Open Journalism For All - News, Documentaries And Information Services

At Christmas show your dearest ones how much you care with an exquisite coordinated set of jewelry by John Hardy. A huge array of pieces is being offered in sterling silver to suit any preference. And you can be sure that you won’t have to exchange any of these presents when the holiday is finished.

The collections for men boast many different pieces in a range of precious metals and finishes. These collections are fashioned with all sorts of men in mind. So, picking out distinguished Christmas gifts has never been simpler!

To make things even easier, a John Hardy collection is available for virtually any look a lady might like to achieve. Classic sets are available and are suited to women who sport clothes with an understated style. For the positively fashion conscious woman, you can select from a selection of bolder pieces. But regardless the particular feel, each collection for women includes narrow and wide bracelets, earrings suitable for day wear and evening wear and, of course, various lengths of necklaces. What is available for the young ones? John Hardy has a tremendous range of children’s jewelry. Each and every item of jewelry has been crafted to the high standard John Hardy are renowned for, merely sized down to suit boys and girls. Bracelets, small earrings and birthstone pendants are examples of a present that any child will value forever. Infants receive such a large amount gifts,you see, it might frequently prove very awkward to get something wonderful for them. So, when Christmas rolls around, the lovely cups, christening spoons or rattles offered by this designer jeweler are great choices.

John Hardy also offers the great Bamboo initiative for green shoppers. When someone chooses an item from this range, some of the revenue goes towards planting bamboo, an enviromentally friendly resource, in areas such as Nsu Penida. Each item is stamped with the precise number of seedlings donated before shipping. There is an enormous variety in both the gentlemen’s and women’s ranges, so it has never been more easy to delight everybody and do your bit for the earth as well. Save time this year by taking a look at what John Hardy jewelry has to offer before setting out for the department store.

What was formerly, in the earliest years of take-away watches, thought to be unsuitable for men and only for women, has developed now into a fashion utensil that everybody has. Meantime, the wristwatch is no longer only a tool to tell which time it is.

The turn of the 20th century on the wrist

With the turn of the 20th century, a different level of technical progress was made, which made it possible to house the mechanics in an even smaller space. It was now possible to build the clockworks in such a manner that people could fasten them to a wristband without a problem. The practical application of this innovational discovery let the pocket watch to be quickly replaced by the wristwatch. It rapidly became the fashion to wear a wrist watch. It appeared like the models sprouted from the ground and the variety grown with great speed. In the early years, however, wrist watches were used only by women. Gentlemen did not wear timepieces on their wrists.It just didn’t seem right. The war brought a change of mind concerning this. The soldiers quickly recognized the advantage of a watch on the wrist, which didn’t have to be pulled out of the bag first. And in this way, the wrist watch prevailed with the male sex.

Away from the mechanical - on to electronics

While the first wrist watches were still being wound, several innovations developed in relation to the mechanics. The automatic wrist watch emerged, which no longer had to be wound by hand, but was wound automatically through the movement of the wristwatch. Later, at the end of the 20’s, the quartz wrist watch was invented. Time was indicated here by the so-called electronic oscillating circuit. Buy Men Wristwatch online

The earliest bracelets date back to around 2500 BC and were those worn by the Sumerians in southern Mesopotamia. Bracelets, necklaces, anklets, finger rings and ear rings made the women of Sumer into show windows of their husband’s prosperity. Bracelets were found in the tombs of Ur where it was customary to bury royalty with their jewellery and unfortunately their poor servants.

By about 2000 BC, in Ancient Egypt, bracelets emerged as major pieces of jewellery. Bracelets were found in the ruins from the Vesuvias eruption in Pompeii in 79 AD.
It was during the age of the Egyptian Pharaohs that charm bracelets were first seen although charms themselves dated back as far as the Neolithic era when men would gather unusual bits of wood or pieces of stone which would be carried about their person in order to ward off their enemies. So these charms were considered ‘lucky charms’ and powerful protectors against evil.
It wasn’t until the time of the Pharaohs though that these charms were incorporated into elaborate pieces of jewellery such as wrist and neck bracelets which were not only deemed to offer protection but were also a sign of how prosperous the person had been in life and after death would be an indicator to the Gods of this persons proper status in the after life.

In Grecian times bracelets were popular with men and soldiers wore defensive bands of leather, often decorated with gold, silver and or gemstones, on their forearms. They were known as ‘Bracels,’ from the Latin Brachium, meaning, ‘arm.’ When women caught on that these Bracels would look great on them, they started wearing smaller versions, called little Bracels…or ‘Bracel-ets.’

