Victorian Jewelry - The Best of Vintage Jewelry

Victorian jewelry is well-known for its academic value and also for the inimitable touch that it offers to antique charm. Even today casual buyers associate the majority of old jewelry pieces to the Victorian era owing to its unique characteristics. In fact it influenced the fashion of the masses, as the predominant design themes found in the Victorian jewelry were borrowed from native origins such as trees, flowers and birds. The early Victorian jewelry included delicate designs, lights and elaborate engravings.

Ultimately, the Victorian jewelry that became notable evolved as heavier and with more conservative designs, especially the two popular designs originated during the Victorian period, were known as Repousse and Cannatille. Repousse was identifiable owing to its solid forms that had fluted and raised edges giving the pieces of jewelry a characteristic of massive quality, while the Cannatille jewelry employed gold wire strands to wound and twist into elaborate designs.

The romantic period initiated with the ascension of Queen Victoria to the throne and her marriage to Prince Albert became an impetus. The techniques of the Victorian jewelry were characterized by using techniques such as piercing, filigree, and so on. Thin plates and gold sheets were used, besides other gemstones included pink topaz, blue zircon, citrine, ruby, amethyst, garnet, sapphire, aquamarine, emerald and peridot. The Victorian jewelry also included popular natural materials such as lava, bog oak, tortoise shell, vulcanite jet and ivory. The late Victorian era got influenced by the Italian, Greece and Egyptian archeological expeditions that brought light to the west in the form of an array of ancient jewelry. Once again designers capitalized the public imagination and some of them such as Giulano and Castellani were noteworthy as they were much sought after.

The common Victorian jewelry motifs had sentimental lockets enclosing a hair lock of the loved one and quite often serpents were seen as the eternity symbol. Other sentimental themes included love birds, clasped hands, love knots, hair jewelry, miniatures and mizpah. Jewels displaying such sentimental motifs had concealed messages for instance, a crescent moon meant honeymoon and made an appropriate gift to a new bride from her husband on their wedding night. Victorian people were captivated with flowers and attached symbolic meaning to each flower such as Lily of the valley denoted sweetness, Pansies represented thought, Yellow Poppy for success and wealth, Violets represented modesty, and so on. The early Victorians enjoyed inner meanings in the jewelry and after the death of Prince Albert, the jewelry became more austere such as heavy, dark stones as they were set in black enamel.

People coming on sports travel also showed interest in Victorian jewelry that depicted sporting themes as men and women pursued the sporting subjects. Slowly, intaglio crystals were reverse painted and exhibited hunting themes such as foxes, pheasant, rabbits, horses and dogs into the forms of jewelry. This collection also included buttons, brooches, stickpins, cuff links, pendants and watch fobs. Even today, the Victorian jewelry has its recognition and rules the hearts of many.

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Handmade Jewelry Designs - How to Create Spectacular Ones on Your Own!

Handmade jewelry designs can be easy if you follow a few simple steps. Making your own jewelry is not only easy, but relaxing. In fact, I consider it to be almost therapeutic! Here we'll explore how to make your very own Tin Cup style Necklace.

You will need the following supplies:
Cotton Cord
Clasp
6 to 10 pearls
Scissors

The fist step is to cut your cotton cord to approximately 24 inches in length. Thread the lobster clasp side of the closure and tie an overhand knot. With the scissors, cut the thread leaving a short tail. Your goal is to just make sure it doesn't come undone. Just to be on the safe side, you can add a dab of glue, but you don't have to.

Lay the cord down on a ruler and decide how often you want a pearl. You might want to mark the cord so that you can keep track of where they go. Make an overhand knot at the first mark on your cord, string on a pearl and then do another overhand knot. You can use special tools to make sure the knots stay nice and tight against the pearl, but again, it's not necessary. You will need to continue the pattern just described with the total number of pearls you have chosen.

