Phenomenal Gems - The Feldspar Family

Phenomenal Gems - Labradorite Feldspar & Moonstone Labradorite Feldspar

Feldspar is most widespread mineral on the earth's crust and has some of the most diverse gemstones. I have designed jewelry using Labradorite Feldspar for years, not knowing that this gemstone was part of a large group of related species with several different varieties. The feldspar group has many members. Some are suitable for jewelry, while others are not because of either their lack in durability or availability. Members of this family vary slightly in chemical composition and sometimes crystal structure. The gemstones vary widely in appearance and it is the chemical elements that make up the appearance. Interestingly enough, some of this family has a phenomenal appearance while others do much the same way as some people in a family stand out more than others. 

Moonstone has been very popular for decades. In the 1960’s during the “flower child” movement ,it was popular for it’s exquisite beauty. In the 1990’s ,the New Age movement turned to it for it’s natural beauty while the luxury jewelry industry started designing with it in the early 2000’s. I personally became aware of the gemstone then, and have loved it ever since. Several designers, whose work I admire,  such as those from Saks to Nieman’s, who have used Moonstone in their collections. It’s a stone that catches your eye because the vivid adularescence, which is noticeably appealing. Anything sparkly interested me, which most of you know by now.

The moonstone is a variety of Orthoclase while Labradorite is it’s variety as well as species. Top quality moonstone is found in Sri Lanka while commercial grade, which is primarily most of the gemstones you and I will see, is mined from Myanmar and India. Most often you will see moonstone in as a cabochon gemstone. It is so plentiful there are calibrated sizes, meaning standard jewelry size stones available a the wholesale level.  Another labradorite variety is Sunstone that is mined in Oregon and is not treated. Some buyers search out as well as it being a gemstone from the USA.  

There is a place on the Cambria Coastline in California that is called Moonstone Beach and after a heavy storm one can find moonstone gems on the beach amongst the rocks on the shore line. During the storm the water churns up gemstones, separating them from the earth's crust while the surface to the beaches shore line. This is a place on my bucket list! If it wasn't a 5.5 hour drive from San Diego I would venture there several times a week while here in California to see what I can find. 

Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel Island one can find sharks teeth on the beach on any given day. It's amazing what mother nature provides to us that is both beautiful and fascinating to explore.

Labradorite was found on the coast of Labrador ,Canada around 1770 ,by a missionary, hence the name Labradorite. This stone is used decoratively, often as carved into designs for a richly patterned look. Fine Labradorite Feldspar shimmers with a unique iridescent phenomenon that you can see below in some of the earrings shown. 

If you have not been aware of this gorgeous gemstone family, I hope you can appreciate and find a love for this stone as I have. Thank you for reading this week's blog and until next time sparkle on…..

Designer Paula Crevoshay's blackened-gold, faceted blue moonstone, fuchsia, sapphire, and diamond cymbidium orchid brooch is part of the Garden of Light collection by Crevoshay. It is a painted jewel.  ~ Moonsonte(18)=29.24ct. Red Spinel(25)=0.78ct. This brooch is from Provident Jewelry's Collection, Naples, FL.

Kaufmann de Suisse since 1954 has designed distinctive elegant jewelry and the company has won five Diamond International Awards building a reputation as a world famous designer catering to the elite of society. This estate necklace is set in 18k white gold and the 9 moonstones have a gorgeous blue sheen with a milky or cloudy look to the cabochon. This is a necklace that can be worn for many occasions from casual to elegant, it just needs the right outfit styled correctly and the right attitude!!! This necklace is from Provident Jewelry’s Collection, Naples, FL. 

      

Maryann Scandiffio Jewelry Design - Labradorite Felspar, the earrings on the left are a greenish grey with a pink and white sheen while the x-large earrings on the right are a highly prized gemstones because of the blueish grey color and the luscious blue sheen that this gemstone is known for. Although to me, it’s a personal preference in color composition that makes you happy when selecting the perfect piece for you. At the end of the day it’s about finding what gemstone speaks to you, will make you happy when you put it on and is something that won’t sit in your jewelry box. Jewelry is meant to be worn and adorned…...

* If you have any interest in any of the items above please contact me for more details.

The road that is taking me on this journey....

The road that is taking me on this journey……

This week I would like to take the time to tell you exactly how this journey has been going thus far. When I originally arrived that Friday afternoon at the Gemological Institute of America, GIA, for my orientation in classroom #207, I was excited, anticipating a fabulous as well as relaxing shall we say, "VACATION" type summer-time in Southern California. Of course, I knew there would be work involved, but truthfully, I had not expected my days to be too rigorous. I have been in the jewelry and luxury industry for more than 20 years. I design jewelry and anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE everything about jewelry.

