silver Archives - Alene's Adornments Blog

Earrings; A small object with a colorful History

Alene Geed — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:53:31 +0000

Earring materials tell you what people prized, what they could reach, and what they believed.

Bone, shell, copper, silver, gold, glass, and steel are all part of the history. The story begins close to the ground and ends in a world full of new options, but the old meanings still cling to the surface. The earliest earrings were made from what people could find nearby. Early earrings came from place. People used what beaches, forests, rivers, and animal remains gave them.

Bone, shell, stone, and wood gave the first earrings their shape.

Bone was tough yet light.

Shell had a soft shine that needed little work.

Stone offered weight and color,

Wood was easy to cut, drill, and smooth.

Most of these first pieces were handmade with simple tools. They were often uneven, slightly off-center, and full of tool marks. That didn’t make them crude. It made them personal. Each earring carried the touch of the person who shaped it and the land that supplied it. Because wood, fiber, and thin shell break down over time, much of this early record is gone. What survives hints at a larger past, one in which people were already turning ordinary matter into something worn with care.

I love knowing this about these early earrings. This is the way most artisans today still create their designs. In particular, I create one of a kind pairs for my customers. Those who purchase from me know that their selection is one of a kind and will not be seen worn by others. What a plus! the earrings below feature Sonoran turquoise gemstones in sterling silver.

Sonoran turquoise gemstone earrings.

How metals changed the history of earring materials

Metal changed jewelry in a big way. Once people learned to heat, hammer, and cast it, earrings became brighter, stronger, and easier to keep. Copper bent well under a hammer and held a clean curve. Bronze, a copper alloy, added strength. Hoops, spirals, wires, and dangling forms became easier to make and harder to break. It also travels well. Traders could carry raw metal or finished ornaments over long distances, and families could melt, reshape, or pass pieces down instead of replacing them.

I worked in copper more in my early days. It was considered a learning material because it was less expensive. This helped calm my fears early on and gave me the freedom to experiment and make mistakes. Shown here is one of the designs I still use in copper to this day. This cuff is designed by fusing fine and sterling silver to a copper base.

Copper and sterling Cuff from my Dare to Dream collection

Silver and gold turned earrings into symbols of wealth

Silver caught light with a cool glow, while gold kept its warm color for centuries. Both were rare enough to matter, and both held value far beyond ornament.

Priests, rulers, and wealthy households wore them as public proof of power, taste, and access. Gold was beautiful, and it was also portable wealth.

That mix of shine and scarcity changed the meaning of earrings. The material itself could carry more social force than the design.

I tend to work primarily in silver these days. Over the years I have learned the best ways to create unusual beautiful pieces. This is one of my newest designs featuring Dendritic Opal in a free-form silver pendant.

Different eras and empires gave earrings new styles and materials

Egyptian jewelers loved gold and colored inlays, and some pieces paired metal with glass. In Mesopotamia, earrings could feature gold, lapis lazuli, and carnelian, all rich in color and cost.

Greek designs often looked lighter and more balanced. Roman taste grew broader because the empire drew in pearls, gems, and fine metalwork from far beyond Italy.

In these cultures, earrings could show rank, personal taste, and access to goods from far away.

Gold kept calling to me! Once I discovered the option to drench gold on steel, I was hooked. The pendant below is one of my newer pieces. It is created using mild steel. I drenched it with 22k gold. and then added the blackened patina. The piece de resistance is the rutilated quartz gem. LOVE IT!

Today’s jewelry still borrows from the past

Modern earrings look new, but their roots are old. Steel hoops echo ancient circles. Resin and acrylic repeat the old wish for light weight, bold color, and easy shaping.

Recycled silver and gold bring old metals back into use, while lab-grown stones continue the long search for beauty people can afford. Even surgical steel and titanium follow an old pattern. People still want earrings that last, feel good on the skin, and say something about who they are.

The past stays close to the ear. Even now, material is never only about looks.

