Category Archives: Stone Jewelry

Working on U.P. Projects

Today let’s talk about some of the projects I brought back from the Upper Peninsula.

Sue's "super" Thomsonite

Sue has been a faithful customer over the years and she has brought me some amazing local stones for custom pieces in the past.

This time she brought one of the largest and most amazing Pink Thomsonites I’ve seen in a while. The cabochon was found in the Keweenaw 40 years ago, according to an I.D. tag that was on it. Thomsonites of this size and quality are very scary to work with because of the value and this one because of the size. Thomsonite sometimes just blows apart when you work with it on the grinder. Any harmonics created by the machine grinding wheels can send shockwaves into this material that sometimes just blows the stone apart.

I am always up to a challenge, but I also would hate to ruin a $500 stone. Thomsonite varies in hardness quite a bit, as well as crystal structure.

I had to re-work this stone to balance the shape and the dome. Believe me it was scary. This stone was very hard and solid (fortunately), and I was able to reform and re-cut it .

I was very happy with the way the wrap came out. As is my normal theory on wrapping I did not cover the beauty of the stone, yet I wanted the wrapping to be as elegant as the stone. I liked the way it came out; as did Sue.

Unusual blue coloration enhances this great little agate.

Nancy's ring.

Our friend Nancy brought several stones for me to assess. She enjoys the U.P. and rock hunting. Her daughter, Elizabeth, is also a rockhound. Several of Nancy’s stones had possibilities, and cutting when I got home produced an unusual small agate from the end of an otherwise plain stone. The stone had a strange bluish area. I have never seen this coloration in a Lake Superior Agate. It is hard to explain and lucky for you I took a picture. I made a ring for Nancy that reminds her of the U.P.

Elizabeth's wonderful pendant.

Elizabeth found a very cool ledge agate the next day and after cutting it and finding out how nice it was, I made a great little silver pendant for her. All these projects I really enjoyed. I love making my customers happy. Thanks to all of them.

You are not going to believe what is inside this stone.

The third project was my wife Bonnie’s anniversary pendant. You have seen the amazing copper-infused Datolite Pendant, but I don’t think you saw the ordinary looking rock it came from. You never know what might be inside the crust of a rock. I think that is why I love making jewelry. I’m the first person to actually see the inside of the rocks I cut for my jewelry.

The 35th Anniversary Pendant...SHE LIKED IT!

I would be happy to do some custom work for you. I can take your stones and create something wonderful just for you! What’s your dream jewelry? Let me make it for you.

Lake Superior Agate Jewelry

lsa-on-bench

Attendees at the Celebration of Agates Show in Hopkins Minnesota will be happy to see my Lake Superior Agate Jewelry.

Since 1969 the Lake Superior Agate has been the Minnesota State Stone. Glaciers deposited Lake Superior Agates throughout Minnesota, as well as south as far as Kansas.
Many of you know that Laker’s are my favorite gemstone. I am amazed at the variety of colors, types, and patterns. No two are ever alike.

The multi-pattern was amazing on this Laker.

Moons and stripes. I liked this one.

The trick is finding those extremely rare flawless, or nearly flawless Lake Superior Agates to use in my jewelry. Remember Laker’s moved vast distances from bedrock in the Keweenaw area. Most of them were ripped from bedrock. Lake Superior Agates are also tumbled on the Lake Superior shoreline. It is really amazing that any Laker’s can be found that are not cracked.

Three Lake Superior Agates were selected from my stash of slices, cut into cabochons, and hurried to my workbench. These were all distinctively different, as you can see.

An unusual ledge agate.

Each agate talked to me, and I was able to make some exceedingly fine pendants, don’t you think? Let me know which one you like best. I sell many Lake Superior Agate Pendants to Minnesotans. I expect when they see these agates, and well over 100 more Lake Superior Agate Pendants, this jewelry will make them ecstatic!

