3 Important Facts About Gemstone Jewelry - Want to Know?

Are you fond of jewelries and love to flaunt them? Get to know a little bit more about the gemstones that adorns your jewels. Gemstones are composed of various rocks and elements. Unprocessed stones are polished, cut, and faceted and then they are given the name of gemstones. Gemstones can be classified in various ways as follows-

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• On the basis of the constituent element. E.g. rubies are composed of aluminum and diamonds are composed of carbon.
• On the basis of shapes of stones. E.g. cubic, trigonal, monoclinic etc
• On the basis of mineral species. E.g. beryl mineral species includes such gemstones as emerald, aquamarine, bixbite, heliodor, and moeganite.

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A variety of gemstones are available in the market. Gemstones are available not only in the three primary colors of green, blue and red but also in various other hues.

Look Alike Gemstones

There are hundreds of gemstones that have corresponding look-alike in the wide variety of colors accessible. For instance take the following cases: in the realm of red gemstones you can find ruby, blistering jewelry like rubellite tourmaline, red spinel, red beryl and rhodolite garnet. If you are searching for blue gemstones you can try out tanzanite, sapphire, iolite, benitoite and indicolite tourmaline among others. Each of these gemstones has unique characteristics of its own. Tsavorite garnet, emerald and chrome tourmaline falls in the realm of green gemstones. Tsavorite garnet is very much similar to the clean green shadow of the bright green. On the other hand peridot and chrome tourmaline have an attractive yellowish green tinge.

Buying Gemstones

Before you purchase gems you must consider various things. For instance consider the sturdiness of gems. Not all gems are meant to be used for the same purpose. Studier ones and the lighter and more delicate ones can't be used for the same purpose. For instance burgundy is not as sturdy as ruby but can be effectively used in charms and rings. Tourmaline is not as durable as ruby, therefore should be used keeping this characteristic in mind. Delicate and soft stones like benitoite, tanzanite and iolite should be handled with greater care and are best suited for making pendants. Navy gemstones are best suited for trinkets and necklaces. Apart from the precious gemstones you can also avail of semi precious gemstones. If your funds are constrained you can opt for the semiprecious gemstones. These are easily available at your local jeweler's and you can use it to make rings. Though the semi precious stones are not as attractive as the precious gemstones, they are not exactly cheap looking either. Find an attractive one that suits your taste.

Gemstones- Original Vs. Fake

Purchasing gemstones can be quite a harrowing task. If you are not mindful and cannot tell the difference from one gemstone to the next then the chances of your being duped is very high. There is no dearth of unscrupulous dealers who can resort to fraudulent practices and give you inferior quality gems at the price of the original one. Thus it is very important that you buy gemstones only from a goldsmith and authorized gold dealers.

3 Important Facts About Gemstone Jewelry - Want to Know?

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Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea: Traditional Stones

A wedding anniversary is a beautiful time in a couple's life. It's a time to celebrate and commemorate their love, connection and experiences together. In the past, traditional gifts were given and although many would like to continue with tradition, they would also like to give something different.

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For every couple, there is a perfect wedding anniversary gift idea to give one another and one of the best ways to celebrate with a loved one is by giving a gift that combines modern beauty with tradition.

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The following list shows the various traditional stones and items like flowers that have been used for wedding anniversaries for ages. They are all a wonderful choice as a wedding anniversary gift idea because they allow people who would like to stick with anniversary traditions but also have the freedom to create something unique and modern.

