Nita Creations is commitment to providing our customers with the most comprehensive jewelry information available on the web. Portions of the jewelry information section of our website have been used in the "History of Jewelry" by Cheryl M. Cassidy.

"History of Jewelry" by Cheryl M. Cassidy

The Claddagh Story...

An original symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh, Ireland, (pronounced clada) the design was first fashioned into the traditional ring back in the 17th Century during the reign of Mary II.

Legend has it that an Irish young man, Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations – no doubt the Irish Caribbean island of Montserrat – was kidnapped himself in rough seas by a band of Mediterranean pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith who over the many long years of his exile helped him perfect the skills of a master craftsman.

When in 1689 King William III negotiated the return of the slaves, Joyce returned to Galway – despite, it said, the Moor's offer of the daughter's hand in marriage and a princely dowry of half of all his wealth.

Back in Ireland a young women had never stopped faithful waiting for her true love to return. Upon which time when he presented her with the now famous Royal Claddagh gold ring – a symbol of their enduring love. Two hands to represent their friendship, the crown to signify their loyalty and lasting fidelity, and the sign of the heart to symbolize their eternal love for each other.

They soon married, never to be separated again.

The Claddagh Tradition...

The traditional wedding ring of the Irish since the 17th Century, the Claddagh ring is worn by people all over the world as a universal symbol of love, loyalty, friendship and fidelity.

Traditionally handed down from mother to daughter the Claddagh ring has also become a symbol of our ties with the past and generations gone by. As Irish people we remember the many many of our people who had to leave Ireland with nothing but their lives during the Great Famine of the 19th Century – many leaving from here in Cork harbour to make the long voyage across the Atlantic to America. The gold Claddagh ring was to become for many the only enduring link with their home country and practically their only savings and family inheritance.

Further reflecting the troubled history of Ireland itself, a hundred years ago the Fenian ring, with two hands and two hearts, was distinguishing by its lack of a crown to represent the struggle for Republican Ireland – however the traditional Claddagh ring has always remaining the Irish standard proudly wearing the crown as a symbol of loyalty, a remembrance of our ancient Irish Kingdoms, and of our own British heritage.

Notable wearers of the Claddagh ring have included Queen Alexandria and King Edward VII of Britain and Queen Victoria of Britain and Ireland as it was then. And in the little principalty of Monaco, the Claddagh tradition lives on in the Royal family of Monaco and the memory of the beautiful Irish princess – Princess Grace of Monaco.

The Claddagh Design...

Labels: Claddagh, Claddagh Jewelry, Claddagh Ring, Engagement Ring, Ring, Wedding, Wedding Rings

How did the heart shape become the symbol of true love? Nobody knows for certain. But, during the seventh century B.C., the city-state of Cyrene had a lucrative trade in a rare, now-extinct plant named silphium. The silphium was so important to Cyrene's economy that coins were minted that illustrated the plant's seedpod, which looks like the heart shape we know today. Theory suggests that the heart shape first became associated with sex, and eventually, with love. Ancients believed the heart contains all human passions. Regardless or its origin the heart has become the all inclusive symbol of love.

This season the heart has emerged as a key theme with designers. Jewelry designers will offer bold new sculptural and three-dimensional designs. The latest trend includes brawny rings, large pedants and bold earrings. Other heart designs include the emblem dangling from charm bracelets, drop earrings and on hefty gold link chains. The latest designs will shun the traditional pink and red colors associated with hearts for more distinct colors like blue, yellow and green. Designers have sprinkled their heart creations with diamonds, color gemstones and enamel highlights.

Nita Creations offers a huge selection of Heart pendant, Heart lockets, Heart rings, Heart Jewelry.

Labels: Heart Earring, Heart Jewelry, Heart Pendant, Heart Ring, Jewelry Fashion, Jewelry Trends, Love

Jade also known as Feicui or Bi in Chinese can come in two different varieties. The first variety known as soft jade or nephrite is original to China. The second variety known as hard jade or jadeite was imported from Burma into China. Even though the traditional jade of china is nephrite, feicui or jadeite is much more popular and valuable. The importation of jadeite began during the Quing dynasty (1271-1368).

