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Thursday, 21 January 2010
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Written by XCYSTAL
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Gift Ideas:
Valentine's Day is a wonderful time to tell someone you truly care about them. Valentines Day is a holiday about love, friendship, and sweetness. When you give a gift of Crystal Jewelry they can be reminded of your love throughout the whole year. Here are several selections of special Valentine's day Crystal Jewelry to help you express your love along with gift tips, sweet heart tips and poems.
Do you need some amazing gift ideas for the lady in your life? As a guy, it is difficult to find the things that you really should give your girl. You don’t really know what you should buy and it is very hard to know what she will like. Women are all different and there is no telling what your girl is going to appreciate. But, you really would like to give her something special, something that she will cherish.
To help you to find the gift ideas that will charm her, here are a few things that you should consider. You’ll find that there are more than a few things on this list that your ladies will love. But, remember, to make it really matter, make sure that you purchase what you think your lady will love the most, unless you want to spoil her a little!
Jewelry
When you think about gifts for a woman, you think jewelry. Most guys would love to give the gift of jewelry but have no idea just what to buy and how to find it at an affordable price. Here are some tips to help you to choose the right jewelry for your lady.
- Look at the things she already has and wears. Does she love to wear diamonds? Does she have a variety of different pieces? Does she like gold or silver? Then, look for jewelry as it is a great gift idea that fits well with the pieces that she already has.
- Unsure of what to purchase? Ask another woman for some help. Make sure to stick with the same age range as your lady. What would they recommend? Which pieces fit with the styles that your girl likes and are pieces that are being recommended?
- Next, to help you to find an affordable price on this gift idea, go ahead and use the web to make your purchase. You will have many more ideas online and you’ll find that they are much more affordable online as well.
- Shop around too! This is a great way to make sure that you get a good looking piece of jewelry at an affordable price! You can do this on the web very quickly!
Discover a world filled with sparkling, dazzling Crystal Jewelry of all types from crystal tiaras to diamond toe rings. Go to our popular Crystal Necklaces, Crystal Bracelets, Crystal Erringgs, Crystal Rings and Crystal Sets pages for specific tips and gift ideas. Right now, our Valentine's Day Gift section is very popular.
Romantic Gifts
To create a romantic gift, choose something that will mean something special to him or her. Add notes, poems, or sayings from here or our Valentine's Day Jewelry page. Wrap it nicely; give it WITH LOVE.
A gift becomes romantic when you add love and care. One's whole life becomes romantic when you build daily love-filled habits to let your partner know that they are special everyday.
Favorite Crystal Jewelry gifts that show you care are often heart-shaped jewelry. These beautiful affordable CRYSTAL JEWELRY GIFTS OPEN THE HEART. Perfect for special occasions or Valentine's day. Add a sweet note and a romantic book or love poem to make the gift that much more special- Xcrystal Jewelry it's for you!
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Last Updated on Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:37 |
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GEM AND JEWELRY SHOWS 2010 |
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Thursday, 21 January 2010
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Written by XCrystal
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Gem and Jewelry Shows 2010
 Feb 12-14: CA: Gem Faire: Santa Monica, CA: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Feb 12-14: PA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: King of Prussia, PA: Valley Forge Convention Plaza
Feb 28: WA: Rings & Things BeadTour - Spokane show: Spokane WA: Mirabeau Park Hotel Spokane Valley, 1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley, (11 am - 4 pm)
Feb 19-21: CA: Gem Faire: Santa Barbara, CA: Earl Warren Showgrounds, Exhibit Hall, 3400 Calle Real
Feb 19-21: VA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Chantilly, VA: Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Place
Feb 19-21: WA: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Seattle (Lynnwood), WA: Lynnwood Convention Center [Rooms 2D/E], 3711 196th Street SW, Lynnwood
Feb 20-21: FL: Down the Street Bead Shows: Ft Myers, FL: Clarion Hotel - OLD Radisson Inn
Feb 20-21: IL: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Chicago, IL: Skokie Banquet & Conf. Ctr - Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore, 5300 W. Touhy Ave
 Feb 26-Mar 2: Thailand: Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair: Bangkok, Thailand: Impcat Challenger
Feb 26-28: CA: Gem Faire: Costa Mesa, CA: Orange County Fairgrounds, Building 12, 88 Fair Dr.
