Kisses & Hugs creations

There has been a lot of interest lately in the theory that the world isgoing to end in the year 2012. The hollywood version of events isscheduled to be in theaters in November 2009 and has a lot of peopletalking. So, is this something that we need to be taking seriously? IsEarth in danger of being annihilated? Is the government hiding thefacts from us?

Nibiru

Though there are many variations of thedoomsday theory, the threat most often quoted is a collision with aplanet (or possibly a brown dwarf) known as Nibiru in 2012. The resultwould be the virtual destruction of Earth and mankind.

Accordingto the theory, the planet Nibiru orbits our Sun once every 3600 years,making it difficult to observe. Some claim its existence is supportedby ancient Sumerian writings, some more than 2500 years old. TheSumerians wrote a great deal about astronomy and had a relativelyadvanced understanding of the heavens. However, scholars have revealedthat no such references to this mysterious object exist.

Then,in the early 1980s the theory was given new life when an infraredexperiment cataloged over 350,000 objects in the nights sky, many ofwhich were “unidentified”. A rash of conspiracy theories evolved toclaim that one of these unidentified objects was Nibiru and that thegovernment is tracking it. However, subsequent studies carried out byother telescopes around the world quickly identified these objects, andnone of them were planets at all. But could the government be lying tous about their results? Not a chance, considering they would need toconspire with tens of thousands of astronomers, both professional andamateur, around the globe to keep the secret.

Why 2012?

Theancient Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012. Many have taken thisto mean that the Mayans believed that this date would bring the end ofexistence. However, this is not so. Like modern calendars, the Mayancalender is a way of keeping track of time. The Mayan calendar wasnever meant to be a predictor of the future any more than the calendarin my office is meant to.

The ending date of the Mayan calendaris not meant to represent the end of time, but rather the end of theircalendar cycle. Just as our calender begins again on January 1, theircalendar will begin a new cycle on December 22, 2012. Their calendarcycle is just much longer than our 365 day cycle.

Other 2012 Conspiracies

There are other events that are supposedly going to happen in 2012 that could spell disaster for planet Earth.

*Planetary Alignment: Some theories contend that a coming planetaryalignment in 2012 will start a chain reaction that will cause strangeweather and events on the Earth. The first problem with this is thatthere is not going to be any major alignments of planets, or otherobjects, in our solar system in the next several decades -- never mindin 2012. Secondly, even if there were a major alignment, there is noscientific reason to believe that this would have any impact on Earth.

*Alignment with the Galactic Center: There is also some worry about analignment that will happen with the Sun and the center of our Galaxy.First, let me point out that this is very different than saying thatour solar system will somehow be moved to the violent center of theMilky Way. That is impossible. We are nearly 30,000 light-years fromthe center of the Galaxy, making it impossible for us to somehow be“taken” there as some believe. However, it is possible for the Earth,Sun and Galactic Center to be temporarily aligned (where essentiallythe Sun would be blocking our “view” of the Galactic Center). Whichbrings me to the second point; this is nothing to fear. It actuallyhappens every December with no consequence.

* Solar MagneticShift: Are the magnetic poles of the Sun are going to flip in the nextfew years? Yes, actually, but there is nothing to fear. It is a naturalprocess known as the solar cycle. Roughly every 11 years the magneticpoles of the Sun flip. This coincides with what is referred to as thesolar maximum, the time when there is the greatest appearance of Sunspots, solar flares, prominences and other solar activity. The nextsolar maximum, was roughly predicted for 2012, but may not happen until2013 or later. On a related note, some believe that the next solarmaximum will bring the largest "solar storm" in history, and that itwill knock out our telecommunication systems, cause blackouts and otherproblems on Earth. This theory is fueled by a report released by theNational Research Council on Heliophysics, which was predicting whatwould happen in the case of another such storm (a massive solar stormwas recorded in 1859). It is true that communications and power couldbe disrupted, but certainly not like the doomsday events portrayed infiction. Furthermore, there is no reason to even believe that such astorm will happen during the next solar maximum or any other time inthe future.

* Earth’s Polar Shift: Just as the Sun undergoesregular magnetic pole shifts, so does the Earth, but on a longer timescale. The Earth’s magnetic cycle is roughly 400,000 years, though ithas actually been longer since the Earth’s last flip. In spite of this,there is no evidence that one is coming in the next several thousandyears, much less by 2012. Even if a shift did occur, it certainly wouldnot cause the Earth to start spinning in the opposite direction or flipthe whole Earth upside down -- which are both outcomes believed by someconspiracy theorists.

* An Asteroid Will Collide With Earth:This is a fear popularized by several disaster movies in the lastcouple decades. The fact is that, yes, a large asteroid or comet couldsomeday collide with Earth. In truth, meteorites fall to Eartheveryday, they are just too small to do any damage. The good news isthat an object large enough to do any real damage would be easy to see.And NASA does a great job of cataloging and monitoring the largeobjects in our solar system. The likelihood that one of these objectswould sneak up on us is slim to none. We would likely know it wascoming years before it actually arrived, so we would have time tohopefully prevent the collision.

