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 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.

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.

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.

Southwestern Style Pendants !

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

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.

The ELEGANCE COLLECTION - for Multiple Use Wear !

Go from WORK to a DATE NIGHT with this Lampwork coin necklace.
This 20 inch necklace also contains smoky Quartz beads, mystic topaz Crystals and glass bronze beads.
The necklace is closed oith an ornate pewter oval toggle clasp.

Silver plated French Hook dangle earrings drop 1 1/4 inches.

Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It was also known as flameworking or torchworking, but the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps. Although the art form has been practiced since ancient Syrian (1 Century B.C.E.) times, it became widely practiced in Murano, Italy in the 14th century. In the mid 19th century lampwork technique was extended to the production of paperweights, primarily in France, where it became a popular art form, still collected today. Lampworking differs from glassblowing in that glassblowing uses a blowpipe to inflate a glass blob known as a gob or gather, whereas lampworking manipulates glass either by the use of tools, gravity, or by blowing directly into the end of a glass tube.

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.

Crystals are also used in this set.

Gemstone Pendants - Lapidarist !

"Playing" with rocks is one way to describe a Lapidarist. The official definition is an artist or artisan who forms stone, mineral, gemstones, and other suitably durable materials (amber, shell, jet, pearl, copal, coral, horn and bone, glass and other synthetics) into decorative items such as engraved gems, including cameos, or cabochons, and faceted designs. Hardstone carving is the term in art history for the objects produced and the craft. Diamond cutters are generally not referred to as lapidaries, due to the specialized techniques which are required to work diamond. Gemcutter typically refers to diamond cutters or producers of faceted jewels in modern contexts, but artists producing engraved gems, jade carvings and the like in older historical contexts. The arts of a sculptor or stonemason do not generally fall within the definition, though chiseling inscriptions in stone, and preparing laboratory 'thin sections' may be considered lapidary arts.

The above picture is an example of some of the various "rocks" that have been turned into gemstone pendants by using various Lapidary and Jewelry making skills.