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Amber Rings

Posted on March 9, 2016June 29, 2016 by admin

Amber Rings

by Binashaji

Rings have always enhanced the grace of hands. If you are a ring aficionado, wearing rings at all times, for all occasions, surely an Amber Ring should be in your collection. You can choose a ring to suit your style and budget. The design of the ring and the size of the stone will decide the price of the ring. Everyone can find an amber ring to fit into their Jewellery collection.

image: Amber Ring Store (www.silverworkshops-uk.co.uk)

Autumn, the season when everything turns Golden – one of the many hues of Amber. This beautiful resin comes in a array of colors from Golden to Blue, but mostly it comes in shades of yellow to orange. Nature has given us this gift, which can be extracted, from many sources – earth, sea, and trees. Amber can be mined from inside the earth and is found in many countries, although Amber from Russia is more valued – it is also called Baltic Amber because it is found in the Baltic region.

Amber is also formed inside the ocean. Sea Amber has a natural polish given by the waves and is relatively expensive. Amber from the sea is often found washed up on seashores. Amber being very light floats on salt water, the waves wash it to the shore and there it lies till it is collected. Hardened resin from trees also created Amber in different shapes. Clear or cloudy, this honey-colored resin has been used since time immemorial for therapeutic and ornamentation purposes. Rings have always enhanced the grace of hands. If you are a ring aficionado, wearing rings at all times, for all occasions, surely an Amber Ring should be in your collection. (image courtesy: MyAmberShop)

You can choose a ring to suit your style and budget. The design of the ring and the size of the stone will decide the price of the ring. Everyone can find an amber ring to fit into their Jewellery collection. As with other gemstones, Amber too can be pricey or cheap. Baltic Amber Rings (Amber found in Russia) will be more expensive and natural stones will also be priced on the higher end. A Certificate of Authenticity from your jeweler will ensure the stone inside your ring is authentic and if you ever want to sell it, you can always get a good price for a certified stone. Rings – millions of designs to choose from.

Try on the ring and get one that fits perfectly- not too tight, not loose. Comfort is important when buying a ring since your fingers are often in motion. Amber rings do not necessarily have to be Golden, use orange amber with white gold or even green amber (but beware green amber can be just heat-treated yellow amber) with silver for elegance. Ring selection is very personal; so browse the Internet for millions of designs in all price ranges.

The choice is unlimited. Just be sure to buy from a reliable source. When buying Amber Rings, be careful of imitations. Plastic and glass are often passed off as the real thing. A good test of amber is, when touched with a hot needle, the resin gives off a pleasant pine tree fragrance whereas plastic gives off a foul odor and glass will splinter. And remember real amber also floats on salt water. Amber Rings may have inclusions (tiny bubbles dust particles or even tiny creatures), which are a proof that the resin is millions of years old. Place a large, honey colored stone inside a beautifully crafted Gold ring and glow. Add a golden lame gown to it and watch eyes glow with love or envy.

Selecting a ring can be great fun, whether you are buying one to match with your Amber Necklace or just a lone Amber Ring. While buying an Amber ring be very careful, the stone is brittle and cracks easily. It measures only 2.5 on the hardness scale, which means amber is not a hard stone and can break if the ring is worn carelessly. Wear your ring carefully and store it even more carefully. Wrap it separately, away from other Jewellery. It is better not to combine amber with other stones. The amber may crack or chip and the harder stone will remain intact. It will look ugly and you will have to spend unnecessary money to reset your ring with a new amber stone.

The glow of amber has attracted many, and it has been proved by science that amber contains a substance that is therapeutic. The aura of amber conveys its healing powers and bestows good health to those who wear it. Wear a ring of Amber and glow – with health.

AMBER EARRING BUYING GUIDE

Posted on March 9, 2016August 11, 2016 by admin

by Binashaji

Danglers or studs. Small one or large ones. With silver or gold. Triangular or Round. Earrings bring out the special beauty in every woman – delicately small or large contemporary ones, your earrings can convey a million words. Whether you love earrings only in your earlobes or all along the length of your ears. Earrings make you look attractive. To change your look, all you have to do is change your earrings. If you wear studs all the time, try wearing danglers to attract some attention. At home or outside, earrings are an essential in every woman’s life.

Amber is the stone of choice if you love large stones. Amber is very light and even big stones will not burden your ears. Amber is a honey-coloured stone created naturally. This resin has been found in all parts of the world – Africa, Poland, Russia to name a few. Found in the ocean, inside earth and on trees, this resin has fascinated people even in the 17th century and in the 21st century, amber is being used not just for Jewellery but for Aromatherapy, Anti-bacterial products, Perfumes and even in Medicines.

Long gold earrings with amber stones are perfect foil for tall women and can be worn with any hairstyle – whether a upswept hairdo or long, loose hair. Long Amber earrings can the catch the eye, moving delicately with a tilt of the head. Amber contains succinite acid, which has anti-bacterial properties and finally science has acknowledged what our ancestors thousands of years ago knew. That Amber is a healing stone. The warmth of Amber can help calm nerves, and even baby-teethers made of amber have been found. Amber is a soft stone and has a hardness of only 2.5 on the mohs scale. This property means that Amber is very light, even floating on salt water. Because it is so light, the amber from the ocean is often found washed up on seashores.

Amber in the ocean has a natural polish given by the waves and amber found in the earth has a coating, which needs to be removed. A thin golden hoop with a single amber drop or even a thick band with amber embedded along the circumference, amber looks great. Amber earrings can form part of an entire ensemble or just use a pair to make a difference in your appearance just like your hairstyle. With earrings adorning the length of the ear and not just the earlobes, tiny amber drops can be used as studs along the length of the ear with bigger stones at the lobes. So, you can have Amber earrings in a range of sizes – small to large to danglers with stones at the end or even small amber stones put together to make an amber dangler. There are a million different variations and choosing amber earrings, which are perfect can be a fun experience.

Imitations of Amber are plenty and if you do not know how the differentiate Amber, it can be easy to pick up imitation amber. Amber is a light stone and floats on sea water, this is a very easy way to check if the amber is authentic. You can also rub the amber, warm amber smells of fresh pine trees and also attracts small pieces of paper due to static electricity.

If you are buying an expensive pair of earrings, insist on a Certificate of Authenticity for the stone from the jeweler. Most jewelers will oblige. Always buy from a trusted source, unless you want to earrings to complement your pair of blue jeans – in that case, you can pick up a several different earrings different shapes and sizes for a couple of dollars.

Store your Amber earrings separately away from other Jewellery. Amber is a soft resin and breaks easily. Across centuries, all races and peoples have believed in the power of Amber and held onto Amber as a lucky charm. This delicate resin which has captured a sliver of sunshine, millions of years ago can add positive energy in your life.

CHANDELIER EARRINGS

Posted on March 9, 2016June 11, 2016 by admin

by Sheweta Dhanuka

Chandelier earrings are the inimitable jewelry piece that adds a dash of classy glamour to the personality of the lady. It makes her so beautiful and gorgeous that she filches the limelight of the party. These earrings are undoubtedly amazing creation. It is a versatile jewelry item as it suits every complexion; every face cut and every outfit. Female wearing these fashionable earrings certainly catch holds the attention of the people.

It should be worn on selective occasions that are very special and crucial for one’s life like award ceremony, weddings, ballroom parties and prom nights etc. However, there are numerous variety created by the talented jewelry designers across the globe that is suitable for every event or occasion. This article would acquaint the reader with different patterns of chandelier earrings. Here after in the text earrings would refer to chandelier earrings.

