Starting a Jewelry Business? 10 Things to Start Making NOWStarting a Jewelry Business? 10 Things to Start Making NOW

by: Carolina

When I started making jewelry it was just fun. Friend’s inquiries about pendants or earrings really made the dream start to take shape, as it may be happening to many of you. You have started wondering if you could make jewelry for a living. Well, the answer is as simple as YES. Every jewelry artist has started somewhere, and the lucky ones that today show their pieces on jewelry magazine covers started with little or no money and no clues about where the jewelry experience was going to take them.

Making jewelry is therapeutic and profitable, you can make it at home, be your own boss, work at the hours when you feel best and, above all, is a wonderful profession in which you add beauty to people’s lifes through your jewels. Making jewelry is fun!

But why is it that so many jewelry makers, some very talented, fall along the way and never reach their full potential? Mainly, for reasons that do not have to do at all with Jewelry Making, and the most common four are lack of commitment, procrastination, lack of confidence and of course, lack of knowledge about business and marketing techniques.

It is said that it takes 21 days to leave or start a habit. Changing from procrastinator to effective jewelry maker takes less, I think, but many of the things that will start showing its benefits in the (near) future must start being done today!!! Making a big decision like leaving your “proper” job really need a strong commitment to avoid ending up to your nose with debts and wondering “ What did I do wrong?” If you really want to success in this business, here are 10 tips that will help you start avoiding the more common beginner mistakes:

1. This is your trip, not anybody’s: be very careful with the advice you follow and try to stay always within your own limits and desires. Focus on learning the business and stop listening to what people would do if they were you. Read jewelry websites, marketing and sales articles and never stop learning new things.

2. If you don’t have a studio, set up one. Yes, as small business owners we must sacrifice home spaces to our business. Cluttering the dining room or using a small corner will affect directly into your productivity and creativity. You need space, organization, light, and a door you can close whenever you decide your work has finished for today.

3. Organize your time effectively: work as many hours a day as in a “proper” job…well, the truth is that you will find that you will need more than proper job hours to get everything done! As in point 2, we must also sacrifice time.

4. Set up a blog/website. There are many free webs and blogs to choose from. Avoid repetitive descriptions and talk a little about yourself in every post. Take your time to write a good biography and take a good picture of yourself. Read other websites for examples and study the texts – which ones are more appealing to you, and why? Promote yourself in any way you find.

5. Dare to dream – do not underestimate yourself and try every crazy idea that comes to you mind... all of the biggest jewelry artists of the world were somewhere you are now. They made it because they were bold and trusted their own abilities. That business card design or new packaging boiling in your head deserves, at least, a try. What would you lose?

6. Don’t be scared of asking for favours to relative and friends when you’re starting, and always reward them in any way you can. A favour any female member in your family will love to do to you is wearing your gorgeous jewelry on parties and special events, and of course without having to buy it! They will return it to you after showing your jewelry to many people; of course you should provide them with business cards!

7. Learn to make good pics of your work, or you will never sell online. You can make a simple lightbox and digital camera and tripod are necessary. Learn to use the macro and light sensitivity settings of your camera and experiments with backgrounds and displays. Do as above: research and work!

8. Being a jeweler is not only about making jewelry! You can have other incomes coming from the same source. Teach classes or workshops, sell tutorials online, kits, become a gem seller…and if you have html knowledge you could even offer to make websites to jewelers!

9. Don’t wait until everything is perfect to start, because it will never be perfect. If you’re just a beginner, don’t overprice your products. Be honest and humble with your own work, but don’t miss opportunities to show your work in every way you find.

10. Be very patient. There are no fast success stories in jewelry making. You will have to prove you are really commited to your work If you don’t start now, it will never come!

