Copper - Gemstone or Mineral

Next to silver and gold, many jewelry designs are accented in copper. While it is not an actual gemstone, what is it really? Copper is a native element that occurs in nature uncombined with other elements. The native elements form under greatly contrasting physical and chemical conditions; in a variety of rock types. So, what is copper exactly? It is a naturally occurring free metallic state, considered to be one of the first metals to be used by humans. It is a relatively soft metal, easy to solder, flex and manipulate into any form; this is why it is a popular material used by wire workers in early designs or tests before conforming the designs to silver or gold. It gets its name from the Latin aes Cyprium, meaning ‘metal of Cyprus’, shortened to cyprium and later corrupted into cuprum.

Copper is found in large quantities, usually massive aggregates, some said to weight up to several tons. When copper is well crystallized, it can be found in cubic or dodecahedral crystals in the forms of mini tree-like shapes. It can be found all over the world with most common deposits in the United States. It is usually orange or copper red in color and looks good mixed with any gemstones.

Copper’s healing power have been used since the Middle Ages to promote smooth functioning of the glands and prevent wear and tear of joints. It encourages a positive attitude and self-confidence, improve decision making and brings harmony among the members of a family.

Many of the jewelry designs created at Timeless Designs incorporate copper in some way. Visit our website to see the selection of necklaces and pendants done with copper.

Another New Design

Fresh from the design studio, this one again mixes Picture Jasper and Turquoise together in a

more choker style necklace. Turquoise in a puffy teardrop mixed among Picture Jasper and copper spacers; dangle hoop earrings complete the look.

Visit Timeless Designs for more gemstone jewelry.

Tucson in Review

A week in Tucson, the weather was great at about 80 degrees everyday; vendors were wonderful and I was able to find many new and unusual stones for new designs this year! Whew, it was a wild and long week, hand picking thru all the merchandize, looking for that perfect strand that reflected the personalities of many of my great clients!

The week started out by visiting across the freeway from the Tucson Convention Center to the Street Vendors….miles and miles of vendors selling wears; anything from raw materials strait from the mines, polished undrilled stones to strands of beads; for as far as the eyes could see! The afternoon was spent at JOGS a favorite buying ground for many wholesale purchases. They play host to many international dealers from as far away as Poland for Amber to China for Pearls and many great U.S. dealers from AZ, NM, TX, CA, and NY. Here you could find many types of stones, finished jewelry pieces and geodes of many shapes and sizes.


The next several days included highlights to GL&W shows Gem Mall and Holidome, JGX (a miniture AGTA show), and back to JOGs and the Street Vendors.

Many great finds from deep red coral, apple red sponge coral, turquoise, ivoryite, pipestone, white magnesite (howlite), lapis, crystals, freshwater cultured pearls, agates, jaspers, pendants, copper, sterling silver and gold vermeil findings and on the very last day I was able to come across some Wild Horse Magnesite – WOW, what a find direct from mine!!



I’m very excited to begin designing with the unusual cuts, colors and stones that I found in Tucson! In the coming weeks I’ll be premiering the designs here on the blog and also on our website. For now, I’ll be busy over the next few days getting everything inventoried and then begin working in the studio!


In the meantime, over the next few weeks we will continue to mark down and deeply discount existing designs to make room for our new ones! Get in on some great deals while you can, before the original pieces and Sale are gone gone gone!