Latest Jewelry Articles

10 Safety Tips When Getting Your Body Pierced

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:37:56 -0800

Ten Body Piercing Safety Tips Body piercing is all the rage with individuals of all ages. Whether you are choosing to pierce ears, lips, noses, eyebrows, tongues, or something a bit more risqué, safety and hygiene should be at the top of the check list before you run out and grab a needle. These ten tips for body piercing safety will ensure your piercing does not result in a potentially dangerous infection. 1.) Only use a professional. Piercing is something that should only be performed by a professional. It is a great deal more complicated than simply pushing a needle through a part of your body. Choose a reliable professional and seek a consultation before you make the decision to pierce. Home piercing jobs are most likely to lead to complications or infections. 2.) Ask questions. Think of a interviewing a potential piercer the same as you would a doctor. Ask about their cleanliness and disease prevention policies. A great many diseases, including AIDS and Hepatitis can be spread through using dirty needles, so you should ensure your quality of health is not compromised. Do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask the necessary questions, and beware of any so-called professional who seems unwilling or unable to provide answers. 3.) Choose wisely. Just as each body is different, everyone will not be able to successfully pierce their chosen spot. Once you seek a professional to pierce your body, ensure the piercing can be successful. For example, individuals with an “out-ie” belly button are unable to have a belly button piercing due to the orientation. Also, some individuals are unable to have their tongue correctly pierced due to the orientation of essential nerves and blood vessels. 4.) Think about the impact. It’s a necessary fact of the matter that most employers frown upon visible body piercings. Regardless of your personal feeling on body piercings, know that you may be discriminated against or viewed in an unfavorable light by some individuals only due to your body piercings. Before you decide on any piercing, consider the impact on your image and your life. 5.) Choose quality body jewelry. When it comes to choosing body jewelry, ensure you choose quality metals or high carbonate plastics that will work well in your body and not have any complications. Most body piercing jewelry is either gold with a high karat count or surgical quality stainless steel. Avoid cheap or flimsy body jewelry and focus on the quality instead of the design. 6.) Keep it clean. After the body part has been pierced, it is essential to keep the hole clean. Your body sees a piercing as a wound, so cleanliness is the key. Remember, infections also do not discriminate between piercing holes and puncture wounds. 7.) Keep it dry. Most piercers agree that the hole should be kept dry until healing has commenced. Keep your piercing hole free of salvia, sweat, salt water, or chlorine water, since all of these liquids can case infection. 8.) Avoid makeup. If you are choosing a facial piercing, avoid polluting the hole with makeup. Most cosmetic products are made with oils that can invade the piercing hole and cause infection. 9.) Identify infection. Keep an eye out for infections that can quickly and easily cause pain and discomfort. Not all infections work in the same manner, but warning signs include any type of discharge from the wound, fever, pain, discomfort, swelling, and redness around the hole. 10.) Seek medical attention. If your piercing is exhibiting signs of infection or complication, immediately seek medical attention. Also, if the piercing is routinely painful and does not seem to heal, you should seek treatment by your primary health care provider.

2006 Summer Jewelry Fashion Trend Quick Report

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:29:56 -0800

Are you ready for the summer yet? Is your jewelry wardrobe up to date? In order to get prepared for the summer with the right directional colors and styles, you should probably start the research right now. Necklaces Big and chunky beaded necklaces are still the focus of this summer. Two schools exist at the same time: organic earth tone beads and colorful and fun tone beads. Organic beads include bone and onyx necklaces. A more prevalent style is the eye-catching colored wood bead necklaces. Rings Parallel to the bulky necklaces, designers are fond of enormous finger rings with big faceted gemstones this summer. Bold and sparkling solitaire rings with a huge center stone set on large prongs seem to be the norm in most part of Europe this year. An extremely thick band with many small stones set on pave settings is another popular style that you might want to keep an eye on. Well, you get the idea, just be BOLD. Earrings As for earrings, trends are in linear or fringy styles this year. Dangle earrings with geometric designs incorporating loops and chains is the way to go. In fact, these are similar to the chandelier earrings that have been super hot for almost two years. Bracelets Bracelets are a little overshadowed by necklaces this year. Simple charm bracelets are back in trend. Charm bracelets with murano glass or natural gemstones would complete the summer outfit in a nice way. Colors The main jewelry metal color for this year is gold color. Also, deep browns, khakis, bright reds, oranges, off-whites, and light beiges are the primary stone and leather colors used in all designer fashion jewelry by mid-summer.

