Magnetic Jewelry Clasp

Seashell Jewelry Making

This article will describe some tips and advices how to drill holes of seashells in making of seashells jewelry. Drilling holes of seashells is quite difficult and shall be done very carefully. Seashells are often quite fragile. Be very careful drilling holes in them and also try to pick shells that are not chipping or flaking at the edges. There are a few precautions that we should know and take in order to prevent the seashells from crack and damage.

1 - Drilling bits

Use A Dremel. A Dremel tool works well also because it's higher speed than your regular drill. Especially good for delicate shells; use a very small bit. It wasn't possible to use a very fast speed because the hardness of the shell made the drill bit slip and mark the surface. Once the hole was started, continue with slow because even then the drill would overheat from the effort. We had to stop every 5 minutes and allow the drill to cool down for about 20 minutes to half an hour. Also suggested to use diamond points to drill.

2 - Water

When you drill with diamond points, always use water to cool the points or they will fail quickly. This also keeps the dust down, but wear a good quality filter mask or use a vacuum to catch any dust/spray. Seashell dust is toxic, and I don't mean a little bit toxic. You can really hurt yourself if you breath it in, or get it into your eyes, a cut or sore, or ingest it. Sometimes the particulates are so small you don't realize they're in the air around you. When you breathe this dust in, it gets embedded in your lungs and it won't come out. It will literally be there forever, and it's toxic. Obviously, don't put your drill in the water, just the tip of the bit doing the drilling.

3 - Start Drilling

Make sure the drill bit is sharp, and that you are using a high speed drill. Use the smallest drill bit that will accommodate the chain or whatever you're putting through the shell. Secure the shell firmly in a vise or other arrangement to make sure it cannot move during the drilling.If the shell is thin, I would suggest putting tape over the spot where you are drilling to help prevent the shell from splintering or cracking.Lay the shell with the top up so that if spintering does occur as the bit reaches the other side, any splintering will be on the bottom (back) of the shell.

If you're not comfortable using a drill, practice first on some scrap shells before drilling in those you want to use.

Now when you start to drill, you're going to do it like this: hold the drill in a straight up and down position so that the hole will be straight. Hold the drill firmly so that the bit won't go skidding across the surface of the stone. (Now you know why you need practice pieces.) You're going to touch the drill bit down semi-firmly, like you mean it, but then lift the drill bit out of the hole so water can pool inside it. Repeat. You can do it pretty quickly, too. Touch down, lift, touch down, lift, etc. When you're almost all the way though, Stop. Flip your stone over and begin to drill from the other side. This will prevent a "blow out" or chipping the stone or glass where the hole should be. It takes practice to do this, so don't be hard on yourself. Glass and stone will pretty much drill the same. Anything else may be unpredictable, so a practice piece is necessary.

Seashell Jewelry Making

With the sudden popularity of "cash for gold" operations offering fast cash for scrap gold jewelry, everyone is anxiously digging through their jewelry boxes, hoping to discover a gold mine among their broken chains, mismatched earrings, and unwanted jewelry.

To the untrained eye, costume jewelry and solid gold jewelry may seem identical. Unfortunately, however, all that glitters isn't gold, and many sellers are disappointed to learn that their jewelry is not worth what they had hoped. On the other hand, there are times when things that appear to be worthless are actually quite valuable, and could be cashed in for surprising amounts.

This brief guide is meant to help readers perform simple inspections of their jewelry to identify if it is potentially gold, and can be traded in for some much needed cash.

There are two types of jewelry: solid gold, and gold plated. "Solid gold" jewelry is not usually pure gold, however it is made by alloying varying percentages of gold with other metals. "Gold plated" jewelry is made by taking a piece of base metal, such as copper, and coating it with a thin layer of gold.

Gold plated jewelry is generally worthless in terms of precious metal value. Modern methods of plating apply an almost microscopic layer of high-karat gold to give jewelry a very shiny gold look, while they actually contain pennies worth of the precious metal. Plated jewelry will usually have a marking containing the letters "GF", "GE", "HGE", "GP", or "RGP." An example of a typical gold plated stamp might be "18K HGE."

You can also examine the item for discolorations or areas where plating has worn off to reveal the base metal underneath. These areas can usually be found on well worn pieces. Plated pieces that have not seen much wear are sometimes "too shiny", and have a different tone than 10K and 14K jewelry seen in jewelry stores.

Solid gold pieces will usually contain stamps as well. European jewelry manufacturers will often stamp pieces with the numbers "417", "585", or "750", indicating 10K gold, 14K gold, and 18K gold, respectively. US jewelry makers will generally use "10K", "14K", and "18K" to indicate the same thing.

Authentic gold jewelry will be non-magnetic in almost all cases. If you have a strong magnet, try picking up your jewelry with it. The only time you should get a response is with chains, which often contain steel in the clasp, or a slim line of steel running through the body of the chain to stabilize it. Generally however, magnetic jewelry is not real gold.

Disreputable jewelers may sometimes stamp plated items and try to pass them off as real gold. These pieces, if well worn, will show discolorations where plating has rubbed off. They may also seem extremely light compared to other similarly sized gold pieces.

Some jewelry contains no marking at all. This is common with custom made pieces, foreign jewelry, and re-sized rings. Just because an item isn't stamped, don't throw it away - a gold buyer can determine its content with simple, non-destructive tests.

Without the benefit of chemical tests, jeweler's loupes, and experience, it is sometimes difficult for the average person to determine if their jewelry is real. However, these simple guidelines will help you determine if you are sitting on a gold mine in your jewelry box.

