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Unique as you...turquoise

4/1/2019

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Quick...which of these stones don't belong?
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Trick question...none of them, because they're all turquoise!

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The Browns & Golds of November

10/26/2015

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Now that Summer is gone, gone, gone, and the oranges and reds of October have peaked and we will soon be left with browns and golds to remind us that Autumn is really here.  I thought I’d visit with the browns and golds in gemstones and metals.  I think it’s fun to find out the backstory for some of my favorite materials…come join me.

Boulder Opal
Boulder Opal
Most people think of blues and greens when they think of opals, but the Boulder Opal is distinguished by their layer of solid brown ironstone left on the back of the stone. Boulder opals, as the name suggests, are mined from large ironstone boulders under the ground, and only in Queensland, Australia.  Thin veins of colorful opal forms in cracks and fissures in these boulders.  Because these veins of color are so thin, opal cutters need to leave the ironstone on the back of the opal to form a full sized stone.  The thin layer of opal in boulder opals can display any color of the spectrum in a beautiful play of color.

Tiger Eye is a gemstone that is usually a metamorphic rock that is a golden to red-brown color, with a silky luster. It is actually from the quartz family.

Tiger Eye
Tiger Eye
Septarian Jasper
Septarian Jasper
Septarian Jasper, also sometimes called Dragonstone, was created as a result of volcanic eruptions during which dead sea life was chemically attracted to the sediment around them, forming mud balls. As the ocean receded, the balls dried and cracked. They also shrank in size, creating the cracks inside.  The name Septarian comes from the Latin word “septem”, meaning seven, because the mud balls had a tendency to crack in 7 points in every direction, thereby creating the distinctive pattern these nodules exhibit.


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Picture Jaspers exhibit combinations of patterns (such as banding from flow or depositional patterns from water or wind) or color variations resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, on a cut section.

Smoky Quartz is a smoky-gray, brown to black quartz colored by Aluminum-based and irradiation-induced color centers.  It’s healing properties are said to bring strength and stability, and a sense of personal pride.

Smoky Quarz
Smoky Quarz
Ammonite
Ammonite
Ammonite are an extinct group of marine mollusk animals and are more closely related to octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish than they are to shelled nautiloids such as the living Nautilus species.

Peitersite was discovered by Sid Pieters in 1962 while he was prospecting some farmland in Namibia, Africa.  Colors include various blues, golds and reds, that may appear together or alone. Blue is the rarest color, followed by red. The blues range from a baby blue to dark midnight hue. Golds can be light to very deep and rich, sometimes having a reddish hue.

Pietersite
Pietersite
Peanut WoodPeanut Wood
Peanut Wood is, in fact, a “Petrified Wood”,  a tree that has over a period of time turned into stone; The original living matter is normally replaced with a silicate such as Quartz.  Peanut Wood however, is not your normal Petrified Wood. Before it became petrified, it was swept into the ocean. The ocean washed and cleaned the wood and turned it into something that would resemble driftwood that you might see on a beach today. In the ocean this driftwood came under attack from shell fish known as Shipworm.  Just like wood worms, they created little bore holes and tunnels into the wood. As the wood got heavier and heavier as the attacks increased, it was no longer able to float and sank to the sea bed. Here the bore holes became filled with a lightly-coloured sediment. Over a period of time, the wood became covered with more and more layers of mud and sediment and eventually the petrification process began.  Its name Peanut Wood was given to the gemstone as the lightly colored boreholes resemble peanuts trapped in a delicious toffee.


Petrified Palm is the state stone of Texas and the state fossil of Louisiana.  It comes from palm trees between 20 – 40 million years ago, give or take a few years. The characteristic spotted look of palmwood is from the rod like structures within the grain of the wood. Depending upon the angle the lapidary uses to cut the stone, these structures show up as spots, tapering rods, or lines.

Petrified Palm
Petrified Palm
Bronze was significant to any culture that encountered it. It was one of the most innovative alloys of mankind. Tools, weapons, armor, and various building materials like decorative tiles made of bronze were harder and more durable than their stone and copper (“Chalcolithic”) predecessors. Nowadays, you will see the oil-rubbed bronze in many household fixtures, but also in jewelry.

