Finding a gift for a mother can be very difficult. If you are having problems, a birthstone necklace is a great choice because if it jewelry and tells you mother you thought about her.

If you are looking for a special gift for your mother – whether it's for Mother's Day, Christmas or a birthday, jewelry is always a big hit. Moms love to feel pampered and special on their big days, and jewelry is a great way to show that you really care about her. Some occasions are more special than others, such as an important milestone birthday, or the birth of a new child. In these instances, birthstone necklace may be in order.

There are several different types of mother's jewelry available to choose from, including rings and bracelets as well as necklaces. These pieces can be as simple as a row of birthstones, or they can be seen in a more elaborate display of children's names, ages and representative gemstones. A mothers birthstone necklace can be as ornate or as simple as the taste of the individual mother, and since the jewelry is made as a custom order, individual styles can often be accommodated.

The first thing to do when searching for a birthstone necklace is to be aware of all the birth months of the children involved. For most people that won't be a problem, as the months will either belong to your children or your siblings. In some cases, there is more than one gemstone associated with a birth month – but jewelers will often only offer one choice. The birthstone for April, which is the diamond, is almost always substituted with a cubic zirconia or other simulated diamond – a real diamond would make the jewelry too costly.

There are some unique twists on the mothers birthstone necklace available – such as tiny shoes adorned with the child's birthstones – in male and female styles. Other types of necklaces include those with names (these are often more expensive because of the engraving involved) or those that use a clever device to portray the birthstones – such as a family tree. Mother's jewelry can be found in several different metals, with the most popular being sterling silver and 14kt gold. They can also be found in less expensive silver and gold plate styles.

If you want to purchase a birthstone necklace for your mom's (or wife's) next important holiday, remember that these necklaces take time to create. You will usually have to give the jeweler or jewelry company at least four weeks to complete your piece. This may take some advance planning, but the results will definitely be worth it.

The most precious of the metals used regularly in jewelry has to be platinum. This white-silver metal is the most popular metal used in bridal jewelry today, far surpassing the use of yellow gold and even white gold in engagement rings and wedding bands. A pure metal element, platinum is prized for its color, malleability and wear and tarnish resistant properties. Purchasing platinum is a guaranteed way to make sure that your jewelry will stay in the best condition possible.

Platinum is not only used in the jewelry industry. The fact that it does not corrode but does conduct electricity makes it a prized material in the auto industry, where it is used in catalytic converters and at the tips of spark plugs. Platinum does not oxidize in air the way some other metals do (including silver, which is one of the reasons it is a preferred metal for jewelry), and it is very resistant to many acids and other chemicals. The stability of the electrical conduction that platinum is able to maintain means it can also be used in other spots, such as on the electrodes for electrolysis machines.

Of course, platinum's most obvious spot in the world is as a precious jeweler's metal. Platinum has always been rarer than any other precious metal, and it usually is priced at about twice the cost per ounce as gold. The fact that platinum is so rare and expensive led Louis XV of France to declare that it was the “only metal fit for a king”. It was first used in jewelry by the pre-Columbian Native Americans (found in historical evidence) and was first documented in Europe in 1557.

The rarity of platinum (it is estimated to be found at only five parts per billion in the Earth's crust) is only matched by how hard it is to obtain the metal. It is created today as a byproduct of nickel ore processing, but is only found at .5 ppm in the ore. Platinum jewelry, as well as platinum in general, has come to represent the highest and finest things in life – for instance, a platinum credit card is preferable to a gold credit card.

Platinum will continue to be a popular metal for jewelry as long as it can be found, mined and refined. The scarcity of the metal only serves to increase the demand and popularity, as less people can afford to have this type of jewelry, making it popular with those who want the top quality in jewelry.

Sometimes, expensive gemstones are not the right materials for a piece of jewelry. If you want a fun piece of jewelry, with plenty of sparkle but not plenty of cost, alternative materials can be in order. Crystals make an inexpensive, yet beautiful, substitution for many of today's gemstones – and sometimes, they can even be better than the real thing. The biggest name in crystals today, Swarovski, has built a jewelry following of its own.

