You must have a brand identity different from the rest because just as you can't sell a homogeneous product line to a customer, you can't sell yourself as a strong brand to your friends, family and colleagues, if you haven't developed a unique selling proposition (USP) around your brand. If the jeans you wear are branded, the watch on your wrist is branded, the burger you ate for lunch was branded (okay, the salad you ate…), the company you run or work for is branded --- why not brand yourself, too?
A brand or what set you uniquely apart from others is, after all, a piece of real estate that someone owns in the mind of someone else. But to own this property you have to first invest in it. Ask yourself: Have you taken the trouble to invest in yourself?
I learned long ago that we can change the face of commerce for women and unleash her entrepreneurial spirit simply by branding each one differently and celebrating her individuality. The launch of my company was fueled by my desire to reach out to their women and share with them techniques of loving themselves and succeeding in whatever they happen to be doing at any point in their lives. To me it became crystal clear, right at the onset that every woman deserves to have a personal style that reflects her essence. I discovered mine through perseverance; do you have the courage to discover yours? This is the question that you need to ask yourself over and over again.
You have to also ask yourself: What is my job for me? What are my relationships for me? What do I want from my life and career? Can I not drop all care and worries and learn to live life again, as a game? Can I not develop a child's attitude to life?
Gradually, you will begin to discover answers. And, then you will feel more empowered. This process will begin to fuel new creativity in you and help you discover a passion for life. The reason I am sharing all this is because I did the same. It was such a life-transforming experience that I want more people to benefit from it. Your passion and play will easily translate into actions and ways of being, which define your brand. Just start taking steps to be yourself and let your uniqueness blossom.
All this and more can be accomplished with a little trust in yourself and your uniqueness. No one in this world is perfect, but then, that's no excuse for not striving for beautification, excellence, and most importantly, establishing your own unique brand!
Copyright (c) 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, dba MMC Style
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
World Famous Diamonds
The Earth Star - No Picture
The Earth Star was found in the Jagersfontein Mine in 1967. It was cut from a raw stone of about 248.9 carats into a Pear shaped stone weighing 111.59 carats. At the time it was considered the largest faceted brown diamond in the world. This particular stone shows a degree of brilliance that is not usually found in gems with such a strong color. It was sold in 1983 to Stephen Zbova of Naples for $900,000.
Eureka Diamond
This gem is not exceptional but it was the very first diamond found in South Africa. It was found by a shepherd boy in 1866 on the bank of the Orange River near Hopetown. It was passed from hand to hand by several people without it becoming know that it was a diamond until Dr. W. G. Atherstone of Grahamstone came into possession of the pebble. Dr Atherstone was one of the very few people in the Cape colony who knew anything about gemstones. It was cut into a 21.25 brownish yellow diamond and sold in 1867.
Excelsior Diamond
This stone was found at the Jagersfontein mine by one of the workers in a shovel full of gravel. Instead of giving it to his overseer as was required he hid it in his pocket and gave it directly to the Mine Manager. This 995.2 carat diamond has suffered a tragic fate ever since and is considered to be the Great Unknown of famous diamonds. It just happened to be found on the exact day that a consortium of London firms that had the purchase rights to the mines output expired. Had the diamond been found a couple of hours earlier the history of the Excelsior Diamond may have been much different. The Excelsior Diamond is the second largest rough diamond of gem quality ever found only surpassed by the Cullinan diamond. Since a buyer could not be found for such a large stone it was decided to cut the stone into a number of smaller stones the largest being only 69.68 carats. It was stated by Alpheus F. Williams, who later became the General Manager of the De Beers company, considering the decision to cleave the diamond into several smaller fragments as the greatest tragedy of modern times in the history of famous diamond in the world. In 1996 it was sold to Robert Mouawad for $2,642,000.