Feb 26-28: CA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Long Beach, CA: Queen Mary
Feb 26-28: DE: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Wilmington, DE: Chase Center on the Riverfront
Feb 26-28: FL: Frank Cox Productions Gem, Jewelry and Bead Shows: Melbourne, FL: Melbourne Auditorium . 625 Hibiscus Blvd.
Feb 26-28: NV: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Reno, NV: Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 South Virginia Street
Feb 27-28: CA: Pacific Crystal Guild: San Francisco, CA: Fort Mason Conference Center, Laguna Ave at Marina Blvd
Feb 27-28: OH: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Cleveland, OH: Cuyahoga Fairgrounds - (Home & Hobby Bldg. (#29)), 19000 Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights
Feb 28-Mar 2: NY: JA International Jewelry Show: New York, NY: Jacob K Javits Convention Center, info: 972-349-5953
Mar 5-7: CA: Gem Faire: Del Mar, CA: Del Mar Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Mar 5-7: CA: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Santa Clara, CA: Santa Clara Convention Center [Exhibit Hall D], 5001 Great America Parkway
Mar 5-7: CO: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Denver, CO: Denver Merchandise Mart - Pavilion Building, 451 East 58th Avenue
Mar 5-7: FL: Frank Cox Productions Gem, Jewelry and Bead Shows: Sarasota, FL: Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail (Hwy. 41)
Mar 5-7: OH: Gemstreet USA: Cincinnati, OH: Sharonville Convention Center, 1135 Chester Rd
Mar 6-7: CA: Pacific Crystal Guild: San Francisco, CA: Fort Mason Conference Center, Laguna Ave at Marina Blvd
Mar 6-7: FL: Down the Street Bead Shows: DeLand, FL: DeLand
Mar 6-7: MI: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Southfield, MI: Southfield Municipal Complex Pavalion
Mar 12-14: CA: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Long Beach, CA: Long Beach Convention Center [Exhibit Hall B], 300 East Ocean Boulevard
Mar 12-14: CA: Gem Faire: Pleasanton, CA: Alameda County Fairgrounds
Mar 12-14: FL: Frank Cox Productions Gem, Jewelry and Bead Shows: Ft Meyers, FL: Harborside Convention Center . 1375 Monroe St. (Downtown)
Mar 12-14: FL: Down the Street Bead Shows: Tampa, FL: Egypt Shriners, 4050 Dana Shores Drive
Mar 12-14: NM: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Albuqueque, NM: Expo New Mexico
Mar 12-14: OH: Gemstreet USA: Cleveland, OH: The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Rd, Berea OH
Mar 12-14: OH: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Columbus, OH: Veterans Memorial, 300 West Broad Street
Mar 12: TX: Rings & Things BeadTour - Houston show: Houston TX: Holiday Inn Southwest, 11160 Southwest Fwyy, (12-4 pm)
Mar 13-14: TX: The Whole Bead Show: Austin, TX: Palmer Event Center, Exhibit Hall 2, 800 Barton Spring Road
Mar 13: TX: Rings & Things BeadTour - San Antonio show: San Antonio TX: Aggie Park & Banquet Hall, 6205 West Ave
Mar 14: TX: Rings & Things BeadTour - Austin show: Austin TX: Crowne Plaza Hotel Austin, 6121 I-35 N. (1-5pm)
Mar 16: TX: Rings & Things BeadTour - Dallas show: Dallas TX: Best Western Dallas Hotel and Conference Center, 8051 LBJ Freeway
Mar 17: OK: Rings & Things BeadTour - Oklahoma City show: Oklahoma City, OK: Biltmore Hotel, 401 S. Meridian Ave. (2-6 pm)
Mar 18-21: NM: Interweave Bead Fest: Santa Fe, NM: Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St
Mar 19-21: FL: Down the Street Bead Shows: Pompano Beach, FL: Elks Lodge, Pompamo Beach
Mar 19: MO: Rings & Things BeadTour - St. Louis show: St. Louis, MO: Hilton St. Louis Airport, 10330 Natural Bridge Rd (12-4pm)
Mar 19-21: NY: The Whole Bead Show: New York, NY: Metropolitan Pavilion, South Pavilion, 125 W 18th Street between 6th and 7th
Mar 19-21: OR: Gem Faire: Hillsboro, OR: Washington County Fairgrounds, 873 NE 34th Ave.
