Pearls have been one of the most highly coveted materials throughout history. In fact, they have been seen in almost every culture throughout time and they are still loved today. Part of the reason that pearls are so highly valued is because fresh water pearls that are satisfactory for use in jewelry are not all that common and this is why cultured pearls have become so popular and why many women are choosing cultured pearl necklaces instead of fresh water pearl necklaces.

The wonderful thing about cultured pearl necklaces is that they are more affordable than fresh water pearls. The reason for this is not that they aren’t real pearls; the fact of the matter is that they are just pearls that were given a little helping hand. Cultured pearl necklaces are still beautiful but they exist because they were created by pearl farmers who raise the pearls in a very controlled way.

Buying cultured pearl necklaces is often preferential to many because the pearls are more balanced and symmetrical. When you are dealing with fresh water pearls you have no control over size, shape, and color. Cultured pearl necklaces are usually much more balanced in appearance because the farmers can control more of the elements that affect these things. There are some truly beautiful and unique pearls that come from the farms, resulting in some stunning cultured pearl necklaces of different sizes, shapes, styles, and even colors!

In addition to being offered in different shapes and colors and even sizes, cultured pearl necklaces are usually a lot more affordable than fresh water pearls. The reason for this is that there is a constant supply of cultured pearls while there may not be of fresh water pearls. This availability makes the cultured pearl necklaces just as beautiful, but more affordable.

Chances are you have seen some really pretty yellow jade as of late. Many people are surprised to find that this semi-transparent stone is jade because most of us think of a deep green when we think of jade. The fact of the matter is that jade comes in many colors and yellow happens to be one of the most magnificently beautiful. There is more and more yellow jade jewelry hitting the market and chances are that there will be more on the market in the months and years to come because this is a timeless look.

Yellow jade is known by some as it is the mystical birthstone for the month of March and the astrological birthstone for Virgo. Others know of yellow jade because it is considered the anniversary gemstone for the 12th, 30th, and 35th years of marriage. While yellow jade is not well known by a lot of people, there certainly are a lot of opportunities to welcome it into your life if you haven’t already. If you live in either Wyoming or Alaska you have the added benefit of having jade be your state gemstone!

Yellow jade is favored by many because it is through to be useful for emotional stability. In some cultures jade is thought to be filled with loving and protective properties, so many people use yellow jade to help foster loving relationships. Many parents buy their children yellow jade jewelry as it is thought to help protect children from illness and is also given to those who are traveling long distances to protect them during their travels. While these beliefs have not been proven, they continue today and yellow jade continues to be used routinely by some to aid in digestion, and help with health problems associated with the kidneys, heart, liver, spleen, and even the bladder.

Its History

It takes nature hundreds of millions of years to make a diamond. Over millennia, heat and pressure deep within the earth turn carbon, one of the basic elements of life, into a beautiful diamond. In time, the diamond crystals are driven closer to the earth’s surface by plate tectonics and volcanic activity, and after being harvested, can be found in places like the jewelry from VistaBella.

Humankind first found and exploited the properties of diamonds around 800 BCE. These diamonds were found in the riverbeds of India, and were thought to bring the possessor kismet, or good fortune. Today, diamonds are mined in Brazil and South Africa, as well as Canada, Russia and Australia.

Before the diamond was used for jewelry, the stone was used for drill bits and engraving tools. The Greeks named this hard, seemingly indestructible stone adamas, which means “invincible.” Knives could not cut it and other stones could not scratch it. The diamond maintains its sheen and shimmer for a lifetime.

Diamonds became symbols of strength, courage and invincibility in the Middle Ages. Its current status as the ultimate gift of love came by way of the Grecian myth about Cupid. In order for the arrows of Cupid to pierce the heart of any mortal, they had to be tipped with diamonds. Today, the diamond is the gem of choice to reflect love. Just as a diamond turns pure white light into the fire of the rainbow, so the gift of a diamond transforms the purity of your love into fire.

How To Care For Diamonds

“Diamonds are indeed the hardest mineral, but with its great value you can consider it as that which the most fragile.”

When you are shopping for diamonds, most shoppers will pay attention to the Four C’s of diamond purchasing- clarity, color, cut and carat weight. But after you have selected the perfect diamond gift for a loved one or for yourself, you need to pay attention to the fifth “C” of diamonds which is care. VistaBella recommends a regular professional cleaning to keep your diamond jewelry looking magnificent. A professional cleaning clears off any build-up on the gem and gives the setting a high, just like new shine. You should also have the setting checked once a year by a professional jeweler. In between regular professional cleanings, you can take care of your diamond jewelry to keep it looking its best.

Cleaning

·    Soak and wash your diamond jewelry. Use warm water with a mild detergent to clean off day-to-day dust. Use a very soft brush to remove more stubborn dirt, but be careful not to scratch the setting.

·    Rinse with warm water. Rinse off the detergent residue and any lingering particles of dirt.

