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What is White Gold

White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals including silver and palladium. Like yellow gold, white gold can be 18kt, 14kt, 9kt or any karat.

Just like 18kt yellow gold which is 75% gold mixed with 25% of other metals like copper and zinc, 18kt white gold is 75% gold mixed with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium.

What Constitutes White Gold

The properties of the white gold vary dependant metals and proportions used. As a result, white gold alloys can be used for different purposes. Whereas a white gold, nickel* alloy is hard, strong and great for rings and pins, white gold palladium alloys are soft, pliable and great for gemstone settings.

*Although nickel was traditionally used in white gold, it can cause skin reactions. Now white gold is commonly made with other white metals.

White Gold Jewelry

You can find all sorts of white gold jewelry. From pins and brooches to necklaces, chains, bracelets and rings, beautiful white gold jewelry is easy to find. White gold wedding bands and engagement rings are also becoming increasingly popular.

Taking Care of White Gold

White gold rings are coated with Rhodium. Rhodium is similar to platinum and shares many its properties including its white color. Because the natural color of white gold is light grey, rhodium plating makes white gold whiter. Since rhodium eventually wears away, white gold should be re-rhodium plated every 12 to 18 months.
Whatever white gold you choose, however you choose to buy it, white gold is beautiful. Get what you want and enjoy!

Millefiori, also known as ‘1000 flowers is a glass design characterized by a mosaic flowerlike pattern. The Millefiori technique is used to make pendants, beads, paperweights and other glass products. The most popular Millefiori item is a pendant

History of Millefiori Pendants

Millefiori Pendants are made using murrine, or slender, multicolored glass canes. Murrine are fused together to create Millefiori pendants. The use of murrine rods can be traded back to Ancient Rome, Phoenician and Alexandrine times though the Millefiori technique was developed in Murano, Italy in the 15th century.

The Millefiori technique was created by altering another glassmaking method. Until the 15th century, glassmakers were producing beads from Rosetta canes. Rosetta canes have a center hole. The technique involves layering six layers of glass (white, blue, white, brick red, white then blue) over a hollow cane creating patterns of 5 concentric stars with twelve points. Beads are created when Rosetta canes are chopped. Millefiori was born when glassmakers produced Rosetta using a cane with no hole. Millefiori is made using a seemingly endless amount of colors and layers.

Creating a Millefiori Pendant

To create a Millefiori pendant, glass rod is coated with layers of different colored glass. This creates the intricate Millefiori design. The rod is furnace heated to fuse the layers of glass. After re-heating, the rod is pulled very thin. The trick is to maintain the original Millefiori design. After cooling, the rod is sliced then placed in metal rings, creating the Millefiori pendant.

Creating a Millefiori pendant is an extensive process. Each Millefiori pendant is handmade one by one making every Millefiori pendant one of a kind. Millefiori pendants come in many styles and sizes. They’re beautiful!

Whichever Millefiori pendant you buy, you’re sure to love it!

Scarlett Johansson took a fashion dive at a recent film festival in Venice, Italy. Venice, Italy of all places!

You’d think the famous Scarlett Johansson would know better than to swathe herself in 80’s horrors at an Italian opening. Of course one never knows with celebrities. Maybe Scarlett Johansson was priming the audience for the Black Dahlia.

Heavens knows her outfit sent chills up my spine. If Scarlett Johansson needed fashion advice, she should’ve come to me.

Dressed in a zig-zaggity shirt/poncho/potato sack weaved in ‘lose your lunch’ hues, granny bra fit to burst, poofy pre-teen denim shorts and a pair of ‘toto take me home’ flats, Scarlett Johansson’s outfit was (literally) to die for. And the jewelry, Scarlett Johansson ’s jewelry!

Well the faux gold chain Scarlett Johansson wore just didn’t cut it. Of course, in all fairness, I would have been challenged to think of an accessory to redeem Scarlett Johansson and her clothes. The bad fashion of Scarlett Johansson was a blow to every American woman’s reputation. What will the Italian men think of us now Scarlett? Miss Johansson? What will they think of us now!

