heart earrings

Mother’s Day is only a couple of weeks away and once again kids of all ages are wracking their brains for a suitable gift to give to their Mom. Flowers, plants, chocolates, clothing and jewelry are all items that I’m sure she would appreciate but if you are looking for something truly unique that she is bound to love, then why not make her an item of heart jewelry – how about a pair of heart charm earrings?

I made these earrings to complement the heart charm bracelet I made a few weeks ago (see this charm bracelet post from April 4th). If you have already had a try at making the bracelet then you might like to make these pretty heart earrings to go with it. For those who haven’t read the earlier post but would like to make these earrings, read on for the full list of materials needed and instructions on how to make them.

You will probably have some of the necessary materials like tin foil, a glass board or wax paper, rolling pin, oven and small paint brush but you will probably need a visit to your local craft shop (Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, Wal-Mart or other similar stores) for the craft items.

Here are all the things I used to make these cute earrings:

• 1 pair of sterling silver lever earrings (you can find these in the jewelry making section of most craft stores and Wal-Mart)

• Bakeable modeling clay (I used Sculpey Pluffey white)

• Small rolling pin

• Wax paper, glass board or tin foil to work the clay on

• Small heart shaped cookie cutter

• Picture nail to make hole in clay

• Oven (the regular one in the kitchen!)

• Acrylic Paint (I used Folk Art Apple Red)

• Small paint brush

• Clear glaze

• 3mm round acrylic rhinestones – 2 for each heart

• 4 Jump rings (2x7mm and 2x5mm) to attach the charms to the earrings

• Pair of needle nosed pliers

And how I made the earrings was:

Work the clay and roll out to desired thickness

Cut out 2 heart shapes using cookie cutter

Make hole near the top of heart shape for the jump ring to fit through

Follow the instructions on the clay packet for baking the heart shapes

When cool, paint with your chosen colors. I found it easier to hold them flat with the picture nail while I painted the edges and one side of heart then allow it to dry thoroughly before turning it over and painting the other side. Allow each coat of paint to dry before applying the next coat. (If you don’t want to add the rhinestones you can add your own painted design at this stage.)

When the paint is completely dry finish the hearts off with a clear glaze

Glue a rhinestone jewel to one side of the heart charms. Allow to dry thoroughly before gluing one on the other side.

Attach the charms to the earrings

Your earrings are now ready to be placed in a suitable little box, wrapped up in some pretty paper and presented to Mom with a lovely card. How pleased she is going to be when she opens the package and realizes that you have taken the time and trouble to make these especially for her!

Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet with Purse, Sunglasses, Engagement Ring, High Heel, Cellphone Charms

Sterling Silver Heart Link Bracelet with Puffed Heart Charm 7.5″

Sterling Silver “Love” Charm Catch Bangle Bracelet

Sterling Decorated European Bead PLUS 925 Sterling Silver Snake Charm Bracelet

Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet For Pandora or Biagi Beads 8 Inch Screw End Lobster Clasp

Since the year 2000, charm bracelets have seen a surge in popularity, especially the sterling silver charm bracelet. Often these bracelets consist of a collection of charms that represent important events and periods in a person’s life. But with all the charms that are available nowadays, a charm bracelet can also reflect the wearer’s interests, feelings and individuality.

The wearing of charms has been around since the earliest times. Originally they were worn to ward off evil spirits or to bring the wearer luck. Over the centuries they have been used as a form of identification. In Ancient Egypt, long before the first sterling silver charm bracelet was around, a more basic type of charm bracelet was worn to identify the individual to the gods in the afterlife. During the time of the Roman Empire, Christians had fish charms hidden in their clothing to identify themselves to other Christians and in the Dark Ages they were worn to symbolize religion, family and political persuasions. In more modern times Queen Victoria is said to have popularized the trend for wearing of charm bracelets and this trend has continued to a greater or lesser extent up to the present day.

Traditional charm bracelets consist of a double link chain bracelet on which charms dangle. Charm bracelets with a selection of charms attached are available from the mall jewelers or from Internet retailers. If a sterlign silver charm bracelet is not your preference, take a look at gold, white gold or other precious metal products. If you prefer a more personalized version then buying a suitable chain bracelet and your choice of charms is the way to go. This way you can start off with one or two charms and add more over time. It is usually best to have a jeweler attach the charms to the chain to make sure that they are secure on the chain.

If you prefer to be able to change the theme of the charms on your bracelet, to match the time of year or a particular outfit, then as I have mentioned in a previous posting try to collect charms with lobster claw clasps. This will enable you to change your charms without the expense of buying a new bracelet or the cost of having a jeweler change them for you. If you cannot find charms with these kind of clasps you can always buy the clasps separately at a craft store or online.

Perhaps because a traditional sterling silver charm bracelet with dangling charms might not be suitable for everyday wear in all cases, there is growing popularity for two other versions of the charm bracelet, both of which originated in Europe. And just as there is a huge choice of charms for the more conventional bracelet, there is an equally large selection for these two designs.