There are a number of different jewelry clasps available for fastening a necklace or bracelet. Notice them when you are shopping for new jewelry, and consider which style is easiest for you to handle when changing your accessories. The intricacies of your clasp are usually directly related to the value of the piece.

In your less expensive pieces you may have a magnetic clasp that snaps together when the two ends are near each other. There are similar ones that actually screw together for greater security. Or it may have a hook on one end that fits into an opening on the other end.

The spring ring clasp is one of the most common, and rather difficult if you have long nails or arthritic hands. The larger circle has a tiny lever that needs to be pulled back. The smaller ring on the other end then fits into it, and it closes when you release the lever. The lobster claw clasp is a bit bigger, elongated, and operates in the same fashion, but it is easier to handle than the spring ring clasp.

Toggle clasps have a circle on one end and a bar on the other, which gets pushed through the circle. They are often used on ID bracelets and heavier pieces. They are not as secure. Box clasps are often used on fine watches and bracelets. A wedge shaped piece of gold is shoved into an opening on the other end. There are usually either one or two safety guard pieces that flip into position to add additional security. They are relatively easy to use.

Seashells Jewelry

Before to start painting of seashells that we collected at the beach, first thing we should do is cleaning the seashells. There are several known methods for cleaning your live seashell specimens.

Burying: This is easiest way to clean the Seashells but will take about two months. Dig a hole somewhere in around your home or yard and bury the seashells about 18 inches (deep enough so animals will not dig them up). It shall need to remain buried until insects, larvae, worms, and bacteria remove all the tissue. The longer you leave them the better.

Freezing: Use a Ziplock bag and cover it with full of water, zip it and then place in the freezer. When you are ready to clean them, let the bag thaw at room temperature until completely defrosted.

Boiling: Boil the seashells in the pot with some of water for a few minutes (more seashells need longer). Use tongs to remove one shell at a time. So you don't burn yourself, grasp shell with gloves or a towel and gently pull out the animal tissue inside.

Heating: As long as you don't mind the smell in your microwave, this is an easy method. The time it takes to cook your seashells can really vary by microwave, so just try it until you figure out how long for each seashell. Grasp cooked seashell with gloves or a towel and gently pull out the animal tissue inside.

After that, the last step that we should do is bleaching the seashells. When no tissue remains, soak the seashells in a 50-50 solution of bleach and water. The length of time depends on the type of seashells and the quantity of seashells being cleaned. We must remove them after the "periostracum" is gone. The periostracum is the flaky, leathery covering that covers most live seashells. To make your seashells a nice finish and more shining, you can wipe them with mineral or baby oil.

In Mediterranean countries in particular the evil eye is a real concept and the symptoms include diarrhea, emotional upheaval, constant crying and death. In Latin American countries to avoid the evil, parents place a ribbon around a child's ankle or wrist as the eye of evil phenomenon affect mainly children. The evil syndrome is said to be psychosomatic in other word's it is a condition that causes an emotional upset or upheaval that manifests itself in a physical way. In some cases blindness was the punishment for the evil eye. The concept of the evil is apparent in various cultures and religions around the world from the Old Testament to Spanish, Turkish, Greek or Egyptian cultures.

Envy is the basis for the evil superstition and is one of the seven deadly sins. The word "EVIL" is somewhat misleading as the better interpretation is that of a gaze or to focus your attention on another person intensely. Envy is the basis of the curse of the evil eye and is in the list of the Ten Commandments. Today it is possible to purchase this type of jewelry on the internet in the form of necklaces bracelets anklets or separate charms. The blue glass evil eye jewelry craze is abundant in yellow gold silver glass beads charms cell phone charms etc. il eye jewelry brings the wearer good luck so whether it's a new born baby a new home office car or anyone or thing that is a new experience will benefit from the good luck evil eye charms.

From key holders, business card holder's credit or bank card holders, or wallets the evil eyed products make a thoughtful gift. From coloured crystals to beaded earrings the Turkish or Kabbalah jewelry in stunning coloured glass sterling silver gold and swarovski crystals are great accessory for any out fit from winter to summer. The Spanish for evil eye is "Ojo Turco ". The Turkish name is "Nazar Boncuk". Anyone who has ever journeyed or holidayed in turkey will have seen the eye amulet hanging in homes in cars or will have been seen adorning peoples necks. Small babes especially will have some kind of evil eye amulet on clothing or around the wrist or ankle.

What ever the occasion a birth a move to anew home or office or a new car there are amulets for every event for both men women and children. The starting price for this type of jewelry is around $10 and upwards. A good place to browse for this good luck charmed jewelry is the internet as you can view all kinds of metals colours designs and styles of jewelry pieces.

Elegance has an age old appeal, carried by a fashionable populace, often representing status and social class. To exemplify one's sense of style, jewelry is worn. It strikes attention, even demands respect from other folks. You can rely on a magnificent jewelry piece to enhance your image and appearance. Magnetic jewelry happens to be the adornment of choice nowadays.

The Ease of Magnetic Clasps

Over the years, jewelry has been the perfect status symbol. However, it is also a headache for wearers, since mending the clasp is not all too simple. You have twist the connective ends together without seeing them, sometimes entailing the use of only one hand. With this jewelry, you simply have to push the ends together to fasten the jewelry piece. It's easy.

Types of Magnetic Jewelry

Many types of magnetic jewelry are sold on the market. They are just as elegant as standard pieces, without being a hassle to wear. If you visit a jewelry store, you will find an assortment of styles and patterns, catering to all preferences. It is quite expensive, so you should bring a haul of cash, for much spending. Here are the most prevalent types of magnetic jewelry available:

Magnetic Bracelets - Magnetic bracelets are stylish and easy to wear. Just by putting the ends of the magnetic clasp together, you can amaze friends and strangers with your sense of style. They can come as gold bands or as gem-based links marked with intricate patterns.

