“Cats are possessed of a shy, retiring nature, cajoling, haughty, and capricious, difficult to fathom. They reveal themselves only to certain favored individuals, and are repelled by the faintest suggestion of insult or even by the most trifling deception.” – Pierre Loti
Ah, where to start? Cats are among the most celebrated creatures of literature. They’re domesticated and at the same time wild, loved and at the same time hated. They stand for stealth and mystery, the power of silence and secrets. And cat jewelry is a testament to that power.
Even before Halle Berry popularized the Catwoman, and before the sleek, sassy villainess ever graced the pages of DC comics, cats were being worshipped all over the world. The way the cat moves, the easy grace and mysterious stillness fuels the imagination and fires up the senses. Bast, the ancient Egyptian cat-goddess, was a wild goddess who was generous in good humor, and ferocious in ill. To kill a cat in ancient Egypt was to call down the wrath of Bast, and was not only considered an act of evil, but a crime against the gods.
To compare a person to a cat is to give credit to hisher capricious, languid, underhanded nature. Cats will only do as they desire, not as they are told. Loyalty is something they only bestow, not give out of a sense of obligation. At the same time they are affectionate to those whom they have chosen, work with reasons they may not disclose to anyone, and perform incredible tasks with absolute secrecy. Sending a person — especially a woman — cat jewelry as a gift would serve as a tribute to these special traits. Wearing cat jewelry would aid in fostering an image of mystery and an instinct for the refined.
The endearing nature of cats has been immortalized not only in classical literature (“The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe, and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, to name two of many) but also in modern literature, like TV shows and comic strips. We have Garfield and Heathcliff on our Sunday papers, and Top Cat and the Thundercats in our (all right, kind of outdated) Saturday morning cartoon lineups. Cats have been preserved in so many artistic forms — why can’t jewelry be among them?
Cat jewelry might be popular among children, especially little girls who love kittens and probably raise cats of their own. Young women may also appreciate the extraordinary sleekness of the feline motif, and feel especially sexy wearing something so in tune with their sensual nature.
You may wonder what is the amazing thing behind Pearls? Well, Pearls are a complex object, to start the iridescence that pearls display is caused by the overlapping of successive layers, which breaks up light falling on the surface. In addition, pearls (especially freshwater pearls) can be dyed yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple, or black. I love Black Pearls, they are amazing.
This was the main reason why pearls fetched such extraordinary prices in the past. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of the iridescence is usually very poor, and generally speaking, fake pearls are usually quite easy to distinguish from the real thing.
You need to understand what sort of pearls you are buying, if you buy Pearls that come from Pearls farms you need to understand how they are picked up, these sort of pearls are carefully selected from long-established pearl farms. And then range in size from under 1mm to 20mm giants. Usually this farm pearls are harvested in the cooler winter months, after about two years of cultivation.
Like natural pearls, cultured pearls grow inside of a mollusk, but with human intervention. Cultured pearls are sold by their size in millimeters. Saltwater pearls originate within a saltwater mollusk. Saltwater pearls can be either natural or cultured.
Obviously it is not a surprise for anyone to understand that natural pearls are more expensive and if you are really interested in getting the best pearls in the world, well, you need to Travel all the way to Japan.
When you buy a Pearl you need to ask about the origins and their shapes. This is the way they get classified.
So where do Pearls come from ? Well [earls are formed inside the shell of certain bivalve mollusks: as a response to an irritant inside its shell, the mollusk creates a pearl to seal off the irritation. Pearls come in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque, and circled.
Pearls where before only for fashion, but now you can find pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, or in paint formulations. Pearls with the smoothest surfaces are the highest-quality, most sought-after pearls.
Regarding buying Pearls as part of Jewelry, you need to know the following: almost all pearls used for jewelry are cultured by planting a core or nucleus into pearl oysters. Abalone from along the Pacific Coast, primarily California, produce both blister and free pearls and their shells are used for inlay in jewelry and other items.
Try to find a company or design that offers these same finer-quality of any Japanese cultured Pearls at a fraction of traditional-store prices. It is not easy but for sure it is possible. Pearls are a great present for many people out there, you will never look out of fashion with a nice Pearl Jewelry necklace, and for sure always buying some high quality pearls is a wise investment. Pearls are perfect for gifts and for that special and romantic occasions
A nice quality designer watch will be a much appreciated by either gender. A fine quality designer watch will always make a big impression.
Tak the time to consider some of our suggestions and this will go a long way to helping you make the right choice.
