale prices!

Man Made Diamonds: The More Affordable Ones

Diamonds may be a woman’s best friend, but modern man made diamonds are so good as to be indistinguishable from real diamonds. And when you look at the huge savings on price, man made diamonds may be a woman’s best decision.

Increasingly, engaged couples are considering the cost of some wedding jewelry. In today’s high pressure high cost lifestyle couples are really wondering whether or not it is appropriate to spend big on, say, a diamond engagement ring.

The more spent on wedding jewelry the less available later for the important things in the marriage, like a house. Or the kids when they arrive. Is it responsible to spend so much to buy a diamond engagement ring when these more important things may need to be compromised later?

Especially when you consider that good quality man made diamonds cannot be distinguished from real diamonds, even by jewelers.

Faux diamonds are big business. The pearl jewelry industry was revolutionized by the advent of cultured pearls. Synthetic diamonds are doing the same thing to the wedding jewelry business.

There is a range of ways to produce synthetic diamonds. Modern technology is very adept at making any product which will sell well and faux diamonds are no exception. And the quality is so good that many of the alternatives to diamonds perform exceedingly well when compared to diamond using the common diamond quality tests.

In such tests as hardness, refractive index, fire, brilliance, luster and others the man made diamonds perform admirably; sometimes even better.

Brilliance is a test of the amount of light which enters the stone and gets reflected back. It is affected by the quality of the cut of the stone.

Fire is the ability of the stone to break light down into it’s component colors and is also affected by the cut. “Fire” can be seen as color coming out of the stone.

Luster is the amount of light reflected back from the surface of the stone.

Moissanite, for example, outperforms diamond in brilliance, fire and luster and is only very slightly lower on the hardness scale. In fact a special piece of testing equipment had to be designed so that jewelers could tell moissanite from diamond as so many were unable to.

And, of course, moissanite is much cheaper than diamonds. And if most jewellers cannot tell it apart from diamonds, could you?

There are a range of different processes used to produce a stone which is a good diamond alternative. Most produce fine quality stones which produce stunning quality jewelry which any woman would be proud to wear.

Moissanite is not strictly a man made diamond though, as it is, in fact, naturally occurring. Unfortunately it doesn’t occur in sufficient quantities to be commercially viable for mining. But technology has come to the rescue by devising a method of producing high quality crystals.

Our preference for the best alternative to diamonds? Moissanite. A fine jewelry stone which will make a stunning engagement ring, or other jewelry piece. And you can buy moissanite wedding jewelry at a fraction of the price of diamond wedding jewelry.

And when the kids come along, buy them something extra from us from the money you’ve saved.

Making a Bracelet Using the Elastic String

It’s incredibly easy and you don’t need to add up any clasp for it. All you need is enough beads and the elastic string itself.

First, you should take a measurement around your wrist. Say, it’s about 6 inches, line up your beads for exactly that length. You don’t need to make it extra long because these kinds of bracelets are meant to wrap around your wrist just nice.

Anyway, proceed by stringing the beads without cutting the string from it roll. This will ensure that your beads will stay in place.

As a finishing touch, it would be easier for you to use a larger complementary bead for the end. Pull both ends of the elastic string through this bead, and then pull both ends through a small crimp bead. And then flatten the crimp bead with pliers to secure the beads.

Now, your elastic bracelet is ready to be worn. Slip it on!

Dealing with Wholesale Jewelry Dealers

Many people think that if they try to talk to a wholesale jewelry dealer that they will get better bargains. In the case of buying in bulk, they are absolutely right! Most wholesale jewelry dealers will offer you a lower price if you are buying in bulk – but if you are just buying one or two pieces, it really doesn’t pay for them to offer you prices cheaper than usual.

Other than getting a good price, you want to make sure that you are getting quality jewelry. If you can deal with the wholesale jewelry dealer in person, you should. But in most situations, this will not be the case. Instead, contact the dealer by phone and talk to them. Establish a relationship, and keep that relationship on good terms at all times. As time goes by, you may be able to get even better deals from the wholesaler, and you can probably work out credit terms as well.