Magnetic Necklace - A grand necklace is very appealing, upping the elegance of formal wear. A magnetic necklace does the same thing. The difference is you can wear it in just a few seconds, as opposed to struggling with the traditional clasps of regular ones. Match your necklace with a flowing nightgown, to impress both friends and strangers.

Magnetic Body Jewelry - Body jewelry exudes elegance and a sultry appeal. Wear magnetic body jewelry along with gipsy skirts and hanging tops. You will get a lot of much wanted attention.

Magnetic jewelry, with the convenience it provides, is making quite an impression on the market. You should get one now, before supplies run out.

Making your own beaded jewelry is very easy and there are many different beaded patterns to choose from. You can make different lanyards to suit your mood. You might want to make some jewel beaded lanyards for going out and some sturdy braided ones for work. Beaded lanyards are especially fun to make because you can be so creative with them.

Lanyard making is popular because lanyards can be used for many things and lanyard making also means you can customize your own designs. The following lanyard instructions will help you to create a well made, durable and great looking lanyard.

Lanyard Supplies You Need

You will need beads for making a beaded lanyard. You will also need beading wire or tiger tail, a Velcro, magnetic or link clasp, crimp beads, a lanyard hook, a key ring and a pair of needle nose pliers. You can get all these lanyard making supplies from a craft shop or order them online.

Step by Step Lanyard Instructions

First of all, measure two pieces of beading wire or tiger tail to an equal length. The length should be about twenty four inches. Tie one side of each wire to the key ring by stringing a crimp bead on to each wire and pulling it down to the knot of the wire on the key ring. Crimp the bead over the knot with the pliers and put a crimp bead cover over to secure it.

Thread the beads on to the wire, using no more than one or two at a time, matching the pattern on one side with the lanyard beading pattern on the other side. When you have finished threading on the beads, string a crimp bead on each wire and tie the ends off. Attach the ends of the wire to your clasp and move the crimp beads over the knots. Crimp them with the pliers. Crimp a bead cover on top to secure your knots.

Cut off any excess wire. Now your lanyard should be secure and tight. Attach the hook to the key ring and your lanyard is completed.

Lanyard Making Tips

You might like to use seed beads or bugle beads, alternating smaller beads with bigger ones. You can match your bead colors to the season or to your favorite soccer team, for example. A green and red beaded lanyard is great for the festive period over Christmas. You can add alphabet beads spelling out your name or cute charms for a completely unique and special homemade beaded lanyard.

Customize the length of your homemade lanyard if you want it to be longer or shorter. If you are making lanyards as gifts for kids, you can make them shorter. This saves wire and beads and means the lanyard will be the right length.

Lanyard instructions are simple to follow and lanyard making is a wonderful way to create cute and special gifts for your friends. Lanyards are inexpensive to make but they are very useful for carrying important objects like a USB drive, key or ID badge. You can make a variety of beaded lanyards in different colors and styles and you can have one to match every outfit.

Are you interested in selling estate jewelry? If you have inherited some jewelry or if you just have a bunch of used gold jewelry that you are wanting to turn a quick profit on, there are several things that you should consider before you sell your jewelry. You might have even found some jewelry at an estate sale or a yard sale and are wondering how you can turn a quick profit where someone has overlooked its real value. Hopefully I can point you in the right direction so that you can get the most money.

How do you determine the value of your estate jewelry?

Obviously, you should sort through all of the jewelry to determine if it is made of precious metal or not. A lot of your estate jewelry is probably costume or fake jewelry. Large gaudy stones are usually a dead giveaway on determining if the jewelry is genuine or not. This type of jewelry has some inherent value, but usually not a whole lot. You might consider selling the costume jewelry on an online auction site.

The next thing to do is to give your estate jewelry the magnet test. Simply take a magnet and pass it across the jewelry. Some of the jewelry that is not made of precious metal will stick to the magnet. Again, these pieces probably don't have a lot of value.

Now that you have sorted through most of the pieces, take a close look at the jewelry to see if it has a hallmark stamp somewhere on the piece. The hallmark for gold will be the karat stamp. The karat stamp will usually be on the inside of rings, on the clasp of necklaces and bracelets, or on the post of earrings. The karat stamp will be 10k, 14k, or 18k. The higher the karat, the more valuable it is. Silver will usually be marked with "sterling" or "sterling silver". If you have any stones that look like they may be diamonds, take those to a jeweler to have them inspected.

Now that you have sorted out the jewelry that is real, you are halfway there. These types of pieces are where the real value lies in estate jewelry. Most people have no idea how much value there is in their gold and silver jewelry, so you need to make sure that you do your research before you sell any of it.

So where can you sell your estate jewelry for the most money?

Like most fashion jewelry (a.k.a costume jewelry) lovers you probably have some old seemingly worn out rings, necklaces, or bracelets shoved to the back of your drawer or jewelry box that never get worn. The great thing about inexpensive costume jewelry is that it is easy to get your moneys worth out of it. However, why not get even more bank for your buck by breathing new life into those old jewelry pieces by reversing some of their most common issues:

Problem 1: Dirty or Tarnished?

Cleaning fashion jewelry is simple but choose your cleaner wisely. Only use a jewelry cleaner that specifically states that it is safe for costume jewelry and read the ingredients to make sure that it does not contain alcohol, acids, or ammonia because these can strip the gold or silver plate. Use a children's soft bristle tooth brush for cleaning around costume jewelry stones. Its probably not be a good idea to immerse rhinestone jewelry because the stones can become unglued.

