A to Z Jewelry Index
An alphabetical index of feature articles, book reviews, top picks, and other resources on About Jewelry.

August Birthstone - Peridot
Peridot is is a green gemstone that's sometimes called the evening emerald. The birthstone for August, peridot is thought to bring its wearer success and good luck.

Beads and Beading - Beaded Jewelry
Beaded jewelry is always popular. Preview the endless varieties of beads that are available and find links to jewelry designers who specialize in beaded jewelry.

Beads and Buttons
Find beads and beading artists, and locate all types of decorative buttons.

Birthstones & Birthstone Jewelry
Special gems have been linked to dates of birth for centuries. The stones and folklore about birthstones differed from one group of people to another, but they all believed that wearing your birthstone brought good luck. The tradition of birthstones is imbedded in our modern culture and birthstone jewelry is as popular as it ever was.

Body Jewelry - FAQ and Shopping
Learn the facts about diferent types of body jewelry. These links will help you select the best pieces of body jewelry for your piercings. Once you know what you want, use the shopping links to go find it.

Body Jewelry - Navel / Belly Button
Find every style of belly button jewelry that you can imagine. Links to online jewelry stores that specialize in body jewelry.

Body Jewelry - Nostril & Septum Piercing
Looking for just the right body jewelry for your nose piercings? This collection of links will help you find what you're looking for.

Body Jewelry and Body Piercings
Seems there's no end to the number of body parts that creative people choose to adorn with jewelry. Get the facts about body piercings, then find body jewelry for your pierced parts. You'll find links for faux body jewelry and temporary tattoos here, too.

Body Jewelry for Ear Piercings
Direct links to plugs and ornamentation for ear piercings. What I'll call "regular" pierced earrings are found at nearly every jewelry store, so they aren't included here.

Body Jewelry for Lip and Cheek Piercings
Direct links to many sources of body jewelry that's suitable for lip, cheek, and labret piercings.

Body Jewelry for Nipple Piercings
A collection of links to help you locate body jewelry that's a good choice for pierced nipples.

Body Jewelry for Pierced Eyebrows
A collection of links to help you locate jewelry for pierced eyebrows.

Body Jewelry for Pierced Tongues
Find jewelry options for pierced tongues.

Body Jewelry Shopping Online
Links to online jewelry stores that sell body jewelry. Jewelry links are arranged by types of body piercing.

Body Piercing Advice and FAQ
Get advice and facts about body piercings. Learn how to find a qualified body piercer and find out the best ways to care for your new piercings.

Budgeting for an Engagement Ring
You don't have to spend a fortune to buy a lovely, high quality engagement ring. Learn how to juggle stone size, stone quality, and cut to make the most of your engagement ring budget.

Charm Bracelets
Find charm bracelets of all types. Silver charms, gold, stainless steel. Traditional charm bracelets and links to trendy Italian charm bracelet sources.

Choosing an Engagement Ring
Some gemstone shapes and settings are more durable than others. A setting where the stone sits high above your finance's finger might not be a good choice if she works with her hands a lot. Two of the many things you must consider before you choose an engagement ring.

Colored Gemstones
There are so many colored gemstones that there's bound to be at least one that will grab your attention and make you say that's my favorite. Learn all about colored gemstones here.

Costume Jewelry - Fashion Jewelry
Call it Fashion Jewelry or call it Costume Jewelry. This is jewelry that doesn't contain precious gems and probably isn't 14 or 18 karat gold, but it's gorgeous, fun to wear, and some of it is very collectible.

Created Diamonds
Gem quality synthetic diamonds have entered the jewelry market in recent years. They still aren't common, but the technology is improving rapidly. Follow the links on this page to read more about today's synthetic diamonds.

Design Your Own Engagement Ring
Here are some online resources that let you design your own engagement rings. Mix and match stones and shapes, change sizes. It's fun to play around with the styles to see what kinds of rings you can come up with.

Diamond Buying Advice
Diamond buying advice from the experts. Learn to juggle the ingredients to find the perfect diamond for your needs and your budget.

Diamond Certificates and Grading Reports
A diamond certificate or grading report verifies that a diamond is genuine and evaluates it in other ways. Diamond certificates and reports can help you make decisions when you buy diamond jewelry.

Diamond Mining - Conflict Diamonds
Diamond mining conditions and the control of the diamond industry are both hotly-debated subjects. Learn about the controversies surrounding the sales of diamonds in the world today.

Diamond Shapes and Cutting Styles
Learn about popular diamond shapes and cutting styles. This subject will familiarize you with the diamond shapes you'll see when shopping for an engagement ring, but for the entire story you should also read about the importance of a diamond cut.

Diamonds - Four C's
Four factors that are considered when judging a diamond's quality and cost are: the diamond's color, its clarity, its cut, and the carat weight. These four elements are known as the Four C's.

