Tuesday, August 28, 2007

How to Choose Diamond Stud Earrings as Gifts by Danny Morehead

How to Choose Diamond Stud Earrings as Gifts by Danny Morehead
One of the best gifts that you can buy for that special someone in your life is a fabulous set of diamond stud earrings. Diamonds have been considered the best gifts for any occasion for a long time and they are the perfect gift for both females and males alike. They are a classic piece of jewelry that will always be loved and cherished, which is why you should choose diamond stud earrings as a gift for someone special in your life.
With diamond stud earrings it's easy to find something that suites every taste and style because there are so many fabulous choices available. There are even a variety of stud bases to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect one that will suite your needs. To give you an example of your choices you have the Princess, the Bezel round and the 4-prong round stud base to pick from.
It does make a difference as to which type of setting you choose when you are picking out the loose diamond for your diamond stud earrings. This is because certain shapes of loose diamonds will only fit in certain settings. It is always a good idea to talk to your company and learn what options you have in advance to avoid having a problem.
When it comes to diamond stud earrings you have the option of creating your own. In other words, you can pick out the type of diamond you want to use. This includes its size and shape. You can also choose the setting you prefer and the type of metal used. The type of metal you choose will affect the overall cost of your earrings and the most common types are the Yellow Gold, White Gold and Platinum.
One of the best gifts you can give is a pair of diamond stud earrings that you personally designed. Just remember the four C's of diamond buying when you are choosing the diamond for your earrings. The four C's include the carat, cut, color and clarity of the diamond. This is what also determines the quality of the diamond you choose and the price that you will pay for it.
When learning how to choose diamond stud earrings as gifts it is very important that you take into consideration your budget. First of all, you need to make sure that you do not spend more than your budget allows. You also want to make sure that you get the best quality possible within your budget.
Many times people do not get the best diamond choice because they do not realize they have other options. Know your budget before you begin shopping and you will be able to choose from the best options in your price range. No one will know your budget better than you so you can shop prepared to get the best diamond stud earrings you can afford.
Keep in mind that the more something cost does not make it the best. Knowing where to shop and what to look for will help you find high quality diamonds at an affordable price. Look for the quality of the settings, where the diamonds came from and the quality of the diamonds. Also check to see if the diamond stud earrings are certified and if they have a guarantee. This will help you locate the best diamond stud earrings in your price range. Have fun shopping!
About the Author
About the Author: Danny Morehead, a leading diamond expert in Dallas, Texas, can help you select perfect Diamond Stud Earrings. You can also build your own! For real fun, check out Diamond Stud Earrings on Squidoo!

Body Jewelry for Sale by Jerry Durham

Body Jewelry for Sale by Jerry Durham
Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about body jewelry? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about body jewelry.
The world of fashion is composed of two things namely; clothes and accessories. One of the many accessories the person may choose to have is a bag to hold on some stuff and jewelry.
Traditionally, these things come in the form of an earring, a necklace or a bracelet. Lately, there is a new trend and this involves putting jewelry on one's body.
Body jewelry is seldom sold in the department store. This is perhaps because most of the customers are quite conservative. The customer will have to visit tattoo or body piercing shops or check these out in some carts located in the mall.
There are many types of body jewelry readily available. The person can get this for the nipples, the nose, the tongue and the navel. These accessories are not only for women since some men have also purchased it to be part of the crowd.
There are two ways for this to stay on the body. The first will be after someone pierces it to the skin. The other will stay there with the help of a magnet.
Is one better than the other? The answer will depend on who will be the one using it and what occasion will be this worn for.
The best time to learn about body jewelry is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable body jewelry experience while it's still free.
The prices of these products vary depending on the material that was used. Gold and platinum are the most expensive with silver, titanium, glass and plastic that will cater to the lower end of the market.
If a certain type of body jewelry is not available, some customers may be fortunate enough to find this online. Those that are not happy with what is in the display case can come up with a design and then have this made. Before buying it, the customer should look at it in the mirror to see if this looks good.
There are some people who think that body jewelry is very strange. That may the opinion of those who may not like it but it has not stopped some celebrities from having some fun.
Take for example Melanie Brown, a former spice girl who has a piece of body jewelry pierced in the tongue. Another woman that was featured in one talk show were Janet Jackson who had the same thing done but this time by the nipples.
There are so many other celebrities that have done the same thing. When asked if it hurt, most of these people said yes. Why do people do it? Some say this is one of the trends of living in the digital age prompting others to explore new things.
Studies show that sales in body jewelry have gone up in recent years. One reason is perhaps because a lot of people look up to celebrities as role models. If someone has a fan club and decides to use body jewelry, other people will follow soon and have this either pierced or clipped in places that surprise some would never even dream of it.
Should everyone go down to the store and get one? This depends on the person. Some find it cool while others don't. Choosing to buy this piece of accessory is just another way of expressing one's individuality. There are other ways of expressing it and this makes everyone a little different.
There's a lot to understand about body jewelry. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.
About the Author
For more articles on Body Jewelry, see Body Jewelry,for the Body Jewelry Blog, see Body Jewelry Blog

Discount shopping - place your order, please! by Clint Jhonson

Discount shopping - place your order, please! by Clint Jhonson
Shopping... that favorite activity of us all! Let's face it. We all love to shop and this is why we love the Internet so much. With just a computer and a high-speed Internet connection, we have access to hundreds, if not millions of products worldwide, all provided with some sort of discounts, special offers and free shipping. Is the Internet great or what?
In the past few years, more and more companies have started to understand how much profit could be made from online discount shopping. They opened their virtual stores to interested Internet users and started to provide diverse merchandise. Today, the online shopping market has developed incredibly much and practically you can find anything you are interested in on the Internet. Such websites are made to propose a much more comfortable alternative to traditional shopping, allowing the Internet user to purchase any kind of product, as long as he/she has money on a credit card.
As there were too many products included in the concept of discount shopping, the need to spread them in categories was felt. Now, if you want to purchase anything from the Internet, you can browse available categories, look at the popular searches and also at the most wanted category. On the website, you will also find relevant information regarding the products, such as available sizes or price. If you are a dedicated online shopper, then you cannot disregard the beauty of these websites.
So, you may be wondering what are the products you can find online under discount shopping? The nominees are: apparel and accessories, shoes, paintings, digital cameras, cell phones, computers, consumer electronics, health and beauty products, jewelry and sports related stuff. The list could go on and on but the main thing you have to understand is this: online shopping has transformed over the years into a true industry and it continues to develop. Millions of people are interested in wholesale products presented online, especially when it comes to computers, digital cameras and electronics in general.
The great availability of wholesale products online has also been connected with the many special offers presented. No matter if you want a customized souvenir, a deduction or special shipment, you can be sure that such promotions attract and ensure the loyalty of customers, helping them to build their confidence when it comes to buying on the Internet.
Online discount shopping is a wonderful way to gain access into one of the most diverse market for wholesale products, meaning China. You can find everything you want and the best thing is of course, the low price. You do not have to worry about placing your order and payment methods, as every detail is carefully presented and any question is answered. For the buyer's protection, the website owners use a special system, that of escrow, and there is also the seller trust score, helping the buyer to go for sellers that are reliable and honest.
Anytime you feel like shopping, do not hesitate to use the Internet for such purposes. Always check the new arrivals, discounts and shipping offers. You can find shoes, perfumes, makeup, chic clothes plus digital cameras, MP3 players and even car parts. There is not one single product that the Internet can provide and wholesale prices are always attractive. If you too consider the Internet to be a useful shopping portal, then do not waste any more time and enter online. You will be surprised of the variety of products, all of the highest quality and at the best possible prices.
About the Author
Are you ready to enjoy a wide range of wholesale products and get all those special promotions? We invite you to visit your website and get a special taste of some discount shopping. If you want a trustworthy place to do your shopping, we are the answer for you.

