Gifts You Will Love

Throughout history jewellery has been constantly lavished on children, a practice that continues until today. Babies are gifted christening jewellery for their baptisms and both boys and girls enjoy high end jewellery that are of the same quality as most adult items. Some items are just fun and whimsical reminding adults that kids are meant to enjoy childhood.

However, with recent safety issues when it comes to kid’s items, parents should be cautious about what they buy and where they buy jewellery items because these things can be detrimental to the health of the kids who wear them.

Children’s Jewellery through the Ages

Children throughout history have been known to sport Jewellery dating back to the young prince and princesses of Egypt and even farther. The purpose of jewellery on children is essentially the same as why adults wear jewellery and that is as a status symbol that indicated wealth and the standing of families. At present, children’s jewellery style are very jolly and often on the whimsical side. But in History, children were made to wear jewellery in a serious manner to showcase to the world their standing in society. Even ethnic tribes made their children to wear jewellery even if it means painful body piercing on various body parts.

Man fashioned and strung together the same jewellery materials that he had and donned it on his son. When jewellery making was more profound like in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, children were made to wear fine jewellery in order to show their class status and that of their families.

Golden clasps held together a young Egyptian prince’s hair while he learned to cast his whip upon his horse using the right arm clad with a golden cuff. In Greece and in Rome, young girls are being fitted with their first necklaces at a very young age and some undergo ear piercing so that they can wear earring in the same fashion that their mothers do.

In China, the young emperor pours over his lessons with jade charms hanging around his neck. In other parts of the world, even in civilizations not as advanced, young children of the ruling class or tribal leaders are being given jewellery which is much common practice despite cultural differences.

In Burma, it is a common practice for a grandmother to slowly wind metal rings around her young granddaughter’s neck. She will try to get the little girl’s neck as long as she possibly can to ensure that she will be a fitting attractive wife to any male in the tribe. In another tribe an elder will be piercing a little boy’s lower lip to get a ring on to make him look more manly.

During the past centuries, Jewellery has cemented its purpose as body adornments. During the reign of Henry the VIII, he lavished upon his children and especially his only son, extravagant pins and gems that he would wear in his hats or pin to his tunics. Children during the reign of Napoleon benefited from the extravagance that he practiced. In the Victorian era little babies were gifted with precious gold jewellery as christening gifts (a practice still being observed today).

Over the years, children’s jewellery has grown more subtle and less profound unlike the jewellery of the past. Some traditions still remain like the Ladies of Myanmar and Thailand which until this day makes use of neck rings to elongate their necks making them more attractive to men.

Baby Jewellery

Babies are usually gifted jewellery during their christenings. Christening Jewellery can range from jewellery that the babies actually wear to novelty type items only. The gift giver’s budget can dramatically affect the range of gifts that will be given.

Jewellery that babies actually wear includes hinge bangles worn on their cute little wrist. The prices for this type of christening jewellery range depending on the material it is made of. Sterling Silver and Gold Bangles can range up to 500 Dollars. Alternatives to the bangles are ID bracelets that can be given to baby boys. Other christening gifts include those that have a religious motif like sterling silver cross pendants to cross earrings matched with gold necklaces. A rather unique christening gift is some silver cufflinks that a baby boy can wear with his christening gown.

Other more whimsical gifts for christenings may include silver spoons and silver dummies. These items are considered as precious keepsakes that the baby can cherish when he or she is grown up.

Jewellery for young Girls

Buying Jewellery for girls is not that hard. There are a lot of items to choose from. They can have pristine looking silver or gold necklaces that have the occasional diamond inset to fun and girly links made of precious metals and Swarovski crystals.

Necklaces are one of those pieces of jewellery that will be readily appreciated by the receiver of the gift. Girl’s necklaces can be simple items and also luxurious ones. You can get necklaces made of plastic, but real strikers are gold and silver jewellery that can have diamonds and other precious stones on it; preferably the young girl’s birthstone.
Charm bracelets have grown in popularity among the feminine set and so have they with children’s jewellery collection. Charm bracelets are specially cherished because of the fact that you can add charms to the length of the bracelet periodically. The charms can be made to mean something to both the giver and the receiver of the gift.

Jewellery made out of polymer clay is always appealing because of the different mystical colors and shapes the material. The use of Swarovski crystal and beautifully colored glass beads are also steadily increasing. More and more jewellery companies are working with semi-precious stones for the jewellery they create for their younger clientele.
Hair Jewellery is always a hit with little girls. Beautiful hair slides and pins are readily available. You can purchase high quality hair slides that are made out of crystals in all girly shapes imaginable. This type of children’s jewellery will not only look pretty but will also help teach little girls about style and grooming.

Jewellery for young Boys

Boys like men, are harder to shop for when it comes to jewellery. They have a very limited choice when it comes to jewellery made out of precious metals and precious stones. Perhaps other than the masculine looking ID bracelets and ID pendants the next best item available for young boys are gold chain bracelets and gold band rings. Once the little man has donned on his first suit, he can be given a pair of chain link cufflinks to give him a grown up look. Some kids can have their own essential styles like the rocker dressed children of celebrities, they appreciate funky leather and plastic jewellery to match their style.

Jewellery for Children Transitioning into Teens

Jewellery for kids who are now turning into their teenage years have to be a cross between the young adult’s style with a bit of whimsy motif still attached to it. For children in this stage, it is best to provide them with jewellery that will last them longer. Spending a little more on pre-teen jewellery will be rewarding because the kids can wear it until they are much older. Buying simply styled jewellery is advised. Perhaps, a simple gold or sterling silver necklace with a solid heart pendant adorned with a sole piece of tiny diamond.

Safety Issues with Children’s Jewellery

There has been a lot of attention paid to children’s stuff that have been manufactured in mass and imported into the country. The incident of toy recall initiated by one of the biggest toy companies in the world sent shockwaves to parents all over. The reason for the toy recall is the main cause of the concern. The company was not recalling the toys because of defects or faulty workmanship, but because the toys contained dangerous levels of lead.

