Gold Jewelry From Incas to Spain

A lust for gold has been a powerful force shaping human history. Individuals and entire civilizations have staked their lives on the quest to acquire it in larger and larger quantities.

Historically, India was a legendary land of gold. The Moghal court in India was notorious for its lavish display of gem encrusted gold jewelry and ornaments. India was also a major source and trading center for precious stones. Europeans lusted after Indian gold and kept trying to find easier ways to get to it. Columbus was searching for a sea route to India. His first words in the Americas were, "Where is the gold?" However, it was Cortez, who conquered the Incas, that captured tremendous stashes of the precious metal.

The wealth of gold ornaments found in Mexico and South America reflected a long tradition of goldsmithing. For instance, from 200 BC-AD 600 the Nazca people of Peru used repousse, hammered and cut gold, bracelets and nose ornaments. Followed from AD 300-800 by the Mochica who added embossing, soldering, inlaying, plating and casting, including lost wax casting. Motifs included cat-demons, birds, fish, animals, human figures and severed human heads.

In the 16th century, gold from the new world led to a surge in jewelry production in Europe. Spain led the continent into an era of opulent adornment. Goldsmiths in France developed a wonderful technique for painting miniatures in enamel on gold. Cameos came into fashion as well. Competition among the courts of Europe for goldsmiths lead to a uniformity of style as princes vied to outdo each other.

Gemstone Meanings in Jewelry

Gemstone Meanings

Most gemstone beads have attributes that are traditionally associated with them. Flourite is known for intuition while citrine is thought to sooth anxiety. Iolite is associated with leadership and self-confidence. Tigers-eye is linked to wealth while sunstone is worn to ease stress. Try them to see for yourself!

Amethyst Amethyst beads are lush, beautiful and hard to resist. They will add depth and a bit of mystery to your jewelry designs. Amethyst is used for inspiration and intuition. It is associated with prosperity and psychic powers. Some people believe that it helps encourage sobriety and recovery from addiction. The intense purple color has been traditionally linked to spirituality.

Apatite is often linked to water and is thought to promote harmony.

Aquamarine is associated with tranquility, clarity of mind and creative self-expression. It is believed to be soothing and to aid meditation. Because of its color, Aquamarine has often been linked to Sea Goddesses.

Aventurine Sometimes called the "Stone of Heaven", aventurine is thought to protect the heart, enhance creativity and promote healing. This stone may have been used by shamans to open the 'inner eye". It is said to aid those who seek a new path. Aventurine is also thought to attract money and promote leadership.

Carnelian In vibrant orange, carnelian beads radiate energy. Carnelian is associated with motivation and is used to stimulate career growth. Believed to protect against fear, Carnelian was also employed to ward off melancholy, envy and rage. It was also used in charms for love and seduction. Use these bright beads to jazz up any jewelry design!

Chrysoprase is thought to encourage a state of grace or deep meditation. It is associated with good moods, wisdom, communication and stress relief. Chrysoprase was traditionally used in charms to attract money and luck. It is thought to banish envy.

Citrine With its sunny warmth, citrine is associated with a wide array of positive qualities. It is widely known as the stone of success and has been used in charms for money and abundance. Citrine is thought to promote optimism, instill self-confidence and to encourage clear thinking. It is also linked to creativity, wisdom and sound mental health.

Emerald The Greeks associated emeralds with Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty. It is still linked to love and wealth. Emeralds are also associated with mental clarity, truth and self-knowledge. They are thought to promote healing, balance and patience while lifting depression and enhancing the immune system.

Garnet beads are extremely popular. The warm red color goes well with most skin tones and they are also easy to pair with other materials. They look equally good with silver or gold plated beads. From Egyptian times, garnet is has been associated with passion, love and loyalty. Garnets were also used in charms to protect against thieves. Some people believe that garnets help to purify the body and enhance imagination. Use these meaningful stones beads whenever you need a drop of passion. They also look great!

