Birthstone Jewelry - A Perfect Gift

Picking out jewelry for someone special doesn't have to be an arduous task. If the decision seems too great, know that you can always turn to birthstone jewelry for the perfect, well-thought out gift. Choosing a piece of jewelry with that special someone's birthstone makes the gift that much more personal. And, while there are the traditional stones associated with each month, you don't necessarily have to go with the person's birth month. Instead, choose a stone of the month of your anniversary, or another extraordinary moment like the birth of your first child. A gift of this caliber is always sure to please.

Let's start with January and February. The birthstone for January is garnet. This is typically a beautiful deep red stone but, it possible to find garnet in shades of green, yellow and orange as well. Garnet is the perfect choice for a January stone because the color red represents strength, energy and new life. The birthstone for February is amethyst. Compared to the fiery boldness of the garnet, amethyst is a much more calming gemstone. Its rich purple color varies from a very light purple to deep, dark shades of plum. Also quite fittingly, amethyst represents February well as it symbolizes healing, wisdom and spirituality.

March's birthstone is the tranquil aquamarine. This is a beautiful stone ranging in color from light blue to blue to blue-green and resembles tropical blue waters. The word "aqua" in aquamarine literally means water and symbolizes youth, tranquility and confidence. Aquamarine is very readily available and therefore, affordable. When shopping for this stone however, don't mistake a blue topaz for an aquamarine as can look quite similar. The birthstone for the month of April is the diamond. In quite a sharp contrast to the aquamarine, this stone can often break the budget. It is possible to find a beautiful, clear looking diamond without spending a fortune and to the naked eye, it will look flawless. Diamonds are associated most times with weddings and engagements and represent purity, freshness and humility. It is often considered the ultimate in gemstones as white literally contains and reflects every color of the rainbow.

The month of May brings us to the regal Emerald. This stunning green stone can be very attractive to the eye and looks good in just about any sort of cut. This gemstone is both very beautiful and very rare. Again, this is the perfect stone for the month of May as the green represents fertility, growth and prosperity - just right to welcome spring. June's birthstone is the pearl. This is a beautiful, versatile stone available in many different settings. What's great about the pearl is the fact that you can find it in just about any color imaginable. Much like the diamond, the pearl represents purity and innocence and is another popular stone for wedding jewelry.

Now that we are into the summer time, July brings us back to bold, fiery color with the Ruby. This is another stunning red or pink stone that is well known in the jewelry world. The ruby is a fantastic stone because of the immense range of colors in which it exists. The ruby symbolizes love, compassion, energy and excitement. Keeping up with the brilliant colors comes August with its birthstone of peridot. This is a lesser known stone as it often times takes a backseat to the emerald. The peridot however, is a gorgeously understated gemstone with a fabulous yellow-green color that fits in perfectly with nature.

September brings us back to another brilliant blue stone - the sapphire. The sapphire comes in many shades of blue and is the most sought after blue gemstone. Because of the wide variety of color, it should be easy to find just the perfect one when out shopping. The blue sapphire represents harmony, stability and loyalty. Even if this isn't the birth month of your special someone, if you present them a sapphire with a note of how it represents your relationship, you have a sure-fire hit. The birthstone for October is the opal. This is a very unique stone as it comes in a multitude of colors. Similar to that of a pearl, many opals have an iridescent quality to them that flashes brilliant colors when the light hits it from different angles. Opals can be found in pretty much every color to yellow, orange, red, blue, green, brown and black and are very valuable.

The birthstone for November is the yellow topaz. This is a very creamy colored stone with soft coloring. The yellow topaz is the most valuable of all the colors of topaz. This yellow stone represents optimism, happiness and intellect. This could be the perfect stone for someone who appreciates soft, understated beauty. The final month of December has the blue topaz as its birthstone. The blue topaz has a very light, clear color to the stone and reflects light beautifully. This blue stone represents patience, refreshment and peace, making it the perfect stone to signify the end of one year and the start of another.

Ronnie Adolf is the president of Adolf Jewelers, a leading Richmond jewelry store offering Richmond diamond engagement rings, Richmond watches, and more. Adolf Jewelers can be found online at: AdolfJewelers.com.

