There's something about the cool white glow of a silver pendant that has captivated our senses throughout human history. Since ancient times silver has been used to make coins, decorative items, and silver pendant jewelry, from this precious metal. It has maintained its popularity throughout the ages with artisans, due to its pliability as well as because of its strength.
There's a lot that goes into the making silver pendants, from the time that it is brought up from the mine, to the time the silver pendant is sold on the general market. The silver pendant that is gracefully resting around your neck has gone through many transformations.
In most cases by the time the silver arrives to the artist, it is ready to be utilized in crafting jewelry according to what method he or she may choose. The artist has a variety of options as to what form of silver he or she would like to work with.
Often the artist is able to purchase pre -rolled sheets of silver in a variety of thickness or rolled wire in several different gauges and shapes, as well as silver blocks or scrap pieces of silver, that the artist uses to melt down and then pour into a mold, which is called casting.
Silver pendants can be made using different techniques, and can often represent the artist's unique style. One of the older forms of working with silver, because it is so soft, is to roll the silver out and then a rough shape, which will become the silver pendant, is cut out. Often the cut piece would be then pounded out with a mallet to flatten the silver and to temper it.
Silver pieces were also sometimes pounded over some kind form, which would give it shape and definition to the silver pendant. Pounded silver often has a very unique look to it because of the marks left by the mallet, it also ensures that each piece is one of a kind, and no one will have a silver pendant just like yours.
Another method, which is also very old, is called casting. Casting is when pieces of silver are melted down and then poured into a mold and allowed then to harden. The process of making the mold is an art form in itself and is commonly referred to as the lost wax method. The artist takes softened wax and basically sculpts the wax into the desired shape he/she wishes the finished silver pendant to be.
This is then placed into another mold, and plaster of Paris is then used to encase the wax sculpture, leaving an opening at the top. Once the plaster has dried it is then heated up enough to melt the wax within the plaster, leaving the shape of what will be the silver pendant inside.
The artist next melts the silver, until it becomes liquid than pours into the mold. Once the silver has solidified, the mold is then broken open and the silver pendant is then removed once it is cool enough to be handled.
The silver pendant is now ready to be finished with hand tools, such as filing down any burrs along its edges and then buffed and polished to the shining gleam we have come to expect with silver jewelry. Once completed the silver pendant is then ready to be packaged and sold on the market.
How to Make Your Very Own Initial Pendant
Monogrammed items are becoming all the rage when it comes to gift giving in today's world. It seems as though every time you turn around there is someone offering to put your name on a towel, a cup, a washcloth, a place setting, a set of dishes, a brush, a mirror, a Christmas Tree ornament, a body part-you get the idea.
Why is this so popular? Monograms are in vogue because it gives people a thrill to look at an object and have it proudly declaring for the world to see that it is theirs. It's an alpha male thing going back to the days when humans were little more than animals.
With jewelry the monogram often serves two purposes. It can proclaim to the world the owner of the jewelry or it can proclaim the man or woman to whom the owner belongs. (Generally this is a man-most men do not choose to walk around with a piece of jewelry with a woman's name or initial hanging around their neck unless it was given to them as a gift, and even then not willingly and not when she isn't looking.)
Either way, creating one of these pendants is fun and easy, and is an activity enjoyed by many. Remember, it does not have to necessarily be worn by you. Jewelry makes a great gift, and having some of it stockpiled aside when Christmas rolls around can go a long way towards making the stress of the holidays a little bit easier.
There are two ways you can make your own pendant. For those who are ambitious jewelers you can choose to purchase the silver yourself and shape it. There are many methods by which you can do this. The easiest method for the beginning silversmith is probably to purchase a mold, melt the silver down to its liquid form over a safe heat source (this is probably not something you want to attempt over your kitchen stove) and pour the silver into the mold.
A ceramic crucible (remember your high school chemistry class?) and a torch is generally considered the safest and most effective method of melting down silver. While the silver is still hot, make a loop on the top that you can string a chain through. The chain you will probably want to purchase from a store unless you have a great deal of experience in jewelry making; small links are very difficult.