The Italian charm bracelet is an expansion band on which interconnecting charms lie flat against the wrist. This means that there are no dangling charms to get caught in clothing or to catch on other objects, making it more suitable for wearing every day. Another huge benefit of this bracelet is that the charms are easily changed with a charm link connecting tool or even with your fingers.

Although you can get the same categories of charms that are available for the hanging-type charms, there are far more personalized charms on offer. For instance you can get photo charms that you can have a picture of your son, daughter, husband, boyfriend or pet put on. Then there are laser charms that enable you to have your own personal message laser cut into it. There are so many colorful and unusual ideas to choose from that you can guarantee that you will have a truly unique piece of jewelry.  Again, look at sterling silver, gold and other variants to find the one you like the best.

The other style of charm bracelet is the European charm bracelet. This kind of bracelet has a thicker starter chain onto which bead charms are threaded. These beads tend to be chunkier than traditional charms and although usually made of sterling silver, gold or Murano glass they can also be encrusted with precious stones such as diamonds.

This kind of bracelet appeals to a diverse group because of the different range of beads on offer, thus allowing the wearer to create their individual fashion statement. Some choose to have a bracelet consisting of a selection of colorful glass beads, a look that is suitable for many events whether casual or formal. Yet others choose to make a bracelet with a selection of silver or gold themed beads with spacers, or a combination of glass and metal beads.

Even though these three styles of charm bracelets are very different they do have some one thing in common. They are a very versatile item of jewelry and can provide the wearer with lots of different looks, whether they choose to wear a heart charm bracelet to go with their other heart jewelry for a romantic date, or change it for one with flip flops and shells on for their summer vacation.

Over the years the charm bracelet has gone through many changes and styles. While charms are no longer only worn as an amulet to ward of evil and bring the wearer good luck, in many ways they are still an indication of identity and individuality.  But a sterling silver charm bracelet can still give you a wonderful ability to personalize it to your own taste as well as adding a fine new dimension to your jewelry options.

Sterling Silver Filigree Key Pendant, 18″

G by GUESS Oval Key and Heart Necklace

When I started this website I was aware that jewelry was a popular choice of gift for ladies of all ages from birth to Great Grandmas. I also knew that heart jewelry in particular was a favorite for those wishing to express the love they feel for the ones they hold close to their heart. But I soon realized that it is not only lovers who buy this kind of jewelry. Teenage girls and women are buying heart jewelry to accessorize their outfits and as gifts for their female relatives and friends.

Walking round the mall recently, looking for birthday presents and Christmas gifts, I soon realized that there is a huge selection of heart jewelry in a variety of designs, metals and price range. Every department store jewelry counter has a tremendous choice of any piece you can think of. For example, one particular piece that caught my eye in Macy’s was a heart key necklace. It was 14K gold with diamonds inset into it. Without having to search very far I was able to find other heart key necklaces in white gold and sterling silver in different designs. In some the heart formed part of the key and was either an open heart or a solid heart. Some were simple and understated and others, like the diamond encrusted one, was more elaborate and of course more expensive.

In all the department stores I visited I saw lots of different heart key necklaces but I also noticed lots of other pieces of heart jewelry to choose from. In JC Penney I found a silver heart charm necklace with a number of different hearts hung round the chain that I thought was quite unusual and there was a matching charm bracelet to go with it. On the more fun side of things they had a necklace made up of different colored hearts with flowers painted on it. This would make a great gift for a pre-teen girl.

Then there are any number of heart lockets specifically for Mom or Grandma or the many different types of pendants that are available. Other pieces that I caught my eye were heart bracelets. I have already mentioned the silver heart charm bracelet with lots of different heart charms attached to it but I also like those bracelets with just a single heart charm. Some of the others that I found particularly appealing are those bracelets consisting of hearts joined together to form the actual bangle. These can be gold, silver, white gold or tri-colored gold and can consist of open or solid hearts. These bracelets are suitable for those women who prefer the bangle style rather than one with charms dangling from them.

These are just a small selection of the many pieces of heart jewelry I saw during my shopping trip. I didn’t have enough time to check out the heart earrings and rings. Every jewelry counter or jewelry store I passed seemed to have more heart jewelry than I have noticed before. From cheap and cheerful costume jewelry to ultra expensive diamond and precious metal pieces the choice is immense. I know more and more people now shop online because it is more convenient, time saving and usually there is a greater choice of goods and price ranges. However, if you are thinking of buying a heart key necklace or any other piece of jewelry, it might be better to see it in the store before shopping around online to get the best price deal. At least then you have more of an idea of what it looks like, the thickness of the chain and the actual size of the piece you are interested in.

There’s nothing worse than buying something online only to find that it doesn’t live up to expectations when it arrives. Especially if you have left it to the last minute and don’t have time to get a replacement before it is time to give the gift.

I have been looking online at the different styles of heart rings and there are so many to choose from to suit everybody from babies to Grandmas. Here are just a few of the choices I have been looking at.

One of the first styles I looked at was the ever popular heart shaped signet rings. These make ideal gifts for babies or young children and you can have them engraved with a name or initials. I used to have a silver heart ring like this when I was younger and I used to wear it on my little finger but as I already wear a different pinky ring now I decided to look at other designs.