1st Anniversary: Gold, Peridot, Carnation, Clock
2nd Anniversary: Red Garnet, Lily of the Valley, China
3rd Anniversary: Jade, Pearl, Sunflower
4th Anniversary: Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Hydrangea, Appliances
5th Anniversary: Pink Tourmaline, Sapphire, Daisy, Silverware
6th Anniversary: Turquoise, Amethyst, Calla
7th Anniversary: Yellow Sapphire, Onyx, Freesia, Stationery
8th Anniversary: Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Lilac
9th Anniversary: Green Spinel, Lapis Lazuli, Bird of Paradise
10th Anniversary: Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Daffodil
11th Anniversary: Citrine, Turquoise, Yellow Zircon, Tulip
12th Anniversary: Opal, Jade, Peony
13th Anniversary: Moonstone, Hawk's Eye, Chrysanthemum
14th Anniversary: Agate, Bloodstone, Dhalia
15th Anniversary: Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite, Rose, Watches
16th Anniversary: Red Spinel, Aquamarine
17th Anniversary: Carnelian, Watches, Furniture
18th Anniversary: Aquamarine, Cat's Eye
19th Anniversary: Almandine Garnet, Topaz
20th Anniversary: Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Aster
25th Anniversary: Tsavorite, Green Garnet, Iris
30th Anniversary: Tsavorite Garnet, Silver Jubilee, Lily
40th Anniversary: Pearl, Gladiolus
50th Anniversary: Emerald, Coral, Violets
60th Anniversary: Ruby
70th Anniversary: Cat's Eye, Sapphire
80th Anniversary: Imperial Topaz, Golden Jubilee
90th Anniversary: Diamond Jubilee, Star Ruby

Combination Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea

One of the most unique ways that anyone can combine the beauty and sentiment of traditional anniversary symbols with the modern gifts of jewellery is by creating a custom piece that reflect all of the symbols in a single piece. Choose a pendant, ring, bracelet or earrings for the gift and have professional jewellers create a piece that takes the traditional stones and combines it with the traditional items. One perfect wedding anniversary gift idea for a 9th anniversary is to create a unique customized pendant of a bird of paradise flower using the traditional stones of green spinel and lapis lazuli. This creation can also include orange tourmaline to add an extra punch of colour into the piece.

Although not every wedding anniversary has a symbol or flower, it gives you the freedom to choose the traditional stone and shape any symbol that has meaning to you and your loved one. For example, a 60th wedding anniversary simply has a ruby but this ruby can be a part of a beautiful sentimental piece that has great meaning to the couple alone.

A wedding anniversary gift idea that's custom and unique ensures that no one else in the world would have the same piece which is what makes the gift that much more special for one of the most important occasions in a couple's life. Not only do these pieces last through the ages but they also create a keepsake in time.

Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea: Traditional Stones

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Style Guide for Stunning Prom Dresses

It's prom time, and you finally have the opportunity to dazzle your date and friends with an amazing prom dress. But there are so many styles of prom dresses that it may not be so easy to find that perfect dress. Don't despair. Use this quick style guide to narrow your choices.

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Popular Prom Dress Styles and Cuts

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Some prom dress styles are new while others have been around for many, many years. Here are some timeless styles that are popular year after year. Empire prom dresses are cut with a high waistline, usually starting just beneath the bust, with a long, straight skirt that hangs from the waistline. This style works great with a pear-like figure, or for those with a thick waist. It also adds the appearance of more height for petite girls.

The sheath design slims the figure from the shoulders to the hemline. It hugs and outlines the body's silhouette and is popular with sleeveless style prom dresses. Sheath dresses are recommended for tall, thin persons. A gown that looks great on anyone with large hips and thighs is the A-line prom dress. It is designed with a fitted bodice that flares out into a full skirt from the waist down. The waist is seamless. A-line is also called "princess" cut.

The high-low gown is long in the back and shorter in the front, usually right above the knees. It's great for long legs and the hourglass type figure. The tea-length dress may be sleeveless or may come with sleeves and have a fitted bodice, but usually only comes to just below the knees. It's a simple, flirty style that shows off the calves - great for tall, thin figures!

A tulle skirt or bouffant gown features a puffed-out skirt made of sheer rayon or silk materials. Its flared skirt works great for hiding heavy legs. The ball gown is another elegant style that has a full skirt that starts at the waist and is floor-length.

