Where’s the excitement in giving something when the gift is not that rewarding? Often, gift givers forget the real meaning of giving a present and seem to give gifts which are, sad to say, boring and useless. Where did all the unique gift ideas go?
The spirit of gift giving
Gift giving is more than just wrapping anything that the giver can get his hands on. It entails effort and uniqueness. Giving a gift means that the recipient is so special that you took the time to find the perfect present.
It’s such a sad scenario to see someone fake a smile and pretend to be happy about his present so he doesn’t embarrass the giver. In occasions such as birthdays, weddings, parties, and Christmas, gifts that are so generic they don’t even fit in the same zone as “unique”, should be placed last on the list, reserved just for emergencies.
A breath of something fresh
Over the years, people have grown tired of the usual gifts they receive. Why not break this monotonous routine and bring in an air of uniqueness by giving one-of-a-kind, unique unusual gifts?
Unique, unusual gifts can be the right blend of things that one needs to make you stand out as a giver and please the receiver. Yet what can be the perfect examples of unique unusual gifts?
Move boring out and bring the metaphysical in. Metaphysical items such as pendants, amulets, herbs, CDs and DVDs and all chakra and spiritually inspired gifts can be perfect for best friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, moms, dads, grandparents — anyone.
These gifts are the best choice for individuals who believe in the metaphysical world,but for those who don’t, they still fit the description of unique and unusual.
Metaphysical items for one’s well-being
Giving metaphysical gifts is not only unique and unusual, but it also renders positive effects to the body’s natural well-being. Some metaphysical items affect one’schakras and bring in positive vibes, such as a rose quartz or a rose quartz pendant. Rose quartz is believed to heal and clear the heart chakras and has healing effects on all the other chakras of the body.
For those who are health conscious, some metaphysical items such as herbs, smudges, teas, and tinctures are used as natural remedies. They help wash away toxic substances from the body. Crystals and jewelry also have spiritual healing purposes.
Make sure to give gifts that complement the lifestyle of a person. For the workaholic, giving him or her scented candles and aroma therapy diffusers is an excellent way to keep them relaxed. Aroma therapy can greatly enhance one’s mood and allow relaxation. On the other hand, one can give gifts found in home decor catalogsfrom metaphysical shops online.
Metaphysical stores display a wide range of unique metaphysical items. Even online metaphysical stores give access to all sorts of things that are great as unique unusual gifts.
With all the unique gift ideas available, the true essence of exciting gift-giving is easily available. Happy gift giving!
Author Patsy Lundgren, a channel, a psychic and a medium, channels Archangel Mission, a group of guides that have been communicating through her for over 25 years. She channeled this course by automatic writing done on her computer while she received the words from her guides.
She has taught scores of people how to channel, consistently done personal readings for individuals, interpreted dreams, has psychic visions and premonitions and does energy work including healing auras by manipulation or remotely. She’s a sensitive who channels newly departed souls whether they be people or animals, reads auras, a talent she calls upon for those who need counseling.
For those who are health conscious, some metaphysical items such as herbs, smudges, teas, and tinctures are used as Natural Remedies and Chakras are best unusual gifts for friends.
About the Author:
For those who are health conscious, some metaphysical items such as herbs, smudges, teas, and tinctures are used as Natural Remedies and Chakras are best unusual gifts for friends.
Theriac
History
According to legends, the history of theriac begins with the king Mithridates VI of Pontus who experimented with poisons and antidotes on his prisoners. His numerous toxicity experiments eventually led him to declare that he had discovered an antidote for every venomous reptile and poisonous substance. He mixed all the effective antidotes into a single one, mithridatium or mithridate. Mithridate contained opium, myrrh, saffron, ginger, cinnamon and castor, along with some forty other ingredients. When the Romans defeated him, his medical notes fell into their hands and Roman medici began to use them. Emperor Nero’s physician Andromachus improved upon mithridatum by bringing the total number of ingredients to sixty four, including viper’s flesh, a mashed decoction of which, first roasted then well aged, proved the most constant ingredient. The traditional theriac, the most expensive of medicaments, later was called Venice treacle by the English.
Greek physician Galen devoted a whole book Theriak to theriac. One of his patients, Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, took it on regular basis.
In 667, ambassadors from Rm presented the Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty in China with a theriac. The Chinese observed that it contained the gall of swine, was dark red in colour and the foreigners seemed to respect it greatly. The Tang pharmacologist Su Kung noted down that it had proved its usefulness against “the hundred ailments”. Whether this panacea contained the traditional ingredients such as opium, myrrh and hemp, is not known.
In medieval London, the preparation arrived on galleys from the Mediterranean, under the watchful eye of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.
At the time of the Black Death in the mid fourteenth century, Gentile da Foligno, who died of the plague in June 1348, recommended in his plague treatise that the theriac should have been aged at least a year. Children should not ingest it, he thought, but have it rubbed on them in a salve.
In 1668, the famous French apothecary, Moyse Charas, published the forumala for theriac, seeking to break the monopoly held by the Venetians at that time on the medication, thereby opening up the transfer of medical information.
Traditional theriac
The production of a proper theriac took months with all the collection and fermentation of herbs and other ingredients. It was supposed to be left to mature for years. As a result it was also expensive and hence available only for the rich.
Patients would use theriac for bites but also as a preventative against any kind of poisoning and eventually against just about anything. It was used in salves and plasters or just eaten in chunks.
According to the commentary on Exodus, Ki Thisa, the Ramban lists the ingredients of theriac as: leaven, honey, flesh of wild beasts and reptiles, dried scorpion and viper.
By the time of the Renaissance, the making of theriac had become an official ceremony, especially in Italy. Pharmacists sold it as late as 1884.
