RUBY…THE JULY BIRTHSTONE

There are multiple gemstones that are considered the birthstone for July, but Ruby is considered the modern birthstone for July.

The ruby is and has been a hugely popular gemstone. It derives its name from the Latin word “ruber” meaning Red- the colour of love. The best colour of the ruby is a deep red with a hint of purple. This is referred to as “pigeons’ blood”. Ruby is a variety of the corundum mineral and gets the red colour from trace amounts of the element chromium. The more chromium that exists the deeper and richer is the red of the ruby.

The Ruby in Ancient Times:

Persians regarded this July birthstone as a symbol of dignity, charity, and divine power.

In Burma the ruby represented the last reincarnation stage that preceded divinity. The birthstone signified life and happiness. Warriors believed it made them invincible in battle.

In the Hindu culture ruby was one of the gems in the magical necklace of Vishnu, one of the most important holy gods and the member of holy trinity in Hinduism.

In ancient India, ruby was called the “king of precious stones” for its rarity, hardness (second only to diamond), beauty and seemingly mystical powers. Long associated with the life force blood, ruby was a symbol of power and youthful energy in Indian jewellery.

Medieval Europeans maintained that rubies bestowed health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love.

Today Ruby is a very popular birthstone with a huge number of celebrities wearing it for their occasions.

Alternate Birthstones for July

Carnelian, which is also red, Sapphire, Topaz, Agate, Beryl, and Amber.

Where is the Ruby found?

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), is one of the oldest recorded sources of fine rubies. For more than five centuries, the Mogok area in Myanmar has produced some of the most sought-after rubies.

Vietnam has been another important source for the July birthstone since the late 20th century. The Luc Yen region in northern Vietnam, produces rubies of red to purplish red colour. Further south, the Quy Chau district has also yielded many fine rubies.

Mozambique is an important new source for the July birthstone. This African nation is home to the prolific mines at Montepuez. Rubies found there have been compared to the gems of Mogok.

For many years in the late 1900s, the ruby deposits along the border between Thailand and Cambodia were the major source of rubies in the marketplace.

Other important producers of the July birthstone include Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar.

The ruby is a beautiful and expensive gemstone therefore owning a ruby should be considered a privilege as it is a very special and precious gem.

How To Measure for Yourself when buying or ordering jewellery: Part 3

Your Bangle/Bracelet measurement.

Shopping online is a breeze for most people but is it so for jewellery items, especially for bangles or bracelets ?

Do you have to physically try the item on before purchasing because you don’t know what size to order online?

Have you missed out on bargains or items you would like to own simply because you don’t know what to order?

Have you ever bought a bangle and on arrival you found it too small or hard to wear?

To make things easy and to buy a well fitted item you need to know as much information as possible about the item you are buying, your personal specifics and correct measurements.

This means you must be able to measure yourself for a bangle that you consider well fitted for your style.

Various methods to determine the size of bangles/bracelets are on the Internet.

The methods below can be used to determine your measurement if you want to buy a bangle/bracelet in general and specifically from LOYATOBS CREATIONS.

Bracelet Sizing

  1. Using a tape measure, piece of string, piece of ribbon or even a strip of paper and a ruler.
  2. Measure around the wrist or round where you would normally wear a bracelet.
  3. Mark or note where the ends meet, with no overlapping of the tape or other. If you used any material other than the tape measure you will need to then measure this length with a ruler.
  4. This would give you a fitted measure for those who dislike bracelets moving about on the wrist or arm. The measurement would be a fit inclusive of any clasps or openings in the bracelet.
  5. But you can Increase the wrist measurement in increments of 1/4 inch to give it a looser fit.
  6. Remember adding to the fitted measurement of your bracelet notwithstanding where you wear it on your arm will make it less fitted and prone to moving up and down your arm. So it could be well fitted/snug, comfortable/loose or very loose wherever you choose to wear them.
  7. You should develop your own style and therefore be comfortable with what you are wearing.

In the image the wrist measurement is 15cm/6inches for a snug fit on this part of the arm. This type of snug measurement will give you a tight fit open bangle or bracelet. The same effect will be for a snug measurement wherever you measure along the arm.

