Pocket Watches, Old School or New Trend

As the saying goes, "All things old, become new again"...so is with the era of the pocket watch. These classically elegant creations need no introduction, but are they just charming old reminders of years gone by or rather an important timekeeping fashion element worth bringing back? Luxury watches are produced in all shapes and sizes, but what they all have in common is that sense of allure and opulence. We are drawn to them, because of their beauty and chic design. In a word, they are unique...doesn't that properly describe the old world look of the pocket watch? Let's look at why these pocket sized pieces became popular in the first place and why many of us are returning to them:

• These collections used to be seen as an obvious sign of success and achievement. They were considered the most accurate and precise timekeepers around, as well as being quite stylish. Because of growing technology, these pieces were replaced by digital units. The pocket versions were looked at as being too large and cumbersome, once the wristwatch came into play, and eventually they all but disappeared from the industry.

• The comeback of the pocket timepiece is largely due to their aesthetic appeal. More and more of us are becoming taken with the idea of a charming timepiece dangling from a delicate gold or steel chain. Their uniqueness creates an individual look and makes the wearer stand out in a crowd.

Is this style right for you? Only time will tell.

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Buying Guide for a Mikimoto Pearl Necklace

The highest quality cultured pearl necklaces are those produced and created by Mikimoto. These pearls are known for their unparalleled beauty and brilliance. It is said that once you wear Mikimoto pearls, any other kind of pearl will seem second-rate. Mikimoto pearls are so refined in quality that its fans include the royal families of Britain and Japan, Marilyn Monroe and Monaco's Princess Grace.

Here are some information on what Mikimoto cultured pearls are, where they came from and how to buy them.

How pearls are formed

A pearl is the result of an oyster or mollusks' reaction to an irritant that invades its shell. To try to protect itself, the mollusk secretes a crystalline substance called nacre which builds up in layers upon layers, surrounding the irritant. When this happens, a pearl is born.

Pearls have been cultured for centuries not just in Japan, but in other countries as well. Much of the products result to semispherical pearls, also called mabe pearls from the oyster that grew them, and not in the more coveted spherical pearls. It was Kokichi Mikimoto who developed a special technique to induce oysters to create a round pearl.

The man behind the name

Cultured pearls as we know them, owe a lot to Kokichi Mikimoto, the man who perfected the pearl culturing method that is still used today. Contrary to popular belief, he did not invent the industry although he did play a very significant role in advancing the techniques which contributed to the improvement in cultured pearl quality.

Mikimoto, the son of a noodle restaurant owner, was born in 1885 in Toba City, Japan. He was first introduced to pearls when he started raising oysters. Around this time, Japan was already trading pearls with other countries and pearl oysters were in danger of becoming over-harvested. Mikimoto decided to concentrate on experiments in seeding oysters and producing pearls.

The first endeavors were failures. Mikimoto and his colleagues repeatedly encountered disappointing results, due in part to uncontrollable factors like water temperature and red tide. But this did nothing to dissuade Mikimoto from his dream.

His efforts paid off eventually. On July 11, 1893, with his wife Ume, he discovered a beautiful pearl in one of his oysters. He never looked back since. By the time he died in 1954, the highly honored Mikimoto had successfully advocated and promoted cultured pearls and opened markets all over the world. Today, his name is synonymous to the highest quality cultured pearls.

Buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace

Pearl necklaces come in several lengths. From the shortest to the longest, they are: collar (10"-13"), choker (14"-16"), princess (18"-20"), matinee (20"-24"), opera (28"-34") and rope (37" and longer). The length of the pearl necklace will depend on the woman's age, body composition and neck size, although an 18 to 24-inch pearl necklace is a good length for anyone. Generally speaking, the longer the necklace, the more it 'elongates' the neck.

The mark of "M"

Every jewelry created by Mikimoto including pearl necklaces, has an "M" stamped on its setting. This is a guarantee of quality. However, in some cases, the mark of "M" will only guarantee that the setting is genuine and not the pearls, which can be replaced and restrung.

A caveat: there is a black market for Mikimoto clasps, where original Mikimoto clasps are used for cheaper or imitation-quality pearls. Beware also of 'closeout' Mikimoto sales, even if they come in 'new' 18k gold.

The best way to distinguish a true high-quality Mikimoto pearl from other pearls is to look for a unique road map or line pattern on the surface of the pearls under a 10x magnifying lens. Experienced jewelers can recognize this. On your own, you will want to find genuine Mikimoto pearls to compare with your intended purchase. Once you see the difference, true Mikimoto pearls are easily recognizable.

You might also encounter pearl necklaces that are labeled 'Mikimoto quality'. This is misleading. These are not pearls produced under the patented Mikimoto process. True Mikimoto pearl necklaces are those produced under stringent conditions in Ise in Honshu, Japan.

Akoya vs. Mikimoto

Another fine quality pearl is akoya pearls, although this is a general term used to refer to saltwater pearls. These are not Mikimoto pearls and they don't cost the same.

Grading method

Mikimoto pearls are rated using four grades, with AAA being the highest. There are 4 sub-grades starting with AAA1. Highest-grade pearls are those with the best luster and reflective quality, almost mirror-like, while lower-grade pearls are those with reasonably clear reflection.

When buying your Mikimoto pearl necklace, be sure to ask for grading certificates. This is not only good for insurance, but it is also a guarantee that what you are paying for is a true Mikimoto pearl necklace.

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How To Teach Your Child To Tell Time With A Watch

Children love to learn new things. Learning how to tell time can be really fun for a child who has their own watch. It is even more fun if you give them a new watch with one of their favorite characters from Disney or their favorite cartoon. Here is how you can teach your child to tell time with their very own watch.

Encourage them with a new character watch. Let them know that they are an important "big kid" now, and they are responsible enough to tell time. Awarding them with a new analog watch will make them feel special and they will be excited to learn how to use it. Cartoon characters on the watch will add an element of light-heartedness and fun to the whole experience. Make sure that the watch is not digital, because that would defeat the whole purpose of this idea.

Next, teach them about the two main hands on the watch. One hand is for the minute, that is the longer hand, and the shorter hand is for the hour. It is even better if the watch has a second hand, so that they can practice counting the seconds. Teach them that there are 60 seconds to every minute, and 60 minutes to every hour. To keep track of the minutes on the watch, your children will have to learn to count by fives. Practice counting by five with them, out load, so that they can get used to it.

Once your child is used to the basics of reading the watch and counting time, pop quiz them, in a fun way, at different times. Ask them what time it is when they are ready to leave for school, and when they get home. When you go out, leave your watch at home, and ask them to keep time for you. Ask them what time it is every once in a while, so they will feel smart and important.

If your child makes a mistake, don't call them stupid or make them feel bad. Look at the watch with them and help them count. Figure out what mistake they made, and help them realize what they did wrong so they won't make the same mistake again. Watches can be tricky sometimes, especially near the end of the hour.

Your child with love their new watch, and have fun telling you what time it is. It's a great way to bond with your kids.

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