Valentine’s Day is coming soon! As a result, I have created several new Gemstone Heart Pendants, and I also will show you a few hearts in our inventory.
I would not count on the USPS to deliver any of these at the last minute, nor would I count on any of these hearts to still be available; so order quickly.
Can you guess why I called this pendant “Sleeping Bear”
North Shore Thomsonite
Now that the Tucson shows are done, the jewelry creation process is moving forward. Over the past week I’ve made several pieces of jewelry, especially Michigan stones, from Lake Superior Agates, Datolites, Dark-eyed Thomsonite, and a really special and amazing Laker pendant.
Yellow Snow-don’t eat it. I did not enhance the color in this at all.
Sugar and stripes.
This is why Lake Superior Agates are my favorite gemstones. This one is “Stripes in Stripes”
I love these. I called this “The Red Continent”.
I have had this particular Laker slab that shows the classic Laker reds, but also Citrine. When you find the reds and the yellows together it is surprising and fantastic!
Even I was amazed. This one is called “Lady Luck”, a unisex piece of jewelry. I test wore it and won a fifty-fifty drawing. Do you need some luck?
A really odd Waterlevel Laker with a lot going on. It is not named yet.
Other Lakers I made into pendants are so very unusual with the banded Laker floating in Sugar Quartz or with the more common sugar Quartz surrounded by the colorful laker.
Peachy-pink Mesnard Datolite.
A Yellow Quincy-Outstanding!
Colorful Datolite is always a winner, and a gorgeous Peach from Mesnard, and a Quincy Yellow are new pieces. Really nice colored Datolite is getting very hard to find. The old piles are held by private interests (not allowing hunting for liability reasons), or crushed and hauled for road fill. Any colorful Datolite demands premium prices. I’ve been advising people to buy Datolite Jewelry now, if they like it. Old stocks of Datolite are being used up.
Greenstone-Central Ex pile (when there was a pile)
Just for variety I did a North Shore Thomsonite, which is another beautiful stone from the Lake Superior Region, especially Minnesota and the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Amongst all these Michigan gemstones, why did I feature a western Owyhee Picture Jasper? Well, when we saw it at a show, it looked so much like a picture of a Michigan lakeshore. If you have ever visited Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, you will recognize the resemblance to this beautiful Owyhee Picture Jasper. Welcome to my creative world!
Apologies for the logo over the picture, but this is the type of picture that if I did not do this, it would be stolen and posted in unauthorized web locations.
I have been putting some time in recent weeks wading through a stash of Thomsonite from the North Shore. I purchased a collection from an estate that was collected back in the mid-60’s in the old diggings near Grand Marais, Minnesota. This was all gem grade material, much of it the most coveted dark eyed variety, as well as lovely pieces of Pastel Thomsonite.
Thomsonite belongs to a group of minerals called Zeolites. This group of Minerals contains the popular gemstone, Tanzanite. The biggest use for Zeolites is in laundry detergents, but these Alumino-Silicates have 40 natural occurring frameworks and many more synthetic frameworks. These varied frameworks allow Zeolites to have many uses and applications. The Thomsonite Framework is of interest to Lapidary types and jewelry makers, for it includes the beautiful chatoyant Gemstone everyone seems to love.
This dark Thomsonite is so unusual. It resembles an agate, but the material is not Silica. Indicating a mixture of Zeolites, and possibly other things.
Thomsonites (and other Zeolites) often mix together, forming striking and unusual patterns and colors. The Thomsonites from the North Shore of Lake Superior and the Thomsonites from the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, seem to often co-mingle with other Thomsonites and minerals. It is possible to see Copper, Natrolite, Mesolite, Calcite, and many other mixes in Thomsonite.
Sometimes Prehnite resembles Thomsonite or Ocean Jasper. This is why you have to know where you found it.
