Cross Pendants - A Symbol of Purity

Cross pendants are splendid way of showing the affection for faith one can wear cross in an attractive and unique piece of jewelry. They are also an ideal gift for special occasions. Cross jewelry can be worn in the form of pendant, key-chain or bracelet. This is part of the necklace that is worn and adorned by many people to enhance their appearance. There are lot of shapes and sizes and themes in the pendant. They can be easily worn either individually or together in the form of a bracelet. They also look very classy. Pendants have a wide spread popularity in all the continents of Asia, Europe, America, and Africa and so on.

It is customary for Catholics to wear cross pendants, irrespective of the location. The symbol cross is widely recognized in spite of the fact that it has its own spiritual belief. It has also attracted people from the tinsel town. Even, Britney spears, spice girls, Madonna, George Michael have sported the cross look in their stage performance possibly to bring good luck.

There has been a growing trend of jewelry in sterling silver. The designs are made with a beautiful combination of multi colored cross in a silver setting. Okay, so if you are wearing the cross, it will become a style statement as well as spiritual. To complete the set, you can also wear matching earrings, bracelets, rings etc to make a complete set. There are many types of cross pendants

Chunky cross - They can be a great gifting idea. They are a bit bulky and heavy. They are more distinctive and less traditional. It is a combination of the Christian faith along with style element in it

Curved cross - They are the most popular ones. They are elegant and classy to your piece of biblical faith.

Diamond cross - It is the current trend these days. They are quite inexpensive and make a perfect gift item for your near and dear ones.

Cross symbolizes and expresses deep message of religion hope and faith. Whether one wears it for a style statement or a non secular belief, or as a cherished jewelry or as a blessing from Lord Jesus, it does not matter. Personally it has an influence and will always remain influenced to mankind symbolizing splendor, power, hope and Go. Cross pendant is a gift that can be cherished throughout your life. Gifting a cross can make the occasion quite memorable. You can gift your wife, fiancé, kids or grandchildren. There are diamond, gold, silver and even stone studded cross pendants. There are some of the catholic crosses which have become best selling.

Some of the best seller crosses are Italian white gold, Black PVC, cross sterling silver, Shiny large pendant and so on. You can buy as per your choice at www.bikerringshop.com. Wear this stylish cross pendant or a simple one and it will bring you closer to god.

Author: Arijit Roul, Freelance Writer

Catholic Crucifix: The Ultimate Symbol of Faith

The Catholic crucifix is the ultimate symbol of the Catholic Church. The representation of Christ as Redeemer and Savior is the central theme of Christianity. The Catholic crucifix serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and love for all men.

The Catholic crucifix is a Latin cross with the Body of Christ (corpus) upon it. It is used to symbolize the redemption of mankind through Christ's sacrifice. The Catholic crucifix is the central symbol of the Catholic faith; no Catholic church in the world is without one.

History of the Catholic crucifix:

The Catholic crucifix was not widely used before the 5th century A.D. Prior to the 5th century the Lamb of God was the most common symbol used to represent Christ.

The Council of Constantinople in 629 A.D. ordered: "That, instead of the lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ will be shown hereafter in His human form in images so that we shall be led to remember His mortal life, His passion, and His death, which paid the ransom for mankind"--this image was the Catholic crucifix.

On the early Catholic crucifix the corpus was usually stylized, but from the 9th century A.D. on medieval artists started to depict increasingly more realistic portrayals of Christ and His suffering. The Renaissance saw a reversion towards more ideally conceived imagery, but the dramatic and more accurate depictions of Christ would return to the Catholic crucifix during the baroque period.

The Catholic crucifix came to be recognized as the universal symbol of Christianity, symbolizing the sacrifice of Christ, and the consequent redemption of mankind. Reformation Protestants in the 16th century, however, rebelled against the use of the Catholic crucifix and stripped the corpus from the cross, so as to but greater emphasis on the Resurrection. Thus, the crucifix came to be identified specifically with the Catholic Church, the bare cross with the "Reformers."

The Catholic crucifix has, over the years, become a powerful symbol in both art and jewelry. By wearing the Catholic crucifix many Christians around the world proudly proclaim their love and faith in Christ as Redeemer. Here is a good page to view the different styles of the Catholic crucifix.

Where is the best place to purchase a Catholic crucifix:

To get an idea of the different styles and prices that are available in a Catholic crucifix it is more convenient to view them online before shopping around at local jewelry stores.

Retail jewelers will sometimes carry a small selection of Catholic crucifixes, but you are more apt to find a greater selection online. Just type "Catholic crucifix " into an Internet search engine like Google or Yahoo and you will find several reliable websites that specialize in the Catholic crucifix.