5 Tips for Buying Handcrafted Silver Jewelry Online

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:21:56 -0800

Genuine handcrafted silver jewelry is as beautiful as it is unique. Whether you're looking for pieces to add to your collection or are shopping for gifts, there are excellent online sources for handmade earrings, pendants, rings, barrettes, and necklaces. For a wonderful buying experience, follow these five tips. 1. Find a reputable source. This may go without saying, but don't confuse commercially manufactured jewelry with handcrafted silver jewelry. The latter is made by artisans that take great pride in their work. It's helpful to look for a company that has been in business for decades, and that has been selling online for at least five years. 2. Take advantage of customization. When jewelry is handmade, it can be customized in any number of ways, from the lengths of chains to the types of gemstones used in pendants and rings. You don't need to settle for "almost good enough." Instead, you can get the piece you've always dreamed of, in exactly the right size. 3. Measure carefully. Because customized pieces generally aren't returnable, it's important to make sure that the handcrafted silver jewelry you order will fit. It only takes a few minutes to get a good measurement, and doing so will ensure that the necklace or ring you order will be exactly what you want. For rings, ask a friend to take a piece of string, put it around the knuckle or largest part of your finger, and mark the string. To determine the size, hold the string against a tape measure and compare your measurement to the website's sizing chart. If you're in between sizes, it's best to go with the larger size. You can also use string to measure for bracelet, necklace, or anklet lengths. 4. Do your gemstone research. The best online jewelry sites have a wealth of information on gemstones. Before you order, read up on the gemstones you are considering. It's important to know, for example, that aquamarine can be cleaned with dishwashing detergent, but that ultrasonic and steam cleaning may damage the stone. Similarly, you may know that pearls are delicate and can easily absorb liquids, but you might not know that turquoise is also porous and can easily become stained. If you're going to order jewelry with gemstones, it's also crucial to know whether the stones are natural or if their colors have been enhanced. Reputable artisans will freely share this information. Don't be alarmed, however, if the stones have been heated or irradiated to intensify or change their colors. Naturally colored rubies, sapphires, and topaz, for example, are extraordinarily rare; it is an accepted practice within the jewelry industry to enhance gemstone colors. 5. Invest in the real thing. Silver jewelry is gorgeous, but only if it's real silver. Make sure that the online source you select uses either sterling silver (.925 or 92.5 percent silver) or fine silver (99.9 percent pure silver). When you invest in handcrafted silver jewelry, you're not only buying a piece you will treasure, but one that is likely to become an heirloom for future generations.

5 Tips on How to Find the Best Wholesale Jewelry

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:13:56 -0800

Whether you're a fashion retailer, an e-tailer, an eBay seller, or you simply want to earn some extra income selling costume jewelry, the key to success is finding great wholesale jewelry from a costume jewelry supplier. Finding high quality wholesale fashion jewelry can be an elusive quest, though, so here are five tips to get you started. 1. When it comes to wholesale jewelry, import is king. Almost all fashion jewelry is imported, so you need to find a costume jewelry supplier that obtains jewelry from around the globe. The more sources of jewelry the supplier has, the more likely it is that you'll be able to find the variety of pieces you need at bargain prices. In addition, you'll be assured of a steady stream of new pieces and your ability to obtain the wholesale jewelry you need won't be hampered by world events that negatively impact those wholesalers with only one supply chain. 2. Find a jewelry trend spotter. Unless you're steeped in the world of fashion, you won't be exposed to the nuances of seasonal jewelry trends. A good wholesale jewelry store will do your homework for you, and offer pieces that reflect the latest trends in jewelry design. You don't want to be stuck with chunky necklaces when fine filigree is in fashion, but you want to make sure you have enough hoop earrings when they hit the fashion runways. 3. Don't forget the classics. Although it's important to have a variety of trendy pieces, a good wholesale costume jewelry supplier will also carry the classics, like sterling silver, cubic zirconia, Swarovski crystal, and semi-precious stone jewelry. Unless you specialize in being fashion forward, more traditional pieces are staples that will sell year-round. 4. Look for breadth and depth. Accessories consist of more than earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, so your wholesale jewelry supplier should carry a wide variety of pieces. Anklets and toe rings are must-haves, but so are body jewelry, cell phone jewelry, hair accessories, key chain charms, and bejeweled belts. 5. Look for minimums, shipping, and customer satisfaction. When you're shopping for wholesale jewelry, find a costume jewelry supplier that has a reasonable minimum purchase. You may not be able to - or want to - commit to investing a significant sum of money in fashion jewelry. An online wholesale jewelry store, for example, may only have a fifty-dollar minimum order, which is a perfect place to start. In addition, it's important that the supplier you select has the merchandise in stock, rather than forcing you to wait until they receive their jewelry import. Look for a company that ships on the same business day or by the next business day at the latest. Finally, one of the best ways to judge a wholesale jewelry supplier is by their commitment to customer satisfaction. The supplier should be able to provide you with testimonials, and attest to the importance of customer satisfaction to their business.

