Oftentimes, it is difficult to find the right gift when it’s time to show how much you care. It’s hard to go wrong with the gift of jewelry, especially when you’re giving to that “someone special.” Jewelry gifts have universal appeal, and when you choose wisely, never evoke that feeling of having chosen something at the last minute. Initial jewelry -- perhaps an initial pendant -- allows you to tailor the gift for a specific individual. This extra level of personalization really can make the recipient feel special, and make an ordinary piece of jewelry extraordinary.

It’s possible to find initial pendants and jewelry to compliment personalities of all kinds. For men, large and bold block letters on a chunky gold chain are stylish, especially if he favors an urban personal style. For those who want something truly bold and cutting edge, gemstone encrusted initials are an option. For the professional man, a gold ring with block initials is classy and appropriate for every situation. Women, of course, are also fans of the gritty urban style; so don’t assume that bold block styles are only for men! However, if she is fonder of understated looks, delicate scripts make for a lovely choice.

The options don’t stop with initial pendants, and in fact, initials have found their way onto pretty much every variety of jewelry. Rings, bracelets, and earrings are among the options available to those seeking initial jewelry.

For those in a committed relationship, but aren’t ready to get engaged, there is always the option of a promise ring. Traditionally, promise rings are similar to engagement rings – albeit on a lighter scale – but you need not feel bound by tradition. By using your first initial with the first initial of your partner, you create a lovely commemoration of your relationship. Every time your partner looks at the ring, she will be reminded of your commitment and devotion.

Never underestimate the power of a gemstone to give a piece something extra special. A smartly situated gemstone draws the eye of the observer, and elevates the “wow” factor of the piece. Of course, a diamond or cubic zirconium are classic and will match practically every outfit. Consider, too, a garnet or an emerald for your piece of initial jewelry. A bold splash of color can really set a piece off in a stunning way. Birthstones, too, are an option to consider, especially if the wearer has other silver birthstone jewelry.

Whatever type of initial jewelry you choose, you can rest assured that it is a gift with wide appeal. Choosing a gift is sometimes a challenge, but it’s hard to go wrong with the gift of silver gemstone jewelry.

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Pearls come in many shapes and sizes whether they are real or not, and it’s not always easy to tell the difference between the genuine article or a fake. Even amongst genuine pearls there are many different classes of both natural and cultured varieties, all with their own different properties and all valued very differently as pearl jewellery. Before buying any pearls it’s important that you know what you’re getting, so here are some methods you can use to tell the difference between a genuine pearl and a fake:

The Tooth Test
It’s said that if you rub a pearl against the biting edge of your front teeth, the texture of the surface will tell you whether or not it is genuine. Real pearls normally have a more rough, irregular texture in contrast to imitation pearls which are usually very smooth or even glassy. In reality this test is far from foolproof, as fakes are often made to appear completely genuine and some real pearls can sometimes be smooth, particularly if the surface has been dyed.

The Sun Test
A slightly more reliable method is to take the pearls out in the sun and take a close look at the appearance of the lustre, or shine, that you see on the surface. Apart from extremely unusual and rare specimens, real pearls hardly ever appear perfectly matched in full daylight and you will be able to see slight imperfections in the colour and lustre.

Surface Magnification
Don’t underestimate the power of a magnifying glass – a closeup look at the pearl earrings, necklace or brooch can tell you a lot, and is one of the most effective ways of distinguishing between genuine and fake pearls. The surface of a real pearl is crossed with hundreds of tiny almost invisible crooked lines, making it look almost scaly when placed under the microscope. It also helps to look closely at the drill holes in the pearl, which are normally as small as possible in a real pearl as larger holes devalue the gem. Real pearls usually have holes drilled from either end, making the passage narrower at the centre of the pearl.

Shape
One of the most obvious ways to identify real pearl sets is to look closely at the shape of each pearl and whether or not they are close to being identical – real pearls are hardly ever perfectly round, and it is almost unheard of to find a whole string of pearls of exactly the same size, shape and weight. Those which are will be very expensive, or they are more than likely imitations.

X-Ray
The only truly reliable way to be sure a pearl is authentic is to pay a certified gemologist to verify it. For a fee they will be able to x-ray the pearls, allowing you to see inside to any imperfections or variations in density and identifying the nucleus to determine how the pearl was originally formed. To be worth paying the price you need to first be fairly sure that the pearl is genuine, but some fakes can be very convincing and it’s the only way to really be 100% sure without damaging the pearl.

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Gemstone jewelry is some of the most prized and treasured jewelry throughout the world. Rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets that shimmer and shine with reflected light and beauty are popular in every culture and country. As such they are sought after by both collectors and people that just want the perfect piece of gemstone jewelry. 

Gemstone jewelry may also be the prefect option for engagement jewelry. Gemstone rings featuring diamonds with sapphires, rubies, emeralds or any of the semi-precious stones are very unique looking and original, much different than the traditional all diamond sets.

Deciding on which color of gemstone jewelry to buy is really a personal taste decision. You may wish to consider buying a classic color or you may also look for a semi-precious stone that is a favorite color. Different settings may include two or more different gemstones, giving you lots of possible options.

 

One of the most loved of all the gemstone jewelry items are the classic ruby rings. The deep, rich red color of the rings is particularly well matched to either yellow gold or any of the silver metals including platinum or white gold. These rings can be flanked with smaller diamonds either as chips or baguettes to really add to the beauty of the ring.

To change a simple yet classic wedding set into a thing of beauty consider addition a three stone ring. These gemstone jewelry pieces symbolize the present, past and future and are a terrific anniversary, birthday or Christmas gift. Of course they can also be used as a right hand ring as well, making them a very functional type of ring. 

It is hard to think of gemstone jewelry without considering necklaces of all different styles as well as earrings. These may feature larger central gemstones or smaller, more dazzling chips. Another possible option is the cabochon gems, which are polished but not faceted.

For the wrist a gemstone jewelry bracelet is a true fashion statement. Bracelets can be worn with virtually any outfit and are great for sporty wear with the tennis bracelet style or more elegant evening wear in a charm bracelet or bangle bracelet style.

Gemstone jewelry is all about quality and style. Look for pieces that are well designed and classic and you will always have gemstone jewelry to wear no matter what event you need to attend.

 

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