What Make Your Beaded Jewelry Design Appealing

Four things make a good beaded jewelry design: uniqueness, design, functionality and quality. These four will make your porcelain beads jewelry design stand out among the best designs. But it must also have that special appeal to the buying customers, otherwise it will not sell. A beaded jewelry design to be considered successful should be distinctive enough to influence buyers into purchasing it.
Uniqueness
Uniqueness is an essential part of a good marketing campaign. Before you start promoting your product, see first if it is unique and innovative for anything else in the market. To assess this, you should consider how the beaded jewelry design works, how it is made and how it looks. You should not forget to note the approaches to marketing by successful competitors and the prices of similar designs. Uniqueness can contribute greatly to your sales. The more unique are your beaded jewelry designs, the more it is to catch the attention of your customers.
Design
Successful jewelry designers often set their prides aside, and take a look, rather a sensitive look, at the tastes and designs of others. A jewelry design will not succeed, unless this design coincides with what customers want to own and are willing to pay for. Yet, always remember that a practical item which has just been copied and do not have the design originality will have to face competition with the cheap and easy to acquire beaded jewelry as well as the mass-produced products.
Functionality
Many handcrafted and artistic items are created to be purely decorative while some are intended to be functional. If the piece that you designed has a combination of these two, it has a higher chance of selling. But when do you know if the unique and beautiful piece of wearable art is functional? You can easily see: if it is not too heavy, is long enough, is not too clunky, is not too chunky, and not too fragile. If the parts do not catch easily on things, not difficult to put on or off, does not easily fall off the wearer. You can then consider your beaded jewelry functional.
Quality
Your reputation as a jeweler should be based on the quality of your beaded products, whether it be made of alloy beads, porcelain beads or glass beads Many customers will make a quick inspection before buying your piece. Still others will make a careful inspection. Of course the design will be the first thing that will attract their attention, then they will continue to check the workmanship and the materials. Distinct quality of your beaded jewelry may not be noticed by the average customer. They are not aware of your skills; nor do they know about the extra little pains you have endured only to present a perfect creation. But this distinct quality you can use as a great selling point to let everyone know that your beaded jewelry design is made of high craftsmanship quality.

Leopard Carving

I don't know how I came by my first chunk of Mexican Leopardskin Jasper, but I know since I got it I was always impressed with it. It was such a beautiful, striking material, always bringing comment and requiring a second look. Of course, it was the perfect choice for a leopard carving. In fact, I kept telling people, "Someday I'm going to carve a leopard out of it", until I realized if I didn't get on it, I was just lying to people. Maybe it was a carving of a pig out of Leopardskin Jasper I had seen that became the catalyst. I looked on it with such disdain because the material seemed such an inappropriate choice for a pig. It was clear I must carve a leopard.
I looked the piece over. Leopardskin Jasper is entirely loaded with spots, but it also has the odd black and tan sheet going through it which shows on the surface as a stripe. I had to find an area free of that stripe. There seemed to be a pyramid-like shape in the piece that was just spots, so I cut the piece out as near as I could to the stripes, and got a nice chunk that would accommodate a leopard sitting on its haunches, looking back over its left shoulder. The tail could be wrapped around its rump. I started off looking for pictures of leopards in poses close to the position I was after. I found lots of material, but very few choices that would be of any help. It's easier today with the internet, but this was around 1991. The study of the leopard led to other things, like our company logo, jewelry (designed in the leopard motif), and my first silver casting of a leopard profile. Anyway, I managed to find one that was a help.
I drew outlines of the leopard onto the rock with permanent marker from all sides, then I clamped it into my 14" diamond chop saw. I put on a particulate mask and made successive cuts down to that contour, then with a flat screwdriver I broke off the rock still standing. This got rid of a lot of material right away. Then I took the piece to a 100 grit 8" diamond grinding wheel, and continued to grind down the shape. Further removal of the material in this way was done with diamond cutoff wheels and coarse diamond burrs in a clamped # 30 Foredom hand piece under a water drip. Soon, it was to the point where I could begin the smoothing with 220 grit 8"x 3" silicon carbide belt, and small pads made from 220 belts. Then 400 grit. Then 600 grit. Polishing was done with a 1200 mesh diamond compound and beefed up with extra 1200 powder, then 8000 mesh diamond on hard felt wheels, small sticks, and anything else that would hold the grit and get into small details.
The leopard now stood at about 3 ½ inches tall. My plan was to cut the eyes out of chrysoprase, and I was amazed at how small they had to be in order to be in proportion. I remember a carving of a house cat I had seen years before with chrysoprase eyes, and they looked like day-glow jelly beans. Recalling that fright I was determined the eyes should be exactly in proportion and the right shape. Nothing else would do!
I mounted the leopard on a highly polished slab of Mexican Peacock Obsidian, which had a strong green and purple sheen. I enjoyed doing it, and it drew a lot of attention. Years ago, at the show in Medicine Hat, a dealer thanked us for the amount of Leopardskin Jasper they had sold after people saw it.

