Saturday, February 14, 2009

Crystal Gift – A Gift For All Occasions

When it comes to gift giving, few items come close in popularity to a crystal gift. The versatility and affordability of crystal lends it to gift-giving of all varieties. Subsequently, you will often see crystal gifts on the bridal registries of many a newly engaged couple; and it’s no wonder. Dazzling and sophisticated, crystal can decorate a home with classic style or perform a variety of functions with a unique flair.
Nothing matches the versatility of the crystal gift. Crystal, because of its lead content, is softer and more pliable than glassware. Therefore, it can be cut and etched in a variety of creative ways allowing the manufacturer to give it simple, clean lines or distinctive and unusual cuts that throw light in a unique way. Also because of its lead content, crystal has a weight to it that glass does not, giving it a solid kind of elegance.
When it comes to giving a crystal gift, there are a variety of items from which to choose; you can opt for a functional crystal gift that can be used on a frequent basis; or you can opt for decorative crystal gift items that will add to the décor of the home.
Function crystal gift items include stemware that can be used for serving water, wine, champagne, and other cocktails. You can also find a beautiful array of crystal serving bowls perfect for use during a dinner party or celebratory occasion. A crystal gift of this kind can serve to not only brighten a table but also add a measure of elegance to any meal.
A crystal gift of the decorative kind could include such things as a crystal picture frame, crystal vase, or crystal lamp base. Because of its ability to refract light, a crystal gift can open up a room, giving it a bright, open quality. A decorative crystal gift can stay in a family for generations, serving to remind the receiver of a special time in their lives or the person who gave them this special gift.
For easy to understand, in depth information about crystal gift visit our ezGuide 2 Crystals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Bery

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

What Is A Crystal? And How To Test It

Crystal are use to keep the frequency of the clock from drifting. If the signal from this clock stops, or is weak, or the pulses begin to vary, the electronic equipments might show intermittent faults or might stop altogether. The microprocessor pins that hold the crystal are usually called OSC IN and OSC OUT as shown in Figure 1 and the frequency is marked on the crystal. Typical examples of crystal oscillator frequency are 3.58MHZ, 4MHZ, 8MHZ, 24MHZ etc.
Testing CrystalCrystals are quite fragile components because of their construction. Unlike a resistor or capacitor, if you drop one on the ground from a decent height, its 50-50 bet whether it will work again. Testing the crystal is not a breeze either. You cannot just take out your trusty multimeter and plug the crystal in it. In fact, there are three right ways to test a crystal: -
(a) Using OscilloscopeA crystal produces a sine wave when excited. It is appropriate then, to see a waveform representative of a sine wave on the clock pins. If the clock is not functioning properly, replace the crystal. In most cases this should solve the problem since microprocessors are usually very reliable. Check the crystal with power on.
(b) Frequency Counter Frequency Counter can be use to check the frequency of the crystal. The reading must be taken when the equipment power is switch “on”. Place the probe of frequency counter to the crystal pin and read the measurement. Be sure that your frequency counter meter has the range that is higher than the crystal frequency you are measuring.
(c) Crystal CheckerWith this method, usually the crystal is placed in the feedback network of a transistor oscillator. If it oscillates and the LED is lighten up, this mean that the crystal is working. If the crystal doesn’t work, the LED stays off. Instead of using LED, some other crystal checker uses a panel meter to indicate if the crystal is working or not.
Jestine Yong is a electronic repairer and writer. For more information about electronic repair please visit his website at http://www.noahtec.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jestine_Yong

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Silver Crystal Jewellery - Use of Swarovski Crystal in Silver Jewellery

Crystal possesses timeless beauty and it is the best material to use in jewelry as it is relatively inexpensive. Use of crystals depends on their types. If you are interested in designing your own jewelry, you should go for the raw items. Raw crystals without polish or shape can be altered as you desire.
These are durable so you can use with any stuff. These items when used in silver jewellery give a dazzling look. Moreover these can be wrapped in pendants. These pendants give very beautiful and different look. Wire wrapping is very common, now-a-days, and you can use different wires for specific purpose. Different varieties of wires are available but you have to select the best wire of your choice to make your jewelry ideal. But it is very important to ensure that the wire you selected suits the other piece. You can use these pendants on different materials like hemp, gold or leather thong but crystal work in silver jewelry is most popular for its beauty.
To wrap crystal in silver, you have to make a base on it and this base is made by adjoining the wire on the crystal base and then tightening it. This base is then mounted on the jewelry item like pendant. Then twisting the wire in a loop few times makes it more secure. Sometimes the wrapping doesn't fit the overall jewelry. In this case you should purchase end caps of jewellery from the jewelers. These caps can be glued on the top.
Beaded form of this jewelry is relatively expensive than the raw type. The use of any polished or worked crystal is more than raw type. Beaded jewellery is available in different shapes and sizes. The durability of this jewelry is the main reason of its popularity and it looks very nice when it is used in silver jewellery designs. Animals and flowers carved in crystals also give a great look.
The world's most renowned crystal is Swarovski. Swarovski beads are very popular throughout the world as they are of good quality and come in different sizes, colors and shapes. It is available from diamond shape to round shape. This makes you to design your own jewelry rather than buying the ready made jewelry. When Swarovski is used in silver, it gives a unique shine. People are attracted towards this type of jewelry when used in silver and is often seen in wedding. It gives perfect look to your wedding dress.
There are many ways to include crystal jewellery in your decor. Silver is the choice that can't be missed for any occasion especially for the wedding because silver jewellery is versatile and always in style. When used with crystal, it makes a great combination to wear.
Please visit our site for full information like history, designs, types, buying tips, caring tips, cleaning tips, importance and all other important aspects of all Jewellery items and its different types and designs. You will find tons of articles on all popular jewellery designs and types like Silver Jewellery.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Imran_Ali