All About Pearls

The pearl is symbolic of feminine beauty, love, happiness and generosity. For centuries the pearl with its iridescent beauty and inner glow has been one of the most coveted and sought after gems. With the oldest history to its credit, pearl has been featured since ancient times in mythological references and religious scriptures. The oldest known pearl jewelry is known to have belonged to a Persian Princess in the year 520 BC.

The ancients believed that the pearl was a symbol of the moon and had magical powers. It was also the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing. Until the 1900s natural pearls were priceless and only accessible to the rich and famous. However, today with the advent of pearl cultivation, pearls are not only affordable but available to all. Cultured pearls share the same characteristics as natural pearls and are grown by oysters with a little help from man.

Pearls are classified by origin, then graded by size, shape, thickness, color, luster, clarity and matching. These qualities are not considered equal. Some factors will be weighted to give them more influence in arriving at a final grade.

Luster is the glow of the pearl and its radiance as perceived by the human eye. In terms of cultured pearls, this is a critical element, as it is remains an important indicator in evaluating cultured pearl quality, separating the inferior pearl from the superior and the ordinary from the extraordinary.

Surface quality signifies the presence or absence of physical blemishes or flaws. Since cultured pearls are grown by live oysters with the intervention of man, there may exist several uncontrollable forces affecting the surface. The cost of the pearl will depend on the surface quality, the fewer the blemishes, the more expensive the pearl.

Shapes range in descending order of value from round to semi-round, from off-round to oval and from drop to baroque. The more rounder and symmetrical the pearl, the more valuable it will be. Asymmetrically shaped pearls though very attractive and are usually less expensive than round pearls.

Cultured pearls come in a variety of colors and range from pink or rose, white or silver, cream, gold toned, grey and even black. Although the color is dependent on the wearer's preference, rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins while cream and gold toned pearls are flattering to darker complexions.

Size of the pearl is measured in millimeters. They can be smaller than one millimeter in the case of tiny seed pearls, or as large as twenty millimeters for a big South Sea pearl. The larger the pearl, other factors being equal, the more valuable it will be.

Matching as the word implies refers to similar strands, and addresses uniformity of color, luster, shape, spotting and graduation. The time spent in gathering uniform and aesthetically pleasing pearls is also reflected in its cost. Each pearl in the strand has been chosen carefully to look identical to its neighbor with no noticeable distinction between then to the naked eye.

There are essentially two types of pearls - natural and cultured. The formation of a natural pearl takes place when an irritant, such as a piece of sand, works its way into a particular species of oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. Layers of this coating when deposited on this irritant ultimately turn into a beautiful and lustrous pearl.

A cultured pearl by and large is formed in a similar fashion, the only difference being that the irritant is implanted through human intervention in the form of a bead or shell. The resulting pearl may often tend to be much larger than a natural pearl.

Pearls can come from either salt or freshwater sources. Although each has its share of standard and quality, saltwater pearls are considered to be better than freshwater pearls. Freshwater pearls come in irregular shapes and have a puffed rice appearance.

Jive Jewelry is a Canadian based online jewelry retailer featuring the latest in stunning sterling silver jewelry, sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry and fabulous bridal jewelry. Jive Jewelry works directly with jewelry manufacturers throughout the world to guarantee great selection, and even better prices.

About the Author: William Brister - http://www.girlsbestfriend.tv - All about jewelery.

Swarovski crystals - beautiful crystal jewelry

Jewelry is one of the oldest and most widespread type of accessory. It is made from materials of particular beauty or rarity, providing the person who wears it with elegance and style. Today, women have a lot of accessories to choose from and the Internet is perhaps the best place to find interesting items.

Somewhere around 1890, a daring young man invented an automatic cutting machine and paved the way for crystal jewelry. His name was Daniel Swarovski and up to this day this brand holds one of the biggest collections of crystal sculptures, jewelry and chandeliers. With the passing of time, new techniques were discovered and Swarovski earned a name in the field of luxury crystal jewerly.

The advent of the Internet allowed people to avoid those long, dreadful hours spent shopping. This type of shopping is enjoyed by many people not only because it is time-efficient, but also because of the wide range of products available online. Today, there are plenty of websites providing various Swarovski crystals and introducing the world to high-quality jewelry items.

