On the one hand, I am glad to see the increase in silver prices.  My husband manages our finances and he had the foresight to purchase large quantities of silver and gold in our retirement accounts almost 3 years ago when it was trading around $15/oz.  On the other hand, the increase in silver prices has had a significant impact on my business at Beaded Royalty where I sell sterling silver beaded jewelry.  When I started my business in 2006, silver was $8/oz. It closed at $40/oz on Friday.  Ouch.  Here is an 11 year chart of silver prices:

Of course I (and my competitors) have increased prices to compensate for the increase in silver prices.  However, it goes without saying that people are purchasing less sterling silver jewelry as the price continues to rise.  I am sure there are jewelry designers who have opted to use silver-plated beads in place of solid sterling silver to save money.  I have decided against that avenue.

My business has always centered around custom sterling silver jewelry fit for a queen.  How could I change that now??  No, my solution is a bit different.  When I started my business, I offered all single strand bracelets at the same price for simplicity. I have now opted to lower the price on my pieces that contain primarily Swarovski crystals, increase prices on the pieces that contain exclusively sterling silver beads and maintain the prices for pieces that are a good mix of sterling silver beads and Swarovski crystals.  Have you found o ther ways to save money in this rising silver market?  I would love to hear about it!

First of all, you have to have the desire to make jewelry. If you are reading this post, you have at least a small interest. : ) Then, you have to have the right tools. Jewelry making tools can be expensive, especially if you are going to make just 1 bracelet. At a minimum, you need jewelry crimping pliers and wire cutters. Jewelry beading wire comes in 10 ft, 30 ft or 100 ft spools and if you are only making 1 or 2 bracelets, it is a waste of money to buy what you don’t need. Finally, in most cases, you have to buy more beads than necessary because bead stores sell them in packages. Beaded Royalty has addressed some of these issues by offering bracelet kits. These kits include the wire, bead crimps, and beads needed to make the pictured bracelet.

Here are the steps to stringing a beaded bracelet:

1. Place the beads you want to use on a beading board or beading mat to keep them from rolling off the table.
2. Lay the key beads (letter beads, crystals, Bali beads) in the order you would like them to appear. Use spacers and shiny silver beads to fill in the extra spaces. The rule of thumb for the beaded portion of the bracelet (not including the crimps) is 1″ shorter than you would like the final bracelet. Here is a guide for determining final bracelet length.
3. Cut the wire.  The rule of thumb for wire length is 2″ longer than the finished bracelet.  It gives you a bit of extra at the ends so the beads don’t fall off while you are crimping the first end.
4. String the beads on the beading wire and measure the length using a 12″ ruler.  Get as close as possible to 1″ shorter than the final length.
5. Add 1 crimp bead on each end. Follow the instructions for crimping a bracelet.
6. It is a trial and error process – with time, you will be able to do it on sight. Be patient with yourself!

Murano glass beads are manufactured using the finest Murano glass. Since medieval times, Murano (a cluster of islands near Venice, Italy) has been famous for artisan glass created by skilled Italian glassblowers. This well-guarded craft has been handed down from generation to generation. Today tourists from all over the world visit Murano in order to learn more about this highly specialized trade. Murano bead-making begins by using Murrine (colored glass canes) composed of silica (a derivative of sand or quartz) and other elements. The production of these colored canes is a significant challenge because the process involved in color fabrication must be done with total accuracy.

Most Murano glass art is made by using a complex lamp-working technique. This method, invented by a Murano glass-master in the 1700′s, involves heating the glass at a high temperature until it becomes liquid. Before the liquid glass cools and completely solidifies (in a semi-soft state) the delicate process of shaping the bead begins. The artist wraps the material around a metal rod until the ideal shape is achieved. Several layers of colored glass and/or gold/silver leaf are often used to produce the desired effect. After the bead is cooled, it is removed from the rod which produces a hole for eventual stringing. The end result is an extraordinary glass bead decorated with swirls, stripes, flowers, polka dots, etc.

Silverado Murano glass beads have a seamless sterling silver core that is threaded. The threaded core keeps the bead on the European-style bracelet. Murano glass beads are a beautiful way to decorate Silverado bracelets and necklaces – stop by Beaded Royalty today and check them out!

Diamonds are the most common choice for engagement rings as they symbolize the love you have for your spouse. Diamond engagement rings can be found in hundreds of different styles both in stores and online, where retailers are able to pass along savings due to low overhead and often, less staffing requirements. Smaller sales teams lead to more profits, so they are able to sell greater quantities for an overall lower price.

Since they are found underground in diamond mines and in river beds, diamonds are very expensive. Depending on their clarity, cut, color and size, they can be very expensive, but are well worth the cost if you are planning on proposing marriage or you have your 60th anniversary upcoming. The 60th anniversary is traditionally celebrated with a diamond to your spouse. This can be a necklace, a ring or earrings and symbolizes your everlasting love. With the gift of a precious diamond when you start your journey together, you can show her that you are there for her and that you hope that your love lasts forever, just like that diamond on her finger.

