Ah, where to star...]]> “Cats are possessed of a shy, retiring nature, cajoling, haughty, and capricious, difficult to fathom. They reveal themselves only to certain favored individuals, and are repelled by the faintest suggestion of insult or even by the most trifling deception.” - Pierre Loti

Ah, where to start? Cats are among the most celebrated creatures of literature. They’re domesticated and at the same time wild, loved and at the same time hated. They stand for stealth and mystery, the power of silence and secrets. And cat jewelry is a testament to that power.

Even before Halle Berry popularized the Catwoman, and before the sleek, sassy villainess ever graced the pages of DC comics, cats were being worshipped all over the world. The way the cat moves, the easy grace and mysterious stillness fuels the imagination and fires up the senses. Bast, the ancient Egyptian cat-goddess, was a wild goddess who was generous in good humor, and ferocious in ill. To kill a cat in ancient Egypt was to call down the wrath of Bast, and was not only considered an act of evil, but a crime against the gods.

To compare a person to a cat is to give credit to his/her capricious, languid, underhanded nature. Cats will only do as they desire, not as they are told. Loyalty is something they only bestow, not give out of a sense of obligation. At the same time they are affectionate to those whom they have chosen, work with reasons they may not disclose to anyone, and perform incredible tasks with absolute secrecy. Sending a person — especially a woman — cat jewelry as a gift would serve as a tribute to these special traits. Wearing cat jewelry would aid in fostering an image of mystery and an instinct for the refined.

The endearing nature of cats has been immortalized not only in classical literature (”The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe, and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, to name two of many) but also in modern literature, like TV shows and comic strips. We have Garfield and Heathcliff on our Sunday papers, and Top Cat and the Thundercats in our (all right, kind of outdated) Saturday morning cartoon lineups. Cats have been preserved in so many artistic forms — why can’t jewelry be among them?

Cat jewelry might be popular among children, especially little girls who love kittens and probably raise cats of their own. Young women may also appreciate the extraordinary sleekness of the feline motif, and feel especially sexy wearing something so in tune with their sensual nature.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com.

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...]]> There’s so much hype in today’s marketplace about quality, it has become an almost meaningless word. So rather than talk on and on about quality, it will be more instructive to talk you through the rigorous quality practices that define the kind of quality inherent in true hand crafting.

Let’s start with the design process: Aesthetics and functionality are like the two wings of a bird; without the right balance between the two, the piece won’t “fly”. We have spent the past ten years in a continuous improvement process in both of these areas. What people immediately notice about our boxes are the pleasing, soft lines. Whatever design themes you choose to highlight must be applied consistently and consciously, leaving no detail to chance. Exceptional care must always be taken to make sure that the beauty of each individual piece of wood is displayed to its utmost advantage.

It is important to apply the same level of detail to the functionality of each piece. Years of experimentation
and problem solving have yielded the most efficient and easy-to-use space use that we have seen anywhere. Design features like removable trays and customizable dividers are standard because no collection is exactly like anyone else’s. Efficient space use can and should be
beautiful, as well.

In order to show the designs properly, you must use the finest wood available in the world. This is no overstatement. We work directly with sawyers at the source of where the wood grows at its finest. Our sawyers know we are fanatics about wood quality and choose from their prime stock. Once the wood arrives in Colorado, we allow it to acclimate for 1-6 months depending on the species. By adjusting to the arid climate of the southwest, the wood naturally reaches an optimal 5% moisture content without structural tensions. Needless to say, you should use only solid wood construction that is color matched naturally. That way, you don’t have to use the numerous dyes or pigments that most manufacturers use to cover up inconsistencies or flaws in the wood. The other material required for true quality is genuine rayon velvet made by A. Wimpfheimer & Bro., the finest manufacturer of velvet for jewelry boxes in the country.

It’s not enough to have extraordinary designs and materials - the approach to craftsmanship is where the magic really takes shape. You must care more about expressing the lost art of craft and sharing the beauty that results than about being the biggest or best known jewelry box maker. And how the wood feels when it is touched and about how many generations of use a box can provide. So we go to exceptional lengths in the crafting process and take care with things like: selecting each piece of wood for the box from the same piece of wood, so the wood “wraps” around each corner, and constructing each wooden box with floating panels so the wood can move as needed, depending on the climate you live, and reinforcing joints in several ways, providing a redundancy that mass manufacturers don’t have time to do, sanding each piece up to 20 separate times, and using a finish that’s durable, non-toxic to the environment, and maintenance-free. There’s a lot more but, hopefully, this helps you understand why our jewelry boxes have been displayed in museums and described as “heirlooms”.

