And more fascinating facts about earrings.

Ancient pirates and sailors wore earrings! Earrings were a sign of their travels. Newer sailors got earrings after their first crossing of the equator or once they have rounded Cape Horn. In addition, earrings were said to improve or even cure poor eyesight. Other legends suggest that piercing your ear (and wearing an earring) would prevent seasickness or drowning.

earrings have an even more colorful lore.

In Ancient Asia earrings were worn by men. They were a symbol to let all who saw them know they were from a high class society. Then in the middle ages the Catholic Church forbid the piercing of ears, stating that this was a sin to alter the body by piercing a hole in your ear! at this point in history the lower class were the only ones who could pierce ears and wear earrings.

I am so happy that these legends are in the past where they belong. Today earrings are a very popular way to enhance our looks and express ourselves. I adore creating new designs using the gorgeous gemstones I have sourced from around the world. Check out my designs. they change constantly as most are one of a kind

Follow me on my design journey by becoming a collector. My collectors receive first look at my newest designs plus Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. And you Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs

The post Why Did Pirates Wear Earrings? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

This newly designed earring might be ‘just what the doctor ordered’ Yes I know it will not cure any ailments but wearing them will make you feel happy!

The NATURAL: Marilyn Earring.

My big sister Marilyn is the original ‘Natural’. Her interest in others is genuine. I have personally watched her meet someone new & within minutes know who they are and what they love.  Her natural state of being is one of going above and beyond to make others feel special.

Features my signature Sprinkled Silver process. (silver fused right into the copper) and a vinegar/ammonia blue patina. Swarovski crystal and sterling silver links add the finishing touches. Copper is treated to maintain the finish

Now available in my online shop.

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

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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.

Yep. it’s the only way to describe a trip to Tucson for the once a year Gem Shows event.

I use the plural for shows because there are virtually 43 different shows during this 3 week time frame (late January through mid February) Each show highlights different products. Some specialize in tools and equipment, while others are known for their precious gems. Even more feature beads and cabochons or large rocks that can be made into gems by a lapidary.

Every potential venue in Tucson is Full this time of year. Just try getting a hotel room and you will soon find that this is true!

over time I have narrowed myself to 2 shows that feature primarily cabochons and beads.

Want to see a few of my ‘finds’ from the show?

I carry a list with me. Certain gems are needed this year to complete my work. Plus I am always on the lookout for something new. I want something to jump out at me and say ‘Buy me’ ‘Design with me’

this image to the left shows everything I purchased.  I did go a little crazy as you can see.

Now for some closeups

Keep checking my web site so you can see the designs I create with these gorgeous specimens. Better yet, join my Collectors Group to have FIRST LOOK at new designs, plus Collector only discounts and Specials.

The post Gem Shows Mania appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Day in and day out I use tools, metals and gemstones to create my jewelry designs. My studio is in Arizona.. which is very hot 6 months of the year. So of course I have air conditioning! Each tool has it’s purpose in the design process. So now that you’ve gotten a peek into a few of the processes.. I will show you some finished jewelry created with these processes.

The post Wonder What Goes On Inside My Studio? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Yep, this can be considered a contradiction.

Rustic means rough and refined means clean and finished. My designs exhibit both of these qualities. I adore a piece of jewelry with texture and unusual shapes. Putting my own spin on these gives them just enough refinement to make them stylish. When you wear one of my designs I want you to feel unique and special.

[tweet_box design=”box_01″ float=”none”]”Jewelry has the power to be the one thing that makes you feel unique”  Alene Geed[/tweet_box]

Want to see more? www.shopalenesadornments.com 

The post Rustic Yet Refined.. appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

The perfect gemstone colors for fall, don’t you agree? I discovered this gem a few years ago while shopping at the Tucson Gem show. Instant love!

The color range includes hunter green, bright orange, burgundy red, caramel , and soft yellow. This provides me with endless design options.

Red creek jasper is also known as Cherry Creek Jasper.  The gem hails from Mainland China.. from the cherry creek and the red creek mines. Easy to see how they got the name isn’t it?

Jasper that features lots of deep reddish tones is said to provide balance and relaxation. WE all need a that don’t we? See all of my designs here

This is one of my favorite pendants.  You can clearly see the hunter green colors in this piece.

Want to see what I still have to work with? Who knows what new pieces I will discover on my next shopping trip at the Tucson Gem Show? The adventure continues..

