The Types and Purposes of Jewellery Findings
Speaking broadly, jewellery findings are the component parts or the materials that are used in jewellery making. However, there are different types of jewellery findings and they each serve a particular purpose, be it functional or aesthetic. If you are considering entering the world of jewellery making, it is wise to familiarise yourself with a few of the different types that you can obtain from suppliers, or recycle from old jewellery.Functional jewellery findings are, as their name suggests, the ‘mechanics’ of the creation of a piece of jewellery. They are designed mainly for constructive purposes, such as linking, joining or attaching different components of a piece together. The brooch back, for example, is an assembly comprising of a joint, a catch and a pin-stem that can be attached to an item, such as a brooch, either by gluing or soldering. A catch is designed to accept and lock a top wire or even a pin-stem. Used on its own, the catch is an essential piece of equipment when making necklaces and bracelets, as it forms the closing mechanism that holds the item in place.Earrings occasionally use a wire finding shaped like the Greek letter ‘omega’. This ‘omega clip’ is used as a clip earring finding, pivoting in one end of a yoke or joint attached to the earring itself.Decorative jewellery findings add an aesthetic quality to a piece of jewellery. There are countless decorative findings available, but you may commonly encounter charms, filigrees and festoons. Charms are the miniature findings that dangle from bracelets and necklaces. Often shaped to look like animals or tokens of wealth, they are usually made from gold or silver. Filigree is an ornamental form of bent wire that can be soldered into intricate designs, while festoons are usually the centrepiece of a necklace, formed by a pendant with rings on either side through which the chain can be attached.Hybrid jewellery findings are a combination of the two, serving a mechanical function, yet adding depth or decoration to a piece at the same time. Common examples of hybrid jewellery findings include bead caps, bracelet links and locket bails. A bead cap is a metal embellishment that is placed on a bead to mask any damage that has occurred during the drilling of the bead. These can be made from filigree to add an extra layer of decoration to the piece. Bracelet links are generally made from metal and have loops at either end to link with other rings or connectors. Locket bails are bails specifically designed to connect lockets to a chain. A bail is generally oval or ‘D’ – shaped in design and slides onto the chain without the need for soldering. This can also referred to as clip-on bail.There are many further types of jewellery findings that are used for a variety of purposes in the world of jewellery. The best way to research them and their uses is to develop your skills as a jewellery maker.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Adding Some Razzle to Your Dazzle Incorporating Gemstones in Jewellery Making
Adding Some Razzle to Your Dazzle Incorporating Gemstones in Jewellery Making
Jewellery making is an art form, and the incorporation of gemstones into jewellery goes back thousands of years. But gemstones don’t necessarily mean top end diamonds or rubies – there are a whole range of gemstones that can be used by jewellery makers for very little initial cost.Suppliers of gemstones recognise that their products can be used in any form of jewellery, from rings to broaches, necklaces to earrings. The possibilities are only limited by the creator’s imagination. There are so many shapes and sizes to choose from, it may be a little daunting at first glance, but if you plan your piece of jewellery carefully, there is bound to be a gemstone to fit.The first thing to do is to decide exactly what kind of piece you want to create. Once you have decided on that, you can then narrow your field of choice down regarding shape and size. If you are making a broach with an inlay gemstone setting, a cabochon of any precious or semi-precious gemstone can easily be fitted into a corresponding blank mounting. A popular combination is silver and turquoise, giving a beautiful finish for a budget price.Most silver and gold findings can be bought from jewellery suppliers. Good suppliers will also carry a range of gemstones that are designed to fit their selection of mountings. To use gemstones in your jewellery making, you need only a few simple tools and a lot of imagination. If you’re really serious about gemstones, you can purchase the uncut stones and build up your workshop to include tumblers, polishers, diamond-tipped drills and other jeweller’s tools to create your own, unique results. If you are intending to produce a quantity of gemstone jewellery, the initial outlay of equipment will soon pay dividends, as the uncut gemstones are far cheaper than the cut ones.Semi-precious gemstones can also be bought as beads, combined with delicate silver spacers and created into beautiful, elegant jewellery. A particular favourite is the deep blue azure of Lapis Lazuli with its golden flecks and shimmering iridescence.Creating stylish and unique jewellery is far easier than you think. By incorporating gemstones into your designs, you can even make birthstone-specific jewellery for a particularly individual gift. Each zodiac sign has corresponding gemstones, most of which are relatively common and fairly cheap. Even the more expensive stones, such as emeralds and sapphires, can be cheaper than you expected, especially if you choose a stone that is perhaps of a lower quality, but has its own raw beauty.The important thing to remember when venturing into the world of gemstones for the first time is to shop around. There are plenty of suppliers in the market, and there are bargains to be had, particularly if you are willing to do a little work on the stone yourself. Don’t be afraid to experiment – if you’re not happy with the results, you can always dismantle the piece and incorporate the gem into a different setting or even a completely different design.Gemstones never go out of fashion, so take a look around jewellery fairs to pick up inspiration and ideas for your own work, and in no time you’ll be adding your own, unique gemstone designs into your jewellery making.