Do keep in mind that if you ever find that your dealer isn’t being honest with you, or is selling low quality jewelry, look for a new one.

How to Make Knots between Beads

The reason you should tie knots between your beads is so that these beads won’t be in contact with each other. Plus, with knots, it just adds to the length and you can save the amount of beads that you need. It also makes your necklace looks more nicely instead of being stiff and inflexible. Another reason is if your necklace or bracelet breaks, you won’t have your beads falling off flying all over the room. That would be a total mess, right? So, personally, even though knotting is an extra work, I think it’s worth it.

The traditional way of tying a knot requires a beading awl (as shown on the picture above) or a stiff beading needle. You will need to make sure that your thread is enough to make up for the knots, and you can go ahead and string all of your beads if you want first, but next you will have to pull them through each loop. Each over hand loop is slipped onto the awl. The knot is then placed up against the bead, while still wrapped around the awl. The awl is then removed from the bead, and then you can use the awl to press the knot up against the bead.

Another way to make a knot is by stringing your beads on two separate strands of thread. One strand is the carrier strand, and the other is the knotting strand, which must be at least twice as long, if not longer. You can knot as you string with this method, or string all of the beads on to the carrier string only, and then work the knotting string through the beads as you go. Start with either a bead tip or one bead through both strands. Then, take the knotting strand and make an over hand knot over the carrier thread, and snug the knot up against the bead. String another bead, make an over hand knot, and continue until finished.

Things You Should Consider Before Exporting Wholesale Jewelry

If you plan to export wholesale jewelry, the very first thing that you should do is to find out if it is legal. You must understand that sending just one piece of jewelry to another country is considered ‘exporting goods.’ No matter where it is going, if it is outside of the United States, or the country that you live in, it is in fact exporting.

You can find out if exporting certain pieces of jewelry is legal by calling the customs agency in your state, or by calling the United States Customs Office. Describe the jewelry and as well as the precious stones it contains, and tell them where it is being sent. They will be able to tell you if shipping it is legal or not, and what problems may be encountered at customs in the country it is being shipped to.

Take shipping costs into consideration, and make sure that your customer pays for that! Shipping to other countries can be quite costly, and if you pay for that shipping, you probably won’t realize any profits on the wholesale jewelry that you are shipping out of the country!

Making Your Own Jewelry Your Way

Do you have a better way to accessorize yourself than with a nice piece of jewelry? The problem is that sometimes costume jewelry can also be extremely expensive. Nevertheless, you have another alternative to buying them you can make them. It is easy to learn how to create your own jewelry. And sometimes it is even better than buying them because you can make them to match your outfits and your personality. This way you are not only going to save money, you are also going to have fun.

Are you interested in making necklaces? The simplest way to do this is using beads. You will see that you can create a variety of beautiful necklaces just using some heavy string and a various beads of different colors. In the case you are going to cover the whole circumference with beads you may even substitute the heavy string by a dental floss. You should always bear in mind what you are going to wear the necklace with. This way you can compliment the color of the necklace with the color of the dress you are wearing. Once you know the colors, you should start thinking about the pattern, which can be achieved by alternating colors or shapes, or making all of the beads the same size and color.

The most important thing at the moment of making your necklace is to be creative. But you should not forget to keep the theme in mind when you start making it. When you go to buy beads you can buy the ones you always use plus some focal point beads that are bigger that the rest. These bigger beads can be use when you choose to employ wire instead of string for your necklace, just one or two beads for the whole piece are enough and the wire show through. Usually you can choose from a great variety of attractive beads, such as wooden, ceramic and glass pieces.

If you are thinking of making beads, you have a lot to do. You only need beads and wire to make a great variety of rings. What you have to do is to twist various strands of wire together making a circle that fits your finger. You have to remember to maintain the ends long in order to string beads on the edges. Just make a ball of wire to maintain the final bead on each strand in its place and then keep the beaded strands as individual strands or twist them into a ball. And use it with whatever you want!

Another option is to make earrings. It is not difficult because the majority of craft stores sell earring components that can be used right away; the only thing you have to do is add the decorations that you choose. You can buy almost twenty pairs of earrings for no more than three dollars. You can also include some ribbons or a strand of beads. Just be creative and you will be able to attend any party.