A form of Zeolite known as Mesolite, and closely related to natrolite (another Zeolite) often has a “feathery” appearance; hence, I call this “feathery Thomsonite”. Because I am not that picky on exact material a Zeolite has in it, I still, in my jewelry, say these are Thomsonites, even though they may be another Zeolite (or mixture thereof). Most of my jewelry buyers could care less about the exact make-up of a Thomsonite-like Zeolite. Some people prefer feathers over eyes in their Zeolites! Sort of like some prefer dark Turkey over White Meat.
I do not find fault in my friends that say something may be more Mesolite than Thomsonite, but I just call any eyed or feathery Zeolite, Thomsonite. If customers are interested in the details, or what exactly I think is in a Thomsonite, I can expound on that for them.
This could really fool someone into believing this is Thomsonite, when it is actually Prehnite (AKA U.P. Thomsonite)
Proof that beauty comes in a small package. What a great Thomsonite.
The pattern, variety, coloration, and inclusions are vast in Thomsonite. It’s common to hear people comment on the unusual nature of the Thomsonites we set into our pendants. Often, customers are surprised at the prices quality Thomsonite demands. The reality with Thomsonite is the same with many other gemstones. The highest quality demands higher prices. Thomsonite lovers understand this reality.
If Thomsonite “pollutes’ Isle Royale Greenstone, it increases the value of the Greenstone. Everyone seems to want one of these amazing mixes that often look like pink flowers among green foliage.
Some minerals and rocks resemble, and are therefore sometimes mistaken for Thomsonites. One common “fooler” mineral is Prehnite. Prehnite is sometimes found in the same vicinity as Thomsonite making identification more confusing. Just because a stone has “eyes” is no guarantee you have a Thomsonite.
Feathery, variegated, eyed Prehnite was originally thought to be Thomsonite until it was tested by Michigan Tech and found to be Prehnite. Locals often refer to Prehnite as “U.P. Thomsonite“.
Copper sometimes appears in Thomsonite. This is a beautiful pastel Thomsonite with Copper Inclusions
Thomsonite is not closely associated with Copper, but Prehnite is. Much of the Prehnite found in the Keweenaw has Copper inclusions in it, and indeed pink Prehnite’s coloration is caused by microscopic copper particles. Prehnite saturated with micro copper is commonly referred to as Patricianite.
To finish this blog I’m going to tell you a recent Thomsonite Story. Many of you know my retail outlet for Snob Appeal Jewelry, in the Upper Peninsula, is Copper World in Calumet. I am proud to have CW represent my jewelry. Tony and Tim Bausano are experts in the rocks, minerals, and gemstones of the Great Lakes, and represent and present my jewelry very well. Plus, they are fun!
Many Copper World customers, and in particular, one lovely, bubbly, lady from Lima, Peru, love my jewelry. She came into Copper World on her weekly visit and spotted a beautiful dark-eyed Thomsonite, but had to check with her husband (who teaches at Michigan Tech) before investing in this nice piece. Unfortunately, when she returned a couple days later, her choice selection had been sold. She was so disappointed, but heard that I would be up doing in-store demos the next weekend. This gave her great hope of finding a suitable replacement.
I was doing in-store demonstrations on a Saturday and Sunday, and had already been alerted by Tim of the Thomsonite tale. She entered the store Saturday on a refreshing breeze; so happy and full of life. After careful consideration, a gorgeous, new dark-eyed Thomsonite cabochon was chosen.
We talked about her vision for the piece, and metal choices were made. She seemed surprised and delighted when I told her I knew exactly what she was looking for. I guaranteed she would like her new pendant, or I would make her another one. I just felt I needed to match her bubbly outlook, but also design an elegant, yet simple piece of jewelry that matched her joyful personality and obviously discriminating tastes.
Here’s the Pendant that got me some hugs.
I got to work on her pendant, and had it done by closing on Saturday. Sunday she bubbled in, and when I showed her the pendant, she was so delighted, I got a big hug. She danced around the store in a state of pure ecstasy. She gave me another me another hug; gave Tim a hug, gave me a hug, and I really expected her to run outside and start hugging random people on the sidewalk. I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone so eternally blissful.