Pietersite-On The Workbench

Pietersite was on the workbench at the Ludington Art Show. I happened upon a great cabochon while digging through my cases at home, and decided if things were slow (they were), I would demonstrate next to the booth.

It's difficult to see the 3D pattern on Pietersite.

It is always nice to work in the fresh air.

This Pietersite came from the one vendor I deal with, (the mine-owners) in Tucson. If you want more information on Pietersite go to my blog (March 13, 2011). http://www.snobappealjewelry.com/blog/?p=1062

The finished product turned out great.

I loved the reds and browns in this piece. The Holographic depth of Pietersite can only be viewed in person, and is pretty incredible. I think it came out pretty amazing considering I was working freestyle. I may post this up on the web later today.

Let me know what you think.

Here’s a bonus; I made this remarkable Lake Superior Eye Agate also. This one will go to the Celebration of Agates Show.

eye-agate

The “Mole” Rock

“THAT ROCK LOOKS LIKE A MOLE!” This is the comment Bonnie made when I bought a few rocks from the guy at the Boy Scout Camp.

The outside of the "Mole" looked very ordinary.

I am a long-time friend to the Ranger at a local BSA camp. I got a call the other night that one of his volunteers had a few rocks he wanted to sell. If I’m available, I will always look at rocks, especially from an inherited collection. Treasures are often found.

Bonnie was bored so we jumped in the truck and drove to the camp where we found George with a few rough rocks in his pickup bed. He had some good stuff, but much of his material was a duplicate to what I have already. I did find a few interesting pieces and after a bit of bargaining a mutual agreement was made.

The inside of the "Mole" was extraordinary, proving you really cannot judge a book by it's cover.

Much or the time I know exactly what I am buying, but not with the “mole” rock. I knew it was an agate, but had no idea what kind it was. As you can see there is no indication of what lurks inside of this “mole”. WHAT A SURPRISE when I cut this ugly rock in half.

It turned out to be a wonderful Botswana agate. I cut out a crystal section from the rock and ended up with perfect Botswana Agate of classic Grays and white. Making beautiful gemstone jewelry from a really bland rock is so satisfying! This should make a great piece of jewelry for the upcoming Celebration of Agates show in Minnesota.

Pretty nice for a "Mole" rock, don't you think?

So, blog fans, here is the Mole to Gemstone transformation.

Drusy Quartz on the Workbench

I’ve been working on Drusy Quartz Pendants for a couple weeks. The pendants in this blog will all be sold for under $100 at our shows this year, but if you like one give us a call. I just love these gems.

Drusy (Druzy) Quartz is generally grey or blue agate, from Brazil, containing natural pockets filled with microscopic sugary Quartz. This material can be left in its natural form or treated in several ways.

drusy-onwb

I am constantly amazed at the variety in Drusy.

Hot pink and white on this frilly-looking drusy are feminine and fancy.

Drusy can also be coated with a microscopic film of titanium, platinum, gold or sterling silver. This process is called vapor deposition. When a Drusy is coated with titanium, it adds a brilliant purple, cobalt or rainbow of colors. Drusies can also be dyed, or dyed and coated.

Someone will be pleased to own this Emerald colored Drusy.

The cost of Drusy jewelry varies widely depending on the quality of the Quartz and the expense of the treatment. Most Drusy Quartz originates in Brazil. Miners look for pockets of crystal containing sugar-sized quartz within agate matrix. These pieces are graded and sold off to treatment operations.

I threw a light on this great yellow drusy so you could see it shine.

This blue Drusy is SO cool!

Drusy micro-crystals can easily be damaged when used in rings. I use these Druzy Quartz cabochons exclusively in amazingly colorful and flashy pendants. I hand pick Drusy being sold by quality dealers at the Tucson Gem Shows.

I base my selections on predicted hot colors for the upcoming year. Fashion magazines are featuring bright color this year, and drusy jewelry makes a perfect complement to these fabrics. I also count on my artistic proficiency to imagine what would work with my jewelry making approach.