·    Dry with a lint-free towel. After washing, use a lint-free cloth to pat the jewelry dry.

You can also try a solution of 1 part ammonia to 6 parts water for cleaning. Ethyl alcohol may be used as well. For hard-to-reach places, try a toothpick or unwaxed dental floss to remove tarnishing debris.

Ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended for diamonds with inclusions. The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond, so keep your diamond jewelry in individual jewelry boxes so that your precious stones and settings will not get scratched. Diamond jewelry should be stored in soft pouches or fabric-lined jewelry cases to protect the stones and settings from accidental damage. You can also wrap diamond jewelry in tissue paper and store in small cardboard boxes. When traveling, don’t put your jewelry in your luggage. Take your jewelry in your carry-on bag so that you can have it with you at all times. Insure valuable pieces of jewelry against theft or loss.

Avoid touching the surface of the gem. Your fingers will leave traces of oil that dull the diamond’s brilliance. Do not expose the diamond to household chemicals such as chlorine bleach or hairspray. The chemicals can dull the finish of a diamond. Avoid wearing your diamond jewelry where it could be splattered with grease, lotions, oils or powders. Remove your diamond jewelry if you are doing rough or heavy work.

White Cultured Pearl Necklace Bracelet Earrings Set

There are a lot of types of pearls emerging now in the market, and everyone just loves them! One of them is the Mother of Pearl. It is the iridescent lining found on the inside of the shells of some mollusks such as large oysters, abalones, pearl mussels and paua shells. The multi-colored shimmer of mother of pearl is caused by variations in the mollusk’s diet as well as conditions in the environment.

Mother of pearl has been used in gold and silver rings, necklaces, brooches and buttons. This classic material is also used for jewelry, inlay work, combs, knife handles, playing-card cases and fans.

The most important characteristic of mother of pearl is luster, the way the light is caught by the mother of pearl and returned to the viewer’s eye. Very reflective and distinctive colored mother of pearl can make elegant earrings and necklaces with a vintage feel.

Mother of pearl is believed to reduce stress and is used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve anxiety and promote calmness and peace of mind.

VistaBella uses the highest grade mother of pearl to create our jewelry. We believe that excellent jewelry begins with superior materials. We select mother-of-pearl with outstanding luster and distinctive color to craft our gold and silver rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. These are just perfect for any occasions such as weddings and birthdays!

CARE

Mother of pearl can be coated by a professional jeweler to retain its luster and protect the delicate material from scratches and fading. Clean mother of pearl jewelry by wiping with a moist cloth and gently patting dry.  Never use ultrasonic or steam-cleaning methods on mother of pearl jewelry.  Store mother of pearl jewelry in individual cases to protect against accidental damage.

Its History

Although cubic zirconia was first discovered in 1937 by a pair of German mineralogists, it wasn’t until the 1960’s that science was able to produce cubic zirconia on demand. Liquid zirconia is cooled in a crucible that allows the material to develop into crystals. These crystals are as clear as the finest diamonds, and even an experienced eye has difficulty distinguishing between a diamond and a cubic zirconia, and this includes the ones sold at VistaBella.com .

At first, the technology used to grow cubic zirconia allowed only small crystal sizes, suitable for use in industry and research. Refined techniques allow scientists to produce the larger cubic zirconia crystals popular in jewelry today. This also allows scientists to produce larger crystals in larger quantities, to the point that cubic zirconia is now only a fraction of the price of a diamond.

The cubic zirconia can stand in for a diamond in jewelry because it shares many of the same characteristics of its more expensive counterpart. It is dense and heavy, even heavier than a diamond of the same size. The crystal reflects light well, and the natural body color is flawless and clear, although trace elements can be added to the zirconium to produce different colors. Cubic zirconia is a bit more brittle that a diamond, but it generates a fire very similar to that of a diamond, and its radiance can be enhanced with a proper cut.

The remarkable qualities of cubic zirconia have earned it a place as a gemstone in its own right. VistaBella offers a selection of the best cubic zirconia in flawless colors, shapes and cuts that are perfect for gift to a loved one or as a treat for yourself.

Its Colors

“Looking at different colored gems is like looking at the rainbow, you’ll get entice and allure just by merely looking at them, and then you’ll long for wanting to have them.”

Although cubic zirconia can be made as clear and flawless as the highest grade diamonds, adding trace elements to the mix creates cubic zirconia in just about any color your heart desires. Chemistry creates the color of cubic zirconia, but at VistaBella, we believe that your care and selection of the perfect gift creates the chemistry of love.

Red is made by introducing small amounts of cerium oxide, although oranges and yellows can also be made using this element. Pink-colored cubic zirconia is made with traces of erbium, europium or holmium. Yellow, amber and brown cubic zirconia can be made with three different elements: iron oxide, nickel oxide and titanium oxide.
Rich greens come from chromium, manganese and vanadium oxide. Blue is created with yttrium oxide while lilacs, purples, and violets are created with cobalt and neodymium oxide.

