Beautiful. Elegant. Lustrous. These are just three adjectives normally used when asked to describe Akoya Pearl Necklaces. A contemporary piece of jewelry, each pearl necklace is hand-knotted individually showing a silky luster. Brilliant Japanese pearls, it is always a pleasure receiving Akoya pearl necklaces.

Although something so rare and precious does come with a price. The average price for an Akoya pearl necklace is $4000 dollars. Some stores offer a discount especially during the Holidays though.

But if you can afford getting yourself or a significant other one, why not? Akoya pearl necklaces assure fine beadwork, awe-inspiring luster effect and a brilliance that is so stunning that when worn, they seem to be diamonds fresh out from the sea. Akoya pearl necklaces have then on become symbols for beauty and elegance and one of the most popular pearls the world over.

Akoya pearls are graded using AAA, AA+, AA and A.

AAA pearls are those belonging to the Top 1% of the harvest. Their luster is excellent and they are 96% blemish free. Their matching is excellent, they have a round shape and a thick nacre.

The AA+ pearls are those that came from the top 5% of the harvest. Their luster is also excellent and they are 90 to 95% blemish free. Their matching is excellent, they have a round shape and a thick nacre.

The AA pearls are those belonging to the Top 20% of the harvest. Their luster is very good and they are 80 to 90% blemish free. Their matching is very good, their shape is round and their nacre ranges from medium to thick.

The A pearls are those belonging to the Top 50% of the harvest. Their luster is very good and their blemishes are moderate when set on the light. They have good matching and a round shape.

Every pearl necklace retailer know that if there are two kinds of pearl necklaces competing head-to-head for the demands of the jewelry-loving market, it would have to be the Japanese Akoya Pearls and the Chinese Akoya Pearls. The normal public would go, “What’s the difference? They’re both pearls.” Alas, my friend, you think wrong. There is still a difference between the two, therefore the competition.

When it comes to pearls, Japan has the best and most precious ones out there. Considering that theirs are the most spherical in shape. In the pearl industry, the rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is.

Japanese Akoya pearls is the epitome for the classic quality and grace of what pearl necklaces should be. Pearliculture in Japan is one of the highest paid labor in the world because of the tedious procedure of cultivating and getting the pearls from the oysters and mussels.

But because there are so much competition out there, Japanese Akoya pearl industry being number one just had to come to a halt. It was obvious for the last half-decade but it was only with the strong supply of Chinese Akoya pearl necklaces pouring in did the expected actually occurred.

Regardless, even if it were Japanese of Chinese Akoya pearl necklaces, the price remains the same because of the rarity and the precious quality this piece of jewelry represents. The twist of this whole competing for the best pearl necklace is that Japanese factories are quickly becoming the largest consumers of the Chinese Akoya pearl farmers. Pearls from China are imported into Japan and then later on tagged “Made in Japan.”

Akoya pearl necklaces today obviously contain Chinese Akoya pearls. To say that it is Japanese Akoya pearls kinda raises the question if it really is. Is it really the rare spherical black Akoya pearls Japan is known for or is it merely made in Japan?

But it is still a consumers right to know whether he is paying the right price for the necklace he is purchasing. Generally, people believe that if the Akoya pearl necklaces came from Japan, it is expensive. For them to not feel cheated, they must not take the “Made in Japan” tag seriously.

Studies show that 80% of Akoya pearl necklaces are actually Chinese cultured pearls. The strands may be from Japan but the pearls are really from China.

Another question is that what about the manufacturers that gets their Akoya pearl stocks directly from Japanese farms. The answer is that Japan pearl farms sell their pearls to factories where the items are bleached, polished, matched and drilled. Never do they sell directly to the retailers.

Because of the estimated 80% Chinese pearls and 20% Japanese pearls, it is extremely hard to figure out the understandable profit when it comes to Akoya pearl necklace-making.

For all times jewelry has remained the most desired gift for a woman. However, choosing an appropriate piece of jewelry isn’t easy despite a big amount of offered adornments. Some adornments suit for every day and are good for any dress and occasion – they are rather small and moderate, but elegant and always fashionable. Other ones are meant for celebrations – parties, anniversaries, weddings. This kind of jewelry is allowed to be more remarkable. However, the most expensive adornment doesn’t always mean the most suitable one.

The latter-date fashion is rich in the astonishing variety of designers’ know-hows. One can get lost while choosing jewelry from thousands of perfect examples of jewelers’ art. However, no matter what, you will never make a mistake if you choose classics. It has passed the most difficult test – time check-up. It includes chains plaited in all possible ways – the adornments offered by famous Coco Chanel and enthusiastically accepted by public that remain popular up to this very day.

Rings take a special part in jewelers’ art. They are worn by almost every woman. But are they really beautify? Indeed they are, if suit to a person’s style. Women of a small height with tiny hands would rather wear narrow rings with one or several small jewels. Rings with oval or pear-shaped gemstones visually make a hand more delicate and refined. Girls and young women are recommended to wear rings with one small jewel, for middle-aged women rings with bigger jewels or scatterings of tiny ones are preferred. For shorter fingers one shouldn’t choose large wide rings. It is not recommended to wear more than two rings.

Jewelry, as long as clothes, is meant for emphasizing all one’s benefits and stressing all attractive features. An appropriately selected jewel can attract attention to an eye color, necklaces or chains with pendants – to delicate neck skin. It is not recommended to wear a big amount of jewelry or adornments that disagree in style or color.