If your fashion jewelry items are only lightly tarnished a good buffing with a soft dry jewelry cloth may do the trick. For more heavily tarnished items a jewelry polish can work wonders.

Problem 2: Worn out gold or silver plating?

Because typical fashion jewelry plating is very thin it can eventually rub off from wear or become damaged from the use of harsh chemicals, creams, or perfumes. If this happens there are several options in gold and silver re-plating solutions that can be found online. Some are fairly simple and can be performed without the use of heat or electricity while others are a little more complex. I found one website in particular that offers a very good variety of plating options (e.g. immersion plating, pen plating) and general plating instructions for precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium. It is shorinternational.com. Click on the contents and search box and then plating gateway. One word of caution: I would recommend buying only cyanide free plating solutions as cyanide is poisonous. For silver lovers there is one product that I have personally used that has worked well for me and it is called Silver Brite. This is an all in one cream that cleans, polishes, and re-plates worn silver on jewelry and other items. It is very easy to use and fairly inexpensive. Just rub the cream on with an applicator sponge or a Q-tip for small items and rub off with the buffing cloth that is included with the kit. The result is a clean, sparking silver finish.

Problem 3: Loose or missing stones?

If a stone such as a cubic zirconia, plastic, or glass has become loose or fallen out a drop or two of super glue will do the trick. Just be careful not to use too much. You don't want the glue oozing out of the sides and causing the piece to adhere to your skin or some other object. Most of the time a single drop will suffice unless it is a very large stone in which case you may want to use two drops. If you cannot find the missing stone there are companies online that sell loose cz stones if you have a particular chain or ring band you want to salvage. Simply do an internet search for cz stones.

Problem 4: Broken clasp?

If your fashion necklace or bracelet has a broken clasp make sure it is the actual clasp that is broken. The problem may be a broken jump ring which is a tiny metal ring that is open in one spot which connects the clasp to the chain. If this is the problem it can be easily fixed. First identify what kind of clasp it is (e.g. lobster clasp which is shaped like a lobster claw and has a tiny spring loaded lever, a magnetic clasp which is just as it sounds, or a spring ring which is also spring loaded) then visit your local craft store or do a search online for jewelry clasps and you should find what you need. If the clasp is soldered on you will need to contact a jewelry repair professional.

Problem 5: Out of date:

If you simply want to add a new flair to your old fashion jewelry pieces you can simply mix and match. If you have a special pendant that you are especially fond of give it a new life with a more contemporary chain. Add new charms to your favorite bracelet or re-plate that old silver necklace with a shiny new gold finish. Be creative!

It is quite obvious to most people that arthritis affects many age groups and populations around the world. The thing is that not many people know that they don't have to live with the pain, there are things to help, the trick is finding out what works for you. One thing that not many people consider using is magnetic jewelry. This is a great option for pain relief and it is proven with a lot of positive results and reports from around the world.

Magnetic therapy has been around a very long time however only recently has it come to the front of western medicine, and is increasing in popularity fast. It uses negative magnets in order to increase the circulation to the joint that is experiencing pain. This means that there is more oxygen and nutrients available, which allows the inflammation to go down and the healing to start. You can find a whole range of magnetic jewelry and there is bound to be one that suits you.

The great thing about it is that it is not expensive. As opposed to other treatment methods, which may cost a lot, and actually can have recurring costs, this is a once off payment and it will last for life. It also has no side effects. Many anti-inflammatory medications can do a lot of damage to your stomach and stomach lining. Magnetic jewelry is 100% safe and you can wear it and use it all day and all night. The only time you shouldn't be using it is if you are pregnant or if you are using a pacemaker. The other great thing about it is that you will be able to find it in the style that suits you. There are so many different types of magnetic jewelry available that it can also be a fashion item.

For years, mankind has been provided with various facilities. One of those accessories is magnetic jewelry clasp, which gives you a convenient safety grasp for your ornament. While the magnetic clasp provides added safety to your jewelry, it is also beneficial to your health. By using this clasp, you can enjoy your life without any concern of losing your jewelry.

There is a fact that a claimed magnetic jewelry clasp produces electric current. Through modern research, it has been proved that magnetic jewelry increases the oxygen flow to the blood and create heat among body tissues. The jewelry clasp magnetic force is relevant to human body's natural magnetic force.

There are many benefits of using this kind of jewelry clasp. Occasionally, it's being used for healing purposes. It has been convicted that the magnetic clasp regulates natural function of our body and heal many diseases through its magnetic therapy. This involved diseases such as shoulder pain, ruptured disks, wrist pain, asthma and fibromyalgia. It is also claimed able to cures osteoporosis, bed sores, insomnia, headaches, arthritis and many others. It relatively work great for arthritis patients. Besides of these features, it also increase the preciousness of your jewelry.

Apart from it beneficial aspect, there are also disadvantages of using it. Majority of people are facing pollution daily. Because of this, many people have faced several symptoms of blood pressure, headache, chest pain and many more. The magnetic waves emitted by the clasp will disturb the human body's natural immunity system; moreover, it's harmful to pregnant woman as well as people using devices such as pacemakers.

Summer is only a few weeks away! For most people, summer is an active time of year with summer vacations, road trips, and outdoor activities; like swimming, hiking, and sunbathing on the beach. With all of this activity, you need to take special care of the jewelry you wear. So in preparation for the summer, here are some tips to help keep your summer jewelry sparkling and ready to wear.

1. Remove your jewelry before swimming and strenuous activities- While most people like to keep their jewelry on when they swim, hike, or during other outdoor activities, it's a good idea to remove it beforehand. Salt water and chlorine can be damaging especially for sterling silver jewelry. And sweat can make your sterling silver jewelry tarnish quickly. So if you know that you're going to take a dip in the pool or go swimming at the beach, be sure to remove your jewelry and store it in a safe place first.

