NYcity Jewelry

Pearl Island, Japan

2007-09-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Mikimoto Pearl Island is an excellent museum about pearls, pearl cultivation and Mikimoto Kokichi, the first person who succeeded in cultivating pearls. The island is located in the Bay of Toba, accessible via a bridge.

Mikimoto Kokichi was born in Toba in 1858 and became the first person to successfully cultivate pearls in the year 1893. He opened the first Mikimoto Pearl Store in 1899. The Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall introduces his life story.

Also located on the island, the Pearl Museum provides detailed explanations about pearls and the cultivation of pearls in Japanese and English. In the adjacent Pearl Plaza you can view and purchase a wide variety of pearl jewelry.

The Mikimoto Pearl Island also offers hourly performances by female pearl divers, known as Ama (lit. "sea women"), who have traditionally been planting and harvesting the oysters (and other seafood).

Ne-Opening After Inventory Update!

2007-08-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

We at NY City Jewelry have just re-opened after inventory updates! They are offering you beautiful AA+ and AAA quality pearls for amazingly low prices. The price advantage is brought to us by our buyer/supplier who is an American Jeweler with pearl farms in China. Each of the pearl items, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and sets, are carefully inspected and quality classed to pass the Gemological Institute of America's rigid standards. NY City Jewelry guarantees their pearls to be as described. Although it is August now...Christmas will be here before one realizes. Our motto is: Give her pearls for Christmas, give her pearls for her Birthday, Give her pearls for your Anniversary or just give her pearls!

Among the offerings are Freshwater pearls of magnificent quality ranging from fun shapes and colors to the ultimate in quality. Freshwater pearls are the most versatile of all pearl varieties. Freshwater pearls come in a variety of natural colors, are affordable yet beautiful and versatile.

Of course they also offer Saltwater Akoya Pearls first cultured by Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan. Still the world’s most popular pearl. Their prices will give you joy and allow her to wear the finest!

Also offered are Tahitian and South Sea pearls..the epitome of the pearl world. Go take a look NY City Jewelry While you are there follow the link to our Consulting Jeweler Edward L. Chavez, GIA's site and see some inspired Native American original designs.

Cultured Pearl Smarts

2006-03-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

A pearls' lustre is very important. AA+ pearls glow with an iridescence, and are neither dull or chalky. The surface of each pearl should have an absence of pitting or bumps (called scaring). If you are buying a strand of cultured pearls make sure that they are strung on silk thread and are knotted between each pearl. If your pearls are knotted and the strand breaks all of your pearls will not slide off the silk string and scatter to the far corners of the room. Many people do not realize that the knots serve another purpose. They keep the pearls from rubbing against each other causing blemishes. The better matched the pearls are the higher quality the strand. If they are graduated pearls check to see if they are well graduated. Fine pearls, well taken care of, will last for generations.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY JEWELRY

2006-02-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

A Jewelry Shopper’s Checklist

Un-mined and unprocessed gold is usually found mixed in combinations with other minerals or metals, such as silver or copper. After the ore is mined, the gold must be separated from other substances.

Pure gold is a soft metal easily bends, scratches and breaks. Pure gold is one of the 109 elements known to science . Therefore, jewelry made from it is delicate and will not stand up to normal daily wear. Copper, on the other hand, is an inexpensive, harder metal that dulls rapidly and turns green when exposed to air. When copper and gold are melted together, the alloy formed is sturdier than the pure metals and has most of the brilliance of gold.

Because of the delicacy of pure gold jewelry is made from gold mixed with an alloy and the pureness is measured by karats. A karat is a unit of fitness for gold equal to 1/24 part pure gold in an alloy; thus 24K denotes pure gold, whereas 18K indicates a mixture of 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals. The U.S. standard for gold jewelry is 14 karat gold, 14 parts of gold and 10 parts of alloy. Many European and Middle Eastern countries use 18 karat as the jewelry standard. In Great Britain one can find 9 karat gold jewelry and in the U.S. often one sees 10 karat gold jewelry. The less pure gold in the jewelry the harder and more durable the jewelry but the gold color is diminished.

Gold has been mined and worked for almost 6,000 years. Although it has been found all over the globe, today the chief gold producing countries are South Africa, Russia, Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Brazil.

