Black Jewelry: Hit 2 Trends in 1: Monochrome and Downton Abbey

Monochrome continues to be a hot trend for the start of 2014 and when it comes to accessories, every woman should have the black staple pieces in her jewellery box. If you go for black and silver, you gain the monochrome look without limiting your choices to black and white outfits only.

Agate slice pendant, 'Midnight in Dublin'

When it comes to statement pieces, this black and white agate slice pendant really packs a punch. Cut on the cross section, you can see the gorgeous banding of the sleek stone. I decorated it with a simple, sterling silver swirl, a nod to ancient Celtic design. A modern classic, you can wear this piece long after monochrome takes a break from the cat walks.

chunky onyx bracelet, inspired by Downton Abbey mourning jewelry

Just like the LBD a black gemstone bracelet is a long-standing must-have in every woman's wardrobe. This chunky onyx bracelet is teamed with pre-oxidised sterling silver for a classic feel.

I was inspired to make it after catching up on missed episodes of season 1 of Downton Abbey over Christmas. The mourning jewelry worn by the Grantham ladies after the death of Lady Mary's first 'betrothed' on the Titanic has fired my imagination into overdrive. Watch this space for some exciting pieces in 2014.

      

     

Zoo-ming. Inspirations from Nature

I garner a lot of my inspirations from nature, mostly from the sea and the scenic walks near Dublin. Recently I went to Dublin Zoo to see if I could think of something new to do. Ok really, I went to have a nice day out with friends, but everywhere I go I am always on the look-out for fresh ideas and I always bring my camera.

This big fella peeping out at us caught my eye. But no, I wont be making monkey-shaped jewellery or ornaments any time soon!

It may be true that zebra stripes are more, a very dark brown, but the elegant animal did get me thinking about monochrome designs. A real classic, black and white is always in style - even when it's not.

And my favourite animal in the zoo is the penguin. Ok he's cute, but the pale mint shade of the water with the sandy colour of the rocks stole my attention. I has me thinking of matching aqua tones and earthy jaspers or perhaps tigereye. After all, you do see these two shades side by side on a beach.

      

            Amazonite Gemstone Earrings           Jasper gemstone & sterling silver necklace

What do you think? Is there scope for these aqua and sandy hues to live side by side in the same piece of jewellery like they so often do in nature?

Irish sea glass pendant

Garnets, Birthstone for January

Garnet is the birthstone for January. There is something extra special about this semi-precious gemstone that can take your breath away.  A good quality specimen can be truly exquisite.

Red garnet teardrop pendant 'Strawberry Wine'

The name apparently derives either from the Latin 'granatus' meaning 'seed-like' in reference to the seeds of the pomegranate or from the Middle-English word 'gernet' which means deep red.  Garnet is a hard and durable stone that has been popular for centuries. Some have been found in burial sites dating back to 3000 BC

 Garnets can be found in several shades including red, green,orange, yellow and blue, the latter being the rarest of them all. The blue garnet was discovered only as recently as the late 90s in Madagascar and is an unusual, colour changing stone. In daylight it is a bluey-green but it changes to a warmer purple in other lights. Although some of the green variety can be much more valuable, the less rare and more easily recognised, red stones are usually stunningly beautiful, especially when teamed with warm gold or cool silver.

Red garnet teardrop earrings (TEMPORARILY SOLD OUT)

 Here comes the short science bit.....Collectively, garnets are a group of silicate minerals. They include pyrope, almandine, grossular, uvarovite, spessartine and andradite. They vary in chemical structure so the hardness of the stone varies from 6.5 to 7.5 on Moh's scale.

deep red garnet earrings 'Ruby Berries'

Like most gemstones, throughout history and across civilisations, garnets have been surrounded in myth and attributed special meanings. Known as 'The Warrior Stone', these  crimson stones were once incorporated into the armour of soldiers. It was believed they would protect them during battle. According to legend, Noah used a bright garnet to show the way through dark storms.

Garnets are the symbol of fire, faith, courage and truth and also fidelity, grace and compassion. Traditionally they have been used as a healing stone to combat depression, lethargy and nightmares and to stimulate the bloodstream and pituitary gland. This stone is also the gem associated with the 2nd and 19th Wedding Anniversary.

