Today I spent about 2 hours going over some of the new gems I purchased; deciding which ones I wanted to work with first and which ones could wait for later. I get into the zone with this process. I listen to classical music. It calms me and helps the creativity flow. Basically I choose the ones that inspire me the most. I know that down the road I may choose other options but for now these gems made the cut!

Then I spread out the gems and start making some choices. Here you can see the gems that I chose for this first group.

Amethyst is my first love so it is always included with any new grouping. Here I have a couple of the amethyst geodes that will become rings and pendants. Moving forward, I purchased some rose quartz for the first time. (the light pink gems at bottom center) These will be earrings, a pendant and a ring. I am still enamored with Rainbow solar quartz so of course there are two gems in this grouping. Both will be pendants. My most exciting NEW discovery is Palmwood root. These gorgeous black and creme colored gems spoke to me. I HAD to buy them and create new designs. They are shown here in the upper left corner.

So stay tuned to see what I create using these new beauties. The next steps include creating the bezels for the gems and then determining what the finished designs will be. This process can take weeks.

Just in case you wondered which gems did NOT make the cut (and will be featured in the next grouping). Here’s a photo to drool over!

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The post taking the first step in the design process appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

When Photographing Jewelry that is….

Yesterday was the first day I was able to experiment with my new Photo box. What Fun! Trying something new is always a little scary isnt it? I had been using the same photo equipment for the last several years. It was good but because it used flourescent lighting (with bulbs that were not replaceable with LEDs) I ended up doing lots more work in the editing to get my jewelry to look just as amazing in a photo as it does in person.

I did a lot of research and finally found this gem for just under $100. It is portable, features a dimmer and adjustable LED lighting. Now photographing is fun! Even Kitty Button had to check it out. She gave me her approval.

Here’s another image taken in the new photo box.

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These quartz gems have been called drusy, drusie and druzy. What is the correct spelling for these tiny quartz crystals that form on the surface of a stone? The answer is .. it doesn’t matter. It all means the same!

Each gem is one of a kind too. WE can shape them the same of course, but the formation of the tiny crystals will always be different. Fascinating isnt it?

Many of these gems are in the design phase right now. Watch for them all to emerge as a designer ring, cuff or pendant. Want to be first to see the new designs? Join my collectors list here to get first look.

Want to see more finished designs? Here’s the link to my shopping site.

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 Is it Druzy or Drusy? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.