Jewelry is different for every season and occasion. In summer the choice of adornments is almost unlimited. However, in winter, clothes and jewelry should be more moderate and reasonable. The adornments for the winter season are not very remarkable – small clips or earrings to emphasize complexion would suit perfectly.

Diamonds and other jewels, pearls, golden and silver adornments look most impressive in the evening light. Large brooches, pendants, necklaces, big earrings, bracelets of various colors of shine perfectly combine with evening dresses. Sometimes a tiny piece of jewelry can change a person completely, if the adornment is stylish and correctly selected. Appropriate earrings create harmony between one’s figure and the shoulder line. Earrings with pendants or large and round ones are not recommended for women with broad face or glasses. Such kind of earrings would rather be worn by young and middle-aged women with oval face. Small flat earrings perfectly suit for round-faced women. Young girls would rather avoid large earrings.

A high-necked dress combines with either beads or earrings. For a lower-cut décolleté both kinds of adornments can be used.

Bracelets are usually worn on the right hand. Moreover, bracelets with jewels should fit tightly to the hand and the hoop-shaped or chain-shaped ones should be loose. For both hands only twin bracelets can be worn. Thin wrists can be beautified by a set of delicate bracelets. However, such kind of adornment isn’t the best choice for a woman with plump hands – it would hide all her attractive features.

On the whole, one can wear large and tiny adornments, a single one or a set of jewelry, colored and of various shapes, materials and combinations. There is only one condition – jewelry should be of impeccable taste.

However, this is only theory. While choosing jewelry, a man can hardly determine a personal style of a woman to select the best adornment. Here are several simple pieces of advice that can help you in this challenge:
1) Look and listen!

To understand what jewelry is preferred by a women sometimes a quick research of already existing adornments is quite enough. In that way, you can determine her individual style and understand which adornments are still lacking. For example, if your special person wears pearl necklace she will be happy to be presented with a pair of refined pearl earrings. You can unexpectedly show her pictures of jewelry and ask her about her likes and dislikes. Her answer will help you in your research.

To select a ring you can measure the diameter of her ring. That will be necessary for a shop assistant to offer the needed size.

If your special person has thin fingers then buy her a wider setting or smaller gemstone, as larger gemstones on thin settings will have tendency to twist and turn. If you are set on a larger gemstone then have the jeweler modify the ring with the addition of 2 small spheres of gold soldered at 8 and 4 o’clock on the inside of ring shank. This will allow the ring to slip over the knuckle but provide a tighter fit around the finger keeping the gemstone on top for everyone to see.
2) Appreciate her personality!

If she is a romantic kind of person, present her with a heart-shaped pendant, necklace or a ring with a heart-shaped gemstone. If she prefers classics or business style then an elegant diamond ring, a pair of refined diamond earrings or a flat-unit chain is the best choice.

Earrings are an excellent choice, but it is important to know if she has pierced ears or prefers clip-on mountings. Does she like long earrings or does she prefer studs.

But you can do even more than that! Sun, dolphins, butterflies and other beautiful shapes would be really appreciated by her. You would rather avoid ultrafashionable designers’ adornments or a just-for-a-party style since you are sure she would definitely like that.
3) Ask her friends!

Her sister, mother or friends can tell you about her likes and help you choose the best sphere for research. You can definitely ask her by watching what attracts her attention at the jeweler’s.
4) Do homework!

Knowing what colors she likes to wear can help you in deciding what color of gemstone would match her wardrobe, especially if its earrings or a necklace. Know her skin tone or dominant make up color as different colors of gold look better on different skin tones or make-up colors.

Your beloved one can be unsatisfied if you present her with a jewel that doesn’t agree with her horoscope.

Jewels and gemstones are believed to have special features and supernatural powers according to the Zodiac signs. They say, precious gemstones give magical protection to the people that have them as talismans. They help in achieving goals, granting wishes, protect from illnesses and misfortune.

Jewels are often involved in various legends, superstitions and beliefs. Only presented or bought jewels are considered to be true talismans.

Know about all dates that are important for her. Presents are not just for birthdays or Christmas – they are always welcome.
5) Present stylishly!

If you choose a remember about an appropriate chain, so that she could wear it at once. You would rather pack it into a beautiful box and present it together with flowers. Romantic atmosphere would also be perfect for such occasion!

To be sure about the present for the next time you can buy a set of jewelry and present it in parts. For example, you can give her a ring for Christmas and the earrings from that very set – for the wedding anniversary.
6) And the most important one:

If you are still unsure about a gift – present her with a diamond ring.

Most of the women want a large diamond; remember that a larger diamond creates the illusion of power, wealth and influence. But to some women that may not be comfortable to wear. So it is always better for your special person to be humble with a smaller diamond which will not clash with her persona, something she may feel at ease wearing that is more humble to her soul. This will avoid a gaudy yet risky to wear ring also in fear of having it stolen. The size of the ring has to be decided as per the size of the finger also – the bigger the finger the bigger the diamond, the smaller the finger the smaller the diamond. Otherwise, the ring may once again look overawing unfit to her beautiful finger.

If you’re looking for the best accessory to sparkle up your wardrobe, look no further. Black pearls, or what is also known as Tahitian pearls, come all the way from the lagoon of French Polynesia or the deep recesses of Japanese ocean. They come in a wide range of colors – black, blue, gray, green and brown.