You can vary the length of the necklace by including more or less pearls but here are a few words of caution. Since you need to tie knots in front of and behind each pearl, you will need to make sure that you add a few extra inches for each pearl. Otherwise, you will end up with a bracelet or a necklace so short that it won't fit. Also, keep symmetry in mind. Make sure you space them apart evenly, otherwise, your handmade jewelry designs will not look very nice. Finally, when you have the amount of pearls and the length you want, attach the other half of your clasp. Now it's important to look over the necklace and check the quality.

A great variation on this design is to replace the cotton cord with any type of link chain. What you will do is put wire through each pearl. Then you will make loops at the ends, attaching the chain to the loop you make. This is a classic and beautiful design. You can also choose to put more than one bead at each station. For example, you can place a crystal, pearl, and then another crystal to spice up the look.

The bottom line is that it is rather easy to create your own Handmade Jewelry Designs [http://hand-madejewelry.com/handmade-jewelry-designs-how-to-create-spectacular-ones-on-your-own/]. You just need to have some fun and get creative especially when creating Handmade Jewelry Rings [http://hand-madejewelry.com].

Tiffany Inspired Jewelry - The Look of Tiffany on a Budget

Tiffany's jewelry is world famous company and if you cannot afford the actual jewelry there are a lot of Tiffany inspired jewelry to choose from. While Tiffany's has produced some more affordable pieces like key chains and money clips for those wanting the elegant pieces without the price tag there are other options. Tiffany produces bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces.

Besides the traditional Tiffany's style, the jewelry comes in the traditional blue box and you can even find Tiffany inspired jewelry that reproduces the Tiffany style down to the box. Tiffany jewelry is traditionally sterling silver as the Tiffany Company has produced a special blend of silver that is very strong and will last.

It is not a direct replica but it is inspired from the Tiffany style so many of the pieces are very similar to Tiffany. Some companies may even produce direct replicas. The main difference between real Tiffany's jewelry and the inspired version jewelry is the price tag. They are just as beautiful and classic as the real ones but at much more affordable prices. If you aspire for a piece of Tiffany's then you should investigate Tiffany inspired jewelry.

This jewelry can be found in many places, in stores and online. You can search the internet to discover the companies in your area that provide this type of jewelry. Their heart pendants are particularly popular. These floating heart pendants come in silver, gold and with crystals. They also have the traditional Tiffany's circle of life pendant that resembles a circle of crystals on a chain.

There are many different types of Tiffany inspired earrings and many of them match the Tiffany pendants. There are open heart earrings as well as circle of life earrings. There are a variety of different bracelets and many still use the open heart charm design. There are multi chain bracelets, heart charm bracelets, puff heart toggle bracelets, link bracelets, cubic zirconium tennis bracelets, mesh buckle bracelets, silver heart tag ID bracelets, double row cable bracelets and much more.

Tiffany also offers men's jewelry and you can find Tiffany's inspired jewelry from their men's line. There is a huge array of cufflinks available with two tone cufflinks, woven cufflinks and love knot cufflinks to name but a few. Other men's jewelry include pendants, chains, heavy mesh rings, eternal cross pendants, dice key chains, golf club money clip, sterling silver dollar sign money clips and dog tag pendants.

Many of the beautiful Tiffany's brooches and pins are also available as inspired pieces of jewelry. These pins and brooches include dragonfly pins, sunburst pins, voile circle pins, lily pins, circle of life in gold leaf, eternity pins and daisy brooches.

For more of Tiffany Inspired Jewelry, visit http://www.overstocksilver.com/.

A Short Guide to Buying Celtic Jewelry

Does your taste run into designs and patterns from the past? Love the resonance of history in your jewelry? Then, Gothic and Celtic jewelry is definitely worth buying.

Celtic jewelry may have come back into fashion now but there is nothing new about them. Items like these have been gracing women's jewelry boxes for decades. But, these days, there has been a re-awakening; more and more women are collecting these timeless designs. For the fashion conscious, these items are like a breath of fresh air. So, if you are tired of boring old designs, Celtic jewelry can help you add an interesting angle to your looks.

