Shopping for Jewellery Online Is No Longer a Scary Pastime

Depending on your perception, there are both advantages and disadvantages of shopping for jewellery online. If you had asked people a few years ago if they were willing to buy their jewellery on the internet, a lot of them would have told you no. However, just like with everything else, things change over time. And when it comes to online shopping, many people are slowly starting to warm up to the idea.

Is it because they feel more comfortable with making purchases online or is it because this kind of shopping experience is starting to become the norm? Quite frankly, it could be due to a combination of the two. As more people shop online, they see that it is not such a bad thing. The bogeyman is not standing on every corner of the internet waiting to steal your money. Yes, you have to be careful about the types of websites that you purchase your jewellery from. Unfortunately, this has to be done if you want to successfully shop on the internet.

However, all of the fears that were once in place years ago are starting to fall along the wayside for many people. The fear that is associated with shopping for jewellery online is just like any other anxiety that you might have in life. Once you do it a couple of times, it no longer overwhelms you.

Why is there such a difference in attitude when it comes to jewellery shopping on the internet? It could be because a lot of people are starting to see how beneficial it is to shop online. The following are just a few reasons why online jewellery shopping is gaining in popularity.

First, shopping online for an engagement ring is very convenient. It is just a matter of going to a website looking at the various rings and picking the one that you like. You don't have to walk though a mall that is the length of three or four football fields just to find a ring. You can shop in the comfort of your home and find a diamond ring that your girlfriend will love.

Second, there is a large selection of diamond rings to choose from. This is not the same when it comes to the average brick and mortar store. When shopping online the selection is almost endless. If you do not see what you want at one website, then move on to the next one.

Third, prices for jewellery are normally much cheaper when shopping online. This is because online stores do not have to worry about the normal expenses that are required for regular brick and mortar stores. These savings are passed down to you.

In conclusion, shopping for jewellery online is just as safe and rewarding as shopping at your local mall. Once you make a few purchases and nothing goes wrong, this just solidifies your belief that online shopping is safe. You will probably start out with smaller purchases and move on up to the larger purchases such as jewellery. But, the same person who was squeamish about purchasing a $10 audio book a few years ago will not have the same problem when shopping for $3,000 engagement rings today, which is a good thing.



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Trump uses stage time to re-litigate his controversies

 Donald Trump blasted Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server in a speech in Ohio on Wednesday night but spent almost as much time revisiting the controversies that have dogged his campaign and distracted from his opponent’s legal woes.

Just moments after the Justice Department said it would not pursue charges against the Democrat, Trump went on stage and called Clinton a “dirty, rotten liar” and questioned how seriously the FBI investigated her emails.

“I don’t think they looked too hard,” he said at one point, referring to emails the FBI says were deleted.

But Trump, speaking largely off the cuff, was quick to veer off topic and return to comments and campaign tactics that are making his Republican allies cringe.

He said he regretted removing a tweet that was widely criticized as anti-Semitic for containing an image of Clinton in front of a pile of money with a six-pointed star next to her, the text reading, 

“Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!” Many observers recognized the Star of David, a symbol of the Jewish faith.

“It’s a star! And it actually looks like a sheriff’s star!” Trump said. “It could’ve been a star for anything.”

Appearing with possible vice-presidential pick Newt Gingrich, Trump blamed the media for the uproar.

“When they told me the Star of David I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding, how sick are they?’ They’re the ones with the bad tendencies when they think that way,” Trump said. “These people are sick, folks. I’m telling you, they’re sick.”

The tweet was removed from Trump’s twitter account and replaced with an image that, instead of the star, had a circle containing the text.

“[We] shouldn’t have taken it down,” he said. "He should’ve left it up. I would have rather defended it.”

Trump also defended a statement he made Tuesday that cast Saddam Hussein as effective in combating terrorism.

“I was talking about terrorism and I said Saddam Hussein is a bad man,” Trump said Wednesday. “He was really good at killing terrorists, he didn’t wait around, you think he gave the terrorists trials that lasted 18 years?”

