Archive for the 'Gemstones-Crystals' Category
peridot, green pearls, vintage chartreuse Czech glass, pale green button pearl and matte gold 16" neckpiece by jewelry artist, Susan Green
Accent your wardrobe with the sparkling citrus shade of a peridot art jewelry. The vivid green of peridot, with just a slight hint of gold, is the ideal gemstone color to go with that light summer wardrobe. No wonder since peridot is the gemstone of the summer month of August.
Interesting Facts about Peridot
Peridot jewelry can be traced right back to the Bible where it’s mentioned by its original name – Chrysolite – and was one of the stones worn by Aaron in his breastplate. Some Biblical references also mention it as Pitdah. Referred to as the Gem of the Sun by Egyptians who mined it by moonlight, Peridot jewelry enjoyed great popularity with King Solomon and Cleopatra (who named it “evening emerald”), as well as the ancient Incas and Aztecs adorned themselves with Peridot rings, Peridot men’s rings, Peridot earrings and Peridot pendants to reap the many physical, mystical and psychological benefits of this gemstone.
• “Healer’s Stone”
• Brings understanding of destiny and purpose
• Associated with the Heart Chakra
• Clears the path to the heart and heals damaged egos
• Fosters emotional balance and helps us heal from past emotional wounds
• Releases negative vibrations and promotes clarity and well being
• Adds intelligence to your romantic situations
Visit art jewelry at Gallery Five.
Gallery Five Jewelry Show is from February 1-28 featuring Shellie David, jewelry artist.
Artist Statement: “I make jewelry with my hands, constantly changing my materials and techniques to accommodate new concepts. With my heart, my aim is to make beautiful things that will uplift the spirit of those who both see it and wear my work.”
“My goal is to create three-dimensional images that look alive — if a completed piece looks as if it will get up and walk away — that to me is ART! I begin with fabulous gems and minerals that I’m drawn to and choose for their earthy quality. I then add gold, silver and texture. I carve in wax, repousse, hammer in wood, and use rolled print metal. My work is always evolving. As a result, my display cases reflect the different moods and styles I’ve developed. I hope you enjoy looking at and wearing my “little sculptures.”
Browse more sterling silver jewelry, art to wear! currently featured at Gallery Five.
2010 Greetings from Florida .... Paula and Paul Coben
Gallery Five’s January Shows feature
three distinctive Trunk Shows and artisan jewelry
from the work of two very distinctive jewelry artists.
JEWELRY SHOW
January 26-30
Leni Hoch
January 2-30
Julie Shaw
Penelope Weinstein
TRUNK SHOWS
January 12-16
Mina Norton
January 19-23
Elizabeth Garver
Gallery Five is in its 28th season, featuring wearable art and five types of fine crafts by American Artists: ceramics, glass, fiber, metal and wood.
Julie Shaw has been designing and crafting exquisite jewelry for over thirty years. Using sterling silver accented with 14k, 18k and 22k gold, her creations are then magically transformed by a patina that enhances unique agates, jaspers, opals and other precious stones.
Inspiration for Julie’s original designs comes from many sources, including her spiritual connection to nature and travels to ancient and sacred places around the world.
This tantalizing jewelry may be found at galleries and fine stores nationwide.
Bring the beauty and power of this truly wearable art into your life.
See Julie Shaw’s new artisan rings now showing at Gallery Five.
variscite stone
layers of enamel
turquoise stone
This pin and pendant combo showcases an aquamarine gemstone with 22k gold on sterling silver.
Aquamarine is said to bring pure love, peace and relaxes the solar plexus.
Shellie David Statement
I call myself a jewelry artist. I make jewelry with my hands, constantly changing my materials and techniques to accommodate new concepts. With my heart, my aim is to make beautiful things that will uplift the spirit of those who both see it and wear my work. My goal is to create three-dimensional images that look alive — if a completed piece looks as if it will get up and walk away — that to me is ART!