2. Remove your jewelry before applying substances like sunblock and bug spray- While it's important to protect your skin from sun damage and bug bites, getting this stuff on your jewelry is going to do nothing but make it harder to clean later.

Substances like lotion can get stuck into the little nooks and crevices of chains and gemstone prongs which makes it hard to remove later. And once the lotion gets in those tiny crevices, it can be a magnet for dirt. When you're slathering on the sunblock, remember to remove your rings, bracelets, and chains first.

3. Get loose findings, gemstone prongs, and clasps repaired- It's easy to lose a piece of jewelry or individual gemstones and beads simply because your jewelry is in poor repair. A loose or broken clasp can cause your favorite bracelet, necklace, or anklet to fall off with your notice. You can lose your favorite pair of earrings and or an heirloom brooch or pendent because of a broken jump ring or pin backing.

Before you put your jewelry on, take a few minutes to look for potential problems. If your jewelry has set gemstones, check to make sure they're not loose. Check the jump rings (those tiny little rings that connect things) on your chains, earrings, and pendants to make sure they're not open or broken. If you wear beaded jewelry, check to make sure that there's no fraying on the strings that hold the beads. Just one tug on a weakened string means you'll be scrambling to find missing beads. Wiggle the posts on the backs of earring studs to make sure they're not coming loose. If you find anything that's a cause for concern, put those pieces aside until you can get it fixed.

4. Clean your jewelry regularly- Your own sweat and body oils are one of the things that can dull the shine of your favorite jewelry pieces. And you'll have those in abundance during the summer! Make it a habit to clean your jewelry on a regular basis. Often, all that's needed for metal jewelry is soaking in warm soapy water, rinsing, and drying with a soft towel.

For jewelry pieces that can't be submerged in water, you can wipe them down with a damp cloth. For sterling silver jewelry, you can prevent tarnish with regular cleaning and by applying an anti-tarnish polish to slow down the formation of tarnish. Use a good polishing cloth on metal jewelry to bring back the sparkle after soaking.

Just follow these four simple tips and you'll have your jewelry looking fabulous all summer long!

Seashell Jewelry Making

This article will describe some tips and advices how to drill holes of seashells in making of seashells jewelry. Drilling holes of seashells is quite difficult and shall be done very carefully. Seashells are often quite fragile. Be very careful drilling holes in them and also try to pick shells that are not chipping or flaking at the edges. There are a few precautions that we should know and take in order to prevent the seashells from crack and damage.

1 - Drilling bits

Use A Dremel. A Dremel tool works well also because it's higher speed than your regular drill. Especially good for delicate shells; use a very small bit. It wasn't possible to use a very fast speed because the hardness of the shell made the drill bit slip and mark the surface. Once the hole was started, continue with slow because even then the drill would overheat from the effort. We had to stop every 5 minutes and allow the drill to cool down for about 20 minutes to half an hour. Also suggested to use diamond points to drill.

2 - Water

When you drill with diamond points, always use water to cool the points or they will fail quickly. This also keeps the dust down, but wear a good quality filter mask or use a vacuum to catch any dust/spray. Seashell dust is toxic, and I don't mean a little bit toxic. You can really hurt yourself if you breath it in, or get it into your eyes, a cut or sore, or ingest it. Sometimes the particulates are so small you don't realize they're in the air around you. When you breathe this dust in, it gets embedded in your lungs and it won't come out. It will literally be there forever, and it's toxic. Obviously, don't put your drill in the water, just the tip of the bit doing the drilling.

3 - Start Drilling

Make sure the drill bit is sharp, and that you are using a high speed drill. Use the smallest drill bit that will accommodate the chain or whatever you're putting through the shell. Secure the shell firmly in a vise or other arrangement to make sure it cannot move during the drilling.If the shell is thin, I would suggest putting tape over the spot where you are drilling to help prevent the shell from splintering or cracking.Lay the shell with the top up so that if spintering does occur as the bit reaches the other side, any splintering will be on the bottom (back) of the shell.

If you're not comfortable using a drill, practice first on some scrap shells before drilling in those you want to use.

Now when you start to drill, you're going to do it like this: hold the drill in a straight up and down position so that the hole will be straight. Hold the drill firmly so that the bit won't go skidding across the surface of the stone. (Now you know why you need practice pieces.) You're going to touch the drill bit down semi-firmly, like you mean it, but then lift the drill bit out of the hole so water can pool inside it. Repeat. You can do it pretty quickly, too. Touch down, lift, touch down, lift, etc. When you're almost all the way though, Stop. Flip your stone over and begin to drill from the other side. This will prevent a "blow out" or chipping the stone or glass where the hole should be. It takes practice to do this, so don't be hard on yourself. Glass and stone will pretty much drill the same. Anything else may be unpredictable, so a practice piece is necessary.

Seashell Jewelry Making

Beaded lanyards crafted from Swarovski crystals, pearls or even semi-precious beads and added seed beads combines fashion with function and complement any attire. They are pricier but as they are so beautiful well worth the extra cost and the effect quite stunning.

Lanyards are so easy to make, much like making a long beaded necklace, and they really are a cute and stylish way to complete any outfit for work.

They are a great project to start your beginner beading. You can personalize your beaded lanyard by substituting your own choice of beads and colors to suit your style! Showcase a focal bead or a special feature you can incorporate into the design.

Whatever beaded lanyards you choose, they provide an attractive eye catching piece of jewelry to wear on a day to day basis.