Iolite Known in some cultures as water sapphire, iolite is said to support inner strength, self-confidence and leadership qualities. It is also associated with spiritual growth, peace and simplicity.

Jasper has a rich history as a powerfully protective stone. In ancient times it was worn by healers and used to invoke rain during droughts. Jasper is thought to deflect negativity and stress while inducing mental clarity, focus, stamina and general good health. It is also associated with stability, security and independence.

Labradorite Smoky iridescence gives labradorite a mysterious beauty. This stone is linked to faith and destiny. It was traditionally thought to promote visions and psychic ability. Labradorite is said to strengthen intuition, help one see through illusions and enhance self-reliance. Labradorite is sometimes linked to magic.

Moonstone Named for their lunar shimmer, moonstones come in several milky colors. This beautiful stone is associated with intuition, creativity and good fortune. Moonstone was used as a charm to promote nurturing. It is also believed to attract love, compassion and sympathy. Linked to spirituality, moonstones offer a subtle pallet of color to enhance your designs. Pick your favorites today!

Onyx was traditionally believed to banish grief. It is associated with protection, wisdom, good fortune and happiness. Onyx may be used to help break bad habits. It is thought to assist in healing, self-discipline, grounding and relaxation. It also encourages marital happiness and spiritual inspiration.

Pearls Once believed to be tears of the Gods, pearls symbolize innocence and purity in Western culture. They have strong feminine associations and are also linked to water and to the moon.

Peridot Vibrant peridot adds a touch of spring green to any design. This stone is associated with visions and mysticism. It was also used as a charm against jealousy. Other attributes include problem solving, strong will, and the ability to sooth bruised egos. It was sometimes used to promote marital happiness.

Quartz Add light and sparkle to your jewelry designs with quartz beads. Clear crystal quartz is often used for healing and meditation. Rutilated quartz is associated with creativity and positive direction. Wear smoky quartz for endurance and to promote learning. Finally, rose quartz is known for generating feelings of love and compassion.

Ruby Rubies are associated with wealth, joy, sexual energy and power. They are believed to generate passion and assist with spiritual endeavors. At one time, rubies were thought to protect against misfortune, inspire courage and attract live.

Sapphire Known as the "Stone of Prosperity", sapphire is said to help people fulfill their dreams. It is linked to inner peace, joy and intuition. In the Middle Ages, people believed that sapphires suppressed wicked thoughts. It traditionally symbolized hope and was used by the Greeks to aid in prophecy.

Serpentine Serpentine is thought to aid the meditative state. It may dispel fear and enhance self-confidence. This stone was a favorite of Rasputin, the notorious Russian monk.

Sodalite This deep blue stone is thought to encourage inner peace by encouraging objectivity, harmony and understanding. It is associated with deep thoughts, meditation and spirituality. Some people believe that sodalite boosts the immune system and improves communication.

Sunstone is a protective stone that may provide extra energy in stressful situations. It is thought to empower the wearer, promote self-esteem and healing, ease depression and encourage physical harmony. Sunstone is also linked to healthy sexuality.

Tiger Eye is a traditional talisman against the Evil Eye. It is thought to encourage emotional balance, grounding, and confidence. This stone is linked to decision making. It is also well known as a protective stone. Tiger Eye is said to stimulate wealth and enhance psychic abilities.

Topaz is the stone of calm and balance. It is thought to promote kindness, compassion and empathy. Topaz may help enhance awareness, relieve tension and encourage feelings of joy. Traditionally, it was favored by scholars and artists because it was believed to aid in higher thinking. Topaz is also associated with courage.

Tourmaline is said to strengthen both body and spirit. It is believed to attract inspiration, aide concentration, encourage balance and promote understanding. Tourmaline are also thought to calm nerves, sooth grief, promote balance and build self-confidence.

How Silver Bali Beads Are Made

Working with silver is an extremely labor-intensive process. It requires tremendous skill as well as large reserves of patience. An unsteady hand can ruin the design in a blink of the eye and a moment too long under the torch can cause a lacy pattern to crumble.