Find Your Niche With A Gem Stone Home Based Business by Will Moore

Find Your Niche With A Gem Stone Home Based Business by Will Moore
People are making money selling precious and semiprecious Gemstones stones from home. If this is not new information to you; good for you. If you're like me and you are looking for profitable online home based business opportunities listen up.
Gemstones are used in many applications from industrial diamonds to decorative jewelry. Search engine results for the word gemstone return a wide variety of dealers. But if you use Google's keyword tool you find there are several possible subcategories of interest that may turn out to be a great home based business niche.
Over 50 species of minerals can be cut into gemstones for common use. From birthstones, to raw stones there are wide varieties of stone selections. Amethyst gemstone is a frequently searched keyword phrase that has very little websites competing for it. Something like this would be a great start for niche research.
If you look at some of the websites that sell precious stones, you notice that most try to educate the consumer. Stone saturation, hue, and color are the basics of determining the quality of the stone.
You can find a profitable Internet Marketing niche through advertising or through you're own Gemstone home based business. If you do decide to pursue gemstone, sales as your home based business find out who your competition is. You are no competition for those in the commercial rough cut stone industry. The circle of "seasoned" dealers and jewelers is tight and people have to pay their dues to get in. If you try to compete with seasoned professionals, you will be stressed over how difficult it is to sell stones and even more at how small the profits are.
A great niche for Gemstones would be "custom designed jewelry" with custom cut stones. With the way jewelry has been in the public eye people are always looking for something unique.
Another good niche is one of a kind stones. If you find one of a kinds or limited quantity stones, you can set your price. People that know their stones are less likely to bargain if they know what you have hasn't flooded the market.
Build a reputation for one of a kind jewelry designs and continue to let the industry see your work. If you want to trade commercial rough-cut stones you may want to sell parcels (these too should be stones in limited supply). There are numerous Internet forums strictly for Gemstone dealers and traders. Become a member of as many general and stone specific forums as you can and post daily with your website link in your signature.
Online gemstone dealing is not much different from any other online business in the area of website optimization. You will still need people to visit your website so it would be wise to use as many optimization strategies as possible; one being marketing via articles. Writing 500+ word articles about gemstones and posting them to numerous article directories will over time create backlinks to your website. If your article content is interesting enough (which it will be) it will create traffic to your website. In some cases others will use your article on their website also. With added website traffic you are able to incorporate affiliate sales, pay per click advertisements, etc as well as selling your own product.
Dealing in gemstones is another terrific online business opportunity that over time will generate an income that could allow anyone earn a substantial full or part-time living.
About the Author
Will is the owner of ServicesAreUs, the website that provides information on Search Engine Marketing and how it is used to monetize various online business opportunities..

The Wholesale Distribution Business Guide to Sales by Jorge Olson

The Wholesale Distribution Business Guide to Sales by Jorge Olson
When you are selling products through different channels you have to know your customers and how they sell and what they sell. While you want to be able to provide as many customers as many products as you can - you can't sell everything. By learning about the various kinds of wholesale distributors that there are, you can find out where you may be able to step into the business.
This article will focus on the two most basic forms of distribution or channels; the ones that sell to the "end user" and the ones that sell to use by other businesses. Those that sell consumer products are much greater in number and are often where many people begin their wholesale business. Those that sell consumer products act as a go between for retailers and the manufacturers of the products. In the industrial wholesale business, you would act as the intermediary for manufacturers and industry service providers.
Consumer goods wholesalers might work with products such as apparel, jewelry, beauty products, shoes, and electronics. Things like groceries and paper products are also considered to be smaller goods that do not fall into an industrial category. These are generally the products that you find in stores and online. A customer would be able to simply go to the retailers that you are selling these items to, and then purchase the items. You would also see these kinds of products on Internet auction sites - such as eBay.
Industrial or "business to business" goods are larger profit items, but also require more effort on the wholesaler's part. Products could be raw materials, chemicals, production or manufacturing equipment, etc. Items such as building supplies or manufacturing raw materials can also be part of this category. You could also establish a motor vehicle parts business or work with petroleum products. Likewise, you could also sell lumber and other construction necessities. These items tend to be larger in quantity as well as size, requiring the wholesaler to have a larger storage space as well as equipment to move them from their warehouse to the retailer.
While the industrial goods wholesale business requires more effort, it will also reap a larger profit. However, it can be confusing when you are first establishing yourself as a wholesaler. With such large and complicated items, you may not feel as confident at pricing the products or even relating information to the retailers. If you are just starting a business you could start with nitch products that are more difficult to find, that way you are not competing in price and inventory will not be an issue. And once you begin to make a profit from your initial business, then you can move into the larger goods.
If you already have a background in larger goods, you may find that dealing with retailers that want to purchase these kinds of goods is an easier task than most. And with the proper research and time, you can become successful in passing on your knowledge to others - making yourself a profit in the process.
No matter what kind of products you sell or what kind of channel you target you always have to learn and know all distribution and sales channels. Try to learn as much as you can about your customers. It does not matter if they are a manufacturer, a distributor, retailer or the end user. Channels such as convenience stores, supermarkets, beverage distributors, cash and carry, OEM's, etc.
About the Author
Learn everything you need to know about Wholesale Distribution and Sales Channels from Jorge Olson at http://www.LearnWholesale.com and visit Jorge's website to learn Marketing and Business Strategy at http://www.JorgeOlson.com

Saturday, August 25, 2007

8 Simple Misconceptions Of Credit Explained

8 Simple Misconceptions Of Credit Explained by Leonel Avalos


There are a lot of erroneous information over Credit realted matter out there.

So the problem is how do is sift through the right informative material, that is the question.

Well we hope the following can add some clarity to many misconceptions over credit:

1. Payment of my debts will make my credit report Crystal clear instantly .

No not Exactly.They have to be in the timely matter agreed upon signing of Credit obligation.

A credit report is a history of your payments, not just a snapshot of where you are at the moment, says Maxine Sweet, vice president of public affairs for Experian, one of the three major credit reporting agencies.

As the author of the popular Web column "Ask Max," she continuously reminds people that you can't change the past. Credit counseling always destroys my credit score.

Attending a credit counselor's debt management program is not considered negative in the scoring models.

However, if the credit counselor negotiates a lesser contractual obligation, the lender decides how it wants to report that.

So if your $500 monthly payment is refigured for $300, the creditor may either legally report that as $200 in arrears every month or reward you for not filing bankruptcy by reporting the account as up to date.

Although credit counseling does not by itself influence your credit score, it is apparent on the report that you've been through, or are currently in, counseling -- and that is something individual lenders may not like. Or they might never know.

Too many Open accounts spells available, potential debt, so better to close them, runs the legend.

But experts agree that most creditors want to see at least two or three pieces of active credit to prove you can manage debt responsibly.

And, Watts chimes in, those unused cards lying in your jewelry box aren't wreaking havoc with your score.

"The myth is that they look ominous to potential lenders," he says. "Reality is that paying your bills on time and not being overextended is more important than having $5,000 worth of available credit on a card you're not using.

We continue to evaluate this 'total credit limits' statistic, and we simply don't find it falling into one of those highly predictive areas."

On the other hand, extremes never look good. Opening one charge account occasionally to take advantage of a 10 percent offer is negligible. Going wild and signing up for five during the holiday season probably would invite a decreased score, he says.

2. Alot of inquiries hurt my score.

Once upon a time, this statement was true. But get with the times -- in this millennium, the credit agencies recognize a shopping mind-set when they see one. If a batch of mortgage or car loan inquiries arrives within 30 days, it doesn't count at all, Watts says.

"Outside that 30-day period, if we locate a mortgage or car inquiry that occurred 180 days ago, and then see more mortgage- or auto-related hits in the accompanying 14-day window, we err on the consumer's side and still assume she's shopping for one item," he says.

"We really feel like we are capturing the true consumer experience and not holding it against them for being an aggressive or smart rate shopper."

3. Checking my own credit report harms my standing.

The reporting agencies distinguish between soft and hard pulls. When Target calls to check before issuing its line of credit, the agencies chalk that up as a hard pull and it counts against your score. Personal requests and credit counselors -- if they do it correctly, so insist on this as part of your agreement terms -- fall under soft pulls, which do not reflect negatively on the evaluation.

Using a company that promises credit reports as a perk can turn this myth into a self-fulfilling prophecy, however, McNaughton says.

Because they are merchants in disguise, their freebie costs you. Citizens must go directly to the three bureaus if they want a soft pull. Ditto FICO.

"Pulling your credit scores is quite empowering," says Watts. "You have a choice: You can either be very aggressive with your credit management and pull your score with some regularity or take a more passive approach once a year to see how all those credit cards are actually doing."

4. Credit scores are locked in for six months.

Fair Isaac Corp.'s models are dynamic, meaning that your FICO score changes as soon as data on your credit report change.

"When we calculate a score, for all intents and purposes it then goes away and is recalculated the next time someone pulls your file," says Watts.

5. I don't need to check my credit report if I pay my bills on time.

It is prudent to monitor your Credit report on a monthly Basis.

When the Consumer Federation of America and the National Credit Reporting Association analyzed credit scores in the summer of 2002, they discovered that 78 percent of the files were missing a revolving account in good standing, while 33 percent of files lacked a mortgage account that had never been late. Twenty-nine percent contained conflicting information on how many times the consumer had been 60 days late on payments.

"There can be a lot of other activity going on that you don't have any clue about.

Over 85 percent of all credit reports have erroneous information ranging from a wrong birth date to accounts you never applied for.

6. All credit reports are the same.

Way wrong. These days, most creditors across the country do report their information to all three major agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

And, because they are separate companies, the speed in which they update records isn't necessarily equal.

7. Bad news comes off in seven years.

Some of it does. Chapter 13 (reorganization of debt) disappears seven years from the filing date. But if you filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy (exoneration of all debt), the window is 10 years from the filing date.

On the good-news side, accounts in bankruptcy can be deleted seven years after the date of your first missed payment, so those individual pieces may disappear before the word "bankruptcy" on your report. And if you pay off or close an account that had no delinquencies or problems, it, too, remains on the record for 10 years rather than the previous seven, say Experian experts. Again, this means positive information hangs around longer, as a consumer benefit.