Why Beaded Jewelry Makes A Perfect Gift

Lampwork beads jewelry, or any type of beaded jewelry, can be a perfect gift to present to your loved ones. You can either buy it for them or you can make it yourself. Jewelry that you created personally is more meaningful, because it shows the recipient how much she means to you. You devoted a valuable portion of your time and effort to create something for them to appreciate and enjoy. It also means that you can gift them with a jewelry that is not just a price tag. Personally made beaded jewelry is a symbol that you are giving a piece of you along with the gift.
But beaded jewelry as a gift does not mean you are free to just string lampwork beads or other beads and give them away. You should choose your materials very well and take into consideration the recipient's personality when matching the colors. If she is a jovial person, the best to give are colorful jewelry like glass beads. For more conservative types you take note of how they carry themselves and base your design on these. People will appreciate your gift and the gesture, because they know that you care about what they want to receive.
Designing personalized beaded jewelry to be given as a gift is not a smooth ride always. When you run out of design ideas, you can try some new tricks, and also old ones that you have not done for quite a time. But do not worry, because you can always revitalize your creativity. Just follow these suggestions.
- Mix and match colors randomly and find out what works,
- Look around you for design ideas and inspirations,
- Refresh your old designs; check out the older ornaments that you created, for inspiration,
- Look at other people's works,
- Experiment - do something different from what you used to do, and
- Find ideas and inspirations at the internet.
If you are not a do-it-yourself person but would like to give a beaded jewelry as a gift, you can always buy. There are many jewelry shops in your locality and around the internet. You can purchase beaded necklaces to your niece or sister. For your mother or best friend, beaded necklaces with pendant will help her show her elegance, her good taste and favorite color. The gift will be more appreciated if you can find a bead jewelry set that is complete with bracelet, a necklace and a pair of earrings. Now this really is a fabulous gift.
Beaded jewelry is almost always appropriate for different occasions. These accessories can be used from the day-to-day wear to more formal occasions. When intended to use in formal events, you choose a beaded jewelry with sterling silver strands and uniform, small beads If the recipient wears a beaded jewelry like this, her looks will be accented, but without stealing all attention. Even in parties, where it is always appropriate to wear noticeable ornaments, you can give beaded bracelets or any jewelry piece with jangling beads to allow the wearer to get noticed.