Balinese silversmiths put the same attentive care into each bead that they put into all aspects of their ceremonial life. The same hands that work metal with such exquisite skill weave intricate offerings of palm leaves and flowers, prepare towers of fruit and cakes to balance on their heads in processions and play instruments of the gamelan orchestra in village rituals.

Perhaps it is this mingling of the secular and the sacred that makes the Balinese people and their beautiful work so irresistible. A painter named Batuan explained it to me one day, "to the Balinese", he said, "all art is an offering to the gods."

Dedicated craftsmen produce silver and gold beads of mind-boggling detail and complexity. It would not be an exaggeration to assert that each bead is a work of art, a miniature masterpiece on par with archeological treasures from the distant past. Indeed, the techniques used in Balinese workshops are remarkably similar to those used by bead makers in ancient Greece and Egypt.

Like their ancient peers, Balinese smiths use only the simplest tools in the production process. To begin, they mix pure silver, in the form of little pellets, with a very small amount of copper, which makes it stronger. They add a touch of borax, to help the metals melt and to burn off impurities, then heat the mixture with a torch. When the silver liquefies, they pour it into molds: a square mold if the smith wants a sheet of silver or a round mold for wire. Once they solidify, the smiths feed the round bars through progressively smaller ridges in a rolling machine, similar to a pasta maker, and then pull the wire by hand through round holes in a metal stencil. They feed the square blocks through progressively thinner slits in the same machine, continually adjusting the rollers, until they have a thin sheet of silver called plate.

Next the silversmiths cut the plate with a saw into various shapes and sizes. They also use metal stamps, called plongs, to cut out simple shapes. Circles can be hammered round in a shaping bowl and then soldered together to form beads. Other designs are made by hammering on metal caps (pronounced "chops") which come in male and female halves that mold the silver as it is sandwiched in between them. (Minoan smiths used the same techniques to form gold beads.) Open work designs are made by sawing small interior holes in the sheet silver. To make filigree designs, the smiths solder thin wires together in iron bowls. The curve of the bowl determines the curve of the finished piece.

Once the base shape is formed, the smiths apply granulation, wire work and cut outs. They use a paste made from little red beans called sego telik to hold the design in place. Next, they brush solder, made from silver, copper and water, over the piece and heat it with a wide torch flame. Using a wide flame allows them to heat a general area without overheating any one point. The Javanese use brass instead of copper in their solder mixture. They apply it as a strip that runs smoothly down a seam, creating a very clean line. With the soldering complete, the smiths clean the silver with the sticky, astringent insides of a tamarind fruit, then dip it into an antiquing solution which turns it black. As they polish the silver, raised designs become shiny while the background remains dark, a contrast which sets off the patterns beautifully.

How to Buy Jewelry For Special Occasions

Colors add new dimension to the jewelry which captures the viewer's attention. This distinctive approach leaves everyone speechless by its fantastic colors. Brilliant and attractive gemstones can be used for this purpose.

If you want to celebrate a special occasion and you do not have special jewelry for that event, then it is important to know the methods of buying the best one. It not only implies the fashion ornamentations but more than that, it is the fact that your choice of jewelry depicts your personality and all about your personal image. Precious gemstones are in fashion. Nowadays people wear the stones in the rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. If you want something exclusive that could astonish others, it may be an exclusive gemstone.

The best way to gain knowledge about the latest things available in the market is a thorough survey for all designs, patterns, and prices. Internet can also be used for this purpose. Buy the most suitable ones according to your choices and personality.

If you are planning to buy a diamond ring and you have looked for fine jewelry items with clear information of prices and quality available in some stores, then you might be able to get the same item even at lower prices thorough bargaining. Many stores have discount offers in case you are buying many items.

In buying fine jewelry the most important point is the value of that item. This value can be judged by comparing its qualities with price. You must be clear about the color and the carats (its weight) as well. Certain gemstones require special care while cleaning since in many cases the stone is scratched or it might lose its luster.

Check out all the latest designs available in the market and then see your budget. If the budget is according to your choice of design and color, then you can get the best item suitable for your personality.

