In times of rapid change, constants lend comfort to our lives. Since ancient times, jewelry has been one of the most popular gifts to give and to receive, and it still ranks among the top gifts as a universal, particularly pearls and birthstones. Jewelry ranks just beneath flowers as the gift that says "I love you," and it ranks just above flowers as a gift to convey that the recipient is someone special. A gift of jewelry delights the recipient and evokes a genuine smile.
It's the Style?
It's not the price; it's the style that determines whether your gift of jewelry is received in the same spirit in which it is given. To give jewelry that delights, match the gift to the recipient's style. Jewelry is one area where you cannot give a gift that you would love to own. Your idea of a fashionable bauble may be another's idea of junk. Is the intended's style casual or more formal, traditional or contemporary? You wouldn't give a Swatch watch to your great-grandmother any more than you would give a diamond tennis bracelet to your Goth niece. Select a compatible style and your gift will stand out among the recipient's favorites and ensure that the gift never finds its way to the regifting closet.
The Many Faces of Pearls
Any woman over the age of 30 appreciates a fine strand of pearls. They're elegant, timeless, and suitable for most occasions. Think back to your favorite old movies; most leading ladies wore pearls at some point during the movie.
Pearls are the only gemstone created within another living organism. Natural pearls are grown without any human intervention when a speck of sand or other irritant lodges itself inside an oyster. Deteriorating environmental conditions have rendered natural pearls all but obsolete.
Cultured pearls have quickly filled the void. The only difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl is that human intervention is required to place the irritant inside the oyster shell. By controlling the size and shape of the irritant as well as the environmental factors, cultured pearls guarantee greater quality control. You'll find pearls in many hues ranging from white South Sea pearls to black Tahitian pearls, and covering a lot of territory in between: pink, green, blue and ivory.
Freshwater pearls sport a combination of interesting shapes and hues not usually found in saltwater varieties. Freshwater pearls come from Chinese rivers and lakes where the Hyriopsis cumingi mussels can produce 50 pearls at once. They are usually less expensive than saltwater pearls, but no less elegant than their saltwater counterpart.
Birthstones
Precious and semi-precious gems linked to birthdays date as far back as the 15th century. Unlike today, early birthstones were linked to the signs of the Zodiac instead of to calendar months. Almost everyone appreciates a birthstone, and it shows that you actually put some thought into the gift. Many people believe that wearing their birthstone protects them and brings them good luck. When giving a birthstone as a gift, think beyond rings to bracelets, pendants, earrings, pins and chokers.
The chart below contains the official modern birthstones, as established in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers. Some birthstones have many legends associated with them; you'll find a brief summary below. This official list applies only to the United States. Several other birthstone lists exist, such as the mystical birthstones, which originated in Tibet and the Ayurvedic birthstones, which originated in India.
Month Birthstone
January Garnet
-Associated with blood, garnet provides victory, protection from injury and health and brings constancy
February Amethyst
-Said to have been worn by St. Valentine, amethyst signifies spirituality and sincerity
March Aquamarine
-The stone of serenity and courage, also associated with water
April Diamond
-Banishes evil, promotes goodness, improves financial situations - the world's favorite precious gem also signifies pure and eternal love, innocence
May Emerald
-Brings harmony, the stone of life and renewal, love and success
June Pearl
-Purity, chastity and modesty, health and longevity
July Ruby
-Devotion, integrity and success - contentment
August Peridot
-Dignity, success and fame ? married happiness
September Sapphire
-Clears the mind and brings prosperity and clear thinking
October Opal
-Happiness, beauty, love, magic - hope
November Topaz
-Brings wisdom and strength of mind, fidelity
December Turquoise
-Good fortune and prosperity
Enclose a card with the gift explaining the meaning of the birthstone. While most people know their birthstone, few know the significance attached to it.
If you want to give jewelry as a gift, but you're at a loss for what to give, pearls and birthstones provide two safe options that are sure to please and make a lasting impression.
