I print this phrase in the description of Each Ring design in my shop. While I do feature a line of Sacred Spiral designs that are available in several sizes.. most of my designs are one of a kind. I just cannot seem to stop making new designs! Perhaps this is the nature of an artist.

At any rate I will redesign any style in a different size. Keep in mind that the actual gem may not be exactly the same. But you are involved in the process every step of the way and will select your own gem. Feel free to contact me with your requests.

Here is a recent custom design I created for a customer.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today.

Just 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 this Ring But need another size? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Ever since I can remember (long before I started designing jewelry)  I have been frustrated by the tiny clasps on jewelry. Seriously, how are we supposed to get these hooked?  Especially since they are on the back of our neck. 

I used to move the mechanism to the front and look in a mirror. Not an ideal situation.. and sometimes this does not work. Even having a spouse or significant other that can perform the task is not a great alternative. Is this person always handy when you are getting dressed?  Do they have delicate fingers to perform this task? Way too many variables. What happens if you are single (as I was much of my life?) Do you call a neighbor over? or wait to put on your necklace until you get to work?  Silly, right?

Once I started designing my own jewelry, I knew that larger, easy to use clasps were essential. Huge toggle clasps, Gigantic lobster clasps and easy to use hook clasps create less stress and make the task of donning  jewelry fun again. The styles here are examples of what I use instead. The clasps at the top are the typical smaller lobster clasps you see on most jewelry.

Next time you purchase jewelry,  Pay attention to the size of the clasp.

Shop for my designs 

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today.

Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts.

The post Jewelry Clasps; the bigger the better! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Creating and designing new rings is one of my passions. It’s invigorating and enlivening to see the finished design. So of course I do have my favorites! I am partial to sterling rings and of course the MUST feature a gemstone!

My favorites are:

• Amethyst Geode. I discovered these amazing geodes 2 years ago during the Tucson Gem Show. What a find! Every Geode is one of a kind. They were mined in Uruguay
• Ruby gemstone ring ..2 lab grown rubies..sterling silver from the Dare to Dream collection
• Malachite gemstone ring with Sacred Spiral designed ring shank
• Red Creek Jasper gemstone with Sacred Spiral ring shank. This gem was another of my finds from the Tucson Gem show

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today.

Get first look at newest designs, gemstone tidbits and legends, jewelry care tips and Always the Collector-only specials and discounts

The post My 4 Favorite gemstone rings appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Yes I love Arizona almost as much as I love to design jewelry. I moved to this awe inspiring state almost 30 years ago. I haven’t regretted it for even one moment. Yes we have the scorching hot weather in the summer. Yet the trade off is NO MORE SNOW AND ICE! Plus if I decide to escape the heat, we are only 3 hours from Flagstaff (which does get snow in the winter) and only an hour by plane to San Diego.

I am showing off two of my Gallery designs along with some backyard decor that I love. A cholla cactus skeleton nestled below a Texas Olive tree.

Shop for my designs here.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today.

Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts.

The post Arizona… and jewelry LOVE appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

When you put on a certain color in the morning… does it make you feel energetic? empowered? calm? Do you tend to gravitate towards certain colors in your home and wardrobe?

How about the jewelry you wear? are you attracted to certain gemstones and colors?

Blue is one of my favorite colors! It is associated with open spaces… like the sky and the ocean.  Furthermore blue is a friendly color. Did you know that almost everyone likes some shade of blue! Furthermore corporate America embraces blue as well. Business (power) suits, ties, company logos … and the US FLAG all use blue. The key feelings associated with blue are: calmness; confidence; unity; intelligence; conservatism

If Blue is your favorite color you :

• are Reliable, trusting and conservative

• love to be needed & tend to rescue others to gain the love

• are approachable and friendly

• prefer to stay within your comfort zone

• most of all you are spiritual and devoted to family and God

As a result gemstones in blue (lapis, sapphire, chrysocolla and turquoise) aid in relaxation and open the flow of communication.