Buying a Men's Leather Watch - A Quick Shopping Guide

There are a number of accessories that we simply cannot go without. The watch is one of them. It is functional and can add elegance and sophistication to any outfit. In fact, this is the only accessory that every man should have when at work and when going to a social event. The men's leather watch is a fine choice. All you need to do is use some practical and fashion tips when buying such an item.

The watch has to be durable above all. The case has to be made from a material that is not easily damaged. The finish has to be perfectly scratch and moisture resistant. It is best for the band to be made from genuine leather. But if such an accessory is too expensive for you or if it is against your beliefs to buy it you can readily go for another type. In any case, the leather has to be strong and soft at the same time.

The men's leather watch you pick has to be elegant and manly. The models with large quadratic displays and cases are extremely fashionable. It is best for you not to choose a watch with gold finish. These do not match well any black clothing. The cases with silver and/or platinum finish are more elegant. The band has to be sufficiently wide as well. In this way it will rest more comfortably on your wrist plus the look is definitely manlier. It is best for the band to be in black, dark brown or dark green.

You should also look at the technical features of the men's leather watch you intend to buy. The models with mechanical movement are generally more expensive. The ones with modern quartz technology have similar accuracy and are much less costly. Irrespective of your choice you should get a warranty for the product.

Skagen Titanium Watch - What is the Importance of Skagen Titanium Watch?

All of us know about the importance of having a wrist watch. It plays an important role in scheduling your life. In old times, there was not the concept of watch and people used to estimate about time from sun rise, sun fall and stars. As, science and technology developed our life style changed in a great way and we, the human beings, learned to depend upon machinery. Watch is an important invention and is widely used to tell you about time and date.

There are different companies manufacturing good quality watches. It will be good to purchase one from a popular company like Skagen. There are a lot of features in Skagen Titanium Watch and these are used to facilitate you. Whenever we are going to purchase wrist watch, we are always confused. What is the main reason behind this confusion?

Actually, there are numerous watch manufacturing companies and you cannot decide about a particular company. Skagen is the most popular company not only in Europe and America but throughout world. If you are going to purchase Skagen Titanium Watch it will be good to consider several factors before purchasing. One of the most important features regarding any wrist watch is whether it is water proof or not. Yes, this is a water proof watch and you do not need to worry about such problems. These watches use Titanium which plays an important role to anti corrosion of metal body. Skagen Titanium Watch is available in different colors and you can choose any color that suits your personality. I like silver and black color and these colors suits men as well as women. It is a universal fact that a good quality watch last longer as compared to low quality watch. Although, good quality wrist watches are bit expensive but you will not worry for several years to purchase another one.

Skagen is not a new company in the watch industry and it manufactured the first watch in nineteen seventy eight. They worked hard to develop good quality and attractive watches which meet the requirements of the people. There is great difference between Skagen Titanium Watch developed in 1978 and that developed in 2010. Everything is different regarding design, style, color, features and the quality. In addition, technology had a great impact upon the manufacturing process of these wrist watches. If you are going to purchase Skagen Titanium Watch it will be good to purchase from an online store instead of local shop. Online store offer you several discount offers like free shipping and you can also save your precious time.

Double Cross Jewelry by Travis Walker - A Celebration of Artistic Talent

What is biker jewelry (also frequently) referred to gothic silver jewelry and Rock and Roll jewelry)? While we do innately know what it is, many objects of wonder such as these some things can hardly be described adequately through words. It can be said that gothic silver jewelry takes the form of heavy, bulky jewelry handcrafted from 925 sterling silver. It employs bold, unconventional, edgy and often anarchic, defiant themes. The perception it commonly inspires is that of a rugged, handsome, masculine and individualistic man riding a powerful Harley through endless country roads into the sunset with an adventure-filled agenda. Or that of a hugely successful metal star performing live on stage, inspiring the adoration of millions of heavy metal followers in the mosh pit. It is a look which tickles the imagination and commands awe, admiration and wonder. Today, this look is hugely popular, due mainly to active promotion by musicians, bikers, biker fans, rock n roll fans and other cultural adherents eager to pioneer neo age fashion through the snazzy, head-turning outfits and accessories they wear.

