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Ancient Jewelry Discoveries

2013-04-30T07:15:07Z

<img src="http://z.about.com/d/jewelry/1/0/s/T/83627600b.jpg" border="0" alt="ancient earring found in Israel" hspace="5" width="105" height="170" align="right" />Archaeologists discovered this 2,000 year old gold, pearl and emerald earring in the ruins of a building in Jerusalem. So much of today's jewelry resembles ancient styles, especially jewelry from designers who are inspired by historical pieces, like Amrita Singh (the first-century collar necklace in the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/antiquejewelry/ig/Ancient-Jewelry-Gallery/ ">ancient jewelry gallery</a> looks a lot like her <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/antiquejewelry/ig/Ancient-Jewelry-Gallery/First-Century-Collar-Necklace.htm">gold and ruby necklace</a> from 2006). Another example -- a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/antiquejewelry/ig/Ancient-Jewelry-Gallery/Gold-Bracelet-from-Pompeii.htm">gold bracelet found in Pompeii</a>, which resembles a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/famousjewels/ig/Celebrity-Jewelry-Watch/Maggie-Gyllenhaal-Dark-Knight.htm">corsage bracelet</a> that Maggie Gyllenhaal wore to the premiere of The Dark Knight. Fine jewelry is timeless, and we're seeing a growing trend towards "new" styles that mimic past looks. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/antiquejewelry/ig/Ancient-Jewelry-Gallery/">Ancient Jewelry Gallery</a> Photo by IAA via Getty Images

Ancient Jewelry Discoveries originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 at 07:15:07.

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Understanding the Four Cs, a Free eCourse

2013-04-29T10:20:54Z

Four important factors that are considered when judging a diamond's quality and value are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, commonly called the Four Cs. This eCourse takes you step-by-step through the Four Cs, with materials arriving in your in-box once each week for four weeks. Work at your own pace to complete the reading and sort out the facts. Are you're ready to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/c/ec/8.htm">start exploring the world of diamonds</a>?

Understanding the Four Cs, a Free eCourse originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Monday, April 29th, 2013 at 10:20:54.

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Would You Wear a Diamond Made from Cremated Ashes?

2013-04-27T10:45:14Z

Created diamonds are becoming more common every year, but the stones produced by LifeGems are unique. These fancy color <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/cs/syntheticdiamonds/a/lifegem_diamond.htm">diamonds are made from carbon that's captured during the cremation process</a> (or from a lock of hair). Would you wear a memorial diamond?

Would You Wear a Diamond Made from Cremated Ashes? originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Saturday, April 27th, 2013 at 10:45:14.

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Prongs Aren't All Alike... Choose a Setting that Works for You

2013-04-26T10:30:16Z

Prongs are the most commonly used gemstone setting technique, but did you know that prongs aren't all alike, and that they're sometimes either not well designed or they're designed in ways that make them poor choices for some lifestyles? For example... if you have a brand new baby you probably don't want to wear a ring with a gem set in tall prongs that could easily scratch soft skin. Take time to learn how prongs differ before you buy jewelry and you'll end up with a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/cs/choosesetting/a/prong_settings.htm ">prong setting that works for you</a>.

Prongs Aren't All Alike... Choose a Setting that Works for You originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Friday, April 26th, 2013 at 10:30:16.

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Who Was Harry Winston?

2013-04-24T10:30:59Z

<img style="float: left; margin: 5px; border: 0pt none;" title="Harry Winston Jewelry" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/jewelry/1/0/9/6/1/harry-winston-dragonfly-pin.jpg" alt="Harry Winston Jewelry" width="200" height="156" />You see Harry Winston jewelry draped on celebrities at every Academy Awards presentation, and a special <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/oscarsjewelry/ig/Harry-Winston-Jewelry/">collection of Harry Winston designs</a> slated for that event was exhibited a couple of years ago. But who was the man behind the jewels? Our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/jewelrydesignerprofile1/p/harry_winston.htm">Harry Winston biography</a> offers some insights into his life and successful career. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Who Was Harry Winston? originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 at 10:30:59.

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Watch Out for Deceptive 'Gemstone' Names

