Make Your Baby Shower Ideas Special - 6 Golden Tips for Planning A Baby Shower

Easy, easy.
Everything on this planet can be done in a very simple way - So are your baby showers.
You don't have to be Martha Stewart to host a Shower.
However, if you're pulling your hair out as how to turn your baby shower into a really special and exciting celebration for the soon-to-be-parents, follow my 3 golden tips below.
You will soon find out that planning a baby shower is just a snap and full of fun.
Golden Tip 1: Let Your Imagination Flow
Do you have the desire for something a little more elaborate and unique? If the answer is yes, you may need a few baby shower ideas' triggers.
I can't imagine a baby shower without energy and creativities. If, for any reason, you are not able to come up with any creative ideas, I would suggest you to think out the box.
My suggestion is that don't keep your imagination only stay with the topic of baby shower. Think big and thing something could create a special time that will live in everyone's memories for years to come.
I'm not saying that you should turn your Shower into a cover story on the next issue of Parenting or American Baby. If you can, congratulations!
But for many of our people, we're all surrounded by all kinds of free information about love, family, and generations on TV, magazines, newspaper, and outdoor advertisements. Speak them with your friends and families, and see if they can come up with some special baby shower ideas.
For example, you can have a celebration of the entire family and their heritage especially with the soon-to-be-grandparents. You can even be creative to include some of your close friends in your guest list, and play games include friends sharing trivia about their own families, like famous relatives, traditions, or a funny family story.
Golden Tip 2: Learn from Other Party Experiences.
As someone once said, "The best way to have a great idea is to have a lot of good ideas." It works the same way to find unique baby shower ideas.
Lots of baby shower hostesses don't realize that the most creative baby shower ideas lie somewhere deep in their mind. They just don't know it.
I mean, we've all spent hours coming up with birthday parties, family reunions, weddings, and even holidays like Halloween and Christmas. Once the party is over, however, all that energy and all those ideas usually just dwindle away.
Think about this: If you can get out the party photos somehow find their way into a forgotten folder on your computer's hard drive or hidden inside a photo album somewhere, you can simply put an end to all the wasting of your time.
Golden Tip 3: If You Can, Throw A Coed Baby Shower and Assign A Male Co-host.
Not only celebrities in L.A tend to ahead of the curve when it come to trends, a famous baby site also reports that nearly half of baby showers now are coed parties.
Especially with busy soon-to-be-Moms, like business owner, company executives, and celebrities, there is often a Mr. Mom at home who expects to fully participate in the baby shower. And of course, their male buddies.
Beside, dad-to-be plays a very big role during the pregnancy and in the new baby's life, why should you get the new mom to celebrate on her own?
Of course, hosting a coed baby shower is more than just putting the male guests on the inviting list. Some shower hostesses even worry that guys would not attend such a party where participants play games such as Round-the-Tummy.
If you could not stand the thought of seeing their bored unhappy faces, my suggestion is to ask one of them to give you a hand.
In fact, the male co-host can provide big help from choosing the stylish color invitation, to picking up the dad-friendly baby shower ideas and games, and guiding the men to check gift registry as they often don't know what to buy for the baby-to-come.
The best co-host candidate: the soon-to-be-grandpa or any male guest who has the experiences of baby shower or the pregnancy process.


About The Author
Copyright Qing Gu, All Rights Reserved. Reprint allowed with all the text and links intact.
Want to know how to throw a baby shower in 7 easy-and-fun steps? Sign up with the FREE Baby Shower Planning eCourse at http://www.coolest-baby-shower-idea.com/ecourse. You'll be mastering all the exciting, fun and innovative ways to make sure your baby shower a huge success. You can also WIN a cool prize and the chance to showcase your ideas and photos for others to enjoy and learn from at http://www.coolest-baby-shower-idea.com/contest.

Also, for a great gift idea try our Gold Rose collection from The Forever Rose™!

The Many Styles of Golden Earrings

Golden earrings are very pretty. They come in so many styles and can be worn so many ways. When you have a great pair of earrings in gold, you will find that those are probably your favorite. They are always in style and you just love wearing them. However, you might be wanting more than one pair of earrings in gold to add to your collection of earrings that you already have. Try getting something different from what you already have to add versatility and have something that you can switch out when you are wanting to change your earrings. You will find a great list of the many styles you will find this earring below.
1. Stud
Golden earrings are really popular as gold studs. These are mostly worn by little girls, and are a great started earring for anyone. They can be worn with anything that you are wearing, and you will love wearing them as well. You will also find that the stud earring can be worn in maybe your second earring hole, while you wear a hoop in the other. This is a great look and many women have their ears pierced more than once.
2. Hoop
Hoop earrings are great in gold. You will find that there are many lengths of hoops that you can choose from when you are selecting golden earrings to bring home with you. You can choose from small hoops, medium hoops, and also large hoops. With this many sizes to choose from, you will have no problem finding the perfect hoops earrings for you. You will also find that you might like one of each size so that you can change them up whenever you want to.
3. Dangle
Dangle earrings are really cute. You will find that there are many types of golden earrings that are dangle and you will love having many to choose from. You will find earrings that are a mix of different colors of gold int his style as well as some that may even have a diamond or two mixed into the earring. It is so much fun to mix it up and buy a different pair of earrings from what you already own and buying dangle ones to wear can be a lot of fun.
4. Chandelier
Golden earrings in chandelier style are stunning. You will find that there are many chandelier earrings that are pure gold as well as some that are beaded and have beautiful gems on them as well. When you buy earrings in this style you will need to make sure that you are not buying any that are too heavy for your ears to hold as that will be most uncomfortable.
As you can see, there are many styles of golden earrings that you will find. You can have a few of each and spice up your earring collection so that you never wear the same pair twice if you wish. You will love having a nice variety to choose from, and you will be known as someone with flare and style in the earring department.



About The Author
Laci Gerveler has been in the fashion industry for more than 20 years and has recognized several trends in the jewelry industry. She has recently decided to write about the many different earrings that can be found at her website, http://www.earwears.com and offer information for potential buyers.

Buying Gold: Things To Look Out For...

The first rule when you are buying any type of gold jewelry is a simple one: make sure that the gold is hallmarked. Gold is stamped according to how pure it is as you can have 24K,22K,18K,14K,10K, and 9K.
There are some instances where the hallmark comes in the form of a fraction to show the exact percentage of its purity. When looking into gold jewelry you need to look if there are the letters GP or EP anywhere on the piece of jewelry. GP stands for gold that is not pure gold but gold-plated. This is important because a piece of jewelry that you think is inexpensive can carry this insignia and it basically means that there is not much actual gold on the piece. EP means that the gold is electro-plated.
If you run into someone selling gold where there is no marking on the gold at all assume the worst that it is goldtone which is not gold in any way but a metal which is golden in color. If the price of a gold piece of jewelry is too good to be true it probably is.
There are many types of gold available at different prices just be aware of the different worth of each type of gold and then see if it is a good deal or not. You can not judge gold by its color. Even though with gold with a higher level of purity it will be brighter in color than a lower level purity gold. If you are looking into buying gold jewelry which is older if it is solid gold it should still not tarnish. If the piece is made from goldtone or is gold plated than it generally will show some sign of tarnishing.
These are some little things to know about gold, but considering gold and gold jewelry can be expensive it can be wise to have a professional jeweler or metals expert look at a piece you will be buying to see if it is the read deal or just fool’s gold.



About The Author
Christine Loxley contributes to http://www.goldjewelryworld.com a site of http://www.goldjewelryworld.com/goldjewels/index.html articles and http://www.goldjewelryworld.com/gold.rings/index.html information.

The Fantastic History of Roses

Great read on the history of roses and what they mean. Things you never knew about roses.
Have you ever wondered if what you know about rose is accurate?Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on roses.
"It was roses, roses all; the way". - Robert Browning"What's in a name? That which we call a rose; By any other name wouldsmell as sweet." - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 scene 2
Roses have a long and colorful history. According to fossil evidence,the rose is 35 million years old. Today, there are over 30,000varieties of roses and it has the most complicated family tree of anyknown flower species.
The cultivation of roses most likely began in Asia around 5000 yearsago. They have been part of the human experience ever since andmentions of the flower are woven into a great many tales from theancient world.
And there are so many beautiful stories that include roses through outthe ages that we all can recognize.
Greek mythology tells us that it was Aphrodite who gave the rose itsname, but it was the goddess of flowers, Chlloris, who created it. Oneday while Chlloris was cleaning in the forest she found the lifelessbody of a beautiful nymph. To right this wrong Chlloris enlisted thehelp of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who gave her beauty; thencalled upon Dionysus, the god of wine, who added nectar to give her asweet scent. When it was their turn the three Graces gave Chlorischarm, brightness and joy. Then Zephyr, the West Wind, blew away theclouds so that Apollo, the sun god, could shine and make the flowerbloom. And so the Rose was.
In another story, an ancient Hindu legend, Brahma (the creator of theworld) and Vishnu (the protector of the world) argued over whetherthe lotus was more beautiful than the rose. Vishnu backed the rose,while Brahma supported the lotus. But Brahma had never seen a rosebefore and when he did he immediately recanted. As a reward Brahmacreated a bride for Vishnu and called her Lakshmi she was createdfrom 108 large and 1008 small rose petals.
Several thousands of years later, on the other side of the world inCrete , there are Frescoes which date to c. 1700BC illustrating a rosewith five-pedaled pink blooms. Discoveries of tombs in Egypt haverevealed wreaths made with flowers, with roses among them. The wreathin the tomb of Hawara (discovered by the English archaeologist WilliamFlinders Petrie) dates to about AD 170, and represents the oldestpreserved record of a rose species still living.
Roses later became synonymous with the worst excesses of the RomanEmpire when the peasants were reduced to growing roses instead offood crops in order to satisfy the demands of their rulers. Theemperors filed their swimming baths and fountains with rose-water andsat on carpets of rose petals for their feasts and orgies. Roses wereused as confeti at celebrations, for medicinal purposes, and as asource of perfume. Helliogabalus used to enjoy showering his guestswith rose petals which tumbled down from the ceiling during thefestivities.
During the fifteenth century, the factions fighting to control Englandused the rose as a symbol. The white rose represented York , and thered rose symbolized Lancaster . Not surprisingly, the conflictbetween these factions became known as the War of the Roses.
In the seventeenth century roses were in such high demand that rosesand rose water were considered as legal tender. In this capacity theywere used as barter in the markets as well as for any payments thecommon people had to make to royalty. Napoleon's wife Josephine lovedroses so much she established an extensive collection at Chateau deMalmaison, an estate seven miles west of Paris . This garden of morethan 250 rose varieties became the setting for Piere Joseph Redoute'swork as a botanical illustrator and it was here Redoute completed hiswatercolor collection "Les Rose," which is still considered one of thefinest records of botanical illustration.
Cultivated roses weren't introduced into Europe until the lateeighteenth century. These introductions came from China and wererepeat bloomers, making them of great interest to hybridizers who nolonger had to wait once a year for their roses to bloom.
From this introduction, experts today tend to divide all roses intotwo groups. There are "old roses" (those cultivated in Europe before1800) and "modern roses" (those which began to be cultivated inEngland and France around the turn of the 19th century).
Until the beginning of the 19th century, all roses in Europe wereshades of pink or white. Our romantic symbol of the red rose firstcame from China around 1800. Unusual green roses arrived a few decadeslater.
Bright yellow roses entered the pallete around 1900. It was theFrenchman Joseph Permet-Ducher who is credited with the discovery.After more than 20 years of breeding roses in a search for a hardyyellow variety, he luck changed when one day he simply stumbled acrossa mutant yellow flower in a field. We have had yellow and orange rosesever since
The rose is a phenomenal plant and is rightly known as 'the world'sfavorite flower'. No other flower has ever experienced the samepopularity that the rose has enjoyed in the last fifth years. Intemperate climates, roses are more widely grown than any otherornamental plant, and as cut flowers they are forever in fashion.
It has been estimated that 150 million plants are purchased bygardeners worldwide every year, and sophisticated breeding programshave produced a plant that dominates the world's cut flower market;the annual crop is calculated in tons. Roses have also made atremendous contribution to the perfume industry.
Roses boast an ancient lineage, and they are intricately entwined inour history and culture. As a motif, the rose has been and still isdepicted in many national emblems. It has been adopted by countlesspolitical factions, and even by businesses and several internationalevents. It is no wonder so many of the beautiful rose varietals aregreatly appreciated and cultivated by hobby gardeners around theworld.
Of course, it's impossible to put everything about rose into just onearticle. But you can't deny that you've just added to yourunderstanding about rose, and that's time well spent.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anthony Finney- Master Gardener Everything you want and need to know about gardening. http://www.nu-market.com/gardening/

Platinum Vs White Gold; Why is My White Gold Ring Turning Yellow?

