The ELEGANCE COLLECTION - Pearls, Pearls and more Pearls !

If you like Pearls, this necklace is for you.
A combination of ivory colored freshwater cultured Pearls, various colored glass Pearls and Amethyst round beads are combined in this 24 inch necklace set.
A silver plate Toggle Clasp completes the necklace.
2 inch silver plate French Hook drop earrings match the necklace to complete 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.

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry and decorative statues and lapidary displays. Amethyst is composed of an irregular superposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. It has been shown that this structure may be due to mechanical stresses. Because it has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale, Amethyst is suitable for use in jewelry. Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple. Amethyst may exhibit one or both secondary hues, red and blue. Green quartz is sometimes incorrectly called green Amethyst, which is an actual misnomer and not an acceptable name for the material, the proper terminology being Prasiolite.

Glass Pearls and Czech Crystals are also used in this set.

Purple Gemstones !

When one talks about gemstones and the color purple is mentioned, normally the conversation then tends towards the well known and very popular purple February Birthstone gemstone called Amethyst. Some will also think of the gemstone Ametrine, which is a unique dual gemstone of Amethyst and Citrine.

But there are some other purple colored gemstones that can also be used to make some very colorful and unique jewelry pieces. Four additional purple colored gemstones that are used quite often in jewelry are listed below.

Lepodolite is a lilac-gray or rose-colored phyllosilicate mineral in the mica group that is a secondary source of lithium. It is associated with other lithium-bearing minerals like Spodumene in pegmatite bodies. It is one of the major sources of the rare alkali metals rubidium and caesium. It occurs in granite pegmatites, in some high-temperature quartz veins, greisens and granites. Notable occurrences include Brazil, Russia, United States,Canada and Madagascar.

Sugilite (also known as Luvulite) is a relatively rare pink to purple cyclosilicate mineral. Sugilite crystallizes in the hexagonal system with prismatic crystals. The crystals are rarely found and the form is usually massive. It is mostly translucent but can be opague when mixed with a host rock. Sugilite was first described in 1944 for an occurrence on Iwagi Islet, Japan, where it is found in an aegirine syenite intrusive rock. It is found in a similar environment at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. In the Wessels mine in northern South Africa, Sugilite is mined from a strata-bound manganese deposit. It is also reported being found in Italy, Australia and India.

Sodalite is a light, relatively hard yet fragile mineral named after its sodium content; in mineralogy it may be classed as a feldspathoid. Well known for its blue color, Sodalite may also be grey, yellow, green, or purple and is often mottled with white veins or patches. The more uniformly blue material is used in jewelry but the fashionable purple variety hold the greatest attention. It is normally fashioned into cabochons for pendants and beads. Lesser grade material is more often seen as facing or inlay in various applications. Although somewhat similar to Lazurite and Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite rarely contains Pyrite and its blue-purple color is more like traditional royal blue than ultramarine. It is further distinguished from similar minerals by its white (rather than blue) streaks. Sodalite's six directions of poor cleavage may be seen as incipient cracks running through the stone.

And last but not least we have to consider our tried and true gemstones made out of Agate. In one specific location in the Campo Morado area of Mexico, south-southwest of Mexico City, there is a very purple colored Agate. It is a naturally colored purple Agate called the Morado Agate. But as with many other Agates and Jaspers, buyer beware because many are dyed and purple is one of the favorite colors.

SUMMER SENSATIONS - Cloisonné and light weight !

The lilac Cloisonné and fabric knit beads are very light weight and comfortable to wear. They are combined with Amethyst rondells, Rose Quarts beads, Amethyst and Citrine chips, Crystals and Silver accents. This 18 inch necklace with a 2 inch extender is finished with a S-hook clasp. Matcing French Hook earrings complete the set.

Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalework objects, but in recent centuries using vitreous enamels, and also inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and even linen. and other cloth materials, has become common place, especially in jewelry beads.

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry and decorative statues and lapidary displays. Amethyst is composed of an irregular superposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. It has been shown that this structure may be due to mechanical stresses. Because it has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale, Amethyst is suitable for use in jewelry. Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple. Amethyst may exhibit one or both secondary hues, red and blue. Green quartz is sometimes incorrectly called green Amethyst, which is an actual misnomer and not an acceptable name for the material, the proper terminology being Prasiolite.