In a book featuring our work, Objects for Use: Handmade by Design, Holly Hotchner, American Craft Museum Director, writes: “Art, craft, and design are ultimately about relationships established between the makers of things and the individuals who become the possessors, consumers, and users of those things. Through these objects we are invited into the artistic, emotional, and spiritual worlds of the creator; by selecting and using these objects, we complete a creative process begun by the maker. Objects designed and made for use underline humanistic values honored and shared by makers and consumers, values that give meaning and purpose to our lives at many levels.” We invite you to share in our artistic, emotional, and spiritual world through the use of extraordinarily high quality containers for your most treasured objects.

Russell Pool has been perfecting the art of quality wooden box creation for over two decades. Each piece he creates reflects his passion for quality and his love for the spiritual qualities of balance, beauty, and getting things “naturally right.” To learn more about his work visit Russell Pool Fine Woodworking.

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Gem Body Color.

Color is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a diamond because one of the first things most people notice is whether or not the diamond is white, or, more accurately, colorless. It is also one of the most significant factors affecting ...]]> Diamonds

Gem Body Color.

Color is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a diamond because one of the first things most people notice is whether or not the diamond is white, or, more accurately, colorless. It is also one of the most significant factors affecting value.

Color refer to the natural body color of a diamond. The finest and most expensive, “white” diamonds are absolutely colorless. Most diamonds show some trace of yellowish or brownish tint, but diamonds also occur in every color of rainbow. Natural colored diamonds are called “fancy” diamonds.

How to look at a diamond to evaluate color?

In white diamonds, color differences from one grade to the next can be very subtle, and a difference of several grades is difficult to see when a diamond is mounted. Keep in mind that it is impossible to accurately grade color in a mounted diamond. When looking at an un-mounted stone, however, even an amateur can learn to see color differences if the stone is viewed properly.

Because of diamond’s high brilliance and dispersion, the color grade can not be accurately determined by looking at the stone from the top, or face-up, position. It is best to observe color by examining the stone through the pavilion with the table down. Use a flat white surface such as a white business card, or a grading trough, which can be be purchased from a jewelry supplier or the Gemological Institute of America, GIA. Next, view the stone with the pavilion side down and the culet pointing toward you.

What is diamond body color?

When we discuss diamond body color we are referring too much yellow or brown tint can be seen in a white (colorless) diamond. We are not referring to rare natural colored diamonds, which are called “fancy” or “master Fancy” in the trade.

Today, most colorless diamonds in the United States and in an increasing number of other countries are graded in alphabetical scale beginning with the letter D, which designates the finest, rarest, most absolutely colorless diamond, and continuing down through the entire alphabet to the letter Z. Each letter after D indicates increasing amounts of yellowish (or brownish) tint to the body color. It’s easy to understand the color grade, if you just remember: the closer the letter is to D the Whiter the diamond; the closer the letter to is to Z, the more yellow (or more brown) the diamond.

This grading system, with its letter designations, is part of a diamond grading system introduced by the Gemological Institute of America, often referred to as GIA, and is used extensively in the diamond trade around the world. Grades E - F are exceptionally fine and diamonds in this range can be referred to as “colorless,” although technically, E and F are not colorless since they possess a very slight trace of yellow; the tint is so slight, however, that the trade agrees they may be referred to as colorless.

What color grade is most desirable?

The diamonds colors, D, E, and F can all be grouped as exceptionally fine and may be referred to as “colorless,” “exceptional white.” or “rare white” as they are often described by diamond dealers. G and H may be referred to as “fine white” or “rare white.” These grades are all considered very good. I and J colors are slightly tinted white. K and L show a tint of yellow or brown, but settings can often mask the slight tint. Grades M - Z will show progressively more and more tint of color, and will have a definite yellowish or brownish cast; diamonds with a strong yellowish tint are often referred to as cape stones in trade.
Diamond grades D - J seem to have better resale potential than grades K - Z. This does not mean that diamonds having a more tinted color (grades below J) are not beautiful or desirable. They can make lovely jewelry and, depending upon other quality factors and “overall personality,” color. Remember: color is important, but it’s only one of four factors you must learn to weigh as you judge the whole stone.

