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The Mystique of the Gemstone
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] From the first time ancient man or woman found a colored rock on the beach or in the dirt, humans have been fascinated and intrigued by them. How did the first polished rocks happen? The gentle abrasion by the waves on a sandy beach, the wearing smooth of a stone tied around a neck or wrist, or perhaps the steady drip of water? No one knows for sure. When it was discovered that a crude colored rock could be transformed into something to catch the eye and the imagination is when gemstones came into being.

History of the Chinese Hand Held Fan
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] The first Chinese fans were nothing more than bird feathers or large leaves. Tradition holds that King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty in the 11th century B.C. invented the Chinese hand-held fan, and the oldest known Chinese hand held fan was found in China in 1982 and is approximately 2,300 years old.

The Whoopee Cushion - A Tribute and Short History
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] Consider the whoopee cushion, also referred to as the Poo Poo Cushion and Razzbery Cushion. An object of disgust for some, merriment for others. A tribute to the whoopee cushion that included the history of this classic practical joke.

Chinese Puzzle Balls
[Arts-and-Entertainment] The art of ornamental design has been part of China's culture for thousands of years. Art and craft have gone hand in hand to create items of great beauty and functionality. Beauty and functionality are inseparable from each other, for beauty itself is a function in Chinese culture. Each shares in equal importance. Intricately painted wall scrolls, highly ornamented hand fans, and other items of Chinese art are well known. Not so the Chinese Puzzle Ball. The Chinese Puzzle Ball is one of the summits of Chinese ornamental design and beauty.

Teddy Bears - Named After a US President
[Reference-and-Education] Did you know that the Teddy Bear got its name from a United States President? A short history of the teddy bear.

Chess - A Game For the Ages
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] A short history of the game of chess. The game we call Chess goes so far back into the murky dimness of history that no one is really sure about the specifics of its origin.

Gold - Beauty, Value and Function
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Gold has been treasured by humankind from the dawn of history to today. The beauties of the metal plus its relative scarcity have ensured that gold will most likely retain its value.

Quan Yin - Total Compassion and Loving Kindness
[Self-Improvement:Spirituality] Quan Yin is the Chinese translation for the Indian Sanskrit name of Avalokiteshvara, one of the four great Bodhisattvas (true enlightened ones) of Buddhism. The original Sanskrit name means "He who looks upon the world with compassion". The Chinese name means "One who hears the cries of the world".

Chinese Cinnabar Lacquerware
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Lacquerware is any object that has been coated with lacquer, a substance that produces a very hard and durable finish. Lacquer is resistant to water damage, acid and abrasion. The most common type of lacquer comes from a specific type of tree, called the lac or varnish tree.

Natural Fibers - The Beginning of Textiles
[Business:Industrial-Mechanical] An overview of flax, wool, cotton and silk, four natural fibers used in textile making. When early humankind needed warmth and protection for their bodies, what did they use? Animal hides, grasses, bark and other plant material fashioned into crude garments most likely. When was it discovered that fibers from plants and animals could be fashioned into something much more flexible, versatile, and attractive?

Pewter - Poor Man's Silver
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] At the dawn of civilization, man discovered that characteristics of familiar base metals could be changed by combining them. In correct proportions, the metals compliment each other and form an alloy. Along with bronze, pewter was one of the first alloys known to humankind. Information about the history, types, and uses of pewter through the ages.

Reverse Glass Painting - Centuries Old Art Form
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Visual-Graphic-Arts] Reverse glass painting is the art of painting an image on the reverse side of a piece of glass or glass object so that the image can be viewed from the unpainted side. It has been done since early in the sixteenth century in Europe, and was known in China during the early 18th century.

Bookend Beginnings
[Reference-and-Education] Bookends are first and foremost an item of function. A bookend's only reason to exist is to be placed at the end of a row of books to keep it from falling over. While it is a simple concept, the history of bookends is wrapped within the very history of written language itself. An essay about bookends and their connection to the evolution of the written word.

Silver - Past, Present and Future
[Reference-and-Education] Silver in its pure state is a very soft, malleable metal. It is only slightly harder than gold. It has been known since antiquity, is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, and there is evidence that it was being separated from lead as early as 3,000 B.C.E. It has been historically second in value only to gold, although in modern times the metals platinum, rhodium and palladium are worth more.

