Necklaces Talks



             


Monday, March 17, 2008

How To Mount A Stone So That It Can Be Used For A Charm Necklace

I am assuming this is a tumbled stone, not cut as a jewelry stone with a flat back and definite shape. If so, let me know and we will go one more time.

Here is the answer for a tumbled freeform stone.

The kind of jewelry part (called "findings" in the trade) you want is a bell cap. There are different styles of this. You should be able to find these at crafts stores and if you want gold or perhaps sterling, a jeweler should be able to order for you. A few crafts stores will have sterling findings but most will have only plated items.

To attach the stone to a bell cap, a good adhesive should be used. There are two primary types of adhesive for this purpose. The first is 2 part epoxy cement and the second is a thick single part craft glue. There is a difference in the two: Epoxy takes more set-up time, meaning the cap must be set-up in place on the stone while the epoxy cures. The cement has no strength until some time has passed after the two parts are mixed. The epoxy has the advantage of curing with an almost unseen line and is a neater application.

The thick craft cement will hold the cap in place even when uncured and all may be set aside for a day while the cement cures. The disadvantage of this glue is the thickness and it will show a bit. Still, many crafters like the thick glue because it holds quite well in many kinds of cementing jobs.

BASIC PROCEDURE

Take the bell cap and press onto the part of the stone where you want it fitted. Try to fold the "arms" of the cap to match the contour of the stone fairly closely. Then when cement is applied, all is already fitted to the shape of the stone.

With either cement, do what many folks skip and help insure a good lasting bond. Simply clean the metal cap and the stone with alcohol (household medicine cabinet variety is fine) to remove any traces of oils from the surfaces. Allow to dry and then apply the cement.

Brands recommended: Should be available at crafts stores.

If not, a good craft store should have suitable alternative brands. I do not recommend the 5min cure types since working time is very short. You are better off to support the stone with the cap fitted and set aside for a couple of hours and get a stronger bond. Keep the leftover epoxy mix on the same scrap baggie or whatever you mixed it on, along with the toothpick (or whatever mixing tool). When the leftover cement is cured and the tool is stuck to it firmly, you know the cement is cured. This tells you your jewelry item is ready without having to mess with it while the cement cures.

E6000 crafts cement. This is the one part thick glue. Apply sparingly since it will squeeze out a bit and will settle down to a smoother surface. Be careful of "stringers" of cement on the application tool (again, toothpick or what is handy) since these stringers are messy getting on the wrong places. When cured, the cement may be peeled off of places it should not be.

You will need a "jump ring" (wire loop) or "snap on bail" to hang the stone from a chain. These are also available at crafts stores or at a jewelry store(generally not in mall chain stores, try local folks).

Just do a dry run first and then cement away! Use as little cement as appears needed for a neat and less "crafty" looking finished job.

Victor Epand is the owner of http://www.JewerlyGift.biz, a huge online jewelry superstore featuring the greatest selection of jewelry including personalizable items. Clearance Sale items are here: http://www.jewelrygift.biz/collection/clearance-sales.html

Labels: , , , , , ,

Saturday, March 1, 2008

The Torc - a Symbolic Necklace from Ancient Times

A torc is a rigid necklace which was made from woven metallic rope. So the craftsmen would get strands of metal and twist them around each other like rope and that?s where the name comes from. The Latin word to twist gives us the word torc and torque as we know the word today.

Torcs are familiar to us as bronze age jewellery and reached from around 1000BC until about 300AD but were still worn before and after that in perhaps less serious ways. They are best known as Celtic jewellery but they were worn by other races such as the French German and Spanish.

Another feature of the torc is that it is open at one end. It is round and goes around the neck but it does not close like necklaces of today. The ends were often ornamented with tiny heads or sculptured shapes.

Torcs were not just for ornamentation but had a special role as war ornamentation and they were taken off the body of the vanquished by the victor, so if you lost your torc it usually meant that you also lost your life or certainly your freedom. The torc was often connected with your tribe or family and was inscribed with family history and symbols.

Sometimes torcs were worn on the arm or on the wrist but they were mainly worn around the neck. They were often hinged at the back of the neck and occasionally they were able to be closed but the traditional torc was worn around the neck, was of woven or twisted strands of bronze or gold, sometimes silver and was open with some kind of ornamentation on the ends such s the heads of birds or animals or mythical animals such as dragons.

Torcs were often heavy and looking at them I am astounded as to how these ancient craftsmen could make such things

The torc is another from of ancient and functional jewellery. It served a purpose as a symbol or statement of who you were, what you were worth, and where you came from.

