Posts Tagged ‘fashion jewelry’

Having grown up immersed in south Asian culture, I came to be familiar with jewelry as a standard accessory and essential part of a woman’s expressive identity. In my culture, women adorn themselves with precious jewels as readily as one would put on their wristwatch here in the west. Upon moving to the United States as a young woman, I discovered that jewelry is looked upon as a luxury, usually bestowed upon a woman by her significant other, and only on special or rare occasions.

Of course, I am referring to fine jewelry, as opposed to the fashion and costume jewelry that often fills the display cases at most department stores. In fact, in countries like India and my homeland of Sri Lanka, anything less than 22KT gold is not considered “real” jewelry, and wearing and collecting pieces of fine jewelry begins at an early age. My first pair of earrings, a pair of 22KT gold hoops that I still own, were in my ears at the age of six months old. Yes, six months old! No self-respecting south Asian girl would ever leave the house without accessorizing her ears, even in infancy.

My first introduction to American culture, as it pertains to jewelry, began at the age of sixteen when I was working at a jewelry store in the mall in Connecticut. In stark contrast to my own upbringing, I discovered that getting pierced ears was almost considered to be risqué and was often discouraged by parents, in young girls. I watched with fascination as little girls came into the store with their mothers, begging to get their ears pierced. More times then not, the parent would respond with the notion that their daughter was still too young.

The concept seemed foreign (no pun intended) after coming from a culture where almost every young girl has pierced ears by her first birthday. Another fact that came as a surprise to me is that, in general, western women and girls do not buy their own jewelry. Instead they hope that their boyfriend, fiancée or husband will surprise them with a beautiful piece of jewelry for a special occasion. Popular dates include birthdays, Christmas and of course, Valentine’s Day. Back home in Sri Lanka, it does not occur to us to wait for our significant other to buy us a piece of jewelry.

In regions like Sri Lanka and India, women are foremost consumers of jewelry, purchasing everything from simple baubles to extravagant pricey pieces that can be passed down to younger generations. From an outside perspective, it is fascinating that in the United States, a country that celebrates individualism and empowerment, even in the year 2007, women still do not feel empowered to make their own jewelry purchases. American women do not think twice about pulling out their credit card for a five hundred dollar pair of designer shoes or a designer handbag, yet when it comes to jewelry they are still desperately hoping to be presented with the proverbial “little blue box.”

Recently, a successful marketing campaign introduced the concept of the “right hand ring,” a diamond ring that women can buy for themselves as a reward for their own achievements; one that would be worn on their right hand, free of social stigma. This campaign went one step further, pushing the idea that a woman no longer has to wait for a man to buy her that much coveted diamond ring. This begs the question, why should we wait for anyone to buy us jewelry?? Instead of wasting hundreds of dollars on disposable costume jewelry, why don’t we indulge ourselves and buy the investment pieces that can be enjoyed over the course of our lifetime, and then handed down to our daughters and granddaughters? And why limit our own jewelry purchases to just the “right hand ring?”

American cultural norms seem to dictate that the diamond ring ought to be the main investment piece of jewelry in a woman’s collective assets and in her life. There are, in fact, so many beautifully crafted and diverse options to choose from.

It was during my own quest to find the right jewelry for my wedding that inspired my jewelry line, Crysobel. I wanted jewelry that would commemorate my special day and would also reflect and express a combination of my eastern roots and my current urban lifestyle. I certainly did not expect my wonderful Dutch fiancée to be able to meet my specific requirements in this area. As a modern day woman, I knew exactly what I was looking for, and after an exhaustive search I realized it did not exist.

I decided to design my own wedding jewelry and the seeds of the Crysobel Jewelry Line were sewn. During my initial quest to design and craft my own jewelry line, I was reminded once again how unusual it is for women to buy their own jewelry. It was then that I decided to commit fully to Crysobel. I chose to design a line that was not only a reflection of my aesthetics and cultural background, but one that would also introduce a new perspective into what people associate with women buying, collecting and investing in fine handcrafted jewelry.

My customers tend to be confident, fashion forward and independent women who choose to invest in finely crafted jewelry and who understand that a pair of fabulous 18K gold and ruby chandelier earrings can just as easily be worn with a pair of jeans and wedges as it can with a silky slip cocktail dress. They know that they deserve to enjoy their jewelry on a daily basis, and that they deserve it. I try to design my pieces accordingly, to afford customers all of the flexibility they could ever want in an “investment” piece.

After all, who wants to invest in an exquisitely designed piece of jewelry, only to keep it locked up in a vault and pulled out for the rare dressy occasion? Life is too short…every moment of our lives should be viewed as a red carpet event.