About the Author
Born and living in Tenerife (Canary Islands) Full-time jewelry artist and owner and designer of NeoVamp Jewelry, a OOAK fine bijouterie business. Expert in wire-wrapping and former illustrator and tattoo artist. I have also extensive knowledge in symbolism and healing properties of stones and colours. Every piece I make is completely handcrafted and unique, often recycling vintage jewelry. I work at my studio at home and personally keep my NeoVamp Blog. I decided to write articles as some answers to beginner's questions were too important or useful to keep them for one person only. Reusing beads and metal findings is essential to my work. Most of my pieces include vintage beads taken from unused or old-fashioned jewelry, from my own customers often. I am very aware of the need to be environmentally responsible and recycling is one of my constant goals. I've published a free course about Doll Customizing, a personal passion, and was interviewed by Rena KLingenberg in January for the Success Stories section of her site. In November last year I was interviewed by the Canary Islands TV Channel on the live show Canarias Directo. My future plans include writing more articles and downloadable tutorials, as I'm being asked constantly about my wiring techniques. Read more about me at: http://neovampjewelry.wordpress.com/

Wedding Jewelry

by: gem-fashion

Jewelry is a part of the bridal ensemble that should be chosen very thoroughly. The day after the wedding you put your gown and veil into a box, but jewelry is to be enjoyed over the years. Many would-be brides are at a great loss when choosing jewelry pieces for their big day. Finding something beautiful, matching and becoming is never easy…

The first and the most important rule is to follow the motif of your gown. Depending whether it is classic, vintage, eclectic etc, choose the jewelry that does not contradict your general style

But, in fact, it’s not as difficult to choose the bridal jewelry as it may seem at first. The second thing is to decide whether you want to wear your bridal jewelry after the wedding day. If so, opt for something neutral, the jewelry you can combine with your evening gowns or office clothes if work takes most of your time.

In case you really want to have a big day where you play the part of the queen and are ready to pay for that, don’t agree for less than jewelry masterpieces, better if they are made exclusively for you by jewelry designers.

Remember that balance is the key. Don’t make your image too heavy by wearing too sparkling dress if your jewelry is a statement in its own. Don’t afraid to seem plain. A seemingly simple wedding gown is not a faux paus. On the contrary, skill to combine and compliment clothes, jewelry and accessories is one of the most essential laws of style.

Don’t forget the second style basics. Less is really more!! If you’ve decided on long dangling earrings don’t put a necklace on, otherwise it will look too heavy. Vice versa, in case you have a statement-like necklace, opt for small stud earrings. Your hair style is to take into consideration as well. First, make an appointment with your hairstylist and discuss what you want for the wedding day, and only then shop for your bridal jewelry.

Make the most of what you have! It is flattering to wear make-up and clothes that underline your strong sides and distract attention from what you do not want to reveal. This rule is applicable to bridal jewelry as well. If you, for instance, have a luxurious cleavage, certainly you will opt for a low -cut dress. Why not compliment this beauty wearing a nice eye-catching necklace. Or, on the contrary, avoid backless gowns and necklaces cascading down your spine unless you have a perfect smooth-skinned back.

All in all, the most vital rule is to wear the gown and jewelries you feel confident and comfortable in. If you are perfectly sure you’re irresistibly gorgeous, nobody else will doubt it.

About the Author
Elena Zharina is Russian, 23 years old, fashion designer by education and writes because she loves to. In addition to writing about fashion, she is a jewelry maker. She is known for her colorful, funky and daring Mahjong tile stretch bracelets.

Black Diamond

Black Diamonds Have Begun to Make Their Appearance in the Jewelry Scene

by: munagri
There are many different types of jewelry that can be worn and many of these are adorned with gemstones. Generally the gemstones that are placed in jewelry are of a precious and semi precious nature. The stones that are used are very popular ones like diamonds. Lately black diamonds have begun to make their appearance in the jewelry scene.

While these black diamonds are becoming more popular due to marketing tactics they are not seen widely nor do many people consider having black diamonds in rings. This is probably due to the fact that the black diamonds don’t have the glittery sheen that is apparent with white diamonds. As with all fancy colored diamonds the formation of black diamonds is very rare making this a very expensive piece of jewelry to own.

Regardless of the price though there are some people who like to wear these black diamonds as men’s rings. This trend is very small however as many jewelers consider these black diamonds as being imperfect stones and therefore not worth the time that it would take to cut and shaped them. So if you would like to wear jewelry that has black diamonds embedded in them you will have to make enquires from reputed jewelers if they have these gemstones in stock.

Other than this you will have probably have to look on the internet for online jewelry stores where you can buy your black diamonds from. Once you have found such a place and you are prepared to buy the diamond for the going price you will need to trust that you have found a place that will sell you quality black diamond jewelry. As these types of jewelry pieces are very hard and rare to find you should look at the different designs that are available and see if there is one that appeals to you inspite of the price.