The cost of a Catholic crucifix is dependent upon many variables. In solid 14K yellow or white gold, Catholic crucifixes should cost about $50 to $300 depending on size.

Faith in Christ, faith in life:

Faith is the central pillar of Christian life. Without faith there would be no hope, and without hope there would be no reason. The Catholic crucifix is the strongest symbol of faith; faith in Christ as Savior and Redeemer. Faith in all that is good and right. The Catholic crucifix is much more than a representation, it is a way of life.

Casey Buell is an expert in the field of religious jewelry, and a contributor to the award winning religious jewelry website located at http://religiousjewelryshop.com/

Catholic Medals

Medals are metal emblems representing a particular feature. Archeologists substantiate that the medals were used during the ancient periods in history. In the middle ages, these medals were not much prevalent in the society. In the later period of history, the medals became popular as sacramental which were blessed by the priests or religious persons. Catholic medals are used to symbolize the faith and devotion to God. They are the medals which represent unique beliefs and practices of the Catholics. The medals have gained much popularity among both Catholics and non-Catholics. However, the medals do not advocate any superstitions. The Catholic teaching preaches that the medals have no inbuilt magical power; it only inspires the need of devotion.

Catholic medals are generally used to remind the divinity of God. The medals include several categories according to the purpose of their use. Some medals are just souvenirs, which include memorial of certain persons, important events, places, etc. Jubilee medals, papal medals, special occasion medals, etc. are included in the commemorative medals. Certain medals are expressions of religious prayers for blessings and protection. This group includes Jesus Christ medals, Virgin Mary medals, Eucharistic medals, etc. Patron saint medals are another category of catholic medals which characterize saints, the mediators for communication with God. Some other medals feature biblical events. The angel medals and crucifixes are also included as Catholic medals.

These medals may be used as religious jewelry. These valuable possessions can be pendants on chains worn around the necks or pinned to the dress. Most of the believers give an important position to the medals in their home, vehicle or office since the medals are a sign of God. The medals are available in a wide variety of designs, made of metals such as gold, silver, platinum, or bronze. White gold is also becoming popular. Some of them are decorated with Swarovski crystals. The patterns of the medals are interesting with carvings of different personalities.

They are considered as suitable gift choices which bring good luck and for adding to a collection. The value of a Catholic medal increases with age. Vintage medals are very costly. Catholic medals are available in the leading Christian stores. Internet provides access to many online shops which have rare collections of these Catholic medals.

Medals provides detailed information on Medals, Custom Medals, Award Medals, Military Medals and more. Medals is affiliated with Baseball Autographs [http://www.i-Autographs.com].

First Communion Medals Are Perfect Gift For Boys Or Girls Celebrating This Holy Day of the Sacrament

If you have a First Communion in the near future then your life is likely a flurry of preparations, and we feel for you. However, there is an important part of the first holy communion ceremony that you don't want to miss. First Communion medals are an integral part of your coming-of-age party and you'll want to choose wisely.

There are quite a variety of First Holy Communion medals that are available, from beautiful medals made of gold or white gold, or silver 1st Communion medals to all sorts of other materials. Many have the words First Communion or First Holy Communion inscribed on them. You can also get your child's name inscribed on the medal.

When looking at religious medals you'll want to make sure that you are getting quality. This is something that represents your child's introduction into the Body of Christ and it should be something that they will treasure, and that will not wear over time. This is why gold and silver are so popular among these types of First Communion jewelry.

The tradition of giving medals for First Communion celebrations can be traced back to the middle ages and is a wonderful tradition as Catholic medals are something that your child can wear to remind him or her at all times of their relationship with Christ, and their responsibility as a member of His Church.

When choosing 1st Holy Communion medals there are some important things to keep in mind. This type of Catholic Jewelry comes in a variety of materials, we've already discussed that, but there are a few others things to look for when choosing First Communion medals. If you are shopping at a Catholic Bookstore, or online at a Catholic website, then much of the work may have been done for you.

However, some other stores and websites sell Catholic Medals, and these may not be the right quality, or they may not be worth the price that is being charged. One thing to keep in mind is how many carats the gold is, and this will determine the price of the medal. First Communion medals from some places may be only gold plated, but may cost almost as much as a fourteen carat gold piece.

This is an item that you'll want to keep safe and nice, so the First Communion medal should come with a case and a chain. The chain should be sturdy with a good clasp so that the medal will not get lost accidentally, and the case should be decorative and made to display the medal in case your child wants to put it on a shelf or desk.

