Choosing a Manufacturing Career

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Choosing a Manufacturing Career

I worked in a soda factory right out of high school. It paid well, and I liked getting free soda. I didn't realize that my random job would actually help me choose a major once I started college later that year. I became really fascinated with the way factories and manufacturing worked. It was literally a well-oiled machine. Everybody had a job and every machine had a purpose. If one thing failed, the whole plant had to shut down. I liked working there so much that I decided to major in manufacturing. Read more on my blog about manufacturing and processing topics. Maybe you'll learn that a manufacturing career is right for you, too!

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2 Colorful Stones That Brighten Artisanal Jewelry

Brilliant colors and bold statements are making the rounds in the jewelry industry. Jewelry makers can opt for any choice of materials for a specific piece, but some materials are more desirable than cheaper products like acrylic or wood. Take a look at these two colorful stones that artisanal jewelry makers think are special enough to make the cut for their craft.

Opals

Opals have been in use for jewelry for centuries, but don't let opals fool you into thinking they are only good for your grandmother's old-fashioned brooch or in other clunky, outdated settings. Common opals are usually solid, pale colors like yellow, pink, or white, while other specimens have more exciting color choices.

This unique stone is increasing in popularity because of its iridescent tendency to flash different colors when tilted in certain lighting conditions. In fact, these types of opals almost rival diamonds with their sparkles showy enough for some wearers to opt for opals over diamonds in certain settings.

Opals come in a range of fantastic colors. For example, the fire opal is translucent and comes in a range of reds, oranges, and yellows. The stunning black opal from Lightning Ridge is a sea of swirling deep blues.

Because opals are relatively soft and can scratch, look for jewelry pieces that house opals safely within a bezel rather thanin a more raised prong setting. A bezel will better help to protect an opal from impact and abrasions.

Peridot

Jewelry collectors don't need to wait for their 16-year wedding anniversary to enjoy peridot, a bright olive green stone.

This stone is unique in that it can only form in molten rock of the upper mantle and not in the Earth's crust. Because of this, peridots found on the surface are often worn and of a lesser quality due to transport. For instance, the famous Papakolea beach on the island of Hawaii derives its hue to many tiny particles of peridot. Small enough to form sand, the peridot specks are beautiful but, unfortunately, heavily weathered and worthless.

Iron amounts within a stone help determine the quality of its green tint. For example, some peridots will appear yellow or brownish-green rather than olive green. These color differences are still enough to let jewelry wearers experience a range of color for necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

Consider peridot, opal, and other unique stones for future artisanal jewelry pieces. You can expect a range of color options to make the statement you're searching for. Contact a jewelry manufacturing company to learn more.


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