Having obtained your black diamond jewelry you can see for yourself if the piece was worth the amount that you paid for it. There is another way that you can get good quality jewelry with black diamonds embedded in the design. You will need to locate a gemstone store that has black diamonds for sale. Having verified the quality and seen if the price is one that you can afford you will need to purchase the amount that you need for your design. The next step is to find a goldsmith or jewelry maker and give your design to them.

You will have to trust at the end of the jewelry making process you will be the owner of a unique piece of black diamond jewelry. To find quality jewelry takes time and to be the owner of jewelry with black diamonds means that not only should you have a discerning eye for the excellent quality items in life but you should be prepared to pay for them as well.

About the Author
Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years. For more information on black diamond jewelry, visit his site at http://www.merpetsales.com/bestjewelry/

Beaded Jewelry

Beaded jewelry has a style to compliment any jewelry collection.

Beaded jewelry is quite a popular jewelry trend because it appeals to the young as well as the young at heart. Distinctive designer finishes on beaded jewelry can be achieved through diamond cuts, unique textures and highly polished finishes. Some people associate bead jewelry with the teeny tiny plastic jewelry beads they strung as children, or with the big clunky bead jewelry that Grandma used to wear. Not any more!

Today's Beaded Jewelry is trendy, affordable, practical and beautiful. The beaded jewelry of yesterday has been replaced with updated fashionable pieces created by high end jewelry designers and by your own local artisans.

Native American Indian artisans use beaded jewelry to provide beautiful expressions of their culture; passing their craftsmanship skills from generation to generation. There is really no standard kind of beaded jewelry.

Styles of beads for beaded bracelets, beaded earrings, and beaded necklaces are as unique as the individual who wears them. Jewelry beads today are made of many substances; gold, silver, crystals, coral, turquoise and other gemstones to name a few. The list of materials and styles for today's beaded jewelry is endless. Brighten up any outfit and style up your look with the beauty of today's jewelry beads. Escape into the exotic realms of your imagination with a unique beaded jewelry wardrobe.

Making Beaded Jewelry Is Easy to Do

Making beaded jewelry is an inexpensive and fun hobby that nearly anyone can do. The materials needed are readily accessible and cost very little money. Aside from the requisite thread, needle and the beads, there are also some other materials that the hobbyist can use in making beaded jewelry. Hobbyists can also experiment with various beading techniques to make interesting and unique creations.

There are several techniques involved in making beaded jewelry. Stringing is one, and wire-working with beads is another. Various types of string are available: cords, plastic, twine. Additionally, silk and nylon threads can also be utilized in making beaded jewelry. Using hemp fiber in beaded jewelry making is a nice touch it makes for an unusual product and would also be a great topic for conversation. Wire of various thicknesses is another popular option. Additionally, wire is used to make beaded jewelry items such as necklaces, hairpins and earrings, and to attach clasps.

Beads for jewelry come in all shapes and forms as well. In spite of beaded jewelrys reputation for being inexpensive, a person can also use precious gemstones like pearls and precious metals, such as gold and silver, to make beaded dress accessories. For beginners, however, less costly materials are widely available for making beaded jewelry: glass, crystal, coral, to name a few. Whatever materials the artist uses, he or she is easily able to customize the type of beaded jewelry to be worn personally, given as a gift, or sold to beaded jewelry enthusiasts.

To enhance the overall visual effect of the beads, a number of knotting and stitching techniques are recommended. There are simple knots and stitches for beginners, and with practice, they will be able to progress to the more complicated and fancier methods used in making beaded jewelry. Its interesting to note that knots have mystical connotations in some cultures. For some East Indians, knots can be used to curse a person. In Gypsy lore, it is important to untie knots in the clothing of a woman in childbirth. And the expression tying the knot derives from the ancient Romans, when the groom would untie the knots of his brides girdle before consummating the marriage. In which case, it should be untying the knot.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://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 http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

Birthstones for the Month of February

Amethyst Gemstones are beautiful birthstonesfor the month of February.

The Greek work "amethystos" can be loosely translated as "not drunken." Centuries ago, Amethyst was considered to be a very strong antidote against drunkenness.

Many wine goblets were often carved from the amethyst gemstone for this very reason. Today, the gemstone still symbolizes sobriety, however it is more popularly known as the beautiful gemstone / birthstone for the month of February.