Many women complain that their white gold jewelry is turning yellow. They don’t understand why this is happening and they’re confused. I am the author of a platinum brochure that helps clear up some of the confusion. In it, I delve into the history of platinum as well as answer some of the most popular questions concerning platinum vs. gold.
For example:
Q: What is the difference between white gold and platinum?
A: There is a tremendous difference between the two metals and it has to do primarily with purity. White gold is a fabricated color. In order to obtain the ‘white’ look of white gold, pure gold is diluted with white metal(s), such as nickel, silver, etc.. However, this resulting metal is still not a true ‘white’ and must be plated in platinum or rhodium to achieve the look of "white". Over time, this plating wears away and a yellowish tint emerges. This yellowish hue is not tarnish; it is the true color of white gold. To restore the white and bright finish, the metal must again be plated. Platinum, on the other hand, is 99% pure and will always remain naturally ‘white.’ Here’s another question that often comes up.
Q: Why does platinum cost more than white gold?
A: The market value for platinum per ounce is much higher than gold. One reason is that platinum is much more rare than gold. In fact, it is 60 times rarer. It takes ten tons of ore and eight weeks to produce just one once of platinum. But it’s worth it. There is an additional factor to the price disparity. While platinum requires less ongoing maintenance than that of silver or gold, platinum does require very special attention when fabricating a quality piece of jewelry. Today, there are few jewelers who can work well with platinum. It requires special tools, special techniques and highly trained individuals. Platinum is the metal of kings. It’s pure and it’s dense. Did you know that a six inch cube weighs an incredible 165 pounds? I’ve always advised my customers to purchase platinum when they could afford it.



About The Author
Gerard Bianco was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He has been designing and creating jewelry for over 40 years. He owns and displays his creations at Porte 4 Fine Jewelry in Portland, Maine. (http://porte4.com) He is also the award winning author of the new mystery/thriller, The Deal Master, which is available at Borders Books. His web site is: http://www.gerardfbianco.com He can be reached at gerard@gerardfbianco.com

Gold and Inflation

Gold and gold bullion is forecast to rise as high $2000 or more an ounce “in the next leg up” by Frank Holmes of US Global Investors (his Gold and Precious Metal Fund is up 40.1% a year over the past three years).Mr Holmes says that there are several reasons for that not just one. He believes that all other commodities have gone through their inflation adjusted prices of 1980 except for Gold and Silver. So gold is more of a monetary asset, and its money around the world. Gold performs well in either inflation or deflation.
Thomas Winmill of the Midas Fund, one of the top performing precious metals funds believes that gold could see $1500 in the next 12 to 18 months. The fund managers have identified 5 factors which will drive gold prices higher.
1. Declining of the dollar.2. More inflation in the future.3. Investors will seek greater safety in gold.4. Higher oil prices.5. Gold should follow other commodities.
In a March 3, 2008 article entitled “Gold Beats Financial Assets as Investors Seek Haven”. Bloomberg reported that “Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium may be the best – performing financial assets this year as inflation and slow growth erode the value of the world’s major currencies, bonds and stocks . Gold… may gain at least 24% this year as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S Bernake prioritises cutting interest rates over controlling consumer prices.”
The long term outlook for the dollar are lower highs and lower lows. However, for gold bullion it is just the opposite, higher highs and higher lows. Gold is in a bull market because its core fundamentals are so outstanding.
The gold price is driven by supply and demand. Each year the world’s gold mines produce only 2,500 metric tonnes of gold. The best estimates indicate that the whole planet buys 4000- 5000 tonnes of gold a year. Therefore it is very clear that demand exceeds supply by 60% to 100%annually creating a structural shortage situation.
Also banks are no longer selling enough gold to make up for global demand above the amount of gold mined each year.
Billionaire financier George Soros was starting to buy gold once more. Mr Sorso has been a familiar name in gold. In April gold was at a 10 year low when he bought 10% of Newmont Mining Corporation from Sir James Goldsmith. In May gold prices shot up to $880 an ounce in two a days. Analysts have said that the huge push in gold has been triggered by talk that Mr Soros was changing his investment
mix possibly shifting into gold from the weakening bond market as signs of a strengthening economy have raised concerns over renewed inflation in the US.
The key is that during times of crisis and fear gold rises and individual governments cannot stop it. During more predictable times governments are able to maintain control and keep a lid on the price of gold. This causes gold to move in a “stair step” pattern. Historically gold bullion has been immune from inflation since gold is one of the few investments that is not simultaneously an asset and at the same time someone else’s liability



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keith McGregor is a partner of Strawberrysoup, a web design agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specialise in creative web design, content managed websites, search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and graphic design

The True Beauty of Climbing Roses

What is more beautiful than seeing a home or building with an arch of climbing roses in the landscaping? Climbing roses are one of many plants that branch out and intertwine themselves among arches, trellises, or even buildings and railings. They can add a great landscape element to any foundation.
Climbing roses are different from the regular roses that are planted as they are trained to grow upward like vines. Some of them are hybrid teas, wichuraine, and large flowered climbers. They are a beautiful addition to the look of one´s house.
Would you like more information about climbing roses? It is easy to learn about this great beauty. First of all, there are many types of climbing roses. They range in color, texture, and look. They also range in hardiness as well. Of course, you need to know what you are looking of in your climbing rose. When choosing climbing roses, some things that you need to consider are size, shade tolerance, disease resistance and colour.
Most important is knowing your hardiness level. This tells you what will grow in your area. Also as important is to pick varieties that will grow in the element you are placing them. What type of soil will you use? Will the area have full sun, partial sun, or will it be in shade.
Before getting discouraged, though, realize that there are many varieties of climbing roses to choose from and more then likely, you will find something to meet your needs. To find variety, forget about choosing your local hardware store, discount department store, or even the local gardening outlet. While these places often have a good selection, they don't have the most.
Use the internet to find some great climbing roses of the most beautiful variety. Often you can have a catalog sent to you with many choices, or you can find and buy online. You will be able to find just what you are looking for, or maybe even something you never imagined.
Climbing roses can add a lot to any landscape. Take the time to choose climbing roses that fit your area and landscape design. Also, grab a book or do a little research online about the care the type of climbing rose you chose will need. Taking this time to do these things will give you the best climbing rose you can get.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ken Austin Online Discount Shopping Guide Roses and Rose Gardening

How To Invest In Gold Jewellery

This article talks about gold jewellery as an important and secure money investment. As an art form, Gold jewellery has survived many economical collapses.
Investment is one of the most common ways to make money
in modern times as people have less disposable income and want more freedom of choice over their money. The internet has made all types of investment accessible, and more people are becoming interested in how investments can work for them. One of the most obvious and easy forms of investment is jewellery (joias). It is easy to purchase and it is a commodity that everyone is familiar with.
Gold jewellery (joias) is the current hotspot in jewellery investment. Jewellery is proven throughout history to be a longstanding and stable investment, being popular throughout time. This is because the price of jewellery and the financial returns made rely upon many factors, not just the price of the precious metal or stones used at that moment in time. Jewellery has survived many economical collapses, worldwide. It is not susceptible to fluctuating stocks and shares or currency markets and so does not lose its value.
Jewellery (joias) is an art form. It is subject to originality and intricacies in design, and there is always great demand. Recent global reports state that the demand for gold jewellery is rising by an impressive 19% a year, which is a record breaking amount. Jewellery demand is predicted to rise even further. All jewellery is covetable and collectible and becomes worth more with age. This can be reflected by the way in which gold stores are used; around 75% of all gold consumed is in the form of jewellery (joias). The World Gold Council states in its latest gold report that in the US in 2006, jewellery sales totalled $44 billion.
Jewellery (joias) makes a visual statement about the person that is wearing it and so it is an enjoyable investment also. Like in ancient times, jewellery is closely associated with wealth, and so gives the wearer a confident demeanour. Jewellery as an investment has many advantages. For instance, antique jewellery can be bought and sold rapidly for a quick turnover; the demand has already been established above. Jewellery prices are also subject to trends. The latest jewellery fair in Vicenza states that yellow gold is of the highest demand in both the US and Europe, so it would be a good investment. However, due to the nature of the fashion industry this means that white gold jewellery (joias) will be a trend at some point soon.
The secret of jewellery investment is to know what you want and where to get it. This has been made much easier by the internet, as dealers can be contacted and business completed between any destinations on the globe. Furthermore, the internet has increased possibilities for jewellery wholesalers who can advertise their goods more easily, which means investors can get more jewellery for their money. A jewellery dealer will be able to provide you with information on the quality of the piece and the style, but a gold advisor or investment professional may be needed to ensure you buy the right type of jewellery (joias) for the investment you are looking for.
When buying gold jewellery (joias), the most important factor is the caratage. The caratage details the amount of gold content present in the jewellery. Gold is pliable and so needs other metals such as silver and copper to be added to make it durable. This also affects the colour of the jewellery. The purest gold jewellery available is 24 carat and will be a strong yellow-orange colour. Jewellery in other colours can have a lower caratage as bigger quantities of the other metals are required to create the special effect. However, this does not mean that for white gold jewellery will be any less wise an investment as a yellow gold piece, as design, designer and personal taste also feature in the value.
Make sure you choose jewellery (joias) that reflects your tastes and brings you joy, as well as thinking of the long term investment to enjoy its full value.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This article can be accessed in portuguese language from the Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/joias.php
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

Gold – The Celebrity Of The Metal World

The most iconic precious metal of all time, gold is a valuable and widely used metal for jewellery, currency, computer parts, dentistry, satellites and various other applications. Gold occurs naturally as nuggets or grains in rock; in fact the gold nugget is an iconic symbol of frontier America when prospectors would ‘pan’ for gold, sifting through rivers and streams for traces of a gold mine.
Gold gets its chemical symbol Au from the latin ‘aurum’ which means ‘glowing dawn’, due to it’s distinctive yellow metallic glow. The purity of gold is measured in carats, with 24 carats being pure, though this was originally for measuring the weight of the gold.
Merchants from the Middle East would weigh items with carob beans and this is still used for gems. Gold is known for its practicality.
It is very malleable meaning that it can be made into various shapes with relative ease; it conducts heat and electricity (this being a reason for its use in electronic components) and does not react to most corrosive chemicals which makes it better for jewellery. It also forms alloys easily, allowing other properties to be found and the colour to be changed.
One such alloy, platinum with gold, makes white gold which has become massively popular in jewellery, because it has the elegance and stature of gold while being new and distinct Gold is so malleable that it has been used as thread in clothing, wiring in computers, in dentistry for crowns and bridges, for plating gold roses and even actual gold teeth. It is used on satellites and astronaut’s visors because of it’s reflective properties.
Gold flakes are even used in expensive gourmet dishes is come countries. It has no taste and is merely a delicacy and status symbol, thought some people believe that gold has medicinal properties. The symbolism of gold as a token of wealth has been used throughout history; the negative of golden pocket watches in Communist propaganda and the positive of ‘gold cards’ or golden tickets employed by credit card companies and promotional marketing. It has been used by civilisations all over the world to decorate religious artefacts and temples.
This contributes to the steadfast place that gold holds in our society as a symbol and a practical tool, giving it a permanent place in our history.