Your Special Birthstone Bracelet

When shopping for a birthstone bracelet you must keep in mind that not all bracelets are the same. There are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure that you get the best birthstone bracelet for your money. We'll talk a little bit about them here.

Many of the birthstones have some of the same value definers. Birthstones for January, February, May, July, August, September, November, and December are (respectively) garnet, amethyst, emerald, ruby, peridot, sapphire, topaz, and zircon. These stones should not be opaque, but can be slightly translucent.

You want to pick up a birthstone bracelet that contains stones that are free of streaks and markings. Each stone should have a rich, single coloration, rather than a light or multicolored appearance.

A birthstone bracelet for the month of March should be made of bloodstone, a multicolored, opaque stone. The stone should be extremely smooth to the touch.

April is the diamond month. A birthstone bracelet made of diamonds is of course going to pay of the more pricier bracelets that you going to come across because diamonds are so sought after. Although diamonds are used in many other pieces of jewelry, the quality for the birthstone bracelet should not be sub-par.

Clear, colorless, and pristine diamonds are the most valuable form of the stone, but there are other colors. Clear diamonds are always more valuable than those with a yellow and cloudy look to them, but though they may hold a little less beauty these stones are still nevertheless quite valuable and have great appeal. A unique idea when it comes to diamonds is a colored diamond. There are even some colors that are unique to certain diamonds which of course just enhance the value and beauty.

Pearls are the stone of June. A pearl's value is based on its color, sheen, size, and shape. The purer the color, the rounder the shape, the greater the pearls value. For a birthstone bracelet, pearls usually are in settings of more than one. When this occurs the pearls should all be perfectly matched in the bracelet for a uniform a pale.

A birthstone bracelet for October should consist of either opal or pink tourmaline. It may be tough fines because many jewelers will not have pink tourmaline in stock, but opal is a beautiful stone and you can't go wrong with that. A valuable opal has a multitude of beautiful colors playing throughout its surface. There are two different kinds of opals (the white kind and the black kind), but the white kind is usually the one used in a birthstone bracelet for October.

In many jewelry stores, the find knowledgeable and helpful attendance thing to cater to your every whim. Many times they are the actual owners of the stores if the stores themselves are not national chains. And always ask questions if you're unsure if something. If you do not see what you are looking for within their cases, they may be able to help you locate exactly what you have in mind.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning fashion and jewelry. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Birthstone Bracelet [http://www.gemsandjewelryinfo.com/gems--jewels/jewelry--watches/birthstone-bracelet.html]

Selecting Your Wedding Colors

The selection of your wedding colors or wedding palette will be one of the most important planning decisions that you will make. Your colors will help shape and determine many choices including your aisle decorations and flowers, your table pattern and centerpieces, and your bridesmaid dresses and bridesmaid jewelry.

Depending on how formal you want your wedding to look, you will need to select two, three, and possibly more colors for your theme. There are three types of wedding colors:

* Your dominant color is the principal color, the one most frequently used throughout your wedding scheme. Think bridesmaid dresses.

* Secondary or complimentary colors are also a part of your official scheme. By matching these with your dominant color you set the tone of your wedding and reception.

* Supplementary colors, while not a part of your formal wedding scheme, add liveliness and spontaneity to the look and feel of your wedding. These are the additional colors that will work their way into the mix in many little ways.

Together these colors make-up your wedding palette. When you select your color scheme you will want your secondary colors to compliment your dominant color. Likewise, you want your supplementary colors to compliment both your dominant and secondary colors. Each time you add a color into your official scheme you limit the number of supplementary colors that will work within your palette.

Structure is created by the number of colors and shades that you use. The fewer colors you use the more formal your wedding will appear. For example, if you limit yourself to using only blue and ivory, your wedding will look very formal. As you add more colors your wedding will look more spontaneous and lively. By adding an official secondary color or two to your wedding scheme you can achieve a balance that is both formal and festive because the different supplementary colors that will work within you palette will become limited.

