Gemstone Care

Gemstone jewellery will look beautiful and last a long time if cared for properly. One thing to remember is that some gemstones are sensitive to light and may change colour if exposed to strong sunlight for a long time. Following is a list of the most common gemstones that will pale or change colour if exposed to continuous sunlight: Amethyst, ametrine, aquamarine, some paler aventurines, beryl, celestite, chrysoprase, citrine, kunzite, hiddenite, rose quartz, smokey quartz.

When cleaning your jewellery also be careful of commercial and abrasive cleaners as they can damage some gemstones. Here is a partial list that are sensitive to cleaners: amber, aquamarine, coral, emerald, jade, lapiz lazuli, malachite, pearls, shells, opals and turquoise. If in doubt about your gemstone don't use the cleaner but consider professional cleaning.

Also it is recommended that jewellery be stored in plastic resealable bags for protection and to prevent tarnishing of metals however some gemstones, such as pearls and opals need to breath and should only be stored in fabric.

Tina&ShadowridgeCanStudiosBlog: Freform Stirling Silver Pendant with Earings

Tina&ShadowridgeCanStudiosBlog: Freform Stirling Silver Pendant with Earings

Freform Stirling Silver Pendant with Earings

I have been having fun experimenting with freeform jewellery. This pendant is in stirling silver and various green, blue-green stones such serpentine, malachite, amazonite, turqoise, (also stirling silver spacers).

It was a lot of fun to make but this project took me 10 hours to complete and almost 60 inches of fine stirling silver wire. But it is totally unique with its beautiful matching drop earrings. I like to think that this jewellery is protective on the heart and heart chakra.

I plan to make more freeform pendants associated with the other chakras, red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo and crystal pendants, all freeform so none will be exactly the same, all with matching earings and perhaps bracelets. Prices will range from $65 to $85 depending on the stones and amount of stirling silver wire used. Earrings $18 to $25. Some of these earrings may be drops or freeform themselves.