Hidden Treasures-Exploring the Butterfly Brooch

The Butterfly Brooch is an amazing jewel. There are several reasons why people hold them as treasures. Butterfly Brooches have been around for centuries. The “Blue of Jingtai” Butterfly Brooch dates back to the “Ming Dynasty” in the reign of Jingtai (1450-1456). The Mandarin Chinese name for Butterfly is “Hi-Tieh” the word “Tieh” stands for “70 Years” this made Butterflies the symbol of a long life.

Butterfly Brooches mean a lot of different things to many different people. The Cloisonnes Butterfly Brooch dates back 500 years and are in the colors of yellow, red, and green. The Brimstone Butterflies see only in red, yellow and greens. Their adult life span only lasts for 8-9 months. Though they have a short life they have much to see. Their average speed is around 12 mph, believed to give energy to the wearer.

There are many other meanings for the word butterfly as the Greeks called the butterfly “ Psyche” meaning “Soul” because they believed that the butterfly carried the souls of those recently passed on their journey to heaven. While others believed that butterflies were thief's. Trying to steal their milk, butterfly meant “Licker of milk” or “Milk thief”.

Though no matter where you are in the world butterflies are attention getters none the less. The use of the Butterfly on jewellery is something many hold dear. Vintage Butterfly Brooches have become a hidden treasure of sorts. This will give them luck, or lengthen their life, or help them with many other lores in their lives. There are many other famous Butterfly Brooch's like Dragonfly Amber Brooch and Amethyst Brooch with silver sets. Additionally a great piece is the Pugster Antique Rhinestone Butterfly Brooch.

Trifari Butterfly Brooch-

The Trifari Butterfly Brooch was designed by Alfred Philippe in the second addition of “Jewels of India” in 1965. The “Jewels of India” piece was first designed in 1930's however it did not include this piece. The Trifari Butterfly Brooch contains Diamond Crystal jewels, and the wings contain pear-shaped red rubies with gold and Rhodium plated wings. Additionally the piece has internal swirled pink glass strips.

A most exquisite piece of Crystal/ gemstone jewellery. Ideally the Butterfly Brooch is a sight for sore eyes and while we quite often enjoy lavish pieces of jewellery these gems are true hidden treasures. Finding a piece like the Trifari Butterfly Brooch is difficult but you can lavish in the glamor of butterfly brooches across the country. There are several to choose from in Silver collections as well as crystal you will have a difficult time choosing which you want the most. Decide to choose them all you will not regret it!

The beauty is out there and its waiting for you to engulf yourself in its mystery. Look into the shining gold and sparkling crystals that lay before your eyes. You will be amazed by their elegance and stunned by their beauty. Affordable Butterfly Brooches find one today!

Elizabeth Taylor- The Jewelry of Her Heart

We all know the young charmer that touched our hearts in that forever remembered “ Lassie Come Home” in the mid-1940's. As the years passed Elizabeth Taylor continued to charm, and amaze us in her continued performances again and again. As she grew we grow wanting to be like her, to smile, walk and charm like her. Every girls dream to be in the spotlight.



Elizabeth Taylor continued for over 60 years to bring us the into the movie with her elegance, and incredible acting abilities. And over the course of 40+ years see has collected the most stunning pieces of jewelry around the world. Elizabeth Taylor describes them well in her new book “My Love Affair with Jewelry”. Her undying passion for jewelry has marveled fans everywhere. In this book she intimately describes her stories of how she collected each piece. Additionally she has unbelievable illustrations of all the pieces never before captured together.



La Peregrina Pearl-
This pearl was discovered in 16 century La Peregrina means “The Pilgrim”. This lovely 203.84 grain pearl is a prize to behold. Elizabeth Taylor received it in 1969 as a gift from her husband Richard Burton. Belonging to Queen Mary as a gift from her husband now resides with Elizabeth Taylor.

Krupp Diamond-
Another fabulous piece owned by Elizabeth Taylor the Krupp Diamond was purchased in 1968 at a remarkable $305,000 dollars. It is the heart of Elizabeth Taylors collection she wears it almost everyday and can be seen with it on her well known appearance on the “Simpson's”. The diamond weighs 33 carats and was mounted beautifully the ring seen here.



Taylor-Burton Diamond-
This diamond is truly a sight to be had. Richard Burton purchased it for his wife in 1969. She later sold this lavish piece using the proceeds to build a hospital in Africa. Despite the fight Richard Burton had to acquire this lovely piece Elizabeth Taylor felt the money to build the hospital was of greater need.

