The Buddha called love he drop of honey at the edge of the razor blade??sweet stuff if you can just get to it. I tis a paradox that could equally apply to the quest throughout history for arguably the most prized of all gems ?the pearl.In ancient times, pearls were believed to be gifts from the gods, transformed from drops of dew. Throughout history they have captivated the imagination like no other gem. Their beauty is celebrated in ancient texts, kingdoms have been wagered for their prestige and empires obsessed with their rare allure.In this section, we invite you to immerse yourself in pearls – the legends and myths, their extraordinary place in history and their ethereal appeal – an appeal which remains as powerful today as it was when pearl divers first risked the dangers of the deep.Pearls In Ancient HistoryPearls have been prized for thousands of years. Their mysterious beauty is matched by the mystery of their provenance in ancient times. As pearls were traded through trade routes of the ancient world now lost in the mists of time, the origins of some of the most important pearls in history remain uncertain. What is certain, however, is that the most prized of all pearls were oceanic pearls.Unlike freshwater pearls, oceanic (saltwater) pearls have properties from the sea that preserve their beauty for generations. Freshwater pearls tend to become chalky or milky over a relatively short time. And unlike their freshwater cousins, oceanic pearls are valued for their regular shape and superior size. But the factor in history that made oceanic pearls the most valued of all was their rarity. Early pearl fishers risked the many dangers of the deep to dive for the precious gems.Today, wars may no longer be waged over pearl beds, but just as in ancient times, divers still face the perils of the deep in the quest for the perfect pearl.Throughout history, the rarity and ethereal beauty of pearls has given rise to many myths and legends. In ancient times, Indians believed that pearls were created by a divine power that transformed drops of dew. In Persian mythology, pearls are created from the tears of the gods while another Persian name for pearls is hildren of light? revering the pearl as gifts from the gods. The Chinese believed that pearls were created by the power of moonlight.As trading routes opened from the lands where pearls originated, the ancient legends also spread around the world. The Greeks adopted the legends of the Orient, believing that pearls were created from the dew of the moon, captured by the oysters swimming on the surface of the sea by night. They also believed that a lightning strike at night would create a pearl. Both the Greeks and later the Romans ascribed the Goddess of Love – Aphrodite or Venus – with the creation of the pearl.In China, where pearl oysters have been gathered for thousands of years in freshwater rivers and the southern coasts, the character for ‘pearl’ appears for the first time in a dictionary written in 1000 BC.The Old Testament of the Bible, the Talmud, the Koran and the Indian epic Mahabharata all praise the purity and perfect beauty of pearls.Since ancient times, three pearl regions of the Orient have been famed for their fertility:- the Gulf of Mannar (between Ceylon and South India- the Persian Gulf- the Red SeaTHE GULF OF MANNARThe pearl beds of the Gulf of Mannar are mentioned in written records as early as the 6th century BC. For centuries, royal houses and warlords from India, Persia and Arabia fought to rule over the pearl beds and their prestigious bounty. On his extraordinary journeys of discovery, Marco Polo visited the Gulf in 1294, when up to 500 ships and boats would come at harvest season, carrying divers, merchants and adventurers, all in search of their fortune. Their levy was one tenth of their catch, payable to the king.In 1510 when the Portuguese conquered the region, a new era of European colonisation began. The Portuguese were followed by the Dutch and, finally, in the late 18th century, India was claimed by the British Empire.THE PERSIAN GULFUntil the discovery of oil and right into the 20th century, pearls were the main source of income for the entire gulf region for centuries. As recently as 1938, around 20% of the region’s population earned their livelihood through pearls.The pearl beds of the Gulf were renowned throughout the ancient world and remained in the hands of Arabian and Persian princes until the sixteenth century when the Portuguese took control of the most important harbours.Their rule lasted for a century before the Persians regained control. Pearls were traded mostly in the markets of Bahrain and Hormuz before the treasures were shipped by Indian merchants to the major pearl markets of Bombay.Unlike South Sea pearls, the pearls from Persian Gulf oysters were tiny, generally from 2mm to 5mm in size, but sometimes reaching 10mm. They were often yellowish or brownish in colour. As the Gulf was a major source of pearls in the ancient world it is easy to understand why South Sea pearls when they occasionally emerged through ancient trade routes became so highly prized.THE RED SEAThe third of the major pearl beds of the ancient world was famed for its pearls long before the birth of Christ. As early as the second millennium BC, the seafaring Phoenicians were trading as far away as India and first brought pearls home to the Mediterranean. The Greeks were captivated by the gems, adorning both the statues of their deities and themselves with the jewels.The campaigns of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) opened trade routes between the known world and the orient, and the pearl trade flourished. With the unprecedented expansion of the Roman Empire, the pearl beds of the Red Sea came under the control of the Romans after the fall of Alexandria in 30 BC. The Romans developed what can only be described as an obsession for pearls and during the 500 years of their empire, more pearls were traded and hoarded than in any other period of world history.Perhaps the most famous pearls of antiquity were a pair of jewels worn in the ears of Cleopatra, each said to be as valuable as the province of Asia. To impress Marc Anthony with her wealth and power, she is said to have dissolved one of the pearls in a glass of wine before drinking it. Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus is believed to have plundered the second after defeating Cleopatra, cutting it in half to embellish a statue in the temple of Venus.Julius Caesar issued pearl decrees allowing only for patrician ladies to wear pearls.The notorious Roman Emperor Caligula wore shoes embroidered with pearls and bedecked his pets and horses with ropes of the precious gems.Nero carried a pearl sceptre and had the interior of his litter lined with pearls.Over 500 years the expansion of the Roman Empire continued to open trade routes to the east with pearls being one of the most highly valued commodities. It is said that the Romans traded so much gold for pearls that their trade balance was badly affected.Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the fashion for pearls declined over the centuries. Roman riches were keenly plundered and hoarded by Goths and Vandals, with many treasures later turning up under the Franks who promoted the influence of the Christian Holy Church.Through to the Middle Ages, the greatest pearl treasures were seen in religious art and iconry or owned by the Byzantine emperors.Through a period of unrest and economic decline that preceded the Middle Ages, the people of Europe were filled with apocalyptic fear and the custom of donating their worldly possessions to the Church reached its peak. Many pearls were surrendered in the hope of divine salvation.It was not until the 12th and 13th centuries when the crusaders returned from the Holy Land, growing the order of knights throughout Europe, that the fashion for pearls, neglected for centuries was revived. The crusaders returned to Europe with stories of the fabulous wealth of Indian and Persian princes and it is from these times that the tales of The Arabian Nights originate.Pearls From The New WorldThe political stability and economic growth that enabled the Renaissance in Europe also led to a new age in pearls. Art and culture were no longer so strictly controlled by the church and pearls once again became a favourite fashion luxury. Venice and Genoa were famed for their pearl markets.In addition to pearls so keenly traded from the Orient, freshwater pearls were also discovered in many areas of Europe and can still be seen on church vessels and crown jewels that survive from that period.On the third of his legendary voyages, Christopher Columbus, discovered the pearl beds of the Americas and soon a thriving trade was established bringing pearls to Europe from the coast of what is now Venezuela, Panama and later the Gulf of California. The royal and noble houses of Europe including the Italian Medici, the Austrian Hapsburgs and the English Stuarts were among the biggest buyers.The most famous pearl of this time is La Peregrina, The Pilgrim, which was owned by Phillip II of Spain. It was believed to have bought the freedom of the slave who discovered the gem in the Gulf of Panama. Today, La Peregrina is owned by Elizabeth Taylor. A gift from Richard Burton, through the centuries its owners have included Queen Mary Tudor and Napoleon Bonaparte.Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603) amassed a wealth of pearls to rival the lavish collections of the Persian princes and Indian Maharajahs. She always wore at least seven ropes of pearls – the longest reaching her knees – and owned more than 3000 lavish gowns embroidered with pearls.The fashion for pearls spread among the wealthier middle class throughout Europe and in many countries, including England, France, Germany and Italy. Pearl laws were passed aiming to curb the inflationary demand on pearl prices and the outflow of gold.The passion for pearls continued to grow unabated and through the Baroque age, the Rococo period and the Napoleonic age became firmly established as an essential accessory in any wealthy and fashionable woman’s wardrobe.Around 1845, French explorers returned to Europe with pearls from the South Sea, some dark in colour and larger than any pearls previously seen. Eugie, Empress of France, and wife of Napoleon, wore these dark pearls frequently, leading yet another fashion for pearls.In the late 1800s, the world’s most prolific Pinctada maxima oyster beds were discovered off the coasts of northern Australia. For hundreds of years, these beds had been fished by early traders and venturers including the Chinese, Macassars and Indonesians, who are now all known to have had established trade links with Australia Aboriginal people. The discovery?of the beds by Europeans soon gave rise to a booming mother-of-pearl shell industry.The isolated town of Broome became the world’s most important pearling port and by 1900 was supplying around 75% of the world’s demand for mother-of-pearl shell. Early in the 20th century the port was home to a fleet of 400 pearling luggers and more than 3000 pearlers from throughout Asia, principally from Japan.Occasionally, the Pinctada maxima oysters yielded natural pearls – the largest and most voluptuous pearls the world had seen. Their discovery caused a sensation and the modern passion for South Sea pearls was ignited that continues to this day. For the first time, the Europeans brought to the pearl beds the ‘new’ technology of the industrial revolution. Diving systems, for example, meant that divers could reach depths not previously possible. This also meant that rare natural pearls were being discovered in growing quantities.In terms of quality, size and quantity, their discovery led to an unprecedented era of pearls through the Victorian era in Europe. South Sea pearls were a popular highlight of the World Exhibition of Paris in 1900.Around this same time in Japan, Kokichi Mikimoto was having his first success in producing cultured pearls ?a success that has influenced the history of pearls to this day.

