Asthma Awareness Bracelet (BA212) Labradorite Gemstone

The best way I have found to try and describe what it feels like when you have Asthma, is to ask the question, 'Do you remember how it feels when it's super cold out and you step foot outside....and the frigid wind blasts your face? And for a moment it takes your breathe away?'

That's how it can feel with Asthma. But, if you are having an Asthma attack, you don't just lose your breathe for a moment. There are Asthma triggers which can be different for each person. Some of the triggers include smoke, dust, dander, mold and environmental air quality. We are all exposed to these triggers almost daily -not all, but most of them. Which is why raising Asthma Awareness is so important and if you're going to raise awareness -why not do it beautifully?!

Labradorite Gemstone Asthma Awareness Bracelet (BA212)

$53.25

With this gemstone bracelet raising awareness of Asthma has never been so beautiful. This handmade beaded awareness bracelet features stunning faceted labradorite rondelle gemstones flanking the center and sides with sterling silver beads, Bali and black diamond Swarovski Crystals intermingled into the design. Finished with a sterling silver awareness ribbon charm and signature jewelry tag. Measures 8".

The uniqueness of these natural labradorite gemstone beads is the grey base displays flashes of brilliant blue, purple and green colors!

Gray is nationally recognized as the Asthma Awareness ribbon color and Allergy Awareness color.

As a healing crystal, labradorite strengthens the immune system and repairs the aura.

Awareness Ribbons by Cause Color

The following is a comprehensive guide of awareness ribbon colors and their associated cause(s). Use this guide to discover the cause(s) associated with a specific color of awareness ribbon.

This extensive list has been an internet-wide reference tool for ribbon cause colors since 2004. Many groups have adopted color ribbons as symbols of support or awareness, and as a result, many causes often share the same color. As well, there may be more than one color associated with a cause, in which case, it is up to you on your ribbon color preference in support of that cause.

If you did not find the ribbon color or corresponding cause you were looking for, please contact me. Or you may wish to search for your ribbon color by cause, using our alphabetical Awareness Colors and Meanings guide.

Feel free to contact me about a custom awareness bracelet design or cause jewelry.