Did You Know?

All the gold ever produced would fit into a cube of 18 meters per side. Thirty-one grams (about one ounce) of gold can be fashioned into a wire more than 75 kilometers long or beaten into a sheet over 9 meters square. All seawater contains gold in solution, on average, about one grain of gold (.0648 grams), worth 5 cents, to approximately one metric ton of water.

A gold coating 10-millionths of a centimeter thick can protect astronauts from the heat of the spaceship's engines.

Nevada leads the U.S. in gold production.

A cubic meter of gold weighs more than 14 metric tons.

All That Glitters... How to Buy Jewelry

Here's some information to help you get the best quality jewelry for your money, whether you're shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store by catalog or online.

Gold - The word gold, used by itself, means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold. If a piece of jewelry is not 24 karat gold, the karat quality should accompany any claim that the item is gold.

The higher the karat rating, the higher the proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry.

Most jewelry is marked with its karat quality, although marking is not required by law. Near the karat quality mark, you should see the name or the U.S. registered trademark of the company that will stand behind the mark. The trademark may be in the form of a name, symbol or initials. If you don't see a trademark accompanying a quality mark on a piece of jewelry, look for another piece.

Solid gold refers to an item made of any karat gold, if the inside of the item is not hollow. The proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry still is determined by the karat mark.

Jewelry can be plated with gold in a variety of ways. Gold plate refers to items that are either mechanically plated, electroplated, or plated by any other means with gold to a base metal. Eventually, gold plating wears away, but how soon will depend on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.

Gold-filled, gold overlay and rolled gold plate are terms used to describe jewelry that has a layer of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. If the jewelry is marked with one of these terms, the term or abbreviation should follow the karat quality of the gold used (for example, 14K Gold Overlay or 12K RGP). If the layer of karat gold is less than 1/20th of the total weight of the item, any marking must state the actual percentage of karat gold, such as 1/40 14K Gold Overlay.

Gold electroplate describes jewelry that has a layer (at least .175 microns thick) of a minimum of 10 karat gold deposited on a base metal by an electrolytic process. The terms gold flashed or gold washed describe products that have an extremely thin electroplating of gold (less than .175 microns thick). This will wear away more quickly than gold plate, gold-filled or gold electroplate.

Platinum, Silver and Other Metals
Platinum is a precious metal that costs more than gold. It usually is mixed with other similar metals, known as the platinum group metals: iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.

Different markings are used on platinum jewelry as compared with gold jewelry, based on the amount of pure platinum in the piece. The quality markings for platinum are based on parts per thousand. For example, the marking 900 Platinum means that 900 parts out of 1000 are pure platinum, or in other words, the item is 90% platinum and 10% other metals. The abbreviations for platinum - Plat. or Pt. - also can be used in marking jewelry.

Items that contain at least 950 parts per thousand pure platinum can be marked simply platinum. Items that have at least 850 parts per thousand pure platinum can be marked with the amount of pure platinum and the word platinum or an abbreviation (for example, 950 platinum, 900 Plat. or 850 Pt.). Jewelry that contains less than 850 parts per thousand pure platinum, but has a total of 950 parts per thousand of platinum group metals (of which at least 500 parts is pure platinum), may be marked with both the amount of pure platinum and the amount of the other platinum group metals in the piece. For example, the marking 600 Plat. 350 Irid. means that the item has 600 parts per thousand (60%) platinum, and 350 parts per thousand (35%) iridium, totaling 950 parts per thousand of platinum group metals, and 50 parts per thousand (5%) other metals.

The words silver or sterling silver describe a product that contains 92.5% silver. Silver products sometimes may be marked 925 which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver. Some jewelry may be described as silverplate: a layer of silver is bonded to a base metal. The mark coin silver is used for compounds that contain 90% silver. According to the law, quality-marked silver also must bear the name or a U.S. registered trademark of the company or person that will stand behind the mark.

Vermeil (ver-may), a special type of gold plated product, consists of a base of sterling silver that is coated or plated with gold.

Pewter items may be described and marked as such if they contain at least 90% tin.