The most common length for a lanyard is 36" (91.44 cm), but can be anywhere from 30" (76.2 cm) to 44" (111.76 cm) so you can personalize this length to suit your own preferences. Because of the long length a lanyard rarely has a clasp, although if required in the workplace or for safety reasons they can be designed with a magnet clasp.

At the end of the lanyard is usually found a clip or hook or key ring of some sort. They come in different shapes and sizes, one of the most popular is what is referred to as a 'lobster clasp,' these are usually larger than the ones used for your beaded necklaces.

Many of the large lobster clasps are swivel which allows them to spin on the end of the lanyards. There are a number of other lanyard clips that swivel and these are helpful in keeping the items from becoming tangled.

Handbag, backpacks, mobiles are a few of the ones listed under this heading. Created with a mixture of beads and charms they are very trendy beaded jewelry. They are easy to make and can become a beautiful gift especially if your choose the birthstone beads for the person receiving the present.

Now let's not forget the beautiful beaded eyeglass lanyard, also known as eyeglass leash, eyeglass necklace, beaded eyeglass chain, beaded eyeglass holders that are an attractive yet perfect way to keep track of your expensive glasses and sunglasses. They are so easy to make you can have a few different ones to co-ordinate with your outfit.

Would you like to start making beaded lanyards? Listed below are some of my pages with lanyard designs, have a look at them and check out the rest of the designs listed on lanyard instructions.

Lanyard Instructions

How to Make a Lanyard

Jewelry Lanyards

Fancy Lanyards

Bead Lanyards

Replace the boring lanyards you already own and choose any of the styles most suited to you and follow the easy lanyard instructions to complete your piece, so let's get started and make a lanyard today.

The most unique Christmas gift ever?

When I and my boyfriend began dating 2 years ago, he usually sent some great jewellery gifts to me. One St Valentine's Day, he even spoiled me by gifting me a platinum bracelet and a sapphire ring. His gifts made me expect something equally wonderful the next St Valentine's Day.

Finally, the exciting day arrived. I eagerly opened the special box! You can imagine how I felt disappointed when I discovered that there were just stones, gold-plated wire, a lot of tools and a set of DVDS in the box.

"What are they?" I asked.

"It is an interesting wire sculpting kit. Because I know that you love jewellery, I think you must want to make jewellery by yourself."

In fact, I am not into handicraft. So I didn't say anything and just closed the box. I felt very disappointed. My eyes were filled with tears. I didn't say anything to my boyfriend that night. My boyfriend felt terrible because I didn't love his gift. I also felt terrible because I was behaving badly without gratitude. I put the box under my bed and ignored it.

However, I was bitten by the bug.

I never know what urged me to do it. I eagerly took out the box and looked at again after six months. There were cameos and pictures of wire wrapped and looped into various types and shapes of jewellery. I found these things were very interesting. And I wondered what I could do with these things. I watched the DVDS for several times to learn about the wire gauge.

What is gauge? It refers to the thickness of a wire. The lower the number gauge, the bigger the wire. That is to say, 25 gauge wire is thicker than 30 gauge. And wires with lower gauge are more appropriate for intense manipulation. Wires with higher gauge are easier to break if twisted or bent a lot. This is what I learnt from the DVDs. So far as the practical wire-wrapping techniques were concerned, I didn't get much from the DVDs.

My first few attempts were horrible. But I got more skilful through practice. However, I found that I didn't love the exquisitely-styled wire wrapping. I prefer the simple designs. And there came a point when I used up all the stones, wires and beads. So I went to the local stores to buy some. I found a lot of crystal beads with different sizes, colours and shapes. I decided not to follow the wire sculpture and begin to create my own simple beaded jewellery.

In fact, it is not difficult.

When you start beading, I recommend thin wires of 22 gauge or 20. That's because some beads have very small holes. Wires thicker than that would not be suitable. Now let me show you how to make a bracelet by yourself.

The things you need:

1. A pair of needle-nosed or flat pliers - it will be used to wrap the wire around the end of its clasp. And I find that the needle-nosed pliers allow more precision.

2. Clasps - I prefer magnet ones. But there is one thing you must remember - keeping the magnet side away from the wire.

3. Wires - I recommend 22 gauge or 20. You will need not less than 9 inches.

4. Beads - there are many kinds of beads such as crystal, plastic and stones. You can choose whatever you like. You can design by yourself.

What you need to do:

1. Think out a bead pattern for you bracelet.

2. Use wire cutters to cut off a length of wire.

3. Use your pliers to make a clasp.

4. String the beads according to your design.

5. After you have strung the last bead, use the pliers again to loop the end of the wire around the unattached end of the clasp. Don't forget to use your pliers to flatten the loop.

6. Put your bracelet on your arm.

Now, you have made a simple bracelet by yourself. Is it very easy? If you have never made beaded jewellery by yourself, take your time to have a try. You will find that it is really very interesting.

Well, to get us started off here, a brief overview of findings in general seems to be in order. Findings are any metal pieces that you use to create jewelry. Clasps, earwires, eye pins, etc. are all findings. Pieces of metal that are combined with wire, chain, and beads to create wonderful and creative pieces. So without further ado, here is a list of findings with a short description of each:

1. Clasps. Clasps are probably the most basic and necessary of all the findings. Every quality piece of jewelry that you assemble simply must have a clasp attached. This is the piece that allows you to put a piece of jewelry on and take it off. There are many different kinds; barrel clasps screw out, clamshell clasps are your average kind, magnetic clasps are also available; they are quite easy to use, because the two separate pieces of the clasp stick together. Many other kinds are on the market including, but not limited to, hook and eye clasps and toggle clasps.