To what extent does the color grade affect value?

To an untrained eye, discerning the difference in color from D down to H in a mounted stone, without direct comparison, is almost impossible. Nevertheless, the difference in color greatly affects the value of the diamond. A one carat, flawless, excellently proportioned D color diamond might sell for a much higher price than the same stone with H color. The same stone with K color might sell for much less price. And if the stone were not flawless, or well cut, it could sell for much less.

In diamonds over one carat, the more white the stone, the more critical it becomes to know the exact color grade of its effect on value. On the other hand, as long as you know for sure what color the stone is, and are paying the right price, choosing one that is a grade or two lower than another will reduce the cost per carat, and there will be little, if any, visible difference when the stone is mounted. Therefore, for the difference in cost, you might be able to get a larger diamond, or one with a better clarity grade, depending upon what is most important to you.

What is Fluorescence?

If the diamond you are considering is accompanied by a diamond grading report, it will indicate whether or not the diamond has some degree of fluorescence. This is a property that some stones posses which causes them to appear to be different colors in different lights. A diamond that fluoresces might light whiter than it really is in certain light. This is one reason why the color of any fine diamond should always be verified by a qualified gemologist.

If a diamond fluoresces, it normally will produce a bluish, yellowish, or whitish glow when viewed in sunlight or daylight type fluorescent light ( those long tubes you see in the ceiling of many stores and office buildings). To ensure that the true body color is being graded, a professional will always test for fluorescence with a special ultraviolet lamp prior to color grading. Blue Fluorescence is more common than yellow or white. Some white diamonds that produce a blue fluorescence may actually look “blue-white” in the right light. Normally, however, you will not really notice fluorescence with the naked eye
It is also important to know whether or not a diamond fluoresces to prevent any unpleasant surprises. For example, if you buy a “fluorescent” diamond because it seems so “white” when you purchase it (resulting from exposure to fluorescent light in the jewelry store, which, except in the case of fluorescent stones, is the proper light for viewing diamond color), you might be disappointed by its yellower appearance in the evening light where the stone won’t fluoresce.
A white diamond can also fluoresce yellow, and look yellower than it really is. But remember, whatever color is produced by fluorescence, it occurs only in the daylight or fluorescent light.

Does fluorescence affect value?

Generally, the presence or absence of fluorescence has little, if any effect on value. However, if the stone has a strong yellow fluorescence it may sell for 10% to 15% less, since this will make the stone appear yellower in some lights than another stone with the same color grade.
The presences of blur fluorescence may be considered an added benefit, a little bonus, since it may make the stone appear whiter in some lights; and yet there may be no difference in cost. You must be careful, however, to look closely at stones with very strong blue fluorescence, some will have an “oily” or “murky” appearance. If the stone appears murky or oily in daylight or fluorescent light, it should sell 15% to 20% less than comparable stones without the murky cast.

If a diamond fluoresces, its true body color can be mis-graded. Knowledgeable jewelers or appraisers will always test a diamond to see whether or not it fluoresces, and to what degree, in order to color grade accurately.

What is a “Premier”?

At this point we should mention a type of fluorescent diamond that is not encountered often, but which occurs frequently enough to warrant a brief discussion. It is called a premier. This does not mean the diamond is better than others. In fact, it should sell for much less than other white diamonds.

The true color of any premier diamond will be yellowish (cape), but the yellow color is masked by strong blue florescence. As with other diamonds that fluoresces blue, the premier will appear whiter than it really is in certain light. It may actually have a bluish tint, sometimes with a greenish cast. However, a premier will always have a murky or oily appearance in daylight or fluorescent light resulting from the coupling of the yellow with blue. The murkiness detracts from its beauty and causes a reduction in value. The price of the premier varies depending on the degree of yellow and the degree of murkiness.

Do not confuse a premier diamond with one that exhibits normal blue fluorescence . Many diamonds exhibit some degree of fluorescence. Many have a very fine white body color to begin with. But most important, they differ from premier because they will not appear oily or murky in day light type light.