Color really depends on the personal taste of the wearer but most of the time black pearl necklaces have blue, gold, silver pink, eggplant and peacock green overtones.

About the cost, the rate is that darker the Tahitian black pearl, then the more valuable it is in the pearl industry. Also just like any pearl, the rounder the shape, the more expensive it is. This is because pearl industry aficionados know how difficult it is to obtain a perfect spherical pearl from oysters and mussels.

Another rule of thumb is that overtones also affect the price of the pearl. A black pearl that is solid in color and has no overtone whatsoever does not even amount to half of a black pearl containing overtones.

Pearl makers know that a good way to capitalize on the variety and beauty of the Tahitain black pearls is to make a strand containing various overtone shades. In that way, not only will the buyer have the liberty to add dimension to the outfit she’ll we wearing the pearls with, she can also play up her looks – from professional to casual.

Black pearl necklaces often come from the South Seas, most of which from Tahiti. Famous to be expensive because of their demand in the pearl-making industry, South Sea black pearl necklaces are also known for their size which is larger than the usual pearl. Tahitian black pearls ranges from 8 mm to 18 mm. The ironic thing is that of all the South Sea black pearls out there, the Tahitian black pearl is the cheapest – but the most popular.

If buying a black pearl necklace, it is important that you know what you exactly you are looking for. You must know the value of the necklace you’re fancying as well as whether you could still stretch your buck and allow you to get the best possible Tahitian black pearl necklace for you.

Getting a black pearl necklace is often suggested to each and every woman out there because it will revamp any wardrobe, making it fashionable, elegant and classic.

Here are some tips that can help you decide whether the black pearl necklace you are fancying is worth paying the price for.

1.) Always check the color. Yes it really depends on the preference of the buyer on what kind of color to get but as much as possible, try to not get the solid black pearls if you regard it as an investment. The more overtones a pearl has, the more valuable it is. Therefore choose a pearl that has blue, green, red, purple or pink overtones.

2.) The luster provides the shine to the pearl. This is the most valued feature. In fact, it is more important than the size and the shape. The clearer the reflection, the more luster the pearl has.

3.) Because it is extremely hard to get pearls to begin with, getting pearls that are perfectly round is harder. Therefore, another rule is that the rounder the pearl, the more expensive it must be in the pearl market.

4.) Just like all things that are living, no two pearls are alike. There will always be a difference with each one. The blemishes to a pearl are like the veins to a leaf. This what sets it apart from the other pearls. If you’re skimming through black pearl necklaces, check the surface. Avoid the blemishes. A solid black pearl necklace that has no scratch or blemish whatsoever is a rarity.

You must also check the strands of the necklace you are buying. Make sure that they won’t tarnish. A tarnished pearl necklace is awful to look at.

In the pearl industry, cultured pearls are also more valuable than the natural pearls. Natural pearls were obtained straight from the nacre of mollusks and oysters underneath the sea whereas the production of cultured pearls have been assisted by expert pearl farmers.

A cultured black pearl necklace is slightly more expensive than the natural black pearl necklace all because of the added labor to producing it.

Regardless, black pearl necklaces are an investment and any woman would be so happy getting one – especially this Holiday season.

Making jewelry using the wire-wrap technique is easy to learn and the techniques can be used to create unique and beautiful pieces of wearable art. You will need some specialized jewelry-making tools to begin, but your investment will be repaid quickly once you start producing pieces.

BASIC TOOLS REQUIRED
Before you start making wire-wrapped jewelry, you will need a few tools. Several sets of pliers including round-nose, chain-nose, and flat-nose are needed as well as a pair of side cutters. A pin vise is very handy for holding the wire while you are working with it. You will also need a ring mandrel for bending smooth curves and sizing rings, a rawhide mallet, a millimeter gauge, needle file, steel ruler, and steel scribe. You should be able to get all of these items for under $60.00 from a good craft shop or company that specializes in jewelry tools and equipment.

OPTIONAL BUT NICE TO HAVE
There is always some tool that is utterly essential for doing one thing only and if you are doing that one thing a lot you can't live without it. A wire twister tool falls into this category. You can do small amounts of wire twisting without it, but if you decide that you really like using this technique in your creations, you will want to own one. They cost less than $30.00, so this is not a huge investment.

A really useful gadget to get for wire wrapping is a bending jig. This tool will help you make uniform bends and curves in your wire. A very nice jig is called the Wigjig® and consists of an acrylic board with holes drilled in it. You insert metal pegs in the holes to create patterns around which the wire is wrapped. They cost $30-50, depending on size. A very serviceable jig can be had for less than $10, however and until you learn the techniques it would make sense to start with this one.

If you are going to be making a lot of necklaces, by all means get a bead board. These are inexpensive and make it much easier to lay out your designs. Some are made to hold multi-strands of beads and some only one. All of them have little open compartments for holding your extra beads while designing.

