Name Necklaces - What To Look For When Ordering One

Name necklaces or name pendants as they are also called have been around for at lest forty years that I can remember. The pendants that I saw before my apprenticeship began were mostly worn by very young girls not even teenagers. They were always plated gold and tended to look a little worn as the girls must have liked wearing them often.

They became popular for a good while in the eighties with teenagers and then disappeared for a long period. The huge success of Sex in the City sparked a monstrous comeback for name necklaces of all sorts. I get people asking me every week for a name pendant just like Carrie. Today we are seeing movie stars and television personalities reading the news wearing them.

I resisted many requests to make them until a young single mother of two hounded me for about a month to make them for her sisters.

I make them almost everyday now and they are handmade and very time consuming but the rewards are not just financial as girls and ladies send me emails telling me how much they love them.

If you are getting one made make sure that you ask if it is real gold or gold plated. Gold plating will often wear off as it reacts to acids in the skin and as these pendants are worn high up and touching the skin all the time they are susceptible to this reaction. I make some items which are gold plated but I give a 5 year guarantee with it and the plating is deep. It almost never gets an acid reaction. So be sure to ask about that and guarantees.

The next thing to look for is the thickness of the metal. I use gold plate 1.4mm thick to cut the pendants from. In silver I even use a thicker plate than that as silver is much softer than gold. Now, I see many advertisements for pendants where the thickness is not specified. If you see them ask how thick they are. I see many which are 0.4mm and 0.7mm thick.

This minor thickness has two problems associated with it: firstly, it is just too thin and will bend easily, and secondly, being as thin as a piece of paper means that it lacks dimension. It probably takes me about 40 minutes to hand polish the edges of these pendants and because of that and the thickness of these edges it has a lovely depth to it so that it shines when you look at it from any direction. Have a look at what I make at my website so that you can appreciate what to look for from your manufacturer.

The last thing to look at is how the chain is attached to the pendant. I use small rings and I solder the gaps in these rings so that it can never come apart. The quicker way to do this is just to close the gap but it may come apart with a bit of wear. I make them with diamonds, rubies and sapphires.

Gary Hocking makes custom jewelery of all kinds. He has his own website http://www.jewelleryexpress.com.au
Feel free to use this article as long as you keep the bio and the live link to his website.

Some Things to Remember When Buying White Pearl Collar Necklaces

White pearl collar necklaces have been around for centuries. This style reached its peak during the Victorian era, where women of high birth wore them to accentuate their necks or over their high-collars to accessorize their clothes. White pearl collar necklaces have recently been making a comeback and enjoying a new popularity with stylish women of all ages.

White pearls are a favorite of women in the U.S. In Asia, women prefer silver-colored pearls. White has always been the color associated with pearls, even though they do come in a variety of shades and tones. White has remained a favorite over the years because of their simple and understated elegance.

Choosing pearl quality

One of the rarer pearls and the more expensive are natural pearls, produced ?by accident? when underwater irritants enter the shell of an oyster. Cultured pearls are the more common, since they are created using artificially planted ?nuclei?. They are in no way inferior to natural pearls and in fact are quite valuable; they are just produced differently.

When choosing fine white pearls, remember several factors that contribute to its beauty and value: the nacre thickness, luster, surface texture, size and shape.

Nacre thickness is probably the most important factor to consider when buying white pearls. Nacre is the crystalline/organic substance that is excreted by the oyster or mollusk when an irritant or nucleus enters its shell. This substance coats the irritant in layers, until it becomes thick. This coated irritant or nuclei becomes the pearl.

Nacre thickness differentiates a high-quality pearl from a low-grade one. The thicker the nacre coating, the more durable and long-lasting the pearl is. Pearls with thinner nacres usually do not maintain their luster over the years and may in fact chip off.

Luster refers to the reflective quality of the pearl. The pearl has a mirror-like surface and the quality of its luster is directly affected by the thickness of the nacre. The thicker it is, the deeper the shine. High-quality white pearls reflect light and the surrounding objects best.

Surface texture refers to the clearness and smoothness of the pearl. It is the near absence of imperfection on the surface. No pearl has the perfect surface, but minimum and nearly imperceptible flaws affect its overall look and value. Pearls are graded depending on its imperfections, like spots, bumps, discolorations and other irregularities that show on its surface.

The size of the pearl is determined by its diameter and is measured in millimeters. Tiny pearls measure from 1mm and under while bigger pearls can reach a diameter of as much as 20mm, just below an inch. With all things being equal, size can mean a huge difference in the value of a pearl. The bigger ones, of course, fetch the higher price.

Pearls are never perfect. If one such is found, it is probably the rarest and the most expensive. Because pearls follow the general shape of its irritant or nucleus, it can come in a variety of shapes, from the spherical to the symmetrical to the baroque. Which one you pick for your pearl collar will depend on your preference.

