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Jewellery Fashion Trends for Spring & Summer

You may be wondering what beads to buy? What can we expect to be in fashion over the next few months?

Well, Vouge says ‘statement jewellery’ - like huge dog-collar chokers, over-the-top earrings and colossal cuffs are hot on the catwalk now. Chanel has necklaces with massive pearls and Versus are using wild colours.  Bold and shiny is the way to go. Make your jewellery stand out with colourful beads that can't be missed.

Our vivid eye-catching rainbow calsilicas beads are ideal for this - see MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com. Hilary Alexander, the Daily Telegraph's fashion writer says folksy, tassel and pom-pom earrings with long strings of multi-coloured beads, turquoise and silver.

Ralph Lauren has long strings of multi-coloured, turquoise and silver beads - Matthew Williamson sports wanderlust necklaces of coin beads, and at Fyodor Golan turquoise and crystal are popular. Giorgio Armani likes aquamarine butterflies.

Gucci’s using plastic gem-coloured beads on statement necklaces and earrings. For other earring designs: Balmain has giant silver hoops and Etro coloured chandelier drops.

For our large pearls click MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com
Multi-coloured turquoise click MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com.
Our bright summer beads at MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com
Silver & coloured pearls click MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com
Shiny plastic beads click MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com.
Dog-collar chokers: AwesomeRings.com

 Magical Moonstone: May’s gemstone

    
Moonstone is nature’s treasure with a sensuous and seductive charm.  The characteristic feature is its magical play of light. Moonstone is translucent, and softens the light shining through it to give a pearly moon-like glow which appears different whenever the stone changes position. Years ago, it was thought to be brought upon by the moon’s phases. This shimmering affect is caused by light being refracted inside the stone.
Colours
Moonstone comes in colourless, white, grey, and subtle yellow, but always has a blue or white sheen. Rainbow moonstone is colorless with a blue sheen and a rainbow-like array of colors.

Moonstone folklore
Much mystery surrounds this stone. In India it’s considered sacred to lovers, and is also known as a “dream stone” bringing beautiful dreams. In Arab countries women often were moonstone sewn into their garment as a symbol of fertility. It was also believed to be especially protective to seafarers, who have been using it since ancient times. During full-moon, moonstone is very powerful for reconciling love - and as the moon decreases, is said to allow one to foretell the future.

A feminine stone for female issues and the inner-child, but also used by men who want to reach their feminine side. Moonstone brings confidence, calms the emotions, and aids spirituality, intuition, and clairvoyance.  Also thought to protect against fever, fluid-retention and urinary problems. Its soft shine supports the emotional and dreamy side of a person. Wearing moonstone will also increase your sensitivity for others.
  
Natural moonstone
Classical moonstone from Sri Lanka shimmers pale blue and is expensive. Moonstone from India has a cloud-like plays of light on beige, brown, green, or orange backgrounds – and some have a cat’s eye or a multi-rayed star.

Uncut moonstone is dull and lacks the play of light. This is brought out by the cutter’s skills, who must locate the stone’s axis. Classical moonstones are always cut as cabochons.

Value
The more intense the color, the larger and more transparent the stone, the more valuable is the gem. Really top quality fine blue moonstone shows an incredible “three-dimensional” depth of color, which you will see clearly only when tilting. Such specimens are rare and expensive. Brighter colored Indian moonstones are usually less expensive, so are opalite moonstone.     
                                                                                                          
Opalite moonstone
Opalite moonstone is most common today.  This is a synthetic stone looking similar to genuine moonstone, that's only been around recently.  Against a light background, it appears milky white, shimmering golden faint lilac-blue and other colors.  Against a darker background, it changes to a bright icy blue with the highlights altering to intense oranges and reds.  The stone practically glows on its own, and demands attention by outshining all around.

Opalite moonstone adds a romantic feminine allure to your jewellery, always looking refreshingly cool - ideal for summer. Its pastel glow is soft and captivating, complimenting other light-colored stones like lilac amethyst, blue chalcedony, and rose quartz.  It also loves to compete with wild bright colors like reds and turquoise. This flamboyance makes opalite ideal to wear during a night out on the town. 

 Looking after moonstone
All moonstone is fragile and should be handled carefully. However, a jeweller can polish a dulled moonstone back to its original glory.

 
We have 41 different moonstones - to see all click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk                  

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Read about the man behind MrBead and watch him make a fool of himself. See his new site at  NigelHayMckay.com and read his blog on views of the UK and China.  Much from these newsletters on beads is already on the site + a lot more with photos.

Nigel's blog is now fully functional at NigelHayMckay.com/blog - please join in & comment!