These unique earrings are different from drop earrings. Beads/stones set in a straight-line are known as drop earrings while earrings having big shapes like circular, oval and pear etc and in these shapes with respect to design diverse stones or beads are hanged giving a splendid look are called as chandeliers earrings. Apart from these shapes, earrings could have enormous designs with curved lines, heart shapes and the like that are fabulous. In these designs different colored stones are placed. In simple words, as the name specifies, these earrings are long and heavy like chandeliers. One chandelier in the room gives a magnificent and royal look for the entire house similarly chandelier earrings alone are capable of giving the woman a sensational yet graceful look.

This striking earring pattern is usually long between 1.5 to 4.5 inches and wide between 1/2 to 3 inches. The most preferred length is 2.0 to 3.5 inches. Every female can carry this length but length beyond 3.5 inches requires little fashionable and stylish instinct for the perfect deportment. These earrings are available as real jewelries made up of gold, silver or platinum etc and artificial jewelries made up plain wires. By and large all the earrings would include colorful crystals, pearls, beads or gemstones. These additional pieces in the earring give the exquisite hanging look that enhances the overall glance of the jewelry.

These dazzling earrings could be worn with western as well as traditional outfit. In order to get best promising stylish look for any formal evening party, chandelier earrings must be worn with the dresses having well-defined neckline from front. It is advisable not to wear anything in the neck, neither a delicate chain nor a necklace. The reason being, the shimmering earrings must define the hole and sole look of the lady then only she attains that much loved trendy and attractive gaze. Further, the hairs must be tied up neatly into any type of bun instead of leaving it open because the earrings would be visible only when the hair do is neat else it would be hidden behind the left open hair that comes in front of the ear lobes. In case, the lady wearing earrings desires to leave her hair open then it should be tied on the top from back of both the ears. The hair could be left open from the back so that hair does not cover the ears and thereby the earrings.

Handcrafted Chandelier Earrings

In many parts of the world hand-crafted earrings are manufactured that are adored by females from all age groups. Price of these ear jewelries is determined from the raw material used. For example earrings made up from plain wires, simple pearls, colorful glass stones and beads are the most affordable pieces, which are suitable for the casual wear. The synthetic imitated stone with inexpensive metal are priced little higher but the designs are very creative and the look matches with the gold or platinum pair of earrings.

Sterling Silver handcrafted earrings are the most sought after varieties. These are made up of silver wires along with varied crystals, colorful semi-precious gemstone stones like amethyst, citrine, turquoise, amber etc and beads like onyx, bloodstone and many more. Silver earrings are apposite for eveningwear. Precious gems like diamond, ruby, emerald and costly semi-precious gems like topaz, peridot, sapphire etc in high priced metals like gold and platinum are seldom used in handcrafted jewelry because these require use of specialized tools and equipments that ensure correct setting and holding of these expensive gems. However, Swarovski crystals handsets within the contemporary design along with the dangling crystal teardrops are the most popular handcrafted earrings amongst the young girls.

Sterling Chandelier Silver Earrings

Earrings set in sterling silver are iridescent in looks. It is the most affordable selection amongst all the available earring varieties. Immense novel designs with pearls, Swarovski crystals, semi precious gemstones and beads are quite commonly seen in this variant. Many times, the silver earrings are given the rhodium plate finish that offers the lustrous white gold appearance. The rhodium finish increases the cost and enhances the quality of the ear jewelry. Usually, silver earrings are not studded with diamonds, ruby, sapphires or any other precious gemstones because the silver metal does not match the high cost of these precious gems.

Gold Chandelier Earrings

These fascinating earrings are fashioned both in yellow as well as white gold. Mostly, 14K or 18K gold is used for making the modern-day designs. Gold karat value more than 18K is rarely used as it then becomes difficult to set the precious gems and stones in the earrings. Gold earrings are ideal for wedding purpose; it gives that most wanted opulent and sensuous look.

Yellow gold earrings in self-design without any beads or stones are also far and wide commonly seen in various wedding functions especially in Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh etc. Hanging beads as per the requirements of design are also made up gold. Yellow gold is widely used along with precious stones as well. Semi-precious gems are also used but are preferred only when buyer has fewer budgets. Stones such as emerald, ruby, diamonds, sapphire and pearls mounted in grand chandelier earrings in yellow gold appears too attractive and surely all females would simply be passionate about it. This jewelry piece is idyllic for bridal wears especially the Asian brides. In case of cost constraint, original rubies could be replaced by spinels, original pearls with cultured pearls and so on. Brides in embellish ethnic wear together with classic antique chandelier earrings holding emeralds and rubies along with pearls would look so beautiful that words would be less to describe her beauty.

14K and 18K white gold chandelier earrings are also created in inimitable designs. White gold earrings design is mostly more trendy unlike yellow gold that goes very well with antique creation. White gold is often rhodium finish to pull off the glittering whitish glimpse. True diamonds and pearls in white gold make endearing earrings. These are more favored in western countries like USA, UK and so on. It too is absolute selection for bridal wears especially brides in white gown. Original diamonds mounted in white gold are certainly too expensive but is worth buying as the marriage is a lifetime experience where after wearing these earrings the bride would get that spectacular one time bridal look that she and her bridegroom would cherish for rest of their lives.

Colored stones are also mounted in white gold earrings apart from diamonds and pearls. Few to name are amethyst, pink tourmaline, blue topaz, pink sapphire and so on. These transparent stones are more enhanced when set along with diamonds or colourless stones like cubic zircon. Combination of coloured stones with colourless stones comes out to be excellent. Earrings made using such amalgamation of colours give the delicate look that could be worn with evening gowns. More than two coloured stones could also used making it a multi coloured earrings. The use of coloured stones could be done in numerous arrangements as it all depends on the designs.

Platinum Chandelier Earrings

Platinum earrings are best set in original diamonds and pearls. This white coloured metal is the most expensive metal and is selected mostly by the affluent people of the society. This part of the social order is passionate about diamonds and so mostly chandelier earrings in platinum are created using true diamonds of high carat value. Similar to diamonds, emerald, ruby and pearls are also the sought after gems that are used for making customized earrings.

Chandelier earrings are large dangling earrings studded with affordable plain beads, crystal beads, precious stones and semi precious gemstones. These glittering earrings are available in all price range for all income groups. There is certainly a difference in price and quality of different patterns mentioned above but the alluring and sensational look is added for sure to the personality of each and every female who wears it irrespective of the price of the earrings. It has become a universal fact that Chandelier Earrings makes woman look elegant, classy and modish!!

Amber Facts

Posted on March 9, 2016June 11, 2016 by admin

Amber Facts

by Sheweta Dhanuka

The credit of popularity of this coloured gem is to the movie â€˜ Jurassic Parkâ€™. As before the release of the movie there was negligible demand of Amber or its jewelry and after the movie release the demand soar very high. It happened so because from the movie billions of people learned that DNA of dinosaur was extracted from the insect trapped in amber.

Amber is a fossilized pine tree sap. It belongs to the family of organic gemstones. It is the only gemstone that helps in knowing our history. Its name is derived from Medieval French and Latin word ‘ambra’ and from Arabic word ‘anbar ambergris’. It is one of the most popular semi precious colored stone in the present time.

The credit of popularity of this colored gem is to the movie ‘ Jurassic Park’. As before the release of the movie there was negligible demand of Amber or its jewelry and after the movie release the demand soar very high. It happened so because from the movie billions of people learned that DNA of dinosaur was extracted from the insect trapped in amber. People then came to know about its beauty and worth.