The history of bracelets stretches forward through the Middle Ages of medieval Europe through the Baroque period of the 18th century, and on right through to the present.

Throughout time, bracelets have been made from many different materials such as leather, iron, copper, beads, bone and teeth as well as precious metals and gemstone.
Throughout the ages bracelets have always been popular and the styles seem to have varied according to dress styles. In cultures where people wore sleeveless or short sleeved attire such as the Romans and ancient Greeks, the wearing of bracelets both on the upper and lower arm became popular with both men and women. The wearing of upper arm bracelets is still popular today with modern fashionable skimpy clothing lending itself well to the wearing of more jewellery.

Today, bracelets are worn by both men and women in a variety of materials such as traditional precious metals like gold silver and platinum. Modern plastics and acrylics are now much used to make trendy, unusual bracelets as well as metals like titanium and zirconium which have become popular because they are hard wearing, very light and hypoallergenic. Whatever your tastes and whatever your budget, there is an enormous choice of bracelets and bangles to suit everyone.

Written by John Lewis of Love2Have. Love2have specialises in quality handcrafted designer bracelets made here in the UK by small independent designers.

When you think about a cross, what do you envision? Do you go back to your childhood reflecting on the “tic tac toe” game, involving the “x’s” and “o’s.” Most definitely, you might identify the cross by remembering the story of Christ and his crucifixion. Or you may have many other identifications with a cross.

One of those might be of the organization, the American Red Cross. Can you visualize what their symbol is? Envision the plus sign in mathematics. The American Red Cross is the “plus sign,” but red, and wider, defined as two perpendicular, symmetrical points. More descriptively, if you were to put a square (a plane of four equal sides) around it, each of the tips of the cross would perfectly touch the sides. Now that you have a detailed definition of this type of cross, define this also as a Greek cross, a religious work of art, yet also a figure adorned most popularly in necklaces, bracelets, earrings or anklets.

You can go a variety of ways to fit the appropriate type of cross jewelry for that certain occasion. Here are a few ways for some fashionable designs of your own unique Greek cross jewelry.

Solid-Is this any more self-explanatory? This simple design (or lack thereof) will be versatile for any occasion. Wear the Greek cross on an anklet, charm bracelet, or as earrings. The simplicity of the solid gold cross will not take any spotlight away from the rest of your apparel. Rather, it will perfectly complement any fashionable outfit.

Distinctive-The possible ideas to design a Greek cross are infinite. Such ideas include a cross that is outlined with borders or one that features a rippled design, which will certainly add a creative touch to the Greek cross. Let this designed cross be worn on a necklace and it will be the center of attention for all to adore.

Whether you’re wearing the Greek cross on the neck, the ears, the wrist or the anklet, you’ll be sporting a universal trend. The cross has been around for ages and used in both a religious and a secular sense. The next time you’re out on a special occasion, add a religious highlight to your outfit and prefer some Greek cross jewelry to make an all-around impressive fashion statement.

Crown Crosses has been a leading retail provider of the finest quality solid gold religious and Middle Eastern jewelry for the last ten years. Visit us today to find the perfect Greek cross for you.

Adorning the body with gold is a sensual experience. Gold jewelry for body piercing is extremely popular today, a revival from a long history from the earliest humans on earth. Whether your interest in body piercing stems from the desire to be fashionable, as a status symbol or to heighten your sexual enjoyment, popular demand has increased the number of piercing studios and choices in gold body jewelry.

Today’s body piercing evolved from different cultures across the globe. This ancient art could well be the most widely practiced form of body adornment. It was also practiced by the Romans who saw nipple piercing as a sign of courage, in addition to using them to attach their cloaks. The Kama Sutra from classical India depicts scenes of genital piercing. We find evidence of ears, lips and hands being pierced in South America, Africa and Borneo.

Today body piercing artists have taken this heritage and combined it with modern hygiene and piercing techniques, creating new types of piercings such as the ‘diath and rook’ invented by Eric Dakota. The most notable change in the nature of body piercing came a few years ago when fashion world models strutted the catwalk with navel and eyebrow piercings, creating a new wave of general public interest. This opened up a new realm of possibilities for people and confirmed to those already in the know the wide extent of the practice.