Florentine Diamond - Cubic Zirconium replication
This is another of the Great Lost famous diamonds of the world. Only black and white photos exist of this famous stone prior to its disappearance in 1921. It is a 137.27-carat diamond with light yellow colorations with very slight greenish overtones. Legend has it that Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy was warring it when he fell in battle in 1467. The diamond was then found on the body by a foot solder that though it was glass. It is thought to have been owned by Pope Julius II, The Grand duke of Tuscany in 1657, and later as part of the Hapsburg Crown Jewels. It is believed to have been re-cut into an 80 carat round diamond that was sold in 1981 and its present location is unknown.
The Golden Jubilee
This diamond is currently considered as the largest faceted diamond in the whole world at 545.67 carts. Also known as the fire rose cut diamond, this diamond has a unique fancy yellow-brown color that made it one of the most beautiful pieces of stone ever unearthed. It received its name when it was presented to the King of Thailand in 1997 for his 50th anniversary of his coronation.
The Earth Star was found in the Jagersfontein Mine in 1967. It was cut from a raw stone of about 248.9 carats into a Pear shaped stone weighing 111.59 carats. At the time it was considered the largest faceted brown diamond in the world. This particular stone shows a degree of brilliance that is not usually found in gems with such a strong color. It was sold in 1983 to Stephen Zbova of Naples for $900,000.
Eureka Diamond
This gem is not exceptional but it was the very first diamond found in South Africa. It was found by a shepherd boy in 1866 on the bank of the Orange River near Hopetown. It was passed from hand to hand by several people without it becoming know that it was a diamond until Dr. W. G. Atherstone of Grahamstone came into possession of the pebble. Dr Atherstone was one of the very few people in the Cape colony who knew anything about gemstones. It was cut into a 21.25 brownish yellow diamond and sold in 1867.
Excelsior Diamond
This stone was found at the Jagersfontein mine by one of the workers in a shovel full of gravel. Instead of giving it to his overseer as was required he hid it in his pocket and gave it directly to the Mine Manager. This 995.2 carat diamond has suffered a tragic fate ever since and is considered to be the Great Unknown of famous diamonds. It just happened to be found on the exact day that a consortium of London firms that had the purchase rights to the mines output expired. Had the diamond been found a couple of hours earlier the history of the Excelsior Diamond may have been much different. The Excelsior Diamond is the second largest rough diamond of gem quality ever found only surpassed by the Cullinan diamond. Since a buyer could not be found for such a large stone it was decided to cut the stone into a number of smaller stones the largest being only 69.68 carats. It was stated by Alpheus F. Williams, who later became the General Manager of the De Beers company, considering the decision to cleave the diamond into several smaller fragments as the greatest tragedy of modern times in the history of famous diamond in the world. In 1996 it was sold to Robert Mouawad for $2,642,000.
Florentine Diamond - Cubic Zirconium replication
This is another of the Great Lost famous diamonds of the world. Only black and white photos exist of this famous stone prior to its disappearance in 1921. It is a 137.27-carat diamond with light yellow colorations with very slight greenish overtones. Legend has it that Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy was warring it when he fell in battle in 1467. The diamond was then found on the body by a foot solder that though it was glass. It is thought to have been owned by Pope Julius II, The Grand duke of Tuscany in 1657, and later as part of the Hapsburg Crown Jewels. It is believed to have been re-cut into an 80 carat round diamond that was sold in 1981 and its present location is unknown.
The Golden Jubilee
This diamond is currently considered as the largest faceted diamond in the whole world at 545.67 carts. Also known as the fire rose cut diamond, this diamond has a unique fancy yellow-brown color that made it one of the most beautiful pieces of stone ever unearthed. It received its name when it was presented to the King of Thailand in 1997 for his 50th anniversary of his coronation.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Garnet Jewelry - Express your love
Garnet is the birthstone for people born in the month of January and it is supposed to contain powers that will facilitate your night vision and help you to achieve success. It is also the traditional stone that symbolizes the second marriage anniversary. In the past, some archeologists have found different types of garnet jewelry in the lake dweller graves. According to them, garnet was a popular form of jewelry in the Bronze Age. Today, you can find garnet mines in India, Brazil, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Siberia and Africa.