Amethyst gemstones / birthstones range in color from deep purple to pale lilac. The pale colors are sometimes called "Rose de France" and can be seen in some Victorian jewelry. The deeper the colors of the gemstone the more valuable it is.

An amethyst gemstone particularly a rich purple with flashes of rose is the most sought after color of stone, and is also the most expensive. Amethyst gemstones are mined in many South American countries. Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina are known for their amethyst gemstones, as well as in Zambia, Namibia and other African countries. African amethyst is known for it's beautiful deep, rich purple color.

Amethyst Myth's
Greek mythology tells a story of Dionysus, the god of intoxication. He was angered one day by an insult from a mere mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal that crossed his path. Dionysus created fierce tigers to carry out his wish. A beautiful young maiden named Amethyst was on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana.

The goddess Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws of the tigers. Feeling shame for his decision to destroy the next mortal to cross his path, the god Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's tears stained the quartz purple, creating the gem we know today as amethyst.v

Other lore and legend of the amethyst gemstone include beliefs that the stone boosts the spirit and is an aid for meditation. The amethyst gemstone is said to have healing powers good for addictions, easing arthritis, headaches, brain imbalances, blood sugar levels and healing stomach disorders.

More on the spiritual side, the amethyst gemstone / birthstone supposedly enhances intuition, brings inner peace, unveils psychic insight and provides internal surrender. Wow! The amethyst gemstone is beautiful in its own right - who wouldn't want one. And who knows, maybe at least one of the legends may come true for you!

Gemstones and birthstones

Gemstones and birthstones represent celebrations of life events.

The terms "gemstone" and "gem" mean any mineral or organic material (e.g., pearl and petrified wood) used for personal adornment, display, or object of art because it possesses beauty, rarity, and durability. Of the 2,700 mineral species, only about 100 possess all these attributes. Many people use gemstone jewelry to symbolize a birth month or to celebrate a significant event during a specific month, like an anniversary. Birthstones are very popular gifts. You can choose a gemstone/birthstone that symbolizes what you want to say with your gift - gemstones can speak louder than words!

Gemstones are minerals that are treasured for their beauty and durability. Their value generally depends on four elements: the beauty of the stone itself; its rarity; its toughness; and the skill with which it has been cut and polished. Stones such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds represent one of the greatest concentrations of money value. During times of war or economic disturbance many people convert their wealth into precious stones, which are transportable and more easily sold.

Remember - just because a certain gem represents a certain birthstone doesn't mean you have to use it that way. Step out of the box and purchase a piece of gemstone jewelry as a gift to celebrate a graduation or special event.

The following is a list of Birthstones and their respective month.
Birthstone-Gemstone Chart

Birth Month Modern Birthstones Traditional Birthstones
January Garnet Garnet
February Amethyst Amethyst
March Aquamarine Bloodstone
April Diamond Diamond
May Emerald Emerald
June Pearl, Moonstone Alexandrite
July Ruby Ruby
August Peridot Sardonyx
September Sapphire Sapphire
October Opal, Tourmaline Tourmaline
November Yellow Topaz, Citrine Citrine
December Turquoise, Blue Topaz Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli

Purchasing Silver

When buying silver jewelry, you should be prepared to take your time to select quality pieces, just as you would if selecting a more expensive jewelry item. Young consumers are often attracted to sterling silver jewelry because it is so affordable and beautiful. Sterling silver also comes in many contemporary and modern designs which are appealing to young consumers.

So what should you look for when shopping? First and foremost always check the interior for the 925 mark, to ensure that you are purchasing premium sterling silver rather than sterling silver plating. Keep in mind that the more pure the silver, the more soft and likely that a piece will scratch, so don't go for anything more pure than sterling silver.

If you are looking to buy many different pieces, you might consider buying wholesale silver jewelry online. By doing so you'll be able to buy in bulk, and acquire large amounts of silver jewelry at inexpensive prices. Many jewelers and home business owners get into the habit of buying wholesale silver jewelry online because they can re-sell the merchandise at a higher price. There are hundreds of pieces to choose from, and you might even find a collection with a certain theme that appeals to you or the people you might be selling to.

Whey buying for yourself you should ensure you know what size jewelry you need if buying a ring. You might consider buying complete sets that include ring, bracelet and charm. Sets are very popular options for consumers purchasing sterling silver jewelry.