Practical Guide to Body Piercing

When you decide to have any part of your body pierced, remember that this is more than fashion, it involves your health. It is wise to keep these points in mind:

• The piercing studio should be registered, check for the appropriate permits and certificates.
• The person who performs your body piercing should wear gloves, protective clothing, hair covering and should wash their hands before they pierce you.
• All instruments should be sterilized and all surfaces, including the floor are smooth and wipe able.
• Only disposable needles should be used, with all dressings (gauze, cotton pads) and gold body jewelry sterile packed.

Piercing Guns

The gold body jewelry used with ear piercing guns are not ideal for piercing for several reasons, first being that the guns cannot be sterilized because they are made of plastic and would melt in the sterilization unit. Second, they do not provide a clean, surgical cut, the jewelry is forced through the tissue, causing extensive trauma, because the ends are rounded, not sharp. Piercings done in this fashion are slow to heal and there is an increased risk of inflammation and/or infection.

After Care

Piercings done with the proper equipment usually take from six to eight weeks to heal at which time the jewelry can be changed without any problem. Quality aftercare of your piercing has a great impact on the amount of time your body needs. Healing is one thing, it takes much more time for the pierced skin to adjust and be accepted by your body. After the initial change, is it s a good idea for the jewelry to be left in the piercing at all times for at least the first six months but a longer period is better.

Uma G. Bennett is part-time copywriter for 14k Gold earrings that specializes in wholesale cubic zirconia gold jewelry.

What is a diamond plot.
No, not the plot of a book I am talking about the diamond plot. A diamond plot is a diagram of the diamond with all the identification marks of the diamond. The flaws of the diamond are shown marked in such a way that if you view the diamond under magnification the flaws on the diagram will be placed at the same place on the diamond. This is the best way of identifying the diamond.

Each Diamond is as unique as a fingerprint. By plotting its characteristics, and combine this with the measurements of a Diamond, a Lab can uniquely identify each stone. This plot helps the Grader in the event that a customer returns to the Lab and requests a verification that the Diamond presented with a certificate refers to the same Diamond described in the Certificate.

Internal characteristics are plotted in red, and external characteristics are plotted in green.

These are what I like to call “diamonds birthmarks ” make every diamond unique. However, they do affect the beauty and value of the diamond. These birthmarks are often referred to as inclusions. The fewer inclusions a diamond has the more valuable it is.
Can you get any Diamond plotted?

Yes when you are ready to purchase your diamond, your diamond retailer should have the diamond sheet available we prefer you use a GIA diamond grader to do this. The jewelry will place your diamond on a microscope and from there will start to fill in the birthmarks of your stone. You should also be able to see your stone under the microscope and at this time you have a map of your stone with all of its birth marks pre say you can pick out these birthmarks and see them on the diamond plot for yourself. You now have a birth certificate of your stone with all of its internal flaws plotted. This is the one document that you can always turn to for verification that this is your stone.

You should not be charged extra for the diamond plot, and this should be done with a diamond certificate. If your jewelry does not do this in their store ask to have it sent out to a gemological institute use caution not all grading systems are the same.

Why we recommend GIA diamond grading and the GIA standard
Other labs usually plot only the more noticeable internal and external characteristics. Minor inclusions that are difficult to see may not be shown on the plot.

Kathy Abdelhak is Co-Owner of N.J.Diamonds

Few diamond shoppers can walk into a high-end jewelry store and buy a 5-carat, D color, Internally Flawless diamond with Ideal cut parameters. If you are like most diamond shoppers, you have a limited budget. However, you still want to get the biggest and most beautiful diamond within your budget. You can take some simple steps that will ensure you get the biggest diamond possible.

1) Diamonds have price per carat increases at the most popular carat weights (0.50, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 2.00, etc.) because that is what shoppers request when they go into a jewelry store. Your dollars can go further buying a diamond that has a carat weight just under those weights. For example, a diamond that weighs 0.90 carats can be the same millimeter diameter as a diamond weighing 1.00 carat but cost $1000 less.

2) The price of diamonds is very sensitive to color grade, yet most shoppers have a difficult time seeing the difference between some of the color grades. If you buy the lowest color grade that looks beautiful to your eyes, the lower price per carat allows you to buy a bigger diamond with your dollars. The highest color grades (D, E, and F) are categorized as “colorless.” The next color grades (G, H, I, and J) are “near colorless” and the source of beautiful diamonds at much lower prices.

3) A ring with several smaller diamonds is less expensive than a single diamond with the same total carat weight. For example, three 0.50 carat diamonds will cost a fraction of what a single diamond weighing 1.50 carats. The same holds true for a 1.0-carat center stone with 0.25-carat diamonds on each side. If you want a finger full of diamonds with a limited budget, consider several diamonds rather than a solitaire.