Gaitri Chandra Raj is a San Francisco based jewelry designer and owner of the 18K gold and precious gemstone handcrafted jewelry collection, Crysobel – http://www.crysobel.com

Author: Gaitri Chandra Raj
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Creating masterpieces on jewelry is child’s play for the Italian designers who spend their valuable time in sketching the designs and then applying them on the metals. Gold is said to be the frequently used metal on which their creativity speaks the language of royalty. Right from the trendy jewelries to the traditional ones, it is an Italian designer who can best mold the metals. For the women of today jewelry indeed is a concept of something funky and fashionable with the least intrusion of the bells and charms that were used as the decorative. Gold, which was once regarded as the jewelry for the D-day occasions has now turned to be a regular wear. Fashion changes color with time and the tastes of women also roll along with it. With the attempt to feed the needs of this change in fashion, designers are also storming their brains. Fashion jewelry for this matter always has an edge over the traditional and the so-called outdated ones. Italian designers have already earned the praise for their creativity right from the beginning of history and now they are just trying to modify it by producing something unique for the multi-tasking women of today.

The height of experimentation with the metals and the jewelries is carrying the designers to such an extent that they are trying to produce something exquisite by molding steel and ceramic also. They have delivered almost a mentionable change in the function and usages of the unique material that hardly had any implication in jewelry making. Coral is also often used in making designer jewelry. In fact the marriages between the coral and ceramic jewelry created by the Italian designers can look awesome and trendy on any woman irrespective of her skin color. You can get to see the sample of such an interesting piece of work with Vivace jewelry which on purchase can be shipped to the address given free of cost. These modern designers can custom make the jewelry for your make over.

They also present some of the excellent collection on the rings and bracelets that can even look attractive on the men. Fashionable jewelry that the teenagers and the office goers love to put on is mostly light and cheaper. The risk that they try to avoid while in precious jewelry items can easily be avoided when they are wearing cheap fashionable jewelry designed by the Italian designers. These designers are trying their best to show their craftsmanship through the magic effects that they can produce with the help of ceramic, coral along with other imitation metals. Color is a primary factor when ceramic jewelry is concerned. These jewelries have to be painted according to the need of the stylish women of today. Pearl can also be an excellent element to be used up as pendant. The creative brain of the designer decides the style in which it has to be inserted. The designers can use ceramic to create excellent pieces of necklace, bracelets and earrings. There is a lot of scope to experiment with the earrings as they are small and can be shaped in any way you feel like.

The best part of the Italian jewelry is that the designers posses the capacity to make any dull metal graceful, with their touch. This group of Midas is innovative in whatever metal or material they work on. Sterling silver can add a new meaning so that it can tell the untold story. Silver existed long back but moving with time is a wise decision and jewelry is just a part of such movement. Colored ornamental earrings are effective when they are hand glazed. The working women of today love to put on only that particular type of jewelry that can glorify them and make them look awesome. The Italian jewelries are also unparallel when it comes to designing of costume jewelry and vintage jewelry. It is only a sketch that produces the ultimate magic shining on the curves of women’s body. Wedding ceremonies are absolutely incomplete without the junk fusion collections with the glittering stones of increasing denominations studded on them in ascending order. Amethyst glass crystal beads are heavy and produce an elegant look when they are put on with orange or saffron apparels. They present a sense of holiness, which gets reflected on the face of the woman wearing it. The Italian Designers are also expert in creating designs on brooches.

These were used long before but with the change in style their uses have diminished and hence, the designers are trying to recreate them by giving some different forms, shapes and sizes to them. Gold items in 14 to 22 carats are light. They are simply just capable of attracting any women. They look ethnic and have the fragrance of elegance. The Italian designers have also experienced art while playing with the white gold, which is precious and unique in itself with the touch of elegance. Crystals are auspicious for they reflect the light that falls on them and also makes you glow. It is the Italian jewelry designers who can make fruitful use of the crystals.

They can use it simply by hanging beautiful crystals with the prominent edges from a chocker or can gather various colors of it to create a multi-colored crystal necklace. Leather is modified with cutter convenience to make the bracelets for the teenage boys and girls. In fact, bracelets more like the bangles can produce an exclusiveness that is desired by everyone. Body piercing jewelry can also have a major outlet in the form of the nose rings, naval rings and eyebrow rings. Though they are not of much artistic value yet to make them unique some amount of design definitely has to be inserted. Fashionable jewelries that are used in matching with the apparels are mostly made up of cheap metals, which the working women prefer the most. So, most of the Italian designer jewelries for regular use are being created on these types of imitation or easily available materials.

Ivan is online retailer of Designer Jewelry (http://www.vivace-jewelry.com) and other exclusively designed women accessories. You can read more about Gift Ideas (http://vivace-jewelry.blogspot.com) at Ivans Blog. You can get in touch with him at ivan@vivace-jewelry.com

Author: Ivan Liu
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The pink city of Jaipur glitters with the fascinating and fine jewelry. The gems and stones of Jaipur are famous all over the world. When it comes to traditional Indian jewelry all the International buyers prefer Jaipur.

Whether it is gemstones, traditional gold jewelry, antique silver jewelry, contemporary diamond jewelry or Indian costume jewelry, Jaipur is the hub for all kind of jewelry. The artisans of Jaipur craft the jewelry in such a beautiful manner that each piece turns out to be a unique creation in itself. One can get the traditional silver jewelry of Jaipur, which has designs in bangles, anklets, necklaces and many others.