Color and overtone

White pearls are white, right? Well, not quite. Aside from the similar silver color, there are also white pearls whose main body color is affected by its overtone. Overtones are hints of color that lie on top of the main body color of the pearl. Think of a pearl as a tiny white sphere and its overtone like a slightly colored clear plastic that is wrapped tightly and smoothly over it and you can imagine how slightly different the white would appear.

White pearls could have one or more overtones. These can enhance the beauty of white pearls and provide a unique glow to its iridescent quality. Some white pearls, for example can have pink or yellow overtones. Which one you choose is really just a matter of personal taste.

Why collar necklaces?

Collar necklaces have an old-time charm. If you look at paintings and illustrations that date back some centuries ago, you will find collar necklaces adorning the necks of women, even queens and princesses.

Collar necklaces are about 12 to 13 inches long and may be composed of three or more strands of pearls. These are worn to fit the middle of the neck snugly. They are best worn during semi-formal to formal occasions when they can accentuate a slender neck and draw a stop to a pointed chin.

Choosing the right-size pearls

When buying white pearl collar necklaces, it?s a good idea to consider the age, face shape and body composition of the wearer. Generally, smaller pearls look best for children and teens, medium pearls for women in the 20s to the 30s while older women may look best in bigger pearls.

A good thing to remember is that the pearl collar is worn as an accessory and thus should not overwhelm the face. Otherwise, nobody will notice the wearer anymore. It will only be the pearls that they will see. Worse, if the size isn?t right, it will look like your pearls are borrowed from someone else.

For more information go to: http://www.unlimitedpearls.com, http://www.bestpearlnecklaces.com, or http://www.bestpearlearrings.com

Guide to Choosing Pearl Necklaces

Pearl necklaces never run out of style. They are always classy, elegant and quite flexible as wardrobe accessories. They are one of the most popular gift choices for weddings, being the birthstone of June and they have a lasting, mystical appeal that has been celebrated for thousands of years.

Pearls are rarer when they are produced naturally but while cultured pearls are quite affordable, their quality is in no way inferior to that of natural pearls. To an untrained eye, it is very difficult to tell a natural pearl from its cultured cousin. The only way to differentiate is probably to use x-ray where a ?nucleus? will be spotted in the cultured variety.

Some of the more common types of pearls used in necklaces are Mikimoto, Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea Pearls. Mikimoto is the highest quality pearls and come in different colors. Akoya pearls often come in white, cream or silver while Tahitian and South Sea pearls have darker colors. Saltwater pearls are more expensive than freshwater pearls.

Choosing pearl necklace lengths Choosing the right length of pearl necklace depends upon the wearer?s age, neck size and overall body composition. In general, long necklaces tend to elongate the neck and draw attention away from it, as opposed to shorter-length ones which flatter longer necks. Here are the different lengths of pearl necklaces recommended for every woman?s unique need:

Collar ? typically 10 to 13 inches long and are quite flexible either for evening wear or casual day wear. These are worn high on the neck, above the base. Another style is the dog collar, which is made of several strands, quite popular in the Victorian era and slowly making a comeback.

Choker ? 16 to 18 inches long, chokers surround the base of the neck. A good choice for ladies with long, thin necks because chokers can de-emphasize the throat?s length.

Princess ? at 17 to 20 inches long, this is the most popular length, classic enough to match any outfit or neckline.

Matinee ? 20 to 24 inches long. These work well worn with dresses, business suits and corporate wear and are a great choice for occasions requiring semi-formal wear.

Opera ? 28 to 34 inches long, usually worn during formal events and occasions. Because of its length, this pearl necklace may be doubled to form two strands. When worn as is, it should ideally reach below the bust line.

Rope or sautoir ? the longest, starting at 37 inches, worn best with pantsuits. Rope-length pearls don?t have to hang from the wearer?s neck alone. They could be doubled or knotted for more style flexibility. Some even come with multiple clasps, which allow the wearer to use the necklace in shorter lengths.

Short necks will do well wearing pearl strands that sit at least 2? below the collarbone while thick or heavy necks will look good in graduated chains with lengths beginning at 18?. Long thin necks are flattered by shorter lengths, especially those that sit at the base of neck, following the curve of the throat.

Fleshy necks look better in necklaces that lie below the base, especially if the strand is segmented or comes with a square, rectangular or any pointed pendant. Necks that are wide at the base need necklaces that are at least 1? below the collarbone or longer strands.

Other pearl necklace styles

Other styles of pearl necklaces are the bib which, as the name implies, covers the base of the neck and the upper part of the chest in several strands of varying lengths. Another option is the graduated necklace which consists of pearls in graduated lengths, usually with the biggest pearl/s in the middle. A popular style is the uniform necklace where pearls of similar size are strung together.