Tweezers and hand-lenses are always handy when dealing with small beads. Also, pair of end-cutters is useful to have as well.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WIRE

* In general, use 20G wire for earrings, 18G wire for Bracelet components and 18 or 16 G wire for necklace components.
* In general use 20 or 22G wire for making wrapped bead links in bracelets and necklaces.
* In general don't use 22G wire to make a wire component that must stand by itself, unless that component is very small.
* In general, when buying 16G wire, buy soft wire, half-hard may be too stiff.
* In general use soft wire for spirals and half-hard wire where you will have wrapped loops.
* When making an ear wire, consider 20 or 21G wire. 22G wire is probably too thin and may be uncomfortable to wear.
* Do not use Artistic Wire or any other dyed wire for making ear wires. The dyes have chemicals that do not belong inside the human body.

TYPE OF WIRE TO BUY FOR WRAPPING
There are many choices available for wire wrapping. Start out with 18 - 20 gauge wire. The best metal for the beginner to learn on is brass, also known as Jeweler's Bronze or Merlin's Gold. Brass wire is very inexpensive and is sold in 1-pound coils. You should expect to get approximately 340 feet of 20-gauge brass wire in a pound for about $10. This will be plenty to learn on and if you make mistakes you won't feel bad about wasting precious metal. Brass is attractive for jewelry and many people like it instead of gold or silver.

In addition to brass, there is copper, sterling silver, gold-filled, and niobium to choose from. Niobium comes in lots of interesting colors, including teal, purple, blue, and gold. Niobium is very popular for costume jewelry and easy to work with, but is more expensive than silver. Gold wire in 14K or 18K it the most expensive metal to work in and should not be used by beginners.

You should buy wire designated "half-hard" except for brass. Buy "full-soft" brass wire because brass is much harder than sterling silver, gold, or copper. You can do wire wrapping with "full-soft" silver but it will not be as durable and will bend out of shape easily. "Full-hard" will be very difficult to work with.

Catalogs from companies that specialize in selling tools and materials for jewelry making usually have lots of useful information throughout, suggestions on correct gauge wire to purchase for a specific job, how to use different and unusual materials, etc. Many companies also have toll-free phone numbers for customers with questions.

HOW TO DO IT – MAKING A NECKLACE WITH BEADS AND WIRE
Start by selecting the beads you will be using for your necklace. Large glass or stone beads will be your best choice. Make sure the beads you want to use all have holes large enough to slip easily onto the gauge wire you will be using. Lay out your beads in the bead board or on a towel. Fiddle them around until you have a pleasing arrangement, leaving space between each one to allow for the wire connections. A nice touch is to select a single unusual bead or shape as the central piece. This can be either one large and two flanking smaller beads or a special carved pendant that matches the other beads in the necklace. This will create a bit of visual interest and mark the lowest point of the necklace.

Using either "full-soft" brass or "half-hard" sterling silver wire in 18 or 20 gauge and your round-nose pliers, begin at one end by making a hang-man's noose ring as one half of your clasp. Estimate how much wire you will need for the large ring and smaller ring and cut off this length. Make the larger ring first and wrap the free end of wire around at the base of the loop, then make a smaller ring to attach to the next in the series. Cut pieces of wire the approximate size you think you will need (as you become more experienced this will get easier) and make a small loop in one end, insert the long end through a bead and make another loop. Cut off the excess wire. Continue this way until all the beads but the last one have been wired.

Using the flat-nose pliers, open each loop slightly and begin to connect them, closing the loop (as for jump rings) as you go. On the last bead, you will need to make a hook to fasten into the loop on the first bead to close the necklace. Cut a piece of wire approximately the correct size and make a small loop like in the other beads. Bend the longer end of the wire in half and back onto itself to form a hook to fasten a closure. Wrap your ends neatly around the shank of the hook and snip off any extra wire.

This is a very basic necklace using the wire-wrap technique. You can make it more interesting by adding more links of wire and using fewer beads. This is where the bending jig comes in handy, for making unusually shaped links and having them all come out the same.

FINISHING
Examine each loop to make sure they are closed tightly. File smooth any sharp or rough edges. Buff the metal with a polishing cloth and rinse the beads if they have become smeared with fingerprints.

Customized mother bracelets, also called name bracelets, are wonderful gifts to give this Christmas holiday. At a recent craft show I attended several people were discussing gift giving and how a customized bracelet would be a wonderful gift to give loved ones. There are several factors to take into consideration before making this purchase.

First, consider the components used in the bracelet. If you want a top quality bracelet, one must make sure that sterling silver and/or gold-filled beads are used. If the price seems a little too good to be true, you can probably assume sterling silver and gold-filled beads were not used.

Secondly, look at the size of letter beads used. A mother or grandmother bracelet should have the larger 5.6 mm letter blocks. This size is much better proportioned for an adult wrist. The reverse also applies. Smaller 4.5 mm letter blocks should only be used for someone with a very small wrist, such as a child.

Thirdly, determine what clasp you like. Normally you can choose either a toggle clasp or a lobster claw clasp. I have been told by many customers that although the toggle clasp in some opinions is prettier, the lobster claw clasp will insure the bracelet stays on your wrist and will not fall off. When you have such an expensive, personalized piece of jewelry you don't want to take any chances that you will lose it.

Lastly, find out what the shipping costs are. It only costs between .60 to .80 cents to send a bracelet across the country through first class mail. Many companies charge a flat $5 shipping fee. Companies should not be making money off of shipping charges. Also, first class mail only takes 4 to 5 days at the most to reach a destination across the country, which is not bad considering we wait longer for orders that are made off of the television or magazines.

