My Jewelry

Jewelry comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. For somebody who isn’t used to buying jewelry, the options can seem overwhelming. What kind of dress is appropriate to wear with a bracelet? Should I wear a necklace with a sixteen or eighteen inch chain? And how much is all of this going to cost me?

Those questions can be easily answered on any jewelry retail site. Before dropping thousands of dollars on jewelry, however, it’s important to know a little more about what you’re buying.

Jewelry is as old as our species

                  The very first archaeological examples of jewelry were seen long before the first civilization. Back when humans were hunting and gathering, they would sometimes make beaded necklaces from eggs, rocks, or other material. Like the people who wore them, this jewelry was extremely primitive.

As civilizations advanced, so too did jewelry. More than 3,000 years ago, ancient Egyptians were crafting incredibly intricate pieces. Gold and colored glass were common materials, although they also used rare substances, like lapis lazuli and carnelian. Around the same period, Phoenician, Turkish, and Mesopotamian cultures were developing advanced jewelry crafting techniques.

In medieval times, the most striking ornamental jewelry was found on the crowns of kings and queens. However, Byzantines, Celts, and Franks all crafted their own unique jewelry as well. Often, these were basic pieces, and represented parts of the world around them. For example, numerous ornamental shields, rings, and pendants have all been recovered from archaeological sites. Many of these pieces are adorned with animals and other natural images.

After the Renaissance period, humans began to think more freely about jewelry. This led to several major art movements, each of which has had an influence on modern jewelry crafting. Tiffany & Co., for example, was founded during the romantic period. When looking at the luxurious, classic pieces offered by Tiffany today, it’s clear that romanticism continues to influence the company’s lineup.

Art Deco and Art Nouveau, both of which originated in France, influenced some of the largest jewelry manufacturers in the world, like Cartier, Bulgari, and Chanel. The creativity of those companies, and many other European jewelers, has bestowed numerous awards upon the continent.

Today, jewelry manufactures draw from a number of different styles to create their products. Modern jewelry creation also benefits from a wealth of new material with which to craft. For example, pearls have become easier to harvest. Furthermore, material like plastic, Precious Metal Clay, moissanite, and advanced colors have all been synthetically produced in labs. This gives designers a more varied palette with which to work.

Uses of jewelry

Throughout its history, jewelry has had a number of different uses. Many of these uses ring true to this day. For example, jewelry has always been a sign of wealth and prestige. In some civilizations, it has even been used as an elaborate form of currency.

In medieval and tribal cultures, many people viewed jewelry as magical devices, capable of warding off evil spirits, or protecting people from harm. As such, people who crafted jewelry were valuable members of society. The idea of alchemy – turning regular metal into gold – further enhanced the mysterious nature of the jewelry industry.

Meanwhile, organized religions use jewelry pieces, like the crucifix, or Star of David, to evoke powerful memories. Marriage bands, which play an important role in most modern weddings, also have extensive historical roots.

Popular gemstones

Jewelry is often adorned with gemstones, many of which are extraordinarily rare. However, they add a certain sparkle to one’s jewelry that can be difficult to replicate. Here are some of the most popular stones:

• Amber – After millions of years of hardening, tree resin turns into an organic, precious stone called amber.
• Emerald – If you like the color green, consider getting an emerald jewelry piece.
• Jade – Another green stone, jade is most often associated with Asian civilizations and traditions.
• Quartz – This term refers to a broader family of gemstones, which includes amethysts and citrines, as well as rose, smoky, and rutilated quartz.
• Ruby – Just like emeralds are known for their vivid green color, rubies are known for their intense red color. Rubies were especially valuable in ancient India, were they were included in many historical pieces. Today, they’re exceptionally rare.
• Sapphire – While most sapphires are blue, they can also be found in a variety of other colors. Sapphires are also less rare than other stones, which makes them an affordable addition to many pieces of jewelry.
• Turquoise – Strangely enough, the precious stone turquoise is only found in certain places around the world. In the past, it has been included in Native American jewelry. Today, it’s prized for its powerful greenish-blue coloring.

Popular types of jewelry

While the uses of jewelry have changed throughout the years, certain kinds of pieces have echoed throughout the ages. Necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches, for example, have been worn by humans for thousands of years.

Similarly, ornamental jewelry, like body piercings, seems to transcend all cultural barriers. Rings, studs, chains, and jewels can be found pierced through the noses of both isolated Brazilian tribes people and punk kids from New York City.

In the past, the wearing of crowns was usually reserved for members of the royal family. A crown could be anything from a simple ‘circlet’ to an elaborate ‘diadem’.  Meanwhile, tiaras have typically been a symbol of princesses around the world. Today, however, they are more commonly seen on the head of a young bride.

The Final Word

You see, walking into your local jewelry store is like walking into a museum. Where some people see simple rings and necklaces, others see the years of history and craftsmanship that form the background of any piece of jewelry. Jewelry is beautiful to wear, but it also connects us to humans around the world, both living and dead.