Celtic jewelry designs are modeled on the designs and patterns used by the Celts, people who once predominated parts of mid and Western Europe. These days, people of Celtic origin are found in Ireland and Scotland. The Celts were specialists in intricate, lovely designs. They had exquisite craftsmanship and this was expressed in the beautiful jewelry that they crafted in bronze, gold and silver. Many of their designs are a fitting tribute to nature and religious faiths. Knots and crosses are examples.

Some of the most popular designs in Celtic jewelery include knots, cross and rings. The cross, for the Celts, is a symbol of eternity and faith. The four points on the cross indicate the four elements - air, water, fire and earth. To some, the four points also indicate the unity of soul, heart, body and mind. The knot, on the other hand, is meant to ward off evil and protect the wearer from the evil elements in nature. No wonder these designs evoke feelings that are hard to explain. Celtic rings have been traditionally used as wedding bands as these symbolize eternal love and total faith.

Before buying Celtic jewelery, it is important to make a decision about the material. While platinum and gold are obvious choices, silver is not only elegant and sophisticated but highly affordable too. Many designs and styles are available in silver Celtic jewelry. The contrast gained by combining sterling silver with pure black leather is stunning and magnificent.

In the past, buying Celtic jewelry was expensive and time consuming. This is because many stores did not have an eclectic collection. These days, fortunately, a wide variety of Celtic jewelry is available from online stores. By shopping for Celtic jewelry online, it is possible to buy the design and material of your choice.

The best way to buy Celtic jewelry is to shop from a reputed online seller. That way, you have access to a large number of styles. You also need not worry about the quality of workmanship or material used.

Celtic Jewelry Ring

Fashion has its own importance in today's contemporary world where everyone likes to look good. There are also a number of jewelry designers offering great fashion accessories and latest jewelry piece, but if you need some that can really stand out then you should probably choose Celtic jewelry. This one is available for almost any occasion and they are well known for their outstanding wedding jewelry collection. Therefore, whether you choose a traditional Celtic brand or you choose to signify your wedding memories with a precious stone in genuine rings you can do it without having to search much and without spending much.

Celtic jewelry rings are attractive, fashionable and what's more, they last long. You can browse through hundreds of different designs online for any of your important occasion. There are triangular, double knot Celtic spinner rings, Small butterfly rings with Celtic accents and several other designs. Additionally you can also find one that is handmade only for you, giving the ring a customized look. The best thing is that you can even place your orders to design a Celtic jewelry ring according to your preference where you can specify the design the make material and the colour for the Celtic ring.

You can even find them in both modern day and traditional design. There are a number of websites online that offer you great deals and you can also choose from their wide range of weeding rings. Here at the online websites you can find weddings rings, engagement rings and even rings for other occasions. You just have to place your order if you need to customize it and it would be shipped right to your place.

I am John James from clubchairfurniture.com and I am an expert on Jewelry. I hope this article gives you a good start at your search for a good piece of Celtic jewelry, I have written a lot more advice on the Celtic Jewelry Ring [http://www.greatcelticjewelry.com/2009/03/10/celtic-jewelry-ring/] and reviews on Celtic art [http://www.greatcelticjewelry.com/].

Enhance Your Look With These Top 10 Pearl Jewelry Trends

Open any woman's jewelry box and there you will discover at least one piece of fine pearl jewelry, and if not, then you know what to get her for your next gift-giving occasion. Why? Because the pearl has a long history as one of the most showcased gemstones used in fine jewelry, rivaling the diamond in popularity, and placing gifts of fine pearl jewelry at the top of fashionista wish lists world-wide.

The refined beauty of pearls makes its seamless transition from classic to modern designs, without loosing any of its allure. This enables us to enjoy the sensuality of pearls in a wide array of jewelry styles, while creating timeless collections of fine pearl jewelry to pass down throughout our generations.

