Bible Meditations On The Mystery Of Good Friday and Easter

I am ever thankful for the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I ponder the mystery of His Love:

All who were willing, men and women alike, came and

brought gold jewelry of all kinds;

brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments.

 They all presented their gold as a wave

offering to the Lord.

Bible Exodus 36:22

Your cheeks are beautiful with

 earrings,

your neck with strings of jewels.

We will make you earrings of gold,

studded with silver.

Bible Song of Songs 1:10-11

In that day the Lord will snatch away

their finery: the bangles and headbands

and crescent necklaces, the earrings

and bracelets and veils, the head-

dresses and ankle chains and sashes, the

perfume bottles and charms, the signet

rings and nose rings, the fine robes and

the capes and cloaks, the purses and the

 mirrors and the linen garments and tiaras

and shawls.

Bible Isaiah 3:18-23

For you know that it was not with per-

ishable things such as silver or gold that

you were redeemed from the empty way

of life handed down to you from your

forefathers, but with the precious blood

of Christ, a lamb without blemish or de-

fect.

Bible 1Peter 1:18-19

All verses are from the NIV Bible

Hold On For Button Earrings

As seen on TV, on the street and in the New York Times, button earrings are making a big fashion jewelry comeback.

Button earrings are more serious and classy than casual hoops. And, they make a bigger fashion statement than stud earrings.

They were prominent on the Red Carpet of the 2013 Grammys:  Singers Adele and Janelle Monae both sported vintage-looking 60s and 70s style button earrings.  

This hot fashion earring trend allows you to reveal more personality and show more color. 

Don’t have any in your jewelry box?

 Just check-out the bottom shelves of the fashion jewelry counter at your favorite vintage clothing store for button earrings. Or shop online at Etsy or Ebay for an enormous selection of vintage jewelry.

Google, The Jewelry Designer

 Google is in the process of designing a security device to replace written passwords for authenticating user access to computer devices according to MIT Technology Review.  Rings and other  jewelry designs are being experimented with to hold security information.

Wearing a Security Device??

To me this is almost akin to using a  key fob for accessing an automobile. Auto key fobs utilize  radio waves, however.

Who would want to wear a security device all the time?  Having a security device on your keychain or in your purse is one thing.  Wearing a security device is quite another.

Diamond Laser Inscribed Messages

Of course, if the authentication data is lasered unto a 1 carat diamond set in platinum, Google's idea would be an instant hot hit.  The lasered security data in the diamond could be read by a camera or other optical device on the computer device.

Here's a YouTube video that demonstrates how diamond laser inscription technology works:

For more information on Google's experiments with jewelry or other new security devices, here's the link to the article in MIT Technology Review article.

Visit Palm Springs For Native American Jewelry



Native American hairpin bead design

  

If you treasure authentic handcrafted Native American jewelry, Palm Springs California is the place to be in late March.  The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will showcase works by Navajo, Zuni and Hopi jewelry artisans.

I’m a big fan of amazing-looking  concho belts.  I’m sure that there will be some exciting designs at the jewelry show.

According to Palm Springs real estate agent Brad Schmett, the museum’s exhibit draws an international crowd of jewelry collectors seeking to buy one-of-a-kind pieces of Native American ethnic jewelry.

How To Keep Your Rings Looking Good While Spring Cleaning



Cleaning chemicals and rings don't mix!

Some smelly harsh chemicals sold for Spring Cleaning can discolor base metal  junk jewelry rings.  Silver, especially, can be tarnished by basic cleaning chemicals like bleach and ammonia.

 And, I certainly don't recommend wearing fine jewelry gold rings while using wipes that contain strong disinfectants like Alky Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chlorides.

1st Steps To Keep Rings Away From Harsh Chemicals



Keep Ring Holders Handy



• Place your rings on a ring holder and keep holders in the kitchen and bathroom
• Wear rubber gloves
• Use Less Harsh Coconut Oil based Castile Soap (here’s the link my blog post on using coconut products: Use Coconut And Technology for Spring Cleaning

Use Technology for Disinfecting Virtually Hands-Free

 

I clean AND disinfect with non-chemical technologies to control the growth of bacteria, viruses, allergens, mold and mildew throughout my home.  Here are some of the cleaning technologies I use for Spring Cleaning:

1. UVA light scanner-the UVA light wave kills most pathogens 
2. Steam Cleaner-Hot steam degreases and kills most pests and pathogens 
3. Negative Ion generator-Deodorizes and eliminates most allergens, mold and mildew

These technologies don’t require the use of harsh cleaning chemicals to disinfect and I only use my hands to hold the equipment.