Toys may seem like a far cry from kid’s jewellery, but the fact is that a lot of this jewellery is produced in mass and isolated cases have shown that some of the kid’s jewellery being produced by a certain factory also contained high levels of lead. A story was documented where dangling charms from bracelet was accidentally swallowed by a kid, a toxic test revealed it to contain high levels of lead.  This is the main reason why parents are advised to pay close attention to the purchases they are making because they can really be hazardous to young kids.

Children’s Jewellery in the Future

Some jewelers who have made their name in the Children’s Jewellery niche will continue to excel in what they do. In the future, style sensibility may change yet again and children may end up richly dressed with all the finest jewellery that their parents can afford just like the ancient times. However the mass production of fashion jewellery is gaining a bigger foothold for parents who want disposable items for beauty. Whatever it is Children’s jewellery will always be around as long as the adults make a fancy of them.

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Celtic Jewellery is revered and appreciated as with any form of adornment. This type of jewellery is easily identified by the intricate designs of Celtic Knot Work found integrated into their trinkets. These beautifully weaving knots design stands for a lot of symbolism that holds true even today. Celtic Jewellery is mostly popular as wedding bands and friendship rings. They are considered to be as precious as gemstones.

The Celtic People

The Celts are a people that lived all over Europe long before the invasion of the Roman Empire. There is not much record of their culture because the Celts handed down their traditions verbally. The term ‘Celtic’ was coined by the Romans and originally referred to them as a group. The original term is said to be translated into the term ‘Barbarians’, which is of course inaccurate because the Celts were civilized people. The Celts are described to be strongly built, fair skinned, blue eyed individuals that had reddish to fair blonde hair. They were depicted as brave warriors often choosing to shed armor when going into battle and instead charge naked, often with only a warrior’s torque around their necks.

Celtic Art and Celtic Life

The Celtic people believed that everything in the world is connected and this was translated in their designs especially with their Knot Work. This art form adorned their bodies and stone carvings as well as in their jewellery. The Celtic society was pretty much balanced with men and women sharing equal status. They were a people that cared for their outward appearance and both men and women chose to wear jewellery. They were also very clean people and they were said to have started using soap long before the Romans did.

Celtic Knot Work

Celtic Knot work is an intricate piece of art. It is often an illustration depicting a single strand that goes around in knots forming beautiful patterns. This is said to be a symbol of infinity and connectivity; their belief that everything is associated.

It is said that Celtic Knot Work when worn as jewellery is a protection against enemies or the evil eye whose aim is to harm the wearer.

Celtic Knot Work on Jewellery

The Celtic Knot Work naturally found its way into jewellery and is still present today. The Knot Work is applied to rings, cuffs and bangles, as well as pendants and necklaces. It is highly appreciated because of its unique style. A visit to big time jewellery online stores will reveal a showcase of jewellery dedicated to Celtic knots only. By looking at the designs you will find yourself treading in the history and tradition of the Celts.

Celtic Knot Work Symbolism

The ancient Celtic cultures have managed to create items that have been preserved to this day. Celtic artist were known for their intricate knot work that symbolizes one thing or another. Numerous designs have been passed down and all of them are intricate with each one undoubtedly has a meaning of its own. The only problem is that, the Celtic artists did not leave a manuscript that detailed the meaning of each Knot Work. As a result, the meaning of the designs changed from era to era and is now a continuing debate among scholars.

Some ideologists on Celtic art and jewellery suggest that the meaning of each intricate knot work will be discovered by the artist or by the person wearing the jewellery. Celtic Knot Work Jewellery is sought after by those who know about Celtic culture mainly because of the meaning that are generally attached to them. Some jewelers provide a list of rings that have various designs with corresponding meanings. These rings can be given as gifts or worn as wedding bands the way the Claddagh is.

The Celtic cross

The Celtic cross existed even before Christianity reached the Celtic Culture. It is originally an equally armed cross with a circle in the middle. The four arms are said to represent the four elements (fire, earth, wind and water) or the four points of the earth (North, South, East and West). The exact meaning of the Celtic cross is still under debate by most scholars. It was a polytheistic symbol for the Celts.

It is believed that the revered St. Patrick or Ireland was the first individual to incorporate the Celtic cross and the Christian cross together. Celtic crosses are found abundant all over Ireland and Scotland. They may be made in the original form of the equal arms, but they are often mounted to make the base arm look more elongated than the rest.
Like all Celtic Jewellery and Art, the influence of the Celtic Knot Work can be observed adorning the middle circle as well as the arms of the Celtic cross. In Celtic tradition, it is revered both as a symbol of Christianity and also a symbol of the Celtic History.

Celtic cross Jewellery

Celtic crosses are also one of the more famous jewellery designs in Celtic traditions that have survived and are still used in modern jewellery making. Most Celtic cross jewellery is in the form of pendants for necklaces or charms on bracelets. The Celtic cross is easily identifiable in jewellery because of its unique design wherein a circle lies at the middle part of the cross. Distinctive to Celtic Jewellery also are the intricate interwoven designs that they put on their art pieces and jewellery.

The Claddagh

The Claddagh is a piece of Celtic Jewellery that has been transformed into a wedding band. However the Claddagh can be worn by unmarried individuals as long as it is worn in the right way and on the proper finger. Its name is taken from a small town of which it was said to have originated from. The history of this piece of Celtic Jewellery is a romantic one and leaves few people surprised that it is used as symbol of marriage. There are a lot of different stories that supposedly tell of the origin of the Claddagh, but one thing connects them all and that is that a story of love.

One story tells of a young jeweler from Ireland who was taken away by pirates out to sea. While with his captors, he could not stop thinking of the girl that he left behind and it was while thinking of her that he started to design the Claddagh. The rings had three basic symbols: a hearth that symbolized his love for the girl, a crown that stood for his loyalty and hands that symbolized friendship. When the young jeweler returned to Ireland some 5 years later, he was happy to find that the girl he loved was still unmarried. He presented her with the Claddagh, professed his love and asked for her hand in marriage and the lady complied.

To this day, the Claddagh is still often used in marriage. It is worn on the left hand with the heart facing inward to indicate that you are married or spoken for. It is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward to indicate that you are available.

