What do you do when you are in lock down for Covid-19? For a couple weeks you feel like the world is ending and then for the next two weeks you say, “Ok, this, isn’t so bad.” Now a year later I am saying, “time to get off my butt and back to work!” So […]
Jasper is not just another pretty stone. It is a whole world of pretty stones. Truly amazing and versatile. Jasper is a combination of unique color patterns particularly once you begin to recognize them. Let’s start by saying Jasper is from the Chalcedony (kal’ sedne) family. It is part of the larger quartz family and […]
We may think that we know the benefits of handmade jewelry. But ask anyone about why they love handmade jewelry and some will say it’s the uniqueness, others that they love the individuality, yet others say that the allure comes from the personal attention and love that makers and artisans infuse into the masterpieces they […]
Lapis Lazuli also known as “blue stone,” has a long and interesting history. This gemstone, discovered in the Hindu-Kush Mountains of Afghanistan over 6,000 year ago, still holds allure today. Lapis Lazuli, otherwise known as lapis were first seen as beads in these ancient settings. However, you probably have seen pictures the funeral mask of […]
Almost a year ago, I posted about December’s Blue Zircon. However, I failed to mention that there are two other December birthstones. I hope to rectify it now. YES, December does have a variety of stones it claims as birthstones. The most traditional one of course is Turquoise. The other one is Tanzanite. Each stone […]
October’s Birthstones are sure to please. Why you ask? Because you have twice the fun in picking from the plethora of colors that Tourmaline provides. Additionally, Opals can contain a myriad of color within each stone. So you see, you can have twice the fun in October with your choice of two different stones. However it’s […]
The Moh’s Scale. If you have been around gems and jewelry, you have probably heard reference to the Moh’s Scale. What does this mean? Basically it indicates how hard (or soft) a stone is. For example, the harder the stone, the better to resist scratching or wear. All stones can be tested. Once tested they […]
Yes that’s right, August Birthstones. You probably only believed there was one, the famed peridot. However, according to the American Gem Society, the original birthstone for August was sardonyx, then came along peridot. Finally, in 2016, Spinel was the last stone join the group. Think about it, with so many colors to choose from, an […]
Emeralds 101 is designed to give you a quick study on a fascinating stone. In this day and age, less is more. The same is true for gathering information, no matter what the topic. However, if you are planning on an Emerald purchase, some education is helpful. Thus, Emeralds 101. Mineral Class First of all, […]
Diamonds, April’s Masterpiece. This gemstone has captured our attention for centuries. Diamonds are the ultimate token of love. They also symbolize strength and durability. It is an established fact that diamonds are the hardest mineral on earth. The only thing to scratch a diamond is another diamond, thus demonstrating its durability. However, we need to […]