Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Decorating with Sage Green

(via Color Outside the Lines)
A muted shade of grey-green blends harmoniously with soft tans and whites, and adds a lovely touch of colour to an otherwise neutral palette.

Here are a few examples of how sage green beautifully completes a natural-toned design scheme.

(Phoebe Howard)
(Kalen Interiors)
(Dana Doumani)
(via BHG)
(Ann Hepher)
(Sarah Richardson)
(via BHG)
(via House Beautiful)
Sage green is classic and elegant.  I love soft and unassuming shades of grey-green, and how their quiet presence offers the perfect sense of colour in a room.

What shade of green appeals to your personal design tastes?


Friday, February 24, 2012

Lovely Accent Tables for the Bathroom

(Michael Smith)
I'm obsessed with delicate, little accent tables!  I love how versatile they are, and how they can be placed almost anywhere in the home.  I especially love them in a bathroom...
 
(Alexandra Rowley)
(Mabley Handler)
(Jennifer Worts)
(via Jadore Decor)
(via BHG)
(Betty Lou Phillips)
(via Decorpad)
(via BHG)
(via Southern Exposure)
(Architectural Digest)
What's your favorite type of accent table?  Do you adore them as much as I do... or am I in serious need of a design intervention?!?


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Lovely Accent Tables for the Living Room

(Dan Carithers)
I love the look of unique and interesting accent tables in a living space.  Small in scale, these lovely accessory pieces are functional, stylish and packed with personality.

(Sarah Richardson)
(Plum Interiors)
(The Lennoxx)
(Kelley Interior Design)
(Amy Morris)
(Boxwood Furnishings)
(Terracotta Properties)
(Neuvo Estilo)
(via BHG)
(Jan Showers)
Both pretty and practical, accent tables are an easy and affordable way to add an interesting statement piece to your existing design scheme.  

(My New Accent Table)
I tuck small tables and garden stools beside each of my living and family room chairs.  They're the perfect size for setting down a book, a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine.

Do you love to use lovely little accent tables in your home?

Monday, February 20, 2012

Create an Elegant Coffee Table Display

(SAS Interiors)
I love the look of a beautifully decorated coffee table.  The living room is typically a more refined space in the home, and offers the perfect location for creating an elegant and sophisticated coffee table display.

(Tocar Designs)
The size of a coffee table will dictate the number of decor items one should display. To prevent a sense of heaviness, consider incorporating a few glass pieces in a larger decorative arrangement.

(Jonathon Adler)

(via House and Home)

(via BHG)
Small stacks of books add creative interest and a sense of dimension to a coffee table vignette. Display a pretty, decorative item on top to create sparkle and contrast.

(Sarah Richardson)

(via Design and Decor)

(Roughan Interiors)
A vase of fresh cut flowers or a beautiful potted plant not only creates needed height, it adds life and movement to a coffee table display.  A lovely, decorative box adds further texture and visual interest.

(John Stephanson)

(Munger Interiors)
Experiment with decor pieces in varying heights and finishes.  With a bit of patience and a little creativity, you can design an elegant and appealing coffee table vignette that reflects your own unique and personal sense of style!

~ Wendi ~ xo


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend - diamond jewelry - dress jewelry - rings - earrings -




... and a man's worst enemy!


If you like "bling", then this is your ring!!



Blue Round Diamond Lotus Flower Engagement Ring

A sparkling blue round diamond is set in this gorgeous bridal set. 
Surrounding the solitaire are round diamonds and are set into the matching band.

The solitaire is a 100% natural diamond that has been color enhanced to achieve its rich blue color.






10k White Gold Diamond Twist Ring 
Round and baguette diamonds display eye-catching sparkle in this beautiful twist knot ring. Crafted in polished 10 karat white gold and embellished with 1/2 carat of channel and prong-set diamonds, it's a graceful design that's sure to attract compliments. This ring makes a lovely gift for an anniversary or other special occasion..