This article was last updated: September 21, 2015

---

AMBER Awareness Ribbons: Appendix Cancer
BLACK Awareness Ribbons: 9/11 Awareness, Accidents, Amish Support, Anti-Terrorism, Gang Prevention, Gun Control, Melanoma, Mourning, Narcolepsy, Prisoner of War (POW) / Missing in Action (MIA), Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Sleep Apnea, Sleep Disorders, Students for Gun Control, Trauma, VA Tech Massacre
BLACK and BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Loss of a Brother, Mourning a Brother, Loss of a Father, Mourning a Father, Loss of a Male, Mourning a Male, Loss of a Son, Mourning a Son
BLACK and GOLD Awareness Ribbons: Platelet Donor
BLACK and PINK Awareness Ribbons: Loss of a Daughter, Mourning a Daughter, Loss of a Female, Mourning a Female, Loss of a Mother, Mourning a Mother, Loss of a Sister, Mourning a Sister
BLACK and RED Awareness Ribbons: Murder Victims, Murdered Children, Self-Injury (alternate color: Orange)
BLACK and WHITE Awareness Ribbons: Anti-Racism, Carcinoid Cancer, Diversity, Transitions, Vaccine Awareness
BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Alopecia, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Arthritis, Brachial Plexus Injuries, Bring Home Our Troops, CA Anti-Second Hand Smoke, Canada Anti-Tobacco, Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), Colon Cancer (alternate color: Brown), Colorectal Cancer (alternate color: Brown), Crime Victim's Rights, Crohn's Disease (alternate color: Purple), Drowning, Dysautonomia, Dystonia, Education, Epstein-Barr Virus, Erb's Palsy, Free Speech, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Huntington's Disease, Hurricane Awareness, Hurricane Katrina, Hystiocytosis, Ichthyosis, Langerhans Cell Hystiocytosis, Leukodystrophies, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Myositis, Police Officers Lost in Duty, Responsible Use of Public Land, Restless Legs Syndrome, Reye's Syndrome, Save The Music, Short Bowel Syndrome, Springomyelia, Steven Johnson Syndrome, Teens Against Smoking, Transverse Myelitis, Victim's Rights, Water Accidents, Water Quality, Water Safety
BLUE and SILVER Awareness Ribbons: Coping with Cancer
BLUE and WHITE Awareness Ribbons: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), In Memory of Columbine, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Teen Cancer
BLUE and YELLOW Awareness Ribbons: Designated Drivers, Down Syndrome
BROWN Awareness Ribbons: Anti-Tobacco, Familial Polyposis, Great American Smokeout, Tobacco Awareness
BURGUNDY Awareness Ribbons: Adhesions, Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, AV Malformation, Blood Factor Disorders (alternate color: Red), Brain Aneurysm, Cesareans, Coagulation Disorders (alternate color: Red), Cystic Hygroma, Disabled Adults, Factor V Leiden, Hemangioma and Vascular Malformation, Hereditary Hemochromatosis, Hirschsprung's Disease, Hospice Care, Hughes Syndrome, Hygroma, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, Lymphatic Malformation, Meningitis, Meningococcal Meningitis, Misdiagnosed or Undiagnosed Children, Multiple Myeloma, PHACES Syndrome, Post-Polio Syndrome, Sepsis, Sickle Cell Anemia, Sturge-Weber Syndrome, Thalassemia, Thrombophilia, William's Syndrome
COPPER Awareness Ribbons: Menkes Disease
CRANBERRY Awareness Ribbons: Fibromyalgia (alternate color: Purple), Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Awareness
CREAM Awareness Ribbons: Paralysis, Spinal Cord Injuries, Spinal Disorders, Spinal Muscular Atrophy
DARK BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Colitis Awareness
GOLD Awareness Ribbons: Childhood Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, Neuroblastoma
GOLD and SILVER Awareness Ribbons: Hearing Disorders, Hearing Impairments, Meniere's Disease, Tinnitus
GRAPHITE Awareness Ribbons: Lead Poisoning
GRAY Awareness Ribbons: Allergies, Aphasia, Asthma, Brain Cancer, Brain Tumors, Diabetes, Mental Illness
GREEN Awareness Ribbons: Bipolar Disorder, Bone Marrow Donation, Cerebral Palsy, Childhood Depression, Depression, Environmental Concern/Protection, Eye Injury Prevention, Fanconi's Syndrome, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, Glaucoma, Growth and Rebuilding, Homeopathic Medicine, Kidney Donation, Literacy, Liver Cancer, Liver Disease, Living Organ Donor, Manic Depression, Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Mitochondrial Disease, Nephrotic Syndrome, Neural Tube Defects, Neurofibromatosis, Organ Donation, Organ Transplant, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Safe Driving, Save Darfur, Spinal Cord Injury Research, Stem Cell Donor, Stem Cell Research, Tissue Donation, Tourette's Syndrome, Transplant, Traumatic Brain Injury, Von Hippel Lindau, Worker Safety
HOT PINK Awareness Ribbons: Cleft Palate / Cleft Lip, Eosinophilic Disease (alternate color: Periwinkle), Eosinophilic Disorders (alternate color: Periwinkle), Inflammatory Breast Cancer
INDIGO BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Targeted Individuals Awareness
KELLY GREEN Awareness Ribbons: Gallbladder / Bile Duct Cancer
LAVENDER Awareness Ribbons: Cancer (general, unspecified), Caregiver Appreciation, Epilepsy (alternate color: Purple), Foster Care, Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis, Infantile Spasms, Rett Syndrome
LIGHT BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Addison's Disease, Behcet's Disease, Chronic Illness, Cushing Syndrome, DiGeorge Sequence, Graves Disease, Hyperaldosteronism, Klinefelter's Syndrome, Lymphedema, Men's Health, Pro Choice, Prostate Cancer, Scleroderma, Shprintzen Syndrome, Spay/Neuter Pets, Thyroid Disease, Trisomy 18, Velo-Cardio Facial Syndrome
LIGHT GREEN Awareness Ribbons: Celiac Disease, Chronic Pelvic Pain, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Sexually Transmitted Diseases - STD's
LIME GREEN Awareness Ribbons: Adult Stem Cell Donor, Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Lyme Disease, Lymphoma, Muscular Dystrophy, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Osteosarcoma, Sandhoff Disease, Support for Adoptees Rights
MARIGOLD, BLUE AND PURPLE Awareness Ribbons: Bladder Cancer
MINT GREEN Awareness Ribbons: Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease, Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis, Genetic Disorders, Ivemark Syndrome
