Although new gems are rarely discovered these days, previously known gems are often being used in new way. Ametrine is such an example and it is being given a new look.

Gemstones can be a great way to showcase your style and taste. It is easy to find a gemstone that is in your favorite color, or shape, or that represents your birth month. For all these reasons and more, gemstones are seen to be an important part of the jewelry industry. Some people, however, are on a quest for more. The average gemstones seen in jewelry may not be unique or eye catching enough for these jewelry connoisseurs, so they search out new and unusual pieces, like an ametrine necklace.

Ametrine is a type of stone that is not really new to the jewelry world, but is just recently gaining popularity. This stone is a type of quartz, which is a familiar gemstone to most people. Many already know about clear quartz (often seen in its natural crystal formation) and rose quartz, the beautiful light pink stone that is sometimes used to represent October's birthstone. Ametrine is an entirely different sort of quartz – it is bicolored.

The colors of ametrine, as can be found in such pieces as an ametrine necklace, are purple and citrine (yellow). These colors, combined together, look just like amethyst and citrine that were placed together artificially – but they are mined this way. The quartz is naturally occurring, and it comes from a specific mine in Bolivia (there are other places where it can be found, but this is the most abundant source). It is said that ametrine was introduced to Europe in the 17th century, when it was included in a conquistador's gifts to the queen of Spain.

Most jewelers cut the ametrine to show off its even mix of yellow and purple hues. The stones are usually seen at a 50/50 mix of the two colors, with a slight gradient in the middle showing where they meet. The center gradient allows for a range of peach colors to be seen within the middle of the stone. Other artisans prefer to cut the stone in different ranges and mixes, in order to create a new look to the ametrine.

If you are in the market for a new piece of jewelry, an ametrine necklace can be a great addition to your collection. This dual colored gem can compliment a wide range of other jewelry and gemstones, as well as accent different types of clothing. Those who seek unique jewelry will not be disappointed with the ametrine's beauty.

I am what I am, or so goes the saying. A popular trend in jewelry is to personalize the pieces you wear. With necklaces, this is all about displaying your name.

Personalized jewelry is extremely popular these days. From simple initial pendants (and some not so simple, such as those offered by Tiffany and Co) to longer words, people are getting more and more pieces created that mean something to them. Many choose to get names written in precious metals, such as silver and gold, in order to show off either their own moniker, or that of someone they love. Name necklaces can be made to suit any style or budget.

The simplest type of name necklaces is made with gold or silver wire. These are often plated wires, and they need to be soft enough to be bent into the various shapes of the letters. This type of necklace has a more rustic feel to it, with the name being literally written by the crafter. Letters will always be in a cursive or script style, but rarely have a limitation on the number of letters in a name. Another advantage to this type of necklace is that they can often be much less expensive than other name necklaces.

Most name necklaces today are made of sterling silver or gold, and are cast for the individual by jewelry companies. The types of lettering and size of the letters are nearly limitless – these companies usually have many different styles for you to choose from, with block, script and multi-color styles all being available. These names can also be found on bracelets and even on earrings, so you can show off your name in any place you wish.

Name necklaces can be made simply, with just silver or gold, or they can have various additions. Some styles allow for you to choose a birthstone to be added to your name, so that it can be even more personal. Other styles showcase names within a heart or other design – offsetting the name while still making it the focus of the piece. There are even some styles that allow you to use two names, great for couples. For those who really want the ultimate in name jewelry, there are even some styles that are diamond encrusted – to make your name sparkle.

Name necklaces are popular among all different age groups and areas of the world – although most of the wearers are female. These necklaces are a great way to show off the name of someone important to you (which may be yourself!) while also having a beautiful piece of jewelry to wear.

As the dominant culture of their time, the ancient Egyptians still influence us today. Necklaces reflecting their ancient, powerful culture are quite popular.

Ancient Egypt has been a source of intrigue and attention since the first archaeologists found the Pharaoh's tombs. People have been astonished by the beautiful and intricate hieroglyphics, the gold jewelry and the elaborate mummification rituals used by this long gone culture. Egyptian jewelry is especially popular, because many people who are interested in this culture want to be able to wear a bit of the ancient past.