Customized mother bracelets really do make wonderful gifts. If you decide this would be a wonderful gift for a loved one this Christmas, remember not to wait until December to order. This is a very busy time for customized bracelet companies and orders can become backed up longer than usual because of the holiday season.

This coming up year, brides are looking for unique and beautiful bridal and bridesmaid jewelry. More and more brides are turning to bridal jewelry designers that design beautiful bridal jewelry that can be worn again and again. The bridal and bridesmaid gown designers are kicking off their new styles with beautiful pastels and bright colors. With these new spring and summer colors, brides with weddings in the New Year are sure to find the perfect color combination for their bridesmaids and themselves.

Finding the perfect bridal and bridesmaid jewelry for your wedding day is one of the most important accessories you and your maids will wear to pull your entire look together. Every bride wants to be a show stopper, and the proper selection of bridal jewelry will do just that. Whether you are a traditional bride that loves pearls, or need to have sparkle in your bridal jewelry, there are great new designers making those options available to all brides.

Brides that give beautiful bridesmaid jewelry to their maids for wedding gifts will be thanked by their friends for years to come. Finding the most appropriate bridesmaid jewelry that your maids can wear again after the wedding is essential. No one wants a one time gift and brides that take that into consideration are of the most thoughtful. Giving jewelry as a gift is one of the best ideas for women. We all love to look and feel beautiful, wearing the most beautiful bridal and bridesmaid jewelry will assist in your entire bridesmaid jewelry and accessory look and feel.

This year brides should shop around at bridal boutique online and in stores to find the perfect bridal and bridesmaid jewelry that will accent their entire bridal look and feel. Many bridal boutiques are now offering more customization with necklace and bracelet lengths. This makes it easier on the bride that has many different size bridesmaids and one size just won’t fit all. Look for these bridal boutiques that take that extra special step to ensure that your bridal and bridesmaid jewelry looks the best on each of the individuals in your wedding. Whatever your selections, make sure that it matches your bridal and bridesmaids gownA diamond is a tetrahedral carbon crystal grown within the earth under the right conditions of chemistry, temperature and pressure. Diamonds are found naturally in igneous rock brought close to the surface in volcanic flues. Very small diamonds are also formed by meteor impacts which create the right heat and pressure conditions for nearly instantaneous crystal growth.

A Chatham diamond is a tetrahedral carbon crystal grown in a controlled environment under the right conditions of chemistry, temperature and pressure. In other words, a Chatham diamond is not merely like a diamond - it is a diamond - with the same hardness, chemical composition and crystal structure as any diamond dug from the earth.

Carroll F. Chatham began growing gemstone quality emerald crystals in his laboratory in 1938 from a "seed" of naturally occurring emerald. After about 65 years of research and experimentation the Chatham Company is now able to grow gemstone quality diamond crystals with the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. Chatham is not the only producer of synthetic diamonds although it is one of the few companies able to produce gemstone quality diamonds. Most synthetic diamonds are used in industrial and electronics applications.

A Chatham diamond has the same hardness (10), specific gravity (3.5), refractive index (2.4), dispersion (0.044) and melting point (3820 kelvin) as a mined diamond. Chatham diamonds are grown to 1 or 1.5 carats in about 14 months. They are cut and polished the same way as any other diamond gemstone.

The geographic origin of mined diamonds can be determined through the examination of inclusions and trapped crystal imperfections which are peculiar to say Brazilian or African diamonds. Chatham diamonds also have a crystalline signature and are distinguishable in the same way as mined diamonds, and in no other way.

What most distinguishes a Chatham diamond from its mined counterpart is that the Chatham diamond is brought to market without the same social, political and economic burdens. As a result Chatham diamonds can be purchased for less money. as well as your wedding colors and themes. You and your bridesmaids will thank you for it.

There are several varieties of knitting machines. The most common is the single bed machine which frequently can be found for a minimal cost at estate sales, auctions and on EBay. All machines have an instruction manual which is essential for newcomers to the craft. To become an experienced machine knitter, the beginner should gain a familiarity with the basic techniques using yarn before trying wire.

Machine knitting is efficient and versatile. The wire knit on a machine will take the form of a flat sheet. The sheet can be any width or length the knitter chooses. In fact, the width of the sheet can be increased or decreased during the knitting process by adding or removing needles on either or both ends. The machine knit piece can also be made into a pliable tube which can encase a cord or beads for stylish contemporary jewelry.

KNITTING WIRE
The primary adaptation from yarn to successful wire knitting is the hand manipulation of stitches. By not using the carriage, the knitter maintains control of the tension and eliminates dropped stitches. Although the knitter may want to experiment with other wire sizes, thirty gauge wire is the recommended choice for beginners. Below are the steps to follow when using a machine to knit wire:

1. Decide how wide the finished piece should be and pull forward the appropriate number of needles. (Note: Seven needles make a piece that is approximately one inch wide.)
2. Thread the machine and cast scrap yarn onto the selected needles. Knit six to ten yarn rows with the machine carriage, inserting claw weights into the yarn after a few rows of stitching.(Note: Weights keep the stitches firmly inside the hook as the next stitch is formed.)
3. Cut the yarn. Unthread the yarn from the machine. Move the carriage to the right side.
4. Thread the wire onto the machine but not through the carriage. (Note: Wire should be threaded onto the machine to provide tension, to maintain uniformity in stitch size, and to prevent kinks.)
5. Leaving a two to five inch tail, begin hand knitting the wire manually. Push a needle forward from the working position until the stitch slides back on the shaft, opening the latch. Lay the wire on the hook and push the needle back to working position. As the needle pushes back, the old stitch slips forward closing the latch and going over the new stitch. (see Figure 1)
6. Repeat step 5 for all stitches in the row.
7. Move the counter by hand at the end of each row to keep track of rows. (Note: Approximately eighteen rows equal one inch.)
8. Continue hand manipulating stitches keeping the tension even until the piece is the desired length.
9. If the piece is to be a flat sheet, leave a two to five inch tail; if the piece is to be a tube, measure the wire so that it is three times longer than the knit sheet. Cut.
10. Unthread the wire and thread the yarn through the machine and onto the carriage. Using the carriage, knit three to five rows of scrap yarn onto the wire piece. Remove the piece from the machine. Begin to create!

FINISHING FLAT JEWELRY
To create a flat piece, weave the tails into the first and final rows of the piece and remove the yarn. Shape the flat sheet into the selected design and use the remaining tails to sew any seams together or to create loops. An example of machine knit flat jewelry is the fourteen caret gold pendant pictured below:

FINISHING TUBE JEWELRY
Use the yarn knitter’s Kitchener stitch to make a seamless tube around a cord: (see Figure 2.)

1. Weave the tails into the first and final rows of the piece and remove the yarn. Wrap the flat knit sheet around a cord.
2. Bring the long wire tail (with or without a tapestry needle) through the first stitch on one side from below and pull through that stitch.
3. Cross to the other side and insert the wire into the first stitch from above. Insert the wire into the second stitch from below. Be careful to keep the wire taut with each insertion.
4. Cross to the first side. Insert the wire into the first stitch from above (where the wire had come out before). Insert the wire from below into the second stitch.
5. Continue until entire seam is closed.
6. Draw the wire wrapped cord through increasingly smaller holes on a drawplate.

An example of machine knit tube on a cord is the fine silver and polished cotton bracelet pictured below:

The Kitchener stitch is also a technique to use to enclose beads into a machine knit tube. Follow the stitching directions above without the cord to make a hollow tube. Insert the wire through a bead at regular intervals before crossing to the other side for new stitches. An example of a fine silver machine knit tube that encloses colored glass beads is the bubble necklace pictured below:

Variations on these models are endless. In the hands of a creative artisan who has mastered these few simple processes, the knitting machine will find new life, and the creator will discover enormous satisfaction.

This coming up year, brides are looking for unique and beautiful bridal and bridesmaid jewelry. More and more brides are turning to bridal jewelry designers that design beautiful bridal jewelry that can be worn again and again. The bridal and bridesmaid gown designers are kicking off their new styles with beautiful pastels and bright colors. With these new spring and summer colors, brides with weddings in the New Year are sure to find the perfect color combination for their bridesmaids and themselves.

Finding the perfect bridal and bridesmaid jewelry for your wedding day is one of the most important accessories you and your maids will wear to pull your entire look together. Every bride wants to be a show stopper, and the proper selection of bridal jewelry will do just that. Whether you are a traditional bride that loves pearls, or need to have sparkle in your bridal jewelry, there are great new designers making those options available to all brides.

Brides that give beautiful bridesmaid jewelry to their maids for wedding gifts will be thanked by their friends for years to come. Finding the most appropriate bridesmaid jewelry that your maids can wear again after the wedding is essential. No one wants a one time gift and brides that take that into consideration are of the most thoughtful. Giving jewelry as a gift is one of the best ideas for women. We all love to look and feel beautiful, wearing the most beautiful bridal and bridesmaid jewelry will assist in your entire bridesmaid jewelry and accessory look and feel.

This year brides should shop around at bridal boutique online and in stores to find the perfect bridal and bridesmaid jewelry that will accent their entire bridal look and feel. Many bridal boutiques are now offering more customization with necklace and bracelet lengths. This makes it easier on the bride that has many different size bridesmaids and one size just won’t fit all. Look for these bridal boutiques that take that extra special step to ensure that your bridal and bridesmaid jewelry looks the best on each of the individuals in your wedding. Whatever your selections, make sure that it matches your bridal and bridesmaids gowns as well as your wedding colors and themes. You and your bridesmaids will thank you for it.

Rubies have long been thought to have healing properties in treating both the blood and matters of the heart. When you say the word ruby you immediately visualize the colorful images of this stone, as well as an emotional response of passion, romance, and power. Yes that's the power and the beauty of a ruby! The deep rich color of the ruby ranges from fiery orange red to deep purple red. This rare gem is one of the most expensive gems and one of the most sought after.

The ruby has a history steeped in mystery and medicine. For centuries it has been used to cure and protect. Ancient cultures believed the ruby could cure ailments of the digestive system, energize the blood, and treat the heart. Warriors wore the ruby into battle because of its protective qualities.

The ruby as a gemstone for jewelry has a very interesting history. The crown of Charles IV of Luxembourg from the 1300s held a gem quality ruby that was a whopping 250 carats. The Smithsonian is home to a 137 carat cabochon star ruby. The most expensive ruby ever sold at auction was a 15.97 carat stone that sold for $3.63 million in 1988. No matter their size or value all can agree that the ruby is a powerfully beautiful gem.

