Neodymium Jewelry - Ultra-Strong Magnets and Modern Elegance

A unique twist on a popular idea, neodymium jewelry uses no clasps, and no strings. The only thing holding the jewelry together are the ultra-strong magnets themselves. People are definitely fascinated by both the look and the design concept.

Neodymium magnets, also known as rare earth magnets, have been used in industry for years where high strength is required from light-weight magnets. They are used in a wide variety of products such as professional speakers, hard disks, headphones, and guitar pick-ups.

In the last few years neodymium has found its way into another type of product, and become popular as magnetic jewelry. When placed side by side with other types of magnetic jewelry, they certainly stand out as unique.

Similar to magnetic jewelry made from hematite or magnetite, they're sold as magnetic necklaces, bracelets, or anklets. Unlike other magnets used in making magnetic jewelry, however, they're strong enough to bind to each other using only their magnetic fields.

In fact, neodymium may be the ideal component of magnetic jewelry, in that it is extremely strong for its size and weight. Unlike those pieces made of hematite or magnetite, these magnets are so strong they require no strings or wire. Since they can be opened by separating the magnets at any location, they also require no clasp.

Various shapes, thickness, and color options can be combined to form a wide variety of styles. All of this makes them interesting, unique and flexible. If you're buying for magnetic therapy purposes, there is the obvious benefit of strong magnets.

Neodymium can be gold or silver plated, black, or coated in nickel. While other colors may be possible, the nickel coating seems to hold up much better than either gold or silver plating, and gives the jewelry a silvery shine with an industrial look.

Appealing to both men and women, they are high-tech as well as elegant. All in all, they have a personality that is classy and modern all at the same time.

The end result of all of this is that you end up with an ultra-strong, relatively light weight, modern but classy piece of magnetic jewelry. In addition, neodymium jewelry can be a fun product to own, and quite the conversation piece.

Kurt Schmitt offers buying tips and resources on neodymium jewelry and magnetic therapy products.

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Magnetic Clasp Bracelet - Your Jewelry Fits Right And Stays Secure

The good thing about a magnetic clasp bracelet is that you put it on and it stays on. Since you're most likely aiming to treat some muscle, joint and tendon problems in your arms and wrists, it's only fair that you look for one bracelet that fits right and stays secure. There are several varieties available today at designated shops and jewelers. Here's how to find the right piece for you.

The Magnetic Clasp

The clasp of the bracelet itself is magnetic and can give anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 gauss as needed by the wearer. You may also choose to increase the strength of the magnetic field by adding more magnets to the design or choosing a larger clasp. The clasps usually are equipped with safety snap to make sure that your jewelry stays on as needed without any risk of accidental snapping or losing. The mechanism is very convenient since you can easily take off the bracelet if you're taking a shower or going for a swim although everything usually is waterproof.

There are different types of magnetic clasps available depending on the style and design you need. Lobster and spring clasps are very traditional which has an adjustable hooking device that snaps on a loop or ring at the opposite end of the bracelet. These are harder to close however since fixing the lobster or spring requires steady small fingers with semi-grown nails. Newer models use a quick and easy latch-on mechanism wherein a rigged portion of one end of the bracelet perfectly fits and locks onto the miniature bars uniquely set at the opposite end. These are all magnetized as well so you get to double the security as the two opposite ends attract to each other.

Can the Clasps Heal?

Magnetic therapy or the use of magnetic bracelets and other jewelry for the purpose of pain and inflammation relief has been quite popular in recent years. First and foremost, magnetic clasps are not intended to medically treat individuals with chronic problems in their muscles and joints. The magnetic clasp bracelets specifically are intended to help hold the ends of the jewelry in addition to the clasp mechanism for added security. Take note that strengths of the magnetic clasps are kept only at minimal or regular intensities so that they merely attract to each other. The size of the clasps is also relatively small to produce any significant effects on affected areas.

The Real Healing Magnets

It would be a better idea to introduce solid magnetic materials that have higher strengths and can cover a broader area if you expect results. Gold, silver, copper, stainless steel and titanium are the usual metals that are magnetized with magnetic fields ranging as much as 20,000 to 30,000 gauss. Hematite beads are also said to have positive magnetic effects. You will see a variety of designs featuring these metals together with magnetic clasps. Basically, the magnetic clasp is very affordable and you can get these for as low as $4.50 depending on the design and material.

