For the past several weeks I have been working on a new collection that features Steel and gold. This is a new process for me and I am still in the learning stages. Fusing 18 or 22k gold to steel creates a dramatic design and I am enamored with it. Every waking (and even some sleeping) moment is taken up with this new project. If I am not working on the pieces, I am imagining the possibilities. exciting isn’t it?

Designs will be ready in a few weeks and are offered exclusively to my Collectors Group. Are you interested in being one of the first to see and purchase these beauties?

Just sign up here. It’s FREE.

Check out my current designs here.

Want to become an Alene’s Adornments Collector?

It’s Free. Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

The post Almost Ready for Prime Time Jewelry appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Yes there is a difference in types of turquoise! This gem has been imitated often. For instance, African turquoise is really a quartz agate stone that is a turquoise color. Furthermore the gemstone called Howlite (which is white with black inclusions) is colored blue and sold as turquoise. And lets not forget the other stones, or resins that are colored blue and sold as turquoise.

It pays to work with a reputable jeweler who will disclose where the gems were mined and what the materials are!

I work only with natural turquoise, no fakes! While I do have some inventory of natural Chinese turquoise from Mines in China, the bulk of my designs feature natural turquoise from Arizona, Nevada or Mexico.

Shop my turquoise designs here.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Stunning, Natural Turquoise appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

One of my original Collections is still a strong part of my line. The SACRED SPIRAL story is near and dear to me. I strive to live my life employing it’s principals.

Sacred Spiral Collection; Because Kindness Matters

Each design is created by me in my Arizona Studio. The Spiral is an ancient symbol representing growth and evolution. It has been found in cave carvings, shells and even in the Milky Way.

 A spiral starts as a smaller, tight circle and expands quickly all the way to infinity. Each of our actions…a quick smile to a stranger, holding the door for someone, a kind word to a friend.. seems like a small gesture but the ripples of joy it causes is infinite.

“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”      Margaret Mead

My hope is that all of us follow these principals. What a wonderful world we would create.

Shop Sacred Spiral Designs Here

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Sacred Spiral Designs appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Stay At Home time during the pandemic has been quite the experience. The first week I was just excited to have more TIME to get things done! By week two I was starting to wonder when this would end. Now into week 4, I am finally settling in to the reality of the situation. Since I am stuck here I am designing something new.

Early in my jewelry designing life I learned to work with copper metal. Copper is pliable and less expensive than silver. So all my mistakes.. and there were LOTS of them were a little more affordable. I have gotten away from using pure copper as my designs incorporate silver most often.

But NOW with all this time on my hands, I am playing around a bit with the copper that I love so much. So much FUN! This pair of earrings not only shows off the beauty of copper but also is enhanced by deep rich onyx gemstones.

Shop all my designs in copper or sterling

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Back to my (copper) roots appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Purple is well known as the color of royalty. Want to know why? In ancient times the only way to replicate purple dye was by harvesting thousands and thousands of murex sea snails . As you can imagine this was not an easy task. It was time consuming and expensive. Only the very rich royalty could afford it. Since purple was relegated to royalty it was only fitting that deep rich purple amethyst gemstones would be their choice as well.

Now of course we all have access to amethyst and purple. Wear some purple today and feel like royalty.

Shop my Amethyst designs today

Want to know more about amethyst? Here’s a video with more fascinating facts and tidbits.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Love Purple? You Might be Royalty! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Do you know what it means? Quite simply. ONE OF A KIND! In the artisan world OOAK is bandied about a lot. I had been creating one of a kind designs for years but honestly did not know this is what was meant by OOAK. We learn something new every day, right?

My creative juices really flow when I am creating one of a kind designs. I love knowing that the wearer of this design can be confident that they are the owner of something that will not be found anywhere else. One of A Kind designs make the perfect heirloom as well. Pass your treasure on to future generations so they may find pleasure in wearing your design too.

Here’s the link to see all my one of a kind designs. Hint.. they make the perfect gift.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Ever Heard of OOAK? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

We’ve covered a lot of ‘turquoise’ ground over the last few weeks. Previous blogs told us about the legends surrounding this gem, the origin of the name, locations where turquoise is mined, colors or turquoise.. and lots more.

Now it’s time to learn a few do’s and dont’s to take care of your precious turquoise jewelry !

• Turquoise is a porous stone. Even if it has been stabilized special care is required to keep the gem looking fresh and new.
• Always put on your turquoise jewelry AFTER you have applied perfumes, sunscreen or makeup. Your design will absorb any of these products and affect the color and stability of your jewelry.
• Remove your rings before washing your hands. Any soap absorbed into the gem will alter it’s color.
• Do not add turquoise jewelry to an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Never wear your turquoise while swimming, especially in a pool. Prolonged time outdoors, like a day at the beach is a great time to leave the rings and other turquoise designs at home (or in the hotel room)
• The best way to clean turquoise is to dab the gem gently with warm water. then use a lint-free cloth (similar to a screen cleaner cloth) to pat it dry.

Follow these simple guidelines and your turquoise jewelry can be worn and them passed to future generations!

The post Care and Feeding for Turquoise Jewelry appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Turquoise Gemstones are one of my favorites. The gorgeous blue/green hues blend well with silver and copper metals. How much do you really know about this gem?

Over the next several weeks I plan to stimulate your senses with everything turquoise!

First a few facts:

The name turquoise comes from the French words ‘Pierre Turquoise’, meaning literally ‘Turkish Stone’ You see, turquoise made it’s way to Europe though Turkey. Many European merchants bought the stones from Turkish bazaars.

Turquoise is one of the first gemstones to be mined. Archaeologists have actually found turquoise beads dating back 5000BC.

Ancient Egyptians believed that wearing turquoise gives us the power to keep all evil forces from the body and protect us from an unnatural death.

Did this whet your appetite? Stay tuned for more fascinating facts and lore about turquoise. In the meantime, be sure to check my featured turquoise jewelry selections here.

My designs are all handmade using copper and silver sheet or wire. Each design is crafted with passion and love. Rustic Yet Refined Jewelry Design by Alene’s Adornments.

The post Did you know this about Turquoise? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.