Let Out Your Inner Animal With Cartier Timepieces

Valentines Day may be over, but you can still love to turn people green with envy just in time for St. Patty's day. Cartier's latest designs bring out your inner animal with gorgeous diamond accents and dazzling designs. What design should you choose to have other drooling over your Cartier?
Take a look at the menagerie of animals on Cartier's watches and find which best suits you!
Luxurious Panther
Cartier's Panther collection wouldn't be complete without their Panthère Secrète de Cartier watch. The waving lines of the dial and tourmaline eyes of the jungle cat are will make you catch your breath. With a bejeweled panther purring above the watch face and round cut diamond accents, this watch displays all the luxurious grace of a cat with the all the people-pleasing features of a Cartier.
Gorgeous Gecko
Feeling glam? Why not try this gecko on for size? The Le Cirque Animalier De Cartier Collection captures all the wonder elements of wildlife of the animals you love best. With black enamel spots, mother-of-pearl accents, and emerald eyes, this piece is sure to turn your friends green with envy. Geckos are a symbol of luck and the cycle of life in Polynesia. It's a perfect find just in time for St. Patrick's day!
Busy Bumblebee
Do you prefer a brighter addition to your accessories? Why not try the Bee Décor watch from Cartier? Whether you're a busy bee or just prefer to laze in the sun, this watch will only generate the best buzz among your friends. With a warm yellow toile brossée strap and sparkling diamond accents, this timepiece is sure to be as bright as you are. What a fun addition to your busy lifestyle!
Confident Cockatiel
Cockatiels are beautiful birds native to Australia and are known for their distinctive crest, which responds to their emotions. This watch design incorporates the beautiful lines and plumage of a cockatiel with Cartier's trademark jeweled accents. The soft colors of the watch work beautifully with the striking figure of the cockatiel swooping over the watch face to create an image of bold, yet sophisticated beauty. The pale pink sapphires on the feathers are a standout feature of this piece and will have you whistling your own happy tune.
Cartier's animal timepieces will drive you wild with their balance of color, jewel, and gorgeous critters. Find the animal that best suits your personality, and let your watch speak-or roar-for itself.

Fashion Jewellery and Its Prominence in The Fashion Industry

Defining the term 'Fashion Jewellery' and its prominence in the fashion industry is often as difficult as it is to distinguish the difference between Fashion Jewellery and Fine Jewellery. Fashion Jewellery can be also referred to as 'Costume Jewellery' defined as a decorative item made from inexpensive metals and semi-precious stones manufactured to essentially compliment a fashion garment or overall fashion look.
Jewellery is one of the oldest inventions created and has played a number of different roles in society. Originally jewellery held an important role in society; it was used mainly as a method of showing wealth and status, as a means of currency and also used symbolically throughout many religions. Back then jewellery was made from precious metals and stones manufactured purely as a piece on its own, a keepsake, collectable and an investment.
It is thought that Coco Chanel, birth mother of the powerhouse fashion brand 'Chanel' first introduced 'Fashion Jewellery' and the concept that jewellery can worn to complete and compliment a particular outfit and/or look, often wearing her own jewellery in such a way. Coco Chanel partnered with Duke Fulco di Verdura, an influential jeweller, to launch the House of Chanel Line. The fashion conscious and wealthy loved the House of Chanel pieces which became very successful, although usually the wealthy were the only people who could afford such creations. Coco Chanel paved the way for jewellery to become accessible to the rest of society with the statement, "it's disgusting to walk around with millions around your neck because one happens to be rich. I only like fake jewellery because it's provocative."
Through Coco Chanel's influence and stance on jewellery as an accessory rather than a commodity as well as industrialisation, the ability to mass produce and the availability of cheaper materials jewellery has had the capacity to become more accessible to a larger demographic, more affordable and has been able to reflect and cater for many different styles, trends and tastes.
Fashion is a fast paced and ever changing industry with many insiders debating whether if at all 'Fashion Jewellery' is in fact considered or even a part of the fashion family. There is no question that there is a huge difference between the jewellery we wear to make a statement or to compliment an outfit and the fine jewellery often bought and worn for sentimental value, that is to last a lifetime. Fine jewellery is made from real gold and silver with precious stones and metals; a piece of fine jewellery can range from a simple gold chain to a stunning diamond necklace and typically these pieces are not considered fashionable or on trend. Fashion Jewellery allows accessories to compliment and to complete outfits to achieve and overall look, with a limited life span measure in seasonal trends. There is no real competition between the two, yes they are both worn as accessories adorned on our bodies but their relevance to fashion is as different as their price tags.
Nothing can compare to the excitement when receiving a gift in a little blue box with a Tiffany & Co bow, Fine jewellery from brands such as Tiffany & Co has a reputation, expectation and relevance within our society, people recognise and appreciate the significance of receiving and owning a piece of jewellery that is not only sentimental but is almost guaranteed to last a lifetime. Fashion Jewellery is just that 'fashion,' it is made to one day become 'unfashionable,' following the ever changing and evolving fashion industry. Fashion jewellery designers look to the catwalks of Paris, New York, London and Milan every year to gain inspiration and to see where fashion will take us next. Fashion jewellery is influenced and created solely for the purpose of fashion.