Gemstones
Natural gemstones are found in nature. Laboratory-created stones, as the name implies, are made in a laboratory. These stones, which also are referred to as laboratory-grown, [name of manufacturer]-created, or synthetic, have essentially the same chemical, physical and visual properties as natural gemstones. Laboratory- created stones do not have the rarity of naturally colored stones and they are less expensive than naturally mined stones. By contrast, imitation stones look like natural stones in appearance only, and may be glass, plastic, or less costly stones. Laboratory-created and imitation stones should be clearly identified as such.

Gemstones may be measured by weight, size, or both. The basic unit for weighing gemstones is the carat, which is equal to one-fifth (1/5th) of a gram. Carats are divided into 100 units, called points. For example, a half-carat gemstone would weigh .50 carats or 50 points. When gemstones are measured by dimensions, the size is expressed in millimeters (for example, 7x5 millimeters).

Gemstone treatments or enhancements refer to the way some gems are treated to improve their appearance or durability, or even change their color. Many gemstones are treated in some way. The effects of some treatments may lessen or change over time and some treated stones may require special care. Some enhancements also affect the value of a stone, when measured against a comparable untreated stone.

Jewelers should tell you whether the gemstone you're considering has been treated when: the treatment is not permanent; the treated stone requires special care; or the treatment significantly affects the value of the gemstone.

Some common treatments that you may be told about and their effects include:

* Heating can lighten, darken or change the color of some gems, or improve a gemstone's clarity.
* Irradiation can add more color to colored diamonds, certain other gemstones and pearls.
* Impregnating some gems with colorless oils, wax or resins makes a variety of imperfections less visible and can improve the gemstones' clarity and appearance.
* Fracture filling hides cracks or fractures in gems by injecting colorless plastic or glass into the cracks and improves the gemstones' appearance and durability.
* Diffusion treatment adds color to the surface of colorless gems; the center of the stone remains colorless.
* Dyeing adds color and improves color uniformity in some gemstones and pearls.
* Bleaching lightens and whitens some gems, including jade and pearls.

Diamonds
A diamond's value is based on four criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The clarity and color of a diamond usually are graded. However, scales are not uniform: a clarity grade of "slightly included" may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 - .304 carat. Some retailers describe diamond weight in fractions and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as ½ carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance in similar ways as other gemstones. Since these treatments improve the clarity of the diamond, some jewelers refer to them as clarity enhancement. One type of treatment - fracture filling - conceals cracks in diamonds by filling them with a foreign substance. This filling may not be permanent and jewelers should tell you if the diamond you're considering has been fracture-filled.

Another treatment - lasering - involves the use of a laser beam to improve the appearance of diamonds that have black inclusions or spots. A laser beam is aimed at the inclusion. Acid is then forced through a tiny tunnel made by the laser beam to remove the inclusion. Lasering is permanent and a laser-drilled stone does not require special care.

While a laser-drilled diamond may appear as beautiful as a comparable untreated stone, it may not be as valuable. That's because an untreated stone of the same quality is rarer and therefore more valuable. Jewelers should tell you whether the diamond you're considering has been laser-drilled.

Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but are much less costly. Certain laboratory-created gemstones, such as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be adequately detected by the instruments originally used to identify cubic zirconia. Ask your jeweler if he has the current testing equipment to distinguish between diamonds and other lab-created stones.

Pearls
Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials.

Because natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pearls. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which gives it luster. Jewelers should tell you if the pearls are cultured or imitation.

Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes. Jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated.

A Jewelry Shopper’s Checklist
When you're in the market for a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you love, shop around. Compare quality, price, and service. If you're not familiar with any jewelers in your area, ask family members, friends, and co-workers for recommendations. You also should:

* Ask for the store's refund and return policy before you buy.
* Check for the appropriate markings on metal jewelry.
* Ask whether the pearls are natural, cultured, or imitation.
* Ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created, or imitation.
* Ask whether the gemstone has been treated. Is the change permanent? Is special care required?
* Make sure the jeweler writes on the sales receipt any information you relied on when making your purchase, such as the gem's weight or size. Some jewelers also may supply a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

In addition, these tips apply when you're shopping for jewelry online:

* Shop with companies you know or do some homework before buying to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business with it.
* Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant's refund and return policies, before you buy.
* Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.