First Communion medals are a terrific way to celebrate this event and make it memorable by providing a keepsake that your child will treasure among their most prized possessions. They will remember their 1st Communion for the rest of their life with a keepsake such as this, and by doing so, remember their commitment to Christ upon the time of the 1st Holy Communion.

A First Communion Medal makes a beautiful gift and keep sake for any child celebrating their First Holy Communion. At FirstCommunionSupplies.com, you can find all the First Communion Supplies you need to ensure this special day is a success.

Etiquette For Religious Wedding Ceremonies

Many couples will choose to have their wedding ceremony in a religious setting. Whatever your faith, there are certain things which may be different about a wedding in a house of worship, both for the bride and groom and their guests. This guide to etiquette for religious wedding ceremonies will ensure that everything goes smoothly on the special day.

These days it is very common for people to have friends and even family members who are of a different religion (or possibly who follow no religion at all). It is also far more common than it used to be for the bride and groom to come from different faiths. All of this diversity can lead to some confusion on the part of the guests. It is up to the bride and groom to make sure that their guests have an understanding of what is happening, and it also falls upon the witnesses at the wedding ceremony to know how to act and what to do in a church (or synagogue or mosque) wedding.

Some people would say that if the bride and groom have a large number of guests who are not members of their religion then they should have a secular or at least a non-denominational marriage service. While it is generally appropriate for the couple to take their guests' comfort into account, it is truly not fair to deny a bride and groom the opportunity to have their union blessed (or in the case of Catholics, to receive the holy sacrament of marriage). This is one of the few parts of the wedding where the couple really does have the right to put their own beliefs and wishes first; that is not to say, however, that they should not attempt to do so in a thoughtful manner.

A very simple thing which the bride and groom can do from the start is to give guests a hint about what is to come with their wedding invitations. The name of the house of worship being listed as the ceremony site should make it obvious to anyone that the ceremony will be religious in nature, of course, but there is more than can be done. It is particularly important that Roman Catholics specify that guests are invited to a Nuptial Mass, if they have opted to have a full Mass with Communion. The Nuptial Mass by its nature is one of the longer wedding ceremonies, and guests appreciate having a sense of what to expect.

When a wedding ceremony is religious in nature, it may include rituals which are unfamiliar to some of the guests. This is when a wedding program can come in really handy for so much more than listing the names of the bridesmaids or thanking your aunt for loaning the bride her pearl wedding jewelry as the "something borrowed". If a couple will be having a Jewish service for instance, it would be very nice to include brief explanations of some of the customs, such as the chuppah, so that people of other faiths can follow along and also so they can have a greater appreciation for the significance of any special rituals. It can also be considerate to include a notation such as, "We invite all those who have been baptized to join in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist" or something to that effect at a Catholic ceremony. That helps guests know what to do; for instance in this case, it would be a polite way of letting non-Christians realize that they should remain seated during Communion.

Wedding guests have a few responsibilities of their own at a religious wedding. Chief among them is to show respect, whether they share the bride and groom's faith or not. This means dressing appropriately in demure clothing with classic accessories like pearl wedding jewelry, rather than showing up in something risque or flashy. When a guest is unfamiliar with the rituals of a particular religion, they should simply do their best to follow along: stand when others stand, sit when they sit, and so forth. Guests should not take part in any religious customs which are reserved for members of a religion to which they do not belong. And last, but not least, wedding guests should refrain from obviously checking their watches to see "how much longer this thing can possibly drag on", even if it is a full Nuptial Mass! With these pointers in mind, the wedding ceremony should be every bit as meaningful and blessed as the bride and groom intended.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com/. We offer a beautiful collection of pearl wedding jewelry for any taste or budget. As our gift to you, all jewelry orders over $99 receive complimentary shipping.

Amethyst Jewelry - A Brief History of Amethyst

A deep violent hue is the hallmark of the finest Amethyst, a gemstone of the quartz variety that is thus also associated with rose quartz, citrine, carnelian, onyx, and chalcedony. Amethyst is generally considered to be the most valuable of the quartz varieties as a semi-precious gemstone. In fact Amethyst jewelry has been treasured since ancient times and people right from ancient Egypt to the Catholic Church have looked upon Amethysts with awe and splendor.

Interesting Facts About Amethyst Facts

Amethyst, being a variety of Quartz comes in various shades ranging from purple to clear white. The former is what is highly prized and sought. Some colors of Amethyst are also specific to a region.
Amethyst is graded as Siberian, Bahain or Uruguayan. This is used on all Amethysts regardless of where they originate with Siberian being the best while Uruguayan being the lowest in grade.

