Silver Hamsa "Eye - in Hand" Necklace

With a Blue Turquoize stone

The Beauty of Turquoise

The Beauty of Turquoise
By Sher Matsen

The beauty and history of turquoise is hard to surpass! Seeped with history and mystery it is truly a captivating stone.

Turquoise history dates back over 6000 years. Archeological and literary references to the stone predate the Christian era by five millennia. It has been unearthed in tombs from ancient Egypt - specifically the 4 bracelets of Queen Zar, found on her mummified arm.

These date back to the second ruler of the Egypt's First Dynasty, approximately 5500 B.C. Aristotle and Pliny both refer to turquoise. Marco Polo even wrote about it. Turquoise has always been considered a stone of life.

It also has a long standing history of over a 1000 years with Native Americans who have used it extensively for protection and healing. The stone was also used in religion, art, trade, treaty negotiations, and jewelry.

Turquoise's use as a healing stone reaches far - it has been used for headaches, eye problems, fever and insect bites to name just a few. It was ground to a powder then it was drank to cure stomach ailments.

Turquoise also has significant metaphysical properties. It is a harmonizing stone that is said to alleviate nervousness, help with problem solving, relieve stress from a hectic life, and promote friendship. It is also well known for its protective qualities and many cultures carry a turquoise stone with them at all times.

Turquoise is often strung on beads, carved into animal fetishes, or combined with other stones such as onyx, amethyst, or coral. Its color ranges from brilliant sky blue to green and it usually has black or brown veins running through it. In jewelry it is very popular set in sterling silver. Silver enhances the natural colors of the turquoise much better than gold.

Turquoise is found in North American in the dry areas of Arizona and New Mexico. It is also found in China, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and Persia.

Wax Treated: Much of the turquoise from China is wax impregnated. The paraffin treatment deepens and stabilizes the color but only affects the surface.Turquoise can be rather porous and chalky and is often not suitable for jewelry until it is treated. There are various processes that are used on turquoise.

Stabilization is a treatment which uses a resinous substance. The process uses pressure and heat to fill the microscopic gaps in the stone with plastic resin. When cured the product is a treated stone hard enough to cut and polish. Stabilization allows genuine but lower grade turquoise to be used in jewelry.

Stabilization helps to keep the stone from chipping and prevents changes in color from contact with skin oils. . Wax treatment is very common with turquoise from China. Paraffin wax is impregnated into the turquoise to deepen and stabilizes the color but it only affects the surface. Some jewelry may be made with reconstituted turquoise which is ground turquoise from inferior stones that is molded together with epoxy resin, dyed and pressed into stone like forms - they look good but don't have the value of a real stone.

Another process is referred to as "Block" where a mixture of plastic resin and dyes are produced in blocks the size of a loaf. There is no actual turquoise in this mix, it is entirely man mad and should be labeled simulated. It is made in many colors, and it is used extensively for inlay work.

So when in the market for turquoise jewelry be aware of what you are purchasing. Simulated turquoise, and a natural piece of turquoise jewelry is terrific. What ever your needs are just be certain the product you are purchasing is priced according to its composition. Enjoy this truly captivating stone!!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. So stop by and visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/ We'll help you make your fashion statement! Remember looking good doesn't have to cost a fortune!

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Enamel Hamsa Charms

Picture Hamsa charms

Hanging Hamsa Charms

Good Luck Hamsa Charms

Kabbalah Hamsa Charms

Blessing Hamsa Charms

Oriental Hamsa Charms

Filigree Hamsa Charms

The History of Necklaces

The History of Necklaces
By Martin Smith

Archeologists believe the necklace was born during the stone age about 40,000 years before than previously believed. April 2004, scientists were excavating a cave in South Africa discovered forty-one mollusks that may have been strung as neck jewelry about 75,000 years ago.

Before this discovery the oldest known necklace to have been found about 30,000 B.C. They are made mostly of shells, bones, stones, animal teeth or claws, strung on a thread. Basically the same concept is used today though there are some variations

In 2500 B.C. gold was starting to be used in neck jewelry. Gold neck adornments and chokers have been discovered at the Royal Grave of Ur. They are in what is now known as Iraq. 2000 B.C. was when Sumerian bead neck jewelry started to use alternating patterns of colored stones and gemstones and metals such as copper or silver.

Ancient Egyptian neck jewelry evolved from simple stringed beads to complicated patterns and include the �broad collar� and pectoral type. They were worn by both sexes, mostly royals and wealthy citizens. They were often buried with their dead owners.

During the Classical Greek period from about 480 to 300 B.C. most necklaces were three dimensional pendants. They were mostly in the form of heads, seeds, or acorns. They were suspended from a row of flat elements usually some type of rosettes.

Alexander the Great in 356 - 323 B.C. conquered the Orient. Gold was plentiful throughout the Greek Empire. It was often used on making in necklaces and other types of jewelry for several centuries.

In Ancient Rome the wearing of jewelry was frowned upon. Laws regulated how much gold could be worn by women or buried along with the dead. From about the first century on, Roman Jewelry began to distinguish itself. Gemstones came into use and were usually cut in circles or rectangular shapes.

In the end of the second century gold piercing techniques were invented. It produced a lace like quality in gold neck jewelry. The favored style of the time was a chain of differently colored gemstones connected by gold links.

In the second and third century it became popular to wear multiple necklaces all at the same time. The types of neck jewelry sometimes indicated the level of wealth or class of the wearer. Necklaces were very popular in whatever form could be made. Over the next few centuries the popularity of wearing of necklaces waned significantly. In the late 14th century necklaces started to regain their popularity due to fashions d?colletage.

Since then however, necklaces are very popular among all the classes. A favorite gift of children to their mothers is the famed or infamous macaroni necklace. What mother doesn�t love such a gift from the heart? They are precious not in gemstones or gold but in sentiment and heart value.

Necklaces are worn now for a variety of reasons not the least of which personal adornment. Many people wear medals that are religiously significant such as those with images of the Saints or Jesus Christ. Many wear a plain cross while still others will wear a Crucifix which is a cross on which the image of the body of Christ is fastened. It stands to reason that it can be said that necklaces have been and will remain a piece of jewelry that is completely versatile in its design and the intent of the wearer.

About the Author
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.

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