Mar 19-21: OR: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Portland, OR: DoubleTree Hotel - Lloyd Center
Mar 19-21: TN: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Nashville, TN: Tennesssee State Fairgrounds [Banquet Hall], 625 Smith Avenue
Mar 19-21: TX: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Austin, TX: Lester Palmer Event Center
Mar 20-21: FL: Frank Cox Productions Gem, Jewelry and Bead Shows: West Palm Beach, FL: South Florida Fairgrounds . 9067 Southern Blvd. (Hwy 92)
Mar 20: MO: Rings & Things BeadTour - Kansas City show: Kansas City, KS: Holiday Inn & Suites Overland Park, 8787 Reeder Rd., Overland Park (2-6pm)
Mar 26-28: FL: Frank Cox Productions Gem, Jewelry and Bead Shows: Sarasota, FL: Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail (Hwy. 41)
Mar 26-28: IL: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Collinsville, IL: Gateway Center
Mar 26-28: TN: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Memphis, TN: Agricenter International [D-Wing], 7777 Walnut Grove Road
Mar 26-28: UT: Gem Faire: Salt Lake City, UT: South Towne Exposition Center, Exhibit Hall 5, 9575 S. State St.
Mar 26-28: WA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Seattle, WA: Seattle Center [Exhibition Hall and Northwest Rooms]
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Last Updated on Thursday, 11 February 2010 15:04 |
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The beauty of Fashionable Swarovski Crystal Jewelry |
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Thursday, 14 January 2010
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Written by X-Crystal
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Jewelry choices are a matter of taste and those with the finest taste choose fine Crystal jewelry. The company behind this fine jewelry has a long and illustrious history. In 1895 Franz Weis and Armand Kosman founded the company using Daniel Swarovski's family name and his expertise in glass cutting. In 1892 Swarovski patented his invention which was the making of a machine designed for electric glass cutting. They began by carving lead crystals in Wattens, Austria and business flourished due to Daniel Swarovski's talent at cutting fine glass and lead crystal into fine pieces of fashionable jewelry. Daniel Swarovski (1862-1956) was born in Bohemia which is currently the Czech Republic. His father was a glass cutter and had his own factory for glass cutting. Daniel learned the art and became skilled at it. The patented electric glass cutting machine led to lead crystal glass production in 1892. He soon found financing assistance from Armand Kosman and Franz Weis and they joined up in business. The business was conducted at Wattens, Austria because locally there was hydroelectricity available that proved useful in the grinding processes it took to run the electronic machine and grind and cut the extraordinarily beautiful lead crystal glass. The products they company put out over the years include crystal sculptures and miniatures, chandeliers, couture and jewelry, each containing the Swarovski logo. That logo originally was an edelweiss flower (a European mountain flower) but became the initials S.A.L. Then in 1988 a Swan was in favor. Now even the Swan logo is about to be phased out and replaced by the name Swarovski only.  Specially applied metallic chemicals are used to coat some of the crystals, thus allowing them to refract light into a virtual rainbow of colors. Among the more popular coatings applied to this cut glass are Aurora Borealis (AB) and Crystal Transmission. The AB coating provides the surface with a rainbow like oil slick in appearance that reflects many different colors and shades of colors. Some coatings are applied more than once, creating much depth of color. The Swarovski Group incorporates several smaller companies that provide materials for making their jewelry lines. Tyrolit makes cutting and abrasive tools, while Swareflex manufactures luminous and reflective road markings. Swarovski Optik makes optical instruments like rifle scopes and binoculars, and Signity is a natural and synthetic gemstone company. There is even an indoor crystal themed park known as Swarovski Kristallwelten or Crystal Worlds where the business originally