2013-04-23T17:50:33Z

<img style="float: left; margin: 2px; border: 0pt none;" title="How to Shop for Gemstones" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/jewelry/1/0/-/w/gemstones-composite-b.jpg" alt="How to Shop for Gemstones" width="158" height="180" />You've probably noticed the, um... creative way some retailers use gemstone names. Broghton emerald sounds more appealing than its true name -- green glass. <a href="http://jewelry.about.com/od/crystalhealing/a/Herkimer-Diamond-Crystal-Healing.htm">Herkimer diamond</a> is a unique variety of quartz, pretty but not a diamond. Blue moonstone sounds yummy until you find out the ring you bought isn't set with a moonstone at all, and that the stone is really cut from the lesser-valued chalcedony. Cape rubies are garnets and a Brazilian sapphire is actually blue tourmaline. There are hundreds more deceptive names tagged onto <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/birthstonefactsandfolklore/a/misleading_name.htm">impostor gemstones</a>. There is a flip side -- impostor gems are attractive and (should be) affordable. Sellers who misrepresent what's in the box are the problem (the ones who hope we don't catch the iffy terms and who charge an inflated price based on what we think we're buying). Guarantees that what you buy is exactly what's described are only as good as the integrity of sellers who take your money, but knowing some of the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/birthstonefactsandfolklore/a/misleading_name.htm">warning signs that scream "fake"</a> can put you in enough of a questioning frame of mind to discover the truth before you put down the cash. More About Gemstones <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/cs/thegems/a/gem_terminology.htm">Natural vs. Genuine, What's the Difference?</a> <a title="Gemstone Treatments Enhance Appearance" href="http://jewelry.about.com/cs/enhancements/a/gem_treatments.htm">Gemstone Treatments to Enhance Appearance</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/birthstonefactsandfolklore/a/misleading_name.htm">Translate Misleading Gemstone Names</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/birthstonefactsandfolklore/a/fake_gems.htm">Gems that Are Sliced, Diced and Pasted Together</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/jewelryappraisal/ss/loupe.htm">How to Use a Jewelry Loupe</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/birthstonefactsandfolklore/a/mohs_scale.htm">Why Should You Care About the Mohs Scale?</a> Photo by Don Farrall / Getty Images

Watch Out for Deceptive 'Gemstone' Names originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 at 17:50:33.

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Born in July? Ruby is your Special Gemstone

2013-04-21T07:45:04Z

<img style="float: left; margin: 5px; border: 0pt none;" title="Carmen Lucia Ruby" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/jewelry/1/0/a/0/1/Carmen-Lucia-Ruby.jpg" alt="Carmen Lucia Ruby" width="146" height="175" />We associate the color red with love and passion, so it's no wonder that rubies have always been among the most popular of gemstones. The 23.1 carat Carmen Lucia ruby, set in the ring shown in the photo, is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Peter Buck donated the ring to the museum in memory of his wife, Carmen Lucia. The ruby was mined in Burma in the 1930s. If you were born in July, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/cs/rubiessapphires/a/rubies.htm">learn the ins-and-outs of rubies</a> before you go shopping. Photo by Alex Wong / Getty Images

Born in July? Ruby is your Special Gemstone originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Sunday, April 21st, 2013 at 07:45:04.

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All About Topaz, the November Birthstone

2013-04-20T07:51:57Z

Topaz is the traditional November birthstone. The gem is most commonly seen in shades of yellow to brown, but more colors exist (often created by applying intense heat or treating the stones in other ways). <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/topaz/a/topaz.htm">Get familiar with topaz</a> before you go shopping, so that you're aware of the many ways the gem can be altered, and to make certain you understand the terms you'll encounter in jewelry store descriptions.

All About Topaz, the November Birthstone originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 at 07:51:57.

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What Is Moissanite?

2013-04-19T12:00:55Z

<img style="float: left; margin: 5px; border: 0pt none;" title="Henry Moissan, 1900" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/jewelry/1/0/B/6/1/Henry-Moisson-2.jpg" alt="Henry Moissan, 1900" width="200" height="173" />Moissanite is a mineral that was discovered in 1893 by Dr. Henri Moissan, a French scientist. The Nobel Prize-winner was the first person to find tiny amounts of this natural silicon carbide within a meteorite. Synthetic moissanite can be grown in labs, but some gemologists do not feel that current synthetic versions used in jewelry are exactly like true moissanite... <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/cs/moissanite/a/moissanite.htm">read more about moissanite</a> Photo of Henri Moissan in 1900 © Buyenlarge/Getty Images

What Is Moissanite? originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Friday, April 19th, 2013 at 12:00:55.

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How Do Mood Rings Work?

2013-04-18T19:45:41Z

<img style="float: left; margin: 5px; border: 0pt none;" title="Contemporary Mood Ring" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/jewelry/1/0/j/9/1/Mood-Ring-B.jpg" alt="Contemporary Mood Ring" width="200" height="195" />Mood rings have been around since the seventies, some say the sixties, but they've certainly changed. You'll still find rings (and other mood jewelry) set with 'plain' beads, but there are lots more choices now, like this fern mood ring from Phoebe's Treasure. Rings, pendants and earrings are just a few types of mood jewelry you'll discover... take a look (and find out how they work, too). <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://jewelry.about.com/od/antiquejewelry/ss/How-Do-Mood-Rings-Work.htm">How Do Mood Rings Work?</a> Photo © Phoebe's Treasure

How Do Mood Rings Work? originally appeared on About.com Jewelry / Accessories on Thursday, April 18th, 2013 at 19:45:41.

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