Citrine is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a pale yellow to brown. Natural Citrines are rare; most commercial Ctrines are heat-treated Amethyst or Smoky Quartz. It is nearly impossible to tell cut Citrine from yellow Topaz visibly, but they differ in hardness. Citrine has ferric impurities, and is rarely found naturally. Brazil is the leading producer of citrine, with much of its production coming from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Sometimes Citrine and Amethyst can be found together in the same crystal, which is then referred to as Ametrine.

Rose Quartz is a type of Quartz which exhibits a pale pink to dark rose red hue. The color is usually considered as due to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, in the massive material. Some Rose Quartz contains microscopic rutile needles which produces an asterism in transmitted light. In crystal form (rarely found) it is called Pink Quartz and its color is thought to be caused by trace amounts of phosphate or aluminium. The color in crystals is apparently photosensitive and subject to fading. The first crystals of Rose Quartz were found in a pegmatite dike near Rumford, Maine, USA, but most crystals on the market today come from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Rose Quartz is not popular as a gem because it is generally too clouded by impurities to be suitable for faceting. Rose Quartz is more often carved into figures such as people or animals. Hearts are also commonly found because Rose Quartz is pink and an affordable mineral for Valentines Day.

Cord beads and Crystals are also used in this set.

SUMMER SENSATIONS - Delicate Purples and Greens !

Float through Summer with this colorful necklace. A 2 inch long wire wrapped purple Agate oval pendant is the main stone in this piece. The Agate is complimented with two sizes of Russian Charoite, Amethyst chips and rounds, Fluorite pebbles and a mix of crystals for a bit of sparkle. Silver Pewter accent pieces highlight this 20 inch long necklace, with a silver plated Toggle clasp. Amethyst and Fluorite dangle from the matching French Hook earrings.

SOLD Agate is a microcrystalline variety of silica, chiefly Chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although Agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks. Colorful Agates and other Chalcedonies were obtained over 3,000 years ago from the Achates River, now called Dirillo, in Sicily. Most Agates occur as nodules in volcanic rocks or ancient lavas where they represent cavities originally produced by the disengagement of volatiles in the molten mass which were then filled, wholly or partially, by siliceous matter deposited in regular layers upon the walls. Such Agates, when cut transversely, exhibit a succession of parallel lines, often of extreme tenuity, giving a banded appearance to the section. Some Agates are found to be translucent when cut thin enough.

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry and decorative statues and lapidary displays. Amethyst is composed of an irregular superposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. It has been shown that this structure may be due to mechanical stresses. Because it has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale, Amethyst is suitable for use in jewelry. Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple. Amethyst may exhibit one or both secondary hues, red and blue. Green quartz is sometimes incorrectly called green Amethyst, which is an actual misnomer and not an acceptable name for the material, the proper terminology being Prasiolite.

Charoite is a rare mineral, first fully described in 1978 and named for the Chara River. It has been reported only from the Sakha Republic, Yakutia, Siberia, Russia. It is found where a syenite, the Murunskii Massif, has intruded into and altered limestone deposits producing a potassium feldspar metasomatite. Charoite is translucent lavender to purple in color with a pearly lustre. However, it is a discrete mineral rather than a rock. Charoite is strictly massive in nature, and fractures are conchoidal. It has an unusual swirling, fibrous appearance, sometimes chatoyant, and that, along with its intense color, can lead many to believe at first that it is synthetic or enhanced artificially. Though reportedly discovered in the 1940s, it was not known to the world outside Russia until its description was published in 1978.

Fluorite (also called fluorspar) is a halide mineral composed of calcium fluoride. It is an isometric mineral with a cubic habit, though octahedral and more complex isometric forms are not uncommon. Crystal twinning is common and adds complexity to the observed crystal habits. Fluorite is a widely occurring mineral which is found in large deposits in many areas. Notable deposits occur in China, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Norway, Mexico, and both the Province of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Large deposits also occur in Kenya in the Kerio Valley area within the Great Rift Valley. In the United States, deposits are found in Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Ohio, New Hampshire, New York, Alaska, and Texas. Fluorite has been the state mineral of Illinois since 1965. At that time, Illinois was the largest producer of Fluorite in the United States, but the last fluorite mine in Illinois was closed in 1995. Green and purple Flourite are the most commonly found, but all colors of the rainbow exist depending on impurities.