Handmade jewelry makers utilize many types of metals and gemstones in their work, such as brass, copper, silver, gold, crystal, quartz, turquoise, coral and amethyst. Many contemporary handmade jewelry artists make use of even more diverse materials such as glass beads, fabric, acrylic as well as organic materials such as wood, leather, shell, hemp, raffia grass, animal horns, bones and even teeth. In fact handmade jewelry made of these materials is gaining more and more in popularity.

Finding a gift for loved ones or a special event such as bridal shower is never easy. If you want to make an unforgettable present, you might want to consider handmade jewelry. A handmade piece of jewelry will express the importance of the person receiving it and the depth of thought you went through to find the perfect piece of handmade jewelry for them.

The price for handmade jewelry varies in a large range depending on the material, craftsmanship and sometimes brands. The most important thing to remember when shopping for handmade jewelry is that you are looking for uniqueness. It does not have to expensive or made of precious material. It is the style that catches you and others eyes. Also, while the internet made it easy for us to shop at home, it also provides means for us to compare styles and prices, as well as searching for best deals such as free shipping, on-sale and coupons.

A piece of handmade jewelry is a great idea for a gift for that special occasion. By stressing the uniqueness of a gift, you will express to the gift’s recipient how important they are. Handmade jewelry is a wonderful accent for that special day or event.

For more resources about Danielle Janine jewelry or even about Designer jewelry and especially about Unique handmade jewelry please review these links.

It seems to get harder and harder to give a gift to an important woman in your life and make her truly surprised. Flowers are almost always expected, electronics are too easy, and gift cards are just too impersonal. Jewelry tends to be a gift you can rely on and still be the most surprising. But what type of jewelry will she like?

Pearl jewelry is a classic staple in every woman’s wardrobe. With new designs and modern updates to jewelry design, pearl jewelry is making a huge comeback in mainstream fashion. Today, one can find simple white pearls, beautifully multi-colored pearls, golden pearls and even black pearls. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or just because, pearls have truly become suitable for any age and occasion.

Pearl jewelry gift ideas for women will vary depending on her tastes and personality. So when selecting your pearl jewelry, bear in mind her personality and traits. This can help you narrow down your options for gift ideas. For women it’s about style, simplicity, staying power, and the personal aspect of the gift.  Ask yourself, how does it relate to her style?

If she tends to be more on the trendy side, is a little bit bolder than some, a beautiful strand of colored Freshwater pearls or South Sea Pearls would be a perfect gift. The overall piece of jewelry, whether a pearl necklace or bracelet is simple. However, the unique pops of color from the pearls are unexpected. This stays true to her personal style, but gives her a classic piece of jewelry that has staying power through the decades.

A woman who may be a little bit rock and roll inside might enjoy black Tahitian pearls. These strong pieces speak directly to her taste and personality. They are bold, yet refined and offer her the elegance of pearl jewelry with a twist. Simple drop style Tahitian pearl earrings, for instance, can be her go-to pair of earrings each time she goes out for years to come.