Thanks a lot Ms. Scarlett Johansson for making us all look bad.

Although most sapphires are blue, there are also pink sapphires, yellow sapphires, orange sapphires white sapphires, purple sapphires as well as rare star sapphires and Padparadsha sapphires.  Sapphires are highly valuable, fancy stones.  In fact, sapphires are so treasured that Prince Charles himself presented Princess Diana with a Sapphire upon their engagement.

About Sapphires

Sapphires belong to the corundum group.  This makes sapphires different from other gemstones because they’re extremely hard, registering at a grade 9 on the Mohs’ scale. Diamonds, the earth’s hardest mineral, are the only gemstones harder then sapphires.  Sapphires hardness makes them a practical and easy to care for gemstone. 

The corundum group consists of pure aluminum oxide.  The pressure and heat of the ground causes this aluminum oxide to crystallize into beautiful white gemstones.   Tiny amounts of other minerals such as iron and chrome give sapphires their blue, red, yellow, pink or greenish color.

Rubies are also part of the corundum group.  For years experts debated what constituted sapphires until it was decided that ruby-red sapphires would be “Rubies” and all other colors would be “Sapphires.”  Sapphires are found in India, Burma, Ceylon, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil and Africa.

You can find rings with sapphires, bracelets with sapphires, sapphire necklaces, or pendants.  Sapphires can also be bought as solitary stones.  Sapphires are a beautiful stone with endless possibilities!

Cubic zirconia is a stellar diamond substitute. Because it’s hard and sparkly, cubic zirconia is great for those who don’t want to buy a pricey diamond.

Even better, now they’re making cubic zirconia (CZ) in a bunch of colors so we can buy cubic zirconia instead of emeralds, rubies, sapphires or other mind-blowingly expensive rocks.

What’s the Difference: Cubic Zirconia vs. Fancy Gemstones

There are lots of differences between the pricey gemstones and cubic zirconia. This isn’t a bad thing though. Take diamonds for example. Cubic zirconia looks almost perfect and diamonds have flaws making cubic zirconia way more intense than diamonds or other fancy stones. That said, don’t pretend your wearing a diamond when it’s really a cubic zirconia because you’ll embarrass yourself. Even though cubic zirconia and diamonds are both colorless, they don’t look alike. You can tell if someone is wearing a cubic zirconia or a diamond. The same applies for colored cubic zirconia. If you’re wearing a green cubic zirconia ring, don’t expect it to look like emerald. Most likely, the cubic zirconia will be brighter and prettier.

Personally, I love cubic zirconia. Just think, we can buy affordable cubic zirconia jewelry that’s prettier than the real thing!

Recently I was asked by a reader what kind of wire to use in making a charm ring. I had forgotten how difficult choosing the right gauge of wire really is. Although there are few rules set in stone, I thought I would provide you with some basic wire information to help you on your way to jewelry making. Of course, the more comfortable you become with working with wire, the more you should feel free to experiment. Making jewelry is fun and creative, so have fun and get creative!

Wire Hardness

There are three different forms of wire hardness. These are dead soft, half-hard, and full-hard.

Dead soft wire is extremely soft and pliable. It can be bent with your hands. Dead soft wire is great for wire-sculpted jewelry but shouldn’t be used with large or heavy stones. Also, remember that dead soft wire is significantly more fragile than a harder wire.

Half-hard wire is slightly harder than dead soft wire. This is because it has been pulled through a draw plate. A draw plate is a tool. The draw plate has holes the same size and shape of the wire.

Full-hard wire is pulled through the draw plate more times than the half-hard wire making it stiffer and sturdier. The harder the wire, the more tools you will need to manipulate it.

Wire Shape

Wire comes in a variety of shapes. These include round, square, and half-round. Although round wire tends to be more versatile, square and half-round wire is wonderful too. Half round wire is often wrapped around other pieces of wire to connect them whereas square wire is great for wire-wrapping projects.

