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The invention of jet propulsion was ideal for fighter aircraft. Although at first it reduced range and endurance and often increased the take-off run. The German Messerschmitt Me 262 and the British Gloster Meteor twin jets saw action in 1944, together with the tailless Me 163 rocket interceptor which sacrificed range and endurance for astounding climb and speed in defending local areas against heavy bombers.

Germany was far in front of other countries in another factor too: armament. A range of 30 mm (1 inch) cannon, radically new high-speed cannon with multiple-revolver chambers, very large recoilless guns, spin-stabilised air-to-air rockets fired in salvoes, and wire-guided air-to-air missiles were all under test before the Luftwaffe s defeat. They gradually inspired similar developments in other countries: one German gun, the Mauser MG 213, led to the American Pontiac M-39, the French DEFA, the Russian NR-30, the Swiss Oerlikon KCA, and the British Aden, all of which are still in use.

Many early jet fighters were fitted into more or less conventional airframes. The fighter often considered the ultimate achievement of the piston era, the long-range North American P-51 Mustang appeared both in a twinned double-fuselage form and, with few changes, as a US Navy jet.

But the US Air Force decided to wait a year until its makers could sweep back the wings and tail at 35 degrees, which German research had shown could lead to higher speed. The result was the F-86 Sabre, which in 1948 set a speed record at 1,080 km/h (671 mph) and outflew all other fighters. Later versions carried radar and rockets and reached 1,150 km/h (715 mph).

During the Korean War (1950-3) the F-86 met a previously unknown machine built in the Soviet Union, the somewhat lighter and simpler MiG-15, and although the MiG could climb higher and had heavy cannon, the Sabre’s skilled pilots and better equipment gave it the edge in combat.

North American’s next fighter was the F-100 Super Sabre, which exceeded the speed of sound in level flight. The MiG bureau built the twin jet MiG-19, which was even faster, and is still in wide use. The US Air Force ordered various all-weather interceptors with largely automatic radar and flight control systems so that, with guided missiles, they could intercept and destroy enemy aircraft without the pilot ever seeing them.

The British ordered a jet-fighter flying-boat, but discovered that this way of doing business without airfields produced an inferior fighter. The Americans suffered similar problems with a ‘hydroski’ fighter, which could dive faster than sound, but took off and landed on retractable water skis.

Two even stranger fighters were designed around powerful turboprop engines and, standing on their tails, screwed themselves vertically into the air (they were intended to operate from the confined decks of warships or merchant vessels). Britain built high-altitude supersonic fighters with ‘mixed power’ from a turbojet and a rocket. In 1957 the British Minister of Defence suggested there would soon be no more manned fighters at all, only missiles. The Americans stuck to fighters, but made them very large and armed them with missiles, but no gun.

Today the wheel has turned full circle. In the past 10 to 20 years there has been a powerful trend to get back to the ‘eyeball-to-eyeball’ type of confrontation of the man in the Sopwith Camel. The pre-eminent Western fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, was rebuilt with an internal gun, a rapid-fire 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon with six barrels firing up to 6,000 rds/ min, and a slatted wing to pull tighter turns in combat.

New small fighters appeared, such as the General Dynamics F-16, which, although bigger and heavier than any single-engined fighters of World War II, are nevertheless small and light by comparison with such impressive machines as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and MiG-25 Foxbat, The RAF’s next interceptor, the ADV (Air-Defence Version) of the Panavia Tornado, is a careful midway compromise, smaller than the three monsters just listed, but with two engines, long range, powerful radar, and extremely effective Skyflash missiles.

Modern interceptors defend vast blocks of airspace up to 160 km (100 miles) in radius, with powerful radar able to look down at the surrounding land and water and spot low-flying intruders trying to slip through the defences unnoticed. Their task is eased by the presence of special surveillance, early-warning, and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, with enormous radars and sophisticated command and control systems to manage all a nation’s defences in the most efficient way.

There is no better feeling than being in the cockpit during your jet fighter flight. Jet fighter flights and jet fighter joy flights are the ultimate gift giving and receiving experience that will be remembered forever. Your jet fighter pilot experience is available in Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville. Visit flyingwarbirds.com.au for more details. For mini bus hire Brisbane, contact Group 1 Minibus.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or photorejuvenation therapy is a light based technology which treats several skin conditions in one treatment.