8. I can always pay someone to fix or repair my credit.

Yes, you can clear up erroneous information posted to your account, such as a repossessed car that you didn't purchase in the first place, but if you paid your Sears bill three months late in 1997, that's a hard fact.

Companies claiming to fix your credit deliver on their promises by generating a flood of dispute letters to the credit reporting agencies, which in turn ask the creditor to verify or document the entry. If they cannot, the listing must come off at that time. But if the creditor later does verify or document it, the agency slaps it right back into the file after 30 days.

About the Author

The Author Leonel Avalos has http://getcreditsavy.com a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://credit-repair-ez.blogspot.com Where you can find up to date free Credit related material.

Historic Mount Vernon Reintroduces George Washington

Historic Mount Vernon Reintroduces George Washington by Group Travel


Two buildings currently under construction are set to revolutionize the visitor experience at George Washingtons historic estate. The Ford Orientation Center and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center are the major components of a $95 million campaign by George Washingtons Mount Vernon to restore The Father of His Country to his rightful place of honor and distinction in America. The state-of-the-art buildings will shed light on different chapters of Washingtons life including early adulthood, military leadership, and his presidency. The new facilities will open by the end of 2006.

All of our visitors will benefit from these exciting new buildings, but groups will be especially affected with a new ticket entrance and visitor amenities designed just for them, said Stephanie Brown, associate director for Public Affairs. And with so much more to see indoors, we anticipate that even more tour operators will make Mount Vernon a must-see, whether its a cold snowy day or 100 degrees outside.

Mount Vernon features an 18-minute movie reenacting the defining moment of the Revolutionary War Washington crossing the Delaware River. The movie reintroduces visitors to Washington and the events that defined his leadership and character. The movie, included with admission, will be presented at the Ford Orientation Center in rotation in two adjacent theaters with total seating for 450 viewers.

After seeing the movie, guests can engage in interactive galleries and media displays, including short films produced by The History Channel and different multi-sensory experiences. Three life-sized models created by a team of artists and forensic and computer experts will depict Washington at three significant stages of his life, including as a land-surveying teenager.

In the museum, hundreds of objects will be on display in six permanent galleries and one changing exhibition space. Visitors will view furnishings, china, silver, clothing, jewelry, Revolutionary War artifacts, rare books and manuscripts, and other personal effects of the Washington family. Many of these treasures will be exhibited at Mount Vernon for the first time in the new museum, which will be five times larger than the Estates current exhibition space.

For more information look at Grouptravel

Article Content from: 123-Character-education.com

About the Author

Good "Character Education" site: 123-Character-education.com

Government Auctions: More for Less

Government Auctions: More for Less by Bobby Wellman


Let's start by posing a few questions. What is the difference between the person driving a Mercedes and the person driving a Kia? What is the difference between the person who rents and the person who owns their own home? What is the difference between the person who rides a Huffy mountain bike and the person who rides a Suzuki Hyabusa 1000? I'll wait, let me you a minute to ponder these questions. What did you come up with?

If you said that one person has more money than the other, sorry to tell you, but you're wrong. If you said that they both wanted to have different things, you're still wrong. Or did you say that one person is smarter than the other, close but still wrong. The difference is that one person knows exactly where to shop to maximize every dollar that he has and the other person does not. Hear me out on this.

You see, for what ever reason most people always assume that the only way to purchase the things that they want is from private and commercial vendors (online stores,physical stores, dealerships, pawn shops, flea markets, retail shops, etc.). When dealing with these vendors, everything is priced so high (to compensate for commisssions, storage fees, and other middle-man costs) that the average person decides that they cannot afford whatever it is that they really want so, for most of their lives, they settle for less and buy something that they appear to be able to afford. Sound familiar? And then you have those people, who we will now call 'Informed Buyers' who discoverd that the US Government and it's affiliates are also vendors.

The FBI, IRS, DEA, financial institutions and other federal agencies, also the local police seize and take away millions of dollars worth of tangible items from people and businesses alike for whatever reason (tax evasion, repo, fruad, illegal activities, etc.) on a monthly basis. Items like cars, trucks, R/V's, semi trucks, motorcycles, boats, homes, fine jewelry, furniture, electronics and just about anything else you can think of. They then have to pay to store all of these items at storage facilities which are owned by individual companies. The government has no use for all of this stuff so they want to sell fast to keep there cost down, and the only way to sell it fast is to sell cheap, and this is where you and I can make out like fat cats. Nothing they sell sells for market value, NOTHING. You can literally purchase thousands of items for pennies on the dollar and all you need to do is to get access to the list so that you can know where the next auction will be held in your area and what items will be for sale at that auction.

As I said before, many vendors, including car dealers depend on you not being aware of this fact thus making a killing off of the mis-informed. You are now beginning to become an 'Informed Buyer' and you now have an opportunity to begin to shop like it. It is a fact that the 'Average Joe' will spend thousands more on mediocre products than the 'Informed Buyer' would spend on the most luxurious of products.

There are several online auctions sites that will provide you with lists of the thousands of items for sale each week through the government auctions whether online or live. However, Gov-auctions.org is by far the best so I have no desire to even mention the names of any of the other sites. For just a one time access fee of $39, you get access to every auction in every state every day, if you check around you'll see that you could easily pay $50 or even $60 at some other site. Plus, the customer service is absolutely awesome at Gov-auctions.org and they will provide you with a free 5-day comprehensive course on buying with these online auctions which no other site is offering. It's great for someone who is new to government online auctions and will really assist you in making a smart buy, which is also my reasoning behind writing this article.

I have bought 7 vehicles for myself and for a couple of my close friends. Two of the cars I bought, a 2002 Chevy Impala and a 2005 Nissan Altima, I actually sold locally and profited almost $9,000 from the sell of them. I've told you before on other posts that I'm an old used car dog and I've buying and selling with these online auctions for about 5 months now and I'll never buy from anywhere else. So I myself have a few tips that you will find helpful when bidding at these auctions. If you would like for me to send you my free personal tips for shopping at online and live auctions, email me at the address on this page and I'll disclose of them individually rather than publically.

So, after reading the information in this article, if you want to spend $10,000 on your next vehicle, are you going to settle for a Kia because you appear to be able to afford it, or will you stop settling and start getting what you want as a 'Informed Buyer'? I thought so. Good luck dear friends in all of you future purchases and be sure to make a smart buy.

Your Guy With His Ear to the Ground,

Bobby Wellman

Email me for tips

www.make-a-smart-buy.com

About the Author

Bobby Wellman is an ambitious entrepreneur whom hails out of San Antonio, Texas. He has been known in many circles for his accomplishments in Advertising and Marketing, Real Estate Investments, Automotive and Finance, Stock Trading and he currently has persued his career as a Writer. For most of his life, he has kept his expertise to himself, ut he is now ready to come out of the closet, so to speak,to give us the vital information we all need to succeed.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Loose Cubic Zirconia Stones: Understand Grades of Quality before Ordering Wholesale by Chris Robertson

Loose Cubic Zirconia Stones: Understand Grades of Quality before Ordering Wholesale by Chris Robertson
As a new jewelry retailer, you might be tempted to order wholesale loose cubic zirconia stones based on price alone. Unfortunately, extremely low prices can sometimes mean low quality as well. It's important to know what type of loose cubic zirconia to look for before buying wholesale. Understand the grades of quality before you place an order so you and your customers will be happy with the finished jewelry product. How Loose Cubic Zirconia Quality is Determined There are four main factors that help determine the quality or grade of cubic zirconia. These are carat (or carat weight), clarity, color, and cut. CZ stones are imitation diamonds or simulants and are measured in carat weight. Loose cubic zirconia stones are always heavier than real diamonds. This is because the materials that are used to create the stones are denser. Though loose cubic zirconia stones are generally colorless, many shades of colors can be added using trace elements during the manufacturing process. These colors might include lavender, peridot, pink, violet, champagne, aqua, citrine yellow, and others. Typically, transparent cubic zirconia will be the more valuable, high-end diamond imitation. Colored CZ stones are valued according to the rarity, evenness, and tone of their colors. Clarity, or clearness, of loose cubic zirconia is also a quality factor. The manufacturing process can sometimes cloud a stone, making visible imperfections. Just as with genuine diamonds, the clearer the stone is, the greater the value. The cut is also very important in determining quality for loose cubic zirconia stones. Just as with diamonds, the cut reveals the stone's beauty through every facet. The facets must be even and precise to create just the right appearance. Also as with diamonds, the skill of the stone cutter makes all the difference. Stone cutters do much more than cut. They analyze the stone carefully to determine how much of the stone should be cut off to give proper clarity. Then, they take many steps to perfect their cut without taking away from the stone. Though the Brilliant cut is the standard, there are other popular cuts such as the Trillion, Princess, and Radiant cuts. There are also a variety of shapes to give each stone its own unique personality. CZ Stone Hardness Loose cubic zirconia stones are harder than other gemstones, but not harder than diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or chrysoberyl. Hardness is determined by Mohs' scale of hardness. The highest grade of cubic zirconia is AAAAA, which measures 8.5 in hardness on the Mohs' scale. Grades of White Cubic Zirconia White cubic zirconia stones are graded for quality. These resemble genuine diamonds. They are graded as A, AAA, and AAAAA with cubic zirconia AAAAA being the highest grade. CZ AAA stones are the most popular among jewelry stores because they still offer great quality at affordable prices. Prices range from $22 upwards for beautiful jewelry pieces of this grade. When buying wholesale for your jewelry store, check out the quality of the loose cubic zirconia stones you are buying. Be sure you are getting what you pay for and the quality that will please your customers. Whether ordering loose cubic zirconia (or lab created gems), simulated stones, or synthetic gems, consider the quality of the jewelry items you are buying and choose only those items that will give lasting enjoyment.
About the Author
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: loose cubic zirconiaVisit Majon's Jewelry directory.