Follow me on my design journey and become a collector. Not only do my collectors receive first look at my newest designs but the also have the advantage of Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. In addition you Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs

The post Earrings; A small object with a colorful History appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Images of the Heart; Ancient to Modern Symbols

Alene Geed — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 21:09:29 +0000

An Icon We See Everywhere

Fine Silver Heart Pendant from my ‘Memories of Childhood’ collection

Think of the heart shape. It’s everywhere—on greeting cards, emojis, and signs of love. But this simple image has a rich backstory that stretches back thousands of years. The heart as a symbol means more than just romance; it stands for emotion, spirit, and connection across many cultures.

I am drawn to the heart shape and use it in many of my jewelry designs. Of course the symbolism is part of the reason I love designing this way.

In this post, you’ll see how the heart shape took on new forms over time, why it matters, and what its story reveals about human culture.

Ancient Origins of Heart Imagery

Archaeologists have uncovered some fascinating traces of the heart in the ancient world:

Mesopotamia: Clay tablets from Sumer and Akkad show heart-shaped objects and script. Often, these images connect the heart to thought and wisdom instead of just the body.
Egypt: The heart had a starring role in Egyptian life and afterlife beliefs. Tomb art shows the heart being weighed against the feather of Ma’at, to test a person’s goodness.
Greece: Classical Greeks often sketched organs in detailed medical texts. The philosopher Aristotle saw the heart as the center of emotion, intelligence, and even courage. Heart images appear on ancient pottery and scrolls.
The Earring design below shows heart shaped malachite gems dangling from a copper hoop.

Malachite earrings done in Malachite, Sterling and Copper

Symbolic Meanings in Early Civilizations

To ancient people, the heart was much more than a part of the body. It carried rich symbolism:

Life and Vitality: The heart was seen as the spark of life. Without it, nothing moved or breathed.
The Soul and Identity: Egyptians believed the heart held a person’s soul, memories, and truth. In the afterlife, the heart acted like a record of your entire life—nothing escaped its memory.
Feelings and Spirit: The Greeks linked the heart to strong emotions. Love, grief, fear, and joy all flowed from the heart’s core.
Judgment and Morality: In ancient Egypt, the heart was weighed in the underworld. A heavy heart meant guilt and led to punishment. A light heart pointed to honesty and peace.

The Emergence of the Stylized Heart Shape in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the heart shape took a new direction in art and culture. Instead of showing the human heart as a realistic organ, artists started drawing it as two rounded arches meeting at a sharp point. This is the same shape that later became a global symbol of love. The shift wasn’t only about art—it reflected new beliefs, social customs, and ways of seeing emotion.

Medieval Manuscripts and Religious Contexts

Medieval Europe brought a boom in decorated manuscripts and church art. Monks and scribes filled the margins of books with bright images, including the earliest recognizable heart shapes. These hearts often appeared in:

Illuminated Manuscripts: You can spot small heart shapes in the borders of prayer books or around saints and angels. The design stood out against the gold leaf and deep blues of the pages.
Religious Texts: Writers used the heart as a sign of true faith or divine love. For example, images sometimes showed saints holding stylized hearts, meant to represent their love for God or their pure intentions.
Church Decorations: Artists carved heart shapes into wood, painted them on altars, or added them to stained glass. In some stories, Jesus was shown pointing to his heart, calling attention to his compassion and suffering.

The heart shape didn’t just pop up by accident. Some historians say it may have been inspired by ancient plants or seeds, such as the silphium pod, which was shaped like a heart and connected to love and affection.The image above features the silphium pod. You can easily see how the upside down image of this pod mimics our modern day concept of the heart.

Modern Evolution of Heart Images

Heart images have taken on a new life in the last century, sweeping through pop culture and digital spaces at a pace no one could have predicted. They are no longer reserved for art and religion—now, hearts show up in slogans, billboards, text messages, and social posts worldwide. Let’s look at the key shifts that led to this, from paper cards to pixelated symbols.