The first thing you need to do is do a little research to discover what the person likes.
Consider your options: gold, white gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, leather bands, etc.
Each of these options has its own style and makes its own statement. Take the time to choose the one most fitting for the recipient.
Select a basic watch style. General watch types include the mechanical wind-up types, self-winding and quartz, which are powered by batteries.
Look for extra features, such as a built-in calendar, an appointment alarm, a heartbeat monitor, etc. Have fun customizing the watch to the recipient’s specific lifestyle.
Shop only within your price range, watches can run upward of 10,000, so set a range first and then limit your shopping to your budget.
From complicated watches made for divers or trekkers to fashionable watches that do a bit more than tell time, sports watches are all the rage.
Choose a sports watch with basic features if you’re not buying it for a specific sport. These include alarm(s), water resistance, a timer or stopwatch function, an illuminator and the original band.
Opt for more advanced features if you know they will be used by the wearer. These can include altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass and data-link features.
Choose a sport-specific watch if you know what sports the recipient enjoys. These include specialized watches for divers, runners, surfers, etc.
Be sure the band will fit comfortably around the person’s wrist. It should be somewhat adjustable.
Check the guarantee and return policies so that the watch can be returned if another model is desired.
Set the watch to the correct time prior to wrapping.
If the watch is quartz, include an extra battery wrapped as a present topper.
Building a Jewelry Wardrobe: A Woman’s Guide to Seven Jewelry Must-Haves
Just as every woman needs a pairor twentyof jeans, a few pairs of black shoes (at the very least: ballet flats, thongs, kitten heels and stilettos), a cocktail dress, a few basic skirts, a chic business suit, a cardigan sweaterI could go on but you get my point. Just as every woman needs these fashion staples, she needs a few jewelry basicsseven actuallywith which to accessorize her outfits.
Like a custom paint job on a sleek Harley, accessories personalize your style and tell the world that you care enough to go the extra mile for appearances sake. And we all know that appearance counts. Within the first three seconds of taking you in, people make judgments about you that you usually cannot reverse. So why not make a good first impression with a look that is polished, put together, and says that you pay attention to style and detail? Still with me? Good. Here are seven jewelry staples no well-dressed woman should be without. Choose any one of them to accessorize in a snap, and to ensure that snap judgments made about you reflect who you really are.
Diamond studs Anyone can pull off this classic accessory. Diamond studs are elegant, timeless and simple enough to be worn with other jewelry and any style of hair or dress. Look for clear, sparkling gems with at least carat total weight, set in white gold or platinum (not yellow gold) to show off their colorlessness. As for shape, round studs will always be in style, but princess cut styles are popularand classic too. Look for screw backs to help ensure that you wont lose your investment, and make sure the setting is secure (I prefer four prongs to three).
Be warned that quality diamond studs can be pricey. Blue Nile.com has a beautiful pair of carat tw diamond studs with screw backs for 600; Tiffany & Co. sells a beautiful pair of .22 total carat weight diamonds set it platinum for 875. Cant afford these beauties? My sparkly CZ look-alikes get the job done, and cost under 40. And I dont have to worry about losingor insuring them.
Pearl studs Like diamond studs, pearl studs can be worn with every style of dress, and with all types of jewelry. Unlike diamond studs, pearl studs are surprisingly affordable, especially when you choose freshwater pearls, which today can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Look for round white gems that are well-matched; these are classics and wont go out of style. Beware of purchasing button-shaped (flattened) pearls when you think youre getting round. Choose a back that is comfortable, secure and comprised of a metal your skin can tolerate, such as white gold, yellow gold or platinum.
When wearing pearls, keep in mind that the gems are typically associated with a demure, ladylike reputation, so theyre perfect for a job interview, wedding or other formal setting. Of course, classic pearls are perfect for daytime and casual events as well, and give the wearer a timeless, feminine look that is very polished.
When buying pearl studs, choose akoya cultured pearls or their far more affordable freshwater counterparts, which are just as beautiful. For the best look, choose pearls that are 6mm or greater in size. JR Dunn sells Mikimoto akoya cultured pearls in 6mm round white for 340; MoonRiverPearls.com sells round white freshwater cultured pearls in 7mm for 38.