With the increasing demand of the gemstone, many faulty stones are sold at the price of genuine stones. By looks the true stone and imitation are exactly similar and it becomes very difficult to differentiate between the two. Thus, this article equips with the all purpose information about this valuable gem that would help the buyer in making the right purchase. Further, here are few conducts through which a genuine stone can be identified.

A true Amber is having very less specific gravity thus, would float on the salty water unlike the imitations. It can be burned, under UV light and shall not crumble easily like modern tree resins. To determine the natural amber bead from those that are combined with resin stabilizers, heat the tip of a sewing needle till it is white hot then insert the needle in bland area. The true amber would emit pine-scented aroma while plastic resin would smell off like burnt plastic. Color, clarity, density, toughness, softness and trapped insects etc are also some of the characteristics that help in distinguishing the true stone from the synthetic resins.

Colour – It possess unique golden colour same as that of the colour of honey. The colour varies from deep yellow, orange, red, brown to golden. All these colours offer stunning look to the stone thus, are very much in demand. Other colour possibilities are off white, dark brown, black, blue or green.

Clarity – This striking gem could be clear while some stones might hold few inclusions. Flaws or inclusions for this gemstone are positive feature as it enhances the look and monetary worth of the stone. Some people in many countries adore gas bubbles present within the stone. Sometimes the flaws are especially inserted in the stone through the man made treatments. Through the close look at the inclusions, buyers can differentiate between the original gemstone and imitations.

The most unusual inclusions found are the insects gripped in the stones. Such stones are most in demand in the entire world and per carat price is very high. Females adore the jewelry holding these insect intact gems.

Varieties – Amber is divided into different varieties on the basis of the inclusions present inside the stone. These inclusions can be naturally formed or created through the man made treatments.

Fatty Amber – This variety consists of inclusions in the form of gas bubbles. These bubbles looks like goose fat so it named so. It is also called as Flohmig in German.

Bone Amber – It is white in colour.
Cloudy Amber – When gas bubbles flaws are large it looks like cloud thus it is named as cloudy amber.
Pressed Amber – It is created through the heat treatment. Under mild heat and huge pressure small size stones are pressed together to form pressed amber.
Sun Spangles – It contains inclusions that appear like nasturtium leaves.

Cut – It is a soft stone thus cutting is little difficult. However, with the help of modern techniques it can be given any shape. It has better retention in large sizes thus, cutting in small sizes is preferred less.

Carat Weight – It is a fossil so found as medium and small forms. After initial essential processing, gemstone is made. Depending on the jewelry design the stone has to be selected from the stones of different carat weight. For man’s rings gem more than 2 carat is more suitable whereas gems in female’s rings and pendants can be between 2-5 ctw. Similarly the stud earrings could have stones of the same carat weight. Moreover, stones of high carat weight with insects trapped in it make fascinating jewelry and the wearer look very attractive. The stone used for decorative purpose are certainly more than five carats.

Price – It is priced a little more than the general affordable category. The price is determined on the basis of carat weight, inclusions, and the rarity of inclusions within the stone. Higher the carat weight more shall be the price. Per carat weight further increases when the inclusion present is insects/animals/plant in the stone. The rarity of the trapped insect/animal/plant determines the value of the amber more so than the quality of the gem. The reason being, these are fossils that no more exist today. Amber has greatly amplified the knowledge about the evolution of insects, animals and plants.

Occurrence – It is an amorphous hydrocarbon that came into existence millions of years ago. It is a fossil tree sap that is obtained from different ancient trees viz. pines, deciduous trees and conifers. The tree sap or resin to be Amber has to be tens of millions of years old else a relatively newly hardened tree sap is called as copals. The incredible uniqueness of this fossil given by Mother Nature is the preserved insects, animals and plants in it that are extinct for hundreds of years now. The insects that are enclosed within this gemstone probably got there when they flew or crawled on to the fresh seeping sap of the tree and then got stuck. Later the sap oozed over the trapped animals and perhaps fell to the ground and then was roofed by dirt and trash. The sap later hardened and became a fossil known as Amber.

The insects found mostly are gnats, flies, wasps, bees and ants. Insects trapped sporadically are grasshoppers, preying mantises, beetles, moths, termites, butterflies, etc. The animals found are spiders, centipedes and scorpions. Sometimes even frogs and lizards get trapped in the tree sap. Large animals like mammals or birds are too big to be ensnared in the sap but their feathers and fur could be seen. Invaluable plant remains could also be found such as flowers, mushroom caps, seeds, leaves, stems, pine needles and pine cones.

Source – The prime source of this wonderful gemstone is the mine in Baltic region at Russia, west of Kaliningrad. It is also found in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. It is even procured from the Baltic coast at Dominican Republic, Myanmar, Norway, Denmark and the east coast of United Kingdom. Furthermore, it is found in some parts of Romania, Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Germany, Canada and Untied States of America.

Enhancements – It is enhanced in varied ways in order to improvise the look of the stone. The stones consisting gas bubbles inclusions are treated with rapeseed oil under heat so that oil penetrated in the bubbles and increases the transparency. This stone is also dyed or stained to augment the colour.

Imitations – Buyers have to be careful from the poor quality synthetic stones sold as amber. These are artificially created stones from plastics and glass sold under the fancy names at the price of a genuine stone. It could be even a modern tree resin treated to give the old fossil look. The imitations are colored in bright colour to lure the innocent buyers under the misleading names. To know the genuineness of the stone check for the

hardness – the true stone would never be hard like the imitations.

Use – It is cut and polished into cabochon or beads to make exquisite jewelry items. Shapes like oval, round, baroque are quite common. The size could vary between 4mm to 10mm. These beads can be when mixed with wooden beads in the string for making necklace and choker, ideal for casual or professional wear. It is a very soft stone and light in weight therefore, large stones are preferred as smaller stones are difficult to create. It is used in rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings and broaches. It gets very well paired with other semi precious gemstones like aventurine, jasper and black onyx etc. Jewelry designers design striking jewelry using the innovative combinations with other gems. Metal used for making these jewelry pieces is mostly silver. Yellow gold and platinum is used seldom. For the ornamental purpose, it is widely used for making mouthpieces, cigar, cigarette holders, pipes and many other small decorative pieces.

Stones having vanished insects and plant material within it are important evidence for geologists and zoologists. These used as precious research and study material. It helps paleontologists recreate life on earth in its primal phases from the extinct species of insects trapped in amber. Entomologist treasure this gem a lot as from it they are able to know about the oldest ants, moths, bees, caterpillars, termites, mushrooms and pollen grains existing tens of millions of years. Within this fossil gemstone the specimens of extinct species are perfectly preserved with all vital features encapsulated unlike other ordinary fossils that are unfinished rock consisting molds of prehistoric life forms.

Precautions – It is a soft stone, rated between 2-2.5 Mohs on the hardness scale. It requires lot of care and precautions. It is very sensitive towards chemicals and alcohol present in cleaning agents and cosmetics respectively thus, should be protected from any direct contact with these solutions. It can be easily ignited with a direct flame so its jewelry should never be cleaned in ultrasonic home cleaners, steamers and hot water. Once in a while it should be wiped off with a damp soft cloth. It is very soft and can easily be scratched even with the fingers so one must be extra careful while using or cleaning it. Its jewelry should always be kept in a separate jewelry box lined with a soft cloth/velvet/cotton.

Beliefs – Ancient man associated this amazing gem with super natural powers thus, used for worship and wore as amulet to safeguard them from dangers. There are many different stories about its origin but one similarity is – it is related to sun in some or the other way. When it is rubbed with a soft cloth or between the palms it becomes electrically charged and attracts small particles. Due to, this attribute Greeks referred it as elektron or sun-made. Germans burned it as incense thus, called it bernstein or burn stone. Egyptians used it in the mummification process while Romans solved the neck and head diseases by the medicine made up of this startling gemstone. It was used extensively for making jewelry and ornaments.