Evolution of Celtic Jewellery

Celtic Jewellery has greatly evolved from the old styles into modern translations. A good example of this is the Celtic Warriors Torque. The Celtic Torque started out as being worn around the neck of Celt warriors. A neck torque is composed of a specific number of cables that are twined to together to create a big one.

A usual example is a torque that is made up of 7 intertwining cables that forms the basic body of one large cable. The smaller 7 cables are also made up of 7 strands in order to perpetuate symmetry.  It is an open choker form of jewellery with ends whose style depended on the jeweler. Torques are often made of one single metal and sometimes a combination of many.

The Celtic torque is more than just jewellery for the people who wear it. It is believed to be a form of protection for the warrior going into battle. The design of it is also specific to invoke a form of good luck and protection only for the wearer.

The Warrior’s neck torque then evolved into the bangle torques that is present today. They are often made up of a simple twisting cable with designs on the ends. But you can also see them being reflected by fashion designers in their jewellery creations. Oftentimes the torque ends carry their logo or some high carat diamond stud.

Modern Appeal of Celtic Jewellery

Modern patrons of Celtic art and Celtic jewellery are drawn to it because of the beautiful intricacy of the designs. The exact symbolisms of the designs may still be subject for debate, but often, the wearer is left to decipher what the design has come to mean for him or her. Another reason why people strive to own a Celtic Jewellery piece is that it is a connection to the past, much like gemstones as they were formed years ago. Celtic jewellery also gives its owners a piece of history because the design is indicative of past era.

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Marcasite is the jewellery term given to iron pyrite crystals. It has a brass yellow glow that resembles that of gold and more than a few men have mistaken it for the more valuable mineral. Hence the name: Fool?s Gold is given to it. Jewelers later found out that when faceted just right, Marcasites can be made to glitter and reflect light like diamonds do. Marcasite Jewellery became popular in the late 17th century and during the Victorian Era. They were produced in order to substitute for diamonds which during those times were often restricted to royalty and noblemen. At present, it is produced in vintage styles reminiscent of the Art Nouveau designs which were very popular for Marcasite.

The Marcasite Confusion

Before moving forward, it is important to make note that the Marcasite used in jewellery today is not true Marcasite. Instead it is a form of Iron Pyrite. Iron Pyrite and True Marcasite are polymorphs of each other. This means that they are of the same chemical composition, they only differ in the way that the particles crystallize. True Marcasite cannot be used in jewellery making because it is very brittle in nature and will often crumble to touch. The outward appearance of true marcasite and pyrite are also very different. Pyrite forms angular crystal shapes while true marcasite is often found in a cock?s comb shape.

True marcasite is actually lighter and whitish yellow in color compared to the pyrite used in marcasite jewellery. It is also very grainy and crumbly. As mentioned, true marcasite has the tendency to decompose with no known reason for and some true marcasite minerals are difficult to distinguish from other forms of pyrite.
The Marcasite that is used in jewellery making is often referred to as White Iron Pyrite. This name is much closer to the truth rather than calling it marcasite. But since, that is what the jewellery has been known over time, jewelers did not bother change the name anymore.

Mineral Pyrite

Pyrite is the common name for iron sulfide. It is generally found in nature in a wide variety of locations. It is brass yellow in color that is why it is often mistaken for gold and given the nickname ?Fool?s Gold?. Mineral Pyrite has a metallic luster that shines beautifully when chiseled with facets. The yellowish tint of pyrite is a result of the presence of sulfur in the crystal while Pyrite Crystals are opaque in nature.

History of Marcasite Jewellery

Marcasite Jewellery or pyrite has been present for a long time in history. Some claims would even indicate that Queen Cleopatra preferred the use of marcasite because it helped her maintain her beauty. But, it was at the beginning of the 16th century and up to the Victorian Era that Marcasite enjoyed quiet a degree of popularity among royalty, noblemen and common folks alike.

Marcasite rose into popularity during this time because only the royalty and a select few of the nobility were allowed to wear diamonds. This is during the time when merchants were slowly becoming more powerful and richer than a lot of the noble people. The restriction was imposed so that there was a clear line between the noble born and the commoners. The Upper Class was afraid that the common man would become so rich that he can walk down the streets with diamonds that used to be only available to kings. A few other items like pearls were also restricted to nobility alone and a lot of rich merchants had to content themselves by using fake ones manufactured in other parts of Europe.

This is when the Marcasite jewellery truly excelled since they were not restricted for use and when crafted properly they were as beautiful as diamonds. Despite Marcasite having a reputation as affordable jewellery, it was still greatly appreciated by some of the famous ladies throughout history. Marie Antoinette of France is said to have favored Marcasite over diamonds and Queen Victoria of England was also known to prefer marcasite jewellery.

The Marcasite Shift

Marcasite has been valued throughout history because of its reflective ability towards light. A properly cut marcasite may even shine and glisten better than diamond. This is the property that has endeared marcasite jewellery to the world. With leaders like Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria showing preference for the mineral, who can blame the world for shifting its gaze and looking more intently at marcasite jewellery?

It is of course widely accepted that nothing beats diamonds when it comes to durability, beauty and elegance. But, the hard fact with diamonds is that it is very expensive. So, for an individual who is looking for jewellery that will have the shine of diamonds but without the strain on the pockets, marcasite is the perfect choice.

Marcasite is much more affordable than diamonds and it goes great with sterling silver. Marcasite crystals and Sterling Silver create beautiful jewellery that is reminiscent of heirloom pieces from the Victorian and Art Nouveau Eras.  

What makes marcasite better than other diamond substitutions like CZ is that marcasite does not attempt to fool anybody. It does not attempt to appear like diamonds like the way CZ does, because it really does not. It?s darker and brassy in color. It is just used as a diamond replacement because it can be made to shine and glitter beautifully when it is properly faceted. It only gives an alternative to the precious stone by its reflective nature and not as a diamond decoy.

Marcasite and Sterling Silver ? A Match Made in Heaven

Marcasite and Sterling Silver seem to go together like fish and chips. Sterling Silver has been proven to be the perfect medium for the dark coloration of marcasite. It makes marcasite blend in spectacularly without having it look like it was a cheap stone.