For those who are less inspired it is possible to simply buy an already finished charm from any craft store (or department store that has a craft section) and purchase a chain. These can be found in such retail establishments as Michael's, JoAnn Fabrics or WalMart. This is much easier and safer than melting down the silver but does not afford the wearer nearly as much choice as if they had made their own.
How to Carve Opal into a Pendant
Admit it ladies, there is nothing better in life than the feeling of finding the perfect piece of jewelry. This will be the piece that makes your heart lighter, your appearance flawless and will finally attract the attention of the handsome bachelor two cubicles down who hasn't even glanced your way since he started working with you a year ago.
While it is unlikely that a piece of jewelry can solve all of these issues for you there is something comforting and confidence inspiring about wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry.
There is something even more inspiring about knowing that you shaped that piece of jewelry with your own hand. Those who have already learned how to turn their love of jewelry into a career will understand. At no other time will you be able to find a pendant, bracelet or earring set that suit you so perfectly than when you have created it yourself. It can be difficult, however, to learn the trade and, taking the theory, put it into practice.
Opal is one of the most sought after items for jewelry making due to its serene appearance and multiple facets of color. It appears as the ocean-as though the smooth appearance of its exterior is simply masking the other world underneath. Opal can be very difficult to work with. It is necessary to first have the proper tools.
The easiest way to shape an opal is to use a flat lap machine with a polisher that will allow you to adjust the speed; opal is a soft stone, and excessive force will cause it to crack. This will ruin your masterpiece before you have even begun. A decent flat lap machine can be purchased for around five hundred dollars.
The purpose of the flat lap machine is to allow you to shape, smooth and polish your stone in one easy step. All you have to do is use the machine to shape your raw material into whatever shape you would like your pendant charm to be. The possibilities are endless; feel free to experiment.
It may be wise to start your practicing on other, less expensive and less difficult stones to get the hang of it before you start using your opal. You can use these other stones for other projects later. Be sure that you take the proper safety measures when using your machine; the last thing that you want is to have an errant piece of opal go flying into your eye and ruining your vision so that you cannot focus on your masterpiece.
Once the stone is shaped it is time to turn it into a pendant. The easiest way to apply your charm to a chain is probably going to be to purchase a silver head pin, attach it to a loop and put it on a silver chain. There are hundreds of ways to finish a pendant, however; feel free to experiment!
How to Use Tanzanite to Make Sterling Silver Jewelry
Even in today's fast-paced world there are some things which never change. Women love their jewelry, and the more exotic and unique that jewelry can be the better. In this day and age it seems as though diamonds have become redundant. Other more colorful and difficult to acquire gems have become the jewels of choice.
Among these is the gem tanzanite. Found only in the East African country Tanzania took the world by storm in the 60's and 70's following its discovery and subsequent introduction to the New York City jeweler Tiffany's. Its color, dark blue surrounded by just a hint of purple, presented a stark, fiery and contrast to the cold façade of the diamond, previously the gem chosen to grace the figure of the elite.
Part of the intrigue surrounding the use of tanzanite is its ability to appear to be a different color depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The raw form of tanzanite contains a not so aesthetically pleasing yellowish brown color.
An experienced jeweler can rid themselves of this unfortunate color by placing the stone in an oven heater to 500F and removing it as soon as the stone begins to turn blue. Unlike the diamond tanzanite is not a particularly hard gem, rating only 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. For this reason, it is important to take special care when working with this gem. It must never be exposed to acid and should never be washed in an ultrasonic bath.
Tanzanite possesses the ability to be cut into almost any imaginable shape and form, although it may be very difficult for even the most experienced jeweler to work with because the cleavage of this gem tends to be very pronounced in one direction.
While its unique color allows it to blend with any type of metal the hints of yellow and brown found in the unheated gem may result in an unfortunate clash of setting the stone in gold. Sterling silver, on the other hand, presents a striking contrast to tanzanite in all of its forms.
Due to its unique coloring it is often most prudent to make tanzanite jewelry in sets rather than in individual pieces; it can be all but impossible to find other jewelry to coordinate with an unmatched piece.