About The Author
John Gibb is the owner of gold-advice-and-information.info, for more information on gold, please check out http://www.gold-advice-and-information.info

Planting Rose Bushes – The Five Essential Steps For Success

Roses can be such a magnificent part of the garden, yet the home gardener is too often disappointed with their performance. Correct procedures at planting, go a long way in ensuring decent results.
Roses have traditionally been considered virtually compulsory elements in the ornamental garden. Their star has waned somewhat in recent years, partly because of inadequate design knowledge with some home gardeners, but mainly due to poor horticultural practices that invariably result in disappointing performance and appearance from the rose. Incorrect planting procedures are often the primary cause of failure and disillusion with the “Queen of the Garden”, but carrying out five essential steps properly, can almost guarantee success and years of delight from the rose bushes.
Step 1 - Location
Roses need full sun to grow and flower well. A shady spot, or one which receives less than about 6 hours of direct sunlight, will result in poor, weak growth. Secondly, roses compete badly with the roots of nearby trees and shrubs, so plan your rose bed some distance from other woody plants. In order to lessen the incidence of fungal infection, choose a spot with plenty of airflow between the bushes.
Step 2 – Soil Preparation
While roses require ready access to moisture, the soil must be well aerated as well, so any drainage problems should be sorted out before planting. Thorough preparation of the soil is therefore a precondition for success. In addition to eliminating weeds and breaking up clods, copious quantities of well-rotted compost
and worm castings will improve water retention in sandy spoils, and aeration in clay ones. In both cases, compost should be mixed in with the soil at a rate of at least 30 liters per square meter.
It is worth noting that roses planted in soil where roses were previously grown, are liable to develop unsatisfactorily. In such cases, soil should be removed and replaced to a depth of about 40-50cm (20in). If this proves to be too difficult or expensive an operation, then it would be better to find an alternative to rose bushes.
Step 3 – Correct Spacing Between Plants
Many inexperienced gardeners make their big mistake at this point. The natural tendency is to plant as close as possible to create a “stronger” effect. The effect most usually attained however is weak, spindly growth as the bushes struggle in competition with each other, and because of their greater vulnerability to fungi like mildew and rust. While it is common to space landscape shrubs so that they overlap with each other, roses should be spaced a bit beyond their natural spread.
Step 4 – The Actual Planting
If you can wait until the dormant season, then planting bare-root has many advantages over planting from containers, largely because it is possible to examine the root system of the specimens on sale. The roots should not be knotted in any way; they should be evenly spaced, and ought to be unblemished and undamaged.
The depth and width of the planting hole must comfortably contain the roots of the bush. Place the plant so that the bud union sits just above the soil’s surface; if it is too high, the plant will not receive adequate support from the ground, but if sunken into the ground, new shoots often fail to emerge from the bud union. Build a mound of soil underneath the roots before returning the excavated soil to the planting hole, gently pressing it close to the roots with your fingers. The purpose is to maximize the points of contact between the roots and the soil particles.
Step 5 – Watering and Mulching
If planting from containers in the summer, then immediate watering is of course vital to prevent the plants from drying out. Specimens planted bare root in the winter need watering with a gentle flow from the hose, to settle the soil around the roots. It is common practice to dig a basin around each plant for collecting rainwater. This is fine as long as the water drains rapidly. A newly planted bush sitting in a pool of water for a few days is unlikely to survive through to the spring.
Finally, spreading an organic mulch around the plants (but not right up to the stems) will keep the roots cool during hot weather, while preventing soil erosion from heavy rain.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi.I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984.I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners.I also teach horticulture to students on training courses.I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden,so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.comor contact me at jonathan@dryclimategardening.com

Gold investing

Gold investing is a low-risk type of long-term investment.
Gold is slightly more risky than bonds, so you should be careful to pay attention to this. The reason for this is that while gold is used in some industries, it does not necessarily need to be worth as much money as it is. Also, part of the reason that gold is worth so much money is due to its comparative rarity. If the markets were to become flooded, chances are good that you would lose money. However, gold has a tendency to stay relatively stable, or to increase its value, over time.
How stable is gold investing? Well, the demand for gold is much higher than its supply. As you can tell, this is already good for people who are thinking about gold investing. Once there is more supply than demand, the price starts to rise. Since the demand for gold is almost twice the amount that is actually mined, the prices for gold are likely to go up steadily.
This also means that it is still a good time to invest in gold. The reason for that is that prices for gold need to go up so that there is not a gold shortage in the world. (After all, the increase in prices will decrease the demand until finally, there is no more gold shortage).
The first thing that you should keep in mind about gold investing, is that you should not put all of your money into one type of gold investment. You should also not just go out and buy a bunch of physical gold. While this is a good way to build a solid and insured foundation, you should also be investing in some of the other parts of the gold industry. For instance, if you invest in gold mines that are not producing at their top amount yet, or in potential gold mines, you stand a chance of making more money in the future.
Since gold is in such high demand, it is likely that any gold mines that are not producing much will start trying to produce more - so that they can cash in on the high demand and higher prices as well.
A good reason for investing in gold mines instead of just in physical pieces of gold, is that if you only invest in physical gold, it's more likely that it can be stolen from you, at which point you will lose your entire investment.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jakob Jelling is the founder of Cashbazar.com. Go to http://www.cashbazar.com/investing.shtml and learn how to invest your money!

Gold Investing

Gold investing is a low-risk type of long-term investment.
Gold is slightly more risky than bonds, so you should be careful to pay attention to this. The reason for this is that while gold is used in some industries, it does not necessarily need to be worth as much money as it is. Also, part of the reason that gold is worth so much money is due to its comparative rarity. If the markets were to become flooded, chances are good that you would lose money. However, gold has a tendency to stay relatively stable, or to increase its value, over time.
How stable is gold investing? Well, the demand for gold is much higher than its supply. As you can tell, this is already good for people who are thinking about gold investing. Once there is more supply than demand, the price starts to rise. Since the demand for gold is almost twice the amount that is actually mined, the prices for gold are likely to go up steadily.
This also means that it is still a good time to invest in gold. The reason for that is that prices for gold need to go up so that there is not a gold shortage in the world. (After all, the increase in prices will decrease the demand until finally, there is no more gold shortage).
The first thing that you should keep in mind about gold investing, is that you should not put all of your money into one type of gold investment. You should also not just go out and buy a bunch of physical gold. While this is a good way to build a solid and insured foundation, you should also be investing in some of the other parts of the gold industry. For instance, if you invest in gold mines that are not producing at their top amount yet, or in potential gold mines, you stand a chance of making more money in the future.
Since gold is in such high demand, it is likely that any gold mines that are not producing much will start trying to produce more - so that they can cash in on the high demand and higher prices as well.
A good reason for investing in gold mines instead of just in physical pieces of gold, is that if you only invest in physical gold, it's more likely that it can be stolen from you, at which point you will lose your entire investment.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jakob Jelling is the founder of Cashbazar.com. Go to http://www.cashbazar.com/investing.shtml and learn how to invest your money!

Starting a Rose Garden

When you look at a rose garden in full bloom, you see all the vibrant colors and smell the heady fragrances. But when you think of starting a rose garden of your own, you think of all the difficulty in maintaining them and how time consuming it all is. But in actuality, starting a rose garden isn’t any harder than growing other plant or shrub in your landscape.
Roses have been around a long, long time. Fossilized roses have been discovered that are over 35 million years old. Although mainly a native to Asia, the 150 different wild and cultivated species of roses can be found all across the Northern Hemisphere. Ancient cultures from China to Egypt to Greece to Rome have grown and revered this perennially flowering shrub. Roses have been symbols for war, love, forgiveness, beauty and clandestine meetings. In fact the Latin expression “sub rosa“ (under the rose) comes from the Romans who would often set out or display roses at gatherings as a signal that whatever was talked about or discussed was to remain “secret”.How Do You Grow A Rose Garden?Before starting a rose garden you should visit as many rose gardens as you can. Look in on friends and family’s rose beds, ask questions and learn all you can. Ask gardeners about their failures as well as their successes. Pick up a magazine or two or do some searching on the Web. The next step is to choose the type rose bush or plant you want. Understand that roses come in three main groupings: wild, old garden and modern garden varieties. A wild rose is a plant that remains exactly as Mother Nature created it (it has not been hybridized). An old garden or “antique” roses are plants that were under cultivation before 1867 when the first hybrid tea was developed. Modern roses are hybrid plants introduced after 1867.Wild roses are the most maintenance free roses but don’t have all the colors and aromas of some of the newer hybrids. Vintage or old garden roses have withstood the test of time and hardy and easy to grow. Modern roses have some exciting colors, combinations and shapes. Rose plants come in pots or containers or as “bare root stock”. Until you get some experience under your belt, you should stick to using potted plants.How Do I Make a Rose Garden?Starting a rose garden begins with good soil preparation.
Locate an area in your yard that gets a minimum of six to eight hours of sunlight, preferably morning light.
Now till or dig a very big hole, at least 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep.
Take all the soil and set aside. Mix the soil with one part peat moss and one part compost.
Add water into the hole. Shovel a little of the new soil mixture into the bottom.
Remove your plant from its pot by gently rolling and squeezing the sides of the pot.
Set your plant in the hole and backfill with the soil mixture until the root-ball is covered. Firm the mound with your hands.
Give your new rose bush a good soaking to settle the soil and remove any air pockets.Now that you know more about starting a rose garden, you can start exploring the wide world of this ancient and symbolic flower.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Startingarosegarden.com provides in-depth information and a complete guide to starting and maintaining a rose garden. Providing you with everything you need to know in regards to techniques and ideas for helping you maintain, create or better a rose garden as well as various other rose gardening information. http://www.startingarosegarden.com

Jewelry--All That Glitters Can Be Gold (A Brief History of Jewelry)

Jewelry has been around nearly as long as human beings. The ability to trace the history of jewelry is due primarily to the custom, beginning with the earliest peoples, of burying the dead with their most valuable possessions. As far back as the Old Stone Age, people made and wore jewelry. Using their primitive tools, they fashioned necklaces
of bones, animal teeth, pebbles, feathers, shells and leather. Although some were probably worn as adornments, others may have been worn to ward off dangers, evil spirits or sickness. Jewelry made of gold and silver is believed to have made its first appearance with the ancient Egyptians. Gold was used because of its warm, glowing color and its ease to work, being relatively soft and pliable.
The Egyptians were among the first to use precious stones in their jewelry using turquoise and lapis lazuli. Many tomb paintings show Egyptians wearing bracelets
, brooches, headdresses, pendants and rings made of gold, silver and precious gemstones. Ancient Greek jewelry is noted for its elegance and grace. Many designs were used, but their specialty were adornments made from gold filigree of wire openwork in the naturalistic shapes of flowers, leaves and animals. Likewise, the Romans loved jewelry. As a means to show social status and wealth, rings made of gold, jet, and other materials were worn by both sexes. Sometimes many rings were worn on the same finger just as many people do today.
During the Middle Ages, styles and income levels rather discouraged the wearing of most jewelry. Brooches, however, became an important part of the wardrobe since they were practical in holding up tunics and cloaks. During this period rings were commonly worn by every social class. Rings were made of iron, copper, silver or gold with the metal often denoting the wearer's social standing.
During the Renaissance period more skin was shown with the new fashions and consequently more jewelry was worn. It was during this period that jewelry making truly became an art. Many Italian sculptors trained as goldsmiths and created stunning ornaments. Necklaces began to appear in large numbers and were worn by both sexes. Men's necklaces tended to be more like chains, while women's were more complicated with twists and beads added. It was the Elizabethan era where pearls became the rage. Earrings made their first appearance in Europe, where the most common were single pearl drops worn with a simple matching pearl choker.
The Georgian period of jewelry production began during the years when Great Britain was ruled by the four Georges, thus the name. The Georgian period encompassed most of the eighteenth century and into the first part of the nineteenth, through the American and French revolutions, and the development of a distinctive British identity after the Napoleonic Wars. Jewelry of the period was entirely handmade and consequently quite individualistic. Both men and women wore heavy, richly-jeweled chains, rings, shoe buckles, and hair ornaments, buttons and brooches. Gemstones were sewn onto clothing in an ostentatious display of wealth. Jewelry settings were designed to display the color and sparkle of the gemstones, particularly diamonds. The primary theme of the period was inspired by nature, including flowers, leafs, insects, birds and feathers.
The art of jewelry-making was refined during the Victorian period in Europe, and exquisite pieces such as lockets and cameos made their first appearance. Jewelry was being worn by nearly everyone by the middle of the nineteenth century. But, instead of being individually crafted, quality pieces could be stamped out and molded. Rather than unique pieces, jewelry could be created to a standard that was able to be duplicated. The new affordability brought quality jewelry to the middle-class consumer for the first time. Platinum came onto the jewelry scene at the end of the 20th century. During the early 20th century, industrialization, increasing job opportunities and rising family incomes brought jewelry within reach of the middle class. Large scale firms, created by jewelers such as Carl Faberge and Louis Tiffany achieved great success and amassed great wealth by making fine pieces for the newly wealthy.
The Roaring Twenties has been portrayed as a decadent era: the time of prohibition, gangsters, speakeasies and the Charleston. Women won the right to vote in 1920, and they asserted their new equality with radical fashion changes. Long dangling earrings, long strands of pearls or beads, diamond watches cocktail rings, and multiple bracelets on both upper and lower arms became rage. Platinum and precious stones, particularly diamonds, were wildly popular during this Art Deco period.
The Thirties were a decade of economic depression, both in the U.S. and Europe, and the Forties brought World War II. It was in the 1940's that flamboyant curves and bows in large pieces of jewelry became known as Retro Modern. Yellow gold regained prominence during these years, since wartime restrictions made platinum unavailable to the industry. Semi-precious stones and man-made rubies and sapphires became more popular due to the high wartime luxury taxes. Cocktail rings, bracelets, watches and necklaces were massive. Many of today's consumers would consider this style to be quite gaudy and flashy.
Platinum made an enormous comeback in the early 1990's and such pieces as the tennis bracelet and the diamond solitaire pendant made their first appearance at this time. Men began to wear bracelets, necklaces and even earrings in larger numbers as the Twentieth century drew to a close.
Today, jewelry is increasingly worn by both men and women. From bracelets and toe rings, to necklaces and tongue studs, jewelry continues to be a popular adornment for the human race and most body parts have been pierced to allow for the wearing of such.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High School in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business dedicated to providing valuable and accurate information and resources on a variety of topics. For a treasure chest full of additional information about jewelry please visit http://www.jewelryjaunt.com

