Originally posted 2010-08-02 00:43:45.

Unless she specifically requests for one, a vacuum cleaner or a new set of pot and pans, no matter how much they cost, might well disappoint her. Practical though they may be, household gifts lack that special touch. You know the look on her face when she opens a gift she really loves. One that gives her that unexpected thrill?

You are more likely to get a genuinely thrilled response from her if you give her jewelry than if you were to give her a new apron or a new cupboard.

What if she already has everything?

All women love shiny things. Precious jewelry that catches her eye would certainly get her vote. It could be an absolutely gorgeous necklace that sets off her favorite dress beautifully. Or it could be a pair of stunning shoulder duster earrings that highlight her slender neck. Or it could be a cuff bracelet that makes a simple sheath dress look amazing.

When it comes to a birthday gift, nothing beats birthstone jewelry for her.

Birthstone jewelry is any kind of jewelry that is set with the gemstone of her birth month.

Who invented birthstone jewelry in the first place?

There are lots of theories as to the origins of birthstones.

One common belief is that these 12 birthstones originated from the breastplate worn by the high priest of the Jews. Each gemstone representing one tribe of Israel and later, representing one month of the year.

These 12 gemstones are beryl, topaz,ruby, turquoise, lapis lazuli, emerald, jacinth,agate, amethyst, crysolite,onyx and jasper.

Astrologers associated the gemstones with each zodiac sign. As each zodiac month overlaps largely with the calendar month, the monthly birthstone list can be derived from the zodiac birthstone.

The Tibetans, in ancient Tibet, had their own birthstone list. That list of mystical birthstones is more than a thousand years old.

Even the Indians have their Ayurverdic birthstone list, based on that branch of medicine originating from India.

Eventually, in 1912, a modern birthstone list was compiled by the National Association of Jewelers in Kansas with a specific gemstone associated with each month of the year. This is the list accepted in U.S.

According to this modern birthstone list, the birthstone for January is garnet. For february, the gemstone is amethyst. March calls for aquamarine, April’s gemstone is the diamond. May’s birthstone is Emerald. For June, the birthstone is Pearl. Ruby is the july birthstone while peridot is August’s birthstone. September calls for Sapphire. October’s birthstone is Opal. November calls for Citrine and the December birthstone is Turquoise.

Throughout history, mankind has been fascinated with gemstones. Their color, beauty and rarity cause men to prize them. So much so that many stories and superstitions surround the various gemstones.

Lore or not. Gemstones are beautiful and that alone makes them wonderful gifts for women. The way they enhance the wearer’s looks, like the icing on the cake make birthstone jewelry wonderful jewelry gifts for women.

The great thing about birthstones is that they make great personalized gifts for women. After all, that gemstone is chosen based on her birth month. When you want to get a woman jewelry and aren’t too sure which gemstone to get, you could use any of these lists as a guide.

Yes, diamonds are a girls best friend and no woman would protest if you give her diamonds. But if you want to get her something more affordable, you could go for one of the more affordable gemstones for her month.

Originally posted 2010-08-02 00:49:54.

Originally posted 2010-08-02 00:49:58.

• Gemstones may have been treated to improve their appearance or durability and may require special care.
• May be washed with warm, soapy water
• The natural properties and composition of mined gemstones define the unique beauty of each piece. The image may show slight differences to the actual stone in color and texture

Amazon.com Product Description
Oval drops of golden honey amber wrap the wrist in this sweet sterling silver bracelet. The amber drops are separated by shiny Celtic-style links, and the 7-inch bracelet is finished with a lobster-claw clasp. This is a beautiful accent for everyday, and sure to draw compliments. Radiant amber is the fossilized resin of ancient pine trees, and a stone associated with good fortune and prosperity. This naturally lightweight substance lends itself beautifull… More >>

Sterling Silver Honey Amber Celtic Bracelet

Originally posted 2010-08-02 00:50:00.

Read more on The Saline Reporter

Leave the 21st-century behind to spend some time at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire
A medieval or Renaissance fair is like a county fair that has a theme, but no Ferris wheel. The Great Lakes Medieval Faire, located near Rock Creek, Ohio, yearly welcomes about 100,000 visitors over six weekends to its fictional village of Avaloch for live performances, music, shopping and food.

Read more on The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Originally posted 2010-08-02 00:49:50.

Amazon.com Product Description
This beautifully detailed Celtic cross pendant is crafted in polished and oxidized sterling silver and features paddle-shaped arms decorated with intricate knot designs. A striking addition to any collection, it presents on an 18-inch sterling silver rolo chain…. More >>

Sterling Silver Celtic Cross Pendant with Rolo Chain, 18″

Originally posted 2010-08-02 00:49:04.

Living in Dallas Texas, I see a few going out in public (outside the special occasions I mentioned) at times in their Utility Kilts (or UK’s). I know for the few times I had worn my out, in transit, people stare and ask silly questions. No big deal, but my wife really wants me to go full time in the kilt, whether going out for a bite to eat or just running around.