Too Much Magnet

There are no known side effects on applying very high amounts of magnetic force to your body. Just be sure that you keep other sensitive items like watches and compasses away. People with metal pins and plates surgically placed inside their bodies should consult their doctor first before application. A magnetic clasp bracelet is intended to add security to the piece so that it stays in place for as long as you expect it to. You may also find cheap materials like plastic, wooden and glass beads, silicone and other plastics made into bracelets but still using magnetic clasps to make them very easy and secure to wear.

Susan Barcelon is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Just-Bracelets.com. She provides more resources on topics such as magnetic clasp bracelet, discount tennis bracelets and magnetic wrap necklace that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

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Drilling Holes of Seashells - Making of Seashell Jewelry

Seashell Jewelry Making

This article will describe some tips and advices how to drill holes of seashells in making of seashells jewelry. Drilling holes of seashells is quite difficult and shall be done very carefully. Seashells are often quite fragile. Be very careful drilling holes in them and also try to pick shells that are not chipping or flaking at the edges. There are a few precautions that we should know and take in order to prevent the seashells from crack and damage.

1 - Drilling bits

Use A Dremel. A Dremel tool works well also because it's higher speed than your regular drill. Especially good for delicate shells; use a very small bit. It wasn't possible to use a very fast speed because the hardness of the shell made the drill bit slip and mark the surface. Once the hole was started, continue with slow because even then the drill would overheat from the effort. We had to stop every 5 minutes and allow the drill to cool down for about 20 minutes to half an hour. Also suggested to use diamond points to drill.

2 - Water

When you drill with diamond points, always use water to cool the points or they will fail quickly. This also keeps the dust down, but wear a good quality filter mask or use a vacuum to catch any dust/spray. Seashell dust is toxic, and I don't mean a little bit toxic. You can really hurt yourself if you breath it in, or get it into your eyes, a cut or sore, or ingest it. Sometimes the particulates are so small you don't realize they're in the air around you. When you breathe this dust in, it gets embedded in your lungs and it won't come out. It will literally be there forever, and it's toxic. Obviously, don't put your drill in the water, just the tip of the bit doing the drilling.

3 - Start Drilling

Make sure the drill bit is sharp, and that you are using a high speed drill. Use the smallest drill bit that will accommodate the chain or whatever you're putting through the shell. Secure the shell firmly in a vise or other arrangement to make sure it cannot move during the drilling.If the shell is thin, I would suggest putting tape over the spot where you are drilling to help prevent the shell from splintering or cracking.Lay the shell with the top up so that if spintering does occur as the bit reaches the other side, any splintering will be on the bottom (back) of the shell.
If you're not comfortable using a drill, practice first on some scrap shells before drilling in those you want to use.

Now when you start to drill, you're going to do it like this: hold the drill in a straight up and down position so that the hole will be straight. Hold the drill firmly so that the bit won't go skidding across the surface of the stone. (Now you know why you need practice pieces.) You're going to touch the drill bit down semi-firmly, like you mean it, but then lift the drill bit out of the hole so water can pool inside it. Repeat. You can do it pretty quickly, too. Touch down, lift, touch down, lift, etc. When you're almost all the way though, Stop. Flip your stone over and begin to drill from the other side. This will prevent a "blow out" or chipping the stone or glass where the hole should be. It takes practice to do this, so don't be hard on yourself. Glass and stone will pretty much drill the same. Anything else may be unpredictable, so a practice piece is necessary.

Seashell Jewelry Making

For more information about making of Seashells Jewelry, visit Jewelry Skills and Magnetic Jewelry Clasp

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Clever Clasp - Never Fight With Another Tiny Stubborn Necklace or Bracelet Clasp Again!

Most of you have seen the Clever Clasp advertised on TV. I paid this commercial no attention when I first saw it, but my Wife zeroed in the first time she saw it.

You see, she's all the time complaining that the clasp's on her necklaces and bracelets are too small or too hard to get hooked. She has some nice pieces of jewelry that she no longer wears because the clasp are too small or just too hard to get hooked.

She relies on me to hook the clasp a lot of the time now. I have huge hands and poor eyesight. Not a combination made for dealing with tiny stubborn jewelry clasp.

She dropped me several strong hints that she wanted a set of Clever Clasp for Mothers Day. I was skeptical, however she was persistent that she had to have those magnetic jewelry clasp for Mothers Day or else. We all know that if Momma's not happy, no ones happy. Needless to say, she got a set of Clever Clasp for Mothers Day.

She absolutely loves her set, in fact she actually ordered Clever Clasp for all her necklaces and bracelets.

