Anna Lin

All about Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant Jewelry

30th September 2008

All about Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant Jewelry



What makes tanzanite such an extraordinary gemstone? It could be it’s unusual blue   aura that seems to cause it to change in different light or perhaps it is because it is so rare that you don’t have to worry about everyone having a Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant.

Tanzanite as a gem has only been around for about 41 years as it was discovered in 1967. The scientific name for Tanzanite is Blue Zoisite, and the only place in the world that this deep blue crystal occurs is in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, Africa. The mining of Tanzanite is only done on a very small scale and very rarely do they find large deposits, normally only small grains are commonly found, which are then used to make Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant Jewelry.

The jewelry company Tiffany, around 1967, came up with the trade name of Tanzanite for this gem and within a short period of time was one of the first companies to present tanzanite jewelry to the general public. Since then the popularity of Tanzanite never waned and only grew as it captivated the public with its unusual beauty.  The universal appeal of Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant Jewelry enchants both the young and independent as well as the discerning and mature, with its deep blue and purple tinged hue.

Only very few licensed Tanzanite merchants handle the Tanzanite trade and over 90% of all Tanzanite merchants are members of the International Colored Gemstone Association- ICA. Assuring that Tanzanite is only passed along reputable trade routes and into the hands of major reputable jewelers around the globe. You can rest assured that your captivating Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant was not subject to trade via dubious channels.

Couple this with purchasing your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant from a reputable dealer and you should not have to worry about buying a counterfeit piece.  To be even more confident about your choice, it’s always a good idea to talk to several jewelers as well prior to purchasing your Sterling Silver Tanzanite pendant.

There are a few things that you need to be aware of pertaining to the care of your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant.  One of the most important is that you should never use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner on your Silver Tanzanite Pendant as it can damage the stones. It is also best to avoid allowing your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant to come in contact with acids of any kind. It is often recommended that you take a Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant into a jeweler and have it professionally cleaned at least once a year.

The Tanzanite within your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant is a relatively fragile gem having only a value of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, compared to a diamond that is rated as 10 on Moh’s hardness scale.  This makes Tanzanite not a particularly hard gem, and one that will not stand up to a lot of abuse but with a little extra care your Sterling Silver Tanzanite Pendant will last many years and provide you with long-term pleasure.

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16th September 2008

All about Silver Baltic Amber Pendants



The ageless beauty of a Silver Baltic Amber Pendant, timeless in the sense of fashion, as for centuries artisans have utilized Baltic Amber in jewelry, highly prized for its clarity and its ease to be able to fashion it into timeless pieces.

The Baltic Amber, such as what is in your Sliver Baltic Amber Pendant, is around the age range of 30 to 90 million years old.  Although it is often classified as a gem, with a hardness rating on the Mohs’s scale of a 2-2.5, it is actually a fossilized tree resin and this accounts for the varying ranges of colors within the amber, but the majority of Baltic Amber come from pine tree resins, often prized because of the inclusions of insects contained in the resin, although this can be rare.

90% of the world’s extractable amber is located in the Kaliningrad region of Russia along the Baltic Sea, where raw Amber is simply cast up from the sea floor by the waves and then collected at the ebb tide. True Amber is only slightly denser then salt water and was often caught in nets along the Baltic shore.

There are about 250 varying shades and colors in Baltic amber. The most common range from transparent honey yellow through warm orange, but also red on up to brown, so when choosing your Silver Baltic Amber Pendant you will have a variety of colors to choose from. All Amber is highly valued and it is just a matter of personal preference as to your taste in color, shape, and design, when choosing your Silver Baltic Amber pendant.

It is difficult to make sure that you are buying a real Silver Baltic Amber Pendant and not counterfeit amber pendant. There are several tests that one could do to determine if amber is genuine although in the case of finished jewelry it is not recommended, as it would damage the piece. The majority of tests involve heat and the use of salt water but this is usually only done with raw amber.  It is sad but there are a lot of counterfeit Baltic Amber silver pendants on the market and using price as a gauge is of no use in most cases. Purchasing your Silver Baltic Amber Pendant from a reputable jeweler or dealer will ensure that your piece is genuine.