Marcasite and sterling silver have long been partners and it is with silver that marcasite excels the most. Almost all of the marcasite jewellery found in the market today is inlaid in silver. The darkness of the marcasite compliments the light color of silver as well as its reflectivity. Silver Patina appeals to a lot of people and sometimes marcasite stones add to the look of patina on silver.

All sorts of jewellery have been made with the use of marcasite and silver. From brooches that were popular in the Victorian Era to modern style of jewellery like hoop earrings and modern style pendants. There seems to be no end to the possibilities that marcasite and Sterling Silver can achieve together.

Marcasite and Gold just does not seem to mix. The yellowish tint of gold tends to clash with the yellow brass tone of marcasite. Setting Marcasite in gold tends to make both minerals looks dull and ruddy. However, this is not a general rule because a lot of jewelers have managed to create beautiful gold and marcasite jewellery. The greatest danger with inlaying marcasite in gold is that it tends to make the mineral look like ordinary stones and not semi-precious minerals.

Marcasite Jewellery Designs

Marcasite Jewellery Designs range from simple items that have a minimal amount of marcasite to vintage looking jewellery and a few modern designs. The Vintage look with romantic Art Nouveau styles is one of the best sellers when it comes to marcasite Jewellery.

The Victorian Era as well as those that followed it closely is one of the biggest inspirations when it comes to modern day marcasite jewellery designs. This is perhaps because it was during the Victorian Era that Marcasite Jewellery was at the height of its popularity with Queen Victoria preferring to wear it over real diamond jewellery. The Victorian Design principle is very stylized with a lot of attention being paid to little details.

Another design era that is so influential with marcasite jewellery design is that of the Art Nouveau Era. This era saw the birth of jewellery that was greatly inspired by the surrounding flora and fauna at that time. Jewellery became more feminine with swirls and various other intricate lines surrounding the jewellery.

The Art Deco style sensibility although more modern than Victorian style had some influence on the styles of modern marcasite jewellery. Marcasite is often used inlaid in the silver that surrounds some central piece in the middle of the item. It may be various types of stones and semi-precious gems to pearls and even CZ. Sometimes jewellery shaped in the form of animals are completely encrusted in marcasite. 

The Future of Marcasite Jewellery

The future for Marcasite Jewellery is as sparkly as the mineral itself. There is a reason why Marcasite Jewellery has lasted this long in the market. And it will continue to inspire and be created for as long as there is a demand for these ?erroneously? named stones. Truly, the world will be seeing more and more of them. One quality that they have is that they are very flexible and adaptable to current fashion trends, it is hard to believe that they will ever be forgotten and unused

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Amber is one of those naturally occurring elements that have been fascinating people since the day it was discovered years ago. Perhaps one of the main reasons why people are so attracted to amber is because of its color and seemingly (at that time) inexplicable ways of existing. The pull of amber was so strong that at one point it was said than an amber sculpture of man, no matter how small it is was more expensive than a slave (this was during the apex of slave trading in the world). Amber has found many uses, from jewellery to accessories and even in varnishes. In the modern day Amber was perhaps catapulted into fame by its use in the widely popular movie Jurassic Park. At present the fascination towards amber may not be as strong as it once was but, it continues on none the less.

How Amber is formed

Amber is a fossil resin that is greatly known for its color as well as several other qualities. It is not a mineral although it is referred to as a gemstone, most of the amber that is found today ranges from 30 to 90 million years old. Amber basically undergoes two states before it becomes the amber that we know today. 
Amber starts out in Resin form. Resin is an organic material secreted by trees and they secrete it in response to any irritation, disease or physical injury. Once enough of the resin is pooled, it begins to harden. Alluding to the Jurassic Park film, it is at this stage where it can encase whatever insect or plant matter it comes in contact with.  The hardening process of amber is called Polymerization. Amber is either formed outside of trees or within its cavities.

Amber then undergoes its second stage where it becomes a copal. A Copal is resin that has gotten to a point where it is hardened but not hard enough. If left to continue to harden and its natural oils to disappear, it then forms into the amber that we know today. The process of amber formation takes up to over 20 million years. And therefore any inclusions found within the amber, be it insects or plants are effectively a part of the past. That is the reason why amber is often referred to as a ‘window into the past’.
A common misconception of amber is that it is formed out of tree sap and that tree sap is what causes the formation of resin that subsequently forms amber. That is not the case since resin is a completely different substance from tree sap.

Amber is found all over Europe and mostly in the Baltic Regions where ‘Baltic Amber’ comes from. Other source locations of Amber include that of Ukraine, other parts of Europe and the Americas.

A Beautifully Scented Stone

Perhaps, one of the top reasons why men in the past have been drawn to amber is the fact that it is beautifully scented. Amber in its solid state gives off a faint sweet smell of pine. When heated amber burns like incense and was probably used with that purpose in mind. There are imperfect amber formations - those that are foggy and unclear because of a high degree of contamination. Back then it was used for the purpose of making an area to smell woody fresh.

Amber as Jewellery

Amber is a semi-precious stone that has been revered by mankind for centuries. It has taken such an important place not only in the world of jewellery making (where most of the world’s amber production is allocated) but also in science where inclusions found within amber have given scientist a very pristine look into the past.

Proof of amber jewellery can be seen from amber beads that were created back around 11,000 BC. The earliest traces of amber jewellery that were found were simple in make. It was only a few thousand years later that the jewellery started to take much more complex details.

The trade of amber was so extensive that it was even discovered as far as the North Pole. Around 4000 to 8000 years BC, amber craftsmanship was so extensive that decorative amber was found in the form of small sculptures of animals and people. Other than being decorative, amber was also revered for supposed medicinal qualities as well as its connection to religion and worship.

During the Roman Empire Amber was so popular that the Amber Route was established and helped to move the Trade of Amber onwards. Amber is known to have great significance for the Greeks, the Romans, and other civilizations because it was believed to be jewellery that is ‘godly’ in nature. Because of the color of Amber it was associated with the god of the sun and other deities associated with the heavenly body. The demand for amber was so strong that during the time that Nero was reigning, amber was brought from the Baltic Coast in such large quantities.