Crystals are also used in this set.

SUMMER SENSATIONS - light weight, lilac and pale green !

SOLD Light in color and light in weight all for summer wear. Lilac fabric Cloisonne beads, purple corded beads, crystals, pale green Jade and Amethyst/Citrine chips will float around your neck like a summer garden. The necklace is 19 inches with a 2 inch extender and a gold plated Lobster Claw clasp. Golden French Hook dangle earrings 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 !".

Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalework objects, but in recent centuries using vitreous enamels, and also inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and even linen. and other cloth materials, has become common place, especially in jewelry beads.

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry and decorative statues and lapidary displays. Amethyst is composed of an irregular superposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. It has been shown that this structure may be due to mechanical stresses. Because it has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale, Amethyst is suitable for use in jewelry. Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light pinkish violet to a deep purple. Amethyst may exhibit one or both secondary hues, red and blue. Green quartz is sometimes incorrectly called green Amethyst, which is an actual misnomer and not an acceptable name for the material, the proper terminology being Prasiolite.

Citrine is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a pale yellow to brown. Natural Citrines are rare; most commercial Ctrines are heat-treated Amethyst or Smoky Quartz. It is nearly impossible to tell cut Citrine from yellow Topaz visibly, but they differ in hardness. Citrine has ferric impurities, and is rarely found naturally. Brazil is the leading producer of citrine, with much of its production coming from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Sometimes Citrine and Amethyst can be found together in the same crystal, which is then referred to as Ametrine.

Corded beads and crystals are also used in this set.

Jewelry Set - Summertime Lavendar Colors !

In keeping with the delicate Summertime theme, lavendar is a perfect color.

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This lavendar colored presentation created by Gayle is highlighted by a marquise shaped Sugalite pendant with Freshwater Pearl clusters on either side and complimented with additional Pearls, Amethyst, Lepodolite and Fluorite beads. The necklace is then completed using a Silver S-hook Clasp. Matching dangle French Hook Earrings containing the same gemstone beads completes the set.

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Sugalite (also spelled "sugilite") is a semi-precious stone that was discovered in 1944. It is named after Ken-ichi Sugi, a Japanese geologist who originally discovered the stone. Sugalite typically has a lavender or purple color--it can range from dark purple to pale lavender with hints of gray. Opacity varies significantly across sugilite grades. Matrixing and opaque blotches are common. Translucent specimens with little matrixing are far more valuable than opaque sugalite stones. Sugalite specimens are typically scored between 6 and 7.5 on the Mohs harness scale. The hardness of sugalite is comparable to that of quartz crystal, making it durable enough to use in gemstone jewelry such as pendants, bracelets and earrings. Occcurances of gem quality Sugalite can be found in Japan, Canada, South Africa, Italy, Australia and India.

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Lepodolite (also spelled Lepidolite) is an uncommon mica and has only in the past decade become available on the mineral market in large quantities in gemstone quality. Lepidolite is an ore of lithium and forms in granitic masses that contain a substantial amount of lithium. The lithium content in lepidolite does vary greatly however and low lithium lepidolite is nearly useless as an ore of lithium. The typical violet to pink color of lepidolite is characteristic and is the only field test available to identify lepidolite from other micas. Pink muscovite or very pale lepidolite may confuse an identification. Lepidolite, like other micas, has a layered structure of lithium aluminum silicate sheets weakly bonded together by layers of potassium ions. These potassium ion layers produce the perfect cleavage. lepidolite crystals accompany such other lithium bearing minerals such as tourmaline, amblygonite and spodumene and can add greatly to the value of these specimens. A rock made of granular pink lepidolite and red to pink tourmaline is used as an ornamental stone for carving and in jewelry such as pendants and earrings. Single large plates or "books" of lepidolite can have appealling violet color and make attractive specimens. Notable occurrences include Brazil, Russia, Calafornia, Canada and Madagascar.