MULTI-COLOR Awareness Ribbons: Multiple Cancers, Autism
ORANGE Awareness Ribbons: Agent Orange, Animal Protection, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Cultural Diversity, Feed the Nation, Feral Cats, Hunger, Kidney Cancer, Kidney Disease, Leukemia, Motorcycle Safety, Racial Tolerance, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD)
ORANGE and RED Awareness Ribbons: Kawasaki Disease, Myeloproliferative Disorders, Polycythemia Vera
ORCHID Awareness Ribbons: Testicular Cancer
ORCHID and ORANGE Awareness Ribbons: Eczema, Psoriasis
PEACH Awareness Ribbons: Endometrial Cancer, Uterine Cancer
PEARL Awareness Ribbons: Emphysema, Lung Cancer, Lung Disease, Mesothelioma, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
PEARL and WHITE Awareness Ribbons: Non-Smoker Lung Cancer
PERIWINKLE Awareness Ribbons: Acid Reflux Disease, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Eating Disorders, Esophageal Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pulmonary Hypertension, Small Intestine Cancer, Stomach Cancer
PINK Awareness Ribbons: Breast Cancer, Nursing Mothers
PINK and BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Baby Safe Haven, Birth Defects, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Genital Integrity, Hyperemesis Graviduram, Infant Loss, Infertility, Male Breast Cancer, Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, Premature Birth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Stillbirth, Twin to Twin Transfusion
PINK and GOLD Awareness Ribbons: Phyllodes Tumors
PINK and TEAL Awareness Ribbons: Hereditary Breast Cancer
PLUM Awareness Ribbons: Cancer Caregivers
PURPLE Awareness Ribbons: 9/11 Victims, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Alzheimer's Disease, Animal Abuse, Anti-Violence, Arnold Chiari Malformation, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Cancer Survival, Chronic and Intractable Pain, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Cystic Fibrosis (CF or 65 Roses), Domestic Violence, Headaches, Homelessness, Leimyosarcoma, Lupus, Macular Degeneration, Migraine Awareness, Mucolipidoses, Mucopolysaccharidoses, No Unattended Kids in Cars, Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatitis (Chronic), Religious Tolerance, Sarcoidosis, Sjogren's Syndrome, Thyroid Cancer, World Trade Center (WTC) Victims
PURPLE and BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Pediatric Stroke, Rheumatoid Arthritis
PURPLE and BURGUNDY Awareness Ribbons: Chronic Migraines Awareness
PURPLE and TEAL Awareness Ribbons: Domestic Violence (Sexual Assault)
PURPLE and YELLOW Awareness Ribbons: Autoimmune Hepatitis, Chemical Injury, Lupus with Endometriosis
RED Awareness Ribbons: AIDS, Blood Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Diamond-Blackfan Anemia, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), Epidermolysis Bullosa, Evans Syndrome, Factor XI Deficiency, Go Red for Women, Heart Disease, Heart Transplant, Hemophilia, High Blood Pressure, HIV, Huffing, Hypertension, Inhalant Abuse, Long Q-T Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Pierre Robin Sequence, Project Red Flag, Pro Life, Red Ribbon Week Awareness, Rosacea, Sniffing Abuse, Stroke, Substance Abuse, Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Tuberculosis, Von Willebrand's Disease, Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW)
RED and BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), Congenital Heart Disease, Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome, Noonan's Syndrome, Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Awareness, SADS
RED and WHITE Awareness Ribbons: Aplastic Anemia, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Head and Neck Cancer, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, Oral Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma
RED and YELLOW Awareness Ribbons: Hepatitis C, HIV / HCV Co-Infection
RED, WHITE and BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Fireworks Safety, National Support, World Trade Center (WTC) Heroes
SILVER Awareness Ribbons: Bell's Palsy, Brain Disabilities, Brain Disorders, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), Disabled Children, Dyslexia, Elderly Abuse, Encephalitis, Neurological Disorders, Niemann-Pick, Parkinson's Disease, Pseudotumor Cerebri, Schizophrenia, Sciatic Pain, VACTERL, Young Onset Parkinsons Association (YOPA)
TEAL Awareness Ribbons: Agoraphobia, Anxiety Disorder, Batten Disease, Cervical Cancer, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), Dissociative Identity Disorder, Ectodermal Dysphasia, Food Allergies, Fragile X, Gynecological Cancer, Interstitial Cystitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Ovarian Cancer, Panic Disorder, Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Rape, Sexual Assault
TEAL, PINK and BLUE Awareness Ribbons: Thyroid Cancer
TEAL and YELLOW Awareness Ribbons: Military Sexual Assault
TURQUOISE Awareness Ribbons: Addiction Recovery, Native American Reparation
VIOLET Awareness Ribbons: Hodgkin's Disease, Hodgkin's Lymphoma
WHITE Awareness Ribbons: Adoptee, Adoption, Anti-Child Pornography, Anti-Pornography, Anti-War, Blindness, Bronchial Cancer, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (alternate color: Yellow), Child Exploitation, Child Sexual Abuse/Assault, Community Support, Congenital Cataracts, Elderly Affairs, Gender Violence, Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME or MHE), Hernia, Holocaust Remembrance, Hope and Support, Innocence, Internet Safety, Lung Cancer, Molestation Survivor, On-Line Sexual Predator Awareness, Opposition to the War, Osteoporosis, Postpartum Depression, Retinoblastoma, Right to Life, Scoliosis, Stalking, Student Sexual Assault, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Victims of Terrorism
YELLOW Awareness Ribbons: Adenosarcoma, Adoptive Parents, Amber Alert, Bone Cancer, Bone Disease, Canadian Cancer Society, Chondrosarcoma, Complementary / Alternative Medicine, Deployed Soldiers, Endometriosis, Equality, Ewings Sarcoma, Gulf War, Hydrocephalus, Missing Children, Myxoid Liposarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Obesity, Remembrance, Sarcoma, Spina Bifida, Suicide, Troop / Military Support