2. Jump Rings. Jump rings are often used to attach other findings to the piece of jewelry - a lot of times a clasp is attached with a jump ring and sometimes charms are as well. A jump ring is basically just a piece of thin wire bent into a ring. One tip I do have though, for jump rings, is that when you open one, don't pull it straight open - grab each end of the jump ring with a separate pair of pliers and pull open at an angle.

3. Split Rings. If you have ever used a key chain before, you've used a split ring. Split rings are used when a stronger version of a jump ring is required. Not much is required of this explanation except that the most common place to use a split ring is when attaching a charm to a piece of chain. Also that they are much smaller than keychain rings, yet they look just like them.

4. Charms. These little pieces of metal are possibly the most fun of all the supplies in jewelry making. They are often very detailed and carved silver pieces and come in endless possibilities. I've seen frogs, butterflies, bees, cameos, and many other shapes and even kinds of metal.

5. Eye Pins. To put it simply, eye pins are a piece of metal with a loop at the top. They also come in wrapped loops, which are also very fun to work with, and both of these varieties of eye pins are very simple to make from home. I will write a separate article sometime in the very near future about making your own findings, since a lot of the findings used in jewelry making are very, very simple to make by yourself.

6. Head Pins. Now we come to head pins - these are very similar to eye pins, but, instead of a loop at the end, there is a flat head, very similar in looks to a nail head. The most common use for head pins is to attach a pendant bead to a piece of chain; we will explore this, and other techniques, in a later article.

7. Earwires. The last finding that I'd like to share with you today are earwires. Earwires are the pieces that you use to make your own earrings. They sell three different varieties of earwires; a stud earring, a hook earring, and a hoop earring.

The good thing about a magnetic clasp bracelet is that you put it on and it stays on. Since you're most likely aiming to treat some muscle, joint and tendon problems in your arms and wrists, it's only fair that you look for one bracelet that fits right and stays secure. There are several varieties available today at designated shops and jewelers. Here's how to find the right piece for you.

The Magnetic Clasp

The clasp of the bracelet itself is magnetic and can give anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 gauss as needed by the wearer. You may also choose to increase the strength of the magnetic field by adding more magnets to the design or choosing a larger clasp. The clasps usually are equipped with safety snap to make sure that your jewelry stays on as needed without any risk of accidental snapping or losing. The mechanism is very convenient since you can easily take off the bracelet if you're taking a shower or going for a swim although everything usually is waterproof.

There are different types of magnetic clasps available depending on the style and design you need. Lobster and spring clasps are very traditional which has an adjustable hooking device that snaps on a loop or ring at the opposite end of the bracelet. These are harder to close however since fixing the lobster or spring requires steady small fingers with semi-grown nails. Newer models use a quick and easy latch-on mechanism wherein a rigged portion of one end of the bracelet perfectly fits and locks onto the miniature bars uniquely set at the opposite end. These are all magnetized as well so you get to double the security as the two opposite ends attract to each other.

Can the Clasps Heal?

Magnetic therapy or the use of magnetic bracelets and other jewelry for the purpose of pain and inflammation relief has been quite popular in recent years. First and foremost, magnetic clasps are not intended to medically treat individuals with chronic problems in their muscles and joints. The magnetic clasp bracelets specifically are intended to help hold the ends of the jewelry in addition to the clasp mechanism for added security. Take note that strengths of the magnetic clasps are kept only at minimal or regular intensities so that they merely attract to each other. The size of the clasps is also relatively small to produce any significant effects on affected areas.

The Real Healing Magnets

It would be a better idea to introduce solid magnetic materials that have higher strengths and can cover a broader area if you expect results. Gold, silver, copper, stainless steel and titanium are the usual metals that are magnetized with magnetic fields ranging as much as 20,000 to 30,000 gauss. Hematite beads are also said to have positive magnetic effects. You will see a variety of designs featuring these metals together with magnetic clasps. Basically, the magnetic clasp is very affordable and you can get these for as low as $4.50 depending on the design and material.

Too Much Magnet

There are no known side effects on applying very high amounts of magnetic force to your body. Just be sure that you keep other sensitive items like watches and compasses away. People with metal pins and plates surgically placed inside their bodies should consult their doctor first before application. A magnetic clasp bracelet is intended to add security to the piece so that it stays in place for as long as you expect it to. You may also find cheap materials like plastic, wooden and glass beads, silicone and other plastics made into bracelets but still using magnetic clasps to make them very easy and secure to wear.

The most unique Christmas gift ever?

When I and my boyfriend began dating 2 years ago, he usually sent some great jewellery gifts to me. One St Valentine's Day, he even spoiled me by gifting me a platinum bracelet and a sapphire ring. His gifts made me expect something equally wonderful the next St Valentine's Day.

Finally, the exciting day arrived. I eagerly opened the special box! You can imagine how I felt disappointed when I discovered that there were just stones, gold-plated wire, a lot of tools and a set of DVDS in the box.

"What are they?" I asked.

"It is an interesting wire sculpting kit. Because I know that you love jewellery, I think you must want to make jewellery by yourself."

In fact, I am not into handicraft. So I didn't say anything and just closed the box. I felt very disappointed. My eyes were filled with tears. I didn't say anything to my boyfriend that night. My boyfriend felt terrible because I didn't love his gift. I also felt terrible because I was behaving badly without gratitude. I put the box under my bed and ignored it.

However, I was bitten by the bug.

I never know what urged me to do it. I eagerly took out the box and looked at again after six months. There were cameos and pictures of wire wrapped and looped into various types and shapes of jewellery. I found these things were very interesting. And I wondered what I could do with these things. I watched the DVDS for several times to learn about the wire gauge.

