Cat Jewelry: It is a Thing

Photo courtesy of Trendy Kitty

Sure, we’ve all see images of purse dogs wearing beautiful collars encrusted with gems. But, did you know that cats can wear jewelry, too? Because cats are not taken out in public as often as dogs (do you ever see your neighbors walking their cats?), the idea of cat jewelry has not taken off as quickly and successfully as dog jewelry. However, if you wanted to decorate your cat, there are plenty of places to turn for unique pieces that look great and do not cost much.


Cats do look great without any jewelry and some cats are so finicky that they would not allow an owner to dress them in a cat collar or other decoration. Many cat owners will turn to plastic tabs to keep cats from removing collars. Once you get your cat to keep a collar on, you can begin to choose items that showcase your cat’s temperament.


Jewelry designers have the same kind of fun creating for cats as they do for people. They create pieces out of leather, beads, metals, and plastics. If you have a dainty, princess-like kitty, a beautiful, exquisite beaded collar only adds to a cat’s royal air. These are easy to find from online shops and boutiques that feature unique items. Etsy is another good place to look.


It was only time that cats were given their own jewelry. For thousands of years, people have been wearing images of cats in their jewelry. From the ancient Egyptians to the lovers of Hello Kitty, cats are a fashionable option for pins, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. They have also been featured on royal headdresses.

Cats have also been featured in small decorative objects. In nations all over the world, cats have had a unique historical role. Some countries actually worshipped them and created altars to the feline creatures. Museums are filled with objects of art from different types of stones and metals. Since their are so many jewelry designers who create customized pieces today, you could have a customized piece created with your cat so you can show the world what your cat means to you.


Even the big cats of the world have made their way into the fashion world. Cheetah, tiger, and panthers have been portrayed in jewelry and on fabrics. The idea of wearing a strong, ferocious cat is an appealing notion to people all over the world. People today even wear headpieces with cat ears to show their love of the animals.

Sleeping Kitty Cat Trinket Box from Chasingtreasure.com with 24k detail $32.95

At Chasing Treasure, we have the perfect gift for cat lovers and jewelry fans. For those who enjoy showing their love of felines, we have a small cat trinket box. Our jewelry boxes are the perfect size to protect and store pieces of feline jewelry, either for the cats or not. Our fine wood jewelry boxes can enhance a room that is decorated with feline style. For example, our bubinga wood would fit perfectly in a home decorated with prints from animals like cheetahs and leopards.

Find a Credentialed Jeweler

Once you have a beautiful jewelry box from Chasing Treasure, it is time to fill it with equally beautiful jewelry. It may seem like buying jewelry is an easy task, but if you do not know what you are looking for, you can easily be taken advantage of. The best thing to do before you purchase any valuable jewelry is to find a jeweler with credentials. These dedicated professionals are skilled at identifying quality pieces that will bring their customers joy for many generations.


Credentialed jewelers will have initials listed after their names. Customers are often unaware of what those initials mean. Each fall, the American Gem Society requires members to undergo recertification. Each member has to read abstracts and full articles about the latest research on gemology. Then, they have to take tests to prove their knowledge on the subject.


The exam is created by the American Gem Society’s Director of Gemology and Education. This expert writes the recertification exams and grades them, too. The director understands the importance of buying fine gemstones and jewelry from credentialed jewelers.


Because jewelry is an investment, it should be treated that way. Families use accountants to help them with tax information and wealth managers to help them with investing their money. Credentialed jewelers are like the CPA’s of the jewelry world. With their professional development and constant reading, they know what is happening in the world of jewelry so they can alert their customers to potential areas of concern. Their titles differentiate them from the typical retail employee at a shopping mall jewelry store.


Every certified jeweler has to stay up-to-date with the latest treatments and policies with jewelry. They need know about government guidelines along with marketing techniques and rules for appraising pieces. If a jeweler is credentialed, it means that person is truly dedicated to the art of buying and selling jewelry. The jewelry wants what is best for the customer and wants to help people make wise decisions. The typical question on the recertification test will ask about chemical makeup of gems or about flaws that customers might not notice. The questions could also ask about controversial topics in jewelry, like blood diamonds.


When jewelers know about the cuts, treatments, and enhancements, they can pass that information onto their customers. Most jewelry buyers are not aware that cuts can hide flaws or that some manufacturers will enhance gems to get the most fire out of them. The way that manufacturers alter the gemstones can increase or reduce the value, which can affect the investment potential of the piece. Credentialed jewelers will be able to give advice about caring for pieces of jewelry and if the pieces require too much care, customers need to know. They should also be able to tell if a gem is authentic or if it has been filled with glass. Some trends have become commonplace in the market, and an untrained jewelry might not know the difference between a glass-filled ruby and an authentic one.


When it comes to buying jewelry, knowledge is power.

Favorite Gemstones for Gift Giving

Now that the holiday season is here, it is time to start thinking about what to give your loved one. A jewelry box from Chasing Treasures is always a great gift, and it becomes even more special if you fill it with a beautiful piece of jewelry. Here are some suggestions for gifts that will be treasured forever:



Sapphires


Sapphires are always a good choice. Even though this gemstone is the birthstone for September, it is a beautiful stone that has been popular for generations. Rumor has it that the stone brings good luck and protects people from harm.


This classic gemstone regularly comes in a variety of colors, ranging from green to violet. The most popular color is blue, especially if the blue is in the medium range or has a touch of violet in it. The gem also comes in more exotic colors that cover the spectrum of the rainbow. Jewelers are beginning to carry sapphires in unexpected shades, so you should be able to find pink sapphires or green sapphires in local jewelry stores.


The sapphire is a popular choice for gifts because it is a gem that can be worn with any style. The bright blue stone looks lovely with diamonds and with white gold or platinum. The gem is radiant and catches the eye when the light strikes it. Blue is always in fashion and so are the different shades. Celebrities often wear sapphires and they can be a unique choice for an engagement ring. Sapphires are a hard gemstone, weighing in at 9, under the 10 that diamonds receive. They are durable enough to wear everyday without having to worry about dents and scratches. They can also handle chemicals and heat, so they are safe to wear in most work environments.


Rubies


Rubies have been a favorite gemstone for many years, too. The lovely red stone brings health, wisdom, and love. The gem is said to stir the senses and the imagination. Like the sapphire, a real ruby is durable. It is given a 9 rating, like the sapphire, so it can worn every day.


Interestingly, a fine ruby is a rare gem to find. If you are able to find one, the best color is vivid red with a bit of purple in it. Rubies and sapphires are related, so if the gems is loaded with orange or seems to light to be a ruby, it is probably a colored sapphire.


If you choose to give a ruby, you are giving the stone that represents love. The gem is said to protect people from enemies, which is enhanced by the love it represents. The ruby is the gemstone for July birthdays, as well as the gem for couples who are celebrating their 15th and 40th anniversaries.


Pearls


Pearls have been popular gifts for centuries, too. They date back to the Roman Empire and they were popular during the reign of King Henry the Eighth and his daughter Queen Elizabeth. They are not gems like sapphires and rubies because these actually come from creatures living in the sea. Also unlike rubies and sapphires, they require no polishing or fancy cuts. If you give a gift of pearls, the natural ones are prettier than the cultured pearls. This is the birthstone for June, but the gem is loved by people born in the other 11 months, too.