The most sought after jewelry sets include necklaces with jeweled pendants, rings and earrings. While the traditional round, square and marquis cuts serve to accent the hidden beauty of the tanzanite other, more original cuts have been created with a great deal of success. A jeweler choosing to use a bit of ingenuity can use tanzanite to create incredible, one of a kind pieces of jewelry.
Tanzanite strikingly accentuates the looks of men, women and children of any age and will bring in a sizable profit out on the open jewelry market. The very nature of this stone's exclusivity and the difficulty encountered by those attempting to obtain it make it one of the most sought after gems in the business.
The Tanzanian Take on Jewelry
Up until now, it has been countries in the western part of the world who have determined how its citizens should wear its jewelry. Now another voice is being heard. From the wild plains of Africa a new rhythm is echoing throughout the land. The wild tribal jewelry worn by these plainspeople is becoming increasingly popular across the globe.
Apart from its flamboyant style, there is something else that is helping to put the jewelry of South Africa on the map-tanzanite. Tanzanite is a precious gem that can only be recovered from the mines of Tanzania, and its unique nature has made it a growing fad throughout the jewelry industry. Diamonds, with their cold cores and icy perfection, have been the jewel of choice throughout history.
They have also been the most coveted, hence the phrase, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." Many of the most famous jewel thefts throughout history have involved diamonds. Remember the theft of the jewels from the world's largest diamond cutter in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2003 that was reputed to be the biggest jewel heist in history?
No longer is this the case. With the advent of a new society that prefers its people free spirited as opposed to cloistered and meek has come a preference for a new type of jewel, one that has the heat of its people down within its core. This need has been realized through the use of Tanzanite. With its brilliant, deep blue flecked with purple color Tanzanite seems to spring to life as the wearer stares down into it, drawing the soul as well as the eye.
Tanzanite has become a particular favorite for use by those who work in silver. In its purest form Tanzanite actually possesses a yellowish-brown hue rather than the brilliant blue it is revered for. While this color can be baked out by the use of an extremely hot oven, occasionally hints of the hue still remain.
These hints are only accented by setting the gem in gold. Silver, on the other hand, draws forth from the stone its brilliant blue due to the contrast. Many silversmiths favor it for use in silver pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings, where its mysterious beauty will only serve to accentuate the beauty of its wearer.
For those who believe in such things Tanzanite is also believed to be the bearer of certain strong, metaphysical properties. It is used as a calming stone for those whose life is in chaos, a characteristic that is believed to be strengthened when it is set in silver, as silver is believed to be able to draw forth the energies of a stone.
It is also worn as a protective charm, keeping its bearer safe; a characteristic that was particularly important to the warring tribes of Africa, and its various powers are believed to be equally important to those who live in today's fast-paced world.
A Touch of Africa in the Taste of the West
The jewelry that is in vogue changes from year to year as designers attempt to out-do each other in a game of one-upmanship. In the western world jewelry styles have undergone a complete makeover. Where once before jewelry was expected to be sedate and inconspicuous men and women of the west are learning what the men and women of the African countries have known for years; there is more to life than being sedate.
African-themed designs, particularly those from regions in South Africa, are all the rage in silver jewelry these days. With their flamboyant designs and brilliant colors the African nations have introduced a new era in silver jewelry. African jewelry draws heavily on nature; both the nature of the world around them and the nature of the human body.
It is important when considering African pendants to recall that most of the citizens in South Africa do not share the same self-consciousness with regards to their bodies as the men and women of the Western nation. This is exemplified by their clothing; traditional African clothing is nowhere near as constrictive as traditional western wear.
As a result of this lack of self-consciousness the African people draw heavily on the human body for inspiration in creating their jewelry. This is especially true of women; fertility icons and various other symbols of fertility are created from the unclothed image of the female body. While this may seem shocking to the women of the west, who are taught to view their bodies as something which must be hidden from view, the use of the female body in jewelry as a symbol of love and fertility is becoming more widely accepted.
The world around them also contributes heavily to African inspiration when it comes to designing their jewelry, a trend that is also working its way west as jewelry trends turn from the sedate and Christian to the outrageous and worldly.
Suns, moons, stars and animals factor heavily in South African jewelry, drawing the wearer back to the days when the inhabitants of Africa lived beneath the sun with nothing but their wits between themselves and the elements. This jewelry often contains a raw quality despite the skill of its artistry designed to appeal to the heart of the wearer.
