Jewelry and accessories are the finishing touch to any outfit, without them one senses something is missing.

There are certain jewelry pieces that are essential to every woman’s wardrobe, the must haves to make it almost effortless to complete any outfit.

The following are a list of essential jewelry pieces every woman should have:

I. A Statement Watch:

With the proliferation of technology in terms of hand held devises (mobile phones, Blackberry/Trio Palm etc.) we have no real need for a watch, which is why watches have become even more like a piece of jewelry.

Look for a beautiful and unique handcrafted or artisan jewelry style watch that reflect your personality.

II. A Classic Necklace:

It doesn’t have to be a string of pearls, if you don’t love pearls, find another classic looking material that you do love. It could be a sterling silver or gold link necklace or a string of semi precious stones.

III. A Cocktail Ring

If it works for you go with a bolder statement ring, if you are more subtle tone down of the size but not the style.

In terms of bold, chunky with a large size stone (imitation or genuine) can be a perfect complement to a little black dress.

For a more subtle look but still stylish choose a band that has intricate detailing on it so the focus is on the detail not the size.

IV. An Elegant Bracelet or Bangle

Whether it is a tennis bracelet, a link bracelet, a strand of semi precious stones or an elegant bangle, having one of these makes it a simple elegant way to complete an outfit.

V. Two Pair of Earrings

If you wear earrings it’s a good idea to have a bolder loop or dangling style and a more classic set such as pearls or diamonds (or imitation diamond).

In many cases the style of earrings, or the choice to wear them will depend on your hairstyle and your ****** features/proportions.
If you wear your hair up or behind the ears, the earrings will be visible, if not you may want to skip the earrings and opt for a statement necklace as the focal point.

VI. A Piece with Meaning:

This could be a family piece or a piece you picked up on your travels, a keepsake that you can pass on and share its story.

VII. A Couple of Pure Fun Pieces:

Have a few fun or trendy pieces that reflect the current season and trends. These can be paired with a casual outfit to help you feel fun and contemporary.

The above are suggested pieces to have in your jewelry box, but they’re a guideline rather than hard and fast rules. There is a lot more flexibility now in making a statement that reflects individuality rather than “playing by the rules”. So if you don’t like to wear earrings don’t feel obligated to have earrings in your collection. If you **** pearls, opt for another stone that you do love.

For the classic pieces invest in quality. In the long run this will save money as you will have a classic piece that will look fabulous for years and you won’t have to keep buying new jewelry every year.

Consider buying artisan jewelry or handcrafted jewelry, these pieces create a more personal statement rather than mass produced pieces and will be pieces you will cherish for years to come.

As the eco and social conscious buying trends build momentum you may also consider buying recycled jewelry and fair trade jewelry. You’ll feel great wearing the jewelry and won’t have a guilty conscious.

Take care of your jewelry with proper storage and being careful not to spray it with perfume or lotions or bang them while wearing.

Have fun and wear your jewelry with love and pride.

The main objective of a jewelry design school is to provide the training and relevant information to the students interested in making a career out of designing jewelry. They also entertain the students who want to upgrade themselves in jewelry designing. There are numerous courses available and some can be taken online.

Many students choose the courses that are offered by reputed schools. The duration of the course is usually six weeks. The first week of the course introduces the students to the multiple techniques of soldering and basic jewelry making. The repair of jewelry is also included in the course. The rest of the course involves repairs of chains, ring making, setting stones, soldering and other such designing tasks.

Schools also concentrate on gemology as a profession, but jewelry-designing schools cover all varieties and styles of jewelry. The course also teaches measurements, piercing, drilling and filing. Later, the students are introduced to different metals such as platinum, gold and silver. The metals are tested with different acid techniques, to determine the carat of the metal.

The creation of different types of chains and repairing them is also taught. Rings and the setting of solitaires is taught, along with how to set diamonds in different styles. The students are introduced to casting and all the other finishing tools.

The main aim of these jewelry-designing schools is to develop sufficient skills to support the jewelry-designing career. It also helps the students by providing part time jobs and certificates to gain a higher degree in future. The feeling of satisfaction when people design their own jewelry is beyond description. The candidates should upgrade themselves for an upward thrust in their careers as jewelry designers. The schools are well- equipped training grounds for the students and provide them with the necessary know-how.

Caduceus jewelry is a popular gift for graduating nurses, physicians and veterinary students but do you know how this symbol came to be used by medical personnel? The Rod of Asclepius is a more appropriate symbol for medicine and medical organisations but the caduceus is also used, although, unlike the Rod, it has no medical significance. In fact, just the opposite as the symbol is associated with Hermes, god of the market place and travel, of the cunning of thieves and liars, who was a patron of commerce and generally associated with mischief as a deified trickster. He was also the conductor of souls to the underworld so the use of his symbol for medicine is particularly inappropriate.

The Rod of Asclepius

The more correct symbol is the Rod of Asclepius which is a walking stick or staff entwined by a serpent. Asclepius is the god of medicine in the Greek mythology and his daughters were Hygieia, Aceso, Aglea, Meditrina, Iaso, and Panacea who symbolise medicine, cleanliness, and healing. Panacea means literally ‘all healing’ and is a familiar word in modern English. Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Coronis and was raised by a centaur called Chiron after his mother was killed for unfaithfulness. Chiron taught Asclepius the art of medicine.

In Ancient Greece, around 300BC the cult of Asclepius was popular and his healing temples were called Asclepieia. Snakes were used in the healing rituals and non poisonous snakes freely crawled around the temples. The Oath of Hippocrates originally began with the words ‘I swear by Apollo the Physician and by Asclepius and by Hygieia and Panacea and by all the gods…”

The Caduceus

The caduceus is usually depicted as a herald’s staff with two entwined serpents and very often a pair of wings. Originally the staff was carried by Iris who was the messenger of Hera. Only in later myths was it borne by Hermes. It may be the basis for the astrological symbol for Mercury, who was the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hermes. It is often used as a symbol for medicine especially in the United States. Why is there confusion between the Rod of Asclepius, an appropriate symbol for medicine and the caduceus which is inappropriate, associated as it is with Hermes, patron of thieves and tricksters and conductor of the dead to the underworld?

The Use of the Caduceus by Medical Personnel

It appears that it was used mistakenly instead of the Rod of Asclepius in the nineteenth century. It was first used as a medicine symbol around 1856 in the US on the uniforms of army hospital workers and was worn by medical officers from about 1902. The Surgeon General noticed the error a few years later but did not change it. The name is thought to come from a Periodical of military medicine called La Caduc?e and it was used by the Navy Hospital Corps and the Army Medical Department after the first world war. Although the American Medical Association used the caduceus for a time it was replaced by more correct symbol for medicine, the Rod of Asclepius, in 1912.

Modern Use of the Caduceus in Jewelry

Nowadays caduceus jewelry is popular especially among nurses and it is available as a charm for bracelets or a pendant or necklace. A medical caduceus is a popular gift for graduating students whether nurses, physicians or veterinary personnel. One theory of why the caduceus, rather than the Rod of Asclepius, is more popular is because it simply looks better!