Swarovski is a company that creates lead cut-glass crystals in a variety of shapes and sizes for different applications. Some of their crystals are quite large, and are made into decorative pieces and ornaments. Other crystals are small enough to be used in jewelry as well as for ornamentation on things like cellphones and other small devices. This sort of decoration is commonly known as “bling”, and the crystals are coveted by many teenage girls due to their popularity in Hollywood and movies.

Swarovski crystals were created in 1892 by Daniel Swarovski, when he devised a cutting machine that was able to easily facet lead glass. He founded the Swarovski company in 1895 and situated his factory near hydroelectric power, so that he could easily create cut glass masterpieces. All crystals produced by the company have 32% lead in them, so that the facets look more like real gems and less like cut glass. Swarovski has always produced a large line of these crystal items, from decorative pieces to rhinestones and crystal adornments, and even chandeliers.

Today, some of the most coveted Swarovski crystals are not those that are just cut, faceted and colored, but those that have additional coatings to make them look even more beautiful. One of these coatings is known as Aurora Borealis (after the Northern Lights). This coating allows light to reflect through the piece and create a rainbow shimmer – a look that is very popular with young girls and women today. Other coatings that add unique looks to the crystals are known as Volcano and Crystal Transmission. The company is also working with different types of cuts and facetings, including rose cuts and Chatons (diamond cut).

Finding a piece of jewelry you like only to realize it's outside your budget can be tough. With items like today's Swarovski crystals, you can easily have the jewelry of your dreams without having to pay thousands of dollars for expensive jewels and high end designer pieces.

One of the rarest gemstones in the world is the brilliantly red ruby. This birthstone for the month of July is hard to find in nature, and most of the world's rubies today are lab created. The fiery red color of a ruby is difficult to match, and while other gemstones are also crimson colored (like garnet) none approach the beauty of rubies. Prized by royalty and fought over in wars, this gemstone still retains its mystique and allure.

Rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum (the blue variety of this mineral is known as sapphire), and they are colored with the element chromium, which gives them this red coloration. The most prized version of the ruby is found in Myanmar, and it is known as the Burmese ruby. This ruby is said to be the color of “pigeon's blood”, so it is also alternately called a pigeon's blood ruby, or in the jewelry trade, a Mogok ruby. While rubies can also be found in many other parts of the world, including North Carolina, rubies from Myanmar are the rarest and the most valuable.

The red version of corundum known as ruby is the second hardest gemstone known to man, rating a 9.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness. The only harder stone is the diamond. Even though the ruby is a hard stone, it is not often found in large carat weights. All rubies also have inclusions, or small flaws in them, just as many diamonds have. These inclusions can affect the price of the ruby in the jewelry market, along with other factors such as the depth of the red color, the cut and the carat size of the ruby.

Many pieces of ruby jewelry are made with synthetic rubies, or gemstones that look similar to rubies, because of the scarcity of the gemstone. Other stones such as red spinel, red tourmaline and red garnet are used instead of rubies – and occasionally are even passed off as the true article. It is important to have a thorough gemological check of any ruby jewelry before you purchase it, because these other stones are worth far less than true rubies. The most expensive, and largest, ruby ever purchased was a 38.12 carat ruby bought at auction for $5,860,000.

While you may not be able to enjoy the splendor of authentic pigeon's blood ruby jewelry, it is easy to find acceptable substitutes and synthetic replacements. Most synthetic rubies cannot be distinguished from their authentic counterparts unless they are under gemological scrutiny, so you can rest assured that your ruby jewelry will look as lovely as the real thing.

As the July 4th holiday approaches and our nation prepares to celebrate it’s independence, patriotic jewelry is especially popular and ever meaningful. Patriotism is a word that defines a person who supports their country and proudly displays it. As families get together and enjoy a barbeque, beach gathering, picnic or a colorful display of fireworks, it’s important to look pulled together and polished with the right accessories. An important part of any woman’s outfit is the jewelry that she chooses to compliment her wardrobe.