The earliest indication of jade objects in China can be traced back to the early Neolithic period which was around 5000 BC. Today the Chinese love jade not only for its beauty but also for its culture and meaning. Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC) says the following about jade, “In ancient times, men found the likenesses of all excellent qualities in jade. Soft, smooth, and glossy, it appeared to them like benevolence. Fine, compact and strong, like intelligence; angular, but not shard and cutting, like righteousness.”

The Chinese have a saying about jade, “Gold has a value; jade is invaluable." They believe that jade stands for beauty, grace and purity. The Chinese also considered Jade to be "the essence of Heaven and Earth." Jade is an essence produced through the natural forces of rivers and mountains over eons. In Chinese culture jade symbolizes beauty, nobility, perfection, constancy, power, and immortality.

A selection of Jade rings, Jade earrings and red jade jewelry can be found at Nita Creations.

An interesting article on how to buy jade can be found on the genuine gems for pearl girls blog.

Labels: Feicui, Jade, Jade Chinese History, Jade Earrings, Jade Jewelry, Jade Pendants, Jade Ring, Jadeite, Nephrite

There are many ways to say Pink...

A look inside a box of crayons will reveal original descriptions such as “Tickle me Pink”, “Carnation”, “Flamingo”, and “Bubble Gum”. Shades of pink can provide the viewer with a realism of contradictions– calming shades verses electrifying hues: an innocent pink verse passionate magentas. Pinks can also reflect the mental state of the wearer– sweet, healthy, or romantic. And nothing says “Pink” better than Pink Sapphire.


Natural Pink Sapphire

Almost all of the sapphires sold today are heat treated to enhance the color of the gem. In the world of gemstones, the term “Natural” means that a gem is not treated in any way, other than cutting. “Natural Fancy Colored Sapphire” is just that– natural. The color you see is the color that your gem was born to be.

Natural Pinks from Nita Creations are available in limited quantities in three sparkling shades: Baby Pink, Flamingo Pink and Rose. Various sizes of round, oval, emerald–cut, marquise, pearl shape, square, trillion or straight baguette give you the opportunity to create dazzling jewelry designs.

Check out Nita Creations collection of sapphire rings, sapphrie earrings and sapphrie necklaces.

Additional information on Sapphires can be found on the jewelry trends blog.

Labels: Blue Sapphire, Color Gemstone, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Sapphire earrings, Sapphire Jewelry, Sapphire rings

There seems to be some agreement that the origin of birthstone goes back to the time of Moses and he directed the Breast Plate of the High Priest be made with the twelve colors representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The number twelve have great importance. There were twelve tribes of ancient Israel, twelve apostles, twelve foundation stones of the Holy City, twelve signs on the zodiac and twelve months of the year. A corresponding gemstone was assigned to each color. In the beginning people want to own all twelve stones of the sacred Breast Plate and began to wear one piece of gemstone jewelry each month changing it as each month changes. As time passed people began wearing only his or her stone of birth all year. Thus, the twelve birthstones were born. There are three different approach of classifying birthstones. (1) Modern birthstones as defined by a list published by the Jewelers of America in 1912, (2) Traditional birthstone established during the 1600’s in Tibet, (3) Mystical list of birthstones details the healing qualities of lore associated with the birthstones. Most jewelers utilize the modern list of birthstones which also incorporates alternative gemstones for each of the months.

A great article on this months (October's) birthstone is located the Jewerly Trend Blog.

Labels: Birthstone, Birthstone Earrings, Birthstone History, Birthstone Jewelry, Birthstone Pendants, Birthstone Rings

Did you know you can perform the following simple test to see if a diamond is real or fake?

Put the potential diamond in front of your mouth and fog it like you would try to fog a mirror. If it stays fogged for 2-4 seconds, it’s a fake. A real diamond disperses the heat instantaneously so by the time you look at it, it has already cleared up.

However, there is a downfall to this test: oil and dirt on the stone can affect its reliability and the test is not accurate at all on doublets where the top of the stone is diamond and the bottom is cubic zirconia glued together.

This is a quick and dirty test that you can perform to find out if you in fact have a real diamond. However, Nita Creations recommends you take the potential diamond to a jewelry professional to verify its authenticity.

Labels: Diamond, Diamond Fog Test, Diamond Testing, Diamonds, Fog Test