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Have you ever noticed the kid in the mall wearing a chain and cross gleaming with what looks like diamond jewelry? They aren’t diamonds, of course and they may not be kids. In today’s Hip Hop age we are facing an explosion of interest in these “fake” diamonds better known as cubic zirconia. Hip Hop fans of all ages are imitating their rap idols in their adornment of the most flamboyant types of jewelry accessories. A whole new genre of style and design has been established as a result with its own language and boundaries.

The prolific rise of the rap industry as a mainstay in our cultural landscape is undeniable. People of all races, economic backgrounds and various regions of the world have been affected. Hip Hop has transcended its roots in the underground and has long since crossed over into the mainstream. This phenomenon has created various cottage industries specializing in all things Hip Hop. Wearing a chain or donning some shiny earrings symbolizes the promotion of the Hip Hop lifestyle. It bellows out the success of an individual in the ability to procure these expensive items. Diamonds and gold have become the ornaments of Hip Hop, the outwardly physical manifestation of wealth.
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Tags: cubic zirconia, Fashion, gold, hip hop, rap, silver necklace

Hardcore Watches: The Watch With the Heart of a Biker.

Hardcore Watch Company was established in more than a decade ago with a single idea in mind: to create watches that could capture the rough, take-no-crap attitude and individuality of bikers. But just because Hardcore Watches weren’t going to be elegant evening wear, that didn’t mean they weren’t worthy of exceptional craftsmanship. In fact, the nature of activities common to bikers meant that the timepieces needed to be at least as durable as the “finer” watch brands, if not more so.

That idea was the beginning of a company that would eventually grow to become the premiere provider of precision (and sometimes custom) timepieces for bikers not only across the US, but around the world. With designs like The Reaper, The Joker and The Soul Eater, Hardcore Watches puts as much heart into the design of its watches as custom bike manufacturers put into their creations. The images beneath the crystal of their watches are bold, grim, occasionally grotesque and add to the statement of a gruff, don’t-mess-with-me personality that many bikers want to identify with.

The watches have also caught on with professional poker players and poker aficionados, to the extent that the watches were recently features in [name] magazine. As a result of this popularity, Hardcore has introduced a line of poker-inspired watches, including a limited-edition design especially for collectors and “hardcore” poker fans.

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Tags: Buy Citizen Watches, Buy Watches, Buy Watches Online, Hardcore Watches, watches, Wrist Watch

There’s so much hype in today’s marketplace about quality, it has become an almost meaningless word. So rather than talk on and on about quality, it will be more instructive to talk you through the rigorous quality practices that define the kind of quality inherent in true hand crafting.

Let’s start with the design process: Aesthetics and functionality are like the two wings of a bird; without the right balance between the two, the piece won’t “fly”. We have spent the past ten years in a continuous improvement process in both of these areas. What people immediately notice about our boxes are the pleasing, soft lines. Whatever design themes you choose to highlight must be applied consistently and consciously, leaving no detail to chance. Exceptional care must always be taken to make sure that the beauty of each individual piece of wood is displayed to its utmost advantage.

It is important to apply the same level of detail to the functionality of each piece. Years of experimentation and problem solving have yielded the most efficient and easy-to-use space use that we have seen anywhere. Design features like removable trays and customizable dividers are standard because no collection is exactly like anyone else’s. Efficient space use can and should bebeautiful, as well.

In order to show the designs properly, you must use the finest wood availablein the world. This is no overstatement. We work directly with sawyers at the source of where the wood grows at its finest. Our sawyers know we are fanatics about wood quality and choose from their prime stock. Once the wood arrives in Colorado, we allow it to acclimate for 1-6 months depending on the species. By adjusting to the arid climate of the southwest, the wood naturally reaches an optimal 5% moisture content without structural tensions. Needless to say, you should use only solid wood construction that is color matched naturally. That way, you don’t have to use the numerous dyes or pigments that most manufacturers use to cover up inconsistencies or flaws in the wood. The other material required for true quality is genuine rayon velvet made by A. Wimpfheimer & Bro., the finest manufacturer of velvet for jewelry boxes in the country.
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Tags: jewelry boxes, jewelry chests, wooden boxes

Couples searching for wedding rings have many more options today than have been available in the past. Wedding rings in multiple styles and designs are now available and the choices become more diverse practically every day. One option that has been available for a long time but has been traditionally out of reach to many couples due to prohibitive costs is that of custom-ordering handcrafted wedding rings.

Custom-ordered handcrafted wedding rings used to be available only from major jewelers at rather exorbitant prices, making this an option for celebrities or the extremely well-to-do. This is no longer the case. Major changes in the jewelry industry and the prevalence of the Internet in all aspects of commerce have allied to bring the prices of handcrafted wedding rings steadily down. Handcrafted wedding rings that once cost thousands can now be had for a fraction of their former amount. A custom-ordered handcrafted ring will still cost more than a traditional ring of similar quality, of course, but the price difference is nowhere near what it once was.

Handcrafted wedding rings can be purchased without making a special order these days as well. There are many small companies that specialize in such rings all over the world and they have the advent of the Internet to thank for their inclusion in a far wider market than they ever had before. In many cases these beautiful handcrafted wedding rings can be acquired for much less than the rings available at major jewelry outfits. For example, a beautiful handcrafted wedding ring I found online was designed with a unique challah braid design and cost about $375.00. Looking at a site that offered more traditional rings, I found a plain gold band of the same dimensions and same karat weight for $425.00. Faced with paying more money for a less interesting ring or less money for a unique handcrafted wedding ring, I think I know which option I would choose. This may be the exception rather than the rule, of course. Some handcrafted wedding rings will definitely still cost more, but the beautiful workmanship you get for your money makes all the [...]

Tags: Handcrafted Wedding Rings Make Excellent Choices