Historically, the ruby is associated with royalty, love and vividness, passion and power. Thirteenth century medical literature from India tells us that a ruby could cure digestive disorders. In the Bible, only wisdom and a virtuous woman are more valuable than rubies (Proverbs 8:11 & 31:10). 

An extremely rare flawless ruby is actually more valuable than a diamond, the true emperor of gemstones. In 1550, the finest 1-carat ruby cost eight times more than a comparable quality 1-carat diamond. Wow! By 1894, this is dropped to a 2:1 ratio in favor of the ruby, but it is still incredible. I don’t know about you, but I generally think of the diamond as the most expensive gem stone available.

Some famous rubies include:
The Edwardes Ruby, a 167-carat ruby, donated to the British Museum of Natural History in 1887.
The Rosser Reeves Ruby, a 137-carat ruby, displayed at The Smithsonian.
The Edith Haggin de Long Ruby, a 100-carat ruby, displayed at The American Museum of Natural History.
Rubies are made of the mineral corundum, one of the most durable minerals, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide. Corundum has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale and is extremely tough – Diamonds are a 10.

I believe everything happens for a reason and sure enough, this did too. Since I know that tarnish is the reaction of something with silver and solid sterling has unlimited layers to give up, I tried all the tricks I know to remove the tarnish. The tarnish came off the smooth round beads easily, however, the letters gave me more of a problem. Why would some of the sterling silver give up its tarnish and not others?

My searching introduced me to a wonderful thing called “argentium silver”. Sterling silver is, by definition, 92.5% silver and 7.5% something else (usually copper). Argentium silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper + germanium which makes it extremely tarnish-resistant. Argentium silver is (as you can imagine) extremely expensive and very difficult to obtain. However, there are other types of tarnish-resistant sterling as well. Researchers have been experimenting with substituting different elements for some of the copper in sterling silver for years. I suspect that the smooth round beads were a slightly different alloy of silver, but I can’t prove it (my supplier wasn’t aware of any special properties).

I am hoping that in the future, tarnish-resistant sterling silver will become more prevalent and accessible. In the meantime, treat your sterling with care and respect and it will bless you with many years of beauty.

The best alternative turned out to be something called gold-filled beads. Gold-filled beads are much more economical and practical than solid 14K gold beads. They are not filled with gold as the name suggests, but rather a thick layer of gold is permanently bonded to a base metal. They should not be mistaken for gold-plated since they have 100 times more gold than plate – in fact, they are 5% 14K gold by weight. Under normal wear, gold-filled beads will never peel, flake, or wear off and can be treasured for generations.

Everything About Birthstones
by Gina Ritter

As a new parent or an old pro, there’s something wonderful about the birthstone. What does it mean? What can we find with our birthstone on it? Even children love to learn about their birthstones and receive special gifts.

January Birthstone: Garnet
Garnet, usually noted as the color red, is actually a gem of nature with its colors ranging from deep red to orange, yellow and green. Only blue is not found among garnets. Garnet is believed to be able to illuminate the night and protect the wearer from wounds, ill health and evil.

February Birthstone: Amethyst
The word “amethyst” comes from the Greek, meaning “not drunken,” and the gem is purported to have originated when the god Dionysus took out his anger on mortals.

March Birthstone: Aquamarine
Aquamarine is a beautiful light blue-green stone whose name is derived from the Latin “beryllus aquamarinus,” meaning “resembling seawater” — “aqua” meaning water and “mare,” sea. Since it’s the color of the sky, aquamarine is presumed to be heavenly or eternal. It’s also the color of water, carrying the legend that it was originally found in a mermaid’s treasure and making it a sailor’s talisman. Its light blue color symbolizes sympathy, trust, harmony or friendship in a relationship, and aquamarine is supposed to be the ideal gemstone for lovers or couples to give them happiness and riches.

April Birthstone: Diamond
While you may think of diamonds as being colorless or yellow, they really come in a rainbow of colors. Although they tend to be pale, they come in oranges, greens, pinks and blues, pale to bright yellows and several shades of brown now being given names like “cognac” and “champagne.” “Diamond” is from the Greek “adamas,” meaning unbreakable or unconquerable. Diamonds were believed to render poison harmless and to drive away insanity and bad dreams.

May Birthstone: Emerald
The name emerald was derived from French “esmeraude,” formed from a Latin root word meaning “green gemstone.” Like the garnet, the emerald is a natural color also linked to the earth goddess and fertility. “Emerald green” gained its named from this amazingly deep and beautiful green color. In lore it was sacred to the goddess Venus and interestingly, it’s been worn to ease the pain of childbirth. Emeralds promise good luck, well-being and healing.

June Birthstone: Pearl
Pearls are an organic gem, formed by an irritation in a sea oyster or freshwater mussels. Long ago, pearls were important financial assets, comparable in price to real estate, as thousands of oysters had to be searched for only one pearl. They were rare because they were created only by chance. Now, men culture pearls by setting a sea shell piece in the oyster and returning it back to the water until a sufficient amount of time has passed for it to create a pearl. The goddess Venus was linked to pearls as a symbol of innocence.