Today, it is used to cure problems related to eyes, throat, stomach, liver, lungs and digestive system. It is believed to bring good luck for the wearer. Astrologers relate it with healing energy and balancing the belligerent behavior. It also helps in attaining bravery and self-confidence.
It is a fossil revealing the past but it is also a fine-looking gemstone bright in colour that makes the female more gorgeous and elegant. Scientists and researchers might treasure it for knowing about extinct insects/animals/plant trapped inside it but women across the world value it for the dazzling look they get after wearing its jewelry. So acquire the Amber jewelry soon and get the privilege of being addressed as the ‘most beautiful lady in the party today’ where ever you go !!

Amber Facts

Chemical Composition	The chemical formula is C10H16O and known also as Succinic acid.
Colours	Deep yellow, orange, red, brown to golden. Sometimes also found in off white, dark brown, black, blue or green.
Streak	White.
Refractive Index	1.54
Specific Gravity	1.1 (extremely light and can float in salty water).
Luster	Greasy to resinous.
Solid State	Transparent to translucent.
Crystal System	No crystal system. Being amorphous in nature so does not have an ordered structure.
Hardness	2-2.5 Mohs.
Cleavage	None
Fractures	Conchoidal.
Luminescence	None
Enhancement	Often enhanced in varied ways.
Source	Russia, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Baltic coast at Dominican Republic, Myanmar, Norway, Denmark, the east coast of UK, Romania, Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Germany, Canada and USA.
Precautions	Apart from general gemstone precautions, it can be easily ignited so should be kept away from the flame or hot liquids.

Roman Empire Sparkle Jewelry

Posted on June 13, 2016October 18, 2016 by admin

The Sparkle of Jewelry in the Roma

The Sparkle of Jewelry in the Roman Empire

by Shalini Kagal

Jewelry designs and trends during Roman empire period – The strange thing is that the Romans were when the empire first began, rather austere in their tastes – their food, their clothes, their ornaments. What they wore was more functional rather than flaunting. Then came the army’s success as they began to spread out and conquer. Soon, Spartan gave way to Style. This could have been due to two reasons. One, the fact that they saw a new world out there where many dressed in a more resplendent manner and flaunted jewelry. Two, the fact that very often they carried back the spoils of war of which gold and precious stones formed a part. By the first century B.C., there was a variety of jewelry available with a wide choice of designs.

The first foray was probably into
gold as this was the metal that they
brought back most often from their
conquests. Then, the trend grew to
embrace both Greek and Eastern
influences. So we see beads made of
glass, colored stones and the use of
silver as well as the rare bronze.
After all, according to Homer,
wasn’t this the metal used to
fashion Achilles’ shield? We also
see the use of pearls and bone.

It all started with piercing – but
piercing with a purpose. The men
pierced themselves as a show of
strength. If they pierced their
nipples, it symbolized both their
loyalty to their empire as well as
being a symbol of power. In fact the
gladiators would pierce various
parts of their body believing that
this was supposed to protect them
from injuries.

As interest in jewelry grew, the
early designs show a marked leaning
towards the Greek styles. However,
with time, a more distinctive Roman
style seems to emerge. The Romans
had a partiality for stones like
emeralds, sapphires, rubies and
topaz. They also had a choice of
pendants which were encased in gold
and were cameos. Some of them were
made to be large enough to hold a
bit of perfume. These were in full
display with the ladies who came to
watch the chariot races as they
began to get more popular in Rome.
The horses too, especially the ones
that took part in the races, were
decked out in pearls and stones
woven into their tails and their
manes. The young boys usually wore a
neck chain or a ‘bulla’ which had a
small pouch that contained
protective amulets.
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The Romans were very conscious of
their status in society. So clothes
became important items of
demarcation between the various
classes – between those born free
and the slaves, as well as the many
classes in polite society. Jewelry
therefore became a very important
status symbol together with clothing
to make this distinction.

Roman Jewelry

One
could see a lot of gold
hemispherical shapes which were made
into earrings, necklaces or
bracelets. The men usually were a
little more subtle and their jewelry
was constrained to one finger ring.
At first these rings were made of
iron, then of gold. Then precious
stones were used for rings as were
semiprecious stones like chalcedony
and carnelian. The trend grew
however and there were some Roman
men who wore a ring on every finger.
Roman women were said to wear
friendship rings as well. Both men
and women wore carved rings – the
stone was often carved so it would
facilitate sealing documents. The
ring was pressed into hot wax and
the document sealed. This practice
continued well into the later times
when kings used this method to seal
anything.

The trend of relief where silver
ornaments and vessels was concerned
was practiced in the fourth century
B.C. This type of ornamentation was
done a lot in the Greek era and it
permeated all silverwork right
through the Roman civilization.

The most popular item of jewelry by
far however, was the brooch. This
was what held most Roman clothing
together. It really was an
ornamental safety pin but the Romans
raised it to a work of art. In fact,
you can find variations of it in far
flung parts of the Roman Empire.
What was unique at that point of
time was the clasp or the ‘fibula’.
Though the brooches served a very
functional purpose – that of holding
clothing together – they were
beautifully made. There were laurel
leaves, branches of palms, winged
eagles and goddesses.

From what has been unearthed and is
now in the museums, one realizes
that over two centuries ago, this
empire had jewelry that used
diamonds from India and sapphires
from Sri Lanka. In the England of
the Roman era, ‘jet’ or fossilized
wood was used to make jewelry. The
ancient Romans used a lot of amber
in their jewelry as well. Amber is
the resin from fossilized trees and
it was referred to as the ‘gold of
the north’. One sees that a lot of
ornaments fashioned out of amber
were made during the second century
B.C. Many of the ancient
civilizations made jewelry out of
amber and they were much-prized
possessions. Remains of amber
workshops have been found in parts
of Europe.

The women wore beautifully designed
jewelry in their ears, fingers,
around their necks, on their clothes
and even in their hair! As well
designed as their brooches and
clothes pins were, equally so were
their jeweled hair pins. Of course,
some of the jewelry was worn by the
superstitious – and there were many
of them – to ward off what they
called the ‘evil eye’.
Many of the Roman designs and ideas
were spread through their conquests
of places near and far and many just
spread and got mixed with the
neighboring cultures after the
decline of the Roman Empire. Soon,
one saw a change from a more
barbaric and resplendent taste in
jewelry in the conquered regions to
a more understated, elegant one.
So even though the ‘grandeur that
was Rome’, sung about by poets and
philosophers waned, their
contribution to the world of jewelry
design did not. It grew, changed and
flourished all over the world

IMMORTALIZE YOUR GEMS

Posted on March 9, 2016August 12, 2016 by admin

by Basundhara Mitra

Aquamarine, which is a member of the important beryl family that includes emerald, is less brittle and more durable than emerald. It has a Mohs rating of 7.5 Stones that have a Mohs hardness of less than 8 are highly subject to scratching. However, stones that are harder are not invincible, they are also subject to chipping & fracture.

Summary:

If you are a gem of a person and desire that those glittering stone-studded jewellery of yours retain their twinkling dazzle as you pass them on from one generation to the next as family heirlooms, you need to bestow on them a little TLC. Just like your skin, your clothes, your dog or just about anything in this world, care & attention goes a long way in preserving the radiance of your precious gemstone ornaments. A diamond is forever – so are other gemstones – only if cared for in the proper fashion. To do so, we need to have a wee bit of technical knowledge about our treasured stones. The durability of a stone depends on its hardness – hardness in the jewellery industry is based on a gem-trade standard called the Mohs scale, conceived by Friedrich Mohs in the early 1800s.

