PRECIOUS VS SEMI PRECIOUS GEMS

What is the difference between a precious gem and semi precious gem? There seems to be some gray areas so it’s worthwhile to take a look at different points of view.

When this categorization came about, it was mainly due to the value and rarity differences between the 4 precious gemstones diamond, ruby, blue safire, emerald and the rest. Today some semi precious gemstones can be worth much more than a precious stone. As an example, many natural pearls garner huge prices, often worth more than a low quality precious diamond, ruby, emerald or sapphire.

My sources include the following; Gemstone Institute of America, The Eye Of Jewelry , https://www.carelle.com/blogs/our-world/precious-vs-semi-precious-gemstones

https://theeyeofjewelry.com/stones/precious-stones-semi-precious-stones-differences/

CHANGE OF PLANE NECKLACE

I hand forged a square piece of sterling silver wire to create what is called a “change of plane” shaped pendant. By “change of plane” I mean the silver is hammered flat at one end and begins to change direction at mid section.

My change of plane necklace features a 3mm turquoise, bezel set cabachon. A sterling bail connects the pendant to a rolo sterling chain.

For inquires, please send me a message from my contact page, here on my blog.

JUNE BIRTHSTONES

The American Gem Society assigns 3 gemstones to the month of June. They are pearl, alexandrite and moonstone. Here’s a bit of information about those 3 beautiful choices.

Courtesy of the American Gem Society , www.americangemsociety.org

HAND TEXTURED EARRINGS

Many things can be used to create texture on silver metal for jewelry. A few examples I’ve used for my handmade jewelry are paper, seaweed, dried leaves and plastic. I’ve included a few examples of the textures I’ve created and used for earrings.

The textured pattern for the earrings I’m modeling was made in my studio by “sandwiching” laser cut paper over sterling silver sheet metal. That “sandwich” gets passed through a piece of equipment called a rolling mill, at very high pressure. The paper image gets transfered to the silver. The result shown here is a rich organic texture that I use to fabricate earrings. Other examples of textures I’ve enjoyed creating for may handmade jewelry can be seen below. These include the use of seaweed and plastic egg cantons.

Jewelry can be about many things such as fashion; things that are precious and important to us or what we hold sacred and identify with. Handmade jewelry reflects those interests with attention to detail, process and design decision unique to each piece.

Image credit: Mark Forman

Texture impression earring

Water ripple texture made by rolling plastic egg carton over sterling silver .

Seaweed texture earring:

BRICK CRAFT FAIR 2024

The Brick Clay Studio and Gallery is holding its annual pottery and craft fair on Saturday, June 8 from 10 am to 4pm. 2 Flower Field, Suite 57-60 , St. James, NY.

I’m proud to be a participating vendor this season. Hope you’ll stop by if you’re in the area.

TEXTURED PENTAGON EARRINGS

Textured earrings have been a focus on my bench lately. There are many ways to create a texture on precious metal. I created the leaf and vine pattern on these pentagon shaped earrings by hand hammering tiny dots in to the surface of sterling silver sheets metal. The result is a rustic inexact quality texture and pattern that has a shimmering effect.

Tiny Swarovski Crystal bicone beads with a colorful aurora borealis finish, are wire wrapped and dangle from the earring bottom. This adds an elegant, kinetic element to the engraved, rustic texture.

It’s all about handmade and one of a kind!

NEW EARRINGS IN PROGRESS

Here’s a new earrings design in progress on my bench. I’m working on a casual and or dressy look for these lavender backless bezel cubic zirconia kinetic earrings. Either way, these earrings have lots of movement to show the sparkle of the CZ’s.

SPRING IS BORN

Here’s a big shout out to photographer Tracy Fortsch, whose vibrant springtime images are featured in this post. Tracy captures the best of this heady, beautiful season in her images. A picture is worth a thousand words and Tracy’s images fulfill this phrase.

Springtime brings the promise of renewal to us each year. Everything seems to be coming to life all at once; flowers are bursting opened, dotting the landscape with their riotous colors and floral fragrance wafts through the chilly air. The quality of sunlight is especially beautiful in spring as it filters through fresh green tree bud tips and flowers with a back drop of lacy sky blue punctuating the scene. The light as a result has a hazy quality that is only seen in springtime. The song of migratory birds fill the air announcing their return. Days are longer and pleasantly warm and evenings can be delightfully cool. I enjoy walking through the neighborhood as a way to soak in the many heady pleasures that spring offers.