Wire Size

There are many different wire sizes. The higher the gauge number, the smaller the wire is in diameter. For example, a 20 gauge piece of wire thicker than a 24 gauge piece of wire. In the United States, wire is measured in gauge while wire size is measured in millimeters in most European countries. Below is just a basic list.

26 – 24 gauge (.40mm - .50mm)
This size wire is great for beads with tiny holes. An ounce of 26 gauge wire gives you about 76 feet of wire whereas an ounce of 24 gauge wire gives you about 48 feet of wire.

22 – 21 gauge (.65mm - .71mm)
22 and 21 gauge wire is a necessity to have around as they are pretty thick and can be used with most beads. One ounce of 22 gauge wire gives you about 31 feet whereas one ounce of 21 gauge wire is about 24 feet of wire.

20 gauge (.80mm)
This is a thick wire. 20 gauge wire is great for making clasps and other pieces of jewelry which need to be strong but still easy to work with. One ounce of 20 gauge wire gives you about 19 feet.

Try out different kinds of wire for different projects to get a sense of what you like. Make your own style and most of all, have a great time!

Once you get comfortable with assembling an Italian charm bracelet, the process is quick and simple.  To begin, you may want to use a tool to hold the links open while adding an Italian charm to your Italian charm bracelet. Tools designed for Italian charm bracelets are available, but a nail file or another strong, small tool will also work well.

Begin with either a starter Italian charm bracelet or a partially assembled Italian charm bracelet. The Italian charms are attached to a loop on the back of the Italian charm bracelet. In order to add the Italian charm, you need to expand the Italian charm bracelet links outward, pressing down with your thumb to keep it in place.

First, hold the Italian charm bracelet in the palm of your hand leaving your index finger and thumb free. Grasp the opposite end of the Italian charm bracelet with the other hand and pull to stretch the links. The links will not break! This exposes the hooks to which the charms are attached.

Press down firmly on the Italian charm bracelet with your left hand to hold the links open. For a first time starter Italian charm bracelet you’ll begin at the last link on the right side. The link opening is on each Italian charms left side. Slide the Italian charm onto the end of the Italian charm bracelet while holding the link open.

Italian Charm Bracelet: Removing Links

To remove links, hold the Italian charm bracelet in your left hand. Allow your index finger and thumb to remain free. Grasp the opposite end of the Italian charm bracelet and pull outward.  Your hands should be horizontal. Loops on the back of each charm link allow you to hook charms on or off.  Using your right hand, slide the charm to the right then push the right link toward the bottom to remove it. The charm will slide downward and then off your Italian charm bracelet.

Rearranging Italian charm bracelets is fun.  Have a blast!

A lariat necklace is a very, very long necklace. Because a lariat necklace is a long, clasp less strand of gems, pearls or beads, a girl can twist, tie and knot her lariat necklace however she likes. The lariat necklace is a wonderfully adaptable accessory. Wear your lariat necklace one way for sophistication then wear your lariat necklace another way for funkiness. A lariat necklace is a must have!

Of course, even as concerns a lariat necklace, there can be a catch.

Fabulous Party: Fabulous Lariat Necklace

In honor of the Emmys, a friend of mine threw a faux-emmy party. I was delighted to dress elegantly. I wore a floor-skimming dress with plunging back. A beautiful lariat necklace streamed down my back. I looked fabulous as did the lariat necklace.

Falling For a Lariat Necklace

Well, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. This was one of those times. Half way through the party, I passed a beautiful, towering orchid arrangement when the end of my lariat necklace got caught in the flowers. The lariat necklace brought me down and the gigantic arrangement down! Thank goodness my head wasn’t in the way because the arrangement came crashing down after me!

There was quite a fuss. It took 6 women to disentangle the lariat necklace before I could move from the puddle of dirt, water and orchid remains in which I lay. My dress and hair were ruined. The lariat necklace was ruined. Once again, it’ll take me ages to redeem my ‘decked out diva’ reputation.