Some plain talk about “fancy” colored diamonds

Diamonds have been found to occur naturally in almost every color and shade, blue, red, green, yellow, lavender, pink, gunmetal blue, coffee brown, and black. The color can be intense or very pale. Some colors are rarer than others. The most common is often called “canary”, orange, and brown. Such colors as pink, light green, and lavender occur much more rarely. Deep blue, red, and green diamonds are among the rarest, and most valuable, gems on earth. Black diamonds are relatively common. Most colored diamonds found in nature tend to be pastel.

Except for very pale yellow and very pale brown varieties, which are very common and not considered “fancies” but more properly, off white, colored diamonds often sell for more than fine colorless diamonds. An extremely rare red diamond with very poor clarity that weighted less than one carat brought the highest price ever paid for a single gem, almost one million dollars per carat, at auction in 1987. A fine pink or blue diamond can bring hundreds of thousands of dollars per carat.

Fancy colored diamonds occur naturally, but fancy colors can also be produced artificially by exposing very inexpensive brownish or yellowish stones to certain types of radiation and heating techniques. Many unattractive, off white stones are changed in this manner to beautiful “fancy” colors. Yellow, blue, and green diamonds are often the result of such treatment.

with the exception of some green diamonds, a stone’s color can be tested by a qualified gemologist or gem-testing laboratory using spectroscopic examination, electro-conductivity, and ultraviolet response to determine whether color is natural or induced. Although the treated diamond may be comparable to the natural in beauty, if the color is induced, the price should be much less.

When buying any fancy colored diamond be sure to ask whether or not the color is natural, and be sure the bill of sale and any accompanying certification or appraisal specifies whether the color is natural or induced. Always verify natural color at a respected gem testing laboratory.

Special tips on the subject of color

Keep it clean of you want the color to look the best
A dirty diamond will not look white (nor will it sparkle). An accumulation of dirt, especially greasy dirt, will give a diamond a yellow cast, so if you want to see and enjoy its full beauty, keep your diamond clean.

This principle applies especially when you are looking at old jewelry for possible purchase. When considering old diamond pieces, pay particular attention to whether or not it is impacted with dirt accumulated by years of use. If it is, there is a possibility that the diamond will have a better color grade than it may appear to have at first glance. This is because the dirt may contain varying amounts of fatty deposits (from dishwashing, cosmetics, etc.), which yellow with age. When this type of dirt builds up, and is in contact with the diamond, it will also make the diamond appear more yellow.

White or Yellow gold setting

The color of the metal in the setting can affect your perception of the color of your stone, sometimes adversely and sometimes beneficially. A very white diamond should be held in a white metal such as white gold, platinum, or palladium. If you prefer yellow gold, it’s possible to have just that portion of the setting which holds the diamond itself fashioned in white metal. For example, a diamond ring can be made with a yellow gold “shank” to go around the finger, and white metal “head” to hold the diamond. An all yellow setting may make a very white diamond appear less white because the yellow color of the setting itself is reflected into the diamond.

On other hand, if the diamond you choose tends to be more yellow than you’d like, mounting it in yellow gold , with yellow surrounding the stone, may make the stone appear more white in contrast to the strong yellow of the gold.

The yellow gold environment may mask the degree of yellow in a yellow diamond, or it may give a colorless diamond an undesirable yellow tint. The setting can also affect future color grading should you ever need an updated insurance appraisal.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter.

When it is published, May I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio., contact and copyright information that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an e-mail of notification along with a complimentary copy of publication.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut.

http://www.thejewelryhut.com

The best source for fine Diamond, gemstone, and Pearl Jewelry on the Web

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No disrespect meant toward grandma, but you wouldn't ever wear thos...]]> You’ve been given grandma’s heirloom diamond pendants. Instead of leaving them tucked away in your jewelry box, you’d really like to wear them. There is one problem though; grandma’s diamond pendants are terribly ugly.

No disrespect meant toward grandma, but you wouldn’t ever wear those things. Okay maybe the jewelry really isn’t ugly. Maybe it just needs to be repaired or it’s too small for your taste. Whatever the reason may be, it’s okay if you don’t like your grandma’s diamond pendants. You can still put your grandma’s heirlooms to good use.

Using your grandma’s jewelry you can update the style and create something totally new. A lot of people like to take the stones out of diamond pendants and use them to create a ring or necklace. Don’t feel bad about redesigning grandma’s jewelry. If it’s left in its original form what good will it be doing sitting hidden in the drawer of your jewelry box?