My jewelry bench is a little dusty lately and I think it’s OK. I need to be outside to soak in every minute of the fleeting beauty of this season.

Enjoy a little spring green while it lasts.

Image by Tracy Fortsch

Image by Tracy Fortsch

MESCALARO JASPER PENDANT

I acquired this magnificent piece of Mescalaro jasper, hand cut by a master lapidary artist. How lucky I am to find this excellent specimen.

In order to feature the beauty and radiant color of this durable stone, I used a minimal sterling silver setting called frame and prong.

It’s my understanding that this jasper is minded mainly in Nevada. Mescalaro jasper is associated with the Apache people. Below is a link that describes their culture.

https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/our-culhttps://mescaleroapachetribe.com/our-culture/#:~:text=The%20Mescalero%20were%20essentially%20nomadic,elk%20hides%20and%20buffalo%20hides.ture/#:~:text=The%20Mescalero%20were%20essentially%20nomadic,elk%20hides%20and%20buffalo%20hides.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper

MASTERS OF METAL: Paul Revere

I’m enjoying how working with silver and making silver jewelry has led me to interesting places. In this “Masters of Metal” blog post, I’m exploring the rich history of metal smithing in the North East, U.S.. Looking at Suffolk County, N.Y. smiths (E. Pelletreau, the Sayer Family, B Doleman and Col. D Hedges) has led me to put a lens on Paul Revere.

Paul Revere worked as a silversmith in Boston, Massachutes, during the late 1700 through the 1800’s, a similar time as Suffolk N.Y. smiths. Revere’s name is probably more well know than his colleagues. The diverse contributions he made to our country’s history include being a patriot, innovator, dentist and more.

Revere is considered by many to be an American folk hero for his role in alerting the colonial citizens of oncoming British forces. The story of Revere’s midnight ride, which took place on April 18, 1775, is commemorated in a poem, written in 1861, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem, ”Paul Revere’s Ride” though not factually accurate, helped shape the memory of this famous event. (I remember reading it in grade school.) Revere acted with his peers to alert the colonial citizens before the battle of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. (a map to the right or link below to track the ride path.)

In modern times “Revere Ware” was a company that literally traced its roots back to Paul Revere, who founded Paul Revere & Sons in the 1790’s. At one point, the Revere Ware brand was considered to be America’s most reliable manufactures of cookware. In modern times, a popular gift to newly married couples often included Revere Ware pots and pans.. Cooper clad pots and pans bottoms defined this brand and were a testament to the rolled copper cladding Paul Revere developed and used on war ships in 1801. (copper resists a challenging problem; the growth marine life that can attach to a boat bottom)

Below are a few clickable links of interest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere's_Midnight_Ride

https://www.paulreverehouse.org/revere-silver/#:~:text=Revere%27s%20Maker%27s%20Marks,and%20to%20insure%20its%20quality.

PORTRAIT OF PAUL REVERE By John Singleton Copley c. 1768-1770 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Mass.

20th century image of Paul Revere’s midnight ride.

Paul Revers ride is indicated by the blue line on this map

Ccomparison of style: Revere’s above to pieces by Joel Saye of Southampton NY. Saye worked as a silver smith in a similar time period as Revere.

A Revere Ware pot may be familiar in mid century kitchens.

A detail of the copper clad bottom of a Revere Ware pot included the 1801 stamp, the date Revere & Sons was founded.

FEBRUARY'S BIRTHSTONE, AMETHYST

The lovely purple semi-precious gemstone, amethyst, is a variety of quartz. Its color ranges from deep purple to pale lavender, depending upon the presence of manganese and iron. Amethyst is the birthstone of February.

The origin of this gemstone, according to the ancient Greek myth, was the nymph Amethystos. She refused the attentions of Dionysus, the god of wine and intoxication. Amethystos prayed for protection and to preserve her chasity. The virgin goddess Artemis answered her call for help. She transformed the nymph into a white or clear stone. The story ends with Dionysus pouring his wine over the stone, either accidentally or deliberately, dyeing the crystal purple.

“With purple dye being the royal choice in the ancient Mediterranean, amethyst quickly became associated with wealth and power. It traditionally adorned the robes and crowns of the rich and powerful monarchs, being. viewed as equal in value to ruby, emerald and sapphire. Amethyst still holds a place in the hall of power, being worn by church official in the Church of Scotland the Anglican Episcopal hierachies and the Roman Catholic Church.” The British Crown Jewels include a number of pieces of amethyst.

