Amethyst: February’s Birthstone is the Stone of Royalty

Amethyst’s history is as rich as its brilliant purple coloring. It has been said that both Cleopatra and Saint Valentine favored amethyst. Cleopatra wore an amethyst signet ring while St. Valentine’s stone was engraved with the figure of his assistant, Cupid, a coincidence that Valentine’s Day is in February?

Amethyst comes from the Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunk” and while it was possibly believed that wearing amethyst would keep one from becoming intoxicated, most likely the Greeks were referring to the stone’s almost wine-like color. Will one of the remaining birthstones help ward off hangovers? Also symbolic of spirituality and piety, many people believe the wearing of amethyst allow one to channel positive universal energy.

Effervescence Pendant with amethyst

To be a true amethyst the stone must be purple though varying shades from deep violet to pure, clear lavender are perfectly acceptable. A member of the quartz family, amethysts are unique to different locales and many times gem experts can often identify the particular region, and in some cases even the particular mine a stone originated from. Historically the majority of amethysts were mined in Russia and were featured prominently in many royal jewels. Today while most amethyst are imported from Brazil and Zambia some stones are mined right here in the United States particularly in Maine, North Carolina and Colorado.

You’ll mainly see amethyst stones set as brilliant round cuts due to the often patchiness of their color distribution. Other shapes are permissible when the color is more uniform, but remember, all amethyst is always purple. "Green amethyst" has gained a lot of popularity recently, however, this name is misapplied. Green amethyst is indeed a member of the quartz family, but the true name for this leek green gem is Prasiolite.

With amethyst an affordable stone, it’s easy to invest in a stunning piece and feel like royalty every time you wear it!

Winter STUDIO SALE at Artful Home

Geometric Bracelet

You may already know that I don't run discount sales very often, but for the second year in a row I am participating in the Artful Home's Winter Studio Sale. A handful of my one-of-akind and limited edition   pieces will be 20-30% off! The sale only runs from January 23rd - February 6th...so don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Tic-Tac-Toe Brooch / Enhancer Pendant

Geo Brooch

Cleopatra - Bib Necklace

Circles, Circles, Circles Necklace

Tri Bubble Necklace

Bubble Bracelet #5

To see Studio Sale items at Artful Home visit this page: Danielle L. Miller Studio Sale

Who would you like to see wearing your jewelry?

Once a month, members of the EtsyMetal team are given a topic or question and then requested to blog about it simultaneously. This month's topic is:

Who would you like to see wearing your jewelry?

This is a tough question.
Naturally, I LOVE seeing my jewelry on anyone (and everyone)!
But, I would be thrilled to have any celebrity donning my designs. Who wouldn't be honored to have their life's work in the spotlight, even for just a moment? To answer the question, I have decided to fantasize about a few individuals whom I would enjoy adorning with Danielle Miller Jewelry...

The Young Starlet:
Emma Stone is one of my favorite young actresses. She is drop dead gorgeous without being overly girly and has a swift and quirky sense of humor that will get you thinking.

dreaming about Emma Stone wearing my Ridge Earrings & Porta Pendant

The Dame:
Helen Mirren seems to have mastered the art of growing old gracefully. She always looks fit, elegant and fabulous on the red carpet...outshining other stars 30 years younger than her.

dreaming about Helen Mirren wearing my Circles, Circles, Circles Necklace

The Local Gal:
Kimberly Kelly is a TV host for two Entertainment & Talk Shows on CBS WSPA in Greenville, SC. She is always so well put together and fashionable. She DEFINITELY should be wearing some Danielle Miller Jewelry! :)

thinking Kimberly Kelly would look great in my Marquise Chain Lariat

The Dude:
Jon Stewart needs some of my cufflinks, don't you think?

wanting Jon Stewart to flash his cuffs with my Abacus cufflinks

Please continuing reading my fellow EtsyMetal team members fun posts about this subject:
Rebecca Bogan
Beth Cyr
Maria - fluxplay

STUDIO SALE at the Artful Home

I rarely run discounts, but for the first time, I am participating in the Artful Home's bi-annual Studio Sale.
A handful of my one-of-a-kind pieces are 30% off!!!
The sale only runs from January 23 through February 8th....so act fast!

Geometric Drop Earrings & Necklace
(18k gold, sterling silver, peridot, pearls)

Cleopatra - Bib Necklace
(18k gold, sterling silver, blue topaz, pearls)

Dropping Bubbles Necklace
Sterling silver, 18k gold, pearls, iolite, peridot, amethyst

Circles, Circles, Circles Necklace
(18k gold, sterling silver, rhodolite garnet, pearls)

Recent Press: Fine Jewelry News

I am delighted to say that my Effervescence Brooch #1 was included in the May/June issue of Fine Jewelry News in a feature about jewelry that evokes childhood fun and games entitled "Trends: Play."

Babycenter: MOMformation blog interview

I was recently interviewed for the Babycenter's blog : MOMformation. Babycenter is an amazing resource for all Mom's...it has information from fertility to parenting to fashion! I am participating in their week long jewelry giveaway. Read the interview to find out how you can enter to win a pair of my Bubble Earrings! Hurry you have to enter by midnight Thursday, April 2! To read and enter click here!

Blog Nods for my Bubble Collection

I recently discovered my jewelry in some blog gift guides...

My Effervescence Earrings were in GilBea's Jewelry Lover's Gift Guide. GilBea has a fantastic blog about fashion & the handmade and how to combine the two...AND she makes gorgeous handpainted silk accessories! Check out her shop here.

The always fabulous Julie Morrison (aka MAJESTYinc.) has added my Effervescence Ring to her blog wish list. MAJESTYinc makes handmade vinyl accessories that are creative, colorful and whimsical. Check out her shop here.

Web Press - Jewelry of the Day

My Bubble Pendant #5 was selected for the Jewelry of the Day on Tuesday, November 18. Jewelry of the Day is a blog which features a daily selection of handmade jewelry. Thanks, Eric!This pendant is available in my Etsy shop, as well as many of my other designs...ANY purchase that mentions this blog post (in "message to seller" during checkout) will receive free shipping (refunded via pay pal)! Click here to shop!

Photo Stamps!

If you haven't heard of PhotoStamps yet, they are (as stated on their website) "an exciting new product that lets you take your own images or photographs and turn them into real U.S. postage." I recently ordered some with the image of my Bubble Charm Necklace. What a great branding tool!

Necklace in INDESIGN!

My goal for more PRESS in 2008 is succeeding! My "Effervescence Necklace" was featured in the July 2008 issue of INDESIGN magazine! Kathy Zaltas of Zaltas Gallery had some nice things to say about the necklace, such as: "It's one of those styles that puts a smile on your face each time you clasp it around your neck."

Featured in blog... On the Dot Creations

On April 11, 2008 I was featured in a wonderfully fun blog. As the author of the blog, Julie says, "On the Dot Creations...the Blog is just a little spot on the world Wide Web, devoted to showcasing great polka dot designs. She chose to publish my Bubble Charm Necklace that she found in Etsy shop. Julie also has a shop on Etsy where she sells custom-designed computer screen wallpaper. She has a contemporary sense of design and wonderful eye for color!