Bangle Sizing

These methods can be used to measure for closed bangles including LOYATOBS closed bangles unless otherwise stated.

  1. Hold your hand up as if you want to put on a bangle and tuck your thumb in towards your little finger.
  2. Measure around the hand at the widest point ( Knuckles) with a tape measure or other material. Your measurement should not be too tight. If you used a strip of paper or other mark the paper and measure it with a ruler. This is the circumference of your hand.
  3. Use the following chart ( Indian Bangle Chart) to determine the diameter of your hand, based on the circumference.
Bangle Size(Indian)Circumference InsCircumference Mm
2-26.67169.4
2-47.06179.6
2-67.46189.5
2-87.85199.4
2-108.24209.3
2-128.64219.5
2-149.03229.4
39.43239.3

In the image the measurement is 21 cm/210mm so according to the table the closed bangle size is either 2.8 if you don’t mind a little squeeze or 2-10 for free movement over the hand.

In the second method you can use a bangle that fits you perfectly, that you have already purchased or that you already own.

  1. Measure the inside diameter of the bangle.
  2. Use this chart to determine your size
Bangle Size(Indian)Diameter InsDiameter Mm
2-22.12554
2-42.2557.2
2-62.37560.3
2-82.563.5
2-102.62566.7
2-122.7569.9
2-142.87573
3376.3

According to the above table:

The first image of an open bangle has a measurement of 5cm/50mm.

The second closed bangle (which will pass over the hand) measurement of 6cm/60mm will give you a size 2-6

The third image of a closed bangle (which will pass over the hand) has a measurement of 6.5cm/65mm will give you a size 2-10.

How to Measure yourself when buying or ordering Jewellery: Part 1

Do you want to buy or order a necklace, bead necklace, bracelet or ring and you are not sure which size or length to buy or order?

Here are several ways to arrive at your preferred length:

It is important to take into consideration these factors when measuring for a necklace:

  1. Do you always prefer to wear your favourite length?
  2. The design of the necklace itself- single or multiple rows
  3. Where would you want it to sit?
  4. Will you prefer to have an extender on the necklace so you can use it at multiple lengths
  5. The style of attire/neckline you will be wearing
  6. How to consider the different measurement lengths available as against your choice.

Necklace Measuring Methods

  1. If you already have a necklace that you wear consistently because you like the way it fits you, then your measurement is easy to find. Stretch the necklace straight on a flat surface and measure the length from end to end, using a ruler or tape measure.
  • Put a piece of string around your neck and drape it the way you would wear your necklace or
  • The way it would hang with a centre piece from it
  • Hold the piece of string where you would want it to sit on your chest
  • Always remember though that a centre piece would sit below this so do not include that drop in the necklace measurement
  • In a multi row necklace, your consideration for measurement is only on the first row of the necklace.
  • Cut the string or mark where the ends meet and lay straight on a flat surface to measure.
  • Instead of putting a piece of string round your neck to measure, you could use the tape measure itself.

The above would give you your own preferred measurement.

Loyatobs necklace measurements are always unfinished at 16.5 inches. Once they are purchased, they are completed at the measurement agreed to by the customer. It might be the original length of 16,.5inches or an amended length sent in by the customer.

How to Measure yourself when buying or ordering Jewellery. Part 2

Different Necklace lengths and Names.

It is useful to have an idea of what constitutes a particular necklace Style as there are categories to which a necklace lengths fall into. Mind you, the measurements are variable by a few inches as sizing may differ from person to person, but these measurements are a general guide.

Having this in mind helps when deciding what style would fit a particular neckline.

Choker style necklace fits snugly on the neck.

women s black haltertop
Photo by Steven Arenas on Pexels.com

This style necklace is as it states. It is a perfect fit round the middle of the neck.

Collar Style necklace measures sits at the base of the neck, just on the collar bone, like a shirt or blouse collar.

Princess Style necklace sits just above the breast.

Matinee Style necklace goes up to 24 inches and sits between the top of the bust and  the middle of the bust. It is a very popular necklace length

Opera style necklace goes up to 30” and sits at the bottom of the rib cage

Rope/Lariat style necklace can go up to 45 inches. Anything longer than the opera style length is considered a rope style necklace.

girl in dress
Photo by Evgeniya Litovchenko on Pexels.com

What to consider when designing or buying beaded accessories for a Wedding.