Elizabeth Taylor later started her fragrance lines “Passion”, “White Diamonds”, “Black Pearls” once again showing her love for jewelry. Elizabeth Taylor's love for jewelry still continues today with diamond studded earrings, chandelier earrings, crystal jewelry and much more. Her taste in fashion jewelry is one admired by millions around the world.



Elizabeth Taylors stardom continued as she appeared on such Soap Opera's as “All My Children” and “General Hospital” and played the voice of “Maggie” on the Simpson.
Elizabeth Taylor has fought numerous bouts of illness's including skin cancer, and Congestive heart failure while still showing her starry side each time she meets media. This woman is an inspiration to us all.



Fact of the Day: The Taylor-Burton Diamond was purchased from Cartier in 1969 for Burton's glamorous wife Elizabeth Taylor for a massive $1,050,000 dollars! This is a surprising amount for jewelry in 1969. The Taylor-Burton diamond weighted 69.4 carats!

Yves Saint Laurent- "A Life to Remember"

The sorrow struck Sunday June 1st when the fans heard the news of Fashion king Yves Saint 's passing. Many fashion Icons bowed their heads in sadness and heartache when this horrible news came across the BBC. Yves Saint Laurent was suffering a brain Tumor diagnosed last year and was 71 years old. His memorial was held on Friday at Saint Roch Church in Paris. This is quite a sad time for all of us and Janeo Jewels is paying tribute to this long time fashion king on the site.

The life of Yves Saint Laurent was an accomplished one. This world renowned “Fashion King” inspired millions with his wit, keen sense of fashion, and adorning gowns. Saint Laurent closed his well known haute couture house after tending to it for more then 40 years in 2002. The surprise of his retirement struck the fashion industry hard.

Saint Laurent had many admirers including Elizabeth Taylor and Queen of Iran. His fashion first struck the industry in 1957 when this young entrepreneur International Wool Secretariat for his cocktail dress design. Following up again in 1962 when he brought out his groundbreaking “Trapeze Dress” in the house of Christian Dior Saint Laurent created what every woman desires from Crystalline handbags, to revolutionizing dress for the modern women with his dress suits he made a woman's life what it is today.

The Brilliant designer along with other great designers like Coco Chanel and Christian Dior made Paris what it is today. Paris soon became fashion capital of the world! He soon added to his collection many perfumes and accessories like the crystalline handbag. You can see his large assortment of Celtic earrings, Mother of Pearl Earrings in London, Chandelier earrings, gemstone earrings, vintage crystal pins or brooches, genuine leather belts, and much more at his official site!

The rush of jewelry Yves Saint Laurent brought out continued up until his passing. He featured in “Instyle” magazine in 2005 with his brilliant Vintage 1970's Rhinestone Stickpin. The piece generated quite a stir in the fashion and beauty industry. He brought out a piece “Talisman Ring” inspired by Louise Nevelson- her sculptures of metal and wood from the 1960's.

Which added beautifully to his wide collection of jewellry in February 2007. With other pieces such as his Silver/Crystal Earrings to his handbags featuring a beautiful Croco-embossed patent handbag his empire is one to remember. The bond he had with Pierre' Berge was on he held dear. Although Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre parted as partners they remained friends.

Saint Laurent's long time partner and friend Pierre' Berge had much to say on his day of passing The long time friend met Saint Laurent in 1958 and even though they were not partners they remained close friends. Pierre' Berge is best known for being the founder of Yves Saint Laurent Couture House. When the company closed in 2002 he became CEO of “The Pierre' Berge” located in Paris. This long time friend freely shared his thoughts with adoring fans on Sunday. His words were passionate, heart felt and understandable. Below is a bit of what was said on that tragic day.

Quote: According to the “Associate Press”:
Berge Stated- “Chanel gave women freedom” and Saint Laurent “Gave them Power”.
Saint Laurent gave incredible recognition to fashion jewellry, clothing, and accessories in general. This great fashion icon retired in 2002. After many years of struggling with health conditions. He stayed tried and true till the end the world will miss him!

"A New Earth" Oprah's Sacrifice

In new events Oprah Winfrey the Goddess of Fashion, love and relationships has decided to make one of life's biggest sacrifices. Oprah has went Vegan. According to MSN Oprah stated after reading the book “A New Earth” it was too hard to eat meat, knowing what happened to the animals we were eating. A change of heart; difficult for most...her motivation? Spiritual evolution. Oprah has once again made her ever glowing spirit stand out in the hearts of her fans- and a lovely addition to her already pleasing smile ...her shining fashion earrings.

