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Turquoise: a long, long tinne
ago gemstone jewellery |
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Turquoise
is the birthstone for the month of December. This beautiful gemstone has
been used in jewellery since a long time.
Turquoise is probably the most valuable, non-transparent mineral in the
jewelry trade. It was mined by Egyptians on the Sinai Peninsula as
early as 6000 BC., and was transported to Europe hrough Turkey, accounting
for its name, which means Turkish" in French.
Turquoise is hydrated copper and aluminum ohosphate that is used extensively
as a gemstone. It is a secondary mineral deposited from circulating waters,
occurring exclusively in desert and arid environments. It appears blue
to green, with waxy veins in aluminum-rich, volcanic or sedimentary rocks.
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Turquoise
is an opaque mineral with a slightly waxy luster, ranging in color from
blue through shades of green ;o yellowish gray. An elegant sky blue, which
provides a beautiful contrast with precious metals, is the most valued
color for gem purposes. Some collectors prefer turquoise that is delicately
veined within a matrix of impurities of limonite or other substances.
Very fine, untreated turquoise is fairly rare. The finest comes from
Iran and Tibet, often appearing in a black matrix. Numerous, excellent
deposits in the southwestern United States, usually with a white or brown
matrix, have been worked for centuries by Native Americans. Turquoise
also occurs in northern Africa, Australia, Siberia, China and Europe.
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American
Indians of Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico have long fashioned
turquoise into ornamental jewelry, inlays and carvings. The Navaho
believe turquoise is a piece of the sky which has fallen to earth. The
Apache think it combines the spirits of the sea and sky to helped warriors
and hunters aim accurately. The Zuni believe that turquoise protects them
from demons, while the Aztecs reserved turquoise for the gods and was
not to be worn by mere mortals. Montezuma's treasure, now displayed in
the British Museum in London, includes a carved serpent covered by a mosaic
of turquoise. |
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Because
turquoise remains so popular today, much of the mass-market material has
been dyed or color stabilized with resins to seal it and to improve color.
Turquoise is often imitated by "fakes" such as the mineral chrysocolla. |
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Extravagant watches the trend
for Fall/Winter 05/06 |
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Large sporty watch models,
which can barely be hidden under sleeves, attractive colors and complex
designs, with which the chronographs are increasingly extravagant, characterize
the German watch market this fall. So says the BV Schmuck + Uhren (German
Jewelry & Timepieces Association) in its current trend report for
fall/winter 2005/2006. According to the report, mechanical works
are also appearing increasingly in the mid-price range and even basic
models are scoring with their technology.
Divers, Flyers & Racers
Large watches with striking details are mostly inspired by sports. For
example, chronographs can increasingly do more; fly higher, dive
deeper, resist pressure and shocks and are also equipped with increasingly
refined details such as an additional alarm function or 24-hour display,
which can also be used as a second time zone, or even a tachometer, which
makes it possible to measure speeds. Renowned brands are raising the stakes
in competition with increasingly complex characteristics, and increasingly
offer attractive features in watches which everyone can afford, says the
report.
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Watch
Mechanisms for Women
According to BV Schmuck + Uhren's report, mechanical
aspects are one of the most important topics for women in the fall/winter
2005/2006. Watches should no longer just be pretty and decorative,
or even valuable, but should have adequate works inside. An increasing
number of women are now interested in high-quality mechanisms, and
an increasing in number of manufacturers are moving to meet this
need. It is not just sporty models, even elegant ladies watches
are set in motion via manual or automatic wind.
New Styles
The report says shaped casings remain fashionable; rectangular,
tonneau-shaped and increasingly square-shaped models are pushing
to the forefront. The Retro style is still current and copies of
Art Deco remain very much in vogue. The spirit of the 1930s demands
functional features and objectivity, consequently the rectangular
models stand especially for this style. Reworked model lines of
former watch classics from that era are one of the current styles
on offer. Women prefer watches in retro look or Art Deco style,
but an increasing number of men are also becoming fans. Other
styles, such as Bauhaus, are also creating enthusiasm among design-conscious
watch buyers. Red & Yellow Gold Fashionable
Regardless of whether the current red gold appears in the wake
of the retro look or it is simply time for more color in precious
metals, BV Schmuck + Uhren believes that this is a trend that cannot
be overlooked, it being popular with both men and women. Yellow
gold is also becoming more important. Fashion influences such as
those from belt buckles and buttons in gold are stimulating the
desire for a gold watch on wrists. Even younger consumers are
choosing yellow, especially if the gold casing contains some interesting
technology.
The Colorful World of Watches
Another topic of the season is color. This applies to men, but especially
to watches for women, says the report. Many models are extremely
colorful: dial face and watchbands in matching shades, and colors
in all variations of the rainbow. Exchangeable watchbands make changes
into a kind of game and enable daily adaptation of watch outfits
to wardrobes. Another trend: padded watchbands made of leather,
also in many colors, onto which the watch is attached. For watchbands,
the higher the quality, the more reserved the colors. In addition
to fabric variants and rubber, there is a strong demand for leather.
Colorful calfskin watchbands as well as high-quality alligator leather
ones adorn wrists.
Sparkle & Glitter
The report found sparkle and glitter everywhere this fall 2005,
whether with diamonds or zirconium. Diamond-studded bezels
adorn an increasing number of ladies watches, and even German men
are reaching for elegant watches with sparkling gems. Ornaments
are shaped from diamonds as, dJa1, fe/c/a tifecorafenfoT '\)«yrneri,
wiYn ttossoms and hearts popular. Even the more reserved looks have
at least one diamond shining in the design.
www.inhorgenta.com Images from: www.dsu.de
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Turquoise:
a long, long time ago gemstone jewellery