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Fluorite (also called "fluorspar") is a halide mineral composed of calcium fluoride. It is an isometric mineral with a cubic habit, though octahedral and more complex isometric forms are not uncommon. Crystal twinning is common and adds complexity to the observed crystal habits thus making it great for jewelry. Fluorite comes in all colors of the rainbow, but purples and greens are most common. Fluorite is a widely occurring mineral which is found in large deposits in many areas. Notable deposits occur in China, Germany, Austria, England, Norway, Mexico, Canada, Kenya and many States in the United States. Fluorite has been the state mineral of Illinois since 1965. At that time, Illinois was the largest producer of fluorite in the United States, but the last fluorite mine in Illinois was closed in 1995.

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Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and is a popular gemstone. If it were not for its widespread availability, amethyst would be very expensive. The name "amethyst" comes from the Greek and means "not drunken." This was maybe due to a belief that amethyst would ward off the effects of alcohol, but most likely the Greeks were referring to the almost wine-like color of some stones that they may have encountered. Its color is unparalleled, and even other, more expensive purple gemstones are often compared to its color and beauty. Although it must always be purple to be amethyst, it can and does have a wide range of purple shades. Amethyst can occur as long prismatic crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the pointed terminations. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its color and nice crystal shapes that produce a handsome, purple, sparkling cluster. However, amethyst is not the same everywhere. Different localities can produce a unique amethyst to that particular region or even to that particular mine. Experts can often identify the source mine that a particular amethyst came from. The key to this is the specimen's color, shape of crystal, inclusions, associations and character of formation.

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Freshwater Pearls and Crystals are the other items in this jewelry piece.
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GREEN GEMSTONES -- Marketing !

Here we go again ! With the popularity of the color Green for Spring and into early Summer, there are several green gemstones available for the jewelry wearer. You can find green in faceted gemstones, cabochon cuts, pendants and tumbled stones as well as crystals. The names of most of the green gemstones are familiar to most people - Emerald, Chrome Diopside, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, Diamond, Amazonite, Moss Agate, Kambaba Jasper - to name a few of the more popular. And there are a few color change stones that also can appear in greens - i.e. Alexandrite. But of course a green Diamond, a good Columbian Emerald or an Alexandrite will cost one a pile of money.

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So what do the miners, vendors and dealers do, use "marketing" techniques that draw the most attention from the public. Certain gemstones over the years are well known to most people, and the associated name makes them very popular and people know what they are looking for when they hear the names. Amethyst and Morganite are two examples. Amethyst, a purple member of the Quartz family, has colors that run from a very light lilac to a strong deep purple. Morganite, a pink member of the Beryl family, can be pink and range to a peach color. So over the years, when a person hears the name Amethyst, they immediately think of the February birthstone and the color purple. Likewise with Morganite, it is not only people that change their name, but gemstones sometimes do also. And so it was that in 1911, on the suggestion of the New York gemologist G. F. Kunz, for whom the purple gemstone Kunzite was named, that the pink variety of Beryl was ennobled to the status of a gemstone in its own right in honor of the banker and mineral collector John Pierpont Morgan and was given the name under which it is known today: Morganite.

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Green Amethyst (Prassolite)

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So with this history and naming in mind, dull named light green Beryl and green Prassolite got a "marketing" boost. Prassolite was marketed by the Jewelry TV stations and many dealers and eBay sellers as "Green Amethyst" and the latest marketing run is the naming by the same groups of the light green Beryl, calling it "Green Morganite". By doing this not only do the two gemstones get more notority, but the price per caret also jumps dramatically. This falls in line with the old known stone called 'Turkish Diaspore' now going under the catchy name of 'Zultanite", and costing the buyer more per caret for the material.
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Green Morganite (green Beryl)

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As with many things, marketing is the answer to an item selling or not selling, so "what is in a name ?" Nothing wrong with naming an item whatever you want if it sells better under the 'marketing' name, but the seller should also be aware and remind the buying public what the official agreeded upon gemological name of the gemstone actually is.
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South Carolina "Ametheyst" !

The gemstone Amethyst was designated as the official South Carolina State Gemstone by the General Assembly June 24, 1969. South Carolina is one of three US States where the gemstone Amethyst is found and is of high quality. The curator of mineralogy for the Smithsonian Institute has graded one of the largest early specimens from this State as the finest seen in this country and is the most prized type of quartz for its wide use and various shades and hue from deep orchid color.

