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Best Jewelry for Christmas

December 16, 2010 By 5 Comments

Amethyst Carnelian Prehnite Necklace - Christmas Jewelry

Amethyst Carnelian Prehnite Necklace

Jewelry – The Classic Christmas Present

Although it may seem like there is plenty of shopping time left until Christmas, the days have an annoying tendency to fly past. For this reason, it is important to start thinking about gifts for those you care about as soon as possible. Jewelry has always been a classic Christmas present, whether for your girlfriend, spouse, mother or sister, yet it is often one of the most difficult items to purchase. With a little thought and time however, you can find the perfect accessory for that special woman, and give her a holiday memory that she will cherish forever.

The warmth and timelessness of Christmas should be tied up within the jewelry that you buy. Show her that you care by purchasing an item that matches her personality and appearance in every way. For those confident, professional women, items such as gold fold formed earrings will show her that you know her inside-out. On the other hand, if your wife or mother is more bubbly and outgoing, maybe a gemstone necklace would more suit her style. This will all show her that you care enough to take the time out to purchase her the perfect gift.

Citrine Bronze Ring - Christmas Rings

Citrine Bronze Ring

This Christmas, Choose Jewelry That Will Make Her Look Stunning

Jewelry should be versatile enough to be worn on a number of occasions as well. In this way, she can remember the happy times that she had with you during the holidays whenever she wears your present. Accessories such as aluminum bracelets can be worn while at work, while eating out and even when dancing the night away in a club. This Christmas, choose carefully and pick an item that will make her look stunning in a wide variety of places. Let her gain the most benefit out of your chosen piece of jewelry and allow the spirit of Christmas to keep her company throughout the year ahead.

Any Christmas gift that you purchase for your special woman should be expertly crafted and made of high quality materials. Show her that she is worth any amount of money to you by giving her the best in gold or silver jewelry. This is the time for giving so you do not want to seem too sting. That is not to say that you have to blow your budget either, as there are plenty of quality items such as bronze rings and amber earrings that are well made and that will not cost you a fortune.

Lastly, when giving out your presents this Christmas, make sure that everything fits in with the occasion well. This is a magical time, and the gift and the act of giving itself have to suit the overall atmosphere and sentiment. With the right wrapping paper, a thoughtful card and warm, friendly surroundings, your gift will seem even more special. This will imbue the jewelry with an even better feeling, as she will be reminded of that happy moment whenever she looks at it. This Christmas, give her a beautiful piece of jewelry that makes her feel warm and happy inside whenever she wears it out and about.

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Filed Under: What's New Tagged With: Aluminum, Amount Of Money, Best Jewelry, bracelets, Bronze Ring, Caption, Christmas Gift, Christmas Jewelry, Christmas Present, Classic Christmas, Earrings, gemstone necklace, Gift Jewelry, Girlfriend, Gold Jewelry, Happy Times, High Quality Materials, Holiday Memory, Perfect Gift, Professional Women, Silver Jewelry, Spirit Of Christmas, Spouse Mother, Stunning Jewelry, Timelessness, Warmth

Vermeil Jewelry

June 22, 2010 By 3 Comments
Garnet Pink Coral Carnelian Vermeil Necklace

Garnet Pink Coral Carnelian Vermeil Necklace

Vermeil Jewelry Defined

What is vermeil? Aside from the technical definition, the best way to describe vermeil might be, “a beautiful material used in jewelry making that offers the luster and chic of pure gold without the high cost.” Vermeil, pronounced “ver-may”, is actually .925 sterling silver heavily plated with gold that cannot be less than 10k, and most jewelers of today use at least 14k gold.

Vermeil jewelry differs from jewelry that is sold as  “gold plated” in that “plated” consists of a thinner layer of gold over a base metal such as brass. Over time, the base metal tends to appear through as the gold wears off due to exposure to skin oils and natural wear. Vermeil jewelry maintains its beauty over the long term better due to the thickness of the gold layer used in the production process.

