I continue to be amazed how quickly time is flying by despite the pandemic.  Next week is Labor Day already and my and Luna’s birthday. My birthday does actually fall on Labor Day this year and Luna will be one on the 2nd.   Sapphires are our (September’s) birthstone.

Historically sapphire is considered the gem of gems. Its heavenly blue hue signified hope and faith. It was steeped in the history of many religions being forever associated with sacred things. It is a stone of wisdom and royalty, of prophecy and divine favor. It was believed to bring protection, good fortune and spiritual insight. It was a symbol of power and strength, kindness and wise judgment. Sapphires were believed to have healing powers as well.  Ancient Persians believed the earth actually rested on a giant sapphire, which made the sky blue.

When you think of sapphire you most likely automatically envision a stunningly, beautiful violet-blue gem. This is perhaps the most “common” color sapphire.  After all, sapphire means blue in Greek!

Sapphires do however come in a rainbow of colors.

The rarest, highly sought after fancy sapphire is the Paparadscha sapphire.  It is a pink-orange corundum with a distinctive salmon color.  Paparadscha sapphires are one of the most rare, ultra-expensive gems in the world!

One of the most famous sapphires is the 12 ct sapphire gem surrounded by diamonds engagement ring first worn by Princess Diana then given by her son to Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge.

Sapphires are found in Kashmir, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Sri Lanka.  Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar and the United States are more places that significant quantities of sapphires can be found.

Still today, sapphires are believed to symbolize wisdom, virtue, good fortune, and holiness for royals.  It is not wonder that sapphires make popular engagement rings, meaning faithfulness and sincerity too!

I will be taking a “vacation” from social media to focus on completing CPE for my CPA license, updating and listing jewelry in my Etsy shops, www.MAEartisanjewelry.etsy.com and www.CKSartistry.etsy.com and on my website www.CKSventures.com, to clean and organize my studio, and to simply get “away from” everything that social media involves!

Until next time, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

I’ve reached my COVID breaking point!  For the first time since March, my husband and I went to dinner to celebrate our 30^th anniversary.  One it was our anniversary and two, I am getting quite sick of cooking!  It was a challenge to find an open restaurant with outdoor seating but we did.

Not only did I get out for dinner but I went to a hardwood store to get some “exotic” woods for the wooden train we are selling in our new Etsy shop, www.cksartistry.etsy.com  On the way I stopped  Tanger Outlet Mall.

Other than the wood store, my outings were not much fun, but rather depressing and just plain sad.  Hardly a soul inside the restaurant.  I felt half dressed with no lipstick and very little jewelry. I was sporting one of my new feather necklaces!  All the dressing rooms in every store that I went into were closed and all the mirrors were taken down.  I couldn’t even see if I sort of liked it.  One of the reasons I bought anything at all was because everything was deeply discounted.  I am returning most everything I bought!

I am much happier at home shopping online and working on my jewelry!  The feather collection is finished!  Or it is for the moment at least.

I spent the last week up to my ears in feathers.

There is something about the allure of feathers.  I admit I have a bit of a feather fetish myself.

Throughout history feathers have been used for adornment.  Feathers first came into prominence at the beginning of the 16^th century when men in prosperous trading centers began placing feathers in their hats.  During the 17^th century feathers became a full blown craze, when Louis XIV developed a taste for feathered hats.  Feathers were shipped from all over the world and dyed in an array of bright colors.  The King’s extravagant tastes helped establish Paris as the new fashion capital. By the time Marie Antoinette ascended the throne, feathers were already being worn by the rich French.  She took it to the extreme with hairstyles 3 feet high topped with feathers!  Even though Marie Antoinette lost her throne, and her head in 1793, the taste for elaborate feathered headwear did not die!

During the 1800’s feather adorned hats were a must have accessory for both upper and middle class European and North American Women. Sometimes they took it to the extreme, costing the lives of millions of birds, by incorporating a bird’s entire body, reanimated with glass eyes!  Can we say creepy! This “Muderous Millinery,” was perhaps one of the first to inspire activists to protest against what was being used in fashion.  The activist’ efforts led to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 in the United States and the 1920 Plumage Bill by the Royal Society for the Protection of birds in the U.K.  Today the feather industry is mostly regulated.  Feathers used in fashion are sourced from birds self-shedding and or a by-product of food production.

