This pair of earrings was born out of a mistake. I made some hoop earrings, but didn't make the top part even between the two, so I cut it up and remodelled it so that it became a mini-hoop, which I like maybe even better than the original. I'll keep this pair as a 'prototype' and do more with different stone, see how they turn out.
Mistake turned to a new design
This pair of earrings was born out of a mistake. I made some hoop earrings, but didn't make the top part even between the two, so I cut it up and remodelled it so that it became a mini-hoop, which I like maybe even better than the original. I'll keep this pair as a 'prototype' and do more with different stone, see how they turn out.
That's one of our pendants you see adorning this unique felted bag by Carole of Thistle Woolworks! I think that the Aurora Borealis Smooth Disk pendant is a perfect compliment to the colors she chose. Stop by Carole's website to take a look at some of her original fiber art bags. There's another bag on it's way featuring one of our pendants so stay tuned for a sneak peek!
Green herringbone set
Since I've sold the other set to my dear colleague, I used the green cats-eyes beads I bought today to make another set. Strange how the same, yet so different the two sets look, due to the color. I am not sure which I like best, I think I like both.Today we spent the day with hubby outside, I went to the local gemshop and spent a fortune there, then we went to the new Ikea (which didn't impress us much), and then we went to eat souvlaki. We got home after 3.30. It was a nice day, it's so seldom that we get to spend some quality time during weekends together, I really enjoyed this outing.
And since I was working on herringbone, here is one I made for myself. Well, unless someone is begging me to sell it *grins*. I only need to add another clasp on it, most probably I will make one tomorrow as the small clasp I put on it takes all my energy on trying to close the darn bracelet. I am not even sure why I actually purchased these tiny little things. Bleah,waste of money and silver.
My first sale on Etsy!
Woohoo, I've just sold my first pair of earrings on Etsy! I'm so excited! I woke up this morning, checked out my mail and there was my first order and paid too!
It was from one of the promotional games I was playing, but was not the cheapest items, like they usually buy, so it did give me a boost of confidence.
So just had to brag about it a bit :)
It was from one of the promotional games I was playing, but was not the cheapest items, like they usually buy, so it did give me a boost of confidence.
So just had to brag about it a bit :)
SOLD - Herringbone silver earrings and bracelet set
A colleague at work just bought this set from me. She told me a while ago that she wanted them when she had money, and now she went for them, yayy!Now if only my Etsy sales picked up...
I love this herringbone set, I think I will make another similar one with different stones.
Roses are red...with a dash of white
I made this silver and swarovski pendant today, it looks really cool. Project taken from the very new Easywire magazine.I've decided to keep and update also my Etsy shop. It's amazing how chatty the forum there is, nothing like Dawanda,where you're happy if you get 3 posts within a day.
So if you're in the US and want to shop from me without having to convert Euros to $ and back, check me out here: http://marikajewelry.etsy.com
Reasons to buy handmade
I've read on a forum a post by an artisan about various reasons to buy handmade, specially with the holidays season coming up, and I thought to post them here as well.
1. Handmade products are unique. Do you really want the same scarf, mug, or other item that 20,000 other people have? Of course not! Handmade items are always unique, even if they are the same type of product because they are not made by machines they are crafted by human beings so each piece will have its’ own unique characteristics.
2. Handmade items have personality. Life is not about being blah. Life is about expressing yourself and to do that your things need to have as much personality as you do. If you are happy with buying mass produced items that have no personality off a shelf at Wal Mart or Aldi think about what that says about you. Don’t you want to express some personality?
3. Handmade items are special. When you get a gift don’t you feel a little bit more loved when someone gives you a handmade gift? Everyone loves getting handmade gifts or wearing something that was made just for them.
4. Handmade goods are high quality. If you are a person who values craftsmanship then you already know that handmade items are far superior to mass produced items. When quality matters, go handmade!
5. When you buy handmade you are supporting traditional arts and crafts that have passed down through generations. In today’s high tech world the old arts and crafts traditions are being replaced by mass production but when you buy handmade you are saying that you prefer your items to be high quality pieces of art instead of mass produced trinkets.
Keep these things in mind the next time you see a scarf, a bracelet, some great handmade soap or other item and think,” I could get that for half price at Wal Mart/Aldi.”!
Buying handmade also means that you can spend the same amount you were planning on spending, and you can get unique gifts for everyone on your list. Please, shop handmade this holiday season!
1. Handmade products are unique. Do you really want the same scarf, mug, or other item that 20,000 other people have? Of course not! Handmade items are always unique, even if they are the same type of product because they are not made by machines they are crafted by human beings so each piece will have its’ own unique characteristics.
2. Handmade items have personality. Life is not about being blah. Life is about expressing yourself and to do that your things need to have as much personality as you do. If you are happy with buying mass produced items that have no personality off a shelf at Wal Mart or Aldi think about what that says about you. Don’t you want to express some personality?
3. Handmade items are special. When you get a gift don’t you feel a little bit more loved when someone gives you a handmade gift? Everyone loves getting handmade gifts or wearing something that was made just for them.