Who is Travis Walker?

Travis Walker, a first-generation gothic silver design genius, has been forging quality sterling silver gothic jewelry and biker leather designs for 18 years. Travis Walker was born and raised in Malibu, California, like so many other pioneers of biker jewelry design.. Till this day, the humble jeweler continues to reside in sunny California with his wife, Brittany. He started his foray into the world of design by designing customized motorcycle seats for some of the top bike building industrial giants, including Harley Davidson. Although he continues to create custom pieces for special clients and celebrities, he does so only on a private basis for close friends and treasured clients. Discovering a ready market for fashionable biking clothing, Travis Walker entered the realm of sterling silver gothic jewelry, which he pioneered under the tutelage of the late design guru Gabor Nagy.

As one of Gabor Nagy's top students, Walker quickly became to the position of the vice President of Gaboratory. However, the desire to create a name for himself eventually inspired him to depart from the hallowed halls of Gaboratory and begin walking an ambitious journey towards forging a name for himself, by himself.

The Birth of Double Cross Jewelry

In 1996, Walker released his first line of biker jewelry, marking the beginning of Double Cross Jewelry. Double Cross has come a long way since then; its popularity has grown both locally and overseas, and Walker has succeeded in attracting and maintaining an enviable underground and exclusive clientele. Double Cross has made designed one-of-a-kind custom jewelry for rock stars, A-list actors, special clients and top bike builders.Travis' original designs are extensive in theme, ranging between edgy and gothic to high-end and classical.

The Citizen Men's Watch From the Eco-Drive Collection - What to Expect As a User

Often it is hard to believe how far the technological progress has advanced. You know that you can use solar energy to power some gadgets in your home and lights in your backyard. Now you can also charge a Citizen men's watch in the same way. The models from the Eco-Drive collection do not have a standard battery, but a specific one that get charged when the dial is exposed to light.

This is not only eco friendly but also quite intriguing. May be this is the future of watches. For now it seems that the models from this collection work properly. When you buy the piece it comes charged so you can expect it to be accurate when showing the time. If you place it in a box or a dark drawer, the watch will work normally for over 45 days depending on the model. At the same time the charging is extremely simple. The display can be exposed to sunlight and incandescent light to get fully charged. Even if the weather is cloudy the piece will also be able to collect sufficient amounts of energy.

You can choose any Citizen men's watch from the Eco-Drive collection depending on your preferences and style. All models have stainless steel cases and bands. This makes them totally manly. The colors of the metal parts range from glossy silver white to gray. The display is usually in black or dark blue. You can expect most models to have chronographs. The movement is Japanese-quartz. Despite their specific mechanism the models are quite light. The products from the brand come with a reliable manufacturer warranty so you do not need to worry about any sort of malfunctions.

It might be a bit weird to wear and use your solar powered Citizen men's watch, but you will certainly appreciate its features and qualities.

Black Ceramic Watch - The New Fashion Trend

There is a popular saying doing the rounds in the fashion scene today, i.e. "Ceramic is the new black".

And if you are someone who is in sync with new fashion trends and what is popular in time industry today, you will know that a Black Ceramic Watch is the hottest watch today. You will find big celebrities and well known athletes wearing these watches.

These watches are not just very nice to look at but also of very good quality. With such quality of bling added to this watch, it also comes along with a heavy price tag. This watch very easily costs a few thousand dollars. Earlier, there was not much choice available when it came to buying watches. One had to choose either between white steel watches or steel watches which were painted black. But, today there is a wide range of these ceramic watches available in the market with black being the most popular among them.

The ceramic watches are made from high-tech and genuine ceramic. The materials used to make these watches are similar to the high-tech and high-end watches which are available in the market.