On my bench are 2 works in progress that each include a small, bezel set amethyst cabochon. Held in my jewelers pliers for inspection is a rose cut amethyst which will be set in a flower ring. The next image is a hand forged sterling silver pendant waiting for its chain to be added.

IN PROGRESS AT MY BENCH: rose cut amytheis cabochon bezel set in a flower ring.

Amethyst and silver pendant for a necklace

JANUARY BIRTHSTONE, GARNET

Garnet, the birthstone for January is often associated with a burgundy color. However this semi-precious gem stone can range from red, green and orange.

“Some garnet can display star effect, cat’s-eye effect or color change from bluish-gree in light to purplish-red in incandescent light. An interesting fact is the a perfect garnet crystal has been found as an inclusion in a natural diamond.” Sally Spencer The Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones.

Garnet can be found growing in mica. Recently I was rock hunting on the North Shore here on Long Island. I found what I suspect was a very tiny garnet growing in a glacial boulder. It was a thrilling!

MASTERS OF METAL: Early Suffolk County Silversmiths

Recently Mark and I visited the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum in Riverhead, New York. “Masters of Metal” is among the exhibitions there. The intimate display case exhibit presents a notable collection of fine handcrafted silver pieces forged by 18th century silversmiths working in Suffolk County, New York. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see this display before it closes this January 2024. The history of fine silversmiths in Suffolk County, NY is extensive and one to be proud of.

The Suffolk County Historical Society secured a significant acquisition of over 100 pieces of silver crafted by Suffolk’s earliest know silversmiths. The pieces from this acquisition are being shown for the first time ever. Works include pieces by artisans from the Sayre family, E. Pelletreau, B. Coleman and Col. D Hedges. These fine handcrafted pieces glisten in the display case. ( F.Y.I. , E. Peletreau’s workshop still exists on Main Street, Southampton, NY.)

Masters of Metal closes at the end of this January 2024. Check for times and days the museum is opened if you plan to visit.

https://www.suffolkcountyhistoricalsociety.org/events.html

An elegant piece by Joel Saye on display at SCHSM. Note the exquisite high polished finish. See the image below for the hammer marks on the inside of this hollowware piece.

A view of the underside of Sayers piece above reveals the hammer marks that are evidence of how this hollowware piece was created.

MAKE 2024 A GOOD ONE

As the end of 2023 approaches it’s time to reflecti on the past year with an eye towards things to come in the next one.

NADINE IN OUR FRONT WINDOW

After Christmas indulgences I always revisit familiar resolutions; get on track with healthier eating, exercising more and of course, lose those extra pounds! Always those extra pounds!

I’ve come to realize what’s more important, loving and realistic is self acceptance. So perhaps those extra pounds aren’t so bad after all. My walks are shorter than they used to be and jogging? Just isn’t going to happen! It’s all good and I’m trying to meet myself where I actually am and look for joy there.

I value time and this year I’d like to use it more productively. We don’t get time back once it’s gone. Spending time with friends and loved ones is very high on my list of resolutions. Spending fewer hours surfing the web at the expense of creative time is high on my list too.

Thanks so much for taking your time to read my visual blog. Wishing you a very happy, healthy and loving new year!

Hugs,

Joanne

SLEEPING BEAUTY TURQUOISE RING

I’ve recently made a unique ring Wirth a large sleeping beauty cabochon. The color is magnificent! This ring features a wide sterling silver band that carries the size of this beautiful stone. Definitely a statement ring!

TAPERED SWIRL RING

Forging is the method of changing the shape of a piece of metal forever without cracking it. Jewelers use hammers and heat to produce an endless variety of shapes and to alter the thickness of precious metal. Blacksmiths forge steel and iron with the use of hammers and lots of heat to shape the metal they use. I’m amazed how malleable metal is if handled right.

Lately I’ve been enjoying forging sterling silver at my bench. This rustic, earthy ring started out by forging a square sterling silver wire from thick to thin. The design suggested itself as I was working. I often take breaks in my garden when at the bench. The twisty, vine like quality of this ring is influenced by shapes in my garden.

If you’d like to see more please click the link to my Etsy Shop below, Sound Beach Studio

com/listing/905971051/swirl-ring-statement-ring-silver?click_key=475b26f7431a9d161b1b4422c2e3c49cc0a15042%3A905971051&click_sum=7b0e4299&ref=shop_home_active_17&frs=1

Forged tapered swirl ring