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The Perfect Gift – Tips On How To Select Handmade Jewelry

July 19, 2010 By 1 Comment
Handmade Jewelry - Brass Lily Pad Earrings

Brass Lily Pad Earrings

Plan Ahead Before Shopping for Handmade Jewelry

Shopping for handmade jewelry can be difficult without the right forethought and planning. Before shopping online, at a boutique, or a gallery or jewelry store that specializes in handmade jewelry, take a moment to think about a few things. Knowing a woman or man’s taste in jewelry and what items they already own is a good start. Purchasing an addition to their collection can be a smart decision, so search through the jewelry that they already have and look for anything which they may be missing, or any materials and gemstones which they prefer. For example, if they favor gold, but only have a few gold earrings, then purchasing a pair will be a smart choice.

Choose Quality Over Quantity When Buying Handmade Jewelry

Choose quality over quantity every time. Purchasing a smaller, well-made piece, such as the three-tiered aluminum lily pad earrings from John S. Brana, is much better than buying a larger, poorer quality item for the same price. Speaking of price, those on a budget simply need to remember that good handmade jewelry is not always expensive. It is the quality and look that truly counts, not the amount paid.

Handmade Jewelry - Men's Redwood Sterling Silver Ring

Men's Redwood Sterling Silver Ring

Select Handmade Jewelry Appropriate for the Occasion

The jewelry purchased should suit the stage of the relationship which you are at. If things are not serious, do not buy anything too extravagant. Additionally, consider what each gem says. Sapphires represent friendship, rubies mean passion, and diamonds signify eternal love. For this reason, avoid diamond jewelry unless you are certain about your future relationship. Additionally, avoid rings unless proposing to prevent giving the wrong impression.

Choosing Handmade Jewelry Based on Facial Types

One final thing to consider is what style suits a woman’s face and neck. Some basic tips to remember are that v-shaped necklaces match heart-shaped faces, chokers are good for long necks, and petite women will look better in delicate jewelry. Also remember to have a good idea about wrist and ring sizes to avoid future embarrassment when buying handmade jewelry.

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Filed Under: What's New Tagged With: Aluminum, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Fac, Forethought, Gemstones, Gold Earrings, Hand Made Jewelry, Handcrafted Jewelry, Handmade Jewelry, Jewelry Handmade, Jewelry Shopping, Jewelry Store, John S Brana, Lily Pad, Nec, Passion, Perfect Gift, Ring Jewelry, rubies, Silver Jewelry, Smart Choice, Smart Decision, Sterling Silver Ring, Style Suits, Wrong Impression

Enjoy Beaded Gemstone Jewelry Every Day

November 5, 2009 By 9 Comments
Amethyst Vermiel Neckalce

Amethyst Vermiel Neckalce

Few things are more alluring than a lack of complexity. A simple strand with a small jewel speaks volumes. When it comes to jewelry, a strand of silver or gold adorned with a diminutive gem is enough for most events. But, there are times when you don’t feel the need to be elegant, or want to show off something that conveys your mood, your style, and your personality. Whether you are going out for a night on the town, out on a date, or even at work, something that is more exceptional and more “you” is suitable. Beaded gemstone jewelry is some of the most exclusive type of jewelry available, and virtually infinite in styles and character.

Beaded gemstone jewelry is usually a amalgamation of semi-precious gemstones and silver or gold. Just because the gemstones are semi-precious does not suggest that they aren’t important by the owner. This organization of stones is not based on how stylish or costly the gems are, but more exactly how rare they are on the face of the earth.The rarer gemstones – diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires – are considered to be precious stones because of their rarity.

African Opal Citrine Necklace

African Opal Citrine Necklace

Semi-precious stones include those which are usually found in lower-priced jewelry, such as serpentine, peridot, and amazonite. Although these stones are often less expensive, that does not suggest that they’re in any way inferior in quality to traditional precious stones. As a matter of fact, many quality jewelers will combine precious and semi-precious stones in one piece.

The stones found in beaded gemstone jewelry can be found in a variety different forms. Even though a good number of pieces will be small in size, they may or may not be polished or consistent in size. With semi-precious stones, the rarity of their color, clarity, or other qualities may add to their value – and jewelry designers often do not want to buff out those qualities.

