Jewel Envy classes are back! From newbie intro classes to professional enhancement, make sure you get our newsletter to see what is open.
You can register on our website, and you are welcome to call or drop by during business hours to ask your questions and find the best type of class for you.
I was so excited to recently work on a gemstone cut that I don’t get to see that often – tablet cuts! I also have had an increase of working with gemstones people are purchasing on their own and I get to design around them.
Some of my favourite gemstones come from Brooke’s Customs. This family run business is a wife and husband team that source interesting rough gemstones that they meticulously cut into interesting shapes that are outside of what you would typically find, take a look!
Today is a slower day in the store, but lots of great work is being made in the studio still! Like these fantastic silver hand forged earrings by Jamie Rosario. Each one of these elements is hammered out by hand and then meticulously put together to form these Alexander Calder-esk balancing earrings.
The beautiful garnet is the birthstone for those born in January! Garnets are well known for their deep red hue but they also come in a range of colours, including yellow, orange, green, and purple.
Pictured is a garnet ring by Pash Jewellery Design.
Below are a couple of antique garnet pieces in green and orange!
The name opal is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word upala, which means ‘jewel’, and later the Greek derivative opállios.
There are many types of opals and countries of origin. The most popular being Australian and Ethiopian opals. However, you can find opals from Mexico, Peru, Nevada and Brazil.
In terms of cost, Ethiopian opals are cheaper because they don’t control the market like Australian opals. However, they are just as beautiful.
That said, Ethiopian opals, unlike Australian opals which are sedimentary, are hydrophane. They can absord water and potentially lose their brilliance.