Of course, nobody’s perfect. Not even the perfect lariat necklace.

Murano glass beads are arguably the most stunningly fabulous beads in the world. Considering the intricate designs, brilliant colors and careful craftsmanship of Murano glass beads, it’s no wonder the world loves Murano glass beads. Murano glass beads are gorgeous!

The creation of Murano glass beads is a labor of love. The most famous Murano glass beads are made one by one. With this method, colored cane is heated to a molten state and wrapped around a metal rod until the bead is formed. Several layers of colored glass are applied for the perfect effect. Finally, the glass bead is cooled and removed from the rod. Murano glass beads are crafted with the utmost care.

There are many different Murano glass beads. The most popular murano glass beads are Chevron, Wedding Cake, Millefiore and Venetian Foil. These designs boast widely different styles. Whereas a Murano Chevron bead is distinguished by red, white blue zig-zags, Murano glass Wedding Cake beads are decorated with intricate glass overlays featuring roses, swirls and dots. Murano Millefiore glass beads are vibrant and abstract while Venetian Foil beads are elegant and sophisticated, fusing vivid color with gold and silver foil.

Whichever Murano glass beads you choose, you can be sure it will be beautiful. Murano glass beads are always unique and crafted with the utmost care.

Earrings are not just a decoration; they reflect our personality and style. Earrings are an accessory staple.

There are two basic types of earrings: pierced and clip-on. Of course, there’s a wide selection of earring styles within these two categories of earrings. Common styles of pierced earrings include hoop earrings, stud earrings, chandelier earrings, dangle earrings, button earrings, and droplet earrings among others. Many pierced earrings attach to the earlobe with a wire rather than a post.

Though they have recently made a comeback, clip-on earrings were relegated to relative uselessness in the 1970’s to because of pierced earrings popularity. Clip-on earrings clip to the ear with a spring attachment or screw-in post.

Earrings can made of any number of materials. Whether you’re looking for precious metal earrings such as gold, silver, or platinum, gemstone or beaded earrings you’re sure to be able to find the earrings you’re looking for.

Find Earrings on eBay

Once you know the earrings you want, search under eBay jewelry & watches category.

• Categories: The primary Categories give links to related listings. If you search for jewelry & watches, you’ll find links to Earrings, Necklaces & Pendants, Rings and other categories. There are also subcategory lists.
• Product Finder: The drop-down menus on a Product Finder allow you to search listings based on specific criteria.
• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find diamond earring, type “diamond earrings” (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click “Search title and description” to expand your results. eBay also has a Search Tips page to help you choose keywords.

If you can’t find the earrings you want, try shopping eBay Stores for earrings. You can also creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay. eBay will email you when a match is made.

Buy Earrings with Confidence

Before purchasing your earrings, make sure you know exactly what you’re buying. Always research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know Your Earrings

• Read the earring details carefully.
• Figure delivery costs into your earrings final price. Make sure the seller will insure the earrings when they ship.
• If you want more information, ask by clicking the “Ask seller a question” link under the seller’s profile.
• Always complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Earrings bought outside of eBay won’t be covered by eBay protection programs.
• Never pay for your earrings using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram.

Know Your Earrings Seller

• Research your seller so you feel secure about buying earrings.
• What’s the seller’s Feedback rating for purchases of earrings? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?
• What do buyers of earrings say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?
• Most top eBay sellers have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee for your earrings? What are their terms and conditions for buying earrings?

Earrings Buyer Protection

• ebay and PayPal are there for you if a problem arises while purchasing your earrings.
• When you buy earrings through PayPal, the seller never sees your bank account or credit card numbers. PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments. PayPal Buyer Protection covers your earrings purchase for up to $1,000.
• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay’s quick and efficient resolution tools.

Whatever earrings you choose, they make a special statement. Get the earrings you want and enjoy!