Feathers have a myriad of meaning and symbolism.  Feathers are most often associated with freedom, transcendence, communication and spirituality. As we know feathers come from birds.  Birds are free to fly the earth and the sky and go where they please, freedom!

In many cultures there is a belief that birds are the link between heaven and earth.  Feathers are linked to mythical angels in Christianity, Judaism, and Islamic religions. Angles are often depicted to look like humans but with a pair of white feather wings.  There is a saying that goes “Feathers appear when angles are near.”

A feather also represents strength, growth, hope! A feather teaches us faith and hope in ourselves and in the universe.  We can certainly use a bit of that right now!

Until next time, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

…to us!

Hiya!

30 years ago my sweetie, Ken, and I were lying by the pool at the Excalibur in Las Vegas. We got dressed up, hopped in our limo and rode to the Riviera Hotel where we were married!

It has been an “adventure” and so much fun from when I first met the neighbor (him) in Minneapolis, MN. I remember telling my roommate. “I met one of the neighbor boys, keep your hands off him, he’s mine!”

Honey, I loved you from the moment I met you and will love you for forever and always! Here’s to our next 30 years and beyond. Happy Anniversary!

My regular blog will return next week.

Until then, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

Hiya!

I’m bummed!  Every year I look forward to the various gem shows I attend.  The G&LW show which happens a couple times a year in NC with the largest being in July was canceled then rescheduled for this week.  Originally I wasn’t going to go because we were planning a trip to visit family and celebrate my mom’s 83 birthday.  That has since been canceled.  I was disappointed but I could now attend the G&LW gem show, only to be disappointed once again.  Most of my favorite vendors are not attending, thus no reason for me to go see my favorites who won’t even be there!  Yet one more disappointment COVID has brought on.  I am setting my sights on attending the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show in February of 2021!  Surely COVID will have come to pass by then.  I’m not setting my hopes too high though!

Do you pronounce the T in peridot?  I have always pronounce it pear-a-doe. I was curious though, what really is the correct pronunciation?  After a bit of research, it seems both pronunciations are acceptable.  The American pronunciation tends to be phe-ruh-daat whereas the British pronunciation is phe-ruh-dot.  Most gem and jewelry tradesmen use “pear-a-doe,” and are quite adamant in calling the “dot” form as incorrect!

Peridot is the birthstone of August.  Happy Birthday to you August babies, especially to my mom and brother!  Peridot’s apple-green luster has been treasured for over 4,000 years. Peridot stretches back to ancient Egypt on the volcanic island of Zebargad in the Red Sea. It is the national gem of Egypt, and the ancient Egyptians knew it as the gem of the sun. Many historians believe that many of the emeralds that Cleopatra was so famous for wearing were actually peridot that were from the mines in Egypt.  It is fabled that peridot were so treasured by the Egyptians that the location of the fog shrouded volcanic mines were a closely guarded secret. Since the island was difficult to navigate to, it became lost to antiquity and was only recently rediscovered in 1906. Since that time, after mining of peridot peaked in the late 1950’s, Zebargad’s peridot mines have been exhausted.

Today the largest sources of peridot are the United States, Myanmar, Pakistan and the Himalayas. Peridot was first mined in quantity in the U.S. in the area of Peridot, Arizona. The name of that town is pronounced “pear-a-dot.”  Which may be the reason many people pronounce it “pear-a-dot!

Gem quality peridot is a yellowish-green transparent variety of olivine.  Peridot is the pure green, to a yellow green or greenish-yellow crystal of the mineral olivine.  It forms deep inside the earth and is brought to the surface through volcanic activity.

Peridot is said to alleviate jealousy, spite bitterness, hatred and greed!  It can open ones’ heart to joy and new relationships while attracting love!  Peridot is said to work as an antidepressant that protects you from negative energy while bolstering a sense of self-worth and motivation, enabling one to take responsibility for their own life.

Known as the stone of compassion, it is believed to bring good health, restful sleep, and peace protecting one from recurring nightmares about evil spirits, murders or sexual attacks!

Peridot’s cheerful green color stone is known to inspire creativity, and bring delight and good cheer. Who couldn’t use some of that right about now?

Until next time, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!

Hi ya!

The weeks are slipping by.  I can hardly believe it will be August next week!  The past week I have been diligently working on finishing my malachite “Green With Envy” collection.