Perhaps the most popular of all of the South African jewelry designs, particularly pendants, are those created from ancient tribal symbols. Prior to the advent of the religion of technology, African tribes paid homage to the forces of nature. This homage was reflected in the symbols painted by their tribe. Unlike many western designs, African tribal symbols all carry with them a deeper meaning.
They were designed to speak to the gods and goddesses, mark an individual with their station in life and grant to the bearer of the symbol various new strengths and abilities not previously possessed. Their exotic nature and possible metaphysical properties are drawing those who wish to step outside the boundaries of their own narrow upbringing to them like a moth to the flame.
All About Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant Jewelry
What makes tanzanite such an extraordinary gemstone? It could be it's unusual blue aura that seems to cause it to change in different light or perhaps it is because it is so rare that you don't have to worry about everyone having a Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant.
Tanzanite as a gem has only been around for about 41 years as it was discovered in 1967. The scientific name for Tanzanite is Blue Zoisite, and the only place in the world that this deep blue crystal occurs is in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, Africa. The mining of Tanzanite is only done on a very small scale and very rarely do they find large deposits, normally only small grains are commonly found, which are then used to make Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant Jewelry.
The jewelry company Tiffany, around 1967, came up with the trade name of Tanzanite for this gem and within a short period of time was one of the first companies to present tanzanite jewelry to the general public. Since then the popularity of Tanzanite never waned and only grew as it captivated the public with its unusual beauty. The universal appeal of Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant Jewelry enchants both the young and independent as well as the discerning and mature, with its deep blue and purple tinged hue.
Only very few licensed Tanzanite merchants handle the Tanzanite trade and over 90% of all Tanzanite merchants are members of the International Colored Gemstone Association- ICA. Assuring that Tanzanite is only passed along reputable trade routes and into the hands of major reputable jewelers around the globe. You can rest assured that your captivating Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant was not subject to trade via dubious channels.
Couple this with purchasing your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant from a reputable dealer and you should not have to worry about buying a counterfeit piece. To be even more confident about your choice, it's always a good idea to talk to several jewelers as well prior to purchasing your Sterling Silver Tanzanite pendant.
There are a few things that you need to be aware of pertaining to the care of your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant. One of the most important is that you should never use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner on your Silver Tanzanite Pendant as it can damage the stones. It is also best to avoid allowing your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant to come in contact with acids of any kind. It is often recommended that you take a Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant into a jeweler and have it professionally cleaned at least once a year.
The Tanzanite within your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant is a relatively fragile gem having only a value of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, compared to a diamond that is rated as 10 on Moh's hardness scale. This makes Tanzanite not a particularly hard gem, and one that will not stand up to a lot of abuse but with a little extra care your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant will last many years and provide you with long-term pleasure.
Marcasite Silver Pendants
The term Marcasite is actually a jewelry trade name because of the confusion between marcasite and white iron pyrite, and the term is applied to the small and faceted stones that are inlayed in Sterling silver. The bright metallic luster of this opaque crystal, once faceted is a nice complement when paired with silver.
In the Victorian era, marcasite silver pendants, as well as other marcasite jewelry was very popular. Marcasite was prized due to its smoky black hue, as marcasite having a sparkle similar to that of diamonds. The classic Victorian design has stood the test of time and should be a standard addition to every modern woman's jewelry wardrobe.
A professional gem cutter facets the marcasite in order to catch the light. Often marcasite is set with a bit of jewelers cement in the setting base, prior to being placed in the silver setting in order to keep it securely in place. With a good setting however you will never see the glue and this is something to look out for while shopping for a quality Marcasite Silver pendant. If you do come across this, the craftsmanship is sub-par and best to be avoided.
You may notice while shopping for marcasite silver pendants, that similar pieces may have slight colored differences, that can range from a brassy yellow with a greenish tint, a deep smoky Silver - black, with a unique multicolor hue, which is most common and is actually a form of tarnish caused by oxidation.
When you're choosing a marcasite silver pendant, it is a good idea to check the setting, to see if the stones are loose. Most modern marcasite pieces are made to look as though they are antique, so it can be difficult to judge if the marcasite is set in real silver.