5 tips on how to take better digital jewelry photography

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:05:56 -0800

1) Focus your camera
In order to ensure your images are sharp, make sure you know how to focus your camera. Digital cameras with auto focus are often difficult to focus precisely, especially when shooting small objects. Make sure your read your owner's manual and understand how your camera's auto focus operates. Most digital cameras are designed to easily focus on large objects but have difficulty on small objects. It is often useful to put your camera in spot focus mode. Spot focus will give you more control over what part of a scene the camera is actually focusing on.

2) Use a tripod
Even the slightest movement while taking a picture will cause motion blur. The closer you get to an object the more obvious the motion blur becomes. Using an inexpensive tripod will make a big difference in the sharpness of your images. For really sharp images it makes sense to invest in a good, sturdy tripod. If your camera has a remote shutter release then use it, if not then use the camera's built-in timer to minimize camera shake.

3) Put your camera in aperture priority mode
To get the largest area of your subject in focus, it is good to set your camera in aperture priority mode and set the aperture to the highest number possible. The closer you get to your subject, the more important this becomes.

4) Use soft lighting
Your camera's built-in flash will rarely give good results for product photography. For soft lighting either shoot outside on an overcase day or use a light tent like the EZcube, Cubelite, or use a soft box.

5) Use image editing software
Even inexpensive software like Photoshop Elements or ACDSee can make your product photography much easier. It may seem like it's faster to use an image exactly as it was shot. But in reality, it is difficult to shoot an image precisely how you would like to appear in its final form. Image editing software allows you to crop an image, adjust it's exposure, sharpen the image and then resize it, often in less than 60 seconds.

The biggest difference between an amateur's product snapshot and a professional's product image are sharpness and lighting. Steps 1,2, and 3 will improve the sharpness of your images while Step 4 will improve your lighting. A minute spent editing an image will improve it further. Because these few steps seem so basic, it's tempting to ignore them. However, if you take time to follow them, you will see a huge improvement in the quality of your photos.

5 Top Tips for Buying Native American Indian Bracelets

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:57:56 -0800

Nothing allows you to express your personality, feel closer to the spirit of traditional American culture, and add something truly unique and personal to your life like wearing an authentic Native American bracelet on your wrist. But how do you safely choose a real, attractive piece that also says the right things about you? The wonderful craftsmanship, striking appeal, and fun originality of Native American Indian bracelets make them the top choice for the person who wants to wear something a little different than everyone else and own a unique piece of jewelry. However, the range of styles, the unknown authenticity, and the difficulty of finding the right store can make the choice difficult. Fortunately, the selection of your Native American bracelet doesn't have to be difficult at all. Once you know a few easy points to keep in mind, you can relax and shop to your heart's content, without that fear of making the wrong choice or ending up with a bracelet that isn't right for you. 1. Turquoise bracelets come in many varieties. Everyone has a different mental image spring up when they hear "turquoise bracelets." You may picture large stones, closely spaced and reaching orderly around the wrist. Or you may think of a circular, mandala-like arrangement of smaller blue-green stones on a centerpiece on the top of the wrist, with the band wrapping around underneath. In fact, the use of turquoise in Native American bracelets is varied, often used in conjunction with other, multi-colored stones or clever use of silver and other metals. Often, the best piece will include one or two small turquoise pieces to accentuate other colors and textures. Then again, some pieces employ turquoise stones as their main feature, and do so with the utmost craft and beauty. It is up to you which suits you, but you can shop secure in the knowledge that Native American turquoise retains its beauty even as other trends come and go. 2. Simplicity is beautiful. It is entirely possible that the piece that speaks to you the best is very simple in design. Perhaps it is a silver band with a simple twisted pattern, or a restrained series of ridges. Maybe your look and personality are accented best by a bracelet with a single, large stone of turquoise or other mineral - just a splash of color to catch the eye. Complicated designs and details may look good in the shop display case, but aren't necessarily the type of Native American bracelet that suit your taste. 3. Intricacy is beautiful. On the other hand, the intriguingly intricate designs of an elaborately-crafted bracelet can be the conversation piece that sparks confidence, inspiration, and even admiring comments from others! The obvious genius that has gone into a bracelet with clever juxtapositions of its carvings, stamps, stones and/or silverwork can be just the thing that heightens your daily experience and communicates to others just what you want to say. 4. Only shop at places that offer buyer protection. The most comfortable, free way to shop is when you know that your purchase is backed by a reputable company. In this internet age, the best place to buy Native American bracelets is online, through websites that offer protection to the buyer. For example, the web's premier auction house, eBay, always has hundreds of listings featuring one-of-a-kind Native American bracelets and other jewelry. eBay features an extensive system to ensure buyers are happy; you can contact the seller before bidding, check comments from the seller's previous customers, send payment safely with your credit card through PayPal, keep your private information hidden, and even appeal to eBay when an item is not as described. Furthermore, eBay listings feature one or more pictures of the item, as well as its dimensions and, often, the piece's history. In short, you should stick to places like eBay that bring together sellers and buyers with several layers of protection for you. The biggest sites became big thanks to buyer satisfaction, which they take very seriously. 5. Nobody knows what you need like you do! Sellers will try their best to use flowery language and convincing descriptions to get your business. However, only YOU know what is right for you. And as long as you are happy about the financial protection you as a shopper are receiving, you can tune all of that out and just get the Native American bracelet that speaks to you the loudest. YOU know which one that is... it's just a matter of looking until you find it! Look at websites like http://native-american-store.fournotes.com for the widest selection of bracelets and sellers. Choice is always good! Whether buying a lovely Native American bracelet for yourself, or as a gift for a friend or family member, it's important to remember that there are very easy ways to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. You want to be sure the bracelet is authentic, the seller is reputable, and the design suits the person it will be adorning. Use the tips in this article and you are virtually assured of being happy with your beautiful, exclusive bracelet!