It works in the deeper layers of the skin where traditional skincare cannot reach, thus achieving a far superior result in a shorter time frame.

Skin concerns such as pigmentation, freckling, sun damage, capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea may be treated with photorejuvenation.

Pulses of light are applied to the skin either in single zone or more commonly over the whole area to provide a uniform result.

The treatments remove most types of sun induced pigmentation like freckling, age spots and sun damage. By lessening the darker pigmentation IPL leaves the skin with a more even tone.

Vascular skin concerns including capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea are also targeted by the broad wavelengths of light.

As most people will have several skin concerns, this treatment has become popular as it can address them all. The IPL photorejuvenation also stimulates the production of collagen which will plump and smooth the texture of the skin, improving fine lines, wrinkles and pitted scarring.

The most common treatment areas are face, neck, décolletage/chest area and backs of hands.

There is little or no downtime involved with photorejuvenation. Most people will experience some redness and heat in the area which subsides in several hours after treatment.

The darker areas of pigment may form tiny ‘pigment crusts’ which lift off in a few days revealing the result underneath. As the skin is not broken or damaged it is fine to wear make-up, though exfoliation via mechanical scrubs and AHA/glycolics is to be avoided for a week after the IPL treatment.

IPL Photorejuvenation treatments can be utilised as a once off treatment, however a course of treatments will promote the best results.

A progressive result can be expected with a change usually noticed within a week after a session. It is of utmost importance to wear sunscreen in between and after treatments as most of the damage on skin is caused by UV exposure and to prolong the result from the IPL photorejuvenation this is essential.

For more information about IPL Brisbane or IPL photorejuvenation Brisbane, contact Image by Laser.

Your phone has been ringing all morning. You’re trying to get a report out and people have been constantly walking in and out of your office, it’s like a railway station! You’re exhausted - and it’s only 11.00am!

Spare a thought for your receptionist. This is what most receptionists face day in, day out.

The role of the receptionist was once as simple as answering phones and attending to personal visitors. Now the definition of a receptionist is more accurately defined as someone who answers the phone, greets people in person, does 25 things at once, and is continually interrupted.

At any one time a receptionist might be on the phone, holding two calls, tending to a personal client and calling a cab, all while typing the minutes from yesterday’s staff meeting.

The role of the receptionist is sometimes looked upon as a lowly position, by the public, co-workers, management and receptionists themselves. The attitude is - “It’s just reception, how difficult can it be?”

A survey conducted by Reception Plus found that 63% of receptionists do not feel valued or appreciated. They feel isolated and their efforts unappreciated in many cases.

How can you ensure that anyone calling or coming in to reception will feel comfortable and likely to do business with you? The answer is motivation, encouragement and appreciation of the person at your front desk.

Your marketing and sales personnel promote the advantages of using your services. If people making contact feel they’re treated poorly or even rudely, they may choose to seek out your competitors rather than repeat a disappointing experience. I know I would.

The majority of receptionists are proactive, efficient and welcoming. They care about their clients and it is obvious; they make people feel welcome and relaxed; they’re helpful, but not condescending; in control, but not over-bearing; friendly but not unprofessional.

If your receptionist is like this, let him or her know that you appreciate their approach and contribution to the smooth running of the organisation.

It may be by simply remembering to acknowledge them as you enter the office, returning their smile, using your manners, asking their opinion, even making them a coffee.

On the other hand, your receptionist may be showing signs of being a little challenged, finding it difficult to know how to respond to various people and situations, and to manage several things at once. Don’t leave them to struggle. Seek out options for training and encouragement.

Reception is very similar to customer service. The requirements are the same: a positive attitude, confidence, assertiveness, good communication, people and telephone skills, politeness, efficiency, willingness to help, ability to handle multiple tasks, and a sound knowledge of the company procedures and services. These attributes can all be learned by a willing participant.

Looking for a receptionist course? Receptionist training is one of the best investments you can make for your business. Reception Plus conducts professional receptionist seminars throughout Australia. Check their website for locations and dates.

To get paid, you would figure is vitally crucial to your business because if you aren’t paid, why are you in business?