Copper & Freshwater PearlCopper & Freshwater Pearl
Copper was, according to archeological finds, the first metal to be used by Neolithic mankind to supplement his stone tools over 10,000 years ago.  Antique Copper is copper that has a dark patina.

Gold has been known since prehistoric times and was also one of the first metals to be worked, mainly because it was to be found as nuggets or as particles in the beds of streams. Such was the demand that by 2000 BC the Egyptians began mining gold. The death mask of Tutankhamen, who died in 1323 BC, contained 100 kg of the metal. The minting of gold coins began around 640 BC in the Kingdom of Lydia (situated in what is now modern Turkey).   The first pure gold coins were minted in the reign of King Croesus, who ruled from 561–547 BC.
So there you have it, a brief history and education on the browns & golds of November.  If you see any of the gemstones that you love, please remember that I love doing custom work, so contact me and let’s design your pieces together.

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September Feature: Jasper, One Stone, So Many Colors

8/26/2015

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The red oak leaves are starting to land on my porch, which reminds me that autumn is on its way and leaves will soon be turning colors.  Before we know it, we’ll be surrounded by hues of greens, golds, oranges, and reds.  Jasper, the stone I’m featuring this month, comes in the colors of autumn and then some.

Jasper is the zodiacal stone for Leo, Virgo (the September sign) and Scorpio.  It is said to have properties that can be both invigorating and stabilizing.  It generates an even rhythmic pulse and has been known to improve the sense of smell and overcome depression.  Other conditions it is known to aid range from digestion and stomach problems to blood disorders.

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Red Creek Jasper with Copper wire wrapping
Red Creek Jasper comes from China and is named for the stream that runs through the are of the turquoise mine in China in which it was discovered.  It is softer than other quartz-based stones and can have a granite-like appearance.  The soft, sensual shades remind me of butter, mustard, olive, and cooked lobster with delicate tracings of licorice.  Are you getting hungry?  Well, you’ll have to settle for feasting your eyes on this Red Creek Jasper pendant…one of my favorites.
I just finished this Dalmation Jasper necklace with matte black onyx beads.  The black and white spots on the stone are highlighted by the sterling wire-wrapped setting.   You can tell where it gets its name from.

I love the look of these raw stones.  I have an assortment of different Jaspers waiting to be turned into something fantastic.  I am happy to make a custom piece out of any of these stones.  I have many, many more available to turn into a one-of-a-kind piece just for you.  Message me to schedule your personal consultation.

Happy Autumn!

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Dalmation Jasper with matte Black Onyx beads.
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Picture Jasper
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Fancy Jasper
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Rainbow Jasper
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Breciated Jasper
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The Color of May

4/29/2015

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April showers bring May flowers, and this is the theme of May! We have been blogging about the color trends for each month, and for May we are a bit more specific. This month, it is all about pretty pink petals!

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Starting with my one of my favorite beads: cloisonne, these are both unique and colorful, full of brilliant hues from pastel pinks to deep blues amid designs of flowers, animals, oriental or geometric patterns. Named for the ‘cloisons’ or cells that are filled with agate-based enamel and framed with gold or silver wire, the majority in my collection feature beautiful flowers. On the left, a dark scarlet background contrasts those pretty pink flowers and green leaves. On the right, are a more unique pair. Charming blue fish have rosy, flowery fins that complement any outfit, swimmingly! If you’d like to know more about the history and details of how cloisonne is made, check out my previous blog post here.


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Ruby Fuchsite (also known as Ruby in Fuchsite) is our next entry with it’s pale or deep ruby carved flowers on a pale to medium green background. It was formed from ruby crystals embedded in the fuchsite. Perfect for pendants, the contrasting colors make quite a statement with their delicate carvings of detailed leaves and blushing petals. Found predominantly in South India, I have several unique Ruby Fuchsite stones in my collection, including a wrapped pendant at the North Carolina Arboretum.