Bride/Groom

You are the main focus of the day so accessorizing your outfits can be fun, but you must also understand that if chosen wrongly it can make or break your outfits.

Traditional Wedding:

(This view from my perspective and culture. There are other variations as per cultures.)

This is where the two families formerly agree to the union. It is an engagement party but is also known as the traditional wedding. The traditional wedding is usually celebrated before the formal church activities (white wedding) if there is any.

Things to consider:

  1. Always have a sample of your attire with you as the colour scheme of the day is important.
  2. Traditionally, there are bead stones that are used on this day e.g., Corals (red, peach, blue), real Pearls and other precious stone beads. So having your attire colours at hand will help you match correctly.
  3. The colours of your bead jewellery should not clash with your attire but compliment.
  4. The style of your bead set depends on your taste and style but match the hues of your beads with your attire.
  5. Layering is a clever idea for the traditional wedding jewellery.
  6. You can layer bead sets with long coral necklaces
  7.  You can layer a jewellery set with a long coral necklace.
  8. You can match your long coral necklace with your intendeds
  9. You also do not have to use a long coral necklace but have a bead set designed for you for this occasion from quality beads.
  10. There are many options for you to choose from, but even then, you do not want to go overboard in costs, style etc. Use quality beads as against cheap beads. Quality beads do not necessarily need to be so expensive. Your bead stylist should be able to guide you here.
  11. Use a bead stylist that is worth her salt. It is best to design a set that will be a keepsake for you. A set designed with meaning for your day.

Wedding Day

What you decide to style your wedding dress with is your decision but taking these points into consideration can help as bead accessories are meant to enhance your dress not overwhelm it.

  1. Your dress style is important to note.
  2. Add pieces of jewellery that will make your décolletage sparkle if the neckline of your dress is open.
  3. If there is a touch of colour in your dress, you can have a bead jewellery set designed in this colour bead stones.
  4. A high neckline dress may not warrant you using a necklace but instead a bold bead bracelet/bangle or drop earrings.
  5. Less is More when accessorizing a wedding dress.
  6. Remember also beads can be used on other items to be used e.g., the veil, a crown, a sash, a cover for a winter bride.
  7. Lastly, always match the metal of all your accessories with the hue of your dress and use the same metal colour throughout your accessories.

E.g.

A white/off white wedding dress could be matched with silver/rhodium.

 An ivory wedding dress could be matched with gold.

A pink wedding dress could be matched with rose gold.

Mother of the bride or groom

In some cultures, the traditional wedding ceremony is as much the bride/groom day as it is the Parents. Therefore, the mothers of the bride and groom are allowed freedom in their choice of bead jewellery.

There are still things to consider though:

  1. The colour scheme of the day
  2. Depending on tastes, their bead accessories can be more defined, more in-depth, bold, or simple.
  3. Sometimes both families agree to use the same attire and accessories, to show the families are now a union.
  4. Bead accessories should be tastefully made with quality bead stones otherwise the set may seem tacky.
  5. Quality bead stones does not necessarily mean expensive. A good bead stylist should be able to guide your choice.
  6. It is nice to choose a bead set that you may be able to use later or restring in another way for maximum use.

As the mother of the bride/groom remember that the wedding day proper is a big day for the bride/groom but also for the mothers. You are the host and want to be extremely comfortable and feel your absolute best.

  1. Unlike the traditional wedding day, it is not wise to over accessorize the bead accessories as it really is the day for the bride/groom to shine.
  2. Take the style of your dress/attire into consideration in choosing the neck piece.
  3. Although there is no rule on what you can or cannot wear, it is best to strike a balance in the style you choose so that it does not seem you are competing with the bride.
  4. It is best to stay away from loud, noisy, uncomfortable bead accessories
  5. Take the dress and colour code of the day into consideration as this will help you decide what type of accessories go with such and occasion.
  6. It may be best to speak to the bride about what you intend to wear just so you do not end up wearing the bridal train jewellery or competing with them.
  7. It is also nice for both mothers to be on the same page before the day. This makes everyone comfortable.