Indian bridal jewelry from head to toe by Harpreet Vohra

Indian bridal jewelry from head to toe by Harpreet Vohra
Girls just love weddings. They consider it as one of the most important days of their lives. Some of them even start thinking about their dream weddings when they are old enough to know what a wedding is all about. Among the girls all over the world, it must be the Indian girls who love to associate Indian bridal jewelry with their wedding daydreams. This is because in India, the jewelry is an essential part of any woman's wedding day. The Indian tradition calls for brides to be decked with Indian bridal jewelry from head to toe. All the pieces of jewelry would have to complement each other as well as the outfit that the Indian bride is wearing.
Indian bridal jewelry does not have to mean the ones that are worn during the wedding day only but also on the engagement party that an Indian bride-to-be might be having before her big day. The Indian bridal jewelry would have to include earrings, nose rings, necklaces, bracelets or bangles as well as anklets and other possible adornments of the body that could be made with precious stones. These jewelries could be made of the most precious gems like diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds among others, set in gold, silver or platinum. Whatever the type of Indian bridal jewelry, brides would want them to fit the colors of the outfit that she will be wearing on both her engagement and her wedding day.
It is expected though that the Indian bridal jewelry that will be worn on a bride-to-be's engagement party would be different than the ones that will adorn her body on her wedding day. During the engagement party, the jewelry would have to be less heavy and simpler in design. It is not uncommon for Indian brides to have their Indian bridal jewelry for both their engagement and wedding dates to be designed specifically for them. This is especially true for those who are rich and extravagant in their tastes of jewelry.
They would have different sets of Indian bridal jewelry for both occasions custom-designed preferably by known jewelry designers. For the engagement, it is accepted that the bride-to-be will wear just a one piece of jewelry like an elaborately designed necklace embedded with precious stones. In other times though this piece of Indian bridal jewelry would be complemented with earrings that are simply designed but is equally opulent in terms of the appliquéd stones as well as with a bracelet of the same design or precious stone embellishments.
On the wedding date itself, the bride would wear the heavy Indian bridal jewelry that she had made. These Indian bridal jewelry generally consists of the Maangtika or that piece of Indian bridal jewelry that most if not all Indian brides wear on their heads, the necklace, the nose ring, the earrings, the waistband, the anklets and the rings for the toes as well as the bangles worn on the arm.
The Maangtika is generally designed for the bride herself and will go well with the other jewelry that will adorn her body. The other pieces of jewelry that make the entire Indian bridal jewelry are designed according to the colors of the wedding trousseau. While it is okay to be understated when it comes to the colors of the precious gems embedded in the Indian bridal jewelry, Indian brides most often than not go for eye-catching pieces that are bold in colors. For the Indian bride, the most opulent the Indian bridal jewelry is, the better.
Visit http://www.bombayfashions.com
About the Author
Author Harpreet Vohra represents Bombay Fashions, for more Visit http://www.bombayfashions.com

Give Your Mom A Gift That Shows Your Love by Abby Mckinsley

Give Your Mom A Gift That Shows Your Love by Abby Mckinsley
Do you ever find yourself thinking that you're turning out to be just like your Mom?
You look like her, you walk like her and you talk like her (no matter how much you don't want to!)
She's just as much a part of you as you are of her. So how do you give her a gift that shows your love to her and helps strengthen your bond?
Well, it's not easy. But with a lot of thought you can give a gift to Mom from daughter that will show her how alike you both are and how that only continues to grow with time.
So when you set out to find that perfect gift to Mom from daughter, you need to keep in mind what your own tastes are evolving into. Do you like cooking? Chances are you found that love through your Mom. Do you like to sew? Same thing, you probably inherited that enjoyment from your Mom.
The same goes with jewelry. Save for a few pieces here and there, you probably have similar tastes when it comes to the jewelry you like to wear. So when you're looking for that perfect jewelry gift to Mom from daughter, look at the things you like first. You will be sure to find something that you like, and that your Mom will love.
Are you a fan of sterling silver jewelry? Take a look at the vast amount of sterling silver jewelry pieces out there to help make your gift choice. There are sterling silver necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, pendants-you name it, there is a piece of sterling silver jewelry for it.
Necklaces and rings are an easy choice when it comes to choosing sterling silver jewelry for your Mom. They can have a wide variety of stones inlayed in to the jewelry with your Mom's birthstone. Hey, why not get both your Mom's and your birth stone put into a piece of sterling silver jewelry? It's a choice that will be sure to mean so much to her.
If your Mom likes earrings, why not find a pair that will help her bring out her youthful side? Flexible hoop earrings are a good choice for this very purpose. Flexible hoop earrings are an easy accessory and they match with everything in your Mom's wardrobe.
Not only that, flexible hoop earrings are fun without being too over-the-top. They come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. There are even flexible hoop earrings in many sterling silver jewelry collections. You can even get those earrings with birth stones. You can make it a beautiful set for your Mom's special day.
The most important thing to remember is to make your birthday gift to Mom from daughter means something special. Take the extra time to find something that you know she will enjoy and the satisfaction you'll receive from seeing the look on her face when she opens the gift is something that money can't buy.
About the Author
Visit out site today if you need to find that perfect birthday gift to Mom from daughter. Whether it's a sterling silver jewelry or a flexible hoop earrings, we're sure to have exactly what your Mom is hoping for.

Choosing Your Engagement And Wedding Rings by Copyright ©2007 Carl DiNello

Choosing Your Engagement And Wedding Rings by Copyright ©2007 Carl DiNello
The choosing and exchanging of wedding rings is steeped in tradition and highly symbolic. The strength of the metal which comprises the makeup of the wedding ring symbolizes the strength of the bond between the bride and the groom. The wedding ring, having no beginning or end, is also a symbol of your undying love.
You will enter into marriage with the hope that you will have your rings for the remainder of your lives. These lifetime symbols of love are often passed on to the couple's children.
The Engagement Ring Selection
For most men, the shopping for an engagement ring may be a little scary. Men, not being as well-versed on the subject of diamonds and jewelry as most women, can be a little uncomfortable investing a great deal of money in something they know so little about.
Here are a few suggestions that may help:
* While many couples today will shop for an engagement ring together, there are still a great many men who prefer the old-fashioned way of choosing an engagement ring themselves. A man who prefers this method doesn't have to go into it blind. Paying enough attention to his future fiance can go a long way toward helping him to make the right engagement ring choice. Chances are, even though the man has intended this to be a surprise, it is very likely that she knows something is up, and more than likely has dropped a few hints as to the kind of engagement ring she would like.
* If you haven't done so already, take notice of the jewelry she currently wears. Is it mostly silver, or white gold? This information alone can help identify her preference.
* Don't be too embarrassed to ask a sister, her girlfriends, or even her mother for advice. They may offer some very useful suggestions. For instance, would she prefer a large solitaire stone, or perhaps she likes smaller diamonds on each side of the ring? What about the shape of the stone? Would she prefer an oval, pear, or round shaped stone?
* Stay away from any supposedly "great diamond deals". Make sure you go to a reputable jeweler who is certified by the Jewelers of America (JA), and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). A lesser priced stone from a mall vendor will most certainly be of a lesser quality. A reputable jeweler will provide you with a diamond-grading report from the GIA that will provide truthful information on the size, clarity, and shape of the diamond. In addition, any imperfections in the stone will also be pointed out.
Selecting The Wedding Bands
Most couples at the time of the engagement ring purchase already have a pretty good idea of the type of wedding band they would like. It may be a simple gold band, or a wedding band with an ornate design. Diamonds, or other gemstones may also be added to the band. However, this option will be at an additional cost.
What color should the band be? The most common are yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. The most traditional metal for the wedding band is yellow gold; but, white gold and platinum are gaining in popularity. While it is difficult to tell the visual difference between white gold and platinum due to their similar silver color, the platinum ring will be heavier with the metal being harder and more durable.
While many couples prefer matching wedding rings, this is not mandatory. There is a good chance that you and your significant other will have different tastes in jewelry. The important thing is that you both choose a wedding ring you like and will be comfortable wearing.
About the Author
Carl DiNello is an Article Author and Wesbite Owner whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internets most popular topics.
To read more on this topic, please visit Planning The Perfect Wedding!
You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links