From ears to fingers, pearl jewelry adorns its wearer with an elegance that's unparalleled. The list below features the top 10 pearl jewelry trends, illustrating the many ways in which pearls may be worn to accentuate a woman's beauty.

• 
  Pearl Stud Earrings - these are simply the solitaire version of pearl earrings.


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  Pearl Drop Earrings- this type of pearl earring descends slightly from the ear, and may be accented by diamonds or other colored gemstones.


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  Pearl Dangle Earrings - the most dramatic of pearl earring styles, these feature single or multiple pearls finishing lengths of precious metal chains, gemstone embellished hoops, or other settings that swing freely from the earlobe.


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  Pearl Strand Necklaces - also know as classic pearl necklaces, strand necklaces can come in single or multiple rows of pearls that finish with a clasp.


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  Pearl Rope Necklaces - these continuous lengths of pearls have no clasp, and are meant to be slipped over the head and worn as a single dramatic strand that dips below the waist, doubled up, or wrapped in a necktie-inspired knot.


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  Pearl Lariat Necklaces - these types of pearl necklaces consist of one or more pearls that finish a long chain at both ends, and can be looped and worn around the neck to form layered strands or pendulous dangles of varying lengths.


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  Pearl Pendant Necklaces - just as name suggests, these pearl necklaces feature pearls in independent pieces of artistry, which hang from a variety of precious metal chains and neckwires, or silk, leather, or alternative types of cords.


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  Pearl Strand Bracelets - similar to the classic necklace style, pearl strand bracelets consist of single or multiple rows of pearls that meet at a common clasp, with some featuring "stretch" settings creating slip-on styles without clasps.


• 
  Pearl Cuff Bracelets - these pearl bracelets bring to mind the cuff of a finely-tailored shirt and are worn, most often, with short sleeved or sleeveless fashions.


• 
  Pearl Fashion Rings - from single pearls in stand-alone settings to multiple pearls accented with diamonds and colored gemstones, pearl rings are always a welcomed accessory at red-carpet premieres and special family occasions everywhere.

One trend that doesn't appear on this list, but deserves an honorable mention is Journey pearl jewelry. Like its diamond counterpart, pearls in progressing sizes "travel" on a symbolic journey in precious metal settings of pendants and earrings. But no matter which pieces you choose, you can rest assured that today's fine pearl jewelry styles will be the classics of tomorrow.

Katie Keefe Smith is the General Manager for http://www.bellatrue.com - a fine jewelry etailer specializing in diamond hoop earrings, pearl drop earrings, pearl rings, gemstone rings, pearl necklaces, diamond bracelets and other fine jewelry classics. Bella True also features one of the finest and most extensive inventories of pearl jewelry in the U.S.

A History Of Celtic Jewelry

The Celtic people, or Celts for short, dominated mid and western Europe for a thousand years. Now, many of the Celts descendants can be found dispersed in parts of Ireland and the Scottish highlands.

Traditionally, the Celts transferred knowledge of their culture through word-of-mouth and it was because of this that no documentation on their history can be found on these people who became proud warriors, merchants, and rulers. Little is known about them prior to their contact with the Greeks and Romans. While history is not well-documented during the nomadic times of the Celtic people, the generally accepted history is that the modern styles of Irish Jewelry are greatly influenced by the Huns, Druids and Celtic culture in what is referred to as modern Europe today.

The art of Celtic jewelry making is at its core an enchanting and magical one because of the mystery and meanings surrounding its designs. Not only beautiful pieces of art, many pieces of Celtic jewelry possess excellent jewelry craftsmanship. Adopting ideas drawn from nature and applying these simple motifs and knot-work to the overall design, they produced intricate jewelry designs out of gold, silver, and bronze. Besides Celtic rings, many of their designs are found on bracelets, earrings, and pendants.