It can be found in my new Etsy Shop www.CKSartistry.etsy.com and also on my website www.CKSventures.com.  Along with working on the collection I have been working to get my second Etsy shop open, which it now is and my other Etsy shop www.MAEartistry.etsy.com and my website revamped at bit.  More about all that another time!  I am so busy I barely notice we are experiencing a pandemic that continues to get worse.  YEAH RIGHT!!

I think I promised some information on drusies.  Whether you spell drusy, druzy, drusie, or druse, they are all referring to the same stone!  A druzy (my preferred spelling), is comprised of tiny quartz crystals that form on or on the inside of other stones.  The shimmering clear crystals mimic tiny diamonds that sparkle reflecting sunlight.  They can appear naturally in a rainbow of colors.

Druzy was formed some 2.5 million years ago and was discovered in the Omo valley in Ethiopia. Today druzy can be found all over the world, with a large number in Brazil and mostly mined in Mexico, Africa, South America, Europe and the United States.  Druzy went unnoticed for years in the jewelry world and it hasn’t been until recent years that they have become extremely popular by both jewelry designers as well as wearers!

Natural druzies are beautiful in their own right but many are chemically enhanced in a chemical process called Chemical Vapor Deposition in which druzies are exposed in a gaseous environment that contains a metal like titanium.  During the process the metal bonds on the molecules resulting in a spectacular rainbow of colors.  By varying the metals and process a slew of colors and shades can be created.  The most common compound used is titanium, but others like cobalt blue, gold, silver and platinum are also used.

Other than making really pretty jewelry what else are druzies used for?

The metaphysical properties are very similar to crystal clusters.  Druzy can help to boost ones imagination and creativity.  Druzies can also help you to relax!

Druzy is said to help with your body’s natural healing abilities.  They are said to be great for promoting healing on all levels, physically, mentally and spiritually!

Drusy is also known to help one keep from worrying about the future while bring prosperity into one’s life.  Sounds like some drusy may be quite beneficial during these troubling times!

Until next time, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!

Hi ya!

Is it hot enough for you? We most certainly are in the midst of summer.  It is hot outside! By the time I was done taking pictures this morning for my blog, I was dripping wet. This week’s blog was going to be about drusy’s, thus all the druzy pictures, however I am taking a bit of a detour this week and am going to talk a bit about jewelry photography.

As a self-employed jewelry artist with the goal of having my art support me and my family, I am constantly redefining and looking for ways to improve not only my art but also the necessary evils I must do to help support that art!  Being I am a one person business I wear a lot of different hats and have become a bit of a jack of all trades!

One of those necessary “evils” and trades is being a photographer.  I actually like photography, except sometimes when it comes to taking pictures of my jewelry!  When I first started making jewelry I knew that I was going to need to be able to have good pictures of my work, for countless reasons.  At that time I decided that I was going to invest in a good camera and learn how to do it myself.  Partly, ok, mostly because I am a “do it yourself” kind of gal, but also because I did not have the funds to hire a photographer.   At the time, almost 10 years ago, I purchased a Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera. It was a HUGE purchase for me!  Well worth it though.  I still love, use and continue to learn how to use more of its features today!

From the beginning of learning how to use my 60D to get crisp, clean, pictures with a white, white background I struggled primarily with getting the white, white background but also with getting crisp, clean detailed photos of my jewelry.  Every time I took pictures, I would spend hours, experimenting with settings, lighting and background.  Many times ending up completely frustrated!  I would get mixed results sometimes even under the same lighting and same settings, which was extremely frustrating!  But with practice and research I was continually getting better pictures, but yet not quite as professional looking as I would have liked.

I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel quite yet, as I still have a great camera and I still did not and don’t have the funds to hire a “professional.”  With the current COVD situation it was becoming even more important to have an online presence and be able to sell my work primarily online.  I was on a mission to get great looking photos!

After much research and continually fiddling and playing with the settings on my camera I came to both a conclusion and a decision!  The conclusion was that it was nearly impossible to get a white, white background without photo editing.  Wish I would have discovered that years ago!  I can not tell you the hours and hours I have spent trying to figure it out!  I have always been using the photo editing software that came with my canon camera.  That was starting to become more and more unpredictable whether it would continue to work on my computer after this last time of upgrading my computer.  My husband kept telling me I needed to learn something else.  I broke down and splurged on Adobe Creative Cloud.  I now have software to be able to do just about anything I should ever need to in my business, including, photo editing, designing jewelry, videos for social media, you name it!  Only problem is learning how to do some of this stuff!  A couple years ago I bought Corel, but never really learned to use it.  While I am learning I did find a quick solution for getting white background for my photos.  Check it out, https://www.creativehiveco.com/how-to-edit-product-photos-for-a-white-background-in-one-minute/ easy, peasy and FREE!  I may just continue to use this even after I learn how to use Lightroom and Photoshop.  I’m not sure even what the biggest difference between using Lightroom and Photoshop is!  Anyone have an opinion for one over the other.  I have both!