Six Ways To Save A Fortune On Engagement Rings by Shayne McMillan

Six Ways To Save A Fortune On Engagement Rings by Shayne McMillan
Engagement rings can be one of the biggest purchases a buyer will make for his or her partner. Not only is it expensive, but it can be emotionally nerve-racking as well. Couples who are overwhelmed by the task of buying an engagement ring just want to buy the "best" they could see in the jewelry store and get over it, without making wise decisions and thus, regretting the purchase later.
If you are tight on a budget and would like to save on engagement rings but would like to buy a nice one, here are some tips worth considering.
1. Buy a ring which can be upgraded later. You do not have to buy an expensive-looking ring now, if you will be left You can buy the stones of your choice and use your mom' or granny's band, and have the stones set it.
2. If you will buy your wedding ring from the same store, ask if you can have a discount later so you will have savings.
3. Consider using your credit card to charge you for the engagement ring to earn more points that will be converted for your honeymoon trip. 4. How about plain bands? They are less costly than those with stones. 5. Consider using your partner's birth stone as the stone on his/her engagement ring in place of more expensive stones.
6. If you really cannot afford it, buy a zirconium ring first and commit to buy a real engagement ring on your anniversary. It will be all the more cherished with the passing of time.
About the Author
The average cost of weddings today is at $27,852. Would you like to know how you can slash thousands and spend less than that while having a grand wedding you wanted? Read "Frugal Weddings 101: How To Have A Great Wedding On A Shoestring Budget" at http://weddingplanning.430niches.com for free. Sign up and automatically receive the latest version of this ebook at no cost as soon as it comes out.

Roman Artifact Discoveries in Bulgaria by Anat Resnick

Roman Artifact Discoveries in Bulgaria by Anat Resnick
Recently, a number of Roman artifacts were discovered in regions of Bulgaria.
One of the {a href= http://www.sitesandphotos.com/news.php?actions=details&id=75}Roman artifact discoveries was a stone sarcophagus holding unique gold jewelry and ceramic and glass utensils. The sarcophagus has been found in the Raykova mound near the village of Stroyno, Bulgaria, Sofia news agency {a href= http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=82412}Novinite reported on June 28th.
A sarcophagus (a Greek word meaning "flesh eater") refers to a container, or coffin, in which a body was placed for interment in Greek and Roman times. Sarcophagi (the plural) were usually made by being carved, decorated or built ornately. Some were built to be freestanding above ground, as a part of an elaborate tomb or tombs. Others were made for burial, or were placed in crypts
This sarcophagus, a {a href= http://www.sitesandphotos.com/news.php?actions=details&id=75}Roman artifact discovered by Bulgarian archaeologists headed by Professor Daniela Agre of the National Institute of Archaeology and Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Science, also contained the cremated bones of a woman. The archaeologists believe the woman belonged to an affluent family of the Roman Era, and was probably buried in the 1st or 2nd century. Excavation of the mound continues.
A separate {a href= http://www.sitesandphotos.com/news.php?actions=details&id=75}Roman artifact discovery has occured in a tomb excavated by Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov. The tomb, containing Roman era jewelry and other artifacts, dates from the 1st century AD and is located in southeastern Bulgaria. The artifacts discovered so far consist of two pairs of gold earrings, five rings, a ritual coin and a semi-precious stone. They will be handed over to Silven region's History Museum.
To learn more about Roman artifacts and all the latest archaeology news, please visit: http://www.sitesandphotos.com/
About the Author
Anat is a writer for Compucall-USA.com. To learn more about pallet management please visit www.sitesandphotos.com/news.php?

You Won't Break The Bank With These Affordable Gifts And Collectables by Abby Mckinsley

You Won't Break The Bank With These Affordable Gifts And Collectables by Abby Mckinsley
Where has the year gone? It seems like just yesterday you were sipping frosty drinks poolside. Now the gift-giving season will be here before you know it. And that's when the panic develops.
How are you going to afford all of those gifts? It seems like everybody and their dog is on your list this year and you don't have the slightest clue where to start or how to set a budget.
Don't worry! You can buy all of your gifts and still have enough for a trip to the spa. You can find affordable gifts and collectibles for everyone this year. You just need to know where to look.
Moonstone Jewelry is the answer to all of your gift-gifting woes. Moonstone jewelry can be affordable gifts and collectables for males and females, young and old.
What is Moonstone?
Moonstone, named for similarity to the moon's color, is a semi-translucent stone with a colorful sheen, usually blue or white in color that reflects light.
It's considered a good-luck charm and is known to bring peace, harmony and passion to those who wear it, especially women and babies. Ancient Romans were known to wear moonstone jewelry as far back as 100 AD. The people of India also consider it to be sacred.
Moonstones are found throughout the world. Brazil, India, Mexico and the U.S. states of Pennsylvania and Virginia all boast various types of moonstones. The best quality moonstones come from Sri Lanka.
What are the Different Types of Moonstone Jewelry?
Moonstone Jewelry can easily be given as affordable gifts and collectables. In fact, moonstone is the proper stone to give for the thirteenth wedding anniversary.
Moonstone jewelry comes in a wide variety of styles: from rings to earrings to pendants and moonstone necklaces. There is sure to be one that fits your recipient's style.
Moonstone necklaces are one of the most eye-catching pieces of jewelry. The sheen of the different colored stones is attractive and can fit with many different pieces in a person's wardrobe.
The moonstones can be cut to different styles for a moonstone necklace and will match with any kind of metal chain, like sterling silver, gold or platinum. Moonstone rings are good for males who don't otherwise wear necklaces or earrings.
Gift Giving the Right Way
It's easy to see that moonstone jewelry is a good choice for every person on your list this year. They will keep thanking you for years to come!
About the Author
Find the best birthday gifts for mom this year. Visit our site now and discover our selection of freshwater pearl jewelry like freshwater pearl necklaces for her.

Finding Special Christmas Gifts For Mom Doesn't Have To Be Difficult by Abby Mckinsley

Finding Special Christmas Gifts For Mom Doesn't Have To Be Difficult by Abby Mckinsley
You've been good this year. You've made your gift list and checked it twice. Oh boy! You're asking for some good stuff this year!
But then you remember.
You haven't bought anything for the people on your list! Quick, who do you have to buy for this year?
Sister Susan, Brother Barry, Uncle Roy and Aunt Annie should receive a gift from you. Fido and Fluffy should get gifts too. Oh yeah, and your Dad.
You're forgetting the most important person on your list, your Mom! And she's the hardest to buy gifts for year after year. You never know what she likes. Should you get her that ritzy bottle of designer perfume? Or a sweater? Or some kitchen utensils? The decision never gets easier!
The good news is, finding special Christmas gifts for Mom doesn't have to be a chore. Just think about giving her one of these gift ideas and she'll be touched at how thoughtful of a child you are. And who doesn't like to win brownie points with Mom?
Special Christmas gifts for Mom can be anything that makes her feel beautiful. For example, beaded chokers can be a gift of jewelry that runs a little bit outside of the ordinary.
Beaded chokers are well-known for bringing attention upward, to the face and eyes. And you know your Mom has beautiful eyes, why not let her showcase them? Beaded chokers also create a slender neckline because they hug the curves of the neck, unlike regular necklaces that pull on the neck.
Beaded chokers can come in any number of styles. Beaded chokers can showcase different types of stone beads, colors, and shapes. The best thing about beaded chokers is that they are different and will be one of the most special Christmas gifts for Mom because it's something she wouldn't buy herself.
More examples of special Christmas gifts for Mom are agates necklaces. Agates necklaces are made from a special type of mineral rock called, you guess it, agates. Agates are a form of quartz and are known for their bright color and differing designs. Agates can be found in many different forms of rocks. However, they are most commonly found in volcanic or metamorphic rock.
Agates necklaces are incredibly beautiful and the attention paid to their design is noticeable to even an untrained eye. Agates necklaces can boast a simple stone set at the end of a chain, or can even be beaded into necklaces like beaded chokers. The options are almost endless. The bonus is that you will be able to find a design that fits the unique character of your Mom, because no two agates necklaces are exactly the same.
So think about finding special Christmas gifts for Mom this year. She deserves it, and hey, it never hurts to find a way to be the favorite child!
About the Author
Don't wait to find special Christmas gifts for Mom. Visit our site now and shop our selection of beaded chokers and agates necklaces today!