She spoke with a fairly pronounced accent, and I could not understand everything she was saying while in this state of glee, but it was obvious she was in another plane of enjoyment. Customers generally appreciate my Pendants, but this was at another level entirely. She really made my day, and many other people in the store were also smiling. I ask Tim if she was always like this, and he replied that, yes, this was her normal state. “Sometimes she’s even worse”, he said, smiling. I can’t even imagine her being more hyped.
When she left on the same, fresh breeze she came in on, I walked across the street to a coffee shop. I needed coffee after this encounter; even though any amount of caffeine would not put me in a mood even approaching what I had just witnessed. Guess what? She was in the coffee shop showing everyone her new pendant and just gushing about how delighted she was. “Oh”, she said, smiling “here’s the artist”, as she saw me smiling and standing in line behind her. The owner came over later and bought a Turquoise pendant. Someone, like this vivacious lady will sell more of my jewelry than any amount of advertising I could ever buy.
She already possesses a few pieces of my jewelry, and this piece augmented her collection nicely. I’m sure I Copper World, and I, have long time habitué.
My days of making jewelry are not always as eventful and delightful as this one Saturday was in Calumet, but it’s days like this that convince me I just may be doing something worthwhile in my life!
Thanks for reading my blog. If you like my story, please share with your friends!
Sue, A longtime patron of our jewelry, brought me a Thomsonite brooch that had been in her collection for many years. She wondered if I could convert it to a pendant.
This was, arguably, the finest North Shore Thomsonite I’d ever seen. I thought I could just cut off the clip, wrap it with a prong set, and be done with it. The more I looked at the vintage brooch, the more I thought it demanded a rework by a goldsmith rather than a wire wrap by me. Sure, I could have wrapped it; took her money and ran; but I felt the character of the historic piece deserved a stately simple solution.
Fate showed itself at our next Rock Club meeting, when I won the door prize; a custom made pendant by one of the club’s master silversmith’s Ken Schug. I told Ken that I probably did not need one of his pendants (we laughed together over my win), but told him I had a project for him. He agreed to a pin removal from the brooch. I no longer have the delicate tools needed for this removal. Although I am a trained Silversmith myself, I gave it up for wire wrapping and sold my Silversmith tools years ago.
Let me talk about what I found out about the brooch. First it was 18kt gold and custom made. Unbelievably meticulous effort was used by the master Goldsmith that produced it (probably in the 60’s), used small grey seed pearls, that were prong set and glued surrounding the oval Thomsonite cabochon. Because of the pearls, we could not use a torch for soldering the piece. A Laser for soldering was required, as lasers produce little or no heat.
Rear view.
After Ken removed the pin and associated brackets from the brooch, I went to Korner Gem in Traverse City. Korner Gem is owned by my pal Kevin Gauthier. We refer customers to each other regularly. I traded the gold left over, for a new bail; soldered to the former Brooch Mike (one of the Goldsmiths’ at Korner Gem), soldered a bail on, using his laser. I payed for the time taken, and some laser time, but the price was much less than if I had not had a this trade of gold.
I took the pendant with me the next time I went to the Upper Peninsula, and Sue came and picked it up when I was doing jewelry demonstrations at Copper World in Calumet. She was very pleased.
The pendant turned out fantastic, and you could not tell that this was a conversion. I enjoy the camaraderie of jewelry making networks, rock club buddies, and appreciate skillful work from others. My customer was delighted, and even though I was only the director of this work, I too was very pleased. Because of good fortune, and having skillful friends, I was able to provide Sue with something new from her something old.
You can see Thomsonites that I have wire wrapped by clicking here.
Even though you may see what appears to be a large Thomsonite in its’ Matrix, you can never tell how big it actually is.