Plus Size Prom Dresses to Fit Every Style

There's a whole market of prom dresses that are made perfectly for the plusses! Don't be ashamed of your figure; flatter it with a remarkable prom dress designed just for you. The empire waistline is very flattering if you have a thick waist or large hips. So is the A-line prom dress. These are comfortable and come in many styles, lengths, and colors. Try an empire waist style in one of these beautiful, bold colors to accentuate your figure: garnet, fuchsia, turquoise, lime, amethyst, emerald, or sapphire.

Pleats create a look that's forgiving to almost any figure, but will add a unique beauty to your dress. Pleats that lay flat are recommended for plus sizes in combination with the empire waist for best results. For almost any style dress, opt for embellishments such as flowers at the back of the dress, patterns in the material, beads and bows, or bands of sequins at the waistline. These can form lines to emphasize certain parts of your figure while de-emphasizing others!

Pickup prom dresses are also popular for plus size shoppers. These are ball gowns with the skirt fabric gathered and pinned to create lovely patterns all around. There are also great tea-length prom dresses in plus sizes that are made to hide certain areas while placing emphasis on the face and upper portions of the body. These can be worn below the knees or at tea-length for those with heavy legs.

The good news is all these styles are offered by some of the top designers of prom dresses including Jovani, Sherri Hill, Kate Hudson, Faviana, and others. You can shop online to find a variety of styles to fit your figure and your budget. Many prom dress sites also offer pageant dresses, cocktail dresses, homecoming dresses, and other styles for various occasions. Take your proper size measurements before shopping, and be sure to shop early to get the prom dress you want!

Style Guide for Stunning Prom Dresses

GARNET HILL

Birthstones - Some of Their Symbolism and Properties

The number of questions that surround birthstones are numerous.

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What are birthstones and their properties? Why are they considered lucky? What are the legends and myths that surround different stones? And most importantly what do birthstones represent?

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It is easy to get lost amidst a sea of information, especially since the information is as diverse as the stones themselves. There are myths and legends and different meanings that were attributed to any given stone over the course of centuries. Some were used to protect against the evil eye, while some were favorites of royalty, who put them on their crowns and scepters. And a good few bishops wore them too (it is amethyst in case you were wondering, it was a symbol of purity and spirituality so it was only appropriate as a bishop's favorite).

If you are on the lookout for an engagement ring or even a Celtic engagement ring it does not mean birthstones cannot be incorporated. It is said after all that they bring good luck.

Find your birth month and your birthstone in the list below.

January - Garnet (Color - Red)

February - Amethyst (Color - purple)

March - Aquamarine (Color: Pale blue)

April - Diamond (Color: Clear, White)

May - Emerald Color: Deep Green

June - Pearl (Color: White)

July - Ruby (Color: Red)

August - Peridot (Color: Yellowish green)

September - Sapphire (Color: Deep Blue)

October - Opal (Color: Multi-colored)

November - Topaz (Color: Yellow Gold)

December - Turquoise (Color: Blue)

Some of these are quite popular choices (diamonds and emeralds come to mind) when it comes to engagement rings but some others like garnet or perhaps peridot you may have never heard of.

Truth of the matter is that even though rings with birthstones might be a relatively recent invention, birthstones and their meaning are as inseparable as Celtic knots on Celtic jewelry.

Ancient Egyptians believed that emeralds are a symbol of eternal youth and it is no wonder they were Cleopatra's favorites. Garnet on the other hand, even though relatively unknown, was not only considered a symbol of love but one legend has it that because of its deep red color Noah used it as a guide light on his arc during the storm.

For many of the birthstones it was considered that they not only bring good luck to whoever wore them, but they protected against evil spirits and could keep nightmares away and bring prosperity and wealth to the wearer.

Some birthstones like sapphires and peridot were ground to a fine powder and used as a treatment for different ailments.