Because I already have an open heart charm necklace it seemed natural to look at the rings in the same collection. As I prefer understated simple jewelry designs I found some of the designs of rings in the Jayne Seymour collection a bit too elaborate for my tastes but they are rather beautiful.

There are other open heart designs for rings. Some are very simple with a single small heart on them or with two hearts intertwined. If you like this design and also love gemstones then there are more elaborate designs with diamond and other precious stones outlining the heart shape. If your style in jewelry is understated another design to consider is a simple band made up of tiny cute hearts or one of the many other band designs.

If on the other hand you’re a more extrovert person whose jewelry style is more flamboyant then you might want to consider a larger heart shape on your ring. One that I looked at had a pink cubic zirconia heart lock and key and yet another one had a large pink heart shaped topaz with a bow on the top of it made of diamond. Or there is any number of Pave diamond or cubic zirconia rings to choose from. I’m not sure I could carry these off as you need long fingers to be able to show these off to their best advantage.

Next I looked at the Claddagh rings. I particularly like this traditional Irish ring as it symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship. Although originally designed as wedding bands for both men and women they have become a popular item of jewelry not just for lovers to give to each other but also as a gift to give to a best friend as a token of enduring friendship. There are so many different settings to choose from depending on who it is for. There are simple silver ones or ones made in yellow gold or silver with a birthstone in the heart and beautiful diamond engagement rings or wedding bands.

Finally I decided to look at toe rings just for a change. This is something I have never worn but a good friend of mine wears toe rings when she is wearing her flip flops. There are lots of different designs to choose from and yes there are silver heart toe rings but I don’t think I will choose to get one of these.

I haven’t finally decided which style of heart ring I would like to have but one of the criteria is that I am able to wear it everyday so that would seem to rule out the Pave rings or the ones with huge stones in them. In the meantime I’ll keep looking.

Sterling Silver Key My Heart Diamond Pendant Necklace (HI, I, 0.10 carat)

Silver UNLOCK My HEART Necklace

Key To My Heart Necklace Set In Gold

Sterling Silver Heart and Key Charms with Two 20 Inch Chains

Key To My Heart Pendant Necklace Rhodium Over Sterling Silver and CZs, 24-inch – Chain Included

Earth Spirit Necklace – Key To My Heart – Earth Spirit Necklace

Key to My Heart Silver Finish Heart and Key Pendant

The Key To My Heart Pave CZ Pendant Length 16 inches (Lengths 16 inches 18 inches Available)

Candygem 14k White Gold Plated 925 Sterling Silver Heart Love Key with Created Ruby Pendant, Free 18 Inch Silver Chain, Free Gift Box.

KEY TO MY HEART / KEY TO YOUR HEART – This best selling pendant necklace (chain included) is a great gift idea a lover, wife, husband, relative boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance or friend. Romantic gift! Perfect anniversary gift idea. Best seller! Love and relationship jewelry necklace! Category: Stainless steel jewelry – Stainless steel pendant necklaces for women / men / ladies or girls. Design: For women or men!

There are many occasions throughout the year when we need to buy a gift for someone.  It might be for a family or friend and it could be for a birthday, an engagement, a Christening, an anniversary or any of the many other special events that you want to mark with a gift.  Choosing the right gift for the occasion can sometimes be quite difficult but some gifts are suitable for any special day.  For instance, women of all ages usually enjoy receiving jewelry as a present and it is a suitable gift for her birthday, anniversary, St Valentine’s Day or even “just because”, especially if it is a piece of heart jewelry from their loved one.

In my opinion, a particularly romantic piece of heart jewelry is a “key to my heart necklace” and would be a very apt gift for a groom to give to his bride on their wedding day.  There are lots of different designs to choose from, such as one with a heart charm and a key which he could have engraved with a personal message.  Yet another design has a heart lock charm with a key to unlock it.  Or he might prefer to get his love a key to my heart locket and enclose a photograph of the two of them. Whichever one he presented to his bride it would convey the message of the love he feels for her – not just on their special day but forever.

While we are on the subject of wedding gifts, let’s not forget that some people prefer to give personal gifts to the happy couple rather than something from their wish list.  If you are into embroidery or cross stitch why not choose from one of the many designs available and stitch a wedding record and have it framed?  There are traditional wedding scenes, beach wedding patterns, joined hands or one of my favorites Disney characters to choose from.  Later on in the relationship (traditionally!), cross stitch pictures also make great gifts to welcome a new baby and can be a picture to complement the nursery theme or a record of the birth date.

What about other people on the gift buying list at other times, not just the wedding couples?  Well, we all have people on our list who are difficult to buy for as they seem to “have everything”. Coming up with ideas for these folks is challenging to say the least. If you know what they are interested in then you can get them a symbolic and unusual gift – such as buying them a share in their favorite chocolate factory, for instance, which was a gift given to my husband on one occasion.  In this case, not only did he get a framed one share certificate, he also receives the annual reports and as a shareholder he has voting rights.  Another gift idea in this vein is the “Own land in all 50 states of America”.  This makes a great fiftieth birthday gift, for example, which is when I saw it used. For other unique present ideas, switch on your computer and search on line for the many unusual gift idea websites that are available. It beats trawling round the Mall looking for that unusual present!