I am constantly amazed at the variety of Drusy Quartz.

I make pendants both in a simple style or a more elaborate style to cover all my customer’s tastes. I use both gold and silver wire, often in combination. People will comment on your jewelry when you wear these pendants. Each of my pendants is distinct and exclusive. You can be assured no one else will have a pendant like yours.

Celebration of Agates Jewelry

I have been working on several cabochons for the upcoming Celebration of Agates Show at Hopkins, Minnesota in July. There is a lot of buzz about this show already, and it is building up to be a well-attended and exciting event. I will be exhibiting at this special rock show, and

Amazing Royal Imperial Jasper enhanced with a Mystic Topaz.

Sea Scene Jasper. I think this is quite tranquil.

Ocean Scene Agate is quite tranquil to look at. This wonderful rock is from British Columbia.

am striving to bring some unusual agates to this show as well as many unique Lake Superior Agates and other rare stones.

Lets just have some fun and see some of the stone jewelry I have made thus far. Which is your favorite?

Chevron Amethyst

Great colors in this Kentucky Agate!

My favorite-The Lake Superior Agate in classic "Candy Stripe".

Agate/Drusy with Calcite. WOW!

Amazing Cats Eye Jade and Stunning Greenstone with Thomsonite

I had a dream last night. I often dream of rocks I covet, but on rare occasions I have dreams of jewelry I must make. I woke right up at 4 am and pulled the rocks out so I would not forget that which my brain had imagined.

What will Don do with these?

I was looking at a piece of Cats Eye Nephrite Jade that I had bought in Tucson. I had never seen this material from Siberia, but I had heard of it. The lovely green looks like that optical glass that marbles are made of and has a “cats eye” effect similar to Tiger Eye. I bought this one piece because it was so intriguing, and there were no others like it.

My dream brought this Jade together with a wonderful piece of Moonstone that had another phenomenon called Labradorescence. I also invisioned Pink Topaz in the picture. I laid out the stones on my workbench and when I awoke went right to work.

These multi-stone pendants are a real challenge and take a great deal of time and deep concentration level. Success! A wonderful pendant was produced, just as in my “Nice Dream”.

Cats Eye Jade, Moonstone, and Pink Topaz in Argentium Sterling.

Also today, off the workbench, came one of the most amazing and stunning Greenstones I’ve ever made. I cut it a few weeks ago and could not believe what I was seeing. As I ground the stone the most beautiful Thomsonite unexpectedly broke out of the center of the Greenstone! I never have seen more gemmy Thomsonite in any Greenstone, nor have I seen such a large quantity of georgeous pink Thomsonite in one Greenstone–“Unexpected Romance”.

Greenstone with a Thomsonite Inclusion. WOW!

This especially large (4.5 gram) stone is so amazing I have to show you the picture. Yes, it is for sale until gone–one only! Some stones are so stunning they cannot be described.

Tucson-You didn’t Think I Was Done; Did You?

69 sunny

I was going to be really depressed today. Tomorrow we head back to snowy northern Michigan. Except for the one I sent out today, all the flat-rate boxes should be awaiting our arrival.

In order to get over this downer I was in, we went to look at some mineral specimens today, and wow, did that turn out to be fun!

This piece of Ray Mine Chrysocolla will make fantastic jewelry.

Close-up of previous specimen.

I was not expecting much when I saw a small classified ad in the paper for two mineral collections for sale. Today we went to see them. What we found was some of the nicest Chrysocolla I’ve seen, from the old Ray Mine. The Ray Mine has not been hunted much in the past few years, but back in the 70’s it produced some of the finest Chrysocolla specimens ever

Drusy (druzy) Chrysocolla on Ray Mine specimen mined in the 70's. The druzy is actually clear quartz over chrysocolla.

