New Creatively Designed Earrings

We are trying to expand our earring line and these new ones are just right for any time of the year. They feature turquoise, crystal, magnesite; from drop dangles to hoops, there’s something for everyone.

All faceted crystals in colors of the Southwest -- dangle hoop style (to the right)

 

Dangle drop in green turquoise with a touch of faceted crystals --- drop dangle style (to the left)

All faceted crystals created in a dramatic drop dangle style, these earrings come in a several different colors (to the left)

Browse our online store to see a selection of our earrings and more!

Earthy Fossil Gets Classy

One of my favorite fossils to work with is the natural Orthoceras fossilized squid from Morocco. Orthoceras are a famous and very large fossil deposit of animals that can be found in Morocco, North Africa. Ancestors to ammonites, Orthoceras are extinct sea creatures, and depending on what source you refer to, they date from the lower Ordovician to Triassic ages (500 to 190 million years ago). As they died, their shells accumulated in great numbers on the sea floor where they were aligned by currents, buried by sediments, and transformed over the ages preserved in black limestone. Today, this prehistoric sea floor is ironically, found in the dramatic Atlas Mountain Range in southern Morocco at the northern fringe of the Sahara Desert.

The term 'straight' cephalopods is used in this case to describe fossil examples of straight ammonoids called Baculites, straight nautiloids called Orthoceras and Belemnites. Their bodies were predominantly elongate with conical shells. Some of these creatures evolved into semi-coiled forms eventually giving rise to coiled cephalopods like ammonites and nautili. Another branch of straight-shelled cephalopods continued to coexist with the coiled forms on into the Pennsylvanian Period. These straight forms were much less diverse and abundant than the coiled cephalopods, as a whole.

Straight cephalopods were among the most advanced invertebrates of their time having eyes, jaws, and a sophisticated nervous system. These creatures were predators that swam freely using a jet propulsion system by squirting water from their bodies. They had tentacles and ink sacs also much like the present-day squid.

Except for belemnites, cephalopods had external shells with hollow internal chambers separated by walls called septa. A tube called the siphuncle, connected the body with the chambers allowing the animal to fill them with water or air, changing its buoyancy in order to rise or drop in the ocean. Only the last and largest chamber was occupied by the living animal. Belemnites were different in that they had internal shells called 'guards' which were covered with the soft, muscular tissues of their bodies. These shells were also chambered but much less complex than the straight varieties of nautiloids and ammonoids.

Straight cephalopods probably lived for one to six years, with the majority living two to four years. They fed on plankton (tiny free-floating organisms), sea lilies, and smaller orthoceras. Although many fed off the ocean floor, others may have caught plankton while floating or swimming via jet propulsion, expelling water through a funnel-like opening to propel them in the opposite direction. Because straight cephalopods lived exclusively in marine environments, their presence also indicates the location of prehistoric seas.

Healing Stones

As a healing stone, fossils are believed to increase life span, reduce toxins, anxiety, stress, balance the emotions, and make one more confident. Containing supernatural and physical healing powers, they promote a sense of pride and successes in business, leading on to be open to change and new ideas. Healers use fossils to enhance telepathy and stimulate the mind. Traditionally, fossils have been used to aid in reducing tiredness, fatigues, digestive disorders, and rheumatism.

Visit our online store, Timeless Designs at Ruby Lane to see many different designs featuring the orthoceras and other fossils!

Ammonite Fossils All Wired Up

 Ammonite fossils are sought after by almost every shopper, they are all unique from their colors to the fossils encased within the ancient sea sediment. Millions years old and coming from African regions of Madagascar, these little fossils are quite stunning in their own right and in each one you can see the crystallized chambers.

I’ve hand wire wrapped them in non-tarnish brass wire, then mixed them into new necklace designs with all different looks – from crystals to cultured freshwater pearls, cloisonné beads and natural stones.