Keep them guessing with this fun and flirty angel and devil heart pendant. It's crafted in 10 karat yellow gold and detailed with bright red enamel and genuine diamond accents. Sporting angel wings and devil's horns, a halo and a tail, this sassy pendant showcases both sides of your personality. It comes complete with an 18-inch chain.




History of Birthstones

Chances are you can name your birthstone, but have you ever wondered how certain stones came to be associated with particular months? Most gem scholars trace the tradition to the Old Testament story of Aaron, whose breastplate was decorated with twelve precious stones, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Over time, these stones were linked with certain powers and tied to particular astrological signs, and later to calendar months.

There are many variations of birthstone lists, including Mystical birthstones, which originate from Tibet and date back over a thousand years, and Ayurvedic birthstones, associated with ancient Indian medicine and beliefs. Birthstones have also been tied to ancient Pagan religions, and even to the collective wisdom of the legendary lost city of Atlantis.

The Modern birthstone list, perhaps the most universally known, was released by the American National Association of Jewelers and officially adopted in 1912. Whether you embrace birthstone lore, or look upon it with a skeptical eye, there is an undeniable appeal to collecting a beautiful gemstone that is reputed to hold special power, meaning, and good fortune just for you.

































Awwww how cute are these earrings,



Who can resist the rich, dreamy color of Swiss blue topaz? A total of six blue topaz stones, in faceted round and pear shapes, dangle below curved ear wires with leverback closures. Light rope texturing details the sides of the prong settings, adding to the elegance of this pretty pair.
They're perfect for any formal occasion! (Especially if, like me, you're a sucker for white gold)


 It is a truth universally acknowledged that a girl in possession of gorgeous earrings must be in want of a ring to match.







Sterling Silver, 14k Yellow Gold, Diamond, and Swiss Blue Topaz Ring
A shining sterling silver band is accented with a triangular topaz stone, whose sky blue hue is framed by a bright yellow gold bar and three channel-set diamonds, creating a ring that is both classic and colorful.




December Birthstone: Blue Topaz

Blue topaz is prized for its soothing and captivating blue color, which is usually divided into three categories: sky blue for the palest shade, Swiss blue for the more saturated medium shade, and London blue for the deepest shade. Also known as an artist's stone, blue topaz is reputed to inspire creativity and enhance concentration.



Well my birthday isn't in December, but I am creatively enhancing my wishlist and my concentration is at an all time high right now!








As if molded from roses and lights in a silver garden, this ruby red enamel ring with vintage cubic zirconia flower design will make you feel wonderful and vibrant when you wear it. The glimmering white diamond cubic zirconias that dapple the petals of the flower create a sparkling soul with which to entreat the eyes. The red enamel strokes the eyes with its color as the sterling silver completes the effect with its cool luster. The ring weighs a good 8.9 grams to make this ruby red enamel ring with vintage CZ flower design a ring to make you feel great when wearing fine jewelry.






Creating a dazzling impression is as simple as black and white.






pave heart pendant is fashioned in 10 karat white gold, and paved all-over with black diamonds.
Two white diamond pave hearts add a striking contrast.
There are 160 round diamonds altogether in this elegant pendant, for a total combined diamond weight of 1 1/2 carats.
The pendant comes complete with an 18-inch chain.
Bling a ling!




After spending all that money on your precious stones, and now are too busy showing off  all your bling, here is a quick and easy solution to keep the sparkle alive

Diamond Dazzle Stik - Bring out the Bling

The Diamond Dazzle Stik uses a premium twist-to-dispense click pen to deliver a specialized cleansing solution to a flow-thru brush. The unique brush has been specifically engineered for ease of cleaning behind diamonds and other precious stones and their mountings. The high performance formula contains micro-fine cleansers and polishing agents combined with a polymer. The polymer fills in fine scratches on the setting, dramatically increases the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond, and reduces the future build-up of dirt. It also serves as a soothing emollient that is gentle on skin. With regular use, the Diamond Dazzle Stik will improve the overall appearance of your diamond jewelry. It's simple and easy to use, just twist, brush and dazzle.