Theriaca Andromachi Senioris
Theriaca andromachi or Venice Treacle contained 64 ingredients. In addition to viper flesh and opium, it included cinnamon, agarics and gum arabic. The ingredients were pulverised and reduced to an electuary with honey.
The following ingredients for the theriac were taken from d’Amsterdammer Apotheek 1683 and translated from the old Latin names into the Latin names now used where possible [citation needed]. Not all ingredients are known, and identifications and assignments below are tentative.
Roots: Iris, Balsamorrhiza deltoidea, Potentilla reptans (creeping cinquefoil), Rheum rhabarbarum (garden rhubarb), Zingiber officinarum, Angustifolia odorata, Gentiana, Meum athamanticum (spignel), Valeriana, Corydalis cava (hollowroot), glycyrrhiza
Stems and barks: Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon), Cinnamomum aromaticum (cassia)
Leaves: Teucrium scordium (water germander), Fraxinus excelsior, Clinopodium calamintha (lesser calamint), Marrubium vulgare (white or common horehound), Cymbopogon citratus (West-Indian lemongrass), Teucrium chamaedrys (wall germander), Cupressasae, Laurus nobilis (bay laurel), Polium montanum, Cytinus hypocistis
Flowers: Rosa, Crocus sativus, Lavandula stoechas (French lavender), Lavandula angustifolia (common or English lavender), Centaurea minoris
Fruits and seeds: Brassica napus (rapeseed), Petroselinum (parsley), Nigella sativa, Pimpinella anisum (anise), Elettaria cardamomum, Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort), seseli, thlaspi, Daucus carota (carrot), Piper nigrum (black pepper), Piper longum (long pepper), Juniperus (juniper), Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Canary Island wine, Agaricus
Gums, oils and resins: Acaciae (acacia), Styrax benzoin, Gummi arabicum, Sagapeni (wax of an unknown tree, possibly some kind of Ferula), Gummi Opopanax chironium, Gummi Ferula foetida, Commiphora (a tree from which myrrh is derived), incense, Turpentine from Cyprus, oil from Myristica fragans (nutmeg), Papaver somniverum (opium poppy)
Animal parts and products: Castoreum, Trochisci Viperarum, Narbonne white honey
Mineral substances: Boli armen. verae, Chalciditis (copper containing substance), Dead sea bitumen
Magmatis Hedychroi
Notes
^ a b Boulnois, Luce (2005). Silk Road: Monks, Warriors & Merchants. Hong Kong: Odyssey Books. p. 131. ISBN 962-217-721-2.
^ Griffin, J.P.. “Blackwell Synergy – Br J Clin Pharmacol, Volume 58 Issue 3 Page 317-325, September 2004 (Article Abstract)”. www.blackwell-synergy.com. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2125.2004.02147.x. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
^ A. Vogel, ”Plant Encyclopedia. s.v. “Allium sativum,” (on-line text).
^ “Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary: treacle”. Merriam-Webster. http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/treacle. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
^ Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “Treacle”.
^ Cantor 2001:174.
^ Livre de seyntz medicines, 1354.
^ Noted by Cantor 2001:174.
^ a b (Hodgson 2001, p. 18)
^ Norman F. Cantor, In the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World It made(New York: Harper) 2001: 174ff.
^ (Schafer 1985, p. 184)
^ Noted by Cantor 2001:175, who observes that Gentile also used gold and ground gemstones in medications and recommended amulets.
^ Pharmacopaea Amstelredamensis, Jan ten Hoorn over ‘t oude Heere Logement, 1683
References
Hodgson, Barbara (2001), In the Arms of Morpheus: The Tragic History of Morphine, Laudanum and Patent Medicines, Firefly Books, ISBN 1552975401 .
Majno, Guido (1991), The Healing Hand: Man and Wound in the Ancient World, Harvard University Press, pp. 413417, ISBN 0674383311 .
Schafer, Edward H. (1985), The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T’Ang Exotics, University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-05462-8 .
Further reading
Griffin, J. P., Venetian treacle and the foundation of medicines regulation, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 58:3, Pages 317-325. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02147.x
Categories: Ancient Greek medicine | Psychoactive drugsHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from November 2008
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Form and function
Kenyan man wearing tribal beads
Jewellery has been used for a number of reasons:
Currency, wealth display and storage,
Functional use (such as clasps, pins and buckles)
Symbolism (to show membership or status)
Protection (in the form of amulets and magical wards),
Artistic display
Most cultures have at some point had a practice of keeping large amounts of wealth stored in the form of jewellery. Numerous cultures move wedding dowries in the form of jewellery, or create jewellery as a means to store or display coins. Alternatively, jewellery has been used as a currency or trade good; an example being the use of slave beads.[citation needed]
Many items of jewellery, such as brooches and buckles originated as purely functional items, but evolved into decorative items as their functional requirement diminished.
Jewellery can also be symbolic of group membership, as in the case of the Christian crucifix or Jewish Star of David, or of status, as in the case of chains of office, or the Western practice of married people wearing a wedding ring.
Wearing of amulets and devotional medals to provide protection or ward off evil is common in some cultures; these may take the form of symbols (such as the ankh), stones, plants, animals, body parts (such as the Khamsa), or glyphs (such as stylized versions of the Throne Verse in Islamic art).
Although artistic display has clearly been a function of jewellery from the very beginning, the other roles described above tended to take primacy.[citation needed] It was only in the late 19th century, with the work of such masters as Peter Carl Faberg and Ren Lalique, that art began to take primacy over function and wealth.[citation needed] This trend has continued into modern times, expanded upon by artists such as Robert Lee Morris and Ed Levin.