Similar techniques can be used to create bracelets and anklets. You have just to twist together bare wire and beaded wire to make a nice combination or create attractive wire shapes with just a pair of needle-nosed pliers. You only need to include a nice object that fits and make some loops in the wire and create your own charm bracelet.

It does not matter whether you are a teenager or an adult, you can have a lot of fun making jewelry. It is also a great activity for whole families and a creative way to entertain girls at a birthday party. It is a nice way to create the pieces of jewelry that go with the things you wear. What is more important in creating your own jewelry is that it is a real expression of your creative side.

Is Amber Your Kind of Thing?

Amber is a beautiful gift from mother nature. It comes in many different colors - yellow, orange, red, white, brown, green, blue and almost black. It may be transparent or clouded. Transparent tones range from pale to dark yellow, to yellow light brown. Cloudy amber comes in many colors.

Amber is fossilized resin of ancient trees that grew in “amber forests”. Through various physical and chemical changes the resin becomes Amber. Amber is unique because it is able to preserve the organic tissues in it. It is very common to find pieces of plants and insects, trapped in amber making it extremely valuable to both collectors and the scientists. A beautiful and fascinating gem!

Amber is found in various parts of the world. The largest amber deposits are off the shores of the Baltic Sea. Baltic Amber is the most sought after and valuable for making amber jewelry.

Baltic Amber has been used for decorative items since prehistoric times. A Baltic amber amulet has even been found in Egyptian tombs. Amber was also very popular in ancient Rome during the reign of Neron when: jewelry, ornaments, amulets, and even dice were made from amber. During the Middle Ages, amber prayer beads were exported. From the 16th century into the 18th century item made from amber included jewelry, dishes, buttons, pipe mouth pieces, chess sets and a host of other fine products.

The majority of Baltic amber comes from a 400-square-mile area - the Samland Peninsula, now known as the Kaliningrad region. The Kaliningrad amber mine supplies 99% of the Baltic amber. Up until the 19th century amber was retrieved manually from the sea. During the latter part of the 19th century operations became much more sophisticated as they began dredging and mining for amber. Since then millions of pounds of Baltic amber have been mined. A small town in the Kaliningrad region has the world’s largest amber mine.

Amber has a special beauty in its ability for each piece to be truly original in nature and content. The downfall to amber is like anything organic it does not last forever. Baltic amber is known to have the longest life expectancy. Taking proper care of your amber will result in enjoyment for many years, sometimes thousands of years as seen with the recovery of jewels from the past.

Some important tips for caring for your amber:

• Never store amber where it may rub against hard surfaces such as metal or other jewelry.
• Do not expose amber to harsh chemicals such as soap, jewelry cleaners, perfumes, hair products.
• Do not expose amber to direct sunshine or heat.
• To clean your amber wash in lukewarm water. Use a soft cloth to wash and dry. To restore the shine polish with pure olive oil.
• Treat your amber like any fine gem

Wear amber with pride, add it to your jewelry wardrobe and be sure to make your fashion statement!

Garnet Jewelries For Those Who Were Born in January

Since its January, I thought it would be fun to recommend jewelries with Garnet stone on it. Garnet, as I mentioned in my previous post is the birthstone that represents January. If you have a friend or a love one whom birthday is in this month, these pieces are excellent gifts to get for them.My first recommendation is a 10k gold pendant with an oval garnet stone on it. This lovely pendant is a simple yet elegant piece of jewelry.
My second recommendation would an oval garnet wave bracelet. This bracelet is a 10k gold and equipped with 7 garnet stones accented with 2 round diamonds on each stones’ side. Nice, isn’t it?
If you’re not into gold, here are sterling silver jewelry set, consist of a string of necklace with an oval garnet pendant and a pair of oval garnet clasp earrings.

How do You Import Jewelries... Wholesale Style!

If you are considering importing jewelry wholesale style, you might want to see what your other options are. When jewelry is imported, there are additional costs, such as high shipping costs, that you may not be prepared to pay. There are also other issues to consider as well.