The next time you see a tiara on a girl at a nightclub, think about the kinds of people for whom that privilege was normally reserved. Humans have advanced a long way, but precious stones and jewelry can never be replaced. Like a good historical artifact, their cultural significance extends far beyond any single generation.

How To Rock Your Jewelry

While many women look stunning when they wear jewelry, nobody is born with an intuitive knowledge of which jewelry looks good with which fashion style. For some women, this knowledge is acquired over a lifetime of glancing through fashion magazines or observing female relatives.

However, if the women in your family don’t know how to wear jewelry, or you don’t read style magazines, you may lack the knowledge to pull off that perfect look. Unfortunately, this leads many women to simply avoid wearing jewelry.

Obviously, this isn’t an ideal situation. If a woman’s jewelry and fashion choices aren’t in sync, she’s not wearing the pieces to their full potential. But if she’s not wearing jewelry at all, then she’s missing out on some of the most beautiful accessories in the world. If you want to have the confidence and knowledge to look beautiful in jewelry, read our helpful guide first.

What kind of skin tone do you have?

Skin tone is one indicator of which kind of jewelry you should wear. Women who have warm-toned skin, for example, should choose metals like gold, brass, or copper. Complementary colors include brown, orange, green, yellow, and turquoise.

Meanwhile, women with cool-toned skin should choose metals like silver, platinum or white gold. They also tend to look better while wearing white pearls and diamonds. Try to choose complementary colors like pink, purple, blue, or red.

If you don’t know which skin tone you are, it’s easy to find out. Find an area on your body where your veins are clearly visible, like your wrist. Warm toned people appear to have green veins, while cool toned people have blue veins.

Next, take a close look at your skin in front of a mirror. If your face appears to have a pink undertone, it often means you have cool toned skin. Likewise, warm skin tones have a more gold-colored glow.

In general, most people in the world are cool toned, including those with dark or tanned skin. People with red hair, or other fair features, tend to have a ‘warm’ skin tone.

Consider your physical characteristics

Aside from twin siblings, everybody has unique facial characteristics and body types. This means that certain pieces of jewelry will look better on some people than they do on others.

For example, if you have clearly defined cheekbones, or an oval face, there may be something called ‘negative space’ around your chinbone. To fill this space, choose earrings with big hoops or long dangles.

On the other hand, if you have a more rectangular face, opt for earrings which are short and round. This will even out the length of your face. Similarly, square faces are suited to smaller earrings with angular, or teardrop shapes.

The shape of your chin and neck will also determine which kind of necklace looks best. If you have a pointy chin, for example, consider wearing a choker, which can soften the angle. Or, if you have a long neck, choose a necklace with a short chain.

How to wear jewelry like a celebrity

If you want to look as beautiful as a celebrity when you’re wearing jewelry, there are several different options. First, while wearing fake jewelry is frowned upon, it is often indistinguishable to the naked eye. Use this to your advantage. Modern technologies like moissanite and cubic zirconia can make your diamond ring look flawless. Unless your friends are trained professionals with special tools, they will never know the difference.

In fact, for many people, the biggest problem they have with artificial jewelry is explaining to their friends how they were able to afford it!

If fake diamonds aren’t your thing, you can find great deals on authentic jewelry at pawn shops, or online stores like eBay. As with any online purchase, be wary of scams, and stick to retailers that have a high approval rating.

Once you own beautiful jewelry, the rest is up to you. There is no secret way to dress like a celebrity. Instead, it’s all about swagger and confidence. The point is, you don’t have to be a celebrity to look good in jewelry, nor do you have to look good in jewelry to be a celebrity.

Avoid jewelry that causes allergies

                  Some bodies have an allergic reaction to certain metals. This can be an indicator of cheap or fake jewelry, which can contain trace amounts of lead.

However, other types of jewelry can also cause abnormal stains on your body. Some skin can turn green after wearing copper jewelry, for example, while sterling silver can leave a nasty, black mark.

If you want to reduce the threat of your jewelry leaving a stain, there are certain steps you can take. More expensive metals, like 18K gold and platinum, rarely react with the skin. If you can’t afford that, consider getting your jeweler to coat a piece with a protective film. Some women even use clear nail polish on their jewelry in order to protect their skin. If every jewelry piece you wear seems to be leaving a mark on your skin, you may need to switch to hypo-allergenic pieces.

In addition to skin stains, certain jewelry can leave tarnish marks on your clothing. Fortunately, they’re not difficult to remove. To clean these stains, simply treat them with cold water or a gentle cleaner.

The Final Word

Looking good in jewelry requires careful planning and a commitment to fashion. Often, the best looking approach can also be the simplest. For example, focus on a few pieces of the same color. Don’t over-accessorize, and try to feel as graceful and as beautiful as your jewelry.

If you’re attending a personal event, like the retirement of a close friend, consider wearing jewelry that has a personal touch. For example, pendant necklaces are popular and easy to customize. They also cost less than customized rings.

Above all, the most important thing to remember when choosing jewelry is to never forget your personal preferences. Trust your instincts. If you think that it looks good, then that’s far more important than the opinions of other people.