Still looking for more thoughts to spark you into life?  Well, how about this: recently, to mark the birthday of a friend of mine, her family and closest friends arranged for her to experience “a chef’s table” at one of her favorite chef’s restaurants in London.  This experience, not cheap, meant that her and her guests were seated at the table in the kitchen reserved for special guests and VIPs.  Not only did they get to see their meal being prepared and cooked, but she and one of her friends got to help make and “plate up” one of the courses. This was an appropriate gift for her as she is a “foodie” and used to run a fine dining establishment.

So you can take heart – there are indeed some unique and exciting ideas that you can find when you want to deliver a gift that is just a little bit out of the norm.  It does take some time and effort and jewelry is a fine pace to start – but if jewelry is not right for the special person you are trying to surprise, start with some of the thoughts in this article and see which ones you can come up with yourself.  It will be worth it to see the joy that you bring!

The second hardest gemstone after the diamond is the sapphire.  Hang on a minute you are thinking, here we are talking about pink heart rings and all at once we are talking about sapphires which are blue.  While it is true that the most common color for sapphires is blue it is also found in colors such as yellow, pink and green.  In fact the sapphire and ruby is the same mineral – corundum – so it is not really surprising that there should be pink varieties of this stone.  Pink sapphires range in color from pale pink to fuchsia and they are a lot less expensive than a pink diamond. But if real sapphires are still beyond your price range then you could choose one of the rings available with a lab created heart sapphire setting.

Spinel is another pink gemstone and it is similar to ruby and sapphire but not as expensive and so is often used in jewelry as a substitute for sapphires and rubies.  Because it so closely resembles the ruby, some of the most famous rubies, such as the Black Prince’s ruby in the English Imperial State Crown, have been found to be spinels.  Although it is a natural gemstone, its name has become synonymous with the synthetic ones made in laboratories and most often used for imitation birthstone rings. If you choose a spinel pink heart ring do check on the authenticity of the stone.

One of the most popular pink stones is the tourmaline as you can find virtually any shade of pink you could imagine in this stone as well as lots of other colors as well. This is because the tourmaline, according to an old Egyptian legend, passed over a rainbow on its way from the center of the earth. The tourmaline is attributed with magical powers and is the gemstone of friendship and love and is said to ensure that these are firm and long-lasting.

Yet another popular less expensive variety of gemstone is the pink quartz. This stone has a unique milky or cloudy quality and can be found in larger carat sizes.

Of course one of the most popular inexpensive alternatives to diamonds is cubic zirconia.  If you are on a very tight budget choosing a sterling silver ring with a pink cubic zirconia stone will certainly not break the bank. For those looking for something a little more expensive there are lots to choose from set in 14k or 18k gold.

But a pink heart ring does not have to be one with a pink heart gemstone set in it.  Why not choose pink gold as the setting for your heart ring?  As with white gold, yellow gold or sterling silver you can choose any color of gemstone from the clear white ice of a diamond to the very dark blue of the sapphire – the choice is yours.  Or alternatively, you could choose a pink gold heart shaped signet ring or a wedding band with hearts embossed on it.

I hope this has given you some ideas on which pink heart ring to choose, whether for yourself or to give to a loved one.  There is plenty of information on the Web about the different kinds of pink gemstones available and also lots of retailers with a huge selection of rings and other pieces of heart jewelry such as heart earrings and heart pendants that will complement your choice.

Most of the people I asked could come up with someone they wanted to look stupid without too much thought and not all of them chose celebrities or people in the public eye.  For instance, one of the people, who used to work for one of big five consulting firms, chose as their candidate one of the partners in the firm.  This guy was a typical little man with a big ego “puffed up and full of his own self importance”.  He should be made to wear heart shaped earrings because he was an “obnoxious twerp who deserved to be made to look silly”.  Knowing the commentator as I do, it must have been entertaining to see the working relationship that the two had!

At the time I did this survey the World Cup was in full swing and the England team was playing particularly badly and without any enthusiasm for winning a match.  My husband is a big soccer fan and was absolutely disgusted with his team’s performance and so he chose the whole of the England football squad to wear heart earrings, heart bracelets, heart rings, and necklaces.  His reasoning was that they played like a bunch of girls and so they deserved to be made to look like girls.  While I agree that they were anything like the macho men they think they are, I thought his comments were cruel and unfair to women!

Recently there have been surveys done that have found that couples have a sixth sense and often know what the other is thinking and have similar ideas.  This proved true when I was talking to friends and family even though I spoke to them separately.  One of the couples independently chose the Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Renaldo and they would both like to see him wearing heart earrings.  The husband said that he chose Renaldo because he is so arrogant and he wants him to look stupid.  His wife’s reasoning was that Renaldo is so conceited and full of himself.

