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 … [Read more...]
Did you know this about Turquoise?
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 … [Read more...]
Forget the Ruby Slippers Dorothy…
Wear the ruby jewelry instead! OK, I know that technically Dorothy needed the slippers to get her out of OZ, but none of us have that excuse do we? A couple of years ago a customer asked me to design a ring using a ruby gemstone. I had not worked with rubies before so was excited for the challenge. When researching the options we ultimately chose a lab grown gemstone. … [Read more...]
Gem Shows Mania
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 … [Read more...]
Polychrome Jasper. My New Find.
A couple of years ago, while I was attending the JOGS Gem Show in Tucson, I happened upon a supplier from Madagascar. This supplier was showcasing primarily large raw stones. They were to be used for display in a home or office. In the corner of one of the displays were scattered some gorgeous cabochons. When I inquired I was told these were polychrome jasper gems. I love the … [Read more...]