6 Most Common Diamond Scams

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:49:56 -0800

When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds – for whatever reasons – don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled. Jewelry stores like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well. Jewelry also stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. A common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond. This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between ½ and ¾ carat – but closer to ¾. Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth – and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action. Jewelry stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well. Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past. There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.

About wholesaler, supplier and manufacturer of fashion and beaded imitation jewelry from India.

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:41:56 -0800

Jewelry is a most important part of fashion from the very long days. In the past it is worn as a status symbol, as well as to keep the womens safe from evils. Early in history, jewelry was a mark of status of some sort. Perhaps the only people who could wear it were of religious importance, or perhaps they were the only people who could afford it. You'll find that even though the handmade beaded jewelry from early eras seems primitive to our eyes that it was still crafted with care. For instance, the twisted torques, close fitting necklaces that were worn by the Celts, was often a sign of both manhood and wealth. Later on, jewelry was a mark of privilege and leisure; it was a show that not only could you afford to feed yourself and your loved ones, but that you could spend a lot of extra money on beautiful things. During the Victorian age in Europe, handmade beaded jewelry started taking the shapes that would be very familiar to those of us who wear jewelry today. The Victorian era had a very strong interest in death and funerary arts, though, and this was often eerily represented in so-called mourning jewelry, where people would snip hair from their departed loved ones and weave it into lockets, broaches and rings. Sometimes this jewelry would get very elaborate and it could be quite beautiful, especially when different shades of hair were used. The beginning of the twentieth century saw the beginning of fashion jewelry. Costume jewelry, far from being as cheap or as disposable as the name implies, was actually meant to be jewelry that complemented one particular outfit. Various precious metals and gems could -and often did!- go into the production of costume jewelry. Today, we are experiencing a real renaissance as far as jewelry goes, and whether you love fine handmade beaded jewelry or simply love adorning yourself with something new every day. take a look and see what sort of impact the right piece of jewelry can have on you! Feel sexy, alluring and provocative! Discover custom handmade jewelry designed to enhance your individuality and compliment your beauty. Go now and indulge yourself with affordable uncommonly unique Fashion handmade Beaded Jewelry. Given the fact that Fashion jewelry has played such a role in human history, it is no wonder that Fashion handmade beaded jewelry makes such an important appearance in our myth and legends as well! If you have ever wondered if people were as fascinated with Fashion beaded jewelry in the past as we are today, take a look below for some famous examples of jewelry in our most famous stories. Fashion handmade jewelry is something which you can yourself make and use your innovation. Fashion handmade jewelry always has its characteristic uniqueness that is particular of any handmade thing. No two pieces of handmade jewelry are the same as a matter of fact. They are perfectly natural and come in great variety of colors and designs. They have a charming freshness about them. Handmade beaded jewelry has now become a full-fledged industry wherein the brands have plunged to carve a niche. So its time to get your beads out and start making your own beaded jewelry. Beautiful jewelry is something one can never have enough; well, I am sure most women would agree with me on this point. If you enjoy wearing jewelry as much as I do, I am sure you must be having enough to start off your own jewelry shop by now! I love going through boutiques for designer jewelry and scrounging around in markets for unique jewelry pieces as well. The markets can have loads of designs in store for you and if you lucky enough, with some amount of haggling, you can be the proud owner of some unique jewelry without really spending too much! But there is one area that I have explored and that is wearing unique handmade jewelry. Such handmade jewelry is a great option as it is easy on the pocket and you can create stunning pieces of jewelry by exercising your mind! Wearing unique handmade jewelry gives one the satisfaction of wearing an exclusive piece! This can also make a very stylish and personalized gift as well. You must note that there are three basic techniques when you are dealing with unique handmade jewelry. The first is where you string the beads; the kind of string you use will depend upon what you are planning to design. To keep a distance between the beads, one can make the use of knots or crimps. Wire is also used to make unique kind of jewelry. Here, beads are used in combination to create snazzy designs. Bead weaving is another technique where in, really tiny beads are interwoven and threaded to make small but intricate patterns. So, to get the beaded jewelry and fashion jewelry in wholesale basis any body need to search in any search engine like Google or Yahoo or MSN and they will get a lot wholesale basis websites manufacturing and exporting jewelry on worldwide. Just write them an email with your requirements and they will guide you to the rest process. We, at Chatterjee Fashions is an India (State: West Bengal) based wholesale fashion jewelry and wholesale Bedaed Jewelry export unit. We are engaged in todays fashion requirements as well as all old tradition's in our Jewelry and handicraft items and introduce these cultural home improvement items and fashions to rest of the world. We wholesale fashion jewelry, Beaded jewelry, Ladies fashion Handbags, Ladies hand crafted Handbags, Ladies beaded Handbags, statues and sculptures etc.

