Tag Archives: jewelry trends

Make a Statement with the Latest Jewelry Trend: Ear Cuffs

Amethyst is the birthstone for February. It is a variety of quartz with a beautiful purple color that ranges from a blend of deep violet and red to a lighter lilac hue. Found primarily in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia, it is the second-most abundant mineral found in the Earth’s crust.

Amethyst is said to represent courage, inner strength, balance, stability, peace, calmness, and sincerity. It is said to be able to reduce anxiety, stress, anger, and fear in the wearer.

The word amethyst is derived from the Greek word “amethystos,” which means “remedy against drunkenness.” Ancient Greeks believed it protected the wearer from intoxication and allowed them to keep a balanced mindset.

The popularity of the amethyst dates back to 25,000 years ago in France when it was used as a decorative stone by prehistoric humans. At one point in time, amethysts were in such demand that were worth almost as much as diamonds. Amethyst is said to be the stone of Saint Valentine, who wore an amethyst engraved with the image of Cupid, contributing to the belief that amethysts attracted love. It was also the first gem stone to be carved into the shape of a heart. At one time, only royalty could wear amethysts. Cleopatra treasured her amethyst signet ring above all of her other jewels. Egyptians believed it possessed good powers and placed amethysts in the tombs of pharaohs. In the Middle Ages amethysts were used as a medication, used to dispel sleep, sharpen intellect, and protect the wearer from sorcery.

Mythology attributes the origin of the amethyst to Bacchus, the god of wine. As the legend goes, Bacchus was offended by Diana, the goddess of the forest and the hunt, after she rebuffed his advances time and time again. As revenge, he declared that he would unleash his fierce tigers to devour the first maiden whom he met walking through the forest. A maiden, whose name was Amethyst, was on her way to worship on Diana’s shrine and was attacked by the tigers. After pleading to Diana for help, Diana turned her into a pure white gem to save her. Ashamed by his cruelty and misdirected rage, Bacchus poured his most delicious and sought after grape wine over Amethyst, giving the stone its beautiful purple hue.

Mixed Metals are the Hottest New Trend in Jewelry

Should you wear silver jewelry or gold jewelry? Why not wear both? In the past, the fashion rule has been to select one metal color and wear only that color. Mixing metal colors was a fashion no-no. But recently that rule has been tossed aside as the trend of mixing metal colors has been showing up everywhere from the streets to the runways. Continue reading

Layer Necklaces to Create a New, Unique Look

Layered jewelry has become a hot trend, from stacked rings to mixed bangles. Another popular layered jewelry trend is layering necklaces. Layering necklaces is a great way to combine multiple necklaces into a single, unique look.

There a variety of ways to layer necklaces. Following a few basic steps will help you create a layered style that looks great. Continue reading

Rose Gold Jewelry Offers Versatility and a Feminine, Romantic Feel

When most people think of metals for jewelry, they think of yellow gold, platinum, and white gold. But one less traditional option that provides stunning results is rose gold. Originally called Russian gold, rose gold originated in Russia in the 19th century. It gained international acceptance in the 1920s when Cartier introduced the famous trinity band, featuring intertwining bands of white, yellow, and rose gold. The popularity of rose gold peaked in the 1930s and 40s, but has recently made a major comeback. Continue reading

Masculine Metals Expand the Jewelry Offerings for Men

Women shouldn’t have all the fun when it comes to jewelry. But selecting jewelry for men can be tricky. In the past, men’s jewelry consisted mainly of a simple watch and a wedding ring. But the trend toward business casual attire in the workplace has led to more men using accessories to set themselves apart and express their personal style. Continue reading

Demand for Black Diamond Jewelry is Growing

Everyone is familiar with the traditional white diamond and most people have seen colored diamonds, such as pink or yellow. But now the black diamond is drawing attention.

The black diamond, also called Carbonado, is a natural polycrystalline that absorbs light rather than refracting it as white diamonds do. As many diamond experts will point out, black diamonds are actually low-grade diamonds that become discolored when carbon in the stone remains uncrystallized, creating the black hue. But low-grade does not necessarily equate to low value. The black diamonds are found only in Brazil and Central Africa, making them extremely rare. With black diamonds, darker hues are considered to be higher quality, and thus worth more. Continue reading