If you’re not sure what her tastes are or know she sticks to the classics, then a simple strand of white pearls is a sure thing. Simple, and elegant, white pearls never go out of style and can be dressed up or down. Look for popular Akoya pearls or Freshwater pearls in white for the best options.

While pearl jewelry is high quality jewelry that lasts for decades, this doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Many online pearl jewelry stores offer quality pieces as low as $20.00 or as high as $2,000. So as it goes, pearl jewelry gift ideas for women can easily fit into your budget and you can still give her a high quality piece of jewelry that she will treasure for a very long time. Bear in mind these simple guides and her personality, and you will surely give a gift she will absolutely love.

Akoya pearl jewelry is one of the most popular types of pearl jewelry available. Often times when you are looking at a set of jewelry, it has been strung together with Akoya pearls. While identifying the specific type of pearl to the untrained eye can be difficult, you can use the following principals to help you understand better the characteristics of what makes Akoya pearl jewelry so different.

The Origin of Akoya Pearl JewelryAkoya pearls are generally harvested in Japan and China. Like many pearls they are cultured on farms and individually hand picked. Of course, only the top pearls make it to the final jewelry piece. You can ask your jeweler the origins of the pearls and they should be more than happy to give you a back story.

The Size of Akoya PearlsAkoya pearls can vary in size. On average, they measure from 6 to 7 mm. However, they can be as tiny as 2mm or as large as 10 mm. Unlike other types of pearls, Akoya pearls have the ability to be so small because they come from the Akoya oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii) which tends to be smaller in size as well.

The Color of Akoya Pearl JewelryAkoya pearls are generally white or cream. However, they have also been known to have some yellow, pink, blue and even rose overtones. When looking at the Akoya pearl jewelry you are interested in, keep a close eye on what the jeweler is telling you, or if you’re shopping online, what the details for that set of jewelry are.

The Texture of Akoya PearlsIn comparison to Freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls can be distinctly identified. They are much smoother to the touch in terms of its texture. In addition, the luster, or the pearls ability to reflect light and shine, is much stronger.

While all types of pearls are beautiful, the characteristics of an Akoya pearl make it especially pleasing. The vast difference in the sizes the pearl can come in, make Akoya pearl jewelry much more interesting and appealing to the average eye. Bearing these 4 quick characteristics can help you narrow down what type of pearl you are looking at and make an informed, educated purchasing decision that you will ultimately be most happy with.

Silver Jewelry is the most common types of jewelery worn by Girls and women. Women prefer to wear  silver jewelry due to its beauty and brightness. Silver jewelry can be wear on both casual and formal dresses. The purest form of silver which is called fine silver is 999/1000 pure and it is too soft to make jewelery. Thats why some alloys has been mixed in pure silver to provide more durability.

The most popular used silver alloy is Sterling Silver Jewelry which consists 92.5% silver and 7.5%  of copper. Mixture made of silver and copper provide more strength which is enough for daily use. This form of jewelry is very popular among the housewives because it is very cheap in price.

Besides sterling silver there is another form of silver which is known as German Silver or Nickel Silver. It is a whitish silver alloy which consists copper, zinc, lead, tin and nickel. Its hardness, toughness and resistance to corrosion makes it first choice to make jewelry.

There are some other types of silver jewelery like silver plated jewelry, silver gemstone jewelry, oxidized silver jewelry which composed of silver and other metals. These types of jewelry include silver 800, 80% of silver and other metals. It doesn’t matter which type of silver used in silver jewelry but it is important to take care of it because  scratches, tarnishes and other damages can effect the beauty of silver jewelry. Silver can be used to make stylish jewelry but it needs high maintenance and care as compared to gold or other precious metals. For more informationjust visit on Silver Jewelry Marketplace.

