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.

Art in the County Juried Show

Prince Edward County's "Art in the County" show is on until July 5th at the Picton Old Fire Hall. 177 pieces were submitted and I am pleased to say that my "Earth's Treasures" was one of the 95 that the jurors selected for the show. This piece is my first "gemstone" painting. It is an acrylic and rainforest jasper/labradorite gemstone combination depicting clusters of grapes on grapevines. This piece is for sale.

Lapis Nevada

Lapis Nevada is a rare unusual stone composed of 11 different minerals and glows with pale greens, blues, greys and a touch of pink/lavendar blush. It is said from a metaphysical aspect to promote creativity.

I was lucky enough to obtain several drilled lapis nevada pendants in different shapes as well as several strings of rounds to allow multiple jewellery designs. This flexibility also allows me to be able to sell the pieces individually.

Drop earings are 1 1/2 inches with stirling silver earwires, wire and spacers ($18).

Bracelet ( $25 ) and 18 inch necklace ($45) have stirling silver clasps, while the necklace also has stirling silver spacers. I just love the beauty of these stones that seem to radiate a calm, peacefullness.

My next post will show the different style pendants, more information on the mineral content of this stone as well additional detail on its metaphysical properties.

Kirsten's Malachite Egyptian Fan Jewellery

This gorgeous 14" malachite and clear crystal quartz necklace and matching earings were designed for my young friend Kirsten who is going to be a flower girl at her brother's wedding. Kirsten picked out a malachite Egyptian fan and we decided to use a mix of 4 and 6 mm clear quartz rounds, with stirling silver clasp,crimps, wire and fishhooks earings. I used the smallest ends of the fan for the earings. This jewellery absolutely glows with a light of its own and will be a perfect match to Kirsten's glow when she walks down the aisle.

There are still fans available in red tiger's eye, blue lace agate, and blue gold stone

Portals Juried Show Entries

Here are my two submissions for the "Portals" Juried Show at the Belleville Public Library. Both were accepted!!!

"Eclipse: Return from the Sun" (right) is coloured pencil/pastel and is part of my "Eclipse" series.

"Into the Fire" (next right) was one of my first experiments in acrylic. The glazings allowed me to put more and more colour on colour. I love the medium!!

Both are rather inigmatic. In a nutshell "Into the Sun" portrays some thoughts on what happens as a soul evolves spiritually. This particular "Eclipse" painting portrays our conflicts and hopefully the resolutions. The horse represents the race to save ourselves. He carries strengths/the answers obtained from the journey into the eclipse. The eclipse represents both dark and light information. The eyes (eclipses themselves) represent the ever present universal energies watching and waiting.

Both these paintings are for sale. They are on disply in the John Parrot Gallery at the Belleville Public Library until the end of July 16 after which they will return to my studio.

Shells, Fish and a Pearl

My favourite things, shells, fish and pearls altogether in one necklace and earings set. This 18" necklace features a centered fish pendant with a single stirling silver and pearl drop. The shells and pearl are irridescent purplish, pink, and grey, while the earings are a delicate two shells and a pearl offset by stirling silver wire and "fish hook" earwires. This $45 ocean inspired jewellery reminds one of the ebb and flow of life, to calm and center, and to meditate on the values of faith, truth, and integrity.

One of a Kind Shell Jewellery

Shells, shells everywhere. This unique 16" shell choker was created with pale irridescent pink and grey shells and metal findings. The earings are shell, stirling silver wire and stirling silver fish hook earwires.

This necklace set represents boundless growth, and adaptability as in the ocean shells are discarded by their owners in favour of a larger home. The pale pinks and swirley greys provoke imagination, intuition and sensitivity through their lovely irridescent play of colours. This one of a kind set is $65. Although I have other different shells this necklace is unlikely to ever be created in quite the same way again.

Tree of Life Pendant

These lovely new pendants were created using memory wire as the main framework with copper wire as the trunk and jemstone chips as the leaves.

The picture above shows the Tree of Life created from unikite jem stone chips. The greens and pinks seem to radiate a calm gentleness and harmony with the earth's energy.

I used double A quality amethyst chips for the second pendant above and it just glows with universal healing energy.

Trees of Life may be made from any gemstone chips as well as with stirling silver instead of the memory wire and/or copper. Size is approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Pendants range from $20 to $35 depending on materials and jem chips used. All come with cotton knotted cord included, however stirling silver chains can be substituted if desired. Chips currently available are citrine, sunstone, green and blue aventurine, lapis, unikite, red, blue and brown tiger's eye and snowflake obsidian.

Feedback regarding the Tree of Life Pendants are welcome as well as any commissions.

Hi and Welcome to my blog

I will be featuring new jewellery designs and art from my studio. I welcome feedback and comments particularily on the jewellery.

Here you will find new and upcoming jewellery designs that I have just created. They will be one of a kind individual pieces that will be for sale themselves or samples that you can order your own customized designs from.

I also will feature some of my new visual art pieces and locations of displays and shows that I will be attending.

Stay tuned for my new Tree of Life pendant pics.

Tina