Gary Hocking makes custom jewellery specializing in Australian opals. 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.

Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

What Length Of Necklace Should I Get?

A very common question is: "How long of a necklace should I get?"

Of course, there is no hard-and-fast rule, but there are some guidelines that you can follow that will make your buying decision that much easier.

The place to start is your own necklace collection. If you have a favourite piece that you love wearing, measure it, and buy the same length, longer, or shorter depending on your mood.

If you are looking for something different than your existing pieces, you have to start considering a number of factors, including your neckline and your body's figure. If you hare having trouble visualizing these styles, imagine pearl necklaces, however these guidelines apply to virtually any type of necklace.

Collar
Collars are in the range of 12 to 13 inches long, and are usually made up of three or more strands that snugly hug the middle of the neck. Very versatile, it is virtually guaranteed not to interfere with your dress, however not everyone is comfortable with the feel. More suited to petite and tall frames.

Choker
Chokers range from 14 to 16 inches, with a timeless quality that make them appropriate to combine with everything from bridal gowns, formal eveningwear to casual. The lower portion of the necklace drapes on or slightly under the point between the two collarbones.

Princess
The princess necklace is 17 to 19 inches long and is the most common length for most pearl necklaces. It is long enough to drape over the outside of high necklines, and it also works well with V-neck and plunging necklines without delving too deeply. The lower portion of the necklace ends between armpit height and collarbone height.

Matinee
The matinee necklace is roughly 20 to 25 inches long. Its length adds a sense of confidence and luxury, and can be works well with formal gowns and the professional appearance many are striving for. It looks best with higher necklines, giving them an air of sophistication.

Opera
The opera length necklace is between 26 and 36 inches long. At this length, you have choices in how you would like to wear it. If you double it up you create a fashionable two-strand choker. If you knot it at the neckline you create a vintage look that is gaining in popularity. Traditionally worn with eveningwear, it is gaining momentum as an accessory to casual attire for those on the cutting-edge.

Rope
The rope necklace is 37 inches or longer in length. Elegant and sexy, it can be worn in numerous ways such as doubled (or trippled!) to make a multistrand princess or choker, or tied in a knot to recreate a style reminiscent of the 1920's fashions. As seen in high-fashion magazines, this length of necklace can also be knotted and slung over the shoulder to accentuate the beauty of a backless dress.

Final Musings
One final thoughts to keep in mind is to consider your other accessories. Try not to have many pieces shouting for attention. For instance, if your necklace is large or grand, keep your earrings simple. Michael Nagy (articles@crater.com) writes on a variety of topics related to jewellery fashions, and is co-founder of Crater Jewellery Design (http://www.Crater.com). His more recent articles can be found at http://www.crater.com/articles/

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

How To Choose A Pearl Necklace For Your Wedding Day

There is nothing more beautiful to complement a wedding dress than a stunning strand of pearls. This traditional wedding jewelry is more popular than ever, with brides using all styles of pearl jewelry to add that finishing touch to their bridal ensemble. In addition to looking fabulous, wearing a pearl necklace on your wedding day has historically been known as a good luck charm, promising to bring the marriage years of happiness.

When choosing a pearl necklace for your big day, there are four main issues to evaluate. These issues will ensure your necklace and any other accessories complement your dress and add to instead of diminish your beauty.

1.) Color: The color of the pearl is usually the most noticeable aspect of any pearl jewelry. Pearls come in colors ranging from traditional white and off-white to pink, black, grey, and even silver. When choosing the color of your pearl necklace, be sure to think of your skin tone and dress. The color should accentuate your outfit and make the ensemble complete, so choose wisely for a color that you can wear on your wedding day and for many days to come.

2.) Size: Pearls come in several different sizes and are either strung for a necklace in a similar range or in a graduated range. Choose a size of pearl that matches your proportions, as well as that of your dress. Size of the pearl directly affects another issue to keep in mind, the length of the strand.

3.) Length: Pearl necklaces are available in several lengths:

? Collar (12 ? 13 inches)
? Choker (14 ? 16 inches)
? Princess (17 ? 19 inches)
? Matinee (20 ? 25 inches)
? Opera (26 ? 36 inches)
? Rope (over 37 inches)

The difference in length directly depends on the style of your dress. The most popular lengths of pearl necklaces are the princess length and the opera length. Avoid wearing the longer lengths of pearls over heavily beaded or decorated dresses, as the impact of the pearls may be lost. You may need to try on several lengths to see how each individual strand fits your body.