The design below features another way I design using the heart motif. The fine silver backing is heart shaped and features a teardrop shaped turquoise gem.

Heart Designed Pendant from the Dare to Dream collection

Valentine’s Day and Mass Media: The Rise of the Heart in Pop Culture

With the boom of printing in the 19th and 20th centuries, the stylized heart started showing up everywhere. Nowhere is this more obvious than on Valentine’s Day cards, which took the simple heart shape and turned it into a sign of romance.

Why did this happen? Commercial printing made it cheap and easy to send messages of love. Heart images went from elite artworks to everyday objects you could buy at a corner store. By the early 1900s, heart-covered cards, candy boxes, and decorations took over store shelves each February.

Mass media only boosted this trend:

Advertising: Brands used hearts to connect a product with warmth, safety, or affection. Think of classic candy boxes, soda ads, or jewelry campaigns—the heart makes you feel an emotion before you read a single word.
Movies and TV: Scripted love stories splashed the heart symbol across posters and film reels. When a cartoon character’s eyes turned into hearts, kids and adults alike understood: love, in its silliest or purest form.
Pop Music and Art: Album covers, posters, and fashion added even bolder heart imagery. From punk rock pins to pop diva stage sets, the heart became a sign of emotion, rebellion, or joy.

The Digital Heart: From Emoji to Memes

In the last two decades, the heart image has exploded across digital screens in ways that old-school marketers could only dream about. It’s now one of the most recognized symbols on Earth—thanks to social platforms, messaging apps, and the ever-growing emoji lineup.

Here’s how digital life shaped the heart:

Emoji Hearts: The red heart emoji was added to phones and computers in the 2010s. It’s now used in billions of texts and posts every day. A single tap sends warmth or friendship across the globe—faster than a handwritten letter ever could.
Color Variations: Different colored hearts let people show subtle feelings or inside jokes. For example:
- Red for love or strong emotion
- Yellow for friendship or happiness
- Blue for trust or calm vibes
- Black for sadness, style, or dry humor
Heart Reactions: Social platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok made the heart a way to show approval. People “like” with a heart instead of a thumbs up, sending instant feedback and positive vibes.

Conclusion

The heart image has moved through history as both a mirror and a messenger—shifting its shape and meaning as people changed the way they loved, believed, and expressed themselves. From ancient carvings loaded with spiritual weight, to the decorative hearts in medieval stories, right up to today’s emoji-laden texts, this simple symbol still carries deep emotions. I expect this is why I tend to gravitate towards this icon in my designs. To me the heart means LOVE.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs

The post Images of the Heart; Ancient to Modern Symbols appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Turquoise; Legends & Facts

Alene Geed — Wed, 17 May 2023 17:42:09 +0000

Did you know that turquoise is one of the first gemstones to be mined? In fact, turquoise beads were found in Mesopotamia dating back to 5000 BC! Turquoise was found in Egypt from the reign of Pharaoh Semerkhet in 2900BC.

This ancient gemstone is still prized today and used in many different cultures including the American Indians. This blue/green stone varies in color depending upon the amount of iron and copper that is present.

Where can you find turquoise?

This precious blue/green gem is found right here in the Southwest. There are still operating mines in Arizona, Nevada, California and Northern Mexico. Persian turquoise is still available. Lastly there are mines in China as well.

My designs feature turquoise from these USA and Mexico mines. I love the quality and deep blue colors especially.

A few Turquoise legends

In South and Central America, the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans wore turquoise in ceremonies as a symbol of authority

Navajos used turquoise to bring rain. They would throw a stone into the river while praying to the rain God.

In the Middle ages turquoise was believed to give women a sense of happiness and contentment.

Turquoise is considered a purification stone, dispelling negative energy and aligning the chakras when worn. It is also said to stabilize mood swings and enhance an inner calm.