To make sure that your marcasite silver pendant is genuine, turn the piece over and look for the silver stamp. A genuine silver setting will have some kind of "hallmark "stamped somewhere on the setting. Most reputable jewelers will point this out for you or will not have a problem with you asking where it is. What you're looking for is, a stamp that says either .925 or some form of the word Sterling silver.
Some jewelry manufacturing companies have their own unique imprint and this may be the only stamp visible. Marcasite silver pendants that may come from other countries, such as England, the hallmark may be a picture or a symbol and this is an acceptable mark for genuine Sterling silver that your jeweler can verify.
Once you have chosen your marcasite silver pendant, keeping it beautiful is relatively simple but there are a few precautions to take in order to protect your piece. A random occurrence with marcasite is a condition known as "pyrite decay "and although it only affects certain pyrite specimens, it is something to keep an eye out for.
Pyrite decay is when the stone slowly disintegrates into a white powder over time. Although it is not that common in faceted stones, if this does occur, it is best to take the piece to a jeweler and have the affected stone removed, to prevent it from spreading to surrounding stones.
If your piece needs to be cleaned, it is best to use a soft jewelers cloth, instead of immersing your marcasite silver pendant into commercial cleaners, as this can damage not only the marcasite, but could act as a solvent to the jewelry cement and you could lose a stone. If your marcasite silver pendant needs a deep cleaning, it is best to take it into the jewelers. Ensuring that your beautiful marcasite silver pendant will last a lifetime.
Mother of Pearl Silver Pendants
Mother of pearl, also called nacre, is an iridescent layer of material, which forms in the shell lining of many mollusks. Mollusks create mother of pearl lining, in order to protect themselves and insulate them from getting a bacterial infection.
Mother of pearl is most commonly taken from the pearly lining inside of oysters and abalone. Many early cultures used mother of pearl extensively in jewelry and it became highly prized due to its iridescent quality and was often seen as a sign of wealth in some cultures. From the modern women's point of view, having a unique mother of pearl silver pendant provides an elegant alternative or addition to traditional pearls.
Mother of pearl silver pendants are often crafted by taking the first few iridescent layers that are inside the mollusk, these are then cut and sanded into the desired shape needed for the silver setting. Often the jeweler will use a bit of jewelers cement in the base of the setting to secure the mother of pearl before closing the setting.
Mother of pearl is a fairly soft material and on the Mohs hardness scale it is only rated at a 3.5. This makes it relatively easy to cut and carve, but it also makes it rather delicate and care should be taken not to wear away its iridescent layer, as it could cause your mother of pearl silver pendant to lose its luster.
While shopping for your mother of pearl silver pendant, you will notice that there is a wide selection of colors and hue's to choose from, colors range from a natural white, cream and varying shades of brown. Sometimes mother of pearl is either bleached and/or dyed various colors in order to enhance the iridescent qualities present.
When you are shopping for mother of pearl silver pendants, it is a good idea to check and make sure that the mother of pearl inlay is snug within the setting. Check for gaps between the mother of pearl and the silver and avoid those that do have a gap. If a setting is too loose you will risk losing the mother of pearl from its setting. All mother of pearl silver pendants will have a silver hallmark stamped usually on the back of piece, the most common is a .925 mark.
Counterfeit mother of pearl is not common but does happen. Plastic or a combination of plastic and mother of pearl has been used, and usually the price is a good indicator. Counterfeit mother of pearl also does not reflect light as well as genuine mother of pearl and will tend to look dull.
When you have chosen your mother of pearl silver pendant, it is important to take some steps to ensure your piece will last a lifetime. Storing your mother of pearl silver pendant away from other jewelry will ensure that it will not be scratched and wear away the delicate luminous layers. You may want to keep it in a separate compartment of your jewelry box or wrapped in a pouch to provide some protection.
To clean your mother of pearl silver pendant, using a soft Jewelers cloth should remove any tarnish but never submerge the piece into jewelry cleaner, as this can dissolve the cement used in the setting. A trip to the jeweler to have it professionally cleaned once a year is a good idea because at that time, the jeweler will also check the setting.