The harder the stone, the higher is the Mohs scale rating. Diamonds, of course, have the highest scale rating of 10 and are considered the hardest of precious stones (rubies & sapphires rate at 9) while pearls (Mohs 2.5 – 4.5), amber (Mohs 2-2.5) and coral (Mohs 3.5-4) are some of the softest gems. Aquamarine, which is a member of the important beryl family that includes emerald, is less brittle and more durable than emerald. It has a Mohs rating of 7.5 Stones that have a Mohs hardness of less than 8 are highly subject to scratching. However, stones that are harder are not invincible, they are also subject to chipping & fracture. Therefore, the manner in which we wear, store & clean our gems, affects the longevity of their gleam. Wear it right It is best to remove fine jewellery before engaging in sports, housework, gardening, heavy or dirty work so that they are not subject to harsh impact, abrasives or dirt. A hard blow can chip even diamonds. Pearls, corals & porous stones such as opal or turquoise should be kept away from dirty water & oils to avoid discolouration.

Here are some tips to remember while you dress to kill:

* Always wear jewellery after applying cosmetics, hand lotions or hairspray, to prevent buildup of dirt and oil around the gem, which will keep it from sparkling. Hair-dyes and bleach also adversely affect gems.

* Chlorine in the swimming pool can cause damage to stones & gold.

* Never remove jewellery by tugging on the gemstone as it will become loose in its setting.

* Opals, pearls, coral, amber, turquoise & the softer gems are heat-sensitive & should not be exposed long to the hot sun, kept near radiators or in hot cars. Pearls bleach while amber darkens under extreme exposure to light. Light & heat affects the durability & colour of coloured stones & fades & weakens stones like amethyst, kunzite, quartz, topaz, and aquamarine. Excessive heat can also cause gems to fracture as it removes the natural moisture as well as fillers & oils in treated stones like emeralds.

* Soft & brittle stones must not be subject to hard wear, such as in constant-wear rings. They are better protected in dinner rings, pendants or earrings. Set it right Six prong settings offer more protection to a stone than a four prong one. Bezel settings are secure though difficult to remove & reset. Sharp corners such as the tip of marquise- cut stones are very vulnerable & should be protected by proper setting. Faceted stones with shallow crown angles are also prone to chipping & need extra protection.

Check Point

Check for loose stones & clasps frequently by tapping the piece with your finger near your ear. Pearls need to be restrung every 2 years. Emeralds need to be professionally retreated with oils & fillers after several years of wear & tear. Treasure chest Storing jewellery right is another key to a brilliant treasure cove. Locked away in piles, gems & metals can chip or abrade each other & get entangled. Each piece must be stored separately in velvet, silk, paper or in sections of a fragment pouch or box. Pearls & opals draw moisture from the air & therefore must not be stored in dry places or plastic sealed bags. Pearl & lapis necklaces should be stored flat. Aquamarine jewellery must be kept in a dark place, as it often becomes paler if left out in the sun. It is safe to pad gemstone jewels while travelling.

Sparkling clean Cleaning your priceless gems is a skill that is essential to master if you want your jewellery to outlast you. In cleaning non-porous gems like diamonds & rubies, washing in a weak solution of ammonia, rinsing & drying with a lint-free soft cloth is quite effective. On gems with Mohs hardness of 8 or above, it is safe to gently scrub with a soft toothbrush (though not on the metal setting). A moderate water jet like a dental cleaning appliance can be used to remove bits of grime. Harsh cleansers & vigorous scrubbing can remove the coatings used to enhance the beauty of stones. Aquamarines, which are the universal symbol of youth, hope, and health, are usually heat-treated and sometimes irradiated. These March birthstones should be cleaned in ultrasonic jewellery cleaner or with warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush.

Do not clean in a home ultrasonic machine. Never use chemical cleaners. Avoid heat and overtly frequent cleaning at all costs as this light blue, blue-green or dark blue stone can pale easily. Like all stones, aquamarines are prone to scratches and brushes must be used gently. Soft gems such as pearls can be cleaned with warm soapy water & a new makeup brush & laid on a soft cloth to dry. Avoid touching the string till completely dry as the wet string can stretch. Porous stones like coral, opal, pearl & turquoise should not come in contact with acids, chemicals or solvents. Ultrasound cleaners are not advisable for gemstones like tanzanite, opals or even emeralds & rubies where the ultrasound removes the oil /resin treatment & expand existing fractures. Wipe gemstones with a clean, damp cloth after each wear to remove chemicals, oils & perspiration. It does not take much to protect your treasury of priceless stones. Just a little attention at the right time ensures that the glow of your scintillating gems matches with the beam in your eyes.

Organic Jewelry

Posted on March 9, 2016August 10, 2016 by admin

Organic Jewelry

by Ms Nandita Ray

What is organic? Anything that is derived from living organisms and containing carbon compounds is organic in nature. Jewelry made from organisms that were once living creatures or their product is considered organic jewelry. Amber, bamboo, Bone, Horn, Stone, Hardwood, Pearls, Ivory, Hair and Coral are some of the organic elements used in jewelry.

Jewelry in any form is always delightful. A pretty trinket of bone or a pendant of wood or a coral earring or a pearl stud; always fetches a smile or even a gasp of pleasure. These pieces are all made of organic material. What is organic? Anything that is derived from living organisms and containing carbon compounds is organic in nature. Jewelry made from organisms that were once living creatures or their product is considered organic jewelry. Amber, bamboo, Bone, Horn, Stone, Hardwood, Pearls, Ivory, Hair and Coral are some of the organic elements used in jewelry.

Jewelry has been used from the beginning of civilization to decorate and beautify body and has always been an important part of human growth and development. Enhancing physical beauty has and will always take a huge slice of human grooming.

Amber Jewelry

Amber Facts

The now extinct ever green Pinites Succinifer, very similar to the Spruce tree in looks, with needle like leaves, produced a resin that was steeped with oil. This liquid hardened over the years, as it came in contact with air. This process took million of years. This hardened product is called Amber. This tough resin was used by trees as a protection against fungal or parasitical attack.

The thick and syrupy liquid that oozes out of the barks, contain volatile oils called terpene. This is unsaturated hydrocarbons and is found in essential oils and oleoresins of plants. This hardened form of resin is called Copal or sub fossil Amber. This is semi fossilized or recently hardened. With Polymerization, the molecular structure of the Copal changes further hardening it. This takes place in the absence of air or free oxygen or it has to be in sea water for a long period. It takes million of years for Copal to turn into Amber.

Copal is sometimes sold as Amber. It is a lustrous resin, generic name for all tree resins, and is used chiefly for making varnishes. It is brittle, aromatic, yellow or red in color and used for polishing wood work. Madagascar and Kenya have large deposits of Copal.

Amber is deeply colored, translucent even transparent, which is rare and is highly prized. The largest deposits are found in the Baltic Coast Deposits. To be called Amber, the resin has to be several million years old. In fact some refer to Succinite, the mineralogical fossil resin from the Baltic region as true Amber. What makes the Amber a truly prized possession are the inclusions. Leaves, flowers, insects, even tiny animals get trapped and eventually fossilized within the Amber. Older fossils of such trapped living things are sometimes the only remnant of the species. Due to its preservative power, the DNA of these flora and fauna are well preserved and help in scientific studies. Amber from New Jersey has revealed many previously unknown, extinct Cretaceous species, hundred million years old.