Not all the garnets are a high quality gem but the ones that are of high quality, they are more than just priceless. You buy a garnet ring once, it is for life! They are available in a broad spectrum of colors except in blue. You will find a vibrant orange garnet ring, lime green garnet ear rings, pink garnet in affordable jewelry, and even shades of violet.
Garnet consists of certain minerals like Pyralspites (aluminum), Ugrandites (calcium), Pyrope, Uvarovite, Almandine, Andradite etc. Apart from pure varieties of garnets, there are some mixed varieties like malaia or malaya, and grandite. Another type of garnet comes in a hue of purple and it is called rhodolite. As far as the color of garnet is concerned, there is a special type of garnet called the Spessartite garnet.
Spessartite garnet is ideochromatic, which means that is gets its color from magnesium. Magnesium produces the vibrant orange in garnets, which has become irresistible and popular. Now if you mix some iron in the form of almadine, then the garnet will produce a deeper red color, more like the red wine and is as intoxicating. Did you know that the garnet actually got its name from the Latin word granatum meaning grain?
Garnets are available in two different forms, the igneous and the metamorphosed rock formations. These rocks are formed due to intense heat like the one produced by volcanoes. Garnets hold a strong reputation of being tough and they are used as a gemstone and also in the abrasive industry. It is an excellent substitute for mineral slag and sand in blast cleaning treatments.
One of the new found type of garnet is the Spessarite garnet. Most Spessartite garnets are available in three different categories. The light colored garnet and bright ones with deep orange or red color comes from Nigeria. There is the spectacular tangerine orange or mandarin garnets, which come from Namibia and they are a class by themselves. The Spessartite garnet has a deep red color but it will look its best in incandescent light. So if you are planning to buy one then check it under the incandescent light. The garnet is quite a strong stone and measures 6.5 to 7.5 on the Moh’s scale and this means that it can stand the test of time just your love. When you gift a garnet then it becomes symbolic of your love and devotion for that person.
Not all the garnets are a high quality gem but the ones that are of high quality, they are more than just priceless. You buy a garnet ring once, it is for life! They are available in a broad spectrum of colors except in blue. You will find a vibrant orange garnet ring, lime green garnet ear rings, pink garnet in affordable jewelry, and even shades of violet.
Garnet consists of certain minerals like Pyralspites (aluminum), Ugrandites (calcium), Pyrope, Uvarovite, Almandine, Andradite etc. Apart from pure varieties of garnets, there are some mixed varieties like malaia or malaya, and grandite. Another type of garnet comes in a hue of purple and it is called rhodolite. As far as the color of garnet is concerned, there is a special type of garnet called the Spessartite garnet.
Spessartite garnet is ideochromatic, which means that is gets its color from magnesium. Magnesium produces the vibrant orange in garnets, which has become irresistible and popular. Now if you mix some iron in the form of almadine, then the garnet will produce a deeper red color, more like the red wine and is as intoxicating. Did you know that the garnet actually got its name from the Latin word granatum meaning grain?
Garnets are available in two different forms, the igneous and the metamorphosed rock formations. These rocks are formed due to intense heat like the one produced by volcanoes. Garnets hold a strong reputation of being tough and they are used as a gemstone and also in the abrasive industry. It is an excellent substitute for mineral slag and sand in blast cleaning treatments.