Now, the reason why ceramic is so popular is because it has a very shiny and reflective surface. This material is also scratch-resistant. Thus, no matter what, you will never find any scratch on the surface of ceramic watch unlike the steel watches.

The ceramic watch is made up of solid and thick links. The feel and look that the ceramic watch exudes is like that of overpriced designer watches. These watches are made in a high-end factory of watches and the finished product is very solid and heavy.

There are many varieties of ceramic watches available in the market. If you like bling, then there is the watch which features the CZ genuine stones. This is featured in the diamond bezel version of ceramic watches, thus adding bling to the model with some real shine.

The ceramic watches are made using very good quality Japanese movements. This is the same mechanism which is used by the entire high-end and branded watches in the market. Thus, with these watches you can be rest assured that you have in your hand a mechanism which will provide you flawless time keeping for years.

For more variety and bling, there are watches which come with sapphire glass crystals.

So be a part of the latest in trend with ceramic watches in black!

How to Express Yourself With Beaded Jewelry Necklaces

Beaded jewelry necklaces are a wonderful form of self-expression. The necklace you wear can make a personal statement about who you are and enhance the image you want to project.

For example, a bold, chunky necklace of jet black stone beads, turquoise nuggets and sterling silver accents makes a dramatic, confident statement with a Southwestern flair.

A cabochon (cut & polished flat-backed stone) made of one of the many beautiful varieties of agate or jasper, finished as a beaded jewelry necklace, can evoke many styles and moods. The same stone can have an earthy, organic feel, or look romantic and Victorian, depending on the accent beads and design used in the necklace.

A Plume Agate necklace with lush and shimmering fringe, highlighted with sparkling crystals and the soft glow of freshwater pearls, can project an elegant, feminine and striking image.

If you want to dress up a t-shirt and jeans, a choker-length necklace of semi-precious stone beads or perhaps a longer necklace made of an interesting stone such as Wild Horse Magnesite may be just the personal finishing touch you are looking for. A well designed handmade beaded necklace can transform a simple outfit into one that is simply stunning.

Sometimes, a necklace can make a quiet statement of its own. I have a beaded necklace that I made from Coprolite (fossilized dinosaur poop), which is often mistaken for turquoise. Just wearing it can be my own personal way of showing how I feel about something, such as a meeting I didn't really want to attend, yet no one else will know!

Beaded jewelry necklaces are fun to wear and often attract plenty of positive attention. More than just an accessory, they are a great way to express your unique individuality with a one-of-a-kind, original, wearable work of art!

Why Do Women Prefer Wholesale Clothing and Jewelry?

Parties, social events, get-togethers, wedding parties, business meetings, birthday parties and the list goes on of all the different kind of occasions that you come across in your social life. Be it your own or others' social events, you make utmost efforts to look good with the kind of clothes and accessories you sport at that event. Whether you follow fashion and the latest trends or no, every individual is very particular about their clothing apparels and in case of women, the kind of jewelry, shoes and bags that go well with it. Not everyone is a celebrity or not everyone features among the rich and the famous. While people from higher strata of the society have all the money in the world to lavishly spend over designer clothes and jewelry it is the major chunk of the working populations who have to think twice before they spend an enormous amount of money to buy something just because it belongs to a certain posh brand or designer.

Wholesale clothing is a fast catching trend that people are getting to be aware of in the recent times. Wholesalers were not exposed directly to the active market of consumers of the garment and jewelry industry in the olden days. But times have changed now and most of these wholesale dealers instead of just dealing with retailers have entered the fashion industry directly to get in touch with their customers. They have chosen a very effective method of marketing their goods via the internet. When you type the word wholesale in search engines you are bombarded with numerous sites of wholesale dealers who are into direct sales of wholesale clothing, wholesale jewelry, wholesale shoes and wholesale handbags.