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The United States has a great diversity of Amethyst deposits from Maine, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas to Montana and Colorado. The color range of American Amethyst is generally from medium to high in saturation and may include smoky or translucent versions of crystal. Amethyst of Maine and the Carolinas is usually dark with North Carolina Amethyst having a bluish tint unique to that area. Very dark stones are sometimes heated to lighten and intensity color. Of course Amethyst is found all over the world with some of the best coming from Brazil, Uruguay, Russia and Zambia.

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One of the primary mines in South Carolina still in operation is the Diamond Hill Quartz Prospect in Antreville. Ametheyst is found at many other locations throughout the state on priviate property. Some owners allow digging, others do not and have their lands posted.

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Georgia "Quartz" !

Amethyst crystals and a Quartz Septor from locations in Georgia.

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After several years of discussion, in 1976, the Georgia Legislature finally decided upon Quarts as the Official gemstone for Georgia. Quartz is a very common material found all over the State of Georgia as well as most of the Uniited States. Georgia Quarts comes in a wide variety of colors. The resolution making Quartz the State gemstone also cited two particular forms of Quartz: the Amethyst, which is mostly used in jewelry, and Clear Quartz, which, when faceted, resembles the Diamond and the septor variety is used in decorations.

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Citrine and Amethyst along with some Smoky Quartz are found quite often by rockhounds, but the clear quartz is by far the most abundant. Since Quartz is found all over the state, there is no one particular location that stands out, but most say the mountain regions are the best place to find good specimens.

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Although Alabama and New Hampshire also named Quartz as their State gemstone, specific varieties were selected. Several other states have also named Quartz as their official state mineral.

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North Carolina's "Emeralds" !

After several years of legislative debate, the North Carolina Legislature finally in 1973, settled on the Emerald as the Official State Gemstone. This selection was made hard by the fact that North Carolina is host to more than sixty-three different types of naturally occurring gemstones and minerals! Many of these are very rare, including Emerald, Aquamarine, Sapphire, Garnet, Topaz, Amethyst, Citrine, Rutile, and Tourmaline, along with an abundance of world class smoky and clear Quartz crystals. In addition, North Carolina is famous as the only place on earth where the very rare gemstone "Hiddenite" can be found!

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Nestled snugly in the foothills of the beautiful Brushy Mountains of North Carolina is located the small town of Hiddenite. This locality is recognized as one of the most unique and interesting geological locations on the North American continent. Each year, thousands of rockhounds, tourists and educational field trip participants flock to this popular North Carolina attraction to experience the thrill of finding rare gemstones in the rough. Whether a serious or amateur prospector hoping to fulfill dreams of finding hidden treasures, a student experiencing an enriching "hands on" learning experience or a family seeking quality outdoor recreation, they can all be found in this area.

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Another very popular area is in the mine fields around Franklin, in Macon County, in the western tip of the state. No matter which direction you arrive from, you'll pass through some of the prettiest areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Waterfalls, rock-clustered streams of rushing water, scenic mountain views, something for everyone. This area is especially noted for its Corrundum finds. Sapphires and Rubies are both variations of corundum. We tend to think of Sapphires as blue, but they can be green, pink, yellow, and many other colors depending on the presence of different impurities. All colors of Corundum are called Sapphire except one: Red Corundum is always a Ruby. A few mines in the area produce the rare Star Rubies and Sapphires, stones that produce a six-pointed star when they're cut into a cabochon shape, with a smooth, rounded, dome-like top. The star is the result of needle-like inclusions that react with light.

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Depending on who one talks with or which advertisement is read, there are between 30 to 50 gemstone producing mines in North Carolina, with only a small handful working commercially these days. Some mine have been in continuous use since the 1870s.

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Again, don't confuse the Emerald as being the State Gemstone with the State Rock named in 1979, which is Granite. Although Granite is found all over the State, the most famous location is Chimney Rock State Park which is located just 25 miles southeast of Ashville.

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THE COLOR PURPLE !

