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!

Give the Gift of a Citizen Watch This Valentine's Day

If you have decided to treat your sweetheart to a watch this Valentine's Day, then choose a watch with a documented history of success. Choose a Citizen watch - one of the largest watchmakers in the world and a definite industry leader.
The Citizen Watch Company, founded in 1930, came to life at a time when the wrist watch was all the rage. Everyone wanted one. Citizen, one of the first to target its wrist watches to the masses, thought the name said it all: a watch for the citizens.
More than 80 years later, Citizen Watch Company still offers something for everyone: functional, fashionable and affordable timepieces. And along the way, the company has racked up several firsts in the industry:
In 1956, Citizen made the first shock-resistant watch ever manufactured by a Japanese company and the first Japanese-manufactured water resistant watch
It created the very first professional dive watch that could electronically sense depths
It manufactured the slimmest LCD watch and the world's thinnest light-powered watch, the Stiletto
It created the first voice recognition watch
And Citizen still leads the industry in light-powered watches that run on natural and artificial light as power sources.
Citizen watches have plenty of choices for men and women.
Men's watches
Start with a classic like the Citizen Men's Classic Eco-Drive bracelet watch in silver-tone stainless steel. Because it has a quart movement and solar-powered battery, this watch will never need a new battery. The round case surrounds a white dial with bold, black Arabic numerals at all hour positions and a date window at 3:00. The luminous hour and minute hands keep you on time, day and night. The 8½-inch bracelet has a fold-over clasp. It is water resistant to 330 feet.
You will find the Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Quartz Diamond Accent Black Dial Two-tone Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch a bit dressier, but still a classic for any man. The first thing you notice is the two-tone silver and gold bracelet, set off by a gold-tone bezel set with diamond accents. The next thing you will notice is the striking black dial, with gold-tone markers at all hour positions and a date window at 3:00. It has luminous gold-tone hour and minute hands and a sweeping silver-tone second hand. This watch also comes with a solar-powered battery that charges under any form of light. The 8½-inch bracelet closes with a push button deployant. It, too, is water resistant to 330 feet.
Step it up with the Citizen Men's WR 100 Eco-Drive Quartz Chronograph watch. It is a heftier looking watch, with several more functions - all combined in a sleek gunmetal and gold-tone bracelet and case. The black dial features three subdials and a date window at 3:00. Around the dial are luminous gold-tone markers at each hour positions. It features luminous gold-tone hour and minute hands, as well as a second hand. This beauty is also solar-powered, using any form of light. The 8½-inch bracelet features a deployant clasp. It is water resistant to 330 feet.
Women's watches
They call this a sport watch, but the Citizen Women's Eco-Drive Silhouette Sport watch is as attractive as it is functional. Designed with a two-tone gold and silver stainless steel bracelet, it features a round stainless steel case with a gold-tone bezel. On the dial are gold-tone Arabic numerals at 12:00, 6:00 and 9:00, with markers at the remaining hours - except at 3:00 where you will find a date window. The solar-powered watch charges in any form of light. It comes with a generous 8½-inch bracelet and is water resistant to 330 feet.
For a sophisticated look, try the Citizen Women's Eco-Drive Diamond Accent watch. The brushed silver stainless steel bracelet and case are set off by a striking round, black dial with diamond index markers at all hour positions, except 3:00, where you will find the date window. It has luminous silver-tone hour and minute hands that shine brightly against the black dial. It too features a solar battery, meaning you will never need to buy a new battery for this beauty. The bracelet is 7½ inches. It is water resistant to 99 feet.
For a very different look, check out the Citizen Women's Eco-Drive Silhouette Quartz watch with its two-tone stainless steel bracelet. The slimline gold- and silver-tone link bracelet sets off the rectangular case, also created in gold- and silver-tone. You will find gold-tone Arabic numerals at the quarter hours and markers at the remaining positions. Everything about this solar-powered watch appears petite and elegant. The 7½-inch bracelet closes with a push button, foldover clasp. It is water resistant to 99 feet. No matter what your taste, there is a Citizen watch that is right for you.