Exclusive Live Life Give Life Organ Donation Awareness Bracelet

This exclusive handmade beaded bracelet was first introduced back in 2009 and has been very popular style. As it should be. This awareness bracelet is a symbol of Hope and a source of Awareness for Organ Donation and Transplant.

This is a Crystal Allure Creations exclusive and original design.

Original Live Life Give Life Organ Donation Awareness Bracelet (B113)

~ Made to Order ~

Two strands of sparkling sterling silver accented with .925 Bali, green emerald Swarovski Crystal cubes, white Swarovski pearls bearing the message "Life Life, Give Life" in sterling silver alphabet beads. Finished with a sterling silver slide clasp this cuff bracelet measures 7-1/2".

This bracelet is MADE TO ORDER. Please contact me for availability and/or customization.

View the various ways this beaded bracelet has been customized:
-Elaine's Custom Live Life Give Life Transplant Awareness Bracelet (B113-2)
-Charlene's Custom Live Life Give Life Red Heart Transplant Awareness Bracelet (B113-HRT-3)
-Diane's Custom Live Life Give Life Red Heart Awareness Bracelet (B113-HRT-II-4)
-Kayleigh's Custom Kidney Donation Awareness Bracelet (B113-KD-5)
-Holly's Custom Hope Love Cherish Mothers Bracelet (B204)

Add A Bead Charm Bangle Bracelets in Purple, Blue and Topaz

Now available in limited quantities are these affordable add-a-bead charm bangle bracelets. They give you a designer look that is much more budget friendly than the more expensive European style charm bracelets and beads (hint....the designer starts with a "P").

