Jewelry Articles

Discovered in the prehistoric Skhul Caves of Israel, this beaded necklace is the oldest piece of jewelry known to man, dating just 110,000 years. Handmade jewelry displaying the intricate work of coastal artisans has been found scattered throughout the region. Seashells, rock, and weathered wood were among the materials used to craft each piece. Most intriguing of all is the use of the deep sea snail, Nassarius, in beaded rope necklaces. Each shell is woven together along a chain to create a necklace fitting of a mermaid queen. For more modern-day mermaid inspiration, check out these sea born inspirations.

When you invest in handcrafted jewelry, you want it to last! There are few things more frustrating than opening up a drawer full of tangled jewelry. Save yourself some trouble and set up an easy storage system. Taking care of your handmade jewelry will help it last forever.

If you are wearing your jewelry often, you have to deal with tarnishing. Moisture and metal don’t work well together. Your lotions, cosmetics, or just regular washing can cause ugly discolorations on your favorite pieces. To prevent this, try to minimize your handmade jewelry’s contact with water. Take all of it off when you wash your hands or shower. Carry a plastic bag with you or stash one in your bathroom so you can keep your pieces away from water but not have to worry about losing them.

If you can’t quite decide on the perfect necklace or aren’t sure which ring to choose for yourself, let the colors be your guide. Fashion jewelry is so much more meaningful when a little extra thought has gone into choosing it. Why not commemorate a special occasion or time in your life with a meaningful stone?

You have probably heard a little bit about the meaning behind colors. Yellow roses, for example, signify friendship whereas red roses are reserved for lovers. Every shade has some significance and using it can be a fun way to make your handcrafted pieces even more special.

Czech glass beads are certainly one of the most beautiful and sought after styles of beads, as they feature unique styles, patterns, and hues simply not found in any other types of beads. The history of Czech glass beads is actually as rich as the beauty of the beads themselves. Find out more about the captivating history of Czech glass beads here:

Early History

Glass beads were being crafted in Bohemia, which is the present day Czech republic, as early as 250 B.C. By the 900’s (A.D.) handcrafted glass beads were being put inside of some tombs. And, in the 1200’s, several glass factories, that were sometimes used to make beads for rosaries, were opened as locals began moving into the northern mountains of the area.

Beaded jewelry has a long and colorful history dating thousands of years back to ancient times. Since then, uncountable variations of the craft have been created, worn, and passed down through the generations. Even today, beaded jewelry is as prevalent and widely worn as it has ever been. The sheer variety of possibilities have continued to inspire and make the craft worthwhile for creators and wearers alike. 

Walk through any mall, and you'll see store after store carrying mass produced jewelry, most of which looks pretty similar. But visit an online or brick-and-mortar specialty boutique, street fair or festival that features artisan jewelry, and you'll find original eye-catching designs made with unique components.

Ahh... lovely violet! The color of mystery, of deep dusk, of sweet woodland flowers. Violet is calmly regal where haughty purple demands respect.

Violet lacks the rich, vibrant warmth of purple which lies closer to fiery red on a color wheel. Instead, it's a cooler, quieter color because of it's proximity to calming blue. Violet is the color of the gemstone tanzanite and also of iolite. In fact, the Greek word 'ios' (which gave iolite its name) means violet.

Chances are the name Swarovski conjures images of dazzling, brightly hued stones in your mind’s eye. For nearly 70 years, the Swarovski name has been synonymous with sparkling jewels, but the real story begins long before that.

In the late 19^th century, Daniel Swarovski worked in his father’s glass cutting factory in Wittens, Austria. Fascinated by the trade, Daniel practiced his skill with verve and acuity, and by age 30 had invented his own glass-cutting machine