During the 11th Century, Amber jewellery also reflected the mood of the era. It was during this time that Christianity was introduced and most of the amber jewellery produced consisted of amber crosses. It was also during this time that amber necklaces and rings were made in large numbers. 

The Golden Age of Amber is considered to be during the 17th century. It is in this period that artist created almost anything they can think of out of amber. Amber during this time was not only limited to jewellery but it was made into furniture, statues, jewellery boxes and others. Amber in this period was for the wealthy and royalty alone.

In the early part of the 17th century the famed Amber Room was started. It was commissioned by King Frederick I of Prussia for a Palace in Berlin. The amber room was completed and installed for the summer residence of the Russian Tsar in 1716. The Amber Room Managed to survive until its mysterious disappearance in the Second World War. Before its disappearance, the Amber Room was considered by many as the 8th Wonder of the World. It was because of the immense interest in amber craftsmanship that the attention towards amber jewellery was effectively eclipsed.

Amber in Science

The Role of amber in science is mostly attributed to the age of this resource as well as its ability to give distinct view of small scale animal life and plant life millions of years back. Contrary to popular belief, the inclusions in amber are not exact preservations. They are often just hollow shells of the animal or plant that was once trapped in the resin. The resin has also changed and seeped into the cellular cells of those that have been trapped within it.

Modern Uses of Amber

Today, the mass of the amber that is found in various regions are made into jewellery and a few decorative ornaments. Most of the time, the amber that is used in decorative purposes are those that have substantially sized fossilized inclusions within it. Other than that, amber is generally made into pendants for necklaces. They are sometimes turned into beads and strung together to form bracelets. Some pieces of amber end up in rings and earrings. Amber stones are usually set in semi precious metals to create elaborate necklaces, earring and bracelets. Amber continues to remain in demand and will continue to be used in jewellery and in creative display items.

Fakes

There is a lot of fake amber jewellery that is sold in the market today. Most of the time, fakes are sold in online stores since this effectively eliminates the opportunity for the client to check it personally if it is genuine or not. That is the main reason why it is advised that amber jewellery be bought in person so that the customer has the chance to examine the piece for authenticity.

All sorts of materials have been used as amber substitutes. The list ranges from copal (early form of amber) to plastic and resin. These materials are of lower value than authentic amber. They have come to be because of the great demand for amber in the jewellery world. Fake amber or substitution amber is not only found in jewellery stores, but it can also be seen sold in ethnic areas. The technology for creating fake amber is so good that at first glance, it is hard to identify a fake one from real amber. Those interested in purchasing amber should hold some degree of knowledge of the processes in identifying fake amber. It is important to keep in mind that counterfeiters are getting better and better on this craft.

Amber for the Future

Amber, being the nature that it is, is a non renewable resource. It means that there are a finite number of amber pieces that can be found in the world today. The ’semi-precious’ stone will continue to be appreciated for its beauty and science will undoubtedly continue to find more and more new information about the past with the help of amber.

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In the modern world, men’s jewellery has a certain degree of taboo that is why most men tend to shy away from wearing them other than the occasional silver tie clip or the platinum cufflinks. In the later years, men seem to move towards the acceptance of jewellery more. Bracelets and necklaces are now commonplace among the younger set and even more mature gentlemen are slowly expanding their jewellery items further than just cufflinks, key chains and tie clips.

History of Men’s Jewellery

Jewellery has always been worn by men and women over history. Before the discovery and utilization of precious metals, man has managed to find things considered to be beautiful and worthy enough to be worn as ornamentation for the body. People made necklaces by stringing mollusks or animal horns and teeth in remote regions of the world like in Africa and the early tribes and civilizations of Asia. This was considered a sign of wealth and status in the community.
In the undiscovered Americas, Native Americans made jewellery out of polished stones that they had discovered. These people are known for their work with turquoise jewellery. In ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, both men and women wore jewellery on their heads, neck and arms. The same goes for the Arab people in the early Middle East.

No matter when or where, jewellery has always been a part of the culture of the people. It is only in the recent centuries’ around the start of the Victorian Era, that Jewellery started to get a feminine connotation and men’s jewellery were effectively reduced to just smaller and subtle items. Now, men seem to shy away from jewellery because it is perceived as emasculating.

Such a view was opposite to what the Egyptians saw when they thought of jewellery. These adornments are nothing compared to the glitz and pomp of the ancient times where men were in favor to wear glamorous links around their shoulders and enormous stoned rings on every finger.
Pharaohs wore jewellery that was as extravagant and sometimes more than what the women wore. Even their tunics were gilded with the finest crafted gold. On the neck lay a massive amount of carved gold that cascaded down to the chest. On the fingers sat large stones and impeccably crafted golden rings. None of these things were seen as feminine at that time.

The kings of neighboring countries wore gold pins on the locks of their hair. They too wore necklaces and rings. On the feminine issue, it was quite the opposite, in fact these individuals were highly revered and respected. The higher one rose in the ranks, the more jewellery he could pile on himself.
The Tudors of England, especially the famed Henry the VIII wore his share of jewels. Aside from the English Crown, he did not shy away from large rings and gem studded shoulder links. The reign of the ill-fated Marie Antoinette in France also saw men wear jewellery with pride. Jewelers were as busy creating trinkets for women as they did the men.

When the Victorian Era rolled around, the relationship of men and jewellery seemed to dwindle into crisp and bold cufflinks to other minor accessories only. Men still wore rings but the fascination started to die a slow death as the era came to an end.

In the late part of the 20th century, the male one sided earring came into fashion, perhaps catalyzed by the fashion choices of men who were in the constant eye of the public. The male earring had remained a constant over the years, but its appeal is fairly limited and not every man desires to have one.

It was also during the 20th century that silver chain links became a flagship for men’s jewellery. It has however gained a certain degree of negativity among fellow men and women. Like all trends, the silver chain necklaces and bracelets have not fully died down and remnants of it can still be seen worn by the local ‘gangster’.