For More Information
If you have a problem with the jewelry you purchased, first try to resolve it with the jeweler. If you are dissatisfied with the response, contact your local Better Business Bureau or local consumer protection agency. You also may contact the Jewelers Vigilance Committee's Alternative Dispute Resolution Service. This program assists consumers and businesses in resolving disputes about jewelry. The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) is an independent, non-profit organization formed to advance ethical practices in the jewelry industry. You may contact the JVC by mail: 25 West 45th Street, Suite 400, New York, NY 10036-4902, or by phone: 212-997-2002.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

SPRING BRIDES WEAR PEARLS!

2006-02-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

Spring is for Weddings. Pearls are a traditional wedding present from the Groom to the Bride. What girl would not love diamonds and pearls? This necklace is made up of 9.0 to 11.5mm white South Sea pearls, the rarest and most sought after pearls in the world. The pearls have an intense shine and brilliant luster, they are perfectly round with light blemishing that covers less than 15 percent of their surface. Each pearl is set between two brilliant diamond rondelles, comprised of full round-cut diamonds set in 14 karat gold. This gorgeous piece is 18-inches in length and is finished with an elegant diamond encrusted ball clasp. The necklace has about a 2.4 cttw of diamonds. Each pearl is individually double-knotted on silk. You may choose yellow or white gold on the rondells and clasp.

This magnificent strand of pearls and many, many more choices can be found at our online jewelry store http://www.nycityjewelry.com We hope you will come by and browse. our pearls are brought to us by a GIA jeweler who buys in the orient on the pearl farms.

Know How to Purchase Jewelry With Confidence

2005-11-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

Know How to Purchase Diamonds With Confidence

Everyone can relate to the exhilaration of receiving a sparkling new ring or shiny gold watch from a loved one for any special event in one's life.

Jewelry is one of the most important purchase of a lifetime. Here are some jewelry buying pointers according to the independent, nonprofit Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

With a few simple pointers, the millions who are shopping for jewelry can turn what could be an intimidating jewelry shopping experience into a breeze.

Choose a Jeweler Carefully

Dealing with a reputable, qualified jeweler can make all the difference. GIA recommends buying from someone with recognized industry credentials, such as a Graduate Gemologist or Accredited Jewelry Professional.

"Brooch" the Sales Counter Suavely

Know the styles and what type of jewelry he or she likes.

For women, the "more is more" mantra speaks louder than ever before, and layering has spilled into accessories. Stackable rings -- from basic bands to gemstones -- are back. And chandelier earrings have made way for bangle and cuff bracelets -- some with dangling charms, others in multiples. A faceted, multi-colored gemstone brooch is another great gift because of its versatility.

For men -- think both traditional and funky. Cufflinks have always been a classic, but this year go for a pair with gemstones, like onyx or sapphire, or try a fitted chain necklace.

Deliver Glitter with Diamonds

Diamonds are dazzling, with all kinds of mystique and flash. Giving a diamond pendant or studded cufflinks speaks the language of forever. But knowledge is power, and knowing the Four Cs is critical.

Color. Cut. Clarity. Carat weight. Diamond professionals worldwide use these four factors to grade a diamond's value, and every diamond should come with an independent evaluation from an accredited gemological laboratory. The most respected report is from the GIA Laboratory, which issues Diamond Grading Reports for many of the world's diamonds.

Any jewelry shopper can quickly gain insights for making a smart diamond purchase by taking GIA's interactive tutorial on diamonds at GIA jewelry education site.

Give a Gem of a Gift: Gemstones and Pearls

Chocolate browns and earth hues are setting the tone through winter. Warm colored gemstones like topaz, amber, citrine, and even golden pearls paired with layered attire can transform a simple look into a sizzling fashion statement.

Long, beaded gemstone and pearl necklaces wrapped several times and ribboned across the neckline are also in.

For consumers who are new to gemstones, GIA's Web site also has an informative online guide to the gemstone world.

Go for the Gold

Silver always makes a sterling holiday gift, but yellow gold is back in a big way. Designers are pairing warm gemstones and brown diamonds with the malleable metal for a fresh antique duo.

Think titanium for him. It's a lightweight metal used to make airplanes and can endure extreme temperatures.