The post Red Creek Jasper Love appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Most of the time when I am at the jewelry bench it is with a plan in mind. Either I am creating components for my wholesale line or pondering over what to design with new gems I have purchased.

However, once in awhile I have a day that is just plain fun. There is no plan in mind. I just pull out some random metals and gems and play! This week I had one of these days. Want to see what I created?

Here’s the components I start with today. Most are random pieces of metal that began as something else and were scrapped because I just wasn’t feeling the vibe. Everything I create needs to feel right to me? Does that make sense? It has to gel, to come from deep within me. I want to feel the energy of the design and know that the person who ultimately owns and wears this piece feels it too.

The re-creation and fun begins. Here are the results. And a little help from my Kitty Button. Her feedback is so important

Shop for my one of a kind designs today

The post A Play Day at the Jewelry Bench appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Do you love the color pink? Is it your favorite color? Then you are most likely loving, nurturing and compassionate!

The color Pink conjures up images of cotton candy, bubble gum, and little girls! This combination of red and white is a popular color for branding women’s products such as cosmetics or cologne.  Furthermore, today pink is a power color for women. Does anyone remember  pink cadillacs that Mary Kay cosmetics awards to their top performers? This tradition continues today, although the shades of pink change periodically

Pink is a happy color.  Have you ever been tickled pink?  Light pink hues are considered romantic, tender, sweet and innocent.  HOT PINKS change the perception to exciting, wild, sensual and playful!

[tweet_box design=”box_03″ float=”none”]

“Pink isn’t just a color, it’s an attitude” 

Miley Cyrus

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Finally here are fascinating facts about the color pink:

• Being ‘in the pink’ means in good health. However, this phrase originated in English Fox hunting traditions. A rider was not granted the right to wear the red colored jacket (called pinks) until he demonstrated superior horsemanship.

• Getting a Pink Slip means being terminated from a job. The phrase originates in vaudeville. When the Booking Office issued a cancellation notice to an act, the notice was on a pink slip.

• The pink ribbon is an internationally recognized symbol of hope and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

• In Japan, the color pink has a masculine association. The annual spring blooming of the pink-blossomed cherry trees (the Sakura) is said to represent the young Japanese warriors who fell in battle in the prime of life (the Samurai).

• Pink Collars once referred to jobs only held by women. Thank goodness times have changed!!!

Pink gemstones include rhodochrosite, rose quartz, pink sapphire and morganite.  I use rhodochrosite frequently in my designs.

A shout out to all compassionate, tender, sensitive and empathetic Pink Lovers.

The rest of us need you in our lives.

The post Color Affects Us: PINK appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

A collection is defined as a group of similar things that you have deliberately acquired, usually over a period of time.

My jewelry designs for the most part are grouped into collections. When I first began designing, I played around with anything and everything. Then I began to notice patterns in what resonated with me.   Sometimes this is as simple as absolutely loving a particular stone or design and creating a collection around that.  Other times it is about a story or event in my life that affected me personally. I want to recreate the feelings in my work. Either way, a collection is the way I express myself through jewelry.

If you are already a fan you  know that these collections tend to evolve with time. What seemed so important to me a year ago, now tends to land in the background. I am already on to some new idea for a collection.  Isn’t it Fun to be a designer?

Inside the Mind of a Jewelry Designer …  (my book about my journey into creativity) goes into more detail on many of my collections… highlighting processes used and photos.

[tweet_box design=”box_02″ float=”none”]”Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” Henry Ward Beecher[/tweet_box]

 Two of my favorite, and enduring collections are the Dare to Dream designs and the Sacred Spiral designs

Dare to Dream is the collection that embodies our desire to dream. Our wish is to allow our dreams to permeate our existence, grow, expand, morph into even bigger dreams and become reality. Every design is a limited Edition of ONE.  The fusing process is like our dreams. It starts with a concept (in this case my idea for the piece) and then it takes its own leap into the final design; one that I could not have imagined or predicted. Dream Big and Take the Leap forward!

Sacred Spiral  Collection: 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!  Just like the spiral, each of our actions;a quick smile to a stranger, holding the door for someone, a kind word to a friend. These seem like a small gesture but the ripples of joy created is infinite.

[tweet_box design=”box_02″ float=”none”]”A Small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  Margaret Mead[/tweet_box]

As you probably have guessed, I am designing a brand new collection as we speak. I am excited about the designs. Check the web site or Facebook page for more updates.

Enter to win this Pendant: Now through August 16.  Good Luck!

The post Evolution of a Jewelry Collection appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.