4. Handmade goods are high quality. If you are a person who values craftsmanship then you already know that handmade items are far superior to mass produced items. When quality matters, go handmade!
5. When you buy handmade you are supporting traditional arts and crafts that have passed down through generations. In today’s high tech world the old arts and crafts traditions are being replaced by mass production but when you buy handmade you are saying that you prefer your items to be high quality pieces of art instead of mass produced trinkets.
Keep these things in mind the next time you see a scarf, a bracelet, some great handmade soap or other item and think,” I could get that for half price at Wal Mart/Aldi.”!
Buying handmade also means that you can spend the same amount you were planning on spending, and you can get unique gifts for everyone on your list. Please, shop handmade this holiday season!
Unakite cluster earrings
I just got the winter edition of the Step by Step wire magazine and it has a lot of great projects. One of them is the cluster earrings that I made this afternoon. Took me quite a while to finish, but it was fun. I'll try it out with other types and colors of stones as well, for a different look.I've used unakite pearls and the little cubes at the bottom are yellow orange jade. Sterling silver all around.
Diamond News : Uncertainty abounds as sightholders anticipate new list
November 16, 2007
By Michelle Graff
New York—The Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) acknowledged on Friday that it is an uncertain time for U.S. diamond dealers as they await the Dec. 12 release of the DTC's updated sightholder list.
Earlier in the week, in response to this uncertainty, the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA) sent a letter addressed to DTC Managing Director Varda Shine underscoring the importance of retaining as many U.S. sightholders as possible.
On Friday, in an e-mail to National Jeweler, the DTC stated that it "understands that this may be a time of uncertainty for some, but we would reassure people that the selection process...doesn't favor anybody."
The DMIA's letter, copied to high-ranking government officials including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, included an attachment breaking down the amount of aid the United States supplies to African nations, many of which are the world's top diamond producers.
In its response on Friday, the DTC said it supports producer countries' aspirations to improve local economies in southern Africa. But the response also pointed out that the DTC only supplies a small percentage of N.Y. sightholder requirements, and that the diamonds reserved for polishing in southern African amount to less than 5 percent of world diamond production.
Both the DTC and DMIA President Ronnie Friedman acknowledged that the letter from the DMIA to the DTC was the first of its kind.
In an interview on Thursday, Friedman said that while the DMIA always has communicated with the DTC, the letter marked "the first time we sent a letter like this in this kind of way."
Friedman was unavailable for comment on Friday.
The nine U.S.-based companies currently included on the DTC's sightholder list are: Almod Diamonds Ltd., Dynamic Diamonds Corp., Hasenfeld-Stein Inc., Julius Klein Diamonds LLC, Lazare Kaplan International Inc., Louis Glick Diamond Corp., Michael Werdiger Inc., Premier Gem (Group) and Stuller Inc.
New York—The Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) acknowledged on Friday that it is an uncertain time for U.S. diamond dealers as they await the Dec. 12 release of the DTC's updated sightholder list.
Earlier in the week, in response to this uncertainty, the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA) sent a letter addressed to DTC Managing Director Varda Shine underscoring the importance of retaining as many U.S. sightholders as possible.
On Friday, in an e-mail to National Jeweler, the DTC stated that it "understands that this may be a time of uncertainty for some, but we would reassure people that the selection process...doesn't favor anybody."
The DMIA's letter, copied to high-ranking government officials including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, included an attachment breaking down the amount of aid the United States supplies to African nations, many of which are the world's top diamond producers.
In its response on Friday, the DTC said it supports producer countries' aspirations to improve local economies in southern Africa. But the response also pointed out that the DTC only supplies a small percentage of N.Y. sightholder requirements, and that the diamonds reserved for polishing in southern African amount to less than 5 percent of world diamond production.
Both the DTC and DMIA President Ronnie Friedman acknowledged that the letter from the DMIA to the DTC was the first of its kind.
In an interview on Thursday, Friedman said that while the DMIA always has communicated with the DTC, the letter marked "the first time we sent a letter like this in this kind of way."
Friedman was unavailable for comment on Friday.
The nine U.S.-based companies currently included on the DTC's sightholder list are: Almod Diamonds Ltd., Dynamic Diamonds Corp., Hasenfeld-Stein Inc., Julius Klein Diamonds LLC, Lazare Kaplan International Inc., Louis Glick Diamond Corp., Michael Werdiger Inc., Premier Gem (Group) and Stuller Inc.
African mask carnelian silver pendant
I love my new baby, this cute pendant I made the other day. It strongly reminds me of an African mask, due to the shape of the gorgeous 6cm long Carnelian stone. So I worked it up with silver wire and silver beads to an actual mask. In making this piece I used my newly aquired skills in making the 'beach pendant' (a few posts back), and then I've expanded upon it.
Autumn Jasper Pearl Set - SOLD
I made this set custom for a colleague at work and she liked it. Autumn jasper pendant with tiny white pearl dangling from it, and pearl silver earrings.I had a depressing day at work, nothing specific, just sometimes it hits me that I'm still working in an environment that I don't like, and I'd so rather be doing what I like to do best: jewelry, working for myself. I'm just wondering, does it happen to others as well that when you're so down and depressed you actually start to feel physically ill?