See my current turquoise gemstone designs here.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs

The post Turquoise; Legends & Facts appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

What happens to the Scrap Silver?

Alene Geed — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 20:41:39 +0000

Scraps of Silver from my Design Process.

Creating Designs using metal components does tend to generate some waste. Jewelry needs to be shaped and finished properly. this means the tiny (or larger) non essential components are cut or sawed off.
I was taught early on that these scraps should NOT be thrown out, but rather saved.
There is a Refinery where the silver or gold scraps can be sent. there they are weighed, processed and reformed into usable wire or sheet metal.
Yes all the metal I purchase IS RECYCLED!

When I first started saving these scraps, i intuitively thought there must be a better use for them. I began experimenting with fusing and found a process that is stunning and fun to create . Plus I can reuse the scrap metal! A Win-Win.

Copper and Sterling Cuff

This is just one of the finished designs created using scrap silver. You can check all more designs here.

Shop Here

Join my Collectors List Today. Provide your first name and email to get first look at newest designs plus Collector-only discounts and specials

The post What happens to the Scrap Silver? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Jewelry Clasps; the bigger the better!

Alene Geed — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 20:28:07 +0000

Picture Jasper sterling pendant & over-sized clasp

Ever since I can remember (long before I started designing jewelry) I have been frustrated by the tiny clasps on jewelry. Seriously, how are we supposed to get these hooked? Especially since they are on the back of our neck.

I used to move the mechanism to the front and look in a mirror. Not an ideal situation.. and sometimes this does not work. Even having a spouse or significant other that can perform the task is not a great alternative. Is this person always handy when you are getting dressed? Do they have delicate fingers to perform this task? Way too many variables. What happens if you are single (as I was much of my life?) Do you call a neighbor over? or wait to put on your necklace until you get to work? Silly, right?

Once I started designing my own jewelry, I knew that larger, easy to use clasps were essential. Huge toggle clasps, Gigantic lobster clasps and easy to use hook clasps create less stress and make the task of donning jewelry fun again. The styles here are examples of what I use instead. The clasps at the top are the typical smaller lobster clasps you see on most jewelry.

Next time you purchase jewelry, Pay attention to the size of the clasp.

custom sterling clasp for my designs

Shop for my designs

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today.

Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts.

The post Jewelry Clasps; the bigger the better! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Confessions of a Jewelry Soldering Junkie

Alene Geed — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 21:57:12 +0000

Yes, it’s true. I love to solder. Next to hammering it is my favorite jewelry technique.

Of course it was not always so. I have destroyed many a piece of silver during my early days. Life has gotten much easier since I have broken the code on this process though.

Early Soldering attempt

Here’s a piece that was one of my first soldering jobs.

Not only did this take about 10 times longer that it would today, but the finished product is one that any fellow jeweler would take apart in seconds.

Why not redo this beautiful dichroic cabochon, then and create something more to my skill level?? Because every time I wear this it reminds me of how far I have come.

Yes the sides are rough. I heated this piece so MANY times that part of the bezel melted! This design has enough solder in it to set at least 4 more gemstones. I just kept adding solder each time when some of the joins did not ‘join’

Sterling, Copper, Turquoise pendant

As with any skill, practice, practice and more practice is required. Now all these years later I am proud of the designs I can offer to my customers. Soldering has become routine. Do I still make mistakes? Absolutely! But they are fewer and fewer as time passes.

I have learned to use soldering as a gauge to my ability to work..

Red Creek Jasper Pendant

If I am soldering several pieces and all goes well (or at least 90% well) I know that my time at the bench is meant to be.

On the other hand, if my soldering projects are just not gelling for me.. (some of the piece doesn’t solder or a variety of maladies… I know that it is now time to clean up and go do something else!.. Watch TV, read, go for a walk, have a drink… whatever! Just DO NOT stay at the bench.

Shop for my complete design collection here.