Vermeil Jewelry - Amethyst Vermeil Necklace

Amethyst Vermeil Neckalce

Vermeil has long been favored for its high-style look and feel, and is also stronger than gold plated base metals, making it a choice for luxury items other than jewelry. The Vermeil Room in the White House features an exquisite collection of vermeil serving pieces from English and French silversmiths dating back to the eighteenth century, which were bequeathed to the White House in 1956.

Today, many fine jewelers offer vermeil jewelry among their most stylish and fashionable collections. Jewelry wearers who want the high-end, high quality look of pure gold often choose vermeil as an affordable substitute offering a sense of sophistication and style.

Vermeil jewelry should never be cleaned by machine or with solvents or commercial gold and silver cleaners. It is best maintained by polishing with a soft cloth to prevent scratching and keeping vermeil jewelry pieces in an air-tight bag or closed container can prevent corrosion over time.

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Filed Under: Gold Jewelry, What's New Tagged With: Base Metals, Closed Container, Eighteenth Century, Exquisite Collection, Fine Jewelers, Garnet, Gold And Silver, Gold Jewelry, High Style, jewelry pieces, Luster, Luxury Items, Pure Gold, Silver Cleaners, Skin Oils, Soft Cloth, Solvents, Sophistication, sterling silver, Vermeil Jewelry

The Best of Both Worlds: Gold Gemstone Jewelry

March 25, 2009 By 5 Comments
Gemstone Handmade Jewelry by John S. Brana

Amber and Crystal Beaded Gemstone Necklace by John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry

If you are looking for sheer elegance and class, nothing beats gold gemstone jewelry. These pieces combine the simple glamor of gold with distinctive gemstones that reflect the personality and style of the wearer. When buying this type of jewelry, there are several things you need to pay attention to.

The quality of the gold that makes up any kind of gold gemstone jewelry is essential. Of course, you want the highest quality gold, which is measured in karats. No piece of jewelry will ever be made with 24k gold, so beware any jeweler who tries to sell you “24k gold”. This type of gold is too pure and too malleable to be worked into jewelry, and quite frankly, is too expensive. Only a king or queen would ever have anything made from 24k gold!

Most quality gold used in jewelry ranges from 10k to 22k. The higher the rating, the higher the price. It is typical for most jewelry to be made from 14k gold, although 18k is preferred by most quality jewelers.

Gemstones have their own rating system. Diamonds are also measured in carats (with a “c” instead of a “k”), and the higher the rating, the higher the price. Diamonds fall under the category of “precious stones”, along with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. A lot of gemstone jewelry, however, is made from semi-precious stones which are not as expensive, but can be equally beautiful and unique.

Gold gemstone jewelry made from semi-precious gemstones such as jade, lapis, onyx, turquoise, opals, and amber can be as beautiful as any piece including diamonds or sapphires. The quality of the gold, the uniqueness of the gemstone, and the exemplary craftsmanship of a master jeweler can make this type of jewelry worth wearing for a lifetime and handing down to your children.

Click Here To Find Gold Gemstone Jewelry

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Handcrafted Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana Gets Ready for Spring Shopping Events

March 5, 2009 By 1 Comment

Corrugated Copper Fold Formed Earrings

After a whirlwind schedule of Valentine’s runway and theatrical shows wardrobing models and performers with dramatic jewelry, John S. Brana gears up for Spring shopping events for his fans. Look for his signature high end handcrafted fine jewelry collections including corrugated cuffs and layered gemstone necklaces at the Contemporary Crafts Market in San Francisco’s Fort Mason, March 14 and 15. Shoppers will also enjoy copper, sterling silver and 14K gold-filled designs priced under $150 at Appel and Frank’s Spring into Style Shopping Event, March 26 at the Regency Center.