You should care for your colored cubic zirconia just as you would your regular zirconia, and always protect it from accidental damage. Make some chemistry happen. VistaBella has just the right color for you.

How to take care of your CZ jewelry

Caring for your cubic zirconia consists of two parts: professional care and at-home care. Using both parts of the care plan ensures the beauty of your jewelry for a lifetime, and is recommended by VistaBella.

Professional Care

At VistaBella, we offer professional cleaning services that restore the brilliance of your cubic zirconia jewelry. Our skilled jewelers can also check the setting of your jewelry.

• Check the setting once a year.

• Clean the stone and setting once a year.

At-Home Care

The second part of the care plan for your cubic zirconia jewelry is at-home care. Proper cleaning, as well as protecting the stone from accidental damage, keeps your jewelry looking brand new, and will help it last for a very long time, if not forever.

Cleaning

• Clean your jewelry in warm water with a mild detergent.

• Rinse with warm water to remove soap residue.

• Dry using a soft, lint-free cloth.

• You may also use ultrasonic cleaners.

Protection

• Remove cubic zirconia jewelry before performing heavy work or exercise.

• Do not wear your jewelry while you apply make up or body powders.

• Store each piece of jewelry in an individual bag or case.

14k Two Tone Gold 3D Belt Buckle Diamond Ring

While all that glitters may be gold, not all gold is the soft yellow of Spanish doubloons. White gold, rose gold, and green gold all make beautiful gold jewelry and can be found at VistaBella. Thin strands of white and yellow gold can be woven together to create stunning pieces of gold jewelry. The different colors allow you to match the hue of a gemstone to a gold setting or bring out a new fire from the same gem. Rose gold accents can be fashioned for a sculpted wedding band of white gold.

Yellow Gold & White Gold

The most common alloy of gold used in jewelry. Small amounts of copper, zinc and silver are added to pure gold. The zinc, silver and copper make yellow gold jewelry a bit harder and more resistant to wear than pure gold. Another common gold color for necklaces and earrings, white gold is also a popular choice for wedding bands and engagement rings. Palladium, zinc and nickel are added to gold to give jewelry made from this alloy a white, reflective shine.

Rose Gold

Also known as pink gold or red gold, rose gold owes its pink color to higher percentage of copper in the mix. The additional copper gives the gold a blush of pink that can be deepened to red by increasing the amount of copper in the alloy. This makes beautiful jewelry for little girls, or anything shaped like flowers, especially roses.

Green Gold

Green gold is made by increasing the amount of silver found in a standard yellow gold alloy. Other metals, such as cadmium, can be used along with the silver to deepen the green hue of the gold. All the colors of gold are precious, and we are pleased to offer you a selection fine jewelry crafted from white gold, rose gold, green gold as well as traditional yellow gold.

Gold is alloyed with other metals to make precious jewelry that can stand up to the rigors of daily life. 10k gold has 10 parts of gold per 24 parts of metal. The result: fine quality jewelry that is tough and looks fantastic for a fraction of the price of purer, softer gold. Using 10k gold, a jeweler can make finer bands because the metal is less likely to bend or warp out of shape. At VistaBella, we carry a selection of 10k gold jewelry that is beautiful, finely crafted, and affordable.

Weddings and Engagements

The first piece of jewelry that most people think of is the wedding set, as well as regular wedding bands and engagement rings. These beautiful rings are available with different setting styles including the popular and enduring solitaire diamond engagement ring set in 10k gold. You can also find more intricate engagement rings that show off the beauty of pave and channel settings. Gold is a traditional and classy way to begin a life together or renew a declaration of love to someone that began years ago. Of course, there’s an array of other types of 10k gold rings to choose from as well.

Necklaces and Pendants

10k gold jewelry can be more than just rings, though. VistaBella has finely-crafted 10k gold  necklaces and pendants for men and women. Long or short, delicate or bold, you can find style and length that you are looking for in a gold necklace. Compliment your choice of necklace with a pendant fashioned from the same material. You can find pendants that feature ornate designs with multiple gemstones arranged in floral inspired patterns as well as simple hearts and crosses, all of which serve to make sure you can wear your gold jewelry with anything, and still look elegant and sophisticated.

Bracelets and Earrings

If you’re looking for some kind of  10k gold jewelry, you might look at earrings and bracelets as well. If you want something elegant you could try plain gold hoops or single pearl earrings graced with 10k gold. For those with flashier tastes, you could look at earrings that unite clusters of fractional carat diamonds, emeralds, and other precious gemstones with gold to create gleaming fashion accessories. Not a fan of earrings? Try a bracelet instead. 10k gold bracelets look good on men, women, and children alike, including charm bracelets, Figaro bracelets and ID bracelets.