Gold Byzantine Chains

Jerusalem: A city of history and holiness

"Ten parts of beauty gave God to mankind; nine to Jerusalem, and one to the remainder."

So says Jewish tradition.

We had been in Israel several times each, and I have several relatives there (in a rapidly growing family). My husband's grandfather moved there in his old age and is buried near Jerusalem. My kids had also made the trip in 1999, and the younger one returned for what was "work" for my husband (giving lectures) and fun for us.

To some residents of the country, Jerusalem can be "oppressive" in its holiness. They may prefer the business and cultural center (cum beach along the Mediterranean) of Tel-Aviv or the natural beauty, secularism and labor-oriented northern city of Haifa, built on a mountain like San Francisco with beaches of its own. But without doubt, to the many inhabitants of the increasingly crowded Holy City, and to the hordes of tourists, diplomats and pilgrims who visit Israel, Jerusalem is the most fascinating place in Israel.

It is, first of all, the city Israel considers its capital, where the Knesset (Parliament), prime minister and president's residences and Supreme Court reside. The Old City and East Jerusalem are claimed by the Palestinians despite the city's reunification in 1967 after the Six-Day War. The United States, for one, doesn't recognize Jerusalem and retains its Embassy in Tel-aviv. The name of the city captured by King David some 3,000 years ago means "peace," yet has been the site of so much war.

Incomparable beauty

It's a city of history and holiness, malls and museums. But it's also a city of incomparable beauty. What makes Jerusalem so special from a purely physical perspective? The mountainous terrain, perhaps. The punsters say that everywhere you walk in the city, you're walking up. Perhaps it's the breeze that picks up in the afternoon, even if the day had been hot and dry. The contrast between hot days - especially during times of "hamsin," the hot, desert wind - and the cool nights. Or the light. Not just the beautiful string of jewel-like artificial lights that illuminate the Old City Walls and elsewhere, but the natural light. The city has been described as made of "gold, copper and light." Or maybe it's the fragrant pine trees or the sense that every inch of green is appreciated by a water-dependent culture.

What makes Jerusalem so fascinating? Certainly an awareness that one one is walking in the footsteps of kings and prophets, pilgrims and Crusaders. One guide said everyone comes to Israel looking for ancient stones, but I love the diversity within uniformity - all the buildings in the city are made of a limestone called "Jerusalem Stone." This was a law passed by the British when they held the Mandate over what was then called Palestine - a regulation retained by Israel. So whether a wall or fragment of a building or an entire structure is 4,000 years old or built last week, it all looks the same, yet different.

Gold Rope | All Designer

Gold Rope

Gold chains come in a variety of styles, colours and designs and it may well surprise you to know that though yellow gold is the standard, there are many other varieties. You may choose from white, rose, black, green, grey, blue and purple gold. These variants can be combined in interesting colour combinations to create a unique and beautiful gold chain that defines your individual style.

Today’s modern style trends call for bolder designs and the combination of beautiful chain link patterns accentuated by beautiful accessories. Charms, pendants, amulets and even dress rings are worn attached to beautiful gold chains. Today’s consumer is spoilt for choice and inundated with variety.

Take, for example, the beautiful mariner’s link design. This classic beauty is enhanced by the lustre of gold and can be worn as a stand alone piece or can be accessorized with any number of pendants and charms. This classical single link design is one of many created to entice a buyer into parting with his hard earned cash.

The Figaro chain is a distinctive design comprising one large link, followed by three smaller links in a continuous succession. The links are flattened ovals that are well suited to longer lengths of at least 18 inches. The curb chain is formed by an attractive series of twists that creates a sinuous look well suited to short as well as longer lengths of chain. This design suits a heavy weight chain.

The box link is delicate, pretty and definitely well suited to a fine design and lighter weight chain. Accentuate this design with a pretty pendant such as a cross or a circular pendant of your choice. Rope chains are beautiful and intricately worked multi-strand confabulations that twist with multiple rings in a twisted S-shape that draws the eye.

A preferable length for any rope chain is below the hollow of the throat, so over 14 inches. This beautiful piece of craftsmanship can well be worn with an accessory such as a pendant but makes an elegant statement all on its own. A stunning addition to any jewellery collection is a Byzantine gold chain. This tubular collection of links intertwine and twist together to create a stunningly distinctive pattern that to my mind requires no accessories.

A herringbone gold chain is another very distinctive piece of craftsmanship and does indeed, remind one of a herringbone when viewed close up. Flat, rectangular links are expertly woven together to create a braided, flattened look that echoes elegance and simplistic design. The omega style does contain echoes of the herringbone look, but is slightly convex in appearance with each strand of gold seeming to connect together as if by magic. This particular design is ideal as a choker and should be worn at 14 inches.

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