Sewing - Tools and History
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] The practice of sewing, as in using thread and needle to attach various kinds of material, has been dated to at least 20,000 years ago. Sewing is practically a universal occurrence, and the actual beginnings of it stretch back to the beginnings of history. A history of the art of sewing and its tools.

The Mirror - Reflections on Its Magic and History
[Reference-and-Education] The first mirrors of history were nature's own, reflecting the visage of the first humans on the smooth surface of water. People must have considered these images of themselves not only magical but quite attractive, for they lead to the first mirrors made by man. The first ones constructed were of polished metal; brass, bronze, silver and even gold. There were also ones made from the glass-like mineral obsidian. Highly polished metal mirrors are mentioned in The Old Testament of the Bible. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used polished metal mirrors, most hand mirrors with a handle and some very ornately decorated.

Rhinestones - The Great Diamond Imitators
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] A history and appreciation of the rhinestone. What is usually thought of when the word 'rhinestone' is heard? A piece of cheap jewelry, a deceased piano player that wore clothes dripping with the glittering stones, or the song 'Rhinestone Cowboy.' Most of the common associations with the name imply cheapness, bad taste, gaudy, right on down the list of negatives. But rhinestones have a long and varied history that tells otherwise.

Black Hills Gold - America's Jewelry
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] In the 19th century, The Black Hills of South Dakota was an untamed area held sacred by The Sioux Native Americans. White men knew nothing about it when George Armstrong Custer led the first expeditionary force there in 1874. The history of Black Hills Gold jewelry and how it is made.

Amber - The Gemstone of Millennia
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] An appreciation and history of the gemstone amber. Gemstones of every color have attracted the eye of men (and women) since the dawn of time. Their attractiveness also made them items of great value.

Amethyst - Named by the Ancient Greeks
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The purple gemstone amethyst has been treasured by mankind since its discovery, and has been highly desirable by people in positions of authority throughout the ages. Tradition has it that the stone was worn as part of the official robes of ancient Jewish priests and represented the spirit of God. This type of quartz was used in jewelry and crowns of kings and queens of ancient Egypt, royalty of the Middle Ages of Europe, all the way to the present day.

Peridot - The 'Other' Green Gemstone
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The gemstone peridot, the birthstone for August, was known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, with examples of Egyptian jewelry made from peridot that date from the 2nd Millennium B.C.E. Tradition has it that Cleopatra was a great lover of the stone. It was used as ornamentation in medieval churches of Europe, and an example of this can still be seen in the Cathedral of Cologne. It is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color, although the shade of green can range from yellowish green to olive.

Turquoise - The People's Stone
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] A history and appreciation for the turquoise gemstone. Turquoise is a stone familiar and valued since 3000 B.C.E. Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Pre-Columbian Native Americans used it to make jewelry, mosaics, and carved it into many different shapes.

Onyx - The Fingernails of Venus
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Mention the name of the gemstone onyx, and one is apt to think of a black stone, and it is most of the time. But there are also onyx stones that run from dark brown to white in color, or have white or red bands running through the stone.

Earrings - Fact and Folklore
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] When did earrings begin to be worn? Were they worn for body decoration, or other reasons? Some facts, folklore and irreverent comments about earrings.

Necklaces - Fact and Folklore
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] During a cave excavation in South Africa in 2004, scientists found forty one shell fish that may have been strung together for use as a necklace. These shell fish were estimated to be 75,000 years old, thus making this possibly the oldest example of a necklace known.

Bracelets - Fact and Folklore
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The first known bracelets were worn by Sumerians who lived in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) around 2500 B.C.E. Jewelry of all kinds was a sign of a person's prosperity. Bracelets and other jewelry were found in the royal tombs in the ancient city of Ur in Mesopotamia. It was customary for jewelry to be buried with their owners, along with their servants. Servants probably prayed to their ancient gods for a long life for their masters because of this

Citrine - The Lemon Gemstone
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Citrine, a form of quartz similar to amethyst, was one of the most prized gemstones in antiquity because of its rare occurrence in nature. When intense heat is applied to the gemstone amethyst, it is transformed into citrine. This can happen in nature when deposits of amethyst are near a heat source in the earth's crust, but more often heat is applied industrially to create citrine.