Colors range from white, called Bone Amber to shades of brown and yellow and red. Sometimes blue or green Amber can be found. This is rare. Color is the result of minerals present in the soil or water and its reaction with the raw resin. Transparent Amber is most expensive.

Amber gets highly polished. When rubbed it gets charged with static electricity. Heating Amber will melt it. Over heating will burn it, decompose it, releasing Amber oil. Amber pitch is the black residue. Dissolving it in linseed oil or turpentine forms Amber lac or varnish.

The name Amber is of Arabic descent. Amber has been used from ancient times for various purposes, jewelry one of them. It has been mentioned by Homer, Aristotle and Plato.

Amber Jewelry

Since its exterior is hard and inside soft, it is easy to craft jewelry and objects of art. Necklaces with beads and blocks of Amber are threaded. Mix and match with different tones of Amber are weaved with chains. Green with warm brown of Amber set in silver or gold brown with silver beads or oval shaped Amber beads with round beads make a smart combination. Silver chains with a pendant made of Rose colored amber looks pretty. Sometimes Amber is carved in shape of a rose or bud. Some pendants sport a Victorian look. Heart shaped, crosses, bunch of grapes, single amber drop, modern setting or set in the traditional way. Hand faceted, carved engraved all types of necklaces and pendants, earrings, bracelets, bangles, brooches and cameos are made of Amber. Some of these are hand polished.

Tips to buy Amber

In order to make sure that the Amber is genuine and not fake, keep in mind-
-Buy from a reputed store
-True Amber comes in limited shades of Brown, cream/ivory, yellow, blue and green.
-Amber can be translucent or transparent.
-Real Amber will feel warm and when rubbed it will get charged with static electricity.
-Use infrared or spectroscopy to test Amber.
-Use of Solvents will also reveal its identity.
-Buoyancy test will help. Amber should float.
-Burnt plastic will release carbolic acid smell.

Coral Jewelry

Jewelry made out of coral is not a new concept. It is one of the nine gems called navratan that has been an integral part of Indian Jewelry. Coral is fished out from the sea. It is actually the skeletal remains of microscopic sea animals called polyps. They are invertebrates. It begins life as a swimming larva, with a pin sized head. Secretion of calcium carbonate from the lower part of the body forms suction pads which help it to settle on a firm support for ever. The body is soft and tubular. It has a mouth surrounded by eight tentacles, which help it to trap food by stinging the prey. Polyps house zooxanthellae which are brown algae. They provide nutrients to the polyp by photosynthesis and this helps the coral to grow. Corals usually feed at night.
The skeletal wall around each polyp is called Theca. Corals have two body types perforate and imperforate. Perforate or soft corals have a porous skeleton with connections between each polyp. The imperforates or hard corals have a solid chalky skeleton that remains intact even after they die. Hard coral forms coral reefs. By dividing or budding a single polyp gives birth. This way they reproduce, grow and build colonies that reach gigantic size called coral reefs. Reproduction is also be done by releasing eggs.When alive they look like swaying fragile trees with multiple branches. The remains however are sturdy and they are composed of calcium carbonate with traces of carotene. They are harvested from depths of 100 to 1000 ft with wide meshed nets dragged across the sea bed. Some corals are hand picked. Corals come in different colors and their worth is based on color and availability.

Black Coral

It is the Hawaii’s state Gemstone. It is related to sea anemone and jelly fish. The color of its skeleton is blackish brown. In 1960 the famous marine biologist Jaccques Cousteau, re-discovered black coral. This was a happy find since it was considered extinct.

The skeleton is made from tough protein. Its body is covered with tiny thorny spines and is called ‘little thorn coral’. The tubular body has a mouth at the top end. The tentacles are covered with nematocysts. They reproduce by spawning annually. The larva swims and attaches itself to a colony. It is found in New Zealand and is a protected species over there.

Black coral was highly regarded by the Greeks who called it Antipathies Grandis. It was supposed to ward of evil.

Red Coral

Also called Corallium Rubrum or Fire coral or Red Bull coral. It grows slowly at a depth of 500 to 1000ft. They breed in water with temperature between 13 to 16 degrees Celsius. The Red is due to the presence of carotene. They can live for a very long time. The skeleton is composed of stick like calcium carbonate rods, a number of irregular branches fused together in a rigid form. The colors range from deep red to orange to pink.

There are two types of polyps, one with eight tentacles and the other just a small tube. The tentacles feed the coral while the tube keeps the water flowing, hydrating the colony. Reproduction is by eggs or division of polyps. The best Red corals come from S. Ireland, the Bay of Biscay, Canary Islands, The Red Sea, Mauritius and Japan. Today Tibet and China supply fossilized Red coral. When cut and polished it shines brilliantly. The thickness of each branch is about 4 cm. The point from where it branches out is the thickest. This part is used for making jewelry.

Pink Coral

Is found in the entire length of Hawaii. It is very hard and dense. It is sometimes marbled or shaded. Pink roses and other carved pieces are made from this coral. Pendants, earrings in shape of a rose, tulip or just a figurine are highly popular. In 1966 it was discovered off the coast of Omaha.

Hawaii Black/ Gold Coral

Black and Gold corals are always on the ‘wanted’ list. It was in 1971 that two beds were discovered on top of a volcano underwater in Hawaii. Again another set was discovered in 2000. When polished it becomes glossy. Only 3% of the reef is harvested each year. Colors range from beige to black. It is also called Chatoyance, which in French means cat’s eye.

Coral Jewelry

Jewelry made with coral is very pretty. It looks delicate, refined and dignified. Necklaces, bracelets, bangles, earrings, rings, pins, brooches, anklets, buttons and pendants can be crafted from coral. Set in silver or gold, filigreed, carved, engraved or just oval or round shaped coral looks enchanting. Necklaces can be made of a single strand in red or multiple strands with black as a contrast, a choker with pink and black coral. Earrings can be a simple stud or a hoop with dangling coral beads or a bunch of corals like hanging grapes. Diamonds encircling coral or pearls surrounded by small corals make a beautiful design. Coral can be crafted into rose or chrysanthemums, cherubs, leaves or fruits. Brooches can be inlayed with coral while pendants in shape of heart, tulip, tear drop or even a star can be made. Coral popularized by Napoleon, overused by Victorians is slowly inching its way back into fashion. Since coral is over harvested it is getting difficult to get genuine coral. One has to be careful of imitations like glass, plastic, bone or even porcelain which is being passed off as coral.

Tips to buy Coral

-Real coral is soft. It gets scratched easily.
-It should take shine easily.
-Heat will discolor it. Plastic when heated will give off a smell.
-The base of the real coral will exhibit some evidence of sea life.
-Plastic will show molding lines.
-Shell stimulants will show layered structure.
-Glass may show air bubbles.

Coral should be kept away from heat and abrasives.

Pearl Jewelry

Like diamonds ‘The Queen of Gems’ wields its magic over jewelry makers and wearers. Nothing can detract from its inner glow, glaze and soft, smooth look. It sets off gold; silver even brightens the dullest metal. It is believed that the Roman general Vitelline financed his war campaign by selling his mother’s pearls. A real pearl is very valuable and rare to get today. Like the coral it is found in the depths of the sea and is the product of a living organism, the mollusk or the clam.

When an irritant get within the folds of its skin, it is not easily dislodged by the mollusk. To stop the irritation it starts covering the particle with its secretion called nacre or mother of pearl. This secretion is used for making its outer shells and is composed of the mineral calcium carbonate and a fibrous protein called conchiolin. This process leads to the formation of a natural pearl, which may take many years.

