For years now my grandmother and I have met every week for a visit: dinner and scrabble. It’s our tradition. I always stop for fried chicken along the way. It’s wonderful.

This week, after a very close game of scrabble, grandmother suggested we look at her “old” jewelry (she knows I love jewelry). She left the kitchen, returning with a small, marvelously embroidered jewelry box. Delicate, the small jewelry box looked like it held little jewelry.

What a surprise! Grandma’s jewelry box overflowed with gems: amethyst jewelry, CZ, peridot and ruby jewelry, sapphire and turquoise jewelry, pearl, garnet and quartz jewelry. I could go on and on.

It was a jewelry treasure trove! A magic pit of jewelry! Blackbeard’s jewelry booty! Every time I thought the jewelry box empty, grandmother lifted another gemstone, another dazzling specimen.

Grandmother had a story for every brooch and necklace, every bracelet, every set of earrings. We retraced her life through that jewelry. It was beautiful.

We spent hours over that jewelry box, talking and laughing. As I was leaving, I kissed my grandmother’s a cheek as I always do. Before I turned around, she grabbed my hand. From behind her back emerged the jewelry box. ‘I want you to have the jewelry box dear, and don’t say no,’ she pushed the jewelry box into my hands, ‘just remember.’

I was weepy all the way home. I’ve put grandma’s story, her jewelry box, on my mantle where I see it everyday…..remembering.

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Besides being the overindulged adopted daughter of famed Lionel Richie and ex-best friend of Hollywood’s favorite brat-to-hate Paris Hilton, this celebrity watcher/despiser can’t think of a thing that Nicole Richie has actually done.

Sure there was that failed Simple Life sitcom attempt, but again, we all know that if Nicole Richie didn’t have the daddy that she has and Paris Hilton didn’t have the daddy that she has, they’d both probably be hooking down on Hollywood Blvd as we speak.

Of course, recently, poor Nicole Richie’s claim to fame has apparently become anorexia. Not that this is a good thing, but the pop princess has at least made such a spectacle of herself (and taken such a beating in the media) that maybe she will be an example to girls and teens of what not to become….too skinny.

Again I’m blown away by the fact that people like Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton have become famous simply because they come from filthy rich stock. Since when does being a spoiled brat earn a person fame?

Sure a lot of the movie and rock stars are horrible, self-centered, over-indulged snots, but at least they worked for their fame. At least some of those people came from humble beginnings. At least some of them have a vague memory of what it’s like not to have anything and everything you want whenever you want it.

Frankly I’m tired of seeing these Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton lazing at some exotic beach or attending some high powered party. Who the heck are they anyways?

A Hand-Blown Murano Glass Gold Pendant Necklace, would’ve been lovely, by the way. Psst, it’s just $21.99!

There are many types of cross pendants out there. Whether your looking for an Ankh, a Celtic or Claddagh Cross, a Christian cross or something different, you are sure to find what your looking for on eBay.

Cross Pendants can be made out of any kind of material imaginable. Furthermore, each cross carries it’s own symbolism, so the type of cross you choose may reflect both your belief and your style.

Types of Crosses

There are hundreds of different types of crosses. This list provides some of the most common.

Ankh Cross

The Ankh is also known as the Looped Tau Cross, the Key of the Nile and the Ansated Cross. The Ankh cross was the Ancient Egyptian symbol of life.

Canterbury Cross

The Canterbury Cross is used in Anglican Churches. This cross has four arms, each of equal length. Each arm widens at the outer end forming a near circle at the edge. Each arm bears a triangular panel which symbolizes the Trinity. There is a small square at the center of the cross.

Christian Cross

The Christian Cross is also called the Latin cross. This is the most common symbol of Christianity, representing the crucifixion of Jesus.

Coptic Cross

The Coptic Cross is a small circle with four arms of equal length. The angled T shapes in the corner and cross-pieces outward of the Coptic Cross represent nails used in Jesus’ crucifixion.

Greek Cross

The Greek Cross, also known as the crux immissa quadrata, has arms of equal length.

Byzantine Orthodox Cross

The Byzantine Orthodox Cross is used in the Eastern Orthodox Church. This cross has the letters IC XC at the end of the main arms. These letters represent the name of Jesus Christ. The top line of this cross represents the headboard of the crucifix while the bottom, slanted line represents the footrest.

High Cross

The High Cross is also known as a Celtic Crosses. These are commonly worn in Ireland.

Papal Cross

In the Papal Cross, the three cross-bars represent the Roman Catholic Pope’s three duties as Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, and successor of St. Peter.

Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem cross was the emblem of Templar Crusaders. The Jerusalem cross has four arms at equal distances, symbolizing the four directions, and the belief that Jerusalem was the spiritual center of the earth. It also represents the spread of Christ’s message through the four evangelists (Mathew, mark, Luke, and John), who are represented by the four additional “crosslets.”

Patriarchal Cross

The Patriarchal Cross is similar to a traditional Christian cross, but with an additional, smaller crossbar. This crossbar is meant to represent all the Orthodox Christian Archbishops and Patriarchs.

Lorraine Cross

The Lorraine Cross is similar to a patriarchal cross. The difference is, the Lorraine Cross usually has one bar near the bottom and one near the top.

Sun Cross

The Sun Cross is also known as the sunwheel, solar cross or Odin’s cross. The sun cross is a circle divided into four segments.

Tau Cross

The Tau Cross is also known as the Egyptian Cross and Saint Anthony’s Cross. The Tau Cross is shaped like the letter T.

Thieves’ Cross

The Thieves Cross is also known as the Furka Cross. The Thieves Cross is shaped like the letter Y.

Mariner’s Cross

The Mariner’s Cross, also known as St. Clements Cross is in the shape of an anchor.

