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.

The AUTUMN COLLECTION - Leapordskip Jasper !

Autumn colors can not be brought out any better than they are in Leapordskin Jasper.

Leapordskin Jasper graduated coin beads are the focal point of this 20 inch necklace. Czech crystal beads sepparate the coin beads to give them depth.

Some of the colors within the Leapordskin Jasper arfe repeated along the sides with Poppy Jasper peanut beads, peach Crystals and gunmetal seed beads.

The necklace is closed with a antique silver plated Toggle clasp.

The silver plated French Hook earrings hang 1 1/2 inch with Crystals and Poppy Jasper.

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.

Jasper coming from Greek origin, "iaspis", means "spotted stone." This form of semiprecious microcrystalline Quartz is usually red, brown or green. Its patterns are much less regular and defined than those of its sister variety, Agate. Although the term Jasper is often applied to unidentified stones, true Jaspers are metamorphic rocks. Jasper derives its colorful patterns from other minerals present, and is often named according to its pattern. It has a dull luster but takes a fine polish, and its hardness and other physical properties are those of Quartz. Jasper is often sealed with petroleum products. Its polish might wash away in water, so clean with a soft, dry cloth. Leapordskin Jasper is an ideal Jasper, one with many colors and meets the criteria of the "spotted" stone. Poppy Jasper is opaque and somewhat striped but of a single color, usually shades of dark reds.

Czech Crystals and gunmetal are also used in this set.

The AUTUMN COLLECTION -- Shades of Fall !

Autumn or Fall, depending on what you call in in your area of the country, is a magical period of time when nature changes from the greens and bright colors of Summer to the almost mystical tans, browns, golds, yellows and reds of Autumn. These colors are repeated many times over in many of the gemstones that are also worn during this time of year.
Using an assymetrical design and earthtones, this 3-strand necklace uses large Picture Jasper coin beads as focal points between bronze toned wire bird-cage beads and Czech Crystals for one side. Czech glass brown and white tear drops and Citrine chips complete the opposide side of the necklace. Ceramic rondels and Citrine chips complete the back of the necklace with a golden S-hook clasp along one side that dramatizes the unusual arrangement of the different shapes and sizes of the components used in this 24 inch necklace.

Golden French Hook earrings with a bronze toned wire bird-cage bead, a Czech Crystal and grouped Citrine chips that hang 1 1/2 inches complete the set.

Jasper is a form of chalcedony, is usually an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for snuff boxes. Various varieiies of Jasper go by regional, location or pattern names. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded Jasper. Picture jaspers exhibit combinations of patterns (such as banding) from flow or depositional patterns (from water or wind), dendritic or color variations resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, on a cut section. Diffusion from a center point produces a distinctive orbicular appearance, or linear banding from a fracture.

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.

Czech crystals and bronze wire are also used in this set.

VARISCITE - Yes it comes in RED !

Variscite is a hydrated aluminium phosphate mineral. It was at one time considered to be a relatively rare phosphate mineral. Because most Veriscite comes from close bye or the same location, it is sometimes confused with Turquoise; however, Variscite is usually much greener in color. Variscite is a secondary mineral formed by direct deposition from phosphate-bearing water that has reacted with aluminium-rich rocks in a near-surface environment. It occurs as fine-grained masses in nodules, cavity fillings, and crusts. Variscite often contains white veins of the calcium aluminium phosphate mineral Crandallite.

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Variscite is sometimes used as a semi-precious stone, and is popular for carvings and ornamental use. It was first described in 1837 and named for the locality of Variscia, in Germany, the historical name of Vogtland. In 1894 Variscite was found near Fairfield, Utah, and given the name Utahlite. Later in the early 1900s Variscite was found in Nevada. Variscite is known for its bright to dark green coloration. The Navada Veriscite is also known for it black spider web colorations within the material.

Fine carving and pendants have been made from the beginning out of the green Variscite. Pendants can be almost entirely the green Variscite or they can have streaks of the Variscite running through the host stone, similar to Boulder Opal and Boulder Turquoise, thus why sometimes the confusion.

A surprise to many, an unusual red variety of variscite occurs in certain Precambrian iron ores in the Middleback Ranges of South Australia. As with many gem and mineral findings in Australia, and in this Iron Monarch deposit, apatite in the hematite ores oxidized, leading to the formation of a large suite of secondary phosphates. Among these occurs variscite, which forms crystalline coatings on hematite surfaces, rarely associated with other phosphate minerals. The variscite contains approximately 10 percent iron. Amazingly the variscite from the Iron Monarch quarry is deep rose-red and transparent. It occurs in globular surface coatings consisting of small blocky crystals. Because of the black matrix and the transparency of the crystals, their overall appearance is dark cherry-red. Deposits of this same Red Veriscite material have now been found in Brazil and and pink variety in the Wood Mine, Cocke County, Tennessee.