“He was good at one thing, he killed terrorists,” Trump added. “I don’t love Saddam Hussein, I hate Saddam Hussein, but he was damn good at killing terrorists.”

Trump’s attacks on the media have become a standing feature of his rallies and speeches.

“We have a crooked system, we have a rigged system, we have a dishonest press,” Trump said. “I love talking about how dishonest they are.”

On Wednesday evening, he called NBC host Chuck Todd “this really stupid guy,” declaring CNN “dishonest as hell” and labeling the press “bad people.”

Punctuating his policy positions on trade and immigration, Trump touted celebrity endorsements from boxer Mike Tyson, golfer Jack Nicklaus and basketball coach Bobby Knight.

Trump also fueled speculation about who he might pick as a running mate, lavishing praise on Gingrich as the crowd chanted “Newt!”

Trump on VP: There are 2 generals under consideration

Trump on VP: There are 2 generals under consideration

By NICK GASS

“In one form or another, Newt Gingrich is going to be involved with our government, that I can tell you,” Trump said. “He’s going to be involved. He’s smart, he’s tough, he gets it.”

Trump wouldn't say whether Gingrich would join the ticket, but he argued the one-time conservative icon would perform well if he were on the 2016 vice-presidential debate stage.

“I'm not saying it’s Newt, but if it’s Newt, nobody’s going to be beating him in those debates, that’s for sure, right?” Trump said. “Nobody. Nobody’s beating Newt in the debates.”

“He says I’m the biggest thing he’s ever seen in the history of politics,” Trump added.

Trump seemed to revel in the winding nature of the speech, noting how much more interesting it was than reading from a prepared text. And he knew how to provoke a roar from the crowd, from declaring his intent to build a wall on the southern border to pledging to care for military veterans.

Meanwhile, Clinton tweeted a link to the livestream of Trump’s speech. “Newly discovered footage that could destroy Donald Trump’s campaign if everyone saw it.”

 http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/donald-trump-pointed-star-225195#ixzz4DhPx0SfB

Necklaces for Men

The world is slowly waking up to the fact that men's jewellery is different from that for women. While women's jewellery is often meant to be the centerpiece of an outfit, jewellery for men is meant to complement the attire, not overwhelm. Among all forms of men's jewellery available today, necklaces are believed to be the hardest to wear. Men's necklaces are different from other neck pieces. They are rough and rugged, and should look worn and used through the years. The brighter, shinier stuff is harder to pull off. While necklaces may seem a tricky item of jewellery, it's an easy style to master with a little practice. Here are the most popular necklace styles for men today.

Metal Chains
Plain, unornamented chains have been a popular men's necklace style since a very long time. They go with practically every outfit and can create various looks with their simple design. They almost look like a solid ribbon of metal, with flat loops close together, falling just below the collarbone. Chains are simple enough to be worn all the time, but make sure the metal is something quality and durable like gold, silver, or platinum. Gold plated metals are also great for everyday wear. The key to rock a chain is to keep it modest. Keep it under your shirt and let it just peek through to make a statement.

Chokers

A choker is usually a solid band around the neck without a pendant. Chokers for men are very different from women's chokers. Men's chokers are available in a variety of materials- metal, leather, beads. Dog tags are a form of choker, so are the hemp or rope necklaces popularized by the hippie culture. The most popular chokers for men today are an amalgam of all those styles. When wearing a choker, make sure it isn't too close fitting. Allow yourself some room so you remain comfortable and not feel suffocated. Also avoid a choker with a pendant, since it may make you look like a pet with its tag hanging from the collar.

Leather necklace

From shoes and belts, leather has also made its way to men's fashion accessories. Leather necklaces are quite common in men's jewellery. Leather thongs give a relaxed, natural look, and enhance any casual attire with their masculine charm. Braided faux leather necklaces are also quite the rage among men, both with and without the pendant. Similar to a metal chain, they make a statement peeking from beneath the shirt. If you prefer open collared shirts, a leather necklace could be a very manly accessory.