I missed the class orientation. It was held the week before I arrived.  My schedule did not allow me to be at the school at that time. So I arranged with the administrations office for my orientation on the Friday before the Monday school start date. I walked in and met my instructor, Tim, who showed me my desk assignment. There was a stack of 3 ring binders, books, pamphlets and assorted instruments on the desk. I foolishly asked him what was all that the stuff on my desk and to my surprise, he told me it was my course curriculum.  Shock rushed through out my body. Then he informed me I had three chapters to study over the weekend before class on Monday. Alarm set in as I realized this program was going to be more serious than I had expected. In high school I rarely found the subjects interesting, and sometimes it was hard to grasp all the information coming my way. How was I going to weather this storm that was about to take place. The thought came over me, maybe this idea of getting my GG wasn't the best one I have had recently!!!

Well, here I was, hitting the books again. Being older, and I would like to think more well rounded, my approach to studying at this time was different than high school.  Age and experience of life have helped me. Today, I work to achieve improvement of one small milestone at a time. My expectations are more realistic. The last eight weeks have been challenging. I have had to work my catoocas off, but my time here so far has remarkably rewarding. When I was twenty I would have compared myself to others, today I have learned to compare myself to myself. When I have a little victory, I make a big deal about it-- for me. This has helped me to stay here, in this course and finish out what I set out to do. There were two times in the past several weeks that I thought, I can't do this. The work is too hard and I just don't have what it takes. Well, I have accepted that is not true. That thought is was an out and out lie. I DO have what it takes -- one stone at a time, one question on the test every Friday at a time.

Oh, and did I tell you that by the last week of September, I will have looked at, and graded, 1,860 stones.  When I heard that number I almost fell off my chair. Not only do I need to see that many stones, but each week there is a stone count that is required, with a test every Friday on the course work, cumulative up to the date of information given. The final kicker was when I was informed that this course work in an Ivy League college would take 2.5 years. We are doing it in less than six months. This GIA course is no joke. Boy, did I embark on some character building work, or what???

My fellow students are from all around the world.  Some of them are the most fascinating, lovely, kind in spirit people I could ask to meet. Angel, my study partner, car pool buddy and dear friend, makes me laugh so often that I remember not take myself too seriously. He truly is an angel and the smartest, most driven person that I am fortunate enough to know her at GIA. Elizabeth, a real Nicole Kidman look alike, could not be any more encouraging. She is as beautiful as she is kind and an extremely well rounded woman. Julie, a hippie girl from Berkley, is a third generation jeweler and as cool as they come. She’s an incredible sketcher and very spirited with a joy for life to that is infectious. David, second generation jeweler and race car driver is totally laid back. He really knows how to enjoy the moment. He’s a perfect example for me of someone wearing life like a loose garment. Then, we have Bruce, who surprises me more often than not, with something I do not expect. He reminds me of my brother, big heart, funnier than funny and appreciative of life. He is a veteran who has served three tours and for that alone he deserves applause as well as admiration in my book. And lastly, I can not finish without mentioning Faris.... A 6" 4 inch, smile to melt your heart, and our class president. If I was 20 years younger I would be trying to get in all sorts of trouble with him! A true gentleman and remarkable young man that his parents can be truly proud of the person they brought into this world. These people are some of the finest human beings that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I learn from them and my admiration continues to grow the more I get to know them. M xo

Course curriculum.... who knew?

Mined rough _ A Gemologists Heaven

Left to right; Faris, Julie, Andrew, Elizabeth, David, Seth, Derek & Chin

Jade ~ The precious gem....

JADE

The precious gem known as the “stone of heaven” has been treasured by the Asian culture for thousands of years for its rich heritage. The trade name for the finest quality semitransparent jadeite with its even, and vivid color is called Imperial Jade. The modern gemologists use the word “Jade” which includes Jadeite & Nephrite. The gems are soft enough to carve, but tough enough to withstand a carvers constant pounding of his hammer on the gem. Jadeite is commercially available, but top-quality is rare. Jadeite also comes in an array of colors: lavender, red, orange, yellow, brown, white, black & gray. Green is the most valuable and most expensive, it can have a price tag of over $3 million dollars per carat. 

In China & Europe, during the Stone Age, workers shaped Jadeite into weapons, tools, ornaments & ritual objects. The carvings are believed to invoke the powers of heaven, earth, and mystic forces of life & death. The ancient relationship between this gemstone and humanity persists today among native societies in New Zealand & parts of North America. In China it became an artistic tradition that has prospered for more than 3,000 years.

The Chinese culture associate jade with clarity of mind and purity of spirit. Some of the ancient symbolic motifs still used in modern carvings are: the bat for happiness, butterfly for long life, dragon for power, prosperity & goodness, peach for immortality and the Bi, the flat circular disk with a hole in the center which is for heaven. In China there is a tradition that a girl's parents give her a Jadeite bangle to wish her a good and prosperous life, it is something the girl does not take off.  She will wear it into adulthood.

The Jade gemstone has never been a powerful or important stone for our culture in the United States, but I have seen some amazing carved pieces here.  Designers today are creating modern looks that are stylish with a chic contemporary feel. Below you will find several pieces that are my favorites of the Jade we we have to offer.

Carved Jadeite Earrings

Jade "Spirituality of Vitality" Pendant