One of the new found type of garnet is the Spessarite garnet. Most Spessartite garnets are available in three different categories. The light colored garnet and bright ones with deep orange or red color comes from Nigeria. There is the spectacular tangerine orange or mandarin garnets, which come from Namibia and they are a class by themselves. The Spessartite garnet has a deep red color but it will look its best in incandescent light. So if you are planning to buy one then check it under the incandescent light. The garnet is quite a strong stone and measures 6.5 to 7.5 on the Moh’s scale and this means that it can stand the test of time just your love. When you gift a garnet then it becomes symbolic of your love and devotion for that person.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Zoppini Charms Bracelets Are Charming
The new charm bracelets have arrived! The old style of charm bracelets went out quite some time ago, but it seems that America has revived the charm bracelet, not by creating a new style, but by picking up on a great style of charm bracelet that comes from Italy. They're called Zoppini Charms, and you've probably seen one of these bracelets without knowing what it was. These charms are not the old kind of dangle charms that all dangle off of a silver bracelet; these charms make up the bracelet itself.
How it works is that you get a starter bracelet, to which you add charms. In principle, it sounds just like that charm bracelet you had as a child, but the look of Zoppini charms is totally different from the look of the charm bracelets of our youth. Zoppini charms are each rectangular charms that band together and go all away around the wrist. The end result is in a bold, chunky, geometrical bracelet instead of a floppy, klinking bracelet like the traditional charm bracelet.
Zoppini charms are all the rage in America, in addition to being popular in Italy and across Europe. There are, therefore, a large number of websites from which you can order the charms if you are interested in creating your own Zoppini Charm Bracelet. It is also an excellent idea for a gift for a child. Although the charms that you add to the bracelet follow the same idea as charms to a regular charm bracelet, Zoppini charms are less iconic than the old style of charms were. It wasn't always evident that that little silver charm was a dog and not a wolf, but then, it didn't really matter if people could tell exactly what charms you had on your bracelet.
Zoppini charms are generally pictorial, so a heart charm is very noticeably a heart because it is red and it is a two-dimensional picture of a heart instead of a three-dimensional silver blob of a heart. In general, Zoppini charms are much easier to figure out what each charm depicts.
Now, in the internet age, you can even upload a picture of your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your dog or your cat, onto a website that makes Zoppini charms and you will get a custom charm in the mail with the picture you uploaded blazoned across the front. In this way, Zoppini Charm Bracelets are much more personalized than the traditional charm bracelet ever was. On the other hand, you can simply choose charm links that are a smooth gemstone rectangle. This results in a very beautiful bracelet that nobody would know you have fashioned yourself, but you'll never come across someone with an exact duplicate of it because it is truly your own creation.
How it works is that you get a starter bracelet, to which you add charms. In principle, it sounds just like that charm bracelet you had as a child, but the look of Zoppini charms is totally different from the look of the charm bracelets of our youth. Zoppini charms are each rectangular charms that band together and go all away around the wrist. The end result is in a bold, chunky, geometrical bracelet instead of a floppy, klinking bracelet like the traditional charm bracelet.
Zoppini charms are all the rage in America, in addition to being popular in Italy and across Europe. There are, therefore, a large number of websites from which you can order the charms if you are interested in creating your own Zoppini Charm Bracelet. It is also an excellent idea for a gift for a child. Although the charms that you add to the bracelet follow the same idea as charms to a regular charm bracelet, Zoppini charms are less iconic than the old style of charms were. It wasn't always evident that that little silver charm was a dog and not a wolf, but then, it didn't really matter if people could tell exactly what charms you had on your bracelet.
Zoppini charms are generally pictorial, so a heart charm is very noticeably a heart because it is red and it is a two-dimensional picture of a heart instead of a three-dimensional silver blob of a heart. In general, Zoppini charms are much easier to figure out what each charm depicts.
Now, in the internet age, you can even upload a picture of your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your dog or your cat, onto a website that makes Zoppini charms and you will get a custom charm in the mail with the picture you uploaded blazoned across the front. In this way, Zoppini Charm Bracelets are much more personalized than the traditional charm bracelet ever was. On the other hand, you can simply choose charm links that are a smooth gemstone rectangle. This results in a very beautiful bracelet that nobody would know you have fashioned yourself, but you'll never come across someone with an exact duplicate of it because it is truly your own creation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