began in Wattens, Austria. A society that includes many crystal enthusiast on a global scale is the Swarovski Crystal Society. The membership gain the benefit of sneak previews of the latest styles and designs, events, unique offers, and classified news items of interest. Among the many beautiful offerings from the Swarovski Crystal Jewelry business are crystal ornaments such as Christmas Tree ornaments and figurines, hand bags, accessories, lighting, crystal chandeliers. Some of their more recent additions to their production lines include Bluetooth wireless pieces for the ear, in the ear headphones, and USB memory sticks or keys that each contain |
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Last Updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 16:21 |
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Rhinestones: Crystal, Glass and Acrylic |
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Thursday, 14 January 2010
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Written by X-Crystal
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What's the difference? How can you tell whether you are looking at a Rhinestone, a Swarovski Crystal Rhinestone, or an acrylic/plastic Rhinestone?
First, a tiny bit of history. The name Rhinestone orginiated from pieces of crystal or glass found in Austria's Rhine River. Rhinestones were originally cut and finished by hand. In the 1800s, Daniel Swarovski created a glass-cutting machine that cut faceted glass, which produced a crystal far superior to hand-cut crystal.
All Rhinestones are carefully cut glass - or crystal - and have a foil backing to enhance reflectiveness and brilliance. It's similar to the backing on your glass mirrors. But - not all Rhinestones are Swarovski, which may be confusing. Rhinestones other than Swarovski are usually Korean, Czech, Acrylic or Plastic.
Only Rhinestones made by the Swarovski company can be labeled Swarovski. They are made of lead crystal with eight or fourteen facets, and are considered to be the very finest Rhinestones.
Korean Rhinestones are single-cut, and they are cast, not molded. They are often used in low-end jewelry. They resemble flat colored glass, and the colors are limited with none of the depth or complexity of quality Rhinestones.
Czech Rhinestones are machine cut and very fine lead crystal with eight facets, and are fairly flat. They're not quite as bright as Swarovski Rhinestones and don't come in as many colors.
Acrylic or Plastic Rhinestones are not Rhinestones at all, but rather pieces of plastic shaped to resemble Rhinestones. They don't sparkle, since they don't transmit light as do lead crystal and glass. They are used in very low-end jewelry and children's wear.
Vintage Rhinestones primarily came from Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany and Japan.
Rhinestones come in a huge variety of colors - clear crystal - the traditional diamond look-alike, and clear transparent colors, often named after the gem that they imitate, such as Emerald, Sapphire and Amethyst.
There are also Aurora Borealis Rhinestones, which are produced by adding a minute coating of metal to give the stone a rainbow sparkle.
Finally, there are two main shapes of Rhinestones that you're likely to see in jewelry - faceted and cabochon. Faceted stones are cut or molded to have multiple flat surfaces that reflect light - think of what a diamond ring looks like. Cabochons are usually flat-backed and have a round or oval domed shape with no facets. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 14 January 2010 15:37 |
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Spring 2009, Swarovski flagship store in Shanghai launched top-class crystal jewelry designed specially by palace-class designers – French interior designer Andree Putman, Argentina jewelry designer Rodrigo Otazu and French jewelry designer Philippe Ferrandis France, and on sale in Swarovski flagship store exclusively. These top-designers’ unlimited creative inspiration and innovation combined with Swarovski innovative cutting techniques perfectly, emitting flashing and luxurious charms.Lauren Hill, Aretha Franklin, Destiny’s Child and Lil’Kim all have been wearing flashing CRYSTALLIZED ™ – Swarovski Elements fine jewelry designed by Otazu.