High quality Mother of pearl silver pendants, will give you many years of joy and beauty with minimal care and will be a welcome addition to any jewelry wardrobe.
Shark Teeth Pendants from South Dakota
When "Jaws" first swept the nation the demand for shark's teeth pendants soared out of control. Everyone wanted to feel as though they could carry with themselves the power of the shark. This may seem to be a ridiculous notion to those who believe that a tooth is simply a tooth when taken away from the giant, muscular mouth that it belongs to.
It has long been rumored, however, that the teeth of a shark carry with them a great power of protection for those who are fortunate enough to wear them. It is perhaps believed that in some ways the strength and the spirit of the shark live on in these small remnants.
Every is familiar with the deadly potential of the great white shark, as well as any of the millions of sharks swimming around in the sea. The power of the South Dakotan prairie shark, however, is not as widely known.
There are probably about a million people who would see that sentence and immediately reach for the Encyclopedia Brittanica to learn all that they could about the prairie sharks from the midwestern United States. There are no prairie sharks. Rumors of sand sharks have abounded from the Middle East, but the rolling plains of South Dakota boast no such creature. Why, then, are shark's teeth so associated with this landlocked state?
It was believed that during the age of the dinosaurs there was a great seaway that spread across the United States, connecting the oceans and allowing various marine vertebrates to find their way across the country. This accounts for many of the strange fossil findings that scientists have located in these areas.
It should seem impossible to find the fossil of an animal that was quite obviously a member of the marine community in a part of the country that was no where near a body of water large enough for these creatures to survive, yet across the midwest and up into Canada that is precisely what is occurring.
It is believed that this body of water followed a path up through the Gulf of Mexico that spread across the midwestern United States up through Canada to the Arctic Ocean, bisecting the United States almost completely in half. It was through this passageway that these creatures were believed to have traveled.
During the late Cretaceous period it is believed that South Dakota was completely covered by water. The fossil findings by scientists who are excavating throughout the state appear to support this theory.
There have been findings of the fossils of many large marine animals who are believed to have survived during this period buried in the hard ground beneath the plains This includes those that were believe to be the ancestors of the modern day shark; many fossilized teeth have been recovered, and it is these teeth that are being either forged or sold by merchants of South Dakota.
While the prairie shark does not really exist, there do appear to be some forms of marine life that were able to survive on what became the plains of South Dakota. It is because of this that the state was given a claim to fame as a distributor of shark teeth pendants.
Silver Scarab Pendants
A very popular silver pendant amongst people, who are drawn to the Egyptian mythology, is the silver scarab pendant. Most people don't know the mythology behind their silver scarab pendant even though the scarab is a prominent symbol in Egyptology. Having an idea as to where the concept comes from for your silver scarab pendant helps deepen the symbolism and the meaning attached to it.
The ancient Egyptians have long held the scarab as sacred. They believed the scarab was the symbol of a sun god called Khepera, one of the aspects, attributed to this deity, was the ability to transform inert matter into active life. The symbolism associated with the scarab was derived from a dung beetle that lays their eggs within a ball of clay. From within this ball of clay the beetle would hatch and symbolized the creation of new life. So a silver scarab pendant most often symbolizes creation or life.
The majority of amulets that the Egyptians made were mostly from carved soapstone and then glazed with crushed stones, sand, and gems, these were then worn or carried as a protective amulet.
Egyptian style silver scarab pendants may seem like a common form of jewelry today, in ancient Egypt master Smith's would fashion elaborate neck pieces of silver or gold which often included a scarab in its motif which were worn not only for adornment but for protection, in both this life and in the afterlife, as well.
Many of the silver scarab pendants that are on the market are imported directly from Egypt. The majority of silver scarab pendants are crafted using the casting method, which silver is turned to liquid under high heat and poured into a mold. And although they can make several at a time, each silver scarab pendant still needs to be finished by hand.
In the United States we are used to the standard of our fine silver being about 90% silver and 10% metal alloy, usually copper, to increase the silver's strength. Egyptian silver is generally 80% silver and 20% metal alloy. Generally, if it comes from Egypt, it is not considered to be fine sterling silver; although in Egypt the 80/20 mixture is considered to be fine silver by their standards.
