The Magical Properties of May’s Birthstone - Emerald

During the Middle Ages it was believed that emeralds held the ability to predict the future. Many also thought wearing emeralds would grant patience, insure youth and good fortune and were a symbol of rebirth. While the soothing color of the stone was believed to rejuvenate the eyes, stop bleeding and prevent epilepsy.

Taken from the Greek word, “smaragdos” which loosely translates as green stones, emeralds originally were worn by royalty including Queen Cleopatra and Atahualpa, the final Inca King of Peru whose headdress was the Crown of the Andes, a magnificent piece set with over 1,523 carats of high quality emeralds. The ancient Romans associated emeralds with the goddess Venus because they believed the stones represented the earth’s seasonal rebirth while early Christians saw them as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection. All this makes sense since the natural shadings found in emeralds makes one think of Mother Nature awakening after a long cold winter.

While the most famous emerald mines, producing the world’s largest and highest quality stones are located in Colombia, South America, Zambia is the second largest producer. Emeralds are also mined in Russia, Pakistan, Australia, Norway and here in the United States the stones can be found in North Carolina.

Usually discovered inside shale which is a fine-grained sedimentary rock, an emerald’s color is caused by trace amounts of chromium and iron. Unlike many other gemstones, the inclusions and additional flaws found in emeralds are considered part of the stone’s character. Many natural emeralds are soaked in a green-colored oil to help define their shading and luster. Over the years as the stone begins to dull a quick soak in mineral oil can help return the emerald to its original shine.

Because of their coloring, emeralds work well set in all types of metals. But don’t surround them with too many other stones, emeralds are so rich and elegant, they need to shine on their own! So get your green on and have Danielle custom design an emerald piece just for you!

Mother’s Day History

"Breakfast in Bed" by Mary Cassatt 1897

In just a few short days it will be Mother’s Day; that one special day of the year when we publicly recognize and honor the woman (or these day’s possible the man) who gives us guidance, direction and most importantly, love. And if you’re like me, you’ve always celebrated the day without ever knowing the history behind it.

Ancient Egyptians celebrated the goddess Isis, their Mother deity, with an annual festival, while in Turkey the Phrygian goddess Cybele was honored and in Greece, Rhea was considered the Mother of the Gods. These earlier festivals became so bawdy they eventually died out and were replaced with more conservative and sedate affairs.

Then in 17th century England, a celebration of the Virgin Mary grew to include all Mothers and became known as Mothering Day. But after English settlers came to America, the celebration was discontinued until Julia Ward Howe introduced her Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870. Howe who wrote the “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was so upset over the Civil War, she wanted a way for all Mothers to come together and protest the killings.

Inspired by Howe, a few years later Anna Reeves Jarvis led a group of West Virginia Mothers in reuniting families divided by the Civil War. This event was named Mother’s Friendship Day. After her death, her daughter, Anna M. Jarvis organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration held simultaneously in Grafton, West Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 10th, 1908. Finally in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared and signed into the law that the second Sunday in May would forever be known as Mother’s Day.

White carnations have long been associated with Mother’s Day. And while every woman, whether a Mother or not, loves getting flowers, nothing quite lets your Mom know how special she is like a piece of custom jewelry. It’s so easy to commemorate a milestone in her life with her favorite stone set in a necklace, ring or brooch. Let’s get started today so she’ll know how much she is loved and appreciated!

Custom made 12 stone mother'g ring

Diamonds are an (April Birthday) Girl’s Best Friend

Four diamond Chiseled Ring

April! What a wonderful month! The weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming and if you are lucky enough to have been born during this glorious month then you have the king of the gemstones, the diamond, as your birthstone.

The hardest natural occurring mineral, diamonds are four times harder than the next rated gemstone. They have high refraction, unusual brilliance, intense fire and while traditionally known as a classic colorless stone, colored diamonds have reached a new popularity. Available in hues of pink, red, yellow, blue and green all ranging in different levels of intensity, the more saturated the color, the higher the value. Because intensely colored diamonds are very rare many of the stones sold today have been chemically treated and technically should be marketed as “color-treated diamonds.” When considering the purchase of a shaded diamond it’s important to ask if any color enhancements have been added. Although, round Brilliant cut diamonds are the most popular, antique cut diamonds are also gaining popularity again, such as Rose cut, Old Mine cut and European cut.

