Gold, Silver or Platinum for Fine Jewelry

Metals used in jewelry making can be traced back to our early civilzation. Gold was one of the first metals to be used in making jewelry, followed by copper, then silver.

When making bracelets and other jewelry from metals, most are made with non-ferrous metals, meaning without iron. With exception of steel jewelry. Iron jewelry can eventually rust.

Noble metals resist corrosion and have a lustrous surface like gold and silver or platinum. More jewelry is made of noble metals, instead of base. Base metals include, nickel, copper and iron.

Fine jewelry is made of precious metals like gold, silver and platinum. These are more valuable than jewelry made of other materials.

Gold is the most popular choice in fine jewelry. It is malleable and lends itself to many designs. S nce gold is soft it is blended with other materials, most often nickel. 18 karat gold is 75% gold and will be and stay the most shiny. Although 14 karat gold is stronger. One downside of gold is that it will wear down and possible need replating after time.

Silver is the least reliable metal to use for fine jewelry. It is softer and has to be mixed with alloys like nickel or copper. More people have allergies to sterling silver because of this. It also will tarnish after time.

Platinum is the third choice, and tends to be the most expensive as well. However, it doesn't wear down like gold does. It can develop a dull finish over time due to wear and scratches. It gives it a kind of antique look. This metal is both malleable and strong, making it easy to work with as well and long lasting.

Creating Unique Bracelets

Bracelets allow a unique way for a woman to express herself. But what about when you just can't seem to find what you are looking for?

Maybe you have a special dress or blouse that just has to have a certain syle bracelet and it's just not out there. Creating your own is an option you may want to consider. You can get as simple or as complicated as you wish.

The chevron design is a classic and this video shows us how to simply create one. Have fun with this one!

Another medium to use is wire with metal beads. Make your own custom design, check it out!

Seed beads are popular in bracelet making, as you can see in this video. There are an endless variety to choose from, so get creative.

There are literally almost endless ways to create a unique and special bracelet, depending on how elablorate you wish to get. I hope you enjoy these examples and get inspired to design your own arm candy!

Watches Do More Than Tell Time

Watches are a girls best friend - well, at least one of them. I adore watches. There are so many shapes, materials, colors and designs to choose from that they never get boring.

Do you like having a special watch to wear with a special outfit? How about funky colors and designs? You can have a watch made of precious metals, or one made of plastic. Elegant and thin or thick and clunky there's a watch for everyone.

From present day fashion staements to early wristlets, the wristwatch has come a long way. Early pieces were called wristlets and worn by women and were likely made fun of by men. But in the late 1800's soldiers turned the pocket watch into a form of wristwatch which came in handy during war time.

A useful too, the wristwatch has transformed in time to become a fashionable accessory or even a status symbol.