The history of Indian sterling silver jewelry dates back to as many as 5000 yrs. known for its exquisite workmanship and myriad patterns, it has carved a niche for itself in the domestic as well as international front as well.Silver work in India reflects the unique combination of tradition and modern, contemporary aesthetics that leave the buyers spellbound with its ethnic beauty. Fashionably shaped silver is among the most popular materials for delicate ornaments all over India. It is chased, engraved, filigreed or granulated giving birth to a wide array of ornaments in different textures and finishes and styles.The product are available in wholesale lots of assorted designs as well as individual item codes in ready to deliver stocks. In the description it is defined where the product is exact same as photo or is similar to photo. In exact same the same items will be dispatched as you see in photo, in the similar the assortment is made from the latest international designs. You can give your special instructions and stone preference in the a separate email and we will select the assortment as per your choice.Our silver jewelry is handmade jewelry silver sterling 925. This is a site to order online silver jewelry in quality finish with genuine gemstones. Our jewellery range includes gem jewelry silver stone, chunky jewelry silver, gem silver sterling pendants, turquoise silver pendants silver gem earrings, cabochon gemstones bracelets, Indian silver rings silver necklace sterling silver 925 chains etc. We ship to over 48 countries including USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany etc. So get started and add the products of choice to the shopping cart.We are manufacturers and exporters of quality wholesale silver jewelry with semi-precious color stone. Our product range includes Necklaces, Earrings, Pendants, Rings, Bracelets and more. Our high quality, reasonable prices and quick turn around time make us an excellent choice for an importer anywhere in the world.Our wholesale products include rings, toe rings, earring, anklets, bracelets, necklaces, barbell, belly ring, beaded bracelets, pendants, semi precious stones jewelry accessories and necklaces and much much more. We carry thousands of designs of jewelry and gifts items. We also manufacture plain silver bracelets, chokers and toggles.If you are a jewelry retailer or a wholesaler and are looking for good prices and excellent quality of jewelry and fashion accessories, please contact us for our wholesale jewelry catalogue.Our collection of silver jewelry includes wholesale silver bracelets, wholesale silver necklaces, wholesale silver earrings, wholesale silver pendants and other wholesale silver accessories. Some of our wholesale silver jewelry items have genuine semi-precious stones to accent the silver tones.Our entire collection is designed by experienced designers, having a good sense of latest fashion trends and its specific requirements. The Asian Handicrafts is acknowledged for its creativity, design and exclusive products that are beyond comparison. An ecstatic collection of products that are designed in vibrant colors and distinct styles to suit the requirements of prospective customers.

Caring for your pearl jewelry is a vital part in the prolonged longevity and beauty you can achieve with your pearls. Pearls in general are more delicate than other types of jewels, and therefore require a bit more attention and care. Following a few simple steps and avoiding contact with certain substances can ensure your pearls stay beautiful for a long time.

When it comes to your pearl jewelry, it is best to follow this simple rule: “Last thing on, First thing off.” Wearing your pearls while you are getting ready in the morning increases it’s exposure to harmful chemicals that can cause damage. These chemicals can come from simple objects like hairspray, perfume, and even your makeup which can cause your pearls to become dull and dirty. Similarly at night, your pearls should be the first thing you take off. Your pearls can have a similar reaction to the types of cleansers, toners, and lotions you use as well as makeup removal solutions.

Also, if you are going to follow the great June Cleaver and do housework in your pearls, think again. Simple household detergents and cleaning products can contain chlorine and ammonia which can have an adverse reaction on your pearls. Any gardening and swimming with pearls on should also be avoided. It’s best to save them for the office or going out.

Even if you do avoid chemical contact to your pearls, they still need cleaning and maintenance. Many sets of pearl jewelry come with cleaning kits to help you maintain your pearls beauty. These kits include soft gem cloths that are gentle not to scratch the surface of the pearl but still be able to thoroughly remove impurities. Using harder, more abrasive items like a simple toothbrush can cause damage to the pearls nacre or cause pitting, so a soft cloth is best. You may wipe your pearls dry or use a gentle solution of water and a very mild soap. Do not opt for cleaning solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents which can cause more damage than good. You should also keep your pearls away from ultrasonic cleaners as well.

When you are done wearing your pearls, try not to store them along with other jewelry that can potentially scratch the surface. Store your pearls in a soft pouch that cushions it and keeps it protected from potential damage. Also, many people store their jewelry in bank safe deposit boxes. These boxes are generally humidity-free, which is not a good environment for cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are considered organic colored stones. Over time, a humidity-free environment can dry out your pearl jewelry and may cause them to crack. So you may want to speak with your bank about options or opt for an alternative safe location.