This fashion Diva has inspired many women in her life. She is a true inspiration for what our younger generations should grow to become. Oprah Winfrey has touched the hearts of millions on her television show “The Oprah Winfrey Show” her media presence has changed many lives. Oprah’s strive to be the best at what she does has taken her through many trials however she has come out on top. Oprah will always be a diva in the minds of millions!

Also this week pleasing Paris has graced us with her radiant smiles in these gorgeous pearl earrings. This great photo snapped by no other than Dan Kitwood/ Getty Images and of course published on MSN. Were they have stated Paris has dropped her new fragrance “Can Can” definitely a smell to behold. The fashion Jewelry adding a definite sparkle to her glamorous appearance. Paris Hilton has always graced us with her beauty, smiling at every occasion in her sparkling jewels.

Paris Hilton has graced us in movies and sitcoms. She has authored a book entitled “Confessions of an Heiress” and created fragrances to charm any heart. Fashion has always been a big part in this heiresses life and in this photo it shines like a gem. Though she has come a long way from her starting nickname “Paris the Heiress” she will be thought of in the minds of millions.

Though many of us have heard our fair share about these two lovely divas there is one thing they have in common. What’s that you say? They will always be remembered.
No sure about what your ears are hearing? Looking for the goods or articles yourself? You can read the above top gossip by clicking the links above! See for yourself and enjoy your fashion jewelry!

Fact of the Day: The Word "Crystal" is a "Greek Word" meaning Icy Cold. The ancient greeks believed that the crystals were frozen water and that it would never melt! Now aren't you glad we have evolved?

Bold Beauties of the Stars-

The television show “Dancing with the Stars” is hyping up the scenes with glamorous and elegant beauties-- as well as...those who are unfortunately... not so graceful. Their costumes are simply to die for as well as the fashion jewels they wear! These lavish fancy pieces can be very pricey however there are gemstone earrings in our reach to make us just as stunning. Take a look at the handsome Mark Ballas and the stunning Kristi Yamaguchi on ABC's website. The gorgeous gown worn by Kristi Yamaguchi added to her elegance on the ice . This pairs elegant yet sassy style make them stand out as the bells of the ball.

The handsome suit sported by Mark Ballas added to the couples charm. You can see the shine and sparkle of the fashion earrings as well as the glow of the win across her face. In this photo published by ABC you can see the stardom of these dancers come right off the screen.

Kristi Yamaguci has slid into our hearts on many stages-- the art and grace she portrays is a bold beauty to behold. The talented Kristi Yamaguci has authored two books— “Figure Skating for Dummies” and “Kristi Yamaguchi always dream” showing strength in not only beauty but intelligence. She truly is a role model for the American women. The glistening stardom that has befallen this American beauty is well deserved. To read more on Kristi Yamaguchi visit her official site!

Another face gracing the screens today is actress Cameron Diaz. Who has gone bald for her latest film. According to ET Cameron Diaz has a hairless—yes you heard right! Hairless scene in “My Sisters Keeper”. She still looks gorgeous! Her eyes shine and sparkle just as radiant as any gemstone! Cameron Diaz has been in several films including—Vanilla sky, Shriek, Charlie's Angels and Something about Mary. Playing the voice of “Fiona” in the trilogy “Shriek” and "the semi-insane beauty on Vanilla Sky” this damsel has shown us every side of her personality.

Cameron Diaz is a role model for young women everywhere. Did you know that Cameron Started her career as a Fashion Model? In her early years Cameron Diaz starred on the front page of Seventeen magazine! See did shots for names like Levi.

Cameron has a personality that shines beyond her beauty and has fashion sense galore! This beauty has worn it all. Shiny gemstones and glistening crystal earrings to bring out her smile---this diva can portraits beauty standing on her head! So can you with affordable prices check out some chandelier earrings for you or your better half and shine with the stars!

Fact of the Day: Did you know that only 1 in 10,000 oysters yield a natural pearl? Most pearls we buy in the stores are man made and cultured. Cultured pearls are real and are made inside a oyster but are produced with our intervention. Natural pearls are created inside an oyster without our interference...an accident really. This is rare...so if you have the chance to own one....buy it!

Ever Try Stainless Steel Jewelry?

One of the hottest trends today is stainless steel jewelry. Worn by men and women alike, it's inexpensive, looks sleek and fashionable, and ages beautifully with nearly no change. It's surprising no one picked up on the fashion potential of this high-tech material until just recently.

