Amethyst - Peace and Calm

Amethyst is the stone of peace and calm, creativity, all healing, an artists stone, it keeps your head in the game, balance and temperance and more. 

It is the birthstone of February, and the sobriety stone

I have quite the collection of amethyst beads in tear drops, faceted brioletes, faceted roundels, chips, coin, natural points and various sizes of rounds. 

While putting together some amethyst pieces to post for February, I came across this little heart shaped amethyst focal bead. 

I didn't want to take away from the heart by wrapping it too ornately, so I kept it simple. A bale, and a tiny spiral. Done.

The heart shape and smoothness of the stone, really resonated the peace and calm that is associated with this stone. 

This little one is spoken for, and will be going on a cruise this week. :)

Is amethyst your birthstone or just one of your favorite stones?

Inquiring minds want to know :)

and remember, be peaceful, and be kind, it's important!!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Amethyst - The Stone of February

Amethyst is February's birthstone - that's a given.
Amethyst is more than purple and shiney and faceted in a pretty setting.
Amethyst is the stone of peace

Amethyst is in the quartz family and can be found all over the world, and with great abundance in Brazil and Zambia. It's color can range from lightest to darkest purple. Some so dark they almost look black when in the middle of cluster.

When heated, amethyst can turn yellow to dark orange, to resemble citrine. But unlike citrine, if exposed to direct sunlight over time, those colors will fade out and the stone will be clear like quartz.

As mentioned earlier, amethyst is the stone of peace. It is the stone for travelers, used to control evil thoughts and much more. I keep amethyst in my car at all times for all of these reasons :)

I use amethyst often in my work because of it's peaceful properties. It is a great addition to any stone combination :)

Until next time

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind. 

Remember to explore, create, dream, imagine and discover!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

December Birthstones - What do they say about you?

It is December already! I think December brings out a love/hate relationship with a lot of people:) Love it, because it is your birth month, love it because it is the holiday season, love it because of solstice or hate it because it is your birth month, hate it because it is the holiday season, and you are not ready, hate it because - where has the year gone?!?!!??!?


December is my favorite month because of solstice - that means the days begin to get longer, and I love me some sunshine.

December birth stones are turquoise and blue topaz. These stones represent a happy life that is filled with good fortune. Blue topaz is a symbol of peace and relaxation, which may help with headaches - poor December babies seem to be challenged by them.

Ancient practitioners believed that turquoise would actually change color when the wearer was ill or in danger.

I am a huge fan of turquoise, and only recently did this love affair begin. My memories of turquoise were tarnished (for a lack of better words) from the 70's and what I remember of the squash blossom style jewelry craze. It was just too much for me. I never saw turquoise unless it was large and framed in lots of silver. It always looked heavy, a chore to wear. This was my association with turquoise. It wasn't til I started making jewelry and my husband wanting turquoise did I reluctantly start to learn about the stone. I had to get over that turquoise pieces had to be over the top. The turquoise could be an accent to a design, or the core of it. The beads could be small or faceted or square or whatever.

And I fell in love.

Turquoise, beautiful sky blue, or dyed to a royal purple. 

Mixed with other stones for a beautiful compliment of color and properties.


 It has a sweet and gentle energy. It feels like an old friend.

So hats off to you December babies, and your beautiful stones that represent who you are. I am a bit jealous ;)

Sterling, Sapphire, September!

YAY for alliterations!

I love them :)

Still on my sapphire kick, this morning I made this little pendant.

Sapphires are a stone of hope where all else is hopeless. It is a stone of creative expression. Pulling on this creative expression, I did a very simple free form design from 12 ga sterling wire. The piece has some heft to it, so pendant hangs really nice on a cord.

I love this little nugget of sapphire. It has so much character. The blue is just screaming to get out!

Celebrate March with Aquamarine and Bloodstone!

March birthstones are aquamarine and bloodstone!

Celebrate March w...

Curated By: JustATish

ArtFire.com

Craft Tutorials

Did you know.....

Aquamarine is a variety of beryl. It is the "stone of courage". It encourages the innate ability to "always be prepared". Aquamarine also accelerates the intellectual reasoning process.


Bloodstone is a variety of quartz. Bloodstone is also a "stone of courage"! It helps to demonstrate unselfishness and idealism, and to improve talents and creative efforts.

Happy Birthday all my March babies!!!!

February is Amethyst!

February's birthstone is amethyst. You may be familiar with small amethyst pendants or rings but have you ever thought about the stone itself?

What if you are not into jewelry and you still want a piece of amethyst because it is a nice memento of you your birthday?

Amethyst is not just for jewelry!

You may want a sphere or a pocket stone or a beautiful amethyst formation -


From Galleries.com
"Amethyst is a varity of quartz and mined all over the world. Amethyst can occur as long prismatic crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the pointed terminations. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its color and nice crystal shapes that produce a handsome, purple, sparkling cluster.