Bridal Train

  1. Members of the train are usually trusted friends/sisters, which means they are willing to concede that it is the bride’s day, and her wishes take precedence over theirs.
  2. Whatever the choice of bead accessorises, whether they are in unison or chosen by each person the bride must veto them. She must be comfortable with what her girls wear.
  3. The colour scheme of the day must also be considered
  4. The style of the dress they wear must be considered.
  5. Simplicity is key. In short, less is more is very appropriate for the train.

AQUAMARINE the March Birthstone

(A Loyatobs Creation with Aquamarine rough nuggets and Red Lightening Agate beads.)

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March and also the gemstone for the 19th wedding anniversary.

It is mined in Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, Nigeria amongst other places.

The name comes from the Latin word aqua (which means water)  and, the Latin word marina (which means  of the sea).

Ancient seafarers loved this gemstone as they claimed the gem could calm the waves and keep them safe at sea.

The March birthstone Aquamarine is also thought to bring happiness in marriage, withPeace and stability to the soul.

Most aquamarine have a very light colour, which can be almost unnoticeable in very small stones. Stones with a rich blue colour are the most popular. They are also the rarest and most valuable. The price of aquamarine is mainly determined by the weight and the colour.

The colours of the aquamarine birthstone range from sky blue to sea green and are pastel . Faceted aquamarines are often free from any other material and therefore can be as clear as water, which symbolizes the purity of spirit and soul.

The stone hardness is measured on the Mohs scale asbetween 7.5 -8 which means it’s a hard stone and very durable for everydaty wear.

Aquamarine is therefore available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. The bigger the gem the stronger its colour will be.

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara.

LOYATOBS CREATIONS 2023 COLLECTIONS

New jewellery trends emerge each year and those who like to keep up with the fashion trend at hand tend to accessorize themselves according to these trends. But following these trends just to feel you fit in can be an expensive venture. As these trends are put forward mostly by consumer-based fashion giants i.e. fast fashion giants

In my reading various write ups on fashion and jewellery trends I came across this statement which I feel is the real bane of my beading business:

“Think about how the piece makes you feel,” Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz, the designer of Beck Jewels, tells The Zoe Report. “As you grow, will you continue to find it interesting? Will it become part of your life story? These are such personal purchases that will be with you forever, you want to make sure to choose them for the right reasons.”

So, don’t choose jewellery pieces for the sake of the trend at the moment as they may soon be out of fashion. Purchase for your personal preference which may take you to items that will have quality instead of quantity.

On the flip side of this train of thought though, is the fact that there is really nothing wrong with going along with a trend if you have the jewellery at hand. All  ‘new’ jewellery trends would most likely have been popular in the past. Jewellery trends evolve and repeat themselves in one form or the other.

According to trend write ups 2023 jewellery will see more and some of the following:

  • Less conventional colour combinations
  • Chunky Jewellery
  • More everyday wear jewellery with gemstones
  • Oversized pearls
  • Darker gemstones
  • Jewellery around different Birthstones
  • Colourful statement pieces
  • Pendant necklaces

Source: ttps://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/jewellery-trends-2023

What will be the 2023 trends in LOYATOBS CREATIONS?

I intend to make my bead creations around all the following themes:

  • Unique colour combination bead jewellery
  • Chunky Jewellery
  • Bead jewellery that can suits all occasions
  • Oversized pearls
  • Darker bead stones that will mix easily with other jewellery
  • Multi coloured bead jewellery
  • Jewellery around Birthstones
  • Colourful statement pieces
  • Pendant necklace sets.

Naming my Collections:

I love the beauty, boldness, colour, and fragrance of flowers and name my creations after them.

PRIMROSE COLLECTION

SPRING (March-June)

I named the Spring collection after the dainty and colourful Primrose Flower (Sometimes known as the Fairy Flower). The most common bloom is pale yellow with lovely fresh green leaves. But over the years the Primrose flower has been cultivated to flower in a variety of colours including purple red and pink etc.

The Primrose flower is one of the first bunch of flowers to bloom in Spring giving us all a burst of hope and happiness after the drab  winter months. I can best describe the fragrance it gives off as  the smell of ‘Spring’.