Egyptian necklaces can come in a number of styles. Some people prefer to wear Egyptian jewelry that is inspired by actual pieces found in tombs. These pieces can feature some of the gods and goddesses of the time, such as Osiris (god of the dead and afterlife) and Isis, his wife. Others featured the cat, the most revered animal in the Egyptian kingdom. Another popular creature seen on Egyptian necklaces is the scarab. This is a depiction of the dung beetle, considered to be a sacred insect and creature in the sandy desert of Egypt. These scarabs were often carved into the precious stones of the area, or cast in metal to represent their worth.

The materials used to create Egyptian jewelry varied greatly, depending on the area that it was crafted in and the person that the piece was made for. Some Egyptian jewelry was created from fine metals, such as silver, and especially gold. These pieces were not made for the average Egyptian, but instead they were destined to be given to the wealthiest citizens. Other, everyday pieces were carved from local stones and other materials. One popular stone found in Egypt that is still in use today is turquoise.

A final type of Egyptian necklaces that are seen in shops today are hieroglyphic necklaces. These necklaces aren't true to the original designs found in ancient Egypt, but they are based on the decorations and language of that time. Many people choose to get a hieroglyph necklace with their name on it, or that of their child or lover. These necklaces are usually custom made to order, out of either silver or gold, and can be ordered from a number of sources. Bracelets and earrings can also be found in this motif.

Getting Egyptian necklaces isn't as hard as it sounds. There are many places devoted to recreating the beauty of this ancient culture – from jewelry to house wares. If you are interested in Egyptian themed goods, there are many to choose from. Just be aware that many “authentic” ancient Egyptian items are fakes, so be wary of sellers claiming to have these things.

Diamond wedding bands are beautiful jewellery that symbolize integrity and love between husband and wife in their lifetime journey together. They also symbolize fidelity and commitment and wedding bands have evolved to one of the must-have items in the wedding shopping list.

For middle income consumers like myself, cost is one of the determining factors for the type of wedding bands I purchase. Reason being, most of our savings has been deployed to paying for the wedding dinner, bridal package and honeymoon.

During my very first visit to the jewellery shop, I was absolutely clueless of what to look for when choosing and buying wedding bands.

After visiting 5 jewellery shops within 2 hours, I realized the sales person always ask – what our budget was and if we preferred yellow gold, white gold, platinum or a mixture of either gold with platinum or otherwise. Our answers to these questions would determine the type of wedding bands they showed us.

At present, it seemed that yellow gold has lost its popularity, in its’ place, white gold and platinum are the preferred choices in today’s modern world. One of the reasons why platinum is favoured could be that platinum is harder than gold and is scratch-free.

If you shop long and hard enough, you may even come across some shops that offer life-time guarantee and allow for free exchange of bands for another new piece of the same price in the future. Of course, it may not necessarily be of the same design.

Personally, I feel there are a few factors that we men look out for in wedding bands:

The diamond wedding bands must be within our budget. We do not wish to over blow our budget just because of a moment of impulse.

Men can be as particular as women when it comes to the diamond wedding bands’ design. Some men with a keen fashion sense may prefer stylish wedding bands that suit their taste and lifestyle.

The width and durability of band also counts men’s fingers are more masculine than women’s and it is important that the width of the band suit his finger.

Women’s taste is different from men’s. In the women’s eyes, price may not be one of their top priorities. Various factors like style and color of stone play a part in the decision to pick the right wedding band. No two women are alike and more often than not, we can find women choosing the band that matches their wedding gown in a bid to want to everything to be perfect.

The critical aspect that led me to decide to purchase a particular diamond wedding band is the attitude of the staff. I must be able to sense his/her sincerity and genuineness in helping customers in choosing the right pair of bands that is symbolic of the event of their lifetime.

Choosing wedding bands is not a simple process. It is like a diamond wedding band, which symbolizes eternity, making choices together as a couple is supposed to last a life-time.

You have heard about fossil watches for a long time and could not begin to image what it was, a fossil-something long dead from the prehistoric era. Then, you learn that it is really a watch-a timepiece used by a lot of people. It is more of brand name than a specific item.