Body chain jewelry is one of the hottest trends for celebrities currently, so get the celebrity look and make a statement




Celebrity Style Gold Body Chain Shoulder Statement Necklace

 

This body chain necklace features draping layers of gold chains that will truly make you the center of attention.




variety of body chains, Finger Ring Hand Chain Bracelets, chain-Shoulder Necklace jewelry here










Wrap your ankle in elegance



5 Row Chain Anklet
Looks great worn backwards when I wear heelless



Makes a great stocking stuffer and gift for friends and relatives



ANKLETS


variety of styles and prices













18k Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Multi-Gemstone and Diamond Hoop Earrings

 

 




















 



Gold Purity

The purity of gold is measured in karats. Pure gold measures 24 karats but is too soft in this state to be used effectively in jewelry. So it is alloyed with other metals--silver, copper, nickel, and zinc--to increase its strength and durability. Common measurements once the alloy is added are 18 karat (75% gold), 14 karat (58%), and 10 karat (47.7%). In the United States, the legal karat limit for the metal to still be considered gold is 10 karats. A higher karat measurement in gold content indicates a greater value of the jewelry piece. Gold jewelry should always be stamped with the karat mark, either 18k, 750 (European marking for 18k), 14k, 585 (European marking for 14k), or 10k. In addition, to assure its quality, the piece should be stamped with the manufacturer's trademark or country of origin.

Gold Color

The color of gold may vary based off of the type of metal alloy included and the percentage of the metal alloy used. Most commonly, gold is available in yellow, white and rose coloring.

Yellow gold is the most common color and is usually alloyed with silver and copper. Yellow and white gold are similar in strength and malleability, making them perfect for jewelry that is worn daily.

White gold is alloyed with nickel, copper, and zinc--and while it looks similar to platinum, it has vastly different properties.

Rose-colored gold is alloyed with copper and is often used to accent white or yellow gold. The saturation of color varies from piece to piece and according to gold content.





It's a conversation piece for the man in your life

 

Deal yourself a winning hand with this handsome diamond poker ring, made from 10 karat yellow gold.  The stepped design displays a fan of five consecutive cards, beginning with the ten of diamonds and ending with the ace.
The ace card itself is set with 24 genuine diamonds,
for a total diamond weight of 1/8 carat.
The polished gold band tapers in back for comfort.
This ring is eye catching but not over the top.

 

 

 

 

Sterling Silver and 14k Yellow Gold Martini and Jade Olive Cuff Links






















Types of GemstonesNatural Gemstones
Gemstones that are created in nature. They are often treated to improve their color and appearance.
Created Gemstones
These gemstones are made with the same mineral composition as natural gemstones and are created in laboratories with equipment that simulates the high pressure in heat needed to create gemstones in nature.
Simulated Gemstones
Simulated gemstones are created in a laboratory but in most cases do not have the same mineral composition, color, hardness, and look as natural or lab-created gemstones.
Synthetic Gemstones
Gemstone imitations that copy the same look and color of the natural gemstones but do not have the same chemical or physical compositions.

ColorJewelers describe the color of a gemstone in terms of three characteristics: hue, saturation, and tone.
Hue
A gemstone's basic color is its hue, and those with purer hues (for emeralds, green; for sapphires, blue; and for rubies, red) are generally considered more valuable. Often, however, a hint of another color can be detected. Sapphires will range from purplish blue to greenish blue; emeralds, yellowish green to bluish green; and rubies, orangey red to purplish red.
Saturation
Saturation is a measure of the intensity or purity of a gem's hue and is determined by the degree to which gray or brown hues mute its defining color. Value tends to increase with saturation, so a fully saturated purplish blue sapphire may well be more expensive than a muted pure blue one.
Tone
The tone of a gemstone, a measurement of its lightness or darkness, is usually given as light, medium-light, medium, medium-dark, or dark.

