Category Archives: Stone Jewelry

Rhodochrosite on the Workbench

We have been very busy making new jewelry for the past few weeks. The Pink Petoskey (Pink Pet) activity has also taken up time with making cabochons, wrapping them, and polishing Pink Pets for web sales. At last count there are over 30 polished Pink Pets on this site; take a look. The May/June issue of Rocks and Minerals Magazine features an article by myself and Dr. George Robinson on the illusive Pink Petoskey Stones of Northern Michigan.

I called this pendant "Brazen Vista". I think you can see why.

I daily look through my cabochon collection and choose possibilities for wire wrapping. My mood changes from day to day, so whatever inspires me, I select. Yesterday a lovely rosy pink Rhodochrosite grabbed my attention.

I knew this pendant would be a challenge because it was a rectangle. Squares and rectangles are a challenge for several reasons. The cab has to be very precisely calibrated from side to side and top to bottom or you will notice the imbalance immediately. Secondly, the wire wrapping has to be dead on from side to side and top to bottom. Thirdly, wire cannot be “pulled” around corners, so squares and rectangles must be made one side at a time. Advanced skills are required for this type of wrapping. This is why you do not see many wire wrappers doing squares, rectangles, or round shapes. This type of wire wrapping is very detailed and time consuming.

I have been looking at this large (2″ X 1 -1/4 “) Rhodochrosite cab for a few years off and on. In recent years Brown Rhodochrosite has become more expensive than normal pink Rhodocrosite. Years ago the miners in Argentina threw away Rhodocrosite containing browns as unacceptable. The value of this gemstone has substantially increased for the past several years. It is difficult to find nice Brown Rhodochrosite without pits, and this quality costs $$$. The brown coloration is a result of impurities in the stone. So finally this stone has a chance to shine.

Here are a couple other items from my workbench this week.
Bonnies new Pink Pet.

Bonnie claimed a recent Pink Petoskey Stone Pendant as her own. She normally likes all the stuff I make, and is honest in her opinions of my wire wrapping. Sometimes she just really likes a piece, and this was the case here. Click on this link to Pink Petoskey Stone Pendants as I do have lots of other Petoskey Stone jewelry available for purchase, just not this one!

Beth's new treasure. Thanks for being patient.

My good friend John gave me a geode slice a few months ago after we came back from the Tucson rock shows. During the Tucson unpacking frenzy I misplaced the stone and forgot about it until John asked me about it. This put me on a full alert to find it. I found a little silver cloth bag on my bookshelf, looked inside, and found the stone. I should have been looking for a silver bag instead of a stone. It was right where I put it, as Bonnie would say.

I had talked to John, previously, about putting a gemstone in the crystal cave of the stone, but was inspired when three Topaz’ fit perfectly in the pocket. Beth (John’s wife) loves her new piece of jewelry. Again, this piece is spoken for, but perhaps you would like to look at some other gems by following these links: Crazy Lace Agate Pendants, Ocean Jasper, Pietersite, or the every sparkly Victoria Stone.

Finding the Ent

It’s about time I showed you some of the jewelry I made from all that stuff I bought in Quartzite and Tucson in February. I have been working both in my shop and on my workbench.

This is just so wild.

Another really cool Bumblebee.

One of the most popular stones in Tucson this year was Bumblebee “Jasper”. It is not really Jasper, but is a mix of minerals in a matrix of a volcanic Tuft from the island of Java in Indonesia. Most of the Bumblebee we saw was just yellow and black, but I was lucky to find one dealer that went to Java and hand-picked some of the best material that I have ever seen. These Cabochons were bright pumpkin orange and black.

Treebeard the Ent.

I bought some wonderful Yellow Feather Dendritic Jasper from Utah. Dendrites are tree-like Manganese inclusions in a rock, and make wonderful pictures. The Pendant I show you in this blog stood out when I cut a slab off the host rock. I am a big Hobbit fan and I actually saw what looked like the Ent named Treebeard in it. “Hroom, hm, come my friends.” He’s taking Merry, Pippin, and the Ents in a charge on Isengard. Now where else can you get a totally natural depiction of a Lord of the Rings character for your stone jewelry?

Blue Biggs.

Biggs Jasper is a long-time favorite with lapidary types. It is quite scarce now but back in the 60’s the famous Blue Biggs was very popular. Biggs was re-discovered while building a road, and the best that came out was Blue Biggs. The reason I say it was re-discovered is that Native Americans made arrowheads from this Jasper for many years. Some Biggs was also used for landscaping. I found a nice chunk and this pendant is one cab from this spectacular picture Jasper.