Jewellery making is an art form, and the incorporation of gemstones into jewellery goes back thousands of years. But gemstones don’t necessarily mean top end diamonds or rubies – there are a whole range of gemstones that can be used by jewellery makers for very little initial cost.Suppliers of gemstones recognise that their products can be used in any form of jewellery, from rings to broaches, necklaces to earrings. The possibilities are only limited by the creator’s imagination. There are so many shapes and sizes to choose from, it may be a little daunting at first glance, but if you plan your piece of jewellery carefully, there is bound to be a gemstone to fit.The first thing to do is to decide exactly what kind of piece you want to create. Once you have decided on that, you can then narrow your field of choice down regarding shape and size. If you are making a broach with an inlay gemstone setting, a cabochon of any precious or semi-precious gemstone can easily be fitted into a corresponding blank mounting. A popular combination is silver and turquoise, giving a beautiful finish for a budget price.Most silver and gold findings can be bought from jewellery suppliers. Good suppliers will also carry a range of gemstones that are designed to fit their selection of mountings. To use gemstones in your jewellery making, you need only a few simple tools and a lot of imagination. If you’re really serious about gemstones, you can purchase the uncut stones and build up your workshop to include tumblers, polishers, diamond-tipped drills and other jeweller’s tools to create your own, unique results. If you are intending to produce a quantity of gemstone jewellery, the initial outlay of equipment will soon pay dividends, as the uncut gemstones are far cheaper than the cut ones.Semi-precious gemstones can also be bought as beads, combined with delicate silver spacers and created into beautiful, elegant jewellery. A particular favourite is the deep blue azure of Lapis Lazuli with its golden flecks and shimmering iridescence.Creating stylish and unique jewellery is far easier than you think. By incorporating gemstones into your designs, you can even make birthstone-specific jewellery for a particularly individual gift. Each zodiac sign has corresponding gemstones, most of which are relatively common and fairly cheap. Even the more expensive stones, such as emeralds and sapphires, can be cheaper than you expected, especially if you choose a stone that is perhaps of a lower quality, but has its own raw beauty.The important thing to remember when venturing into the world of gemstones for the first time is to shop around. There are plenty of suppliers in the market, and there are bargains to be had, particularly if you are willing to do a little work on the stone yourself. Don’t be afraid to experiment – if you’re not happy with the results, you can always dismantle the piece and incorporate the gem into a different setting or even a completely different design.Gemstones never go out of fashion, so take a look around jewellery fairs to pick up inspiration and ideas for your own work, and in no time you’ll be adding your own, unique gemstone designs into your jewellery making.
Choosing A Vintage Style Engagement Ring
Choosing A Vintage Style Engagement Ring
Vintage style engagement rings are a popular choice for brides who love the romantic Victoria era or the ornate settings of antique design. Vintage style engagement rings can be true antiques or they can be modern creations fashioned after the old style rings of another era. Finding a Vintage Style Engagement Ring There are jewellery designers who will create a vintage style engagement ring for you from a new design. They may already have several on display or in their portfolio from which you can choose. However, if you want to find a genuine antique diamond ring, you can often find them at estate sales and auctions.The Internet has made accessing estate sales and auctions from all around the world easily accessible to couples anywhere. You need to be careful of some online auctions and choose to deal only with the most well-known and reputable auction sites. You are dealing with an expensive item that could easily be represented as something it is not online. Good auction sites with authenticate it’s buyers and sellers and provide a means for users to rate and comment on the goods and services they have received.If you find a vintage style setting at an auction or estate sale and don’t think the diamond is up the size or quality, it is easy enough to replace it with a new diamond of your choice. Since diamonds can be purchased as loose stones, separate from any setting, you don’t need to limit your purchase of a vintage style engagement ring simply because you don’t like the stone.You don’t even need to limit yourself to rings that were previously engagement rings. You can choose any ring setting you like and turn it into your own custom engagement ring. Other jewellery works well for this idea too. Large vintage earrings can be fashioned into a ring, have a diamond set it them and then they instantly become one of the most beautiful vintage style engagement rings.