Yet another couple chose Simon Cowell of American Idol fame and again they both picked the same item of jewelry – a heart necklace.  The lady said she would like to see him wearing a big heart medallion as the heart shape and its symbolism is the polar opposite of him because he comes across as quite heartless.  On the other hand the guy chose the heart necklace for Simon Cowell because he’d look ridiculous and because he is so in love with himself.

As I said earlier, not all of the respondents picked famous people to nominate.  One guy selected one of his neighbors who he would like to see with big heart shaped hoop earrings or a big heart necklace because he is such a big homophobe.  On  the other hand, another of the guys wanted his brother to wear heart rings “because he’d look funny and silly so I could laugh at him and he’d be embarrassed”.  Obviously some sibling rivalry there!

I was rather surprised that only one politician was on the list.  This was Jack Straw, a British Labour Party MP and former Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Justice Minister. The person who suggested him also chose an unusual piece of heart jewelry – a tiara with diamonds on it.  When asked why they would like to see this particular Member of Parliament wearing this the answer was, and I quote, “To make him look like a complete fool as everything he says is wrong and he’s a complete waste of space”.  Not much love lost there then!

My own choice would be any number of the car salesmen I have come across over the years (both in the USA and the UK) who even in this day and age think that women have no knowledge of what they are talking about when it comes to buying a car.  There was one occasion when the salesman actually told me to come back with my husband when I asked to go on a test drive!  I would like to see these guys wearing the biggest, flashiest, vulgar pieces of heart jewelry so that they can look as stupid as they sound when they come out with sexist comments.

So have some fun of your own and think about which male celebrity, politician or work colleague you would like to see looking ridiculous wearing heart shaped earrings or any other item of heart jewelry.

The responses I got from the teenagers really surprised me as I thought maybe it was a generational thing and that I was no longer up with current trends and fashions. My friend’s thirteen year old daughter, the youngest of the group and very into fashion and modern trends, wrinkled her nose and said that she thought earrings on men were weird and she didn’t like them.  She suggested that some men’s jewelry was acceptable (a gold chain, an identity bracelet, a wedding ring and watch maybe) but nothing flashy or vulgar and certainly not any heart jewelry.

Another friend’s fifteen year old son said that “jewelry doesn’t look very good on men”. The only piece that he thinks is acceptable for a man is a watch and he believes that earrings look stupid, especially the silver heart earrings that he has seen!

An older teenage girl was more accepting of men wearing some form of jewelry but she said that it would have to be very subtle and it would depend on the man wearing it.  Although not totally against men having pierced ears, she was not keen on the idea of having both ears done or the wearing of diamond studs.  She laughed at the idea of men sporting a heart necklace or heart earrings but was more accepting of a pair of heart cuff links such as the open heart design because they are not overtly heart shaped.

Moving on to the next age group, twenty to thirty year olds, their answers were very similar to those of the teens. One of the guys said that lots of men look ridiculous in jewelry of any kind although he did go on to say that some guys do look okay with two ears pierced.  He went on to say that men’s jewelry pieces should be simple such as a wedding band, a simple chain or cuff links.  On the subject of heart jewelry his comments were “I’ve never seen heart jewelry on a man or for a man and I don’t see it becoming fashionable or being something that men would wear”.

Yet another of the guys was not a fan of men’s jewelry apart from wedding ring, maybe a pinky ring and cuff links.  He too could not imagine heart shaped jewelry becoming fashionable for guys especially not heart earrings.  The only piece of heart jewelry he could ever see himself wearing would be a pair of cuff links if somebody bought them for him.

The ladies in this age group were equally not keen to see men wearing earrings. As one of them put it: “Men shouldn’t wear earrings not even celebrities. No guy looks goods in these”. They also agreed that if men were to wear jewelry it needed to be minimal and understated not big and chunky perhaps a simple ring or a thread bracelet.  And in their view “there should be no hearts whatsoever on men’s jewelry”.

One of my good friends who is very into the latest fashion trends surprised me when she said that she hated men with pierced ears especially if both of them were pierced this – the word she used to describe it was “chavvy”.  She was also not keen on jewelry for men generally and certainly not heart jewelry which would be far too effeminate.

Two other friends (married to each other but asked at different times) shared similar opinions on the idea of men wearing jewelry.  Both were very much against the idea of guys having their ears pierced and while the wife said that it was okay for men to wear a wedding ring or watch her husband said that any sort of jewelry on a man was “girlie”.  One thing they both agreed on was that heart jewelry was feminine and definitely not for men.

Lastly I asked my husband and his best friend their thoughts on the subject of men’s jewelry and whether they would ever wear heart jewelry.  My husband’s reaction to the idea of heart jewelry for men was that it would be a contradiction as these designs are feminine and seen as “soppy” rather than macho and masculine.  When it comes to other jewelry items for men he is very much a traditionalist and is okay with signet rings, wedding rings, watches and cuff links but thinks that chains, earrings and bracelets are worn by men to show off.  In his words “fine if they want to wear them but I think they look silly”.

