One Piece of Jewellery - Many Different Looks

Imagine owning a single piece of jewellery and wearing it in many different unique ways--what a great investment for your money!

This single amethyst necklace, as an example can be worn at is original long length. Worn over a closed shirt or turtle neck, it would look quite very elegant. Now, imagine wearing an open neck shirt, or sundress and wrapping it around your neck twice--instant choker. It looks likes like such a substantial piece with such a different look. Another option is to wrap it around your neck once and let the longer section hang down--a choker and long chain in one. If you love bracelets, why not wrap it around your wrist and you have quite a dramatic multil chain gemstone bracelet.

If the chain is long enough, could be worn as a belt too.

Why not attach a single cufflink in the center of a shirt, for a unique look. The same look can also be achieved with stud earrings, again the size of both of these need to be taken into consideration.

If you have a brooch/pin, you can have a bale added to it to wear it as a pendant so you have the versatility to wear it either way. If you do not want to add a bale then depending on the design, you can pull a piece of ribbon, cord or chain through the back pin at the closure. Make sure it is closed securely.

Discover all the potential in your jewellery collection.

Innovative Ways to Gift Wrap Jewellery

Who doesn't love receiving jewellery as a gift? However, if you are the giver and not receiver, I have some suggestions for gift wrapping jewellery that are fun and quite unique, and will certainly put smiles on every one's face.

If you are giving a brooch or pin, attach it to a sweater or scarf. The person receiving it will be so pleasantly surprised to see that they are receiving this beautiful e.g. sweater and then be even more surprised by the complimenting pin.

Why not slip a ring on a pair of gloves. Perhaps the gloves are a part of a hat/scarf set.

If you know someone's favorite brand of wine or champagne, empty the content into another empty bottle, attach a ribbon to a ring or earring, lower it into the bottle and tie the ribbon around the outside of the bottle and wrap it up. When they open it, up, they will be pleasantly surprised--then go fill up your wine/champagne glasses with the reserved drink and have a toast to celebrate.

Coffee lovers will enjoy this one. Empty a canister of coffee beans, slip the jewellery piece in there--make sure the jewellery is in something and refill. Give a complimenting coffee mug with it. This certainly gives a whole new meaning to the expression "coffee never tasted so good"

Take an empty papertowel roll, place jewellery item in, and place confetti inside and I guarantee there will be a burst of confetti when it is opened.

If you are giving clothing, why not conceal the jewellery item in one of the pockets.

A beautiful plant or fresh cut flowers can conceal jewellery, either by wrapping it within the plant, or actually attaching it to a petal or leaf.

Fill an ice bucket with confetti and place jewellery in it.

For the sweet tooth, slip a ring on a rolled candy and place in a stocking with other candies so it blends in.

You can also slip a piece of jewellery onto a Christmas ornament as a natural part of the tree's decoration, or slip it on to the tree branch directly.

If giving a stuffed animal, add the jewellery to the "Teddy".

Have fun and be creative. I would love to hear of your other creative ideas.

The Beauty Within Opals

Opals are absolutely one of the most beautiful gemstones on this earth with their unique rainbow iridescence which changes depending on the angle their viewed from and direction of natural sunlight--this is also known as opalescence.

A mineral by the name of cristobalite is layered within siliceous jelly which causes these vibrant flashes of color. When light hits the opals, watch out, because what radiates outward can be an electric light show.

Opals contain water and some can contain as much as 30%. If there is water loss, then the opalescence will no longer be visible. That is why it is best to store opals very carefully. Some people store it with a damp piece of cotton.

There are many different classifications of opals - white, black, matrix, fire to name a few. Each one has their own unique characteristic beauty.

It is written in mythology that Zeus 's tears contained in Opals after his victory from the Titans.

Opals are considered a lucky stone by many, it is seen as a symbol fo etenal hope.

On the Moh's scale of hardness, it is ranked at 5 1/2 -6 1/2. They are very sensitive if they are knocked or hit against something--wear them cautiously.

Pearl and Diamond Jewellery Are Building Blocks for Future Purchases

I recall when my parents had their retail jewellery store and parents, grandparents and godparents would come in to purchase dainty little pearl stud earrings. As a small child, I could not appreciate the significance of such a purchase for a little girl or young woman.

I do remember some of the conversations for the reasons that people purchased pearl earrings; "My daughter is turning 16, and this is her first pearl jewellery", "Our granddaughter was born in June, and pearl is her birthstone", another customer, who enjoyed purchasing fine jewellery for his wife and daughters, put it simply, and I never forgot his reasoning..."When I buy pearl jewellery for the women in my life, I am buying a piece that they will keep forever and I can buy complimenting pieces for them".

Pearl and diamond jewellery are classic pieces that can be worn everyday, with every outfit, every occasion, everyday, 24-7. They are timeless and stand the test of time from generation to generation.

They are neutral colored pieces of gems and can be mixed with other gem jewellery. They are the building blocks for future pieces, i.e. pearl earring = pearl ring, pearl strand, pearl ring, pearl brooch, pearl pendant.

One key factor to remember is that quality of gem is more important than size. An example would be the choice between purchasing a 5 pt. fine quality diamond versus a 10pt. poor quality diamond. If you invest in a high quality smaller diamond, I promise you that the stone will sparkle and will be noticed from a distance, versus a larger one that has no life (brilliance).

Rather wait, and save your money, and when the time is right, invest in a quality piece that you will treasure for a lifetime.

The Many Different Shades of Garnets

When we refer to garnets, most people are familiar with the common red garnet since it is the principal color . However, there are several subgroups of garnets, each with their own distinct color and name. Actually, there are approximately 10 subgroups of garnets.

While garnets share similar chemical compositions, they are available in a spectrum of colors.

The name 'garnet' is Latin in origin and means grain because of the rounded crystals.

Dating back to the days of antiquity, garnets were set in crowns for European Royalty, as well as set in weapons and shields for Knights and warriors.

Almandine garnets have a pink/red hue, spessartites are orange to red-brown, grossulars range from green, yellow to copper-brown, demantoids are green, while uvarovite are emerald green.

On the Moh's scale of hardness they range between 7 and 7 1/2 and therefore wear very well.. Garnet mines are located in Bohemia, Madagascar, India, South Africa, Australia, Canada and the U.S.A.

Folklore has it that garnets strengthen the heart and memory and brings hope to people.

It is also believed that Noah used a garnet lantern to guide his Ark through the dark nights.

When Someone Refers to You as a Cougar...It's Other Meaning

The expression that a woman is a "cougar" refers to women over 40 who seem to be attracted to younger men. While some women laugh it off, others are offended by it, since men who are attracted to "younger" women are not given such labels.

Well let me share with you the character traits of a cougar, and the next time someone calls you one, hold your head up high.

The traits are: leader, confident, clever, responsible, dependable.

Pretty in Pink Has New Meaning

If you cannot get enough of pink, check out this beautiful ring at:

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/eternalfinejewels/item/001104

Pretty in pink! You certainly get your double dose of pink with this "pinky ring" that can be worn on your "pinky finger".

The entire ring is made from pink gold with some small spots of yellow gold due from alloy mix.

In the center of the ring, a vibrant pink tourmaline is securely bezel set. The stone is so clear you can see the bottom of the shank.

The upper section of the shank has a criss-cross design.

Ring size 6 1/2 and resized free of charge. Tourmaline is genuine and measures 7x5mm. Stamped 9ct. Weighs 1.60 grams.