Article fashion jewelry

The Gallets
citizens of Geneva since 1466
have a long history of being goldsmiths and watchmakers. Initially
they began by manufacturing gold cases for pocket watches for men and necklace watches for women. As they were in close contact with watch manufacturers
they quickly learnt the technology and the trade of producing watches. Geneva was considered to be the center of metropolis watches and this trade was passed on from one generation to the next. It was Leon L. Gallet who actually began the Gallet watch company and expanded it to the level of a thriving business. Gallet watches can be proud for achieving many milestones in the history of watches. Gallet watches were recognized as pioneers in 1895 as they were the world's first producer of wrist watches for both men and women. This was then imitated and included in collections of other Swiss watch companies. They protected the idea of an improved protection of the mechanism of chronographs and later made chronographs as their specialty in wrist watches. In 1916
Gallet was the world's first supplier of true wrist chronographs to the British Army. In this collection
Gallet retained the porcelain enamel dial
three piece case
and center button crown of the pocket watch collection. During the Second World War
it supplied watches to the armies of the Great Britain
Canada and the USA. It also developed a special chronograph model for the pilots of the US Air Force and named the watch as "the Flying Officer". It continues to produce watches for military personnel. Since the time of Leon L. Gallet
Gallet watches have realized the huge potential in both European and American markets. Some of the earliest brands of Gallet were- Solar
Success
Bridgeport
Chancellor
Burlington
Commodore
Eureka
Continental
Mars
Security
National Park
Select
and The Governor. Jules Racine was the distributor for Gallet and Racine watches in the US until it was taken over by Gallet
Switzerland. Since 2004
Gallet company's activities are concentrated near Zurich
Switzerland. Always looking to expand their business activities
Gallet watches have been a part of Asian markets since 1912. They still retain their Japanese clientele such as Seiko
Kingoro Tzana
Tamaya & Co.
Hitsukoshi and Kobayashi. Singapore
Shanghai
India
Burma and China have been some of their other customers. The best part about Gallet watches is that they never were
and are still not
elitist. They were meant for the moneyed working man. Gallet watches have now attained an antique value. In fact
keeping the tradition of philanthropy alive with his family
Leon Gallet left behind a legacy to finance a museum for watches. Around 100 gold watches were donated by his son to the international museum of watches in La Chaux-De-Fonds. These included very valuable pocket chronograph watches and many gold cases. Gallet watches have a timeless feel and are considered to be an ideal collector's item. You can log on to www.finertimes.com and www.antiquewatchcouk.com to sift through their collections.

The historical custom of wearing charm bracelets dates back millenia
and though the materials and designs on them have changed
the concept itself has never gone out of style.

This form of jewelry initially had a religous function
and dates back to the prehistoric era. Based on data from Elizabeth Florence
president of the Jewelry Information Center
charm bracelets were first worn by Assyrians
Babylonians
Persians and Hittites from 500 to 400 B.C. Those charms were created from lapis lazuli
rock crystal and other locally-available gems and were inscribed with symbolic designs
like figures of gods
humans and animals. They were closely associated with magical spiritual powers and served as protective talismans.

As time passed
charms diminished in religious significance and became fashion jewelry instead. The Victorians of the 1890's spurred a renaissance of charms
due to their love of elaborate and intricate clothing and jewelry. Queen Victoria helped fuel the craze by wearing a charm bracelet of tiny lockets holding family portraits.

A second revival of charm bracelets occured in America in the Second World War era
as soldiers stationed abroad acquired charms as souvenirs from the European cities where they were stationed and brought these trinkets home as presents for wives and girlfriends. The fashion trend continued well into the 1950's.

Charms have never entirely gone out of vogue
and are becoming increasingly popular today as personal keepsakes in an increasingly mass-produced jewelry market. Popular themes include horoscope signs
birthstone charms
travel souvenirs
and family keepsakes. Many women begin their charms collection when still in childhood
and the charm bracelet grows along with them
reflecting hobbies and experiences. A charm bracelet can hold a tiny replica of a sports trophy
a wedding bouquet
or even lockets holding family photos.

As well
charms are popular gifts because of their affordable cost. An intricate silver charm can be found for less than 10 dollars
though it's possible to spend 100s of dollars on a 18k gold charm set with gems.