Caring for your Silver Baltic Amber Pendant properly will assure that you are able to enjoy your beautiful piece for many years to come. Amber in general can change as time goes on, if exposed to the elements and common chemicals. To help stabilize its color and finish, Amber is often coated with a protective resin when used in jewelry. You will still want to take precautions with your piece.

Your Silver Baltic Amber pendant should not be stored or displayed in direct sunlight, this can over time change its color. It is also a good idea not to expose it to chemicals such as hairspray and perfumes as this can dull the finish and eventually damage your pendant. When storing your Silver Baltic Amber pendant, keep in mind that other pieces of jewelry with sharp edges can scratch and ding the Amber. Putting it into a separate area of your jewelry box or inside a pouch will help protect it. If you need to clean your piece, simply use a soft jewelry cloth.

There is nothing like the warm glow of a beautiful Silver Baltic Amber Pendant as an addition to your jewelry wardrobe. If you use care and precaution, your piece will last a lifetime.

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2nd September 2008

About Sterling Silver CZ Journey Pendants



It is a very elegant statement when one is seen wearing a Sterling silver CZ journey pendant. The clean lines, although simple in design, is reminiscent of other classic jewelry pieces, throughout modern society.  A Sterling silver CZ journey pendant has become a standard in most women’s fine jewelry wardrobe.

A Sterling silver CZ journey pendant is more then just a simple necklace; it represents the journey of love that a couple takes throughout their lives together. Each graduating stone increases in size and represents growing love between each of you. A Sterling silver CZ journey pendant expresses this growing love and the journey it takes to get there.

Traditionally Sterling silver CZ journey pendants are often given at holidays and on anniversaries and although most women, can appreciate the meaning attached to a Sterling silver CZ journey pendant, receiving one as a gift is appropriate at any time.

When buying a Sterling silver CZ journey pendant knowing as much as possible and having a general understanding about cubic zirconia will help you make the best choice about quality. Knowing a little history about its composition and how it compares to the diamond is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re purchasing a high quality Sterling silver CZ journey pendant.

Cubic zirconia is one of the only lab created synthetic gems, which has been so widely accepted as a substitute for a diamond by the general public, that they are now even making bridal sets because of the demand. Cubic zirconia has a brilliant fire and is durable, with a Moh’s hardness rating of 8.5, and with a diamond coming in at a 10, cubic zirconia isn’t far behind it.

You should be aware that there are grades of quality within cubic zirconia, just as there are with other gemstones. A higher grade CZ of course will cost you more them the medium to lower grades, but as with most gemstones, you get what you pay for and it is always best to go with the higher grades when choosing your Sterling silver CZ journey pendant.

There is no need to do anything special as to cleaning you’re Sterling Silver CZ Journey pendant and you can clean it as you would any other of your fine Sterling Silver jewelry. A once the year cleaning by a professional jeweler is always a good idea as they could check the setting for any needed repairs as there’s nothing worse than losing a stone.

One of the reasons a Sterling Silver CZ Journey Pendant is so attractive is because of its affordability, as it puts some of life’s little luxuries a bit closer, enabling everyone who wants to put some quality sparkle into there lives do so and not break the budget. A high quality Sterling Silver CZ Journey Pendant even though it is set in Sterling Silver is an affordable luxury and is a statement of your love.

Your Sterling silver CZ journey pendant is not only breathtakingly beautiful, with a deep fire; your pendant also will stand up to the test of time. A high quality grade of cubic zirconia within your Sterling silver CZ journey pendant is going to give you a lifetime of pleasure, at a fraction of the cost, and having this classic piece within your jewelry collection, is priceless.

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