When I calm down, however, and look into myself, I know that I won't be spending all my life here. So much has already happened in my life, that this is just a relatively short stage and there is so much more to explore in the future. This is what gives me hope and keeps me sane when I'm at my lowest point.
What a gorgeous stone!
I just love this white onyx! When you turn it towards the light it shimmers like the scales of an expensive fish. Totally gorgeous! And here is the pendant that I made with it. I trapped on it a small calcite puff bead, really cute :)
Ruby : as a mineral
Ruby is a light pink to blood red gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). The common red color is caused mainly by the element chromium. Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. It is considered one of the four precious stones, together with the sapphire, the emerald and the diamond. Improvements used include color alteration, improving transparency by dissolving rutile inclusions, healing of fractures (cracks) or even completely filling them.
Prices of rubies are primarily determined by color (the brightest and best "red" called Pigeon Blood Red, command a huge premium over other rubies of similar quality). After color follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions will indicate the stone has been treated one way or another. Cut and carat (size) also determine the price.
more about ruby : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby
| Ruby | |
|---|---|
 Ruby crystal before faceting, length 0.8 inches (2 cm) | |
| General | |
| Category | Mineral variety |
| Chemical formula | aluminium oxide with chromium, Al2O3::Cr |
| Identification | |
| Color | Red, may be brownish or purplish |
| Crystal habit | Varies with locality. Terminated tabular hexagonal prisms. |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Cleavage | No true cleavage |
| Fracture | Uneven or conchoidal |
| Mohs Scale hardness | 9.0 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Refractive index | ~1.762-1.770 |
| Pleochroism | Orangey Red, Purplish Red |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | red under longwave |
| Streak | white |
| Specific gravity | 4.0 |
| Melting point | 2050°C |
| Fusibility | perfectly |
| Solubility | none |
| Diaphaneity | transparent |
And another pendant - SOLD!
I saw a pendant somewhere online whereby a smaller bead was hooked onto the bigger one with one two wrapping twists, so I started one in a similar fashion, but by the time I finished it, the resemblance was all gone. I managed to trap a small shell bead on a gorgeous large bronzite pendant using the mosaic technique. This idea I think has a lot of potential. Haven't really seen anything quite similar until now.And it sold within a few hours of me posting it on Dawanda to somebody in the UK.
So far I have sold jewelry on Dawanda to:
- Austria
- France
- Denmark
- UK
New wrapping style
I've just learned today a new way of wrapping a stone and I must admit I quite like it. I've seen it before but didn't know how to do it, until I opened the latest Wire Jewelry magazine (Fall 2007) and saw the instructions. Here are my first attempts with some beautiful beach stones.
Jewelry Art Awards 2007 of Jewelry Artist Magazine
source : Jewelry Artist
Miscellaneous Jewelry
Jeffrey Appling, First Place (tied)
Earrings (above)
Dream Catcher, platinum chain, 18K yellow and white gold. Two half-moon diamonds, two 5-point-star diamonds, six natural yellow diamonds, 2mm square and round ruby, blue and yellow sapphire, spessartite, tsavorite, blue/green tourmaline, amethyst, two half-moon drusy onyx tablets. Cast manufacture, hand fabrication, bezel, tube, bead, and mock (bead) setting for cubes. 62mm x 26.5mm.
Photo: Hap Sakwa.
Jewelry Artist is pleased to announce the winners of our 2007 Jewelry Arts Awards. Entries for our sixth annual competition were judged by Todd Reed, a self-taught goldsmith and metalsmith who has been exploring the use of rough diamonds in his award-winning, signature jewelry since 1992; Robert Diamante, a professional photographer who has been photographing jewelry for the craft industry since 1993; and Thomas Mann, a jeweler committed to both the artistic and business sides of jewelry making, who has been active in the contemporary craft movement for more than 30 years.
Congratulations to the winners and our thanks to the judges and everyone who entered.
Jewelry Arts Awards 2007 Winners
Miscellaneous Jewelry
First Place: Daniel M. Nagy - Best of Competition
(also First Place, Miscellaneous Jewelry) Frutto di Mare
14K yellow and white gold 353.5g, 3pcs Tahitian pearls 9mm semi baroque, 2pcs 10.5 round AAA grade 86 pcs, 1.659 ct. brilliant cut diamonds. Wax carved and chased shells, hand cut handpiece, and engraved gemstone buttons. Original electronics only; workable inner part is rebuilt based on design and requirements. 200mm x 80mm x 70mm.
Photo: Arion Kudasz Gabor.
Photo: Arion Kudasz Gabor.
Miscellaneous Jewelry
First Place: Daniel M. Nagy, Frutto di Mare, above.