These bead charm bracelets feature European large-hole style beads on an adjustable 7"-8" sterling silver bangle cuff. Beads will float along the bangle bracelet with your arm movements.

The first of these great starter charm bracelets is the Add A Bead Purple Charm Bangle Bracelet (B209-P).

Crystal Allure Add A Bead Purple Charm Bangle Bracelet (B209-P)

SOLD

A one of a kind bracelet, it comes with seven beads (as shown), which includes:
(3) Porcelain white/purple/pink hand painted flower design beads with silver-finished brass grommets
(2) Lavender purple silver foil-lined lampwork glass beads with silver-finished brass gromments
(2) Silver tone Bali style spacer beads

Any large-hole bead(s) easily slide onto the bangle by unscrewing one ball end. Personalize your bracelet even more by interchanging your bead selection with your favorite 4-4.5mm large-hole charm beads to truly make this your own designer charm bracelet.

The second beaded bracelet is the Add A Bead Topaz Charm Bangle Bracelet (B209-T). Another one of a kind bracelet that comes with the seven beads (as shown):
(3) Porcelain white/brown/orange hand painted flower design beads with silver-finished brass grommets
(2) Amber topaz gold-foil swirl murano lampwork glass beads with silver-finished brass gromments
(2) Silver tone Bali style spacer beads

Crystal Allure Add A Bead Topaz Charm Bangle Bracelet (B209-T)

$35.95

This beautiful shade of topaz brown is also the awareness color for: Anti-Tobacco, Colon Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Familial Polyposis, Great American Smokeout, Tobacco Awareness.

Request a sterling silver awareness ribbon charm and you've instantly created a beautifully unique awareness charm bracelet!

If you would like to customize these bangle charm bracelets, simply contact me to discuss options.

The last in this European Style Bracelet series is the stunning and classic Add A Bead Blue Charm Bangle Bracelet (B209-B).

Crystal Allure Add A Bead Blue Charm Bangle Bracelet (B209-B)

$35.95

This one of a kind bracelet comes with these seven beads (pictured to the right):
(3) Porcelain white with navy blue hand painted flower design beads with silver-finished brass grommets
(2) Artwork glass lampwork bead that looks like light blue 'clouds' floating across a dark blue sky with silver-finished brass gromments
(2) Silver tone Bali style spacer beads

Any one of these lovely neutral color charm bracelets would complement your daily wardrobe and they are super easy to put on -just grab and  go!

The Butterfly: A Symbol of Lung Transplant

Everyone loves butterflies and there are many symbolic meanings associated with the butterfly but none so profound as its' symbolism to new life through lung transplantation. If you have cystic fibrosis, at some point your doctor will discuss with you the need for a lung transplant. It is our hope the following story behind the symbol of newly transplanted lungs will provide you with hope and inspiration as you begin your transplant journey.

The Butterfly: Life has wings...or rather life should have wings. When Cystic Fibrosis damages the lungs with scarring from past infections, and antibiotics no longer give the relief they once did, and the quality of life is stalled, or the length of life is shortened when you are told, "you have only a couple of years left", you want those wings back to fly. Lung Transplantation is the option to get those wings once again and live your life dreams.

For those who are fortunate enough to witness the actual lung transplantation surgery, they will describe it as a moving experience that is emotional and awe inspiring. When the old lungs are removed, appearing much like raw liver, and the new lungs are taken from the cooler they have been transported in, the light pink, white new lungs are in such contrast to the old. But the more breath taking experience is to see the new lungs take life when they are connected. It is described as "like beautiful butterfly wings, opening for the very first time, they expand and you can see the beauty in life and in good lungs". Like butterfly wings opening for the first time, so is the size and shape of the new lungs...a comparison that has great meaning to those with Cystic Fibrosis who get the gift of new lungs and a chance to live their dreams.