Materials and methods
It has been suggested that Jewellery making be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)
Anticlastic forged sterling bracelet.
In creating jewellery, gemstones, coins, or other precious items are often used, and they are typically set into precious metals. Alloys of nearly every metal known have been encountered in jewellery – bronze, for example, was common in Roman times. Modern fine jewellery usually includes gold, white gold, platinum, palladium, titanium or silver. Most American and European gold jewellery is made of an alloy of gold, the purity of which is stated in karats, indicated by a number followed by the letter K. American gold jewellery must be of at least 10K purity (41.7% pure gold), (though in the UK the number is 9K (37.5% pure gold) and is typically found up to 18K (75% pure gold). Higher purity levels are less common with alloys at 22 K (91.6% pure gold), and 24 K (99.9% pure gold) being considered too soft for jewellery use in America and Europe. These high purity alloys, however, are widely used across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.[citation needed] Platinum alloys range from 900 (90% pure) to 950 (95.0% pure). The silver used in jewellery is usually sterling silver, or 92.5% fine silver. In costume jewellery, stainless steel findings are sometimes used.
Bead embroidery design.
Other commonly used materials include glass, such as fused-glass or enamel; wood, often carved or turned; shells and other natural animal substances such as bone and ivory; natural clay; polymer clay; and even plastics. Hemp and other twines have been used as well to create jewellery that has more of a natural feel. However, any inclusion of lead or lead solder will cause an English Assay office (the building which gives English jewellery its stamp of approval, the Hallmark) to destroy the piece.[citation needed]
Beads are frequently used in jewellery. These may be made of glass, gemstones, metal, wood, shells, clay and polymer clay. Beaded jewellery commonly encompasses necklaces, bracelets, earrings, belts and rings. Beads may be large or small, the smallest type of beads used are known as seed beads, these are the beads used for the “woven” style of beaded jewellery. Another use of seed beads is an embroidery technique where seed beads are sewn onto fabric backings to create broad collar neck pieces and beaded bracelets. Bead embroidery, a popular type of handwork during the Victorian era is enjoying a renaissance in modern jewellery making. Beading, or beadwork, is also very popular in many African cultures.
Advanced glass and glass beadmaking techniques by Murano and Venetian glassmasters developed crystalline glass, enamelled glass (smalto), glass with threads of gold (goldstone), multicoloured glass (millefiori), milk-glass (lattimo) and imitation gemstones made of glass.[citation needed] As early as the 13th century, Murano glass and Murano beads were popular.[citation needed]
Silversmiths, goldsmiths, and lapidaries methods include forging, casting, soldering or welding, cutting, carving and “cold-joining” (using adhesives, staples and rivets to assemble parts).
Diamonds
Diamonds.
Main article: Diamond
Diamonds were first mined in India. Pliny may have mentioned them, although there is some debate as to the exact nature of the stone he referred to as Adamas; In 2005, Australia, Botswana, Russia and Canada ranked among the primary sources of gemstone diamond production.
The British crown jewels contain the Cullinan Diamond, part of the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found (1905), at 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g).
Now popular in engagement rings, this usage dates back to the marriage of Maximilian I to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.[citation needed]
Other gemstones
Main article: Gemstone
Many precious and semiprecious stones are used for jewellery. Among them are:
Amber: Amber, an ancient organic gemstone, is composed of tree resin that has hardened over time. The stone must be at least 1 million years old to be classified as amber, and some amber can be up to 120 million years old.
Amethyst: Amethyst has historically been the most prized gemstone in the quartz family. It is treasured for its purple hue, which can range in tone from light to dark.
Spanish emerald and gold pendant at Victoria and Albert Museum.
Emerald: Emeralds are one of the three main precious gemstones (along with rubies and sapphires) and are known for their fine green to bluish green colour. They have been treasured throughout history, and some historians report that the Egyptians mined emerald as early as 3500 BC.
Jade: Jade is most commonly associated with the colour green, but can come in a number of other colours as well. Jade is closely linked to Asian culture, history, and tradition, and is sometimes referred to as the tone of heaven.
Jasper: Jasper is a gemstone of the chalcedony family that comes in a variety of colours. Often, jasper will feature unique and interesting patterns within the coloured stone. Picture jasper is a type of jasper known for the colours (often beiges and browns) and swirls in the stone pattern.
Quartz: Quartz refers to a family of crystalline gemstones of various colours and sizes. Among the well-known types of quartz are rose quartz (which has a delicate pink colour), and smoky quartz (which comes in a variety of shades of translucent brown). A number of other gemstones like Amethyst and Citrine are also part of the quartz family. Rutilated quartz is a popular type of quartz containing needle-like inclusions.
Ruby: Rubies are known for their intense red colour, and are among the most highly valued precious gemstones. Rubies have been treasured for millennia. In Sanskrit, the word for ruby is atnaraj, meaning ing of precious stones.
Sapphire: The most popular form of sapphire is blue sapphire, which is known for its medium to deep blue colour and strong saturation. Fancy coloured sapphires in various colours are also available. In the United States, blue sapphire tends to be the most popular and most affordable of the three major precious gemstones (emerald, ruby and sapphire).
Turquoise: Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth, and the world largest turquoise producing region is the southwest United States. Turquoise is prized for its attractive colour most often an intense medium blue or a greenish blue and its ancient heritage. Turquoise is used in a great variety of jewellery styles. It is perhaps most closely associated with southwest and Native American jewellery, but it is also used in many sleek, modern styles. Some turquoise contains a matrix of dark brown markings, which provides an interesting contrast to the gemstone bright blue colour.