Go Mod With a Rado Watch

Like many famous watchmakers, Rado began as a manufacturer of watch movements. These precise internal mechanisms are what powered all timepieces before the advent of electronic modules. The company was founded by three brothers in Switzerland in 1917. It soon became a top supplier of movements in a country that was known as the center of the watch world. But that was not enough for the founders of Rado. After four decades of producing watch movements, they decided to introduce a collection of high-end timepieces.
Released in 1962, the Rado Diastar was the first ever scratch-proof watch. Even more important than this achievement was the fact that the watch gave the company direction. They were no longer simply a maker of luxury watches; they used innovative techniques and new materials that had never been seen before in the trade. While other watchmakers were using familiar metals like gold and stainless steel, Rado was experimenting with tungsten, titanium carbide, lanthanum and ceramics.
Why did they focus so intensely on materials? Because luxury watches should be made of sterner stuff. They should be at home in almost any environment. Rado timepieces were designed for men with active lifestyles who didn't want to worry about their accessories. It is for this reason that they became the market leader in scratch-proof watches.
It is also important to note that Rado watches are quite expensive. They start at around $700 and go all the way up to about $28,000. Something that pricey should be built to last, since it is a substantial investment for almost anyone. Because they are highly scratch-resistant, most used timepieces from Rado look nearly new, which is why they are often passed to the next generation. When you buy one of their watches you are making an investment in a family heirloom that will likely tick on long after you are gone.
The company continued to push the boundaries of function and design even after the Quartz Revolution of the 1970s. The introduction of a new digital technology forced many luxury watchmakers to either fold up shop or change directions. But Rado refused to abandon the project that had come to define them. In fact, they doubled down on scratch-proof technology at a time when most of their peers were playing it safe.
Even though digital watches were all the rage, Rado released some of their most popular and innovative models in the 1980s. Their first scratch-proof watch with a bracelet that was made of incredibly hard and remarkably light ceramics was introduced in 1986. The ceramic bracelet became a popular option in many subsequent Rado models.
Another major milestone was reached in 1996, when Rado revealed their first ladies' watch. Though it had always been known and promoted as a brand for men, the use of new materials gave them the ability to design a strong and attractive watch for women. The DiaQueen combines gold, diamonds and ceramics in a stunning scratch-proof timepiece that has gained a loyal following.
As important as raw materials are, Rado also showed that it could create interesting and innovative new designs. Released in 1999, the Rado Cerix featured a modish spiral-shaped bracelet that was naturally paired with superior materials to usher in a new generation of luxury watches.
The company's most celebrated achievement occurred in 2004, when they unveiled the V10K. Named the hardest watch on earth by the Guinness Book of World Records, it was created by transforming carbon into a nano-crystalline diamond that earned an incredible hardness number of ten thousand! The timepiece was the tangible culmination of everything the company had been working for since its inception. But that didn't mean Rado was done. They continue to design unique timepieces for luxury watch lovers everywhere. Now known the world over, Rado is on the top tier of the luxury market along with manufacturers like clock and Breitling.
Though they are not as well-known as some of their competitors, Rado has received more than two dozen international design awards in a relatively short period of time. Remember, they have only been making watches for a little over half a century. Many of their peers have been around for twice, even three times as long.
Rado continues to raise eyebrows and push the limits of what a timepiece can do. Their newer models offer striking design features that were not present in their earlier watches. Instead of classic simplicity and elegance, these watches are modern, even futuristic. Some watch lovers adore them and others prefer earlier models. But at the end of the day, the important thing is that Rado continues to experiment with new styles, materials and designs.

Hamilton Watches: Fashion and Function

Looking to buy a new watch? You'll want to make sure it checks the "two F's" off the list: fashion and function. When it comes to purchasing a timepiece, the two go hand in hand. You don't want a watch that's purely fashionable, because you do need to be able to tell time - but you also don't want a watch that's purely functional, because let's face it, there's nothing cute about an obnoxious, ugly, clunky watch weighing down the rest of your outfit. How do you find the watch that perfectly toes the line between form and function? Enter Hamilton Watches, where fashion and function come together to create beautiful timepieces you'll love to wear. Known as the "American brand since 1892", Hamilton has long been creating chic, stylish timepieces for both men and women. The story begins over 100 years ago, with the birth of the Hamilton Watch Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There, the company's first series of pocket watches, the Broadway Limited series, quickly became known as the Watch of Railroad Accuracy. By 1914, the brand had taken off, and was supplying watches to the US Armed Forces. In the 1930s, the brand became known as the official watch of many airlines, and halted production of consumer watches during World War II in order to provide US army forces with a total of one million watches throughout the war effort.
It's clear that the brand has a uniquely American story - they've long been supplying watches to pilots, soldiers, and consumers alike, and have continued to innovate along the way. In the late fifties, the brand introduced the world's first battery-powered watch, which they christened the Ventura. It quickly sold out across the globe, and was worn by superstar Elvis Presley in his film Blue Hawaii. These days, the brand is still going strong, combining their American roots of Lancaster with the latest innovations in Swiss movements and technology. The company churns out watch after watch, for both men and women - showcasing designs that are timeless, classic, and at once totally modern. Meanwhile, the relatively affordable price tag on the watches make them attainable for the average Joe, while offering the prestige and excitement that comes with saving up for an investment piece.
Looking to find a great watch for your man? Hamilton Watches, a uniquely American brand, offer a bevy of choices for your guy. A general favorite is the Hamilton Men's Thinomatic Swiss Automatic Black Dial Leather Strap Watch, which packs a powerful punch of style thanks to a marbled leather strap and black and silver-toned face. A round, stainless steel case and back encase a deep, shiny black dial upon which luminescent silver-tone Arabic numerals can be found, alongside hour markers. Meanwhile, a date window can be found at 3:00. This watch, powered by Swiss Automatic movement, is a great everyday piece. It's perfect for the office with a button down and khakis, but won't look overly casual with a three-piece suit. Wear it once, wear it twice, wear it every day - this Hamilton timepiece perfectly marries form and function.
Another great everyday option is the Hamilton Men's Timeless Classic Swiss Automatic Black Dial Leather Strap Watch. This timeless timepiece is simple but chic, and is a great option for a day on the golf course or a family vacation with the wife and kids. You'll find a stainless steel case and back with a simple but stylish leather strap that emphasizes the "function" over the "form." Inside the black face of the watch, silver-tone hour and minute hands are illuminated, and operate via Swiss Automatic movement, making this an easy watch to take care of.
Looking for something a bit more flashy? The Hamilton Men's Khaki Navy Below Zero Divers Swiss Automatic Brown Leather Strap Watch is a statement making piece that emphasizes both fashion and function equally. Powerful and strong, this hefty watch features a round rose gold-tone stainless steel case and back with a diving mask. A brown VD coated unidirectional rotating bezel features luminescent markers while a screw down crown puts the minutes at your fingertips. Stay in control and on time, and look totally chic while doing it - with this amazing watch from Hamilton. Rose gold is often seen as a women's metal, but it's actually a great option for men as well, especially when paired with a masculine deep brown shade. Think cigar smoke scented libraries laden with old books, and a good bottle of whiskey - that's the kind of life this watch evokes. Want to live it for yourself? You'll have to purchase the Below Zero Divers Watch, but rest assured, you won't regret your purchase. This is a watch that won't just stand the test of time, but will help you appear stylish, powerful, and in the know every time you wear it. If that's not fashion and function, what is?