His friend had similar things to say about the wearing of jewelry by men suggesting that it was “used as a status symbol and as a way to attract women”.  The wearing of a gold medallion by a man, he implied, is a peacock type thing displaying his finery to attract the opposite sex.  Unlike most of the other men he thought that there was certainly one piece of heart jewelry that should be available for men to wear, a cheating heart pendant for guys who are unfaithful to their partners!

So, if my friends’ views are anything to go by it doesn’t look like heart jewelry and in particular silver heart earrings will become a fashion accessory for men any time soon.  However, if you had asked me a few years ago if guys would be wearing diamond studs in both of their ears I would have said I don’t think so.  Shows how much I know doesn’t it?

First of all I asked the question “Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?” and then followed on with the question about what sort of heart jewelry they would choose if they could only have one piece. As you can imagine they all had very different answers and some of them quite surprised me.

The most popular selection was a heart shaped necklace but for very different reasons.  My daughter’s favorite jewelry item is her eternity ring which her husband bought her when she had their son, understandable really.  When asked what article of heart jewelry she would like someone to buy for her, she chose a yellow gold heart necklace for no other reason than that she does not have one and would really like one.

One of my friend’s teenage daughters would also choose a heart shaped necklace but her metal of choice would be silver (she also quite likes the ones encrusted with crystal or cubic zircon) as it “goes with more stuff”.  Although she was wearing bracelets and earrings she said the silver teddy bear necklace she was wearing was the favorite of all her jewelry.

A heart necklace was also chosen by one of my friends who is quite petite and not the least bit extrovert so her choice of a chunky necklace not made of precious metals or gemstones came as a bit of a surprise. When I asked her why she would choose that design she told me that it would look “funky”.  This from a lady whose style is always understated and never outrageous!

Before I asked my Mom about her favorite jewelry I knew what her answer would be.  It is the diamond solitaire that my Dad bought her two years before he died. I don’t ever remember my Mom wearing any jewelry except her wedding ring and her watch until she received the diamond ring so it came as a surprise that she would like a heart shaped ring because she would like more rings.  Who would have guessed that this eighty eight year old Great Grandma would still be interested in collecting jewelry?

I think the answers that most surprised me came from another of my friends.  She doesn’t have any favorite jewelry because she says she is not comfortable wearing it and although she has some costume jewelry she never thinks of putting it on.  When she was younger she had her ears pierced and used to wear gold earrings and she also had a gold signet ring but as she got older she stopped wearing them and now the only thing she wears is her wedding band.  Although she thinks jewelry looks nice on some people she wouldn’t want any, but she may possibly wear a heart ring.

The youngest member said that her favorite jewelry items were bracelets and she wore two or three at a time varying from plain bangle types to charm bracelets and a mixture of costume jewelry and more expensive ones.  I thought she would therefore choose a heart bracelet as her choice for heart jewelry, especially as she was wearing a very pretty one on the day I spoke to her, but that was not the case.  Instead she suggested that a delicate and tasteful pair of silver heart earrings would probably be her favorite because she could wear them every day and they would go with any outfit.

Her Mom also said that her favorite jewelry pieces were bracelets and even if she didn’t wear any other item of jewelry she felt “bare” and as if something was missing if she didn’t have a bracelet on.  Not surprisingly she said that she would choose a heart bracelet in either silver or white gold as they were her precious metals of choice.  If it was to be a gift from her husband she said she would have to tell him exactly which one she wanted and where to buy it from so that she received the right one as her tastes and his differed so much.

Talking to my friends and family made me realize that women choose their jewelry for a variety of reasons and what one likes may not be right for everybody.  It also showed me that not every woman shares a love of jewelry.  One thing they all agreed on, though, was that if someone bought them a heart shaped necklace, heart earrings or any other piece of heart jewelry it would show how much that person loved them.

However, what the words cannot say, a gift can frequently explain. It’s worth remembering that, in order to set up the most romantic atmosphere possible, preparing a present that will not only touch the heart of the person you love but also be a memory to cherish for a lifetime can go a long way to ensuring success.  In particular, heart jewelry (for example) is definitely that one style that can explain what you truly feel right at an instant.

So what is the significance of giving this type of jewelry? Heart bracelets, heart necklaces, heart earrings and heart brooches are all enormously in demand, but why?  Perhaps it is because the heart has become the universal symbol of love. Being the primary source of life for most living beings, the word has become synonymous with a deeper emotion and an in depth understanding of feelings and spirituality. Because of it’s popularity, there are various types of heart jewelry available in the market today and these can express love in a variety of ways. For a more personal touch, make sure to find a piece that truly describes the characteristics of the person. A heart shaped locket is usually the preferred choice for a gift and if you are considering getting one, take a few moments to examine your options in order to be sure that you are making the right purchase.

Find the perfect moment or an occasion where it is fitting. A wedding, for example, being the most romantic event for a couple is a great venue to display this classic piece of jewelry. Choosing a design can also have an impact on the message you are trying to convey. Other events such as a birthday or Valentine’s Day are also ideal, although for the hopeless romantic, no reason is needed to give a precious gift to a special someone. A heart shaped locket can be made from various materials such as white gold and silver and it can also be encrusted with other gems for an added appeal. Choose a style that will complement her personality. For a classic look, a yellow gold would be the right choice, while for a more casual feel  silver is the best option.

