Handmade Jewelry Gift Guides

I am honored to have my jewelry included in a couple of holiday gift guides that were published today. The first was curated by DalyCraftWorks and features lovely stone jewelry. My Black Necklace made with obsidian and purple glass pearls is featured. 

12 Nights of ArtFire

  Curated By: DalyCraftWorks

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

The second collection is curated by BlueTina and features holiday jewelry that is perfect for parties. My Red Velvet earrings in gold are featured in this one. 

A Bit of Bling for Christmas!

  Curated By: bluetina

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Enjoy!

Brown is NOT Boring!

My brown shell necklace was included in this gorgeous collection curated by BlueTina. She's right, brown jewelry is not boring!

Brown Is Not Boring!

  Curated By: bluetina

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Blue Topaz is December's Birthstone

London Blue Topaz Pendant by  HelenesDreams

Topaz is one of my favorite stones. It's actually considered a mineral and is a hard, durable gemstone. Did you know that a completely pure topaz is colorless? Most have minor impurities of some sort, which gives them their gorgeous colors. Blue is one of the topaz colors, and it happens to be the birthstone for December, symbolizing love and fidelity. 


Blue topaz is rare in nature. Much of the blue topaz on the market today is another color of topaz that has been treated (though not dyed) to achieve the lovely blue tones. The various shades of blue each have names with the most common being Swiss Blue, Sky Blue and London Blue. London blue is a darker tone and is sometimes used in place of the more valuable sapphire. 


Enjoy some lovely, affordable examples of artisan jewelry featuring blue topaz. Surprise your loved one with a thoughtful birthday gift with their birthstone.

This ring is custom made by hand. It features a delicate flower and blue topaz setting. 

sakura flower ring by nellyvansee

These earrings are sterling silver with beautifully cut sky blue topaz stones in a setting.

Sky blue topaz Earrings by TwoSilverMoons

This handmade pendant features a Swiss Blue topaz briolette along with many other types of stones (including other topaz) in a variety of pastel colors. 

Swiss Blue Topaz Sterling Cluster Necklace by ppennee

See even more blue topaz creations in this coordinating collection on artfire.com curated by me!

Which topaz is your favorite? Will anybody in your life be the lucky recipient of a blue topaz this December? 

Delicate Blue Jewelry

I was honored to be included in this treasury of delicate blues curated by DivineOrders- so many lovely blues.

Bridesmaids Bracelets

One of my bridesmaid bracelets was recently included in a lovely treasury on etsy.com. You can see more of the natural pearl bracelets and more that I offer in my Wedding section.

I Am Thankful For...

• my supportive and wonderful family and friends that give me the strength to carry on
• my fuzzy furries that are so happy to see me all the time, no matter what
• my day job and that it gives us the freedom to pursue our dreams
• my jewelry and the peace it gives me when all that strength from the family just isn't enough
• the thrill of learning and the fact that it never stops

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Orange Gemstones

Fall is the time of year when we all enjoy warm, earthy colors. The gorgeous leaves and the golden tones of harvest are so inspiring. I thought I'd use this inspiration to highlight several of the often lesser known semi-precious stones that can claim orange as one of their tones. Sit back and enjoy!

Carnelian

Carnelian is made up of mixture of the minerals quartz and moganite called chalcedony. It gets its rich color from iron oxide which is considered an impurity in the stone. Carnelian can range in color from a light orange to reddish brown.

This gemstone bracelet by katyanne includes a variety of stones, including carnelian.



Sunstone

Sunstone is a type of mineral called feldspar that crystallizes from magma. It comes from the USA and Norway mainly. Sunstone's orange color comes from bits of copper that are included inside. The amount of copper influences how deep the color is. Sunstone is the official gemstone of Oregon, USA.

Sunstone and pearl necklace by BigFatUselessCatDesigns



Aventurine

Aventurine is a type of quartz stone that has inclusions that make it opaque and shimmery. Aventurine comes in many colors. Green is the most common, but a peachy orange is also available. Orange aventurine most often comes from Russia, Chile or Spain.

This aventurine necklace pendant was made by PinkSunsetJewelryDesign.


Agate

Like Carnelian, Agate is also a type of chalcedony and is most often associated with volcanic rock. There is a huge variety of agate available for jewelry and in a variety of colors and banding patterns.

This red agate includes orangy shades too! Red agate and aventurine earringsby OAKCreationsJewelry


Autumn Jasper

Jasper is such a versatile and wide ranging stone. It's name actually means "spotted or speckled stone" and that is a true description! Jasper is a chalcedony that is opaque and often banded in some way.  Autumn jasper is variety that includes a mixture of sage green and orange shades speckled throughout the stone.

Autumn jasper jewelry set by DalyCraftWorks


Onyx

Onyx is another chalcedony. While black is the most well known color for onyx, it actually comes in some vibrant shades of red and orange.  Onyx is often treated or dyed to obtain the colors we see today.

Zebra onyx stones are used in these chandelier earrings by personaloasis


So, what stone catches your fancy? Are there other orange stones that you'd like to share?