Some gemstones (like pearls, coral, and amber) are classified as organic, meaning that they are produced by living organisms. Others are inorganic, meaning that they are generally composed of and arise from minerals.
Some gems, for example, amethyst, have become less valued as methods of extracting and importing them have progressed. Some man-made gems can serve in place of natural gems, an example is the cubic zirconia, used in place of the diamond.
Metal finishes
For platinum, gold, and silver jewellery there are many techniques to create finishes. The most common are high-polish, satin/matte, brushed, and hammered. High-polished jewellery is by far the most common and gives the metal the highly-reflective and shiny look. Satin, or matte finish reduces the shine and reflection of the jewellery and is commonly used to accentuate gemstones such as diamonds. Brushed finishes give the jewellery a textured look, and are created by brushing a material (similar to sandpaper) against the metal, leaving ‘brush strokes’. Hammered finishes are typically created by using a soft, rounded hammer and hammering the jewellery to give it a wavy texture.
Some jewellery is plated to give it a shiny, reflective look or to achieve a desired colour. Sterling silver jewellery may be plated with a thin layer of .999 fine silver (a process known as flashing) or may be plated with rhodium or gold. Base metal costume jewellery may also be plated with silver, gold, or rhodium for a more attractive finish.
Impact on society
Jewellery has been used to denote status. In ancient Rome, for instance, only certain ranks could wear rings; Later, sumptuary laws dictated who could wear what type of jewellery; again based on rank. Cultural dictates have also played a significant role; for example, the wearing of earrings by Western men was considered “effeminate” in the 19th and early 20th centuries. More recently, the display of body jewellery, such as piercings, has become a mark of acceptance or seen as a badge of courage within some groups, but is completely rejected in others. Likewise, the hip hop culture has popularized the slang term bling-bling, which refers to ostentatious display of jewellery by men or women.
Conversely, the jewellery industry in the early 20th century launched a campaign to popularize wedding rings for men which caught on as well as engagement rings for men – which did not, going so far as to create a false history and claim that the practice had Medieval roots. By the mid 1940s, 85% of weddings in the U.S. featured a double-ring ceremony, up from 15% in the 1920s. Religion has also played a role: Islam, for instance, considers the wearing of gold by men as a social taboo, and many religions have edicts against excessive display. In Christianity, the New Testament gives injunctions against the wearing of gold, in the writings of the apostles Paul and Peter. In Revelation 17, “the great whore” or false religious system, is depicted as being “decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand.” (Rev. 17:4)
History
The history of jewellery is a long one, with many different uses among different cultures. It has endured for thousands of years and has provided various insights into how ancient cultures worked.
Early history
The first signs of jewellery came from the Homo sapiens in Africa. Perforated beads made from snail shells have been found dating to 75,000 years ago at Blombos Cave. In Kenya, at Enkapune Ya Muto, beads made from perforated ostrich egg shells have been dated to more than 40,000 years ago.
Outside of Africa, the Cro-Magnons had crude necklaces and bracelets of bone, teeth, berries and stone hung on pieces of string or animal sinew, or pieces of carved bone used to secure clothing together. In some cases, jewellery had shell or mother-of-pearl pieces. In southern Russia, carved bracelets made of mammoth tusk have been found. The Venus of Hohle Fels features a perforation at the top, showing that it was intended to be worn as a pendant.
Around 7,000 years ago, the first sign of copper jewellery was seen.
Egypt
Amulet pendant (254 BCE) made from gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise and carnelian, 14 cm wide.
An 18th dynasty pharaonic era princess’ crown
The first signs of established jewellery making in Ancient Egypt was around 3,000-5,000 years ago. The Egyptians preferred the luxury, rarity, and workability of gold over other metals. Predynastic Egypt had Jewellery in Egypt soon began to symbolize power and religious power in the community. Although it was worn by wealthy Egyptians in life, it was also worn by them in death, with jewellery commonly placed among grave goods.
In conjunction with gold jewellery, Egyptians used coloured glass in place of precious gems. Although the Egyptians had access to gemstones, they preferred the colours they could create in glass over the natural colours of stones. For nearly each gemstone, there was a glass formulation used by the Egyptians to mimic it. The colour of the jewellery was very important, as different colours meant different things; the Book of the Dead dictated that the necklace of Isis around a mummy neck must be red to satisfy Isis need for blood, while green jewellery meant new growth for crops and fertility. Although lapis lazuli and silver had to be imported from beyond the country borders, most other materials for jewellery were found in or near Egypt, for example in the Red Sea, where the Egyptians mined Cleopatra’s favourite gem, the emerald. Egyptian jewellery was predominantly made in large workshops attached to temples or palaces.
Egyptian designs were most common in Phoenician jewellery. Also, ancient Turkish designs found in Persian jewellery suggest that trade between the Middle East and Europe was not uncommon. Women wore elaborate gold and silver pieces that were used in ceremonies.
Europe and the Middle East
Mesopotamia
By approximately 4,000 years ago, jewellery-making had become a significant craft in the cities of Sumer and Akkad. The most significant archaeological evidence comes from the Royal Cemetery of Ur, where hundreds of burials dating 29002300 BC were unearthed; tombs such as that of Puabi contained a multitude of artifacts in gold, silver, and semi-precious stones, such as lapis lazuli crowns embellished with gold figurines, close-fitting collar necklaces, and jewel-headed pins. In Assyria, men and women both wore extensive amounts of jewellery, including amulets, ankle bracelets, heavy multi-strand necklaces, and cylinder seals.
