The golden tones of Autumn make their appearance in several gemstones that are used for jewelry. In this case Mookaite, yellow Calcite and yellow Jade are selected for this purpose.
Mookaite and yellow Jade chips make a double-scallop on either side of a Mookaite tear drop pendant.
Calcite ovals, round beads and silver plate beads add demension to the sides of this 21 inch necklace.
The necklace is closed with a sliver plated Toggle clasp and a 2 inch extender.
Silver plate French Hook hoop earrings have a drop of 2 inches.
Mookaite --- see the previous Blog on September 1st for the explanation about Mookaite.
Calcite, which gets its name from "chalix" the Greek word for lime, is a most amazing and yet, one of the most common minerals on the face of the Earth, comprising about 4% by weight of the Earth's crust and is formed in many different geological environments. Calcite can form rocks of considerable mass and constitutes a significant part of all three major rock classification types. Some of these rock types are composed of better than 99% calcite. Why would a collector be interested in such a common mineral? Because of its extraordinary diversity and beauty! The jewelry industry has become facinated with its beauty and many colors in all shades of the rainbow.
Jade on todays market is primarily composed of Nephrite; Jadeite Jade has become quite rare and in its emerald-green, translucent form is referred to as Imperial Jade or "gem jade". A small amount of cromium in Jadeite accounts for the color of Imperial Jade. Other color-based names for Jadeite Jade are Yunan Jade, for a uniquely appearing dark green, semitranslucent Jade, Apple Jade for apple (yellowish green) green Jade, and Moss-in-Snow for white Jade with vivid green spots and streaks. Nephrite and Jadeite Jade ranges in color from a somewhat greasy-appearing, white to dark and light shades of green, gray, blue-green, lavender, yellow, orange, brown, reddish-brown, and black. An important dark green variety of Nephrite is sometimes known as "spinach Jade". The chromophore in all Nephrite Jades is usually iron. Nephrite jade is usually opaque to translucent in thinner pieces. This particular Jade used in this piece is a shade of yellow. The name Jade has been, and continues to be, applied to a variety of materials that superficially or closely resemble Jade but are not composed of either Jadeite or Nephrite. So as the old saying gos "Buyer Beware !".