And platinum is the perfect metal for his and her everyday jewelry. It never fades or tarnishes, and platinum's purity makes it hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.

Please with Presentation

The holidays are about giving, and jewelry lasts a lifetime. Visit GIA jewelry education site for a complete guide to holiday jewelry shopping.

About GIA: An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemological education available. In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System(TM) which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism.

Source: Gemological Institute of America

The GIA Diamond Grading

2005-11-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

Why does the GIA color grading system start at D? Before GIA introduced the GIA D-Z Color Grading Scale, a variety of other symbols were loosely applied throughout the industry. Not only were A, B, and C used without clear definition, but some dealers, taking a cue from the poultry business perhaps, started grading their diamonds double A (AA). Other systems used numbers—both Arabic (0, 1, 2, 3) and Roman (I, II, III). Most dubious of all were systems that relied on descriptive terms like "gem blue" or "blue white." Terms like these are notoriously susceptible to misinterpretation. So the creators of the GIA Color Scale wanted to start fresh. They wanted symbols that would not have any association with earlier systems. Thus the GIA scale starts at the letter D. There may be some people still clinging to other grading systems, but no other system has the clarity and universal acceptance of the GIA scale.

Color describes the amount of color the diamond contains. This can range from colorless to yellow with slight tints of yellow, gray or brown. Colors can also range from intense yellow to brown, blue, green, pink and red. These fancy colors are rare and therefore more valuable.

GIA COLOR - COMMERCIAL GRADING
D,E,F,G,H, Colorless (White)
J,K,L, Near Colorless (White)
M, Faint Yellow
N,O,P,Q,R Very Light Yellow
S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z Light Yellow

Clarity describes the clearness or purity of a diamond. This is determined by the number, size, nature, and location of the internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfections.

The clarity scale is broken down into the following grades:
Symbol Meaning Definition
F Flawless Free from all inclusions or blemishes.
IF Internally Flawless No inclusions visible at 10x magnification.
VVS1 Very Very Slightly Included #1 Inclusions that are extremely difficult to locate at 10x.
VVS2 Very Very Slightly Included #2 Inclusions that are very difficult to locate at 10x.
VS1 Very Slightly Included #1 Minor inclusions that are difficult to locate at 10x.
VS2 Very Slightly Included #2 Minor inclusions that are somewhat difficult to locate at 10x.
SI1 Slightly Included #1 Noticeable inclusions that are easy to locate at 10x.
Sl2 Slightly Included #2 Noticeable inclusion that are very easy to locate at 10x.
I1 Included #1 Obvious inclusions. Somewhat easy to locate ith the unaided eye.
I2 Included #2 Obvious inclusions. Easy to locate with the unaided eye.
I3 Included #3 Obvious inclusions. Very easy to locate with the unaided eye.

The above clarity grading scheme is in accordance with the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). It is important to note that the GIA Grading system is not static, and has changed slowly over time.

Be aware! Two methods used to enhance the clarity grade given to a diamond are laser drilling and fracture filling. Laser drilling is the process in which a laser is used to drill a tiny hole into a diamond and the black of the imperfection is then removed. The second treatment is fracture filling. This method is not permanent and therefore not recommended. All clarity treated diamonds must be disclosed as such prior to sale. The Diamond Source USA does not deal with diamonds that have been clarity treated in any way.

Remember, beauty is in the cutting! It is where the cutter truly expresses artistic skill, as the other 3 C's are determined by nature alone.

Carat is the unit of weight for the diamond. A carat is further subdivided in 100 points
( 0.01 carat = l point ). One carat is equal to 0.20 grams. Value per carat increases with carat size, because larger rough diamonds occur less frequently. In other words, 2 half-carat diamonds taken together will not cost as much as 1 one-carat diamond, as the one-carat stone is more rare.

Sneak Preview of Pearls for NYcityjewelry's Grand Opening

2005-10-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

A tiny preview of some of the magnificent pearls we will be offering at NYcityjewelry for our Grand Opening in October. A set of Akoya pearls which is the ultimate in elegance! Each radiant 7.5mm pearl is of AA+ quality, with a high shine and brilliant luster. In this set the necklace is 18 inches in length, the bracelet is 7.5 inches, and the earrings are 7.5mm studs. The strands are double-knotted and finished with our high-end 14 karat ball clasps. The earrings are mounted on solid 14 karat yellow gold posts.