It was between 200 BC to 500 AD that precious metals such as gold and silver were fashioned into items such as gorgets, sleeve and dress fasteners, discs, bracelets, Lunulae, and torcs. Many of these beautiful works of jewelry art are now found in the National Museum of Ireland today. While it was possible that Celtic art was incorporated into materials such as wood and textiles, this cannot be confirmed as none of their works have survived over the years.

The Celtic style of jewelry underwent further refinement from the Irish monks. Out of their inspired development came the Celtic cross and the most treasured of ancient manuscripts, the books of Kells, Lindisfame, and Durrow. Its beauty and craftsmanship eventually attracted buyers across the Mediterranean and as a result, Celtic jewelry became one of the highly sought after items by traders and merchants.

At present, Celtic jewelry is very popular around the world and excellent pieces of Celtic jewelry can still be found from those jewelers employing the same traditional jewelry making techniques of the skilled, ancient Celtic goldsmiths. Many of the popular designs seen today include artwork derived from the ancient manuscripts. While the Celtic people as a clearly identifiable ethnic group are now long gone, their proud heritage of jewelry making lives on, especially in places where many of their descendants live today.

Celtic rings and jewelry can be bought from brick-and-mortar jewelry stores but for the best selection and craftsmanship, go online or visit a specialty Irish jewelry store. If you are particular about quality, be sure to check that the jewelry originated from Ireland or Scotland. This is especially so if you are buying it as a wedding ring or engagement ring. For mass market silver Celtic jewelry, these can be found in abundance offline and online.

Tim O'Malley writes for Shanore.com Buy customized Claddagh rings and Celtic wedding rings from a trusted Celtic jewelry designer. You can customize your Celtic ring or choose from their catalog of popular ring designs on their website.

Celtic Jewelry - Elegant Items to Be Treasured

Jewelry held a place of importance in Celtic life. The various jewelry items that have been discovered at the important sacred places and places of burial related to the Celtic life bears testimony to this. Both men and women were fond of adorning themselves with fine jewelry. The Celtic craftsmen were indeed very skilled. Based on the popular ancient Celtic patterns and themes as used by such craftsmen a thriving trade in jewelry has become established.

The Celtic ring occupies a special place among the popular Celtic jewelry articles. Weddings and engagements around the globe and especially in the western world still make use of the Celtic rings. The Celtic rings, as discovered, bear intricate patterns of knots, spirals, chevrons and scrolls- all of which hold some special significance.

The Celtic knot's significance is hidden in obscurity. This is because of the lack of relevant material providing information about it. Some scholars however opine that the knots may be symbolizing the interconnectedness of all forms of life that the Celts believed in. It is also known that these are occasional references made about certain knots in old Celtic myths and legends though no clear theme has emerged from this.

Celtic crosses are unique jewelry pieces. They are not just any crosses with Celtic knot work and they date back to pre-Christian times. These crosses have equal arms that are enclosed or backed by a circle. This can act as a symbol representing either the four corners of the earth or the four elements- earth, air, water and fire while the circle that is present around the cross can symbolize infinity and also represent the path of the sun in the sky.

The pentacle featuring in Celtic jewelry is composed of a five-pointed star within a circle are considered to be representative of five elements- earth, air, fire, water and spirit or five stages of life- birth, attaining youth, becoming adult, aging and becoming old and finally dying. There is also the popularity of the pentacle as a pagan symbol and its particular association with Wicca.

Celts have used animals for representing various aspects of life. These have found a place in jewelry too. Similarly, geometric motifs have also been playing a major part in fashioning Celtic jewelry ever since its inception thousands of years ago. Single spirals, dual centered spirals, triple centered spirals and Chevrons that are quite akin to arrowheads used by hunters and warriors have been immensely popular as jewelry to opt for.