Check out my blue designs today

Become a Collector.  Why? Because you get First-Look at new designs, gemstone legends and tidbits, jewelry care tips plus collector-only specials and discounts.

The post The Color BLUE; Calming and Stabilizing appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

I shared a lot of turquoise gemstone tips and tidbits with you in the last few posts. Wonder where I found all this juicy information? Books of course! I love to read and learn from books. especially the kind I can hold in my hand and physically turn pages. Would you like to learn more about turquoise? Here are the books I referenced.

The book shown above is a series of articles published in New Mexico. Each one offers fascinating insights into the world of turquoise.

Turquoise Unearthed is another delightful book by Joe Lowry. He is also featured in a YouTube Video about turquoise.

Finally I found lots of information in a variety of books that highlight lots of gemstones. Here is a sampling.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today. Get twice weekly updates on new designs, gemstone lore, jewelry care and especially my COLLECTOR-ONLY specials and discounts. Sign up here.

The post Everything’s Coming Up Turquoise 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 for the most part is quite porous. This means it is vulnerable to chipping or fading over time. Some of the earlier turquoise mined in Persia was more stable but sadly those mines are depleted.

What is done to protect the stones so we can wear our jewelry without worry? The primary processes are:

• Stabilized Turquoise: The rough material is soaked in an artificial resin. This hardens the surface for cutting. Cabochons (which are used for pendants and rings) are often backed with a black resin to stabilize even more. This process results in natural turquoise gems

• Enhanced Turquoise: The gem is infused with vaporized quartz, resulting in a harder, more uniform stone. It also enhances the color. This process also results in natural turquoise gems but the colors can fade over time.

• Reconstituted Turquoise. Turquoise is crushed and bound with other stones to form a mineral paste. the paste is then heated and dyed to form a turqoise-like substance and can be shaped and made into beads. While technically this still involves natural turquoise, it is not considered the finest solution. Prices are much lower too.

I work exclusively with natural stabilized turquoise. The gems are hard enough to resist wear and tear of course. Mostly though they are beautiful! check out my turquoise jewelry collection here.

The post Visions of Turquoise Dance in my Head.. appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Here is the 3rd in a series of posts about turquoise gemstones. Today I am going to share many of the legends and lore associated with this gemstone.

Let’s get started! Did you know?

• Turquoise is considered a protective stone. It was used to protect both horse and rider on long journeys.
• In South and Central America, the Aztecs, Incas and the Mayans wore turquoise in ceremonies as a symbol of authority
• In Hindu and Persian lore, seeing a turquoise and the new moon at the same moment would lead to good fortune.
• Navajos used turquoise to bring rain. They threw a stone into the river while praying to the rain god.
• Apache and Pueblo hunters attached a piece of turquoise to a bow to guarantee perfect aim.
• In the Middle Ages turquoise was believed to give women a sense of happiness and contentment.

A fascinating gem with a colorful history !

The post Turquoise Legends and Lore appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Here is the 2nd in a series of posts about turquoise. The cuff shown here features a bright blue turquoise gem from the Bisbee, Arizona mine.

I am sure you have seen many types of turquoise stones over the years. The colors vary from blue/green to deeper blue. What is the reason for the different hues? It all depends upon what other minerals are found with the particular deposit. If there is more copper, the colors tend to be deeper blue such as the gem on this copper/silver cuff bracelet.

If the deposit contains more iron, then the colors tend closer to green. This ring gives you an idea of the green hues.

The greener hue is very popular in Tibet, where turquoise is treasured as the national stone. The bluer tones tend to be more popular here in the United States… particularly in the Southwest. Other inclusions found in some mines include Pyrite (which adds luster), quartz and chalcedony. Each of these minerals will alter the turquoise. When you get ready to buy, look for the design and the hue that speaks to you. This way you will wear your individual design with the knowledge that it is truly one of a kind made especially for you.

Stay tuned for my next post and more tidbits on turquoise. You can check out my turquoise designs here. All designs are handmade by me in my Arizona studio.

The post Tantalizing Turquoise appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.