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British History
During the 1600's, England celebrated “Mothering Sunday" on the 4th Sunday of Lent (the 40 day period leading up to Easter).
Then, many of the England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy. As most were employed far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday the servants had the day off and encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers.
Mothering Sunday Around the World
In the United States Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe as a day dedicated to peace. Until 1914 when Ana Jarvis, with the help of the church, persuaded President Woodrow Wilson to make the second Sunday of May a national holiday in honor of the anniversary of her mother’s death.
However, many countries celebrate Mother's Day at different times throughout the year - except Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium who also celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May.
Best Present for Mum, Daughters & the Ladies in Your Life
What do you give to Mother? She longs for something special, but already has everything. The gifts that mean the most, are the ones that have memories attached to them. Mother's say that every time they receive something special from their children, they remember the exact circumstances for the gift. And one of the most cherished gifts has got to be a charm bracelet.
What would mother like on her special day? Beads of course! Make a special necklace or bracelet as a gift for your mother and mother-in-law this year – or purchase one already made. Jewellery is always appreciated, and gains sentimental value with age allowing Mother to always remember who it came from. Pearls are great, but any pink or warm-coloured stone jewellery would be appreciated!
History of charms
Carrying charms to ward off evil dates to Neolithic times where hunters wore stones for luck. Egyptians used charms for identification and to please their gods in the afterlife. In Roman times, Christians hid fish charms in their clothing to identify themselves to other believers - the Greek word for fish was an acronym for Christ. Charms protected medieval knights, and in the Dark Ages they represented heritage and religion.
Latter, superstition made charms an important part of life for most people - even the common folk depended on them for well being. Today’s charm jewellery stems from Queen Victoria’s fascination with charms and pendants, making elaborate charm bracelets fashionable amongst the gentry of the time.
Why wear a charm bracelet?
Charms are often collected as reminders of good times, and are carried because their sentiment makes the wearer feel comfortable. Modern bracelets allow charms to be added and removed to express moods, explaining their continued popularity.
One is never too old for a charm bracelet. Celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Crawford decorate their wrists with them, and top hip-hop singers wear million-dollar Shamballa bracelets. All make you feel good and are great conversation starters.
How to design your own charm bracelet
When choosing charms, apply your style and sentimental history. Go with a theme that tells a story - such as expression of love, favourite animals or colours.
Fine-boned wrists need tiny charms, unless you have big hands. Larger charms on a chunky bracelet are best for larger bones. Long and thin arms are lucky enough to be able to stack a multitude of charm bracelets, Cleopatra style. Charms on a bracelet should face outwards, although some prefer the other way.
See our pearls at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
See our charms for charm bracelets at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
Also see our shamballa charm beads at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
Pictures of charm bracelets designed and crafted with love by TheBeadQueen.co.uk or TheBeadQueen.com
Romance
Chalcedony RingChalcedony is ideal for the lady you love or to use on wedding jewellery. Some people even use chalcedony wedding rings. Set in white gold or silver, it creates just the right look.
What is chalcedony?
Chalcedony BraceletIts name is said to come from an ancient Greek town called Chalkedon, now in Turkey. It is a fine-grained variety of quartz with a waxy luster and microscopic compressed crystals. Because of this structure, chalcedony is usually semi-opaque - which creates a soft glow as the light diffuses through the stone, ideal for graceful jewellery.
The Romans made seals from chalcedony, and the stone has been carved into ornaments for thousands of years. And in the past its heavenly blue colour explains why it had been called Mecca stone and St Stephen's stone.
Colour
Fac Aqua Green Trapezoid Chalcedony Bead - LargeChalcedony comes in every colour, but for jewellery it's usually light milky blue with a hint of pink. Being porous, it's been dyed blue and pale minty-green for centuries - and today sometimes its colour enhanced to emerald green and even tangerine and peachy pink.
Formation
chalcedonyChalcedony is formed in volcanic rock cavities where silica-rich water flows through. Traces of iron oxide in the water create the pinkish and sometimes red colour.
The gemstone can be seen in the Arizona Desert, where petrified trees have formed from chalcedony replacing the ancient forest. Native Americas there called the stone sacred as they believed it brought stability to the tribe.
Properties
Chalcedony BraceletChalcedony EarringsChalcedony is a feminine stone, full of yin energy. Said to balance the emotions, bring stamina, and promote kindness and charity. It is also believed to be good for love as it lowers anger, depression and melancholy. The gemstone also absorbs negative energy and promotes a feeling of enthusiasm. It is also believed to lower blood pressure with its anti-inflammatory properties and heal the lungs, so being good for smokers.
History
Because there is so much chalcedony in many countries, it has been carved into arrowheads, tools, knives, cups and bowls for tens-of-thousands of years. Years ago sailors wore it as a talisman, and it is the birthstone for those born under the star sign of Sagittarius.
Source
The best chalcedony is mined in Chalcedony are from India and Madagascar, but it can also be found natural all over the US, plus in Burma, Brazil and Mexico.
For our chalcedony beads go to MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
Aquamarine is the treasure of mermaids, and those legends have it that for aquamarine to be truly powerful, it must be immersed in sea water and bathed in sunlight. The gemstone is also supposed to have powers that reach to land too, helping married couples solve their problems and drive off evil. Aquamarine is associated with the thymus gland and is very soothing worn as a necklace. It will also help coughs, reduce fluid retention and calm the nerves. The Romans used aquamarine for stomach troubles and believed it could cure liver and throat problems. Aquamarine brings courage, aids quick intellectual response, and gives peace while protecting the aura.
Colour ranges from a very light turquoise blue to a bluish green. Darker blue colours are the best with greener being less valuable. Check the clarity of the stone. Because aquamarine has a light pastel colour, it is important that it be free of flaws or inclusions. Examine the cut and check light reflects evenly off the surface of the gem and that there are no scratches. Look at the stone from several different angles to be sure. Aquamarine is usually heat treated and sometimes irradiated. However, it will become paler if left out in the sun. Clean aquamarine in with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush. As with all gemstones, protect from scratches and sharp blows.
To see all aquamarine in our US bead store click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
To go to our MrBead shop click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk - or at our sister shop AwesomeRings.com.
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