Diamonds and Diamond Jewelry
Diamonds are the hardest substance found on earth. Their rareness, brilliance, and durability have made diamonds the most sought after of gemstones. Start here to learn all about diamonds, everything from their origins to the history surrounding the stones to tips on buying diamond jewelry.

Estate and Antique Jewelry
The term antique refers to an item that is at least 100 years old. Estate jewelry is jewelry that has been previously owned--but it may or may not be in the antique category. You'll find lots of resources for both categories within this subject page.

Ethnic & Specialty Jewelry
The place to look for ethnic jewelry or jewelry that fits into a specialty or some type of theme. Native American jewelry, cameos, jewelry for animal lovers... that's a small sample of the categories you'll find in this subject.

Famous Jewels
View photos and read the legends and history associated with some of the world's famous jewels. The Hope Diamond and Marie Antoinette's diamond earrings are just two of the jewels you'll see.

Fancy-Color Diamonds
Don't confuse references to the yellowish cast in diamonds of lower quality to fancy colored, rare diamonds that are found in all colors of the rainbow. Start exploring fancy-color diamonds here.

Faux Body Jewelry - Non Piercing
Find body jewelry that looks like the real thing, but doesn't require the holes. This fake, or non-piercing, body jewelry lets you try on the look without a permanent commitment.

Faux Body Jewelry - Temporary Tattoos
Faux body jewelry and temporary tattoos are perfect when you want to create a look... without making a permanent commitment.

Gem Mining
Discover where and when gems have been mined in the US and around the world. Take a real or virtual trip to a gem mine. See what gems look like before they are cut or polished. Find gem mines that are open to individuals.

Gemstone Composites and Other Deceptions
Gemstones can be manipulated to make them appear to be something they are not: two stones bound together, with only the top stone the real thing; a colored glue layer that enhances color. This topic helps you become aware of gemstone composites and deceptions.

Gemstone Treatments and Alterations
Diamonds and other gemstones are often treated. The changes are not always permanent, and enhanced stones sometimes require special care. Use this information to gain a better understanding of gemstone treatments.

Gemstones - Facts and Buying Advice
Follow the links to individual pages full of information devoted to specific gemstones. A great source for research and photos of your favorite gems.

General Advice - Engagement Rings
Read a variety of advice about selecting an engagement ring. Important points to help you find an engagement ring that's the perfect choice for your fiancé.

Gold and Gold Jewelry
Pure gold is very soft and not suitable for most types of jewelry. Learn how we've overcome that obstacle and how the solution impacts the color, durability, and pricing of our gold.

Gold, Silver & Other Metals
A guide to help you learn more about gold, silver, platinum, and other metals used in jewelry. Buying tips and advice.

Handbags - Purses - Wallets
Handbags, totes, and wallets for men and women. Designer bags and knockoff look-alikes. Links to help you find what you're looking for in all price ranges.

Holiday Jewelry and Ornaments
Holiday jewelry, Christmas tree ornaments, other types of holiday decorations.

Imitation and Simulant "Diamonds"
Unlike synthetic diamonds, an imitation or simulated stone does not have the same physical properties as the original. It might look like a diamond, but that's where the similarity ends. This page connects you to expert advice about imitations.

Jewelry & Gem Care - Jewelry Insurance
Learn to care for your fine and costume jewelry and find out what steps you should take to secure jewelry insurance for extra protection.

Jewelry & Gem Care
Here's your Gem Care Central, the place to find links to references that will help you care for your jewelry and precious gems.

Jewelry Appraisal - Jewelry Insurance
An important subject page, because it helps you understand the type of information you should expect to receive when you request a jewelry appraisal. It also includes details about insuring your jewelry.

Jewelry Boxes
Find all styles of new and vintage jewelry boxes.

Jewelry Careers
Discover how you can become a jewelry hobbyist or study for a career in the jewelry industry. Degree and non-degree programs, crafts schools and options to help you decide which route is best for you.

Jewelry Careers-Education-Associations
This subject will help you locate schools that offer classes in jewelry making and design. Some are for hobbyists and others are degree and non-degree programs for people who are interested in a career in the jewelry industry. Also find links to associations affiliated with the jewelry industry.

Jewelry Designers, Unique Jewelry
Links to an assortment of individual jewelry designers who create lovely one-of-a-kind pieces in a variety of styles. Enamel jewelry, polymer clay artisans, and other are included.

Jewelry Periods - Art Movements
A look at jewelry styles throughout history. Changes and similarities throughout the ages.

Jewelry Stores-Antique & Estate Jewelry
Locate online retail sources for antique and estate jewelry.

Jewelry Trade Associations
Some of the many trade organizations associated with the jewelry industry. Some publish online and print magazines, some sponsor trade events. They are often a good source of educational information and networking opportunities within the jewelry industry.