Real pearl is the product of a biological process thus not always smooth or perfectly round. Each layer of nacre that covers it has a layer of conchiolin in between. These layers do not always cover the pearl completely. This leads to imperfections. The shape and size of a natural pearl varies depending on the mollusk that formed it, the size of the particle, where the particle got embedded, and the health of the mollusk or clam. The temperature and the water it bred in. The color of pearl which ranges from white to different shades of cream, gold black and purple depend on the organic pigments found in the secretion The presence of nacre gives the pearl it’s lustrous, opalescent and shimmering look.

Cultured Pearl

Cultured pearl is the brain child of Japan. Japanese cultured pearl is the international standard. China also farms huge amounts of such pearls. They can be bred in sea water or in fresh water like river or lake. A healthy mollusk or clam is impregnated with an object and bred. Following are the types of mollusk used: –

Abalone Pearls

Pearls got from this single shelled mollusk is very rare. The reason is over fishing. This thirty million old species is a delicacy and gets fished out before maturity. It takes about ten years for it to produce a pearl with a thick nacreous layer. The colors are deep blue, green tinted, purple, pink and gold, the shapes solid or hollow or horn shaped.

Akoya Pearls

Pinctada Fucata Martensii oysters produce pearls which are round, lustrous and beautiful. It takes about two years for the pearl to grow. If left for a longer period the quality and size gets better. Colors are varied.

South Sea Pearls

This white lipped large mollusk, Oyster Pinctada Maxima produces silvery colored large pearls. They are expensive and cultivated in ocean lagoons in Tahiti, Australia and Philippines.

Mabe Pearls

Oyster Pteria Penguin produces such pearls in its shell not body. These pearls are usually flat at one end and fragile. This is because they are made by filling in a cavity and packed with mother of pearl. They are large and cheaper than a similar South sea Pearl and used for pendants, rings and earrings.

Conch Pearls

Sea Snails called Queen Conch produces pearl with deep rich swirling array of colors and is very rare. They cannot be cultivated. Such pearls are measured in carats.

Keshi Pearls

Called poppy seeds or simply seed pearls because of their size. Poppy is Keshi in Japanese. They can be farmed in sea or fresh water. The oyster throws out the foreign object before it is fully covered or the nucleus developed. Sometimes the nucleus divides into two separate pearls, which have only a few layers of nacre.

Fresh Water Pearls

Grown in mussels with a single mussel producing twenty pearls in a year. The size is small and irregular in shape. They are cheap.

Pearls are sorted in shape, size and color. The oldest pearl jewelry found is from a Persian Princess who died in 520 B.C. Pearl in Latin means ‘unique’. It makes for an ideal wedding gift and is often worn for relieving stress.

Pearl Jewelry

A versatile gem, it is used in most jewelry. It has decorated clothes of the Rich and Famous. It can be fashioned into jewelry one can dream of. Necklaces, bangles, bracelets, rings, earrings, nose pins, tiepins, pendants brooches, hair clasps, buttons, tiaras; it can beautify bags and belts and slippers too. Strands of white pearls, pink pearls, dyed multi colored pearls, chokers /collars, mixed and matched, single strand mixed with gold beads, or red coral or with uncut rubies or emerald can be worn as necklaces. Bracelets or bangles with seed pearls set in gold or silver look attractive and go with most outfits. Some earrings are made with single big pearl, studs, tear drop or round pearls dangling from a thin chain is quite fashionable. Hoops with multi colored pearls, pearls surrounded by diamonds or seed pearls encircling a ruby look pretty. Pearl pendants set in filigree gold often form a center piece of a chain. Pearl forms an important part of Navratan set. There is no end to designs with pearls.

Tips to buy Pearls

-Prime pearl is not easily got.

-Decide on the quality you want to buy, natural or cultured. This will be dictated by your pocket and needs.

-Most pearls in the market are cultured.

-Go to a reputed store and take time to choose your pearls.

-Sometimes inferior pearls are set in attractive designs. Question the pearls used.
-Plastic, glass, synthetic beads or shell are often substituted. The coatings peel off when rubbed or scratched.

-X Rays with 10X will reveal the layers of a good pearl, its density and how it was formed.

-Tooth Test also helps in identifying a pearl. A real pearl will feel gritty, a fake absolutely smooth.

-If held under strong light, it will reveal disparity in color, overtones and exhibit natural defects. A fake one will look perfect.

-Natural pearls sit heavy on the palm. Fake ones are generally light.

-The nacre gloss is also a giveaway since fake pearls feel glassy, sticky and warm to touch. A natural pearl radiates from within and feels cool when touched.

Organic Jewelry Part 2- Bamboo -Horn and Bone jewelry

Posted on March 9, 2016June 11, 2016 by admin

Organic Jewelry Part 2- Bamboo -Horn and Bone jewelry

by Sheweta Dhanuka

Organic jewelry is the amazing blend of old and new phase that is instinctive raw material used for crafting stunning jewels using modern techniques and designs. Thus, this article endeavors to provide the related information about the natural material used for making organic ornaments such as necklace, bracelets and earrings.

Human being came into existence in this universe millions of years ago and so is his/her passion for ornaments. Initially, the objects utilized by them for making jewelries were all the natural material that required intense search in forest instead of mining. They used to look for horns, bones and teeth of animals, bamboo and wood for making jewels. Today precious and semi precious gemstones are widespread in every corner of the world but the stuff used by our ancestors for jewelry also exists. These are named as Organic Jewelry. It is new contemporary funky items created using intrinsic stuff like bamboo, hardwood, horn & bone and tusk.

Jewelry lovers could add these unique pieces in their collection. Organic jewelry is the amazing blend of old and new phase that is instinctive raw material used for crafting stunning jewels using modern techniques and designs. Thus, this article endeavors to provide the related information about the natural material used for making organic ornaments such as necklace, bracelets and earrings. The details proffered are the basic facts that would help in understanding and knowing these natural materials to some extent.

Bamboo Jewelry

It is the natural grass that grows in long cylinder shape thick from outer circumference while hollow inside. The colour of this innate material varies from light green, yellow or brown. It could be either striped or spotted black in colour. Black bamboo is very rare but valued most. It is tan yellowish and the colour varies from medium brown to chocolate brown. The natural designs and patterns on the solid part differ from one piece to other like it could be burnt design, one-flare colour or tapering effect.

The bamboo jewelries are always created using cylinder shapes. It has natural protective cortex that is the outer surface of bamboo therefore, while making other flat shapes the protective shield needs to be detached. Once the cortex is removed this natural material becomes unsuitable for jewelry, as it gets permeable and less firm.

The circular shapes are cut in form of rings from the diaphragm or membrane of the cylindrical bamboo. The rings are thick in the front while hollow at the back. No two rings have identical look therefore, it is very difficult to match for making jewelry pieces in pairs.

In order to have the smooth insertion of jewelry made up bamboo, it is pre-oiled when it is in its raw form. It should be always oiled else it becomes difficult to retain the shine and wear it. The jewelries must be seldom washed. Only mild herbal soaps or solutions must be used for cleaning. Immediately, after washing it should be wiped off completely with the cotton cloth and oiled before storing it.

The cost of this basic material is determined by its diameter. It is measured in gauges, inches or millimeters. With the increase in the diameter in terms of gauge the price also increases. The length of the bamboo pieces used to make captivating jewelries is usually short, something between 1/2 to 3/4 inches long.

Hardwood Jewelry

High quality hardwood is used to make fascinating jewelries. It is all handmade jewelry as it involves manual carving and sanding. It is ideal for making earrings, as mostly ear gets less wet when compared with wrist, fingers and neck.