Ruby - The Red Sapphire
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The ruby is a form of the mineral corundum, as is sapphire The only difference between sapphires and rubies are color. If a piece of corundum mineral is a shade of red, it is a ruby. If it is any other color it is a sapphire.

Finger Rings - Fact and Folklore
[Reference-and-Education] What are signet rings? Were there such things as rings that held poison? Why are engagement and wedding rings worn on the fourth finger of the left hand? Some facts and folklore about finger rings:

Sapphire - Available in More Colors Than Just Blue
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Sapphire has been a stone that represented virtue, holiness and wisdom throughout the ages. There is a tradition that says that the tablets the 10 Commandments were written on were tablets of sapphire that were so strong that a hammer would shatter if struck against them. Blue Sapphire became the favorite of church authorities for rings, as the blue color represented the sky.

Topaz - The Stone of Strength
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The ancient Greeks believed topaz gave the wearer great strength and could also make them invisible. Some other attributes and uses through the ages for the stone include increasing the appetite, treating hemorrhages, protecting eyesight and combating blood disorders. The ancient Egyptians wore yellow and thought that it represented their sun god Ra.

Jade - Stronger Than Steel
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Some facts and folklore about Jade. What is commonly referred to as Jade is actually two different stones, Nephrite and Jadeite. The difference between the two is in minor chemical composition. Both stones are so similar that only gemologists and mineralogists usually differentiate between them.

Zippers - History and Facts
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Fashion-Style] The zipper is found everywhere in the modern day world, and is used in myriad applications. But the common zipper was not so common not so long ago: Elias Howe, one of the pioneer inventors of the sewing machine, patented an early type of zipper in 1851 called The Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure. His sewing machine took up most of his time, and he abandoned his early type of fastener.

How Much Was That T-Shirt?
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Fashion-Style] Clothing is worn for warmth, protection, modesty and fashion. A list of clothing that forgets about warmth, protection and modesty (and some would say fashion too), and proves that there are those among us that have more money than sense.

When Did Humans Start Wearing Clothes?
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] There are many schools of thought and belief about the origins of humans. Some purely religious, some purely scientific, some mix the two. Regardless of which school of thought, it seems obvious that the first humans on this earth lived in warm climates.

Buttons - History and Facts
[Reference-and-Education] When did buttons begin to be used? What was used to secure clothing before them? Some history and facts about the button:

Cubic Zirconia - Too Perfect to Be a Diamond
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The beginnings of cubic zirconia started when scientists were looking for less expensive material for use in lasers and optical equipment. Cubic zirconia appears in nature, but it is very rare and the crystals are too small to be of use.

Marcasite - Pyrite in Disguise
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Marcasite as the word is used in jewelry refers to small faceted stones that are inlaid in sterling silver. But the actual mineral marcasite cannot be used in jewelry as it tends to crumble into powder. Marcasite jewelry is actually jewelry using the mineral pyrite, sometimes referred to as iron pyrite.

Flashlights - Shining Light on Their History
[Reference-and-Education] The flashlight is an example of an invention that would have been impossible if not for the invention of other items, the electric light bulb and the electric battery The history of the flashlight: The carbon filament electric light bulb was invented and patented by Thomas Edison in 1879. For many years, electric batteries were 'wet' cells, usually glass containers filled with substances that produced electricity due to chemical reactions. They were fragile, heavy, and dangerous.

Pearls - Legend and History
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Pearls are one of the oldest types of gems, and continue to be popular today. Some legends and history about pearls: The oldest surviving piece of pearl jewelry is a necklace that was found buried with a Persian Princess. It is estimated to be over 2000 years old.

The Pearl - Cultured and Beautiful
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The pearl, birthstone for June, is the only gemstone that is created by an animal. They are formed within mollusks, usually oysters or mussels, when a piece of foreign matter enters and irritates the soft body of the mollusk.