It was in the recent years that jewellery companies have started to make tasteful men’s jewellery. New favorites came out like the thin platinum or white gold cuffs that are often worn by the younger set as ‘promise’ or ‘friendship’ bands with their lady friends. The hip hop scene also sported flashy necklaces with bold pendants and were referred to as ‘Bling-Bling’ for a minute, now it is just called ‘Bling’. Bling refers to everything from the encrusted pendants to flashy watches and even ‘grillz’. Grillz are custom made jewellery that is worn over the teeth for a flashy smile.

In the past years, men have started to rekindle their love affair with jewellery and the jewelers have noticed. They have started to create Jewellery from all sorts of materials. Wrist bands made of leather sell just as well as silver necklaces and bracelets. Famous men have started to sport jewellery themselves which encourage the young generation to follow suit.

Jewellery: For Women Only?

One of the main reasons why men shy away from wearing jewellery is that using jewellery is believed to be something feminine and is worn only by women. The American Sitcom ‘Friends’ touched on this matter when one friend Joey gave his roommate Chandler a gold bracelet as a sign of friendship. It ended up in comedic situations with Chandler trying to get out of wearing the gold cuff without hurting Joey’s feelings. Such was the taboo of men wearing jewellery that even the rubber wrist bands were rarely referred to as jewellery. They were seen as merely accessories.

This is one of the negative beliefs that jewelers are fighting against. They claim that it is very damaging to the sales of jewellery because it reinforces the idea that only women can wear jewellery.

More and more jewelers are creating jewellery that look more masculine than feminine. They have long focused on creating cufflinks and key chains only. It was only recently that men’s accessories like belts were given an upgraded look by using silver and precious stones inlaid in the designs. The cuffs made out of leather were cut wider and made of darker shades just to allude to the masculine specie.

Modern Day Men’s Jewellery

Modern day Men’s jewellery has been a very limited discipline and their availability is lesser than that of women’s. Nonetheless, the fields of men’s jewellery like the tie clips, key chains, rings, as well as the occasional necklace and bracelet have been so carefully honed that they now become expertly crafted creations.

Examples of modern crafted men’s jewellery are the cufflinks. Cufflinks are worn with French cuff shirts for work suits or in tuxedos and dress robes. They give men’s clothing a finished look as well as one of luxury. Cufflinks are generally made of metals, Gold, silver and platinum being the top choices. The heads of these links is where the design is often found. It can be intricately crafted designs like the cufflinks gifted to Prince Charles of Wales that portrayed several elements of his coat of arms. They can also be made to contain gem studs. Diamonds are the common choice.

Tie Clips and Key Chains are very common form of jewellery for men. Like the cufflinks, they are often made of precious metals and have a very subtle and simple design ideal. Men’s Rings are often wedding bands. They used to be available only plain designs, but now jewelers are coming up with stylized bands that have diamonds and other stones inlaid or attached in a pave style.

Of course, there is the small demographic of the Hip Hop and the music scene where men are free to wear as much and as many ‘Bling’ that they want. Bling jewellery can come in all forms from necklaces, bracelets, rings, and even teeth jewellery.

The occurrences of male necklaces and bracelets have been more profound lately. With high end jewelers coming up with them, they have taken on a new and elevated status in men’s fashion. Red Carpet Celebrities have been seen sporting them. The recent designs are more tasteful than before and are slowly gaining acceptance.

Future for the Male Jewellery Industry

The Future is Bright for the Male Jewellery Industry. One of the main reasons that we can say so is because the fashion world has taken an interest in it. It is highly likely that more and more men will wear jewellery. Maybe not the way Mr. T stacked gold chains on his neck, but in elegant ways. It is predicted that men’s comfort level towards the donning of jewellery will continue to increase. Although, the man who is used to his cuff links and tie clips alone may not be as enthusiastic to dive into wearing platinum on his neck and wrist.

As for the Jewelers, they must learn to keep in mind that Fashion is fickle and they must grab the opportunity while it is here. They can come out with exacting designs that will be appreciated by men these days.

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Gold is one of the most sought after metals in the world. It still holds the top spot in ranking followed by silver and bronze. In the world of jewellery and sales record however, Gold has been bumped from the top by Platinum which has been know to exceed it in value. That is the main reason why gold fell out of good graces for a few years during the popularity of Platinum. Now, gold seems to be enjoying a comeback in the limelight as well as in the runways and fashions shows. It seems like gold jewellery is back again.

The Metal Gold

Gold is the first element that is found in the periodic table with the symbol Au. The symbol comes from a Latin word Aurum that can be translated into ‘Shinning Dawn’. Gold has been used as form of currency; coins were minted from it and considered to be of a higher value than that of silver. To this day gold is still used as the base of any modern day currency.

Gold as a metal has often been believed to have medicinal benefits. In fact gold salts are known for their anti-inflammatory features. However, only gold salts have been seen to have any effects, as gold itself as a metal is non-reactive to any of the chemicals it encounters in the body. Gold is used to produce a few alcoholic beverages and are even seen as an addition to cocktails.

It is sometime used in dentistry as a form of replacement or prosthesis. It is also used in embroidery and in clothing because gold can be woven into thread. It is also used in electronics because it is very conductive although silver has a higher conductivity rate, but gold is much less prone to corrosion than silver is.

The History of Gold Jewellery

Gold has been used extensively in history. Relics as well as carvings have shown that the ancient Egyptian people have mastered the art of extracting and purifying gold to very high degrees. Hence, gold can be seen worn by royalty and even some common folks. It is perhaps the color of Gold that attracts most people to it. The Aztecs and the Mayans as well as the Greeks have associated gold with the deities - the Sun God in particular! There are even temples to the sun god that were plated in gold in reverence to the deity. The Ancient Greeks have also been known to refer to gold as ‘the sweat of Zeus’. The term cemented the status of gold as a very valuable metal.  Gold is even one of the very first metal that is mentioned in the Bible.

The status of Gold as a very valuable metal has driven so many men to move to places where gold mining is heard of. This is known in the western world as the Gold Rush. At present, the largest producer of Gold is South Africa, North America, Russia, Canada and Australia.