Basic care for fine jewelry

Fine jewelry is a precious possession that is designed and craftedto last a lifetime. However, proper care is required to assure thelasting qualities of your jewelry. Below are some simple, basicguidelines for the care and cleaning of your fine jewelry:

Basic care tips:

*Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place.

*Keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewelry case, or in a box withcompartments and dividers. If you prefer to use ordinary boxes, wrapeach piece individually in soft tissue paper.

*Don't jumble your jewelry pieces in a drawer or jewelry case. Pieces can scratch each other.

*Be careful when removing your jewelry to wash your hands. Do not leave your jewelry on the rim of a sink where it can easily slip downthe drain.

*See your jeweler at least once a year to have your jewelry checkedfor loose prongs, worn mountings, and general wear and tear. Visit yourjeweler every six months to have your jewelry professionally cleaned.

*There are many types of small machines on the market that willclean jewelry in a matter of minutes using high-frequency sound. Thesemachines are called ultrasonic cleaners and are availablein many different models and prices. They can be a convenient way toquickly clean your jewelry at home. However, ultrasonic cleaners candamage some jewelry and prolonged use may loosen gemstones from theirmountings. Your local jeweler can tell you if an ultrasonic cleaningmachine is right for your jewelry wardrobe and, if it is, recommend anappropriate model.

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How to clean

Detailed Tips for Care and Cleaning of Fine Jewelry and Watches

Fine jewelry is meant to be worn and passed down to future generations.Taking simple steps to care for and clean your jewelry today, will helpensure that it will remain looking beautiful tomorrow.  Each piece ofjewelry and timepiece is individual and needs to be cared fordifferently.  Below are detailed tips, broken down by jewelry types, tocare for your precious baubles:

Diamond Jewelry

Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing roughwork. Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, itcan still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow.Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on your diamondjewelry. Keep your diamond away from chlorine bleach or other householdchemicals. You should also remove your diamond jewelry before enteringa chlorinated pool or hot tub.Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner, amix of ammonia and water, or a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into thesolution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under thesetting.Always thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry after cleaning and before storage.Avoid touching your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle clean jewelry by its edges.

Colored Gemstones

Many natural gemstones are treated or enhanced from the time theyare extracted from the earth by one or more traditionally acceptedjewelry industry practices. These treatments and enhancements canaffect how you should clean and care for your colored gemstone jewelry.Consult your jeweler for more information on caring for treated orenhanced gemstones.After wearing, wipe your precious gemstone jewelry thoroughly witha clean, soft, slightly damp cloth. This will enhance the luster of thegemstones and ensure that your jewelry is clean before storage. Store gemstone pieces individually in soft pouches. You should be able to obtain these from your jeweler.Do not expose your precious gemstone pieces to saltwater or harshchemicals, such as chlorine or detergents. These chemicals may slowlyerode the finish and polish of gemstones.Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to becomedull. Apply all cosmetics, perfumes and colognes before putting oncolored gemstone jewelry. Make sure to wipe your gemstones after wearto remove any chemicals, oils or perspiration. Do not subject gemstone jewelry to sudden temperature changes.If you have an active lifestyle, take extra precautions with sometypes of gemstone jewelry. Emeralds, for example, are brittle andshould not be worn when doing household chores or any other activitywhere the stone could be hit or damaged.Be extra careful with ultrasonic cleaners. Some gemstones arefragile and can be damaged by ultrasonic cleaners. Consult your jewelerfor the best cleaning procedure for your particular gemstone jewelry.Your jeweler is also a good source for any information on coloredgemstones. Almost all colored stone jewelry can be safely cleaned using a mild soap and water solution and a soft brush.Always thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry after cleaning and before storage.

Karat Gold Jewelry

Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap cancause a film to form on karat gold jewelry, making it appear dull anddingy. By preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reducethe frequency with which your pieces will need to be cleaned.To clean your jewelry at home, you'll find many commercial cleanersavailable. In addition, you will find a soft chamois cloth an effectiveand inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and shining. Ask yourjeweler to recommend both of these items for you. For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not containcolored gemstones, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate.Once again, ask your jeweler to advise you. Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures,can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear goldjewelry while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub. You can remove tarnish with jewelry cleaner, or by using soap andwater mixed with a few drops of ammonia. Carefully brush with a softbristle brush. An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing,simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. If there is a heavytarnish on your jewelry, consult your jeweler for the best cleaningprocedure. You should also talk to your jeweler before attempting toclean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones, because somestones require special cleaning procedures. Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping thejewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. Again, check with your jewelerabout colored gemstone pieces.

Platinum

Platinum jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner as other finejewelry. Your jeweler can recommend a prepackaged jewelry cleaner thatworks with platinum, or ask your jeweler to professionally clean yourplatinum pieces. A professional cleaning every six months will keepyour platinum jewelry in great shape.Store your platinum jewelry separately and with care, not allowingpieces to touch each other, because even platinum can be scratched.Signs of wear, such as scratches, can eventually appear onplatinum. However, due to the metal's durability there is usuallylittle metal loss from the scratch. If visible scratches do appear,your jeweler should be able to re-polish the piece. If your platinum is set with diamonds or other precious stones, beespecially careful, as these materials can be more susceptible todamage. Some fine jewelry pieces combine platinum with karat goldjewelry. Care for these pieces as you would your gold jewelry, orconsult your jeweler.