M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for jewelry and jewelry gifts. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.
Looking to get a great tan for yourself? Wanna do... Read More
By now, I'm sure you've heard of the hair straightening... Read More
So you are looking in the mirror this morning and... Read More
As we begin to fully understand the serious consequences of... Read More
With summer approaching, it's time to pull out the tanning... Read More
The tanning industry is showing no signs of stopping. If... Read More
If you're like many women you are confused about how... Read More
I must admit that putting contact lenses in for the... Read More
As we become more aware of our environment and more... Read More
Face it ladies; the reason you want to look nice... Read More
Nobody likes pain, but who said it has to hurt?... Read More
The decision to enhance the body by surgical alteration is... Read More
Commercial tanning beds come in two basic formats. Horizontal tanning... Read More
Tanning bed lotions abound. How do you choose from all... Read More
LED Photo Rejuvenation,Intense Pulsed Light or Infra-Red Light and it's... Read More
The over-40s crowd are suffering from discovering that their arms... Read More
If you're thinking that liposuction is a great way to... Read More
... Read More
The patented ultra smooth ceramic plates on flat iron hair... Read More
Tired of stained, yellow teeth? Want to give yourself a... Read More
Cosmetic surgery is big business now, the advances of science... Read More
Women (and men. too) spend billions of dollars trying to... Read More
The fact is that any type of skin condition can... Read More
The paler the skin, the higher the classPale skin has... Read More
Healthy skin is one of the most common health and... Read More
Los Angeles is the city as infamous as it is... Read More
Before you start whitening your teeth, you must consider that... Read More
Tanning beds - a boon or a bane? That is... Read More
Most of us do. There are the few lucky people... Read More
IN WHICH CASES ARE AHA RECOMMENDED?* Hyperkeratinization (increased accumulation of... Read More
"There is a power of choice- what we do today... Read More
Once again, very full lips are one of the most... Read More
With the amount of importance given to make-up these days,... Read More
I would say a smile throughout the day keeps doctor... Read More
When it comes to a glowing complexion what we put... Read More
I miss summer! I think I suffer from season depression... Read More
Tanning products, both sunless and sun, work on the epidermis,... Read More
The fountain of youth has always been the most sought-after... Read More
Unless your skin is absolutely flawless, concealer is a must.... Read More
If you use sunless tanning products it's probably because your... Read More
Your skin is your armor, your shield from the elements.... Read More
Cosmetic dentistry has become more popular in the recently years... Read More
1. Cleanse your face twice a day - Did you... Read More
Thinking of getting a kanji tattoo or kanji jewelry? Then... Read More
Beauty of the skin starts from inside your body! Your... Read More
Pretty and well cared for hands are more than a... Read More
As a licensed cosmetologist, I would like to share how... Read More
Nice lips are every woman's wish but as we get... Read More
With summer approaching, it's time to pull out the tanning... Read More
Although the national average cost for liposuction charged by surgeons... Read More
Tanning products, both sunless and sun, go to work on... Read More
Did you know Leonardo da Vinci sketched and described several... Read More
Buying salon equipment from a wholesaler is one option to... Read More
You're a mom and you're still thinking about being 'fashionable'?... Read More
I love long hair! Especially mine.Yes, I live in a... Read More
Let's role on?life must go on and the life of... Read More
How do you take care of your body's biggest organ... Read More
With many well-known specialists living and working in the area,... Read More
Have you ever tried to get your teenage son or... Read More
You work hard to eat a healthy diet and exercise... Read More
One of the most important roles of our skin is... Read More
The perfect sun tanning bed can mean different things to... Read More
In order to care for your skin properly you must... Read More
As we become more aware of our environment and more... Read More
Cosmetic surgery is now so common, it's almost commonplace. Cosmetic... Read More
Your skin tells a lot about you. Someone who looks... Read More
Beauty |