What is gauge? It refers to the thickness of a wire. The lower the number gauge, the bigger the wire. That is to say, 25 gauge wire is thicker than 30 gauge. And wires with lower gauge are more appropriate for intense manipulation. Wires with higher gauge are easier to break if twisted or bent a lot. This is what I learnt from the DVDs. So far as the practical wire-wrapping techniques were concerned, I didn't get much from the DVDs.

My first few attempts were horrible. But I got more skilful through practice. However, I found that I didn't love the exquisitely-styled wire wrapping. I prefer the simple designs. And there came a point when I used up all the stones, wires and beads. So I went to the local stores to buy some. I found a lot of crystal beads with different sizes, colours and shapes. I decided not to follow the wire sculpture and begin to create my own simple beaded jewellery.

In fact, it is not difficult.

When you start beading, I recommend thin wires of 22 gauge or 20. That's because some beads have very small holes. Wires thicker than that would not be suitable. Now let me show you how to make a bracelet by yourself.

The things you need:

1. A pair of needle-nosed or flat pliers - it will be used to wrap the wire around the end of its clasp. And I find that the needle-nosed pliers allow more precision.

2. Clasps - I prefer magnet ones. But there is one thing you must remember - keeping the magnet side away from the wire.

3. Wires - I recommend 22 gauge or 20. You will need not less than 9 inches.

4. Beads - there are many kinds of beads such as crystal, plastic and stones. You can choose whatever you like. You can design by yourself.

What you need to do:

1. Think out a bead pattern for you bracelet.

2. Use wire cutters to cut off a length of wire.

3. Use your pliers to make a clasp.

4. String the beads according to your design.

5. After you have strung the last bead, use the pliers again to loop the end of the wire around the unattached end of the clasp. Don't forget to use your pliers to flatten the loop.

6. Put your bracelet on your arm.

Now, you have made a simple bracelet by yourself. Is it very easy? If you have never made beaded jewellery by yourself, take your time to have a try. You will find that it is really very interesting.

The benefits of hematite Hematite makes great jewelry because it's inexpensive and look shiny and sleek. People wear it as rings, bracelets and necklaces not only for style, but because they believe the magnetic variety relieves rheumatism. Magnetic therapy has been around for over 4,000 years.

The idea is that a magnetic field can relax capillary walls in the body. This causes an increase in blood flow, similar to the effect of massaging your muscles, and stimulate the areas around the muscles to speed up healing. Others say, magnetic jewelry allows the body to produce endorphins, the natural pain killers.

What is hematite Hematite is one of the most common minerals, formed by oxidized iron. Although usually black in jewelry, it adds to the red color of garnet and ruby. All non-crystalline forms of hematite come from the mineral Limonite that lost water due to heat. Hence recent excitement of the discovery of grey hematite on the planet Mars - suggesting there was water once present. Only well-formed crystals are cut and polished into cabochons for jewelry, beads, and ornaments.

Hematite comes from a Greek word for "blood-like" because of the color, and ancient superstition believed that hematite was formed from battles.

Properties Hematite's properties come from the energy of iron and the calming of oxygen. It's a protective stone and its energy helps you connect with the Earth. Use during meditation to escape the illusionary chains of physical reality and become more connected to your true, spirit self - it's been used as an aid to astral projection. It also bolsters low self-esteem, making you feel more comfortable.

Its grounding and soothing energies can help you relax and unwind both physically and mentally. Hematite is said to be closely tied to the blood due to its iron content. Believed to aid the kidneys, speed tissue regeneration, and contribute to improving the blood, and so the overall health of your entire body.

Hematite is a good choice for those born under the zodiac sign of Virgo.

There is no denying that jewelry plays an indispensable part in our daily life. In most women's opinions, it is the same important as beautiful dress. We can expect different kinds of accessories both on formal and casual occasions. Every woman has at least one piece in their wardrobe. In fact, women usually have large collections which come in various types, including earrings, necklaces, pendants, brooches, bracelets, rings, and so on.

At present, the normal accessories in the market can not meet the needs of people any more. People now are fond of collecting trendy and stylish pieces to express their individuality. Thus, they begin to search other ways to get unique items. On this occasion, jewelry making emerges as the times require. More and more people choose to create their own jewelry by hand. These handmade items are exclusive to make a difference.

Some people may think that jewelry making is difficult and complex process. As a matter of fact, it is quite easy and requires no professional technique. You will complete a perfect fashion article with full preparation. The following are four basic elements that you should pay attention to.

Loose Beads

In recent years, beaded jewelry gains great popularity in our life. Many people prefer to wear pieces made of beads. Generally, beads are the fundamental elements for making your own jewelry. Usually, we can find a large variety of beads available in different materials, including pearl, shell, coral, crystal glass, lampwork glass, agate, howlite turquoise, hematite, Tibetan silver, sterling silver, etc. With the vast choice, there is no doubt that you can find your favorite one.

Cord, Thread, Wire

Apart from loose beads, cord, thread and wire are also essential elements. You will never finish any piece without them. They come in various colors and materials. Make sure to choose the right type for your design. What's more, keep in mind to leave the appropriate length of cord or wire.

Clasps

Never forget the clasps while preparing your different materials. Maybe, some people choose to tie the cord or thread together. However, this will influence the beauty of your handmade items. Why not apply a clasp? You will be able to find many clasps in various styles, such as, magnetic, box, lobster, hook, strand, toggle, etc.

Findings

Findings are necessary components that employed in the manufacture of jewelry. There are different types of findings which are used for different purposes, like charms, spacers, hook, pins, and other kinds.