Rhodium is a chemical element with the symbol Rh and the atomic number 45. It is a rare, silvery-white, hard, corrosion resistant and chemically inert transition metal. It is a noble metal and a member of the platinum group.
Rhodium only had minor applications up until 1976 with the first major application being electroplating for decorative uses and as corrosion-resistant coating for the three-way catalytic converter by Volvo, ultimately increasing the demand for Rhodium.
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Below are three ideas to help you introduce a personalized initial pendant into your wardrobe:
Shown in this image from K. Brunini Jewels a Tagua nut and diamond scarab bracelet with a price tag of $80,290 USD.
]]>The word “Elegantia” is defined as elegance, taste, refinement and grace. This brings you back to the days of Art Deco, where it was glamorous with a rebellious nature for eccentricity in everyday design. The Jazz time era of the 20's and 30's were filled with much laughter, fun, enthusiasm and excitement.
The 20's and 30's color palate was “racy” bright and bold, with a contrast of muted tones; pearlescent, with rich velvety chocolate browns and deep scarlet reds.
Swaroviski is predicting the fall/winter 2018/19 jewelry styles to be:
“Bold, Art Deco-inspired graphic pieces such as long earrings, pendant watches, and cascading necklaces reflect the glamour of the past. Pearls make a strong statement.”
]]>Clarity refers to the absence of defects.
Cut refers to the portions and symmetry of the gemstone. A well-cut gemstone is symmetrical. The cut affects the intensity of the gemstone color.
Carat refers to the weight of the gemstone.
DID YOU KNOW? The word carat comes from the carob seed, the original unit of measure for gem traders. Carat weight is unrelated to the similar sounding karat, which refers to gold's purity.
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The Triangle also represents cultural trinities:
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Fits like a choker and can sit around the base of the neck like a collar.
The most common length. Popular when a necklace has a pendant. Falls just below the throat at the collarbone.
Falls a few inches below the collarbone. Perfect length for a lower neckline or if you want to wear a neck lace with a turtleneck sweater.
Falls below any neckline.
Falls below the bosom. This length can be worn as a single strand or doubled for a layered look.
]]>Iris Van Hepern, a 33-year-old Dutch fashion designer, has been hailed one of the most innovative and exciting designers of the 21st century. Know for her distinct ability to be able to collapse the boundaries between, art, science, dance and fashion. Iris Van Herpen has partnered with Swarovski, launching her debut crystal collection, bringing to life her unique vision to the “Growing Crystal” collection. This beautiful Swarovski crystal is geode inspired collection, fits perfectly with Van Herpen design style, a she is known for her ability to be able to replicate nature and incorporated it into three dimensional modeling.
This Growing Crystal series is the latest in the Designer Edition series which you will start to see as inspiration and influence the fall/winter 2018/2019 designs from clothing to jewelry.
]]>InStyle Magazine list the top must have summer jewelry items as:
Basically, anything goes! Mix your metals; gold & silver, layer classic sophisticated pieces with trendy one of a kind styles, with the addition of stacking and layering it puts you totally on trend. More is better this summer. Have fun with it!
]]>Versatile, hoop earrings can be worn understated, simple jeans and a t-shirt or deliver a more extravagant look paired worn with an evening gown. Hoops have earned the title of being a timeless classic. Not to mention with their large and prominent profile, hoops draw attention up to your face. Where the curves of hoops are extra flattering to your facial features, helping define your jaw line and cheekbones.
]]>Wearing multiple bracelets is not a new idea, however, it is an effortless way to make a dramatic fashion statement. Wearing multiple bracelets in different widths, colors and designs all at once is fashion forward. Even the unwritten rule about not mixing gold and silver has been challenged this season. Nonetheless to pull this look together you need a statement piece.
The watch essentially acts as the statement piece, the star of the show with the bracelets serving as the supporting cast. Mixing metals, colors and textures is okay when done tastefully. Adding a layer of color is a fantastic way to get a more dynamic look.
]]>The Halo style was first introduced as an engagement ring. The style gets the name from the larger center stone, which is encircled by smaller stones, resembling an Angel’s halo.
In the Victorian era (1837-1901) the center stone was often replaced with other gems, like a ruby or sapphire to emulate flowers.
The Art Deco era of the 1920’s helped refine the shape of the Halo with focused emphasis and focus on symmetry and geometric patterns.
During the Great Depression (1930's) opulence fell out of fashion and so too did this Halo jewelry style. The Halo emerged for a short time during the Hollywood Glamour period (1940's) but again dwindled in popularity as with the on set of WWII. Halo style jewelry had a small resurgence in the 1960's but quickly fell out of popularity.
After many years Halo style jewelry is again making a comeback, this is due to people’s love and infatuation of vintage fashion & jewelry.
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When did brooches start becoming more ornamental, crafted solely for wardrobe adornment and considered jewelry?
During the Byzantine Era (330-1453 CE), craftsman started to develop more intricate decorative techniques, allowing for brooches to be adorned with semi-precious gemstones and pearls. Clergymen and societies elite were consumed with a desire for opulence, and their brooches, while still acting as a functional item to fasten clothing, now displayed a level of elaborate artisanship making them a status symbol.
During the Victorian Era (1837-1901), massive social and economic changes in Great Britain, had a notable influence on jewelry styles and crafting techniques. During this time jewelry designers started to incorporate animals into the designs. Focus was on snakes, insects and wild animals. Along with combining animals into the design, precious gemstones like garnets, sapphires, and diamonds were incorporated elevating their value and status.