If you are in the market to buy a ruby [rubies] you should buy the best quality gem you can afford. Don't go for size—go for quality. You'll not be disappointed. Rubies are treated with heat to enhance their color. Look for rubies that are a deep fiery red with not too much purple hue. The more visible purple the less the value. Almost all quality rubies have inclusions, although they will not be visible to the naked eye, so you'll need to examine under a loope. When purchasing your ruby look for a clear stone with few inclusions. If you have to choose between good color and more inclusions or poor color and few inclusions go for the “best color”. The cut of the ruby is important. A good cut will make the ruby look like it is glowing with a deep fire. Inspect the stone under good lighting to ensure there are no chips or scratches.

The different geographical sources of the ruby each produce specific characteristics, colors, and qualities. Burma is famous for producing the greatest amount of top quality rubies in a fine, clear, deep red. Burma is the most important source of rubies today. Thailand is known for dark red to brownish rubies. Ceylon [Sri Lanka] is known for medium to light rubies. Africa is known for small purplish red stones.

The ruby is steeped in history. Ruby is July's birthstone and is named the King of Gems. Its history is recorded as far back as the Bible and ancient Sanskrit writings. The name ruby is derived from the Latin word for red – rubrum. It is the sister to the sapphire from the corundum family, which is a crystal structure composed of aluminum oxide. Red corundum is called ruby. All other colors are part of the sapphire family. Ruby is the most valuable member of the corundum family. In fact large rubies have been known to bring more at auction than the most flawless diamonds. This is because of the rarity of gem quality ruby stone.

If you are in the market for a ruby be certain to follow the guidelines provided in this article. Rubies are also being grown in a laboratory and are becoming available in the market in limited quantities. These grown rubies are of identical composition, hardness, and brilliance to natural rubies. Synthetic rubies are also available for a fraction of the cost. So for those of us with more limited pocket books we may have to look at purchasing a synthetic or lab grown ruby. No one can dispute the beauty and mystery of the beautiful ruby gemstone!

Diamonds, Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Moissanite are crystalline structures. Diamond is comprised entirely of carbon, CZ is zirconium oxide, and Moissanite is silicon carbide (silicon + carbon). Their crystalline structures are formed under intense heat, in the ground or in the laboratory.

Diamonds and Moissanite occur naturally although Moissanite only in extremely small quantities, and then only in certain meteor craters. All three are very close optically and only a trained gemologist, often with the need of special equipment, could differentiate a diamond from a CZ or Moissanite gemstone.

Diamonds are the hardest substance with a Mohs rating of 10, the highest available number. Moissanite is very close to diamond hardness at 9.25. CZ is also a very hard substance with a Mohs rating of 8.5 - 9.0. All of them will cut glass. Hardness is important for cutting gemstone facets as it determines the intricacy and sharpness of the cuts that can be made. A gemstone's facets also determine how it it will display its fire and brilliance.

A gemstone's fire is its ability to disperse white light into many colors, like a prism. This characteristic is easily noticeable on earrings and necklaces. Moissanite is the fire champ by far and will shoot blue and green flashes in even moderate light. Diamond, the gemstone most historically commented for its fire, has less fire than CZ. It is somewhat ironic that after centuries of valuing diamonds for their fire that Moissanite and CZ get devalued for exhibiting even greater fire.

Brilliance is a gemstone's ability to capture light. When light hits the stone at a certain angle it actually gets trapped temporarily inside the stone. A diamond or other gemstone displays brilliance as the trapped light reflects upon itself and makes the gemstone sparkle in brilliant light pulses. Again the champ, Moissanite has the most brilliance. On the refractive scale CZ is 2.2, diamond 2.4 and Moissanite 2.7. Crown glass, for example, has a refractive index of 1.5.

Diamonds, Cubic Zirconia, and Moissanite look very much alike. They differ in the physical characteristics that matter most for jewelry only by degrees of hardness, fire, and brilliance. A well cut Cubic Zirconia gemstone in an attractive setting would almost certainly be more appealing to the eye than a mediocre diamond piece.

Price and lore are the most conspicuous differences.

Gemstones are one of this world's great miracles. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. I love them all but Emeralds, especially, are very dear to me.

Other than displaying my favorite color, these wonderful green stones also represent in my opinion what being human is all about. I'll explain.

They are one of the few gemstones where flaws and imperfections are tolerable and considered part of their natural beauty. A natural emerald is created over the course of many years under intense geothermal pressure, and the inclusions are a shorthand diary of that stone's birth pains and growth history. Because of these imperfections they are especially unique. You can easily tell a natural emerald from a synthetic one because the genuine has these flaws. Emeralds are one of the most difficult gems to cut and although they boast a hardness of 7.5, they tend to be brittle, and if handled improperly, will chip or break. A perfect, flawless emerald is almost impossible to find.

A few years ago, many positive but frightening changes took over my life demanding a great deal of courage from me. As a reminder of my bravery I've decided to reward myself with a gorgeous emerald ring, a natural one of course.

Now, every time I'm wearing my beautiful ring, it reminds me of many of my own qualities. Because, like a natural emerald, I only became the person I am now after experiencing intense pressure, allowing me to grow. Just like my genuine emerald, I am unique, colorful, bright, valuable (just because I exist,) intense, stunningly “set,” and gently flawed. We all share these great qualities and also carry those little flaws that contribute on making us so unique. And although we differ in size, shape and color, we are all constantly seeking to fit into our best “setting.”