So, exactly what is it? Fossil is a designer and manufacturer of clothing and accessories, primarily in watches and jewelry, and they recently expanded into making sunglasses and wallets. But, you are not interested in the other items they make; you are interested in a watch and want to get one from this company.

Fortunately, their watches are considered accessible by the middle-class because they are reasonably priced and sold in most retail and department stores. They are especially well liked by younger people and collectors because they make specially designed watches in popular characters such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Green Lantern, Snoopy, Star Wars, Chronicles of Narnia, and in many other characters.

Fossil watches are made for both men and women. Ladies watches are made in gold, silver, leather, designer styles, are fully functional have interchangeable dials and special adjust-o-matic features which make it fit perfectly on any size wrist. The interchangeable dials and multi-colored straps are particularly popular as you can change it to perfectly coordinate your watch to your outfit-a fashion plus in today's world. What can be more perfect that being able to change the look of your watch on a daily basis?

For formal evening wear, ladies may want a more elegant accent by wearing a dress gold or silver watch that can provide her with the perfect combination of durability and sophistication.

Men's watches offer a greater combination of style and function in a variety of wristwatches and pocket watches. Regardless of whether you want a men's dress wristwatch or casual wristwatch for fun and play, Fossil has hundreds of different makes, models and styles available. The hard part is picking out which one you want, but with the internet readily available, you can look at literally hundreds of different watches within 15 minutes.

Since Mother's Day and Father's Day are right around the corner, why not put a few hints that you want a Fossil watch for that day. It certainly beats flowers for mom or a new tie for dad-maybe you will actually get you want this year. Do some research and figure out which watch you want and then start showing it to your family.

Keep talking about finding the time to get to the mall to buy it, but you are always too busy to get there. Hopefully, they will take the hint and buy the watch for you. If the picture of your watch disappears, do not ask about it—just keep your fingers crossed that someone in the family has taken the hints and initiative to go and purchase it for you.

If you were walking on the desert or hiking in the foothills, what would you do if you came across and amazing stone that had large yellow and red spots that reminded you of your garden poppies at home? You would probably want to name the stone “Poppy Jasper”. That’s what rock hound enthusiasts have done for years. The names Poppy, Picasso Marble, Dalmatian, Paintbrush, Rain Forest and Leopard Skin are all names that describe the large group of jasper know commonly as “Picture Jaspers”. Dalmatian Jasper is white with black spots while Leopard Skin Jasper is beige/pink with spots of black and yellow, resembling Leopard Skin.

Picture Jaspers have amazing colorations and designs. Jaspers are found in colors including red, brown, pink, yellow, green and shades of blue and purple. The organic material and mineral oxides in Jasper create interesting patterns. Because of the foreign materials, jasper is rarely uniform in color but commonly multicolored, striped or spotted, bands and colors. Many of the patterns resemble landscapes with mountain and valleys, so the name “picture” is part of the name of many well-known jaspers. One of these famous jaspers is Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper. It is jasper with red and yellow dots that resemble poppy flowers. Technically, it is brecciated jasper, meaning that it came from sun-dried and oxidized iron-rich clay; the cracks were then later filled in by other substances.

Place Name Jaspers

Although jaspers are found worldwide, a wide variety of named jaspers are found in the western areas of the United States. California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Washington are well known for the place name jaspers such as Stone Canyon Jasper with its mustard yellow base and cream and purple banding. Others are Willow Creek, Owyhee, and Deschutes Jasper. Other popular jaspers are found in Germany, India, Russia, Pakistan, France and the USA as well as many other countries

Magical and Therapeutic Jasper

Jaspers have been to about every culture known to man. Many of these cultures have attributed magical powers to Jasper. Native Americans believe that jasper brings rain and in fact, the word for Jasper in some Native American cultures meant “rain-bringer”. Jasper was also used in Ancient European times as a "rain bringer".

Natural healers consider jasper useful as on overall healing gemstone. Wearing jasper was believed to provide protection, have a calming effect and give stability and security. It is thought to balance one’s physical, emotional and intellectual states.