How to Care for Your Gold Jewelry

Gold is a very versatile metal and in most cases can be worn on a daily basis. However, there are some "do's" and "don'ts" when it comes to gold. "Do" take your gold jewelry off when you take a bath or clean your house. Even though soap will not hurt your gold jewelry it will leave a fine scum on it which will make it appear dull.
This film can be cleaned off, but removing your gold jewelry will be a lot easier! "Don't" wear your gold jewelry, especially white gold, if you plan to go swimming or get into that hot tub that contains chlorine. Chlorine can permanently change the color of your gold.
It can turn white gold yellow. Remember to also be careful when using those household products containing chlorine bleach. "Do" keep your gold jewelry clean. You can purchase a commercial cleaner or you can clean your gold by soaking in a solutions of one part ammonia and six parts water.
Soak for about 1 minute then use a small soft brush, like a toothbrush to scrub lightly. Rinse in warm water and dry with a soft cloth or chamois. (Soaking in a glass of water with a denture tablet works well also.) "Don't" use harsh or abrasive cleaning solutions on your gold jewelry. Gold can be fairly soft and may get scratched. "Do" take your gold jewelry off when taking antibiotics. Strange as it seems some prescription drugs can alter the chemical properties of your sweat and cause tarnishing.
Got a knot in your gold necklace, gold chain, or gold bracelet? Here's a trick - lay your gold necklace, gold chain, gold bracelet on a plate or piece of wax paper. Apply a drop of household or salad oil on the knot and use two straight pins to pull the knot out.
Need to get the oil off? Dip your gold jewelry in some rubbing alcohol, rinse with warm water, and dry with a soft cloth or tissue.



About The Author
Susan Omlin is the owner of http://www.bellezajewelry.com. An online jewelry store offering solid gold jewelry at affordable prices.

History Of Gold With Relation To Currencies And Its Outlook

Much has been written about the current bull market in gold and how it compares to previous moves, in particular during the 1970s when the metal soared to at the time unimaginable heights.
On this basis it is worth looking at the background to the value story on gold, and this may shed some light on why its bull market may have significantly further to go for CFD traders in coming years.
The gold standard
The UK, which at the time was the world’s dominant economic powerhouse, adopted a gold standard in the early 19th century. Other currencies then looked to have gold backing, and towards the end of the century, various European countries joined the standard, though some chose for a time use a joint gold and silver standard. The emerging strength of the US saw it adopt the standard in 1879, by making "greenbacks" that had been issued during the Civil War period convertible into gold, and the gold standard was formalised by legislation in 1900. On the outbreak of World War One, it was accepted by the whole of the developed world. This called for fixed exchange rates, with parities set for participating currencies in terms of gold, and it provided that any paper currency could on demand be exchanged for gold by its central bank The system worked well having been designed to make each country adjust in terms of external deficits or surpluses in transactions between countries. Any deficit country would then have to surrender gold to cover its deficit, with the result that the volume of its money would be reduced, leading to lower prices, while the influx of that gold into the surplus economy would expand the volume of that country’s money and lead to higher prices. This meant that there were effective pegs in the foreign exchange market, so that exchange rates would fluctuate only within very narrow limits determined by the costs of shipping and insuring gold.
US and UK comparisons in terms of gold Up until 1914, the parity between the U.S. dollar and sterling was approximately $4.87, based on a U.S. official gold price of $20.67 per ounce and a U.K. official gold price of £ 4.24 per ounce, and the exchange rate would not fluctuate beyond about three cents above and below the mint parity, which represented the cost of shipping and insuring gold, since otherwise there would be arbitrage potential. Although there were some gold transfers under the system, it was easier to adjust monetary policy to attract currencies, which might offset the financial impact of any import excess.
Higher interest rates would usually have a deflationary effect in the deficit country aswell. Under this system, participating countries needed to give an absolute priority to external adjustment over domestic objectives, so if there was a conflict between domestic and external objectives, policy tools might not be available to be used for domestic problems of recession, unemployment, or inflation. This reflected the prevailing economic philosophy that economies would tend naturally toward reasonably high levels of employment and reasonable price stability without such government policy actions.
The effect of the First World War The four great economic powers, the US, UK, Germany, and France saw unchanged currency values up until the war. There were few barriers to gold shipments or capital controls in the major countries, and capital flows appeared to play a stabilising role. After the outbreak of the First World War, each country needed to raise cash for the war effort, and at this stage they began to issue more and more bonds, some of which still exist today. These were domestically issued at the time and not backed by gold, but the promise to repay came from the central bank and was seen as rock solid.
This was the beginning of what is known as fiat monetary policy, and which is widespread today. The result of this was that as more and more paper was not backed by the common value of gold, floating exchange rates began. The US, which entered the war later than the others, had maintained gold convertibility, and soon the dollar floated against the other currencies, which were no longer convertible into dollars. Dollar strength and weakness Once the war ended there were significant economic problems in Europe, and exchange rates began to change rapidly, with many major currencies devaluing against the dollar.
This helped cement the US dominance of world trade, as the dollar had greatly improved its competitive strength over European currencies during the war. In a reverse of what is happening today, within much of Europe and certainly in the UK there was a widespread desire to return to the stability of the gold standard, and growing concern over the attractiveness of the dollar, which was still convertible into gold, and of dollar-denominated assets.
The pound thus went back on the gold standard, but this coincided with the Wall Street Crash and the beginning of the great depression, which highlighted the weaknesses in existing economic policy. Following a disastrous five years back on the gold standard, the UK abandoned it in 1931, and others followed over the next few years. There were also problems in the US, and in 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt imposed a ban on US citizens buying, selling, or owning gold in order to kickstart the depressed economy.
This was the birth of Keynesian policies which shaped much of economic policy in coming decades. At the same rime, the Federal Reserve continued to sell gold to foreign central banks and government institutions, but the ban prevented hoarders from profiting after Congress devalued the dollar against gold in 1934. This action raised the official price of gold by more than 65% to $35 per ounce. Only gold coins and certificates considered collectors’ items were exempt from this prohibition, and artistic and industrial users were allowed to deal in gold under a special Treasury license. Once the price rose, there was a mining boom, which saw major growth in gold output.
The 1970s The licence to print money had been conveniently forgotten, despite the widely remembered problems in Germany’s Weimar republic in the 1920s, and just fifty years later, in 1971, President Nixon ended US dollar convertibility to gold. On the 31st December of that year, gold stood at $43.8 per ounce. This finally ended the central role of gold in world currency systems and it then began a spectacular bull market as inflation raged and the value of paper currencies fell.
Gold enjoyed a nine year bull market, with the price hitting a record of $850 per ounce against a background of an international crisis arising from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Islamic Revolution in Iran. If this was rebased to today, the all time high would be equivalent to $2,100 per ounce. Why gold could go a lot, lot higher Gold’s current bull market has lasted six years, during which it has risen around 200%. In the 1970s, gold peaked with a 2000% rise in just nine years, so this gives some food for thought.
Admittedly inflation art present is not the problem it was at the beginning of that decade, but don’t bet against major changes in the value of gold against paper currencies in the years to come. For long and short term CFD traders this creates a major opportunity to profit from a potential further major revaluation.



About The Author
Mike Estrey is the Head of Research for Blue Index, specialists CFD Brokers, providing seminars on how to trade CFDs and offering a Live Trading Simulator. For more about visit http://www.blueindex.co.uk

White Gold

White Gold began gaining popularity in the early 1900’s as an alternative to platinum. Platinum was steadily becoming more fashionable, but because of its rarity many could not afford it. Then, during World War II the government put a ban on the use of Platinum for any non-military functions and the demand for White Gold skyrocketed.
The most common alloys added to gold to produce white gold are nickel, palladium and silver. Most white gold jewelry is also given an electroplated rhodium coating to intensify brightness. Throughout this process, white gold retains many of the benefits of gold. It won’t tarnish and due to the metals added, it is stronger than its yellow counterpart. Recently, palladium has replaced nickel as the common alloy in white gold.
It seems that a small percent of the population-approximately 12-15%-has an allergic reaction to nickel causing skin irritation and rashes. It is now required by law that jewelry pieces containing nickel be labeled “nickel-containing.”


About The Author
Sarah Cobler is an expert on engagement rings. For more information check out http://www.desirablegems.com.

Jewelry--All That Glitters Can Be Gold (A Brief History of Jewelry)