For this reason, nearly all Crystal Allure transplant awareness beaded bracelets are adorned with our signature sterling silver butterfly charm. It is our hope the transplant awareness bracelets and butterfly jewelry offered at Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry will give its' wearer hope and peace of mind during their transplant journey.

Blue Stained Glass Crystal Beaded Lanyard (L107)

Personally, I feel there is an element of romance that comes with stained glass.

Stained glass, or colored glass, is both an art and a craft. It takes skill to produce a beautiful workable design and then it takes skill to assemble the piece.

You might be most familiar with the beautiful and stunning stained glass found in church windows. A fond memory I have as a child was walking to church and being so mesmerized with the awe-inspiring stained glass windows at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

That fond memory is what inspired this beautiful Blue Stained Glass Crystal Beaded ID Lanyard (L107). The pairing of a rich blue "stained glass" bead with bronze seed beads makes the ID Badge Holder a standout piece!

Blue Stained Glass Crystal Beaded ID Lanyard (L107)

SOLD

Show your ID in style with this beautiful handmade beaded lanyard. Design features aqua blue "stained glass" beads, bronzed and black seed beads, sterling silver and blue indicolite Crystals by Swarovski. The badge holder comes with a 24mm silver key ring, lanyard hook and is finished with our sterling silver jewelry tag. Total length is 35" and hangs 17-1/2" long from your neck (including key ring and badge hook).

This bead lanyard is Made in the USA and is a necessity of you have to wear a work badge, have to show your badge for access points, carrying keys and more. It will also make for a useful and thoughtful handmade to your coworker or as gifts from boss to staff!

*Contact Us to check availability of inventory and whether this lanyard can be recreated.

Cystic Fibrosis Transplant Awareness Bracelet (BA213)

If you have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, at some point you will be encouraged to consider a lung transplant for survival. Once you are approved into a program, your journey to, and through, transplant will begin.

It's an exhilarating and exhausting time in your life. But well worth it...for the Gift of Life!

Cystic Fibrosis Transplant Awareness Bracelet (BA213)

SOLD

This design is similar to the one-of-a-kind Jasper Organ Transplant Awareness Bracelet (B165) that was posted during the month of May and sold out within days of it being posted.

A stunning handcrafted beaded awareness bracelet was designed to signify awareness of cystic fibrosis as the center of your journey and how your road through transplant will come full circle.

Designed with exquisite faceted green onyx gemstones, a single amethyst gemstone, sterling silver beads, awareness ribbon charm, butterfly charm and our signature jewelry tag. Measures 7-1/2".

Purple is nationally recognized as the Cystic Fibrosis Awareness ribbon color. May is designated as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

Green is nationally recognized as the Transplant Awareness ribbon color. October is designated as Healthy Lung Awareness Month.

Learn why I added a sterling silver butterfly charm. Read our jewelry article on why the butterfly is a symbol of lung transplant.

Special Note: Due to the natural amethyst gemstone used in this design, it is a one-of-a-kind. 

Gold Metals Used in Handmade Jewelry

At a recent show, while discussing one of my handmade beaded jewelry designs with a customer, the question was asked, "What is the difference between gold plated and gold filled metal?" After explaining the difference to her, I thought this topic would make a great jewelry article to share for general knowledge purposes, especially if you are looking to purchase handmade jewelry.

Each jewelry designer has his/her own preference of metal they like to use in their jewelry designs and some will even mix metals, making the design even more unique. There really is no one good metal over another, in terms of the design itself. The choice of metal used in a design really depends on the purpose and interpretation of the jewelry piece, the designers preference, and at times, cost. It's a pretty simple equation, the better the metal, the more cost involved.