Southwest meets Old World; turquoise and jasper paired with a center focal ammonite fossil pendant

 

Classy and sassy; ammonite fossil pendant incorporated into cultured freshwater pearls and cloisonné beads

For more of these and other uniquely artisan crafted jewelry, browse our collections at our online Ruby Lane shop!

Southwest Gone Shimmering

A twist of the old Southwest in shimmering delights with tons of faceted crystals! This design is a favorite among many and I’ve just gotten a few back into the shop. Here I feature a beautiful blue turquoise donut with light tan veins running throughout the stone. I’ve accented it by hand twisting brass non-tarnish wire around and then into a bail.

There are tons of hand twisted charms all in faceted crystals and stationed between are lovely lampwork beads in complimenting colors. Everything is loose on the silk cord so you could gently twist the charms around to feature more or less of certain colors if you wanted – this is different in style, the last few I did on cords were held stationary so that nothing moved, I decided to do something different this time.


Browse our collections of fine artisan crafted jewelry at our online shop! Never know what you might find in natural stones, crystals, millions year old fossils and dichroic glass.

The Mermaid's Stone - Aquamarine

The clear blue of aquamarine attracts almost everyone from jewelry makers, gem collectors to the individuals how want to have that silky blue gemstone. Aquamarines tone flatters all skin colors and harmonizes with all precious metals. It is relatively easy to cut and can often be found in innovative shapes, as cutters experience with new forms.

Aquamarine is a member of the beryl group. Beryl commonly occurs as an accessory mineral in granites, and is usually found in cavities and in granite pegmatites. Beryl is usually clear, but iron content gives aquamarine its characteristic blue color. Beryl crystals in some pegmatites grow to very large sizes, even up to 30 feet; aquamarine crystals up to 3 feet long are not uncommon. It is also sometimes found in steam gravels and generally free from inclusions, meaning that it is a durable stone; this is also why it is easy to cut. Though it is known to have some inclusions of biotite, rutile, pyrite, and hematite.

The name aquamarine comes from the Latin aqua, for water, and mare, for sea, and many superstitions and legends about the sea have been attached to the gemstone over the years. It has been said to come from the treasure chests of mermaids. Sailors often took aquamarine with them to sea as a lucky charm to protect against shipwreck; sometimes the stone was carved with the image of Poseidon or Neptune, the gods of the sea. When it is immersed in water, the stone is practically invisible and the water in which it was immersed was long considered to have curative properties.

Aquamarine is said to bring pure love, by turning darker or lighter, the stone indicates what is true and false; when it becomes almost white, it is said to warn against false friends. It promotes friendship and love; symbolizes peace and encourages a gentle nature and personality in the wearer.

Fresh from the studio, this new design features faceted rondelle aquamarine stones in the necklace strand with coordinating crystals, cloisonné beads and at the center a beautiful Brazilian agate slice in a soft color of blue and warm carmel.

Visit our online shop to browse our collections of artisan crafted jewelry…..never know what you might find!

Boldly Artisan Crafted

This set features the lovely stone African Turquoise; though it is not really a turquoise it is actually natural occurring jasper found in Africa. Its name is really a trade name because of the light blueish-green color with an unusually dark or black matrix. Jasper’s name is derived from the Greek word meaning ‘spotted stone’. Jasper can contain many different minerals, giving it a wide range of colors and appearances, just like the African turquoise.

 






Fresh from the studio, this new design features five big barrel stones in African turquoise. I’ve accented them with lampwork rondelles in a black with swishes of cream, large silver pewter etched canister style beads. The ends have been finished with carved out onyx stones and a large hook clasp.


Browse our shop for unusual and unique artisan crafted jewelry!

Wild Wired Pendants

I really enjoy working with pendants and nature gives me some really great materials to work with. Here’s I’ve designed to purchase (and sold several already!) pendants that either are stand-alone pieces or incorporated into necklaces.