Jewelry has been around nearly as long as human beings. The ability to trace the history of jewelry is due primarily to the custom, beginning with the earliest peoples, of burying the dead with their most valuable possessions. As far back as the Old Stone Age, people made and wore jewelry. Using their primitive tools, they fashioned necklaces of bones, animal teeth, pebbles, feathers, shells and leather. Although some were probably worn as adornments, others may have been worn to ward off dangers, evil spirits or sickness. Jewelry made of gold and silver is believed to have made its first appearance with the ancient Egyptians. Gold was used because of its warm, glowing color and its ease to work, being relatively soft and pliable.
The Egyptians were among the first to use precious stones in their jewelry using turquoise and lapis lazuli. Many tomb paintings show Egyptians wearing bracelets, brooches, headdresses, pendants and rings made of gold, silver and precious gemstones. Ancient Greek jewelry is noted for its elegance and grace. Many designs were used, but their specialty were adornments made from gold filigree of wire openwork in the naturalistic shapes of flowers, leaves and animals. Likewise, the Romans loved jewelry. As a means to show social status and wealth, rings made of gold, jet, and other materials were worn by both sexes. Sometimes many rings were worn on the same finger just as many people do today.
During the Middle Ages, styles and income levels rather discouraged the wearing of most jewelry. Brooches, however, became an important part of the wardrobe since they were practical in holding up tunics and cloaks. During this period rings were commonly worn by every social class. Rings were made of iron, copper, silver or gold with the metal often denoting the wearer's social standing.
During the Renaissance period more skin was shown with the new fashions and consequently more jewelry was worn. It was during this period that jewelry making truly became an art. Many Italian sculptors trained as goldsmiths and created stunning ornaments. Necklaces began to appear in large numbers and were worn by both sexes. Men's necklaces tended to be more like chains, while women's were more complicated with twists and beads added. It was the Elizabethan era where pearls became the rage. Earrings made their first appearance in Europe, where the most common were single pearl drops worn with a simple matching pearl choker.
The Georgian period of jewelry production began during the years when Great Britain was ruled by the four Georges, thus the name. The Georgian period encompassed most of the eighteenth century and into the first part of the nineteenth, through the American and French revolutions, and the development of a distinctive British identity after the Napoleonic Wars. Jewelry of the period was entirely handmade and consequently quite individualistic. Both men and women wore heavy, richly-jeweled chains, rings, shoe buckles, and hair ornaments, buttons and brooches. Gemstones were sewn onto clothing in an ostentatious display of wealth. Jewelry settings were designed to display the color and sparkle of the gemstones, particularly diamonds. The primary theme of the period was inspired by nature, including flowers, leafs, insects, birds and feathers.
The art of jewelry-making was refined during the Victorian period in Europe, and exquisite pieces such as lockets and cameos made their first appearance. Jewelry was being worn by nearly everyone by the middle of the nineteenth century. But, instead of being individually crafted, quality pieces could be stamped out and molded. Rather than unique pieces, jewelry could be created to a standard that was able to be duplicated. The new affordability brought quality jewelry to the middle-class consumer for the first time. Platinum came onto the jewelry scene at the end of the 20th century. During the early 20th century, industrialization, increasing job opportunities and rising family incomes brought jewelry within reach of the middle class. Large scale firms, created by jewelers such as Carl Faberge and Louis Tiffany achieved great success and amassed great wealth by making fine pieces for the newly wealthy.
The Roaring Twenties has been portrayed as a decadent era: the time of prohibition, gangsters, speakeasies and the Charleston. Women won the right to vote in 1920, and they asserted their new equality with radical fashion changes. Long dangling earrings, long strands of pearls or beads, diamond watches cocktail rings, and multiple bracelets on both upper and lower arms became rage. Platinum and precious stones, particularly diamonds, were wildly popular during this Art Deco period.
The Thirties were a decade of economic depression, both in the U.S. and Europe, and the Forties brought World War II. It was in the 1940's that flamboyant curves and bows in large pieces of jewelry became known as Retro Modern. Yellow gold regained prominence during these years, since wartime restrictions made platinum unavailable to the industry. Semi-precious stones and man-made rubies and sapphires became more popular due to the high wartime luxury taxes. Cocktail rings, bracelets, watches and necklaces were massive. Many of today's consumers would consider this style to be quite gaudy and flashy.
Platinum made an enormous comeback in the early 1990's and such pieces as the tennis bracelet and the diamond solitaire pendant made their first appearance at this time. Men began to wear bracelets, necklaces and even earrings in larger numbers as the Twentieth century drew to a close.
Today, jewelry is increasingly worn by both men and women. From bracelets and toe rings, to necklaces and tongue studs, jewelry continues to be a popular adornment for the human race and most body parts have been pierced to allow for the wearing of such.



Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High School in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business dedicated to providing valuable and accurate information and resources on a variety of topics. For a treasure chest full of additional information about jewelry please visit http://www.jewelryjaunt.com

Popular White Gold Jewellery

Find out what you need to know before buying white gold jewellery
There is a lot of very popular jewellery out there today. One of the most popular is the white gold jewelry. However, what makes this kind of jewelry so popular? On top of that, what makes this gold turn white? These are all questions that we are going to answer, so if you have ever wonder this kind of information about white gold, then just keep on reading!
First of all, white gold is still gold. However, it is an alloy of gold that has been mixed with at least one other metal. Normally the two most commonly used white metals that get added to it are nickel and palladium. Just like the yellow gold that we have come to know and love, the white gold's purity is, of course, given to us in carats. This lets you know how much of it is actually gold and how much of it has been mixed with another metal. One thing to keep in mind is that you can never have a full gold ring. That is because gold by itself is way too soft. It has to be mixed with another metal to make it stronger. If you did not mix it, you would be able to simply press on it and bend it.
Whenever you are dealing with white gold jewelry, there are a few different purposes it can be used for. First of all, when white gold is made with nickel, it's a lot stronger than other white gold jewellery. This means that it is perfect for making things like rings and pins. However, when it is mixed with palladium, it becomes a lot softer and more workable. This makes it perfect to be used on gemstone jewelry. Most of the time, the highest carat white gold you are going to find is 18k. As said before, white gold is usually mixed with one or more metals, so they will often use palladium or nickel, but things like silver and copper get added in as well. In the really high class white gold rings, you can find things like platinum being used.
One more thing to keep in mind about white gold is that it does not retain it's shine quite like other metals do, thus, a lot of times white gold has to be coated with rhodium. This gives it a very nice shine, but sometimes it has been known to rub off over time. Although it is unlikely, it does happen. Without the coating of this rhodium, very few people would like the dull look of white gold.
So why do people like the white gold look so much nowadays? When did all the jewelry start getting made out of white gold? This really came about as the rappers got into the white gold look. Although some people still really like the yellow gold look, it is a little bit too traditional for some people. That is why they go with the very modern looking white gold. Of course, we sometimes see these fads change back and forth, so no one knows when yellow gold will come back into style.



Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelly Hunter owns and operates http://www.bestwhitegoldjewellery.com and writes about White Gold Jewellery

Gold Allergy

It is very unlikely that you have a Gold Allergy. You are more likely to have developed an allergy to nickel. More specifically the allergy is not caused by the nickel itself but by the combination of your perspiration and nickel salts. If your jewelry shows any type of corrosion or pitting then coating the piece of jewelry with clear finger nail polish where it comes into contact with the skin may help.
If you suffer from Gold Allergy then you have Allergies Type 4 is also called cell-mediated or delayed allergies. When T-cells become activated and result in an inflammation of the effected area. It usually develops with repeated exposure to some substance in the environment. All of a sudden you may develop a hypersensitivity to all of your gold jewelry. Symptoms may include a rash, itching, swelling, blistering, and eczema.
It is very unlikely that you have a Gold Allergy. You are more likely to have developed an allergy to nickel. More specifically the allergy is not caused by the nickel itself but by the combination of your perspiration and nickel salts. If your jewelry shows any type of corrosion or pitting then coating the piece of jewelry with clear finger nail polish where it comes into contact with the skin may help. If finger nail polish is used then you will need to recoat very often because finger nail polish wares off easily. It would be better to coat the item with some type of long lasting plastic compound. See you jeweler for recommendations.
Gold Allergy cases have been reported by dermatologists since the introduction of cheap fancy jewelry. Nine carat gold and white gold both contain nickel, 12 carat or higher should be ok. Once you have developed an allergy to nickel it will often remain for the rest of your life. 34 to 65 percent of the population that is allergic to nickel is also allergic to platinum.
Nickel is frequently added to gold because it is inexpensive and hard. Gold in itself is soft and will lose its shape under pressure so nickel is added to toughen it up. Better quality products use palladium, which has excellent properties but is also more expensive to use.
Other common every day items that contain nickel and cause you to develop contact dermatitis are metal zippers, hair-pins, buttons, lipstick holders, razors, keys pocket knives, kitchen utensils, scissors, silver coins, paper clips.
Your dermatologist or pharmacist can supply you with a nickel-testing kit. The test contains a bottle of dimethylglyoxime and a bottle of ammonium hydroxide. Put a drop from each bottle the jewelry or item in question, the chemicals will not harm your jewelry, and then rub it with a cotton swab. If the swab turns pink then the item being tested contains nickel and may cause problems if worn.
Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating the allergy symptoms such as Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Quercitin.
Vitamin E accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system. Vitamin E can be taken internally or applied as a lotion to the affected areas of the skin.
Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. A naturally cooling gel, the Aloe Vera botanical ingredients work together to stimulate the blood circulation and naturally soften the skin.
Quercitin is a well-known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Cowley has created numerous articles on allergies. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to allergies and how to treat them. Visit http://www.allergies-team.com
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Gold Jewelry: the ultimate adornment for style, beauty and class

Gold jewelry can never go out of style. It can look good on almost everyone. It is the ultimate amalgamation of classic beauty, wealth and style.
The value of gold jewelry depends not only upon the style or the designer who has designed it, but most importantly it is dependent upon the quality of gold used to make the gold jewelry. The quality of gold in the gold jewelry is determined by its percentage or by the karat. The higher the karat number, the higher the percentage of gold in your gold jewelry. The various karat numbers are 24K, 18K, 14K, 12K and 10K - 24K is pure gold.
Gold jewelry is also available in various forms. In some cases it is plated with gold, in some it is filled with gold and in some others the gold jewelry is made of pure gold. Gold by itself is very soft and isn't practical for daily wear which is why it has to be mixed with other additional metals to give it tensile strength such that it can be molded into various designs. Other metals are mixed with it to make it more durable (and to lower its cost).
Adding other metals to the mix also allows metallurgists to change the color of gold. Palladium or nickel can be added to create white gold. Adding copper produces a rose or pink tint, while silver gives gold a greenish cast. If you want jewelry which can be worn regularly then it is wise to get it made out of solid gold (Solid gold is a term that can be used to describe an item that's at least 10K (in the US) gold all the way through. Even though it's a gold alloy--18K, 14K, or anything down to 10K--it can be called solid gold.).
Gold has in a way always stood as a symbol for wealth, prestige and power. Through times immemorial gold jewelry has been the ultimate ornamentation for kings, queens and noblemen. At one point of time, gold jewelry was also seen as a status symbol and was not meant for the common man. It still is looked upon as a status symbol since not every one can afford gold jewelry. However because of the numerous forms in which gold jewelry is available to day (such as plated gold, gold filled, gold coated jewelry or gold jewelry of a lower karat), it can now be easily bought by anyone.
Gold jewelry does not entail very big or intricate designs, it can even be quite small simple and delicate. How so ever a piece of jewelry maybe, it immediately stands out. There is a timeless classic appeal surrounding it which can never go out of fashion. Gold jewelry is not only something which you can buy for yourself or as a gift to someone you love; you can also buy gold jewelry to keep as an asset. The value of gold jewelry does not depreciate, it only appreciates with time. It can prove to be a very valuable investment.
Gold jewelry is the timeless classic statement of personal style, beauty and sophisticated elegance.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Looking for information about Jewelry?Go to: http://www.merryjewelry.com'Merry Jewelry' is published by Angela Davis - The Complete Jewelry Resource Directory Check out more Jewelry articles at: http://www.merryjewelry.com/archive

Precious Metals--Precious Gifts: Tips for Buying Platinum, Gold or Silver Jewelry

Buying jewelry can be fun, exciting and sometimes confusing. Whether you are considering a gift of jewelry for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Start with basics: carats and karats. What's the difference? To make it simple, a carat is unit of weight for gemstones, including diamonds; a karat is a unit for measuring the purity of gold.
The word gold, for example, used by itself, means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold. However, because 24K gold is very soft, it's usually mixed with other metals to increase its strength and durability. If a piece of jewelry is not 24 karat gold, the karat quality should accompany any claim that the item is gold.
The karat quality tells you what proportion of gold is mixed with other metals. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. The higher the karat rating, the higher proportion of gold. Most jewelry is marked with its karat quality, although this is not required by law. Near the karat quality mark, you should find the name of the registered trademark of the company that will stand behind the mark. If you do not see a trademark on a piece of jewelry, look for another piece.
Jewelry can be plated with gold in a variety of ways. Gold plate refers to items that are composed of base metal then covered with a layer of gold, done either mechanically or electronically. Eventually the gold plating wears away, but how soon depends on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is. Gold-filled, gold overlay and gold plate are terms used to describe jewelry that has a layer of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. If the item is marked with any one of those terms, the term or abbreviation should follow the karat quality of the gold used. For example, 14K Gold Overlay or 12K RGP.
Platinum is another precious metal used extensively in jewelry and is actually more expensive than gold. It is usually mixed with similar metals like palladium, or iridium. Quality markings for platinum are different than that for gold. For platinum it is based on parts per thousand. For example, the marking 900 Platinum means that 900 parts out of 1000 are pure platinum. The abbreviations for platinum--Plat. or Pt. can also be used in marking jewelry.
The words silver or sterling silver describe a product that contains at least 92.5% silver. Silver products are sometimes marked 925 which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver. According to federal law, quality-marked silver also must bear the name or a U.S. registered trademark of the company or person that will stand behind the mark. Some jewelry or silver items may be marked "silverplate": a layer of silver bonded to a base metal. Vermeil is a special type of gold plated product, consists or a base of sterling silver that is coated or plated with gold.
Pewter items may be described and marked as such if they contain at least 90% tin.
When you're in the market for a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you love, shop around. Whether it is online, in catalogs or at a traditional store make comparisons. Compare quality, price, and service. Ask about refund and return policies before you buy. And make sure you get a sales receipt containing any information you relied on when making your purchase.
Best wishes for an enjoyable and rewarding shopping experience!



