BLUE AMBER - a Total Surprise !

Typical rough Amber pieces from the Baltic

Amber, that strange material that hardened from several species of tree resins from several hundred million years ago. The best known Amber is from the Baltic Region, but it also comes from Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, North and South America and some Islands in the Caribbean. But do not confuse Amber with Copal, Copal is the new kid on the block being only a few million years old and in most cases much softer, coming from Columbia and a few Caribbean Islands.

Piece of Dominican Blue Amber as seen in the rough

Amber is supposed to be amber color, right? Not exactly. There is the original colors of Amber, yellow, orange, honey, cognac or similar. A new delight among jewelry designers is Butterscotch Amber, found in the Baltic as well as the Middle East. But there also is cream, cherry, red, green and even blue, which is by far the rarest of all the Ambers. Up to this day many people do not believe in the existence of "BLUE" amber. Must be something in the air or in the ground, since two of the more highly prised gemstones that come from the Dominican Republic are both "BLUE" - Blue Amber and Larimar.

Chunk of Dominican Amber with Reds-Cognac-Yellow coloring.

Is Blue Amber Truly Blue? No. It is not. And yet, it is. Confused? Blue Amber is a result of fluorescence and no solid color exists. Ultra-violet or violet light is re-emitted as blue or green light, attributed to the presence of poly-nuclear aromatic molecules. Therefore, Blue amber is blue, but not the way you might think.

When sunlight strikes the Blue Amber on a white surface the light particles pass right through and are refracted by the white surface. Result: the Blue amber looks almost like any other Amber, only with a light blue hue. But when the light particles can't pass through and refract back, the hydrocarbons in the Blue Amber turn the sun's ultraviolet light into blue light particles. The result: the famous blue glow of Blue Amber. This effect is only possible with Dominican Blue Amber pieces graded within the Blue Amber category. Any other Amber (like Baltic and others) will not display this blue phenomenon at all. And, on top of that other Dominican Amber will show this blue efraction only in concentrated UV light, and not in natural light. Light passed through the Blue Amber from a flashlight, will also result in the normal looking cognac amber color.

Example of same piece of Blue Amber with front lighting, then looking as same piece lighted from the reverse

Thanks to The Amber Ranch for the pieces of and the info on Dominican Blue Amber

LARIMAR - Jewelry of the Caribbean !

Well......it is blue, and a very pretty blue at that. It is more durable and longer wearing than many of the other non-faceted gemstone or mineral on the market. It makes up into beautiful beads and great pendants. Sometimes called Pectolite, Larimar (many times misspelled: Lorimar) is a rare blue variety of the mineral Pectolite, and is found only in the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. Although Pectolite is found in many locations worldwide, none have the unique volcanic blue coloration of Larimar. This blue color, distinct from that of other Pectolites, is the result of cobalt substitution for calcium. Its coloration varies from white, light-blue, green-blue to deep blue. This stone is cut into cabochons and carved into shapes for setting to a variety of jewelry items throughout the Caribbean islands. Its a must buy if you are planning a cruise any time soon.

The most important outcropping of Larimar is located at Los Chupaderos, in the section of Los Checheses, about 10 kilometers southwest of the city of Barahona, in the south-western region of the Dominican Republic. It is a single mountainside, now perforated with approximately 2,000 vertical shafts, surrounded by rainforest vegetation and deposits of blue-colored mine tailings.

Quality grading is according to coloration and the typical mineral crystal configuration in the stone. Larimar can also be found with green and even some with red spots and brown stripes, due to other chemicals and/or oxidation. But the more intense the blue, and the contrasts in the stone, the higher and rarer is the quality. The blue color is photosensitive and fades with time if exposed to too much light and heat. So when wearing Larimar Jewelry, one must be careful to keep it away from intense sunlight so as not to ruin that very expensive piece of Nature you just bought.

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However, be careful and do not let anyone sell you the cheaper but also very beautiful blue, many times called Caribbean Blue or Paraiba Blue, Chalcedony, which looks very much like very high quality Larimar. At recent shows, slabs of true rich Larimar a few inches in each direction and 1/4 inch thick can be seen going for $100 or better.

Copper and Bronze Settings and Chains !

