Stones with Personality

Many people are familiar with diamonds and the "big three" coloured gemstones (rubies, sapphires and emeralds) that are very common and popular in traditional jewelry.  While these stones are beautiful with their intense colours, brilliance and clarity, they only represent a small fraction of what the world of stones has to offer. 

I have been drawn to polished stones since I was a young child and given the opportunity to pick out a couple of pieces for myself from a friend's stash.  What fascinated me was the range of colours, the patterns and the shimmery effects some of the stones displayed. 


These are those first two stones I selected as a child - an amazonite and a tiger's eye.


Now that I design and fabricate jewelry, I have found that fascination with stones has become even more intense.  But it's not the typical coloured gemstones that make my heart go pitter-patter, but rather stones with multiple colours and interesting patterns.  "Stones with personality" as I like to call them.  And these "stones with personality" are often jaspers or agates.


a slice of agate from my personal stash



some jaspers cabochons from my stash

some orbicular jaspers, again from my personal stash

colourful jasper cabochons

Jaspers and agates are a group of quartzs in which the crystals are so tiny that they appear like a solid mass. There are many different varieties of agates and jaspers. Some of them are found in only one small location, while others are found in many different countries.

Agates and jaspers are available in a wide range of colours and have many different patterns, from bands, to orbs to patterns that appear like landscapes. They are also often available in large sizes and are frequently used as the focal of a piece of jewelry.

Jaspers and agates and not typically found in traditional jewelry that is mass-produced.  If you want pieces that feature some of these beautiful stones, they are easier to find in the handmade market, like these pieces, created by members of the Starving Artists team.

Mookaite Jasper Pendant by BeadSire

California Poppy Jasper Wire Wrapped Pendant by Ava Designs

Sterling Silver and Dragon Skin Agate Pendant by Colla

Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace by Shiny Adornments

Silver Wire Crochet Leaf Pendant with Moss Agates by Cat's Wire

   
So what about you?  Are there any particular stones that make your heart go pitter-patter? 


Featuring artisan handmade creations by the Starving Artists Jewelry Team.  The SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com and here on ArtFire.

Field trip to the museum

"Ok, kids. You know the rules. No running in the museum, no touching the paintings and please don't be so loud, we have to think of the other visitors, too."

Nah, don't worry. This little trip will be very laid back as we will visit a virtual museum now. You don't have to be afraid of touching the paintings, either. Well, unless you don't like the fingerprints on your monitor, that is. Oh, and the paintings I will show you are available for buying, you don't have to settle for the little refrigerator magnets or a print. You can own the real thing.

Now, what are those paintings I keep talking about? They have not been created by man, but by nature. I mean jasper. I'm by no means an expert on the subject of jasper and to be honest, for years and years I didn't even look it closely because I always was pretty much a sparkle girl.
Enough talk, let's have a look instead.

Let's start with a stunner by 2 Belles and a Bead. It's called Cherry Creek Jasper. What I see is sun falling through the leaves in a wood.

It's not hard to see where this jasper got his name from, California Poppy Jasper. You'll find this beautiful pendant in the studio of Ava Designs. Imagine going for a walk at dusk. I think that is what poppies would look like then.

A favorite of mine is Picture Jasper. It speaks of desert, sand dunes, oases or paths in a dry wood. I wouldn't be surprised if any minute a camel would show on these lovely earrings by Kristi Bowman Design!

African Autum Jasper is the star of this impressive pendant by Angie's Jewelry Design. This one really reminds me of an abstract painting with rich earthy colors.

Oops, seems the museum is closing down for today, but maybe you'll like to come back some other day when I found more paintings for you. It would make me very happy.

Featuring artisan handmade creations by the Starving Artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com and here on ArtFire.