I am essentially self-taught. I begin with fabulous gems and minerals that I’m drawn to and choose for their earthy quality. I then add gold, silver and texture. I carve in wax, repousse, hammer in wood, and use rolled print metal. My work is always evolving; both in materials and images. As a result, my display cases reflect the different moods and styles I’ve developed. I hope you enjoy looking at and wearing my “little sculptures.”
sterling silver pin pendant with blue topaz by Shellie David
The name topaz is believed to have been derived from the sanskrit word ‘tapas,’ meaning fire. It was the mystic fire topaz that was considered to have many healing properties.
Handcrafted mystic topaz rings, topaz necklaces, topaz pins, mystic topaz bracelets and topaz beads were worn to benefit from the positive aspects that the stone transferred on to the wearer. A gift of this gemstone is said to symbolize friendship and to strengthen one’s capacity to give and receive love. Topaz is said to induce cheerful qualities, which include making its owner lighthearted and hopeful.
Topaz is known as a stone of true love and success in all endeavors, promotes individuality and creativity while providing confidence in trusting decisions. It replaces negativity with love and joy. Topaz brings trust in the Universe, brings generosity, abundance and good health. Topaz promotes openness, honesty and self control. Topaz aids in problem solving and stabilizes the emotions. Topaz recharges spirituality and physically strengthens faith. - Bonnie McMillan of New Age Concepts
This beautiful gemstone owes its popularity in the middle ages to the myths attached to it. The mystic topaz was believed to strengthen the mind and prevent sudden death of the wearer.
The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. The Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.
Because of its rarity, topaz is an expensive gem. The most valued and rarest color is red. Imperial topaz — sherry colored varieties of brownish-yellow, orangish yellow and reddish brown — are the most popular topaz stones and command high prices, as do pink colored stones. Light blue and pale yellow topaz are of less value, but are nevertheless stunning in beauty.
Some people think opals are bad luck … however, I deem otherwise. And given to me as a gift makes it even more special. New Suzanne St. Claire opal rings with brilliant Australian opals at Gallery Five.
The Early Years – the “Good Luck” Opal
In fact, in Roman times, the gem was carried as a good luck charm of talisman, as it was believed that the gem, like the rainbow, brought its owner good fortune. To the Romans, it was considered to be a token of hope and purity. It was also referred to as the “Cupid Stone” because it suggested the clear complexion of the god of love. The early Greeks believed the opal bestowed powers of foresight and prophecy upon its owner, while in Arabian folklore, it is said that the stone fell from heaven in flashes of lightning. The Oriental traditions referred to them as “the anchor of hope.”
Special Powers
Early races credited opal with magical qualities and traditionally, opal was said to aid its wearer in seeing limitless possibilities. It was believed to clarify by amplifying and mirroring feelings, buried emotions and desires. It was also thought to lessen inhibitions and promote spontaneity.
In the 7th Century it was believed that opals possessed magical properties, and centuries later Shakespeare was attributed with the description of opal as “that miracle and queen of gems.” Eastern peoples also dealt very heavily in this precious stone, which was believed to bring luck and to enhance psychic abilities.
Spiritual and Healing Properties of Opals
There are many different color variations of opals. Clear, white or water opals have been used as gazing tools as a way to look inward, a spiritual mirror. Opals are also helpful for enhancing dreamwork or assisting spiritual journeys. Blue opals can help open up the third eye, sooth the throat chakra, and encourage telepathic communications.
Fire opals (ranging from orange to red) can be used to stimulate change, manifest your ideas. They have also been associated with improving circulation. Green opals help give an energy boost. Pink opals address emotional issues, offering nourishment and support to the heart chakra.
Birthstone Properties: Brings physical and emotional balance.
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gemstone given for anniversaries of the 5th and 45th years of marriage. Taken from the Greek word for blue, “sapphirus,” sapphires have a time-honored tradition with priests (who considered them symbolic of purity) and kings (who considered them symbolic of wisdom.)