How To Take Care Of A Pearl by David Fishman

How To Take Care Of A Pearl by David Fishman
Fresh water pearls are normally grown in lakes, ponds or rivers, on the other hand sea water pearls are grown in the seas. Natural pearls are found in the pearl oysters, which are found in tropical seas, mostly in Asia. Pearls come in two main categories: freshwater cultured pearls and saltwater cultured pearls. You need to take care of pearls even though they are very durable proper care is required to keep the stone beautiful. Even though it takes several years to raise the oyster and produce a fine cultured pearl. The reason for greater uniformity in cultured pearls is that, given the larger quantity of cultured pearls available, it is easier to find and carefully match pearls.
When wearing pearls be sure not to wear them in the water especially chlorinated water, the chlorine will damage the pearls, and if you are wearing pearls in the ocean or in salt water make sure you remove them because of possible damage to the pearls. The residues from these products will ruin your pearls.
Freshwater pearls may also be dyed. Be sure to ask if the color is natural. Color is usually considered the most important factor affecting value and cost. If a pearl is of natural color it will sell in the market place for much higher amount than a pearl that has been dyed a certain color. If purchasing a pearl that is of natural color be sure it is and that it is stated on the bill of sale. The South Sea Specimens are often less perfectly round and have a less intense luster than their smaller Japanese counterpart, but they are very beautiful and very expensive.
A Tahitian black pearl color normally does not run through the entire pearl. When looking at the stone it could be lighter on one side and when you turn it over it could be black on the opposite end. With practice and experience (and further education if you're really serious), a loupe can tell even the amateur a great deal. Using a gemologist can help to determine if the pearl stone is synthetic, natural made of glass or has many imperfections like blemishes or cracks in the stone. In other words, the loupe can provide the necessary information to help you know whether the stone is in fact what it is supposed to be.
There are numerous other examples of the use of pearls to enhance sex appeal or sexual experience or both. Pearls can make many different types of jewelry, a belly chain of freshwater pearls is one type of jewelry and a toe ring made out of mother of pearl is another. Quality pearls are not cheap but they will last a lifetime. The best way to store your pearls is in a soft cloth bag in your jewelry box.
The multi-strand necklace is ever so preppy. Besides a diamond, the only other gem that is of great interest to man is the pearl. The oldest recorded natural pearl necklace dates back to more than 4,000 years ago.
Pearl jewelry is suitable for day and nighttime use, to send a statement of class and elegance.
About the Author
David Marc Fishman is the owner of the jewelry chains site. Find the finest cheap jewelry pieces. Get a nice opal jewelry.

Sapphire Jewelry by Peter Boston

Sapphire Jewelry by Peter Boston
The blue brilliance of the rarest of gemstones, the sapphire, has been revered for thousands of years, its color thought to represent seraphic or celestial qualities. The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and that the reflection of the sun gave the sky its blue color. Jewish tradition holds that Moses was given the Ten Commandments on tablets of sapphire, making it the most sacred of all gemstones. Is it just coincidence that more than half the people on earth identify blue as their favorite color?
The purest of sapphires would be white or transparent. The blue color comes from small amounts of other elements, primarily iron and chrome, which are fused into the stone within the deep bowels of the earth. Sapphires come in many colors. The aspects at which a raw stone is cut can affect the color. A ruby is a red sapphire of such beauty that it developed its own mythology. Passion and faithfulness in the same gemstone. The most highly prized blue sapphire is mined more than three miles high on the Roof of The World - the Hindu Kush mountain range in Kashmir.
Only diamond is harder than sapphire. When cut into a cabochon (a convex, unfaceted form), some sapphires exhibit asterism; that is, a six-rayed star can be seen in the interior of the stone. Such stones are called star sapphires and are highly valued by gemstone collectors.
The sapphire has long symbolized truth, sincerity, loyalty, and faithfulness. In many countries sapphire is the most desirable engagement gem because of its symbolism, and perhaps because the giver hopes to endow his betrothed with those very same qualities. The ancients esteemed star sapphires as an almighty amulet, a guiding and protecting star for travelers and seekers of all kinds. These gems were considered so plenipotent, they were said to continue to protect the wearer from evil even after being passed on to someone else.
The birthstone tradition is from the Breastplate of Aaron described in the Bible (Exodus 28, 15-30). The breastplate was a ritual garment set with twelve gemstones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the twelve months of the year. Sapphire is the birthstone for September, the month when the most babies are born. The zodiac sign is Virgo.
About the Author
neverenufjewelry.com is an online jewelry store with fine crafted sapphire jewelry, diamonds, watches, and other metals and gemstones.

Find Crystal Animal Figurines That Will Dazzle You. by Kevinzhang

Find Crystal Animal Figurines That Will Dazzle You. by Kevinzhang
Find Crystal Animal Figurines That Will Dazzle You.
Only Crystal animal figurines allow you to experience the pleasure of seeing the sun's rays shining through, splashing prismatic rainbows of colour around your favourite room. China Qianqi crystal created the lead crystal glass that is familiar to us today in 1986. They found that adding lead oxide to his glass mixture he could produce a glass that was softer and easier to grind and cut without shattering. The final piece is also more reflective and crystal clear. Qianqi patented a jewelry stone cutting machine that allowed him to produce perfect lead crystal chandelier pieces. His Qianqi Company continues to make highly reflective silver crystal, some of the finest traditional lead crystalware available in the world today.
Other famous manufacturers include Lalique who create crystal animal figurines of Lions, Cats, Kittens, Swans, Horses, Rabbits and Birds. Irelands Waterford Crystal have a range of animal figurines including a limited edition Eagle by Fred Curtis, an owl, dolphin, seahorse, starfish and other animals.
A novel way to display your figurine is on a light box. Just imagine highlighting your crystal animal figurine on a light box that gives it a magical glow, making a striking evening display. These units allow you to admire the light shifting properties of your prized possession all day long.
Find that bird figurine you're looking for.
I've been looking all over the web to find you the finest quality bird figurines. I've found a variety of products from the leading manufacturers. Also I've found some great examples of bronze and silver artistry available from sculptors and specialist craft workshops. The Armani range of bird figurines are incredibly detailed and realistically painted to the highest standard. If you like something exotic, the Macaw 'Idyll', 'Frolic' or 'Gliding' sculptures by Giuseppe Armani could be for you. Lladro porcelain has some really nice pastel-shaded swans and geese figurines.
Boehm porcelain has a exquisite figurine of a Hummingbird hovering to collect nectar from a flower.
If you're looking for large-scale bronzes then maybe it's worth looking at the work of Mike Curtis. His Limited Edition Bald Eagle sculpture 'The Waves of Success' vividly brings to life the moment a Bald Eagle swoops down catching its prey. The sculpture has a dark patina highlighted with silver and gold that beautifully compliments the quality of the sculpting.
Lalique have their famous 'Swan Head Up' and 'Swan Head Down' swan crystal figurines.Swarovski crystal ware makes exotic parrots in colored crystal. They also make a white crystal Hummingbird figurine.
The Qianqi appointed jeweler Harold Cox has expertly crafted fine pieces of Objet d'art. These are hand finished enameled silver models available as individual, pairs or sets of birds including Toucans, Pigeons, Owls, Pheasants, Doves, Ducks, Swans, Peacocks Lovebirds and Penguins.
If you're thinking of commissioning an Artist to create a bird figurine there's a few things to consider. If you want to know more about finding an crystal animal figurine then have a look at this short guide to commissioning a bird figurine sculptor.
About the Author
Provide by Qianqi Crystal, kevin Kevin Zhang: The CEO of China Qianqi Crystal Gift Co.,ltd, www.cn-crystal.com, He specializes in Crystal Animal Figurine design and manufacturer, have 10 years in Crystal Crafts research.

Diamond Scams and Sales Tricks by Sunil Tanna

Diamond Scams and Sales Tricks by Sunil Tanna
With diamonds, there are many scams to be on your guard for. Although most scams are minor, there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds.
Scammers are able to operate in the diamond field because most people who buy diamonds - for whatever reason - are not always particularly knowledgeable about diamonds, and are therefore easily fooled. Consequently, one of the best ways to protect yourself from being scammed is to educate yourself about diamonds and the diamond industry, including reading books about the subject.
A common trick that many jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the combined total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the individual weights separately for each diamond. This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Once you are wise to this trick, you can avoid it by asking what the total carat weight of the center stone is.
You should also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between ½ and ¾ carat - but closer to ½.
Many Jewelry stores often run "fluorescence" tricks to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is one such a trick. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, and the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality.
Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. So get a fairer picture, ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well.
Some particularly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worth less than its true value - and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. If presented with an offer like this, be sure to get a second, third, and even a fourth opinion before taking any action.
Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.
There are many more scams that less trustworthy jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.
About the Author
First published at http://www.guide2diamonds.com/p1_articles_diamond_scams.php
More diamond articles and information at Guide 2 Diamonds.com