Pendants

These can be real statement pieces. Pendants can range from a precious stone, a clay tablet with an inscription, a tiny vial, to a scroll-shaped jewel, a religious emblem, or even a piece of wood. The size of the chain depends on your preference, but it should be kept under your shirt, unless you're wearing a deep V-neck.

Men's necklaces are all about mixing and matching and finding out what works for you. A few good pendants and a wide range of chains or cords can help you achieve a number of looks. Figure out your statement, and don't be shy to flaunt it!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9232238

Bead-Work As a Home Business

Bead-work is one of the most popular crafts worldwide.

One of the best things about this is that the styles differ vastly around the world, and even within countries.

Now starting up a beading business from your home is something that is extremely east to do. Sadly it is not that easy to make money unless you follow some basic guidelines.

Due to the fact that beading is so very popular there are so many different people doing it that the competition is very fierce.

Now do not let yourself be put off by that fact, because if you target your market tightly and then do it better that any others within that field then you will become profitable very quickly.

It is simply a matter of knowing where the money lies and then how to go and get it.

This will be covered in the research part of setting up your business.

However before you even start you will need to know and understand which direction it is that you want to go into. There are a huge amount of choices available here to you. From the very simple, train other beading beginners from your home workshop, to wholesaling, to doing very high-end specialty pieces. The art side of beading is also a possibility.

What you need to consider is all the festivals, shows and flea market options, and then compare those results to supplying specific retail outlets. It is important that you do this research side correctly in the very beginning, as this is the basic foundations that your business will be built upon.

The good news is that once you have done that, you will be in a position to do the planning and get the step by step daily tasks written down and put into action.

You will be on your way to success.

This first step is what you need to concentrate upon in the beginning and then you will be ready to take the next step.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2925391

How to Buy Beads for Home-Craft Jewelry Making

Buying Beads by Size

Buying beads can be complicated. With hundreds-of-thousands of different materials, sizes, shapes, colors, and prices. Often buyers purchase the wrong size because they don't know millimetres - and purchasing too many beads is a waste of money. However, armed with a little knowledge and common sense, it's not so difficult.

Seed beads

Seed beads range from 1mm to 3mm or size 11/0. The most common seed beads are Chinese, Czech, or Japanese. Traditional Czech beads are sold on hanks, mostly round, but can be uneven. Chinese and Japanese seed beads are more uniform, come in many different colors and are sold loose in bags or tubes.

Remember that 1,000 (or even 4,000) seed beads will come in a little bag - don't expect them larger than they are! However, some of these tiny beads can be tricky to make, so are only a little cheaper than bigger beads.

Large beads

Larger beads are sold either loose or in strands. Buy beads in strands if you want the best quality and uniformity of holes - they will hang better on a necklace. However, loose beads are great if you want a lot cheaply for a large project or for many different works. Beads over 14mm get heavy, so expect to pay more shipping.

Measuring Beads

I often get letters telling me the 8mm beads we mailed are not 8mm. Some people say our 4mm beads look bigger on the picture! Others insist we've sent them the wrong size strand of pearls because most are smaller than listed. Size of beads can either be exact or approximate depending on the type of bead:

• Simple round bead sizes should be exact: 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm etc.
• Chip beads, being varying size, will not be exactly the size quoted - some will be longer, but most will be shorter.
• Bead sellers usually quote the largest size in the strand. This is especially true with natural pearls - where less than 25% in a strand may be the full size quoted.
• A Choker necklace measures 16-inches, a Princess necklace 18-inches long, a Matinee necklace 24-inches, and an Opera necklace 32-inch.
• A bracelet is usually 7-inches - and an anklet 9-inches.

Bead Measure

Invest in a bead measure, as it's easy to overestimate bead sizes. Most good bead stores sell them.

How Many Beads Will I Need?

If buying by the strand, just divide the length by the bead size to tell how many there will be.

For example a (16-inch) 400mm strand will have about 50 beads of 8mm - 400 divided by 8.