Queen Elizabeth II has a strong affinity for brooches. As a young queen, in the 19th Century, she was viewed as a fashion influencer. She had a brooch for every occasion and outfit. Her love of brooches fed into a fashion insurgence with her young admirers. Today the brooch is seen as her signature piece of jewelry. It is said she has thousands of brooches in her royal collection. There are many blogs that focus on her majesties love for brooches. One even documents every brooch she wears on public appearances for that year.
There is no doubt that the brooch is making a well deserved come back as a rediscovered jewelry item. Michelle Obama also had a love for the brooch, and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton has been seen recently wearing brooches, during her public appearances. For the fall of 2018 the brooch has captured the attention of high-end jewelry designers watch for the reintroduction of brooches this fall.
]]>Nic & Syd brings a whole new meaning to affordable luxury. As a global branding partner of Swarovski, you receive the quality and beauty of Swarovski crystals, with a price tag that will make you smile. The vision for Nic & Syd began years ago when we were asked to make custom jewelry for a very special client. The jewelry was lovely and well received, but with a critical eye for quality, we wanted more, we wanted exceptional. So, what do you do when you want exceptional? You seek out the best material in the world. And so began our journey to partner with Swarovski, a world leader in fashion trends, technological innovation and creativity.
On a personal note, my 20 career spans across the technology, education and marketing sectors, from small business to multi-national organizations. I am so excited to be a part of something that is so creative, relevant and beautiful. So much that our name was inspired by the sparkle in my daughters’ eyes.
I invite you to look through our featured items with imagination. This collection combines some of our best-selling items along with fresh and innovative designs that are intended to spark your inner passion for expression and beauty.
Cufflinks are a very small embellishment that can make a considerable impact to one’s appearance. Cufflinks provide an opportunity for a man to put a personalized spin on a basic shirt providing an uncomplicated way to upgrade and personalize his look.
Prior to the invention of the cufflink, in the 1500s, prominent men wore shirts with ruffled wrist. They tied the bottom of the ruffled wristband together with strings. The fashion was called “String tied”.
This style became very popular and in the 1700’s the string was replaced with a gold or silver linked chain attached to small, glass bead like button. Over time the glass beads were replaced with more decorative buttons made of semi precious jewels and diamonds.
Historians document that the cufflink was made popular due to the writings of Alexander Dumas, who wrote The Count of Monte Cristo. In the story there was a character in the book who wore enormous diamonds on his shirt cuffs that sparked great envy in everyone who looked on it. This elevated the perception of cufflinks to be associated with a higher social status.
The Industrial Revolution brought the ability to produce items of clothing more cheaply and the gold and silver chains were replaced with a rod and clip. This opened the market place to allow men from all walks of life to now wear cufflinks.
By the end of the twentieth century, men’s shirts were now being massed produced with buttons on the cuffs which lead to the decline in men wearing cufflinks.
Cufflinks have always had an association with luxury and the royal aristocratic society, where it was custom to not purchase cufflinks for one’s self but instead they were given as gifts on special occasions. This tradition continues today, as set of cufflinks is often given as a groomsman’s gift at a wedding.
]]>Pearls have been used in jewelry as far back as ancient Greece, and up until the 20th century pearls were considered one of the most valued gems. In the sixteenth century, England was known as the Pearl Age, reflecting the elevated status associated with pearls at that time, being linked to royalty and wealth.
Many brides also choose pearls for themselves and/or their bridesmaids. Brides wearing pearls can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greeks who associated the pearl with love and marriage, and unrivaled beauty. The Greeks also believed the pearl would promote marital harmony and prevent newlywed brides from crying.
In many ancient societies the pearl symbolized the moon and believed to be infused with magical properties. Ancient Chinese civilizations believed that wearing pearls protected a person from fire and dragons, and other cultures have associated pearls with chastity and modesty. In Victorian England small pearls were often used in mourning jewelry to symbolize tears.
Marilyn Monroe, famously know for singing “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” said in an interview, that her most treasured pieces of jewelry was a simple sixteen-inch string of pearls given to her by Joe DiMaggio during their honeymoon in Japan. Grace Kelly also favored pearls, both during her Hollywood screen star days and when she became Princess Grace of Monaco as her husband, Prince Rainier, presented her with a luxurious pearl and diamond jewelry set that she wore frequently.
Along with being the birthstone for the month of June, pearls symbolize wisdom acquired through experience. They are believed to attract wealth and luck as well as offer protection. The pearl is also said to symbolize the purity, generosity, integrity, and loyalty of its wearer.
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Tree of Life has a long history of symbolism, crossing many cultures. Seen as a symbol of a fresh start to a person’s life, focused on positive energy, good health and a bright future.
The tree has roots that reach deeply into the soil, acknowledging the connection to, and accepting nourishment from, Mother Earth. Leaves and branches extend into the sky, acknowledging Father Sun and accepting the energy that it transforms into nourishment. Reminding us that we are not an island. We are deeply connected, rooted to the world around us and dependent on it for our ability to grow and thrive.
The Tree of Life represents a symbolic connection to our ancestors. The tree symbolizes the generations in a family; a tree sprouts from a seed, grows and branches out, and creates a new growth that gives life to the next generation.
The Tree of Life also symbolizes rebirth. In the fall, trees tend to lose their leaves and enter a hibernation like state. In the Spring, the tree sprouts tiny buds, and suddenly awakens with dramatic color, blooms and leaves appear like it is being born again.
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