Today, gold is primarily used in the production of jewellery and is sold all over the world. The industry experienced a slight drop in popularity over a few years but is now seen back on the market.

The Karat Factor

The percentage of gold in a piece of jewellery is measured in Karats. Pure gold is 24K, pure gold like pure silver is too soft to work with and it is often mixed with other metals. The metals that are mixed with gold create different gold shades. An example is Copper, the higher the percentage of copper is in the mix, the more “coppery” the color of the gold will be, so we have rose gold.

The higher the Karat is, higher the percentage of pure gold there is in the piece. It is important to note that pure gold or 24K gold is very soft, so it also follows that the higher the Karat is the softer the piece will be.

22K gold is made up of 91.3% pure gold and 8.4% other metal. This gold alloy is softer than the rest and is known as being capable to create intricate designs. 18K gold is 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts other metals. This mix makes the gold jewellery 75% pure gold. This is often marked as 750 to indicate the pure gold percentage in the Jewellery. 14K gold is 58.5% pure gold or is 14 parts pure gold to 10 parts of other metals. 14K gold is often marked 585 to indicate the gold percentage in the piece of jewellery.
12K gold is a combination of 12 parts gold to 12 parts other metal making the piece only 50% gold. 10K gold is the minimum Karat that is still considered to be ‘gold’ in most countries. It is 10 parts pure gold and 14 parts other metals, that means that the piece of jewellery is 41.7% pure gold. 10K gold is often marked with 417 to indicate the percentage of gold in the piece.

Gold Jewellery: Back in Vogue

In the past decade or so, the Jewellery world has seen Silver and Platinum rise in popularity. Gold as it seemed was just not stylish enough. It even got to the point when wearing gold jewellery felt dated and old and most heirloom gold jewellery sat dusting away in jewellery boxes all over the fashion conscious world. Now, the tides are turning as fashion and jewellery designers are bringing gold back to the runway. Gold has been reinvented and is now very much in Vogue.
Flipping through any fashion magazine or going to high end shops will reveal a golden trend. It started with the metallic craze a few years ago where gold, silver, bronze, chrome, copper and other metals found its way in leather, clothing and others. That trend may be dying down, but the rise of Gold Jewellery is still going strong.
Long link necklaces that can be worn in layers, dainty tennis bracelets, rings, chunky bangles and a whole lot more are basking in the color gold. The fashion world can’t seem to get enough of it. It is perhaps good news to now that something once thought to be past its prime is back on the scene once again and is showing no signs of slowing down.

21st Century Gold Jewellery Design

The design of Gold Jewellery is certainly different that what it was a decade ago.  The designs are so varied that there is no one way to describe the ideal design as one. Come to think of it, it seems like every school of jewellery design is taken by the Gold trend that is why anyone, no matter the style will find a gold piece that is fitting for them.
Lengthy and thin: Long and Lengthy gold jewellery is one of the trends that have been popping up. In this design principle, long gold links that are interspersed with beads, gems, pearls and other things are predominant. Most of the jewellery under this design is thin, wiry and delicate in nature.

Chunky: Chunky gold jewelry mainly consists of bangles and cuffs. They are mostly seen in this design principle. It is quite rare to see chunky necklaces and earrings. The presence of stacked chunky bangles or of a gold cuff is often enough to accessorize an outfit. Chunky gold jewellery is often worn on the party seen, but if properly carried, it can look elegant with office and casual wear and even formal gowns.

Back on the Finger

During the last decade a majority of the engagement rings sold in the market were either made of silver or platinum and the same goes for the wedding band. In the past year Gold Jewellery has started to rise in popularity again and so have gold engagement and wedding rings. It may take a few more years before gold can experience the magnitude of fame that silver and platinum engagement and wedding rings have enjoyed, but that time will soon come. Other than engagement and wedding rings, fashionable gold rings are also being created and sold in the most jewellery stores.

Buying Gold Jewellery

Gold Jewellery should be bought from reliable sources. Those that can be trusted to provide the right percentage of gold for the Karats that they claim. This way, the buyer can be sure that he or she is getting the percentage that she is paying for. Plus, a good jeweler or a sought after jewellery designer would often add to the value that is already held by the gold piece.

Golden Investment

Investing on Gold Jewellery may be a wise choice since it is one of those items that will continue to appreciate in value over time. Gold jewellery with a higher percentage of pure gold is always considered to be more valuable. But, since a higher gold percentage produces a softer metal, it has to be taken care of properly. Damage is often a result of storing gold jewellery improperly. A very good Jewellery armoire can be the best place to keep them. Tarnishing is never a problem since Gold can withstand this forever.

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Silver is an element that has been around since antiquity. It can be found being used in a multitude of things from silverware and jewellery to mirrors and currency. It is really one of the most popular elements in the world. The world of jewellery saw silver’s popularity over gold during the later part of the 20th century and in the early years of the 21st Century. At present, there are more uses for silver than there ever has been. It continues to be a popular precious metal and will undoubtedly continue to be one.

Silver in History

Silver has been used in so many items over the years. In history, its use was often based in ornamentation and in the creation of valuable pieces of jewellery and other items. Silver managed to find its way on the heads of kings and emperors as well as in money.

In the Old world around 4000 BC, silver can be found in Asian and Greek Regions. But, it wasn’t until the late 15th century that the production of silver really hit an up slope and the main reason for this is the establishment of numerous new silver mines in the New World, particularly in South America. The continued improvement in mining and production of silver over the years has helped improve the quality as well as increase the volume of silver in the market. At present, most of the silver that is produced is already a by product of the mining of other precious metals like Gold.

Uses of Silver as a Precious Metal

Silver is one of the more popular precious metals in the world. Its popularity stems from the fact that silver has long been a symbol of wealth and status in a majority of cultures. It is used to make high quality products from kitchen utensils, ornaments and jewellery. It is also used in various other ways such as in electronics, dentistry, mirrors, medication, clothing, food and a lot more.