To Your Health
So strong was the power of a sapphire, it was alleged that a venomous snake put in a vessel made of sapphire would quickly die. Sapphires, therefore, earned the reputation as an excellent all-purpose medicine and were ingested as an antidote to poison. Additionally, sapphires were ground into powders as a remedy for everything from colic to rheumatism and mental illness.
Sapphires were also believed to be able to stop bleeding and cure disorders of the eye.
The Eyes Have It
Egyptians associated the clear sapphire with the eye of Horas — the all-seeing, all-knowing “eye in the sky” — while the gemstone was used by the Greeks to tap into the subconscious mind by stimulating the opening of the “third eye.”
A Mirror of the Soul
Husbands and wives in ancient times frequently exchanged gifts of sapphires. Although the fact that sapphires represent sincerity and faithfulness was undoubtedly the primary reason it was a popular marriage gift, another motive may have been at work; it was believed that a sapphire would not shine if worn by someone who was wicked or impure.
Sapphires were considered to be so powerful they continued to protect the original owner even after being sold.
Say it With Sapphires
Clear sapphires, like diamonds, are the guardians of love. When exchanged with a loved one, sapphires enhance feelings for one another and attunes the two psyches. Sapphires have the power to banish envy and jealousy, and are said to promote chastity in virgins and fidelity in marriage.
Sapphire jewelry at Gallery Five, the one and only item, our Susan Green sapphire necklace.
Sapphires, like rubies, are a variety of corundum. The sapphire’s color spectrum includes pink and lavender varieties, a rare orange hue, and, of course, the velvety blue sapphire that earned the gemstone its name.
Because of the way in which corundum crystals are formed, large sapphires are rare…and valuable. The priceless 563-carat Star of India, on display at New York City’s Museum of Natural History, is the largest and most famous of “star sapphires” (sapphires that are cut to reflect light from inclusions within the stone to reveal a bright six-legged star pattern).
Gallery Five has a new collection of a colorful, versatile handmade earrings from Keith Lewis, jewelry artist.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my work I explore the line between accident and control, manipulating the inherent qualities of natural materials. I am currently using amber Mica which I layer with 23K goldleaf and inset with natural pearls and precious stones. I contrast this formal construction with serendipitous surface treatment such as my version of a very old Japanese patina; I heat copper to bright red, expose it to wood particles, and then plunge it into boiling water which creates an organic and unpredictable “Raku” effect. As I create and explore at my jeweler’s bench, I strive to capture not only the beauty of the natural materials themselves, but the surprises that arise from working with them.
The design concept at the heart of nearly all my designs is a simple shape in a moveable (kinetic) format. Nearly every finding is handmade to enhance this movement; an earwire allows a shape to rotate, a connector will swivel, a loop will act as a hinge. The handmade earwires allowed me to develop my signature earring, which is designed to fasten closed.
peridot earring by Julie Shaw
Today birthstone for August, peridot, was also a favorite of the ancients. This lovely transparent yellowish green to deep chartreuse stone was quite a powerful gem. It was considered an aid to friendship and was also believed to free the mind of envious thoughts. Because of the yellowish green color, it was also believed to cure or prevent diseases of the liver and dropsy. And, if that were not enough, if peridot was worn on the left arm it would protect the wearer from the evil eye. It is also popular today, but probably more for its depth of green color than its professed powers. While not particularly brilliant, the richness of its color is exceptional. Peridot comes in shades of yellowish green to darker, purer green colors. Peridot is widely available in small sizes but larger sizes are becoming scarce, so prices for larger sizes are now fairly high for good quality material. Some caution should also be exercised when wearing peridot. It is not a very hard stone and may scratch easily. Some stones may look like peridot-green sapphire and green tourmaline-and may be mistaken for peridot or be misrepresented.
excerpted from Jewelry & Gems, The Buying Guide, Antoinette L. Matlins & A.C. Bonanno 1984