Gems used in beaded jewelry may or may not be polished and refined. Modern styles in amethyst jewelry, for instance, favor less uniform stones. In numerous cases, the more extraordinary the stones are, the more expensive the piece of jewelry. Alternatively, pieces that include absolutely uniform beads of semi-precious stones can be quite costly and cherished by the wearer.

Beaded gemstone jewelry is a superb addition to any attire. It is often the jewelry of preference for daywear, but when worn with the right outfit, it can show off any outfit. The styles and designs are so diverse, that this variety of jewelry is fitting for practically any occasion.

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Filed Under: Gemstones, What's New Tagged With: Amalgamation, Amazonite, Beaded Jewelry, Color Clarity, Complexity, Emeralds, Face Of The Earth, Gems, Gemstone Jewelry, Jewel, Matter Of Fact, Peridot, Personality, Quality Jewelers, Rarity, rubies, Sapphires, Semi Precious Gemstones, Semi Precious Stones, Strand

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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Filed Under: Gemstones, Gold Jewelry Tagged With: 14K Gold Jewelry, 18K Gold Jewelry, Best Of Both Worlds, Carats, craftsmanship, Emeralds, Fine Gemstone Jewelry, Gemstone Jewelry, Glamor, Gold Gemstone Jewelry, Gold Jewelry, Handcrafted Silver Jewelry, Handmade Gemstone Jewelry, Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry, Jade, Jewelers, Jewelry Ranges, Master Jeweler, Opals, Price Diamonds, Quality Gold, Quality Jewelers, rubies, Semi Precious Gemstones, Semi Precious Stones, Sheer Elegance, Uniqueness, Worlds Gold

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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Filed Under: Gold Jewelry Tagged With: Beaded Jewelry Designer, Body Piercings, Brass Copper, Bullion, Business Suits, Carats, Carob, Designer Handmade Jewelry, Diamond Carat, Diamond Jewelry, Fine Jewelry Silver, Gold Bullion, Gold Diamond, Gold Diamonds, Gold Jewelry, Jewelry Gold, Jewelry Gold Diamond, Luxury Jewelry, Men'S Silver Jewelry, New Trend, Ornamentation, precious gemstones, precious metals, precious stones, Pure Gold, rubies, Silver Jewelry Designs, Single Cut, Uniform Size

“Luxurious Gypsy”…Oscar de la Renta launches couture jewelry collection that is definitely not “shy.”

July 10, 2008 By 3 Comments

Oscar de la Renta has partnered with long-time family friend Loulou de la Falaise, most recognized for her collaborations with designer Yves Saint Laurent, to release a jewelry collection this fall exclusive to Oscar de la Renta boutiques. According to an article in W Magazine’s June 2008 issue, the collection showcases a “chunky, crafty bohemian look” consisting of necklaces, pendants, earrings and bracelets which shares both designers’ “love of exotic, far-flung inspirations,” Venessa Lau (http://www.wmagazine.com/jewelry/2008/06/de_la_renta). 

Look for dramatic, “showstoppers” incorporating stones of different colors, sizes and textures, such as smoky quartz, citrine and pearl not to mention precious stones from an Indian jeweler including rubies, diamonds and sapphires. Despite price tags ranging from just under $5000 to upwards of $40,000, “the offerings never skew too precious” and maintain the de la Falaise signature look. 

To embody “luxurious gypsy” without breaking the bank, consider jewelry designers channeling similar themes with statement pieces just as bold but significantly more affordable, such as John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry, www.johnsbrana.com. Discover this multi-strand beaded necklace featuring eight distinct stones including lemon amber, one of the oldest, rarest, and most valuable ambers in the world, quartz, amethyst and pearl, $1,030. Just as opulent but in a cool monotone is Brana’s fine silver hammered hexagonal link necklace featuring a contrast of off-shaped and spherical faceted aquamarine stones, $800. And nothing captures bohemian style better than a pair of oversized earrings, such as these massive four-inch teardrops in multi-gauge onyx beads wrapped with 14K gold-filled wire, $245. 

