johnsbrana's Xanga

Distinctive Hand Made Copper Jewellery

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:19:26 GMT

Copper jewellery has been worn for more than 100 years, mostly for genuine health factors as some believe that it enhances good blood circulation and eases the the signs of joint disease. Although those statements have not been medically confirmed, copper has been shown to have antimicrobial qualities (aiding to ward off bacteria as well as disease). However, it is more likely that this continued interest in copper jewelry has much more related to its distinctive luster and colour than it does with its germ-fighting capability! Copper jewellery can often be sought-after by those who like an earthy, ethnic look but more and more it is also found making an appearance among the many collections among high end jewellery designers. It has an affordable alternative to higher priced rose gold due to its pretty pinkish tone when copper is at its most basic form. The warmness of copper additionally produces a eye-catching contrast along with silver’s cooler tones. Numerous artisans furthermore enjoy working with this metal due to its resilience and flexibility. With time, oxidation can cause unprotected copper to darken into a warm brown color that generally improves the look of jewellery pieces. Furthermore, contact with the elements causes unprotected copper to form a bluish-green patina that's generally sought after by individuals who love a distinctive look. Accomplished jewelry designers use this organic discoloration of copper to make unique and revolutionary patterns and designs. Uncoated bright copper jewelry can tarnish as time passes but can be easily restored to its primary condition. You can buy commercial restoring cloths or drop your jewellery in a bath of tepid to warm water, a number of drops of lemon juice and some salt. Dry with a delicate cloth and the classic warmth and former beauty of your pieces will quickly come back. Note: silver polish shouldn't be used on copper jewelry because it is harsh and may mar the finish. Hand crafted copper jewelry by John Brana uses a special method to form an exclusive mottled patina in varying tones of brown, black, green, and blue in other pieces amongst his extensive collection of copper jewelry. These pieces are also covered with a protective lacquer which helps prevent tarnish and halts the jewellery from staining your skin.

Green Patinated Copper Lily Pad Earrings

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:48:15 GMT

As beautiful as a spring day, these Green Patinated Copper Lily Pad earrings feature hues of Apple Green, Turquoise, and Yellow, with a Raku-style texture. No two earrings are alike, making them truly unique.

Copper Patinated Jewelry by designer John S. Brana

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:50:13 GMT

Karri Ann Frerichs interviews San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana about his latest patinated handmade copper jewelry collection Muir Woods. See one-of-a-kind copper earrings in a variety of earth-tone colors, including hand-sculpted bronze tree-branch rings set with semi-precious faceted colored gemstones.

Citrine - The Gemstone of Success

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 03:40:50 GMT

Commonly referred to as the "gemstone of accomplishment," Citrine, the birthstone for November, endures a case of false identity that causes gem aficionados to overlook its beauty and benefits. Natural Citrine's color can range from a pale lemon yellow to a rich golden brown. After Citrine is faceted into a gemstone, it is practically impossible to distinguish it visually from the more valuable Yellow Topaz.This has led unscrupulous dealers to substitute Citrine for Yellow Topaz, much to the chagrin of bilked customers when they discover the truth, usually at resale.

Amethyst or Smoky Quartz crystals are heat treated to activate ferric impurities, producing commercial grade Citrine and giving Citrine its golden-yellow color. Under this production method, Citrine tends to have a more orange or reddish cast than natural occurring Citrines, which are usually a paler yellow color. The largest producer of gem-grade Citrine is Brazil. Citrine is one of three traditional birthstones for the month of November.

Citrine has attained a reputation over the ages as the "gemstone of accomplishment" that encourages abundance and wealth. It's also referred to as the "merchant's gemstone" because shopkeepers and merchants long ago use to place Citrine in their cash drawers to bring in money. Citrine also is thought to bring success in other unpredicted ways. Citrine is also thought to encourage kindness by guiding those who profit from its powers to spread their wealth with others.

Citrine also is thought to enhance mental clarity, confidence. and will power. New Age healers commonly advise Citrine crystals for people that experience depression or low self-esteem. Citrine is thought to deflect and dissipate all kinds of negative energies, generating stability in thought and emotion. It's also believed to reduce self-doubt and self-destructive tendencies, instead fostering happiness and good cheer in those who wear it.