Lastly, to increase the longevity of your pearl jewelry, you should consider having them restrung each year. This will keep your pearls in good condition and also ensure that the chord is in a good, strong condition. You really do not want to care for the actual pearls so carefully and then have them spill across the floor because of an old nylon chord. So having them restrung on a new chord will ensure your pearl necklace or bracelet stays in tact. You can also look into pearl jewelry that uses stronger stringing materials like European leather chords which may last longer.

No matter what type of pearls you have, whether it is Akoya, Freshwater, South Sea, or Tahitian pearls, you need to maintain each pearl carefully to maximize their longevity. Following these simple rules of thumb can help you care for your pearls in a way that allows you to treasure them for a long long time.

Jewelry shopping is very popular to those savvy customer that are addicted with the beauty and elegance of jewelry. But this kind of activity, especially for women are very expensive because many jewelry artisan sold there items at a high cost, that includes all their expenses. Lots of money will be saved if people would know how to make their own jewelry. Some would probably disregard this idea, as they would think that handmade jewelry is not as good as those jewelry sold at stores, made from well known artist. However, handmade jewelry are more likely appreciated if they are just made nice enough to be worn.

Notice that there are now lots of jewelry making tutorials that can teach you how to make your own jewelry. Not only that, they can also teach you on how you can obtain materials and tools needed to get started with jewelry making. The demand for jewelry continuously grow, and you may as well consider jewelry making tutorial for you to also learn how to make your own jewelry, this can also be a good chance for you of taking the lead to the newest trends in fashion jewelry.

As I’ve said earlier, commercial jewelry are sold at a high cost – mostly overpriced. Considering the value of the metals and stones needed are quite high, an amount of labor cost are being added also. Now, obtaining materials probably not a problem for you because you can always buy materials at a wholesale cost, but saving loads of money by creating your own jewelry eliminates the labor cost you are actually paying when you buy commercialize jewelry. And this might be a great opportunity for you to start your own handmade jewelry business.

Think about this, beautiful jewelries are made with jewelry makers, and jewelry makers learned jewelry making through tutorials. So the point is, you too can make your own beautiful jewelry creation if you will just consider taking jewelry making tutorial lesson. The only exception of jewelry makers from you is if they happened to take apprenticeship for this craft. But if you really desire to make this craft possible, for sure you will, it is just a matter of how much time and money you will invest to this venture.

There are many sources for jewelry making tutorial like tutorials in books, ebooks, Internet, and seminars. These sources of jewelry making tutorial can really give benefits to you, whether jewelry making is just your mere hobby or you are into jewelry making business.

A Handmade Jewelry Comes in Different Forms, it could be a precious stone , a mineral, or a metal. A jewelry is made for the purpose of beauty and luxury. History tells us that jewelry was once used by primitive men as a symbol of praise to their gods and as well as ornaments in the body. Jewelry derived from the Latin word jocale which mean plaything.Jewelry has been used by early mankind, archeological findings and studies suggests that ornaments or jewelries was once used to strap in the clothings as a lock. But as mankind progresses, jewelry was used as a form of ornament, as well as a charms and other symbolic item in which they gave importance to drive away demons, sickness and as well attracting good life and luck. Early known jewelry are believed to be shells and other basic materials in which man could pick and stick it up in their clothing or body. Handmade Jewelry are a basic principle in which early man had developed and which later generations had followed with the help of machinery.Handmade jewelries are nice, creative, and had no patterns or whatsoever to perfect. Its just a flow in which an artistic mind of a person flows in a continuous wave to create his or her own jewelry. As with the early ancestors, they dont use any machines to make a jewelry. Making Handmade Jewelry is Fun. Its relaxing and also a cheap gift for all occasions.

The internet provides everyone with many opportunities for online advertising their handmade jewelry. Taking advantage of all the opportunities is very time consuming; blogging, article submission, press releases, social networking, directories, lens, the list is almost endless. Handmade jewelry retailers and handmade jewelry wholesalers need to focus on branding and advertising in the right places. There are only so many hours in the day so you have to reach your target market and make sure they respond. You have only one chance to make a first impression, how do you ensure it is a good one?

