Babs's blog: "Celtic Jewelry"

Throughout the ages, men and women have used gemstones and crystals in personal ornaments and body decorations as bewitching jewelry. Wearing them as charms, talismans or amulets, they were believed to possess the power to ward off evil spirits (or attract benevolent ones), keep one safe from harm, or to find love. To this day, many people of all ages and from all walks of life believe in the magical power of certain gems and make bewitching jewelry part of their everyday attire.

Take pearls, for instance. In the olden days, if a maiden wanted a man to fall in love with her, she would put pearls ground into a fine powder into a glass of wine and somehow get him to drink it. A pretty costly way to catch a man, that method. Nowadays, wearing pearls is believed to enhance one’s inner character and bring about peace and serenity. Gold is another example of bewitching jewelry. Since time immemorial, it has captured the fascination of all people, and is one of the cornerstones of the science of alchemy. Gold is used to enhance the power of other gemstones, hence its popular use as a setting. It is also believed to attract wealth and influence, because the wearer is perceived to be strong and powerful.

Bewitching jewelry is not confined to fashionable purposes. The Indian warriors of old used to have swords that were adorned with garnets, secure in the belief that this would bring them luck in battle. Today, garnet jewelry presented as a gift signifies the giver’s feelings of eternal love and commitment. It can also be worn as a charm to increase sensuality and sexuality. Similarly, diamonds are said to aid in the release of sexual tension and to help the wearer enjoy a fantastic sex life. I wonder what that says about girls who treat diamonds as their best friend?

Sapphires are benevolent examples of bewitching jewelry. Aside from preserving friendships and promoting loyalty, they are also believed to protect the wearer from capture. Turquoise is likewise popular as a talisman because of its alleged property of changing colors when the wearer is in peril. Plus, it is used in amulets in many cultures because it is believed to be a bringer of luck.

There are many, many other beliefs regarding the use of gemstones as bewitching jewelry. They may be worn as talismans, charms, amulets or simply as fashion accessories. But for many people today, as in the ancient times, jewels are chosen not only for their beauty, but for the perceived benefits that they will bring to the wearer as well.

About the Author

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

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Jewelry is a broad term that describes any ornamental adornment on the body. It includes toe rings to tiaras and everything in between. Jewelry has been used in every culture throughout history and in many different ways. While in our culture today jewelry serves mostly an aesthetic purpose, jewelry can serve other functions as well. Jewelry is used to represent social or official rank, age, marital status, and tribal affinity. In addition, jewelry serves as emblems of religious, social, and political affiliation. In fact, one of the very first uses of jewelry was to show religious affiliation. The following are the main cultures that began the use of religious jewelry and the common symbols and uses of their jewelry.

Egyptian Religious Jewelry

Religious jewelry in Ancient Egypt was very symbolic. Some common symbols in Ancient
Egyptian religious jewelry include the scarab (beetle), lotus, serpent, falcon, and the eye. The scarab is a symbol for good luck and resurrection while the "Eye of the Horus" represents healing. A common symbol of the time called the "Ankh" is meant to represent eternal life. Religious jewelry was extravagant, consisting of gold and semi-precious stones and were worn by men and women alike. When the Roman Era arrived, Egyptian religious jewelry was made of cheaper materials and more Christian symbols were used. When Islam arrived in Egypt men were forbidden to wear gold jewelry. At this time silver jewelry became more popular in religious jewelry in Egypt. Religious jewelry is still widely used in Egypt, but does not have the same extravagance as the Ancient Egyptian religious jewelry.

Roman Christianity and Religious Jewelry

Art and architecture thrived when St. Constantine Christianized the Roman Empire. At this time several popular
symbols were created that are still used in Christian art and jewelry. These symbols include the cross, the rosary, and the Christian fish charm. The cross is a symbol of God's love and a reminder of Christ's suffering. Rosary beads are prayer beads that began in the Roman Christian world but are now used predominately by the Catholic Church (officially accepted by the Catholic Church during the rosary approbation in 1520). Rosary beads are also used in the Islam and Buddhist faith. The Christian fish charm came about when early Christians would make an acronym with the Greek word for fish, "ichthys," Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter (Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior). This symbol attracted less attention to the persecuted Christians. The Christian charm remains very popular today.

Native American Jewelry

Native American religious jewelry was a symbol for nature, played a role in
religious ceremonies, and represented status. Natural materials were used in their jewelry including feathers along with minerals such as turquoise and metals like silver. These natural materials were a reminder of the Earth around them. During healing ceremonies and harvest rituals, the people would take care to wear specific kinds of religious jewelry that were the right color, made of the right materials, and representing the right symbol for that event. The jewelry that is worn by a person is representative of the different stages of life an individual has entered into. In several tribes adolescents are initiated into adulthood when they receive the spiritual totem consisting of shells, beads, or symbols from nature. Native American religious jewelry was also given to women after there first menses and to newly married couples. Religious jewelry has played a significant role in Native American culture.