How To Make Your Own Jewelry

Have you ever wondered how to make your own jewelry? When looking at all the intricate bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that you can find online, it’s difficult to imagine how you could design something so beautiful by yourself.

Nevertheless, making your own dazzling jewelry is easier than you think. Using supplies you can find at any craft store, you can quickly learn how to make valuable gifts to give to your friends and family.

Friendship Bracelets

If you don’t know what a friendship bracelet is, check Google images. You’ve probably seen them on the wrists of children, teenagers, and even adults. They’re a visible and lasting symbol of a friendship, and, if created with skill, they’re also very attractive.

Common types of friendship bracelets include embroidery, gimp, beaded and hemp bracelets. Some people even choose to use less common materials, like wire, or leather, to create their jewelry. With friendship bracelets, the supplies are generally very cheap and easy to find. Embroidery floss bracelets, for example, can be found in large packages for less than a dollar. If children can make them, then what’s stopping you from doing the same thing?

Basic friendship bracelet patterns can be found online. Beginners should start with the most common pattern, commonly called the ‘candy stripe.’ Next, move up to other, complex patterns like the ‘chevron’, or the ‘zig-zag’.

If you’ve already made a few friendship bracelets and want to mix up your routine, consider making a friendship necklace. The materials required are very similar, as is the process. Look for different patterns and tutorials online to enhance your skills.

How to make your own hemp jewelry

Many people like hippy fashion. In fact, modern fashion has even created a special term for trendy hippy wear: ‘hippy chic’. Accessorizing your outfit with hemp jewelry can go the extra mile towards giving you that authentic, hippy appearance.

Like friendship bracelets, hemp jewelry is affordable and easy to make. Obviously, you need hemp twine, as well as anything that you want to tie into the bracelet. Most people opt for wooden beads, or pieces of glass and ceramic. However, use whatever you like: this is where you’re allowed to be creative.

If you’re a beginner, look for simple patterns online. Before you dive into one, it’s important to know how to tie specific knots, like the butterfly, half, and overhand knots. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make these knots and patterns without thinking twice.

Even rookie hemp jewelry makers can create a bracelet in under an hour. Keep practicing!

Making bracelets like this is a great way to kill time at work, or during a long car ride (as long as you’re not driving). Pretty soon, your friends and relatives will look forward to their annual gifts of beautiful, home-made jewelry. You’ll also be saving a ton of money.

How to make your own beaded jewelry

If you don’t want to make a bracelet from cheap thread, consider making beaded jewelry. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t require any expensive tools, nor do you need a surgeon’s steady hands. Like the bracelets listed above, most materials can be found at your local craft store.

In fact, you can start making a piece of beaded jewelry today. First, get three different pairs of pliers. If you plan on making a lot of beaded jewelry, consider investing in high-quality pairs. Round nose pliers are ideal for folding and bending wire, while wire cutters are great for cutting through any material. Also buy yourself a pair of chain, or flat nose pliers, which can be used to get into tight spots, or for clamping pieces down.  Remember that it’s best to buy specific jewelry making pliers, as opposed to construction pliers.

Next, you need to get beads, stringing materials, and jewelry wire. These are pretty self-explanatory. Don’t forget to buy a chain for your jewelry to give it that extra, professional look. Other supplies, like a bead board, tweezers, and adhesives are helpful, but not essential.

Depending on what kind of project you want to start, you’ll need to pick up specific supplies. For example, check your local crafts store for silver spacer beads, lamp-work beads, or filigree beads. Check individual plans for a more specific material list. After you’ve made a few beaded jewelry pieces, you’ll probably have enough leftover beads to supply another one or two bracelets.

Gift Bracelets

How many times have you thought to yourself, “what on earth can I get this person for her birthday?” Personally, I ask that question every time I have to buy a birthday present. The good news is that by embracing your inner jeweler, you can quickly and easily design bracelets for any sort of occasion.

‘Mommy bracelets’ are particularly popular.  Designed for new mothers, these bracelets feature the birthday and name of a newborn baby. They’re a perfect gift for a mother after her baby is born, or, better yet, on her first Mother’s Day as a parent.

Basically, you fill a bracelet with colorful gems, letters, and other beads. Try using high-quality crystal beads to make the piece really sparkle. Cap it off with a beautiful heart that says ‘mom’ on it.

Try giving out similar pieces of jewelry at weddings, graduations, or anniversaries. Instead of the baby’s name and birthday, put whatever information you’d like. Say, the date of the wedding, or a graduation year. If you make the piece beautiful enough, it may even become a treasured family heirloom!

The Final Word

                  If you’re looking for a satisfying hobby to pick up at home, consider crafting jewelry. It’s easy, fun, and your friends will love you for it.  

Perhaps the most exciting part about making jewelry at home is the potential to turn it into a profitable business. If you have a knack for creativity, and the willpower to create several new bracelets a day (or hire somebody to do it for you), then you could be making a decent income in no time!