Dinosaur Bone-WOW

There were many sellers of Dinosaur Bone at all the shows, but when I saw a D-Bone slab with a red agate inclusion, I just had to have it for a special piece of fossil bone jewelry.

Royal Imperial Jasper

Royal Imperial Jasper has just such spectacular patterns and pastel colors. I really like this stuff, found in Zacatecas, Mexico about 50 miles north of the city of Guadalajara. Does is remind you of Edvard Munch?

Smithsonite

Smithsonite from the famous Glove Mine in Arizona caught my eye. These stones had unusual colors, and made some really lovely jewelry.

It was a real pleasure to find the oldest living thing in Middle Earth in my stone pile. One of the reasons I cut rocks and make jewelry is because I love these unexpected visions. Stay tuned for the next finds!

Green Stone and Greenstone Jewelry

Drusy Quartz.

For St. Patricks, my gift to you is some of my favorite green pendants from past to present. Many of these I am very proud of as some of my best work. Join me as I look at favorite green gemstone jewelry.

Easy picking of Turquoise at the Tucson Gem Shows.

Catseye Jade is set off by Sunstone and Faceted Topaz

Jade is one of the automatic gemstones that you think of as being green. I found a rare Catseye Jade from Russia a couple years back and teamed it with Moonstone to create a striking multi-phenominal pendant.

Meta Jade.

Malachite makes an amazing designer pendant.

Malachite is another green gemstone with striking patterns.

Turquoise and its relative Variscite are a couple other great green stones that cover many shades on the color wheel.

Azurite/Malachite enhanced with London Blue Topaz, Apatite, Tourmaline.

Apple green Chrysoprase.

Chrysoprase is the most valuable Quartz and is famous for its luscious apple green coloration.

Something that resembles Jade is Meta-Jade, the rare pre-runner to Victoria Stone. You really cannot tell it from Imperial Jade.

Green Victoria Stone, Peridot, Pink Topaz, and Morganite

Greenstone/Thomsonite

Dark green Victoria Stone is one of the most sought after colors from this long gone gemstone.

Azurite/Malachite would look good for a St. Patrick’s Day Pendant.

Greenstone with Cuprite Inclusions-The only greenstone with this combination I've ever seen.

A closeup for you viewing pleasure.

Sometimes wonderful greens are present in Royal Imperial Jasper.

My favorite green stone is Michigan’s State Gem, the Isle Royal Greenstone. As you can see, you don’t have to be Irish to love green stones or greenstone jewelry.

Royal Imperial Jasper.

Variscite enhanced with Pink Topaz

Simply a great Variscite

Snoopy and the Red Agate

I haven’t written an “On the Workbench” blog in some time, but I thought I would let you see what I’ve done with some of the stuff I brought back from the shows in Arizona. Check the back blogs to review.

Bumblebee Jasper is not really a Jasper. Finding bright orange Bumblebee is uncommon.

One of the things that seemed all over Tucson this year was Bumblebee Jasper. This orange and black (but usually yellow and black) rock comes from Volcanic vents on the island of Bali in Indonesia. It is a mis-nomer to refer to Bumblebee as Jasper. It is neither Jasper, nor is it an Agate. The rock is in reality an Anhydrite/Sulfur/Hematite with welded volcanic tuft (ash). This stuff varies widely in hardness and contains many hole and flaws, so it is tricky to make a decent gemstone. It is also hard to find bright orange. The pendant I made looks like an evil mask. The stone was so flashy it did not need a fancy wrap.

Keswick Agate

I cut a Keswick Agate from Keswick, Iowa, leaving quite a bit of ordinary Quartz on the side. This was intentional. I envisioned using some of my wire over the Quartz to really enhance the eye-like pattern of the Agate. A plain wrap, like I did on the Bumblebee, would not work with the Keswick. Keswick Agate is difficult to obtain and good Keswick is hard to find.

Picture Petrified Wood from near Holbrook, Arizona

Picture Petrified Wood comes from near Holbrook, Arizona. One of our oldest and dearest friends sells Petoskey Stones in Tucson. She wanted a pendant and swapped me some of her Dendritic Picture Wood for making this pendant for her.

Faceted Aquamarine and Amethyst; simply wrapped;simply beautiful.