The other conclusion I came to was that a macro lens could be quite beneficial in jewelry photography.  So I made another HUGE splurge and invested in a macro lens.  It is a canon EF 100 mm f/2.8L.  It cost almost as much as my camera did, so I am hoping I don’t regret it.

The 3rd thing I got was a tripod.  I have one, but never use it much as it is sort of a hassle.  I figured I had a pretty steady hand.  Everything I read however, said tri-pod, lighting and macro lens were essential to getting professional looking photos.  I went for broke!

I am having fun experimenting with the macro lens.  Already I am seeing the possibilities of getting really creative and getting some cool photos, not just in my jewelry.  Practice, practice, practice!  I will get there!

These were all taken by me with my canon 60D and a canon macro lens.  All are totally unedited.  What do you think? Are these investments worth it?

Until next time, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

“There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home,” whispered Dorothy as she clicked her magical ruby slippers and was whisked back to her Kansas home.  Dorothy’s ruby red shoes were actually nothing more than a Hollywood prop of sparkling rhinestones.  Can you imagine if they were real!  None-the-less, the allure of rubies is indeed magical!

Happy birthday July!  Ruby is your gemstone.  Ruby is considered the stone of love, energy, passion power and a zest for life.  Rubies are the perfect symbol for powerful feelings.  Ruby encourages passion and a zest for life.  It improves motivation and the setting of realistic goals.

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The allure of rubies has worked its way through all cultures from ancient times to today.  The ruby was deemed the most precious of gemstones in the bible.  The orient described ruby as “a drop of the heart’s blood of mother earth.” Ratnanayaka, meaning the lord of gemstones, was the name given to ruby by the Indians.  The Hindus called the ruby the king of precious stones and the leader of gems.

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The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red.  Ruby is red corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral with chromium responsible for its rich, red color.  Until around 1800 when ruby was recognized as a variety of corundum, red spinels, tourmalines and garnets were believed to be ruby.

It can be difficult to sometimes distinguish rubies from garnets and from simulated rubies as well! Real rubies glow with a deep, vivid, almost “stoplight” red color. If the gem is more of a dark red it is probably a garnet.

left is real, rowan ring from CKS jewelry, right is simulated ruby

The finest of all rubies come from the Mogok region in Burma.  Many beautiful ones also come from Thailand, which is today’s main source for rubies.  Rubies can also come from India, Tanzania, Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Kenya, Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Carolina, in the US!  Come to think of it, I have seen ruby mines in the mountains of North Carolina.

ruby cabachon from my collection

star rubies from my collection

Ruby is extremely rare and one of the most 4 valuable precious gemstones in nature, diamond, emerald and sapphire being the other three.  Ruby has breathtaking color, ranging from brownish red to light red. Secondary to a ruby’s color is transparency.  Faceted high quality rubies can range in price from $1,000 – $3,000 per carat.  Rough lower quality ruby can be found in greater quantities and is used to make beads and carvings.

Star ruby is the most rare and highly valued ruby.  It has a deep pure red with a hint of bluish purple color. Inside of the ruby is what appears to be a star. The center of the star moves when the stone is moved. It is usually found in smaller stones, of weights less than three carats. Star ruby has the same metaphysical properties as ruby, but with increased healing and magical energies.  They are most powerful at full moon.

star ruby from my collection of gems

Rubies are thought to energize and balance.  They stimulate the heart chakra and encourage a passion for life.  They can help to calm and overcome exhaustion.  Ruby is said to strengthen the heart, ventricles and coronaries.  It helps to stimulate good circulation and blood flow. Ruby is useful in detoxifying the body, blood, and lymph. It can be helpful in treating fever and infections.  It may also be used to assist in weight regulation.

It is believed that rubies can help improve motivation and the setting of goals.  They can help to promote positive dreams and clear visualization while aiding in the retaining of wealth and passion!  They make you stronger during times of controversy or dispute.

