Wearing rings of any size or shape is so much fun, don't you agree? Rings have been found in tombs dating back to 2500 BC. Many cultures fashioned their rings from stone. Others used metal and added gemstones. Sound familiar? One of the favorite designs for the Ancient Romans was a thick hoop that had an gemstone embedded right into the metal. This flush design is still … [Read more...]
Red Creek Jasper Love
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 … [Read more...]
MARSALA: 2015 Pantone Color of the Year
Ever heard of the color Marsala? I had not. These days new names keep emerging for color blends. (very hard to keep up) This one is named after a wine. Turns out Marsala is a blend of brown and red. So pretty! Here is a swatch to show you. Officially it is PMS 18-1438. (just in case you were wondering!) Here is the detail the Pantone site offers: Equally appealing to men … [Read more...]
Red Creek Jasper; Fascinating Facts and Legends
My New FAVORITE gemstone! Red Creek Jasper was discovered in Northwestern China about 5 years ago. It is name 'Red Creek' after the stream that runs through the mining area. The colors and hues are out of this world. I have seen multiple shades of Red/Burgundy, Green, Browns and Yellows. Each piece is virtually different from the next. This gemstone is called Jasper but the … [Read more...]
Tucson Gem Show 2013 – Hits and Misses
I just returned from my visit to 3 of the shows during the Tucson Gem Show. While I managed to find and purchase those items on my list AND get a few extra goodies... I was somewhat disappointed by the largest show I attend at the Holidome The layout was changed drastically this year and I found it much harder to maneuver the show floor. In addition, the vendors in the main … [Read more...]