A to Z of Gemstones - K is for Kyanite

Kyanite is a gemstone quality aluminum silicate. The name Kyanite is derived from the Greek word 'kuanos' or 'kyanos', which means 'deep blue', alluding to its typical blue color occurrence.

Kyanite most often occurs in various shades of blue. It is less commonly colorless, white, gray, green, yellow or orange. The colorless form is the rarest, though not the most valuable form of kyanite. The most desirable color is sapphire-like blue.

Kyanite deposits can be found in many locations around the world. Some of the most important sources include Austria, Burma, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Tanzania, the United States and Zimbabwe. Nepal is now widely regarded as one of the finest kyanite sources. Nepalese kyanite is said to rival the blue color of fine Ceylon and Madagascar sapphire.

Kyanite is believed to aid with self-expression and communication. It is also thought to strengthen supernatural abilities. In ancient times, it was believed that when kyanite was suspended from a human hair, it could follow the Earth's magnetic force in the same manner as a compass needle. For this reason, many travelers took kyanite along with them when they went on long journeys and entered unknown territories.

 Blue Kyanite and Gold Flower Necklace

Pictured above is my Blue Kyanite and Gold Flower Necklace. Below are some more examples of Kyanite jewellery from members of the JET team.

 

Kyanite Ring by Silver Smack

Denim Blue Kyanite Earrings by Your Daily Jewels 

  Icy Blue Kyanite Bracelet by Earth Energy Gemstones

 

Blue Kyanite Gemstone Necklace by Eleven 13

 

 

Ear Wires

I have been making my own ear wires for some time now, so since I will soon be selling tools etc. it made sense to start offering my hand made ear wires for sale. I will be starting off with two designs, the more traditional ear wire as pictured above, and the slightly more fancy ear wire pictured below. However, over time I will also be looking into producing other styles of ear wires too.

Both the styles of ear wires pictured will soon be available for purchase on both my Etsy and Felt stores as well as on Trade Me.

April

Diamond Chainmaille Necklace

Welcome to April the fourth month of the year!

The Romans gave this month the Latin name Aprilis but the derivation of this name is uncertain. Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to the goddess Venus, her Veneralia being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her equivalent Greek goddess name Aphrodite.

April is the beginning of Spring in the northern Hemisphere, and the beginning of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

The birthstone of April is the Diamond and it's birth flower is the Daisy or the Sweet Pea.

Since I don't work with actual diamonds my necklace above is one that uses the diamond shape. Below please find some more pieces of jewellery, all from members of the Jewelry on Etsy Team,  that represent the diamond. Also below are some pieces from gifted crafters in New Zealand representing the birth flowers of April.

18k Gold Silver and 3 Diamond Wedding Band by Wearable by Design

 

Herkimer Diamond Sterling Silver Necklace by The Silver Bear 

 

Blue Diamond Sterling Silver Ring by Simply Wearable 

 

 Daisy Photograph by Susannah Tucker

 

 Daisy Cardigan by Ewe Hue NZ

 

 Purple Sweet Pea Floral Crown by Miss Wild Flowers

Chainmaille and Wire Supplies

A new venture that I am currently working on, and will be over the next few months, is to supply chainmaille and wire working supplies, kits and tools in New Zealand.

Initially I will be listing tools on Trade Me, the NZ equivalent of EBay (and much more used in New Zealand than EBay). I have already set up an arrangement to stock Beadsmith supplies and already have my first supply of tools to sell.

Then in time I will be setting up a website, as a compliment to my jewellery website (which will also be updated to a commercial site), on which I will sell the tools and supplies.

In terms of supplies I initially plan to sell sterling silver wire, jump rings for chainmaille, handmade ear wires and balled head pins, and a small range of complimentary accessories such as clasps.

I also plan to make up and sell chainmaille kits, with instructions, as well as a few other jewellery making kits, primarily concentrating on wire work.

The other area I hope to expand in is teaching jewellery making. I will be looking at doing this locally, and potentially as a party plan. Various tools, supplies etc. will also be made available for purchase at these classes.

Although there are already a few online stores in NZ selling beading supplies none of them focus on wire or chainmaille, and I've yet to find a domestic source for sterling silver wire, so hopefully this is a niche that I can fill.

I will update as things happen but in the meantime I now have all the tools pictured above for sale.

Friday Favourites

Lovebird Bowl

by

Prince Design UK

Handmade NZ 2014 Program Now Live

I announced a few weeks ago that I was going to be teaching a chainmaille class at Handmade NZ this year and I am now thrilled to have this teacher button to add to my blog.

The program for Handmade NZ 2014 went live on their website this afternoon. My class is listed under the "World" category.

Handmade NZ is held over the Queen's Birthday weekend on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June. The classes run through both days and there is also a Maker's Party on the Saturday evening.

VIP bookings or any of the classes listed start from next Wednesday 9th April at 12 noon, and ticket sales to the general public will be open on Friday 11th April from 12 noon.

So if you live in the Greater Wellington region, or even if you live further away in NZ, and fancy a weekend of handmade classes (and there are a lot to choose from) then check out the website and the program.

A to Z of Gemstones - J is for Jasper

Jasper is one of the many gemstone varieties of quartz available today. The name 'jasper' is derived from the Greek word for 'spotted stone', referring to its typical multicolored, striped, spotted or flamed appearance. Jasper can form in virtually any color. Jasper is usually considered a chalcedony, but some scientists classify jasper as a separate type because of its distinctive grainy structure.

The most common jasper patterns include interesting marbling and veining, orbital rings, streaks, spots, flaming and banding. Jasper comes in all colors, mostly striped, spotted or flamed. There is no recommendation for color, although red, caused by traces of iron oxide, is one of the most common colors. Brown and yellow are also commonly occurring colors for jasper.

Jasper gemstones can be found in many locations around the world. Some of the most notable deposits are sourced from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Russia, Uruguay, Venezuela and the United States of America.

Jasper was a favourite in the ancient world, and it can be traced back in Hebrew, Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Latin.

Jasper is the zodiacal stone for Leo, Virgo and Scorpio. It is a planetary stone for Mars and is associated with the element of fire. For Native American Indians it is a sacred stone that is used for performances of and adherence to the "old ways" rituals.

Pictured above are my Peridot Jasper and Gold Pod Earrings made with 14k gold fill wire. Please find below some more examples of Jasper Jewellery from members of the 'Jewelry on Etsy' team.

 Rare Indonesian Bumble Bee Jasper Pendant by Silver Bear

Peacock Vista Jasper Cuff by Designed by Val 

 Black Zebra Jasper Gold Pendant Necklace by Lees Earring Boutique

Kambaba Jasper Necklace by Jems by JB and Company