It is comforting to have my feline helper. Button often weighs in on my decision about which designs to keep creating. Sometimes she uses her paw to select one that she is especially enamored with. It’s very clear when she is not enthused about a design as well. She just Sits on the jewelry so I cannot move forward. Pretty clear message don’t you think?

Button’s expertise in selecting the right gemstone for a new design is invaluable. She hunkers down and stares at the gem that will be used in my next project. I am one lucky jewelry designer!!

Want to see my latest Kitty Approved jewelry? Shop Here.

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My Dare to Dream Collection is a fan favorite. Do you know the story behind the collection?

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!

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

These new designs are available with malachite, amethyst, tigers eye or turquoise gemstones. The triangle design features my sprinkled silver process of fusing silver right into the copper. The result is spectacular!

Shop for my designs here.

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 New! Dare to Dream Earrings appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

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 articles published in New Mexico. Each one offers fascinating insights into the world of turquoise.

Turquoise Unearthed is another delightful book by Joe Lowry. He is also featured in a YouTube Video about turquoise.

Finally I found lots of information in a variety of books that highlight lots of gemstones. Here is a sampling.

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The post Everything’s Coming Up Turquoise appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

We’ve covered a lot of ‘turquoise’ ground over the last few weeks. Previous blogs told us about the legends surrounding this gem, the origin of the name, locations where turquoise is mined, colors or turquoise.. and lots more.

Now it’s time to learn a few do’s and dont’s to take care of your precious turquoise jewelry !

• Turquoise is a porous stone. Even if it has been stabilized special care is required to keep the gem looking fresh and new.
• Always put on your turquoise jewelry AFTER you have applied perfumes, sunscreen or makeup. Your design will absorb any of these products and affect the color and stability of your jewelry.
• Remove your rings before washing your hands. Any soap absorbed into the gem will alter it’s color.
• Do not add turquoise jewelry to an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Never wear your turquoise while swimming, especially in a pool. Prolonged time outdoors, like a day at the beach is a great time to leave the rings and other turquoise designs at home (or in the hotel room)
• The best way to clean turquoise is to dab the gem gently with warm water. then use a lint-free cloth (similar to a screen cleaner cloth) to pat it dry.

Follow these simple guidelines and your turquoise jewelry can be worn and them passed to future generations!

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Turquoise for the most part is quite porous. This means it is vulnerable to chipping or fading over time. Some of the earlier turquoise mined in Persia was more stable but sadly those mines are depleted.

What is done to protect the stones so we can wear our jewelry without worry? The primary processes are:

• Stabilized Turquoise: The rough material is soaked in an artificial resin. This hardens the surface for cutting. Cabochons (which are used for pendants and rings) are often backed with a black resin to stabilize even more. This process results in natural turquoise gems

• Enhanced Turquoise: The gem is infused with vaporized quartz, resulting in a harder, more uniform stone. It also enhances the color. This process also results in natural turquoise gems but the colors can fade over time.

• Reconstituted Turquoise. Turquoise is crushed and bound with other stones to form a mineral paste. the paste is then heated and dyed to form a turqoise-like substance and can be shaped and made into beads. While technically this still involves natural turquoise, it is not considered the finest solution. Prices are much lower too.

I work exclusively with natural stabilized turquoise. The gems are hard enough to resist wear and tear of course. Mostly though they are beautiful! check out my turquoise jewelry collection here.

The post Visions of Turquoise Dance in my Head.. appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Here is the 3rd in a series of posts about turquoise gemstones. Today I am going to share many of the legends and lore associated with this gemstone.

Let’s get started! Did you know?

• Turquoise is considered a protective stone. It was used to protect both horse and rider on long journeys.
• In South and Central America, the Aztecs, Incas and the Mayans wore turquoise in ceremonies as a symbol of authority
• In Hindu and Persian lore, seeing a turquoise and the new moon at the same moment would lead to good fortune.
• Navajos used turquoise to bring rain. They threw a stone into the river while praying to the rain god.
• Apache and Pueblo hunters attached a piece of turquoise to a bow to guarantee perfect aim.
• In the Middle Ages turquoise was believed to give women a sense of happiness and contentment.

A fascinating gem with a colorful history !

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