Vintage style engagement rings are a popular choice for brides who love the romantic Victoria era or the ornate settings of antique design. Vintage style engagement rings can be true antiques or they can be modern creations fashioned after the old style rings of another era. Finding a Vintage Style Engagement Ring There are jewellery designers who will create a vintage style engagement ring for you from a new design. They may already have several on display or in their portfolio from which you can choose. However, if you want to find a genuine antique diamond ring, you can often find them at estate sales and auctions.The Internet has made accessing estate sales and auctions from all around the world easily accessible to couples anywhere. You need to be careful of some online auctions and choose to deal only with the most well-known and reputable auction sites. You are dealing with an expensive item that could easily be represented as something it is not online. Good auction sites with authenticate it’s buyers and sellers and provide a means for users to rate and comment on the goods and services they have received.If you find a vintage style setting at an auction or estate sale and don’t think the diamond is up the size or quality, it is easy enough to replace it with a new diamond of your choice. Since diamonds can be purchased as loose stones, separate from any setting, you don’t need to limit your purchase of a vintage style engagement ring simply because you don’t like the stone.You don’t even need to limit yourself to rings that were previously engagement rings. You can choose any ring setting you like and turn it into your own custom engagement ring. Other jewellery works well for this idea too. Large vintage earrings can be fashioned into a ring, have a diamond set it them and then they instantly become one of the most beautiful vintage style engagement rings.
Beads Beading And Jewellery In Monique Lhuillier
Beads Beading And Jewellery In Monique Lhuillier
Designer Monique Lhuillier's name seems to be on every celebrity's mouth these days. She is touted to be the next Vera Wang as most A-list celebs have a dress by Lhuillier. Professionally designing dresses and gowns since 1996, Lhuillier was brought to the limelight when then pop princess Britney Spears commissioned her as wedding gown designer. Lhuillier crafted a wedding gown with beads, beading and jewellery to the delight of Spears. This was followed by stints with other Hollywood celebrities and the name Lhuillier shone brighter than ever in the fashion industry. This is not surprising as the craftsmanship of Lhuillier is obvious in the beads, beading and jewellery incorporated in her every design.The craftsmanship of Lhuillier is also seen in the price tags her dresses carry which the average career woman cannot afford. Bridal gowns cost $2,000 - $10,000 while evening dresses are priced a little lower. For those who want the look of a Lhuillier gown or dress, there are several things you must remember: A-line, full skirt, soft and fabrics, and exquisite beads, beading and jewellery. Beads used in a Lhuillier design range from Swarovski crystals and pearls to glass beads and rhinestones. More expensive stones are used in more expensive dresses.Other designers also uses the A-line cut, full skirts, and soft fabrics in their designs but only Lhuillier uses beads, beading and jewellery in embroidering accent pieces in her designs. Most designers go extremely modern with minimalist themes or avant-garde couture. Others go super romantic with an overload of laces, ruffles, and tons of cloth. But with her skill in using beads, Lhuillier combines modernity with sentimentality, producing designs that are elegant, modern, romantic, and wearable.Beads, beading and jewellery in the designs of Lhuillier are used differently. Some designs use the beads as a component of the fabric itself. An example is the white dress peppered with black beads worn by model Natalia Gotsii in the recent Lhuillier's spring collection. Julia Dunstall also wore a similar dress in light pink and low-neck cut.Accents are also made of beads in a Lhuillier designs. Rarely does the designer use a bow or fabrics as an accents in her dresses. Beads, beading and jewellery find themselves embroidered into belts, necklines, and straps. Brooches are also made of beads and jewellery. In her spring collection, there were several designs with beaded brooches: dresses worn by Heather Marks, Anja Rubik, Cameron Russell, and Hye Park are outstanding examples.If you love beads, beading and jewellery, invest in a Lhuillier gown. The classic design and ornate embroidery makes it a good investment. Lhuillier's craftsmanship and skill in beads, beading and jewellery ensures that the dress will never fade in style history. After all, good taste is always fashionable.
