Thursday, March 19, 2009
OK ... On a roll here ... Another Article!
Why Charm Bracelets are Much More than Ordinary Jewelry
By: Robert Edwards
To many people jewelry is part of their wardrobe. Everyone has their favorite pieces. Sometimes a ring or necklace can have a special, personal meaning because it was a gift.
These items are usually designed to be worn as-is. Charm bracelets are very different.
Over time, charm bracelets grow. They can become collections unto themselves. And they take on the personal nature of the owner. Many have charms depicting an endless variety of themes. People build sea themed bracelets with shells, sailboats and anchors. Or animal jewelry, with tiny giraffes, lions and bears connected to the chain links. We've seen career theme bracelets, and even one with a heart collection.
Charms are available in many types. One of the more popular categories is sports including golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, football, basketball, hockey, equestrian and more. Music is another, with musical instruments, notes and clefs. The holiday theme is popular with different bracelets for Halloween, St. Patrick's Day and Christmas. Even food is represented, with pizza, candy bars, hamburgers and veggies. The variety is simply amazing!
Collections can grow over many years. It is a long standing tradition in many families to add a charm to a bracelet over time as a holiday or birthday gift. This is almost like attaching memories that celebrate each birthday, holiday or special occasion. The personal connection can be very strong.
Although almost any chain with large open style links can be used as a charm bracelet, the traditional, classic charm bracelet is made with a double curb link chain. These links are made so they nestle into each other, giving the chain a wide appearance while using fairly narrow gauge wire to form the links. The double link adds strength and style.
A charm is connected to the link with a jump ring. Many people leave the rings open; but a valuable charm can be lost this way. A good jeweler will solder the jump ring closed when a charm is added to a link for a customer.
Gold is expensive, and so sterling silver has become the traditional metal of choice for this type of jewelry. Of course price is the primary reason why silver is more popular, but there are other reasons to consider. There are many more available in sterling silver. Gold charms are made in popular styles, but unusual designs are very difficult if not impossible to find. And of course people do mix silver and gold, which can result in a very attractive, unusual and valuable piece of jewelry.
An alternative is to buy a ready made charm bracelet. The average bracelet comes with five to seven charms attached to it. As described above, they usually follow a theme or central idea. By starting with a small collection of five or so, it looks very attractive while providing room for more to be added as they are acquired.
The ultimate collector heads to auction sites, garage sales and flea markets to hunt for vintage and antique pieces. A small silver heart from the 1920's can cost $50.00 - or even more, depending on rarity. Once in a while an entire vintage bracelet will appear in an Ebay estate auction and cause an online frenzy. Vintage examples have gone for many hundreds of dollars to avid collectors.
Sterling silver jewelry doesn't just look great - it has value and can also have personal meaning. Find out why charm bracelets are an obsession for many collectors. Start building your charm bracelet today ... it's fun!
©Robert Edwards. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use this article as content on websites and blogs provided all links and this author's statement remain intact. Robert Edwards is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with more than 30 years of experience in the jewelry trade. He is the webmaster of a very popular silver jewelry site that features many unique and handcrafted designs. Visit the Silver Charm Bracelet Gallery today!
Monday, March 9, 2009
My latest article ...
I decided to write some more articles. The last one was posted about a week ago; I am going to try for one a week until I have nothing left to say ... LOL! So here it is:
Why Sterling Silver Rope Chain is a Must Have Style
By: Robert Edwards
Jewelry fashions change often. Trendy styles come and go, as with any other fashion accessory. Some designs lend themselves to a certain style dress or can be seasonal. Obviously toe rings and belly rings are mostly seen during the summer months.
Then there are the classic styles every jewelry owner should have. This is the kind of jewelry that can be worn with just about any style clothing, all year round.
One of the most popular and versatile jewelry items is the rope chain. A long necklace is ideal for most lockets; a shorter length can be very attractive with a gemstone or birthstone pendant. Wide sizes make nice bracelets. Many jewelers use it as a component in other pieces. For example, this design is also fabulous used in a nameplate or anklet.
This jewelry can be made with any metal, but a sterling silver rope chain is a popular choice for a variety of reasons. An attractive, fabulous fashion accent that can be worn over a lifetime, they give high value for a very low cost.
This type of jewelry is made with round, ring shaped links. There are different styles; the design varies depending on the way it is made. Traditional double rope necklaces and bracelets are made by passing each link through the two previous links. Adding links in this manner allows the maker to produce jewelry that shows the spiral structure of this pattern. Standard sizes are made on machines that automate the process, but larger sizes are still made by hand, making and adding one link at a time.