Rose Cut diamond, natural burgundy color - Nugget Pendant

Diamonds start life deep inside the Earth using a combination of heat, pressure and carbon molecules. Volcanic activity brings them to the surface and while diamonds were first mined mainly in India, most of the diamonds discovered today are from Australia, Africa and Russia.

The word diamond comes from the Greek and means “invincible.” The stones were believed to hold magical powers against poisoning, devils and phantoms and were worn during battle as a symbol of strength and courage. The ancient Greeks also believed the fire of a diamond signified everlasting love. This idea spread and then in 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Austria started the tradition of giving a diamond as a promise of marriage when he presented a diamond ring to his intended, Mary of Burgundy.

Vine Engagement Ring

Today the beauty of this gemstone looks fabulous no matter the piece or the price range. From a small simple bracelet or brooch to a cocktail ring with a stone the size of a marble, diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend!

15 Stories Project: How I became famous in 1997.

Everyone wants to know what happened next (in regards to the Mr. Grey the Goldsmith story)...

Well, the drama with Mr. Grey the Goldsmith was over. I never saw him again after that fatal day and have recently found out, through the grapevine, that he is no longer making jewelry due to a medical condition. Despite our tumultuous end, this saddens me because he really was a master at his craft.

To continue...
A month after the firing/resignation at Mr. Grey the Goldsmith's, I became famous...

HAHAHAHA! Well, I didn't exactly became famous, but I had an incredible press opportunity fall into my lap. I had a full feature article written about me in the jewelry trade magazine Lapidary Journal (now known as Lapidary Journal-Jewelry Artist)

January 1997 - Lapidary Journal

January 1997 - Lapidary Journal 

I was still working for Mr. Grey the Goldsmith when I received a call from Lapidary Journal (sometime in 1996). They said wanted to write a feature article about my work and was told a journalist would soon contact me for an interview and a meeting. I was speechless but inside my head I was thinking, "What?! Me? A whole article about ME?" I had been in business part time for less than two years...HOW and WHY did they want to write about ME?!!? I can't rightly recall but I'm sure I hung up the phone on that that day and jumped up and down with excitement!

The writer, Cathleen McCarthy called me and we arranged to meet at a local craft show. I was excited and nervous while she "played" with my kinetic jewelry. Later, she called me for the phone interview. I was really nervous for this and so afraid I was going to sound like a total idiot.

The article was published in January 1997---a few weeks after I lost my job with Mr. Grey the Goldsmith and a few weeks before I started my next (and last) full time job working for another jeweler. (That story may be next!)

Today, Cathleen McCarthy publishes her own blog/on-line magazine for jewelry lovers, The Jewelry Loupe. She also continues to write for Lapidary Journal-Jewelry Artist, as well many other publications.

Girl Power in the Bronze Age!

Example of Bronze Age Jewelry found in Moesgaard Museum
Photo by Dorte Sandorff

Recently outside Vienna Austria the skeletal remains of a woman believe to be a metal worker from the Bronze Age have been unearthed. This tremendous discovery challenges the long held belief that prehistoric women only preformed the less physical and strenuous tasks associated with day to day life. This exciting find now questions long held concepts concerning the division of labor during these primordial ages.

While the pelvic bones were not included in the grave, researchers are confident the remains are of a 45 to 60 year old woman based on the shape of the skull and the size of the lower jawbone.

Contained in the grave was an anvil, hammers, flint chisels and several pieces of dress jewelry. Lower Austrian state archaeologist Dr. Ernst Lauermann said, “It was normal in those days for a person to be buried with the items that were part of their daily working lives.” These tools have led researchers to believe her occupation was a fine metal worker, an uncommon practice for a woman during this time period. Until this discovery, metalworking had always been considered a male profession because of the physicality involved since metals, then like now, were used for more than just making jewelry.