You would be surprised at the amount of business people who have their clients to pay up when and if they get around to it. I know of such a business owner who always gets bad debts like trophies. Why, do you think? Simply because he cannot bring himself to ask for the cash and allows people to take advantage of him.

If you give someone credit, only do it when they have cleared consistency to you by paying cash on delivery (COD) for some period of time. Furthermore, you should check whether they have the means to pay you - if not don’t do business with them. Don’t push yourself into thinking “I need the work” or “I need the sales”. It’s damaging when you do the service or providing the goods for zip if you aren’t getting paid.

If you are the sort of person who can’t request the payment when the job has been done, try these tips:
Tell your client that when the job is finished up, you need cash or cheque. They should be likely to have it there at the transacation and you do not have to ask for your fee.

When you hand out a quote, make sure your payment terms are evident.

Create an invoice with the terms of payment clearly listed and send the client the invoice when the service is finished. They should review the invoice and reactively realise they will pay for it now without you needing to say anything. Invent a “nasty boss” who may flay you alive if you can not return with the money for the work.

Organise your bank branch to provide you with Merchant facilities so you can accept credit cards like Mastercard and Visa. Many people possess credit cards and it should solve the problem of the customer not having a cheque book or not having the right amount of cash in their wallet.

Otherwise, don’t be persuaded against to hold onto any goods until they have been paid for. Understand, until the goods have been paid for, the goods remain yours.

If you choose to give a customer credit, make sure you have taken the following information off them some time BEFORE you permit them credit.

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Bank name and address
• Account no.
• 3 trade references with their names, addresses and phone numbers

Once you record all this information, call the branch and make for sure that they do have an account with them. Then, ring all of the trade reference and find out if they pay their fees on time or if there have been any difficulties with them.

Most people will be willing to tell you if the person is troublesome. If everything is OK, allow them a moderate level of debt, say no more than $500 (depending on your business). Monitor the operation of the account for a few months before allowing this amount to be exceeded.

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If you publish one bad ad, meaning, nobody responds, the world does not come to an end. But if you plan poorly, or not at all, you have reason to worry about your business coming to a halt.

Once you’ve determined where you should advertise, studied your target audience, and chosen the media you’ll use, the planning of what you’ll say and when you’ll say it is essential to your success. You’ve got to plan with your goals in mind as well as your budget, your competition, your plans for the future, and the realities of the moment.

Might your short or long-range planning include promotions with other companies? Smart marketers are constantly on the hunt for joint advertising opportunities, chances to tie in with other businesses so that the advertising gets more exposure but at a lower price, since the cost is shared with others.

If three local stores, all compatible, such as a drapery store, a carpet showroom, and a wallpaper shop, combine to run a full-page ad in a regional edition of a national magazine, they all gain the credibility of the ad, but the cost will be only a third of what it normally would be. That’s one of the benefits of joint advertising, and that’s why you should consider the concept before planning your campaign. Just be sure that you never lose your own identity in partner ventures.

Plan your advertising campaign with an eye toward what you’ll do in case you are copied. If you come up with a dynamite plan and it is highly successful, you can count on being copied. So be certain that your name, your look, your logo, the whole works, are synonymous with your name and identity. You may be copied, but your consumers won’t confuse you with the others. Be certain that your plan takes into consideration five important variables:

1. Advertising
2. Promotions
3. Other marketing weapons like promotional products
4. Coordination
5. Timing

Think of these as a basketball team with five players. No matter how good it is, if it lost only one player and had to play with a four-player team, it would lose most of its games to complete teams that excel at teamwork. A good plan includes all the players and is the essence of teamwork. Alone, each of these players just can’t do the job. They need each other. Every smart marketing professional plays with his or her full team.

The smart marketer knows that an advertising campaign must have continuity to do the persuading job well. In advertising, intermittent communication is no communication at all. Your plan must have consistency built right into it. The idea is not to flirt with your public but to convince them. There is a huge difference between the two. Any true advertising expert will tell you that frequency and persistence are the secrets of success in marketing. A major commitment to one or a few of the media will work better in most cases than an across-the-board plan with a variety of media but a short insertion schedule.

You should plan your campaign so that you are consistent, but never boring, committed, but never predictable. You’ve got to build special promotions into your plan to keep your staff on their feet and your competitors off balance. The only part of the plan engraved in stone is your identity. Flexibility and an ability to make alterations in your advertising is crucial.

