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Chains Part 1 |
When Aretha Franklin sang "Chain of Fools," she was singing about a woman who realizes she's one of many who've fallen for a heartbreaker. But if you find yourself falling for chains, it's one of the savviest fashion decisions you could make. Chains are the accessory that no one is talking about and yet--as if they’d all made a secret pact --many of the major fashion and jewelry designers are using to highlight this year's fashions. It's almost as if the beauty of wearing chains is so obvious that no has to mention it. It's the secret code for the perfect look.
A Brief, Incomplete History of Chains
Chains have been used in jewelry since ancient times and have been made from gold, silver, copper, and just about any metal that could be formed into a series of connected links. According to Tino Volpe, humans began working with gold in Neolithic times and found that "certain metals, most notably pure gold, were extremely ductile and could be hammered and stretched to a great degree. It's theorized that gold chains developed along with the invention of gold wire, which required hammering gold into flat strips and then " pulling them through die forms until they were thin. Each link then had to be individually curved and soldered. A chain machine was invented in the seventeenth century, but until then all chains were handmade.
An art unto themselves, chains have been fashioned with almost endless variety and worn either on their own or as a means to suspend pendants or jewels. Chains are defined by a number of characteristics including the way the links interlock; the shape of the links (oval, circular, rectangular); whether they're twisted or flat; and whether the links are single or multiple.
Among the most common types of chains are: the bar chain and bead chain, which alternates between bar-shaped and bead-shaped links; the rope chain, a simple style, where the links tend to be uniform in thickness and breadth, and the chain looks like a rope; the cable chain, made with oval links; the box chain, which has box-shaped links; the snake chain, which has very tight links that give a bit of a zigzag look; bead chains, which look like old key chains—tiny metal balls joined by short lengths of wire; the curb chain which has flat, interlocking links that are similar to each other; and the herringbone chain, a distinctive chain, made of v-shaped links that lie flat and have a shimmering liquid effect. |
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Navaratnas and their influence Part 2 |
Wearing the Navaratna (a Sanskrit word meaning "nine gems") brings the positive benefits of the gemstones and their ruling planets. Indian astrology uses the navaratna to enhance the good effects of the nine planets in different facets of an individual's life, like physical, mental and emotional, thereby providing an overall protection to the wearer. Each gemstone in the Navaratna with its ruling planet has a specific role to play; in influencing the life of an individual.
The Sun which is represented by the gem Ruby denotes power and fame.The sun represented by Ruby determines the personality of the individual and his social standing.
The Moon is represented by Pearl and denotes security and stability. Moon also determines an individual’s mental strength. Pearl in the Navaratna helps in strengthening the mental faculties of an individual.
Mars is represented by Coral and denotes conjugal happiness. Planet Mars is an intense energetic planet, which bestows great energy and passion to the individual.
Planet Mercury is represented by Emerald and denotes knowledge. This planet influences a person's intelligence.
Jupiter is considered to be a beneficial planet. It denotes luck and fortune. It is represented by yellow Sapphire. This planet is believed to govern the individual's wealth, knowledge and spiritual orientation.
Venus is represented by Diamond. It denotes an individual's sensuality, physical appearance and luxuriousness.
Saturn is represented by Blue Sapphire. Saturn governs an individual's conscientiousness and prosperity in life. Since Saturn is a slow moving planet, the delays in life are caused by the affects of Saturn.
They are points where the Moon is in alignment with the Sun and the Earth. Their influence plays an important part in the enfolding of individual consciousness. Rahu is the north node of the moon while Ketu is the south node.
Rahu is represented by Hessonite. It denotes originality, inspiration and fulfillment of ambition. Ketu is represented by Cat's Eye. Ketu influence's a person's spiritual life and intuitive powers.
The positions of planets keep changing. Astrology believes the malefic effects of planets can be balanced by the effect of benefic planets when wearing Navaratna. Above all the effects of the gemstones is determined by the intensity of belief in its abilities by the wearer. Like in all spheres of life, a positive belief, brings about positive results. |
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