For many people, wearing a piece of jewelry made with pewter components as opposed to sterling silver, makes no difference. For them, it's really about the design of the piece and how it makes them feel. Although for others, the wearing of non-precious metals can cause skin irritation and/or a rash. This group of shoppers will naturally prefer a precious metal such as sterling silver or 14 karat gold.

Below is an outline of some of the more common gold metals used in handmade jewelry design, ranging from fine jewelry to fashion jewelry. At Crystal Allure Beaded Jewelry, I have worked with a few different metals throughout the years and although I have no particular preference of one over the other, my unique handmade designs currently showcase either sterling silver, 14 karat gold-fill and/or vermeil (pronounced vehr-MAY).

There are times when a particular component I would like to use can only be found in pewter, silver plate or gold plate. When I use a metal other than a precious metal, I always state as such in the description of the jewelry piece.

GOLD - A precious metal that does not oxidize or tarnish as most other metals do. It has been used for over 6000 years in coins, jewelry and ornamental objects. Gold is very malleable and can be melted and cast into both small and large objects. It is also forged into very thin sheets called gold leaf and used to cover the surface of less valuable ornaments.

Gold is alloyed with other metals like silver, copper or nickel to make it harder. The ratio of gold to other metals is what denotes the karat content.

Common gold alloys are made by mixing gold, silver, copper, and/or other metals to produce 14K, 18K and 22K gold, white gold (gold and nickel or palladium), rose gold (gold and copper), green gold (gold with silver or silver and cadmium) , and blue gold (a recent gold color perfected by only a few jewelers). Example: 14kt-by weight 14 parts gold to 10 parts other metals, or 58.33% pure gold.

VERMEIL -(pronounced vehr-MAY) is a process that combines precious metals to produce semi-fine quality jewelry. The inside core is .925 sterling silver, the outside is a thin coating of 14 karat gold plate. Where the gold plating has not completely bonded with the sterling silver, the silver will eventually tarnish. Therefore, overtime, expect vermeil to darken slightly with age. Since vermeil is electro-plated, not fused like gold-filled, the plating will eventually wear off. This usually happens in a year or two. It takes longer to wear off than costume gold-plate because the plating on vermeil is considerably thicker than that on costume jewelry.

The combination of metals in vermeil produces jewelry that looks and feels like pure gold.

GOLD FILL - (also called "gold overlay" and "rolled gold") Gold fill beads are made by applying a layer of gold, using heat and pressure to permanently bond the gold, to a core of brass or other base metal. This produces a much thicker surface of gold than gold plating. The minimum layer of karat gold must equal at least 1/20th of the total weight of the item. Use care when buffing gold fill beads and components to avoid removing the gold layer.

When a company is manufacturing gold-filled beads and components, it is their choice as to how thick a layer of gold to place over the base metal material. Thus, you can have two gold-filled pieces and you may have the gold layer wear off more quickly on one piece than the other. It is difficult, unfortunately, to be able to tell whether the purchase price of any piece reflects its true value.

Sometimes, you will see a notation next to the Gold-Filled label indicating the relationship between the weight of karat-gold and the weight of the brass core material. For example, if you see the notion "14/20 Gold-Filled" this means that the piece is 1/20th 14 karat gold. The 1/20 notation refers to the ratio of the 14 karat gold layer to the brass layer by weight, which is 5%.

What is important here to the jewelry designer is less the content of gold, but rather more the color of the gold-filled piece. 14/20 gold fill will be more golden, darker, mellow; whereas, 12/20 gold fill will be brighter, brassier, yellower.

Why use Gold Filled?
First, Gold Fill is less expensive than pure Gold - making jewelry more affordable. Second, of the alternatives (Gold Plate or Gold Vermeil), Gold Fill will not tarnish, turn green, or wear off and can be worn as "every-day" jewelry. In any case, gold-filled is a much more durable product than gold-plate or vermeil. Gold-filled jewelry is economical, and enjoys the rich look of gold at a fraction of the cost.

GOLD PLATE - Gold plating is a method of depositing a thin layer of gold on the surface of other metal, most often copper or silver but can be brass as well, usually by electroplating or an electrochemical process. A second chemical is used as a finishing to give the color a "brightness".