Bonded Diamonds by Sunil Tanna

Bonded Diamonds by Sunil Tanna
When you shop for diamonds, you should consider dealing with a bonded jeweler (only about 5% of jewelers are bonded).
The advantage of a bonded jeweler, is that the jeweler will sell bonded diamonds, Buying a bonded diamond may cost more than buying a non-bonded diamond, but when you look at the advantages of the bonded option, you probably decide that it is well worth the extra expense.
1. Bonded diamonds have a buy back policy for the life of the diamond. No matter how long you have had the diamond, you can take it back to the bonded jeweler and sell it back to him or her, for a 100% refund.
2. Bonded diamonds also have a breakage policy. If the stone breaks or chips, the bonded jeweler will replace it with a new one - one time. No jeweler would ever offer such a policy on any stone that was not 100% natural, so just the offer of such a policy should give you peace of mind concerning the quality of the diamond.
3. Bonded diamonds are natural and untreated.
4. Bonded diamonds increase in value, with a fixed appreciation rate that is designed to keep up with inflation. This means that a diamond that is worth a certain amount of money today will be worth more in the future, as the price of diamonds continues to rise. This generally does not apply to buy backs, but it does typically apply to trade-ins. Additionally, by purchasing a bonded diamond, you are protected against the possibility of a market crash. If a market crash occurs, the value of diamonds will drop. However, the bonded jeweler guarantees to refund you the difference between what the diamond is now worth and what you paid for it before the market crash.
It may be difficult to find a bonded jeweler in your area. You can look for a bonded jeweler in your area by searching the Internet, or by calling the local jewelry stores. If you can find one, you ought to consider dealing with the bonded jeweler as opposed to dealing with an unbonded jeweler.
And remember, when dealing with the bonded jeweler, specifically tell him that you are interested in bonded diamonds!
About the Author
First published at http://www.guide2diamonds.com/p1_articles_bonded_diamonds.php
More diamond articles and information at Guide 2 Diamonds.com

How To Buy Jewelry For Dummies by Sudha Agarwal

How To Buy Jewelry For Dummies by Sudha Agarwal
You're a husband with an upcoming anniversary. Your girlfriend's birthday is next week. Its Christmas time and you want to know the best way to express your feelings. What do all these people have in common? They're DUMMIES!
With this simple guide, you can find the perfect gift for that someone without waiting till the last minute.
* Do you know their birth month? If so, you can't go wrong with birthstone jewelry. Not only she will be delighted with this beautiful gift but, you can also surprise her with the knowledge of its value.
January - Garnet (deep red) Garnet is a highly protective stone. It's also useful in enhancing bodily strength and endurance. It is given as a gem on the 2nd & 6th wedding anniversaries.
February - Amethyst (pale lilac to dark purple) Amethyst helps to calm fears, reduces stress, and dispels doubts and negativity. The gemstone symbolizes peace and tranquility. Some sources suggest it is used to stabilize mental disorders. Amethyst is suggested as a gem to give on the 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries.
March - Aquamarine (all shades of light blue) Aquamarines enhance the utilization of psychic powers and make the mind more alert. Excellent for cleansing and purifying. It is said to make one youthful. Aquamarine is suggested as a gem to give on the 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries.
April - Diamond (mostly colorless, but colored variations do exist) Perfection, innocence, courage and everlasting love - there is no better symbol for these qualities than a sparkling diamond.
May - Emerald (dark green) Emeralds give the wearer psychic powers. They are thought to improve both eyesight and fertility. They are also worn to enhance love and contentment. It is suggested as an anniversary gift for the 20th and 35th anniversaries and as an alternate stone for the 55th wedding anniversary.
June - pearl (mostly white, but colored variations exist) Pearls have symbolized modesty, chastity, power, and courage. It is believed to possess life-restoring powers.
July - Ruby (bright red) Rubies are believed to make the wearer wise, to help with love, and help protect against all sorts of misfortunes.
August - Peridot (lime green) Peridots Guard against illusions, enchantments, and nightmares. Peridot also calms nervousness and banishes negative emotions. Peridot may be given as a gem on the 16th wedding anniversary.
September - Sapphire (all colors, but most popular is cornflower blue) Sapphires help to predict the future. The gem is associated with peace and happiness. It has a power of spiritual enlightenment. Sapphire is given as a gem for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries.
October - Opal (all colors, but most treasured is a black opal) Opal is a stone of hope, love & romance. The gem is a symbol of innocence and purity. Aids inner beauty, faithfulness, and eyesight and helps recall past lives. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Libra.
November - Citrine (yellow to gold to orange brown shades) Citrines are emblems of truth, happiness, wisdom and friendship. These provide protection against snake venom and evil thoughts. It promotes creativity, helps personal clarity and eliminates self-destructive tendencies. It is the accepted gem for the 13th and 17th wedding anniversary.
December - Blue Topaz (pale blue) Blue topaz symbolizes strength, intelligence, fidelity, success and good future. It is the suggested anniversary gemstone for the 4th, 19th or 23rd year of marriage.
* If not, you can always follow the motto "sweet and simple."
Plain Gold Jewelry - No more worries about picking the right gemstones! All you have to know is her preference of gold color. They come in many fashionable designs and can be accessorized with any outfit. They make a perfect gift for any occasion.
Pearls Around the Neck - Behind diamonds, pearls are a woman's best friend. Any jewelry collection is incomplete without a pearl necklace. Pricy, yet elegant, a pearl necklace makes a great gift for those memorable moments in life. But have no fear, if you're concerned about staying within a budget or looking for a simple everyday gift, pearl pendants are an excellent choice.
Drops - The hottest trend in jewelry right now! From drop earrings to a simple drop pendant, it's a perfect combination of class and style. With an array of gemstones to choose from, you're sure to find the color that best suits that special someone.
* If all else fails, you can never go wrong with diamonds.
We'll spare you all the clichés, but a gift of diamond jewelry will forever remind her of your true feelings (or simply get you out of her doghouse). A girl will fancy any piece of diamond jewelry, but here are a few that will complete any jewelry collection: A pair of diamond stud earrings don't have to be given as tokens of romantic affection. It's perfectly appropriate to buy them for your mother on Mother's Day. You know how to bedazzle your woman at anytime? Present her a diamond solitaire pendant that your grandma liked too... they will always be in fashion. You want to convey your feelings in a more meaningful way? The sparkle of a diamond solitaire ring would speak of your love for her.
With different sizes, clarities & cuts, you're sure to find the gift that best fits her as well as your budget. You'll even have enough left to pamper her with a box of chocolates and some flowers.
About the Author
Sudha Agarwal is a product consultant for FineJewelryVault.com. For these gift ideas and more, visit FineJewelryVault.com for the finest collection of Fine Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Gold Jewelry, Pearls & Birthstones at great prices.

What Women Want Today (Fine Jewelry Trends) by Sheila Chun

What Women Want Today (Fine Jewelry Trends) by Sheila Chun
Historically, marketers of fine jewelry have targeted their advertising campaigns primarily towards men, but times have changed. With powerhouses like Debeers leading the way with their famous right hand ring campaign, jewelers have realized that the modern woman is now the target consumer and the rest of the industry is taking notice. Men still tend to purchase the higher ticket items, but they buy for special occasions, namely engagements, anniversaries, birthdays and Christmas. The workingwomen today have strong purchasing power and equally strong opinions of what they like. And what the modern woman wants, the modern woman buys. In fact, according to the JCK magazine, 80% of all jewelry purchasers today are women.What are they buying? What is it that women are buying and not buying today? The first thing they want is "Big" with a lot of bling. They are doing this by sometimes sacrificing the quality of stone for size, other times by choosing pieces with multiple diamonds that give the illusion of a big look. The days of women being satisfied with a plain gold wedding band is gone. Anything paved, basically small round diamonds set everywhere, with minimal metal showing is in hot demand.And the second thing they want is color...lots and lots of it. In fact,They are opting for alternative semi-precious stones set around diamonds, rather then going for the traditional pricier precious stones. Sales of the traditional sapphires, emeralds and ruby stone jewelry have plummeted and have been replaced by the colorful and "cheaper" alternative semi-precious stone jewelry. All colors sell and the popularity of a certain color will vary with the season and fashion. Beryls, rubellite, rhodolite, garnet, topaz, citrine, garnets, jade, tourmalines, periodot, amber, carnelian, jade, the selection and colors are endless. Pink and blue-green are always hot colors.Not only are stones big in rings but also gemstone bead strands have been the hot ticket item the last few years. Tourmaline, peridot, topaz, iolite, jade, lapis, onyx, beryl mixed with gold beads, pearls and accented with big centerpiece pendants have been popular. After enduring a decade of the white metal and diamonds minimalism look, women revolted and the "bigness" of size and color became the flavor du-jour for women's necklaces. During the minimalist period where necklaces were all worn short, the necklaces of today have evolved to the belly button length. These necklaces are usually 32" or longer and worn long or doubled for a layered look.Thus the designs of fine jewelry offered in the market today are as varied as each designer's imagination. Even the traditional industries of diamonds and pearls have had to use modern technology and upgrade their designs to keep up with the demands of the female consumer. These consumers are no longer satisfied with the status quo; they don't want just the round white diamond or the round white pearls. Diamonds are being color treated to come in blue, green, pink, yellow, brown and black. They are being cut with names like the asscher cut, cushion cut, radiant cut, criss-cut, lily cut. In fact, now that laser is cutting diamonds, many firms are out there putting their own spin on traditional cuts and renaming the cuts after themselves. Also, pearls are hotter then ever. Some of the biggest name in jewelry designer made their mark specializing in pearl designs. Pearls are now being dyed every color under the rainbow and laser treated to turn them chocolate brown. The cast offs that used to be thrown away are being turned into designer masterpieces. Every part of the oyster is used to make all different shapes and size pearls. Cultured, Tahitian, south sea, fresh water, mother of pearl, mabe pearls come in all shapes and sizes. In the past, the Japanese dominated the industry with their traditional akoya pearl strands, but then the Chinese, Australia and many of the South Sea regions came up with their own farming techniques to make their mark with their own pearl specialties.Women today want fashionable jewelry, they follow not only the fashion runway trends, but also their fashion icons. A diamond circle of life necklace worn by an icon such as Oprah Winfrey can start a major frenzy that can last up to 3 years. Women want versatility in their jewelry. They want jewelry they can wear to the office as well as go out to dinner and just plain live in. They want anything that gives her a feeling of change from day to night or that she can color coordinate with different outfits. So whether it is a ring, earring, bracelet or necklace, it is all desired as long as it is accented with diamonds, stones or pearls. The price point that woman buy for themselves is still a lot less then what men spend on average, but there is something to be said about volume sales. Also where men have usually purchased traditional designs, women have forced the jewelry industry to evolve and revolutionize in a short period of time. This is the power of what women want.
About the Author
This Article was written courtesy of diamonds by the yard, curved wedding bands, and black pearl jewelry retailer, Treasures International, wi