I wrapped a really fine faceted Aquamarine as well as another of Amethyst. I wrapped these so they can flip over while being worn.

Thomsonite of this quality is always popular.

The Keweenaw Peninsula and Grand Marais, Minnesota both supply the beautiful Ziolite, Thomsonite. Dark eyed Thomsonite from the north shore is the most coveted. I was just mindlessly looking around the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) show and happened to glance down a side isle and spot a couple trays in the bottom of a display case. My eye immediately focused in on a Thompsonite. I could not believe such a gemstone would exist in a show full of common Diamonds, Rubies, and Sapphires. This one even has copper inclusions.

I asked the lady at the booth if I could look at the two trays. In a humorous manner she said, “Oh, you want to look in my junk box?” I for sure wanted to get at that “junkbox”, and found several other treasures as well as this Thomsonite.

When the dealer dropped and broke one of my Malachite slices, I immediately thought of earrings to go with the bullseye pendant.

I could not help but purchase a perfect slice of Bullseye Malachite. I dislike cutting this stuff, but put my mask and gloves on, and went to it. What a great Pendant I made from the cab. The earrings came from the second slice off the same rock, but the owner of the business dropped it on the floor at checkout, and the slab broke in half. He gave me the two pieces, so I used them. I hate wasting good material.

Snoopy?

Speaking of Malachite, I saw Snoopy in a piece. Cool stuff.

Watermelon Tourmaline

Not much bigger than a dime, two other fantastic little pendants of Watermelon Tourmaline and Montana Agate called me. I have seldom seen a small agate with such a fantastic natural picture. Watermelon Tourmaline is the most coveted breed of this gemstone. Good Tourmaline, like this one, are always popular, no matter the price.

A small Montana Agate with a "big sky" picture.

Yellow Cat

Cardinal Candy: Another rare red Yellow Cat.

Yellow Cat Petrified wood is from remote regions of Utah, and was used by Tiffany back in the day. Yellow Cat is the brightest red of any petrified wood. It is really an amazing and scarce agate. I was very excited to see some at one of the Tucson Shows. The dealer told me people walked by his supply all day; not recognizing it for what it was. I am happy my mind is full of knowledge on many rare rocks.

You hardly ever see Blue Lace Agate Drusy.

Bonnie is especially fond of Blue Lace Agate. Imagine her thrill when I found some Blue Lace Drusy. Drusy means it contains pockets full of millions of tiny Quartz Crystals. This one I made into a designer cut beauty.

The workbench and the shop are still busy. I am so pleased with all the jewelry grade rocks I obtained out west, and am still exceedingly busy and thrilled about making a new crop of jewelry. I also enjoy sharing with you guys.

Bead Day

Sunny 67

Bead Show inside.

The time before the shows opened at 10am was spent packing up several flat rate boxes to send back home. We went to find a post office and found we could not get to the post office as all the streets were closed due to construction on a trolley. It will help people get around better at some future time, but was a nuisance today. After a dead end or two we found a second Post office and we found that the Flat Rate had gone up.

Something unexpected at a bead show.

Quality Blue Lace

Anyone know what this Jasper is?

Unknown Jasp/Agate

The show choices today were based on three things, 1. Beads; 2. Chains; and 3. Beads.

We drove out to the Gem Mall and parked. The main shows provide shuttle service between them. We decided to go to the Doubletree Hotel for a show called “To Bead True Blue”. There were a couple vendors that Bonnie wanted to see, so I just followed along like a good husband. I was surprised once that a vendor from China had a couple of Blue Lace Pendant beads made from old material that you just can’t find anymore. I found one Jasper I can’t identify, but thought it is colorful and attractive. So while Bonnie was learning about filling bezels with resin clay I shopped for a few stones for her.

We concentrated on findings and other related items. We looked at a new product called Glinter, which sparkles like silver, but features zinc as a main product instead of silver. Combined with silver and copper it is lead, nickel and cadmium free and non-allergenic. So we found some copper and silver beads that we look forward to using in our Lake Superior stone jewelry.

Bonnie found a new pair of pliers she is excited about, and what could I say, I just bought a couple pliers myself. We replenished our supply of silver and rose gold chains so that everyone can have a handsome chain to set off the wire-wrapped pendants featured at Snob Appeal Jewelry.

