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Monday, October 31, 2011

LLANITE - A Uniquely Texas Gemstone !

This set combines Llanite, Kyanite and Peruvian Opal, all unique in their own right.



Finding unique gemstones is always a thrill. Being able to get hold of enough to be able to include in several jewelry pieces is extremely rare. Add to that the ability to get one of these rare, one location only gemstones from near ones home, makes for a real thrill in the making of jewelry.

Llanite is a hypabyssally intruded Rhyolite with phenocrysts of microcline and euhedral Quartz. The quartz crystals are blue hexagonal bipyramids. The unusual blue coloration of the quartz is thought to be due to ilmenite inclusions. It is named after Llano County Texas, the only place where it is found. A dike of Llanite outcrops about 9 miles north of the town of Llano. Many times during grinding and polishing, the Llanite looses it reddish color as seen in the picture of some slabs. Older material was much redder than that currently being found. Sometimes when finishing pieces, pendants will maintain some of the reddish color when held in a specific position in the light. Current diggings into the dike are producing a grayer material, but the blue Quartz flakes still appear.




A Llanite pendant and earring set with highlight Czech Crystals.



The following are some examples of pendants and earrings that have been cut and polished out of Llanite slabs.








We have a very limited amount of Llanite, some of which will be available at the Coker Fest Show this coming weekend in San Antonio..

Friday, October 28, 2011

Holiday Craft Fair Time !

For those in the San Antonio area, don't miss the



Ladies First Craft Fair



at the



First Assembly of God Church



13435 West Ave



Saturday 29 October, 9AM to5PM


From time to time it is nice to be able to wear a small pendant on a chain such as this Texas Star faceted Topaz.

But there are other times where the chain is nice, but the pendant needs to be a bit larger.

Llanite from Mason, Texas is an unusual one location gemstone.



See these and other unusual gemstone pendants

designed by Gayle at the Jewelry by CnC booth at the Craft Fair.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

San Antonio - Craft Fair !

First Assembly of God Ladies Craft Fair


Saturday October 29th


9AM until 5PM


13435 West Ave, San Antonio, TEXAS



See these and addition designs by Jewelry by CnC at the show.


Combine multiple-chains with Picture Jasper, Bronzite, Smoky Quartz, beige glass Pearls and Crystals for a very different look on this 22inch necklace with French Hook earrings.









A clasic that is bold and soft at the same time. A 1 1/2 inch drop double Tiger Eye marquis pendant is hung from a 20 inch necklace of Tiger Eye cylindars and beads. Large peach and ivory Freshwater Cultured Pearls soften the look. Dangle French Hook earrings containing Tiger Eye beads complete the set.






A lovely Pietersite shield pendant is the focal point of this 18 inch necklace. Tiger Eye cylindars are combined with Crystals and Copper coils to complete the necklace. Tiger Eye cylindars hang from the copper French Hook earrings.












Remember everything is a One-of-a-Kind design, but if you miss this show, Jewelry by CnC will be at Cokerfest on November 5th, with more new designs.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

CRAFT FAIR -- San Antonio

The Ladies First Call "CRAFT FAIR" will be held at the


First Assembly of God Church


Saturday October 29th


9AM until 5PM



The Church is located at 13435 West Ave, San Antonio, TX




Jewelry by CnC will be located in the Assembly Hall


Come and see these new designs by Gayle, plus several others of her Unique, Hand-Made One-of-a-Kind designs

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

First Assembly of God, San Antonio "Craft Fair"


Ladies First - Craft Fair - A craft fair featuring vendors from all over the area and other craft booths will be in the Family Life Center from 9AM to 5PM on Saturday, October 29th.

The First Assembly of God Church is located at 13435 West Ave, San Antonio, TEXAS 78216, just a short distance south of the intersection of West Ave and Bitters Road, west of US-281 (San Pedro Ave) on the north side of San Antonio.
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See these and additional gemstone pendants that Gayle incorporates into the designs for her necklace sets.

Some of these pendants will already be incorporated into necklaces, some are available on chains or other necklace materials, a few are set in mounts or have bails attached and some are just cut and polished, so those of you who make your own jewelry can incorporate them into your own designs.








Some of the pendants, such as this Tiger Eye, have been placed in mounts with bails, so thay can be hung on necklace chains or on a string of beads that you have constructed to mate with the pendant.

Monday, October 24, 2011

The AUTUMN COLLECTION - An unusual combination of Gemstones !

An unusual combination of gemstones put together to make this unusual necklace.
This 20 inch necklace is composed of sliced and cut Seashell that forms a picture frame for light green Jade beads and khaki Swaroski Crystal beads fitted between chocolate colored glass Pearls that these alternate with a camoflage Jasper oval bead surrounded by khaki Swaroski Crystal beads and more chocolate colored glass Pearls. A gold plated Lobster Claw clasp completes the necklace with a 2 inch extender.

Matching gold plate French Hook earrings, each with a dangling chocolate glass Pearl bead, light green Jade bead and khaki colored Swaroski Crystal complete the set.


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. 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 !".