I leave you with this quote from Bob Dylan, “If I had rubies, riches, and crowns, I’d buy the whole world and change things around.

Until next time, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

Hiya!

Despite the fact that I’ve barely left my house since March, I can’t believe how quickly time is flying by.  There are days I feel as if I’m spinning my wheels and not making good use of my “home time.” Then there are the days that I do feel like I am making some progress.  None-the-less I’m doing my best redefine and continue to grow my business.  COVID-19 has put a halt to so many things!  All I can do is my best to “adjust.”

Over the past two week I have touched a bit on azurite and malachite.  Today, I’m talking about cuprite.  Cuprite is the 3^rd of the idiochromatic gemstones.  Idiochromatic meaning receiving color from copper.  If you remember, the amount of copper in the gems determine the color.  Azurites are always blue, malachite is always green and cuprites are a copper oxide mineral that is always red.  They can be brownish red, crimson red, orange red or blackish red!  The shade of red depends on the cooper oxide and impurities found within the gemstone.

Cuprite is also known as red copper, or ruby copper.  They were named by mineralogist Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger.  Cuprite can be found all over the world but the most significant locations are in the USA, Namibia and the Congo.

Cuprite has many beneficial properties.  It is said to help increase one’s energy and support your physical well-being.  It can help one to keep a handle on your thoughts and emotions.  Oops!  Did I say that out load?  Maybe I should wear some cuprite!

Simply holding cuprite in your hands, can help to keep stress at bay.

When life at home or work seems unbearable cuprite can help to calm and take away some of the worries.  It will remind you that there are ups and down in life but they’re all temporary.  With COVID-19 continuing to surge we can only hope this to be true!

For health and healing, cuprite has a myriad of properties.  The stone has been said to help with kidney, blood and heart disorders.  Cuprite may help women who are suffering from PMS, menopause, cramps hormonal imbalances or fertility issues.

Cuprite has been known to attract prosperity, luck and even good news!  Who couldn’t use some good news right about now?  Cuprite is a powerful stone that can infuse vitality and energy and help you through challenging times.  It could be just what you need to get you through these “trying times!”

Next week I will be taking a bit of a break from social media and writing my blog.  It will return July 13^th.

Until next time, stay safe and stay well!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

Hiya!

Last week it was pouring down rain.  This week the sun is shining brightly and pushing towards 90 degrees, my kind of day!  The perfectness of the day almost makes one forget about COVID-19 and all the unrest going on.  ALMOST!! I try to keep reminding myself that this too shall pass.

Last week I told you a bit about azurite and it’s properties.  I had mentioned that it is closely related to malachite in that they are produced by the weathering of copper ore deposits.  Both are copper idiochromatic carbonate mineral, meaning they receive their color from copper.  The green of malachite also shares many properties with turquoise, a form of copper tarnish similar to that found on the green copper of the Statue of Liberty!

Over 4000 years ago, malachite was first found and mined in Egypt and Israel.  Malachite from here was mined and used to produce copper.  Malachite in these deposits was also used to produce gemstones, sculptures and pigments.  Several large deposits of malachite was found in the Ural Mountains of Russia.  These deposits supplied abundant material during the 1800s.  Today very little is produced from these sources.  Most of the malachite produced today is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Smaller deposits are also produced in Australia, France and Arizona.

All malachite is green.  The color can range from pastel green, to bright green to a very dark almost black looking green.  The swirling patterns found in malachite are luxuriant and has come to represent sensuality and beauty.  Looking at malachite’s swirls, rings and intricate patterns is mesmerizing and uplifting!

Malachite is the essence of joy and is known as the “stone of transformation.”  It is helpful in bringing ease during times of change and can help one with needed insight for personal growth.  It is said to help a person get through tough transitional periods.  This empowering stone is perfect to wear when starting a new project, job or moving to a new place.  Who knows it could even possibly help us get through COVID-19!

from MAE artisan jewelry

Traditionally, malachite has been used to ward off danger and fight illness.  It is said to protect one from falling.  Malachite tends to draw negative energy and disharmony into itself.  Overall, malachite is said to bring harmony into one’s life!

Malachite is fragile and can be easily scratched.  Take care to keep malachite away from other metals and gemstones that could scratch it.  Clean it with water and leave to air dry.  You may also want to remove any malachite jewelry when doing heavy work!

Until next time, stay safe, stay well!

ENJOY!!