Courtney Romain kindly suggested me this wonderful necklaces from Artfully Elegant. It is a successful mix of citrine, lavender chalcedony, carnellian and gold fill. Something pretty that would go perfectly with my outfit today or my best friend Cristina would positively love to have (giggles).

So, yes Courtney, I like it a lot. Thanks for the hint!

I have visited Opaleen.com today and I was surprised by the first picture that greeted me. So, naturally I took the challenge to see all their products. ..

Fresh and exquisite designs all crafted in gold and silver, quite affordable and full of color and vitality. I browsed curiously throughout ALL their jewelry and I can only describe it as: “Summer and Happiness”

The same goes for the necklaces and rings!

]]> http://www.jewelrybloguncovered.com/jewelry/colored-jewelry-for-your-happiness/feed/ 4 http://www.jewelrybloguncovered.com/jewelry/just-a-beautiful-piece/ http://www.jewelrybloguncovered.com/jewelry/just-a-beautiful-piece/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:42:44 +0000 Dana http://www.jewelrybloguncovered.com/?p=5420

A dream bracelet

This week’s jewelry is a wedding band. Not an ordinary wedding band, but one that caught my attention. This dynamic engraved design stole my heart style.

I have found this piece in the DORA wedding band collection. DORA rings are meticulously crafted by skilled artisans in a variety of styles to choose from in 14KT Gold, 18KT Gold, Platinum and Titanium. There’s more to see.

Mother of pearl and diamond ring

Resemeling with classy and elegant silver, white gold takes it one step higher. White gold jewelry is gold, which should be understood. Many people are tired of wearing yellow gold; yellow gold can sometimes seem out of trend; that is where white gold steps in.

The fact that it is white does not take away from its quality of being gold. As a matter of fact, yellow gold is also blended with other elements to make it the sparkling yellow color that we all think of as gold.

White Gold eight link anklet from JR Jewelers

White gold Star of David pendant

White gold is an alloy of pure gold. To make white gold, nickel or palladium is added to the pure gold. Nickel and palladium is what gives the gold its white color. Other elements are added to pure gold when creating yellow or pink gold.

14kt White Gold 27mm Bangle Bracelet

White Gold Heart-shaped Locket

Here’s gold suitability for jewelry from the purity point of view:
24 karat = 100% gold
Too soft for jewelry

22 karat = 91.7% gold
Very soft – not recommended for jewelry

18 karat = 75.0% gold
Recommended for fine jewelry

14 karat = 58.3% gold
Recommended for jewelry

12 karat = 50.0% gold
Not acceptable for jewelry

10 karat = 41.7% gold
The legal karat limit considered as real gold in the United States

The gold in the jewelry we wear daily it is not a hundred percent pure. Actually it is impossible to wear items crafted in 100% pure gold. That’s because in such a purity level, gold is to “soft” and will modify its shape when you apply a small pressure to it. That means that you can even squeeze it into your finger tips.

In order to have a solid form, goldsmiths mix it with different other metals resulting a gold alloy with new physical properties, that is more suitable to transform into jewelry.

The other metals used to obtain the gold alloy can also have an influence on the gold’s color. No matter which gold color is created, the pure gold is always present in the correct percentage. For example, 18K gold will always have 75% pure gold contained in the jewelry, while the rest of the alloy colors can be altered to create a different color.

• Rose gold: It is mixed with a considerable amount of copper ( almost 20% )  resulting the pink color.
• White gold: It is created by mixing in nickel to give it a whiter appearance.
• Yellow gold: It is the common natural color of gold.
  

Power and wealth. In ancient Rome jewelry was at first an of prestige reserved only for the highest social classes. But as trade and the wealth of the Empire increased, jewelry became available to all classes of citizens. Romans borrowed styles from earlier cultures and added their own themes. In keeping with the flamboyance of the time, jewelry became larger in size and more ostentatious. They began to use more colored stones than previous cultures, including topaz, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls.

One fabulous way to use broken or unused jewelry is in the making of Christmas ornaments. It is a pity to throw away broken or unused jewelry. Instead, considering using it to make other things. Here are some guidelines on how to make beautiful, unique ornaments for your family and friends.

For starters, make some general decisions about the ornaments you want to make. Decide on the “type” of ornament you want to use for your base, color, size and shape.

Get a clue on what you want the ornament design to be. Determine the materials you will use to make the ornaments. These might include things such as decorative roping or braiding, lace, and/or ribbon as well as other embellishments like pearls or jewels, glitter, flowers, or something of your own choosing. If you are using clear ornaments that you want to decorate with a special interior, you need to make decisions about that as well. Typical things used to stuff clear ornaments include foil shreds, fake snow, confetti, jewels, and glitter. However, you may have your own unique twist to add to the design.

Buy all the materials that you do not have in hand and prepare the jewelry for application to the ornament. Cut off (with wire cutters) any excess pieces, sharp edges or parts that are not part of the design. Paint a design onto the ornament using the appropriate type of craft paint, if that is part of your overall design.

Secure your jewelry piece(s) to the ornament according to your design. For example, you could adhere a broken cameo brooch to the ornament with glue that is appropriate to the materials being used or use a single chandelier earring as the ornament’s focal point. Be creative in your design to make a truly unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Make certain that your jewelry piece(s) are secure and dry before moving on to the next step.

Add any additional embellishments that you want to your ornament. For example, cluster a group of ribbon roses in various sizes around the top and/or bottom of the piece; add a decorative tassel to the bottom of the ornament; or add accent jewels that match or coordinate with your jewelry piece.

Stuff clear ornaments with your chosen materials, if that is part of your design. Stuffing materials can include things such as foil shreds, fake snow, glitter, jewels, or anything of your choice that will fit within the ornament.

Classic? Modern? Vintage? Other?

What style to develop when you’re building your jewelry wardrobe from scratch? Clues, clues, clues. Everywhere clues. When you are trying to build a personal image based on self confidence and full of individual style, you should know that there are some simple things that you must consider. It is not difficult at all.  Developing your own style means “knowing yourself”: what you like and dislike. Try to do the following:

Answer this question: “What turns my head?” Is it classic jewelry ? Gemstone or diamonds? Anklets or chandelier earrings?
Be attentive to what kind of outfits or accessories do people compliment you on. It is a good tip about the kind of jewelry that looks best on you.

Have always in mind that you should feel comfortable wearing your jewelry. Analyze your lifestyle and if you turn out to be a very active person consider simple earrings and necklaces that will not get in your way when working. Only a sense of comfort can help you feel confident all the time and make you develop your personal style much easier.

As for the jewelry itself, stick with the basics in the beginning. Precious metal jewelry never goes out of fashion. Gold, titanium and sterling silver are hard materials and are suited for wearing during intensive activities but are also elegant items of jewelry. Take a look at your budget before shopping and try to buy the best quality jewelry you can afford. With quality items as a start, the matching pieces will soon follow. I strongly recommend classic jewelry: simple gold necklace and bracelet, small gold earrings and delicate pendant.

My first suggestion is JR Jewelers. com. Start from here.