Fashion apparel from hundreds of manufacturers and importers are being sold at wholesale rates. They include amazing assortment of products in various brands and styles. Wholesale clothing like skirts, blouses, dresses, pants, jeans, sweaters, jackets, camisoles, tank tops, halter tops, tunic tops, tube tops, boot-cut jeans, low-waisted hip huggers, stretch pants, decorated pants and the list goes on on the variety of discount clothing you find online at slashed prices. Not just this but you get really attractive jewelry and accessories at discount rates. These may be discounted designer jewelry that is directly sold without any middlemen like the retailers and thus the quality of stones and precious metals used is not compromised. Wholesale jewelry looks so much like their branded counterparts that it is difficult to differentiate the two. You have a range of items in the wholesale jewelry category ranging from fashion earrings, bangles, bracelets, necklaces, chokers, hip hop necklaces, whole jewelry sets, long necklaces, rings, faux amber jewelry, glass jewelry, toe rings, watches, silver earrings, sterling silver jewelry sets to various other attractive jewelry products.

Gents Casio W-756B-1AVEF Review

The gents Casio W-756B-1AVEF watch is part of Casio's W756 series and it's main feature is its twin stopwatch referee's timers. These allow the Casio W-756B-1AVEF to measure the total event time while simultaneously counting down. Continuing the sporting theme, this stylish all black strap watch features a substantial 100 metre (10 Bar/ATM) water resistant case, making it suitable for the majority of water sports, and includes a standard stopwatch that time can be added to to compensate for injuries and other stoppages involved in most sports. The gents Casio W-756B-1AVEF utilises a large, grey, oversized Start/Stop stopwatch button for ease of use during gameplay.

Other features included in the high quality quartz Casio W-756B-1AVEF are a daily alarm, a 29 time zone (48 cities) World Time clock (including Daylight Saving Time), an automatic calendar, hourly tone signal and a button press tone (both can be turned on or off). The sporty Casio W-756B-1AVEF also features Casio long life battery technology lasting up to ten years on just one battery.

Visually, the gents Casio W-756B-1AVEF comprises an all black durable and lightweight resin watch case with a comfortable, all black, part leather, part cloth strap with a buckle. Each button on the Casio W-756B-1AVEF has it's function displayed adjacent to it on the case bezel. The grey liquid crystal display is large and clear with black digits. The time/current function is displayed prominently in large figures so visibility is good during periods of activity. The current day and date is displayed clearly at the bottom of the display. For use in low light situations, the Casio W-756B-1AVEF includes a bright Casio Illuminator EL backlight.

The Casio W-756B-1AVEF looks great with it's all black modern styling and besides its use as a sports watch, it also makes a great every day watch. The Casio W-756B-1AVEF comes complete with a 2 year Casio guarantee highlighting Casio's usual quality.

A Modern Classic

All I've been hearing about in the last few weeks has been Lola Rose. Obviously I'd heard the name and I had a rough idea in my mind what the jewellery looked like (big, bold, exquisite), but I didn't realise how prevalent the Fashion Jewellery was becoming.

Although it is only recently that the brand has been in the centre of the limelight, the brand has been around since 2000 when its creator and founder Nicola Gewirtz... erm... created and founded it. And it isn't just enjoying the limelight because of recent celebrity fans, far from it; Nicola Gewirtz's fashion jewellery range has had lots of press coverage and a massive 'under-the-radar' movement in the UK throughout the noughties. Well it's a new decade now and Lola Rose is going from strength to strength. By the way, what is this decade called? The Tens? The Tweens? Answers on a postcard.

Gewirtz uses a wide range of semi precious stones to create her fashion jewellery. Her stones are all unassuming in their natural state but she has given each one with a twist; all of the materials have been made quirky in some way. Quartzite, Agate, Eye Stone and Quartz are all used in her ring collection and it is dazzling what she has done to these raw materials to make them such desirable, cute pieces, and full of individual character. The names that she has come up with for her rings also have to be described as 'cute', names like Stevie, Billy, Miriam and Maggie, it helps personalise each ring. So Cute. I love them, I'm sure you will too! They are really modern pieces and classic too - like modern classics.