Jewellery in Mesopotamia tended to be manufactured from thin metal leaf and was set with large numbers of brightly-coloured stones (chiefly agate, lapis, carnelian, and jasper). Favoured shapes included leaves, spirals, cones, and bunches of grapes. Jewellers created works both for human use and for adorning statues and idols; they employed a wide variety of sophisticated metalworking techniques, such as cloisonn, engraving, fine granulation, and filigree.
Extensive and meticulously maintained records pertaining to the trade and manufacture of jewellery have also been unearthed throughout Mesopotamian archaeological sites. One record in the Mari royal archives, for example, gives the composition of various items of jewellery:
1 necklace of flat speckled chalcedony beads including: 34 flat speckled chalcedony bead, [and] 35 gold fluted beads, in groups of five.
1 necklace of flat speckled chalcedony beads including: 39 flat speckled chalcedony beads, [with] 41 fluted beads in a group that make up the hanging device.
1 necklace with rounded lapis lazuli beads including: 28 rounded lapis lazuli beads, [and] 29 fluted beads for its clasp.
Greece
Gold earring from Mycenae, 16th century BCE.
The Greeks started using gold and gems in jewellery in 1,400 BC, although beads shaped as shells and animals were produced widely in earlier times. By 300 BC, the Greeks had mastered making coloured jewellery and using amethysts, pearl and emeralds. Also, the first signs of cameos appeared, with the Greeks creating them from Indian Sardonyx, a striped brown pink and cream agate stone. Greek jewellery was often simpler than in other cultures, with simple designs and workmanship. However, as time progressed the designs grew in complexity different materials were soon utilized.
Pendant with naked woman, made from electrum, Rhodes, around 630-620 BCE.
Jewellery in Greece was hardly worn and was mostly used for public appearances or on special occasions. It was frequently given as a gift and was predominantly worn by women to show their wealth, social status and beauty. The jewellery was often supposed to give the wearer protection from the vil Eye or endowed the owner with supernatural powers, while others had a religious symbolism. Older pieces of jewellery that have been found were dedicated to the Gods. The largest production of jewellery in these times came from Northern Greece and Macedon. However, although much of the jewellery in Greece was made of gold and silver with ivory and gemstones, bronze and clay copies were made also.
Ancient Greek jewellery from 300 BCE.
They worked two styles of pieces; cast pieces and pieces hammered out of sheet metal. Fewer pieces of cast jewellery have been recovered; it was made by casting the metal onto two stone or clay moulds. Then the two halves were joined together and wax and then molten metal, was placed in the centre. This technique had been practised since the late Bronze Age. The more common form of jewellery was the hammered sheet type. Sheets of metal would be hammered to thickness and then soldered together. The inside of the two sheets would be filled with wax or another liquid to preserve the metal work. Different techniques, such as using a stamp or engraving, were then used to create motifs on the jewellery. Jewels may then be added to hollows or glass poured into special cavities on the surface. The Greeks took much of their designs from outer origins, such as Asia when Alexander the Great conquered part of it. In earlier designs, other European influences can also be detected. When Roman rule came to Greece, no change in jewellery designs was detected. However, by 27 BC, Greek designs were heavily influenced by the Roman culture. That is not to say that indigenous design did not thrive; numerous polychrome butterfly pendants on silver foxtail chains, dating from the 1st centur
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Party Jewellery is worn at different birthday and anniversary celeberations, on dinners, on concerts and holy functions like Eid.These sets of ornaments are made up of silver, jade, diamonds, ruby, sapphire, multicolor-gemstone, amethyst, quartz, turquoise and coral. Most common among them is that of silver, gold and diamond. Young generation prefers to wear that of silver and elder people wear gold and diamond. Jewelry is categorized under two subdivisions, contemporary and traditional, each displaying attractive and eye catching designs. Both classic groups exhibit jewelry constituting of precious gem stones, gold, silver, other metals and natural materials.
For any kind of party you should select a very stylish and sophisticated dress. The best way is to select for you a plain suit with a little embroidery or bead work on it. Try to choose cream, black, sky blue or pink colours for your dress.These are the attractive and beautiful colors which gives a party a very decent and peaceful look. The accessories complete an outfit therefore they must be worn on such occasions
In case you are in a fix about what to wear and what not to wear, in other words you want to know what kind of Jewellery would go best with your outfit, so without wasting your time, money and energies select silver, white or black jewellery.as it will go with every outfit of any colour. Those of you who want to wear matching accessories they can select simple white or golden Jewellery with the matching beads or gems studded in them. In Pakistan it is traditional for the married women to wear gold or diamond so they make selection of their accessories among the various styles present in the market in this stuff.
In case of earrings you should select button shaped if your face is round and dangle earrings if your face is thin. These are available in the market in different shapes such as star, circular, oval and square. If you are wearing a black dress then you should go for Drop silver earrings. According to latest fashion trend hoop earrings are also available in the market. Floral earrings look glamorous on such occasions and after wearing them you become the highlight of the party. Heart shaped dangling earrings and round tear dropped dangling earrings look best with all types of outfits.
Your necklace can be a simple pearl necklace, but try to choose a multicolor one with a combination of Swarovski crystals, because the way they glistens is unique to all other. The length of your necklace should be according to the neckline of your costume. You can select for yourself a simple gold chain with multi-color gems studded in it. The bracelet you select with your dress must be of the same colour and type as that of your necklace. So you should buy matching bracelet and a necklace from the same jeweler. Pendants can be selected in place of chains for such occasions .The pendants available in the market according to latest trends are diamond and gold drop pendants, dragonfly pendant, dangle pendant, heart shaped and cross pendant.
Watch is an elegant accessory that you should wear. Most watches with leather, stainless steel, silver stone or gold tone bands are stylish and are present in affordable range, Anklets and amulets are the other accessories that can be worn.