Italian charms
a genre in and of themselves
don't dangle from a chain like traditional charms. Instead
each pattern is soldered onto a flat link which snaps onto an extensible bracelet. The patterns consist of letters
symbols
pictures
precious gems
or even have enamel pictures painted on them. Charms can be snapped on and off these modular bracelets to come up with new configurations to match different moods and outfits. These bracelets are traditionally manufactured of stainless steel
though the more expensive ones come in 18k gold. Each italian charm is of a standard interchangeable size and the resulting bracelet can be customized to any woman's wrist; the smallest size holds seventeen or even less links
a medium eighteen
and a large nineteen or even even more.

There are different corporations which make Italian charms
however all brands are supposed to be interchangable on the basic bracelet. The "starter" bracelet of blank links costs around 5 dollars
and on the average charms run 15 dollars and higher. Ironically
China also manufactures a great number of these "Italian" charms
and while they are popular due to their low price
a select few consumers report occasional oddities like reversed images and off-size fit on the standard bracelet.

Watch any of the major movie
television
and music award shows on television today and one of the first things you’ll notice about the celebrities on the red carpet
aside from their extravagant (and sometimes outlandish) attire
are the amount and size of the jewelry they are wearing. Hip-hop jewelry
more commonly known as bling-bling
is definitely not understated fashion. The bigger and the flashier it is
the better. Preferred by many of today’s celebrities
hip-hop jewelry adorns the fingers
necks
arms
even the teeth of many stars.

Oversized studs and chains are the trademarks of hip-hop jewelry and are preferred by celebrities such as Sean Combs
or P. Diddy. At the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards
he sported a diamond ring
bracelet
and watch from Jacob and Company. Rapper 50 Cent is another celebrity who is hardly ever seen without his hip-hop jewelry. On his web site
50
Cent offers more affordable
though just as flashy
bling-bling for those of us who do not earn the megabucks that he and his fellow celebrities rake in. There are also many other web sites that offer low-priced hip-hop jewelry inspired by popular rap artists.

Hip-hop jewelry comes in many shapes and sizes
all of them meant to catch the eye and attract attention. Heavy chains of silver or gold (or both) can oftentimes be seen on celebrities such as LL Cool J and Ja Rule in their music videos. Hip-hop jewelry web sites offer fully ‘iced-out’ bling-bling
or watches
rings
bracelets and earrings that are heavily decorated with real or faux diamonds. So-called ‘spinner’ watches and rings are big best sellers in the hip-hop jewelry category. Also available are customized
removable gold
silver and platinum teeth which may be studded with jewels and gemstones
so even the pearly whites can have their share of hip-hop jewelry.

Women celebrities are keeping pace with their male counterparts when it comes to wearing hip-hop jewelry. Stars such as Beyonce
Lil’ Kim
Ashanti and Missy Elliott are regularly seen in pictures wearing large diamond jewelry items of various colors. Even young female celebrities are getting on the bling-bling bandwagon. Teen stars like Jo Jo and Hilary Duff are said to be avid hip-hop jewelry enthusiasts and count themselves among the large number of bejeweled stars today.

Large
ostentatious pieces of jewelry did not start becoming popular only because of the hip-hop cultural phenomenon (think Elvis Presley and Tom Jones)
but hip-hop has altered the jewelry market in a big way. Fans see what their favorite celebrities are wearing
and there are numerous options for them to emulate their idols – at least in terms of fashion. Jewelry has always been a part of popular culture
and today’s hip-hop jewelry and the celebrities who wear them are even more so in this age of instant information.

Have you ever noticed the kid in the mall wearing a chain and cross gleaming with what looks like diamond jewelry? They aren’t diamonds
of course and they may not be kids. In today’s Hip Hop age we are facing an explosion of interest in these “fake” diamonds better known as cubic zirconia. Hip Hop fans of all ages are imitating their rap idols in their adornment of the most flamboyant types of jewelry accessories. A whole new genre of style and design has been established as a result with its own language and boundaries.

The prolific rise of the rap industry as a mainstay in our cultural landscape is undeniable. People of all races
economic backgrounds and various regions of the world have been affected. Hip Hop has transcended its roots in the underground and has long since crossed over into the mainstream. This phenomenon has created various cottage industries specializing in all things Hip Hop. Wearing a chain or donning some shiny earrings symbolizes the promotion of the Hip Hop lifestyle. It bellows out the success of an individual in the ability to procure these expensive items. Diamonds and gold have become the ornaments of Hip Hop
the outwardly physical manifestation of wealth.

Many of us have seen music videos starring rappers such as Nelly
50
cent and Eminem. They are usually equipped with the finest women
the fastest cars and the most heavily diamond laced jewelry. This trend started early in Hip Hop as commercially successful rap legends such as LL Cool J sported thick gold chains drawing the attention of all Hip Hop fans across the world. Here was the beginning of the establishment of a cultural trend spanning from fashion to language.

