Fossils of Morocco North Africa

Though I never left the comforts of South Texas to shop around the world, specifically Morocco to found these awesome rocks for wire wrapping, supplied of Panther Creek Minerals of San Antonio Texas. These are natural Orthoceras a fossilized squid.

Orthoceras are a famous and very large fossil deposit of animals that can be found in Morocco, North Africa. Ancestors to ammonites, Orthoceras are extinct sea creatures, and depending on what source you refer to, they date from the lower Ordovician to Triassic ages (500 to 190 million years ago). As they died, their shells accumulated in great numbers on the sea floor where they were aligned by currents, buried by sediments, and transformed over the ages preserved in black limestone. Today, this prehistoric sea floor is ironically, found in the dramatic Atlas Mountain Range in southern Morocco at the northern fringe of the Sahara Desert.

The term 'straight' cephalopods is used in this case to describe fossil examples of straight ammonoids called Baculites, straight nautiloids called Orthoceras and Belemnites. Their bodies were predominantly elongate with conical shells. Some of these creatures evolved into semi-coiled forms eventually giving rise to coiled cephalopods like ammonites and nautili. Another branch of straight-shelled cephalopods continued to coexist with the coiled forms on into the Pennsylvanian Period. These straight forms were much less diverse and abundant than the coiled cephalopods, as a whole.

Straight cephalopods were among the most advanced invertebrates of their time having eyes, jaws, and a sophisticated nervous system. These creatures were predators that swam freely using a jet propulsion system by squirting water from their bodies. They had tentacles and ink sacs also much like the present-day squid.

Except for belemnites, cephalopods had external shells with hollow internal chambers separated by walls called septa. A tube called the siphuncle, connected the body with the chambers allowing the animal to fill them with water or air, changing its buoyancy in order to rise or drop in the ocean. Only the last and largest chamber was occupied by the living animal. Belemnites were different in that they had internal shells called 'guards' which were covered with the soft, muscular tissues of their bodies. These shells were also chambered but much less complex than the straight varieties of nautiloids and ammonoids.

Straight cephalopods probably lived for one to six years, with the majority living two to four years. They fed on plankton (tiny free-floating organisms), sea lilies, and smaller orthoceras. Although many fed off the ocean floor, others may have caught plankton while floating or swimming via jet propulsion, expelling water through a funnel-like opening to propel them in the opposite direction. Because straight cephalopods lived exclusively in marine environments, their presence also indicates the location of prehistoric seas.

Healing Stones
As a healing stone, fossils are believed to increase life span, reduce toxins, anxiety, stress, balance the emotions, and make one more confident. Containing supernatural and physical healing powers, they promote a sense of pride and successes in business, leading on to be open to change and new ideas. Healers use fossils to enhance telepathy and stimulate the mind. Traditionally, fossils have been used to aid in reducing tiredness, fatigues, digestive disorders, and rheumatism.

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*Reprinted from various websites and rock/minerals books.

Looking for Gemstone Pendants

Pendants no matter what the style; hung alone on a chain, omega or cord, or rather incorporated into a necklace is always a staple in any woman's collection. Recently I’ve been able to get some unusual cuts with domed shapes, instead of the normal round, square, triangle or diamond cuts. This is because my father-in-law the resident gemologist has been in his shop learning the art of lapidary and cutting slabs. This allows us family jewelry designers to be able to ask for certain cuts, styles and slabs rather than waiting for the Tucson show.

I’ve already used several of his stones, handcrafted them with wire bails and then incorporated into different jewelry designs. And these beauties (Bloodstone, Coral Fossil, and Stromatolite Fossil) will be coming as soon as I can get coordinating beads and working designs…but until then, browse through his website Jewelry by CnC, under the unmounted pendants section to purchase and incorporate them into your own designs.

Hot Jewelry Trends Fall/Winter 2009

It’s that time to take a breath after the hot long summer and look toward the nice cooler fall and winter seasons. Depending on where you are, the forecast for hot jewelry trends this Fall/Winter are all about natural stones, natures finest is being put out on display and she is giving us some really unique and interesting materials to work with as jewelry artists. So after endless browsing the net, here’s what I’ve seen…again, depending on where you live and what your style is, these may or may not be your ‘cup of tea’.


Natural Stones and lots of them are the hottest trend this coming season. Look for natural gemstones such as jade and turquoise to be the biggest hits along with wood, bone, and freshwater pearls to accent or mix and match. Any of these stones are perfect for incorporating into dramatic statement necklaces to wear this fall.

Bracelets are again mentioned as the big thing this year. Bracelets are more of an accessory to the whole outfit look, especially in bold cuffs or stretch multi-layer strands. Cuffs will be adorned with jewels and stones alike, bring that bit of ‘bling’ on a budget to the jewelry world.
Pendants are still in, so dig them out if you got’em. From bold to dramatic, many with multi-strand necklaces, layered with singled chains or worn with omegas, collars, or ribbon cords (all the rage again this year too); chose from designs in Swarovski crystals, natural stones, raw clusters of natural stones, or mounted in different metals from Sterling Silver to Copper.

Necklaces as always ‘make or brake’ the whole outfit and this year they are not exception to that finished look. Chose from bold, exotic trendy chunky or give a little attitude with multi-strand or layers of several different styles together. Make sure to top if off with either long single earrings or multi-layer chandeliers.

As a recap, jewelry will remain an important accent to the wardrobe this year for woman. The accent though will be less ‘bling’ and more of an edge, trendy self designing style. From bold cuffs to large pendants, big hoops, and any style of necklaces; it’s a woman’s game out there. Almost anything goes this Fall/Winter as women try to define their own style rather than copy someone else’s of the mass production lines of the past. This will make fashion fun again and women will embrace the opportunity to establish themselves in the forefront.

Check out Timeless Designs for uniquely handcrafted stone jewelry.

*Researched from various websites and magazines.

Jasper Turquoise Onyx Combo

An all natural mix of Turquoise nuggets among Landscape Picture Jasper, Onyx and hung with a black matrix round Turquoise pendant; this piece has it all! Handcrafted wire work in non-tarnish brass wire, large dangle earrings complete the look in the same natural stones.

Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.
Onyx: Self-control, decision making, intuition, recognition of personal strengths.
Turquoise: Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.

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A Style of Southwest

The Southwest meets again with tradition in this beautiful necklace set. Natural stones in Turquoise and Wildhorse Magnesite and a hint of Paintbrush Jasper all accented with pewter and silver spacers. Large dangle earrings complete the set in same natural stones.

Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies
Turquoise: Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.
Magnesite: Promotes relaxation, positive attitude; removes feelings negative feelings and oversensitivity.

To see more unique handcrafted jewelry designs visit Timeless Designs.

Shades of Purple Oyster

Many shades of purple from light to dark and a little creamy white; two exotic and rare natural stones of purple Oyster square chips and hidden among them are Arizona Ivoryite stones. The hoop style earrings are from the same natural stones, included to complete the set.

Find many other unique treasures for purchase at Timeless Designs.