By using the stones for another jewelry piece grandma’s memory will be with you every time you wear it.

First you’ll want to have a qualified gemologist take a look at the diamond pendant. They will be able to tell you all about the stones that are in the jewelry. You’ll want to know about the color, clarity, cut, and carat of the stone. The gemologist will also be able to tell you about any flaws or problem areas in the diamonds as well.

After you’ve taken the stone to a gemologist you need to pick a jeweler. Be extremely careful about which jeweler you choose. You want someone that has plenty of experience and skill; an amateur could destroy those heirloom stones.

When choosing a jeweler it’s also important to look at their other work. Make sure that there are a number of his pieces that you really like.

Designing the ring comes next. You will work extremely close with the jeweler for this step in the process. You’ll be giving him your ideas, likes and dislikes. If you have a picture to help you describe what you want, bring it with you when you meet with him.

Remember to be as clear as you can about what you want. If your idea is totally different than what you’ve described to the jeweler the outcome will be a complete let down.

Drawing sketches is another way to help the jeweler see what you’re looking for. Don’t be shy either; this is going to be your new piece of jewelry. You have to make sure you’re going to absolutely love it.

So if you get diamond pendants and you’ll never wear them, create something new. Using the stones from grandma’s diamond pendants for an updated, different piece of jewelry is perfectly acceptable. Have fun designing it and wear it with pride.

When it comes to diamonds, Shayna Schnereger wants to help you make the best out of whatever you have. For more helpful tips about diamond pendants visit her at http://online-jewelry-guide.com

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Amber contains joy and happiness. It contains life-giving energy. The life that started more than 30 million years ago survived the massive moving of earth plates, masses of heavy grounds falling on them, being washed away miles away and miles deep to the ocean bed and the trace...]]> Why Amber?

Amber contains joy and happiness. It contains life-giving energy. The life that started more than 30 million years ago survived the massive moving of earth plates, masses of heavy grounds falling on them, being washed away miles away and miles deep to the ocean bed and the traces of them still stayed to amazing details inside the tree resin we now call Amber! The treasures of life forms proved its existence through this long and really earth moving experience. Amber is therefore symbolic of life-giving energy.

Amber is popular for thoughtful gift giving to the beloved ones. Amber has a meaningful message about life and survival.

What is Amber?

Commonly referred to as tree sap, however amber is anything but sap! Read below to know more.

This is how it all started millions of years agoLarge number of trees in some parts of the world began to seep its sticky and aromatic resin down their sides and onto the land while filling internal fissures, trapping debris, such as seeds, leaves, feathers and insects on the way. These seeped globes of tree resin collected life forms in the process. As geologic time progressed through the millions of years afterwards, these forests were buried under the ocean or the resin was washed out of the forest floor by large rivers and transported south towards the sea. In the course of time, the globes of resin progressively hardened into a golden gem with a warm and soft glow from within!

This process of fossilizing tree resin of ancient trees is called “natural polymerization and oxidization of original organic compounds”. In other words, amber is fossilized resin that is million of years old. Most of the world’s amber is in the range of 30-90 million years old.

Therefore contrary to common belief, Amber is not produced from tree sap, but rather from plant resin

Amber and Baltic Amber

Since the ancient times, the word amber meant only one thing - the Baltic Amber! However, the process of how amber is formed traced more amber varieties in different parts of the world. Although more than 125 types of fossil resins are known in the world, these resins are not amber but its relatives. They are mostly found in Europe and America and each of them has its own name. But the Baltic amber is uniquely known for its quality and is most sought after.

Baltic amber is fossil resin produced by pine trees, which grew in Northern Europe - from southern regions of the present-day Scandinavia and nearby regions of the bed of the Baltic Sea. The climate became warmer and conifer trees started to exude big amounts of resin. Scientists say that amber (or succinite) is a fossil pine resin from this region that has achieved a stable state through oxidation.

Our amber comes from the Palvininkai deposit in the Yantamy, Kaliningrad Province of Russia. The Palvininkai deposit contains 90% of the world’s amber. Even now 500-700 tons of this mineral per year are excavated in an open mine using modern mining equipment. Over 90% percent of all extracted amber is of poorer quality and can be used only as an ingredient in other products.