Second Place: Blue Moon, Marie Scarpa
Maria Scarpa, Second Place
Miscellaneous Jewelry
Blue Moon, 18K gold and platinum, hand fabricated pin/pendant; bezel-set 18mm 7.15ct abalone pearl center and 64 spires divided into 3 levels. Woven, invisibly soldered. Embellished with 28 round faceted 2.0mm pink sapphires, 4 round faceted 2.5mm yellow sapphires, eight round faceted 2.5mm blue sapphires, 4 round faceted 2.9mm blue sapphires, 16 round faceted 3.0mm teal green tourmalines, 4 round faceted 3.5mm teal green tourmalines. Hand fabricated and hand woven. 2.25".
Miscellaneous Jewelry
Blue Moon, 18K gold and platinum, hand fabricated pin/pendant; bezel-set 18mm 7.15ct abalone pearl center and 64 spires divided into 3 levels. Woven, invisibly soldered. Embellished with 28 round faceted 2.0mm pink sapphires, 4 round faceted 2.5mm yellow sapphires, eight round faceted 2.5mm blue sapphires, 4 round faceted 2.9mm blue sapphires, 16 round faceted 3.0mm teal green tourmalines, 4 round faceted 3.5mm teal green tourmalines. Hand fabricated and hand woven. 2.25".
First Place (tied): Dream Catcher, Jeffrey Appling
First Place (tied): Whirlpool, Daniel M. Nagy
Jeffrey Appling, First Place (tied)
Earrings (above)
Dream Catcher, platinum chain, 18K yellow and white gold. Two half-moon diamonds, two 5-point-star diamonds, six natural yellow diamonds, 2mm square and round ruby, blue and yellow sapphire, spessartite, tsavorite, blue/green tourmaline, amethyst, two half-moon drusy onyx tablets. Cast manufacture, hand fabrication, bezel, tube, bead, and mock (bead) setting for cubes. 62mm x 26.5mm.
Photo: Hap Sakwa.
Daniel M. Nagy. First Place (tied)
Earrings
Whirlpool, 18K white gold, 15.5g. Tahitian pearl AAA, 10mm round 2pcs. Computer designed, wax printed, chased, hand finished. 120mm x 20mm x 20mm.
Photo: Daniel M. Nagy.
Jeffrey Appling, First Place
Rings (above)
Pearl Protrusion, 950 platinum, 8.5mm faceted black cultured pearl and 8.5mm faceted white cultured pearl, tsavorite garnets and pink sapphires. Hand carved wax and of cast manufacture, bead-set small round gemstones and hand carved (artwork) along outside borders. 10.5mm x 20mm. Photo: Hap Sakwa.
Daniel M. Nagy & Agnes Kertesz, Second Place
Rings (above)
Message, 18K white gold 10.8g, Tahitian pearl AAA round 1pc 9.4mm, brilliant cut diamonds. 20mm x 15mm.
Laura Parr, First Place
Bracelets (above)
Salad Blues, forged and riveted sterling silver sheet, wire, tube, copper sheet; ten 1.5 millimeter, tube-set and riveted sapphires; ink. 51mm x 82mm x 72mm.
Photo: Jeremy Addington.
Dmitriy Pavlov, Second Place
Bracelets (above)
Dragon of 4 Elements, pierced, bent, and engraved sterling silver. 51mm x 82mm x 72mm.
Photo: Galina Pavlova.
Tricia Lachowiec, First Place
Pins/Brooches (above)
Inception, 18K gold on sterling silver, copper, enamel, diamond, steel. Chasing and repoussé, enameling. 23⁄4" x 1-5⁄8" x 3⁄4".
Photo: Dean Powell.
Wendy McAllister, Second Place
Pins/Brooches (above)
Star, sterling silver, acrylic, lenticular lens, 24K gold leaf, fabricated silver brooch, fabricated double pinstem back; found objects: candle bobeche and child’s ruler. 3.5".
Photo: Ralph Gabriner.
Mary Darwall, First Place
Pendants/Necklaces (above)
Eleven turquoise cabochons, turquoise beads, freshwater pearls, glass seed beads, beading cloth, nylon thread, 49-strand wire, 14K closure, leather backing. Hand needle woven, bead appliqué, freeform peyote, branching stitches. 18".
Photo: John Yohman.
Jeffrey Appling, Second Place (tied)
Pendants/Necklaces (above)
Evolution, 30.37ct drilled citrine intruded with malachite, coral, and lapis tubes, 3.66cts. Drilled-out citrine pavilion injected with gemstones, pendant area cast, and hand fabricated. 16", 30.5mm x 33mm.
Photo: Hap Sakwa.
Tricia Lachowiec, Second Place (tied)
Pendants/Necklaces (above)
Fruit, oxidized sterling silver, electroformed copper, enamel, 14K gold, cognac diamonds, sapphires. Electroforming and enameling. 10" x 6-1⁄4" x 1-1⁄4".
Photo: Dean Powell.
source : Jewelry Artist
Earrings
Whirlpool, 18K white gold, 15.5g. Tahitian pearl AAA, 10mm round 2pcs. Computer designed, wax printed, chased, hand finished. 120mm x 20mm x 20mm.
Photo: Daniel M. Nagy.
