I occasionally get around to creating something new for myself, and since I’ve been having a little love affair with faceted cabochons of late, I thought I’d make myself another ring!
I needed a black ring, for everyday wear, and this one is great.
I do have a couple more of similar cabochons coming, so if you’d like one of your own, do let me know!
The gorgeous Linda saw one of the rings I had created on FaceBook, and just had to have her own!
She chose this gorgeous and really unusual drusy agate cabochon from my gemstone collection.
The ring turned out beautifully, and Linda (and her small daughter) are both very pleased with it! Thanks, Linda!
Hematite with Quartz (photo credit Rob Lavinsky)
Haematite is the mineral form of an iron oxide. It can be black to steel or silver-gray; brown to reddish brown; or red. It is mined as the main ore of iron.
BotryoidalHaematite (photo credit Harvard Museum of Natural History)
Gray hematite is typically found in places where there has been standing water or mineral hot springs. Haematite has also been discovered on Mars!
Haematite on Mars (photo credit NASA)
The name haematite is derived from the Greek word for blood ‘αἷμα haima’ as haematite can be red. It is used by jewellers in powdered form (with grease added) for fine polishing and is called rouge.
Red Haematite (Michigan)
Haematite is believed to have grounding properties. It is thought to help reduce the discomfort of leg cramps and broken bones. It is also thought to cleanse the blood, and help with blood-related diseases such as anaemia.
Haematite Sphere (photo credit Manchester Herbs)
There are some lovely haematite cabochons in my gemstone collection. If you’d like something beautiful made, let me know!
In Australia approximately 44,000 babies each year require the help of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Special Care Nursery. For families, the experience of having a baby come into the world not as expected or planned is life changing. Without support, this overwhelming experience can have lifelong effects on the emotional well-being of these miracle families. Miracle Babies Foundation is Australia’s leading organisation supporting premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.
We have some miracle babies in our family, so this cause is one that is very close to my heart, and I’m so happy to be donating 10% of all The Silver Forge proceeds this month in support.
Please do visit my online shop and see if you can find something you love and help this worthy cause today!
The Endeavour Foundation is one of Queensland’s oldest charities, founded in 1951. It is one of the largest non-government disability service providers in Australia. They support more than 3,400 people with a disability, from 230 locations in Queensland and New South Wales. This year, the Endeavour Foundation are holding their Melbourne Cup Day Fundraising Luncheon on 4th November, and they contacted me to see if I would assist with a donation for this fundraising effort.
I’m really pleased to be supporting the Endeavour Foundation again, as I have done before (see here and here).
It is good to know that in our wide and varied community, those who face the challenges in their daily lives that living with a disability presents are able to be supported and nurtured; advocated for and given opportunities to learn and grow and have their varying needs met. I have donated a raffle prize to assist with Endeavour’s fundraising effort, and I look forward to seeing what the prize winner chooses from The Silver Forge shop!
PLEASE NOTE: This cabochon is reserved for one of my lovely clients!
The gorgeous blue chalcedony gemstone cabochon shown here is 32mm long, and is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you. Chalcedony is a form of silica, comprised of quartz and moganite. It was in use as early as the bronze age.
Blue chalcedony is believed to be an excellent crystal for public speakers and those who speak for a living, such as lawyers, actors and singers. It is thought to generate peace, encourage stillness and calm in the home, and be good for daily journeys to work, or stressful trips involving children.
This gemstone is reserved for a special client.
The absinthe green drusy agate gemstone cabochon shown here is 31mm long. It is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you. You can read more about what drusy agate is here.
Agate is traditionally believed to help you to discern truth, improve memory and concentration, increase stamina, prevent insomnia and ensure pleasant dreams, enhance personal courage, protect you against danger, and provide a calming influence.
This drusy cabochon has been dyed. You can read more about gemstone treatments here. In order to keep your drusy looking good, it is recommended that you do not get it wet or expose it to sunlight for prolonged periods. Your piece can be cleaned using a soft silver polishing cloth.
The lovely moonstone cabochon shown here is 30mm long. It is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you. Moonstone is a feldspar, and like labradorite, has what is known as the schiller effect. It can be different colours, including blue, grey, white, pink, peach, green and brown.
Moonstone is said to bring good fortune, help with foretelling the future, enhance intuition. It is believed to bring success in love, and provide protection on land and at sea.
Moonstone is supposed to stimulate the pineal gland and balance hormone cycles.
I was recently contacted by Greg, who was after something special for his partner Fi.
They both came to visit me, and Fi was able to choose her very own gemstones from my collection.
A quick measure with my ring sizers, and I created these treasures. I love the blend of amethyst, moonstone and labradorite – it may be a Pisces thing!
I do have lots of smaller gemstones in many gorgeous colours, so if you’d like something similar, do let me know!
The enormous amethyst gemstone cabochon shown here is 39mm long, and is available to be handcrafted into a custom made ring or pendant for you.
Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry. The name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀ a- (‘not’) and μέθυστος methustos (‘intoxicated’), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness.
Amethyst is believed to protect you from drunkeness and poisoning, and to help with insomnia and bring pleasant dreams.