4.) Additions: Many brides are choosing to forego the traditional strand of pearls and add diamonds or other gemstones to a necklace setting. This is a great idea if you have a preexisting pendant mount of heirloom gemstone you wish to include in your jewelry. Also, many brides are using an illusion or floating setting for a single or several pearls. This setting gives the pearl the appearance of floating weightlessly around the wearer?s neck, giving a more modern feel to this traditional element. Donna Somerkin specliazes in body piercing for more information go to http://www.pearl-earings-u.com

Labels: , , , ,

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Pearl Necklaces Hit the Runways: Everything You Need to Know About Pearl Necklaces

After a few decades of being considered "your grandmother's jewelry," pearl necklaces are back in fashion. Beautiful pearl necklaces grace the necks of celebrities walking the red carpet, give businesswoman a feminine edge, and add a certain je ne sais quoi when dressing for a romantic date.

According to the Cultured Pearl Association, pearl necklaces typically come in six lengths:

Collar (12"-13") - Usually worn in three strands at the center of the neck, collar pearl necklaces are the perfect accessory to boat neck, V-neck, or off-the-shoulder fashions.

Choker (14"-16") - Worn as a single strand at the base of the neck, choker pearl necklaces can go from casual to business to evening, and can be worn with any neckline.

Princess (17"-19") - Falling slightly below the base of the neck, princess-length pearl necklaces work best with either high or plunging necklines.

Matinee ( 20"-24") - Resting just above the bust line, matinee-length pear necklaces are the perfect accessory for casual or career fashion.

Opera (28"-34") - Opera-length pearl necklaces are extremely versatile. Worn as a single strand, they perfectly accessorize high necklines. When doubled, they can be worn as a two-strand choker.

Rope (Over 45") - Plunging to the hipline, rope-length pearl necklaces are the ultimate in luxury and sensuality.

Before buying a pearl necklace, you should know something about cultured pearls. According to the Cultured Pearl Association, pearls are judged by the following qualities:

1. Luster - Luster is both the shininess of the pear's surface and its inner glow. If you can clearly see your reflection in the pearl's surface, the pearl is of high quality.
2. Surface - No pearl is completely without blemishes - after all, it's a product of nature - but its value increases with its smoothness.
3. Shape - Most people think of pearls as being perfectly round, although no pearl is perfectly symmetrical. Generally, though, the closer a pearl is to achieving perfect roundness, the more valuable it is.
4. Color - Although we think of "pearly whites," cultured pearls actually come in many different colors, including rose, gold, and cream. The color you choose depends upon your preference.
5. Size - Pearl sizes, measured in millimeters according to their diameters, range from seed pearls (less than one millimeter) to huge South Sea pearls (20 millimeters or more). Pearl necklaces can consist of pearls all the same size, or of pearls that increase in diameter from each end, with the largest pearls in the center of the necklace.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Jewelry Website and Majon's Jewelry directory.

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, December 3, 2007

Buy Glow Necklaces

 

Glow necklaces are worth purchasing. They are economical and are available in varied colors and shapes. The glowing light of the glow necklace tempts one to own it. Glow necklaces are available in various colors. They are available in retail shops, wholesale shops and also in gifts and novelty shops. It is commonly used by children. The glow of a glow necklace lasts for a few hours. Gold ornaments to be purchased require lots of investment and planning. Adding to this, we need to have some knowledge before buying gold ornaments. Unlike gold ornaments, glow necklaces are cheaper and can be bought on-the-go.

Glow necklaces are available in many colors like pink, yellow, green, white, red, and blue. They are made using tinted castings and clear castings and offer bright colors. They are available in tri-colors. Glow necklaces are available in two qualities: the “superior” and the “premium” quality necklaces.

The price varies depending on the composition and quality of material used inside the product. The glow necklaces are worn in all special occasions, events and parties. Glow necklaces give life to a party. Glow necklaces are good fund raisers for any charity. Any display of glow necklaces at a bar or a concert fetches a huge amount of money. They are known to be the most prominent promotional products. Children are fascinated by glow necklaces. This explains the purchasing strength of glow necklaces.

Glow necklaces glow for long hours. If glow necklaces are kept at room temperature, they will have their glowing capacity for the longest period. One cannot resist buying glow necklaces, as they are economical as well as affordable. Glow necklaces capture one’s attention when worn. In a party it looks radiant and brings everyone towards it.

Glow Necklaces provides detailed information on Buy Glow Necklaces, Cheap Glow Necklaces, Glow Bracelets, Glow In The Dark Products and more. Glow Necklaces is affiliated with Glow Stick Dancing.

Labels: , , , , , , ,