A nice selection of Ray Mine specimens.

found, including gem silica, Druzy Chrysocolla, and remarkable cutting and jewelry material. Some of this collection was old material from the 70’s. Joe said he had a friend at the mine, but the last time he (or anyone) was allowed in was a couple years ago. I guess the liability issues came into play as is common in many of the good hunting grounds anymore. I know this will make top-notch chrysocolla pendants.

Joe had many other Arizona specimens that he was weeding from his personal collection, as well as other southwestern and Mexican minerals. Money was exchanged and we left very pleased, but what do you do with approximately 100 pounds of rough rock the day before we leave?

The solution presented itself at a UPS Store nearby that was open, unlike the Post Office today which was on holiday in honor of our Presidents. We wrapped some of the material up with some packaging material Joe had given us, and the store, for a fee, took care of the rest. I carefully explained to them what was valuable, which was not wrapped, and what was not so important (the wrapped stuff). We left the store with a relieved feeling. I now have a good feeling that the valuable druzy will arrive safely.

This striking piece of Peacock Ore (Bornite) is most likely from Zacatecas, Mexico. This particular specimen has amazing colors. Borite is a copper ore.

Bonnie hinted quietly when she spotted a really great piece of Mexican Peacock Ore, so I bought that also.

Man I hate the thought of snow, but we are also eager to get home.

Deer!

Deer on Onyx

I acquired some outstanding black Onyx Cabochons today with etchings of a pair of deer in the face. The first pendant came off the workbench today. How do you like it?

I think it well represents where we live in NW lower Michigan and we often see similar scenes out our windows.

The cab is a 30X40 and is wrapped in Argentium and 14/20GF.

Azurite-Malachite. My latest “Pièce de résistance”

Pendants are my specialty–I have made over a thousand and lost count along the way. I can make a good quality pendant in an hour or two if I am not interrupted. When I am doing a demo of wire wrapping, customers often ask “How long does it take you to make a pendant?”. I try to field this type of question with care. Is someone fishing to see how fast they can make a pendant? Or are they just showing real interest?

Generally these curious people never think of the time I have in finding the stone, cutting and polishing it, and then finishing up the piece of jewelry. This is a question that cannot easily be answered and I usually explain this to a customer. What used to take me four hours, might take one hour now that I am more proficient both in skills and tools.

When I get down to the actual wire wrapping I can get it done in a very proficient manner.

What, you may ask, can Don make in 8-10 hours? I’ve been sitting on a project that I just have not had the time to do. Fortunately and unfortunately I have been laid up recovering from a knee replacement. This has given me the opportunity to tackle these challenging projects.

A great stone is always the start for my jewelry. I bought the finest matched pieces of Azurite-Malachite I’ve ever seen at the Tucson Gem Shows last February. I could envision the finished pendant the minute I saw the stones.

After my successful operation I decided to jump in and challenge myself.

I first laid out the pendant. I would make this as four separate components. Any time I do a multi-stone pendant, it requires a lot of thinking ahead, about how the various parts will mesh together, as well as what stones to use.

The dark blue azurite perfectly matches the coloration of London Blue Topaz, and the pendant needed something at the bottom to “anchor” the design. I decided on a 16X12 mm, 12 ct gemstone. Pinks and shades of lighter blue also fit into the color palette. I decided to run a strip of 5mm facetted stones down the center between the two mirror Azurite-Malachite cabs. After some experimentation I decided on Pink Tourmaline, Apatite, and London Blue for the 2.5 caret facetted stones. I roughly laid out all the components.

Pendant components laid out

Now the real work began. I had to think on how to to best combine all the components, so I had to slow down and really decide how things should go together.

The pendant progresses.

Now let’s push on the the finish while fighting the tiredness the pain medication is causing. I just love a challenge. Fortunately the plan came together. The finished pendant is named “Lasting Romance”. I think that just about sums up one of the most beautiful pendants I’ve ever created.

Lasting Romance--the finished pendant.

WOW!