However, amethyst is not the same everywhere. Different localities can produce a unique amethyst to that particular region or even to that particular mine. Experts can often identify the source mine that a particular amethyst came from. The key to this is the specimen's color, shape of crystal, inclusions, associations and character of formation. "



Some examples -
North Carolina, USA -- Druzy clusters that have a bluish-violet tint.

Uruguay -- crystals are dark to medium and form in druzy crusts that line the inside of volcanic vugs that have a gray or brown exterior. The crystals are usually colored throughout, unlike the Brazilian crystals, and form with a multicolored agate that often contains reds, yellows and oranges. Often amethyst- coated stalactites and other unusual formations occur inside these vugs.

Maraba, Brazil -- large crystals with unattractive surfaces that are of a pale to medium color and often carved or cut into slices.


Did you know - the ancient Greeks and Romans wore amethyst and made drinking vessels of it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication.

Stop by my site Just A Tish for more amethyst choices!

Remember I am donating 20% of all sales for the month of February to Dames for Danes!!!

August - Peridot

August's birthstone is Peridot - say it with me - Pair-uh-doe.

Peridot is a beautiful stone, the best known gem variety of olivine. Some historians believe that some of the "emeralds" worn by Cleopatra were actually peridot. Peridot is worn not only for its beauty, but also for the belief it is supposed to bring the wearer success, peace, and good luck.

Here are some stunning examples of jewelry I have found online that use peridot, or use a classic peridot color in their designs.

Peridot Stacking Ring Set - BlackLotusDesign



Apple Tree of Life - wearmejewels


Spring Blooming Vine Necklace - SimplyAdorning



Peridot chainmaille Sterling Silver earrings - Cheli



Dramatic Dimensonal Filigree Medallion Necklace with Intaglio - Dawno



Life is But a Dream...Peridot Vesuvianite Green Tourmaline Vermeil Gold Filled Drama Filled Signature Original Draped Gemstone Scrolled Necklace - bellajewels




Now that you have seen these beautiful designs, I know you are itching to get your hands on some peridot, or some peridot colored glass/crystals. Where can you get them??

4-4.5mm Peridot Rounds - On Sale! - ArtBeads



Bead, Gemstone, Chips (Peridot) - Rings & Things



Swarovski Art 6007 Peridot 7x4mm 20 beads - BeadinPath



5 Strands Carmina Glass Pearls, Peridot (026), graduated 6 to 12mm 16 inch SedonaStones




Now I know you are itching to make your own desings using peridot - why not post a link when you are finished and share your work with everyone!

July Birthstone

July's birthstone as we all know is ruby. What I have noticed this months birthstone as opposed to months, the birthstone and the alternate birthstone are all ruby!

That doesn't leave me with much to work with this month when trying to show choices of alternate birthstones.

Let's take a different path this month. Let's look not only at rubies but how about ruby in zoisite, or ruby in fuchsite

Here are some things I found on my journies!!!


Have fun kids!!

Ruby with Fuchsite From Planet Janet


Ruby with Fuchsite from Philip Crow



Ruby in Zoisite From Earth Rhythms




Ruby in Zoisite from Bada Bling by Krystal




Ruby from Gemstone Gifts by Shirley Gordon



Ruby by Teresa Tinuke

March birthstones

March is here already so let's start out the month with some birthstone information.
Birthstones for the calendar month of March are aquamarine and bloodstone.

Aquamarine comes from the Roman word - Aqua, meaning water and mare, meaning sea.

Aquamarine varies in color from blue to green. Aquamarine is a color variety of the mineral beryl giving blue beryl the name aquamarine.

Aquamarine is known as a stone of courage and fortitude. It is reputed to assist with calming communication issues. Mystical and folk lore states that it is attuned to the sea, and protects travelers on water, and sailors.

An alternate birthstone for March is Bloodstone. Bloodstone is a deep green stone with small red specks. The small red specks are where the stone gets its name. The name Bloodstone derives from the legendary belief that the red coloration resulted from the blood of Christ spilling onto green jasper during the crucifixion. For this reason, too, the stone has been called "martyr's stone."

Bloodstone is excellent for centering and grounding. It is said to help with calming, particularly in survival situations. It brings mystical energies of increasing adaptability and organization, and lessening confusion and anxiety. It is said to be a a stone of courage, bringing mental, physical and emotional renewal by releasing blockages.

Both aquamarine and bloodstone share the element of bringing courage to the wearer.

Where can you find these stones?

Ring & Things is one of the few suppliers I have found that have bloodstone. The have a nice selection of both,
aquamarine # 21-888-099-01
and
bloodstone # 21-888-098

There ya have it! Two beautiful stones for the month of March! Think of the possibilities!