January's Birthstone - Garnet

No wonder the saying 'slower than molasses in January' is so true. You ever try and pour cold molasses? When I think January, I think cold, then I think garnets!

Garnet is January's birthstone as we all know, but did you know that garnets come in a range of colors? Here are examples of some. I found examples of all of these different garnets online. Click on the picture and it will take you to the site for more gemstone information.

Almandine - Deep, dark, rich red to purplish red to orange red (probably the most common)



Demantoid - Medium green to slightly yellowish green



Hessonite - Brilliant yellow to yellowish brown (one of my favorites)



Pyrope - Deep, dark, rich red to slightly purple red



Rhodolite - Shades of pink through reddish lavender (absolutely stunning)



Spessartite - Medium orange to reddish orange (sometimes called mandarin garnet and makes me stupid happy)



Tsavorite - Medium, intense green to slightly yellowish green (now ya know why emeralds are the alternate birthstone for January)



Uvarovite - Bright green (most of the examples I found for this garnet were all druzy's)




Now I know you are all wondering "Where can I get garnets?"

Rings & Things
Faceted Fan, Tip Drilled (Rhodolite Garnet)




ArtBeads
Green Grossular Garnet Roundelles




Beadin Path
Garnet Graduated Faceted Marquis Briolettes



I know you have ideas running thru your head right now. Not only is garnet the birthstone for January, but garnets also represent romantic love and passion, making them perfect for your valentine!!

Finding a Surprise - Beadin Path Design Partner

Still organizing my work room, little by little. I don't get to far, when I find something awesome I had forgot about and have to sit down and play with it.

This day was no different. I was going thru my show kit, and on a whim, hit the zippered pockets. Much to my surprise, I found a ziplock full of these little guys -



Oh wow, I remember buying them off Ebay several years ago. What am I gonna do with all these pendants? My eyes drifted toward the bag of goodies I just received from Heather at Beadin Path and those big lovely jonquil lucite beads caught my eye.

The wheels began to turn.

I picked up the tiger eye pendant, grabbed some tiger eye chips I had, and snatched up the 8mm and the 16mm jonquil lucite beads. (I'll organzie later, this is much to important!) I sat at my work table and began to push some ideas around. This just wasn't enuff. There was something missing. What can I add to it to give it a splash of color?

*think* *think*

African Opal!! Beautiful blues, like the Caribean, with brown inclusions that accent the color of the tiger eye. Topped it off with swarovski crystals and a few sterling barrels. Brilliant!!

I love this piece. I wanted it to look like the wearer was bold enough to put two necklaces together, when in all actuality, it is a double strand necklace. I may redo it, so it can be worn together or as separates.


Sand & Sea










Thanks Heather for sending out such great beads!!!

Rings & Things September Blogger Challenge

Let me just say - WOW! - to Rings & Things and their gemstone choices. They have one of the best gemstone selections I have seen in an online supplier and their pricing makes shopping easy and painless for any budget.

I put together a necklace using the ocean jasper tip drilled 65 x 45mm tear drop pendant as the focal. This pendant was breath taking it was so beautiful. There were several places on the stone where it did not fully form and left wonderful crystal 'druzy' pockets. I could sit and look at it for hours, the colors, swirls, patterns and textures mesmerize me! This puppy nearly filled my palm it was so huge, and was only $8.00!! How do they do it?

I wanted to make this piece more earthy, fresher, that is why I used the wood beads and strung it on hemp. Something that would not be limited to season, that can be worn anytime but moreso by the person who is not limited by style or fashion. The person who makes their own statement will understand this necklace.


I accented the piece with wooden beads and jade rounds.




Close up of that beautiful focal