The history of Swarovski crystals is long and rich in detail. Since its appearance, many generations have worn these priceless objects with delicate and refined features. In order to keep up with the latest trends imposed by the fashion stylists, designers have started to successfully mix classic designs with modern and innovative ideas, resulting in amazing collections and attracting customers worldwide.

There is no doubt that Swarovski crystals available for sale online are extremely popular. Fashion styles have changed over years and these jewelry items have managed to be just as popular no matter what. On the Internet, one can find incredible selections suitable for various occassions including anniversaries or weddings. Wearing Swarovski crystals is a true demonstration of style and the incomparable crystal purity is what mainly draws women to them.

Crystal jewelry has been used as adornment since a couple of centuries ago and Swarovski crystals do not make any exception. The possibility to find exactly what you want online, among all the available Swarovski crystals, increases if a lot of patience is dedicated to Internet searches, but even without a lot of effort, there are still plenty of options out there. Women now have a ton of choices and every item has a special price. The popularity of these crystal beads comes as no surprise; quality jewelry is something everybody wants to have and evey fashion movement includes.

Swarovski crystals are cut in a very special way in order to refract as much light as possible. Also, experts add some sort of chemical coating in order to increase that effect. There are many popular coatings including Aurora Borealis, Volcano and Aurum. All of them serve to the creation of these wonderful pieces of jewelry, famous for their beauty and uniqueness all over the globe.

Regarding the most recent fashion trends, the Internet has given us some insight. Beads are in style now and online there are a lot of Swarovski beads waiting to be bought. They come in all shapes and sizes, being full of color and leading a true revolution in the jewelry industry. The demands are higher and higher, many women considering beads as voguish and sparkling.

Swarovski beads are some of the most beautiful crystal jewelry. They are made of the finest materials and are more than brilliant. Every day, women purchase such products being profoundly interested in their general appearance. They want to do everything they can to improve their looks and beads can really help in that matter.

When Daniel Swarovski created the more than famous brand, he wasn't aware how long the tradition was going to survive. The beads however have become extremely popular. Online shopping of Swarovski beads has proven to be a great alternative for busy jewelry enthusiasts, offering enticing jewelry pieces.

Jive Jewelry is a Canadian based online jewelry retailer featuring the latest in stunning sterling silver jewelry, sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry and fabulous bridal jewelry. Jive Jewelry works directly with jewelry manufacturers throughout the world to guarantee great selection, and even better prices.

About the Author: Ken Wilson.
We cannot wait for you to browse our collection of Swarovski crystals. For sublime and brilliant jewelry, we are sure you will consider us a precious resource. Check out the beads and be a part of this amazing fashion trend!

Back To School Jewelry Picks

Feelings about going back to school are often a mixed bag. Some girls look forward to it; shopping for new school supplies and the endless trips to the change room only sends them into more of a tizzy. However, I would say that the majority of teens (and I was one of them!) depise even the remotest thought of having to go back to dreary old school. That's why, for the first day back, why not give her a special silver jewelry gift? You can think of it as a little pick-me-up as she trundles through the badly lit hallways on her way to Science class. And she'll think of you everytime she looks at it (and how well you did on perfectly matching it to her new minidress - yes minidresses are hot this fall!).

My suggestion as to what to get would be anything made of sterling silver. Silver jewelry is easily integrated with any outfit whether it's jeans and a t-shirt or a flirty skirt and blazer combo. She'll love the way it shines and adds funky shopistication to her wardrobe. There are so many different designs available that you might just have to buy silver jewelry for every day of the week! Earrings for Monday, a necklace for Tuesday, two pendants for Wednesday...You get the idea.

Hot Picks for Back To School Jewelry

Here are some great silver jewelry pieces to get you started for back to school jewelry trends. Simply click an image to see product details.

Jive Jewelry is a Canadian based online jewelry retailer featuring the latest in stunning sterling silver jewelry, sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry and fabulous bridal jewelry. Jive Jewelry works directly with jewelry manufacturers throughout the world to guarantee great selection, and even better prices.

The Bling Guide - Silver Earrings

Whether your looking for something simple or something a bit fancy, choosing the right type of sterling silver earrings can really add that finishing touch. This guide will help you in deciding which pair of silver earrings is right for you.

Silver Stud Earrings

This is likely the very first type of earrings that you have owned because it is what people generally get after their first piercing. It's distinguishable because it is composed of 2 parts. Firstly, there is a post that is inserted through the ear. That protruding portion of the post, is then inserted into the backing, also known as a clutch.