Lapis Lazuli - The Stone of Azure
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The word 'lapis' means stone in Latin. 'Lazuli' has a rather more complicated etymology that begins with the ancient Persian word for an area where the stone was mined. This area was eventually associated not only with where the stone was mined, but also with its intense blue color.

Emerald - The Favorite Gem of Cleopatra
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Emerald is the birthstone for May, and has been highly valued at least since 3000 B.C.E. They were not only considered a holy stone in ancient times, but were thought to have the power to prevent epilepsy, improve sight, improve memory and intelligence and enhance clairvoyance.

Men's Underwear - The Revealing History
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Fashion-Style] What men wear under their clothes has a history all its own: The first type of underwear is thought to be the loincloth. King Tutankhamun of Egypt was buried with many loincloths over 3000 years ago. Loincloths were also worn by men in ancient Greece and Rome.

Cultured Pearls - Nature Assisted by Human Hands
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] All pearls form the same way. An irritant of some sort enters into a mollusk's shell and lodges in its body. To combat the irritation, the mollusk secretes a substance called nacre around the irritant to isolate it. It is this nacre that is applied layer upon layer by the mollusk that forms a pearl.

Mother of Pearl - Opal of the Sea
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Mother of pearl is the iridescent substance called nacre, found on the inside of some mollusks. The word nacre comes from the Arab word naqqarah which means shell.

Moonstone - Formed From Moonlight
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Moonstone is a gemstone that was very popular in ancient Rome, and Romans thought it was actually formed by the rays of the moon. It is a sacred stone in India, and is the birthstone for June.

Dragons - Angels of the Orient
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Stories and myths about dragons run through most cultures, ancient and modern. Was there ever a beast that walked the earth that could account for these stories and myths? Some say that the ancients may have found fossils of dinosaurs, and by the use of their imaginations 'created' a beast from this evidence.

Chinese Art and Its Hidden Meanings
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Whether it is a painting, wall scroll, hand fan, porcelain or other object, Chinese art can be enjoyed for its unexplainable qualities that make it pleasing to the eye. But the subjects of Chinese art also have ancient meanings. The Chinese have long taken these meanings into consideration when giving or receiving gifts. Here are a few objects used as subjects in Chinese art, and their meanings.

Maitreya - The Laughing Buddha
[News-and-Society:Religion] Buddhism is most often associated with Japan, China, and other countries of that area of the world. But Buddhism had its beginning in India, roughly in the 5th century B.C. Buddhism was the result of challenges to traditional Hinduism, and these challenges culminated with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the son of a wealthy tribal chieftain. He renounced his wealth and became the Buddha, or the awakened one. Buddhism came to China circa 60 A.D., but it did not become well known and popular until the third century A.D.

Lost Wax Casting of Bronze
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] The traditional process used to cast bronze, developed and used 4,000 years ago, is called lost wax casting. This method results in highly detailed, quality castings and has changed very little over the centuries. The method was used by craftsmen and artists from every culture from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt up to today.

Bronze - Ancient and Modern Alloy
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Bronze is an alloy that goes back at least to the 4th millennium B.C. Bronze artifacts have been found in what is now known as Iran and Iraq. It was one of the most innovative and important alloys ever created by humans. It is much harder than pure copper or stone, and for this reason bronze was used to make many different kind of tools, weapons, other kinds of implements, armor, decorative tiles and statues.

Garnet - The Light of Noah
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The use of garnet, the birthstone for January, has been documented as far back as the Ancient Egyptians. They not only made talismans and jewelry from the stone, but buried it with their dead for protection and illumination on their journey after life. In the bible, Noah is said to have used garnet to guide his path and give light inside the ark.

Dogs - Members of the American Family
[Pets:Dogs] Some trivia about dogs and their owners, and about people owned by their dogs. President Theodore Roosevelt had a dog named Pete. Pete took a dislike to the Ambassador of France who was at the White House for a visit, and ripped his pants off.

Dogs and Humans - Centuries Old Partnership
[Pets:Dogs] The modern domesticated dog is a result of centuries of interaction with humans. While it is true that the ancestor of the domestic dog was the wolf, dogs are now different animals. True domestication comes after generations of interaction between humans and animals and causes some basic changes in the animal.