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High School in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business dedicated to providing valuable and accurate information and resources on a variety of topics. For a gold mine of additional information about jewelry please visit http://www.jewelryjaunt.com

Drastic Rise in Precious Metal Prices Effects Choices in Wedding Bands

Men's wedding bands made of gold, platinum and palladium have been on the rise in recent years with a very steady climb in prices over the last year. Increases have been seen by as much as 30% for some types of rings. Unless you are a jeweler or constantly searching for a ring, you may not notice this increase, as most people typically don't buy wedding rings on an annual basis. The reason for this dramatic increase is due to the rise in cost of precious metals; gold and platinum especially.
The rise in precious metal prices have made the the cost of jewelry, including men's wedding bands, cost prohibitive for many people. The price of gold which has risen from $600 per ounce a year ago to over $750 per ounce as of October 14, 2007. Platinum has also risen from $1100 to over $1400 per ounce in just a year. That's roughly a 30% increase in one year! When these precious metal prices increase it trickles down to the consumer, affecting the price of fine jewelry as well as gold roses.
In an article entitled, "Gold Sparkles with Promise," Curtis Hesler, editor of the Forbes Newsletter, The Professional Timing Service said: "In the first quarter of next year, we could see gold push the $800 level..." That's almost a 35% increase. While this may be a great investment, it's going to hit your wallet hard when it comes to laying down the cash for your wedding rings. So, with gold and platinum reaching higher and more expensive price points, what alternatives are available for men's wedding bands, wedding rings and engagement ring?
Contemporary metals such as Titanium and Tungsten are proving to be not only quality alternatives, but more affordable and often times, more stylish. With so many younger grooms being priced out of the gold wedding band, or platinum wedding band, they are overwhelmingly choosing more contemporary metals. Wedding bands made of Titanium, Black Titanium, Tungsten Carbide, Stainless, Carbon Fiber are becoming more popular, which is interesting since these contemporary metals were not even options a few years ago. But now, more than ever, Titanium rings and men's wedding bands made of Tungsten Carbide or Black Titanium are viable choices for a man to consider when shopping for his wedding band.
Titanium rings have been considered an alternative to gold and platinum for many reasons, but now more than ever, cost is main concern. With the prices of gold and platinum as high as they are, wedding rings and men's wedding bands are becoming increasingly cost prohibitive. Titanium rings are not only more durable than gold and platinum, but much more affordable. For example, a 7mm comfort fit platinum ring can cost as much as $1350. A gold wedding band of similar width can be found for approximately $700. In comparison, titanium rings and tungsten rings in the same widths can be found for nearly half the cost of gold and third of platinum.
A leading online retailer of modern metals jewelry Titanium-Jewelry.com has many styles of titanium and tungsten rings starting at $79. Ron Yates, founder of Titanium-Jewelry.com and owner of Yates & Co Jewelers in Modesto, CA says "We've seen a huge increase in men choosing contemporary metals for their wedding rings. Just three or four years ago most guys never heard of titanium rings or tungsten rings. Now they are considering these rings as a viable choice for their wedding rings. They like modern designs, durability and the affordability."
So if you are shopping for wedding rings and the drastic increase in precious metals has moved beyond your level of affordability for platinum or gold wedding bands, there are options available. It is almost a certainty that as gold and platinum prices continue to spiral upwards more and more shoppers will be wearing contemporary metals on their wedding finger. Currently, titanium and tungsten are the popular choices but don't be surprised to see other new exciting options open up in the near future.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a personal shopper, Sam Brown has been following the trends in jewelry and has found an appreciation for Titanium rings and titanium jewelry, especially for stylish yet economical men's wedding bands

How to Choose a Platinum Diamond Ring

Platinum is just about the most enduring metal there is, especially when it comes to jewelry, and a choice of platinum is symbolic of how long you want your love to last. It is also impervious to damage the way other metals may be. Soft, higher karats of gold, as well as silver, can be nicked, marked, dented, and dinged as time goes on.
When it comes to "popping the question," there's nothing like a platinum diamond ring to make it official. Whether you're a man looking to choose just the right ring for your bride-to-be or a woman lucky enough to be able to pick out your own ring, a platinum diamond ring is often just the right choice for something as important as a wedding set.
For one thing, consider that a platinum diamond ring is absolutely timeless. Platinum is just about the most enduring metal there is, especially when it comes to jewelry, and a choice of platinum is symbolic of how long you want your love to last. It is also impervious to damage the way other metals may be. Soft, higher karats of gold, as well as silver, can be nicked, marked, dented, and dinged as time goes on. But with a platinum ring, there is much less chance of the ring itself being damaged in any way. Of course, those other metals can be repaired and buffed as time goes on but it's usually much better to invest in a ring that will last rather than assume that you can keep repairing the ring over the years.
Many of the antique platinum engagement rings found today can be cleaned, polished, and brought back to their original appearance. There are many antique platinum engagement rings on the market with so much history behind them are often considered classic, not just because of their age and in the time period in which they were produced, but because of their style. Some of the more pure platinum rings will appear grayish white in color, sometimes mistaken for titanium or silver, but will be considerable harder.
Choosing the diamond in your platinum ring may be the most involved part of the process. It's not a good idea to just go for the biggest or most expensive ring. It pays to educate yourself about cut, carat, color, and so on when it comes to a diamond. A larger diamond can have a poorer cut or many inclusions in it, so it might actually be less valuable than a smaller diamond. It's tempting to just choose whatever rock is the biggest but usually a platinum diamond ring can be considered an investment, and one that you can hand down from generation to generation. If you choose a less valuable diamond based on looks alone, your investment is compromised.
And since a platinum diamond ring is timeless, you can usually find one at places other than just a local jewelry store. Estate sales, auctions, and places such as this can offer a wealth of options. Every piece of jewelry should come with a certificate of authenticity and you of course want to have the ring appraised by an independent appraiser, but the value of a platinum ring is not going to drop simply because it was owned by someone else, the way it works with a car or old piece of outdated computer equipment. As a matter of fact, an antique diamond ring can be even more valuable than a new one. So don't limit yourself to just the local jewelry store or shop at the mall, but scour other places for a sale.
If you do some homework and a bit of shopping you're sure to find just the right platinum diamond ring that's a perfect fit for you or your intended fiancée.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Cowley has created numerous articles on Diamonds. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Diamonds. Visit http://www.diamonds-team.com

Military Rings And What They Signify

Military Rings are worn by current and retired members of the military as a highly visible demonstration of their proud participation in a branch of service. They are usually made of precious metals such as gold, silver or platinum, and the engraving on high-quality pieces features intricate detail.
Military Rings are worn by current and retired members of the military as a highly visible demonstration of their proud participation in a branch of service. Their appeal supersedes distinctions of rank,gender and age: military rings are worn by officers and enlisted personnel, men and women, and the young and old.Every day, men and women in the military protect us and our freedom. The sacrifices they make during the course of their service - to their country and to us - are countless and sometimes extreme. We honor them for their service in the armed forces and for their selfless dedication. And they are justifiably proud of their efforts and military traditions. There is no better way for them to show their pride than a military ring -a visual symbol of their service that is typically is worn every single day. Military rings reflect their strength of character and their commitment to protect us all. In short, a military ring is a uniquely appropriate way to reflect a person's service in the armed forces, either past or present.Military Rings Have Deeply Symbolic Designs.There are three basic types of military rings. At least one of them would appeal to almost any member of the military.1. One design that is frequently used is somewhat ornate, resembling a school ring or class ring. These types of military rings usually have a large semi-precious gem, crystal or colored stone set in the center. They also have several different emblems and insignia engraved partway down the sides of the band on each side of the central stone.2. A second type of design is much different. A military ring of this type is a more streamlined ring with flowing, "clean" lines. This design sometimes consists solely of precious metal which has been engraved only at the top of the ring. Other times a semi-precious gem, crystal or other stone is set into the center. The sides of the band of this type of ring typically are not decorated, and the ring has a strong, masculine appearance.3. The third type of military ring is similar to a traditional-type family signet ring or seal ring. But instead of a family seal or crest, this type of military ring utilizes military coats of arms or insignia as the "seal" at the top of the ring. There is no center gem or stone with this design.Options for Military Rings.Any of these three basic designs can incorporate one or more of the specific, highly symbolic heraldic-type crests, shields, coats-of-arms or insignia that are frequently used in the military. A military ring can be designed to reflect a person's service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. Or it can demonstrate service in a specific division, regiment, battalion, fleet, or other discrete military or naval unit. Military rings can also be designed to show that a person served in the armed forces during a particular war or armed conflict: World War 2 rings, Korean War rings, Vietnam War rings and Operation Desert Storm rings are all examples of this type of military ring. Still other types of military rings incorporate the design of a specific combat medal or badge, or a specific rank insignia, into their design. Military rings even exist for ex-Prisoners of War. A military ring can be further personalized by engraving on the band the initials or name of the person wearing it.They are usually made of precious metals such as gold, silver or platinum, and the engraving on high-quality pieces features intricate detail. If a military crest, coat of arms or other military heraldic device has been enhanced by being enameled, or if the center of the ring is inset with a colored gemstone, a military ring is quite striking. But no matter which design is used, a military ring signifies selfless service to us all.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diane Hamments is a freelance author who writes on various subjects including Military rings, Collectables and Memorabilia. Visit great gift ideas for more information.

Aromatherapy Favorites - Beautiful Rose Oil

Rose oil is one of the most sought after botanicals in both aromatherapy and perfumery. Its amazing aroma has a wealth of health benefits, both physiological and psychological - it's no wonder the rose is history's most revered flower.
Ah, Wonderful Rose Oil
If there's an aroma that more individuals find deeply moving than any other, it is the oil of rose. The scent is divinely sweet, rich, and deeply floral - exclusive to the extract of history's most revered flower. Though the rose is renown for it's fragrance, the flower actually contains very little aromatic oil by weight. Some 60,000 roses are needed to distill a single ounce of oil, or about 60 roses PER DROP, a fact which brings the seemly high cost of rose oil into perspective.
The Flower of Love
The hardy nature of the thorny rose bush and the flower's magnificent beauty make it a horticulturalist's dream. The genus Rosa has some 150 species spread around the globe, being cultivated in your grandmother's backyard garden, in vast fields in Bulgaria's Valley of Roses, and everywhere in between. Roses have somewhat of a unique past, peppered with interesting stories and extravagant displays of affection. The flower's association with devotion was perhaps most wonderfully expressed during the Roman empire, with banquet halls being carpeted with petals. Cleopatra once received her beloved Marc Antony in a room literally knee-deep in rose petals – how's that for greeting? Roses are the unrivaled symbol of love, given dear ones through the ages as an affirmation of true affection. It's no wonder the flower's oil has great healing properties, both physically and emotionally, for the human heart.
Rose's health Benefits
With it's considerable therapeutic and aesthetic value, the 'queen of the flowers' had a special place in medicine and perfumery in the ancient civilizations of Persia, Egypt, India, Greece and Rome. The modern healing tradition of the extract of rose began in the 17 th century with the writings of English physician Nicholas Culpeper. The herbalist described the use of red roses to strengthen the heart, it's cooling and astringent actions, and its effect on headaches and tired eyes. Perhaps inspiring it's use as a beauty tonic 'par-excellence', he went on to suggest it's use as a remedy for a variety of skin complaints.
In aromatherapy, the psychological effects are wondrous for those with a broken heart, or other emotional wounds. Rose oil calms and supports the heart center, inspiring a sense of happiness and well-being. When rejection or loss has injured one's ability to love and nurture, either themselves or those around them, rose oil can bring sweet and gentle comfort and allow an emotional 're-opening'.
Use in Aromatherapy
It is the Bulgarian Damask rose, or Rosa Damacena, most often used in aromatherapy. The oil of this 36-petaled beauty is available in two forms: the 'otto', or true essential oil, and the 'absolute'. Harvest of the flowers occurs in the early morning, before the sun's rays has warmed away the aroma. Rose otto is made in a two step steam-distillation process; the first distillation yields an essential oil and a large amount of 'rose water'. The water is again distilled, producing an oil which is combined with that from the first distillation.
The absolute is made with a different process entirely. Similar in a way to 'effleurage' (the pressing of petals in fat to produce an extract), the flowers are processed in a solvent, with a wax-like 'concrete' being produced. Through a second extraction of the concrete, rose absolute is yielded. This method is significantly more efficient than steam distillation, producing nearly 7 pounds of oil per 10,000 pounds of roses (distillation yields 1 pound oil per 10,000 pounds of roses), with a corresponding lower cost. Does one produce a better oil? There is certainly debate; while some argue that traces of solvent are likely to exist in the absolute, others claim the heat of distillation does not result in a true representation of the flower. And as with either method, the quality and effect of the oil varies greatly with the experience and care of the manufacturer – the answer truly lies with the individual and the application.
Using Rose
Oil of rose can be utilized in a number of ways; it is very gentle, being suitable for use on the skin 'neat', in massage oil, and in a bath, as well as in a diffuser. As a perfume, the absolute can be worn directly on the skin – it's 'tenacious' quality will have the aroma slowly released for many hours. For therapeutic use for the emotions, a dilution of 10% of otto or absolute in jojoba oil is often used, being massaged into the heart area – a diffuser is very effective for this purpose as well. The absolute or otto can also be added in small amounts to any skin cream, though using a home-made natural recipe is often the nicest. Rose water, or hydrosol, the water resulting from the distillation process of rose otto, can also be used directly on the skin, with it's mild astringent and toning properties.
A rose and lavender facial cream can be made using the following recipe:
Melt ½ ounce of beeswax in 4 ounces of jojoba using a double boiler. Add 3 ounces of distilled water in a thin stream while stirring vigorously with a wire whisk. Remove from heat and continue stirring while adding 20 drops of rose oil (absolute or otto) and 15 drops of lavender. Allow to cool, then enjoy this wonderful homemade cream for sensitive skin.
There are, of course, many ways to enjoy rose oil's benefits. It is revered on many levels, from its pure aesthetic aromatic beauty, to its physiological healing and emotional uplifting. True rose oil, with its great depth and sweetness, is easily appreciated by almost all who experience this natural wonder.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Misty Rae Cech is a Naturopath in Boulder, Colorado. She enjoys Rose oil for it's many applications, along with other aromatherapy essential oils.

