The Jewelry Blog

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Peridot: The August Birthstone

The August birthstone is peridot, a green gemstone used in jewelry from ancient times. It was often mistaken for the emerald, and has been referred to as the "evening emerald". Peridot has an interesting pedigree; many people believe that Aaron's breastplate (in the Bible) had peridot although it was referred to as "topaz". Some also believe that Cleopatra's emeralds were in reality peridots. The Egyptians referred to peridot as the "sun gem" because it was believed to be so bright that it was almost invisible in the desert sun; they also believed that peridot glowed in the dark which is probably why most peridot was mined at night (the better to see them!).

In ancient Egypt, the center of peridot mining was an island called Zebargad (Isle of St. John). Supposedly, the small island was infested with snakes until Pharoah had them driven into the sea (quite an accomplishment, don't you think?). This is probably where the idea that peridot could protect one against snakebite or cure a victim of it was born.

Many geologists report that the best peridots come from a mine in Pakistan; however, the San Carlos Reservation mine in Arizona has huge deposits and is the source of many peridots.

It isn't really that difficult to find good peridot beads that are clear and pretty; the problem is that most of them are all tiny! This is the only reason I dislike working with peridot. I would probably use it in jewelry much more if I could get bigger pieces of it regularly. Most of the peridot I buy, whether faceted or smooth, is either in rondelle form or very small ovals. That is why when I found these large peridot nuggets I couldn't wait to use them, even though they are opaque. They are still a very pretty green, have nice shapes, and most of all - big! (well, for peridot anyway - about 14mm).
As you can see above, I've used my nuggets of peridot with lampwork, with amazonite so that I could match these great lampwork beads, and one nugget as a single pendant. The third bracelet down is one made with those little 4mm faceted peridot rondelles. You can find these on the website at Peridot Bracelets page, and on the Peridot Jewelry page.
And the bracelet at the bottom? I love it , so I just had to put it here - it's rock crystal in these marvelous faceted nuggets that sparkle!!! alternated with little chunks of apatite. I love it!

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Monday, July 23, 2007

Fire and Water

Amazonite is a pretty stone (not just found around the Amazon but also in Russia and the United States). When it is a solid soft blue-green as it is in the bracelets above, it is truly beautiful although I like it when it has interesting inclusions as well. The top bracelet I mixed with peridot and with a rose quartz tulip bead to match one of James Derrick Reeves' pretty lampwork beads. The second bracelet again features Reeves' beads this time complemented by faceted black onyx. The colours of Reeves' lampwork beads and his patterns are really amazing.

Below I started working with some fire agate I 'd gotten in the last few weeks. The bangle bracelet below has a large oval with my favourite mixtures of translucency, cream, red, and orange. The rondelles are also fire agate. The carnelian necklace has fire agate ovals alternated with chunky faceted carnelian nuggets. A 14 karat gold filled chain holds a carnelian turtle, carnelian fish, vermeil disk, and fire agate smooth teardrop.

Finally, a wonderful aquamarine bracelet with a great swirling dichroic bead by Paula Radke at its center. The aquamarine stones on this bracelet are especially pretty, both smooth and faceted. Some sterling and a dichroic bead are all that's needed.