Popular Dog Breeds - The Top Five
[Pets:Dogs] With 157 AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized dog breeds, and hundreds more besides, which breeds of dogs are the most popular with U.S. dog lovers? The top five, with some information about each;

Cats - Owners of Humans
[Pets:Cats] A human can own a dog, or a dog can own a human. Not so with a cat! There are no two ways about it. Wherever cats are kept, they rule the roost. Of course cats can be very loving pets, as cat people will tell you.

Canine Classifications - The AKC Dog Groups
[Pets:Dogs] Bringing out desired traits in dogs by selective breeding has been done for many years and has led to the modern day breeds. For identification purposes, the American Kennel Club has divided the 157 breeds they recognize into seven different groups.

Gold Plating - From Thin to Vermeil
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Gold has been and continues to be a highly desirable metal. Whether for its beauty in jewelry, or value in coins and bullion, solid gold is very expensive and the price is climbing. The expense of gold naturally limits the number of people who can own it. But gold has been used in other ways that can utilize the beauty of it without the incredible expense of solid gold.

Wind Chimes - Music of the Air
[Home-Improvement:Landscaping-Outdoor-Decorating] Wind chimes are probably older than knowable history. But it is in Asia where they had their recorded development. Buddhist attached many wind chimes to their temple structures. They were also hung in private homes and were thought to attract good spirits and bring good luck. The ancients understood that the sound of them can help reconnect mind and spirit and lead to a sense of well being.

Tibetan Singing Bowls - Centuries of Resonance
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Although they are commonly referred to as bowls, they are technically a standing bell. They are not hung upside down or put on a handle, but stand alone on the bottom side. By tapping with a wooden mallet, or rubbing the rim with a leather covered piece of wood, a Tibetan singing bowl can be made to sound. They have been used for centuries by Buddhists and others as an aid to meditation, health care, relaxation and certain religious practices.

Aquamarine - Water of the Sea
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The birthstone for March, aquamarine most often occurs in a range of light blue colors. It is in the same family of gems as emeralds. Its name is taken from the Latin words for seawater. Not only its name, but many myths about the stone have to do with the sea.

The Many Faces of Quartz
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the earth's crust. Pure quartz is colorless, but also occurs in many different colors, from clear to opaque. A few examples of the many different kinds:

Checkers - Facts and History
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] The game of checkers is older than most people think. Some facts and history about the ancient game of checkers: Scholars believe the modern game evolved from a similar game played as far back as 1400 B.C.

The Ring and the Finger - Any Old Finger
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Most everyone knows the tradition of wearing an engagement ring or wedding ring on the left hand. As to which finger, we all know which finger. It's a matter of which finger we want to call it. For some, it is the fourth finger of the left hand, the ring finger. For those that have a penchant for accuracy (and perhaps hair-splitting) they say it is the third finger of the left hand.

Italian Gnocchi
[Food-and-Drink:Pasta-Dishes] Gnocchi are small dumplings. They are a very old form of food, and there are examples of recipes for Gnocchi that go back to the 13th century. Gnocchi can be made with many different ingredients like squash, bread, semolina flour, even eggplant. But modern Italian Gnocchi is made with potatoes.

Platinum and Other White Jewelry Metals
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] A list of some of the precious metals used in jewelry making. White Gold - This is an alloy of gold and silver or palladium. Nickel used to be used instead of silver or palladium, but nickel can cause skin reactions with some people.

Diamonds - History and Facts
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Some history and facts about the world's most popular gemstone: Diamonds are carbon, the same substance as charcoal, with the difference being in the way the carbon atoms are structured. Diamond is the hardest substance known that occurs naturally. There are other substances that are harder that have been synthetically created.

Dogs and Cats - Some Basic Differences
[Pets] Dogs are group or pack animals. It is important for a dog to know who the leader of the pack is. They are social animals and are happiest within that kind of environment. Cats are not pack animals. Except for the lion, cats in the wild are solitary creatures.

Opal - The Queen of Gems
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] The birthstone for October, opal was highly prized in ancient Rome and considered to be a gem of hope and healing. Ancient Arab cultures thought that opals fell from the sky during flashes of lightning. It can occur in many different colors, along with colorless. Seldom is a stone only one color. Shakespeare in one of his plays describes the stone as being 'the queen of gems'.