Esther’s Page

A little background to Esther’s Page.

A group of children (my granddaughters inclusive) have been talking about how to give to children who may lack in one way or another and decided to find a way to raise funds for their dream.

As they are all in school, they do learn how to bead when they are free. or on holidays and as such decided to sell products they design or create and want to give out of the proceeds as as a charitable contribution.

I felt this is a laudable project and to encourage them set up this page.

The medley of products are their own theme and design. Some are made by them and some are given to loyatobs creations to complete since they are all in school.

This first set have the Beautiful Butterfly as the theme. We do hope you help them in there quest.

Thank you.

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What is Beaded Jewellery?

Have you ever wondered what beaded jewellery is? Chances are, you’re familiar with some kind of beaded jewellery. You might own a bracelet, earrings or a necklace made from beads and thread. Maybe you have even worn an exotic necklace made from precious stones.

The word beaded jewellery describes making various types of adornments made using a material that is made into a bead. Beads are often used to create freeform jewellery styles, as they can easily be strung together and come in a number of shapes and sizes. More often than not, Beaded jewellery features many different beads, sequins, metal and other pieces of jewellery. Materials used are generally precious stone beads, which are strung together to create necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other forms of adornments. The different types of beads and stones can represent something unique about the person wearing them. For example, some beaded jewellery can be made from agate, which is thought to represent strength; emeralds are thought to represent youthfulness, sparkle and vitality; onyxes are known to give protection against the powers of evil; diamonds are symbols of purity and love; pearls are said to exhibit beauty and elegance.

When it comes to jewellery, beaded jewellery makes for an excellent investment. It is a unique style and can be passed down from generation. Examples of precious stones used in making beaded jewellery are turquoise, lapis, gemstones, coins, bones, glass, metals, shells, clay, agate, moonstone, carnelian and more. Not only does it appear in antique markets that date back to the twelve century, but there are also examples of Egyptian, African and Greek culture using beads and stone as a medium of adornment. You can make beaded jewellery from various materials:

Loyatobs Creations breaks down what beaded jewellery means.
What is beaded jewellery?

So what are they?

Beaded jewellery is the ultimate fashion accessory you can wear to add sophistication to your personality. It adds a lot of glamour and beauty to your attire. To make the beads into jewellery, they must have at least one hole for threading or stringing them together on some form of wire or thread.

Beaded Jewellery can be an item of adornment made with only beads or a mixture of beads and a form of metal.

Loyatobs Creations

Whether it is a famous fashion statement trend or in various religious ceremonies and other functions, beaded jewellery is widely used. Beaded jewellery is a unique type of jewellery; It is made with care, precision and patience.

I hope you enjoyed reading this beginner’s guide to beaded jewellery. Use the comment section to share your views; I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Lucy

More information

Visit our youtube channel to find out more about beads and semi-precious stones.

What are beads? beginner-friendly guide

What are semi-precious stone beads?

Types of semi-precious stones

Check out our latest Spring 2022 collection

Bracelets and Bangles: What’s the difference?

Many of us use these terms loosely thinking they may mean the same thing , but lets have a look at the general meaning of both:

Bangles

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
  • They are usually Solid Circles. Exactly what the name describes.
  • You can also have Split Bangles which are not a complete circle.

The word Bangle originates from the Hindi word bangri, which means ring shaped anklet and it traces a long way back into history. Bangles can be made from different types of materials including bronze, copper, gold, silver and platinum as well as glass, rubber and plastic.

Bangles have been always been used as traditional pieces by women worldwide. Traditionally though they are usually made from solid gold.

Bracelets

The word bracelet comes from the French word brachialle, which translates to mean armlet. Bracelets are much more flexible and usually have a chain or strand(s) of some other material that is draped around the wrist and closed with a clasp.

Bracelets are flexible in design, unlike bangles which are more rigid. They can feature rows of beads, links, threads or other pieces that are linked together with some sort of clasp at each end. Bracelets can be made from silver, gold, platinum chains and other materials. You can make a bracelet in so many designs because of the flexibility you have in the design.

Love

Lucy x