First Place: Pearl Protrusion, Jeffrey Appling
Second Place: Message, Daniel M. Nagy and Agnes Kertesz
Jeffrey Appling, First Place
Rings (above)
Pearl Protrusion, 950 platinum, 8.5mm faceted black cultured pearl and 8.5mm faceted white cultured pearl, tsavorite garnets and pink sapphires. Hand carved wax and of cast manufacture, bead-set small round gemstones and hand carved (artwork) along outside borders. 10.5mm x 20mm. Photo: Hap Sakwa.
Daniel M. Nagy & Agnes Kertesz, Second PlaceRings (above)
Message, 18K white gold 10.8g, Tahitian pearl AAA round 1pc 9.4mm, brilliant cut diamonds. 20mm x 15mm.
Bracelets
First Place: Salad Blues, Laura Parr
Second Place: Dragon of 4 Elements, Dmitriy Pavlov
Laura Parr, First Place
Bracelets (above)
Salad Blues, forged and riveted sterling silver sheet, wire, tube, copper sheet; ten 1.5 millimeter, tube-set and riveted sapphires; ink. 51mm x 82mm x 72mm.
Photo: Jeremy Addington.
Dmitriy Pavlov, Second Place
Bracelets (above)
Dragon of 4 Elements, pierced, bent, and engraved sterling silver. 51mm x 82mm x 72mm.
Photo: Galina Pavlova.
Pins & Brooches
First Place: Inception, Tricia Lachowiec
Second Place: Star, Wendy McAllister
Tricia Lachowiec, First Place
Pins/Brooches (above)
Inception, 18K gold on sterling silver, copper, enamel, diamond, steel. Chasing and repoussé, enameling. 23⁄4" x 1-5⁄8" x 3⁄4".
Photo: Dean Powell.
Wendy McAllister, Second PlacePins/Brooches (above)
Star, sterling silver, acrylic, lenticular lens, 24K gold leaf, fabricated silver brooch, fabricated double pinstem back; found objects: candle bobeche and child’s ruler. 3.5".
Photo: Ralph Gabriner.
Pendants & Necklaces
First Place: Mary Darwall
Second Place (tied): Evolution, Jeffrey Appling
Second Place (tied): Fruit, Tricia Lachowiec
Mary Darwall, First Place
Pendants/Necklaces (above)
Eleven turquoise cabochons, turquoise beads, freshwater pearls, glass seed beads, beading cloth, nylon thread, 49-strand wire, 14K closure, leather backing. Hand needle woven, bead appliqué, freeform peyote, branching stitches. 18".
Photo: John Yohman.
Jeffrey Appling, Second Place (tied)Pendants/Necklaces (above)
Evolution, 30.37ct drilled citrine intruded with malachite, coral, and lapis tubes, 3.66cts. Drilled-out citrine pavilion injected with gemstones, pendant area cast, and hand fabricated. 16", 30.5mm x 33mm.
Photo: Hap Sakwa.
Tricia Lachowiec, Second Place (tied)
Pendants/Necklaces (above)
Fruit, oxidized sterling silver, electroformed copper, enamel, 14K gold, cognac diamonds, sapphires. Electroforming and enameling. 10" x 6-1⁄4" x 1-1⁄4".
Photo: Dean Powell.
source : Jewelry Artist
New week - things are looking up
So starting of a new week...and at least in non-work related matters things start to look up...
I just got payment for the Ebay lot of parchment books! It turned out that it was indeed an email issue from the buyer's side.
Plus last night Remy contacted me regarding the tutorial, and she sent me a link to download, so now I can safely close two pending issues! We both have no idea what happened with the automatic email, but once I sent her a message through the Creative Wire Jewelry forum, we got in contact ok.
Also on the Wetcanvas forum I got a link on buying online leather cord, so I'll check it out today. I can't find some good leather cords around in Nicosia...
Other news, I joined a very interesting forum, called The Switchboard, - Connecting Creative Women in Business. It is a forum about women trying - and even succeeding - in starting their own business, be it in jewelry or other artistic and creative venues. Wonderful posts and tips given there, if you have some time to browse, check it out at http://www.theswitchboards.com/forum/.
I just got payment for the Ebay lot of parchment books! It turned out that it was indeed an email issue from the buyer's side.
Plus last night Remy contacted me regarding the tutorial, and she sent me a link to download, so now I can safely close two pending issues! We both have no idea what happened with the automatic email, but once I sent her a message through the Creative Wire Jewelry forum, we got in contact ok.
Also on the Wetcanvas forum I got a link on buying online leather cord, so I'll check it out today. I can't find some good leather cords around in Nicosia...
Other news, I joined a very interesting forum, called The Switchboard, - Connecting Creative Women in Business. It is a forum about women trying - and even succeeding - in starting their own business, be it in jewelry or other artistic and creative venues. Wonderful posts and tips given there, if you have some time to browse, check it out at http://www.theswitchboards.com/forum/.
Alex made me do it!
Alex just said that I should do more pendants, so there, I made one more. Green aventurine heart. The previous two I made (one in beige and one in real heart colors) sold very fast at work. Let's see how the green will fare...