The Clothes Hanger - From Wire to Plastic
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Fashion-Style] The invention of the wire clothes hanger has been attributed to Albert Parkhouse, an employee of Timberlake Wire And Novelty Company in 1903. This company fashioned wire lamp shade frames and other items from wire. One story goes that Parkhouse came to work one day, went to hang his coat up and found all of the coat hooks were in use. Out of frustration, Parkhouse grabbed a piece of wire, bent it into the shape of what we recognize as a clothes hanger on the spot. Another story says that Parkhouse was inspired by complaints from other employees of not enough coat hooks.

The Value of Gold - Today and Yesterday
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Every culture throughout history has known of gold and treasured it. Unlike many other metals, gold can be found in its natural state as nuggets that can be very pure without further refining. Gold may have been the first type of metal ever known to humans, for archaeologists have found small nuggets of natural gold in caves that were inhabited by humans as long ago as 40,000 BCE.

Feng Shui - What is It?
[Home-Improvement:Feng-Shui] There has been a long history of interest in the west about things oriental. Religion, philosophy, culture and art. Feng shui is also one of these interests, but what exactly is it? In Chinese feng means wind and shui means water. So the literal meaning is wind and water, two naturally occurring forces that have been dealt with in Chinese culture, art and philosophy for thousands of years.

Birthstones - Which List is Which?
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Most gemstone scholars attribute the designation of a stone for each month of the year, birthstones, from the breastplate of Aaron, the high priest of the Israelites as described in the bible: "You shall make a breast piece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it. It shall be square and folded double, a span in length and a span in width. You shall mount on it four rows of stones.

Synthetic Fibers - Mans' Attempt to Improve on Nature
[Reference-and-Education] Until the 19th century, the only fibers that were available for weaving textiles were nature's own; linen, wool, silk and cotton. A list of some synthetic fibers, and information about each: Rayon - The first man-made fiber was produced about 1855 and it was primarily used as a replacement for silk. It went by the name Viscose.

The Sewing Thimble - For Seamstress and Digitabulist
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] A sewing thimble is worn on a finger or thumb by someone doing hand sewing to help push needles through the material being sewn and to prevent fingers getting stuck by the needle. Some history and facts about the sewing thimble: Thimbles of one sort or another have probably been around since the beginning of sewing, more than five thousand years ago. The oldest known thimble is made from bronze and dates from the 1st century A.D. It was found in the ruins of ancient Pompeii.

The Hand Sewing Needle - History and Facts
[Reference-and-Education] Even a small thing like a hand sewing needle has had a role in the history of humans. Some facts and history about the hand sewing needle: The first sewing needles were made from bone and were used to sew animal hides together. The oldest known bone sewing needle was one found in what is now southwestern France and has been estimated to be over 25,000 years old.

Birthstones - The Modern List
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] There have been many different lists of stones that correspond with the months or signs of the zodiac. The most recent one is a list that was adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. This is the official list of birthstones used in the United States.

Gemstones - From Rough to Finished
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Jewelry-Diamonds] Gemstones used in jewelry are stones that have been worked by a gem cutter, also known as a lapidarist. Most gemstones look markedly different in their naturally occurring rough state than when they are used in jewelry. The art, knowledge and skill of the gem cutter can turn a chunk of rock into a beautifully cut and formed gemstone.

Sewing Thread - Stitching it All Together
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] Thread is a tightly twisted strand of two or more ply of yarn used for hand and machine sewing. Some facts about sewing thread: The difference between thread and yarn is that thread is used to sew together garments and other products, while yarn is a collection of fibers that is woven or knit into textiles. All threads are made from yarn, but yarn is not made of threads.

Chinese Tea Smoked Chicken
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] This Chinese method of smoking is much different than western methods as it uses brown sugar and tea. Wash chicken thoroughly, inside and out and pat dry. ALWAYS wash chicken well with plenty of water, no matter how you're going to cook it. The way chickens are processed commercially leaves a lot to be desired.

