Moissanite earrings, well earrings in general anyway, are a fashion with a long history. They are believed to have originated around 3000 BC. Fashioned often in gold, silver or bronze, numerous examples of earrings dating from around 2500 BC to the time of Christ have been unearthed.

Many fascinating examples have been uncovered from the royal graves in Iraq!

Earring styles have varied enormously over the last 3500 years. Earrings were often buried with the dead, as were many other forms of fashionable jewelry of the time. This is fortunate as it allows us to determine exactly what earrings were popular at various times in our history.

Around 1350 BC hoop earrings were popular which fitted inside a larger hole in the ear than would normally be the case. We can only imagine what it would have taken to produce the hole in the ear in the first place! Probably a small hoop earring at first, followed by larger ones as time progressed.

Earrings had styles and motifs which fitted the times. For example in Greek society around the second century BC earrings often displayed motifs of the gods of the time. And precious stones also adorned the ears of the wealthy women of the time to display their riches.

From around the third to the tenth century AD earrings were overtaken by head adornments which often covered the entire side of the face. And then for a few centuries after that long hair styles and high collars covered the ears and earrings lost their appeal.

Earrings took a back seat for quite some time, but re-emerged unscathed around the sixteenth century. At the time women’s hairstyles crept up exposing the ears again and by the seventeenth century earrings were back in fashion.

Earrings then were often long and heavy and extended use resulted in women suffering permanently stretched ear lobes. This can be clearly seen in pictures of Queen Victoria, a dedicated earring wearer. Perhaps she had a lot to do with the fashion of the time.

Earring fashions varied with hairstyles. When the hair was worn on the top of the head the ears were prominently displayed and so earrings were essential, however from time to time the hairstyles favoured covering the ears, and earrings went back out of fashion.

All sorts of exotic earring materials were used including in the late 1800s, of all things, Brazilian beetles for their attractive green color.

Back then it was Brazilian beetles, now it’s moissanite. The newest of the modern earring materials, moissanite earrings are taking the earring world by storm. Why? Simply because moissanite earrings look as good as diamond earrings but without the price tag.

Moissanite earrings feature moissanite stones, a modern alternative to diamonds which offer all the qualities of diamonds but at a fraction of the cost.

Whether it’s simple round cut moissanite stones set into white or yellow gold to produce stunning moissanite stud earrings, three stone moissanite earrings in gold or solitaire moissanite earrings with lever back settings, any would complement the ear of the modern woman.

Moissanite earrings, the modern Brazilian beetle!

The most important thing that all men must own is a great watch from a great brand. Id you are a good investor, you should not underestimate the replica watches.

Men’s watches are often underrated accessories. They have become more than just instruments to tell time, they are reflections of ones personality. A quality replica watch is the quickest way of emitting a confident, successful image.

Not everybody can purchase a couple of expensive watches (which are definitely great mens watches, especially for dissipaters) throughout their life but what they should do instead is invest in one great though inexpensive timepiece that will last a lifetime.

A watch is an important accessory that every man needs. With watches, you get what you pay for so purchase the most suitable watch you can afford. Below there is a breakdown of this years most fashionable watches:

TAG Heuer Kirium Quartz

Tag Heuer replica watches are famed for their quality and finish. Each Kirium Model has a high polished steel case and bracelet, electric blue dial, date calendar, quartz movement, unidirectional bezel, screw down crown, and 39mm case diameter. It is extremely sophisticated and rich looking. These watches stand out, the shiny silver casing and blue face will immediately be spotted by anyone who recognizes quality watches.

Breitling Chronomat GR

These replica watches have stainless steel case and pilot bracelet, silver sub-dials, date calendar, Unidirectional rotating bezel. They are water resistant to 100 meters.

Nike Typhoon

The Typhoon replica watches are present with calendar information for two time zones, a 1/100th-second chronograph, 2 alarms, countdown race timer, and scratch resistant crystal lens.

More than just a time-telling device, replica watches are also a sign of style and prestige. It can be considered one of your life-investments (after a house, car and yacht, of course), as this is an item you wont get rid of at the turn of every season. The watch is an accessory that you will keep for a while… while it will always keep time for you.