Have you heard of terms such as bling
grillz and iced out? You might know what some of these terms mean even if you’re not a rap fan. These are words used to describe the various states of diamond jewelry. You’re diamond watch is definitely blinging(shining
glittering). If you ever win the lottery you might consider having diamonds attached to your teeth representing your grillz. Or you could buy a heavily iced out pendant to match your bling watch and your frosty grillz. And so on and so forth. Ok
so let’s go back to that kid in the mall with the chain. He’s probably working at Burger King and won’t be cashing any stocks soon that would allow him to purchase a pair of 1CT princess cut diamond earrings worth $5
0
Instead
he is going for the next best thing. The “fake” diamond
otherwise know as cubic zirconia.

Cubic Zirconia can be easily mistaken for a diamond. In fact
one factor in identifying a cubic zirconia stone is noting it’s brilliance. CZ stones are actually more brilliant
more symmetrical and exhibit more fire(the dispersion of white light into a rainbow of colors) than real diamonds. CZ forms naturally although the type used in jewelry is man made. Generally
the best CZ is produced in labs in Russia. So why are diamonds so much more valuable? The popularity of diamonds as a wearable gemstone increased in the 19th century as cutting and polishing practices improved. Diamonds had primarily been used industrially as they are able to cut through most materials until this time. Diamonds are the hardest gemstones known to many making them scratch resistant and easily polished. As a result of their legendary durability and the brilliance and fire they exhibit
diamonds have become the standard gemstone for the most important and valuable forms of jewelry
in particular
engagement rings.

Regardless of the value of diamonds vs. CZ
economically there is no comparison. In order for those Hip Hop fans to achieve the look and feel of their idols they have turned invariably to cubic zirconia.

Hardcore Watches: The Watch With the Heart of a Biker.



Hardcore Watch Company was established in more than a decade ago with a single idea in mind: to create watches that could capture the rough
take-no-crap attitude and individuality of bikers. But just because Hardcore Watches weren't going to be elegant evening wear
that didn't mean they weren't worthy of exceptional craftsmanship. In fact
the nature of activities common to bikers meant that the timepieces needed to be at least as durable as the "finer" watch brands
if not more so.



That idea was the beginning of a company that would eventually grow to become the premiere provider of precision (and sometimes custom) timepieces for bikers not only across the US
but around the world. With designs like The Reaper
The Joker and The Soul Eater
Hardcore Watches puts as much heart into the design of its watches as custom bike manufacturers put into their creations. The images beneath the crystal of their watches are bold
grim
occasionally grotesque and add to the statement of a gruff
don't-mess-with-me personality that many bikers want to identify with.



The watches have also caught on with professional poker players and poker aficionados
to the extent that the watches were recently features in [name] magazine. As a result of this popularity
Hardcore has introduced a line of poker-inspired watches
including a limited-edition design especially for collectors and "hardcore" poker fans.



Interest in Hardcore Watches isn't limited to bikers and card sharks
however. Many of us buy watches simply out of an appreciation for the eye-catching designs. The stark images
usually set against the black leather and chrome of the watches straps and casing
seem to resonate with anyone who has a certain ready-to-rumble attitude and penchant of going against the grain. Buy Hardcore Watches from an authorized dealer with full manufacturers warranty.


www.kenmarwatches.com



Kenmar Watches has been selling watches on the internet since 1997. They have been providing 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION from beginning. They offer global watch brands at best prices. You can buy Citizen Watches
Casio Watches
Seiko Watches
Bulova Watches and much more brand watches for the best price.

There’s so much hype in today’s marketplace about quality
it has become an almost meaningless word. So rather than talk on and on about quality
it will be more instructive to talk you through the rigorous quality practices that define the kind of quality inherent in true hand crafting.

Let’s start with the design process: Aesthetics and functionality are like the two wings of a bird; without the right balance between the two
the piece won’t “fly”. We have spent the past ten years in a continuous improvement process in both of these areas. What people immediately notice about our boxes are the pleasing
soft lines. Whatever design themes you choose to highlight must be applied consistently and consciously
leaving no detail to chance. Exceptional care must always be taken to make sure that the beauty of each individual piece of wood is displayed to its utmost advantage.

It is important to apply the same level of detail to the functionality of each piece. Years of experimentation and problem solving have yielded the most efficient and easy-to-use space use that we have seen anywhere. Design features like removable trays and customizable dividers are standard because no collection is exactly like anyone else’s. Efficient space use can and should bebeautiful
as well.