Weekend - hopefully a closure
In a way I'm glad this week is over. I haven't been able to bring some project - any project to a satisfactory end, be that related to jewelry or other things. I've sold on Ebay a huge bunch of Pergamano books (since I no longer am interested in making parchment cards, and these books are very sought after all around) to somebody who already bought from me over GBP 50 the week before. Now the total amount was GBP 250 (yeah, weight was about 6 kg), and for a week now I'm waiting for the money to come in. Contacted her several times with no luck. I'm wondering what's going on - is it my email, is it hers, is it the connection between the two? I will file tomorrow a nonpaying 'complaint', so maybe the automatic email from Ebay will go through...I almost believe my email has some problems because of...see below...grrr
About 3-4 days ago I bought a rather expensive jewelry tutorial, for which there is an 'instant' download that comes through an email. The email never came since. I contacted the seller through different means, no luck. Strange, as I've already bought from her before tutorials, and there were never problems - until now. Is my email really working? LOL!
Today I ripped apart 2 projects I was working one (or finished already) as I didn't like them - and they're still in the tray, waiting for this or that - one project for some heavier gauge soft flex wire as the iolite beads cut through the wire, and the other project waiting for comments from a possible buyer who showed interest in it if I ever re-did the necklace.
A third project - a pendant for an ex-coworker of mine, would be ready, except for having to buy from somewhere black leather cord. Having no car, I can't really move around, so this project also have to wait. Oh and of course, no car. Still. After almost a month, grrr.
So giving up on anything getting really sorted out right now, I decided to just 'play' with wire, learn new techniques, not trying to finish up anything.
I was curious about wire sculpture and although I don't have square wire, I tried my hands at it with round wire. Interesting idea, I will have to work at it, to shape the wire nicer around the bead as right now it looks quite funny.
And something that I finally like!, a pair of hoop earrings. So far I love them! For the next pair I'll have to shape the wire better, to be nice round, but otherwise they're a hoot! Based on a tutorial from Beading times.
About 3-4 days ago I bought a rather expensive jewelry tutorial, for which there is an 'instant' download that comes through an email. The email never came since. I contacted the seller through different means, no luck. Strange, as I've already bought from her before tutorials, and there were never problems - until now. Is my email really working? LOL!
Today I ripped apart 2 projects I was working one (or finished already) as I didn't like them - and they're still in the tray, waiting for this or that - one project for some heavier gauge soft flex wire as the iolite beads cut through the wire, and the other project waiting for comments from a possible buyer who showed interest in it if I ever re-did the necklace.
A third project - a pendant for an ex-coworker of mine, would be ready, except for having to buy from somewhere black leather cord. Having no car, I can't really move around, so this project also have to wait. Oh and of course, no car. Still. After almost a month, grrr.
So giving up on anything getting really sorted out right now, I decided to just 'play' with wire, learn new techniques, not trying to finish up anything.I was curious about wire sculpture and although I don't have square wire, I tried my hands at it with round wire. Interesting idea, I will have to work at it, to shape the wire nicer around the bead as right now it looks quite funny.
And something that I finally like!, a pair of hoop earrings. So far I love them! For the next pair I'll have to shape the wire better, to be nice round, but otherwise they're a hoot! Based on a tutorial from Beading times.
Using up your scrap wire and orphan beads
Here is a tip to use up some of your silver wire scraps and also make something nice in the process.With silver being so expensive, I got quite depressed seeing how much wire I've thrown away (in my scrap box) while learning to make jewelry (and even now, when I make something and I don't like it and pull it off afterwards). I've read on Dawanda forums a thread about people showing their Christmas offering, so I thought why not?
I took some of the 5-6 cm wire pieces from the box and made headpins for earrings, and also fished out some Czech glass beads that I had at home for ages and were just getting dusty and forgotten (bought them a few years ago during one of my trips to Czech Republic) and put them together in 5 pairs of Christmas earrings. I left them quite cheap, only 5 Euros a piece, and I think these are perfect gifts to give to friends, coworkers, neighbours or even distant relatives that don't need expensive gifts to be showered with.
If you want to buy the lot and save yourself some Christmas rush and stress headache, they are in my Dawanda shop.
Emerald : as a mineral
| Emerald | |
|---|---|
 Emerald with host rock | |
| General | |
| Category | Silicate mineral |
| Chemical formula | Beryllium aluminium silicate with chromium, Be3Al2(SiO3)6::Cr |
| Identification | |
| Color | Green |
| Crystal habit | Hexagonal Crystals |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Cleavage | Poor Basal Cleavage (Seldom Visible) |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Mohs Scale hardness | 7.5 - 8.0 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Refractive index | 1.576 - 1.582 |
| Pleochroism | Distinct, Blue-Green/Yellow-Green |
| Streak | White |
| Specific gravity | 2.70 - 2.78 |
Properties determining value
Emeralds come in many shades of green and bluish green. There is a wide spectrum of clarity, dependent on the inclusions and fractures in the crystal. Clear stones with dark yet vibrant color command the highest prices. Almost all emeralds contain numerous flaws, cracks, and inclusions, which can negatively affect the clarity. These are given the name "jardin", from the French word for garden. The value of an emerald depends on cut, color, clarity, and carat. Currently the best emeralds come from the Muzo mine in Colombia.