The post Confessions of a Jewelry Soldering Junkie appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Time for a little Dreaming

Alene Geed — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 18:02:39 +0000

I have so much fun creating collections! Once I started designing jewelry, I noticed themes

Sterling and copper skinny pendant

starting to develop. So I named my first collection and began creating the designs for it. This is when the fun begins for me. I love knowing that when you wear one of my designs, you have a story and an inspiration to accompany it. That way you can be reminded of the sentiment behind the creation of the jewelry design.

Voila! The Dare to Dream Collection!

Sterling-copper skinny earrings

Dare to Dream is the collection that embodies our desire to dream and our wish 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!

Wear your selection as a reminder to Dream Big and Take the Leap forward!

Copper and Sterling Cuff with amethyst gemstones

Shop for my full Collection here.

Dare to Dream Rings Collection

“Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean”

Christopher Reeve

The post Time for a little Dreaming appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Rustic Yet Refined..

Alene Geed — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 22:41:32 +0000

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.

A Peek into my Sprinkled Silver Jewelry process

Alene Geed — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 21:09:13 +0000

Want to see how I create some of my designs?

Early in my jewelry design career, I fell in love with copper and silver metals. One of my first experiments involved fusing metal components together.. just to see what would happen.

OK, so I did destroy a few chunks of metal. Applying just a little TOO much heat whereas the metals became a lump of indescribable mass. A learning experience, right? In the end I am happy for what I learned and can live with a few lumps of metal, knowing it helped me perfect this design process.

Raw copper is textured and then heated. After this I add sterling and fine silver components to the copper. Applying heat, I melt the silver right into the copper. the fun part is i am never sure how it will turn out! the Heat is in charge.

I coined this process ‘sprinkled silver’ and even have it copyrighted. Here are a few of the designs from my collections.

These designs and more are available at shopalenesadornments.com.

I invite you to Shop to Your Heart’s Content!

The post A Peek into my Sprinkled Silver Jewelry process appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

What is Artisan Jewelry?

Alene Geed — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 21:48:57 +0000

We hear this term a lot at craft shows, museums and in galleries. Ever wonder what it really means?

The word artisan originates from the Italian word artigiano. it’s defined as a skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand. These products may be functional or decorative. (in the case of jewelry)

Artisan jewelry is custom made by a highly skilled craftsman.

Artisan jewelry is known to have existed as far back as 7000 BCE. These first handcrafted ornaments, necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings were made of gold and copper. Furthermore they were often sculpted to depict human and animal forms. Today handmade artisan jewelry is made of metals, gemstones, beads and many other materials. Every piece of handmade jewelry looks and feels unique.

As a result of this uniqueness, custom handmade jewelry pieces can have a high price and a high monetary value. The price not only reflects the individuality of each piece, but it also shows the high quality of the materials that are used to make each item. The best materials combined with the distinctive look of handcrafted artisan jewelry pieces often land in museum exhibits around the world.

Copper, Sterling and Amethyst Cuff

Because each of my designs is created by hand I get to feel and see the progression of the design. Each time my hammer hits the metal to create a texture I feel the connection to artisans from centuries past. I am inspired by their work and their commitment to their craft. This gives me endless pleasure!

My wish for you is that you experience this same pleasure each time you wear one of my custom designed jewelry pieces.

Shop Here for my Rustic Yet Refined Jewelry

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today.

Just 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.

Alene Geed

Arizona designer Alene Geed is the creator of artisan copper, sterling and gemstone jewelry. Her designs are unique, artsy and feminine with an American Southwest Influence. Designs are available for purchase at http://www.alenesadornments.com

The post What is Artisan Jewelry? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

silver Archives - Alene's Adornments Blog

Earrings; A small object with a colorful History

Earring materials tell you what people prized, what they could reach, and what they believed.