Jewelry Trade Shows & Expos
This guide offers details about jewelry trade shows. Find show dates and times for jewelry and gem shows, bead shows, glass shows, more.

July Birthstone - Ruby
The July birthstone is ruby. Rubies are believed to make the wearer wise, to help with love, and help protect against all sorts of misfortunes.

June Birthstones
Pearl and alexandrite are both traditional choices for the June birthstone.

Lord Of the Rings Jewelry
Find sources of jewelry inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's books. The One Ring(TM), the Dwarven rings, Elven rings, and other jewelry described in or inspired by Lord of the Rings.

Mens' Jewelry
There's some striking men's jewelry available and this subject attempts to cover a portion of it. Know of a great men's jewelry Web site? Tell me about it.

Miscellaneous Body Jewelry
Links to online sources for body jewelry. Find and order body jewelry for every type of body piercing.

Moissanite - Synthetic Gemstones
Get the facts about synthetic gemstones. They have the same properties as natural stones, but are created in a laboratory. Lab gems are becoming more common and more popular.

Native American Jewelry
Articles, photographs, and other information to help you learn more about different types of traditional Native American jewelry.

Opal, the October Birthstone
Opal is the October birthstone. Use these links to learn about opal--buying advice, how and where opal is formed, opal facts and folklore.

Organic Jewelry
Not all jewelry is made strictly from metals and minerals. The jewelry in this topic contains materials that were once living organisms, or were formed by living organisms. Things such as pearls, which grow inside an oyster or clam. And amber, which started life as tree sap in prehistoric times. Find out more about those and other organics.

Product Reviews & Guide Picks
Jewelry related products and services that have been reviewed by your Guide.

Prom Jewelry - Prom Accessories
Are you ready for prom? If not, this will help. Find your favorite prom accessory: prom hairstyles and hair accessories, prom shoes, shawls and wraps, lots more.

Sapphire - The September Birthstone
Use this guide to learn about sapphires, the September birthstone, and members of the corundum family of minerals. Sapphires exist in a huge variety of colors, but never red (red corundum is always called ruby).

Silver and Silver Jewelry
You always feel more secure about your purchases when you get the facts before you go shopping. Use the references on this page to learn about the different types of silver you might encounter. Read about the history of silver jewelry, too.

Temporary Tattoos - Temporary Body Art
Find temporary tattoos and other types of body art. This subject includes crystal tattoos.

Theme & Specialty Jewelry
Try this subject if you're looking for theme jewelry. You'll find jewelry and accessories with specific themes, such as musical, animals, nature, sports, and many more specialty categories.

Valentine's Day Jewelry & Traditions
Find jewelry that's the perfect Valentine's Day gift and learn more about the history and traditions of Valentine's Day.

Vintage Engagement Rings
The advice in this collection of articles will help you buy a vintage engagement ring. Learn about the types of cuts and settings that were used in the past, and find out which stones and settings are most suitable for an engagement ring.

Watches
This category of links will help you locate information about all types of watches, old and new. Learn buying tips for fine and fashion watches and read predictions of trends in the timepiece industry.

Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Having trouble deciding which wedding anniversary gift is a good choice? The advice here will help you find the perfect gift for that special couple.

Wedding Bands
Tips to help you choose the perfect wedding bands, whether you want traditional or unique jewelry. Links to help you shop for wedding bands, too.

Wedding Jewelry & Accessories
A collection of links to help you select engagement rings, wedding bands, and other jewelry and accessories for your wedding day. Shoes, tiaras and other hair ornaments, veils, gifts for your wedding party, and more.

Wholesale Jewelry Stores
Browse wholesale jewelry stores. Many of these jewelry stores require that you have a resale permit before ordering. Others will sell to anyone who meets or exceeds their minimum order requirements.

Shop For Diamonds
Find online jewelry stores that sell diamonds and diamond jewelry.

Savvy Shoppers
You've heard the old sayings, "buyer beware," and "if it's too good to be true...." They definitely apply to jewelry buying. Here's a collection of articles to help you be a more savvy shopper.

About Jewelry Featured Artists
Biographical sketches of artisans who design jewelry or jewelry components. Find out what inspires them and view their work.

Overview & Timelines
A collection of Web sites that give concise descriptions of the major periods and arts movements. Browsing these links is a great way to become familiar with the timing of changes and their similarities and differences.

Georgian Era

Renaissance

Contemporary Jewelry
A tour of contemporary jewelry, beginning just after World War II.

More Synthetic Gems - Lab Created Gems
Synthetic, or lab-created, gemstones match the physical properties of natural gems. The technology has become so advanced that it's sometimes difficult for even an experienced gemologist to distinguish a synthetic from a natural stone.