The jewelers in Jaipur spell the name of perfection. They provide fine jewelry at affordable prices. As most of the jewelers in Jaipur are themselves manufacturers this makes them wholesale jewelers, so one can get the jewelry at very reasonable prices. Jewelry is something in which one never wants to make a compromise on quality. The jewelers in Jaipur are known for their up to the mark quality standards.

Any kind of jewelry is easily available with the jewelers of Jaipur. One can find jewelry in beads, colored stones jewelry, fashion jewelry, ethnic and regional jewelry and also designer jewelry. One can fall short of selection but they will never fall short with their variety. Jaipur is also famous for the precious and semi-precious stones like, diamond, topaz, etc. The jewelers in Jaipur deal in all of them. The jewelers in Jaipur also deal in Indian gemstones. Here one can get the real gemstones. One can get rings crafted in these gemstones with the base of silver, gold or other metals.

The designs in jewelry are also the best. There are many unique designs in necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings, nose rings, earrings, so all type of jewelry is available with them. The jewelry is specially handcrafted which makes it unique in style. You can get Kundan jewelry also, which is exclusive to the jewelers of Jaipur. Jaipur really spells jewelry.

Amit Verma is with Web development company in india and writes about jewelers in Jaipur who made silver jewelry, gold jewelry and costume jewelery with their finest Indian art.

Author: Amit Verma
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Jewelry has made significant impressions on society dating back to ancient times. In ancient civilizations, gold was considered a preferred luxury metal because did not tarnish and was shapeable. Jewelry personified natural forms such as shells, plant life, and animals. Significant advances in style became increasingly evident with the setting of pearls and gemstones in shiny metals. Jewelry was worn in the form of necklaces, bracelets, pendants, earrings, and wreathes.

During Medieval Times, jewelry was widely adorned and worn by various levels of society. Brooches, pendants and pins with religious motifs were very popular during this period. Jewelry became so popular, sumptuary laws were created to limit lower levels of society from wearing gold and silver jewelry.

15th – 17th Centuries

Fake pearls and enamels became increasingly acceptable and were mass produced. These items were typically worn during the daytime as substitute for finer jewelry. Fine jewelry was kept for evening wear. Diamonds increased in popularity as well. The invention of the prong setting enhanced the brilliance of the diamond; therefore, expanding its allure with the upper-classes.

Victorian Era

The Victorian Era was an important advancement for Jewelry as an art form. Artistic expression became more apparent in fashion and jewelry. The early Victorian years were referred to as the Romantic period. The Romantic period emphasized dreams and emotions as inspiration for artistic expression. Morning brooches were a staple of this period. The hair of a loved one was intertwined within a pin, pendant, or brooch to make a sentimental piece of jewelry.

Mass production of jewelry lowered its luster with Victorians as importation of jewelry began from North America to Europe; thus, the beginning of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Arts and Crafts guilds were smaller jeweler associations, but provided higher quality jewelry and intricate artwork in design.

Early 20th Century

The Art Nouveau Movement was derived from the Arts and Crafts movement. It started in Paris and spread to North America. Asymmetrical and flowing lines inspired natural designs. Among these natural designs, floral and female forms were very popular. This period has a continuous influence on Jewelry design.

1930 to 1940

The reinstatement of mass produced jewelry followed the Art Nouveau Movement. This type of jewelry was meant to be worn selectively as an accessory to specific outfits. Two designers, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli masterminded accessorizing fine and costume jewelry with day to day fashion. Vermeil jewelry was popular, but in short supply from war efforts. Rhinestones popularity increased.

1950′s

Hollywood’s flamboyance and glamour influence spread across continents. Engrained with it was costume jewelry on the silver screen. The styles and look of the stars quickly spread and was widely accepted across the world. The emergence of the middle class in America increased the demand for costume jewelry. This encouraged technical advances in mass production methods.

Today’s era has brought a creative culmination of styles to fashion jewelry, both timeless and trendy. Many celebrities have caught the wave by designing their own lines. Tori Spelling and Suzanne Somers are among a few. The fashion Jewelry industry is now a multi-billion dollar industry.

Jewelry is much more eclectic in today’s era. Pieces are made by many different stones, textures, colors, various lengths, or metals. Jewelry is sold in large department stores, restaurants, gift shops, jewelry parties, and boutiques.

Fashion jewelry adds a splash of pizazz to attire no matter the occasion. Most importantly, fashion jewelry is fun! It is fun to shop for jewelry, sell jewelry, collect jewelry, and of course, show it off.

J. Goodin, Inc. is a jewelry wholesaler with more than 25 years in the Fashion Jewelry business, distributing products to boutiques, gift shops, jewelry stores, and online retailers around the world. For more information about fashion jewelry, please visit http://www.jgoodin.com

Author: Ralph A. Gonzalez
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