"It’s times like these that make it even more important to stay in the public eye and to show your clients how much you appreciate them," described Brana who encourages shoppers to take advantage of free or discounted advance tickets for both events. For a limited time, guests may visit http://www.contemporarycraftsmarket.com/ to print passes for two free admissions to the 24th annual fair showcasing one-of-a-kind designs from over 250 diverse artists. Shoppers may also enjoy $5 admissions into the Appel and Frank event, which will feature over 70 designers, when purchasing two tickets online at http://www.appelandfrank.com/.
New and current fans of the San Francisco-inspired handcrafted jewelry designer will appreciate Brana’s latest experiments in metallic textures. Embossed plaques, corrugated leaves, spiraling shells, and light-as-a-feather links are just a sampling of the additions shoppers will enjoy this spring. To view John S. Brana’s complete jewelry collections, please visit his following websites: http://www.johnsbrana.com,  http://www.handcrafted-gold-jewelry.com, http://www.handmade­-silver-jewelry.com, http://www.handmadecopperjewelry.com. For all press and events inquires, please contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions, at +1.402.490.2579 or info@altitudepromotion.com.
 
Contemporary Crafts Market at the Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA.  Saturday, March 14th through Sunday, March 15th, 2009. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.   http://www.contemporarycraftsmarket.com

Appel and Frank’s Spring /nto Style Event at the Regency Center, Sutter Room, 1270 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA.    Thursday, March 26th 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  http://www.appelandfrank.com

 

Corrugated Sterling Silver Leaf Earrings

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Luxury Jewelry – Gold – Diamond – Carat or Karat?

February 22, 2009 By 8 Comments

2779650139_7d24ec6623Go back in time, up until about the late 1860s, and you’ll find that men adorned their bodies much as women did, with ornate and sumptuous bracelets, necklaces and rings. It’s only been for the last hundred years that the standard for men changed to wearing very staid ornamentation, if any, and going about in grey business suits, like regimented soldiers of commerce.

But now the tide has clearly turned in a new direction, with men reclaiming their right to jewelry. (Not to mention the new trend of body piercings which does not seem to have played itself out yet.)

So when it comes to jewelry gold diamond…well, let me rephrase that…. when it comes to gold and diamond jewelry, there are many designers these days who are producing really excellent work, and there are many clients who are reaping the benefits of that work!

Precious metals and precious stones have always formed the basis of jewelry, since time immemorial. Jewelry gold diamond… sapphires, rubies….silver….. those words even look beautiful, don’t they? Let alone….gazing at the real thing.

Gold is actually a pretty soft metal…you would not want a ring made out of pure gold because it would bend very easily. Therefore, 24 karat gold (pure gold) is used for collectible gold bullion, which sits in a vault and rarely gets handled.  Gold destined for jewelry has another metal mixed into it, typically brass (copper and zinc),  in certain percentages, so that such jewelry is usually 22k, 18k, 14k, or 10k.

Diamonds are another interesting substance.  Just like gold, diamonds are measured in carats.  The word "carat" is derived from the word "carob," a Mediterranean seed that played an important role in trade centuries ago, since they had a very uniform size and weight.  The seeds were used to balance a scale when weighing precious gemstones, so as a matter of fact, all gemstones are measured in carats.

When first excavated from the ground, they look just like rocks. It’s only when they are "cut" in certain designs that they glitter and look like the diamonds we’ve come to know.

The old cuts are:

Point cut
Table cut
Old Single cut
Mazarin cut
Peruzzi cut
Old European cut

Today, the cut most often used is just called the "brilliant."  Understanding the history of carat /karat weights and how they apply to jewelry can help you select the perfect accessory within your budget and style preferences without being fooled by numerical values.

 

Click Here For More On Jewelry Gold Diamond

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A Look at Silver Jewelry Designs

February 20, 2009 By 16 Comments

How does an artist design a piece of jewelry? Where does the inspiration come from? How is the initial look decided upon? How is the piece crafted once it’s design is final?

Well, let’s take a look at how silver jewelry is designed and find out.

A smart jewelry designer will make no piece of jewelry until its design is finalized. The process starts out by creating a series of sketches of the piece, from all angles, taking into consideration how it will be clasped to a wrist or neck to make sure proper fit.  Much of this is learned over time, through trial and error.