We thought you might enjoy this pearl article by Chris Robertson

Pearl Necklaces Hit the Runways: Everything You Need to Know About Pearl Necklaces

After a few decades of being considered "your grandmother's jewelry," pearl necklaces are back in fashion. Beautiful pearl necklaces grace the necks of celebrities walking the red carpet, give businesswoman a feminine edge, and add a certain je ne sais quoi when dressing for a romantic date.

According to the Cultured Pearl Association, pearl necklaces typically come in six lengths:

Collar (12"-13") - Usually worn in three strands at the center of the neck, collar pearl necklaces are the perfect accessory to boat neck, V-neck, or off-the-shoulder fashions.

Choker (14"-16") - Worn as a single strand at the base of the neck, choker pearl necklaces can go from casual to business to evening, and can be worn with any neckline.

Princess (17"-19") - Falling slightly below the base of the neck, princess-length pearl necklaces work best with either high or plunging necklines.

Matinee ( 20"-24") - Resting just above the bust line, matinee-length pear necklaces are the perfect accessory for casual or career fashion.

Opera (28"-34") - Opera-length pearl necklaces are extremely versatile. Worn as a single strand, they perfectly accessorize high necklines. When doubled, they can be worn as a two-strand choker.

Rope (Over 45") - Plunging to the hipline, rope-length pearl necklaces are the ultimate in luxury and sensuality.

Before buying a pearl necklace, you should know something about cultured pearls. According to the Cultured Pearl Association, pearls are judged by the following qualities:

1. Luster - Luster is both the shininess of the pear's surface and its inner glow. If you can clearly see your reflection in the pearl's surface, the pearl is of high quality.
2. Surface - No pearl is completely without blemishes - after all, it's a product of nature - but its value increases with its smoothness.
3. Shape - Most people think of pearls as being perfectly round, although no pearl is perfectly symmetrical. Generally, though, the closer a pearl is to achieving perfect roundness, the more valuable it is.
4. Color - Although we think of "pearly whites," cultured pearls actually come in many different colors, including rose, gold, and cream. The color you choose depends upon your preference.
5. Size - Pearl sizes, measured in millimeters according to their diameters, range from seed pearls (less than one millimeter) to huge South Sea pearls (20 millimeters or more). Pearl necklaces can consist of pearls all the same size, or of pearls that increase in diameter from each end, with the largest pearls in the center of the necklace.

To learn more about subjects like pearl necklaces please visit the web site at: http://www.majon.com/directory/Jewelry/

For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon's Jewelry directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Jewelry

About the Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2005 (Mon Aug 08 2005) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com

NYCITY JEWELRY - OPENS IN OCTOBER

2005-10-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Eddie Two Moons Chavez, GIA

* Graduate of Gemological Institute of America. First Native American
graduate - 1982.
* Certified Gemologist appraiser.
* 1984 American Gem Society.
* Designer for Sun Bell inc 1969 - 1971.
* Free lance jeweler in the early 70’s.
* Designed for Mindlin Jewelers, Albuquerque, from 1975 - 1989.
* 1989 to present, Gold and Silver Custom Jeweler.
* Lifetime member: Gemological Institute of America.
* Apache Nation cultural & Historical Organization.
* Native American Church of North America.
* Member of SWAIA, Southwestern American Indian Artists.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ESTATE JEWELRY?

2005-09-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

Periods of Jewelry

VICTORIAN circa 1837-1901

EDWARDIAN circa 1901-1914

ART NOUVEAU circa 1895-1915

ART DECO circa 1920-1930

RETRO circa 1940-1950

MODERN circa 1950-date
Styles and Motifs

VICTORIAN Delicate jewelry styles such as diamond and bar brooches. Motifs include crowns, feathers and bows.

EDWARDIAN Fragile, lightweight jewelry, choker collar necklaces. Flowers, stars hearts and bows were popular motifs.

ART NOUVEAU Natural and free form jewelry styles make their appearance in this era. Faces, flowers, landscapes are popular themes.

ART DECO Intricate geometric designs, long pendants, colored gemstones characterize the Art Deco era.

