Yes I confess. I am a gemstone and rock junkie. It started out slowly. I began designing jewelry using copper and sterling. Right away I knew that gemstones were going to be part of the designs. In the beginning I learned about a few basic stones and used them exclusively. Amethyst, malachite, turquoise, tigers eye, sodalite, rhodochrosite and picture jasper adorned most of my earlier designs.

Every year I attend the Tucson Gems Shows, I make it a practice to add at least one new gem to my arsenal. As a result, along came red creek jasper, polychrome jasper, serpentine, jade, druzy quartz, coral (ok not technically a stone but still a staple in many designs), onyx, sardonyx, charoite, amethyst geodes and probably a few more that have slipped my mind! Each time I discover a new gem, I research it to find out more about where they are mined and some of the history and legends behind each gem. As a result, many of these are featured in my YouTube channel.

Fast forward to today and my life with gemstones is exploding! I realize now that even though I knew a little about gems and rocks, I was only taking baby steps in this arena.

Today I continue to add new gems and yes RAW rocks to my collection. Because many of these gems are new to me I continue to learn . It turns out there are endless varieties of gems and rocks because each time another element in added to a gem it is renamed to include either the name of the mine or the person who first discovered it. What can I say? I am HOOKED and never plan to look back. Investing in many gemstone and rock books helps my education. To date my gem and rock collection now includes peridot, blue chalcedony, rainbow solar quartz, Baltic amber, crazy lace agate, leopard jasper, labradorite, iolite, citrine, garnet, ruby zoisite, moonstone, rose quartz, petrified palmwood root, moss agate, carnelian and more. Life is good.

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The post Confessions of a Gemstone & Rock Junkie 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.

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 earth tones and was immediately drawn to their beauty.

I purchased a few of these and was already envisioning the designs I would create with these one of a kind gems.

Every time I went back to this show (twice a year) I looked in vain for this supplier because I wanted more of these cabochons. It was as if they never existed??

Am I in the Twilight Zone? 

Here is my first finished design.  The sunstone gemstone in the center of the spiral really enhances the deep brick colors in the jasper.  Love it!

Fun Fact: The reddish tones in these gems are created by the iron deposits in the mine.

Recently I learned that this gem was discovered by geologists in 2006 while searching for more ocean jasper.  The formations are few in number, making this one of the rarest jasper in the world!

Lucky Me.  I own 5 of the gems. YIPPEE! It pays to be in the right place at the right time doesn’t it?

Want to own one of these very rare gems? The pendant shown here is available for purchase online. Or choose one of the other gems shown in the photo at top. I will create a custom pendant just for you!  Email me at alene@alenesadornments.com for more details.

The post Polychrome Jasper. My New Find. 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.

Do you love jasper as much as I do?

Jasper is a variety of quartz found on every continent on earth.  

It is known as the nurturing stone. Because this gorgeous stone contains takes on many impurities during it’s formation, the gem is always opaque. It’s good to note that the impurities are what create the spectacular colors and designs!

[tweet_box design=”box_02″ float=”none”]When worn, jasper aids in quick thinking.[/tweet_box]

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Endless varieties of jasper are available today. They are mined across the globe. Moreover, each variety features the design that the impurities helped create. Two of my favorites shown here: Picture Jasper (to the left)tends to be lighter in color and resemble mountain landscapes. Madagascar Jasper (to the right)has richer and more reddish inclusions.  

More fascinating facts:

• The Babylonians believed that jasper was a female stone and and a symbol of childbirth. 
• Native American cultures used jasper for rain making.
• Metaphysically The stone is said to bring tranquility, comfort and relaxation to our soul.
• Many believe that jasper can align all our chakras.

Lastly I mention my all time favorite jasper.. Red Creek Jasper. My online store currently features 7 designs. I love it so much that I dedicate an entire post  to this one variety.

The post Jasper ; Fascinating Facts appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Over the years I have experimented with and designed a multitude of jewelry pieces. Since I do a lot of work in copper, most of my designs fall into the ‘moderately priced’ category. 

Yet sometimes I will come across an unusual gemstone that screams.. “Mount me in something spectacular”!  Not wanting to disappoint the gem… I figure out how to make it even more special and beautiful than it already appears to be.

Voila, the Gallery Collection is born!

[tweet_box design=”box_01″ url=”http://www.alenesadornments.com/gallery-collection/” float=”none”]The Gallery collection features rare and One of a Kind Jewelry designs that can remain in your family for generations[/tweet_box]

What is so special about this collection?

• Each one features at least one unusual gem.
• Each is designed in sterling or fine silver.
• Each design was created by my hand alone.
• The Silver has been hand forged, hammered, sawed and shaped to make it a very special piece of jewelry.
• The gemstones were hand selected for each particular pendant, earring, ring or bracelet.
• You can purchase and wear any of these pieces knowing that you alone own this original design.

As you may imagine, the price point on these beauties a little higher than my standard jewelry line. Prices for the pendants range from $200-$300 each. Rings and Earrings from $80-$150 each.

A few of my favorites:

Sterling Silver with a lab grown ruby. I started with a piece of silver. Then forged in sterling components and allowed all to meld together. The result is a lot of texture and a very substantial hunk of silver.

Sterling Ring with two Lab-grown emerald gemstones. I domed the silver band and then added the braided sterling border. Elegant and perfect for every occasion.

I found 4 of these Madagascar Jasper gemstones at the Tucson Gem Show 2 years ago. Each one is a different shape. I adore the inclusions. I decided to antique this design and add the Spiral to the piece. The Sunstone gemstone in the spiral complements the colors in the Jasper. Plus it has an almost glittery sheen. Hence the name Sunstone!

If you want to treat yourself to something special. Jewelry that you will wear frequently for many years, please stop by my store and have fun choosing your special design.

The post The Gallery Collection by Alene Geed appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

A few facts:

• Cubic zirconia was discovered as a natural mineral from in 1937

• The form you see today is a synthetic (man-made) version

• Cubic Zirconia is an 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Diamonds are a 10

• CZ can be cut differently. Faceted edges can be rounded or smooth

• Experts can tell the difference between the two because of the difference in their thermal conductivity.
• That being said, the average person cannot tell the difference!

What do I love about it?  I can add these gems to my designs to provide sparkle and pizazz.. at a fraction of the cost of diamonds. Here are a few examples of how I use them:

I used 3 CZ stones here to bring out the colors of the jasper stone.

Amethyst gem is highlighted when I add a purple CZ gem.

What are your thoughts? do you love the versatility of these beautiful stones?? 

If you enjoyed this post you may like Rhodochrosite: good for the Heart

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