Customs is a major issue, because some materials that come from endangered animals are outlawed in the United States – ivory for example. When importing jewelry, you need to be sure that all of the materials that make up the jewelry can be legally imported.

The possibility of not getting what you paid for is another consideration that you must think about. If you order from someone outside of the United States – where the United States has no legal jurisdiction – there won’t be anything you can do if you are ripped off. If you are importing wholesale jewelry, make sure that you are dealing with a reputable company.

Usually, if you can find the same pieces of jewelry for sale in the United States, at a slightly higher cost, you will be better off making your purchase in the US. By the time you add shipping to the imported jewelry, it will probably cost more. However, there are many pieces that can only be found in other countries.

This is the Platinum Age!

In our hungry-for-anything new pop culture world, celebrities are often the ones that can start a hot fashion trend seemingly overnight. With their heavy media exposure, they are often photographed wearing the latest styles in fashion and jewelry.

Platinum engagement and wedding rings are the latest celebrity trend that has taken the jewelry industry by storm. Several high-profile newlyweds have taken a shine to the cool elegance of platinum.

“Platinum is like our relationship in that it is strong, precious and timeless,” says Nick Lachey about the custom made platinum wedding rings he and his former wife Jessica Simpson tied the knot with.

It seems that view of the lustrous metal is shared by other celebrity couples as well such as: Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Adam Sandler and Jackie Titone, as well as, popular actresses Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson.

Celebrities are especially fond of pairing fancy colored diamonds with their platinum rings. Also, the three diamond platinum engagement ring has quickly become all the rage among new brides.

So, if you’re looking to buy diamond jewelry online, whether it’s for a special occasion like a wedding, or a gift for a special person, consider platinum jewelry as one of your best and brightest options.

Looking for a Wholesale Jewelry Supplier

No matter what you may need wholesale jewelry supplies for, there are a variety of sources for obtaining them. However, in most cases, you will find the least expensive supplies through online sources. This is due to the fact that you literally have the whole world of wholesale jewelry supply sources at a click of a mouse and those companies are all in competition with each other.

Whether you are looking for stones, crystals, beads, catches, or other supplies and tools, you can find everything you are looking for online – at really great prices. You can order the supplies directly, or request a catalog from hundreds of different suppliers. In many cases, when you place an order, you will be put on the mailing list, and you will automatically receive the catalog periodically without having to ask for it.

You should never pay for the catalog. Avoid sites that ask for payment to receive the catalog, or sites that require you to pay for membership. You can expect, however, to be required to register at the sites that you do business with – at no charge. It is also important to check the refund and exchange policies for each site that you do business with.

If you have any doubts as to the legitimacy of an online business, check them out with the BBB online. If there have been any complaints, the BBB will have a record of it, and that information is available to the public at no charge.

Ebay is another option. You can find a wide variety of wholesale jewelry supplies through these auctions, but not all sellers on Ebay can be depended on as a steady supplier. When you do find supplies that you wish to bid on or purchase through Ebay, make sure that you check the seller’s rating and feedback before making the bid or purchase!

If shopping online makes you really uncomfortable, there are other ways to find wholesale jewelry supplies. Locate the various companies online, and then call them directly to place your order over the phone, or for instructions for mail orders. You can find the contact information for most companies on the website where it says ‘contact us’ or ‘about us.’

You can also purchase your supplies through discount stores in your area. However, you should be aware that you will not be paying wholesale prices. You will be paying discounted retail prices. Wholesale prices are much cheaper – especially when you make purchases in bulk quantities.

Silver Estate Jewelry: The New In Thing!

Sterling silver is an excellent choice in estate jewelry. Long lasting, easy to care for, and so gorgeous! Buying sterling silver estate jewelry can be a lot of fun but it can also be confusing.

Whether you are looking at sterling silver for a gift for that special someone or looking to add to your own jewelry to make that fashion statement, it’s important you understand the terms that are used throughout the industry.

Once you understand the terminology you will be better equipped to choose quality pieces of sterling silver jewelry and you’ll be able to complete your purchases with a lot more confidence.