Dangle earrings I love dangles for their drama, and because their typical hook backs make them easy to get on and off. But many dangles arent for everyday; theyll look out of place with shorts and a tank, for example. If youre going a bit more formal, though, you have many options with this earring style. Keep in mind that if you want your dangle earrings to become a jewelry staple, look for a classic, elegant design in a neutral color, such as an all metal style or one that ends in a cultured pearl, for example. For your staple piece, dont choose anything trendy or cute; steer clear of hearts, stars, zodiac signs and skulls. (If you want to go trendy thats fine, just buy something inexpensive.) As for what to choose, I prefer a dangle that hangs an inch or two below the earlobe to really make a statement. White gold and yellow gold bars, chains or chandeliers are timeless favorites. Of course, hairstyle and wardrobe will play a role here too. If your hair is very long you can get away with more dramaticand longerstyles. Remember, though, if you wear a dramatic earring its best to skip the necklace and let the earrings speak for themselves.
Silver or gold hoop earrings Several styles of hoop earrings can be considered jewelry staples, from small diamond-encrusted loops to gargantuan, J.Lo-style hoops. It all depends on what you like, so choose hoops that fit your personality. Keep in mind, though, that oversize hoops can overpower short hair, an updo, or a face with small features, so take in the overall picture before you step out. Small gold, silver, diamond, pearl or CZ hoops go with everything and are always in style. Look for hoop earrings with a back thats easy to fasten and wont readily bend or fall out. And dont wear gigantic hoops to a job interview or other professional setting, unless you work at Vogue.
Diamond solitaire pendant Theres not enough room here to write about the five Cs of diamond quality, but, if youre interested, there are a ton of sites out there where you can read about how to choose a diamond. As for the pendant, a single bezel set diamond on a white gold chain looks amazing, crisp and classic. Choose an 18-inch length with a secure clasp (I prefer lobster claw here) and make sure the chain is sturdy, yet thin and unobtrusive. Its the diamond that you want to showcase here, not the chain. As with studs, you can get a gorgeous solitaire pendant made with a CZ, or, for a twist, try a pearl.
Pearl strand When choosing a classic pearl strand, look for an 18-inch princess length in a classic creamy white. This length is very versatile, and the color is timeless. Both akoya cultured pearls and freshwater cultured pearls fit the bill, although akoyas will be more expensive. Other factors to keep in mind: pearl size counts. After the 7.5-8.0 mm mark, prices rise dramatically, but a 6.5mm strand is lovely and affordable. Look at luster and surface. Pearls should have a high luster, or surface sheen, meaning they reflect light well. They should also be free from obvious blemishes. Pay attention to uniformity. Make sure the pearls are the same size, the same color and have a uniform lusterthe warm glow that appears to come from within the pearl. To check that the pearls are uniformly round, roll the strand on a table. Matched pearls will roll smoothly.
So you think pearl strands are too Barbara Bush? A Tin Cup necklace, where the pearls are evenly spaced on a chain, is a gorgeous alternative.
A Classic Timepiece Lots of options here, but if youre going to choose just one watch it has to be classic, functional and stylish. I like a water-resistant oversize sterling silver watch or a classic tank watch, both of which will look good with everything except formalwear (then you can tuck it in your clutch). A stainless steel band will wear better than leather, and is usually water-resistant, but try it on in case it feels too heavy or overwhelms your wrist. Stick with a classic white or muted watch face with numbers that are easy to read. (Bold colors are pretty, but distracting.) A glow-in-the-dark face is a plus. As for brands, Swiss Army has some great styles that wear well and dont break the bank. If you have the means, a Tag Heuer or Rolex is always nice too.
When you have your seven basic jewelry staples, its time to play. There are so many other classics you can add to your jewelry box if youre so inclined. A diamond tennis bracelet, a beautiful Tahitian pearl bracelet, an oversize pearl cocktail ring, or a signature piece in your birthstone all look terrific. Depending on your style personality and budget, you can choose plenty of other extras to keep up with fashion trends, but keep these on the inexpensive side as they likely wont stand the test of time. For a statement-making piece, choose an oversize cocktail ring in a bold color. Or, if you like todays layered look, pick several chain necklaces in your favorite metal in varying lengths, and layer them with pearl strands or oversized turquoise, wood or mother-of-pearl beaded necklaces. Wide wood, mother-of-pearl or metal cuffs always look terrific, and stackable bangles, especially personalized charm bracelets, are always fun. (Do spend more on charm bracelets, as youll probably hang on to these.)
Still stuck on what to wear? You can always go with my favorite and most valued piece of jewelry: a handcrafted, hand painted macaroni necklace made for me by my four-year-old son.