"Body Rocks"
Facts, Figures, Folklore and Fibs
Did You Know?...

Welcome to Body Rocks - Facts, Figures, Folklore and Fibs.

Here, I'll try to give additional info on things mentioned earlier in this website and share any questions submitted in the "Contact Me" form.

As the site develops, there may be new paths to pursue.

Basically, we can use this space for anything of interest. Let's see where it takes us.

Jewelry vs. Jewellery and Other Spelling Variations

"A Rose by Any Other Name......"

Different spellings of words are significant. Search Engines, such as Google, primarily match words to find web sites. Therefore, I've used the Canadian/UK spelling on this page to help surfers find what they are looking for, regardless of what version is used.

Common misspellings:
jewlery
jewerly
jewelery

Also, the name Swarovski is, occasionally, incorrectly spelled as Swaroski.

Care For Your Body Rocks
Pearls, Crystals and Gemstones

We all love our "Body Rocks" and want them to last a lifetime (and in some cases, many lifetimes). Proper care will help make this possible.

PEARLS: I think we need to think of pearls as soft body rocks. It is difficult to feel their smooth surface and see their deep, rich luster which gives pearls a softness and depth not found in the body rocks found in the earth.

To keep this luster, we must remember that pearls (This includes Shells and Mother of Pearl)are organic, that they were once part of a living creature.

In contrast to minerals, they are very porous and will absorb moisture.

• Protect pearls from hairspray, perfume, hand lotion, etc.
• Clean pearls with a dry or slightly water moistened, soft cloth.
• Allow to dry thoroughly before you put them away.

Do you know how to tell a real pearl from an imitation?
This useful little trick is to be used only on your own pearls. DO NOT TRY THIS IN STORES or on a FRIEND'S pearls!

A genuine pearl will feel GRITTY if you gently scrape your teeth over them. An imitation will feel smooth. Some say your fingernails will detect the difference, but I can't feel it.

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL: These crystals are 32% lead and are very sturdy but thin edges and pointed ends will chip or break if treated roughly.

• Store crystals in a way that they will not move and bang into each other. (I keep my crystals in a small, plastic, snap shut container and add a piece of facial tissue to those containers that aren't completely full.)
• Use a soft, lint free cloth to polish, remove smudges and finger prints. A dust cloth made to clean computer screens and flat screen TV's works exceptionally well. (I bought one at a major Grocery Store for about $2.50 USD
• If very dirty, slightly moisten the cloth with water.
• Do not wear Swarovski Crystals with a special effects coating in the shower, bath or while swimming. PROLONGED or REPEATED exposure to soap and water will wear away the finish.

Gemstones: There is a beautiful web site created by the International Colored Gemstone Association (This link will open a New Window) which has a very nice section on Gemstone care. Select Gem Tips from the menu bar and then Gem Grooming Tips.

There are also tons of interesting facts on "Body Rocks." I think you'll find the site both enjoyable and helpful.

Is Your Jewelry Just Right?

Advice from an Interior Designer

"If it's right, it'll talk to you." The same idea can be applied to your Wedding Accessories.

• Listen to your inner voice.
• Take your jewelry to your dress fitting.
• Look a it from different angles.
• Squint. This, sometimes, will reveal areas that are over saturated (too heavy) or too bare.
• Lay the pieces and the dress on a table or bed. Leave the room and walk back in, concentrating on the "Big Picture."
• Before the occasion, wear your body rocks around the house. Are you self-conscious or do you feel Fabulous?
• If you can not decide between two choices, flip a coin. If you are happy with the result, Great! Decision is made. If you look at the result of the flip and you tell yourself, "Let's do 2 out of 3", you know which one you really want.

If your jewellery meets these criteria....Congratulations, you've found the perfect accessories. If not, send it back to me (with some suggestion, please) and we'll start again.

Tip 2 - Start Early! - Your first choice may not be talking when you get it home and it takes time to start over.

The History of Swarovski Crystal

At 21 years of age, after completing his apprenticeship, he visited and was inspired by The First Electrical Exhibition in Vienna. Daniel had the idea to develop a machine to cut crystals. After 9 years of work, he registered a patent for this and began a new era in crystal production.

in 1892, Swarovski moved his company from Bohemia to Wattens, Austria, where he used the power of the Rhine River as a source of energy to run the company's machinery. The name "Rhinestone" was born.

In 1972, the Swarovski Co. was the leading supplier of the "Moodstone" which changed colors according to the wearer's mood.

In 1995, using hi-tech computer technology, the company perfected the technique to cut crystals for optimal reflection of light.

Today, after more than 100 years of continued technical advances, Swarovski Crystals are regarded by most as "being the best in the world - unsurpassed in quality and distinction. the #1 crystal body rock around.

In addition to crystals for jewellery, the Swarovski Company is involved in industrial tools, optics, road safety, fashion and home decor. www.Swarovski.com (This link will open a New Window)

Diamonds

Although Diamonds are not featured on this site, its not because I don't truly love them. A few years ago, there was a commercial running a few years ago, with which I whole-heartedly agree, stating "Food, Shelter and Diamonds, Everything else is a luxury." (I, too have succumbed to the mighty De Beers Advertising Machine.)

The obvious reason for my Diamond deprived site is the cost of these gems and this is Oh Soooo.. Wrong! The short supply of these body rocks is totally man made.

Did you know that the idea of Diamonds being a rare gem is a misnomer. In fact, there are so many diamonds locked away in the coffers of the De Beers Diamond Company, in South Africa, that if released, the diamond market would be flooded rendering diamonds practically worthless.

The De Beers Co. has a very lucrative policy of selectively releasing extremely small amounts of their product to keep the supply small and demand high.

Their vast stores of diamonds have enabled the them to virtually control the entire diamond industry. (It has been estimated that the De Beers Co controlled approximately 90% of the Diamond Market in the 1930's.) All trading, buying and selling of diamonds had to go through them and they could and would under cut any competitor who challenged their manopoly.

The Executives of the company were reluctant to come to the US because of anti-trust laws and fear of being indicted for Price Fixing.

Also in the '30s, the slogan, "A Diamond is Forever," was coined by the Company and this advertising campaign successfully promoted Diamonds as the only gem for Engagement and Wedding Rings and that a diamond should belong only to one woman, never sold or passed down.

In 2004 De Beers finally admitted to price fixing after they were slapped with a $10 Million lawsuit (a mere slap on the wrist considering the billions they make). They promised never to do it again.

They entered into a joint venture with a French Luxury Goods Group. For this, they were investigated by The European Competition Commission, who eventually approved the union.

All US Markets became available to them. De Beers Boutique popped up all over the country, on 5tf Ave, Rodeo Drive, Las Vegas, Dallas, Waikiki, to name a few.

Recently huge diamond mines, with lots and lots of potential carbon based body rocks, have been discovered in Canada and Russia. So large that there seems to be a viable challenge to the De Beer's monopoly. A kink in their armored shield may be developing.(Reference; www.associatedcontent.com be AB)

Go to HOME from Body Rocks.