How metals changed the history of earring materials

Silver and gold turned earrings into symbols of wealth

Different eras and empires gave earrings new styles and materials

Today’s jewelry still borrows from the past

Images of the Heart; Ancient to Modern Symbols

An Icon We See Everywhere

Ancient Origins of Heart Imagery

Archaeologists have uncovered some fascinating traces of the heart in the ancient world:

Symbolic Meanings in Early Civilizations

The Emergence of the Stylized Heart Shape in the Middle Ages

Medieval Manuscripts and Religious Contexts

Modern Evolution of Heart Images

Valentine’s Day and Mass Media: The Rise of the Heart in Pop Culture

The Digital Heart: From Emoji to Memes

Conclusion

Turquoise; Legends & Facts

Where can you find turquoise?

A few Turquoise legends

What happens to the Scrap Silver?

This is just one of the finished designs created using scrap silver. You can check all more designs here.

Jewelry Clasps; the bigger the better!

Ever since I can remember (long before I started designing jewelry) I have been frustrated by the tiny clasps on jewelry. Seriously, how are we supposed to get these hooked? Especially since they are on the back of our neck.

Next time you purchase jewelry, Pay attention to the size of the clasp.

Confessions of a Jewelry Soldering Junkie

Yes, it’s true. I love to solder. Next to hammering it is my favorite jewelry technique.

Of course it was not always so. I have destroyed many a piece of silver during my early days. Life has gotten much easier since I have broken the code on this process though.

Here’s a piece that was one of my first soldering jobs.

Not only did this take about 10 times longer that it would today, but the finished product is one that any fellow jeweler would take apart in seconds.

Yes the sides are rough. I heated this piece so MANY times that part of the bezel melted! This design has enough solder in it to set at least 4 more gemstones. I just kept adding solder each time when some of the joins did not ‘join’

As with any skill, practice, practice and more practice is required. Now all these years later I am proud of the designs I can offer to my customers. Soldering has become routine. Do I still make mistakes? Absolutely! But they are fewer and fewer as time passes.

I have learned to use soldering as a gauge to my ability to work..

If I am soldering several pieces and all goes well (or at least 90% well) I know that my time at the bench is meant to be.

On the other hand, if my soldering projects are just not gelling for me.. (some of the piece doesn’t solder or a variety of maladies… I know that it is now time to clean up and go do something else!.. Watch TV, read, go for a walk, have a drink… whatever! Just DO NOT stay at the bench.

Shop for my complete design collection here.

Time for a little Dreaming

I have so much fun creating collections! Once I started designing jewelry, I noticed themes

Voila! The Dare to Dream Collection!

Shop for my full Collection here.

Rustic Yet Refined..

Yep, this can be considered a contradiction.

A Peek into my Sprinkled Silver Jewelry process

Want to see how I create some of my designs?

Early in my jewelry design career, I fell in love with copper and silver metals. One of my first experiments involved fusing metal components together.. just to see what would happen.

OK, so I did destroy a few chunks of metal. Applying just a little TOO much heat whereas the metals became a lump of indescribable mass. A learning experience, right? In the end I am happy for what I learned and can live with a few lumps of metal, knowing it helped me perfect this design process.

Raw copper is textured and then heated. After this I add sterling and fine silver components to the copper. Applying heat, I melt the silver right into the copper. the fun part is i am never sure how it will turn out! the Heat is in charge.

I coined this process ‘sprinkled silver’ and even have it copyrighted. Here are a few of the designs from my collections.

These designs and more are available at shopalenesadornments.com.

I invite you to Shop to Your Heart’s Content!

What is Artisan Jewelry?

We hear this term a lot at craft shows, museums and in galleries. Ever wonder what it really means?

The word artisan originates from the Italian word artigiano. it’s defined as a skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand. These products may be functional or decorative. (in the case of jewelry)

Artisan jewelry is custom made by a highly skilled craftsman.

My wish for you is that you experience this same pleasure each time you wear one of my custom designed jewelry pieces.

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