Even though we spent the afternoon at a Bead Show, we did not buy beads! We went to learn about some new techniques and products rather than beads. Truthfully, Bonnie already has purchased more beads than she can handle in a year (and yes she knows it, I’m not just talking behind her back), so she only bought 4 strands of beads all day. Very restrained! They were very pretty Lapis, and cool-looking Blue Lace Agate nuggets that she just could not resist. And I did not buy a single slab or rock chunk all day. Sigh.

Where's the shuttle? All of us finally took a cab and shared the cost.

Better luck another day!

Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Shows-JOGS

75 and sunny (FINALLY nice weather)

The JOGS show opened today to large crowds. This show is held at the Tucson Expo Center. I would guess there were well over 100 vendors. We got there about a half hour before the show opened and claimed a nice parking spot. When we came out three hours later, the lot was packed full.

The giant Amethyst Geodes outside the JOGS Show were such a dark purple, they were almost black.

Bonnie got some drilled stones for use in pendants.

When we enter this show we immediately head for a dealer that sells wonderful treated druzy quartz. There are certain colors we sell a lot of and one is pink. Getting there early got me some good picks although I had to beat a few customers off protecting my tray I was choosing from.

The color was awesome on this Bumblebee Jasper.

Bonnie found some Kyanite Beads that were on her list, and although I was not in the market for anything in particular a few cabs caught my eye and the deal was done. I fell in love with a pair of large faceted Mystic Topaz‘s that my artistic eye already has a wrap idea for.

This Mystic Topaz really made me want it. NOW It's MINE!

This show features a lot of things and is strictly a wholesale show that requires business credentials to enter. We don’t buy enough to bargain on prices, but you can get real good deals if you buy in bulk. Quite a bit of manufactured jewelry is available, but we skip by that, looking for stones to create our hand crafted jewelry. Dealers from all over the world vend at this show.

Unfortunately, picture taking is not allowed at this show. Just imagine a big open space with tables piled high with goods, including piles of precious gemstones, and other goodies of all sorts, with dealers willing to get you to part with some cash. I and many others happily obliged.

Just a few buckets of Turquoise.

Pink Petoskey Stones-Rare and Luscious

We live in Northwestern lower Michigan, the Petoskey Stone capital. Although Petoskey Stones are found in other places, the finest ones come from our area. The state stone of Michigan (the greenstone or chlorastrolite is the state gem), the Petoskey stone is found around Petoskey of course, but also on beaches, gravel pits, and gravel roads across the state.

On the stone piles, Petoskey stones blend in with the other gray rocks common around here. Whenever it rains you can find us donning our raingear and heading out. Rain makes the wonderful eye-like pattern of the Hexagonaria Fossil just POP! We also sometimes find other Devonian Fossils including Favosites, Horn Coral, Chain Coral, Crinoids.

A majority of Pink Petoskey Stones have some distortion caused by the Iron Oxide inclusions.

The rare Pink Petoskey Stone is one thing we especially covet. We do not find many of these beauties, but when we do, we save them for jewelry or for collector pieces. Research has shown that the pink coloration happened during the calcification when small amounts of iron permeated the Calcite. It really does not take much Iron to tinge Calcite with a Pink coloration.

The pendant on the left in a darker Petoskey Stone and the iron tinged the stone almost mahogany. The stone on the right is lighter and just has a "hint" of pink.

The pendant on the left is a darker Petoskey Stone and the iron tinged the stone almost mahogany. The stone on the right is lighter and just has a "hint" of pink.

My favorite thing to do with Pink Petoskey Stones is to make pendants. Light colored Petoskey Stones generally have light pink coloration, while dark Petoskey Stones produce wonderful maroon colors.

One of the specialties of Snob Appeal Jewelry is Pink Petoskey Stone. When I find a stone, I can only guess how deep the pink color saturates into the stone. Many times the pink hue is only skin deep. I find that often the Iron Oxide has distorted the Petoskey Fossil, making a less then satisfactory gemstone. If I find a pink Petoskey actually is gem grade, it is a special moment knowing that this will make some great jewelry.

I’ve talked a lot about my love for the Pink Petoskey stone, but I still make pendants from the other Petoskey Stones I collect, as long as they have a vivid pattern. Unfortunately, often a Petoskey Stone may be porous, making it impossible to polish to a suitable jewelry finish. Other times the Petoskey Stone may be “muddy” (pattern has mud visible in the mouth of the fossil). I do not use these muddy fossils in my jewelry.

