Amethyst is Purple with a Passion

Amethyst has been used for centuries in jewelry from the breast plate of the high priest Aaron's, Egypt and the British crown jewels. It is still popular today for the birthstone for February and the 6th and 17th wedding anniversary. I personally love it because purple is my favorite color! Here is some fun information on the history, lore and mystical properties:

• It has been used throughout the ages by monarchs as a symbol of royalty.
• The name is derived from the ancient Greek word amethusto, meaning sober.
• It is used for Aquarius,Pisces and Sagittarius.
• In the Christian church it was worn in Bishop's rings.
• The purple color was also used to symbolize Christ.
• For the Renaissance it stood for modesty and humility.
• On the Mohs hardness scale it is a 7.
• Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes the amethyst for stomach pains and bad dreams.
• Amethyst is believed to be a cleansing stone both psychologically and physically.
• It is believed to treat the central nervous system, headaches, and insomnia.

The rich color can be worn with many different colors for a perfect accent. Visit www.gemstone-rings-direct.com for a large selection of Amethyst rings and www.cross-pendants-online.com for Amethyst crosses. If you have a style in mind and you're just not finding it call 866-896-4610 for help designing your cross.

Buying Guide For Valentine's Day Gifts For Him

Valentine's Day is almost here and the question is what to get that special man in your life? Chains, crosses, medals, and rings are always a good choice. Here is a buying guide to help with finding the right gift in the right size.

Chains
Here are some steps to help determine the size:

• Check shirt size and collar size if possible.
• Size small- medium should be able to wear an 18". This will lay between the collar bone and the first button on a shirt. Some Men that wear mediums and have a thick neck may need a 20".
• Size large- exlarge should be 20".
• Over ex-large would need to go to 24"(this may hang down inside the shirt slightly)
• If your wanting to buy for someone in the service, police or fire department a 24" is preferred so that it is inside the shirt and can be worn with the uniform.
• Bracelets for men are normally a size 8".
  

Next is to determine the width of the chain. This will depend on the amount you want to spend. As a general rule most men do not prefer chains much under a 2mm(thickness of a Nichol).
If you are going to hang anything on the chain most pendants have around a 2mm bail. The most popular width sizes are 1.75-3mm for pendants. If the chain would be worn alone 2-5mm are popular.
Here is a list of the most popular styles:

• Ropes and Diamond Cut Ropes
• Figaro
• Anchor
• Cable
• Curb
• Wheat and Diamond Cut Wheat

Rings:

• First set a price range you would like to stay in.
• Next choose diamonds, colored stones or just gold.
• Men's ring are usually a standard size 10 and can be sized later if you don't know his size.

Accessories:

• Crosses and medals are a good choice.
• Medals that are 21mm(diameter of a Nichol) and up are a good size for a man.
• Service metals are generally 18-22mm.
• Crosses around a 24mm (diameter of a Quarter) and up are a good size. If bars are wider some smaller sizes will work.

Visit www.cross-pendants-online.com for a large selection of crosses, medals and chains and www.gemstone-rings-direct.com for diamond and gemstone rings. If you are needing further assistance in making your choices please call 866-870-5781 and I would be happy to help.

Elegant Triple Cross Pendant

This lovely two tone triple cross pendant features three crosses in one! The inner cross is 14k white gold, and the other two are 14K yellow gold, with diamond cut accents.

Here is what one happy customer had to say about this beautiful two tone cross from Cross Pendants Online:

"I recently purchased the two tone triple cross on cross pendants. I received it the very next day. I was also very pleased with the quality and look of the pendant. I really liked it from the photo on the web site, but it far exceeded my expectations when I received it. I wanted to write to let you know how pleased I am with your product. I will not hesitate to purchase from you again. Thanks so much for an excellent purchasing experience."

Come to Cross Pendants Online to view our stunning selection!

Gift Giving 101

Need help? Feeling the crunch of Christmas coming upon us? Never fear the internet is here! With stores at your finger tips shopping is only a click away! A jewelry is a fail safe gift for anyone on your list! Here are some quick recommendations to help you finish your Christmas shopping list:

• Make a list of who you still need to buy for.
• Add to the list approximately what you would like to spend on each.
• If you know their birth date, sizes, favorite colors, or any other information to help narrow your choices add that next to name on list.
• Visit www.cross-pendants-online for crosses, medals, chains, chastity rings, and kids religious jewelry.
• Visit www.gemstone-rings-direct.com for gemstone rings, chastity rings, men's and kids rings.
• On the website you can shop by price, color, metal or name.
• Sapphires, rubies,emeralds, diamonds and blue topaz are some of the favorites.
• Buying the persons birthstone or diamonds are usually a safe bet.

If you need help with your list call the number listed on the website and they will help you match the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Celebrities Jewelry Lines

Celebrities are endorsing everything under the sun these days! Celebrities with jewelry lines seems to be getting increasingly more popular! Here are some of the growing numbers of celebrities and their jewelry:

Image from www.santafe.com
Shirley MacLaine's Chakra Sky Jewelry line incorporates Shirley's beliefs about how energy moves through the body. This line is based on the bodies seven energy points called chakras in Sanskrit.
They are made with stones only from suppliers with similar spiritual beliefs. These stones are then placed into sacred geometric forms that have been researched by Shirley.

Colleen Toomey from WB TV " One Tree Hill" has a handcrafted, nature inspired jewelry line called Better Through Daisy. Designs are made of sterling silver, antique vase shards, semi-precious stones and other nature inspired materials. The vase shards used are 300-900 years old unearthed from several old porcelain pottery factories from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Image from betterthroughdaisy.com

Image from www.myitthings.com
Nicole Richie will start a new line produced by the well known jeweler Mouawad. She plans on doing a costume jewelry line that is very affordable. This line will have rings, cuffs and head pieces. The line is called House of Harlow 1960 named after Nicole's daughter. The designs will have a 60's to 70's feel using leather, feathers, silk cords and gold plated metals. This line will be available through Kitson with a price range from $12-140.00. Nicole loves the jewelry so much she wears it all the time!

Joan Rivers teamed up with QVC in 1990 with a fashion jewelry line that has sold over 300 million! Her fashion jewelry line, the Joan Rivers Classics Collection, is designed to be affordable and timeless. She has everything from rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings and pins. The jewelry is made of mostly simulated stones, goldtone, silvertone and enameled jewelry. Customers need to be careful when purchasing goldtone and silvertone as the color comes off. Image from joanrivers.com

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are teaming up with jewelry designer, Robert Lee Morris, to create an exclusive jewelry line for their Elizabeth and James clothing line. The jewelry has a bold modern look of silver, brass, chunky cuffs, knuckle rings, daggers and snakes.
Image from Getty

Paris Hilton was named the face for Damiani jewelry line in 2007. The line, called Bliss, targeted a younger consumer. Paris is not the first celebrity to endorse Damiani lines. The list includes Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Sophia Loren, Sharon Stone and Gwyneth Paltrow along with other celebrities. The collection has pieces made in gold, wood, stainless steel and diamonds. Image from jewelry.com

Whether or not your into wearing the celebrity fads, jewelry finishes off your look and changes the way you feel about yourself. Jewelry doesn't have to be expensive or carry a celebrity endorsement to give you that effect. With the holiday season upon us you don't have to go broke to give the gift of jewelry! Visit www.gemstone-rings-direct.com and www.cross-pendants-online.com for high quality without the high price.
I Stand in Awe ™ Cross Pendant







Blue Topaz Sterling Silver