Handmade Silver Rings and Other Valuable Jewelry Pieces

Silver has remained as valuable as gold in making jewelry like handmade silver rings. If you're thinking of buying rings, here are some things you should know.
What is the value of silver?
Silver is a metallic element used throughout many eras. Various civilizations used these for trade, as ornaments. At some point, it became the basis for various monetary systems. This, in turn, made silver a popular and sought after precious metal.
In fact, the Roman currency's stability relied on silver bullion supply. Back then, the Romans mined it at an unparalleled scale before the supposed discovery of the New World. During those times, peak production reached 200 tons (t) annually.
Various historians gauged that silver was by then 10,000 t. This amount circulated well within the Roman economic system in the mid second century AD. A staggering quantity as this was five to ten times larger than amounts during medieval Europe and other ruling civilizations around 800 AD.
Today, silver still denotes a high value especially on antique items. Many people remain captivated by silverware cutlery or small wine flasks. Allusions to silver still exist, as we continue to use sayings like "born with a silver spoon" or "every cloud has a silver lining."
Handmade jewelry
Custom-made jewelry, like handmade silver rings, are popular pieces given distinct designs by various craft artists. People buying unique rings, necklace or earrings can have custom-made designs for a more personal touch.
Handmade jewelry is a collection of items formed by hand rather than machines. This means each piece received careful attention through skilled designers. They are usually artists in their own right, as these people design, draw and execute finely formed and distinct items.
Compared to mass-produced jewelry, these items have more character. Executed designs in these unique rings can also reflect personal styles and tastes. If jewelers accept personalized designs, this can make rings all the more valuable. Resale value can reach higher prices, too, if displayed on magazines, exhibits or worn by celebrities.
In a way, it also preserves art and artisanship as it encourages people who want to study this craft. This incorporates interest in the trade and makes it a feasible career. It also expands people's imagination as different artists can produce different designs. With each design produced, more people can develop enhanced or original designs in the future.
Can people use silver rings as wedding bands?
Yes, they can. While gold is traditional for this momentous occasion, there's no reason to exclude silver. You can also use these rings in many other events. It's also possible to wear them as daily accessory or for social celebrations requiring certain dress codes.
Handmade silver rings are available in many jewelry stores. If you like online shopping, buying through the Web is also possible. Just make sure to read client agreements for payment and privacy carefully to protect your interest.