Article source: http://www.cool-watches.com/articles.html

There are several techniques involved in making beaded jewelry. Stringing is one, and wire-working with beads is another. Various types of string are available: cords, plastic, twine. Additionally, silk and nylon threads can also be utilized in making beaded jewelry. Using hemp fiber in beaded jewelry making is a nice touch – it makes for an unusual product and would also be a great topic for conversation. Wire of various thicknesses is another popular option. Additionally, wire is used to make beaded jewelry items such as necklaces, hairpins and earrings, and to attach clasps.

Beads for jewelry come in all shapes and forms as well. In spite of beaded jewelry’s reputation for being inexpensive, a person can also use precious gemstones like pearls and precious metals, such as gold and silver, to make beaded dress accessories. For beginners, however, less costly materials are widely available for making beaded jewelry: glass, crystal, coral, to name a few. Whatever materials the artist uses, he or she is easily able to customize the type of beaded jewelry to be worn personally, given as a gift, or sold to beaded jewelry enthusiasts.

To enhance the overall visual effect of the beads, a number of knotting and stitching techniques are recommended. There are simple knots and stitches for beginners, and with practice, they will be able to progress to the more complicated and fancier methods used in making beaded jewelry. It’s interesting to note that knots have mystical connotations in some cultures. For some East Indians, knots can be used to curse a person. In Gypsy lore, it is important to untie knots in the clothing of a woman in childbirth. And the expression ‘tying the knot’ derives from the ancient Romans, when the groom would untie the knots of his bride’s girdle before consummating the marriage. In which case, it should be ‘untying the knot.’

In the ancient past, beaded jewelry was used to denote wealth and social status – only the highest class of society was allowed to wear them. Thankfully, this is not so today and beaded jewelry can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Making beaded jewelry is an activity that requires no special training and technical skills. Creativity, fun and dedication are the only prerequisites in making these highly fashionable items.

A good example of this tradition is Fortunato Pio Castellani, who opened his Italian jewelry workshop in Rome around 1814, first creating fashion jewelry from the popular designs. By the 1830s, he had become inspired by the Etruscan discoveries of ancient Italian jewelry. Castellani became the first 19th-century jeweler to create works closely modeled after classical Italian and Greek prototypes, thus creating a new fashion trend.

Castellani was inspired to pursue the granulation technique, which was perfected by the Etruscans in the 9th to 4th centuries B.C. and made Italian jewelry of this period so unique. Castellanis passion for excellence became close to an obsession and resulted in the revival of many ancient techniques which have become some of the greatest contributions to the history of Italian jewelry making.

Fortunato Pio was joined by his two sons, Alessandro and Augusto in the 1850s, creating and marketing their Italian jewelry designs to local, international patrons, artists and educated tourists visiting Rome. By the 1860s, popular demand for their unique styles, prompted Alessandro Castellani to establish a workshop in Naples in addition to opening shops in London and Paris. The Italian jewelry of this family won widespread acclaim leading to international expositions in Florence, London, and Paris, ultimately becoming the design that every jeweler throughout Europe wanted to duplicate. The fame of Castellanis designs reached America in 1876, at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and the next year the much-praised Italian jewelry collection was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The granulation technique used in creating Italian jewelry by the Castellani family and others are just one of many that every aspiring jeweler must learn. The incorporation of fine detailing and meticulous finishing are the foundation for the luxurious effect that is difficult to find in any other jewelry.

Beside the impact of history and tradition, the reputation of Italian jewelry is supported by its quality standards for silver and gold, which are amongst the highest in the world. The silver grade of 925 is not the only consideration taken into account. There is also an extreme amount of care given in the production of the alloy and through each step until the finished jewelry piece is completed. Whether the item is crafted by an individual jeweler or from a large jewelry company, silver Italian jewelry production is treated with passion and respect.

The variety of designs you can choose from in silver Italian jewelry covers every style; classical, modern or avant-garde. You can find replicas of designs from different periods in history, such as the Renaissance or you can have your own custom design brought to life.