It doesn’t matter whether you are buying on line or at your local store. It doesn’t matter if you are buying in the USA or Canada or in Europe or China. The terminology used to describe silver is the same around the world.

Sterling silver jewelry has always been popular and remains so today. Sterling silver estate jewelry has also shared it’s time in the limelight but in recent years its popularity has exploded. That’s because buyers are looking for something a little more unique than modern sterling silver can offer.

Everyone knows how beautiful sterling silver is and how durable it is, that’s one of the reasons it’s such a popular choice. And of course let’s not forget how affordable it is!

Silver has it history into ancient times, but has not survived as well as gold. Unlike gold which has no ill effects from age and exposure sterling silver does. It deteriorates over time.

Throughout history sterling silver has experienced bursts of popularity where it was far more vogue than wearing gold jewelry. Today is one of those periods in time!

Silver is the most common of all the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver but it not commonly used for jewelry because it is way too soft and bends and breaks far too easily.

Instead fine silver is mixed with copper. 925 parts of silver are mixed with 75 parts of copper which is just enough copper to firm up the silver to make beautiful jewelry. This 925 grade is called sterling silver throughout the world and is recognized as the purest form of silver available for jewelry.

This is the mark you are looking for. Either that or the actual sterling mark. Both will guarantee you that what you are buying is sterling silver and not some cheap base metal like nickel which will wear and look awful very quickly.

Silver has many benefits over gold. It is much lighter weighing about half as much as gold. It is much more flexible but not as malleable so it allows for beautiful jewelry creations. Lastly it is much less expensive yet it will last you your lifetime and probably those of a couple of more generations. Two exact pieces one in silver and one in gold. The gold piece will cost 5 to 6 times more than the sterling silver piece.

Current fashion trends which include a lot of black or dark materials have added to the popularity of sterling silver as it looks very well with black. In fact it has much more of a dramatic impact than gold does.

Silver should be worn often to helps it keep it shines. Left hanging for any length of time means you’ll need to polish it to remove the tarnish. In our fast paced world silver is an excellent choice. Just as we have wash and wear clothing silver is an excellent grab and wear style of jewelry.

So the next time you are in the market for some quality sterling silver jewelry be sure to check out the silver estate jewelry!

Selecting Wholesale Jewelry

Selecting jewelry isn’t hard, when you can see it and touch it. However when you purchase jewelry wholesale, you often won’t have this opportunity before making a purchase, since most of these purchases are made online or through mail order. This makes the selection process a bit harder.

Start by reading all of the information that is supplied. Make sure that words like ‘gold plated’ or ‘faux’ are not used if you are looking for genuine pieces. Contact the company and ask for more information if you are unsure about anything that you are reading as well. Make sure you are getting wholesale prices. Look for similar pieces at the online jewelry stores, or even at your local jewelry stores, and compare the prices. The wholesale price should be much lower.

Also check the refund and exchange policy of the business you are planning to purchase from. Make sure that there is a ‘no questions asked’ money back guarantee, or the offer of a 100% refund if you are not satisfied. If there is no refund policy, there should be no deal! You can find other wholesale jewelry from companies that do offer refunds and exchanges.

DIY Your Pearl Necklace

If you own a pearl necklace, you should also know that it need to be restrung every 1-2 years even under your nearly perfect protection? This is because your sweat, perfume, body lotion, dust, and many other elements can dirty and damage strings, and strings themselves can be naturally stretched too. You can go to the professional jeweler to have them done, or you can do it yourself. In fact doing it yourself can save some money and fun too!

Here are twelve simple steps for you to restrung your necklace:

Step 1
Prepare your tools: white silk string, a beading needle, a scissors, a piece of soft cloth, a heavy hook.

Step 2
Line all your pearls onto the soft cloth, and place the comparable smaller ones on both ends.

Step 3
Cut a long silk string (if your necklace is 16cm, you need about 90cm string)

Step 4
Thread the string through the needle and tie both ends of the string together (now the string is double thick but half length).

Step 5
Use the needle to string all the pearls one by one onto the string.