I believe one thing that sets Clever Clasp away from other magnetic jewelry clasp is the strength of the magnets and the durability of the clasp. I figured they'd fail or break in short order, but the Clever Clasp my wife purchased have been very durable.

Another side benefit that my Wife loves about these clasp are that they allow her to wear some of her bracelets and necklaces that were just a tad short or had broken clasp.

I've also put these on our 4 year old's play necklaces and bracelets. She was all the time running into our home Office saying "Daddy, hook my necklace!" With these magnetic clasp, she can hook her own necklaces and bracelets and I get some piece and quiet!

Don is the Webmaster at The Biggest Loser forums. He's written an in depth review of the Clever Clasp after his Wife commented that she wanted a set for Mothers Day. He felt like others had the same problems that his wife had and so he posted his review on the blog. Click here to read the Clever Clasp review.

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How to Repair Your Old Broken Fashion Jewelry

Like most fashion jewelry (a.k.a costume jewelry) lovers you probably have some old seemingly worn out rings, necklaces, or bracelets shoved to the back of your drawer or jewelry box that never get worn. The great thing about inexpensive costume jewelry is that it is easy to get your moneys worth out of it. However, why not get even more bank for your buck by breathing new life into those old jewelry pieces by reversing some of their most common issues:

Problem 1: Dirty or Tarnished?

Cleaning fashion jewelry is simple but choose your cleaner wisely. Only use a jewelry cleaner that specifically states that it is safe for costume jewelry and read the ingredients to make sure that it does not contain alcohol, acids, or ammonia because these can strip the gold or silver plate. Use a children's soft bristle tooth brush for cleaning around costume jewelry stones. Its probably not be a good idea to immerse rhinestone jewelry because the stones can become unglued.

If your fashion jewelry items are only lightly tarnished a good buffing with a soft dry jewelry cloth may do the trick. For more heavily tarnished items a jewelry polish can work wonders.

Problem 2: Worn out gold or silver plating?

Because typical fashion jewelry plating is very thin it can eventually rub off from wear or become damaged from the use of harsh chemicals, creams, or perfumes. If this happens there are several options in gold and silver re-plating solutions that can be found online. Some are fairly simple and can be performed without the use of heat or electricity while others are a little more complex. I found one website in particular that offers a very good variety of plating options (e.g. immersion plating, pen plating) and general plating instructions for precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium. It is shorinternational.com. Click on the contents and search box and then plating gateway. One word of caution: I would recommend buying only cyanide free plating solutions as cyanide is poisonous. For silver lovers there is one product that I have personally used that has worked well for me and it is called Silver Brite. This is an all in one cream that cleans, polishes, and re-plates worn silver on jewelry and other items. It is very easy to use and fairly inexpensive. Just rub the cream on with an applicator sponge or a Q-tip for small items and rub off with the buffing cloth that is included with the kit. The result is a clean, sparking silver finish.

Problem 3: Loose or missing stones?

If a stone such as a cubic zirconia, plastic, or glass has become loose or fallen out a drop or two of super glue will do the trick. Just be careful not to use too much. You don't want the glue oozing out of the sides and causing the piece to adhere to your skin or some other object. Most of the time a single drop will suffice unless it is a very large stone in which case you may want to use two drops. If you cannot find the missing stone there are companies online that sell loose cz stones if you have a particular chain or ring band you want to salvage. Simply do an internet search for cz stones.

Problem 4: Broken clasp?

If your fashion necklace or bracelet has a broken clasp make sure it is the actual clasp that is broken. The problem may be a broken jump ring which is a tiny metal ring that is open in one spot which connects the clasp to the chain. If this is the problem it can be easily fixed. First identify what kind of clasp it is (e.g. lobster clasp which is shaped like a lobster claw and has a tiny spring loaded lever, a magnetic clasp which is just as it sounds, or a spring ring which is also spring loaded) then visit your local craft store or do a search online for jewelry clasps and you should find what you need. If the clasp is soldered on you will need to contact a jewelry repair professional.

Problem 5: Out of date:

If you simply want to add a new flair to your old fashion jewelry pieces you can simply mix and match. If you have a special pendant that you are especially fond of give it a new life with a more contemporary chain. Add new charms to your favorite bracelet or re-plate that old silver necklace with a shiny new gold finish. Be creative!

Whether your taste be classic, hip hop, or trendy fashion Windfall Costume Jewelry has something to fit your unique style without hurting your wallet. Take a moment to browse the gorgeous fashion jewelry selection at WFE Fashion Jewelry Prices start at just $2.00.

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