One of the most popular symbols found in patriotic jewelry is that of the star, which is readily available in sterling silver and cubic zirconia designs offered through Almost Diamonds, a popular online retailer specializing in cubic zirconia and sterling silver jewelry. For the woman who prefers to display her patriotism with a pair of earrings, a simple cubic zirconia star stud earring set will be ideal. Not only is the stud design comfortable and easy to wear with anything from jeans and a white t-shirt to a little black dress, but it is also a wonderful way to celebrate the upcoming holiday in style.

Speaking of style, nothing frames the neckline better than a beautiful pendant. The ‘Star Within A Star’ pave cubic zirconia pendant is a very dramatic offering from Almost Diamonds and will be a perfect way to showcase your love of country this July 4th. The pave design gives the impression that the pendant is filled with glimmering diamonds, but in actuality you are wearing cubic zirconia, the world’s finest diamond simulant, at a fraction of the price. Because the cubic zirconia is set against sterling silver, the reflection of light is magnificent. The white metal is also very popular during summer as it accents a sunkissed neckline perfectly.

For the woman who prefers a dainty necklace, the cubic zirconia star station necklace is the answer. This fine link chain features a star, which is permanently stationed, for a look that always stays in place and wears well with any outfit. A button-front cotton blouse or scoop neck t-shirt will be terrific when paired with this sparkling star necklace.

One of the most noticeable features on an individual is that of their hands. As such, women love rings and we love to adorn our hands with beautiful designs. At Almost Diamonds, a genuine garnet and cubic zirconia star ring will draw even more attention to your hands as you type, reach for something at the office or as you typically go about your daily errands. Whatever you are doing, this ring will draw attention and because it features genuine garnet in the star designs and white cubic zirconia accenting the band, it is the perfect addition to your patriotic jewelry collection.

For the woman who wants to proudly display her patriotism from head to toe, literally, a sterling silver toe ring with clear cubic zirconia star is available from Almost Diamonds. The design is one of flexibility and comfort, which makes this toe ring perfect for sandals and everyday easy wear.

Although July 4th only appears on our calendar once each year, every day is perfect for celebrating our nation’s independence. Star jewelry is not only ideal for seasonal wear, but is perfect for the woman who loves astronomy or appreciates the beauty of a dazzling star in the clear night sky. Afterall, there’s never a wrong time to shine and, with star jewelry, you are sure to do just that.

Birthstones are an important part of current jewelry culture. Many people know a lot about some of these gems – for instance, April's birthstone is diamond, which is a highly coveted and well-known gem. Those born in May are lucky enough to have the emerald as their birthstone – another well loved gem. One gem that isn't as well known as some of the others is March's birthstone, which is aquamarine.

Aquamarine, which takes its name from the Latin term aqua marina (which means “water of the sea”), is a transparent light blue or blue green gem, and a member of the beryl family. The colors for this gem can range from just a barely there tint of color (looking almost clear like a diamond) to a brighter, more blue green hue. Aquamarine is considered a semiprecious gemstone, with the precious gemstones being diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. It is not as costly as these gems, and may be easier to find.

Aquamarine is not a delicate gem, the way that emeralds are, although they are both beryl gems. Green beryl, known as emerald, is a softer and more easily fractured gem – which is why it is more expensive to obtain. Aquamarine is sturdier, and larger carat weights can be found due to the fact that when it is mined the crystals can be kept in relatively big pieces. Aquamarines can be found in several places on the globe, from Colorado in the United States to Brazil and several African countries. The largest gem of this type ever found was mined in Brazil, it weighed over 110 kg.

March's birthstone is often paired with white colored metals, such as white gold and silver, because of the complimentary cool tones of the aquamarine and silver. If the stone is very light when it is mined, the aquamarine jewelry may be heat treated in order to bring out a deeper blue color. In aquamarine jewelry, the darker the stone is the more money it is worth. Some women choose the lighter versions of aquamarine for a specific reason, however, and that is because they are an excellent substitute for diamonds in jewelry like engagement rings and stud earrings.