The emerald is the zodiacal gem for those born under the sign of Taurus, and is the May birth stone. Naturally, everyone looks good in emerald jewelry, so there's no need to feel left out if you were, like me, born in some other month.

If you feel passionately about this gem like I do, and still don't own an uniquely crafted natural emerald ring, please do yourself a favor and begin your hunt for this treasure now.

When buying a piece of jewelry that is made with gemstones, you are buying more than just a pretty bracelet or necklace.

Gemstones have a special quality in energy, this can help you in a very gentle way.

Gemstones, rocks and minerals can be seen as a very slow lifeform. Here on this planet we are surrounded by petrified life that has been formed long before human beings counted for much, let alone that there were so many of us! Our energy is so hectic that it can benefit from gemstones quite a bit.

The influence of gemstones is very subtle in nature and their qualities should be seen in that light. For instance, if you have broken a leg, putting a crystal on it is not going to give an immediate effect. However, if you wear that crystal so it can calm you down and help you accept that you have to take things slow because you have broken your leg, then it is helping you to its best ability.

I always encourage people to intuitively choose the right gemstone for them. If it feels right, trust me, it's the right one for you. There are many lists available on how to use which gemstone for what ailment. Even though this can be handy, it cannot beat your own intuition. If you think you cannot do that, just let your hand decide. Whatever your hand picks, is probably the right one for you. Or if it seems to jump out of the picture to you, go for that one!

Even better: some gemstones will have a positive effect no matter what the circumstances, such as rock crystal quartz or pink crystal quartz (see pictures). Rock crystal is excellent for clearing a space - or your head - of energies that do not belong there.

Pink quartz brings harmony to a room. Of course the stone is about L-O-V-E, not just for others but very much about love for self. And since this is a quality that many people are lacking, I always recommend it. Wear it to your heart's content!

A freshwater pearl necklace is a beautiful, meaningful, and thoughtful gift that you can give to the most special woman in your life. Whether it’s your wife, mother, or sister, she will surely appreciate having a freshwater pearl necklace from you.

What are Freshwater Pearls? Before we proceed to discussing the mechanics of buying freshwater pearl necklaces, it’s important that you know what freshwater pearls are first and be able to distinguish them from other types of pearls.

Freshwater pearls have been cultivated, cultured, or found in freshwater as opposed to saltwater pearls which have been harvested from seas and oceans. Freshwater pearls can be naturally processed with or without human intervention. Without human interference, pearl divers will have to search for mollusks or oysters where a foreign object has incidentally found its way inside and has been encrusted with layers of nacre, the ingredient mainly responsible for the unique luster of pearls.

With human intervention, pearl divers will insert organ tissue material into another mollusk to generate nacre production. They will also carefully monitor all factors that could affect the growth of pearls to ensure that the end product will come out beautiful and evenly shaped.

How to Choose the Perfect Freshwater Pearl Necklace

Source – Freshwater pearls are produced in various parts of the world although the most famous come from Japan and China. The origin of freshwater pearl necklace can readily affect its price so consider purchasing freshwater pearl necklaces from less-known pearl manufacturers if you’re on a budget.

Size – Just like it is with all sorts of jewelry, the larger the size of the gem – or pearl, in this instance – the higher its value. Of course, larger pearls don’t automatically mean they make the perfect gift. Consider your recipient’s taste when selecting the appropriate size of freshwater pearls used in the necklace.

If your recipient haves fun when she’s the center of attention, she’ll definitely appreciate having large-sized freshwater pearls in her necklace. On the other hand, if your recipient is more appreciative of subtle beauty, she’ll probably be more inclined to choose a necklace that makes use of small to moderate sized freshwater pearls.

Shape – There are numerous pearls that are irregularly shaped because they have been allowed to grow without any external interference. It’s also more likely for saltwater mollusks to produce evenly shaped pearls than freshwater mollusks. If you’re after perfect and evenly shaped freshwater pearls, consider purchasing freshwater cultivated pearls.

Luster – Observe freshwater pearl necklaces in various lights to effectively compare its luster. Some freshwater pearls can glow only in certain types of light but noticeably dim in other types. The best pearls however will glow no matter what light you’re using to observe it with. Of course, the better the luster of freshwater pearls, the higher its value once more.

Skin – Just like any other gem, you should also consider the quality of the freshwater pearl necklace. Does it have any visible blemishes, scratches, or flaws? Since freshwater pearls are sensitive to damage, you might have a hard time looking for one that’s completely free from blemish.

Color – Lastly, consider the color and make sure that it complements the complexion of the recipient.

Beautiful Things Come from Beautifully Wrapped Packages The presentation is almost as important as the gift itself because it shows that you’ve given lots of thought to your gift. If you don’t have any gift-wrapping skills (and most men don’t so there’s no shame in admitting the same thing), consider asking a friend or even a professional to wrap it for you.

There are various designs of jewelry boxes for you to choose from, and some of them are extremely attractive to look at that covering it with gift wrapping paper is mostly unnecessary. A gift ribbon could add a nice embellishment.

If you choose a simple jewelry box then yes, you’ll still need to cover it with gift wrapping paper. As freshwater pearl necklaces are no ordinary gift, make sure that you choose something extra special like glossy paper or silk for the packaging.