Pink or Green Agate slices wired in silver. I love these colors, the pink is a dyed clear agate slice with crystallization and the green is a sold all natural color of pale green. Both come with the funky earrings that have also been handcrafted.

Dipping in the regions off the African coast, Madagascar these orthoceras pendants are really popular and I’ve done the both as individual and as a focal in a necklace. My favorite is the ex-large pendant showing the entire chamber of the squid fossil, it’s in my personal collection.

Goniaties are really unusual and quite the challenge to work with because of their shapes. Either as a mix within a stylish necklace or as an independent to wear on any chain, collar or cord.

For these and other pendants, see our collections.

Red Explosion Coral

Explosions of red coral in chic jewelry fashions! Using the natural stone Coral as a focal, each design is created with imagination, depth and classic style; here’s how they are created and seen through the eyes of two different jewelry designers.



The first design to the right is designed by me, using tiny red and black Coral branches with additions of tiny white seed beads and silver spacers; highlighting a stunning handcrafted in non-tarnish silver wire natural Brazilian Oco Agate that displays a black background with wavy white veins and a hint of red.








The second to the left is designed by Gayle in a graduated combination of Coral and black Jet disks then accenting througout with faceted Onyx stones and fancy spacers. This special set includes all three pieces - necklace, bracelet and earrings.

Coral: Diplomacy, quieting emotions, visualization.
Agates: Balancing physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies; perceptiveness, strength, inspiration, awakening talents.
Onyx: Self-control, decision making, intuition, recognition of personal strengths.

See these and many other designs available for purchase in our collections.

Mexican Lace Agate Jewelry Redesign

This Mexican Lace Agate pendant is a stunning piece of nature’s work and paired with Picture Jasper it was all about the yellow. The set was very well done, but sort of lacked that ‘pop’ and my mother-in-law was about to take it apart when I asked if I could work the piece, thinking first I would try to mix it with some Turquoise, though that didn't work.

I wanted to really bring out the black in the pendant, since that is what is amazing about it. I started mixing it up with large pieces of Onyx to enhance the large pendant, hand charming all the chips, pearls, and faceted onyx pieces into clusters, threw in Ivoryite for a little color to bring out the cream of the pendant and pewter and gunmetal for some texture. It’s still got the same beautiful look of yellow but now has a stronger feel of black thrown in to give it that extra ‘pop’ that she was looking for.


Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.
Onyx: Self-control, decision making, intuition, recognition of personal strengths.


Visit our collections for many different designs to find something that fits your personality.

Sweetness In Plume Agate Quartz

This is more of a simple, just elegant design for those who are looking for a little less than the bold. A very nice sized Plume Agate pendant in non-tarnish gunmetal wire and accented with faceted Cherry Volcano and Smoky Quartz and a sprinkling of freshwater pearls in a champagne color.

This and many other artisan crafted designs are available for purchase on our website.
Smoky Quartz: Believed by some to lift depression and dispel negative moods.
Pearl: Purity, faith, charity, innocence, integrity, focus, wisdom, spirituality, sincerity, fertility. Agates: Balancing physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies; perceptiveness, strength, inspiration, awakening talents.

A Stone of a Different Horse

Discovered in the mid-90’s near the Globe copper mine in the Gila wilderness area of southern Arizona, Wild Horse is naturally striking and beautiful. It is often called “Wild Horse Turquoise” however the composite is not the same as Turquoise. It is a mixture of Magnesite and hematite, generally white with brown or purple matrix veining; no two Wild Horse stones are the same retaining a high value and making it remarkably popular among jewelry designers and mineral collectors.



This design highlights the magnificent colors of Wild Horse Magnesite, deep shades of purple and a little bit of black matrix, capped with swirled pewter end-caps. For sparkle we’ve added Swarovski faceted Crystals in a pale shade of pink/purple and finished with freshwater cultured Pearls in a matching pale color of purple and bronze/copper.


Browse our collections for this and other custom designed jewelry pieces in natural stones.