Sodalite Salt Stone

Named in 1811 for its high sodium content, Sodalite is a feldspathoid mineral, a sodium aluminium silicate chloride. It usually forms massive aggregates or disseminated grains. Crystals are relatively rare, and are dodecahedral or octahedral. Sodalite principally occurs in silica-poor igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and their associated pegmatities. The name Sodalite is derived from two Greek words soda (salt) and lithos (stone) because it is a stone that contains a lot of salt. Since antiquity sodalite has been known as the stone of artists, singers, painters, and sculptures because it is believed to promote inspiration and creativity while also providing protection. It was not used in the Middle Ages but has been rediscovered in modern times and is now become a more popular gem and healing stone.

The stone itself has inclusions of calcium, salt, and manganese in deep dark blue with white matrix or pockets. Sodalite is a said to be an excellent stone for reducing high blood pressure and when designed in necklaces where the beads or pendant hang down close to the heart, will increase its hypotensive properties. It promotes spiritual harmony, wisdom, logic, calmness for hot-tempered people, healing, stress reduction, companionship, and self-esteem. Sodalite is also most effective on the forehead chakra and especially recommended for the Star Sign of Sagittarius. In order for one to benefit from the stone’s energy, it must be worn or carried around as a touchstone over a long period of time.





Sodalite pendant wired non-tarnish silver, mother-of-pearl beads





Available for purchase along with other natural stone jewelry.

Inspired Arizona Turquoise

This design was inspired by the bright southwest colors of nature, specifically Arizona Turquoise chips; matched with pillow stones in Wild Horse Magnesite that has light brown/black/purple matrix, hints of gold saucer spacers and a stunning Brazilian Agate handcrafted in non-tarnish brass wire.

Available for purchase along with many other Artisan crafted designs in nature’s treasures on our website.

Petoskey Fossil Coral

Homegrown and commonly found along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the United States is the water stone Petoskey Fossil Coral. A Petoskey stone is a rock and a fossil, often found in the shapes of pebbles and composed of fossilized coral, Hexagonaria percarinata. These corals colonized Michigan in the Devonian period, about 350 million years ago when most of Michigan was submerged under water. The stones were formed as a result of glaciations, in which sheets of ice plucked stones from the bedrock, grinding off their rough edges and depositing them in the northwestern portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

The name of the stone is a derivation of the name Petosegay, the name given to the son of a Frenchman who married an Ottwa Indian princess and later became the tribes’ chief. According to legend, Petosegay was the child of a descendant of French nobleman and fur trader, Antoine Carre and an Ottawa princess. Petosegay, meaning "rising sun", "rays of dawn" or "sunbeams of promise", was named after the rays of sun that fell upon his newborn face. In keeping with his promising name, Petosegay was a wealthy fur trader who gained much land and acclaim for himself and his tribe. He was remarked upon to have a striking and appealing appearance, and spoke English very well. He married another Ottawa, and together they had two daughters and eight sons. In the summer of 1873, a few years before the Chiefs' passing, a city began on his land along Little Traverse Bay. The settlers christened the newborn city Petoskey, the English translation of Petosegay

This new piece is made from Petoskey Fossil Coral and Denim Lapis with many silver spaces in-between. The website has this and many other custom pieces available for purchase.

*From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and various lapidary websites.

Exotic Rare Caribbean Larimar

Exclusively found in the Dominican Republic, the elusive stone of Larimar comes in various shades of blue ranging from pale blue to whitish-blue, and very rarely with a little green or red; the palette of colors embodies the vastness of the sky and sea. The reserves of this stone have almost been depleted, causing it be very rare and hard to come across.

The American Indians believed that Larimar brought luck and also had healing properties. The inhabitants of the Caribbean also believed it to be a lucky stone with healing properties. According to legend it is associated with lost paradise. It was subsequently thought to be the only remaining vestige of the legendary island Atlantis.

Larimar, said to be the stone of protection against negative energy and also known as the Atlantis stone; symbolizing boundlessness and immensity. It is the star sign stone linked to Leo and should be discharged once a week under warm running water. After cleansing it must recharge in the sun for at least one hour, either in the morning or evening. The stone is known for good self-development, helping to break old thought patterns to free and open up new ways of thinking and acting.




This new piece has a center pendant from Larimar; surrounded by Denim Lapis, Carnelian, and Smoky Crystals. Unique custom designs like this are available on the website.




*Sources from various crystals/gem books & websites.

Spring in Turquoise Yellow Jade

This set is an early peek at the Spring line…….American mined Turquoise in really great shades of blue that has just a bit of rough in places, then mixed in a few Citrine chips and stunning faceted yellow Jade stones that all come together with the teal Brazilian Agate slice; also accented in non-tarnish brass wire.

This and many other custom crafted jewelry pieces are available for purchase on the website.

Tucson 2010 It’s Almost Here

Just about that time of year again when for the big Tucson show! It’s the biggest event here in the United States; where the quite town of Tucson, Arizona is descended up on by thousands of people. All wanting to see the latest and greatest the jewelry, lapidary and beading industry has to offer. Hundreds of shows with vendors from all over the world bring their beads, findings, minerals, rocks, slabs, equipment, jewelry, and much much more. It’s the event that sets the stage for the coming year in ‘what’s hot and what’s the trend’ in beads, stones, lapidary and jewelry.

Tucson is much more than shows; it’s about the land of opportunity too. Connecting and networking with vendors, miners, artists, instructors, industry professionals; hearing what they have to say and bring it into your own business for success. Listed below are some of the top shows among the many at Tucson.

JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show, the largest and most popular independent jewelry trade show in the Tucson, Arizona area. Wholesale jewelry manufacturers, miners and international dealers gather at the Tucson Expo Center, the site of the JOGS show, every February. Buyer attendance is said to exceed 27,000 composing over 4,000 jewelry firms.

Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers, Inc., (G&LW) hosts about three different shows in the Tucson area. Gem Mall right down the street from Holiday Inn & Holidome Pavilion and also at Grant Inn.

AGTA, American Gem Trade Association is one of the main shows. It is primarily high-end loose colored gemstones and pearls, with finished jewelry; designer jewelry section; colored diamond and estate jewelry pavilions.

Howard Johnson Gem & Mineral Show; for jewelry, silver, minerals, gemstones, lapidary, metaphysical objects/art and beads. They are along the freeway among the many ‘street vendor’ shows.

Madagascar Minerals Gem Show, which is hosted by Norcross-Madagascar Gallery featuring minerals, fossils and other lapidary.

Tucson Electric Park RV Gem Show, is where you’ll find all kinds of hidden treasures in minerals, gems and some jewelry.

Want to know more about shows, vendors, times, places and locations, check with Jewelry Show Guide’s website for more information.

Pendants in the Making

These are a few of the new pendants I’ll be working with…..some will stay as individuals, while others will be incorporated into necklace pieces. Come back to see what happens, for custom quality uniquely handcrafted jewelry check our website.



Orthoceras Fossil (Morocco) double wired in black and silver non-tarnish wire (to the right)

Natural Green Agate Slice (Brazil) wired in non-tarnish silver wire (to the left)

Ocos Agate Slice (Brazil) wired in non-tarnish brass wire (to the right)

Black Rutilated Quartz highlighting black Agate (Brazil) pendant wired in non-tarnish silver wire (to the left)

Ocos Agate (Brazil) wired non-tarnish Silver Freshwater Pearls Crystals

These and many others are still a work in progress.......