Whether you presently own a retail or web based business and are looking for an additional profit center or you are thinking of starting a business, jewelry is a "no-brainer" choice for a proven product category. The buying public, (particularly women) never tires of jewelry as the choices in color, materials, finishes and styles are endless and innovations are continual. Every generation reinvents jewelry for itself in much the same way that it reinvents music and fashion. Styles change but the basic facts remain the same. If you are a seasoned professional, please consider the following a refresher course.
To the new comer, use this information as a foundation for your ongoing jewelry education.The Facts About Pearl JewelryBecause natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pears. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which give it luster. Jewelers should tell your if the pearls are cultured or imitation. Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes.
Jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated.Clams, oysters, mussels and many other mollusks with limy shells are known to produce pearls. But very few kinds yield gem pearls of jeweler's quality. The pearl is an abnormal growth of mother-of-pearl, or nacre, imbedded in the soft bodies of these shellfish. It is built up, layer upon layer, in the same way as nacre is added to the lining of the growing shell and always has the same color and luster. For example, over the country, hundreds of good-sized pearls are found each year in the oysters we eat.
Unfortunately these have no commercial value regardless of whether they have been cooked or not because they are dull opaque white or purple like the shell of the parent oyster. In recent times almost all pearls of gem quality come from the oriental pearl oyster which has a bright shimmering translucent nacre.A pearl starts growing when some irritating foreign substance such as a sand grain, bit of mud, parasite or other object becomes lodged in the shell-producing gland called the mantle. Pearls formed in the soft flesh where nacre can be added on all sides are most likely to be spherical and the most highly prized. By far the great majority are flattened or variously distorted and have little value. Size, color, luster and freedom from flaws are other essential qualities.
Unlike other gems, such as diamonds, pearls have an average life of only about 50 years. In time the small amount of water in a pearl's make-up is lost and its surface cracks. Because they are mostly lime, necklaces which are worn often are injured by the acid secretions of the human skin.Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials.Though, the pearl is not technically a stone at all, it's beauty has earned it a place in the Big 5 of precious stones.
Jewelry artists have long appreciated the pearl and continue to utilize it's charm in their creations..
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of ?How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.? This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.Photography for Your Jewelry and Craft Website
Not only is it important to take good photographs for your website, it is equally important to make sure that your pictures load quickly. In this article we will cover a number of important issues:Photography set upCamera settingsEditing for WebsiteOther Important ResourcesPhotography set up:Your backdrop is your first concern. Where will you take pictures of your product, craft or object? Outdoor light seems to be the most recommended background. The outdoor lighting helps to create beautiful pictures. For jewelry, this option is not the best.
It is harder to photograph jewelry than other crafts. For jewelry there are many other options for setting up a small photography studio.How to Make My $15.00 Photo Studio http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/jewelry-photography.htmlLapidary Art: Basic Jewelry Photographyhttp://www.lapidaryart.com/projects_2.htmlPhotographing Jewelry for Print and Webhttp://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/lessons/vault/index.htmlCamera settings:Each...
Photography for Your Jewelry and Craft Website
Patriotic Bracelet Kits Raise Money for Homes For Our Troops
Tenafly, NJ (ContentDesk) August 10, 2005 -? What would you do if you served your country in Iraq, became disabled in combat, and returned home to discover your house couldn't accommodate you?Intelligirl Jewelry Maker, a do-it-yourself jewelry website run by someone disabled, discovered and leaped at the chance to help Homes for Our Troops, an organization that is adapting homes with everything from wheelchair ramps to new disability friendly kitchens for returning disabled soldiers.Intelligirl Jewelry Maker is offering a fun, easy-to-make "I Love the USA" bracelet kit for $3.99 and will donate $1.00 per each kit sold to Homes for Our Troops.At Intelligirl Jewelry Maker, you can design your own jewelry or purchase all sorts of bead-related craft kits. According to Zosia Zaks, the owner, customization is popular these days. "People are growing tired of one-size-fits-all goods, but many are low on time. Now in just a few minutes, you can create a piece of jewelry that is uniquely yours."Zosia,...
Patriotic Bracelet Kits Raise Money for Homes For Our Troops
How to Find the Best Disc Music Box, Part II
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
Whether you collect antique music boxes, vintage music boxes, ballerina music boxes for your ballerina room d?cor, wooden keepsake boxes, or musical jewelry boxes, disc music boxes also make lovely collectibles. Here are ten more unique disc music boxes to choose from.
The Fortuna
This music box was made by Julius H Zimmerman. He actually took over the Adler products and then subsequently changed the name to "Fortuna". Upright and horizontal items were made. The trademark is an eagle with spread wings holding in its beak a ribbon which has the word
"patented" on it, with "schutzmark" above, and "trade mark" below.
Gloria Disc Box
This box comes in two disc sizes of 11 ?
inches and 18 ? inches.
Standard combs were used and both upright and horizontal items were manufactured by Societe Anonyme.
Gloria
This is not the same as the "Gloria" box...
Diamond Hoop Earrings: The Diva's Choice
Men grow cold as girls grow oldAnd we all lose our charms in the endBut square-cut or pear-shapedThese rocks don't lose their shapeDiamonds are a girl's best friend-- from the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"Diamond hoop earrings are perfectly popular these days, thanks to young pop divas like Jennifer Lopez or J-Lo, hiphop diva extraordinaire. J-Lo is also known for spreading the trend of the chandelier earring, and other cascading-style ear ornaments.Now take another diva and examine her choice of jewelry. We're talking about actress Elizabeth Taylor and her special fondness for diamonds. When she was dubbed a Dame of the British Empire, the nation held a "black tie and diamonds" event, to commemorate her love for that specific precious stone. Diamond hoop earrings are part of Miss Taylor's not inconsiderable jewelry collection.Take hoop earrings up another level and what do you get? Precious stones set into the hoops.
What precious stone is considered the most popular, the...
Diamond Hoop Earrings: The Diva's Choice
seeds Jewelry Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 6 Buying Pearl Jewelry 
Jewelry Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 6 Buying Pearl Jewelry 
Jewelry Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 6 Buying Pearl Jewelry 