July Birthstone: Ruby
An extremely rare flawless ruby is more valuable than a diamond, a true emperor of the gemstones. Historically, the ruby is associated with royalty, love and vividness, passion and power. It was attributed to the power over life and death, strengthening the heart, diluting poisons and prevention of blood loss. Red emanates warmth and a strong sense of life.

August Birthstone: Peridot
The peridot is a light green color perfect for summer and said to rid night terrors and bad thoughts with some healing powers for the liver. The Egyptians used peridots and the ancient Romans coveted its brilliant green sparkle, naming it “evening emerald”. Peridot is also found in European medieval churches.

September Birthstone: Sapphire
In ancient times, the sky was believed to be “a gigantic blue sapphire stone into which the earth is embedded.” Buddhists believe the sapphire brings purity and spiritual enlightenment. The sapphire is found in all the colors of the sky as well as all the colors of the sunset, including yellow, pink, orange and purple (but not red; in fact, a red sapphire is actually a ruby). Interestingly, a large percentage of the population favors the color blue, and sapphires are connected to sympathy and harmony, friendship and loyalty. Sapphire blue is related to reliability, loyalty, faithfulness, love and yearning and like aquamarine, is considered a gem for couples and lovers. Sapphires are also connected to identifying liars, protection from black magic, visions and the ability to read the future.

October Birthstone: Opal and Tourmaline
In ancient Egyptian legend, the “rainbow gemstone” tourmaline got its amazing colors from heat while traveling to the sun on a rainbow. No two are alike, and it is thought to possess magical powers, especially in love, stability and friendship.

Opals carry a mystical healing power, according to the ancients, and can solve depression and help find true love. When the zodiac sign bearer carries an opal, his or her personality and positive characteristics are amplified. Opal reflects changing emotions and moods of people and our moods will choose the color of opal we prefer that day. In the time of the ancient Australian aborigines, it is reported that the creator came down to Earth on a rainbow to spread peace, and where his foot touched the ground, opals were formed in rainbow colors. The Roman senator Nonius chose exile rather than surrendering an opal to Mark Antony.

November Birthstone: Topaz
Topaz is used for clear sight and to break the chains of magical enchantment, protect the faithful against harm and increase strength. It’s said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink and to be colored with the golden glow of the mighty Egyptian sun god Ra. Rubbing or gentle heating of topaz electrifies it, causing it to attract small particles like bits of paper or hair. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. Topaz was said to cure insomnia, asthma and hemorrhages. The word “topaz” comes from the Sanskrit “tapas,” meaning ‘to glow.” Topaz is colored amber gold, peach, warm brown or oranges, blue and rarely pink. Citrine is a form of topaz.

December Birthstone: Blue Zircon
In the Middle Ages, zircon was said to aid sleep, bring prosperity and promote honor and wisdom in its owner. The name probably comes from the Persian word “zargun,” which means “gold-colored,” although zircon comes in pastel blue, bright blue, green, and dark red, yellow, brown, and orange. Zircon is said to rid wearers of bad dreams and spirits, grief, melancholy and sleeplessness. Zircon is often confused with the man-made diamond, cubic zirconia.

© Gina Ritter

Gina Ritter is the owner and publisher of Natural Family Online as well as a freelance and fiction writer. Visit her at GinaRitter.com and Blame Mama Media.

• Largest cut diamond in the world: “Star of Africa” is pear-shaped, 74 facets, 530.20 carats, set in the Royal Scepter (in the Tower of London), and was cut from the Cullinan.
• Third largest cut diamond: “The Great Mogul” was found in the mid-seventeenth century in India and weighed approximately 280 carats.
• Largest natural diamond in the world: “The Cullian” was discovered in South Africa in l095, weighed 3,106 carats and yielded nine major and 96 smaller brilliant-cut stones.
• Second largest natural diamond in the world: “The Excelsior” is a high-clarity, blue-white stone, discovered in l893 in South Africa, cut into 21 stones.
• Oldest Diamond: “The Koh-i-Nur” dates back to 1304 and originally weighed l986 carats. It was later cut to l08.93 carats and is kept in the Tower of London.

Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family and ranges in color from an almost colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal. The most prized color is a deep-blue aqua color. It is 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of hardness and has a hexagonal crystal structure.

A notable biblical mention of the stone is found in the Song of Solomon,”O daughters of Jerusalem, this is my beloved, and this is my friend. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl.” In the middle ages, beryl was supposed to give its wearer cheerfulness. It was called the “sweet-tempered stone,” and these qualities might perhaps account for the presence of a piece of beryl in the English crown. In the Middle Ages it was believed to give the wearer foresight and freedom from insomnia. Water in which an aquamarine had been soaked was believed to cure eye troubles and hiccups. Legends also say that it is the treasure of mermaids with the power to keep sailors safe at sea. This may explain why sailors have carried them so faithfully.

Ready for trivia…? The British Museum of Natural History owns an 879.5 carat flawless aquamarine with a lovely sea-green color.