If you suffer from digestive problems, Citrine crystals are also believed to help the immune and endocrine systems. Another benefit to Citrine, is that it aids in eliminating toxins from the body and helps in conquering various addictions and bad habits. Whether chosen merely for its beauty or for its alleged psychic and physical benefits, sunny Citrine bring a gleam of good cheer to its wearers.

Wearing Copper Jewelry For Fun And Good Health

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:01:03 GMT

Copper jewelry is loved by many due to its beauty and versatility. Because copper is so malleable, it lends itself to many creative designs. In addition to its many innovative designs, copper also may provide some health benefits to its wearer.

Copper rings, necklaces, and bracelets are once again becoming very popular. It's a commonly held belief that by wearing copper jewelry, your skin will absorb certain minerals and as a result, impact your health positively. Copper is an essential trace mineral that helps melanin production in the skin, aids in the production of red blood cells, and increases the absorption and transportation of iron.

Although copper is an essential trace mineral, it is still debatable whether or not copper jewelry has any direct influence on overall health. Claims have included easing the pain of arthritis or helping to improve the condition and appearance of skin. Magnetized copper bracelets are commonly sold as arthritis remedies and can be purchased over the counter at your local drug store. These types of bracelets can help alleviate pain due to rheumatoid and osteo arthritis.

Throughout history, copper has been favored by many people and cultures due to its malibility. Eastern Europe, Egypt, and Iran have many astonishing examples of early copper jewelry. Copper was one of the first metals to be used by humans in its natural occuring state. By 8000 B.C., copper was used as a substitue for stone by Neolithic man. It was first cast by the Egyptians around 4000 B.C., and was alloyed with tin to produce Bronze around 3500 B.C. In mythology and alchemy, copper was associated with the goddess Aphrodite, relating to its radiant beauty and use in producing mirrors. Copper takes its name from the Latin aes Cyprium, meaning "metal of Cyprus," shortened to cyprium and later corrupted to cuprum.

Copper jewelry will eventually oxidize, unless it has been coated with varnish or a protectant. As copper tarnishes, it usually produces a beautiful green patina. Copper usually reacts harmlessly with skin oils to turn both itself and surrounding skin green. Copper rings have the highest chance of turning skin green, since rings are in constant contact with your skin.

One of the worlds largest concentration of native copper can be found in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. Other deposits can be found in Australia, Germany, England, Bolivia, Russia, and in Arizona. The warm rich tones of copper jewelry not only make it a "must have" of any fashion conscious woman, it provides a similar look to Rose Gold at a fraction of the price.

Origins of Mystic Topaz Gemstones

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:20:10 GMT

Blue Topaz comes in various hues of blue. Whatever its shade, Blue Topaz has a place in beautiful jewelry and intriguing legends.

Like most topazes, which are quartz crystals, Blue Topaz begins as a virutally clear or a lightly tinted shade of crystal. The gem is then irradiated to bring out its blue color and heated to make the change permanent. The color depends on which type of radiation is used.

Exposing the topaz crystals to neutrons in a nuclear accelerator transforms the color into a deep bluish-green or bluish-gray color commonly referred to as London Blue Topaz. Exposing the topaz crystals to electrons in a linear accelerator produces the most common color of Blue Topaz - Sky Blue Topaz. If the quartz crystals are exposed to both neutorns and electrons, Swiss Blue or Electric Blue Topaz will result with highly saturated colors. The gems must "rest" for at least a year if treated with neutrons before their radiation levels cool enough to allow them to be worn by people.

Due to its abundance, there is really no incentive to produce synthetic stones. By coating quartz crystals with titanium particles, a rainbow of colors is produce that is commonly referred to as Mystic Topaz. Since this effect is produced by a thin coating of titanium, Mystic Blue Topaz is extremely fragile and must be handeled with the greatest of care.

Although Blue Topaz has a very unusual maufacturing technique, it is an astonishing gem since it is highly refractive and shines beautifully when polished. Having a Moh's Scale of 8 makes Blue Topaz one of the hardest gemstones and also makes it very durable and ideal for jewelry.

Blue Topaz is said to aid in the regulation of the heart, promotes glandular health, reduces fever and inflammations such as arthritis. The color of Blue Topaz is commonly considered to help clarity of the mind, aid in meditation and forgiveness. The calming effect of its blue color is believed to help its wearers let go of their anger and fosters forgiveness and reconciliation that leads a calmer and more fulfilling life.

Why Does My Jewelry Make Me Itch?

