History of Sterling Silver Jewelry Charms

Charms are also known as amulets and pendants. They are as popular today as they have been throughout recorded history. Ancient Egyptians wore bracelets with charms or amulets. They were used to protect against bad luck and evil forces. They began with religious symbols and became a part of everyday dressing.

Charms/jewelry were made of almost any material of value to people in their time. Many were made of precious metal. Others were made with gemstones inlaid in them or mounted with precious metals in the form of necklaces, crowns, staffs, and bracelets. Queen Victoria gets the credit for popularizing jewelry charms throughout Europe by wearing lockets or charms on her royal bracelets

America became enchante with Charms around the time frame of World War II. Soldiers returning from duty station brought with them various types of charms or pendants. Today popular charms are maded from Gold and Sterling silver. Other materials are still used in the making of charms.

Sterling Silver Charms today represent as many things as there are interests and personalities. Some charms or pendants represent the religious leanings of the wearer. They also represent the interest of the wearer such a musical instrument for a music lover, a pair of sneakers for a jogger, or ballet slippers for a ballerina. Imagination is the only limit for what a charm can represent. Silver charms are also used to commerate life events such as births, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, or graduations.

Silver is a soft metal and its usage has been favored for centuries. It is used to make charms often related to religious worship. Silver has been a symbol of comfortable living. Sterling silver is much stronger than pure silver which is harder to work with when making pendants or charms. Sterling silver is approximately ninety percent silver. The last ten percent or so can be any one of the following: copper, zinc, or nickel and is more durable than pure silver but it still retains its inherent beauty.

Charms whether made of sterling silver or some other materials are often used to represent the person who wears or carries the charm. As has been mentioned however, they often represent the interests and personality of the wearer. During war particular items are given to the soldiers who are going off to fight. When a young teen-aged couple ’goes steady’ the young man generally gives the girl his ring or something of particular value to him. The girls might also do the same.

Charms have also been said to represent the particular spirituality of the wearer. Many people wear plain simple crosses while still others will wear the cross with the corpus - the body of Christ on it. Others wear saints medals. Lockets are worn with images of loved ones inside. Once used to ward against evil spirits, for good luck, and for protection in times of trouble charms have come to be an adornment for the wearer. Charm bracelets are gifts that keep on giving. A charm is often given for birthdays, graduations, a dance recital, or sports victory. They make wonderful gifts for young girls that will grow with them. There are charm necklaces as well.
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Wedding Ring and and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Amethyst is February's Birthstone

If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it.

February's birthstone: Amethyst

Birthstone powers: Brings peace and calm to your life

Alternative Birthstone: Bloodstone

Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February and the traditional anniversary gemstone for the sixth of marriage. Once considered more valuable than diamonds, this member of the quartz member occurs naturally as crystals within rocks. The stones are mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Zambia, Australia and in the mountains of Russia

American amethysts are mined in Maine, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Montana and Colorado. Amethyst from Maine is usually dark with North Carolina amethyst having a bluish tint unique to that area. Amethyst can lighten if exposed to strong sunlight for a long time. When heated to 550-560 Centigrade, the color changes to dark yellow or reddish brown. (They are then called citrines. These are more richly colored and more expensive then natural citrines)

Ideally deep medium purple with rose-colored flashes, amethysts generally range in hue from pale lilac to nearly black purple. Since purple has always been the color of royalty, amethysts abound in the ornaments of in the British Crown Jewels and in the adornments of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, as well. They have been found in ruins dating as far back as the ninth century, adorning royal jewelry, scepters, and crowns.

The intense violet hue of February's birthstone appealed to early monarchs, perhaps because they often wore this color?as a symbol of their elevated position. Purple dye was once scarce and expensive, so it was reserved for the garments of royalty, and the color came to symbolize power and status.

Sobering Thoughts with Amethyst

The Greeks believed that whoever wore an amethyst or drank from an amethyst cup would not become intoxicated. In fact, the word amethyst is derived from the Greek word "amethystos," meaning sober. In ancient Greece, the gemstone was associated with the god of wine, and it was common practice to serve this beverage from Amethyst goblets in the belief that this would prevent overindulgence. It was also claimed that amethyst had a sobering effect on those "drunk" on love?s passion.

Even today, amethyst is considered a stabilizing force for those struggling to overcome addictive behaviors. In general, the gemstone is believed to be a calming, tranquil influence that symbolizes peace.