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Do not know when, wearing decorative stone has become a trend. But those who sell jewelry where a woman will definitely are a variety of stone ornaments for people to choose. In the mountain city streets and everywhere people wearing beautiful stone ornaments, and even many large stores, jewelers were also decorated with stone counters. When visiting the Ladies Market in Chongqing, could not help from a jewelry store inside Tibet bought a bunch of "bead" bracelet, beads on a seemingly ordinary earth tones, with white as a dotted circle, different from the beautiful diamond jewelry, they But more natural beauty, I am afraid because the stone people to meet the new century "nostalgia" return to nature of mind. Many women love to wear a cheongsam, coupled with a simple and elegant and unique jade jewelry even complement each other. Furthermore, they adapted to the popular trend, each constellation is said to have a kind of animal is compatible with the stones, which can bring good luck. People wear the stone ornaments, mainly
Jade , Jade , Crystal , Agate , Coral , Amber colored ore. These stones are decorated with real stone as raw material, were cut-cut, bright and made of processing complex process, during which includes the whole secret of nature, demonstrating the beauty of creation.
In shopping malls, stone jewelry, some bright luster, some subtle and elegant, some transparent and full of Reiki, and some deep and Zhuopu, quality difference, color different, change shape of stone decorated with rich very distinct personality. From the price comparison on, if the precious stone, decorative stone unique style, the price naturally higher, but compared with gold jewelry, the price was relatively modest. According to a salesperson introduced this season, stone ornaments are very popular, not only young people like, the elderly have also purchased a lot of men are generally more like turquoise, young women love challenge match with their lucky stone or sign birthstone, middle-aged women like jade, emerald. One is to buy stone decorated female students said her love for decorative stone, decorative stone can be found in avant-garde style, while it's still reveal a personality, a flat. Another middle-aged woman said, wearing a long gold chain perspiration easily stained and difficult to clean, stone ornaments not only look good, but the skin feel good, wear them especially comfortable with clothes they do not have flavor.
Everyone can choose to fit their own mascot, such as ROSE QUARTZ, on behalf of sincerity and strength; alabaster on behalf of love and peace, compassion and wisdom on behalf of Rainbow stone; gold sand on behalf of the successful and lucky … … Green Turquoise is the world's most ancient varieties of jade, is also the tradition of jade in China, Tibet is still the most popular sacred ornaments, which had been framed and put in the crown of the first king of the underworld. Princess Wen Cheng in Tibet, there was a lot of turquoise with accessories, to decorative Buddha Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Blue or green aquamarine with a long time by people regarded as a "stone of courage" and was seen as a sign of happiness and forever young, as in March's birth stone gem … … not only the testimony of the United States, has witnessed history.
"Heart of Ocean" and loved by people aquamarine. Westerners think, Pei Daihai sapphire, to people with foresight. If the mouth with one of these precious stones can be called at the devil from hell, get him any answers to the questions asked. Meanwhile, the aquamarine has the power of hypnosis and the pressure of evil and the magic of the medical value of aquamarine soaked with water, can cure eye diseases.
Garnet is an ancient gem, back in Jesus during his lifetime people will do with it ornament. Almost the same garnet crystal hard, you can create any shape of jewelry. Cutting a good garnet, in the sunlight, showing bright and rich colors. Garnet is often regarded ancient gods or demons created by the sacred objects with magical energy. Therefore, it not only as decoration but also as a talisman and amulets worn on the body. Olivine is called "Treasures of the Sun." The yellowish green color shift, which appears with a velvety appearance is gourmet. The beautiful colors will bring a relaxed, stress free feeling.
Passionate love ruby on behalf of peace and life. Gives a vibrant and enthusiastic feeling, especially the kind of red roses, as if drunk girls face, using it as a symbol of love rock more appropriate, however, more than the value of a good ruby diamond same level .
Legend 13 century, Yunnan Salt chance of a pack a stone from Myanmar to return that piece of bright green crystal stone suddenly conquered the Chinese people love jade, the stone is the jade, because its beautiful color, output scarce, with glass, gloss, texture, moisture, strong toughness, high hardness, in the jade family called "jadeite", also known as "king of jade." Jade is not much development of mountain origin, although it ghostly mountain elf elf, wild beasts, but Meng Yin mountains, often took day not seeing the sun, boundless forests, and only partner in seeking out the hairs Road; Wulu River, rolling turbidity , during summer thunderstorms, water everywhere from the bubble, whereas students smoke, smoke to three feet high that students gather dispersed, boats sitting in the pitch-dark, such as five miles into the mist. In addition to very air is outside the malaria mosquito python, bad environment, together with the original tool, the dry season shortage, material shortages, and jade mining, and do very hard.
Until the 18th century, with advances in technology, Jade really poured into Yunnan, China. Although Jade passed to the application from only 300 to 400 years, but people love to give their magic jade culture, to its brief and glorious history enough to envy of other jade and jade together with the other form the Chinese nation has a long history of jade culture. Ming dynasty, China experienced Myanmar jade; the Qing Dynasty, as the nobility of love (especially admired by the Qing Emperor Qianlong and Empress Dowager Cixi of addiction love), known as the "Royal Jade" Jade multiply in value this as the highest grade of jade . Jade and people's daily life, in people's eyes, it is not only a beautiful stone, but also with the mystery of faith and trust laws.