Pippinbass Jewelry

Amber Silver Jewelry

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The meteori...]]> Moldavite is in a league of its own. It is truly a gemstone like no other. Unlike all other gemstones, it was formed from the impact of an intense meteorite shower between 15 and 20 million years ago. Moldavite is the only known “gem quality” stone of extra-terrestrial origin.

The meteorite materials were fused by the tremendous heat and pressure produced by the impact and then catapulted back into the Earth’s atmosphere. Once these meteorites began to fall back toward Earth, they began to fracture and scattered hundreds of kilometers within the Moldau River Valley, which lies north of Prague in Czechoslovakia. The friction of atmosphere against the cooling magma of the meteorites created the unique surface sculpture found on Moldavite.

Moldavite is scientifically classified as a member of the Tektite family. The term Tektite is derived from the Greek word tekto, which means “molten”. It describes a type of natural glass formed by high temperatures and pressure when meteorites impact the earth. Tektites are found on earth only within a narrow belt along the equator about 80 degrees wide.

Tektites usually have a heavily pitted surface, and at first glance appear to be black in color. However, when held up against a strong light source, golden tints and translucent areas can often be made out near the edges.

Tektites have been found in Thailand, Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines. However, Moldavite has only been found in the Moldau River Valley, Czechoslovakia. Moldavite is an extremely rare gem stone. It is prized for its clarity and unique deep green color.

Moldavite’s powerful metaphysical energy has been recognized and utilized for centuries. In the Middle Ages, Moldavite jewelry was given as gifts from royalty to royalty. Today, you can experience the amazing energies of “the stone of transformation” for yourself.

Even people not normally sensitive to the qualities of stones can feel the energy of Moldavite. Typical sensations include heat which emanates from the stone, along with a sense of pulsating, tingling energy.

Moldavite’s powerful energies can assist you in breaking through limitations and past patterns.

It can also greatly accelerate the spiritual growth and psychic awakening.

Sleeping with Moldavite is said to activate the dream state.

Wearing moldavite helps manifest positive life changes.

Moldavite is known as excellent meditation stone.

Katharina Bishop is a freelance writer. She is the owner of Wondrous Gems, a business specializing in crystals and designer jewelry. http://www.wondrousgems.com

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Every type of handmade jewelry is unique from any other jewelry piece in the w...]]> One of the things that make handmade jewelry so special is not only that it is crafted personally by its maker’s own patient hands, but also that it takes hours of careful, deliberate concentration to construct.

Every type of handmade jewelry is unique from any other jewelry piece in the world. No two pieces of handmade jewelry are ever exactly alikemaking your own personal handmade keepsake a one-of-a-kind original treasure. Since each piece of handmade jewelry is individually crafted, it is practically impossible replicate its style. Handmade jewelry is particularly fashionable because of its natural beauty. Its decorative stones, beads and metals oftentimes sport tiny imperfections, which add quality and depth to each individual piece and serve as a kind of ’seal of authenticity’ which proves that it was not merely part-and-parcel of a mass manufacturing chain.

Handmade jewelry has been prized for centuries upon centuries. The old civilizations of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt were extremely advanced in metalworking. Their perfected techniques were passed on throughout time to the Byzantinian, Greek, Oriental and cultures. Long before there were machines fashioned to design and produce large quantities of jewelry, the artisan peoples of ancient cultures were busy hand-working gold into thin pliable sheets from which adornments could be easily sculpted. Gold is, in its purest form, flexible and soft. It is liable to bending and twisting as well, which is helpful in the hand making of fanciful gold broaches and embroidered medallions.

Embossed decoration in handmade jewelry is made by first heating the gold or other jewelry metal, and then gently hammering a pattern into the back surface of the metal. The resulting embroidery is fashionably unique. It has a one-of-a-kind motif that can never be replicated in the same style again. This innate quality of rarity and distinctivness is what sets handmade jewelry apart from all other types of jewelry on the market.

Handmade jewelry is not only crafted from common jewelry metals. Oftentimes, handmade pieces include a mix of ceramic, plaster, or wooden beads; iron, copper, and soft-metal wires; ribbons or coils; and precious gems. It is this eclectic look of eccentric styles that appeals to almost every tasteeven those of the world’s pickiest and most popular fashionistas.

Natalie Inger

Handmade Jewelry

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