Fascinating Faceting

Let me think now. How was it that it began? It was down in Larry Kidner's basement so long ago. I was just nosing around in lapidary at the time. I remember him, the seasoned faceter, showing my new bride and I his faceting machine and his dizzying array of cut gems. The astonishing precision and the in-depth knowledge that would have to be achieved was so intimidating that I couldn't imagine even beginning to be interested in actually setting out to learn it. I was enthralled by his stones but I left his house that day without an inkling that someday I would be faceting as well...
But real life is so much stranger than fiction. As I think back the images come floating by like dandelion seeds on the wind. I see the first little piece of amethyst I bought from Stan Pierson at Western Gem and Mineral and saying to him, " I've been thinking lately I'd like to get into faceting", and he saying, "You should!" and now I see him showing me a large free-form Topaz he had just cut. At that time I had never seen it done and could not fathom how it could be. That kind of repeatable precision, for me, was like the dark side of the moon and it scared me. It seemed that to be able to achieve it must be extraordinarily taxing. I can see that big box sitting there holding my brand new faceting machine. Day after day for a year it sat there before I finally got the courage to take it out of the box.
The light goes on. The diamond lap begins to turn. There is a piece of clear quartz descending for it's first kiss from the surface of the spinning disc and I am feeling like an astronaut on my first lift-off. I guess the first surprise was that the silly thing began grinding just like the book said it would instead of shattering as I imagined it would. Nerves are funny things.
While sitting in that office chair I began a flight through a dimension I had never encountered before; a journey through the microcosm that could be tedious and fascinating at the same time. It was a realm where one struggled like a miser gone mad to save precious material, where concerns were measured by tenths of a millimeter and the yield from those long hours were shown and fawned over again and again.
Today I have a Tanga Garnet I'm working at. I started it when I began this article. I've never seen or cut a Tanga garnet before so I'm very much interested in the result. It was very exciting when I got it as a rounded river worn pebble, a rosy warmth glowing deep within. I'll be reporting on it as we go along. Perhaps one day I'll be able to show it to you. It was like breaking free of the Earth's gravitational pull when we found a good supplier. His price lists were actual color photos of his goods taken in full sunlight and it wasn't just pale amethyst, washed out topaz and small dark garnets. It was glorious flashing hues of red and pink Tourmalines, lifesaver orange Mandarin Garnets and Aquamarine of practically unheard of deep blue. The lush jungle greens of Zambian Emeralds, Diopsides or Tsavorite Garnets. For purples there were dark Amethysts from Zambia and lately Nigeria so deep you could taste the concord grapes. Sapphires from the Umba Mountains in yellow and padparadshah, peach and orange, purple, pink, green and blue, many from there and from Songea having that rare ability to change color with the lighting. Tanzanites would often be available and with these I learned about heat-treating to change themfrom their often-drab natural state to that beautiful royal violet blue. They would go into the sand-filled pottery jar and then into the burnout oven looking sometimes like oddball high-grade Smoky Quartz and come out the next day an astonishing blue. Yield is what I'm after with this Tanga Garnet - Yield and plenty of it. Vargas tells me that 25% is acceptable recovery but I like to average quite a bit higher than that, say high 30% to 45%. My best was almost 53% but that only happened once. The "pavilion" (the pointy part) has gone beautifully. Not a hitch and polished perfectly. I had hoped to get a perfect 14 X 10 oval but it came in slightly smaller than that. No matter. It will still go into a 14 X 10 mounting. That is a bonus because if it is a nonstandard size and shape then I have to go to the gold bench and make a new setting or modify an existing commercial setting. All do-able but if I can save myself the bench-time I will.
And what a feeding frenzy there seemed to be when his lists went out, especially when the Mandarin Garnets were up for grabs. Ihad just gotten a list and the photos were liberally sprinkled with the bright orange gems. I was hearing busy signals but I just kept hitting the redial button. "Hello!" "Well hello there! You must be busy!" "Yes Allan, we sure are!" "Do you have any Mandarins left?" "Only three!" "Well I'll take them!" And that was how it was. I never knew when I called if there would be anything worthwhile left. I would choose the numbers I wanted but I always had a few backup choices ready. If I got each one I had chosen I would consider myself fortunate indeed. It happened that way once. When I called I was told I was the first to call from North America. I had beaten the Western Hemisphere! Cool!
The Tanga Garnet has been transferred to another stick now so that I can begin work on the "crown". The color is probably going to be a fuchsia from what I can see so far. Even now with the top still in the rough grind it is close to breathtaking. All of the facets are laid onto the top except for the table facet. I was a little concerned about a shiny line in the upper portion of the stone in case it should be a crack but I was able to cut below it as I was laying in the star facets - those just around the table. I have been asked why I didn't go to these countries myself to get rough gems. Well one reason is simply that I couldn't afford it but for another, even if I did have the money for such a venture, when I got there what would I be? I would be just another inexperienced tourist unable to speak the language of the country or the local dialect. I would have to make contacts with the right people and establish a trust with them and then, should such a miracle happen, I would have to do a volume of business with them which would persuade them to show me their best etc. etc. I believe it would be just as profitable for me to appear before the locals with a sign round my neck, written in their dialect of course, saying, " Hi, I am incredibly naïve. Bring me to your chief for I would make "speak speak" with him and he has probably never seen anyone in such need of a good fleecing as I am. Run along now, there's a good chap, and be quick about it. Opportunity like this does not come every day."
No thanks! My supplier has been doing this for over forty years and I consider it just good business to pay for his expertise. The stones come from the miner to him to me. Only one middleman. That's not bad. The Tanga Garnet has been finished now. I have a rose in my garden called a "Winnipeg Parks". It is an excellent hot pink, which is about the color of the Tanga. The cut is an easy one called a Lazy Oval and appears to be superlative for light return. The stone looks flawless to me. My recovery was over 43% coming in at 5.99 carats. I don't know what it is worth. I'm no gemologist; I just like to cut stones!