Lepodolite Jasper & Amethyst

PURPLE is the new black ! Well, not quite. Will anything ever be the new black? But purple is this season's welcome addition to our beloved black. Be it grape or lilac, lavender or wine, violet, plum, puce, mauve, magenta, amethyst, pomegranate, eggplant or mulberry, there's no question that purple is the color of this fall and winter season. After all, we need something that is rich, luscious and exotic to liven up what has become an all-too-serious season of stripped-down, black-and-charcoal basics and bad financial times. Purple can bounce off of black, be used as a layering piece, or a shawl.
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Indeed, not since the recessionary 1980s have we seen so much of the royal hue in our clothing, jewelry, accessories and even makeup. We're seeing other '80s-era jewel tones, too - fuchsia, teal and power red - but it's purple that's popping up most often on everyone from TV pundits to yoga teachers to bank tellers to stars striding along the red carpet. Purple, a perfect blend of hot red and cool blue, is that rare color that's flattering on everybody. Some hues are better on some people than others, of course - deep, royal purple looks great on people with dark, dramatic colouring, for instance, while warm, wine-y shades are terrific with golden skin tones and cool lavender is lovely on fair beauties. Purple is also one color whose mood changes depending on what it is paired with. It is a chameleon, becoming earthy when matched with browns and beiges, delicately feminine with pinks and other pastels, dramatically eccentric with brights like red or green, and seriously sophisticated with silver, charcoal, black and other cool neutrals. In fact, very dark and very light purples practically are neutrals, just a whisper away from black, navy or dove grey. Symbolically, purple has long had a wide range of meanings including nobility, regality, ritual, imagination, spirituality and creativity.
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That's one of the reasons the color experts have chosen a shade of purple, "Blue Iris", as 2008's color of the year: "Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement." Long ago, purple was one of the most expensive, most difficult dyes to create, and so it was reserved for royalty. In coats of arms, it is still used to represent the gentry, and in military terms is awarded to the bravest, most noble of soldiers. It has also been a significant color for the ecclesiastical set, most notably for Roman Catholic bishops' robes, and has long been associated with spirituality, mysticism and the unknown. In many cultures, purple is also a color of mourning. Thai widows, for instance, traditionally wear purple, and during the Victorian era, purple was the transitional color for women in the period between deep mourning and the return to regular society.

Turquoise & Amethyst

More happily, though, it is also considered a creative color, the color of imagination, artistry, free-thinking and sensitivity. Many fashion experts believe that colors become popular not just because they are new and fresh and we're bored with last year's trendy shades, but because they resonate with the ethos of the times. So why purple, why now? Perhaps it is because, after a period of rampant excess and crass consumerism, we yearn to tap into our nobler selves, to seek a higher spirituality, to mourn the lost dreams of the North American middle class and to reconnect with our creative side. Or perhaps it's simply because it is beautiful, and it makes us feel beautiful when we wear it. And how you choose to wear purple is up to you - there is really no wrong or right way. You can keep it subtle, simply adding a touch of black currant eye shadow or the sparkle of an amethyst-coloured necklace to a black or grey outfit. Or you can add a bigger punch of drama with a magenta handbag, plum-coloured pump or a violet blouse or eggplant sweater under a businesslike jacket. Or you can go all out with high-impact pieces, like a purple party frock or mulberry puffer jacket.
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But whether you go for subtle or spectacular, one thing for sure: it's a PURPLE reign this fall.

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.Composite articles from the Vancover Sun and The Chicago Sun Times.
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More New Sets for Holiday Shows

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As the Holiday Season draws nearer and more of the Holiday Shows are taking place, keeping up with changes, requests and having adaquate stock is always a problem when everything is a one-of-a-kind item. Using varied gemstones to maintain diversity, here are a few of teh newest pieces that have been designed and created. The first to the left above is Tiger Eye, intersperced with silve rings with S's with matching dangle earrings (Gs150). The second which didn't even make it to the web-site for sale, is constructed of Afgan Lapis Lazuli and Denim Coral. Below left you will find a new set using Ruby in Zosite with Black Quartz and Silver Highlights (GS151). The other piece below which also didn't make it to teh web-site is Turquoise with Amethyst Chips and Silver Highlights (GS143).


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I hope you enjoy seeing the items as much as I enjoy making them. To see more about them and pricing, see Gemstone Jewelry Sets in the Jewelry by CnC web-site
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