Amethyst and Prayer

Amethyst is symbolic of piety, spirituality, and a devotion to God. The rich purple gemstones are used worldwide to ornament churches and crosses used in religious ceremony, and they frequently found in the rings and on the rosaries worn by bishops and priests.

It is also believed that amethysts bring on pleasant dreams because they allow you to "channel" positive universal energy. As a result many people place an amethyst under their pillow before going to sleep at night to enjoy "sweet dreams" throughout the night.

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of ?How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.? This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com

Why Pendant Lighting Is A Must For Any House

History and introduction to pendant lighting fixture

Pendant lighting is comparatively a baby in respect to other type of lights in the same category starting from the Huge Chandeliers. Actually if history is right, Pendant lights came into existence just as a useful substitute but a less detailed version of Chandeliers with almost same features and functionality. In fact it derived its name from pendant, a jewelry accessory. Its typical history dates back to 2700 B.C. It started with hanging lamps of clay with light given by an animal fat burn which was the way Greeks devised. As time past, clay lamps were replaced by Glass. In the 80s, European pendants began to appear with exclusive use of glass designs as pendants with attractive shades.

The picture of the typical pendant light is a single fixture that hangs from the ceiling from a string or other kind of supporting device such as a metal rod. They are minuscule in detail as compare to the chandeliers and rather than having its lights exposed, the tip or the lower end employs types of shades which is for the same reason the fixture is described as the pendant light fixture. A pendant lighting fixture is also called a suspender or a drop and most often if single-hanging entities without the extra branches are used alone can give dramatic effect when two or three are used together suspended at varying heights. The light may be stripped to a bare bulb suspended from a cord, or housed in a decorative shade crafted from glass, resin, metal or fabric. During its earliest days, the pendant featured a crude type of blown glass shell, which eventually evolved into a huge style conscious make. Today, the variety of styles combined with customers demand has made pendant lights on par with other forms of lighting fixtures. A closer look around pendant lighting online store will surprise you with the extent to which this type of lighting has evolved.

The Why’s and What’s of Pendant Lighting

One of the crucial features of the pendant lights is its versatility. Pendants can often be found in living room, small foyers, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms and it can suit each space with equal ease. Pendants lights are much different from other types of lights and command the same respect as jewellery. They sparkle, enlighten, and soften a clean, austere environment. In actuality, pendant lights can be every bit as fancy as chandeliers, because one gets pendant lights studded with Swarovski crystals or dangling gemstones. One of the other most important benefits of pendant lights is it never needs re modifications of your existing space like drilling a hole in the ceiling as the case with recessed lights or hammering your walls for those classic wall scones. This drastically reduces the installation time along with peace of mind and yes, brings down your lighting investment. Pendant lighting fixtures do not have the grand scale of a tiered chandelier and are ideal when space and cost is a concern. Wherever space is an issue, mini-pendants can be hung from above, effectively freeing up space in the room for furniture and other things.

They are stylish, have a simple elegance, are functional and provide illumination in hard to light areas. Mini-pendants typically serve as task lights which define the work surface of a kitchen island or bar. Pendants can also be used to spice-up a room or to instigate authentic schemes. When hung in multiple, either multiple pendant fixtures or single pendant fixtures lined up in line, they can effectively set that evening calming mood. Another classic benefit of pendant lights is its wide options available in the market. It could be chosen for their varieties in different form, colour, pattern and texture and prices. Pendants are an eye catcher in it’s not something you want to cut corners on when considering a purchase. There are tons of styles and configurations available today and with a little persistence, you can find just the right fixture for both your décor and your budget. An inexpensive pendant gives you what you pay for and if it wears out, replacing it can be a chore that you won’t relish. A single pendant design fixture can cost very less to a five pendant traditional light costing bit more to the more traditional shade five pendant lights costing higher.