Be assured this jewelry trend is growing and worth your investment. Chunky jewelry and bold cuffs defined the Fall 2008 runways of major fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, John Galliano and Yves St. Laurent. Oscar de la Renta’s own Resort 2009 Collection was highlighted on stage with giant floral broaches, disc earrings and multi-hued beaded necklaces. So look to enhance your jewelry collection this season with exotic explorations in color, texture and style, in any budget of “luxurious gypsy.” 

Kerri Ann Frerichs 

Beaded Gemstone Collections by John S. Brana
Hammered Fine Silver Necklace with Aquamarine Lemon Amber - Prehnite - Amethyst Necklace Onyx Tear Drop Wire Wrapped Earrings

 

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Filed Under: Gemstones Tagged With: 14K Gold, amber, ambers, Amethyst, beaded gemstone, bohemian style, bracelets, breaking the bank, citrine, Collection Showcases, Different Colors, distinctive jewelry, Earrings, Family Friend, gold, gold filled wire, jewelry collection, Jewelry Designers, necklaces, onyx, oscar de la renta, precious stones, Price Tags, rubies, showstoppers, silver, smoky quartz, teardrops, Time Family, Venessa Lau, W Magazine, yves saint laurent

Now Browse by Gemstone, Metal, and Price Point!

February 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Each of us is drawn to our favorite things, a collection that defines who we are and makes us unique. We prefer certain colors, identify with distinctive shapes and place value on bright and shiny things. Some may even verge on a certain aesthetic addiction- an all-black wardrobe, complete households of minimalist square furniture, an entire family of “J” names! It’s okay, we understand.

John S. Brana-Distinctive Jewelry recently polled, you- his loyal clients, to learn how we could make www.johnsbrana.com more streamlined and user friendly. You wanted to see what amazing pieces were available in your favorite gemstone or precious metal. You also wanted to narrow by price point. It’s possible your ex-mother-in-law only wore rubies and you never care to see those again!

We listened and are excited to introduce the Browse by Gemstone, Metal, and Price Point features found on the lower left columns of all product pages! Now you can find your perfect birthstone piece, discover your next favorite mineral and expand your beautiful gold, silver and copper collections! Enjoy and take pleasure in life’s beautiful amenities.

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Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Addiction, amenities, Beautiful Gold, Browse by Gemstone, Browse by Metal, Browse by Price Point, Collections, Colors, copper, distinctive jewelry, distinctive shapes, Favorite Things, Gemstone, gold, Gold Silver, Households, loyal clients, mother in law, pleasure, precious metal, rubies, Shiny Things, silver, Verge, wardrobe

Fine Silver Seahorse Pin Added to the Sea Cliff Collection

January 28, 2007 By Leave a Comment

Made of pure silver, this Seahorse is set with a 3*4 mm faceted Pear shaped Sapphire and measures 2 1/2 in length. Blue sapphires come in a wide range of shades of blue. Titanium and iron inclusions within the Aluminum oxide result in various shades of blue. Some stones are not well saturated and show tones of gray. About 90% of all sapphires are heated to a temperature of up to 1800°C but usually a little less in ovens for several hours. Stones are also heated in nitrogen deficient atmosphere ovens for a week.

Fancy sapphires are any sapphire other than blue or red. Purple sapphires are lower in price than blue ones. These stones contain the trace element vanadium and come in a wide variety of shades. Yellow and green sapphires have traces of iron which gives them their color. Pink sapphires are have trace element of chromium and the deeper the color pink the higher the value as long as the color is going toward red of rubies. Color shift sapphires are blue in outdoor light and purple in indoor light. Color changes may also be pink in daylight to greenish in fluorescent light. Some stones shift color well and others only partially, in that some stones go from blue to blue purple. White sapphires usually come out of the ground as light gray or brown and are then heated to make them clear. However in very rare circumstances they will be found in a clear state.

This Seahorse pin, along with other sea creatures can be found under my Sea Cliff Collection. I plan on adding a few more critters to the collection over the next month. Stay tuned!

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Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Aluminum Oxide, Chromium, Color Changes, Color Shift, Critters, Element Vanadium, Fancy Sapphires, Inclusions, Ovens, Pink Sapphires, Purple Sapphires, Rare Circumstances, rubies, Sapphire, Sea Cliff, Sea Creatures, Seahorse, Shades, Trace Element, White Sapphires