Wearing birthstone jewelry is very popular today. Not only is it fashionable; somehow, it also makes the item feel more personal and part of the wearers personality. Almost all gems are believed to be imbued with some special sort of power and this is one of the reasons why it is considered lucky to wear birthstone jewelry. Lets look at some of the mystical properties and beliefs about these special gems and some famous people who would wear them.
Januarys birthstone, the garnet, is believed to have blood purification properties and to protect against poisoning. Actress Faye Dunaway and supermodel Kate Moss are two celebrities who were born in January.
The amethyst, the gem of the month for February, is a symbol of serenity and peace. In addition, its reputed to protect the wearer from intoxication. Princess Stephanie of Monaco, singer Roberta Flack and actress Drew Barrymore have amethysts in their birthstone jewelry.
Marchs birthstone is the clear blue aquamarine. Perhaps because of its color, it is sacred among sailors, who believe that it will protect them from the perils of the sea. NBA player Shaquille ONeal, heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr. and singing legend Liza Minnelli are among the celebrities who are under the protection of the aquamarine.
The eternally stylish and elegant diamond is Aprils birthstone. Believed to symbolize true love, it is the most popular gem used in wedding rings. Among the notables having diamond birthstone jewelry are Englands Queen Elizabeth II, actress Jessica Alba and tennis player Andre Agassi.
Mays birthstone is the enigmatic emerald. Some people believe that emeralds are magic and had the ability to make the wearer psychic. Famous people having the emerald as their birthstone include British Prime Minister Tony Blair, socialite Bianca Jagger and singer Janet Jackson.
The simple and classic pearl is the birthstone for June. It is viewed by various cultures as a symbol of power, love, purity and chastity. Pearl birthstone jewelry celebrities count sex symbols Marilyn Monroe and Angelina Jolie among their numbers.
The red ruby is Julys birthstone. It is believed to help in matters of love and to enhance sexual prowess. Hollywood actor Tom Cruise and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, are among the celebrities born in July.
Birthstone jewelry for August includes the lime green peridot, is traditionally believed to give good sleep and protect the wearer from nightmares. Oscar winner Halle Berry and Grammy winner Whitney Houston are two of the women who count the peridot as their birthstone.
Sapphire is the birthstone for September. It is believed the give the power of precognition and is also linked to joy and peace. Two glamorous figures who can be poster babies for sapphire birthstone jewelry are actresses Brigitte Bardot and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The delicate opal is Octobers birthstone. Some cultures believe the opal brings bad luck, while others associate it with innocence and purity. Tony-winning actress Julie Andrews and U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton were born in October.
The topaz is central in Novembers birthstone jewelry. Medicine men and women in some cultures used ground topaz in their concoctions to heal asthma, and the birthstone was also reputed to have a calming effect on the quick-tempered. The late Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco and Hollywood actress Demi Moore are two examples of famous November babies.
Finally, we have turquoise as Decembers birthstone. The Indians of North America revered this gem because of its power to warn the wearer of danger and because of the luck it brought. Pop princess Britney Spears and film director Steven Spielberg celebrate their birthdays in December.
Wearing birthstone jewelry is a popular tradition that continues to this day. Necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, brooches and many other dress accessories adorned with these gems are not only fashionable but also more meaningful for the wearer or for the recipients of such gifts. Also, having birthstone jewelry is a reminder that you have at least one thing in common with celebrities!
We have been manufacturing and selling The Bell Collection by Jewelry John since early 1998. All of our bells are made from Sterling Silver (we also make them on an individual basis in 14K gold). They are cast, assembled and finished individually with www.jewelryjohn.comjewelers care, giving utmost attention to every detail from bail to clapper. The entire Bell Collection is manufactured in Austin, Texas USA.
The bells are made using the lost wax method which means, we make a rubber mold from an original carved wax, a wax copy is then made for each body, bail and clapper. The parts are then attached (sprued up) to a wax tree. A temperature resistant plaster of Paris type material (investment) is poured around each tree in a rubber cup (this step is called investing). When the material hardens, it is removed from the cup and put into a kiln, which reaches a temperature of 1350 F. The wax is vaporized leaving a plaster mold into which molten silver is poured, making the bells. They are removed, cut from the tree and go through numerous processes before the 3 pieces are assembled by hand, making a completed bell. Each bell is then given a final polish before being sent to our retailers.
We are currently sold in more than 800 stores in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The Bell Collection is sold in every kind of store from The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. to family owned stores in small rural towns. We have been truly blessed throughout our entire journey. With an incredible staff and great stores, we continue to come up with fresh new ideas while staying true to our mission statement.
It is the mission of the staff at Jewelry John to bring joy into the lives of others with our craft and to honor God in all our endeavors by always putting God and family first, by providing prompt and courteous customer service and by building our customers trust by creating heirloom quality hand crafted jewelry of remarkable artistry and craftsmanship with a message that will touch peoples lives.
Matching jewelry for mommy and baby is always a cute touch, and it can be a keepsake for when the baby is all grown up. The sentimental value that comes with baby jewelry cannot be measured. Sometimes certain items of jewelry come with memories; like this bracelet one was bought right after little Sarah took her first steps, or this pendant was bought soon before Davey started to say his first words.
When we say “baby jewelry,” we usually mean bracelets: the safest item of adornment for infants. Many baby bracelets come with letter-blocks that spell out the baby’s name. These may well be a baby’s first opportunity to learn how to read! Some baby bracelets also double as toys, and some charms come with rattles and colorful beads that could easily endear them to the infant.
We may admit that baby jewelry is cute and fun to use, but some mothers are concerned: won’t jewelry be too dangerous to hold so close to the baby? Teething babies will tend to want to bite into their bracelets, or put them in their mouths — and won’t the baby swallow the charms, the item itself, or bits of it that may come off? Also, won’t silver, gold, and certain plastics be bad for the baby’s skin?
Baby jewelry is necessarily hypoallergenic, to keep from irritating a baby’s supremely delicate skin. The charms that come with baby jewelry are usually tightly woven in, so there is no danger of falling off or apart even if the baby is teething. Infant jewelry also has safe clasps. Pin latches or sharp clasps are definitely a no-no.
Toddlers, who are more capable of appreciating body accessories, may in fact enjoy sporting jewelry, especially ones they can play with and show off to other toddlers. Mom and Dad can have their toddler pick out his or her own bracelet. After all, babies and toddlers appreciate bright, sparkling and fun stuff that are visually stimulating and attractive. Baby jewelry is something they can enjoy, and it will be a reminder of that time that passes all too quickly.