Most commercially made pieces have soldered links. Larger commercially made necklaces and bracelets may be made with thick wire links that are not soldered.
Chainmaille artisans usually handcraft jewelry without soldering the links. These pieces are made in a way that does not require the links to be permanently closed; they will not come apart. Leaving the links unsoldered makes it easier to add onto or shorten bracelets, anklets or other items when making custom length jewelry.
A less expensive look-alike style is actually hollow. This design is made with fine metal tube shaped links. The result is a very light piece that looks similar; but isn't the same as solid jewelry made with wire links. The hollow links cannot be soldered closed; they break easily and often as a result. Many 14k gold bracelets and necklaces are made this way to limit their weight and keep the cost low.
Sterling silver rope chain is available in many size widths, from very fine to designs thicker than a man's thumb. This style is very strong; even fairly thin pieces are very tough because of the way this design is made. This means it is a great choice for holding your favorite pendant; but they also look great worn alone.
Sterling jewelry can be made with smooth or twisted wire links. Different textured links can be arranged to form patterns in the jewelry, like stripes. Other metals can be mixed in to create striking effects; jewelry made with copper and silver links is very attractive.
A silver rope chain is a great fashion choice -- for any occasion!
©Robert Edwards. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use this article as content on websites and blogs provided all links and this author's statement remain intact. Robert Edwards is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with more than 30 years of experience in the jewelry trade. He is the webmaster of a very popular silver jewelry site that features many unique and handcrafted designs. Visit the silver rope chain gallery for custom length jewelry!
Why Sterling Silver Rope Chain is a Must Have Style
By: Robert Edwards
Jewelry fashions change often. Trendy styles come and go, as with any other fashion accessory. Some designs lend themselves to a certain style dress or can be seasonal. Obviously toe rings and belly rings are mostly seen during the summer months.
Then there are the classic styles every jewelry owner should have. This is the kind of jewelry that can be worn with just about any style clothing, all year round.
One of the most popular and versatile jewelry items is the rope chain. A long necklace is ideal for most lockets; a shorter length can be very attractive with a gemstone or birthstone pendant. Wide sizes make nice bracelets. Many jewelers use it as a component in other pieces. For example, this design is also fabulous used in a nameplate or anklet.
This jewelry can be made with any metal, but a sterling silver rope chain is a popular choice for a variety of reasons. An attractive, fabulous fashion accent that can be worn over a lifetime, they give high value for a very low cost.
This type of jewelry is made with round, ring shaped links. There are different styles; the design varies depending on the way it is made. Traditional double rope necklaces and bracelets are made by passing each link through the two previous links. Adding links in this manner allows the maker to produce jewelry that shows the spiral structure of this pattern. Standard sizes are made on machines that automate the process, but larger sizes are still made by hand, making and adding one link at a time.
Most commercially made pieces have soldered links. Larger commercially made necklaces and bracelets may be made with thick wire links that are not soldered.
Chainmaille artisans usually handcraft jewelry without soldering the links. These pieces are made in a way that does not require the links to be permanently closed; they will not come apart. Leaving the links unsoldered makes it easier to add onto or shorten bracelets, anklets or other items when making custom length jewelry.
A less expensive look-alike style is actually hollow. This design is made with fine metal tube shaped links. The result is a very light piece that looks similar; but isn't the same as solid jewelry made with wire links. The hollow links cannot be soldered closed; they break easily and often as a result. Many 14k gold bracelets and necklaces are made this way to limit their weight and keep the cost low.
Sterling silver rope chain is available in many size widths, from very fine to designs thicker than a man's thumb. This style is very strong; even fairly thin pieces are very tough because of the way this design is made. This means it is a great choice for holding your favorite pendant; but they also look great worn alone.
Sterling jewelry can be made with smooth or twisted wire links. Different textured links can be arranged to form patterns in the jewelry, like stripes. Other metals can be mixed in to create striking effects; jewelry made with copper and silver links is very attractive.
A silver rope chain is a great fashion choice -- for any occasion!
©Robert Edwards. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use this article as content on websites and blogs provided all links and this author's statement remain intact. Robert Edwards is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with more than 30 years of experience in the jewelry trade. He is the webmaster of a very popular silver jewelry site that features many unique and handcrafted designs. Visit the silver rope chain gallery for custom length jewelry!
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