Jewelry Articles

Walkthrough any mall in America and you’ll see a treasure trove of jewelry. A kaleidoscopic array of baubles, bling, and accessories cascade from every shop window, their inanimate voices practically screaming “buy me”! Trouble is, that while these pieces may look nice and the price may even be appealing, there are various hidden factors involved when making a purchase from a chain or department store. 

Today, we have home security systems that set off an alarm if an intruder enters. In the future, we will be protected by a force field, like the one Scottie switches on when the Klingons are at the backdoor of the Enterprise and Captain Kirk starts getting nervous.

In ancient times, say roughly 20,000 B.C. the Stone Age people found comfort in agates, as a form of protection.

You know the drill. Your friend’s birthday is next week, Mothers’ Day is coming up or Christmas is suddenly once again around the corner. Gift buying panic soon sets in as you ponder the perfect present. But instead of buying another obligatory gift certificate or hurriedly stuffing cash in a card, take a few minutes to consider a handmade gift.

According to the 16th Century French poet, Remy Bellau, Bacchu the Greek god of wine, revelry, and debauchery was once captivated by a beautiful maiden by the name of Amethyste. Bacchus pursued the fair Amethyste relentlessly, chasing her for mile after mile. Desperate not to become the prey of the lustful god, Amethyste called out to the goddess of chastity, Diana, for help. To protect Amethyste’s treasured virginity, Diana turned the maiden into a stone of the purest white. Humbled by her sacrifice, Bacchus poured a libation of his symbolic wine onto the stone, staining Amethyste the most glorious purple.

In 1716, Prussia gave Peter the Great of Russia an extravagant gift honoring the peace between their nations - an entire room made of amber and encrusted with beaded jewelry. The panels were backed with gold leaf, which made the entire room glow with a topaz-like warmth.

The gorgeous Amber Room, made of real amber and beaded jewelry, glows like citrine or topaz. Image from Imaging-and-Art.com.

It was called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Historians estimate that today it would be worth $146 million.

Earrings have been around for centuries. Some of the handcrafted earrings that have been found in the ancient graves of royal Egyptians and Babylonians are more than 5000 years old. They used to be seen as a sign of wealth. Only the richest people had enough gold or precious stones to wear fashion jewelry.

When the hankering to buy some new handmade jewelry hits you, chances are your brain thinks more in terms of “earrings” or “necklace” than in terms of “violet” or “nectarine.” But choosing jewelry based on color families adds a dash of whimsy to your shopping list and injects a large dose of fashion into even the most monochrome of wardrobes.

When choosing colors for your jewelry, always remember Pantone. What began as a printing company in the 1950s, Pantone now dictates what hues will be hot in the fashion and design industries in each upcoming season.

There are so many different types of earrings! It can be difficult to decide what works best for your look. Fashion jewelry styles are always changing and if you are going to invest in a handcrafted piece it’s important to choose the right type.