Instead of setting your heart on one dominant color from the outset, pick four or five different potential colors that you can test. Visit your ceremony and reception sites and find out what colors will work in these locations. Your wedding coordinator, reception site staff, or rental company will be able to assist you. Try your potential colors on your bridesmaids to find out which ones will make them look pretty and flattering. A fun way to do this is a group visit to your bridal shop or local fabric store. Will your wedding take place in the spring, summer, fall, or winter and what are the colors of that season?

Be sure to consider the different emotions or moods that colors evoke. Vibrant colors will add a sense of drama; softer colors romance:

*Red: strength, power, passion, desire, love, drama

*Green: nature, fertility, growth, harmony, freshness, safety, money

*Blue: cheerfulness, wellbeing, creativity, persistence, depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, faith

*Purple: royalty, mystery, spirituality, luxury, wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, magic

*Peach: energy, enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, success, stimulation

*Yellow: energy, intelligence, friendship, joy, gladness, new beginnings

*Pink: love, friendship appreciation, admiration, gentleness, grace, gladness, joy, sweetness

*White: purity, innocence, perfection, fairness, tranquility, security

*Black: elegance, power, formalness, mystery

There are several places where you can draw inspiration when choosing your wedding colors. A good place to start is by visiting the Pantone company. Pantone publishes free copies of their Fashion Color Reports in the Fashion + Home section of their website. This is the best place to find out, in advance, which colors will be in style during the upcoming fashion season. Other popular sources of inspiration include the bride's birthstone color or Swarovski crystal birth colors, the color of a favorite flower, family crest or a meaningful symbol.

Most of all give yourself plenty of time so you will not feel pressured to rush your decision. Include family and friends and of course your fiancé. Selecting your wedding palette should be a fun and joyful part of your wedding planning experience.

Judith Cartier Oliver is the designer of Looney Maiden Bridal Jewelry & Bridesmaid Jewelry – Original hand crafted designs perfect for your wedding day. She has been helping brides select wedding colors since for more than two decades.

Pantone Company

Swarovski Crystal Birth Colors [http://www.looneymaiden.com/swarovski-birth-month-colors.html]

Buying Birthstone Jewelry - Money Saving Tips

You have consulted birthstones charts and want to buy jewelry. Are you looking for some ways to save money? There are many factors that contribute to the cost. Some are obvious. Others may not have occurred to you.

Identity

The birthstones are gemstones. Some are obviously more expensive than others. The birthstones chart currently used in the United States contains less expensive alternates for most months. There are many other lists:

1. Astrological charts use different time periods that combine months.

2. Old historical lists often assign the gemstones to different months and may substitute a few different stones.

3, Different countries have their own lists.

You can find these different birthstone charts on many websites.

Quality

The term genuine gemstone simply means that the stone has the necessary characteristics for its identity. The quality of color and clarity affects the price. Inclusions of other materials can detract from the clarity and reduce the value.

Color

Today many gemstones are color enhanced. Heat treating, diffusion, radiation, oiling, and dyeing are means of improving color. The gemstone industry assumes that these processes have been used, and sellers often do not volunteer the information. Ruby, sapphire, topaz, tanzanite, aquamarine, citrine, and others are routinely heated. Emerald is oiled. Beads may be dyed.

Assuming other qualities equal, natural color gemstones will be the most expensive. Dyed stones will be the least expensive.

Size

Gemstones are sold by weight. The larger the stone, the higher the price per carat. For example, one carat total weight of several small rubies will cost less than a one carat single ruby. Do not compare weight of different kinds of gemstones. They have different densities. A 1 carat ruby is not the same size as a 1 carat diamond.

Beads

When rough gemstone material comes out of the mine, the highest quality is set aside for cutting into loose stones for settings. The lower quality is used for beads. Why? Because drilling a bead hole wastes valuable weight.

Beaded jewelry may cost less. The difference in quality is not always obvious. The best quality gemstone beads are often tiny faceted rondelle shapes. The more valuable gemstones, such as ruby, emerald, and sapphire are seldom made into large beads, unless they are dyed or contain many inclusions. If you want natural color birthstones, you can probably find them as beads at an affordable price.

