Even though my usual design style is ‘striving for elegant simplicity’, I actually love the Art Noveau period – so in that vein, I designed these earrings for myself.
I’ve been wearing them nearly every day since I finished them. I’ve had quite a few comments and requests, so I may even make some more for my shop!
The beautiful carnelian gemstone cabochon shown here is 31mm long. It is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you.
Carnelian is a variety of the silica mineral chalcedony, which has been coloured by impurities of iron oxide. The colour can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black. It is commonly found in Brazil, India, Siberia, and Germany. Botryoidal, from the Greek meaning ‘bunch of grapes’, describles the crystal formation on the top of the stone.
Black Agatized Coral Teardrop CabochonBlack Agatized Coral Teardrop Cabochon
The amazing black coral gemstone cabochon shown here is 37mm long. It is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you.
Fossil or agatized coral is formed when ancient coral is gradually replaced with agate. The fossilized coral appears as small flower-like shapes on the stone. Fossil coral can be found in brown, gray, black, white, yellow and red. Most specimens are found in Indonesia and the USA (Florida and Georgia).
Coral has been prized as a gem for thousands of years. It is believed to offer protection and to assist with infertility.
The pink opal gemstone cabochon shown here is 32mm long, and is available to be handcrafted into a custom piece for you.
The stunning eudialyte cabochon shown here is 24mm long. It is reserved for a lovely client.
The amazing green jasper gemstone cabochons shown here are 51mm long, and are available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you.
This beautiful jasper comes from Minas Gerais, which is in Brazil. The colour and striping is unlike any jasper I’ve seen before!
Jasper is believed to encourage personal bravery and help people gain independence. It is thought to help cure gynecological problems and to strengthen the stomach. Some believe it can help bring rain, and it has been used as a protection against evil spirits and snake and spider bites.
The gorgeous chrysocolla gemstone cabochon shown here is 35mm long, and is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you.
Malachite and chrysocolla both have a high copper content, which is what gives it that fabulous blue/green colouring. The name comes from the Greek chrysos, (gold), and kolla, (glue).
Chrysocolla and malachite commonly form together, and produce some fantastic gemstones!
It is believed to have a calming influence, and also to attract love. It is supposed to help heal burns, fever, and detoxify the liver.
The lovely soft green moss agate gemstone cabochon shown here is 35mm in diameter. It is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you.
Moss agate is dendritic, meaning it has tree or fern-like inclusions (from the Greek dendron, meaning tree). The inclusions in this piece are chlorite.
Moss agate is known as the agate of warriors, and of gardeners and agriculture. Moss agate helps balance emotional energy. It helps the user to let go of anger and bitterness. It is believed to enhance concentration, persistence, endurance and success in one’s endeavors. It is thought to assist with sensitivities to weather and pollution. Midwives use it to assist in successful birthing.
Valentine was a third century Roman priest who got caught marrying Christian couples. Assisting Christians was a crime at the time, so they arrested and imprisoned him. The Emperor Claudius took a liking to his prisoner, until Valentine tried to convert him to Christianity. Claudius subsequently condemned the priest to death. A beating with clubs and stones failed to kill him, so they beheaded him. He was later martyred for his troubles. Poor old St Valentine!
It wasn’t until the fourteenth century that Valentine’s Day as we know it was born. The famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the poem ‘The Parliament of Foules’. This included the popular notion that birds paired off to mate on 14 February each year. Also referred to in this poem were some Valentine’s Day traditions such as sending anonymous love letters. Exchanging token gifts with your lover was also mentioned – my vote is for jewellery of course!
As well as love, young people and happy marriages, Valentine is also known as the patron saint of beekeeping and epilepsy.
I like to think that Valentine’s Day is now a celebration of not just romantic love, but love of any kind – including loving yourself. Love makes the world go round, so Happy Valentine’s Day!
My lovely client Emma was kindly given some Silver Forge dollars to spend for her birthday.
She chose this one-of-a-kind piece of shattuckite from my gemstone collection to be made into a bespoke ring.
I loved working with Emma, she is so fun and has a good eye for the unusual!