Promotional products like printed carrier bags, promotional balloons and promotional badges are a great marketing investment. They can be used to thank existing customers, generate curiousity in prospects and keep your brand top of mind. Need ideas? Visit hotline.co.uk today and browse our fabulous range of promotional products and corporate give-aways.

The word cockroach is taken from the Spanish cucaracha. The cockroach is characterized by a flattened oval body, long threadlike antennae, and a shiny black or brown leathery integument. The head is directed downward, and the mouthparts are pointed to the rear instead of forward or downward as is the case for almost all other insects. The male usually has two pairs of wings, while the female, who in some species, is wingless or possesses vestigial wings. The female generates eggs in egg cases (labeled oothecae). These are sometimes held coming from her body or may be glued in protected places. After the female deposits an egg case, the soft, white nymphs emerge. As their exoskeleton hardens, it turns brown in appearance. The geometry and large size (certain species demonstrate a wing span measurement of over 12 cm [4.7 inches]) of cockroaches have made them a significant objective in the biological laboratory.

The cockroach prefers a warm, humid, dark living habitat and is usually located in tropical or other mild temperatures. Just a couple of species have become pests. The insect inflicts damage upon more material than it digests and possesses a disgusting odour. The nutrition of the roach, which should be both plant and animal product, ranges from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, particularly bedbugs. Insecticides can be taken in roach killing.

The American cockroach (species Periplaneta americana) is 30 to 50 mm long (up to about 2 inches), reddish brown, and inhabits outdoors or in dark, heated indoor places (e.g., basements and furnace rooms). During adult life, a period of about 1.5 years, the female deposits 50 or more oothecae, each containing around 16 eggs that hatch after 45 days. Nymphal life lasts from 11 to 14 months. The American cockroach, originally from tropical and subtropical America, has well-developed wings. However, the majority of species are often not great at flying.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a common house pest and is on occasion erroneously thought of as a waterbug, is light brown with two dark stripes on the prothoracic area. The female creates the ootheca three days after mating and carries it for generally around 20 days. Because it is tiny in size (about 12 mm [less than 0.5 inch] long), this cockroach generally is taken into households in grocery bags and boxes; it has moved across the globe by boat. Three or more generations might breed yearly. This cockroach, abundant through the water pipes of the Croton Aqueduct in New York City, is commonly known as the Croton bug.

The brown-banded cockroach (Supella supellectilium) is like the German cockroach but is a bit smaller. The male has completely developed wings and is paler in colour than the female, whose wings are stunted and nonfunctional. Both sexes have two light-coloured bands across the back. The adult life span is roughly 200 days, and there may be two generations annually. Eggs are be dropped in clothes, wood molding, or cracks in the floor. With the innovation of heated buildings this cockroach became common in cooler locations.

The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is held as one of the dirtiest of household pests. It is oval, shiny black or dark brown, 25 to 30 mm (1 to 1.2 inches) long, with a life cycle like that of the American cockroach. The male has short, fully developed wings, but the female possesses vestigial wings. This cockroach has been taken by vehicles of commerce from its Asiatic origins to all the temperate regions.

Wood roaches are not domestic pests. Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, the common wood cockroach, lives beneath logs and stones in northern latitudes. The male and female are so unlike in appearance that they were originally seen as unique species. The male, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long, possesses wings that expand beyond the abdomen; the female is smaller and possesses much shorter wings. Cryptocercus punctulatus digests wood with the help of select protozoans in its digestive tract.

Got a cockroach or pest problem? If you’re looking for pest control Brisbane or a pest exterminator Brisbane, contact Brislander today.

Sophisticated, sassy and up to the minute, the Gold Coast is Australia’s number one beach holiday location. At least 10 million visitors flock to the beaches during every year, lured under the ideal of simple, spoiled days and fantastic, fun-filled nights.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the Gold Coast proffers a myriad of activities to discover, people to meet and things to do. It isn’t simply another destination – it’s a lifestyle.

Why go to the Gold Coast?
If all-year-round sunshine and warm air to breathe along with over 57 glorious kilometres of coastline aren’t what will to get you dusting off your suitcases right now, allow the expansive variety of food and drink options, world class accommodation and endless variety of things to do on the Gold Coast bring up even more incentive. Are we there yet?