Choosing pearl colors and size

While white, cream, pink or silver pearls generally will look good on anyone, they can best enhance fairer skin. Gold or yellow pearls will look best on darker-toned skin.

Generally, younger women should wear smaller pearls. At this point in their lives, they could show off their youthful necks with smaller-sized chains and pendants. Older women may want to use longer-length pearl necklaces to draw attention away from their necks. They can also wear bigger pearls with wider, double- or triple-strand chains.

Pearl necklace sets

One of the best ways to buy matching jewelry is to get ones that come in a set. This way, you have a necklace, a pair of earrings and either a ring or bracelet that come in matching styles. However, if you prefer just the necklace, some jewelers will allow you to buy one off a set.

For more information go to: http://www.unlimitedpearls.com http://www.bestpearlnecklaces.com or http://www.bestpearlearrings.com

The Beauty of Cultured Pearl Necklace

The timeless jewelry that speaks of elegance and beauty is none other than the pearl necklace. It is the only jewelry that never goes out of fashion and can be worn on all types of occasion. It can be match with any kind of clothing may it be formal or just plain casual.

Pearl is the birth stone of June. That is why most brides prefer to wear it especially if they are June brides. It gives out the impression of simplicity and chastity. The pureness of pearls radiates from the bearer.

Pearls used to be very rare and at the same time expensive. Nowadays, there are the so-called cultured pearls already which make the once so expensive now an affordable jewelry.

The pearl necklace usually comes in a various styles. One of which is the bib which is made up of several strands of pearls in various lengths. The Collar or also known as the dog collar is made up of multiple strands of pearls which are worn on the neck higher than usual.

There is also the choker. It is quite similar to collar but the worn lower on the neck. Usually it is just 14 to 16 inches long. The princess type of necklace on the other hand is the most common length of pearl necklaces. It is worn which lies slightly below the neck.

The matinee type of necklace is worn mostly during the semi-formal occasions. It matches very well with suits and dresses. The opera necklace is the one used for formal occasions like the evening gowns. It usually falls below the bust line.

The last type of necklace is the rope which is the longest among all pearl necklaces. It can be worn by doubling or knotting it. There are rope necklaces which have multiple clasps which are use to shorten the strands.

The pearls that are used as necklace can sometimes have the same size. Or they can be styled or graduated with a much larger pearl on the center and then the succeeding smaller pearls will run on the back on each side to the clasp. Whichever style you choose, good matching is very important both for fashion or beauty reasons and as well as for the value.

There are six factors which add up to the value or price of a pearl which are surface texture, luster, shape, nacre thickness, color, and size.

Pearls achieve their most distinctive beauty which comes from the reflection of light through the layers of crystalline nacre. The transparent nacre provides the deep shine and the high reflection. The luster is the essence of beauty of all pearls. A qualitative pearl will emit a brilliant and equal reflection with fine radiance.

The reflection of the pearl surface gives a dominant or prevailing color of pearls. The overtone is the deeper light reflected in which it draws the innermost color of the pearl.

The light shade pearls are cream, white and even golden in shade. The most valuable are white with association of pink and silver colors. On the other hand, the most fetish darker shade pearls are the black with association of green or blue colors.

The shape is also essential. The perfect round shape with a very smooth surface pearls are the most qualitative. It should have a very few imperfections.

There are different types of cultured pears. One of which is the Classic Akoya pearls. Another is the large black Tahitian pearls. Both of these pearls grow in salt water ocean so obviously they are called saltwater pearls.

There is also the large Golden or white south sea pearls and the decorative freshwater pearls which are inexpensive.

The pearls usually have four grading when it comes to quality. It is called as A, AA, AAA, and the AAA+ quality. The pearls with AAA and AAA+ grading of quality are the highest quality.

You can purchase these cultured pearl jewelries from any jewelry stores. You can also try browsing online to find the most affordable and classic pearls. You can also find a great bargain sometimes with online auctions.

It is still advisable to buy pearls in stores that have certification on being an expert with jewelries and of course from those with license. This is for you to be rest assured that you will buy the authentic ones.

For more information go to: http://www.unlimitedpearls.com http://www.bestpearlnecklaces.com

Handmade Beaded Jewelry - The Girlie Girl Way Of Choosing The Right Necklace Design

You are looking to buy a handmade beaded jewelry piece, in particular a handmade necklace, but how to choose the right one? Not sure of which style or length would look great on you? Then read on and follow these tips:

The most important factor in choosing the correct handmade necklace design for yourself starts with looking at your reflection in the mirror. Consider the following:

* Are you tall with a slender neck? Then chocker or collar necklaces are for you, as well as princess necklaces (18" long) that sit at the base of your neck.