Because our culture today uses jewelry mostly for decorative purposes we often
forget the roots of jewelry and how, to some cultures, it can have a deeper spiritual meaning. Recognizing the importance of this religious jewelry in other cultures allows us to see the greater symbolic uses that jewelry can be used for.

Kaitlin Carruth is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. To learn more about religious jewelry, visit Harris Michael Jewelry.

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Amsterdam takes a special place in the world of Diamonds. Walking down the streets you will see a lot of Diamond and jewelry stores as well as a lot of places that are locked up with signs saying "guided diamond tours from 2 to 4 PM" .

Actually going on some of these tours you'll have a chance to see some fantastic diamonds and you'll have a chance as well to see how they are cut and polished. And if you want to, you can buy them for $4000 to $400,000 each.

Amsterdam has a long history relating to diamonds, and has been a major diamond centre since Sephardic Jews introduced the diamond cutting industry in the later 16th century. Nowadays there are about a dozen diamond factories in the city, five of which offer guided tours. The tours are free and are usually conducted 9am to 5pm every day.

These are some of the companies offering guided tours:

Amsterdam diamonds Amsterdam has a long heritage in the diamonds, and has been a major diamond centre since Sephardic Jews introduced the diamond cutting industry in the later 16th century. Nowadays there are about a dozen diamond factories in the city, five of which offer guided tours. The tours are free and are usually conducted 9am to 5pm every day. Diamonds aren't necessarily cheaper in Amsterdam but prices are fairly competitive. At least you will have seen how they are worked, and when you buy from a factory you get an extensive description of the purchase so you know exactly what you are buying.

Diamond tours The following renowned diamond stores offer diamond-cutting and polishing tours, and sales of the finished diamonds:

Coster Diamonds Gassan Diamonds Stoeltie Diamonds Van Moppes Diamonds the first company to offer guided tours.

If you have a chance eat an "uitsmijter" as well.

Best time to visit is april or late september when the leaves on the trees are not blocking the view of the monumental facades. The winters are penetratingly cold and damp with lots of rain and sleet.

It actually feels colder than 30 below in Canada.

Bring a pair of good glasses: we tend to use very small lettertypes for the legends in museums.

Here are some of Amsterdam's major attractions:

Anne Frank House (Anne Frank Huis) National Museum (Rijksmuseum) Van Gogh Museum Red Light District National Museum of Modern Art (Stedelijk Museum) Amstelkring Museum (Our Lord in the Attic Chapel) Museum Het Rembrandt Huis (Rembrandt House) Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum) Dam Square Sauna Deco

Amsterdam sail: Sail Amsterdam If you love boats, KNSM Island is where you should go. Not just because of its shipping past. Every 5 years this harbor area of Amsterdam hosts the Sail event. Each new edition attracts more visitors (Sail 2000 welcomed 2.5 million people). Each edition also offers more Tall Ships and more cultural activities in the area.

The Van Gogh Museum contains the largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh who shot off his ear and then committed suicide. You will find more than 200 fantastic works from the Master's hand, as well as 500 drawings and 700 written documents. Together these provide a fantastic insight into his life and work.

Amasterdam is a fascinating place with lots of things to see and do.

Also, remember and try all its culinary delights.
About the Author

Accountant and traveler.

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The mysterious and the mystical have always had the power to hold human beings in thrall throughout the millennia. Celtic jewelry is no exception to this, since they are an extension and a reminder of the traditions and rituals of the Celts, an ancient European people. Today, men and women of all ages wear Celtic jewelry not only for their beauty, but also for their symbolism and metaphysical connotations.

Also popularly -- though inaccurately -- known as Claddagh jewelry, Celtic designs are appreciated for their intricacy and beauty. Numerous patterns of Celtic origin, such as the spiral and the cross, are used by jewelers in their creations. The Celtic spiral symbolizes eternity and is used abundantly in many Celtic jewelry items today. Just as popular is the Celtic cross, which pre-dates the Christian cross by about two centuries. The Celtic cross is thought to bring greater knowledge, understanding and the fortitude to deal with trials and adversities, as compared to the Christian cross, which is believed to protect the wearer from harm.

Claddagh rings and bracelets are two more examples of popular Celtic jewelry items that are replete with symbolism. Rings that have the Celtic knot design symbolize eternal and undying love; this is why they are exchanged by the bride and groom in present day wedding ceremonies – to signify their fidelity and never-ending commitment to each other. Such rings and bracelets are also given to friends as an indication of loyalty.

Necklaces and pendants are likewise integral parts of a Celtic jewelry collection. Depending on the wearer’s preferences, the pendant may depict the image of Celtic figures such as the ever-popular knot, spiral, Celtic cross, serpent or dragon. Such symbols have deep spiritual and religious meaning, and it is one of the main reasons why Celtic jewelry items are popular dress accessories today.

A person does not have to be Irish or Scottish or to have any other Celtic connection in order to appreciate Celtic jewelry. Whether given as gifts or maintained as personal keepsakes, these unique pieces can be enjoyed just for their beauty alone. But a little awareness of their meaning, as well as their place in history and tradition add to their air of enigma and allure.

About the Author

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

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