Designer Monique Lhuillier's name seems to be on every celebrity's mouth these days. She is touted to be the next Vera Wang as most A-list celebs have a dress by Lhuillier. Professionally designing dresses and gowns since 1996, Lhuillier was brought to the limelight when then pop princess Britney Spears commissioned her as wedding gown designer. Lhuillier crafted a wedding gown with beads, beading and jewellery to the delight of Spears. This was followed by stints with other Hollywood celebrities and the name Lhuillier shone brighter than ever in the fashion industry. This is not surprising as the craftsmanship of Lhuillier is obvious in the beads, beading and jewellery incorporated in her every design.The craftsmanship of Lhuillier is also seen in the price tags her dresses carry which the average career woman cannot afford. Bridal gowns cost $2,000 - $10,000 while evening dresses are priced a little lower. For those who want the look of a Lhuillier gown or dress, there are several things you must remember: A-line, full skirt, soft and fabrics, and exquisite beads, beading and jewellery. Beads used in a Lhuillier design range from Swarovski crystals and pearls to glass beads and rhinestones. More expensive stones are used in more expensive dresses.Other designers also uses the A-line cut, full skirts, and soft fabrics in their designs but only Lhuillier uses beads, beading and jewellery in embroidering accent pieces in her designs. Most designers go extremely modern with minimalist themes or avant-garde couture. Others go super romantic with an overload of laces, ruffles, and tons of cloth. But with her skill in using beads, Lhuillier combines modernity with sentimentality, producing designs that are elegant, modern, romantic, and wearable.Beads, beading and jewellery in the designs of Lhuillier are used differently. Some designs use the beads as a component of the fabric itself. An example is the white dress peppered with black beads worn by model Natalia Gotsii in the recent Lhuillier's spring collection. Julia Dunstall also wore a similar dress in light pink and low-neck cut.Accents are also made of beads in a Lhuillier designs. Rarely does the designer use a bow or fabrics as an accents in her dresses. Beads, beading and jewellery find themselves embroidered into belts, necklines, and straps. Brooches are also made of beads and jewellery. In her spring collection, there were several designs with beaded brooches: dresses worn by Heather Marks, Anja Rubik, Cameron Russell, and Hye Park are outstanding examples.If you love beads, beading and jewellery, invest in a Lhuillier gown. The classic design and ornate embroidery makes it a good investment. Lhuillier's craftsmanship and skill in beads, beading and jewellery ensures that the dress will never fade in style history. After all, good taste is always fashionable.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
14k White gold S Groove 1/2ctw Diamond Band
14k White gold S Groove 1/2ctw Diamond Band
$509.99
NRG00411
14k White gold S Groove 1/2ctw Diamond Band(Sparkle G Color, I1 Clarity)
5 sparkling diamonds fit comfortably between elegant S Waves of White gold. Charms crafted, this exclusive design is sure to impress.Total diamonds weight of 0.50ctw, Color G, Clarity I1 with 4.47g 14k White gold Wedding Ring.
Product Detail
Metal Type:
14k White Gold
Metal Weight:
4.47 g
Setting Type:
Bar Channel
Diamond Information
Shape:
Round Brilliant
Carat:
0.50 ctw
Color(Avg.):
G
Clarity(Avg.):
I1
Cut:
Very Good
$509.99
NRG00411
14k White gold S Groove 1/2ctw Diamond Band(Sparkle G Color, I1 Clarity)
5 sparkling diamonds fit comfortably between elegant S Waves of White gold. Charms crafted, this exclusive design is sure to impress.Total diamonds weight of 0.50ctw, Color G, Clarity I1 with 4.47g 14k White gold Wedding Ring.
Product Detail
Metal Type:
14k White Gold
Metal Weight:
4.47 g
Setting Type:
Bar Channel
Diamond Information
Shape:
Round Brilliant
Carat:
0.50 ctw
Color(Avg.):
G
Clarity(Avg.):
I1
Cut:
Very Good
14K White Gold Bar Channel 5 Stone diamond Ring
14K White Gold Bar Channel 5 Stone diamond Ring
$359.99
NRG00423
14K White Gold Bar Channel 5 Stone diamond Ring.(Sparkle G Color, I1 Clarity)
This fantastic, matchless brilliant diamond ring features five round brilliant cut diamonds professionally set in a inclined bar channel setting. Total diamond weight is 0.63 carats and white gold weight 2.78g.
Product Detail
Metal Type:
14k White Gold
Metal Weight:
2.78 g
Setting Type:
Bar Channel
Diamond Information
Shape:
Round Brilliant
Carat:
0.63 ctw
Color(Avg.):
G
Clarity(Avg.):
I1
Cut:
Very Good
14k White gold 1/4ctw Diamonds round brilliant Band
14k White gold 1/4ctw Diamonds round brilliant Band
$209.99
NRG00416
14k White gold 1/4ctw Diamonds round brilliant Band (Sparkle G Color, I1 Clarity)
This ring features 5 round brilliant diamonds. Diamonds weight 0.24ctw, color G, clarity I1.
Product Detail
Metal Type:14k White Gold
Metal Weight:1.94 g
Setting Type: PRONG
Diamond Information
Shape:Round Brilliant
Carat:0.24 ctw
Color(Avg.):G
Clarity(Avg.): I1
Cut: Very Good
$209.99
NRG00416
14k White gold 1/4ctw Diamonds round brilliant Band (Sparkle G Color, I1 Clarity)
This ring features 5 round brilliant diamonds. Diamonds weight 0.24ctw, color G, clarity I1.
Product Detail
Metal Type:14k White Gold
Metal Weight:1.94 g
Setting Type: PRONG
Diamond Information
Shape:Round Brilliant
Carat:0.24 ctw
Color(Avg.):G
Clarity(Avg.): I1
Cut: Very Good
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)