There are two important matters to note at this point. 1) indentation and 2) type of metal. You want to look for an indentation in the post. It can be a small rivet, just enough so that when your fingernail runs across the post, it dips into the indentation. This helps keep the earring in place, which is on the ear, and not falling off onto the ground.

The next thing to note is the type of metal used. Generally, metals such as titanium and platinum are hypo-allergenic. Thus, most people will be able to wear it without any adverse affects such as irritation, swelling, or itchiness.

Other metals such as gold and silver may cause allergic reactions. This is because these metals are generally mixed with smaller amounts of alloys to strengthen the jewelry. For instance, sterling silver earrings are composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% alloys. The 7.5% portion is what people may be allergic to. As noted earlier, this problem also affects gold. In fact, 18k gold is the equivalent of 75% gold and 25% alloys.

Silver Fish Hook Earrings

Fish hook earrings are appropriately named because they look like a fish hook. One end is inserted into the ear and the curved portion of the earring is what supports the weight of the earring. The benefit of this type of silver earring is that once you put it on, it is not very likely to fall off.

Silver Ear Threads

Recently, silver ear threads have been relatively popular. This is because they appear to be playful and different from the traditional stud type of earrings. Silver thread earrings can vary by type of stone, color, or length.

Silver Hoop Earrings

Silver hoop earrings are a must have for every person. Hoop earrings may vary by size and metal. Sterling silver hoop earrings are great because of the sleek color that silver offers. Gold earrings are also a fabulous choice. One thing to look for when purchasing sterling silver earrings is the type of clasp being used. This is because large hoop earrings may be a bit heavy and a secure setting is necessary.

Silver Chandelier Earrings

Silver Chandelier earrings are also extremely popular. The chandelier style allows for a great interplay between colorful stones and silver. Stones may vary between natural gemstones and synthetic ones such as cubic zirconium. This results in a fancier look and that is why chandelier earrings are a popular look with celebrities as they stroll the red carpet.

Above all else, always pick a pair of earrings that will be comfortable.

Jive Jewelry is a Canadian based online jewelry retailer featuring the latest in stunning sterling silver jewelry, sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry and fabulous bridal jewelry. Jive Jewelry works directly with jewelry manufacturers throughout the world to guarantee great selection, and even better prices.

About the Author
Lily Parker is head of customer relations at silvercorner.com. View our current selection of sterling silver earrings.

Tips for cleaning your Swarovski crystal jewelry.

Every piece of Swarovski crystal jewelry Jive Jewelry features is designed using an assortment of crystals, stones, and glass/resin beads. The jewels are cast in a pewter alloy, which is electroplated and hand relieved to give each item an "antique" look; creating a look of classic elegance with modern flare.

After you've found the crystal jewelry of your dreams you may ask yourself: How do I keep it dazzling like the day I bought it?

Here are a few steps you can follow to ensure your Swarovski crystal jewelry sparkles like new all year round.

• Baby wipes can be used to restore the brilliance of your crystals. Simply hold the wipe between your thumb and fingers and roll the crystals back and forth once or twice, continuing the process until you've cleaned them all. Dry them off with a clean cotton cloth or a plain tissue.
  
• Heavy use of hairspray or perfume could eventually damage the finish. Put on perfume or hairspray before you put on your jewelry.
  
• Combine water, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap for a non-abrasive solution that will clean hairspray, skin oils and perfumes off the surface of your Swarovski jewelry. Thoroughly mix 3/4 cups water, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 tablespoon of dish soap in a plastic container (preferably with a lid). Place your jewelry in the solution and leave it in there for one-two minutes. Gently swirl the container for 30 seconds then let it sit for the remaining minute. After you remove your jewelry run it under warm water to wash off the dish soap and dry with a cotton cloth.
  
• Do not use silver or jewelry cleaners. Standard jewelry cleaners contain solvents that may react with the plated finish of your Swarovski crystal jewelry.
  
• Try not to bath or swim while wearing your piece. Over time, water and salt water will damage your jewelry.

Jive Jewelry is a Canadian based online jewelry retailer featuring the latest in stunning sterling silver jewelry, sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry and fabulous bridal jewelry. Jive Jewelry works directly with jewelry manufacturers throughout the world to guarantee great selection, and even better prices.