Silver is an exceptional choice for consumers looking for fine jewelry that is precious, attractive and inexpensive. From the dawn of time, mankind has invested in silver for practical and aesthetic purposes. If you haven't already, I highly recommend investing in a little silver.

About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as silver necklaces, sterling silver charms, and engagement rings.

Sterling Silver

History of Sterling Silver

Silver jewelry has been a staple in the lives of mankind since humans discovered the versatility of silver and the many uses it has. Silver has been used for functional and aesthetic purposes. In times of old, silver was used to create flatware and armor to protect soldiers on their way into battle. Silver jewelry was later created and used by Phoenician and Egyptian citizens desiring attractive and convenient pieces to add to their jewelry collections. Over time silver has been used to create flatware, decorative art, coins, dental fillings, jewelry and more.

Silver is produced in many different areas, though the highest concentrations of silver output come from Mexico and Peru.

One of the reasons sterling silver jewelry is so popular is its affordability and versatility. Sterling silver can be crafted into many different jewelry items including charms, rings and chains. Silver jewelry is often mistaken for other more precious metals including white gold and platinum.

Common Types of Silver

There are many different types of silver that can be used to create sterling silver jewelry. Silver is considered one of the precious metals along with its cousins gold, platinum and titanium.

Fine Silver - this is silver in its most natural state, when it is considered 99% pure. Often this type of silver is too soft to create ordinary products and is almost liquid in form. Usually silver has to be mixed with other metal alloys in order to create jewelry and household wear.

Sterling Silver - sterling is a mixture of fine silver and sterling is a mixture of fine silver and other metal alloys. The silver is considered about 92.5% pure. Sterling is usually combined with approximately 7.5% copper to make the jewelry more long lasting and durable. Sterling silver jewelry is usually marked on the inside with a "925", indicative of its purity. Sterling silver jewelry made of just the right combination of silver and metal allows a jeweler to create a long lasting, durable piece that is shiny and brilliant enough to be mistaken for more expensive precious metals. Sterling silver is more likely to tarnish over time because of the presence of copper; however this relatively mild side effect can be minimized through proper care. By consistently cleaning your silver jewelry you'll never even notice anything other than a beautiful shine and luster

Silver Plating - plating occurs when a base metal such as nickel is covered with a layer of pure silver. This is often one of the most durable forms of silver, and is usually much less expensive than sterling silver because the percentage of pure silver in the jewelry is quite low. Most base metals need a re-coat of pure silver every few years to maintain a shiny outer coat and to prevent the base metal from peaking through the coating.

Nickel Silver - nickel silver is a combination of nickel, copper and zinc that is not actually silver, but resembles silver. It is an inexpensive and popular item that can be used to create look-alike jewelry.

Vermeil - this form of silver was popular in the eighteenth century. Silver is plated in gold, providing a polished and expensive looking custom piece of jewelry.

Caring for Silver Jewelry
Sterling silver jewelry does have a tendency to scratch more often than other metals, and may tarnish over time. Proper care can ensure however that the jewelry remains shiny and well kept. The following tips will ensure that your sterling silver lasts a long time and maintains its luster and original appearance:

• Sterling silver jewelry should be stored in a cool dry place to reduce environmental damage.
• Consider keeping each piece in an individual cloth pouch to prevent scratching.
• Use a jewelry cleaner or polishing solution at least once a month to clean the surface of silver jewelry to help maintain its luster.
• Use a soft cloth to clean silver; never use a toothbrush or other abrasive material that might result in scratching.
• Clean silver at the first signs of tarnishing, when a yellowish tint appears on the jewelry. If you wait until the silver has turned black, you'll have to scrub harder and may damage the shine on the jewelry.
• Consider using chemical dipping agents which clean jewelry without scrubbing.
• Avoid cleaners that contain ammonia which can also turn silver jewelry black, consider soapy water instead.

Sterling silver is a popular item in part because it is more reflective than many precious metals. Proper care will ensure that silver jewelry remains beautiful for years to come. If you have other items in the house made of silver, such as silver wear or other household items, always use a cleaner or dip specifically designed to clean silver metal. Never put these items in a dishwasher, because you will scratch the surface and cause irreparable damage.

Garnet – birthstone for the month of January.

Believed to represent faith, loyalty, truth and devotion, garnet is known as the stone of commitment. Most people think of garnet as a single type of gem that is dark red in color. Actually, garnet is a gem family that spans a range of red, green, yellow, orange, purple and brown shades.