This is something to keep in mind when you are purchasing a silver scarab pendant and is not meant to deter you if you choose to purchase your silver scarab pendant made from Egyptian silver, and this is for informational purposes only. You should be aware that because Egyptian silver is made with a 20 % metal alloy, you may notice that your piece will need more frequent cleanings to keep your silver scarab pendant looking like new.
Normally, if they are crafted and stamped on the back, they are domestically crafted and your silver scarab pendant will in general need the same amount of care as any other pieces of silver jewelry may need. With either domestic or foreign silver, caring for your piece is generally the same.
Using a soft jewelers cloth and a bit of polish, you would clean your silver scarab pendant with a gentle circular motion. Although nowadays they have silver polishing cloths that do not need silver polish in order to remove any tarnish that may have accumulated on your silver scarab pendant.
Silver Sandal Pendants
Imagine if you will for a moment in the gloom and doom that generally accompany a winter day spent at home. The sky is gray. The ground, covered with snow, has lost its luster and is also gray. Everyone around is lamenting the snow, and their moods are gray. All in all, winter can be a very gray, dull time. So how can you spice up your mood and propel your way through winter with a smile?
Now imagine for a moment that it was summertime all year-round. The birds in the trees. The flowers blooming bright. The waves crashing on the beach as you dance barefoot through the sand in the moonlight. While there is no way that you can be certain to make the sun's hot rays shine all year round you can carry a reminder of those precious hours of freedom spent enjoying the heat and the atmosphere of the beach with you all throughout the winter with a silver sandal pendant.
Imagine walking around through the whole of the winter with a flip-flop hanging from a rope around your neck. Probably not the fashion statement you were going for in order to impress your boss, right? (If it was, make sure that you never quit that job. You will never find a boss that cool again.)
Even though a flip-flop or a sandal immediately brings back all of the happy feelings you had when you were enjoying fun in the sun throughout the months of July and August it is generally considered rather tacky to carry a shoe around with you any place other than on your foot.
Modern jewelers have changed this. They have created the type of sandal that was designed to be worn around your neck, so that when you find yourself stuck in the middle of the winter doldrums with no chance of escape you can touch your necklace, turn your thoughts inward and find the strength to get through until this hideous season is over and you can once again find happiness in the simple things in life; a smooth seashell, a colorful fish or that summer tan that will make you look and feel as though you just spent a holiday in the Bahamas.
Be careful! Wearing a sandal pendant does not mean that you are pining away for summer (even though you probably are), nor does it only represent the fact that you have an "X" slashed through each day and the little Christmas countdown clock counting down the days until Memorial Day when the pool opens up. Wearing a sandal pendant says a lot about your personality.
It says, "I will not be a slave to conventional fashion. I will go my own way. I will find satisfaction in every aspect of my appearance, right down to something as small as my necklace" and, perhaps most importantly, a sandal pendant declares to the entire rest of the world slogging through dreary winter weather, "You can take the girl out of the beach but you can't take the beach out of the girl."
Sterling Silver Pendants
The use of silver to make jewelry has been around for centuries, and although the silversmith techniques have changed somewhat throughout the years, the attention to quality and detail has not. Sterling silver, at one time was reserved only for those who were wealthy, and few could afford it.
Thankfully, in the modern world Sterling silver has become much more affordable and one does not need to be wealthy in order to have a Sterling silver pendant within their jewelry wardrobe. In today's market it is relatively easy to choose a quality Sterling silver pendant, if you keep your eyes open to the little details.
Sterling silver is made from silver ore, which is then combined with other metal alloys in order to give silver strength. 100% pure silver ore is very pliable and tends not to remain as it is formed and quickly loses its shape. The most common alloy used is copper and this is added to the silver, as this does not alter the color, but does provide it with the necessary strength to hold its shape, ensuring that your Sterling silver pendant will maintain its designed under normal use.
However, all jewelry that is claiming to be Sterling silver is required to be stamped or have some sort of recognized hallmark. Often it is simply marked. .925 or with a 9.25 and that refers to the minimum amount of pure silver needed in its composition in order to be called Sterling silver. If the Sterling silver pendant that you are considering, is from another country it may be stamped with a symbol or a company mark and any jeweler can identify it for you if needed.