Treatments
Most emeralds are oiled as part of the post lapidary process, in order to improve their clarity. Cedar oil, having a similar refractive index, is often used in this generally accepted practice. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission requires the disclosure of this treatment when a treated emerald is sold.The amount of oil entering an emerald microfissure is roughly equivalent to the size of a period (full stop) in print[citation needed]. The use of green-tinted oil is generally not considered acceptable by the gem trade.
Emerald localities
Emeralds in antiquity were mined by the Egyptians and in Austria, as well as Swat in northern Pakistan.
A rare type of emerald known as a trapiche emerald is occasionally found in the mines of Colombia. A trapiche emerald exhibits a "star" pattern; it has raylike spokes of dark carbon impurities that give the emerald a six-pointed radial pattern. It is named for the trapiche, a grinding wheel used to process sugarcane in the region. Colombian emeralds are generally the most prized due to their transparency and fire. Some of the most rare emeralds come from three main emerald mining areas in Colombia: Muzo, Coscuez, and Chivor. Fine emeralds are also found in other countries, such as Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Russia. In the US, emeralds can be found in North Carolina. In 1998, emeralds were discovered in the Yukon, Canada .
Synthetic emerald
Emerald showing its hexagonal structure Emerald is a rare and valuable gemstone and, as such, it has provided the incentive for developing synthetic emeralds. Both hydrothermal and flux-growth synthetics have been produced, and a method has been developed for producing an emerald overgrowth on colorless beryl. The first commercially successful emerald synthesis process was that of Carroll Chatham. Because Chatham's emeralds do not have any water and contain traces of vanadate, molybdenum and vanadium, a lithium vanadate flux process is probably involved. The other large producer of flux emeralds is Pierre Gilson Sr., which has been on the market since 1964. Gilson's emeralds are usually grown on natural colorless beryl seeds which become coated on both sides. Growth occurs at the rate of 1 mm per month and a typical seven-month growth run produces emerald crystals of 7 mm of thickness (Nassau, K. Gems Made By Man, 1980).
Hydrothermal synthetic emeralds have been attributed to IG Farben, Nacken, Tairus and others, but the first satisfactory commercial product was that of Johann Lechleitner of Inbruck, Austria, which appeared on the market in the 1960s. These stones were initially sold under the names "Emerita" and "Symeralds", and they were grown as a thin layer of emerald on top of natural colorless beryl stones. Although not much is known about the original process, it is assumed that Leichleitner emeralds were grown on acid conditions. Later, from 1965 to 1970, the Linde Division of Union Carbide produced completely synthetic emeralds by hydrothermal synthesis. According to their patents (US3,567,642 and US3,567,643), acidic conditions are essential to prevent the chromium (which is used as the colorant) from precipitating. Also, it is important that the silicon containing nutrient be kept away from the other ingredients in order to prevent nucleation and confine growth to the seed crystals. Growth occurs by a diffusion-reaction process, assisted by convection. Typical growth conditions include pressures of 700-1400 bars at temperatures of 500 to 600 °C with a temperature gradient of 10 to 25 °C. Growth rates as fast as 1/3 mm per day can be attained[citation needed]
Luminescence in ultraviolet light is considered a supplementary test when making a natural vs. synthetic determination, as many, but not all, natural emeralds are inert to ultraviolet light. Many synthetics are also UV inert.
Synthetic emeralds are often referred to as "created", as their chemical and gemological composition is the same as their natural counterparts. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has very strict regulations as to what can and what cannot be called "synthetic" stone. The FTC says: "§ 23.23(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "laboratory-grown," "laboratory-created," "[manufacturer name]-created," or "synthetic" with the name of any natural stone to describe any industry product unless such industry product has essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as the stone named."
Wispy veil-like inclusions are common in flux-grown synthetic emeralds.
Emerald in different cultures, and Emerald lore
Emerald is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May, as well as the traditional gemstone for the astrological signs of Taurus and Cancer. One of the more quaint anecdotes on emeralds was by the 16th century historian Brantome, who referred to the many impressive emeralds the Spanish under Cortez had brought back to Europe from Latin America. On one of Cortez most famous emeralds he had the text engraved Inter Natos Mulierum non sur-rexit mayor (Among them borne of woman there hath not arisen a greater Man. XI, 11) which referred to John the Baptist. Brantome considered engraving such a beautiful and simple product of nature sacrilegious and considered this act the cause for Cortez loss of an extremely precious pearl (to which he dedicated a work A beautiful and incomparable pearl) and even for the death of King Charles IX who soon died after.
High Priest Breastplate
In Exodus chapters 28 and 39, a number of precious stones are mentioned to be placed in the High Priest's Breastplate, representing the different tribes of Israel. This is generally considered to be (one of) the origin(s) for our present day tradition of birthstones.