Customized items are also available. Visit a jewelry store and look at the items they offer. Your budget can also affect your jewelry buying. Set a specific amount that you are willing to spend. Local stores can help you in your search and will showcase their items in store. If this is not sufficient, the Internet is the best place to widen the variety of your options. Several online sites also offer great discounts and customized options. If you are looking for a vintage piece, then participate in a web auction where you are most likely to find the best type of investment. An expert jewelry designer can also help you if you have a specific concept in mind. Just be ready to spend a little extra on specialized heart jewelry.

In order to make the selection easier, observe the type of accessories that the person wears on a daily basis. This will give you an idea about their personal taste; it will give you an idea on what color and style to pick. If you are thinking of ordering online, just exercise caution and make sure that you are dealing with an authorized jeweler. Also, make sure to check the feedback and reviews given by previous clients.

The basic premise in finding the perfect item of heart jewelry such as a heart shaped locket for the one you love is by putting her preference first when it comes to design. It should be the type and style of item that will speak not only about your true emotions but will enhance the personality of the one you love. This is a classic investment that can last for a long time.

The glitter and movement of a quality gold heart bracelet attracts the eye of all who see this beautiful piece of jewelry. With every movement of the hand, the gold charm dances, delighting both the people watching the show and the person putting it on.

On the other hand, the more factual and down to earth person might regard it as a statement of wealth and affection combined. So what is the truth, if there is one?

Well, these symbols of the heart-shaped charm, the bracelet and the gold, represent many different things depending upon the relationship between the lovely person wearing this prize and the giver of this thoughtful gift.  Does that mean that we can look at each component of the gold heart bracelet to get a better idea?

First of all, the heart: this has been used to symbolize love and passion between lovers, desire from a suitor, devotion between friends, commitment between husband and wife and a symbol of the emotion, good health and goodwill towards all living things. Used as a charm this becomes a tangible reminder of good memories from the past, pleasant things of today and golden hopes of the future. Heart jewelry brings a smile to the lips and a warm feeling to the body because this symbol says “I love you” in whatever context it is meant.

Next, the bracelet, which is worn on the wrist near the hand; it is a physical reminder that someone is emotionally holding on to you. The touch of the bracelet gives the person wearing it the assurance of someone else’s support and caring. This treasure may have been won by a hard-fought battle in the business world, a thank you for a personal favor or for a major accomplishment. Each time the wearer puts it on, looks at it, touches it or thinks about it, that person will remember when this glimmering, shiny adornment was received, why it was given and especially the person that was kind enough and thoughtful enough to present such a wonderful gift.

Finally, gold: this is one of the most precious metals and has been worshiped and treasured for centuries. The glistening of gold never diminishes; this precious metal does not tarnish and does not need to be polished to keep its luster. It does not corrode or rust. This shine remains true, rich and deep.

100% pure gold is very soft. It does not make good jewelry because it is easy to dent, scratch and bend. Through trial and error, professional goldsmiths have discovered mixing it with different alloys increases its strength and can change its color. Gold can be yellow in color, white or a rosy hue. White gold is usually plated with rhodium, an extremely hard, shiny white metal. Rose gold uses a larger portion of copper to get its beautiful pink color.

Gold is rated by karats; 24 karats is 100% gold. Gold jewelry is made from 18 karats gold which is 75% gold and 14 karats which is 58.3% gold. Most bracelet clasps are made from 14 karat gold; it is stronger and more durable. The craftsmanship of gold jewelry and the weight of the gold determine the value. Unique, intricate works of art are more expensive, more interesting and more valued by the owner.

Overall, heart jewelry, especially a gold heart bracelet, is easy to care for. Chlorine, which is often found in drinking water, and harsh cleaning fluids are not good for gold. Cleaning this precious jewelry is easy, these treasures can be put in a solution of lukewarm water and detergent free soap and washed very gently with a soft bristled brush. The pieces should be stored in the soft cloth bags or original boxes between wearing.

So maybe after all, the meaning of a gold heart bracelet is very simple.  Someone values the person who is wearing this treasure and offers this person their support even when they are far away. The feeling of the bracelet on the wrist is like a tender touch of a caring hand. Romantic or down to earth, the giving of such a trinket is a statement of love and affection from the giver. And the wearer indicates that she is equally receptive to the feelings given.

Why choose a sterling silver heart necklace?  There are many reasons why one should choose a sterling silver heart necklace over other options in necklaces. To begin with, these necklaces are less expensive than other necklaces such as those made from gold. The heart shaped pendant is ideal to be given to one’s beloved since women have been found to fall in love at first sight with a sterling silver heart pendant necklace. If maintained properly, sterling silver retains its charm and beauty for years. In addition, even if the silver is tarnished after years of wear, one can easily get it polished and make it appear as new as it was in the beginning.