As a metal, silver is known for its high conductivity and that is the main reason why it is used in electronics as contact points and also in circuits. High end audio equipment often uses silver wiring to minimize the loss of audio quality. Dentistry found its use for silver n the form of amalgams and dental fillings. High quality mirrors are known to use silver for their backing in order to provide a great degree of reflectivity. Silver has been used in medicine throughout history. It has found modern uses in medicine because of its effectiveness as an anti-bacterial agent. Silver in clothing is often used to prolong the life of the material as well as to prevent bacterial growth on the material as well as prevent the formation of odor. Food has also found its uses for silver, although most of the time it is used externally, like in silver coated dragees and nuts. Some countries, like Australia ban the use of silver in any form of food preparation. The uses of silver seem endless, but more often than not, silver is greatly associated with luxury that is why it is highly valued in utensils, hence the term ‘silverware’ as well as in Jewelry.

Sterling Silver

Silver alone is too soft to work with, that is the why combining silver with another metal to create an alloy to make it hard enough to forge and mold is necessary. Sterling silver is one of the most popular silver alloys that are used in creating jewelry, silverware and ornaments. It is the alloy of choice because it retains the most amount of silver in the highest quality possible.

Sterling Silver is 92.5% percent silver and 7.5% of another metal, most of the time copper. The term ‘Sterling’ is a combination of French and Old English terms that describes something that is firm and strong. Sterling silver is the alloy that was used to mint several of the world’s currencies in the past, hence the British term “Pound Sterling”. Another theory to the source of the name Sterling Silver is that it is derived from its supposed original name: “Easterling Silver”. Easterling refers to the quality of silver that is used in Germany currency called “The Easterling”. Today, Sterling Silver is used in making Jewellery and other trinkets.

Silver Jewellery

Silver is one of the most appealing and adaptable metals and can easily take any shape or form that it is molded into. Silver Jewellery, like other high end material has the ability to cross demographics. It can appeal to the clients, both men and women from high society as well as appeal to the teenage and the hip hop scene. It has been used as traditional body ornamentation in many ancient civilizations as well as many indigenous tribes that exist today. Silver and platinum sit among the crown jewels of the British Monarchy as well as with the rest of the royal families all over the world. Its style has changed through the decades and the eras, but the classic styles are continually appreciated and valued highly.

Silver Jewelry Designs through the Ages

The use of silver as a jewelry medium is unprecedented, it is definitely at par with other precious metals. The styles of silver jewelry have varied from time to time and has adapted to the style and form of the age it belongs to.

During the Gregorian Era, the style of silver jewelry is symmetrical and elegant. This had been greatly influenced by the by the situation of the times with the constant revolutions and fighting. The jewelry designs in the Gregorian Era is a contrast to the intricate and complicated silver jewellery of the Victorian Era that was influenced by a great interest in the old world as well as advancements in the study of flora and fauna.

During the Edwardian Era, around the same time that the Wright Brothers took to the sky, jewelry masters started to romanticized styles with ribbons and foliage adorning the creations.

The arrival of the Art Nouveau Era showed a fascination for the feminine, with silver jewellery forged into delicate and intricate swirls and curling fancies that gave appreciation to nature and women. The Art Deco Era undoubtedly influenced silver jewellery as well, the shape of the Empire State building with its geometric lines were often translated into the design of jewellery.

In the late part of the 20th century, the jewellery was as bold and as big as freely sported by women. By the late part of the 1990s Silver jewelry was still growing in popularity and was most preferred by the younger set over gold. Silver Jewellery during this period was in simple lines and clean cuts.

At present, the predominant designs of silver jewellery are subject to change from season to season. No matter what the changes are, classic shapes and designs are continuously appreciated and emulated time and time again.

The Design of Silver Jewelry will continue to change in the future. It will inevitably follow the trend and the feeling of the society and era that it will fall into. One thing is certain however: Silver will be able to take these challenges in stride because it is one of the more adaptable and appealing precious metals available.

Taking Care of Silver Jewellery

Most of the Jewellery that is available today is made up of Sterling Silver. Sterling Silver Jewellery is not that hard to take care of. The only thing that an owner has to look out for is the formation of tarnish on the surface of silver. Sterling Silver tarnishes less than others, but none the less, care has to be maintained and the tarnish on silver jewelry removed frequently.

Silver Jewellery that is constantly used will tarnish less because the friction generated from wearing the jewellery will rub off any tarnish that may form on the surface. For periodic cleaning, tarnish removers are available in the market and it is advised to use a gentle and non abrasive cleaner so to avoid any scratches and damage to the shine and luster of silver. This can be done either in the home or with the assistance of professionals.

It is advised to store silver individually. A messy storage spot with all the jewellery rubbing on each other is ill advised because it increases the chances of scratches. Silver jewelry should be stored in a flat non abrasive surface in order to keep their integrity and have them last longer.

Investing in Silver Jewellery

As proven by silver items that can be found inside heirloom antique jewellery boxes, it is without a doubt that silver jewellery is a worthy investment. Silver jewellery will last through the generations and silver jewellery that is expertly made will continue to appreciate in value. It is important to invest in good quality Silver Jewellery in order to be sure of its value. Silver has become a very indispensable precious metal and will be a common standard for something precious for decades and decades to come.

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Ever popular amber cat brooch - cognac amber set in sterling silver

A sterling silver cat brooch set with amber 

This is a pretty cat brooch - sterling silver and set with an oval body of cognac / orange amber.  This silver brooch would certainly make a perfect gift that a cat lover would enjoy being given .

See more of our silver brooches here.

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Simple is good when it comes to toe rings

• Simple silver toe ring 
• Made from sterling silver
• Easily adjustable for universal fitting

This silver toe ring is our most popular - just silver and not studded with gems like a lot of our others, this toe ring is elegant and perfect for wearing with a pair of sandals on those lovely hot summer days.  Opened or closed for ease of wearing, take a look.

Take a closer look at our toe ring category.

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Black cat and white cat silver brooch

• Sterling silver and marcasite
• Deluxe packaging and giftwrap available

This silver brooch has a pair of beautiful cats cuddled up to each other and with entwined tails.  The marcasite cat has a silver collar and the silver cat has a marcasite collar.  This is a perfect gift for someone who loves cats and who are in love themselves.

See more on this cat brooch in our silver brooch category.

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