Lab Created or Synthetic Gemstones

They have the same characteristics as natural gemstones, but not the same inclusions. The process contains similarities to the natural creation, but time and quality are controlled by man. These high quality stones are expensive, but should cost less than the same quality mined gemstone.

Imitation Birthstones

They may be other less expensive gemstones that are dyed. Howlite is used to imitate turquoise. Glass imitations were popular in the 1940s and 1950s. They were often set in 10k gold rings. You may find them in antique or vintage jewelry stores. Prices will vary and may be determined by value as a collectible.

Swarovski crystal is a popular substitute as a birthstone. The colors are named after gemstones. Imitations should cost less than genuine gemstones.

Pearls

Pearls are organic gemstones created by oysters (salt water) or clams (freshwater). Natural pearls found by diving are rare and most expensive. Today almost all genuine pearl jewelry is cultured on pearl farms. The clam or oyster is induced to create the pearl. Pearls are sorted according to quality, size, and shape. Lower quality freshwater pearls may be dyed. These characteristics determine price.

Imitations are man made, usually by coating glass, crystal, or plastic. Faux is a French word for false and indicates imitation. Again, quality will determine price.

Precious Metals

The cost of gold and silver has increased drastically. They are also sold by weight. Heavy ornate settings, clasps, or beads can increase cost. Different kinds of metal are priced from high to low in this order: 18k, 14k, 10k gold, vermeil (gold plated sterling silver), sterling silver, gold filled, gold plated, silver plated, gold or silver tone base metals.

Beaded Jewelry

Beaded birthstone jewelry has other options for lower prices. Tiny spacer beads reduce the number of birthstone beads needed. They can be silver, gold, inexpensive gemstones, or glass seed beads. Look for other less expensive beads in the design, or just a few birthstones as focal points.

Designer

This term can raise the price. Designer jewelry implies special talent, design experience or education. In reality, anyone can advertise as a designer. Jewelry that carries the name of a well known store, name brand, famous designer, or celebrity may cost more. Endorsements are expensive. If fashion jewelry containing imitation gemstones and base metal is sold in a well known or upscale clothing store, it can cost more than jewelry with genuine gemstones sold on a website.

Custom Made

Birthstone jewelry that requires extra time, new design, buying new or unusual materials can be expensive. Instead use the seller's existing design with substitution of in stock stones or beads.

Middlemen

The number between the mine and the jewelry seller is one of the biggest factors affecting price. A hobbyist who buys materials from a retail store adds a middleman. A seller who designs and makes jewelry and buys beads or loose stones directly from the cutter eliminates distributors. Ask questions. Today it is easy to buy from jewelry makers. Look for their websites. Attend craft fairs or gem shows.

Overhead

Does the seller have to pay any of these business overhead costs? Store, warehouse, office; employees; business records; website design, upkeep, hosting; photography; advertising; credit card processing. Buy from a business that is run from a home. Look for information on the About Us page.

Mass Produced Jewelry

Large volume selling can mean cheap prices. Materials are bought in large quantities. Even handmade items are produced by a large number of workers repeating the same design. Usually the jewelry is imported from countries where labor is cheap. You can find this jewelry in chain stores, large websites, discount stores. Quality may be affected by time deadlines, boring repetition, or inexpensive construction materials. Few or one of a kind jewelry cannot be offered.

Shipping and Packaging

It is never free. It must either be included in overhead or paid as added cost by the buyer. Actual shipping costs vary. You can check them on the shipping carrier's website if you know the location of the seller. First class mail is inexpensive for small, light weight packages.

If you buy directly from a country where labor costs are low, the savings may be offset by high international shipping. Returning an item would be expensive. Handling costs also vary. Fancy boxes and packing materials can raise the price.

Conclusion

If you do comparison shopping, be sure to consider the quality of the birthstone jewelry. Be suspicious of low cost items that cannot be returned easily, worthless guarantees, deceiving imitations. If the price is too low to be true, it probably is not a bargain.

Save money, but do it intelligently.