While any ancient burial site from the Bronze Age is considered a great find and a window into how past civilizations lived and ultimately formed our future; this one indicates that earlier cultures were perhaps not as patriarchal as once thought; though some scholars still believe that the significance of these artifacts is unknown. The editor of British Archaeology magazine Mike Pitts stated, “Sometimes the objects could relate to the individual’s profession but they could equally be there because they looked good or were put into the grave by relatives and didn’t belong to the individual.”

So while we will never know the truth, it’s awesome to think that women were challenging societal mores even more than 5,000 years ago!

To read more on this subject and see a photo of the burial site and skeletal remains, follow this link to the MailOnline News.

Born in March? Take Your Pick!

Folks with a birth date in the month of March have the option of choosing one of two very different stones to honor their birth month. While Aquamarine is the modern stone for the month of March, a perfectly acceptable alternative is Bloodstone.

Aquamarines are often called the “poor man’s diamond” and fluctuate in shades from deep blue to (obviously) aqua. Prices for Aquamarines can vary drastically due to the fact that naturally occurring deep blue stones are very rare; while yellow beryl stones can easily be transformed into blue aquamarines; lowering the cost. And just like our February birthstone, Amethyst; Aquamarines are found here in the states of Maine and North Carolina, while Russia, Brazil and India are the largest providers of international Aquamarines.

This gorgeous stone was coined by the Romans who believed they washed ashore from the jewel chests owned by the daughters of the river god Achelous. Sailors have great faith in Aquamarines and to this day still use them as protection against the perils and dangers often encountered at sea. While on land Roman citizens thought the stones possessed medicinal and healing powers to cure ailments of the stomach, liver, jaws and throat. During the Middle Ages they were used as an antidote against poison and then many years later in Germany, Aquamarines were fashioned into eyeglasses to correct nearsightedness.

Aqua Crown Ring

Ice Princess Ring

For those born in the latter part of March, Bloodstone is often the birthstone of choice. This dark-green stone speckled with flecks of vivid red of is usually mined from rocks or riverbeds in India, Brazil and Australia.

Often Bloodstone is called the “martyr’s stone” due to the myth that it was created when as Christ was on the cross drops of His blood stained the surrounding jasper stones. Bloodstones, like Aquamarines are thought to have healing properties especially for blood disorders.

Bloodstone cabochon by Creative Cabs

Either stone choice makes a stunning and rich statement and work perfectly surrounded by everything from platinum to brass. These are birthstones definitely worn with pride! ---And I should know because it is my birthstone!  :)

Spring Is In The Air…In Gorgeous Color!

Even though it’s still cold and gray, ole Mr. Groundhog announced just a few weeks ago that spring is right around the corner. With that in mind, it certainly isn’t too early to start planning what great new spring colors you are going to incorporate into your cosmetics, nail polish, home decor, and most importantly; your spring wardrobe and accessories including your jewelry.

The 2013 Pantone spring color report is full of gorgeous soft shades primarily on the blue/gray/green end of the spectrum with a few delicate hues of yellow, blush and red rounding out the palette.
Even some of the names of this year’s featured colors, Tender Shoots, Poppy Red, Lemon Zest and African Violet, reflect what spring is all about; blooming flowers, budding foliage and sprouting seedlings.

Tender Shoots is a pale green that reminds me of the tender sweet buds on an awakening tree, while Poppy Red is as warm and welcoming as a bed of blooming azaleas. Nectarine made me want a Dreamsicle and when I saw Lemon Zest all I could think of was a big vase of freshly picked daffodils! Monaco Blue is a classic and plays nicely against the calm and serene Dusk Blue; while Grayed Jade along with Linen are probably my two favorites; very soft and subtle, and either could easily become the new spring “neutral.” African Violet and Emerald both are sophisticated rich shades that can be incorporated into many surprising color schemes.

I’ve included a link to the Pantone Fashion Color Report so you can see these unique shades for yourself. And who knows? Maybe you’ll end up with some wonderful color inspired ideas!