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Expert Articles on Jewelry

1. A Little Bit About Birthstones -By Irene Harriman

For many years, we have been fascinated not only by the many shades of color of gemstones but also by the fact that some stones have even been thought to have magical powers and a belief that a lot of them could cure some illnesses.

As we all know, there is a gemstone that can be designed as a piece of jewelry for every occasion we can think of. Below are a few interesting facts about gemstones for birthdays and anniversaries.

The Garnet is the gem of all seasons. It is the January birthstone and the choice for the 2nd wedding anniversary. The price of the Garnet is very reasonable; therefore, it is commonly thought of as inferior. Garnet is the gemstone related to a success in business and a protection against depression. It is also the token for love and compassion.

The Amethyst is the February birthstone and the suggested gem to give on the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries. This gem is known as the color for kings and is the stone most often used in the creation of rings for Bishops. The Amethyst is a very popular gem because it is not expensive. It is also believed to protect against inebriation. For thousands of years, the purple color made it a stone of royalty for which some very elaborate and beautiful pieces of jewelry were designed.

The Aquamarine is known as the gem of the sea and is the March birthstone and to celebrate the 19th anniversary of wedded bliss. The blue shades of the Aquamarine stone complement any woman’s skin or eye color. It is said to bring the woman who wears it great pleasure and wealth. It is also believed that the Aquamarine stone brings marital happiness to its owner.

The most precious of stones is the Diamond. It is the April birthstone and is the celebrated choice for the 10th, 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. The Diamond is a fascinating stone and is symbolic of royalty and love everlasting. Even though the diamond is usually colorless, it is superior in beauty and durability. This gemstone is the most expensive and most valued of gems. It is the most desirable stone for the engagement and wedding ring since the diamond ring has long been the symbol for love and marriage.

The symbol of spring, the Emerald is the May birthstone and the 20th and 25th anniversary gem. Regarded as a holy gem, the radiant green color, along with the beauty and intensity of the Emerald, is unbelievable. The Emerald is thought to preserve love and is the symbol of hope. Even though the Emerald is delicate and fragile, it is considered an expensive gemstone. The concepts about the Emerald are vast as it is believed to increase reasoning power, presence of mind and spiritual power.

Pearl, the treasure of the sea, is the June birthstone and the 12th and 30th anniversaries are celebrated by a gift of this gem. Happy marriages and improving ones’ self worth are often attributed to the Pearl gemstone. Pearls are not as durable as most gems so they must be worn and taken care of very carefully.

Known as the king of gems, the Ruby is the July birthstone and the gemstone for the 15th and 40th anniversaries. Red is considered the color of love, passion and power. Radiating warmth and vitality, it is believed to be one of the most valuable of gemstones. Royal insignias and other famous jewelry are still being decorated with the ruby stone. The fiery Ruby red is warm and distinguished. Symbols of freedom, charity, dignity and divine power have been attributed to the Ruby. It is appreciated as the gift of the highest value.

The Peridot is the soothing green of the August birthstone and the anniversary gem for the 16th year of marriage. The wearer of this gemstone, it is believed, will enjoy marital bliss and have the power to communicate well. The Peridot stone is soothing and has a calming effect. It will complement a good variety of clothing styles and should be an integral part of any wardrobe.

The Sapphire is the September jewel of the sky and the anniversary stone for the 5th, 23rd and 45th years of marriage. This gem is regarded as a symbol of truth and a devotion to God. Available in a wide variety of colors, its luster, toughness and durability make this gem very desirable. The Sapphire, as a precious stone, is considered one of the most valuable and is also a symbol of peace, sincerity and faithfulness making it a popular choice for engagement rings.

The Opal, queen of gems, is a delicate stone in which healing power and a strong sense of assurance, hope and well being is attributed. It is the October birthstone and, although not believed as much today as in the past, it has also been thought to bring bad luck to the wearer not born in the month of October. It is the recommended jewelry gift for the 14th wedding anniversary.

The golden yellow Citrine is the November birthstone and is known as being versatile and affordable because of its availability in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Any jewelry style can be enhanced and brightened by Citrine’s intense colors. It is the 13th and 17th wedding anniversary gem and symbolizes wealth and a happy, successful life. The Citrine is very durable and is one of the most valuable gems.

The Blue Topaz is the December birthstone and is known as the birthday blue. It is the gemstone for the 4th, 19th and 23rd years of marriage. This gem is very attractive and inexpensive and has always been popular among jewelry lovers. It is also a very durable gem. It is the color of the cool and beautiful sky and will complement any item in a wardrobe because it is magnificent with any outfit. It is said to increase communicative abilities and enhances strength.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irene_Harriman

2. How The Metals And Other Materials Used To Make Rings And Other Jewelry Have Changed -By Gregg Hall

The art of making jewelry has been around a long time but in recent years there have been many technological advances that have made it even better. There are many more choices in metals and in the precious stones that are actually placed in the settings now.
Even though the use of metals such as Titanium and Platinum have gained in popularity over the years the use of yellow gold of 14k or 18k remains the leader in materials used for rings. It is difficult to beat the elegant and luxurious look of yellow gold.

Another type of gold that is still at the top and becoming even more popular is the white gold variety which makes a good choice for people who don’t particularly care for yellow gold. White gold is much more rare and precious than sterling silver and will not tarnish easily like silver does plus it is neutral and compliments nearly any color.

One of the oldest choices is silver which even though it has been used for centuries still remains a favorite choice among jewelry lovers. The metal is very resilient and durable and looks great with a diverse selection of gems.

One of the reasons that the use of Platinum has become so popular in recent years is due to its hardness which because it virtually lasts forever makes it a symbol of lasting love and therefore is popular for wedding rings. Platinum rings are also much more pure than rings made of gold. Most Platinum jewelry is 95 percent pure while even 18k gold is only 75%. The appearance of Platinum is very much like white gold but it is much more durable and scratch resistant which makes it longer lasting. Platinum, of course is much more expensive but because it lasts so long it is well worth the investment.

Another metal that has become quite popular in recent years is Titanium which due to its lightness of weight and durability has become very widely used for rings. Like Platinum, this material looks very much like white gold but Titanium is a much lighter metal and in fact the rings are so light you hardly know that they are on your finger. Since men’s rings tend to be much larger than those for women this metal has become especially popular for men’s rings.

Of course the stones used in rings today have changed a bit too. There are now rings being made with hematite, turquoise and several other precious stones and one of the most popular alternatives to diamonds now is Moissanite. This stone is so close to a diamond that it fools jewelers sometimes and requires a special tester to determine the difference between it and a real diamond.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about rings as well as jewelry at http://www.gemsorjewelryplus.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall