Old Fashion Girl

Archive for March, 2010

Earrings -A Fashion Statement Of The Ages

An earring is jewelry worn on the earlobe, usually clipped to the earlobe or fastened through a hole made in the earlobe. This is the piece of jewelry that is first noticed when looking at a person. This piece of jewelry decorates the ear and adds to the femininity of a woman. They are worn by both genders but to a lesser extent by man. They give the finishing touch to beauty and make a fashion statement.

History of earrings dates back to 2500 BC. In those days, earrings were worn only by the nobility. In the middle ages, this type of jewelry had taken a backseat as more importance was given to very elaborate hairstyles and neck pieces. They did make a comeback, and the metals used in the making of earrings were so heavy that the weight of the earrings caused elongated earlobes.

All precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and silver are used in the making of this adornment. Materials such as plastic, glass, and beads were used too. Precious gemstones like ruby, sapphire, topaz, diamond, and emerald were mounted on to the precious metal, giving the earring a more colorful, dazzling, and exotic look.

These adornments are made in all shapes and sizes to suit all types of faces. There are dangling ones, hoops, studs, buttons, droplets, chandelier earrings and many others. There are earrings to go with evening wear, for business meetings, office and more elaborate ones for weddings and other functions etc.

It would be interesting to note that in the days of Christ, it was said that wearing an earring was a demonic act. In India, in the earlier days, the Yogis practiced splitting their ears and placing large heavy earrings made of horn or glass at the time of their initiation into the sect. All that sounds crude with the advancement of technology and ear piercing is no longer such a tortuous procedure and is almost nothing more than pinprick now.

People from most cultures believe in wearing earrings at a very early age. In many cultures, ears are pierced as soon as the baby is born. This jewelry have never been the prerogative of women alone, as men wore them in years of yore and now wear them as a fashion statement. They have become a unisex piece of jewelry. Today the trend of wearing multiple earrings at the same time is prevalent.

The popularity of earrings has stood the test of time. They can enhance ones mood just my making a person feel confident and great.

Bridal Jewelry: Common Mistakes

The Engagement Ring

Shopping for the perfect engagement ring can be very exciting, yet thought provoking. For most couples, an engagement ring is intended to serve as a permanent fixture in their relationship. With this said, it is important for the couple not to select a diamond engagement ring that is too trendy. Selecting bridal jewelry that is too up-to-the-minute may cause the bride to grow out of her ring in a couple of years. The best engagement ring is one that is timeless.

Bridal Accessories

The average bride will choose a bridal jewelry set to wear with her wedding gown. However, it is important that the bride refrain from choosing bridal jewelry before she has selected her wedding dress. Hence, bridal accessories are supposed to enhance the dress–not the other way around. This important factor follows the age-old question–What comes first, the chicken or the egg?

Something Borrowed

Inheriting a family treasure from mother, grandmother, or even great-grandmother is a kind gesture–especially when it can be worn on the bride’s wedding day. Although wearing a family heirloom for bridal jewelry is sentimental, it may not be a practical choice. As mentioned earlier, the purpose of accessories is to enhance the overall appearance of the wedding dress. If grandmother’s antique pearls conflicts with the style of the wedding gown, it may be best not to wear the heirloom. In this case, it may be a good idea to agree to wear the borrowed jewelry to the engagement party, rehearsal dinner, or on the honeymoon.

Something Old

This could easily apply to something that you received from your mother, grandmother, etc.. but it can also be something that brings back pleasant early memories. How long did you know your future husband? Maybe your bridal jewelry is a reflection of the first present he gave you (visit to a fabulous beach). How about beach themed jewelry for you and your bridesmaids.

Something New

Even if you choose to make an heirloom as the center of your bridal jewelry, complement it with some of the elegance of modern Swarovski crystal accessories or the latest designs in pearls.

Bridal jewelry is a significant element in preparing for marriage. As a symbol of everlasting love and an enhancement for the bride’s wedding attire, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that many brides have made in the past. When it comes to selecting the perfect bridal jewelry, the bride should choose wisely!

Article written by Michelle Lindsey

Diamond Bracelet -A Fashion Statement Of Today

A gift of diamonds is precious and brings a glint to the eyes of the receiver. An exquisite diamond bracelet sparkling on the wrist adds beauty even to the most beautiful woman. Diamond bracelets spell class and there is nothing better than a diamond bracelet to stand out in a crowd.

What makes a diamond bracelet special is the design, style, and the cut of the stone. All these three factors are very important and should be taken into consideration before getting a diamond bracelet.

Diamond bracelets are in vogue today and they come in all shapes and sizes, from the simple to the outrageous. Tennis bracelets, charm bracelets, bangle bracelets, link bracelets, heart bracelet, chain bracelets, rope bracelets, cuff bracelets, mesh bracelets are some of the varieties of diamond bracelets, the most popular being the tennis bracelets and charm bracelets.