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution,allowing the water to bead up, and then pat dry with a soft cloth. Formore stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use. Askyour jeweler to recommend an appropriate brand. Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in atarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth.Store pieces individually, so that they don't knock together andscratch.Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or afine piece of felt. Your jeweler should be able to provide these.Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibersin these products. Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light duringstorage ? this can cause silver to tarnish. And don't wear sterlingsilver in chlorinated water or when working with household chemicals.

Cultured Pearls

Apply cosmetics, hair sprays and perfume before putting on anypearl jewelry. When you remove the jewelry, wipe it carefully with asoft cloth to remove any traces of these substances. You can also wash your pearl jewelry with mild soap and water. Donot clean cultured pearls with any chemicals, abrasives or solvents.These substances can damage your pearls. Always lay cultured pearl strands flat to dry.  Hanging a strand may stretch the threads.Do not toss your cultured pearl jewelry carelessly into a purse,bag or jewel box. A pearl's surface is soft and can be scratched byhard metal edges or by the harder gemstones of other jewelry pieces. Place cultured pearls in a chamois bag or wrap them in tissue when putting them away. Cosmetics, perspiration, oils and ordinary wear weaken and stretchthe threads on which the pearls are strung. Bring your pearls back toyour jeweler for restringing once a year. Make certain the pearls arestrung with a knot between each pearl. This will prevent loss of pearlsif the string should break.

Watches

No matter how handy you are, don't attempt perform watch repairsyourself. Only an expert jeweler/watchmaker should be trusted to putyour watch back into working condition. Give your watch a quick check on a regular basis, making sure thatthe strap or bracelet is securely attached to the watch face.A mechanical watch should be checked regularly by yourjeweler/watchmaker or an authorized dealer and serviced according tothe manufacturer's guidelines. Wind your watch in a clockwise direction, preferably about the sametime each day. Remove the watch from your wrist when winding so as notto place undue pressure on the stem. Replace broken or scratched crystals immediately. Even a hairlinecrack can let dust and moisture into the timekeeping mechanism,threatening its accuracy. Unless the degree of water-resistance is clearly specified when youpurchase your watch, do not wear it into the shower or pool, or on amoist wrist. Have your jeweler/watchmaker or an authorized watch dealer replacethe battery in a quartz watch before it runs out. Dead batteries leftin the watch can leak or corrode, ruining the timepiece. Do not attemptto change the battery in a watch yourself. If your watch iswater-resistant, a water-resistance test should be performed after thebattery has been replaced to ensure that water will not leak into anddamage the watch.Battery life varies considerably according to the type of watch andits functions.  Refer to your owners manual for more information.Oils from your skin can build up on a watch. If your watch iswater-resistant, you can give it a quick cleaning with a mixture ofwarm water and either a mild soap or a dish detergent. Dry the watchwith a soft cloth after cleaning. If your watch has a strap made out ofleather or another material, you should clean only the watch face andnot the strap. If your watch is not water-resistant, or you're not sure, do notimmerse it in water. Clean the piece with a slightly damp cloth andthen dry.

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I've noticed that a lot of people (in general)
could use this method.

ITEMS YOU NEED


12x12x12 box
14 x 10 piece of plexy glass or glass
a knife
background paper (scrapbooking paper is great from craft store)
wax paper
60-100 watt light

How to put it all together:

1) Take your 12x12x12 box and cut out one side. Keep the bottom of
your box intact.

2) (open side you just cut out) Measure 9 inches from the bottom and
make a slit all the way to the back of the box on both sides. Do not
cut the back of the box.

3) Slide your glass into the slits of the box

4) Take the wax paper and tape it over the light source. The
wax paper is used to defuse the light.

5) Aim the light towards the opening of your box.

6) Lay your background on the bottom of your box as your background.

7) Shine your light into to open area of the box. Take your photos from the

back of the box... with the light facing you.

Your camera should focus on the jewelry or small object. The
background will be fuzzy due to the distance of the background from
the object.

Faux gems can be a very good option, because they give us an inexpensive way to wear colorful, lush-looking jewelry without the hefty price tag that comes with the real thing. There's no reason to avoid faux gems -- what you do want to avoid is paying too much for misrepresented merchandise.

Materials Used to Make Faux Gemstones

• Today's imitation stones are often made of glass or plastic. A jeweler can easily detect those materials, so have the jewelry inspected if you think you might have purchased a fake.

• A real gemstone can be mounted in a solid-back setting, with foil placed underneath the gem to make it look more brilliant or change its color.

Composite Gemstones

Doublets are composite stones made with a large, inexpensive chunk of some kind that's topped by a thin slice of a desirable gemstone. The division usually isn't obvious until you look at the piece under magnification.

One type of doublet is assembled by sandwiching a colored bonding agent between two clear, inexpensive stones -- the added hue makes it look like a colored gemstone.

Triplets are composites that are assembled in three parts instead of two.

Creative Gemstone Names Can be a Signal