The symbolism behind these precious stones is even more poignant - diamonds and rubies are symbols of everlasting love, pearls are a symbol of purity and not just good taste and style, while today's meaning of emeralds is that they symbolize wisdom, growth and patience which makes them a perfect anniversary present.

It has to be said that the idea of grinding any precious stone to a powder to help with an ailment sounds quite preposterous in this day and age. However it cannot be denied that the symbolism of everlasting love that diamonds represent, sounds romantic. Or the idea that sapphires represent faithfulness and sincerity.

If you are on the look out for an engagement ring and you would like to choose the appropriate birthstone, bear in mind, there are no rules and regulations, do what feels right. You can use the current list as guidelines, but you can always refer to other birthstone lists (yes there are plenty) or you can use color as a guideline when making your choice.

A Celtic diamond engagement ring does qualify as a birthstone ring for anyone born in April. Remember that although they are precious stones, nothing is written in stone. It is your engagement ring after all.

Birthstones - Some of Their Symbolism and Properties

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Reusable Hand Warmers

Well the winter season is soon upon us. Maybe you are a sun dweller and hibernation beckons until the spring. Sleep well! However if you are like me, every morning you go to the window and check to see if the first snowfall has arrived. Not yet I tell you but very soon. Here in Scandinavia we relish the white stuff. Being out and about in the crisp mornings revitalises the soul. Skiing the slopes provides the adrenalin fix and the evenings drinking single malt whisky in front of the fire with the loved one caps the day off with the required romance we all need. Winter is the eutopia of millions.

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For those of you who are preparing for the winter outdoors buying the appropriate clothing, equipment and footwear, I want to write a little for you on a discovery I have unearthed. It is the reusable hand warmer. These basically come in 2 forms: small packets which can be activated to produce heat and metal objects that can be held in the hand or placed in the pocket to heat on demand.

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The reusable hand warmer I have added to my outdoor equipment is the Platinum Catalyst Flameless Metal Hand Warmer made by Xtreme. This little beauty takes the form similar to that of a metal cigarette lighter and fits in to the hand or pocket so snugly it feels like it has always belonged there. Once you have filled it with lighter fuel this gadget can give you comfortable heat for up to 24 hours continuously. To start the hand warmer all you need do is ignite it with a cigarette lighter which takes no more than 2 seconds. To turn it off, just remove the heating element for a few seconds. This pocket sized heat generating warmer is an ideal companion for anyone who spends a lot of time outside in the cold. It weighs just 3 ounces and warms up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. It is made from polished chrome plated copper and does not rust and is supplied with a very useful carry case. Christmas is just around the corner and this is an ideal present to give to any outdoor type. These reusable hand warmers should be an essential constituent of any winter survival kit.

When and If you do go looking and comparing all the hand warmers out there on the market today, it will be hard for you not to choose this particular model. Priced very reasonably, so easy to use and extremely elegant, it is pushing for the mantel of being the best example in the world at the moment. Enjoy your winter, take care.

Reusable Hand Warmers

GARNET HILL

1988 Jamaican Bobsled Team - The Indomitable Olympian Spirit

The first Bobsleigh team from Jamaica created history when they appeared at the Winter Olympics games. This was in the 1988 Olympics which were held in Calgary, Canada. The Jamaicans shocked the world and most persons were fascinated with the novelty of the team participating, many persons laughed.

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But after their first crack at the Olympic glory they warmed and captured the hearts of persons worldwide. It was even celebrated as Walt Disney did a movie called "Cool Runnings" which further add to the teams rise to fame.

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The Jamaicans appearance at the games started when two Americans started with this idea to form a bobsled team. They figured that this sport had a fast start and since Jamaica produces a lot of talented sprinters it could be a success.

The sprinters were not keen on this idea and could not be convinced to try this sport that required them to add their speed to ice. These optimistic gentlemen did not give up the idea and they approached the Jamaica Defense Force with the hope of recruiting some volunteers.