In order to show the designs properly
you must use the finest wood availablein the world. This is no overstatement. We work directly with sawyers at the source of where the wood grows at its finest. Our sawyers know we are fanatics about wood quality and choose from their prime stock. Once the wood arrives in Colorado
we allow it to acclimate for 1-6 months depending on the species. By adjusting to the arid climate of the southwest
the wood naturally reaches an optimal 5% moisture content without structural tensions. Needless to say
you should use only solid wood construction that is color matched naturally. That way
you don’t have to use the numerous dyes or pigments that most manufacturers use to cover up inconsistencies or flaws in the wood. The other material required for true quality is genuine rayon velvet made by A. Wimpfheimer & Bro.
the finest manufacturer of velvet for jewelry boxes in the country.

It’s not enough to have extraordinary designs and materials – the approach to craftsmanship is where the magic really takes shape. You must care more about expressing the lost art of craft and sharing the beauty that results than about being the biggest or best known jewelry box maker. And how the wood feels when it is touched and about how many generations of use a box can provide. So we go to exceptional lengths in the crafting process and take care with things like: selecting each piece of wood for the box from the same piece of wood
so the wood “wraps” around each corner
and constructing each wooden box with floating panels so the wood can move as needed
depending on the climate you live
and reinforcing joints in several ways
providing a redundancy that mass manufacturers don’t have time to do
sanding each piece up to 20 separate times
and using a finish that’s durable
non-toxic to the environment
and maintenance-free. There’s a lot more but
hopefully
this helps you understand why our jewelry boxes have been
displayed in museums and described as “heirlooms”.

In a book featuring our work
Objects for Use: Handmade by Design
Holly Hotchner
American Craft Museum Director
writes: “Art
craft
and design are ultimately about relationships established between the makers of things and the individuals who become the possessors
consumers
and users of those things. Through these objects we are invited into the artistic
emotional
and spiritual worlds of the creator; by selecting and using these objects
we complete a creative process begun by the maker. Objects designed and made for use underline humanistic values honored and shared by makers and consumers
values that give meaning and purpose to our lives at many levels.” We invite you to share in our artistic
emotional
and spiritual world through the use of extraordinarily high quality containers for your most treasured objects.

Couples searching for wedding rings have many more options today than have been available in the past. Wedding rings in multiple styles and designs are now available and the choices become more diverse practically every day. One option that has been available for a long time but has been traditionally out of reach to many couples due to prohibitive costs is that of custom-ordering handcrafted wedding rings.

Custom-ordered handcrafted wedding rings used to be available only from major jewelers at rather exorbitant prices
making this an option for celebrities or the extremely well-to-do. This is no longer the case. Major changes in the jewelry industry and the prevalence of the Internet in all aspects of commerce have allied to bring the prices of handcrafted wedding rings steadily down. Handcrafted wedding rings that once cost thousands can now be had for a fraction of their former amount. A custom-ordered handcrafted ring will still cost more than a traditional ring of similar quality
of course
but the price difference is nowhere near what it once was.

Handcrafted wedding rings can be purchased without making a special order these days as well. There are many small companies that specialize in such rings all over the world and they have the advent of the Internet to thank for their inclusion in a far wider market than they ever had before. In many cases these beautiful handcrafted wedding rings can be acquired for much less than the rings available at major jewelry outfits. For example
a beautiful handcrafted wedding ring I found online was designed with a unique challah braid design and cost about $375.00. Looking at a site that offered more traditional rings
I found a plain gold band of the same dimensions and same karat weight for $425.00. Faced with paying more money for a less interesting ring or less money for a unique handcrafted wedding ring
I think I know which option I would choose. This may be the exception rather than the rule
of course. Some handcrafted wedding rings will definitely still cost more
but the beautiful workmanship you get for your money makes all the difference in the world.

Of course
handcrafted wedding rings are merely one of many options available. Ultimately
the rings that you choose will reflect your personal tastes and sense of style. They will be a reflection of your inner selves and
of course
a symbol of your undying love and devotion to each other. That’s what a wedding ring is
after all
a symbol. It’s just very nice to know that there are so many options no available when it comes to selecting that symbol. The ready availability of handcrafted wedding rings has simply added to those options. It’s good for the small jewelers that create these beautiful rings to now have such a wide market in which to offer them
and having such variety to choose from is a good thing for everyone who is looking for the perfect wedding ring.