**You are free to use this article on your website as long as the author box stays intact and the URLs are hyperlinked**

Tania Penwell is an author who writes for The Celtic Place, which provides information on Celtic jewelry and more on Irish, Scottish, and Welsh cultures.

Celtic Knots - History and Use in Art and Jewelry

Celtic knots are well-known but did you know that they are not exclusive to the Celts? They in fact turn up at an earlier time in history in Roman mosaics and were also used by the Vikings and Saxons. They represent patterns made by ropes, intricately woven, not inevitably in the shape of a knot. Occasionally they are continuous, i.e. with no loose ends, when they are called Gordian knots, named after the legendary knot that Alexander the Great tried to unfasten. When he was unsuccessful, as he must be as the knot had no end, he took his sword and sliced it through, cutting it in half in order to make two ends.

Early Uses of Knotwork

Intricately knotted patterns are found in decorations from the early Roman Empire mainly during the 3rd and 4th C.E., especially in floor mosaics. Prior to the Christian affect on the Celts, i.e. prior to around 450 A.D., Celtic decorative work incorporated key patterns, spirals and step patterns. Early Christian manuscripts from the Celts show these patterns as well as more decorative work depicting plants, animals and other images from life. Initially these patterns patterns of interlaced plaits were also found in several other regions and time periods. The very earliest cases of Celtic knots may be seen in the Gospel book which was created in in the 7th century in Northern Britain and is now in the collection at Durham Cathedral.

Early Plaitwork

Plaitwork refers to an unbroken woven thread and appears in earlier art work prior to the development of genuine Celtic knots. The original designs distinctive of Celtic knots were seen in southern Gaul and northern Italy and they reached Ireland by the seventh century. While we correlate this type of knot with the Celts they were also used in other parts of the British Isles and from there carried to other countries of Europe by wandering monks. In this day and age Celtic knots are associated with Scotland, Ireland or Wales.

The Trinity Knot

One type of Celtic knot, nowadays called the Trinity knot or triquetra, is often seen originally in the earliest Germanic rune stones and coins from the northern part of Europe where it was employed a pagan religious symbol, perhaps associated with Odin the Norse god. The triquetra is related to the Insular art phase of Celtic and was used in decorated texts, for instance, the celebrated Book of Kells, and on metalwork. It was generally used beside other kinds of Celtic knots and very rarely used on alone. Though we don't know if the Trinity knot had any symbolic connotation to the Celts more recent renditions have given it a particular importance as a representation of things that are threefold, for example, as the past, present and future, the Holy Trinity or mother, daughter and granddaughter.

Celtic Knots in Contemporary Jewelry

Now the Celtic knot is a common pattern in both gold and silver Celtic knot jewelry. Lots of designs are created and Celtic knots are found on rings, earrings, wedding bands, pendants and anklets. The triquetra is a common design and the elaborate knots so cherished by the Celts are similarly loved by wearers of Celtic knot jewelry nowadays.

For more information on Celtic knots, their history some good deals on gold and silver Celtic knot jewelry, necklaces and earrings visit Celtic Knot Silver Crosses or Celtic Knot Silver Jewelry

The Unique Allure of Everlon Love Knot Jewelry

Everlon Knot Jewelry - A celebration of deep and continuous love. This stunning collection features breathtaking pieces, rich in meaning and design. The Everlon Symbol signifies the truest of loves; a love made to last forever. To understand this meaning a glance through history teaches us that the knot symbol has been used throughout the ages to signify strength and continuity. Additionally various cultures world wide have employed this symbol as a representation of the tying together of two people; a man and a woman. The [b]Everlon Love Knot[/b] works with both the infinity and Celtic knot symbols. That eludes to beginnings and endings. In viewing these beautiful knots, we cannot see a beginning or an end, and therefore we are reminded of the timeless nature of love and commitment.