This was where they had more success and was able to form a four man team. The first team members for the Jamaica bobsled were Devon Harris, Dudley Stokes, Michael White and Samuel Clayton. The selection took place in 1987 and they started the initial training on the island.

You could see these strong young men practicing at the military base on flat concrete and using make shift sleds; this was a far stretch from the ice. But they pushed on and through hard training, poor equipment and struggles they made it to the Olympics. The brother of Dudley Stokes was added to the team later on, his name was Chris Stokes.

The 1988 Winter Olympics was a test of their determination as they were injuries, crashes and technical difficulties. But they headed to the next Olympics in 1992 a more improved, confident and focused team and was placed fourteenth. This shocked the world as they had beaten some of the top teams such as Russian, United States, Italy and France.

They did not stop here and with a two man team some years later they placed tenth and beat the national champions from Sweden in the process. From all of this they went on to other Olympics and started to bring home medals, the Jamaican bobsled team is now a mainstay at the Olympics.

The team has continued over the years with different members but with the same spirit. They have entered in many events and have continued to do well and inspire persons all over the world.

The team now includes persons such as Winston Watt, Mark Hill, Garnet Jones, Lascelles Brown, Clive McDonald and Stewart Maxwell. There is even a women team with Winsome Cole, Porscha Morgan, Dukelyn Barrett and Taniesha Lclean.

The Jamaicans who first formed this bobsled team has managed to inspire and create new interest in the sport on the island. One could not blame the skeptics because when you really think about, what a tropical island is doing with a bobsled team competing on ice. But they did and have chanted new course and encourages persons strive for excellence.

1988 Jamaican Bobsled Team - The Indomitable Olympian Spirit

GARNET HILL

The Many Colors of Garnet

This name is like a big umbrella covering a variety of stones that are all very similar in chemical composition. The difference between these silicates is where they are mined and the metal particles found in the silicate. Magnesium, iron, chromium and aluminum give each garnet gemstone its unique shade of red or other color.

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Ancient Greeks and Romans thought the deep red gem resembled a pomegranate seed because of its color and round shape. They were very fond of the gems and used them in their jewelry and other embellishments. In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra wore the red gem probably thinking it was a ruby. Back then, they didn't know that this gem came in more colors than just red.

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There are about 14 different varieties and most are mined in Africa. Tanzania, Namibia and parts of South Africa are common mining locations. Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States also have gem deposits. Carl Faberge used the emerald green stones found in the Urals of western Russia in many of his pieces.

A multitude of colors

Though the word garnet is tied to the word red, there are actually many different colors available. In fact, every color along the spectrum can be found except for blue. The most valuable gem is not even red, it is emerald green.

The varieties, demantoid and tsavorite, are the two most popular green stones and they can be quite expensive because of their rarity. With the discovery of new mines in Namibia, they may become more common.

However, the shades of red are still classic and always will be. But, if the traditional idea of a garnet necklace is not appealing, consider a yellow, black or even orange stones to drape your neck. It is all a matter of taste.

January birthstone

The garnet is the official birthstone for January. It is also the gem for the Zodiac sign of Aquarius, so some lucky February babies can claim it as their birthstone as well. Another official occasion that warrants a gift of garnet earrings or some other piece is the 2nd wedding anniversary.

How to care for garnet jewelry

Depending on the variety, these gems range from a 6 to a 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means that they are quite durable and suitable for daily wear in all types of jewelry. They are not as delicate as other gems with the same rating because there is no cleavage present which makes it easier for the stone to split. It also makes it easier for the cutter.

A soak in warm soapy water should be sufficient to clean the grime that collects from daily wear. If lotion or soap remains in the setting, a quick scrub with a toothbrush is safe and will not scratch the stone.

Whether the stone is emerald green or violet red, it makes a beautiful and versatile piece of jewelry. A garnet pendant set in silver or gold can be worn casually or with formal wear. Whatever the need is, this gemstone offers a solution with its many shades of reds and other colors.

The Many Colors of Garnet

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