Pre- Shopping guide for Pendant lighting fixture

First thing to look before going on shopping for pendant lights will be to know what will be its function and which part of your home will need them. Pendant fixtures are normally used for general or task lighting. Pendants can be used as stand alone lighting for a particular area or can be used in combination with other lighting fixtures, particularly in larger areas. Narrow areas that need lighting are ideal candidates for a single low pendant light. Considering the pendant size, they can range in size from two inches, to a multiple pendant fixtures that is 22 to 48 inches in diameter ideally suited to brighten from small task area in a kitchen to a bigger hallway. For example, for a pendant installed over a dining table, possibly choose a pendant no larger in diameter than half the width of the table. For an entry foyer, add the width and length dimensions of the foyer together and the calculated total equal the maximum pendant diameter. Nowadays pendant lights comes in varied styles and colours right from single glass pendant light fixture to 5 pendant traditional light to a 8 pendant lamp shaded traditional light fixture. Whatever style and colour you choose, decide whether you want to blend with the décor or want to make it a focal point. After looking at these aspects, the most important thing to look next is you’re lighting especially your pendant lighting budget. Luckily, today there are lots of style choices and hopefully you will find a suitable pendant lighting fixture that will respect your budget. Whatever budget you have decided, make sure it doesn’t compromise the quality which resides in the many details of pendant lighting fixtures. Quality in pendant lighting fixtures means authenticity in design details and fine craftsmanship. See to it that finishes are both durable and handsome. High quality finishes on pendant lighting increase durability and resist tarnishing. Brushed metal finishes and painted finishes have gained popularity and are top sellers today. To understand these entire factors better, possibly consult the light shop’s customer service department. A good store will have some lighting experts who will guide you in selecting needed pendant fixtures with in your budget and may also advice complimenting wall scones and other lighting fixtures.

We at For your Home really feel reading the above information, you will atleast check one pendant lighting fixtures today.

You can also read this article on our website’s News and article section at:

http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/pendant-lights-an-informative-guide-about-pendant-lighting-ideas/articles/35.html.

We at For your Home are specialist in helping you make better homes and gardens. You are always welcome to visit our online store at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk and our pendant lighting online department at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/contemporary-lighting/c/373_484.html

Pendant Lighting - Fun & Versatile!

 

Pendant lighting is not seen as a genuine lighting alternative for many of us because we have been brainwashed into thinking there are the three basics: the lamp, the flush-mounted ceiling fixture, and when you want to get fancy—the chandelier. Most of us even think of wall sconces before the word pendant will ever come to mind.

The pendant is actually one of the most versatile of the light fixtures and can be used to provide the three main types of lighting: ambient, task, and even accent lighting. Unlike table, desk, or even floor lamps, the pendant light fixture is not limited in placement options. A table or desk lamp always needs some sort of furniture or desk to place them upon. Unless you want to place furniture in the middle of your room in order to set the lamp upon, table and desk lamps are not good sources of ambient lighting. Although great for task lighting such as reading, lamps—including floor models—are limited by their placement restrictions and in the types of lighting they are able to provide (great task lighting, poor ambient, no accent).

Because pendants are mounted to the ceiling, they can be placed anywhere in the room so long as you run power to them during installation. In most cases, your home already has wiring in place for ceiling fixtures. Without wiring restrictions, you can let your imagination run wild when choosing pendant fixtures for each room.

In the kitchen, an elegant pendant with ornate glass shades will create plenty of ambient lighting while adding some flare and subtle elegance to the room. If you have a center island or breakfast nook, try placing a 3-bulb pendant overhead. This will provide these work/eating areas with additional task lighting and can be coordinated with the primary pendant fixture for a more compelling decorative effect. Even the sink area would benefit from a small overhead pendant to provide additional task lighting for dishes while also serving as accent lighting when the other lights are turned off.

The living room is another area when pendant lighting should be considered as a serious option as the primary source of ambient lighting. While a chandelier may be overbearing in the space, the right pendant will brighten the room and give the décor the added class and sophistication it had been lacking when a simple ceiling fixture was in place. Pendants come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes, there is literally no limit to the number of options they bring to your lighting blueprint.

Pendant lighting fixtures work especially well as sources of illumination for hallways and stairways. A simple ceiling fixture at the top of the stairs can be too far away to provide enough illumination for everyone in your family to navigate safely. However, a hanging pendant can bring the source of illumination closer to the stairs and thus eliminate dark spots created by flush-mounted ceiling fixtures. Foyers and entranceways are other great places for pendants and they should be used to set the tone of your décor as people first enter your home.

Pamela Tice is the owner of numerous lighting and home decor websites including http://www.barnesandwagner.com. Her store offers a complete product line of indoor lighting such as Pendant Lighting and Buffet Lamps, as well as outdoor lighting from the industries leading manufacturers. Everything to light your home in style.