Garnet's name comes from the Latin "Granatus," which means "seed-like." Many garnet crystals have the shape and color of pomegranate seeds.













Best known among the garnets are the deep red almandine and pyrope garnets. Their widespread availability makes them extremely affordable (under $40 a carat). In recent years rhodolite, a mix of almandine and pyrope, has become increasingly popular and is found in light to dark pink to purplish red, even grape. Rare garnets as the green colored tsavorite, can cost several hundreds of dollars per cart.













Buying Tips


Color is most important when determining the value of garnet. Lively, bright colors command higher prices than gems that are too light or dark. Better quality garnets are usually eye clean and very high clarity (not many inclusions) under magnification. Also watch out for synthetic imitations in lower priced jewelry.

Folklore
There are many ancient traditions and legends about garnets. According to the Egyptians, garnet is an antidote for snakebite and food poisoning. Some Hebrew writers include it as one of the 12 gems in Aaron’s breastplate. Christian tradition long considered the blood-red garnet symbolic of Christ's sacrifice. The Koran holds that it illuminates the Fourth Heaven of the Moslems. Garnet was said to give its wearer guidance in the night allowing him to see when others couldn’t. Legend claims that Noah hung a large garnet in the ark for illumination. Garnet was thought to help the wearer resist melancholy, cure heart palpitations, word off evil spirits, spark creativity and provide a grounding influence.

Care
Clean garnet with warm soapy water and a soft brush. A sonic cleaner can be used for most garnets except for Andradite (Demantoid) garnets because they are softer than other garnets. Do not use a steamer.

The History of Costume Jewelry

There is virtually no difference between costume jewelry and antique jewelry. Costume Jewelry dates back to the 1930s. By the definition of antique that would also make it antique jewelry. However, most jewelry experts have come to agree that antique jewelry predates the 1930s.

Costume Jewelry came into being in the 1930s as a cheap disposable jewelry meant to be worn with a specific outfit, but not meant to be handed down through generations. It was intended to be fashionable for a short period of time, out date itself, and then be repurchased to fit with a new outfit purchase, or with a new fashion style. It became available in large quantities during the 30s.

Cheap jewelry also existed prior to the 1930s. Paste or glass jewelry as far back as the 1700s. The rich had their fine jewelry duplicated for a variety of reasons, using paste or glass stones. By the mid 1800s with the growth of the middle class there were now different levels of jewelry being manufactured using fine, semi-precious and base materials. Fine jewelry of gold, diamonds, fine gems such as emeralds and saphires continued to be made. Jewelry from rolled gold, which is a thin layer of gold attached to a base metal, entered the market for the middle class. This jewelry was often set with semi-precious gems such as amethyst, coral or pearls, and was much more affordable. And then there was jewelry that most anyone could afford, consisting of glass stones and base metals made to look like gold. All three types were intended to be passed down to future generations.

There are usually clues that can help one identify what era a piece of jewelry is from. Style, material, the type of piece. For example dress clips came in in the 1930s and were out of style by the 1950s. Jewelry reflects styles, designs, colors and stones of the era. For example from 1910 to 1930 silver was the favorite color for metal, so jewelry was found in platinum, white gold, silver or a base metal colored to look like silver. By World War II, gold was popular again but in short supply, since it was vital to the war effort. What gold was available was made into very thin sheets and usually bonded to silver (called vermeil) before being turned into jewelry. By the 1930s rhinestones popularity was ever increasing in Europe. It was not available to the Americans until the 1940s. As a result, many of the pieces from this period tend to feature lots of metal and a single stone or a small cluster of tiny rhinestones.

Today is certainly not much different from past times. We still have fine jewelry, semi precious jewelry, and of course costume jewelry available to us. Costume jewelry can add the finishing touch and show your fashion sense. Costume Jewelry styles of past years are now becoming very fashionable and many are being reproduced. Even with costume jewelry there is a difference in quality. Many of the new pieces do not have the vibrance in the stones or the weight of the older pieces.

Antique and vintage costume jewelry are both fun to collect and fun to wear. No longer is costume jewelry simply "collectable." It is "in style, and" "fashionable," and a terrific conversation starter. Dress to impress!

Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved. Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry,and wedding help. Please visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/