Jasper Sometimes we have an Agate, sometimes we have a Jasper, sometimes we have a name and not sure which exact gemstone we have. Many times we try to find an "easy answer" where there isn't one. The basic difference between Agate and Jasper is a structural one - at the microscopic level. It has nothing to do with the color or pattern. Agate is composed of microscopic 'fibers' of crystalline quartz. Jasper is composed of microscopic 'grains' of crystalline quartz. Jasper has less-regular patterns and is less defined than the Agates. Another subtle difference between the two is that Agates tend to be translucent (or at least contain translucent bands), while Jaspers are generally opaque. Both are called by many different names depending on colors, design in the stones, or location found and sometimes a commercial nameassigned by someone selling the item.




Seashell or sea shell, also known simply as a shell, is a hard, protective outer layer created by an animal that lives in the sea. The shell is part of the body of the animal. Empty seashells are often found washed up on beaches by beachcombers. The shells are empty because the animal has died and the soft parts have been eaten by another animal or have rotter out. The term seashell usually refers to the exoskeleton of an invertebrate (an animal without a backbone). Most shells that are found on beaches are the shells of marine mollusks, partly because many of these shells endure better than other seashells. These shells can be cut, dyed and polished to be used in jewelry.




Crystals and glass Pearls are also used in this set.

Friday, October 21, 2011

The ELEGANCE COLLECTION - A unique Russian Gemstone !

An elegant necklace containing Rhodocrosite freeform gemstones as a focal point complemented with Smoky Quartz rondels, black diamond Czech Crystals and pach pink Czech Crystals.
The necklace is an extra long 22 inches.

The necklace closes with a silver plated Hook and Loop clasp.

Silver plated Leverback dangle earrings with Rhodocrosite and Czech Crystals complete the set.






See the previous BLOG for information on Rhodocrosite. These particular pieces of Rhodocrosite come from Russia.

Smoky or smokey quartz is a brown to black variety of Quartz. Like other Quartz gems, it is a silicon dioxide crystal. The smoky colour results from free silicon, formed from the silicon dioxide by natural irradiation.

Czech Crystals are also used in this set.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Rhodochrosite - A Common But Unusual Gemstone !

Rhodochrosite (whose name means rose-colored) is a very attractive mineral with an absolutely one-of-a-kind, beautiful color. Although it can be an ore of manganese, it is its ornamental and display specimen qualities that make it a very popular mineral. The color of a single crystal can just astound the observer with its vivid pink-rose color that seems to be transmitted out of the crystal as if lit from within. Individual crystals are found in well shape rhombohedrons and and sometime in rarer scalahedrons. In a massive form its pink and white bands are extremely attractive and are often used in semi-precious jewelry. Rhodochrosite is often carved into figurines and tubular stalactitic forms are sliced into circles with concentric bands that are truly unique in the mineral kingdom. Fine crystals are sometimes cut into gemstones, but Rhodochrosite's softness and brittleness limit it as a gemstone for everyday use. Identification of Rhodochrosite is fairly easy despite a few similarly colored minerals such as Rhodonire. Rhodonite is harder and has different cleavage; but perhaps the best distinguishing factor is its lack of reaction to acids. Rhodochrosite will easily with show some reaction to cold acids which demonstrates its carbonate chemistry. Basically, any rose-pink carbonate is considered Rhodochrosite; however some Calcites with a small amount of manganese impurities can be pink in color. The manganese replaces some of the calciums in calcite but a complete series between Calcite and Rhodochrosite is not established. There are many localities for Rhodochrosite that are of great reknown. Beyond a doubt, the best locality for Rhodochrosite is the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado. It is unmatched for its superb Rhodochrosite crystals that exhibit the best features of the species; a fine bright rose color and sharp well formed crystals. Some specimens from here are quite large and of world class distinction. Other localities have produced some fine specimens as well. Catamarca, Argentina has an old inca silver mine that has produced fine stalatitic examples of Rhodochrosite that are unique and very attractive. Cut cross-sections reveal concentric bands of light and dark rose colored layers. These specimens are carved and used for many ornamental purposes.




A whole table of Rhodocrosite at a Gem Show, however just one small specimum from the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado. Most of the specimums were from Argentina.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The ELEGANCE COLLECTION - Simplicity at its Best !

Many times all that is needed is the simplest of design. In this 21 inch necklace design the simple single strand of Freshwater Cultured Pears has been highlighted with a golden chain.
A gold plated Butterfly has been added to the center as a highlight.
A gold plated magnetic barrel clasp completes the necklace.

Matching gold Plated French Hook earrings finish out the set.



Freshwater Cultured Pearls are a kind of pearl that comes from freshwater mussels. They are produced in Japan and the United States on a limited scale, but are now almost exclusive to China. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission requires that freshwater pearls be referred to as "freshwater cultured pearls" in commerce. Although the Japanese freshwater pearl industry has nearly ceased to exist, it holds special historic value as the first country to cultivate whole freshwater pearls in Lake Biwa, using the Biwa pearly mussel. The industry attempted a comeback with a mussel hybrid in Lake Kasumigaura in the last decade, but this venture also met with failure, with production ceasing in 2006. The pearl farm in Tennessee also holds special historic value as it is the only freshwater pearl outside of Asia, it continues as a tourist attraction. Today China is the only commercial producer of freshwater pearls, producing 1500 tons using a triangle shell mussel and several hybrids that have shown heterosis from several mussel species.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Southwestern Style Pendants !


We have recently acquired some unusual Southwestern Style pendants which Gayle will be incorporating into necklaces for the Holiday Shows.