If garnet is your birthstone then I wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY this coming month.


click here to read about Amethyst, February birthstone 

click here to read about Citrine, November birthstone

Citrine, November Birthstone

Birthstone for November, citrine is the colour of sunshine, sure to brighten up cool, Autumn days. The name comes from the Latin for lemon yellow, 'citrina.' This golden gemstone is a member of the quartz family and can vary in shade from barely there yellow through to a brownish whiskey colour. It is a hard and resilient stone (7 on Mohs scale). It wont scratch too easily and will stand up to a lot of knocks and bumps.

 Citrine Gemstone earrings

This glorious gem adds instant elegance, especially if worn with a simple outfit, like that LBD for the festive party nights. Just of hint of the liquid honey with a plain dark dress in black, chocolate, titanium grey or darkest navy is enough to garner a sophisticated look. Less is more. Put on a pendant or some earrings and wont need any other jewellery. Just grab your handbag  and you're good to go.

 Spanish citrine purse charm

Natural citrine is very rare. Its yellow colour comes from the presence of the mineral iron. I only recently learned that the much of the citrine stones found on the market are actually amethyst that has been heated up to 560 degrees, causing the original purple colour to change to a honey hue. Far from being a modern process, this treatment of the crystalline quartz has been around for almost 200 years and has earned a certain respectability in its own right. Apparently, a heat-developed citrine will have stripes of colour, discernible only to an expert eye, whereas the gold of a natural stone will be more cloud-like.

 Spain and Brazil both boast fine specimens of citrine, but it is not found exclusively in those countries. In Europe, France and Hungary also have a history of mining it.

 Ancient gold coins, from Wikimedia

This lemony gem is the symbol of wealth, prosperity and success.  Traditionally it was believed that if you kept a specimen of the stone in your purse or wallet it would  attract money into your life.  we should add some to the coffers of the country! I wonder if this association was born out of its gold-like appearance.

 

Healers who use gemstones have long associated the stone with aiding digestion and with providing clarity and enlightenment.

Citrine is the designated stone for the 13 and 17th wedding anniversary. It is the official birthstone for the month of November. If you have a birthday in November, have a bright one!


to read about Amethyst, February birthstone click HERE
to read about Irish stone, Connemara marble click HERE

Raindrops

Wooooah, the rainstorm has come! We got away with a pretty mild Winter and Spring so far in Dublin. But it looks like Mother Nature finally let go of all that rain and wind she's been holding onto a bit too long.  It's pretty nasty out there today. Stay dry and warm people! Whatever other woes I may have of late, I am grateful to have a roof over my head.

A Burt Bacharach song my Dad used to sing to us is circling in my head. I won't quote all the lyrics to 'Raindrops keep falling' but will share a few lines from the popular 60's song. It was written by Bacharach and Hal David and sung by BJ. Thomas in 1969 on the soundtrack to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It got to number 1 and was obviously a hit with my Dad. I remember him singing it for yeeears whenever it rained. (Ha, it was frequently on the soundtrack to my childhood so!) You may remember it from the soundtrack to Forrest Gump in 1994.

Labradorite Raindrop pendant

'Raindrops keep falling on my head

And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed

Nothin' seems to fit

Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling...'

 

Larkivite and Swarovski Crystal Earrings

'...So I did me some talking to the sun

told him I didn't like the way he'd got things done...'

Blue Chalcedony drop earrings

'...Sleepin on the job

Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling..'

Golden sunshine agate pendant

'...But there's one thing I know

The blues he sends me wont defeat me

It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.......'

A Snippet About Connemara Marble

The region of Connemara is an area of natural beauty in West Connaught, Ireland, namely in West County Galway. It is only here, in this unspoilt land that Connemara marble, described as our national gemstone, is found.

Connemara marble is an extremely rare and beautiful stone. It has been  mined and carved for centuries. This stunning green stone is over 600 million years old. (Here comes the science bit...) It is a metamorphic rock made up of recrystallised particles. (Ok, that is about as much science as you are going to get out of me but I did find this more technical info online.)