Nancy has been involved in the fields of gemstones and beads for more than 15 years. You can find birthstone lists and birthstone jewelry on her website.

http://www.handmadebeadedjewelry.org/

Birthstone Jewelry - Traditional Vs Modern

There are many different types of birthstone charts and those that you have become with traditionally probably have a modern version that is much different than the older one. A stone is associated with each month of the year and is often used to create jewelry for the wearer to use to signify their birth month. One of the advantages to the flexibility of the birthstones is that if you never really liked your birthstone color when growing up, the modern one that represents your birth month may be a better choice for you.

Birthstone jewelry is enjoyed by the young and the young at heart and makes wonderful birthday gifts since it is created especially for the occasion! Following are the traditional and modern birthstones associated with the twelve months of the year.

Traditional Birthstones By Month:

January-Garnet

February-Amethyst

March-Bloodstone

April-Diamond

May-Emerald

June-Alexandrite

July-Ruby

August-Sardonyx

September-Sapphire

October-Tourmaline

November-Citrine

December-Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli

Modern Birthstones By Month

January-Garnet

February-Amethyst

March-Aquamarine

April-Diamond

May-Emerald

June-Pearl, Moonstone

July-Ruby

August-Peridot

September-Sapphire

October-Opal, Tourmaline

November-Yellow Topaz, Citrine

December-Blue Topaz, Turquoise

As you can see, not all the birthstones were changed from their traditional stone but the modern stones were adopted officially in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers although many jewelers have used the traditional stones in many instances.

Often, birthstone jewelry is created with appropriately colored natural gems or synthetic stones in place of the real gems. Otherwise, jewelry that had the real stone for April (diamond) would be much more expensive than any other stone!

Some of the better brands of birthstone jewelry will include the appropriate gemstones and these are graded on quality in the same way as diamonds. The four C's which stand for color, cut, clarity, and carat weight will help you determine the quality of any of the gemstones.

o Color - relates to how rare the gemstone is as well as its value and quality.

o Cut - this is the way the stone is shaped including round, marquise, heart, and pear-shaped.

o Clarity - the clarity describes how clear the gemstone is and it is based on the number of inclusions, or flaws, that are visible within the stones as well as any blemishes that might occur on the surface.

o Carat Weight - this is the measurement used to determine the weight of the gemstone.

The color of the gemstone that is used in birthstone jewelry is important in two ways: It is important to represent the color of the stone that is designated for the recipient's birthday and it also helps to determine the value of the stone and, therefore, the value of the piece of jewelry.

The colors that occur in gemstones are the result of a variety of factors. The more rare the color, the higher the value of that particular gemstone. Some gemstones are found in a variety of colors and the presence of certain minerals or other elements can cause them to show in different colors. For example, purple color is caused by the presence of iron and/or manganese while green colors result from exposure to the natural radiation in the earth. Therefore, some colors may be found much less frequently than others.

Birthstone jewelry has been given traditionally to mark special occasions for many years and it remains a popular choice in jewelry today as well. When purchasing, consider the characteristics that determine the value of any piece.

Denise Sanger loves jewelry of all types and is the owner of ButterflyJewelryShop.com Denise is always looking for beautiful new sterling silver jewelry [http://butterflyjewelryshop.com/index.html] pieces including heart jewelry [http://butterflyjewelryshop.com/heartjewelry.html] to add to the company's unique jewelry catalog. Denise is located in Sunny North Florida and may be reached at 877-297-9050.

Birthstone Silver Charms Reveal the Secrets of Your Personality

Birthstones have been used since ancient times to reflect various personality and character traits of individuals born in the specific month. Silver charms that feature birthstones are a great way to add a touch of brilliance to charm bracelets, plus they also add depth and style. Various types of silver charms with birthstones are available, perfect for any type of gift.

Knowing a bit about the meaning behind different birthstones is both interesting and fun. The following information is commonly used as to the meaning behind different birthstones used in silver charms, bracelets, necklaces and other types of jewelry.

* Red garnets are the typical birthstone for the first month of the year. They signify leadership, power and authority as well as personal achievement. Some garnets can be colors other than red, but often the medium deep red color is the most common.

