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Author: Jewel Envy
December Birthstone Jewellery
December is just around the corner! Birthstones for December include turquoise, tanzanite, blue topaz, and zircon. Take a look at some of the beautiful jewellery made by our resident goldsmiths featuring blue topaz and turquoise!
Necklace featuring blue topaz by Aurora Simmons (Handmade Revolution)
Necklace with blue topaz and 14K gold by Aurora Simmons (Handmade Revolution)
Bangle featuring blue topaz by Robin Cassady-Cain (House of Cassady)
Carved turquoise ring with pink tourmaline by Alexis Kostuk (Glaciale Goldsmith)
Ring with turquoise and green tourmalines by Alexis Kostuk (Glaciale Goldsmith)
WIRE WEAVING
The first ever recorded history of wire weaving was in ancient Egypt. It was used to create gold and silver jewellery. Not only did the ancient Egyptians use it but so did the Vikings.
The Vikings used gold and silver to weave ropes worn by their important leaders. This process was called the viking knit.
It was also used for body armour like chainmail.
I bring up weaving because it is still done to this day.
This was created by Edna and also weaved. However, soldering was also used for many many parts. Then she added the pearls as an embellishment. I think it’s gorgeous. What do you think?
Pink and Blue Era
We are feeling hot pink and electric blue at the Big Blue House today.
This colour combination is a popular one in the studio.
The gems available in these tones are spectacular, and we love the contrast.
To engage, celebrate, or flash out, there are many style choices.
Paired or mismatched, a beautiful duo is a beautiful duo.
Check out the new additions to our online store, or drop by Tues-Sun to try something on.
We Are Still Loving Spooky Jewellery Even After Halloween!
Even post Halloween we still love looking at spooky Jewellery! Check out these spooky inspiration earrings.
Gemstone Basics
Which stones are good for a particular type of jewellery? What settings are best?
Some stones are perfect for any setting and type of jewellery, while others will have a longer wearable life if you plan their use a little more strategically. Below are some common stones and the best ways to use them in jewellery. These suggestions assume an average quality stone.
The following stones are suitable for any setting and any type of jewellery;
- Diamonds
- Sapphires
- Rubies
- Garnets
- Citrine
- Topaz
Emeralds – Very fragile. Best suited to bezel settings in earrings and necklaces where they will be protected
Tourmalines – can be fragile due to many natural inclusions, best with a bezel setting to protect the stones
Aquamarine – good hardness but surface loses surface luster quickly, better for jewellery not on the hands
Pearls – Soft. Used in earrings, beads in necklaces, on pendants and in some circumstances pins. Avoid use in everyday rings
The following stones are all fragile so when used they should be in a protected setting. Often glueing into a setting is advisable. Avoid use in rings;
- Opals
- Coral
Reference:
Batcher, Gillian E. (2013) 20 Tips on maintaining our Jewellery. Toronto. Blurb Inc.
New items added to our online shop
Have you checked out the newest additions to our online shop?!
We want to make shopping easier from the comfort of your home, so online is a great place to start your shopping.
Every pic below has a link to our online shop <3
To knot or not to knot.
To knot or not to knot, which gems need a knot for protection?
Knots between beads are often used as a decorative element but they also serve a function within some pieces of jewellery, creating a protective barrier between beads so that they are not damaged by rubbing against each other during normal wear.
Pearls benefit from knots between each bead but this is only necessary in higher quality pearl pieces.
Rice and seed pearls rarely have knots between each bead as they are inexpensive and worn more as fashion pieces than as fine jewellery pieces, although there are higher end pearls from these families that you would want to protect.
Other soft stones that benefit from knotting between beads include turquoise, amber, jet and coral, but there are many more.
’20 Tips on maintaining our Jewellery’, Gillian E. Batcher, 2013
Tourmalines!
These beautiful tourmaline rings are handmade by Hyewon Jang, one of the goldsmiths at Jewel Envy.
Tourmaline is the October birthstone!
In the 1700s, Dutch traders called stones they could not identify as “turamali.” There were quite a few because tourmalines come in so many different colours.
Quartz Jewellery and Gemstones
Learn about different types of quartz!
https://www.gemsociety.org/article/quartz-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/