There are many designs available within these heart necklaces. For example, there are double heart pendant designs in which two intertwined hearts, symbolizing the love between two souls, are asymmetrically interconnected. Now, with a sterling silver heart charm necklace, one can also personalize the pendant by getting one’s own and one’s beloved’s name engraved on each of the hearts along with birthstones. Another beautiful design is the one where a solid heart dangles through a hollow heart. With this pendant, one can easily adjust how deep the solid heart drops on one’s neck.

In addition to these popular designs, one can also find a number of sterling silver necklaces of different lengths with a pendant decorated with different stones. Though depending on the stone used, these necklace pendants will cost you more; they are worth considering because of their sheer timeless beauty.

Whom would these necklaces suit?  Heart sterling silver necklaces are meant for both adult women and teenage girls. Since sterling silver has an elegant white shine, these necklaces would suit females of all skin colors, whether white, dusky or dark. These necklaces are perfect for not only big parties and events, they can even be worn to casual dates and parties and even to office as well. These pendant necklaces go well with all kinds of dresses as well, be it an expensive evening gown or a casual party dress.

If you are a male and are looking for a beautiful piece of jewelry to give to any woman in your life, be it your mother, wife, girlfriend or daughter, then you need not look further than these sophisticated heart shaped silver necklaces and pendants. Not only will the woman you give the necklace to be pleasantly surprised and genuinely grateful for your gift, even you would feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the heart shaped mark of your love and affection adorning her beautiful neck and bringing a smile to her face.

Where should you buy these necklaces?  You can easily buy a beautiful heart pendant and sterling silver necklace as well as other types of heart jewelry from a jewelry store. However, a better place to look for it is the web, because it will allow you to check out the available products at different sites and compare prices. Many companies will offer you a 30-day money back guarantee on your purchase, so it is also safe to buy a pendant necklace online. Buying online will also avoid you moving away from the comfort of your own home, as the necklace would be delivered at your doorstep in a couple of days.

So take a look at the sterling silver heart necklace choices you have the next time you decide to buy and do yourself a favor!

A heart bracelet today symbolizes friendship and love. Even little children enjoy making these excellent examples of heart jewelry for one another, but what they do not know is the history they are taking part in while they do so. These heart charm bracelets have a richer symbolization than may at first be apparent, and that is true whether it is a gold or a sterling silver charm bracelet or some other precious metal that it is made out of. Let us take one bead at a time and look at where the popularity of heart bracelets originated.

Understanding what a “charm” bracelet is helps in tracking down its origins and putting a heart charm bracelet into context. A charm is a personalized pendant that signifies an important event, person, or relationship. Generally, charms take the form of what they are representing. Some are obvious with animals, hearts, or names and others hide the true meaning with special symbols. These charms, however, did not originally start on people’s wrists.

In ancient times, charms were worn to signify “higher” beings or processes like pleasing the gods, warding off evil, and gaining entrance into the afterlife. Charms at this time were usually worn as pendants, amulets, and rings. As time went on, eventually these charms changed their meaning and their positioning. The bracelet was born around the middle ages and was worn by nobles and knights to signify rank and family. One of the best know “pioneers” of wearing bracelets was Queen Victoria. She would wear things like silver heart bracelets, not for symbolism, but because she liked the look. Typically, only members of royalty or the extremely wealthy had the money or desire to wear such a decoration, but for a few commoners, these bracelets were “to die for”.

The average Joe on the street saw and adored the charms worn by the upper class men and women of society. This adornment turned led to innovation, as they then fashioned their own jewelry from what they had seen. Out of simple string and beads, they would construct their own bracelets. These rickety poor man’s bracelets helped change the meaning and use of the charm bracelets. After no time at all there were artisans who specialized in constructing these bracelets and beads and this is the origin of today’s bracelets.

Today’s charm bracelets can be used for anything from casual jewelry through to fine pieces fit for formal occasions. Especially among teenage girls, these bracelets have been taken to a completely new level of meaning. Friendship heart bracelets come with a heart divided into two halves of a whole. They can be put together to form a full bracelet, or worn in parts to show the connection of friendship. Another favorite type of bracelet that is popular in the same way as a heart bracelet is the initials bracelet, where you can wear your own initials or the initials of a special boyfriend or girlfriend. These bracelets also make very good gifts for adults as well. Signifying a milestone in ones life, bracelets can mean the world to a person. This truly meets the definition of “It’s the thought that counts” and even the least expensive sterling silver example delivers a powerful message.

Many people will hold dear a little bracelet, over and above anything else in their house, just because of what it means to them. For example, in World War Two, soldiers would bring back charms for their wives to show them where they had been. These bracelets meant the world to the wives, by showing that their husbands not only served their country, but also made it back. For the wife who lost her loved one, a heart charm bracelet would also serve as a reminder of her husband’s sacrifice to keep his family and country safe. No matter what the size, shape or color, bracelets have a huge emotional impact, and especially a heart charm bracelet. They truly mean the world to people.

Thinking about these charms brings our personal world to the center. Everything we hold near and dear to us represented in this small package – memories, people, events, milestones, you name it. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a heart charm bracelet is forever.