Love Spirals pendant, Connemara marble with Swarovski crystal

It is a hard and durable stone that can take a high polish. Considered to be the world's rarest and most exquisite, true green marble, it comes in a wide range of tones from pale, grey-sage to darkest forest green, with every shade of lime and leaf in between.  On occasion a yellow ochre specimen can be found. It is highly variegated so it is not unusual to find several contrasting hues  in a small piece of the gemstone.

OOAK Connemara marble pendant, Legends

Traditionally it has been used for making worry stones, rosary beads, jewellery, household items, ornaments, and so on.

It is also used as a durable, aesthetic building material not only in Ireland but around the globe. Famously it can be seen in the Chapel of St Patrick and the Saints of Ireland at Westminster Cathedral, London, for example. Here, in Dublin, the reception desk at Leinster House's new pavilion is topped with a fine example of sleek, Connemara marble.

Irish pub ornament or Christmas decoration, Connemara marble

When I started out beading and wire-wrapping, I never expected to be using Connemara marble among all the other exotic stones I found. I am so glad I discovered its unique beauty and am proud to use this and other, unusual, indigenous Irish materials in my work.

 Kilkenny Marble Earrings             Cork Red Marble Earrings

(these earrings sold, but you can watch Handmade by Amo'r on Etsy for other designs)

Re Etsy Ireland Treasure Hunt latest update

 

Hi there, first of all, the rules of the Etsy Ireland Treasure Hunt are now up on the team blog: Click here for an update on the Etsy Ireland aka Crafty Ireland Team blog

The photo is of the Connemara marble and sterling silver pendant that I donated as one of the prizes. 18 team members have donated handcrafted work, which will be divided among 4 lucky winners. 

 Just thought I'd give you a close up of the pendant. It is a very unique and modern, Irish, Statement pendant, yet is based on traditional, Celtic geometric design.  The triangular slab of Connemara marble is smooth and highly polished. It is a fabulous, natural mid green with pale grey and lime marbling. The stone was cut specially for me by a Galway artisan mason and is approx 1.5 inches long.

I formed the spiral using solid sterling silver wire, then hammered it for strength. All the metal components of  the pendant including the 18 inch chain are .925 sterling silver as stamped on the tag.  I incorporated clear moss agate beads into the links at the back.

 

This Celtic pendant was made especially for the treasure hunt. I am sure it will go to a good home. Be sure to enter the competition on the  Etsy Ireland blog on St Patrick's Day, March 17th! 

I will be listing similar (but not the same) pendants in my Etsy shop shortly. This short article about Connemara marble that I posted on my other, Fondelifair blog & Irish online store  may be of interest to you.

Wheeeee looking forward to March 17th!

 

Purple Amethyst, February Birthstone

Is it any wonder Amethyst is the gemstone associated with royalty? The rich, purple tones of this semi-precious stone are classically regal. The most highly prized variety of quartz, the amethyst is elegant and enchanting, demure yet delightful and quite simply, stunning. This is a stone fit for a Princess. Born in February, it's my birthstone and one of my favourite pieces of rock.

Amethyst Teardrop and Sterling Silver Heart Pendant, Violeta

The stone gets its name from the Greek term 'Amethystos' meaning 'not drunken.' The ancient Greeks believed it would help keep them and their guests sober, so wine goblets were often encrusted with amethysts.

Lavender Amethyst Earrings, Lila

It can be a very pale lavender or a darker, damson purple. The darker variety is more valued, but pale amethyst can be very spectacular. The gem is particularly beautiful when faceted for extra light and sparkle.

Amethyst Necklace Extender

Matt beads are shaped between grinders and drilled. They are quite affordable for beading or for making dangly earrings etc.

Lush Purple Earrings, Damson

Sunlight can fade the colour, so if you own a specimen crystal or a lush piece of amethyst jewellery, best not to store it on a window sill!

Amethysts have been used by healers for centuries. The power stone is believed to help with insomnia, balance energies and keep one grounded. It is also considered to be a spiritual stone, particularly in Tibet. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethysts 'quicken intelligence'...hmm, don't know about that one...

If you are a February baby: Happy Birthday!