Many times people will chat with me at an art show mentioning that Grandpa used to collect and work on rocks and minerals. My response is always; “Where ARE grandpas old rocks?” This leads to the next question; “Have you ever thought of selling them?”. Some of my best stuff, the really rare stuff, has come from grandpas old collections. On the flip side, many heirs think grandpa’s collection is exceedingly valuable, but it is not. They also put additional value on it because it has sentimental value. As a cabochon and jewelry maker, I cannot factor in sentimental value–I can only pay what is fair. Sometimes as part of the deal, sellers are happy to receive a piece of jewelry from something in the collection, giving them a memento from grandpa’s treasures.
Tumbled Thomsontes are carefully sliced to prepare for forming into cabochons.
Back in the 50’s and 60’s rock collecting and the Lapidary Hobby were very popular. This hobby waned in the 70’s, but came back in the early 2000’s with the Treasure-Hunting Programs that became popular on TV. It’s human nature to imagine that you can get rich with very little effort, by finding that rare gemstone treasure that may be worth thousands of dollars. We know this seldom happens, but it sometimes does.
These wonderful North Shore Thomsonites’ are ready for jewelry.
Recently I was contacted by a couple from Minnesota that had inherited Grandpa’s collection. What peaked my interest was the mention of North Shore Thomsonite. I love Thomsonite, especially old stock Thomsonite from a now buried, famous, location near Grand Marais. Without a doubt, the most beautiful gem quality Thomsonite ever discovered came from that site. This Thomsonite Grandpa had came from that location back in the 60’s. They called to see what their Thompsonite might be worth, as they were considering selling it.
One of the most amazing Thomsonites’ I’ve ever seen, and the largest I own. I have not decided whether to cut it or sell it as a specimen. 3″X 2″X 3/4″
After a picture exchange my interest grew, and eventually we met half way in Escanaba. Bonnie and I instantly loved these folks, and I especially loved Grandpa’s Thomsonite. Much of it was beautiful, dark eyed, classic Thomsonite, that is the most coveted type for jewelry. Those that have good Thomsonite know it is special. It was worth the trip and I’ve been thinking about those pieces every minute since I got them!
All the Lake Superior area Thomsonite is subject to being mixed with other Zeolites or other minerals. It is not uncommon to find Thomsonite mixed with Mesolite or Natrolite. Thomsonite often shows up in Isle Royale Greenstone, and is very sought after for jewelry and by collectors. North Shore Thomsonite is famous for having dark eyes caused by Chlorite.
Variegated Prehnite, especially “eyed” Prehnite is many times mistaken for Thomsonite, especially in the Keweenaw. For many years eyed Prehnite was considered Thomsonite, until tests by Michigan Tech proved otherwise.
Colorful and dark-eyed Thomsonites make amazing and valuable jewelry.
Good Thomsonite is still found in the Grand Marais, Minnesota area. Persistency in extracting the Thomsonite from it’s hard basalt matrix is required. You cannot just beat Thomsonite out of a rock. This Zeolite is very brittle, and the lightest tap from a rock hammer can shatter a thousand dollar piece. Thomsonite is sometimes sensitive to the harmonics of a grinding wheel, and will just break apart. Years of cutting this material serves as valuable training to prevent damage while making cabochons, but still there are some pieces that just crumble no matter how careful you are.
Classic pieces of Thomsonite from Grand Marais often contain micro-Copper. Copper is also seen in much of the Thomsonite from the Keweenaw Peninsula also. (it is the Copper District)
I have started to cut this material and have found it exceptionally nice. Snob Appeal Jewelry specializes in jewelry made from rocks and minerals of the Lake Superior area, and Thomsonite is one of those premiere gemstones from that area. You can expect some really wonderful Thomsonite jewelry to start rolling off the workbench in the near future.
Just out or curiosity I was checking the metaphysical properties of Thomsonite. What I read was Thomsonite: “lifts the fog–of the brain and of the situations you are trying to solve. This allows your brain to work at a maximum level and for you to see what is truly going on and how to solve it. Thomsonite helps dissolve laziness”. Why are Bonnie and I not wearing Thomsonite every day? It would obviously solve a lot of problems.