The different varieties of wood used for making exquisite ornaments are Chechen, Ebony, Chakte Kok, Granadillo, Katalox, Olive and Maple. All comes in varied colours. Olive and maple are found in bright yellow colour base with dark yellow or brown natural groves on the base. Ebony is dense black in colour. Reddish orange with black or dark brown streaks is the colour for Chakte Kok. Chechen and granadillo are medium brown and dark brown colour respectively, both consists of darker shades grains on the base colour. Katalox is very dark brown colour that looks like ebony black.

In order to make attention-grabbing jewels diverse shapes are cut from thick wood logs. Pieces have to be cut from thick logs because small pieces with less thickness tend to break in due coarse of time. These shapes are joined together to make appealing jewelry items. Only few regular shapes such as cylinder, round, oval, square, one flared, saddle, nail, taper and spike are possible to cut, as wood is relatively stiff. However, many versatile designs are created with inlay. Inlay means that a solid piece is drilled to make it hollow then some other gemstone or small wood bit is inserted in the empty space. In the center of the saddle piece, 3-D concentric circles are made highlighting it outwards. The solid piece is even engraved with some designs like stars, sun, flower and so on. Sometimes, even these are carved in inimitable forms and hand painted in colourful colours. The options for creating exclusive pieces in unlimited, it all just depends on the creativity of an individual.

Price of these amazing natural material is determined through three main factors viz. wood used, artwork and size. All the different types of wood mentioned above come at a different price. Similarly, all diverse artwork calls for a special cost. Inlay tends to be most expensive as it involves the cost of solid wood piece as well as the gemstone/wood plug inserted inside the main solid. Rest all varies with the quality and quantity of the work done on the wooden piece that is used for making jewelries. Finally the size of the wood, with the increase in the size cost also goes up.

All hardwood jewelry in the end is oiled utterly as it fills the empty pores and leads to smooth insertion. These ornaments similar to bamboo jewelries must be washed occasionally with mild soap and water, completely dried and oiled again before storing. Olive oil, peanut oil or jojoba oil could be used to do the needful.

Horn Jewelry and Bone Jewelry

In ancient times, when civilization started people used to wear jewelries made up from horns and bones of the animals. In those times, jewelries were common to males, females and even children. They used to collect the bones, make similar shapes and put it together in a string to make necklace, bracelets and so forth. Ear and nose piercing with sharp animal horn was also proverbial amongst the females. The horn and bone body jewelry continues to be worn by tribes in few parts of the universe till date. Today, these unique ornaments are not only restricted to tribal group but has become the trendy funky style statement in the fashion industry across the globe.

Horns are always found in dark colours like dark brown, black or gray. These are sharp, translucent and could be yellowish or brownish tan. It is made up fibrous protein called as Keratin. Due to keratin, the horns are very hard and taut. As all animals have two horns therefore, for making any jewelry item the pair of identical horns is easily acquired. Bones are composed of calcium carbonate and protein collagen. As calcium is present in large quantity, bones are white or off white in colour.

There are different varieties of horns found like double flared, saddle shaped, plain hollow and hollow with amber inserted ( any other gemstone could be inserted in place of amber like turquoise, bloodstone, opal, moonstone etc ). Fancy and remarkable designs could be engraved on the horns in double flared or saddle shape. Also, bone dust and semi precious gems are also used creatively in unlimited designs. These are referred as saddles or double flared with inlays. Inlays signify to bone dust or the stones. U shape, hair-do’s, yoni shape, spiral, compact spiral, triskels, wicked spiral, java style hoops, plain claws, monster claws, labret shapes, tusks, septum pinchers and flying dragons etc are unique mesmerizing shapes. These are never seen before shapes in any other gemstone or jewelry material.

Same as horns, bones are shaped as saddle, solid or hollow. The diverse designs as created in horn are not possible to produce in bones, as it is more porous. It becomes more porous due to the presence of calcium carbonate in its composition. Round, square, teeth, tusks, claws and more are the regularly found shapes.

These two jewelry raw materials are mostly obtained from water buffalo and cows. Indonesia is the main source for both these animal. India is the main supplier of black cow horns. The horns and bones are attained only after animals die. It is valued very high thus cost is lucrative. The main price determinants are size and country. Indonesian water buffalo horns and bones are priced maximum.

Tusk Jewelry

Tusk are long pointed tooth that protrudes from closed mouth as in elephant, warthog or wild boar. Each single unit obtained from different animals is exceptional and has its distinctive specialty. Boar tusk are short, white and sharp curved. Warthog tusks are same as the former but are more heavy and tan yellowish. The last but most important are the elephant tusk. These are valued maximum and the cost is as high as sky. These are ivory white, strong and very large.

Unfortunately, people with their selfish motive kill innocent animals for its God gifted tusk. It is against the ethical standards to make jewelries using tusk and wear the same. This convention is now obscured with other old traditions. Therefore, only small piece of information is offered about tusk.

Apart from tusk other organic stuffs viz. bamboo, hardwood, horn and bone continues to be used for creating spectacular body jewelry. This funky fashion is idyllic for casual attire. In spite for being so old it persists to have the clout to grab the attention in the mass. It is certainly worth to keep up the old things. So try getting organic !!

More Resources
Horn and Bone Jewelry store
Bamboo jewelry

Jet Jewelry

Posted on March 9, 2016June 11, 2016 by admin

Jet Jewelry

by Ms Nandita Ray

Part of organic jewelry series Organic jewelry Part 2, Part3

Jet Jewelry

Also called ‘Mourning Jewelry’ mainly because it has been used for such occasion and also because of its dark black color, the symbol of sadness. It flourished during the staid Victorian Age when people wore it to mourn a loved one. This was started by Queen Victoria who wore jet jewelry to mourn the death of her mother and her beloved husband Albert. Jet is fossilized coal, formed from wood. It can be carved and shaped easily and takes to polish like duck to water. It has been used since ancient times. It is believed that the first recorded use of Jet was by the Magdalenian artisans. In 1500 rosary beads were made. In the 15th century an English mourning ring decorated with a skull and with strand of hair and inscribed with date of birth was crafted for “Iohes Godefray”. Greeks were known to have used it in 200B.C.

Jet is compressed driftwood which when saturated with water sinks to the floor of the sea and remains there for ages. These remains of coniferous trees get compressed and hardened and chemically changed due to heat, pressure and the chemicals present in the water. When plants wither and die in wet environs or peat swamps, the presence of low oxygen and bacteria prevent it from decaying completely. Different debris and waste settle on it, compress it, wring out all the water and change it into Lignite. This is the lowest grade of coal and nearly half the world’s total coal reserves contain Lignite. It is brownish black in color and is called brown coal or witches amber or black amber or Agstein.

Jet is considered semi precious and real Jet is hard to get. It has a dark metallic luster and is lightweight. Best Jet is found in Yorkshire, England. Its mining started in 1850. By 1873 there were 200 Jet shops. However mining Jet is illegal today. Pieces that wash up on the shore can be collected and crafted into jewelry. Brooches, rings, pendants, earrings bracelets, rosary beads, pins and necklaces are made from this. Imitations abound and therefore buying real Jet is quite a task. French Jet is black glass made in USA. Dyed horn and plastics, Vulcanite, a sulpherized rubber, or the sap of the Mayan tree is also passed off as Jet.

Tips for buying Jet Jewelry

Real Jet will have a metallic luster.
Real Jet when rubbed will get electrically charged.
If rubbed on a rough surface it will leave a brownish color.