Designs Fit For Your Valentine

The end of January and just around the corner is Valentine’s Day. We have new designs that are sweet delicious, bold and classy, sassy and trendy; give the gift of nature’s treasures. These new designs feature pendant hearts of glass, red coral, onyx, cloisonné beads, ivoryite and peppermint jasper and much more!

(Left:  Heart of Glass, Red Coral, Onyx Set)

Coral: Diplomacy, quieting emotions, visualization.

Onyx: Self-control, decision making, intuition, recognition of personal strengths.

Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.

Smoky Quartz: Dissolving emotional blockage, clearing the mind, cooperation, personal pride, joy in living, attentiveness to the moment, protection.

(Right:  Peachy Jasper accented w/Silver, Smoky Quartz Set)

  

Shop often for the best selection, we are adding new designs weekly at Timeless Designs Ruby Lane!

 

(Above:  Artistic Jasper, Rasberry Quartz Set)

(Right:  Arizona Ivoryite, Peppermint Jasper Set)

Tucson World’s Largest Treasure Hunt

Well, at least in the United States it is the world’s largest treasure hunt and the much anticipated ‘Biggest Show’ is about to begin. Starting January 29 and running through February 13, 2011 is the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.

For two weeks international buyers and sellers migrate across the globe to Tucson, Arizona for a feast of shows hosted across the small town; venues include convention centers, ball parks and empty lots, resorts, hotels and motels and multiple places along the frontage road that runs along east and west of Interstate 10. It accounts for more than 40 sites around the town to thousands of participants and attendees.

There is always something to tantalize the imagination; minerals, fossils, gemstones, jewelry, museum and private collections on display, and lots of beading materials. Many shows are open to the public, but be sure to check the show website for details because many of them are wholesale only and require business credentials to attend.

Check these websites for listings and information on shows:

 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2011

A – Z Guide to Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2011

Jewelry Show Guide

We’ll be highlighting several shows over the next few weeks, as we trek our way across Tucson hunting for our next inventory of treasures for the coming season!

 

To see our artisan crafted creations from the treasures we find in Tucson, browse our collections online at Timeless Designs Ruby Lane!

The Snakeskin of Serpentine

Named for the snakeskin it is said to resemble, serpentine has been used in jewelry for thousands of years; mainly because it is suitable for carving and polishes to an attractive gleam. It is sometimes confused with jadette or nephrite, because of its similar coloration, and is sometimes been known as “Korean jade” or “new jade’, although it is softer and scratches more easily than jade.

The term serpentine encompasses a group of related minerals that are distributed across the globe. It is a secondary mineral formed from minerals such as olivine (known as gem peridot) and orthophroxene. It occurs in igneous rocks containing these minerals but typically in serpentinites, which have been formed by the serpentine minerals, the antigorites and the chrysotiles.

Legend says that is was used by the ancient Romans as a protective stone against the powers of darkness. According to the legend, beakers made from serpentine would shatter if they came into contact with poison. In the Middle Ages, medicine was kept in serpentine containers because this increased its healing powers and made it last longer.

As in ancient civilizations of America, serpentine was considered a guardian of vital energy and a protector of the soul against invisible powers. The stone is said to even out mood swings and calms the wearer in stressful, hectic situations; it is a protective stone that is said to bring peace.

This new design features a large oblong serpentine pendant in deep rich green with slivers of silver. The bail contains hand twisted charms in metallic and clear faceted crystals; Arizona ivoryite, more crystals and sterling silver spacers and toggle complete the set.

 

Browse our artisan crafted jewelry, featuring some of nature’s finest treasures!

*Research from various websites, mineral-stone-crystal books.