4) All diamonds have inclusions; the key is what you can see with your eye. Once a diamond is clean to the eye (VS2 or good SI1 for brilliant cut shapes), higher clarity grades have no impact on the beauty or appearance of a diamond, they only add to the expense. Get the lowest clarity grade you are comfortable with and save a lot of money will no sacrifice in beauty.

5) The shape of the diamond can affect the millimeter size. Of course, you should always get the diamond shape you like best but some shapes do look larger than other shapes. Ovals, marquises and pear shaped diamonds generally look larger than round or square diamonds with the same carat weight.

6) Even diamonds with the same shape and carat weight can be different sizes. The cut of the diamond can influence the millimeter size. Shallower diamonds tend to be bigger in length and width than deeper diamonds. It is similar to two men each weighing 200 pounds, where the smaller waistline probably results in a taller man.

7) The type of setting you select to hold your diamond can influence the diamond’s perceived size as well as affect the dollars you have to spend on the diamond. White gold settings cost about one-third of platinum settings, leaving more money for your diamond. Bezel set diamonds or diamonds with pave around the center stone can make the diamond appear bigger.

Perhaps the most important factor in getting the biggest diamond for your dollars is where you purchase. The retail markup on diamonds can range from well under 10% with online retailers to over 200% at high-end jewelry stores. Finding a retailer with very low overhead and low prices will ensure more of your dollars go for your diamond. Why spend your money for polished marble floors, fancy display cabinets, and elaborate store interiors, all things you cannot wear out of the store?

In the end, you want to go with the diamond that excites you and makes you happy every time you wear it. That is the best indicator that you have made the right decision and have the best diamond for you.

Denny Reinke is the Vice-President of Diamond Source of Virginia, an online diamond retailer specializing in loose diamonds, diamond rings and diamond jewelry located in Richmond, Virginia and on the web at www.DiamondSourceVA.com You can also visit Denny’s blog at www.diamonds.blogs.com

Are you ready for the summer yet? Is your jewelry wardrobe up to date? In order to get prepared for the summer with the right directional colors and styles, you should probably start the research right now.

Necklaces
Big and chunky beaded necklaces are still the focus of this summer. Two schools exist at the same time: organic earth tone beads and colorful and fun tone beads. Organic beads include bone and onyx necklaces. A more prevalent style is the eye-catching colored wood bead necklaces.

Rings
Parallel to the bulky necklaces, designers are fond of enormous finger rings with big faceted gemstones this summer. Bold and sparkling solitaire rings with a huge center stone set on large prongs seem to be the norm in most part of Europe this year. An extremely thick band with many small stones set on pave settings is another popular style that you might want to keep an eye on. Well, you get the idea, just be BOLD.

Earrings
As for earrings, trends are in linear or fringy styles this year. Dangle earrings with geometric designs incorporating loops and chains is the way to go. In fact, these are similar to the chandelier earrings that have been super hot for almost two years.

Bracelets
Bracelets are a little overshadowed by necklaces this year. Simple charm bracelets are back in trend. Charm bracelets with murano glass or natural gemstones would complete the summer outfit in a nice way.

Colors
The main jewelry metal color for this year is gold color. Also, deep browns, khakis, bright reds, oranges, off-whites, and light beiges are the primary stone and leather colors used in all designer fashion jewelry by mid-summer.

Scott Murff got his MBA from MIT business school and currently is the marketing manager in SAK Jewelry that specializes in Italian fashion sterling silver jewelry.

Regardless of your age or gender, sterling silver jewelry’s classic appeal never goes out of style. Sterling silver jewelry offers a precious metal at an affordable price, and comes in so many designs that you can collect pieces to go with every style and budget.

Use sterling silver jewelry to define your style. For women, go casual with a turquoise ring set in sterling silver, along with a complementary necklace and earrings. For work, dress up your career wear with sterling silver bracelets and relatively plain earrings, or go with a classic sterling silver watch. Transition to evening with a sterling silver hairpin or adornment, and add sparkle with diamond earrings set in sterling silver. Remember, sterling silver jewelry goes with any skin tone, and is appropriate for any occasion.

Teens go for the bangle and the bling, so sterling silver jewelry in the form of bracelets, waist chains, and stackable rings are a sure hit. Retro sterling silver jewelry styles are the rage for rings - both finger and toe - and band bracelets - both for the wrist and the ankle.