How To Plant Rose Bushes In Landscaping Your Garden

For planting roses a good garden loam with organic matter is important. It must contain peat moss, leaf mold, compost, rotted or commercial manure, and the bed should be prepared as far ahead of planting as is feasible in order to allow for settling of the soil.
Fall is the best time for setting out roses, but you can plant in spring. When they arrive from the nursery, plant at once. If they have dried en route, soak the roots and put the tops in a bucket of water before planting. Trim back any roots that are weak, long or broken at this time. Dig a hole that is wide enough to allow the roots to spread without crowding. The rose is properly placed when the bud (the point where the top joins the roots) is just under the ground surface. Space hybrid teas about 18 inches apart in any direction. Prune the branches 6 to 10 inches from the soil. To grow good roses it is necessary to cultivate, to prune and to spray. If you have a well-cultivated bed you need not worry about watering. But if you start to water in hot weather, you must keep it up, soaking the roots thoroughly about once a week. Spraying every 10 days guards against the diseases and insects that attack roses. Nicotine sulphate wipes out the green lice; arsenate of lead is used against chewing insects; or sulphur and arsenate of lead may be used in a dust, as may DDT dust. Winterize your roses by mounding sod around them after the first frost, or mulch with straw and evergreens. In cold parts of the country, remove the supports from the climbing roses and place the canes on the ground, peg them, and cover with soil mounds. In spring, cut back your roses to within 6 inches of the ground. Ruthlessly lop off all but three or four canes on hybrid teas. This pruning will give you strong plants. When your plants grow out from spring pruning, you will have to disbud, cutting off all the buds except the top ones on the cane. This is the way to grow large blossoms.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Curran is CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Trees-and-Bushes.com, providing access to their nursery supplier of a range of quality plants, trees, bushes, shrubs, seeds and garden products. Visit their roses section to find a great selection of rose bushes for your garden

Why Am I Allergic to my Engagement Ring?

More and more people are finding they are allergic to certain precious metals, specifically nickel alloys used in many gold engagement rings and everyday jewelry. The most common symptom of nickel allergy is contact dermatitis, causing itching, redness, and blisters. This article gives reviews different hypoallergenic rings.
Buying an engagement ring is when most people begin to learn more about jewelry, or learn more of what they don't know. With the so many options, price points and places the buy rings, it may seem as though you're spinning in circles. More often than not, people think only of price, quality and style when buying an engagement ring or wedding rings. But, the single most important aspect should be the elements. More and more people are finding they are allergic to certain precious metals, specifically nickel alloys used in many gold engagement rings and everyday jewelry. The most common symptom of nickel allergy is contact dermatitis, causing itching, redness, and blisters. Not exactly what you want to propose to your life partner.
According to the June 2007 Issue of Dermatology Nursing, "an estimated 20% of women and 4% of men are affected by contact dermatitis." These numbers may seem nominal, but since 1980 these cases have doubled.
Precious Metals & Engagement Rings - What's in my Ring?
Precious metals used in jewelry are comprised of metal alloys which are mixtures of various elements including hydrogen, oxygen, copper, niobium, nickel, iron and gold. Traditionally, engagement rings have been made of gold. White gold, sterling silver, platinum and newer metals like tungsten and titanium have made their way onto the jewelry scene both for reasons of style, but also to address allergic reactions.
I've Worn Gold Before - Why Am I Allergic Now?
Many people, especially women, have found that their skin has a reaction to gold jewelry. This reaction is not really to the gold itself, but to the nickel that is in the chemical composition of gold. This reaction is caused by a sensitivity to nickel that builds up over time. Women begin wearing jewelry at a much earlier age than men and are more prone to allergic reactions, however with the increase in body piercing popularity in both sexes, the number of men effected by nickel is on the rise too.
Can I Buy A Gold Ring without Nickel?
Most engagement and wedding rings have traditionally been made of 14k or 18k gold. The reason for this is while 24k gold is pure, it is extremely soft. Wedding rings and everyday jewelry are exposed to water, sweat, scratches and dings that 24k gold can't stand up against. The other elements that are contained in 14k or 18k gold for both gold and white gold include different alloys such as silver, zinc, copper, and nickel. It's these other alloys that cause the allergic reactions, nickel being the biggest culprit. Nickel is added to make gold more durable, so if you try to buy a 24k gold ring, it will be pure but it won't be very durable.
How Do I Ensure My Engagement Ring Won't Cause A Rash?
There are many options in hypoallergenic jewelry. Platinum and titanium rings are not only beautiful alternatives to gold, but they are more pure.
What's the Difference Between Platinum and Titanium Rings?
Platinum - Platinum is known for being the rarest and the heaviest of the precious metals. It's also the most expensive. It's typically 90-95% pure and weighs twice as much as gold. It doesn't tarnish like gold and doesn't loose its luster over time. Platinum is durable but it can be scratched. There are many positives for platinum, but it's not for everyone. Price is a barrier to many, and some women while they admire the rare and expensive qualities of platinum, the weight on their finger gets tiresome over time.
Titanium Rings - Titanium engagement rings and wedding rings are becoming more popular. Titanium is 99+% pure and is inert and therefore completely corrosion resistant. It does not react to salt water, sunlight, or any body chemistry and it is 100% hypoallergenic. Titanium rings never tarnish like silver or gold and are more durable than any other element. Titanium is also extremely lightweight, and more affordable than platinum. Platinum, gold and silver must sacrifice style and function to reduce weight and costs. Titanium provides the stylish rich grey tones of platinum at a much more attractive price. It's also an excellent choice for tension set rings, check out this titanium ring as an example. Titanium is at the forefront in the designer jewelry community. No other metal has experienced such a dramatic rise in popularity as titanium. For more information on titanium rings, visit http://www.titanium-jewelry.com/abouttitanium.html



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a personal shopper, Sam Brown has been a long time fan of titanium engagement rings, titanium rings and titanium jewelry.

Gold Jewelry Do and Do Nots

Have you ever wondered if you could clean your own jewelry? Have you ever wondered if it was necessary to have a jeweler clean your jewelry? The answer to both questions is "Yes". Find out what I mean when you read this article.
Gold is durable, gold is beautiful and gold is lasting. But don't let that fool you, gold can be damaged and so can gold roses. It can be scratched and dented when not treated properly. It can develop a film build up of oils from lotions, powder, soap and natural skin oil, which causes it to look dull. The chemicals circulating in the air can slightly oxidize the gold depending on the karat grade used. One more thing, do not let your gold jewelry, especially rings come in contact with common household cleaning products that contain chlorine. Chlorine bleach products can damage your jewelry over time. The moral is: don't wear your jewelry while doing household chores where chlorinated cleaning products are involved; don't wear your hand jewelry (rings and bracelets) when you are involved in active sports, hard knocks can damage or scratch it; don't wear your jewelry in swimming pools and Jacuzzis.
Now for the do’s; do enjoy your gold jewelry; do take care of your gold jewelry; do have it checked by a jeweler at least once a year for loose prongs, worn mountings and general wear; do have it professionally cleaned periodically. Between visits to your jeweler, it’s important that you check your jewelry pieces each time you wear them, just look them over for any wear or damage, such as clasps that are not fastening securely, prongs that may be cracked, bent or loosened, and chains that may be kinked. If you find any of these conditions, a visit to your jeweler is suggested.
What is the proper care for gold jewelry you ask? We have a few tips and will share them with you, as well as a few home recipes for cleaning fine gold jewelry, past on to me by my mother. Mom did not live in the city, she did not live in a town, she was a country woman and as such she had many home recipes and remedies. Her usual routine for cleaning her fine gold jewelry was simple. She used warm water and a mild detergent (used for dish washing), and a very soft brush to gently clean the items while they were in the water. Next step, gently dry it with a soft lint-free cloth. Voila, sparkling clean jewelry! One other method she used was to make a solution of water and household ammonia (one part ammonia to six parts water) and let your jewelry soak for up to a minute, remove and dry with a soft cloth.
Of course there are commercial cleaners available today that make cleaning your jewelry a snap! Many jewelers carry a commercial dip cleaner. There are a lot of different brands of this type of cleaner, and you are best off to read the label and follow its directions. Another commercial method is the ultrasonic cleaner, which is available in many different models and prices. They can be used to quickly clean your jewelry at home, however, ultrasonic cleaners can damage some jewelry. We’ll cover a few of the delicate stones you need to be careful with later. The best advice I can give you about the ultrasonic cleaners is that you should ask your jeweler which one is best for your jewelry and have your jeweler recommend an appropriate model.
Diamonds are a hardy stone, and can be cleaned using the above methods. Do not use jewelry cleaner or ultrasonic cleaners on pearls and porous stones, such as emeralds, rubies, lapis lazuli, coral and turquoise. Wipe them clean with a soft damp cloth or have them cleaned professionally. Check with your jeweler if you have any doubts about a particular stone.
Proper storage is also important. As I mentioned before gold can scratch and dent, so it is important that you not jumble all of your jewelry together – instead each piece should be stored so it does not come in contact with another piece of jewelry. A fabric lined jewelry case or a box with compartments and dividers works well, but if you prefer to use an ordinary box, each piece should be kept in a soft cloth pouch or wrapped in a soft cloth.
For those of you who travel frequently, there are many types of traveling carryalls on the market today. They come in all sizes, shapes and patterns and most of them have velvet linings inside so you can attach pins and earrings, and compartments in which to place your bracelets, rings and necklaces.
Gold jewelry is meant to last a lifetime and is an appropriate adornment for everyone.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Naomi has been collecting jewelry for many years, gold jewelry in particular, with sub interests in beaded and silver jewelry. For more notes from Naomi or just to browse through her store visit http:/www.naomisonlinebargains.com