Every handmade jewelry artist needs a well optimized website. Research your target market and find the right keywords for your products. Use your keywords properly within your content to get good search engine rankings. Pay close attention to meta-tags; create title and description tags that will let search engines know what your webpage is about, but even more important is to tell your customers (or prospective customers) why they should visit your webpage. Don’t forget to use your keywords in the image alt attributes to let the search engines know what the picture is about.

Your website should reflect your personality and your creativity. You are the one who knows your handmade jewelry the best. People want to connect with the artist, feel comfortable and relaxed. High pressure flash may work for some but generally to be avoided. Show your work, tell your story and let your handcrafted jewelry do the rest!

Your website should be well organized with easy navigation. Every link is a good place for keywords and another chance to get into the search engine rankings. Search engines are your best friend and will send more targeted visitors to your handmade jewelry website than anything else.

Use blogs, press releases and article submissions to get backlinks as well as drive targeted traffic to your website. The more people that see your handmade jewelry the more likely they are to buy your handcrafted jewelry. The more often they see your name and your work, then they may refer other people to your sight giving you added exposure to your target audience.

Social networking is another great way to get your name out there. Although it can be very time consuming, bookmarking sites and social sites add to your handmade jewelry advertising. The more active you are on the sites the more chances of connecting with the right people and even coming up in the search engines. Personally speaking, it’s better to focus on one or two sites than trying to be on everything. See what your response is and if it’s not working try something else until you find something that fits your personal style.

Just like making handmade jewelry, it’s alot of trial and experimentation that in the end will yield the results that you want. The amount of time that all these things require is at times a little frightening. Focus is key to bring your handmade jewelry website into view. The online handcrafted jewelry marketplace is forever changing and you will constantly need to update and re-focus your efforts. All your efforts will be rewarded in time, enjoy the journey!

If you have a retail store or boutique these days you have to stand out from the crowd. With so many products available, providing handmade jewelry and unique gift ideas for your customers makes your store stand out and people take notice. Variety is the key to great sales. Provide your customers a wide range of styles, shapes, colors and prices. Offer a choice of materials; stones, beads, shells, resins and metals. You will find that casual sales become repeat customers if you select a great variety of unique handcrafted jewelry and gifts that will suit everyones personal style! Aim to give your customers an unique shopping experience, unusual high quality products and excellent personal service.

Where do you find suppliers for wholesale handmade jewelry and gifts? You have lots of choices but obviously the easiest and fastest way would be online. Just Google or Yahoo! search “wholesale handmade jewelry” to find suppliers for your store, can’t get much easier than that! You can also search “handmade jewelry directories”, most web directories even have a separate section for unique handmade jewelry. You can search anywhere, anytime; whenever it is convenient for you. Today you can find everything you need online without all the expenses of attending the traditional Wholesale Jewelry and Gift Shows. Everyone has a contact us page so you can ask any questions you may have if its not already in the FAQ. Online companies try to give you as much information about their products as they can. This is hard to absorb in the hustle and bustle of shows but comes naturally when you are relaxed and interested in the product. You will know the special features and techniques used to make the handmade jewelry and gifts. This information will help you to sell the products better.

If you are more a hands-on type, wholesale jewelry and gift shows are the next best option. At these shows you will see the actual products but attending these shows can be quite costly, tiring and they are only held at certain times of the year. The wide range of products available might overwhelm first time buyers but you’ll quickly learn how to narrow your search to find the items you want to see. You may just find that you can sell the handcrafted products better when you have made a connection with a real person. Pay attention to how they sell their products to you and you can carry that over to when you are selling their products to your own customers. The better the personal connection with a product, the better your sales will be!

Handcrafted artisan jewelry will attract new customers to your store. Many jewelry artists have a loyal following who will seek you out in order to buy their favorite artists’ jewelry. Look to provide a range of products and prices. People generally look for that extra special piece once in a while; for anniversaries or weddings. Have some outstanding pieces for them and to draw people into your store. More reasonably priced jewelry will sell more often to more people. Pay special attention to what we call the “added value” jewelry – this is handmade jewelry that looks more expensive than it is. This is the impulse buy type of jewelry; who can say no to unique handcrafted jewelry that is affordable and you can wear it every day?

Your goal is to make your customers come back time after time to check out your great selection of handmade jewelry. Whatever the occasion handcrafted jewelry will continue to keep them coming back for more!