Step 6
Thread the needle through the hole on one side of the clasp. Now the clasp is next to the last pearl you just strung and it can stop the pearls to fall from this end.

Step 7
Then make a knot between the pearl and the clasp: bend the string into a circle between the pearl and the clasp, and thread the needle through the circle.

Step 8
Hook the other knotted end (the end you made a knot at step two) onto the heavy hook, the purpose of which is to avoid the pearl strand moving when you make knots at the next step.

Step 9
Thread the needle through the pearl next to the clasp, and make a knot using the same method as step 7. Then next pearl and make another knot. Repeat this until you reach the last two pearls.

Step 10
Thread the needle through both of the last two pearls, together with the other hole on the other side of the clasp. Make a knot between the clasp and the pearl..

Step 11
Thread the needle back through the last pearl and make the last knot. This knot should be very firm and tight.

Step 12
Cut off the string. If you want to make it double secure, you can apply a tiny amount of nail polish onto the last knot.

That’s it. Now you can proudly flaunt your pearl necklace knowing that you made it yourself!

Affordable Jewelry for Everyone to Enjoy

For centuries sparkling, beautiful jewels have been THE sign of wealth and luxury the world over. Wearing quality jewelry makes just about everyone feel special and look better. Jewels have had such a long and lasting importance in our world that we give them as a sign of our most treasured possession -- a long-term relationship.

Increasingly, wearing fine jewelry can be a noticeable sign of your success and achievement. Walk into a business meeting wearing an eye-catching ring, bracelet, or watch and your stature immediately rises as perceived by those around you. Your ideas seem more important and your power to prevail increases.

Centuries ago only Kings and Queens could afford jewels. Even in recent years, only the well-healed could afford a nice selection of quality jewels.

You could expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $5,000 for a nice piece of jewelry. That meant either wiping out your retirement account or making monthly payments, sometimes for years.

Today all that has changed for the better. Recent changes and discoveries in the jewelry market have made wearing fine jewelry more affordable than ever in history. Gold rings with genuine stones can now be purchased online and elsewhere for well under $100. I recently found a genuine white gold diamond ring for just $129.99.

Another option that is used today to keep the costs affordable is to use a sterling silver base and coat it with gold. Prior to this method, the only affordable jewelry was to use sterling silver but it had the disadvantage of tarnishing. This new method offers many advantages. It does not tarnish because it is gold plated, it is more beautiful than sterling silver and it is certainly more affordable.

Those kinds of prices put fine jewelry in a whole new light. For many of us, the $100 to $150 range falls into the realm of an easy purchase. You can buy it just because it makes you feel good without having any impact on your budget.

New much lower jewelry prices mean you can have a different style or color of jewelry to go with each of your suits. You can have a several-piece collection of similar designs to go with each of your favorite dresses.

Perhaps even more important, it's easy to give nice jewelry as a gift, even if for no other reason than you were just thinking how much you value the recipient.

Buying an Estate Jewelry For Your Mom

Estate Jewelry is the perfect gift for your Mom whether it’s for Mother’s Day, her birthday, or Christmas. Mother’s will always enjoy a lovely piece of jewelry. But there are some things you should know before heading out to buy that jewelry to make sure you don’t pay too much or don’t land up with a fake piece of jewelry. Estate jewelry is always an excellent choice because your Mom may have personal attachments to a certain piece or style. Follow these tips for buying jewelry for your Mother.

Check around!
Quality jewelry isn’t cheap so before you even start shopping check around with co-workers, friends, and family and see which stores or web sites they recommend for purchasing fine jewelry from. Also take note of the ones they tell you to stay away from. Other peoples experiences are a great method of finding the best jewelry store available.

Get it Written Down
If you’ve been talking with a sales rep then have them write down all the information they’ve given you including the stores policy on refunds and returns. If you are buying online then print out all the detailed information supplied on the web site including contact information, return policies, and refund policies.

Watch The Markings
Gold plated is not 14 karat gold. Some might try to lead you to believe this but its just not so. 14K jewelry is made of 14 parts of gold combined with 10 parts of a base metal. Gold plated means that the cheaper base metal has simply had a layer of 10K gold bonded to it. Eventually the gold will wear away and leave you with the ugly base metal. How long it takes to wear away will depend on how well it is plated, how often you wear it, and how your skin reacts to it.