ClarityA flawless gemstone is rare and usually extravagantly priced. As with diamonds, most gemstones have inclusions, or tiny mineral flaws, that can be seen under magnification or by the careful eye. Sapphires tend to be moderately included, while emeralds and rubies are usually heavily to moderately included. Make sure that any inclusions in the stone do not penetrate deeply into the gem, as this may cause it to break or crack. Clarity grades range from VVS (very, very slightly included) to I3, in which inclusions are prominent and severely affect the gemstone's beauty.

CutA gemstone's cut refers to its proportions and symmetry. It is essential in making a gemstone look appealing--the stone should be symmetrical in all dimensions so that it will appear balanced, and so that its facets will reflect light evenly, providing good brilliance. Color should also be taken into account when cutting for optical efficiency. If a stone's color is highly saturated, a shallow cut will allow it to pass more light, while a deeper cut may increase the vividness of a less saturated gem. There is no generally accepted grading system for gemstone cut.

SizeThough a gemstone's weight is usually given in carats, this may not give an accurate idea of its size, because different types of stone have different densities. Therefore, a 1-carat sapphire or ruby will be smaller than a 1-carat emerald, though they have the same weight, because sapphires and rubies (both a form of the mineral corundum) are more dense than emeralds.
Gemstones can also be measured in dimensions (diameter, length, and width). It is important to know the dimensions to ensure that the gemstone weight will be visible and well proportioned in the setting.
Illustration of Gemstone Dimentions

Illustration of gemstone dimensions


TreatmentGemstones are often treated to enhance color and fill cracks. Please note that, if a gemstone has been treated, this information will be provided in the specifications on the stone's product detail page. There are various accepted techniques, depending on the type of stone. For example, oils and resins are frequently used to fill surface-reaching fissures in emeralds and rubies. This process is not permanent, however; if a treated ruby or emerald is subjected to high heat from a jeweler's torch, an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, or even hot dishwater, the filler may leak out of the stone. Sapphires and rubies are often heated in a kiln or furnace to enhance their color. Such heat treatment, which is considered permanent, has been used for centuries. Lightly colored sapphires may also undergo diffusion treatment. This is done by heating a stone in the presence of coloring elements such as titanium or iron, which causes a thin layer of color to be diffused into the stone's surface. Because this color layer is so thin, a diffusion-treated sapphire should not be repolished.
Heat-Treated
Heating is the most common gemstone treatment. It can improve clarity and brightness by causing the color of the stone to lighten, darken or change completely.
Oiling
Often performed on emeralds, oil is often added to stones to seep into their surfaces and improve the finish.
Irradiation
Blue Topaz most commonly receives the irradiation treatment, which is when the gemstone is pounded with subatomic particles or radiation.
Dyeing
Commonly performed on black onyx, chalcedony and pearls to create their variety of colors.
Impregnation
Common for turquoise, impregnation is the infusion of wax into a porous material. It creates a bonding agent to improve cracks and create a smooth surface.
Bleaching
Bleaching is used to lighten the color. It is permanent and undetectable.
Coating
Coating is when a lacquer is applied to the surface to improve a gem’s appearance and is also improved to improve the color of gemstones.
Diffusion
Gemstone diffusion can improve color, change color created asterisms for star-like glow.

CareTo clean gemstone jewelry, first wipe it with a soft cloth to remove any dirt. Emeralds require only the use of a soft cloth, as cleaners may damage these soft gems. Sapphires and rubies can be cleaned with either an ultrasonic cleaner or a solution of one part ammonia to six parts water, with a soft brush. Store your gemstone jewelry in a soft cloth pouch or jewelry case so it does not touch other pieces in your collection. As with all jewelry, normal wear and tear can loosen prongs and settings, so it is a good idea to have it checked by a professional jeweler who can make repairs as needed.










Jewelry - bracelets, necklaces, earrings and diamond jewelry -




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is copyrighted work by Maries Manor Kids Theme Bedrooms


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