Jewelry Blog

Missing Person FOUND!

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:12:20 +0000

Claire Daines was one of the few girls who made teenage angst feel real in the nineties. Over the past 10 years we haven’t seen much of her and it makes us sad because red-heads are rare in Hollywood and so are actresses with depth.

How to Use a Loupe

admin — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:11:20 +0000

The loupe is the most essential tool a gemologist or a jeweler should have all the time. One can never say when they might require it. The type of loupe one carries, the way one holds a loupe and handles it reveals lots of things about a person. It is very important to use a loupe in proper fashion to create a good impression in the field. Follow the following steps to view a stone using a loupe:

1) Turn on the light source keep it at comfortable height below the eye level so that the light do not fall on the eyes.

2) Clean the stone thoroughly with a dirt free and lint free cloth and keep it face down either on the cloth itself or the sorting tray. Also clean the lens of the loupe.

3) Pick up the loupe. Insert your index finger into the metal cover and use it for a handle. If you pick up the loupe with right hand then use your left eye to see the stone and vice versa. Though lot of people are comfortable with right hand- right eye combination, I prefer the right hand-left eye combination as I can support the tweezers on the side of my nose. See what suits you best.

4) Pick up the stone with a tweezers gently. Pressing it too hard would make the stone fly off.Hold the stone at the girdle to examine the stone from the table or pavilion.And the see the stone from sideways hold the stone from table to culet. Remember not to touch the stone by hand. Always use the gem cloth.

5) Position the loupe close to your eye, and hold the stone about an inch from the loupe. Be steady and rest the hands on the table you are working on. Initially its best advised to sit and examine the stone. After gaining confidence one can examine anywhere.

The Big Remodel - Day 179

admin — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:11:20 +0000

We are now wrapping up the final days of the remodeling project. We have certainly come a long way since the beginning and we are very anxious to complete the remodeling project. Our attention is now focused on our annual holiday sale which will be held during the week of Thanksgiving. We will also be offering special discounts for those customers that are signed up for our monthly newsletter. The photos show the new office and our showroom.

Earnings Preview: Slowdown may hit Tiffany in 3Q

admin — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:11:20 +0000

Jeweler Tiffany & Co. reports earnings for the third quarter on Wednesday before the market opens.

Men's Leather Wallets

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:11:21 +0000

Some of these men’s leather wallets are priced between $20 and $30. A few are pricier. It’s a varied collection, with lots of styles to choose from. Most of the wallets are available in more than one color.

A Love Affair with Hats - Women's Hats Around the World - Celebrity Hats

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:11:35 +0000

Women in some parts of the world have a definite love of hats. Laura Parker Bowles at the wedding of her mother, Camilla Parker Bowles, to the Prince of Wales.

All About Aquamarine

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:11:20 +0000

Aquamarine is probably one of the most popular gemstones, and if you were born in March it’s even more special to you, because it’s your birthstone. Colors range from pale to vivid blue, and some aquamarines have shades of green thrown in. Top quality aquamarines are very clear (unlike most of their close family members, emeralds, which tend to have more inclusions). But even cloudy aquamarines have a charm all their own (like you’ll see in the ocean-inspired necklaces in my shopping collection).

_{Lawrence Lawry / Getty Images}

Using Crimping Pliers

admin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:11:20 +0000

Crimp beads are most often used when stringing a beaded piece (like a bracelet or necklace) which has been strung with beading wire. The crimp beads finish the end of the beaded piece of jewelry and help create a loop for the clasp to be attached to. They can be used in the place of a bead tip or in addition to one in order to help keep the knot inside of the bead tip.

There are two kinds of crimp beads: tube shaped and round shaped. The tube shaped crimp beads are most often available in sterling or gold-filled, while the round are normally made of base metal. While it’s all a matter a taste and preference, I have to say that I have found the tube shaped crimp beads to be much easier to work with. So, if you are new to crimping, I would recommend starting with tubes, and those are the types of crimp beads (2×2mm) I use in this tutorial.

How to Make a Half-Knot

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:11:25 +0000

Like the name sounds, half-knot is half of a knot, a square knot to be exact, and it is a technique used often in macrame and other related fiber jewelry making.

You can use more than just the three strands of cord shown in this tutorial, but in order to keep it simple, I used just three strands, each a different color.

Begin by connecting your cords together. For the sample piece pictured, I held all three cords together and connecting them using an overhand knot. Use a pin or tape to secure your connected cords to a work surface. I used a bulletin board and quilting pins, which are basically like straight pins used for sewing just longer.

Jewelry Making Forum Hot Topics

admin — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:11:20 +0000

We have some interesting discussions going on now, so jump in:

Full time /Part time/ Hobby: Do you work at this full time, part time or is this a glorious hobby? Do you want to become a full time artist ? Do you wish you could go back to hobby only?

Lost and Found: Have you ever lost a piece of jewelry you made and then found it later?

Winning a Bead Contest: A member is thrilled to have won a bead contest. Now what the heck should she order?