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Delightful millefiori glass beads are our last feature. Millefiori glass, from the Italian words meaning “thousands of flowers,” has a beautiful flower pattern within the glass that is full of brilliant colors! On the right are classic, black squares the intrinsic, warm flowers dotting throughout it. On the left are bright crimson ovals with simply floral designs. Both are absolutely lovely and perfect for bright summer days! Our honorable mention are these aqua millefiori glass earrings that have light aqua blue flowers stretched across their unique shape. Even though the flowers aren’t pink, they still deserve a mention in this post!


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Many of these pieces can be purchased at Etsy. However, should you be interesetd in a custom piece (such as a wrapped ruby fuschite), please don’t hesitate to contact me here!


As a final thought, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers out there!

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Marsala, the Color of February

1/25/2015

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Marsala is the color of rich red wine and rosy cheeks.  It’s the hue of dusty dessert sunsets and deep, earthy gemstones. It’s the color of the year and the color of February!

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Marsala, merlot, earthy red and burgundy-russet correspond to garnet, sponge coral and mountain jade.  These red jewels are the gemstones of February.  While red tends to be a color that only a few skin tones can wear successfully, marsala, the earthier tone of red, complements nearly all skin hues.  It is a rich shade that adds warmth and zest to any neutral color.  Pairing it with gold or silver, especially, gives an extra air of elegance.  Trends predict that you will see marsala in everything from eyeshadow, nail polish and clothing to curtains, tablecloths and other housewares.  It won’t be difficult to find a matching (or contrasting) counterpart!


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Beginning with garnet, this pendant with the Apache rhyolite (on the left and right) is the epitome of a marsala-toned piece. Apache rhyolite is named “streaming rock” from the unique way it is formed.  At the foot of volcanoes, crystal-rich layers of rock form bubbles and bands from lava flowing across the stone’s surface.  In the wake of deadly heat, beautiful, organic shapes are contrived in abstract patterns of reds, purples and whites. The tiny, faceted garnet beads, reminiscent of pomegranate seeds in their rich luster, adorn the base of the Apache rhyolite to enhance the elegance of the pendant. With the radiance of the garnet, coupled with the rich tones in the rhyolite, this pendant has earned its place as a prime example of the sophistication and beauty of marsala.


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Not to be outdone, however, is the sponge coral.  It is too bright to be defined as marsala in the strictest definition of the color, but its deepness and delicate pattern have secured its place on the list.  In the photos are several examples of the sponge coral in my collection.  The myriad of shapes are, not only fun to work with, but also make for beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry.  Sponge coral, despite its name, have nothing to do with sponges.  Instead, this coral, found in South China seas, has a spong-like appearance that inspired its name.  The detailing might not be clear in the photograph on the right, but each piece has a pattern.  These markings might not be obvious at all, but the small color variations and lacework pattern give sponge coral a deepness that is beyond compare. The really deep reds are the result of “color enhancement”.


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Finally, red mountain jade is the epitome of beauty. This is actually dolomite that has been dyed (since nature doesn’t produce this vivid red). Like the sponge coral, it lacks purple tones that would make it true marsala; nonetheless, it is an earthy, ancient stone that brightens and warms the more serious merlot.  It is a featureless stone-unless carved-whose beauty is found in its vibrant color and polished surface. In ancient times, red mountain jade was  a gemstone of nobility, power, and royalty, especially in the East.  Even now it still maintains those properties of wisdom, confidence and power in its simplicity.  Colored like a cranberry fresh off its bush, the heart of red mountain jade reflects the inner strength of its wearer! It is also one of my more affordable gemstones.

The honorable mentions in this post are red cinnabar and sonoran sunset! Both are gorgeous red stones that make up a large portion of my collection of gemstones. You can read more about cinnabar here and sonoran sunset here! If you are interested in purchasing these pieces, you can find the majority on Etsy; however, a few are at Kress Emporium and the other galleries that carry my things.  Contact me for more information!  Don’t forget, I’m always open to creating custom pieces just for you! Whether you have a gemstone in your collection or if you would like to browse my collection for a stone that you simply cannot put down, I can help! Go to my custom jewelry page to contact me!
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