Turquoise: The Native Stone
Turquoise, derived from the French word for Turkish has been adored since before 4000 BC. A lot of the early European turquoise came from the Middle East in what today is known as the country of Turkey. That is where the stone's name hails from. It is said to have healing properties, therefore beneficial to human wellness by keeping the blood pure and blood pressure low.Turquoise is December's birthstone and signifies success. It was once considered a luxury and only for the truly noble, but has since found its way into everyday lives.
It is found in many countries, including the United States, mainly the west and southwest areas. The best grade turquoise is from Iran (formerly Persia), Tibet and China. The southwestern United States boasts high-grade turquoise as well but in the U.S. where it is predominately mined, (mainly Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado) the mines are either closed or fairly depleted. Therefore, most turquoise is imported from Tibet and other parts of the world.
The biggest use for turquoise today is by Native Americans to make jewelry.Turquoise is a mineral, a hydrous basic phosphate. It is comprised of copper and aluminum, which is formed as water trickles through a "host" stone for what is said to be about 30 million years. Yes, 30 million! That water, over time leaves a deposit in the stone. The stone can hold onto moisture or dry out. If it dries out in sunlight it can change colors, anywhere from bright blue the medium green.
The colors can vary too, depending on the mineral components. More aluminum equals a green to white color range. More copper equals a bluer color range. If there is an addition of zinc, a yellow-green color will appear. There is not a best color in general; it is a matter of personal taste, as is a matrix.
Matrix, as it is called forms because the turquoise stone itself takes on colors from the host stone it forms in. The host rock has been seen in black, rust, brown and even darker shades of blue or green. The most commonly seen matrix is black. You can see it well as it often resembles a spider's web and adds to the beauty of the stone, making it more sought after in jewelry.Turquoise can come in a variety of grades. The high end is harder and not very porous, and also more expensive.
The lower end is soft and fairly, if not almost totally porous. This can cause the stone, over time to absorb oils and grease, mainly from human touch. The more porous stones are normally apt to changing color with skin oils and actually make the turquoise change to a beautiful conglomeration of colors. However, some like to prevent this so a treatment called stabilizing is performed. It's actually quite simple because the stone is merely soaked in or sprayed with a liquid plastic-polymer material and then allowed to dry.
This plastic when hardened seals the pores and prevents oils and grease from affecting the stone. Stabilizing also deepens the color making the low-end turquoise look high-end. In actuality, all natural stones (untreated or unstabilized) are porous to some degree and are apt to change colors due to human handling and normal wear. As with what is known as "natural" turquoise, no coating or alteration is added to the stone. Each stone is cut or faceted and then polished for use or sale, as with any "natural" stone.
And so, turquoise as we all know it is still very much alive and being used in many original and imaginative ways. It's best and often seen in jewelry pieces pared with sterling silver. Ah, what a classy yet laid-back look!This article may be reprinted and/or republished provided it is not altered in any way, and proper credit is given to the author..
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
Jewelry > Diamond Hoop Earrings: The Diva's Choice
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
Jewelry > Photography for Your Jewelry and Craft Website
Birthday Gift For Mom
It comes once a year, and it is truly special. A mother's birthday is not to be ignored, and thankfully there are many products available to help us select a gift. Research shows that books, flowers, toys, jewelry, personalized plaques, jewelry, pens, clocks, wristwatches and gift baskets are favorite gifts to give to mom.
Red Envelope, Ever After, Love is a Rose, Personalization Mall, Things Remembered, Limoges Jewelry, Patagonia Gifts, Generous Gems and JC Penny have beautiful, elegant jewelry. Sterling silver birthstone pendants, rings, engraved pendants in gold, diamond and other precious stones are very popular.
Warm Sentiments, Harry and David, Design-it-Yourself Gift Baskets, Wine Country Gift Baskets, Gourmet Gift Baskets, Adorable Gift Baskets, Nostalgia Basket, Book Baskets, Green Mountain, Vermont, Hershey and Ghirardelli have a unbelievable collection of beautifully designed, delicious-looking gift baskets that include chocolates, coffees, wines...
Jewelry > Birthday Gift For Mom
Four Styles Of Expressive Earrings - What Your Jewelry Is Saying To The World
Copyright 2006 Lulu Bells Treasures?
In our fast-paced world these days, we might not stop to think too much about our accessories beyond the simple questions of "What jewelry shall I wear today?" or "What goes best with this outfit?"
But our jewelry, in particular our earrings, can say much to the world that we might not even realize we are communicating. Gold earrings span the centuries and go back as far as 3000 BC that historians are aware of.
That is a very long time that something as standard in our wardrobes as earrings have been influencing our sense of style.
As with all jewelry, throughout the eras, gold earrings often expressed status.
Simply by wearing gold earrings, or earrings laden with gemstones, one was letting others know that they had the ability to purchase and own such items.
This is no longer completely the case in this day and age because gold earrings for example are more affordable, there are wonderful...
Four Styles Of Expressive Earrings - What Your Jewelry Is Saying To The World
Jewelry > Four Styles Of Expressive Earrings - What Your Jewelry Is Saying To The World
Turquoise: The Native Stone
Turquoise: The Native Stone Jewelry
Turquoise: The Native Stone
Turquoise: The Native Stone Jewelry trucks
Longing For A Flexible Body? Order Online Phentermine
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for a leading a healthy life. People who have excessive weight are always mocked at. Obesity open doors to many health diseases such as high blood-pressure, diabetes, arthritis, heart diseases and hypertension. Those with a high body mass (BMI) are considered are considered to be at the edge of developing serious health problems. BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kgs) with height (in mts).
People who have a BMI of 27 or more are assisted...
Turquoise: The Native Stone oil prices Longing For A Flexible Body? Order Online Phentermine
Jewelry > Longing For A Flexible Body? Order Online Phentermine
Laser Printers Play Detective
Technology has yet to reach its full potential and still, there is a promising future in fighting against crimes with the use of printers alone. With the unlimited possibility of the capabilities of every technology available on earth, laser printers are not logging behind. The future promises that laser printers can fight crimes. And it is a big possibility with the on going research in Purdue University.This is a very big development on the laser printing industry in relation to a more precise...
computer printers
Jewelry > Laser Printers Play Detective