Man Made Diamond Types by James Chartwell

Man Made Diamond Types by James Chartwell
Long craved for their brilliance and luster, diamonds are also desirable for use in science and technology. Their expense and rarity, however, have limited their availability. As a result, scientists have spent the last hundred years trying to mass produce man made diamonds in the laboratory. Dr. Moissan kicked off the trend back in 1893, when he discovered tiny diamonds in a crater in Arizona and attempted to replicate them. Those "diamonds" were actually silicon carbide (SiC) and are now classified as Moissanite, diamond simulants. Others attempted to synthesize diamonds, and only recently succeeded in growing a colorless, pure gemstone quality crystal. These diamond imitations are available in several different forms, classified according to their structure and method of growth.
The definition of a man made diamond is straightforward. It's a stone with the same characteristics as a naturally occurring diamond, right down to the atom. As mentioned above, diamond simulants like Moissanite are actually made from other material and look like diamonds. One of the most popular and widely known man made diamonds is the simulant commonly known as cubic zirconia. Composed of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), cubic zirconia has been around since the 1970s.
The classification of man made diamonds types is only done to those crystals that are everything diamond-like. Four categories of man made or synthetic diamonds exist: HPHT grit; HPHT large single crystal diamond; CVD polycrystalline diamond and CVD single crystal diamond.
Only two processes produce these four man made diamond types. Each of the processes results in two different types of crystalline structures. Developed by General Electric in 1955, HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) replicates the conditions that nature uses to create a natural diamond. Pressures of up to 5 GPa (giga pascals) along with temperatures of 1,500 degrees Celsius bombard the raw ingredients inside large presses. The results are small, one micrometer to one millimeter, chips and dust known as HPHT grit. Yellow in color due to nitrogen use during production, HPHT grit's application suitability relies on shape and metal content, but is most often used for abrasives.
HPHT also produces another type of man made diamond, the large single crystal. Measuring up to 10 millimeters in length, these crystals are much larger, and can reach quality and purity levels worthy of gemstones. For HPHT to produce such a large diamond, though, takes a lot of time, sometimes as long as seven days. This creates a product that is more expensive and more technically difficult to create, so HPHT large single crystal diamonds are only used in demanding situations. The HPHT "type 11a", as of 2007, was nearing the high quality and molecular structure for use in X-raytomographic imaging--replacing silicon.
CVD polycrystalline diamond is number three on the man made diamond types chart. A lower pressure process of growing diamonds, CVD, chemical vapor deposition, heats the ingredients and forms a vapor that, one atom at a time, deposits on a seed crystal. CVD polycrystalline diamond is grown flat, instead of in the cubic and single crystal form of natural diamonds, in a wafer of up to 5 millimeters thick. Depending on the production process, wafers can be grown as large as 30 centimeters (12 inches) across. Medical, optical, environmental and abrasives are just a few of the applications.
CVD single crystal diamond is the fourth man made diamond type. Usually synthesized on a single crystal diamond substrate, the CVD process can also utilize other substrates such as sapphires. The size of the resulting single crystal diamond is small, a few millimeters and meant for sensor and electronic applications. Recently, however, that all changed. In 2005, a former Bell Labs scientist discovered a way to grow CVD single crystal diamonds pure and colorless, just like a natural diamond. With applications in science, this new development also skyrocketed this fourth man made diamond type into gemstone quality.
As technology improves, so will the impact man made diamond types have on science and gemology. Military uses and applications in business are already being researched as are additional uses in technology and the world of jewelry. Economical mass production of man made diamonds may still be dozens of years in the future, but based on present breakthroughs, success is only a matter of time.
About the Author
James Chartwell writes on a variety of topics, including travel and science. Visit his informative resource all about man made diamonds at http://www.manmadediamondinfo.com/

Feeling and dressing like a princess by Groshan Fabiola

Feeling and dressing like a princess by Groshan Fabiola
It is not only blue diamonds that makes a woman feel like a Queen, opal jewelry also seems to produce the same effect. Opal comes in rich and vibrant colors of blues, greens and purples.
Opal silver jewelry comes in several forms and fashions. Jewelry designers made bracelets, pedants, earrings and torques with silver pendant jewelry. Because of the natural brilliance and bright colors of the stone, it works best when paired with silver.
Silver opal jewelry is the perfect gift for all women. Jewelry is hard to resist for most women, but the opulence and natural beauty of this stone makes it even harder for any woman to resist it. It is especially valuable to women born in October as opal is the birthstone for the month.
Opal gemstone earrings are available in every imaginable color from white through yellow, orange, green, blue, red and black. In some cases, a single opal stone displays the entire range of colors, making it look something like a rainbow.
Opal gemstone earrings are not very hard and therefore the stone needs to be treated with care. Although it took millions of years for the stone to form under extremely harsh conditions, the stone is not very hard. It contains about six to 10 per cent water.
The majority of silver opal jewelry is produced in Australia and this is because the material is found in abundance there. More than 95 per cent of the world production of opal comes from Australia.
About the Author
For more resources about silver opal jewelry or even about blue diamonds and especially about silver opal jewelry please review these links.

Get the new hottest look by Groshan Fabiola

Get the new hottest look by Groshan Fabiola
Fashionastas will already be aware of the fact that onyx pendants and jewelry are the latest fashion statements. Onyx pendants make a dramatic statement because of the natural color of the stone. The black color of the natural stone looks stunning when inlaid into platinum.
Onyx pendants have been popular since the Green and Roman era. Old scriptures refer to Greek women wearing onyx pendants. The word onyx comes from the Greek word Onyx, which means finger nail. According to mythology, Cupid cut the divine fingernails of Venus with an arrowhead while she was sleeping. The Gods then turned these nails into onyx stones so that no part of her Venus's body would ever perish.
Most onyx pendants are made out of black onyx. This stone is found in plenty in India, California, Brazil and Uruguay. However, some of onyx pendants also have white bands or ribbons running through them. These onyx stones are called Sardonyx.
Because of the black color of the Onyx stone, most jewelers choose to set the stone in silver and platinum. Most onyx earrings are made from sterling silver. The latest fashion for earrings is gemstone earrings made of onyx and other precious stones. Some jewelers are also creating dramatic effects by mixing onyx with black pearl. The dark color of both these stones produces a glamorous effect when paired.
Onyx is the birthstone for the month of December. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Leo. Onyx earrings are very popular in India and California as the stone is found in abundance in this area.
About the Author
For more resources about 14 karat gold or even about gold silver jewelry and especially about silver jewelry please review these links.

Sparkling with crystals by Groshan Fabiola

Sparkling with crystals by Groshan Fabiola
Silver opal jewelry is one of the most popular fashion accessories these days. Almost all fashion magazines are featuring models with opal gemstone earrings.
Opal in silver opal jewelry is available in a variety of colors. Opal is available in vivid hues of reds, greens, blues, pinks, and black. While some of the stones are of a single color, other stones have a gamut of colors on them.
Among the most precious of opal stones are the black opal. This is why most fashion designers love to work with this stone. The dramatic color of the black opal works beautifully with platinum and titanium.
Black opals are referred to by jewelers as the King of the opals. It is the most expensive among the different type of opals. The dark color of the opal ranges from dark grey to deep black and it is a direct result of carbon and iron oxide trace elements. A lot of jewelers are making black opal platinum necklaces. The effect of the black stone against dull platinum makes it very attractive.
Boulder opals are formed from the cracks of iron stone boulders. Silver opal jewelry made with stone is found only in Australia as this stone is found only there. These opal stones are very thin and have to be cut out together with the ironstone on the back.
Silver opal jewelry made from white opal is the most popular and most commonly found type. The body tone of this stone is white or very light in color and this causes the rest of the jewelry to shine.
About the Author
For more resources about silver jewelry or even about silver and especially about silver opal jewelry please review these links.