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:33:21 GMT

"I break out whenever I wear my jewelry." Quite a few people have this reaction when wearing some kinds of jewelry. Dermatitis is caused by this allergic reaction to some metals. In most cases, the Nickel content of most jewelry is the culprit. Hypersensitivity to Nickel is quite conventional. Nearly one in seven people experience an allergic reaction to Nickel. More women than men tend to suffer from Nickel allergies. This may be simply due to the fact that women wear more jewelry then men, and therefore are more likely to be exposed to Nickel. What jewelry metals then don't contain Nickel?

First, let's take a look at Gold jewelry. Rarely will jewelry made from 14K yellow Gold cause an allergic reaction to those that have sensitive skin. However, this usually isn't the case with white Gold. White Gold is an allow of yellow Gold and Nickel, thus producing the Silver color. One out of every nine people will react to the Nickel in white Gold. An alternative to solid Gold jewelry is Gold-filled or jewelry deemed "GF." Gold-filled is made by heat forming a layer of 10K or more (commonly 14K Gold) around a base metal. This results in a much thicker layer of Gold in relation to Gold-plate jewelry. The layer used in Gold filled jewelry is typically 50 to 200 times thicker that the layer used to coat Gold plated products.

Fine Silver or Sterling Silver jewelry is another great alternative to White Gold. Fine Silver is by definition 99.9% pure Silver. Most Silver jewelry is not made from Fine Silver. However, if it is hammered or work-hardened, it is just fine and will last a lifetime without much care. Plus it won't tarnish, since it contains no Copper. Typically Silver jewelry is made of Sterling Silver. By definition, Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure Silver. Copper makes up the remaining 7.5%. To make the Silver more durable, Copper is alloyed with pure Silver. Sterling Silver is a great alternative for people with metal allergies, since Sterling Silver contains no Nickel. All Sterling Silver products are hallmarked with a .925 symbol. Some artisan jewelry may not have this hallmark, but by law, all manufactured jewelry must.

Copper is another great alternative metal if you have problems with Nickel content. Most Copper jewelry doesn't contain Nickel and is made with 100% Copper. Another metal commonly used in jewelry is Stainless Steel or Surgical Steel. Stainless Steel was designed to be used within the human body. However, the Stainless Steel alloy contains between eight and twelve percent Nickel. Since the steel alloy does contain Nickel, caution should be taken when considering Stainless Steel jewelry if you have skin allergies. Platinum jewelry is a great alternative since it contains 95% Platinum and 5% of a secondary metal typically Iridium. Titanium is the last of the "safe" white metals. Being both hypoallergenic and tough, Titanium is a great metal for jewelry. For those that suffer from Nickel allergies, Titanium jewelry is a sure bet.

Now for some of the metals and types of jewelry to watch out for if you have sensitive skin. Nickel is commonly found in most Fashion and Costume jewelry. Another metal to avoid and is commonly found in most Fashion Jewelry is German Silver or Nickel Silver. The term German Silver is quit misleading in that it contains no Silver. The Silver refers to the Silver coloration of the metal. This "Silver" color is produced through the alloying of tin, lead, zinc, or Nickel. An easy way to find out if you do indeed have jewelry containing Nickel is to purchase an online commercial Nickel test kit. Doing a little research can prevent a Nickel allergy attack and still allow you to wear any fashion.

Carring for Your Handmade Copper Jewelry

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:16:36 GMT

Placing your handmade copper jewelry in re-sealable plastic bags along with anti-tarnish jewelry paper will keep it bright and shinny flor a long time. Before storing your handmade copper jewelry, make sure it is clean and moisture free. Most finer handmade copper jewelry is treated with a protective coating to provide you with the easiest care possible. It's surprisingly easy to care for handmade copper jewelry once the protective coating wears off, just as it is for caring for Sterling Silver jewelry. The only kind of metal that won't tarnish, but is way too soft for most jewelry applications, are 24K Gold or Fine Silver. Copper acts as an oxidation catalyst, but due to its strength, is commonly alloyed with most metals.

The best way to bring back luster to any piece of handmade copper jewelry is to use a jewelry polishing cloth that can be easily purchased at most jewelry stores, online, and at many drugstores. Most jewelers polishing (or rogue) cloths can last for years and is well worth having. For more intricate pieces, take your jewelry to your local jeweler and have it steam or ultrasonically cleaned. If the piece is set with gemstones, don't attempt to clean the piece yourself, or you could damage the piece and reduce the value. Quite a few gemstones can be easily damaged by using an ultrasonic cleaner, so you might save a few dollars by cleaning your jewelry yourself, but you might end up with a worthless piece. When in doubt, take your jewelry to a professional. Most handmade copper jewelry designers stand behind their jewelry and would be more than happy to restore their jewelry for a small fee or even sometimes for free.