In folklore, Poppy Jasper is thought to function like adrenaline, waking up and energizing areas of the body that appear to be sleeping. It is believed to encourage a deep connection with the life of the Earth. It inspires a positive, joyful attitude and gives the motivation and energy to take creative action. To natural healers, poppy jasper is a gemstone that was broken and healed. They consider this a very useful gem to help with blood disorders and heart problems. Poppy Jasper is also thought to enhance strength and willpower.

Storytelling

The folklore and cultural history surrounding Jaspers adds to the beauty of these amazing stones. Picture Jaspers could certainly inspire creative story telling and belief in their curative properties. Their beauty can be explained in geologic terms, but their colorful designs inspire and ask for more creative explanations. Jewelry designers often utilize the beauty of nature with its abundant color, pattern, shapes and forms, as original sources of inspiration. When visualizing new designs, artists will often create a "story" or a theme that helps to bring forward the passion or inspiration for a specific piece of jewelry. Then the piece is not just a necklace or bracelet but adornment to enhance the wearer.

Your jewelry can enhance your appearance or be a distraction. If you chose your jewelry based on your size, face shape, hair length, skin tone, and the occasion you are working in the right direction. If you base that choice on your own personal style you can create your own best look.

Skin Tone

If it you have blue undertones, you have a cool tone. You probably look better with mauve blush and burgundy or plum lipstick. The colors you use in your clothing are blues or blue-based. You look best in silver or platinum.

If the undertones of your skin are yellow or warm, your blush would be in tones of peach and your best lipstick colors are brownish tones or corals. You look best in gold.

Either skin tone can look good with pieces using both silver and gold. You can also chose pearls with shading that will complement your skin. A pearl with pinkish or silver shading will be beautiful on you. For a warm toned skin, you might want to look for a coral or golden tone on your pearls.

Size

One of the most obvious points is that wearing huge jewelry can overwhelm a petite woman and a tiny pearl necklace can be lost on a large woman. However, that petite woman may be able to wear one large piece as a statement if she limits her jewelry to that one piece of accents that huge bracelet with tiny earrings. If she wants a larger look for necklace, the petite woman can wear a series of chains that will give more presence without a chunky or heavy look.

The larger woman may be able to wear a tiny pair of earrings if they are of brilliant design or in a fabulous color or rare gemstone. She would look best in larger pieces or sets, but outrageously large pieces will not necessarily be the best look for the larger woman.

Face

If your face is oval, you can wear a wide range of shapes, sizes and styles of earrings. If you have an oblong, square, triangular or heart shaped face, the combination of your hair style and your earrings can help enhance your face

The width of your face as well as your jaw width can be enhanced or camouflaged by wearing the right earrings. If you have a very wide jaw, having earrings that end just at the jaw will not look good. Your wide square jaw will look good with a longer sleek earring. If your jaw is narrow, you can wear an earring that is a little wider and ends just at the jaw to balance your face.

If your face is very round, you may also want to wear the elongated earring rather than a hoop, which will just make your face look more round. If your forehead is slightly narrow, a larger earring will just bring more weight to the bottom half of your face. You would do better with a button or cluster type of earring.

Trendy jewelry can be fun and it is frequently sold as affordable fashion jewelry or costume jewelry. Wearing fashion jewelry even with last year's outfit can make your look quite contemporary. You do, however need to coordinate the trend with your own personal style as well as your stature. If the trend is toward huge rings and your hands are small or fat, they are not likely to look good on you, so you might want to participate in another of the current styles like a large bracelet or chandelier earrings.

Consider your own personal style first when choosing your jewelry. If you need a set of pearls and your personal style is formal, casual or bohemian, you can see that your choice can be affected. A more formal person can wear a string of pearls or simple chain with post earrings. A person who has a more bohemian personal style may choose vintage jewelry or ethnic jewelry while staying appropriate to her outfit. A casual outdoor type might want to keep her jewelry close fitting and sturdy to work well with her lifestyle.

It is good, if possible to work with your body type, current trends and your coloring, but the key is still to chose jewelry you enjoy wearing and jewelry that suits your personal style. You always seem to look best in what you really love to wear.