Men are increasingly turning to sterling silver jewelry as a means of self-expression. Whether incorporated into a watch or belt buckle, ear stud or key ring, sterling silver is a classic that never goes out of style.

Caring for Sterling Silver Jewelry

To preserve the beauty of your sterling silver jewelry, follow these steps:

* Exposure to the air causes silver to tarnish, so keep your sterling silver jewelry in a bag made from tarnish-proof cloth, or in airtight container.

* Avoid allowing your sterling silver jewelry to have prolonged contact with wood, as some woods contain acids that can dull the finish.

* Alcohol, acetone, bleach, ammonia, and turpentine can damage sterling silver jewelry, so be sure to remove your rings and other sterling silver jewelry before using these products.

* Regularly wipe down your sterling silver jewelry with a 100% cotton cloth, using a lengthwise, rather than circular motion.

* Remove light tarnish with a silver cloth, available at mass merchandisers and from jewelers.

* To remove heavy tarnish, use a liquid or paste silver polish and rinse with warm water. Make sure to dry it thoroughly before storing it in its cloth or airtight bag.

Did You Know?

* Sterling silver is a metal alloy, typically containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

* Sterling silver jewelry is usually marked with the word, “Sterling,” or “.925.”

* Fine silver (at least 99.9% pure silver) is too soft to use for jewelry.

* Mexican silver is usually more pure than sterling silver, with 95% silver and 5% copper.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Visit this Jewelry Website and Majon’s Jewelry directory.

The British hallmarking standard on silver is very high, just from looking at the hallmark you can decipher what date the item was made, who the maker was and in which town it was hallmarked. This enables us to date pieces going right back to the 16th century.You can find more information on hallmarking at the Annabel Chaffer website.

1. Manufacturers mark (example)
2. Fineness (parts/thousand)
3. Assay Office Mark (London)
4. Date Mark (1999)
5. Pictorial Symbol

British Sterling Silver Hallmarks are also your guarantee of the purity of silver (higher than 92.5% purity).This is not the case in other countries where the silver content can be lower or in some instances nonexistent.

Since the end of the 12th Century there has been strict control of items made from silver in England. Each piece of silver produced in the UK is required by law to be sent to an Assay Office for hallmarking. If you buy a piece of British hallmarked silver you are guaranteed a quality item and an unique gift, which will hold its value and become an investment for the future.

See this example of a unique gift of a silver perfume atomizers made by an English silversmith at the Annabel Chaffer website.
Silver pieces make unique gifts which are often perceived as heirlooms. This benefits the giver as they are then in the thoughts of the recipient.

The History of Hallmarks
Hallmarking represents one of the earliest forms of consumer protection. A hallmark is a series of marks applied to gold, silver and platinum articles. It indicates that the article has been independently tested at an Assay Office and guarantees that it conforms to the legal standards of precious metal content, known as the fineness.

In 1238 Henry III ordered that all goldsmiths and silversmiths must have their wares assayed (from the French “assai”, to test) and conform to certain standards.

The Act of Edward I, 1300, decreed that all gold and silver work should be, ‘Of the sterling allay or better, at the pleasure of him to whom the work belongeth’.

By 1363 every gold or silver smith had to stamp each piece of work with their personal mark to show that they had met the set standards.

In 1478 year marks were introduced to further protect consumers.

The Customs Act of 1842 stated that all silver imports to the UK were to be assayed and marked in a UK assay office, backdated to 1800.

Since the end of the 12th Century there has been strict control of items made from silver in England. This is still regulated and controlled by the Goldsmiths Hall in London to this very day. Each piece of silver produced in the UK is required by law to be sent to an Assay Office for assaying. If the required legal standards are met the silversmith’s marks are then stamped onto the article.

The Leopard’s Head is the mark of the London Assay Office and has been in continuous use since 1300, when the Wardens of the Company were given responsibility for marking gold and silver wares, which passed assay, with the King’s mark of the Leopard’s Head.

Still based in the Goldsmiths’ Hall, and using the most up-to-date technology, the London Assay Office hallmarks several million articles every year. It is also the Secretariat of the Association of European Assay Offices. Hallmarking is now carried out under the statutory jurisdiction of the Hallmarking Act 1973. The Act also established the British Hallmarking Council. The Council has various powers and duties regarding hallmarking, which include ensuring adequate assaying and hallmarking facilities in the UK. For further information visit the annabel chaffer website.

Did you like this article? You can find british hallmarked silver pieces at annabel chaffer.

Victoria has been sourcing and designing unique gifts for many years and has a wealth of experience in this field.