In nature, have been found in humans in more than 2700 kinds of minerals, can be called more than 200 kinds of precious stones are, however, that total less than 1 / 10. So we say that most of the stones is a stone, and most of the stones are not stones. Dazzling gemstones are many special performance, first of all the rare gem. Produced very little because, indeed few and far between; then glittering gems, magnificent. Very bright jewel colors, pure, and its crystal uniform, transparent, glossy bright; the last is a gem of durable solid. Gem color durability,
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Nowadays various religious jewelry products such as Hebrew jewelry, Jewish jewelry or Israeli jewelry are in great demand. Both men and women in several other parts of the world including USA are buying these jewelry items. Generally these Israeli jewelry, Hebrew jewelry or Jewish jewelry are made of pure gold, silver and other precious metals and are easily available in market.
Not only does Jewish jewelry or Israeli jewelry looks elegant and classy but also represents one’s faith and utter belief in the religion. It is also available is various kinds in order to represent love and devotion towards a particular religion. However, the strong faith associated with Israeli jewelry, Hebrew jewelry or Jewish jewelry has made them extremely popular. In addition, the religious jewelry also possesses special inherent power and helps in keeping the evil influences and evil spirits away from the person wearing it. By wearing Israeli jewelry or Jewish jewelry you may experience a remarkable improvement in the overall quality of your life. It is also considered that by wearing these religious jewelry, you can live smooth and easy life as well as can get whatever you are always dream of.
Today religiously themed jewelry can be found in a wide variety of materials and gold is considered the most popular of the precious metal for religious or any other jewelry. Also various other metals such as sterling silver, gemstones etc. are used in the production of Israeli jewelry or Hebrew jewelry. It has indeed become very difficult to buy original religious jewelry. But you need not worry as there are few Online shops offering such jewelry. An Online jewelry store may provide you exclusive collection of Israeli jewelry, Hebrew jewelry, Jewish jewelry including wide range of amulets. The popularity of religious jewelry seems to have grown along the growth of the Internet. Online shopping has certainly given people access to selection of religious items never seen before.
You can find religious jewelry in the forms of pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. Generally these products are made by using different metals and stones and extra care has been taken to adhere with the religious norms. The products available at certain Online stores are original and are imported from Israel itself. You just need to log on to these reliable Online stores to get your choice of Israeli jewelry collection with complete ease and confidence.
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Jonathan is well known author who writes on topics like Jewish jewelry, Israeli jewelry, Hebrew jewelry etc.
Among China’s 55 ethnic groups, the Miao are known for elaborate embroidery and exquisite work with silver. They now get a chance to flaunt their handiwork, at the Miao Silver Accessory Festival in Southwest China, where many ethnic groups live in compact communities. Over a thousand women, dressed in traditional garb, presented the show.
Silver accessories are a standard for the Miao people. For more than 400 years, it’s been the custom to decorate oneself head to toe, with silver. A full set can weigh up to ten kilograms. The purpose of wearing all this silver is of course primarily aesthetic, but they are also worn as amulets to ward off evil, and as symbols of wealth. The clothes bear strong cultural message. The patterns range from ancient totem to historic legend. Historians view it as the “Wearable History Book”.
The tradition of wearing silver is preserved by a great number of craftsmen, scattered through the Miao villages. Most of the silver accessories are made by hands in a traditional way. A silver head-piece takes a couple of months to finish. In some villages, every male is trained in silver-work. Each ornament is an exquisite work of art and sparkles with the wisdom of the Miao people. The fancy Miao silver accessories include silver hat, silver horns, silver comb, silver ear-rings, neckband, necklace, bracelet, etc.
Recommend Guizhou Minority Villages Exploration Tour
It is a tradition that, when a girl is born, her parents will start saving money to make and collect fancy silver ornaments that can weigh several kilograms. And on the wedding day, the girl will be wearing these beautiful silver accessories, adding joyful atmosphere to the happy event.
The Miao people have been deeply enamored with silver since ancient times. Silver takes special importance in Miao culture. The craft has developed into a unique art form, and a carrier of the culture. Now besides for their own use, the Miao costume and accessory have developed into unique form of folk art and become a collector’s item and tourism souvenir.
To better serve our customers’ interests and needs, China Odyssey Tours has investigated and explored the ethnic tour routes in Southeast Guizhou Province. Even for most Chinese people Guizhou is kinda mysterious where most people are from many different Minorities. Among them Miao and Dong are the two biggest that they occupy over 60% of the population. Apart from the silver accessory culture, there is much more than we expected. Due to the diversity of folk customs between different groups there’s an abundance of festivals throughout the year. And this has been the main attraction to outsiders. We were warmly welcomed by the local people and amazed by the great diversity and versatility of the customs and habits. We got the first-hand life experience of ethnic minority people and left, knowing that they are part of this world.
Ethnic villages in Guizhou spread on the border and in the remote mountain areas. Road conditions can be difficult. The fresh mountain air, beautiful natural scenery and lots of fun climbs always make it a physical demanding but exhilarating day. Southeast China is the place where many ethnic groups live in compact communities. So Guilin and Yunnan, both of which are famous for their unique landscape as well as mysterious minority culture, are also ideal places for an ethnic tour.
Start your Ethnic Tour around China
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China Odyssey Tours – A China-based company provides tour packages for family, couple, individual & group. Help you plan & organize your tour to China according to your preferences.
The distinguished Old Phuket Town offers many scenes of interest to the enthusiastic traveller. Historically and culturally rich, this sector of Phuket contains numerous quaint temples and shrines, well preserved elaborate shophouses, charming cafes, public as well as private museums, and small printing shops.
Of special significance is the unique Sino-Portuguese architecture which seemingly transports visitors to an earlier age with the splendid buildings remaining impressive to this day. This architecture is considered to be a result of European influences in the island.