Caring for Silver; Know What You Have

How can I tell if a piece of silver is worth restoring? Is there an easy way to differentiate from silver plated pieces and Sterling silver? What is Sterling silver?
The easiest way to determine if a piece is worth restoring is to decide if it has sentimental value. If so, then the best way to make it last for generations (or centuries) is with regular and proper maintenance. Whether silver plated or Sterling, the easiest way to protect your piece is through regular and gentle polishing. At Lawrence Miller & Co. we recommend using Tarni-Shield (by 3M) polishing cream. Hagerty also makes a good polishing cloth (silver duster), but Tarni-Shield is a less abrasive polish, it leaves a protective finish, and it is what we use for hand polishing. Polishing your silver every few months is a good idea.
Whether it’s silver plated or Sterling silver, NEVER put silver in the dishwasher, NEVER store it in a plastic bag, or use toothpaste as a cleaner. After using a silver piece (flatware or hollowware), wash it with a mild detergent and dry it with a soft cotton cloth. NEVER use a paper towel to dry or clean your silver.
Products and items that contain sulfur can also chemically react with silver and damage it to the point where it needs professional attention. Avoid prolonged contact with rubber bands, latex gloves, foods such as eggs and mayonnaise, and certain paints, as this can also damage silver. Tarnish is accelerated in humid environments.
In general, pieces made of Sterling silver are almost always worth restoring. In order to be considered Sterling silver, an item must be 92.5% silver (or have 925 parts per 1000). Thus items stamped “925” are Sterling.
Numbers stamped on a piece of silver can also be a good indicator of an item’s worth. Although “925” is the most common indicator of silver content (Sterling), different countries have different standards of silver content, and other common stamps are “800,” “875,” “900,” and “950.” Again, these numbers are in reference to the silver content out of 1000 (800/1000).
In order to determine if an item is Sterling, it is best to look at the Hallmarks (stamps often found on the bottom of the item). Two of the most common Sterling stamps are “925” and “Sterling,” although many countries have their own unique stamps that indicate the silver content of an item. For example, Sterling silver pieces made in England are stamped with a lion passant in order to indicate that they are Sterling.
Because silver is a relatively soft metal in its purest form, it is almost always combined with other metals (usually copper) for strength and durability. Thus, if an item is Sterling (925/1000 silver), it is probably 75/1000 copper.
In addition to numbers, there are some common letters that can indicate an item’s worth. For example, if there is an “E.P.N.S.” on an item, this means that the item is silver plated. To be more specific, “E.P.N.S.” stands for: electro-plated nickel silver. In other words, the item is silver plated with nickel as the base metal.
In general, whenever an item is stamped with a series of 3-5 letters, which include “E.P.,” this means that it is electro-plated.
Another good way of determining if an item is plated or is Sterling silver, is to simply look at it and see if there are any spots of discoloration, particularly on the higher parts, ridges, or edges. Because these spots stick out, they tend to wear faster than other parts of a silver piece, and it is sometimes possible to see if the base metal is showing through. The two most common colors are a duller grey (nickel) and an orange (copper).
Because there are so many silver Hallmarks and they can be quite confusing, it is very likely that you may still have questions about a particular item. If you are still uncertain about what an item is or what a stamp means, it may be best to see an expert.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Timothy Shaheen is assistant manager at Lawrence Miller & Co., a full-service silver repair shop in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Lawrence Miller & Co. is one of the only places in the country that can restore, repair, refurbish, replate or handcraft silver, gold and other precious metal pieces. Work is done in our workshops, on the premises. Timothy Shaheen has years of experience working with silver at Lawrence Miller & Co..

Rare And Precious Platinum Engagement Rings

Platinum engagement rings not only invoke the classic style of the Edwardian era, but platinum itself is among the rarest of all precious metals. It is no wonder, then, that platinum has become the most popular choice for engagement rings since its value, durability, and purity transcend another valuable metal - gold.
Why are platinum engagement rings preferred more often than white gold? It’s all in the metal. Platinum is considered the most pure among all metals, and it is not only easier to work with but can be set around any diamond with perfect precision.
The elements contained in platinum contribute to its pliability and allows for minute intricacies to be achieved. Within the platinum lineage, there are also the following elements: palladium and platinum, which are more readily available; and the combination of the all too rare osmium, rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium.
Considered the heaviest among all metals, platinum jewelry is expensive due to the iridium and ruthenium contained therein. Thus, because platinum is known to be so pure, platinum rings can be worn without having to worry about allergic reactions or discoloration of the skin.
It should also be noted that rhodium, one of the components in platinum, is a harder metal. Whiter and more durable, it is mostly utilized as a coating for both platinum and white gold.
White gold may look the same as platinum, but there is a difference. While white gold is hard, it does tend to become yellow which is why the rhodium plating is used to coat it. Eventually, however, even this will wear off. In addition, white gold is more fragile than platinum and the prongs can easily break.
Conversely, the prongs in platinum engagement rings wherein detailed work is required can be larger in size to safely and securely set the diamond. These prongs adapt to the setting more easily and thus there is little chance the diamond will become damaged or loose over time. In addition, platinum lasts a long time and doesn’t show signs of wear as in the case of gold.
If you check the hundreds of websites offering platinum engagement rings, you will immediately notice the wide variety of settings offered such as: cathedral and solitaire, four prong or six prong, and flat or contour. In addition, the utilization of pavé settings in platinum engagement rings can be achieved more easily than using other metals. Pavé simply means that groups of stones can be set as close together as possible.
When choosing platinum engagement rings or other platinum jewelry, consider that the metal itself is stronger and softer than most other metals, especially white gold; will last longer; includes styles that are classier in design; and its value will increase over time.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on Platinum engagement rings and mens platinum engagement rings at http://www.bestplatinumengagementrings.com

Growing Roses

So you want to grow roses? They are a beautiful choice for your garden and not nearly as difficult to grow as you might think.

Choose a rose that is easy to grow. Some choices might be ‘Sunsprite’, ‘Baby Love’, ‘The Fairy’, ‘Iceberg’, or ‘Flower Carpet’. Also check to see which roses do well in your climate. When choosing a rose think about the colors and fragrance that appeals to you.
Understand the soil type and provide good drainage. Use organic matter to make your soil better for the roses. Plant your roses correctly and in the best place in your garden for the rose’s success.
Know how often to water and how much water to give the roses. Too much water is not good so develop a watering schedule and stick to it.
Understand how the different types of water systems work. You can choose from sprinklers, an underground watering system or a drip irrigation system. It is usually good to keep the water off the leaves if you live in an area where rose diseases are a problem.
Mulching keeps the water in and the weeds away. Mulching is a very good idea when growing roses. Mulch in the early spring when you remove the protective coverings from winter. If you live in a warmer climate spread the mulch just before the roses start to leaf out.
Learn the kinds of nutrients your roses need and follow a specific fertilizing program. When growing roses it is important to test the pH of your soil. If the pH is right the roots can interact with the enzymes and bacteria in the soil and do well with the natural nutrients and the ones you add. The pH can be between 5.6 and 7.2 however 6 to 6.5 is best. By testing the soil you will know which nutrients to add.
Learn how to prune your roses. Pruning keeps the roses healthy and looking good.
Prevent pest and disease problems before they happen. Learn how to control pests and choose safe pest control products.Growing roses is a delightful hobby and not nearly as complicated as you might have heard.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ken Austinhttp://www.1stinroses.com/http://www.1stdiscountshopping.com/

The Beautiful Rose of Sharon

Perhaps you were browsing the pages of a catalog and found a beautiful picture of the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Sriacus)? Or maybe you were lucky enough to see a Rose of Sharon in person at a local garden center? Are you wondering whether these will make a beautiful addition to your home? Getting a little knowledge of these beautiful plants will allow you to make a decision.
Although once somewhat uncommon, the Rose of Sharon has become a widely loved plant. Not your typical rose bush, these are more like shrubs. Other names for Rose of Sharon include althea and shrub althea. Some can grow up to 10 feet tall, while most maintain a height of 5 feet. Sounds like a tree? It looks like a beautiful shrub with blooms of a variety of colors. The Rose of Sharon makes for a great fence as well. Places several side by side in a row, they create a natural fence that will enliven any landscape.
The Rose of Sharon is a hardy plant. Many varieties can withstand sub zero temperatures and can grow in moderate soil to poor soil. The blooms, available in several colors, bloom in mid summer and they continue to do so throughout the fall months. This creates a beautiful color display for many months of the year. They tend to need little care besides the normal water, sun, and decent soil. You may want to add nutrients to the soil yearly as well.
Regardless of the work involved, trimming a few branches will be nothing compared to the beauty the Rose of Sharon will give your landscape. Take the time, and stop to smell the Rose of Sharon and you will be taken away.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ken Austin Roses and Rose Gardening Online Discount Shopping Guide

Growing Roses In Dry Climates – Preconditions For Success

There are a number of aspects to success with roses such as designing correctly, and pruning professionally. It’s important as well, to know their basic growing requirements.
There are a number of decisions of a design nature that determine whether or not your roses will look good. There are also special seasonal tasks, such as pruning, that are essential for success. But sandwiched between the two, are the basic cultural requirements that have to be met in order to get the most from the rose bushes. These requirements could be termed the preconditions for success.
Choosing the right location.
Roses require exposure to at least six hours of direct sunlight in hot Mediterranean climates, mostly in the morning. In regions with less light intensity, they probably need more. Roses should not be planted under trees, not only because of the shade, but also because they compete poorly with the trees’ roots. For the same reason, they should not be planted too close to shrubs either.
While roses can thrive in hot, dry climates, they suffer in warm, humid ones. Gardeners can unintentionally create excessive humidity, by planting the bushes where there is insufficient movement of air, or by placing the plants too close to each other. Whatever the cause, humid conditions are ideal breeding grounds for fungi that plague roses, such as powdery mildew. It is important therefore to know the width of the plants’ growth, and to fix the distance between the roses, accordingly. Do not be tempted to over-plant.
Soil conditions
To grow well and flower profusely, roses need highly porous soil. If the earth is clumpy and hard, it must be broken up and improved with massive quantities of compost. In either very heavy, clay soil, or alternatively, extremely light, sandy soil, some 60 liters per square meter, is by no means excessive. In medium, loamy soils on the other hand, about 20 liters should suffice.
While many wild species of rose are of Mediterranean origin and even harsher Central Asian climates, the cultivated varieties that make up the bulk of garden specimens are not especially drought resistant. In areas without summer rain, it is essential to supply them with regular water. Unquestionably, drip irrigation is preferable to overhead sprinklers, because not only do the latter waste more water, but they add 100% humidity into the bargain! Never forget that an improper watering regime is liable to deplete the soil of oxygen; a condition to which roses are particularly sensitive.
Mulching the soil
Covering the soil with an organic mulch helps to reduce water loss, retard weeds, and perhaps most crucially in hot climates, moderate the temperature at the topsoil level. In my view, mulching with an aesthetically pleasing material like wood chippings is preferable, design wise, to under planting the rose bushes with flowers. While in cultural terms, infinitely improved growing conditions are attained, without the roses having to contend with any competition from rival plants.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi.I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984.I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners.I also teach horticulture to students on training courses.I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden,so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com/or contact me at jonathan@dryclimategardening.com

Thousands Of Free Roses Gifted

Thousands of roses were handed out to the women of Vancouver this Wednesday, gifts from the online dating site Kisscafe. The promotional gifts were given in celebration of Valentine's Day and to show appreciation for the city's women.
were needed to undertake the task of handing out the large volume of roses and gift packages around the busiest areas of Vancouver.
Each Kiss Cafe volunteer was dressed in a white tuxedo, wearing white angel wings. They carried silk lined baskets filled with red long stem roses, and offered the gifts to women of all ages in each area. The gift packages included candies, Valentine cards, temporary tattoos, and customized condoms.
The campaign was designed both to bring attention to the newly launched website and act as a gesture of good will. "Vancouver's women have been so supportive of us since our site launched", said Kiss Cafe President Fabrice L'Heureux, "so we knew this was the perfect opportunity for us to say thank you, to get Kiss Cafe's name out to those that might not know us, and to remind everyone that romance is still alive and well in our city."
The Kiss Cafe angels were accompanied by photographers who documented the events of the afternoon and peoples' reactions to the gifts. "The response was incredible," said Tyson Miller, Kisscafe's marketing director. "All the women seemed genuinely touched, which also made us feel great. All in all, we had a really successful day."
Kiss Cafe is a free online dating website, launched in 2006. The site offers members all the features of pay dating sites, but at no cost whatsoever. Kiss Cafe features include blogging, posting pictures, a question and answer forum, instant messaging, and mobile capabilities. Since launching, Kiss Cafe's member base has grown considerably, and continues to do so every day.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tyson Miller doubles as Kisscafe's resident marketing star and certified lifesaver.