* Pink and purple are February's birthstone colors. The amethyst is a beautiful crystal stone that brings peace, love, romance and emotional understanding to the wearer.

* Pale blue aquamarine gems are the birthstone for March and are very much a symbol of peace, friendship, wisdom and strength in the face of adversity.

* Clear, fiery diamonds symbolize the people born in April. These precious stones are said to represent perfection, security and purity of mind and heart.

* Deep green emeralds are the birthstones given to those born in May. These birthstones are believed to bring about harmony with nature, tranquility and self-confidence.

* Pearls and moonstone are both used to represent those born in June. These milky to opaque birthstones represent elegance, enlightenment, inner strength and a love of simplicity.

* Deep blood red rubies are the birthstones of July and they bring to the wearer a sense of passion, leadership and power. They can also be used to indicate accomplishments and inner strength.

* Lime green peridots are the beautiful stones of August. Wearing this birthstone is believed to bring wealth, justice and mystery or enchantment.

* Rich blue sapphires are the perfect stone for those born in September. They characterize loyalty, truthfulness and faithfulness, all characteristics needed to be a great friend.

* Dazzling bursts of color in the opal and tourmaline make October's birthstone very eye catching. These stones represent innocence, friendship as well as purity in thought and deed.

* Yellow colors of topaz and citrine are perfect for November birthstones. They are designed to indicate the wearer has mental strength and clear thought, strength and long life.

* Blue colorations of the blue topaz and the turquoise round off the list of birthstones for the month of December. These gems represent good luck, wealth and happiness.

Whether you believe in the powers of birthstones on silver charms or jewelry or not, they do make a lovely addition to bracelets and other pieces. Adding a few silver charms of your birthstone or birthstones of family members will add dazzle to the bracelet, and may even provide health, good luck and prosperity.

Amber is writer for CharmsToTreasure, with more than 15 years experience in the jewelry and charm industry. Amber has written a number of articles providing educational information on gold charms, sterling silver charms, and charm bracelets.

http://www.charmstotreasure.com

Birthstone Necklaces for the Modern Woman

Birthstone necklaces are among the most elegant accessories every modern woman can wear. Superstitious or not, you can actually have birthstone necklaces worn without making it look like a weird talisman. There are many available modern designs nowadays in jewelry stores and even on-line. These new designs are fashionably up-to-date but are still genuinely charming.

Mother's birthstone necklaces are very popular among birthstone jewelries along with the plain birthstone rings, bracelets and pendants. So whether you're buying a birthstone necklace for yourself or as a gift to your mom, it's best to know the specific birthstone for every month and its variations. Every month's birthstone is described in the following paragraphs, including their color and meaning that can perfectly describe the characteristics of that special female in your life.

The stone for the month of January is garnet, which is a multi-colored stone. It means faith and loyalty. Amethyst is for February; its purple color denotes royalty and power, which are characteristics that a woman born in the love month should have. For March is aquamarine, which is the color of youth. The clear diamond is for April, which means humility.

Emerald is the color of prosperity and is the birthstone for May. For June, you can choose between moonstone and pearl. Moonstone is a pink stone that symbolizes health, femininity and compassion. Pearls come in different colors. But if you choose a brown pearl, it means simplicity, reliability and fertility. July is the month of ruby which means health and strength. The birthstone for August is peridot which is also color green.

For September is sapphire, for October is opal or tourmaline, and for December is turquoise or blue topaz. These stones are all blue in color and means happiness and confidence. Lastly, for November is citrine. Its orange color denotes warmth and energy.

You can effectively mix and match these stones with metals of your choice like gold, white gold, silver or stainless steel for a modern look. These are just some things you can take note of when buying or choosing birthstone necklaces-it should be stylish, elegant and cool, which is perfect for the modern woman!

Vanessa Tabora is a freelance SEO writer from the Philippines. She has written over two thousand SEO articles and product blurbs, topics ranging from adult content, yachts, bikes, to social media networks. She is also a data entry specialist and a Filipino translator as well.

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