Category Archives: Wire-wrapped gemstones

Bumblebee Jasper-So cool it looks phony!

Like a utopian landscape, this Butterfly is surreal.

Like a utopian landscape, this Bumblebee pattern is surreal.

I first saw Bumblebee Jasper (?) two or three years ago at the Tucson Gem Shows. I should have bought some at that time, but I really thought it was phony like Rainbow Casilica that the Mexicans claimed was a real find. They even went to the trouble of “dummying” a mine up to appear like a seam of the Casilica was a natural occurance.

Amazing cabochons ready for jewelry.

Amazing cabochons ready for jewelry.

Bumblebee Jasper has amazing yellows, oranges and blacks and if any rock looked artificial this one does. Unbelievably, this stuff is REAL. It’s from hydrothermal vents on Mount Papansayan on West Java, Indonesia. The yellow and orange coloration is caused by Sulfur that is then opalized and silicated. Other trace elements are also present, producing a striking range of colors and pattern with the yellow and orange stones highlighted with black, gray, tan and crystal.

Fall colors enhance Butterfly Jasper.

Fall colors enhance Bumblebee Jasper.

Although claims are made that this material is Jasper, it is much softer than most Jaspers I have cut, and is closer to Onyx in hardness. The banding also resembles Onyx. Onyx is a form of Chalcedony as is Agate and Jasper, but is generally softer. Agates allow light through them, and Jasper and Onyx are generally opaque. Sometimes Jasper and Onyx are combined with Agate to create combination Silicates. Bumblebee seems to be one of those combination gemstones. I sense variable hardnesses within the Bumblebee, making it somewhat prone to undercutting.

Only a small amount of Bumblebee Jasper is produced from the source each year, and most of it is snapped up for the Chinese bead trade. We saw Bumblebee beads in Tucson, but they were expensive. I saw some rough, but the quality of it was very Iffy.

The nature of Bumblebee is to have varied hardnesses and also have many holes and flaws. I found it best to bite the bullet and buy quality, finished cabs. They were very expensive, but had no issues as seen in the rough.

I made a few Bumblebee pendants that I am sharing in this blog and post up on the website. There is no other natural stone that is even close to the patterns and coloration of Bumblebee Jasper, but if you want one, I would get it now. The quantity is very limited.

Snow and Snow Scenes

This month’s blog has been delayed slightly for the following reasons:
1. I wanted to tell you about some of the jewelry I have been making out of the stones I obtained in Tucson and I needed some time to get something made.
2. 15″ of wet snow fell over the weekend and I needed to clean up that mess and that weather delayed making jewelry and taking pictures.

Have no fear jewelry fans. I know some of you look forward to read whatever the little voices tell me to write here.

One of these Snow Scene Agates looked like a snow scene at night while the other stone looked like a snow scene during the day.

One of these Snow Scene Agates looked like a snow scene at night while the other stone looked like a snow scene during the day.

This past few days found me busy in the shop, as well as in my studio (I couldn’t go anywhere anyway due to all the snow). Two lovely, facetted, Snow Scene Agate cabochons called out to me to wrap them. A product of Peru, they sport amazing snow scenes in contrasting blacks and grays. What is nice about this agate is they can be worn with just about anything, fancy or casual. You don’t have to live in a snow belt like we do to love these black and white beauties.

A classic "Candy Striper" Lake Superior Agate.

A classic "Candy Striper" Lake Superior Agate.

I cut and wrapped one of the many Lake Superior Agates I acquired. If this does not sell on line I will take it to the upcoming Celebration of Agates show in Minnetonka, Minnesota. If you like stones, this show should be on your Bucket List.

Lavender Lace Agate (Bonnie's favorite agate).

Lavender Lace Agate (Bonnie's favorite agate).

The fourth pendant is Bonnie’s favorite, the Lavender Lace Agate from Mexico.

Lastly, a remarkable Royal Imperial Jasper found its way to my workbench. I found the pattern on this piece irresistible. This is one of those stones that talked to me. It wanted me to add a colorful Twilight Mist Topaz enhancer. I never argue with what the stone wants. It doesn’t pay to argue with a rock anyway (You’ve heard of “as dumb as a rock”).

Royal Imperial Jasper from 50 miles north of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Royal Imperial Jasper from 50 miles north of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Blue Lace Agate for "Yooperland Pendants".

Blue Lace Agate for "Yooperland Pendants".

I also am working on Blue Lace Agates, and Greenstones for my new “Yooperland” Pendants, as well as catching up on producing more pieces of Isle Royale Greenstone (Michigan’s State Gemstone). More on these in the future, after I slog my way through the snow back to my shop!