The best restaurants and cafes
With at least 500 thriving Gold Coast restaurants, the local dining scene is all about that eating absolutely is one of life’s greater pleasures. Some of the world’s top chefs call the Gold Coast home and you could take your choice of alfresco seafood restaurants with multi-million dollar views and modern, cosmopolitan up to the minute bustling eateries. Or decide on chilled out, classic Gold Coast cafes that allow simple things – exceptional service, quality food and amazing atmosphere – definitely are the best.

Exciting things to do
The expansive, exciting and eclectic landscape – picture lush green rainforest, hinterland and mountains; expansive beaches, great blue ocean waters and the sunny Surfers Paradise skyline - that is the Gold Coast is a practical ‘grown-up’s’ playground. Things to do could include surfing, fishing, sailing, water sports, golf, theme parks, film studios, action and adventure – why not see the amazing views via helicopter, seaplane, luxury cruiser or even a hot air balloon? Anything and everything is found on the Gold Coast.

A wide variety of hotels and accommodation
When it’s time to lay down your weary head, you can rest assured you’re not dreaming - your new home away from home awaits. The list of Gold Coast hotels on offer have treats to house every kind of travelers, whether you are looking for five-star waterfront glamour, a unique boutique retreat or a luxurious resort set on the ideallic grounds of a golf course.

International shopping scene
Granting a famous shopping circuit that offers your wish of great shopping centres, great open-air piazzas as well as bustling shopping strips by the coastline, we have so many of reasons to flex the plastic and come out weighed down with shopping bags! From the top brand fashion boutiques – with international and Australian flair – to individual homewares departments, whatever you are searching for, you’ll find it on the Gold Coast.

World-class day spas and retreats
Going on your time on the Gold Coast is going and splurging in that most important ‘me-time’ and there just is no better way to really take it than getting yourself in for a luxurious treatment at one of the amazing Gold Coast day spas. Whether it’s a relaxing back massage, a radiance-boosting facial, or an all-day pamper package offering a nutritious and restaurant quality meal deal, the Gold Coast health and wellness arena showcases a package to suit every whim.

Large international events and unique local festivals
Part of the permanent excitement of the Gold Coast is due in the constant lineup of massive international events and unique community events that take place. Pick any given day on the Gold Coast, you should be entertained by open-air concerts, international sporting events and professional surfing tournaments plus music, art, food and film festivals alike. No day is ever repeated on the Gold Coast, granting you even more incentive to get started!

Thinking about holidaying on the Gold Coast? If so, visit the Gold Coast Guide for a review of Gold Coast attractions including things to do, things to see and tips on how to find a great restaurant; Gold Coast restaurants offers some of the best food in Australia.

When you start a from-home business, time management is an area of business management that is usually overlooked or ignored.

Everybody knows a friend in small business who races about like a bull all day, seldom enough hours in a day, all they do is rush and get overwhelmed - is it that this person is you! To the end of the week, when the panic settles, what have you achieved? Do you reflect on the day and think “what happened to the hours, I didn’t get as much done as I planned to do. If this is familiar, then you may just have an organisational and time management problem.

Successful people seldom appear to rush, they are composed and unflustered. The difference between them and the other people is they command time management.

What is time management? It is merely arranging minutes in your day in an organised and efficient way. Before we can truly go ahead on how to time manage our day, we must figure for ourselves what we are hoping to complete today, this week, this year and possibly ten years from now. This is “Goal setting”.

The simplest way in my view to take on goals is to write them down. You could review all your goals sometimes to ensure that they are relevant and achievable but not so simple to do that you don’t need to put in the hard work to accomplish them otherwise what is the purpose of your goals in the first place?

At the start of each working year you should takethe time and think about what you plan to achieve this year. It may be that you want to enlarge your profits by 20%, you might would like to move into better premises, you could wish to take away from your debt as much as possible. From the start of each new working week you may write down on a note pad or in your diary the important tasks that must to be taken care of this week, and look back on them on each day to make sure you’re making progress and hopefully polish some of those jobs off your list.

You could put your list on your desk or on a spot where you should be persistently reminded of what must be finalised throughout the week. The list might be in order of urgency so that the major projects at the top of your list get taken care of first. Any work not done this week must be brought forward next week at a higher importance, this will make sure it gets finished.

