(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.
Amethyst is the gemstone for February, and for those born under the zodiac of Pisces.
Amethyst crystals are one of the most popular gemstones and have used for thousands of years. It is also believed that the gem has very strong healing properties which trace back to ancient Greek beliefs. The word ‘amethyst’ comes from the Greek word amethystos, which means sober.
Amethyst is mostly always purple but can come in a number of other colours each with its own unique purple to reddish-purple hues. Varieties of the gem include lavender amethyst, which is a lighter purple colour. Canadian amethyst, which has a red layer just beneath its surface, making the colour more vibrant. Other varieties of amethyst include Ametrine, Veracruz amethyst.
Amethyst stones, which can be either natural or synthetic are very beautiful. Synthetic amethyst is available in the same shades of purple and reddish-purple as natural amethyst. However, synthetic amethyst is significantly cheaper and can be manufactured quickly too. This lab-made stone has been around for almost two decades now and has caused market prices of its natural counterparts to plunge significantly.
Due to its hardness and durability, the gemstone is very ideal for all kinds of jewellery.
Royalty
Purple has long been considered a royal colour, featured in the British Crown Jewels and a favourite of ancient Egyptian royalty.
The Church
Amethyst was also believed to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, and therefore it was incorporated into church ornaments in the middle ages. Amethyst is still the stone of bishops’ who often wear amethyst rings.
Benefits Amethyst’s sobering and calming qualities is why it is considered to have the power to purify and bring peace. It is said to have the ability to alleviate sadness and grief whilst dissipating negativity.
It’s also believed to boost low energy and heal at all levels of mind, body and spirit. Amethyst is especially useful to calm overworked minds as it brings mental strength, stability, and reduces negativity.
In ancient times, it was thought that natural amethyst could purify the body of all toxins. Ancient Greeks believed that the stone protected the wearer from drunkenness and enabled them to keep a balanced mindset. Wine was sipped from goblets incorporating amethyst stones to prevent drunkenness, and stones laid on the sick to draw out infection.
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:
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’.
This is the birthstone for January and gemstone for 2nd wedding Anniversary.
The name Garnet refers to a variety of gemstones. The word comes from the Latin word granatus which means containing many seeds like the pomegranate. They are gemstones of closely related minerals and they come in a variety of colours from red, green, yellow and orange but Red Garnets are the most popular.
Using Garnet in jewellery is good as garnets are very hard and resistant to wear and tear. It has been used in jewellery making from ancient times.
Garnet has the associated spiritual qualities that symbolize happiness as well as consistency and loyalty. It is believed to protect against evil, mental insanity. The gemstone is also said to bring fame and wealth to the wearer.
Garnet is loved for its beauty and brilliance, naturalness, and colour. Deep green garnets are the rarest and are therefore very expensive. Emerald green and colourless garnet is next rarest, followed by pure red.
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.
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:
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.
Beaded bracelets are elegant, attractive and stylish accessories that can be worn on any occasion. Many people prefer making a stretchy bead bracelet to wearing regular ones. So, knowing how to make a Stretchy Beaded Bracelet will make your project fun and exciting.
Heavily beaded, sequined, stoned, or feathered outfits may not require any jewellery at all. But you could get away with a small neutral jewellery piece. So, anything more than the simple with this type of attire will make you look very tacky or overdressed.
Feel free to layer your necklaces if you are wearing an extremely low or plunging V neckline, or a turtleneck. You could also wear multi row necklaces.
If the neckline though is well embellished, I probably would suggest just a pair of small earrings and extremely attractive bangles. You would not want your necklace or earrings to clash or rub against the embellishment on the neckline.
BE CREATIVE
Being creative with what you have is the key!
Long chains or beads can be worn around the neck in different ways. Big rings can be worn on neck chains as pendants. Small, lightweight rings can be added to hoop earrings. Chains and beads can be used together. Beaded necklaces and bracelets can be clipped together to make one long necklace.
Create your own style!
TIPS TO WEARING BEADED JEWELLERY
I am sure you will have plenty of creative ways to use your jewellery once you think about it.
BEADED JEWELLERY
Even when there is a new type of jewellery or trend introduced into the market there is one trend that never really fades away and that is your Bead Jewellery.
Not everyone wears bead jewellery, but you might love beads but do not really wear them because you are not sure how to add them to your outfits.
Bead jewellery adds so much colour and flare to an outfit when used correctly but according to your own style.
Tips to Wearing Beaded Necklaces in a stylish manner:
Everyone should have her own unique style of dressing, where you will choose jewellery pieces that you can confidently carry and comfortably wear with confidence. The possibilities with bead jewellery thus are endless. A very versatile trend indeed.
Length:
Bead necklaces are available in different lengths which helps conform to a variety of different trends. You can wear long bead necklaces with dresses, jeans and virtually anything. Short bead necklaces like pearls can be worn with suits, evening dresses and the like.
2. Colour:
One of the best reasons for using bead jewellery is the range of colours available. Beads made of glass, wood, plastic, crystal, material, metal etc can be found in so many different colours and hues that you can match or compliment any outfit you may have.
You have colours that suit every season. Colours that you can use to brighten those winter months or yellow hues for spring etc. Even metal beads for contemporary pieces on your jeans etc. There is a colour to match everyone’s mood.
3. Size, Shape and Weight:
Beads vary in size, shape and weight which matter when shopping for beaded jewellery. Remember I said you all have your unique style but (although this is not set in stone)Large beads are good for Boisterous personalities or sometimes to create what is known as Statement Jewellery while small beads are considered delicate or more feminine in nature. Small beads can also be used in layered necklaces with other jewellery to create another effect. Smaller beads are also used to keep large gemstones apart so that they do not grind against each other. You must take into consideration the style of the item and type of bead used as this will have a bearing on the overall weight. A two-row necklace in large semiprecious bead stones may be too heavy for some to wear, but One row may be just the right weight.
Many beaded necklaces have different parts to them, thus making the piece textured and not just a necklace of round beads. A necklace may incorporate different shapes of beads and gemstones which make for a highly creative piece.
4. Cost:
A good range of different materials e.g. plastic to gemstones are used to make beads which will reflect in the price of each item. This means that the more quality beads like semi-precious bead stones could be more expensive than plastic beads. So, there are various price points for the customers looking for bead jewellery.
Using these tips, I believe you can use your bead jewellery to create your own unique style of dressing up your outfit.
Shopping online is a breeze for most people but is it so for jewelry 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
Using a tape measure, piece of string, piece of ribbon or even a strip of paper and a ruler.
Measure around the wrist or round where you would normally wear a bracelet.
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.
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.
But you can Increase the wrist measurement in increments of 1/4 inch to give it a looser fit.
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.
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.
Hold your hand up as if you want to put on a bangle and tuck your thumb in towards your little finger.
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.
Use the following chart ( Indian Bangle Chart) to determine the diameter of your hand, based on the circumference.
Bangle Size(Indian)
Circumference Ins
Circumference Mm
2-2
6.67
169.4
2-4
7.06
179.6
2-6
7.46
189.5
2-8
7.85
199.4
2-10
8.24
209.3
2-12
8.64
219.5
2-14
9.03
229.4
3
9.43
239.3
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.
Measure the inside diameter of the bangle.
Use this chart to determine your size
Bangle Size(Indian)
Diameter Ins
Diameter Mm
2-2
2.125
54
2-4
2.25
57.2
2-6
2.375
60.3
2-8
2.5
63.5
2-10
2.625
66.7
2-12
2.75
69.9
2-14
2.875
73
3
3
76.3
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.
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.