* If you have a short or neck, then wear the longer necklaces - matinee (23" long), opera (30"-36" long), a graduated necklace, or go for the very long lariats or rope necklaces (+36" long). Their long visual lines will help in extending the length of your neck.

* If you are of average height and weight, then all the options above are open to you.

* If your neck tends to be on the chunky side, then we recommend staying away from the short length necklaces and wearing graduated necklaces, the longer opera or rope necklaces.

* Then ponder the "cleavage issue." Are you modest and tend to wear clothing that doesn't show cleavage? Then necklaces that are short or very long, that tend to draw the eye away from your chest, are the ones you are looking for. Or are you daring and flirty? If showing some d?collet? is your style, then having the knot of a lariat in the center of your breastbone or a pendant ending there will certainly bring additional glances. It makes a difference where a necklace sits on your chest, and you must ask yourself what are you trying to emphasize, or not?

All right, next you are ready to reflect on fashion and style factors. You know that handmade beaded jewelry is the perfect solution - so many gorgeous styles to choose from. But which one is best for you? That depends on your style and existing wardrobe.

When thinking about your style think about your body type - is it petite? Then we suggest wearing pieces that are dainty - smaller beads that, even when layered, will not overwhelm your size. Larger women will feel comfortable wearing the chunkier, heavier beads that are so fashionable today. Lifestyle is also of overwhelming importance, what do you spend your week doing? What are weekends like? No doubt your need for handmade beaded jewelry changes, from causal to dressy and everything in between as do your outfits.

When choosing a beaded necklace, bear in mind whether the necklace will contrast with the outfit and stand out or do you prefer a monotone look where everything blends beautifully together? Will the neckline allow the necklace to sit on your skin or will the handmade necklace sit on the fabric? Is the focal point the jewelry piece or the outfit itself? With so many questions, do you need help with the answers? The great thing about shopping online is that, assuming you are home, you can place the outfit next to your computer and go exploring, all while wearing your jammies...

Choosing handmade beaded jewelry, in particular a handmade necklace, can be daunting task, but there is a great resource available at http://www.girliegirlsjewelrystudio.com website. This is a small Southern California design company that specializes in creating custom handcrafted jewelry. They are Girlie Girls themselves, designing and wearing their one of a kind jewelry comes naturally. Visit their website and let them custom design a stylish and stunning piece for you.

Girliegirlsjewelrystudio.com objective is to raise awareness of CFS/CFIDS/ME through the design and sales of handmade jewelry and handmade awareness bracelets

Necklaces, Pendants and Chains

Necklaces and pendants in the sterling silver variety certainly wouldn’t serve much use without chains. Which is why an assortment of sterling silver chains - some can even worn by themselves - to help replace lost or broken sterling silver chains to continue to wear favorite sterling silver necklaces and pendants. Rolled silver and multi-strand necklaces to silk chords to bali chains are all part of the beautiful array of sterling silver jewelry. Humans have created jewelry for generations. There is a vast collection of necklaces, pendants and chains worn for traditional, religious or social purposes. These pieces of jewelry can normally come in many forms, adorned on any clothing or part of the body. Necklaces, pendants and chains can be made from any material - synthetic or organic. Original jewelry was made from wood, stone, bone or animal teeth.

Necklaces, worn around the neck, are usually formed from a metal chain. They are attached to pendants or lockets. Necklaces can be manufactured with cloth, and sometimes contain wood, shells, gems and/or rocks. Necklaces worn high on the neck are called chokers. A number of Christians wear a crucifix or cross which comes in various materials, colors, shapes and sizes. Several others wear the cross simply out of decoration and may not even worship in the Christian religion. According to history, women wore necklaces to draw attention to the cleavage.

Online, a customer can purchase custom-made necklaces, pendants and chains. Gemologists, jewelry designers, jewelry historians and craftsmen share a love for gemstones and fine jewelry. The websites are seriously committed to sharing their knowledge and passion of gemstones and fine necklaces, pendants and chains. Erudite jewelers can make jewelry dreams come true for the fashion plate. Years of experience and skills are behind the online jewelers with suggestions and ideas to create memorable and unique necklaces, pendants and chains.

Some handcrafted jewelry is inspired by African and Asian art, bright colors, geometric shapes and organic gemstones. The use of textures, stones and color is bodacious and dramatic. Necklaces, pendants and chains in designer jewelry allow a great deal of flexibility in designs that feature special free-form items. It’s a fact that art jewelry in America reflects the inner emotional and social feeling of today’s society. Whether we’re talking about necklaces, pendants or chains, the jewelry designs bring quality to fashion from around the world at various prices—from affordable to costly—at competitive wholesale prices. A complete array of fine jewelry with the latest trends is available on most websites.

Josie Lee wears many different necklaces for different occasions. Her diamond necklace by yet her most favorite.