RETRO Even stronger, bolder, more explosive geometric designs than the Art Deco period. Flowers and ballerinas are popular motifs.
Diamond Cuts and Definitions

ROSE CUT One of the earliest diamond cuts this style was popular during the Victorian Era. This cut has fewer facets than the Old Mine Cut and is flatter at the back. It is cut to look like an opening rose bud.

OLD MINE CUT Diamonds cut in the fashion and shape of the original rough diamond. Characterized by a small table and a high crown. This cut has more facets than a Rose Cut and fewer than a European Cut diamond.

EUROPEAN CUT More facets than the Old Mine Cut diamond, with a larger table and rounder girdle allowing more light into the stone.

MODERN BRILLIANT Cut after 1950.

Our Pearl Jewelry At NYcity Jewelry - Coming in October

2005-09-26T23:22:00.000-07:00

Our Pearl Collection jewelry is directly imported by a GIA certified pearl specialist. This enables NYcityjewelry.com to bring you, our customer, quality cultured pearls at below suggested retail prices. These experts are able to chose and purchase only the top quality pearls of selected pearl crops. As a result NYcityjewelry.com pearls are of the same fine quality as those sold in up-scale jewelry stores. Because our importer passes on this savings to us, we are able to pass the savings to you. Consequently NYcityjewelry.com offers you quality pearls at a fraction of the cost you are asked to pay at retail jewelry stores.

We are so confidant of the quality of our Pearl Collection that we offer a fifteen day, no questions asked, money back guarantee. Just email sales@nycityjewelry.com and ask for a return authorization code.

For marvelous pearl information and education, we recommend that you visit http://www.pearl-guide.com. This site and forum has everything one would ever want to know about pearls. They tell you the difference between freshwater and saltwater cultured pearls and exactly how they are cultured. A very impressive site! A wise stop before you shop, in our opinion. Learn about pearl farming, the pearl nucleus, the pearl harvest, the history of pearls, caring for your pearls, how pearls are graded, the pearl nacre, pearl color, pearl shapes, pearl sizes, the surface of the pearl, pearl weight, and learn the history of cultured pearls and how this process brought the pearl to the general marketplace as natural pearls have always been the gem of only the extremely wealthy.

Sneak Peak At Designs By Two Moons

2005-09-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

My name is Two Moons, which represents, of two worlds; the one we live in, the other a spiritual world.

I am not a medicine man and claim no special powers. I am a product of my heritage.

I live in the physical world, but my heart lives in the spiritual world, where we believe in our creator and his expectations on how to live our life gift that he has given us.

You become aware of yourself as a part of everything and in doing so I behave as though I believe in our creator.

Eddie Two Moons' workroom and some of his inspired designs.

NYCITY JEWELRY OFFERS TRADITIONAL FINE JEWELRY AND TWO MOONS ORIGINAL DESIGNS

2005-09-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

Grand opening will be in early October, 2005. NYcity Jewelry offers fine jewelry.

Our GIA jeweler Edward Two Moons chavez is selecting diamond jewelry, pearl jewelry, and fashion 14 karat gold jewelry for the opening. NYC will bring its customers diamonds, and fine gold and silver jewelry at prices well below the stone & mortar retail market. We are also featuring Two Moons' personal design collection. His work is executed mainly in 18 karat and gemstones. However he is available to create one of a kind personal pieces for you individually. All custom designs are crafted by special order and take a minimun of two weeks to produce.

NYC also will offer a select grouping of AA Akoya, South Sea, and Freshwater pearls. We will have a designer perfume selection of 100% brand name fragrances. If you have a special request and do not find what you are looking for in our inventory, email us at maggie@nycityjewelry.com and we will shop the market and do our best to find what you want. We will email you back with pictures, specifications, and price. Eddie Two Moons is a certified and qualified appraiser of diamonds, colored gemstones and pearls. If you wish an appraisal you may also email us for particulars.

We will ship to the US, Canada, and European Union. Our merchandise is guaranteed to be as described. We have been retail jewelers for many years and stand behind our good reputation.

Visit our blog in early October and we will announce our opening date.

Margaret Hollingsworth
NYcity Jewelry, Store Manager