Home Steam Cleaner



These devices make Spring Cleaning a breeze. I especially like these devices because I am a lazy housekeeper who’d rather spend time looking at baubles and reading about jewelry.

Spring Break Top Fashion Jewelry Looks




Good looking guys looking for good looking girls?



Will your jewelry get “borrowed” or outright stolen while you’re partying during Spring Break?  Don’t let that happen to your cherished family heirloom jewelry or other expensive treasures.  Leave the important jewelry at home when you head off to party in Daytona, Cabo San Lucas, South Padre Island, Bahamas, Miami or wherever.

Instead make a mad dash to the mall and ‘shop til you drop’ at the “tween” fashion jewelry store.  Look for these flirty junk jewelry looks for wearing with your bikini on the beach:

• Hawaiian Puka shell jewelry
• Faux gold neck chain with chunky links
• Faux gold anklet

  

  Chunky Wood Bangles

  
• Turquoise jewelry
• Colorful, waterproof sports watch with a plastic watch strap
• Mother of Pearl
• Clam shell designs
• Wood bangles
• Beads and other plastic baubles in sand or blue water color tones

If you party in a foreign city, you don’t want to have to explain to a non-English speaking police officer that ‘grandma’s necklace is missing’.

You don’t want to miss your flight back trying to find the Swiss watch that Mom and Dad gave you for your birthday.

Your important jewelry is worth safeguarding, so leave your valuables at home. You can look hot, flirty and fun wearing fashion jewelry while you party hearty on Spring Break.

3D Flower Power Enamel Jewelry

 

Spring is right around the corner, remember to think Flower Power




 Last summer I had to do the unthinkable because of the drought in Chicago:  I put silk flowers in the pots on the front porch.  Between the heat with no rain and a family medical emergency, there was no way I could keep-up with watering flower pots.  But recently, I saw a magnificent enamel flower statement necklace for sale.

So now I’ve got spring flowers on my brain even though we’re expecting a major snow storm tomorrow.

 The bulbs and perennials came back last year despite the drought. This year, I think that I will invest in some of those flower seed pads, especially the ones that feature drought resistant floral displays.

Until then, I might pick-up that enamel flower necklace I saw for sale.



Gold and diamond white enameled Daisy ring



Enamel jewelry truly showcases the vibrant colors and shapes of flower petals in 3D more than any other jewelry style.  The flowers are highly realistic whether paint is  enameled on fashion jewelry, Chinese cloisonne or fine gold jewelry.



Enameled fashion jewelry ring

 

Enamel fashion jewelry is making a slow comeback because of the increased cost of gold.  I have recently seen more enamel items for sale in major jewelry outlets, including whimsical jewelry for sale online.




Vintage enamel pendant/brooch Lily

 The best place, however, to find enamel fashion jewelry might be your local vintage clothing store because flowers never go out of style.  And, if you still can't smell the flowers, take a look at this:

Go Irish With Celtic Jewelry on St. Pat’s Day

Showing Irish pride with a Tatoo



Show your Irish pride on St. Patrick’s Day and wear Celtic style jewelry.  Don't just wear your usual Kelly green sweater.  You can sport a ring or faith jewelry with typical Celtic ethnic jewelry symbols like the following:

• 4 Leaf Clover
• Celtic Cross
• Celtic Knots
• Claddagh




Claddagh and Diamond Wedding Ring Set

 


4 Leaf Clover Jewelry Design

 


Ring With Celtic Star and Celtic Knot Design

 

Here are the best places to learn more about the symbols in Celtic jewelry:

1. Religion stores that sell faith jewelry
2. Irish import stores
3. Merchandise counter at a Catholic Church with a large Irish congregation

Celtic jewelry styles are now mainstream and widely available for sale online and in stores.



Celtic jewelry is not just for those with an Irish background. Everybody can wear this ethnic jewelry style  to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Seeking the “Aqua” in March’s Birthstone



Aquamarine gemstone with superb color



I am still seeking an aquamarine gemstone the color of the deep blue sea on a sunny day.  I once spied one in a cocktail ring owned by a friend and ever since, I have sought a small beautiful blue aquamarine.  Its not  my birthstone because I wasn’t  born in March but I love the calming blue color.

Aquamarine is a gemstone from the beryl family of gems, which also includes emeralds. Large aquamarines are far less expensive than comparable emeralds but most are pale-colored. 

The paler blue aquamarine gemstones are also much more available than the more valuable deep blue varieties.

To me the pale stones look lifeless. It’s as if the life was irradiated out of them.



Vintage Aquamarine Pendant



My plan of action to find blue sea colored aquamarine jewelry will be to occasionally check pawn shops for availability. I certainly won’t be purchasing any online unless it comes with a certificate documenting the color tint.