The gold color and brightness wears off pretty quickly, much more quickly than gold filled, when interacting with the wearer's skin salts or the pollutants in the air. On an average person in an average environment, the brightness finish fades in about 3-6 months, and the color fades in 6 months to a year. If the environment is very humid or very polluted, this can happen much more quickly. Some people have either ammonia's or sulphides in their sweat. These chemicals dissolve one or both of the chemicals in the plating and/or finishing.

However, if you are on a handmade jewelry budget, or just want to experiment it’s the perfect metal to work or start with!

---

An alloy is a solid solution or homogeneous mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, which itself has metallic properties. Alloying one metal with others often enhances its properties. This statement of information on alloy was referenced from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alloy

Learn About Birthstones and their Meanings

The wearing of birthstones is thought to bring good luck and good health. Astrologers long ago attributed supernatural powers to certain gemstones.

The birthstones we associate with certain months now are not necessarily the same ones as in ancient times. Once, color was the most important feature of a stone. Ancients did not distinguish between a ruby and a garnet, for example.

The names used in history may not relate to the stone we think of with that name today. For example, a sapphire in the Bible was probably what we know today as lapis. Diamonds were probably a white sapphire or white topaz. The stones originally assigned to each month related to the stones appearing on the breastplate of a Jewish high priest.

Birthstone Meanings by Month

January's Birthstone, garnet, is a fiery burgundy red color. A symbol of friendship, loyalty and devotion. It is also believed to keep the wearer safe during travel.

February's Birthstone, amethyst, has long been considered a stone of royalty, found in crown jewels. At one time, only royalty could wear the gem. A symbol of wisdom, strength, confidence and sobriety (against intoxication). In fact, amethyst comes from amethystos, a Greek word meaning "sober."

March's Birthstone, aquamarine, brings to mind clear blue waters. Early sailors believed that aquamarine talismans, etched with the likeness of the sea god Neptune, protected them against ocean dangers. Thought to symbolize peace, tranquility and happiness.

April's Birthstone, diamond, is treasured for its' elegance, brilliance and is the most desired gemstone in the world. Regarded as the ultimate symbol of everlasting love, fidelity, and was once thought to bring courage. High-quality diamonds have a good balance of the Four Cs -cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

May's Birthstone, emerald, is a definitive rich green color and was one of Cleopatra's favorite gems. A symbol of fertility, rebirth, love and strength. The mesmerizing hue of this stone brings to mind regeneration of life in spring and hope of new possibilities.

June's Birthstone, pearl, has long been a symbol of purity, modesty, love, success, and happiness. Pearls have been a jewelry wardrobe essential for generations of women around the world for their unique iridescent luster.

July's Birthstone, ruby, a fiery crimson red signifies love and passion. This gemstone is associated with courage and power. It is also called the "king of gems" because it was believed to protect its wearer from evil.

August's Birthstone, peridot, treasured for thousands of years, symbolizes strength. It is sometimes called the evening emerald for its light green color. When set in gold, this gem was said to ward off evil and protect the wearer from nightmares.

September's Birthstone, sapphire, comes in more colors than the traditional velvety blue hue; it can also come in green, white, pink and even yellow. A holy stone to the Catholic church, blue sapphire symbolizes truth, sincerity, commitment, purity, and loyalty of the heart.

October's Birthstone, tourmaline, exhibits the broadest spectrum of colors. It is thought to promote balance and strengthen the body. This gem was worn to gain inspiration, to attract favors, and to secure friends.

November's Birthstone, citrine, derived its name from the French word for lemon 'citron' and is considered a gift from the sun. Symbolizes truth, integrity, youth, health, and fidelity.

December's Birthstone, turquoise, is regarded as a love charm. It is also a symbol of good fortune and success, and it is believed to relax the mind and to protect its wearer from harm. Turquoise rings, in particular, are thought to keep away evil spirits.

Browse all Birthstone Jewelry