Absolute

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:33:56 -0800

Is it absolutely clear now?! Can you see it?! How could you possibly determine whether the diamond you are buying is worth for the cost and truly genuine?! Below are some qualities of diamond which may be helpful for you. In buying something there are things which you should consider. Whatever those things are of course the first thing you will check is the quality of a product. How clean a diamond is reflects with its clarity. Whether if it has no blemishes or any insertions whenever it will be observe by the eye or by a magnifier. To select a good quality when buying a diamond you should be familiar of some terms. The blemishes which I have mentioned earlier are flaws on the surface of a diamond. If there's any missing piece that is what we call 'CHIP' and any scrape is what we can consider a 'SCRATCH.' Any crack found is considered as a 'FRACTURE'. Sometimes during polishing stage there are fine lines being left which is called 'POLISHING LINES.' While the 'NATURAL' is the unpolished part. In polishing a diamond you may encounter an 'EXTRA FACETS' which shouldn't be present. These are excess polished surfaces which messes up the symmetry of a diamond. 'BEARDING' on the other hand are tiny fractures that can be found on the edge of a diamond. 'INCLUSIONS/INSERTIONS' are some imperfection which may be found inside it. If you happen to find black spots inside the gem it is 'CARBON', while a white spot i s called 'CRYSTAL'. An internal cracking is called 'FEATHER.' Tiny spots called 'PINPOINT' happened to be smaller than a crystal and a group of it is identified to as 'CLOUD' that gives large inclusion. The instrument used to estimate a diamond is 'LOUPE.' Such instrument must be 10X magnification. The housing surrounding the lens must be black to avoid distorting the color.

Add Heraldic Glitters in Your Charm

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:25:56 -0800

All of the wedding bands bear the hallmark of the Heraldic Wedding Jewellery; this is your guarantee of quality. Our highly trained craftsmen pride themselves in their work and have spent many years perfecting their art. Heraldic Wedding Jewellery workshop and design centre is constantly updating our range of precious Irish jewellery (jewellery). We know that a marriage can’t be complete without wearing jewellery. But during wedding time it is too much difficult to choose best jewellery. Heraldic Wedding Jewellery satisfies a bride by exposing all desirable designs with different price. Heraldic Wedding Jewellery you can find in a range of mixed materials, using everything from silver from gold, through the white gold. Heraldic Wedding Jewellery just exposes the contrast between a material weight, texture and impact, creating contemporary jeweller wearable art. The Heraldic Wedding Jewellery brings a new definition; it customizes different jewellery for different gender. This brands design symbolise different that can easily be custom made to most of our necklaces, earrings, or even rings. The ring picture shows and displays the diamonds. Its jeweller added for the customer that ordered this customize necklace. Necklaces and earrings can be designed to match or follow the same theme. Everything is just made for wedding season. In market you find different brands jewellery but Heraldic Wedding Jewellery just present eye catching jewellery for every bride. Which brings some extra look among other brand? And if we discuss about price it is not much different, but its precious jewellery just made your specification.