What is Swarovski Crystal?
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Swarovski Crystal, sometimes called Austrian crystal, was created over 100 years ago in the Tyrolean Alps of Austria by inventor Daniel Swarovski. Today, Swarovski is the world leader of fine cut leaded crystal in the jewelry and fashion industry as well as home décor, figurines, science and technology. Swarovski crystals will absolutely dazzle you with their brilliance, perfection, wide range of colors and sparkle. |
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Looking for a birthstone? These Swarovski crystal colors
set the standard for crystal alternatives to natural gemstones:
| January - Garnet or Siam |
July - Ruby or Siam |
| February - Amethyst |
August - Peridot |
| March - Aquamarine |
September - Sapphire |
| April - Crystal |
October - Rose or Light Rose |
| May - Emerald |
November - Topaz |
| June - Light Amethyst |
December - Blue Zircon |
What is Venetian Glass?
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Glass making has been an integral part of Venice, Italy, and the neighboring islands of Murano, since some of the earliest days of its history. For the most part, Venetian glass is from the islands of Murano - home of the majority of the Maestro glassblowers and the furnaces where grains of sand and ash unite becoming a very special molten glass ready for the glassmaker artisan. Very early in human history, beads became important for jewelry making and, individually, beads became tiny pieces of art in the hands of a Maestro glassblower. |
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These beautiful glass beads used by Joli are directly imported from Venice and Murano. If the beads contain a metal foil, we are referring to 24k gold - white and yellow - and fine silver. Aventurina is a type of glass that is usually clear and contains particles of copper that give the glass a shiny metallic appearance.
Is there a difference between Precious & Semi-Precious Gemstones?
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Actually, not as much difference as you might think! To make a long story short, historically the term semi-precious can only be traced back to 1858, or the mid-19th century, and surprising to most, that is the same time period that diamonds became considered precious.
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This period also coincides with increased diamond mining and founding of the DeBeer's diamond conglomerate which controls the trade and price of diamonds.
Before DeBeer's, sapphires and rubies were the stones associated with love and marriage. Today, the American Gem Trade Association no longer uses the term semi-precious to refer to any gemstone and the US Federal Trade Commission periodically considers banishing the term.
There is some consensus that there are certain stones that were considered precious and these particular stones are generally now referred to as the cardinal gemstones - meaning these were the first stones considered as precious. The stones are: diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, and at one time, amethyst.
Joli will refer to all naturally occurring gems as precious.
What are Artist Glass beads?
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Artist glass beads may also be called "lampwork" beads because they are made by hand, individually, over an open flame or "lamp". The artist may make many or hundreds of the same bead, but each bead will have some slight deviation from the original pattern rendering it a unique piece of art. Ceramic beads are individually designed and created. The favored ceramic bead at Joli is fired by an ancient Japanese technique called Raku. This process creates beautiful metallic finishes and every piece fired will have variations of color due to the unpredictability of the process. |
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Another type of artist glass is Dichroic wherein layers of metallic oxides fuse onto the surface of the glass in a high heat furnace. This process creates fiery vivid colors that change with different lights and angles.
Gold Fill, Gold Plate or Gold Vermeil?
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Are there many differences? Yes!! Gold is pure or solid at 24 carats. Because pure gold is soft, scratches easily and very expensive, it is mixed with other metals (alloys) to increase sturdiness and decrease consumer cost. These alloys include copper, nickel, palladium and some others. Gold filled jewelry components are considered fine jewelry and must contain a minimum 1/20th of pure gold. For example, 12kt gold is 50% pure gold and 50% alloy.
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The term gold filled also refers to a piece of gold jewelry where the gold, at 1/20th of the total metal weight, is pressed onto the base metal (not to be confused with electroplating). If properly cared for, gold filled jewelry can last a lifetime and beyond.
Gold plated items have less than 1/20th of their weight in gold and the gold layer on the outside is very thin and not permanent. It will not polish well and will darken over time. The base metals used are very inexpensive. Gold plated jewelry is referred to as costume jewelry.
Gold vermeil components are 14kt gold over sterling silver, a precious metal, as the base metal. The gold will wear off over time but you will still have a precious metal piece. Joli rarely uses gold plated components and will always specify the metals used in each piece of jewelry.
Fine Silver or Sterling Silver?
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Silver occurs naturally at 99.9% pure and in its purest state silver is a soft metal. So, it is mixed with alloy metals, such as copper or nickel, to provide strength. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy. Joli uses sterling silver and fine silver that is between 95% - 99.0% pure. Occasionally, Joli will use an unusual silver plated component in a non-stress area of the jewelry design, such as dangles on earrings, usually vintage. The description for each piece of jewelry will always specify the metal content of the jewelry.
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What is Plush®?
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Joli is proud to carry luxury travel jewelry bags specially designed and limited in number, not “mass manufactured” by Denise McMillan. As the designer of luxury travel accessories and a connoisseur of the finest fabrics and trims, Ms. McMillan’s special extras are what make packing for travel easy and a pleasure.
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Ms. McMillan is a remarkable lady with natural entrepreneurial skills achieving her success through exquisite taste and business savvy.
Joli is likewise extremely proud to have worked with Plush in the co-design and creation of our custom luxury rosary bags.
Plush® has received much acclaim in the press including Southern Living, Dallas Morning News, DF Weddings, True Romance and Affluent Living among other publications. Plush® jewelry bags were included in the 2004 Screen Actors Guild presenter Gift baskets and selected by Hip-Hop Artist Ashanti for inclusion with the launch of Ashanti’s fragrance.
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