Amethyst make for a very good addition to necklaces and bracelets for a youthful yet modern edge - amethyst is in the privileged position of being able to be present in chip form and retain a degree of sophistication. Amethyst chips pair very well with onyx when crafting a piece that might match a little black evening dress!

As Amethyst ranks in at 7 on the Mohs scale it is regarded as a semi precious stone and is hence not really that expensive. Also if you were to look up online jewelry stores then you can find amethyst jewelry at amazing prices. One thing that you should know is that heating Amethyst can make it look like Citrine so be careful what you purchase online.

If you like the deep violet color of amethysts, then today you have more options than ever -amethyst jewelry can be found online and in retail stores in hundreds of thousands of different shapes and styles and that to at many prices. If you really want to get a good bargain then nothing will beat eBay. Semi-precious jewelry abounds on auction sites like eBay and you will no doubt find plenty of Amethyst jewelry there at literally unbelievable prices! However don't just look at a low price and go for it make sure that you have given it due consideration.

Another place to look is Amazon.com which also offers Amethyst jewelry (or any other jewelry for that matter). You can find amethyst jewelry to suit every budget there. Mostly Amethysts will come installed on Sterling Silver and look spectacular when set in it as the silver greatly accentuates the purple color. However if you feel that yellow gold is more along your lines then surely you can also find a lot of options to look into there as well. If you are looking to bring some peace and positivity energy into your home then Amethyst is what you need to be looking for.

Amethyst jewelry is indeed one of the best choices of jewelry out there. It is especially beautiful when paired with Garnets, diamonds, rubies etc. In fact many of the amethyst jewelry being sold on eBay will come in such paired format. Amethyst jewelry is indeed something that you can pass on to posterity, as it continually brings you and your loved ones joy and protection.

LenYa jewelry is one of the finest suppliers of Amethyst Jewelry. Some of the best Jewelry that is being made today is in Thailand and you will really be amazed at the great quality Amethyst Jewelry that is coming out these days. Check out LenYa Online Jewelry Store for more info.

4 Most Popular Catholic Rings

Religious jewelry has a special significance in our lives. It is not just a piece of jewelry that we wear. Whether we wear a costly catholic ring or we try to cut cost and buy it in a cheaper metal, the importance of it is not diminished. We have our faith and values attached to the ring and therefore this jewelry remains dear to us more than most of our pricey possessions.

Having said that, let us have a look at the 4 most popular catholic rings:

14k Gold English Catholic Ring
One of the most popular catholic rings are made with 14 carat gold. It is in yellow gold. The ring is sturdily made and has the message inscribed on it. The message on it is mentioned clearly. The beauty of these rings lies in its message and in the way the message has been embossed on the rings. It has beautiful message about seeking forgiveness from Lord and forgiving others, and keeping away from vices and earthly temptations.
When you wear this beautiful ring, you are sure to feel closer to thee, and lead the life he wants us to be.


14k Gold English Catholic Diamond Ring
This ring is made in white gold. The outer ends of the rings are studded with diamonds and the message is inscribed in the inner layer. The clear message with letters embossed in white gold and surrounded by diamonds on both the sides makes this ring truly invaluable. White gold is the trendiest jewelry these days. Thus, you have a chance to blend religious beliefs with style. This ring will be a treasure for you and your family. As the message is so clear in the ring, unknowingly, you will feel much closer to thee.


Sterling Silver English Catholic Ring W/ Diamonds
Silver rings are considered to be great style statements. These are also available for a lesser price as compared to the gold rings. The beauty of this ring is enhanced with the diamonds. The combination of three dimensional finishing of the embossed letters and the diamonds look truly amazing.


Korean Catholic Rings
These have messages inscribed in Korean. The rings are available in wide variety, such as 14 carat gold, sterling silver rings with diamonds, 14 carat gold with diamonds. Certain emotions are best described in your own language and this is true for religious rings as well. So, when you wear it in the same language as you say prayers, the feeling will be eternal. You will feel closure to your roots and at the same time, feel one with thee. Just as Korean rings, religious rings are available in Spanish too. Spanish rings are available in gold, silver and in diamond studded design, both in silver and gold.

However advanced we may feel, or however modern we may look outwardly, deep inside, we still feel the fear, still feel the need to be nestled and taken care of, and the religious rings do just that.

Let's have a Quick Recap:

The 4 Most Popular Catholic Rings in Religious Jewelry section are:

o 14k Gold English Catholic Ring

o 14k Gold English Diamond Ring

o Sterling Silver English Ring W/ Diamonds

o Korean Catholic Rings

You can buy your choice of Religious Jewelry.