Wok Cooking 101
[Food-and-Drink:Cooking-Tips] There is no end to the versatility and flavor that can be achieved by cooking in a wok. It's not only used for stir-frying, but for deep frying, steaming, making soup, or for even making popcorn. Less oil is needed to cook food in a wok when stir-frying, thus helping to reduce fat and calories.

Peanut Butter Chicken Stir-Fry
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] It may seem a little odd to some to cook with peanut butter, but if you like peanut butter you'll like this recipe! Here is a great recipe to try out tonight!

Stir Fried Chicken With Cabbage
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Cabbage, along with other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi are very heart-healthy foods. Here is a great recipe anyone would love!

Beer Batter Chicken With Rainbow Peppers
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] A recipe that highlights the versatility of the wok as a deep fry and stir fry pan. As a safety feature when using the wok to deep fry, always have the lid nearby! There is a possibility of a wok or any other vessel that has hot oil in it to ignite.

Chinese Fried Rice
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] A basic Chinese recipe, and a great way to use meat and rice leftovers. To cook basic long-grain white rice, bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan that has a lid. When water is boiling, put in rice and stir.

Teriyaki Chicken
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] This dish is more in the style of Japanese cooking, as the chicken is cooked on a griddle, not in the wok, and separate from the vegetables. I use an electric griddle, and it works great. The dish can be made with chicken breast, but I prefer to use chicken thigh meat...

Egg Foo Yong
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] One of my favorite Chinese foods is Egg Foo Yong, which is nothing more than a Chinese-style omelet. Egg Foo Yong is like the 'Chinese' dish Chop Suey in that it was not developed in China, but in America by Chinese chefs. This dish can be cooked in a wok, but a cast iron skillet or griddle works much better, as more can be cooked at one time.

Chinese Orange Flavored Pork
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] This recipe has the natural sweetness and flavor of orange juice and orange zest. This dish can also be prepared with leftover pre-cooked pork. Prepare the orange sauce and stir fry the vegetables and add the meat after the vegetables have cooked and just before the orange sauce mixture.

The Four Regions of Chinese Cuisine
[Food-and-Drink] The world of Chinese food consists of more variety than most Americans realize. There are many different types of food in China that can be categorized roughly by four regions: Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western.

Mahogany Chicken Wings
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] This recipe results in chicken wings that are a brown color when cooked (hence the name). The sauce the wings are marinated in, along with the natural gelatin in the wings makes for delicious flavor and texture.

The Lion Dance - Ancient Art Form of China
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] The Lion Dance of China originated over one thousand years ago. It depicts the Asiatic lions of nearby India, some of which may have been presented to early Chinese Emperors as gifts. Lions in Chinese culture are guardian creatures, with statues of lions guarding royal palaces, homes of government officials and royal tombs.

Elephant Garlic Chicken
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Elephant garlic is not actually garlic, but a type of leek. It gets its name because the individual cloves of elephant garlic are so large that they can be as big as an entire head of regular garlic. It is available in many large supermarkets. Elephant garlic has a much milder and sweeter taste than regular garlic.

Mongolian Beef
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] This is a recipe that reflects the cooking techniques of northern China. The meaty flavor of this dish has made it popular, even with folks who don't usually like Chinese food.

Yin and Yang - Sweet and Sour
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Chinese philosophy pays a great deal of attention to opposites. Light and dark, sad and happy, black and white. These concepts are called Yin and Yang. But these concepts are more than opposing. They are complimentary. There can be no light without dark, no dark without light. No heaven without earth, and no earth without heaven. This philosophy permeates all of Chinese culture, including their cuisine.

Basic Pizza Dough
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] This dough uses olive oil and two packets of rapid rise yeast to create a basic pizza dough. This dough can be made in any kind of electric mixer that is heavy duty enough for dough making. Use a dough hook in the mixer.

Pizza Stones and How to Use Them
[Food-and-Drink:Cooking-Tips] The home cook that wants to create a great homemade pizza should take a cue from professional pizza chefs. Half of the battle is in the crust. Whether thick or thin, the crust can make or break a pizza. No matter what the toppings are, if the crust is not done all the way through, or done too much to the point of being burnt, the pizza is ruined.

