Saturday, May 16, 2009

Smooth Silky Rich Pietersite

Known in the Pagan community as Tempeststone, Pietersite is a soft, smooth, silky beautiful gemstone and one of my all time favorites. The stone is named for its discoverer, Sid Pieterse, who first discovered it in 1962 while prospecting farmland in Namibia, Africa. He registered the find in the mineral records of Britain and the discovery was later published in 1964, when it was named Pietersite.

There are only two known locations for pietersite, China and Africa; the Chinese pietersite’s fibrous mineral is often called ‘Golden Eagles Eye’ ranging in colors from rich deep red, blackish blue and most noted gold, almost resembling Tigers Eye. The African Pietersite is most rare because of the blue tones, deep midnight navy, and baby blue, with a hint of cream and reddish hues. All the brilliant color variations give it a subtle, yet strikingly richness, like fine silk.

Pietersite gemstones crystallize in the form of masses; the structure is a result of inclusion in Jasper. The Pietersite stones mineral exhibits an energetic quality like the quartz. The gemstone beads have been said to contain the ‘keys o the kingdom of heaven’, dispelling illusion and assisting one in the recognition of the beauty of the soul.

Wearing or working with the gemstone brings with it a particular calm and joyous peacefulness, helping to dissolve confusion and fear about what lies ahead in life. It will help a person relax and release limits placed on the person’s creativity and allow them to recognize their divine potential.

Most common cuts are in cabochons; this is because a tall, round cut is required to maximize the chatoyancy effect most brilliantly. If the cut is but a little off, the stone will end up lifeless, with little or no chatoyance or no play of color.

If you are lucky enough to own a piece of Pietersite jewelry, clean it with a simple polishing cloth; do not clean with household chemicals and keep it from prolonged exposure to extreme heat and temperatures.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Review: Wire Jewelry Books

In my small arsenal of wire jewelry and beading books I have several that I feel are very good; especially to get started, giving the basics, techniques and then moving into more intermediate to advanced level projects.

Getting Started Series: Making Wire Jewelry & More
Is an excellent book on the basics and getting started working with wire; great details in starting with tools, wire, shopping for supplies and foundational wire working techniques.




All Wired Up
One of my favorite wire wrapping and project books is this one; I draw inspiration from this book and enjoy the opening techniques and basis which leads into more intermediate, advanced and funky techniques of wire working.

Bead On a Wire
Another of my favorite wire working and beading books is this one. The author while using traditional methods of wire working, often plays ‘outside the box’ and expands upon different techniques of wire working.


These and many other books on beading, wire working, projects and metalsmithing can be found at the local bookstores (or your local beading – hobby stores)!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Inexpensive Gifts

Great inexpensive gifts for graduation! Visit our website to see the selection of wire wrapped gemstone pendants, unique and exotic gemstone necklaces and dichroic and Swarovski Crystal bracelets. Look for deeply discounted items marked with ‘Sale’.

Turquoise Navy Agate FW Pearls Set


Deep shades of Red Coral

Wild Horse Magnesite Crystals Set

Chysocolla Sandy Opal Crystals Silver Links Set

Monday, May 11, 2009

Wire Wrapped Gemstone Pendants

A twist between traditional and free form wire wrapping. These three gemstone pendants in Rhodonite, Turquoise, and Pink Peruvian Opal are handcrafted with non-tarnish artistic wire, in all one continuous piece. Gemstone pendants can be removed from the cords and worn on other chains, omegas, ribbons or cords.


Opal: Creativity, spontaneity, relationships, memory, happy dreams and changes






Rhodonite: Peace, generosity, attention to details.





Turquoise: Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.




For these and other gemstone pendant styles check our website; they make great inexpensive graduation or 'just because' gifts!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Smooth Silky Rich Pietersite

Known in the Pagan community as Tempeststone, Pietersite is a soft, smooth, silky beautiful gemstone and one of my all time favorites. The stone is named for its discoverer, Sid Pieterse, who first discovered it in 1962 while prospecting farmland in Namibia, Africa. He registered the find in the mineral records of Britain and the discovery was later published in 1964, when it was named Pietersite.

There are only two known locations for pietersite, China and Africa; the Chinese pietersite’s fibrous mineral is often called ‘Golden Eagles Eye’ ranging in colors from rich deep red, blackish blue and most noted gold, almost resembling Tigers Eye. The African Pietersite is most rare because of the blue tones, deep midnight navy, and baby blue, with a hint of cream and reddish hues. All the brilliant color variations give it a subtle, yet strikingly richness, like fine silk.

Pietersite gemstones crystallize in the form of masses; the structure is a result of inclusion in Jasper. The Pietersite stones mineral exhibits an energetic quality like the quartz. The gemstone beads have been said to contain the ‘keys o the kingdom of heaven’, dispelling illusion and assisting one in the recognition of the beauty of the soul.

Wearing or working with the gemstone brings with it a particular calm and joyous peacefulness, helping to dissolve confusion and fear about what lies ahead in life. It will help a person relax and release limits placed on the person’s creativity and allow them to recognize their divine potential.

Most common cuts are in cabochons; this is because a tall, round cut is required to maximize the chatoyancy effect most brilliantly. If the cut is but a little off, the stone will end up lifeless, with little or no chatoyance or no play of color.

If you are lucky enough to own a piece of Pietersite jewelry, clean it with a simple polishing cloth; do not clean with household chemicals and keep it from prolonged exposure to extreme heat and temperatures.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Review: Wire Jewelry Books

In my small arsenal of wire jewelry and beading books I have several that I feel are very good; especially to get started, giving the basics, techniques and then moving into more intermediate to advanced level projects.

Getting Started Series: Making Wire Jewelry & More
Is an excellent book on the basics and getting started working with wire; great details in starting with tools, wire, shopping for supplies and foundational wire working techniques.




All Wired Up
One of my favorite wire wrapping and project books is this one; I draw inspiration from this book and enjoy the opening techniques and basis which leads into more intermediate, advanced and funky techniques of wire working.

Bead On a Wire
Another of my favorite wire working and beading books is this one. The author while using traditional methods of wire working, often plays ‘outside the box’ and expands upon different techniques of wire working.


These and many other books on beading, wire working, projects and metalsmithing can be found at the local bookstores (or your local beading – hobby stores)!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Inexpensive Gifts

Great inexpensive gifts for graduation! Visit our website to see the selection of wire wrapped gemstone pendants, unique and exotic gemstone necklaces and dichroic and Swarovski Crystal bracelets. Look for deeply discounted items marked with ‘Sale’.

Turquoise Navy Agate FW Pearls Set


Deep shades of Red Coral

Wild Horse Magnesite Crystals Set

Chysocolla Sandy Opal Crystals Silver Links Set

Monday, May 11, 2009

Wire Wrapped Gemstone Pendants

A twist between traditional and free form wire wrapping. These three gemstone pendants in Rhodonite, Turquoise, and Pink Peruvian Opal are handcrafted with non-tarnish artistic wire, in all one continuous piece. Gemstone pendants can be removed from the cords and worn on other chains, omegas, ribbons or cords.


Opal: Creativity, spontaneity, relationships, memory, happy dreams and changes






Rhodonite: Peace, generosity, attention to details.





Turquoise: Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.




For these and other gemstone pendant styles check our website; they make great inexpensive graduation or 'just because' gifts!