Whatever cross you choose, make sure to choose one that you love! With so many crosses to choose from, you’re sure to find something you like.

Jewelry which is termed ‘vintage’ includes many decades or eras. Each era has many different designs. These eras include Georgian, Early Victorian, Mid-Victorian, Late Victorian, Arts and Crafts era, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro.

Georgian Jewelry (1714-1837)
Georgian jewelry is handmade, making the quality of each piece variable. Needless to say, Georgian jewelry is very rare. Often featuring nature-inspired designs such as leaves and birds, Georgian jewelry frequently includes precious stones.

Early Victorian, Romantic Jewelry (1837-1850)
Like jewelry of the Georgian era, early Victorian jewelry features nature-inspired designs. Frequently, these designs would be delicately and intricately etched into gold. Lockets and brooches were popular everyday jewelry during the early Victorian era whereas colored gemstones and diamonds were worn during the evening.

Mid-Victorian, Grand Jewelry (1860-1880)
Because the Grand or Mid-Victorian era corresponded with the death of Queen Victoria’s husband, many jewelry pieces have solemn, grave designs. Known as mourning jewelry, the pieces feature heavy, dark stones. Jet, onyx, amethyst, and garnet are frequently found in jewelry from this period. The jewelry also became especially creative during this period. More colorful designs were born featuring shells, mosaics and colorful gemstones.

Late Victorian, Aesthetic Jewelry (1885-1900)
During the Late Victorian or Aesthetic period, jewelers used diamonds and feminine, bright gemstones such as sapphire, peridot, and spinel. Star and crescent designs as well as elaborate hat pins were also popular.

Arts and Crafts Jewelry (1894-1923)
Due to the Industrial Revolution, many jewelry designers rebelled during the Arts and Crafts era, returning to intricate jewelry designs and handmade craftsmanship. It was common for jewelry of this era to be simple in pattern, made of colorful, uncut stones.

Art Nouveau Jewelry (1895-1915)
Designed by Rene Jules Lalique in France and other jewelers in America, Art Nouveau jewelry features natural designs such as flowers and butterflies.

Edwardian Jewelry (1901-1910)
The Edwardian era was born when Queen Victoria died and her son Edward became king. During this period, expensive gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds and rubies and elaborate designs were the fashion.

Art Deco Jewelry (1920-1935)
Influenced by African, Egyptian and Japanese themes, Art Deco jewelry is famous for its geometric designs, sharp lines, and bright colors. Bakelite, celluloid, enamel and doublets were used frequently during this era. Necklaces were long and bracelets were worn many at a time. Amber, Venetian and glass beads, and amber were worn as well as chokers.

Retro Jewelry (1940s)
Inspired by Hollywood, Retro jewelry is colorful, bold and elaborate. Commonly worn were large cocktail rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces and charm bracelets.

Whatever vintage jewelry you choose, whatever era you prefer. Vintage jewelry is a great way to spice up your style and get creative!

Swarovski crystal is recognized as some of the most magnificent crystal made worldwide. Given the brilliance, variety and innovation of Swarovski crystal, its popularity is no surprise.

History of Swarovski Crystal

Swarovski crystal was born when Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In this, Daniel Swarovski created a world of fashion fantasy as he began to cut sparkling facets into crystal.

It can be argued that Daniel Swarovski transformed fashion and beauty forever when he created sparkling Swarovski crystal jewelry.

The beauty of Swarovski crystal is unmatched. Unique cuts and a seemingly endless spectrum of colors set Swarovski crystal apart. Swarovski crystal jewelry enthusiasts can find Swarovski crystal bangles and bracelets, Swarovski crystal earrings, necklaces and pendants, pins, rings and even tiaras.

Discriminating crystal lovers value Swarovski crystal. With incomparable crystal purity the quality of Swarovski crystal is beyond compare.

Whatever Swarovski crystal jewelry you choose, you’re sure to love it!

A pearl necklace is a fashion must: classic, beautiful, and adaptable. Of course, it’s difficult to decide what to buy. From saltwater chokers to an opera necklace, options are vast. That said, here’s a little guide to help you choose your perfect pearl necklace.

Pearls

There are many options available when choosing a pearl necklace. First one must choose whether to buy a necklace of natural or cultured pearls, than decide whether you’d like a saltwater or freshwater necklace. There are also different shapes of pearls to choose from. You can buy a necklace with round or spherical Pearls, symmetrical pearls or baroque or irregularly shaped pearls. The rounder the pearls the more expensive the necklace will be. Although a necklace of baroque pearls would be the least expensive baroque pearls are also beautiful.

Necklace Styles

Here’s a list of necklace styles to help you navigate your necklace search:

• Choker: A choker is 14″ to 16″ long. Chokers sit on the base of the neck
• Princess Necklace: A princess necklace is 18″ long. It is between choker and matinee length
• Matinee Necklace: A matinee necklace is 22″ to 23″ long. It should sit at the top of cleavage
• Opera Necklace: An opera necklace is 30″ to 36″ long and should sit at the breastbone
• Sautoir or Rope Necklace: A sautoir or rope necklace is any necklace longer than opera length
• Dog Collar: A dog collar necklace consist of multiple strands of pearls that lay close to the neck
• Bib Necklace: A bib necklace is multiple strands of stepped pearls.

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• Graduated Necklace: In a graduated necklace, larger pearls in the middle gradually become smaller toward the clasp
• Uniform Necklace: Here, the pearls appear to be all the same size, although normally there is a slight difference towards the ends so they appear to be in proportion

Whatever pearl necklace you choose, you’re sure to love it. A pearl necklace is a classic enduring piece of jewelry.

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!