Larger deposits of the Australian Red Veriscite allow for the formation of nice sized rocks that when cut, make for a beautiful Red Veriscite cabochon or pendant.
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This Red Veriscite must not be confused with the Red River Jasper which also comes from Australia.

Also definitely don't confuse Veriscite with colored Sea Sediment Jasper from Indonesia.

GEMSTONE JEWELRY - Agate & Jasper or Agate or 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.

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This is a warm and comfortable design that incorporates Autumn colors - orange brown, red and rust. By using a colorful Agate/Jasper pendant, Breciated Jasper carved twists, Carnelian rounds and Antique Brass beads with crystal highlights, we make a smooth transition from the warmth of Summer to the coolness of Autumn. Matching French Hook earrings complete the set.

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Agate - No gemstone is more creatively striped by nature than agate. This distinct and dramatically banded variety of Quartz comes in layers. Agate composition varies greatly and can be of many colors. Each individual Agate forms by filling a cavity in a host rock. As a result, Agate often is found as a round nodule with concentric bands like the rings of a tree trunk. It is said to be named for the place it first was found along the River Achates (now called the River Drillo) in Sicily.

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Jasper coming from Greek origin, "iaspis", means "spotted stone." This form of semiprecious microcrystalline Quartz is usually red, brown or green. Its patterns are much less regular and defined than those of its sister variety, Agate. Although the term Jasper is often applied to unidentified stones, true Jaspers are metamorphic rocks. Jasper derives its colorful patterns from other minerals present, and is often named according to its pattern. It has a dull luster but takes a fine polish, and its hardness and other physical properties are those of Quartz. Jasper is often sealed with petroleum products. Its polish might wash away in water, so clean with a soft, dry cloth.

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Carnelian is an A-grade Agate. What a lot of people call "true carnelian" is the fiery red/orange color, and in theory, Carnelian is naturally that color. However, most of that fiery red/orange "true" Carnelian is heat-treated in secret before it reaches the gemstone-cutting factory. This apparently has been a secret for thousands of years; each part of the world thought everyone else's Carnelian was naturally red, but they were heating theirs, too. When held against the light, the color-treated Carnelian shows its color in stripes, while natural Carnelian shows a cloudy distribution of color. The name Carnelian is said to be derived from the Latin word 'carnis' ("flesh") due to its color. Deposits of Carnelian are found in Brazil, India, Australia, Russia, Madagascar, South Africa, Uruguay and the U.S.A.

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GEMSTONE COMBINATIONS !

To be a bit different and let my designing juices flow a bit, decided for this Spring and the upcoming ROSC Joint Services Luncheon at Lackland AFB on March 25th, to come up with some changed variety in gemstone combinations for several new Jewelry Sets..

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Turquoise, Coral and Silver is an old standby, but this time I added some Wild Horse Magnesite to the mix.

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Combining Russian Amazonite with some Denim Lapis, and an Ocean Jasper Pendant with Silver Accent Chain, makes for a totally different look.

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Silver Fresh Water Pears, Pink Zebra Jasper highlighted with pink Crystals and then twisted with a Pink Zebra Jasper Pendant gives a striking demension to this necklace.

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Peppermint Jasper inserted between various shapes of Ivoryite and Black Onyx provides a dynamic and bold look.

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And for the Classy, a Blue Chalcedony Marquise Pendant hanging from Kyanite discs, Montana and Clear Crystal rondells, provides the evening-out look.

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These and other new designs will be available on the Web-site over the next week and for those in the San Antonio area that will be attending the luncheon, please come and look at these and other new items close-up.

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JASPER - examples of Morrisonite and Willowcreek !

Some pictures of Morrisonite (Morrison Ranch, OR) and Willowcreek (north of Boise, ID) Jasper material cut and polished by a friend, Philip, who operates Rare Rocks and Gems. He does a fantastic job of cutting the rough to get the best out of the material he works on.

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Willow Creek

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Morrisonite

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These and other example of Philip's work can be found on his web-site at http://www.rarerocksandgems.com/ or on the TaoGem Lapidary/Gemstone Forum at http://gemstone.smfforfree4.com/.

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All pictures taken of his own material by Philip.
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Fall & Holiday Colors - For Long Seasonal Wear !

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The colors of Fall, Thanksgiving and the Christmas Season all come together to provide for Jewelry Sets that can be worn for an extended period of time and still be in Season the whole time. Rainbow Jade, Carnelian, Red Jasper, Poppy Jasper and California Green Opal along with Black Onyx fill this requirement very nicely.