Japanese Fossil Chrysanthumum Stone

With the cost of Gold and Silver, that is especially 22k gold and Sterling Silver, skyrocketing to over $1700.00 an oz, with silver at $30.00 an oz, and maybe even higher by year end, we have decided to try, with some success so far, setting some of our handmade gemstone pendants into Copper and Bronze settings and making up matching chains to go with them.



Mexican Azurite Russian Black Jade

Brass is the term used for alloys of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses each with unique properties and color. Brass has a yellow color, somewhat similar to gold. It is relatively resistant to tarnishing, and is often used as decoration, jewelry and for coins.

Bronze refers to a broad range of copper alloys, usually with tin as the main additive. It is strong and tough and has myriad uses in industry. It was particularly significant in antiquity, giving its name to the Bronze Age. Common bronze alloys often have the unusual and very desirable property of expanding slightly just before they set, thus filling in the finest details of a mold.

Copper is a ductile metal with excellent electrical conductivity, and finds extensive use as an electrical conductor and as a component of various alloys used in jewelry. Copper oxidizes easily giving it its green coloration. NOTE: some people will cause Copper and Copper Alloys to turn a bright green.

Check "Pendants Available" to see some of the new pendants and chains using copper. More will be added this coming week. Follow the instructions if interested in purchasing.

The Peddler's Show - Fredricksburg, Texas !

The Peddler's Perfect Street of Shops

The shopping experience designed to be as individual and unique as you!

For the past 34 years, The Peddler Show has offered Texas shoppers a truly remarkable and one-of-a-kind shopping experience. There are currently 25 shows annually. Shoppers will find a vast selection of exclusive items including personalized designs, home décor, hand crafted fashionable jewelry, fashionable clothing, gourmet treats, creative gifts and so much more!. And each year discover an new array of hot fashions, trendy jewelry, stylish home furnishings, unique gift items, gourmet foods and much more.

Admission to Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Highway 16 South of Fredricksburg is $5 for adults, $3 seniors 65 + and children 12 and under free.

Hours are Friday 25th from 1:00 - 9:00PM

Saturday 26th from 9:00AM - 6:00PM

Sunday 27th from 11:00AM - 4:00PM

Please call 512/358-1000 for more information.

Jewelry by CnC

will be located in the Pavilion

Freeman Coliseum Holiday Extravaganza !

--- DESIGNS by GAYLE ---

Come to the Freeman Coliseum Holiday Extravagamza and see these new items by Jewelry by CnC

These designs incorporate rough cut freeform gemstones, simlar as to how they come out of the ground but cleaned up and surrounded with a pressed silver frame. Other natural minerals/gemstones which have been wire-wrapped will also be available.

Jewelry by CnC will be located in Booth O-4 on the Coliseum Main Floor.

The Holiday Extravaganza is open

Saturday Nov 19th 9 to 5

Sunday Nov 20th 10 to 5

Freeman Holiday Show Special Design !

See this unisual design by Gayle at the

San Antonio Freeman Coliseum Holiday Extravaganza

November 19th and 20th

10 to 5 pm

The Jewelry by CnC booth is located at space O-4 on the main floor.

The center of the necklace is a Bronze Wire Basket surrounded by Lampwork and Crystals.

Matching earrings complement the set.

Freeman Holiday Show !

November 19th and 20th

Freeman Coliseum

Saturday 9am to 5pm

Sunday 10am to 5pm

Come and see new designs from

Jewelry by CnC

These bracelets are just some of the new and interesting items that can be seen during the show.

33rd Annual Christmas Showcase - Freeman Coliseum !

The weekend of November 19th and 20th is the "Biggest Little Christmas Show" in the area, the

"33rd Annual Freeman Coliseum Christmas Showcase."
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This show comes just in time for those of you that are in the San Antonio area to join us for your Holiday shopping !!
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November 19th - 20th

-- Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
-- Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm
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The Freeman Christmas Extravaganza ia put on by Showcase Shows who has been producing quality craft and gift shows in Central Texas for the last 32 years. The Showcase public welcomes having a professional company introduce new vendors at each show and look forward to their favorite returning vendors to find what new and innovative items they are introducing. Showcase Shows has been extremely fortunate to develop a loyal customer base that anticipates each show, knowing that they will find exciting treasures brought by some of Texas' finest vendors.

The Jewelry by CnC booth is on the floor of the main building, all the way through the show to the back, under the overhang, last booth on the right (O-04). .