Old Phuket Town was created through the riches obtained through last centurys tin boom, at which time the metal was a very valuable substance. In this part of the city the traveller will encounter imposing Sino-colonial stately homes, which were once the residences of Phukets tin merchants. Numerous cafes and restaurants in the area mean that the visitor will never be in need of refreshment in this quarter.
Thalang Road is the hub of the Old Town, where Phukets former centre of commerce was based. Today the quaint shophouses are used as stores vending such fascinating goods as handicrafts and herbal Chinese medicines. Interestingly these shophouses and similar residences are far longer than they are wide, with lattice worked frontal areas. Numerous Old Town streets feature archways and arcades which join shops together and offer shelter for pedestrians.
On Dibuk Road the visitor will find more relics of Phukets past; Dibuk means tin in Thai. Notable features are a French restaurant as well as arts and textile shops. Soi Romani in proximity to Thalang Road, has an intriguing past; it once functioned as a red light district which attracted the innumerable Chinese labourers who arrived in the area to work in the tin mines.
The Amulet Market is an exotic place where innumerable stands and tiny shops sell Buddha images and amulets. This is a reflection of the residents Buddhist cultural background, with many wearing these items on their person as a part of their daily life.
Soi Romani, Thalang Road and Krabi Road located nearby host the annual Old Town Cultural Festival each February celebrating Phukets affinity with China as well as the Straits Chinese of Singapore and Malaysia, known as Baba. The residents attire themselves in the customary Yaya fashion and a historically based sound and light show is held in one of the mansions of the locale.
For the discerning traveller seeking a Phuket resort the obvious choice is the Anantara Phuket, Thailand. The fine Phuket villas offered by this resort provide excellent accommodation with gracious hospitality being part of the package.
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Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
There is no doubt that the Hong Kong Heritage Museum should be on the itinerary of any visitor to the city interested in the culture, history and arts of Hong Kong. Situated in Sha Tin New Town in a pleasantly wooded setting secluded from the districts high-rise urban complexes, the museum is always a pleasure to visit. The architecture of the museum follows the conventional Si He Yuan pattern, with a number of gracefully designed buildings facing a central courtyard.
The 32,000 square metre museum was inaugurated in December 2000, and the expansive structure is subdivided into 12 display galleries. All of these galleries are fascinating storehouses of artefacts representing the arts, culture and history of Hong Kongs early years as well as the adjoining region of South China.
The engrossing museum provides a wide-ranging array of interactive and dynamic displays along with programmes that involve guests in captivating educational interaction as they admire the cultural treasures that are exhibited.
The Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall provides a memorable insight into the highly popular Chinese theatre with its sequined and vibrantly decorated costumes, as well as stage props and makeup. Exhibits on display include a recreated theatre in a shed made of bamboo, and costumes used by renowned Cantonese opera artistes.
The New Territories Heritage Hall exhibits more than 300 items in tableau form depicting a long gone mode of life. The hall features numerous time tunnels which transport the visitor along 6,000 years of civilization, from Neolithic times to the impoverished fishing communities, prosperous farmer clans and colonial British rule illustrating the citys rich history. Relics of note include Hakka farming implements, sedan chairs of Cantonese brides, minute amulets in silver worn as a defence against evil spirits, and childrens attire adorned with auspicious signs.
Another gallery is dedicated to displaying the priceless works of art belonging to the collection of internationally famed connoisseur local businessman T.T. Tsui which includes jade carvings, ancient bronzes, imperial Qing porcelain and Tang dynasty era pottery horses.
The astute traveller seeking a Hong Kong hotel will be pleased with the accommodations of the Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong. These fine serviced apartments in Hong Kong offer modern facilities as well as gracious hospitality that always satisfy the guest.
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Jewelry includes bracelets, necklaces, amulets, bands and lot more. Well this article will be referring to jewels, their purpose and meaning. Plus a bit history of the Rembrandt charms. And also their part they play in the culture and the lives of the people.
The word Rembrandt derived after the great Dutch painter who drew countless and unique paintings which influenced many people from all around the globe. It is believed that he always drew things for specific purposes and every painting was reflection of cultural change and the lives of the people. He also directed the construction of decorative items and rare carvings were layered on those items. So his name progressed in history as did the famous Rembrandt Charms. Basically in the current era these charms are the combination of amulets, bracelets, lockets and necklaces. They come in different variety and each posse a different meaning and some are so famous in history that people have associated themselves with their lives. For example a famous locket officially known as the Dog Tags are associated with the United States Military and each soldier is given one of these due to different beliefs. These tags consist of two plates each asking the basic information of the person. Two people share these so that they can remember each other. The other one are the Broken Pigeons which performs the same actions but instead of a locket they are a decorative item and can be used as a toy in daily routine as well.
About the making of Rembrandt Charms, lot of materials can be used. Metal, stainless steel, copper, bronze, gold, silver, diamond, stone and these types of materials are used in the manufacturing process. These amulets usually follow the fashion trend and are registered under the trademark of many renowned designers. What happens is that designer test the psyche of the people and determines their latent needs through surveys and questionnaire. It is a common practice in the developed nations. Once the procedures are complete and the design is ready designers and brand managers decide to launch in the market with the associated and wearable accessories and market quickly follows the trend. These materials are manufactured almost in every country, only the raw materials are imported. These charms have effected people so much that some have developed them as their family sign and the particular jewelry is passed down to the generations and keeping. Such items are considered very sacred by these families.
These items are unique no doubt about that and have created a specific space in the society and minds of the people. Even a catastrophic thought or idea cannot take this thing out of the peoples mind.
If you are looking forward to shop for your favourite Rembrandt charm, look no further and visit http://www.charmnjewelry.com
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Rembrandt charms, Jewelry.