The Perfect Home Made Pizza
[Food-and-Drink:Cooking-Tips] By following just a few simple and basic rules of thumb, anyone can make delicious pizza at home. Use a good pizza dough - some folks use the refrigerated dough that comes in a roll, some use Bisquick or some other powdered mix. But why not make your own?

The Chinese Dragon Tortoise
[Home-Improvement:Feng-Shui] Dragons and tortoises are two of the most powerful symbols in Chinese mythology. The Dragon itself stands for many things. Wealth, fertility, positive energy and immortality are but a few of the symbolic meanings.

Home Made Pizza Sauce
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] There's a huge variety of pre-made pizza sauces available. But if you make your own, you can make it as you like it. The basic ingredient in pizza sauce is plain old tomato sauce. Making your own pizza sauce is really quite easy. I use tomato paste, as it is thick enough that you can add many different things to it.

Types of Cheese For Pizza
[Food-and-Drink] Without a doubt the most popular cheese to use for pizza is mozzarella. This cheese originated in the Naples region of Italy and was first made from water buffalo milk. Original mozzarella was of very high moisture content, and had a short shelf life. It The texture of the original mozzarella did not lend to grating at all, and the cheese was usually cut into slices to be used.

Oregano - Herb of the Mediterranean
[Food-and-Drink] Oregano is an herb most thought of as an ingredient in many types of Italian food. Oregano has a wonderfully aromatic and warm smell when used in Italian dishes like pizza and it is a great compliment to any tomato-based pasta sauce.

Basil - The King of Herbs
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Basil is a very fragrant herb that is related to mint. It is thought to have originated in India, Asia and Africa and has been cultivated for over 5,000 years. It has a slight flavor of anise and is used in Italian, Greek, and Asian cuisine. Its name comes from the Greek word for king.

Marjoram - More Subtle Than Oregano
[Food-and-Drink] Marjoram is an herb that is sometimes confused with oregano. The two herbs are both members of the mint family, but marjoram has a more subtle, sweet flavor.

Thyme - The Antiseptic Herb
[Food-and-Drink:Cooking-Tips] Thyme is an herb that has been known about and used since ancient times. Egyptians used it as an ingredient for embalming, ancient Greeks would burn the herb for its aromatic properties. The spread of thyme through Europe is credited to the ancient Romans, as they used it as a room purifier and a flavoring for cheese and food.

Home Made Pasta
[Food-and-Drink:Pasta-Dishes] If you've got some time and are willing to put forth some effort, you can make your own home made pasta. The basic ingredients are:

Basic Tomato Sauce For Pasta
[Food-and-Drink:Pasta-Dishes] Cook onions, carrot and celery in olive oil over low heat for a minute or two. Add garlic and cook until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes or so. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Garlic is usually added after the onions and celery cook for a few minutes because garlic will burn faster. Burnt garlic turns bitter!

Chinese Wall Scrolls - History, Practice and Artistry
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] The span of Chinese culture traverses 6,000 years, and the history of Chinese art is almost as long. The art of Chinese painting can be thought to begin with the Chinese written language, because Chinese characters began as simple pictures (or pictographs) thousands of years ago.

The Marvelous Onion - Facts and Folklore
[Food-and-Drink] Onions have been valued for thousands of years for culinary, medicinal and other uses. Some facts and folklore about the onion.

Garlic - The Left Footprint of Satan
[Food-and-Drink] Some facts and folklore about garlic: Garlic is a member of the same family as the onion, leek and shallot. The name 'garlic' comes fro man Old English word that means 'spear leek'. Garlic is thought to have originated in southeast Asia.

The Tomato - From the New World
[Food-and-Drink] Some history and facts about tomatoes. Tomatoes are in the same botanical family as tobacco, peppers, potatoes, eggplant and the poisonous plant deadly nightshade. Tomatoes are thought to have originated in South America and Mexico. These wild tomatoes were the size of the modern day cherry tomatoes.

Crab Rangoon
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Crab Rangoon is a staple of Chinese and most other kinds of oriental restaurants, but they are not a traditional Chinese dish. There are very few authentic Chinese dishes that call for any kind of cheese and none that use cream cheese.