The next thing you could be doing is having yourself a daily list of chores to accomplish. This may help keep you on schedule throughout each day. Again, this list could be placed where you can continually see it and tick off the jobs done. Finishing off the projects helps to give you a pride of a job well done and let you reflect on how you are working over the day. Always stay to the list if possible and try to continue working from higher priority to low priority. I know difficulties could jump up during the day that sometimes throw the whole day off track, but you have to either take on the crisis and return to your list or if the newly arisen chore isn’t as important as some of the issues on your list then put it for later on your list and continue with the job you were doing.

Every issue you need to accomplish needs to be written down for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, so you don’t forget to do it and secondly, so you have the day planned and you achieve your daily goals. Be sensitive to initiating chores and not completing them. This would become tomorrow in a disaster of half finished tasks and could cause “list blowout”.

You will end up with your list reading a mile long and you will give up in despair and reverse back to old habits of getting in a fuss during your day and completing nothing.

Remember for every day you plan your goals and check off every job on your list, you will get a step closer to completing your weekly and finally your yearly and long term goals.

A few tips on Time Management:

• Do it once and do it well, it’s pointless returning to the work and needing to redo it.
• Learn to nicely say to people when you’re working and that you can get back to them later.
• Learn to give out jobs that really don’t require your hand.
• Don’t embark on wild goose chases.
• Don’t spend time with phone calls that cannot assist with something.
• Don’t procrastinate.
• Look at your list of things to do repeatedly throughout the day.
• “Map out your day” in the shower and make out your daily list as soon as you start work. Achieve what you initiate.
• Prioritise in everything you do, always take items in their order of urgency to you and the work.

Be evasive with time wasters, people who would just go off to chat all day, and if they work for you, set them straight, or get rid of them.

For more information about self employment Brisbane, home business Brisbane, or work from home Brisbane, contact Lifestyle Switch. Make the switch to your own business today.

Jewellery for infants and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last ten years, but children have worn jewellery for many centuries, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.

There are many references to the wearing of baby and children’s jewelry over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewellery made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and wood were worn by infants. These early pieces were worn for fashion as well as for superstitious reasons; for example, to ward off evil spirits.

In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewellery item at birth. Sometimes a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewellery to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewellery in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewellery has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.

Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewellery have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created jewelry enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans crafted mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewelry. Jewellers in Roman times fitted precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewellery designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewellery today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents adorned the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with small silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.

In Victorian times, babies commonly wore beautiful gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often copied in today’s jewelry styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewelry items are now seen on display in museums.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewellery and these include:

• Artistic visual exhibition
• Protection from evil spirits
• Symbolism to show status or rank or membership
• Functional use such as clips, clasps, pins and buckles which later often evolved into decorative items.
• As currency or to display the wealth of the family.

Jewellery making reached the level of fine art in the seventeenth Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewelry items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewelry was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewelry continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewellery, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.

In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewellery as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewellery to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.

At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewellery, children’s jewelry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.

Jewellery for infants and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last ten years, but children have worn jewellery for many centuries, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.

There are many references to the wearing of infant and children’s jewellery throughout history, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewelry made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and timber were worn by infants. These early pieces were worn for fashion as well as for superstitious reasons; for example, to ward off evil spirits.

In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewellery item at birth. Often a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewellery to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewellery in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewellery has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.

Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewellery have been found in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created jewellery enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans crafted mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewellery. Jewellers in Roman times fitted precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewellery designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewelry today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents adorned the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with tiny silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.

In Victorian times, babies commonly wore beautiful gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often copied in today’s jewelry styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewellery items are now seen on display in museums.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewellery and these include:

• Artistic visual exhibition
• Protection from evil spirits
• Symbolism to show status or rank or membership
• Functional use such as clips, clasps, pins and buckles which later often evolved into decorative items.
• As currency or to display the wealth of the family.

Jewelry making reached the level of fine art in the seventeenth Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewelry items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewellery was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewellery continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewelry, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.

In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewelry as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewellery to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.

At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewelry, children’s jewelry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.