She says it’s now my image. I am not sure if I am ready. I am scared my wife will be disappointed if I do not meet her half way.

What do you think?
Actually at times, she goes out wearing no underwear, no bras or panties–Only when she wants to be sexy in club clothes.
Kilts are not homo. For me, it’s not to be the center of attention all the time. You tend to get a lot of smiles, and make friends easy Kilted, but it gets daunting never ending.

Originally posted 2010-08-02 00:49:21.

While many acknowledge there are approximately eight basic Celtic knots, the varying patterns, designs, and selections arising from these are enormous. Celtic wedding rings can be made from any of the colored golds, platinum, or silver.

These styles of wedding rings can be worked in several metal colors for extra contrast and to highlight the knots. Celtic wedding rings can be made as a solid band with knots carved, or as raised scrolls, or as engravings. Alternatively Celtic wedding rings can be made entirely from a knot pattern, with intertwining metals used for a more delicate appearing ring.

For something with a little more of a statement, these styles of wedding and engagement rings can also be made with diamonds set in them. Diamonds can be placed in the middle of each knot, between each knot, or alternatively at one one or both edges of the wedding ring.

One of the most well recognized and used Celtic knots would be the Trinity knot. The Trinity knot, as the name would suggest, comprises 3 rounded triangles linked together and features points at the outer edges. This knot can stand alone or be worked so that numerous knots are linked together. The Trinity knot is often known as the Love Knot and can have several meanings, including the ancient Celtic, which is representing Celtic Gods and Goddesses, and the Christian, which is representing the Holy Trinity.

The Claddagh ring with its well known design of a heart, a pair of hands, and a crown is also extremely popular and time honored. The Claddagh ring can traditionally be worn several ways, all with their own meanings. On the left ring finger it is seen as a sign of marriage, commitment, and eternal love. On the right hand, with the heart facing inwards it is seen as a commitment ring, or as indicative of someone already being spoken for.

Spirals are also extremely popular designs in Celtic wedding rings and are used to great effect. To the ancient Celts spirals could mean many things including the sun, and the symbol for life.

Interlocking Celtic hearts can have a similar appearance to the Trinity knots. The intertwined hearts represent the eternal love of the wearers of the matching rings.

Celtic wedding rings can be a unique way to demonstrate eternal love. Traditional knots, spirals, and hearts can be manufactured into engagement and wedding rings that can be as simple or as ornate as you please. Celtic wedding bands can range from solid pieces that are engraved or carved, to very ornate gold strands knotted together to produce stand alone Celtic knot wedding rings.

Though a casual observer of a Celtic knot tattoo may see it as merely a piece of beautiful body art; the meaning of this Celtic symbol has much deeper roots. Most Celtic knots are of a rich design of spirals, mazes along with knots. The Celtic knot tattoo is complex and many of the designs were used along with zoomorphic animals in Celtic stonework, woodworking and jewelry. The Book of Kells, the famous Irish book is where most of today’s tattoo artists get their inspiration for the body art requested by those wishing to display their Celtic heritage.

The Book of Kells

Irish monks circa 800 AD produced a manuscript with illustrations that were ornate and lavish. The Book or Kells is said to be one of the most lavish manuscripts that survive from this early time period. County Meath found in Ireland is where the manuscript was housed for most of the medieval period. Its name is derived from Kelis and the Abbey of Kells in County Meath.

Scandinavian Influences on the Celtic Knot Tattoo

Because of conquest and trade, the influence of Norse symbolism is said to have some bearing on the Celtic knotwork. The exact origins of the Celtic knot tattoo are still open for debate. The Celtic knot tattoo is said to try to mimic the complexity that is found in nature. The Celtic knot tattoo typically shows neither beginning nor an end and reflects the cycles of life as well as the seasons.

There are a number of Celtic knot tattoo designs from which a person interested in sporting this type of tattoo can choose. They can be large or small and no matter the size the complexity of the Celtic knot tattoo is always visible.

Some are simple black and gray designs while others incorporate a variety of colors such as green, purple or red. There are those that are planning to be married that choose to have a Celtic knot tattoo as their wedding band. But if you are thinking of doing this, be sure that the person you are marrying is one you really and truly want to spend the rest of your life with because removing or covering a tattoo in the area of your finger can be a painful process.

Celtic knot tattoos are popular even among people that have no ties to Celtic ancestry. They are beautiful pieces and many wear them simply for their visual beauty. For those of Celtic descent, they can have a myriad of meanings depending upon where in the Celtic world their roots lie and the design of the Celtic knotwork they choose for their Celtic knot tattoo.

Body art is a personal decision and what you have displayed on your body is often a close and long held belief. Tattoos are a way of showing the world what you believe in or who you love. Celtic knot tattoos are very popular for both young and old and male or female. Take a look at the many Celtic knot tattoo designs and decide on the ideal one for you.