Tennis bracelets are nothing but thin line diamond bracelets, which owe their name to Chris Evert, the tennis star. During a US Open match, she was wearing an in-line thin diamond bracelet and it slipped while playing. The game had to be stopped for a while, as she searched for it. Now they are better known as tennis bracelets and are worn by other tennis players too. The charm diamond bracelets are beautiful as they hang gracefully from the wrist and are noticed by everyone around. The metals used are gold, sterling silver, platinum, rhodium, white gold, rose gold, and titanium.

When looking for a diamond bracelet, you should look for a GIA certified diamond sign. GIA is Gemological Institute of America and provides you the assurance that you are getting good quality diamonds. The 4Cs of diamonds are the cut, clarity, color, and carat. Carat is the size of the diamonds. If the diamond bracelet is set with bigger diamonds, the price will be higher. Asking the jeweler to provide with the certification detailing the 4Cs of the diamonds in the bracelet is essential.

It is also important to understand diamond grading. They are graded from D to Z, with D being the rarest diamond. A diamond should be colorless. Light should reflect the brilliance of the diamonds in the bracelet. Diamond bracelets that are guaranteed show no visible color and are genuine.

Diamond bracelets are a perfect gift to give someone you love. There is no need of an occasion to gift a diamond. Diamonds may be expensive but if one can afford them, there is nothing that can compare. When diamonds are arranged with other precious stones like emerald, topaz, sapphire, citrine, or ruby, they are even more colorful and beautiful.

Birthstone Jewelry Makes a Great Gift

What is birthstone jewelry? Each month of the year has a specific gemstone associated with it that is considered the “birthstone” for that month. Your birthstone is the gemstone that the month you are born is assigned to.

Since the custom of wearing birthstone jewelry began, it has been thought to provide the wearer with luck and other virtues specific to their month of birth. It also was rumored to provide the wearer with protection from evil forces. In modern times,birthstone jewelry makes a perfect gift for any occasion – Holidays, Birthdays, Anniversaries and any other time you need a thoughtful, yet cost effective gift.

Birthstone jewelry is not hard to find at any department store, or online. Due to its popularity, merchants usually have a decent selection of birthstone rings, pedants, earrings and other birthstone jewelry. You can often find coupons and discounts on birthstone jewelry, especially around the Holidays, Valentines Day, and Mothers Day when it is a popular gift item.

Here is a handy list of months and their birthstones:
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April – White Topaz
May – Emerald
June – Pearl, Moonstone
July – Ruby
August – Peridot
September – Sapphire
October – Opal, Tourmaline
November – Yellow Topaz, Citrine
December – Turquoise, Blue Topaz

Birthstone jewelry makes a great gift for young girls. There is inexpensive quality costume birthstone jewelry that is made specifically for 5 – 12 yr old girls. Kids will find it neat that they are wearing “their” birthstone, not to mention that they will enjoy dressing up in their jewelry just like mom.

Speaking of Mom, birthstone jewelry makes an excellent gift for women as well. There are many varieties of gold, silver and platinum birthstone jewelry. Some of them can be pricey, but are often coupled with diamonds and/or other precious stones. Your recipient will be touched at the personal thought that went into their gift. Or, as a twist, you can even find custom jewelry that has several birthstones, one for each child or grandchild.

Designer Handbags

With the urban rich adopting the attitude, have money will spend, premium luxury brands are making a beeline for the high-end segment. Ladies are increasingly investing in fashion accessories, particularly designer handbags.

With an increase in disposable income, the potential is enormous. The biggest draw, though, is what the industry terms the image factor. Brand image has different connotations for different people. For young, it’s being in; for the upper middle-class segment, its creating pockets of wealth in their lives; and for the affluent, it’s an assertion of their class.

When we establish a physical presence in any country, our target is long-term success, and not immediate returns; but we usually develop a strong customer base within a short time, comments Prasanna Bhaskar, Retail Manager, Louis Vuitton. About 300 Suhali Goat Leather Handbags priced at $2,893.96 were dispatched to a burgeoning market like India, but it turned out to be a gross underestimate of the demand; the entire collection sold out within two months. Bhaskar attributes this to the desire to associate with a well-known, high-end brand.

Another hot seller is a Marc Jacobs Quilted Venetia handbag in vintage-inspired quilted leather. Priced at $1,200.00, the leather is complemented by brass hardware and luxe-suede interiors. The young at heart are snapping up Marc Jacobs Quilted Denim Large Hobo Banana priced at $875.00. Everything about this Italian hobo, from the chunky brass straps to the slant zip pockets, makes it irresistible; the quilted denim is teamed with topstitched leather and signature hardware. Prada Lock Tote is in demand, too, and is characterized by antique leather trim, front flap, signature lock closure, and magnetic-snap front pockets.