The next step is actually creating the piece.  At this point, the jewelry designer must be knowledgeable in a variety of technical skills, commonly referred to as metalsmithing.  Once the type of metal is selected, the piece can be cast, fabricated, or cold connected (riveted, wire wrapped), and then embellished with surface texture and/or gemstones.

Different types of metal vary in softness and malleability – gold and silver are both relatively easy to work with, gold more so than silver.  It pays to be skilled in the basics before tackling a project with either, especially high-priced gold.  You can always take a class at your local adult education institute, or even watch videos on the internet which show you how.  These videos are of course educational, but when it actually comes to working with metal, you need to have a workroom filled with all the necessary tools, and be willing to practice, practice, practice.  Most large cities will have jewelry studios available for rent so that you can "test the waters" before investing in equipment.

Why work in silver instead of gold or platinum? Well, because silver is so much less expensive!  Never buy gold jewelry because it’s a good "investment."  You will always loose on both ends – the buy and sell.    With gold prices fluctuating erratically, why not choose silver jewelry as an option?  Not only are you getting a one-of-a-kind vision of the artist, but you don’t have to worry about where gold is going next!

 

Click Here For MORE Silver Jewelry Designs

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Men’s Silver Jewelry – Definitely For Everyone

February 19, 2009 By 27 Comments

Men's Oxidized Sterling Silver Ring - Tonga Men's Jewelry CollectionSome people like gold jewelry, and some people like silver. It all depends on if you like the warmth of gold, or the coolness of silver. If you’re a woman or a  man, silver jewelry may very well be your thing.  Silver and gold are the two main metals that have been used for jewelry since jewelry first started being worn!

Silver jewelry is actually made from "sterling silver", which is an alloy consisting of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. That’s because silver, like gold, is too soft in its normal state to be used – it is too easily deformed. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver. (When it comes to "hallmark quality" silverware, Britannia silver is used – that consists of 95.8% silver).  Sterling silver is also sometimes "flashed." That means, its plated with a thin coat of .999 fine silver to give it a shiny finish.
 
When people think of jewelry, they usually associate jewelry being just for women, but for a man, silver jewelry has recently taken off. Silver bracelets, cufflinks, necklaces, and rings are all very popular.  Although silver jewelry is made for both men and women, typically, jewelry aimed at men is more "masculine."   Not only is it larger in diameter (to accommodate larger wrists and fingers), but also it’s more massive and sturdy.

Many elite jewelers craft designs for the male market. Hand-crafted designs are the most elegant and unique, while mass-market jewelry – made from lesser materials (usually stainless steel and plated brass) – are available as well.  Guys want to wear unique silver jewelry for the same reasons that women do:  to get noticed, to be confident, and to be unique.

 

Click Here To Get Your Hands On Lots Of Man Silver Jewelry

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The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences hosts John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry

November 7, 2008 By Leave a Comment

 

The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, San Francisco cordially invites you to our

Private Members’ Reception

12th Floor Member’s Lounge

November 13, 2008

5:30pm to 7:00pm

Welcome jewelry designer John S. Brana

and silk wear designer Klaus Lange

for an exclusive trunk show

 

Enjoy wines from Jessup Cellars

RSVP Required.  For more information, contact Altitude Promotions

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John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry

October 4, 2006 By 2 Comments

I am finally proud to announce the completion and launch of John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry. You can now preview my online gallery of premium custom handcrafted jewelry, wire sculpted jewelry, and fused silver and gold jewelry for both men and women, and locate a retail store near you where you will be able to view and purchase my jewelry.

Selected collections are currently available at Residents Apparel Gallery , Porcelynne Boutique & Gallery in San Francisco and Marlowe & Company Jewellers in St. Helena. For the remainder of 2006, I will be expanding my retail distribution throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and nationally in 2007. If you would like to be notified of store openings, upcoming trunk shows, or new collections, please feel free to add yourself to my Contact Form

John S. Brana

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