To Agree or Not Agree to be Trendy !

Be Bold ! Try this Crazy Lace Agate, Turquose & Amber Memory Wire Necklace / Earring Set

Fall Winter Trends Report 2008-2009

From the Jewelry Information Center

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Eureka! The exclamation, attributed to Archimedes on discovering a method for determining the purity of gold, has never been more appropriate. This season, jewelry designers did not hold back creativity, investment and commitment despite the poor value of the dollar and the rising oil and gas prices. For consumers, jewelry continues to be the bright spot in peoples’ marking happy, momentous occasions. Here’s what jewelry styles will be abundant this season:

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Necklaces:
Hard to ignore, oversized necklaces have been shown universally in the major fashion publications over the past several months. There are a few beauties to note in the fine jewelry arena including: Snake-like chain link triple strand necklaces; Mesh webbing “bib” shaped precious metal styles; Intertwined chain link necklaces, modern chunky Riviere necklaces (made to look like a river of gemstones) crafted from affordable colored gemstones clustered together.

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Bracelets:
For Fall/Winter we will see big, bold, blackened and bejeweled cuffs. Blackened sterling silver in particular is the metal of preference for bracelets. Colored gemstones, mostly cabochon, milky and opaque are popular accents. Rose-cut diamonds and colored gemstones also make for subtle sophisticated detailing. Black gemstones paired with high karat gold is a rich look that will also be seen this Fall/Winter.

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Earrings:
Big earrings are back- especially in the form of large gold hoops. Note that the freshest versions are forward facing. Concentric circles floating in the center of an outer hoop are trending. Pavé diamond hoops with lots of “bling” are also welcome additions. Bigger, bolder and brighter diamonds are being used as well as black and brown, champagne, cognac diamonds.

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Rings:
Loved for their punch of color and breath taking size, gemmy cocktail rings have become a fun classic. The news in this category however are the cocktail ring crafted without using large heroic gemstones. Large disks made from precious metals with interesting treatments sit atop the finger for a sixties “Mod” cocktail ring. Clusters of small gemstones form a dramatic compilation cocktail ring. Solid carved gemstones with a hole for the finger are the most avant-guard kind of cocktail rings, appealing to the artsy and confident consumer.

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Reprinted from the AGTA's Information ePrisim.

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Big and Bold Autum Colors using Glass Pearls.
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New Stone Gaining in Popularity !

"Sonora Sunrise," a new beautiful blend of chrysocolla and cuprite out of Sonora, Mexico. Sonora Sunrise is slowly making its way into high-end jewelry such as bolas, pendants and brooches. A few locations are selling this as Sonora Sunset. Whatever the name, it can range from all red, to green to mixed, to dark blue. The following can be used as a brooch or a pendant hanging from a gold omega necklace or as a pendant from a gemstone necklace.

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Halloween Fun !

Join in the fun this Halloween with some new jewelry. The top picture is a Red Coral, Orange Lampwork and Orange-Red-Yellow Glass Pendant 21 inch Necklace and Dangle Earring Set (GS121).


These last two pictures are Black Onyx and Orange Cat-Eyes Necklace and Dangle Earring sets, 22 (GS159) and 18 (GS158) inches respectively.
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More New Sets for Holiday Shows

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As the Holiday Season draws nearer and more of the Holiday Shows are taking place, keeping up with changes, requests and having adaquate stock is always a problem when everything is a one-of-a-kind item. Using varied gemstones to maintain diversity, here are a few of teh newest pieces that have been designed and created. The first to the left above is Tiger Eye, intersperced with silve rings with S's with matching dangle earrings (Gs150). The second which didn't even make it to the web-site for sale, is constructed of Afgan Lapis Lazuli and Denim Coral. Below left you will find a new set using Ruby in Zosite with Black Quartz and Silver Highlights (GS151). The other piece below which also didn't make it to teh web-site is Turquoise with Amethyst Chips and Silver Highlights (GS143).


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I hope you enjoy seeing the items as much as I enjoy making them. To see more about them and pricing, see Gemstone Jewelry Sets in the Jewelry by CnC web-site
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Gemology Tools Professional

I have been asked by several how I can come up with detailed information pertaining to various gemstones and minerals so quickly when asked questions about the various stones, especially after they they have spend hours on the internet looking through many web-sites, picking up additional pieces of information here and there, but never getting a complete listing. Well first of all, it is not that I have it all memorized by a long shot nor remembered. It certainly does help however to have a good working knowledge of the gemstones and being an ISG Registered Gemologist certainly helps in that area. But when I have access to my work computer and/or my laptop, I have at my disposal a program called Gemology Tools Professional, or in short "GT Pro". With the concurrence of Bill Wise of GT Pro, I hope to introduce many of you to this fabulous program, and for those of you working with gemstones, doing appraisal work or even those that just want detailed information for your hobby, it is the greatest.

Gemology Tools Professional is a Windows based software program that contains the most complete gemology references currently available. Included are such gemology aids as the Gemstone Database which gives you access to information on over 1,950 gemstone species, varieties, trade names and misnomers. Also included are the Diamond Weight Estimator, the Colored Stone Weight Estimator, the Pearl Grader, a diamond cut grading system, a round diamond re-cutting analyzer and much, much more. The Gemstone Database provides over 30 facts, properties and characteristics for almost all known gemstones. Over 970 gemstone photographs are included. The Gemstone Database also features the new Gemstone Separator, the easiest way to make a gem identification and the new Inclusion Gallery which provides you with over 275 visual examples of gemstone and diamond inclusions and surface features. With access to over 1,950 gemstone species, varieties, trade names and misnomers you can look up just about any fact, property, characteristic or photograph in just seconds. With over 970 gemstone photographs, rough and cut, you can get a visual representation of many gemstones and gemstone inclusions. You can sort the database by Specific Gravity or by Refractive Index. You can use the Visual Crown Angle calculator to get a good look at how the crown angle changes when the table width or crown height is changed. One thing it doesn’t do is write appraisals, although the Custom Piece Calculator will generate text for each item that can help you with creating an appraisal. This is helpful if you don’t have appraisal specific software.

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Gemology Tools Profession contains the following sections ----

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Gemstone Database
Diamond Weight Estimator
Colored Stone Weight Estimator
Cabochon Weight Estimator
Gemstone Separator
Inclusion Gallery
Colored Stone Weight Estimator

Cabochon Weight Estimator
NAJA Diamond Cut Grading
Pearl Grader Guide
Gemology Review
Find a Gemstone

Diffraction Spectral Images
Gemology Glossary
Gemstone Photos

Round Diamond Recut Planner

Data Charts
Card File

Calculator

Appointment Calendar

Units Converter
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By going to http://www.gemologytools.com/ one can keep current on the version of the program they own by checking the Revision Tracker. Additional information concerning theh program and details about each section can be found at the same web-site location. For the gemstone enthusiast or gemology student who does n't need all teh bells and whistles, there is a cheaper version of the program called GT Gemstones. It has the same gemstone content as GT Pro but it does not contain the various upgraded professional tools.

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The photographs used in this BLOG are copyrighted and are used with the permission of Bill Wise and Martin Fuller of GT Pro. They show examples of the type of photographs and displays you will see in the various sections of the program. Other special detailed photos of special stones, inclusions or identifying marks in sythetics and simulants, are taken by numerious other persons and you must obtain the program to be able to see them. A major thanks to Bill for letting me do this BLOG on his outstanding program.

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If you decide to obtain this program, please let Bill know you heard about his program thru this BLOG. You can order it at: http://www.gemologytools.com/html/purchase_gt_pro.html and he accepts PayPal.

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