Stainless steel is a relatively recent alloy invention, only about a hundred years old or so. It was used extensively in art deco construction, so you'll see it in many buildings constructed during that time period. Check these out. Do you see any aging problems? Probably not. That's because stainless steel wears incredibly well over time. Your stainless steel bracelet or ring will look almost exactly the same in fifty years.

In appearance, stainless steel is very similar to titanium, but costs a fraction of the price, making it an excellent substitute. It has a very modern appearance when used just for itself, too, and it is very masculine. In many cases, it's being used as a wedding ring, while in others it is simply used as either a base or for its own intrinsic decorative beauty.

Though stainless steel has been used for medical prosthetics and in body piercings for decades, only recently did someone figure out that it's also a pretty material, and its hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for many different types of jewelry. You do have to be careful about what kind of stainless steel you purchase, though. When you're looking for real quality stainless steel, you want 316L or 316LVM.

Stainless steel is iron-carbon, like all steels, but with significant chromium content, which makes it extremely resistant to corrosion, rust, and staining. Because of its resistance, it's also unlikely to cause allergic reactions when it comes in contact with you, which is why it is used in earring posts and surgical instruments. 18/10 stainless steel uses 18% chromium and 10% nickel, and is one of the highest quality types of stainless steel. There are several other types of stainless steel, mostly used for industrial purposes. The finish on stainless steel varies, and can be anything from a satin to a brilliant mirror sheen.

The best stainless steel jewelry is polished to a sheen and has no rough edges or pitting anywhere. The inside of rings or bracelets may not be quite as well polished as the outside, as it's harder for polishing tools to reach these areas, but even these spots should be free of roughness.

You can clean your stainless steel jewelry with soapy water; rinse and dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Never use anything abrasive, and don't use chemicals harsher than soapy water. If it's something you love, just wear it into the shower and dry it off afterward, polishing if necessary.

Janeo Jewels offers several different types of stainless steel jewelry, primarily bangles and bracelets for both men and women, but we just introduced pendants as well. Over the next month or so, we'll introduce stainless steel rings, which we think you'll love. Check out all our stainless steel products.

All About Swarovski Lead Crystal

There is nothing that rivals the spark and brilliance of real Swarovski crystal, not even diamond. Swarovski crystal sculptures, beads, and pendants are mesmerizing in sunlight and jewelry store light, the way they refract and dance colors on the walls and your hands. How do they do it? What makes Swarovski crystal so utterly beautiful in the store and against your skin?

Perhaps most startling about Swarovski is that these crystals aren't pure glass. They are instead lead crystal, 32% lead by weight. Lead, however, makes glass harder to crystalize, so other things are done during processing to encourage the molten lead-glass mixture to solidify in the right way. Swarovski's foundation is the 1891 invention by its founder, Daniel Swarovski, of an automatic cutting machine that could handle lead crystal without shattering it.

Swarovski crystals may also be coated with metallic chemicals on one, several, or all sides to maximize rainbow refraction. This is a new technique, but then, Swarovski has always been known for innovation.

History of Lead Crystal

Swarovski did not invent lead crystal. Instead, it was created in 1676, by an Englishman named George Ravenscroft. He'd learned glassmaking in Italy, where the masters added less lime, a strengthener, to glass to create crystallo, a markedly clearer glass than others manufactured at the time. But crystallo was already showing its weakness: glass disease, a condition where overly-low carbon content led to glass cracking and clouding over time.

Ravenscroft experimented with dozens of different methods, and finally hit upon adding lead, rather than lime, as the perfect solution for strong crystal-clear glass. At first lead crystal was only blown glass, but he soon found that allowing it to crystalize and then cutting it instead led to better results, and also showed off the true beauty of lead crystal.

For centuries, lead crystal has been used to make decanters and goblets for alcohol – you've seen those cut-crystal decanters in old movies. Don't do it yourself, though. The lead is harmless in your necklaces and bracelets, but when it's used to hold alcohol, lead leaches out of the glass and into your drink.

Cutting techniques for lead crystal glass have been refined over years, with Swarovski mastering the most advanced ones before anyone else. This makes older Swarovski sculptures surprisingly valuable. You can always identify real Swarovski by the logo cut into the bottom; it was an edelweiss flower until just recently, when the flower was traded in for a swan.

Janeo Jewels and Swarovski Crystal

Janeo only uses genuine Swarovski crystal, purchased from the source and then put together into beautiful works of art by our staff. We love this material, and so much is sold we can tell that you love it too. You'll see more selection in Swarovski crystal in the near future in our store, and you can also expect to see more transparent semiprecious stones as well.