According to Rebbenu Bachya, and the King James Version, the Hebrew word Nofech in Exodus 28:18 means Emerald, and was the stone on the Hoshen representing the tribe of Judah. However, the Septuagint translates the word as Anthrax, meaning coal, probably in reference to the colour of burning coal, and therefore many rabbinical sources, and most scholars, consider Nofech to mean a red garnet – traditionally called a carbuncle, which happens to be the Vulgate's translation of the word. There is a wide range of views among traditional sources about which tribe the stone refers to.
There are many complexities to identifying the Emerald as being the third stone or perhaps another stone on the breast plate. Multiple translations of the bible have created confusion about the nomenclature of the different stones. Another important fact is that in actuality there are 2 different breastplates made within a period of 800 years, and where it is assumed the first breastplate did not carry an Emerald but a green Felspar, and a real Emerald in the second breastplate. Finally the 12th stone in the Breastplate (which in the original text was actually listed as the 6th stone) has more generally been identified as Beryl which was already included in the group of stones generally referred to as Smaragdus by Theophrastus in the Greek era. . Further unreferenced claims regarding the possibility of what gemstone the Emerald could really have been include Jasper, and even Rubies.
In some cultures, the emerald is the traditional gift for the 55th wedding anniversary. It is also used as a 20th and 35th wedding anniversary stone.
Famous emeralds
- Gachala Emerald (origin: Colombia)
- Chalk Emerald (origin: Colombia)
- Nidvin Emerald (origin: Colombia)
- Duke of Devonshire Emerald (origin: Colombia)
- Mackay Emerald
- Greenshorkire Emerald
- Edward the Confessor Emerald in the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain
DaWanda Colour Competition - Vote and Win!
12 DaWanda sellers (I am also one of them) organised a friendly competition - trying to come up with the most attractive pinboard on a given theme.
This month: Red and Green.
We are actually so friendly that anyone voting on this may win the prize of their choice, picked among creations by three of these oh-so-friendly and creative sellers.
In order to vote, look up our pinboards, entitled Farben von DaWanda / Colours of DaWanda / Morceaux Choisis, and leave a message here, under this post, stating which pinboard you give your vote to and which prize you would like to get.
Voting stops on November 22nd.
Favourite pinboard and winning voter to be proclaimed on November 25th.The Pinboards to vote on:
Birdlandcreations - http://en.dawanda.com/list/Birdlandcreations/8463-Colours-of-Dawanda
Chicoumi - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/chicoumi/8635-mOrceauX-ChOiSis
ContasKoeln - http://de.dawanda.com/list/ContasKoeln/8476-Die-Farben-von-DaWanda-
Glamasaurus - http://en.dawanda.com/list/glamasaurus/8480-Colors-of-Dawanda
Glassprimitif - http://en.dawanda.com/list/Glassprimitif/8509-Colours-of-Dawanda
Le Bar du Vent - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/meherio68/8472-Morceaux-Choisis
Lunaitalia - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/lunaitaliana/8553-morceaux-choisis
Maginette - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/maginette/8503-morceaux-choisis
MarikaJewelry - http://en.dawanda.com/list/MarikaJewelry/8477-Colors-of-Dawanda-com
Paranoire - http://de.dawanda.com/list/ParaNoire/8500-Colors-of-Dawanda
This month: Red and Green.
We are actually so friendly that anyone voting on this may win the prize of their choice, picked among creations by three of these oh-so-friendly and creative sellers.
In order to vote, look up our pinboards, entitled Farben von DaWanda / Colours of DaWanda / Morceaux Choisis, and leave a message here, under this post, stating which pinboard you give your vote to and which prize you would like to get.
Voting stops on November 22nd.
Favourite pinboard and winning voter to be proclaimed on November 25th.The Pinboards to vote on:
Birdlandcreations - http://en.dawanda.com/list/Birdlandcreations/8463-Colours-of-Dawanda
Chicoumi - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/chicoumi/8635-mOrceauX-ChOiSis
ContasKoeln - http://de.dawanda.com/list/ContasKoeln/8476-Die-Farben-von-DaWanda-
Glamasaurus - http://en.dawanda.com/list/glamasaurus/8480-Colors-of-Dawanda
Glassprimitif - http://en.dawanda.com/list/Glassprimitif/8509-Colours-of-Dawanda
Le Bar du Vent - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/meherio68/8472-Morceaux-Choisis
Lunaitalia - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/lunaitaliana/8553-morceaux-choisis
Maginette - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/maginette/8503-morceaux-choisis
MarikaJewelry - http://en.dawanda.com/list/MarikaJewelry/8477-Colors-of-Dawanda-com
Paranoire - http://de.dawanda.com/list/ParaNoire/8500-Colors-of-Dawanda
Saras Texture Crafts - http://en.dawanda.com/list/SarasTextureCrafts/8395-Colours-of-DaWan
Tarzanne - http://fr.dawanda.com/list/Tarzanne/8516-MORCEAUX-CHOISIS-COLOURS-OAnd the prizes to chose from:
http://fr.dawanda.com/list/meherio68/8458-Cadeaux-Prizes
So if you are a Dawandian (hm, new name Dawandian...), come and vote! My earrings are one of the three prizes to chose from!
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