Watches
There are two different watch styles, the battery operated and the winding style. You’ll have to decide which type is best for your Mom. You’ll also want to find out how long the warranty is and what it covers. A personal experience with a higher end watch maker left me rather amazed. I had managed to wear the gold plating off the band which was listed in the life time warranty as covered. However upon sending it in for replacement I found out I had neglected to read the fine print that had a list of exclusions on the life time warranty. So the moral of the story is read and read it all. Don’t have a big surprise later on. That replacement band cost me half the value of the original purchase price. Ouch!

Understand Gems
You need to understand the different between a natural gem that comes from mother earth and a synthetic or laboratory created gem that is man made. To look at them side by side you cannot visually see any differences. But the biggest difference is in the price. Natural gems cost a great deal more. So if you really want a natural gemstone then you’ll have to pay more. When buying a natural gem make sure that you understand what you are getting. Natural gems can have treatments that enhance their beauty. Enhanced natural gems are not worth the same money as a natural natural gem and they may also require special treatment so that they don’t become damaged or loose their luster.

Pearls
You can buy beautiful real pearls and imitation pearls. Real pearls come from oysters or mollusks where imitation pearls are man made. Cultured pearls come from oysters or mollusks but man intervenes by adding an irritant to cause a pearl to grow within the shell. Pearls that are natural and not cultured are rare and very expensive and there really isn’t any difference except for mans little bit of intervention.

Diamonds
Diamonds are forever is deep in meaning. One being that a diamond will quite literally last forever. You need to consider cut, color, clarity, and weight when choosing a diamond. Each of these factors will affect the price of the diamond. Color can be graded on a scale but the scales are not consistent as there is no industry standard scale so make sure you understand the scale for the specific diamond you are looking at.

Chains
A chain is always a wonderful choice for a jewelry gift for your mother. Either gold or silver are excellent choices. Chains are available in many lengths so you can choose a length that is appropriate for your Mom. You can also boy many different styles from the very dainty to bold and noticeable. Add a pendant if you like.

Follow these tips for buying jewelry for your Mother and you’ll have purchased the perfect gift. So whether you purchase a new jewelry piece or a beautiful estate jewelry piece it will be treasured by your Mom for years to come.

How to Buy Wholesale Jewelry Through the Internet

Buying wholesale jewelry online is quite easy, and most of the time, it is an enjoyable shopping experience. In fact, many people prefer this method of buying wholesale jewelry simply because they find a much wider selection at much lower prices. However, some of the buying public is still wary of online businesses. If this sounds like you, there is really no need for concern. Simply follow a few simple guidelines to ensure that you have a safe and satisfactory buying experience.

The first step is to be aware that there are indeed many con artists operating on the Internet – and they will happily take your money with absolutely no regrets. It is your responsibility to take all of the proper precautions to guard against this happening.

First, find jewelries that you are interested in buying. Make a note of where you found it, but do not make a purchase just yet as there is still much to be done. Take a look at other online wholesaler’s sites and online jewelry stores to see if you can find similar pieces. In most cases, you can. Look at the price differences. While the wholesale price should be lower than the retail price, you should use extreme caution if the price seems too low. As the old saying goes ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’

After you have found the lowest price, read every detail you can find about the jewelry. Make sure that it is exactly what you want, in terms of authenticity. If you are unsure, don’t make the purchase until you do know for sure. Don’t be afraid to contact the company directly to ask questions – but don’t take their word for it either.

Check with the Better Business Bureau Online, as well as the BBB in the area where the company is located. You are checking to see if there have been any complaints about this business. If there have been, that information will be made available to you at no charge… and if there are complaints, you should avoid doing business with the company.

Next, read the refund and exchange policy, as well as the terms of service and the privacy policy at the website. This is all important information – and if it isn’t there, you don’t want to do business with this company. However, just because the information is there doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a legitimate operation – read the information carefully, and print it out so that you have a record of it.