Strands can be different lengths, but there is a general rule:

• Usually each strand measures 16-inches = 400mm.
• A necklace will need at least 75 x 6mm beads, allowing it to hang 9-inchs, 18-inches in all.
• If you're making a bracelet, you need about 26 x 8mm beads on average.
• Choosing Beads by Material

Know what you're buying

Semi-precious stone beads should be studied before purchasing. Search online or get a book on minerals and gemstones.

Beads can be compared as to their treatment. Some enrichment is perfectly acceptable such as heating the stone to boost its color. Turquoise varies dramatically in price depending on its treatment. Advance study and a reputable dealer are your best insurance. Dying of pearls, coral and jade is usual. The color shouldn't come off.

Pearls

Pearls are usually freshwater and cultured, unless they cost over $100 a strand. Except for plastic and faux pearls, which look perfectly round without any grooves. Cultured means they are 100% natural, but are farmed with the help of man, rather than growing in the sea. Expect to find irregular sizes, shapes, and grooving in these pearls.

Other pearls that don't fit these descriptions are fake, unless very expensive. Size quoted by the seller is always the largest in the strand - this means that only a few will be that big. More on pearls 

later.

Metal beads

Metal beads come in all shapes and sizes - silver, gold, copper, round, square, etc. Common metal beads include Bali Beads, usually made from sterling silver, gold or gold plated sterling. Also popular are "liquid silver" and "liquid gold" beads: tiny tubes made of metal, usually strung together which drape beautifully.

Lampwork

Lampwork beads make great jewelry centerpieces. These were traditionally crafted with a torch by expert glassmakers, although most are mass produced today. Judge the price of lampwork according to the complexity of the finished bead. More on lampwork later.

Quantity

Knowing how many beads to buy can be a problem. If you purchase too many, you'll waste money with leftovers. Yet purchase too few, and you may not have enough to finish a project. Also buy all you think needed in one go - otherwise the seller may not have any more of the same batch to match at a later date.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5663416

Handmade Necklaces Derived From Medieval Pieces Of Jewellery

 Handcrafted jewellery such as handmade necklaces are perfect for depicting our islands' huge treasure chest of ancient art and monuments. Orkney jewelry often presents special collections based on this theme.

They include attributes from the wonderful craftsmanship of the Neolithic folks who left their mark on the ancient village of Skara Brae. These men and women loved art and ornaments. Their stone built dressers survive to this day. And magnificently decorated stones reveal the enigmatic emblems of these ancient people which are preserved crisp as the day they were carved.

This unique village was preserved for millennia under sand dunes until a tremendous storm revealed the cluster of homes once inhabited by early farmers. Handmade necklaces featuring the Skara Brae motif are some of the best selling handcrafted jewellery items.

Lately it has emerged that the great variety of ancient archaeology which draws people to the islands here in Orkney is simply the tip of the iceberg. You can also find possibly just as many monuments under the seas which surround Orkney. The 70 or so isles in the archipelago were once all joined together until mounting sea levels created the isles and skerries we see today. Sea levels were around three metres lower 5000 years ago in Neolithic times, even though the isles were already separate by then. Several of the tombs, houses and temples which lie near to the shore today were once inland.

Many of the buildings then on the shore must now have been covered by sea. A group of archaeologists, geo scientists and geographers have already been surveying the sea bed and have just identified what seems to be a henge monument under a loch (an oval enclosed by ditches and banks) very close to the famous Ring of Brodgar standing stones. And what looks to be a tomb much like Maeshowe burial cairn has been identified in a sheltered bay.

A lot more work needs to be done to find out just what these structures or features are. Divers will undoubtedly be sent down again to check out the stones coated in seaweed in waters that have very limited visibility. And sonar studies much like the geophysical surveys on land will look closer at what lies below the waves.

Much more inspiration for handmade necklaces similar to the Skara Brae design may perhaps be found eventually. Nevertheless the monuments and tombs will remain underwater keeping most of their secrets eternally.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6630614