I find Petoskey stones throughout our home area, but I realize just how uncommon these fossils are throughout the world. Our Petoskey earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are most popular with people who have visited or lived in Michigan, searched the beaches and remember those times fondly.

Amethyst Glitz

“Can you make me a pendant that will match this”? Of course I can, but why would Bonnie want another piece of jewelry when she has hundreds of pendants to choose from?

It all started on Black Friday (that was actually Thanksgiving Thursday this year). She had a coupon for a local Department Store. I’ll man up and admit that I saw a dressy coat that I thought would look nice on my bride. It had a great design and Amethyst colors. We both like Amethyst. Paired with a glimmering silver blouse, this jacket looked really great.

Unbeknown to me, the jewelry maker”s wife had NOTHING to wear with these garments, and this is where I come in. After I realized the wife has NO suitable jewelry, and asked me in a nice way to help out, I actually thought about making something like I’ve never done before. Here’s the dumb part: I announced on The Facebook I was going to make this pendant so my jewelry-less wife would have something to actually wear to our Rock club Christmas Party IN THREE DAYS!

Bonnie thought a white gemstone with some Amethyst beads that she rooted out of her beadroom stash, would look nice. We thought at first white druzy would work, but she settled on the wonderfully rare shiny white Victoria Stone. Argentium Sterling was the metal of choice. You can read the intriguing story about Victoria Stone in my blog at http://www.snobappealjewelry.com .

It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to make and more time figuring out HOW I was going to do it. After a good nap, I arose with my mind clear and a picture in my mind of what the pendant would look like. I usually do not use colored Aluminum wire, but Bonnie does with her beads. Alas, she did not have any purple (I thought she had every beading item available), so we made a not-so-quick-trip to craft stores (notice I said stores with an S) to locate this wire so I could continue.

After a few hours of watching various “Redneck” shows and wire wrapping, the pendant emerged from the workbench. A good hint is if you are using your mind creating jewelry, you can still watch mindless TV, but not anything deep like “Polar Bears Discuss How to Properly Prepare Seal Sushi”. 1. Wait for seal head to pop up in the hole. 2. Snatch seal from the hole and eat, no seasoning necessary.

OK, so I got off my point; deal with it. Maybe the reason that this piece of jewelry looks unlike anything I’ve done before is because of watching Redneck Duck Calls, or some such show while making it.

Since I was clearly focused on my task, Bonnie took this opportunity to vacuum, do laundry, make cookies, and in general stay clear of my area, and not interrupt my concentration. I do tend to get grumpy when interrupted at key points, and sometimes she can tell what’s key, and what isn’t.

I awoke this morning with ideas that came to me in dreams on how to finish this project. I got right on it even before coffee! The jewelry is actually finished ladies and gentlemen. I could go into a lot of details on how I pulled this one off, but it’s Christmas and the stores are open, and I have to set up for our Open House tomorrow. Remember, shop small or shop on this website (trust me, we’re small). Now enjoy, what Bonnie calls, “The glitziest pendant you’ve ever made”.

Here is my bride Bonnie, happily wearing the pendant that "matched" her new duds.

Close-up of Bonnie's Pendant. Those Swarovski Crystals really add glitz to this Party Pendant. White Victoria Stone & Amethyst Beads.

Whimsical Agate.

Lucy gave me an agate cabochon a few weeks ago and wanted a whimsical pendant.

Lucy's Agate on my workbench. Do you see the face?

This cabochon had a big smile and little eyes. Lucy saw glasses on the face, as did I.

I thought about this face for a couple weeks and today an idea popped out. I saw the glasses and envisioned little curls.

Does this make you smile?

Here is the finished pendant. I hope it makes you smile as it does me. Lucy will really like this piece of jewelry in her collection and enjoy making other people smile.

Petoskey Stone Twins

Same stone; Different pendants.

Today I wrapped Petoskey Stone jewelry from a pair of cabochons of the same perfect stone.

The stone on the right was wrapped in Argentium Sterling and Pink Gold. The Pink Gold wire is a new product, so it is fun to try it out with different stones. This Petoskey stone really looks good in that combination, and result in a new jewelry look. This one is available for purchase today.

The next slab produced the stone on the left. I wrapped this one in 14/20 Gold Fill and Argentium. This one looks great also. This one will be for sale in Copper World in Calumet at the end of the week. You’ll have to call them!

I expect to make more Petoskey Stone Jewelry in the near future from some of the rare pick Petoskey’s I have, so watch for it.

Enjoy this pair; more to come.