Conclusion

Nicola Gewirtz's Lola Rose brand has been producing great jewellery for nearly 10 years now, and she has gone from strength to strength. The Lola Rose brand shows no signs of slowing down, or stepping out of its much acclaimed limelight.

Grandma's Old Jewelry Box is Your Treasure Chest

If you are one of the fortunate few to have inherited your grandmother's old jewelry box this is your treasure chest. The things in this box will not likely be, found in any of the jewelry stores in our day and age. Therefore, value and guard all of the items in the box with your life.

Grandma's jewelry was, made probably fifty or more years ago, the time when precious metals and stones where hard to come by. During the depression and the war, these kinds of things were expensive for a hard working- man to come by.

A ring or a small bracelet that would now be easy for a man to purchase as a gift now would be around one to three hundred dollars. That same ring or bracelet back then wound be about one hundred dollars however, it may have taken poor grandpa six months of longer to afford the item.

The reason why this is your treasure chest is because if you were to take some of these pieces of jewelry and have them, appraised you would be shocked at the value. Some of grandma's old jewelry may be worth a small fortune; depending upon the design, when and where the piece was, made.

For example, your grandmother's engagement ring that costs around one hundred dollars back then to buy may be worth ten thousand dollars now. How is, this possible well one of the main reasons is the fact that it is an antique? Antique jewelry is in high demand by collectors with plenty of money to spend.

The reason why it is in such high demand is that most people do not realize it is so valuable. The next reason is that no one wants to part with their grand mothers precious keepsakes for any price. It is a tough decision to give up the engagement ring or the most important thing that meant the world to one who you loved.

This was probably the most treasured thing that your grandmother ever owned in her day. It was so hard for her to get nice things during the depression. Money was tight, food was scarce and she did not sacrifice the ring in her time of need. Therefore, it would be difficult for you to give up such a treasure yourself.

If the need does arise and you have the things in grandmother's old jewelry box appraised then you may have to sacrifice something out of there but hang on the ones she valued the most they will bring you good fortune just as they did her.

Christian Cross Pendants - Knowing What You Are Getting

Getting Christian cross pendants is tricky if you want to get the right one. There are simple things that you can do to determine that you are getting the right type of cross pendant.

For instance, you need to think about the chain. Since you are getting the cross pendant, you need to have a chain for your necklace that will match with the pendant perfectly. You can actually find the pendant and chain as a whole necklace; however, if you prefer to buy them separately, you can also do so.

There are different types of chains available in the market. Pick out a design that will compliment the pendant that you will get and not overpower it.

Another thing that you need to pay attention to would be the quality of the pendant. If you are buying a gold cross pendant, look at the back and check for indications about the carat. Reliable jewelry usually has a small print in numbers about the carat.

This is also true for sterling silver jewelry. There is usually an indication on the piece if whether it's made from real silver or the at least the type of silver used.

Keeping these things into mind before actually making the purchase will help you find the perfect Christian pendant for yourself or your loved one. Just be a little patient and search diligently and you won't have any problem at all in looking for the right piece.

There are many types of Christian cross pendants available in the market today. It is important that you make sure to consider the design of the actual pendant itself so that it will go together with the chain as well as your personality.

The design of the cross varies between religion and over time. Throughout the century, many different people have created varying versions of the cross to signify their faith. Hence, don't think that a cross is simply two lines intersecting with each other, because in most cases, it's more than that.

For example, if you look at a Greek cross closely, it usually displays an equivalent length for the arms. The Red Cross symbol is one example of this.

Another type of cross would be the Maltese Cross. The design for this cross is that the arms taper into the center and the edges are somewhat forked. Back in the day, these were mostly known to be the type of cross Knights in the Crusades used.

A Celtic cross also bears a unique design. This type of design usually has a circle in the center. Although some traditional Christian's dispute that this type of cross design shouldn't be used because of its pagan origins, there is still no doubt that it is a popular design that has existed for many generations.

As long as you keep these guides in mind, you should be able to pick the right Christian cross pendants that you'll need. You should also be able to identify the type of cross design you want to wear to help symbolize your faith.