The beautiful arrangement of these pieces, includes a knot design that follows a continual loop. To signify a boundless and endless commitment that keeps on running. At its center is a diamond. The diamond is placed carefully at the core of this design; the heart of the design; the sacred place where the sentiments of this union are drawn from. A diamond is strong, beautiful and everlasting. This Everlon Diamond Knot Collection symbolizes an invincible bond. It tells a story of a love that is strong, lasting and true.

By choosing a piece of Everlon Diamond Jewelry you are showing the special someone in your life the magnitude of your love and commitment. The Everlon Diamond Knot collection has a vast array of intricately crafted pieces that have been designed to take her breath away! Including a stunning Everlon Knot Pendant and Everlon Knot Bracelet selection, dazzling designs that will sweep her off her feet! Bring out the sparkle in her eyes with a set of Everlon Knot Earrings, these elegant pieces are a truly meaningful and stunning gift!

Choose Everlon Diamonds for a heart felt gift that she will cherish always, capture your sentiments with this personal range and let her wear your heart on her sleeve. Browse through this devastatingly beautiful collection and choose a piece to symbolize your continuing love. For a bond that will never break and a love built to last.

Julian Baughman currently works for http://www.kranichs.com at the Kranich's Jewelers corporate office in Altoona, Pennsylvania where he has been employed since 2008. He previously worked for Ogden Newspapers Inc., at the Altoona Mirror as a graphic design/creative services professional. Julian is also a Penn State Alumni where he specialized in digital media.

Beaded Jewelry Exporters Aiming For Roaring Numbers

"Life is a train of moods like a string of beads; and as we pass through them they prove to be many colored lenses, which paint the world their own hue, and each shows us only what lies in its own focus." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's a wide known fact that women find the charm of jewellery irresistible and form the biggest target consumer base for the jewellery makers, worldwide. Beaded jewelry constitutes an important and indispensable part of most jewelry items. Their versatility can add charm and beauty to any type of ordinary design or style. Without an iota of doubt, beaded jewelry is a - must have, among all the jewelry lovers across the globe.

Beads can be made from natural materials to synthetic materials and of course, precious metals. The most popular beaded jewelry includes singular or multiple-strand necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets, trinkets and belts. A well crafted jewelry (either hand made or manufactured) will always compliment a women's attire and enhance her personality on the whole.

As mentioned above, beads are made out of many different types of materials out of which the most popular ones are pearls, amber, gemstones, metals, horn, coral, ivory, tortoiseshell, jet, wood, ceramic etc. A trendy beaded jewellery can be antique or contemporary as per the demand or requirement of the collectors and buyers.

There is a general notion that beads are usually used in artificial jewelry, which is not correct. Good quality beads can be used to complement the beauty of gold and silver jewelry. Beaded jewelry has a universal appeal and is worn by people of all age groups.

One of the upcoming trend that has been observed recently is that, hand made beads specially from countries in Africa and the Far East are getting a great deal of attention. Such type of jewelry serves a dual purpose of providing occupation for families in countries where sources of income are sparse and provides an altogether different variety of designs to the buyers.

Latest reports say that, jewellery retailers have reported good profits in the last couple of months. Even though falling incomes and the higher cost of living is causing a strain on the public purse, jewelry shoppers are still spending in stores. The market demand for beaded jewelry is great because they are highly affordable and looks good on all kinds of outfit. Industry insiders say that one of the driving factor behind these sales has been the trend of buying more affordable options and beaded jewelry fits the bill perfectly. Some say its a passing trend of investment in accessible luxury. As the beaded jewelry industry is growing by leaps and bounds, beaded jewelry exporters would certainly keep an eye on how long this trend continues.

PS: If you are a beaded jewelry supplier or exporters, get your online catalogue today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated on the web, 24/7. To know more click below http://www.tradeindia.com/exporters-suppliers/c1433/beaded-jewelry.html

The Celtic Cross Necklace is Unique Among Jewelry Items

The Celtic cross necklace, ring and other jewelry items bearing this distinctive form of the Christian symbol is a much sought after gift item at Christmas or any other time of the year. But what exactly is the Celtic cross?

The Celtic cross, also know as the Irish cross, is similar to the Latin or Christian symbol except for a circle placed in the intersection. Another difference is a typically ornate pattern that embellishes the piece. It is very distinctive and is a favored jewelry item for many Christians worldwide.

Trying to determine the exact meaning of this version of the cross is challenging because they were first made prior to man's ability to communicate via the written word. Some theories do exist as to the origins of it. One is that it symbolizes the sun and the moon. Another, that it represents the four corners of the globe. They are a significant part of Celtic art and are the symbol of Celtic Christianity, although it is believed by some experts that they may have existed prior to the days of Christ.

It is a common legend in Ireland that this design was the work of Saint Patrick and that he blended the symbol of the Christian religion with the sun cross, to give pagan followers a concept of the significance of it by relating it with the idea of the vitalizing attributes of the sun.

In Ireland, during the Celtic revival of the mid-1800s, there was a renewed interest in the cross and many of large proportions were built and displayed prominently around the country. It is believed that these displays helped to renew a sense of pride in the Irish people for their homeland and heritage. Since its revival, the cross has also been used widely as grave markers.

So as you can see, wearing a Celtic cross necklace or any other item bearing this ancient and distinctive symbol is like wearing history. Historic, and always in style.

To see a fine selection of the Celtic cross necklace priced for just about any budget, please visit http://www.celticcrossnecklace.org which updates almost daily with new items.

Pewter Jewelry - An Ancient Metal For Beautiful Designs

Pewter jewelry has gained in popularity as the price of silver jewelry has gone up. They do have a slightly similar look at first glance.

Pewter is mostly tin, a soft metal. It is alloyed in jewelry making and other uses with antimony or bismuth, hard and brittle metals. Earlier pewter making used lead as one of the alloys, but thankfully this practice is becoming rare, at least in the USA.

In earlier times pewter utensils were what people ate with. Plates and mugs in the Middle Ages all the way up to the 18th and 19th centuries were primarily pewter, before porcelain came into its own. I imagine this early pewter was full of lead- but I haven't heard much about difficulties due to that.

Was pewter jewelry made in earlier times? I believe it was, but due to the softness of the metal, and the ease with which it could be melted and put to other uses, not as much of it has survived. It's possible the Celtic people made their famous knot designs in pewter.

But what about modern Pewter jewelry, and what would be its advantages over silver? Well, here are a few:

o    It is less costly than sterling silver

o    It has less likelihood of tarnishing (especially the pewter which is cast lead free)

o    It has a warm, hand crafted look

These are all good reasons. I would add to that the fact that pewter can be every bit as detailed as the finest silver jewelry, and when properly cast and finished, is almost indistinguishable from it. That is, unless you take a really good look. But if you're just going for the general silvery look, and you aren't a jewelry snob, why not own and wear some pewter jewelry too?

Some people may have a difficult time getting over the upset recently broadcast via newspaper and internet over the pewter containing a high lead content that was shipped to us by suppliers in China. I agree that is something to pay attention to when purchasing pewter jewelry. You must make sure the pewter comes from a reputable source and was cast lead free. Such jewelry is available, and I would venture to guess that most jewelers dealing with pewter jewelry are very careful about the lead content these days. Children especially are vulnerable, since they tend to stick things in their mouths without thinking.

But despite the fact that pewter jewelry has a questionable reputation in some circles, it seems to have mostly bounced back in popularity. I'm glad, because not every one can afford sterling silver jewelry, and this can be a wonderful substitute for many of us.

Artist Merry Rosenfield casts jewelry in many metals, but her lead free pewter jewelry designs are especially sought after. Most of her unique pewter designs involve animals of every description, from dogs to dragonflies. It seems quality pewter jewelry is regaining in popularity as silver prices rise.