While aquamarine may not be the rarest or most expensive member of the beryl family, it is still a beautiful stone worthy of any jewelry piece. The transparent turquoise blue of a good aquamarine stone is unrivaled in beauty, and there are no other gems that come close to attaining that specific type of coloration.

The newest metal in the jewelry market didn't start out being intended for rings and bracelets – in fact, it wasn't even usable until the 1940's. Titanium, a pure elemental metal, was first used only in laboratory experiments and military applications – and eventually found a home in the space program. Due to its unique coloration and lightweight, yet incredibly strong properties, titanium finally found a home in the jewelry market.

Titanium was first discovered in a mineral form in 1791, in Cornwall, England. At that time, there was really no way to extract a metal from the mineral, but this changed in 1910 when a chemist was able to obtain pure titanium from an explosive reaction. Unlike other metals, titanium can't be melted out of the ore it is found in (this is the way iron is obtained, for example). A chemical reaction has to take place in order to obtain this metal, and an effective way to do this wasn't found until 1946.

Titanium is only 60% heavier than aluminum, known as the lightest practical metal, but it is twice as strong. This makes titanium perfect for applications where items have to be both strong and lightweight. In the jewelry industry, titanium quickly found a home in wedding bands. Women and men both enjoy wearing this lighter than gold wedding jewelry, and they also like the fact that it is not easily scratched or marred during wear. Titanium can also hold special meaning, as it is strong – just like most people want their marriage to be.

Titanium jewelry has evolved quickly – and today it is possible to find all manner of rings available in this metal. Many jewelers have started to colorize their titanium with other metals and alloys, creating such looks as bright blue and pink carved bands on their rings. Other titanium jewelry has been colored black by alloys, allowing for an entirely different look to this usually charcoal gray metal. Titanium rings have also been made (either channel set or tension set) with diamonds and other stones, so they have even been used as engagement rings.

Most people may think of silver and gold when they picture their wedding jewelry, but for more and more couples, titanium jewelry is taking their place. This material, less costly than gold and more unique, is starting to catch on as more and more people want to distinguish themselves from other married couples.

In looking for new ways to create stunning jewelry pieces, many jewelers and artisans have started to turn to new materials in their art. Some choose to use metals that may not have been in common usage before – such as titanium or stainless steel. Others look at metals that have been used for centuries in a new way. Silver has been a mainstay in the jewelry industry for hundreds of years, but today's artisans choose to work with it in a different format, as is seen in silver wire jewelry.

Silver wire is an incredibly useful form of silver. It can be shaped into many different pieces of jewelry, and it can also be used as components of other jewelry pieces. Sterling silver wire is the most expensive type of silver wire – it is composed of 925 (92.5% pure) silver and is solid throughout. This type of wire can be easy to work with or it can be quite stiff – depending on the gauge of the wire used. The heavier the silver wire is, the harder it is to bend. Silver wire jewelry that is hammered, flattened or textured is usually made with pure silver wire, as it retains its properties while worked.

An alternative to sterling silver wire is silver plated wire. This type of jewelry wire is composed of a core (usually copper, but occasionally base metal or brass) that is coated with several layers of sterling silver finish. It looks virtually the same as sterling wire, but this type of silver wire is much less expensive to purchase. Silver plated wire can also be easier to work with – copper is much easier to bend and mold, so having the copper at the wire's core makes it a more easily shaped material. Higher quality silver plated wire will also be coated with an anti-tarnish coating, which also helps to keep it from reacting with your skin.

Most silver wire jewelry is made with a series of wraps or spirals, and can also include glass beads, crystals and even precious gems. The wire can be used as an accent, or as the base of the jewelry piece - it can also be used to hold other materials together. The free form nature of silver wire jewelry means that most pieces are one of a kind, which appeals to many jewelry collectors. The affordability of silver wire jewelry over other types of silver jewelry is also a draw to this craft.

Try your hand at making your own silver wire pieces, or find one of the many craftspeople who make this jewelry to create a custom piece just for you. This sort of jewelry is an excellent way to have a one of a kind piece without having to spend the money to have a high end jeweler create something for you.