Here are some easy tips if you are short on time and need a quick and easy cleaning solution (be sure not to use these on copper jewelry with pearls or gemstones):

* Vinegar - (White, Apple Cider, Wine, Balsamic) - Set the jewelry in a plastic or glass container. Make sure you don't use metal. Pour enough vinegar until it completely covers the piece. Let it soak in the solution for about 15 minutes.

* Lemon or Lime Juice -

*Ketchup or Worcestershire Sauce - Squeeze a dab onto a soft cloth or toothbrush, then rinse throughly under lukewarm water. Avoid getting ketchup on gemstones that should not be used with chemical cleaners.

Coordinating Your Handmade Jewelry Collection

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:06:57 GMT

By taking stock of your existing handmade jewelry collection, you will be able to see how much jewelry you have and establish similarities relating to the pieces that you possess. Your jewelry may abide by a related style - artistic, modern, contemporary, traditional, or antique. Perhaps you will see that you have a preference silver to gold, fashion to fine, or pearls to precious gems, or other gemstones. Arranging your jewelry in groups makes you more aware of what works and what does not.

Depending on your own likings, you might like to arrange your handmade jewelry collection by grouping like items together - rings with rings, earrings with earrings, or you might choose joining your jewelry according to style or color. For instance, you might group an antique earrings, ring, and bracelet set together. You might have a designer collection of fashionable pieces in a similar style or color that you would like to keep as a group.

When trying to coordinate handmade jewelry with an outfit, do you look for similarcolors? Organize your jewelry in the way that works best for your way of life. You can shatter all the rules you have learned about mixing custom handcrafted jewelry with costume jewelry. Most jewelry designers will not enlighten you to this, but it's okay to mix a quality lab grown ruby ring with genuine ruby earrings, given that they look nice together. It is even tolerable to wear copper pieces with gold pieces together and to mix colored gemstones together. Two tone metal bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are currently tre-chic.

After organizing your jewelry, take a good, lengthy look...and ask yourself: What pieces do I wear all the time? What items don't I wear? Why do I wear some items and not others? The answers to these questions might be for sensible reasons. For example, you may have pieces that need to be cleaned, or pieces that should be repaired, and that's why you no longer wear them. At times the rationale you do not wear an item of jewelry is less valid, but more emotional. A piece of jewelry may be related with a previous relationship. While it once held a very unique meaning, it now reminds you of unhappy memories and so remains hidden in the bottom of your jewelry case. Get those pieces out of your jewelry box so they don't negatively impact all the good feelings that your positive jewelry holds.

While you have your jewelry out, and you are looking at all of your fabulous pieces, make several lists. First, jot down the pieces you have, particularly the valuable ones. This forces you to take stock of those pieces that should be kept carefully and that might also need insuring in case of theft or loss. Second, start assembling a wish list. Write down all the items you wish you had to go with the items you already have. Place this list in your jewelry box as a note of what you would like. When you see a picture in a magazine or an item on your list, clip it out and place it with your wish list. This will help you visualize the jewelry you hope to purchase.

Your wish list will then direct you with any jewelry buying decisions in the future. You may own a Superb freshwater pearl necklace that belonged to your great-grandmother, but you never wear it because you don't have any earrings to go with it. Wish lists make gift buying a lot easier. Alluding to how well your unique carnelian bracelet would look with a carnelian ring might be just the trick to getting what you want during the next holiday or your birthday. Making a wish list can also help you identify pieces in your collection that can be altered in the future into what you want. Think artistically about which items might gain new life in another form. Contact a talented jewelry designer that designs custom handcrafted jewelry and transform that old piece of jewelry into something amazing.

Most importantly, taking stock of your current handmade jewelry and starting a wish list of what you would desire helps you in coordinating your jewelry ensemble. The most important objective of assessing your jewelry collection is to build a cohesive jewelry ensemble that coordinates easily with any outfit. This ensures you will have pieces that match rather than a assortment of items that end up getting lost in the shuffle and using up prized space. Once you have organized your jewelry, you are ready to ponder your jewelry collection as a whole.