When you are shopping for a Sterling silver pendant, you will notice that the prices can fluctuate from day to day or from even store-to-store, as silver is considered a precious metal and tends to fluctuate as the market does.
Keeping an eye on the average rate of silver in the market can give you a general idea as for price. However if the price is too low, it usually indicates that either the piece is not genuine or that it may be Silver-plated. Usually if you turn it over and the Sterling silver pendant has a .925 you can be assured that it is genuine.
Keeping your Sterling silver pendant beautiful for many years to come requires very little effort. There are a few precautions that you should take in caring for your Sterling silver
Pendant, the most damaging is exposing it to certain chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, and acetone which can damage it beyond repair.
Using commercial jewelry cleaners should be fine if nothing mentioned above is listed in the ingredients. Natural oxidation or tarnish often occurs on all silver, which can make your Sterling silver pendant look dull, using a jewelers cloth, sometimes also called a silver cloth, will often removed the tarnish by simply using a gentle rubbing motion.
Storing your Sterling silver pendant in a tarnish proof cloth when you will not be wearing it will help protect it from scratching against other pieces and reduce oxidation. Sterling silver pendants are timeless additions to your jewelry collection and are meant to last a lifetime and they will with proper care and storage.
All About Silver Baltic Amber Pendants
The ageless beauty of a Silver Baltic Amber Pendant, timeless in the sense of fashion, as for centuries artisans have utilized Baltic Amber in jewelry, highly prized for its clarity and its ease to be able to fashion it into timeless pieces.
The Baltic Amber, such as what is in your Sliver Baltic Amber Pendant, is around the age range of 30 to 90 million years old. Although it is often classified as a gem, with a hardness rating on the Mohs's scale of a 2-2.5, it is actually a fossilized tree resin and this accounts for the varying ranges of colors within the amber, but the majority of Baltic Amber come from pine tree resins, often prized because of the inclusions of insects contained in the resin, although this can be rare.
90% of the world's extractable amber is located in the Kaliningrad region of Russia along the Baltic Sea, where raw Amber is simply cast up from the sea floor by the waves and then collected at the ebb tide. True Amber is only slightly denser then salt water and was often caught in nets along the Baltic shore.
There are about 250 varying shades and colors in Baltic amber. The most common range from transparent honey yellow through warm orange, but also red on up to brown, so when choosing your Silver Baltic Amber Pendant you will have a variety of colors to choose from. All Amber is highly valued and it is just a matter of personal preference as to your taste in color, shape, and design, when choosing your Silver Baltic Amber pendant.
It is difficult to make sure that you are buying a real Silver Baltic Amber Pendant and not counterfeit amber pendant. There are several tests that one could do to determine if amber is genuine although in the case of finished jewelry it is not recommended, as it would damage the piece.
The majority of tests involve heat and the use of salt water but this is usually only done with raw amber. It is sad but there are a lot of counterfeit Baltic Amber silver pendants on the market and using price as a gauge is of no use in most cases. Purchasing your Silver Baltic Amber Pendant from a reputable jeweler or dealer will ensure that your piece is genuine.
Caring for your Silver Baltic Amber Pendant properly will assure that you are able to enjoy your beautiful piece for many years to come. Amber in general can change as time goes on, if exposed to the elements and common chemicals. To help stabilize its color and finish, Amber is often coated with a protective resin when used in jewelry. You will still want to take precautions with your piece.
Your Silver Baltic Amber pendant should not be stored or displayed in direct sunlight, this can over time change its color. It is also a good idea not to expose it to chemicals such as hairspray and perfumes as this can dull the finish and eventually damage your pendant.
When storing your Silver Baltic Amber pendant, keep in mind that other pieces of jewelry with sharp edges can scratch and ding the Amber. Putting it into a separate area of your jewelry box or inside a pouch will help protect it. If you need to clean your piece, simply use a soft jewelry cloth.
There is nothing like the warm glow of a beautiful Silver Baltic Amber Pendant as an addition to your jewelry wardrobe. If you use care and precaution, your piece will last a lifetime.